Marrying the Rich Man's Ex-Brother - Chapter 11
Under the indoor lighting, Bai Chi finally got a clear look at Wu Yan…
After the butler left, Bai Chi felt utterly humiliated. Without even saying goodbye, he grabbed Xiao Hei Zai and fled in a panic.
But in his haste, Bai Chi didn’t watch where he was going and stepped on a pebble, twisting his ankle.
“Aiyo—sss—”
Bai Chi hopped on one foot, repeatedly sucking in sharp breaths. He felt like Wu Yan was a walking jinx. Every time he encountered him, nothing good ever came of it. Stepping in cement last time was bad enough, but now he’d twisted his ankle too.
Wu Yan frowned slightly, and with gentlemanly courtesy, stepped forward to support Bai Chi’s arm.
“Did you twist your ankle? Can you still walk? I’ll take you home.”
Bai Chi quickly shook his head in refusal. “No, no need, thank you. I can manage myself.”
After withdrawing his arm from Wu Yan’s grasp, Bai Chi limped toward home. But after only a few steps, his movements became strained, and a thin layer of sweat even appeared on his pale forehead.
Wu Yan’s tone turned serious. “You can’t manage alone. Why don’t you call a friend to come pick you up?”
Bai Chi agreed with Wu Yan’s suggestion and pulled out his phone to call Xu Qing, hoping he could come help.
But Xu Qing was likely in the shower, as none of the two or three calls went through.
“Never mind, he’s probably showering and didn’t hear. I’ll just head back myself.”
Bai Chi put away his phone, placed Xiao Hei Zai’s leash in the cub’s mouth, and patted its fluffy head. “Cub, go home and wait for me.”
Xiao Hei Zai, worried about its papa, circled Bai Chi twice to ensure he was safe before obediently trotting home.
Bai Chi took a deep breath and, balancing on one leg like a golden rooster standing on one foot, began awkwardly hopping toward home, looking both comical and pitiful.
He had only managed a few hops when he suddenly felt himself lifted into someone’s arms.
Wu Yan, unable to watch any longer, tossed his tattered tank top into a nearby trash can and strode over, scooping Bai Chi into his arms and carrying him toward Xu Qing’s house.
Each villa had a sprawling garden, and the properties were separated by driveways and pedestrian paths.
Even though Wu Yan’s house was next door to Xu Qing’s, Bai Chi still had to walk at least six or seven hundred meters to get home. Bouncing around like this, even a jumping frog would probably collapse from exhaustion.
Bai Chi knew Wu Yan meant well, but he couldn’t help struggling a few times.
The main reason was the thought of Wu Yan—this guy who wanted to carry his coffin—being an ultimate-level perverted fan. The mere idea sent shivers down Bai Chi’s spine.
After gossiping with Xu Qing in private, Bai Chi even began to suspect that Wu Yan might harbor some unspeakable, twisted fetishes. Why else would everyone at their company call him the “Living King of Hell”?
The King of Hell, after all, deals exclusively with the dead.
Letting his mind wander further, Bai Chi began to suspect Wu Yan might have some Ice Love-style perversion.
Why else would he refuse to interact with Bai Chi as a fan while he was alive, only to offer to carry his coffin after he died?
This was clearly not something a normal person would do!
Shen Cheng, being close to Hong Kong, has always been deeply superstitious about matters of life and death, considering them inauspicious. This is especially true among wealthy business families, who tend to believe in such mystical matters.
The more Bai Chi thought about it, the more frightened he became. Wu Yan’s expressionless face seemed to have the word “pervert” stamped all over it in glaring neon letters.
And for some reason, Bai Chi felt inexplicably dizzy and lightheaded. Without the barrier of his sports vest, the man’s pectoral muscles pressed directly against his skin, the thin layer of sweat clinging to them burning him into a dazed stupor.
Bai Chi shook his head vigorously to clear his mind and protested loudly, “Stop! Let go of me! I can get home myself!”
Wu Yan pressed his lips into a thin line and remained silent, his gaze fixed straight ahead as he carried Bai Chi toward Xu Qing’s house.
“Hey! Are you deaf?! I told you to put me down!”
Wu Yan’s brow furrowed slightly. He freed one hand, extended his index finger, and pressed it against Bai Chi’s lips. “Shh, stop making a fuss. We’re almost there.”
“Then put me down here! I’m close enough to home. I can walk the rest of the way myself.”
As Bai Chi spoke, his soft lips brushed against the man’s finger, exhaling a faint, warm breath.
Wu Yan’s steps faltered momentarily. He immediately withdrew his hand and quickened his pace.
“President Yan! You really can put me down now.”
As Bai Chi’s little mouth chattered away, a jogger passed by, glancing back repeatedly.
After running a few steps, the jogger sensed something was amiss and immediately doubled back to confront Wu Yan and Bai Chi, blocking their path.
Though Gu Ye was wearing sports headphones, he clearly heard the cries for help.
