Boyfriend Always Thinks I’m a Little Pitiful Chapter 114

Gu Yufeng returned from a business trip to Country M, landing at 4:30 PM local time, and he planned to head straight home.

"Want to join me for dinner at your grandfather's?" Caitlin, walking beside him, asked.

Gu Yufeng replied, "No, I promised Xie Ci we'd have dinner at home."

Hearing Xie Ci's name, Caitlin's expression stiffened for a moment but quickly masked it. Five years ago, her son insisted on marrying Xie Ci despite family opposition. The Desen Consortium manipulated public opinion, causing Qingfeng's stock price to fluctuate significantly. The board held several emergency meetings, fearing the impact of this marriage alliance scandal would continue to expand, further harming Qingfeng.

Desen's long-standing targeting of Qingfeng was an open secret in the circle, just lacking an opportunity to completely topple Qingfeng. In such a situation, Gu Yufeng's impulsive decision, disregarding the family's survival, naturally drew everyone's opposition.

Beyond considerations of interest, Caitlin, from a mother's standpoint, didn't want her son to joke about his marriage. Although with their status, they didn't have complete freedom in marriage, she had tried to give her son the right to choose. But in the end, he chose a man he had just met.

Caitlin's repeated attempts to dissuade him only strained their mother-son relationship to an almost irreparable point, yet Gu Yufeng stuck to his decision. Looking back now, Caitlin admitted her son had a sharper eye for people than she did.

When the public opinion was at its peak, the two of them announced a few collaborative projects, completely reversing the narrative, pulling Qingfeng's stock price back up, and silencing everyone.

Xie Ci was indeed a capable and shrewd young man, meticulous in his actions and dealings, but Caitlin didn't like him. He was too good at pretending, polite to everyone, yet he didn't truly regard anyone. Even she could see that Xie Ci had no feelings for her son, and she didn't believe her son couldn't sense it.

In the past two years, Qingfeng's development momentum had been getting better and better. The two of them, working inside and out, aggressively seized market share, causing Desen to retreat step by step. Their tacit understanding in business made even Caitlin, who had a prejudice against Xie Ci, applaud.

But privately, the two of them played their own games, not hiding it at all, completely indifferent to each other's feelings, not looking like a normal "couple" at all.

The more it was like this, the more worried Caitlin became. Not to mention the fairy-tale notion of spending a lifetime with someone you love, at least she couldn't watch her son bind himself to someone he didn't like and sink like this for the rest of his life.

Given the choice, she still hoped her son could live happily, not follow her old path.

Before getting in the car, Caitlin stopped and looked at Gu Yufeng, hesitantly speaking, "The situation is different now. If you want to be with someone you like, I won't oppose it."

Out of nowhere, Gu Yufeng looked at her puzzled, "Did you take the wrong medicine?"

"..." Caitlin held her patience, "I'm your mom. I occasionally want to care about you."

Of course, Gu Yufeng understood the meaning behind Caitlin's words. Watching the driver open the backseat door, he said indifferently, "Thank you for your concern. I'm doing well and have no plans to change anything for now."

After saying this, Gu Yufeng bent down to get into the car, watching the car door close, noticing Caitlin's gaze, filled with worry and guilt.

The family crisis was basically resolved, and now, if he wanted, he could make Desen suffer. The marriage with Xie Ci had long lost its original purpose.

Whether the marriage continued or not would no longer affect his collaboration with Xie Ci.

But he didn't want a divorce.

Perhaps from his mother's perspective, he was compromising to save the family by marrying a man. In reality, it was quite the opposite. Xie Ci was the only one who could bring him joy, whether it was teaming up to mess with the old man in business or enjoying life together, even if it was just the two of them idling at home, chatting about trivial matters.

Only by Xie Ci's side could he completely relax, temporarily relinquishing control after exhausting work, handing himself over.

