[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“CEO Fu, here is the information we investigated.”

At the end of the VIP ward corridor at Chengshan Hospital in City A, Assistant Li handed a bagged set of printed documents to the Alpha standing before him.

It was seven in the morning, and the hallway was deathly quiet. Assistant Li’s eyelids were heavy with sleep when he was suddenly jolted awake by Fu Shiyan’s voice: “…During my absence, what movements have those old foxes in the company made?”

At the mention of this, Assistant Li immediately perked up: “You guessed correctly, CEO Fu. They couldn’t hold back. They’ve been secretly lobbying other shareholders and even approached President Qi…”

Those “old foxes” were all collateral branches of the Fu family who had contributed nothing over the years, loitering in the company like leeches, desperate to suck the Fu family dry. The previous comments from Old Master Fu about dividing the family estate had sent them into a total panic.

However, they were overestimating themselves, thinking they could actually flatter outsiders into helping them take down Fu Shiyan.

Assistant Li cautiously observed Fu Shiyan’s expression. Having been by his side for seven years, he knew to be extremely careful whenever Qi Qingran was mentioned, fearing he might accidentally trigger Fu Shiyan’s “reverse scale.”

To his surprise, Fu Shiyan remained composed. “Continue.”

“President Qi ignored them entirely. Unwilling to give up, they turned their sights toward Chengrui.”

In recent years, Chengrui had dominated the new energy industry, its momentum nearly eclipsing Rongguang. As the saying goes, “one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers”; with Rongguang facing internal strife, Chengrui was more than happy to add fuel to the fire.

Fu Shiyan’s gaze drifted to the window. Outside, the morning glow was being swallowed by ink-like storm clouds. The sky darkened as a breeze blew through the window, slightly ruffling his collar—the weather was about to change.

“Upon investigation, I found they reached out to Chengrui’s Deputy General Manager—Wu Hang, the same Mr. Wu from the Victoria incident last time.”

Assistant Li had seen firsthand what kind of man Wu Hang was at the Victoria. No doubt Wu Hang had agreed so quickly because he wanted revenge for the previous encounter.

“…” Hearing the name Wu Hang, a cold light flickered in Fu Shiyan’s eyes. He chewed on the name slowly, his voice dropping low: “…Wu Hang?”

Excellent. Fu Shiyan squinted; he happened to have a score to settle with Wu Hang as well.

“Keep a close eye on them. Report any movement to me immediately.”

Assistant Li felt an inexplicable chill from Fu Shiyan’s tone. His back went numb, and he silently lit a row of “white candles” (praying for the dead) in his heart for Wu Hang and the others.

…

Xu Zhimian had been transferred from Yuxi to this hospital in City A. After burning with a fever for a full day, he finally regained consciousness.

Within two days, he was back to his lively self.

[Xu Jianan]: Wait, I’m lost. You’re saying you met Fu Shiyan’s great-aunt there? And she’s the senior you idolized back in university? Then the Great Shaman of the village said you look like his relative and added you on WeChat?

Xu Zhimian told him everything that had happened over the past few days, leaving Xu Jianan completely dizzy.

[Xu Jianan]: …It’s so confusing when you pile all these events together. So, both of your relatives in that Miao village? Did you guys stumble into a nest of Miao people?

[Xu Zhimian]: The thing the Great Shaman said hasn’t gone anywhere yet, but Senior Fu Shuhan is indeed Fu Shiyan’s great-aunt.

[Xu Jianan]: Oh, right, I knew that. I didn’t expect your idol to be your husband’s relative. Talk about a coincidence… By the way, how is the “harmony” between you and your husband?

[Xu Zhimian]: Huh? What kind of harmony?

[Xu Jianan]: In bed, obviously… You called me last time complaining that your husband was “useless” and fuming about a divorce.

[Xu Jianan]: How is it now? [Smirk/Smirk]

[Xu Zhimian]: …

How could it be? Fu Shiyan still refused to delete that little video they filmed abroad.

During the filming of the show these past few days, they had both been very restrained, aside from that one incident of pseudo-heat.

Knowing that the conversation would only get more scandalous if he continued with Xu Jianan, he quickly closed his phone and turned on the TV by the bed to watch the livestream of 21 Days. After his drowning incident, Fu Shiyan had negotiated with the production team to temporarily withdraw from filming.

Today happened to be the Ganqiu Festival.

Because it was a live broadcast, there weren’t many solo segments for the remaining couples, and the viewership had plummeted.

[What the heck? Production team, get your act together! We’re here to see my Zeming CP! We aren’t interested in this festival!]

[They’ll show up later, won’t they? What’s the rush?]

Xu Zhimian ignored the bullet comments. Before long, four hosts appeared on the empty autumn grounds. As the camera zoomed in, Xu Zhimian realized he actually knew all four of them.

They were the Village Elder leading the way, Lin Xi, Jiang Xiaocheng, and the Great Shaman, Qian Luo.

Likely for visual harmony, Jiang Xiaocheng was dressed in traditional Miao women’s clothing. Under the sunlight, the silver ornaments sparkled, making his skin look porcelain white. The brightly colored Miao skirt looked unexpectedly good on him.

Half the comments were praising his looks, while the other half were sighing.

[Great. You all said Mianmian was bullying the newcomer, now he’s just stopped filming. Why have a single guy on a couples’ variety show anyway? Isn’t the dating show next door short on people?]

