Chapter 22
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The next day, Ye Mu woke up relatively early.
Dragging his shoes into the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and washed his face. When he came out, Chen Mo was still sleeping.
Thinking of the unpleasantness last night, he didn’t dare to directly wake him up. He left a note and went out to buy breakfast.
The greenery in Zhejiang was very good, and the air was exceptionally fresh. Although it was early in the morning, there were already many old ladies exercising along the way.
Near Lu Xun’s former residence, there was an old man holding a huge brush, practicing calligraphy on the ground with water. The brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, giving off the aura of a calligrapher.
Ye Mu stood beside him and watched for a while. Suddenly, the phone in his pocket vibrated twice. At first, he thought it was Chen Mo, but when he took it out, he found that it was a WeChat friend request notification.
From Gu Huai’s phone number.
Ye Mu frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment before clicking accept. The other party quickly sent a photo showing off their affection. The location was the Maldives.
On the sun-drenched beach, Yan Chen was wearing a pair of stylish sunglasses, hugging Gu Huai from behind. Both of them were smiling very handsomely.
Ye Mu’s gaze swept over it indifferently. He typed a text message and sent it over: “What’s the matter?”
In just a few seconds, Gu Huai quickly responded, “Nothing, I just wanted to let you know that we’re doing well.”
Ye Mu’s face was cold and aloof.
He typed two words to the other party: “Childish.”
Gu Huai curled his lips, unwilling to back down, and retorted, “I know you’re just jealous, but it’s okay. I just hope that in the future, you can be a little more restrained and not shamelessly think that Yan Chen still has feelings for you.”
Ye Mu’s expression was indifferent.
His fair, slender fingers mechanically typed, “Is there anything else? If not, I’m blocking you.”
Gu Huai scoffed, “What, are you angry?”
Ye Mu’s jade-like face showed nonchalance.
“Mm, a little annoyed.”
Gu Huai’s eyes flashed with disgust. “I’m annoyed too, but I still have to advise you to keep this number. Looking at my and his moments often can clear your head and prevent you from harboring any illusions.”
Ye Mu’s face was expressionless. “Believe it or not, he and I ended long ago.”
Gu Huai bit his lip, typing forcefully, “Yes, I know you two ended, but do you dare to swear that you no longer have any feelings for him in your heart?”
Ye Mu lowered his eyelids and replied faintly, “I don’t dare. I still have feelings, but we won’t be together again.”
Gu Huai wouldn’t let him go, sharply replying, “What guarantee can you give me?”
Ye Mu was silent for a moment. “I have no obligation to give you any guarantees.”
Gu Huai’s face turned ugly. “What will it take for you to give up?”
Ye Mu was indifferent. “Right now, you’re the one who won’t let go. Gu Huai, instead of using this time to pester me, you’d be better off properly managing the one at home and getting him to restrain himself.”
A trace of irritation flashed across Gu Huai’s face. “I understand my own matters with him. I don’t need you to teach me.”
Ye Mu responded lightly, “That’s good then.”
Gu Huai frowned tightly and didn’t reply further. He angrily tossed his phone aside, his gaze turning to the sleeping man beside him, his eyes filled with sharpness and unwillingness.
Last night, when Yan Chen was having sex with him, he called out Ye Mu’s name again.
This was already the second time this month.
Gu Huai didn’t know how much longer he could tolerate it. The two of them had gone on a trip together for their honeymoon.
During the day, they were as sweet and affectionate as newlyweds, but at night, whenever Yan Chen was drunk or unintentionally, he always called out that b*stard’s name.
He kept consoling himself that it was a coincidence, but he couldn’t withstand the repetition again and again. It almost drove him to collapse.
Adding Ye Mu on WeChat was indeed childish and unlike something he would usually do, but apart from this, he couldn’t find any other way to alleviate the inexplicable sense of panic in his heart.
Sometimes, he really wanted to shout angrily, Yan Chen, who the h*ll do you love? That b*stard or me? But he wouldn’t ask because the answer had always been fixed and unchanging.
Yan Chen would always say that he loved him.
Gu Huai was very confused and even felt helpless for a moment. He felt that he was deeply trapped in a maze. He could no longer distinguish the essence of the matter. He began to regret it.
If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have gone abroad and given Ye Mu the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. He shouldn’t have allowed the two of them to be together for so long.
Or perhaps, he had been wrong from the very beginning, and ridiculously so. “What are you thinking about?”
A deep, magnetic voice suddenly rang out.
Gu Huai turned his head and looked at the man’s chiseled side profile, remaining silent.
Yan Chen sat up and casually lit a cigarette. The wisps of smoke shrouded his fair, handsome face, making it impossible to see his expression. “If there’s something, just say it. You’ve been a bit off lately.”
Gu Huai didn’t answer.
He closed his eyes wearily and leaned against the bed. Yan Chen ignored him and narrowed his long, deep eyes, smoking by himself.
“You called his name again last night,” Gu Huai suddenly spoke up. Yan Chen blew out a smoke ring, his gaze indifferent and calm. “We were together for too long. It’s just a habit.”
He added, “Don’t overthink it.”
Gu Huai frowned. “I can’t help but overthink it. Ye Mu was with you for a full eight years, but I’ve only been with you for half a year from start to finish. The gap between them is too big to make up for.”
Yan Chen put his arm around his shoulders. “To be precise, it’s been a year and a half. We knew each other online for a year before that.”
Gu Huai was slightly stunned. He lowered his eyes and bit his lip fiercely. “Tell me honestly, if it weren’t for that year, would you still have gotten together with me back then?”
