Chapter 50 – You tell me where you went wrong

“Have you been avoiding me during this period?”

As soon as Yan Xiuzhi said this, Zhou Ziyi immediately stiffened.

“Well… not really.” Zhou Ziyi sat on the single sofa and adjusted his posture. “Didn’t I still make breakfast for you? And what about tonight? If I were avoiding you, why would I actively communicate with you?”

“The examples you mentioned, you know very well the extent of our communication. You should also be aware of the difference compared to before. I have eyes, ears, and a brain of my own. Your rebuttal won’t affect my judgment,” Yan Xiuzhi paused, looked at Zhou Ziyi as he opened his mouth to retort, and continued, “I can see, hear, and think for myself.”

Zhou Ziyi could only close his mouth.
If President Yan doesn’t listen to anything, what else is there to say? Just shut up and listen to the reprimand.

Moreover, Zhou Ziyi suspected that President Yan might be a little drunk. Although the man still appeared normal and his speech was clear, Zhou Ziyi couldn’t help but feel that he was talking more than usual.

Zhou Ziyi inexplicably found it a bit cute, and then realized that thinking about inappropriate things at a time like this was really disastrous.

Yan Xiuzhi didn’t intend to let him stay silent and asked again, “Tell me the reason.”

Zhou Ziyi: “…”

How can you say that!

Isn’t this a fishing method?!

Zhou Ziyi remained silent for a while, looking at Yan Xiuzhi’s persistent and interrogative look, and could only give a vague answer: “Well… afraid of awkwardness, I guess.”

Yan Xiuzhi asked, “Is it not awkward like this?”

Zhou Ziyi almost wanted to kneel down in front of this CEO.

Why make a big deal out of it? What’s the point?

“President Yan, why don’t we speak openly and honestly?” Zhou Ziyi couldn’t resist Yan Xiuzhi’s scrutinizing gaze, thought about it, and had to give up resistance. “You should know where the problem lies. Everything is because I was drunk that day… and impulsively did something I shouldn’t have done.”

Yan Xiuzhi said, “It’s been ten days since that happened, and I haven’t mentioned a word. Are you still feeling awkward?”

“Rather than saying it’s awkward, it’s more like fear.” Zhou Ziyi hesitated for a moment and slowly said, “I… I’m afraid you’ll kick me out.”

Yan Xiuzhi looked at him and asked, “Just because of your impulsive actions after getting drunk?”

“Regardless of whether I was drunk or not, I still offended you in the end.” Zhou Ziyi lowered his head, sighed lightly, and said, “By the way, I haven’t formally apologized to you yet, have I? I’m sorry…”

“So, are you afraid that I’ll kick you out and terminate the contract because of this, so you’re avoiding me?” Yan Xiuzhi stared at the young man’s hair, coldly saying, “Zhou Ziyi, if I think you’ve violated the contract and asked to terminate the contract, it is useless for you to hide to the ends of the earth. ”

“I know, but am I not too afraid…” Zhou Ziyi’s heart trembled at the man’s cold tone, looking at the hand placed on his knee, he moved his fingers slightly and clench them hard “I just thought, give it some time, let you completely cool down before saying anything. If during this time I do something else to upset you, wouldn’t that be like courting death…”

Yan Xiuzhi raised an eyebrow, “Do you know that many of the things you did before were like courting death?”

Zhou Ziyi’s finger movement paused, “…I’m sorry.”

Yan Xiuzhi couldn’t quite tell if Zhou Ziyi was genuinely so emotionally low or if part of it was an act.

But regardless of the reason, he was just trying not to have the contract terminated.

Yan Xiuzhi couldn’t help but think of Zhou Ziyi’s previous words, “It’s only you.” If he decided to end the contract, what could Zhou Ziyi do next?

Yan Xiuzhi unconsciously asked a question, “If I terminate the contract because of this, what are you going to do?”

