I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

In the dim business van, Ming Huaizhi couldn’t see anything clearly; he only knew that four extremely burly, strong men were sitting around him.

Were these people really this arrogant in broad daylight? He didn’t know if Xie Jingsheng, who had just been scared ashen-faced, would notify Chen Ruofu and the others. If they were notified, someone should come to rescue him soon.

He wasn’t sitting very comfortably and moved slightly in secret; the men in sunglasses beside him immediately looked at him, leaving him a spacious gap.

Seeing that they were fairly polite to him, Ming Huaizhi grew bold and asked, “Where do you want to take me?”

The man in sunglasses sitting in the passenger seat seemed to be their superior; he turned around and said politely to Ming Huaizhi, “We are inviting you to be a guest at home; please do not worry.”

Ming Huaizhi stared quietly at the van full of taciturn people, thinking to himself: How can this not make me worry? However, looking at the situation for now, it didn’t seem very perilous; he should be able to keep his life.

At this time, his phone rang; it was Chen Ruofu calling. He stole a glance at the people in the car; no one seemed to stop him from answering the phone.

But just as he prepared to pick up, the man in black beside him said in a low voice, “Please send a message to your assistant to report that you are safe; we will not harm you.”

Ming Huaizhi looked at the man in front of him, who wished he were two meters tall, and felt a bit intimidated. He followed the instructions and sent a WeChat voice message back to Chen Ruofu.

Chen Ruofu obviously didn’t believe it, feeling his phone had been compromised, and immediately wanted to call the police. Finally, he sent over a photo of himself making a peace sign, claiming he would call her in an hour; only then did Chen Ruofu feel at ease.

Soon, the business van drove into a private manor. This manor was vast, roughly ten times larger than his own home; the European castle-style construction was quite vintage, adding a touch of mystery to the deep night.

After Ming Huaizhi was brought to a reception room, the several men following him retreated one after another, closing the door tightly.

The reception room was empty; he was the only one there.

He looked around slightly uneasily, drawn by a sound from the side.

At this moment, a man walked out from a door on the other side.

Ming Huaizhi instinctively took a step back, recognizing at a glance that this was the man he had invited to go for a drive just now.

He initially thought he had offended the other party by being impolite, but looking at the man’s gloomy expression, it seemed more like he was here for revenge.

Ming Huaizhi panicked for a moment; added to his exhaustion from filming, his legs felt a bit weak, and he could only lean against the sofa.

At this time, his phone fell out of his pocket, but he didn’t have time to pick it up, racking his brain for a solution. Just as he was about to follow the scenes in TV dramas and shout “Good hero, spare my life!”, the man interrupted his thoughts.

“Ming Yantang, is it time to settle the score for the green hat (cuckoldry) you’ve given me?” The man was very tall, his custom handmade leather shoes stepping on the carpet, approaching Ming Huaizhi step by step.

When he reached Ming Huaizhi’s side, he bowed his head slightly, his tone extremely foul: “I took out forty billion to form a marriage alliance with you, and you actually go and get all lovey-dovey with someone else?”

Ming Huaizhi suddenly realized that the person in front of him seemed to be that fiancé he had never met.

“Sang Yu?” Ming Huaizhi’s delicate eyebrows rose slightly, as if he had discovered something novel; his nervous eyes suddenly became lighthearted.

Sang Yu’s tone was unfriendly: “Mhm?”

Ming Huaizhi pursed his lips and instantly breathed a sigh of relief. But because he had been too nervous, cold air invaded his windpipe, and he began to cough.

Watching his sickly appearance, Sang Yu’s gaze was full of mockery. With his hands in his pockets, he turned and took a long-legged stride, leaning back into a vintage handmade chair carved with exquisite totems.

“Worthy of being an actor; your acting is not bad.”

After he finished coughing, Ming Huaizhi’s cheeks showed a faint pink tint, and even the tips of his ears were red. Utilizing this time, his brain worked at high speed, thinking about how his brother would explain this to Sang Yu.

After a moment, he lifted his slightly misty eyes, gave Sang Yu a clumsy wink, and raised his right hand: “I swear, I am loyal and devoted to you; how could I give you a green hat?”

The change in “Ming Yantang” was something Sang Yu hadn’t anticipated.

According to his calculations, Ming Yantang should have already started arguing with him; he had even prepared himself for battle.

Gaze falling on Ming Huaizhi’s sincere eyes, he leaned leisurely against the seat, his expression full of distaste: “I believe you? I’ll just”

Before he could finish, Ming Huaizhi’s phone on the floor let out a ding.

