Marrying the Rich Man's Ex-Brother - Chapter 10

“You don’t need to play tricks with me. I know my…”

Several hours later, the lights in the Heaven and Earth Building gradually dimmed.

Wu Yu and his brother Wu Yan finished work and took the president’s private elevator down to the company garage, ready to head home separately.

“Hey, I heard you’re moving. Are you going to live in that new residential complex our family’s developing?” Wu Yu asked, recalling what his mother had mentioned earlier.

Wu Yan replied calmly, “Yeah. Come visit whenever you’re free.”

“Sure, I’ll stop by when I have time.”

Though Wu Yu agreed verbally, he had little intention of actually visiting his elder brother’s place.

While Wu Yan treated him well, he was always so rigid and old-fashioned. Lately, his demeanor and mannerisms had become even more paternal than their own father’s.

It was one thing that the family cook’s meals were so bland they tasted like they had no salt at all. What really annoyed Wu Yu was that whenever he visited, Wu Yan would drag him into overtime meetings, making it even more exhausting than work itself.

Over time, Wu Yu had grown less and less inclined to visit his elder brother.

Apart from their daily work interactions and the weekly family gatherings at their parents’ home, the brothers had gradually drifted apart, losing the close bond they had shared in childhood.

After getting into the car, Wu Yu pulled out his phone, intending to play a game for a while. Instead, a Weibo notification popped up:  Scandal May Take a Dramatic Turn! Bai Xi to Appear on Sister Qian’s Interview Show!

Wu Yu froze, quickly scanned the news article, and immediately called Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai’s phone was switched off.

Wu Yu suddenly felt uneasy about Xiao Bai’s situation. Knowing Xiao Bai, he couldn’t imagine him agreeing to an interview at a time like this.

He opened WeChat and sent a message, only to see a glaring red exclamation mark appear in the chat window:

We’re sorry! You are no longer friends with this user and cannot send messages.

Wu Yu: ???

Xiao Bai had deleted him from WeChat???

A sudden panic gripped Wu Yu. He immediately sent a friend request, but received no response.

After a few agonizing moments of waiting, he couldn’t resist sending another friend request. This time, a large black X immediately appeared on the screen.

We’re sorry! You’ve been blacklisted by the other party! Unable to send friend requests!

Wu Yu was stunned. “…?”

How could Xiao Bai have blacklisted him? Xiao Bai clearly adored him…

Even though he was the one who wanted to break up with Xiao Bai, when Xiao Bai actually deleted him, Wu Yu felt no satisfaction, only a sense of injustice and sadness.

Yet this was precisely the outcome he had desired—Xiao Bai severing ties, ceasing to pester him, and no longer jeopardizing his arranged marriage with Leng Yue.

He should be pleased.

Wu Yu mentally berated himself for a moment, finally steeling his resolve to blacklist Xiao Bai’s WeChat and contact information as well. However, after leaning back in his seat to calm down, he sheepishly removed Xiao Bai from the blacklist.

Xiao Bai must be throwing a tantrum over what I said that day, Wu Yu reassured himself. Once he cools down, he’ll come crawling back to me.

After leaving the company, Wu Yan immediately had the driver take him to his new home.

The interior had been fully renovated, though the garden was still unfinished. This didn’t affect his ability to live there.

Wu Yan had always felt that the relationship between Bai Xi and Xu Qing was more complicated than it seemed. Moving here as soon as possible was the best course of action.

After dinner, Wu Yan remotely listened to Monica’s report on Bai Xi’s activities that day.

“Bai Xi is scheduled to be interviewed on Sister Qian Says this Thursday. The news is all over Weibo right now. This afternoon, he took his dog for a walk around the neighborhood and hasn’t left the house since.”

Wu Yan frowned slightly. “Sister Qian? Is that the manager, Sister Qian?”

“Yes, that’s her. She hosts an interview variety show on Sphinx. The show’s advertising revenue is consistently high, making it a benchmark project in the industry.”

