Every Day After Marriage Is Really Fragrant

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel dot net. Beware bl, mpreg and mtl.

3. 21 to 30

Chapter 21

by

Mr. Wang realized it was impossible to bring the dog home, so he reluctantly tied its leash to a tree in the yard.

Yu Antong saw the dog's deep blue eyes, looking adorably silly, and couldn't help but pat its head.

The meal was prepared by Yu Antong, hence the strongest scent lingered on him. The Husky wagged and swished its tail around him, almost as if it were a propeller in its excitement.

"It's so adorable." Yu Antong asked Mrs. Wang, "What's its name?"

Mrs. Wang, somewhat regretting her casual naming choice, hesitated, "Its name is... Wang Yingjun."

Yu Antong, trying to suppress his laughter, said with shaking shoulders, "He certainly is handsome," if not for its face twisted by the aroma of meat, eyes wide and mouth open, just like a meme.

Observing its intense craving, Yu Antong stood up, "Let me get some meat to feed it."

"No, no, no!" Mrs. Wang stopped him, "Dogs shouldn't consume salt."

Yu Antong replied, "Is that so? I've never had a dog, so I wasn't aware."

Mr. Wang said, "I'll go home and fetch its dog food."

Mr. Wang was swift and returned to the Xing household shortly. However, Wang Yingjun showed no interest in the food, not even sparing it a glance.

"It's okay; I have a solution," Mrs. Wang said, "May I use your kitchen?"

Mrs. Xing said, "Go ahead."

The two families, being close neighbors, shared a harmonious relationship, so formalities were seldom observed.

Mrs. Wang placed two slices of meat into an empty bowl, rinsed off the sauce in the kitchen, chopped them up finely, and mixed them into Wang Yingjun's dog food.

Yu Antong: "..."

Just two pieces of meat, blended into a big bowl of dog food, it was hardly noticeable. The dog would have to be pretty gullible to fall for it...

"Crunch, munch." Wang Yingjun buried its face deep into the food bowl, gobbling it all up.

Well, it seems the dog is truly naive.

The group went inside to dine, with Yu Antong occasionally glancing out the window.

Xing Lixuan said, "If you like dogs, should we get one too?"

Yu Antong quickly shook his head, "No, no. I'm not sure I could take care of it properly."

Owning a pet is a responsibility. You can't just get one for the novelty or entertainment. If we really decide to have one, we can discuss it in six months.

Xing Lixuan: "Let's enjoy the meal then."

The chicken stewed in a traditional pot over high heat is incomparably tender, not at all dry. The potatoes served alongside have become soft and mushy, having absorbed the rich essence of the meat and sauce.

When eating pot chicken, how could one resist scraping the pot's bottom? The lower half of the flatbread is dipped in the pot's sauce, blending the flavors of both the bread and the dish. The upper half, crisped against the pot, retains the unique dry aroma of baked bread. No matter how much you eat, it's never enough.

Then there's the steaming pork stew with glass noodles. A bite of those translucent noodles soaked in the broth feels chewy and smooth. Occasionally, you get a piece of perfectly stewed pork belly. This fat and lean meat trembles slightly when picked up with chopsticks. A gentle bite releases a burst of meaty juice, leaving one feeling utterly content.

Rich oils and vibrant sauces: the pinnacle of culinary delight.

Accompanied by a few plates of refreshing stir-fried vegetables, everyone's chopsticks moved rapidly, making the meal an enjoyable occasion for all.

During the post-meal conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Wang couldn't stop praising Yu Antong's culinary skills. Mrs. Wang joked about wanting to be his disciple and learn from him, while Mr. Wang inquired if Yu Antong planned to open a restaurant, offering to invest.

Yu Antong chuckled, mentioning he had recently opened three establishments, "You're welcome to visit anytime."

Mrs. Wang playfully elbowed her husband, "With Mr. Xing around, there's no need for your investment."

"Haha, true that!"

Through the conversation, they found out that Mr. Wang manages a large chain of supermarkets. Yu Antong remarked, "We might collaborate in the future."

Intrigued, Mr. Wang asked, "How so?"

Yu Antong explained, "I'm planning to launch my brand, focusing mainly on homemade condiments. Perhaps my products will end up on the shelves of your supermarkets."

He had recently purchased a food processing plant which had been idle. Lately, he had been experimenting with a chili sauce, planning to produce it in bulk as his first product.

Mr. Wang enthusiastically responded, "That sounds promising! Every household uses condiments. Given your culinary expertise, I'm certain your product will be a hit. When it's out, I'll be the first to distribute it."

"Thank you in advance, Mr. Wang," Yu Antong replied, "I've got some samples of the chili sauce I made. I'll give you a few jars to take home."

[Advertisement for a fictional website]

"Thank you so much!"

After bidding farewell to the Wang couple, Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong headed back to their city residence. Balancing work and school, it was more convenient than staying in the old house.

Recently, Yu Antong and Grandma Xing had become quite close. As they departed, the old lady fondly said, "Come back next weekend, alright?"

Yu Antong boarded the car, holding a parcel. Seeing this, Xing Lixuan inquired, "What's that?"

"A secret," Yu Antong replied protectively with a teasing tone, "But it's something good."

Xing Lixuan snorted dismissively, choosing not to probe further.

Before bed, Xing Lixuan never missed his gym session. After half an hour, he reduced the treadmill's speed while wiping sweat from his face.

Strange, why is it so quiet today?

Xing Lixuan had grown accustomed to Yu Antong either teasing him during his workouts or laying out a yoga mat, stretching into various extravagant poses. But today, as his session neared its end, there was no sign of Yu Antong.

Wondering what mischief he's about to make now.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. As Xing Lixuan thought of Yu Antong, the door to the gym was pushed open.

A beauty with raven-black hair done up and adorned in a crimson robe gracefully entered.

Yu Antong wore a fiery red dress that ended at the chest, with a sheer shawl draped over him that fell low enough to expose his shoulders. The dress trailed on the floor but was stylishly cut high on one side, revealing glimpses of his porcelain legs as he moved.

Yu Antong had applied makeup and wore a wig. A gilded hairpin with flowing beads decorated his hair, swaying with each step. A fire-red lotus motif graced the center of his forehead, and his upturned eyes were traced with scarlet, his lips a tantalizing shade. He was enchantingly beautiful.

Twirling around, Yu Antong playfully inquired, "Do you find me beautiful, good sir?"

Xing Lixuan nearly stumbled off the treadmill, exclaiming, "What on earth are you up to?"

"It's a costume for a performance," Yu Antong clarified. "Our school is holding a cultural festival, and our class is presenting a gender-reversed version of 'Journey to the West'."

Switching off the treadmill, Xing Lixuan intoned, "So, which demon or monster are you playing?"

"So annoying!" Yu Antong playfully scolded, "I'm playing the Queen of the Women's Kingdom!"

A smirk tugged at Xing Lixuan's lips: "You'd make a better Scorpion Demon."

What Queen of the Women's Kingdom could be more bewitching and seductive than this?

This wasn't actually the costume for the Queen. Yu Antong had decided to order his own costume online, unsatisfied with the quality of the provided school props.

Surprisingly, the online store not only had a wide variety but also recommended a range of alluring, shoulder-revealing demoness outfits.

Imagining himself teasing Xing Lixuan in such an attire was simply thrilling. He promptly made the purchase!

The quality of the attire justified its premium price. The seller thoughtfully included makeup and a wig similar to the model's, and even offered silicone padding for the more adventurous.

"So, you have a thing for femme fatales?" Yu Antong teased, intentionally misinterpreting Xing Lixuan's earlier comment as he snuggled against him, cooing sweetly.

"Big brother~"

Hiding half his face with a sleeve, his eyes sparkled mischievously, lashes fluttering, exuding innocence and allure.

Truly, with brows like distant mountains and eyes as captivating as rippling water.

Xing Lixuan's throat tightened. He pulled Yu Antong close, lifting him slightly so their bodies pressed together.

"Ah! Brother~" Yu Antong exclaimed, feigning shock and then closing his eyes in anticipation of a kiss.

Xing Lixuan's gaze was intense, hungrily taking in every inch of Yu Antong, fixated, yet not making the next move.

Sensing the tension, Yu Antong met Xing Lixuan's deep, inky eyes that seemed to be drawing him into an abyss.

His heart skipped a beat, jestingly he teased, "Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"

---

Chapter 22

by

Do you like it?

Xing Lixuan was uncertain if the emotions stirred within him by Yu Antong could be termed as 'liking'. He remained silent for a moment, hesitant to commit.

Xing Lixuan leaned down to kiss Yu Antong, breaking their intense gaze. Yu Antong, responding, wrapped his arms around his neck, choosing not to delve deeper into the emotion.

...

Upon seeing the luxurious clothes that had been worn only once now ruined, Xing Lixuan kissed Yu Antong's smooth shoulder, possessively stating, "You are not to wear such outfits on stage again."

"I get it, enough, my love~ Spare me," Yu Antong pleaded with a sugary, muffled tone, trying to wriggle free from the sheets.

Xing Lixuan gripped his ankle, pulling him back, "I fear you might forget; perhaps we should reinforce the memory."

Eventually, Yu Antong lay limply in Xing Lixuan's embrace, barely managing to open his eyes, mumbling his playful complaint, "Stinky husband~ So wicked."

For the school cultural festival, Yu Antong invited Xing Lixuan to watch his performance, mainly so that he could take him home afterwards.

The performance began at 7 pm, with Yu Antong's class scheduled mid-program.

After a slew of repetitive song and dance numbers, the audience, weary from the monotony, were half-watching, half-scrolling on their phones.

Suddenly, the ambiance changed as the iconic theme from the classic 1986 version of "Journey to the West" began to play.

The unmistakably familiar and captivating rhythm immediately grabbed the audience's attention.

Xing Lixuan settled into a corner, having changed into casual clothes after work. He blended in with the university crowd, his entire focus on Yu Antong.

On stage, Yu Antong donned a bright yellow robe, his refined features exuding an aura of regal grandeur, as if he truly were a monarch.

Although different from the red ensemble he wore that night, both looks were equally captivating, making it impossible to look away.

"That queen is so cool! Are they a guy or a girl?"

"The host just mentioned it's a cross-dressing performance, so it must be a guy."

Yu Antong barely wore any makeup. Originally, for the cross-dressing role, they planned to put makeup on him. However, the committee member in charge, looking at Yu Antong's delicate features, was hesitant. Suddenly inspired, she said, "Why bother with makeup? Antong is our show's face. Just with that face, even without any lines, he'll surely get us votes."

As it turned out, she was right. Regardless of the content, a good face attracts attention. The students in the audience began murmuring and discussing.

One male student even exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm smitten with the queen. I can't call myself the universe's top straight guy anymore. I've turned."

"How have I never noticed such a handsome guy in our school before?"

"I know him! That's Yu Antong from the Business Management class."

"I'm going to ask him for his WeChat later."

"Hold on, wasn't he the guy trending on Weibo with sixty million mentions?"

"Right, now that you mention it, I remember too."

The girl wanting his WeChat suddenly glanced at her monthly bills and wailed, "Oh, I'm six hundred in debt. Forget the WeChat, I'm not worthy!"

...

After his performance, Yu Antong went backstage to change and messaged Xing Lixuan.

[Honey, wait for me at the entrance.]

Although there was an awards ceremony afterward, he decided to leave early.

He had spotted Xing Lixuan while he was on stage. Tall and handsome, making everyone else around him look like mere backdrops. Worthy of being his man.

Yu Antong exited through the backstage door and made his way to the front. Immediately, he saw Xing Lixuan, hands in pockets, standing under a streetlamp.

With light steps, Yu Antong ran towards him, whispering, "Honey."

Xing Lixuan: "Ready to leave?"

Yu Antong replied, "The moon is so beautiful tonight. Walk with me around campus?"

"What's there to see?"

"Come on~"

Yu Antong insisted on touring the campus but soon complained about being tired and asked Xing Lixuan to carry him, "My feet hurt, I can't walk anymore. Honey, carry me."

"No."

Yu Antong, acting stubborn, squatted down, "Then I won't move."

"Stay there if you want." Xing Lixuan didn't want to spoil him and tried to walk away, but Yu Antong grabbed onto his legs and wouldn't let go.

Looking down, Xing Lixuan saw Yu Antong blinking up at him, feigning innocence.

"I've had enough of you. Come on up."

Yu Antong jumped onto Xing Lixuan's back with a smug tone, "Should've done this sooner, right?"

"Who could put up with you?"

"I'm so handsome and adorable. Isn't spoiling me the least you can do?" Yu Antong said with a hint of arrogance, directing Xing Lixuan, "Turn right. The shortcut is faster. Through the Maple Forest, we can reach the parking lot directly."

After a few steps, Yu Antong whispered, "Honey, do you hear anything?"

Xing Lixuan paused, listened closely, and then quickened his pace, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Yu Antong, who didn't live on campus and had never wandered around at night, was unaware that their school's Maple Forest was colloquially known among students as the "Lover's Forest", a popular evening spot for dating couples.

"You're being unfair," huffed Yu Antong, "I only wanted to take a shortcut so you wouldn't tire out carrying me. No good deed goes unpunished, huh?"

Xing Lixuan retorted, "If you're worried about me, then get off."

As they approached the parking lot, Yu Antong confidently replied, "Fine, I will."

The two returned home amidst playful banter. Yu Antong flopped onto the sofa and ordered Xing Lixuan, "Honey, I'm hungry. Can you make me some noodles?"

"I'll take a shower first." Thinking he knew Yu Antong's character well, Xing Lixuan headed to the bathroom.

Yu Antong was puzzled, "It's just noodles. A hand wash should suffice. Why a full shower? It's not like you need to cleanse and burn incense for the occasion."

Xing Lixuan, with a stern face, emerged, "Are you really hungry?"

"Of course I am. I only had two pan-fried buns tonight..." Yu Antong suddenly realized the potential double entendre in his words, "What did you think?"

Yu Antong burst into laughter, "You didn't think I was implying something else, did you? Oh my, your mind's in the gutter!"

Xing Lixuan was almost driven mad by him, "Cook for yourself."

"Please, honey, I promise I won't tease. I'm really tired from the rehearsals." Yu Antong said.

Xing Lixuan replied, "You never like what I make."

"I do, I love everything you make. I promise to behave." Yu Antong turned on his charm effortlessly.

It's funny how he could infuriate someone in one moment and then be so endearing the next.

Whenever they were home, Yu Antong would always ask Xing Lixuan to assist him in cooking. Over time, Xing Lixuan's culinary skills noticeably improved.

After finishing his meal, Yu Antong, uncharacteristically calm, took out his textbooks and began studying.

Compared to other universities, the most challenging part about a University was that some subjects even had midterm exams!

Yu Antong had essentially been slacking off for half the semester. Learning about the midterms nearly knocked the wind out of him. Left with no choice, he had to cram.

For the upcoming week, Yutan was swamped with work. An editor from a gourmet magazine, having tasted the exquisite dishes of the "Fairy Feast", wanted to invite Yutan for a food interview. However, he postponed everything for now, focusing on surviving his finals week. Even Xing Lixuan found himself pushed aside for the time being.

After finishing his last exam and stepping out of the classroom, Yutan felt rejuvenated. At lunch, he rubbed his neck and mentioned to Han Lele, "I've been hunched over my books so much recently, I feel like I'm getting a stiff neck."

"Who hasn't?" Han Lele remarked, then had a sudden thought, "Let's go for a massage. I know this great place; you feel so relaxed after, it's like all your worries melt away."

"Let's go." Yutan quickly finished his meal and followed Han Lele to the massage parlor.

The place Han Lele referred to appeared to be a lavish spa. Having only been there once with his older brother, when asked by the receptionist what package they wanted, Han Lele opted for the "2999" package.

He recalled his brother choosing that particular package the last time.

Guided by a waitress in a short skirt, they were led through a hallway to a private room. "Our masseuses will be with you shortly. Please wait a moment," she said.

Lying on the massage table, Yutan's thoughts wandered to some infamous venues, and jokingly asked Han Lele, "Are you sure this place is legitimate? What if it's raided?"

