Back home.
Ye Mingxuan was laid down on the bed.
All the lights in the room were turned on, illuminating the entire house.
Tan Sizhe held his hand and pressed it against his body: “Count.”
Ye Mingxuan placed his other hand over his eyes, his mouth opening and closing as hot breath escaped: “No…”
Ye Mingxuan’s teeth chattered, and his tightly closed eyelids trembled in fear.
“Count how many there are in total. If you get it right, I’ll let you go to bed early today.”
Ye Mingxuan’s teeth chattered as he tried to bury his head in the pillow in shame:
“Four…”
Tan Sizhe guided his hand downward: “Continue.”
“Six…”
“Hmm.”
“Eight.”
“Good job.” Tan Sizhe hooked his chin, leaned down to kiss him, his tongue pushing into his mouth, the tip of his tongue almost touching the teenager’s fragile throat.
Ye Mingxuan was kissed into a state of helplessness, his mouth open in a daze, allowing the man to invade him.
Tan Sizhe nibbled on his lower lip, opened the drawer beside him with one hand, and took out a box.
The first time was sudden, so he wasn’t prepared, but this time Tan Sizhe had prepared in advance.
From midnight to dawn, a thin mist filled the air, obscuring most of the world.
Ye Mingxuan was pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window by Tan Sizhe.
Ye Mingxuan’s face was pressed against the glass, his cheeks puffed out like a snow maiden’s, and his hips trembled like butterfly wings.
Tan Sizhe pressed his hands against the window, leaving wet palm prints, as the surrounding moisture gradually condensed into droplets rolling down.
Aunt Fu told Ye Mingxuan that Tan Sizhe was very busy, so he was staying at the company.
“Today is the last day to sign up for clubs,” Lin Jiale pointed to the small tents under the sun. “Have you decided which club you want to join?”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head.
“Me neither,” Lin Jiale sighed. “I have no idea which club suits me.”
“The skateboarding club doesn’t accept beginners, I’m not interested in the guitar club, and the choir club rejected me for being tone-deaf! So I still haven’t found a club that suits me.”
“Mingxuan, is there any club you want to join?”
“I…” Ye Mingxuan said, “I don’t know.”
Even if he did, his family situation didn’t support him having expensive hobbies.
He was already an adult; he needed to take responsibility for himself and his mother and couldn’t cling to those unrealistic fantasies anymore.
“Then let’s just look around.” Lin Jiale dragged him to various booths to ask.
The Hanfu Club and the cosplay club next door looked very expensive, and Ye Mingxuan didn’t dare to go anywhere near them. Lin Jiale signed up for the cosplay club and then accompanied Ye Mingxuan for nearly half an hour, but Ye Mingxuan didn’t join any of them.
“No way, today’s the last day. Are you really not going to join anything? That’s so boring. Just try joining one.”
Huang Xiaochu, the president of the broadcasting club, had been scouting for applicants all afternoon, her eyes nearly strained from the effort, but she wasn’t satisfied with anyone’s appearance or skills.
She leaned on the table, sighing, when suddenly she caught a glimpse of a bright spot.
Ye Mingxuan hadn’t reacted yet when Lin Jiale tapped him on the shoulder: “They’re calling you over there.”
Startled, Ye Mingxuan looked over and saw Huang Xiaochu waving at him.
Ye Mingxuan walked over and took the application form: “What does the radio station do?”
A member next to Huang Xiaochu replied, “Read scripts during the sports meet and host events during evening shows.”
“…” Ye Mingxuan awkwardly put it back, “I’m sorry, I can’t read well…”
“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t listen to him,” said Huang Xiaochu. “Our job is very simple. We just need to go to the radio station and play some music. We don’t have to show our faces or read scripts.”
Member: “But President…”
“Stupid!” Huang Xiaochu grabbed his collar, pulled him closer, and whispered, “Can’t you just trick them in first? If we miss this opportunity, where else will we find handsome guys?”
“It’s all because you’re too picky. No one with a protruding mouth, no one with big nostrils, and no one with a 50-50 face.” The member muttered.
“What’s wrong with being picky? Do you have an opinion?”
“No, no opinion!”
