I Became a Heartthrob After Marrying in My Sister's Place - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The conversation came to a sudden halt.

Seeing Ming Huaizhi coughing incessantly, Sang Yu raised an eyebrow. “How about this idea?”

“How can you talk nonsense like that?” Ming Huaizhi turned his head slightly, his amber eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture. “My younger brother doesn’t even have a boyfriend yet.”

Sang Yu leaned his head to the side; the window opposite completely exposed Ming Huaizhi’s current expression.

He didn’t have the exact words to describe it, but he felt Ming Huaizhi looked like a startled little white rabbit.

“Between you and your brother, who is better looking?”

Ming Huaizhi thought about it seriously. “I am.”

“You certainly know how to praise yourself.” Sang Yu found it amusing, his weary expression flickering with a bit of a smile. “I don’t think your brother could look bad; after all, the family genes are decent. And as the old saying goes, the younger brother is always more handsome than the older one.”

Ming Huaizhi froze, his blank expression suddenly breaking into a smile. “Thank you.”

Sang Yu couldn’t keep up with Ming Huaizhi’s mental leap. Ambiguously, he asked, “What are you thanking me for?”

Ming Huaizhi: “For praising our genes.”

“Pfft.” Sang Yu raised his eyebrows, not expecting that attacking the other’s looks wouldn’t even make him angry. One had to know that Ming Yantang was famously obsessed with his appearance.

….

After the two returned home, the butler had already sent people to tidy up Ming Huaizhi’s bedroom and meticulously prepared all his daily necessities.

The bedroom was still the one Ming Huaizhi had stayed in last time, located opposite Sang Yu’s bedroom with an identical layout.

Before saying goodbye to Sang Yu, Ming Huaizhi had something on his mind. The wooden bedroom door closed slowly; he hid behind it, his eyes peeking over the edge of the door as he watched Sang Yu, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Sang Yu caught a glimpse before closing his door, inadvertently spotting those sneaky eyes.

“Does something matter?”

Ming Huaizhi nodded and told Sang Yu about the fact that he would be filming a reality show at the Sangli Group.

“The recording location probably won’t be at the headquarters.”

If something like this were coming to the headquarters, someone would usually apply to Sang Yu for permission. But Sang Yu hadn’t heard anything about it.

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes drooped slightly. “Okay.”

For a moment, Sang Yu’s gaze became subtle.

“Looking at your tone, are you actually disappointed?”

He was originally teasing Ming Huaizhi and didn’t expect a direct answer, but Ming Huaizhi replied honestly: “It’s a bit of a regret that I won’t be able to see you.”

This made Sang Yu increasingly unable to see through him.

The moment he closed his bedroom door, he leisurely unfastened his watch and tie, his brow furrowed in thought.

He had an absurd idea.

But if he said it out loud, even he would think it was unlikely.

…

The next day, Sang Yu went to work as usual. Ming Huaizhi had no announcements scheduled today and could take a day off.

Having a rare day of rest, after sleeping his fill, Ming Huaizhi stayed home to memorize the script for his next project. In the first half of the year, he had one reality show and one movie. The schedule wasn’t too full but the two TV dramas in the second half of the year would likely take up most of his time.

Chen Ruofu said that Ming Yantang had a great memory and never caused NGs at the studio because of forgotten lines, so he had to make sure he memorized them thoroughly.

Additionally, since he had no acting experience, Chen Ruofu had arranged 20 acting lessons for him, requiring him to hurry and learn.

The afternoon sun was warm and sufficient. Ming Huaizhi sat by the bay window, squinting his eyes as he leaned against a wool blanket, feeling cozy and comfortable. By chance, he discovered that in Sang Yu’s backyard, thousands upon thousands of precious flowers and plants were growing.

His spirits lifted. He put down the script and trotted over.

Seeing that he was going for a walk, the butler followed along.

Upon reaching the flower garden, the scents of hundreds of flowers mingled into a fragrant breeze, and the artificial lake nearby came into view.

“Are there actually swans?”

Looking at the four snow-white swans on the lake, leisurely preening each other’s feathers, Ming Huaizhi ran over gently like a joyful little seal.

