[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The “date” Ye Ming mentioned was simply an invitation to a bar that evening.

The bar was bathed in low, moody tones, with dim lights casting shadows across walls covered in industrial “ruin” wallpaper. The music was pulsating and aggressive—bold, wild, and raw.

Under the glow of linear lights, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty leaned lazily on his hand. In the faint light, his sharp, mixed-race features appeared hazy and mysterious.

“Sorry, I have a partner,” Ye Ming said, flashing the wedding ring on his ring finger at the ninth Alpha who had come to ask for his contact information.

The Alpha left, his face a mask of regret and disappointment.

Ye Ming turned and clinked his glass against Xu Zhimian’s. The sound was crisp. He arched an eyebrow: “Babe, how are you going to drink with that mask on?”

Inside the bar, the crowd was reveling in reckless abandon. Alphas and Omegas were packed together, and the mixture of various pheromones was pungent and overwhelming. Wearing a mask made it slightly more bearable.

Not wanting to spoil the fun, Xu Zhimian briskly pulled off his mask.

Ye Ming tilted his head back and downed his drink in one go. The liquid slid down, glistening against Adam’s apple before disappearing into his collar. The base of the glass hit the bar counter with a sharp thud. Ye Ming swept his hair back and winked at Xu Zhimian: “Baby, I promised to teach you how to mix drinks. How about today?”

Xu Zhimian propped his chin on one hand, his upturned eyes sparkling with excitement: “Let’s do it.”

The lights shifted and dimmed as the music transitioned into a slow English song.

“…This is the build method. You pour the ingredients directly into the glass, and it’s done.”

Ye Ming’s slender, pale hand rose high as he poured the mixture, the liquid cascading with a gurgling sound and settling into distinct colored layers. He then produced a lighter as if by magic. “Shh, I stole this from Uncle Ze. He doesn’t let me smoke.”

Xu Zhimian nodded absentmindedly, watching Ye Ming with interest. How many more surprises did this guy have hidden away?

With a click, the lighter flickered. Ye Ming ignited the vodka on top; the flame actually burned down to the bottom of the glass before flickering out. He beckoned to Xu Zhimian: “Your turn, babe. Give it a try.”

“Okay.”

…

“Ever since Yan returned to the country, we haven’t gathered like this in a long time,” Huo Chengyuan remarked from a nearby booth, lighting a cigarette and shaking his head in wonder. “I even heard something ridiculous lately—that Yan got married. Hahaha! Can rumors get any more absurd than that?”

“Hahaha! It’s more likely that you, Young Master Huo, would change your orientation than for President Fu to get married.”

Huo Chengyuan barked: “Screw off.”

Fu Shiyan leaned back against the leather sofa, his hair falling slightly over his forehead. In a casual, detached tone, he dropped a bombshell: “…I am married.”

The group: “…”

That one airy sentence made the wealthy socialites drop their jaws.

“Holy shit, Yan, are you joking?? A huge deal like marriage and you didn’t tell me?”

“Damn, who’s the sister-in-law? The last time I was this shocked was when Ze got hitched.”

“Exactly! Beta or Alpha?”

Huo Chengyuan rolled his eyes: “Old Luo, what kind of crap are you talking? Are Omegas not even on your radar?”

Old Luo gave a sheepish smile: “Well, I’ve seen Yan not touch an Omega for three years. All his assistants and employees are Betas or Alphas. I thought he preferred that type.”

“Actually, now that you mention it, it’s possible,” Huo Chengyuan said, casting a suspicious look at Fu Shiyan. “You didn’t secretly marry a Beta or Alpha behind the family’s back, did you?”

Before Fu Shiyan could answer, Huo Chengyuan nodded firmly: “Orientation isn’t that important! But honestly, with a face like Yan’s, he should at least marry someone who looks like that bartender over there.”

He jerked his chin toward the bar. Everyone’s eyes followed.

Fu Shiyan took a casual glance and instantly froze.

