His Photo Broke Him

Jiang Nan had dressed up specially to meet Qi Xin today.

Having lost to Ye Zhiqiu last night, he was determined to turn things around.

Now, dressed in Q.L.’s latest winter collection, he looked exceptionally nobility.

Compared to him, Qi Xin appeared much more disheveled.

He hadn’t slept all night.

He’d barely been home a moment when Jiang Nan called—no time to rest.

Now with dark circles under his eyes, he looked extremely haggard.

Jiang Nan studied him for a moment, then silently sat down across from him.

“I was going to be angry with you.” He smiled. “But seeing you like this, I can’t bring myself to do it.”

The words were gentle and considerate, nearly moving Qi Xin to tears.

Correspondingly, Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes flashed through his mind again—those eyes cold as knives.

Eyes so beautiful—why were they so cruel when looking at him?

As if wishing they could pierce his heart in one stab.

Since last night, Ye Zhiqiu’s cold eyes had appeared in his mind countless times.

Each time, increase his unease.

More than once, unrealistic hopes and fantasies had risen in his heart.

If only he hadn’t given Ye Zhiqiu attitude. If only he’d driven him home happily. If only Ye Zhiqiu could be soft-hearted like Jiang Nan.

If that were the case, maybe they could even have dinner together tonight.

“If I’d known you hadn’t slept all night, I wouldn’t have made plans.” Seeing him silent, Jiang Nan added.

“It’s okay.” Qi Xin smiled faintly. “Actually… I wanted to see you too.”

Having someone to talk to at least kept him from sinking into hopeless, anxious have a bee in one’s bonnet.

But Jiang Nan misunderstood his meaning.

At this, he frowned slightly.

He truly didn’t like Qi Xin appearing beside Ye Zhiqiu. But he also didn’t want to thorough break that already transparent tension between them.

Inviting Qi Xin out today was largely to embarrass Ye Zhiqiu.

Look—the man by your side still secretly comes to see me.

You’re nothing but a tool. I’m the one he truly likes.

This superiority felt extremely comforting.

He reveled in it.

Throughout the meal, Qi Xin barely touched his food but drank heavily.

That photo Jiang Nan posted—he’d secretly photographed it when Qi Xin was drunk.

After quietly posting to Moments, he began waiting maliciously and excitedly for Ye Zhiqiu’s reaction.

How would Ye Zhiqiu react seeing Qi Xin with him?

Wait, would he even recognize Qi Xin’s hand?

Excitement, anticipation, smugness, malice…

All these emotions intertwined, Jiang Nan kept checking his phone.

“Do you have other plans?” Noticing his abnormal, Qi Xin asked. “If you have things to do, go ahead. I’ll be fine.”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Nan smiled. “Just waiting for a message.”

“Waiting for a message…” Qi Xin murmured.

Before, he would have been jealous. But now, he only felt envious.

Jiang Nan could still wait for a message. Meanwhile, Ye Zhiqiu had already ruthlessly blocked him.

Seeing him lost in thought, Jiang Nan misinterpreted again.

He chuckled. “It’s not what you think.”

He added considerately, “It’s about work.”

As he spoke, he subconsciously scrolled and refreshed Moments again.

The word “message” barely left his lips when he stopped abruptly, his expression turning serious.

Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t responded to his post at all.

Instead, he’d just shared a photo of a handsome guy.

Even though the post had been buried by other updates the moment it appeared, even though Jiang Nan hadn’t even opened the image yet—just a glimpse of the thumbnail told him the guy was excellent.

Had Ye Zhiqiu found someone else?

Jiang Nan scrolled down confuse.

Soon, Ye Zhiqiu’s post appeared whole before him.

This time, even without opening the image, he instantly recognized the person.

It was Qin Jianhe.

Completely different from the impeccably dressed, suited Qin Jianhe he usually saw.

The man wore training gear, heroic and dashing.

His dark hair, damp with sweat, casually fell across his forehead, making him look younger—and even more sharp and handsome.

Even Jiang Nan, who’d liked him for so many years, had never seen Qin Jianhe like this.

His lips unconsciously tightened.

His complexion gradually paled, turning extremely gloomy.

Ye Zhiqiu—how did he have a photo of Qin Jianhe?

Such an intimate photo?

What right did he have?

The inexplicable panic and resistance he’d felt that day at the club, when Meng Qingyan asked Qin Jianhe to look down—rushed back.

Only this time, it was hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times stronger.

Overwhelming him, suffocating him.

