[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The constraints loosened as Fu Shiyan released him and stood up to offer a greeting: “…Grandfather.”

Xu Zhimian immediately stood straight beside Fu Shiyan and followed suit: “Grandfather.”

He looked toward the doorway, where Fu Zhen stood pushing a wheelchair, staring at them in slack-jawed shock. Beside him, Kailin held a fruit basket, her eyes wide with surprise. Their previous ambiguous posture was indeed enough to spark a thousand scandalous thoughts.

Xu Zhimian lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Old Master Fu’s face.

Recovering her senses, Kailin cleared her throat twice to break the eerie atmosphere. “Ah… we did knock. We saw the door wasn’t locked and came in. We’re here to see if Mianmian is feeling better.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Zhen let out an imperceptible huff.

“…” Fu Shiyan adjusted his tie, maintaining a calm facade as he addressed the group: “Come in.”

Old Master Fu was over seventy, with a deep furrow between his brows—a sign of a lifetime of frowning. When silent, he looked formidable and stern.

During the family banquet, Xu Zhimian hadn’t felt much pressure about meeting the elders, but seeing the Old Master in private made his chest tighten instinctively.

Fu Zhen pushed the wheelchair to the sofa and stopped, obediently calling out to Fu Shiyan: “Second Uncle.”

When facing Xu Zhimian, he hesitated. Under Fu Shiyan’s indifferent glance, he reluctantly added: “Second Aunt.”

Xu Zhimian’s heart skipped a beat. He nodded slightly, too anxious to care about Fu Zhen’s reluctance.

Suddenly, a warm hand grasped his cold foot. Xu Zhimian flinched, only to see Fu Shiyan half-kneeling on the floor, unhurriedly putting his shoes on for him.

“Your feet are freezing, and you didn’t think to wear shoes?” Though he chided him, Fu Shiyan’s movements were swift and natural as he fitted the shoes onto Xu Zhimian’s feet.

The marble floor was indeed cold; Xu Zhimian had forgotten he was barefoot. His eyes widened slightly as a tremor ran through his heart. He stared down at Fu Shiyan—no one had ever put shoes on him like this before.

Fu Zhen and Kailin, forced to witness this display of affection: “…”

“Ahem…” Old Master Fu gave a dry cough. “How is Mianmian’s health?”

Fu Shiyan sat down beside Xu Zhimian, the two of them pressed close together. He replied, “He’s mostly recovered. The congenital heart condition is mild; we can proceed with corrective surgery once the specialist returns to the country.”

This matched what the Old Master knew. He nodded slowly, surveying the ward, then asked curiously: “…Mianmian, where is your family?”

Xu Zhimian’s heart nearly stopped. Logically, after being transferred back to the ward, the Xu family should have sent someone, considering he was still a Xu.

But after hanging up on Xu Congfang last time, they hadn’t been in contact. Had the Old Master not asked, Xu Zhimian would have forgotten his “cheap” father entirely.

Fu Shiyan asked indifferently: “What would they come here for?”

Old Master Fu: “…”

Xu Zhimian squeezed Fu Shiyan’s wrist and answered truthfully: “Because I’ve severed ties with the Xu family.”

The Old Master had heard of Xu Zhimian’s situation—how Xu Congfang had fostered him out since childhood, providing only money and zero care. It was only natural for the boy to harbor resentment.

He didn’t pry further: “…If that is the case, it is for the best. Seeing that you are well, I am at peace.”

For the best? What’s for the best?

Old Master Fu suddenly broke into a violent fit of coughing. Fu Zhen and Kailin rushed forward in a panic to pat his back and soothe his breathing.

Even Xu Zhimian felt a pang of worry, instinctively grabbing Fu Shiyan’s hand. Fu Shiyan gave it a reassuring pat.

“…” Once he recovered, his voice sounded aged and weak. “I’m getting older; my health declines by the day. You all chat. A-Yan, walk me downstairs.”

He clearly had something to say to Fu Shiyan. Kailin was tactful enough not to follow, but Fu Zhen had no choice but to stay behind.

The door closed once more.

Ring, ring…

Kailin’s phone suddenly rang. She answered: “Hello? What? …Xu Mu got into another conflict?”

Kailin’s voice spiked an octave.

Hanging up with a massive headache, she instructed Fu Zhen: “Zhen, take care of Mianmian. I have an emergency.”

Now, the ward was left with only two people—at each other’s throats.

Fu Zhen didn’t even bother to pretend anymore. He leaned back arrogantly on the sofa, sneering: “Tsk, tsk. How can someone be stupid enough to almost drown? Did you waste those swimming lessons from university?”

