ARBRMW : Chapter 79

Chen Xu forced himself to endure an awkward conversation with Lin Yixuan for half an hour. When he saw that Si Ye still hadn’t returned, he excused himself, saying he would go look for Si Ye and left Lin Yixuan to his own devices.

“Where did Director Si find this kid?” Lin Yixuan asked Uncle Zhong.

“Young Master Xu has been living with Mr. Si since he was twelve. Over time, they developed feelings for each other. They truly love each other, unlike those scheming kids from outside,” Uncle Zhong explained with a kind smile.

Hearing that Chen Xu had been with the Si family since he was twelve, Lin Yixuan’s eyes flickered. “Was his family very poor? Why did his parents send him to the Si family?”

His question was somewhat out of line. Although the Lin family had a good relationship with the Si family, they were still not family. Lin Yixuan’s probing was inappropriate and overstepped boundaries.

Uncle Zhong smiled without responding further. When Lin Yixuan asked a few more questions without getting any answers, he frowned in frustration and decided to return to his hotel.

At the banquet, guests started to leave one by one. Chen Xu was at the door seeing them off, feeling quite irritated. Earlier, he had sent someone to find Si Lin, but the servants couldn’t locate him. Finally, when he asked the gatekeeper, he learned that Si Lin had left with Sun Pangfei and a group of people, abandoning the guests.

The banquet was meant for Si Lin, yet he, the main character, did nothing and was the first to leave. Chen Xu rubbed his temples, feeling exhausted.

“Tired? Go and rest. I’ll handle things here,” Si Ye appeared beside him, wrapping an arm around his waist and speaking softly.

“Uncle Si? Where did you go earlier?” Chen Xu had searched for Si Ye but couldn’t find him, so he came directly to see off the guests.

“Mo Hang was drinking alone. I went to console him and had a few drinks with him,” Si Ye said, kissing Chen Xu on the forehead. “Go and rest. Don’t wait up for me tonight. I might be drinking with Mo Hang all night.”

Chen Xu frowned in disapproval. Si Ye was already tired and now had to stay up drinking with Mo Hang. However, he didn’t object aloud because Mo Hang was Si Ye’s friend, and Si Ye knew how to handle things.

“Don’t drink too much. It’s bad for your health,” Chen Xu reminded him.

“Okay,” Si Ye nodded in agreement.

After sending off most of the guests and arranging accommodations for the remaining ones, Chen Xu, exhausted, headed to the main building. He yawned, rubbed his tired eyes, grabbed some clean clothes, and went to the bathroom.

He fell asleep quickly after getting into bed. On the other side, Si Ye and Mo Hang were in the family bar. Mo Hang was drinking heavily and wasn’t talking. Si Ye had tried to stop him several times but gave up and let him be.

“Why aren’t you drinking? Come on, cheers!” Mo Hang, already drunk, insisted that Si Ye drink with him.

Si Ye, having reported to Chen Xu, picked up a glass and joined him.

Mo Hang’s face was flushed, and he mumbled, “Why doesn’t he like me? What’s wrong with me?”

Si Ye, guessing that Mo Hang was upset because of Xiang Xiuhe, said, “There’s nothing wrong with you. You’d be better off with someone else.”

Mo Hang suddenly slammed the table. “Why is it you? Why does he like you? If it were anyone else, I’d punch them.”

He wiped the tears and sweat from his face and croaked, “Sometimes I wish you had never returned. Why did you have to appear in front of him?”

Si Ye had suspected that Xiang Xiuhe might like him, but hearing it confirmed by Mo Hang was still surprising. This was like a soap opera: Mo Hang liked Xiang Xiuhe, but Xiang Xiuhe liked him.

If this were true, then Xiang Xiuhe knew Mo Hang’s feelings yet maintained an ambiguous relationship with him. Most of the resources Xiang Xiuhe had were given by Mo Hang. Even the endorsement deal with Si Ye’s company was because Mo Hang had asked Si Ye to help Xiang Xiuhe.

