Chapter 116 Bullying

Chapter 116: Bullying

"If CEO Yan's standards are that low, then I have nothing more to say."

Faced with Yan Anxuan's provocation, Zhan Jiayu retorted coldly, showing no mercy.

Zhan Jiayu's height, combined with his imposing aura, easily created a sense of oppression. His ability to smoothly enter the Yan family's living room was partly due to this overwhelming presence.

During the previous poisoning incident, when he negotiated terms with the Yan family, both sides had already abandoned all pretense of courtesy. Being indirect now would only make people think he had a gentle temper.

Zhan Jiayu reached out protectively, and Yan Zhoubai moved from standing beside him to ducking halfway behind him.

As soon as Bu Qiran saw this, he wanted to rush over and pull Yan Zhoubai back.

*What are you hiding from? We're not going to eat you. And this Zhan Jiayu is clearly a villain, the kind who kills without batting an eye. How could someone like you dare to date him? You wouldn't even know how you died!*

But Bai Rong stopped him, and Bu Qiran’s forward step finally halted.

Yan Anxuan twitched his lips into a faint smile. It was clear he didn’t smile often, and even when he did, it wasn't warm or inviting.

"CEO Zhan, you’ve misunderstood. Since the conversation didn’t go well today, if Xiao Bai wants to leave, we won’t stop him. I was planning to give him a ride, but I didn’t expect you to arrive first. Since you’re here, I’ll see you both out."

To Zhan Jiayu’s surprise, Yan Anxuan showed no intention of prolonging the verbal sparring. Instead, he was remarkably direct—completely unlike what Zhan Jiayu had expected.

He had assumed the conflict that made Yan Zhoubai so eager to leave must have been serious, but Yan Anxuan’s attitude suggested it wasn’t a big deal after all.

He would have to ask Yan Zhoubai about it later.

Yan Anxuan was indeed very straightforward. He walked them all the way to the front gate, watched Yan Zhoubai slide into the passenger seat of Zhan Jiayu’s car, and even made sure to add:

"Xiao Bai, remember to take care of yourself. If anything comes up, call Dage. Come back whenever you want to return home."

When speaking to Yan Zhoubai, Yan Anxuan’s tone softened, as if he were a different person. Even his gaze was filled with tender affection, showing no trace of the cold, stern Young Master Yan.

Zhan Jiayu thought with a cold laugh. *So he’s finally dropped the act—he clearly has ulterior motives toward Yan Zhoubai.*

As for that Bu Qiran over there, his thoughts were practically written all over his face. His expression turned as black as thunder watching Yan Zhoubai get into Zhan Jiayu’s car.

With both Yan brothers acting like this, how could Zhan Jiayu possibly allow Yan Zhoubai to stay with the Yan family? It was only because Yan Zhoubai was too naive to even consider such things.

The Maybach S680 sped away, leaving behind the villa on the Western Hills without a second glance—just as Yan Zhoubai had when he got into the passenger seat, showing no attachment to the place.

"Why did you just let Xiao Bai leave with Zhan Jiayu like that? You even suggested they leave first. Weren’t we supposed to keep Xiao Bai here?"

The moment they were gone, Bu Qiran was the first to challenge Yan Anxuan. If not for Yan Ren and Bai Rong’s presence, he might have grabbed Yan Anxuan by the collar.

After Yan Zhoubai left, the gentle expression on Yan Anxuan’s face vanished instantly.

He merely glanced at Bu Qiran blocking his path, then stepped around him and headed back to the living room.

"Tell me, under those circumstances, how exactly were you planning to keep him here?"

Yan Anxuan didn’t want to waste another look on Bu Qiran. He was already in a bad mood because Yan Zhoubai had left just like that.

But Bu Qiran was his younger brother, and whenever Yan Zhoubai was involved, he became hot-headed. He needed to be guided properly, or he might cause even bigger trouble in the future.

"I don’t know, but you’re the eldest brother, and Mom and Dad are here too. How could you let Zhan Jiayu take him away just like that?"

When Bu Qiran first returned, he had seemed steady and serious, but now he had completely lost that demeanor. Instead, he exuded a rough, unruly air, the kind picked up from long years mixing with all sorts of people.

"Alright, Qiran. Xiao Bai was determined to leave, and no one could have stopped him. Saying more would only add fuel to the fire. We all need to calm down."

Yan Ren placed a hand on Bu Qiran’s shoulder from behind and gave it a pat.

Bu Qiran finally deflated like a balloon and quieted down a bit.

……

The Maybach descended along the wide, winding mountain road of the Western Hills. Though the summer heat was intense, the lush trees on the hills provided a natural retreat from the scorching sun. As the car drove through the shaded paths, they felt no heat at all, and could even enjoy the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.

"So, what exactly happened? Why did you ask me to pick you up so soon after you got back? Tell me, hmm?"

Zhan Jiayu’s hand rested casually on the steering wheel, but his gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. There weren’t many cars on the mountain road, making it easier for the driver to focus.

"I just had an argument with them."

Yan Zhoubai kept his head slightly lowered, paying no attention to the beautiful scenery outside, and instead picked at his fingers absentmindedly.