Xu Zhimian let out a cold laugh: “Still better than a coward who doesn’t even dare to get in the water.”

“…” Fu Zhen choked. He let out a dry laugh: “I’m a coward? Even if I were a coward, I’d still defend my rights immediately if someone plagiarized my work!”

As expected of rivals, he knew exactly where to poke to cause the most pain.

Xu Zhimian smiled thinly: “Fu Zhen, aren’t you being childish? You can’t get the person you want, so you blame it on me? What do you call that? Im-po-tent… rage!”

“Shut up!” Fu Zhen exploded instantly. “Who says I can’t get them! I wasn’t even chasing him! What does my hating you have to do with me not getting him? I don’t like him! Who would like that ‘wooden gourd’ who went abroad without a word and lost contact?!”

“…” Xu Zhimian curled his lip and watched him silently.

He and Fu Zhen were high school classmates. Back then, Xu Zhimian had a childhood friend named Jin Mingze, an Alpha who had a late secondary differentiation in his senior year. In their junior year, Fu Zhen thought Jin Mingze was a Beta and fell for him. He hovered around Jin Mingze relentlessly, stubbornly claiming he just wanted to “study hard.”

But the moment he saw Jin Mingze and Xu Zhimian going to and from school together, he became incredibly jealous, even cornering Xu Zhimian in a small grove to warn him off.

Xu Zhimian told Jin Mingze immediately. Jin Mingze found Fu Zhen and coldly dropped a sentence: “Stay away from me. I don’t like you.” The slight progress Fu Zhen had made in their relationship vanished into thin air.

Since then, the grudge between Fu Zhen and Xu Zhimian was cemented.

But what truly made them arch-rivals was the second semester of their junior year in university. Jin Mingze had found Xu Zhimian that day and asked him to play along in a scene.

It was only then that Xu Zhimian realized Jin Mingze and Fu Zhen had been entangled throughout university. That day, he held Jin Mingze’s arm, and Jin Mingze told Fu Zhen coldly that they were together.

Fu Zhen didn’t believe it and demanded an explanation through gritted teeth. Jin Mingze frowned and said, “Stop disgusting me. I don’t like the same sex.”

The repulsion and disgust in his tone made even Xu Zhimian, an outsider, feel embarrassed.

Fu Zhen, a young master proud to his core, widened his eyes in disbelief. His eyes turned red, but he gritted his teeth to keep the tears from falling. In that instant, Fu Zhen’s pride was crushed into dust by Jin Mingze.

Since then, Fu Zhen locked his heart away and severed all contact with Jin Mingze, while simultaneously loathing Jin Mingze’s “little boyfriend,” Xu Zhimian.

Later, Fu Zhen had a moment of clarity and confronted Xu Zhimian about whether it had all been an act. By then, Jin Mingze had already gone abroad, so Xu Zhimian admitted it without any psychological burden.

And then… Fu Zhen became even more determined to oppose him.

“Anyway, I just plain don’t like you. What does it have to do with Jin Mingze? Don’t you dare mention him to me again!” Fu Zhen jumped up, clearly acting out of shame and anger.

“I’m talking to you normally, why are you shouting at me? Do you dislike your Second Aunt that much?” Xu Zhimian’s volume was even louder than his.

“You damn well know it! I f*cking dislikes you! I haven’t acknowledged you as my Second Aunt for a single second!”

Xu Zhimian stared at him blankly. The wind howled outside. The next moment, Xu Zhimian let out a “hiss” and blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes incessantly.

Fu Zhen choked up instantly. “Wait, why are you…”

A sharp, low command interrupted him: “…Fu Zhen!”

Fu Zhen trembled. He slowly turned his head toward the door to find that Fu Shiyan had returned at some unknown point. He was frowning, the atmospheric pressure around him dropping to zero.

Fu Zhen’s arrogant flame died instantly. He pointed at Xu Zhimian, who was rubbing his eyes, and then at himself, waving his hands frantically: “It’s not… Second Uncle, I didn’t mean that. Let me explain.”

“…” Fu Shiyan walked casually to Xu Zhimian’s side and grabbed his hand, ignoring Xu Zhimian’s attempt to pull away. He spoke to Fu Zhen in a heavy tone: “Do you still have any respect for me as your Second Uncle?”

“…” Fu Zhen wanted to cry but had no tears. “Second Uncle, I was just caught up in the heat of the moment. I won’t say it ever again.”

Fu Shiyan didn’t let him off. “…Grandfather asked me to help temper you. The company happens to be short-handed. Report for work at the company next month.”

