Chapter 53 Part 1

Back home, his wife once again brought up the idea of living together.

Yu Sui refused outright. “I’m not used to it. You’re so eager to move in with me—have you done something behind my back?”

The husband was suspicious again.

Ye Mingxu could only sigh helplessly. He barely registered the words.

Monday came around.

Yu Sui rode the subway and ran into his boss once more.

Meng Chenxiao kept his head lowered, gaze fixed on the man as he offered a simple greeting without looking away.

Yu Sui frowned and tried his best to dodge that stare, grumbling inwardly. This guy just wouldn’t let up.

Meng Chenxiao spotted the hickey on the back of Yu Sui’s neck. He knew the two of them must have been intimate at some point, but that didn’t stop the jealousy from surging uncontrollably.

He recalled what Ye Mingxu had said at the movie theater.

Once they got off the subway, he called out to Yu Sui, who was already bolting away. “I need to talk to you.”

With that, he headed straight for the bathroom.

Yu Sui pursed his lips, steeling himself before following.

His guard was up. “He isn’t going to punch me, is he?”

[I’ve blocked your pain receptors,] the System said.

Yu Sui relaxed a fraction.

They stepped into the bathroom.

Meng Chenxiao glanced around to make sure they were alone. Then he spoke. “What’s your real motive for bringing me home?”

Yu Sui went rigid at the question. “What?”

He blinked rapidly, forcing himself to stay calm. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Meng Chenxiao caught the flicker of guilt in his eyes. Ye Mingxu had been telling the truth.

“You…”

He closed the distance step by step. Yu Sui instinctively backed away until his back pressed against the edge of the sink.

The man’s overwhelming presence left Yu Sui struggling to breathe.

“Is it because of Ye Mingxu? Did you bring me back home…?” Meng Chenxiao probed further.

Shock rippled through Yu Sui. Had his mission been exposed?

Why else would the man spring this on him now? He hesitated, then whispered, “System…”

[Don’t worry—he won’t figure out your true purpose,] the System replied. [Just tell him you’re testing your wife.]

“Ah?”

[You suspect Ye Mingxu’s loyalty. Meng will rush straight to your wife with the news.]

Yu Sui got the picture.

He turned his face away. “I suspect… I suspect my wife betrayed me. I wanted to test him…”

He figured that was enough.

Meng Chenxiao’s expression darkened. “So it was your idea?”

He still couldn’t buy it. This had to be Ye Mingxu pulling the strings.

Yu Sui nodded. “He meets so many rich people at work—how could I not get suspicious? And he’s so good-looking…”

His tone grew more resolute with every word, as if he’d already witnessed the betrayal firsthand.

Cold fury radiated from Meng Chenxiao. “So you never wanted to be friends with me. You just wanted to make your wife jealous, right?”

He’d asked because he’d chatted with friends the day before. When they’d pressed him on the details, they’d pointed out oddities about Yu Sui.

A timid, lovestruck fool wouldn’t invite a stranger home. And Ye Mingxu’s words had been strange too.

That’s why Meng Chenxiao was confronting him now.

He could scarcely believe this lowly employee wasn’t the innocent little rabbit he’d seemed.

Yu Sui blinked in genuine confusion. “Jealous? What do you mean?”

Meng Chenxiao’s heart turned to ice as the man started playing dumb. Yu Sui’s acting was impeccable.

But giving up? Impossible. Want to use him? Fine—he’d play along.

He clenched his fist. “Do you really suspect your wife that much?”

Seeing the topic shift, Yu Sui’s face filled with doubt. “Yeah. I saw him laughing and chatting with someone else before.”

“Do you want to get back at him?” Meng Chenxiao asked.

Yu Sui froze.

“I can help you,” Meng Chenxiao said, seizing his arm.

Goosebumps erupted across Yu Sui’s skin. Meng Chenxiao felt like a predator in that moment—utterly dangerous.

He shook his head. “No need.”

Treating him like a tool, only to balk at actual revenge on the wife. Meng Chenxiao ground his teeth. “Didn’t you see him getting cozy with that other guy?”

“Maybe they were just friends,” Yu Sui replied.

[You could suggest he join in. He’ll jump at the chance,] the System chimed in.

“So eager to cuckold yourself?” Yu Sui’s eyelid twitched. He eyed Meng Chenxiao. “You…”

“What is it?” Meng Chenxiao prompted.

Even knowing Yu Sui’s true colors now, he couldn’t look away. Outwardly innocent but scheming inside—it was intoxicating.

“Could you do me a favor?” Yu Sui asked.

Meng Chenxiao stiffened. He’d been silent the whole subway ride, mulling over how Yu Sui might react if he exposed him. He hadn’t expected…

Hadn’t expected the man to rope him directly into their husband-husband games. It was beyond the pale.

“What?” he growled through gritted teeth.

“It’s nothing big. Just drop by my place more often,” Yu Sui said.

Meng Chenxiao watched the shy flush on his face, and something twisted painfully in his chest.

Using him to rile up Ye Mingxu?

And then what? Make him listen to the couple’s playful banter?

“You know how I feel about you…” he tested.

Did Yu Sui know about his feelings? Was that why he was so brazen?

“What?” Yu Sui looked baffled.

“What are we to each other?” Meng Chenxiao pressed.

“Didn’t you say we’re friends?” Yu Sui replied, all wide-eyed innocence.

“Friends?” The word tasted bitter on Meng Chenxiao’s tongue. “I get it. Sure.”

Relief washed over Yu Sui as he agreed. Even with his suspicions, lust was a hell of a drug—one that overrode reason like a knife to the head.

