Chu Yi and President Yu planned their move, but plans could not keep up with the changes. The Special Affairs Office had successively uncovered several Youming Hall strongholds, so after setting up the Feng Shui Bureau, Chu Yi had to rush off nonstop to each location for the arrests.
Who could blame him? Youming Hall posed a threat to both President Yu’s and his own safety, and he had the lightest injuries, so the capable had to shoulder more.
Before leaving, he repeatedly urged President Yu to cultivate diligently. With so many masters at the Yu Family and the Protective Treasures he had left for President Yu, he knew the other man was safe, yet he still seemed deeply uneasy.
“Alright, I won’t be dumb enough to go off alone. Hurry up and go.” Yu Qingxian was rendered helpless by his incessant nagging, though a hint of sweetness bloomed in his heart, naturally reflected in his gaze.
But with so many people watching, he was about to lose his composure.
Chu Yi paused, his deep gaze lingering on President Yu’s face for a moment. He pursed his lips, then walked away without a word.
Yu Qingxian was baffled. Why did that final look from Chu Yi seem to carry some deeper meaning?
Unable to figure it out, Yu Qingxian pulled out his phone to message Chu Yi—Chu Yi was off on a mission, not locked up somewhere, so texting was fine.
Yu Qingxian: Why did you get upset just now?
About a minute later, a reply came with two words.
Chu Yi: No.
Wonderful progress for this old-timer; this time he even typed it out instead of sending voice.
But precisely because it was typed—a cold, curt “No”—President Yu spotted the clue.
Yu Qingxian: You’re really mad? I didn’t mean to call you nagging. I was just afraid you’d delay the important stuff.
Chu Yi (after a minute and a half): I know.
Huh?
Yu Qingxian raised a brow. Was this his boyfriend of just three days throwing a cold war right before heading out on a trip?
Though Yu Qingxian had never been in a relationship, he knew Chu Yi wasn’t the petty type… So what was he sulking about?
Yu Qingxian: You’re worried about me and want me to go with you?
Chu Yi finally gave up typing and sent a voice message instead. It was probably too long to type quickly, and he didn’t want President Yu waiting.
Chu Yi: “No, don’t overthink it. Cultivate seriously at home.”
Yu Qingxian ditched texting too and called directly. It connected almost immediately.
Yu Qingxian: “What’s wrong?”
Nearby, Big Brother Yu heard his brother’s unprecedented, tender, coaxing tone toward his lover and unconsciously quickened his pace.
It was early morning; he’d just had breakfast and choked down a huge serving of dog food. He had no appetite for seconds.
Chu Yi started off a bit awkward, but under President Yu’s persistent questioning, he finally admitted: “I saw online… how couples who are close say goodbye… they k-kiss…”
Oh. Yu Qingxian got it. He hadn’t given Chu Yi a kiss.
“It was my oversight. First time… I’m not too practiced yet. N-next time, a kiss.” Yu Qingxian’s ears reddened a bit. After a thought, he embarrassedly countered: “If you thought of it, why didn’t you come kiss me?”
“In front of everyone…” Chu Yi mumbled.
Would it not be in front of everyone if he initiated?
Yu Qingxian was exasperated yet amused. But on second thought, he understood. Chu Yi’s soul hailed from a restrained, conservative ancient era, yet he’d absorbed much modern knowledge. He wanted to try it but wasn’t sure if it’d seem abrupt, so he hoped his partner would lead and set an example.
In truth, over these three days, though they went everywhere together and even shared a bed, Chu Yi had only lost control on the first day from overwhelming surprise and affection… Afterward, he’d been extremely restrained.
Kisses in the room stopped at light pecks; outside, at most hand-holding. Yu Qingxian had thought it was just their relationship progressing slowly at the start, but even Chu Yi could lack confidence?
Yu Qingxian had always seen himself as the pursuer in this relationship—both he and Little Xian were—while Chu Yi passively accepted. Now, learning that even the mighty Chu Yi had this cautious side, his mood suddenly soared.
Thus, this call turned into an hour of saccharine sweetness until Chu Yi had to get to work, and Yu Qingxian reluctantly hung up.
With Chu Yi on mission, he couldn’t idle either. Besides cultivation, he had a company to run…
Xingyao hadn’t been faring well lately. Top Brother Kang Zeyu’s arrest for kidnapping the general manager had been suppressed, but his prolonged absence fueled endless speculation.
Fortunately, a rival entertainment company’s hot celebrity couple then broke with divorce rumors, complete with photos of the husband cheating, diverting public attention.