Huang Xiaochu let go of the member’s collar and turned to Ye Mingxuan with a sly smile: “What do you think? Want to consider it?”
Ye Mingxuan was still hesitant: “Just playing music is enough?”
That doesn’t seem to cost much money.
“Of course!” Huang Xiaochu really liked Ye Mingxuan’s image, so she really wanted him to join the team.
“Please, junior, I’m begging you. We’re really short-handed here, woe is me. Just help us out.”
Lin Jiale whispered in Ye Mingxuan’s ear: “Give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, you can just not come next semester.”
After being persuaded by both sides, Ye Mingxuan was indeed tempted: “Alright, alright.” Alright, we can wrap up for today.”
Ye Mingxuan: “……?”
Aren’t they supposed to be short-staffed?
However, he had managed to find a club to join for extracurricular activities, so Ye Mingxuan was quite happy.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Ye Mingxuan yawned.
Lin Jiale: “Are you tired?”
Ye Mingxuan nodded: “I feel especially tired today. I don’t know why.”
“It must be because we walked around so much this afternoon. Let’s go back early.”
“Okay.”
Just as he was about to return to the library with Lin Jiale, Ye Mingxuan received a message from Ye Yufan, asking him to bring eight cups of milk tea.
Ye Mingxuan apologized to Lin Jiale and hurried off to the snack street to buy the milk tea.
By the time he arrived at the music club classroom, Ye Yufan had already grown impatient waiting.
“You’re always so slow,” Ye Yufan snatched the milk tea.
Ye Mingxuan tried to explain, “The line was a bit long.”
“Stop making excuses, I know you too well,” Ye Yufan ignored him and handed the bag to Wang Zilu.
Wang Zilu said, “Yufan, you’re so kind to treat us to milk tea.”
Ye Yufan smiled and said, “You’re welcome. I’ll treat you again next time.”
Ye Mingxuan held the bank card in his pocket and wondered how much he would have to pay next time.
He should eat less these days.
The corridor was relatively cool, with occasional breezes blowing in. Ye Mingxuan pulled at his clothes in the cool breeze, letting his sweat evaporate quickly.
Ye Mingxuan was taken aback: “On Saturday?”
Ye Yufan observed his expression and sneered, “What, daydreaming again?”
“My mother and the Tan family agreed to keep the wedding low-key, so only a few people in our circle know about the marriage alliance between the two families,” Ye Yufan said. “So when you come back the day after tomorrow, you must act as if nothing has changed, understand?”
Ye Mingxuan nodded silently, lowering his hands. “I understand.”
Ye Yufan hummed in satisfaction, tore open the milk tea packaging, and took a few big sips. Watching Ye Mingxuan’s departing figure, she felt a sense of relief and quickly finished the milk tea.
She had thought today would end so pleasantly.
But by evening, Ye Yufan suddenly started experiencing stomach pain, rushing to the bathroom repeatedly, alarming Ye Xiangkai and Zhao Dongxuan.
“Did you eat something unclean at school?” Ye Xiangkai moved a chair over and sat down beside her.
“No…” Ye Yufan mumbled.
“Don’t lie. Tell me everything you ate today.”
“I just had Pizza Hut for lunch.”
“I told you not to eat junk food. Look at you now, you’ve got gastroenteritis.” Ye Xiangkai scolded.
“…I’ve eaten Pizza Hut before and never had diarrhea.”
Zhao Dongxuan: “Then think about what else you ate?”
“There was also milk tea—that’s it, milk tea!” Ye Yufan looked up with a pale face, “Mom! The milk tea was bought by Ye Mingxuan. He must have wanted to harm me!”
“It’s definitely just that the milk tea wasn’t good and upset his stomach. There’s no poisoning involved.” Ye Xiangkai folded the towel and wiped the sweat off Ye Yufan’s forehead.
Zhao Dongxuan crossed her arms and stood up. “No, I have to ask Ye Mingxuan.”
“The child’s mother, don’t ask. Ye Mingxuan might be with Tan Zong right now. What would you look like if you called him?”
“How could that be?” Zhao Dongxuan scoffed. “He’s probably living like a concubine in the Cold Palace right now!”