So intense that the fear seemed to condense into a bony hand—one squeeze and his heart would burst, agony beyond endurance.

What he most feared had happened after all.

Not only had Qin Jianhe met Ye Zhiqiu, but he could also be this relaxed around him.

Jiang Nan’s fingers hovered over the screen.

He wanted to confront Ye Zhiqiu, to crazy curse him and stake his claim, to thorough scratch that face that seduced people…

But after a long moment, he only…

“Jiang Nan, Jiang Nan…” Someone’s voice came from extremely far away.

Jiang Nan looked up, meeting Qi Xin’s eyes.

“Jiang Nan.” Qi Xin’s tone was urgent. “Are you okay?”

Drowning sorrows only made them worse. Qi Xin had already been drunk. But Jiang Nan’s pale, bloodless face instantly startled him sober.

When Jiang Nan lifted his head, he saw that not only his face, but even his lips had lost all color.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” Qi Xin already had his phone out, ready to dial 120.

“I’m fine.” Jiang Nan opened his mouth, barely managing to speak.

As if suddenly jolted awake, he abruptly stood and hurried out.

“I have things to do. Call a driving on behalf of.”

Qi Xin: “…”

Before he could respond, Jiang Nan had already thundered downstairs.

Jiang Nan walked extremely fast.

His careful selected, gleaming leather short boots clattered on the wooden stairs.

Like someone sounding the war trumpet, aggressively charging.

But when he reached the first-floor lobby, his steps suddenly halted.

As if only now realizing—no matter how anxious, how scared, how much pain he felt—it was useless.

After all, Qin Jianhe probably hadn’t even remembered his name.

He had no right to put one’s oar in Qin Jianhe’s private life.

Similarly, he’d only met Ye Zhiqiu once. He didn’t even know where he lived. How could he scratch his face?

Like a marionette, Jiang Nan slowly raised his head, looking toward the upper floors.

If earlier, in front of Qi Xin, he’d called Ye Zhiqiu ill-mannered… now, he’d never wished so much that Qi Xin could be more competitive, more and more…

If only he could truly win Ye Zhiqiu over.

If Ye Zhiqiu were his, then he’d have a chance at Qin Jianhe.

If not one year, then two. If not two, then three…

Even if Qin Jianhe were stone, he had the patience to warm him.

Tall armchairs filled the lobby.

Jiang Nan walked over and sat down with his back to the stairs.

His thoughts had gradually calmed somewhat.

But the jealousy inside hadn’t diminished—it had grown, like hellfire and molten rain, erosion his heart until no part remained intact.

Jiang Nan pressed his lips tightly together.

After a moment’s thought, he opened his chat app and found Yu Renzhi’s profile.

He screenshotted Ye Zhiqiu’s Moments post and sent it.

Trembling, he typed on the screen, his tone still feigning calm.

[Jiang Nan: What’s this? Last time at the club, didn’t President Qin not know Ye Zhiqiu?]

Yu Renzhi replied immediately.

[Yu Renzhi: Holy crap. That’s explosive.]

No useful information at all. Jiang Nan was so angry he nearly threw his phone.

He restrained himself and continue typed.

[Jiang Nan: Is Ye Zhiqiu close with President Qin?]

[Yu Renzhi: …]

Yu Renzhi was equally bewildered.

But he remembered clearly that last time, because he’d brought Jiang Nan to the club, Qin Jianhe had even missed Meng Qingyan’s film celebration.

Qin Jianhe’s emotions were一introverted. For him to react so strongly meant he truly disliked Jiang Nan.

So regarding anything about Qin Jianhe, Yu Renzhi instinctively taboo in front of Jiang Nan.

Staring at those meaningless six dots on the screen, Jiang Nan’s anger surged.

He couldn’t contain himself any longer and viciously threw his phone.

* * * *

At the same time, after replying to Jiang Nan, Yu Renzhi excitedly forwarded the screenshot to their small group chat.

[Yu Renzhi: Holy crap crap crap! What’s this? @Qin Jianhe, image.jpg]

[Wang Qitang: You went to the gym today? @Qin Jianhe]

[Yu Renzhi: In just a few days, Xiaoyu’s already keeping a beauty hidden?]

[Wang Qitang: “Brother’s waist”? Who posted this, with such good taste? Emm, nice photography too.]

[Yu Renzhi: Little cutie.]

[Meng Qingyan: They look good together—one handsome, one cute. Didn’t realize Yu Ge moved so fast, already taking him to the gym.]

