I Sent Him Another Man’s Photo

The ride back was exceptionally quiet.

Ye Zheng drove.

Tao Ruoqing scrolled through her phone, searching for news about Gao Wenye.

Ye Zhiqiu looked down at his drawing software, recording inspiration.

“Xiaoqiu.” After a long while, Tao Ruoqing lifted her gaze from the screen. “Did you know Gao Wenye before?”

“I’ve seen his movies.” Ye Zhiqiu didn’t look up, focused on sketching on his screen. “But today was the first time meeting him in person.”

“What do you think of him?” Tao Ruoqing asked.

At this, Ye Zhiqiu’s movements paused slightly.

“I wouldn’t dare say anything rash.” He smiled. “Otherwise, Ye Zhixia will hate me.”

They were close in age, raised together since childhood. On the surface, they got along well enough. But when conflicts of interest arose, neither ever gave an inch.

Ye Zhixia, in particular, could be described as fierce in this regard.

Growing up, they’d fought countless times. Ye Zhiqiu was never a match for him.

If not for Tao Ruoqing “protecting” him, his face would have been scratched up long ago.

Come to think of it, mother and son really knew how to use resources.

One beat him to secure resources; the other protected him to win his loyalty…

Only he was the fool.

The one who beat him, he forgave. The one who protected him, he trusted and relied on, ready to bare his soul.

Once, Ye Zhiqiu had believed that no matter how they fought or argued, when it was over, they were still brothers.

But later, he slowly realized—he’d been the only one who thought that.

Ye Zhixia genuinely hated him.

“You two and your little schemes—you really think you can fool Mama?” Tao Ruoqing chuckled. “Don’t worry. Even if he gets angry, Mama will protect you.”

“Then I’ll say it.” Ye Zhiqiu tilted his head thoughtfully. “I think he’s quite confident. And quite narcissistic.”

Hearing this, Ye Zheng up front laughed.

“You didn’t need to say that,” he remarked. “Anyone with eyes can see it.”

But Tao Ruoqing didn’t laugh.

At this, her brow furrowed even tighter.

“He followed you right after you went to the restroom. Did he say something to you?” Tao Ruoqing asked.

“He awkwardly confessed to me.” Ye Zhiqiu shrugged it off casually, as if being confessed to was an everyday occurrence. “But I already rejected him.”

Just as she thought, Tao Ruoqing mused.

No wonder her Xiaoxia had looked so grim when he came back later.

But Gao Wenye acted as if nothing had happened, still chatting and laughing, maintaining his elegant demeanor.

Like a peacock displaying its feathers—who was he showing off for?

Utterly infuriating!

All these years, she’d painstakingly cultivated connections among the wealthy wives, all to secure a place for Ye Zhixia in a powerful family.

For Gao Wenye, who had no foundation, she naturally had no regard.

But her disregard for Gao Wenye was one thing. Gao Wenye trampling on her child’s sincere feelings was another.

The exquisite patent leather handle of her bag deformed in her grip.

Tao Ruoqing laughed coldly.

“What a fantasy. No one from our Ye family is good enough for him.”

“Exactly.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, then lowered his gaze to continue the unfinished pattern on his screen.

Ye Zhixia usually listened to Tao Ruoqing’s instructions. But on this matter, he seemed born rebellious.

In his past life, he’d fought fiercely with Tao Ruoqing over Gao Wenye, nearly severing their mother-son relationship.

So back then, when Gao Wenye confessed to him, he’d immediately told Ye Zhixia and advised them to break up—also to quickly resolve the conflict between mother and son.

But he’d underestimated just how lovestruck Ye Zhixia could be.

Even in that situation, he didn’t break up. Instead, he protected Gao Wenye like treasure.

Since he was born rebellious, why not let Tao Ruoqing fan the flames?

If she didn’t oppose the relationship, fine. But the more she opposed it, the more Ye Zhixia would cling to Gao Wenye.

A phone ring abruptly shattered the solemn silence in the confined space.

Ye Zheng, still driving, tapped the speakerphone button.

Instantly, Ye Hongxian’s voice filled the car.

“You weren’t home today?” Ye Hongxian asked.

On a weekend, Ye Hongxian actually came home?

How rare.

Hearing his voice, Tao Ruoqing’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

“No.” Ye Zheng replied. “Took Mom and Xiaoqiu to visit Xiaoxia on set. Heading back now.”

Silence on the other end for a moment.

