Chapter 48: The Incompetent Husband 03 Part 2

Ye Mingxu shook his head, refusing to let his mind wander further.

Yu Sui squeezed miserably onto the subway, staring blankly out the window.

A firm, powerful chest bumped into him from behind.

Yu Sui turned and saw Meng Chenxiao looking mildly surprised. “Good morning, President Meng.”

He offered a gentle greeting before immediately ducking his head.

Toward his wife’s lover—or future lover, rather—Yu Sui felt both hatred and fear. He could only curse the man inwardly while maintaining a spineless facade on the surface.

Meng Chenxiao felt a pang of heartache. “How’s your injury? Why take the subway to work?”

Yu Sui blinked in surprise. What was that supposed to mean?

[He’s mocking you for being useless, frail, and broke.] The System sighed. [To think he’d go out of his way to ride the subway just to rub it in. This homewrecker really is…]

“Thanks for your concern, President Meng. I’m all better now.” Yu Sui echoed the System’s gripe in his mind while feigning flattered shock on his face.

Meng Chenxiao sighed. “Why didn’t your wife drive you to work?”

He knew of Ye Mingxu’s fame; the man surely had a car. So why…

Yu Sui paused at the words, lifting his gaze to meet the man’s eyes.

“He’s way too eager. What is he playing at?” he wondered silently with the System. “Second time meeting, and he’s already going all out?”

[His ambition to climb the ladder is blatant, but that’s fine. Just go with the flow and lure him home.] The System replied. [Task’s progressing nicely.]

Emboldened by that, Yu Sui brimmed with motivation. Pretending obliviousness to the brag, he murmured, “It’s not convenient.”

Prideful yet cowardly, he hadn’t told a soul he was married—to a man, no less, and a wealthier one at that.

He had no desire for anyone to find out.

Seeing Yu Sui’s evasive reply, Meng Chenxiao thought he had it figured out.

Their marriage was lopsided. Yu Sui wasn’t happy.

Meng Chenxiao’s eyes gleamed. He had to save this poor man.

The crowd surged forward again. Meng Chenxiao casually released the handrail, letting the press of bodies shove him toward Yu Sui.

Yu Sui frowned as he was forced face-first into the man’s chest, his breath coming short.

“Sorry.” Hot breath ghosted his ear, the man’s voice laced with regret as he struggled to straighten up.

Yu Sui drew in a breath, lips pressed thin in silence.

As the subordinate, he dared not speak, merely shaking his head.

Meng Chenxiao planted a hand on the nearby glass for support, his leg brushing against Yu Sui’s once more.

The warmth of contact made his eyes flicker.

He couldn’t help recalling the book he’d read.

Meng Chenxiao’s ears turned pink, his breathing hitching.

Yesterday, he’d checked the novel’s comments, followed a recommendation, and ended up on that site.

The setup was eerily perfect: boss and subordinate.

But the content…

A faint blush colored his cheeks. He looked away, only to inhale the man’s scent with every breath.

His throat bobbed as he tried to banish the thoughts.

Then someone jostled him from behind, pressing their bodies flush.

Young and full of vigor, so close to the object of his desire—he lost control in an instant.

Yu Sui’s back pressed against the glass. Head bowed, brow furrowed, he noticed nothing amid the crush and chaos.

Guilt, excitement, self-reproach—Meng Chenxiao wrestled with them all.

With effort, he pulled away, shifting awkwardly. He was grateful for the long coat he wore that day.

Station after station, they finally arrived.

They spilled out with the crowd.

Meng Chenxiao glanced back at his subordinate trailing at a distance and slowed his pace.

Yu Sui wanted nothing to do with him. Feigning absorption in his phone, he hoped the man would pull ahead.

But Meng Chenxiao matched his speed.

Yu Sui’s eyelid twitched. Was he doing this on purpose?

Cutting a corner, Yu Sui headed for the bathroom—surely that would shake him.

Footsteps echoed behind him.

“Restroom this way?” Meng Chenxiao asked casually, as if they were old pals.

Yu Sui went rigid and nodded.

Meng Chenxiao’s disappointment grew at the silence. Recalling his own awkward moment, he tugged at his coat.

In the bathroom, Yu Sui lingered outside as Meng Chenxiao entered a stall.

Then he bolted, strides quick.

Subordinate’s dread of the boss, or the legal spouse’s wariness of the mistress—he wanted no part of this man.

Meng Chenxiao’s cheeks warmed. With Yu Sui right outside while his thoughts dwelled on him, guilt mingled with a thrill.

But upon emerging, his subordinate had vanished.

Meng Chenxiao froze. Had Yu Sui heard something?

Anxiety gripped him.

Yu Sui clocked in just in time and hustled back to his desk.

Colleagues gossiping a moment before scattered at his approach, stealing glances thereafter.

Yu Sui ignored them, focusing on his computer.

The incident left Meng Chenxiao distracted all day.

Summoning Yu Sui outright felt off.

After wracking his brain, he hit on a plan.

Post-lunch buzz spread: Young Master Meng was treating the entire company to dinner tonight.

The sudden executive outing baffled many.

Yu Sui’s fingers stilled. “He can’t be planning to get me wasted, drive me home…”

[Sleeping Husband.] The System filled in.

“Fast worker.” Yu Sui’s mood lifted. “Feels like we’ll wrap this task up quick.”

[You aced the last world, so this one’s a breeze.] The System explained.

Yu Sui’s lips quirked upward.

He eagerly anticipated the dinner.

So did Meng Chenxiao.