Sang Yu coldly cast his gaze over and saw a message on the screen:

[Suitor No. 108: Tangtang, can you give me a chance to like you?]

Ming Huaizhi hurriedly picked the phone back up, looking at the floor guiltily.

For some reason, he felt a chill all over his body.

Sang Yu’s expression was ashen and extremely ugly: “108 people? Are you gathering enough candidates to go to Mount Liang for an uprising!”

Ming Huaizhi, knowing he was at fault, buried his head and slowly sat on the sofa, his hands on his knees as if he were a primary school student receiving a lecture.

“They are pursuing me, but I don’t like them, because I am already in a marriage alliance with you; one must be loyal to one’s feelings.” Ming Huaizhi felt that Sang Yu would want to hear words like these.

Sang Yu was stunned, then gave a mocking smile: “Have you changed your tactics?”

Ming Huaizhi raised his eyes and observed Sang Yu seriously: “Sang Yu, ever since my dad told me a few days ago that you two had finalized the agreement, I haven’t done anything to let you down.”

“Are you sure?” Sang Yu actually really wanted to bring up the encounter in the elevator that day, but then felt such a small matter wasn’t worth mentioning; instead, it would make him seem petty and fussy, as if he cared so much about Ming Yantang.

In fact, he just felt he had lost face.

“I don’t believe a single word you say.”

Sang Yu leaned against the chair, his fingers lightly tapping the wooden armrest, continuing to stare at Ming Huaizhi.

Ming Huaizhi thought this sentence was a bit hurtful, but since Sang Yu had misunderstood him as being ambiguous with someone else today, his anger could be considered justifiable. Thus, he asked tentatively, “Sang Yu, do you hate me very much?”

Sang Yu chuckled: “Isn’t it obvious?”

“A little.” Ming Huaizhi sat constrainedly on the edge of the sofa and said seriously, “But I want to thank you for investing in our family. In the future, I will fulfill the contract well and cooperate with you fully.”

This sentence made Sang Yu’s fiery temper dissipate slightly. Those arrogant, ink-colored eyes underwent a subtle change, scrutinizing the person in front of him again.

He had experienced Ming Yantang’s young master temper; compared to his own, they were six of one and half a dozen of the other.

The other party was like a hedgehog, covered in quills.

But today, the other party seemed to have changed faces, gradually overlapping with the Ming Yantang in his childhood memories.

The cool wind from outside snuck through the window cracks; Ming Huaizhi hung his head and coughed incessantly. He had a sensitive constitution to begin with, and having exerted himself today, he now felt uncomfortable all over.

Sang Yu raised his hand to check the time, then looked at the other’s face, which was flushed from coughing, and intended to temporarily turn the page on the past.

“I called you here today because I want you to accompany me to my grandmother’s birthday banquet; we depart tomorrow morning.”

Ming Huaizhi nodded obediently: “Okay.” After a moment, he became a bit anxious: “I haven’t prepared a gift for Grandmother; what does she like?”

“I’ve prepared it.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Thank you.”

Sang Yu looked at him, his expression no longer as sharp as at the beginning: “Stay here tonight. Your home is in the South City; it would waste a lot of time to go pick you up before departing tomorrow, and besides, we can sign the contract while we’re at it.”

Ming Huaizhi hesitated slightly: “But I don’t have my medicine on me; I need my family to deliver it to me.”

Sang Yu: “Fine, I’ll give you the address.”

After contacting everyone, Ming Huaizhi placed his hands on his legs, taking in the environment of the room. Gazing at the pastry tray opposite him, he asked Sang Yu in a small voice, “I’m hungry; can I eat some desserts?”

Sang Yu stood up: “I haven’t eaten either; let’s go eat first.”

While talking, the two were already sitting in the dining room.

In the time Sang Yu took to look at the menu, Ming Huaizhi was already eating small bites of cake to pad his stomach.

With his elbow on the table propping up his head, Sang Yu noticed from his peripheral vision that Ming Huaizhi’s eyes consistently followed his fingers as they browsed the menu page by page. When he flipped to Sichuan cuisine, Ming Huaizhi was obviously a bit excited; even his eyes became rounder.

The corners of his lips quivered; he slammed the menu shut and crossed his legs, handing it to the butler: “Two steaks for the main course; you decide on the side dishes.”

The butler bowed: “Yes, sir.”

The light in Ming Huaizhi’s eyes gradually dimmed.

Steak again.

