Chapter 51 Part 1

Yu Sui’s words seemed to strike a nerve with Meng Chenxiao. In the days that followed, he didn’t run into the man on the subway again.

This came as a relief.

Before he knew it, the weekend had arrived.

Yu Sui had traded his stern suit for a simple shirt and jeans, radiating a sunny, youthful energy.

Ye Mingxu had pulled his hair back into a low ponytail. His casual clothes were meticulously stylish—a loose top layered in several pieces, accented with subtle patterns that gave him the air of an artist.

Yu Sui figured the outfit was held together entirely by his face and physique; otherwise, it would have been a total disaster.

“Where to?” he asked.

“A colleague mentioned a local spot where all these flowers are blooming,” Ye Mingxu replied, glancing at his phone. “We’ll check out the flowers first, then hit the new restaurant. After that, the art exhibit, and a movie tonight.”

He had it all mapped out.

Yu Sui nodded absently. The plans were bound to fall apart anyway.

The two of them headed out.

Yu Sui buckled into the passenger seat and silently chatted with the System in his mind. “How should I drop a hint to my boss?”

[Wait until you’re there. Snap a photo, post it online with the location tag,] the System advised. [That way, no one will suspect a thing.]

Yu Sui nodded to himself.

Ye Mingxu was in high spirits. He kept his cool on the surface, but inside, excitement bubbled over.

This was his first real date with someone else—and not just anyone…

That very night, he had faced the truth head-on after another honest moment of self-reflection. After agonizing over it for ages, Ye Mingxu finally admitted his feelings.

He liked Yu Sui.

These past few nights, he had been testing the waters discreetly.

Yu Sui hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol, and he used to be a light sleeper, but lately, he’d been out like a rock.

His reactions were growing more pronounced too.

If Ye Mingxu hadn’t taken precautions, he’d have had to change the bedsheets more than once.

So, Ye Mingxu took it as silent consent. As for why Yu Sui hadn’t brought it up during the day—probably out of worry that he’d say no.

A twinge of guilt stirred in his chest.

If this date went well, he’d officially move back into the master bedroom.

From the corner of his eye, Ye Mingxu stole a glance at the man beside him.

An hour’s drive brought them to the flower fields.

A crowd was snapping photos amid the sea of blooms.

Yu Sui pulled out his phone, took a shot, and posted it to his social media with the location pinned.

Seeing his interest piqued, Ye Mingxu let out a quiet breath of relief.

The two wandered leisurely, admiring the flowers.

Sadly, neither of them had a romantic bone in their body. Boredom set in quickly.

Meng Chenxiao had spent these past few days agonizing. Yu Sui loved his wife so much—whatever he said probably wouldn’t sway him. It might even drive a wedge between them.

Desperate, he turned to a friend for advice.

Unlike his own innocence in these matters, his friend was a seasoned dater.

“From what you’re saying, he’s a hopeless romantic,” the friend mused. “Those types are tricky. Forget emotional manipulation—even if his partner cheated, he’d probably forgive them.”

Meng Chenxiao had been careful not to mention that the guy was married, framing it instead as a budding romance.

He frowned at that. “There has to be some other way.”

“A hopeless romantic might forgive betrayal from their partner, but the other way around…” His friend trailed off. “What if his partner was the one doing the dumping? Then you’d have your opening.”

Meng Chenxiao’s mind flashed to Ye Mingxu’s possessiveness—the man’s intensity even as mere friends. A little more intimacy, and he’d crack under the pressure.

A glint flickered in Meng Chenxiao’s eyes.

He had skipped the subway these days, opting to study instead.

With the weekend here and no work, he’d planned to hit a gathering with his friend. But thinking of Yu Sui out on a date soured his mood.

He was at home, glued to romance novels to pick up some tropes, when his phone lit up.

Clicking it open, he saw Yu Sui’s social media post.

The two of them on a date here?

His grip tightened on the phone.

It wasn’t exclusively for couples—he could just say he’d been passing by.

With that in mind, Meng Chenxiao rose to his feet.

Yu Sui trailed after Ye Mingxu for what felt like ages, scanning for any sign of the man. What a letdown, he thought.

“It’s getting hot out,” Ye Mingxu said, eyeing the distance. “I’ll grab some water. Wait here.”

Yu Sui’s face was taut. He said nothing, lost in thought as he stared at the flowers.

A voice came from behind him. “Yu Sui? What a coincidence.”

Meng Chenxiao clapped a hand on his shoulder, his face lit with perfectly timed surprise.

Yu Sui turned, equally startled. “President… President Meng.”

“I told you, drop the formalities off the clock.” The man waved it off. “What brings you here?”

His gaze swept around, landing on Ye Mingxu in the distance. An idea sparked.

“Just out for fun,” Yu Sui said. “Mingxu’s grabbing water.”

The casual address soured Meng Chenxiao’s mood.

He stepped closer to Yu Sui. “Don’t move—looks like you’ve got something in your hair.”

Leaning in, he reached out to brush Yu Sui’s hair.

For a moment, Yu Sui froze.

“What are you two doing?” Ye Mingxu quickened his pace, his expression darkening.

Meng Chenxiao turned, all innocence. “Just saw something in Yu Sui’s hair. No need to misunderstand.”

Yu Sui glanced over and nodded. “You’re slow.”

“Bit of a crowd,” Ye Mingxu muttered, unscrewing the cap and handing him the water.

He had overheard, but a sour feeling lingered. Still, he couldn’t press the issue.

