“Mingxuan! Mingxuan!” Yu Sen caught up to Ye Mingxuan.
Pregnant, Ye Mingxuan couldn’t run fast and was easily caught. Hearing Yu Sen call his name, he stopped and quickly wiped away his tears.
Yu Sen ran up to him: “Mingxuan, what happened?”
“Nothing.” Ye Mingxuan pushed back the sweat-dampened hair from his eyes. “Brother Yu Sen, why haven’t you left yet?”
“I… I was going to leave, but I came back after a while.” Yu Sen studied Ye Mingxuan’s expression. He was crying so bitterly—could it be that the gift he gave was rejected?
“Mingxuan,” Yu Sen took off his own coat and draped it over Ye Mingxuan. “Come rest at my place for a bit.”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “I want to walk alone for a bit.”
“Alone?”
“Mhm.”
“I’d like to walk with you.”
A car passed by, kicking up debris from firecrackers on the roadside. Ye Mingxuan turned his head and smiled faintly. “It’s okay, Brother Yu Sen. I can manage.”
Yu Sen paused, taken aback. “But you’re clearly hurting right now.”
“The person you wanted to give a gift to made you this sad, yet he didn’t even come out to see you. That shows he doesn’t care much for you.”
“Why not try letting him go?”
“Mingxuan, be with me.”
Yu Sen’s confession came out of nowhere, leaving Ye Mingxuan stunned. After a moment of shock, he snapped back to reality and shook his head firmly: “I’m sorry, Yu Sen, I see you as a friend!”
Yu Sen was stunned by the blunt rejection.
Ye Mingxuan hung his head, feeling both frustrated and awkward. He couldn’t fathom why Yu Sen would like him—or why he’d confess at all!
Although, although he had once harbored feelings for Yu Sen, that was in the past. Ye Mingxuan had always sensed his own heart—quietly, without him noticing—gradually being filled by another person.
So…
Ye Mingxuan bowed, his face flushed: “I’m truly sorry!”
The night breeze chilled Yu Sen’s hands and feet. Standing rooted to the spot, he still couldn’t accept Ye Mingxuan’s answer.
Yet Ye Mingxuan, who had once watched him quietly, now rejected him outright.
It turned out he’d been out of the game all along.
Bitterness and helplessness gripped his body. A sharp stone seemed lodged in Yu Sen’s throat, scraping painfully. After a long moment, he forced a lighthearted smile: “I was just teasing you.”
Ye Mingxuan looked up: “Huh?”
Yu Sen said: “I saw you were in a bad mood, so I deliberately teased you.”
Realizing he’d been tricked, Ye Mingxuan felt a wave of relief wash over him: “Brother Yu Sen, you scared the hell out of me.”
Yu Sen asked, “Feeling better now?”
The bizarre neon lights cast their glow upon them. Ye Mingxuan paused, his mood scarcely improved by Yu Sen’s “joke.” He shook his head with a bitter smile: “Brother Yu Sen, I still want to walk alone.”
Yu Sen knew he couldn’t offer Ye Mingxuan comfort—or rather, Ye Mingxuan didn’t need him.
“Then I’ll be going. Text me when you get home safely.”
“Okay, see you, Yu Sen.”
Ye Mingxuan waved briefly before turning back down the street. Yu Sen lowered his gaze and walked away.
Not long after, a Maybach drove past Yu Sen. Wealthy individuals were common in City A, and Maybachs and Rolls-Royces were a frequent sight. Yet, the license plate number 8888 caught his attention.
Yu Sen turned his head and saw the Maybach heading in Ye Mingxuan’s direction.
“Mingxuan!” Bai Yu rolled down the window, tilting his head to look at him from inside the car. “Let me drive you home.”
Ye Mingxuan halted, his slender frame swaying precariously in the wind. He glanced at the backseat—empty. Turning back, tears welled in his eyes again. “I don’t want to go back…”
“Fine, fine, if you don’t want to go back, then don’t go back.” Bai Yu comforted him. “But it’s so late now. Are you hungry? People need to eat. How about I treat you to dinner?”
