Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Ye Weian took a deep breath, finally unable to resist reaching out to touch him.

"Just this once, one last touch."

"No more after this."

Since he couldn't agree to A Chen, he had to maintain a distance, lest A Chen grow even fonder of his "cabbage."

But A Chen was truly tempting... Just let him indulge one last time!

He savored the touch, yet simultaneously chastised himself.

"I'm such a scoundrel."

Zhou Huaichen gazed at him tenderly, not perceiving him as a scoundrel at all.

He knew perfectly well that Ye Weian harbored no romantic feelings for Yan Qing, only profound disdain.

Though Ye Weian spoke of pursuing Yan Qing, he had taken no actual steps.

In other words, Ye Weian was far from being fickle.

How, then, could he be considered a scoundrel?

When Ye Weian had touched his fill, Zhou Huaichen released his hand, murmuring, "Sleep well, goodnight."

His voice was unusually hoarse, tinged with palpable restraint.

Ye Weian quickly responded, "Mm-hmm, you should head back to your room and sleep too."

"A Chen must be off to do *that*."

"Hurry up and go, don't hold back and hurt yourself."

Zhou Huaichen: "..."

This little rascal, igniting his desires and then reveling in his predicament.

He was both amused and exasperated, secretly vowing never again to let himself be ensnared in such sweet, agonizing torment.

…

After Zhou Huaichen left the room, the system earnestly praised, "Mr. Zhou is so handsome and gentle; a man like that is worthy of a lifetime's trust."

Ye Weian offered no reply.

He retrieved the ruby from the drawer, slowly turning it over in his hand.

After a long silence, he asked in a low voice, "Must I really pursue Yan Qing?"

The system paused. "Yes."

Ye Weian: "Can I truly not change targets?"

The system reiterated, "No."

After another prolonged silence, Ye Weian's voice dropped even lower. "If the mission fails, besides not being able to revive my parents and brother, are there other penalties?"

The system remained silent.

Ye Weian: "Hmm?"

System: "...Host, you are remarkably perceptive."

It had never disclosed the other punishment to the host, but the host had clearly already surmised it.

Ye Weian said, "I'll disappear, won't I?"

He was brought here by the system; his life was granted by the system. His mission was to pursue Yan Qing. If he failed to complete it, the ultimate outcome would likely be the complete annihilation of his soul.

The system did not answer directly. Its mechanical voice sounded subdued: "Host, you wish to be with Mr. Zhou, don't you?"

The system suddenly let out a sob: "I'll try to find a way. If only the readers' resentment could dissipate."

The host was summoned here by the readers' resentment. If that resentment vanished, the host might gain freedom.

But the readers' wish was for Ye Weian and Yan Qing to be together. Unless they achieved a happy ending, the readers' resentment would likely persist.

The system was deeply saddened: "I considered contacting the Chief God Space to change the host's mission, but for some reason, I can neither reach the Chief God Space nor locate any other companions."

It couldn't even recall what missions it had undertaken previously, or how many hosts it had served, as if it had been formatted, all its memories erased.

Its sole remaining directive was to make the host pursue Yan Qing.

This situation was peculiar; it had been unable to comprehend it and had been investigating.

Unfortunately, it still had no clues.

The system cried for a long time, eventually only able to comfort Ye Weian: "I will try my best to contact the Chief God. If the Chief God could agree to let you switch targets, that would be wonderful."

But Ye Weian knew this would be difficult.

He sighed softly, saying, "It seems I need to prioritize pursuing Yan Qing."

Previously, his aversion to Yan Qing had stifled his enthusiasm, causing him to delay progress.

But now, it seemed this matter was unavoidable; it would be better to conclude it sooner.

He gently caressed the ruby, murmuring, "Once my mission is complete, will I have to leave this world immediately?"

The system paused again, its mechanical voice sounding even more despondent: "Theoretically, yes."

System: "Once you complete the mission, you can directly depart this book and go to a world free of apocalypse. Your parents and brother will be waiting for you there."

But in that scenario, the host and Mr. Zhou would likely never meet again.

The system suddenly wailed: "It's too cruel, too cruel!"