Fu Zhen had run off to the entertainment industry specifically to avoid inheriting the family business. He hadn’t expected to be unable to escape in the end. Knowing Fu Shiyan was a man of his word, he suppressed his anger, surreptitiously glaring at Xu Zhimian: You fcking btch! Just you wait.

The next moment, several crystalline tears slid from the corners of Xu Zhimian’s eyes. His eyes were bright red, and the corners were flushed from the vigorous rubbing.

It looked as though he had just had a good cry.

Crap!

Fu Zhen bolted from the room as if his feet were greased.

Xu Zhimian finally managed to flush out the dust that had blown into his eyes. He sniffled. Fu Shiyan let out a “tsk” and wiped the physiological tears from Xu Zhimian’s face. “I’ve gotten revenge for you. Stop crying.”

Xu Zhimian snatched his hand back. He hadn’t adjusted his volume from the argument with Fu Zhen and shouted: “…Who’s crying! Dust got in my eyes, I was rubbing them! Rubbing them!”

But Fu Shiyan walked in, grabbed his hand, and refused to let go for ages.

Xu Zhimian was huffing with annoyance.

The air fell silent for a moment before Fu Shiyan let out a soft laugh. He pinched one of Xu Zhimian’s cheeks: “…Fine, fine. My fault.”

Xu Zhimian was stunned. Why did Fu Shiyan’s tone sound so much like he was coaxing a child?

Fu Shiyan’s hand slid down, lifting the sleeve on Xu Zhimian’s wrist. Xu Zhimian paused for two seconds and said dumberly: “W-what are you lifting my sleeve for?”

Fu Shiyan’s voice was low, even carrying a hint of tenderness: “…To see where I hurt my wife by pinching him.”

These were the words Xu Zhimian had shouted at Fu Shiyan when they were fighting over the phone earlier.

In reality, it didn’t hurt that much, but that’s how people are—the moment someone shows concern, they want to take a mile.

He yanked his hand back and huffed: “…What’s the use of looking! The pain won’t just disappear.”

“Oh?” Fu Shiyan seemed to see through his intent, playing along smoothly: “…Then how should I compensate my wife?”

Xu Zhimian replied righteously: “Give me back my phone!”

…

Ji-Zhou Pre-Wedding Sweetness Chapter

Zhou Yan had lived a smooth life since childhood. Whether it was dropping out of school to become a racing driver or later entering the entertainment industry, as long as he didn’t commit a crime, his parents didn’t bother him.

Even later, when he realized he liked Alphas and came out to them, his parents merely blinked before accepting it.

Life was so easy that when Ji Yan rejected him, he instead developed a deep interest in the man.

Zhou Yan clicked his lighter and lit a cigarette, letting it hang loosely from his lips.

Huo Chengyuan poured him a glass of wine and held it out: “Young Master Zhou, a drink?”

Zhou Yan stared at the wine, lost in thought. For some reason, he remembered Ji Yan. Last time he went to Ji Yan’s house drunk, Ji Yan had a dark expression while quickly wiping his face. He was frowning then, likely very displeased with the smell of alcohol on him.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan subconsciously pushed the glass away and refused.

“…” Huo Chengyuan “tsk-tsked” twice. “Seems like what Old Luo and the others said is true.”

Zhou Yan tucked his thoughts away and lazily lifted an eyelid: “What did Old Luo say?”

“That you’ve turned over a new leaf lately to pursue that Doctor Ji.”

The hand of Zhou Yan was holding the cigarette while pausing. He laughed softly and blew a smoke ring: “What f*cking rumors. I just don’t feel like drinking today.”

The bar Jiangnan Nightscapes had recently changed its resident singer. He glanced over casually; the singer was wearing a black baseball cap, obscuring his face. He changed the subject: “Your brother finally decided to replace that tone-deaf little lover of his?”

The original singer at Jiangnan Nightscapes was the new boyfriend of Huo Chengyuan’s brother. He could manage to sing even the simplest folk song out of tune, yet he was incompetent and loved to sing anyway.

Huo Chengyuan scratched his head: “Sigh, it was because too many customers complained. My brother had to coax and trick him into retiring.”

Zhou Yan let out a smirk.

The two were in a second-floor private box. The first floor of Jiangnan Nightscapes was decorated as a music restaurant, and business was booming tonight.

Zhou Yan looked through the window, his gaze landing on a table where dozens of people were dining. He stared for two seconds, suddenly freezing in place.

Seeing him staring at one spot for so long, Huo Chengyuan looked over curiously.

