Marrying the Rich Man's Ex-Brother - Chapter 3

“Actively throwing yourself into another man’s embrace like this…”

 

 

After leaving the Tiandi Building,

 

 

Bai Chi didn’t waste any time. He immediately hailed a taxi and headed to the villa where Wu Yu had previously kept him hidden away, ready to pack his things and leave for good.

 

 

Truth be told, Bai Chi didn’t care much about these material possessions, but he also didn’t want to carelessly dispose of the original owner’s belongings. He intended to properly preserve them as a keepsake for the other party.

 

 

The villa’s housekeeper treated Bai Chi with unusual coldness, his face pulled taut as if Bai Chi owed him money.

 

 

Bai Chi guessed that Wu Yu had probably already informed the housekeeper about their breakup in advance.

 

 

But Bai Chi wasn’t angry. Relying on others was never as reliable as relying on oneself. He carried a storage box upstairs alone and began packing the original owner’s belongings.

 

 

Since the original owner had lived in the villa for over a year, there were quite a few things to sort through.

 

 

The packing kept Bai Chi busy until evening.

 

 

When Wu Yu returned home from work, Bai Chi was carrying a half-person-high box, trembling unsteadily as he descended the stairs.

 

 

The spiral staircase was long and steep, and the gleaming tiles had been waxed, making it easy to slip. So Bai Chi had to carefully inch down step by step.

 

 

Having just recovered from a serious illness, this body couldn’t handle much strain. Bai Chi was already drenched in sweat from exhaustion.

 

 

If not for sheer willpower, he would have collapsed on the spot.

 

 

Seeing Bai Chi slightly breathless with flushed cheeks, Wu Yu frowned slightly.

 

 

After the group’s board meeting ended today, his mother had pulled him aside and rambled on, causing the initially furious Wu Yu to gradually calm down.

 

 

His mother told him that, regardless of the truth of the matter, there was still sentiment between them after having been together for so long. He and Xiao Bai should part on good terms and not break the other’s heart at a time like this.

 

 

Moreover, Wu Lisa felt that in this situation, Xiao Bai might have just been an unfortunate casualty in a ruthless business war. If he hadn’t been the young lover of the Wu family’s second young master, perhaps he wouldn’t have suffered such an unexpected disaster.

 

 

After parting ways with his mother, Wu Yu pondered the matter carefully while driving home alone.

 

 

His mother’s words made sense.

 

 

Since being with him, Xiao Bai had basically withdrawn from the entertainment industry. Not only had he terminated his contract with his company, but he also rarely took on any work, so it was unlikely that he’d been framed by a competitor.

 

 

After all, who would go out of their way to target a faded minor celebrity who was no longer active in the entertainment industry?

 

 

Besides, Wu Yu knew very well that Xiao Bai had a low alcohol tolerance—even a glass of red wine would leave him drunk and unable to keep his eyes open. The state he was in in the video was likely due to being forced to drink or having been drugged, not because he actually wanted it.

 

 

Once he understood this, Wu Yu felt that his actions at the company earlier that day had indeed been excessive—publicly humiliating Xiao Bai in front of an entire office.

 

 

Now, seeing Xiao Bai struggling alone on the stairs with that pitiful expression while carrying the box, Wu Yu felt even more guilty.

 

 

Noticing Wu Yu’s visibly displeased expression, the housekeeper hurried up the stairs and took the box from Bai Chi’s hands.

 

 

 

“Oh dear! Mr. Bai, why didn’t you call me? Moving the boxes down by yourself?”

 

 

Bai Chi didn’t respond, instead nodding toward the butler and Wu Yu downstairs before turning back to continue packing in his room.

 

 

Wu Yu sat on the sofa deep in thought, frowning as he lit a cigarette for himself.

 

 

Now that he had calmed down, he really wanted to ask Xiao Bai about the scandal video—what exactly was going on?

 

 

Because, whether from a man’s dignity or his own self-confidence, Wu Yu felt that Xiao Bai wouldn’t betray him.

 

 

–

 

After everything was packed.

 

 

Bai Chi ordered a same-city express delivery on his phone, directing the courier to pack and move his belongings to his next destination.

 

 

Wu Yu stood coldly with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorway.

 

 

He didn’t ask Xiao Bai where he was going next, because he had already given him a villa and an apartment—it could only be one of those two places.

 

 

But Wu Yu didn’t know that both properties had long been seized and sold off by the original owner’s gambling-addicted parents for cash.

 

 

As Bai Chi was signing the delivery slip outside with the courier, a sudden downpour drenched him, his thin shirt soaked through.

 

 

Bai Chi sneezed several times in the rain, and Wu Yu frowned again.

 

 

The butler, guessing Wu Yu’s thoughts, quickly grabbed an umbrella and rushed into the rain to offer it to Bai Chi.

