In Front of Them, I Played Nice… Then He Kissed Me in Secret

From the Lunar New Year until now, Ye Zhiqiu had been busy without a break.

Now that everything was finally settled, he felt a wave of relief, but also a certain tiredness.

Even his backpack seemed heavier.

Voices drifted from the room. Ye Zheng was on the phone.

“Yes,” he said. “Given the condition of this equipment, we should be able to negotiate the price down further.”

Ye Zhiqiu paused, remembering his past life. Ye Hongxian had bought outdated equipment to enter the new energy battery market.

The factory where Yunkai now operated had been rented to Ye Hongxian by Huo Jun for that purpose. The Ye family had made some profit.

Old equipment, low output, but there were scraps left for smaller players.

None of that profit had gone to Ye Zhiqiu, though. He had already fallen out with Ye Hongxian and been kicked out.

Their relationship now was still bad, but worlds better than before.

In his past life, Tao Ruoqing had poisoned things. Qi Xin had made it worse. Ye Hongxian had never looked back.

Later, battery technology changed. Ye Hongxian’s old equipment became obsolete, but it had already served its purpose.

It wasn’t much for a wealthy family, but enough for the Ye family. Tao Ruoqing had built a tea pavilion in the yard to host her lady friends.

Then Ye Hongxian’s health failed. Ye Zhixia took over Yeding. And Ye Zhiqiu no longer had a home.

He stood quietly in the hallway, thinking. It was early March.

Yunkai’s emergence had put pressure on Ye Hongxian. This time, he was buying equipment three months earlier.

That’s why Ye Zhiqiu had asked to keep the Yunkai-New Power deal confidential. If Ye Hongxian knew, he might reconsider.

He had thought New Power’s progress might also affect his decision. But it seemed luck was on his side.

He smiled.

“Young master!” Aunt Zhao spotted him as he entered. “We’re having fish hot pot today. Madam ordered fresh sea bass.”

“Thank you, Aunt Zhao.” He smiled.

“Everyone was waiting for you,” Ye Hongxian said, not looking up from his work.

He’d been home most of the past two days. Ye Zhiqiu assumed he was tired of his latest lover.

He smiled and looked at Ye Zhixia on the sofa.

A few days ago, Ye Zhixia hadn’t been allowed downstairs when Ye Hongxian was home. Now he was here, and Ye Hongxian was ignoring him. They’d reached some agreement.

Ye Zhixia didn’t look happy. He turned away when he saw Ye Zhiqiu.

They’d fought countless times growing up, and had their share of good moments. This was the first time Ye Zhixia had been so openly hostile.

Gao Wenye really was his weakness.

In his past life, Ye Zhiqiu had thought Ye Zhixia was helping his mother. Now he understood it was more than that. He hated him.

Maybe it started when people began comparing them, when the people he liked preferred Ye Zhiqiu. Gao Wenye was just the final straw.

If Gao Wenye liked him, no matter what Ye Zhiqiu did, Ye Zhixia would hate him.

It couldn’t be helped.

If he had once cared about this, he no longer did.

“Ye Zhixia,” he smiled. “You’re downstairs.”

It sounded friendly, but they both knew it was a provocation.

Tao Ruoqing put a hand on Ye Zhixia’s fist before he could react.

“Xiaoqiu,” she said, changing the subject. “Did you see the news about your boss?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “They say they make a good couple.”

“They do.” She was relieved. “Now those ladies won’t bother me asking about him.”

She had been worried. Ye Hongxian had hoped Ye Zhiqiu might catch the eye of the Qin heir. With his looks, it was possible.

Now, she could relax.

Ye Hongxian frowned. “A rumor with an actress, and you believe it?”

“Qunqun is different,” Ye Zhixia said, turning back.

Ye Hongxian glared. Ye Zhixia looked away again.

Ye Zhiqiu laughed. “Who cares about other people? I’ve been wanting Aunt Zhao’s hot pot.”

“You’ve changed,” Aunt Zhao said, pleased. “So sweet.”

