I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The starlight is tranquil, and a summer breeze stirs the lush greenery.

Shang Chen stared at Sang Yu with utter disdain. But Sang Yu acted as if he hadn’t noticed, casting a cold sideways glance at him: “Why are you still standing here? Why aren’t you going to sleep?”

These words carried a hint of warning, as if to say if you dare tell the truth, you’re dead.

Feeling a bitter sorrow he couldn’t voice, Shang Chen choked back a sob. Before leaving, he gave Ming Huaizhi a look of pity in his eyes, the boy was like a little lamb waiting to be slaughtered, the type to be sold and then help the kidnapper count the money.

With Shang Chen gone, the area finally became quiet.

The previous topic quietly resurfaced.

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes were nervous as he sat restlessly by the edge of the tent: “Sang Yu, come inside. The encyclopedia says that in the wild, it’s easy to encounter highly toxic insects. If you get bitten and we can’t save you in time, would you”

He didn’t dare say the last few words, feeling they were bad luck.

Sang Yu, however, didn’t seem to care. He stretched his long legs out on the rocking chair, swaying slowly. “Then you can attend my funeral feast.”

“You—” Ming Huaizhi furrowed his brow, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

This was the first time Sang Yu had seen Ming Huaizhi like this.

His huffy appearance made him look like a Ragdoll cat.

However, it served as proof that the other person cared about him deeply.

Sang Yu stopped teasing him. “Alright, thank you for taking me in. Tonight, we’ll—sleep together.”

The last three words were exceptionally light.

Ming Huaizhi didn’t catch the nuance, but Shang Chen, who had just stepped back into his own tent, muttered a snide remark: “Scoundrel.”

Stepping into Ming Huaizhi’s tent, Sang Yu took off his shoes.

The space was small. It was spacious for Ming Huaizhi alone, but with Sang Yu added, the cramped tent was instantly filled.

Under the light, Sang Yu finally got a clear look at Ming Huaizhi’s milky-white pajamas. They weren’t pure white but had tiny beige spots, making him look like a well-behaved Dalmatian cat.

Ming Huaizhi knelt on the mat and began preparing a space for Sang Yu. Since it was summer, they didn’t need sleeping bags; they could just lie directly on the mat.

The mat was about 1.2 meters wide. Ming Huaizhi gave the large pillow to Sang Yu, while he folded his jacket into a small “tofu block” to use as a pillow in the corner.

“Okay, we can go to sleep now.”

Ming Huaizhi crawled slowly, finally lying down on the very edge of the mat on his side, legs tucked together, looking obediently at Sang Yu.

Sang Yu’s gaze fell on his waist.

It was as thin as a piece of paper.

“How do you have no meat on your bones at all?”

When Sang Yu looked through the files on the plane that day, he had learned about Ming Huaizhi’s physical condition. The hospital records showed that while there were no major issues, his body still needed careful nurturing, otherwise, he would easily become frail.

“I’ve already gained a lot of weight.” Ming Huaizhi smiled at Sang Yu. “Your family’s food is great.”

“Look at your lack of ambition.” Sang Yu reached out and felt the jacket Ming Huaizhi was using as a pillow, gesturing for him to get up. “Take the pillow. I’ll just use my jacket.”

Ming Huaizhi didn’t move. “That would be uncomfortable.”

Sang Yu had already folded his jacket. “If I let you sleep on a jacket, people will say I’m bullying you.”

A clear, gentle laugh immediately rang out inside the tent.

“If I don’t tell anyone, won’t no one know?”

Sang Yu raised a handsome eyebrow. “I don’t trust you.”

Not receiving trust made Ming Huaizhi a bit frustrated. He felt that he and Sang Yu had already become good friends. Why wouldn’t the other give him even a bit of trust?

He picked up the pillow and, as if acting out of spite, placed it in the center.

“Then we’ll share it.”

Sang Yu looked up at him lazily. “Fine. Your call.”

By the time they lay down, it was nearly 11:00 PM.

The pillow wasn’t large, which meant they were very close, their shoulders separated by only the width of a fist.

Ming Huaizhi was sleepy, looking up at the starlight. “Sang Yu, can we turn off the light?”

Sang Yu gave a grunt of affirmation, his long arm reaching for the switch. “In the dark of night, you won’t take advantage of me, will you?”

Ming Huaizhi looked at him slowly. “I won’t. You’re not my type.”

When he said the first half, Sang Yu still had a faint smile. But after hearing the second half, that smile gradually faded.

He really wanted to ask Ming Huaizhi:

If I’m not, who is?

But he held back.

After all, everyone has moments of being teased into annoyance.

