Chapter Nine

After having dinner with Yi Yu, You Yige was called out by Xiao Zhou and the others to go for drinks. It was Xiao Zhou’s birthday today, and You Yige didn’t want to dampen his subordinates’ spirits. He figured he’d join them for an hour, leave at ten, and be home before half past ten.

Yi Yu was even more enthusiastic than You Yige. On the way to celebrate Xiao Zhou’s birthday, Yi Yu went out of his way to buy a box of cake.

When You Yige entered the private room with Yi Yu in tow, the group of young men inside all stared wide-eyed at Yi Yu in disbelief.

They hadn’t expected their boss would dare to so openly indulge in forbidden pleasures.

Weren’t they afraid of breaking another rib?

You Yige knew exactly what these men were thinking. He waved his hand dismissively. “What are you imagining? This is Yi Yu, your Brother Xiao’s younger brother. He loves a lively crowd, so he’s come to join in the fun with you.”

A collective look of sudden understanding passed over everyone.

Xiao Zhou quickly made space for Yi Yu, greeting him warmly. “Come on, Xiao Yu, sit next to Brother Zhou.”

Boss You stepped up and gave Xiao Zhou a smack on the head. “He’s sitting next to me, of course.”

Yi Yu grinned and sat down between Xiao Zhou and Boss You, then raised a glass to Xiao Zhou. “Happy birthday, Brother Zhou.”

Xiao Zhou beamed from ear to ear. “Cheers, cheers!”

Once Boss You sat down, Xiao Zhou leaned over with a conspiratorial air and whispered, “How old is Xiao Yu today? He’s not still in high school, is he?”

“He’s already working at Xiao Yu’s company,” came the reply.

“Impressive. He’s even better-looking than Brother Xiao, though.”

Turning to look at Yi Yu, who was chatting animatedly with his underlings, You Yige nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, this kid is quite likable.”

Xiao Zhou perked up. “Boss, you haven’t fallen for him, have you?”

Caught off guard by Xiao Zhou’s remark, You Yige smacked him on the head again, lowering his voice. “Are you looking for trouble? If Xiao Yu hears anything like that, he’ll break every bone in my body.”

Xiao Zhou rubbed his head and asked cautiously, “Boss, can I pursue Xiao Yu then?”

“Absolutely not.” Boss You refused flatly. “Xiao Yu is Xiao Yu’s younger brother. It’s my duty to keep him safe from wolves like you. Besides, who says he even likes men? Stop setting your sights on him.”

“Boss, you seem awfully interested in Xiao Yu.”

“One more word and I’ll split your skull.”

“I’m just saying, Boss, sneaking around only counts if Brother Xiao finds out. He’s always away on business or working overtime. If you sleep with a little bunny now and then, Brother Xiao will never know.”

Boss You was stunned for a moment, then coughed. “Don’t try to lead me astray. I’m not that kind of person.”

Even if I were, I wouldn’t dare—not now.

A few of the louder men were already singing with microphones in hand when, all of a sudden, Yi Yu announced he wanted to perform a dance for everyone.

“I was the vice-captain of the street dance club in college,” Yi Yu said, removing his thick sweater and borrowing a baseball cap from one of the men. He pulled the brim to the back and set it firmly on his head, then walked to the front.

“Who can sing this fast song?” Yi Yu asked the group.

“Hey, perfect, I remember the boss can sing it!” someone shouted, handing the microphone to You Yige.

The person in charge of the playlist immediately selected a very popular, dynamic song on the screen.

Standing before them, Yi Yu pressed a fist to his forehead, one foot poised to move, wearing a cool, ready-to-dance expression that was both flamboyant and dazzling. With his flawless looks, he drew every eye in the room.

You Yige also watched intently. As the background music began, he started to sing. With the rhythm, Yi Yu began to dance—his movements crisp and natural, perfectly in sync with Boss You’s singing.

Yi Yu’s electrifying dance was every bit as impressive as any star performing on a public stage.

Boss You was so energized by Yi Yu’s performance that he completely lost track of time. He drank too much and, by the end, collapsed drunkenly onto the sofa, half-asleep.

In the end, Xiao Zhou and another underling had to carry Boss You out to the car.

“I’ll take Boss You home. Brother Zhou, you all should head back and get some rest—it’s late.”

“Drive safe.”

“Will do. Good night, Brother Zhou.”

Yi Yu drove to a hotel, went in to get a room, then called a hotel staff member to help him drag the drunken, limp Boss You to the room.

Yi Yu helped take off Boss You’s coat and shoes, then covered him with the comforter.

He took a shower, then lay down beside Boss You to browse social media until he dozed off as well.

Around two in the morning, Boss You woke up thirsty.

The bedside lamp was on. In a daze, Boss You sat up and saw a glass of water on the table beside the bed.

He gulped it down, wiped his mouth, and lay back down. Rolling over, he instinctively pulled Yi Yu into his arms, pressing his face into Yi Yu’s hair, and mumbled, “Wife.”

Yi Yu shifted a bit. “Boss You, you’re squeezing me too tight.”

Boss You seemed to sense something was off. He furrowed his brow, squeezed the person in his arms, and finally opened his eyes. Staring at the unfamiliar bedside lamp for a few seconds, he suddenly sat bolt upright.

“Boss You, what’s wrong?” Yi Yu asked, rubbing his eyes and slowly sitting up.

Boss You stared wide-eyed at Yi Yu, who looked back sleepily, head tilted in innocent confusion.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Boss You stammered, “Where are we?”

“Last night you drank too much, Boss You. I saw you were really out of it and was afraid you’d throw up in your car, so I found the closest hotel.” Yi Yu yawned. “Boss You, let’s just sleep here tonight and go home in the morning.”

“What… what time is it now?”

Yi Yu picked up his phone from under the pillow and checked. “A little after two in the morning.”

“Damn!”

Boss You leapt out of bed and hurriedly put on his clothes and shoes. “If your brother asks where I was tonight, just say you don’t know.”

“Why?”

“It’s complicated. Just do as I say, all right?”

“Okay.”

Boss You dashed out of the hotel and sped all the way home, breaking into a cold sweat by the time he reached his building.

He opened the door carefully, didn’t switch on the lights, tiptoed into the bedroom, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Xiao Yu sleeping soundly.

Stripping down to his underwear, Boss You slipped under the covers, laying his hand gently on Xiao Yu’s waist. After a few minutes, he couldn’t resist hugging Xiao Yu from behind, pressing his chest tightly to Xiao Yu’s back.

So comfortable.

With his heartbeat finally returning to normal, this was the only thought left in Boss You’s mind.

Xiao Yu seemed to feel uneasy and shifted a bit, finally rolling over.

“Fatty,” Xiao Yu murmured sleepily, eyes half-open. “When did you get back?”

Boss You pretended to have just woken up as well. “I’ve been back a while. You were sleeping so deeply I didn’t want to wake you.” As he spoke, Boss You patted Xiao Yu’s waist and muttered softly, “I even held back from eating the goodies.”

Xiao Yu feebly pressed Boss You’s hand down. “I called you, but you didn’t pick up.”

“It was Xiao Zhou’s birthday. We were drinking and singing in a private room—couldn’t hear my phone at all.”

“Oh, Xiao Zhou’s birthday…” Xiao Yu thought for a moment. “Yeah, I think it is this month.”

Boss You kissed Xiao Yu’s hair. “Go to sleep, darling. If we don’t, it’ll be morning soon.”

Xiao Yu mumbled in agreement and slowly closed his eyes.

Boss You held Xiao Yu tightly and let out a long sigh.

Damn, that was close.

But in the end, he’d managed to pull it off.