Chapter 1 – I’m Married?

Lin Ganzhi’s eyes flew open. The pain wracking his body was receding like a tide, but the frantic beating of his heart told him he had just died a painful death. The scene before him was entirely different from the rental room where he’d passed away. The decor was simple yet exuded an understated luxury. The crystal chandelier overhead was dazzlingly bright, its massive crystals cut into countless brilliant facets.

Well, Heaven’s craftsmanship is top-notch, huh?

Before he could even process it all, a flood of memories that didn’t belong to him rushed in.

After mulling it over for three minutes, he finally had a realization. Holy shit! Wasn’t this the universally adored protagonist novel he’d been reading to kill time before he died?

And it seemed he had transmigrated into the body of a death-seeking cannon fodder who had recklessly tried to seduce the main top, Luan Yuanzhou. The original owner of this body was an orphan who had lived with his aunt’s family since he was a child. After graduating from a third-rate university, he entered the entertainment industry because of his decent looks. By a stroke of luck, he ended up in the same film crew as Luan Yuanzhou, the love interest of the universally adored bottom, Zhong Jingyi. He then fell madly in love with Luan Yuanzhou. The outcome was that one of the universally adored protagonist’s fanboys paid his greedy aunt’s family three million to trick the original owner into marrying the story’s universally loathed character, Yan Shengping.

On the very day he was married off, the original owner had thrown a fit, insulting the universally loathed Yan Shengping by calling him a vicious old man.

But who was Yan Shengping? Although the story was nearing its end and the main characters had already defeated him, he was once a legend in the business world. He had single-handedly founded a chip company in college that became famous both at home and abroad, more than decupling the Zhong family’s market value in just two years. He was ruthless, indifferent, and put profits above all else. If it weren’t for the fact that he, as the adopted son of the Zhong family, had become an enemy of the universally adored bottom, the legitimate son Zhong Jingyi, and had stabbed him at his birthday banquet, he wouldn’t have had everything confiscated by the Zhong family and been sent away to this suburban villa. He would still be a legend.

Although Yan Shengping, who suffered from a severe stomach condition, was physically weak, a man with eight hundred schemes up his sleeve could easily dispose of a dramatic cannon fodder. The original owner, with his foul mouth and bottomless capacity for courting death, had successfully gotten himself killed off within a month of moving in.

To make matters worse, Lin Ganzhi’s current timeline was the day after he had been married off.

Lin Ganzhi shivered. This was no place to linger. If not now, when would he run? He had just been given a new life and absolutely couldn’t cash in his chips this early!

He threw off the covers and sat up with a sudden jolt. As his feet hit the floor and he tried to stand, his mind went blank. A wave of dizziness robbed him of all his strength.

Thud!

A sharp pain shot through his knees.

At that moment, a hurried knock sounded at the door. Lin Ganzhi subconsciously called out, “Come in.”

The door slowly opened to reveal an elegant-looking uncle in a well-tailored suit with gray hair. This must be Uncle Yan, the last remaining servant and butler of the villa. However, his expression was incredibly complicated.

Lin Ganzhi felt his knees throb even more painfully!

“Um, are you all right, Mr. Lin?” Uncle Yan looked like he wanted to help him up, but he only moved his left foot before retracting it.

Hmph! Men are all talk and no action! Lin Ganzhi’s glare at that moment could rival that of a bitter old woman who had lived for eighty years.

But still…

Why does he look so scared of me?

Lin Ganzhi carefully replayed the events of the previous day in his mind.

Right. He had been tricked into coming here yesterday. When he found out he was married to Zhong Jingyi’s universally loathed brother, he had immediately thrown a tantrum, crying and screaming for a divorce while hurling a torrent of insults at Yan Shengping.

But no matter how much the original owner had kicked up a fuss yesterday, the target of his insults never appeared in the living room. That showed just how high-level his opponent was.

Lin Ganzhi felt the legs he had just managed to prop himself up on about to give way again. It’s one thing to offend a gentleman, but offending a villain is a whole other story! If he ran away now, would he be secretly targeted? A shiver ran down Lin Ganzhi’s spine. After all, he had met an early, regrettable end precisely because he had offended a villain!

Before Lin Ganzhi could come up with an excuse, the man across from him sighed. “Mr. Lin, I understand how you feel. It must be frustrating to be married to the current master with only one million a month in pocket money. If you can’t stand it, I will persuade the master to divorce you. I just ask that you please refrain from shouting like that at night. The master’s health is poor, and he had just managed to fall asleep at that time.”

“…How much?” For the first time, Lin Ganzhi doubted his own hearing. His beautiful almond-shaped eyes were filled with disbelief and shock.

Although Uncle Yan found it strange, he maintained his professionalism. “One—”

“You want me to leave my beloved husband?” Lin Ganzhi’s eyes quickly reddened. Back in his film academy days, his crying scenes were considered textbook examples. He was crying, but it wasn’t a loud wail. His eye sockets were crimson, and even the tip of his nose was tinged with pink. Glistening tears welled up, finally landing on his long lower lashes, turning his eyes a misty gray. His pink, curly hair no longer looked so unconventional; instead, it added a touch of youthfulness, making him look even more pitiful.