Wu Yan nodded and glanced at Weibo’s trending topics on his phone. He’d been too busy with work all day to keep up with gossip news.

At that moment, news of Bai Xi’s upcoming TV appearance was trending at number two on the hot search list.

The top spot was occupied by Bai Chi Studio’s official announcement of the funeral date and location. While the guest list remained undisclosed, the studio assured the public that arrangements were underway.

The funeral was scheduled for September 19th in Swallow City, less than a month away.

After hanging up with Monica, Wu Yan rubbed his temples, a headache brewing.

Xu Qing was clearly applying indirect pressure.

During yesterday’s negotiations, they hadn’t reached an agreement on the exclusive sponsorship fee for the funeral. Yet Wu Yan knew he was completely cornered on this matter.

No matter the cost, as long as it was within his means, he would carry Bai Chi’s coffin.

Setting down his phone, Wu Yan changed into workout clothes and went for a night run.

Whenever he faced troubling thoughts, he always turned to running to clear his mind and organize his thoughts.

As Wu Yan passed Xu Qing’s house, he noticed a faint aroma of cooking smoke and the rich scent of cumin and oil wafting from within. Laughter and chatter drifted from the garden.

“Aqing, you can’t steal this piece of grilled meat from me! You know I love the slightly charred bits!”

“I’m amazed at you. All you ever think about is eating these greasy, fatty foods. Aren’t you worried about gaining weight and losing your photogenic looks?”

“Things are different now. My body’s still young—only nineteen! What’s there to fear about gaining weight?”

Wu Yan frowned slightly, silently repeating Bai Xi’s words in his mind.

Things are different now? My body’s still young?

Wasn’t he just as young before?

Though puzzled, Wu Yan knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop. He tried to dismiss the incident and continued his night run.

After a satisfying meal, Bai Chi went upstairs to shower, washing away the smoky smell of grilled meat.

He wanted to go straight to bed, but he was too full to sleep and couldn’t ignore Xiao Hei Zai’s restless energy. So he decided to take the little one for a walk.

It had been two days since Bai Chi moved into the neighborhood, but he still hadn’t visited the beach. He figured tonight was the perfect opportunity to take Xiao Hei Zai to enjoy the sea breeze.

Xu Qing stayed behind to handle Bai Chi Studio’s affairs and finalize the guest list for the funeral.

As they passed the brightly lit courtyard next door, Bai Chi stopped in his tracks. To his surprise, it looked like the neighbors were moving in, which meant Wu Yan might be moving in soon.

Not wanting to be seen by anyone else from the Heaven and Earth Group, Bai Chi grabbed Xiao Hei Zai and turned to leave, only to bump into a scorching-hot embrace.

The man’s slightly rough skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat that brushed against Bai Chi’s pajamas and arm.

Startled, Bai Chi looked up and realized he had bumped into Wu Yan, who was out for a night run. His mind went blank for a moment, and he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

At that moment, Bai Chi’s pajamas hung loosely, barely concealing his slender waist. His damp hair, still loose, brushed against Wu Yan’s neck, tickling him slightly.

Bai Chi’s hair carried a faint scent of sea salt, refreshing and invigorating. Even Wu Yan, who never used perfume, found the aroma pleasant.

After a brief moment of awkwardness, Bai Chi quickly distanced himself from Wu Yan. “Sorry, I…”

Wu Yan nodded silently, taking it as a greeting.

Xiao Hei Zai, however, immediately recognized Wu Yan and began wagging his tail frantically, eager to nuzzle his “big brother.”

Bai Chi quickly tightened the elastic leash, pulling Xiao Hei Zai behind him.

Wu Yan casually picked up the workout towel draped over his shoulder and wiped the sweat from his forehead, chest, and the spot Bai Chi had touched earlier.

Bai Chi’s gaze followed the movement, his cheeks flushing slightly. Through the low-cut neckline of Wu Yan’s workout tank, he caught a glimpse of impressively defined pectoral muscles.

