Chapter Forty-Seven

After Yi Xiaoyu left, Boss You could no longer stomach his drink. He immediately asked one of his men to escort him home, but when he hurried to his front door, he found himself unable to muster the courage to go inside. He hesitated for a long time, and in the end, he just crouched by the door and lit a cigarette.

He could easily imagine how much his wife must want to kill him right now.

After two years together, he had come to know Yi Xiaoyu’s temper to some extent. This act of deception—not just a betrayal, but in the context of their marriage—was absolutely fatal.

It was no longer something that could be salvaged with a few kind words.

When Boss You finished his cigarette, he finally summoned his courage and opened the door.

The living room was silent. He wandered around the apartment, only to realize that Yi Xiaoyu hadn’t come back at all. Panic seized him.

Would his wife be so distraught as to do something rash…?

He shook his head quickly. His wife’s heart wasn’t that fragile.

Boss You called Yi Xiaoyu’s phone, but there was no answer. In the next moment, he checked the tracking signal on his phone.

After leaving the bar, Yi Xiaoyu had driven to an overpass, leaning back against the guardrail, eyes closed, letting the wind cool his face.

What he needed most at that moment was calm.

People are most prone to making decisions they’ll regret in moments of impulse—just as he had, two years ago, when he married that man on a whim.

It had been nothing but an impulsive act.

Now, he was paying the price.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, but Yi Xiaoyu ignored it, continuing to lean against the guardrail and let the breeze clear his mind. He was just about to head back to his car when his phone rang again.

This time, he pulled it out and saw that Wen Ming was calling.

Seeing that name, Yi Xiaoyu suddenly felt a sharper ache in his chest.

It was only today that he realized how much of a failure his life had become.

In love, he’d been abandoned by his childhood sweetheart. In his career, his own younger brother had outmaneuvered him. In marriage, he’d been deceived by the husband who, on the surface, seemed devoted.

When the call connected, Yi Xiaoyu merely uttered a faint “Hello,” and Wen Ming’s slightly disappointed voice came through.

“I heard you compromised with your brother after all.” Wen Ming sighed. He still didn’t know what had happened between Yi Xiaoyu and You Yige; he was only saddened that Yi Xiaoyu had refused his help. “You gave up the company you worked so many years for because of that man. Don’t you regret it at all?”

“Of course I do.” Yi Xiaoyu put on his earphones, started the car, and gave a bitter laugh. “Not just a little—quite a lot, actually.”

There was silence on the other end. Wen Ming seemed surprised by his answer.

Yi Xiaoyu smiled, a touch of self-mockery in his voice. “Everyone loses their head sometimes. Live and learn, right? If I had to trade most of my fortune to see the true face of the one sharing my bed… I suppose it’s not a total loss.”

“…Xiaoyu, what’s wrong?” Wen Ming sensed something was off. “Did something happen between you and that man? Where are you? I’ll come find you.”

“Then come have a drink with me. Let’s celebrate… my return to singlehood.”

———

By the time Wen Ming arrived at the bar, Yi Xiaoyu was already somewhat drunk, propping his head up with one hand at the counter, staring vacantly at his glass.

Wen Ming snatched away the glass just as it was about to reach Yi Xiaoyu’s lips, his tone anxious. “What happened?”

“You’re here. Sit down. Weren’t you going to drink with me?” Yi Xiaoyu looked up and called to the bartender, “Could you bring him a glass?”

“I don’t need one,” Wen Ming waved off the bartender, then helped Yi Xiaoyu off the high stool. “Xiaoyu, I’ll take you home.”

“Home?” Yi Xiaoyu, reeking of alcohol, pushed Wen Ming away, pointing at his own chest. “My husband and my brother conspired to screw me over. Right here… I’m bleeding, you know? Can’t I have a drink to heal myself? Who the hell are you? Do I even know you?”

Wen Ming picked up a glass from the table and splashed its contents into Yi Xiaoyu’s face. The shock made Yi Xiaoyu shudder, and his clouded eyes cleared somewhat.

“Are you sober now?” Wen Ming placed the glass back on the table with a bang, his tone stern. “Is this all it takes to break you? Are you still Yi Xiaoyu? Where’s the confidence you had back in college?”

Then, with a gentleness that contrasted his earlier tone, Wen Ming helped wipe the liquor from Yi Xiaoyu’s face, his voice soft. “Aren’t I still here with you?”

Yi Xiaoyu’s gaze fell to the floor, his face drawn and weary. He said nothing.

Perhaps even he hadn’t expected the man’s betrayal to hurt him this much.

It was more devastating than when Wen Ming had abandoned him all those years ago.

———

“I’ll take you home,” Wen Ming said, supporting Yi Xiaoyu.

As soon as they stepped out of the bar, they ran into You Yige.

Seeing the two of them so close, You Yige’s eyes reddened. Without a word, he strode forward, shoved Wen Ming aside, and pulled the unsteady Yi Xiaoyu into his arms.

But almost instantly, Yi Xiaoyu pushed You Yige away. Caught off guard, Boss You staggered back several steps before regaining his balance, gazing at Yi Xiaoyu with pain and a hint of helplessness, his voice soft, “Xiaoyu… I came to take you home.”

Yi Xiaoyu said nothing, turned around, and unsteadily climbed into his car. Wen Ming quickly got into the driver’s seat.

Boss You rushed to the window, frantic. “Xiaoyu, don’t go with that pretty boy. Come home with me—you can curse me, hit me, whatever you want. I’ll give you back all the shares, every penny, I don’t want any of it. Just don’t go with him…”

The engine roared to life. Boss You grew more desperate, reaching into the car and grabbing Yi Xiaoyu by the shirt. “Xiaoyu, I was just confused for a moment. My feelings for you have never changed. I won’t let you go with him. You can’t betray me. He’s nothing—I’m your man…”

As the car was about to pull away, Yi Xiaoyu pressed the window switch. Boss You still clung tightly to his shirt, eyes wild with anxiety at Yi Xiaoyu’s cold demeanor. “If you go with him, you’ll regret it. You definitely will!”

He was nearly in tears, choking out, “Xiaoyu, you’re my wife…”

Yi Xiaoyu turned to look at him, his face expressionless. Slowly and firmly, he pried Boss You’s hand from his shirt, and pronounced, enunciating each word, “Not anymore.”

Boss You stood frozen, staring blankly as the car sped away. Gradually, his fists clenched at his sides, knuckles cracking from the force.

Wen Ming intended to bring Yi Xiaoyu back to his own apartment to rest, but midway there, Yi Xiaoyu asked to be dropped off at the entrance of a hotel.

“Wen Ming, you don’t need to follow me.” Once inside, Yi Xiaoyu turned to him.

“In your state… I can’t just leave you,” Wen Ming replied.

“I’m not going to do anything stupid. There’s nothing to worry about.” Yi Xiaoyu smiled. “You should head back and get some rest.”

Seeing how determined he was, Wen Ming didn’t insist. At such a critical moment, he knew not to push too hard. All he had to do was avoid making Yi Xiaoyu uncomfortable; that alone meant he’d already outdone that other man.

(YawnBro: Updates really are this fast~)