 

 

But Bai Chi casually wiped the glistening droplets from his pale face and waved it off indifferently. “It’s fine, it’ll be over soon.”

 

 

The butler, umbrella in hand, unsure whether to advance or retreat, could only open it to shield Bai Chi, getting drenched himself in the process.

 

 

After watching the courier leave, Bai Chi and the butler walked back to the entrance, where Wu Yu expressionlessly tossed him a soft wool towel.

 

 

“Dry yourself off. Don’t dirty my carpet.”

 

 

Bai Chi was taken aback.

 

 

He had thought his sugar daddy had a sudden pang of conscience, but it turned out he was just worried about his home getting dirty.

 

 

Though his rational mind told him to throw the towel right back in Wu Yu’s face, his shivering arms betrayed him, unfolding the soft towel and wrapping himself into a fluffy bundle.

 

 

Most of Bai Chi’s face was hidden by the furry towel, his curled lashes dotted with glistening droplets, while his small, chilled nose peeked out.

 

 

Wu Yu looked down at the somewhat pitiful Bai Chi for a moment, then turned to open the door, his tone cold.

 

 

“Come inside. I have a few things to say to you.”

 

 

Bai Chi?

 

 

You have a few things to say to me?

 

 

That sounds like a father lecturing his son.

 

 

Fine, whatever. After today, Bai Chi would never have to put up with Wu Yu’s attitude again.

 

 

Might as well play along one last time.

 

 

Mainly because Bai Chi knew Wu Yu liked the original owner’s innocent, deer-like, pitifully obedient demeanor.

 

 

But he wasn’t the original owner, nor did he love Wu Yu, so he could only rely on his acting skills to pretend he was hopelessly in love.

 

 

The more Wu Yu believed he was deeply loved, the smoother Bai Chi’s future debt collection would be.

 

 

–

 

After following Wu Yu inside.

 

 

Bai Chi sat down with him at the dining table.

 

 

The butler quickly brought a bowl of ginger soup from the kitchen and respectfully placed it beside Bai Chi.

 

 

Although the young master had broken up with this little lover, the butler could tell from Wu Yu’s demeanor that he hadn’t completely let go of him. It wouldn’t be surprising if they got back together someday.

 

 

Bai Chi didn’t stand on ceremony either. Wrapped in a large towel, he picked up the white porcelain bowl, held it in front of him, and gently blew on the steam, waiting for it to cool down a bit before drinking.

 

 

Watching Bai Chi’s quiet and obedient appearance, Wu Yu felt a faint surge of affection rise in his heart again.

 

 

After all, the two had spent over a year together day and night. It would be untrue to say Wu Yu had no feelings for him at all.

 

 

But Xiao Bai was, after all, just a substitute. No matter how much Wu Yu liked him, it was limited to his looks and appearance.

 

 

Of course, Wu Yu also enjoyed Xiao Bai’s obedience and efforts to please him in his presence, because Wu Yu knew very well that this was a tenderness and consideration that Leng Yue would never show him.

 

 

After all, Leng Yue was the esteemed second young master of the Leng family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth—a proud son of heaven. How could he ever stoop to flattering another man?

 

 

Unwilling to rashly impose on Leng Yue, Wu Yu could only find a substitute for comfort.

 

 

But truth be told… if it weren’t for the recent scandalous photo leak causing an uproar online, Wu Yu might not have been able to bring himself to break up with his devoted little lover.

 

 

However, his marriage prospects had now taken shape. His mother, aware of his feelings, had finally arranged a preliminary marriage alliance with the Leng family of Haicheng, and Wu Yu’s intended partner happened to be his long-admired white moonlight, Leng Yue.

 

 

Leng Yue was a famously handsome and talented scholar, a perfect match for Wu Yu in social status—truly a couple made in heaven.

 

 

Moreover, his mother had already consulted Hong Kong’s most renowned fortune-teller to analyze their birth dates, and it was said they were destined for each other, bound to have a harmonious and blessed union.

 

 

With his mother and the Leng family about to announce the news publicly, Wu Yu felt it was better to end things quickly rather than drag out the pain.

 

 

He might as well take this opportunity to make a clean break with Xiao Bai. Otherwise, once the marriage alliance was finalized, they would have to part ways sooner or later.

 

 

Most importantly, Wu Yu absolutely did not want his fiancé, Leng Yue, to find out about him keeping a substitute lover, fearing it would make him angry.

 

 

So… Wu Yu had to part with Xiao Bai on good terms. If Xiao Bai made a scene and the Leng family found out, it would be troublesome.

 

 

Persuading himself to harden his heart, Wu Yu took a bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of Bai Chi.

 

 

“There were a lot of people at the group today, and I spoke harshly. Don’t take it to heart. This money is from me privately—don’t let your parents know about it again.”

