Sowing Discord

Back in the banquet hall, that sense of not belonging washed over Gu Yuechen again, and he instinctively grabbed Yu Yaochen's sleeve.

Yu Yaochen lowered his eyes to look at him. Seeing Gu Yuechen's nervous expression, he could not bring himself to pull his hand away.

Ever since the two had left, Xie Wangchi's gaze had remained fixed on the staircase. The moment he saw them, he immediately walked over.

"Changed already?" Xie Wangchi gave Gu Yuechen a sharp once-over, then sneered. "Not bad."

Even dressed in imperial robes, he still would not look like a crown prince.

But with Yu Yaochen present, he did not voice that thought.

Gu Yuechen saw the jealousy in Xie Wangchi's eyes. His lips curled into a smile as he deliberately pressed closer against Yu Yaochen's arm.

"Chenchen, I don't know anyone here. Don't leave me alone, okay?"

Before Yu Yaochen could answer, Xie Wangchi's voice rose despite himself. "Chenchen is the star of tonight's birthday banquet. Plenty of people are lining up to toast him. Who do you think you are, expecting him to stay with you the whole time?"

Gu Yuechen pretended to be frightened and hid behind Yu Yaochen, clutching Yu Yaochen's arm tightly with both hands.

Xie Wangchi's eyes darkened, and his lips compressed into a hard, cold line.

How could Gu Yuechen possibly be afraid of him? He was full of schemes.

If he were not worried about hurting Yu Yaochen, he really wanted to drag this two-faced person out and throw him beyond the villa gates.

Yu Yaochen gently patted the hand gripping his arm in reassurance. Then he raised his eyes to meet Xie Wangchi's gaze and said icily, "Stop picking on Yuechen. He's my guest. If you keep this up, I'll have no choice but to ask you to leave."

Xie Wangchi stared at Yu Yaochen in disbelief.

He had not expected Yu Yaochen to choose Gu Yuechen without hesitation between the two of them.

He had known Yu Yaochen for so many years, yet he could not compare to Gu Yuechen, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Seeing the hurt on Xie Wangchi's face, Yu Yaochen realized he had spoken too harshly. But the words were already out, and there was no taking them back. Besides, Xie Wangchi had been in the wrong to begin with.

"Sorry. You know everyone here well enough, so I won't keep you company. I'm taking Yuechen to get something to eat."

Yu Yaochen led Gu Yuechen around Xie Wangchi and headed for the dessert area.

Gu Yuechen looked back and flashed a triumphant smile. Then he turned to Yu Yaochen, his expression becoming worried and apologetic.

"I'm sorry. I made you two argue."

"It wasn't really an argument. Xiaochi was in the wrong."

Yu Yaochen picked up a plate and placed several delicate pastries on it before handing it to Gu Yuechen.

"These are all pretty good. Give them a try."

Gu Yuechen ate one and smiled sweetly. "They're so good."

Yu Yaochen's eyes curved with a smile. Just as he was about to say something, a middle-aged woman suddenly interrupted him.

"Chenchen, I haven't seen you in so many years, and you've become even more handsome. You're better-looking than a celebrity."

Yu Yaochen looked over and immediately smiled.

"Auntie Chen, long time no see. Did you just arrive from F Country?"

"Yes. You're getting married this year, so of course I had to come early and help your mother prepare for the wedding."

"Thank you." Yu Yaochen smiled. "It doesn't need to be too extravagant. A simple arrangement will do."

"How could that be? You're the Yu Household's only child, and your mother has been looking forward to your marriage for ages. She talks to me about it on the phone all the time. Of course we have to make a grand affair of it."

Listening to their conversation, Gu Yuechen darkly thought that this wedding would not happen.

Seeing that they would be talking for a while, Gu Yuechen set down his plate and quietly slipped away.

He had never intended for Yu Yaochen to stay with him the entire time. What he had said earlier was only meant to provoke Xie Wangchi.

With Yu Yaochen around, he had no way to get close to Pei Huanyi.

Ever since Pei Huanyi had left the pet hospital, Gu Yuechen had missed him like crazy. Every dream he had at night was filled with Pei Huanyi.

He had gone to the expense of coming here today just to see Pei Huanyi. Even exchanging just a word or two with him would have been enough.

The villa was enormous, with guests everywhere. Gu Yuechen steadied himself and searched for Pei Huanyi.

He wondered if Pei Huanyi had arrived yet.

As Yu Yaochen's fiancé, Pei Huanyi surely would not miss the occasion.

Suddenly, a servant passing beside him looked strangely familiar. Just as he turned to get a better look, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Gu Yuechen?" Pei Huanyi came before him, surprise showing on his face. "I thought I was seeing things. I didn't expect it really was you."

The moment Pei Huanyi appeared, Gu Yuechen's gaze stuck to him alone.

"Chenchen invited me." Gu Yuechen smiled shyly.

"Earlier, he asked me for your résumé and even told me to raise your salary. I guessed the two of you must be close." Pei Huanyi's voice was as gentle as his appearance. "Chenchen only returned to the country recently. I was worried he might feel lonely, so thank you for keeping him company."

Hearing that Yu Yaochen was the one who had gotten him a raise, Gu Yuechen stiffly tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Who wanted Yu Yaochen's charity?

Without saying a word to him, Yu Yaochen had gone straight to Pei Huanyi and asked for a raise, making him seem as though he were truly down and out.

Did he do all that just to show off his kindness before his fiancé?

It was enough to make Gu Yuechen sick.

Gu Yuechen's fingers tightened slightly. He raised his eyes to Pei Huanyi, and in that instant, a malicious thought took root.

"Doctor Pei, you don't need to worry too much. Chenchen has such a nice personality, so he has plenty of friends. Not long ago, I went to Chenchen's studio and saw a foreigner come out of the little room where he rests. The two of them were chatting very happily."

"A foreigner?" Pei Huanyi frowned slightly.

Gu Yuechen's breathing grew a little heavier, excitement flickering unnoticed in his eyes as he continued to embellish the story.

"Yes, a foreign man. Chenchen said they met while studying abroad." Gu Yuechen paused, pretending to be surprised. "Doctor Pei, you've never met him? He's quite tall and handsome. He often comes to the studio to see Chenchen, and they stay in that little room for a long time."

Pei Huanyi shook his head. "I don't know any of his friends from abroad."

Gu Yuechen could barely suppress his smile as he pointed toward Yu Yaochen.

"Doctor Pei, you should go. Chenchen was looking for you just now."

Go on, fight.

It would be best if you called off the wedding outright. Then I won't have to stomach seducing Yu Yaochen anymore.

"Alright. Please excuse me."

As soon as Pei Huanyi left, Gu Yuechen eagerly looked over, praying that what he hoped for would happen.

But in the end, he was disappointed.

After Pei Huanyi went over, Gu Yuechen watched the two talk for a while. Then Pei Huanyi lifted his arm and smiled gently at Yu Yaochen.

Yu Yaochen paused for a moment before reaching out to link his arm through Pei Huanyi's, smiling as well.

Standing together like that, they looked like a match made in heaven.

Gu Yuechen's gaze slowly shifted from excitement to gloom. His eyes were like poisoned needles, fixed tightly on Yu Yaochen.

As expected, sowing discord alone was not enough.

He still had to go all in and lure Yu Yaochen into cheating.