Chapter 98
Note: Early chapter release. Thank you for the Ko-Fi, Sakuradahl! ◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜
Facing the sudden appearance of his baby nephew who successfully managed to capture Mu Cai's attention, both Li Yu and Lou Chengye were momentarily taken aback.
Just when they saw their opponent about to happily whisk Mu Cai out of their sight, with his chubby little bottom twisting and turning, Li Yu quickly stepped forward and urgently said, "Wait, Cai Cai."
As he spoke, Mu Cai, who was holding onto his little nephew's chubby hand, indeed stopped in his tracks. The young man standing in front turned his head, his long lashes fluttering slightly. Hidden beneath those long eyelashes were eyes that seemed to encapsulate twin beams of light - radiant and slightly puzzled.
Li Yu almost held his breath at the sight. His naturally stern features softened; his deep and magnetizing voice lowered almost seductively, as if trying to lure Mu Cai similar to a siren tempting a sailor: "Cai Cai, let me accompany you. You've yet to have breakfast — I can watch the kid for you. It would be better if you could play with him once you're done eating."
Having said that, he lowered his eyes slightly under Mu Cai's gaze.
Seeing him seemingly aggrieved, Mu Cai immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay."
It wasn't a difficult request in the first place, so he agreed since it was proposed. Even though Li Yu brought him home for the New Year, it was livelier than Mu Cai's previous life. But after these few days, Mu Cai also sensed his family, no matter how friendly, could never be as close to Li Yu, not to mention his older brother seemingly disliking Li Yu to some extent.
Currently seated in the living room were the Lou family, long-time friends of the Mu household. Their conversations covered everything from business to personal life. If Li Yu stayed at the meeting of the two families in the living room, he might only feel like an outsider, awkward for not being able to interject in the conversation.
Moreover, Mu Cheng Li was not even two years old yet and indeed needed someone to watch over him. During his meals, it was inevitable that he might be neglected. It was good that Li Yu came to help watch over him. Even if their nephew did not like playing with him, Li Yu could still converse with Mu Cai.
The person standing across him accepted his request straightforwardly, which delighted Li Yu.
His gaze locked onto Mu Cai’s refined and snow-white face, he smiled and said, "Let’s go then."
Seeing that Mu Cai actually agreed, Lou Chengye, who was standing by the side, naturally couldn’t just watch.
Ever since Mu Cai bid him farewell at the high-level clubhouse last time, Lou Chengye had always wanted to see more of him. However, he was busy familiarizing himself with his family company's affairs before the New Year so he could take over after it. This idea had to be set aside temporarily. On the first day of this lunar new year, Lou's parents came to visit the Mu family as per tradition, and much unlike himself, Lou Chengye immediately followed.
He had thought that when he met Mu Cai again, with their long-standing ties from kindergarten to high school, if he continued trying, he could eventually build a stronger relationship with him. Who would have anticipated that in barely a fortnight, a newcomer had already appeared by Mu Cai's side!
What Lou Chengye found even more unimaginable was that this newcomer, who had managed to join the family, was the same waiter from the gold market who had only met Mu Cai once!
What a cunning move!
Fortunately, when Lou Chengye came, he slyly inquired with the Mu family and found out that the newcomer was only invited as Mu Cai's friend for the New Year celebrations; he had not yet won over Mu's parents. But this was enough to make Lou Chengye cautious. After all, someone who he didn’t care about before was now qualified to be a competitor, revealing their cunning tactics!
Take the current situation as an example. The waiter from the clubhouse was exceptionally good at flaunting his outer appearance and pathos, aiming to win Mu Cai's sympathy and gain an opportunity to spend more time with him.
Upon thinking of this, Lou Chengye couldn’t help but retort unwillingly, “Cai Cai, I’ll go with you guys too.”
On hearing this, confusion arose in Mu Cai's bright eyes, “We’re going to play with the child. Don't you want to chat more with my big brother?”
This childhood friend’s character and actions differed a lot from the original character. The original character was a playboy, whereas this friend was a workaholic. According to the original script, Lou Chengye focused whole-heartedly on his work in the early stages, and due to the original character's involvement, he began to frequently interact and assist the main character only in the mid-stage, and finally being moved by the main character's talents, he gave in.
Could it be that Lou Chengye, because he saw Li Yu a few more times, had started to have feelings for him ahead of time?
The more Mu Cai thought about it, the more likely he believed it was.
Otherwise, why would Lou Chengye refuse such a good opportunity to strengthen his relationship with his elder brother, a potential business partner, and instead voluntarily propose to go with them to watch the child?
Lou Chengye sensed himself being scrutinized from head to toe.
He knew his behavior at the moment was inconsistent with his usual demeanor. However, Lou Chengye also knew that Elder Brother Mu could charm his parents, but he himself had to earn the favor of Mu Cai.
