When Zhou Yi woke up in the morning, he found that Liang Xianzhang wasn’t beside him. He sat up in bed, recalling the conversation they’d had the night before. Liang Xianzhang had mentioned, half-asleep, that he was going to the company today to meet someone and take care of some matters.

Zhou Yi didn’t think much of it. Since Liang Xianzhang was headed to the company, he might as well stay home alone. Liang Xianzhang had taken time off from his teacher for him these past days, so he was free for the weekend.

After breakfast, which was prepared by the nanny, Zhou Yi felt a rare sense of freedom. With no classes or work to attend, he had planned to play some games. But after a few rounds, he quickly lost interest. Normally, he would play games with Liang Xianzhang, but playing solo today felt empty. Looking at the lonely character on the screen, he turned off the game in frustration.

Bored, he wandered around the house. While walking through the study, he noticed a stack of documents neatly arranged on the table. He absentmindedly flipped through them and guessed they were sorted out by Liang Xianzhang, who had likely forgotten to take them to the office.

Picking them up, Zhou Yi decided to deliver them to Liang Xianzhang. Since the documents had been left behind, it seemed like a good excuse to go see him.

He arrived at the company by car, and the front desk staff, already familiar with him, promptly called the executive elevator and swiped him in. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Zhou Yi saw Liang Xianzhang’s secretary. The secretary’s expression seemed slightly surprised.

The secretary approached him, speaking in a gentle tone, “Mr. Zhou, what brings you here?”

“I brought Xianzhang the documents he left at home,” Zhou Yi replied.

The secretary nodded. “Please hand them to me, and I’ll take them to him.”

Zhou Yi wasn’t naive. He noticed the secretary’s odd tone and expression, and something seemed off. “Can’t I take them in myself? Or is there someone in his office I’m not supposed to meet?”

“No! Mr. Zhou!” The secretary quickly tried to explain, sensing a misunderstanding. “Please, let me open the door for you. Mr. Liang is speaking with someone in his office.”

At that moment, Zhou Yi started to feel that something wasn’t right. Liang Xianzhang always insisted on taking him everywhere, wanting him close. Yet today, he had gone out alone, leaving Zhou Yi behind to handle his own affairs.

Who is he meeting that he had to leave me alone?

The secretary entered the password and opened the door to Liang Xianzhang’s office. As Zhou Yi stood at the threshold, he was about to step inside when the scene in front of him made him freeze.

Shang Yichen was gripping Liang Xianzhang’s collar, his other fist raised to strike him. Even from a distance, Zhou Yi could see the instant redness on Liang Xianzhang’s face, and Shang Yichen had no intention of stopping.

Zhou Yi’s anger surged, his vision narrowing with fury. He lunged forward like a rocket, pushing Shang Yichen away just as he was about to land another punch.

Liang Xianzhang had been helping him gain weight and strength recently, and the force of his push caught Shang Yichen off guard. Staggering backward, Shang Yichen fell onto the sofa.

Zhou Yi didn’t even glance at him. He moved swiftly to Liang Xianzhang’s side, gently cupping his red cheek with concern. “Does it hurt a lot?”

Liang Xianzhang tilted his head up, gazing at Zhou Yi. A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “If I say it hurts, will you worry more about me?”

Zhou Yi pressed his fingertips gently against the spot, his voice soft. “It’s time, and you’re still joking…”

Liang Xianzhang exaggerated a soft “hiss” from the pain, and Zhou Yi quickly brushed over the spot again, checking, “Did I hurt you?”

Liang Xianzhang took his hand and kissed it. “If you touch it for me, I won’t feel any pain.”

Shang Yichen, still sprawled on the sofa, looked up in disbelief at Zhou Yi. His hands trembled as he tried to process what he was seeing.

The Zhou Yi before him seemed unrecognizable. Gone was the thin, meek figure, replaced by someone more confident. His face had filled out, his complexion healthier, and there was no longer the submissiveness that had once lingered in his gaze.

Zhou Yi now wore a high-quality dark grey coat and a light-colored cashmere sweater, an aura of quiet elegance surrounding him. Is this really Zhou Yi? Shang Yichen thought. The same Zhou Yi who always appeared humble and docile?

Shang Yichen couldn’t take his eyes off him. Zhou Yi looked like a jewel, polished and glowing, more beautiful than he could have ever imagined.

But as he watched Zhou Yi lovingly embrace Liang Xianzhang, chatting as if no one else was in the room, jealousy surged in Shang Yichen’s chest. The warmth between them, the way they spoke to each other, was a stark contrast to the way he had once been with Zhou Yi. He now understood why Liang Xianzhang hadn’t tried to avoid his punch earlier—he had been putting on a show for Zhou Yi.

