How My Childhood Friend Rose to Power

An idealistic, gentle entrepreneur top × a devoted heir who overthinks himself into love, bottom Yue Changming, top × Qi Ruzui, bottom The Yue and Qi families had been close friends for generations. Yue Changming and Qi Ruzui had grown up together, childhood sweethearts who were inseparable. They both thought their family-like bond would last until the end of their lives. Then, five years ago, Yue Changming was forced to give up his beloved astronomy and enter the business world. He became one of the brightest rising stars in business, but his relationship with the obsessive heir to the Fang conglomerate shifted from bitter rivalry to something ambiguous. Qi Ruzui couldn’t understand why Yue Changming, so bright and self-possessed, would choose such a terrible man. Two years ago, because of him, Yue Changming and Qi Ruzui had a complete falling-out. Heartbroken, Qi Ruzui went abroad to oversee the family’s international business, using it as an excuse to get away and clear his head. Yue Changming stayed in the country and walked that irreversible road alone. Two years later, the Fang family fell from power, and Yue Changming moved overseas with his new company to start over. He thought he’d put enough distance between himself and the past, until he ran into Qi Ruzui again at a rainy-night cocktail party. - The moment Qi Ruzui saw Yue Changming, he knew that whatever the reason, he could never blame him. He asked, “Why didn’t you tell me back then?” After a long silence, Yue Changming said only, “If I’d told you, you would have stayed.” Qi Ruzui looked at him and said softly, “I understand why you made that choice back then.” “So this time, let me be the one to come to you.” He was Qi Ruzui’s family forever, the moon he’d looked up to in his youth, and the person he’d once vowed to walk beside until the very end. PS: There really is more to their falling-out than meets the eye. There will be no groveling or redemption arc of any kind. The top is not a virgin, and he has an ex who appears briefly. The top is doted on by everyone and has a bit of a harem vibe, so don’t read if you dislike that. Theme: Love means equality and respect, standing side by side, and accompanying someone through every stage of life