“Si Ye, you’ve lost your mind!”
The moment Madam Tao heard Si Ye’s response, she completely lost her composure. The calm façade she had been maintaining finally cracked.
“You’re a monster! After all these years, I thought you had changed! Why are you doing this to me? Is this your way of getting revenge on me?”
Si Ye let her scream and insult him, remaining utterly indifferent. The calmer he was, the more furious she became. She gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with rage.
“Why was it your brother who died and not you?!”
“Si Ye, you need to understand—Si family rightfully belongs to your brother. Once that child is found, you’re supposed to return everything to him. Until then, Yichen, as your brother’s adopted son, is the rightful heir.”
“You cannot split the Si family’s assets with an outsider!”
Si Ye’s deep, dark eyes gazed at her calmly. “I just want to get married. There’s no need for such an overreaction.”
Madam Tao sneered. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. You’re only marrying Chen Xu to get your father’s inheritance.”
“I won’t allow it. Your father’s will clearly states that you can only receive that inheritance if I approve of your marriage. And I will never approve of it.”
Back when Si Ye was a teenager, his parents had found books about same-sex relationships on his bookshelf. Furious, they had confronted him. Having spent years abroad, Si Ye had grown up with a more open-minded perspective and, under proper guidance, saw nothing wrong with it. So, he admitted it directly.
But he hadn’t expected his parents to react the way they did.
They couldn’t accept it. They saw him as a freak, a disgrace, a monster. They even wanted to send him to a hospital for “treatment.”
Even before this revelation, they had always favored his brother, seeing Si Ye as the lesser of the two. But after finding out about his sexuality, their disdain for him only deepened. Insults, emotional neglect, and verbal abuse became routine. If it hadn’t been for his elder brother, Si Jinwen, stepping in to stop them, Si Ye might have been forced into conversion therapy.
Then Si Jinwen and his wife had died in an accident. And ever since then, the most frequent thing his parents said to him was:
“Why did he die instead of you?”
Si Ye had once thought that time would allow him to reconcile with his parents. But when his father passed away and his will was read, he finally understood—his father had never accepted him, not even in death.
“You will agree,” Si Ye said calmly as he placed a sealed envelope on the table.
Madam Tao frowned. His confidence made her uneasy.
But when she opened the envelope and saw the photographs inside, her expression instantly changed.
“You followed me?!”
She was both humiliated and furious. She wished she could rip Si Ye apart on the spot.
Si Ye tapped his long fingers lightly on the table. “If you had nothing to hide, you wouldn’t have to worry. If you had the nerve to do it, you should’ve been prepared to be caught.”
Madam Tao trembled with rage. “Si Ye, I’m your mother. Treating me like this—aren’t you afraid of divine punishment?”
Si Ye chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. “Oh? If that’s the case, perhaps you should be more concerned about whether my father will come back to haunt you tonight.”
He stood up and dusted off his suit. “He probably never imagined that at sixty-three, you’d still be fooling around with your niece’s husband.”
“You—! Si Ye! You’ll die a horrible death!” Madam Tao was shaking with fury, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She pointed at him, her voice shrill with rage.
Si Ye remained indifferent. His gaze was cold. “That’s not for you to worry about. I’ll have Lawyer Qin visit tomorrow.”
Lawyer Qin had been his father’s trusted attorney, handling his estate and will. He had always been close to the Si family.
Madam Tao wanted to refuse, to scream that she would never allow this marriage, never let Si Ye divide the family’s fortune. She was still waiting—waiting to find that lost child. Even Si Yichen was just a pawn in her eyes.
But the photos Si Ye had on her were fatal. If this scandal got out, she would be forced to give up all her shares.
She had no choice but to agree, planning to find another way to stop him later.
Chen Xu… Yes!
If she could control Chen Xu, she wouldn’t need to stop the marriage at all. Si Ye had foolishly exposed his biggest weakness to her—why wouldn’t she take advantage of it?
But just as that thought crossed her mind, Si Ye’s icy voice cut through the air:
“Oh, and one more thing—my little one doesn’t handle threats well. You’d best stay away from him. Unless you’re absolutely sure you won’t get caught, I advise you not to overreach. When it comes to him, I have zero tolerance.”
Madam Tao’s long nails dug into her palm, breaking the skin. Blood dripped onto the floor.
If I was truly infallible, I wouldn’t have been caught cheating.
