Chapter 41

Chi Heyuan and Chu Yu stared at each other for a long time.

The emotions in Chu Yu’s eyes, behind his glasses, were difficult to read.

Chi Heyuan looked for a while, didn’t dare to speak, and meekly turned around, pulling the car door open and climbing inside.

Once seated, it dawned on him why everything had unfolded the way it did.

The seat he was sitting in was probably where Chu Yu usually sat, so the driver, Xiao Hu, had instinctively positioned it closest to Chu Yu.

Suddenly, Chi Heyuan felt extremely uncomfortable, like he was sitting on pins and needles. After just two seconds, he lifted himself slightly and prepared to move over, intending to leave the seat free for Chu Yu.

However, as soon as he shifted a little to the left, his shoulder bumped right into Chu Yu with a loud “thud.”

Chi Heyuan instinctively let out a soft “mmph” and covered his eye with his hand, feeling tears suddenly well up in his eyes.

It wasn’t that painful, really.

The main issue was that the impact seemed to have hit his eye, and the sharp sting, rather than the pain, overwhelmed him. Tears streamed down effortlessly.

Chu Yu frowned and, by reflex, reached out to steady Chi Heyuan’s hand, his fingers lightly encircling his wrist. He gently pulled it away and said in a low voice, “Don’t press on it.”

Obediently, Chi Heyuan moved his hand aside and tried to open his eyes, but his vision was blurred by tears. Everything appeared hazy, and he could only vaguely make out Chu Yu’s indistinct figure.

“It’s nothing.” Chi Xiting mumbled as he spoke, then instinctively reached up to rub his eyes again. “Just give me a moment to recover.”

Before his hand could reach his face, Chao Ming caught it firmly.

This time, Chao Ming’s grip was a little stronger, pulling Chi Xiting’s wrist into his palm. The warmth from their skin-to-skin contact spread in a subtle yet undeniable way from where their hands met.

Chi Xiting felt heat creeping up his wrist, and the warmth seemed to crawl higher uncontrollably, soon tingling all the way to his fingertips.

It was a strange feeling.

So much so that Chi Xiting almost forgot about the pain in his eyes.

“Close your eyes.”

Chao Ming’s calm voice echoed in his ear.

Chi Xiting obeyed instinctively, shutting his eyes without hesitation.

Chao Ming’s gaze landed on the corner of Chi Xiting’s reddened eye.

It seemed he had bumped his left eye, right at the corner—likely quite hard. With his pale complexion, the bruised area stood out starkly, spreading outward from the corner of his eye.

Chi Xiting kept his eyes closed, his thin eyelids lightly resting as his lashes hung down, damp and casting a soft arc. Sensing something, his eyelids and lashes quivered slightly, but he did not open his eyes.

Chao Ming’s breath hitched involuntarily before he lowered his gaze abruptly.

“Is it better now?”

As time passed without further movement, Chi Xiting, silent and waiting with his eyes closed, couldn’t resist asking.

Chao Ming shifted his gaze naturally, his fingers idly turning his wristwatch. He gave a quiet “Mhm.”

Chi Xiting opened his eyes, blinking a few times to adjust. The sharp pain he had felt earlier had mostly faded.

“It looks like you hit the corner of your eye. The eye itself should be fine.” Chao Ming kept his gaze steady, his lips pressed slightly together before finally saying, “Be careful for the next few days. I’ll have Xiao Hu pick up some medicine for you.”

Chi Xiting gave him a puzzled look.

Chao Ming stared ahead, offering only a cold profile without sparing Chi Xiting a glance.

Unable to understand the situation, Chi Xiting considered it briefly before replying, “No need. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” He raised his hand reflexively to touch the corner of his eye, but caught Chao Ming’s sideward glance and quickly dropped it, stiffly returning it to his side. “It should be fine soon. Medicine isn’t necessary.”

“It’s better to have it on hand.” Chao Ming was a man who always planned ahead. Even if there were no immediate problems, unforeseen complications could arise, and being unprepared would only waste time.

He glanced at Xiao Hu.

Xiao Hu, who had been paying close attention, stiffened and promptly responded, “Got it. I’ll bring it to Mr. Chi later.”

With this settled, Chi Xiting stopped protesting and accepted Chao Ming’s offer.

By the time they arrived at Chao Ming’s house, the redness around Chi Xiting’s eye had nearly faded.

Having stayed over once before, Chi Xiting was now quite familiar with the place. He found the slippers he had used previously, put them on, and glanced up to see Chao Ming watching him thoughtfully.