Han Lele chuckled, "Imagine the headline: 'Innocent College Student Caught in Raid After Finals'. Whether it's a failing of our education system or…" He laughed at his own joke before adding, "Relax, I've been here before. I happened to see my brother and his friends here when I passed by once, so I joined them for a massage."

Shortly after, two female masseuses entered. As Yutan found the massage a bit painful, he struck up a conversation to distract himself, "Is it always this busy?"

One of the masseuses replied, sliding her fingers, "It's quieter at this time. Usually, it gets busier in the evening when people finish work, and we typically don't get any inspectors around then."

Yutan felt something was off about that statement but brushed it off, thinking perhaps all massage parlors are prone to inspections.

When he felt the masseuse's hand move towards his leg, Yutan quickly said, "Just focus on the neck and shoulders, please."

...

Two hours later, Yutan and Han Lele found themselves at a police station giving their statements.

Both were too stunned to speak. They never anticipated this turn of events.

The place they went to was not a regular spa at all.

At the station, Han Lele angrily called his brother.

Upon hearing the news, Han Xingyan immediately sensed trouble, "Lele, did you go there again?"

Nearly in tears, Han Lele responded, "Yes, and I got arrested! Bro, what's going on?"

Han Xingyan remained silent.

Previously, Han Lele had bumped into him and a friend at that venue discussing business. To deceive the kid, he said they were just there for massages. When Han Lele expressed interest, he discreetly arranged a legitimate massage session for him.

Little did he know that Han Lele would revisit the place and, coincidentally, at a time when the spa's owner had some enemies.

Han Xingyan hurriedly reached out to his contacts to bail the two out.

Yutan didn't dare to return home, fearing that Xing Lixuan, upon hearing the news, might impulsively strangle him.

Han Lele, on the other hand, was more inclined to strangle his own brother.

Xing Lixuan was stupefied upon receiving Qi Jingyao's call, stating that Yu Antong had been arrested for soliciting a prostitute.

Doubting his own ears, Xing Lixuan asked, "What did you just say? Repeat that for me."

Qi Jingyao nearly choked with laughter at the sheer absurdity of Yu Antong and Han Lele's situation, replying, "Check the news yourself."

BronzeEyes_1919v: Local police raid illicit bathhouse, arresting over 20, including two college students, Yu and Han, who claim they were merely there for a massage, oblivious to the establishment's secret affairs... [Video Link]

Typically, just another piece of local news, a prominent social media influencer stumbled upon it, laughing uncontrollably. He immediately shared the video.

MemeOfTheDay_v: Promise me you'll watch this, I'm dying of laughter…

The video captures a perplexed Yu Antong and Han Lele being apprehended by police as they burst in. Han Lele struggles, exclaiming, "Officers, we're just here for a massage, there's been a misunderstanding!"

A stern-faced policeman retorts, "Everyone claims they've been wronged when they're caught. How many are actually innocent?"

Predictably, all the other detained men chimed in, "We've been wronged too."

Surprisingly, it's the female "masseuse" who vouches for Yu Antong and Han Lele's innocence.

During questioning, she remarks, "That young man genuinely didn't expect any special services. He kept dodging my advances."

"At first, I thought he was playing hard to get."

Officer: "Why did you think that?"

Masseuse: "Because they chose the pricey 2999 package, which typically includes...additional services. And some customers like to role-play."

"Later, when I tried to approach him again, he immediately backed off, wanting to leave. That's when I realized he was genuinely there just for a massage. Then you (police) arrived. That's the entire story."

...

XiaoMingStudent: The comedic news of the year seems to be starting early. ?

JiuFengMountain: Even the reporting officer in the video was trying hard to stifle his laughter.

AloeWater: We're professionally trained, so we usually don't laugh. But this one? Irresistible, hahaha~

XiaoZhe: I always knew it! As the year ends, the bizarre news count goes up.

SouthernNoodles: LOL! This sets a high bar for other contenders.

Though Yu Antong and Han Lele's faces were pixelated in the video, the blurring was sloppy. Several transitions left them recognizable. Soon, students from University A recognized them, prompting further shares.

DouDouCat: I watched multiple times, and yes, he's definitely from our uni. Oh, the misfortune!

TouchFluffy: Other universities have internet celebrities known for their looks or talents. Who would've thought our uni's celeb would rise to fame through comedic news?

StormyRange: Isn't that the heartthrob from our Business Management department? Look at what the midterm exams did to him!

TopStudent: Midterms wreak havoc. I propose University A abolishes them.

GuluLulu: I have a video of this same guy performing at our uni's cultural fest. He's brilliant! DM me if you want to see.

High-Replica Account: Could you all save some face for the young man? You've literally stripped him down to his underwear.

I'm the Devil: Stop spreading that the young man's real name from A University's Financial Management program is Yu Antong. I said, stop!

Devil in Me: Haha, we didn't know he's from A University's Financial Management and his real name is Yu Antong. Truly, we didn't.

In the end, even A University's official social media shared the news, reminding students that mid-term exams are challenging, and one should be cautious about relaxing massages.

Yu Antong, with shaking hands, answered the call from Xing Lixuan, his voice feeble, "Hello?"

Xing Lixuan sneered, "Impressive! Last time, you sneaked to a club, and now, directly to a brothel?"

Upon hearing Xing Lixuan's tone, Yu Antong knew he was aware of the incident. He cried, "No, I just wanted a massage. Why is my life so hard?"

Xing Lixuan's voice was icy, "Where are you now?"

Yu Antong: "I'm at Han Lele's place. Are you coming to get me?"

Xing Lixuan didn't respond and hung up the phone.

Yu Antong anxiously sent him his location.

Half an hour later, Xing Lixuan picked him up.

"Husband, I'm so ashamed," Yu Antong sobbed as he threw himself into Xing Lixuan's arms, "Everyone knows I was 'caught in a brothel'."

"Only now you cry," Xing Lixuan's voice was frosty, "You didn't inform me about the incident and dared not to come home!"

What truly angered him was that Yu Antong didn't turn to him for help and even avoided him. Had Yu Antong sought him out immediately, he would've ensured the incident didn't make the news, saving Yu Antong the embarrassment.

Yu Antong never anticipated this would make headlines. Just recently, he had outsmarted his rivals, only to find himself in a police station. Shen Bailing must be laughing so hard now.

"I was afraid you'd be mad," Yu Antong said softly.

Xing Lixuan: "I'm even angrier now."

Yu Antong attempted to pull away, thinking how Xing Lixuan could be so harsh and not even comfort him.

"Stay still," Xing Lixuan said, pulling him close, his tone softening slightly, "You really are a handful."

Xing Lixuan realized he might be falling for this fool. Why else would he be so upset? All this strong emotion was because he cared about him.

Stroking Yu Antong's hair, Xing Lixuan comforted, "It's okay. I'll have the news taken down. People will forget in a few days."

Yu Antong snuggled into him, whimpering in agreement, "Mhm."

As someone transplanted into this story, Yu Antong once imagined he'd be a huge success, a household name, even a big shot in the culinary world.

But he never imagined becoming famous like this, known by everyone through such a scandal.

It's incredibly tough for him, truly, so very tough.

Life, that relentless beast, spares no one; he may never find joy again.

The next morning, Xing Li Xuan urged Yu An Tong to get up for school. Lying down, Yu An Tong shook his head, much like a child reluctant to attend kindergarten, "I won't go. I don't want to attend school anymore; they'll mock me."

Xing Li Xuan, feeling helpless, decided to let him be and pinched Yu An Tong's nose, "Get up for breakfast in a bit."

Yu An Tong replied gloomily, "Hmm."

After a while, Yu An Tong called Han Le Le, the so-called 'sinner of the ages'. His voice was deep, reminiscent of a brooding villain, "Have you gone to school? Are people gathering around you?"

Although Han Le Le didn't really want to attend school due to the many recognizing him, to atone for his mistakes, he felt compelled to follow the victim, Yu's instructions and check the situation at school.

Han Le Le wore a mask and had even changed his hairstyle overnight. With the onset of cooler weather, many wore masks, and no one seemed to recognize him on campus.

Reporting to the 'victim', Han Le Le said, "I'm at school. So far, no one has noticed me. I seem to blend in as just an ordinary, innocent college guy," instead of the unfortunate fellow from the news.

Yu An Tong breathed a sigh of relief, coming to terms with the realization: no matter the online ridicule, in real life, everyone carries on, not paying much attention to others.

Taking a deep breath, Han Le Le entered the classroom, keeping his head down, and found an empty seat.

Masks weren't ideal in a classroom, and especially not in this smaller class setting. As soon as Han Le Le removed his mask, the class representative's loud voice called out to him.

"Le Le! I was just wondering who that was. I thought someone entered the wrong class. Turns out it was you! Changed your hairstyle? Was it because of that news piece? Hahaha, sorry, I can't help but laugh seeing you."

Next came the empathetic student welfare officer, "Le Le, are you okay?"

The student welfare officer genuinely tried to express concern but couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Hahaha, Le Le, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Don't take it to heart."

Other classmates also gathered around, chattering with concern, "Where's Yu An Tong? Is he attending class today?"

Han Le Le hadn't ended the call, and Yu An Tong heard everything. He retreated into himself once more.

With a heavy heart, Yu An Tong ended the call and started looking up the procedure to take a leave of absence from school when Fu Xin called.

Fu Xin was the professional manager hired by Yu An Tong to manage his company. After some time observing him, Yu An Tong believed Fu Xin to be extremely capable and ambitious—exactly who he wanted at the helm of his company.

Assuming Fu Xin was calling to discuss opening a new branch, Yu An Tong immediately asked, "Found a suitable location?"

Fu Xin replied, "Yes, but that's not why I called."

Yu An Tong, puzzled, asked, "What then? What else can a workaholic like you discuss other than work?"

Fu Xin: "Considering your recent media attention, I believe we can use this to our advantage. With the current buzz, we can promote the new chili sauce of 'Xian Ren Banquet'."

Yu An Tong: "..." He suddenly felt like firing him.

Yu An Tong exclaimed, "You're inhuman! All you see are dollar signs, without a care for your employer's well-being!"

"No, listen to me, boss." Fu Xin spoke with measured calmness. "The best way to make people forget about something is to create a new narrative. If we use this chance to promote our product, soon people will only remember you as the founder of Fairy Feast, a culinary genius, and a remarkable young entrepreneur, and they won't recall..."

Fu Xin tactfully left the rest unsaid.

Yu An Tong was somewhat skeptical. "Really?"

Fu Xin responded, "I've consulted with experts, and they all believe this approach can work."

Yu An Tong felt he had nothing left to fear. Having been publicly humiliated once, what could be worse? Might as well make a last-ditch effort.

He remarked, "Alright, but let's not go overboard painting my image. I'm not in the entertainment business. 'Culinary genius' sounds a bit over the top."

Yu An Tong decided to temporarily hold off on his leave of absence. However, he did request a few days off from his counselor, who surprisingly granted the leave without hesitation, advising him to adjust his mindset, as life is long and minor setbacks aren't the end of the world.

During these school-free days, Yu An Tong poured himself into his business, channeling his anguish into innovation, introducing several new dishes to Fairy Feast's menu.

Promoting chili sauce isn't as straightforward as launching a restaurant. If a restaurant has great taste, it can quickly attract customers. But the chili sauce market is dominated by a couple of popular brands. Most people are used to them and reluctant to switch.

Plus, Yu An Tong's commitment to high-quality ingredients meant his chili sauce had higher production costs, making it pricier than others on the market and harder to win customers over.

To gain traction, Fairy Feast rolled out a month-long promotion where diners would receive a free bottle of their branded chili sauce.

Inside the restaurant, a regular asked a server, "Young lady, are you still offering the complimentary chili sauce with meals?"

The server smiled, "Yes, the promotion runs until the end of this month."

"That's great! I got a bottle the last time I dined here, and it was so flavorful and spicy. My son took it with him to school. Can I purchase the sauce separately? I'd feel guilty just getting it as a freebie every time."

The server responded, "Yes, you can. We haven't started selling it in stores yet, but you can scan this QR code to download our exclusive app."

She pointed to an advertisement on the wall, "New users get a 50% discount on their first order, and soon we'll be adding more products like bean paste and sweet soybean paste for sale."

"Oh, I'll check it out then."

A diner at a nearby table overheard and said, "I'll download it too."

With the era of 5G, downloading an app is a breeze. A half-price deal is too good to pass up, and if they no longer want the app, uninstalling is easy.

Fu Xin's online marketing strategy was proving effective. Initially, netizens were just poking fun.

"This guy's got some nerve. After all that happened, he's still advertising. Total alpha move."

"Checked it out. A 260g bottle for 29.8? That's pricey. Being good-looking doesn't mean you can rip people off, dude."

"Marketing genius! Destined for greatness!"

A few days later, the tone started to shift as a prominent food blogger posted a review.

DelightfulDishesV: Initially, I just wanted to try one bottle. But after tasting it, it's absolutely delicious. My wife and I finished one bottle with just bread in two days, so I immediately bought five more to stock up. It's medium-spicy, with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, making it great with meals. Unlike some other brands that leave you picking out chili skins and seeds, this one's smooth and doesn't get stuck in your teeth. Highly recommend for spice lovers.

Little Chili: As a die-hard spice lover, I rushed to get it the moment I heard. It's honestly delicious. I bought an entire box and brought it home. So thrilled! Teehee.

Daily Delight: Got a bottle. Both my son and daughter wanted to take it to school. They almost fought over it! Promised to get more. Sadly, it's only available online, so there's a wait for the delivery.

Bound Ancient Tree: Lucky for those who managed to grab it. I was too late and missed out. A tough guy, but still shed a tear.

Only Drink Milk Tea: How tasty can a chili sauce be? These endorsements feel too staged.

Plum Blossom Verse: To those doubters, thanks! Less competition for me. Maybe I can grab more bottles next time.

Fu Xin even registered the official "Xian Ren Yan" account.

Xian Ren Yan Official: The next batch of chili sauce will be available in 10 days. But, there's a limited stock at our restaurant. Dine in and get a free bottle!

Lemon Sis: Who'd have thought I'd leave my cozy home for a chili sauce? But the food there is also insanely delicious. They seriously need to offer delivery!

Rub-A-Tummy: Right, right! All of you are talking about the chili sauce, but let's not forget how fragrant the dishes in the restaurant are!

Canned Fish: Currently at the restaurant, showing off! [picture]

Bun Lover: Seeing your photos, the bun in my hand suddenly lost its appeal. Tears.

Yu An Tong browsed through the comments. Everyone was discussing "Xian Ren Yan", seems like they've forgotten that matter.

Rejuvenated, Yu An Tong called Fu Xin, "Great job! I'll give you a double year-end bonus."

"Thanks, boss," Fu Xin replied, "But most of the credit goes to General Xin."

"By General Xin, do you mean Xin Li Xuan?" Yu An Tong asked in confusion, "What does he have to do with this?"

Yu An Tong recalled that it was Xin Li Xuan who introduced Fu Xin to him.

Fu Xin explained, "The current comments are genuine, but initially, there were internet shills swaying the narrative. We've also contacted major influencers—they might not praise you, but they shouldn't smear you either."

"For a mere manager like me, orchestrating all this would be impossible. It was General Xin who managed everything."

When did that rascal start being so helpful?

After the call, Yu An Tong pondered. Despite Xin Li Xuan's sharp tongue, he had always been kind.

He scampered from the bedroom to the living room, leaping into Xin Li Xuan's arms and showered his face with kisses.

Both collapsed onto the sofa. Xin Li Xuan frowned, "What's gotten into you?"

Yu An Tong said, "Thank you."

A seemingly random thanks, but Xin Li Xuan understood, replying coldly, "I merely didn't want you to tarnish the Xin family's reputation."

I knew it!

Yu An Tong playfully retorted, "I'm in a good mood today, so let's crown you the favored consort for the night."

"You're quite something." Xing Lixuan chuckled, "Just don't cry later."

Having not been intimate for several days, both were quite exhilarated, expressing their passion twice in succession.

After lying side by side and resting for a moment, Yu Antong rolled over, nestling into Xing Lixuan's embrace, while also draping Xing's other arm over his waist.

