HWMTOTBM Chapter 2

The idea of making way for them was no longer practical. Having just rejected the man, it felt awkward to stay.

So Xu Yu got up and left without looking back.

However, the corridor was excessively long and straight, making Xu Yu uneasy for a long time, as he suspected a group of people were staring at him from behind.

Just one more turn would lead to the elevator doors. As Xu Yu exited the corridor, he exhaled lightly.

“Sister Yun,” Xu Yu said, “continue.”

Sister Yun, not in a hurry, asked, “What just happened?”

Xu Yu pressed the elevator’s down button, “Nothing; someone tried to hit on me.”

Sister Yun gave a long “oh,” sounding perplexed, “I could not tell from what I heard. How did they try to hit on you?”

Xu Yu pursed his lips as he watched the elevator approach his floor. “Picking up something and asking for my name,” he said before scowling, “Pathetic.”

The elevator chimed as it reached the floor.

Xu Yu stepped inside, and as he turned to close the doors, he heard noises in the corridor. The men he had just seen were heading towards the elevator.

Xu Yu moved discreetly to the button panel and quickly pressed the close button several times.

The elevator doors closed just as the man appeared to glance inside.

But perhaps Xu Yu was mistaken.

This cocktail party was one that Xu Yu’s cousin had strongly encouraged him to attend, insisting that it would be a lot of fun and that Xu Yu had to go because he had been asking their father for tickets for a long time.

However, halfway through, his cousin was summoned back to school due to problems with his experimental data.

Xu Yu had already cleared his schedule, so he went upstairs with the invitation. However, he had not expected the party to be so dull.

Before leaving, his cousin had asked Xu Yu to take pictures if anything interesting happened.

As he descended, Xu Yu sent a WeChat message to his cousin: “It’s boring. I’m leaving.”

What was the purpose of the evening party again?

Never mind; it didn’t matter.

“I’ll move on to the next point,” Sister Yun said on the phone. “This is something the lawyer told me. You need to pay special attention.”

Xu Yu replied, “Okay.”

…

Xu Yu had been extremely busy the last few days.

Not only did he have unfinished work, but he also had to run back and forth between the company and the law firm several times a day.

He had already applied for contract termination, and the company, most likely seeing no future in him, gave up after a few attempts to persuade him otherwise.

What remained now were procedural issues.

And money.

Another day had passed, and Xu Yu dragged his tired self home.

He went straight to the bathroom after entering and filled the bathtub with water.

Soon, the bathroom was filled with warm steam. Xu Yu, now naked, stood on the floor and checked the water temperature before entering.

He soaked for over half an hour until the phone ringing from his bedroom disturbed him.

Xu Yu opened his eyes, looked at the phone on his bedside table, and sat up.

Next to the bathtub was a floor-to-ceiling window, and beyond it was his bed.

Night had fallen, and the bedroom was dark, so the windowpane reflected Xu Yu like a mirror.

After years of fitness training, Xu Yu had a well-defined body with distinct muscles and straight legs, despite his slim appearance.

Fresh out of the bath, his hair hung softly, partially covering his eyes and ears.

The phone had stopped ringing, so Xu Yu did not rush over, instead taking a towel and drying his hair in front of the window.

His hair had grown a little longer, but he had not had time to cut it recently.

After a few more wipes, he threw the towel into a bin and walked out, dressed in a bathrobe.

Just as he reached the bed, the phone rang again. Xu Yu saw the caller ID and smiled—a rare sight these past few days.

“Brother,” Xu Yu answered, sitting on the bed.

The voice on the other end said a soft “hmm” and inquired, “Just finished work?”

Xu Weichi always referred to Xu Yu’s activities as “work.” At first, Xu Yu wanted to correct him, but then realized there was no other term for it.

“Yes, just finished,” Xu Yu inquired. “And you? It is early morning there, right? Why are you calling now?”

Xu Weichi responded, “Happy birthday.”

Xu Yu bit his lower lip and smiled, “It is not yet midnight.”

“Then I will call you again tomorrow,” Xu Weichi responded.

Xu Yu chuckled, “No need; thank you, brother.”

Xu Weichi: “I sent you a gift, but it might be a couple of days late.”

Xu Yu knew Xu Weichi could not see him, but he shook his head and said, “That is fine.”

Xu Weichi asked, “How have you been lately? I haven’t had much time recently and haven’t called you for a long time.”

Xu Yu thought for a moment and then told Xu Weichi, “I’m preparing to terminate my contract with the company. Actually, I’m not preparing—I’m already in the process.”

“Hmm?” Xu Weichi was puzzled. “Why are you suddenly terminating the contract?”

Xu Yu lowered his head, “I don’t like staying there anymore. I still want to do what I love.”

“Are you unhappy with your work,” Xu Weichi inquired.

Xu Yu nodded, “Yes, I am a little unhappy.”

Xu Weichi did not inquire further, simply saying, “If you are unhappy, do not do it.” He then asked Xu Yu, “Do you need money?”

