Chapter 24: We Don’t Usually Call This an Interview

Chapter 24: We Don’t Usually Call This an Interview

Ye Man was startled by the sudden shout and instinctively yanked his hand away from Xu Huaiting’s grasp.

"Brother, why are you here?" he asked, standing up nervously.

Given his condition, Ye Man couldn’t even use his cane properly, so his family was naturally worried about him roaming around alone outside.

He had slipped out without telling anyone.

Of course, he couldn’t have done it alone, but with the system’s assistance, it was much easier.

Ye Man didn’t expect that his plan to frame Ye Guowen would escape the Chi Family’s notice, but he figured it would only come to light after Ye Guowen was detained, where only his lawyer could visit him, leaving Ye Man to face the Chi Family alone and control the story.

He wouldn’t give Ye Guowen the chance to complain to the Chi Family.

But now, his plan had fallen apart, and Chi Yan had caught him sneaking out by himself.

Chi Yan didn’t even glance at Xu Huaiting, hurried in, and pulled Ye Man aside to check him from head to toe. Seeing he was fine, Chi Yan finally relaxed.

No one knew how it felt when, in the middle of a meeting, he casually checked the home security feed and found that his brother, who had just been hovering around Auntie Zhou, had suddenly disappeared.

Chi Yan took a deep breath as he stood in front of Ye Man, silent, his presence alone making Ye Man nervous.

"Brother..."

"Xiao Man," Chi Yan said evenly, "I remember telling you to call me if you need anything. If you want to go out, that’s fine, but you must have someone with you. What or who is so important that you’d sneak out alone without telling the family?"

Chi Yan didn’t mention Xu Huaiting beside them, nor did he look at him.

But the chill in his tone made Xu Huaiting raise an eyebrow.

Ye Man’s mind was still stuck in the courtroom scenario, thinking about Ye Guowen, and he scrambled to come up with an excuse: "Big brother, I just..."

"I don’t want to hear it," Chi Yan cut in sharply.

Huh? Then who should he listen to? Ye Guowen? He’s not here!

Ye Man was a second late to realize that Xu Huaiting was beside him.

By then, Xu Huaiting had already stood up. He didn’t seem eager to share the dramatic events that had just transpired, nor did he offer any explanation to Chi Yan. It was as if he had just happened to stop by for a meal. He nodded calmly and restrainedly to Chi Yan, said 'I’m leaving' to Ye Man, and walked past the two brothers with complete composure.

Chi Yan’s face grew even darker.

Someone like Xu Huaiting wouldn’t just casually drop by a small, ten-square-meter eatery for no reason. In the entire capital, there was nothing he couldn’t have delivered to him. Why would he take the time to make such a trip?

Xu Huaiting didn’t say anything, so Secretary Chen couldn’t explain what had just happened. Under Chi Yan’s death glare, Secretary Chen offered an apologetic smile and followed his boss, feeling unusually guilty for the first time.

Objectively, there was nothing wrong—they had done something worthy of a commendation, saving a life was akin to building a seven-story pagoda. But for some reason, Secretary Chen felt a sense of shame, as if he had done something sneaky.

As a secretary earning an eight-figure salary, he was used to strutting around with the head of the Xu Family. Rarely did he find himself in a situation that felt like a hasty retreat.

In his mind, he replayed the scene of his boss picking up the dishes his brother didn’t want and holding his hand to draw. It was hard to say whether the frantic rush to save him earlier was out of pure goodwill or if there was something else behind it.

He didn’t dare to say or ask.

All he could do was smile politely and pretend to be calm as he followed his boss in a swift exit from the scene.

Chi Yan let out a cold laugh.

Ye Man was personally dragged back home by Chi Yan, the big boss.

He had slipped out in the morning and made it back just in time for Auntie Zhou's afternoon tea.

When he got back, Chi Jue was also at home.

His disappearance had alarmed both Chi's father and Ms. Qin, who were abroad on business and couldn't return, so they called in via video.