Chi Xiting tilted his head curiously. “What?”

“Nothing.” Chao Ming looked away. “I’ll grab some files from my study before I leave. The door code is 970528.”

“Xiao Hu will bring the medicine later. Let him know if you need anything.”

Chi Xiting nodded and repeated the code to himself. After a moment of hesitation, he pulled out his phone and saved it in his notes.

He sighed.

His memory wasn’t what it used to be.

He could barely remember his train seat number, let alone someone else’s door code.

After reminding Chi Xiting, Chao Ming stepped into the study.

The door remained open—he clearly didn’t see any need to be cautious around Chi Xiting.

Chi Xiting gave the study a quick glance before respectfully averting his gaze. He found a spot on the couch and sat down, happily opening an app to browse food delivery options.

It was his peculiar habit.

Whenever he visited a new place, he liked to check out the local food delivery services.

Appreciating good food was in the blood of every Z-country native.

When Chao Ming came out of the study, Chi Xiting had already sprawled lazily on the couch, his chin resting on the armrest, his hands clutching his phone, eyes fixed on the screen as he occasionally swiped. Seeing Chao Ming, he glanced up briefly, then looked back down. “All done?”

Chi Xiting turned to face him, the movement pulling his shirt out slightly at the waist, revealing a sliver of fair skin and a lithe, graceful waistline.

Chao Ming’s expression shifted subtly. His gaze lingered for two seconds before he looked away, murmuring a soft “Yes.”

“There’s nothing good to eat around here.” Chi Xiting sighed dramatically and rolled onto his back. His tone carried a hint of complaint as he muttered, “And everything comes with a delivery fee.”

It was understandable.

Chao Ming’s house was in an upscale residential area in Nanshan District, a typical wealthy neighborhood with standalone villas. Residents were generally discerning about food, reducing demand for delivery. Those who did order likely didn’t mind paying a few extra yuan for delivery.

But Chi Xiting minded.

Even the 9-yuan delivery fee for KFC was too much for him, let alone anything higher.

“There’s fresh food in the fridge,” Chao Ming offered.

Chi Xiting put down his phone and stared at him for a moment.

Chao Ming got the message immediately.

“You can’t cook?”

Chi Xiting pursed his lips with feigned dignity. “But I can appreciate good food.”

Chao Ming: “…”

Chao Ming placed the files on the coffee table, slowly removed his watch, and set it on top of the papers.

Chi Xiting instinctively glanced at the document but quickly averted his eyes before he could read the title.

The professional ethics of a working man.

Don’t be too curious about the boss’s stuff.

What if it’s a trade secret?

It could affect his…

“Take a look.” Chu Yu’s lips curved slightly as he gave Chi Xiting a meaningful glance. He rolled up one sleeve casually and said, “It won’t affect your career.”

Chi Xiting, earnest: “Will it help me get promoted?”

Chu Yu chuckled softly. “Possibly.”

Chi Xiting burst out laughing, finally lifting himself from the couch and letting his gaze land on Chu Yu’s exposed forearm. “What’s wrong? Weren’t you leaving?”

“I’m afraid you’ll starve.” Chu Yu’s voice was cool. “I’ll cook before I go.”

Chi Xiting was stunned, an “ah” slipping from his throat.

Without sparing him a glance, Chu Yu walked to the refrigerator. “Take a look. What do you want to eat?”

Chi Xiting trailed after him, staring absentmindedly into the fridge. His mind, however, was filled with Chu Yu’s words:

He’s going to cook before leaving?

What had he done to deserve his boss cooking for him?

When Chi Xiting remained silent, Chu Yu glanced sideways at him.

With sharp features and neatly styled black hair, Chu Yu’s gaze was distant, yet up close, Chi Xiting could even make out his eyelashes behind his glasses.

“Anything,” Chi Xiting managed, under the pressure of Chu Yu’s eyes.

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask further, picking ingredients on his own.

Since the boss himself was cooking, Chi Xiting couldn’t just laze around. Even if he couldn’t help, he could at least provide emotional support — enthusiastically praising ingredient choices and marveling at knife skills.

With a small sigh, Chu Yu set the knife down, washed his hands, and said, “Go read the file on the coffee table.”

Chi Xiting: “?”

Chu Yu: “It’ll help your career — as long as you stop talking.”

Chi Xiting: “…”

Fine.

When the boss gave orders, there was no choice but to obey.

—-

In the living room, Chi Xiting didn’t touch the file. Instead, he wandered around, got tired, and lay back on the couch to scroll through his phone.

