[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Grandpa Fu departed, leaving the room filled with mixed expressions and hushed whispers.

Xu Zhimian disliked this stifling atmosphere. He gave Fu Shiyan’s calf a light kick under the table. “…Sir, may I go to the restroom?”

“Mm. It’s to the left of the staircase.”

Inside, Xu Zhimian received a message:

[Kaelin]: We won the lawsuit! The one million you paid has been recovered. Sky Entertainment will post an official apology and pay you five million in damages.

Xu Zhimian sat on the closed toilet lid and typed back:

[Xu Zhimian]: Five million? They were willing to pay that much?

He knew Sky Entertainment’s stingy nature all too well.

[Kaelin]: Please! President Fu stepped in personally! He hired the top ace lawyers in City A. Letting them off with just five million is mercy; they nearly lost everything.

The legal team had originally planned to crush them entirely, but Fu Shiyan had stopped them. “What’s the fun in simply making them pay money?” he had said.

The memory made Kaelin’s hair stand on end; she had a feeling Sky Entertainment’s future would be far from pleasant.

Xu Zhimian didn’t comment. When Fu Shiyan made a move, he rarely missed his mark.

[Kaelin]: I was only in court for a few days—how are you on the trending searches again? What’s the deal with you and Jiang Xiaocheng’s song The Sound of Rain?

Xu Zhimian’s fingers flew across the screen.

[Xu Zhimian]: I plagiarized. Since the topic is hot right now, I’m going to sue Jiang Xiaocheng.

Kaelin, who had been nursing a sore back from the legal battle, bolted upright from her sofa.

[Kaelin]: Wait, what? Another lawsuit? Since when did you write songs? [Kaelin]: Forget it, let’s talk in person.

Xu Zhimian locked his phone. This time, he was determined to take back his copyright. Suddenly, his phone chimed.

[Fu Shiyan]: Not out yet? I’m waiting for you at the door.

Xu Zhimian’s brow twitched. He realized he had been in the restroom for nearly twenty minutes.

[Xu Zhimian]: Coming.

Passing the mirror, he paused. The boy in the reflection was breathtakingly beautiful, his lips curved into a sharp, dazzling smile. Maybe… this the first time someone has waited for me?

…

The Staircase

Fu Shiyan stood by the spiral staircase, facing away. He held a cigarette in one hand; amidst the swirling smoke, the Alpha’s eyes were lowered, his expression hazy and distant as if lost in thought.

He had looked exactly like this the first time Xu Zhimian saw him at Victoria.

The mention of Victoria reminded him of Fu Shiyan’s answers during the “Tacit Understanding” quiz. First met at Jiangnan Nightscape… First impression associated with ‘Rain After a Long Drought’… The pieces clicked together.

Fu Shiyan’s first glimpse of him was five years ago at that bar.

Fu Shiyan snapped out of his reverie. He turned his head, his gaze meeting Xu Zhimian’s.

As their eyes locked, Xu Zhimian felt a stir in his heart. He stepped forward quickly, took a drag of the cigarette directly from Fu Shiyan’s hand, and slowly blew the smoke into the Alpha’s face.

Fu Shiyan froze, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

This was something Xu Zhimian used to do constantly three years ago. After every “session” following their sponsorship agreement, Fu Shiyan would light a cigarette by the bed, and Xu Zhimian loved to take a puff from his hand and blow it back at him.

Xu Zhimian stared intently at his lips before looking up: “…Sir, shall we do it again?”

The voice overlapped with the memories from three years ago. Fu Shiyan pulled himself back to the present.

Xu Zhimian leaned closer. “Since it’s a performance, we should play the part thoroughly.”

Fu Shiyan watched his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“In public, we’re the model couple. In private… Let’s go back to our relationship from three years ago.”

Only sex, no love. If he couldn’t have Fu Shiyan’s heart, wouldn’t having his body be enough?

Fu Shiyan gave a soft chuckle, leaning back against the railing in a relaxed posture. “Weren’t we always?”

“Really?” Xu Zhimian lowered his voice near his ear. “But Hubby, you haven’t touched me in seven days.”

Fu Shiyan’s gaze turned dangerous. He tilted his head, their noses brushing, inches apart. He kissed him hard, and Xu Zhimian opened his mouth, their tongues entangling.

Just as things were heating up…

“Ahem.” A dry, abrupt cough interrupted them.

They pulled apart instantly. Standing on the stairs were two people. One was Uncle Jiang, his brow furrowed, hand still near his mouth from the cough.

The other was a man half a head taller than Uncle Jiang. He had long black hair tied low and cold, elegant features. His pale complexion combined with his sharp eyes gave him a fragile, ethereal beauty.

A name flashed in Xu Zhimian’s mind: Qi Qingran.

Back in his junior year, Xu Zhimian had been a tutor for the Gu family’s eldest son, Gu Xingchen. This man, Qi Qingran, was the fiancé (intended second wife) of Gu Xingchen’s father.

“Uncle Jiang,” Fu Shiyan’s gaze moved to the man beside him. After a beat, he said: “Qingran.”

“My apologies for interrupting President Fu’s ‘good business’,” Qi Qingran said, avoiding his gaze. He turned to Uncle Jiang. “Uncle Jiang, let’s go.”

Fu Shiyan frowned.

Uncle Jiang looked at Qi Qingran, his stern expression softening into one of concern. “Ran-ran, you finally came back for a visit. Won’t you eat something before leaving?”

