I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“Kiss… me?”

Ming Huaizhi repeated the words haltingly, two faint patches of pink unexpectedly rising on his cheeks.

The gazes from the surrounding crowd remained fixed in unison on the two of them.

Ming Huaizhi didn’t dare meet Sang Yu’s eyes, and the sweat in his palms as he gripped the cue grew more profuse.

“If it’s me… actually, a verbal ‘good luck’ would be fine…”

He spoke in a voice as tiny as a mosquito’s buzz, looking at Sang Yu as if trying to negotiate.

In Sang Yu’s eyes, however, this awkward and tense behavior was mistaken for shyness. He thought for a moment; given Ming Huaizhi’s personality, doing something so intimate in public would indeed be very uncomfortable for him.

Furthermore, the two of them hadn’t officially established a relationship yet.

So, Sang Yu reached out and rubbed Ming Huaizhi’s head: “Fine. Good luck.”

This gesture was very much like soothing a pampered kitten.

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes brightened. No longer as tense as before, he nodded vigorously: “I’ll do my best.”

The intense match officially began.

The automated billiard table had already arranged the balls, and both sides took their positions. This duel quickly attracted more and more people, and even those outside began to gather to watch the excitement.

Ming Huaizhi was methodical, his gaze calm and steady.

He wasn’t intimidated by the public attention; for him, one should have confidence when engaged in something they are skilled at.

Today he wore a fashionably loose-fitting shirt paired with beige casual straight-leg pants, giving him an aura that was clean and comfortable.

Sang Yu watched him, his expression and demeanor full of trust.

Ming Huaizhi knew how to play snooker; Sang Yu had seen it in that detailed resume.

So, he believed in him.

“Mr. Wang, how shall we determine the order?”

Ming Huaizhi scanned the table with his amber eyes and asked softly.

Wang Chaoyang made a gesture of invitation: “You go first.”

Ming Huaizhi didn’t move immediately: “Let’s follow a set of rules.”

Wang Chaoyang: “Then let’s roll the dice. Whoever rolls the highest number goes first.”

Ming Huaizhi nodded in agreement.

After they both rolled, Ming Huaizhi had the higher number. He nodded to Wang Chaoyang, his straight back slowly leaning down, eyes focusing seriously on the cue ball.

Seeing this movement, Wang Chaoyang’s heart tightened.

It seemed he had met a true expert today.

With a thump, the blue ball went into the pocket in one shot.

The room immediately erupted in lively applause.

As the temperature rose, Ming Huaizhi casually unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves to reveal his beautiful wrists, leaning down again to aim at the number 6 ball.

Calculating the angle for the ball to enter the pocket, he rested the cue on his fingers. In just two seconds, the ball entered the pocket again.

Shang Chen watched with boiling blood and patted Sang Yu on the shoulder: “Your wife is good! I really couldn’t tell.”

Sang Yu’s gaze followed Ming Huaizhi, and he gave a faint smile.

The third ball and fourth ball went in one after another. Ming Huaizhi’s rhythm remained methodical without pause; every movement was fluid, as if calculated in advance.

Wang Chaoyang’s wife gently tugged at the corner of his clothes: “What do we do? Is he going to clear the table in one go?”

Wang Chaoyang’s face looked unnatural: “Probably not. The current position of the orange ball is not easy to sink.”

While they were talking, Ming Huaizhi had already walked to the opposite side of the table, rubbing the cue with chalk.

Leaning down once more, his expression was determined.

Five seconds later, the cue ball struck the edge of the table, rolling toward a 30-degree angle upon impact, and the orange ball went straight into the pocket.

“Nice!” Shang Chen led the crowd in applause.

Wang Chaoyang looked at the empty table and smiled gently: “Mr. Ming is indeed formidable. I admit defeat.”

Meeting everyone’s gaze, Ming Huaizhi smiled, walked up to Sang Yu, and stood on his tiptoes.

Sang Yu cooperatively leaned down to listen to the whisper in his ear.

The onlookers’ eyes were full of curiosity.

“Let’s end it here for today,” Sang Yu said to Wang Chaoyang. “As for the bet, let’s forget it. Today Si Mingchen is the host and everyone is his friend; this match was just for fun, no need to be so serious.”

A flash of surprise clearly crossed Wang Chaoyang’s face. His lips moved but before he could speak, Sang Yu continued: “As for your younger brother, you should still teach him to respect others and not to gossip about other people’s family matters at will.”

After speaking, Sang Yu took Ming Huaizhi’s hand and left.

The interest of the people in the room hadn’t faded, and they were all staring at the Wang brothers as if watching a spectacle.

