TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 40

Hearing Zhuang Yanyu’s words, Wen Chenxi’s body froze on the spot.

Not just stiff—he felt like his entire self had left his body, his body was his body, and his soul was somewhere else.

He was going to… help him?

His body, triggered by that boy’s words, was eager and ready to act.

But his soul was insisting on reason, struggling to bring back his rational mind.

Because rationally, he knew that the feeling behind Zhuang Yanyu’s idea of “helping” and his own willingness to “help” were not the same.

One came from love, the other more from brotherly affection.

The only thing that made Wen Chenxi somewhat happy was that Zhuang Yanyu didn’t dislike the idea and quickly accepted it—even willing to help him in return.

This gave him, who usually felt very straight-laced, a slight curve—a little hope.

Seeing that his brother didn’t refuse, Zhuang Yanyu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Not refusing was basically consenting.

Humans sometimes behave like this, don’t they?

Often, they use phrases like “reluctantly accepting,” “half-pushing, half-yielding,” or even “tacit approval” to express that they are actually willing, but maybe need a graceful way out, or they want an unspoken understanding.

The Chinese language is truly amazing!

Zhuang Yanyu suddenly imitated how Wen Chenxi had grabbed his hand before—first grabbing his hand, then glancing at Wen Chenxi’s reaction.

Wen Chenxi realized he really couldn’t say no.

Especially since this was someone he had cared about for a long time.

He struggled internally for a moment, then finally let his reason give in and responded, “…Mm.”

Hearing that, Zhuang Yanyu got excited and was ready to start.

Wen Chenxi added, “But—”

Zhuang Yanyu looked up at him expectantly: “But?”

Why was there a condition now?

Wen Chenxi looked at the way Zhuang Yanyu was rubbing his hands and cleared his throat: “…Don’t use both hands.”

Otherwise, it would really look…

He closed his eyes, not daring to look at how Zhuang Yanyu was rubbing his hands.

Zhuang Yanyu said, “Oh.”

He looked at both his hands: “Then which hand should I use to help you?”

He chose his stronger right hand for the task.

He showed Wen Chenxi his right hand: “Then I’ll pick this one?”

Wen Chenxi: “…”

Maybe he really should just tell Yuyu not to talk so much.

Why is it that when things are so ambiguous and intoxicating, the moment he speaks, he suddenly feels calm without needing a cold shower?

But that calm only lasted a moment; afterward, it was impossible to stay calm.

Zhuang Yanyu didn’t know why, but he felt a bit excited.

It seemed like being able to help Ah Xi was something that made him genuinely happy and thrilled.

He could clearly tell that his current state was different from before.

When he used to be happy, his heart wouldn’t race so fast, nor would his blood flow so quickly.

He even calculated that his heart rate at that moment had reached 155 beats per minute—something only achieved during exercise.

Just as his mind drifted, he forced himself to pull back.

He was helping Ah Xi now; how could he think of anything else?

He needed to concentrate.

But Wen Chenxi turned off the light; he didn’t want Zhuang Yanyu to see his gaze.

Wen Chenxi didn’t need a mirror to know how much his eyes looked like a hungry wolf stalking prey right now.

But to Zhuang Yanyu, it didn’t matter that the lights were off. Even if he couldn’t see, what difference did it make?

After all, men feel the same whether the lights are on or off.

Besides, just by touch, he could accurately estimate size and length.

He felt a little jealous…

He himself had a pretty standard body type.

Could it be because Ah Xi was just exceptionally gifted?

Around 1 a.m.,

Zhuang Yanyu stayed up late again.

He thought this wasn’t good; staying up late often wasn’t a healthy habit. He felt he should persuade Ah Xi to sleep and wake early together from now on.

So, when Wen Chenxi came out of the bathroom, Zhuang Yanyu seriously said to him, “I think next time we should go to bed earlier. Eat at 6:30, finish eating by 6:50, wash dishes for five minutes, and go downstairs promptly at 7 for a half-hour walk to help digestion.”