He usually avoided meddling in others’ affairs, but a quick glance had revealed the identities of the pair: Bai Xi, the vulnerable figure caught in the public storm, and Wu Yan, the president of Heaven and Earth Group. Their situation was clearly suspicious.
Wu Yan, always impeccably dressed in a suit, was now shirtless, while Bai Xi struggled fiercely against him, as if Wu Yan were trying to force the poor boy to do something against his will.
Blocking their path, Gu Ye spoke politely, “Mr. Wu, I urge you to respect Mr. Bai’s wishes. If this escalates to the police, it will be embarrassing for everyone involved.”
Wu Yan raised an eyebrow, offering no response or explanation. Instead, he gently set Bai Chi down on the ground.
After steadying himself, Bai Chi glanced left at Wu Yan, then right at Gu Ye, and quickly explained, “Gu-ge, it’s not what you think! I accidentally twisted my ankle just now, so he was kind enough to carry me back…”
Gu Ye: “……”
He was too preoccupied to wonder why Bai Xi was calling him
“Gu-ge,” as if they knew each other. Instead, he felt utterly speechless.
If you twisted your ankle and he was just being helpful, why are you making such a fuss?
Realizing he’d made a mistake, Gu Ye turned to Wu Yan, deliberately ignoring the suggestive scratch marks on the man’s chest. “My apologies, Mr. Wu. I misunderstood the situation.”
“It’s nothing,” Wu Yan replied, his thin lips parting slightly. He studied Gu Ye carefully before asking, “You’re Gu Ye? The former leader of the B.O.M.B star group who sued Yue Entertainment to terminate his contract and go solo?”
Gu Ye shrugged. “Yes, that’s me. I’m surprised people still remember that after all these years.”
Wu Yan pulled a business card from his sweatpants pocket. “Our group is currently considering expanding into the entertainment industry. This is my assistant Monica’s contact information. If Mr. Gu is interested, please have her reach out.”
After putting away the business card, Gu Ye turned to Bai Chi. “How’s your foot now? Should we go to the hospital to get it checked?”
Bai Chi shook his head. “It’s fine, nothing serious. Some ointment will do the trick.”
Gu Ye was about to say more when Bai Chi’s eyes suddenly lit up. He waved toward the distance. “Qing! I’m over here!”
Xu Qing had just finished showering when Xiao Hei Zai dragged him downstairs. Rushing out of the garden, he noticed the missed calls on his phone and immediately guessed Bai Chi had gotten into some trouble again.
When Xu Qing reached the trio, he was surprised to see Wu Yan shirtless and nursing a chest wound. Still, he nodded politely to both Wu Yan and Gu Ye, saying, “Thank you for your concern. I’ll take him home now. I appreciate your help.”
Just as Xu Qing was about to carry Bai Chi away, he glanced back at Wu Yan and Gu Ye, who were still standing there. An idea struck him, and he offered, “Since we’ll all be neighbors soon anyway, why don’t you come over for tea sometime?”
Gu Ye and Wu Yan both had matters they wanted to discuss with Xu Qing, so they readily agreed.
The group arrived at Xu Qing’s home.
Xiao Hei Zai, the little black puppy, excitedly sniffed around Gu Ye’s feet, wagging its tail.
Gu Ye reached down to pet the puppy’s head. “Is this Brother Chi’s dog?” he asked Xu Qing. “Xiao Hei Zai?”
Xu Qing nodded. “Yeah, he’s been staying with me since the accident.”
Gu Ye nodded silently, his expression tinged with melancholy.
After inviting everyone to sit on the sofa, Xu Qing went upstairs to fetch a brand-new T-shirt for Wu Yan, who was still shirtless, and a first-aid kit for Bai Chi.
“President Yan, don’t mind—it’s brand new, I haven’t worn it before.”
Wu Yan nodded, tore open the packaging, and prepared to put on the shirt.
“Wait!” Bai Chi interjected. “President Yan’s chest was scratched earlier. Let me disinfect the wound.”
Before Wu Yan could protest, Bai Chi had already nimbly climbed off the sofa and was beside him, cotton swab and antiseptic in hand.
Wu Yan frowned slightly. “I can do it myself.”
But Bai Chi dodged Wu Yan’s attempt to take the cotton swab and antiseptic, and expertly began cleaning the wound.
As Bai Chi lowered his gaze to apply the medicine to Wu Yan’s wound, a faint blush crept across his cheeks.
Under the bright indoor lighting, he finally noticed just how remarkably fit Wu Yan’s physique was.
Muscular yet refined, Wu Yan’s build was neither exaggerated like those gym-obsessed bodybuilders who clearly relied on protein powder and steroids, nor frail like those slender idols who looked like they couldn’t even fill out a suit.
With his physique and striking features, Wu Yan would be considered top-tier even among male celebrities—the kind of “male bodhisattva” whose mere existence could drive fans wild with desire.