“What brings you here, Mr. Meng?” Ye Mingxu arched a brow.

“I came with a friend, but they bailed last minute. Left me on my own.” He turned a pitiful gaze on Yu Sui. “It’s nearly lunchtime—want to grab a bite together?”

Ye Mingxu’s face fell. “That might not be convenient, right, Yu Sui?”

He looked to his husband.

But Yu Sui didn’t hesitate. “What’s inconvenient about it? We were headed to eat anyway.”

Ye Mingxu’s heart sank. Was he doing this on purpose to make him jealous?

Wasn’t his hand enough anymore?

Frustration and anger boiled inside him.

The trio made their way to the parking lot.

Meng Chenxiao followed in his car.

Ye Mingxu still simmered. “This is our date. Bringing your boss along? Kinda ruins it.”

“What do you know?” Yu Sui shot back, turning to him. “Getting in good with the boss could mean a promotion and raise.”

Ye Mingxu’s hands faltered on the wheel. “I could introduce you to a job.”

“Are you looking down on me?” Yu Sui’s tone sharpened. “I don’t need your help. I can make it on my own.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Ye Mingxu sighed. “I just think big shots like him aren’t that straightforward.”

“Enough.” Yu Sui cut him off.

Deep down, he knew Ye Mingxu was panicking—didn’t want to deal with the boss, scared of what the man might say.

But he had to play the oblivious fool.

Ye Mingxu pressed his lips thin, unease creeping in.

Maybe Yu Sui wasn’t just trying to rile him up. Maybe, like he’d said, he really wanted to climb the ladder.

But that man clearly…

The cost of climbing…

Ye Mingxu’s brow furrowed.

Three people showing up at a couples’ restaurant was awkward enough.

At the reserved table, Ye Mingxu’s face dark as he ordered an extra set of utensils.

Ignoring the weird vibe, Yu Sui urged his boss to sit and poured him water, playing the eager underling.

Meng Chenxiao was pleased. If only Ye Mingxu weren’t there…

“Yu Sui,” Ye Mingxu said, unable to sit idle. “Don’t forget—this is our date.”

Meng Chenxiao’s expression froze.

“It’s just lunch,” Yu Sui replied. “No need to make a fuss.”

Ye Mingxu’s face darkened further.

None of his romantic visions had panned out.

After the meal, they headed to the art exhibit.

Yu Sui had zero interest and understood even less.

Meng Chenxiao assumed he was into it and waxed poetic.

Ye Mingxu, unwilling to let him show off, interrupted with his own takes.

The two traded insights, tension thick between them.

To Yu Sui, it looked like two kindred spirits recognizing each other across the arts.

Onlookers paused to eavesdrop.

Yu Sui glanced between them. Yeah, they matched—unlike him, the clueless outsider.

He ducked his head, picking at his fingers.

The pair glared at each other, neither yielding, until they both turned toward Yu Sui.

Who had vanished.

Bored out of his mind, Yu Sui figured he’d leave them to their little world.

He slipped off to the restroom.

He was washing his hands when someone pressed against his back.

Long hair brushed his cheek, tickling his lashes. He looked up with a frown. “Ye Mingxu, what are you doing?”

“You vanished—I got worried.” Ye Mingxu flushed as he let go.

“Is that so?” Yu Sui turned, skeptical. “Looked like you and my boss were hitting it off. Forgot all about your legitimate husband, huh?”

Anger laced his words.

Ye Mingxu blinked in confusion.

Was Yu Sui… jealous? But the phrasing was bizarre.

Hitting it off with Meng Chenxiao?

He frowned. “Yu Sui, don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between us.”

“I don’t buy it.” Yu Sui eyed him dubiously. “What were you two up to just now?”

“You…” Ye Mingxu faltered.

Yu Sui knew he’d disappointed him again. He pressed closer. “I need to check.”

Humiliating him like this in public would crush Ye Mingxu further—and give Meng Chenxiao a chance to play hero.

“You… right here?” Ye Mingxu stared, eyes darting away.

Was it because of these past few days? Was he in the mood now?

Yu Sui lifted his chin. “Why not? Unless you’ve betrayed me?”

“I didn’t.” Ye Mingxu shook his head. “Shall we… go into a stall?”

Yu Sui certainly wouldn’t let anyone else see the protagonist shou. He nodded reluctantly. “You’d better not have.”

The two of them slipped into the tiny stall.

In a place this upscale, even the restroom smelled pleasantly of flowers.

Ye Mingxu undid his buttons and revealed his abs. “Is this good enough?”

“Keep going.” Yu Sui found the situation bizarre. Why was Meng Chenxiao taking so damn long?

Ye Mingxu swallowed hard. This was way too thrilling.

He slowly unbuckled his belt. “I’m getting hard for you.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, mortified beyond words.

Yu Sui blinked in surprise. When he glanced down and saw it, he felt like his eyes had been seared.

It was already unattractive on its own, and now it looked downright monstrous.

It was completely at odds with Ye Mingxu’s coldly handsome face.

The mismatch was jarring.

“You…” Ye Mingxu noticed Yu Sui’s silence and turned his head away. Then he looked up, studying Yu Sui. “Is this okay? Or…”

Did he want him to help out right here?

He fidgeted with his fingers.

Yu Sui stayed quiet as he reached for the door, only to spot a stranger approaching.

Before he could react, Ye Mingxu wrapped his arms around him from behind and pulled the door shut.

He sat his husband down on the toilet lid. “That was close. Almost got seen.”