Wang Liya

After saying goodbye to You Gui, Shi Yuan still hadn't heard from Wei Zelin. With nothing else to do, he decided to head to the mall to find him, saving Wei Zelin the trouble of coming back to pick him up.

The mall wasn't far, so Shi Yuan decided to walk. To his surprise, he ran into someone unexpected the moment he stepped out of KFC.

"Are you going to find Lin... Wei Zelin? Hop in. I'll take you." Shen Yan sat in his car, smiling at him.

A hint of wariness entered Shi Yuan's eyes. He said politely, "No, thank you."

"Hahaha." Shen Yan raised his phone and told the person on the other end, "Your wife still doesn't trust me."

He handed the phone to Shi Yuan. "Listen for yourself."

Still doubtful, Shi Yuan took the phone. Sure enough, Wei Zelin's voice came from the other end.

"Yuanyuan, come over with Shen Yan. I'll be held up a little longer. He'll bring you straight upstairs to find me."

How did Wei Zelin know the president of Magic Cube Technology? They seemed quite close. Shi Yuan wondered about it, but agreed aloud. "All right."

Who would have guessed that once he got in the car, this fabulously wealthy president would turn out to be just like his second aunt back in the countryside of another world, prying into every private detail?

"I heard yours was an arranged marriage?"

"Yes."

Wasn't that obvious? Who didn't know about the sordid business between the Shi Family and the Wei Family?

"Then how did you start developing feelings for each other?"

"...Hormones."

"Hahaha, you're so funny."

"...?"

Even after they entered the mall, Shen Yan still hadn't stopped talking.

"Don't you think I'm very different from your idea of a big boss?"

Shi Yuan answered with difficulty, "You certainly are unique..." Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He had finally spotted Wei Zelin, with someone who looked familiar beside him. But by the time he approached, Wei Zelin was standing alone at the counter.

Wei Zelin had spotted Shi Yuan too and turned sideways to smile at him. "I didn't expect you to get here so quickly."

Shen Yan said cheerfully, "Yes, we really hit it off."

Shi Yuan was speechless. ...We really didn't, President Shen.

Clearly familiar with Shen Yan's personality, Wei Zelin introduced him to Shi Yuan. "President Shen was my college classmate. He's from S City and looked after me a lot back then."

Shi Yuan was surprised. They had actually been college classmates.

Shen Yan waved a hand. "What did I ever do for you? You were the one looking after me."

Wei Zelin didn't deny it. They were clearly close, and he dispensed with the pleasantries. "We still have to get back to Capital City tonight, so we'll head out. Let's get together next time."

At the mention of parting, President Shen somehow squeezed a little melancholy into his beady eyes. "You're always rushing in and rushing out. Fine, go on, then."

He muttered, "You'll be back soon anyway."

Shi Yuan's brows knitted when he heard that. Back? The original novel had only gone as far as Wei Zexuan going to prison, Wei Ming going to the hospital, and Wei Wanwan going to a sanatorium. All three had been neatly dealt with, Wei Zelin had naturally taken control of the Wei Corporation, and Shen Duo and You Gui had reached their happy ending utterly exhausted. There had been no mention of S City or Magic Cube Technology.

Wei Zelin-what else didn't he know about him?

On the way back, Wei Zelin drove onto the highway. With the light fading, it wasn't a good time for a conversation. Shi Yuan held his questions back as best he could, talking to Wei Zelin as though nothing were wrong. Occasionally, he drifted off, recalling descriptions of Wei Zelin from the original novel and fitting his face onto that sinister, vicious character. Then the image of Wei Zelin looking down at him tenderly would flash through his mind. In that muddled state, he finally fell asleep in the passenger seat.

Once Shi Yuan was asleep, Wei Zelin stopped at the nearest service area, took a brand-new blanket from the trunk, and draped it over him. Instead of getting straight back into the car, he bought a pack of cigarettes at the service area and leaned against the passenger door, smoking as he watched Shi Yuan's sleeping face. The thin smoke scattered in the wind, kept outside by the window, while his glasses concealed the darkness in his eyes.