Yet when he wore his usual shirts and suits, his true physique remained hidden.
After meticulously applying the medicine, Bai Chi instinctively blew on the wound to help it dry faster, so Wu Yan could get dressed without delay.
The warm breath against Wu Yan’s chest made him visibly uncomfortable. He hastily thanked Bai Chi, turned his back, and quickly pulled on his T-shirt.
After applying the medicine to Wu Yan, Bai Chi couldn’t be bothered to climb back to his seat. Instead, he settled down beside Wu Yan and began treating his own injuries.
He rolled up his loose-fitting pants, revealing a stretch of snow-white, smooth calf and jade-like ankles that could easily be encircled in a single hand.
Wu Yan and Gu Ye’s gazes swept over this expanse of pale skin before they both subtly averted their eyes.
Unconsciously, both men found themselves thinking of the same person:
Bai Chi.
During filming, Bai Chi had always been remarkably dedicated. Even for action scenes, he rarely used a stunt double, preferring to perform the stunts himself. As a result, he often sustained minor bumps and bruises.
After work, back at the hotel, while live-streaming with fans, he would frequently chat with them while tending to his wounds.
Xu Qing would simply check Bai Chi’s injuries before leaving him to handle them himself, tossing the first-aid kit his way.
After applying the medicine, Bai Chi felt much better.
Feeling guilty for causing the earlier misunderstanding, he proactively offered to make tea for everyone.
Seeing no objections, Bai Chi skillfully retrieved a tea set from under the coffee table and began boiling water and brewing tea with practiced ease.
Xu Qing hadn’t been a tea drinker before becoming Bai Chi’s manager. It was Bai Chi who had introduced him to the habit.
Once accustomed to tea, Xu Qing discovered it was far more soothing than coffee.
While coffee provided a quick energy boost, it often left him feeling dizzy afterward.
Tea, on the other hand, was like fresh rain in a mountain valley, leaving him refreshed and clear-headed.
Watching Bai Chi’s fluid, graceful movements, Wu Yan found himself slightly entranced.
During his live streams with fans, Bai Chi often showcased his tea-making skills, earning him the nickname “First Tea Art Master of the Domestic Entertainment Industry” from his fans.
Unlike other celebrities who merely pretended to be cultured and refined, Bai Chi genuinely loved tea and possessed considerable knowledge of it, effortlessly citing anecdotes and historical references.
Growing up in a family where tea was a cherished tradition, Bai Chi naturally developed the habit. Even before he was tall enough to reach the tea table, he had already learned to hold a teacup with his chubby little hands and sip tea alongside the adults.
As Bai Chi meticulously prepared tea for everyone, Gu Ye and Wu Yan simultaneously experienced a peculiar illusion.
Bai Xi’s every gesture and movement while brewing tea bore an uncanny resemblance to Bai Chi’s.
After brewing the tea, Bai Chi poured four cups. His gaze swept over the somewhat dazed Wu Yan and Gu Ye before he first presented a cup to Wu Yan with both hands.
Wu Yan offered a curt “Thank you.”
Bai Chi then handed a cup to Gu Ye, who sincerely praised, “Your tea skills are impressive.”
Bai Chi froze, suddenly realizing his tea-making act might have been out of character.
The original owner of his body had grown up in modest circumstances and never had the opportunity to learn tea artistry.
Moreover, Wu Yu had been studying abroad since high school, his habits more Western than Chinese, making it unlikely he would ever drink tea.
Knowing that the more he spoke, the more likely he was to make a mistake, Bai Chi simply murmured an acknowledgment and remained silent.
After all, Gu Ye and the original Bai Xi were complete strangers, and Wu Yan likely wouldn’t know such trivial details about his younger brother’s lover, like whether he could brew tea.
Xu Qing, being as sharp as he was, quickly noticed the subtle tension between Wu Yan and Gu Ye. He promptly urged Bai Chi to go upstairs and get some sleep.
“Alright, it’s getting late. You haven’t been sleeping well these past few days. Why don’t you go rest?”
If Bai Chi stayed any longer, he might reveal even more of his true nature.
After politely bidding farewell to Wu Yan and Gu Ye, Bai Chi slowly made his way upstairs, clutching the handrail as he went.
He had initially felt quite tired, but once he lay in bed, sleep eluded him. His mind was filled with the memory of Wu Yu’s burning chest pressed against him and the rough finger that had touched his lips.
Just as he was finally drifting off, Bai Chi suddenly jolted awake.
He had fallen into a fleeting, bizarre dream: he saw Wu Yan dressed in the black robes of an underworld official, cradling a coffin. Inside lay Bai Chi himself, cold as ice.
Bai Chi: “……”
The budding romantic feelings Bai Chi had been harboring vanished instantly, replaced by sheer terror. He huddled fearfully with the warm Xiao Hei Zai, silently chanting “prosperity, strength, democracy, civilization, harmony” until he finally drifted off to sleep.