Wang Chaoyang’s face was very grim. He gave Wang Mian a cold sideways glance: “We’ll discuss this at home.”

Wang Mian was trembling, scared out of his wits, and slunk away behind Wang Chaoyang.

Shang Chen said to Si Mingchen: “Sang Yu’s move was a real slap in the face. I reckon the Wang brothers won’t dare show their faces in public for a while.”

Si Mingchen’s eyes held a slight confusion: “On the day of my wedding to Wen Zhi, Ming Yantang and Sang Yu couldn’t stand the sight of each other. I didn’t expect their relationship to be this good now.”

Shang Chen quipped: “He’s just infatuated with his beauty.”

…

On Sang Yu’s side, he had already left with Ming Huaizhi.

Ming Huaizhi was in a great mood, sitting in the passenger seat looking at the heavy traffic outside, humming an unknown tune.

“I didn’t expect you to be so good at billiards.”

Ming Huaizhi looked at Sang Yu sweetly: “I didn’t lose face for you, did I?”

Sang Yu smiled at the words: “It was passable.”

Passing by the street food stalls, Ming Huaizhi stole a few glances as usual. This season was even more lively than winter; the whole street was filled with the “fireworks of life” (the hustle and bustle).

Sang Yu: “Want to eat there?”

Ming Huaizhi shook his head slowly: “I don’t.”

Sang Yu was curious: “Weren’t you thinking about it before?”

Ming Huaizhi murmured: “But you said it’s unhygienic, so I won’t eat it.”

“So obedient?”

Since neither of them had eaten anyway, Sang Yu parked the car by the road and unbuckled his seatbelt: “Eating it once in a while is fine.”

Ming Huaizhi immediately hopped out of the car: “Okay!”

Putting on a mask and a hat, Ming Huaizhi bought various kinds of snacks. Finally, he sat in front of a street stall with Sang Yu and ordered braised offal and skewers.

Sang Yu wasn’t used to the offal, so he ordered a bowl of wontons.

However, when the wontons were served, the chopped green onions inside made him frown. After Ming Huaizhi noticed: “Sang Yu, what’s wrong?”

Sang Yu: “I don’t like green onions. I’ll ask the shopkeeper to make another bowl.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Making another bowl is fine, then we’ll pack this bowl to take home for my breakfast tomorrow.”

“How can this be breakfast?” Sang Yu laughed, not expecting Ming Huaizhi to be so frugal. “It’ll probably be a soggy mess by tomorrow.”

“It’s okay, I can eat it,” Ming Huaizhi said, biting into the offal.

Seeing the others insist, Sang Yu couldn’t win: “Fine, no need to make another. I’ll eat this bowl.”

Ming Huaizhi paused holding the offal, then moved Sang Yu’s bowl toward himself: “I’ll pick the green onions out for you.”

“How long is that going to take you?”

“Very quickly. You eat the skewers first.”

Under the dim streetlights, Ming Huaizhi used his chopsticks to carefully pick out the green onions, ensuring not a single one remained.

His movements were very slow and very serious, which couldn’t help but make Sang Yu recall his appearance while playing billiards today.

Just as gentle and quiet.

The shadows of his long, thick eyelashes fell on the bridge of his nose. Ming Huaizhi pursed his pale pink lips, looking as beautiful as a doll.

Five minutes later, he handed the wontons to Sang Yu.

“Picked them all out. Eat.”

Sang Yu said thank you and took a bite.

Ming Huaizhi leaned in: “Is there any taste of onions?”

Sang Yu chuckled: “None.”

Ming Huaizhi was finally at ease and began to enjoy his braised offal.

The surrounding air was filled with the aroma of various delicacies.

Sang Yu said then: “We’re technically a fake couple, but always calling you by your full name seems a bit distant. What was your childhood nickname again?”

Ming Huaizhi replied obediently: “Xiao Zhi.”

Sang Yu handed him a skewer of grilled meat: “Fine. From now on I’ll call you Xiao Zhi.”

Ming Huaizhi asked back: “Then what should I call you? If it’s Xiao Yu, does it sound like an elder’s address for you?”

Sang Yu: “A bit. You think about it slowly, or”

“Call me ‘Gege’ (Brother).”

Ming Huaizhi thought of Ming Yantang: “Then let me think about it more. Calling you ‘Gege’ feels weird.”

…

After dinner, the two went home to rest.

Before going to sleep, Sang Yu received a call from his father.

Father Sang said that the old lady had recently caught a cold and fever and wasn’t feeling well. He asked them to visit more often if they had time, and it would be better if they could stay with her for a few days.

