[ABO] The Despised One Becomes an Internet Sensation After Marriage - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Xu Zhimian looked through the guest list Kailin had given him for the dating show, and to his absolute shock, he spotted a very familiar face among the crowd—Gu Xingchen.

During his junior year of university, Xu Zhimian had spent a semester as Gu Xingchen’s private tutor. From what he knew, this young master came from a massive family estate, had an even bigger temper, and played fast and loose in his private life. Orphaned by both parents, the only person who could actually keep him in check was Qi Qingran, his father’s fiancée who never had the chance to marry.

What is this young master doing joining a dating show?

I’ll just have to make sure I steer clear of him when the time comes.

Three days later, Xu Zhimian packed his luggage, planning to hail a taxi to the filming location of Heartbeat Doesn’t Stop. Xu Jianan had been hiding in his room since early morning doing who-knows-what, but upon hearing Xu Zhimian getting ready to leave, he cracked the door open and yelled, “Mian-mian! Find your old man a good daughter-in-law on that show!”

Xu Zhimian stumbled mid-step. Crap. He had completely forgotten to tell Xu Jianan the news about marrying Fu Shiyan.

Buzz… buzz… His phone rang incessantly.

It was an unknown number. Xu Zhimian picked up, only to hear Fu Shiyan’s cold voice on the other end: “Ten o’clock position. Come over!”

Xu Zhimian squinted and indeed saw a black Bentley parked not far away.

“Mr. Fu, are you here to drop me off?” Xu Zhimian tried to pull open the back door, but it wouldn’t budge. He exerted more force, yet it remained locked.

“…”

The driver got out, helped Xu Zhimian put his luggage in the trunk, and the rear window rolled down to reveal Fu Shiyan’s sharp, rugged profile. His face was grim as he spat out a single sentence: “Go back up and get your household register (hukou).”

The pressure radiating from him was heavy, his tone sounding like a military command. Xu Zhimian felt a prickle of annoyance. He frowned, but ultimately said nothing and turned back toward the building.

Fine, I’ll get it, but did he have to be so mean?

Besides, do you really need a household register for a dating show? Are they doing background checks now?

Whatever, I’m getting married anyway; it’s not like I’m going to be checking registers with anyone else on the show!

Xu Zhimian indignantly grabbed the document. This time the car door was unlocked. He slammed it shut and said with a heavy tone, “I have it. Can we go now?!”

Fu Shiyan gave a cold “Mm.”

The car started moving.

The atmosphere between the two plummeted to freezing levels. Xu Zhimian opened his phone and began typing aggressively.

[Xu Zhimian]: People have self-respect, you know! [Xu Jianan]: Ah… y-yeah, they do.

After sending that one line, Xu Zhimian deleted several drafts and eventually said nothing more. Xu Jianan didn’t know who he was talking about anyway, so let it be!

On the other end, Xu Jianan was breaking out in a cold sweat. Did Xu Zhimian find out what I’m doing right now? No, no… that oath we took was so long ago, he’s probably forgotten it by now, right?!

“That Wu Hang from the other day—which number ‘patron’ was he for you?” Fu Shiyan’s voice broke the silence.

Wu Hang? Xu Zhimian thought of his lost fifty thousand and curled his lip. “He wasn’t my patron.”

“…” Fu Shiyan’s dark expression didn’t soften. The privacy partition rose, blocking the driver’s view. The scent of brandy drew closer as Fu Shiyan gripped Xu Zhimian’s chin. “And in these past three years, how many have there been?”

“Are you going on this dating show because one of your former patrons is on it?”

The interrogation left Xu Zhimian stunned. A patron on the dating show?

What on earth? What did Fu Shiyan misunderstand?! No wonder his face is so dark.

Xu Zhimian’s anger dissipated quite a bit. Meeting Fu Shiyan’s cold, deep gaze, a flash of mischief crossed his eyes. He bit his lower lip, the upturned corners of his eyes looking innocent yet hurt. “Mr. Fu… saying things like that… people might get the wrong idea.”

Fu Shiyan’s grip loosened. He frowned. “What wrong idea?”

Xu Zhimian leaned in closer, his fresh jasmine scent filling the space. His hands weren’t idle either; his fingertips traced the lines of Fu Shiyan’s stiff suit jacket, sliding up his forearm—

Fu Shiyan grabbed his hand. Xu Zhimian leaned in even closer, speaking before the other man could: “From beginning to end, I’ve only ever had one patron: you, Mr. Fu. If you keep talking like that, I might mistakenly think you’re jealous…”

Fu Shiyan was a man of absolutes; he rarely spoke in ambiguities. Xu Zhimian was testing him.

After a long silence, just as Xu Zhimian expected Fu Shiyan to say something righteous like “How could that be possible,” Fu Shiyan suddenly let go of his hand. He looked away and said something completely unrelated: “I do not allow infidelity within a marriage—and that includes emotional infidelity.”

Xu Zhimian: “…”

Seriously, is there any connection between those two sentences?

The car came to a smooth stop. The driver spoke from the front: “President Fu, we’ve arrived.”

Xu Zhimian thought they were at the filming location and opened the door to get out. To his surprise, Fu Shiyan followed him out and took a folder from the driver.

“Let’s go.”

Xu Zhimian was startled. “Sir, you…”

He looked up, only to realize they weren’t at the Heartbeat Doesn’t Stop set at all. Instead, the building in front of them bore three shimmering gold characters: Civil Affairs Bureau.

Xu Zhimian was dazed.

He was led inside in a total fog. Registering the household documents, taking the marriage license photos, getting the seals stamped… after the whole process, Xu Zhimian held the marriage certificate in his hand. Only then did it click: I didn’t go to the shoot! Ah!! I’m late!

He grabbed Fu Shiyan, his voice filled with anxiety. “Sir, can you take me to Xin’an Village quickly?”

Fu Shiyan’s face darkened instantly. “…Xu Zhimian, I told you. I do not allow infidelity within a marriage—including emotional infidelity.”

“…” Xu Zhimian finally understood. No wonder Fu Shiyan coldly told him to bring his household register. He had no intention of letting him film that show!

Filming a dating show = potential feelings for a “former” patron = emotional infidelity.

“But the penalty fee is three million…”

That’s a lot of money!

Fu Shiyan, exuding the ultimate wealthy CEO energy, said: “I’ll pay for it.”

“…”