Chapter 13

Messages immediately started popping up on the other side. Tan Sizhe silenced his phone, put it back, and looked down at his little wife’s sleeping face.

Usually, Ye Mingxuan’s eyes were timid, but when he was asleep, he let down his guard and his face was incredibly peaceful.

　　The teenager’s eyelashes were as curly as a doll’s, his nose was small and delicate, and his lips were naturally a soft red.

Tan Sizhe looked from his eyebrows to his feet, then took Ye Mingxuan’s two feet in his left hand.

　　Ye Mingxuan’s skin was fair with a hint of pink, and his toes were tinged with a faint pink hue. Since the air conditioner was on in the room, his feet were a bit cold.

The man used the warmth of his palm to warm the young man’s feet.

As he touched him, his hands grew restless, moving from the soles of his feet to his ankles, slipping into the young man’s pant legs, and gently pinching his smooth skin.

　　…

Yu Sen walked to the balcony of the private room and anxiously called Ye Mingxuan again and again.

Wang Zilu and Hu Xiang were telling funny stories, Gu Cheng laughed heartily, and Ye Yufan smiled half-heartedly a few times, his gaze fixed on Yu Sen on the balcony.

He put down his wine glass, wiped his mouth clean, and got up to go to the balcony.

　　Yu Sen waited for a minute, but no one answered the call. He frowned and stared at his phone.

　　“…No,” Ye Yufan lied nervously, “I called him too, but he didn’t answer either.”

Seeing Yu Sen remain silent, Ye Yufan grew anxious. He feigned calmness and raised his voice, “Yu Sen, you don’t believe me?!”

　　“I’m angry!” Ye Yufan crossed his arms and walked to the railing. “You couldn’t get through either, so how could I possibly get through?”

“Yufan, I…”

“Yu Sen, you don’t spoil me anymore!”

　　“I’m sorry, Yufan. I’m not doubting you; I’m just worried about Mingxuan. Don’t overthink it…”

　　Yu Sen couldn’t resist him and was dragged into the private room by Ye Yufan.

　　Tan Sizhe’s chin rested on his shoulder, his heavy breathing burning Ye Mingxuan’s ear.

　　He nervously bit his lip, gently reaching out to grab the man’s forearm, trying to move his hand away from his body.

The next second, Tan Sizhe hugged him again, his voice lazy from just waking up: “What are you doing?”

“Sir, are you awake?”

“Who else would be talking to you if I’m not awake?”

　　“…” Ye Mingxuan froze. He glanced at the wall clock and jumped up in panic, “It’s four o’clock! I should go back!”

　　Ye Mingxuan pleaded, “Sir, I really should go back…”

“No.”

“Sir…”

Tan Sizhe opened his sleepy eyes, leaned closer to Ye Mingxuan, and whispered into his ear, “Your phone rang just now.”

　　“?”

Tan Sizhe picked up the phone from the bedside table and handed it to him.

Ye Mingxuan unlocked it with confusion and saw that Yu Sen had sent over a dozen messages.

His heart skipped a beat as he scrolled to the top—the time stamp was two hours ago?!

　　Yu Sen Ge: [Mingxuan, where are you?]

Reply: [He’s sleeping.]

After a few seconds, Yu Sen Ge asked: [Who are you? Where is Mingxuan?]

Then there were over a dozen missed calls.

Ye Mingxuan’s face turned pale as he stared at the phone screen, unsure of what to do.

　　Tan Sizhe glanced up and down, observing his expression, leaning one hand against Ye Mingxuan’s back, his hot chest pressed against him. As he spoke, Ye Mingxuan’s back trembled: “Who is he?”

Ye Mingxuan’s pupils trembled in panic: “He’s… an older brother I know.”

　　“When did you meet him?”

　　Tan Sizhe pulled him into his arms: “Tell him you’ve already gone back with me.”

Ye Mingxuan froze, tightening his grip on the phone.

No… I can’t tell Yu Sen that I’m with Tan Sizhe…

　　At that moment, the screen vibrated. Ye Mingxuan looked down—Yu Sen had sent another message.

【Mingxuan, please call us back. We’re all worried about you.】

Tan Sizhe held Ye Mingxuan tightly and whispered in his ear, “They seem to be looking for you.”

Ye Mingxuan shook his head in panic.

