Everyone Is Scheming… I’m Just Better At It

After one in the morning, when Ye Zhiqiu returned to the Ye residence, Ye Zhixia was still not home.

He showered calmly and went to bed, sleeping peacefully through the night.

It was not until the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains that he stretched again, got up to wash, and went downstairs for breakfast.

It was rare for Ye Hongxian and Ye Zheng to both be home, but the atmosphere at the table was not the least bit lively or relaxed. Instead, it was unusually cold and tense.

Even Aunt Zhao moved quietly as she served the dishes.

Tao Ruoqing, her face frosty, was repeatedly dialing out. Ye Zheng sat beside her, trying to soothe her.

“He’s an adult,” Ye Zheng said. “What could happen to him? Maybe he’s out with friends.”

“Impossible,” Tao Ruoqing said. “If he were with friends, he would have called to let us know. Unless…”

She stopped abruptly. Ye Zheng understood.

The only one in the family who didn’t know about Ye Zhixia’s feelings for Gao Wenye was Ye Hongxian. If he found out, there would be a huge scene. So mother and son stopped in unison.

Ye Hongxian wasn’t particularly worried about Ye Zhixia being out one night. But Tao Ruoqing’s evasiveness annoyed him.

“If you know where he is, just call,” he grumbled. “Stop being so jumpy.”

“Dad, Mom.” Ye Zhiqiu came down the stairs, catching the tail end of the exchange. He smiled. “Who’s not home?”

“Can’t you see who’s missing?” Ye Hongxian was even more irritated.

Ye Zhiqiu just smiled.

“Zhixia didn’t come home last night,” Ye Zheng told him.

“He probably went out with friends,” Ye Zhiqiu said casually. “He’s eighteen. It’s normal, isn’t it?”

Ye Zheng didn’t respond, but Tao Ruoqing nodded.

“Yes,” she sighed. “I’m just too worried about you boys. I forget you’re grown.”

“After breakfast, I’ll call some of his friends and ask if they’ve seen him,” Ye Zhiqiu said, eating his congee.

“I’ll do it,” Tao Ruoqing said. “You’ve been working late lately. You’re busy enough.”

Ye Zhiqiu looked well-rested; his skin was clear, his lashes dark. Despite the overtime, he showed no signs of fatigue.

“You’ve been getting into the swing of things at work,” she said. “Can you manage?”

“Fine,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “It’ll ease up after this month.”

His energy and drive finally eased Ye Hongxian’s morning irritation.

“You should talk to Zhixia,” he told Tao Ruoqing. “Tell him to learn from Xiaoqiu.”

Tao Ruoqing was too worried about Ye Zhixia to argue.

But her fears were soon realized.

A car pulled into the driveway. Ye Zhixia was back.

Ye Hongxian’s temper flared.

Ye Zhixia’s clothes were neat, but the bruise on his eye was obvious.

“Look at him!” Ye Hongxian slammed his bowl. “Out all night, comes home looking like he’s been in a fight. Real proud of yourself!”

Tao Ruoqing was relieved to see her son’s bruised face. It didn’t look like a romantic rendezvous.

“Zhixia,” she said firmly. “Come here.”

Ye Zhixia stood at the table, silent, his face dark.

“You’re an adult. Don’t you know we’d worry?” Tao Ruoqing scolded him quietly.

She was trying to make the issue about him being out all night, planning to discuss the specifics later.

But Ye Zhixia ignored her.

“Dad, Mom, brother,” he announced. “I’ve decided to marry Gao Wenye.”

Tao Ruoqing dropped her chopsticks. Ye Zheng stood and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to guide him away.

“Wait.” Ye Hongxian was confused. “Who? Marry who?”

“Gao Wenye,” Ye Zhixia repeated, pushing Ye Zheng’s hand away.

“Who is Gao Wenye?” Ye Hongxian demanded of Tao Ruoqing.

“Go upstairs and think about what you’re saying!” Tao Ruoqing snapped, her face hard.

But Ye Zhixia was beyond reason. He grabbed Ye Zhiqiu’s bowl and smashed it on the floor.

“I’m marrying Gao Wenye!” he screamed.

