Chapter 56: Sovereignty

Qi Yuyang hadn’t expected that on his first day at the new unit, he’d have to face such an awkward situation. His direct superior was actually asking about something so private?

But the man had already asked, so he couldn’t very well refuse to answer. He could only blame himself for bringing up his junior classmate in the first place.

With the attitude that there was nothing he couldn’t share with others, he carefully explained the whole story.

“The junior I mentioned is the one who wins awards every year. He’s incredibly diligent with his studies, has exceptional talent in painting, but he’s got a really timid personality and hardly interacts with anyone. I used to get along pretty well with him, but then one time I caught him browsing a gay forum, and I accidentally discovered his sexual orientation.

He probably felt inferior or scared, because after that, he stopped talking to me altogether. Even when we’d run into each other, he’d just keep his head down, sneak a glance, and slip away. During the school anniversary celebration, I saw him standing alone in the crowd, looking so pitiful and isolated—like he was being ostracized. I wanted to show some support and encouragement, but I got carried away in the moment and… well, I ended up saying that I liked guys too, and hoped everyone wouldn’t discriminate.”

A warmth bloomed in Bai Yiyi’s heart. He never imagined his senior had come out publicly back then for his sake.

At the time, it wasn’t fear or inferiority—it was that he’d suddenly developed other feelings and felt too embarrassed to face people.

A belated sense of happiness filled his entire body. To be treated with such kindness by someone was truly wonderful, and it hadn’t let down all those feelings he’d once harbored.

Yan Tuo’s heart was a tangle of emotions. From one man’s perspective, he quite admired the guy in front of him. But from the angle of a romantic rival, after hearing this story, wouldn’t this fellow’s image in his little boyfriend’s mind get another layer of gold paint?

Fine, whatever. At least their sexual orientations didn’t match, which should thoroughly kill any lingering thoughts. He decided to drive the point home. “So, to be clear, you don’t actually like guys, right?”

Qi Yuyang shook his head. “Nope. Even looking at those half-naked hunks in fitness magazines doesn’t do anything for me.”

Yan Tuo hadn’t even caught his breath when the thick-browed, big-eyed man in front of him—treating him like a trusted confidant—hesitated and added, “But if it were my junior…”

He didn’t finish, but the meaning was crystal clear.

Qi Yuyang suddenly gave the little white dumpling on the table a surprised look. This “Divine Bird” was the most astonishing gossip he’d heard since arriving today. Why had it suddenly hung its head in shy embarrassment?

He didn’t dwell on it and explained with a slightly bashful smile, “You have no idea. My junior’s got this bowl cut and bottle-bottom-thick glasses that hide his looks on a normal day. But in reality, he’s stunningly handsome, beyond words… If it were him… I—”

“Alright, that’s enough. Get back to work.”

Yan Tuo swiftly cut off the guy’s rainbow fart, deciding to retract his earlier admiration.

This man was hypocritically cunning. He claimed not to like guys, yet he was clearly eyeing Bai Yiyi with bad intentions. Hmph! Not a good sort at all.

He resolved that while his boyfriend was still interning at the unit, he’d make sure not to summon this guy for anything unnecessary, firmly blocking any chance of them meeting and preventing any mishaps.

His plan was solid, but heaven had other ideas.

When he got home from work, Bai Yiyi—grateful after learning the truth—had warmed up to his bird form again, at least back to an acceptable level. Now human once more, he was busy in the kitchen, preparing a meal as an apology to mend his owner’s shattered jar of jealousy.

Yan Tuo hovered watchfully behind him. It had been two days since he’d kissed his boyfriend, and he was ready to devour both dinner and man the moment the food was ready.

But late in the evening, someone rang the doorbell.

Yan Tuo opened the door and frowned instantly. Was this guy haunting him? Showing up at his home now?

Qi Yuyang noticed his boss’s expression but had no idea what he’d done wrong. Weren’t they chatting amicably just that afternoon? He’d thought they were friends by now.

He hurriedly explained, “Captain Yan, I live on the eighth floor—moved in just the other day. After work, Sun Lei asked where I lived, and when I told her, she mentioned you were here too. So… I brought some local specialties as a neighborly housewarming gift?”

You don’t hit a smiling face with your fist. With the man carrying a big gift bag and all smiles, Yan Tuo couldn’t bring himself to be too rude. Before he could decide whether to accept it, Bai Yiyi curiously poked his head out from behind. “Yan Tuo, dinner’s ready. Who’s at the door?”

Oh no, there was no blocking that.

Stone-faced, Yan Tuo was forced to watch a reunion play between senior and junior. The thick-browed guy’s face lit up with blinding surprise.

“Yiyi? How are you… here? You cut your hair? It looks so much better this way—way more spirited… and handsome.”

Qi Yuyang completely forgot why he’d come, rooted at the door, staring past his boss’s wall-like frame at the tall young man behind him.

