Ye Mingxuan and Ye Xiangkai sat eating in the private room. Ye Mingxuan felt somewhat unaccustomed to this. Since living at the Ye residence, he had never shared a meal with Ye Xiangkai at the same table, let alone faced him directly like this.
The private room was lit as bright as day, eerily quiet except for the sounds of their chewing and the clinking of chopsticks.
“Uncle Ye, is there something you need to discuss with me?” Ye Mingxuan asked after they had finished most of their meal.
Ye Xiangkai pressed his lips together hesitantly for a moment before picking up the teacup beside him and taking a sip. “I asked you here today because I want you to speak with Mr. Tan about revoking the disciplinary notice against Yufan.”
Sure enough, it was about that, Ye Mingxuan thought to himself.
Ye Xiangkai never sought his help under normal circumstances, so when he came knocking today, Ye Mingxuan had suspected it might be about this.
Ye Xiangkai said, “We’ve already reimbursed that Huang student for his medical expenses. This matter was resolved long ago. But the school, having heard Mr. Tan’s stance, stubbornly refuses to cancel the notice. I don’t think it’s necessary to make such a fuss over this.”
Ye Mingxuan looked at Ye Xiangkai, his heart filled with mixed emotions. “Uncle Ye, have you forgotten there’s another victim in this matter? Me.”
Ye Xiangkai froze.
“Yet you seem to have completely disregarded my feelings,” Ye Mingxuan said, his lips twitching. “Not even a shred of apology was offered to me.”
“Mingxuan, why must you be so confrontational?” Ye Xiangkai frowned. “You haven’t suffered any real loss throughout this.”
“Does not suffering a loss mean I can’t receive a sincere apology from you?”
“Mingxuan, do you realize how embarrassing this is for me?”
Ye Xiangkai: “The whole incident with Yufan getting publicly reprimanded caused such a stir. I can’t even hold my head up among our business partners. Why did you have to be so ruthless?”
“Don’t forget how many years you and your mother lived in our home? I gave you shelter, provided your living expenses. Without me, you two would have been sleeping rough on the streets!”
Ye Xiangkai’s echo reverberated through the private room. Hearing it, Ye Mingxuan felt no ripple of emotion. At this point, he could only laugh. “Uncle Ye, you and Aunt Zhao always bring this up, as if my mother and I were your charity cases. But don’t forget—all these years, every dirty, grueling chore in the Ye household was done by my mother and me. We never owed you anything!” “
Slam! The screen partition in the private room was pushed open.
Ye Mingxuan turned in shock as Zhao Dongxuan and Ye Yufan stormed in from the balcony. He asked Ye Xiangkai, “Uncle Ye, didn’t you say it was just the two of us?”
“If we hadn’t hidden, we’d never have known you had such a sharp tongue.” Zhao Dongxuan stepped forward, cornering Ye Mingxuan. “Are you implying our family hasn’t given you enough? Don’t forget—the house your mother lives in now is mine. I’m the one supporting her!”
Ye Mingxuan wouldn’t be led by the nose anymore: “Madam, you shouldn’t forget either—it was me who arranged for Ye Yufan to marry into the Tan family. If you truly wanted Ye Yufan to marry Mr. Tan, you wouldn’t have traded the house with me.”
“You!” Zhao Dongxuan glared at him. “So you’re implying this is all our fault?!”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “I didn’t say that. You asked me not to be so aggressive, so I’m just returning the favor.”
Ye Xiangkai pressed, “So you refuse to help me persuade Mr. Tan to revoke Yufan’s punishment?”
Ye Mingxuan fell silent.
Zhao Dongxuan snorted coldly. “What do you mean ‘don’t want’? I’d say you just can’t, huh?”
“Yufan already told you Tan Cize has a mistress on the side. You should know your standing with Mr. Tan. Yet here you are, putting on airs in front of us. It’s laughable.”
A muffled thunderclap and flash of lightning split the sky, casting Ye Mingxuan’s half-face in a deathly pallor.
Zhao Dongxuan’s sharp words pierced his heart like a dagger, crimson blood seeping from the wound.
Ye Yufan sneered, “Well? Exposed by us. Pretty embarrassing, huh?”
“Yufan,” Ye Xiangkai cut in, turning to Ye Mingxuan, “Mingxuan, you’re carrying his child. Tan Sizhe will listen to you for the baby’s sake.”
“I…” Ye Mingxuan’s lashes held glistening droplets. “I can’t do it.”
“I won’t use the baby as leverage. Go beg Tan himself.” Ye Mingxuan gathered his overcoat, preparing to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Ye Yufan blocked his path. “You were so full of bravado just now. Where’d that go?”
Ye Mingxuan clutched his coat, his face as ashen as a freshly painted wall since moments ago. His eyes were red, on the verge of tears.
Zhao Dongxuan was the first to notice his distress. “Wait!”
She stepped in front of him, watching his head bowed in sorrow. A flash of insight struck her: “You look like this… Could it be you’ve fallen for Tan Sizhe?”
At those words, Ye Mingxuan shuddered violently, his pupils contracting so sharply he nearly lost his footing.
