Transmigrated as the Villain’s Cannon Fodder Ex-Husband - Chapter 14

Zhao Yisen slept until the afternoon, only to be jolted awake from a haze by urgent knocking.

Last night, Old Wang had insisted on sleeping on the floor. Looking at the “broken” man, Zhao Yisen couldn’t bear it; claiming he was uncomfortable in the massive bed, he curled up on the small sofa for the night instead.

Hearing the knock, a bleary-eyed Wang Baobao leaped from the bed, but Zhao Yisen was one step ahead of him. Opening the door, he found two maids holding several sets of clothes, smiling at him.

“Young Master Yi, which set would you like to wear?”

Still groggy, Zhao Yisen didn’t react immediately. Last night, Gu Jia acted as if he’d lock him up forever, yet here he was, barely a day later, being released?

He suspiciously asked where they were going, but the maids were vague and couldn’t give a straight answer. Fiddling with the clothes, he thought to himself: Judging by the effort, it’s likely a formal occasion.

If Gu Jia was letting him out, it meant the “hostage plan” was a success. Perhaps the “Old Money” families insisted on seeing him in person before settling? Despite his eccentric train of thought, he was actually quite sharp.

The clothes brought by the maids were high-end couture from the latest Spring/Summer runways solid colors, unique cuts, yet not at all Zhao Yisen’s style. He frowned for a long time, unable to pick a favorite.

Soon, this little interlude reached Gu Jia’s ears. Sitting behind his desk, Gu Jia remained silent for a long time after hearing Assistant Jiang’s report. Through the laptop screen, Jiang Mingze couldn’t read his expression, but he sensed a stifling atmosphere.

Ever since this morning, when he saw the empty frame in the black box and the letter attached behind it, the President’s complexion had been terrible. Jiang Mingze stood waiting until Gu Jia finished signing the documents, thinking he wouldn’t get a response.

Finally, Gu Jia looked up and commanded: “I have several sets of casual wear over there. Take them to him and let him choose.”

Jiang Mingze was shocked. “Yes, sir.”

…But wasn’t the contract signing scheduled for three days from now?

Before he could leave the office, he was called back again.

“Wait.”

?

“I’m going with you.”

After lunch, Zhao Yisen received the new clothes. Aside from being slightly large, they were exactly his style. After a night’s rest, the “shattered” Wang Baobao had regained his human form, standing behind Zhao Yisen and showering every outfit with praise.

Zhao Yisen chose a beige long-sleeved shirt paired with a black wide belt and black-and-white leather sneakers. He looked like a student who had just returned from studying in Europe noble but not flashy, casual but not careless.

Coming to deliver the clothes, Jiang Mingze leaned against the doorframe, adjusting his glasses, momentarily dazed by the sight. Remembering Gu Jia’s previous ruthless orders, Jiang Mingze felt that the President was truly decisive and wouldn’t be… swayed.

Before the thought could finish, a dark shadow loomed behind him. Gu Jia was standing silently at his back.

! Jiang Mingze leaped to the side.

Gu Jia wore a fitted black suit and rimless glasses, standing as upright as a pine tree. Before him, Zhao Yisen’s eyes were clear, looking every bit the exchange student. Despite the apparent age gap, the two looked… strangely compatible.

Jiang Mingze lowered his head and sighed: A pity. Based on his observations lately, the President is only using Young Master Yi.

“President Gu!” Wang Baobao belatedly noticed Gu Jia and instantly became an immobile quail in his presence.

Zhao Yisen grumbled silently; at least his psychological state was stronger than Old Wang’s. However, when he looked up and caught sight of Gu Jia’s outfit, specifically the rimless glasses on the bridge of his nose, he was stunned into silence by the sheer handsomeness.

It wasn’t until they were in the back of the Rolls-Royce that he snapped out of it.

“Where are we going?”

Gu Jia closed his eyes, his voice cold. “Did your father not tell you?”

Zhao Yisen: …Huh? Was I supposed to know?

Gu Jia’s demeanor was standoffish, a world away from the man who had leaned in with the “ransom note” the night before. Zhao Yisen turned to look out the window. Fine, I won’t bother arguing with a 2D character.

The scenery shifted from green hills to high-rises. The car eventually turned into a crowded alleyway, attracting the stares of many pedestrians. This looked like a district for government administrative offices, certainly not a gathering place for Old Money.

The strange feeling grew stronger. As the car stopped, Gu Jia opened the door. Seeing Zhao Yisen sitting dazed in the back, he barked two words: “Get out.”

Through the window, Zhao Yisen finally saw the large red characters on the old, low-rise building.

City Center Civil Affairs Bureau.

Zhao Yisen: ???

Inside the bureau, several couples were already queuing, acting all lovey-dovey. Seeing the pair enter, the couples were first shocked by their looks, then curious about the subtle tension between them.

While queuing, a fresh-faced young man even approached them and asked if they were there to register. Zhao Yisen offered a smile, thinking to himself: That is a very good question.

While marrying Gu Jia didn’t feel like a loss, the man’s current attitude… it was hard to believe this was voluntary. Plus, this was far too sudden.