His secretary backed the scheme enthusiastically, booking a private hotel room and quizzing him on seating.

Meng Chenxiao insisted Yu Sui join his table.

The secretary assumed it was to cement his image as a boss who cared for the little guy.

A snag hit Ye Mingxu’s case, demanding overtime.

He usually shrugged it off, but tonight he kept glancing at his phone.

By eight, still nothing from Yu Sui.

No usual barrage of accusations about betrayal.

Ye Mingxu frowned and pressed on with work.

Half past nine—no word.

His refusal yesterday? Had it pissed Yu Sui off?

Ye Mingxu considered texting an explanation for his absence.

No response.

Meanwhile, Yu Sui fidgeted in the private room.

Meng Chenxiao cut a fine figure, but his mind was a sewer. The table brimmed with brass; Yu Sui was the lone nobody, seated right beside the man. Every exec’s gaze pinned him.

The disparity in status screamed louder up close, leaving Yu Sui mortified.

Appetite gone, he watched them butter up Meng Chenxiao, his embarrassment deepening.

Next to the boss, their standing toasts seemed aimed his way too—onlookers might mistake them for his honor.

Unsure whether to rise or play dumb, the peon floundered.

Clueless in these rituals, Yu Sui drowned his woes in drink.

Meng Chenxiao waved off most toasts, his sidelong glances fixed on his neighbor.

The man’s quiet demeanor—no bootlicking like the rest—struck him as refreshingly genuine.

“Relax, everyone. Eat up.” He gestured dismissively.

The toasts ceased.

“Don’t drink any more,” Meng Chenxiao told Yu Sui. “Have some food instead.”

Exchanges rippled among the others at this show of concern. They smelled subtext.

Pressure mounting, Yu Sui mumbled thanks through gritted teeth.

Meng Chenxiao served him dishes.

Daring not rebuff, Yu Sui suspected intent. All these execs zeroed on one grunt—wasn’t this bait to make him a target?

He ate mechanically, tasteless.

Poor tolerance kicking in with dizziness, he quit the booze.

“I… need the restroom,” he said softly, head down as he fled his seat.

Meng Chenxiao, eager to clarify, rose too.

Yu Sui tensed. That quick to pounce?

In the bathroom, he ran the faucet, splashing cold water on his face.

Meng Chenxiao entered, positioning beside him. “Why didn’t you wait at the subway station?”

He probed for Yu Sui’s take first.

“Would’ve been late.” Yu Sui excused.

Meng Chenxiao hesitated. Not spooked by that, then?

Had he caught the involuntary name-drop?

“Oh? When’d you leave?” He eyed the man.

“Right after the bathroom. Time was tight.” Yu Sui radiated regret. “Sorry, President Meng.”

“I see.” So he’d heard.

Scrutinizing Yu Sui, Meng Chenxiao spied no distaste and eased up.

Maybe he missed it—or the name part.

[Perfect chance, Host. Invite him back home.] The System prompted.

Yu Sui agreed.

Faucet off, he swayed as if off-balance, then shook his head.

Meng Chenxiao shut the water and steadied him. “You alright?”

“I think I’m drunk,” Yu Sui mumbled indistinctly. “President Meng, could you send me home? It’s so late already, and my wife is probably starting to worry.”

He deliberately mentioned Ye Mingxu.

“Okay,” Meng Chenxiao nodded without the slightest hesitation.

His body remained tense as he half-carried the man, his own cheeks burning red.

Inviting me home like this…

No.

He quickly remembered that Yu Sui was so eager to get back because of his wife.

Meng Chenxiao frowned. What time was it, really? Was he really that controlling?

He felt more and more that their marriage wasn’t equal at all.

With one hand, he fired off a message to his secretary, then led Yu Sui out of the hotel.

He helped the man settle into the back seat and gave the driver the address.

Yu Sui kept his eyes closed, but his ears were pricked, catching how utterly familiar Meng Chenxiao sounded. Had he been here many times before?

Rubbing his temples, Yu Sui shifted away from the man beside him and leaned against the window glass, eyes still shut as he pretended to be completely zonked out.

“I’m about to play the Sleeping Husband,” Yu Sui said, a hint of tension in his voice.

[If you think you can’t handle it, I can give you a buff to put you in a deep sleep,] the System said.

“No need,” Yu Sui replied. “Sleeping too soundly wouldn’t be stimulating enough. A husband who occasionally mumbles in his dreams—that’s true immersion.”

[I hadn’t even thought of that!] the System exclaimed. [You’re a genius!]

Yu Sui felt a swell of pride.

Meng Chenxiao gazed at his profile, his mind lingering on the sensation of holding the man just moments ago. He pinched his fingers together.

Then his thoughts turned back to the man’s wife.

This was the perfect chance to test their relationship. If things were really as they seemed, then he wouldn’t hold back.

When they reached the entrance to the neighborhood, Meng Chenxiao nudged Yu Sui’s arm. “Yu Sui, you’re home. Wake up.”

Yu Sui stirred with effort, frowning as he pried his eyes open. “Thank you… thank you, President Meng.”

He fumbled with the door handle but couldn’t get it open after several tries, mumbling incoherently as if totally drunk and befuddled.

The driver up front spoke up. “President Meng, let me walk him in.”

“No need. I’ll do it.” Meng Chenxiao had finally found a legitimate excuse to escort the man all the way home. He eagerly popped open the door and helped Yu Sui out of the car.

Yu Sui’s mouth twitched. Could you at least pretend a little? Come on!