Ryan Carter propped his forehead with one hand, utterly mortified. Under the table, he kicked Ethan Bolton and said, “If you have something to say, let’s talk upstairs later. We’re eating right now.”

“Hmph.” The CEO let out a meaningful snort and lowered his head to eat.

After the meal, all the dishes were cleared away, and the butler poured them some palate-cleansing tea.

Ethan Bolton wiped his mouth with a napkin and instructed the butler seriously, “Prepare a guest room.”

The butler glanced at Ryan Carter in surprise. Seeing no sign of anger, he turned to confirm with sir, “Are you sleeping in the guest room tonight?”

The CEO’s eyes widened, “Why would I sleep in the guest room? He’s the one sleeping there!”

The butler was even more surprised and turned to look at Ryan Carter for guidance.

Ryan Carter raised an eyebrow and tilted his chin, “Go ahead and get it ready.”

Everything was arranged according to the CEO’s wishes. Mr. Dior was quite satisfied, reminisced poetically about his white moonlight in the courtyard at night, and then got ready for bed. When he pushed open the master bedroom door, he saw the substitute little wife sprawled in the middle of the big bed, engrossed in a book.

“Who gave you permission to sleep in my bed?” The CEO was furious.

Ryan Carter wiggled his toes, “Don’t bother me, let me finish this chapter.”

“Man, you’re really bold.” Mr. Bolton said menacingly, but his eyes couldn’t help but fixate on those fair feet. The toes, never having suffered hardship, were round and plump, tinged with a faint pink, irresistibly cute, making him want to grab and play with them.

This damn little stand-in, is he trying to seduce him? He’s not falling for it!

“Butler! Why is he on my bed!”

The owner’s angry voice echoed from upstairs, reverberating clearly in the dimly lit living room.

“Uncle, aren’t you going to answer?” The new young maid asked nervously.

“This is when you play deaf. Getting old, can’t hear a thing.” The butler chuckled and turned away. The young couple’s fun—best not to get involved.

No matter how long he called, the butler didn’t respond. The CEO looked at the prey on the bed, completely lacking any sense of danger, and sneered, “Fine, since you asked for it.” With that, he began to undress.

“Squeak…”

Suddenly, the big guy pounced like a stack of turtles, pressing down on Ryan Carter, who let out a squeaky sound like a squeezed rubber toy. His back, tired from three days of exhaustion, couldn’t take it, so he quickly rolled to the side.

“W-wait a minute,” Ryan Carter propped himself up, holding back Ethan Bolton with one hand, “Since I’m not the one you love, don’t you feel guilty touching me like this?”

Ethan Bolton looked at him with a stormy expression. The little stand-in’s fair, handsome face was tense, like a nervous little rabbit, ready to flash those two harmless fangs at any moment—so charming, so familiar. What a clever little thing, the CEO thought, slowly raising his hand to gently stroke that smooth cheek. “When you’re stubborn and angry, you really look like him.”

“I look even more like him when I’m about to punch you.” Ryan Carter rolled his eyes, slapped away Ethan Bolton’s wandering hand, and burrowed under the covers to sleep.

But Mr. Bolton wasn’t about to let him off so easily. He grabbed his ankle and dragged him back into his arms, taking the opportunity to pinch those pink toes. “With that expression, say ‘I love you’ to me.”

“……” After all these years, suddenly saying that felt awkward. Ryan Carter smacked his lips, clearly reluctant.

“Say it! Or I’ll continue what I was doing just now.” Ethan Bolton rubbed his little wife’s moist lips with his thumb.

“Pah, get your filthy hand off me.” Ryan Carter grabbed the wandering hand—don’t think he didn’t notice that hand was just scratching feet a moment ago.

“Man, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!” Mr. Bolton was getting a bit angry.

“Hey,” Ryan Carter couldn’t help but yawn. He was truly tired, so he had to placate Mr. Bolton. “Ahem, I love you.”

“Add my name.” If the CEO were a client, he’d be the most annoying kind—the kind who never gives all the requirements at once, waits until the product is delivered, then keeps adding more.

“I love you, Ethan.” Ryan Carter patted his head and said it quite seriously.

“Who’s Ethan? Are you still thinking about that poor kid?” Not only did he not get what he wanted, but he was called by a rival’s name. The CEO trembled with rage, eyes wide as he said, “How many times have I told you, call me Da! Diao!”

“……”

After all the fuss, in the end, an utterly exhausted Ryan Carter could only surrender and say, as required, “I love Ethan.”

Finally satisfied, Mr. Bolton pulled the substitute little wife into his arms. When he was almost asleep, he whispered in his ear, “I love you too. I’ve liked you since I was seventeen.”

Ryan Carter, who should have been asleep, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his whole body stiffening. Because he knew, that line wasn’t from the novel. When they’d once confessed their dating histories to each other, Ethan Bolton had said he’d liked someone back in school. It was rarely mentioned, just something from the past, and Ryan Carter hadn’t thought much of it—everyone has their youthful days.

But, of all times, this was the worst moment to bring it up.