Wen Chenxi naturally agreed to everything. He even seemed like he wanted to pluck the stars from the sky for him, so whatever Zhuang Yanyu said was final.

Wen Chenxi said, “Alright, we’ll listen to Xiao Yu.”

Zhuang Yanyu continued, “I’ve already shortened my study time by half an hour, and I can reduce the time spent summarizing my notes too. So by 8:30 in the evening, I can finish all my planned tasks.”

He now had some experience and was no longer the chip that had to learn how to be human by observing various kinds of people every day, so the study time could be greatly shortened.

After some calculations, Zhuang Yanyu concluded, “Let’s go to bed at 8:50 every day from now on.”

8:50…

Wen Chenxi was amused and bewildered—do young people these days really go to bed before 9 PM?

Wen Chenxi said, “Alright, if there’s no overtime.”

Satisfied, Zhuang Yanyu waited for Wen Chenxi to get into bed, then directly lay into his arms, found a comfortable position, and closed his eyes.

So nice, he thought.

He really felt that Wen Chenxi was different from Ji Zhiyuan and Li Xi.

Although his father said he also treated those two as brothers, those two definitely wouldn’t cooperate with him like this—they’d interrupt him when he was talking and sometimes wouldn’t even listen till the end.

Only Wen Chenxi always listened attentively.

So Zhuang Yanyu realized he tended to be a bit more talkative with his good brother than with others…

Wen Chenxi rested his chin on Zhuang Yanyu’s head and took a deep breath; his nose caught the pleasant scent on the other.

“Just now…” Wen Chenxi’s voice was still a bit hoarse, “Thank you, Xiao Yu.”

“You don’t have to thank me, you helped me too,” Zhuang Yanyu said seriously.

Speaking of which, Zhuang Yanyu had something to say. Like discussing an academic topic, he spoke seriously, “Wen Chenxi, I think your time was a bit long.”

Wen Chenxi was silent.

Zhuang Yanyu had been timing him: ten minutes was the last time.

According to scientific research, three to seven minutes is an acceptable normal range; the ideal time is seven to fifteen minutes.

So he was within the normal range.

And his brother was much better than that.

“However, if it’s too long, it’s actually a kind of illness called…”

Wen Chenxi covered his mouth helplessly and said, “Can we not talk about this?”

If they continued, he’d get annoyed again.

Zhuang Yanyu blinked twice and obediently said, “Oh, then what should we talk about?”

“Sleep,” Wen Chenxi replied.

He showed Zhuang Yanyu the time: 1:13 AM.

Sure enough, Zhuang Yanyu was very sensitive to time—staying up this late was the biggest challenge to his health routine!

After hearing the time, Zhuang Yanyu immediately closed his eyes. Without Wen Chenxi having to cover his eyes, he quickly adjusted to a pre-sleep state.

In less than five minutes, he fell asleep.

Seeing how quickly he fell asleep, Wen Chenxi was full of helplessness.

But… it was progress, right?

–

A few days later, the police gave both Zhuang Yanyu and the technician Liao a commendation and a 5,000-yuan bonus each to reward them for assisting in the investigation.

The technician Liao then learned that Zhuang Yanyu had indeed been an online repairman before—but not an ordinary one. Those in technical services privately called him a “Sweeping Monk.”

Now he was in the engineering department and had even won a double talent incentive award.

Knowing Zhuang Yanyu’s real identity, Technician Liao felt even more frustrated.

When taking pictures with Officer Zhang and others, Officer Zhang nudged Technician Liao and said, “Comrade Liao, smile!”

But Liao couldn’t smile; not only was he no match for the repairman, he wasn’t even as good as someone in construction engineering…

Zhuang Yanyu… why was he so unfocused?

After the photoshoot, Zhuang Yanyu sent the pictures to Wen Chenxi first.

Holding the bonus money, for some reason, he felt a strange sense of pride, as if this was a really big deal.

He not only sent it to Wen Chenxi but also to Old Zhuang and even posted it to his social circle.

Old Zhuang of course showered him with praise.

Meanwhile, Wen Chenxi looked at the photo of Zhuang Yanyu with the police, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He asked Assistant Lin, “What do you think?”

