After the Forced Marriage, the Outcast Just Stopped Caring - Chapter 2

[WARNING! Worldline severely deviating]

“Young Master Ming Yi, you have returned.”

As Ming Yi stepped out of the car, the butler, Uncle Li, was already waiting by his side. Ming Yi nodded and swept his gaze over the familiar villa before him. “I am back to pack my things,” he said in a low voice. “Is anyone home?”

“The Master and Madam are attending a banquet. Only the Eldest Young Master is in the study at the moment.”

Likely mindful of the awkward tension between Ming Yi and Yan An, Uncle Li pointedly avoided mentioning the latter.

Ming Yi understood; Yan An was not home.

Ming Yi headed upstairs to his room and packed a single suitcase. Since he knew he would not live past a month, he did not plan on taking much. However, when he reached the bottom of a drawer and found a small stack of certificates, he could not help but gently brush his fingertips over them.

The memories of those days spent studying desperately were still vivid. Yet, no matter how hard he worked, he could never surpass Yan An. He was always met with a lukewarm: “Not bad. Work a bit harder and you will catch up to An An.”

At the time, Ming Yi had been both furious and aggrieved, choosing to shove those useless awards to the very bottom of the drawer. But now, he suddenly felt at peace with them. They were not the glory of a first-place winner, but they were proof of the path he had walked and the life he had lived.

Ming Yi placed the certificates into his suitcase.

Let these ignored awards be buried with the ignored person who earned them.

In a small cloth bag under the bed, Ming Yi also found three grass-woven grasshoppers. Because so much time had passed, their once-vibrant green color had faded to a dull yellow.

Ming Yi remembered them in a daze. He had woven them secretly the night before he was brought back to the Yan family home. He had intended them as small gifts for his family; he had gripped them tightly in his hands during the entire car ride home.

Unfortunately, the moment he stepped through the door, he saw his mother’s furrowed brow and Yan An, hiding behind her, peeking at him. The three grasshoppers remained hidden in his dirty bag, never finding the chance to be given away.

Ming Yi closed his suitcase, hesitated for a few seconds, then took the grasshoppers and headed toward the study where Yan Zhiheng was working.

Yan Zhiheng was busy, wearing a pair of plain glasses. From behind the lenses, his deep eyes cast a cold, emotionless glance. “Back to pack your things?”

Ming Yi gave a soft “mm” and placed the grasshoppers on Yan Zhiheng’s desk.

Yan Zhiheng looked down, his expression questioning, as if unable to comprehend the gesture. “What is this?”

“Gifts I prepared for Mom, Dad, and you the day I came home at fourteen.”

Ming Yi never thought that one day he would be able to speak of these childish trinkets so calmly. He did not have to worry about being scolded or loathed because he no longer cared about the outcome.

Predictably, Yan Zhiheng’s brow furrowed slightly. He did not touch the ridiculous, yellowed grasshoppers. Instead, he said, “Mom, Dad, and I do not need such cheap gifts. If you just stay quiet for three years and stop making them worry, that would be the best gift you could give.”

“Cheap?” Ming Yi murmured. Then, he nodded. “I understand.”

Having finally received his answer, Ming Yi felt a sense of release. He turned and left the study.

Appearing for no reason and leaving trash behind for no reason, Yan Zhiheng truly could not understand his biological younger brother. He casually swept the three grasshoppers into the trash can with a folder and resumed his work.

Ming Yi heard the sound of the trash can lid closing. He did not stop walking, and he did not look back. This extra step was merely to fulfill the wish of his fourteen-year-old self.

Ming Yi left the Yan house.

His luck had truly run out. Black PR flooded the internet, brands refused to collaborate, and all of Ming Yi’s appointments were canceled as his contract termination process began. He blocked out all outside noise and completed the procedures for the contract marriage.

Throughout it all, Xie Yunxie never made an appearance.

Xie Yunxie was busy and had flown abroad recently. He simply sent someone to pick Ming Yi up and bring him to the Xie residence. The room prepared for him was a guest room, which was a clear sign that Xie Yunxie did not care for him.

Unlike the Yan family, the Xie family was at the pinnacle of the elite, a level the Yans could never reach. The only reason Xie Yunxie had agreed to the marriage alliance was because he had his sights on Yan An.

When Yan An refused, and the candidate was swapped for Ming Yi, Xie Yunxie, for some unknown reason, agreed.

Others did not know why, but Ming Yi, having had that dream, knew exactly why he was chosen.