Seeing how happy he was, the butler smiled and said, “Master Ming, if you like the flowers and plants inside, you may pick them as you please.”

“Really?” Ming Huaizhi crouched by the shore, gently stroking a swan’s head with his right hand. The swan was very docile, staying quietly by his side.

The butler nodded. “Yes.”

There were several rare species in the garden that Ming Huaizhi had only seen abroad. They had a unique scent and a calming effect that helped with sleep when placed in a room.

After thanking the butler, Ming Huaizhi simply sat by the lakeside and focused on playing with the swans.

It wasn’t until dusk that Sang Yu drove home.

Upon entering the dining room and seeing no sign of Ming Huaizhi, he looked at the butler. The butler told him that Ming Huaizhi had been playing in the flower garden all afternoon with great interest, so they didn’t disturb him.

Sang Yu nodded. After thinking for a moment, he wiped his hands dry with a hot towel, walked to the window with his long legs, leaned over the windowsill, and looked out at the backyard.

Not far away, Ming Huaizhi was sitting by the lake, busy with something. His trouser legs were rolled up slightly, revealing a section of slender, white ankles. His fair, clean skin seemed coated in a layer of gold dust under the sunset, and his lips were slightly upturned, looking exceptionally gentle.

Sang Yu became interested. “He’s been sitting there all afternoon?”

The butler nodded. “Yes, Master Ming likes flowers.”

As they spoke, Ming Huaizhi had already stood up. Likely due to sitting for so long, he stomped his feet a bit. When he turned around, he happened to catch sight of Sang Yu through the window.

“Sang Yu!” Those two words were exceptionally cheerful, seemingly mixed with a hint of longing.

Ming Huaizhi shook a carefully arranged bouquet and trotted toward Sang Yu.

Sang Yu stood inside the room while Ming Huaizhi stood outside the window.

Only when Ming Huaizhi ran close did Sang Yu realize that a smudge of mud was on the other’s clean cheek, and some mud had also rubbed onto the white clothes that were usually spotless.

The golden sunlight shone into those gentle eyes. Ming Huaizhi held up the bouquet toward Sang Yu: “For you.”

Sang Yu was stunned. “For me?”

Ming Huaizhi lifted his eyelashes; his youthful appearance looked as if a spring would roll into his eyes with the slightest movement.

“It helps with sleep and calms the nerves. Put it in your bedroom.”

Sang Yu rested his arms on the windowsill. “You spent the whole afternoon doing this?”

Ming Huaizhi: “Yup.”

The corners of Sang Yu’s mouth curled up. “You’re quite good at ‘borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha’ picking my flowers to give back to me.”

Ming Huaizhi replied blankly, “I contributed ‘art.’ I’m not just a common flower thief.”

Sang Yu was amused by him. His handsome eyes softened slightly as he reached out to pat the bouquet twice. “Thanks. Come in and eat.”

Smiling, Ming Huaizhi trotted around to come inside.

Sang Yu teased from behind him: “Getting yourself messy like a little coal ball… I guess celebrities aren’t all obsessed with their appearance.”

During dinner, Ming Huaizhi’s appetite was exceptionally good. After a whole afternoon of playing with swans and arranging flowers, he was exhausted. When he heard Sang Yu mention that there was a dedicated horse farm on the north side of the estate, Ming Huaizhi was eager to try, and the way he held his bowl made Sang Yu laugh.

Sang Yu mocked him: “You know how to ride?”

Ming Huaizhi shook his head. “I can do some simple sports, but the doctor doesn’t allow strenuous exercise like horse riding.”

Sang Yu nodded. “Is it because of your health”

Before the question could be finished, it was interrupted by a sharp ringing. Ming Huaizhi answered the phone: “Hello, Uncle Li.”

Secretary Li was Ming’s father’s personal assistant.

Secretary Li said anxiously: “Master Ming, President Ming has been taken away by the police. Does your mother have another mobile number? The one I have here won’t go through.”

“What? My dad was taken by the police?” Ming Huaizhi stood up, losing his composure. “My mom is at a hospital abroad as an escort; she can’t come back in the short term.”

