Mr. Lu Was Devastated After I Left - Chapter 14

Xu Zhuoyang tossed the necktie into the closet and sprawled across the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling while trying to ignore the subtle, sharp prick of pain in his chest.

Following his initial rage came a period of cold reflection. He began to dissect his recent behavior, wondering if he had done something to drive Lu Beiye into the arms of another. The more he thought, the more he realized that ever since he started suspecting Lu Beiye of infidelity, their relationship had deteriorated. Lu Beiye spent every night working late at the office, coming home less and less, while Xu Zhuoyang had responded with coldness and hostility. Had Lu Beiye grown weary of him because of this and chosen the soft, fragile Mu Yuan instead?

Lu Beiye had been good to him, and they had been together for five years. It was not something he could just let go of. He did not want to give up, and besides, he felt that he had been in the wrong first.

Just as he was contemplating how to phrase things when he called, Lu Beiye’s number flashed on his screen. He scrambled up to answer, his voice trembling and timid. “Hello.”

He was terrified that Lu Beiye would bring up a breakup.

The other side was silent for a moment before Lu Beiye spoke. “What do you want to do?”

Lu Beiye stood before the floor to ceiling window. His voice was low, his eyes dark and indecipherable, a half smoked cigarette held between his fingers.

Mu Yuan was asleep in the bedroom. After returning, Mu Yuan had been sensible enough not to pry into the situation between Lu Beiye and Xu Zhuoyang, and Lu Beiye had taken advantage of his slumber to make this call.

Lu Beiye was conflicted. He had assumed that once Mu Yuan returned, he could abandon the other people he had been keeping, but it had only been a few days, and he already found himself missing Xu Zhuoyang. He did not know what exactly he missed, whether it was the man’s cooking, his competence as a housekeeper, or something else entirely. He could not pinpoint it, but he knew one thing: he did not want to make a clean break with Xu Zhuoyang.

He loved Mu Yuan, but as for Xu Zhuoyang, he would just treat him as a way to pass the time when he was bored.

Xu Zhuoyang, unaware of these thoughts, interpreted the question as a sign that their relationship might still be salvageable. His heart leaped with excitement. He cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice as steady as possible.

“I know I might have been too much to handle these past few days. I did not consider your feelings, and I feel deeply guilty. I want to apologize. Whatever you dislike, I will change. I will be even more dedicated to treating you well than before.”

Xu Zhuoyang poured out a long, desperate stream of humble words until his tears finally spilled over, his voice thick with sobs. “So, I am begging you, please come back home.”

You promised you would never leave me.

Lu Beiye was satisfied with this submission, though he felt no pity for Xu Zhuoyang. A disdainful smile played on his lips as he said coldly, “I hope you mean what you say. I look forward to seeing your performance.”

With that cryptic remark, he hung up, leaving Xu Zhuoyang staring at the phone in a daze.

Now that Mu Yuan was back, he did not need to consider anyone else’s feelings. Xu Zhuoyang was indeed his favorite plaything of the past five years, but it had not reached a point where he could not let go.

He slipped back into the bedroom. Mu Yuan was a light sleeper and was stirred awake. He opened his eyes, murmuring groggily, “Brother Lu?”

Lu Beiye’s gaze softened. He climbed into bed and tucked the blanket around him. “It is nothing. Go back to sleep.”

Mu Yuan glanced at the phone still clutched in Lu Beiye’s hand before closing his eyes once more.