He hadn’t felt hungry at all before, but the moment Bai Yu finished speaking, Ye Mingxuan’s stomach miraculously growled. He placed a hand on his lower abdomen. The baby had been quiet until just now, but now kicked him twice.
Ye Mingxuan nodded, walked to the back, and got in the car. He sat in the backseat, leaning against the cushion Tan Sizhe had bought for him after he got pregnant, fearing back pain. It was printed with cartoon patterns in soft, pastel colors. Without the cushion, Ye Mingxuan’s back felt uncomfortable. He placed the cushion behind his waist and watched the scenery outside the window.
The car started moving slowly. Bai Yu glanced at Ye Mingxuan’s expression through the rearview mirror. Stopping at a red light at the intersection, he pulled out his phone and secretly sent a message to someone: “Already picked up…”
“Who are you texting?”
“No one… really. Look, my hands are empty.”
“Watch the traffic lights!”
Bai Yu never imagined he’d witness Ye Mingxuan lose his temper like this. The latter kept glancing at his hands throughout the ride, wary of him reaching for his phone—poor guy had just hidden it under his butt.
What on earth happened between these two… it must be serious.
Anyway, better listen to the other boss first. Deal with this one after appeasing him.
Half an hour later, Ye Mingxuan sat in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel, tucking into a Michelin-starred meal. He took a bite of toasted bread and let out a satisfied burp.
Bai Yu, seated on the nearby sofa, smiled. “No need. I’m a VIP member here. This suite is reserved for me year-round. Don’t worry—it’s complimentary.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Really?”
Bai Yu: “Mhm. Stay as long as you like. It’s empty anyway. If you need anything, just call housekeeping.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded.
Bai Yu stood up to grab his coat. “It’s close to campus too, convenient for your commute. It’s getting late. I’ll head back. You should get some rest too.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Mr. Bai!”
Bai Yu turned back.
Ye Mingxuan looked at him gratefully. “Thank you.”
Bai Yu smiled. “No problem. Even though we’ve only known each other for half a year, I’ve always thought of you as a younger brother. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Mhm.”
Bai Yu stepped outside and wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. “Phew—finally settled in.”
He didn’t actually have VIP status at this hotel. It was purely because the hotel was under Tan Sizhe’s control. With just one call from Tan Sizhe, they were given the best suite available.
Bai Yu shook his head. Ever since Ye Mingxuan married Tan Sizhe, he’d practically become an actor.
…
After Bai Yu left, Ye Mingxuan looked around the spacious three-bedroom apartment and felt an inexplicable loneliness. It was too empty—no Aunt Fu’s laughter, no art studio or piano room, and no… familiar scent.
Ye Mingxuan wandered around aimlessly like a headless fly. Wiping his red, swollen eyes, he called Lin Jiale.
“What?! You got into a fight with Tan Sizhe?!”
“Yeah.” Ye Mingxuan mumbled, munching on a corn cob as he rested his head on the table. “Jiale, I’m staying out tonight. Could you come keep me company?”
“Waaah, Mingxuan, why are you so pitiful…” After hearing his story, Lin Jiale wiped away tears with a tissue, her heart aching. She pictured Ye Mingxuan being kicked out by Tan Sizhe, alone and helpless, lugging a suitcase with his pregnant belly, heading to a shelter to stay in a cramped, stuffy room. She sniffed. “Why don’t you come stay at my place? We have a spare room.”
“No need. I don’t want to trouble Uncle and Auntie.”
“Alright, I’ll come over right now. Good buddy, we’re in this together!”
“Mm!”
Half an hour later, Lin Jiale stood in the vast presidential suite, staring up at the crystal chandelier. “This… is your shelter?”
Ye Mingxuan sipped his chicken soup. “Yep.”