Lin Lin had already developed a conditioned reflex at the name “Zhuang Yanyu” and immediately said, “Mr. Zhuang is not only excellent but also kind. I wouldn’t say he’s unique in heaven and earth, but he’s definitely one in a million.”

Wen Chenxi snorted lightly, “The police have given them rewards; shouldn’t the company encourage such positive energy too?”

Assistant Lin immediately understood, “Got it.”

A few minutes later, the photo and the police’s letter of thanks were posted on the official and internal websites of AzureTech.

First came a slew of praise about how excellent, hardworking, and talented the two employees were; then praise for their courage and determination assisting the police against corruption; finally, to show appreciation and set an example for other employees, the company awarded the two a generous bonus.

Of course, the faces in the photo were pixelated since Wen Chenxi didn’t want Zhuang Yanyu to be targeted or retaliated against.

Both company employees and website commenters said how great the atmosphere was at AzureTech and how positive it was, which also subtly pushed the stock price up a bit.

Knowing this, Wen Chenxi smiled and said, “Have you noticed?”

Assistant Lin: “Noticed what?”

Wen Chenxi: “Since Xiao Yu came, our company keeps getting unexpected gains.”

These gains caused the company’s profits this quarter to exceed previous quarters by several times.

Wen Chenxi felt that Xiao Yu was like a lucky koi fish sent from heaven, continuously bringing him surprises.

At this moment,

Zhuang Yanyu—the lucky koi fish in Wen Chenxi’s eyes—was looking at his social media feed, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth that even he hadn’t noticed.

Because everyone he knew had commented on it, all praising him.

Especially his dad and Manager Xu, both leaving long messages full of praise, saying he was unparalleled in the world.

Zhuang Yanyu felt a bit embarrassed; humans really tend to get cheesy sometimes…

After refreshing, Zhou Quan, who had just liked and commented on his post, sent him a message.

【Zhou Quan: Waaah, Brother Zhuang, I really haven’t seen you in so long, I miss you so much.】

【Zhou Quan: Ever since you went to the engineering department, we’ve barely seen each other! Have you forgotten about me?】

【Zhuang Yanyu: Oh.】

【Zhou Quan: Poor JPG】

Zhuang Yanyu thought for a moment and replied: 【I haven’t completely forgotten you.】

【Zhou Quan: Surprise JPG】

【Zhou Quan: Really!?】

【Zhuang Yanyu: Whenever Qin Yiyuan stares blankly, I think of you.】

【Zhou Quan: Huh? Why would you think of me then?】

【Zhuang Yanyu: You two are both kinda spacey.】

【Zhou Quan: …】

【Zhou Quan: That really hurts, Brother Zhuang.】

Zhuang Yanyu was being honest.

He now worked with Qin Yiyuan in smart building engineering and saw him every day.

But maybe because Qin Yiyuan knew Wen Chenxi was his good brother, he would greet Qin but not chit-chat.

Still, Zhuang Yanyu noticed Qin sometimes stared blankly at him.

It was frustrating.

He worried about the salary his brother paid Qin Yiyuan—whether Qin could deliver work equivalent to that pay.

Otherwise, it would be a loss!

【Zhou Quan: But Brother Zhuang, after a month of deep thought, I’ve made a decision.】

【Zhuang Yanyu: ?】

【Zhou Quan: You’ll know tomorrow, hehe.】

The next day at work, Zhuang Yanyu saw Manager Xu bringing Zhou Quan to him.

Zhou Quan looked nervous and embarrassed.

Zhuang Yanyu was confused: “I don’t need anyone seconded today.”

Zhou Quan hurriedly said, “No, Brother Zhuang, I… I applied for a transfer…”

Zhuang Yanyu was even more puzzled.

Manager Xu explained: “Xiao Zhuang, didn’t I say I’d assign you an assistant? You’ve got your own projects now. Several large international ports in the country are consulting us on the system you developed. If everything goes well with the H city project, ports nationwide might want improvements. As the system lead, you can’t manage without an assistant. I just mentioned it to HR…”

Manager Xu glanced at Zhou Quan, implying it was Zhou who applied for the transfer.

