Marrying the Rich Man's Ex-Brother - Chapter 7

Wu Yan’s suit was fastened only at the second button, his throat…

The atmosphere in the garden was somewhat awkward.

Monica, seeing her boss’s face as dark as the King of Hell’s, suddenly realized she might have made a blunder.

This dog had an owner, and it seemed the owner was none other than Young Master Yu’s former lover.

No matter how much of a living hellion Boss Yan was, he wouldn’t go so far as to have his brother’s ex-lover’s dog taken away to be stewed. After all, the dog was still personal property and couldn’t be arbitrarily violated.

Sheepishly, Monica retreated to the side. Bai Chi and Wu Yan stood facing each other, neither speaking for a moment.

After all, the original host and Wu Yan had never been close; they had barely exchanged more than a few words in private, their relationship limited to nodding acquaintances.

Seizing the moment, Bai Chi mimicked the original host’s demeanor, offering a faint, closed-lipped smile and a nod.

Wu Yan gave a slight nod in return, acknowledging the greeting.

The brilliant afternoon sunlight spilled over Wu Yan’s sharply defined features, casting a faint shadowy outline around his face.

Bai Chi took the opportunity to study the eldest son of the Wu family closely.

Even with Bai Chi’s exceedingly critical standards, he had to admit that the two young masters of the Shencheng Wu family were truly first-rate in looks—the kind of celestial beauty that could make a living off their faces even in the entertainment industry.

However, while Wu Yu’s mixed-race pretty-boy appearance was striking, his aura was utterly ordinary—nothing more than the typical arrogance and confidence common among wealthy scions, his face practically screaming “I have money” and “I have power” in the most vulgar way.

In contrast, his older brother Wu Yan, despite being a domineering CEO who dealt with “filthy money” every day, carried an aloof, cold elegance that kept others at a distance without coming across as tacky.

Bai Chi quietly averted his gaze and prepared to take Little Blackie home.

But the little black pup, still holding the daisy in its mouth and seeing that Daddy remained unmoved by its flower-offering gesture, lifted its paws and pounced on Bai Chi, trying to show through action just how much its little self-adored him.

Bai Chi looked down at his white T-shirt, now instantly grayed by dog prints: “…”

Truly his good, filial son—might as well filial-piety him to death.

Monica glanced left at Wu Yan, right at Bai Chi, then down at the little black pup Bai Chi had just pushed aside, and hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “Boss Yan, Mr. Bai, there are clean clothes upstairs. Perhaps the two of you would like to go up and change…”

Wu Yan gave a slight nod and followed Monica into the house. Bai Chi, after instructing the little black pup to behave and wait for him in the garden, used a nearby soft water gun to rinse the cement off his feet and flip-flops before quickly catching up to the other two.

After all, this Wu Yan was also one of the targets Bai Chi needed to squeeze money from, and now was a heaven-sent opportunity to collect that debt!

–

Squelching along in his damp flip-flops, Bai Chi followed the two to a guest room on the second floor.

Monica fetched clothes from the wardrobe for both of them before turning to leave the room and closing the door behind her.

Leaving only Bai Chi and Wu Yan in the room, staring at each other.

Noticing Bai Chi’s apparent unease, Wu Yan said calmly, “The clothes are brand new. I haven’t worn them.”

Bai Chi nodded and, noticing the guest bedroom had its own ensuite bathroom, gathered his clothes and walked toward it. He politely said to Wu Yan, “I’ll change in the bathroom. Thank you.”

After locking the bathroom door,

Bai Chi changed out of his grayish-white T-shirt and prepared to put on the shirt Monica had picked out for him.

However, once he put it on, he realized the situation was somewhat awkward.

In his previous life, Bai Chi had been a solid 180 cm tall, but the original owner of this body was only about 175 cm—a petite, delicate figure.

Wu Yan, by comparison, was roughly 190 cm tall. His shirt on Bai Chi instantly became an oversized mid-length sleepshirt, reminiscent of those photos pretty girls post on social media platforms wearing their boyfriend’s shirts.

The shoulders were loose and sagging, and the collar gaped open all the way down to his chest, exposing a large expanse of pale skin.

What’s more, the shirt was made of exceptionally high-quality fabric—lightweight, breathable, and thin as cicada wings to the touch. The two faint hints of color on Bai Chi’s chest were faintly visible, subtly peeking through with a soft pink hue.

After struggling to pull the collar higher, Bai Chi finally stepped out of the bathroom. Wu Yan had already left the guest bedroom—he had probably changed into his suit and exited the room earlier.

As Bai Chi walked out, Monica, who had been waiting by the door, said politely, “Mr. Bai, President Yan is waiting for you in the study. He has something he’d like to discuss. Your dog is doing fine in the yard, no need to worry.”

Bai Chi frowned slightly, guessing that Wu Yan likely intended to warn him against bothering his younger brother.

Following Monica to the study, she gently knocked three times on the door.

A calm voice came from within—”Come in.”

Monica opened the door and gestured for Bai Chi to enter the study alone.

–

Upon entering the study,

Bai Chi saw Wu Yan leaning against the windowsill smoking a cigar.

The man’s suit jacket was only buttoned to the second button, his Adam’s apple prominent and collarbones sharply defined—an aura of restrained desire mixed with an intense masculine energy.

Bai Chi stepped cautiously into the room. Without a word, Wu Yan raised a hand and pointed toward the leather sofa in front of the desk, signaling for him to sit.

Wu Yan himself remained by the window, unhurriedly smoking his cigar.

After sitting on the sofa, Bai Chi discreetly kicked off his damp flip-flops and swayed his fair feet back and forth under the solid wood coffee table.