Qi Qingran started to refuse: “No need…”

“Uncle Jiang, ask Sister Lin to make a bowl of preserved egg and lean meat porridge,” Fu Shiyan interrupted, his tone brook no argument. “It’s late. Stay and eat before you go, or your stomach will act up again tonight.”

How did Fu Shiyan know about his stomach issues? Were they that close? Even the stern Uncle Jiang was so affectionate toward him—what was Qi Qingran’s relationship with the Fu family?

Xu Zhimian’s eyelids twitched. And what is his relationship with Fu Shiyan?

Uncle Jiang nodded and went downstairs. Qi Qingran pursed his bloodless lips and gave Fu Shiyan a cold look but didn’t refuse again. “Thank you, President Fu.”

Fu Shiyan’s expression was as dark as deep water.

…

The Aftermath

After seeing Qi Qingran, Fu Shiyan’s aura remained low and oppressive. That night, he was exceptionally fierce.

Tears pricked the corners of Xu Zhimian’s eyes. He bit down hard on the side of Fu Shiyan’s neck until he tasted the metallic tang of blood. He looked up, licking a stray drop of blood from his own lip. “That Qi Qingran… What is he to you?”

Fu Shiyan grabbed Xu Zhimian’s chin, his voice colder than ever. “…That is none of your business.”

Xu Zhimian’s eyes darkened. He pushed further, as if competing. “Family? Friend? Or… an old flame?”

“Shut up!”

Fu Shiyan pinned him to the bed, pinning his wrists above his head. “…That is not for you to speculate on!”

His grip was painfully tight. Xu Zhimian bit his lip, physiological tears mingling with his frustration.

“…”

Fu Shiyan froze, suddenly letting go. He leaned down, his cool lips trailing over Xu Zhimian’s face, kissing away the tears bit by bit.

Xu Zhimian closed his eyes as the kisses landed on his eyelids. The fluttering of his lashes against the skin was like the light scratch of a feather.

“It’s not what you think. He is my family.”

“You’re lying,” Xu Zhimian’s voice trembled.

“Qi Qingran’s parents had an accident when he was seven. My grandfather was close friends with them, so he brought him to the Fu house. We grew up together. He is my relative.”

Childhood sweethearts. How could they have become so distant unless something happened between them?

“You say he’s family, then why is he so cold to you?” Xu Zhimian opened his eyes, hitting the mark.

The warmth vanished from Fu Shiyan’s face. The atmosphere hit freezing point.

Xu Zhimian spoke first: “…Is that another thing I’m not supposed to ask?”

“…” Fu Shiyan said calmly, “Do you remember what you said at the staircase?”

Xu Zhimian stiffened. In public, a model couple. In private, back to our relationship from three years ago.

The relationship from three years ago: Benefactor and Canary.

Fu Shiyan never interfered in Xu Zhimian’s private life, and Xu Zhimian had no right to question Fu Shiyan’s. He was reminding him that he had overstepped again.

…

The Fashion Show

The next morning, they drove away from the Fu estate. Xu Zhimian had been invited by a brand for a seaside fashion show, and Kaelin accompanied him.

Backstage at the makeup area: “What the hell is this singing? After all that training, this is the result?” Kaelin was exploding with rage into her phone.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Zhimian asked while the artist was doing his brows.

Kaelin had recently signed a singer with a unique tone for a solo debut, but the singer was being lazy and half-hearted.

“Listen to this!” She handed him a pair of over-ear headphones.

A song played on loop. The accompaniment was soft and pleasant, but the singer’s voice was thick and gravelly, creating a jarring contrast.

“…” Xu Zhimian frowned. After a moment, he suggested: “Sister Kaelin, why not have him try something more explosive or powerful?”

“Explosive?”

“His voice is heavy. It’s hard to match it with light music; it feels out of place. Songs with a fast tempo and strong rhythm would suit his grit better.”

Kaelin’s eyes lit up. “Mianmian, you’re right!” She began typing furiously. “Get moving! I want to see results today!”

During a gap in her typing, she looked up at him thoughtfully. “Mianmian, have you ever thought about pivoting to be a singer?”

Xu Zhimian looked at her through the mirror. “…Maybe later. I want to get the rights to Rain After a Long Drought back first.”

“Right!” Kaelin was full of fighting spirit.

“I’m really just here for a show. Uncle Ze, if you have work, go to the office…” A familiar voice sounded from behind.

Ye Ming was talking, but stopped when he saw Xu Zhimian. Lu Ze’s gaze had been on Ye Ming the whole time; he followed his line of sight and raised an eyebrow. “Nephew-in-law, we meet again.”

Ye Ming gave Lu Ze’s arm a sharp pinch. Lu Ze hissed, but Ye Ming just waved happily. “Hello, Mianmian! What a coincidence!”

Ye Ming ran to his side and told Lu Ze: “Now that I have Mianmian here, you can go! I won’t wander off, go finish your work!”

“…” Lu Ze “tsk-ed.” “What an ungrateful little wolf. Be back before 10 PM.”

Xu Zhimian was surprised. He always thought Lu Ze was the one in control, but it seemed to be the other way around.

Once Lu Ze left, Ye Ming tilted Xu Zhimian’s chin up with one finger and cocked an eyebrow: “Fascinating beauty, are we on for tonight?”

“!!!”