Chapter 31: Just for Me?

Chapter 31: Just for Me?

After the first day of hanging out, on the second day, Chi Jue was set to represent the Chi Family at the International Economic and Trade Exchange Conference in Zhonghai City.

This trip wasn’t all fun and games; there was serious business to handle. He couldn’t just accompany Ye Man around for fun.

Ye Man didn’t really care about all that.

When he was strapped for cash, he’d always daydream about what he’d do once he was free of debt. Those dreams kept him going, giving him the push to get up and work.

He wanted to travel, visit places he had never been to, do things he had never done, eat things he had never tried, or buy things he couldn’t afford before.

He was handsome, smooth-talking, and resourceful, so he could fit in anywhere and support himself well.

He also dreamed of having pets and tending to plants, making sure they’d never go hungry as long as he had food.

Now that he was actually in Zhonghai, one of the destinations he had planned to visit in the future, he didn’t feel the joy he’d expected. He couldn’t quite figure out where he could go to have fun; everywhere felt the same.

In the morning, Ye Man got out of bed, slowly made his way to the window, and pulled open the curtains.

His white cane sat untouched by the bedside table.

He hadn’t yet gotten used to seeing the cane as an extension of himself. Besides, the cane wasn’t real eyes; it was just a cold, lifeless rod. Sometimes, even if he tapped it around, he wouldn’t know what exactly was blocking his path, which only made him more uneasy.

Morning light flooded in, filling the room with brightness, and Ye Man’s world seemed to brighten too.

The Chi Family was staying at one of Zhonghai’s top hotels. They were on the 26th floor, apparently, and from the window, the view was excellent, especially the night scenery.

Ye Man stood by the window, squinting, rubbing his eyes, then squinting again, and had to admit, a little sadly, that all he could make out was a hazy, blinding glow.

The system watched him by the window, rubbing and squinting repeatedly, and couldn’t help but say, "Host, why not ask the Chi Family to get your eyes checked again? They can definitely find the best doctors for you, and they don’t mind spending the money."

After a while, Ye Man gave up and instead started packing the gifts he had received into his suitcase.

"No need."

The system asked, "Why?"

"The doctor said that at best, it could only slow down the deterioration. It’s inevitable anyway, and it can’t be cured. There’s no need to waste time and money. I’m doing fine now; I’ll get used to it eventually."

"Host, how did your eyes..."

"Knock knock."

"Young master, breakfast is here."

"Ah! Coming."

Ye Man lowered his voice slightly, "Brother Tong, what were you saying?"

"Never mind, go eat first."

...

Ye Man came out pulling his suitcase.

He and Chi Jue were staying in a family suite with two bedrooms and a living room. Each room had its own bathroom, making it feel like a small home.

When they arrived, the system had described how high-end the decoration was, how luxurious the amenities were, how the curtains, floor, sofa, faucet... any one of them was worth ten of him.

Ye Man didn’t recognize anyone or see anything, but he still listened with great interest.

Chi Jue asked him last night if he needed company while sleeping. The unfamiliar environment, leaving a blind person alone in the room, was unsettling. What if he bumped into something, got hurt, or fell? Chi Jue felt anxious just thinking about it.

But Ye Man refused.

The hotel room wasn’t exactly spacious, and although Ye Man moved clumsily and slowly, he wouldn’t get himself into trouble in the room.

When they came out, Xiao Wu helped him with the cane. Ye Man held his arm with one hand and pulled the suitcase with the other, "I want to send this home first."

Chi Jue: "What is this?"

Ye Man raised his chin proudly, "Gifts from Mr. Xu last night, a whole suitcase full!"

"Ah, Mr. Xu is really something, only buying gifts for me and not for my brother," Ye Man continued to play it up, "But what can I do? He just happens to like me!"

The big shot just favors him!

He, the vicious underdog, thrives with a little attention, immediately wanting to announce it to the world!

As a vicious underdog, they usually don’t have the ambition of the protagonist. Ye Man is the type who climbs the ladder with a little kindness.

Although the big shot probably just did it casually, maybe his previous boasting had an effect, and the big shot really thought his tongue was severely injured, coming to compensate and console him. The reality wasn’t as dramatic as he made it out to be.

But he’s always one to exaggerate, and since the other party isn’t here, he can say whatever he wants. Chi Jue wouldn’t go and ask about such things.

How could he not flaunt it to annoy the protagonist?

The protagonist has the crown prince, but he has the emperor! Ah, the power of hierarchy!

Chi Jue placed a crab roe dumpling on Ye Man’s plate and paused, chopsticks in hand.

After a moment’s thought, he cautiously said, "Wow, really? That’s incredible, I’m so jealous..."

Ye Man was pleased.

Chi Jue wanted to laugh.

"Alright, come eat before it gets cold and loses its flavor. Watch out, the coffee table’s on your right, don’t hit it."

"Oh, thank you."

"Brother Tong, watch me rack up points for you!" Ye Man’s mouth was all about glorifying himself.

