Chapter 104

Chapter 104

The spring rain carried a somewhat disturbing air, lingering and unceasing.

When they arrived at the Ye family residence, it was already past six o'clock, leaving only about ten minutes before Gao Wenye and Ye Zhixia landed.

It seemed even the heavens felt this urgency; the fine drizzle that had been falling steadily all day suddenly intensified, and the soft pattering on the car roof became crisp and rhythmic.

Ye Zhiqiu pushed open the car door but did not rush inside.

In the night, he stood under the phoenix tree in the courtyard, his expression indiscernible as he looked towards Uncle Wang's room.

The light was on in the room, and Uncle Wang's silhouette was cast on the window glass. He remained motionless, deep in thought.

Even though he was still as a statue, in the dark rainy night, his shadow exuded an overwhelming sense of loneliness and despair.

A gentle breeze rustled through the treetops, causing the remaining raindrops to fall with a rustling sound onto Ye Zhiqiu's hair, shoulders, back, and neck...

And onto his cheeks and long, thick eyelashes.

Layer upon layer of coolness seeped through his warm skin, gradually penetrating deep into his heart. Finally, Ye Zhiqiu turned his gaze away and stepped towards the house.

He was still wearing the suit from the wedding earlier that day.

Without accessories and without the jacket, the simple white shirt was tucked casually into his trousers, with water stains on his hairline and black shoes.

The room was brightly lit but also suffocating.

Although Ye Hongxian didn't leave the house, he didn't go upstairs either. Instead, he sat in the living room with a stern face, smoking to relieve his anger, humiliation, and frustration.

The ashtray in front of him was already filled with burnt cigarette butts; Ye Zhiqiu roughly counted over a dozen.

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu enter, Ye Hongxian shifted slightly and looked up gloomily.

Just one afternoon had passed, yet he already looked drastically different from the cheerful appearance at the wedding that morning. He now appeared more haggard and defeated.

He looked much worse than when he was expelled in the previous life.

Perhaps it was because, although he was rebellious and disobedient then, he only challenged Ye Hongxian's authority and hadn't caused such public humiliation.

"How did you come back?" Ye Hongxian asked, his voice hoarse from smoking.

Ye Zhiqiu's hair was wet from the rain, and his shirt bore water stains.

Ye Hongxian paid no attention to this, instinctively entering a defensive stance. He looked at Ye Zhiqiu not as his own child but as if he were some mortal enemy.

Tao Ruoqing had always doted on Ye Zhiqiu, and compared to his biological father, Ye Zhiqiu preferred being close to her.

Previously, even Ye Zheng and Ye Zhixia kept silent about his affairs outside, but it was Ye Zhiqiu who repeatedly defied him to stand up for Tao Ruoqing.

Now that Tao Ruoqing had been slapped by him, how could he not come back to settle accounts?

Ye Hongxian sneered, his tone unfriendly.

However, Ye Zhiqiu did not mention Tao Ruoqing.

He walked over quietly, bent down to empty the ashtray into the trash can, and then spoke softly.

"Given what happened, I was worried you and Mom might be upset, so I came back to check on you."

Ye Hongxian was taken aback, and although he said nothing, his resentment and wariness towards Ye Zhiqiu unconsciously lessened.

After replacing the ashtray, Ye Zhiqiu straightened up.

"I'll go upstairs to check on Mom."

"Go ahead," Ye Hongxian watched him for a moment, seemingly convinced that he had no ulterior motives, and slowly relaxed.

"Don't smoke too much," Ye Zhiqiu added, "Ye Zhixia hasn't landed yet. Let's wait until they arrive; there might be other circumstances involved."

Initially, it would have been better if he hadn't spoken up for Ye Zhixia, but now his words only fueled Ye Hongxian's already unspent anger.

"Nobody speak up for him," he said coldly, "anyone who does will be thrown out of this house along with him."

Ye Zhiqiu said nothing more. He lowered his eyes, concealing the cold smile within, and turned to walk upstairs.

As he climbed the stairs, he rested his hand on the railing and glanced at Ye Hongxian again.

His cigarette had burned out, and Ye Hongxian angrily lit another one, taking a deep drag.

His phone vibrated beside him, and he looked at it suspiciously and with disgust.

It was as if every sound in the world mocked him, making him feel like a frightened bird, hostile to everything around him.

This was Ye Hongxian.

Ye Zhiqiu recognized him once again.

Never assuming any responsibility as a father, never caring whether his children were cold after getting rained on or hurt after falling; he only cared about his own feelings.

Always selfish and self-centered.

But how could something like this already break him?

Ye Zhiqiu looked at him coldly, feeling no emotion.

After a moment, he continued walking upstairs.

