The aroma of bone broth still lingered in the kitchen, spreading through the air. But now, it seemed another kind of presence had begun to grow; drifting, weaving into their very beings, entangling with their breaths, dancing along with their heartbeats.
“Mm, a bit sweet now.” Yu Zhi lightly pressed his lips together, licking them as he spoke gently. His expression remained completely natural, as if he had just taken an ordinary taste.
Yin Xu immediately snapped out of his flushed, racing-heart state. His face grew even redder, but this time from irritation.
Embarrassed and annoyed, he glared at the calm and composed man in front of him. “Go taste it yourself!” he snapped, then turned and walked into the living room.
Yu Zhi let out a soft laugh, scooped another spoonful of soup, and tasted it. It was rich and savory, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, but without that trace of sweetness from before.
Yu Zhi didn’t like sweets. Or rather, he didn’t particularly favor any type of food. Yet today, that fleeting taste had seemed exceptionally rich.
When the dishes were set on the table, the one who ate the most wasn’t the chef Yu Zhi, nor Yin Xu, who had already snuck into the kitchen while the food was being prepared, but Xiao Pang. The speed and manner in which he ate made it seem like he hadn’t had a proper meal in eight hundred years.
“Is your school starving you?” Yu Zhi glanced at him.
Xiao Pang replied righteously, “No! This is what you owe me, Dad! When I’m at home, you barely cook, but now that Brother Xu just came back, you’re suddenly cooking. If you’re going to play favorites, at least don’t make it this obvious!”
Yin Xu quietly sped up his eating.
Yu Zhi cast Xiao Pang a calm glance. “You want to compare yourself to him? Then go get into Q University.”
In truth, he didn’t care that much about grades. But since this cheap son of his was a bit too foolish, as a student, the only thing to use against him was academics.
Xiao Pang immediately slapped the table. “Dad, don’t underestimate me! I might not get in, but my desk mate can!”
Yu Zhi was speechless. “What does your desk mate have to do with you? Just because he can get into Q University, does that mean you helped him?”
He glanced at Xiao Pang. This kid hadn’t even thought to argue that he hadn’t started high school yet. His brain really was just for decoration.
Yin Xu, however, smiled and said, “Little Chubby is still young. If he works hard, it’s still possible. If you don’t have time, sir, I can help tutor him.”
Xiao Pang had just been about to protest the nickname—he was now a tall, handsome guy, thank you very much—but upon hearing this, he immediately forgot about that and reacted as if facing a great enemy.
“Brother Xu, you just got back and you’re already trying to harm me?! All these years of friendship were for nothing!”
Yin Xu thought to himself, What friendship do I have with you? Don’t make things up.
In the end, the matter was dropped after Xiao Pang firmly refused.
Back at school, Xiao Pang, still shaken, told his desk mate about the whole incident.
His desk mate had long since switched to rose-gold framed glasses, which made his skin look especially fair and delicate.
When Xiao Pang told him about the incident, he didn’t express any sympathy for the kid’s near-traumatic encounter. Instead, he asked casually, “The guy who almost became your stepdad? He’s back?”
Over the past few years, he’d heard Xiao Pang talk about him and, like everyone else, assumed the man was gone for good. He hadn’t expected him to return.
Sure enough, trusting a fool’s words had made him a fool too.
Xiao Pang spoke in awe, “I really admire him. To dare take on my dad, risk himself… all for the benefit of everyone.”
Though everyone was specifically him.
With Brother Xu around, some of the attention focused on him would inevitably be diverted.
“Did your dad accept it?” the desk mate asked.
“He says not yet, but I think it’s basically the same as being together. I don’t get why that old man’s so stiff about it,” Xiao Pang mumbled.
“And they—” the desk mate began.
“Hey, hey!” Xiao Pang snapped, furious that the other missed the point. “Did you even hear me? The point isn’t them! The point is I almost got tortured again!”
The desk mate gave a faint “oh,” then said, “But I’m planning to apply to B University. Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I would… uh…” Xiao Pang suddenly froze, scratched his head, and awkwardly laughed. “Ha… well… I think being at different schools isn’t bad either. We can still play games online. What do you think?”
B University, a school comparable to Q University, why must he endure such earthly suffering?
The desk mate glanced at him lightly. Xiao Pang felt a chill run down his spine; the other’s gaze seemed sharper than ever.
The weekend passed. Yu Zhi continued going to work, and Yin Xu insisted on accompanying him every day.
Within a few days, gossip started spreading. Seeing Yu Zhi busy, Yin Xu went to the pantry to make two cups of tea. On the way, the curious stares of everyone around nearly drowned him.
Amused, he entered the office, placed the cups on the desk, circled behind Yu Zhi, leaned against his broad back, and said to him, reviewing files, “Even if some employee have changed, everyone’s gossiping instinct remains the same. Sir, your reputation is about to be ruined by me again.”