First, the Protagonist Aura. Xie Yunxie was a villain. As the protagonist of a group pet novel, how could Yan An be tainted by a villain? Naturally, the vicious cannon fodder had to step in to take the blow.

Second, while Xie Yunxie appeared successful to the world, he actually suffered from severe bipolar disorder. He needed a private toy he could vent his frustrations on.

Yan An was too protected by the Yan family and was an influential star. In contrast, the notorious and neglected Ming Yi was the perfect candidate.

Ming Yi gave a bitter laugh at the thought.

He left his suitcase unopened by his side. The Xie family’s old butler entered, looked at him, and said with a fake smile, “The Master dislikes a cluttered environment. Until he returns, please ensure the house remains tidy.”

Ming Yi replied indifferently, “Does the Xie family have so many servants just to let them sit idle?”

He was a troublemaker.

The butler saw immediately that this Young Master Yan had a backbone and would not be easily submissive. Fortunately, having served Xie Yunxie for years, the butler knew exactly how to handle such people.

The butler gave a subtle warning: “The Master likes obedient people. Since you have entered the Xie house, you must follow the rules. Otherwise, if you anger him, you will suffer.”

Then came the threat: “I see you have no other schedule. For the next few days, stay in your room.”

It was house arrest.

The door was locked. For the next three days, the butler did not allow Ming Yi to leave and provided only one meal a day.

On the evening of the fourth day, Xie Yunxie returned. Ming Yi was finally allowed out to the dining room for dinner.

Across the table, Ming Yi saw Xie Yunxie in person for the first time.

Xie Yunxie had sharp features, a high bridge on his nose, and grayish-blue eyes; he was clearly mixed-race. His profile was so defined that his beauty felt aggressive. Coupled with his thin, pursed lips, he radiated a cold, condescending arrogance.

He undoubtedly possessed a handsome exterior, one that hid his violent inner nature from the world.

Xie Yunxie had his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms and a luxury watch. He was methodically cutting a steak with a knife and fork.

It was not until Ming Yi said, “Mr. Xie,” that Xie Yunxie finally lifted his eyelids. He spared Ming Yi a glance, judging him critically. “Your looks are passable, but your physique is terrible. I prefer someone with more meat on their bones.”

Being in his own territory, Xie Yunxie tore off his mask without hesitation, exposing his predatory nature.

“Take off your clothes. Kneel beside me and serve me.”

Ming Yi remained silent, making no move.

Xie Yunxie’s voice dropped, carrying the dangerous weight of an approaching storm. “My patience is limited. Do not make me repeat myself.”

Ming Yi still did not move. He stared straight back at Xie Yunxie, his spine perfectly straight.

Seeing this, the old butler shook his head privately and signaled the servants to retreat.

Almost instantly, without warning, Xie Yunxie snapped. He grabbed a dinner plate and smashed it violently toward Ming Yi’s head.

Ming Yi dodged immediately. Amidst the sound of shattering porcelain, Ming Yi saw Xie Yunxie stand up and stride toward him with murderous intent. Then, a sharp pain erupted at his scalp.

Xie Yunxie grabbed Ming Yi by the hair and swung his arm with a heavy force, slapping him across the face. The blow sent Ming Yi crashing to the floor, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The world dissolved into a high-pitched ringing. Before Ming Yi could catch his breath, a heavy boot slammed into his abdomen. Ming Yi curled up like a shrimp, trying to endure the flurry of kicks and punches.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Yunxie finally stopped. Breathing heavily, he knelt beside Ming Yi, pinched his chin, and smiled cruelly. “Did no one ever teach you? When you cannot win, do not show your claws.”

Ming Yi’s eyelashes trembled. He forced his eyes open to meet a pair of crazed, bloodshot, crimson eyes. In that moment, Xie Yunxie looked like a demon from hell, devoid of all human empathy.

“I will be home for the next few days,” Xie Yunxie patted Ming Yi’s pale face, the gesture no different from stroking a pet. “I have plenty of time to play with you.”

Ming Yi was dragged back to his room where a family doctor treated his wounds. Over the next few days, Xie Yunxie did as he promised and returned every day.

Xie Yunxie tried to break Ming Yi into a submissive pet, but Ming Yi’s stubbornness only made Xie Yunxie more volatile. Ming Yi knew that Xie Yunxie’s patience was running out.

He could hear the footsteps of death drawing closer. He had already given up on living, but at the final hour, a surge of intense resentment rose within him.

One last try. What if… what if someone actually cares?

