Chapter Eight

You Yi was taken away by the police.

Yi Xiaoyu didn't go to work that afternoon. He called Xiao Zhou to learn from him the full story behind You Yi injuring someone, then quickly phoned the chief of the V City Public Security Bureau to ask for help.

In the business and political circles of V City, Yi Xiaoyu still held some sway, so he had a few connections. He originally intended to use his influence to bail You Yi out, but before he could finish making all the necessary arrangements, by the next morning, Big Boss You had already returned home safe and sound.

The moment You Yi stepped inside, he saw Yi Xiaoyu standing by the window, anxiously making a phone call, his face tired as if he hadn’t slept all night.

Yi Xiaoyu stared in disbelief at You Yi, who had just walked through the door.

“Xiaoyu, it’s nothing serious. I’m back,” You Yi said, approaching with a look of concern and wrapping his arms around Yi Xiaoyu, only to have his thigh ruthlessly kicked by Yi Xiaoyu, who had just snapped out of his daze.

Rubbing his leg, You Yi was about to explain when Yi Xiaoyu suddenly cupped his face and sealed his lips with a forceful kiss.

“Mmm.” Both surprised and delighted, You Yi wrapped his arms around Yi Xiaoyu’s waist, deepening the kiss with passion.

They kissed for an indeterminate time before Yi Xiaoyu finally let go and asked, “How did you get out?”

“By… using connections, I suppose.”

Yi Xiaoyu couldn’t help but laugh. “What connections does a street tough like you have?”

“I’ve been around the block. How could I get by without some tricks up my sleeve?” You Yi caressed Yi Xiaoyu’s face tenderly. “Did you miss me, Xiaoyu?”

Yi Xiaoyu pinched You Yi’s waist hard. “Miss you? You beat up the mayor’s nephew like that—what were you thinking? Don’t you realize a man like that could crush you with a flick of his finger?”

You Yi rubbed his aching waist, looking innocent. “That brat was the one who provoked me first. Besides…” He pulled Yi Xiaoyu to the sofa and held his hand. “You don’t like him either. Remember last year’s news? That brat, drunk, killed a married couple with his car, and his family connections got him off without any consequences. You said yourself while watching, ‘A man like that doesn’t deserve to live.’ And a few months ago, he assaulted a massage therapist, then blamed her for seducing him. In the end, the woman jumped to her death. I remember you called him a menace to society and hoped someone would teach him a lesson…”

Yi Xiaoyu eyed You Yi. “Don’t you have a terrible memory? How do you remember all this?”

“Heh, I remember everything you say.” Big Boss You hugged Yi Xiaoyu’s waist, kissing and licking at his neck. “Whoever you dislike, I want to beat up for you. So when he started trouble, I dealt with him on your behalf. Did it make you feel better, Xiaoyu? If not, next time I see him, I’ll break all four of his limbs so he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Yi Xiaoyu sighed. “Fatty, you’re too violent.”

You Yi looked up, somewhat anxious. “You don’t like that?”

Yi Xiaoyu smiled and stroked his hair. “But you did well this time.”

Delighted, You Yi pressed Yi Xiaoyu down onto the sofa. “Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu…”

“Get up, now’s not the time for that,” Yi Xiaoyu patted his head. “Don’t think this is the end of it.”

“Don’t worry, Xiaoyu, I guarantee he won’t dare trouble me again.”

“Who do you think you are? What kind of guarantee is that? Move, I want to call the chief and check on things.”

“No need. If I needed my wife’s help for something this small, what kind of man would I be?”

Yi Xiaoyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Just try not to get into trouble.”

You Yi kissed the corner of Yi Xiaoyu’s mouth. “Let me handle this myself, alright?”

“Fine, do what you want.” Yi Xiaoyu rolled his eyes. “Just don’t drag me into it.”

You Yi looked at the proud man underneath him, swallowed hard, gently removed Yi Xiaoyu’s glasses, and whispered, “Xiaoyu, I promise I won’t cause you any more trouble.”

“We’ll see.”

“Xiaoyu, the way you talk is unbearably seductive.”

“…”

In the end, Yi Xiaoyu couldn’t resist You Yi’s relentless persistence and wicked teasing, and was taken from the sofa to the bed.

Yi Xiaoyu, who hadn’t slept all night, finally drifted into a deep slumber after being utterly exhausted by You Yi.

———

The incident quietly blew over, but Yi Xiaoyu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

As the year’s end approached, work at the company piled up, and Yi Xiaoyu didn’t have the energy to focus on anything else, devoting himself entirely to his job. His team performed admirably, securing the rights to two highly valuable plots of land, which put Yi Xiaoyu in an excellent mood as he prepared to make a big move after the New Year.

Once the real estate projects began, his company’s profits would soar to new heights.

Yi Yu, his younger brother, also deserved much of the credit.

Yi Xiaoyu had always somewhat underestimated his brother, thinking he’d only focused on his looks while abroad these last few years, never expecting him to have such a sharp business mind.

What Yi Xiaoyu didn’t know was that every night when he was out socializing, his brother Yi Yu would go looking for You Yi.