Even the experienced Uncle Yan felt a pang in his heart. If Lin Ganzhi hadn’t thrown a tantrum the moment he walked in the door yesterday and said so many awful things, he almost would have believed he was genuinely in love with the master!

“Um, Mr. Lin, didn’t you just say yesterday—”

“I’m shy around strangers,” Lin Ganzhi quickly added.

***

Uncle Yan’s expression was extremely complex. He felt as if Lin Ganzhi was taking his intelligence and grinding it into the dirt.

Being so shy around strangers that you call your marriage partner a fucking idiot seemed a bit far-fetched. But one million a month for getting married! Based on his earning potential after leaving the entertainment industry, he could earn a lifetime’s worth of money in just two and a half months! Why would he get a divorce? So what if his partner had an unpredictable temper? What boss out in the working world is ever pleasant to you and provides every meal? The key was that you couldn’t get this kind of treatment even with scoldings and overtime. Here, he was a wife; out there, he’d have to be a grandchild!

Lin Ganzhi considered himself a very pragmatic person.

His still-sluggish brain began to spin rapidly. Based on the original owner’s persona, what was the most plausible reason for him to stay?

A love-struck fool in the throes of a mad crush!

As the atmosphere grew tense, Lin Ganzhi slowly said, “I… I saw a show called ‘Mom Teaches You How to Love.’ It said you have to use the ‘a whip and a candy’ approach with your partner. That way, they’ll treat you like it’s your first love. And the host also said that men… like it… a little spicy.” After saying this, Lin Ganzhi was so embarrassed he had to lower his head.

Before the wave of shame could pass, he caught a glimpse of a pair of gray house slippers appearing at the doorway. Looking up, he saw a man in well-tailored casual suit pants and a white V-neck long-sleeved shirt. His collarbones were deep, and his skin was so fair it seemed to glow. A small mole on his neck added a touch of beauty. His jawline was sharp, and his pale, thin lips were pressed into a straight line. His eyes were deep and his gaze sharp, exuding an unfathomable aura. He just looked extremely thin, and his face had a sickly pallor, his whole presence radiating a heavy sense of detachment.

The sickliness alone erased much of his stern aura, but still…

Damn! Are all universally loathed characters this ridiculously hot these days?

Lin Ganzhi’s heart skipped a beat. He was so damn handsome! The novel had mentioned that all the servants had resigned because of Yan Shengping’s terrible personality. So, apart from Uncle Yan who grew up with him, the only one left was his legal spouse, Yan Shengping.

Wait, that wasn’t the point. His million-a-month salary depended on this moment!

Uncle Yan, who had just been shocked speechless by Lin Ganzhi, saw Yan Shengping and walked towards him as if he’d seen his savior. “Master, I was just discussing the matter of divorce with Mr. Lin, but—”

Lin Ganzhi clasped his hands and stepped forward, his eyes full of affection and a hint of red at the corners, looking exactly like a young boy experiencing his first love. He opened his mouth and said, “Hubby, you’re here~”

!!!

The two men opposite him fell into a strange silence. Suddenly, Yan Shengping covered his mouth and started coughing, an unhealthy flush appearing on his pale face.

“Master, why did you come out without a jacket?” Uncle Yan’s tone was reproachful, momentarily forgetting everything else.

Yan Shengping averted his gaze and said in a low, indifferent voice, “I won’t die.” He said it as if he wasn’t talking about his own body.

Just as he finished speaking, before Uncle Yan could go to Yan Shengping’s room to get a coat, a fluffy brown cardigan was draped over Yan Shengping’s shoulders.

Yan Shengping looked down. A fluffy pink head was right at the tip of his nose, and there was a faint, pleasant scent.

Yan Shengping was about 188 centimeters tall. For Lin Ganzhi, who was 179 centimeters—183 on his tiptoes—the act of draping the cardigan over him took considerable effort. But that didn’t matter. As an outstanding employee, one must shield the boss from the wind and rain, offer popsicles in the summer, and provide sweaters in the winter!

Yan Shengping paused for only a second before quickly taking a step back. “Lin Ganzhi, what are you plotting?” His tone was filled with not just distance, but also disgust.

Lin Ganzhi rubbed his hands together. “Bringing you warmth.” He looked up, his round almond eyes shining, determined to out-sparkle the large crystal beads in the room!

A crack appeared in Yan Shengping’s icy expression. He parted his lips. “There’s no need for such hypocrisy!”

His words were sharp and direct, leaving Lin Ganzhi with no face at all.

With that, Yan Shengping yanked the cardigan from his shoulders. The soft texture made him hesitate for a mere second before he gripped the edge of the garment tightly, his long finger bones turning pale. Then, he flung the cardigan away with force.

Lin Ganzhi instinctively closed his eyes, praying that his boss would go easy on him when he threw it. He hadn’t eaten for a day and a night; his legs were already jelly!

But the expected pain never came. When Lin Ganzhi opened his eyes, all he saw was Yan Shengping’s retreating back. The cardigan lay quietly on the decorative sofa by the door.