Si Ye patted Mo Hang’s shoulder, “You know I don’t have feelings for him. Stop being his backup.”

Mo Hang yanked Si Ye’s hand away and suddenly asked, “What if you accepted him? He’s liked you for so many years. It’s not easy.”

“You…?” Si Ye was taken aback by his friend’s devotion. “Are you stupid?”

“If I really accepted him, what about you? Watching us together? Wouldn’t that hurt you?”

Mo Hang lowered his eyes, clenched his fists, and after a long pause, said, “At least he would get what he wants.”

“Sorry, but I can’t let him have what he wants,” Si Ye said, his voice tinged with mockery. “You know I love Chen Xu. If you say something like this again, don’t contact me.”

Mo Hang hung his head and downed another glass of wine. After a while, he spoke again, “He says Chen Xu is too young to understand how to care for someone…”

Before he could finish, Si Ye slammed his glass down, his expression cold. “I’m willing to pamper my person, no matter what. It’s none of his business.”

Mo Hang, startled by Si Ye’s anger, quickly fell silent and clinked glasses with him. They drank until the early hours, with Si Ye feeling a bit tipsy, while Mo Hang, hugging a bottle, mumbled to himself, alternately crying and laughing.

Si Ye, rubbing his throbbing head, prepared to help the drunken Mo Hang to a room to rest. At that moment, Mo Hang’s phone rang. He fumbled to answer it, squinting at the screen to find the answer button.

“Hello?”

“Are you drunk?” It was Xiang Xiuhe’s voice.

Hearing Xiang Xiuhe, Mo Hang felt a wave of grievance mixed with sweetness. He still cares about me.

“Yes.”

“I’ll come to get you. Where are you?” Xiang Xiuhe’s concerned tone softened Mo Hang’s heart, and he told him his location.

About ten minutes later, Xiang Xiuhe arrived. He helped the drunken Mo Hang up and glanced at the slightly inebriated Si Ye, saying awkwardly, “Si Ye, can you help me? I can’t move him by myself.”

When people are drunk, they become dead weight. Si Ye was in better shape than Mo Hang, so he got up and helped support Mo Hang’s right side, assisting Xiang Xiuhe in moving him.

They moved Mo Hang to a guest room, and Xiang Xiuhe took off Mo Hang’s shoes and covered him with a blanket. Si Ye, feeling a bit better after sitting on the sofa for a while, got up to leave.

As he stepped out, Xiang Xiuhe suddenly came up to support him. “You’re also quite drunk. Let me take you back.”

Si Ye disliked being touched and pushed Xiang Xiuhe away, but Xiang Xiuhe persisted, “Let me help you.”

As he tried to push him away again, a sweet scent filled Si Ye’s nose, making his vision blur and his body weaken. His legs felt like they couldn’t support him, and his consciousness started to fade.

With the little clarity he had left, Si Ye tried to push Xiang Xiuhe away, but his vision was too blurred, and he had no strength.

Xiang Xiuhe half-carried, half-dragged him back to the room where they had been drinking. The guest rooms were assigned to specific guests. Since Xiang Xiuhe came with Mo Hang, he would have to share a room with him if he stayed overnight. With Mo Hang in his room, Xiang Xiuhe couldn’t do anything with Si Ye there.

Gazing greedily at Si Ye, Xiang Xiuhe’s eyes burned with desire. After all these years, he finally had a chance to get Si Ye.

Even if it was just for tonight, he was willing. Mo Hang had grown wary of him, and Si Ye was becoming increasingly distant. Tonight was his best and last chance. Xiang Xiuhe was determined to seize it.

He placed Si Ye’s finger on the door lock, unlocking it. Half-carrying, half-dragging him inside, he closed the door with a bang, leaving the corridor in silence.

…

Chen Xu was woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call. Groggily, he picked up the phone, squinting against the bright light to see that it was Si Lin calling.

“Chen Xu! Help me!” Si Lin’s panicked voice came through the phone.

