Chapter Seventy-Five

This way, not only would Xiao Zhou be pulled out of despair, but it would also be fair to Chu You—killing two birds with one stone.

Chu You looked at Yi Xiaoyu with a hint of doubt. "Will Xiao Zhou actually listen to you? You should know his background, he’s..."

"No matter who he is, you just need to trust that I can handle him," Yi Xiaoyu replied earnestly. "Chu You, this is your best option right now. Living alone here—how much better could that be compared to living freely by Xiao Zhou’s side? You know his background, and with his abilities, it’s only a matter of time before he finds out you’re still alive. If you work at my partner’s company, I promise you Xiao Zhou won’t dare do anything reckless. If he tries, I’ll have someone beat him so badly he won’t be able to get out of bed the next day."

Chu You clenched his hand tightly on his thigh, then slowly relaxed after a long pause. He spoke in a low voice, "Alright, I trust you."

Yi Xiaoyu talked with Chu You a bit more, comforting him and outlining a path for his future. As Chu You listened, he couldn’t help but develop a sense of admiration for the handsome man before him. Finally, when Yi Xiaoyu was about to leave, Chu You escorted him to the door and asked a question that had been lingering in his mind. "Are you the ‘Brother Xiao’ that Xiao Zhou always mentions?"

"I’m not sure, but he does always call me ‘Brother Xiao,’" Yi Xiaoyu replied.

Chu You exclaimed, "Then is your partner the ‘boss’ he talks about?"

"Yes, that’s true. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing," Chu You chuckled lightly. "I just feel more at ease now."

Yi Xiaoyu smiled knowingly. "Go back inside, get some sleep, don’t stay up late. Tomorrow, wake up early, tidy up, and in the afternoon, come home with me. Get some rest—I, Yi Xiaoyu, always keep my promises."

"Thank you—really, thank you."

With the matter settled for now, Yi Xiaoyu felt relieved. He sympathized with Chu You and felt sorry for the dispirited Xiao Zhou. His solution had minimized both their suffering as much as possible.

As he walked toward the car, Yi Xiaoyu saw from a distance that the plump man inside was already leaning against the seat, asleep. Yi Xiaoyu opened the door and got in, just in time to hear the man mumbling in his sleep, "Xiaoyu, hehe, I’ll make you cry..."

Yi Xiaoyu slapped You Laoda on the forehead. You Laoda snapped upright, looked around, and grumbled, "Who the hell dares hit the boss..." Seeing his partner in the front seat, You Laoda quickly wiped the drool from his mouth and smiled. "You’re back."

"Yeah," Yi Xiaoyu said, fastening his seatbelt. "Drive, and wake up."

You Laoda started the car. "You two talked for a long time. So, what did the kid say? Is he willing to see Xiao Zhou?"

Yi Xiaoyu told You Laoda about his conversation with Chu You. You Laoda pursed his lips and thought seriously, finally concluding, "Xiao Zhou is really a mess." He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—thank goodness he hadn’t listened to that brat back then, or he’d have ended up just like him.

"If Xiao Zhou wants to win him back, it’s going to be tough. If he tries anything forceful, you keep an eye on him for me—I promised Xiao You."

"Don’t worry, sweetheart. If Xiao Zhou tries anything, I’ll break his legs."

Yi Xiaoyu returned to Xiao Zhou’s house, and it was already late at night.

But Yi Xiaoyu guessed Xiao Zhou wasn’t asleep.

Xiao Zhou was still sitting on the edge of his bed, surrounded by scattered bottles, his whole body looking lost, slumped against a cabinet, staring blankly at the floor with bloodshot eyes. He seemed completely defeated.

Thinking of the once spirited, radiant Xiao Zhou, and then looking at the lifeless Xiao Zhou before him, as if he’d turn to ashes the moment sunlight touched him, Yi Xiaoyu felt nothing but pain.

But what comfort could he offer? All of this, Xiao Zhou had brought upon himself.

Yi Xiaoyu told Xiao Zhou that Chu You was still alive. Xiao Zhou stood in shock for a full five seconds.

Yi Xiaoyu sighed. "Your mother and Chu You’s ordeal—that was your punishment. From now on, you need to..."

Xiao Zhou’s eyes widened, all his blood rushing to his head. He let out a strange laugh, then suddenly burst into mad laughter, and then cried like a child before abruptly hugging Yi Xiaoyu, laughing and crying, "Thank you, Brother Xiao, thank you..."

Xiao Zhou scrambled to his feet, stumbled toward the door, then rushed back, panting, "Brother Xiao, where is Chu You? Where is he? I want to see him!"

As he spoke, Xiao Zhou was trembling all over.

"Go take a shower, eat something, and rest. Tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you."

Xiao Zhou was near tears. "I want to see him now! I can’t stand it! I feel like I’m about to explode! I miss him! I want to see him! Please, Brother Xiao, where is he?"

Yi Xiaoyu’s expression turned cold. "Do you believe I’ll take back everything I just said and tell you it was all a lie?"

Xiao Zhou’s face went pale. "I’ll go shower."

With that, Xiao Zhou dashed into the bathroom.

(Yawning Brother: How many updates will it take to finish tomorrow? I’m destined to be so busy, so busy~)