Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Lu Yao coincidentally ran into Xia Shiyue at the subway station where he got off. Xia Shiyue rolled down his car window and called out, "Lu Yao!"

Lu Yao turned around in surprise, and Xia Shiyue waved enthusiastically.

Lu Yao quickly walked over to the car. The autumn sun was still strong, and Xia Shiyue urged him, "Hop in first."

Lu Yao hesitated for a moment. The dessert shop wasn’t far, but he didn’t protest much by the roadside. He opened the passenger door and sat down.

"I didn’t expect us to meet on the way," Lu Yao said, sounding delighted. "I was just thinking of waiting for you outside the shop so we could go in together."

Unlike Lu Yao, Xia Shiyue was on a mission today. He no longer cared about the paltry wages—there was something far more pressing to deal with now.

"Lu Yao, can we consider ourselves good friends now?"

Xia Shiyue’s expression was serious, and Lu Yao’s excitement gradually faded. He frowned in concern and asked, "Of course we are. Why do you ask?"

Xia Shiyue immediately perked up. He killed the engine, pulled over, cleared his throat, and said seriously, "You know about my family background. Every season, we have fashion consultants come to our home for custom designs."

Lu Yao nodded, though confused. "I know."

Xia Shiyue took a deep breath. "There’s a tailor named Kevin."

Hearing the familiar name, Lu Yao’s eyes widened slowly in shock.

Xia Shiyue asked point-blank, "Is your partner Fu Yanhuai?"

Lu Yao hesitated, unsure if he should answer. Xia Shiyue pressed on earnestly, "Your identity isn’t a secret in our social circle, but I still wanted to confirm it with you in person."

Lu Yao sighed. "The Fu family doesn’t often mention this marriage. I just don’t want to upset him."

Though Lu Yao put it diplomatically, Xia Shiyue still felt his blood boiling. "He’s upset?! What right does he have to be upset?!"

Though he didn’t know the details, wasn’t the reason Fu Yanhuai chose a beta partner because of his problematic pheromones? He was the one who sought Lu Yao out, yet he still managed to find fault.

Lu Yao knew Xia Shiyue was defending him. He chuckled. "You’re so cute."

Xia Shiyue’s cheeks turned pink. He coughed and said, "Level with me, how does Fu Yanhuai treat you?"

He didn’t care about his partner’s well-being, never once bothered to pick him up or drop him off at work—even when Lu Yao worked late. He never so much as asked. These might seem like trivial matters, but to Xia Shiyue, they showed just how neglectful Fu Yanhuai was—to an outrageous degree.

Lu Yao thought for a moment. "His temper is unpredictable, but aside from that, everything else is… fine."

Xia Shiyue pulled a face and muttered, "Seems like you’ve never met a good alpha before."

Fu Yanhuai was far from being a good partner, yet Lu Yao was already satisfied.

Of course, Lu Yao had never seen one. Lu Zhongguang’s infidelity was routine, and Guan Qinglu had long been just going through the motions with him in a marriage in name only. Compared to his own dysfunctional family, Fu Yanhuai didn’t seem so bad.

Xia Shiyue brought up the old saying: "Money shows where love is. What did Fu Yanhuai get you for your birthday or your anniversary?"

Lu Yao hesitated briefly before changing the subject. "Let’s go handle the resignation first. Otherwise, Ma Song might leave soon."

Xia Shiyue grudgingly dropped it. Before getting out of the car, Lu Yao turned back. "Shiyue, don’t take what we talked about today to heart, and don’t mention it to anyone else."

Lu Yao looked uneasy. Not wanting to make things difficult for him, Xia Shiyue nodded along. "Of course. Let’s go."

Lu Yao got out of the car, relieved, while Xia Shiyue scowled. Lu Yao’s marriage was clearly abnormal. He needed to find a way to size Fu Yanhuai up.

The two entered the shop together today. After Lu Yao left, only two pastry chefs remained. They weren’t as familiar with the customers’ preferences as Lu Yao, so the number of custom orders had dropped significantly over the past two days.

Ma Song was busy calming customers down, assuring them that Lu Yao would return after his vacation, but he was still rattled from that phone call.

After that call, a lawyer claiming to be from a prestigious law firm in the capital had contacted him. Ma Song wasn’t about to try anything shady now.

In a foul mood, Ma Song vented his frustration on the two pastry chefs. Just as the door closed, Lu Yao clearly heard Ma Song chewing them out, "What kind of desserts are these? How are they supposed to keep customers coming back? Completely unacceptable. Do them again!"

Xia Shiyue, whose anger hadn’t yet subsided, snapped at this. He sneered, "Seems like this is all you’re capable of."

Ma Song turned around, startled to see Lu Yao and Xia Shiyue. "When did you two get here?"

Having nothing left to lose now that he was quitting, Xia Shiyue shot back bluntly, "None of your business. Just give us our wages for this month right now. Once we get paid, we’re leaving."

Ma Song’s face fell. "Resignation requires a one-month notice. Who said you could quit? I don’t approve. Since you’re here, there’s a backlog of orders. Get to work now."

Xia Shiyue almost barked out a laugh. "The audacity. No proper labor contract, no benefits—how were we supposed to give a one-month notice?"

Xia Shiyue had been diligent over the past few months, so Ma Song had assumed he was a pushover. "Xia Shiyue, don’t think I won’t dock your pay. All the dessert shops in this area are connected. Let’s see which one dares hire you two!"