Everyone knew the gym was a relatively private place for Qin Jianhe.

When he needed to release excess energy or mood, or meet problems, he liked going alone and staying at least two hours.

[Yu Renzhi: No wonder little cutie ignored me before—turns out he already had someone better. Crying bitterly.jpg]

Yu Renzhi had recently saved this emoji from Jin Baobao and used it constantly.

[Meng Qingyan: Yu Ge can spend less time at the gym now.]

[Yu Renzhi: Meng Qingyan, what are you thinking at your age? You mean his excess energy finally has somewhere to go?]

[Meng Qingyan: I didn’t say that.]

[Wang Qitang: Let’s go. Ambush him at the gym.]

[Yu Renzhi: Already on my way.]

[Meng Qingyan: Script meeting later. You guys have fun.]

[…]

While they were chatting animatedly, Ye Zhiqiu had just finished getting his membership downstairs.

He took the opportunity to ask about the Executive VIP training rooms.

There were only six VIP rooms.

Though located on the MMA floor, users weren’t limited to MMA members.

Currently, all six rooms were claimed.

Although some were rarely used, the gym genuinely couldn’t offer a separate room right now.

Given the prohibitively high price, Ye Zhiqiu ultimately abandoned the Executive VIP idea.

He signed up for a small class to start, planning to observe which instructors had good technique and temperament before committing to private lessons.

Everything settled, it was already 4:30.

Winter days were short.

Outside, the last traces of sunset were fading.

Ye Zhiqiu calculated the time and began typing in the group chat.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Comrades, want to hang out?]

He followed with the Western restaurant’s location.

[Prosperity: Coming, coming! Was just wondering what to eat tonight.]

[Li Shao: Leaving now.]

[Lele: Sure!]

Q.L. wasn’t far from the Fashion Institute. Tang Le should arrive first.

But traffic might be bad now—at least twenty minutes.

As for Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun, definitely no less than forty minutes.

Still early.

Ye Zhiqiu clutched his newly acquired VIP card and swiped into the gym’s first-floor reading room.

He picked up a book on basic fighting techniques and sat by the window, flipping through it.

He’d only read two pages when his phone buzzed again.

A new message from Tang Le in the group.

[Lele: Sorry everyone. Just realized I did my assignment completely wrong. Need to redo it overnight, so I can’t make it tonight.]

[Prosperity: Schoolwork comes first. Don’t worry. Plenty of time later.]

Ye Zhiqiu chuckled, a faint trace of mockery curling his lips.

Tang Le was very meticulous. He might struggle with direction, or not perform exceptionally, but doing an assignment completely wrong? That would never happen to him.

The only reason he said this was that something had come up he couldn’t share with them.

And it must have been last-minute, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed initially.

What secrets could Tang Le have?

Nothing but those shameful dealings with Tao Ruoqing.

Being ordered around like a dog, and he actually seemed happy about it.

Ye Zhiqiu casually typed six dots on the screen.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: ……]

He didn’t intend to expose him—it wasn’t time yet.

But he also no longer cared about such things.

He wasn’t the same person anymore.

His heart was like metal, indestructible. He had enough courage and cards to face whatever storms came.

But he also didn’t want Tang Le to feel too comfortable.

Six dots were enough to make the suspicious and sensitive Tang Le uneasy.

When the message arrived, Tang Le had just stepped out of his dorm.

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu’s reply, he frowned as expected.

Ye Zhiqiu had been so good to him—to the point of gratitude.

Knowing his family was poor, he always took him along when eating out or having fun, never letting him pay. He gave him tools, gifts, accessories, clothes—so he never worried about survival…

And academically, he’d given him endless help.

Whether due to upbringing or natural ability, Tang Le’s thinking was more rigid than most classmates’.

Whenever he had problems, Ye Zhiqiu tirelessly helped him sort things out and opened new ideas.

So over the past year, his professional skills and way of thinking had improved significantly.

It could be said: without Ye Zhiqiu, there would be no Tang Le today.

Ye Zhiqiu had broadened his horizons. Ye Zhiqiu had shown him the colorful outside world. And Ye Zhiqiu had brought his inner greed and extravagant hope into the open, forcing him to confront his own ambitionand bone-deep self-abasement.

No one knew how suffocating the debt of gratitude felt every time he was with Ye Zhiqiu.

That was also something Ye Zhiqiu had given him.

In comparison, he actually preferred his relationship with Tao Ruoqing.

A fair transaction. No debts.

But…

This was the first time Ye Zhiqiu had spoken to him like this.

