In the end, Lin Yuhan resolutely refused Yin Chen’s advice, even under the disappointed gaze of Yin Chen.
Then, in front of Yin Chen’s assistant, Ah Mao—whose expression was basically, “The boss actually smells like hot pot, and you, mere mortal, let this celestial being eat hot pot? You’re committing a sin!”—Lin Yuhan packed up all the things Yin Chen had given him.
Ah Mao, a thoroughly capable assistant, not only packed the items but also neatly organized everything for Lin Yuhan.
After the three large packages were carried away by Ah Mao, Lin Yuhan looked around at the now mostly empty room and felt a bit stunned.
He had initially thought that the room would be filled with Dongfang Wan’s things.
But now?
There were some of Dongfang Wan’s belongings, sure, but aside from the occasional personal items left behind from his visits, there weren’t many things Dongfang Wan had given him at all!
In comparison…
Lin Yuhan glanced at the phone on the table.
It was the only high-value item that Yin Chen hadn’t taken back, meant to accommodate Lin Yuhan’s broken hands.
It cost around ten thousand, something he would never have bought himself, unlike the many phones Dongfang Wan had broken before.
Realizing this, Lin Yuhan felt a bit confused.
So, the one who said they’d done so much for him, Dongfang Wan, actually couldn’t compare to Yin Chen?
Dongfang Wan hurt him emotionally and made him drink himself into a stupor; Yin Chen came to pick him up and take care of him.
Dongfang Wan claimed he had sacrificed much out of love—but also broke his hands; Yin Chen’s concern was practical and thoughtful.
A chill ran through Lin Yuhan’s heart as he shivered, noticing a blanket had been draped over him.
Yin Chen looked at him.
“You said your health was great. It’s only early autumn.”
Lin Yuhan gave a wry smile but said nothing.
After a while, he spoke softly.
“Actually… do you want to know why I asked you to handle my discharge?”
Yin Chen looked at him and slowly shook his head.
“You said we’re just ordinary friends. I think friends should respect each other’s privacy.”
Lin Yuhan stopped moving under the blanket and looked up at him.
Yin Chen was gazing down at him, without the usual romantic undertone, but with a hint of concern that belonged to a friend.
At this moment, Lin Yuhan felt that this small gesture of friendship—neither intrusive nor neglectful—was unexpectedly comforting.
He discreetly blew his nose and quickly said:
“Actually, it’s nothing. Dongfang Wan broke my hand, I retaliated and kicked him… well, you know. I called an ambulance, and the news got out. His family was furious, saying I embarrassed him. He didn’t come to see me, and since I don’t have much money, I could only stay in a regular ward. Reporters couldn’t be kept out. If not for three kids who stood up for me, I’d have been harassed by the media.”
Speaking these words, he felt considerably relieved.
“Also, not to shame you, but I’ve only just started working. I don’t have much money, so hospital fees were hard to cover.”
None of this was something Dongfang Wan had ever considered, even though he claimed to love Lin Yuhan and had sacrificed so much.
Lin Yuhan stared at the pattern on the blanket, lost in thought.
“Is that so?”
Yin Chen nodded after listening. He looked at Lin Yuhan with quiet approval.
“Then your decision wasn’t wrong. It’s very rational, very commendable.”
Lin Yuhan raised his head and murmured.
“Really?”
Yin Chen nodded.
“Of course. You are you, and Dongfang Wan is Dongfang Wan. Even though you two are lovers, our country doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage. If you always depend on him, you’ll be forever relying on him.”
He smiled faintly, a little embarrassed.
“Though I hate to say it, if one day Dongfang Wan, like me, decided to take back the things he gave you, what would you do then?”
He concluded thoughtfully.
“That’s why adults need to work. You need your own money in your hands—that’s the proper way to live.”
After hearing this, Lin Yuhan’s mouth slightly opened.
“…I feel like you’ve grown, like you’ve transcended yourself compared to before!”
Back then, Yin Chen had been the type to want to take responsibility for every little detail in Lin Yuhan’s life.
Now, he was hearing words about self-reliance and resilience from him. Lin Yuhan momentarily wondered if he was dreaming.
“Really?”
Yin Chen blinked innocently, and his handsome features struck Lin Yuhan’s heart again.
He fell back slightly, making incomprehensible noises.
“Don’t wink at me! My mortal little heart can’t take it! Spare me!”
