Chapter Seven

Joseph had been waiting downstairs at the company for You Yige to deliver some documents. When You Yige parked his car, the first to step out was Yi Yu. Knowing Joseph was Yi Xiaoyu’s assistant, Yi Yu greeted him politely.

Joseph maintained a courteous demeanor. “Mr. Yi, you’re here quite early. President Yi scheduled your interview for two o’clock this afternoon.”

“I wanted to come early and get a feel for the work environment. There’s still an interview? Weren’t things already arranged?” Yi Yu pouted. “I thought I’d be starting right away.”

“That’s President Yi’s arrangement.”

“Ah, my brother, always so particular.” Yi Yu then flashed a dazzling smile. “Well, can I go in and see my brother first? I haven’t met him since I returned to the country.”

“President Yi is in a meeting.”

“Can I wait for him?”

“Of course.”

Yi Yu went in, looking quite pleased.

You Yige didn’t get out of the car. He simply rolled down the window, handed the documents to Joseph, and asked, “When does your President Yi usually have lunch?”

“He’s in a meeting now. Once it’s over, it’ll be about lunchtime,” Joseph said, checking his phone. “About half an hour more. If he meets with his brother, that might take a few extra minutes.”

“Alright, then please tell President Yi to give me a call when his meeting’s done. I’ll wait for him at a nearby restaurant. I want to have lunch with him.”

“Certainly, Mr. You. I’ll let him know. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head up—President Yi is waiting for these documents.”

“One last thing,” You Yige lowered his voice, sounding secretive. “Is the relationship between Xiaoyu and his brother not so good?”

“I’m not privy to President Yi’s family matters.”

“Alright, go on then.”

“Goodbye, Mr. You.”

No longer dwelling on the brothers’ relationship, You Yige turned his attention to picking a restaurant for lunch with Yi Xiaoyu. After some consideration, he settled on a hotpot place—perfect for such a cold day.

———

After his meeting, Yi Xiaoyu was told by Joseph about You Yige’s message and that Yi Yu was still waiting in the reception area.

“Send him to my office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yi Yu entered the office, smiling brightly.

“Big brother, it’s been two years. Did you miss your little Yu?”

Yi Xiaoyu stared at his brother’s face for a full three seconds before frowning, “How many times did you go under the knife abroad in the past two years?”

Yi Yu touched his face, feigning innocence. “Don’t you think I look good? I had it done to match the most popular look of recent years—cute and handsome, right?”

Yi Xiaoyu looked at him impassively. “You should be in showbiz.”

“If you’re willing to invest in me, then I’ll do as you say. Actually, a scout already approached me. With my looks and acting skills, I’d probably be famous in no time. Then, not only will Mom and Dad feel proud, but you will too—”

“I don’t need anyone else to earn me face.” Yi Xiaoyu took off his glasses and wiped the lenses, his tone cool. “Anything else? If not, come back at two for the interview.”

“Yes.” Yi Yu approached the desk, lowering his voice with a sly smile. “Brother, is You Yige, the guy you live with, your boyfriend now?”

Yi Xiaoyu’s hand paused mid-wipe. He glanced up at his brother’s shining eyes. “You want to meddle in my business?”

“So you’re not denying it?”

“Yi Yu, I’m only giving you this interview opportunity for Dad’s sake. If you dare interfere in my personal affairs—”

“Don’t be so sensitive, big brother. I’m just curious, that’s all. I promise.” Yi Yu raised his right hand solemnly. “I promise I won’t cause you any trouble.”

Yi Xiaoyu put his glasses back on and tapped the desk with his finger. “This is not the place for you to play cute or joke around. Watch your words and actions.”

“I promise.” After replying, Yi Yu asked tentatively, “Can I be your assistant?”

“No.”

Yi Yu sighed in disappointment. “Oh.”

———

Leaving the office, Yi Xiaoyu called You Yige.

When he arrived at the second floor of the hotpot restaurant, he saw You Yige busily serving trays of ingredients to their table, wiping his sleeves as he went.

Yi Xiaoyu walked straight over, took off his suit jacket, and sat down, adding food to the bubbling pot with tongs.

You Yige placed a hot drink by his hand and sat down as well.

“What made you want hotpot with me in the middle of the day?” Yi Xiaoyu stirred the meatballs he’d just put in.

“It doesn’t matter what we eat—I just wanted to have a meal with you,” You Yige said as he scooped up cooked lamb slices and put them on Yi Xiaoyu’s plate. “With you, I have a better appetite.”

Yi Xiaoyu laughed. “Look at you, Fatty. Sweet talk just rolls off your tongue these days.”