Why did it ever get invested in *One Leaf Embraces*?

The ending was already predetermined; all the flirtation and sweet moments would ultimately amount to nothing...

Boo hoo, just let this system die!

Ye Weian looked down at the ruby, shining brilliantly under the light, and softly said, "This time, I refuse to accept fate."

During the ten years of the apocalypse, knowing the outcome, he had submitted to fate's arrangement, eventually fading away peacefully.

But this time, he wanted to fight for it.

The System: "?"

It asked blankly, "Host, what are you planning?"

Ye Weian did not answer.

The System: "..."

It suddenly switched its mechanical voice to a sob, crying and saying, "Host, are you about to pull another mischievous stunt? Boo hoo, the System won't allow it... Boo hoo, you and Zhou Huaichen are so heartbreaking..."

Ye Weian: "..."

It was the first time he heard the System change its voice, and it felt as if a jackhammer was buzzing in his head.

"Shut up!" He placed the ruby under his pillow, gritting his teeth as he said, "I'm going to sleep. You should rest too. Goodnight!"

After the System's antics, the sadness in his heart had completely vanished.

Now he had only one wish: to make the System shut up forever.

The System: "Boo hoo, Host, you're tired of me..."

Ye Weian directly muted it.

...

The next day, Zhou Huaichen had breakfast at the Ye family home and then drove Ye Weian to work.

The atmosphere between them was as usual, devoid of any awkwardness or discomfort.

It was as if last night's conversation in Ye Weian's bedroom and Zhou Huaichen's confession were nothing more than a shared illusion.

Zhou Huaichen remained as considerate as ever.

Ye Weian also remained close to Zhou Huaichen.

The System, having been muted all night, had just regained signal and saw the two acting sweet and affectionate again. It couldn't help but be utterly bewildered.

Humans are so complex!

The car soon arrived at Ye's Group. Before getting out, Zhou Huaichen looked tenderly at Ye Weian and said, "Uncle Wang says he misses you. I'll come pick you up tonight, okay?"

He wasn't rushing Ye Weian for a decision, but he would still follow his own steps, gradually drawing the person he loved into his embrace.

Ye Weian shook his head and said, "Probably not."

"Director Chen said today is the second recording of the show and wants to have a gathering—first, to celebrate the successful premiere, and second, for the two new regular cast members."

He tilted his head to look at Zhou Huaichen. "Weren't you invited?"

Director Chen was Chen Xuelai, the director of "Today's EyeOpener."

Zhou Huaichen recalled the schedule Li Ceng had given him for the day and said, "No, Director Chen probably invited the general manager of Ziyun Entertainment."

Ziyun Entertainment was an entertainment company under Zhou Group, on par with Lemon Entertainment, and also one of the investing companies for "Today's EyeOpener."

Ye Weian said "Oh" and added, "I've already agreed to attend Director Chen's gathering."

This show was the first among the projects he had spearheaded as lead investor to yield results, so he took it very seriously.

He looked directly at Zhou Huaichen.

—"Will A Chen misunderstand that I'm avoiding him?"

—"I wouldn't avoid him. Even if I can't touch his abs, I can still enjoy the view while eating."

Zhou Huaichen couldn't help but let the corners of his lips curl up slightly.

He knew that with Wei An's straightforward and frank nature, it was impossible for him to avoid him.

Thinking of this, his eyes softened further. "Where is the gathering?"

Ye Weian told him the name: "Xiangzhang Lanting."

Last time, Zhou Huaichen had taken him to meet his childhood friends at this very restaurant.

Zhou Huaichen nodded lightly. "Okay, I understand."

Ye Weian: "?"

—"Understand what?"

—"Are you going or not?"

But Zhou Huaichen didn't elaborate, merely giving him a slight smile before saying goodbye.

...

At six p.m., Ye Weian arrived at Xiangzhang Lanting.

The show's staff and guests were already waiting in the private room.

When Ye Weian entered, everyone immediately rose to welcome him.

Director Chen even hurried over to the door to greet him: "President Ye, you're here!"

