[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Several pairs of eyes darted back and forth between the two.

Ye Ming let out a “tsk”: “…You said to yourself your voice was a bit loud. Someone kindly reminded you, and that constitutes ‘disrespect’?”

Ye Ming didn’t know the full origin of the situation, but he couldn’t stand Jiang Xiaocheng’s act. Saying these things in private was one thing, but this was a live broadcast. Speaking like this made it seem like he was being bullied… It was peak “green tea” behavior.

【I just came over from Mianmian’s stream. He was the one shouting and making a racket; President Fu only opened his mouth to tell him to shut up.】

【Even so, Fu Shiyan’s tone was really harsh.】

【Who would have a nice expression for a plagiarist who stole their spouse’s song? Not targeting him openly is already being generous.】

【He asked for it. Coming on this show was just seeking misery.】

【Tsk tsk, with an act like that, it’s a pity he didn’t go to the dating show next door.】

Jiang Xiaocheng’s face turned pale, and a rim of red slowly crept around his eyes. “Brother Ye Ming probably doesn’t know the beginning or end of the story. You shouldn’t just… because you have a good relationship…”

【What kind of trash show is this? Seniors bullying a newcomer?】

【Xiaocheng definitely came on this variety show because of the company’s orders; it’s not like he wanted to come. Why isolate him?】

【The plagiarism thing hasn’t even been proven yet.】

No one expected Jiang Xiaocheng to actually cry. Now, the silent onlookers stepped in. Zhou Yan hurriedly pulled him over: “Hey, hey, don’t cry yet.”

Ye Ming couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Lu Ze grabbed him, signaling him to stop talking: “…I apologize to you. My husband’s tone was a bit harsh, but he wasn’t wrong. Xiaocheng, don’t just go throwing around accusations of ‘disrespect’ at people.”

Jiang Xiaocheng took a tissue handed over by Ji Yan to wipe his tears. Hearing Lu Ze’s “unreasonable yet forceful” words, he cried even harder: “…Senior Lu, you guys don’t know the truth, yet you criticize me like this. I feel really terrible.”

His last few words were thick with a sobbing tone.

【I’ve really seen it all today. Everyone is being so aggressive just because Xiaocheng is a newcomer?】

【Damn! Our Chengzi has such a good temper! What a trash show, just bullying our Chengzi.】

【To those talking about plagiarism: even if Xu Zhimian sued, so what? Chengzi won the award almost half a year ago. Why didn’t he sue sooner instead of waiting until there was hype these past two days? I seriously suspect this is a scripted publicity stunt.】

【My heart aches for Chengzi, boohoo.】

Lu Ze sized up his aggrieved look, his thoughts matching Ye Ming’s for once. He hissed: “…Don’t talk nonsense. Where did I criticize you?”

Jiang Xiaocheng fell silent again, pitifully wiping his tears. Ji Yan, who had a good and gentle temperament, comforted him: “Don’t cry yet, Xiaocheng. Why don’t you explain the whole story from the beginning?”

Jiang Xiaocheng’s arrogance instantly deflated. After a long while, he murmured: “Just now while picking flowers, I don’t know if I offended the Senior, but the Senior… yelled at me.”

Ye Ming: “How did Mianmian yell? Say it so I can hear.”

Jiang Xiaocheng waved his hands, his confidence clearly lacking: “No, it wasn’t Senior Xu who yelled…”

If it wasn’t Xu Zhimian, then it could only be Fu Shiyan. It seemed Jiang Xiaocheng didn’t dare confront Fu Shiyan face-to-face, so he went to flex his power in front of Xu Zhimian instead.

Ye Ming snorted coldly—bullying the weak while fearing the strong.

“…” Zhou Yan realized immediately upon hearing this that he was intentionally picking a fight with Xu Zhimian in front of everyone.

He couldn’t help but glance at the person at the center of the topic, Xu Zhimian. Whoa. Xu Zhimian acted as if none of this concerned him, quietly chatting with Fu Shiyan on the side.

“Sir, ignore him. Let me see your hand.” Fu Shiyan’s expression hadn’t looked right since Jiang Xiaocheng started talking. Xu Zhimian held him back, pouting and letting the other person play out his drama.