Ye Zhiqiu knew Ye Zhixia was lovesick, but this was extreme.

In his past life, when he’d been cast out for wanting to marry Qi Xin, at least Qi Xin had worn masks: the mask of the “good man,” the mask of the “devoted husband.”

But Gao Wenye had just been caught in bed with someone else.

Ye Zhiqiu said nothing.

“You,” Ye Zhixia turned on him, brandishing a small USB drive. “You met Gao Wenye at a bar yesterday, didn’t you? I have the surveillance footage.”

Ye Zhiqiu had known Ye Zhixia would check. He’d told the bar staff to cooperate.

He wanted Ye Zhixia to lose control.

“Yes,” he said. He showed his phone to Tao Ruoqing. “He’s been contacting me since I visited the set. Even when I blocked him. I met him to make it clear I wasn’t interested.”

He faced Ye Zhixia. “The footage will show I left quickly.”

“Don’t play innocent.” Ye Zhixia was livid. “If it wasn’t for you…”

“What?” Ye Zhiqiu asked, turning to him.

Ye Zhixia raised his hand to strike.

Ye Zhiqiu’s training made it easy to dodge. He barely moved back. But Ye Zhixia’s nails caught his cheek, leaving a scratch.

Ye Hongxian was furious. He grabbed a plate and threw it.

Ye Zhixia staggered, dazed.

Chaos erupted. Tao Ruoqing crying and scolding, Ye Hongxian shouting, Ye Zheng trying to restrain him.

“I’m marrying Gao Wenye,” Ye Zhixia insisted. “If you hadn’t stopped me, if he’d had someone…”

He couldn’t finish.

“Who is this Gao Wenye?” Ye Hongxian was livid. “Someone tell me!”

“A movie king,” Ye Zhiqiu said quietly, touching his scratched cheek.

“Marry an actor? Get out of this house!” Ye Hongxian roared.

In his past life, Ye Zhixia’s wedding had been much later, after Gao Wenye had his own production company. Ye Hongxian still disapproved, but Tao Ruoqing had supported it after Gao Wenye helped Qi Xin. The wedding had been decent.

Now, Gao Wenye had no company. And Ye Zhixia had revealed everything in a fit of rage.

It was a disaster.

But Ye Zhixia had advantages. When Ye Zhiqiu was cast out, Tao Ruoqing had only made things worse. She would fight for Ye Zhixia.

Ye Zhiqiu looked at his phone, at the paternity test result.

If they had to scheme and grovel… wasn’t that a form of destruction, too?

In the chaos, he stepped out and called Gao Yang, asking him to organize the files Zhang Lan had collected.

Gao Yang was hesitant, but Ye Zhiqiu missed it.

* * * *

In Zhou Lang’s office, Gao Yang, Zhang Lan, Wang Ru, and Sun Chaoyang were gathered.

“Come work with me,” Zhou Lang smiled. “I’ll teach you. Xiao Ye is talented, but young. He lacks experience.”

No one responded. But Sun Chaoyang’s eyes darted between the others. If one moved, he would follow.

“This is your chance to change your future,” Zhou Lang continued. “Xiao Ye is hotheaded, making enemies. You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t drag you down.”

Design department gossip had turned on Lin Qunsheng. Stories of his various ailments were everywhere. His three trips to Ye Zhiqiu’s office suggested Ye Zhiqiu was behind it.

“Teacher Zhou,” Zhang Lan spoke first. “It’s not our choice. We need to discuss it with Teacher Xiao Ye.”

Sun Chaoyang hesitated.

“Of course,” Zhou Lang smiled. “But fashion week is coming. If you join me, you’ll see it firsthand.”

He was confident he’d get at least half.

After thanking Zhou Lang, they went to Ye Zhiqiu’s office.

“You’re free to go to Zhou Lang,” Gao Yang told Sun Chaoyang.

“I’m not.” Sun Chaoyang was defensive. “You’d be tempted too. And we’d get to see the show.”

“Think about his assistants,” Wang Ru said. “How many have done well?”

“I’ve heard things,” Zhang Lan said, her expression knowing. “You can go to Zhou Lang if you want. I’m staying with Teacher Xiao Ye. And Lin Qunsheng deserved what he got.”