Lu Yao was stunned by Ma Song’s power trip—even Fu Yanhuai had never used such lines. He blurted out incredulously, "So what if they know each other? We haven’t violated labor laws. Why can’t we resign? Why can’t we work at another shop?"

Ma Song was certain they lacked the money and energy to pursue legal action. He snorted coldly. "Go ahead and try."

Xia Shiyue finally snapped back to reality at Ma Song’s audacity. Furious, he said, "Try? Fine, we will! Who’s afraid of you? If you won’t pay, then wait for the court summons!"

He grabbed Lu Yao’s hand and marched out. He had never met someone so shameless. His father was right—there really were a lot of bad people in the world.

"Hey—"

Lu Yao stumbled after him, quickly speaking up, "Wait, Ma Song just doesn’t want to pay. Let’s think of another way. I guess he just wants me to finish the backlogged orders."

"Why should we do them for him?!" Xia Shiyue completely lost it. "I’m not just suing for unpaid wages—I’m reporting him for illegal operations. Let’s see who lasts longer!"

Lu Yao placated him. "Don’t be angry. I’ll come back tomorrow and talk to him properly. You go home first."

Xia Shiyue’s gaze turned resolute. He took Lu Yao’s hand and vowed sincerely, "No. I’ll make sure justice is served for both of us. Don’t worry."

Lu Yao blinked. "Huh?"

After a moment of confusion, he remembered something. "Fu… Fu Yanhuai mentioned two days ago that he hired a lawyer to handle the resignation. But I don’t have the lawyer’s number."

Xia Shiyue went quiet for a moment. The lawyer Fu Yanhuai hired was undoubtedly high-powered, and this was a minor case. It shouldn’t be hard to find out who took it.

Now calmer, Xia Shiyue said, "Don’t worry. This is simple. Just wait for my news at home."

This time, Xia Shiyue made sure to confirm that Lu Yao lived with Fu Yanhuai. He deliberately dropped Lu Yao off at the Fu family’s front gate. Unfortunately, Fu Yanhuai wasn’t home—only the butler saw Xia Shiyue.

Xia Shiyue seemed in a hurry to attend to something. He stepped on the gas and disappeared in an instant. The butler found Xia Shiyue somewhat familiar. Following Lu Yao inside, he asked, "Was that Master Xia?"

Lu Yao nodded. "Yes, it was him."

Lu Yao wasn’t familiar with the upper-class families, but the butler’s impression was confirmed by his answer.

The butler asked curiously, "You seem quite close with Master Xia?"

Lu Yao replied frankly, "We worked together at a dessert shop for a while. Now we’re good friends."

This was Lu Yao’s first real friend. The butler smiled. "That’s good."

Lu Yao didn't know that Xia Shiyue wasn't rushing home but was heading to his father's company instead.

Xia Shiyue burst out of the elevator, and the CEO's exclusive secretary on the top floor immediately stood up upon seeing him.

"Master Xia, what brings you here? The Chairman's in a meeting—there are people in his office right now."

Xia Shiyue wasn’t the unreasonable type. He nodded in understanding, "Then I’ll wait on the sofa for a while."

The secretary let out a relieved sigh. He wouldn’t dare offend Master Xia—Chairman Xia only had this one treasured son.

The secretary quickly called inside to inform them that Xia Shiyue was waiting outside, then fetched water and snacks for him.

Xia Shiyue looked bored. He casually asked, "What’s kept Dad so busy lately? He’s been working overtime for days."

The secretary replied thoughtfully, "Recently, several companies have teamed up, led by Fu Group, to work on a major project."

"Fu Group?"

Xia Shiyue’s face fell. He shifted over slightly, gesturing for the secretary to sit beside him. "Fu Yanhuai? That’s what my dad’s been working on?"

The secretary waved his hands, declining to sit. He smiled and answered, "Yes, Chairman Xia even attended a meeting at Fu Group last night."

Xia Shiyue’s heart perked up. "What about tonight? Another meeting?"

The secretary hesitated, looking uncomfortable. "The exact schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet. Chairman Xia might send someone else in his place."

"That won’t do," Xia Shiyue said earnestly. "If someone else goes, how can we show our respect to the Fu family?"

The secretary was surprised. "You mean…?"

Master Xia had never cared about company affairs before.

Just then, the people in Xia Wenjin’s office walked out. Xia Shiyue jumped up and ducked inside.

"Dad~"

Xia Wenjin was frowning as he was pouring tea. Hearing Xia Shiyue’s voice, his hand trembled, spilling tea all over the desk.

He sighed deeply and asked helplessly, "What now?"

That tone never meant good news.

Xia Shiyue leaned in. "Are you going to a meeting with Fu Yanhuai later?"

"Mind your manners. You should address him as President Fu." Xia Wenjin scolded sternly, though his expression soon softened. "I might send another executive in my place. How unusual—Yueyue actually cares about his dad today?"

Xia Shiyue whined. "Dad, go yourself, please? And take me with you. Haven’t you always wanted me to learn about the company?"

Xia Wenjin put his tea down, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Why do you want to go? Fu Group isn't exactly entertaining."

Xia Shiyue said with exaggerated solemnity. "Only by starting a business does one understand a father’s hardships."

Ignoring Xia Wenjin’s protests, he concluded, "Take me with you. I want to learn how President Fu grew his company so successfully."

Xia Wenjin seemed to detect a hint of gritted teeth in the way Xia Shiyue said "President Fu." He gave his son a long look before easily agreeing.

"Fine. Get ready then. We’ll leave once the documents are prepared."