Chapter 2

Chapter 2

A pair of large, bronze-colored hands tightly gripped Ye Mingzhao’s right hand. Noticing Ye Mingzhao wince in pain and let out a soft hiss, Chu Hengyi released his grip expressionlessly. "It seems you’re not as welcoming as you claimed to be."

Ye Mingzhao maintained his courteous smile, hiding his slightly red and bruised right hand behind his back—but under the gaze of everyone present, even the most casual motion was clearly visible to all.

Chu Hengyi stared incredulously at the rapidly swelling hand. If he hadn’t known that this hand could easily crush a coffee cup, he might have doubted whether his actions just now were too excessive!

Mr. Ye and Mrs. Ye both frowned simultaneously, and Ye Mingzhen couldn’t help but speak up. "Zhaozhao is a child adopted by Mom and Dad from an orphanage after you went missing. Although he doesn’t share our family's bloodline, he has lived with the Ye family for many years and is considered one of us. Hengyi, I hope you—"

Chu Hengyi’s face remained expressionless as he cut off Ye Mingzhen abruptly. "My name is Chu Hengyi!"

Ye Mingzhen choked on his words, and Mrs. Ye quickly added, "It doesn’t matter what you’re called; we’re just glad you’re back."

With her eyes turning red, Mrs. Ye stepped forward, wanting to hug Chu Hengyi but not daring to. She lingered in place, muttering to herself. "How have you been all this time?"

Chu Hengyi’s expression didn’t change. His gaze swept across the faces of the Ye family members, finally landing on Ye Mingzhao’s pair of inky black eyes.

Those eyes were as bright and deep as he remembered. No matter how clear and radiant Ye Mingzhao’s smile was, no matter how gentle and water-like his demeanor appeared, it couldn’t dissolve the thick ink spots in his eyes.

Just like his heart, it was dark through and through.

Noticing the unhidden and menacing intent in Chu Hengyi’s eyes, Ye Mingzhao smiled even wider, taking the initiative to break the tense atmosphere. "Mom has prepared a table full of dishes to welcome you back. She hasn’t cooked personally for many years. We’re all benefiting from your return."

Mrs. Ye quickly chimed in, "Yes! I made all your favorite dishes myself. I don’t know if they suit your current taste, but please give them a try."

She then quietly urged Ye Mingzhao to apply some medicinal wine, whispering, "Make sure there’s no bruising."

Chu Hengyi’s face darkened as he glanced again at Ye Mingzhao’s exaggeratedly swollen hand—the back of his fair hand was even showing faint blue and purple marks, giving the appearance of having been abused.

In this situation, even if Chu Hengyi tried to explain that their strengths were actually evenly matched, no one would believe him.

How could anyone’s skin be so prone to looking like a victim?!

Chu Hengyi furrowed his brows deeply and subtly rubbed his slightly numb right hand, his already stern expression becoming even more menacing.

Ye Mingzhen took a deep breath and pulled Ye Mingzhao’s arm gently. "Let me help you apply the medicinal wine."

Ye Mingzhao inconspicuously tucked his swollen hand into his sleeve, smiling gently. "It’s really nothing. It doesn’t hurt at all, it just looks scary. I’ve always been like this—I turn red at the slightest touch. You all know that."

The Ye family, of course, knew about Ye Mingzhao’s tendency to bruise easily. But knowing that didn’t change the fact that seeing his hand swell like this affected their visual senses differently.

Chu Hengyi watched Ye Mingzhao’s meek and obedient appearance with a colder gaze, his expression growing even colder. He said nothing, allowing Mrs. Ye to guide him to the dining table.

"These are all dishes Mom made herself, including your favorite egg custard, pine nut corn, winter melon fish balls, mango milk pudding, and millet yam porridge..."

As Mrs. Ye spoke, her eyes turned red. Chu Hengyi had been abducted at the age of three, and a three-year-old child couldn’t eat much. Mrs. Ye had prepared some children's favorite dishes according to Chu Hengyi’s preferences from back then. But after eighteen years, which adult man would still have the same tastes as when he was three?

She had missed the most crucial eighteen years of her son’s growth.

And all of this was because of the damned human traffickers.

Suddenly, Mrs. Ye remembered what Ye Mingzhao had said, "If the Chu family had reported finding the child immediately, maybe..."

Maybe they wouldn’t have been separated for so long. She would have watched him grow up, cared for him, and certainly wouldn’t have let him drop out of school to work after junior high.

The sound of Mrs. Ye’s soft sobbing reached Chu Hengyi’s ears. For a brief moment, his stern features softened slightly. But in the blink of an eye, they hardened again, cold and resolute.

Chu Hengyi knew that Mrs. Ye’s guilt was just an act. In the end, she would be deceived by Ye Mingzhao and stand firmly by his side.

Watching Chu Hengyi's stiff back, Ye Mingzhao's eyes curved into a smile. According to the book, after Chu Hengyi's rebirth, he remained unmoved by the Ye family's attempts to reconcile with him, but from his current demeanor, he didn’t seem indifferent at all.

Chairman Ye looked at the brightly smiling Ye Mingzhao and sighed softly. His eyes fell on Ye Mingzhao's hand, which was covered in medicinal ointment, and he gently comforted, "You must feel wronged. Mingyi just came back home; he's still not used to it."

"I'm not wronged," Ye Mingzhao shook his head and obediently said, "I know why Brother Mingyi dislikes me. He must care deeply about his family, which is why he's upset with me."