How did things end up like this?
She had always thought Si Ye was just another pawn in her hands. When had this pawn developed a mind of its own—and even turned against her?
—
The next morning, Madam Tao met with Lawyer Qin, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Are you absolutely certain you approve of Si Ye’s marriage to Chen Xu?” Lawyer Qin asked again, just to confirm.
As Si Yaoqian’s lawyer, he knew that Si Ye’s father had never accepted his son’s sexuality. Even if Si Ye couldn’t have children, he had wanted him to marry a woman.
Madam Tao clenched her fists under the table, her expression unreadable. “Yes. I agree.”
Since even Madam Tao had agreed, Lawyer Qin had no reason to object.
“Very well, Mr. Si. Your father’s final inheritance will be transferred to you once your marriage is confirmed.”
Si Ye nodded. “Understood.”
After Lawyer Qin left, Madam Tao’s face twisted in hatred. “Are you satisfied now?”
Si Ye, in an uncharacteristically good mood, smiled. “Very.”
She shot him a look of pure disgust. “Monster.”
Si Ye watched her leave, completely unmoved.
Everything was finally in place.
Now, all that was left was Chen Xu.
—
But at that moment, Chen Xu was being cornered by Chen Yuqi.
“I called you, but you didn’t answer !”
Previously, Chen Yuqi had blocked and deleted Chen Xu. But after hearing that he had topped the provincial exam and that Si Ye had thrown him a grand celebration—on top of stepping all over Si Yichen—she realized Chen Xu had somehow turned the tables.
Since the banquet, people who couldn’t reach Chen Xu started coming to her instead. At fifteen, Chen Yuqi was vain and loved attention. The same rich kids who used to ignore her were now all fawning over her. She had bragged that she could introduce them to Chen Xu.
But when she tried to reach him, she realized she had deleted his number. And when she called, he didn’t pick up. Furious, she had cursed him behind his back.
Still, when her classmates pressured her, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and seek him out herself.
“My phone was stolen,” Chen Xu lied without hesitation.
Chen Yuqi’s expression softened a bit. “Then give me your new number.”
“Haven’t bought a new phone yet,” he said flatly.
“You’re lying to me, aren’t you?!”
Chen Xu’s gaze turned cold. “Mind your manners.(You’re disrespectful.)”
His sharp eyes made Chen Yuqi hesitate. But since she needed his help, she softened her tone.
“Second Brother, you did so well on the exams. Let me take you out to celebrate. I already booked a table at Biqin Garden.”
Chen Xu gave her a sidelong glance. This was totally like a weasel paying a New Year’s greeting to a chicken. She had no good intentions.
“Just say what you want.”
Chen Yuqi giggled and tugged on his sleeve. “Come on, let’s just go. I already booked a table!”
Chen Xu had nothing else to do anyway, so he agreed.
“Yay! Second Brother, you’re the best!” Chen Yuqi happily bounced in place.
Seeing how excited she was, Chen Xu became even more convinced that she had ulterior motives.
“Second Brother, why didn’t they arrange a driver for you? Isn’t Uncle Si spoiling you the most these days?” Chen Yuqi glanced around as they left the house. None of the servants made any move, which surprised her. She had heard that Si Ye had gifted Chen Xu a pair of earrings worth over six million yuan and even hosted a grand banquet for him to introduce him to business moguls. But from the looks of it, things didn’t seem that way.
The Si family’s servants had long been accustomed to Chen Xu riding his bike whenever he went out. Unless he was with Si Ye, he never used a car, so they naturally wouldn’t ask every day. They also didn’t want to annoy Chen Xu.
“Who told you that?” Chen Xu frowned. He knew Chen Yuqi wasn’t up to anything good.
“Uh… everyone says so.” Chen Yuqi suddenly felt guilty under his gaze.
“Don’t listen to nonsense,” Chen Xu said coldly.
Chen Yuqi couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Chen Xu had changed this time. He wasn’t as easy to fool as before and seemed much colder toward her. More importantly, there was an unexplainable aura around him that made her uneasy, making it impossible for her to throw tantrums like she used to.
“Oh… okay.” Chen Yuqi nodded absentmindedly, suddenly worried about what would happen if Chen Xu found out he’d been tricked.
She wasn’t sure what to expect, but after a moment’s thought, she reassured herself—she was Chen Xu’s sister. He wouldn’t do anything to her, right?
