Chapter 50: The Incompetent Husband 05 Part 2

The liquor was strong. Before long, his head started to swim.

Meng Chenxiao frowned. “Yu Sui, eat something. Stop drinking.”

“Alright, alright.” Yu Sui nodded.

He always listened to his boss without question.

That put Ye Mingxu on high alert. Yu Sui had never once listened to him like this…

Meng Chenxiao’s expression softened as he glanced at the man across from him.

Ye Mingxu felt provoked. He shot back with an icy glare.

Yu Sui noticed the silent stares passing between them. He ducked his head and focused on his food, wondering if their legs were still touching under the table.

Unbeknownst to him, he’d downed another half glass. Now he was truly drunk.

He slumped over the table, motionless.

“It’s getting late, President Meng. Finish up and head home,” Ye Mingxu said. “We don’t have a place for guests to stay.”

“No rush.” Meng Chenxiao ate leisurely, his eyes on Yu Sui. “Take him back to his room first. Don’t want him catching a chill.”

“Mind your own business.” Ye Mingxu didn’t bother hiding his hostility. “Remember, we’re legally married. Don’t get any ideas about what’s mine.”

Meng Chenxiao paused, setting down his chopsticks. “You’re so on guard against me. What, don’t you have any confidence in yourself?”

The words dripped with mockery.

Ye Mingxu’s thoughts flashed back to what he’d seen on the subway. His eyes darkened. “No matter what you say, I’m his wife. His lover.”

Meng Chenxiao lost his composure, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I hope that’s always true.”

He thought the man was arrogant, taking Yu Sui’s affection for granted without cherishing it. He’d wait until their feelings wore thin.

Without lingering, Meng Chenxiao stood to leave. But before he did, he added, “I get why you’re angry at me. Just don’t take it out on him.”

Ye Mingxu helped Yu Sui to his feet. Hearing that, he frowned. “You’re overstepping.”

Meng Chenxiao said nothing more and turned to go.

Ye Mingxu supported Yu Sui back to the bedroom.

His face twisted slightly, that cold beauty cracking.

With the alcohol fueling him, his rationality was slipping away.

He thought of Yu Sui’s compliance with the other man, of that man’s clear intentions.

Ye Mingxu bit his lip hard.

He tidied the room first, then carried Yu Sui to the bath.

He had Yu Sui drape over the edge of the tub and brushed his lips against the man’s back.

Once they touched skin, he couldn’t pull away.

It had to be the alcohol making him so impulsive.

Seeing Yu Sui’s skin flush pink, his eyes lit up.

He kissed the nape of Yu Sui’s neck, leaving a bite mark out of possessiveness.

Ye Mingxu averted his gaze guiltily and looked down at his own hands.

The thought of Yu Sui smiling at someone else, being so intimate with him on the subway—it filled him with jealousy. He couldn’t hold onto his usual composure.

The man slipped into the water, landing right in his lap.

Ye Mingxu froze. Yu Sui startled awake with a gasp, his eyes fluttering open in a daze.

Ye Mingxu’s face burned, heart pounding. He didn’t dare move.

He started to say something, but Yu Sui’s eyes drifted shut again.

Ye Mingxu exhaled in relief, biting his lip. Then he grew bolder.

He didn’t know what it would take to satisfy him, but he’d give everything he had.

“Yu Sui, you can’t leave me,” he said, voice laced with obsession. “Even if you stop loving me someday, you still can’t.”

The sleeping man only let out a few muffled sounds from his throat.

Ye Mingxu took it as refusal. His eyes turned bloodshot.

He was getting more skilled at this now.

Yu Sui lay fully in the tub, cheeks flushed, lips parted slightly. His pearly teeth and pink tongue drew the eye inescapably.

Ye Mingxu stared at his face, his lips, fighting the urge to kiss him. But he held back.

No—he couldn’t kiss him like that.

He lifted Yu Sui out, applied the ointment with practiced ease, dressed him in pajamas, and tucked him into bed.

Ye Mingxu returned to his own room and took a long, cold shower.

His mind was a mess.

Meng Chenxiao had thrown his plans into disarray—though he wasn’t even sure what his plans were anymore.

Ever since he’d realized Yu Sui’s actions stemmed from liking him, his head had been in chaos.

A vein throbbed at his temple. He tensed up, staring at the floor.

Unconsciously, Ye Mingxu murmured Yu Sui’s name.

His body went rigid, pupils contracting.

Yu Sui slept it off and woke with a heavy head and a vague discomfort he couldn’t pinpoint.

He’d drunk too much last night. The mood had been right, and he’d had to play along.

At least his head didn’t hurt.

Relieved, he went to freshen up.

As he cupped water to splash his face, he didn’t notice the bite mark behind his ear.

Emerging from the room, he found his husband beaming at him with unprecedented gentleness.

“What’s up?” Yu Sui asked, puzzled.

“Nothing.” Ye Mingxu stared at his face, throat bobbing. “It’s the weekend. Let’s go on a date.”

He’d always played the good wife before, but never bothered with these formalities.

Now, he wanted to keep the man close, so he’d take the initiative.

He’d been up all night thinking it through.

Yu Sui’s first reaction was suspicion.

Proposing this out of nowhere? Was the date a cover to meet someone else?

“Why the sudden idea?” Yu Sui eyed him.

“I’ve always been busy with work. We’ve never gone on a proper date.” He stepped up to Yu Sui and took his hand. “Is that why you’ve been doubting me? I’ll make time for you from now on.”

Yu Sui blinked, caught off guard. He yanked his hand back. “You…”

Had nothing happened between them last night? Why was he like this today…

[It’s because something did happen. He feels guilty and wants to make it up to you,] the System explained. [He does still love you. Alcohol makes it hard to resist, but sober, he feels remorse.]

