The one who called He Yu out was his college classmate from abroad.
He had gone overseas in middle school and only returned after finishing his graduate studies to take over the family business.
Back then, most of his classmates didn’t quite understand him.
They pursued freedom or personal achievements.
On the eve of his return, Du Ziwen even advised him that instead of being restricted everywhere in the family enterprise, it would be better to build his own career.
With their network and resources, starting a business was just a matter of choice.
He Yu was indifferent to all that.
As he grew older, his personality became steadier and more composed.
For him, starting his own business or taking over the family enterprise made little difference.
Besides, He Father had already stepped down from his high position due to health reasons.
Although his influence as Shen City’s second-in-command lingered, it was no longer like during his tenure, and the He Family’s power was no longer what it used to be.
Now, the He Family relied solely on the Main Branch.
But He Eldest Uncle was even older than He Father.
Two years ago, due to declining energy, he had already delegated authority to his son, He Yi.
Before He Yu returned to the country, the only capable person in the He Family was He Yi.
After He Yu came back, He Yi could finally take a breather.
That was all preamble.
Today, He Yu was meeting Du Ziwen, who had insisted before that he wouldn’t return unless he made a name for himself abroad.
But in the end, Du Ziwen came back.
On the second day after his return, Du Ziwen organized a gathering to catch up with old classmates.
Having been classmates for years, He Yu wouldn’t refuse his face.
Du Ziwen had booked a private room at a high-end club.
When He Yu arrived, he handed the car keys to the valet and went straight to the second floor.
The room was 206.
He Yu glanced at the number and pushed the door open.
Besides Du Ziwen, there were a few others in the room.
He Yu quickly scanned them; they were all acquaintances from the same social circle—it was hard not to recognize anyone.
“Ah Yu, you’re here.”
Du Ziwen pushed the woman leaning against him aside, walked up, and gave He Yu a familiar punch on the shoulder.
He Yu nodded and said, “Welcome back.”
Du Ziwen adjusted his glasses with a helpless smile.
“You’re the same as always, can’t even say ‘long time no see.'”
He Yu shook his head and replied, “I told you before, you’d come back sooner or later.”
Du Ziwen was momentarily speechless.
He poured a glass of wine and placed it in front of He Yu.
“If you’re here to laugh at me, then drink first.”
He Yu raised the glass and clinked it with his.
The sharp liquor went down his throat, but his expression didn’t change at all.
He put down the glass and asked, “What are your plans now that you’re back?”
Du Ziwen took off his glasses.
His sharp gaze became somewhat scattered.
He pinched his brow and complained, “What plans could I have? Once I returned, I had no choice.”
The Du Family had considerable businesses in Shen City, and since Du Ziwen was the only son, returning meant inheriting the family business.
He Yu had never understood Du Ziwen’s resistance to this.
To him, since the family had invested in one’s upbringing, returning after education to repay the family was a responsibility.
If the family needed it, one should shoulder that duty.
“You’ve played around for a few years. Time to settle down.”
He Yu poured himself another glass and clinked it with Du Ziwen’s, his gaze quietly sweeping across the lavish private room.
“If you need help, just say the word.”
Du Ziwen knew what He Yu was thinking just by the look in his eyes.
Everyone in this room belonged to families that knew how to have fun, but none of them were capable of doing anything serious.
Now that he had just returned, that part might not even give him face.
They might even look for He Yu to connect the dots.
“I know,” Du Ziwen smiled.
“If I need help, I won’t treat you as an outsider.”
He Yu nodded and checked his phone—it was already past eight.
Du Ziwen noticed and asked, “Got something to do?”
He Yu nodded, “Yes. You keep enjoying yourself. I’m heading out now.”
Du Ziwen put on his glasses.
The colorful lights in the room masked his eyes.
He joked, “In such a hurry to leave? Is a beauty waiting for you?”
He Yu thought of the “beauty” at home, who was probably still sulking, and couldn’t help but smile—rarely did he show this kind of expression.
“Yeah.”
Du Ziwen raised his glass weakly toward him.
“A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold. I won’t keep you then. Keep in touch.”
He Yu nodded, grabbed his coat, and headed out.