When they got out of the taxi, they walked toward Biqin Garden together. Chen Yuqi hurried ahead to tell the waiter the name of the private room she had booked, while Chen Xu followed behind, frowning.
As soon as the door to the private room swung open, revealing a room packed with people, Chen Xu’s face completely darkened.
“Ahhh! It’s really Chen Xu! Yuqi, you’re amazing! You actually managed to bring him here!”
“Oh my god, he’s so handsome in person! I’m so jealous of you, Yuqi! You have such a good-looking brother!”
Compliments poured in from all directions, inflating Chen Yuqi’s vanity. Worried that Chen Xu might turn around and leave, she quickly grabbed his arm and leaned against him. “Of course! My second brother and I have the best relationship. He spoils me so much—he gives me anything I want! You believe me now, right?”
“Yes, yes, we believe you! Yuqi, I want a picture with your brother! Help me take one!”
A girl with heavy makeup suddenly squeezed forward, shoving her phone into Chen Yuqi’s hands before happily grabbing Chen Xu’s arm and leaning against him.
The overwhelming scent of her perfume and the unfamiliar softness pressing against him made Chen Xu extremely uncomfortable. His frown deepened, and without hesitation, he shoved the girl away and turned to leave without a word.
His sudden action caused the once lively private room to fall into a dead silence. The people who had been lining up for a photo instantly froze in place, completely confused.
Especially the girl who had been pushed away—her face turned bright red. She had deliberately leaned in close, thinking that even if Chen Xu didn’t respond, he wouldn’t outright reject her. But not only had he ignored her, he had even pushed her away so forcefully, making her lose face in front of everyone.
Chen Xu’s sudden departure left everyone in the room exchanging awkward glances.
They all knew that Chen Xu was currently favored by Si Ye, so they didn’t dare to provoke him. But Chen Yuqi was different—since Chen Xu had turned around and left without hesitation, it was clear that he didn’t care about her at all. Their relationship wasn’t nearly as close as Chen Yuqi had made it out to be.
“Chen Yuqi, you’re such a liar! You said you were close, but Chen Xu was probably tricked into coming here, wasn’t he?”
“Liar! If not for you, I wouldn’t have been so humiliated!”
“Chen Xu clearly didn’t want anything to do with you, and yet you dragged us into this embarrassment. Chen Yuqi, you’re so shameless!”
The Chen family had always been from a modest background. If they hadn’t wanted to climb higher, they wouldn’t have sent Chen Xu to the Si family in the first place. At school, Chen Yuqi had little presence; the true rich heirs and heiresses never included her in their circles. It was only because of Chen Xu that she had been momentarily admired by those who normally looked down on her. Naturally, she wasn’t willing to let that attention slip away.
She had assumed that Chen Xu would indulge her, never expecting that he would turn his back on her so mercilessly. Now, instead of gaining social capital, she had made things worse—her position in school had become even more difficult.
When she returned home, she cried and cursed Chen Xu, refusing to go back to school. She knew that if she showed up, people would only point fingers and call her a liar.
Her parents, seeing their daughter so aggrieved, furiously tried to call Chen Xu. But to their surprise, his phone was unreachable. They thought about confronting him in person, but then they remembered Si Ye’s warning from last time. In the end, they could only grit their teeth and comfort Chen Yuqi, telling her to endure it. Sooner or later, people would forget about this incident.
Watching his parents and sister being mistreated yet forced to swallow their anger, Chen Hao’s eyes burned with fury. He was determined to make Chen Xu pay!
Chen Xu had never believed that Chen Yuqi’s sudden affection was genuine. When he arrived at the scene, he immediately confirmed his suspicions—it was right not to have any expectations for her.
In his past life, he had been disappointed by his so-called sister again and again. Now that he had been given another chance, he refused to compromise or cater to anyone ever again.
Unlike Chen Hao, who directly resorted to violence, Chen Yuqi played little mind games that she thought were clever. But Chen Xu had seen through them long ago. He had pretended not to notice and indulged her only because she was his sister. However, Chen Yuqi never failed to disappoint him, gradually wearing down any feelings he had left for her.
Chen Xu blocked all of his family’s contacts. Since they neither liked nor cared about him, he saw no reason to maintain any connection with them.
—
After isolating himself in his room for several days, Si Yichen saw a photo on his social media feed.