Just six dots—hardly conveying any tone.

Yet somehow, Tang Le inexplicably pictured Ye Zhiqiu’s casual, dismissive smile.

His heart suddenly lurched, faintly uneasy.

[Lele: Sorry, Xiaoqiu. Next time I’ll treat you to braised chicken.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: No need. Important things come first.]

Staring at his phone, Tang Le was formulating his next reply when it suddenly rang in his hand, startling him.

“Hello, Uncle Wang.” Tang Le answered.

“I’m at your school gate.” Uncle Wang’s familiar voice came through. “When will you be down?”

“Right away.” Tang Le pushed aside his thoughts and hurried downstairs.

Before, when Tao Ruoqing wanted to see him, she also sent Uncle Wang.

But today, though Uncle Wang still came to pick him up, the person wanting to see him had changed.

This time, it was Ye Zhixia.

He’d just changed and freshened up when Ye Zhixia’s call came, as if he had eyes.

He wanted Tang Le to come to the hotel near the film set.

Tang Le walked quickly until he settled into that familiar black car.

Breathless, he asked, “Uncle Wang, does Madam know about the young master wanting to see me?”

“Not sure,” Uncle Wang said.

Tang Le’s brow furrowed deeper.

Changes kept happening. He couldn’t figure things out.

In the nearly year-long contact with Tao Ruoqing, their dealings had always been extremely secretive.

Not only Ye Zhiqiu unaware—Logically speaking, no one else in the Ye family should have noticed.

Tang Le couldn’t determine what Ye Zhixia suddenly summoning him meant.

After a moment’s thought, he test asked Uncle Wang.

“Uncle Wang.” He smiled. “Do you think we should ask Madam about the young master summoning me?”

Up front, Uncle Wang was silent for a moment.

Then he asked, “Why ask Madam?”

Tang Le: “…”

His phone, clutched in his palm, instantly grew damp. Tang Le said nothing more.

The drive to the suburbs was smooth.

Soon, they reached the hotel near the film set.

Uncle Wang led the way, taking the elevator straight to the 12th floor, finally stopping before room 1205.

He knocked and bent slightly.

“Young master, Mr. Tang is here.”

“Let him in.” Ye Zhixia’s voice came faintly from inside.

Uncle Wang opened the door and gestured for Tang Le to enter.

For some reason, Uncle Wang’s every action and posture throughout this journey gave Tang Le an extremely strange feeling.

As if Ye Zhixia were his true master—even Tao Ruoqing couldn’t compare to Ye Zhixia’s status in his heart.

But Tang Le had no time to ponder further.

He stepped inside and immediately met Ye Zhixia’s dark, shen shen eyes.

Ye Zhixia sat in the suite’s small living room and gestured to him.

“Sit.”

Tang Le sat down.

Following the principle of not moving until the enemy moved, he remained silent.

“Do you know why I called you here?” Ye Zhixia asked from on high.

Tang Le lowered his eyes, hiding the disgust within.

He’d seen this attitude plenty growing up. He was long sick of it.

And because of it, even Tao Ruoqing mostly treated him with polite and reassurance.

But he also didn’t dare offend Ye Zhixia.

“I don’t know,” he said.

“I know everything about you and my mother.” Ye Zhixia cut to the chase.

“What could there be between me and Madam Ye?” Tang Le looked up. “Madam Ye just sees my poor family situation and takes care of me.”

“Really?” Ye Zhixia laughed. This guy really wouldn’t cry until he saw the coffin. “Want me to create a group chat, add Ye Zhiqiu, and the three of us can chat together?”

Tang Le knew he wouldn’t do that.

After all, Tao Ruoqing was his mother.

But he could now confirm that Ye Zhixia truly knew about his dealings with Tao Ruoqing.

“So,” he finally asked, “what do you want from me?”

“Keep an eye on Ye Zhiqiu for me.” Ye Zhixia said.

“This job was given to me by Madam Ye.” Tang Le frowned. “I need her approval.”

“Do you think my mother’s approval matters more, or mine?” Ye Zhixia smiled contemptuously.

Both the words and the smile stung Tang Le.

He pressed his lips together and said nothing.

“My mother had you work for her with the promise of introducing you to the entertainment industry as a stylist after graduation, right?” Ye Zhixia said. “But do you think my mother’s connections in the entertainment industry come from?”

Tang Le was speechless.

“Your future isn’t in my mother’s hands. It’s in mine.” Ye Zhixia concluded.