Xing Lixuan didn't mind, allowing him to do as he wished.

Yu Antong nestled even deeper into Xing Lixuan's embrace, admiring the man's sturdy muscles and reflecting on their recent passion, he praised, "Husband, you're amazing. I felt like I was losing my mind; it was heavenly."

With that, Yu Antong shifted a bit downwards, lifting his head to show his eyes to Xing Lixuan, asking, "Do my eyes look red? I actually teared up just now."

With a hint of coyness, he remarked, "Mean husband, always knowing how to torment me."

Xing Lixuan looked down at Yu Antong's naturally upturned eyes. Now, they appeared a bit misty, and his long eyelashes were still moist with tiny tears.

The dried tear streaks on his pale face were all too visible, evoking a strong protective urge in the onlooker.

Xing Lixuan swallowed hard, making a move.

"Ah!" Yu Antong let out a cry, his voice a mix of reluctance and anticipation, "Again?"

Author's note: Tongtong: Life is as naughty as Xing Lixuan!

Wishing everyone a refreshing New Year. Here's to a joyous and healthy 2020!

A big thanks to the angels who cast dominant votes or provided nourishing gifts from 2019-12-30 17:43:22 to 2019-12-31 10:07:27.

Grateful to the angels dropping landmines: asura 1;

And to those providing nourishing gifts: Xiaoxiao 10 bottles; asura 7 bottles; Jing'an 6 bottles; Sanrijing 3 bottles; Jia Kabala, Sun Xiaoxiao 1 bottle each;

Your continued support means the world to me. I'll keep up the hard work!

---

Chapter 23

by

Yu Antong, looking radiant, prepared breakfast in high spirits and decided to head to school.

Coincidentally, he also received a message from the class president.

[Class President: Antong, when will you come to school? We plan to have a class dinner and are all waiting for you.]

Their class's performance ranked third in the campus cultural festival. They had been discussing celebrating with a meal, but midterm exams were imminent, and everyone was busy preparing. The plan was postponed until after the exams and has been delayed until now.

Yu Antong replied, [I'll be attending classes today.]

Xing Lixuan drove him to the school entrance. Having not been out for several days, Yu Antong felt a bit apprehensive as he was about to step out of the car.

Hmm, seems he still needs to toughen up his skin.

"Honey, give me a kiss, empower me with your love!"

Playfully, Yu Antong puckered his lips at Xing Lixuan, teasingly expecting a reaction. He was half-expecting to be playfully shoved out of the car. To his surprise, Xing Lixuan actually leaned in and gave him a peck.

A soft "mwah" echoed in the confined space of the car, both clear and intimate.

Yu Antong was caught off guard, his face a picture of surprise.

Xing Lixuan chuckled briefly, then resumed a stern expression, cautioning, "At school, focus on your studies. No mischief..."

Interrupting him, Yu Antong wrapped his arms around Lixuan's neck, planting a firm kiss. After the kiss, he gleefully swung the car door open and hopped out, "Got it! See you!"

Xing Lixuan inexplicably felt like he was being used and then discarded.

Yu Antong walked into the school gate with just a backpack on, without wearing any mask or hat.

Along the way, many eyes were on him, and Yu Antong could hear whispered conversations among the students.

"Look, look! Isn't that Yu Antong? He's attending class!"

"Shush, keep it down or he'll hear!" The girl whispered, nudging her loud-mouthed roommate. "Every time I see him, I can't help but think of that chili sauce his family sells. Makes my mouth water. Let's go to Xianren Banquet this weekend to try it out."

Instead of pretending he hadn't heard, Yu Antong turned around and gave the two girls a friendly smile, saying, "Thank you for your appreciation. If you dine at Xianren Banquet with our university's student ID, you'll get a 20% discount."

The two girls, caught off guard by his response, hesitated for a second and then said with a mix of surprise and embarrassment, "Thank you for the discount, senior. We'll definitely give it a try."

When Yu Antong arrived at the classroom, class had already started. He took the seat his roommates had saved for him.

Sun Ming and Zhao Peng whispered to him, "Antong, you're finally attending class. We've missed you!"

Yu Antong teased them, "Did you miss me or the meals I cook?"

"Given what you said, of course we missed you..." Zhao Peng abruptly changed his tone, "...cooking for us."

Sun Ming added, "I've been surviving on the school cafeteria's buns and your chili sauce lately. The dishes there just can't pique my appetite anymore."

Han Lele also had his fair share of complaints. Even though he came from a well-off family, the Xianren Banquet was always too crowded, making it hard to get a seat.

Han Lele said, "Antong, you should consider opening more branches."

Yu Antong shot him a glare, "You, of all people, shouldn't be making demands."

"I'm a victim too, alright?" Han Lele exclaimed, "I've already taken sides against my family to avenge you. Can't you just forgive me?"

That day, he went home and recounted the entire incident to his father. When Mr. Han learned that his eldest son had got his younger son into trouble with the police, and even implicated the fiancee of the Xing family's heir, he was livid and resorted to family discipline.

Han Xingyan was severely punished. If it weren't for the business matters that required his attention, Mr. Han would have made sure he couldn't get up for days. Subsequently, Mr. Han personally took him to the Xing family to offer a formal apology, an incident Yu Antong was aware of.

It was all an unfortunate accident, and Yu Antong made sure Xing Lixuan didn't make things difficult for the Han family's elder son. A few words and he sent him on his way.

"If you're still upset, I can go home and give my brother another beating," Han Lele offered.

Han Lele held lingering resentment towards his brother. By the looks of it, if Yu Antong gave the word, he'd gladly hit his brother again.

All his life, he had always been at the receiving end of his elder brother's bullying. Now, he had finally turned the tables, though at a heavy cost.

Their chattering during class was so conspicuous that the professor at the front threw a piece of chalk, "Han Lele, answer this question!"

With a pained expression, Han Lele stood up, stammering and taking a while before managing to say a couple of words.

The professor snorted, "If you don't know, then pay attention in class!"

The professor's stern warning served as a reminder to them all, and they quickly straightened up and paid attention.

After class, the class representative asked everyone to stay back to discuss the evening's dinner plans.

The class representative asked, "Where should we go to eat? Any suggestions or preferred restaurants?"

"Isn't it obvious?" someone chimed in. "We have to go to Xianren Banquet!"

The others joined in the chorus, "Yes, yes, Xianren Banquet! Xianren Banquet!"

The class representative turned to Yu Antong with a smile, "Given the unanimous demand, Mr. Yu, you'll have to reserve two tables for us."

Considering the current popularity of Xianren Banquet, they wouldn't have secured a reservation without the owner's intervention.

Yu Antong replied, "Of course! Everyone, enjoy the meal tonight – it's on me."

The classmates cheered, "Thank you, boss Yu! Generous as always!"

Yu Antong called Xing Lixuan to inform him, and Xing Lixuan thought nothing would go wrong at his own restaurant, "Just don't drink too much. I don't want to deal with drunks."

That night, their entire class filled two large tables. The class representative stood up and toasted, "Thanks to Antong, we're dining at Xianren Banquet tonight. Cheers to you, Antong."

Yu Antong clinked glasses with him, "We're all classmates, no need for formalities."

The representative added, "Though Antong is treating us tonight, we should all promote Xianren Banquet to our friends and family in return."

"Promote? Even without promotions, it's so hard to get a seat!" a male classmate lamented. "It's amazing how different life trajectories can be. Some of us are still figuring out financial management, and here's Antong, already an entrepreneur."

The same student held Yu Antong's hand, "Sir, I'm a finance major, well-versed in my field. I'd be honored to work for your company post-graduation. All I ask is for meals – preferably a four-course meal with soup."

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, many had too much to drink. Yu Antong was cautious initially, recalling Xing Lixuan's warning. But with peers constantly refilling his glass, he too had his fair share.

Thankfully, he was in his own restaurant and had prearranged for the staff to help his friends get cabs back to the university.

A bit unsteady on his feet, Yu Antong walked back into his restaurant, intending to call Xing Lixuan. However, the phone's screen seemed to be swaying, making it difficult to dial.

Annoyed, Yu Antong gripped his phone, muttering, "Stop moving!"

"Antong?"

He heard someone call his name, squinting to locate the voice, "Huh? Who's calling me?"

His tipsy state made it challenging to maintain balance, and he almost tripped.

A tall, slender young man stepped forward, steadying him, "Antong, it's me, He Bin."

Yu Antong, trying to make sense of the situation, asked, "He Bin? Who's that?"

The young man's tone grew more frustrated, "Don't you like me?"

Yu Antong's feelings for him were strong; how could he not recognize him? Did his previous rejection embarrass He Bin so much that he pretended not to recognize him in his drunken state?

With these thoughts, He Bin said, "Yu Antong, stop pretending to be drunk. I know you still have feelings for me. Didn't you want us to be together? Let's give it a try."

Ironically, it sounded like Yu Antong was the one pleading for their relationship when, in truth, it was He Bin's idea.

Rubbing his temple, Yu Antong slowly responded, "Oh, I remember now."

A smirk crept upon He Bin's face, "I knew it! You were just pretending. The moment mentioned us being together, you suddenly 'remembered'."

Yu Antong struggled to recall the novel's storyline. In the original, Yu Antong, oppressed by his uncle's family, had arrived at University A on the first day, dragging heavy luggage. Exhausted and dripping with sweat, he crossed paths with He Bin, who took pity on him and helped him carry his luggage to the dormitory.

This small act of kindness lingered in Yu Antong's heart. He began to covertly observe He Bin, and this observation slowly turned into a secret crush. However, when his uncle forced him into a marriage proposal with another family, he gathered courage and confessed his feelings to He Bin, only to be met with a disdainful look.

This He Bin was essentially a side character to aid in the relationship dynamics of the main couple. They'd argue over him but then reconcile, thus strengthening their bond.

Yet, after the confession, He Bin vanished from the narrative. If it weren't for his claim about Yu Antong's feelings for him, Yu might not have remembered him at all.

The reality was that He Bin wasn't attracted to men. This explained his revulsion when Yu Antong had confessed.

He enjoyed helping Yu in his downtrodden moments, bathing in the adoration Yu Antong bestowed upon him.

But he couldn't fathom how Yu Antong, a country bumpkin he once looked down upon, had within months transformed into the celebrated founder of the renowned "Immortal Banquet."

From someone who used to wear tattered clothes washed to the brink of turning white to suddenly inheriting a vast fortune, donning luxury brands, looking refined, and treating the entire class to a lavish meal without batting an eyelid...

If Yu Antong still harbored feelings for him, then couldn't all these luxuries easily become his with just a snap of his fingers?

Driven by these thoughts, He Bin had deliberately stayed back after everyone left to "confess" to Yu Antong.

But his confession sounded more like charity.

Xing Lixuan never underestimated Yu Antong's antics. Gauging that it was time, he headed to the "Immortal Banquet" to pick him up.

Upon entering, he noticed a man speaking to Yu. Then he heard Yu Antong exclaim, "Such a cliché! Get lost!"

Xing Lixuan chuckled. Despite Yu's whimsical demeanor, he had a deeply ingrained pride. He could never be the submissive, pleading person that man described.

Without hesitation, Xing Lixuan marched forward, pushed the clueless man aside, and wrapped the drunken mess that was Yu Antong in his embrace.

Stumbling to regain balance, He Bin demanded, "Who are you? Let him go!"

Seeing Xing Lixuan, a smile broke across Yu Antong's face, "Husband, you're here."

The word "husband" rendered He Bin almost speechless, his disbelief evident as he stuttered, "Yu Antong, what did you call him?!"

Xing Lixuan responded icily, "If your ears don't work, perhaps you should see a doctor."

"You-!" He Bin began, but the cold intensity in Xing Lixuan's eyes silenced him. The overpowering aura of this man made He Bin feel stifled.

The man stood tall, with a chiseled, handsome face, neatly combed hair, and a crisp suit. The wrist peeking out from his cuff sported a Patek Philippe watch, the kind He Bin had only ever seen in luxury magazines. Everything about him radiated power and prestige.

He didn't dare to confront Xing Li Xuan directly, so he turned his ire towards Yu An Tong, "Yu An Tong, have you moved on so quickly? Are you only after his money? You've truly disappointed me."

Even in his drunken state, Yu An Tong could think clearly. He was aware of his inebriated condition and loathed himself for getting so drunk. Frustrated, he nudged Xing Li Xuan, "Husband, please scold him for me. He's so annoying."

Yu An Tong's unconscious dependence on him after getting drunk slightly lifted Xing Li Xuan's spirits.

Xing Li Xuan's gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto He Bin, declaring, "Only a helpless individual like you would assume others are gold-diggers, simply because you're so destitute you can't even afford money."

This stunned even Yu An Tong. He knew Xing Li Xuan had a sharp tongue, but he didn't expect it to be that venomous.

"Too poor to even afford money" – this line put money at the lowest rung, utterly negating He Bin's entire worth.

Xing Li Xuan continued, "Yu An Tong is my beloved. From now on, you'd best stay away from him. And if I ever hear of you harassing him again..."

He paused, adding, "You won't want to know the consequences."

He Bin's nostrils flared, and he trembled involuntarily, unable to utter a single word.

Xing Li Xuan coldly commanded, "Leave!"

He Bin left in disgrace. Yu An Tong looked at Xing Li Xuan with starry eyes, like an awestruck fan, "Husband, you're so dashing~"

Xing Li Xuan wrapped an arm around him, guiding him to the car, "I'll deal with you at home!"

Yu An Tong mumbled drunkenly, shaking his head, "No punishment, no punishment."

Xing Li Xuan huffed, "I told you not to get drunk, did you just ignore my

"I'm not drunk," Yu An Tong responded, using his thumb and forefinger to indicate a tiny amount, "Just a bit tipsy, only tipsy."

Xing Li Xuan was both amused and frustrated. This guy really deserved a firm lesson.

Today's events gave Xing Li Xuan a sense of urgency. Not because of He Bin – He Bin was barely a blip on his radar.

He suddenly realized how charming Yu An Tong was and that many people might be attracted to him. It seemed he needed to keep a closer eye on him in the future.

Despite his words of not catering to drunks, Xing Li Xuan, once home, took care of Yu An Tong, bathing him and changing him into sleepwear.

After ensuring Yu An Tong was settled in bed, Xing Li Xuan undressed and took his own shower.

When Xing Li Xuan returned, he found Yu An Tong in the same position as when he got drunk the first time: face down with his rear in the air.

Xing Li Xuan gave him a playful slap, "Always this pose when drunk. What a bad habit."

Startled, Yu An Tong pulled the blanket over himself, "Mean husband, abusing me. I won't stay with you. I'll file for a divorce."

Author's note: The next update will be at midnight.

Special thanks to our patrons: 25413045 for 20 bottles; Mr. Zhang for 15 bottles; Xing Chen for 11 bottles; Asura for 10 bottles; Xiao Xiao Xiao Xiao Ping and Xiao Fei for 3 bottles each; Xue Yao Yao for 1 bottle.

Thank you all so much for your support. I will keep pushing myself!

---

Chapter 24

by

Xing Lixuan gritted his teeth in frustration, "Divorce? Don't even think about it!"

Xing Lixuan yanked the blanket aside, stretched out his long arms, and pulled Yu Antong into his embrace.

Yu Antong wriggled and squirmed, trying to free himself from the hold.

"Slap, slap!"

Xing Lixuan gave him two light smacks, "Stay still, just go to sleep."

Drunk, Yu Antong thought Xing Lixuan had seriously slapped him. He started crying dramatically, "Ow, it hurts so much! Life is so tough for me!"

Xing Lixuan rubbed his temples, "Little brat, can you please just sleep? I didn't even hit you hard."

Yu Antong pouted, "Then massage it for me, and it'll stop hurting."

Xing Lixuan, left with no choice, complied. He gently caressed Yu Antong's skin and planted a soft kiss on his forehead, whispering, "There, there. Sleep now, little one."

Yu Antong sighed comfortably, "Ah, mmm, gentler!"

Xing Lixuan struggled to get Yu Antong to sleep and had to wait for his own emotions to settle down.

He now understood that Yu Antong was not just difficult when sober, but completely unmanageable when drunk.

