Chapter Five

Last night, he’d watched movies until dawn, so when the morning sun poured across the bed at ten o’clock, You Yi was still deeply asleep, clutching his blanket. It wasn’t until the doorbell kept ringing that he sluggishly dragged himself out of bed.

He slipped into his underwear, threw on a robe, and wandered yawning into the living room. Usually, those knocking were either couriers or the warm-hearted Mrs. Li next door bringing dumplings or snacks.

You Yi lazily opened the door. Standing outside was a beautiful young man, and the yawn that was about to escape his lips was quickly swallowed. The next moment, You Yi’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Calling the youth beautiful was no exaggeration. He looked barely twenty, tall and slender, with flawless pale skin. His eyes, nose, and lips seemed crafted to the most ideal proportions, a heartthrob capable of charming thousands.

You Yi, seasoned in romance and acquainted with countless men and women, had never seen such a handsome young man. For a moment, his desires nearly overwhelmed him.

The youth wore a baseball cap, held a suitcase in one hand, and a slip of paper in the other, presumably with an address. He seemed surprised to see You Yi open the door, then turned to check the apartment number.

You Yi quickly tightened his robe and, like a sly wolf, softly asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for my older brother.” The youth’s voice was pleasant. He smiled politely at You Yi, the muscular man before him. “But perhaps I’ve got the wrong place. Sorry to trouble you.”

Encountering such a delicate young man for the first time, You Yi certainly didn’t want to be just a passing stranger.

“Hey, don’t go!” You Yi called out as the youth turned to leave, eager to help. “What’s your brother’s name? I’ve lived here for two years and know everyone in this building. If your brother lives here, I should know.”

The young man thought for a moment. “His name’s Yi Xiaoyu. He’s the CEO of Huiqing Real Estate.”

You Yi was stunned. “You... you’re his brother?”

“You know him?”

“Yes, I know him,” You Yi said, secretly delighted, reaching to help with the luggage. “Come in, Xiaoyu lives here. He came home yesterday, and he’ll be back this afternoon. Come in, have a seat.”

Without hesitation, You Yi grabbed the suitcase and hauled it inside. The youth, seeing You Yi’s strong build, didn’t dare take the luggage back. After confirming the door number once more, he followed You Yi in, half believing, thinking that it was a residential building and there were security cameras in the hallway—surely nothing untoward would happen.

Besides, his father had given him this address, so this must be Yi Xiaoyu’s residence.

“My name is Yi Yu. May I ask who you are...” Yi Yu sized up the man before him, casting a discreet glance around the living room.

If this man walked freely in Yi Xiaoyu’s home in a robe, their relationship couldn’t be simple.

At the very least, they weren’t just ordinary friends.

“I’m a regular friend of his,” You Yi lied with practiced ease, as he’d done since his marriage. Without Yi Xiaoyu’s permission, he would never reveal their true relationship. “Just staying over for a couple of days.”

“I see.”

“I’ll go change,” You Yi realized how sloppy he looked. “Sit down, I’ll call Xiaoyu and tell him to hurry home.”

Turning around, You Yi caught sight of Cong, baring his teeth and glaring fiercely at Yi Yu on the sofa, as if ready to pounce.

“Back to your bed!” You Yi waved at Cong, scolding in a low voice, “No manners, get back!”

Cong stared at Yi Yu for a few seconds, wagged his tail, and retreated to his bed.

You Yi turned to Yi Yu with an apologetic smile. “He’s wary of strangers.”

Yi Yu smiled. “It’s alright, I like dogs too.”

With the beautiful youth sitting on his sofa, You Yi washed up, carefully shaved, and dressed in the suit Yi Xiaoyu had bought him days ago, finishing with a spritz of Xiaoyu’s usual cologne.

While You Yi changed, Yi Yu quietly inspected the bedroom and kitchen. Everything—dishes, toiletries—was in pairs.

Clearly, this man was living with Yi Xiaoyu.

“Regular friend?” Yi Yu chuckled to himself. “Brother, your tastes change so quickly.”

When You Yi returned, standing before Yi Yu, the transformation was so striking that Yi Yu could hardly believe this sharp, handsome man was the same as the sleepy, unshaven figure who’d opened the door.

“Xiaoyu won’t be back until evening. It’s already noon—why not grab lunch together?” With such a rare beauty before him, You Yi was exhilarated. “My treat.”

Having guessed the nature of their relationship, Yi Yu was no longer wary; instead, he felt a thrill.

