ABOES 21: Just Call Me Duan Ge

Early the next morning, Ye Xinian headed to the police station alone.

After thinking it through repeatedly, he ultimately decided not to tell Xie Yi just yet.

First, it was a family matter.

Second, Ye Xinian wasn’t sure whether he would actually return to this “other” family.

Though he was already determined to cut ties with the Ye family, the timing wasn’t right. He had to wait a little longer. Telling Xie Yi could wait.

Since he had made an appointment with Officer Wang in advance, the entire process went smoothly.

After a quick statement, Officer Wang led him to give a DNA sample. The whole thing didn’t take long.

Out of consideration for Ye Xinian’s identity, Officer Wang even personally walked him to the police station entrance.

Despite Ye Xinian insisting it wasn’t necessary, the officer insisted.

Ye Xinian wasn’t exactly famous yet, but to avoid unwanted trouble, he wore a cap and mask.

The two stood at the entrance chatting while waiting for a ride, and soon Ye Xinian received a call from the taxi driver.

“Hello?”

“Hey there, would you mind crossing the street? I’m parked right across from you,” the driver said. Afraid Ye Xinian might refuse, he added, “It’s just… you’ve got a Rolls-Royce parked next to you, and I don’t wanna risk scraping it.”

Hearing that, Ye Xinian looked up and indeed spotted a luxury car nearby.

He smiled wryly and said, “No problem, I’ll head over now.”

After hanging up, he thanked Officer Wang and crossed the street to get into the taxi.

As soon as he sat down, the driver turned and apologized, “Sorry about that, bro. Appreciate you walking a bit.”

Ye Xinian smiled and waved it off. “It’s fine.”

The driver chuckled and glanced at him in the rearview mirror as the car pulled away. “You know, once bitten, twice shy.”

“Hmm?” Ye Xinian tilted his head. “You mean something happened before?”

The driver nodded solemnly. “Got lucky last time—it wasn’t my fault but ever since, whenever I see a car like that, I steer clear.”

Ye Xinian laughed and glanced back at the Rolls-Royce as they pulled away, catching only a blur of its sleek frame.

What he didn’t see was that, at the exact moment his taxi started moving, the car’s window lowered from the inside.

Inside, Tan Yao was crying uncontrollably. Chi Ling sat in the driver’s seat with eyes reddened.

Officer Wang approached the car and knocked gently on the window. “You saw him, right?”

Ye Xinian had requested not to meet the Chi family face-to-face yet. Naturally, Chi Ling and Tan Yao wouldn’t push it.

But after seventeen years of waiting and longing, the couple had asked Officer Wang for a glimpse from afar. That’s why they were here.

Tan Yao continued to sob.

Chi Ling nodded to Officer Wang. “We saw him. Thank you,” Then he turned to Tan Yao in the back seat and said softly, “The kid takes after you in looks, but he’s got my height.”

Officer Wang added, “First time I saw him today, I thought the same thing. He really looks like Ms. Tan.”

Tan Yao, having regained some composure, smiled through her tears. “Yes, he does look like me. People used to say a son who takes after his mother will have a blessed life… but our Yunxing…” She trailed off as her eyes turned red again.

Silence fell. After a while, Chi Ling said, “Let’s not dwell on it. At least we’ve found our child. That’s what matters,” There would be time to make up for everything they’d missed.

Officer Wang nodded. “Exactly. Now let’s go collect your DNA samples and send them off today. Once the results come back, I’m sure the boy will agree to meet you.”

That comforted Tan Yao. She took a deep breath and finally stopped crying.

Chi Ling glanced away from the rearview mirror and got out of the car.

…

After finishing the DNA test, Ye Xinian finally let out a breath.

Instead of going home, he headed to the company.

He didn’t have any work scheduled in the next few days, but Xie Yi had arranged some training courses.

Yesterday, Ye Xinian wasn’t in the right mindset and had called in sick but with the DNA test done, he had no reason to skip again.

For the next few days, he showed up on time every day.

But on Thursday, something unexpected happened.

After class the previous day, Liu Ran had taken Ye Xinian’s guitar home but forgot to bring it back.

With only thirty minutes until class, it wasn’t enough time to go back and get it.

Luckily, Ye Xinian remembered Chu Wen also had a guitar. He gave Chu Wen a quick call. Chu Wen was on set and cheerfully gave him his apartment code to pick it up.

Just in case, Ye Xinian decided to go with Liu Ran to fetch it.

Ding. The elevator doors opened slowly.