"What was the argument about?"

Zhan Jiayu could see Yan Zhoubai fidgeting with his fingers out of the corner of his eye. That little habit alone told him Yan Zhoubai was holding back and was in a bad mood.

"They don’t approve of us being together. They said people would gossip about two men being in a relationship. They also said you’re much older than me, you’re the head of the Zhan family, while I’m just an insignificant Young Master Yan—and a fake one at that. They said our statuses are too different, and if you ever bully me, I wouldn’t even have a way to fight back."

Yan Zhoubai’s words came out in a rapid-fire rant. Back at the Yan family’s doorstep, when Yan Anxuan spoke to him, he hadn’t even opened his mouth. Now, he’d spoken a whole paragraph in one breath.

His tone was flat and monotone, like a monk chanting scriptures, droning on until Zhan Jiayu couldn’t help but laugh.

"You’re that upset, huh? Look at that pout—you could hitch a donkey to it."

Zhan Jiayu chuckled, reaching out with his long arm to poke Yan Zhoubai’s protruding lips.

"Of course I’m upset. When I left, I confidently told you they wouldn’t be so closed-minded, but it turned out like this. And I think what they said makes no sense at all."

Yan Zhoubai let Zhan Jiayu poke his lips, seeming resigned, as if he didn’t care what happened next.

"So that’s why you were in such a hurry to leave?"

Yan Zhoubai leaned back in his seat, his body slumped like a ragdoll. If not for the seatbelt, he probably would have slid right onto the floor.

Zhan Jiayu didn’t bother stopping him—it wasn’t like he’d actually slide down. Besides, the way he looked now reminded him of a liquid cat—utterly adorable. How could he bear to scold him?

"Oh? You even said something harsh? What was it?"

Zhan Jiayu had a rough idea about the argument, but he was still curious about the specifics.

*Yan Zhoubai saying something harsh—what kind of harsh words could he possibly come up with?*

"I said I won’t return to the Yan family anymore, and my affairs have nothing to do with them from now on."

Zhan Jiayu’s fingers, which had been resting casually on the steering wheel, suddenly tightened.

Yan Zhoubai wanted to cut ties with the Yan family—this was something Zhan Jiayu had always hoped for. He never expected Yan Zhoubai to bring it up himself, and at such an unexpected time.

*Was this an unexpected bonus?*

"I’m already an adult, but they still want to meddle in my love life. If I cut ties with the Yan family, they’ll have no say anymore."

Yan Zhoubai finally dropped his listless demeanor and sat up straight. He was getting worked up while talking about the Yan family's attempts to control him.

"So you actually argued with your family because of me, is that it?"

Zhan Jiayu's fingers, which had been gripping the steering wheel, relaxed again. His tone became noticeably lighter, and he was fighting a smile.

"Wait?" Yan Zhoubai was taken aback; he hadn't thought of it that way. "I suppose so."

He was just annoyed that the Yan family opposed his decision and even tried to lecture him about it. During the argument, he hadn't really been thinking about doing it for Zhan Jiayu.

Zhan Jiayu finally let his smile break through. The car's rearview mirror clearly reflected the smirk playing on his lips.

"So does that mean you'll have to live with me from now on?"

"Yeah. I've decided to leave the Yan family, and I don't have anywhere else to stay for now, so I can only live with you. If one day you kick me out, I'll find another place."

Yan Zhoubai turned to look at the scenery outside the car window.

"How could I not let you stay?"

He would love nothing more if Yan Zhoubai lived with him forever—how could he ever show him the door?

Of course, this idea had basically already come true. Since Yan Zhoubai had already moved into his home, there was no reason for him to leave.

"Actually, your parents were right about one thing—if I ever mess with you, you really wouldn't stand a chance."

Zhan Jiayu's voice suddenly grew deeper.

"Bully me? Would you bully me?"

Yan Zhoubai turned to look at Zhan Jiayu, his eyes full of disbelief.

"You'll see," Zhan Jiayu said meaningfully.

"Hmph," Yan Zhoubai snorted lightly. "I'm not some pushover. It's not like I'm broke and have to rely on you for everything. At worst, I'll just leave."

*Zhan Jiayu mused, the "bullying" I'm talking about has nothing to do with money. Even if you want to leave, you wouldn't get far.*

"By the way, I mainly argued with my dad. But later, it seemed like he regretted it. To try to get me to stay, he said our family was going to some hot spring resort this afternoon, claiming it had been booked in advance. I don't believe it—it was probably just a last-minute excuse."

The question of bullying still lingered in Zhan Jiayu's mind. His thoughts had long since drifted toward more risqué ideas, but Yan Zhoubai had clearly moved on from the previous topic and started venting about his dad.

"What hot spring resort?" Zhan Jiayu snapped back to attention.

"I think he said it's in Fengqing County. Aren't there a lot of natural hot springs there?"

"Want to go? If you do, we can head there instead right now."

*Hot springs, huh? Sounds nice.*

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Author's Note: Anyone want to see some hot spring scene? [Let me see]