“What happened?” Chen Xu sat up and turned on the light, his expression serious.

Si Lin stammered for a while before explaining that he had gone out with Sun Pangfei and his friends. They had taken him to a club to broaden his horizons. Most clubs didn’t allow promiscuous behavior on the premises, but the one they went to did. Si Lin, slightly drunk, felt tempted, especially after Sun Pangfei and his friends teased him about still being a virgin at nineteen. Si Lin was eager to prove them wrong.

Unexpectedly, the club had undercover police officers looking for a fugitive. When the fugitive realized there were police around, he ran. During the chase, the police barged into Sun Pangfei’s private room, catching them in the act.

Si Lin was too scared to call Si Ye for help and hoped Chen Xu, being his peer, would understand him better.

Chen Xu pressed his temples and spoke sternly, “There’s more to this, isn’t there? If you want me to help, tell me the whole truth.”

If it were just about this, Sun Pangfei could have easily called his family to get them out. There was no need for Si Lin to risk calling Chen Xu. Si Lin didn’t know that Si Ye wasn’t sleeping next to Chen Xu tonight. Calling Chen Xu or Si Ye would have been the same.

After hesitating for a long time, Si Lin admitted, “The police found a packet of drugs on me.”

This was serious. If the news got out, especially at this time, the media would have a field day with the Si family.

“Wait,” Chen Xu said, getting out of bed.

“Please… don’t tell Uncle Si,” Si Lin pleaded.

Chen Xu’s voice turned cold, “Do you think that’s possible?”

He hung up and, without changing, put on a thick coat and called Secretary Jiang. After learning where Si Ye and Mo Hang were drinking, he hurried to the banquet villa.

“Young Master Xu, is something wrong?” Uncle Zhong, who had been woken up, asked with concern.

“I’ve already called Secretary Jiang to handle it. You should go back to rest. I know the way,” Chen Xu didn’t want to trouble the older man and sent him back before running to find Si Ye.

Chen Xu called Si Ye several times, but there was no answer. Had Si Ye gotten so drunk so quickly?

He tried several times but couldn’t reach Si Ye. As he neared the room where Si Ye was, he decided to stop calling.

The bar’s rooms had fingerprint and password locks. Chen Xu cursed himself for forgetting to ask Uncle Zhong for the code. He raised his hand to knock, hoping Si Ye or Mo Hang would hear him, but suddenly heard a commotion inside.

It sounded like a chair being knocked over and glass breaking.

What’s happening? 

Is Si Ye and Mo Hang getting into a fight?

As Chen Xu realized what might be happening, he heard a furious shout from inside, “Get out!”

It was Si Ye’s voice, but it didn’t sound right. Chen Xu hadn’t heard Si Ye this angry in a long time. It was like a volcano about to erupt, or an iceberg breaking apart.

Worry seized Chen Xu. He had no patience to knock or call Uncle Zhong for the code. 

He frowned, mustered his strength, and kicked the door open.

With a loud crash, the sturdy door splintered, sending dust and wood fragments flying.

In the dim light, Chen Xu saw Xiang Xiuhe staring at him in shock.

Si Ye was on the sofa, disheveled, his tie and shirt half undone. Xiang Xiuhe was kneeling before him, Si Ye’s belt partially unbuckled, and a glass lay broken on the floor, its contents spilled.

Chen Xu stood in the doorway, his gaze cold and piercing as he took in the scene.

Xiang Xiuhe hadn’t expected Chen Xu to come, let alone kick the door open.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Chen Xu, his face like a glacier, strode forward and kicked Xiang Xiuhe hard, sending him sprawling.

Xiang Xiuhe’s back slammed against the chair, pain flaring up, but worse was the agony in his chest where Chen Xu had kicked him.

“Chen Xu… I…” Xiang Xiuhe tried to explain, but Chen Xu, with a frosty expression, walked up, grabbed his collar, and punched him in the face.

