I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“It is indeed very hard to find; you’ll probably end up growing old alone.” Sang Yu’s tone was casual and roguish as he lazily rolled down the car window. “You want to find someone roughly the same height as yourself?”

In truth, Ming Huaizhi wasn’t obsessed with height. It was just that the male lead in that book was 181cm, and he felt that a partner who was too tall wasn’t great. Someone like Sang Yu made even kissing feel like an arduous task.

“Mhm, mhm.”

Sang Yu gave a light chuckle, not wanting to continue the topic. The little fox in front of him didn’t have a single word of truth in his mouth.

Upon returning home, the two bid each other goodnight.

…

A new day began, and Ming Huaizhi arrived at the company to continue recording the show. The promotional video for the app had reached the filming stage; today, everyone would go to the studio for makeup and costume fittings.

He had woken up late today, so he hurriedly brought a sandwich to eat there.

With fifteen minutes left before the live broadcast started, Ming Huaizhi noticed a camera standing right in front of where he was sitting. He took small bites of his sandwich, peeking out to inspect it. The camera was dark and not turned on.

Free from inhibitions, Ming Huaizhi puffed out his cheeks and chewed slowly, thoroughly enjoying his breakfast. In the blink of an eye, a sandwich, a soft-boiled egg, and a box of meat-floss cakes were completely demolished.

He was in an excellent mood today because his brother’s surgery was scheduled for next week. Once the surgery was over and the rejection reaction stabilized, his brother could come home.

As he pondered these things, he spaced out a bit. Little did he know, the camera was blinking with a red light.

[Why did the live stream start so early today?] [Good heavens, Ming Yantang looks so happy eating!] [Did anyone notice that the sandwich was stuffed full of bacon?] [Hahaha, looks like Ming Yantang is a carnivore.] [Ming Yantang is so cute! I used to think he was cold and aloof, and quite a tough person.] [I remember a rumor that Ming Yantang flew into a rage because there was pork in the crew’s lunch box and threw it in the director’s face.] [Bullshit, look at how much he enjoys eating meat.]

Wiping the cream from the corner of his mouth, Ming Huaizhi patted his stomach and stood up to gather with the others. On the way, he bumped into Xie Jingsheng and gave an awkward smile.

“Xiao Tang, I brought some pastries. Eat them if you’re hungry.”

Ming Huaizhi declined tactfully: “Thank you, but I’ve eaten a lot. If I eat more, I’ll get fat.”

Xie Jingsheng placed the pastries directly into his arms: “Eat them this afternoon.”

Ming Huaizhi was quite relieved that Xie Jingsheng hadn’t sought malicious revenge, especially since the two had essentially had a falling out that day. He looked at the pastries in his arms, unsure of how to handle them.

Today’s shoot, besides the five regular guests, included a celebrity specially invited by the Sangli Group to serve as the other lead in the MV.

Lu Zilin had already finished his makeup. When he saw Jing Wu’s figure, his fake smile vanished instantly. Jing Wu was currently incredibly popular; his commercial endorsements and film resources outclassed Lu Zilin’s by miles. A few days ago, Jing Wu had even won Best Actor at an international film festival. If he filmed an MV with Jing Wu, all the limelight would surely be stolen.

“If anyone has issues with their costumes, please let me know. I’ll help adjust them as quickly as possible.”

Although the primary goal today was filming, Ming Huaizhi didn’t forget his actual job. Upon learning Jing Wu was the male lead, he specifically selected a sapphire vintage brooch from the costume warehouse to pair with Jing Wu’s white knit sweater, so it wouldn’t look too plain.

“Try putting this on.”

Ming Huaizhi handed the brooch to Jing Wu, seeing his features up close for the first time. Jing Wu’s looks were very comfortable, his temperament gentle, and dimples flickered on his cheeks when he spoke—he was the “boy next door” type.

“Thank you.”

Jing Wu hurriedly accepted it with both hands and met Ming Huaizhi’s gaze. Regarding Ming Yantang, he had often heard his assistant discuss his exploits since his debut. He hadn’t expected such a “flamboyant” person to be so easy to get along with and gentle in speech in private.

Seeing Jing Wu dazed, Ming Huaizhi smiled: “Is it inconvenient to put on? Do you need my help?”

Jing Wu’s neck instantly turned red: “Is that okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ming Huaizhi took the brooch back, leaned in slightly toward him, and moved his fingertips very lightly.