Inside the brightly lit bar area, an Omega was clumsily mixing a drink. The dim ambient light hit his face, rimming his silhouette in a soft golden glow. He was focused intently on pouring the spirits, his long, narrow eyes slightly squinted.

Finally, he ignited the vodka atop a multi-colored cocktail. The flare of the flame illuminated a face that was both exquisite and determined.

Ye Ming raised an eyebrow: “Babe, taste your own creation first.”

Xu Zhimian picked up a straw. He had a specific habit when using straws—he liked to use his tongue to guide the straw into his mouth.

Between his vivid red lips, a soft, bright-red tongue tip darted out with a lick. The cool glass straw was curled in by that warm, supple tongue. He was being provocative without even realizing it.

Several Alphas sitting at the bar were already smiling and trying to strike up a conversation, their greedy, lustful eyes practically glued to the Omega.

“Damn, that one’s a masterpiece.”

“Tsk tsk, look at how many Alphas are surrounding him. Probably no chance for us.”

The shock of Fu Shiyan’s marriage was momentarily eclipsed by the beautiful Omega nearby.

Fu Shiyan’s grip on his glass tightened. With a loud bang, he slammed the glass onto the table, the force betraying the owner’s mood. His face was thunderous.

Over at the bar, Xu Zhimian was mimicking Ye Ming’s line to reject a white Alpha: “Sorry, I have a partner.”

Ye Ming draped an arm over his shoulder and gave the Alpha a provocative smile: “I’m his companion.”

“Really?” The Alpha wasn’t convinced. He pointed at Xu Zhimian’s ring finger with a smirk: “Sweetheart, he doesn’t have a diamond ring on his finger.”

Just then, a message popped up on Xu Zhimian’s phone.

[Fu Shiyan]: Where are you? Asleep? I’m on a business trip for the next two days, and won’t be back.

Xu Zhimian typed back while continuing to reject the Alpha in English without even looking up: “Believe it or not. Stay away from me.”

Back at the booth, Fu Shiyan received the reply:

[Xu Zhimian]: Not at home today. I had a show abroad during the day, just went to bed.

Perfect. Fu Shiyan locked his phone, his dangerous gaze fixed on the Xu Zhimian not far away.

The white Alpha ignored the rejection; in fact, he became even more excited, grabbing Xu Zhimian’s wrist: “Sweetheart, I like it when you’re spicy.”

Xu Zhimian’s brow furrowed. Ye Ming snatched the Alpha’s hand away, applying pressure and twisting it. The Alpha cried out in pain.

“He’s rejecting you. Don’t you understand? Get lost!”

Unprepared for Ye Ming’s strength, the Alpha fled in a panic.

Ye Ming quickly rolled up Xu Zhimian’s sleeve. A bright red ring of finger marks was visible on his pale wrist, looking particularly jarring. Ye Ming said coldly: “If I’d known, I would have snapped his hand off!”

A call came in.

Ye Ming let him go. When Xu Zhimian saw the caller ID, his heart skipped a beat. If he answered, wouldn’t it be obvious he was in a bar?

Fu Shiyan watched as Xu Zhimian hung up the phone without hesitation.

A moment later:

[Xu Zhimian]: Ah, Sir, sorry. Just woke up and accidentally hung up.

Fu Shiyan set his phone down and turned to the group: “Who said they wanted to see the sister-in-law?”

Huo Chengyuan: “Me! Me! Why is she here?”

Fu Shiyan gave a cold smirk and said nothing.

At the bar, Xu Zhimian received a message that almost made him drop his phone.

[Fu Shiyan]: Mix a Mojito. Booth at ten o’clock. [Fu Shiyan]: Come over and have a drink with me.

Xu Zhimian: “…”

“What are you looking at, babe?” Ye Ming leaned over, then cursed under his breath as he made eye contact with Huo Chengyuan and Fu Shiyan across the room.

“…”

Huo Chengyuan: “Holy crap, is that Ze’s wife?”

“Whoa, did Ze finally change his nature and let his wife come to a bar alone?”

