Ch. 8 – Affection Behind the Scenes

According to the system, the next major plot point is when Li Yihan takes Qi Yuan to the Golden Autumn Wine Party. This is Qi Yuan’s first meeting with Li Yihan’s rival, Chang Qing.

The first meeting shouldn’t require too much effort from Chi Zhao. Just say a couple words to Chang Qing and leave him the impression that Qi Yuan is a bit depraved.

Chi Zhao notes, and the system asks him what he intends to do next. Li Yihan had already gotten rid of the tracker. Most likely, after finding out that Qi Yuan liked him, Li Yihan’s last point of caution disappeared, and he feeling a little guilty, he was embarrassed to do something lie track Qi Yuan’s whereabouts again.

Despite Li Yihan already being 32 years of experience in this world, years in which he had experienced a hundred wars, in fact, in terms of emotions, he is very pure.

Chi Zhao told the system that the first time Li Yihan received a hint from Qi Yuan, he would surely be at a loss and slip away. After a month, he would probably be calmer and come back to see him.

The system has serious doubts about his speculation.

[If it was you, would you react that way?]

Chi Zhao: “… Shut up.”

When he woke up the next day, Chi Zhao did not see Li Yihan. He heard Zhang Bo say that he went to the company early in the morning. Chi Zhao went with the system at school for the day, and when he came home, he hummed, happy to reunite with his cute son.

Xiao Pang’s scalp felt numb whenever he sees him. The poor kitten felt he was going bald because of the number of times Chi Zhao pets him.

Before a certain someone could return and steal his tofu, Xiao Pang planned to run away as soon as he caught any hint of Qi Yuan’s unique scent. Unfortunately for the small cat, Chi Zhao was surprisingly quick and managed to scoop him into his arms. “See Dad and run, who taught you such bad manners? Dad is studying every day for you. Why don’t you know how to be considerate of your old hard-working father?”

Chi Zhao held Xiao Pang up and began to sincerely criticize him. Suddenly, a voice rang out from above his head. “Old father, weren’t you still his brother just the other day?”

Chi Zhao looked up in a daze. Li Yihan stepped down the stairs, dressed like he was going out soon.

“Where are you going, sir?”

Li Yihan looked into Qi Yuan’s eyes. There were calm, like a still lake without the slightest ripple. He had no feeling of shame or disgrace at all. This was good. He didn’t want Qi Yuan to be at odds with him.

Li Yihan answered softly, “I’m going out to have a meal with an old friend. There’s a party next Saturday. You’re going too. Make sure you’re ready in advance.”

Chi Zhao immediately promised, “Yes sir. Have a safe trip.”

Li Yihan nodded gently and took two steps forward. When he came close to Chi Zhao, he paused for a moment. He seemed to hesitate about something, but the pause disappeared so quickly that no one except himself had noticed it.

Chi Zhao held Xiao Pang and watched Li Yihan leave.

Two days later, Duan Bo returned to school. Chi Zhao was walking down the road, and Duan Bo passed by. He looked at Qi Yuan with fear and hatred. He wanted to beat Qi Yuan badly, unfortunately, Qi Yuan was surprising good at fighting.

Additionally, Qi Yuan is now the heir of Li Yihan. Duan Bo can’t move against him because if he does, it’s not Li Yihan that will kill him, but his own father.

Duan Bo’s frustrations spread from student to student, and soon the entire school knew. Zhou Tian had even changed his attitude from before and began acting more concerned about Chi Zhao. He would not let Chi Zhao feel that he was flattering him, nor that he would let Chi Zhao feel that he was neglecting him. Chi Zhao remembers what the system said. In the future, Zhou Tian is also one of his concubines. Therefore, he still has to show Zhou Tian some good will. Over time, he has even created the image that he and Zhou Tian are good friends.

Li Yihan didn’t go home for close to a month, just as Chi predicted. He came back every day before, but now he comes back every two or three days.

In the absence of Li Yihan, Chi Zhao does not need to slap his own face and feels sorrowful. Instead he was living a comfortable life. Unfortunately, while he was relaxed, Li Yihan was not happy.