"I need to move faster."

When Shi Yuan was woken, the car was parked beneath their apartment building. Its black body almost blended into the night. The sky was a hazy black, the stars hidden from sight and the moon blurred.

Wei Zelin stopped his hand as he tugged at the blanket. "It's cold outside. Don't take the blanket off. Wear it upstairs."

"Okay."

Shi Yuan slowly got out, wrapped in the blanket. The cold wind hit his face, chilling his cheeks and clearing his head in an instant. The blanket retained enough warmth to keep him from shivering, though it was certainly nowhere near as warm as the car.

At last, they returned to their little home after so long away. Although Shi Yuan hadn't lived there long, he still felt an inexplicable sense of belonging.

Shi Yuan slumped onto the sofa, then watched wide-eyed as Wei Zelin opened the suitcase and carried all his own clothes into the bedroom. The shock drove every other concern clean out of his mind. He suddenly remembered what Wei Zelin had said before they left, one of the rare times he had taken a firm stance with Shi Yuan.

Wait, were they moving in together just like that?

He hadn't agreed!

His mouth opened and closed as he trailed behind Wei Zelin like a little shadow.

Wei Zelin looked at him in amusement. "Why are you following me? Go rest. I ordered takeout. Once we've eaten, we can shower and go to bed."

Shi Yuan instinctively followed him another two steps before stopping. "I never knew you knew President Shen from Magic Cube."

At the mention of Shen Yan, Wei Zelin's hands paused briefly over the clothes. "I went to college in S City. Shen Yan and I were roommates, though his family was wealthy, so he hardly ever stayed in the dorm. Still, he was closest to me."

"President Shen really does have a lovely personality," Shi Yuan said. Wei Zelin had endured an unhappy childhood. Shi Yuan didn't know what he had been like back then, but he probably hadn't been easy to get along with. Out of all Shen Yan's college classmates, he had become close to Wei Zelin, so he must have helped him sincerely.

Just as Shi Yuan thought that, Wei Zelin added, "He used to be my closest friend. Before you came along, I even thought about leaving him to handle everything after my death."

Shi Yuan couldn't bear to listen any longer. He walked over and hugged Wei Zelin from behind. "You're not allowed to think like that anymore." He could more or less guess that Wei Zelin had once intended to die. The book's ending hadn't mentioned what happened after he took control of the Wei Corporation. With his abilities, he would have had more freedom starting his own company. He wouldn't covet the Wei Family's wealth and power. His ultimate goal was simply to destroy it all, and after that, he might very well have followed it into destruction...

Shi Yuan didn't dare think further. His face taut, he said, "Never think like that again."

Wei Zelin turned and gathered him into his arms. "I know. I have you now, don't I? I still have to spend the rest of my life with my Yuanyuan."

They held each other in a warm embrace. Neither could tell whose body heat it was, or perhaps that comfortable warmth came from the two of them being pressed together.

When Shi Yuan woke the next morning, Wei Zelin had already gone to work. There was food left in the pot. After eating, Shi Yuan began cleaning. He also opened the suitcase they hadn't had time to unpack the night before for certain reasons. Apart from clothes, it contained the spoils he had brought home, including some handicrafts Xiao Ying and Xiao Wen had given him.

Among a dozen delicate little cartoon-themed boxes was a conspicuously different velvet box, about the size of his palm.

"Huh?"

Shi Yuan picked it up and examined it. "What's this? I don't think I bought it."

He opened the box. Inside was a jade disc pendant in a simple style, without any elaborate patterns, but its color was beautifully translucent. Beside it lay two red cords, one long and one short, which looked hand-braided.

Shi Yuan knew nothing about jade. Guessing that Wei Zelin might have put it there, he took a photo with his phone and sent it to him.

