After a light drizzle, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. Students bustled across the A University campus, radiating youthful energy.
“Did you hear? Professor Qi’s taking Ye Mingxuan to Italy for an art exhibition!”
“Seriously?” Hu Xiang stole a glance at Ye Yufan before turning back. “Don’t make stuff up.”
“Who’s making stuff up? Ye Mingxuan even took a week off. I bet Professor Qi took him on as an apprentice.”
“All the artists going with them are famous. Qi Lin will definitely introduce Ye Mingxuan to them. His future prospects are set now.”
“Oh my god… Why couldn’t it be me?”
“How could your paintings compare to Ye Mingxuan’s? Even Qi Lin can’t stop praising Ye Mingxuan’s work!”
As they gathered to gossip, Hu Xiang slipped away and approached Ye Yufan: “Yufan, don’t be upset. Being Qi Lin’s apprentice isn’t such a big deal. If Ye Mingxuan wants it, let him have it.”
Ye Yufan tightened his grip on the pen in his hand. Seeing his expression darken, Hu Xiang tried to console him: “Honestly, Ye Mingxuan’s paintings aren’t that great anyway. Qi Lin’s taste isn’t exactly stellar either.”
Before she could finish, Ye Yufan stood up, glared at her with his phone in hand, and stormed out of the classroom.
The classroom erupted in laughter and chatter. Leaning against the dim corridor, Ye Yufan played with his phone, trying to distract himself. It didn’t work. His features twisted in frustration as he kicked the trash can hard. “Why?!”
Why did Ye Mingxuan get to have it all? Why did he get Tan Sizhe’s favor? Why did he get the status of the Tan family’s wife? Why did he get untold wealth? And now even Qi Lin took him as a disciple? Why?!
Ye Yufan was filled with resentment. He bit his lower lip hard as the scene from that private room flashed through his mind once more.
His chest heaved, tears blurring his vision.
Upset, Ye Yufan ignored his classes all day, giving Hu Xiang the cold shoulder. Eventually, Hu Xiang stopped provoking him and sat far away.
Ye Yufan returned home with a cold expression. Ye Xiangkai and Zhao Dongxuan were sitting in the living room eating fruit. Seeing him arrive, Zhao Dongxuan said, “Son’s back! Come have some strawberries—they’re so fresh.”
“I don’t want any!” Ye Yufan tossed his backpack aside and plopped down on the sofa.
Zhao Dongxuan set down her plate. “What’s wrong? Who upset our little prince?”
Ye Yufan crossed his arms, his words coming out through gritted teeth. “It’s all Ye Mingxuan’s fault!”
“He went to Italy with Teacher Qi!”
“What?” Zhao Dongxuan and Ye Xiangkai stared in disbelief. “Where did you hear that?”
“It’s all over the place! Teacher Qi said it himself! And on WeChat Moments—see for yourselves!” Ye Yufan pulled up screenshots his friends had sent him and thrust them in front of them.
Ye Xiangkai took the phone. In the photo, Qi Lin and Ye Mingxuan stood together in front of the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. Ye Mingxuan bore little resemblance to the gloomy child who worked tirelessly at his home. His face was radiant with a smile brighter than the sunset behind them.
Qi Lin’s WeChat caption read: Taking my apprentice to admire Florence’s sunset. Wishing this young man a bright future.
Zhao Dongxuan: “What? Master Qi’s taste is terrible—how could he possibly choose Ye Mingxuan?”
Ye Yufan could no longer hold back his tears: “Why does everything good happen to Ye Mingxuan? Am I not worthy?”
“Son, don’t be sad. Maybe Ye Mingxuan just pulled strings through the Tan family.”
Ye Yufan retorted, “But that’s only because the Tan family backs him! What difference does it make?! What right does Ye Mingxuan have to these things? It’s all because he married me off to Tan Sizhe. If I had married Tan Sizhe today, all this would be mine!”
Tan Sizhe’s affection was meant for her, Qi Lin’s esteem was meant for her—she was supposed to be Tan Sizhe’s wife!
Ye Xiangkai, seeing her rage, snorted. “Now you regret it? If you hadn’t resisted and married Tan Sizhe back then, Ye Mingxuan wouldn’t have a chance!”
Ye Yufan snatched a pillow and burst into tears: “I want to marry Tan Sizhe!”
“What are you raving about?!” Ye Xiangkai ordered him to be quiet. “Tan Sizhe is already married to Ye Mingxuan. You want to marry him now? Where exactly would you marry him?”
“Husband! Why are you being so harsh with our child?” Zhao Dongxuan wrapped her arms around his. “Yufan has a point. All this should have been hers. Ye Mingxuan stole Yufan’s life!”
Ye Xiangkai shook his head. He regretted it too—if Yufan had married Tan Sizhe, none of this awkwardness would exist. “But it’s too late now. How can you change it? Go tell Tan Sizhe Ye Mingxuan is a fake young master and make him divorce Ye Mingxuan to marry you? Tan Sizhe would fly into a rage. We’d be the ones paying the price!”
“…” Ye Yufan bit his lip, clutching the pillow tightly. If they let Ye Mingxuan off like this, he would never accept it.
Zhao Dongxuan gathered her shawl, a plan forming in her mind: “Then why not make Tan Sizhe voluntarily divorce Ye Mingxuan?”
Ye Xiangkai frowned. “You mean…”
Ye Yufan looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. Zhao Dongxuan met his gaze. “Why don’t you find a way to make Tan Sizhe fall for you?”
