Chapter Twenty-One

Xiao You gazed at the man standing in the doorway. By his estimation, the man was well over six feet tall, with a commanding presence, handsome features, and brows as sharp as if painted with lacquer—he exuded a unique aura of authority.

Xiao You felt he looked familiar, but couldn’t quite recall where he’d seen him. So, with polite composure, he asked, “May I ask who you’re looking for?”

You Yi frowned, regarding the boy before him, whose bright eyes and flawless teeth struck him with a hint of surprise. He hadn’t expected that the first person to answer the door would be Xiao Zhou’s little lover. Xiao Zhou was notorious for his amorous escapades, but he never brought his bed partners into his own apartment. This kid must be the first.

“I’m here for Xiao Zhou,” You Yi said, then stepped inside.

Xiao You, confronted by You Yi’s imposing figure, dared not stand in his way. He quickly darted ahead, calling out to Xiao Zhou, who was watching television on the sofa, “Brother Zhou, someone’s here for you.”

“Hmm?” Xiao Zhou turned his head impatiently. When he saw the stern-faced You Yi, he sprang up from the sofa in alarm. “B—Boss, what brings you here?” Then, he barked orders at Xiao You, “Don’t just stand there. Go to the bedroom. Unless I call you, don’t come out.”

Expressionless, Xiao You replied, “Maybe I should just leave altogether.”

“Who told you to leave?” Xiao Zhou’s brows knitted together as he snapped, “Go to the bedroom!”

Without another word, Xiao You turned and headed toward the bedroom.

You Yi’s gaze lingered on Xiao You’s back, as if pondering something, his eyes flickering with thought. Suddenly, Xiao Zhou stepped into his line of sight, grinning, “Boss, have a seat over here.”

You Yi sat down on the sofa, and Xiao Zhou lit a cigarette for him.

“Boss, don’t tell me Brother Xiao kicked you out?” Xiao Zhou said with a sly smile.

You Yi shot him a glare. “Where the hell did you get that idea?”

“Hehe, besides Brother Xiao, who else could make you look so grim?”

You Yi exhaled a plume of smoke, slumping irritably against the sofa. “We had a fight. I left on my own accord, couldn’t take it anymore. Who said I was kicked out?”

Unable to resist, Xiao Zhou teased, “Boss, you’ve made progress—actually daring to argue with Brother Xiao.”

“Shut up, you idiot, I’m already pissed as hell.”

Every time he recalled Yi Xiao Yu’s words—“Wen Ming is far better than you”—You Yi felt a surge of fury. What angered him wasn’t her denial, but the fact that, in her heart, that man named Wen Ming had a weight that could wholly replace his own.

You Yi suddenly remembered what Wen Ming had once said to Yi Xiao Yu in his own living room...

Married in haste for two years, do those erase the seven years I spent with you?

Seven years!

That man had accompanied Xiao Yu through seven years of her life!

“Boss, so when are you planning to apologize to Brother Xiao?” Xiao Zhou asked seriously, “I’m really worried he might break your second rib.”

You Yi took several drags of his cigarette. “Anyway, I’m not going back tonight. Lend me your ID card, I’ll get a hotel. And some cash.”

“You’re serious?”

“Why do you talk so much? Am I supposed to stay here and watch you two lovebirds fawn over each other?”

“I mean, it’s not impossible. If you want, I’ll have Xiao You tidy up the guest room.”

“No need. I’ll stay at a hotel. I’ll text you the hotel’s name and address later. If Xiao Yu calls and asks where I am, just tell her. But don’t say I told you.”

Xiao Zhou, looking earnest, asked, “Boss, do you think, given Brother Xiao’s temperament, he’ll actually bother asking where you are?”

You Yi paused, staring at the carpet as he smoked, saying nothing.

Xiao Zhou had a point.

“Boss, not to be critical, but Brother Xiao is always busy with work, flying out of town every other week. He hardly has the time to care what you’re thinking.” Seeing the deepening gloom on his boss’s face, Xiao Zhou couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Boss, was it really just a fight with Brother Xiao?”

You Yi took several more drags. “It’s because of Xiao Yu’s first love. Damn bastard keeps bothering her.”

“Damn, Brother Xiao has a first love?”

You Yi crushed his cigarette into the ashtray, gritting his teeth. “That pretty boy, I don’t get how Xiao Yu ever liked him.”

“Boss, how about this—I'll get a few brothers together, corner him in an alley and rough him up. Warn him off. See if he dares show up in front of Brother Xiao again.”

You Yi rubbed his chin. “Violence won’t solve this.”

Wen Ming wasn’t some spoiled nephew of the mayor. It wasn’t that he feared trouble from beating the guy up; rather, You Yi felt that doing so would only make Wen Ming look down on him more, and Xiao Yu would despise him—think he was nothing but a brute.

Though he’d always preferred to use his fists over words when dealing with problems, he knew better than to apply that approach to everything. If he kept up this cold war with his wife over this, he’d be playing right into Wen Ming’s hands.

He, You Yi, was Xiao Yu’s rightful partner. Who did Wen Ming think he was? Was it worth getting physical? A few cutting words would be enough to put him in his place.

He needed to have a talk with Wen Ming.

After lighting another cigarette, You Yi rose from the sofa and prepared to leave. Xiao Zhou escorted him to the door, then shouted toward the bedroom, “Xiao You, bring my wallet from the bedside table.”

Soon, Xiao You emerged from the bedroom carrying Xiao Zhou’s wallet. Without so much as a glance, Xiao Zhou handed it to You Yi. “All the card passwords are one-two-three, one-two-three.”

“I won’t need that much,” You Yi said, pulling out two bills and Xiao Zhou’s ID card. “I’ll go back after Xiao Yu leaves for work in the morning.”

He returned the wallet to Xiao Zhou, but his gaze involuntarily fell upon the boy behind him.

Noticing his boss’s look, Xiao Zhou instinctively shifted to block You Yi’s view, laughing as he changed the subject. “Boss, did you drive? If not, I can give you a lift.”

“No need.” Without looking at Xiao Zhou, You Yi beckoned to the boy behind him, speaking softly, “Come here. I need to ask you a few questions.”

Xiao You started to step forward, but Xiao Zhou raised a hand to stop him. Smiling, Xiao Zhou said, “He’s just a student, Boss. If you have questions, ask me.”

You Yi brushed Xiao Zhou aside with a hand. “Out of the way!”

He led Xiao You outside, turning back to Xiao Zhou. “Don’t follow. I just need to talk to him for a moment. Don’t worry.”

Xiao Zhou stood his ground, squeezing out a smile. “Alright… Boss, go ahead. Xiao You, answer whatever my boss asks, understood?”

Xiao You replied calmly, “Understood.”

You Yi closed the door and turned to face the boy.

“Your name is Chu You, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you so obedient to Xiao Zhou?”

“That’s what you wanted to ask?”

“Yes,” You Yi said seriously. “I hope you’ll be specific.”

With a bitter, self-mocking smile tinged with deep resentment, Chu You replied coldly, “If I don’t do as he says, I’ll die. No, I’ll live miserably.”

(The author: Here comes a fresh wave of melodrama—brothers, brace yourselves!)