This reaction only solidified Zhao Dongxuan’s suspicion. She stared at Ye Mingxuan and burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she roared: “Really? You’re actually in love with Mr. Tan? Hahahaha!”
Ye Yufan was stunned: “Seriously? No wonder you reacted so strongly when you heard Tan Sizhe had a girlfriend! You like Tan Sizhe?!” “
“You like him, yet he keeps mistresses on the side. I bet Tan finds you disgusting too.”
“Phew, thank goodness I didn’t marry Tan Sizhe back then. Otherwise, I’d be the one crying now.” Ye Yufan wiped his eyes dramatically.
Their laughter rang harshly, mingling with the thunder outside, buzzing in Ye Mingxuan’s head. He fought back tears, forcing them not to fall. His back pressed against the wall as he struggled to stay upright. “Stop it…”
Zhao Dongxuan: What, hit a nerve? You’re really head over heels for Tan Sizhe! Oh my, let me guess—you’re standing here getting mocked by us, and where’s Tan Sizhe?”
Ye Yufan chimed in: “Oh dear, Tan Sizhe wouldn’t be with his lover, would he?”
Ye Mingxuan bit his lip: “Don’t say it…”
“Just how many mistresses does Tan Sizhe keep? I heard that for tycoons like him, three or four is considered low…”
Don’t say it… Stop talking… Don’t say it!!
“No—!”
CRACK!
A thunderous clap of lightning split the sky. Simultaneously, the private room door slammed open.
The sudden intrusion made everyone inside turn their heads. Ye Mingxuan’s face was drenched in cold sweat as he stared blankly toward the doorway, recognizing the familiar, tall figure.
Zhao Dongxuan’s eyes widened. “Mr. Tan?!”
Tan Sizhe seemed to have rushed over, his chest heaving. Besides sweat, rainwater dripped from his face, and his damp bangs clung to his forehead.
Zhao Dongxuan stared in shock. “Mr. Tan?!”
Tan Sizhe appeared to have sprinted over, his chest heaving. Besides sweat, rain
Zhao Dongxuan’s eyes widened: “Tan… Tan CEO?!”
Tan Sizhe seemed to have run over, his chest heaving slightly. His face was streaked with sweat and rainwater, his damp bangs plastered to his forehead.
His dark pupils now burned with fierce fire as he stared at Ye Mingxuan, scanning him from head to toe, down to his feet.
Earlier, when Ye Mingxuan had been shoved by Ye Yufan, he’d lost a shoe. Now, his right foot was bare except for a sock, pressed against the cold floor. Uncomfortable, his toes curled up, looking pitiful and helpless.
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes were misted over with shock and confusion as he watched Tan Sizhe approach step by step.
“Why didn’t you put your shoes on properly?” Tan Sizhe steadied his breath, then knelt on one knee before him. He picked up the discarded shoe, cradled Ye Mingxuan’s right foot, and helped him slip it on. “If you catch a chill, it’ll be my heart that aches.”
Ye Mingxuan’s lashes fluttered as tears fell. “Sir…”
The warm glow of the private room illuminated Tan Sizhe. Rising, he brushed away Ye Mingxuan’s tears. “Why do you believe everything others say? Why didn’t you come ask me, you silly fool?”
Ye Mingxuan’s mind raced, finally piecing together a thread of understanding: “So you mean…”
Tan Sizhe wrapped an arm around his shoulder, finally turning his attention to Zhao Dongxuan: “I heard everything you said. I don’t know how these rumors started, but I don’t want to hear another word about it from you next time.”
Ye Yufan’s family had been stunned since Tan Sizhe arrived. Seeing him treat Ye Mingxuan with such tenderness left them speechless.
“H-how is that possible?!” Ye Yufan pointed at him. “You clearly have a lover!”
Tan Sizhe tightened his embrace around Ye Mingxuan. “What proof do you have?”
Ye Yufan: “We’ve all seen it! At the Forest Park hotel, you got into a car holding a man! And at the Hot Springs Resort, you came out of a private room with a man! You even had a hickey on your neck!”
“…” Ye Mingxuan, who had been lost in thought, turned to look at Ye Yufan. “What did you say?”
Ye Yufan raised an eyebrow smugly. “Well? Caught red-handed, huh?”
His suggestive tone sent a shiver down their spines. Not only Ye Mingxuan, but even Ye Yufan froze in surprise for a moment.
Ye Xiangkai and Zhao Dongxuan were equally shocked. They had never seen Tan Sizhe speak to anyone like this before—half coaxing, half whining.
The gloom that had clouded Ye Mingxuan’s heart vanished instantly. The seed within him was sprouting anew, growing into vibrant branches.
So… Tan Sizhe’s lover was actually himself?
What an absurd farce this was!
Ye Mingxuan felt like laughing and crying at the same time. He took a deep breath, stood up straight, and told them, “The man you’re talking about… is me.”
