Ye Wangxing’s grief and anger were not unfounded.

His family wasn’t poor, but they were just an average household—with a home they lived in and a storefront they owned.

They had some savings, but not much. Covering his down payment had already emptied about half of their family’s savings.

The wealthiest person he had ever seen was his aunt, who drove around in a Mercedes worth over 600,000 yuan.

So when Ye Wangxing finished with the wedding preparations and actually took over a few million in liquid assets a few days ago—assets from the Ye Group, which, even after the split, was still valued at over a billion—his hands trembled a bit.

So much money.jpg

At first, Ye Wangxing thought about fulfilling his childhood dream—buying items at full price on Pinduoduo without joining a group buy.

But he soon realized something was off.

—Why did he, as the CEO, have to worry about the company having no business?

—Wasn’t his role basically the same as a salesperson?

No, wait, even if a salesperson didn’t make sales, they still got a base salary.

Ye Wangxing thought about this after three sleepless days buried in documents.

But he didn’t even dare to stop—after all, the company supported thousands of employees, and now he truly understood why any leader with a conscience sighed every time they saw unemployment numbers.

He also wanted to sigh—so many people! What if the company’s performance declined? What would happen to them?

Fortunately, 19 was as reliable as ever. He returned to the company that same night and installed a business management module. With the help of the company’s original management team, things were still rough, but at least Ye Wangxing no longer had to stay up all night, waking 19 up just to suffer with him.

It was the first time 19 realized that even a biological body needed proper sleep: “…Well, can’t be helped.jpg”

Later, 19 used his connection to the Qin family to reach out to some Middle Eastern businessmen who happened to need affordable building materials.

As everyone knew: “With just a piece of cloth on the head, I’m the richest man on earth.”

But after 19 brought the clients to City A, the translator Ye Wangxing originally hired ran off. Just as he was considering whether to have 19 step in, the story’s protagonist (shou) unexpectedly showed up—looking delicate and helpless—and practically fell into Ye Wangxing’s hands. Naturally, Ye Wangxing wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity.

Knowing the protagonist’s weakness, Ye Wangxing immediately used a “request” attack.

It was super effective.

The protagonist (shou) agreed without hesitation.

After 19 discovered that the protagonist had ditched the protagonist (gong), Ye Wangxing felt like it was a double blessing.

However, Ye Wangxing was still puzzled—why did An Yang stop caring about Xu Feng? Could it be that his lovesick brain was finally salvageable?

Thinking this, Ye Wangxing’s eyes lit up. But when he asked An Yang, An Yang shyly said: “Actually, my husband happened to be out gathering with friends. It usually runs late, so I had some free time.”

He said it very naturally—as if it were no big deal—if 19 hadn’t told Ye Wangxing that Xu Feng was currently on a date with Yun Cheng, Ye Wangxing might’ve believed it.

What made things worse was that An Yang knew Xu Feng was on a date with Yun Cheng but still acted like it was completely normal.

Ye Wangxing felt a heart attack coming on.

[Is the protagonist’s brain really beyond saving?] Ye Wangxing clutched his chest and asked 19.

With the protagonist’s current mindset, he seriously worried whether the mission could be completed smoothly.

19 stayed silent.

—Because at this point, even he couldn’t sneak a therapist into the protagonist’s life without being caught by the destiny timeline.

[Alright, don’t say it.] From 19’s silence, Ye Wangxing understood something and massaged his temples in pain.

His brain started playing background music on its own.

“Three hundred and sixty-five miles, across spring, summer, fall, and winter~”

Ye Wangxing felt like he was the monk Tang Sanzang on a pilgrimage, and getting the protagonist away from the gong was a long, difficult road ahead.

And even more painful than dealing with the protagonist’s brain was the fact that Ye Wangxing still had to keep working.

Things like documents, contracts, and back-and-forths with clients.