If You Yi wasn’t out drinking with his crew at night, he was mostly competing in underground boxing matches.

Even though Yi Yu suspected there was something between You Yi and his older brother, he never exposed it. Instead, he acted as if he knew nothing, following You Yi around, playing the role of his devoted fan. When You Yi was fiercely fighting in the ring, Yi Yu would cheer endlessly from below, calling out, “Brother You! Brother You!” which filled You Yi with energy.

Whenever Yi Yu came to find him, You Yi never brought Scallion, because for some reason, Scallion seemed to have a natural hostility toward Yi Yu, baring his teeth and growling every time they met.

“Brother You, what did you do before? Were you a fitness coach? You’ve got a great body,” Yi Yu blinked innocently, poking at You Yi’s chest and laughing. “Really solid.”

Wiping off his sweat, You Yi was caught off guard by the gentle poke—it was as though a current shot through his body, leaving him tingling all over.

Lifting his head, he saw that devastatingly attractive face, and his composure vanished. “Uh… Xiaoyu, don’t get so close. I’m all sweaty.”

As he spoke, his Adam’s apple bobbed.

A pretty boy this close was almost too much to bear.

“You have work tomorrow, you should head home early,” You Yi said, worried he might lose control. This kid was his lover’s brother—if he stepped out of line, Xiaoyu would tear him to pieces.

“It’s only just past eight,” Yi Yu said, looping his arm through You Yi’s as they left the boxing ring, sounding glum. “I don’t even have a girlfriend, what’s the point of going home so early? Besides, my colleagues say the new restaurant up ahead has amazing signature dishes. I got a big bonus recently—let me treat you, Brother You.”

Looking at Yi Yu’s expectant smile, You Yi wavered, reaching out to flick Yi Yu’s nose affectionately. “Alright, you win.”

While You Yi was out eating with Yi Yu, Yi Xiaoyu, having just finished a business dinner and left the hotel, ran into a man who had been calling and texting him incessantly lately—Wen Ming.

It would be more accurate to say Wen Ming had been waiting for him.

Standing beside Yi Xiaoyu’s car, Wen Ming wore a long, tailored khaki trench coat and a gray wool scarf around his neck. Snow was falling softly, and he looked dashing and elegant, a gentle smile on his face.

Yi Xiaoyu stood at the hotel entrance, gazing dazedly at Wen Ming in the distance, suddenly struck by a wave of nostalgia.

They’d been together for seven years. Every scene from the past seemed as vivid as yesterday—so clear, and yet so far away.

Joseph, seeing Yi Xiaoyu hesitate, quietly prompted him, “President Yi, would you like to speak with Mr. Wen?”

Yi Xiaoyu snapped back to reality. “No need. Let’s head home.”

“Yes, sir.”

When they reached the car, Yi Xiaoyu looked at Wen Ming coolly. “If you have something to say, let’s talk another time. I’m heading home.”

Wen Ming took off his scarf and said softly, “You drank a lot tonight, be careful not to catch a cold.”

Yi Xiaoyu raised his hand, pushing away the scarf Wen Ming tried to wrap around his neck. “I’m perfectly healthy, thank you, Mr. Designer. I’m going home.”

He reached to open the car door.

Wen Ming grabbed his arm, urgent yet gentle. “Xiaoyu, can we find a quiet place to talk? I can’t believe we can’t find our way back to each other.”

Yi Xiaoyu chuckled, turning to look at Wen Ming with calm resolve. “Don’t you know I’m married? I remember you were the first person I told, two years ago.”

“Xiaoyu, I know you made up that story to get back at me for leaving. I regret going abroad. I—”

“You think I lied about being married?” Yi Xiaoyu almost laughed. “I sent you all my marriage documents and photos. After seeing them, you still think I made it up?”

“Xiaoyu, I’m sorry. I know you must have hated me back then.”

Suddenly, Yi Xiaoyu felt too weary to explain further. Every extra word with this man was exhausting.

No matter how much nostalgia remained, the two of them could never go back.

Shaking off Wen Ming’s hand, Yi Xiaoyu bent down and got into the car.

“Joseph, let’s go home.”

“Yes, President Yi.”

The last thing he heard was Wen Ming’s pained voice calling, “Xiaoyu, I won’t give up on you.”

Yi Xiaoyu turned to look out the window, his heart aching. Some feelings can’t be cut off in an instant, no matter how much time has passed. Seeing that familiar face after two years still brought a pang of sorrow.

But that was only a farewell to the past. What mattered was the present; what was over wasn’t worth replaying.

When he got home, You Yi still hadn’t returned. It wasn’t even ten yet, and Yi Xiaoyu didn’t think much of it—You Yi often came home after ten, as long as he made it back by their agreed-upon half-past ten.

After showering, Yi Xiaoyu got into bed, but Wen Ming’s face and those words of “back then” kept replaying in his mind.

Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, Yi Xiaoyu called You Yi.

At this hour, only that fat man’s voice could calm him.

He dialed.

No one answered.