The Dumped Ex-Boyfriend 2

Ye Ming looked around his rented room. It was truly shabby, and there was hardly anything worth packing. Without hesitation, he booked a flight, withdrew all his savings, said goodbye to his landlord, and left.

With a pitiful amount of cash in his pocket, old clothes washed nearly white on his back, and a canvas bag over his shoulder, Ye Ming stood in the airport and sighed.

[Ye Ming: This is absolutely the poorest I've ever been since I started world-hopping. No contest. Day one of missing my experience points.]

[888: It's fine. You'll get used to it.]

[Ye Ming: Can't you comfort me a little?]

[888: Wasn't that what I just did?]

[Ye Ming: ...]

One hand in his pocket, Ye Ming stood listlessly in line and soon collected his ticket. There were still several hours before boarding, so he bought himself a bowl of instant noodles and sat down in the departure lounge to eat.

As he ate, he couldn't help getting sentimental.

[Ye Ming: Honestly, I can't wait to go back and see my darling Qin Yi. He's absolutely loaded now! One hair off his leg would be enough to keep me from ever having to eat instant noodles again.]

[888: I doubt he'd even give you a leg hair at this point.]

[Ye Ming: You never know. ^_^]

After finishing his noodles, Ye Ming felt a little more alive. He took out his ticket and held it in his hand, gazing into the distance with the world-weary air of a man lost in memories. In a solemn voice, he said, "Homesickness is a thin little plane ticket. I am on this end, and he is on the other."

As an emotionless, desireless system, 888 had no idea why it suddenly felt the urge to hit someone.

...

More than a dozen hours later, Ye Ming finally returned to the city he had left all those years ago. He really did feel a little nostalgic.

Rather than rushing to see Qin Yi, he went online to find somewhere to live. This was a prosperous metropolis with a population in the tens of millions, and housing prices remained sky-high. After considerable effort, Ye Ming managed to rent a little place in the remote outskirts. Once he had paid two months' rent, he barely had any money left.

Fang Xiao had a decent degree, at least. The fact that he had fallen on such hard times showed how little effort the system had put into managing his life. Ye Ming didn't particularly mind, though. On the contrary, he thought it was something he could use.

He tidied up his new place, then turned on his computer, connected to the internet, and began searching for information about Qin Yi.

[888: What are you doing?]

[Ye Ming: Looking for a job. See? This Rongxin Construction looks pretty good. I'm going to apply!]

[888: ...]

[Ye Ming: Qin Group has a huge project underway—an international commercial center. Construction has already started, and several contractors are handling different parts of it. Rongxin is one of them. It's a small company, neither too close to Qin Group nor too far removed, and they happen to be doing business together. Best of all, it's hiring.]

[Ye Ming: I'll work here, arrange things a little, and have an unexpected chance encounter with Qin Yi. Perfect!]

[888: ...That's your plan?]

[Ye Ming: That's only step two. First I get close to him and test his attitude. Step three is the important part!]

[Ye Ming: I'm going to build myself a tragic persona: someone who's always loved him deep down, but was forced to leave for reasons he couldn't reveal. Even after three years, he still can't let go, yet has no choice but to painfully conceal his feelings!]

[888: In that case, I have to remind you that, as a host, you must never reveal your identity as a transmigrator. If you do, you'll be forcibly extracted from this world immediately. Second, even if you actually tell him that, I don't think he'll necessarily believe you. Finally, assuming he really is stupid enough to believe you, why would that make him forgive a liar who abandoned and betrayed him? Does having your reasons give you the right to deceive and hurt other people?]

[Ye Ming: Bro, why so serious? When did I say I was going to use that as an excuse? Relax. I know what I'm doing. ^_^]

With money so tight, Ye Ming wasted no time. The moment he had chosen his target, he hurried off.

...

Rongxin's Boss Hu had started out as a construction foreman. He wasn't particularly educated, but he was a shrewd operator, and his company had done better and better in recent years. What pleased him most, however, was landing a contract with Qin Group this year. If he did a good job and built a solid relationship with them, would he ever need to worry about making money again?

Boss Hu had foresight. He wasn't just interested in this one payday; he wanted to use the opportunity to get aboard Qin Group's ship. He had therefore poured everything he had into this contract. He would rather earn less than deliver substandard work.

But that was beside the point. Today, Boss Hu was conducting interviews. The young woman who handled the company's accounts had taken maternity leave, so they needed to hire someone else.