“I understand.” Tang Le lowered his gaze again.

“Good that you understand.” Ye Zhixia smiled smugly. He loved this feeling of holding others’ fates in his hands.

“Anything specific you want me to focus on?” Tang Le asked.

“Report everything he does to me.” Ye Zhixia paused, then added, “Especially anything involving Gao Wenye.”

“Gao Wenye?” Tang Le was confused.

Wasn’t Gao Wenye Ye Zhixia’s co-star?

How did he get tangled up with Ye Zhiqiu?

“Do you like Gao Wenye?” he asked.

“That’s not your concern.” Ye Zhixia’s face hardened.

Though Ye Zhixia hadn’t answered, his reaction was enough to confirm Tang Le’s guess.

Almost simultaneously, a malicious thought surfaced in his mind.

If he could get close to Gao Wenye, what leverage would Ye Zhixia have to act superior and boss him around?

Just acting as a messenger between Gao Wenye and Ye Zhiqiu once or twice would be enough to make the brothers fight. How satisfying would that be?

But Tao Ruoqing—that smiling tiger—was not to be underestimated.

Though fleeting, the thought excited Tang Le immensely.

But no time to detail or weighing the pros and cons now. He’d have to suppress it for the moment.

“I understand.” Tang Le said. “But I can’t see Ye Zhiqiu regularly right now.”

He paused. “Originally, I had a chance to eat with him tonight. But you called me here. Honestly, you could have said all this over the phone.”

“Over the phone.” Ye Zhixia said. “How would you know who’s in charge?”

Tang Le was speechless.

“Alright.” Ye Zhixia stood. “You can go now.”

Leaving Ye Zhixia’s room, Tang Le stood in the long corridor for a long time.

After taking several deep breaths, he dialed Uncle Wang’s number.

The line was busy. He hung up and waited a moment before heading toward the elevator.

* * * *

At that moment, Uncle Wang stood outside the hotel, talking to Tao Ruoqing on the phone.

“…That Gao fellow at least looks presentable and makes decent money.” He spoke humbly. “Most importantly, she likes him.”

“What do you know? Shortsighted!” Tao Ruoqing cursed. “All my years of painstakingly cultivating connections—just to marry her into a powerful family, to eat well and live well, to look down on everyone else. What’s Gao Wenye compared to that?”

She laughed coldly. “His Best Actor win was just luck—no strong competition. You know what they say outside? They say he’s the least deserving Best Actor ever.”

“And besides.” Tao Ruoqing gave Uncle Wang no chance to speak, words machine-gunning out. “He’s already over thirty. As an actor, he’s likely on the decline. You want Ye Zhixia to marry someone like that? You think living in Ye Zhiqiu’s shadow all these years isn’t miserable enough—she has to be under his thumb forever? If that’s what you think, just kill me now.”

“Then…” Uncle Wang was clearly hesitating.

“I’m telling you.” Tao Ruoqing said. “Keep an eye on her these next few months. Whatever it takes, don’t let anything substantive happen between her and that Gao fellow. Understand?”

“But how can I control her?” Uncle Wang was both anxious and troubled.

“Didn’t I just say? Any means necessary.” Tao Ruoqing said ruthlessly.

Uncle Wang clutched the phone, silent for a long moment.

After a pause, he decided to confess.

“She summoned Tang Le today.”

Tao Ruoqing: “…”

“Wang Changqun.” Tao Ruoqing asked exasperatedly. “If she told you to die, would you do that too?”

Hearing this, Uncle Wang’s previously tense and humble expression suddenly relaxed.

A hint of a smile even appeared in his eyes.

“If truly needed,” he said, “I would.”

Tao Ruoqing said nothing more and hung up with a snap.

Uncle Wang stood there for a moment, silently chew Tao Ruoqing’s words.

He admitted he was indeed shortsighted.

But he truly couldn’t bear to see Ye Zhixia heartbroken.

If only there were some way to have both.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice Tang Le approach until Tang Le spoke.

“That fast?” he asked.

“Fast?” Tang Le said.

The time hadn’t been long—just over ten minutes. But for Tang Le, it felt like years.

The sunset from his arrival had long faded. Pale twilight gathered from all sides. Night had come.

Inside the gym, Qin Jianhe had just finished training.

He unscrewed a bottle cap, drank some water, and pulled out his phone from his gym bag.

The group chat had already exploded.

The moment he unlocked, messages practically flew in his face.

Qin Jianhe: …

This seemed to be happening a lot lately.