He wiped his nose and turned his gaze to the man beside him.
Ye Mingxuan never expected the man to come back for dinner today. At that moment, they were sitting at opposite ends of the sofa.
Since their marriage, they had done the most intimate things together, but they had never eaten dinner face-to-face at home before, which made them feel awkward.
“Gentlemen, please eat.” “ Aunt Fu cheerfully brought out her specialty dish, ”Ginseng black chicken soup. Mr. Mingxuan, President Tan specifically asked me to make this for you to nourish your body.”
The flowers swaying by the window paused for a moment as Ye Mingxuan looked at the man.
The man closed the magazine and placed it beside him, then stood up and said, “Let’s eat.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded. Seeing Tan Sizhe sit at the head of the table, he hesitated for a moment before choosing the seat directly across from him, the farthest away. Hurry up and sit next to President Tan. How can you reach the food sitting here?”
Ye Mingxuan bit the end of his chopsticks, his eyes darting around, then returned to the dish closest to him, picking at it again and again.
As he was eating his fifth mouthful of vegetables, Tan Sizhe spoke up: “Aunt Fu.”
Aunt Fu: “Sir?”
Tan Sizhe: “I don’t like chicken legs.”
Aunt Fu understood immediately: “I understand, sir.”
Then, she swapped the vegetables and chicken leg in front of Ye Mingxuan, placing the chicken leg right in front of him.
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes lit up. He carefully picked up the chicken leg and bit into it eagerly, the juices bursting in his mouth.
It was so fragrant and delicious. It was a pity that the gentleman didn’t like it.
After eating two chicken legs, Tan Sizhe said again, “I don’t like eating fish.”
The fish was moved to Ye Mingxuan’s side.
“I don’t like eating shrimp.”
The stir-fried shrimp was moved to Ye Mingxuan’s side.
“I don’t like chicken soup.”
“Sir, the chicken soup can be served in individual bowls,” Aunt Fu reminded him.
Tan Sizhe: “…”
He wiped his mouth with a tissue: “Serve two bowls.”
Ye Mingxuan was given a large bowl of black chicken soup, filled with black chicken meat and ginseng, the broth fragrant with oil.
His appetite was whetted, and he drank it all with satisfaction, his little belly full.
Tan Sizhe glanced at him, put down his chopsticks, and stood up: “I’m going to the study.”
The birds outside chirped twice. Ye Mingxuan glanced at the sky and, not wanting to take up Tan Sizhe’s time, went into the bedroom to take a shower.
He carefully pulled the curtains shut, blocking out the chirping of insects outside.
Ye Mingxuan hid under the covers, clutching the blanket tightly, not daring to breathe.
A few minutes later, Tan Sizhe entered the room and saw a small mound at the corner of the bed.
He walked over to the mound, sat down, and reached out to grab the other person’s blanket.
“!” Ye Mingxuan clutched tightly, “Sir, can we not do this today…”
“Hm?”
“I, I…” Ye Mingxuan’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s, “I’m tired.”
After saying that, he dared not open his eyes, afraid that Tan Sizhe would be unhappy.
Tan Sizhe took the empty cup outside and closed the door.
Auntie Fu had already left work, and they were alone at home. Tan Sizhe washed the empty cup, dried it, and set it aside to air dry. He then poured himself a glass of water and prepared to go to the study to review documents.
The phone on the living room sofa rang. Tan Sizhe glanced at it—it was Ye Mingxuan’s phone.
He glanced at the closed bedroom door, walked over with the water cup, picked up the phone, and swiped to answer it.
Zhao Dongxuan’s voice echoed throughout the living room.
“Ye Mingxuan! What kind of poisonous milk tea did you buy for Yufan?! He drank it and is now vomiting and having diarrhea! How are you going to take responsibility?! Speak up!”
The voice on the other end drew in a sharp breath, followed by a prolonged silence of over ten seconds.
“Hahaha, it’s President Tan!” Zhao Dongxuan broke out in a cold sweat, her earlier arrogance completely dissipated. “I’m truly sorry. Is Mingxuan there? I have something I’d like to discuss with him.”