Yan Chen put out his cigarette, his expression indifferent. “What nonsense are you saying?”
But Gu Huai insisted, “Answer me.”
Yan Chen glanced at him, frowning slightly. “If it weren’t for that year, we might not have even met each other, let alone gotten together.”
Gu Huai tightly pursed his lips and said with difficulty, “What I mean is, do you actually like me as a person?”
Yan Chen looked at him in silence for a moment, his thin lips parting slightly. “Yes.”
Gu Huai let out a sigh of relief and buried his head deeply into his chest. Yan Chen held him tightly, his broad shoulders exuding a cold aura. He lowered his head and gave him a passionate kiss. The morning sunlight shone on the two of them, making them look a bit beautiful.
The screen gradually dimmed.
Ye Mu waited for a while longer.
Seeing that Gu Huai didn’t reply further, he finally put his phone back into his pocket.
Just now, for a moment, his heart softened.
What fault did Gu Huai have? He was just like his former self, lost in a poisonous wine called “Yan Chen,” intoxicated and unaware.
For a moment, he began to feel fortunate. At least he had escaped, quit, and was no longer in pain. He could have a life that belonged to himself, living completely for himself.
“Buzz buzz.” The phone was ringing again. Someone was calling. Ye Mu glanced at it, feeling inexplicably numb.
The caller ID: “Wife.”
After a moment of hesitation, his finger slid to the answer button, but he didn’t dare to speak. “…”
The voice on the other end of the phone was ice-cold. “Where are you?”
Ye Mu coughed. “President Chen.”
Chen Mo’s voice was displeased. “How long until you’re back?”
“Ten minutes,” Ye Mu said.
Chen Mo was very harsh as he replied. “I’m giving you five minutes. If you’re late, it’ll be deducted from your salary.”
Ye Mu’s face was expressionless. “My salary for this month has already been completely deducted.”
Chen Mo lowered his eyes, his long phoenix eyes half-closed. “Then it’ll be deducted from next month.”
Ye Mu tightly pursed his lips. “How much will be deducted?”
Chen Mo snorted. “Six thousand.” Ye Mu frowned and hung up the phone.
He immediately quickened his pace and started running. The weather in June was a bit hot.
He sweated a lot along the way. When he opened the door to the hotel, he was still panting, and his usually fair face was slightly flushed.
Chen Mo glanced at the clock on the wall and sat at the table with his arms crossed, his thin lips revealing a mocking expression. “Exactly five minutes. Consider yourself lucky.”
Ye Mu walked over and looked at him. Rare anger appeared on his usually calm face. “One day, I’m going to report you to the labor protection association.”
Chen Mo curled his lips in an unruly manner and blatantly snatched the paper bag from his hand. “Go ahead. I’ll be waiting.”
Ye Mu didn’t say anything and sat down across from him with a straight face.
Chen Mo didn’t care and started unwrapping the paper bag on his own. Today, he was wearing a white shirt, his slightly messy hair, his young and handsome face with distinct features, exuding a sunny handsomeness, exceptionally good-looking.
Ye Mu didn’t even spare him a glance and silently poured himself a glass of water to drink.
Chen Mo had a good appetite. He had bought a total of two hamburgers, two cups of soy milk, and a portion of french fries for breakfast.
In less than ten minutes, he had eaten everything, leaving only a little bit. The aroma wafted all around. Ye Mu sat across from him, his face expressionless. “Growl~” In the silence, someone’s stomach suddenly growled, and it was quite loud. Chen Mo coldly swept his eyes over Ye Mu. “Want some?”
Ye Mu tugged the corners of his mouth, his words stiff. “No need.”
Chen Mo casually shrugged his shoulders, not saying anything, and continued eating. He chewed very finely, fully displaying the crispy texture of the potatoes bit by bit. Ye Mu’s stomach was even hungrier. He swore that he had never wanted to eat french fries so badly in his life.
“Growl~”
The growling sound from before rang out again, as if saying, “I really want to eat, I really want to eat.”
Chen Mo raised his head and waved a french fry at Ye Mu, a sharp provocation at the corners of his lips. “Really don’t want it?”
Ye Mu swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His eyes stared straight at the last remaining french fry, his face full of righteous indignation. “Not hungry.”
Chen Mo coldly said, “Oh,” and unapologetically swallowed it in one bite. With that, all the breakfast had been wiped out, not even a crumb left. Ye Mu silently watched, not moving.
Chen Mo was full.
He crossed his arms, his reaction a bit arrogant. “I think you’re quite annoying, selfish, and self-serving, not at all knowing how to care for others.”
The corners of Ye Mu’s mouth twitched a few times, but he didn’t say anything. Chen Mo snorted in laughter, the arc at the corners of his lips carrying a hint of mockery.
He tapped the table and stood up, gesturing for him to leave. Ye Mu gave him a sidelong glance, his face deadpan as he kicked the small stool beside him.
“Bang!”
Chen Mo was caught off guard and fell ungracefully, his four limbs spread out in different directions.
Ye Mu didn’t go to help him up, just watching him make a fool of himself. Chen Mo gritted his teeth and got up, glaring at him, his eyes filled with fierceness. “You did that on purpose!”
Ye Mu looked at him indifferently, his fair, cold face calm. “Mm, I did it on purpose. Does it hurt a lot?”
Chen Mo narrowed his eyes and went up to grab his collar, his aura domineering. “What do you think?”
Ye Mu’s face was expressionless as he mockingly replied. “Sorry, I don’t know how to care for others at all.”
Chen Mo: “…”
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