—Luckily, the client was a genuinely wealthy one, from a country without war, so the difficulty was reduced. But they weren’t foolish rich people either.

After multiple rounds of negotiation, he finally closed the deal.

But it wasn’t over—after signing a deal, you had to take the client out for a meal, right? Even if the client declined, the project team still deserved a celebration, and as the highest-ranking person present, he had to foot the bill.

A competent assistant could’ve handled these arrangements—but Ye Wangxing had been so busy with the mission since entering the small world that he completely forgot to hire one.

So, after finally sending everyone home, Ye Wangxing dragged his exhausted, drunken body into the Qin family’s car.

He immediately collapsed into a broad chest.

Ye Wangxing knew it was 19, but his drunk and aching head made him shake it instinctively to ease the pain.

To the assistant who also came to pick him up, it looked like President Ye rubbed against Chairman Qin and even whined coquettishly: “My head hurts…”

Chairman Qin, holding Ye tightly to prevent him from slipping, accidentally gripped a rather suggestive spot.

The suit pants were visibly wrinkled from his grip.

The assistant, who had forgotten to raise the privacy screen: “…” Am I going to be silenced by Chairman Qin?

Luckily, a glare from Chairman Qin made him tremble and raise the screen at once.

Once the burning gaze disappeared, the assistant let out a long breath.

Close call. Lived another day.

19, who merely noticed someone staring: “…”What is wrong with this human?

But he quickly ignored the assistant’s thoughts and focused on adjusting his host’s posture.

If the arm stayed there, it would get strained. If the leg remained curled, it’d go numb before they arrived. And the head couldn’t rest at that angle—it’d cause a stiff neck…

19 carefully adjusted Ye Wangxing’s posture, and Ye obediently let himself be positioned like a ragdoll.

Humans sometimes trusted intelligent systems more than they trusted people.

[Host, please don’t drink this much. It will damage your nervous system.]

Once Ye’s posture was set, 19 gently used bioelectricity to soothe his headache while speaking in his mind.

[I can help you with all of this. You don’t need to exhaust yourself.]

19 promised.

Ye Wangxing felt a bit better. Eyes still closed, he basked in the bioelectricity on the back of his head and said seriously:

[19, we’re partners. I can’t just let you handle everything alone.]

He opened his eyes and looked at 19, raising his chin proudly: [Besides, when it comes to human relationships, I’ve got more experience.]

19, who didn’t understand human social dynamics and only knew how to manipulate people like his last host: “…”No rebuttal.

He still didn’t understand why Su Qing from the last world broke up with Zhou Mu.

Now feeling better, Ye Wangxing sat up and looked 19 in the eyes, saying seriously: [And 19, never say that to any other host. What if you meet a bad one who makes you do everything, and blames you when it goes wrong? That’d be too sad.]

The worry in Ye’s eyes was unmistakable.

He had learned about 19’s past through 17 back in the system company. He wasn’t worried about 19’s abilities—but after hearing what 19 said today, he genuinely feared someone would exploit him.

How could someone just offer that kind of help so casually? A system like that would be squeezed dry!

Ye Wangxing: My powerful and capable, but overly sincere system partner.

19… 19 could only nod at his host’s worried gaze, though his mood sank a little.

‘Does my host think I’m too meddlesome?’ 19 reflected.

Ye Wangxing was satisfied—then immediately leaned his head toward 19’s hand again, pitifully looking up.

[19, headache. Please~]

‘Good. My host doesn’t think so.’ 19 sighed in relief and pressed his hand gently on the back of Ye’s head.

Ye Wangxing: Enjoyment.jpg

While Ye was enjoying himself, Xu Feng was about to explode.

—Because it was past 10 p.m., and An Yang still hadn’t come home.

Encouraged by Yun Cheng earlier, Xu Feng decided to be a good husband for once and waited at home. He thought An Yang was just sulking and would never actually stay out overnight.

…And then he saw An Yang being carried home by a handsome young man—drunk, giggling, and holding a gift bag.