So, Lou Chengye straightforwardly said, “Elder Brother Mu and my Dad are really enjoying their conversation, I won't interrupt. It has been a long time since we met, so it's good to catch up and spend time with the child.”
He made a point to let his words indicate an intimate relationship between them.
As expected, the waiter's expression turned grim.
After thinking for a moment, Mu Cai found no reason to refuse, “Okay. But remember, you can't disturb Cheng Li while he’s playing.”
Of course, Lou Chengye wouldn't contend with a child, and his aim wasn't the child anyway. So, he quickly nodded in agreement, "Okay."
Having said that, Lou Chengye's gaze inadvertently swayed towards Li Yu, who, on noticing, clenched his hand at his side. Lou Chengye was caught under those cold, dark eyes for a moment.
In that instant, Lou Chengye felt like he was looking at a wolf pup.
He was momentarily startled but quickly steadied his emotions. Turning away his gaze, he elegantly adjusted the expensive cufflinks on his plush shirt. The indoor heating was quite warm, so upon entering, he had taken off his coat and was now only in his shirt, revealing the contours of a lightly sculpted physique.
The young waiter would be better off realizing the gap between them sooner and give up on Mu Cai voluntarily, without resorting to any tricks. He should know that a flower like Mu Cai, carefully cultivated by the Mu family, couldn't be maintained by just anyone.
Although the other party didn't say a word, his deliberate posturing had said it all.
The hands of Li Yu clenched tighter.
Mu Cai was completely blind to the subtle atmosphere at the moment. He was still thinking about how Lou Chengye, as one of the story's gongs, was secretly observing his target.
Sitting by Mu Cai's leg, his neglected nephew finally showed his dissatisfaction.
He hadn't expected his leisurely world with his uncle to be shattered by these two miscreants so easily. Mu Cheng Li was unhappy, very angry, humming and twisting his chubby little body. Sensing the fidgety tiny fat hand in his own, Mu Cai couldn't help but look down at him.
Mu Cheng Li, with his cute big eyes and a pouting, rosy little mouth, tried to impress his uncle. Trying to ensure that these bad guys didn't join them. As Mu Cai watched his little nephew go full-force cute next to his leg, he couldn't help but pick him up.
Though he was hefty, his weight felt pleasant. With a smile, he held the kid in his arms and cooed, "Be good, Cheng Li. The big brothers here won't disturb you. They'll just watch you while they dine with your uncle. Once I'm done with breakfast, I'll play with you, okay?"
Being a child, Mu Cheng Li, after being hugged by his cool uncle and hearing the soft coaxing in his ear, instantly forgot about those two meanies. The chubby nephew wound his tiny hands around Mu Cai's neck and stilled. He happily agreed, "Okay!"
In any case, his uncle liked him the most! That was more than enough!
Thinking of this, the little nephew nuzzled against Mu Cai's shoulder and lifted his face. His big dark eyes displayed sheer disdain towards the two men in front of him:
Humph! His uncle would coo over him willingly, explain things to him, and play with him voluntarily! These two meanies, on the other hand, had to get his permission if they wanted to play with his uncle!
As expected, his uncle indeed liked him the best!
The peculiar atmosphere enveloped them as the three adults and a child entered the game room which was exclusively prepared for children.
The game room was expansive. A half-assembled LEGO train lay on the carpet with a ton of LEGO boxes stacked next to it. Many more boxes were arrayed on the room's walls, and some toys and vehicle models had been abandoned on the floor.
The moment the little nephew was placed on the ground, he immediately ran over with his little legs, picked up a module from a box nearby and turned to smile at his uncle. Mu Cai, looking at this lively and delightful scene, also couldn't help but smile.
Almost at the same time as Li Yu, Lou Chengye entered the door frame. He glanced at the ground and raised an eyebrow, "Aiming for a big project, are we?"
Mu Cai nodded, "Yes, Cheng Li felt that assembling a small one wasn't satisfying enough. So, I bought him several more boxes to assemble a big one."
Luo Chengye glanced at the number of LEGO boxes nearby and already had a rough idea. "You must be planning to cover the entire game room floor with these."
Mu Cai laughed. "Yes, I bought a lot of them specifically for him to build more train station platforms and plan a mini train route."
Luo Chengye also laughed. "It seems like you're preparing to cultivate an architect."
Mu Cai quickly waved his hands. "It's just an educational game. If you say that, my brother will roll his eyes at you. He still has high expectations for Cheng Li."
Luo Chengye quickly took this opportunity to chat amiably with Mu Cai.
He constantly observed the other's expression, adjusting the content of his speech accordingly.
Luo Chengye even had the energy to observe Li Yu nearby.
The latter's face became increasingly gloomy.
