Yu Tan knew exactly why the call had come and answered promptly, his response just as direct: "Not going."
Yu Wenhe on the other end of the line, nearly begged, practically on the verge of kneeling: "She's getting worse. After all, she gave birth to you, Yu Tan. If you still have any conscience left—"
These words almost made Yu Tan laugh. He couldn't even be bothered to mock: "She gave birth to me because, after the miscarriage, she couldn't get pregnant again. Didn't she plan to strangle me to death afterward? You sure you want me to go see her? I might just end up strangling her instead. If you don't mind, I'll go. How's that?"
Yu Wenhe hesitated for a long while, but ultimately didn't dare agree, ending the call without another word.
Yu Tan rubbed his forehead and began considering what dish to have Ajiu send over for dinner. As for this phone call, he didn't let it bother him.
He kept Yu Wenhe around out of some residual sentiment for this weak, foolish man who had once stopped him from being strangled to death. But it wasn't out of protection—it was because the woman who tried to strangle him was afraid of getting caught.
He sneered, thinking, what was the point of dwelling on those irrelevant things?
What had once been beneath him, now seemed even more so? There were more important things to focus on now, and he was far too lazy to revisit the past.
After New Year's, Chu Yin began discussing the new year's plans with Hu Xiaoyu.
Hu Xiaoyu felt a little guilty. In just three months, he would be returning to the Fox Clan, and there was no "new year" for him. He was blunt and honest about his intentions to leave the entertainment industry, promising that when the studio disbanded, everyone would receive a generous bonus.
Seeing that Hu Xiaoyu was resolute, Chu Yin didn't waste any more breath on him but still lamented the loss of such a talented individual. He thought to himself that if Hu Xiaoyu changed his mind, it would be even better.
The most urgent issue now was to deal with the advertisements Hu Xiaoyu had signed before and whether there would be any breach of contract, so they could prepare accordingly.
But unfortunately, it wasn't Hu Xiaoyu who was in trouble just yet—it was Yu Tan.
To be precise, it was the Yu family that was in trouble.
On the second evening of New Year's, Yu Tan's mother, who had been ill and living in a villa in the mountains, committed suicide by jumping off a building.
Hu Xiaoyu learned of Madam Yu's death from Ajiu.
At the time, it had already been two days since Madam Yu's death, but Yu Tan still came to the studio every day, maintaining his usual routine. There was no sign at all that anything was wrong at home.
Hu Xiaoyu went to the next room for the first time.
He knocked on the door, and Yu Tan, who was sitting on the couch handling documents, stood up, his voice soft as though afraid of startling someone: "Come in."
During the time Hu Xiaoyu spent on set, his acting had improved, but his emotions were still easy to read when it came to him showing them in front of others.
Seeing Hu Xiaoyu's expression full of concern yet hesitant to speak, Yu Tan's gaze softened as he said, "You're here to check on me, aren't you?"
Hu Xiaoyu stammered, "Y-you shouldn't be too sad."
No matter what, he always hoped Yu Tan would be okay.
In the next moment, Yu Tan walked over and hugged Hu Xiaoyu.
The long-lost embrace, and neither of them said anything for a while.
Hu Xiaoyu gently patted Yu Tan's back, just like how Yu Tan used to comfort him when he was upset back at the Hu family.
Then, he felt Yu Tan's arm tighten around his waist. "With you here, I'm not that sad."
It really wasn't that sad.
When Yu Tan first heard the news, there had been a moment of confusion, followed by a sigh of relief.
Even though they shared the same blood, that woman, who was supposed to be his mother by society's standards, had only given him disdain and harm, leaving him with nothing to miss.
At that moment, Yu Tan wanted nothing more than to hold onto Hu Xiaoyu like this forever, but he was afraid to. He worried that once Hu Xiaoyu came to his senses, he would despise him again.
Yu Tan was most adept at using anything and everything to his advantage, including the current atmosphere.
Noticing the pity in Hu Xiaoyu's eyes, he said plainly, "Xiaoyu, my mother never liked me. We haven't spoken in almost five years."
Hu Xiaoyu looked at him in shock.
Yu Tan smiled and gently wiped the corner of Hu Xiaoyu's eye, "So don't worry about me."
Hu Xiaoyu said nothing. He knew that Yu Tan's relationship with the rest of the Yu family was bad, but he didn't realize it was to this extent.
As he was still processing this, he heard Yu Tan ask, "More than this, I want to know when you'll forgive me. In this world, you're the most important person to me."
Perhaps it was because Yu Tan's past was so difficult, or perhaps it was the soft and sorrowful tone of his voice at that moment, but Hu Xiaoyu couldn't help but be moved.
He glanced around, as if avoiding something, and finally lowered his head. "I think you're really annoying."
Yu Tan's muscles tensed, his heart almost in his throat, but he controlled his expression, showing only a slight surprise. He patiently asked, "How would you think of that? What I've said is all true. About Xu Feng, I just wanted you to look at me more, to stay by my side a little longer. I love you, I want to be with you. I hate myself, but I will never hate you."
Over the past few days, Yu Tan's actions had been clear to Hu Xiaoyu, and it would be a lie to say he was unaffected.
The things he had overheard with his spiritual powers he couldn't bring himself to say out loud, but he stared at Yu Tan, his voice very serious as he asked, "What did you say, that you wouldn't hate me even if you hated yourself?" Now I believe it. You weren't lying, were you?
Yu Tan looked at the cautious expression in Hu Xiaoyu's eyes and nodded solemnly, "I swear, Yu Tan will never hate Hu Xiaoyu, never."
Hu Xiaoyu let out a breath of relief, feeling both grateful for Yu Tan's sincerity and for letting go of the grudge he had carried for so long.
His eyes curved into a smile, much like how they used to be, "Then I forgive you."
Yu Tan's excitement was nearly uncontrollable: "So, will you be with me?"
Hu Xiaoyu pushed him away: "No. I told you, we're just friends. Only friends."
He could try to like Yu Tan a little, just like before.
Seeing that small smile, which was long overdue, was enough to make Yu Tan happier than anything. His rationality was overtaken by joy, and he didn't really care about the "just friends" comment.
He had taken a big step. From forgiveness to making Hu Xiaoyu accept him—it seemed like it was just a matter of time.
Yu Tan nearly immediately wanted to take Hu Xiaoyu home.
But the Yu family mansion was likely to be in chaos for a while. Yu Wenhe had gone mad, insisting that Madam Yu's funeral be held at the mansion. The woman was dead, so let them do whatever they wanted to.