Zhuang Yanyu frowned and asked Zhou Quan, “Are you sure? The assistant’s salary is lower than what you had.”

Although technical support involves service, they all carry a technical support title and are semi-technicians at least.

Especially since the service center employees had a recent raise.

Zhou Quan was transferring to engineering assistant, where the pay gap compared to a technician was significant.

Zhuang Yanyu remembered Zhou said he wanted to save for a house; was he sure about this pay cut?

Zhuang Yanyu reminded him, “According to labor law, the company can’t arbitrarily transfer or reduce pay without employee consent. But if it’s your choice…”

“I know, I know,” Zhou Quan said hurriedly. He obviously understood that if he took the assistant role, the company could adjust his salary accordingly.

He couldn’t do assistant work and still take technician pay—that wouldn’t make sense!

“I just…” Zhou Quan said seriously, “I feel that following you, Brother Zhuang, I can learn a lot more. After working on a few projects with you, I realize you know so much. When I go back to tech support, I feel like a robot.”

Zhuang Yanyu paused, “A robot?”

Zhou Quan said, “Yeah. A robot doing the same things day after day. Every day facing the same customer issues: lag problems, server login failures, app download issues, installing manuals, helping engineering with tests, collecting data… I’ve been doing this for three years straight.”

At first, Zhou Quan had just been going through the motions, but since Zhuang Yanyu arrived, he felt he didn’t want to settle anymore.

So even if he had to start as an assistant, as long as he could change his status and learn more, starting from assistant was okay.

Zhuang Yanyu murmured, “Doing the same thing day after day like a robot.”

He quietly looked at Zhou Quan several times.

Zhou Quan nervously asked, “Is that okay, Brother Zhuang?”

Since he would be Zhuang Yanyu’s assistant, he needed his approval.

Manager Xu actually wasn’t too keen on this. He brought Zhou Quan over hoping Zhuang Yanyu would persuade him: “Xiao Zhou, A city isn’t cheap—housing prices especially. Starting as an assistant might waste a few years while prices climb. Plus, if you want to learn, you could do night shifts or weekend training in tech support. You get paid and improve yourself. Learning in engineering might not be as beneficial…”

“I’ll teach him until he knows how.”

Manager Xu was momentarily stunned and looked toward Zhuang Yanyu, who had spoken.

Zhuang Yanyu said seriously to Zhou Quan, “Just follow me. Whatever you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”

Zhou Quan immediately jumped up happily. The nearly 1.9-meter tall man was excited like a child: “Thanks, Brother Zhuang! I’ll study hard! Don’t worry! If you think I’m slow, just scold me!”

Manager Xu saw that Zhuang Yanyu was so committed and helplessly waved his hand: “Alright, you young people know what you want. Xiao Zhou, go get yourself ready now.”

“Okay!”

When Zhuang Yanyu said he would teach Zhou Quan, he really meant it.

No matter what program he was working on, he would take the time to explain it to Zhou Quan. This was no trouble for him.

Zhou Quan was also serious. After finishing his own work, he would carefully think over what Zhuang Yanyu said during the day. If something was unclear, he would call Zhuang Yanyu to confirm.

From that day on, Wen Chenxi noticed that after work, Zhuang Yanyu’s phone calls increased.

Not only that, but he frequently messaged people on his phone.

Previously, the person Zhuang Yanyu contacted most was Wen Chenxi himself; now it had become others.

After another almost ten-minute phone call from Zhuang Yanyu, Wen Chenxi finally asked, “Xiao Yu, was that your friend calling you just now?”

Zhuang Yanyu said, “A colleague named Zhou Quan. He’s my assistant now.”

Wen Chenxi didn’t know about such minor employee transfers but still remembered Zhou Quan.

Wen Chenxi asked, “Wasn’t he in technical support? How did he become your assistant?”

Zhuang Yanyu briefly explained Zhou Quan’s transfer process.