Xu Zhimian and Jiang Xiaocheng had joined the company at the same time. Jiang Xiaocheng was sweet-talked and good at flattery, while Xu Zhimian was initially a bit withdrawn and didn’t fit in. Jiang Xiaocheng was the only one who constantly showed him kindness and tried his best to get resources for him.

At that time, he had considered Jiang Xiaocheng a good friend, which was why he had felt safe giving him the original manuscript of Rain After a Long Drought.

He never expected Jiang Xiaocheng to stab him in the back.

Xu Zhimian stared blankly at the small prick on Fu Shiyan’s hand from a thorn.

Fu Shiyan let out a soft hiss.

Xu Zhimian snapped back to his senses, his heart skipping a beat: “What’s wrong? Does it still hurt?”

Fu Shiyan raised an eyebrow: “If you looked any longer, the wound would have healed already.”

“…” Xu Zhimian looked at the teasing Fu Shiyan and couldn’t help but grumble: “Sir, when did you learn to be so bad?”

Zhou Yan, who overheard: “…”

【Hahaha, I’m dying. Jiang Xiaocheng is over there playing Palace Drama, and the main characters are over here being funny hahaha.】

【Jiang Xiaocheng: I hate people who don’t know the rules.】

【Jiang Xiaocheng: Please respect me!】

Jiang Xiaocheng waited for a long time but didn’t hear a peep from Xu Zhimian or Fu Shiyan. Between wiping his tears, he stole a few glances at Xu Zhimian.

He saw the other party saying something to Fu Shiyan, the corners of his mouth curling up in a very pleasant mood. Jiang Xiaocheng was stunned. Wait, why is it that when I make things difficult for Xu Zhimian, he doesn’t even take it seriously?

He was being completely ignored!

A spark of anger flared up. He wiped his tears, stood up in front of Xu Zhimian, and made his voice sound even more pitiable: “Senior Brother… Senior Xu, I apologize to you. I’m sorry.”

“…” This time, even Zhou Yan stopped trying to pull him away, simply crossing his arms to watch the show.

Ye Ming and Lu Ze exchanged a look, the former curling his lip.

Xu Zhimian’s conversation was interrupted, and he felt a flash of annoyance.

A sharp glare landed on Jiang Xiaocheng. Jiang Xiaocheng flinched slightly looking at Fu Shiyan, but thinking of his own backing, he gained a bit of courage. Fu Shiyan’s entertainment company was just starting out; he wasn’t powerful enough to blackball him from the industry yet.

Xu Zhimian gave him a single glance and said perfunctorily: “Oh, and then?”

Jiang Xiaocheng choked. After saying so much, Xu Zhimian only gave him an “And then?” It felt like punching a bale of cotton—infuriating and stifling.

He froze for two seconds, then lowered his gaze: “At that time, my voice was indeed a bit loud, but I believe my flower-picking skills are quite good. I hope seniors can see the strengths of others and learn to respect them. I feel that in a program, we should be able to help each other out…”

Before he could finish, Xu Zhimian interrupted: “Uh… I want to ask, aren’t you tired of saying the same paragraph so many times?”

Ye Ming burst out laughing.

Jiang Xiaocheng’s face turned an ashen green.

“Also, what does your ‘good flower-picking’ have to do with me?” Xu Zhimian sized him up. “Repeating it so many times—are you trying to show off in front of me?”

“…” Xu Zhimian’s expression became very strange: “Or… are you trying to get my attention?”

This one sentence made the onlookers unable to hold back their laughter. Ye Ming buried his face in Lu Ze’s shoulder, his body shaking with suppressed giggles.

Jiang Xiaocheng felt a lump of anger stuck in his chest. He snapped in embarrassment: “You, you, you!”

“You what! Let me remind you, don’t get any ideas about me.” Xu Zhimian grabbed Fu Shiyan’s hand and said seriously with a sigh: “I’m married, so give up on those improper thoughts… Also, I don’t need your help on this show. Do you think my President Fu is just for show?”

“…”

Fu Shiyan raised his brows, looking at Xu Zhimian with interest.

The live stream exploded.

【Hahahaha, ‘Are you trying to get my attention?’ I’ve learned a new trick. Next time someone I hate jumps around in front of me, I’m using that.】

【I love seeing Jiang Xiaocheng suffer, I’m dying hahaha.】

【Hahahaha, that move was so unexpected it threw me off too.】

Never mind the netizens; even Jiang Xiaocheng was stunned for a moment.

