Chapter 33

Chapter 33

You Nan entered the gates of the Yao Family Company. Every day, his fiancé, Yao Xianqing, personally chauffeured him to and from work.

This arrangement was far more convenient than his previous commute.

If either of them had to work overtime, the other could wait comfortably within the company premises.

However, they never entered the company together, and after work, they would linger in the office for a while, carefully avoiding the gaze of other employees to prevent being discovered.

The thrill of this clandestine relationship had become somewhat addictive for Yao Xianqing.

He often enjoyed pressing You Nan against the passenger seat and kissing him until breathless in the underground parking lot, long after work hours, where anyone might appear unexpectedly, leaving You Nan panting and his eyes glazed.

You Nan loved him and always indulged him, never refusing Yao Xianqing's advances.

After finally being released by Yao Xianqing, the man leaned over to fasten You Nan's seatbelt.

You Nan cracked open his window, letting the cool outside air blow in and disperse the thick scent inside the car, clearing his head.

"You've been so busy lately."

You Nan glanced at the time—they had been working late, past 7 p.m., for over half a month.

At a red light, Yao Xianqing stopped the car, rubbed his temples, and shadows of fatigue showed under his eyes. "The Zhao family's business overlaps with ours, and they've started poaching our clients."

You Nan was worried and hoped the Yao family would prevail. "So, who do you think will win?"

Yao Xianqing smiled, winking at You Nan. "What do you think?"

You Nan's eyes curved into happy crescents. "So it's you, then."

Seeing You Nan smile lifted Yao Xianqing's spirits, and his fatigue dissipated considerably.

"We've already snatched significant business from them. I bet his parents are livid," he said, chuckling.

Yao Xianqing drove on, his features looking strikingly handsome under the streetlights. "But don’t worry about me. For our future children, I’ll work even harder."

You Nan believed him completely. "Yeah. I don’t like Zhao Jin. Show him no mercy."

Yao Xianqing chuckled at his words. As the light turned green, he started the car. "Don’t worry. Anyone who’s ever wronged you—I won’t let them off."

.

Over the weekend, You Nan and Yao Xianqing went to the Yao family home for a meal.

You Nan was nervous. He hadn’t met Yao Xianqing’s grandparents yet. According to Yao Xianqing, they had built their fortune from scratch and were very strict, so he was afraid they might not like him.

Unexpectedly, Yao Xianqing’s grandparents were effusively welcoming, guiding him onto the sofa to show him childhood photos of Yao Xianqing.

"Xianqing, I’m here to see you!" As they were chatting in the living room, boisterous laughter and noise came from the entrance. You Nan looked up, puzzled—the voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

Yao Xianqing was segmenting an orange for You Nan when he made eye contact with Shen Zihe, who had just walked in. "What brings you here today?"

Shen Zihe casually placed gift boxes on the coffee table, explaining to Yao Xianqing’s grandparents what each contained, and paused to answer, "I've been away on business and just got back. I came to see you as soon as I returned, and you’re asking why I’m here? Aren’t we good brothers?"

As he spoke, Shen Zihe’s gaze fell on You Nan, who had recognized him.

Shen Zihe’s expression flickered momentarily, though his composure never wavered.

You Nan detected his astonishment and dislike, and his smile tightened slightly. He instinctively looked at Yao Xianqing. Unfamiliar with Shen Zihe and unnerved by the apparent dislike from Yao Xianqing’s close friend, You Nan felt uncertain how to respond.

Shen Zihe sat on the sofa across from Yao Xianqing’s grandparents and asked, "Who is this? He looks familiar."

Grandma Yao, who had become quite fond of You Nan since meeting him, smiled warmly and introduced him to Shen Zihe. "He is Xianqing’s fiancé."

Shen Zihe let out an "Oh" and leaned back against the sofa, falling silent.

You Nan’s heart sank.

Shen Zihe had been present when he married Qi Yuwen. It hadn’t been that long—he surely remembered him.

You Nan felt awkward and, unsure if it was his imagination, thought Shen Zihe was watching him.

Feeling uncomfortable, he sat with the grandparents for a while longer before inventing an excuse and going upstairs.

Shen Zihe watched his retreating figure, his gaze tracking him until he entered Yao Xianqing’s room.

"Zihe." A voice called out, recalling Shen Zihe’s attention. With everyone else gone, Yao Xianqing stood up. "Let’s step outside and talk."

Having known Shen Zihe for years, Yao Xianqing knew his friend would never visit without notice unless summoned by someone.

Shen Zihe blinked, his eyelid twitching slightly.

He attempted a smile but couldn’t quite manage it, forcing a couple of laughs instead as he followed Yao Xianqing outside.

Leaning against the railing, Shen Zihe lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled slowly. "How long have you two been together?"

Yao Xianqing could feel Shen Zihe’s gaze fixed on him, judging the truth of his words.

He didn’t hide it. "Four months."

Shen Zihe nodded, appearing calm. "Before Qi Yuwen and You Nan divorced, were you already…"

He gestured vaguely with his hand, leaving the sentence unfinished.

Yao Xianqing said no, meeting Shen Zihe’s scrutinizing gaze without flinching. "It was after they divorced."

