Chapter 50: The Incompetent Husband 05 Part 1

Watching his retreating back, Ye Mingxu froze for a moment.

Not here to watch him?

No.

If he suspected something, shouldn’t he keep staring and continue checking?

Was Yu Sui feeling shy and embarrassed?

Ye Mingxu’s eyes curved in a smile as he picked up the bathrobe and slipped it on. It seemed he really did like him after all.

Yu Sui cupped some water to wash his face, his expression a complicated mix of emotions.

“He… he’s way too lovesick,” he muttered.

He lifted his head and sighed.

[Yeah, going this far,] the System sighed along with him.

“I… did I break character with that reaction?” Yu Sui suddenly realized, a wave of worry washing over him.

[Our storyline is special. You don’t need to stay in character every second—as long as you complete the mission, that’s fine. After all, you’re just a tool for playing the protagonist, already battered body and soul. If you couldn’t go out of character even a little, that’d be too inhumane.] The System paused before adding, [Besides, you can’t perform anyway. You can’t stand seeing other people do it, so you’d react strongly either way. No need to worry.]

“You didn’t have to say the ‘can’t perform’ part out loud,” Yu Sui said weakly.

Seeing that Yu Sui wasn’t coming out of the bathroom, Ye Mingxu couldn’t help imagining that he might have gotten a reaction after all and was secretly thinking about him in there.

He cleared his throat lightly but didn’t knock on the door. He was afraid Yu Sui might yank him inside and then…

Ye Mingxu returned to his own room, but he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to what Yu Sui might do next.

Would it be like yesterday?

A faint blush colored his cheeks. He suddenly felt thirsty.

He stepped out to pour himself some water and found himself staring at the master bedroom door. Instead of heading straight back, he sank onto the sofa.

Some time passed before the light in the master bedroom finally clicked off.

Yet Ye Mingxu still wasn’t sleepy. He wondered if Yu Sui was disappointed by his abrupt departure, or if he had started thinking about that other person again.

And had he truly been satisfied?

Ye Mingxu set down his cup and crept quietly toward the master bedroom.

A sliver of light spilled into the room.

He approached the bedside, thinking that if Yu Sui really wanted him, he would probably pretend to be asleep.

Ye Mingxu reached out to touch the man’s face, only for his hand to be gripped firmly.

Yu Sui’s eyes snapped open, full of vigilance. “What are you doing?”

“I… I just wanted to see you,” Ye Mingxu said, his heart jolting in surprise. He hadn’t pretended to be asleep after all?

“See me?” Yu Sui sat up and flicked on the bedside lamp. He took in the sight of the man before him—head bowed, utterly docile.

His emotions churned. He hadn’t expected to go this far. This man loved him so deeply that he was sneaking in at midnight just to gaze at him and soothe his longing.

What a pity.

“Really?” Yu Sui asked, his tone laced with suspicion. “You’re sure you don’t have a guilty conscience?”

Hearing that, Ye Mingxu thought of his original plan, and his eyes flickered. “Don’t slander me like that, Yu Sui.”

Spotting the guilt in his expression, Yu Sui paused.

Could it be that this guy was checking if he was asleep so he could contact someone else?

That would ruin the protagonist’s plan.

He analyzed the situation inwardly with the System.

[Very likely,] the System replied. [He might be struggling inside, using your reaction to decide.]

“So what’s his choice now?”

[You’re awake, so he’s not contacting anyone else,] the System sighed. [He’s indecisive by nature—that’s why he keeps tolerating you.]

“Then I woke up at the wrong time,” Yu Sui regretted. “But… it’s hard not to wake up when he gets this close.”

[Want me to give you a buff?] the System offered. [An unshakable sleep buff.]

Yu Sui’s interest piqued. “Can you cut me some slack like that?”

[It’s for completing the mission better.]

“Alright, set it up for me after I fall asleep next time,” Yu Sui said.

With their brief exchange over, Yu Sui withdrew his suspicious gaze. “I’m tired. Don’t come into my room without permission again.”

Ye Mingxu nodded obediently and left.

Seeing him so meek, Yu Sui let out a sigh.

The next day, Yu Sui didn’t leave first. The two of them ate breakfast in silence before Ye Mingxu spoke up. “Yu Sui, let me drive you to work.”

“No need,” Yu Sui refused.

Ye Mingxu’s fingers paused. He knew Yu Sui cared about his pride, but that boss of his was starting to bother him…

“Alright.” In the end, he didn’t press the issue.

Yu Sui, fully recovered, squeezed onto the subway once more.

He didn’t notice that Ye Mingxu followed right after him.

Ye Mingxu had disguised himself a bit—hat and mask in place—as he trailed behind Yu Sui.

He just wanted to confirm something, though even he couldn’t explain why he felt compelled to do so.

Yu Sui remained oblivious to the person shadowing him.

He blended into the crowd onto the subway and stood in a corner, gazing out the window.

Ye Mingxu kept some distance, lost in thought as he stared at Yu Sui’s profile.

Another station passed, and more people boarded.

At first, he paid no mind, until he realized the new arrival’s target was Yu Sui.

He froze and glanced at the man’s face. Wasn’t that Yu Sui’s boss?

His hands clenched tight. He looked away, afraid of being spotted.

The group president riding the subway? Ye Mingxu wouldn’t believe for a second that President Meng had no ulterior motives.

Through the crowd, he watched Meng Chenxiao maneuvering slyly to corner his spouse against the wall. They were pressed so close that a dip of the head would bring their lips together.