Jing Wu was somewhat constrained, occasionally looking down at him. Those beautiful eyelashes fluttering gently disturbed his heart.

“There, done.” Ming Huaizhi was very satisfied with his work. He stepped back with his hands behind his back, looking at Jing Wu with gentle eyes: “It looks very elegant, right?”

Jing Wu’s smile was bright: “Yes, thank you.”

[Ming Yantang is such a flirt.] [He was clearly just pinning a brooch!!!] [Jing Wu looks so shy.] [Does anyone else think Ming Yantang is a bit of a space cadet?]

Actually, Ming Huaizhi was quite relieved to be shooting promotional photos. Compared to the MV, promotional photos were much easier and didn’t require much acting skill. Otherwise, if the live stream captured his unpolished acting for the MV, it would bring shame to his brother.

Without those worries, Ming Huaizhi was very relaxed. His smiles during the shoot were healing and natural. A set of pure white clothes his favorite allowed his temperament to bloom to the fullest. In the play of light and shadow, his deep, three-dimensional features and superior bone structure looked like the ultimate work of a master artist.

Jing Wu watched him quietly, thinking of the brooch on his own chest, his ears quietly turning red. No wonder people always said Ming Yantang “committed crimes with his beauty”; with such superior natural conditions, he was meant to shine brightly. But what moved him most was Ming Yantang’s warm and cleanliness.

[Jing Wu definitely likes Ming Yantang.] [Tsk tsk, who wouldn’t like a gentle, handsome guy?] [Ming Yantang is single now, right? Maybe they’ll end up together.]

After a busy day, work was finally nearing its end. While the remaining two were filming, Ming Huaizhi stood by the camera observing the director’s shots. Jing Wu was also beside him.

Separated by only a fist’s distance, Jing Wu caught the faint scent of jasmine. It didn’t smell like ordinary jasmine; it was mixed with a hint of gardenia and lemon fresh and gentle. He gave a light cough, his gaze unconsciously landing on the other’s small nose, gradually becoming entranced.

“Jing Wu.” “Jing Wu?”

Ming Huaizhi noticed Jing Wu was spacing out and waved a hand in front of his eyes. “It’s over, we can go home.”

Caught staring, Jing Wu was extremely embarrassed. His flickering eyes were very unnatural, as if something had blown into them. Ming Huaizhi knit his delicate brows and slowly leaned in: “Are you unwell?”

Jing Wu’s face turned even redder, and he nodded hurriedly: “Mhm.”

Ming Huaizhi felt Jing Wu was a very nice person; he had noticed the other helping him organize costumes all day. After a bit of thought, he took a piece of paper from his small backpack and quietly stuffed it into Jing Wu’s hand.

“It’s okay, go take a look.”

With that, Ming Huaizhi headed home with light steps.

This scene was captured entirely by the live stream camera. Just as the audience was discussing it heatedly, the stream ended. Since the topic hadn’t been exhausted, everyone flocked to Weibo to discuss it. Within an hour, “Ming Yantang Jing Wu” hit the hot searches.

…

At this time, Sang Yu was preparing to head home. A “ding” sounded from his phone; it was a push notification from their group’s browser. Normally, he wasn’t interested in such news, but as he glanced at it, he saw Ming Yantang’s name in the title.

[Today’s Reality Show: Ming Yantang and Jing Wu’s Ambiguity Escalates; Ming Yantang Secretly Sends a Small Note Before Saying a Reluctant Goodbye.]

Initially, Sang Yu didn’t believe such sensationalist titles. But when he clicked on the live video attached to the news, a trace of chilliness gradually seeped into his tired eyes.

His WeChat groups were flashing non-stop; Shang Chen and the others had also found out and reminded him to take down the news if possible. Sang Yu ignored them and threw his phone on the desk.

The person Ming Yantang was acting ambiguous in the news… Sang Yu hadn’t met him, but he looked very familiar.

Dimples, around 180cm, gentle, double eyelids. These four points seemed tailored exactly for that man.

Annoyed, he called for his assistant: “Go check if that news is true or if it’s taken out of context! If it is, the entire news department can be laid off!”

The roar from the Chairman’s office echoed through the corridor. The assistant replied: “I’ll go check immediately.”

The night view of Bian City was beautiful. Sang Yu sat in front of his office overlooking the beach and CBD. Usually, he would relax like this when he was in a bad mood, but today, nothing could extinguish his irritation.