Shen Zihe’s reservations about his friend eased slightly, though he still struggled to accept Yao Xianqing’s relationship with You Nan. "Oh."

"You and Qi Yuwen are both my friends," Shen Zihe said after a moment of hesitation. "He’s really suffering now. He asked me to tell you—he hopes you’ll give You Nan back to him."

Yao Xianqing’s smile vanished. "What is You Nan to him? Some object to be returned? He didn’t cherish him when they were married, and now that You Nan has left him, he’s putting on a show of deep affection in front of others."

Shen Zihe didn’t understand the dynamics between them, but his curiosity about his friend’s love life was piqued.

Yao Xianqing turned and looked up at his bedroom window. The balcony door was open, and the wind billowed the floor-length curtains.

Calmly, he explained the situation between the four of them to Shen Zihe.

Shen Zihe listened calmly at first, then grew confused, then shocked. By the time Yao Xianqing finished, his jaw had dropped.

"Are they both insane?"

Shen Zihe couldn’t comprehend Qi Yuwen and Zhao Jin’s logic. He looked Yao Xianqing up and down as if seeing him for the first time.

"To win over my good friend, they tormented You Nan like that?" Shen Zihe circled Yao Xianqing twice, clicking his tongue. "Do I seem out of place here? They’re both obsessed with you, but I don’t feel anything for you at all."

Yao Xianqing frowned. "Know how to talk properly? If not, get lost."

Shen Zihe’s words had given him goosebumps.

"Is being liked by a 'Brother' something to be proud of?"

Shen Zihe could tell he was angry. He immediately made a zipped-his-lips gesture, as if sealing it shut with an invisible zipper. "Alright, I'll shut up!"

After learning this bombshell, Shen Zihe didn’t stay long at the Yao residence. As soon as he left, he immediately called Qi Yuwen in a rage, who had been waiting for news from him.

On the other end, Qi Yuwen had just answered the call upon seeing Shen Zihe’s name on his phone screen. Before he could even ask how You Nan had been lately, Shen Zihe launched into a furious tirade.

"I thought you were my good brother, but I never expected you to be this kind of person! You Nan left you and ended up with Yao Xianqing—it was all your own doing. Don’t expect me to tell you anything about You Nan. You don’t deserve it! You don’t deserve to be with You Nan, and you don’t deserve to compete with Yao Xianqing!"

After venting his anger, Shen Zihe hung up fiercely. He was cutting ties with Qi Yuwen!

Upstairs, You Nan was waiting for Yao Xianqing. As soon as the man entered, he asked what Shen Zihe had come for today.

Yao Xianqing gave him the edited version, emphasizing that Qi Yuwen regretted his actions and wanted to reconcile with him.

You Nan looked down.

Seeing his reaction, Yao Xianqing’s stomach dropped.

You Nan had deleted all of Qi Yuwen’s contact information and even changed his phone number. If Qi Yuwen wanted to see You Nan, the only way was to wait outside the Yao residence.

Yao Xianqing and Qi Yuwen had once been close brothers, but now they were nothing more than love rivals. A man shows no mercy to his love rival.

He directly instructed the security guards to kick Qi Yuwen out immediately if they saw him.

The security guards complied, and the results were significant.

Qi Yuwen was completely shut out from You Nan; he couldn’t even appear in his world. Left with no other options, he finally turned to Shen Zihe.

He had lied about a bunch of details to Shen Zihe, tricking him into acting as a middleman while also trying to drive a wedge between Shen Zihe and Yao Xianqing.

If Yao Xianqing hadn't been sharp enough to notice something amiss, Shen Zihe might not have left his home so calmly today.

Yao Xianqing took You Nan’s hand. "You’re not still thinking about Qi Yuwen, are you?"

Yao Xianqing still remembered clear as day how You Nan had liked Qi Yuwen for years, even agreeing to a whirlwind marriage just because Qi Yuwen said they shouldn’t let friends and family know.

In the past, Yao Xianqing hadn’t thought much of it, only feeling sorry for You Nan.

But now that he loved You Nan, he couldn’t bear the thought of You Nan still having feelings for Qi Yuwen!

You Nan was brought back to the present at Yao Xianqing’s movement. Seeing the wary look in Yao Xianqing’s eyes, he couldn’t help but laugh. "What are you doing?"

"What do you take me for!" You Nan met Yao Xianqing’s eyes, seeing a tiny reflection of himself in the man’s gaze, feeling a sense of contentment. "He treated me poorly, but you treat me well. How could I possibly leave you behind and go back to liking him?"

Yao Xianqing was easily reassured. He tried to keep a stern face but couldn’t maintain it. He sighed. "You really have me wrapped around your finger."

He pulled You Nan into his arms, his gaze fixed on the sunlight outside the window. "Sweetheart, if you ever leave me, I don’t know what I’d do."

They say birds of a feather flock together. Qi Yuwen and Zhao Jin were two-faced, and Yao Xianqing couldn’t guarantee he was a true gentleman.

If there ever came a day when You Nan left him, he might go mad too.

He would first take care of his rival, then join his beloved in death.