Chapter 80

May officially ushered in the rainy season. After several days of humid, stifling rain, Ye Mingxuan took a temporary leave of absence from school and was brought back to the old mansion by Tan Sizhe.

Meanwhile, Tan Sizhe returned to the old mansion every evening to keep him company.

　　Ye Mingxuan lived comfortably at the old residence, enjoying his meals and lodging, his days filled with ease and cheer.

Lin Jiale, however, had it rough. While Ye Mingxuan was petting the dog in the living room, Lin Jiale was stuck in class. When Ye Mingxuan was painting, Lin Jiale was in class. When Ye Mingxuan was taking an afternoon nap, Lin Jiale was still in class.

　　“I got scolded by the teacher for sleeping in class today,” Lin Jiale complained over the phone. “Why am I so unlucky… and you’re laughing!”

Ye Mingxuan hugged his pillow, his cheek pressed against its soft side. “I warned you before—this teacher is pretty strict.”

Lin Jiale sighed heavily. Since you left, I don’t even have anyone to chat with during class. What else can I do but sleep?”

“By the way, are you doing okay staying with Grandpa Tan?”

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“That’s good. I heard the later stages of pregnancy are really tough—all kinds of aches and pains kick in. Seems like Mr. Tan is taking good care of you. “

“Mr. Tan treats me wonderfully. He buys me all sorts of things to keep me entertained and even takes me out for evening walks.”

“Oh my goodness, you two are so lovey-dovey it’s killing me.”

“Actually, we can still meet up every weekend.”

“Right! Let’s go out this Saturday then.”

　　“Sure.”

Lin Jiale hung up, carrying her bubble tea as she walked forward. Ye Yufan emerged from another corner, glaring at Lin Jiale’s retreating figure with seething jealousy.

Ye Mingxuan had actually moved back to the old mansion, and Tan Sizhe was treating him exceptionally well.

　　It was infuriating. He couldn’t even see Tan Sizhe, yet Ye Mingxuan got to meet him every day and was treated like a precious treasure.

　　“Dad!” he called Ye Xiangkai. “Ye Mingxuan has moved into the Tan family’s ancestral home. My chance has come! Go plead with Grandfather Tan to let me move in too!”

“Really? They’ve returned to the ancestral home?”

“Absolutely true!”

　　Ye Xiangkai pondered for a moment. This seemed like a sound plan. Old Master Tan was elderly and soft-hearted. With a few well-chosen words, he’d surely welcome them as guests at the ancestral home.

Then he’d help his son win Tan Sizhe’s heart. As for Ye Mingxuan…

　　Ye Mingxuan had been the one to sever ties with his family first. He wouldn’t be blamed for cutting off the affection built over the years.

After all, his family’s future was paramount….

As evening fell, a strong wind began to blow. Ye Mingxuan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching outside with concern. Xiaoli stood beside him and smiled, “Mr. Mingxuan, are you worried about Mr. Tan?”

　　Ye Mingxuan turned, looking slightly embarrassed. “The wind’s a bit strong outside. I’m worried heavy rain might cause flooding on the roads.”

Xiao Li reassured him, “Don’t worry, Madam. The weather forecast said it’s just windy and will clear up soon. Please have some fruit, Sir.”

Ye Mingxuan smiled. “Thank you.”

　　Xiao Li stood nearby holding the tray, watching Ye Mingxuan eat fruit while rubbing his stomach. The soft sunlight bathed him in a glow, making the entire scene as beautiful as a medieval oil painting. She found herself staring, mesmerized.

Until the sound of a car horn reached them from the entrance. Xiao Li looked up. “Mr. Tan is back!”

　　Ye Mingxuan, his cheeks puffed out with an apple still in his mouth, turned his head. Tan Sizhe had already entered the room, his hair slightly tousled by the wind, adding a touch of unruly charm.

“Sir.”

“What are you eating?”

Ye Mingxuan pointed at the fruit platter: “Fruit.”

　　Tan Sizhe sat beside him and opened his mouth: “Feed me.”

