I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Inside the car speeding down the road, Sang Yu listened to music leisurely, opening the window to let the breeze scatter the last lingering traces of alcohol.

Shang Chen and Zhong Xian hadn’t followed him home in the end, though they hadn’t missed the chance to pilfer some of his finest wine before leaving.

The driver was skilled, keeping the ride exceptionally smooth. In a good mood, Sang Yu casually picked up a new business periodical from this month to flip through.

When he reached the center color spread, he paused.

The person in the photo was none other than Ming Yantang.

Since this was a business magazine, it wasn’t surprising to see Ming Yantang featured; as the global spokesperson for Flavg, the previous quarter’s jewelry sales champion, he was a fixture in such publications.

It had to be said that Ming Yantang’s looks were top-tier, beautiful like a piece of art existing only in an oil painting, noble and inviolable.

Except…

Sang Yu noticed that the Ming Yantang in the magazine had an aura that was much more flamboyant and unrestrained. Though he was smiling, that innate pride and confidence were completely different from how he acted in private.

While lost in thought, he flipped to another page. On this one, Ming Yantang had changed his look; his outfit was now a deep-V black suit.

Sang Yu’s gaze fell, unerringly, on that barely perceptible mole just below the collarbone.

At that moment, the car pulled into the estate. Sang Yu put the magazine back, covering it with others.

As he entered the house, a natural cool breeze met him, a specialized natural wind circulation system installed in the manor that kept the air refreshing without the harsh chill of standard air conditioning.

Sang Yu took off his coat and handed it to the butler. “Where is Ming Yantang?”

The butler replied, “Young Master Ming should be in the second-floor study reading. He’s been waiting quite eagerly for you.”

Sang Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. “Mhm.”

Ming Huaizhi had actually heard the sound of Sang Yu’s car long ago. He was already running over, wearing a small white apron and carrying a plate of Squirrel Fish.

“Sang Yu!”

His voice was as clear and pleasant as usual.

Looking at his outfit, Sang Yu leaned lazily against the table. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.” Ming Huaizhi set the plate down. “I was waiting for us to eat together.”

The butler explained on his behalf, “Young Master Ming came home early today. When he saw me making Squirrel Fish, he joined in to help finish it.”

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes curved shyly as he stole a glance upward at Sang Yu, looking very much like he was waiting for praise.

In that instant, Sang Yu’s heart felt as though it were wrapped in soft feathers.

Going to all this trouble to cook my favorite dish if this isn’t “liking me,” what is?

“Sang Yu?”

“Sang Yu?”

Ming Huaizhi tugged at his arm. “Try it.”

“Okay.” Noticing Ming Huaizhi’s slightly intimate posture, Sang Yu gave him a meaningful look before picking up a piece of fish. “Not bad.”

Ming Huaizhi gave the butler a high-five. “Yay!”

“Silley.” Sang Yu’s lips curled into a smile. He asked the butler to turn on all the lights in the dining room. Usually, the full array of sensor lights was only used when hosting many friends, but Sang Yu suddenly felt that dinner with Ming Huaizhi deserved that kind of atmosphere.

It made him feel very comfortable.

Ming Huaizhi ate with his usual gusto, finishing a small bowl of rice in no time. Sang Yu, having been drinking, didn’t have much of an appetite; he ate two bites of fish and then rested his head on his hand to watch the other.

He noticed a grain of rice stuck to the corner of Ming Huaizhi’s mouth that the boy hadn’t noticed. Sang Yu felt the other was like a dazed little kitten clearly hungry, yet still chewing slowly, looking pretty and well-behaved.

“Sang Yu, I prepared a gift for you in the bedroom. You can go take a look later.”

Ming Huaizhi set down his chopsticks and looked at him with a beaming smile.

“A gift?” Sang Yu looked at him curiously. “What’s the occasion for a gift?”

When filming ended today, the brand that sponsored the app’s costumes sent many gifts to thank the celebrities. Ming Huaizhi had immediately taken a fancy to a dark blue embroidered tie, so he brought it back for Sang Yu. He rarely had chances to wear suits himself, and the dark blue suited Sang Yu’s temperament perfectly.

“I thought that tie would look good on you. The brand gave it to me, and I wanted to give it to you.”

Learning that the gift was a “re-gifted” favor didn’t stop Sang Yu’s curiosity. As a star, Ming Yantang attended red carpets frequently; why give the tie to him specifically?

Even when he gets something good, he thinks of me.

“You’re giving me a tie today and cooking for me… do you have a favor to ask?” Sang Yu tapped his finger on the table, his eyes showing a hint of suspicion.

“No, I don’t have any wishes.”

Ming Huaizhi felt one shouldn’t be too greedy. He was satisfied with his current life; aside from praying for his brother’s safety and health, he wanted for nothing.

Sang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. “Really?”

Ming Huaizhi got a bit nervous under his gaze. “Mhm.”