Lin Jiale scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding! What kind of shelter is this?! I thought you were going to sleep on the streets! I even brought a tent!”
Ye Mingxuan stirred his soup. “Thanks to Mr. Bai.”
“Mr. Bai Yu? He seems pretty dependable.” Lin Jiale circled the room once before sitting back down beside Ye Mingxuan. “So what are your plans now? Staying here permanently? Not going back?”
“…” Ye Mingxuan stared at the layer of oil floating on the chicken soup. “I don’t know.”
He definitely couldn’t go back to his mom’s—she’d worry too much. And of course, he couldn’t see Tan Sizhe right now either.
Lin Jiale grabbed a pillow and brought it over. “How did you and Tan Sizhe end up fighting? Didn’t you buy him that bracelet? Did he think it was ugly?”
Ye Mingxuan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “No…”
The chicken soup had grown cold. Ye Mingxuan had left some untouched. Staring at the congealed yellow fat, his nose stung. “He just doesn’t like me.”
…
The next morning, Aunt Fu drew the curtains, letting bright sunlight stream in. She went back to the kitchen to serve up some egg congee. Opening the rice cooker, she saw it was still cooked for two. Sighing, she ladled a bowl onto the table. Glancing at the other person’s expression, she dared not say much: “Sir, please eat.”
Tan Sizhe looked haggard, his unkempt fringe falling messily across his eyes. He lifted the ladle, paused mid-air for two seconds, then set it down.
Aunt Fu was about to urge him when the doorbell rang. She went to answer it: “Mr. Bai! You’re finally here! The master hasn’t eaten all morning. I was so worried.”
Bai Yu nodded. “I’ll go see him.”
Aunt Fu said, “Perfect timing! There’s plenty of breakfast left. Let’s eat together. I’ll serve you some.”
Bai Yu entered and spotted Tan Sizhe sitting alone in the dining room from afar. His eyes were red, clearly having cried himself to sleep under the covers.
He sat beside Tan Sizhe. “Come on, it’s just a breakup. I’ve been through so many since I was a kid, and I’ve never been as heartbroken as you look.”
Tan Sizhe closed his eyes, clearly not keen on Bai Yu’s brand of “comfort.”
“Did Mingxuan go to school?”
“He did. Last night he invited Lin Jiale over to sleep over. They had breakfast together and went to school this morning.”
Hearing that Ye Mingxuan had eaten properly, Tan Sizhe finally moved his hand and began drinking the egg congee: “Mm. Put it on my tab.”
Aunt Fu carried the congee over: “Mr. Bai, try this egg congee.”
Bai Yu smiled: “Thank you, Aunt Fu.”
Aunt Fu returned to the kitchen to continue her work. Bai Yu, holding the warm bowl of porridge, asked Tan Sizhe, “So what are your plans moving forward?”
Bai Yu froze, understanding Tan Sizhe’s meaning.
If Ye Mingxuan wanted to divorce him for someone else, he would agree and ensure Ye Mingxuan’s carefree future.
Had Tan Sizhe and Ye Mingxuan truly reached this point?
Bai Yu instinctively felt it couldn’t be.
As Tan Sizhe’s longtime friend, seeing him like this tore at Bai Yu’s heart. He had a premonition: if Tan Sizhe and Ye Mingxuan truly divorced, Tan Sizhe would eventually fall into a terminal illness.
No! He had to find someone to help.
There was one person whose words would carry particular weight—both Tan Sizhe and Ye Mingxuan would listen.
…
All morning, Ye Mingxuan drifted through class, his mind elsewhere. He sketched on his tablet, drawing one image after another, never satisfied, only to scribble them out in frustration.
Seeing the tablet reminded him of Tan Sizhe. Ye Mingxuan realized every single thing he owned was connected to Tan Sizhe—his life had long been consumed by him, occupying every corner.
Last night, lying on the plush bed, he couldn’t sleep at all. There was no familiar person beside him, no familiar scent. Though the hotel bedding carried its own fragrance, it felt foreign and cold, making Ye Mingxuan feel unsettled.