The company was small and the salary wasn't especially high. So far, none of the applicants had met his standards. He had fallen into the predicament familiar to most small-business owners: the people he wanted didn't want to work for him, and he didn't want the people who did. Still... today's applicant had a rather impressive résumé.

Not only had he graduated from a prestigious university, he had also worked at Qin Group's headquarters and had only recently returned from abroad. Boss Hu was surprised someone like that would apply for a lowly accounting position at his company. He was curious.

Dressed in a clean white shirt and black slacks, Ye Ming knocked politely before opening the door.

Boss Hu smiled affably over his beer belly. "Fang Xiao, right? Please, sit."

Ye Ming nodded and sat down, his back straight, his manner neither servile nor overbearing. Though thin and plainly dressed, he had a distinction about him that was impossible to conceal. A faint, confident smile rested on his delicate, handsome face.

Appreciation showed in Boss Hu's eyes. He got straight to the point. "I've read your résumé. Could you tell me why you chose our company?"

"I just returned to the country and urgently need a job," Ye Ming said with a smile. "I think your company would be a very good fit for me."

Boss Hu studied him. "That's all?"

Ye Ming paused, then added, "Yes. Although I would be very grateful if you were willing to advance me three months' salary."

At that, Boss Hu smiled. All his doubts vanished.

Ye Ming must genuinely be short of money; that was why he was willing to interview here. Compared with a large corporation's rigid rules and cumbersome procedures, a small company like his, hungry for talent, was naturally more flexible and open to negotiation.

Boss Hu didn't care why Ye Ming needed money. After asking him a few more questions, he was thoroughly satisfied and hired him. Not only did he waive the probationary period, he also readily approved the salary advance. As Ye Ming was leaving, he patted his shoulder with a smile. "Do a good job. I hope you'll like it here."

Ye Ming looked grateful. "Thank you. I think I'll like it very much."

Having agreed to start the next day, Ye Ming took his freshly paid salary and happily treated himself to a seafood feast.

[888: This is why you wanted your salary in advance?]

[Ye Ming: Yes. Isn't eating important enough? I really am short of money! silently_crying.gif]

[888: indifferent.jpg]

And so Ye Ming began his working life.

He was capable, modest, and polite, not to mention good-looking. Everyone in the company, young and old, men and women alike, took to him. Though he hadn't been there long, he quickly fit in.

With his salary advance in hand, Ye Ming naturally stopped depriving himself. He ate and drank well at every meal and lived quite comfortably. Only after more than a month had passed did he begin considering how to engineer a chance encounter with Qin Yi.

There were at least two options. First, he could go to the construction site. Qin Yi had always been meticulous and conscientious, and reportedly visited in person at regular intervals to check progress. But as a mere accountant, Ye Ming had little reason to be there. It would be inconvenient, not to mention a little too deliberate. Second, he could wait for Qin Yi to deliver himself to his doorstep. Ye Ming knew Boss Hu was desperate to establish closer ties with Qin Yi, so there was a reasonable chance he would invite him over on business.

Ye Ming watched and waited. Arranging an encounter would be easy enough, but he wanted the best possible moment. They needed to meet, yet Qin Yi also needed to believe Ye Ming didn't want to see him—that he was even avoiding him. This was called playing hard to get.

One day, while Ye Ming was working as usual, 888 suddenly alerted him: Qin Yi was here!

Ye Ming immediately put down his work and stood, smiling at the colleague beside him. "I'm going to the restroom."

[Ye Ming: It's been decades since I last saw him! I'm a little nervous and excited. >_<]

[888: Really?]

[Ye Ming: Truer than pure gold!]

[888: Ha. Ha.]

Timing it perfectly, Ye Ming rounded the corner, looked up, and immediately spotted the man walking toward him.

Qin Yi's appearance hadn't changed much. If anything was different, it was his bearing. Beneath his handsome, sharply defined brows, his dark eyes held less sunshine and more reserve. His thin lips were pressed together, and the line of his jaw seemed colder and harder than before. He wore a dark suit, his figure tall and straight. The instant he turned his head, his gaze was piercing.

Ye Ming stared, apparently stunned. Only when Qin Yi looked his way did he abruptly recover. He hastily backed up a few steps and ducked into the restroom, as though terrified Qin Yi might notice him.

