A reputation, good or bad

An autumn breeze stirred, gently swaying the leaves. Ye Yizhou stepped out of the car and entered his home in the warm afternoon autumn sunshine.

Ye Yizhou changed into slippers in the entryway, yawning lazily as he shuffled into the living room.

"Huh? Old man, you're home?"

Seeing his dad sitting on the sofa wearing reading glasses and studying a newspaper with a serious expression, Ye Yizhou could not help voicing his surprise.

At the sound, Ye Chongli looked up with a frown to confirm that his wayward son really had returned. Only then did he fold the newspaper, remove his reading glasses, and place both on the coffee table.

His very first words dripped with sarcasm. "Well, if it isn't our young master, who made his debut two years ago and has come home just as irrelevant as ever."

"Irrelevant? Me?"

Ye Yizhou pointed at himself in bewilderment and gave a contemptuous scoff. "Hah. Have you ever seen an irrelevant celebrity dominate the trending searches every single day?"

"Even being irrelevant would be better than having the entire internet hate and mock you like they do now." Ye Chongli shot Ye Yizhou a fierce, irritated glare.

Ye Yizhou sat on the sofa, brought one leg up, and grabbed a cushion to tuck behind his head. Reclining at a rakish angle, he raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of smugness:

"I've made a name for myself, good or bad. Just tell me-am I famous or not?"

Ye Chongli: ...

He had nothing to say to that.

Ye Yizhou spotted the exquisite fruit platter on the coffee table. Still lying there without moving, he simply reached for it, but it was just a little too far away. He stretched for ages without managing to reach it.

"Tsk."

Ye Yizhou clicked his tongue in irritation and looked up at Ye Chongli, complaining, "Can't you take a hint?"

Seeing his wayward son's infuriating behavior, Ye Chongli held back an eye roll but still pushed the fruit platter a little closer to him.

Having successfully gotten himself a cream strawberry, Ye Yizhou was perfectly satisfied. He even said obediently and sweetly, "Thanks, Dad."

The sweet, well-behaved darling he was now seemed like an entirely different person from the infuriating, spoiled, unfilial brat of a moment ago.

This time, Ye Chongli could not hold back and rolled his eyes outright.

As though he had not noticed, Ye Yizhou set the platter on the sofa, leisurely eating fruit while chattering nonstop:

"What's with you being home at this hour? Did the company go under? Huh? Dad, you're no good at this. Is that what you've done with the family business?"

"You have the nerve to criticize me? Get your own act together!"

Ye Chongli glared at Ye Yizhou again in anger. "Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense are you spouting? What good would the company going under do you?"

"It wouldn't do me any good, but it wouldn't hurt me either. It's not like I'm counting on you to support me!"

Ye Yizhou spread his hands, looking utterly convinced he was in the right.

Huh? Who wasn't counting on whom for support?

Would you listen to yourself?

Still, Ye Chongli was long accustomed to his wayward son's behavior. He asked sarcastically, "Oh, you're not living off your father anymore? How novel! Who are you counting on to support you, then?"

"Living off my dad is a fantastic deal for me, but it's fine if I can't. I can always ride my brother's coattails."

Ye Yizhou shrugged, unconcerned. He had already made his plans.

Ye Chongli was speechless.

When Ye Chongli said nothing, Ye Yizhou stared at his face and even seemed to reflect on his behavior. Had what he had just said gone too far?

Then how about...

"Fine. Since you're my own dad, I'll be generous. You can ride my brother's coattails too. No need to thank me. I know I'm a filial son."

Ye Yizhou even could not help remarking:

"I can already picture that heartwarming scene: a loving father, a dutiful son, and brothers who care for and respect each other. Wow, Dad, you're so blessed to have me."

Ye Chongli folded his arms in obvious rejection. Whoever wanted that blessing could have it. He refused.

Ye Chongli's gaze settled on his younger son, who was lying on the sofa eating fruit, and sharpened a little. "You've been drinking, haven't you?"

"Do I still smell that strongly of alcohol?" Ye Yizhou lowered his head and sniffed. There did seem to be a little left.

"Did you drive home just now?"

A faint excitement crept into Ye Chongli's voice. He could not even stay seated, pointing at Ye Yizhou like a villain issuing a threat. "Ye Yizhou, you're finished."

Ye Yizhou said, "Huh?"

"You've been drinking and driving. Just you wait. I'm calling the police right now to have them take you away."

Visibly delighted, Ye Chongli picked up his phone and began making a call.

"What is wrong with you? I'm this rich-of course I take a taxi when I go out!"

Seeing how excited his dad was, Ye Yizhou poured cold water on his enthusiasm without mercy:

"How could an outstanding successor to socialism like me knowingly break the law? To think you'd take me for someone like that. Old Ye, I'm very disappointed in you."

Ye Yizhou was not the only one disappointed. Ye Chongli was disappointed too, deeply regretting that he had failed to call the police and have his own son arrested.

Dejected, Ye Chongli sat back down on the sofa, picked up the tea in front of him, and slowly took a sip.

"What brings you home today?"

Ye Yizhou usually lived at his own place, coming home for a meal together on holidays and special occasions.

Over the past two years in show business, who knew what kept him busy all day? He had not come home all that often.

"Hehe."

Ye Yizhou put the fruit platter back on the coffee table, deftly rolled up off the sofa, and sidled over to his dad. His bright eyes darted about, glimmering with light, and his sly smile made him look like a little fox.

Ye Chongli leaned back defensively and lifted his tea to drink with feigned composure, secretly sizing up Ye Yizhou out of the corner of his eye.

One look was enough to tell that this wayward son was up to no good. Stay alert.

"I'm getting married."

"Pfft! Cough, cough!"

Despite having braced himself, Ye Chongli was still so shocked by Ye Yizhou's bombshell that he spat out his mouthful of tea and choked, coughing twice.

Ye Yizhou considerately patted his elderly father's back to help him catch his breath.

Once Ye Chongli recovered, he looked up and realized that Ye Yizhou had taken the full spray of tea. Slightly flustered, he immediately pulled out two tissues to wipe him down.

Ye Yizhou raised a hand to decline, remaining calm. "It's fine, no need. I'll just go upstairs in a bit, take a shower, and change."

"That works too."

Ye Chongli gave it no further thought. Instead, Ye Yizhou's earlier words left him with plenty of questions. "What did you just say? You're getting married? To whom? How come I didn't know you were seeing someone?"

"I'll show you his picture. Tall and elegant, refined and distinguished. I fell in love at first sight."

Ye Yizhou took out his phone, found the picture in his photo gallery, and held it in front of Ye Chongli. He sounded as proud as though he were praising himself. "Well? Handsome, isn't he?"

Ye Chongli took the phone and carefully studied the man in the picture, then looked up at Ye Yizhou. His brows knitted slightly, his voice carrying a hint of doubt. "Mm, he is very handsome, but... would he be interested in you?"

Ye Yizhou: ??