For the rest of the meal, Sang Yu didn’t speak further. He ate a few more bites of fish and then went upstairs with Ming Huaizhi to see the tie.

He had to admit, Ming Huaizhi had excellent taste. The hand-embroidery was a mix of vintage and trendy; paired with the suit Sang Yu was wearing, it looked dignified and low-key.

Through the full-length mirror, Sang Yu noticed Ming Huaizhi’s curious eyes behind him. The boy was looking up, staring at him intently, looking quite entranced.

Sang Yu let out a faint smile and leisurely adjusted his cuffs. “Ming Yantang, the tie is quite good; I’m satisfied. So, I’ll give you a chance to grant you one wish.”

After saying this on an impulse, Sang Yu suddenly worried that Ming Yantang’s wish would be to date him. If the other actually said that, what should he do? Sang Yu felt a bit of regret; his mood became complicated.

“Sang Yu, do you want to be my Aladdin’s Lamp?” Ming Huaizhi suddenly laughed sweetly. He stood on his tiptoes and reached out to compare his height with Sang Yu’s. “The Genie is very tall, and so are you.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Sang Yu thought the nickname was a bit childish, but the words “my” successfully flattered him. The regret began to fade, especially when he saw the admiration in Ming Huaizhi’s eyes.

“Of course I’m serious.” He walked away from the mirror and leaned back lazily on the sofa. “Do you know how many people want this wish from me and don’t get it?”

Ming Huaizhi leaned in and asked seriously, “How many?”

Sang Yu’s gaze flickered. “Never mind how many. Just make your wish quickly. Remember, you only get one chance.”

Ming Huaizhi truly didn’t have any other wishes. He racked his brain and sat beside Sang Yu, asking tentatively, “I heard outdoor camping is very interesting this time of year. Can you take me?”

Sang Yu frowned. “Just that?”

Ming Huaizhi nodded blankly. “Mhm.”

Sang Yu’s tone was a bit annoying. “I’ll think about it. Is… that all you have to say?”

Ming Huaizhi: “That’s it. I’m going back to reading now.”

After Ming Huaizhi left, Sang Yu stared irritably at the closed wooden door. He couldn’t understand why the other would make such a request. At the very least, he should have asked for film or television resources.

Changing into pajamas, Sang Yu prepared to shower. Then a thought struck him: perhaps the other was playing a long game, using a small bait to catch a big fish.

…

Meanwhile, Ming Huaizhi was leaning on a small sofa writing in his diary. He had always had the habit of journaling daily. Since coming to Sang Yu’s house, he had never recorded anything about his brother to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

Beside him was a warm cup of milk ginger tea. The study was cozy and comfortable. Nestled in a thick blanket, Ming Huaizhi leisurely recorded the events of the past few days. He noticed that the most frequent word in his diary was “Sang Yu.”

Thinking of Sang Yu, Ming Huaizhi held his ginger tea and unconsciously smiled. He was truly lucky to have come to such a family; if the other person had been unreasonable, he certainly wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Sang Yu was too good to him.

The diary entry finally stopped on May 25th. Ming Huaizhi calculated—there were five months left until he had to leave. He would certainly be very reluctant when the time came.

A short while later, Sang Yu finished his shower and prepared to work. Realizing he had forgotten a document in the car, he prepared to head downstairs. Passing the study, he noticed a faint light slipping through the cracked door.

He paused at the door for a moment, then pushed it open gently with one hand in his pocket. He found that Ming Huaizhi had fallen asleep, leaning halfway into a beanbag chair.

The light spilled over Ming Huaizhi’s shoulders. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell slightly with his breathing. A small cluster of thick, long shadows from his eyelashes fell perfectly onto the tip of his nose.

The scent of jasmine was faint, yet it drifted into Sang Yu’s nose.

Sang Yu slowly crouched down, his gaze looking at Ming Huaizhi with complexity and conflict. Though he had never been in love, he felt that as long as a person was good, having many ex-boyfriends shouldn’t really matter.

But the thought only flashed for an instant. He remembered those 108 suitors again. To prevent himself from becoming number 109, Sang Yu forced himself to cut off all such thoughts. He couldn’t keep doing absurd things like “granting wishes.”

Yantang is beautiful, but he is truly fickle.

Sang Yu’s gaze hardened, preparing to leave. But just then, Ming Huaizhi turned slightly.

His already wide collar was pressed by his shoulder and stretched open, exposing a section of his fair, delicate collarbone to the air. Out of politeness, Sang Yu immediately averted his gaze and headed for the door. Then, he stopped.

The air conditioning was still on; with the other’s “weak constitution,” he would likely get sick.

In thought, Sang Yu picked up a blanket from a chair to cover him. But as he crouched back down, he caught an accidental glimpse of Ming Huaizhi’s collarbone.

His dark eyes changed instantly, filled with confusion.

The mole below the collarbone, how was it gone?