This hit the mark, and Xu Yu paused for a moment.

Xu Weichi sensed it and continued, “How much do you need?”

Xu Yu estimated and reported an amount.

If his brother had not called today, Xu Yu would have contacted him in a few days. 

Xu Weichi was always straightforward with Xu Yu, and without hesitation, he said, “I’ll transfer it to you tomorrow. Any other problems?”

Xu Yu shook his head. “No.”

Xu Weichi then questioned, “What about the lawyer?”

Xu Yu replied, “I found one. Don’t worry, he’s a very good lawyer.” Xu Yu smiled, “I’ll repay you once I start making money.”

Xu Weichi responded lightly, “No rush, just don’t shortchange yourself.”

Xu Yu replied, “Okay.”

Since it was already rest time for his brother, they didn’t say much more.

Few people knew it was his birthday today. Ever since he was born, the only person who wished him a happy birthday every year was his brother.

Xu Weichi had no knowledge of the entertainment industry. To him, Xu Yu was most likely just working as a celebrity.

Xu Yu rarely spoke with Xu Weichi about his experiences. When Xu Yu signed the contract, his brother had recently acquired a company and was extremely busy. Furthermore, with one in the country and the other abroad, communication was inconvenient.

So, whenever Weichi inquired about him, Xu Yu would respond that he was fine.

He had no major grievances; he simply did not like the tasks assigned to him by the company.

Thanks to Weichi’s birthday greeting, Xu Yu slept better that night.

He received the money Weichi had transferred the next morning, far exceeding his expectations.

Xu Yu thanked Weichi and began his new day at work.

The various small and unimportant tasks Xu Yu had been handling over the years made the termination process easier. He had no long-term endorsements or commitments, which would speed up the procedures.

His lawyer was attempting to secure the most rights for him in the contract details.

“It appears troublesome, but in reality, it is just the same old routine,” Xu Yu explained.

Sister Yun and Xu Yu were sitting in the office that evening, eating their freshly delivered takeout and chatting. 

Xu Yu responded with a sound of acknowledgment.

Sister Yun took a bite of her egg, looked up at Xu Yu, and cleared her throat before asking, “Do you have any plans next?”

Xu Yu shook his head and said, “No, I want to finish this first before making any plans.”

Sister Yun nodded and paused briefly before asking, “What about me? Can I still be your assistant?”

Xu Yu smiled and looked at Sister Yun, “Even in my situation, are you still willing to follow me?”

Sister Yun straightened up immediately, “I am willing.”

Sister Yun was also a member of Xu Yu’s company, but she was not as restricted. Aside from Xu Yu, she helped many others and managed a variety of tasks within the company. However, Xu Yu had the most work, so she spent the most time with him.

If Xu Yu left, she could resign and follow him right away.

Having worked with Xu Yu for three years was an important reason. They had become accustomed to working together. Moreover, Sister Yun had been with the company long enough to know the good and bad.

Following Xu Yu would undoubtedly provide better prospects than staying.

She believed in Xu Yu and felt he lacked the necessary opportunities.

Xu Yu had a beautiful voice and a pleasant personality. It was only a matter of time before he gained public attention.

The company had restricted both Xu Yu’s and her own growth. If Xu Yu terminated his contract and still wanted her as his assistant, she would make better plans and perform her duties well.

“Sure,” Xu Yu nodded. “I was planning to ask you. I’m just terminating my contract with the company. I still want to move forward and make music. I need an assistant.” Xu Yu smiled, “I was worried you wouldn’t want to follow me.”

Sister Yun shook her head vigorously, “No way, I believe in you!”

Xu Yu smiled gratefully.

The day quickly turned into night.

In the time it took to finish a meal, the city lights had turned on.

After cleaning up the meal boxes, Xu Yu received an email from his lawyer. 

Just as he was about to open it, Sister Yun suddenly called out.

“Xu Yu, look!”

Xu Yu looked up, first at Sister Yun, and then out the window.

Not far away, on a building, six large glowing characters read, “Happy Birthday, Xu Yu!”

“Is that for you, Xu Yu?” Sister Yun exclaimed, “Happy Birthday, Xu Yu. Is it your birthday?”

Sister Yun seemed a bit confused, then remembered, “Wait, today isn’t your birthday, right? Didn’t it already pass?”

Xu Yu’s fingers hovered above the mouse. He blinked at the birthday message on the building.

“Today is my birthday,” Xu Yu said, nodding. “It is my lunar birthday, which we celebrate at home.”

Sister Yun’s eyes widened with surprise. “So, did your fans write that?”

Xu Yu shook his head, “The company listed my Gregorian birthday, and the fans, like you, only know that one; no one knows about today.”

Sister Yun was even more surprised. She pointed at the building and asked, “Then what’s this about? Did your family arrange it?”

Xu Yu was puzzled too.

Among his family members, only his brother would do such a thing.

But his brother wasn’t the type to give him this kind of surprise.

Xu Yu frowned and shook his head, saying, “I don’t know.”