The system deadpanned, "You’re amazing."

My heart’s already dead.

Burn some paper if you need something.

"Isn’t it exhausting to carry that suitcase? Set it down and eat."

The system’s tone had a hint of resignation.

After eating, Ye Man had to accompany Chi Jue to a meeting.

After a few close calls and mishaps, Chi Jue now wished he could keep Ye Man on a leash.

"Later, sit next to me. I might have to go and greet some people during the meeting. Stay put, don’t budge. Xiao Liu and Xiao Wu will stay with you. If you’re hungry or thirsty, ask them. Don’t run around, or I’ll tell big brother and he’ll deal with you." Chi Jue also left his assistant Xiao Liu with Ye Man.

He intentionally used the big brother to intimidate Ye Man, taking advantage of the big brother's absence to subtly tarnish his image.

The big brother is tough, but he’s the kind and gentle second brother.

When it comes to scheming, Ye Man isn’t even a tenth as skilled as him.

"The meeting’s pretty dull, just hang in there. Once everything’s done, I’ll take you out to play."

Ye Man gave a half-hearted nod.

He was also worried Ye Man might wander off. Meng Yao wasn’t even around—where would he go?

...

The meeting was indeed boring.

With nothing to do, Ye Man put on headphones and listened to a short drama.

He dozed off while listening.

Ye Man actually liked sleeping in crowded places.

The chatter around him made him feel secure enough to sleep soundly.

The meeting room was packed, and the AC was cranked up. Ye Man wasn’t in great shape and didn’t have much body fat to keep warm. While awake, he didn’t feel it, but as he slept, he started to get chilly.

Without thinking, he curled up in his chair to stay warm.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu was about to take off his jacket to cover the young master when a staff member quickly walked over and handed him an unopened blanket.

"We also have hot drinks available. When he wakes up, just let us know, and we’ll bring some over."

Xiao Wu thanked them, impressed by the venue’s thorough preparations. He pulled his jacket back on, unfolded the blanket, and draped it over his young master.

With the blanket, Ye Man’s furrowed brow softened slightly. He nuzzled into the blanket, curling up until only his eyes and a few strands of hair were visible.

Xiao Wu turned around, startled to find the staff member still there.

"Anything else?"

The staff member glanced at Ye Man, smiled, and left, leaving Xiao Wu confused.

The staff member stepped out, made a quick call, and hurried to the kitchen.

As lunchtime neared, Chi Jue woke him, and he groggily opened his eyes.

When he woke up, he noticed the extra blanket but didn’t think much of it, assuming it was like on a plane.

Throughout the entire meeting, Ye Man behaved very well, allowing Chi Jue, who had to leave occasionally, to breathe a sigh of relief as he kept checking to make sure Ye Man was still there.

Finally, the meeting ended, and on the last day, it was supposed to be an uneventful banquet.

Ye Man had also confirmed with the system that the target, Meng Yao, had hurried and managed to catch the last bus of the plot, arriving in Zhonghai last night.

Thinking that everything would be fine this time, they were informed at the last minute that the banquet had changed locations and would be held at sea.

"The organizers have chartered a cruise ship and invited everyone to go out to sea," the person delivering the invitation said with a smile.

Chi Jue hesitated when he saw the cruise ship’s name.

The other person made it sound all high and mighty, but he remembered that this ship seemed to be owned by the Xu Family.

"Xiao Man, are we in?" he asked after seeing the person off.

Ye Man nodded like crazy: "Yes, we are!"

...

Neither the system nor Ye Man could wrap their heads around why the story had gone off the rails again this time.

The banquet was heading out to sea, so how could he leave Chi Jue behind?

Whether it's the ocean or hell itself, he had to go!

After scratching his head for a bit, the system gave up: "Don't sweat it, it's just a different spot. Just stick to the plan."

It didn't buy that Ye Man's medicine wouldn't work just because they were on the water.

Ye Man asked curiously: "Brother Tong, what if I mess up again this time..."

It wasn't that he didn't believe in himself. All the hiccups had him second-guessing.

"You won't get in trouble because of me, right?"

The system was caught off guard.

Ye Man said sadly: "I didn't mean to, don't be mad."

Just as the system was starting to feel touched, it saw the little trickster, covering his face and whimpering, peeking through his fingers with half his pretty face, pitifully saying: "You promised before that you wouldn't let me break my legs, and you would give me a lot of money, does that still stand?"

The system: "..."

He had bombed so badly, yet he still had the gall to ask for perks!

"It counts!"

The bonuses were already docked, and there was no use regretting it now; they wouldn't be refunded!

Ye Man's face was half-hidden behind his hand, and he suddenly smiled: "Thank you, Brother Tong, you're so good, I really like you."

His smile was dazzling.

The system's voice softened, and most of its anger dissipated.

After cursing in its heart for a while.

Having been gossiping with the malicious cannon fodder for so long, its manners had inevitably deteriorated a bit.

"Knock it off, I'm not falling for your act again!"