[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

[Heartbroken Soul]: AHHH! I’ve finished watching every single drama Mian-mian has ever been in! When is he going to act again?!

[Small Success in Tiger’s Mouth]: With his acting? Even a vase acts better than him! Now that he’s married into a wealthy family, he should just hug that golden thigh and stay home. Stop coming out to act and embarrass yourself!

[0000-Nothing]: Don’t look now, but Sweet 21 Days has already tagged Xu Zhimian. He’s going on a variety show with his “golden thigh.”

[Why]: What? 21 Days is my favorite show. I really don’t want to watch it if he’s on it… Does the director’s team only care about hype and not character?

[Lychees Taste Bad]: A business marriage with no feelings—they’re obviously just acting for the show. When did 21 Days become so low-effort? I’m out.

[Minus One]: Plus one.

A long line of “plus ones” followed.

Among the three celebrity couples on the show, netizens started a poll titled “Which couple are you least optimistic about?” Unsurprisingly, Xu Zhimian took first place.

…

At 6:00 AM, Xu Zhimian had just finished washing up when he received a message from Xu Jianan.

[Xu Jianan]: Mian-mian, is 21 Days starting its broadcast for you today? I saw people online voted you guys #1 on the “Least Anticipated Couple” list. I heard there might be a penalty for that! Get ready.

[Xu Zhimian]: Since when do you care about entertainment news? After my two Weibo posts, my app crashed from all the notifications. I haven’t logged in for days; I just found out about this list today.

[Xu Jianan]: No wonder.

No wonder Xu Zhimian hadn’t reacted to the news of him (Jianan) trending for a maid outfit dance. Xu Jianan pulled a long face—better he didn’t know. Damn that, Chen Bosheng! Making me stream another day!

[Xu Zhimian]: It’s fine… the show won’t give us any completely unreasonable tasks, right?

[Xu Jianan]: Hopefully!

…

The production crew was already ready downstairs. As Xu Zhimian walked down, the cameraman turned the lens toward him.

The bullet comments exploded instantly.

[AHHH! Mian-mian looks so cute just after waking up! That little stray hair on top of his head is so playful!] [Ugh, I’m so jealous of President Fu. I want to rua Mian-mian baby too!] [Oh look, the Vase is awake.] [Get out! This is Zhimian’s solo shot. Anti-fans, crawl away!]

Kailin had briefed him beforehand. This season of 21 Days was a 24/7 livestream. The couples’ interactions would be exposed to the camera without any editing or post-production. Netizens could even vote to assign specific tasks to them.

For couples with a real emotional foundation, this was easy. But for these two, their marriage was a pure transaction.

Xu Zhimian waved at the camera. “Good morning, everyone.”

He turned his gaze toward Fu Shiyan, who was standing at the kitchen counter. Fu Shiyan wore a well-tailored white shirt, his jet-black hair parted neatly. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high bridge, adding a touch of sophisticated “gentlemanliness” to his sharp, handsome features.

Hearing Xu Zhimian’s voice, the hand pouring milk paused. Xu Zhimian bounced over to him, blinking. “Good morning, Sir!”

Remembering their agreement to act natural, Xu Zhimian stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek and asked, “What’s for breakfast?”

“…” Fu Shiyan stiffened almost imperceptibly, but it vanished in an instant. He rubbed Xu Zhimian’s head, the coldness in his eyes melting into a trace of warmth. “The auntie finished breakfast. Drink your milk and then eat.”

Xu Zhimian held the milk with both hands, his heart skipping two beats.

They looked exactly like a pair of newlyweds in a honey-moon phase. Life is a play, and it all depends on the acting, Zhimian thought.

In a spot hidden from the camera, he whispered into Fu Shiyan’s ear: “Mr. Fu, your acting is amazing!”

He didn’t notice Fu Shiyan’s face for a second.

The livestream chat was losing its mind.

[Holy crap, why does this scene look so harmonious?!] [Am I the only one who thinks President Fu is ridiculously handsome? He pours milk with so much grace I thought he was pouring vintage wine!] [LMAO, who calls their husband ‘Sir’ in a real marriage? Fake at first sight!] [I don’t believe it. This is so staged!]

Xu Zhimian caught a glimpse of the “Fake!” comments and shook his head inwardly. The netizens’ sixth sense is terrifyingly sharp.

