Anchor Effect - Chapter 20.2: Blocking was worse than accepting

Dinner was almost over when the serving aunt returned from down the mountain.

Upon seeing Yu Xiu, she asked excitedly, "Is this the big star A-Mei mentioned?"

A-Mei? Ye Yuchen thought for a moment. She was the front desk girl at the hot spring club.

"What did she say?" Ye Yuchen inquired.

"She said our boss is amazing and knows a big star!" the aunt replied.

"Is that all?" Ye Yuchen probed further.

He heard some things from Zhan Yang. The  little girls would often pair him up with Zhan Yang.

He couldn't believe that all A-Mei thought when she saw Yu Xiu being carried by him was that the boss knew a big star.

"There were some other things I didn't quite understand," the aunt replied with a cheerful smile.

Really.

Ye Yuchen had no doubts anymore. He sighed inwardly, placed his soup bowl down, and said, "Auntie, we're done eating."

"Alright, don't worry, I'll clean up now," the aunt said.

Standing up from the dining table, Ye Yuchen was about to ask Yu Xiu when he planned to return to the mountainside villa, but Zhan Yang asked instead, "Teacher Ye, would you like to go for a walk later?"

This had been the original plan. After dinner every day, Ye Yuchen would take a short rest and then stroll on the boardwalk with Zhan Yang. Sometimes, he'd walk on his own, while other times, when he didn't feel like walking, he'd sit in a wheelchair.

He certainly didn't want to walk today, but he also didn't want Yu Xiu to see him in a wheelchair and suggest skipping the walk for the day.

Zhan Yang pursed his lips, as if contemplating another attempt, but Ye Yuchen didn't give him the opportunity. He turned to Yu Xiu and asked, "When are you planning to head back down?"

"I won't be going down anymore," Yu Xiu replied. "I'll spend the night here."

Ye Yuchen: "..."

Zhan Yang's reaction was even more pronounced than Ye Yuchen's. "Why are you staying here?"

"I'm being looked after by him," Yu Xiu replied as he looked at Zhan Yang. "Didn't you know?"

Ye Yuchen had a headache, and his temples throbbed.

"Don't joke around," he exhaled and said calmly.

Although the serving aunt seemed clueless, Ye Yuchen had witnessed her penchant for gossip. She'd drop everything, including her broom, to rush down the mountain on a small electric scooter to watch a fight if she received a call about a couple next door quarreling.

Zhan Yang, too, was mindful of the rumors regarding Yu Xiu's sexuality, so Ye Yuchen couldn't allow him to learn about the relationship between Yu Yuchen and Yu Xiu. Over the years, Ye Yuchen had defused numerous false rumors about Yu Xiu. He couldn't afford to let any negative rumors originate from him.

Fortunately, Yu Xiu had the sensibilities of a celebrity. After Ye Yuchen clarified things for him, he didn't say much and walked towards the elevator, saying, "Can I visit your place? I'd like to take a look around."

Ye Yuchen knew it was time to let Yu Xiu leave, but Zhan Yang followed Yu Xiu's pace and said, "I'll show you around."

Seeing the two entering the elevator, Ye Yuchen closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The serving aunt, clearing the table, smiled and said, "Teacher Ye, you're quite lucky."

Ye Yuchen opened his eyes. "Lucky?"

"You're surrounded by two handsome guys," the aunt remarked. "You mustn't be fickle, you know. Little Zhan may not have the best conditions, but big stars can be hard to handle."

At that moment, Ye Yuchen realized that what his aunt had said about not understanding A-Mei was all nonsense.

Despite their preconceived notions that Zhan Yang was the "main palace," Ye Yuchen didn't like thinking that way. He frowned and used a stern tone rarely heard from him. "It's not what you think. And I don't want to hear any more of this nonsense being spread."

The aunt was startled, shrugged immediately, and went to the kitchen with dishes and chopsticks in hand.

At that moment, the two on the second floor happened to exit the elevator. Ye Yuchen's study was on the second floor, and his script manuscript still rested on his desk.

He raised his head and called out, "Yu Xiu."

Yu Xiu stopped in his tracks, lowered his gaze from the railing, and looked at Ye Yuchen.

"Will you watch a movie with me?" Ye Yuchen said, "There's nothing much to see at home."

Ye Yuchen seemed to have figured out that blocking was worse than accepting. In any case, Yu Xiu wouldn't listen to him, so getting angry was futile. It was better to gently guide him. After all, a little brother was still a little brother. Could he not discipline him?

It turned out this approach worked well. Yu Xiu said, "Sure," and then took the elevator back down to the first floor.

The home theater was on the first floor, and Ye Yuchen led Yu Xiu there. To his surprise, Zhan Yang followed them and said, "Teacher Ye, I'd like to watch too."

Before Ye Yuchen could respond, Yu Xiu asked, "Did he invite you?"

Zhan Yang looked at the two with a complicated expression and questioned, "Teacher Ye, are you really supporting—"

"It's alright; you can join us," Ye Yuchen interrupted Zhan Yang and, while continuing to walk, said to Yu Xiu, "You're the guest, so you get to choose the movie."

It was then that Ye Yuchen realized Yu Xiu hadn't followed.

He stopped and turned around, only to see Yu Xiu saying, "Never mind, I'll just watch," before turning and heading towards the exit without looking back.

Yu Xiu was upset.

Realizing this, Ye Yuchen's headache returned.

He seemed to have forgotten that Yu Xiu didn't appreciate him inviting others.

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