[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Fu Shiyan, muffled under the blanket, paused for a moment before laughing. “So, you’re so easily won over by a little bit of kindness?”

Xu Zhimian retorted earnestly, “It wasn’t just a little bit of kindness.”

The “little bit of kindness” Fu Shiyan spoke of could have saved his grandmother’s life three years ago, and three years later, it pulled him out of the mud. To him, it was never insignificant.

As Xu Zhimian had answered on the show, Fu Shiyan was like a tangible beam of light that appeared suddenly when he was helpless and desperate, silently illuminating his dark and confused path.

“Perhaps for you, sir, it was just a small effort, but for me, it was helpful in my darkest hour.” Xu Zhimian’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word was firm. Separated by the blanket, Fu Shiyan could imagine his serious and persistent expression.

Somehow, Fu Shiyan thought back to three years ago, when he first began his sponsorship of Xu Zhimian. He had accidentally caught him tracing one of Fu Shuhan’s traditional paintings. With a glance, he noticed the brush Xu Zhimian was holding—the casing was peeling, and the bristles were frayed. It looked like a tool used for a long time by someone who couldn’t afford a replacement.

Coincidentally, while on a business trip in a neighboring city the following week, his assistant had bought some “Jingpi” Sheng Xuan paper (a high-quality raw rice paper) for his own sister who practiced traditional painting.

“My sister is very picky about her Xuan paper; she only likes this ‘Jingpi’ kind. I can’t tell the difference between ‘Jingpi’ and regular paper,” the assistant had remarked.

Recalling that Xu Zhimian also did traditional painting, Fu Shiyan casually instructed his assistant to prepare a set of high-quality art supplies and send them to him.

It was a casual remark that Fu Shiyan forgot within days—until the day he saw Xu Zhimian standing at the company entrance, wearing a thin cotton jacket and carrying a canvas bag.

Xu Zhimian had no idea how long he had been standing there. His face was flushed red from the cold. Upon seeing Fu Shiyan, he returned the art supplies, neatly packed in a bag.

That day, he looked Fu Shiyan directly in the eye and said seriously, “President Fu, thank you for your kindness, but this is too expensive.”

There was no reason to take back a gift. Fu Shiyan looked up, his voice devoid of emotion. “If you don’t like it, throw it in the trash.”

Xu Zhimian shook his head. “I like it very much, but I can’t accept it. Thank you for your kindness, President Fu.”

Fu Shiyan noted the stubborn, earnest look on his face. After a pause, he replied, “In that case, throw it in the trash yourself.”

Xu Zhimian’s eyes widened. He looked hesitant and, after a long moment, asked with difficulty, “…Does it have to be thrown in the trash?”

“Returned items only have one destination with me. Are you sure you want to return it?”

Torn and hesitant, Xu Zhimian eventually kept them.

A month later, he received a hand-knitted scarf from Xu Zhimian. The yarn was soft cashmere, costing a dozen times more than regular wool. For Xu Zhimian’s financial situation at the time, it was a significant expense.

When Xu Zhimian handed over the scarf in a beautiful gift bag, his expression was the same as the day he tried to return the brushes: serious and persistent.

Fu Shiyan sighed. Xu Zhimian always treated relationships with extreme sincerity and gravity. He appeared aloof, but his heart was incredibly soft; he remembered every ounce of kindness shown to him.

No wonder he was so easily deceived.

Fu Shiyan grabbed his waist and flipped him over, reversing their positions in an instant.

Inside the covers, Xu Zhimian’s face was a mask of shock. His face was small, and his expression was vivid and agile, his narrow eyes slightly wide.

Fu Shiyan stroked his cheek with a finger. “You can be unable to leave someone because of love or money. But don’t let yourself be moved to tears just because someone shows you a tiny bit of kindness.”

His finger moved to Xu Zhimian’s chin. “What I can do for you on a whim, I can do for others. Do you understand?”

Don’t be so easily moved, and don’t trust people so lightly.

Xu Zhimian froze. Fu Shiyan’s meaning was clear: he wasn’t an exception. If it were anyone else, Fu Shiyan would have done the same. Was he warning him not to get ahead of himself?

The flicker of pain and disappointment in his eyes was caught entirely by Fu Shiyan. Frowning slightly, Fu Shiyan cupped Xu Zhimian’s face with both hands, their noses touching. He looked into those eyes, clear as a mountain spring, and explained patiently: “I’m saying this to tell you not to value me too highly. What I’ve done is merely a trifle.”

He thought: Xu Zhimian is starved for love, which is why he is moved again and again by the slightest bit of kindness. Perhaps only by witnessing true love and care would he stop being so easily swayed.

Xu Zhimian’s world was tiny, with very few friends. Fu Shiyan was undoubtedly an immensely important presence—the first man he’d slept with, the only Alpha he’d been intimate with. Those “trifles” were enough to trigger a cataclysmic tsunami in Xu Zhimian’s small world.

“Xu Zhimian, I can do better.”