　　A girl’s giggle reached his ear. Ye Mingxuan turned to see Xiaoli covering her mouth and snickering. Noticing his gaze, she said with a smile, “Sir and Madam, I’ll be going now.”

Ye Mingxuan’s ears flushed red. Tan Sizhe chuckled softly, “Why aren’t you feeding me? I’m still hungry.”

Ye Mingxuan speared a piece of apple and shoved it into his mouth. “Here, eat up.”

The apple was crisp and sweet, its sugary flavor seeping into Tan Sizhe’s heart. He couldn’t resist pulling Ye Mingxuan closer and planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Mmm… Sir, this is the living room…”

　　“One more kiss. The last one.”

“Ahem.”

The two looked up. Old Master Tan stood leaning on his cane, watching them kindly. Beside him stood Uncle Ma, equally benevolent.

“!!!” Ye Mingxuan jumped to his feet. “Grandpa!”

　　Unlike Ye Mingxuan’s thin skin, Tan Sizhe continued eating fruit from the platter: “Grandpa, why were you standing there without saying anything?”

“Didn’t I say anything? Didn’t I cough?” Old Master Tan walked over and motioned for Ye Mingxuan to sit down. “I was interrupting the two young lovers.”

　　Ye Mingxuan hurriedly protested, “No, no!”

Old Master Tan smiled warmly at him. Ye Mingxuan finally caught on, his face flushing crimson. “No, no! Mr. Tan and I were just eating fruit…”

　　Even he didn’t believe his own excuse—who shares fruit mouth-to-mouth like that?!

Getting caught kissing by the patriarch was utterly humiliating… Ye Mingxuan was speechless.

Tan Sizhe remained perfectly composed: “Grandpa, next time I’ll arrange a schedule. I’ll set aside specific times and places to be alone with Mingxuan. No one else is allowed to interrupt.”

“Alright,” Grandpa Tan said. “Next time, I promise to stay out of the way, okay?”

　　“Alright, I promise to stay out of the way next time, okay?” Old Master Tan said. “Honestly, every time you come back, Mingxuan has no time to play chess with me. Back when I was courting your grandmother, I wasn’t this clingy with her. I wonder who you take after.”

　　Tan Sizhe: “My dad.”

Old Man Tan: “…” The thought of his son, perpetually clutching his wife while touring the world, left Old Man Tan speechless.

But this was for the best. Before Tan Sizhe married, Old Man Tan genuinely feared he’d grow old alone.

　　Now he had no such worries.

Old Master Tan: “By the way, Mr. Ye just called to say he’d come celebrate my eightieth birthday. I thought it was a good idea, so I invited him to come stay a few days early.”

　　Ye Mingxuan froze, and Tan Sizhe frowned. “Don’t they have to work?”

Old Master Tan replied, “Mr. Ye said he’s not busy lately and has time to visit. It’s thoughtful of them to care about me like this—why aren’t you two saying anything?”

He looked at Tan Sizhe and Ye Mingxuan, finding the two of them rather peculiar.

　　Tan Sizhe glanced at Ye Mingxuan’s trembling hand resting on his lap and replied, “In that case, let’s invite Auntie and the others over too.”

Ye Mingxuan’s tense body instantly relaxed. Old Master Tan smiled. “Excellent! It’ll be wonderful to gather everyone together for a lively reunion. I’ll call Xiao Jing.”

　　“I’ll call her.” Tan Sizhe took Ye Mingxuan’s hand, letting the warmth from his palm flow into his grasp. “Leave it all to me.”

Old Master Tan chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave it to you then. It’s getting late. Go have dinner.”

　　……

“Will Auntie really come?” After dinner, Ye Mingxuan was led back to the bedroom by Tan Sizhe.

“Yes, I’ve corresponded with Auntie. She’ll bring Yangyang over to stay these next few days. I’ll be at the company during the day, so if you get bored, just play with them.”

　　Ye Mingxuan nodded vigorously.

He wasn’t actually afraid of Ye Xiangkai and the others. He just found them unpleasant. Hearing they were coming to stay had triggered an instinctive dislike.

It felt like someone had invaded his territory, making him uncomfortable.