Dozens of people sat around a table shaped like a musical note. Among them was a man with gold-rimmed glasses, well-defined features, and a faint smile. He looked refined but not effeminate—more like a scholarly, intellectual type.

He understood instantly—this was exactly Zhou Yan’s type!

Sure enough, Zhou Yan stubbed out his cigarette and stood up: “…I’ll be right back.”

Huo Chengyuan took two sips of wine before suddenly remembering. He chased after him, shouting: “Hey! Did you forget about Doctor Ji by the ‘Daming Lake’?”

“Doctor Ji, do you watch Zhou Yan’s fashion shows too?”

The Omega beside him was taking the initiative to start a conversation for the third time. He was blushing; almost everyone at the table could see he had feelings for Ji Yan.

Ji Yan thought of Zhou Yan’s arrogant, enchanting face and felt a twitch in his brow. He smiled faintly, his tone distant: “I don’t. I don’t follow celebrities.”

The third topic was blocked by Ji Yan, leaving the Omega feeling a bit awkward.

The people around them added fuel to the fire: “Xiao Ji, do you have a partner yet?”

Ji Yan shook his head.

A flicker of hope rose in the Omega’s eyes. He moved a little closer, and his pheromones leaked out uncontrollably.

Ji Yan’s smile remained unchanged, but his stomach churned with revulsion.

“Well, well, Ji Yan. I’ve been with you for so long, yet you won’t even acknowledge me in front of others, huh?” A lazy, drawling voice suddenly appeared from across the table. Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn toward him.

Zhou Yan was wearing a black mask, but even that couldn’t hide his deep, well-defined eyes. His black shirt had a deep V-neck, revealing a large portion of his ivory, toned chest. With his shirt tucked into his jeans and his long legs, even just standing there lazily, he looked like a model posing for a photo.

The Omega beside him felt he looked familiar.

Someone asked: “Doctor Ji, who is this?”

Zhou Yan’s words caused the others to glance at Ji Yan with strange expressions. After all, Zhou Yan was clearly an Alpha.

Without waiting for Ji Yan to speak, Zhou Yan stepped between Ji Yan and the Omega, draping an arm over Ji Yan’s shoulder and dropping a bombshell: “…Yesterday you were making eternal vows to me in bed, and today you turn your back on me and won’t even give me a title? Tsk. Alphas’ mouths are full of lies.”

Clack. Someone at the table dropped their chopsticks.

The Omega’s face turned pale.

Zhou Yan was about to say more nonsense when he was cut off by Ji Yan: “…Zhou Yan!”

…

Ji Yan dragged Zhou Yan away and left the scene in a hurry. Outside Jiangnan Nightscapes, Ji Yan adjusted his glasses, his face devoid of any warmth: “What exactly do you want?”

Zhou Yan shrugged and answered casually: “Chasing you.”

Ji Yan watched him in silence. Zhou Yan was shameless; his tone held little sincerity despite saying he was chasing him. With his family background and looks, what couldn’t Zhou Yan get? He was likely just frustrated because it was his first time being rejected.

A fellow who flirted at will but didn’t want to take responsibility.

Ji Yan let out a cold laugh in his heart and said coldly: “…You’re sick.”

He turned to the underground garage to get his car. Zhou Yan didn’t take the “sick” comment to heart; he followed Ji Yan, opened the door, and sat in the passenger seat, grinning shamelessly: “I’ve been drinking today. Be a dear and drive me home, Doctor Ji.”

Ji Yan paused. Knowing it was useless to refuse, he frowned but didn’t say no.

Taking it as a silent agreement, Zhou Yan gave the name of a high-end residential complex.

If Zhou Yan had stayed well-behaved throughout the drive, he wouldn’t be Zhou Yan.

The third time Zhou Yan’s hand brushed against Ji Yan’s calf, Ji Yan pulled the car over on a secluded road. Reaching the limit of his patience, he grabbed Zhou Yan’s hand and spat out two words through gritted teeth: “Zhou Yan!”

Zhou Yan gave a roguish smile: “What are you calling me for?”

Ji Yan looked up and stared at that enchanting, smiling face. After a long silence, he said loudly: “Zhou Yan, I advise you not to mess with me.”

“That won’t do.”

Zhou Yan leaned closer to Ji Yan, his fingers grazing Ji Yan’s cheek. His words were blunt and wicked: “I haven’t slept with you yet.”

Zhou Yan’s pheromones smelled of tulips. An Alpha’s pheromones mixed with the scent of alcohol—Alphas were supposed to repel each other, yet Zhou Yan’s pheromones weren’t aggressive. They were more unsettling than a sweet, cloying Omega’s scent. This speech caused Ji Yan’s eyes to darken.