“Are you Teacher An brother? He drank a bit too much today and came back late, sorry about that,” said the young man kindly while holding An Yang, who was slipping again.

Xu Feng: “…”

He closed the door in one swift motion.

And in the next second, he roared: “AN! YANG! Where the hell were you partying?!”

An Yang woke up from a blissful sleep, not even knowing where he was at first. He just knew he hadn’t slept that well in ages.

Only when he saw the gift bag on the bedside table did the memories return—oh right, yesterday he went with President Ye Wangxing to Ye Group.

It looked way more impressive than Shixing. No wonder Ye Wangxing didn’t like Shixing.

Although many offices were empty, An Yang didn’t think much of it. He went straight to the conference room and was warmly welcomed by the whole project team.

Especially when they found out he was the emergency translator—they were overjoyed.

It was the first time An Yang had ever been the center of so much attention, and he was a bit flustered.

Luckily, his prep at noon ensured he didn’t mess up.

He was nervous when the clients arrived, but he quickly found his rhythm.

After all, their tone wasn’t nearly as harsh as Xu Feng’s scoldings. He handled the pressure and followed the plan.

Even when the contract was finalized, An Yang couldn’t believe he had helped President Ye seal the deal so easily.

The two Middle Eastern clients even praised him before leaving.

“You are a very professional translator. If possible, I want to add your contact information.”

An Yang, still in a daze, added the contact information of the two Middle Eastern clients. When he realized what he had done, his face was flushed red, and it stayed that way until the evening dinner.

It was the first time An Yang had received such praise, and it was for his work, which made him very surprised. For the first time, he realized that he was worthy of such compliments.

Tears sparkled in his eyes, and he felt grateful toward his parents who had left him with tutors when he was young.

If it hadn’t been for them, he definitely wouldn’t have developed an interest in learning languages.

Of course, he was most grateful to CEO Ye, for if it weren’t for CEO Ye giving him a platform, he would never have known that he could become the kind of person he had envied most on TV.

Later, they celebrated with the project team until evening. He drank a little, got somewhat tipsy, but CEO Ye protected him the whole time, ensuring that the inexperienced An Yang didn’t feel any discomfort.

CEO Ye even prepared gifts for all the project team members when it was time to leave.

An Yang looked at the gifts with a silly smile. Since it was late, CEO Ye also arranged for someone to escort them home.

When An Yang thought about this, he finally realized that he hadn’t just stayed out until after ten the night before—he had also come home drunk!

He had even neglected Xu Feng on his way back, just like those scumbag husbands in dramas!

He widened his eyes in panic and quickly checked the time on his phone.

It was already 9 a.m.! The company’s clock-in time was 9, and he was late!

“Oh no, oh no,” An Yang muttered, his expression panicking. Not only had he missed clocking in, but Xu Feng had probably already arrived at the office, and he wouldn’t even have a chance to explain!

He hurriedly put on his clothes, ready to open the door and rush to the company.

However, when he opened the door, he found that Xu Feng hadn’t gone to the company but was sitting on the sofa, fuming.

Beside him, Zhang, Xu Feng’s agent, looked flustered, trying to persuade Xu Feng to go to work.

“…Ancestor, the staff are already at the office waiting for us. Why are you staying here waiting for An Yang? Can’t I just call him now? Must you wait for him to wake up naturally?”

Assistant Zhang saw that Xu Feng looked like he was about to cry. But Xu Feng, sitting stubbornly on the sofa, turned his head to the side and didn’t look at Zhang at all.

Zhang moved to the left, Xu Feng turned right, Assistant Zhang moved right, Xu Feng turned left. Watching this back-and-forth, a sudden thought popped into An Yang’s panicked mind.

—Maybe he could buy a small stone grinder for home. At least he could make hand-ground soy milk, which Xu Feng liked, all by himself.

It turned out that when people were extremely panicked, random thoughts like this could make them laugh uncontrollably.