Zhao Yisen thought back, figuring the man’s anger must have cooled. Just as he was about to relay the young man’s question to Gu Jia, the machine called their number.

Gu Jia led the way. The man had broad shoulders and a narrow waist a flawless physique.

Perhaps because they hadn’t spoken a single word to each other, even the staff at the desk noticed something was off. Their eyes darted between the two for a long time before suspiciously stating they wanted to ask a few questions.

Gu Jia’s rimless glasses made him look cold and slightly brooding. Before Zhao Yisen could stop him, the man nodded. “Proceed.”

…Wait! We haven’t even coordinated our answers!

However, the staff gave them no room to breathe: “Where did you two first meet?”

Zhao Yisen offered a guilty smile. “Sorry—”

Gu Jia remained motionless. “Two years ago, Paris, France.”

Zhao Yisen: “…”

The staff nodded. “And how long have you been together?”

Zhao Yisen toyed with his face nervously. “Well…”

Gu Jia paused. “One year and five months.”

Zhao Yisen: “…?”

Gu Jia’s voice was deep and resonant; when he wasn’t being sarcastic, it was actually quite pleasant. The staff’s suspicious gaze shifted from Gu Jia to Zhao Yisen. “And what was your first impression of the other?”

This time, Gu Jia didn’t answer. He turned to stare silently at Zhao Yisen.

Zhao Yisen felt he had to answer this one. He swallowed hard and ventured: “He… looks very handsome?”

Gu Jia: “…”

The staff members exchanged glances, appearing ready to ask more, but Gu Jia interrupted: “That’s enough.”

Zhao Yisen was breaking into a cold sweat. Luckily, Gu Jia didn’t seem to care much. Under the pitying gaze of the staff (who seemingly felt bad for the “victim”), Zhao Yisen stood up guiltily.

Why do I feel like the ‘scumbag’ in this relationship?

While waiting in the lounge to take the wedding photos, Zhao Yisen finally caught an opening. “Why—why did you suddenly bring me here to get married?”

There hadn’t been a single hint of a warning. Gu Jia stared at him, thinking of the letter he’d received yesterday. He felt his ex-husband’s acting skills were even better than in the previous life. He gave an indifferent laugh.

Zhao Yisen: …?

After the photos, under the envious and curious gazes of other couples, Gu Jia and Zhao Yisen each left with a little red book.

Everything had gone smoothly until they exited the building. An electric scooter driving the wrong way zoomed past, nearly hitting Zhao Yisen as he opened the door. Gu Jia was quick, reaching out to pull him back.

Zhao Yisen felt a powerful force grip his arm. He leaned back, his lower back pressing against Gu Jia’s cold belt. His heart rate suddenly spiked.

The grip on his arm loosened. Gu Jia acted as if nothing had happened, moving past him and pushing open the glass door without looking back.

Zhao Yisen: “…”

Getting married was as simple as going out for a meal.

After getting into the car, the driver took Gu Jia to the company and returned Zhao Yisen to the suburban mansion. Wang Baobao and Assistant Jiang went to move Zhao Yisen’s things from his old villa. The mansion was quiet. Sitting on the sofa, Zhao Yisen opened the thin red book, feeling as though the whole world had turned into a fantasy.

The marriage certificate featured their photo. Taking that photo had been a struggle; after several shots, the photographer was unsatisfied and tried to make them look happier. Zhao Yisen had obediently put on a fake smile, but Gu Jia’s expression remained flat, making the red-background photo look somewhat eerie.

As for the questions at the bureau, he truly hadn’t expected Gu Jia to answer without hesitation. Zhao Yisen sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

He must have made all of that up on the spot.

With the house arrest lifted, Zhao Yisen was free to roam the mansion. As he was thinking, noise came from the entrance. He turned to see Old Wang directing servants as they moved furniture. Seeing Zhao Yisen, Wang Baobao gave his habitual greeting.

“Young Master, where did you go today?”

After thinking for a while, Zhao Yisen couldn’t come up with anything profound. He casually waved a hand. “Just went to get married.”

Wang Baobao: …HUH???

After sitting in the hall for a while, Zhao Yisen debated whether to send a message asking if Gu Jia was coming home for dinner. He took out his phone and unlocked it; a string of notifications popped up.

He instinctively clicked through after transmigrating, he hadn’t had a chance to look at the original owner’s phone before Gu Jia confiscated it. The inbox was full of “do-or-die” love confessions.

Shocked once again by the original owner’s charisma, Zhao Yisen spent a moment in thought before curiously opening the photo gallery to learn more about the past. The gallery was full of architectural photos, including design blueprints and structural models. Wang Baobao mentioned the original owner had studied architecture.

Zhao Yisen continued scrolling.

In a corner of the gallery, he spotted a black-haired youth buried among a crowd of blonde, blue-eyed handsome men. It was a group photo. Two youths in the picture were handsome; the one on the left looked heroic, while the one on the right was slightly shorter, but his smile had a beauty that transcended time.

After looking for a while, Zhao Yisen opened the marriage certificate to compare the photos.

“…”

Tears of jealousy leaked from the corners of his mouth.