Huh?
No reaction at all?
Ye Chongli had been waiting for Ye Yizhou to completely lose it, but Ye Yizhou's reaction was so mild that he found it strange.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
Ye Chongli couldn't help speaking first to sound him out.
Only then did Ye Yizhou react. He looked up at Ye Chongli with a cheerful smile.
"Oh, I forgot to say it earlier. Thanks, Dad!"
"Seriously, you're scaring me a little."
Even Ye Chongli's chopstick hand trembled twice as he asked uncertainly, "What's going on? You have a partner now, and even he can't keep you in line?"
"Dad, have you misunderstood something about me? I played the innocent little flower in showbiz for two years. Don't tell me you actually thought I was some obedient little bunny!"
Ye Yizhou set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a smile. His voice was soft and sweet, but his words carried a deeper meaning.
Ye Chongli kept opening his mouth and stopping himself before finally squeezing out a sentence.
"You're downright terrifying!"
Ye Yizhou readily accepted this "compliment."
"I'm done worrying about you. Your mom and I are leaving on vacation tomorrow."
Ye Chongli decided that out of sight was out of mind, and enjoying a lovely vacation with his wife would make him happier. Still, he offered a reminder. "You should rein it in a little. Qingdu is a good man. Don't stop appreciating him now that you've got him!"
"You think I'd still be interested in plain porridge and side dishes after tasting a state banquet?"
Ye Yizhou thought Ye Chongli was worrying too much. That sort of thing could never happen.
"Maybe you'd want a change of taste?" Ye Chongli had his own reasons for worrying.
Ye Yizhou replied with a touch of haughtiness, "Well, sorry, but I have a very discerning palate."
Ye Chongli nodded. "Then I'm relieved."
"I have a bad temper, not bad character. I went to all that trouble to win him over, only to not cherish him? Wouldn't that make me an idiot?"
Ye Yizhou retorted irritably.
"That's true enough, but you've got the face of a scumbag who neglects his family. You should do some serious self-reflection!"
Ye Chongli seized the opportunity to lecture Ye Yizhou. Chances like this were rare.
"Should I get plastic surgery, then?"
Every sentence out of Ye Yizhou's mouth managed to hit Ye Chongli right where it hurt.
"If you dare, I'll beat you to death," Ye Chongli said fiercely.
"Heh. Not that I'm looking down on you, but if we actually fought, you really couldn't beat me."
Ye Yizhou spoke without a trace of modesty.
"You'd actually dare fight your father, huh?"
Ye Chongli raised his hand and slapped Ye Yizhou on the arm.
Ye Yizhou didn't resist. He calmly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a glaring red handprint on his fair arm.
Ye Yizhou took out his phone, adjusted the angle, and snapped a photo.
"What are you doing?" Ye Chongli asked warily.
"I never fight my own battles when I can tell on someone."
Ye Yizhou waved his phone. "I sent it to your wife too. Just returning the favor."
Ye Chongli: ...
He knew his little hell-raiser never let himself lose out.
"Can't you let your old father have one peaceful day?"
"Do I look like such a dutiful son to you?"
Hearing how utterly justified Ye Yizhou sounded, Ye Chongli didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Such filial devotion, it could kill him!
"Have you had enough to eat?"
After finishing his own meal, Ye Chongli waited quietly and patiently for Ye Yizhou to finish his last bite. Only when he put down his chopsticks did he ask with concern.
"Nothing's scarier than Dad suddenly caring. What are you up to?"
Ye Yizhou wiped the corner of his mouth with a tissue and eyed Ye Chongli warily.
"If you're full, come back with me for a meeting this afternoon."
Ye Chongli stood and excitedly straightened his suit, keeping his eyes fixed on Ye Yizhou.
"In such a hurry?"
The moment Ye Yizhou stood, Ye Chongli grabbed his arm. He glanced at his father's grip with an indescribable expression and said with faint disdain, "Tch. Is that really necessary? Am I the sort of person who goes back on his word?"
"You are." Ye Chongli's answer was utterly firm.
Ye Yizhou: ...
Fine, he had indeed considered taking off the moment his dad wasn't looking.
Ye Yizhou stopped struggling and obediently let his dad lead him out of the restaurant by the arm and shove him into the car.
Only after Ye Chongli got into the car and the doors were securely locked did he let go.
There really wasn't even the most basic trust between father and son.
When the car reached the company entrance, Ye Chongli once again dragged Ye Yizhou out by the arm, and they entered the building together.
"Hello, Chairman Ye!"
The employees in the lobby greeted Ye Chongli. They found it strange to see Ye Yizhou being dragged along, but none dared discuss it.
"We're already at the office. Can you let go now? All this pulling and tugging looks awful!" Ye Yizhou helplessly expressed his feelings as he was dragged along.
"What's so awful about holding on to my own son?"
Unconcerned, Ye Chongli pulled Ye Yizhou into the elevator. "Don't think I don't know. The second I let go, you'll vanish without a trace."
"I'm not that kind of person," Ye Yizhou defended himself again.
But Ye Chongli wouldn't listen. "I only trust my own judgment."
Ye Yizhou was speechless. "Smooth."
Ye Chongli pushed open the conference room doors, and the room, which had been buzzing with discussion, instantly fell silent. Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Ye Yizhou and Ye Chongli at the entrance.
"Chairman Ye!"
Everyone stood, only sitting back down one after another after Ye Chongli had taken Ye Yizhou to their seats.
"You're all clear on the subject of today's meeting, I take it?"
Seated in his chair, Ye Chongli spoke with an imposing authority that needed no anger, completely different from when he usually horsed around with Ye Yizhou.
Everyone nodded in unison.
Ye Yizhou propped his cheek on one hand and raised the other high. "Sorry to interrupt, but I might not be clear on what this meeting is about. Could someone explain it to me?"
Ye Chongli turned to look at Ye Yizhou, seated immediately to his right, with a slightly disdainful gaze, as though Ye Yizhou had failed to prepare in advance.
"That look of yours is positively foul-mouthed. You dragged me here out of the blue. Isn't it only natural that I don't know?"
Ye Yizhou spread his hands, refusing to indulge his dad at all. His brows creased slightly, and his face was full of exasperation.
"Ahem, ahem. I forgot." Ye Chongli was a little embarrassed. Sitting in the conference room, he had unconsciously slipped into the airs that came with years in a position of authority.
"This is my younger son, Ye Yizhou. I introduced him to everyone at this morning's meeting, so you're all familiar with him now, right?"
Ye Chongli gestured toward Ye Yizhou and gave a brief introduction.
This morning's meeting?
Ye Yizhou picked up something strange in Ye Chongli's words.
"Yes. The young master really stood out on the livestream."
"He left quite an impression."
Ye Yizhou caught another keyword in their discussion. Livestream?
"Are you people running a legitimate company? You watched my dating show livestream during a meeting?"
Ye Yizhou could barely believe his ears.
Before you continue