“Have you been in touch with Old Huo lately?” Ye Hongxian asked.

At the mention of Huo Jun’s name, Ye Zhiqiu quietly pricked up his ears.

A few days ago, Yunkai’s first batch of new material samples was ready. Zhang Mian personally delivered them to professional testing institutions.

On Thursday, the results came back. Zhang Mian was nearly speechless with excitement.

The new products performed exceptionally well in oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, flexibility, and tensile strength—far exceeding products currently on the market.

And achieving these results while reducing costs by more than a third compared to traditional products.

Such appeal was fatal to anyone in the industry.

That same day, Zhang Mian emailed the test results to relevant companies and mailed samples to each.

Clients outside the capital and abroad hadn’t received samples yet. But several factories and related users in the Beijing area quickly responded, expressing strong interest in collaborating with Yunkai.

Two of them were old clients who’d partnered with Yeding for years.

For Yeding, while not fatal, this blow was severe enough to hurt.

After all, those two had been stable partners for years. Ye Hongxian had mentally categorized them as “safety nets”—clients he could count on even if others failed.

No wonder he was so anxious.

“Contacted him.” Ye Zheng said. “But he’s already leased his factory equipment to someone else. We can only…”

“Factory equipment?” Ye Hongxian interrupted, exasperated. “We’ve lost clients! Clients!”

The car swerved sharply.

Tao Ruoqing broke out in a cold sweat.

“The child is driving.” For once, she couldn’t contain her temper, despite usually catering to Ye Hongxian. “Whatever it is, discuss it when you get home.”

Silence on the other end.

“Wait till you’re back.” Ye Hongxian’s tone softened slightly. “Since it’s the weekend, you and I will take the clients out for drinks. Get a clearer picture of the situation.”

“Okay, Dad.” Ye Zheng said. “I’ll be home soon.”

From the conversation, Ye Zhiqiu could easily infer that Ye Hongxian was considering appealing to the clients based on personal relationships.

But no matter how deep the relationship, it meant nothing in the face of profit.

Clearly, Ye Hongxian didn’t yet know that Yunkai’s prices were so low he couldn’t match them even if he went bankrupt.

Imagining Ye Hongxian’s impotent rage and despair upon returning from entertaining clients and learning this news, Ye Zhiqiu felt an indescribable pleasure rise in his heart.

“Brother.” Seeing Ye Zheng hang up, he barely suppressed the smile tugging at his lips. “Drop me off anywhere in the central business district. I’m meeting someone for dinner tonight.”

“Still thinking about fun at a time like this?” Tao Ruoqing said. “Be careful your father doesn’t break your leg when you get home.”

Ye Zhiqiu chuckled noncommittally.

Ye Hongxian normally glared at him and bristled with anger even when nothing was wrong, let alone now when he was furious.

Going home now would be volunteering his legs for Ye Hongxian’s rod.

Besides, he was in a good mood today. He probably couldn’t even act along with them convincingly.

Rather than returning to chaos, he might as well take the opportunity to check out the gym.

“Where are you meeting?” Ye Zheng asked. “I’ll drop you off.”

“No need.” Ye Zhiqiu said. “Aren’t you in a hurry to get home?”

“Two minutes won’t make a difference.” Ye Zheng said.

Ye Zhiqiu thought for a moment, then gave the location of the Western restaurant across from Q.L.’s office building.

Ye Zheng reset the navigation.

Within minutes, the car stopped outside the restaurant.

Ye Zhiqiu hopped out, bought a can of iced Coke from the convenience store next door, and walked toward the high-rise housing the gym while sipping it.

The cold drink on a freezing day made him shiver.

The excitement and pleasure in his heart instantly crystallized into clarity under the chill.

Several clue quickly sorted themselves in his mind, extending outward.

Uncle Wang, Gao Wenye, Qi Xin…

Exactly three, forming a stable equilateral triangle that could completely trap Tao Ruoqing.

And the smooth progress with VIA and Yunkai made his foundation more stable, more secure, more calmly.

The sweetness of the cola was more pronounced after being chilled.

Ye Zhiqiu stretched the sleeve of his cashmere sweater over his hand to insulate the cold can, sipping as he entered the gym’s first-floor lobby.

At the front desk, he learned this gym had a strict VIP system—non-members couldn’t enter without an appointment.

Ye Zhiqiu had to contact Jin Baobao again for his senior’s name and contact information.

