[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

As soon as Jiang Xiaocheng entered, the live stream chat went into a frenzy, with messages scrolling relentlessly.

[Live Comments]:

Holy crap, the production team really knows how to stir the pot!

A massive “crematorium” scene!! I love seeing the original creator tear into people in person.

This plagiarizing dog actually dares to come on this show? Isn’t he afraid of being mobbed?

The production team is going too far. Just for the sake of heat, they’d invite someone like this. First that “Tacit Understanding” quiz, and now this? I’m speechless. If you can’t make a good show, don’t make one at all!

Hiss… this is interesting. I just want to see the famous face-tearing scenes.

Tsk tsk tsk, here comes the good part.

Why is a single dog coming onto a couple’s variety show? Is he just looking to get bullied?

Wasn’t this move by the production team purely intended to disgust people?

The expressions of the cast members varied wildly. Jiang Xiaocheng, wearing a smile, dragged his suitcase in and greeted everyone one by one.

“Hello, Teacher Lu, Senior Ye.”

Lu Ze, consistent with his easygoing nature, nodded with a simple “Mm.” Ye Ming gave him a sidelong glance and, mindful of the cameras, offered a perfunctory, “Hello.”

Xu Zhimian had remained silent since Jiang Xiaocheng’s arrival. However, Jiang Xiaocheng was thick-skinned; he walked over with a beaming smile to greet Xu Zhimian: “What a coincidence, Senior Brother.”

[Live Comments]:

Wow… Jiang Xiaocheng’s skin is really thick.

They’re from the same company?

Come to think of it, Jiang Xiaocheng is actually from Sky Entertainment? People coming out of that black-hearted company really don’t have great character.

Xu Zhimian had debuted at Sky Entertainment earlier than Jiang Xiaocheng, but he had long since terminated his contract. Jiang Xiaocheng’s choice of address was incredibly grating.

There’s a saying that “you don’t strike a smiling face,” and while the two were tearing each other apart on Weibo, they usually had to maintain appearances when sharing a screen… except they didn’t.

Xu Zhimian turned his head as if he hadn’t heard a word, completely ignoring him. Instead, Fu Shiyan took over the conversation, his tone exceptionally blunt: “What’s so coincidental about it? Didn’t you do your homework before coming on the show?”

The smile on Jiang Xiaocheng’s face stiffened.

[Live Comments]:

Good burn! He’s trying to act innocent after benefiting from the theft. Such a hypocrite.

My toes are curling so hard I’ve built a Barbie Dreamhouse. Can Jiang please have some shame?

Fu Shiyan’s tone was sharp, showing no mercy: “Furthermore, he is already a signed artist under my company. He is not close to you, so please do not address him so casually.”

Leaving Jiang Xiaocheng with zero dignity, the younger man’s face turned pale and then flushed with embarrassment. His smile crumbled, but he didn’t dare offend Fu Shiyan, so he bit his lip and stood to the side.

…

“Mianmian, when are you two going to hold the wedding?” Ye Ming leaned over to chat with Xu Zhimian.

“We’re not holding one.” “We’ll talk about it after this busy period.”

Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan spoke at the exact same time.

Lu Ze laughed and teased: “Ooh, President Fu, why are your stories not matching up?”

The two exchanged a quick glance.

[Live Comments]:

What! They haven’t had a wedding yet?

Hahahaha, their stories are completely different.

What does this mean? Are they holding it or not?

Wait, I just realized—neither of them is wearing a wedding ring. Hiss…

Is it possible they’re in a fake marriage? No matter how rushed a wedding is, you can’t skip the proposal, right? How can they not even have rings?

Fu Shiyan explained calmly: “…The marriage was quite rushed, and I intend for the wedding to be very grand, so the preparation time will be long. I haven’t told Mianmian yet, so he thought it wasn’t happening.”

[Live Comments]:

Ugh, I don’t know, their relationship feels a bit unstable.

Help, I just started shipping them, please don’t let it be a ‘Bad Ending’!

Fu Shiyan was “painting a dream” with just his words. When they married, he was the one who suggested a secret marriage and had never intended to hold a ceremony.

Lu Ze gave a thoughtful “Oh.” The four of them chatted warmly, and whether intentionally or not, the conversation revolved around Xu Zhimian, leaving Jiang Xiaocheng completely unable to interject.

“What are you talking about? You seem so happy?” A lazy voice cut in.

Ji Yan and Zhou Yan had arrived late. Zhou Yan looked a bit sleep-deprived with dark circles under his eyes, and upon closer inspection, the corner of his lip was slightly split. Ji Yan, carrying the suitcases, stood beside him looking refreshed and composed.

[Live Comments]:

What did the ‘Unfilial Son’ (Zhou Yan) do with Dr. Ji yesterday? Smirk/Smirk

Sigh, Zhou Yan is so useless. Dr. Ji looks so refined, yet Zhou Yan couldn’t take the lead?