When the video connected, Chi Yan sat stiffly on the left, arms crossed, looking stern; Chi Jue lounged on the right, hand resting on the sofa behind Ye Man, who sat nervously in the middle, blinking rapidly, clearly out of his depth.

As soon as Qin Fangrui came on and called out "Xiao Man," Ye Man softly replied, "Mom."

Ms. Qin's scolding tone instantly softened, and she tapped the screen reproachfully, "You silly child, if you want to go out and play, at least let us know. Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

Her tone made her assistant glance over in surprise.

Ye Man apologized, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

It hadn't crossed his mind that anyone would worry if he disappeared.

The situation was too foreign, and he was at a loss. Beyond apologizing, he didn't know what else to say.

The system, which had been with him for ages, had never seen this smooth-talking little liar so tongue-tied.

The family took turns fussing over him, asking if there was anything he wanted them to bring back from abroad. After some small talk, they hung up.

After the call, Chi Yan was still fuming. He marched Ye Man to the study and gave him a stern lecture.

Chi Jue whispered to Ye Man that if he cried, Chi Yan would let up, but Ye Man didn't shed a tear.

He nodded earnestly, like a chicken pecking at grain, listening intently.

Midway through, as Chi Yan was about to warn him to stay away from Xu Huaiting, who was bad news, he glanced down to reply to an email. When he looked up, the study was eerily quiet.

Ye Man had curled up in a corner of the sofa, head lolling, fast asleep.

The boy slept soundlessly, his body curled tightly, barely taking up any space on the large sofa.

His face was ghostly pale, the life drained from him as he slept, leaving behind an unsettling weariness and emptiness.

With Chi Yan's voice gone, Ye Man's sleep grew restless. He frowned, his breathing quickened, and he thrashed as if drowning.

Chi Yan moved quietly, scooping him up.

Ye Man felt the warmth through the fabric and stilled.

Chi Yan carried him to his room and tucked him in.

The second the door clicked shut, Ye Man's eyes flew open.

He touched his head, his skin clammy with cold sweat.

"Ye Man, what's up? Bad dream?" The system had never seen him like this.

Ye Man sat in the dark, his usual sweet, ambiguous tone intact, "Yeah, I dreamed Brother Tong left me too, ditched me, and no one was there to tell me bedtime stories. It was so pathetic, I got scared and woke up."

Was that really nightmare-worthy?

The system was at a loss for words. "You... If you keep messing with me like this, I'm done with you."

After issuing the warning, he continued to dutifully read a storybook to him.

...

Under the night sky, a man with a bruised and swollen face was forced to kneel before a Maybach.

The man in the back seat was toying with a pen—just an ordinary ballpoint.

Secretary Chen glanced at the pen that had been specially fetched and remained silent, shifting his gaze to the man kneeling on the ground.

Xu Huaiting said, "If you need anything from me in the future—whether it’s money or something else—don’t go to Ye Man. Got it?"

Ye Guowen’s mouth was gagged, and he stared at Xu Huaiting in terror, nodding frantically.

They had promised to let him go, but then turned around and had him seized again.

Xu Huaiting calmly and politely issued a few instructions, and under Ye Guowen’s anxious gaze, arranged for him to be sent home.

After the man left, Xu Huaiting told Secretary Chen, "Have a few people keep an eye on him."

Secretary Chen gave a nod.

After handling these matters, he hesitated before speaking up, "Sir, I don’t think Young Master Chi... is the right fit for this role."

Perhaps we should just let him off the hook?

Secretary Chen, recalling how the young man had acted earlier, couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy and decided to vouch for him.

Xu Huaiting raised his eyelids, fixed him with a look, and remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Secretary Chen’s heart sank, fearing he’d overstepped.

After a pause, Xu Huaiting said, "Secretary Chen, I’d expect your million-dollar brain to realize I wouldn’t hire someone who asked me to rub their belly in that tone."

Secretary Chen’s mind went momentarily blank.

Xu Huaiting calmly averted his gaze, "In Sicily, we don’t call this an interview."

"We call it flirting."