WDYS Chapter 11

It wasn’t that he had to report to Fu Mingchuan, but the key issue was that he was also gay. He didn’t care about being misunderstood by just anyone, but being misunderstood by someone as influential as Fu Mingchuan was enough to make anyone want to die.

Even though the scandal with the You family had been the talk of the town and it seemed like Fu Mingchuan and You Wen had broken up, he’d heard his unlucky younger brother curse Fu Mingchuan countless times. The gist of it was that Fu Mingchuan was treating You Wen like a kept lover.¹A “kept lover” typically refers to someone who is financially supported or maintained by another person, usually in exchange for companionship or a romantic relationship. The term implies a certain lack of independence and suggests that the relationship may be based more on convenience or obligation than on mutual affection.

Chen An soon called to confirm the situation. After Zhou Huai explained everything, Chen An said, “Please take care of Mr. You.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added, “But it’s best not to get too close to him or touch him.”

Zhou Huai understood immediately, cursing his unfortunate brother for getting him into such a mess.

Not even half an hour later, Zhou Huai heard the sound of a car approaching outside the courtyard. He stood waiting in the yard and, hearing the noise, rushed to open the door, only to find that Fu Mingchuan had come in person.

Zhou Huai greeted him, “Mr. Fu.”

Fu Mingchuan wasn’t interested in pleasantries and merely nodded slightly. “Thank you for your trouble. Where’s You Wen?”

Zhou Huai quickly replied, “He’s resting upstairs. I’ll take you to him.”

He led the way quickly, and as they passed through the living room, Zhou Huai’s guilty younger brother, Zhou Hui, acted like a child caught doing something bad, avoiding Fu Mingchuan’s gaze and managing only a mumbled, “Mr. Fu.”

Fu Mingchuan stopped and looked at Zhou Hui, making Zhou Huai nervous, thinking his brother was about to get into big trouble. But then he heard Fu Mingchuan say, “Thank you for taking care of You Wen.”

Zhou Hui stammered in response, “Ah… Oh… It was, um, nothing.”

When they reached the bedroom door, Fu Mingchuan lightly placed his hand on the door, and Zhou Huai got the hint, not following him inside. A moment later, he heard Fu Mingchuan softly calling out.

“Naonao.”

Being part of the same social circle, Zhou Huai had known Fu Mingchuan for a long time, but it was thanks to his silly younger brother’s friendship with You Wen that he had any real connection with him. Even though Fu Mingchuan didn’t say much, Zhou Huai understood that he was being shown special consideration. That’s why, when he asked Chen An for Fu Mingchuan’s personal contact information, Chen An hadn’t refused.

Soon after, Fu Mingchuan came out holding You Wen’s hand, though You Wen didn’t look too happy and was trying to free his hand from Fu Mingchuan’s grip, unsuccessfully.

Zhou Huai politely asked if the two of them planned to stay for tonight, but Fu Mingchuan declined. During the exchange, Zhou Huai noticed that You Wen seemed ready to agree, but Fu Mingchuan quickly overruled him.

As they headed downstairs, Zhou Hui approached and asked You Wen, “Are you leaving?”

Looking listless, You Wen nodded. “I think I’ve lost my phone.”

Zhou Hui hurriedly said, “I put it on the cabinet for you. Wait here, I’ll grab it,” and dashed off, leaving Zhou Huai in shock at how spineless his brother was.

You Wen didn’t want to leave and stood in the hall, lowering his eyes as he said he wanted some water. Fu Mingchuan gently coaxed him, “There’s some in the car. You can drink it later.”

You Wen stayed silent.

Seeing this, Fu Mingchuan sighed and asked Zhou Huai if there was any warm water available. Zhou Huai offered bottled water instead, but You Wen said, “I’ll just wait and drink in the car.”

Zhou Huai, not daring to wait, quickly fetched a bottle of mineral water. After Fu Mingchuan opened it, he handed it to You Wen.

When Zhou Hui returned with the phone, he saw You Wen drink about a third of the bottle and then hand the bottle back to Fu Mingchuan, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Fu Mingchuan took the half-empty bottle and then reached out to take You Wen’s phone as well.