“Wait, no… the beauty next to him is walking toward our booth. Dammit, is my lucky day finally here?”

“In your dreams. Look at your own face first.”

Huo Chengyuan caught a glimpse of Fu Shiyan’s dark, sinking expression and felt a nagging sense of dread.

A moment later, the “beauty” walked slowly to their booth and clinked glasses with Fu Shiyan. The corners of his eyes were flushed a faint pink. He called out slowly: “…Hubby.”

The group: “??!!”

“Holy shit?!”

Amidst the gasps of shock, Xu Zhimian sat down right next to Fu Shiyan. The Alpha’s rich brandy scent washed over him, masking the unpleasant mix of pheromones in the bar.

Fu Shiyan wrapped an arm around his waist and said in a deep, commanding voice to the others: “…Address him as Sister-in-law.”

“…”

Xu Zhimian listened to a chorus of “Sister-in-law.” To be honest, the moment he met Fu Shiyan’s gaze, he felt a wave of inexplicable panic. But then he thought, I was just learning to mix drinks, what’s the big deal?!

With that thought, he regained his confidence. He picked up the drink he had mixed and took a big gulp. It was refreshing, sweet, and sour—like drinking minty sparkling wine. He couldn’t help but lick his lips, wanting another.

Fu Shiyan was about to introduce him to the group, but seeing him holding the glass with both hands, his eyes wide and fixed on the drink, his nose slightly flushed red from the alcohol and his tongue darting out to lick his lips like a hungry kitten… the visual impact was overwhelming.

The words died in his throat. Fu Shiyan reached out and took the glass away. Xu Zhimian’s eyes followed the glass before landing on Fu Shiyan’s face. Fu Shiyan pinched his cheek, teasing him: “Still want more? How many have you had while ‘learning’?”

Whenever Xu Zhimian drank, his face took on a naive, innocent expression that made him look incredibly easy to tease.

Currently, he squinted slightly, delayed for two seconds, then nodded: “Mm… just three or four.”

Liar. Including this one, there were six. Fu Shiyan had been counting.

He covered the mouth of the glass with his palm, just as he was about to speak—

“If you wanted a drink, you should have said so, Sister-in-law! My family has Mojitos mixed by the famous bartender Zero. Next time you come over, I’ll give you two bottles!” Huo Chengyuan said enthusiastically.

Fu Shiyan: “…”

Xu Zhimian’s eyes lit up, and he immediately turned to Huo Chengyuan. As the warmth left Fu Shiyan’s hand, he shot Huo Chengyuan a death glare.

“Uh… Yan, why are you looking at me like that? You want some too? It’s fine, what belongs to your sister-in-law belongs to you!”

Old Luo was stifling a laugh nearby, his shoulders shaking.

Fu Shiyan didn’t want to stay any longer. He leaned down and whispered: “Can you still walk?”

Xu Zhimian’s eyes darted left and right before he leaned his entire weight into Fu Shiyan’s arms, murmuring: “Mm… can’t walk.”

Fu Shiyan: “…”

Huo Chengyuan was dumbstruck. This… this Sister-in-law is too good at this!

Xu Zhimian felt himself being swept up into a princess carriage. He looped his arms around Fu Shiyan’s neck and gave him a loud, secret (but actually very audible) “mwah” on the side of his neck.

Fu Shiyan’s eyebrows shot up.

As they passed the bar, a familiar dialogue drifted over.

“Uncle Ze, let me explain!”

“Explain my ass! I’m not listening! I’m at home cooking for you, and you’re out here having a blast!”

Xu Zhimian peeked out and saw Ye Ming leaning forward, holding the face of an Alpha who was wearing slippers and a red-checkered apron, kissing him almost pleadingly.

The two were kissing with total abandon.

The bar lights were dim, but a bright spotlight happened to hit the pair just as the intense music came to a screeching halt. They became the center of attention.

Whistles erupted from all around.

Xu Zhimian’s brow twitched. Well then… the Beauty and the Beast.