Wuuu, I’m heartbroken, I always thought Dr. Ji was the ‘bottom’.

This contrast is exactly what I like!!

Zhou Yan greeted everyone lazily. When he reached Jiang Xiaocheng, his lips curled: “And who is this? The newcomer?”

Jiang Xiaocheng greeted him eagerly: “Hello, Teacher Zhou, I’m Jiang Xiaocheng, gender: Beta.”

Zhou Yan gave an “Oh.” The name sounded oddly familiar.

…

The Arrival at the Village

Once the seven met, the production team spoke up: “Hello everyone, welcome to the second stop of 21 Days: Miao Territory Style. We are heading to the Yuxi Miao Village, and we have invited the Village Elder to lead the way.”

The Elder, a man in his fifties or sixties with dark skin and a white turban, walked out from behind the crew.

The production team continued: “…Couples will choose their transportation based on the total points from the last stop. First place is Lu Ze and Ye Ming; second and third are Xu Zhimian/Fu Shiyan and Ji Yan/Zhou Yan. Since Xiaocheng just arrived and has zero points, he will share a vehicle with Ji Yan and Zhou Yan.”

As Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan boarded a van, they heard Zhou Yan’s pained outcry from behind: “…Production team, have a heart! How are we supposed to go about this?”

They looked back to see Zhou Yan, Ji Yan, and Jiang Xiaocheng staring at a tricycle piled high with straw.

[Live Comments]:

Hahahaha, the treatment for last place is too miserable!

Look at Zhou Yan’s face of utter helplessness.

Wait, why did Jiang Xiaocheng even come on this show? Does he love eating ‘dog food’ (watching couples) that much?

Where did they even find a tricycle? I want to ride it! You can enjoy the scenery for free!

…

The Entrance Ritual

An hour later, they arrived at the gates of Yuxi Miao Village. The Elder led them up the steps to find a group of villagers in traditional dress lined up behind twelve large square tables.

“Don’t be afraid,” the Elder explained in a thick accent. “This is the Miao way of welcoming guests—it’s called ‘Block-the-Gate Liquor’!”

The lusheng (reed pipes) began to play, and an elder from the village sang a welcome in the Miao language. Our Elder sang back. After a few rounds of lyrical exchange, the village elder held up a bull-horn cup of liquor. Our Elder drank and waved the group forward. “We can enter now.”

Fu Shiyan explained softly: “This is the ‘Interrogation Ritual’ of the Block-the-Gate liquor. You answer with songs; once you answer correctly, you may enter.”

Inside the gate, they found a row of girls in Miao dress behind tables, holding wine and cups. They sang and danced around the guests, offering rice wine and meat. As Xu Zhimian was about to reach out and hold the bull-horn to drink, Fu Shiyan said quietly: “Don’t touch the horn with your hands.”

He immediately pulled his hands back and took a small sip from the horn held by the hostess. Behind them, Zhou Yan, Lu Ze, and Ye Ming—who had already grabbed the bowls—looked on with resentment. “Why didn’t you say that sooner!”

Fu Shiyan shrugged helplessly: “No one asked.”

[Live Comments]:

Hahahaha, his wife didn’t ask either, but President Fu said it anyway. A classic case of double standards.

Xu Zhimian was unexpectedly popular with the local women. After twelve rounds of welcome liquor, his face was flushed pink. A bold girl even reached out to pinch his cheek: “Little brother, you’re so handsome. Can I add you on WeChat?”

Fu Shiyan turned around just in time to see this. Xu Zhimian looked a bit dazed. Fu Shiyan stepped over instantly.

“Sorry, he’s married.”

Fu Shiyan took Xu Zhimian’s hand. The girl looked disappointed: “Ah, my apologies.”

The silver jewelry on the Miao girls jingled musically as they moved. Xu Zhimian couldn’t help but stare a little longer. Fu Shiyan’s grip tightened. “Is it that good to look at?”

“What?” Zhimian blinked sluggishly, his reaction delayed.

Remembering the last time he got drunk, Fu Shiyan pinched Zhimian’s cheek. “I’ll carry you.”

“Okay!”

After notifying the production team, the live stream for their segment was turned off. Fu Shiyan crouched down, the scent of jasmine growing stronger as Xu Zhimian wrapped himself around Fu Shiyan like an octopus. Fu Shiyan hoisted him up with ease.

Xu Zhimian murmured: “…Fu Shiyan.”

“Mm, I’m here.”

“Fu Shiyan, Fu Shiyan, Fu Shiyan!”

“I’m here, I’m here, I’m here… what is it?”

When asked, he fell silent again, leaning his forehead against Shiyan’s neck. He whispered: “Why did you change your WeChat account?”

“…I lost the old one.”

“Oh… I thought you were ignoring me on purpose.”

“Thought what?” The last few words were too quiet. Fu Shiyan asked for clarification, but there was no response. A moment later, light snoring began; Xu Zhimian’s breathing had evened out.

He had fallen fast asleep.