However, the two didn't talk for long before Aunt Zhang, who cooked for the Mu family, came in and brought Mu Cai some steamed soup dumplings and a plate of vinegar. He wasn't very willing to eat such strong-smelling food in the room, but his nephew's eyes were shining brightly at him, so Mu Cai simply followed obediently.
He asked the two people next to him if they wanted more while eating.
Luo Chengye immediately declined politely.
Li Yu hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'd like to eat one more."
Luo Chengye's eyes widened.
However, Mu Cai laughed and said, "Come over here, I'll pick one up for you."
Due to Luo Chengye's dominance and speed, Li Yu had originally sat a bit farther away from Mu Cai. Now, he stood up, strode past Luo Chengye, and sat on the other side of Mu Cai, much closer than Luo Chengye's self-proclaimed gentlemanly distance.
Mu Cai picked up a warm steamed soup dumpling with a little vinegar, held his hand underneath it, and brought it to Li Yu's mouth.
Having coaxed his nephew to eat many times these days, he subconsciously said, "Come on, open your mouth, ah—"
Mu Cai realized that his behavior might not be appropriate after speaking, but Li Yu, sitting next to him, showed a smile on his face. "Ah—"
The usually cold-faced man opened his thin lips like a child, leaned over, and took the steamed soup dumpling from Mu Cai's chopsticks. To maintain his balance, he gently supported himself with one hand on Mu Cai's thigh.
The slightly burning palm pressed against his leg made Mu Cai feel a bit uncomfortable. But fortunately, this sensation quickly disappeared as Li Yu, with the soup dumpling in his mouth, moved back a little, swallowed it in a few bites, and said with an arched eyebrow, "Delicious."
It was unclear exactly what he was referring to.
Luo Chengye was almost envious to the point of bursting into flames, but there was nothing he could do.
Sure enough, those who come from such pleasure places are different, actually using such mean tactics!
If he had known earlier, he would have also said he wanted to eat! And then he would never have left Mu Cai's side!
________________________
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Li Yu packed his belongings and prepared to return to the employee dormitory.
He had only brought a few changes of clothes when he came, but when he left, his hands were full. Mu Cai helped him put the things in the trunk of the car, then got into the driver's seat and couldn't help asking, "Are you really leaving today? It's the New Year, you don't have to be so diligent. Having such a hardworking employee like you in our company would make me, the boss, feel ashamed."
Li Yu had already gotten into the passenger seat, buckling his seatbelt. He turned his head at this half-joking remark and laughed, "As the boss, you should be more relaxed. If you work too hard and exhaust yourself, how will you lead us?"
"It's clear I've always been with you, yet in two days your mouth has suddenly sweetened a lot." Mu Cai started the car, his charming lips curving up, but he couldn't help grumbling, "Does the project team have so much work that you need to go back so early?"
Li Yu's thick eyelashes trembled slightly: "Not really. The seniors in the project team take good care of me and haven't assigned me many tasks. This time, I want to go back to learn more, so I can catch up with the project team faster after the New Year."
As he said this, his hand on his leg unconsciously tightened.
Li Yu lied calmly.
The so-called lie is most credible when it is 90% true and 10% false. He had indeed excellently completed the tasks assigned by the project team, and he did want to go back, but not to catch up with the project team more quickly.
Instead, it was to get closer to Mu Cai more quickly.
From the perspective of identity and status.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, in the game room, although he seemed to have repelled Luo Chengye's offensive in front of Mu Cai, the latter found an opportunity to secretly warn him afterward.
At that time, Luo Chengye was wearing a shirt that, perhaps even with Li Yu's two-months salary as an intern, he couldn't afford. Coldly, he said, "I didn't expect you to be so cunning. But I advise you to save yourself the trouble. The Mu family would never allow Mu Cai to be with a poor kid."
Luo Chengye lit a cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke: "Mu Cai has been raised in luxury for 25 years and never done any housework. Any item that interests him could be worth your several months' salary. What could he gain from being with you? Do you want him to abandon his benefits and live a difficult life with you? Or do you want the Mu family to pay to maintain his original lifestyle?"
"Don't be too selfish as a person."
At the time, Li Yu only said one thing: "He doesn't smoke and is particularly sensitive to the smell of smoke. Secondhand smoke can be very harmful to the body."
Luo Chengye's hand trembled slightly.
"When it comes to love, don't be too selfish."
After saying that, he didn't bother to observe the other's reaction and just walked away.
Even though Luo Chengye was taken aback by his words, but Li Yu was also in the same state, wasn't he?
He had thought about everything that Luo Chengye had mentioned. For now, his biggest attraction to Mu Cai might be his looks, which is why he was trying so hard to draw Mu Cai in with that. As for the future, he was also working hard to deal with it. Even if he couldn't become rich and wealthy, at least he needed to show his talent to Mu Cai's family and make them feel at ease to entrust Mu Cai to him.
