Chapter 47: The Incompetent Husband 02 Part 1

Their breaths mingled, Yu Sui’s body tensing as he reached out to push Meng Chenxiao away.

Meng Chenxiao stared intently at his face, his gaze dropping to Yu Sui’s lips.

“Um, what’s your name?”

He was always the one people fawned over—this was the first time Meng Chenxiao had ever approached someone first, so his tone came out awkward.

Yu Sui frowned. “Could you back off a little?”

He had already noticed eyes turning their way, and it made him deeply uncomfortable.

“Sorry.” Meng Chenxiao cleared his throat lightly and straightened up, but he still couldn’t move back an inch. Their legs remained pressed together.

Even that slight shift made the contact feel all too vivid.

His breathing grew heavier. “Can you tell me your name now?”

“Yu Sui. Do you need something?” Yu Sui replied warily.

Had he offended someone? There didn’t seem to be anything like that in the plot.

“Nice name,” Meng Chenxiao said with a nod. “I’m Meng Chenxiao. I live at…”

[Why is the Protagonist Gong here?] the System exclaimed in shock.

“Huh?” Yu Sui blinked, sizing up the man who’d just introduced himself. He hadn’t expected this guy to be the Protagonist Gong.

[It looks like the plot has started unfolding without us knowing.] the System said.

“How can you be so sure?” Yu Sui asked, puzzled.

[I bought an experience manual from my seniors.] The System brimmed with confidence. [This mission will be a piece of cake.]

Yu Sui’s eyes lit up. Was he about to get carried to victory by a top-tier System?

Once Meng Chenxiao finished speaking, he looked at Yu Sui. “Can I get your contact info?”

[This guy’s such a jerk, constantly provoking you,] the System cried out.

Yu Sui also thought the Protagonist Gong was acting pretty cocky, but he wasn’t upset about it. After all, his own character wasn’t exactly a saint.

Still…

“Should I add him?”

[Don’t.] The System instructed. [Wait until you get back to the company and learn who he is. Then regret it and desperately try to butter him up.]

“To make the protagonist feel good?” Yu Sui immediately grasped the trope.

[Exactly.] The System confirmed. [But what you don’t realize is that he’s only letting you get close because he’s got his eye on your wife.]

Yu Sui straightened his expression. “Sorry, I don’t add strangers.”

With that, he lowered his head.

Meng Chenxiao hadn’t expected the rejection. A pang of disappointment hit him, but he didn’t push. “My apologies.”

He figured their whirlwind romance had come and gone as quickly as it arrived—until they both got off at the same stop.

They rode the elevator together, then headed in the same direction.

Meng Chenxiao’s eyes widened. Was this fate?

At the company, he watched Yu Sui clock in at the door. It felt like a match made in heaven.

Rather than follow him inside, Meng Chenxiao called his secretary to pick him up.

His family had sent him to this company for training, and the secretary was one of his father’s most trusted aides. Whatever the man said, Meng Chenxiao listened.

Right now, he was grateful for the secretary’s arrangements. How else would he have crossed paths with his fated one?

Secretary Wen got the call and hurried downstairs.

“Secretary Wen.” Meng Chenxiao waved.

“How are you feeling, Young Master Meng?” He studied the young man and relaxed when no displeasure showed on his face.

President Meng had tasked him with toughening up the young heir, preparing him to one day take over the entire Meng family and stand on his own.

Today’s exercise was meant to test whether the young master could bend without breaking. If he acted too high and mighty, he’d get eaten alive in the business world.

So far, it seemed the family’s indulgence hadn’t made him arrogant.

“Young Master Meng, come with me.” Secretary Wen’s tone carried respect.

Meng Chenxiao followed behind him.

Word had spread through the company that the crown prince was coming for hands-on training.

Still, seeing Meng Chenxiao in person came as a surprise.

The man was strikingly handsome, his looks and aura like that of a movie star.

With glances from the corner of his eye, Meng Chenxiao scanned the employees, searching for Yu Sui—but no luck.

He wanted to ask Secretary Wen, but felt too embarrassed.

They made their way to the president’s office.

Secretary Wen handed over a suit he’d prepared in advance. “Go ahead and change.”

He knew the young master hated places like public transit—after all, he’d been raised at the top of the pyramid.

Meng Chenxiao took the suit, but had the secretary pack up the jacket he’d worn. “This one’s special.”

His eyes flickered as he spoke, the tips of his ears turning faintly pink.

Secretary Wen looked pleased, assuming the young master had gained some insight from the day’s ordeal. “If you’ve come to this realization, I’m sure President Meng will be thrilled.”

Meng Chenxiao froze, meeting his gaze. He realized at once that the secretary had misunderstood.

He coughed guiltily. “Let’s talk work.”

He’d studied this field in school—what he lacked was experience—so he wasn’t completely lost.

Yu Sui sat at his workstation, filling out forms on his computer.

He realized he’d been overthinking it. His tasks were varied but simple, all busywork that taught him nothing.

Everyone around him was buzzing about Young Master Meng.

“He’s so handsome!”

“I thought he was some celebrity from showbiz.”

“Damn, talk about winning the reincarnation lottery.”

“What door did God close on that guy?”

“I wonder if Young Master Meng has a partner.”

Jealousy, envy, admiration—all of it swirled in the air.

Yu Sui stayed quiet. No one chatted him up unless they needed something, and then they only called his name.

He seethed inwardly but swallowed it down, the picture of utter patheticness.

As he filled out another form, a male colleague glanced his way. “The team leader’s coffee is empty. Yu Sui, go make him a cup.”