Soon, a pleasant aroma wafted from the kitchen.

Chi Xiting lowered his phone. As soon as he turned, he met Chu Yu’s gaze.

Chu Yu said nothing, merely motioning with a slight tilt of his chin.

Chi Xiting understood, walking over and peeking at the table.

Since it was just for him, there wasn’t too much food — one meat dish, one vegetable, and soup simmering in the kitchen.

“This is a bit much,” Chi Xiting muttered.

“I don’t expect you to finish it all,” Chu Yu said calmly.

Chi Xiting looked at him again.

Water still clung to Chu Yu’s hand, droplets trailing along veins before pausing on his knuckles and hanging from his fingertips.

Chu Yu removed his watch, and a faint mole on his wrist caught Chi Xiting’s eye before he looked away.

Chu Yu dried his hands and rolled down his sleeves. “Eat. I’m heading out.”

Chi Xiting nodded but asked, “Aren’t you eating, too?”

Chu Yu shook his head. “No.”

There wasn’t much time left.

Though he didn’t want to meet Chu Zixu for dinner, etiquette required he not be too late.

Chi Xiting didn’t press.

As Chu Yu prepared to leave, a trace of reluctance darkened his expression, though it vanished as quickly as it came.

Chi Xiting watched him leave; his curiosity piqued but knowing better than to meddle in his boss’s affairs.

Just as he turned back to eat, the door creaked open again.

Startled, Chi Xiting found Chu Yu standing there.

Chu Yu was surprised, too. “Why are you by the door?”

Chi Xiting scratched his chin, thinking fast. “Seeing you off.”

Chu Yu: “…”

After a long pause, he sighed and said, “Grab my file and watch.”

Chi Xiting also turned his head to glance back, obediently responded with a soft “Oh,” and stepped away to get something for Chu Yu.

Chu Yu’s gaze lingered on Chi Xiting’s retreating figure for a while.

Chi Xiting was tall and slender, with a spine that formed a subtle, graceful curve. As he bent over, his shoulder blades jutted out sharply but then softened again when he straightened. His neck, exposed to the air, gleamed pale like frosty jade.

Only when Chi Xiting turned around did Chu Yu finally avert his eyes.

Chi Xiting handed the documents and the wristwatch to Chu Yu, speaking softly, “Here, for you.”

Chu Yu reached out, took the items, and responded with a quiet “Mm.”

He didn’t put the wristwatch on immediately. Time seemed tight, and as he glanced at the clock while taking the watch, a slight frown formed between his brows.

“I’ll be going now,” Chu Yu said, gripping the front door as he prepared to close it.

Chi Xiting gave another “Oh,” then, after a moment of thought, felt it sounded a bit dry, so he added, “Be careful on the road.”

Chu Yu lowered his gaze to look at him, and as their eyes met, the atmosphere grew subtly tense.

Chi Xiting unconsciously fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, but drawing on his strong mental fortitude and professional demeanor, he tossed in one more line.

“See you tomorrow.”

That should make it sound like a proper superior-subordinate interaction, right?

After all, they’d see each other at the office tomorrow.

The office—a place of clear-cut boundaries, where likes and dislikes were straightforward.

Only dislikes. No likes.

Chu Yu said nothing more, gave a final “Mm,” then turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Fearing a repeat of history, Chi Xiting wasted no time after the door closed. He spun around and returned to the dining table, savoring Chu Yu’s cooking.

Chu Yu must cook often.

He’s really good at it.

Chi Xiting took a tentative bite, and his eyes lit up before he began devouring the meal.

High-quality ingredients paired with Chu Yu’s precise culinary skills felt like a recipe brought to life.

He polished off everything with satisfaction, then remembered there was still soup in the kitchen.

After a brief internal struggle, he served himself a bowl and slowly sipped it while scrolling on his phone.

When the soup was nearly gone, a message from Shen Zhizhe popped up.

Chi Xiting’s brow twitched. Experience told him about that messages from Shen Zhizhe right after work rarely bode well.

He cautiously opened WeChat.

Shen Zhizhe: Have you eaten?

Chi Xiting frowned harder and instinctively glanced at his empty soup bowl. He rubbed his chin in thought but couldn’t decipher Shen Zhizhe’s intent, so he hesitated before replying honestly.

Chi Xiting: Yes, just finished.

Shen Zhizhe: Ah, what a pity. Our department’s having a dinner gathering today. All the youngsters are here. I thought I’d ask if you wanted to join.

Chi Xiting’s furrowed brow finally relaxed. Feeling more at ease, he replied to Shen Zhizhe.