Meanwhile, Wei Zelin had just returned to the company to report on his assignment. He told Wei Ming that he had spoken with the president of Magic Cube Technology during his trip to S City, and the other party was very interested in collaborating.

Naturally, Wei Ming was overjoyed. He wanted to secure his grip on the Wei Corporation before his son got out of prison.

Wei Zelin humored him on the surface, but inwardly, he could only sneer. Wei Zexuan had barely shown a hint of weakness before Wei Ming abandoned their father-son bond, doing everything he could to oust the son he had always doted on and take his place. After all, everyone knew that although Wei Zexuan hadn't become chairman yet, he held the shares. It was only a matter of time before Wei Ming stepped down to make way for him. All it took was the slightest provocation to set this father and son at each other's throats...

Remembering how he had put Shi Yuan at risk by drawing him into the game, Wei Zelin struggled to maintain his warm smile. Just then, his phone chimed with a message. He found an excuse to leave, and Wei Ming made a show of encouraging his eldest son before letting him go.

Wei Zelin left the office and lowered his head, concentrating on replying to Shi Yuan. His mood recovered a little.

"It's from the rough stone I bought before. I had someone take the best section and polish it. This was what I picked up yesterday. Do you like it?"

Shi Yuan had wanted to ask whether it was expensive, but after thinking it over, he felt that would be a little affected.

He sent a voice message. "I love it. Thanks." His voice was slightly husky, rising at the end, and his genuine delight was clear.

Wei Zelin found it deeply gratifying. He pressed a hand to his chest, where Shi Yuan had set his heart fluttering, and his voice grew even lower. "Then put it on. There are braided cords inside. You can wear it as a bracelet or a necklace."

Shi Yuan took out both cords and, after some thought, kept the longer one. Jade was brittle and easily broken, so it would be safer around his neck.

The smooth, translucent white jade pendant hung from the red braided cord. Shi Yuan tucked it inside his sweater, wearing it against his skin. It was a token of his lover's affection. Even if it had been plastic, it deserved to be cherished.

"Manager Wei, you're back!" Wang Liya spotted Wei Zelin from a distance, her voice full of delight.

Wei Zelin put away his phone. The affection in his eyes instantly turned to ice, though a practiced smile curved his lips.

"Are you here to report to Chairman Wei, Manager Wang?"

Wang Liya moved closer, trying to press her voluptuous body against him. Gone was the harsh tone she used with her subordinates. She spoke with cloying sweetness. "Zelin~ Why be so distant? Chairman Wei favors you now, not Wei Zexuan."

Without betraying anything, Wei Zelin took two steps outward, putting some distance between himself and Wang Liya. His movement was so seamless that no one would have guessed he was enduring his disgust at this woman's affected manner just to speak to her.

"We should still keep personal and professional matters separate at work. Before I left, I asked you to help collect the financial statements for the company and the Tea Tasting Pavilion. Have you had a chance to look into that? All these years, you're the only one who's treated me the same regardless of my standing, helping me without asking why." Wei Zelin gave a bitter smile.

Being able to help Wei Zelin proved how useful she was. Wang Liya couldn't hide the fervor in her eyes. "I've already organized them, but since they're internal finance department documents, I can't send them to your email."

Seeing the disappointment on Wei Zelin's face, Wang Liya hurried to explain, "But I saved them to a USB drive. No one can find out about this, or I won't be able to stay at the company. I booked a hotel room for tonight. How about I bring it to you in person then?"

Wang Liya was like a dog desperate for her master to toss her a meaty bone. It dangled before her eyes, making her drool, but fear of her master's rebuke kept her from recklessly lunging for it. She could only try desperately to prove herself, hoping he would reward her with that bone.

Wei Zelin's lips curved. "Of course. See you tonight, Manager Wang."

When word reached Wei Ming, all he took from it was that Wei Zelin and his trusted aide had enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Sipping fine green tea, the well-maintained, handsome middle-aged man wore a smug expression. "He's a man, after all. Who would turn down a capable woman who worships him just to hold some hard-bodied man instead?"