Wen Chenxi didn’t ask further, just responded with a hum.

Before going to sleep that night, Wen Chenxi suddenly asked, “Is Zhou Quan married?”

Zhuang Yanyu didn’t actually know but analyzed Zhou Quan’s life patterns and his previous words, concluding, “No, he’s not married.”

Wen Chenxi said, “Hmm.”

The man fell silent again.

Zhuang Yanyu closed his eyes, ready to sleep.

Two minutes later, just as he was about to fall asleep, Wen Chenxi suddenly spoke again: “Xiao Yu treats him very well.”

Zhuang Yanyu opened his eyes again, looking at Wen Chenxi with confusion.

Wen Chenxi touched his hair, feeling the soft strands slip through his fingers, and said softly, “You patiently talk to him, teach him so much. I’ve never seen you teach anyone like that.”

Wen Chenxi slowly lowered his head, meeting Zhuang Yanyu’s eyes, and said earnestly, “So I think Xiao Yu is very good to him.”

Wen Chenxi always took off his glasses before sleeping. At such a close distance, Zhuang Yanyu could clearly see his own reflection in Wen Chenxi’s eyes.

It was a strange feeling, as if in his world, only Zhuang Yanyu existed.

Zhuang Yanyu carefully analyzed what Wen Chenxi said and came to one conclusion.

Is Ah Xi afraid that if he and Zhou Quan get too close, he won’t be close to him anymore?

Just like how he once hoped to replace Ji Zhiyuan and Li Xi in Wen Chenxi’s heart.

Zhuang Yanyu explained, “I teach him because I think he’s very much like me.”

Wen Chenxi frowned, “Very much like you?”

Zhuang Yanyu recalled what Zhou Quan said: not wanting to do the same thing day after day like a robot.

That was the same reason he and his dad chose to be human—no desire to live the same “overpowered hero” story repeatedly.

That sentence struck a chord with Zhuang Yanyu.

If he wants to change, why not help him?

When he wanted to change, Old Zhuang was helping him too.

Zhuang Yanyu’s gaze seemed to deepen, as if recalling something long ago.

“Just like when my dad taught me.”

Wen Chenxi listened silently. At that moment, he strangely felt that this Zhuang Yanyu was very far from him—so far that if he wasn’t careful, the person might disappear at any moment.

Wen Chenxi instinctively hugged him tighter, afraid he would vanish in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps it was the first time he hugged him so tightly. Zhuang Yanyu struggled a little but didn’t break free, his head pressed against Wen Chenxi’s chest, and he muttered, “Ah Xi, I can’t breathe.”

Wen Chenxi snapped out of it and loosened his grip, whispering, “Sorry, I was…”

He lowered his voice, softly saying, “I’m afraid you’ll get too close to him and become his good brother.”

“I won’t. There’s only you.”

“Only me?”

“Yes,” Zhuang Yanyu said without hesitation, “Except for Dad, no one compares to you.”

Wen Chenxi relaxed slightly but was too shy to say he just thought Zhuang Yanyu was like a lucky koi who might slip away anytime.

Zhuang Yanyu looked into Wen Chenxi’s eyes again and seriously explained, “If I’m honest, I treat Zhou Quan like Dad treats me.”

Wen Chenxi: “Like Old Zhuang treats you?”

Zhuang Yanyu: “Yes.”

Wen Chenxi: “So… you treat him like a son?”

Zhuang Yanyu: “Hmm.”

That didn’t seem much different.

Wen Chenxi was silent for two seconds, then suddenly asked, “How old is this Zhou Quan?”

Zhuang Yanyu said, “26.”

Wen Chenxi: “…”

Seeing Wen Chenxi’s strange expression, Zhuang Yanyu asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wen Chenxi didn’t know how to respond.

You’re a 23-year-old guy, and you’re treating someone older than you like a son…

“It’s nothing,” Wen Chenxi said softly. “As long as Yuyu is happy.”

Zhuang Yanyu asked him seriously, “Would you still mind?”

Wen Chenxi: “Do you know why I mind?”