He didn’t like eating steak; he wanted to eat poached meat slices (Shuizhu Rou).

“Take a look at the contract.” Sang Yu stood up and casually poured himself a glass of red wine, meanwhile handing the long-prepared contract from the cabinet to Ming Huaizhi. “If there are no problems, sign.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Has my dad seen it?”

Sang Yu leaned against the long European table: “Mhm.”

After browsing the important terms, Ming Huaizhi signed his name.

Once everything was settled, Sang Yu said to him, “You are responsible for pleasing Grandmother and helping me get all the ports under the Sang family name; after half a year, we will part on good terms. Also, during the contract period, you and I are in a relationship where we’ve registered our marriage in the eyes of the outside world. I hope you keep your distance from those 108 spare tires and don’t let any scandals appear to embarrass me. Of course, I will likewise abide by this rule and maintain my integrity.”

Ming Huaizhi: “I’m to please Grandmother?”

Sang Yu gave a lazy response: “My grandmother is your die-hard fan; among all stars, she only likes you.”

Ming Huaizhi showed a gratified smile: “Grandmother has a discerning eye for talent.” Otherwise, she wouldn’t like his brother.

Sang Yu said with distaste, “Her taste has always been problematic; otherwise, she wouldn’t be unable to see through Sang Lin’s actions and dote on him so much.”

Ming Huaizhi asked again: “Who is Sang Lin?”

Sang Yu: “My cousin, adopted by my second uncle’s family.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Is Sang Lin a bad person?”

Sang Yu stared into Ming Huaizhi’s clean eyes and replied in a low voice, “Whether he’s a bad person or not is hard to judge, but he’s done no shortage of disgusting things.”

Ming Huaizhi thought for a moment: “You formed a marriage alliance with me just to have me obtain Grandmother’s favor and defeat Sang Lin?”

Sang Yu: “Your brain isn’t stupid.”

Ming Huaizhi grumbled in a small voice: “I wasn’t stupid to begin with; my academic grades were very good.”

“Sure, who doesn’t know you.” Sang Yu picked up the knife and fork for the steak, smiling yet not smiling: “Eight hundred schemes (full of tricks).”

…

Everything went smoothly tonight, and the steaks were soon served. While dining, Sang Yu noticed that Ming Huaizhi didn’t seem to like eating steak much; his delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed, looking not very happy.

At this time, the butler knocked gently on the door: “Sir, someone from the Ming family has come to deliver medicine for Young Master Ming; he says he has words to speak with him.”

Sang Yu: “Mhm. Send a car to take him to the gate.”

After Ming Huaizhi left, the butler inquired tentatively: “Sir, exactly where is Young Master Ming uncomfortable? Do we need to pay attention to any details when arranging his three meals?”

Sang Yu cut his steak: “I’m not sure; ask him when he comes back.”

Butler: “Yes.”

The room where Sang Yu resided was located at the innermost part of the manor, very far from the main gate; it took three minutes by car. After Ming Huaizhi got out of the car, he found the person who had come was the elder Mr. Ming’s assistant.

The assistant handed him the items, avoiding the people in the car, and said softly, “Little Young Master, this is a two day supply of medicine; some need to be dissolved in hot water. I have already labeled them.”

Ming Huaizhi took them with both hands: “Thank you.”

The assistant added: “President Ming knows about you staying here and has also entrusted me to give you a couple of reminders.”

Ming Huaizhi took two steps forward and said secretly, “Please say.”

Assistant: “In our southern business circle, the two most famous groups are Sangli and Sisheng. Sang Yu and the one from the Si family are good buddies; their friends are basically people at their level. Unlike the one from the Si family who grew up through hardships, Sang Yu has been used to being pampered since childhood; he hasn’t suffered grievances and has a very bad temper. It’s inevitable he might have extreme behavior when interacting with you. President Ming didn’t expect him to take you away so quickly and is afraid you’ll be bullied. If he treats you poorly, you must tell President Ming at the first opportunity. Although our family isn’t as powerful as the Sang family, we cannot let him bully you at will.”

Ming Huaizhi laughed after hearing this: “He’s quite good; he’s not an unreasonable person.”

Assistant: “That’s good, then. We’ll be in touch at any time.”

After watching the assistant leave, Ming Huaizhi returned to the dining room. By this time, Sang Yu had finished eating and was reading a magazine.

Seeing Ming Huaizhi holding a pile of medicine, Sang Yu said, “Tell the butler where you are uncomfortable and have him arrange meals suitable for you.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Okay, thank you.”

