Leaving the hotel, Yin Chen sped back to the company.
He called his assistant over to give a few instructions.
“The stuff I bought for Lin Yuhan before—take a look, make a proper invoice, and send it over to him. Also, all the preparations I asked you to arrange for him? Cancel them.”
His assistant, Ah Mao, went completely blank.
Wait… what?
What’s going on with Mr. Yin?
He carefully studied Yin Chen’s expression and asked cautiously,
“Mr. Yin, you and Mr. Lin…?”
Yin Chen glanced at him, feeling surprisingly good-natured, and casually explained,
“Nothing. I don’t like him anymore. We’re just friends, so there’s no need to give him expensive gifts.”
Don’t like him…?
But still want to stay friends?
Ah Mao was thoroughly confused, but he dutifully asked,
“What about when you told me to monitor Lin Yuhan’s work, and the cooperation contract you wanted prepared?”
Yin Chen froze.
Then he dug it out of his memory.
Ah, right. Lin Yuhan had been working as an assistant at Dongfang Wan Company, but since he’d been dropped straight into the crown prince’s side, everyone looked down on him. Yin Chen had wanted Ah Mao to keep an eye on him.
And to secure Lin Yuhan’s position, Yin Chen had even planned a cooperation contract with Dongfang Wan Company, so Lin Yuhan could handle the deal himself, making everyone see that he had influence and backing.
Thinking it through now, Yin Chen found his past self utterly bewildering.
What on earth was he thinking?
Lin Yuhan was an adult. He chose to stay by Dongfang Wan’s side, so he should face things himself.
At worst, if something went wrong, it was Dongfang Wan’s protection problem. What right did an outsider like him have to interfere?
And giving money to Dongfang Wan just so his employees would take care of Dongfang Wan’s lover?
The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous his past actions seemed. A faint blush of embarrassment crept onto his face.
After some reflection, Yin Chen waved his hand.
“None of it’s necessary. Just shred the contract.”
Ah Mao, inwardly calling it a miracle, nodded.
“Understood, Mr. Yin.”
“Oh, by the way.”
Yin Chen suddenly looked up. “Since there’s a spare budget, check out the housekeeping company ‘24time.’ If possible, consider cooperating with them for the new product.”
Ah Mao immediately nodded.
“Of course, Mr. Yin. I’ll contact them right away.”
“Good. Don’t forget to send the invoice to Lin Yuhan.”
“I won’t forget, you can count on me,” Ah Mao replied confidently and turned to leave, practically running to the computer to execute the task.
He quickly organized the files as instructed and sent them out at lightning speed.
“Hey, Mao-ge, why are you working so frantically? Is Mr. Yin having you do something for that Lin Yuhan guy again?”
Someone from the secretary team asked casually.
“This time, you’ve got it all wrong!”
Ah Mao’s eyes sparkled. He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“Mr. Yin and Lin Yuhan broke up! This list here is all the luxury items Mr. Yin bought for him—he’s taking them back!”
“Seriously?!”
The entire secretary team was shocked.
“Wait, didn’t Mr. Yin chase that guy for three years? He seemed so infatuated… how could he suddenly let go?”
“Are you kidding us, Mao-ge?”
“Yeah, it’s not April Fool’s yet—you’re inciting public outrage here!”
Ah Mao glared at them. “Quiet! Don’t make a scene, or Mr. Yin will hear and we’ll be in trouble!”
He whispered conspiratorially,
“You think I’m lying? Just wait and see. I’ll personally go get those things back, and then you’ll believe it with your own eyes!”
The secretaries all crossed their hearts.
“Fine. But if we find out you’re lying, it’s a round at ‘Heaven on Earth’ for you!”
Ah Mao grinned.
“Deal! And if I’m telling the truth, you guys pay for it!”
“Perfect! We’ll gladly pay!”
Ah Mao chuckled. A ‘Heaven on Earth’ feast cost at least two thousand a person, so saving a meal was like winning.
He wondered how Lin Yuhan would feel receiving this list. Probably not nearly as pleased as he was.
Indeed, Lin Yuhan was dumbfounded.
He stared at the invoice, stunned. Yin Chen was really taking everything back?