Shang Yichen’s anger bubbled up. He opened his mouth to speak, to tell Zhou Yi not to believe Liang Xianzhang’s act. But as he locked eyes with Zhou Yi, he froze. The gaze he received was cold, indifferent—a sharp contrast to the warmth Zhou Yi used to show him. It was the gaze of a stranger.

Shang Yichen’s heart squeezed. He couldn’t bear to be looked at like that, nor could he stand seeing Zhou Yi in the arms of another man. His fists clenched as he stammered, his voice filled with desperation. “Zhou Yi! Get out of his arms! Do you know what you’re doing? We haven’t seen each other for months, and now you’re hugging someone else? You’re cheating on me! Do you realize that?”

Zhou Yi didn’t understand why Shang Yichen was speaking with such authority, as if everyone had to listen to him. If this had been during their arrangement, Zhou Yi could have tolerated his behavior, but now it was different. Their relationship had ended long ago.

Shang Yichen’s face twisted in disbelief as he saw Zhou Yi’s cold expression. “You… you don’t care about me anymore?” he asked, his voice shaky.

Zhou Yi’s gaze softened only slightly. “There’s no relationship left between us. I don’t owe you anything.”

A sharp pain pierced Shang Yichen’s heart, and his face reddened with anger and humiliation. He couldn’t accept that after everything, Zhou Yi no longer cared for him. But Zhou Yi, without a trace of hesitation, simply turned away, his hand resting lovingly in Liang Xianzhang’s.

Shang Yichen could only watch as the man he had once known walked away with someone else, his grip on reality slipping with every step Zhou Yi took away from him.

If this had been the time when Zhou Yi was dependent on him, he might have been able to tolerate it. But now, there was no longer any relationship between them—not to mention the fact that Shang Yichen had even struck Liang Xianzhang!

Seeing the large scar on Liang Xianzhang’s handsome face, Zhou Yi felt that he no longer needed to hold back his anger. He had to confront Shang Yichen today.

Turning to face Shang Yichen, Zhou Yi spoke coldly, “If I remember correctly, we were only in an employment relationship during the agreement period. That relationship ended a long time ago. What gives you the right to question me?”

Shang Yichen was stunned once again, as though meeting Zhou Yi for the first time. Zhou Yi’s tone had never been like this—sharp, defiant, and unflinching.

The weight of successive setbacks hit Shang Yichen, and his heart ached. He was so overwhelmed by the pain that he couldn’t speak.

Zhou Yi’s voice cut through the silence. “And I find it a bit funny that you’re accusing me of cheating. Tell me, how many Omegas have you slept with behind my back?”

Shang Yichen’s lips trembled. “Those were just… necessary encounters. I’m not with any Omega, nor do I like them. I was just expressing my feelings!” He ground his teeth together. “But you—secretly having an affair with another man behind my back, and then getting together with him—are you doing me justice, Zhou Yi?!”

Zhou Yi met his gaze without hesitation. His eyes were calm, his voice steady. “Why should I be sorry for being with Xianzhang? You should know by now, we only had a sponsorship relationship. The terms have been met, and we no longer have any ties. It’s my choice to be with Liang Xianzhang. Did you pay me to buy my affection?”

Each of Zhou Yi’s words landed like a dagger in Shang Yichen’s heart. In his subconscious, Shang Yichen had stubbornly clung to the belief that Zhou Yi still had feelings for him.

After all, they had been together for three years—countless days and nights spent side by side. Even if Zhou Yi didn’t love him as much as Shang Yichen had imagined, surely there were still feelings there.

But now, Zhou Yi was saying there was no connection between them. Shang Yichen couldn’t accept the coldness in his tone or the harsh truth in his words. It felt like an open wound.

He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with the question he had to ask: “You… you don’t have any feelings for me? Haven’t you always liked me?”

Zhou Yi glanced down at Liang Xianzhang, who was quietly holding his hand, offering him comfort and strength.

Zhou Yi turned back to face Shang Yichen, meeting his gaze directly. His eyes were calm and without any emotion. “I don’t like you, and I never have.”

“Liar!” Shang Yichen’s chest constricted painfully, and his voice cracked as he yelled, “You obviously cared about me—you took care of me, worried about me, gave everything for me. No matter what I did, you always tolerated me. If those aren’t signs of love, then what were you doing for me all this time? Tell me!”

“Because you paid me.” Zhou Yi’s voice remained even. “I stayed with you for the money.”

