[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

21 Days usually films for seven days per episode, with a seven-day break before the next location begins. The first stop, “A Corner of the Seaside,” was about to draw to a close.

Before the final day of recording, the production crew sent representatives to knock on Xu Zhimian’s door. “Is Teacher Xu there?”

“…” Xu Zhimian hung up the phone with Xu Jianan and opened the door. “Yes?”

“Sorry to bother you, Teacher Xu. You’re up so early.”

Standing at the door were two female Betas. Xu Zhimian recognized them as members of the show’s planning team.

“Is something the matter?”

“It’s like this, Teacher Xu. We are deeply sorry for the oversight during the ‘Tacit Understanding’ Q&A segment. After a discussion, the production team has decided to delete that segment; it won’t be edited into the main episode. However…”

The Betas looked troubled. “To maintain the program’s continuity, we need to ask you two to reshoot it. We were wondering if you and President Fu might have some time later?”

They addressed him as “Teacher Xu” with extreme caution. Under normal circumstances, why would the crew be so deferential to a controversial “traffic star” like him?

However… thinking back to that question about his “first night,” Xu Zhimian had indeed felt disgusted by the show’s tactics at the time. But they hadn’t apologized then or later—they chose now to come, claiming they wanted to reshoot.

Xu Zhimian found it strange but kept a neutral expression. After a moment of thought, he said, “I’m fine with it. It just depends on whether Mr. Fu has the time.”

“Great, great! Thank you so much for the trouble.”

“What trouble?” Fu Shiyan’s voice drifted in from nearby.

He walked down the hallway, backlit by the morning sun. A charcoal-grey suit jacket was draped lazily over his arm. Even this early, Fu Shiyan’s tie was perfectly straight, and his pure black hair was styled back with gel, revealing his full forehead.

From head to toe, not a single hair was out of place. He was meticulous.

For some reason, a thought popped into Xu Zhimian’s head: Is he going to meet someone very important?

Seeing Fu Shiyan, the crew members repeated what they had just said.

“…” Fu Shiyan listened in silence. After a short pause, he said impassively, “…My schedule is full.”

“…” The Beta girls looked like they wanted to cry.

The room door was shut.

“This afternoon, you’re coming back to the Fu family estate with me.”

Xu Zhimian asked in confusion, “Didn’t you say your schedule was full?”

Fu Shiyan turned and gave him a deep, meaningful look.

Xu Zhimian realized belatedly… that was just an excuse to brush off the production crew.

“If the crew made a blunder, they should pay for it themselves.”

In the past few days, the stock price of the production company behind the show had been dropping, having been suppressed several times by the Glory Group. After some communication through Kaelin, they finally understood where they had offended Fu Shiyan. They hurriedly notified the crew to delete the footage and apologize in person.

Fu Shiyan didn’t voice these underlying factors. If they dared to use Xu Zhimian for hype, they had better check if their backing was strong enough.

…

The Fu Family Estate

Xu Zhimian had never been to the Fu family’s ancestral home.

When Grandpa Fu had originally played matchmaker, the Xu family had been overjoyed and agreed immediately. Only afterward did they remember Xu Zhimian, the actual person involved, haughtily telling him, “We’ve found a good marriage for you,” with an air of charity as if he shouldn’t be ungrateful.

Xu Zhimian hadn’t had a good impression of Fu Zhen, and despite several invitations from Grandpa Fu to meet at the estate, Xu Zhimian had politely declined.

The Fu estate was built halfway up a mountain and covered a vast area, even featuring its own golf course and stables. Xu Zhimian could see a corner of the house from a distance. The estate is truly massive.

The driver soon pulled up to the main entrance. The iron gates opened automatically to reveal two neat rows of people standing at the door, all dressed in formal wear. Leading them was a white-haired middle-aged man who looked quite stern.

Xu Zhimian had never seen such a grand reception. Upon seeing Fu Shiyan’s car, the stern man’s face brightened with joy, and he beat Fu Shiyan to the door to open it.

“Second Young Master, you’re finally back.” The man’s tone was like seeing a child who hadn’t returned home in a long time; his delight was impossible to hide.

Fu Shiyan stepped out with his long legs and turned to help Xu Zhimian out of the car.

Fu Shiyan placed a hand on Xu Zhimian’s waist and gave a slight nod. “…Uncle Jiang, long time no see.”

Xu Zhimian obediently followed suit: “…Uncle Jiang.”

Uncle Jiang’s gaze shifted to Xu Zhimian. For some reason, Xu Zhimian felt that Uncle Jiang’s eyes grew much colder. He gave a slight nod. “Second Madam.”

Uncle Jiang led them to the formal dining room, which was packed with people. Xu Zhimian only recognized Fu Zhen, who was sitting at the far left of the head table. Fu Zhen’s gaze was the first to snap toward them; taking advantage of the others not looking, he flipped Xu Zhimian the bird.

Xu Zhimian: “…”

Without hesitation, he whispered a complaint to Fu Shiyan: “Sir, your nephew is glaring at me.”

“…” Fu Shiyan’s gaze swept over carelessly, making Fu Zhen shrink back in terror.

Uncle Jiang glanced sideways at Xu Zhimian, his brow furrowed. He seemed dissatisfied with Xu Zhimian whispering to Fu Shiyan. But it was only for a second before he looked back to the elderly man at the head of the table—who was over seventy—and said respectfully, “Master, the Second Young Master and Second Madam have arrived.”

