To make a pillow for Huo Rulan—and since it was summer and hot outside—Huo Rulan didn’t let Ye Xi run around. So Ye Xi hadn’t gone out at all that week.
Actually, it didn’t take that long to make a pillow. But Ye Xi had his own little plan: he wanted to make matching pillows for the whole family of four. So he slowed down when working on the big ones.
When he finished the pillow, Huo Rulan was on the balcony with his back turned, on the phone with Huo Chengsong. Ye Xi climbed down from the sofa barefoot, hugging the pillow as he tried to run over and show it off.
But he’d only taken a few steps when Huo Rulan, as if he had eyes on his back, said, “Put on your shoes.”
Ye Xi obediently scampered back to put on his slippers, then ran over hugging the pillow.
On the phone, Huo Chengsong heard the commotion and said, “It’s been hot lately. Take good care of Xiao Xi.”
“I know, Dad.” Huo Rulan looked at Ye Xi coming toward him with the pillow, a smile tugging at his lips. He opened his arms and pulled him into a hug.
Knowing he was on the phone, Ye Xi stayed quiet, but held up the pillow with bright eyes, waiting for praise.
Huo Rulan smiled, lowered his head, and kissed his cheek, mouthing the words “It’s beautiful.” He exchanged a few more words with Huo Chengsong, then hung up.
Putting away his phone, he wrapped his arms around Ye Xi’s waist. “The pillow is beautiful. I love it. Thank you, baby. You worked hard.”
He kissed the corner of Ye Xi’s lips. Before Ye Xi could even fully bask in the praise, Huo Rulan added, “Also, Ye Don’t Listen, this is the fifth time I’ve caught you walking barefoot on the floor.”
And just like that, after “Ye the Little Tease,” Ye Xi gained another nickname: “Ye Don’t Listen.”
It all started recently with the rising temperatures. Being pregnant made him more sensitive to heat, and Ye Xi especially liked the cool feel of the floor. Huo Rulan wouldn’t let him turn on the AC, so Ye Xi liked walking barefoot on the chilly floor. Even after getting caught several times, he still did it, which eventually made Huo Rulan blurt out: “Ye Don’t Listen!”
Ye Xi, of course, was very dissatisfied with the nickname. Right now, for example, he crossed his arms and stared at Huo Rulan. “It’s too hot, and you won’t let me use the AC.”
Huo Rulan sighed. “It’s just early summer. It’s not that hot yet. And if you use the AC during spring-summer transition, you’ll catch a cold and end up getting another injection in your butt, remember?”
“And I got you a cooling blanket, but you won’t use it. You just want to drink cold drinks.”
“I suggested laying down rugs elsewhere, but you won’t agree. You just want to press your feet on the cold hard floor.”
“The floor is cold, yeah, with chills seeping through it. The moment I take my eyes off you, you’re back at it again. Ye Don’t Listen, are you trying to make me faint from anger?”
“You’re even laughing now! I’m about to blow a fuse!” Huo Rulan rubbed his aching temples and gave Ye Xi a couple of light smacks on the butt, then carried him back to the living room.
Ye Xi sheepishly rubbed his back as if to calm him down. “Wow, am I really that unreasonable?”
Huo Rulan glanced at him and turned his head again, continuing his rant. “More than that! In just a few days, you wouldn’t drink warm milk, wouldn’t eat hot soup, wouldn’t touch warm meals, and you won’t let me cuddle you at night either.”
The more he spoke, the more guilty Ye Xi felt. He tugged on Huo Rulan’s sleeve. “I’ll drink soup and milk, and eat properly. Don’t be mad, okay?”
Huo Rulan turned and stared at him. “What about sleeping at night?”
Ye Xi refused to promise anything. He looked up at the sky, at the walls, anywhere but at Huo Rulan.
Huo Rulan: “…”
Great. He made him mad again.
Ye Xi peeked over the back of the sofa at Huo Rulan, who was now in the kitchen warming up milk.
He sat back down and gently rubbed his now-rounder belly, mumbling softly, “You guys think it’s hot too, right?”