Even though he was frustrated with Dongfang Wan, he wasn’t about to cheat—especially not with Yin Chen, who had just said he wasn’t interested! That would be far too embarrassing.
“Wink… what’s that?”
Yin Chen asked, puzzled.
“And what do you mean, ‘spare me’? Where’s the kid?”
Lin Yuhan adjusted his head in disbelief.
“Though I know you’re a proper CEO type, aren’t you only twenty-five? You don’t even go online or use Weibo, do you?”
His shocked expression made Yin Chen feel a little awkward.
But Yin Chen admitted plainly:
“Yeah, I know Weibo, but I’ve never used it.”
“Gah—!”
Lin Yuhan quickly leaned over.
“You should download it. Weibo is so fun! Lots of trendy stuff. Almost everyone young uses it. I’ll teach you after you sign up.”
Yin Chen nodded and pulled out his phone to download it.
A few seconds later, he looked at Lin Yuhan and asked:
“Is it as fun as ‘Happy Fatty Drink’?”
Huh? That comparison seemed off.
Lin Yuhan blinked rapidly and noticed a subtle anticipation in Yin Chen’s eyes.
After a moment, a thought slowly dawned on him.
Could it be…
He was gradually guiding Yin Chen through the door of… indulgence?
…
“Yin Corporation wants to collaborate with us?”
Zong Cheng, who had been frowning, suddenly relaxed, his eyes brightening.
“Are you sure?”
The assistant nodded, barely containing his excitement.
“Absolutely! I’ve double-checked. It was Yin Chen’s assistant contacting us—no mistake! Yin Corporation’s new product wants to cooperate with us!”
Awesome!
Zong Cheng clenched his fist inside, mentally shouting yes, while keeping his face calm.
“You did well. Since it’s Yin Corporation, I’ll handle negotiations personally.”
The assistant’s expression was slightly complicated but he nodded in understanding.
Zong Cheng didn’t notice, focusing on privately releasing his pent-up excitement.
The assistant quietly pondered:
Should I tell Zong Cheng that Yin Chen might like men? But… this is Yin Corporation! If we cooperate, the company could take off in no time!
After preparing himself, the assistant quickly replied to Yin Chen’s email:
Father, father, good father! Lead us to profit, lead us to success!
…
When Yin Chen received the email, he was in the meeting room with Dongfang Lie.
He sipped his tea calmly, speaking naturally with the Dongfang patriarch.
“I understand your intentions, Patriarch Dongfang. However, our new product has no intention of monopolizing the market. Maximizing its market penetration and user adoption is our ultimate goal.”
Dongfang Lie sipped his tea.
“Little Yin, your foresight is clear. Our Dongfang family has the capability to help achieve that, but timing may be slightly constrained.”
He set down his cup, looking confident.
Yet Yin Chen’s expression remained unchanged.
Dongfang Lie waited, growing uneasy.
Why would his supposedly genius nephew be hospitalized over a man?
He had to personally negotiate with this young fox to secure the product collaboration.
Yin Chen spoke next.
“Perhaps Patriarch Dongfang has not seen the situation clearly. Our product targets a fast market strike. Stretching the market too thin risks obsolescence by the time it’s fully launched.”
He poured himself another cup of tea. Though unfinished, the meaning was clear: Dongfang Group was not their optimal choice.
Yin Chen glanced at Dongfang Lie and sipped his tea.
He didn’t think much of the Dongfang family; their monopolistic tendencies were evident.
Then, casually, he said:
“I didn’t expect Patriarch Dongfang himself to come negotiate. I am slightly flattered.”
Dongfang Lie’s face reddened in irritation.
If Dongfang Wan hadn’t suddenly caused trouble, why would he, the patriarch, come down to negotiate with Yin Chen?
Worthless! For the sake of a penniless student, they had lost face!
Dongfang Lie struggled to continue, forcing out a smile.
“Little Yin speaks humbly. Given Yin Corporation’s status, it is natural for me to negotiate. But it seems you have further considerations. Then I shall take my leave.”
Seeing Yin Chen remain serious, Dongfang Lie knew this collaboration wouldn’t be easy.
He stiffened slightly, then left the meeting room in frustration.
Yin Chen, after watching him leave, returned to his office and opened emails.
Meanwhile, Dongfang Lie’s scowl remained.