Ye Ming had appeared and vanished in the blink of an eye. Boss Hu, following behind Qin Yi, hadn't noticed a thing. Qin Yi, however, stopped dead.

Boss Hu looked at him in confusion. "Mr. Qin? What is it?"

Qin Yi stared at the corner. There was no one there now, as if that brief glimpse had been an illusion.

But he knew it wasn't.

After a moment, he turned back, his voice carrying a barely perceptible chill. "I think I saw someone I know."

Boss Hu was even more puzzled. "Someone you know?"

Qin Yi's eyes darkened. Recalling that fleeting glimpse, he slowly clenched the hand at his side.

He had only happened to be passing today and had come in because of Boss Hu's enthusiastic invitation. He knew Boss Hu was eager to do more business with him, but he had never imagined... that he would see Fang Xiao here.

In a place he had never expected, at a time he had never anticipated, he had met that person again.

Like a pebble suddenly striking the cold, deathly still surface of a lake.

Three years had passed. Countless times, waking from dreams in the dead of night, he had imagined how he would take revenge if that person ever dared appear before him again—how he would make him learn the meaning of regret. But as time passed mercilessly by, he had been forced to admit that perhaps this person would never return. That bone-deep hatred, with nowhere to go, had slowly become a bitter refusal to accept it.

And just when he had thought they would never meet again... this person had appeared so casually.

Step by step, Qin Yi walked forward until he stood before the closed door.

One gentle push, and he could see him again...

This was the closest they had been in three years. An icy smile curved Qin Yi's lips, but he did not reach out to remove the door between them. He had hated him for three full years. That hatred had fermented in his heart, taken root, and sprouted... yet it had made him calmer instead, no longer impulsive.

Boss Hu hurried after him. Seeing Qin Yi stop outside the restroom, he gave an awkward laugh. "Did you need to—"

Use the restroom...?

Before he could finish, Qin Yi abruptly cut him off. Smiling naturally, he said, "It's nothing. Let's continue. I'd like to hear more about the project you mentioned."

Boss Hu was delighted. Qin Yi had been cool and distant earlier, showing no interest in his proposal. He didn't know why his attitude had suddenly changed, but he wasn't going to let such a good opportunity slip away. He immediately launched into an eloquent pitch.

Qin Yi listened as he strolled on, not even glancing back.

I know you're in there. I'll let you think I didn't notice you. But this time, you'll have nowhere to run. I'll teach you what it feels like to fall from heaven into hell, from hope into despair.

Everything you did to me back then, I'll repay little by little—with interest.

Boss Hu had never dreamed today would yield such a windfall. He had only hoped Qin Yi would learn a little more about his company and remember it, making future contact easier. Instead, Qin Yi seemed genuinely interested. He even praised their work and explicitly stated that he would be willing to continue working with them.

By the end, Boss Hu was practically walking on air. He fawned over Qin Yi as he escorted him to the door, warmly inviting him to dinner, but Qin Yi declined.

Boss Hu was a little disappointed, though not surprised. Someone of his standing hardly had the clout to invite Qin Yi to dinner. Besides, he had already gained more than enough today.

He eagerly opened the car door for him. Just as Qin Yi was about to get in, he seemed to remember something and looked back. "By the way, I saw someone at your company today who looked very much like an old friend of mine."

Boss Hu had always been perceptive. Noticing the nostalgic look in Qin Yi's eyes, he asked carefully, "Really? What a coincidence. What's your friend's name?"

Qin Yi's voice was low and measured. "Fang Xiao. He used to be my best friend. Unfortunately, we had a disagreement back then, and he's refused to see me ever since... I looked for him for a long time, but I never found him."

Boss Hu's heart suddenly beat faster.

He immediately realized this was a perfect opportunity to win Qin Yi's favor.

...

Ye Ming stayed in the restroom for a while. Once he was certain Qin Yi was far away, he sauntered back to his office.

[888, sounding puzzled: He didn't see you?]

[Ye Ming: No, I'm one hundred percent certain he did.]

[888: He saw you and didn't come straight in to beat you to death?]

[Ye Ming: ...]

[Ye Ming: Do you have to talk to me like that? heartbroken.jpg]

[888: Mm.]

[Ye Ming: You detected his darkening score just now, right? What was it, exactly?]

[888: Darkening score: 85.]

[Ye Ming: Not low...]