Adam’s apple bobbed. “Fine. You said it.”

This time, it was Zhou Yan’s turn to be stunned. Ji Yan… agreed?!

His smile widened. He had thought it would be hard to get him, but now it seemed simple enough.

He was busy being smug and failed to notice the dangerous, fierce glint in Ji Yan’s eyes. You brought this on yourself.

Ji Yan lived in a detached apartment. The interior was tidy and organized with meticulous precision.

However, that tidiness was soon shattered by Zhou Yan’s arrival.

He couldn’t wait to pin Ji Yan against the wall in the entryway for a kiss, but Ji Yan frowned and turned his head to dodge. Zhou Yan kissed his cheek and said teasingly: “Baby, this is foreplay. It’ll be uncomfortable if we do it without foreplay.”

He didn’t want to hurt Ji Yan.

After a moment of silence, the glasses were tossed onto the floor.

Zhou Yan gripped Ji Yan’s shoulders and kissed him hard.

This time, their lips met. Ji Yan was clearly a novice; his kissing technique was clumsy, and Zhou Yan guided him throughout.

Zhou Yan used all his skill, determined to give Ji Yan the best first kiss experience. His tongue tangled with Ji Yan’s in a feverish, desperate kiss.

Soon, he licked at the sensitive roof of the mouth before releasing Ji Yan.

Ji Yan’s mouth was slightly open, his eyes hazy with a faint mist. He looked excessively beautiful. Zhou Yan’s breath hitched, feeling the blood rush to a certain spot below his abdomen.

The two of them crashed into another messy kiss.

This time, both their breaths were ragged. Ji Yan had improved significantly; his palm pressed against Zhou Yan’s waist, giving it a firm squeeze.

Zhou Yan let out a muffled groan, feeling a wave of numbness.

They pushed and shoved each other all the way from the entryway to the bed.

Ji Yan’s hands didn’t stop, even sliding under the shirt to knead Zhou Yan’s waist. Zhou Yan felt that something was slightly off.

It wasn’t until Ji Yan shoved Zhou Yan heavily onto the bed and pressed down on him, his hand circling near the tailbone, that Zhou Yan finally realized. He asked in shock: “You want to be the top?”

Ji Yan stared at him calmly, offering no denial.

Zhou Yan felt the heat drain from his body. He pushed Ji Yan away and sat up: “Then forget it. I only top.”

But Ji Yan’s arm hooked around his waist and pulled him back, pinning his hands to the bed. Ji Yan’s eyes were very dark as he stared at Zhou Yan: “Too late. I told you—don’t mess with me.”

Zhou Yan kicked out, but Ji Yan’s knee pinned his legs down firmly. He glared at Ji Yan: “Let go!”

When Zhou Yan was angry, the arch of his brows made his enchanting face look even more alluring. Ji Yan’s eyes darkened further. He leaned down and left heavy marks on Zhou Yan’s neck and shoulders. Ji Yan didn’t hold back, and Zhou Yan felt a mix of numbness and a bit of pain… but it wasn’t that hard to accept.

Until Ji Yan pinned both of his hands above his head with one hand and started unbuttoning his clothes with the other. Only then did Zhou Yan panic and start struggling again: “Ji Yan! Stop… I won’t bother you anymore!”

Ji Yan didn’t stop. He stripped off Zhou Yan’s shirt and used it to bind Zhou Yan’s hands, letting out a cold laugh: “Too late. I told you—don’t mess with me.”

His gaze made it feel like he wanted to devour Zhou Yan whole. A chill ran down Zhou Yan’s spine, terrified by that blunt, desire-filled look. He pleaded: “I was wrong! I was wrong, Ji Yan, let me go. I won’t provoke you again!”

Too late meant too late.

It was Zhou Yan’s first time in such a situation. He was half-struggling and half-pained, until he eventually resigned himself to his fate and began to teach Ji Yan little by little.

Ji Yan was a fast learner. The usually arrogant and overbearing young master was now clutching Ji Yan’s arms, tears pricking his eyes, looking beautiful and fragile. He bit down hard on Ji Yan’s shoulder, only for Ji Yan to tilt his chin up and pull him into a passionate kiss.

As his thoughts gradually scattered, Zhou Yan immersed himself in the deep kiss. He had a fleeting thought: Ji Yan’s kissing technique is fcking terrible.*

Next time, I definitely have to teach him how to kiss properly.

He had completely forgotten that he was the one being pinned down.