Chapter 49: The Incompetent Husband 04 Part 1

Because the investigation had been so thorough, Meng Chenxiao didn’t need to ask around. He went straight into the elevator and pressed the floor number.

Yu Sui kept his head down, the corner of his mouth twitching nonstop.

They reached the floor.

Supporting Yu Sui as they stepped out, Meng Chenxiao rummaged in his pocket and found the key.

The room was pitch black. No one was home.

Meng Chenxiao’s expression grew serious.

The worry and waiting from the wife that Yu Sui had described was probably just wishful thinking. In reality, the man didn’t come home at all.

He flicked on the living room lights and started to feel sympathy for this guy.

Yu Sui was full of doubts.

Why wasn’t Ye Mingxu home?

[Maybe it’s deliberate. He probably heard Meng was coming and hid out.] The System analyzed. [After all, he still has lingering feelings for you. He doesn’t want to force a full showdown yet.]

Yu Sui was set down on the sofa. He simply lay back and pretended to sleep, curious to see if Meng Chenxiao would call someone—or even get bold enough to barge into the wife’s bedroom.

Meng Chenxiao placed him down and scanned the living room. Then he turned to look at Yu Sui on the sofa.

He seemed to be in real discomfort from the drinking, his brows tightly furrowed.

Meng Chenxiao felt a pang of heartache. He sighed softly, sat down beside the sofa, and reached out to smooth the furrow between his brows.

Yu Sui’s eyes snapped open. He grabbed Meng Chenxiao’s hand.

Meng Chenxiao froze. “You… you’re awake?”

“I…”

Creak—

The door swung open. Both of them turned toward the sound.

Ye Mingxu was carrying takeout bags, his face full of concern. He opened his mouth to speak, but when he caught sight of the living room scene, he froze solid.

His husband was lying on the sofa with a strange man sitting right beside him, their hands clasped together.

Ye Mingxu’s brain short-circuited for a second, disbelief flooding his eyes. “You two…”

“What’s going on here?”

He hurried forward, his tone sharp with accusation.

In that moment, his heart raced in panic, though Ye Mingxu couldn’t say why.

Meng Chenxiao quickly released Yu Sui’s hand and stood up. “It’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Ye Mingxu frowned and shot a glance at Yu Sui. “What were you just—”

The husband he’d always suspected was now bringing a strange man home—and acting so intimate.

As he drew closer, he caught the strong smell of alcohol on them. Had they been out drinking together tonight?

Was that why Yu Sui hadn’t messaged him today? Because of this guy?

Yu Sui hadn’t expected Ye Mingxu to walk in right then, pretending not to know Meng Chenxiao and grilling him like this.

He was caught off guard.

[He’s clever, turning the tables on you.] The System said. [He wants you to feel what it’s like to be suspected. Plus, it clears his name completely.]

“But…” Yu Sui still sensed something off.

[Sure, and they’re playing strangers behind your back, keeping you totally in the dark. Real thrilling stuff.]

“Thrilling indeed.” Yu Sui composed his expression. “This is my boss.”

He stood up, rubbed his head, and introduced them.

Ye Mingxu nodded, though his face remained stormy. He didn’t press further.

“I got dinner. Have you eaten?” He looked at Yu Sui.

Yu Sui nodded. “I’m not feeling great.”

He headed toward the bedroom. “Entertain my boss for me, will you?”

His footsteps wobbled, but he pushed on toward the master bedroom.

Ye Mingxu set down his bags and hurried over to steady him. “How’d you drink so much?”

“Business socializing. What do you know?” Yu Sui brushed him off, his voice edged with impatience.

He figured acting like he didn’t cherish his “wife” would only make Meng Chenxiao feel more sorry for him.

Ye Mingxu was used to the attitude. He helped Yu Sui into the bedroom, gave him a couple of reminders, and returned to the living room.

That boss was staring toward the master bedroom, showing zero signs of leaving.

Ye Mingxu’s guard went up. His tone was polite but cool. “Sorry, Yu Sui’s too drunk to play host. And it’s getting late…”

“No worries.” Meng Chenxiao was easygoing about it, but he picked up on the hostility. Strong possessiveness, he thought.

Yet the guy wouldn’t give him any real status—just kept him hidden away like a pet canary.

Hah, what a scumbag.

“I’ll walk you downstairs.” Ye Mingxu tried to usher him out.

Meng Chenxiao frowned. “Actually, I have a few words for you.”

The two of them left the living room, one leading the way.

Yu Sui pressed himself against the inside of the door, listening. He was mildly surprised. “That cautious, huh?”

[Probably scared you’d pop out midway.] The System guessed.

Once the door was shut, Ye Mingxu eyed the man. “So, what does President Meng want to tell me?”

“He’s not feeling well. Don’t give him a hard time.” Meng Chenxiao had wanted to demand why he wasn’t out about their relationship—why make Yu Sui cram onto the subway for work—but he held back, afraid of causing Yu Sui trouble. He rephrased instead.

“How would you know he’s not feeling well?” Ye Mingxu’s gaze turned icy.

“Anyone with eyes could tell.” Meng Chenxiao stood his ground. He hadn’t realized just how scummy the guy was—Yu Sui was limping and everything, but he acted blind.

Maybe Yu Sui usually put up with it all, taking whatever roughness came his way.

Ye Mingxu bristled at the tone and arched a brow. “Our marriage is none of an outsider’s business.”