After a lot of thinking, Li Yu already had a not very mature and somewhat daring idea. He didn't know if he could accomplish it, but without giving it a try, no one would know if it could be done.
Mu Cai nodded after hearing Li Yu's explanation. He was originally wondering if it was his older brother's consistent coldness that embarrassed the other party, but now it seems he over-thought it.
In the original character setting of the novel, the protagonist was always very dedicated. Moreover, in the original plot, the other party had a successful career in the protagonist's field, which was not unrelated to the diligence shown by Li Yu.
Mu Cai drove Li Yu all the way to the building where his company was located. When Li Yu was about to get out of the car, he declined Mu Cai's offer to accompany him upstairs.
The young university student who had just come of age stood in the winter breeze, as straight and unyielding as an evergreen pine, his hair lightly blowing. He paused on the steps, looking at Mu Cai who had rolled down the car window, with an indiscernible gentleness in his eyes, "You should go back soon."
Mu Cai's fine, pale fingers rested on the car frame, instructing worriedly, "I've packed a lot of cooked and semi-cooked food for you. Although no one is in the staff canteen now, the microwave oven at the counter is still there. I've also brought a lunch box for you. You can buy some buns or rice, and heat the dishes in the box before eating them. I don't know if the heating in the building is off yet. If you get cold, go to the office area and turn on the heater. The company will reimburse for it anyway."
The elegant, snow-white young man said all this and even winked at Li Yu.
Warmth filled Li Yu’s heart, and he couldn't help but smile, "I’ll take your advice."
He watched the understated black car drive away, then picked up the bags he’d been given and entered the elevator.
Li Yu wasn't sure if it was because some people were still working overtime during the Lunar New Year, but it felt like the heating in the building was still on. Not only was it on, but it also warmed his heart implacably.
________________________
The New Year holiday ended quickly, and within few days, Li Yu’s winter vacation ended as well.
Once again, Mu Cai drove Li Yu, but this time, he dropped him off directly at his dormitory.
The start of a new semester brought with it a flurry of chores — cleaning, making the bed, sorting out belongings, and collecting textbooks. Li Yu was the first one to arrive in their dorm, so naturally, all his dorm mates unabashedly asked him to collect their textbooks through their WeChat group.
Messages kept flashing from their WeChat Group named "Pure Male University Student's Night Chat Room":
[Northern Polar Bear: Koi! The task has been assigned to you, our good comrade. Go on, unleash your koi spirit, contribute to our organization's grand project of learning for the nation!]
[Meichuan Cool Man: Big Bear is bamboozling the koi again.]
[Preserved Vegetables with Pork: ＋1]
[Understated Luxury with Substance: You arrived so early? I’m also returning to campus today.]
By the time the last message came, Li Yu had already put away his phone, preparing to bring his empty luggage for collecting the textbooks.
Mu Cai originally planned to accompany Li Yu, but he was tactfully yet firmly declined by the latter, "I can manage by myself. There's no need for help."
Recalling how Li Yu had lifted the 28-inch suitcase with one hand previously, Mu Cai couldn't help but feel subtly teased. Thus, he had no choice but to retreat and let Li Yu handle it on his own.
After the other person left, even though Li Yu had said that there was no need to clean up, Mu Cai couldn't help but look for a small rag to help Li Yu wipe his bed and desk.
Although Li Yu had mentioned not to worry about tidying up, Mu Cai still couldn't help but collect a small cloth from around the room, intending to clean the bed frame and desk for Li Yu.
He didn't know what Li Yu's basins were for, so he didn't dare to fetch water to wash the rag, in case he accidentally used Li Yu's face-washing basin. Mu Cai went in and out of the tiny bathroom twice before managing to clean the other person's bed frame to a satisfactory level. Just as he was washing the cloth for the third time, he heard the sound of a door being pushed open, followed by the sound of a suitcase sliding across the floor.
Where did Li Yu go to pack his books, returning so quickly?
Mu Cai hurriedly opened the bathroom door, only to see a young man with frameless glasses walking in. The newcomer was tall, wearing a black backpack, and carrying a huge suitcase.
Seeing Mu Cai approaching, the person's originally calm face went blank for a moment.
Mu Cai saw that it wasn't Li Yu, and felt slightly disappointed. However, this must be Li Yu's roommate, so he greeted with a smile, "Hello, I'm Li Yu's friend, helping him clean the room. You must be his roommate?"
Rong Yucheng slightly narrowed his eyes.
The person standing across wore black work boots and pleated black pants, making his legs appear thin and long, with perfect proportions. He wore a casual striped shirt with a collar and a light pink sweater on top, making his face delicately fair, with a color comparable to a spring blossom.
Rong Yucheng extended his hand and nodded slightly, "My name is Rong Yucheng. What's your name?"
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Author's Note:
Concubine Li: Oh really, it turns out familiar faces are trying to steal from my corner!
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