Awkward Chapter 73

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Yan Chen slightly bent down and hugged her.

Ye Chun looked up at him with bright eyes. “Uncle Yan, why are you here?”

Yan Chen replied softly, “I came to see your little uncle.”

Ye Chun’s eyes sparkled. “Also to see me? Uncle Yan, do you know? I really missed you.”

Yan Chen’s expression was calm as he replied, “Hmm, Uncle Yan missed you too.”

Ye Chun smiled. “Uncle Yan, let me tell you something. Grandma always talks bad about you at home, but I don’t believe it. You’re the best. How could you possibly bully my uncle?”

Yan Chen looked down, his stern face showing a hint of sadness and silence. He didn’t respond.

Ye Chun noticed he seemed distracted and waved her small hand in front of his eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

Yan Chen came to his senses and saw the cake by the cabinet. He gently patted her head and said in a magnetic voice, “I’m sorry. I forgot to bring a birthday gift for you.”

A trace of disappointment crossed Ye Chun’s black eyes, and she pouted.

Yan Chen softened his lips and said gently, “I’ll take you shopping when we go home later, okay?”

Ye Chun was waiting for this response and quickly became happy again. She grabbed his hand and ran towards the hospital bed. “Come on, Uncle Yan, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. Let’s catch up with my little uncle.”

Yan Chen took a few small steps and gave Ye Mu a deep, silent look with his narrow phoenix eyes.

Standing by the bedside, wearing a thin black sweater, Yan Chen’s previously handsome face appeared much thinner, with deep shadows under his eyes. His demeanor was more reserved and mature compared to before.

Ye Mu looked up and met his gaze, feeling that something about him had changed since he hadn’t spoken about his intentions.

Yan Chen, lowering his bangs, watched him and after a moment, said in a low voice, “Are you feeling better?”

Ye Mu frowned, his face showing no emotion. He replied in a businesslike tone, “I’ll be discharged in another week.”

Yan Chen pressed his lips together and glanced indifferently at Chen Mo beside him. He said calmly, “Do you have time? I’d like to talk to you privately.”

Ye Mu’s face showed a trace of rejection, though he tried to conceal it. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

He felt guilty for having Chen Mo leave last time and was unwilling to make him leave again.

Yan Chen fell silent, his gaze lingering briefly on Ye Mu’s pale face. He said meaningfully, “Are you sure?”

Ye Mu subtly furrowed his brows. He understood what Yan Chen was hinting at but, influenced by Chen Mo’s heartfelt confession earlier, felt a sudden resolve to take a risk. “I’m sure.”

He thought that speaking out might be the best solution for pent-up feelings. If it were Chen Mo, he might forgive him.

At that moment, he waited for Yan Chen to reveal the truth.

However, Yan Chen’s demeanor was unusual. He simply smiled faintly and said lightly, “Forget it, it’s not that important. We can talk about it next time when you’re free.”

Ye Mu fell silent, not knowing what Yan Chen’s intentions were, as he continued to scrutinize him.

Chen Mo sensed the tension and furrowed his brows, unable to ignore the strange atmosphere between the two.

Ye Mu noticed and stared at Yan Chen for two seconds before dismissing him curtly, “If that’s the case, you can leave now.”

Yan Chen put his hands in his pockets and said, “We haven’t missed a birthday for Chun Chun over the years. Let’s keep that up this year too.”

Mentioning this made Ye Mu recall the times he had humiliated himself to persuade Yan Chen to join his family for New Year’s celebrations. He felt a surge of nausea and said with distaste, “No need. Just leave early.”

He suspected that Ye Chun’s attachment to him was a result of his past pretense, which now disgusted him.

Yan Chen, however, showed rare composure. He sat down next to Chen Mo and spoke with quiet but firm insistence, “I’ll stay and keep you company. It’s more lively with an extra person.”

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes, his chin raised as he looked at Yan Chen. His tone was sharp. “President Yan must be quite free. It seems the recent criticism hasn’t been enough for you.”

Due to delays with the Song project, Yan Chen’s reputation had suffered, and both within his company and from Yan Henan, there were many grievances and discontent.

Yan Chen remained unperturbed and replied with a hint of experience, “No matter how much criticism, the company still runs and earns more than yours. Are you dissatisfied?”

Chen Mo’s lips tightened with a hint of menace. “Indeed. I wouldn’t learn your methods of bribery and false accounting.”

Yan Chen’s gaze deepened, a trace of hidden malice in his smile. “By the way, I’m quite surprised you didn’t hand over the materials you took to the authorities. You know, the grudge from back then was not small.”

Chen Mo shot him a sideways glance, his hair falling over his forehead, giving him a sharp appearance. “Not everyone is as unscrupulous as you, willing to harm others without shame.”

Yan Chen nodded with a cryptic smile, “From your reaction, it seems you’re still resentful about how I framed you back then.”

Chen Mo sneered coldly, “If you had a chance, you’d understand how much I despise you for making me spend years in a dark cell.”

Yan Chen raised an eyebrow, “What if I told you there were accomplices?”

He glanced briefly at the man lying on the bed with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Though he had been somewhat prepared, Ye Mu still felt a chill run down his spine, as though an icy block had been placed on his back, making his entire body tense.