When Ming Huaizhi finished his meal, Sang Yu took him to a bedroom on the third floor, which was opposite Sang Yu’s own bedroom.

Sang Yu looked at the medicine in Ming Huaizhi’s arms several times, then looked away casually.

“Do you want candy?” Ming Huaizhi noticed he kept looking at his arms and took out a box of candies from inside. “I like this brand of candy best, but I can only eat one piece when I take my medicine; the fruit juice flavor is very strong.”

Sang Yu looked straight ahead: “No need.”

“Try one; they’re very delicious,” Ming Huaizhi said to himself. “I’ll give you a blue one; the packaging is pretty.” Saying this, he picked up a box of blue fruit candies and handed it to Sang Yu.

Sang Yu frowned, feeling that the more he looked at Ming Huaizhi, the more something felt off. He scrutinized the other thoughtfully: “Did your dad say something to you? Otherwise, why do you keep trying to please me?”

“Pleasing you?” Ming Huaizhi was a bit confused. “Giving you candy is pleasing to you?”

Sang Yu didn’t speak, still maintaining a suspicious gaze.

“Don’t you have any friends?” Ming Huaizhi grumbled in a small voice: “My little Kitty often receives my candies.”

Sang Yu raised an eyebrow: “Who is Kitty?”

Ming Huaizhi: “The little Corgi I raise.”

Sang Yu’s expression gradually turned cold.

Sure enough, Ming Yantang made him hate him as much as ever.

“The room is ready. Find the butler if you need anything. Wake up at six tomorrow morning; set an alarm.”

Sang Yu walked into his room expressionlessly and slammed the door shut.

In the end, he found the box of blue candies already in his pocket.

“What childish thing.”

Sang Yu examined the candies, then tossed them aside casually to go take a shower.

That night, Ming Huaizhi didn’t sleep very soundly. Although the assistant had sent over all his personal clothing, he was slow to adapt to strange environments and tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Especially since this bedroom was very large and empty, it made him feel even less secure.

The next day at seven, Sang Yu left with Ming Huaizhi.

Today, the two were wearing a couple’s outfits: two sets of black high-collared windbreakers specially ordered by the butler.

The waist-to-leg proportions of both were more outstanding than ordinary people; wearing long windbreakers didn’t hide the advantage of their leg length at all. They looked neat and handsome, and the clothes suited them well.

Unlike Sang Yu, Ming Huaizhi’s belt was tightened more, making his waist even more slender.

Sang Yu noticed that Ming Yantang had indeed lost weight; he didn’t know if it was caused by the illness.

While walking, Ming Huaizhi looked at Sang Yu a few more times. Today he was wearing British-style short boots. Usually, to prevent fans from seeing a flaw, he would secretly put in a layer of thick insoles, but today, without the support of height-increasing insoles, he appeared even thinner and more delicate in front of Sang Yu.

The morning sunlight hadn’t risen yet; the dazzling light from the crystal chandelier fell on Sang Yu’s shoulders, carrying a chill.

The white spiral staircase was covered with an elegant black carpet. Walking on the steps of interlaced black and white, Sang Yu’s cold white fingers toyed with the car keys, his handsome side profile appearing even colder in the play of light and shadow.

Ming Huaizhi marveled sincerely.

Sang Yu was simply a natural clothes horse; with this height and proportion, he could go be a model.

“What are you looking at me for?”

While Ming Huaizhi was watching intently, Sang Yu suddenly asked.

Ming Huaizhi responded honestly: “You are so handsome.”

The expression Sang Yu used to demand an explanation froze; the nameless fire brought by his morning grumpiness also gradually disappeared at this moment.

“A pack of lies.”

Ming Huaizhi was slightly surprised: “Do you feel that you aren’t handsome?”

Sang Yu was speechless for a moment: “I…”

This time, Ming Huaizhi walked up to Sang Yu with great solemnity and looked him over carefully: “Sang Yu, have a bit more confidence.”

Sang Yu gripped the car keys and coldly spat out a few words: “None of your business.”

This time Sang Yu drove personally. Ming Huaizhi sat in the passenger seat, seriously buckling his seatbelt and waiting to start.

He hadn’t taken his morning medicine yet; taking advantage of the time before driving, he took out a bag of Chinese medicine that had already been warmed from his pocket and drank it with a furrowed brow.

Sang Yu glanced at him: “…Exactly what’s wrong with you? Looking so sickly.”

Ming Huaizhi: “Nothing major, just that my body needs conditioning; thank you for your concern.”