　　“Call them back and tell them you’ve already left.” Tan Sizhe’s voice was hoarse, “You must know that I can’t let you go back.”

“Sir…”

“Don’t make me say it again.”

………………….

As dusk fell, the entire hotel was illuminated by the surrounding ground lights, appearing incredibly luxurious.

　　Yu Sen sat in his chair, unable to eat or join his younger siblings’ games. ” Ye Mingxuan called out to him while holding the phone.

“Are you okay? Someone else just used your phone to reply to me, saying you were sleeping. Was it your friend?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. I thought you might have encountered trouble.”

“I’m fine, Yu Sen. I’m really sorry. I’ve already replied—uh!”

　　“Mingxuan, what’s wrong?” Hearing Ye Mingxuan’s muffled groan, Yu Sen grew concerned.

　　A tingling sensation shot from his earlobe to his forehead.

Ye Mingxuan: “!!”

“Mingxuan, are you okay?” Yu Sen furrowed his brows, striding quickly to the balcony, grabbing the phone and asking again, “Mingxuan, Mingxuan?”

“I’m… I’m okay!” ” Ye Mingxuan grabbed the man’s hand and shook his head pleadingly.

Tan Sizhe raised his eyebrows, used his free hand to pinch his chin, and gave him a quick peck on the lips, while his other hand applied pressure below.

“Ah—mm!” Ye Mingxuan almost cried out but quickly covered his mouth.

“Mingxuan, Mingxuan?! What’s wrong?!”

　　Ye Mingxuan tremblingly withdrew his hand, his chest rising and falling heavily, his voice shaking: “Yu Sen, I’ve already gone back…”

“Gone back? With your friends?”

“Yes… yes!”

Yu Sen sighed in relief: “As long as you’re okay, we won’t wait for you.”

　　“Alright…”

　　Ye Mingxuan bit his lower lip and shook his head vigorously.

　　Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened, his whole body jerked, and then physiological tears welled up in the corners of his eyes: “No…”

…

When Yu Sen returned, Ye Yufan spoke first: “Brother Yu Sen, have you contacted Ye Mingxuan?”

Yu Sen nodded: “He said he went back first, with his friends.”

　　“Friends?” Ye Yufan froze, “What friends?”

“I don’t know.”

Ye Yufan rolled his eyes: “Why didn’t he tell us he was going back with his friends? Now we’ve been waiting for him all this time.”  

　　Wang Zilu chimed in at the right moment: “Exactly, he’s too reclusive.”

“Mingxuan is just quiet and reserved, not reclusive.” Yu Sen sat down.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zilu fell silent and turned to look at Ye Yufan.

　　Ye Yufan curled the corners of his mouth and hugged Yu Sen’s arm: “Alright, Yu Sen, since he’s already left, we don’t need to worry about him anymore. Let’s continue eating.”

Yu Sen looked at the array of dishes on the table but lost his appetite. He stood up: “I’ve already paid. You guys continue eating. I’ll go for a walk outside.”

“… Ye Yufan watched Yu Sen’s back, clenched his teeth, and dropped his napkin. “Yu Sen, I’ll accompany you!”

Yu Sen saw Ye Yufan catching up to him, smiled, and ruffled his hair. “Alright.”

The two walked into the grand hall, which was also lavishly decorated. There were few guests, and several waiters stood under the Roman columns to greet them.

　　Suddenly, the elevator dinged in the distance, the doors opened, and two black-clad bodyguards stepped out first, followed by a man in a black trench coat carrying someone in his arms.

　　“President Tan, take your time!”

“President Tan, please come again!”

Ye Yufan widened his eyes: “President Tan?!”

He immediately grabbed a waiter running past him: “Who is the President Tan you mentioned?”

The waiter paused for a moment before answering: “It’s the one from Yuanze.”

　　Ye Yufan: “Then who is the person he’s holding in his arms?!”

　　“I… I don’t know him. I’m just curious.” Ye Yufan smiled.

Yu Sen looked at the crowd over there and laughed, “I didn’t expect Tan Sizhe to be so flashy, walking around in public with someone in his arms.”

Ye Yufan broke out in a cold sweat and forced a smile, “Yeah.”

　　However, his heart was already racing with panic.

Ye Mingxuan had left, but Tan Sizhe had appeared here. The person Tan Sizhe was holding couldn’t be…