“I warned you so many times. Did you really need me to spell it out? Always lusting after other people’s partners, are you shameless?” Chen Xu’s punches were swift and fierce, making Xiang Xiuhe wonder if he would be beaten to death.

“Stop… stop hitting me…” Xiang Xiuhe, in excruciating pain, was finally terrified. His body trembled uncontrollably.

Chen Xu ignored his pleas, yanking his head up by the hair and slamming it into the ground. His voice was chilling, “This time, not even Mo Hang can save you.”

These were the last words Xiang Xiuhe heard before losing consciousness, filling him with dread.

Seeing Xiang Xiuhe pass out, Chen Xu dropped his hair and turned to Si Ye.

He had thought Si Ye was just drunk and that Xiang Xiuhe had taken advantage of him. But when he felt Si Ye’s scorching skin and rapid heartbeat, Chen Xu realized that Xiang Xiuhe must have drugged him.

Grinding his teeth, Chen Xu wanted to wake Xiang Xiuhe up and beat him again.

“Uncle Si, how are you?” Chen Xu reached out to touch Si Ye’s face. Si Ye’s breath was burning hot. He instinctively flinched away, not recognizing Chen Xu.

Chen Xu froze, then leaned closer, whispering, “Uncle Si, it’s me, Xiao Xu.”

Recognizing the familiar scent, Si Ye’s body finally relaxed. Seeing Si Ye was out of it, Chen Xu quickly called for a car to take Si Ye to the hospital.

He carried Si Ye on his back, running as fast as he could. Uncle Zhong, arriving upon hearing the commotion, saw Chen Xu sprinting with Si Ye on his back.

“Young Master Xu? What happened to Mr. Si?” Uncle Zhong asked anxiously.

“I’m taking him to the hospital. Uncle Zhong, deal with the person in the bar,” Chen Xu instructed tersely, not allowing anyone else to carry Si Ye.

The car sped towards the hospital. The hospital, alerted in advance, had doctors and nurses ready to receive them.

Si Ye was clearly in pain, drenched in sweat. Chen Xu let him lean against him, wiping the sweat off his face with tissues. Chen Xu himself was soaked with sweat, having carried the taller and heavier Si Ye without stopping.

Luckily, Chen Xu was strong and fit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to carry Si Ye so quickly.

“We’re almost there. Hang in there,” Chen Xu kissed Si Ye, trying to comfort him.

In his mind, he cursed Xiang Xiuhe a thousand times over. What kind of drug did he give Si Ye to make him suffer like this?

Chen Xu’s lips, though not cold, felt cool compared to Si Ye’s feverish skin. Si Ye instinctively moved closer, like a hungry wolf, eyes burning with desire, wanting to devour Chen Xu.

His kisses were fierce, leaving Chen Xu breathless, barely able to remember the driver was present.

The sounds from the back seat were enough to make the driver blush. Reciting mantras in his mind, he focused on driving.

When they finally reached the hospital, Chen Xu hurriedly pulled Si Ye off him, hastily covering his disheveled clothes with his coat. With swollen lips, he helped Si Ye out of the car.

It was a chaotic night. Chen Xu stayed by Si Ye’s bedside, occasionally stepping out to take calls, his voice and movements kept quiet.

“Si Lin’s urine test was clean. He’ll be released soon,” Secretary Jiang reported.

Chen Xu pressed his lips together. “Keep him in for a few days to teach him a lesson.”

Secretary Jiang was surprised by this decision. Wasn’t Chen Xu worried it would cause a rift with Si Ye? Si Lin was Si Ye’s only nephew and had been searched for years.

“I’ll explain to Uncle Si. Just do as I say,” Chen Xu said, sensing Secretary Jiang’s thoughts.

“Understood,” Secretary Jiang hung up, feeling that the young master would grow up to surpass even Si Ye.

Uncle Zhong called to say Xiang Xiuhe had woken up and asked what to do with him.