His belly pushed out two little lumps in response. Ye Xi nodded seriously. “Me too.”
Frowning at his belly, he whispered, “But Daddy’s mad. What should I do?”
“Give him a kiss and he’ll be fine.”
Ye Xi turned his head in surprise to see Huo Rulan walking over with the milk and sitting beside him on the couch.
Huo Rulan held the milk in his hands, not setting it down, clearly waiting.
Ye Xi leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek, then watched for his reaction.
Sure enough, Huo Rulan passed him the milk and stood to go wash fruit.
Ye Xi sipped the milk, eyes dropping with a smile.
Childish Huo Rulan.
During their afternoon nap, Huo Rulan lay down beside Ye Xi for a while. They chatted about the phone call with Huo Chengsong. Lying on his side, Huo Rulan propped his head up, the other hand gently resting on Ye Xi’s belly.
“There’s a banquet next week, and it happens to be my parents’ wedding anniversary. They’re going on vacation, so I’ll be attending in their place. I also have to return to the office before they come back.”
His fingers slid upward to Ye Xi’s cheek, lightly brushing it. “Will you come with me?”
Ye Xi, drifting into sleep, blinked himself awake. “I don’t want to. I’ll wait at home.”
Huo Rulan paused, then gently patted his back to lull him to sleep, softly replying, “Okay.”
On the afternoon of the banquet, Huo Rulan had just finished styling himself and was standing in front of the full-length mirror adjusting his clothes.
Ye Xi lay on the bed drinking milk but couldn’t take his eyes off him.
Ever since Huo Rulan had taken time off to stay home with him, Ye Xi hadn’t seen him in formal wear. Whenever they went out or to doctor visits, Huo Rulan wore casual clothes—or pajamas at home.
Now, seeing Huo Rulan suddenly dressed in an expensive black shirt, adjusting his cuffs in the mirror with his head lowered—Ye Xi’s heart skipped a beat.
Tall and elegant like jade, he carried himself with a calm, refined grace. His sharp features and long lashes made even his downward gaze captivating.
A high nose bridge, rosy lips, and a perfectly sculpted jawline—all combining into a noble, stunning profile.
The tailored black shirt contrasted with his cool, fair skin. A luxury watch gleamed at his wrist.
So elegant. So refined. A prince from a prestigious family…
The more Ye Xi stared, the more dazed he became—until a smile crept across his lips.
He’s mine.
Huo Rulan had been watching Ye Xi through the mirror the whole time. Seeing how Ye Xi was becoming more and more entranced by his back view, he lowered his head with a small laugh. If I’d known, I would’ve worn black shirts every day.
After adjusting his clothes, Huo Rulan turned around and walked to Ye Xi’s side, taking the empty milk glass from his hands to wash and set aside. He lifted Ye Xi’s face and kissed him, saying softly, “I’ll come back early and bring you some cake. Be good and play at home. If anything happens, call me right away. Don’t be afraid to trouble me, okay?”
“Make sure the door is locked when you’re home. I’ve arranged for bodyguards to be nearby. I still feel uneasy with you alone in the house.”
Ye Xi held his hand and pressed his cheek against it, nodding obediently. Seeing that, Huo Rulan’s heart softened. He hugged and kissed him a few more times until he was running out of time and had to let go.
He went downstairs, brought up some fruit and placed it on the nightstand, poured a glass of warm water, and adjusted Ye Xi’s tablet to his favorite variety show.
After carefully making all the arrangements, Huo Rulan finally left for the banquet.
Ye Xi stood at the window and watched him get in the car and leave, eyes filled with reluctance.
***
As soon as Huo Rulan entered the banquet, he became the center of attention. Guests raised their glasses one after another to greet him.
“President Huo, long time no see.”
“President Huo, I have a project I’d like to discuss with you…”
“President Huo…”
Huo Rulan also took a glass of red wine from a waiter and politely engaged with everyone, answering with a gentle smile and composed demeanor.
With all the mingling, there was one thing no one dared ask: why he’d been so absent from social events lately.