The picture was of Chen Xu, with a caption that read:
“Handsome and intelligent. My parents have said it multiple times—if they had a son like this, they’d wake up laughing from their dreams. So jealous~”
Si Yichen was so furious that he smashed his phone.
These opportunistic people who once fawned over him had turned around and started flattering Chen Xu instead.
He couldn’t sit idly by any longer.
If he continued to do nothing, he would only let his enemies laugh while his allies suffered.
He had to do something.
And there was only one person who could help him—Madam Tao.
Stumbling to his feet, Si Yichen went to the bathroom, took a shower, cleaned himself up, and changed into neat clothes before heading toward Villa No. 5.
He knew very well that in this household, only Madam Tao was truly on his side.
—
“Grandmother…”
As soon as Si Yichen stepped into the villa, Madam Tao massaged her temples, looking as though she had a headache.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Si Yichen quickly approached, concern evident in his tone.
Madam Tao wasn’t physically unwell—it was her mind that was troubled. The moment she saw Si Yichen, she already knew why he had come.
“Getting old… It’s inevitable to feel exhausted. Sit down.”
She refused Si Yichen’s support, choosing to sit down on her own.
Her words and distant demeanor made Si Yichen uneasy. He forced a smile and sat beside her.
“Grandmother, you’re still young. You don’t look old at all.”
Madam Tao chuckled. “No need for flattery. Your admission notice should be arriving soon. Which university did you choose?”
“A University, majoring in Economics. It was Grandfather’s alma mater,” Si Yichen explained with a smile.
Madam Tao nodded in understanding. “With your grades, you should have gone to the capital. What a pity.”
“It’s not a pity at all. A University is close to home, so I can spend more time with you and Father.”
Before Chen Xu had become a threat, Si Yichen never wanted to leave for university.
Now that Chen Xu was a formidable opponent, there was even less reason for him to go elsewhere.
Chen Xu had scored so high—he was surely heading to either T University or the Imperial University.
Once Chen Xu was gone, Si Yichen would be the only one by his father’s side. By then, wouldn’t everything belong to him?
“You’re thoughtful,” Madam Tao said, patting his hand.
Seeing that she hadn’t mentioned Chen Xu at all, Si Yichen cautiously probed, “Grandmother… Has Father mentioned Chen Xu to you?”
At the mention of Chen Xu, a flicker of emotion crossed Madam Tao’s eyes. She feigned calmness and said, “What belongs to you will always belong to you. Don’t worry unnecessarily.”
Her words reassured Si Yichen somewhat, but his father’s attitude toward Chen Xu still made him deeply uneasy.
He couldn’t help but ask, “What if… Chen Xu tries to take it from me?”
Madam Tao frowned and gave him a warning look. “Just focus on your own responsibilities. Don’t provoke Chen Xu.”
Si Yichen had expected her to stand firmly by his side, to plot with him against Chen Xu.
But she did neither.
She even told him not to provoke Chen Xu?
Why?
Had his father said something to her?
Si Yichen’s mind was in chaos. The more he thought about it, the more confused and angry he became. He hated Chen Xu so much that he wanted to tear him apart.
As long as Chen Xu existed, how could he be sure that his father wouldn’t replace him?
People were already beginning to praise Chen Xu.
Those who once surrounded him were now abandoning him to curry favor with Chen Xu.
Chen Xu had stolen what was rightfully his!
Why should he tolerate it instead of taking it back?
On his way back, Si Yichen passed by Chen Xu’s room and noticed that the door was open. A servant was cleaning inside.
Silently, he slipped inside.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
The servant was likely cleaning in there.
Si Yichen scanned the room and noticed a cloth-covered easel near the balcony. He tiptoed over and pulled the cloth away.
Under the sunlight, a portrait was revealed.
The subject of the painting was draped in a white bath towel, exposing his slender neck. His head was slightly turned to the side, long lashes dark like crow feathers, with droplets of water clinging to them. His sharp, black eyes exuded a chilling allure.
His short, damp hair was still misty with moisture. The entire painting radiated an air of restraint and purity, yet also carried an undeniable sensuality, leaving the viewer inexplicably parched.
Si Yichen was stunned.
The man in the painting was Si Ye.
It appeared to be a sketch of Si Ye after swimming.
Despite being a simple pencil drawing, there was a certain intimacy in it—an ambiguous undertone.
Si Yichen’s gaze fell to the signature at the bottom.