It was another cat and mouse game. Before it began, Xie Yunxie intentionally gave Ming Yi three minutes to hide. Ming Yi hid inside a cabinet and, with shaking hands, dialed Yan Zhiheng’s number.

After five seconds, Yan Zhiheng picked up. “Ming Yi, what is it?”

Ming Yi stared into the dark void, his voice hoarse. “Brother, can you… can you come to the Xie house to get me?”

Yan Zhiheng replied, “Did you have a conflict with Xie Yunxie? Did you do something wrong to anger him?”

Then, Yan Zhiheng sighed, his voice weary. “Ming Yi, you are almost twenty-one. Cannot you learn from An An? I do not expect you to be as sensible as him, but at least show some consideration for your family.”

Ming Yi stated numbly, “He hits me. It hurts.”

Yan Zhiheng paused. “Then go stay at a hotel for a few days. I am currently handling a project with the Xie Corporation and I am very busy. I will visit you in a few days.”

The call ended. Ming Yi’s fingers moved stiffly as he dialed the contact labeled “Mom.”

Shen Lirong also picked up, her voice rushed. “Ming Yi, why are you calling at this hour? Is something wrong?”

Ming Yi looked at the cracked screen, holding onto a final sliver of hope. “Mom, can you come to the Xie house to pick me up?”

Shen Lirong’s words were hurried. “I am in the next city visiting An An on set. If you want to go home, call the family driver. I have to go now, I am busy.”

The last light of hope died in Ming Yi’s eyes.

Large tears splashed onto the screen displaying “Call Ended.” At this moment, Ming Yi finally accepted it; he had been completely abandoned by everyone.

Footsteps outside the cabinet approached unhurriedly. Through the door, a demonic voice rang out with a chuckle.

“Found you.”

The cabinet door was ripped open. A large hand reached in and brutally dragged Ming Yi out.

“Trying to call for help?” Xie Yunxie sneered. His boot crushed the already broken phone screen, pinning Ming Yi’s fingers beneath it. Xie Yunxie leaned down, his handsome face twisted with malice. “No one will save you. You are just a stray dog nobody wants. I bought you from the Yan family with pocket change.”

“How pathetic. I am the only one willing to give you a place to stay. Yan Ming Yi, you should thank me.”

“Remember the penalty for losing the game?” Xie Yunxie tapped his shoe, gesturing arrogantly. “Lick it.”

But a second later, Xie Yunxie’s brow furrowed.

Ming Yi, prostrate at his feet, had begun to laugh. The laughter grew louder, filled with mockery and madness.

“What do you think you are? You are nothing but a mad dog.”

Ming Yi lifted his head, revealing a blood-stained face. His black hair was soaked with cold sweat, sticking to his forehead. His usually cold eyes were wide open, looking strikingly vivid and beautiful amidst the blood.

“What right does a lowly thing like you have to decide whether I live or die?”

Xie Yunxie’s throat moved. His interest peaked. He immediately unbuckled his belt, threw it to the ground, and pinned Ming Yi down to begin.

However, in the next instant, something cold and sharp pressed against his abdomen.

It was a steak knife.

To make the game more enjoyable, Xie Yunxie had generously allowed Ming Yi to eat dinner. Xie Yunxie liked Western food, and tonight’s meal happened to be steak. Ming Yi had quietly pocketed the knife.

Ming Yi was a vengeful person. He had decided that if no one saved him, he would take Xie Yunxie to the grave with him.

Ming Yi shoved with all his might, his voice cold. “Go to hell with me.”

The knife tore through the abdominal cavity, slicing deep.

The butler and servants downstairs, who had been playing deaf and dumb, suddenly heard a blood-curdling scream.

At first, they thought the sound came from Ming Yi. But the old butler realized something was wrong. He led the group upstairs only to find a scene of horror.

Xie Yunxie was collapsed on the floor, his clothes soaked crimson. Ming Yi sat nearby, covered in blood, a faint, eerie smile on his pale face, looking like a vengeful ghost.

The old butler’s vision went dark. Clutching his chest, he gasped for the bodyguards to restrain Ming Yi.

Ming Yi did not care about the electric baton swinging toward him. He collapsed, his body convulsing.

Before he lost consciousness, only one thought flashed through his mind:

Finally, it is over.

From now on, I will not hurt anymore.

And I will not be sad anymore.

As he drifted into a total blackout, he faintly heard a sharp, distorted electronic beep.

[Ding Warning! Warning!] [Villain Dead Worldline Severely Deviating]

Unfortunately, Ming Yi lost consciousness before he could hear the rest.