Shang Yichen was stunned. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His throat felt tight, strangled by the weight of Zhou Yi’s emotionless words.

Zhou Yi’s words pierced through him like a sharp blade, destroying the illusion that Zhou Yi had ever truly loved him.

Zhou Yi continued, seemingly aware of the pain his words were causing. He looked at Shang Yichen with a slight, almost pitying smile. “You really thought that a relationship built on money could develop into something real? That it could create love?”

Shang Yichen’s face twisted in disbelief. He had imagined that if he just told Zhou Yi how much he needed him, how much he cared, Zhou Yi would soften. But hearing Zhou Yi’s words, hearing the truth he had refused to face, shattered him.

Zhou Yi’s coldness hit him harder than he ever expected.

Shang Yichen collapsed inwardly. “How could you treat me like this?” His voice trembled, pleading. “You weren’t like this before. Are you still angry with me? Is that why you’re saying this? We were together for three years. You can’t just say you don’t love me anymore. Do you know how much I’ve searched for you these past few days? How much I need you? Do you know?”

Zhou Yi frowned, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. “You need me? Why? Is it because you feel empty and lonely since I disappeared? Or is it that you need someone to manipulate, someone you can treat as a punching bag without ever having to acknowledge their humanity?”

Shang Yichen, desperate, tried to explain. “That’s not what I meant by needing you… I meant…”

Even now, Shang Yichen realized the truth: the reason he had been so stubborn about getting Zhou Yi back wasn’t because of pride or need—it was because he had fallen for him. He loved him. But before he could express it, Zhou Yi cut him off.

“To be honest, my leaving doesn’t mean you’ve lost anything. You have money, power, and status. You can always replace me. You even said so yourself, that there are plenty of people like me out there. So why are you here, arguing with me now?” Zhou Yi said, his words like an arrow to Shang Yichen’s chest.

Shang Yichen’s emotions flared, and before he knew it, he was standing up, shouting, “Because I love you too, Zhou Yi! I want to start over with you. I want to go back to the way we were!”

Zhou Yi, taken aback, instinctively glanced at Liang Xianzhang. When their eyes met, he saw the coldness in Liang Xianzhang’s gaze, a protective instinct flaring as he hugged Zhou Yi closer.

Zhou Yi ignored the words from Shang Yichen, his gaze not softening as he comforted Liang Xianzhang. Then, without hesitation, he turned to Shang Yichen and rejected him. “I don’t want to go back to the past with you.”

Shang Yichen’s heart shattered. He clenched his fists, voice trembling as he demanded, “Why?!”

“You treated me like a servant,” Zhou Yi said, his voice flat. “You dictated everything. You got angry for no reason, and I had to drop everything to come to you. You kept me around like a pet, as if I was nothing but an accessory. And when I was in the hospital, after the car accident, no one cared.”

Zhou Yi paused, his gaze unwavering. “Is that how you show love?”

Shang Yichen felt his breath catch in his throat. The weight of Zhou Yi’s words, so calm and direct, broke through his defenses. He had always thought Zhou Yi’s care and kindness were signs of love, but now, in the face of this truth, he realized it had been nothing but a façade.

Shang Yichen’s voice cracked as he tried to explain, “I wasn’t good to you before, but I’ll change. I’ll do whatever you want, I’ll give you anything you need. Please, just come back.”

Zhou Yi met his eyes, but his gaze was resolute. “You still don’t get it. If you loved me, you wouldn’t just do things to please me. You’d respect me, understand me, love me without any conditions.”

With that, Zhou Yi turned to Liang Xianzhang and held his hand. Shang Yichen, seeing them together, could only watch in despair.

“No. You can’t do this to me!” Shang Yichen shouted, reaching out to grab Zhou Yi, but Liang Xianzhang stepped in, blocking him.

Shang Yichen’s face contorted in fury. “Get out of my way! You’re the one who stole Zhou Yi from me! It’s your fault. If it weren’t for you, he would never have left me!”

Zhou Yi turned to Liang Xianzhang, and without a second glance at Shang Yichen, he rejected him again. The words and actions of the past few minutes were too much for Shang Yichen to bear, and as he crumpled to the floor, bloodied and defeated, the sound of Zhou Yi’s voice was the only thing he could hear.

Even now, Shang Yichen had the answer in his heart. There was only one reason why he had been so stubborn in wanting Zhou Yi back: because he had fallen in love with him. He wanted to explain this to Zhou Yi, but before he could, Zhou Yi interrupted him.

“To be honest, my leaving doesn’t affect you. You have money and status, you can find someone else to replace me. Didn’t you say there are plenty of people like me out there? So why come here today and try to talk to me?”

