During the meeting, Cheng Yi found herself drifting off, unable to keep up with the conversation. Ye Minglang, worried, leaned in and asked,
"Are you coming down with something again?"
"No... just didn't sleep well."
As soon as she said it, she realised her words had drawn attention—especially from the big boss, whose face was already showing signs of displeasure. Her stomach tightened with unease.
"There was thunder last night. It kept me up."
She had intended to play it down, but the moment the words left her mouth, regret flooded in, it sounded far too much like an unprompted confession. She quickly lowered her head, avoiding everyone's gaze, just as the big boss's cold voice sliced through the room.
"Can't sleep? Take something for it. Not feeling well? Get some exercise. No excuses for being unfocused at work."
And with that, the subject was dropped.
Ye Minglang, reading the room, wisely kept quiet and quickly moved on to the next agenda item to ease Cheng Yi's embarrassment.
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Some things just can't be avoided forever, especially when someone is relentless.
At nine in the evening, after a long day at work, the team was finally ready to head home. Just as Cheng Yi stepped out of the elevators, she saw Yan Xuemei hurrying toward her. Her heart sank: there was no escaping this time.
After the last incident, Ye Minglang had ordered the receptionist not to let Yan Xuemei into the office again, and the Big Boss had made it clear: no unrelated visitors during meetings. Yan Xuemei must have been waiting outside for hours. The moment she saw Cheng Yi, she rushed forward, clearly determined to take her away.
"Yi, Zhiyuan's really sick. Come home with me, just for a bit."
This time, Ye Minglang's attitude did a complete one-eighty. He immediately stepped between them, shielding Cheng Yi.
"Auntie, if he's sick, he should see a doctor. Yi isn't a doctor—you've got the wrong person."
"No... you don't understand. Zhiyuan keeps calling her name... Even if they can't be together, he's still her brother."
The words hit like a bombshell, leaving everyone frozen in place.Cheng Yi felt a shiver run down her spine, as if some invisible force had bound her tightly, rendering her motionless. But Ye Minglang didn't care what was said; he just kept shoving Yan Xuemei toward the exit.
Just then, the usually silent Big Boss intervened, his voice quiet yet authoritative.
"Sometimes, only the heart can heal the heart. If he's your family, it's only right to go and see him."
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"He used to be so disciplined about meals, even setting alarms to remind himself to eat on time. Now he won't eat at all. Just drinks. Drinks like it's water. He's falling apart."
"He was admitted to the hospital, but insisted on being discharged. I had no choice."
"Now that he's home, he won't eat or take his medicine. We've never been close as mother and son. The more I push, the more he resists. Yi, I'm relying on you now."
"I was blind before, but I finally understand, it's your happiness that matters."
Cheng Yi remained silent in the car, listening as Yan Xuemei vented her frustrations. Now that she had found someone to confide in, she was eager to pour out all her grievances.
That's when Cheng Yi learned that Zhiyuan lived less than 500 meters from her apartment, the view and direction were almost identical to the place they'd once called home. The moment she stepped inside, the sour, bitter smell of alcohol hit her. The flat was a mess. Yan Xuemei motioned for her to go into the bedroom while she went to the kitchen to heat up some porridge.
The room was dark. The curtains had been drawn tight, shutting out the lights of the city. Only the bedside lamp cast a faint yellow glow across the room, highlighting the worn, pale face of the man on the bed.
In just a few days, Fang Zhiyuan looked like a different person—ashen skin, chapped lips, an unkempt beard. His breathing was shallow, and white plasters dotted his hand where the IV needle had been. Blood had seeped through the gauze. No wonder Xie Yufan had been so furious. Who would have imagined that someone as meticulous about his appearance as Fang Zhiyuan could fall this far?
Cheng Yi quietly walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back just a little. standing there, staring out at the city lights without disturbing the sleeping man. To her surprise, this room had a direct view of her own rented apartment. She couldn't be mistaken—that ancient banyan tree below was the same one she saw from her own balcony.
"Yi... is that you?"
A hoarse voice broke the silence, pulling Cheng Yi out of her thoughts.
The next moment, a figure stumbled toward her and pulled her tightly into his arms, burying his face in the curve of her shoulder. The sharp smell of alcohol and cigarettes clung to him, laced with a faint trace of antiseptic. He breathed her in hungrily, as if trying to imprint the familiar warmth into his very soul.
"Awake?"
"Mm."
Cheng Yi tried to break free, but he only held her tighter, so tight that she could barely breathe.
"I... I can't breathe..."
Only then did Fang Zhiyuan reluctantly let go. The moment she broke free, she instinctively took a step back, pressing a hand to her chest as she gasped for air.
"The porridge is ready. I'll grab you a bowl."
He followed her out to the living room like a shadow. Yan Xuemei had already served the porridge and was sitting at the table, looking worried. When she saw her son leave the bedroom, her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. She had just started to rise, but caught herself and remained seated, suddenly realising she shouldn't be here.
"You're awake? Have some porridge first. Yi, I've got something to take care of at the shop—please stay and look after Zhiyuan. Oh, and don't forget his meds. They're on the coffee table."
From the moment she entered the apartment, Cheng Yi had known exactly how she'd play this. While Yan Xuemei was still there, she took the chance to make her position clear.
"Got it, Mum. I'll take good care of Brother."
Yan Xuemei froze, her hand on the door handle. It was a long moment before she finally opened it with trembling fingers and stepped out, her footsteps unsteady. The man beside her seemed calmer. As long as Yi was here, he thought, he had a chance. This time, he wouldn't rush. He'd take things slow.
"Shall we eat together?" he asked softly.
After the meal, while Zhiyuan showered, Cheng Yi began tidying up the living room. It didn't take much, mostly sorting through scattered documents and letting in fresh air from the balcony. When Fang Zhiyuan emerged from the room on the phone, she was already done.
"I just spoke to Ye Mingzhe. Took the liberty of asking for a few days off for you."
Cheng Yi immediately tensed up. Whatever annoyance she had felt about his acting on his own quickly gave way to a deeper worry about how Ye Mingzhe might react.
"What did he say?"
"Relax. He was very understanding. He said you've been working hard and deserve a break."
Seeing how tense she was, Fang Zhiyuan came over and gently stroked her back, trying to reassure her.
"I know he's demanding, but if it's too stressful, maybe it's time to quit."
Cheng Yi instinctively straightened up, her tone resolute.
"There's no need. I care about this job. You should get some rest."
Fang Zhiyuan caught her hand, afraid his words had upset her. What if she left again?
"Don't be mad. I shouldn't have decided for you. Yi, stay here tonight, alright? Don't worry, you'll sleep in the other room. Tomorrow morning... I'd really like some of your porridge."
He looked so anxious, his sunken eyes were filled with unease. Cheng Yi let out a quiet sigh.
"I'll get you some water. Take your medicine, then we should both get some rest."
"I'm not tired yet. I'll take the meds later, no rush."
Having grown up together, Cheng Yi knew all too well how far he'd go to avoid medication or injections. As a boy, he used to flush pills down the toilet, bury them in flower pots, even stuff them into his pencil case. Once, he even made his father chase him around the hospital to avoid getting a shot.
Without a word, Cheng Yi handed him the pills and water. Her gaze was firm. Fang Zhiyuan knew she wouldn't leave until she saw him swallow them. Fang Zhiyuan glanced at her determined expression and had no choice but to comply, grimacing as he took the medicine before attempting a hasty retreat.
"Sit down. Ten minutes before you move."
She ignored his exaggerated, miserable expression—there was no way she was letting him bolt to the bathroom to throw up the medicine.