Chen Xu.
Chen Xu had drawn this.
An idea flashed through Si Yichen’s mind.
Is Chen Xu gay?
Does he have feelings for Father?
This thought sent chills down Si Yichen’s spine, but at the same time, his blood surged with excitement.
If this were true, he had found Chen Xu’s biggest weakness.
—
Uncle Zhong stepped forward and answered, “Both young masters have chosen to major in economics.”
Si Ye’s brows furrowed even tighter. “Understood.”
Then, he took out his phone and called his secretary. “Cancel my schedule for tomorrow night. I need to go home early and talk to Chen Xu.”
Si Ye could easily guess Chen Xu’s motive for doing this—he simply wanted to retaliate against Si Yichen and gain Si Ye’s favor. Chen Xu was highly intelligent; anything he chose to learn, he could master with ease. Si Ye had no doubt that Chen Xu would excel in economics.
But even so, he still hoped Chen Xu would follow his heart and do what he truly wanted.
A second chance at life shouldn’t be wasted on insignificant people.
As for Si Yichen and those who had once hurt Chen Xu, Si Ye would take care of them for him.
The next evening, when Chen Xu saw Si Ye, he suddenly realized that it had been quite a few days since they last met.
“Uncle Si, have you been very busy lately?” Chen Xu picked up an apple and a knife, skillfully peeling it.
Si Ye casually responded, “The company has had a lot going on. I’ll have more time to spend with you after a while.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Chen Xu suddenly felt like a child longing for his guardian’s attention. His face grew a little warm.
Si Ye’s lips curved slightly, but he didn’t respond. However, the way he looked at Chen Xu was indulgent, filled with fondness.
After peeling the apple, Chen Xu handed it to Si Ye, but Si Ye shook his head. “I don’t like apples. You eat it.”
Chen Xu hesitated, then retracted his hand and took a bite. “It’s really sweet.”
The crisp sweetness spread through his mouth, and Chen Xu unconsciously licked the juice from his lips. His lips were a soft, light pink—not too deep nor too pale—making him look healthy yet delicate. His lower lip was slightly fuller, giving him a childlike cuteness.
Si Ye’s dark gaze locked onto him.
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Chen Xu’s wrist, pulling it slightly toward himself.
“Let me have a bite.”
Before Chen Xu could react, Si Ye took a bite of the apple in his hand. Coincidentally, or perhaps deliberately, Si Ye bit right next to the spot where Chen Xu had just bitten.
In an instant, Chen Xu’s neck and ears turned bright red.
He had absolutely no defense against Si Ye’s teasing.
“So sweet,” Si Ye said, his deep voice laced with a hint of laughter.
Chen Xu lowered his head, his face burning.
Having never been in a relationship before, Chen Xu felt completely outmatched in Si Ye’s presence—like a bronze player facing off against a champion.
He thought back to how Si Ye had studied abroad for years. He must have had plenty of relationships. Otherwise, how could he be so skilled at this?
But… he was Si Ye’s younger generation.
Why was Si Ye flirting with him?
Si Ye, who had also never been in a relationship, had no idea that Chen Xu had already categorized him as a seasoned player.
He simply found the sight of Chen Xu’s reddened face and ears unbearably adorable. He had to restrain the urge to lean in and kiss him.
“You said you didn’t like apples,” Chen Xu muttered.
Si Ye rested his chin on one hand and said, “You said it was sweet, so I wanted to try.”
Chen Xu pursed his lips and fell silent.
He recalled that Si Ye was a bit of a germaphobe. During family gatherings, he always insisted on using serving chopsticks.
Why was he suddenly fine with sharing food now?
After teasing the boy enough, Si Ye finally got to the main topic.
“I heard from Uncle Zhong that you chose A University?”
“Yeah.”
Chen Xu nodded, a little surprised that Si Ye wanted to talk about this.
Si Ye adjusted his posture, picked up his coffee cup, and took a sip.
“With your score, you shouldn’t be going to A University.”
“A University is a good school,” Chen Xu said sincerely. He wasn’t just making excuses. He had chosen one of the best programs at A University—it wasn’t like he had thrown away his grades for love and gone to some second-rate college. He didn’t think he had made a bad choice.
“You took the art entrance exam, didn’t you? Why the sudden change to economics?”
Si Ye leaned forward slightly, his presence oppressive.