Ye Ming rubbed his chin, then went back to work as though nothing had happened. The next few days passed peacefully. Qin Yi made no move. Just as 888 was finding human emotions more incomprehensible than ever, something happened.

One day, at the end of work, Boss Hu came to Ye Ming's office.

His gaze was even more fervent than before. He had thought he had merely acquired an excellent employee. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that employee had such a history with Mr. Qin. Boss Hu thought there was a very good chance that the Fang Xiao Qin Yi had mentioned was the very Fang Xiao before him. How could he let such an opportunity pass? Even if he turned out to be wrong, he had nothing to lose.

But he remembered Mr. Qin saying Fang Xiao didn't want to see him... so he certainly couldn't say it outright.

Smiling like a fox, Boss Hu slung an arm around Ye Ming's shoulders and announced to everyone, "You've all been working hard lately. Dinner's on me tonight. Order whatever you like—I'm paying!"

Everyone cheered at the offer of a free meal.

Boss Hu kept his arm around Ye Ming's shoulders with an easy familiarity that left him no room to refuse. Ye Ming smiled along. Since it was a company dinner, of course he would attend.

They poured happily out of the office and packed themselves into several cars. Leading the way, Boss Hu took them straight to one of the city's most luxurious hotels. Their spirits rose even higher, and everyone joked that the boss would be paying through the nose tonight.

[Ye Ming: I get to see my darling Qin Yi again today. How lovely.]

[888: My monitoring does show he's dining here today, but he's discussing business with other clients. You're that sure you'll see him?]

[Ye Ming: Of course. Why else would Boss Hu go to all this trouble, if not to trick me into meeting him? O(∩_∩)O~]

[888: ...]

Everyone enjoyed themselves, eating, taking pictures, and playing finger-guessing drinking games.

Then Boss Hu came over with a glass in hand and sat beside Ye Ming. In a friendly tone, he said, "An important client of ours happens to be dining here tonight, too. Xiao Fang, come with me to offer a toast."

Ye Ming seemed surprised Boss Hu wanted him along, but his boss had asked, and he could hardly refuse such a small request. He stood with his glass and smiled. "Of course."

Delighted, Boss Hu led him out.

The hotel was lavishly decorated. Thick carpeting muffled their footsteps almost completely.

Boss Hu's important client was clearly no ordinary person. He led Ye Ming up several more floors to the most luxurious private dining room on the top floor. Looking a little nervous, he reached out and knocked softly.

A moment later, a voice called from inside, "Come in."

Boss Hu opened the door and entered with a slight bow. Ye Ming followed behind him. The moment he looked up, he saw the man seated at the center of the room. His steps stopped short. He clutched his glass, seemingly frozen.

Qin Yi sat composed, his fingers interlaced before him. His sharp, dark gaze settled on Ye Ming without the slightest trace of surprise.

Boss Hu hurriedly beckoned to Ye Ming, who seemed to have gone numb with shock. "Xiao Fang, why are you still standing there? Come over."

Ye Ming gripped the glass so hard his fingers nearly turned white. He looked at Boss Hu, then at Qin Yi, as though he wanted to turn and leave. Conflict crossed his face, caught between advancing and retreating... After a long moment, he finally lowered his head and slowly walked over.

Perhaps... today was only a coincidence. Or perhaps Qin Yi had long since forgotten him and no longer cared. He couldn't let himself panic.

His thoughts were such a tangle that he noticed nothing else. Following Boss Hu's lead, he drained his glass in one swallow. He drank too quickly and immediately began to cough.

From the moment Ye Ming entered, Qin Yi's gaze had never left him.

The man before him seemed a little thinner than before, but he was as delicately handsome as ever. Now that he had drunk, a blush spread over his fair face, and a thin sheen of moisture glimmered in his eyes. It was enticing. He was still just the same... he always blushed when he drank.

Qin Yi had once loved that about Ye Ming. Loved it so much...

Now, it only hurt his eyes.

Noticing Qin Yi's expression, Boss Hu suddenly sensed something was wrong. His heart lurched. This wasn't the look of a man greeting an old friend. It was more like someone facing an enemy. He had a bad feeling, but at this point, he could only play it by ear.

After a moment, Qin Yi lifted his glass as though no one else were present. The corners of his lips rose in a mocking smile directed at Ye Ming. "Long time no see."

Ye Ming pressed his lips together slightly. He knew there was no point in avoiding him now. Since he had decided to return for this man, he had prepared himself to face whatever came.