 

 

Bai Chi was truly stunned this time. Clutching the white porcelain spoon foolishly, he looked up in surprise at Wu Yu beside him.

The original host’s parents were a pair of greedy gamblers who saw him only as their cash cow, constantly scheming to squeeze money out of him for their own extravagance. Every phone call with them was always about money.

 

 

And all the houses, cars, and cash Wu Yu had previously given the original host had long been taken by his parents.

 

 

Thus, after being reborn, Bai Chi found himself with a mere two hundred yuan left in his bank card after paying for his emergency hospitalization fees.

 

 

“Here’s thirty million. Didn’t you say before that you wanted to go abroad? With all the commotion happening domestically now, it’s better for you to lay low overseas for a while.”

 

 

Wu Yu’s words weren’t entirely for Bai Chi’s sake; it was also because his beloved Leng Yue was about to return to the country. If Xiao Bai could go abroad, it would be a perfect way to avoid any encounters, which would be best for everyone. Xiao Bai would no longer be able to pester him, nor would he become an obstacle between Wu Yu and Leng Yue.

 

 

As sharp as ever, Bai Chi immediately grasped the underlying meaning in Wu Yu’s words. But he didn’t move or speak, instead lowering his gaze to the bowl of ginger soup before him, carefully steeling his emotions.

 

 

Seeing his silence, Wu Yu picked up the bank card and gently tucked it into the pocket of Bai Chi’s shirt. The white shirt, damp from the rain, clung softly to his skin, faintly revealing the hue of his flesh and outlining the young man’s slender figure in full view.

 

 

Taking in this alluring sight, Wu Yu’s throat moved slightly, and he couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle the towel atop Bai Chi’s head before withdrawing his hand.

 

 

By then, Bai Chi had mustered his emotions. He lifted a pair of red-rimmed, tear-filled eyes, gazing pitifully at Wu Yu. “I don’t want your money, and I don’t want to leave you. What I said at the group earlier was for your mother and the others to hear—I didn’t want to put you in a difficult position…”

 

 

His voice grew softer as he spoke, ending with a heart-wrenching sob.

 

 

Wu Yu let out a long sigh. “But Xiao Bai, you have to understand, there’s no future for us like this. You must know my mother is already arranging a marriage for me.”

 

 

Bai Chi froze, staring at Wu Yu in disbelief, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as he trembled, “Arranging a m-marriage for you…?”

 

 

Wu Yu said nothing more, only nodding in confirmation.

 

 

Bai Chi fixed his gaze on Wu Yu’s pained expression and, though he remained silent, tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. In the past, Bai Chi’s crying scenes had been hailed as virtually unmatched in the domestic entertainment industry, even praised by his fans as “the Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass repaying tears in real time.”

 

 

Bai Chi knew well the essence of a compelling cry—sometimes silence speaks louder than words. The most heart-shattering sorrow often lies beneath seemingly calm, ordinary reactions.

 

 

So, he stayed quiet, biting his lower lip fiercely until the originally pale pink flesh bore a stark, bloodless white mark.

 

 

Seeing his young lover in such a state, Wu Yu’s heart ached too. But he had no choice; he had to be resolute. Otherwise, continuing this entanglement would only bring harm to both of them.

 

 

After a moment of unbearable silence between them, Bai Chi reached into his shirt pocket, took out the bank card, and placed it back on the table in front of Wu Yu.

 

 

“I know that to you, I’m just a kept lover…”

 

 

Bai Chi sniffled softly, wiping the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand.

 

 

“But to me, you are the person who has treated me the best in my life, and the only one I have ever loved. So I won’t allow you to insult our relationship with money. But since you’re going to marry someone else, I won’t bother you anymore.”

 

 

Listening to Bai Chi’s heartfelt confession, Wu Yu felt a pang of discomfort in his heart.

 

 

Before meeting him, Xiao Bai had truly suffered. His parents didn’t love him, and his company exploited him.

 

 

They first met at a private club, where Xiao Bai was being taken by his agent to accompany clients for drinks. Already half-drunk and on the verge of being taken to a hotel for an unwanted encounter, he struggled in the hallway and happened to run into Wu Yu. Struck by his resemblance to Leng Yue, Wu Yu immediately shielded the pitiful young man.

 

 

After their fateful encounter, Wu Yu helped him terminate his contract with the unscrupulous agency and provided him with enough money to support his parents and younger brother.

 

 

But Xiao Bai had no idea that, to Wu Yu, he was merely a substitute. He foolishly believed that Wu Yu loved him too.

 

 

Unable to shatter the other’s beautiful illusion yet unwilling to continue their entanglement—lest he disappoint his mother and the Leng family—Wu Yu hardened his heart. He roughly shoved the bank card on the table back into Bai Chi’s shirt pocket, turned away, and spoke coolly without looking at him:

 

 

“Throwing yourself at another man—is this how you claim to love me? You never refused the houses, cars, or money I gave you before. Why play the virtuous one now? I know you’re only after my money. There’s no need to deceive yourself here.”