Lin Ganzhi stared at the cardigan on the sofa, stunned. Did he just not have the heart to throw it at me?

Was this really the universally loathed character with eight hundred schemes up his sleeve from the book?

Uncle Yan looked at the cardigan with a complicated expression. It seemed the master was serious about driving Lin Ganzhi away. After being humiliated like this, the proud Lin Ganzhi would surely leave without a second thought. He decided not to go out for groceries later and just send the young man home first. After all, it was hard to get a taxi in the suburbs.

“Mr. Lin,” Uncle Yan began in a comforting tone.

Lin Ganzhi blinked. The redness on his nose hadn’t faded, but a pink blush was creeping up his cheeks. He said in a soft voice, “He cares about me.”

Uncle Yan froze on the spot. “Um, Mr. Lin, I don’t think that’s what the master meant.”

“Uncle Yan, you’re being too formal. I’m already married to Shengping. You can just call me Ganzhi.” Lin Ganzhi quickly integrated himself into the family. He mentally recited a short story he had learned in school, “The Chameleon.” Education was great; you could apply what you learned on the spot. After all, life is like a play, and you have to use your professional skills where it counts!

Uncle Yan frowned.

Based on the principle that since the master hadn’t verbally kicked him out, he, as a servant, shouldn’t meddle, Uncle Yan silently accepted the fact that Lin Ganzhi would be staying for the time being. Perhaps the boy was just having trouble adjusting, which was why he was so temperamental. Looking at him today, wasn’t he much more well-behaved? The ever-optimistic Uncle Yan ended up leading Lin Ganzhi downstairs to the dining room, introducing the purpose of each room along the way.

The villa wasn’t large. There were three rooms upstairs, with a hollowed-out railing in the middle that allowed a direct view of the first floor. A U-shaped staircase on both sides made the small villa feel much more spacious.

Lin Ganzhi’s room was in the middle. Uncle Yan pointed to the innermost room and said, “That’s the master’s bedroom. The outermost one is his study. The master usually spends his days reading in the study.”

Lin Ganzhi followed Uncle Yan like a little chick, nodding as he walked. He understood Uncle Yan’s unspoken meaning: if you need to see the boss, go to the study.

“My room is on the inner side of the first floor. If you need anything at night, Ganzhi, you can find me there.”

They walked all the way downstairs. The first floor was paved with marble, with a color scheme dominated by gray and white. The villa’s main door was wide open, revealing a small lawn outside, enclosed by a fence. In the distance, one could see a cluster of low-rise villas, each separated by a large distance. He really had been banished to the suburbs.

But wasn’t this the retirement life Lin Ganzhi had always dreamed of?

A grin spread across Lin Ganzhi’s face, and he almost laughed out loud.

On the dining table on the first floor, four dishes and a soup were already laid out. Lin Ganzhi’s eyes immediately lit up, having not eaten such a sumptuous meal in a long time.

Braised pork ribs, pickled fish, salt-baked shrimp, blanched bok choy, cumin beef…

Lin Ganzhi reached up to wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes couldn’t help but turn red. This time, the tears were real.

In his past life, he had died of stomach cancer. He had no family, no friends, and had even been stripped of his job. He could only lie in a cold, damp basement, unable to afford the five or six thousand yuan-a-bottle medication, just waiting to die. He had wanted one last good meal, but his mouth had long lost its sense of taste. The poorly soundproofed room constantly echoed with the quarrels of the neighbors across the way and the crying of their children, keeping him awake all night. During the day, it was the clanging of machinery from a nearby construction site.

After three months of torment, he hadn’t felt a single shred of warmth until the moment he died.

“Ganzhi, why are you crying?” Uncle Yan was startled by Lin Ganzhi. How could this kid, who was just bouncing with excitement a moment ago, suddenly burst into tears? He quickly pulled out a tissue.

Lin Ganzhi took it with red eyes and a “thank you.” He held the tissue to his nose and blew loudly, the sound echoing through the empty living room.

***

“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt at home. I’m sorry you had to see that, Uncle Yan.” Lin Ganzhi’s forced, brave smile made Uncle Yan’s heart ache. This child, he had heard, was raised by his aunt after his parents passed away when he was young. He was a pitiful one, too.

“Don’t be polite, Ganzhi. Go on and eat.” Uncle Yan quickly busied himself, his actions now carrying more sincerity than they had upstairs.

Lin Ganzhi immediately sat down. His nine years of compulsory education had trained him to blink his eyes and wait patiently to begin eating.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes.

Uncle Yan found it strange. “Ganzhi, why aren’t you eating?”

Lin Ganzhi was even more confused. “Isn’t my husband coming down to eat?” He looked at Uncle Yan with hopeful eyes, resembling a little wife eagerly anticipating a life with Yan Shengping.

Uncle Yan sighed. “The master hasn’t come down for a meal since we moved here. I’ve been trying to persuade him for two or three months. He even eats only once a day.”

Lin Ganzhi froze. His top, who suffered from a severe stomach condition, was also an unparalleled drama queen? Wasn’t this just a blatant attempt to shorten his work contract? This was absolutely intolerable!!!