Doing his best to keep his expression calm, he said softly, "Long time no see."

Qin Yi seemed to find the scene amusing. Picking up a bottle of imported liquor from the table, he walked over with measured steps and personally filled Ye Ming's glass. A smile both tender and cruel touched his lips. "Three years. To celebrate, you should have at least three drinks."

Ye Ming stared at the liquor in his glass, his face paling.

It was extremely strong. Even one glass would be difficult, let alone three full ones... And Qin Yi knew perfectly well that he couldn't hold his liquor.

Qin Yi watched him without blinking and smiled. "What? You won't even do me that small courtesy?"

By now, who could fail to see that Qin Yi was deliberately humiliating Ye Ming? The other guests looked ready to enjoy the show. They had no idea who this man was, but he had offended Mr. Qin. From the look of things, even if he survived, he wouldn't come out unscathed.

The back of Boss Hu's shirt was soaked with sweat. His mind raced as he recalled what Qin Yi had said before leaving that day... He must already have recognized Fang Xiao! There was bad blood between them, which was why Fang Xiao had been avoiding him. Qin Yi had therefore used Boss Hu to lure Fang Xiao out. Now he had to choose a side: Qin Yi or Fang Xiao?

The answer was so simple it required no thought at all.

A cold glint flashed through Boss Hu's eyes. All his earlier warmth vanished as he said without hesitation, "Xiao Fang, Mr. Qin is offering you a drink."

Qin Yi gave Boss Hu a fleeting glance. Though he had nothing but contempt for people like him, he had to admit the man knew how to read a room.

Boss Hu immediately gave Qin Yi a fawning smile. So Fang Xiao wasn't Qin Yi's friend. If he was an enemy instead... Boss Hu could help deal with him just the same!

Trapped, Ye Ming knew he probably wouldn't get out of this room today unless he drank.

He looked at the cruelty in Qin Yi's eyes and remembered how gentle he had once been. Bitterness filled his heart. He lifted the glass and drained it.

The liquor seared his throat, leaving his throat and chest burning with pain. He had never been much of a drinker, and the fierce sting nearly brought tears to his eyes.

But wasn't this what he had wanted? To make Qin Yi hate him... There was no need to feel hurt or sad.

That was what he told himself.

Qin Yi missed none of the emotions on Ye Ming's face. The young man before him was flushed, his eyes misty, as though he had suffered some terrible injustice. His beautifully shaped lips were pressed tightly together, yet he stubbornly refused to speak.

In the past, Qin Yi would probably already have gathered him into his arms, aching to comfort him. But now...

He only wanted to see him suffer more. Regret more.

Slowly, Qin Yi's lips curved. He filled Ye Ming's glass again and smiled. "Please."

Without hesitation, Ye Ming drained it again.

After three glasses of hard liquor, Ye Ming could barely stay on his feet. He turned to leave, but he had drunk too much, too quickly. His body couldn't take it. Suddenly, he doubled over, clutching his stomach, and vomited.

He retched for a while, his vision going black. Just then, a hand pulled him into a broad, warm embrace. Startled, he looked up to see Qin Yi take out a handkerchief and gently wipe the corner of his mouth.

Shock flickered in Ye Ming's eyes, as though he couldn't understand what Qin Yi meant. Hadn't he hated him so much just a moment ago? Why was he being so gentle now? Did he no longer hate him?

Qin Yi gazed into Ye Ming's bewildered eyes. Holding the person he had once loved most, he felt twisted hatred grow like vines within him, winding around his heart, their thorns piercing deep into his flesh.

The person in his arms was so real. This wasn't a dream; he was truly here beside him. Only upon seeing him again did Qin Yi fully understand that nothing from those days—not one of those happy or painful memories—had ever faded from his heart. Instead, with time, they had only sunk deeper into his bones.

Even if hatred was all that remained in his heart, he had still longed so desperately to see him again!

Qin Yi caught Ye Ming's chin and studied his delicate features. His thumb brushed lightly over those soft lips, naked desire showing in his eyes. With a flippant smile, he said, "Stay... How much? Name your price."

For someone like this, if he was still interested, he could simply pay.

Watching the sudden disbelief and humiliation in Ye Ming's eyes, he felt a rush of satisfaction unlike anything he had ever known.

[Ding. Qin Yi's darkening score -5. Current darkening score: 80.]