He counted everything and just froze. All the physical gifts Yin Chen had bought—everything except the money he had already spent and food he had eaten—were listed. Could he not be shocked?
After zoning out for a while, he messaged the chief secretary to confirm Dongfang Wan was away and sneaked off to make a call.
As soon as Yin Chen picked up, Lin Yuhan blurted,
“Ah, are you really taking all the stuff back?”
Yin Chen glanced at the phone. He had picked up in a rush and hadn’t noticed who it was.
“Huh? Didn’t you want me to return everything? I just had my assistant make a list.”
“Yeah, but you also bought me face masks and other consumables—do I need to return those too?”
Lin Yuhan bit his nails, unable to sort out his feelings. Confused… maybe mixed emotions?
“Forget the consumables. The big items, the ones a little assistant can’t handle, return those.” Yin Chen said calmly, as if there was nothing wrong.
“Oh… okay. I’ll pack up after work. Want to come pick it up yourself?”
Lin Yuhan thought for a moment. Compared to previously, it actually seemed fine—he could accept it.
“I might not be suited for that…”
Yin Chen barely started speaking when Lin Yuhan interrupted.
“No, you’re perfectly suited. You said ‘just friends,’ and now that you don’t like me, a dinner as friends is perfect! Consider it celebrating your escape from my misery. How about it?”
His tone brightened, for the first time in his post-college life, he had a genuine friend.
“Really? Okay. I’ll have my assistant come with me tonight. He can carry the stuff. I have other things to do. Bye for now.”
Yin Chen touched his chest, finding himself oddly agreeable to the plan, nodded, and hung up.
He looked at the sales lady in front of him, voice calm.
“I’ll take this unit. Have the design team contact me—I want to make some modifications.”
The sales lady nodded eagerly.
“Of course, Mr. Yin. We’ll handle the paperwork, and I’ll have the design team reach out today.”
Yin Chen nodded and gazed outside. A new villa seemed a fitting way to say goodbye to the past.
For Lin Yuhan, having Yin Chen hang up first was surprisingly easy to accept.
“Compared to Dongfang Wan, Yin Chen’s way more gentlemanly,” he murmured.
“Bang!”
Suddenly, someone slammed him against the wall.
Lin Yuhan shivered in shock, tears brimming. He looked up and saw—it was Dongfang Wan!
“Dongfang Wan! What are you doing? This is a company! Let go!”
Dongfang Wan’s eyes were red, face dark, hands gripping his wrists.
“You still remember it’s the company? Yet here you are flirting with Yin Chen! Do you remember whose lover you are?”
Lin Yuhan froze, utterly confused.
“I’m flirting with Yin Chen? You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?”
Dongfang Wan’s gaze darkened.
“Don’t deny it! The chief secretary told me you were asking about me strangely, I rushed back worried, and you were still in contact with Yin Chen! You’re my lover, yet you say I’m not as good as him? How is Yin Chen better than me?”
The more he spoke, the more furious he became. Lin Yuhan felt his wrists might break and struggled in panic.
“Let go! Now!”
Struggling only made Dongfang Wan more frantic.
“Ah! So you’ve been cheating with him! Do you know how hard I fought to keep you at my side, to get my dad’s approval? I’m the one who truly loves you! Why do you always ignore me for other things? First work, now Yin Chen—why?!”
“Crack.”
A sudden kick to the groin left Dongfang Wan writhing in pain.
Lin Yuhan clenched his teeth, holding his injured wrists. Watching Dongfang Wan in agony, he felt… nothing. Maybe he even thought Dongfang Wan deserved it.
He calmed for a moment, secretly glad Yin Chen hadn’t yet taken back the latest phone he bought—this one could operate via voice commands.
He called emergency services calmly.
“One person with both wrists fractured, one with potential testicle injury—please send help immediately.”
After finishing, he looked at Dongfang Wan trying to get up, lips pressed together.
“I think we need a break, some time apart to cool off.”
He didn’t dislike Dongfang Wan, but he needed to consider if he should continue liking him. Likes were supposed to bring happiness, right? But this…
Looking at his useless hands, his eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
He had never suffered like this, and the cause? His official lover. Ridiculous!
He tilted his head back, determined to think carefully.
“No way!”
Dongfang Wan clamped his legs together, eyes manic.