Habits are a terrifying thing. What’s even more frightening is realizing you’ve already become addicted to them.
Lin Jiale kept a close eye on his best friend, deeply concerned, but beyond offering comfort, there was little he could do to help Ye Mingxuan.
The bell signaling the end of class finally snapped Ye Mingxuan back to reality. He slowly packed his backpack and asked Lin Jiale where they should go for lunch.
“Mingxuan!”
Ye Mingxuan turned to see Ye Xiangkai standing at the classroom door.
After several months apart, Ye Xiangkai had lost some weight, yet his imposing presence remained undiminished. Startled, Ye Mingxuan slung his backpack over his shoulder and approached. “Uncle Ye.”
Despite his dislike for Ye Yufan and Zhao Dongxuan, Ye Mingxuan still held a measure of respect for Ye Xiangkai. “Uncle Ye, you wanted to see me?”
Ye Xiangkai nodded. “I need your help with something.”
Ye Mingxuan pointed at himself. “Me?”
Ye Xiangkai: “Yes. Let’s talk in the car.”……
When Bai Yu drove up, he spotted Ye Mingxuan getting into Ye Xiangkai’s car. He exclaimed: “Hey! Why are you leaving?!”
Getting out of his car, Bai Yu scratched his head in frustration. Then he looked up and saw Lin Jiale. They had met at the alumni gathering last time. Seeing Bai Yu, Lin Jiale greeted him: “Mr. Bai!”
Bai Yu glanced at the road. “Why did Ye Xiangkai come pick up Mingxuan just now?”
Lin Jiale shook his head. “No idea.”
Bai Yu sighed. “What a coincidence. I actually needed to talk to Mingxuan.”
Lin Jiale: “Is it about him and Mr. Tan?”
Bai Yu: “Yes! I came over to try persuading him again!”
Lin Jiale: “Tsk. I was wondering the same thing. They were so sweet together before, why did they suddenly start arguing? Your Mr. Tan even bullied our Mingxuan into tears.”
Bai Yu: “…Mr. Tan isn’t exactly in better shape. He’s hiding somewhere crying himself.”
Lin Jiale: “Huh?? What’s he crying about? Isn’t it him who doesn’t like Mingxuan?”
Bai Yu turned in shock: “What did you say? It’s Ye Mingxuan who doesn’t like Mr. Tan!”
Lin Jiale’s eyes widened: “What nonsense are you spouting? Mingxuan doesn’t like Tan? He doesn’t like Tan Sizhe spending so much money on that bracelet for him? He doesn’t like Tan Sizhe spending so much time engraving it?!”
“…” Bai Yu froze, grabbing Lin Jiale’s shoulders. “What bracelet?”
“You mean Ye Mingxuan bought the bracelet for Tan Sizhe? That bracelet was meant for Tan Sizhe?!”
Lin Jiale found him utterly baffling: “What else? For you?”
Bai Yu felt like the sky was falling. “Holy shit! This is a huge misunderstanding!”
“Ye Mingxuan bought the bracelet for you, not for Yu Sen!”
“He spent all those days engraving it in the shop—it was for you!”
“We all misunderstood Mingxuan!”
Bai Yutian’s voice boomed through the phone. Tan Sizhe stormed into Ye Mingxuan’s study, slamming the door shut so hard it slammed back against the wall.
His limbs went numb. Stumbling, he crashed into the desk, trembling as he opened the box and pulled out the bracelet.
Sunlight flooded the room, illuminating the space brightly. The bracelet reflected dazzling light. Inside the Z-shaped silver clasp, a row of letters was engraved.
——Me gustas.
Sunlight flooded the room, illuminating the bracelet, which reflected the dazzling light. Inside the Z-shaped silver ornament, a line of letters was engraved.
——Me gustas.
Question: What is the opposite of “I hate you”?
Answer: I like you.
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