Of course, no one here was stupid. Huo Rulan had often been seen out in casual clothes dining or traveling with his partner—anyone with eyes could tell he was spending time with his spouse.
No one dared ask, but Mu Chengyang did.
He slung an arm around Huo Rulan’s shoulder and said through gritted teeth, “What’s up, President Huo? Didn’t bring your dear spouse to the banquet today? So heartless, after he made you a pillow!”
Ever since Huo Rulan kept spamming photos of the pillow Ye Xi handmade for him, Mu Chengyang had gotten jealous and asked Gu Qing to make him one too—only to be kicked to the sofa for a week. Since then, he’d been holding a grudge.
“He didn’t want to come. He’s home watching variety shows,” Huo Rulan said as he shook off Mu Chengyang’s hand. “You reek of perfume. Don’t get too close, hard to explain when I go home.”
He glanced at Mu Chengyang’s shoulder and snorted. “Is that a lipstick mark? Aren’t you afraid Gu Qing will tear you apart?”
Mu Chengyang jumped in panic and tugged at his collar. “I swear I’m innocent! When did that get there?!”
He grabbed Huo Rulan’s clothes and clung to him. “You have to come home with me after the banquet and be my witness! I didn’t do anything wrong!”
Huo Rulan, worn out from his nagging, finally said, “Okay, okay, I’ll go.”
Still uneasy, Mu Chengyang dragged Huo Rulan upstairs to change clothes with him. With that lipstick mark, who knew what misunderstandings could arise, Gu Qing might take the baby and return to his parents’ house!
While Mu Chengyang was rummaging through clothes in the dressing room, Huo Rulan sat on the sofa texting Ye Xi, asking what kind of cake he wanted.
【Ye Don’t Listen: I’m fine with anything, but if it’s ice cream cake, that would be even better~】
【Ye Don’t Listen: resting-my-chin-cutely.JPG】
Huo Rulan chuckled and replied:
【Huo Not Angry: It’s still chilly now. No ice cream cake. Pick something else.】
【Ye Don’t Listen: collapsing-crying.JPG】
Looking at the memes Ye Xi sent, Huo Rulan added each one to his saved stickers. He was typing out another message when—
Click.
The lounge door was pushed open and locked behind.
Seeing who entered, Huo Rulan’s expression immediately turned cold.
The person ignored his cold expression and walked straight toward him. A thin white shirt clung to a slender waist, revealing faint outlines underneath. Paired with delicate, pitiful features, the boy looked like a pure, innocent white flower.
Anyone else might have been moved by the sight—but not Huo Rulan.
He stood and looked at the young man coldly, his tone sharp and deliberate: “Because I helped you financially as a child, I didn’t pursue the amusement park stalking incident. But don’t mistake that for leniency, Cheng Yun.”
Cheng Yun blinked at him and bit his lip, mimicking Ye Xi’s expression. His voice was soft as he said:
“Rulan-Ge… he’s pregnant now, and… it’s inconvenient for him. You can use me as a stand-in. I won’t tell anyone. As long as I can stay by your side, I’ll be satisfied.”
He inched closer as he spoke.
Huo Rulan didn’t move, merely watching him approach. Cheng Yun thought he was wavering and grew secretly excited. He reached out to wrap his arms around Huo Rulan’s neck and tried to lean into his embrace.
But just as he got close, Huo Rulan suddenly grabbed both of Cheng Yun’s wrists and twisted them harshly. The unexpected force made Cheng Yun’s face contort in pain. Whatever he was holding was yanked from his hand.
Huo Rulan shoved him away.
Cheng Yun fell to the ground, pale-faced, but quickly scrambled up and lunged forward, trying to snatch the object back from Huo Rulan’s hand.
Huo Rulan blocked him with one hand while closely examining the item.
It looked like a chip.
A tiny, transparent one, something nearly impossible to notice without careful inspection.
Last chapters I translate it as Cheng Yu, but I’ll change it to Cheng Yun
程 (Chéng) 蕴 (Yùn). Correct me if I’m wrong, thanks.
Obrigada pela tradução 😘❣️