Sang Yu put down his chopsticks and watched Ming Huaizhi.

Secretary Li was frantic: “What should we do then? President Ming’s situation is a bit tricky; he was framed.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll go to the company first.”

Ming Huaizhi’s eyes turned red with anxiety. Without time for much thought, he hurriedly stuffed his phone into his pocket and prepared to run out.

Sang Yu stopped him and said to the butler: “Prepare the car. We’re going to the Ming Corporation headquarters.”

Ming Huaizhi’s breathing was slightly erratic as he spoke: “Thank you.”

It was already night by the time they left. Ming Huaizhi leaned against the car door with red eyes, clutching his phone tightly.

His mother was in the US accompanying Ming Yantang for treatment. If she came back, Ming Yantang would be left alone. Lately, Mother Ming had been busy searching for a suitable organ donor for Ming Yantang.

Ming Huaizhi secretly blamed himself.

If he could stand on his own now, he wouldn’t have to trouble his mother and brother.

The soreness in his nose flooded into his lungs and trachea. He began to cough, trying his best to endure it, because now was not the time to cry.

The only people in the country who could help right now were his aunt and uncle. He planned to beg them for help first.

Cough, cough.

Cough, cough.

Whenever he was mentally sensitive, Ming Huaizhi’s immunity would drop, causing him to fall ill. Now, he could feel himself starting to run a fever.

“Help me check what happened with the Ming Corporation. Get back to me as soon as possible.”

Sang Yu hung up the phone and looked at the person beside him.

Ming Huaizhi was like a drenched stray cat, desperately suppressing his feverish eyes and pressing hard against them, constantly scrolling through his contact list.

Just as Sang Yu was about to speak, his assistant replied.

Ming Huaizhi looked at him then, his wet eyelashes trembling as he waited for an answer.

“Yes, I understand. Solve it as quickly as possible.”

Sang Yu hung up and said to Ming Huaizhi: “Don’t worry, it should be fine.”

“Okay.” Ming Huaizhi tried his best to hold back his sobs, averting his red eyes and hiding his face.

Although Secretary Li said the matter was tricky, he believed Sang Yu. If Sang Yu said it would be fine, it should be fine.

After arriving at the Ming Corporation, Secretary Li took them to Father Ming’s office. Upon seeing Ming Huaizhi, he said distressedly, “Elder Young Master, how have you lost so much weight?”

Ming Huaizhi’s face grew paler. “Uncle Li, what time was my dad taken away?”

Secretary Li: “5:00 PM.”

It had already been three hours since five o’clock.

After Ming Huaizhi entered Father Ming’s office, he picked up the file related to the incident.

Sang Yu said from the side, “Give it to me.”

Ming Huaizhi handed it to him, then immediately leaned in front of him, staring at him with a frown.

Secretary Li knew Sang Yu and knew about the marriage between Sang Yu and Ming Yantang. However, this file was a top secret of the Ming Corporation; letting Sang Yu see it wasn’t quite appropriate.

After reading the file, Sang Yu took his phone, sat on the sofa, and made a call.

Ming Huaizhi clutched his sleeves and waited obediently by the side.

“Fine, I understand.” Sang Yu looked at Ming Huaizhi. “Go home and wait for news first. It should be fine.”

Ming Huaizhi, holding back tears, asked longingly, “Will he go to jail?”

Sang Yu’s voice was deep: “No.”

Having received Sang Yu’s affirmative answer, Ming Huaizhi felt slightly relieved and followed Sang Yu back.

While taking the elevator down, Secretary Li’s heart was pounding. Today’s incident was a dirty trick played by a competitor; the break in the Ming Corporation’s capital chain last year was also because of that villain. Even Father Ming felt he was doomed before he left. How could this matter sound like such a small thing coming from Sang Yu’s mouth?

Finally getting into the car, Ming Huaizhi was completely drained. He hung his head and closed his eyes, not even noticing when Sang Yu answered another call.

“Thanks. I’ll treat you to dinner another day.”

