[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Part 1: The Reality Show Conflict

[Damn, Mianmian has become so bossy!] [So protective and flirtatious! I also want to call him “wife” and drool over him.] [“I’m your wife, you dare disobey me?!” His domestic status rose instantly.] [Wooo, Mianmian has grown up. Mommy is so happy.] [Wuhu! I’m waving the flag for Mianmian!]

Fu Shiyan finished up. He reached out and stroked the lotus flower Xu Zhimian had embroidered. The stitching was beautiful, and the colors of the lotus were vivid, looking even more lifelike than the printed pattern.

The elderly woman (A-Po) was very satisfied with both of their work. When she reached Jiang Xiaocheng, a rare look of amazement appeared on her face. Jiang Xiaocheng’s technique was incredibly skilled; every stitch was fluid and far from rigid.

[I underestimated him; his embroidery is actually beautiful.] [Heavens, my Xiaocheng even knows Miao embroidery? He’s so multi-talented!] [So pretty! Compared to him, what even are the other two?] [Stop the bashing. Don’t put one down to lift another up.]

A-Po nodded with satisfaction: “This is excellent, not bad at all.” She asked, “Have you studied this before?”

Jiang Xiaocheng could hardly hide his inner pride. He had, of course, studied it. However, he maintained a look of surprised modesty: “Really? Thank you for the compliment, A-Po.” He then shook his head, “No, this is my first time learning it.”

[So amazing! To do this well on the first try.] [I feel so bad for Xiaocheng, he just pricked his finger earlier.]

Jiang Xiaocheng earned five mission points, while Xu Zhimian and Fu Shiyan earned three each. Jiang Xiaocheng lowered his eyes to suppress his smugness, thinking to himself: Xu Zhimian, let’s see you look down on me now.

The other four participants were learning the lusheng (a reed pipe instrument), with scores based on the fluency and completeness of their performance. When the six reunited, Ye Ming was excitedly showing off his song to Xu Zhimian. Lu Ze tried to pull him back but eventually let his “wife” be.

Ye Ming, being a professional musician, was able to play a folk tune fluently after only a few hours. Finally, he winked at Xu Zhimian: “Does it sound good?” The others applauded: “Great! Sounds amazing!”

Ye Ming teased the others: “Stop it… I’m asking Mianmian. You guys don’t even understand music.” Jiang Xiaocheng blinked and laughed: “Ming-ge, I understand music. Why didn’t you ask me? Do you not want to?” Ye Ming gave a dry laugh and replied in a joking tone: “You certainly have self-awareness.”

Xu Zhimian’s lips curled slightly. He knew Ye Ming was standing up for him. He said, “It sounds great. Ye Ming-ge is naturally gifted; he learns everything so fast.”

On the other side, Jiang Xiaocheng was left humiliated in public, his face full of awkwardness. Zhou Yan used humor to diffuse the situation: “Haha, of course we have self-awareness. After all, we really don’t understand music, haha!”

[Zhou Yan’s EQ is so high, I didn’t even realize what happened.] [What do you mean?! Are they just bullying our Xiaocheng because he’s alone?] [Losing respect for Ye Ming.] [Aside from having a good husband, has Ye Ming actually achieved anything?] [Please, this is the first time I’ve heard someone say our Ming-bao has no achievements. Go Google him.] [If you think he has no achievements, it’s because your vision is narrow. Go check the Western markets and see his popularity.]

Lu Ze followed Zhou Yan’s lead: “Wife, I feel unloved.” Ye Ming rolled his eyes: “Uncle Ze!”

Seeing everyone giving him a way out, Jiang Xiaocheng felt a surge of joy. Just then, the main livestream camera turned on. Jiang Xiaocheng walked up to Xu Zhimian. Xu Zhimian’s heart tightened—what drama is he trying to start now?

Sure enough, Jiang Xiaocheng put on a look of grievance and self-blame. Biting his lower lip, he said: “Senior, I’ve thought it over and decided to speak up. Since we are in the same program, I only hope we can get along. I admit my voice was a bit loud during the flower-picking task, but I believe my skills are decent. I hope seniors can recognize the strengths of others and learn to be respectful. I think we should be helping each other out in this show.”

“…” Xu Zhimian couldn’t help but scoff internally. How manipulative. By saying this in front of everyone, he was twisting two unrelated events to make it look like Xu Zhimian was suppressing him out of jealousy over his skills.

…

Part 2: [Double Alpha] Lunar New Year Side Story – Ji Zhou Chapter

In the night of Jiangnan, Zhou Yan sat at the bar, knocking back glass after glass. The owner, Huo Chengyuan, came downstairs and was shocked: “Holy crap, Yan-shao! It’s New Year’s Eve. Why aren’t you at home with your Ji Yan? Why are you here drinking? Aren’t you afraid Dr. Ji will discipline you when you get back?”

Zhou Yan was dizzy from the alcohol. He leaned back lazily, lighting a cigarette. His hand paused for a moment before he suddenly laughed: “Who is Ji Yan to control me?” Huo Chengyuan’s face screamed disbelief: “Right, right, sure.” You say that, but you’re always wrapped around Dr. Ji’s finger.