“He’s here.”
“That’s great…”
“But there’s no need,” Tan Sizhe said coldly. “I hope no one disturbs him after 7 PM every evening.”
Zhao Dongxuan paused for a moment, then hurriedly apologized: “Yes, yes, I’m sorry for disturbing President Tan. I’m truly sorry, President Tan.”
“Alright, I’ll hang up now.”
“Alright, alright.”
“Also,” Tan Sizhe said to the receiver, “Ye Shaoyou had food poisoning. He should first confront the merchant, not cause trouble for unrelated parties.”
“Yes, yes, yes, President Tan is correct!”
Tan Sizhe hung up the phone, deleted the call history, and put the phone back in its original place.
He didn’t feel like working either, so after finishing the water in his cup, he returned to his room.
Opening the door, Ye Mingxuan was huddled in the corner, quietly occupying a small space, leaving the rest of the large room for Tan Sizhe.
Tan Sizhe walked over, bent down, and picked him up, placing him in the middle of the bed.
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes were still closed, showing no signs of waking up. His mouth mumbled, “Sir… um… no…”
Thinking about Ye Mingxuan’s sleep-talking from last night, he couldn’t help but smile. ”
“No, nothing!” Xiao Wang hurriedly ran out of the office.
Bai Yu stepped out of the elevator and saw Xiao Wang crouched in the corridor, hands covering his head, muttering, “It’s over, it’s over, it’s over…”
“What’s over?” Bai Yu walked over.
Xiao Wang looked up, jumping up as if he had seen a lifeline: “Assistant Bai! The boss might fire me, waaah!”
Bai Yu was taken aback, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry: “Who told you that? You’ve been doing pretty well. I even mentioned to President Tan a few days ago that we could make you a permanent employee.”
Xiao Wang grabbed his hair fiercely, turning it into a bird’s nest: “Just now, President Tan thanked me and smiled at me!”
“If that’s not firing me, what else could it be?”
“He’s never spoken to me like that before!”
Bai Yu listened in shock, then laughed after a moment: “I didn’t believe it just now, but now I do. He really might want to fire you.”
Xiao Wang: “…” He burst into tears.
Bai Yu comforted him for a while. After Xiao Wang left, he knocked on the door and entered the president’s office.
Tan Sizhe stared at the computer screen and didn’t even look up when Bai Yu entered.
Bai Yu leisurely walked to the window, opened it, and let the fresh, flower-scented morning breeze blow in, dispelling the dustiness of the office.
“Oh,” Bai Yu leaned against the window, “the weather is so nice today.”
Tan Sizhe continued typing away on the keyboard.
“The sun is so bright.”
“The cars on the road look so small.”
After Bai Yu made his third remark, Tan Sizhe finally gave him a strange look: “Are you bored?”
“I’m not idle,” Bai Yu walked back to the sofa and sat down. “I just heard that someone was in a good mood, so I came to see the commotion.”
Tan Sizhe paused, confirmed that the “someone” Bai Yu was referring to was him, and asked, “Who told you that?”
“You,” Bai Yu pointed at him, “you laughed three times in a minute while typing, and even your hair was telling me you’re in a good mood.”
“…” Tan Sizhe withdrew his gaze, “If you’re so bored, I’ll give you some work to do.”
“No, no, no, I have enough work already,” Bai Yu said. “I’m just curious, what exactly is making you so happy?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, and the only change in your life recently seems to be one thing.”
“It’s that guy named Ye Mingxuan, your new wife.”
“Let me see, you’ve only been married for a few days,” Bai Yu counted on his fingers, “one, two, three, four… half a month? You’ve already become like this. What will you be like after six months of marriage?”
Tan Sizhe took a sip of coffee, his right hand continuing to type on the keyboard without pause: “This kind of question.”
“You’ll find out when you get married.”
“…”
Bai Yu, who had been single since birth for over twenty years, left. Before leaving, he turned around and gave Tan Sizhe an international friendly gesture.
Tan Sizhe raised an eyebrow in response.
The door closed. He stopped working, picked up his phone, opened the photo album, and played the latest video.
In the video, the boy was lying in bed, sleeping soundly.
