Catching Him Cheating

On Saturday morning, Ye Chen was resting in the living room when he heard Xia Zhe say he had to go out.

Ye Chen's expression darkened, but this time Xia Zhe didn't notice.

"Is it something you have to do today?" Ye Chen asked.

Xia Zhe smiled. "I'm meeting a friend."

"What friend can't I meet?"

"I'll introduce you when the time is right. You two don't know each other yet, so it would just be awkward."

Perhaps noticing Ye Chen's expression, Xia Zhe smiled and kissed his cheek. "Be good and stay home, okay?"

Then Xia Zhe left, looking cheerful even from behind.

Alone in the room, Ye Chen covered his face. It seemed Xiaoqing really had been right.

Little Brother: Second Brother, want to get coffee? [Location]

Following Xia Zhe, Ye Chen received a message from Ye Qing. He looked up and saw the café nearby.

Second Brother: I'm close by.

After replying, Ye Chen walked into the café.

Honestly, Xiaoqing. Asking me out for coffee out of nowhere. If I didn't know why, I definitely wouldn't have come.

Wait. Does Xiaoqing know Xia Zhe is here too?

"Second Brother, over here." Ye Qing called softly as soon as he saw him.

Ye Chen had barely sat down when Ye Qing asked, "Second Brother, how have you been these past few days?"

I bet he's been doing great. He's with the person he loves, after all.

Thwack. An arrow struck Ye Chen square in the chest.

"Let's talk about something else."

Oh. Maybe he isn't so happy after all.

"Then what brings you around here, Second Brother?" Ye Qing asked.

I'm here to help Second Brother catch his boyfriend cheating. What's he here for?

Don't tell me he's here to catch him cheating too. No way. Second Brother isn't that sharp.

Hahaha. I don't even know why I want to laugh.

Ye Chen's ears throbbed. "If you want to laugh, just laugh. I'm only here to look around."

He just happened to wander into the perfect spot to catch his boyfriend cheating. Second Brother really is... Hahaha.

As if he'd hit the funniest part of a joke, Ye Qing couldn't stop laughing. "Sorry, Second Brother. I don't know why I find this so funny."

Maybe because Second Brother is such a sucker.

While he was laughing, Ye Qing spotted Xia Zhe and his boyfriend. He hurriedly tugged on Ye Chen's sleeve. "Second Brother, look. Isn't that Xia Zhe?"

Ye Chen looked where Ye Qing pointed. Sure enough, there was Xia Zhe.

He already knew Xia Zhe had been waiting for someone there when he followed him.

See, Second Brother? He's cheating!!! I worked hard to find this spot. You can see everything perfectly from here.

Feigning surprise, Ye Qing said, "Second Brother, what's Xia Zhe doing here? Isn't he your boyfriend? Why is he so close to someone else?"

Through the window, they could clearly see Xia Zhe walking into the hotel arm in arm with his boyfriend. Their gestures and expressions made it obvious they were a couple.

Ye Qing kept going. "Second Brother, did you two break up?"

"Or am I just behind the times? Maybe they're only friends."

"No," Ye Chen answered, his face grim.

"No? Then how could he do that?"

Ye Qing kept up his performance. "Oh, Second Brother. He's cheating on you."

Embarrassed and furious, Ye Chen said stiffly, "Enough, Ye Xiaoqing. Stop talking."

Ye Qing said with complete sincerity, "Second Brother, you have it rough!"

He might as well have stabbed Ye Chen in the heart.

Hmph. I'm going to keep saying it. Someone needs to cure Second Brother of that ridiculous habit of losing his head over love.

He's twenty-five, and he still got fooled.

When Ye Chen said nothing, Ye Qing went on. "Second Brother, aren't you going in to catch them? There's still time."

No way. Is Second Brother really going to put up with this?

If he can swallow even this, he's not just lovesick. He's a ninja turtle.

Ye Chen still said nothing. Ye Qing's eyes widened. "Second Brother, don't tell me..."

"No." Ye Chen hurriedly cut him off. "I see Xia Zhe clearly now."

"Then why aren't you going in?"

Ye Chen sighed and set his phone on the table.

At first, Ye Qing didn't understand. Then a voice came from the phone.

Ye Qing's eyes went wide. "Second Brother, didn't you say you just happened to be in the area?"

How did he manage to plant a listening device on someone?

Holy crap. Is Second Brother the super-possessive type?

Ye Chen was so exasperated by Ye Qing's thoughts that he laughed. He reached over and rapped Ye Qing on the head. "What are you thinking? Your eyes are practically popping out."

"Then why did you..." Ye Qing stopped as realization hit him. "So you weren't just wandering around. You followed him here."

"And you lied to me."

Ye Chen gave up trying to hide it. "Do you have to make me spell it out? I have some pride, you know."

"All right, all right. Let's listen to them."

Since they weren't in a private room, they had to use earphones.

A man's voice came through the earphones. It was probably Xia Zhe's real boyfriend. "How's Ye Chen?"

"You were right, Brother Zhang. Ye Chen really is an idiot. I barely had to pretend, and he fell for me."

"But he fell out with his family, so I didn't get that ten million. Turns out he still has some money of his own, though. That's why I've stayed with him." This time, it was Xia Zhe speaking.

At that, Ye Qing stole a glance at Ye Chen.

Ah, he really does treat the person he loves differently. So Xia Zhe thinks Second Brother is an idiot too.

Ye Chen: ...These past few days, he'd sometimes wanted to sew Ye Qing's mouth shut. Except Ye Qing wasn't using his mouth.

Ye Chen nearly lost it. That was the most infuriating part!!!

The two men kept talking.

"If he still has money, wait a little longer. We've already made enough over the past few years to go abroad."

"Once we get one last payout from Ye Chen, we'll leave the country."

"I know, Brother Zhang. Then we can be together forever."

"Right. You won't have to do this anymore."

Oh my god, Second Brother has it rough. They're really squeezing every last drop out of him.

Ye Chen: What kind of description is that?

After that, the two men just flirted. Ye Qing listened with great interest.

Wow. So that's another way to sweet-talk someone. No wonder Xia Zhe likes him.

But as time passed, the sounds grew increasingly strange. Before Ye Qing could react, Ye Chen shut off his phone.

Ye Qing looked bewildered. "Second Brother, what are you doing? I was still listening."

"Young kids shouldn't listen to that," Ye Chen said wearily.

"You're only two years older than me," Ye Qing protested.

I know what's going to happen next even if Second Brother won't say it. They're going to do the deed.

Wow. Sounds kind of thrilling.

Ye Chen: ...

Why do I feel like Second Brother's situation just got even worse?

Ye Chen: I'm exhausted. I don't want this little brother anymore.