Shang Yichen suddenly stood up from the sofa and shouted, “Because I love you too! I want to start over with you. I want to go back to our old life!”

Zhou Yi paused, clearly taken aback by this confession. He instinctively looked at Liang Xianzhang, who met his gaze with cold eyes. When Liang Xianzhang noticed Zhou Yi’s glance, there was a flicker of hurt in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Zhou Yi’s waist and buried his face in his stomach.

Zhou Yi wasn’t moved by Shang Yichen’s words. He gently comforted Liang Xianzhang, touching his head, before turning back to Shang Yichen and bluntly rejecting him, “I don’t want to go back to my old life with you.”

Zhou Yi’s words and the tender gestures he showed to Liang Xianzhang stabbed Shang Yichen’s heart. He clenched his fists, his voice rising in frustration. “Why?!”

“For three years, you treated me like a servant. You made meals for your own taste, got angry for no reason when you were in a bad mood. I came when you called, no matter the time of day. You paraded me in front of your friends like I was nothing but a pet, a trophy. When I was in the hospital after a car accident, no one cared…” Zhou Yi turned his head, speaking each word deliberately. “Is this what you call love?”

Zhou Yi’s voice was calm, almost detached, as though he was simply stating facts. His eyes, clear and unyielding, pierced Shang Yichen’s soul. He couldn’t even meet Zhou Yi’s gaze anymore, the weight of guilt heavy on his face.

Shang Yichen bit his lip, his voice trembling as he rushed to apologize. “It was my fault before. I didn’t treat you right, and I took your kindness for granted. I’ll change. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll give you anything you need. Please believe me.”

“You still don’t get it.” Zhou Yi sighed, the weariness clear in his voice. “If you love me, it’s not about doing things for me—it’s about loving and respecting each other from the heart.” He looked at him tiredly. “This was a mistake from the start. There’s no relationship between us anymore.”

“No! You can’t do this to me…” Shang Yichen shook his head in denial, desperate. He lunged forward to grab Zhou Yi’s arm, but was blocked by Liang Xianzhang, who had been silent until now.

Shang Yichen’s expression twisted with rage as he looked at Liang Xianzhang. He pointed an accusing finger at him, his voice laced with anger. “Get out of my way! You took Zhou Yi from me! It’s your fault! If it weren’t for you, he would never have left me!”

“Zhou Yi, is this how you’re treating me, because of him? I was the one who was with you first. You can’t be with him!”

Shang Yichen’s rage flared. He clenched his fist again, this time aiming at Liang Xianzhang, but Liang Xianzhang was having none of it. With swift precision, he grabbed Shang Yichen’s wrist and, with a powerful movement, punched him square in the face.

Liang Xianzhang was fueled by frustration. He had tolerated Shang Yichen’s pursuit for too long, and the nerve of him confessing his love to Zhou Yi in front of him was the final straw. Usually, he wouldn’t resort to violence, but today was different. One punch wasn’t enough, so he landed several more. If Zhou Yi hadn’t stopped him, he might have cracked Shang Yichen’s skull open.

As Zhou Yi looked on, concerned, Liang Xianzhang wiped the blood from his hands on his suit before gently cupping Zhou Yi’s face and kissing him several times. “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”

“Let’s go home,” Zhou Yi said, holding onto Liang Xianzhang tightly. “I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

Liang Xianzhang nodded. “Okay. Go wait in the car. I’ll be down shortly.”

“Just don’t hurt him anymore. What if something happens?”

Liang Xianzhang agreed, his arm around Zhou Yi’s waist as they walked out together.

Shang Yichen, bruised and bloodied, lay on the floor, unable to get up. But even in his agony, he stubbornly shouted at Zhou Yi’s retreating figure, “Don’t leave! Zhou Yi, don’t follow him! Come back to me!”

His voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes. The scent of Zhou Yi—mint mixed with floral notes—still lingered in the air, so intoxicating, but it now felt cold and empty inside him.

Despite his hoarse throat, Zhou Yi didn’t turn around. He didn’t even acknowledge him.

Once outside, Liang Xianzhang sent Zhou Yi to the car, instructing the secretary to call security. He then returned to the office with everyone else.

“If you have any conscience, stop bothering Xiaoyi,” Liang Xianzhang said coldly, looking back at Shang Yichen. “He doesn’t want to see you anymore. Being with you only brings him pain.”

Shang Yichen glared at him through gritted teeth.

Liang Xianzhang didn’t even spare him a second glance. He turned to the security guard and said, “Take him out. If he tries to come back, don’t let him through this door again.”