 

 

Bai Chi’s sobs cut off abruptly. He looked up at Wu Yu in disbelief, tears welling in his eyes, clearly wounded to the core.

 

 

After taking a deep breath, Bai Chi abruptly overturned the porcelain bowl beside him, tore off the towel he was wearing, shot up from the dining table, and rushed out of the villa, slamming the door behind him.

 

 

“Mr. Bai? Wait! You forgot your umbrella!”

 

 

The butler at the door snapped out of his daze and made to chase after him, but Wu Yu raised a hand to stop him. “No need to go after him.”

 

 

The butler glanced at the despondent young master, hesitated as if to speak, but ultimately set down the umbrella and quietly left the living room.

 

 

–

 

Outside, the night was pitch black, and rain poured down in sheets. Thick, humid air carried by the warm evening wind swept in, stirring unease.

 

 

Wu Yu stood silently at the villa entrance, watching his young lover run sobbing heartbreakingly through the torrential rain, out of the garden.

 

 

How he wished he could chase after him! Wu Yu longed to dash into the rain, sweep Xiao Bai into his arms, bring him home, gently wash away the mud and grime from his body, then hold him close as they drifted to sleep in a soft, comfortable bed.

 

 

But he couldn’t. He would rather tear apart every shred of love Xiao Bai had for him than offer false hope again.

 

 

The vast chasm between their statuses and positions had long destined their relationship for tragedy.

 

 

Lost in his private grief, Wu Yu had no idea what Bai Chi was truly feeling at that moment.

 

 

After running a short distance, Bai Chi suddenly stopped, reached into his shirt pocket to feel the 30-million bank card, and burst out laughing.

 

 

“Damn, I’m fucking amazing! Already got 50 million out of the 200 million penalty fee! Victory is right around the corner!”

 

 

 

After confirming the bank card was in his pocket, Bai Chi followed the map in his memory and ran toward the back door.

 

 

But in his overexcited dash, his feet slipped, and he slid to his knees in the rain, splashing muddy water all over his face.

 

 

Bai Chi froze for a moment, then burst out laughing at his own clumsiness. Thinking back to Wu Yu’s stunned, dazed reaction earlier, he couldn’t hold back his amusement and laughed heartily.

 

 

“Pfft—hahaha! That idiot Wu Yu must’ve thought I was head over heels for him after watching my award-worthy acting!”

 

 

Since his rebirth, Bai Chi had been busy dealing with all sorts of matters, both his own and the original host’s. Only now did he finally have a chance to relax, so he let himself laugh freely.

 

 

Just as Bai Chi was kneeling in the rain, laughing unrestrainedly— A luxury car worth million sped toward him from ahead, its blinding headlights nearly dazzling his eyes.

 

 

Sitting in the back seat, Wu Yan watched as the driver slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid the slender figure who had suddenly knelt in the middle of the road.

 

 

That figure looked familiar.

 

 

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Wu Yan studied through the window the person kneeling in the rain, “weeping bitterly at the sky.”

 

 

The thin shoulders and back trembled violently, like a butterfly with rain-soaked wings, unable to take flight again, trapped within a confined space.

 

 

For some reason, Wu Yan was suddenly reminded of a art-house film Bai Chi had once starred in, titled Him.

 

 

It was a rare youth crime drama, telling the story of a teenager, long abused by his gambling addict father, who ultimately decides to kill his own father to save his mother and younger sister from years of torment.

 

 

In the climax of the film, there was also a heavy downpour. The battered, injured teenager leaves the home he had lived in for over a decade, his body stained with bl00d that melts into the muddy rural path under the rain.

 

 

The boy falls in the rain, the filth not only dirtying his white shirt and handsome face but also tarnishing his once pure and innocent heart.

 

 

On that desperate, stormy night, he finally resolves to free his mother and sister from their demon of a father forever.

 

 

And he alone would bear the sin of patricide, descending into an abyss of eternal damnation.

 

 

Recalling this, Wu Yan felt a pang of sympathy.

 

 

The figure in the rain staggered to his feet and stumbled toward the direction of the back door.

 

 

The driver, gauging Wu Yan’s expression through the rearview mirror, asked quietly, “Mr. Yan, should I get out and handle this?”

 

 

Wu Yan calmly averted his gaze. “No need. Let’s go see Xiao Yu directly.”

 

 

The driver nodded and drove straight to the front of Wu Yu’s villa.

 

 

However, after getting out of the car and holding a black umbrella, Wu Yan suddenly tapped on the driver’s side window.

 

 

“Go after him now and make sure he gets a thorough check-up at the hospital. After all, he’s someone close to Xiao Yu. We can’t afford any accidents.”