Flustered, Bai Chi quickly averted his eyes and bent down to adjust Xiao Hei Zai’s collar, hoping to mask his embarrassment.

He had forgotten how loose his pajamas were. Being somewhat of a neat freak, Bai Chi hadn’t worn the original owner’s clothes but had instead borrowed Xu Qing’s brand-new pajamas, which were a full two sizes too big for him.

As he bent over, a flash of snow-white chest was instantly revealed, the spring scenery beneath his robe laid bare.

His slender, supple waist looked as if it could be encircled with a single hand, almost too frail, stirring a pang of sympathy.

Wu Yan frowned slightly, cleared his throat, and spoke in a cool tone.

“You don’t need to resort to such tricks with me. I have no interest in my brother’s partner.”

Bai Chi, who had been earnestly adjusting Xiao Hei Zai’s collar, froze, his innocent eyes lifting in surprise. “Huh? What did you say?”

Seeing the genuine confusion in Bai Chi’s expression, Wu Yan said nothing more, instead politely changing the subject.

“Never mind. Are you still staying at your friend’s place today?”

Bai Chi nodded, answering honestly, “Yes, I’ve been staying here recently.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Yan frowned again. He knew his brother had given his young lover two houses.

Why would he abandon his own perfectly good house to stay at Xu Qing’s place?

What troubled Wu Yan most was that Xu Qing was also known to be attracted to men. He had married into a wealthy family just last year, but due to their demanding careers, the couple rarely saw each other.

Looking at the small figure who had just showered and was wearing ill-fitting pajamas, Wu Yan couldn’t help but speculate: Could it be that Bai Xi broke up with his younger brother and then hooked up with Xu Qing?

After all, Xu Qing was currently the industry’s most sought-after golden agent. Based on Wu Yan’s understanding of him, he was certain Xu Qing had the ability to help Bai Xi navigate the scandal surrounding the “bed-climbing” photos. While it would be difficult to completely erase the stain, at least it could prevent Bai Xi from being completely blacklisted.

Seeing that Wu Yan seemed to have nothing more to say, Bai Chi took the initiative: “Well, I’m going home now. Bye.”

Wu Yan nodded without another word.

Just as Bai Chi was about to turn and leave, Xiao Hei Zai, who hadn’t yet gotten his cuddle from his brother, suddenly unleashed a primal force. With a running start from a standstill, he leaped forward, grabbing Bai Chi and pulling him into Wu Yan’s arms.

In a flash, Bai Chi, Xiao Hei Zai, and the dog all tumbled into Wu Yan’s embrace.

Bai Chi stumbled violently, instinctively grabbing the nearest thing to steady himself.

It was Wu Yan’s slightly damp workout tank top.

But in the night, a sharp rip echoed—the sound of fabric tearing.

Bai Chi accidentally tore Wu Yan’s tank top, his fingernails also scratching across the man’s chest, leaving several long, red marks.

Wu Yan frowned slightly, feeling a sharp sting, but still maintained his composure, reaching out to steady Bai Chi. “Careful.”

“Ah—! I’m so sorry, President Yan! I really didn’t mean to!” Bai Chi flusteredly pulled Xiao Hei Zai behind him and leaned in to examine the scratches on Wu Yan’s chest.

He cautiously touched the glaring scratches with the soft pads of his fingers, making Wu Yan feel deeply uncomfortable.

Just as Wu Yan was about to push Bai Chi away, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.

“Young Master! What’s wrong?!” The butler rushed out, his voice strained and breathless, but upon seeing the scene before him, he immediately turned and retreated.

As he hurried away, the butler muttered frantically, “I’m sorry, Young Master! I saw nothing! I really saw nothing! I didn’t see you and the young master’s lover embracing!”

Wu Yan: “…………”

Whether you saw or not doesn’t concern me, but if you keep shouting like that, the entire neighborhood will hear.