Yan Qing might have been foolish enough to provoke President Ye, but the rest of them would never dare.

President Ye was the head of the entire Ye's Group. A single word from him could make them disappear from the industry. How could they dare to provoke him?

Because of this, many in the industry were quietly discussing whether Yan Qing had been possessed to dare oppose President Ye at every turn.

Of course, some speculated that this was just a game between Yan Qing and President Ye—that Yan Qing relied on President Ye's favor to cause trouble.

However, recent rumors suggested that Zhou Huaichen was getting close to President Ye, while Yan Qing was also trying to charm Zhou Huaichen...

The relationships were truly complicated!

Everyone was loving the drama, but they only dared to gossip behind closed doors, never bringing it up in front of Ye Weian himself.

In any case, in Ye Weian's presence, everyone was respectful.

Director Chen introduced Ye Weian to the two newly invited regular cast members: award-winning actor Xi Shizhao and young actor Ming Yao.

In addition, three special guests had been invited this time—a singer and two idols—making it quite a lively gathering.

During the meal, everyone raised a glass to toast Ye Weian.

Ye Weian said casually, "Everyone, please enjoy yourselves and feel at home."

He lowered his head to talk business with Director Chen, and the others, seeing that he wasn't really paying attention to the gathering, gradually relaxed as well.

A few drinks in, Director Chen had finished discussing the additional advertisers for the second season of the show and thumped his chest, promising to redouble his efforts to make the program even better.

Ye Weian listened while checking his watch.

It was already past seven, and Zhou Huaichen was still a no-show.

So, A Chen wasn't planning to come after all?

Then why did A Chen say "I understand" to him this morning?

Ye Weian silently made a mental note of a small grievance against Zhou Huaichen.

The system was curious: "Host, didn't you decide to keep your distance from Boss Zhou? Why are you still hoping he'd come?"

Ye Weian: "You wouldn't understand."

The system: "..."

Ye Weian listened distractedly as Director Chen bragged.

Director Chen, already half-drunk, wouldn't stop expressing his gratitude to Ye Weian.

Every show he directed had flopped before, and he was about to quit directing altogether, but it was Ye Weian who recognized his talent and appointed him as the director of "Today's EyeOpener," leading to such great success.

Ye Weian: "?"

Ye Weian: "It wasn't me who appointed you."

He remembered that it was Zhou Huaichen who had suggested Director Chen's name.

But Director Chen insisted on seeing him as his benefactor, almost grabbing his hand and tearfully calling him "father."

Ye Weian: "..."

Just as he was thinking of calling a staff member to look after Director Chen, a special guest suddenly walked over with a glass, looking at him admiringly, and said, "President Ye, may I offer you a toast?"

This special guest was the popular idol-turned-actor Wu Yi, who debuted three years ago in a talent show and has since transitioned into acting quite successfully.

Ye Weian wasn't much of a drinker, but since the guest was politely offering a toast, he raised his glass in return.

However, as they clinked glasses, Wu Yi's hand suddenly trembled, and the red wine in his glass sloshed onto Ye Weian's suit pants.

Wu Yi panicked and went to wipe Ye Weian's pants with his own hand, apologizing frantically, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, President Ye, I didn't mean to..."

The commotion caught everyone's attention in the private room.

Ye Weian lightly blocked Wu Yi's hand.

—"Not on purpose?"

—"If that was unintentional, I'll eat my hat."

Just then, a waiter knocked and entered, followed by Zhou Huaichen.

Zhou Huaichen paid no attention to Wu Yi or anyone else.

His gaze was fixed on Ye Weian's face.

Their eyes met.

Ye Weian beckoned to Zhou Huaichen.

—"This idol's green tea act isn't even as good as A Chen's."

—"A Chen is the true master of green tea, as far as I'm concerned!"

Zhou Huaichen: "?"

The system: "?"

The system: "!"

Thankfully, Big Boss Zhou couldn't hear the host's private thoughts!!

Author's note: Dear readers, I got this update in before 12!~~ Future updates will be in the evenings~~ No matter how late, I'll still update~~

Thank you all so much for your support—I'll keep at it!