Yu Zhi gave a soft “hm” and said warmly, “If you don’t like it, I’ll clarify for them. You’re my nephew; you’ll be coming to work at Yu Group in the future.”
Yin Xu: “…”
He leaned close to Yu Zhi’s ear and muttered, half-exasperated, “Are you doing this on purpose?”
Yu Zhi raised an eyebrow. “On purpose for what?”
On purpose to misinterpret, on purpose to act oblivious.
Yin Xu realized this crafty old man was thoroughly wicked.
He started to head toward the sofa, but Yu Zhi grabbed his wrist before he could move.
“Wait, don’t go.”
Yin Xu’s excitement hadn’t fully risen yet when he saw Yu Zhi push a file in front of him.
Yu Zhi: “Take a look. How do you think this project should be handled?”
Yin Xu was about to glance at it, but suddenly hesitated. “Why me?”
Yu Zhi looked up at him. “Weren’t you the one suggesting I retire early?”
Yin Xu froze. “You want me to take over?”
Yu Zhi smiled. “Is that a problem?”
It was something he had thought about long ago. If Xiao Pang really couldn’t handle it, giving the responsibility to Yin Xu would work just as well. After all, the original goal was only to cultivate an outstanding successor—not necessarily his son, and not necessarily a member of the Yu family.
Although Yin Xu didn’t major in finance, success in business relied more on talent and temperament than on academic knowledge. What was taught in school could never match hands-on experience in the marketplace. If Yin Xu was willing, Yu Zhi could personally guide him until he was ready to take on the responsibility.
Yin Xu shook his head with a smile. “Yu Zhi, do you even realize what it means to be in charge of the Yu Corporation? Handing such a massive enterprise to just anyone… if people heard this, they’d probably go crazy with excitement.”
Yu Zhi pulled him closer. “Let me see.”
Yin Xu blinked, puzzled. “See what?”
Yu Zhi: “See when you lose your mind.”
Yin Xu: “……”
Yu Zhi couldn’t hold back a laugh, but quickly composed himself, knowing if he teased too much, Yin Xu might actually get angry.
He spoke seriously, though the warmth at the corners of his eyes remained undiminished.
“This isn’t a whim, nor is it impulsive. I’ve thought about it for a long time. You should trust me—I wouldn’t gamble with the livelihoods of millions.”
Yin Xu thought for a moment. “Have you considered how Xiao Pang will feel?”
After all, he was Yu Zhi’s only son. If he found out his father handed the family business to someone else without including him, could he possibly stay calm? Yin Xu didn’t want household discord over material matters.
Yu Zhi showed a hint of disdain. “He? He’ll probably celebrate wildly.”
Yin Xu: “……?”
Yu Zhi glanced at him and then, resignedly, recounted all the times Xiao Pang had been lazy or foolish.
“Wait, don’t go.”
Yin Xu’s excitement hadn’t fully risen yet when he saw Yu Zhi push a file in front of him.
Yu Zhi: “Take a look. How do you think this project should be handled?”
Yin Xu was about to glance at it, but suddenly hesitated. “Why me?”
Yu Zhi looked up at him. “Weren’t you the one suggesting I retire early?”
Yin Xu froze. “You want me to take over?”
Yu Zhi smiled. “Is that a problem?”
It was something he had thought about long ago. If Xiao Pang really couldn’t handle it, giving the responsibility to Yin Xu would work just as well. After all, the original owner’s requirement was only to cultivate an outstanding successor, not necessarily his son, and not necessarily a member of the Yu family.
Although Yin Xu didn’t major in finance, success in business relied more on talent and temperament than on academic knowledge. What was taught in school could never match hands-on experience in the marketplace. If Yin Xu was willing, Yu Zhi could personally guide him until he was ready to take on the responsibility.
Yin Xu shook his head with a smile. “Mr. Yu, do you even realize what it means to be in charge of the Yu Group? Handing such a massive enterprise to just anyone… if people heard this, they’d probably go crazy with excitement.”
Yu Zhi pulled him closer. “Let me see.”
Yin Xu blinked, puzzled. “See what?”
Yu Zhi: “See when you lose your mind.”
Yin Xu: “……”
Yu Zhi couldn’t hold back a laugh, but quickly composed himself, knowing if he teased too much, Yin Xu might actually get angry.
He spoke seriously, though the warmth at the corners of his eyes remained undiminished.
“This isn’t a whim, nor is it impulsive. I’ve thought about it for a long time. You should trust me. I wouldn’t gamble with the livelihoods of millions.”
Yin Xu thought for a moment. “Have you considered how Xiao Pang will feel?”
After all, he was Yu Zhi’s only son. If he found out his father handed the family business to someone else without including him, could he possibly stay calm? Yin Xu didn’t want household discord over material matters.