He’d finally found his opening.

“Now that you mention it, I am a little hungry.”

Yi Yu rubbed his stomach, his pout making You Yi nearly melt with affection.

You Yi took Yi Yu out to lunch at a nearby restaurant. Yi Yu addressed him cheerfully as ‘Brother You’, making You Yi’s heart flutter with joy.

Yi Yu explained that he’d just returned to the country and would start work at his brother Yi Xiaoyu’s company tomorrow, so he wanted to rent a nearby apartment for convenience.

Without hesitation, You Yi helped Yi Yu rent a unit in the same complex, paid half a year’s rent in advance, and accompanied him to the mall for daily necessities, all on his own card.

Paying for such a pretty boy, You Yi was more than happy.

By the time everything was done, it was past eight in the evening. You Yi hadn’t realized how late it was. When Yi Yu offered to cook dinner as thanks, You Yi was delighted, until Xiaoyu’s call came.

You Yi told Yi Xiaoyu all about Yi Yu’s visit and his efforts in helping with the apartment and shopping.

“Who told you to meddle?” Yi Xiaoyu was furious. “Get back here right now!”

You Yi was taken aback, never having seen Yi Xiaoyu so angry. Admittedly, he’d been somewhat swayed by Yi Yu’s looks, but mostly, he’d helped because Yi Yu was Xiaoyu’s brother.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t have dared get so close.

He was helping Xiaoyu’s family—why was Xiaoyu angry?

Yi Yu’s new apartment was only a building away from Xiaoyu’s. Upon receiving the call, You Yi hurried back, running all the way.

“You let him into our home.” Yi Xiaoyu’s face was dark, itching to hit You Yi.

“He said he was your brother, so I...”

“Did you tell him about our relationship?”

“No, no, I just said we were ordinary friends.”

“Ordinary friends?” Xiaoyu was so angry he almost laughed. “Do you think he’s as stupid as you? Anyone with half a brain who’s been inside can figure out what’s between us.”

You Yi, seeing Xiaoyu’s frustration, felt a mix of suffocation and grievance. “Let him guess, then. Our relationship isn’t something to hide.”

His words calmed Xiaoyu considerably.

“That’s not what I meant.” Xiaoyu sighed, sinking onto the sofa. “Family matters... Forget it, you wouldn’t understand. Just stay out of his business from now on. He’s not as simple as you think, and your brain doesn’t compare to his.”

You Yi nodded obediently, then sat beside Xiaoyu, wrapping his arm around his waist, nuzzling Xiaoyu’s hair, and softly complaining, “Look at you, getting angry the moment you’re home, without caring if I’m innocent.”

Xiaoyu was amused by You Yi’s words. He smiled and asked, “Are you upset?”

Instinctively, You Yi replied, “No.”

“This time, it’s my fault.” Xiaoyu reached up, ruffling You Yi’s hair as he would Cong’s furry head, and laughed gently. “Still angry?”

Nothing soothed You Yi more than this gesture. No matter how aggrieved he felt, once Xiaoyu stroked his head, all dissatisfaction vanished like a flood breaking through a dam.

Feeling warm inside, You Yi pressed Xiaoyu onto the sofa, slipping his hand under his shirt and teasing his waist.

“Serves you right for tempting me.”

After a day apart, You Yi was determined not to rest until he was thoroughly exhausted, caring little that Xiaoyu had work tomorrow. The action moved from sofa to bathroom, to bed and back again.

“You have no restraint,” Xiaoyu complained weakly afterward, while You Yi, still wrapped around Xiaoyu’s waist, was too enraptured to hear.

“Xiaoyu, you’re wonderful.”

“If someone’s halfway decent-looking, you think they’re wonderful,” Xiaoyu murmured, eyes barely open. “You lecher.”

You Yi immediately propped himself up above Xiaoyu’s head, seriously declaring, “You’re different from the others. You’re the one I’ve chosen for life.”

“Sleep, I’m exhausted.”

You Yi settled back down, tightened his embrace around Xiaoyu’s waist, buried his cheek in Xiaoyu’s neck, and whispered, “You’ll always be mine.”

“Hmm? What?” Xiaoyu asked drowsily.

“Nothing, sleep, Xiaoyu.”

(The Yawning One: Though You Yi is lustful and low in emotional intelligence, like the other leads in previous stories, he’ll never let go of his partner, no matter what happens in the future.)