Ally, friend, object of use, partner... Gu Yufeng didn't know how to define his relationship with Xie Ci, but he wanted to maintain the status quo.

His phone vibrated, and Gu Yufeng picked it up, swiping to see a new message in the chat window.

Xie Ci: [Almost there? Need me to pick you up?]

Gu Yufeng: [No need, I'm almost home.]

Xie Ci: [I've prepared hot water. You can take a bath when you get back, just in time for dinner.]

Gu Yufeng chuckled lightly. Only a fool would divorce such a considerate wife.

He arrived home a little after five. The car stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Gu Yufeng got out, walked through the familiar courtyard, entered the house, changed shoes at the entrance, took off his suit, and tossed his tie onto the sofa, heading towards the kitchen where he heard faint sounds.

A tall figure was busy at the stove, with two pots on the fire simultaneously. His movements were unhurried and orderly, adding ingredients, water, and stir-frying.

He wore loose shirts and pants, his soft, fluffy black hair not deliberately styled, adding a touch of relaxation compared to the usual cool President Xie, looking at most twenty-six or seven years old, yet with a maturity beyond his twenties.

Unintentionally turning his head slightly, the curve of his nose and jawline caught Gu Yufeng's gaze. How could someone become more charming with age?

Gu Yufeng quietly approached, but halfway there, Xie Ci suddenly turned around, and they came face to face.

"Trying to scare me again?" Xie Ci picked up a plate from the island, accustomed to Gu Yufeng's occasional childish antics.

"This is called a surprise." Caught, Gu Yufeng took a few steps closer, planting a kiss on Xie Ci's lips, his voice smiling, "President Xie personally cooking, I'm flattered."

"Didn't you say you wanted to eat my cooking?" Xie Ci, thinking of the dish in the pot, returned to the stove to turn off the heat and plate the food.

Gu Yufeng followed, recalling their conversations over the past few days. They had been too busy recently, barely in touch. Did he say that? In his sleep?

Xie Ci turned his head, seeing Gu Yufeng's puzzled expression, and prompted, "A month ago, at the Jisen banquet."

Only then did Gu Yufeng remember, looking incredulously at Xie Ci passing by. At the time, he was eating the snacks provided at the banquet, found them unappetizing, and casually mentioned wanting to eat Xie Ci's cooking. He had forgotten, but Xie Ci remembered.

Xie Ci turned down the heat on another pot, and Gu Yufeng hugged him from behind, rubbing his face against his, hearing a joyful laugh in his ear, couldn't help but laugh, "A meal makes President Gu this happy, is it that delicious?"

Gu Yufeng replied with a double entendre, "Anything of yours is delicious."

Xie Ci's eyes darkened, turning to wrap his arms around Gu Yufeng's waist, pinning him against the stove for a deep kiss. Afterward, he tightened his grip on Gu Yufeng's waist, asking softly, "You've lost weight. Have you been too busy to eat again?"

Gu Yufeng, slightly breathless, mumbled, "You know I'm picky." In Country M, his gastritis flared up, eating and vomiting, only slightly better yesterday.

Being so close, their intentions were clear in each other's eyes. Before Gu Yufeng could make the next move, Xie Ci wiped his moist lips with his hand, "Go take a bath, then eat."

Having not seen each other for a week, Gu Yufeng was not satisfied with just a kiss before being sent off to bathe by Xie Ci, feeling discontent. While soaking, he was thinking of ways to coax Xie Ci into spending the whole night with him. After bathing and returning downstairs, the aroma of the food dispelled all other thoughts.

Except for the first meal five years ago, Xie Ci's cooking had never been so bland since, perfectly suiting Gu Yufeng's taste. He never asked why, assuming Xie Ci had noticed and deliberately catered to his palate.

"Eat slowly." Xie Ci placed a bowl of soup in front of Gu Yufeng, "Next week is our fifth wedding anniversary. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

Gu Yufeng glanced at the time, only then realizing.

