In a hurry, Ye Shanshan spotted the custom Range Rover as soon as he arrived at the parking lot.
He opened the door and got in the car. Before Gong Yue could say anything, Ye Shanshan leaned in and kissed him directly. Gong Yue was momentarily taken aback for a few seconds, but then leaned back against the seat, allowing Ye Shanshan to nuzzle and kiss him like a little animal.
Ye Shanshan kissed and nibbled for quite a while, then opened his eyes to look at Gong Yue’s brows and eyes, suddenly feeling as if he were getting a bit too hands-on with a noble lady—was this called a philanderer or a flower thief?
His mind wandered off, and strange little scenarios in his head were running wild like untamed horses, unable to stop.
“What’s wrong?” Gong Yue casually ruffled his hair.
Ye Shanshan rubbed against his hand, “I was thinking seriously, if we were in ancient times and I lived next door to you, would I be climbing a ladder against the wall every day to sneak a peek at you? I’d just look all day.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Because you wouldn’t live next door, you would live in my house.”
As he said this, Gong Yue leaned in closer, and Ye Shanshan felt his heart start to race again. He foolishly smiled, “Yeah, right, definitely living in your house.”
Living together—what a beautiful picture!
But then he remembered that Gong Yue would be leaving soon, so he leaned his head on Gong Yue’s shoulder, looking pitiful.
“My boyfriend is going to disappear again.”
Gong Yue gently squeezed Ye Shanshan’s fingers and explained, “There’s an urgent meeting in New York that I need to attend. It’s a last-minute arrangement, the flight is at three, so I came to find you.”
Ye Shanshan nodded. He was used to Gong Yue flying around at all hours, after all, time zones could be quite torturous. He bit down on Gong Yue’s collar, “How long will you be gone? Will you handle everything and come back?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Today is the twenty-third, and the movie premieres on the twenty-seventh. When you get back, let’s go see the movie together. You have to see me as that big boss!”
Ye Shanshan calculated the time and realized it wouldn’t be long, instantly feeling happy—after all, he had taken on the role of Hu Yan with the expectation that Gong Yue would be shocked when he saw the ending.
“Okay.”
After sending Gong Yue to the airport, before leaving, Ye Shanshan clung to him, “I’ll be very self-disciplined while you’re gone. You have to kiss me when you come back.”
Without love to fuel him, life felt devoid of excitement.
Watching Gong Yue board the plane and waiting for it to take off, Ye Shanshan felt an empty space in his heart, making him feel miserable. He nibbled on his nails and ultimately decided to fill the void inside with something fiery, so he opened a discussion group about “mahjong and barbecue,” calling for everyone to come out for a barbecue.
Xu Luoyang replied enthusiastically, “Is Gong Yue not around?”
Ye Shanshan: “How did you know?”
Xu Luoyang: “Because you only feel this empty when Gong Yue is gone, and then you have time to eat barbecue.”
Zhang Bochao: “[Location] This place is delicious, half-open-air BBQ, are you coming?”
Ye Shanshan: “Yes, yes, yes! I’ll be there within an hour!”
Having just sent Gong Yue off, Ye Shanshan turned around and dashed out.
The car stopped at the location sent by Director Zhang. A large sign read “NOB,” which somehow appeared quite high-end, but the place was too remote and surrounded by darkness. Ye Shanshan told the driver to head back and planned to ride with Xu Luoyang when he was ready to leave.
Just as he took a couple of steps inside, he happened to run into Director Zhang.
“This place is so far from the city, desolate and barren. But what does this name mean? Rich people?” Ye Shanshan’s attention was easily drawn to anything shiny.
Director Zhang shook his head. “It’s run by an old friend of mine, and I invested some money in it too. It’s a place where friends in the industry can gather. As for the name, it doesn’t refer to big shots or rich people; it’s an abbreviation in English—Not Only BBQ, not just barbecue!” He said this proudly, adding, “I came up with the name. What do you think?”