Yu Qingxian consulted with the executives and decided to scrap Kang Zeyu’s final project, publicly announcing the contract termination. They’d ride the buzz to launch a new show, plugging the gap and promoting their other stars.
Without a top brother, Xingyao had no plans to poach immediately. They had plenty of A- and B-listers; no need to look far.
Kang Zeyu only did movies and high-end endorsements anyway, with little pull for junior artists. Few stars of his caliber jumped ship—demanding terms and scripts—and it was better to allocate those resources to their own talents.
Yu Qingxian handled most of this remotely, though some required office visits.
Of course, when heading to the company, he’d have one of Master Zhao and the others accompany him, as would Big Brother Yu. Fortunately, it was just this period; once Chu Yi wiped out Youming Hall, they could relax.
That day, as Yu Qingxian left work, Master Zhao Song suddenly blocked him from behind, then barked at a shadow in the parking lot: “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
Yu Qingxian’s back chilled, assuming Youming Hall remnants. He tensed up, gripping the talismans Chu Yi had given him… Only for an unexpected figure to emerge from the shadows.
“Kang Zeyu?” Yu Qingxian was stunned, nearly doubting his eyes. “How… Did the Kang Family get you out?”
He stated it flatly, voice cold. When Old Master Kang was alive, the Kang Family’s influence even made the Special Affairs Office yield. Though Old Master Kang was gone, some lingering clout remained.
No wonder Kang Zeyu had let him go so easily—he must’ve known they’d bail him out.
Kang Zeyu gave a wry smile: “Qingxian, don’t be nervous. I’m here to apologize… and say goodbye.”
Yu Qingxian sneered: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you?”
Kang Zeyu’s release surely wasn’t legit. For freedom, he’d need a new identity abroad, never to return.
“Would you?” Kang Zeyu gazed at Yu Qingxian pleadingly. These events had clearly transformed him; he’d even learned humility.
Yu Qingxian hesitated: “…What do you want to say?”
This tacitly agreed he wouldn’t snitch—not just because Kang Zeyu had spared him, but for the Yu Family and Xingyao’s interests; blowing up Kang Zeyu’s mess would hurt them.
For someone of his status, exile abroad was no different from banishment. He’d lose Kang privileges, and in time, even his father might forget him.
Most might think the Kangs would give him money for a fine life, but without family or friends, accustomed to stardom and extravagance, mere survival without crumbling would be iron will—happiness, impossible.
A different sort of punishment, then. After a brief pause, Yu Qingxian let it go.
“Are you… with that Chu Yi now?” Kang Zeyu wasn’t sure why he asked—perhaps lingering resentment, needing Yu Qingxian’s confirmation.
Yu Qingxian’s lips curved: “Your intel’s sharp.”
Not surprising; many Yu Family guests had been present. Even without seeing the later parts, they’d gossip about him and Chu Yi.
Kang Zeyu bowed his head, voice hoarse: “So it’s all true… You don’t dislike men; you just dislike me.”
Kang Zeyu’s looks were undeniably superior. Even disguised and disheveled, that expression would soften most.
But not our President Yu, whose concerns lay elsewhere. He stated without hesitation: “Rest assured, aside from Chu Yi, I have no interest in other men.”
He liked only Chu Yi.
Yu Qingxian even glanced at Master Zhao Song, knowing he’d “report” it.
Kang Zeyu’s head snapped up, bursting into laughter: “I knew I couldn’t fool you. You’re the iron-hearted Yu Third Young Master—how could you soften to my weakness? I thought I’d drop your guard and whisk you abroad, but forget it. Saves me the hassle…”
“Goodbye, Yu Qingxian.”
Kang Zeyu bid silent farewell in his heart, then turned and vanished into the dark. Three bodyguards emerged, and the four soon disappeared from the parking lot.
Yu Qingxian was momentarily stunned by the twist. He’d seen Kang Zeyu’s works before, but this was seamless—no acting traces. No wonder he thrived in showbiz; beyond family, he had real skill.
Just a minor episode for Yu Qingxian; he didn’t dwell on it.
But that evening, Chu Yi called, his first words dripping with sour jealousy: “Why did you let him go?”
Before Yu Qingxian could reply: “Did you go soft on him?”
How perceptive was Chu Yi? From Master Zhao Song’s account, he’d guessed Kang Zeyu’s finale was the real act. If it were him, he wouldn’t want to look pathetic fleeing before his beloved either.
Even a moment’s softness irked him. This was his partner, hard-earned through merit!
Yu Qingxian: “…” He drew a deep breath: “You’re overthinking. Focus on the mission.”
Hurry back—that was the priority. No point in pointless jealousy!
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