An Yang quickly shook his head, pushed the thought out of his mind, and forced a smile as he approached Xu Feng.

Seeing An Yang, Xu Feng finally spoke in a sarcastic tone. “Oh, our busy man finally woke up. I wonder who you went team-building with last night that made you come back at ten. I didn’t see anything in the company group about your assistant team-building.”

Xu Feng finally spoke, and Assistant Zhang jumped up immediately.

“Yes, yes, An Yang, quickly explain to your husband where you went last night! He called me in the middle of the night, I was so worried about you.”

Xu Feng wanted to say that he hadn’t called Zhang in the middle of the night, but seeing Zhang’s exaggerated expressions, he remained silent.

Due to the angle, An Yang also saw Zhang’s expressive gestures toward Xu Feng but didn’t expose him, feeling a bit sweet inside.

Xu Feng still cared for him, otherwise, he wouldn’t have accepted it so easily.

He cares about me.jpg.

An Yang immediately clung to Xu Feng’s side but didn’t touch him without permission. He just leaned on the edge of the sofa, looking at Xu Feng with sticky, pleading eyes, and explained.

“Xu Feng, last night I actually went to negotiate a deal with CEO Ye, and also attended a gathering with colleagues from Ye’s group. We had so much fun that I drank and came home late with them.”

Xu Feng raised an eyebrow and asked: “Just you?”

Before An Yang could prove his words, Xu Feng waved his hand.

“With your measly salary, I wouldn’t even care. You drank too much last night and ignored me? Or is this what you meant by taking good care of me?”

Xu Feng raised an eyebrow, and An Yang immediately showed a repentant expression.

How could he do this? Xu Feng should have been cherished by him. How could he ignore him?

An Yang panicked, wanting to kneel for forgiveness. Seeing the earnest fear on An Yang’s face, Xu Feng finally made a reluctant expression and said:

“This doesn’t count. If I catch this happening again, even grandpa won’t stop me from divorcing you.”

Those words immediately made An Yang’s pupils contract. Panic swept over him like a tidal wave, he felt as if he had fallen into water, and the suffocating sensation through his nose rendered him speechless.

Until a voice, like celestial music, rang out: “Remember? Don’t do that next time. Now calm down.”

Hearing this, An Yang finally gasped for air as if he had been granted a great pardon, looking at Xu Feng with eyes full of awe, as if seeing a savior.

Xu Feng didn’t know whether there was something wrong with An Yang, he only knew that this approach made An Yang obedient, and he instinctively acted this way.

However, seeing how thoroughly frightened An Yang was this time, he unusually softened his tone and said: “I’m not against you going out, I’m just afraid that something might happen to you. The entertainment industry is so chaotic, and workplaces aren’t much better. If something happens, I won’t even be able to explain it to my grandfather.”

An Yang wiped his tears, got up from the floor, nodded, and quietly said: “I understand. I definitely won’t do it again.”

Assistant Zhang, who had witnessed this scene dozens of times, looked away with numbness, unwilling to look at the pitiful An Yang. He turned to Xu Feng and asked: “Ancestor, have things been handled? Can we go to the company now?”

Xu Feng nodded, and Zhang excitedly grabbed his phone and keys to take Xu Feng downstairs, while An Yang prepared to take the bus to the company.

At that moment, Xu Feng, who normally didn’t care how An Yang got to work, turned to him and said: “It’s already late for you to go to the company. I’ll give you a ride today.”

An Yang stiffened, as if he had heard something unbelievable. It wasn’t until he got into Xu Feng’s car that he recovered, his eyes shining even brighter.

“I’m just being kind this time. Don’t think you can use this to get my attention in the future. When we reach the intersection near the company, you get out. You must not be seen, understand?”

Xu Feng didn’t even look at An Yang as he said it casually.

An Yang nodded eagerly, treasuring the moment, his eyes full of affection.

