Chapter Forty-Two

When he returned to the gathering, Yi Xiaoyu no longer had the heart to chat and drink with his friends. His mind was filled with the faintly desolate look on You Yige's face as he left.

After dinner, when the group decided to go sing karaoke, Yi Xiaoyu excused himself, claiming he wasn't feeling well, and left early.

Outside the hotel, Yi Xiaoyu called You Yige. In less than three minutes, Boss You pulled up beside him, rolled down the window, and grinned, "Honey, get in."

"You've been nearby this whole time?" Yi Xiaoyu asked in surprise.

"Heh, just happened to be having dinner in the area."

Yi Xiaoyu got in the car, fastening his seatbelt as he asked, "Since you came over here, what about Cong-ge and Tangyuan?"

"They're with Xiao Zhou for now, don't worry," Boss You replied reassuringly.

Seeing that You Yige looked as calm as usual, showing no sign of being troubled, Yi Xiaoyu hesitated over whether he should explain what had just happened.

"Xiaoyu," Boss You gripped the steering wheel with both hands, his expression complicated as he said softly, "I'm not doing loan sharking anymore. No more casinos, either. All those shady ways of making money at the bar, I'll put an end to them as soon as I get back."

Yi Xiaoyu was a bit taken aback. "What’s going on with you? I mean, I’ve never liked the businesses you run, but I’ve never interfered."

"It's not because of you. It's my own decision." Boss You paused, then continued, "From now on, I’ll be a legitimate businessman, make money the right way, work hard, so that wherever you go, you’ll be proud and moved to have a husband like me. I want your friends and classmates to be jealous, to admire you."

"Fatty, have you been drinking?"

"I have, just a bit of beer."

"I bet you mixed it with liquor."

"...That's not the point, honey." Boss You looked as if he could cry. "Aren’t you moved by my decisions at all?"

Yi Xiaoyu smiled. "What do I need you to make so much money for? All I want is for you to just be my Fatty, live however makes you happy. I’ll take care of you."

In the end, Yi Xiaoyu forgot all about explaining.

He hadn’t brought You Yige to meet his friends simply because he didn’t want to see them, led by Wen Ming, sneer and mock him.

Even if the others were willing to treat him as a friend, Wen Ming would use his influence over the group to steer the conversation, wielding sharp-edged words against You Yige. In wit and eloquence, You Yige was no match for Wen Ming. Yi Xiaoyu didn’t want to see You Yige furious and unable to respond freely, and if it ever came to blows, it would only make You Yige a laughingstock.

Such a scene, Yi Xiaoyu would never allow to happen.

That night, Boss You naturally moved into Yi Xiaoyu’s hotel room, shamelessly pestering him to try out all sorts of plays in the bathroom.

That night, Boss You’s heart was both sour and sweet.

The next day, the two returned home. Boss You suddenly suggested they retake their wedding photos.

Yi Xiaoyu agreed readily. Without hesitation, they booked flights to Bali for the next morning and contacted the most renowned local wedding photographer.

The following day, the couple packed lightly and boarded the plane to Bali.

Boss You was overjoyed, drooling over each handsome suit his husband tried on. In the end, he insisted on taking a set of nude wedding photos, saying that when his husband was away on business, he could secretly savor them. As soon as he finished speaking, he received a smack on the forehead from Yi Xiaoyu.

After much coaxing and pestering, Yi Xiaoyu finally relented.

Before the camera, both men were completely nude, sometimes artfully draped in wisps of gauzy fabric, sometimes with nothing at all. The photographer was thoroughly professional, giving serious direction to the two naked men and maintaining a clear, unflinching gaze throughout.

Boss You was in his element, his well-built physique looking impressive in every pose. Yi Xiaoyu, with his slender and proportionate figure, was a feast for the eyes.

"Xiaoyu, don’t be shy. Here, put your hand here," Boss You said, placing Yi Xiaoyu’s hand on his chest while his other hand slid to Yi Xiaoyu’s rear, licking his lips. "Honey, why are you blushing?"

Yi Xiaoyu’s face burned like fire. He bitterly regretted agreeing to these so-called artistic nude wedding photos.

Being groped by this damn fatty in front of the photographer, he felt like banging his head against a wall.

Once the shoot was over, Boss You could barely contain himself. They rushed back to the hotel and didn’t even make it to the bed—he took Yi Xiaoyu right on the living room sofa. Afterwards, still unsatisfied, he lay smoking and sighed, "Damn, I feel younger every day."

Lying in Boss You’s arms, Yi Xiaoyu didn’t even have the strength to move a finger.

After a few days in Bali, the couple returned to V City. Their vacation was over, and Yi Xiaoyu threw himself back into his work.

A week after Yi Xiaoyu officially returned to the office, You Yige began managing the company his older brother had entrusted to him before the New Year. Since You Yige always got home before Yi Xiaoyu, there wasn’t much noticeable change from Yi Xiaoyu’s perspective.

"Fatty, I really underestimated you," Yi Xiaoyu couldn’t help but sigh as he looked at the plate of scallion shrimp balls You Yige brought over. "You’re truly a model spouse."

Boss You made frequent trips to hotels to seek advice from master chefs, firmly believing that the way to keep a lover’s heart was through his stomach. Once he figured out Yi Xiaoyu’s favorite dishes, he threw himself into honing his culinary skills.

With such a diligent Fatty, Yi Xiaoyu grew more and more fond of him. As a reward, he unlocked quite a few new, risqué moves in bed, which made Boss You all the more eager to excel as a devoted husband.

After another delicious meal, Yi Xiaoyu lounged on the sofa watching TV while Boss You bustled in the kitchen, washing the dishes. Halfway through, he stuck his head out to ask what his husband wanted for dinner.

After the dishes were done, Boss You thoughtfully cut up some fruit, arranged it on a platter, skewered each piece with a toothpick, and respectfully presented it to Yi Xiaoyu with a toothy grin. "Dearest wife, your after-dinner fruit."

Yi Xiaoyu nearly burst out laughing. "Fatty, I love you more every day."

Boss You shook his head proudly. "Where else would you find someone like me? Come on, darling, open wide—"

Yi Xiaoyu played along, cuddling with Boss You for a while, when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Joseph calling.

"What!?" Yi Xiaoyu shot up from the sofa, his expression changing instantly. "How could this happen? Wasn’t the follow-up funding supposed to arrive in the next couple of days?"

Boss You silently sat down on the sofa, watching his husband’s face with concern. When Yi Xiaoyu hung up, grabbed his coat, and prepared to leave, Boss You finally asked, "What happened? Is there trouble at the company?"

Yi Xiaoyu’s face was grim as he quickly put on his coat. "Yes, it’s pretty serious." He finished speaking, pinched Boss You’s chin, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Fatty, I might not be able to take you to the hot spring this weekend."