Ye Mingxu’s expression darkened. He had never held Yu Sui that way.

Meng Chenxiao was in high spirits. He looked down at his subordinate. “What a coincidence.”

Yu Sui’s mouth twitched. His good mood for the day was ruined the moment he spotted his boss.

More passengers crowded on, and Meng Chenxiao finally got his wish, pulling the man into his arms. Yu Sui’s ears flushed bright red. “Sorry about this.”

His head dipped low, warm breath brushing against Yu Sui’s ear.

Yu Sui frowned and pushed at him, but he couldn’t budge the man.

The oppressive aura was intense. Was this what a domineering CEO felt like?

That was what he was pondering.

Meanwhile, Ye Mingxu’s eyes had turned bloodshot.

He fought the urge to charge forward and demand answers, his teeth grinding audibly.

He tailed them all the way.

Watching them enter the company together left Ye Mingxu’s face stormy.

The one silver lining was that his spouse clearly rejected the man—it wasn’t mutual attraction.

But that was his boss, after all. He couldn’t afford to burn bridges.

Ye Mingxu bit his lip, forcing himself to stay calm.

Back at the law firm, Ye Mingxu began dissecting the situation.

He had already hurt Yu Sui so deeply for so long. It wasn’t impossible for his spouse to be thoroughly disillusioned.

And with the two of them working together day in and day out, feelings could develop…

He slammed his fist on the desk.

He absolutely wouldn’t allow it!

For now, Yu Sui was still keeping his distance—lingering feelings for him, and his own fantasies fulfilled.

So he needed to keep that up.

But he still couldn’t bring himself to go all the way, at least not yet.

So…

He would do it on the sly.

As long as he didn’t harbor those thoughts, and he doted on Yu Sui in daily life, that boss wouldn’t have an opening.

That day, he got off work earlier than usual. Back home, Ye Mingxu pulled out his computer, placed some orders, then studied materials with a serious expression.

He pictured himself stepping up, and that evening he whipped up several dishes. He even prepared some red wine to steel his nerves.

But when his spouse returned from work, the detested man was right behind him.

Ye Mingxu nearly lost his composure. He looked at Yu Sui. “What’s this?”

“President Meng brought me home last time, and I haven’t thanked him yet,” Yu Sui said, eyeing the dinner table. “I figured I’d invite him for a meal.”

“Is that so?” Ye Mingxu forced a smile. “You really should thank him.”

“Sorry to intrude,” Meng Chenxiao said politely, utterly ignoring the hostility radiating from the other man.

Ye Mingxu saw how nonchalant he was and felt provoked.

He turned to the kitchen to bring out the soup.

Yu Sui gestured for his boss to sit and solicitously poured him water.

Eyeing the red wine on the table, Yu Sui felt a twinge of surprise. Was it a coincidence, or had it been premeditated?

Meng Chenxiao didn’t stand on ceremony. He washed his hands, took a seat, and chatted idly with Yu Sui beside him.

At home, in front of Ye Mingxu, Yu Sui wasn’t as timid as at the office. Even facing his boss, his voice carried more volume.

“What’s taking so long?” he called toward the kitchen, asserting his authority as master of the house.

“Coming right up,” Ye Mingxu’s voice replied.

“He always takes forever with the soup,” Yu Sui said with a mix of exasperation and nitpicking.

To Meng Chenxiao, it looked like Yu Sui depended on Ye Mingxu, even making excuses for him. How deeply in love must he be?

He gave a noncommittal hum, his appetite waning.

When Yu Sui had said he wanted to treat him to dinner, Meng Chenxiao had gotten excited for a moment. He hadn’t expected it to be at home.

Did Ye Mingxu’s control-freak tendencies know no bounds? Yu Sui couldn’t even take a friend out for a meal?

The man emerged from the kitchen, eyeing the pair at the table warily, though his face bore a smile.

Yu Sui grumbled again, “You’re too slow. The food’s getting cold.”

“Sorry, I’ll mind the time next time,” Ye Mingxu said.

Meng Chenxiao couldn’t stomach their flirtatious banter any longer. “Ahem, shall we eat?”

Yu Sui nodded and eagerly picked up dishes for the man, fawning shamelessly.

Ye Mingxu’s smile stiffened.

Yu Sui had never served him food like that. His grip tightened on his chopsticks.

Meng Chenxiao’s mood improved considerably, even if he knew Yu Sui was just showing respect as a subordinate.

Ye Mingxu couldn’t stay composed. Jealousy burned fiercely in his chest.

Yu Sui uncorked the wine and filled his boss’s glass before turning to Ye Mingxu. “President Meng helped me when I fell before. Toast him for me.”

Ye Mingxu frowned at that. “How did you fall?”

“One of the company employees…” Meng Chenxiao began. “You didn’t know?”

Ye Mingxu shook his head.

Yu Sui felt awkward as they discussed his blunder. He poured himself a glass. “Anyway, thanks, President Meng.”

“You don’t need to be so distant,” Meng Chenxiao said. “Us meeting like this is fate too. Off the clock, we’re friends—just call me by my name.”

Yu Sui could tell he was just being polite, but he didn’t take it to heart. He simply smiled.

Ye Mingxu gripped his cup tighter, his brows knitting together. This man was so brazen. Did he think Ye Mingxu was dead or something?

“Yu Sui, don’t drink too much.” Ye Mingxu turned to him and saw that Yu Sui seemed to be in high spirits, already knocking back quite a bit. It left a sour taste in his mouth.

“What do you know? I’m happy.” Yu Sui swatted his hand away and downed half a glass.