[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan returned to their room to change, and the live broadcast was temporarily cut.

【Boohoo, what happened? I only crawled over here because the stream for the “Naughty Son” (Zhou Yan) and Dr. Ji closed, and now this one is closed too, ugh!】

Xu Zhimian finished changing into a fresh, clean outfit. When he came out, he saw Fu Shiyan in formal attire, holding his phone. Whatever was being said on the other end made Fu Shiyan’s brows knit together tightly.

“I have to head out for a bit.” Fu Shiyan grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door.

Xu Zhimian: “Did something happen?”

“Work matters,” Fu Shiyan dropped those two words and pushed the door open to leave.

Xu Zhimian didn’t think much of it. He looked down at his phone, and the first push notification he saw was— Shocking! The “must-tell” secrets between gaming streamer King and the rising top-star Xu Zhimian!

Xu Zhimian: “…”

A few minutes later, at the YC Esports Club, Xu Jianan received a message.

[Mianmian]: Are you ready to wash your hair while doing a handstand? Expectant eyes/Expectant eyes

[Xu Jianan]: !!!!!!!?!?!? Ah! That was just me talking big!

A moment later, Xu Zhimian sent a screenshot of a chat where Xu Jianan had sworn decisively: If I, Xu Jianan, ever wear a maid outfit and do a hot dance in this lifetime, I’ll perform a handstand hair-wash! Seriously, I’m not just talking big!!

[Xu Jianan]: …

Just then, Chen Baisheng walked past him with a glass of water. Xu Jianan glared at him; it was all this culprit’s fault.

“…” Sensing the gaze, Chen Baisheng raised an eyebrow. “What, can’t handle looking at a handsome guy?”

Xu Jianan: “…”

Narcissist!

…

Fu Shiyan left and didn’t return even by nightfall.

The seaside was set up with lights and BBQ grills. The seafood and vegetables Lu Ze and the others brought back were neatly arranged to the side.

The five of them took their places as the live broadcast started. Only then did the director inform everyone: “President Fu has some matters to attend to. Regrettably, he cannot join the seaside BBQ tonight.”

“…” Xu Zhimian glanced at his empty phone screen; he hadn’t received a single message from Fu Shiyan.

【Mianmian looks so lonely and disappointed.】

【Everyone is in pairs, except Mianmian. He looks so solitary.】

However, the slight disappointment was soon diluted by the aroma of food. Ji Yan was exceptionally good at grilling; everything he made was succulent and perfectly seasoned.

Soon, the other four were staring longingly at Ji Yan—or more accurately, at the skewers in his hand.

“…” Ji Yan gave a helpless smile. “I’ll try to speed up.”

“Wooo! Dr. Ji is the best!”

“Our ‘sister-in-law’ is truly capable!”

【I want to eat too!!】

【I thought Dr. Ji was the type who never touched chores, but he’s a pro at everything from gathering wood to grilling.】

【Dibs on my second husband. Sorry, sisters, I have to go marry him now.】

【Thank you ’21 Days’ for showing us so many men who actually do housework.】

Ye Ming’s eyes sparkled as he handed a piece of squid to Xu Zhimian without hesitation. “Try this! Dr. Ji’s grilling is incredible!”

Flattered, Xu Zhimian took it with a smile and a small bite. It was perfectly chewy and not fishy at all.

As he went for a second bite, he noticed Ye Ming leaning his chin on his hand, staring at him intently. The sea breeze ruffled Ye Ming’s golden curls, and his blue eyes looked like the shimmering ocean.

“…” Xu Zhimian turned his head, confused. “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

Ye Ming smiled beautifully and shook his head. “No… I’ve just never seen someone so beautiful.”

He paused. “You fascinate me more than musical notes.”

Xu Zhimian froze. It was the first time he had heard such a passionate and sincere compliment. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, he eventually smiled back: “…Thank you. You too—the first time I saw you, I thought I’d seen an elf.”

So ethereal and vivid.

“…” Lu Ze pinched a peeled shrimp and put it to Ye Ming’s lips, teasing: “Here, Elf Baby, eat something.”

The atmosphere was instantly shattered, causing Ye Ming to bite down hard on Lu Ze’s fingertip. Lu Ze hissed in pain and pinched Ye Ming’s nose with his other hand. “Truly a little elf—sharp-tongued and sharp-toothed.”

“…” Ye Ming swiped his hand away. “Lu Ze, you got oil all over my nose!”

Xu Zhimian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

【So sweet! I could ship Ye Ming and Lu Ze until the end of time.】

【My smile hasn’t left my face since this show started.】

After messing with Lu Ze, Ye Ming moved his chair closer to Xu Zhimian, hooked his arm into his, and huffed: “Stay away from me! I’m not sitting with you anymore.”