Soon, the assistant told him that the news was true that the note-passing incident had indeed happened during today’s broadcast. Sang Yu stared coldly without speaking, then picked up his suit jacket and left the office like a whirlwind.

The assistant sighed quietly. With an “agreement wife” causing such a scandal, quite a few people would probably be laughing in secret.

…

Inside a luxury high-rise apartment, Shang Chen, Zhong Xian, and others hurried over. Sang Yu, sitting with his legs crossed, glanced at them: “Sit. No one is allowed to go home tonight.”

Sang Yu rarely came to this flat; he only came here for all-nighters when gathering with friends. Right now, the reason he wasn’t going home was self-evident.

Shang Chen frowned and took off his jacket: “Go ask Ming Yantang about that matter. What if it’s fake?”

Sang Yu was in a bad mood, and Zhong Xian joined in the persuasion: “Modern media has no bottom line; you really should ask.”

“I checked. The note-passing is real. The content is unclear.”

The two men fell silent in unison.

“I just don’t quite understand,” Sang Yu said, looking at the two. “He likes me so much, so why is he looking at other men?”

Shang Chen sat opposite him and poured himself a drink: “First, tell us—what exactly is the relationship between you two?”

The matter of their agreement marriage was kept strictly secret; no one else knew. After hesitating, Sang Yu told the two of them. After hearing it, they fell into silence again.

Finally, Zhong Xian broke the silence: “You have an agreement. It’s indeed wrong for Ming Yantang to violate the contract and cause a scandal. But I want to ask you, do you actually like him?”

Sang Yu’s thick brows raised slightly: “Of course not.”

Shang Chen gave a deliberate smile: “Since you don’t like him and he violated the contract first, just go home and teach him a lesson to establish your authority.”

Sang Yu glared: “Establish authority how? I can’t hit him or scold him. His little mouth never stops talking, and then he’ll just cry.”

The two looked at each other and smiled: “Since you don’t like him, why do you care if he likes you?”

This question stumped Sang Yu. After a long time, he said: “I feel that he is fickle, full of sweet words and lies, and has deceived me.”

Just then, Shang Chen looked down at his phone: “Sang Yu! The matter of the small note has been clarified on Weibo.” He handed a post to Sang Yu.

@EntertainmentWhirlwind: Good heavens, the ‘small note’ Ming Yantang mysteriously handed to Jing Wu was actually a business card for an eye hospital. Look at Jing Wu’s Weibo comments—they’re all ‘hahahaha’.

[Dying of laughter, now I understand what happened. During the stream today, Jing Wu was a bit shy standing with Ming Yantang and his eyes were darting around. Ming Yantang thought there was something wrong with his eyes, so he gave him the number for an eye hospital!] [So silly! Ming Yantang is so funny.] [Is Ming Yantang really that dense? Or is Jing Wu just not his type?]

Seeing the last sentence, Sang Yu’s serious and cold brows relaxed slightly, and the low pressure surrounding him suddenly dissipated. Just then, Ming Huaizhi sent a voice message.

“Sang Yu, why aren’t you home yet? Are you very busy with work? We made your favorite Sweet and Sour Squirrel Fish tonight. Tell me before you come home, and I’ll heat it up for you.”

Ming Huaizhi’s tone was gentle and slow; Sang Yu could almost imagine him leaning on the dining table, looking all soft. His lips curled up slightly, and when he looked up, he met two resentful gazes.

“We agreed not to go home today. Sang Yu, you don’t actually want to go back, do you?”

Sang Yu coughed lightly: “I quite like Squirrel Fish. Why don’t we go together?”

Shang Chen looked at him with disdain: “I say, have you fallen for him?”

Sang Yu sneered: “Impossible.” As he spoke, he stood up and began putting on his coat.

Zhong Xian was a sharp person and saw through Sang Yu’s hesitation at a glance: “Are you afraid that after you get together with him, he’ll lose interest and dump you?”

Shang Chen thought that made sense: “I’d be afraid too. Those ex-boyfriends of his—he changes them every few months on average. He’s so good-looking and his personality is the kind I like; of course I wouldn’t want to let go.”

As the two went back and forth, Sang Yu had already finished changing.

“Or is it that you’re afraid you can’t catch him?”

“It’s not that I can’t catch him, it’s that I don’t want to.” Sang Yu looked at the two leisurely: “If Ming Yantang hasn’t been ‘pretending’ to be good these days and his personality is naturally like this, I’d pursue him immediately. By this time next year, it will be our wedding anniversary.”