Except for Grandpa Fu, the other family members rose one after another, greeting them with smiles: “Shiyan is back? Is this your nephew-in-law?”

Fu Shiyan nodded slightly, his face expressionless. Compared to the others’ warmth, he seemed incredibly cold. Xu Zhimian sensed that Fu Shiyan didn’t really want to deal with these people and didn’t even bother with pleasantries.

The people greeting them felt a bit awkward but only dared to complain privately about Fu Shiyan’s arrogance. After all, their livelihoods depended on this head of the Fu family.

Fu Shiyan led Xu Zhimian to the seats on Grandpa Fu’s right. His expression softened significantly as he bowed and said, “Grandpa.”

Xu Zhimian stayed close and followed with a bow: “Hello, Grandpa.”

Grandpa Fu folded his hands over his cane and nodded slowly. “It’s good that you’re back. Sit and eat.”

As soon as Grandpa Fu spoke, everyone sat down. The meal was incredibly quiet.

As Xu Zhimian sat there, the curious gazes of the others fell on him from time to time. He felt a rare bit of nervousness—these were Fu Shiyan’s family members. Having only lived with his grandmother since he was a child, he had never eaten with such a large family.

Someone nearby spoke up, interrupting his thoughts: “Second Brother’s wife looks so familiar. I think I’ve seen him on TV. Is your name Xu Zhimian?”

Xu Zhimian nodded: “Yes.”

The woman speaking looked to be in her late forties or fifties. Her eyes were set close together, giving her a mean and petty appearance.

“Second Brother’s wife is quite famous. I’ve even seen that video on the trending topics. So many people were smearing you, talking about ‘sponsors’ and things…” She quickly covered her mouth. “…But you can’t trust what you see online; it’s all half-truths.”

As she spoke, the looks directed at Xu Zhimian changed, gaining a hint of mockery. Xu Zhimian knit his brows. If he didn’t realize this woman was trying to humiliate him at a family dinner, he’d have to be a fool.

The Alpha beside her frowned and hissed at her, “That stuff isn’t true, why bring it up?”

“I just happened to see it,” the woman grumbled. “Since the person is right here, I’m just chatting with him.”

Clack! Fu Shiyan set his chopsticks down with enough force to make the woman jump. He took Xu Zhimian’s hand, lacing their fingers together tightly with no gaps. Xu Zhimian instinctively looked at him.

Fu Shiyan’s face was covered in frost. His cold gaze skipped past the man and landed directly on the woman. “…The Alpha in that video was me. What exactly are you trying to say?”

The atmosphere became incredibly tense. The woman felt a chill run down her spine from Fu Shiyan’s icy stare; a cold shiver traveled from her feet to her heart.

Fu Zhen hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over: “It’s obvious Auntie only watches half the gossip. Second Auntie posted a clarification on Weibo ages ago.”

The woman didn’t dare to truly defy Fu Shiyan. She was just bitter because she felt the position of “Mrs. Fu” should have belonged to her precious niece, only to be snatched away by this “vixen” in front of her.

Swallowing her anger, she squeezed out a smile and took the exit Fu Zhen provided: “Oh dear, my mistake! I really only saw half of it and thought… Well, I have a big mouth.”

Xu Zhimian raised an eyebrow and replied bluntly, “…Indeed. It seems Auntie needs to learn more about how to express herself properly.”

At this, the others stopped eating and turned to look at Xu Zhimian. They had seen him standing quietly by Fu Shiyan’s side and hadn’t expected him to be anything but a “soft persimmon” easy to squeeze.

So disrespectful, Uncle Jiang thought, standing nearby with a deep frown. How could the Young Master marry someone so arrogant?

The woman was of the same generation as Fu Shiyan, and Xu Zhimian calling her “Auntie” turned her face green.

Fu Shiyan looked down to meet Xu Zhimian’s eyes. Xu Zhimian looked completely unapologetic, the upward tilt of his eyes perfectly suiting this arrogance, making him look brilliant and striking.

Truly a little fox borrowing the tiger’s power.

Fu Shiyan looked up, his gaze sweeping over the woman as he spoke unhurriedly: “I recall Auntie has a son currently at the police station. Since he committed a crime, he should admit his fault properly, right?”

The woman’s face went white. Her worthless son had been detained for intentionally causing serious injury. She had been frantic these past few days trying to fix it. Fu Shiyan was a man of his word; with one sentence, he had cut off all her paths for help.

Her lips trembled as she tried to say something, but the Alpha beside her pulled her back: “Enough! Stop embarrassing yourself. Shut up and eat.”

The farce ended there. When the others looked at Xu Zhimian again, there was a clear hint of fear in their eyes. Since Fu Shiyan valued Xu Zhimian so much, who would dare provoke him?

Grandpa Fu hadn’t spoken throughout the ordeal. Only at the end did he shake his head and sigh: “…In the future, family dinners should only be for the immediate family.”

With that, he leaned on his cane and was helped away by Uncle Jiang.

The distant relatives left at the table turned pale. They relied on the main Fu family to reap benefits; Grandpa Fu had just directly severed the only link between the side branches and the main house. In the future, it would be even harder for them to suck up to Fu Shiyan.

Several resentful glares were shot at the woman. She bit her lip until it was white. What does it have to do with me?! Grandpa Fu probably wanted to cut off the side branches long ago; he just used this incident as an excuse! What does it have to do with me?!