Sang Yu agreed, but after hesitating, he didn’t tell Ming Huaizhi. Ming Huaizhi was already exhausted from recording the variety show every day; if he told him, he would definitely go to take care of the old lady. Given his constitution, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

So Sang Yu planned to go to the old lady’s place himself tomorrow to deliver some supplements.

…

The next day, when Sang Yu arrived at the old lady’s place, he found that Ming Huaizhi was also there.

Ming Huaizhi hadn’t noticed Sang Yu; he was busy feeding the elderly woman water.

Grandma Sang called out then: “Sang Yu is here.”

Ming Huaizhi turned around immediately, then gave a surprised smile: “I was planning to tell you after you got off work, I didn’t expect you to come directly.”

Sang Yu walked slowly to the bedside: “I heard about this from my dad and rushed over after work.”

Grandma Sang’s complexion was poor, but her spirit was decent, especially seeing Ming Huaizhi coming to take care of her.

Ming Huaizhi said to Sang Yu then: “I want to stay with Grandma for a few nights. She’s been having nightmares lately and is scared at night.”

Sang Yu’s gaze was hesitant: “Living here?”

Ming Huaizhi nodded: “Mm-hmm.”

Thinking that Ming Huaizhi still had to record the variety show the next day, Sang Yu’s eyes were full of worry: “I’ll do it.”

Ming Huaizhi was startled: “You… want to?”

Grandma Sang saw that Sang Yu was worried about Ming Huaizhi being overworked and coughed twice. Ming Huaizhi immediately patted her back gently.

“Tangtang and Xiao Yu, you really don’t need to worry about me. You both have work tomorrow, go back quickly.”

Ming Huaizhi still shook his head: “It’s just staying with you for a few nights, I’m really not tired.”

Sang Yu had no choice but to say: “Fine. I’ll have the butler bring some clothes over for you.”

Having obtained Sang Yu’s permission, Ming Huaizhi leaned affectionately against Grandma Sang’s shoulder: “Then I’ll sleep with Grandma today.”

Ming Huaizhi knew how terrifying nightmares could be. The doctor said Grandma Sang’s fever was mostly related to the nightmares; waking up screaming every night would surely take a toll on an elderly person’s frame.

Sang Yu looked at Ming Huaizhi a few more times, chatted with them for a while, and prepared to go home.

Before going home, he called Ming Huaizhi out: “Are you really okay with this? Elderly people sleep less, and your schedules are different.”

Ming Huaizhi said with a smile: “Don’t worry, don’t worry about me. I happen to want to talk to Grandma.”

Sang Yu chuckled: “I’m not ‘worrying’ about you, I’m just worried you won’t take good care of Grandma.”

Ming Huaizhi gave a little huff: “I won’t.”

After a few more words, Sang Yu gave Ming Huaizhi one last look and left alone.

That night, Ming Huaizhi and Grandma Sang talked for a long time. Wearing their pajamas, they ate snacks and watched dramas, very comfortable. He found that the elderly woman indeed slept little; even until the early morning, she was still eager to watch popular TV dramas.

He tentatively asked Grandma what she was afraid of at night, and the old lady said bashfully that she had watched the movie Ghouls.

Ming Huaizhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and instructed Grandma not to watch horror movies again.

At twelve midnight, Ming Huaizhi was so tired that he fell asleep directly on Grandma Sang’s arm. Grandma Sang was still watching the drama; seeing Ming Huaizhi sleeping soundly, she gently smoothed the hair on his forehead and tucked him in.

Looking at Ming Huaizhi’s sleeping face, her eyes were loving yet complex. This child is so obedient; it would be great if Sang Yu could hold onto him.

…

Waking up the next day, Ming Huaizhi was indeed a bit tired—not for any other reason, but because staying up too late left him without energy.

Grandma Sang, however, was radiant. Before sending him to work, she asked him implicitly whether he was coming back tonight. With Ming Huaizhi around at night, she wasn’t afraid at all.

Ming Huaizhi agreed readily and said goodbye to the old lady.

Watching Ming Huaizhi’s departure, the old butler remarked: “Young Master Lin is also very filial. I told him about your nightmares, and he had his assistant send over some health supplements.”

Grandma Sang didn’t say much and made a cup of tea with a smile.

…

Today was the day Ming Huaizhi and the others were to negotiate with the promotional company. With Promotion Director Cheng Shian leading them, the negotiation went quite smoothly. Ultimately, they bought advertisement slots on several of the tallest buildings in the country at a price of 200k per minute.