As Ye Xinian looked up, he locked eyes with the man standing outside. He froze for a moment.

The man wore simple casual clothes. He was tall and elegant, his aura striking. Though he wore a cap, it couldn’t hide the sharp lines of his jaw.

Ye Xinian was surprised. It was Duan Zhiyan.

Though they had recorded a show together, Ye Xinian didn’t consider himself close enough to exchange small talk.

So he simply nodded and turned to leave.

But Duan Zhiyan called out, “Heading somewhere in a hurry?”

He took off his hat, his deep gaze fixed on Ye Xinian.

Ye Xinian paused, realizing the question was for him.

“I’m just going to grab my guitar from home,” he said.

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “You have an instrument class? Isn’t it starting soon?”

Ye Xinian was surprised he even knew about his lessons. He nodded and smiled faintly. “Yeah, that’s why I need to hurry. I’ll be late if I don’t go now. Let’s talk next time, Mr. Duan.”

“Don’t go.” Duan Zhiyan stopped him.

“Huh?”

“I have a guitar. Just use mine.”

Both Ye Xinian and Liu Ran were stunned.

Since when was he on such good terms with Duan Zhiyan?

Ye Xinian hesitated. Then Duan Zhiyan added, “I remember the teacher is strict about punctuality.”

“…Alright then. Thanks, Mr. Duan.”

As they entered the elevator, Duan Zhiyan pressed the button for the top floor and casually said, “No need to thank me. You can call me Duan Ge or Yan Ge, either is fine.”

Ye Xinian thought for a second. “Thanks, Duan Ge.”

Duan Zhiyan glanced at him, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. “Mm.”

Soon they arrived. Duan Zhiyan pushed open the office door without knocking and said, “Come in.”

Ye Xinian glanced at the big “CEO OFFICE” sign and hesitated.

Duan Zhiyan paused to wait for him.

With no choice, Ye Xinian followed him in.

Just as they entered, a pleasant male voice said, “Zhiyan, who did you bring—”

Chi Xiwen stopped mid-sentence when he saw Ye Xinian.

Caught off guard, Ye Xinian awkwardly greeted, “Mr. Chi.”

Chi Xiwen didn’t move. He just stared at Ye Xinian, unable to look away.

Duan Zhiyan stepped forward, subtly blocking Chi Xiwen’s gaze. “Have the secretary bring a guitar. Xinian’s class starts in twenty minutes.”

Chi Xiwen snapped out of it. “Sure… I’ll call her now.”

Duan Zhiyan turned to Ye Xinian. “Sit.”

Feeling more awkward by the second, Ye Xinian waved it off. “It’s okay. I’ll wait standing.”

Chi Xiwen, phone in hand, glanced back over. “Yun—Xinian, sit down.”

With both his instructor and the CEO insisting, Ye Xinian could only sit down reluctantly.

In the ten minutes it took the secretary to arrive with the guitar, Ye Xinian regretted his decision a thousand times.

If he had known they were going to the CEO’s office, he would never have come up with Duan Zhiyan.

But now it was too late.

Thankfully, the secretary was fast.

Guitar in hand, Ye Xinian thanked them both and bolted.

Before Chi Xiwen could even say “No need to return it,” the door had already shut behind him.

Chi Xiwen collapsed into a chair, emotionally drained. “Why’d you bring him up here?”

Duan Zhiyan sat on the couch, replying after a pause, “Just happened to run into him. Thought I’d let you see him.”

Chi Xiwen’s eyes were red. “I think I scared him.”

Duan Zhiyan lowered his gaze. “That wasn’t the intention…”

“No, it’s okay,” Chi Xiwen said with a bitter smile. “Honestly, I should thank you. Otherwise, who knows how long I would’ve had to wait to see him.”

…

Ye Xinian didn’t end up returning the guitar—not because he didn’t want to, but because Chi Xiwen’s secretary personally told him there was no need.

It caused quite a stir. Even the music teacher asked if he was close with the CEO.

“Of course not,” Ye Xinian explained quickly. “It’s Duan Zhiyan’s guitar.”

Everyone nodded in understanding. Since they’d done a show together, it made sense.

Later, though, Ye Xinian found it odd. He was a nobody—how did Chi Xiwen know his name?

He couldn’t figure it out and decided to ask Xie Yi when she came back. She had been away accompanying Chu Wen for an important gig.

That night, Liu Ran dropped him off at his apartment.

Since he planned to return the guitar himself, Ye Xinian carried it home.

Just as he finished putting it away, his phone rang.

It was Xia Huaiming.