“I’m staying,” Wang Ru said.

“Me too,” Gao Yang said.

Sun Chaoyang hesitated. “I’ll stay.”

“You should go,” Zhang Lan said. “Teacher Xiao Ye needs commitment. Especially since you admire Zhou Lang.”

Sun Chaoyang’s face hardened.

“Tell him yourself, or I will,” Zhang Lan said. “You can’t wait to see how he does at fashion week.”

“I’ll handle outside work,” Gao Yang said.

“Fine.” Sun Chaoyang stepped back. “I’m going. You’ll regret this.”

He left.

* * * *

Ye Zhiqiu arrived at work to curious stares.

Lin Qunsheng was waiting, furious.

“Teacher Lin,” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, “I know about the rumors. I didn’t start them.”

“You have to vouch for me,” he said.

Lin Qunsheng raged for half an hour. Ye Zhiqiu worked through it.

Finally, Lin Qunsheng stood. “Fine work,” he admitted grudgingly.

“Thank you,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

“Where did you get such a thick skin?” Lin Qunsheng asked.

“From all the gossip you spread,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

“If you stop spreading stories,” Ye Zhiqiu looked up, “I’ll help clear things up.”

Lin Qunsheng stared at him, then left.

* * * *

After work, Ye Zhiqiu picked up the watch he’d ordered for Jin Baobao.

Jin Baobao’s family sold trinkets; he wore their flashy watches. People were snobbish.

At twenty, he deserved a good watch.

At the party, Jin Baobao hugged him, delighted.

Li Shaojun and Tang Le were there. They circulated, helping as needed.

Later, Ye Zhiqiu went to smoke.

Jin Baobao followed.

“That watch was expensive,” he said, grinning.

“It’s fine. Next time, I’ll get you a better one.”

Jin Baobao linked arms with him. “Maybe we should just marry.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You’re not still with Qi Xin, are you?” Jin Baobao asked. “Even my mom’s heard the rumors.”

Ye Zhiqiu was quiet.

“It’s your birthday. No frowning.”

“I’m never getting married,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

“Then you just want a bedmate?” Jin Baobao asked, surprised.

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t argue. “Sure.”

Tang Le, at the doorway, slipped away and texted Ye Zhixia.

* * * *

After Ye Zhixia’s outburst, Ye Hongxian had confined him. But tonight, he’d threatened to release their intimate photos and forced Tao Ruoqing to let him go.

She had cried more in two days than in her life.

Now, she considered talking to Gao Wenye.

Ye Zhixia believed being crazy worked.

He texted Qi Xin the hotel address and told him to come.

Qi Xin, like Tang Le, had secrets to protect.

At the celebration, Ye Zhixia got Tang Le’s text. Then Qi Xin said he’d arrived.

He went to the washroom.

The top floor had two ballrooms. The larger was rented by a company. Between them was a corridor with a curved window.

Qi Xin was waiting.

“What do you want?” He was impatient.

“How far have you gotten with Ye Zhiqiu?” Ye Zhixia asked.

“That’s not your concern.”

“Have you slept with him? Kissed?”

“No.”

“So nothing.” Ye Zhixia laughed. “Useless.”

“I’m not arguing with you,” Qi Xin said.

“He doesn’t want to marry. Just a bedmate,” Ye Zhixia said. He tossed a small brown bottle. “Use that. Then trap him.”

Qi Xin’s heart raced. Then he thought of Ye Zhiqiu’s temper.

“Mind your own business.”

“This is my business,” Ye Zhixia said. “Ye Zhiqiu met my boyfriend. Don’t you want to know who?”

Qi Xin’s face changed.

“You don’t get to know.” Ye Zhixia pointed. “Handle Ye Zhiqiu. Or I might slip about you and my mother.”

Qi Xin stood, uncertain. He reached for his phone to call Ye Zhiqiu, then stopped.

He couldn’t.

Behind the heavy curtain, a window was open. Qin Jianhe stood there, smoking, listening.

He would have announced himself, but then he heard Ye Zhiqiu’s name.

Now, the red glow of his cigarette was the only light in the darkness of his eyes.