“I won’t separate. I don’t want to separate!”
He lunged, but Lin Yuhan spread his hands.
“Want me to break them again?”
Dongfang Wan froze. Pain contorted his face as he cautiously reached toward Lin Yuhan.
“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I can’t control myself. Why can’t you love me like I love you? Why do you always have other priorities?”
“I love you,” Lin Yuhan said, a self-deprecating smile.
“Because I love you, I need a break.”
He felt petty. If he were Yin Chen, enduring this, would he have broken it off decisively? Some jealousy toward Yin Chen even crept in.
Dongfang Wan fell into guilt.
The ambulances arrived; each got on one, Lin Yuhan unfazed by the company-wide gaze. He was thinking about something else—his dinner plan with Yin Chen, probably ruined.
The news of the crown prince being hospitalized from a groin injury spread like wildfire. Lin Yuhan’s student status barely attracted media attention, but Yin Chen noticed the tiny piece on the front page, alongside Dongfang Wan.
He decided to visit Lin Yuhan, who probably couldn’t manage his own meals now.
Entering the hospital room, Yin Chen stepped slowly forward.
Lin Yuhan saw him and called out:
“Yin Chen! You didn’t come to the wrong room, I’m here!”
Rubbing his brow, Yin Chen hesitated, wondering if he’d made a mistake. He stepped in.
Three other guys looked at him in unison.
“Oh wow! Lin-ge, is this your CEO friend?”
One guy in a cast gave a thumbs up.
“Totally CEO vibes!”
Lin Yuhan smiled.
“See? I think he looks very CEO too.”
Turning to Yin Chen:
“You came because of me? Perfect timing. Can you help me? I want to be discharged.”
Yin Chen frowned.
“But your hands—”
Lin Yuhan shook his stubby, bandaged hands.
“No problem, I’ve got good constitution. Just help me out, as a friend.”
Yin Chen thought, decided to follow his heart.
Half an hour later, Lin Yuhan was dressed and walking out of the hospital with Yin Chen.
He chirped the whole way:
“Thanks so much! Did you skip meals to come here? Should we eat first, then grab your stuff?”
Yin Chen glanced at his hands.
“You can’t eat like this.”
Lin Yuhan’s eyes widened.
“What? You actually joked about my hands! Today’s been eye-opening!”
“Ah?” Yin Chen blinked.
“Did I?”
“Yes! You said ‘these hooves of yours can’t eat.’ I even memorized it!”
Yin Chen raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just a way of saying hands—why the fuss?”
Lin Yuhan waved his hands excitedly.
“Because I discovered a funny side of my friend! If I weren’t injured, I’d celebrate with hotpot!”
Yin Chen was intrigued.
“Celebrate? Why hotpot?”
Lin Yuhan stopped.
“You’ve never had hotpot?”
Yin Chen shook his head.
“Nope. Why?”
Big problem!
Lin Yuhan leaned closer, curious:
“Do you usually eat at restaurants or have a few cooks at home?”
“Pretty much,” Yin Chen admitted.
Lin Yuhan sighed. Are all rich people’s lives like this? He rubbed his head.
“Want to try hotpot? I love it, with a chilled soda—just bliss!”
Yin Chen was quietly tempted.
“Alright. But what’s ‘chilled soda’?”
“Don’t ask! I’ll show you at a good place. Let’s go, I promised to treat you!”
Excited, Lin Yuhan dragged him to his favorite hotpot spot.
Half an hour later…
Lin Yuhan gawked as Yin Chen timed every bite, piling small plates high, and nearly finishing a 2L soda. Sweat dripped down his face, lips bright red from spice, yet he kept eating with expert focus.
“Glug.”
Lin Yuhan swallowed nervously, eyeing his wallet—danger!
“By the way, this soda is amazing. Thanks for showing me this!”
Yin Chen finally stopped and looked seriously at Lin Yuhan.
“As a friend, I must advise: cherish life, stay away from Dongfang Wan. If you like men like him, I can introduce someone better—at least, no domestic abuse.”
Pausing two seconds, he added:
“Also big enough to satisfy you.”
Across the table, Zong Cheng slowly set down his chopsticks, feeling a faint despair.
Did he really have to retreat into another dimension to escape the gays’ reign?