Just words of spite, they don’t count, he thought.

“Go to sleep.”

Two stiff words fell as the oil lamp was instantly extinguished.

Ming Huaizhi tucked the quilt tight and slowly closed his eyes.

For some reason, in his dreams, he felt a small furnace very close to him.

Feeling hot, he moved further and further away.

Just as he touched the very edge of the mat and was about to fall off, a great force scooped him up and rolled him back into the quilt.

He comfortably stretched his legs and fell asleep leaning toward the little furnace.

…

The next day, Sang Yu was woken up by the noise outside.

As soon as he opened his eyes, the piercing sunlight hit him. He furrowed his brows in dissatisfaction, looking moody.

Just as he was about to get up, he suddenly realized he was holding a warm, slender person in his arms.

His body stiffened for a moment.

He looked down, and his vision was instantly filled by those moist, clear amber eyes.

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes were lively and gentle; he looked like he had been awake for a long time. The soft hair at the crown of his head was slightly messy, and his skin, freshly awakened, was delicate and smooth, with a faint pink flush on his cheeks.

If Ming Huaizhi hadn’t called out to him, Sang Yu really would have wanted to rub his head.

“Sang Yu, I want to go to the bathroom.”

Sang Yu stared at his arm circled around Ming Huaizhi’s waist, a flash of embarrassment from being caught red-handed crossing his face. He immediately let go and asked vaguely, “How long have you been awake?”

“About two hours,” Ming Huaizhi said softly.

“Then why didn’t you wake me?”

“I was afraid if I moved, I’d wake you up.”

Sang Yu frowned instantly. “So you stayed perfectly still for two hours?”

“I wasn’t completely still.” Ming Huaizhi seriously tied his shoelaces. “My eyes were moving.”

Watching the slender back of the other man, Sang Yu checked the time.

8:00 AM.

So Ming Huaizhi had been awake since 6:00 AM.

Perhaps due to some morning grumpiness, his mood wasn’t particularly bright. He took off his wrinkled clothes and walked out of the tent to wash up.

When Shang Chen and the others saw his fierce expression, they didn’t dare crack the jokes they had intended.

While washing his face, Sang Yu kept thinking about one thing.

He felt Ming Huaizhi was too well-behaved, and that wasn’t necessarily good.

If Ming Huaizhi had encountered anyone else but him, he’d probably be sold and still help count the money. The Ming family was also quite bold to leave Ming Huaizhi with a stranger so casually.

It seemed that in the future, he would have to try and teach Ming Huaizhi how to throw a tantrum and act spoiled.

The morning passed in a flash.

After breakfast, everyone took the car back.

In the car, Ming Huaizhi noticed Sang Yu was in a bad mood and spent a long time trying to analyze why he was unhappy.

There were still some donuts in his small backpack. He took out two and held them against his head. “Sang Yu, look at me.”

Sang Yu tilted his head to look at him, slightly puzzled. “Hmm?”

Ming Huaizhi laughed. “Do I look like Mickey Mouse?”

“Mickey Mouse?” Sang Yu studied him seriously, then curled his lips after a moment. “You actually do, to the extent that a certain company might sue you.”

Ming Huaizhi handed him a donut. “Then I can’t afford that. I don’t have any money.”

Sang Yu didn’t like sweets, but he didn’t refuse, even though it was so sweet it hit the back of his throat. However, he eventually said, “Eat less of this sugary stuff in the future; it’s not good for your throat.”

Ming Huaizhi chewed in small bites. “I know, but eating sweets makes one feel better.”

Hearing this, Sang Yu paused slightly.

Did Ming Huaizhi see that I was unhappy?

A hint of hesitation flashed in his dark eyes as he said, “Then I’ll need another donut to truly soothe my mood.”

Now it was Ming Huaizhi’s turn to be stunned.

He had only bought two donuts; there were no extras.

After thinking for a moment, he broke the one in his hand in half and handed the untouched part to Sang Yu. “Here.”

Sang Yu’s smile deepened. “That’s more like it.”

Gu Zhou watched their interaction. He slowly retracted his gaze, looking aimlessly out the window.

The RV first dropped Sang Yu and Ming Huaizhi home.

Before getting off, Ming Huaizhi waved goodbye to everyone. When his gaze met Gu Zhou’s, a certain realization flickered in his mind.

Sang Yu carried the suitcase, walking slowly.

Ming Huaizhi caught up to him. “Sang Yu, why do I feel like Gu Zhou isn’t very happy? Has something sad happened to him recently?”

At the mention of Gu Zhou, Sang Yu’s face remained calm. “He’s always had a melancholy personality. Once”

Actually, Sang Yu had considered whether or not to tell Ming Huaizhi about this, but since they would be “family” in the future, it was better to be honest early on.