After He Yu left, the small corner where Du Ziwen was became lively again.
The woman who had been pushed aside earlier pressed her body against him again, asking coquettishly, “Du, who was that just now? He looked kind of scary.”
Du Ziwen pinched her chin with long fingers, fed her a sip of wine, and said softly, “A friend.”
The woman was about to say more but was cut off by Du Ziwen.
With a slight smile, he said, “Drink. He’s not someone you should ask about.”
***
After leaving the club, He Yu went straight home.
Orange Bao had been in low spirits the past few days, and He Yu was somewhat worried.
After Xie Xiaobao finished calling his big brother, he relaxed like a prisoner suddenly acquitted.
The entire cat stretched out on the sofa, grinning dumbly, his tail wagging happily.
He Yu reached the door and before he could open it, Xie Xiaobao heard the sound and joyfully jumped down, running to the entrance to wait.
When He Yu pushed the door open, he saw a small golden ball sitting obediently at the door.
“Waiting for me?” He Yu bent down and picked him up, feeling a warm and soft emotion flow through him.
Xie Xiaobao meowed and rubbed his cheek against He Yu’s chest, his tail swishing happily.
He Yu kissed the top of his head and carried him upstairs. “Feeling better?”
He had been in a bad mood before going out.
How did a simple trip turn him so suddenly cheerful?
He Yu recalled the doctor’s words, “Everyone has their bad days,” and looked at the clearly happy cat, murmuring to himself, “Are cats emotional animals too?”
Xie Xiaobao was in an excellent mood, especially since big brother was coming to pick him up tomorrow.
He wanted to run around a few laps but seeing He Yu who had taken care of him for days, he still felt thankful.
Squinting his eyes, he rubbed against He Yu’s arm and gave a glance, silently saying thanks.
He Yu thought he was being spoiled and wanting to be tickled, so he put him on his lap and scratched his chin and belly.
Xie Xiaobao kicked his legs and looked up at him strangely: “Not in the mood for tickles right now.”
But He Yu didn’t understand what he meant.
He stroked his head and gently scratched along the neck.
Xie Xiaobao purred comfortably.
Fine, it was comfortable anyway.
***
Xie Yan arrived at 10 a.m.
Xie Xiaobao woke up early, too excited to stay still, jumping on the bed and occasionally rolling around, waking He Yu as well.
Since neither of them could sleep, they went downstairs for a few laps of exercise, then made breakfast.
After eating and tidying up, it was almost 10 a.m.
Xie Xiaobao glanced at the time—big brother should be here soon.
Sure enough, the doorbell rang punctually.
Xie Xiaobao dashed downstairs, grinning widely and waiting at the door for He Yu to open it.
He Yu ruffled his fur with some helplessness.
“Why get so happy just from the doorbell?”
Xie Xiaobao looked up at him and meowed.
He Yu opened the door and saw Xie Yan outside.
Both of them wore the same expressionless look.
“May I ask who you’re looking for?”
“Hello, I’m here to pick up Orange Bao.”
They both paused.
He Yu asked first, “Pick up Orange Bao? You’re Xiaobao’s…?”
“I’m Xie Xiaobao’s big brother,” Xie Yan glanced at the cat inside and raised his brow.
“Orange Bao, come here.”
Xie Xiaobao happily meowed and ran to Xie Yan’s leg, climbing up to his shoulder in a flash.
“There’s been some trouble at home. Xiaobao can’t come over. He worries the cat might be too much trouble here, so he asked me to pick him up.”
He Yu’s expression didn’t change.
Looking at the happy cat on Xie Yan’s shoulder, he said, “Not a problem at all.”
Xie Yan nodded, “Then I’ll take him back first. Sorry for the disturbance during this time. When things settle down at home, Xiaobao will thank you personally.”
He Yu’s gaze flickered as he glanced at Xie Xiaobao.
“It was nothing.”
Neither were talkative, so after a few polite words, Xie Yan took Xie Xiaobao and left.
He Yu closed the door and thought of how excited Orange Bao had been seeing Xie Yan, rubbing his forehead.
He muttered quietly, “Little white-eyed wolf.”