Zhuang Yanyu didn’t hesitate: “I know. I only want you to be my one and only good brother!”

Wen Chenxi sighed and poked his dimple. “Alright, just you then.”

Zhuang Yanyu laughed.

His smile was really nice—those shallow dimples looked like melting ice cream, sweet enough to warm people’s hearts.

When his eyes curved slightly, they looked like crescent moons; the light in his eyes was as pure as moonlight, twinkling like stars.

Seeing him so happy, Wen Chenxi smiled too.

Suddenly, Wen Chenxi remembered something about his younger brother.

Taking advantage of Zhuang Yanyu’s good mood, he thought for two seconds and said, “By the way, Yuyu, last time you seemed to have deleted my brother A-cheng too? He asked me just a few days ago when he could add you. Don’t worry, his character is fine. We’ve been close since we were kids, so I know him well.”

Wen Chenxi actually believed Zhou Qingcheng’s explanation—that it must have been something that upset Zhuang Yanyu, and when he deleted him, he deleted Zhou Qingcheng along with him.

Since Zhuang Yanyu no longer seemed angry, Wen Chenxi hoped he could have one more friend.

And at least this friend was someone close to him, someone he trusted, so he wouldn’t worry about Zhuang Yanyu getting tricked.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the person who had been smiling just moments ago suddenly looked terrified as he stared at him.

Wen Chenxi was stunned. “Xiao Yu?”

Zhuang Yanyu’s voice trembled, “W-What did you just say…?”

Wen Chenxi: “I meant my brother A-cheng, Zhou Qingcheng—you remember him? He…”

Before he finished, Zhuang Yanyu curled up, pulling the air conditioner blanket all around himself, then slowly edged toward the side of the bed.

Wen Chenxi: “?”

After completely moving to the edge of the bed, Zhuang Yanyu hugged the blanket with one arm and a pillow with the other, whispering, “…I’ll go sleep in the spare room…”

Then it was like wheels were on his feet—he dashed out of the master bedroom like the wind.

Wen Chenxi: “………??”

Thinking back on Zhuang Yanyu’s reaction, Wen Chenxi finally realized—

Yuyu might really not want to add him, maybe even a little scared?

He carefully reviewed the whole process—from the start when Zhuang Yanyu refused to add Zhou Qingcheng as a friend, to later deleting him.

He had thought his brother was dragged into this because of him.

But from start to finish, Zhuang Yanyu simply didn’t want to add Zhou Qingcheng at all!

Looking at the empty master bed with the blanket and pillow gone, Wen Chenxi suddenly had a headache.

What’s going on? Why is Yuyu afraid of Acheng?

The two had no intersections in their lives at all.

Unable to figure it out, he decided to go retrieve him.

Wen Chenxi even suddenly thought the pillow was pretty cute.

At least where the pillow was, Yuyu was there too.

He immediately got out of bed and went to the spare room next door.

The door was locked from inside. Wen Chenxi stood outside and knocked, “Xiao Yu? Yuyu?”

No response.

He patiently knocked again, “Xiao Yu, can you open the door?”

Maybe his voice sounded pitiful, because the locked door finally opened just a crack, and Zhuang Yanyu’s head cautiously peeked out.

Wen Chenxi apologized, “Sorry, Yuyu. Actually, I said something wrong earlier. I’m really not close to Zhou Qingcheng at all.”

Zhuang Yanyu looked at him suspiciously.

Wen Chenxi was very serious: “Really. See, his surname is Zhou, mine is Wen—we’re not related at all.”

After thinking for a moment, Wen Chenxi took out his phone and quickly sent Zhou Qingcheng a message:

[“Sorry, brother, we’re going on a break for a while.”]

Then he quickly deleted Zhou Qingcheng’s WeChat and blocked him.

Wen Chenxi calmly showed Zhuang Yanyu the blacklist screen. “See, I blocked him hundreds of years ago.”

He stubbornly added, “Yuyu, even for people we hate, we’re on the same wavelength, aren’t we?”

–Author’s Note:
PS—
Zhou Qingcheng: What the heck???????

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