“He used to pursue me.”

After saying this, Sang Yu suddenly worried that Ming Huaizhi might get jealous.

“So that’s how it is.” Ming Huaizhi asked slowly, “What happened after? Were you ever together?”

Seeing that the other person indeed cared about his romantic history, Sang Yu was somewhat satisfied. “He’s very talented and good at socializing. When he was pursuing me, he wanted the whole international student circle to know. Every gesture was more extravagant than the last. But I felt our personalities weren’t a good match, so I rejected him.”

“Are you still on good terms then?”

“Surface-level, yes, but we’ve definitely grown distant.”

Ming Huaizhi suddenly remembered the matter of Sang Yu’s “ideal type.” He didn’t press further this time, instead comforting Sang Yu: “Don’t worry, you’ll find the type you like.”

“The type I like?” Sang Yu raised an eyebrow. “I don’t like thin ones, I don’t like fat ones, I don’t like tall ones, I don’t like short ones. But I really like that younger brother of yours.”

“Do you have a photo of him? Let me see.”

“I… don’t… have… a photo.” Ming Huaizhi’s cheeks turned red instantly. “Why are you always thinking about my brother?”

Sang Yu: “Just curious. We’re technically in a fake marriage; your brother is my relative, yet I don’t even know what he looks like. Isn’t that a bit unjustified?”

Ming Huaizhi said indignantly, “My brother is very ugly and doesn’t like taking pictures.”

Sang Yu knew when to stop. “Alright then, that’s a pity. I’ll visit your brother abroad some other day.”

Ming Huaizhi urgently tried to dissuade him: “Don’t go. My brother is dull and eccentric; he doesn’t like meeting strangers.”

Sang Yu raised an eyebrow. “Fine then.”

…

After returning home, Ming Huaizhi could rest for the afternoon, but Sang Yu had to go to the company for a meeting.

Just then, the butler mentioned that Sang Yu’s grandmother had moved to the neighboring estate. Ming Huaizhi changed back into his clothes, preparing to visit.

Originally, Grandma Sang had planned to move down the mountain in May, but due to some delays, it was pushed back a month. Ming Huaizhi was bored anyway, so he went to keep Grandma Sang company. Before leaving, he specifically brought some custard pastries the butler had baked, which were perfect for elderly people with delicate teeth.

Grandma Sang was delighted to see Ming Huaizhi. The two of them spent a happy afternoon together arranging flowers, drinking tea, and watching dramas.

After spending time together, Ming Huaizhi realized that Grandma Sang’s personality was actually very child-like. She didn’t have the air of a wealthy matriarch; she was easy to get along with and very cute.

In fact, some of Grandma Sang’s thoughts aligned perfectly with Ming Huaizhi’s. Ming Huaizhi thought that if Sang Yu were willing to sit down and talk with her, their relationship might not be so strained.

Before leaving, Ming Huaizhi heard that Grandma Sang had been having headaches recently, so he stayed specifically to help her with a head massage, not leaving until evening.

Grandma Sang was very reluctant to see him go, holding his hands with great affection. She insisted on having bodyguards accompany him home before she felt at ease letting him leave.

As the old butler helped Grandma Sang upstairs, he said, “I think you and the Ming family boy really get along.”

Grandma Sang smiled kindly. “Yes, I’m just worried about the child’s health. He doesn’t look very robust; I wonder if Sang Yu is taking proper care of him.”

The butler said, “Director Chen is coming to check on you in a few days. Why don’t you have him check Young Master Ming’s pulse and use some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate his health?”

Grandma Sang looked worried. “The entertainment industry is so exhausting; I don’t know if that child can handle it.”

…

Meanwhile, as Ming Huaizhi was walking home, he received a call from Chen Ruofu.

“Xiao Zhi, is the camping over?”

Chen Ruofu didn’t have any other important business; he just wanted to ask about the relationship between Ming Huaizhi and Sang Yu.

After that day’s livestream aired, all the major forums were discussing Sang Yu, and Sangli Group’s stock price had soared.

He hadn’t intended to ask Ming Huaizhi, but having just learned that Sang Yu lived in the same neighborhood as Ming Huaizhi, his heart was a bit unsettled, so he made the call.

After listening to Chen Ruofu’s concerns, Ming Huaizhi hesitated for two seconds. “He is my relative.”

Chen Ruofu instantly breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought he was your boyfriend.”

Ming Huaizhi stuttered, “How could that be…”

Chen Ruofu laughed. “After the livestream, people in the circle were saying President Sang likes you. So he’s a relative.”