Standing at Tao Ruoqing's door, Ye Zhiqiu glanced at the time again.

If there are no special circumstances, Ye Zhixia will be landing in five minutes.

I wonder what expressions they will have when they see the news and realize everything is beyond salvaging?

It must be quite something, right?

The smile at the corner of his lips finally became genuine as Ye Zhiqiu raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in," Tao Ruoqing's voice came from afar, still choked with sobs.

Ye Zhiqiu pushed the door open and saw Tao Ruoqing's eyes swollen like peaches, one side of her face bruised and purple, with a clear imprint of five fingers.

To be honest, over the years, although Ye Hongxian often messed around outside, out of guilt or gratitude for Tao Ruoqing taking care of the children, even though their relationship wasn't close, he had never hit her.

But this time, not only did he really hit her, but it was also evident that he held nothing back.

Clearly, he was truly furious.

"Xiao Qiu~" Seeing Ye Zhiqiu, Tao Ruoqing's tears started flowing again.

Unlike the wailing over the phone, now she shed tears silently, looking pitiful and heart-wrenching.

Ye Zheng glanced at her and quietly got up.

With Ye Zhixia about to land in a few minutes, it seemed Ye Zheng needed to stay by her side to face this together. This time, even though Ye Zhiqiu entered, Tao Ruoqing didn't ask Ye Zheng to leave.

"I bought some medicine." Ye Zhiqiu put down his backpack and took out a tube of ointment, unscrewing it. "This is great for dispersing blood stasis. Let me apply it for you; it'll heal quickly."

Seeing Tao Ruoqing about to speak, Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

"Don't speak yet," he said. "Come, puff out your cheek so it's easier to apply the ointment."

His tone was gentle, yet somehow irresistible. Before Tao Ruoqing could react, she had already puffed out her cheek as instructed.

As a result, she didn't get to say anything she had prepared.

Ye Zhiqiu applied the ointment carefully, his eyes slightly lowered, long dark lashes casting shadows beneath them.

His movements were light, which naturally slowed down the process.

He seemed to be handling Tao Ruoqing with utmost care, afraid of hurting her.

A slight sound came from behind; Ye Zheng returned with a dry towel in hand.

"After applying the ointment, wipe off the water in your hair," he said. "Don't catch a cold."

"How far along are we?" Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu looked up at him, his eyes clear and bright, without a trace of guile. "It's just..."

He lowered his head, exposing his snow-white slender neck, "the wind blew, and raindrops from the tree fell into my collar, Brother..."

His tone was natural, slightly playful as if asking Ye Zheng for help as usual, "could you help me wipe it off?"

"Hiss." Tao Ruoqing suddenly let out a soft hiss above them.

Ye Zhiqiu immediately looked up with concern and said to Ye Zheng, who was bending down, "Should I finish applying the ointment for Mom first? She seems to be in real pain."

Ye Zhiqiu didn't see it, but Ye Zheng did.

Tao Ruoqing hissed because she was wary of their closeness, causing her wound to tug.

But this was something a brother should do.

Even if he had no other feelings for Ye Zhiqiu, just seeing him as a younger brother.

"Wipe it off first," Ye Zheng said. "Applying the ointment doesn't need to be rushed. But you might catch a chill if left like this."

"Oh." Ye Zhiqiu said, his long lashes fluttering as he smiled slightly at Tao Ruoqing. "Mom, please wait a moment."

He lowered his head, not looking at Tao Ruoqing's expression, only feeling the dry, soft towel gently press against his neck.

Almost simultaneously, Tao Ruoqing's hand, which had been resting on her knee, clenched into a fist so tightly that veins bulged.

Ye Zheng's voice came from behind.

"It's done," he said.

Ye Zhiqiu lifted his eyes with a smile, noticing Tao Ruoqing's cheek muscles twitch involuntarily.

It was unclear how much effort she had put into maintaining her composure.

But saying she maintained it wasn't entirely accurate.

Her facial muscles no longer showed any of the usual kindness and warmth, especially paired with the bruised and swollen imprint, making her look both grim and menacing.

As if oblivious to the tense atmosphere, Ye Zhiqiu smiled at Ye Zheng.

"Thanks, Brother. It feels much better," he said, touching his snow-white neck. "Brother is always the best to me."

Instinctively, Ye Zheng's gaze followed the movement, returning to Ye Zhiqiu's neck.

Ye Zhiqiu's neck was long and his skin snow-white, easily reminding him of a noble swan.

And just now, when he wiped away the water, his fingertips accidentally brushed against that skin, which felt even softer and smoother than imagined, like the finest cream, addictive.

The sensation lingered on his fingertips, and Ye Zheng's fingers curled unconsciously.