It happened to be a Saturday. They discussed whether to go on a vacation, considering their work, ensuring the trip was within three days.

"I'll arrange it." Xie Ci picked up his bowl and chopsticks, "Just clear your schedule."

Gu Yufeng nodded, "Thank you, President Xie. I'll prepare a gift for you."

"Then I'll look forward to it." Xie Ci's tone was flat.

Gu Yufeng chuckled, "Doesn't sound like you're expecting much?"

Unlike ordinary couples, they had smoothly made it through five years. There would be a second five years, a third, a fourth... until they became two old men with white hair.

This was their unique path, one that could continue without love.

After dinner, they each returned to their study to work.

Before entering, Gu Yufeng turned to Xie Ci, "I might be busy until late. You don't have to wait for me. I'll sleep in my room tonight."

When they first got married, they weren't used to sharing a bed, so Xie Ci arranged a bedroom for him too. If their schedules didn't align, they slept in separate rooms. Finding an excuse to sleep separately, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Ci: "You need to adjust to the time difference. Don't stay up too late."

At eleven at night, Gu Yufeng was overwhelmed by a pile of project documents, feeling dizzy, and his coffee was finished. Holding his cup, he went out and saw the light still on in Xie Ci's study, so he went over to knock.

"Come in." Xie Ci's cold voice came from inside.

In the study, the desk was covered with various documents. Xie Ci was cross-referencing files with the content on the computer screen. Hearing Gu Yufeng enter, he didn't even look up.

Gu Yufeng put down his cup, walked around the desk, and turned the office chair towards him, skillfully straddling it.

By the time Xie Ci's view was blocked, there was already someone in his arms.

"Are you done?" Xie Ci leaned back in the chair, turning his head to look at Gu Yufeng, who was leaning in.

"No, just taking a break." Gu Yufeng buried his face in Xie Ci's neck, kissing and rubbing, "I'm tired, came to absorb some energy."

Xie Ci put down the document in his hand, resting it on Gu Yufeng's waist, "If you absorb my energy, what about me?"

Gu Yufeng straightened up, pushing forward, looking down at Xie Ci with a smile, "You can absorb mine too."

Such situations happened often, and Xie Ci was used to it. Publicly and privately, he wouldn't refuse Gu Yufeng.

Gu Yufeng was happily absorbing energy when suddenly he was lifted off the ground, held by Xie Ci, and placed on the desk.

Seeing Xie Ci's hands on either side of him, leaning in, Gu Yufeng propped himself up with one hand, stabilizing his body from tilting backward, looking up at Xie Ci's eyes, somewhat surprised, "You want to do it here?"

Under Gu Yufeng's gaze, Xie Ci pinched his waist, pulling him closer, his tone low and calm, "President Gu hasn't tried it?"

As a "playboy," Gu Yufeng certainly wouldn't admit that all his experience came from Xie Ci. He hooked his arms around Xie Ci's neck, drawing closer, rubbing his leg against Xie Ci's waist, laughing freely and confidently, "As expected of President Xie, so many tricks."

Xie Ci noticed Gu Yufeng's little actions, grabbing his ankle, leaning over to press him onto the desk, "Isn't this to prevent you from getting bored?"

"I'm bored?" Gu Yufeng raised an eyebrow, "Isn't it you who wants to play like this?"

Xie Ci didn't deny it, taking off Gu Yufeng's glasses and kissing him, "Stop talking, focus."

All of Gu Yufeng's rebuttals were silenced, and soon he had no mind for debate.

A desk full of documents was gradually swept to the floor, scattered everywhere. The commotion in the office didn't settle for a long time, occasionally punctuated by Gu Yufeng's suppressed gasps and curses, before Xie Ci carried him to the bedroom.

Good news—his little wish to spend the whole night together was fulfilled. Bad news—work wasn't finished.

The next afternoon, Gu Yufeng was woken by a call from Caitlin, urging him like a life-threatening alarm. He awkwardly supported his sore waist to the study for a video conference.