Chen Xu felt the pressure, but he remained still, sitting upright and composed.
His dark eyes met Si Ye’s, steady and unwavering.
“Because I want to make things easier for you in the future,” he said seriously.
Si Ye’s lips curled slightly.
“Is that really why?”
Chen Xu nodded. “Yeah.”
This time, Si Ye’s smile fully bloomed. He looked at Chen Xu and said in a low voice,
“Little liar.”
Chen Xu pursed his lips and lowered his eyelashes.
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
If he wanted to take everything from Si Yichen, he had to give up his previous carefree lifestyle. He had to study a field he had never touched before and lay the groundwork to enter the Si Corporation in the future.
Not only did he need to learn this subject, but he had to excel in it.
As much as he despised Si Yichen, he had to admit that Si Yichen had an advantage in this field. Over the years, Si Ye had personally taught Si Yichen business knowledge.
Si Yichen had terrible character, but his learning ability was undeniable.
Seeing Chen Xu fall silent, Si Ye got up and walked to his side, ruffling his soft black hair.
“You only need to do what makes you happy. Don’t compromise for anyone.”
This wasn’t the first time Si Ye had said this to him.
Chen Xu felt touched, but reason told him he couldn’t rely on others.
Si Ye’s favor could be taken away at any time.
He could use Si Ye’s power, but he couldn’t depend on it completely.
Chen Xu tilted his head up, his dark, round eyes gazing quietly at Si Ye—like a newborn puppy.
“Uncle Si, will you always spoil me?”
Si Ye gently brushed aside Chen Xu’s bangs and lowered his head.
He pressed a light, tender kiss to Chen Xu’s forehead.
“I will.”
That kiss carried warmth, filling Chen Xu’s heart with an unfamiliar but comforting emotion.
When he was a child, he had envied how his parents would tell bedtime stories to his younger sister every night, ending with a soft kiss on her forehead, their eyes full of love.
He had never experienced that himself.
And now, years later, he had felt that kind of affection from someone else.
“Can I trust you?”
Chen Xu looked up at him cautiously, like a timid little deer.
Si Ye’s heart ached at the sight.
He cradled Chen Xu’s face and rested their foreheads together.
“You can always trust me. You can always rely on me.”
Chen Xu stared into Si Ye’s eyes.
After a long moment, he slowly wrapped his arms around Si Ye’s neck and rubbed his face against Si Ye’s cheek.
“Okay.”
Si Ye held his slender waist, pulling him into an embrace.
Chen Xu’s waist was so slim that Si Ye felt like he could wrap one hand around it.
In their past life, he had lost Chen Xu.
This time, he would never let go.
Lowering his head, he pressed a soft kiss to Chen Xu’s hair.
Chen Xu, completely unaware, simply melted into his warmth.
That night, after seeing Si Ye, Chen Xu didn’t see him again for a while.
Si Ye seemed to be extremely busy.
If it weren’t for the sound of a car returning late at night, Chen Xu would have thought he hadn’t come home at all.
With nothing to do at home, Chen Xu logged onto Weibo and took a few sponsored ads.
While scrolling, he saw countless posts discussing Si Corporation’s internal turmoil.
“The stock has dropped several points. Is this giant finally going to fall?”
Most of the online discussions were just bystanders gossiping, not really understanding what was happening with Si Corporation.
Connecting this with how Si Ye had been leaving early and returning late recently, Chen Xu’s expression grew serious.
Such a major issue, yet Si Ye hadn’t mentioned a single word to him.
But then again, in Si Ye’s eyes, he was just a child. Telling him wouldn’t change anything—it would only make him worry.
Chen Xu browsed through all the related news online and came to a conclusion: Si Ye was in need of money.
Without hesitation, he got up and searched for his bank card. Slinging a bag over his shoulder, he rushed out the door.
He never had a habit of buying luxury goods, and most of his New Year’s money over the years had been saved up. Added to the earnings from his part-time jobs, he had accumulated quite a decent sum.
It might only be a drop in the ocean for Si Ye, but if he could help even a little, it was worth it.
—
Late at night, the sound of a car pulling in made Chen Xu sit up in bed abruptly.
He had forced himself to stay awake just to wait for Si Ye’s return. If he had waited any longer, he might have dozed off completely.
Throwing on his slippers and a jacket, he grabbed the bank card and dashed out of the room.
