Gu Xuanhao rarely had a day without a “date” today, leaving him bored at home. He thought about calling a few of his troublemaking friends to hang out, but just as the call connected, he saw Ye Xing dragging the family chef outside. Strangely enough, Ye Xing didn’t even notice him.

Curious, Gu Xuanhao couldn’t help but follow, wanting to catch this arrogant and annoying butler in the act and see if he could find something to use against him. Maybe then, Ye Xing would stop making things difficult for him in the future.

What Gu Xuanhao didn’t know was that as soon as he stepped out, the cunning fox had already noticed him and even deliberately took two detours just to mess with him. Until just before Lu Youze grabbed Gu Xuanhao’s shoulders, Ye Xing had been enjoying the show.

Ye Xing was well aware that Gu Xuanhao and Lu Youze were close. After all, he had seen the second young master lose his temper more than once over Lu Youze. But knowing was one thing—seeing it with his own eyes was another.

“Acting?” Gu Xuanhao turned his face toward Lu Youze. The two of them were staring directly into each other’s eyes, noses nearly touching. If either moved even a little closer, they would probably kiss. Yet neither of them seemed to find this proximity odd. In fact, because he didn’t quite understand what his friend was saying, Gu Xuanhao leaned in even closer to Lu Youze’s face.

“Lu Youze, do you take me for an idiot? What kind of act needs my brother, a big-shot CEO, as a background prop? One where you sit on my brother’s lap?”

After questioning him, Gu Xuanhao suddenly grabbed Lu Youze’s collar and pulled him even closer. From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like they were about to kiss.

As if afraid his words would be overheard by Gu Xuanze, he pressed his ear closer to Lu Youze and whispered, “Lu Youze, tell me the truth, and we’ll still be brothers.”

Ye Xing instinctively took a step forward, then paused, seemingly realizing something, and stepped back. His gaze turned cold as he glanced at the two close friends before shifting his eyes to Gu Xuanze, whose expression didn’t look any better. He raised an eyebrow as if mocking him.

Can’t even win over the Omega he likes—what a disgrace to Alphas.

Gu Xuanze ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed on the two people in front of him. Though his expression wasn’t as icy as Ye Xing’s, it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

Lu Youze had no clue about the silent challenge between the two Alphas. He just felt that Gu Xuanhao was an idiot. Or rather, a hopelessly obsessive brother.

Although this industry did have some “unspoken rules,” he didn’t care to comment on them—nor would he ever participate in them. Especially not with his best friend’s older brother.

Even rabbits don’t eat the grass near their burrow. Lu Youze couldn’t possibly be worse than a rabbit, right?

“Oh, what an interesting show,” Wu Liyi suddenly spoke up before Lu Youze could respond. His deliberately drawn-out tone carried a hint of mockery. Ignoring the others’ reactions, he fixed a sharp gaze on Lu Youze.

“This is your so-called professionalism as an actor? A real performer wouldn’t break character before the director yells ‘cut.’ If you can’t even do that, how dare you dream of surpassing him? What a joke.”

“Hey, old man, who the hell are you?” Gu Xuanhao couldn’t stand watching someone insult his friend. He was just about to teach this grumpy-looking old guy a lesson when Lu Youze stopped him.

“Lu Youze, why are you stopping me?” Gu Xuanhao complained. “I was standing up for you!”

“Ah Hao, stay out of this for now.”

Gu Xuanhao, though impulsive, immediately understood from Lu Youze’s serious expression that this wasn’t his place to interfere. Even though he still found Wu Liyi annoying, he obediently retreated behind Lu Youze.

The scheming butler, of course, wouldn’t waste this opportunity. He stepped forward and pulled Gu Xuanhao aside, gripping his hand tightly.

Gu Xuanze glanced at their intertwined hands and frowned slightly. But now wasn’t the time to say anything. Besides, even he thought Gu Xuanhao and Lu Youze had been a little too close just now.

He cast a sharp, warning look at Ye Xing before shifting his gaze to Lu Youze.

“Ye Xing, why are you pulling me?” Gu Xuanhao muttered under his breath, his handsome face filled with undisguised annoyance. He tried to shake off Ye Xing’s hand, but despite his refined appearance, Ye Xing had a surprisingly strong grip. He couldn’t break free.

Gu Xuanhao’s face turned red with frustration. It was already annoying enough that he could never out-argue Ye Xing—now he couldn’t even outmatch him in strength? How infuriating.

Watching Gu Xuanhao’s ears flush red, Ye Xing’s smile deepened. If it weren’t for the inappropriate timing and location, he’d really want to take a bite out of his adorable little earlobe.

Thinking back to how closely Gu Xuanhao and Lu Youze had been just now, Ye Xing decided the second young master needed a little “punishment.” Otherwise, he just wouldn’t feel right.

He tightened his grip, pulling Gu Xuanhao even closer. Then, leaning in, he brought his lips near the younger man’s ear, his deep voice tinged with seductive menace.

“Second Young Master, you’d better be quiet. It seems the eldest young master and Mr. Lu are having an important discussion with Director Wu. I’ve heard that Director Wu has quite the temper. If things go south, it could be a huge loss for Mr. Lu.”

Ye Xing was far too close. Gu Xuanhao felt uncomfortable. He tried to push him away, but he didn’t dare make too big a move, afraid of drawing attention. He had noticed that his brother and Lu Youze indeed looked serious—he didn’t want to mess things up just because of his impatience.

But this bastard Ye Xing was definitely holding him on purpose just to mess with him. So annoying.

Wait a second—something suddenly clicked in Gu Xuanhao’s mind.

He stopped struggling against Ye Xing and instead focused on piecing together his sudden realization.

The reason Ye Xing acts so smug and keeps making things difficult for me is because he knows my brother likes him, right?

But if Lu Youze actually liked my brother, then…

Gu Xuanhao, calm down! You can’t sacrifice your brother’s happiness just because of your personal grievances.

But wait—if Lu Youze is serious about someone, he’d be a great boyfriend. And he’s already completely over that ex, Yu Li. He’d definitely treat my brother wholeheartedly. No matter how I look at it, Lu Youze is way better than that bastard Ye Xing.

Gu Xuanhao’s thoughts swung back and forth, his inner angel and devil locked in a fierce battle—until the devil won.

Determined, he stared at Lu Youze’s back and gave a mischievous smile.

Go for it, bro! No matter what, you have to win my brother over. This time, I don’t care how many times you and my brother get together—I’ll fully support you!

Ye Xing, seeing the expressions flickering across Gu Xuanhao’s face, immediately knew this idiot was cooking up some nonsense again. But he looked so damn cute that Ye Xing couldn’t resist ruffling his hair—earning himself an angry glare in return.

Meanwhile, Lu Youze suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

If he knew what was running through Gu Xuanhao’s mind, he’d probably die of anger. But right now, he had no time for that. His priority was figuring out how to appease the already pissed-off Director Wu.