That afternoon, Shi Yuan went to Oak Bay early.

"Mr. Shi, you're back! I saw so many videos people posted online. S City must have been lively, right?"

The Ren household's nanny greeted him warmly.

Shi Yuan said gently, "It certainly was. There were people from all over, and the venue was huge."

The nanny said, "You should travel and see more while you're young. Once you're my age, you won't want to go anywhere."

"You can still go if you want to. Once you have a grandchild, that's when you really won't have time." The nanny's son was getting married next year. Shi Yuan had heard her mention several times that she would need time off after the New Year.

"Let's hope so." The nanny beamed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with her, Shi Yuan went upstairs to find Xiao Rong.

Director Ren came out of his upstairs study just as Shi Yuan was coming up. His stern expression softened a little. "You're back."

Shi Yuan said respectfully, "We got back to Capital City last night."

Hearing the voices from inside his room, Xiao Rong rushed out too.

"Teacher!"

Shi Yuan smiled in response. "I brought you a present." He lifted the small gift bag in his hand.

Xiao Rong's eyes shone, his anticipation obvious.

Director Ren was strict with his son, determined to prevent any possibility of him throwing his father's status around. Xiao Rong had pitifully little pocket money and no privileges whatsoever. He even had fewer toys than ordinary children.

That unusual upbringing had forced him to mature early. He had no friends at school and was far quieter than a child his age should have been. Only after sharing hardship with Shi Yuan and opening his heart to his father had he become much more cheerful.

He eagerly opened Shi Yuan's gift. Inside was a figure of an anime character that was wildly popular with children these days. Xiao Rong couldn't put it down.

"By the way, Mr. Shi, I heard you applied for elementary school teaching positions before?" Director Ren suddenly asked.

Shi Yuan said awkwardly, "I applied to a few schools, but my college entrance exam results weren't good, so the applications didn't go well."

Director Ren was clearly surprised. Shi Yuan spoke several languages fluently and always had something substantive to say. He didn't seem like a poor student.

Still trusting his own judgment, he continued, "The English teacher at Xiao Rong's school is going on maternity leave, and they're looking for a substitute. If you're interested in applying, I can write you a letter of introduction."

Shi Yuan understood perfectly well how much weight a letter from Director Ren would carry. Oak Bay Elementary was a long-established school. In Capital City, where every inch of land cost a fortune, its importance could almost rival that of a local government office. Even if it was only a substitute position rather than a permanent appointment, adding it to his résumé would make finding work easier in the future.

After less than a minute's thought, Shi Yuan agreed. "Then I'm sorry for the trouble, Director Ren."

When he left the Ren Family's home that evening, Wei Zelin had already been waiting outside the residential complex for a while. The cold had left a thin mist on his gold-rimmed glasses. As Shi Yuan approached, he was taking a soft cloth from his pocket to wipe them carefully.

"Is this the boyfriend treatment?" Shi Yuan asked with a grin.

Wei Zelin put his glasses back on and slipped an arm around his waist. "No, this is the wife treatment."

Only then did Shi Yuan remember. Right-they had been legally married before they started dating.

"I think your phone's ringing." Shi Yuan could hear a phone vibrating on the side pressed against him.

Wei Zelin took out his phone and glanced at it.

Kuang: That crazy woman actually injected herself with stimulants before coming over. Saved us the trouble-we just called the police anonymously. Sure enough, she wasn't carrying the USB drive on her. Our people found it at her place before the police got there, and left a few nice things there for her too. She won't be getting out to disgust you again for another three to five years.

Wei Zelin turned off his phone and smiled. "Some delightful news."

Shi Yuan asked, "Does it affect our hot pot dinner tonight?"

Wei Zelin said solemnly, "It does. It's definitely going to taste even better today."

Shi Yuan laughed foolishly at that. Snuggled close together, they crossed the bustling bridge and headed toward their little home.