The house was mostly silent—everyone was asleep. As soon as he ran out, he nearly bumped into Si Ye, who was coming up the stairs.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Si Ye glanced at his watch. It was already past 1 AM.
“I have something I need to talk to you about.”
Chen Xu’s hair was a little messy, a few strands sticking up from sleep. Under the soft glow of the hallway lights, his face had an ivory-like glow, making him look both obedient and adorable.
Si Ye’s heart softened completely.
Reaching out, he wrapped an arm around Chen Xu’s thin shoulders.
“Come on, let’s talk in the study.”
Chen Xu didn’t think much of it, letting Si Ye guide him upstairs.
Uncle Zhong, who had been observing, suddenly had a revelation.
Sir isn’t treating Young Master Xu like he’s replacing Young Master Chen… He’s treating him like a future spouse.
But Young Master Xu is only eighteen… and he’s technically adopted into the Si family. How could he become the madam of the house?
Am I losing my mind in my old age?
Uncle Zhong fell into deep self-doubt.
—
In the study, Si Ye instructed Uncle Zhong to bring some coffee and snacks.
Before he could, Chen Xu interrupted.
“Don’t bring coffee—bring milk instead.”
Si Ye raised an eyebrow at him.
“Uncle Si, you need proper rest. Your eyes are full of red veins,” Chen Xu said, looking at him with concern.
Everyone saw Si Ye as an invincible force—someone to fear, to respect, and even to despise.
But no one ever felt sorry for him.
No one ever thought that Si Ye needed comfort or care.
He was strong, so he was expected to function like a machine, devoid of emotions.
At that moment, Chen Xu overlapped with the young man Si Ye had once fallen for.
Memories surged back.
—
It had been years ago, on a National Day holiday after Chen Xu had started university.
Si Ye had been drowning in work, dealing with a crisis at the company.
After successfully resolving the issue, his mother didn’t thank him. Instead, she lashed out at him, calling him heartless for ousting the company’s old executives—men who had once been his father’s trusted allies.
She accused him of dishonoring his father’s memory.
But if Si Ye hadn’t taken decisive action, it would have been him getting pushed out.
After enduring her harsh words, his mother coldly told him that she didn’t want to see him for a while.
That night, Si Ye sat alone in the living room, drinking.
He hadn’t expected anyone to disturb him.
But then, Chen Xu, who had come downstairs for a drink of water, noticed him.
Instead of just greeting him and leaving, Chen Xu did something unexpected.
He grabbed a glass and sat down beside him.
“Drinking alone is boring. I’ll drink with you.”
Chen Xu’s smile that night had been bright enough to illuminate the darkness.
And it had also illuminated Si Ye’s heart.
After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Xu got up to go back to his room.
Before leaving, he tugged at Si Ye’s sleeve and told him, “Take care of yourself and get some rest.”
It was such a simple sentence.
But it was the first time anyone had ever said it to Si Ye.
That night had been the beginning.
Without realizing it, Si Ye had started paying attention to Chen Xu.
And once you start noticing someone, love is already beginning.
From Chen Xu’s eighteenth to twenty-second year, Si Ye had quietly watched over him.
When had his feelings changed?
He didn’t even know himself.
By the time he realized it, his heart had already been deeply entangled.
—
“Uncle Si?”
Chen Xu’s voice pulled Si Ye back to reality.
“Sorry, I got lost in thought. What did you say?”
Chen Xu blinked and asked, “I saw something online today… Is the company in trouble?”
“It’s nothing serious. You don’t need to worry. It’ll be resolved soon,” Si Ye reassured him.
But the calmer Si Ye acted, the more certain Chen Xu was that he was just putting up a front.
Taking out a bank card from his pocket, he placed it in front of Si Ye.
“This is all my savings. It’s not much, but I hope it can help.”
“Your entire savings?”
Si Ye suppressed the storm of emotions in his heart and forced himself to ask calmly.
Chen Xu nodded.
“Yeah. My New Year’s money, plus what I earned from part-time jobs.”
“You’re giving me everything you have. Aren’t you afraid I won’t pay you back?”
“You don’t have to.”
Chen Xu stood in front of him, his eyes clear and unwavering.
Si Ye could no longer hold back.
Reaching out, he pulled Chen Xu into his arms, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.
“I do need money,” Si Ye murmured, his voice low and rich.
“A lot of money.
And you’re the only one who can help me get it.
Will you?”
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