Yu Zhi showed a hint of disdain. “Him? He’ll probably celebrate wildly.”
Yin Xu: “……?”
Yu Zhi glanced at him and then, resignedly, recounted all the times Xiao Pang had been lazy or foolish.
Yin Xu: “……”
He still refused. “I’m sorry, sir. Even though I want to make you happy, I really don’t have any interest in this.”
Yu Zhi had anticipated this possibility, so he wasn’t surprised. He paused, then looked at Yin Xu suddenly. “Even if it’s for me… you still wouldn’t?”
Yin Xu didn’t look away. Meeting his gaze, he draped his arm over Yu Zhi’s shoulder and spoke slowly, deliberately: “That depends… on what capacity you’re saying this to me.”
“Are you the uncle who’s helped me, or… my boyfriend?”
He smiled. “If it’s the latter, then I might be able to accept it, reluctantly.”
Yu Zhi gently removed his arm from his shoulder, his expression unreadable. “Fine. Since you don’t like it, I won’t force you. Like you said, there are plenty of people willing to take it. You just go and enjoy your design work.”
There wasn’t a single pleading or coaxing word in his tone. Yin Xu was momentarily stunned. When he came to, he stepped closer. “You really won’t try to persuade me? Actually… I’m not that opposed to it.”
Yu Zhi looked at him with affectionate eyes. “There’s no need to force yourself.”
Yin Xu: “……”
Watching Yin Xu’s flustered, exasperated reflection in the glass, Yu Zhi felt a surge of amusement. He thought he might be getting a little mischievous. He enjoyed making this guy a little angry from time to time and was secretly pleased about it.
Still, teasing had its limits; this one probably wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.
That afternoon, Yin Xu went home early and volunteered to cook.
When Yu Zhi returned, he saw several steaming dishes arranged on the table.
Even before he got close, the aroma made him pause.
He looked at the dishes, then met Yin Xu’s mischievous gaze. “Sir, sit down, it’ll be ready in a moment.”
Yu Zhi sat, eyeing the various sauces on the table. He noted that Yin Xu’s daring seemed to be growing.
He had said before that he had no favorite foods, but he did have textures he disliked.
Sticky, gooey sauces were his least favorite.
And Yin Xu had made an entire spread of them.
But Yu Zhi didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Calmly, he ate the saucy rice and even complimented, “The taste is quite good.”
Yin Xu froze. He glanced at Yu Zhi, this man really wasn’t giving him an inch.
“Sir, I said I like you, but if you keep bullying me like this, one day, I might not like you anymore,” he said, tone lightly threatening.
Yu Zhi smiled. “I’m praising you.”
“I don’t need praise,” Yin Xu muttered. All he wanted was to be coaxed.
“Alright, fine. My mistake,” Yu Zhi conceded.
Only then did Yin Xu contentedly start clearing the dishes.
He paused as he loaded the dishwasher, suddenly realizing: Yu Zhi hadn’t done anything concrete, just a verbal apology, and he obediently complied.
Was this… a loss on his part?
In their interactions, someone always had to lose out, but it seemed like it was always him.
And… that man still hadn’t said yes to him.
Thinking this over, Yin Xu couldn’t resist going to the study. He pushed the door open, but the room was empty.
He looked around and finally spotted the man’s silhouette on the balcony.
He was standing by the railing, talking on the phone.
Not far away, Yin Xu could faintly hear Yu Zhi’s voice.
“…Next time you come to the office, help me draft a will… Mm, he doesn’t want it…”
Once the call ended, Yu Zhi turned to go back inside, but suddenly their eyes met.
“Why are you out here? It’s windy, aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”
He reached for Yin Xu to pull him along, but Yin Xu stopped him.
“Sir.”
“Hm?” Yu Zhi looked at him.
Yin Xu held his hand, trying to fit his own into Yu Zhi’s palm. He smiled faintly. “I just like you. I don’t need you to give me anything.” Especially not after you’re gone.
He didn’t even dare imagine whether, when that day came, he would…
Understanding his unspoken meaning, Yu Zhi’s gaze softened, and he held Yin Xu’s slightly cold hand.
“Yin Xu.”
Yin Xu looked up at him, eyes unwavering.
Yu Zhi’s voice was gentle. “No matter what, take good care of yourself.”
Yin Xu shook his head. “I don’t need…”
Yu Zhi smiled slightly and caught the person who was about to pull away. “Since you like me, then even when the world forgets me, I want you to remember me.”
His eyes and expression remained as gentle as ever. Even facing life and death, his demeanor did not waver.
“Can you…”
Yin Xu lowered his head, lips trembling, unable to speak.
“My boyfriend,” Yu Zhi added with a smile.
Yin Xu froze for a moment, then suddenly lifted his head.
====================
