Chapter Six

When You Yi woke up, Yi Xiaoyu had already left. As always, breakfast was waiting in the kitchen, needing only a quick warm-up in the microwave.

Unless it was the weekend, Yi Xiaoyu always rose before You Yi, preparing an extra portion of breakfast for the one still sprawled in bed, sleeping like a dead pig—Boss You.

Just a few bites into breakfast, Xiao Zhou called. He said there were troublemakers at his casino.

Normally, Xiao Zhou wouldn’t bother You Yi with such petty matters; he could handle them himself with a few of his men. But since he called, and his tone was urgent, it meant the situation was beyond his control.

Boss You had to step in personally.

He’d dealt with plenty of these incidents before, so he didn’t take it too seriously. After finishing his meal and washing the dishes, he took Cong along, who was also full, and headed to his underground casino.

Boss You’s casino was both famous and well-hidden, located in the underground passage at a crossroads near the bustling district of V City. The area below was already filled with all sorts of internet cafés and shops, lacking any proper management. People from all walks of life came and went, so within two years, Boss You’s casino had drawn many wealthy young men eager to gamble recklessly.

When You Yi entered the casino, holding Cong’s leash, only the troublemaker and his accomplices remained inside.

Xiao Zhou and his men stood close by. They outnumbered the other group by several times, but Xiao Zhou’s expression was grim. Usually, his fierce demeanor intimidated troublemakers, but now he looked subdued. Boss You guessed this guy was no ordinary character.

The troublemaker wore a high-end leather jacket, his hair dyed silver-white, and his pants adorned with jangling rings—a trendy street style that, to Boss You, looked like a spoiled brat who hadn’t outgrown childhood.

Xiao Zhou explained that the man had fallen inside the casino, claimed his arm was broken, and demanded ten or twenty thousand in compensation. Otherwise, he threatened to return tomorrow with people to wreck the place.

“He refuses to go to the hospital and insists on cash or a transfer right now. I…”

“Xiao Zhou, you’re getting soft these days,” Boss You said flatly, handing Cong’s leash to Xiao Zhou. “Hold Cong—he gets overly excited at the sight of blood.”

This sort of person was most likely born with a silver spoon, arrogant and clueless, desperately in need of a lesson. There’s no reasoning with them in these situations.

Knowing that, handling the matter became much simpler.

Xiao Zhou, sensing his boss would revert to his usual direct approach, quickly said, “Boss, this guy, he’s…”

“I know who he is,” You Yi interrupted, striding over to the man without further ado and asking bluntly, “You won’t let this go without compensation?”

“That’s right,” the man replied, hands in his pockets, head tilted arrogantly. “If you don’t pay me twenty thousand, I’ll bring people tomorrow and tear this place down. Or I’ll get my uncle…”

“Xiao Zhou,” You Yi called, rolling up his sleeves in a slow, deliberate manner.

“Yes, Boss? What is it?”

“Hold his men back for me.”

“…Alright.” Xiao Zhou knew he couldn’t stop his boss, so he turned to one of his men. “You, close the door.”

“Yes, Zhou.”

The troublemaker hadn’t figured out what was happening before You Yi punched him, sending him crashing into a gaming table.

His companions started to stir, cursing and trying to rush at You Yi, but Xiao Zhou and his men blocked them. A scuffle broke out, and the room erupted into chaos.

The man struggled on the floor for a while before managing to get up, only to be kicked by You Yi, sliding several meters across the ground.

“No more, stop… stop,” the man pleaded, spitting blood and scrambling backward as You Yi approached, flexing his fingers. “Really, I’ll stop, don’t… please…”

You Yi bent down and roughly hauled him up from the floor.

Boss You had always hated trouble, so his methods were straightforward and forceful. He used to solve everything with violence when he was still overweight, only tempering himself after marriage—his men followed suit, becoming more settled. A gang of thugs, purified overnight by Boss You’s sudden marriage, had become legitimate workers.

Perhaps it had been too long since his last fight, so Boss You’s blows were heavy-handed. Even as the man lay almost lifeless, he didn't stop.

The companions, witnessing their friend beaten nearly to death, were stunned. Aside from You Yi’s relentless pummeling, no one else dared to fight anymore—they watched the bloody scene in fear.

The only sounds in the casino were You Yi’s fists connecting with flesh and Cong’s howling.

Finally, the beating was interrupted by You Yi’s phone ringing.

It was Yi Xiaoyu, calling to say he’d forgotten an important document at home and asked Boss You to deliver it before lunch.