The next morning, Yu Antong woke up to find Xing Lixuan glaring at him. Recalling the previous night's antics, he wasn't surprised by Xing Lixuan's cold expression.

But Yu Antong was shameless. He put on a sweet smile, trying to charm the ice-cold face before him.

He feigned innocence, "Oh my, I don't remember changing into my pajamas. Honey, did you help me bathe and change?"

"I knew it! My husband is truly the best man in the world!"

Xing Lixuan's face softened slightly, but he retorted, "Do you remember wanting a divorce last night?"

Yu Antong gave himself two light slaps, regretting his loose tongue from the previous night.

Now, he couldn't even think of a divorce. Where else would he find such a talented and vigorous partner without any strings attached?

Thinking of this, Yu Antong couldn't help but worry. If they divorced in half a year and he was still well, having experienced the exquisite taste of Xing Lixuan, how could any other man compare?

"There's always a way out," he thought. "Why worry now?" Yu Antong turned to Xing Lixuan with a radiant smile, "Did I ever say anything like that? I don't think so. I love you so much; how could I ever mention divorce? You can't accuse me of saying things while I was drunk and unconscious. I deny it!"

The "culprit" Yu Antong refuses to admit guilt and even tries to shift the blame!

Xing Lixuan: "Are you serious?"

He was just starting to have a tiny affection for Yu Antong, and now it seemed Yu couldn't live without him.

Usually, Yu Antong professed his love and affection, which Xing Lixuan hadn't taken seriously. Reflecting on it, Yu was always poised and composed in public, only showing his clingy side to him. Always teasing and flirting shamelessly when they were together.

Yu Antong must genuinely like him, constantly sticking around, and his pretend casual confessions must be true. Using his impressive IQ of 150, Xing Lixuan analyzed and drew conclusions.

Perhaps agreeing to a contractual divorce was a ruse from the start, just an excuse to get close and gradually make him fall in love. Half of their agreed six months had already passed, and he was sure Yu Antong wouldn't bring up divorce.

How could he have been so blind to this act until now? Given Yu's deep affection for him, he should try to reciprocate a bit more.

Little did Yu Antong know that his flippant remarks had led Xing Lixuan to believe he was infatuated with him, effectively making Xing romance himself.

Yu Antong kept nodding and said, "It's true, definitely true. My love for you is purer than gold."

Inside he thought: "This young master is so demanding. It's just a contractual marriage, and yet have to flatter him and show loyalty just for his support. Such a prince syndrome."

Xing Lixuan tried hard not to show his amusement. He knew Yu Antong couldn't resist him.

While they seemed like a lovey-dovey, newlywed couple, in reality, they had their own thoughts, not quite on the same page.

In high spirits after being cajoled by Yu Antong early in the morning, Xing Lixuan dropped him at school, recalling the male student who had been pestering Yu.

He said, "I warned that classmate of yours yesterday to stay away from you. If he bothers you again, let me know."

Yu Antong replied, "Don't worry, there's nothing between him and me. I can handle it."

Xing Lixuan: "Alright."

Of course, I know you have nothing with him. It's with me that you have something.

Xing Lixuan, who prided himself on having a sweet marital life, was unusually amiable at the office.

An employee presented a revised proposal for their company's game. After reviewing, Xing Lixuan suggested, "Boost the rewards in the marriage system by half, and increase the number of couple tasks."

Xing Lixuan logically explained, "Couple events enhance players' love and sense of belonging, ensuring they remain loyal to our game and won't abandon it."

The employee: "…"

Just a year ago, you said there were too many couple events.

——

He Bin, intimidated by Xing Lixuan at the grand banquet, returned to school dejectedly when his girlfriend called.

Glancing at the caller ID, He Bin was instantly irritated. He muted the phone, pretending not to notice it, not in the mood to indulge his high-maintenance girlfriend today.

However, the incessant calls continued. Finally, he answered, only to be met with a shrill, demanding voice from the other end.

"He Bin, where have you been? Ignoring my calls all day – are you trying to break up or what?"

He Bin pulled the phone away from his ear, repulsed. He thought, if it weren't for her father being a school official, I would've broken up with you long ago.

He Bin, hoping to land a teaching job post-graduation, had always tried to appease his girlfriend, knowing her father held sway at the university. But her overbearing behavior was pushing him to his limits. He was tired of catering to her.

After placating her, He Bin lay on his bed, lost in thought.

Had he chosen Yu An Tong back then, things might be different. He'd be richer than those spoiled rich kids in his dorm. Why would he need a measly teaching job?

Yu An Tong would've been eager to please him, nothing like his current, temperamental girlfriend.

The more he thought, the more resentful he became. No, he couldn't just let Yu An Tong go. He refused to believe that Yu had lost feelings for him so quickly.

Overwhelmed by desire, He Bin ignored Xing Li Xuan's warnings and messaged Yu An Tong on WeChat.

He remembered that Yu An Tong was the one who'd first asked for his WeChat. This boosted his confidence in winning him back.

[He Bin: Xiao Tong, do you remember when we first met?]

After waiting for a while without a reply, he continued.

[He Bin: It was the first day of the term. You had loads of luggage, and your face was flushed from exertion.]

[He Bin: Despite the sweat on your face, I found you incredibly attractive. I helped you with your things, and you thanked me with that shy, endearing smile. I remember it to this day.

[He Bin: Later, we found out we were in the same major. Fate, isn't it?]

Satisfied, He Bin drifted off to sleep. He believed that with patience and persistence, Yu An Tong would surely soften and come back to him.

Yu An Tong, after a night of heavy drinking, hadn't checked his phone. Just before class, he pulled it out of boredom and was greeted by a barrage of messages from He Bin.

Yu An Tong's expression darkened as he read on. Fate? Knowing you is like the worst luck ever.

Just as he was about to block He Bin, Han Le Le sat beside him.

Han Le Le asked, "What are you looking at? Why that expression? You're like one of those old folks trying to read a text on the subway! Haha."

Yu An Tong inquired, "Do you know much about our classmate, He Bin?"

Han Le Le shook his head, "Just the regular classmate stuff. Why the sudden interest?"

Zhao Peng and Sun Ming entered the classroom, overhearing their conversation. Zhao Peng said, "He Bin? I remember his girlfriend being the daughter of our school's Deputy Director of Education."

Yu An Tong exclaimed, "What?! Isn't the Deputy Director that bald, pot-bellied middle-aged guy? He was the one who nearly caught Han Le Le cheating during midterms! How can he be He Bin's girlfriend? That's just... bizarre."

The mere thought is eye-watering.

"Oops! I misspoke," Zhao Peng corrected, "It's his girlfriend's dad who's the deputy director of the Student Affairs Office."

Yu An Tong remarked, "He actually has a girlfriend?"

And he's still yapping at me, he's clearly a jerk.

"He Bo is quite good-looking, so having a girlfriend is normal," Zhao Peng joked. "Are you just being jealous as a single? Quite a few girls have shown interest in you this term. Why not go out with one of them? Han Mei Mei seems to be into you."

Dad, I'm already married to a man. I'm afraid you'd be shocked if I said that out loud.

Yu An Tong brushed it off, "Han Mei Mei is destined for Li Lei."

Zhao Peng, "…Have you recently been practicing your cold jokes, An Tong?"

The conversation veered off, and He Bo's matter was dropped.

Upon learning of He Bo's relationship, Yu An Tong had a devious thought. With a sly grin, instead of blocking He Bo, he replied to his messages.

【Yu An Tong: We shouldn't be in touch anymore.】

Sitting at the front of the class, He Bo was elated when he saw the reply. If Yu An Tong is willing to reply, there must still be a place for him in his heart. Why else wouldn't he block him if not for affection?

He turned to share a passionate look with Yu An Tong, but Yu An Tong kept his head down, avoiding his gaze.

He Bo had no choice but to text him again.

【He Bo: But I can't forget you. You know, I dreamt of you last night.】

【Yu An Tong: Saying things like this might cause misunderstandings with your girlfriend.】

【He Bo: Is it because of her that you want to sever ties with me?】

【Yu An Tong: It has nothing to do with her. I genuinely dislike you. Please stop texting me.】

The more Yu An Tong refuted, the more He Bo believed it was all because he was jealous of his girlfriend. That's why Yu An Tong was intimate with another man at the Immortal Banquet restaurant—to provoke him.

【He Bo: You don't understand, she's stubborn and spoilt, a real princess. I'm not happy with her. I wanted to break up long ago, but she keeps clinging on.】

【He Bo: She even uses her father's position to threaten me. She said if I break up with her, she'd have her father expel me. But don't worry, for you, I'll end things cleanly with her.】

Yu An Tong had Han Le Le ask around and got He Bo's girlfriend's WeChat. He then screenshot all their conversation and forwarded it to He Bo's girlfriend.

Considering He Bo's girlfriend's fiery temperament, he wasn't concerned about the aftermath.

A few days later, Yu An Tong's counselor called a meeting.

"I believe you've all heard the news. One of our students, He Bo, was reported for academic fraud. He has been advised to drop out by the university."

"Everyone should start preparing for their graduation thesis. hope you all take this as a warning, uphold academic integrity, and remain honest and trustworthy."

——

Time flies, and with the onset of December, a gust of northern wind brought a sudden drop in temperature.

The colder it gets, the more people crave hot pot. A new message popped up on the official 'Immortal Feast' account.

Immortal Feast: "The boss's newly developed hot pot base will be available tomorrow. Sneakily captured a photo of our handsome boss cooking from behind. Here's a pic!"

LittleFairy: "Capturing just the back? Show us his face if you dare!"

DishSoapCoupons: "Who is this ethereal young man? Handsome and a great cook. want to marry him."

FemaleChampion: "I don't want the hot pot base, want the young man."

FoodieFan: "Who doesn't want the young man? After all, if you have him, you have everything."

DareNotMove: "I know you all claim to be fans of the boss's looks, but you're probably already on the shopping page, waiting to grab that hot pot base!"

SlowHands: "Haha, you got me. After Immortal Feast posts, they better ramp up production, or there won't be enough to go around."

MicroscopeGirl: "The young man's waist looks so slim with that apron tied around it. want to give him a hug, hehe."

NotOlderThanYou: "Does this young man need a girlfriend? The kind that's best at eating?"

The young man, dubbed by netizens as the 'ethereal young man,' was Yu An Tong. He was currently engaging in a frivolous personality quiz.

"Honey, you should try it too. It seems pretty accurate. It labeled me as a pessimist..."

"I pass."

Xing Li Xuan pushed away the phone Yu An Tong handed him. He wondered what nonsensical, unscientific quiz could label Yu An Tong as a pessimist.

If Yu An Tong were a pessimist, then there would be no optimists in this world.

Yu An Tong teased him, "Come on! Honey~ honey~"

Xing Li Xuan: "Stop bothering me."

As they were bantering, Xing Li Xuan's phone rang. He pulled Yu An Tong into his embrace, "Stop it, it's a call from my mother."

"Hello, Mom. Why are you calling so late?"

Yu An Tong leaned in, pressing his face against Xing Li Xuan's to eavesdrop.

The anxious voice of Xing's mother came through, "Son, your grandma has fallen unconscious. She's being treated in the hospital now, and we don't know the situation yet. Your father and I are both here. You should come too."

Xing Li Xuan replied, "Mom, try to stay calm. Tell me which hospital, and I'll be right there."

After hanging up, while putting on his clothes, Xing Li Xuan said to Yu An Tong, "I have to go to the hospital. You can sleep; there's no need to wait up for me."

Yu An Tong responded, "I'll go with you."

The elderly lady was kind to him; he wished to see how she was doing.

Xing Lixuan: "That would be good."

Author's Note: Xing Lixuan: My wife is head over heels in love with me.

Yu Antong: "You're daydreaming."

Because I'm occupied on Saturday, the next update might be a bit late, probably around 11 pm. Although the gap is a bit long, I promise to keep updating daily.

Thanks to the little angel who threw a landmine: asura, one count;

Gratitude to the little angels who nourished me: Lingfu Sir with 15 bottles; 31047224, Mo Shang Chang'an, and Jessie with 10 bottles each; asura, Sang Sang Si You, wjying with 5 bottles each; Ye with 2 bottles; undercover, Jia Ka Ba La, and Cat Loves Spicy Strips with 1 bottle each.

I deeply appreciate all of your support. I will continue to work hard! Special thanks to the angels who supported me between 2020-01-01 23:18:02 and 2020-01-02 23:35:47.

Thanks to the little angel who threw a landmine: asura, one count;

Gratitude to the little angels who nourished me: Lingfu Sir with 15 bottles; Jessie, 31047224, Mo Shang Chang'an with 10 bottles each; Sang Sang Si You, wjying, asura with 5 bottles each; Ye with 2 bottles; Cat Loves Spicy Strips, undercover, Jia Ka Ba La with 1 bottle each.

I deeply appreciate all of your support. I'll keep pushing forward!

!

---

Chapter 25

by

By the time Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong arrived at the hospital, the elderly lady had already been moved to the Intensive Care Unit.

Seeing his grandmother lying on the bed with a respirator on, Xing Lixuan asked, "Dad, Mom, how is grandma?"

Mr. Xing replied, "She's temporarily out of immediate danger."

Yu Antong inquired, "What happened to grandma so suddenly?"

Mr. Xing explained, "With her advanced age and late-stage lung cancer, her immunity is weak. The sudden drop in temperature got to her. She went to bed early tonight and probably started to have a fever in her sleep."

"Thankfully, your mother checked on her before going to sleep and noticed something was wrong. We rushed her to the hospital, and she even had a momentary respiratory failure on the way."

Mrs. Xing, trying to hold back her tears, said to Xing Lixuan, "The doctor said that although she's currently stable, her health has severely deteriorated. With this illness, she might not hold on much longer."

Xing Lixuan's eyes started to redden.

Yu Antong expressed concern, "Honey, are you alright?"

Xing Lixuan remained silent.

The senior Mr. Xing passed away early, and with the mild-mannered Mr. and Mrs. Xing, Lixuan was mostly raised by his assertive grandmother. She taught him about life, business, and everything in between...

Xing Lixuan shares a deep bond with his grandmother. He was heartbroken, knowing her days were numbered due to her cancer, but he didn't expect this day to come so suddenly, catching him off guard.

Knowing words won't help now, Yu Antong set up the benches for everyone to sit. He sat beside Xing Lixuan, silently comforting him.

After a while, Xing Lixuan composed himself and said to his parents, "You two should head home. The weather is cold, and you might catch a cold staying here."

Mr. Xing sighed and nodded in agreement.

Turning to Yu Antong, Xing Lixuan said, "I can't drive you home now. Go with my parents."

Yu Antong offered, "Maybe I should stay and keep you company?"

Xing Lixuan responded, "There's no need. Rest at home. Plus, there's only one caregiver's bed here, so you wouldn't have a place to sleep."

Mrs. Xing also advised, "Antong, you have classes tomorrow. Go home with us."

Reluctantly, Yu Antong said, "Alright then. I'll prepare breakfast for you in the morning and have mom bring it over."

Yu Antong spent the night at the Xing residence. The next morning, he prepared Xing Lixuan's favorite dishes.

Despite having morning classes, he decided to visit the hospital.

When Yu Antong arrived, the elderly lady was awake but looked extremely weak. After a few words, she fell back into a deep sleep.

For the next few days, the elderly lady mostly remained in a stupor.

With end-of-term exams approaching, Yu Antong couldn't visit the hospital as frequently.

Finally, on the weekend, Yu Antong came to visit. That day, the old lady was particularly spirited and chatty.

She held Yu Antong's hand and said, "Antong, I'm craving the Clear River fish and tofu stew you make."

Yu Antong quickly responded, "Grandma, just wait. I'll go home and cook it for you right away."

He hurriedly went back home, prepared the dish, and brought it back to the hospital, where the old lady joyfully ate quite a bit.

Yu Antong stayed at the hospital the entire day, only leaving with the Xing family parents after dinner.

That night, he was awoken by a commotion in the house.

The elderly Madam Xing had passed away.