“Ah?!” Zhou Ziyi was shocked and raised his head, “Really…”

Yan Xiuzhi said, “It’s just a hypothetical situation.”

Zhou Ziyi’s expression became bewildered, “I don’t know… I guess I’ll find a place to stay first.”

After leaving Yan Xiuzhi’s place, Zhou Ziyi’s primary concern was finding a place to shelter from the wind and rain, or else he would have to sleep on the streets. Thinking about this, Zhou Ziyi couldn’t help but say, “President Yan, at least give me a few days to move out…”

“I didn’t say you have to move out, I was just making an assumption.” Yan Xiuzhi interrupted him. “Let’s get back to the point. Do you really understand where you went wrong?”

Zhou Ziyi was like a primary school student being scolded by the headmaster, “I shouldn’t have impulsively kissed you…”

“Not that!”

“Huh?!” Zhou Ziyi was taken aback, inwardly lamenting, ‘Has Yan Xiuzhi figured out what I was thinking? I hope not!’

“You should think about the root cause of your impulsiveness.” Yan Xiuzhi said, “When did you lose control of your emotions in our conversation?”

Faced with this completely unprepared question, Zhou Ziyi thought for a while before recalling, “…Why did I remain indifferent when a man kissed me forcibly?”

“Go back further.”

“…Huh?” Zhou Ziyi really couldn’t figure out the main point, “What do you mean by ‘go back further’?”

“I said, you need to tell me how others treat you!” Yan Xiuzhi couldn’t help but speak out, and he provided the answer himself, “This is the mistake you made!”

“???” Zhou Ziyi was puzzled, “But this should be something I solve on my own…”

“Some things you should solve on your own, and some things I should also be involved in, at least I have the right to know,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “Concealing the truth benefits no one and will only make things worse. This incident is a typical case.”

Zhou Ziyi knew that Yan Xiuzhi was taking responsibility proactively. While feeling admiration for him in his heart, he had to suppress his emotions and apologize again, “I’m sorry…”

“You have apologized three times already, let’s leave it at that,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “I accept your apology.”

Zhou Ziyi looked at him in surprise, eyes wide open, “Really?”

“Really,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “But I hope you learn from this lesson and don’t let it happen again.”

“Absolutely, thank you, President Yan!” Zhou Ziyi finally breathed a sigh of relief: finally passed this incident!

In order to cover up a fatal mistake, he desperately diverted the focus onto something else and insisted that it was an accident. With nine parts truth and one part lie, he managed to deceive Yan Xiuzhi’s precise scrutiny.

While Zhou Ziyi was rejoicing, Yan Xiuzhi suddenly said, “There’s one more thing.”

Zhou Ziyi tensed up again immediately, “…What is it?”

“When you call me ‘President Yan’, it always seems like you’re expressing dissatisfaction,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “Either change your tone, or call me less.”

This time, Zhou Ziyi was truly puzzled.

Is my attitude really that bad? Even if it’s just these few days, I should be careful, shouldn’t I?

After some thought, the young man adopted a more enthusiastic tone, “President Yan?”

Yan Xiuzhi’s assessment: “Too obsequious, change it.”

Is this also obsequious??? Zhou Ziyi couldn’t figure it out at all. Unable to grasp Yan Xiuzhi’s intentions, he had to ask directly, “Then what should I call you? Calling you by your name directly seems too formal… Can you suggest something?”

“Why do you keep regressing?” Yan Xiuzhi said, “Didn’t you know how to address me before?”

“…” Zhou Ziyi was silent for a few seconds and tentatively asked, “…Ge?”

The annoyance Yan Xiuzhi previously felt from being called “Ge” by Huang Feichun was dispelled by the young man’s address, which finally made him feel a bit more comfortable inside. However, he still had some objections to express: “Do you have to use such a hesitant tone?”

Zhou Ziyi: “I’m sorry, Ge, it’s my dullness.”

Who could have guessed that the title President Yan favored the most turned out to be the most intimate one?!

