Chapter 25: Don’t Stay Out Too Late, Come Home Early

Chapter 25: Don’t Stay Out Too Late, Come Home Early

The day before departing for Zhonghai, Secretary Chen made a special trip to the Meng Family on behalf of Xu Huaiting to meet Ms. Xu Ziyi.

When he arrived, Ms. Xu was sitting in her garden, scolding her son. Xu Ziyi was ten years older than Xu Huaiting, and the siblings shared some similarities—both were strikingly handsome and beautiful. In recent years, Xu Ziyi had been cultivating a more refined demeanor, and the icy wildness in her bones had softened considerably.

Even the widely respected and admired "heir apparent" had to stand under the scorching sun, listening to his mother scold him like he was a naughty child.

"I heard that the Chi Family’s businesses are busy cutting ties with the Meng Family. The Chi Family is sharp, and Chi Yan is decisive. They didn’t need any prompting from us; they’ve made it clear they’re cutting ties. Their attitude is so obvious, yet you keep rushing forward to get involved. Isn’t that humiliating?"

Meng Yao and Chi Jue were close, and naturally, the businesses of the two families were inevitably deeply intertwined. Even if the Meng Family didn’t intentionally offer favors, others could see the connection and would give the Chi Family more leeway when dealing with them.

In their circle, it’s not like an engagement between the younger generation means the two families have to be completely aligned. Behind each family was a complex web of interconnected businesses, and when it comes down to it, each family will still act in their own interest. However, in the eyes of most, the Chi Family had already been grouped with the Meng Family.

Although both were men, setting aside gender and emotional factors, their relationship could be considered a standard alliance marriage.

At his age, the Meng patriarch couldn’t quite stomach the idea of two men marrying, and Meng Yao had often infuriated him to the point of hospitalization.

Meng Yao, accustomed to being the "heir apparent," was decisive in their circle, and Chi Jue wasn’t one to be shy either. With the backing of the Chi Family, a rising family in its prime, their union was quite beneficial to the deeply rooted Meng Family. This was what allowed the two to overcome numerous obstacles and come together.

In any case, in large families, there was no shortage of children, with both direct and collateral lines combined, so there was no need to worry about a lack of heirs in the future.

Unexpectedly, the Chi Family had encountered the issue of a real and fake heir.

Without the Chi Family’s connection, the Meng patriarch would never agree to Meng Yao being with Chi Jue. He immediately perked up, no longer feeling any aches or pains, and swiftly left the hospital, ordering Meng Yao to break things off with the fake heir, Chi Jue, within a set timeframe.

How to weigh the debts of birth and upbringing was a matter for the Chi Family to settle behind closed doors. As for the alliance marriage, there was no trust in someone who wasn’t blood-related. For the Meng Family, there was no guarantee of benefit. Who knew if the Chi Family might one day sever ties with Chi Jue? The Meng Family had no reason to take such a risk.

Their own perfectly good heir could choose to be with any man—without Chi Jue, there were plenty of others lined up. Why insist on this one?

Meng Yao’s face turned pale as he was scolded, but Xu Ziyi didn’t go easy on him: "Go ask Chi Jue yourself if he’s still willing to be with you. Besides, even if he wanted to, would Chi Yan agree? That kid would probably break his brother’s legs."

Since her son was close to the Chi Family, Xu Ziyi had naturally interacted with them often and had some understanding of their way of doing things.

Seeing Meng Yao’s face shift between green and white, Xu Ziyi set down her teacup and brushed back her long, grayish hair, which was just like Xu Huaiting’s under the sunlight: "If you really don’t want to, you could switch your engagement from Chi Jue to the recently recognized real heir of the Chi Family. That would satisfy the old man."

As soon as these words were spoken, before Meng Yao could voice his objection, Secretary Chen’s legs trembled in fear.

He exclaimed, "Ms. Viola!"

Remembering the ambiguous remark about "flirting" from that night, Secretary Chen’s usually unshakable composure had never been so thoroughly shattered.

He had always thought that his boss’s connection with Ye Man might have some deeper meaning, but he hadn’t figured it out yet. But now…?

Xu Ziyi looked at Secretary Chen, who had appeared before her, and asked in surprise, "Why are you sweating so much?"