As the two left, Zhou Huai stood on the porch in disbelief and asked Zhou Hui, “Are you sure Fu Mingchuan is treating him like a kept lover?”

Zhou Hui, completely sure, responded, “Of course. Didn’t you see how controlling he is? You Wen can’t even say a word in his presence.”

Zhou Huai was speechless. To him, it seemed like You Wen wasn’t speaking simply because he couldn’t be bothered to deal with Fu Mingchuan.

In the car, Fu Mingchuan asked if You Wen wanted more water. You Wen shook his head, closing his eyes and avoiding conversation. “I feel a bit dizzy.”

Fu Mingchuan frowned. “Did Zhou Hui take you out drinking?”

You Wen opened his eyes and looked at Fu Mingchuan. For some reason, Fu Mingchuan felt as if You Wen was glaring at him.

“Answer me,” Fu Mingchuan said.

You Wen patted the driver’s seat. “Stop the car. I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

The car pulled over, and You Wen stepped out, crouching by the flowerbed. He didn’t end up vomiting but felt an empty nausea churning in his stomach, leaving him unwilling to move.

Fu Mingchuan kept patting his back, offering him water. “Have a sip.”

You Wen took a sip but only felt worse. He stayed squatting there for twenty minutes, unmoving, until Fu Mingchuan practically forced him back into the car.

Once they were inside, Fu Mingchuan told the driver, “Head to Shengtian.”

In under ten minutes, they pulled into a lakeside villa in the city. The car drove straight into the courtyard, and Fu Mingchuan helped You Wen out. “We’re home, Naonao. Go inside and rest a while.”

With his mind somewhat clearing, You Wen took in the unfamiliar courtyard and house, unable to reconcile this place with Fu Mingchuan’s words, “We’re home.”

With a hand on his back, Fu Mingchuan guided him inside, up the stairs. Everything looked ordinary yet felt surreal.

Once You Wen was settled on the bed, he heard himself muttering, “My stomach’s growling. I feel nauseous.”

Fu Mingchuan tucked his hand under the light blanket. “I’ll have someone go…”

“You go yourself,” You Wen interrupted.

Fu Mingchuan paused, then quickly stood. “I’ll grab some hangover medicine too. You be good and stay here.”

You Wen murmured an “Mm.” Hearing the car leave, he got up and glanced at the bed.

A deep, dark green set, with two feather pillows under the blanket, a minimalist bedside lamp, and a carpet that looked freshly cleaned.

Like he was possessed, You Wen walked to the bedside table, opened the lower drawer, and found Fu Mingchuan’s usual electronic devices, last year’s models.

Gripping the tablet’s protective case tightly, he held it for a long, long time before finally letting go.

He stood and walked to the closet, opening one compartment—it was full. He opened another, full again.

Stepping out of the bedroom, he opened the door to the next room. It was a study room, shelves filled with various books. There was an ashtray on the desk, with ashes still inside, waiting to be cleaned.

The next room was a small gym, with equipment that showed signs of regular use.

Downstairs, You Wen looked up at the chandelier in the main hall, noticing a thin layer of dust.

In the kitchen, the signs of use were even more obvious.

His hands trembling, You Wen opened the refrigerator, which was packed.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it back any longer and broke down crying, leaning against the fridge. Warm tears soaked the refrigerator shelves, and the double doors swung shut, pressing against his back and muffling his sobs, making him look all the more pitiful.

This was Fu Mingchuan’s private life, the one he never let You Wen be part of, the private space where You Wen was not allowed. The place he would return to when You Wen would call and ask when he was coming home, and Fu Mingchuan would reply that he wasn’t.

The chandelier was beautiful, the garden was beautiful too, but the lovely You Wen didn’t belong here at all.

When Fu Mingchuan returned, You Wen was already asleep, but he wasn’t in the upstairs bed; instead, he had fallen asleep in the living room. Fu Mingchuan went upstairs looking for him, feeling a bit anxious since You Wen hadn’t brought his phone, and he worried that You Wen might have wandered off while still tipsy.

Thankfully, You Wen was just asleep in the living room.

Fu Mingchuan considered waking him up to take some hangover medicine, but he couldn’t bear to disturb him. In the end, he decided to carry him upstairs and wait to see if he woke up.