Zhou Ziyi cautiously concealed his own thoughts, of course, he didn’t dare to use such a title again, for fear of overdoing it and accidentally exposing himself. Now, the president is not satisfied with his attitude of expressing his position, and insists that he change back.

In his heart, Zhou Ziyi sighed: Yan Xiuzhi, if I were to be terminated one day because of being ‘real’, then ultimately, it would be your fault!

President Yan could not guess his thoughts, finished the hangover soup, took the bowl and got up to go to the kitchen. Zhou Ziyi followed, reaching out, “Give it to me.”

Yan Xiuzhi stood still and looked at him.

Zhou Ziyi: ??? What’s wrong again?

“You don’t have to act like a nanny,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “I’ll do it if I want to, you don’t have to rush to do it.”

“Oh…” Zhou Ziyi wanted to explain his actions, but didn’t know how to explain it appropriately, “I just thought, since I brought it, I should see it through…”

“I said I wouldn’t kick you out because of this, so I won’t,” Yan Xiuzhi said, “Just be natural.”

“…” Zhou Ziyi didn’t know what to do. He originally thought he was quite natural, but after Yan Xiuzhi’s words, he felt like nothing he did was natural.

Zhou Ziyi stood there dumbly, looking confused and a bit pitiful.

Yan Xiuzhi looked at him, sighed helplessly in his heart, took a step closer. Then, he slightly moved the hand holding the bowl, extended the other arm, and gently embraced Zhou Ziyi, patting his back.

Zhou Ziyi: ?!?!?!

“Don’t worry, I won’t drive you away,” President Yan suddenly felt like he was coaxing a frightened little pet, and then felt that this metaphor was absurd, “Don’t cry.”

“Huh?!” Zhou Ziyi snapped out of his shock, immediately touched his own face, “I didn’t cry!”

Yan Xiuzhi let go of him, raised an eyebrow, “You look like you’re about to cry.”

Zhou Ziyi: “…Ge, you’ve got it all wrong.”

Yan Xiuzhi narrowed his eyes, “Zhou Ziyi.”

Zhou Ziyi: “Alright, I feel like I’m about to cry, I’ll burst into tears the next second.”

Only then did Yan Xiuzhi feel satisfied and went into the kitchen with the bowl.

Zhou Ziyi suspected that the previous act was just President Yan’s drunken talk and was a little worried that something might happen to him in the kitchen, so he followed him cautiously. When Yan Xiuzhi turned back after placing the bowl, he was startled by the person standing in front of him, “Why did you follow me in here?”

Zhou Ziyi said, “I just wanted to take a look…”

“Go back to sleep,” Yan Xiuzhi looked at him as if he was still a little uneasy, so he ordered, “Don’t stay up late.”

“Oh…”

“Also, regarding Yan Meiyue, if she comes looking for you again, just let her come to me.”

“Okay.”

After giving the orders, Yan Xiuzhi looked at Zhou Ziyi, who hadn’t moved, and said, “What are you still standing there for?”

“I have a question too,” Zhou Ziyi said, “What do you want to eat tomorrow morning, Ge?”

“Anything is fine,” Yan Xiuzhi replied.

“Can we have tomato meat sauce noodles? The sweet and sour flavor should be appetizing. You won’t refuse to eat due to a hangover, right?”

“That’s fine,” Yan Xiuzhi paused, then declared, “I’m not drunk.”

“Okay, I got it,” Zhou Ziyi felt that his emphasis on not being drunk was a bit cute, and for a moment, he found the courage to ask, “Can I say goodnight to you?”

Yan Xiuzhi felt that this was a strange question: “Do you still need to ask?”

Zhou Ziyi gathered his courage, hugged the man’s waist, looked up at him and smiled, “Ge, goodnight!”

After saying it, he just run away!

Yan Xiuzhi: “…”

Zhou Ziyi, rushing out of the kitchen: If I can hug him, then it’s a win!