Wu Yan finished his cigar slowly by the window before finally rising and taking a seat on the sofa, leaving a polite one-seat gap between himself and Bai Chi.

However, as he sat down, Wu Yan didn’t look where he was settling and ended up sitting directly on the hem of Bai Chi’s shirt, pulling the already precariously low collar down even further—nearly fully exposing his chest.

Too embarrassed to speak up, Bai Chi tried to subtly tug the fabric free.

After mustering all his strength, he finally managed to pull the shirt loose, but the recoil sent his foot kicking hard into the coffee table. The pain was so intense it nearly made his soul leave his body.

“Mmph—” Bai Chi stifled a gasp, swallowing back the “F*ck!” he almost blurted out.

The original host had always been a goody-two-shoes, the type who wouldn’t even know how to swear. Bai Chi didn’t want to slip up and reveal anything unusual in front of Wu Yan.

Wu Yan didn’t notice Bai Chi’s subtle reactions. He slightly furrowed his brows and glanced sideways at the fidgeting young man, assuming he had frightened him.

Softening his tone, Wu Yan took a check from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table in front of Bai Chi. “Don’t be nervous,” he said gently. “I didn’t ask you here for any other reason. I just wanted to let you know that my younger brother is about to enter an arranged marriage with someone else. Our family will do our best to compensate you fairly, but we hope you won’t disturb his life anymore.”

Tears welling in his eyes, Bai Chi turned to look at Wu Yan. He didn’t need to act at all—his eyes were genuinely brimming with tears from the pain.

Seeing Bai Chi’s pitiful expression, Wu Yan coldly averted his gaze and said flatly, “Xiao Yu mentioned you’ve always wanted to study abroad. With all the commotion in the country right now, it might be best for you to lay low overseas. If needed, I can help make arrangements.”

Bai Chi blinked but remained silent.

He wasn’t the naive, inexperienced 19-year-old original host who had just stepped into society. Instead, he was a seasoned veteran who had navigated the cutthroat entertainment industry for a decade. He knew perfectly well that Wu Yan wasn’t being charitable or genuinely trying to help him—he simply didn’t want Bai Chi to become a burden to the Wu family and their corporation.

If Bai Chi stayed in the country, the paparazzi’s exposés would never stop. Until the truth behind the “bed-hopping scandal” and the leaked intimate photos came to light, the controversy would only escalate, hanging like a sword of Damocles over the Wu family and Tiandi Group.

But Bai Chi had no intention of complying with the Wu family’s wishes. He refused to flee abroad like a coward and wash his hands of the matter.

No matter what, he was determined to seek justice for the original host and live a dignified life on his behalf.

After a moment, Bai Chi spoke softly, “What if I don’t want to leave him?”

Wu Yan seemed surprised, his cold, sharp eyebrows lifting. “I advise you to face reality. He has no feelings for you. He was only kind to you because you resemble Leng Yue—his beloved and fiancé. I believe you’re a sensible person. Why humiliate yourself needlessly?”

Bai Chi said nothing, but tears streamed down his face.

Drop by drop, they fell onto his snow-white shirt, some even lightly splattering onto the floor and the coffee table.

After a slight, choked sob, Bai Chi looked at Wu Yan through tear-filled eyes and said, word by word, “You wouldn’t understand. I truly love him.”

Wu Yan seemed exasperated. He rubbed his temples and tried to reason with Bai Chi, “But he doesn’t love you.”

Bai Chi repeated firmly, yet gently, “But I love him. That’s enough.”

Realizing the young man hadn’t given up on his brother yet, Wu Yan knew anything he said now would be useless. It was better to let Xiao Yu handle this himself.

Just then, Monica knocked on the door, breaking the silence in the room. “President Yan, it’s time to return to the group for the meeting.”

Wu Yan glanced at his black wristwatch, left a private business card on the desk, and said succinctly, “Contact me when you change your mind.”

Bai Chi nodded without speaking, picked up a tissue from the coffee table to wipe his tears, tucked Wu Yan’s business card into his pocket, and then slowly rose to follow Wu Yan and Monica downstairs.

–

When they parted in the garden.

Wu Yan suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Bai Chi, asking, “What are you doing here?”

To avoid revealing his identity, Bai Chi explained that he was visiting a friend but had gotten lost in the complex and was trying to ask for directions.

Monica inquired which building his friend lived in and patiently pointed out the way for him.

“It’s just the next building over. Mr. Bai, turn right after you leave the gate, and you’ll be there.”

Before leaving with the little black dog, Bai Chi suddenly paused, turned back to Wu Yan, and said, “I’m sorry about earlier. The dog didn’t know any better. Let me reimburse you for your suit jacket?”

Wu Yan replied indifferently, “Are you sure you want to pay for it?”

Bai Chi was baffled. Wasn’t it only natural to compensate someone for ruining their clothes?

“Of course—” Bai Chi began.

But Monica, standing behind Wu Yan, softly coughed twice, held up two fingers discreetly, shook her head, and mouthed silently—”Two million!”

Bai Chi’s eyebrows twitched as he instantly grasped her hint.

He had almost forgotten that Wu Yan was a top-tier diamond magnate, and his suit undoubtedly cost a fortune.

The words that were already on the tip of his tongue took an abrupt turn. With unwavering confidence, Bai Chi declared—”Of course not! President Yan, someone as wealthy as you wouldn’t fuss over the cost of a mere suit, would you?”

Wu Yan: “…”

I could let this slide.

But have you heard what you just said?

Weren’t you the one who offered to compensate me for the suit in the first place?

As a formidable CEO who dominates the business world and commands absolute authority in his corporation,

Wu Yan had never encountered anyone who dared to so blatantly go back on their word right in front of him.

Yet… somehow, he found himself unable to get angry.