Hearing Ye Mingzhao's words, everyone laughed. Brother Ye took the medical kit from Mama Wang and couldn't help but laugh, "Just as we expected, our Zhaozhao is always so sensible."

However, it was clear to everyone that Chu Hengyi was targeting Ye Mingzhao right after coming home. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Brother Ye said, "You previously mentioned that you really liked the new Ferrari supercar, right? Big brother will give it to you."

At this, the already taciturn Chu Hengyi's expression darkened even more.

"No need," Ye Mingzhao blinked his naturally charming peach blossom eyes and said with a bright smile, "I'm going out to film a drama. I probably won't have time to drive a sports car in the future."

Hearing Ye Mingzhao's words, everyone was startled. Even the usually quiet Chu Hengyi glanced over.

Puzzled, Mrs. Ye asked, "You're going to film a drama? When did this happen? How come I don't know?"

"Just decided," Ye Mingzhao said with a smile, "A friend of mine is a producer and invited me to guest star in a role. I'm very interested. As for my current work, I'll hand it over as soon as possible without affecting Dad and Big Brother's normal work."

The Ye family members looked at each other. Chairman Ye said solemnly, "I don't agree."

Brother Ye also disagreed, "This decision is too hasty. I don't understand. You've been doing well as the chairman's assistant. Why suddenly decide to act? You've always told us that your dream was to assist Dad and me in expanding the Ye family business. Now you're suddenly becoming an actor. How does this help your life plan?"

"Being an actor is great too. It's lucrative, glamorous, and less tiring. I believe life should try new things. Deciding what to do for a lifetime so early on is such a waste," Ye Mingzhao said warmly, "Besides, I've already promised my friend. I can't stand him up, right?"

Before anyone else could speak, Chu Hengyi suddenly interjected, "When did you agree?"

Ye Mingzhao looked into Chu Hengyi's eyes and smiled, "Not long ago."

Chu Hengyi looked at Ye Mingzhao coldly and said bluntly, "Are you in such a hurry to leave because you want everyone to think I, Chu Hengyi, can't accommodate you?"

While Ye Mingzhao remained unfazed, the rest of the Ye family involuntarily held their breath. Clearly, Chu Hengyi had voiced the unspoken thought in everyone's mind.

Ye Mingzhao's smile became even brighter, "How could you think that? I just suddenly find acting fun."

It wasn’t early, nor late, but on the very day Chu Hengyi returned to the Ye family that he made this decision. Isn’t that quite a coincidence?

Chu Hengyi's gaze grew even colder, his eyes almost freezing as they locked onto Ye Mingzhao.

Ye Mingzhao remained unshaken, still smiling back at him.

Rebirth, huh? Thinking that living an extra ten years gives you the advantage to set traps for me? Wanting to expose my true self, making the Ye family turn their back on me and cast me out?

In Ye Mingzhao's bright and clear eyes, beneath his compliant and slightly obedient smile, ripples of increasingly deep mystery formed. As his gaze shifted, a hint of unshed tears glimmered, making his attitude appear even softer and more gentle. His demeanor of compromising and yielding made Chu Hengyi's attitude seem even more cold, rigid, and aggressive.

At that moment, Chu Hengyi's mood soured, and he felt like he had walked into a soft, suffocating trap. Even though he knew that Ye Mingzhao was faking it at that moment, Chu Hengyi couldn't help but reflect: Was he being too harsh? After all, Ye Mingzhao hadn't done anything yet. He should wait until Ye Mingzhao made a move, and only then expose his true self all at once!

Just as Chu Hengyi was thinking this, it suddenly hit him: "You want to act?"

This never happened in his previous life.

Unable to hold back any longer, Mrs. Ye suddenly burst into tears, "He just said he would transfer the downtown apartment to the Chu family because they raised you for eighteen years. He said he wanted to repay the Chu family on behalf of the Ye family for raising you."

Hearing Mrs. Ye's words, everyone was taken aback, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion.

Chairman Ye and Ye Mingzhao's older brother looked at Ye Mingzhao with grateful smiles. Chairman Ye sighed and said, "It's great that you're thinking this way. However, this money should not come from you. As parents, we will reward the Chu family greatly for raising our son."

Ye Mingzhao smiled gently and spoke softly, "I've already had the lawyer handle the transfer process with the Chu family. I plan to transfer the house in the city center to the Chu family and transfer the shares of the Ye family business and the family trust to Brother Mingyi."

The Ye family members exchanged worried glances. Before they could speak, Ye Mingzhao continued, "Don't try to persuade me. These are things that Brother Mingyi deserves. I never knew my birth parents and was an orphan from a young age. Being adopted by you from the orphanage and growing up in the Ye family is already the greatest fortune of my life. I shouldn't be greedy. I already have the best family I could ask for, so I can't covet those external things."

"Mom and Dad adopted me because of what happened to Brother Mingyi. Compared to him being kidnapped by human traffickers as a child and having to leave his biological parents, I am already very fortunate. While he was suffering, I was living his life. Now that he's back, I want to give everything back to him."

As Ye Mingzhao spoke, tears welled up in his eyes as he hesitantly said, "But I really can't bear to leave Dad, Mom, Elder Brother, and Second Brother..."

Ye Mingzhao's words were filled with genuine emotion, and it was clear he truly didn't care about material wealth. Everyone was moved to tears by his words.

Only Chu Hengyi remained expressionless and unmoved, with only a flicker of uncertainty showing in his amber eyes.