He thought, Don’t return to the office, go to the hospital!
Gripped by anger, he gave his driver instructions.
“Understood, sir.”
At the hospital, Dongfang Lie stormed toward his nephew’s room, only to find it empty.
He froze.
The driver quietly spoke a few words.
“Outrageous!”
Dongfang Lie, furious, felt his liver ache.
“Who authorized his discharge? No one consulted me!”
The driver cautiously replied:
“Apparently, Young Master Wan insisted on discharge. It seems… he found out about that student’s situation last night.”
Again, for the sake of that man!
Dongfang Lie gasped, his mind in chaos.
“Where is he now?”
The driver whispered:
“Young Master Wan didn’t return home. He probably went to see that man.”
“Possessed!”
Dongfang Lie braced against the wall. His eyes darkened.
“Go! Bring Young Master Wan back! If he refuses, bind him and bring him here!”
The driver quickly nodded.
“Immediately.”
Lin Yuhan stared as Dongfang Wan approached strangely, only to see a group of familiar black-clad men appear.
This time, they lifted Dongfang Wan without a word.
Lin Yuhan was dumbfounded.
“What are my fiancé and his family doing?”
“Put me down! Can’t you understand me? Put me down!”
The black-clad men carried Dongfang Wan to the old Dongfang residence and set him down.
Dongfang Wan’s face twisted in fury.
He cursed the bodyguards.
“You dare…!”
“It was I who sent them to bring you back.”
Dongfang Lie, sitting behind the sofa, coldly interrupted.
“Second uncle?”
Dongfang Wan turned, startled, then impatiently scratched his head.
“I’m an adult. You can’t always control my freedom. And this makes our family lose face!”
“You know what losing face is!”
Dongfang Lie’s tone was sharp.
“I see you’ve already tarnished our family’s reputation—all for a mere man!”
“Second uncle!”
Dongfang Wan stiffened his neck.
“Don’t call me that! If I weren’t held back, would you still have gone after that penniless student?”
Dongfang Lie’s gaze darkened. His voice carried frustrated authority.
“You! How can you, as the eldest of the Dongfang family, pursue a penniless student? What can he offer? He’s clinging to you like a parasite!”
“He doesn’t.”
Dongfang Wan retorted.
“We truly love each other!”
“He doesn’t?”
Dongfang Lie sneered.
“How did he even get into the company? A student who never left the country, working as your assistant?”
Dongfang Wan fell silent.
Lin Yuhan being his assistant was indeed his personal choice.
Dongfang Lie sighed.
“Listen to me. I don’t care if you like men or women, but you are the eldest of the Dongfang family—the future head of Dongfang Group. Opportunities for marriage and alliances line up. You can indulge in men privately, but remember your position. Don’t give genuine feelings to penniless students.”
He paused, then added:
“If it weren’t for me finding the right doctor, your… parts could’ve been ruined! Before you go see that man again, think carefully. Another incident like this and your treasure may be lost!”
Dongfang Wan shivered, recalling the pain.
Lin Yuhan was likely not as reckless as he feared.
Satisfied with Dongfang Wan’s expression, Dongfang Lie continued:
“And remember, indulging in men aside, your career is most important. When you have time, negotiate with Yin Corporation and secure the project.”
“Yin… Corporation?”
Dongfang Wan’s mind raced.
“Yes.”
Dongfang Lie nodded, giving him another look.
He sighed.
“Yin Chen of Yin Corporation is formidable. Learn from him. If you can reach his level, I can entrust you with the Group’s affairs.”
“Yin… Chen?”
Dongfang Wan’s brows furrowed; his voice turned cold.
Dongfang Lie frowned.
“What’s with that expression?”
Dongfang Wan sneered.
“Nothing. Yin Corporation, huh? Don’t worry, second uncle. I’ll negotiate personally. I want to see what Yin Chen is capable of, to earn such praise from you.”
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
Seeing Dongfang Wan’s sudden drive, Dongfang Lie felt pleased.
Yin Chen might be a nouveau riche, but the cultivated Dongfang Wan shouldn’t lose to him.
Patting his nephew’s shoulder, Dongfang Lie handed him a membership card.
“Rest well for a few days. Once recovered, visit here, see the world.”
Dongfang Wan, hesitant, still took the card.
He glanced at the membership card; the characters “Heaven and Earth” gleamed brilliantly.