Everyone had sensed something during the day, suspecting that the old lady was experiencing a momentary improvement before passing. Indeed, she suddenly coughed up a significant amount of blood that night, and within minutes, she was gone.

During the days of her illness, all necessary preparations had been made, so the funeral proceeded smoothly.

On the night of the burial, Xing Lixuan clung to Yu Antong in silence, like a child.

Yu Antong knew that words are often powerless in the face of death; all he could offer was an embrace.

Holding Xing Lixuan, Yu Antong reflected on how emotions can be terrifying, making even the strongest individuals vulnerable.

Possibly due to his childhood experience of being abandoned by his parents because of an illness, out of self-protection, while Yu Antong was sincere and open in his interactions, he struggled to invest deep emotions.

Unbeknownst to him, his desire for affection fluctuated between an intense yearning and a profound resistance.

This became more evident after he "transmigrated" into a book. On one hand, he sought immediate pleasure and comfort; on the other, he rejected a luxurious, leisurely life to tirelessly manage his business, care for his only blood-related sister, and plan for a possible future.

Time never stops, and on the day Yu Antong finished his midterm exams, a light snow fell. He stepped onto a thin layer of snowflakes outside the school gate and video-called Xing Lixuan.

"Hey, honey, are you working late tonight?"

Xing Lixuan, looking exhausted, shook his head: "No, I'll head home after work."

Xing Lixuan had been swamped with company tasks since his grandmother's passing, working late almost every night, visibly losing weight.

Yu Antong decided to prepare a lavish dinner to nourish him.

Yu Antong asked, "Do you have any cravings? I'll cook whatever you want."

Xing Lixuan smiled and replied, "I love everything you make."

That evening, as Xing Lixuan came home, Yu Antong kept serving him more food, saying, "You've lost so much weight. Eat up."

Xing Lixuan asked, "Do you pity me?"

Looking at Xing Lixuan's thinner face, Yu Antong indeed felt a pang of pity and nodded, saying, "You're starting to lose your good looks."

Once Xing Lixuan's busy period was over, in an effort to lift the family's spirits, Mr. Xing organized a skiing trip for everyone.

Jiangcheng boasts a mild climate, unsuitable for the construction of a large-scale ski resort. Eager to enjoy the experience fully, they flew to the renowned "Ice City" in the North.

The ski resort was a considerable distance from the airport. After disembarking the plane, they endured another hour's drive before arriving at the hotel near the ski resort.

After the lengthy journey, everyone was exhausted. They decided to rest at the hotel for the day and venture to the ski slopes the next.

They had booked a hot spring hotel, where each room came with a private open-air hot spring bath. Yearning for a soak, Yu Antong woke up after just over an hour of sleep.

Immediately, he nudged Xing Lixuan awake. "Honey, wake up! Join me for a dip in the hot spring."

Xing Lixuan pulled the covers over his ears, "Go on your own."

"Come on, I want to take a romantic bath with you!" Yu Antong jostled Xing Lixuan, chirping, "Wakey-wakey!"

Unable to endure the disturbance any longer and realizing he couldn't get back to sleep, Xing Lixuan finally relented, "Such a bother!"

Sliding open a Japanese-style door, they were greeted by a private courtyard. In the center sat the hot spring, its misty warmth rising in curls.

After a refreshing bath, Yu Antong, draped in a bathrobe, stepped out. Although it was winter and snowflakes drifted from the sky, the courtyard felt cozy and warm due to the hot spring.

"Snowfall during a hot spring soak is so atmospheric!" Instead of getting into the spring immediately, Yu Antong stood in the courtyard, trying to catch snowflakes.

"Come on in." Xing Lixuan pulled him into the water, chiding, "Fool, trying to catch a cold?"

"Ah! Xing Lixuan!" Yu Antong exclaimed as he splashed into the water, even swallowing a mouthful, which sent him into a fit of coughing.

Annoyed, Yu Antong splashed and chased after Xing Lixuan, "You're so annoying!"

As Xing Lixuan allowed himself to be caught, he chuckled, "Wasn't it you who insisted on waking me? And now you call me annoying?"

"Aaargh!" Yu Antong expressed his frustration by biting Xing Lixuan's shoulder, "Can't you be a tad more romantic?"

After that playful bite, Yu Antong swam to a nearby artificial rock, gathered a handful of snow, and hurled it at Xing Lixuan.

Xing Lixuan gracefully dodged the attack, and using the buoyancy of the water, he swam toward Yu Antong. Pulling him close, he glanced at the clear bite mark on his shoulder, his voice dropping a notch, "What kind of romance do you desire?"

The whispering warmth in his ear caused Yu Antong's body to shudder, easily seduced by this man once again.

Yu Antong murmured dreamily, "Honey, I don't want the hot spring anymore; I want you."

They hadn't been intimate in almost two months. However, considering their skiing plans for the next day, their mutual affection was expressed in a more tempered manner.

The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Xing chose snow sledding, while Xing Lixuan took Yu Antong to a beginner's slope to teach him skiing.

Dressed in a bulbous red skiing outfit, Yu Antong complained, "This is so bulky. It looks hideous."

"What do you want then?" Xing Lixuan said, exasperated, "Skiing in a bikini?"

"I was just saying," Yu Antong replied, "Now, come on and teach me."

"Spread your legs. Now bring them in a bit to shoulder width, so the skis bear the weight evenly," Xing Lixuan instructed, adjusting Yu Antong's stance as he spoke, "Keep your back straight and relax your body."

Yu Antong muttered, "Keep my back straight and relax? How am I supposed to do both?"

Xing Lixuan replied, "When I said keep your back straight, I didn't mean for you to stiffen up like a piece of wood."

After half a day of lessons, Yu Antong claimed he had got the hang of it and was eager to hit the slopes.

They chose the easiest slope suited for beginners, with Xing Lixuan accompanying Yu Antong all the way down.

The slope was short and Yu Antong, seemingly gifted, made it to the bottom without a single fall. A successful first run.

Yu Antong triumphantly raised his arms, boasting, "I told you I could do it. I'm a natural genius… Ah!"

Before he could finish, Yu Antong toppled over, landing flat on his backside in the middle of the flat ground.

Xing Lixuan laughed, "Falling on flat ground? Now that's truly genius."

Sitting on the snow, Yu Antong cradled his stomach, his expression pained, "Honey, my stomach hurts."

Xing Lixuan, thinking he was just acting, chuckled, "You dummy, you fell on your butt. If anything, that should hurt. It's cold on the ground, get up."

Saying so, Xing Lixuan still reached out to help Yu Antong up.

Yu Antong punched him lightly, grumbling, "You're the dummy. My stomach really does hurt, okay?"

Xing Lixuan, concerned, "Really?"

Yu Antong retorted, "Why would I lie about that?"

Xing Lixuan grew serious, "Let's stop playing and head to the hospital."

With all the nausea and stomach pain, it could be something serious.

Yu Antong, not having had his fill of fun, was reluctant, "It doesn't hurt that bad now. Weird, the pain's gone."

Xing Lixuan replied, "Regardless, you're done skiing for the day. Sit and rest in the viewing area."

"Fine, fine."

Reluctantly, Yu Antong sat in the viewing area, watching other skiers gracefully carve "S" turns as they descended from above.

"Wow, look, honey! The guy in blue is so stylish with his moves!"

Xing Lixuan scoffed, "It's just a beginner's slope. What's so impressive about that?"

Yu Antong challenged, "Oh, so dismissive! Why don't you show us how it's done?"

Spurred by a touch of male competitiveness, Xing Lixuan replied, "Come on, I'll take you to the advanced slope to show you what real skiing is."

They took a gondola to the advanced slope, which was noticeably narrower and steeper. Just looking at it made Yu Antong's heart race.

Xing Li Xuan took a moment to warm up, then, with the support of his ski poles, he began his descent. Initially, his pace was moderate, but after making a turn, the slope steepened significantly, propelling him forward at an alarming speed.

As Xing Li Xuan hurtled down at breakneck speed, appearing as though he'd crash at the next bend, Yu An Tong's heart leaped to her throat. But in the next instant, Xing Li Xuan flexed at the waist, executing a flawless turn. His skis kicked up a spray of snow as he effortlessly continued on.

Through each thrilling bend and turn, Yu An Tong's heartbeat danced in tandem with Xing Li Xuan's maneuvers. Despite the cold, she felt herself breaking out in a nervous sweat.

Finally, when Xing Li Xuan safely reached the end of his run, Yu An Tong let out a sigh of relief. What an exhilarating ride!

After a moment, Xing Li Xuan approached her, removing his protective helmet, and coolly asked, "What did you think?"

Yu An Tong threw herself into his arms and passionately kissed him, exclaiming, "You were absolutely breathtaking!"

On the way home, she kept reminiscing, "That turn you took was so heart-stopping!"

Hearing this, Xing's mother chuckled, "During university, Li Xuan competed in the national college skiing competition and even won the championship."

With stars in her eyes, Yu An Tong gazed at Xing Li Xuan and enthusiastically responded, "Really? Where's the trophy? I've never seen it."

She remembered that during their stay in the old house, Xing Li Xuan's room was spotlessly clean, devoid of any extra adornments.

Xing's mother replied, "All of Li Xuan's awards are safely stored in the study's cabinet back home."

Yu An Tong nodded, realizing she had never been to the study in the old house.

With a hint of pride, yet maintaining his calm demeanor, Xing Li Xuan replied, "I'll show you when we get back."

The festive season was approaching, and the atmosphere was increasingly joyous. On the day they returned home, it was the eve of the Lunar New Year, and Xing's mother had the maid buy meat to make dumplings.

After preparing the meat filling, the maid called Yu An Tong over, "Young Master Yu, could you season the meat? Your cooking is more delectable than mine."

Having spent much time at Xing's home, the household staff had initially been anxious when Yu An Tong took to the kitchen. But now, they had grown accustomed to it, and with his guidance, even improved their culinary skills.

After Xing's parents retired upstairs for some rest, Yu An Tong, lounging on the sofa, coaxed Xing Li Xuan to massage his sore legs from the journey. Just as he was enjoying it, the maid's voice called out, and Yu An Tong responded, "Coming right away!"

As he stood up, he teased Xing Li Xuan, "Don't you run off! Once I'm back, you're continuing with the leg massage."

Chuckling, Xing Li Xuan retorted, "Honestly, you're acting like a pampered young master. Should I hire ten maidservants tomorrow to cater to your every whim?"

Already near the kitchen, Yu An Tong poked his head out, playfully countering, "I don't want maids, just the esteemed young master Xing to serve me.

The household maid suppressed a chuckle upon hearing this.

As Yu An Tong entered the kitchen and added soy sauce to the meat filling, the pungent aroma of the pork suddenly overwhelmed him.

Setting the soy sauce aside, Yu An Tong hurriedly moved to the sink, feeling an onslaught of nausea.

The maid expressed her concern, "What's wrong?"

Author's Note: Tomorrow I have something to attend to, so I'm not sure what time I'll be updating. However, starting the day after, I'll consistently update at 6 p.m. Thanks for loving this story!

Many thanks to the lovely angels who gave me a 'Tyrant's Vote' or 'Nutrition Fluid' from 23:35:47 on 2020-01-02 to 17:14:25 on 2020-01-04.

Special thanks to the angel who gave me a 'Grenade': 39933251 (1).

Kudos to the angels who donated 'Landmines': 34517710, Comes And Goes, Pretends To Have A Cat (all 1); Gu Ban Ban (2).

Heartfelt thanks to the angels who donated 'Nutrition Fluid': Ben Ben (24 bottles); Deep In The Clouds (20 bottles); Missing Clouds At Dusk (11 bottles); XianXian's Little Apple, Miao Miao Xi, Soft Bunny, Little Star (all 10 bottles); Star Dust (7 bottles); Kaspersky, Undercover (both 5 bottles); Good Person (3 bottles); Miao Xin, 41163575 (both 2 bottles); Little Fei, Deep Sea Square, Good Person, Tri-Color Fish Divination, Mo A Perdu Fet, Starry Love, Sticky Rice Ball, Four Seasons, Liu, Waiting (all 1 bottle).

I'm deeply grateful for all the support. I'll continue to work hard!

---

Chapter 26

by

"I'm okay— Ugh!" Yu Antong waved his hand and before he could finish speaking, he retched again.

Hearing this, Xing Lixuan quickly came over, patting his back, "Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?"

After the wave of nausea passed, Yu Antong shook his head, "Maybe the long car ride made me dizzy. I'll rest in my room for a bit.

"Rest for now. If you still feel unwell later, let me know. We'll head straight to the hospital," Xing Lixuan said. "We can't delay if you're sick."

Yu Antong nodded, "Okay."

He intended to lie down just for a while, but unexpectedly fell asleep and was only awakened when Xing Lixuan called him for dinner.

Xing Lixuan asked, "Do you still feel unwell?"

Yu Antong paused for a moment, then said, "I don't feel nauseous anymore, and there's no discomfort. I'm alright now."

Xing Lixuan breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear."

As Yu Antong descended the stairs, he noticed Yu Annan, "Little Nan, when did you arrive?"

Yu Annan replied, "Auntie had someone pick me up."

Mrs. Xing turned to Yu Antong, "It's the New Year's celebration, and I thought your house would be empty, so I invited Nan over to join us for dumplings."

Mrs. Xing truly is considerate. Yu Antong had been concerned about his sister being alone at home and had even called her. But he hadn't expected Mrs. Xing to have already taken the initiative.

Warmed by Mrs. Xing's thoughtful gesture, Yu Antong felt slightly guilty, knowing that his relationship with Xing Lixuan wasn't genuine.

For dinner, Yu Antong had a large bowl of dumplings and felt no more nausea, suggesting that he was fine.

The next day, Xing Lixuan had a year-end banquet at his company, and there were a few other things to attend to. Both he and his father were at the company. With Mrs. Xing out with a friend, Yu Antong was alone at home.

During lunch, one of the dishes was steamed bass. Though the fish's meat was delicious and among Yu Antong's favorites, today, for some reason, it tasted off to him. The nausea he felt the previous day surged back.

Despite heaving for a long time, he only brought up some acidic liquid.

He had initially thought yesterday's discomfort might have been due to exhaustion, but it had already been a night. Could it be gastroenteritis?

After rinsing his mouth, Yu Antong decided to visit the hospital.

In the hospital during the afternoon, there weren't many patients. Yu Antong explained to the doctor, "Since last night, I occasionally feel the urge to vomit during meals, but it passes after a while."

After a checkup and a few questions, the doctor gave him a referral for blood tests and a gastroscopy.

The blood test came back normal, and the gastroscopy revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

The doctor commented, "It seems alright. It might be due to consuming oily or stale food recently. I'll prescribe you some digestive tablets."

Yu Antong had come to the hospital assuming it might be a minor stomach issue, but now, with no clear diagnosis, he felt unease creeping in.

As he left the hospital, a realization struck him, draining the color from his face.

Yesterday was the eve of the Lunar New Year. He suddenly remembered that in the novel "Heirloom's Beloved Husband," the last update mentioned this specific date.

On this day, the main character was summoned home by Yu Qingnian for a family dinner, ostensibly for reunion but in reality because Yu Qingnian's investment failed and he wanted money from the Xing family.

The protagonist and his uncle quarreled for a long time, but in the end, he agreed to ask Xing Lixuan for a loan.

Recollecting the plot, Yu Antong recognized the deviation in current events.

A few days ago, indeed, Yu Qingnian had called him to join the New Year's celebration. At that time, Yu Antong didn't recall this plot point but instinctively felt something was amiss with the invitation.

Thus, he declined, mentioning he was skiing with Yu family members and unsure of his return. He also hinted at no need for future visits, considering everyone was well aware of their strained relationships.

Yu Qingnian didn't say anything more.

In hindsight, he probably wanted me to help get the money too, but my firm attitude made him realize it was a lost cause, so he didn't waste any more time.

What alarmed Yu Antong was that the description in the original novel about borrowing money intensified the readers' dissatisfaction with the protagonist. Many comments mentioned that the protagonist was too saintly. Despite Yu Qingnian's treatment, he was still trying to get money from the Xing family, which turned many readers off.

Subsequently, the author stopped updating and announced in a note that the protagonist would be written off.