After the livestream ended, Cheng Shian followed the business banquet protocol and took the celebrities and the new partners out for a meal.

The other party’s boss was surnamed Bai, and everyone called him Chairman Bai.

Chairman Bai was about forty years old, not too tall, and his figure was well-maintained. He had a serious, no-nonsense personality.

During the meal, Lu Zilin, Gu Ci, and Xie Jingsheng were quite talkative, chatting away throughout. Several managers from Nanan City liked them very much, and the atmosphere of drinking and chatting was good; the whole meal was pleasant.

Ming Huaizhi and Jing Lan ate their food quietly, one not liking to talk, and the other not knowing what to say.

Just as the dinner was about to end, Chairman Bai’s deep gaze settled quietly on Ming Huaizhi: “Both Yantang and Zilin have good images. Our Baishi Real Estate aims to build global landmarks, and we happen to need a spokesperson. I wonder if the two of you have time to talk to me about this later.”

Lu Zilin’s eyes were full of expectation: “Sure! We can find a quiet restaurant and chat while we eat.”

In recent years, the Bai family had acquired several real estate groups abroad, and their latest Hexagon Building was famous. If one could become their spokesperson, it would bring global exposure.

Ming Huaizhi thought that if he could help his brother get this endorsement, it would surely help his brother’s career.

Gu Ci, seeing that he wasn’t chosen, was secretly unhappy. He deliberately mentioned the endorsement to Chairman Bai several times, but the other party ignored him, just giving him vague answers.

Finally, he left unwillingly.

Before leaving, Xie Jingsheng looked at Ming Huaizhi for a long time. Feeling that this kind of thing was quite common in the entertainment industry, he didn’t offer a warning.

Only Jing Lan was foolishly envious of the two.

Exiting the restaurant, several people stepped into the elevator. This was a multi-functional hotel; below the eighth floor were various styles of restaurants, and above the eighth floor were presidential suites.

Chairman Bai took several people to the seventh floor, a French restaurant with a good environment.

Ming Huaizhi and Lu Zilin were separated as soon as they entered. One of the managers for the Asia-Pacific region, who was chatting happily with Lu Zilin, said to him: “Let’s talk first.”

Lu Zilin understood and nodded gently.

Following Lu Zilin were the manager and a group of Chairman Bai’s subordinates.

Now in the restaurant, only Chairman Bai and Ming Huaizhi remained.

Chairman Bai’s voice was gentle: “Sit. Choose some desserts you like.”

Ming Huaizhi was a bit nervous because, besides the two of them, there wasn’t a single other guest in the restaurant.

Of course, several of Chairman Bai’s bodyguards stood guard at the restaurant entrance.

Seeing this scene made him even more nervous.

“You go first.” Ming Huaizhi politely handed him the menu. “I’ll have the same as you.”

Chairman Bai laughed then: “The same as me? Then I’ll have wine, will you have wine too?”

Ming Huaizhi shook his head apologetically: “Sorry, I’m allergic to alcohol, I can’t drink.”

Chairman Bai ordered a glass of juice for him: “As for our spokesperson, I’ve always preferred you.”

Ming Huaizhi thanked him formally: “Thank you for your appreciation.”

Chairman Bai leaned against the sofa, his gaze landing unabashedly on Ming Huaizhi’s lips, collarbones, and ears.

“Yantang, do you have time tonight? My room is on the twelfth floor. There are no outsiders on the whole floor, so you don’t have to worry about media reporters taking photos.”

Ming Huaizhi’s fingertips paused, and his gaze avoided Chairman Bai in a panic, looking outside.

Did Chairman Bai mean… a sexual proposition?

Ming Huaizhi’s heart sank, and he noticed that the tallest building directly ahead was the headquarters of the Sangli Group.

“I… don’t have time.”

He fearfully picked up his phone and sent help messages to Chen Ruofu and Sang Yu, hoping they could come pick him up.

“Will you consider it further?”

Chairman Bai poured him a glass of juice: “Don’t be nervous. If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

The other’s voice was deep and gentle, revealing a bit of sincerity.

Ming Huaizhi’s emotions were indeed calmed.

He gathered his courage and said in a small voice: “Chairman Bai, I have a boyfriend. I can’t cheat.”

Chairman Bai laughed: “Alright, then we’ll just have a simple meal.”

Ming Huaizhi took a small sip of the orange juice. He didn’t touch the rest of the desserts, wondering how to leave immediately.

Suddenly, he caught sight of powder that hadn’t completely dissolved in the orange juice, and his gaze froze.

