PHM chapter 17

The car jolted, and Brother Feng nearly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake.

Lin Yi: “What what what? What ring finger? What ring?!”

Xia Zefan was so excited that he could barely get the words out. “Someone submitted an anonymous tip! Teacher Pei posted on Moments, saying something like, ‘Smoking is bad for your health. Good advice is worth listening to.’ Then the young master of Wancai Entertainment, Wan Zhirong, commented, ‘This plot feels familiar. Got lectured again? I got scolded for smoking last time too. Sigh.’ It looks like the film emperor might already be married and got lectured by Mrs. Pei. Holy shit!”

Lin Yi: “One Moments post can’t prove anything, right? What if he was simply reminding everyone to be careful about smoking?”

Xia Zefan stared at him gloomily. “Would you deliberately show off the ring on your ring finger when posting a public-service reminder on Moments?”

Lin Yi’s face flushed bright red. “But a ring doesn’t necessarily mean he’s married. What if it’s a brand endorsement? Teacher Pei has always been very professional…”

Ji Zhou: “Someone already dug into it. It’s not.”

Lin Yi sucked in a breath. “They figured that out in just a few minutes?!”

Ji Zhou was relatively calm, though he spoke more than usual. “It’s from a foreign luxury brand that exclusively serves royalty and nobility and isn’t open to the public. No domestic celebrity has collaborated with them. Besides, it’s a custom-made piece. It’s not something just anyone can get.”

There was completely no reason left to comfort himself.

Lin Yi was utterly disoriented. He stuffed his fist into his mouth, not daring to scream. If someone complained about disturbing the neighbors, they would be doomed.

He was so excited that even after getting out of the car, he was still whining and howling.

However, when he turned around, he saw Yan Xi calmly following behind them. His phone screen had not lit up once since Xia Zefan had started spilling the gossip. He looked completely numb as he listened to their shrieking, staring at the ground with complete indifference.

How could he be so calm?

“Bro, this is explosive news about Teacher Pei! Wake up!”

Yan Xi looked dazed, his throat dry. “I—”

“Ahhhhh—” A piercing scream suddenly erupted nearby. The girl single-handedly lit up more than half the neighborhood’s motion-sensor lights. “This has to be a rumor! It’s photoshopped! Which fucking idiot is desperate enough to climb the ladder like that?”

Her companion hurriedly held her down. “Keep your voice down. Anyone with toes can tell it’s fake. Why give such an obvious rumor any attention? These days, the media will say anything for traffic. Pei Yuxing isn’t someone to mess with. If this gets more than five hundred reposts, just wait for the lawyer’s letter.”

But the girl was not comforted. “But what if it’s true? He said he would never get married. I can’t accept it.”

“Look on the bright side. Getting married isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Think about how long your idol hasn’t appeared on screen. Were those few shots on Entertainment, Life enough for you? Be careful he really does become a monk. Then you won’t even have anywhere to cry.”

“I can’t convince myself…”

Her companion was helpless, wishing she could crack open her friend’s head and see what was going on inside.

“So what? He’s not some idol who has to live according to other people’s whims. Please, that’s Pei Yuxing we’re talking about. Even if all of you unfollowed him, he could still stomp his foot and shake the entire entertainment industry. He wouldn’t care at all, okay?”

The girl let out a loud sob and cried even harder.

Because she knew it was all true. When ordinary celebrities revealed relationships, they risked losing work, but her idol did not have to worry about that at all. He had always kept his private life and work completely separate. Besides, he was the capital himself.

“And besides, it might not even be marriage. Maybe he just likes someone and they’re dating. He probably just got carried away and wanted to show off a little.”

The girl was still sniffling as her companion led her away.

Lin Yi was utterly amazed. He turned around. “Bro—”

His phone rang at that moment, and Yan Xi fled as if escaping for his life. “It’s a call from my family.”

Lin Yi: “……”

For some reason, he felt like his bro did not seem to enjoy gossip very much.

It was Pei Yuxing calling.

Yan Xi hid in a corner and looked down at the leaves in the flower bed. “I saw the trending search.”

Pei Yuxing’s voice was very gentle. “Did it scare you?”

“A little.”

Rather than being scared, it was more like panic.

According to his plan, after he had achieved some success in his career, the two of them would choose a fine day together, then post their stamped red marriage certificates online.

There would be a little bit of showing off—not because having Pei Yuxing as his husband was particularly impressive, but because he would have both a successful career and a happy love life, and he would feel that life had given him everything he could ask for.