Boss You agreed gladly, cracking a crude joke to Yi Xiaoyu. Looking down at the bloodied, twitching man at his feet, then at Boss You himself, who was smiling affectionately and speaking softly into the phone, the companions were utterly bewildered.

After hanging up, You Yi stomped down and broke the man’s arm. The nearly unconscious man screamed in pain and passed out.

“Take him to the hospital,” Boss You said to the man’s friends, “If you don’t, he’ll really die.”

Pale-faced, they hurriedly carried him out without a word.

“Xiao Zhou, have the place cleaned up. From now on, we’re abandoning this turf.”

Boss You said it lightly, but his men weren’t so indifferent. This casino brought in more money than any of Boss You’s bars—it was a real shame to give it up.

“Boss,” Xiao Zhou asked worriedly, “Are you afraid that kid will come back for revenge?”

You Yi replied frankly, “Of course. That brat’s uncle is the mayor of V City. Why would I deliberately provoke trouble?”

Having beaten the man and now saying this, his men could only silently worry for Boss You.

He had already stepped right into the line of fire.

You Yi returned home and found the document Yi Xiaoyu had mentioned.

He hadn’t even driven out of the neighborhood when he spotted a familiar figure.

That unforgettable pretty boy—Xiaoyu’s younger brother.

Boss You was excited, quickly parking next to Yi Yu, rolling down the window and sticking his head out enthusiastically, “Where are you headed?”

This pretty boy was Yi Xiaoyu’s brother. Boss You, devoted to his wife, naturally considered Yi Yu family. Besides, Yi Yu’s handsome face made Boss You shiver with delight every time he saw it.

If it had been two years ago, Boss You would have spared no expense to win over such a gem.

“Brother You,” Yi Yu said, surprised, “I’m heading to my brother’s company to report in.”

“Perfect, I’m going that way. Hop in.”

“Then I won’t be shy,” Yi Yu grinned, a smile that looked deliciously sweet to Boss You.

After Yi Yu got in, You Yi suddenly realized something.

He’d forgotten this pretty boy’s name.

Though it had only been a night, all he remembered was that youthful, handsome face. Boss You stored things with his eyes, and most memories in his mind were related to his wife.

He felt no shame in it, so as he started the car, he asked, “Hey, what’s your name again? Yi… what?”

Yi Yu’s mouth twitched. He’d greeted him as “Brother You” so cheerfully, and yet the man hadn’t even remembered his name.

“Yi Yu,” Yi Yu replied with a smile, “Brother You, now you’ll remember.”

Boss You laughed sheepishly.

Their conversation was pleasant. As they neared the company, Yi Yu suddenly asked with curiosity, “Brother You, how long have you been living with my brother?”

“Huh?” The abrupt question caught You Yi off guard. “Haha, what are you saying? Living together… I just stayed at Xiaoyu’s place for a couple of days. I’ll move out soon.”

“I thought you were dating my brother,” Yi Yu said innocently. “My brother’s into men, and you living with him made me wonder.”

Boss You feigned surprise, “Really? Xiaoyu likes men? Haha, then I’m in danger.”

Unable to reveal that Xiaoyu was his wife, Boss You felt uneasy. They hadn’t even had a proper wedding yet, and he still couldn’t understand why Xiaoyu didn’t want to make their relationship public.

He even wanted to hide it from his own family.

But aside from being questioned, Boss You rarely complained. Life was so comfortable, why bother with unnecessary worries?

Yi Yu laughed along, muttering to himself, “True, I haven’t heard he broke up with Wen Ming.”

“Hm? Who’s Wen Ming?”

“Ah?” Yi Yu looked incredulous. “You don’t know? Wen Ming was my brother’s boyfriend for nine years. All his friends know.”

You Yi suddenly stomped on the brakes, stopping the car by the roadside, and turned to stare at Yi Yu in shock. “What? Nine years?”

“Yeah. This year makes nine, but…” Yi Yu tilted his head thoughtfully, “But Wen Ming went abroad two years ago. I’m not sure if he’s back, or where their relationship stands.”

You Yi’s tense nerves slowly relaxed.

So it was two years ago.

Meaning, Xiaoyu was with Wen Ming two years ago.

You Yi restarted the car, a smug smile on his lips.

That Wen Ming was nothing. Seven years of romance with Xiaoyu counted for little—after all, it was You Yi who ended up marrying Xiaoyu.

(HaQian: Forgot to mention, this story takes place in a society where same-sex marriage is legal, though still uncommon.)