Chi Xiting: It’s fine. Enjoy yourselves.

Shen Zhizhe insisted.

Shen Zhizhe: Oh, you really won’t come? This meal’s just as good as last time’s at Qingting Pavilion.

Chi Xiting set down his spoon, rubbed his full stomach, and felt no desire to attend a department gathering.

Shen Zhizhe: Really? Eating so well? That’s a 500 fine. No more next time.

Seeing that Shen Zhizhe stopped responding, Chi Xiting couldn’t help but smile. He stood to wash the dishes and digest his food, but just as he rose, his phone buzzed again.

Shen Zhizhe: Alright, I’ll ask directly—did you leave with President Chu?

Chi Xiting froze, his expression shifting subtly.

Huh?

He’s asking about Chu Yu.

A direct superior asking an employee about the big boss.

This felt a bit sensitive.

Chi Xiting’s mind raced, his thoughts slipping into professional mode. He carefully chose his words before replying.

Shen Zhizhe: Is he still with you?

Frustrated by Chi Xiting’s terse, two-word answers, Shen Zhizhe tapped furiously on his keyboard, but just before hitting send, he realized the kid might be overthinking things again.

He sighed, deleting his original message one letter at a time.

Sure, he was curious.

But more than that, he was concerned.

Shen Zhizhe and Chu Yu had been university classmates. They were close back then, and after graduation, they continued working together. Shen Zhizhe knew a bit about Chu Yu’s family situation.

Chu Yu came from a wealthy family, but the foundation was built by his grandfather, Chu Yaonian. His father had little interest in business, preferring art and freedom. Once he reached adulthood, he left home to travel the world, where he met Qin Jinhe, a fellow adventurer.

The two fell in love, had Chu Yu the same year, but both craved freedom and weren’t ready to be responsible parents. Unwilling to be tied down, they entrusted Chu Yu’s upbringing to Chu Yaonian.

Chu Yu rarely saw his parents, and even when he did, it was only for a day or two—too short to form clear memories before they vanished again on their next journey.

Shen Zhizhe had learned about this secondhand since Chu Yu, ever composed and private, never spoke about his family.

This time, even Shen Zhizhe only heard from others that Chu Zixu and Qin Jinhe had returned.

Considering that Chu Yu left the office early today, it wasn’t hard for Shen Zhizhe to guess that Chu Yu had likely gone back to the old house to meet his parents for a family reunion.

What puzzled Shen Zhizhe, however, was why Chi Xiting also left work early.

And was even taken away by Chu Yu.

It couldn’t be that Chu Yu was bringing Chi Xiting home to meet his parents, could it?

Shen Zhizhe shivered slightly, feeling that his thoughts were becoming a bit too far-fetched.

Were they even that close?

Impossible.

Although he dismissed the thought, a sliver of doubt still lingered in Shen Zhizhe’s mind. He initially intended to stop thinking about Chi Xiting, but the hint of suspicion prompted him to probe further.

[Shen Zhizhe]: Then why did he take you with him?

Chi Xiting glanced at the message and began to deflect.

[Chi Xiting]: No idea. Maybe he was just bored.

Shen Zhizhe scoffed to himself. If he couldn’t get Chu Yu to spill, surely, he could get something out of Chi Xiting.

[Shen Zhizhe]: Did he say anything to you? Any instructions before he left?

Chi Xiting shoved a bowl into the dishwasher, pressed the start button, and walked out of the kitchen, trying to recall what Chu Yu had told him before leaving.

Hmm.

Not much, really.

He just told him that Xiao Hu would come later and to let him in.

[Chi Xiting]: Nope. I don’t know.

Shen Zhizhe became more persistent.

[Shen Zhizhe]: That’s impossible. Did he go back to the old house?

Chi Xiting paused slightly as he prepared to keep deflecting.

Chu Yu did mention something about family matters.

Going back to the old house?

Chi Xiting instinctively tried to recall the plot of the original story.

The original didn’t elaborate much on Chu Yu’s parents, focusing instead on his grandfather, Chu Yaonian.

The old house was currently occupied by Chu Yaonian alone, so if Chu Yu went back, it was probably to see him.

Chi Xiting muddled through his memories but couldn’t recall anything substantial. Resigned, he decided to give up and reply to Shen Zhizhe.

This time, a hint of impatience crept into his response.

[Chi Xiting]: No idea. Whatever. Muted.jpg

Shen Zhizhe replied instantly.

[Shen Zhizhe]: ? Who’s firing? This is Z Country!

Chi Xiting: “…”