Secretary Chen forced a smile: "I’ve been feeling a bit weak lately, but it’s nothing serious. I’ll just take some annual leave to recover."

Xu Ziyi nodded and turned back to Meng Yao, continuing the earlier conversation: "Actually, what I said earlier wasn’t entirely out of anger. You could really consider switching your engagement to the real heir of the Chi Family…"

Secretary Chen shuddered: "Absolutely not!"

Meng Yao and Xu Ziyi: "?"

They both looked at Secretary Chen, who for some reason had been acting jumpy all day.

What was wrong with him?

Secretary Chen was in a difficult position, unable to explain.

He thought he was here today to be scolded for the royal blue gemstone his boss casually gave away and to help his boss fend off his sister's marriage pressure, but the situation turned out to be far more complicated than he imagined.

Secretary Chen, masking his discomfort, shot Meng Yao a meaningful look, urging him to quickly find a way to put an end to Ms. Xu's terrifying idea.

Switching Meng Yao's arranged marriage to Ye Man?

Absolutely not! Absolutely not!

It would be the end of him.

After finally delivering the news that Xu Huaiting was heading to Zhonghai and Meng Yao firmly rejecting Ms. Xu's shocking suggestion that left them both stunned, Secretary Chen and Meng Yao left the Meng Family together, their faces looking as if they had just escaped a disaster.

Meng Yao: "Thank you so much just now, Secretary Chen. I didn’t expect you to stand up for me."

Secretary Chen: "No need to thank me, really."

Meng Yao smiled bitterly: "I know my uncle disapproves of me falling for a man. He must think the same as my mom, hoping I’d switch my arranged marriage from Chi Jue to that legitimate young master, but I won’t compromise."

Secretary Chen avoided eye contact: "Mr. Xu might not be so..."

Meng Yao: "You don’t need to console me. I know exactly what my uncle is like."

Meng Yao's face gradually turned cold, gritting his teeth: "If it comes down to it, even if I have to resort to force, so be it."

After all, Meng Yao has a quarter of the Russo family blood in him. Although he’s still a bit inexperienced and often mocked by Xu Huaiting as a tail-wagging dog, he could never truly be a dog. Expecting him to let go and step aside graciously? Not in this lifetime.

Perhaps aware of this, Xu Ziyi was willing to help him maneuver around old man Meng without truly pressuring him.

Xu Ziyi knew all too well what a lone wolf from Sicily was capable of when pushed to the edge.

Their family has always been this way—when they take a liking to something, whether it’s an object or a person, they’ll claim it, even if it’s already taken. The instincts of confinement, plunder, control, and exclusivity are practically ingrained in their bones, especially when it’s something already within their domain, within their reach.

Anyone who dares to take it will face misfortune.

"Even if my uncle wants to deal with me, I..."

Secretary Chen: "Uh..."

Secretary Chen listened to the Meng family’s young master’s grim, determined confession, opening his mouth but finding it hard to respond.

When he relayed this to Xu Huaiting, it indeed drew a mocking laugh.

"Don’t bother with him. He thinks Chi Jue is some pushover, daring to resort to force."

Secretary Chen couldn’t help but probe: "What if the other party is the more malleable type, like... Young Master Chi? Could that work?"

Xu Huaiting glanced at him.

"Secretary Chen, that’s bullying the weak and vulnerable."

The boss sent him a concerned look: "How could you have such a terrifying thought? You must be too idle lately. When people are idle, they tend to overthink. Work overtime tonight to adjust."

Secretary Chen: "..."

Thanks.

...

The Chi Family didn’t want Ye Man to accompany Chi Jue to Zhonghai, but they couldn’t resist his persistent begging and tantrums.

At first, Chi Yan shot it down right away.

He was used to calling the shots, so his tone was a bit harsh—no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Normally, when he spoke like this, no one in the family would dare to push back.

But Ye Man’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

His voice choked up as he said, "Bro, you must think I’m not as put-together as Second Brother, and that I’ll embarrass the family if I go out. Don’t worry, I’ll never bring it up again..."

Under Auntie Zhou’s disapproving stare as she came to bring Ye Man some cookies, Chi Yan: "..."

He drew a deep breath, ready to say something.