Lu Ze added: “Xiaocheng, ‘digging at the foot of a wall’ (stealing someone’s partner) is immoral behavior.”

Zhou Yan couldn’t keep his mouth from twitching: “Tsk… obsessing over your Senior Brother is a lost cause. Pick someone else.”

The whole group was led astray, teasing Jiang Xiaocheng one after another.

His face turned bright red, and he gritted his teeth, finally squeezing out a few words: “I—I didn’t!”

The farce came to a hasty end.

…

[Double A] Early Year: Ji Zhou Chapter

Ji Yan didn’t leave. He stood in the shadows not far away, silently watching Zhou Yan. Seeing the loneliness in Zhou Yan’s eyes, his heart felt as if it were being pricked by needles, a dense, dull ache spreading through him.

He clenched his fists. Divorce—he didn’t want it either, but… but he had given Zhou Yan many chances.

That time, he had called Zhou Yan dozens of times. When it finally connected, a soft, high-pitched voice came from the other end: “Hello, who is this?”

It was clearly Omega’s voice. Ji Yan’s usually warm voice carried a rare chill: “Where is Zhou Yan?”

The Omega said chirpy: “Brother Yan is in the shower.”

After a while, Zhou Yan’s out-of-tune voice drifted from nearby: “…Who are you talking to on the phone?”

The Omega said two words, and Zhou Yan’s expression changed. He hurriedly took the phone: “Hello, baby, what are you doing? Why did you call all of a sudden?”

Ji Yan gripped the phone tightly. “…Who is that Omega?”

“Oh… that’s my assistant,” Zhou Yan couldn’t help but tease him. “Baby, are you jealous?”

Why would Zhou Yan suddenly change to an Omega assistant for no reason?

Once doubt is born, it is hard to erase the guilt.

Later, at a business dinner, Zhou Yan got dead drunk, covered in the pheromones of that same Omega. Zhou Yan would always hold him, kiss the corner of his mouth, and coax him with a laugh: “Baby, are you in the vinegar vat again? He’s just my assistant.”

On the surface, Ji Yan believed him, but he would be much rougher with him in bed.

Afterward, he would call many times a day to check in. Zhou Yan gradually sensed Ji Yan’s insecurity; he stopped joking and fired the Omega assistant.

But the direct fuse for their divorce was one particular instance of Zhou Yan being drunk. Zhou Yan couldn’t get out of that business dinner; the attendees were all high-level brand executives. Ji Yan called several times to check-in.

On the other end, Zhou Yan explained he couldn’t leave and would be home a bit late. Ji Yan hung up without a word.

He waited downstairs at the restaurant for nearly half an hour before finally seeing Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan had been drinking and was standing very close to a brand executive. The two were chatting with smiles on their faces, and a moment later, the executive kissed Zhou Yan on the cheek. Zhou Yan didn’t pull away.

Ji Yan froze in his tracks.

Zhou Yan turned around and saw Ji Yan, looking surprised.

“Ji Yan?” He walked over quickly and grabbed Ji Yan’s cold hand. He frowned: “Didn’t I tell you it would be late? Why are you standing down here in the cold wind?”

Ji Yan pulled his hand back. He looked at Zhou Yan’s face and said in a heavy voice: “He kissed you. Why didn’t you dodge?”

It took Zhou Yan a moment to react: “Baby, listen to me, that’s just a way of greeting in their country.”

Ji Yan rubbed his temples and finally walked away without looking back. That time, Zhou Yan tried to coax him all the way, but eventually, he lost his temper too: “Ji Yan… it’s exhausting for me too. If that’s the case, let’s just get a divorce.”

Zhou Yan said it in the heat of the moment; he didn’t actually mean it.

To his surprise, Ji Yan turned around, stunned for two seconds, and said: “Okay.”

Once Ji Yan made up his mind, he was more heartless than anyone. The two got divorced the very next day.

“Happy New Year!” The sounds of cheering rang in his ears. He looked at Zhou Yan, who was passed out drunk on the sofa. In the end, he couldn’t help himself and walked over.

Ji Yan rubbed his temples. As expected, whenever he faced Zhou Yan, he couldn’t help but go soft-hearted.