“Make me one too while you’re at it, Yu Sui.”

“And me! Me too!”

This happened all the time. Yu Sui wasn’t happy about it, but he got up without a word and headed to the break room.

“Tch, who does he think he’s glaring at?”

“We give him a chance to fit in, and he doesn’t appreciate it.”

Far from grateful, they nitpicked.

Yu Sui grumbled to himself. “These people are so annoying.”

[Workplaces are full of types like that,] the System said sympathetically. [Sigh.]

He brewed cup after cup, loaded them onto a tray, and carried it back to the workspace.

The group crowded around, each grabbing a mug.

“Why is this so strong?”

“I said one-third sugar!”

“Yu Sui, you’re hopeless.”

They jabbered at him, and Yu Sui hung his head, muttering under his breath, “Not listening, not listening, it’s like turtle chanting scripture.”

Just then, the team leader’s raised voice rang out from the doorway. “Good day, Young Master Meng.”

Every sound cut off instantly. Everyone scurried back to their desks and buried themselves in work.

Yu Sui frowned and hurried to his spot.

But as he went to sit, the employee next to him stuck out a leg.

Still holding the tray, Yu Sui tripped and sprawled to the floor, clutching at the edge of his chair.

His already sore back flared up worse than ever, his face draining of color.

“Pfft—”

Someone snickered, then quickly stifled it.

Meng Chenxiao walked in with the team leader and spotted someone sitting in the aisle between workstations.

The team leader hadn’t expected anyone to slack off even after his warning. His face darkened. “Hey, you—what are you doing?”

Yu Sui jolted at the voice.

Secretary Wen frowned slightly but stayed silent. He glanced at Meng Chenxiao, curious to see how he’d handle it.

The team leader shot a fawning look at Meng Chenxiao before striding over. “Yu Sui, you again? Can’t you read the room? Everyone else is working hard, and here you are stealing the show?”

He lowered his voice, berating the employee.

Yu Sui’s lips moved. “I didn’t…”

“Get up and apologize to Young Master Meng.” The team leader cut him off, then straightened with an apologetic smile. “Some employees pull stunts like this to get noticed—my failure in management…”

Meng Chenxiao said nothing, but his brows knitted tightly.

His expression gave nothing away.

The team leader took it as displeasure at the employee’s antics. “I’ll fire him.”

Yu Sui’s head snapped up at that. “Team leader, I…”

No way—he was getting canned on his first day?

“You’re fired,” Meng Chenxiao said. The one he looked at was the team leader.

“I… what?” The team leader stared in disbelief.

Meng Chenxiao ignored him and went to Yu Sui’s side.

Towering over the pale-faced man, concern softened his features. “Are you okay?”

Yu Sui looked up at him, wondering what expression to make.

Before he could speak, Meng Chenxiao scooped him up.

Yeah—a princess carry.

The room erupted in gasps. No one could pretend to work anymore; they gawked in stunned silence.

Under all those stares, Meng Chenxiao flushed a bit. He looked down at the man in his arms. “I’ll take you to a doctor.”

Secretary Wen approved of the swift firing—the team leader was an idiot who couldn’t read the room, no place for him here. But this next move? He was supposed to teach the young master to be approachable, not… this close.

“Young Master Meng?”

He took a step forward.

“You handle the aftermath,” Meng Chenxiao said firmly, brooking no argument.

Secretary Wen didn’t follow. Fine, it was over the top, but caring for subordinates beat being a tyrant any day.

He eyed the team leader, then the others, and wordlessly entered the team leader’s office.

The man’s face went ashen. He knew he was done for.

Yu Sui was completely dazed.

Was this right?

To shove aside the main palace wife, they didn’t need to go this far.

Ding—

They entered the elevator, and Yu Sui finally snapped out of it. “Young Master Meng, put me down.”

His back hurt too much to move, so talking was all he could do.

“Do you remember me?” Meng Chenxiao asked. “We met this morning.”

“I remember now.” Yu Sui put on a look of sudden realization and spoke softly. “So, can you let go of me?”

Meng Chenxiao saw that Yu Sui recognized his identity but showed no sign of flattery. This only confirmed his feelings all the more.

What a pure and unpretentious little white flower—just like the ones on TV.

“Where did you fall and hurt yourself?” Meng Chenxiao didn’t release his hold.

The pained expression on the other man’s face had clearly indicated an injury, and Meng Chenxiao wasn’t the sort of insensitive straight guy who would ignore that.

His tone was gentle, laced with concern. Yu Sui found the whole thing utterly bizarre.

Was this right?

What was the point of hugging his romantic rival like this? He fell silent and mentally called out to the System in unease.

[He wants to get on good terms with you and become friends so he can enter your home openly.] The System analyzed. [It seems his feelings for the protagonist shou run deep, which is why he’s in such a hurry.]

“But isn’t it a bit off for him to be holding me like this?” Yu Sui felt deeply uncomfortable.

[Isn’t that obvious?] The System drew from its database of plot tropes. [He’s subtly competing with you for dominance. You’re weak and frail, while he’s strong, sturdy, and young. You don’t measure up to his wife at all.]

“So this is humiliation?” Yu Sui realized.

[What else could it be? Love at first sight?] The System shot back.

Yu Sui found the logic sound.

Was he being made to look utterly worthless by comparison?

Damn it.

Meng Chenxiao noticed Yu Sui’s silence and made no move to draw closer or fawn over him. This only made him happier still.

He never would have imagined that he’d run into a plot straight out of an idol drama.

He carried Yu Sui all the way to the president’s lounge and gently set him down on the sofa.