Fu Shiyan’s voice was calm and serious.

Xu Zhimian looked up sharply, his dark lashes trembling. His heart drummed against his ribs, and his voice was tight. “…So?”

If he wasn’t misinterpreting… a realization was on the tip of his tongue. His breathing grew rapid; he even began to tremble.

“So…”

At that moment, his heartbeat peaked.

Buzz… buzz… buzz…

The phone rang abruptly, cutting off the words Fu Shiyan was about to say.

Xu Zhimian snapped back to reality.

“What?” Fu Shiyan frowned into the phone. “Fine, I’m coming immediately.”

The Alpha’s scent retreated as Fu Shiyan got out of bed. “Something came up at the office. I’ll be back soon.”

Xu Zhimian sat up, watching the Alpha straighten his clothes in front of the full-length mirror.

As his heartbeat slowed, a wave of regret and disappointment flooded his heart. Looking at the Alpha’s retreating back, he wondered… if he hadn’t been mistaken, was Fu Shiyan about to… confess to him?

It had to be. He said he could “do better.”

Xu Zhimian’s spirits soared again. At the thought of this possibility, the corners of his mouth curled up. It seemed… It seemed Fu Shiyan liked him.

Once a person believes a theory, they constantly find details in their memory to verify it.

At the charity gala, Fu Shiyan was jealous of Gu Xingchen. When the cameras were off, Fu Shiyan kept calling him “wife.” When he fell into the water, Fu Shiyan was furious with the production crew.

Filled with sweetness, Xu Zhimian rolled around on the bed and couldn’t resist sending a WeChat message to Xu Jianan.

[Xu Zhimian]: I think my friend has a chance! It seems he’s made it into his husband’s heart! [Xu Jianan]: Wow, congrats! That’s awesome! Please, tell me the secret? [Xu Zhimian]: It’s just… feelings developing over time. [Xu Jianan]: Developing over what kind of “time”? (Note: A pun on sexual intimacy). [Xu Zhimian]: …

He shouldn’t have discussed this with a veteran like Xu Jianan.

…

Kailin and the lawyers soon found a solution for Xu Zhimian.

“We’ve been thinking. Since your traffic is at its peak right now, why not start a livestream? Talk about your inspiration and the creative process. It would be best if you could describe the emotions behind every measure of the score.”

Xu Zhimian frowned. “Will that work? The results of the audio analysis haven’t come back yet.”

Fu Shiyan had already handed the recording over to professionals to check for signs of manipulation, but because it was an old file, it was taking time.

“Even if the effect is small, we have to try. You never said those things, so why be afraid of him?”

While other managers might stay quiet to play it safe, Kailin was different.

“He’s counting on you being too afraid to speak up. He’s buying press releases and throwing mud at you every day. I won’t stand for it. Don’t be afraid; if anything happens, I’ll take the fall. At worst, you have the entire Fu family behind you.”

“The entire Fu family behind you”—those few words brought an unexpected sense of peace. He thought of what Fu Shiyan had told him that morning, and a ripple of warmth spread through him.

He bit his lip, a small smile forming. “I understand, Sister Kailin.”

Xu Zhimian set up the livestreaming equipment in his room and adjusted the lighting. Just then, the doorbell rang.

He opened the door.

It was the painting Rain, Jasmine that Fu Shiyan had bought at the charity gala. It was finally being delivered after the exhibition ended.

His mindset was different now. Back then, he felt like the jasmine was knocked down by the rain—a tragic story that made him want to stop and peer inside. But looking at it now, the colors felt vibrant and alive. The jasmine was elegant without being gaudy, its petals covered in crystal-clear raindrops.

Beautiful.

Xu Zhimian hung it on the wall above the headboard of their bed. After all, Fu Shiyan had bought it specifically for him.

Half an hour later, Xu Zhimian sent out a livestream link: “I have something to say. Do you dare to listen?”

[Xin Xiaoyi’s Dog]: Yo, so arrogant? You dare to speak, I dare to listen! [Mianmian is my wife]: ?! Was your account hacked? Do you see what you’re doing? What are you doing at a time like this? [Chengzi’s Real Dad]: Heh, I dare. Why wouldn’t I? I want to see how you lie your way out of this! It’s my first time seeing a backstabber be so cocky.

Xu Zhimian had sent a generic title and didn’t realize his slogan had caused such an uproar. As soon as the camera turned on, countless comments flooded the screen.

[Damn, this is disgusting! How can someone be this gross? Backstabbing a friend, 666. I don’t get what drama you’re trying to direct. I used to be a passerby fan, but now I’m a hater.] [How do you have the nerve? My Chengzi has been cyberbullied because of you! He was bullied by you on the show because he doesn’t have a background.] [Stop talking, he has a powerful background. Does your idol have one?] [Wuhu, Mianmian, I believe you! Please say you didn’t agree to the secondary creation!]

In the midst of the countless insults, Xu Zhimian looked directly into the camera and said calmly: “…If you keep insulting me, I’ll end the stream and say nothing.”