Over the past six months, Yu Antong lived freely, having long forgotten about the original plot.

Recalling it now, a chill overtook him.

Could his inexplicable nausea be a sign of impending doom? Would he still be bound by the fate laid out in the original story?

Many events after he entered the novel had changed. For instance, there was a banquet in the novel that never happened, and some characters' roles had changed.

Every single thing was shifting, making him mistakenly believe his life wouldn't end abruptly.

It seems that while the protagonist's experiences can change, their life span might still be controlled by the original plot.

Well, half a year of joyful living was worth it.

Instead of returning to the Xing residence, Yu Antong headed to his own home to see his younger sister, Yu Annan.

Yu Annan was on winter break, considering attending tutoring sessions. Given the cold weather, Yu Antong arranged for a private tutor at home. After all, their financial situation was no longer dire.

"Brother, why are you here?"

Yu Antong replied, "Not welcome?"

"Please rest for a bit, teacher. My brother is here," Yu Annan said to the tutor. Turning to Yu Antong, she added, "Of course you're always welcome. But didn't we just see each other yesterday?"

Yu Annan chuckled, "Missed me already?"

Yu Annan had adopted her brother's cheerful demeanor over time.

"Need any help with your studies?" Yu Antong glanced at her workbook.

He realized he couldn't remember any of the high school material.

Trying to deflect, Yu Antong shifted topics: "Have you thought about what you want to pursue after the college entrance exam?"

"I'm still undecided. I'm leaning towards photography, but I'm also considering medical school."

Chuckling, Yu Antong said, "Those are pretty different. What are you thinking?"

"Whatever you decide, as long as it makes you happy, I'm behind you," he affirmed. "And if someday I'm not around, I want you to keep living your best life, okay?"

Yu Annan sensed something was amiss. "What do you mean, brother? Did something happen? Where are you going?"

Yu Antong realized that her college entrance exams were soon. He didn't want to disturb her preparations, seeing how diligently she was studying.

"Hahaha." He quickly laughed it off, saying, "Where is your mind wandering to? What I meant was, you're growing up and heading to college soon. I can't always be around you like before."

Yu Annan sighed with relief, grumbling, "You scared me, brother."

After some more chat with Yu Annan, Yu Anzong headed back to the Xing residence.

By the time Yu Anzong arrived home, only Mrs. Xing was there. Xing Lixuan was probably attending the year-end banquet.

"Where did you go, Anzong? Why did you come back so late?" Mrs. Xing said, "I was about to call you."

Yu Anzong managed a faint smile, "I went to visit my sister."

The housekeeper asked if he would like some dinner, to which he replied, "I already ate with my sister. Mom, you go ahead. I'm heading to bed."

Mrs. Xing was pulling out a chair and missed the forced nature of his smile.

Yu Anzong intended to ask Xing Lixuan for a divorce once he returned.

After the passing of Grandmother Xing, it was evident that Xing Lixuan was deeply emotional. Thankfully, although they both had some affection for one another, it wasn't too profound.

It's better to end things now, sparing Xing Lixuan further pain.

The only regret would be failing to live up to the genuine kindness and affection of the Xing parents.

Growing drowsy while waiting, Yu Anzong started to nod off on the bed. Past ten, he heard the front door, signaling Xing Lixuan's return.

He listened to the approaching footsteps. Just when they seemed almost at the door, they grew distant again.

A bit later, Xing Lixuan entered the room. He was slightly tipsy from the banquet, carrying a crystal trophy. He mumbled as he handed it to Yu Anzong, "Here, baby. For you."

It turned out he remembered he had promised to show Yu Anzong the trophy on their way back from skiing and had gone to his study to get it.

Accepting the trophy, Yu Anzong gently traced the engraved name - Xing Lixuan. Setting it aside, he ushered the slightly tipsy man to sit. The smell of alcohol wafted, "You've been drinking?"

"Mhm," Xing Lixuan nodded, "They toasted in your honor. Since you weren't there, I drank on your behalf."

A pang of sadness hit Yu Anzong. Noticing Lixuan wasn't too drunk, he said, "Xing Lixuan, can I ask you something?"

Lixuan nodded, "Sure."

Yu Anzong inquired, "Do you like me?"

Xing Lixuan chuckled, his thoughts elsewhere. Suddenly, he turned serious, "Dream on."

He wasn't about to confess his feelings first. He wanted Yu Anzong to make the first move.

Relieved by the response, Yu Anzong continued, "That's good to hear. With grandma gone, shouldn't our arrangement come to an end?"

Xing Lixuan seemed stunned, as if he didn't quite grasp the implications.

Yu Antong straightforwardly said, "Let's get a divorce."

Xing Lixuan, with his back turned, took a sip from the glass on the bedside table. The water was already cold. "What nonsense are you talking about now?"

This little schemer must be up to another one of his antics.

Yu Antong replied seriously, "I'm not joking. I really think we should divorce."

The cold water sobered Xing Lixuan up. He slammed the glass on the table, his voice colder than the water, "Why?"

Yu Antong pursed his lips, hesitating before saying, "Didn't I mention our agreement has reached its end…"

With a loud "Bang!" Yu Antong jumped in surprise.

Xing Lixuan had angrily thrown the glass onto the floor. Pointing at Yu Antong, his trembling finger showed his fury, "Yu Antong, don't you have a heart?"

The sound of the shattering glass alerted Xing's parents, who rushed over, knocking on the door, "Lixuan, Antong, what happened? Did you two have a fight?"

The door wasn't locked. Upon opening, they immediately noticed the broken glass and water on the floor.

Xing Lixuan, with bloodshot eyes, glared at Yu Antong, filled with an intense grudge.

Xing's mother frowned, "What's going on here?"

Xing Lixuan continued to glare at Yu Antong without speaking, his gaze piercing.

Yu Antong hadn't intended to explain, knowing the truth might be too hard to believe. Xing Lixuan would just assume it was a made-up excuse.

Whatever. Believe it or not!

Deciding to spill it all, Yu Antong began, "Recently, I get nauseous at the faintest fishy smell, and I sometimes feel strange in my stomach. I might be…"

Before he could finish, both of Xing's parents exclaimed in unison, "Antong, are you pregnant?!"

Their voices were filled with a mix of disbelief, but mostly joy and anticipation.

Yu Antong's final words, 'I might be dying', were stuck in his throat, never making it out.

He thought he had misheard. Turning to face Xing's parents robotically, he asked, "Dad, Mom... what did you just say?"

---

Chapter 27

by

Mrs. Xing, with a hint of excitement, asked, "Tongtong, are you expecting a little one?"

Mr. Xing rubbed his hands together, "This is great news! I'm going to have a granddaughter!"

Then he quickly added, "Or grandson, a grandson is fine too."

While the couple rejoiced, both Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong, soon-to-be fathers, were in stunned silence until they realized something was amiss.

Mrs. Xing, glancing at the broken glass on the floor, cautiously asked, "You both aren't... ready for a child?"

Did you argue about that?

Xing Lixuan felt incredibly dizzy. First, he heard Yu Antong speak of divorce, and then his parents claim Yu Antong was pregnant.

How could a man be pregnant? He must be seriously drunk.

Seeing the duo silent, Mrs. Xing approached Xing Lixuan, softly inquiring, "Is it that you don't want the baby, or is it Tongtong?"

If their son wasn't keen, they could persuade him, but if their daughter-in-law was hesitant, what should they do?

As the Xing parents were lost in thought, Xing Lixuan exclaimed incredulously, "Mom, did I mishear while drunk? How can Antong possibly be pregnant?"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Xing looked puzzled, "You didn't know? Didn't your grandmother tell you before she passed?"

"Tell me what?"

Mrs. Xing thought that the grandmother would've explained why she was insistent on him marrying Yu Antong. However, it seemed she never did.

"This is quite a mess," lamented Mrs. Xing, "Tongtong has a unique constitution, allowing him to bear a child. His uncle discussed it with your grandmother, which is why she insisted on your marriage..."

The truth was clear, but with the couple's current affectionate relationship, bringing it up felt somewhat hurtful.

Mrs. Xing stopped mid-sentence, fearing Yu Antong might be upset. Looking at him, his face appeared shocked rather than unhappy.

A thought flashed across Mrs. Xing's mind, "Tongtong, did you not know you could get pregnant?"

Yu Antong, still in shock, slowly shook his head. At this point, he felt like his brain was on the verge of a meltdown.

How could this be? The original story never mentioned anything about bearing children.

Although he had once speculated and even bought a pregnancy test, typically, conception is immediate. Why did it take them several months?

Was it his issue or Xing Lixuan's?

What on earth was he even thinking about?

Yu An Tong looked lostly towards Xing Li Xuan, their eyes meeting in a complex exchange.

Almost reflexively, Yu An Tong touched his stomach and said, "It might not be pregnancy; perhaps it's just some illness causing the nausea and vomiting?"

"It's entirely possible that my good-for-nothing uncle was lying. After all, Yu Qing Nian has never been known for his integrity."

Yu An Tong desperately clung to this last shred of hope that he couldn't be pregnant.

Xing's mother suggested, "We should head to the hospital to get it checked. If it's a pregnancy, it's good news; if it's an illness, we shouldn't delay treatment."

Yu An Tong, a bit apprehensive and fearing the results, responded, "It's quite late today. Let's discuss it tomorrow."

Seeing his reluctance, Xing's mother reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Xing's father, trying to piece everything together, asked, "If neither of you knew about the possibility of a pregnancy, then what was the argument about?"

Yu An Tong: "..."

How could he explain that he believed he was dying and didn't want to strengthen ties and cause pain?

Moreover, if it turns out that he is indeed pregnant, that would be incredibly embarrassing!

Xing Li Xuan, still clueless about why Yu An Tong wanted a divorce, looked away from him and asked his mother, "Mom, do we have any soup to sober up?"

"Yes, I had it prepared when you two came home." She responded, indicating that she anticipated his need.

Xing Li Xuan went downstairs, drank a large bowl of the sobering soup, and sat on the living room couch, digesting everything he had heard.

His husband, a man, was possibly carrying his child, and now wanted a divorce.

Why the divorce? Wasn't Yu An Tong deeply in love with him? Was it because he had just confessed to not liking him?

But that's not reason enough to easily suggest divorce.

Xing's father followed to chat, saying, "While I'm unaware of the exact problems between you two, communication is vital. Avoidance won't solve anything."

After ensuring that Xing's mother wasn't nearby, he continued, "If he's being unreasonable or throwing tantrums, just appease him. Don't argue about right or wrong; wives, you know, need to be pampered."

"Dad, you seem experienced," Xing Li Xuan remarked with a smirk. "So, Mom frequently acts unreasonably and throws tantrums in front of you?"

"Keep it down!" Xing's father quickly hushed him, casting a wary glance upstairs. "I never said that! How could your well-read and understanding mother ever act irrationally?"

Xing Li Xuan gave his father a skeptical look and then headed upstairs.

While Yu An Tong was initially exhausted, he now felt too anxious to sleep. Hearing the door open, he looked up.

Xing Li Xuan entered and sat beside him. After a moment of silence, Xing Li Xuan finally said, "I don't agree to a divorce."

Yu An Tong stared at him, "Why? You said you don't even like me."

Who was it that once vehemently declared they'd divorce in six months, looking as if they'd fear being held back when the time came?

Xing Lixuan figured it must be because he had just denied his feelings for Yu Antong. Drawing closer, he embraced Yu Antong tightly, murmuring, "I lied earlier. I like you. No more talk of divorce."

It took Yu Antong a few seconds to realize this misunderstanding might have been sparked by the offhanded question he posed about Xing Lixuan's feelings for him.

"Wait a minute," Yu Antong said, pushing him away slightly, "you said it was a dream earlier. Now you admit you like me? Don't claim to like me just because of the child; we don't even know if there is a child yet."

"What are you thinking about?" Xing Lixuan questioned. "I never planned for children, and I wouldn't lie just because of an uncertain pregnancy. Can't you tell how I feel about you, or do I really have to say it out loud?"

Holding Yu Antong's shoulders, Xing Lixuan gazed deeply into his eyes, "I'll say it once, so listen closely. Yu Antong, I like you."

"Darling," Xing Lixuan said, holding Yu Antong's face, and tenderly placing a kiss on his lips. "Don't mention divorce again."

Yu Antong had always playfully asked Xing Lixuan to call him "darling". Xing Lixuan would either react impatiently or dismissively, rarely ever using the term with such genuine affection.

Even though Xing Lixuan's voice was soft, it seemed to pierce straight through Yu Antong's heart. This tender affection made his heart flutter.

He mused, "If don't die, really want to date Xing Lixuan. Such a charming man, always seducing me!"

Wanting more reassurance, Yu Antong teased, "Just because you like me, we can't divorce? Dream on! I don't even like you. I won't let you make all the decisions. If I want a divorce, I'll get one."

Xing Lixuan earnestly asked, "Is that truly how you feel?"

Yu Antong replied, "I might like you, just a tiny bit. If you don't want to divorce, then woo me. After all, you have a slight advantage over other men."

Seeing Yu Antong's behavior, Xing Lixuan realized that perhaps he wasn't as indispensable to Yu Antong as he believed. Otherwise, why would he bring up divorce so lightly?

"I'm not chasing you," Yu Antong teased as Xing Lixuan remained silent. "If we divorce, I'll find all sorts of younger, more dashing men, and change them daily... Mmm!"

Unable to bear it anymore, Xing Lixuan captured Yu Antong's incessantly chattering lips with a kiss, not letting go until Yu Antong leaned limply into his embrace.

Giggling slightly and with mock indignation, Yu Antong chided, "I'm completely drained now."

Xing Lixuan scoffed, "You, changing young handsome men daily?"

"Annoying," Yu Antong whined, even though he'd just been joking. Curling into Xing Lixuan, he murmured, "Husband, I'm sleepy."

Xing Lixuan gently kissed his forehead, "Admit you like me and I'll let you sleep."

Yu Antong wriggled away, diving under the blankets with a gleeful grin, "I don't like you, not one bit!"

As Xing Lixuan lay beside him, sleep seemed elusive. Realizing his spouse might not actually like him was a jarring revelation that disrupted his rest.

Although Yu Antong claimed to be sleepy, he too remained awake. After a while, he poked Xing Lixuan, "What if I am really pregnant? How can I be pregnant?"

Not even calling him "husband" anymore but using his full name, Xing Lixuan's mood soured further.

Right, the child!

Having a child with Yu Antong might not be such a bad idea after all.

Xing Lixuan had never thought he'd resort to tactics some foolish women use, trying to tie a man down with a child.

Not getting an answer, Yu Antong pressed, "Are you asleep already? I asked you something."

"I'm awake," Xing Lixuan took his hand, "We'll see after the check-up tomorrow. If there really is a child, I want to keep it. Of course, I'll respect your decision too."

Yu Antong was at a loss. "Don't you find it weird that I, a man, might be pregnant? I can hardly believe it myself."

Xing Lixuan thought to himself, "I couldn't be happier."

Of course, there's a touch of astonishment. But just thinking of a child borne by Yu Antong for the both of them filled him with immense gratitude and joy, overshadowing all other emotions.

In truth, when he said he respected Yu Antong's decision, he was insincere. He couldn't fathom any option other than keeping the child.

Xing Lixuan tried to comfort him, "Aren't there often news stories about men giving birth? You're not the only one. No need for such a psychological burden."

Yu Antong retorted, "Really? How come I've never come across such news?"

"..." Xing Lixuan replied, "It's late, shall we sleep? We need to get up early for the check-up. Rest now, darling."

---

Chapter 28

by

Father and Mother Xing had a restless night, filled with excitement and worry. They were both eager to know the truth and concerned about Yu Antong's willingness. After a sleepless night, dawn finally broke.

Early in the morning, the family of four, all bearing dark circles under their eyes, rushed to the hospital.

As they got out of the car and approached the outpatient building of the hospital, a critical concern suddenly struck Yu Antong.

Hesitatingly, he paused, pulled Xing Lixuan to the side, and whispered, "How is it possible for a man like me to have a pregnancy test? If I'm really pregnant, this will make the news, won't it?"