After hanging up, Ming Huaizhi was a bit dazed.

They would be “divorced” in six months.

So he should try his best to avoid scandals with Sang Yu, as it would affect both his brother and Sang Yu.

Caught in his thoughts, Ming Huaizhi didn’t look where he was going and bumped into a broad chest.

He looked up to see Sang Yu teasing him: “Looking for a payout?”

“Sang Yu?” After reacting, Ming Huaizhi asked tentatively, “Are you going out to have fun?”

Seeing Ming Huaizhi’s excited look, Sang Yu intentionally said, “Yeah.”

“Can you take me with you?” Ming Huaizhi’s eyes were full of anticipation.

Sang Yu shook his head. “No.”

Ming Huaizhi’s gaze dimmed instantly. “Then remember to stay safe.”

The driver behind them burst out laughing. “Mr. Sang was going to the old lady’s place to look for you.”

Ming Huaizhi quickly realized the truth, but he didn’t get angry at being teased. Instead, he happily shared their afternoon together with Sang Yu.

At the end, he said, “I will work hard to make Grandma like us.”

The last two words reached Sang Yu’s ears with an unusual meaning.

He walked inside with his long legs. “She probably won’t like me.”

Ming Huaizhi: “That’s not true. I promise I’ll make her like you.”

Sang Yu found this kind of promise a bit childish. But he didn’t say it out loud, instead changing the subject: “You went to keep my grandmother company as soon as you got home. Aren’t you tired?”

Ming Huaizhi shook his head. “I’m not. If you want to go out, I can even follow along.”

Sang Yu laughed; it seemed the other person was constantly thinking about going out to play.

“I plan to go for a swim today. Can you swim?”

Ming Huaizhi: “I know a little, but I don’t have a swimsuit.”

Sang Yu gave a meaningful smile. “It doesn’t matter if you have a swimsuit or not. You can just wear your underwear and come along. It’s a private pool at home; no one but me will see.”

Ming Huaizhi gave a slow “oh” and lowered his eyes.

But you’re a person too, orz.

After eating and resting a bit, the two headed towards the swimming pool. Along the way, Ming Huaizhi wrapped himself in a thick bathrobe, following Sang Yu step by step.

The pool was specially built by Sang Yu to suit his fitness needs; he usually swam twice a week to stay in shape.

With the weather as it was, the pool’s roof was open.

Standing by the pool, Ming Huaizhi secretly looked down at his swim trunks.

The butler had found these for him. Even though they were new, the size was too large—likely prepared for Sang Yu originally.

He was currently worried about one thing.

What if my trunks fall off while I’m swimming?

However, he had tightened them with rubber bands beforehand, pulling them into two little “pigtails,” so the trunks shouldn’t be so unlucky as to fall down.

“Do you know how to warm up?”

“Yes.”

Sang Yu nodded, and his bathrobe fell to the ground.

The moonlight fell into the pool, shimmering like silver.

In the ripples, two shadows were reflected.

The smaller one sat by the pool, the larger one stood beside him.

From Ming Huaizhi’s perspective, Sang Yu was tall and slender, his excellent waist-to-leg ratio making him appear even taller.

Under the early summer moon, his wheat-colored skin was wrapped in beautiful, healthy muscular lines. His abdominal muscles were lean and symmetrical, with superior V-lines faintly visible under the shimmering water.

Ming Huaizhi slowly pulled back his gaze.

Sang Yu’s figure was truly great; he couldn’t compare.

Sang Yu stood by the pool for a full three minutes, and only after confirming Ming Huaizhi had seen him up close did he dive into the water.

A fierce splash rose, hitting Ming Huaizhi’s legs. He squinted, wiped the water from his eyes, and slowly lowered his legs into the water.

He had learned to swim as a child, but only “learned.”

The reason was that when he was five, he witnessed a boy fall into a fountain.

At the time, the companions who had been teasing the boy were scared and ran away. Fortunately, he called for adults, and the boy was saved. That incident had terrified him, leading to nightmares for several days. So when he grew up, even though his physical condition was poor, he wanted to learn how to swim.

However, after all these years, he still only knew how to do the breaststroke.

In the pool, Sang Yu had already swam two laps.

His butterfly stroke was very standard, his long straight legs powerfully alternating in rhythm under the water, with well-distributed muscles that lacked any exaggerated bodybuilder aesthetic.

Ming Huaizhi unconsciously became mesmerized.

A guy with wheat-colored skin is also very handsome.

When Sang Yu finished five laps and came to his feet, he quickly retracted his gaze, as if he had done something shameful.

Surrounded by mist, Sang Yu slowly approached him, took off his goggles, and shook the water from his short hair. “Did you warm up?”