Ye Hongxian noticed too. Ye Zhiqiu was easier to talk to now. Maybe his rebellious phase was over.

Ye Zhiqiu picked up his chopsticks and put Ye Hongxian’s favorite oxtail in the broth.

Ye Hongxian was surprised.

“Suck-up,” Ye Zhixia muttered.

Ye Zhiqiu smiled. The dynamic had shifted. He used to be the one arguing, Ye Zhixia the one pleasing. His defiance had only made things worse.

Ye Hongxian heard the comment. “Say that again, and you’re going back upstairs. Apologize to your brother.”

Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “It’s fine, Dad. He’s younger.”

Ye Hongxian scolded Ye Zhixia, then Tao Ruoqing for not controlling him.

Ye Zheng spoke. “Apologize to Xiaoqiu.”

Ye Zhixia’s eyes were red. After a long silence, he muttered, “Sorry.”

It sounded more like a threat.

Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “We’re brothers. No need for formalities.”

Ye Zhixia wanted to lash out, but Tao Ruoqing and Ye Zheng held him back.

“That’s enough,” Ye Hongxian said, done with their squabbles. “Brothers should get along.”

They both agreed. The family ate.

The hot pot was good. Ye Zhiqiu sat by the spicy broth, but found himself looking at the clear side.

He thought of Qin Jianhe’s soup. It had been rich and clear.

His phone buzzed with messages from Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun, and celebrity gossip about Qin Jianhe and Zhang Qunqun.

He read a few, then grew annoyed. When his phone buzzed again, he almost turned it off.

It was a statement from Zhang Qunqun’s team. He paused, then opened it.

It was brief. She denied the relationship and announced her next film. She joked that she appreciated the early publicity.

He thought for a moment, then went back to check if Qin Jianhe had responded. He didn’t know his account, but the news would lead him there.

A message appeared from QIN.

He ignored the group chat and opened it.

[QIN: I just issued a statement. image.jpg]

His fingers tightened on the phone. He felt awkward. Why show him? He had eyes.

“Eat,” Ye Zheng said, putting meat on his plate. “Or there won’t be any left.”

“Thanks.” He looked up.

“What were you looking at?”

“Zhang Qunqun’s statement. They were just working together.” He smiled. “The company group chat is lively.”

Tao Ruoqing’s chopsticks paused.

“Public statements from celebrities are always vague,” he said, looking at Ye Zhixia. “If you were dating, you couldn’t announce it either.”

Ye Zhixia knew it was true, no matter how much he wanted to be with Gao Wenye.

“Maybe,” Tao Ruoqing said. “But they’d make a beautiful couple.”

Ye Zhiqiu smiled and ate.

After lunch, Ye Zheng stopped him.

“I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to. Uncle Wang can.”

“It’s your first trip. I want to.”

He agreed. “Won’t it interfere with work? You and Dad are buying equipment.”

“Nothing is more important than family.”

He smiled. “Thanks.”

“Rest today,” Ye Zheng said. “You’ve been busy.”

He went upstairs. He still had designs to finish for Qi Xin.

He wouldn’t have time abroad. He’d be busy with his own work, and with other brands and designers. He didn’t want to think about Qi Xin.

It would be his first time away from Tao Ruoqing, Qi Xin, and Tang Le. No acting. No worrying about his secrets.

It would be easier.

His luggage was almost ready. Two large suitcases: one with clothes, one with backup pieces and fabric. And tools. He could handle anything.

He looked at the bag on his dresser. The clothes he’d worn from Qin Jianhe’s apartment.

He thought of his message. He opened the chat. He hadn’t replied. Qin Jianhe hadn’t sent another.

His finger hovered over the screen. He typed.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Yes, I saw it.]

He opened the group chat.

[Prosperity: Master Ye?]
[Lele: Master Ye?]
[Li Shao: Master Ye?]

He smiled.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: No need to see me off. I have work. I’ll bring gifts. What do you want?]

[Li Shao: Master Ye, let me take care of you. You’re busier than the president.]

[Prosperity: Bring back some accessories. My parents want ideas.]