After the scandalous "prostitution" incident, Yu Antong became extremely cautious, not wanting to take any chances.

Xing Lixuan reassured him, "Don't worry. This hospital is under our family's ownership. I promise no one will breach your privacy."

Yu Antong nodded and followed Xing Lixuan to see the doctor, an experienced chief obstetrician.

Dr. Kong, a middle-aged woman, exuded kindness and warmth. Her smile alone could ease any patient's anxiety.

Being pre-informed and having signed a confidentiality agreement, Dr. Kong kept her conversation concise to avoid adding any stress, asking only essential questions.

Dr. Kong remarked, "The symptoms indeed resemble early pregnancy. However, there could be other causes. An ultrasound and blood test for hCG levels are necessary to confirm."

Dr. Kong then personally accompanied them to the examination.

Blood was drawn for testing, followed by an ultrasound.

As Yu Antong lay on the bed, gel was applied to his abdomen. Xing Lixuan, standing beside him, held his hand tightly, both clearly anxious.

The ultrasound probe glided across Yu Antong's abdomen, causing slight discomfort. Suddenly, Dr. Kong exclaimed in surprise, "There's a gestational sac, and I can see the heartbeat. He's indeed pregnant!"

In her thirty years of medical practice, Dr. Kong had encountered various unusual cases but never a pregnant man. Initially, she had doubted the veracity of such claims.

She had seen a few men before who suspected their own pregnancies, but none turned out to be real. She assumed this case would be no different.

The unexpected detection of a fetal heartbeat left her momentarily astounded.

Upon hearing Dr. Kong's words, Yu Antong's grip on Xing Lixuan's hand tightened.

Xing Lixuan, pausing for a second, quickly helped Yu Antong sit up. As he wiped off the gel from Yu Antong's abdomen, he whispered soothingly, "Don't be scared, darling. I'm here with you."

Meanwhile, the urgent blood test results were delivered: Progesterone level at 53,700 iu/l.

Director Kong took a deep breath to calm his racing heart, trying to keep his voice steady. "Considering the progesterone levels and the ultrasound showing both the embryo and the heartbeat, Mr. Yu... You're approximately 7 weeks pregnant."

Yu Antong listened in shock as the doctor made the conclusion, a whirlwind of thoughts spinning in his mind.

Just the day before, he had believed he was on the brink of death. He was so devastated, so grief-stricken, that he'd almost finalized his will.

Yet, against all odds, he was pregnant!

"Damn the author! How could they not indicate this is an M-Preg story?"

He recalled teasing Xing Lixuan after assuring himself he couldn't get pregnant, promising to bear his child...

"Ahh!" The mere thought made Yu Antong wish he could turn back time and strangle his past self. "You brought this on yourself! Serves you right for being reckless!"

Watching Yu Antong's face grow paler, Xing Lixuan found himself at a loss for words. He had planned to persuade him to keep the child, but now he wasn't so sure.

The child was his, but all he wanted was Yu Antong's happiness. If Yu truly didn't want it, they wouldn't go through with it.

Even though he had made up his mind, the idea of renouncing his first child, whom Yu was carrying, was unimaginably painful.

After several attempts, Xing Lixuan finally managed to caress Yu Antong's face and said, with immense difficulty, "Honey, please don't be like this. If you don't want the child... we can forget this ever happened."

Immersed in his regret over not insisting Xing Lixuan use protection, Yu barely heard what he said, only catching the words "don't want the child."

Although struggling with the idea of being pregnant, Yu had never entertained a single thought of not wanting the child.

"Who is Xing Lixuan to decide about the child? It's not his body! He has no right!"

Stunned, Yu Antong pointed accusingly at Xing Lixuan, "You irresponsible jerk, Xing Lixuan! You were careless, and now you don't want to take responsibility? I must have been blind to fall for someone like you!"

"Wait, what do you mean?" Xing Lixuan was taken aback by the accusation, but he sensed that Yu didn't want to give up the child.

A grin broke through his confusion. Before he could clarify, Yu Antong continued, "Listen up, Xing Lixuan! I'm divorcing you! The child is mine, and I don't need you to raise it!"

Director Kong, still in the room, watched the same-sex couple with mixed emotions. Initially, she thought the pregnant one was against keeping the child, which would be somewhat understandable given the unusual circumstance.

But now, it appeared to be the other way around.

"Yu Antong, please, calm down." Xing Lixuan was torn between amusement and exasperation. There's a saying that one becomes absent-minded during pregnancy. Had it started so soon for Yu?

Seizing the moment of silence, Xing Lixuan quickly explained, "I said that because I thought you didn't want the child. If you want to keep it, I'd be overjoyed."

Yu Antong paused, reconsidering. "Really?"

Xing Lixuan wrapped his arms around him, placing a gentle hand on Yu Antong's still-flat stomach, whispering, "Both you and the child are my treasures."

Clearing her throat, Director Kong interjected, "Mr. Xing, Mr. Yu, since you've decided to keep the child, would you like to see the ultrasound?"

Outside the door, Xing Lixuan's parents, having heard the commotion, couldn't wait any longer and entered.

Xing's mother asked anxiously, "What happened? Are you expecting?"

With a gentle embrace, Xing Lixuan held the now-calm Yu Antong and joyfully declared, "Mom and Dad, Tongtong is truly expecting a little baby."

The faces of Xing's parents instantly lit up with joy. As they glanced at Yu Antong, Xing Lixuan quickly reassured them, "Tongtong wanted this too."

The elders of the Xing family finally breathed a sigh of relief, their smiles so broad they seemed endless, "That's wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Yu Antong sneakily pinched Xing Lixuan's arm and muttered under her breath, "I didn't ask for this. You went ahead without my consent and put this inside me, you scoundrel!"

Although she knew it wasn't entirely Xing Lixuan's fault, as no one could have predicted his pregnancy, she was still frustrated that such a young man, not even out of university, was suddenly expecting a child.

She couldn't bear the thought of terminating the pregnancy, so her bottled-up emotions had to be vented, and Xing Lixuan, as the other party involved, naturally bore the brunt.

Bi Xue Pavilion

It wasn't fair to Xing Lixuan. After all, initially, it was Yu Antong who had insisted on having a child with him. Now that she really was expecting, she was chastising him ungratefully.

Yet, Xing Lixuan didn't dare retort. He could only appease Yu Antong as one would coddle a cherished little treasure.

The elated Mr. and Mrs. Xing were engrossed in watching the recent ultrasound recording with Director Kong, completely oblivious to the younger couple's playful banter.

Mr. Xing exclaimed with delight, "My, my! My little granddaughter is so adorable."

Mrs. Xing, pointing at the screen, excitedly identified, "This is her head, and those must be her tiny feet."

Director Kong chose to remain silent. She didn't want to dampen the enthusiasm of the thrilled grandparents-to-be by informing them that it's nearly impossible to distinguish features of a 7-week fetus.

Yu Antong vented her feelings to Xing Lixuan and then said, "I want to see our baby too."

Until now, she had been lying in bed without catching a glimpse of the imaging. Her curiosity piqued upon hearing the comments of Mr. and Mrs. Xing.

"Oh, it's so tiny, like a little bean," Yu Antong remarked as she leaned in for a closer look, then turned to her husband with a smile, "Honey, look at it. Isn't it adorable?"

"Yes, absolutely adorable," Xing Lixuan agreed with a nod.

Being the only level-headed one in the family at that moment, he honestly couldn't see what was so endearing about the fuzzy, indistinct image.

Yet, the other three in the house, as if spellbound, couldn't stop showering the image with praise.

The tiny two-month-old fetus had just experienced a vivid surge of emotions within its father's womb.

As Yu Antong and the Xing family elders continuously replayed the short recording, Xing Lixuan stood by, directing his questions to Director Kong.

Xing Lixuan inquired, "Will this child have any adverse effects on its father's body?"

Given the rarity of male pregnancies, Xing Lixuan's concerns were only natural.

Director Kong responded, "From the ultrasound, the gestational sac appears intact. Firstly, the child seems perfectly fine. However..."

Pausing to assess the glowing complexion of Yu Antong, she continued, "As for the effects on the child's father, it's hard to predict. We lack precedents in such cases. But judging by the current state of the child's father, it seems minimal. We'll need a comprehensive health check to make a conclusive decision."

Xing Lixuan nodded, pulling the still-engrossed Yu Antong to continue with further check-ups. "If you want to keep watching, I'll have it downloaded and sent to your phone so you can view it anytime. But for now, let's proceed with the tests."

Yu Antong quickened his steps, saying, "Got it, I'm on it."

After almost an entire day of tests, the final results showed that Yu Antong's health indicators were normal. He just needed to take some folic acid to prevent birth defects and promote the baby's neural development.

Director Kong advised, "The first three months are the most critical for the fetus. Extra care is required. Mild exercise like slow walking is fine, but avoid any strenuous activities. Ensure adequate sleep and regular check-ups at the hospital..."

Xing Lixuan, afraid of missing any detail, recorded their conversation on his phone and asked Director Kong to send him documents on foods to avoid and foods beneficial for nutrition during pregnancy.

Seeing Xing Lixuan's serious attitude, the weight in Yu Antong's heart lightened considerably. Having such a father for their child seemed promising.

---

Chapter 29

by

When heading home, Yu Antong habitually tried to take the front passenger seat, only to be halted by Xin's mother.

"Antong, sit with mom in the backseat, it's safer there."

Obediently, Yu Antong moved to the rear. All the way, Xin's parents excitedly discussed buying baby clothes and cradles.

Xin's father mused, "We're not sure if it's a boy or a girl. What kind of clothes should we buy?"

Xin's mother suggested, "Buy both. Better safe than sorry."

"I've heard the early education class 'Mengya' near our home is quite good. I'll check it out," Xin's mother added.

Overhearing the extensive plans, Xin Lixuan couldn't resist commenting, "Mom, Dad, you're thinking too far ahead. He's barely two months old. He won't be born for several more months. Why not just find a partner for him too?"

"You've never raised a child, what would you know?" Xin's mother countered. "Kids grow up so fast. We need to be prepared. We don't want to be caught off guard."

Xin's father chimed in, "Your mother's right. These days, every kid joins an early education class. It's so popular that even with money, one may not secure a spot. It's wise for your mom to scout it out early. Or you might as well invest in an early education company."

Not wanting to argue further, Xin Lixuan could only nod in agreement, "Yes, yes, you're both right."

Having had little rest the night before and waking up early today, Yu Antong felt drowsy in the car.

At a traffic light, Xin Lixuan glanced at Yu Antong through the rearview mirror. Noticing his fatigue, he reached into the glove compartment, producing a blanket, "Antong, cover yourself. Don't catch cold. Try to stay awake; we'll be home soon. You can rest there."

Gratefully, Yu Antong took the blanket, struggling to stay awake. At that moment, a call from Fu Xin came through.

The ringtone roused Yu Antong's spirits, "Hello?"

Fu Xin pitched, "Boss, many customers recently inquired about making New Year's Eve dinner reservations at our restaurant. I believe we could initiate this service..."

Interrupting the ever-ambitious manager, Yu Antong replied, "I won't have time recently to oversee the restaurant affairs."

The normally composed Fu Xin sounded unexpectedly anxious, "What are you busy with? Aren't you on winter break? Plus, next semester you have an internship and won't need to attend school. Can't you postpone whatever you're doing and prioritize the New Year's Eve dinner project?"

Yu Antong patted his belly, "This particular matter can't really be postponed."

"...," persistent as ever, Fu Xin pressed, "So what are you so busy with?"

Yu Antong teased, "You might not believe it if I told you."

Fu Xin encouraged, "Try me."

As long as Yu Antong voiced a problem, Fu Xin could find a way to solve it. Nothing should interfere with making money.

Yu Antong looked skyward, "I'm busy having a child." Nothing is more important than my son.

Fu Xin: "..."

After hanging up, Yu Antong thought to himself, he knew no one would believe him.

Fu Xin shook his head, never expecting his boss to come up with such an excuse to avoid work. Realizing that his boss was adamant about it, Fu Xin decided to let it go.

After dinner at home, Yu Antong was ready to take a bath and go to sleep.

"Wait a minute, I'll join you." Xing Lixuan called out to Yu Antong, who was heading towards the bathroom in his pajamas.

Yu Antong frowned, "When I asked you to join me before, you acted as if you were some paragon of virtue, terrified of what I might do. Now that I'm pregnant and we can't do anything, you're teasing me. Are you trying to get back at me? You're so vindictive!"

Xing Lixuan: "I'm just afraid you'll slip and fall."

The bathroom was originally equipped with non-slip mats, but Yu Antong found them uncomfortable, so he had them stored away.

Before, it wasn't a big deal, but now they must be extra careful. Xing Lixuan planned to install a new set of mats that were both comfortable and slip-resistant the next day.

As the bathtub was filled with warm water, Yu Antong, supported by Xing Lixuan, couldn't help but giggle, "Taking a bath feels like a royal coronation. You deserve a reward, little Xuan."

A crisp slap echoed.

Yu Antong's plump behind trembled from the smack by Xing Lixuan.

Xing Lixuan: "Stop fooling around."

"Ouch!" Yu Antong shot Xing Lixuan an annoyed look, "You hit me again! Domestic violence always escalates!"

Xing Lixuan couldn't resist those captivating, shimmering eyes of Yu Antong. It was torturous, especially when his wife was pregnant and they had to abstain.

Xing Lixuan sighed, gently kissed the corner of Yu Antong's eye, and whispered, "Darling, sit down and relax in the bath. Aren't you tired?"

As Yu Antong settled into the water, fatigue washing away, he sighed contentedly. He glanced down at his belly, gently patting it, "It doesn't seem to have changed, yet there's a two-month-old baby inside."

Xing Lixuan, alarmed by his action, cautioned, "Be gentle. It's not like tapping a watermelon."

Yu Antong retorted, "I barely tapped! If you're so concerned, why don't you give birth? If you can't, then stop talking!"

It became clear to Xing Lixuan that Yu Antong was in a bad mood. No matter what he said, Yu Antong had a retort ready.

Xing Lixuan chose to remain silent. Once Yu Antong had soaked enough, he carefully dried him off and carried him to bed.

"Sleep well, my love."

Instead of asking for a goodnight kiss as usual, Yu Antong's lips pouted in apparent annoyance.

Xing Lixuan embraced him, softly asking, "Why are you upset again?"

Yu Antong huffed, "Once a child is in the picture, I get treated differently. All men are just insensitive brutes. You're only being so kind because of the baby."

"Aren't you a man yourself? You were born just to be my nemesis." Xing Lixuan pinched Yu Antong's pouting lips, "What do I have to say to make you believe? Think about it. When I initially didn't want a child, I immediately decided to respect your choice, didn't I prioritize you? When I didn't know you could get pregnant, didn't I treat you well? Didn't I always follow your wishes?"

Yu Antong countered, "That's only because I was persistent. You only did those things because you were annoyed, not out of your own volition."

"That's because I hadn't realized how much I liked you. Alright, I admit I was stubborn," Xing Lixuan confessed, somewhat reluctantly, all in an attempt to appease his sulking spouse. "If I were really annoyed with you, I wouldn't bother with you, my little brat."

Yu Antong, detecting the affection in Xing Lixuan's tone, felt a warmth in his heart, but still said, "I still feel somewhat aggrieved."

Xing Lixuan smiled, admiring Yu Antong's candid nature which always ensured he spoke his mind without holding back.

Seeing Yu Antong's petulant demeanor, Xing Lixuan felt an overwhelming love, cooing, "Alright, what's making my baby upset?"

Yu Antong complained, "I've never had a romantic relationship, and now I'm married with a baby. You've never courted me, not even a single flower. Xing Lixuan, just because I'm carrying your child doesn't mean I can't live without you. If you don't cherish me, I'll find someone else for me and the baby."

"Dare you!" Xing Lixuan asserted, pressing his forehead against Yu Antong's, his voice tender yet dominant, "Yu Antong, let me make it clear: I'll give you everything you desire, but you can only be mine."

Xing Lixuan's possessiveness gave Yu Antong a slight shiver, making him realize that while Xing Lixuan often indulged him, there were clear boundaries.