　　But the very presence of Ye Xiangkai’s family would constantly remind him of his deception toward the Tan family.

Guilt welled up inside him. Ye Mingxuan wrapped his arms gently around Tan Sizhe, inhaling the familiar scent emanating from him.

“Sir, are you tired? You should rest early.”

　　Tan Sizhe stroked Ye Mingxuan’s cheek. “Mm.”

Watching Tan Sizhe’s retreating figure enter the house, Ye Mingxuan’s heart pounded wildly. When he’d embraced Tan Sizhe just now, a wicked thought had flashed through his mind.

　　He wanted to stay with his master forever, and for that, he was willing to deceive him for a lifetime.

Realizing his own thoughts, Ye Mingxuan felt panic wash over him. He hadn’t known he harbored such an obsession for Tan Sizhe when he couldn’t see him.

　　But lies would inevitably be exposed someday. Before that day came, Ye Mingxuan just wanted to cling to his husband a little longer, to draw closer to him.

Even if his husband grew angry later and no longer loved him, he could still live on with these beautiful memories.

Ye Mingxuan walked to the bathroom door and knocked. “Sir, may I come in?”

　　The sound of running water stopped. Tan Sizhe replied, “Come in.”

Ye Mingxuan entered, holding a freshly warmed cup of milk. Tan Sizhe sat leisurely in the bathtub, watching him. “Before, you’d dawdle forever when I asked you to come in. Now you’re rushing in on your own? Not afraid of walking into the lion’s den?”

　　The steamy bathroom made Ye Mingxuan’s ears flush red. He set down the milk and sat on the nearby stool. “I…”

Tan Sizhe raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“I want to watch you bathe, sir.”

　　“?”

“No, no, no!” Realizing his words were highly ambiguous, Ye Mingxuan shook his head vigorously. “That’s not what I meant! I just want to keep you company.”

Tan Sizhe tilted his head. “Here?”

Ye Mingxuan closed his eyes and nodded. “Mm.”

　　“You won’t watch?”

“I won’t watch!”

“Alright.” Tan Sizhe chuckled, turning to grab the essential oil. “Then keep your eyes closed.”

To prove his resolve, Ye Mingxuan covered his eyes with his hands. All he could hear was the sound of water splashing, like white noise.

　　As Tan Sizhe washed, he noticed the complete silence behind him. Before, Ye Mingxuan would fidget—shaking his legs or tapping his feet on the floor.

He turned around and found, as expected, Ye Mingxuan had fallen asleep leaning against the chair back.

Tan Sizhe chuckled, got up, rinsed off, and dried himself thoroughly, ensuring not a trace of moisture remained. Only then did he pick up Ye Mingxuan and carry him back to the bedroom.

　　Eight months into the pregnancy, loose clothing could barely conceal it anymore. Fortunately, Ye Mingxuan had carefully managed his weight throughout, so his belly appeared smaller than his uncle’s beer belly.

Tan Sizhe massaged Ye Mingxuan’s hands and feet to promote blood circulation and prevent back and waist soreness.

　　He understood the challenges of pregnancy and wanted to ease Ye Mingxuan’s burden as much as possible.

Tan Sizhe was once again torn. He was in the late stages of pregnancy, and expectant mothers shouldn’t experience significant emotional upheaval. If he revealed everything these next few days, it would inevitably cause an uproar. He couldn’t predict the consequences.

　　He decided to stay by Ye Mingxuan’s side these days. After the old master’s birthday celebration, he would kick Ye Xiangkai and the others out. Once Ye Mingxuan had safely delivered the baby and recovered his strength, he would reveal the truth.

Tan Sizhe stroked Ye Mingxuan’s hair as he slept peacefully with his eyes closed.

　　Though he’d called Tan Jing back to assist, and Yangyang was a clever little thing, they couldn’t watch over Ye Mingxuan every single moment.

Tan Sizhe walked to the balcony and dialed a number. “Bai Yu, compile all the work from these past few days into an email and send it to me.”

　　He would never let anyone with ulterior motives come within an inch of Mingxuan.