“I mean every word,” You Yige said sincerely.

“I know.” Yi Xiaoyu nudged him with his chopsticks, chuckling. “Otherwise, I would’ve dumped you ages ago.”

Looking at Yi Xiaoyu’s handsome face, his arrogant yet gentlemanly smile, You Yige’s heart began to race uncontrollably.

He really wanted… he really wanted to press this man down on the bed right now…

They chatted as they ate. Halfway through, Yi Xiaoyu’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. He hesitated, then picked it up, but hung up within three seconds of hearing the voice, setting his phone aside as if nothing had happened.

“Who was that?” You Yige asked.

“Telemarketer.”

“Ugh, those people are the worst.”

You Yige didn’t think much of it and went back to the meat. Ten minutes later, when Yi Xiaoyu stepped away to the restroom, his phone rang again. This time, You Yige didn’t answer immediately, intending to let Yi Xiaoyu call back. But after a short pause, the phone rang once more. Guessing it might be urgent, You Yige picked it up.

“Hello, who’s this?”

“Xiaoyu.” The gentle male voice on the other end almost overlapped with You Yige’s.

That voice was so refined it made You Yige uneasy. Just as he was about to ask who it was, the person asked politely, “May I speak to Xiaoyu?”

It was clear the caller realized he wasn’t speaking to Yi Xiaoyu.

A sense of alarm rose in You Yige’s heart. That soft “Xiaoyu” had already put him on guard. “I’m a friend. Xiaoyu’s in the restroom. Who are you?”

There was a pause, then the man replied slowly, “I’m Xiaoyu’s boyfriend. Could you please let him know—”

“Bullshit!” You Yige roared. Heads all over the restaurant turned their way.

The man seemed unfazed. After a few seconds, he replied with poise, “I’ll call again in half an hour, then.”

“Wait!” Suddenly recalling something Yi Yu had told him, You Yige blurted, “Are you that—Wen… Wen…?”

Damn, he’d forgotten.

He distinctly remembered Yi Yu mentioning a boyfriend from two years ago—Wen… what was it?

“Wen Ming,” the man replied calmly. “Wen as in ‘to carry the way,’ Ming as in ‘engraved in the heart.’ And you are…?”

“Damn it, so it is you!” All You Yige’s fighting instincts awakened. “Listen, if you harass Xiaoyu again, I’ll break your legs.”

There was another pause before Wen Ming’s indifferent voice came, “You must be a thief. You stole Xiaoyu’s phone.”

“What?” You Yige was momentarily stunned.

“You can’t be Xiaoyu’s friend.” Wen Ming’s tone was cold and composed. “From his education, upbringing, and character, I can say with certainty that he would never be friends with someone as vulgar as you.”

With that, Wen Ming hung up.

You Yige was left dumbfounded.

What… what did he mean?

Damn! What the hell did that bastard mean?

A sudden urge to overturn the table surged within him. For the first time in two years, someone had drawn such a clear line between him and Xiaoyu—a line so clear it unsettled him, though he couldn’t quite say why.

He put Yi Xiaoyu’s phone back on the table. Yi Xiaoyu returned just then, noticing You Yige’s sullen face.

“What’s wrong, Fatty? Ate too much?”

“No.” You Yige let out a long sigh, shaking his head. “Nothing, just zoned out for a second.”

Yi Xiaoyu didn’t press. Near the end of their meal, his phone rang again. He glanced at the number, saw it was the same as before, and hung up without hesitation, setting his phone on silent.

You Yige, having guessed who it was, didn’t ask. Watching his partner reject the call without a second thought filled him with satisfaction.

He should have told that man he was Xiaoyu’s husband now!

Damn.

Let him try those airs and pretentious words!

Their table was by the window, so they had a clear view of the street below. Two police cars pulled up in front of the restaurant, and three or four officers in uniform got out.

“Looks like a bust,” Yi Xiaoyu commented, glancing down. “They’re coming into this hotpot place. The culprit must be here.”

“Yeah,” You Yige said, also looking downstairs. “Wonder which unlucky fool they’re after.”

As they spoke, the officers came upstairs. The man in front compared faces in the room with a photo, then walked straight towards Yi Xiaoyu and You Yige.

He stopped beside You Yige. “You—come with us, please.”

(YawnBro: By the way, You Yige slimmed down ages ago—he’s a stylish guy now. “Fatty” is just a nickname President Yi’s been using for two years. And as for You Yige’s background, it’s not as simple as it seems—I’ll reveal more bit by bit. As for when these two will finally clash, let’s just say this year won’t be smooth sailing for them.)