They left the bathroom.

Back at the office, Meng Chenxiao pulled his secretary aside and murmured a few words.

Soon, Yu Sui was summoned to the office.

He was utterly baffled.

Huh?

“President Meng has high hopes for you,” the secretary said with a straight face, lying through his teeth.

He had no clue what the Young Master was thinking, appointing this man as his personal assistant.

Yu Sui was still lost.

He stepped into the office and eyed Meng Chenxiao behind the desk. “President Meng?”

“You’re my assistant from now on,” Meng Chenxiao said mildly. “We’ll share the office.”

“Ah? That doesn’t follow protocol,” Yu Sui blurted, stunned. He consulted the System. “What’s going on?”

[He probably appreciates how cooperative you are. Good mood means a little reward,] the System analyzed. [Now you’ll bring him home more eagerly out of gratitude—it won’t seem forced.]

[Plus, as his assistant, he’ll control your schedule. Harder to get caught.]

Yu Sui caught on.

Sharing an office with Meng Chenxiao made focus impossible.

He kept stealing glances at the man working diligently beside him, his throat bobbing.

He’d play the perfect wingman. As for the outcome…

Something flickered in Meng Chenxiao’s eyes.

At noon, lunch was delivered. They ate in the adjoining lounge.

Yu Sui was floored. The perks were unreal.

He thanked him politely, acting oblivious to the special treatment.

“No need to stand on ceremony. We’re friends, after all,” Meng Chenxiao said with a smile.

Yu Sui shyly curved his eyes in a bashful grin, pretending not to catch the deeper implication.

That smile had Meng Chenxiao licking his lips.

After lunch, Yu Sui headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. Feeling the urge, he stepped over to the urinal.

Meng Chenxiao watched the bathroom door, then rose and followed.

The door creaked open.

The man inside jumped in fright.

Meng Chenxiao opened his mouth to speak, but the sight of him made his pupils contract. His voice caught in his throat and wouldn’t come out.

It was still glistening with droplets, hanging dejectedly—whether from the scare or…

But…

Pink…

His breath hitched. He hadn’t expected…

Yu Sui flushed with embarrassment. “P-President Meng…”

“Mm.” Instead of leaving, Meng Chenxiao moved to the sink and washed his hands as if it were the most natural thing. “Don’t mind me.”

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

Did he know about his… shortcomings? Was he mocking him?

“I…” Shame burned through him.

Meng Chenxiao shut off the faucet and sidled up beside him. “Perfect timing. I need to go too.”

Yu Sui stood frozen, body rigid. It was awkward enough already, and now someone was crowding in.

Their arms brushed—blatantly casual, as if Yu Sui weren’t even there.

And…

The comparison was demoralizing.

Yu Sui averted his eyes, cursing up a storm in his head.

Meng Chenxiao’s ears burned red. He sensed the gaze on him and puffed out his chest with pride.

He had no such hang-ups.

But they were too close…

Yu Sui flinched as something splashed onto his hand—and worse.

His face contorted in disbelief as he glared at Meng Chenxiao. “You…”

“Sorry.” Meng Chenxiao looked genuinely apologetic. “It was an accident.”

Yu Sui was convinced it was a subtle dig: he couldn’t satisfy Ye Mingxu, but Meng Chenxiao could.

“You… I…”

He was stuck halfway, unsure whether to tuck it away or…

“Having trouble finishing?” Meng Chenxiao glanced down with feigned concern. “My fault.”

He even blew a jaunty whistle, as if to lighten the mood.

Yu Sui went rigid.

He…

…

Meng Chenxiao stared intently, then noticed something off. Yu Sui seemed…

The scorching gaze felt like mocking laughter to Yu Sui.

It stripped away any dignity he had left. He bit his lip, face twisted in humiliation.

A question nagged at Meng Chenxiao. “Hang on. Let me get something.”

He washed his hands and hurried out.

Yu Sui watched him go, flushed the toilet, and grimaced. This was mortifying.

He needed to clean up.

Before he could move, Meng Chenxiao returned—carrying a spare suit, trousers, and underwear.

“These are clean. Sorry I got your clothes dirty,” he said sincerely.

But to Yu Sui, it rang false—a smug reminder of how he measured up short.

His face flushed with anger, but facing his superior, he didn’t dare say anything. “It’s fine, it’s not your fault.”

He shouldn’t have used the bathroom here.

“Then wash up.” After Meng Chenxiao spoke, he didn’t leave, instead staring at him as if afraid Yu Sui wasn’t hygienic.

Yu Sui was annoyed inwardly; this man was truly detestable.

Was he trying to watch him make a fool of himself right now?

However, his current state was really improper.

He went to wash his hands and fetched a small basin of hot water.

Meng Chenxiao’s breathing tightened.

Probably because it was dirty, the man maintaining that position—this was too…

He couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild. Was Yu Sui doing this on purpose, knowing he was watching, and…

He bit his tongue, watching the other set his suit pants aside before squatting down.

The man wore black leather shoes and white socks; his upper suit was neat and well-tailored, unable to conceal his waist.

He was squatting now, but in Meng Chenxiao’s mind was the image of him bending over.

The cheap suit’s cut wasn’t great, yet it outlined his curves.

And…

Meng Chenxiao pursed his lips tightly, frowning.

He spotted the marks—they were from Ye Mingxu…

Damn it.

Jealousy gnawed at him to death inside, yet he didn’t dare leave even half a step.

Yu Sui didn’t think much of it; he just felt this was humiliating.