When Xie Ci brought in food, Gu Yufeng had just finished the meeting.

He placed the porridge on the table, reaching for Gu Yufeng's forehead, "How are you feeling?"

Gu Yufeng, just hungry, took the bowl as Xie Ci withdrew his hand, "Asking like this, do you want me to praise you?"

Xie Ci bent one leg, casually leaning against the table, watching him eat, "How would you praise?"

Gu Yufeng: "Very capable."

Xie Ci nodded slowly, "You're quite resilient too."

Gu Yufeng: "..."

"Ahem..."

A light cough came from the computer, and both Gu Yufeng and Xie Ci looked over to see the Qingfeng board members unusually silent, Caitlin looking at the camera with a complicated expression.

Gu Yufeng/Xie Ci: "..."

The video conference hadn't been cut off.

In a suffocating silence, Caitlin announced with a stern face, "Meeting adjourned!"

Xie Ci turned to look at Gu Yufeng, raising an eyebrow, his eyes full of teasing, "You didn't even turn off the video before saying such things."

Gu Yufeng looked innocent, "I didn't expect them to be so tasteless, eavesdropping on us."

Xie Ci: "..."

To free up three days for their fifth wedding anniversary, they became even busier. On Thursday, after working overtime at the company until midnight, Gu Yufeng was closer to his own home, but halfway there, he turned towards the home he shared with Xie Ci.

He had gotten used to living with Xie Ci, and going back to his own cold, empty home felt uncomfortable.

The house was dark. Gu Yufeng went to his room to shower, dried his hair, and quietly slipped into Xie Ci's bedroom.

Opening the door, the dim light from the hallway spilled into the bedroom, and Gu Yufeng saw Xie Ci already asleep on the large bed.

He closed the door behind him, tiptoed to the other side of the bed, lifted the blanket, and lay down, sneaking over to smell Xie Ci, instantly dispelling his fatigue.

Propping himself up, he watched Xie Ci sleep with interest, his fingers brushing over the faint stubble on his jawline, wavering between simply admiring and waking him up to play.

In his sleep, Xie Ci suddenly moved, and Gu Yufeng withdrew his hand as if electrocuted, holding his breath.

Not knowing what he dreamed of, Xie Ci's brows furrowed, his previously steady breathing becoming heavy and rapid.

Gu Yufeng considered whether to hug him and comfort him. In his thirty-five years, he had never done such a thing, and the thought amused him.

In the quiet space, Xie Ci's suppressed voice came through, clear due to the obstructed view.

"Xiao Fang..."

Gu Yufeng's eyes widened, the smile frozen on his lips, his heart feeling like it had been hit with a heavy blow, a brief palpitation followed by a dull pain spreading from his chest to his fingertips, tugging at his insides with a fine, dense ache. The hand that was about to embrace Xie Ci hovered in the air, unable to move forward an inch.

After a while, Gu Yufeng withdrew his hand, silently clenching it.

Xie Ci didn't say any more in his sleep, but Gu Yufeng lay awake in the dark until dawn.

The next day, when Xie Ci woke up, he was alone in bed. He vaguely felt that Gu Yufeng had come back last night, sleeping beside him.

Getting up and going downstairs, he didn't see him, and when he left for work, Gu Yufeng's car wasn't in the garage. Usually, if Gu Yufeng was home, they would have breakfast together before leaving. Why was he in such a hurry today?

On Friday noon, after his lunch break, Xie Ci called Gu Yufeng.

The first call went unanswered. Xie Ci waited until it was almost time to start work again and called once more. This time, it was answered.

"What time will you finish this afternoon? I'll pick you up."

Tomorrow was their fifth wedding anniversary, and according to the schedule given by the secretary, they were supposed to leave in the afternoon.

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Gu Yufeng's voice came through, "Some work came up unexpectedly. This weekend's plans are canceled."