However, when he met Tao Ruoqing's cold, hard gaze, his heart suddenly chilled again.

Without showing any change, Ye Zheng stepped forward, took the ointment, and said to Ye Zhiqiu, "I'll finish it."

"Okay." Ye Zhiqiu smiled, stepped back a bit, and sat down on the sofa.

"Did you see your father downstairs just now?" Tao Ruoqing asked after applying the medicine.

"Mm." Ye Zhiqiu's expression turned serious. "I could tell Dad wasn't in a good mood, and he seemed to really not want to see me, so I came up to see you first."

Ye Zhiqiu hadn't argued with Ye Hongxian?

This made Tao Ruoqing instinctively feel something was off.

However, her mind was too chaotic, and the time spent applying the medicine didn't allow her to think more about it. Ye Zhiqiu glanced at his watch again.

"Mom," he said, "Ye Zhixia seems to have landed."

Just one sentence, and the color drained from Tao Ruoqing's face.

She had been hoping for Ye Zhixia to land quickly so she could explain the situation to him or comfort him, helping him get through this difficult time.

But she also feared his landing.

Because once he landed, the countless knives of online criticism would mercilessly pierce Ye Zhixia's heart.

She was afraid he might not be able to handle it and do something foolish.

"I'll call him," Ye Zheng said.

Seeing him unlock his phone, Tao Ruoqing suddenly spoke up, "Wait a bit longer."

Ye Zheng remained silent, looking at her quietly.

"What if," Tao Ruoqing frowned, "what if he hasn't planned to check the domestic news yet..."

She paused, not even believing what she was saying, "then he can be happy for a few more days."

There was no denying that, in some ways, Tao Ruoqing was indeed a good mother.

At least, she was far more responsible towards her children than Ye Hongxian.

It was just unfortunate that with Ye Zhixia's competitive personality, how could he possibly avoid checking the news after landing? How could he not see if the trending topic about his wedding with Gao Wenye was still there and how many articles were left?

How could he escape it?

*

The happiness Tao Ruoqing spoke of was something Ye Zhixia never experienced.

Even without seeing the news, he felt oppressed and pained.

A wedding that should only happen once in a lifetime, one so important to him, he had to invite the person he despised most to be the best man just to clear Gao Wenye's name.

Not to mention, when leaving, the look Gao Wenye gave Ye Zhiqiu left him feeling cold inside.

After leaving the hotel, Ye Zhixia was already exhausted by the fatigue in his heart.

He kept a cold face the whole way, not uttering a single word to Gao Wenye.

Of course, Gao Wenye wouldn't bother to seek trouble either.

From the first time he accidentally hit Ye Zhixia and knelt down to beg for forgiveness, all the way to now, he had realized that no matter how much he overstepped or beat him, Ye Zhixia would never leave him.

Since he couldn't leave anyway, he was even less willing to waste any time or energy on him.

Whether Ye Zhixia was happy or unhappy, he didn't care at all.

Even this so-called "honeymoon trip" was merely for show.

Their most important task over the next two days was to take a few loving photos and arrange a few chance encounters to maximize their couple's popularity.

Moreover, there were fewer Chinese people here, and the service industry was more developed, allowing him to relax without worrying about being secretly photographed by paparazzi as he would back home.

For Gao Wenye, this trip was as easy as it could be.

Even though Ye Zhixia ignored him the entire time, it didn't affect his mood at all.

So, when the plane landed and the director of "Hand in Hand 99" called, Gao Wenye joked lightly.

"Director Wang, calling me right on schedule?" he laughed. "Don't worry, we'll be back in three days, just in time for the next recording of Hand in Hand 99."

"Sorry, Mr. Ye," the director's tone was cold, devoid of the usual courtesy, "please check the email from the production team. If it's convenient, let's discuss compensation."

"What compensation?" Gao Wenye was confused. "Are you planning to breach the contract?"

However, the other party hung up without answering his question.

Gao Wenye: "..."

He muttered a curse under his breath and switched to his email.

The other party's attitude lacked the respect and importance due to a collaborator. As he switched to his email, Gao Wenye made up his mind.

If the production team was determined to breach the contract, he would definitely teach them a lesson. He wouldn't stop until they paid dearly.

However, before he could switch into his email, Ye Zhixia suddenly dropped his phone beside him.

"You little..." Gao Wenye started to say, but before he finished, the email screen popped up in front of him.

In just a few hours, his inbox was already filled with unread emails.

And almost every email subject line prominently displayed the bolded word "Termination."

Gao Wenye was slightly taken aback, and after a moment, he seemed to finally realize something. His hand trembled, and his entire body instantly turned cold.