Through the glass, he noticed Chairman Bai had poured a glass of wine and was looking at him with a fake smile, like a hunter guarding a delicious prey.

…

Sang Yu was in a meeting. It wasn’t until he got back and picked up his phone that he saw the message from Ming Huaizhi.

[Sang Yu, I’m at the restaurant on the seventh floor of the Skyscraper Hotel. Chairman Bai, who is eating with me, has bad intentions. Is it convenient for you to come pick me up?]

The time showed twenty minutes ago.

Sang Yu subconsciously looked toward the Skyscraper Hotel opposite. In a few seconds, he had already rushed out of the office with his bodyguards.

“President Sang, where are you going?”

The assistant didn’t know what had happened to Sang Yu and looked helplessly at the documents flying all over the floor.

Sangli wasn’t far from the Skyscraper Hotel in terms of direct distance, but walking would take fifteen minutes. This was the city center, and it would be jammed with traffic at any moment. Sang Yu didn’t hesitate and chose to run there.

Although the bodyguards behind him didn’t know what had happened, they followed Sang Yu closely.

Sang Yu didn’t know how he finished that run.

On the way, he repeatedly called Ming Huaizhi, but the other party didn’t pick up.

An unprecedented fear gradually occupied his reason; he didn’t dare imagine what might have already happened to Ming Huaizhi.

Ming Huaizhi was usually as obedient as a kitten; if he were bullied, how could he possibly escape?

Arriving at the Skyscraper Hotel, Sang Yu leaned against the elevator, panting heavily, but was quickly blocked by the lobby manager.

“Sir, the seventh floor is a client’s private”

Sang Yu’s face was grim: “Get lost.”

Before the lobby manager could react, he had already been taken by the bodyguards to retrieve the information on the seventh-floor client.

Sang Yu didn’t wait and stepped directly onto the seventh floor.

“Xiao Zhi!”

“Xiao Zhi!”

He called Ming Huaizhi’s name anxiously, not missing a single corner. There were six restaurants on the seventh floor, and all were closed today, not open to the public.

It wasn’t until he walked to the last one that Sang Yu saw the mess inside. A fierce argument had clearly taken place here; even three vases were broken.

His heart slowly throbbed with pain; Sang Yu didn’t dare believe how much it would hurt if those things hit Ming Huaizhi.

Just then, a bodyguard arrived: “President Sang, the other party is surnamed Bai and has booked the entire twelfth floor of the hotel.”

Sang Yu’s face turned pale as he said fiercely: “Go upstairs. I’m going to kill him.”

The bodyguard was frightened by Sang Yu’s aura: “Yes, sir.”

Just as Sang Yu was preparing to go fight with aggressive intent, a weak and uneasy voice suddenly came from the men’s restroom.

“Sang Yu, is that you?”

Sang Yu’s footsteps paused, then he rushed in like the wind.

“Xiao Zhi.”

His voice trembled slightly; he couldn’t imagine why Ming Huaizhi was in the restroom. The last stall was tightly locked, and it was only after he entered that it was slowly pushed open.

There, Ming Huaizhi was crouching in the corner, his hair disheveled, his face bruised, and sweat like water kept breaking out on his forehead. His originally pale face was dusty and disheveled.

Seeing him like this, Sang Yu’s eyes were full of heartache.

His violent and fierce gaze gradually turned gentle as he pulled Ming Huaizhi into his arms: “Where does it hurt?”

Ming Huaizhi was terrified and began to sob like a kitten against Sang Yu’s chest.

Watching him like this, Sang Yu’s heart nearly broke.

“He didn’t touch me. I escaped.”

Sang Yu cupped his face: “Then how did your face get injured?”

Being asked this made Ming Huaizhi feel even more aggrieved; he just shook his head and didn’t speak.

Sang Yu grew anxious: “Tell me quickly, how were you injured?”

Ming Huaizhi bit his lip: “I accidentally hit the door while running… the door hit me, waaaah…”

Sang Yu couldn’t help but laugh out of relief, pulling him tightly into his arms.

“I’ll take you home. I promise it won’t hurt.”

Ming Huaizhi nodded gently, but when he tried to get up, he realized he had no strength at all; his legs were weak.

Sang Yu stroked Ming Huaizhi’s back, which was soaked with sweat, and frowned strangely: “Why are you sweating so much?”

Ming Huaizhi tilted up his slender white neck: “I don’t know. I drank the beverage Chairman Bai gave me, and then it became like this.”

Only then did Sang Yu notice that the skin all over Ming Huaizhi’s body was a faint, unusual pink.

His gaze paused: “He drugged you?”