【Hahahahaha, they’re at it again. I actually missed this the past two days.】

【I love their dynamic, hahaha!】

【Lu Ze is completely whipped.】

【I’ve realized ’21 Days’ is great at finding ‘husband-taming’ experts.】

Ye Ming turned and whispered in Xu Zhimian’s ear: “Secretly, I noticed you the very first day. I wanted to talk to you but never found the chance.”

Zhou Yan “tsk-tsked.” “What’s with the whispering? Why don’t you say it out loud for us to hear?”

Ye Ming: “I’m not telling you.”

Zhou Yan: “…”

Xu Zhimian blinked. “Then I’ll tell you a secret too—I noticed you as well! When you were bartending that day… you were mesmerizing. Can you teach me how to mix drinks later?”

“Small case!” Ye Ming gave him a wink, showing two small, white canine teeth.

“In exchange, can you sing a song?” Ye Ming’s suggestion caught everyone’s attention.

Ji Yan was surprised: “I knew Teacher Xu was an actor, but I’ve never heard him sing.”

Mentioning music made Ye Ming’s eyes light up. “I remember hearing a song Mianmian sang a long time ago. It was so beautiful, such a unique tone. It’s a waste you didn’t become a singer.”

The last time Xu Zhimian sang was four years ago. He was slightly startled: “When?”

“In a video I saw online. You seemed to be a resident singer at a bar. You said that song was called…”

As Ye Ming struggled to remember, Lu Ze finished the sentence: “It’s called Rain After a Long Drought (Jiǔ Hàn Féng Lín).”

Ye Ming: “Right, right, right!”

【Old fans know! I became a fan because of that song. I have to trash-talk Sky Entertainment again—I thought he’d debut as a singer, but the company sent him to act?! What a waste of talent! Sky Entertainment deserves to go bankrupt!】

【Wait, wait… Rain After a Long Drought… remember Fu Shiyan’s first impression of Mianmian on Day 1? Didn’t he use those exact words? Could it be he saw Mianmian singing that song, and his heart felt like it was finally seeing rain after a long drought (?)】

【Wait! Old fans remember Mianmian sang that song at the celebrity bar ‘Jiangnan Nightscape’!】

【Too bad, I’ve been waiting for an album version forever. Crying/Crying】

Hearing that familiar title after so long caused Xu Zhimian to freeze. Bitter memories pricked his chest like needles, leaving a dull ache.

His face turned pale, and he pursed his lips. “Sorry, I can’t sing it. No copyright.”

“?! Why!” Ye Ming was shocked. “I remember you said it was your original song. Why do you need copyright for it now?”

Ye Ming, always blunt, blurted out: “Did someone steal it from you?”

“…” The atmosphere instantly changed. Lu Ze and Zhou Yan, who had been in the industry for years, knew how dangerous such a topic could be.

“…” Xu Zhimian didn’t confirm or deny.

His silence spoke volumes.

This was a major bombshell. The music circle is small, and copyright is taken very seriously. Ye Ming, especially, loathed plagiarists. He slapped Lu Ze’s thigh to stand up in indignation but was pulled back into Lu Ze’s lap. “Here, baby, eat this. This is good!”

“…” Ye Ming couldn’t break free and was stuffed with several pieces of grilled meat.

Zhou Yan followed up to change the subject. “…I saw Mianmian sing an English song on a stream once, I think it was Indulge in Brandy. It was lovely. Why don’t you sing that instead?”

“…”

Having his “landmines” stepped on twice in a row, Xu Zhimian forced a smile. “The smoke is too thick, it’s hurting my throat. Maybe next time.”

Zhou Yan: “…”

【Why does it feel like everyone is avoiding the topic? What is Rain After a Long Drought Exactly? Why can’t he sing it?】

【Mianmian sang it in a bar during his freshman year. He personally admitted it was an original.】

【Everyone is speaking in riddles. I remember Mianmian was signed by Sky Entertainment to be a singer. Did they take the copyright and give it to another artist to remake?】

That night, a video of Xu Zhimian singing at “Jiangnan Nightscape” leaked, and the original song Rain After a Long Drought hit the top of the trending charts.

People noticed the melody was nearly identical to the song The Sound of Rain by Jiang Xiaocheng, which won a Golden Melody Award last year.

“Isn’t Jiang Xiaocheng signed to Sky Entertainment?! It’s obvious they plagiarized Xu Zhimian’s song without permission!”

“I always thought Jiang Xiaocheng’s voice didn’t fit that melody. So it was stolen! No wonder the original sounds better.”

“Ahhh! I’m so angry! I hope for an official response! Why does someone get an award for plagiarism while the original can’t see the light of day?”

“This industry needs a cleanup! Protect original creators!! If we don’t stand up today, there will be plagiarism everywhere tomorrow!!”

“I think Xu Zhimian’s voice is so unique! He’d have a better future as a singer than an actor!”

“I heard he was supposed to debut as a singer, but the company forced him into bad acting roles. No wonder he was hated for so long!”

“Weren’t they suing Sky Entertainment? What happened? It’s been six days, where are the results?!”