But accidents always happened outside the plan.

Pei Yuxing’s tone was calm and unhurried. “Don’t worry. People’s attention is easily drawn to new things. Whatever happened before is already old news.”

…For some reason, Yan Xi felt like something huge was about to happen in the entertainment industry.

“I’ll have someone arrange a clarification post. Don’t overthink it. Right now, you just need to get some proper rest.”

The tension around Yan Xi’s lips softened.

This matter was worth an “explosion” in the eyes of fans and viewers, but to Pei Yuxing, it was merely an ordinary stage in his life.

Solving the matter was effortless for him. He could give Yan Xi the best protection possible.

“But wouldn’t that mean lying to your fans? Is that okay?”

Pei Yuxing deeply respected his fans, and he had always been sincere with them. Now he was about to break the principles he had always followed because of Yan Xi.

Pei Yuxing’s tone remained gentle, even carrying a faint smile, as though he did not particularly care. “If I could, of course I wouldn’t choose to do this.”

Yan Xi crouched down and plucked leaves from the weeds by the roadside, slowly exhaling. “Actually, I’m okay with it.”

“Mm.”

“You can do whatever you want. I support you, Pei Yuxing.”

There was a long silence on the other end. Yan Xi almost thought the call had disconnected.

The man sighed silently. “You’re going to have a hard time.”

Yan Xi smiled. “Just don’t reveal that it’s me.”

Pei Yuxing raised a brow. “Oh?”

“They can know you’re married, but not who I am.”

It was somewhat unreasonable, but it was the only solution he could think of that might satisfy both sides.

He could more or less imagine what would happen after the marriage was exposed. The resources and benefits his husband could bring him were certainly considerable, but when people talked about him, he would no longer be “a member of NEVER.” He would become “Pei Yuxing’s spouse.”

All the effort NEVER had put in since entering the entertainment industry would completely lose its meaning.

Yan Xi did not mind showing his stubborn side in front of his partner.

He unconsciously fiddled with the dirt, unable to stop himself from using a coaxing tone. “Okay?”

Fortunately, Pei Yuxing doted on him very much. He could only laugh helplessly. “I understand.”

……

Although he had mentally prepared himself, Yan Xi still barely slept.

So the moment he heard movement in the living room, he immediately rolled over and got up.

Lin Yi was running around with his phone in his hands. “Fuck, Pei Yuxing posted!”

Xia Zefan was squeezing toothpaste in the bathroom. Hearing that, he turned to look at him. “Did he clarify things? No wonder someone said last night that something big was about to happen in the entertainment industry. Some major celebrity was supposedly going to be dragged out to take the fall, and someone actually had the guts to go after Pei Yuxing…”

Lin Yi looked as if his soul had ascended to heaven. “He posted his marriage certificate.”

Xia Zefan spat out a mouthful of mouthwash, spraying it everywhere and choking on it.

But there was no time to recover. Coughing and shouting at the same time, he yelled, “It evolved into a marriage certificate this fast?! It’s not photoshopped, right?!”

Of course it wasn’t. He had posted it himself.

It was an extremely simple post. On an ordinary morning, he had calmly announced his marriage on social media.

@PeiPeiYuxing: Happy newlywed life.

The picture showed the bright red covers of two marriage certificates. His left hand rested casually beside them, with long, slender knuckles and clean, rounded nails. The wedding ring on his ring finger was particularly eye-catching.

And that was it.

The comment section was filled with question marks, with all kinds of bizarre reactions. Many people were so shocked that they had yet to process what they were seeing.

【I keep clicking out and coming back in, then out and back in again. I thought my internet had glitched into some earth-shattering BUG.】

【Ahhhhhhh I don’t believe it! Someone tell me his account was hacked!】

【Staring blankly. Just last night I was discussing with someone how you once swore in front of the media that you would never get married, and now you’ve slapped yourself in the face today.】

【May I ask if this is really not an April Fools’ joke?】

These were the reactions from passersby.

【My God, I’ve been your fan since you formed the band. Whether as a singer or an actor, I’ve watched you all the way to where you are today. Back then, when you were at the height of your popularity, you publicly announced that you would never get married. I secretly rejoiced for a long time in class. When I was young, I loved dreaming, imagining that one day I could become your girl. But as I grew older, I came to understand how lonely you must have been, even though you warmed my entire youth. I was even worried that you would grow old alone. Fortunately, that won’t happen anymore. Whoever is by your side, I sincerely thank them and wish you both eternal happiness. [Flowers]】

This was the reaction of a true fan.