But You Wen didn’t wake up, so Fu Mingchuan let it be.

There was no nightlight in the room, so Fu Mingchuan left the light on and slept lightly, just in case You Wen woke up in the night, disoriented and uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment.

However, You Wen slept soundly, waking up early the next morning. Fu Mingchuan held him, coaxing him to sleep a bit longer, but You Wen refused, so Fu Mingchuan got up with him.

The toiletries were all newly bought by Fu Mingchuan, who went downstairs himself to fetch them for him. You Wen took a careful look around the bathroom—even the incense brand matched the one at the Ganxi Road house.

Fu Mingchuan had squeezed the toothpaste for him, and You Wen casually said, “Thank you.”

“Thank who?” Fu Mingchuan asked.

“Thank you, Fu Mingchuan,” You Wen replied.

One questioning, the other responding, the atmosphere between them was a bit tense. But Fu Mingchuan didn’t get angry; he just pressed down a stray tuft of You Wen’s hair.

Downstairs, You Wen heard some noise in the garden. Looking through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, he saw someone working outside. He curiously took a second look, and Fu Mingchuan asked if he’d like to go out to the garden. You Wen used to enjoy spending time in the garden at Linjiang Garden.

You Wen shook his head and said he didn’t, though his eyes drifted toward the garden once more. Fu Mingchuan urged him to have breakfast first, promising to take him out afterward. As he spoke, he gave You Wen’s stomach a light pat. “You said you were hungry last night.”

Sure enough, You Wen’s stomach growled. Fu Mingchuan led him to the dining room, where a few small dishes were quickly served—all of them his favorites.

You Wen deliberately observed the house staff, watching for a moment, but didn’t catch any unusual reactions from them.

“What are you looking at? Do you know them?” Fu Mingchuan asked.

“They look familiar,” You Wen replied with a slight shake of his head.

“You’ll get to know them over time,” Fu Mingchuan said dismissively.

You Wen mixed the side dishes with his porridge and took a sip, casually asking, “So, you used to stay here when you didn’t go back to Shanshui Residence?”

Without detecting the subtle edge in his tone, Fu Mingchuan gave a simple “Mm,” adding, “Sometimes when I’d leave the office too late, I’d stay here.”

After their official engagement, though, he rarely came here, usually only when traveling or going to Linjiang Garden—otherwise, he’d stay with You Wen.

You Wen commented, “The house is nice,” and then asked, “What about these past few days?”

Fu Mingchuan had a gut feeling that there was a trap in You Wen’s words. He knew You Wen was guarded, distrustful, disappointed, and had no hope for their relationship. You Wen didn’t even want to go back home—he needed some time to clear his mind. And yet, Fu Mingchuan had only stayed here one night since his return.

For the first time in his life, Fu Mingchuan didn’t dare give a direct answer, sensing that if he did, he’d lose something.

Exactly what he’d lose, he didn’t know.

But You Wen just chuckled, not waiting for a response. “Oh, by the way, did I tell you? My aunt’s back.”

Fu Mingchuan asked, “Who?”

“You’ve never met her,” You Wen said. “She’s been living in Germany until now.”

Fu Mingchuan nodded, “Set up a time for us to have a meal together. It’s important to meet family.”

You Wen hesitated, uncertain how to explain. “I had dinner with her last week. She wants me to move in with her.”

Fu Mingchuan felt a sense of danger crystallize. His voice was softer than usual. “And what about me?” It was as if he were the one being abandoned.

You Wen smiled, his eyes narrowing. “I didn’t agree, did I?”

Fu Mingchuan relaxed, watching You Wen take another sip of porridge, who then said, “But my aunt did say I should repay the money I owe you.”

Fu Mingchuan put down his chopsticks, stared at You Wen, and asked, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

You Wen’s voice softened. “I’m saying, can you just take the money?”

The last trace of expression disappeared from Fu Mingchuan’s face. “What money? The money I spent to ‘keep’ you?”

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  A “kept lover” typically refers to someone who is financially supported or maintained by another person, usually in exchange for companionship or a romantic relationship. The term implies a certain lack of independence and suggests that the relationship may be based more on convenience or obligation than on mutual affection.