Even as he cried, Ye Man didn’t skip a beat, casually grabbing the cookies Auntie Zhou offered. Mmm, so good!

After finishing one, he was about to grab another one when he remembered Chi Yan was still there. Ye Man quickly raised the cookie in his hand, putting on his best good-boy act, "Brother, here, have some."

He was banking on Chi Yan saying no so he could hog it all.

Not many in the house were big on snacking, but since Ye Man arrived, Auntie Zhou finally got to flex her cooking chops. Ye Man was always glued to her side, and Auntie Zhou, swept up by his genuine compliments, would often whip up something tasty for him.

Ye Man never left a crumb and was a breeze to feed; he’d eat anything given to him.

Chi Yan leaned down and took a bite of the cookie in Ye Man’s hand.

Seeing Ye Man freeze for a second, reluctantly but still handing over the cookie, Chi Yan couldn’t help cracking a small smile, and the words of refusal stuck in his throat.

Chi Yan had caved.

Then, Qin Fangrui stepped in.

After a brief conversation, Qin Fangrui came out frowning, her voice a mix of concern and gentleness, "Xiao Man just wants to go out and clear his mind. I can’t say no to something so small."

And so, it was settled. On the day of departure, just before leaving, Ye Man finally got his cast removed.

The doctor repeatedly emphasized that he still needed to be careful with that hand and take good care of it.

Ye Man nodded along, but deep down, he wasn’t really worried.

Before leaving, Ye Man hesitated, then called Ye Guowen one more time. No answer.

The night he returned from Auntie Li’s, Ye Guowen had called him, stammering an apology, saying he was sorry for the past and that he wouldn’t bother him anymore. He admitted it was all his fault and asked Ye Man not to take it to heart, then quickly hung up.

Ye Guowen wasn’t the type to say such things.

Ye Man suspected he might have been kidnapped, with a knife to his throat, to say something so out of character.

But what kidnapper would abduct Ye Guowen just to force him to apologize?

Something was off.

With the phone temporarily unreachable, there was nothing Ye Man could do but tuck the matter away in his heart.

He was afraid Ye Guowen might spill some old secrets, but deep down, he also knew that Ye Guowen wasn’t as bold as he claimed to be about revealing certain things.

It was Ye Man’s own guilty conscience that made him fear first.

Chi Yan personally escorted Chi Jue, Ye Man, and their two assistants to the airport.

"Xiao Man," Chi Yan seemed to have something to say, but after a moment of hesitation, he held back and only advised, "Don’t stay out too long; come home early."

Home?

Ye Man held his breath.

After a long pause, he quietly murmured, "Hmm."

After seeing off his two younger brothers, Secretary Li approached: "President Chi, Professor Wang has finally agreed to meet in Beijing."

"Shouldn’t you let the young master know beforehand?"

Chi Yan pressed his temples, looking slightly tired: "I’m worried that if I tell him ahead of time and nothing comes of it, it’ll just raise his hopes for nothing."

Ye Man refuses to go for check-ups and won’t share his medical records.

But if Chi Yan really wanted to get his medical records, it wouldn’t be that hard.

Li understood—after all, President Chi had recently consulted several top ophthalmologists, and they’d all essentially given Ye Man’s eyes a death sentence.

"While he can still see some colors with one eye, let him take in as much as he can."

"Being able to see some light and color is still better than total blindness."

"Ah, he’s so young."

The doctor, with a healer’s compassion, also felt heartbroken, but there was simply no solution.

Chi Yan refuses to give up.

Li was thrilled that Professor Wang agreed to meet: "Originally, Professor Wang said he was too busy to come, but this time, he mentioned that an old classmate of his—now a military doctor—knows the young master and is friends with him, so he agreed!"

...

Ye Man was flying for the first time.

He didn’t want to get too excited and come off as inexperienced, like some country bumpkin.

But he was going to fly!!

"Brother Tong, Brother Tong, we’re going up in the sky!"

Ye Man’s eyes widened, his head kept swiveling, and he couldn’t stop talking.

"Later, will we see the clouds? Will the view be amazing?"

"I always thought I would never have this opportunity in my life!"

He was so excited that the system didn’t know how to remind him he couldn’t see—it was better not to get his hopes up, or he’d be crushed later.