The director’s team chimed in: “We heard Teacher Xu and President Fu just got their certificates. Following the netizens’ request, could you both share your first impression of each other?”

First impression?

Before Xu Zhimian could speak, Fu Shiyan said calmly: “Long-awaited rain after a drought.”

The netizens cracked up.

[Hahaha, what a weird idiom! The other couples use ‘Angel’ or ‘Cute,’ why is the style so different here?] [Wait… rain after a drought? A parched land meeting long-lost water! Guys, I smell a ‘Salvation’ trope!]

Xu Zhimian thought for a moment and said: “Like the Tyndall effect.”

When the Tyndall effect appears, light becomes a tangible object, illuminating a bright path in his dark, desolate wilderness.

[So poetic… I’m too uneducated for this couple.]

As Xu Zhimian’s “black-and-red” status brought massive traffic, the livestream battle pushed them to the top of the trending list, once again suppressing the gaming streamer King’s search about “taking off silk stockings.”

[King’s Dad]: Again?! King-baby’s heat is suppressed again! I have to see who this Xu Zhimian is!

A wave of e-sports fans flooded the stream. Meanwhile, Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan left the villa and headed for their destination.

During the drive, Xu Zhimian answered fan questions. “Yes, this is my variety show debut.”

[Debut on a couple’s show! Doing it for love! I ship it!] [Mian-mian, when can you sing again? That song from the fan meeting was so good!]

Xu Zhimian’s expression twitched slightly. “I can’t sing that song anymore. I don’t have the right.”

The chat expressed regret, but a hand suddenly reached over and took his phone.

Fu Shiyan’s cool voice came from above: “Aren’t you afraid of carsickness, staring at your phone like that?”

Xu Zhimian said “Oh” softly. “Then I won’t look.” He really did get carsick.

…

The destination was a small villa by the sea. When they arrived, only one other couple was there.

Fu Shiyan took the suitcases out. Xu Zhimian instinctively hooked his arm. “Let’s go.”

Just as they reached the door, a loud, sharp voice rang out: “Lu Ze! We’re done! You can leave! I’m not filming this show anymore!”

Xu Zhimian froze. What? They just started and it’s already this explosive?

The chat was howling. [Here we go! The Ze-Ming couple is fighting again! Hahaha!]

A helpless voice followed: “My little ancestor, what is it now? We’re live, can we talk about this later?”

Xu Zhimian recognized the voice: Lu Ze, the triple-crown Best Actor and a famous playboy who had settled down to marry the rising music star Ye Ming.

Xu Zhimian led Fu Shiyan inside. On the sofa sat a beautiful Beta with blue eyes and blonde hair—Ye Ming. He was fuming. “Everything I say, you say ‘later’! Move! Get away from me!”

Lu Ze sat beside him, coaxing him: “Ancestor, tell me now. I won’t say ‘later’ anymore. Just don’t keep it inside, okay?”

Xu Zhimian had never seen the arrogant Lu Ze be so submissive. He whispered to Fu Shiyan: “Sir, let’s stay quiet for a second.” He was ready to watch the drama.

[Hahaha, look at Fu Shiyan’s face! He looks so indulgent of Zhimian’s gossip-loving soul!]

Ye Ming snapped: “I said don’t touch me! Let’s just get a divorce!”

[LMAO, divorce on the first day of a marriage show!]

Lu Ze lost a bit of his patience. “Watch your words! We can argue, but don’t mention divorce, okay?”

“No. Get away.”

Lu Ze suddenly leaned in and gave Ye Ming a huge kiss on the lips. “Why should I stay away from my own wife!”

Before Ye Ming could react, Lu Ze kissed him several more times and rubbed their faces together. “Wife, stop being mad, okay?”

The crew were grinning from ear to ear. The chat was screaming.

Ye Ming’s face flushed red. He punched Lu Ze’s chest. “What are you doing! People are watching! Let go!”

Lu Ze caught his hand and kissed the back of it. “Ancestor, not mad anymore?”

At that moment, the sound of suitcases rolling drew their attention. Lu Ze and Ye Ming turned and saw Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan standing there.

“…” Xu Zhimian had met Lu Ze a few times but wasn’t close. He waved at the camera. “Senior Lu, Senior Ye, hello.”

Just then, another bright, cheerful voice rang from the doorway: “Hello! Hi everyone!”