[Agreed. I can’t stand looking at him. When is the verdict for that lawsuit coming out?]

[Hope the results come soon, I really don’t want to see him hopping around in front of me.]

[What a shame. Such a grand scene and I can’t see my Mianmian.]

As the camera pulled closer, Jiang Xiaocheng and Qian Luo stepped back. Xu Zhimian’s gaze landed on a fleeting glimpse of the side of Jiang’s neck, and his breath hitched. He frowned slightly—was that a neck patch?

There was a flesh-colored patch on the back of Jiang Xiaocheng’s neck, looking very much like a band-aid. To prevent confusion, manufacturers often put two black bars at the end of such patches.

However, since the livestream couldn’t be rewound yet, he couldn’t go back to verify for sure.

Creak. The ward door pushed open.

Xu Zhimian had the volume turned up high. The screen was a colorful blur of singing and dancing, with ancient Miao songs echoing through the room.

“…” Xu Zhimian was kneeling on the bed, leaning forward toward the TV, a few stray hairs poking up from his head as he stared intently at the program.

He looked both obedient and serious.

The corners of Fu Shiyan’s mouth lifted slightly. His gaze shifted to the LCD screen, and his smile froze. On the screen, several men were shirtless, showing off toned, bronzed chests while performing a “ladder of knives” stunt.

A comment flashed across the screen that caught Xu Zhimian’s attention, making him lean even closer.

[A clip of CEO Fu training for the Dragon-Lion dance in a “grandpa tank top” leaked a few days ago! Ahhh! I really want to lick the screen!!]

[Link please, link please!]

[Don’t run away, sisters! Ahhh!]

Fu Shiyan had actually worn a grandpa tank top to train that day?!

Xu Zhimian lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable. A moment later, a faint look of regret appeared on his face.

What was he regretting?! Regretting not seeing it in person, or regretting not being able to touch? He’d promised no emotional cheating, and now he dared to lust after another man’s body behind his back?

“…” Fu Shiyan balled his hand into a fist and coughed twice.

Xu Zhimian didn’t look away, remaining completely focused, not even sparing him a side-glance.

“…” Fu Shiyan coughed again, louder this time.

This time, Xu Zhimian reacted. He quickly whipped out his phone—click! Fu Shiyan turned to look; on the screen, a man’s movement had revealed a large area of bronze abdominal muscles, tightened into six even shapes from the exertion.

“…” Now, Fu Shiyan’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Xu Zhimian opened his camera; he had just photographed the search keywords shared by a netizen. The production team was sneaky—they kept things tightly under wraps domestically, releasing no behind-the-scenes footage, but they posted all the “thirst trap” content on foreign social media.

The sound from the TV abruptly cut off. Fu Shiyan turned off the LCD and snatched the phone from Xu Zhimian’s hand with a darkened face: “Your body has just started to recover. Rest more. Your phone is confiscated for today.”

What adult can live without a phone?!

Xu Zhimian immediately protested: “…What if Kailin has something urgent for me?”

“She won’t. I’ve given instructions. Your matters are to be reported to me first before being sent to you.”

“…” Xu Zhimian couldn’t help but mutter: “What adult still has their phone monitored!”

Fu Shiyan countered calmly: “Our relationship is legal. Why can’t I monitor you?”

“! But doing without a phone is literally impossible…”

And if he couldn’t use his phone today, he wouldn’t be able to see the limited-edition Fu Shiyan in a grandpa tank top!!

“…” Xu Zhimian reached out to grab it. “Just for a second!”

Please, it would be a tragedy to miss out on Tank-Top Fu Shiyan!

Just for a second? He wanted to ogle other Alphas for “just a second” right in front of him?

An inexplicable flare of anger rose in Fu Shiyan’s chest.

He walked over to the sofa and said coldly: “…No!”

“Just for a moment!” Xu Zhimian hopped off the bed barefoot to snatch it. Fu Shiyan mischievously held it high. It was only then that their height difference became glaringly obvious—he was half a head shorter than Fu Shiyan. Unless he jumped, he couldn’t reach it.

Xu Zhimian suddenly shoved Fu Shiyan onto the sofa, lunging to grab the phone.

He failed to notice Fu Shiyan’s darkening expression. Fu Shiyan wrapped an arm around him, and in a blur of movement, their positions were swapped.

Fu Shiyan pinned Xu Zhimian’s two struggling hands above his head with one hand. His leg wedged between Xu Zhimian’s thighs, firmly controlling his kicking feet. He gritted his teeth and said: “Xu Zhimian, are you really that desperate for another man’s body?”

With his limbs pinned, Xu Zhimian froze at the accusation. He asked in confusion: “What other man?”

Still acting. Fu Shiyan pinched his chin: “You were watching those men on TV with such relish. Did you forget what I told you?”

“No cheating during the marriage—and that includes emotional cheating!”

“Who was watching other men with relish?!” Being unfairly framed like this made Xu Zhimian feel incredibly wronged. Fu Shiyan’s grip on his chin was heavy-handed. His temper flared, and he shouted regardless of the consequences: “Fu Shiyan, you’re hurting me! Let go!”

The shout startled both of them.

Primarily because Xu Zhimian had never called him by his full name while he was conscious; it was always “Sir, Sir” in a sweet tone.

As they faced off, neither heard the knock on the door. The next moment, the ward door was suddenly pushed open.

“…Holy sh*t!” a gasp rang out, the voice sounding incredibly familiar.