Ye Shanshan glanced at the sign and could only say, “The colors are quite nice.”
Director Zhang followed Ye Shanshan’s gaze at the sign, and he thought to himself that receiving a compliment about the colors from Ye Shanshan wasn’t exactly something to be happy about.
—It seemed like it was time to find a designer to redo the sign.
When Xu Luoyang arrived, Ye Shanshan and Director Zhang were already digging into their food, sharing skewers of potatoes and chicken legs.
As soon as he sat down, Ye Shanshan stuffed a piece of greasy pork belly into Xu Luoyang’s mouth. Xu Luoyang’s face scrunched up, unable to speak clearly, and he said, “Shanshan, you’re making me feel so passive! I’m trying to control my weight, so should I eat this piece of pork belly or not?”
After swallowing the potato in his mouth, Ye Shanshan replied in a mystical tone, “Trust me, this piece of pork belly won’t affect your weight at all.”
Believing in this mystical claim, Xu Luoyang quickly took action. After eating the pork belly, he wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth with a napkin.
“Just now, while recording the show, we talked about the script for ‘The Rivers and Mountains Remain’ and mentioned my dad. I didn’t even cry, but the female host started crying, and I saw so many girls in the audience wiping their tears. I was really at a loss at that moment!”
He then asked Ye Shanshan, “So, what would you do if you made a girl cry?”
Ye Shanshan had no relevant experience and thought for a moment before answering, “I’d call Gong Yue.”
“…” Xu Luoyang felt like the pork belly he just ate had the flavor of dog food.
Director Zhang, who was gnawing on a chicken wing, took a break from their conversation. “You two can’t just cry whenever you want.”
“It’s different; we’re sacrificing ourselves for our careers!” Xu Luoyang said as he took a sip of juice and finished off five skewers of vegetables, his face breaking into a relaxed smile. “Now, I really feel like I’m fulfilling my dad’s wish.”
The difficulties he faced in this journey were known only to him.
Ye Shanshan didn’t have a father and couldn’t understand that feeling, so he couldn’t offer any comfort. He thought for a long time and handed a chicken leg to Xu Luoyang. “Here, eat this. The world will be better after you finish.”
After ten o’clock, the three of them finally wrapped up their barbecue party, and Ye Shanshan hitched a ride home with Xu Luoyang.
Lying listlessly on the large bed in his bedroom, Ye Shanshan took his phone and felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness and loneliness that needed to be released. So, he opened the voice recorder and passionately sang “Little Cabbage, Oh Yellow Leaf” for Gong Yue.
The first two lines were quite sorrowful and plaintive, making him sound very pitiful. But as he continued, the song became increasingly lively, and he accidentally began drumming a beat on the mattress, getting quite into it.
At this moment, Gong Yue was on a plane, preparing to rest for two hours. Using a special satellite communication device, he received the voice message. He listened to it several times in a row, his expression softening, and then casually set it as his ringtone.
Meanwhile, Ye Shanshan received a text message back from Gong Yue, the last two words being “Good night.”
He tossed his phone aside and sighed heavily, muttering to himself, “Good night, good night, what kind of good night is it? I’d rather you miss me so much that you can’t sleep at night.”
But then he thought about it and couldn’t bear it; he wanted to cherish his boyfriend. So he grabbed his phone again and replied, “Good night, sweet dreams, and hopefully dream about me.”
※※※
The next day, Ye Shanshan arrived early at Youli Entertainment, where he and Xu Luoyang reviewed the process plan for the opening ceremony of “The Rivers and Mountains Remain.” They went over the venue layout, invited media, on-site highlights, Q&A details, and only managed to break for lunch around noon.
As a result, they encountered fans at a private dining restaurant that Xu Luoyang highly recommended.
Feeling like he was being watched, Ye Shanshan pulled his large mask up and leaned over to Xu Luoyang, saying, “Didn’t you say this place was absolutely safe?”