“Send him to the police and have the lawyer file for intentional harm,” Chen Xu would not show any mercy to Xiang Xiuhe. If he hadn’t been awakened by Si Lin’s call, who knows what would have happened between Xiang Xiuhe and Si Ye.

The doctor had informed Chen Xu that Si Ye had inhaled a sedative and ingested a large amount of a prohibited substance, causing significant harm to his body. If he hadn’t been treated in time, his sexual function could have been severely affected.

Xiang Xiuhe knew Si Ye wasn’t easy to deal with. Si Ye, with even a bit of strength left, wouldn’t let him succeed. So he increased the dosage, not considering the health consequences for Si Ye. This wasn’t love but satisfying his own desires under the guise of love.

Chen Xu stayed by Si Ye’s bedside all night. As dawn broke, he woke up with a start, seeing his hand still holding Si Ye’s. He kissed Si Ye’s hand and, checking the time, stepped out to call the school and request a leave of absence.

After the incident where he had kicked down the door, Si Ye had donated a significant sum to the school, making the counselor treat Chen Xu with even more flattery. When Chen Xu requested a few days off, the counselor readily agreed but couldn’t help but suggest he return to class as soon as possible.

“Got it,” Chen Xu said curtly, ending the call. He stood on the balcony for a moment before going back inside.

Upon entering the room, he saw Si Ye looking at him. Chen Xu’s eyes reddened as he approached, wanting to hug Si Ye but hesitating. He remembered the doctor saying Si Ye might feel dizzy and nauseous upon waking, and he didn’t want to make him feel worse.

Finally, Chen Xu knelt down beside the bed, holding onto the edge carefully and keeping a bit of distance between them. “Uncle Si, does anything hurt?”

Si Ye tried to shake his head, but the movement made him wince in pain. Chen Xu quickly grabbed his hand in a panic. “Don’t move. Just tell me what you need.”

“I’m fine, thank you for coming,” Si Ye’s voice was hoarse and weak, sounding like a knife to Chen Xu’s heart.

Chen Xu pressed his forehead against Si Ye’s hand, shaking his head. “I came too late. You wouldn’t have suffered like this if I had arrived earlier.”

“Xiao Xu,” Si Ye suddenly called out to him. Chen Xu looked up, eyes still red. “Yes?”

Si Ye gazed at him warmly. “Kiss me.”

Immediately, tears welled up in Chen Xu’s eyes. He bit his lip, trying hard not to let them fall. Si Ye, seeing his distress, gently brushed away a tear with his thumb. “Sweetheart, I can’t reach you.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Chen Xu’s tears fell, large drops rolling down his cheeks. He leaned forward cautiously, kissing Si Ye gently on the lips.

The salty taste of tears seeped into Si Ye’s mouth as he parted his lips, letting the tears flow in. It pained him to see his beloved in such fear. He stroked Chen Xu’s head, silently comforting him.

When the doctor came to check on Si Ye, Chen Xu stood by with red eyes, not hiding his worry. His beautiful face, usually so composed, was cold enough to make people shiver. The doctor, feeling Chen Xu’s intense gaze, couldn’t help but feel as if he was an ancient physician treating an imperial consort under the emperor’s watchful eye, with a single mistake potentially costing him his life.

In contrast, Si Ye, usually stern and authoritative, seemed gentle and affectionate, If the doctor weren’t an atheist, he might have suspected that Director Si and his spouse had switched souls.

“Director Si needs to rest well for a period of time, and his body will gradually recover. There’s no need for you two to worry too much.” After explaining some precautions to Si Ye, the doctor found an excuse to ask Chen Xu to come to the office.

Outside, the doctor, with a serious expression and trembling heart, said to Chen Xu, “Once Director Si’s health improves a bit, please pay attention to his performance in bed. The dosage of the drug was too high, and although he received timely treatment, it’s not entirely without risk.”

Author’s note:

Chen Xu: What?! I haven’t even enjoyed it yet, and he’s already crippled?

Si Ye: …Just you wait.

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