“His sense of morality is that strong?” Yu Sui said, surprised. Even in this world?

[No, no, you don’t get the appeal of this setup,] the System said. [His indecision makes Meng’s aggressive pursuit all the more thrilling. And you’re right there in the middle as his beloved.]

“My husband is watching us right now?” Yu Sui caught on quick.

[Exactly,] the System replied. [He’s compromising because he cares about you, terrified of discovery. Lying beside you amps up the tension and excitement.]

“Wow.”

[So you’re an essential tool for this,] the System added.

“True. Without me, half the thrill is gone.”

Yu Sui nodded and agreed.

Ye Mingxu’s smile grew even warmer.

Yu Sui just felt awkward and looked away.

“I’ll drive you to work.”

He brought it up again.

“Aren’t you busy?” Yu Sui figured it was guilt-fueled compensation.

“Not at all.” Ye Mingxu insisted.

Yu Sui nodded.

Ye Mingxu hadn’t expected him to agree. Why?

Yu Sui was being especially nice to him today. Had he not been that drunk last night?

Remembering the moment Yu Sui’s eyes had opened, Ye Mingxu’s gaze flickered, cheeks heating.

So he knew what Ye Mingxu had done—and he was okay with it?

He swallowed hard. Since his husband had tacitly approved, he’d keep pushing forward.

After breakfast, they headed out together.

Meng Chenxiao came up empty today.

He couldn’t help replaying the man’s expression from last night. Yu Sui was probably in for it.

The car pulled up near the office. Yu Sui called out, “Stop here.”

“You don’t want people seeing us?” Ye Mingxu raised a brow.

“Obviously.” Yu Sui tossed back as he opened the door.

Watching his retreating back, Ye Mingxu frowned.

He didn’t get it. If Yu Sui wanted to seem single, why tell Meng Chenxiao he was married? Why bring him home?

So it wasn’t that. Just pride, then.

But why let his boss know?

Ye Mingxu’s fingers drummed the steering wheel as he thought back.

He’d made up his mind right around when Meng Chenxiao showed up.

He paused.

Had Yu Sui used his boss to make him jealous, drawing him into the trap?

Ye Mingxu’s lips curved up.

“You’re sly, Yu Sui.”

In a great mood, he drove off toward the law firm.

Meng Chenxiao got to the office and headed straight to Yu Sui’s floor.

Seeing the man at his desk, he pressed his lips together and walked over.

“Come with me.”

Yu Sui looked up, puzzled, but stood and followed.

“Looks like he’s picking a fight.”

“President Meng’s face is stormy. Someone’s in trouble.”

“I knew he wouldn’t befriend a guy like that.”

The coworkers snickered.

Yu Sui grew uneasy. Was it because Ye Mingxu was jealous over his feelings, and now Meng Chenxiao was settling scores?

In the elevator, Meng Chenxiao stayed silent. He looked down at the man, who kept his head lowered. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the bite mark on Yu Sui’s nape—bold and provocative.

His lips thinned. His mood soured further.

They stepped out into the lounge.

Meng Chenxiao spoke slowly. “Last night, you and your husband…”

Yu Sui blinked blankly. “What about it?”

“Never mind.” Meng Chenxiao realized his question was too forward and changed tack. “Why didn’t you take the subway this morning?”

“Mingxu, take me home,” Yu Sui said upon hearing this, wanting to roll his eyes.

Riding the subway with him every day, getting crushed under that overpowering presence— he was addicted, wasn’t he?

“Really?” Meng Chenxiao’s expression turned a little ugly.

Seeing him jealous put Yu Sui in a slightly better mood.

Come on, let’s hurt each other!

[You can also mention the date,] the System stirred up trouble. [Meng Chenxiao might not know. After all, Ye Mingxu really loves you and wants to make it up to you.]

Hearing this, Yu Sui looked at him, hesitating to speak.

“What’s wrong?” Meng Chenxiao asked, puzzled.

“Nothing. I’m just a bit nervous thinking about the date with Mingxu this weekend,” Yu Sui said softly. “It’s our first date, after all.”

“Really?” Meng Chenxiao frowned. They’d been married so long, yet they’d never gone out on a proper date before? That man really didn’t care about him.

Feeling the cold aura radiating from Meng Chenxiao’s body, Yu Sui shivered. He was genuinely afraid the man might punch him out of jealousy.

“President Meng, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“Where are you planning to go for the date?” Meng Chenxiao asked.

Yu Sui paused in his steps and looked back at him.

As expected, he didn’t know. But this man really couldn’t hold it in. If Yu Sui weren’t playing the role of the blind husband, the guy would’ve been caught hundreds of times by now.

“What’s up? Do you have any good suggestions?” Yu Sui played dumb.

“Ahem, I do know a few places.” Meng Chenxiao nodded and, steeling himself, named several.

“Thanks, I’ll consider them.” Yu Sui expressed his gratitude before leaving.

Watching Yu Sui leave with such eagerness, Meng Chenxiao felt deeply depressed.

As Yu Sui went downstairs, he wondered to himself, “Should I call him along?”

[I think if you casually drop a hint, he’ll show up,] the System said. [After all, his love runs deep.]

Yu Sui thought that made sense.

Uncharacteristically, he slacked off today. He chatted with Ye Mingxu, asking the man where they should go for the date.

Of course, his tone wasn’t particularly friendly.

Ye Mingxu propped his chin on one hand as he stared at the message from his husband on his phone. A flicker of annoyance stirred in his heart— Yu Sui must have been looking forward to this day for a long time.

For their first date, he had to make it perfect.