Xie Ci was a bit surprised but didn't say much. They both agreed that work came first.

"When will you be free? I'll reschedule the plans," Xie Ci asked.

Gu Yufeng: "Not sure yet. I have to go to a meeting now."

Xie Ci could only agree, "We'll talk when you're free."

They barely exchanged a few words before Gu Yufeng hung up.

Looking at the phone screen, Xie Ci felt inexplicably uneasy. It wasn't the first time they had canceled plans due to work, but this time felt different.

He wasn't someone who cared much about holidays or had a sense of ceremony in life. All the arrangements for celebrating anniversaries were to please Gu Yufeng.

Gu Yufeng not going should make him happy, less trouble.

Nok rushed in, knocking on the office door, "Which tasks should I take over?"

To ensure their three-day holiday wasn't disturbed, Xie Ci had specifically asked Nok to fly to Country D to handle company affairs in his stead.

"No need, the plans are canceled," Xie Ci said flatly.

"Canceled? Wasn't it for your wedding anniversary?" Nok was puzzled.

Xie Ci's gaze fell on the fluctuating stock prices on the screen, "He doesn't have time."

Nok glanced at Xie Ci's expression, patting his shoulder in comfort, "Can't be helped, you both are CEOs. Don't be disappointed, just make it up next time."

Xie Ci looked up, "I'm disappointed?"

Nok: "You look like you're about to cry."

Xie Ci: "..."

Nonsense.

At Qingfeng Headquarters, after hanging up the phone, Gu Yufeng tossed his phone onto the desk, leaning back in his chair, unsure if it was due to lack of sleep or something else, his head felt like it was about to explode.

For the first time in five years, he didn't want to hear Xie Ci's voice or see him.

On the phone, Xie Ci's tone was no different from usual. Even though he canceled the anniversary plans at the last minute, it had no impact on Xie Ci.

Gu Yufeng couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly. Wasn't it obvious? Xie Ci didn't care at all.

From beginning to end, no one cared. This marriage was a joke.

After work, returning home, the more Xie Ci thought about it, the more something felt off. Gu Yufeng's tone on the phone was too calm. Usually, in such situations, Gu Yufeng would proactively contact him to reschedule, not wait for him to call and then say the plans were canceled.

Something might have happened.

Xie Ci planned to ask when he came home that night.

But that night, Gu Yufeng didn't come home.

Gu Yufeng, after a long time, returned to his own home, feeling like he had lost all strength, dragging his weary body to bed, but he couldn't sleep soundly, waking up intermittently, tormented until the early hours.

Frustrated, he got up, opened a bottle of wine, and sat alone on the living room carpet in the middle of the night, drinking and staring at his phone screen, watching the time tick past midnight.

It was Saturday, his and Xie Ci's fifth wedding anniversary. The first anniversary they didn't spend together.

The screen flashed with a new message.

Xie Ci: [Yufeng, celebrating our fifth anniversary.]

"Our...?" Gu Yufeng looked at the screen, laughing sarcastically, his mind filled with Xie Ci's sleeping face from last night, and the words "Xiao Fang" echoing in his ears.

For the umpteenth time, his heart palpitated, and in anger, he grabbed the wine glass and smashed it against the wall. The wine glass shattered, red wine and glass shards scattered everywhere.

"Bastard!"

He thought Xie Ci was like him, sharing similar aesthetics and perspectives, pursuing power and wealth to the extreme, using anything beneficial to him, manipulating others' fates and lives, not truly caring for anyone, seeing love as fleeting.

He thought he had found a kindred spirit, a companion, a teammate... lost in the thrilling joy of it all.

But reality proved otherwise. Xie Ci was a normal person, with normal emotional needs, someone he held dear, someone whose name he couldn't help but call out in the dead of night, unlike him, a madman.

Xie Ci had betrayed him, betrayed their marriage.

From beginning to end, he was alone.