Bai Yiyi felt a bit embarrassed. He snuck a glance at his boyfriend, unable to read his expression, but his senior’s words continued to touch him. Mustering his courage, he replied, “I’m staying here temporarily. Have you had dinner yet, Senior Qi? Want to come in and have a bite?”

Yan Tuo chimed in with a smile, “Yeah, Yiyi made enough for two—not a ton, but you could make do with a little.”

Bai Yiyi’s smile faltered. Talk about putting someone in a tough spot—eat or not?

He’d had no ulterior motives. His senior had helped him out a lot before, and after over two years without seeing each other, how could he not invite him for a casual meal?

Perhaps overwhelmed by the sudden reunion, Qi Yuyang had lost all his usual wit. Missing his boss’s true intent, he quickly nodded. “No problem, I don’t eat much anyway. If you insist… I won’t stand on ceremony then?”

What could be done at that point?

The human wall at the door stepped aside, and Qi Yuyang floated in with a big grin.

At the dinner table, the three sat one to each side, turning a simple home-cooked meal into an oppressively tense affair.

One wanted to ask but held back with the boss present. One wanted to chat but feared the guard dog at home. The last one had no time for talk, unleashing his bottomless appetite to finish the meal quickly and make the eyesore vanish.

Nothing looked right to Yan Tuo at that moment, especially the pickled cucumbers on the table—far too sour, with an inauspicious color. He vowed never to allow that weird dish on his table again.

Dinner ended swiftly. Some lingered, reluctant to leave. Seizing the moment while the boss washed dishes in the kitchen, he sidled up to the sofa.

“Yiyi, how come I haven’t seen you on campus since the school anniversary?”

“I finished my credits early and cleared it with my mentor. I just wanted to stay home and paint quietly.”

“Oh, right. What about the letters I had your friend deliver? Not one reply?”

Bai Yiyi, peeling an apple on the sofa, slipped with the knife, slicing off half the fruit in shock. Utterly bewildered, he asked, “Wh-what friend? What letters?”

“He Ze, from the class next to yours. I asked around your class, and no one had your contact info. That He Ze guy next door said you grew up together like childhood friends? So I entrusted them to him.”

Seeing his junior’s shock, Qi Yuyang knew the letters had gone undelivered. At a loss, he could only reassure him. “Nothing major—just some words of encouragement and advice. You…”

“Yiyi? Come help me check—feels like something got in my eye.”

The man at the sink turned around, hands covered in suds, one eye squinted half-shut, interrupting their conversation.

Bai Yiyi jumped up and hurried over, pulling out a tissue to gently wipe his eye. “Better now? Still hurt?”

“It’s fine.” Yan Tuo naturally pecked the corner of his lips and smiled. “Go chat with your senior.”

…

Bai Yiyi froze, his cheeks exploding red. Shy and anxious, he wanted to rush forward and bite the man.

Water in the eye? More like water in the brain! Playing kissy-face in front of a subordinate? Might as well announce they were together at the bureau!

Qi Yuyang by the sofa went rigid. So the chill he’d felt all evening wasn’t the autumn wind, but… killing intent?

No wonder his boss knew about his school history and alternated between hot and cold. Turns out these two were an item. He’d unwittingly trespassed on someone’s territory and gotten a public declaration of ownership?

His sluggish brain finally kicked in. Standing with an awkward laugh, he said, “Ah, Captain Yan, and Yiyi—suddenly remembered I left the kettle boiling at home. Don’t want to burn it out. Gotta go check—see you!”

Yan Tuo nodded silently. Bai Yiyi, face flushed crimson, politely saw him off. “Alright, come visit anytime, Senior.”

The door opened and shut quickly.

Outside, the visitor’s face fell. He sighed, rubbed the door handle for a long moment, and finally let go.

Inside, the one seeing him off was suddenly embraced from behind. His neck and ears fell victim, covered in strawberries like he’d caught a case of red spots.

Fortunately, it was nearly time to shift back to bird form, preserving some dignity on his face.

That night in bed, Yan Tuo let go of the pesky roadblock from above and asked about something else. “Yiyi, don’t you artists sign your own works? I see traditional Chinese paintings have signatures, seals, and even dates. Makes it hard for fakes.”

“It depends on personal preference,” Bai Yiyi said. “Usually, artists tone down the signature using the painting’s dominant color and place it where it feels right. But if it disrupts the overall image, they won’t leave it out in the open—they hide it. My works lean abstract, and concrete text would feel totally out of place, so I tuck it away.”

“A hidden code?”

At that, Bai Yiyi looked a touch smug. “Yep, I learned the trick from Conan. In the bottom right corner of every painting, I mark a ‘2’ with special pigment. One plus one equals two, right? That’s my exclusive signature—you need a UV light to spot it. What, scared I’ll deny it’s mine someday?”

Yan Tuo offered no further explanation, simply murmuring a soft “Mm.” He idly stroked the belly of the little white dumpling, his breathing gradually slowing until he drifted off to sleep.