Chapter Fifty-Eight

“Why aren’t you eating?” Yi Xiaoyu placed the dried fish, Tangyuan’s favorite treat, into its little dish. Tangyuan glanced at it, then turned away and lay listlessly on the soft rug, occasionally licking its own paws.

These days, no matter what Yi Xiaoyu bought to feed Tangyuan, it ate very little—less than half of its usual appetite.

Yi Xiaoyu poured some milk for Tangyuan, but it only licked a few drops from the bowl before turning and retreating back to its nest.

Holding Tangyuan in his arms, Yi Xiaoyu gently stroked its soft, fluffy body, murmuring to himself, “Could it be sick?”

Just as Yi Xiaoyu was considering whether to take Tangyuan to the vet tomorrow, the sound of a dog barking echoed from outside the apartment door. Yi Xiaoyu recognized the voice instantly—it was Scallion’s.

Scallion seemed to be scratching at the door incessantly, the sharp sound of claws scraping against the metal echoing outside.

Yi Xiaoyu didn’t want to open the door. Scallion outside meant that the fat man was probably there too. Just two days ago, he had the lock changed as quickly as possible to keep the fat man out.

But when Yi Xiaoyu peered through the peephole, he saw only Scallion outside.

The fat man was gone.

Yi Xiaoyu opened the apartment door.

As soon as the door swung open, Scallion dashed in past Yi Xiaoyu’s legs, his hefty body forcing Yi Xiaoyu to step aside. Scallion ran straight to Tangyuan’s nest, eyes fixed intently on Tangyuan, tail wagging furiously with excitement. After barking once, he nudged Tangyuan’s body with his head.

Tangyuan extended its small tongue and gently licked Scallion’s nose. Scallion grew even more excited, licking Tangyuan’s head repeatedly until the patch of white fur on its crown was damp.

Yi Xiaoyu knelt beside Scallion, rubbing his head. “How did you get here?”

Scallion panted heavily, rubbing his head against Yi Xiaoyu’s palm, then lowered his head to lap up the milk in Tangyuan’s bowl. Tangyuan ambled over, lowered its head, and began drinking alongside Scallion, snatching the dried fish as well.

Yi Xiaoyu hurried to refill Tangyuan’s bowl with milk, then poured some cat food into its dish. Scallion licked the milk from Tangyuan’s mouth, and Tangyuan began eating the cat food. Scallion lay next to him, resting his lazy chin on his paws, watching the little white ball eat.

Seeing Tangyuan finally eat, Yi Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief.

At least it wasn’t illness.

After finishing, Tangyuan walked straight to Scallion, skillfully climbed onto his broad neck, and curled up to rest.

Afraid to disturb the little creature on him, Scallion lay perfectly still, eventually closing his eyes as well.

Yi Xiaoyu watched the scene, a bittersweet feeling rising in his chest. He could sense the deep bond between the big and small companions.

But…

Yi Xiaoyu sighed, gently lifted Tangyuan from Scallion’s neck, and placed it on his own shoulder. He then took hold of the leash attached to Scallion’s collar and headed for the door. “Scallion, go home now.”

“Woof woof woof!”

Scallion barked incessantly, his four paws scrambling desperately against the floor, resisting Yi Xiaoyu’s pull. It took all of Yi Xiaoyu’s strength to drag him outside, but before he could shut the door, Scallion charged back in.

The little Tangyuan on Yi Xiaoyu’s shoulder let out a faint cry, softening Yi Xiaoyu’s resolve.

In the end, Yi Xiaoyu gave up, letting Scallion stay beside Tangyuan’s nest.

He set Tangyuan down from his shoulder, and Tangyuan immediately scampered over to Scallion, climbing onto his neck once more.

Yi Xiaoyu could only shake his head in bemused resignation and turn to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

The more disheartened he was by career and love, the less he would neglect his own appetite; culinary pleasures could somewhat ease his mental fatigue.

He hadn’t gone out to eat these past days, instead experimenting at home with recipes he’d learned online, meticulously crafting dishes. The sting of betrayal by lover and brother seemed to fade into the background.

When Boss You pressed the doorbell, Yi Xiaoyu was about to start eating.

Boss You seemed to know that simply ringing the bell wouldn’t win him entry, so he shouted from outside, “Scallion’s gone missing! I’ve searched everywhere, couldn’t find him. Did he come to your place?”

Yi Xiaoyu opened the door.

“He’s here. Take him away.” With that, Yi Xiaoyu turned inside, not giving Boss You a chance to speak.

Perhaps from being barred these past days, Boss You entered as if finally returning home after wandering afar. Yet his demeanor was no longer as commanding as before; he seemed reluctant to provoke Yi Xiaoyu, yet intent on employing shameless persistence.

Scallion lay nearby, but Boss You headed for the dining table, rubbing his hands and laughing awkwardly. “You cooked so many dishes for dinner—can you finish them all?”

On the table were a plate of vibrant stir-fried greens, Eight Treasure Tofu, scallion-burst shrimp balls, steamed mandarin fish, and a bowl of mushroom soup.

The feast, fragrant and colorful, made Boss You, who’d barely eaten these past days, swallow repeatedly.

Boss You, embarrassed, pulled out a chair and sat across from Yi Xiaoyu. No sooner had he sat than he saw Yi Xiaoyu glaring at him, his expression stormy, as if he could pierce him with his gaze.

Boss You pursed his lips and stood up again, heading toward Scallion, leaving a muttered, “I’ll check on Scallion.”

Squatting beside Scallion, Boss You saw the sweet cat-and-dog pair and felt a sharp pang in his heart.

He stroked Scallion’s head, while the faint sound of Yi Xiaoyu chewing echoed from behind, making Boss You’s mouth water uncontrollably.

Yi Xiaoyu finished eating and, seeing Boss You still squatting without intent to leave, tidied up and went to wash the dishes in the kitchen.

After washing up and showering, Yi Xiaoyu found Boss You still in the same squat.

He watched for several seconds, then turned to his study, opened his computer, and quickly booked a ticket online for Saipan Island the next afternoon.

Finally, Yi Xiaoyu returned to the living room with the freshly prepared divorce agreement.

“Come sign the divorce papers.”

Boss You’s back stiffened, but he neither moved nor replied.

“I’m serious,” Yi Xiaoyu said coldly. “If you keep dragging this out, I’ll only grow more disgusted with you.”

Boss You rose and turned to face Yi Xiaoyu, hesitating for a long moment before grinding out, “I won’t sign.”

“How long do you plan to keep playing these ridiculous tricks?” Yi Xiaoyu’s voice was cool and weary. “Boss You, I can forgive someone who’s deceived and toyed with me, but I’ll never stay married to such a person. Do you understand? From the moment you stole my computer files and handed them to Yi Yu, there was no hope for us. I know what you want: someone who obeys you, relies on you economically and emotionally. But I’m not that person. Just one Wen Ming forced you to use such dirty tactics against me. What about in the future? When you feel you can’t control my feelings again, what tricks will you use? Or what if I hadn’t overheard your conversation with Yi Yu? Then I would have been kept in the dark forever. The thought of it is terrifying.”

“Xiaoyu… I’m sorry.” Boss You’s eyes were moist and his voice hoarse. “Damn it… I can’t live without you, really…”

“Just sign.” Yi Xiaoyu’s tone was calm and resolute. “Once you do, you’ll discover how free you truly are.”

Boss You stared at the agreement for three seconds, then strode toward the door.

Yi Xiaoyu, furious, crumpled the papers and hurled them at the back of Boss You’s head—hitting him squarely.