[Lele: Anything. You’re busy.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Got it. Gifts for everyone except Lele.]

[Li Shao: I was just being nice, and you take my gift?]

[Lele: It’s okay.]

[Li Shao: A game console. Or a motorcycle.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Noted. I have to work.]

He worked until dark.

* * * *

Qin Jianhe’s meetings ended. He checked his messages. One reply.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Yes, I saw it.]

He looked at it, imagining his tone.

The group chat was still active. The news had made a splash.

[Yu Renzhi: Crazy, right? Did you see?]
[Wang Qitang: Hard not to.]
[Yu Renzhi: @Qin Jianhe What happened? You and Zhang Qunqun? What about Xiao Meiren?]
[Wang Qitang: They’ve known each other since they were kids. Nothing’s going to happen.]

Qin Jianhe scrolled through, then stopped at the skybridge.

“You go ahead,” he told Zhou Tongxin.

He leaned against the railing and typed.

[Qin Jianhe: Why not Zhang Qunqun? What’s wrong with her? @Yu Renzhi]

The group chat exploded.

[Wang Qitang: Meetings over? When are you back?]
[Meng Qingyan: We were going to announce casting, but your news scared us off. Had to postpone.]
[Yu Renzhi: Because if you chose her, I’d go after Xiao Meiren. Don’t want us to fight. Dog head.]

He smiled, the sound lost in the wind.

[Qin Jianhe: Then you might not see the sun tomorrow.]

* * * *

At three in the morning, Ye Zhiqiu emailed the designs to Qi Xin.

He slept four hours. Ye Zheng knocked, calling him to breakfast.

He dressed, and they carried his luggage downstairs.

After breakfast, Ye Zheng drove him to the airport.

He was tired. “Didn’t sleep well?” Ye Zheng asked.

“Insomnia.”

“Or didn’t sleep?” Ye Zheng said. “Your light was on all night.”

He admitted he’d been working on designs for Qi Xin.

“Dad doesn’t want you seeing him.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Ye Zhiqiu was defensive. “He works hard, he’s good to me. Why can’t Dad see it?”

He shifted tone, hopeful. “If I help him, he’ll do well. Then Dad will approve.”

At a light, Ye Zheng asked, “Do you have to move out?”

“I’d have to eventually. We’re grown.”

Ye Zheng was silent. When the light turned green, he said, “You’re right.”

Ye Zheng wasn’t like Tao Ruoqing and Ye Zhixia. In his past life, he hadn’t hurt him directly. But he had taken money from the company for them.

It was unforgivable.

His words would reach Tao Ruoqing. And Qi Xin would be asking for more money.

At the airport, Ye Zheng left him with Gao Yang and Wang Ru. They took his bags.

“I’m not a kid,” he said.

Ye Zheng smiled. “Call if you need anything.”

After he left, Meng Da arrived with Zhou Lang and two other designers.

He was about to take attendance when there was a stir.

Qin Jianhe was walking toward them.

Meng Da went to meet him. “President Qin?”

“I was nearby. I wanted to see you off.”

“This is a first,” Meng Da told the group.

They were excited. Qin Jianhe smiled, his gaze finding Ye Zhiqiu.

“Good luck,” he said.

He was in casual clothes, friendly. Gao Yang spoke up. “I’ve been wanting to travel.”

They laughed. Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

“I have to get back,” Qin Jianhe said.

“We’ll make you proud,” Meng Da said.

He checked his watch. His gaze found Ye Zhiqiu again. “Safe travels.”

Meng Da walked him out.

Gao Yang was talking to Wang Ru. “Him seeing us off must be a good sign.”

His phone buzzed.

[QIN: Go to the restroom on the west side.]

He told Gao Yang he was going to the bathroom.

The west side was empty. He smelled the familiar scent of Qin Jianhe’s cigarette.

He was leaning against the sink. He smiled when he saw him.

Qin Jianhe took his wrist and led him into a stall.

It was small. They were close. Qin Jianhe’s breath was warm.

The lock clicked. He kissed him.