Sang Yu hung up and said to Ming Huaizhi: “Your dad will be able to leave the police station tonight after finishing the paperwork.”

After saying this, there was no response from the other party.

Sang Yu leaned over and found that Ming Huaizhi’s cheeks had an unusual flush. Touching his forehead, it was burning hot.

“Damn, he has a fever.”

“Ming Yantang.”

“Ming Yantang.”

Sang Yu frowned and called his private doctor, telling them to wait at the house now.

When the black Rolls-Royce drove into the estate, it was already 10:00 PM.

The butler and others were waiting at the door. Seeing the car arrive, they immediately ran over.

Opening the car door, Ming Huaizhi was curled up in the seat, a small figure with pale lips.

“Mr. Sang, do you need us to carry Master Ming inside?”

Sang Yu stared at Ming Huaizhi, hesitating for a moment. “I’ll do it.” He reached in and carried Ming Huaizhi out of the car in his arms.

This was the first time he had held Ming Huaizhi. The other was as light as a feather, with very little flesh on his body.

He had always thought Ming Huaizhi didn’t wear perfume, but only with such an intimate hug did he realize that a faint scent of jasmine lingered on him. Unlike artificial perfumes, this scent was very pleasant and light, mixed with the fresh aroma of earth after rain.

He looked down; Ming Huaizhi’s gentle features were close at hand. This couldn’t help but remind him of Ming Huaizhi’s appearance when he was secretly crying in the car.

After taking Ming Huaizhi to the bedroom, three doctors came to check on him and gave him a fever-reducing injection.

After the doctors left, Ming Huaizhi gradually opened his eyes. Looking at Sang Yu in front of him, he asked softly, “Why am I in bed?”

Sang Yu sat to the side and raised an eyebrow. “You were sleeping like a little pig and wouldn’t wake up no matter what. I bet you wouldn’t even know if someone sold you.”

Ming Huaizhi was wrapped in a thick quilt with a cooling patch on his forehead, and he was now fully awake. He looked with curious eyes: “Did you carry me in?”

Sang Yu leaned against the back of the chair and said nonchalantly, “I lugged you in on my shoulder.”

Ming Huaizhi’s tone was serious, his eyes curving as he smiled. “Thank you for lugging me in.”

Sang Yu suppressed a smile and said to him, “By the way, your father can return home safely tonight after the paperwork is finished.”

“Really?” Ming Huaizhi’s eyes became soft and lively, filled with surprise. “Sang Yu, you are so amazing.”

Sang Yu raised an eyebrow. “I’m alright.”

Although Ming Huaizhi really wanted to ask exactly how Sang Yu had helped his father, he was worried he wouldn’t understand, so he didn’t ask.

Under the quilt, only his head was exposed.

He couldn’t stop staring at Sang Yu, trying to organize his words of gratitude.

Outside, the shadow of the moon shone through the blinds, eventually lingering reluctantly in Ming Huaizhi’s eyes.

The moonlight was sparse, and the water rippled.

the moisture in the corners of Ming Huaizhi’s eyes turned into gentleness and gratitude.

Sang Yu took the opportunity to stand up. “No need to be grateful. I’m leaving.”

“Sang Yu.” Suddenly, Ming Huaizhi called out to him.

Sang Yu’s tall figure turned slightly. “Hmm?”

With fluffy, soft hair slightly blocking his brow, Ming Huaizhi opened his soft lips: “I think you’re like Doraemon. You know how to do everything. You’re super amazing.”

Sang Yu narrowed his eyes and curled his lips. “Stop feeding me that ‘charming soup’.”

Ming Huaizhi smiled blankly, his eyes cleaner than the moonlight tonight.

“Ever since I was little, my biggest dream was to have a Doraemon.”

He really admired Sang Yu.

At that moment, a very rare expression appeared on Sang Yu’s face.

A moment later, he walked out of Ming Huaizhi’s bedroom.

In the brightly lit hallway, Sang Yu frowned slightly as that absurd guess from yesterday resurfaced in his mind.

He was Doraemon, and Ming Huaizhi wanted to have a Doraemon.

“He couldn’t be… falling for me, could he?”