Ming Huaizhi shook his head honestly. “I forgot.”

Sang Yu’s thick brows furrowed. “Why didn’t you?”

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes were serious. “Your swimming was too handsome; I forgot while watching.”

This sentence successfully flattered Sang Yu.

Sang Yu’s voice softened. “You must warm up before entering the water. It’s dangerous if you get a cramp underwater.”

“Okay.” Ming Huaizhi nodded obediently, getting up to take off his bathrobe. But when he looked up, he found Sang Yu standing by the pool, staring at him without moving.

Worried Sang Yu would see the two rubber bands on his swimsuit, Ming Huaizhi felt a bit shy. “Can you not look at me?”

Hearing this, Sang Yu didn’t leave; instead, he looked like he intended to stay right there.

“If I’m not here, who’s going to guide your warm-up?”

Ming Huaizhi’s ears heated up, especially being stared at so directly by Sang Yu—his eyes couldn’t help but notice the other’s great figure.

“I can warm up myself, really.”

Sang Yu curled his lips and slowly backed away. “Fine, then in a bit I’ll play some water volleyball with you to get you moving.”

“Water volleyball?” Ming Huaizhi quickly sped up his movements. “I’ll be right there, wait for me.”

“Pff.” Sang Yu put on his bathrobe and climbed onto the pool deck, casually picking up a green grape, and fetched a volleyball and a swim ring from the equipment room. “When you’re ready, wear the ring and play with me.”

Ming Huaizhi was puzzled. “Why?”

Sang Yu’s voice was lazy and full of feigned disdain: “You’re so clumsy; what if you twist your ankle?”

Ming Huaizhi gave a knowing smile.

He knew Sang Yu was doing this to protect him.

The two of them were just playing, so Sang Yu didn’t prepare overly professional equipment; he didn’t even set up the net in the middle. The goal was to warm up, not compete—after all, in a real competition, Ming Huaizhi would have zero combat power.

Once in the water, Ming Huaizhi realized the pool was quite deep, about 1.6 meters. Wearing the swim ring, his feet were off the ground, making it easier to move on the water.

Sang Yu chose the softest volleyball, one that wouldn’t hurt much if it hit his head. Even so, his serves to Ming Huaizhi were very low in intensity.

In his eyes, Ming Huaizhi was likely made of tofu liable to break at a touch.

Ming Huaizhi easily caught the first ball and spiked it back.

Sang Yu didn’t catch it, and the ball landed nearby.

Ming Huaizhi was very excited and became more talkative. “Sang Yu, do you know why I learned to swim?”

Sang Yu: “Why?”

Ming Huaizhi told Sang Yu the story of how he saved the little boy. “Am I very impressive?”

After listening, Sang Yu gave a small, secret smile. “Indeed, quite clever. But do you know who that boy was?”

Ming Huaizhi: “I don’t know. He was dark and scrawny anyway, and not very tall.”

“Dark—” Halfway through his sentence, Sang Yu quickly threw the volleyball out. By the time Ming Huaizhi swam to the right, it was already too late. “What do you mean ‘dark and scrawny’? That’s called a healthy complexion.”

Ming Huaizhi held the volleyball, blinking innocently. “Sang Yu, I wasn’t talking about you.”

Sang Yu tried his best to suppress his irritation. “Yeah, I know.”

The two went back and forth for several rounds, and half an hour had passed. Although Ming Huaizhi was tired, he still wanted to play. He felt this was much more interesting than regular swimming.

Suddenly, he felt something unusual underwater.

“Last round. If you catch my ball, I’ll take you out to play again next time.”

Sang Yu’s promise instantly grabbed Ming Huaizhi’s attention. He got into a ready position to catch the ball, fully concentrated.

With a “thump,” the volleyball flew towards Ming Huaizhi.

Ming Huaizhi swam with all his might, but just as he was about to catch it, that feeling of something being wrong surfaced again. By the time he looked down in a daze, the volleyball hit him squarely on the head.

His eyes turned red instantly.

“Did I hurt you?” This was the first time Sang Yu had seen Ming Huaizhi looking so heartbroken. Forgetting his swimming form, he rushed towards Ming Huaizhi.

“Don’t come over.” Ming Huaizhi’s thin shoulders trembled slightly, as if he had encountered something terrifying.

Sang Yu got anxious. “Let me come over and see you!”

“Sang Yu”

Sang Yu stopped abruptly, his gaze burning with worry.

Ming Huaizhi held onto the swim ring tightly, his expression both bashful and distressed. His moist, deer-like eyes looked pitiful.

“I can’t find my swim trunks.”