After sitting in the office and hearing the report on Qi Yuan for the second time, Li Yihan asked impatiently, “Just studying?”

The investigator scratched his head. “In addition to studying, yesterday the young man watched TV for half an hour while holding an orange kitten.”

Li Yihan was silent for a moment. “How’s his mood?”

“Very good,” the investigator laughed. “The young man is an optimistic and cheerful man. He seems very lively. He laughs at everyone and even greets me when he sees me.”

Li Yihan frowned. “How does he greet you?”

The staff tried to recall his memories for a moment, coughed a little, and began to imitate Chi Zhao.

He smiled a little and then acted like he was holding something. “It’s so hard to stay up so late. Would you like to drink a glass of milk?”

After the imitation, his hands and expression immediately returned to their normal state.

Li Yihan looked at him with a blank expression. “Did you drink it?”

The investigator laughed, embarrassed: “No, that’s what the young man likes to drink. He drinks a glass every day before he goes to bed. How can I steal it from him?”

“I see,” Li Yihan slightly hooked his lips up, and then instantly turned cold again. “You can roll away now.”

Investigator: “…”

Assistant Zhao: “…”

The boss is getting more and more moody every day, and Assistant Zhao was also very confused. But thinking about it, it seems that when the boss is most moody, he is listening to the report on Qi Yuan’s daily life. Zhao Bin tentatively asked, “Boss, does Qi Yuan make you angry?”

“No.”

Although he said no, Li Yihan’s expression obviously became even worse. Zhao Bin thought he had found the crux of the matter and said, “Why don’t I go and remind him for you that a man of Qi Yuan’s age is unafraid of tigers and is still ignorant of many things. He shouldn’t think that this is his own kingdom to lord over. Once I remind him, he will never offend you again.”

Li Yihan lifted his eye and looked at him expressionlessly.

Zhao Bin: “… Or you can go back and remind him yourself.”

Li Yihan remained silent; his expression unchanging. Zhao Bin felt that he would be fired in the next second. Suddenly, he heard Li Yihan say, “Okay, I’ll go back in a minute. Push back my afternoon meetings for me.”

Li Yihan’s expression was no longer so terrible. After Zhao Bin watched him stand up and leave the office, it took him a long time to react.

He probably, maybe, just maybe… he was right about something, but what was he right about?

Zhao Bin was puzzled.

In fact, not to mention Zhao Bin, even Li Yihan didn’t understand what was going on with himself. He didn’t go home so that Qi yuan had the chance to calm down and figure out that his feelings were not love but gratitude, but when he didn’t go home, he always wanted to know what Qi Yuan is doing, is he living off of tea and rice?

It turned out that he thought too much. Qi Yuan didn’t think about tea and rice at all. On the contrary, his appetite was better than that of his time, and he could eat half a bowl more each meal.

Thinking about this Li Yihan felt very uncomfortable. And did he use the milk Li Yihan bought for him just to give it his men? Qi Yuan didn’t give him any milk!

On the way home, instead of letting the chauffeur drive, he chose to drive back by himself, in a focused and quiet atmosphere, which was very suitable for thinking. As soon as the idea came to mind, Li Yihan was silent.

The man who just screamed for milk couldn’t be him. Well, it shouldn’t be…

———–

Today, Chi Zhao only had classes in the morning. At noon, he went home and had lunch. Afterwards, he sat on the beanbag beside the window and read books. The huge beanbag was soft and fluffy. Once he sat on it, it was like his whole being was sucked into it. Xiao Pang laid beside him in the sun. He read two pages of books, and then he rubbed Xiao Pang’s butt.

In just a week, Xiao Pang had already become a reformed lover of butt scratches. His tail was shaking slowly. Chi Zhao was wearing a white turtleneck sweater, his hands were busy helping Xiao Pang smooth his fur, and the warm sunlight came through the window falling on top of a man and his cat.

When Li Yihan returned home, he saw such a scene waiting for him. He stood at the door, silently watching. After hearing the door opening, Qi Yuan and Xiao Pang raised their heads to look up at the sound. Qi Yuan blinked and immediately showed a brilliant smile. “Mr. Li came back early.”