Chen Mo’s face darkened as he glared at Yan Chen with intense hostility. “I know. Your actions back then were too clean. I haven’t found any incriminating evidence even today. But the law’s net is wide. One day, I’ll make sure you and your d*mned accomplices experience life behind bars.”

His voice carried a dark and stormy undertone, with his anger and hatred visibly seeping from his dark eyes, even from afar, exuding a killing intent.

Ye Mu’s lips trembled, his face turning pale as he gripped the blanket tightly.

He thought he was strong enough, but hearing these words made him want to back down. He didn’t want Chen Mo to hate him or to know the truth.

Yan Chen looked at him meaningfully and said sharply to Chen Mo, “Really? I’m looking forward to it.”

Chen Mo’s expression was cold as a deep lake. “You won’t be disappointed. Besides, I’m curious about who helped you back then. Such a big player must have used many resources to cover up.”

“He not only destroyed all electronic records from that time and the related call records but also reassigned high-ranking officials. His methods were truly impressive.”

Yan Chen smirked, “Who knows? Actually, I’m also curious about how he managed to pull it off. Ye Mu, what do you think?”

Ye Mu didn’t expect the topic to shift abruptly. He was momentarily stunned, his heart racing, and remained silent.

When it came to revealing the truth, he found himself unable to speak, especially knowing Chen Mo’s deep reservations and resentment about the past.

Chen Mo noticed Ye Mu’s discomfort and furrowed his brows, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Ye Mu tried to regain his composure and took a while to respond, “No, I’m fine.”

Chen Mo still felt something was off and wanted to ask more, but he was interrupted by the child.

“Uncle Yan, what are you talking about? It’s so boring. I’m hungry and want cake.”

Yan Chen glanced at the time and then at Ye Mu’s expression, responding calmly as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. “Okay, wait a moment.”

He bent down and set up a small dining table on Ye Mu’s bed, placed the cake box on it, and expertly lit the birthday candles.

Chen Mo’s face was displeased, though he was annoyed by the domestic scene, he still turned off the bright lights.

The room dimmed, with only the flickering candlelight shining like stars.

In the darkness, Ye Mu, a few meters away, stared at Chen Mo with deep thought, his eyes occasionally flickering.

Chen Mo met his gaze, his black eyes showing focus and seriousness.

As they locked eyes, despite their differing thoughts, both shared an unspoken affection and admiration.

Ye Chun, caught between them, looked back and forth between Ye Mu, Chen Mo, and the neglected Yan Chen, furrowing her little brows.

“Don’t just stand there, make a wish and blow out the candles,” Yan Chen softly reminded, his voice magnetic.

Ye Chun thought for a moment, her bright eyes shifting slightly.

After a moment, she chuckled twice, clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, and said, “Alright, my wish this year is for Uncle Ye and Uncle Yan to reconcile and get along again.”

Before she could finish saying “get along,” the candlelight suddenly went out.

Ye Chun was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked up at the person who blew it out…

Chen Mo’s expression was impassive as he said, “It’s windy today.”

Ye Chun shivered and pointed at him with trembling fingers, her face turning red with anger.

Not long after, she burst into tears with a loud “wah.”

Yan Chen glanced coldly at Chen Mo, his gaze slightly icy. He got up, turned on the lights, and handed a tissue to the child to wipe her tears.

“Uncle Yan, he’s a big meanie,” Ye Chun said, her rabbit-like eyes red with tears, feeling utterly wronged. Her once-a-year birthday wish was ruined just like that, and the candle had been blown out by someone else—it was just too awful.

Yan Chen responded lightly but didn’t offer much comfort. He simply held her hand and cut her a piece of cake.

Ye Chun, who was already hungry, ate while sobbing.

Ye Mu, feeling annoyed, turned to Yan Chen and said, “You should take her home and buy her a gift.”

Since the other person wanted to play the role of the good uncle, just like before, he might as well let him do it.

Yan Chen didn’t refuse and quietly agreed.

Ye Chun’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed his hand. “Uncle Yan, I’m full. Let’s go buy a gift.”

Children are like that—quick to get upset and quick to move on.

Yan Chen didn’t mind her and, after a brief farewell, led her away.

Chen Mo watched his departing figure, his expression enigmatic. “What do you think that b*stard came for today?”

He knew this man, who always prioritized his own interests and desires. This visit couldn’t have been just to help a child celebrate a birthday.

Ye Mu lowered his thin eyelids, not responding, his gaze deep.

Chen Mo looked at him, his eyebrows furrowed. “What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Ye Mu snapped out of it. “Nothing.”

Chen Mo frowned slightly, watching him quietly for a moment. “So, have you thought about what I asked you before?”

Ye Mu remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, “Give me some time.”

Chen Mo’s gaze, as dark as the night, lowered as he picked up two items from the table. “How long?”

Ye Mu thought for a while before responding, “Three days.” Some things needed to be clarified before he could make a decision.

Chen Mo shot him a glance. “Hurry up. If you drag your feet, I might be gone by then, and you’ll be the one crying.”

Ye Mu assessed him with calm, water-like eyes. “I’m not afraid. If you leave, I’ll just come after you.”

Chen Mo snorted and, with a hint of a smirk, continued peeling an apple, his profile looking strikingly handsome.

Ye Mu’s gaze lingered on him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Chen Mo, you know, I really like you.