Soon, after receiving a call from the co-owner, the receptionist not only put on a different smile but also specially assigned a coach to escort Ye Zhiqiu inside.

“Our gym originally focused on Muay Thai.” As the glass elevator slowly ascended, the coach explained. “But later, due to client demand, we added many other sports.”

“First floor.” The coach pointed where Ye Zhiqiu was looking. “First floor is for freestyle fighting. Students here are generally younger. Second floor, Muay Thai. Third floor, karate. Fourth floor is our mixed martial arts area…”

The elevator stopped. Ye Zhiqiu followed him out.

“And the fifth floor is the swimming pool,” the coach said. “Open only to members of the lower four floors.”

“Mm.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, following behind and looking around.

The MMA area was very spacious, divided by transparent glass into multiple practice zones of varying sizes.

Walking through, there were small classes,一right一 sparring, and solo practice areas.

Near the end, Ye Zhiqiu’s phone buzzed.

He pulled it out and opened the message Jin Baobao had sent to their group chat.

[Prosperity: Go look at my latest post. Click the link and vote for my senior sister. Please, my peeps. Bowing.jpg]

Ye Zhiqiu found it ridiculous, but obediently opened his moments and voted for Jin Baobao’s senior sister.

After exiting the voting link, he instinctively scrolled down a bit.

In just moments, several new posts had appeared.

One of them made Ye Zhiqiu’s gaze unconsciously pause.

It was Jiang Nan’s latest update.

The text was seven insufferably coy words: “Some things need no words.”

The accompanying photo showed a hand holding a wine glass.

Ye Zhiqiu recognized it instantly—that hand belonged to Qi Xin.

In the past, Jiang Nan used to post all sorts of moments content related to Qi Xin.

Whenever Ye Zhiqiu felt uncomfortable, Qi Xin would explain it away as work-related.

If he still wasn’t happy, then he was being difficult, unreasonable, selfish.

This invisible mental abuse and torture—Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t remember how long it had lasted.

But seeing it now, he found it simply amusing.

“That’s basically everything.” The coach ahead turned back with a smile. “Think it over. Whether you want large classes, small classes, or private lessons, we have it all.”

“Thank you.” Ye Zhiqiu withdrew his gaze from the phone and smiled at the young coach.

“No problem, no problem.” The young coach scratched his head sheepishly.

“And this area?” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, glancing sideways at a corridor marked with a metal plaque reading “Executive VIP.” “Can’t we see this?”

“This area.” The coach looked slightly troubled. “This is the private practice zone. Not part of the tour.”

“I’ll just look. I promise not to make a sound.” Ye Zhiqiu immediately raised his hand in assurance.

When he made requests, his eyes curved, looking soft and harmless.

The coach hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

“There probably aren’t many people here at this hour.” He warned Ye Zhiqiu. “But please stay quiet.”

“Mm.” Ye Zhiqiu nodded.

The Executive VIP area was different from outside.

Except for the glass doors facing the corridor, everything else was thoroughly obscured.

Just as the coach had said, most private training rooms were still locked, temporarily unused.

The occasional occupied room had occupants mostly focused on their training, not noticing them.

Ye Zhiqiu looked at each room as he passed.

Until he reached the innermost one.

When he sees clearly the figure inside, his steps halted.

Inside, a man stood tall with long legs.

His pure black training uniform was soaked with sweat, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Sweat trickled down his temples.

Those aristocratic phoenix eyes were fierce and focused, cooperate his fluid movements—each punch and kick radiating tangible power.

Especially his forearms, exposed to the air, glistening with sweat under the light, displaying a healthy luster.

The taut lines of muscle were both beautiful and smooth, full of strength.

It was Qin Jianhe.

Ye Zhiqiu’s lips curved involuntarily.

“Let’s go.” The coach gestured silently, still leading the way.

But this time, Ye Zhiqiu didn’t move immediately.

He discreetly pressed his phone against the spotless glass and aimed the camera at the figure inside.

He was in a good mood today. He hadn’t planned to bother with Jiang Nan.

But since heaven itself couldn’t stand Jiang Nan’s shamelessness, it would be impolite not to reciprocate.

Jiang Nan wanted to provoke him?

Let’s see whose ammunition packed more punch.

Ye Zhiqiu looked down and typed on his screen:

Brother’s waist isn’t a waist—it’s the Grim Reaper’s curved blade.

Then he attached the photo he’d just secretly photographed, set the visibility to “Only Jiang Nan,” and hit send.