Assistant Zhang, sitting in the front as the driver, sighed while looking at An Yang.

Actually, Zhang and An Yang got along well, but he never thought An Yang being with Xu Feng was a good thing.

To be honest, Xu Feng was arrogant, narcissistic, and childish, still playing the “stand-in” game, and constantly PUA-ing An Yang.

(PUA-ing – “to be brainwashed” or “to be deceived” through techniques like gaslighting and emotional control, often used in relationships, work, or even self-manipulation.)

But An Yang, from a troubled family background, actually fell for it.

Originally, Zhang thought Xu Feng would eventually end up with Yun Cheng, and An Yang would forget after crying a bit. But unexpectedly, Xu Feng’s grandfather, for some reason, favored An Yang and even had them marry.

Just thinking about An Yang’s situation made Zhang shiver—it was like being surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Yet An Yang enjoyed it, and Assistant Zhang couldn’t even imagine what kind of environment this child had grown up in.

Even Xu Feng’s unkind emotions were like lifelines for An Yang.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t a novel’s male protagonist and couldn’t carry An Yang’s life.

Adults could only remind him occasionally, if he couldn’t handle things himself, no one else could help. It now depended on An Yang’s luck, whether he could escape this huge net.

Zhang sighed, dropped An Yang off five minutes from the company, then speed Xu Feng into work at a sprinting pace.

After they finished their dizzying tasks and apologized to the crew for today’s shoot, Zhang wiped his sweat and sat down to rest.

But after the shoot, when Xu Feng removed his makeup, he suddenly acted up again, demanding Zhang to find An Yang.

“…An Yang isn’t good-looking, has no outstanding education—at most a regular university graduate, and he’s clumsy. Yet CEO Ye sent him for a business deal. Could he have been tricked? Zhang, call him over, I want to ask.”

Xu Feng leaned on his chair as he said this.

Zhang had no energy to argue. Caring is fine, but why insult him at the same time? When he praised Yun Cheng, it was effortless.

He had no choice but to hurry to the assistant department.

When he arrived, he heard someone sarcastically say: “Some people quietly cling to big shots. No wonder—they managed to secure a deal just by delivering files to the CEO’s office.”

“But if they’ve already latched on, why are they still here? Wouldn’t switching companies be better? It would save company resources.”

Assistant Zhang immediately recognized that they were referring to An Yang.

An Yang had just been provoked by Xu Feng that morning, and now he faced bullying from colleagues. Zhang worried that something serious might happen.

He hurriedly pushed open the assistant department door, ready to call An Yang out, when a confused voice asked: “Huh? Which celebrity in our company is switching jobs?”

—Silence.

Zhang watched as the two assistants who had been gossiping blushed visibly and then turned green.

They had just been caught red-handed.

An Yang still looked bewildered, almost saying: “Huh?”

Seeing the assistants’ composure breaking, Zhang quickly sent a message to Xu Feng: “An Yang is being bullied.”

He then stepped forward, ready to shield An Yang.

At that moment, a voice rang out: “Who is An Yang?”

Accompanied by hurried footsteps, the rarely-seen vice president of the assistant department pushed open the door, frowning as she asked inside.

“Ah, I am…” An Yang slowly raised his hand, feeling lost.

The vice president, unconcerned about rumors—like whether she was dating a younger man—stepped forward, grabbed An Yang’s hand, and started walking out.

“Come with me quickly! CEO Ye got into a fight over you with young master Qin!”

Everyone: “Huh?”

While everyone was still bewildered, the vice president had already carried An Yang into the elevator. Zhang realized it too late—the doors had closed.

Someone slowly realized and whispered: “Is the young master Qin the one I’m thinking of?”

“Could our company possibly have another artist with the surname Qin?”

The room fell silent again. After a long pause, someone finally asked,

“…So what deal did An Yang go to negotiate yesterday?”

—A deal that could make the prince and the queen argue?

 

 

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