“I’m just as surprised! Every time I’ve come here before, I’ve never been recognized. I think it’s because you’re with me this time? People probably see you and think you’re not an ordinary person, so they look a little longer!”
After saying this, Xu Luoyang, who also realized he was being watched, casually added a peanut to his plate and quickly followed up with, “I’ll cover this meal.”
Ye Shanshan patted Xu Luoyang’s shoulder, his eyes crinkling into a smile. “I’ve decided to keep being friends with generous and considerate people!”
A few girls who had been watching Ye Shanshan and Xu Luoyang from a distance finally mustered the courage to approach, hesitantly but excitedly holding a notebook and pen.
“Excuse me, can we get your autograph?”
Xu Luoyang skillfully took the pen and signed while chatting, “Can I ask how you recognized us?”
The girls standing behind couldn’t contain their excitement upon seeing Xu Luoyang’s signature. “Ahhhh, it’s really them!” “I’m going to have a nosebleed, it’s really Luoyang and Shanshan!”
The girl who handed over the notebook replied excitedly, “Because Shanshan is just too recognizable! Even with the mask on, she looks stunning, and we recognized her at a glance!”
“…” Xu Luoyang thought to himself that he might have to stop bringing Ye Shanshan out in public; otherwise, it would be like walking around with a spotlight.
Realizing it was indeed his own fault, Ye Shanshan was surprised at how easily he had been exposed. Resigned, he took off his mask and seriously signed the name. Just as he was about to reach for a second book to sign, he noticed the girls had gone quiet.
“Are you all okay?” Ye Shanshan, always fearing sudden silence, ruffled his hair. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang. “Sorry, I need to take this call.”
Pulling out his phone, Ye Shanshan looked at the contact labeled “Chris” and suddenly had a bad feeling.
“Hello, Chris?” he answered.
“Young Master Ye, the young master suddenly fainted during a meeting and has been sent to the hospital. The cause is unclear, and he hasn’t woken up yet. Please come as soon as possible.”
The smile on his face faded completely, and Ye Shanshan’s voice tightened, becoming serious. “I’ll be there right away. In the meantime, I need you to…”
His nails dug into his palm as he steadied his tone and turned to Xu Luoyang. “Something’s happened to him; I need to rush over.”
As soon as Xu Luoyang saw Ye Shanshan’s expression change, he knew something was wrong. Hearing “him,” he immediately understood it was Gong Yue overseas. He handed his car keys to Ye Shanshan. “Don’t worry about things here.”
※※※
Ye Shanshan arrived in New York in the afternoon local time.
When the car drove into the hospital, Ye Shanshan noticed the entrance was already blocked by media, clamoring for any news related to Gong Yue.
His fingers unconsciously fidgeted with the seat, and he asked, “How long have these reporters been camped out here?”
Qin Xuan, sitting in the passenger seat, also looked at the swarm of media outside. “Young Master Ye, ever since the young master fainted during the meeting and was sent to the hospital, despite strict orders for confidentiality, some information has leaked. At first, only a few well-connected media outlets showed up, but as the news spread, more and more reporters surrounded the hospital.”
“What kind of reports have come out so far?”
“The news being reported now is all fabricated, claiming to have interviewed hospital staff or the young master’s personal doctor, with most stating that he has a serious illness.” What he didn’t say was that the newspapers were already declaring Gong Yue on the verge of death, unlikely to last more than a couple of days.
“What about the stock prices?”
“They’ve been affected; the PR departments of rival companies are out in force,” Qin Xuan glanced at Ye Shanshan in the rearview mirror and chose his words carefully. “But the main issue is that upper management is somewhat unstable.”
Ye Shanshan frowned, realizing that Gong Yue fainting during a meeting, coupled with the media blackout, would give rise to various speculations. The factions that Gong Yue had managed to suppress would surely seize the opportunity to surface.
As he mentally sorted through the information, he found there were many candidates for stirring up trouble.