The three froze. Ye Yufan spoke first, “Impossible! I saw it with my own eyes! That time in the forest park…”
Wait—that afternoon, Ye Mingxuan had vanished, claiming he was leaving early with friends. Could it be…
Ye Mingxuan tilted his head, his clear, innocent eyes seeking Tan Sizhe’s understanding. Tan Sizhe’s heart melted completely: “After you left, that guest entered the wrong private room and left immediately. I left shortly after too. I never imagined anyone would see us or that it would cause such a misunderstanding.”
It was… it was all a lie!
Ye Yufan stumbled back two steps. “Impossible… this can’t be…”
Tan Sizhe: “It was Ye Mingxuan from start to finish. No one else.”
Ye Mingxuan’s heart trembled as he stared at Tan Sizhe.
Tan Sizhe seized his hand, lifted it, kissed it gently, and gazed at him with burning intensity: “Only you.”
Only you…
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes welled with tears. Pouting in hurt, he threw himself into Tan Sizhe’s embrace: “Sir… sniff…”
The familiar scent enveloped him once more. Ye Mingxuan clung tightly to Tan Sizhe, tears of happiness streaming down his face.
Tan Sizhe embraced him back, a smile of reunion lighting his face. “Come home with me. The house has felt empty these past two days. I couldn’t eat or sleep properly, constantly wondering when you’d return.”
Ye Mingxuan choked back a sob, burying his face against Tan Sizhe’s chest.
It wasn’t just Tan Sizhe who had missed him. How could he not have felt the same?
Ye Mingxuan nodded. “Mm.”
Ye Yufan’s mind went blank. He couldn’t believe everything he’d been so certain of all this time had been wrong.
Tan Sizhe was so wealthy, so handsome, and treated Ye Mingxuan so well. She’d thought marrying into the Tan family would be hardship for Ye Mingxuan, but it turned out he had everything!
Tan Sizhe patted Ye Mingxuan’s back, gently supporting his waist as he whispered, “Bai Yu is waiting for us at the door. Tonight, I’ll have Aunt Fu cook a feast. Come on, let’s go home.”
Ye Mingxuan blushed and nodded, nestling closer into Tan Sizhe’s embrace as they walked out together.
From start to finish, Tan Sizhe didn’t spare them a single glance. Zhao Dongxuan’s face drained white, and she nearly lost her footing. “How… how could this happen…”
“Mr. Mingxuan!” Aunt Fu was overcome with emotion upon seeing Ye Mingxuan return. “He brought you back! Where did you stay last night? Aunt Fu was so worried!”
Ye Mingxuan: “I stayed at a hotel. I didn’t tell Aunt Fu. I’m truly sorry.”
Aunt Fu: “You’re back, that’s what matters! I was so worried after hearing you and Mr. Tan had an argument. I wanted to ask about it, but since Mr. Tan was also upset, I didn’t press further. Tonight, I’ll cook a nice meal. Let’s all have dinner together and celebrate properly!”
Bai Yu: “Aunt Fu, I’ll drive you to buy groceries.”
Aunt Fu nodded and went out with Bai Yu to shop.
The door closed, leaving only Ye Mingxuan and Tan Sizhe in the house. Ye Mingxuan turned around, a shadow falling over him as Tan Sizhe gently kissed him.
Ye Mingxuan’s ears flushed pink, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap from his chest. He opened his mouth willingly, inviting the other’s tongue inside.
This was the first time he’d ever initiated a kiss. Tan Sizhe paused, his blood boiling. He wrapped his arms around Ye Mingxuan’s waist, pulling him closer until the other’s pregnant belly pressed against his own.
Ye Mingxuan extended his tongue, their tips twisting together as they drew each other’s saliva, producing crisp wet sounds in the silent living room.
This kiss was tender and lingering, lasting ten minutes before they parted.
Tan Sizhe cradled Ye Mingxuan’s hand, kissing his knuckles. “I’m sorry.”
Ye Mingxuan froze. Tan Sizhe continued, “I shouldn’t have been so jealous. I bullied you without asking any questions. It was my fault.”
He pressed Ye Mingxuan’s hand against his cheek. “Mingxuan, forgive me.”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have believed everything others said, shouldn’t have doubted you. Sir, I’m sorry.”
Tan Sizhe sighed softly. “Then we’re reconciled, right?”
Sweet syrup enveloped their hearts, and Ye Mingxuan finally smiled. “Mm!”
Tan Sizhe: “But there’s still one question left.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Hmm?”
Tan Sizhe pulled a bracelet from his pocket: “I saw the words you wrote for me.”
Ye Mingxuan froze, his face flushing instantly. “It’s written in Spanish…”
Tan Sizhe couldn’t resist tapping his forehead. “Of course I know that. What I’m asking is, when you said you liked me, was that true?”
“!” Ye Mingxuan blinked, shyly lowering his head and stammering, “Um…”
Tan Sizhe tilted his head, teasing him deliberately. “What does ‘um’ mean?”
“…,” Ye Mingxuan hesitated repeatedly, then suddenly threw himself into Tan Sizhe’s arms.
Caught off guard, Tan Sizhe was enveloped by a refreshingly sweet scent.
He looked down. Ye Mingxuan was nestled in his arms, tilting his small face up. His fair skin held a faint blush, and then he rubbed his fuzzy head against him.
“Mm.”
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