“You’re overthinking it; I just asked casually.” Sang Yu started the car, hands on the steering wheel, a trace of unfathomable doubt between his brows.

In just half a year, Ming Yantang had changed too much, like a different person.

Or was it that he simply didn’t understand Ming Yantang at all?

Sang Yu repeatedly speculated whether Ming Yantang was brewing some plot. While waiting for a red light, he inadvertently glanced to the side; in his line of sight was Ming Huaizhi clinging to the window to admire the scenery.

His eyes looked quite clear, not like someone full of schemes.

Could he be playing dumb?

“Sang Yu, we can go now.” Ming Huaizhi reminded him: “You should focus your attention to avoid a traffic accident.”

Sang Yu swept a cold glance at him: “Mhm.”

Two hours later, the car stopped in front of a mountainside villa. The spacious courtyard inside was already full of cars; it seemed basically everyone from the Sang family had arrived.

Before getting out of the car, Ming Huaizhi asked, “Sang Yu, how should I address you in front of outsiders?”

Sang Yu slowly closed the car door: “Our relationship addresses me however you think I should be addressed.”

Ming Huaizhi knit his brows slightly, opened his phone, and searched online.

In the grand courtyard, the greenery was trimmed neatly; one could see that a lot of effort had been put into the landscape design.

Opposite them, several men around thirty years old were chatting. When the tallest man among them saw the two, the others looked over one after another.

Ming Huaizhi looked up at Sang Yu and found that Sang Yu didn’t have any particular expression; not even half of the joy of meeting relatives could be seen.

“Sang Yu, you’re here.” The one speaking was Sang Yu’s second cousin; his gaze looked toward Ming Huaizhi. “This must be Young Master Ming.”

Ming Huaizhi greeted everyone politely: “I am Ming Yantang; good morning, everyone.”

“The big star is indeed good-looking.” Sang Yu’s older cousin’s expression was gentle. “I didn’t expect Sang Yu to have such good fortune.”

Sang Yu looked at Ming Huaizhi: “You go in first; I’ll chat with them.”

Ming Huaizhi suddenly hesitated.

He didn’t know a single person inside and was afraid he wouldn’t be able to handle it. If he revealed a flaw, there would be trouble.

“Mhm.”

This grunt was a bit reluctant.

His pace was very slow, and it took a long time of dawdling before he reached the front hall.

Sang Yu watched Ming Huaizhi’s back and continued chatting with the others. With Ming Yantang’s means, letting him go in by himself should be no problem; it was already good enough if he didn’t bully others.

The Sang family’s old residence used a Chinese style construction; the entire courtyard seemed to replicate the tenderness and elegance of the water towns south of the Yangtze River. Meandering waters, arched bridges, scenery changing with every step it sat here on the mountainside.

Standing in the front hall, Ming Huaizhi wanted to wait for Sang Yu and go in together with him. Behind him were old white stone slabs; while he took in the scenery here, he also peeked at Sang Yu secretly.

The morning sunlight rose slightly, falling on everyone’s shoulders. Sang Yu seemed to be talking about something important, surrounded by everyone in the center. Every movement of his posture was upright and proper, his features noble; he truly had the air of a leader.

Ming Huaizhi’s body was inside, head tilted slightly. Seen from the outside, at that simple and plain white wall and black tile area, a pair of bright eyes was revealed, adding a bit of spiritual energy to this steadily grounded courtyard.

Suddenly, someone with sharp eyes discovered him, causing Sang Yu to look over.

Ming Huaizhi withdrew his eyes with a whoosh, leaning against the wall, his heart pounding.

The second cousin laughed meaningfully: “Yantang wouldn’t be waiting for you, would he? You two seem to have a pretty good relationship?”

“Isn’t that right? We two are inseparable.” Sang Yu smiled casually, looking at Ming Huaizhi in the distance and asking: “Yantang, is something wrong?”

This time Ming Huaizhi had no way to hide anymore; he peeked his body out secretly and walked sluggishly toward Sang Yu.

Sang Yu’s side had already finished; standing among the crowd, he asked in a low voice, “What is it?”

Ming Huaizhi’s fingers were tightly curled, those amber eyes looking at Sang Yu with hesitation.

There didn’t seem to be a good reason to explain this behavior.

Just now Sang Yu had called him “Yantang.”

After a long pause, Ming Huaizhi called out: “Baby, I want to wait for you so we can go in together.”

Hearing this form of address, the several people around them looked at Sang Yu in unison, their faces carrying an inexplicable smile.