After taking the dedicated elevator upstairs, Ye Shanshan walked a few steps and saw Chris waiting at the door.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Ye Shanshan said as he quickly approached. “How is Gong Yue?”
Chris stepped aside to let Ye Shanshan in, then shut the door to the hospital room directly behind him.
The hospital room was filled with the strong smell of disinfectants and medications, which was quite pungent, but Ye Shanshan didn’t have the heart to pay attention to that. He hurried over to the hospital bed and found Gong Yue lying flat, with a nutrient IV in the back of his hand. Aside from a very slow heartbeat, there were no other abnormalities; he looked as if he were just sleeping.
Ye Shanshan stared at him for a while, recalling the moment before Gong Yue boarded the plane when he promised to come back for the movie premiere together.
Now, this person was lying there unresponsive, and Ye Shanshan reached out to touch the corner of Gong Yue’s eye but quickly withdrew his hand, worried that even the slightest touch might shatter this porcelain doll-like figure.
He didn’t dare hold Gong Yue’s hand, instead placing his own next to it, as if being this close could somehow give him a bit of strength. He closed his eyes and asked Chris, “What did the doctor say?”
“There are no abnormalities,” Chris shook his head, repeating the doctor’s conclusion. “Aside from the slow heartbeat, nothing else has been found. It’s like he’s in a state of dormancy. Dr. Hall said the young master’s metabolism has slowed to a particularly low state, almost like hibernation.”
“Hibernation?” Hearing Chris’s words, Ye Shanshan suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp. “What happened when Gong Yue had that fever last time?”
Chris remained silent for several seconds before finally speaking. “At that time, the young master fainted in the office and was unconscious for five minutes. After he woke up, he started to run a low fever. The diagnosis was exhaustion and mental stress.”
Not wanting to pursue that topic further, Ye Shanshan looked at Gong Yue’s tightly closed eyes. “Then, since that’s the case, does he have a contingency plan?”
Gong Yue was someone who liked to ensure everything was foolproof; he would never engage in anything without certainty. If he had fainted before, regardless of whether it was due to exhaustion or mental stress, he would certainly have realized that there might be some issues with his body, especially if there was even a slight possibility of involving genetic mapping or amnesia.
To prevent more severe consequences in the future, he would definitely be prepared.
“Yes,” Chris replied, taking out a document folder from a small safe beside the bed. “The young master transferred all of his shares to you. His chief lawyer, Qin Xuan, and I are aware of this.”
Upon hearing this answer, it took Ye Shanshan a few seconds to process—it meant Gong Yue had already prepared for the worst beforehand. A will could lead to various disputes, especially when large wealth was involved; many people wouldn’t easily let go. However, a transfer conducted by the owner himself would avoid most of the trouble.
Unable to resist any longer, Ye Shanshan carefully grasped Gong Yue’s hand. Due to the slow heartbeat, Gong Yue’s hand felt a bit cold. Ye Shanshan lowered his gaze to the man’s closed eyes. “Please let Qin Xuan in.”
Chris stepped out, and soon after, Qin Xuan entered the room.
Ye Shanshan didn’t employ any rhetorical flourishes; he spoke directly, “Gong Yue trusts you, so what do I need to do right now?”
Qin Xuan tightened his lips, trying to keep his tone steady. “The upper management is watching, and the media coverage is very chaotic, which has had a severe impact on the stock price.” He simply stated the situation, clearly treating Ye Shanshan as he would Gong Yue, as if asking him to make a decision.
“Please arrange a meeting to start in two hours; I will attend. After the meeting, hold a press conference at the Gong Corporation’s press hall. Also, contact Mrs. Gong Liu, Katherine; I would like to meet with her.”
After speaking, Ye Shanshan placed his trembling fingers carefully into Gong Yue’s palm, pretending that they were being tightly held. He took a very light breath.
—Gong Yue, if you die, then my love, no, my world, will come to an end. You wouldn’t want to see me sad, so you will wake up.
1You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️ -TL: Ysiad