Zhou Yan sneered and ignored him, pouring liquor down his throat as if his life depended on it. He choked on the harsh alcohol, coughed twice, and kept drinking. This behavior terrified Huo Chengyuan, who snatched the glass away: “What the hell are you doing? Did you have a fight with your Dr. Ji?”

Zhou Yan’s face went cold: “Let go.” Huo Chengyuan refused: “Wait, did you really? Dr. Ji has such a good temper, how could you two even fight?” Zhou Yan turned pale. He withdrew his hand and opened a new bottle, muttering: “None of your business!”

Huo Chengyuan immediately went to the restroom and called Ji Yan. When Ji Yan arrived, there was still a bit of flour on his face; he must have been making dumplings at home. He looked gentle and refined, his voice like a spring breeze: “Sorry to bother you, Boss Huo. Where is Zhou Yan?”

Huo Chengyuan felt more than ever that Zhou Yan was a jerk. Such a beautiful spouse was at home making dumplings, and he was out here getting drunk! What a scumbag Alpha!

When they reached Zhou Yan, they saw him with several beautiful Omegas in his arms, flirting and teasing them. Huo Chengyuan was stunned; it had been ages since he’d seen Zhou Yan act this wild. He caught a glimpse of Ji Yan. The faint smile on the doctor’s face had vanished, replaced by a dark expression.

Zhou Yan froze when he heard the familiar voice: “Zhou Yan.” He looked up at the tall figure. Their eyes met, and despite his drunkenness, Zhou Yan instinctively felt the coldness in Ji Yan’s gaze. He reflexively pulled his hand back from the Omega next to him. Then, he remembered—they were divorced. Why was he afraid?

He leaned back lazily again. “What?” The Omegas around him looked at Ji Yan with sparkling eyes: “Yan-shao, who is this?” Zhou Yan crossed his legs. “Don’t know him.”

Huo Chengyuan, following behind, almost tripped. Wow, this fight is serious. They’ve reached the ‘don’t know him’ stage.

Ji Yan stiffened. “I’m here to take you home.” He moved to step forward, but smelling the heavy scent of Omega pheromones around Zhou Yan, he frowned and stopped. Zhou Yan knew Ji Yan’s germaphobia was acting up; he couldn’t stand the smell of other Omegas. He sneered internally and asked slowly: “Home? Whose home?”

“You’ve been drinking. I’ll take you back.” Ji Yan sat down across from him. His brow furrowed. He hated the mix of tobacco, alcohol, and pheromones. After they married, Zhou Yan had changed those habits and hadn’t stepped into a bar for nearly five years. He couldn’t believe that after the divorce, Ji Yan would still rush to a place like this just because of one phone call.

“I need you to send me? If you hadn’t come, I was about to start a wonderful nightlife.” Zhou Yan’s tone was nonchalant, but he noted Ji Yan’s face darkening. Ji Yan’s jaw tightened: “Is this fun for you, Zhou Yan?” “It is quite fun,” Zhou Yan flicked his eyes up and tapped his glass. “Now that I’m divorced, I have to enjoy myself.”

After a long silence, Ji Yan’s phone rang incessantly. He answered with a brief “Mhm,” then stood up. “…Then I’m leaving.” Zhou Yan’s hand faltered imperceptibly. He called out: “Wait. Since you’re here, why not have a drink with me?” He swirled his glass. “To celebrate the divorce. A clean break from now on.”

Zhou Yan thought: Ji Yan has a stomach condition; he won’t actually drink it. He just wanted to test if Ji Yan still had feelings for him. To his surprise, Ji Yan didn’t hesitate. He took the glass and downed it in one go. When he reached for more, Zhou Yan snatched it back, his heart bleeding as he hissed: “Ji Yan! If you want to cut ties with me that badly, why did you even come today!”

Ji Yan looked at him, reaching out to wipe a stray tear from Zhou Yan’s reddened eye. His voice was calm: “Zhou Yan, take care of yourself from now on.” Zhou Yan’s nose felt stingy, and his vision blurred. He suppressed a sob and gritted his teeth: “Why? Why did you want to divorce me?”

Ji Yan withdrew his hand. After a long silence, he looked down and said emotionlessly: “…I’m tired, Zhou Yan.” Zhou Yan stood frozen.

Ji Yan left, but that phrase “I’m tired” echoed deafeningly in his ears. Zhou Yan had always been willful. In his youth, when partners said they were “tired,” he never cared. But with Ji Yan, he had given his whole heart. He thought there was no one else in the world for him. And yet, the person he loved most wanted to leave.

That “I’m tired” felt like salt being rubbed into a bloody wound. Even Ji Yan was abandoning him. As the city erupted in New Year’s fireworks and the bar shouted “Happy New Year!”, Zhou Yan sat alone in the noise, lit a cigarette, and felt only bitterness.

Ji Yan, how can you be so cruel?