Ye Xiangkai: “Is that even possible?”
Zhao Dongxuan: “How will we know unless we try? Our Yufan is so outstanding. Given time, Tan Sizhe will realize Ye Mingxuan is worthless and naturally turn his attention to Yufan.”
The thought of Tan Sizhe falling for him made Ye Yufan’s heart pound wildly.
He dared not imagine how blissful life with Tan Sizhe would be.
“Alright, I’ll start immediately.”…
Over the next two days, Ye Mingxuan visited the Florence Academy of Fine Arts Museum, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Uffizi Gallery. His schedule was packed yet not exhausting.
Now, Ye Mingxuan sat in Michelangelo Square, watching locals gather around a street band to sing and dance.
The dazzling sunset dipped below the horizon, casting a vivid orange glow across Ye Mingxuan’s cheeks.
The violin’s melody was cheerful and melodious. Men held women’s hands as they danced and sang, while children laughed and played in the square. Ye Mingxuan rested his chin on his hand, watching the lively scene, and smiled.
If only Mr. Tan were here.
Such a beautiful place, such a joyful and romantic scene—he longed to share it with Tan Sizhe.
So Ye Mingxuan pulled out his phone, recorded a video, and sent it to Tan Sizhe. But Tan Sizhe didn’t reply.
Ye Mingxuan calculated the time again. At this hour, the Master should be asleep.
His belly was already seven months along. Sitting down, he couldn’t wrap his arms around his knees. Ye Mingxuan had to brace himself with both hands on the ground, gazing at the violinist in the center of the crowd, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
Suddenly, his phone lit up. Tan Sizhe was calling.
Startled, Ye Mingxuan answered immediately: “Sir? You’re not asleep?”
“Can’t sleep.”
“Then… I’ll keep you company for a bit.”
“Mhm. I saw the message you sent. Happy?”
“Yes.”
Ye Mingxuan raised his phone, ensuring Tan Sizhe could hear the violin, then pressed it back to his ear. “So many people are dancing here. Everyone looks so happy.”
“So do you want to dance?”
“Huh? I…”
Ye Mingxuan stammered, the crowd’s reflections flickering in his eyes. “Yes.”
He wanted to dance, but today was destined to be a disappointment—because the partner he desired wasn’t here.
Tan Sizhe’s low chuckle came through the phone: “You really want to dance?”
Ye Mingxuan flushed slightly, unsure what Tan Sizhe was laughing at, feeling a bit embarrassed: “Mm…”
“If you want to, turn around.”
Ye Mingxuan froze. The next moment, he turned around in disbelief, clearly seeing Tan Sizhe standing behind him. Dressed in a gray lapel trench coat, strands of his hair tinged with the orange-red of the sunset, Tan Sizhe was staring directly at him.
“What? Haven’t seen me in a few days and you don’t recognize me?” Tan Sizhe curved his lips.
Those familiar eyes, that familiar voice. Ye Mingxuan stumbled to his feet and rushed toward Tan Sizhe: “Sir!”
Ye Mingxuan clung to Tan Sizhe, greedily inhaling his scent. “Sir, what are you doing here? Did you come looking for me?!”
“Who else would I be looking for?” Tan Sizhe cupped his face, mischievously pinching and kneading his cheeks. “Seems a bit rounder? Eating so well?”
Ye Mingxuan whimpered under his touch: “I accidentally ate too much these past few days…”
They say a day apart feels like three autumns, but to Tan Sizhe, these days felt like decades. Ever since he and Ye Mingxuan had officially confirmed their relationship, he found himself growing more and more unable to live without Ye Mingxuan.
Tossing and turning all night, tormented by longing, Tan Sizhe had rushed to wrap up company affairs yesterday and chartered a flight here overnight.
“Ah, what a pity.”
“What?”
“I thought you’d be so consumed by missing me that you couldn’t eat or sleep,” Tan Sizhe said.
Ye Mingxuan paused, then smiled softly.
“But I couldn’t bear it,” Tan Sizhe pulled him into an embrace, “It’s enough that I’m the only one losing sleep and appetite.”
Ye Mingxuan nuzzled his head against the other’s chest, tilting up to meet him with dark, moist eyes: “But if you can’t eat or sleep, I’ll worry too.”
Tan Sizhe’s heart fluttered at the soft touch, and he couldn’t resist any longer. He leaned down and kissed Ye Mingxuan.
“Sir!” Ye Mingxuan flushed from his ears to his neck, his eyes darting around. “We’re out in public…”
Tan Sizhe: “What are you afraid of? I didn’t even stick out my tongue.”
Ye Mingxuan: “!!!”
Tan Sizhe chuckled. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”
Ye Mingxuan lowered his head bashfully, then heard Tan Sizhe say, “Didn’t you just say you wanted to dance?”
“Hm?”
“Let’s go dance.”
Ye Mingxuan froze, glancing toward the square. “Dance? Us?”
Tan Sizhe took his hand and led him into the dancing crowd, lifting him up. “Yeah, spin around.”
Ye Mingxuan looked around, his body stiffening. “Sir…”
“Do what you want to do.”
Violin and drum melodies filled the air, mingling with the surrounding laughter. Several couples dancing nearby shot them enthusiastic glances.
The atmosphere was vibrant and romantic. Ye Mingxuan gradually got swept up in it, spinning twice to the music’s rhythm before locking eyes with Tan Sizhe.
“Sir.” Ye Mingxuan flashed a dazzling smile, revealing pearly white teeth. “I’m so happy.”
Because when I missed you, you appeared.