Most people might be wary of someone with strong possessive tendencies, but Yu Antong, who deep down yearned for security, was utterly smitten with Xing Lixuan's assertiveness and desire to possess.

Yu Antong pecked Xing Lixuan's thin lips, "Goodnight, my dear husband."

Xing Lixuan sighed in relief, initially worried that he might have scared Yu Antong, only to find... the man was as vexing as he was endearing.

Xing Lixuan passionately kissed Yu Antong, stopping just before things escalated further.

For safety reasons, both returned to the Xing family mansion, ensuring Yu Antong had the best care.

Thick cashmere carpets were laid everywhere in the house, and protective padding was affixed to sharp corners, treating Yu Antong as a top priority.

Yu Antong was taken care of meticulously at home, leading a very leisurely lifestyle.

For the first couple of days, Yu Antong enjoyed this laid-back life, but by the third day, he felt restless and bored.

He still had over seven months before giving birth; if he continued this sedentary lifestyle, he'd go insane.

Setting aside the storybook Xing Lixuan bought him, Yu Antong looked down at his belly, murmuring, "Xiao Nian, how about we go out and play?"

Xiao Nian was the nickname Yu Antong gave to their unborn child. Since they discovered the pregnancy around the Chinese New Year, they named the baby after the holiday.

Xing Lixuan, who was watching a parenting channel with a notebook in hand, retorted, "Where can you go in this snowy weather?"

Yu Antong, in a dramatic fashion, leaned into Xing Lixuan, "I'm so bored, I feel like I'm decaying here."

Suddenly he brightened up, "Oh! What if we take Xiao Nian out to make a snowman? Just for a little while."

While the two were engaged in idle chatter, Mr. Wang from next door came over for a visit, bearing gifts.

Xing Lixuan set out the tea set to welcome the guest, while Yu Antong seemed relaxed and at ease.

Mr. Wang made polite conversation, "No need to fuss, Lixuan. Sit. We've been neighbors for years, no need for formalities."

Last time he enjoyed a meal at the Xing residence, he couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards. Since then, he frequently took his family to dine at the Fairy Feast, and even purchased products like chili sauce and hot pot bases sold online by the restaurant.

When he was at the Xing's house discussing potential collaboration with Yu Antong, there was a hint of polite formality in his tone. However, ever since he sampled products from the Fairy Feast, he had been eagerly hoping for Yu Antong to approach him for business.

He was waiting for Yu Antong to take the initiative, rather than proposing it himself. This was a business strategy, as it seemed unfitting for a president of a large chain supermarket to seek out a small company for collaboration.

With the New Year approaching, he had been busy overseeing the stock of New Year goods in the supermarket. Now that preparations for the festive season were almost over, he could take a breath and anticipate sales. This reminded him that Yu Antong hadn't approached him yet.

During the New Year, people mainly buy products like fish, meat, eggs, and milk. The products sold online by the Fairy Feast may not have an edge during this period, but once people tire of rich festive foods, there will surely be a surge in sales for their chili sauce.

As a savvy businessman, Mr. Wang had already started planning for post-holiday sales, but he had been waiting in vain for Yu Antong to initiate a collaboration.

Seeing that the New Year was just around the corner, Mr. Wang grew impatient. What if Yu Antong had found another partner? He quickly brought gifts and visited the Xing household.

After some pleasantries, Mr. Wang got to the point, "The main reason for my visit is to discuss offline sales collaboration for Fairy Feast products with CEO Yu. I've been meaning to come over, but recent business commitments held me back until today."

Yu Antong poured him a glass of water and remarked with a diplomatic smile, "For such a large company as yours, Mr. Wang, being busy is natural. Still, the profits are abundant. It would be an honor for Fairy Feast to collaborate with you."

He had previously discussed offline sales channels with Fu Xin, who advised him that their production capacity was limited. So, they weren't in a hurry to venture offline. They could increase production and wait for partners to approach them, gaining more benefits in the process.

It now seemed that Fu Xin had a knack for business, given how eagerly Mr. Wang had sought them out.

Mr. Wang's smile grew more genuine upon Yu Antong's flattery, thinking he might get a better cut since Fairy Feast was still a small company.

Yu Antong continued, "I might have some culinary skills, but I'm clueless about managing a company. All company matters are handled by my professional manager, Fu Xin."

The smile on Mr. Wang's face froze. Was this a refusal?

As if oblivious to Mr. Wang's reaction, Yu Antong, still beaming, suggested, "How about this? I'll call Fu Xin, and we can all have dinner together. You two can discuss business, and I'll keep you company."

Mr. Wang's heart was on a roller coaster of emotions. Hastily, he responded, "Thank you, CEO Yu, that would be splendid!"

Mr. Wang couldn't help but think how people in their business circle always praised the young master of the Xing family, Xing Lixuan, for his business acumen. Now, it seemed that Lixuan's spouse was no less shrewd in conversation.

Initially, he assumed that a small brand like Fairy Feast would offer significant concessions to penetrate offline markets. But things weren't turning out as smooth as he had expected.

---

Chapter 30

by

Yu Antong dialed Fu Xin, arranging to meet at the Fairy Banquet.

After hanging up, Yu Antong said, "Mr. Wang, shall we head over now?"

Mr. Wang nodded, "Very well."

Setting down his teacup, Xing Lixuan said to Yu Antong, "I'll come with you."

Mr. Wang glanced at Yu Antong, questioning, "What does this mean?"

What's CEO Xing implying?

Though Wang Ge is considerably older than Xing Lixuan, on the business battleground, he genuinely fears facing Xing Lixuan. If Xing Lixuan intervenes in this deal, Wang Ge might not get any advantage.

Yu Antong said, "It's just a meal outing." There's no need for such caution.

Xing Lixuan gave him a look, his gaze unwavering and commanding.

He then nodded to Mr. Wang, "Antong's health hasn't been the best. I'm uneasy about him going out alone. I hope you understand."

"It's no bother at all," Wang Ge hurriedly responded. "The bond between Lixuan and Mr. Yu is truly admirable. What's wrong with Mr. Yu's health?"

Honestly, observing Yu Antong's radiant complexion, he couldn't perceive any serious ailment. He suspected it might be a pretext by Xing Lixuan.

Yu Antong replied, "It's just a minor stomach issue."

Eating out gives him a perfect excuse not to drink.

Mr. Wang, ever the diplomat, said, "While a stomach ailment might not be grave, it should not be overlooked. Mr. Yu, please refrain from drinking during the meal."

——

Inside the private room at the Fairy Banquet, Yu Antong introduced Wang Ge and Fu Xin to each other. Lightly jesting, he said, "The two of you discuss business. I'm merely here with my partner, freeloading a meal."

Fu Xin, dressed sharply in a suit that exuded an air of business professionalism, extended his hand to Wang, "It's an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Wang!"

Wang Ge shook his hand, smiling, "Mr. Fu, you truly are a rising star among the younger generation."

Wang Ge and Fu Xin exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats. To Wang Ge's surprise, Xing Lixuan and his spouse were genuinely there for dinner. Wang Ge had been apprehensive about Xing Lixuan's potential interference, yet throughout the meal, Xing Lixuan only attended to Yu Antong, barely glancing their way.

Wang Ge mused, the outside rumors suggested that Yu Antong had used some tricks to marry into the Xing family, but from his perspective, it was evident that Xing Lixuan was the one trying to win Yu Antong over.

Yu Antong pushed away the shrimp Xing Lixuan offered, murmuring in complaint, "Enough, I told you I'm not hungry. You're so bothersome."

Xing Lixuan, with his ever-pleasant demeanor, replied, "How about some meat then?"

Yu Antong shook her head, "I'll just have some pickled radish."

"A toast, Mr. Wang, to our fruitful collaboration!"

Fu Xin drew back Wang Ge's attention, and Wang Ge raised his glass, "To a successful partnership!"

This was Fu Xin's first time observing the dynamic between his young boss and Mr. Xing. Who could have imagined that the typically aloof Mr. Xing could be so tender?

After bidding Mr. Wang farewell, Yu Antong inquired, "Why are there so few customers in the restaurant today?"

Usually, by mealtime, the place would be packed, with many waiting for tables, but today only about 80% of the seats were taken.

"Did you come in from West Street? You might have missed it," Fu Xin explained, "The Shen family opened a restaurant named 'Ju Ying Tower' next door. They had a grand opening today with a 70% discount, attracting most of our customers."

After the previous food poisoning incident, Ju Ying Tower suffered a significant loss, and business was sluggish for over a month. Yet being an established brand, they bounced back once the scandal blew over.

This branch of Xian Ren Banquet is located at the northwest corner of Phoenix Street, while the newly opened Ju Ying Tower by the Shen family sits on the northeast corner.

Yu Antong huffed, hands on her hips, "Shen Yunqing is deliberately making things difficult for me. Offering such a discount, isn't he afraid of running a loss?"

A 70% discount is essentially a predatory pricing strategy in any industry. The Shen family had never offered such significant discounts at the openings of their other branches; it was clear they were targeting Yu Antong.

Yu Antong gave Xing Lixuan a playful pinch, "This is what you get for attracting unnecessary attention!"

Xing Lixuan held her hand, "I don't even know him."

Listening to this, Fu Xin thought that there must be some personal grudge between his young boss and the Shen family heir. He silently hoped that this would motivate his boss to be more proactive in business rather than using the pregnancy as an excuse to slack off.

Fu Xin urged, "Boss, we can't just sit idly by and watch our customers drift away to our competitors..."

Yu Antong calmly sat down, "Why worry? Ju Ying Tower's discount will surely cause them daily losses. How long can they sustain it?"

"At most three days, then they'll have to revert to their regular prices," Yu Antong continued, "As long as we maintain the quality and taste of our dishes and introduce a few new ones, our customers will come back."

Fu Xin sighed quietly, lamenting his unsuccessful attempt to motivate his somewhat indifferent boss, "Then, why not come up with some new dishes? When was the last time you visited Xian Ren Banquet?"

Yu Antong guiltily patted her stomach, indeed, with the recent end-of-term exams, the passing of Granny Xing, followed by her pregnancy, many events had converged, keeping her away from devising new dishes for a while.

"I've been busy with something," Yu Antong said with a hint of guilt. Suddenly standing tall with confidence, he pointed to his stomach, "I told you, I'm busy expecting a child."

Inside the room, the air conditioning was turned up high. Yu Antong took off his thick down jacket, revealing a white sweater underneath.

Fu Xin took a fleeting glance at Yu Antong's flat abdomen. The next moment, Xing Li Xuan, possessively, stepped in front of Yu Antong.

Fu Xin slowly lifted his gaze, meeting the inscrutable eyes of CEO Xing, "…"

An eerie silence enveloped the room for a few seconds before Fu Xin finally conceded, "Alright then."

With CEO Xing being so accommodating, what else could he say?

Yu Antong had no intention of hiding it from those around him. After all, once the child is born, he didn't want anyone insinuating that it was through surrogacy or anything. The child was truly his.

He spoke the truth, but evidently, no one believed him.

"No matter," Yu Antong thought with a mischievous smirk. "Wait till my son is born to prove you all wrong."

As for the provocation from Shen Yunqing next door, Yu Antong didn't take it to heart. He had always intended to give his employees the holiday off for the New Year. It's just that the news of his pregnancy had sidetracked him, making him forget to send out the notice earlier.

So, attracting more customers to Juying Tower wasn't a big deal to him. He hadn't planned on making that money anyway.

Yu Antong said to Fu Xin, "Let Juying Tower drop their prices. We can close for a break and go home for the New Year. Inform the branch managers and head chefs. I'll hold a meeting tomorrow and hand out bonuses, then everyone can take their holiday the day after."

"Wait, what?" Fu Xin initially planned to inspire Yu Antong to challenge Juying Tower. Not only had their New Year's Eve dinner plans fallen through, but now they were taking a break too?

"During the Spring Festival, there's a surge in customers. It's the golden period for the catering industry. How can we close?" Fu Xin hurriedly explained to his boss, fearing he didn't understand the intricacies of the catering business, "We either take leaves after the festival or take turns. Nobody simply shuts down."

"Apart from a few small businesses, go out and see for yourself during the New Year. Which big restaurant is closed? It's the peak business time; we absolutely can't take a break."

Yu Antong firmly responded, "If this boss isn't worried about earning less, why should you be? I'll give you a bonus for the holiday. I promise you won't be at a loss, okay?"

Fu Xin began to wonder if there was a future in working for a boss with no ambition. Frowning, he said, "This isn't about the bonus..."

"Listen to me," Yu Antong interrupted, "Money can always be made, but time spent with loved ones is precious and should be cherished."

Ever since discovering that he would only live for another half year, Yu Antong's sense of belonging to this world deepened. He had more ambitious plans for Xianren Banquet. A company without a proper culture wouldn't last long.

"A good company not only strives for product excellence but should also emphasize human compassion," Yu Antong said earnestly, "I believe that is the essence of a strong company culture, one that binds its employees."

After discussing his thoughts with Fu Xin, the latter paused for a moment, then smiled, "I knew I chose the right boss to follow."

[Note: seems like a web address, which remains unchanged in translation.]

He had been overly eager for quick success. His thoughts were even less mature than those of a college student who hadn't graduated. Fu Xin truly admired and respected his young boss, Yu Antong, now.

As Fu Xin left to organize things, the mature demeanor of Yu Antong vanished in a second. Gleefully, he turned to Xing Li Xuan, "Wasn't I just incredibly wise and far-sighted? Even Fu Xin, the workaholic, was persuaded by me."

"Yes, you're a rising star in the business world," Xing Li Xuan praised with a smile, helping him put on his down jacket.

Yu Antong strained to see his toes, "A rising star? More like an orangutan with my current state."

The bulky down jacket seemed to transform the 'rising star' into an orangutan.

The next day, Yu Antong held a meeting with the employees at the main branch.

"In the past six months, due to everyone's hard work and dedication, our restaurant 'Xianren Banquet' has thrived. I want to express my gratitude." Yu Antong bowed slightly, then produced a stack of red envelopes, "All the fine words can't compare to tangible rewards. As a thank you for your hard work, we're taking paid holidays for the New Year, and I hope we can make Xianren Banquet even better next year."

Upon hearing this, the staff cheered enthusiastically. They had heard rumors of an upcoming holiday, but they hadn't expected not only to get the time off but also to receive their usual wages and a bonus.

This was the kind of treatment one would expect in a white-collar job in a neighboring office.

"Thank you, boss!"

"We will definitely work even harder!"

Guo Jianying, the manager of Xianren Banquet's third branch, couldn't help but wipe away a tear. He had been in the restaurant business for many years, working hard to provide for his family and missing numerous New Year's celebrations with them. He never expected this young boss to be so generous.

Where else could one find such great benefits in the catering industry? He silently vowed to reward his boss's kindness with even harder work in the coming year.

Other employees felt the same. Six months ago, they had feared unemployment. Now, not only did they have stable jobs, but they also earned more than before.

As Yu Antong handed out the red envelopes, someone knocked on the door. A waiter went out to check and returned with a bouquet of vibrant red roses.

"Boss, someone sent you flowers!"

"Who sent them?" Yu Antong glanced at Xing Lixuan, who stood beside him, and hesitated about whether to accept the bouquet.

Who would send flowers to this place? And just when Xing Lixuan was present? It felt like he was caught in an illicit affair.

And he hadn't even been out much recently. Where did this suitor come from?

"Wow! Congratulations, boss! Are we going to have a boss lady soon?" The employees, unaware of Yu Antong's marital status and assuming Xing Lixuan was just a friend, cheered upon seeing the romantic gesture.

Someone initiated applause, and others quickly joined in.

Holding the roses, Yu Antong felt the weight of Xing Lixuan's piercing gaze, as if the bouquet was a hot potato.

Xing Lixuan's eyes swept over the card attached to the roses. He gestured for Yu Antong to read it, "Aren't you curious about the sender?"

Holding the card as if it were a thorny rose, Yu Antong hesitated, "Should we?"

Xing Lixuan replied, "Why not?"

Yu Antong thought, which idiot did this to me?

Is this a sign that I'm heading towards a divorce and single fatherhood?

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