The challenge hit home, and Meng Chenxiao couldn’t keep cool. “If you can’t make him happy, let him go now.”

Ye Mingxu stiffened. How does this guy know…

Did Yu Sui give up on him because of his own distance—and pick someone else?

Is that why there was no message today…

Meng Chenxiao took the guilty look on his face as confirmation. “He’s drunk and miserable. Go take care of him properly.”

“I don’t need you telling me.” Ye Mingxu hated the lecturing vibe.

He spun around, yanked the door open, and slammed it shut behind him.

Watching the man’s furious back as he stormed off, Meng Chenxiao regretted his rashness a little.

Had he pissed the guy off?

What if he took it out on Yu Sui—got even harsher…

Meng Chenxiao clenched his fist and punched the wall. But what right did he have to tell Yu Sui to stay away?

Yu Sui climbed back into bed. The booze hit him hard, and he drifted off to sleep fast.

Ye Mingxu didn’t check on Yu Sui right away. He mulled over Meng Chenxiao’s words.

If he’d come home even a little later—or not at all—would those two have ended up in each other’s arms? Kissing?

No way.

Ye Mingxu balled his fists.

Revenge on Yu Sui or not, he wouldn’t stand for his husband fooling around with someone else.

He stared at the master bedroom door and hardened his resolve.

Knock knock knock.

“Yu Sui?”

No answer after two calls. Ye Mingxu pushed the door open.

He saw the man curled up on his side and went over to help him sit up.

Hang on—this perfume smell…

He’d been too frantic before to notice, but now it hit him: this wasn’t the faint scent left on the jacket from yesterday?

That Meng Chenxiao!

That bastard…

Ye Mingxu pressed his lips tight.

Yu Sui’s boss—and the guy was such a pushover, never refusing a superior. Even if there was some harassment…

Or maybe more than that. Temptation.

He’d turned down his husband so many times. With his issue, he was missing out on certain pleasures—probably pouring it all into someone else.

Work stress piling on top of psychological hang-ups. He’d probably been dying for a release.

And Ye Mingxu had never even held him, never filled that emotional gap.

No wonder the disappointment built up. The boss’s solicitous care on top of all that endurance—it had to break him eventually.

Ye Mingxu’s emotions churned. Just step aside and let them have each other?

He wasn’t that generous. This whole thing had started as payback to make Yu Sui suffer.

But tolerate Yu Sui cheating? Cuckolding him?

Ye Mingxu wasn’t selfless enough for that.

So he had to step up and plug the emotional hole himself?

He bit his lip. But he was straight.

No.

Not all the way, at least.

Yu Sui was sleeping soundly. Figuring the two of them had probably gotten their kicks in the car outside, he didn’t bother having the System keep watch.

Ye Mingxu scooped him up and realized his husband wasn’t heavy at all.

Just that ass—everywhere else was slim.

Ye Mingxu frowned.

In the bathroom, he undid the suit buttons.

Ye Mingxu squirmed inwardly, but if he didn’t play the caring spouse now, Yu Sui might lose all faith and run to someone else. He pushed through the discomfort.

He set the clothes aside and studied the man’s skin.

Unhealthily pale, with a waist so narrow his hand wrapped around it easily.

The fairness made the pink tones stand out even more.

Ye Mingxu glanced away for a second and undid the belt.

He knew about Yu Sui’s problem but had never actually seen it. The guy had too much pride to let it show.

Now he stared, stunned.

Pink…

No flaws on this guy besides his personality?

Ye Mingxu’s breath hitched, his eyes darting.

He filled the tub and gave him a bath.

All business, no funny business.

But the rigid tension in his back, the flush creeping up his face, the constant throat-clearing swallows—they told another story.

Clean and dry, he wrapped Yu Sui up and tucked him into bed.

Ye Mingxu headed back to his own room, then returned to the master with his laptop.

Man-on-man stuff was foreign territory. Time to look it up.

He clicked a link and nearly reeled from the impact, slamming it shut. His face was a picture.

More searches—nope, he couldn’t handle those.

Finally, he settled on a video zoomed in on hands.

Anime style, over-the-top, with x-ray views.

Face burning, he muted it and studied the motions.

No way he’d let Yu Sui stray. No way he’d let him go—divorce meant the family blowing up again.

That was right. It was because of his family that he didn’t want to cause any more trouble, so he had compromised—reluctantly agreed.

The man lay on his side, the marks left by the plaster on his waist still vivid. Ye Mingxu touched them lightly before retrieving some ointment from the drawer.

When he discovered the ointment’s purpose, his cheeks flushed again. Could it be…?

He applied the ointment and replaced the plaster with a fresh one, pressing it firmly into place.

Ye Mingxu took a deep breath and coated his fingertips with more of the ointment.

He carefully recalled the study materials he had reviewed, determined not to make any mistakes.

He was confident in his hands.

Many clients had remarked that his fingers were long and elegant enough to serve as a hand model.

Previously, Ye Mingxu had barely registered any sensation, but now he was grateful for it.

This ought to serve as a decent substitute.

The sleeping man seemed to sense something. He frowned and twisted away.

Ye Mingxu startled, holding his breath as he fixed his gaze on Yu Sui’s face.

Seeing the man with his lips pressed tightly together, looking so restless,

Ye Mingxu reached out to smooth his furrowed brow. His fingertip trailed from the man’s eyes down his nose to his reddened lips.