Of course, not every comment was so kind. Cruel words did not become any gentler just because you were Pei Yuxing. They only became more vicious.

【I haven’t slept a wink all night. I kept refreshing Weibo, hoping to see your clarification, and prayed to God all night, but He didn’t hear me. You clearly said you wouldn’t get married back then. Why did you deceive us? What kind of charm does that person have to make you break your vow? You were so adamant back then, and I was the only one who took you seriously. Hehe.】

【If there’s some unspeakable reason, you can tell us and we’ll face it together. Was it that old woman Yin Shanglan who forced you? Back then, she even threatened to cut ties with you because you wouldn’t get married. I’ve never seen such a mother. The last time that old woman posted a photo of you two, it was obvious you weren’t happy. Does being kind-hearted mean you deserve to be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives? Your partner must have climbed the ladder through Madam Yin Shanglan, right? They got what they wanted. I hate them. I curse them to never earn your affection!】

【I believe you’re not someone who goes back on your word. Did they use some underhanded means to get you? Or do they have some kind of leverage over you, forcing you to compromise? I hope you can get divorced soon and regain your freedom.】

The onlookers were stunned.

【Uh, just a reminder: Pei Yuxing said he wouldn’t get married because he didn’t want to get married. It wasn’t a promise to his fans. Don’t make it sound like he cheated on you or something. Life would be much easier if you used your imagination a little less.】

【I suggest the people in these comments go to a hospital and get their mental state checked. I’m serious. The extent of your delusions is already completely beyond the normal threshold.】

【I have to say this or I’ll explode. Everyone, wake up, okay! Insider information: Teacher Pei’s background is much deeper than you imagine, and he cares a great deal about matching family backgrounds. You look down on his partner, but they might not even be worthy of carrying his shoes. [Eye Roll]】

Yan Xi’s ears turned red when he saw that comment.

Among the Yan family, he was the least accomplished. Their grandparents had achieved remarkable things in their respective fields, while their parents were researchers whose contribution to a certain project with their team had even been reported on the national news broadcast last year.

It was fair to call them a scholarly family.

But compared with a truly prestigious and powerful family like the Pei family, they still fell short.

Fortunately, the Pei family did not care about how much money you had. If it really came down to it, there was no shortage of things about the Yan family worthy of respect either. Perhaps that was what gave his grandfather the confidence to bring the two of them together.

But saying they were not even worthy of carrying Pei Yuxing’s shoes was still an exaggeration.

The impact of their marriage was far greater than he had imagined.

The internet was buzzing. The top trending searches were all about Pei Yuxing, and #PeiYuxingIsMarried and #PeiYuxingOfficiallyAnnouncesMarriage were already trending explosively.

The offline world was no less lively. When Yan Xi left the room, Lin Yi and Xia Zefan were huddled together whispering, occasionally letting out monkey-like cries of “Ahhh—!”

Even Ji Zhou was scrolling through his phone while brushing his teeth, despite normally doing nothing but burying himself in his work.

“Bro, why do you look so pale?” Lin Yi said when he saw him. “Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep all night either?”

Yan Xi gave a few perfunctory replies, then used the excuse of going out to buy something and slipped away.

Lin Yi watched him leave and said worriedly to his teammates, “We’re screwed. I think bro got dumped.”

……

He wandered aimlessly down the street, intending to buy some water from a convenience store. But even while paying, he could hear people discussing the matter. Every now and then, he heard phrases like “Pei Yuxing got married” and “the male god has finally descended from the pedestal.”

Someone even shouted, “Fuck, I’m going to find that scheming bitch and challenge them face-to-face! Ahhhhh!”

Yan Xi: “……”

He quickly pulled his cap lower and changed his mask.

His Moments feed was just as chaotic. After scrolling through several pages, all he saw were posts from his female deskmate, flooding the feed with several different sets of memes and completely losing control of her emotions.

He accidentally tapped like on one.

He immediately received a message from his deskmate asking for comfort and a hug.

Yan Xi stared at the screen for several seconds. Finally, he closed his eyes and pretended he had not seen it.

Getting hit by his deskmate really hurt.

However, he did not get even a few seconds of peace before his younger female cousin started a barrage of calls.

“Brother Yan Xi, you said you’d help me keep an eye on him! How did you still let some outsider get to him first? Wuwuwu.”

“I’ve been dumped! Wahhh—he really got married! How could he get married?!”

“Which bastard got there first? I’m going to rip their hair out! Ahhhhh!”

Yan Xi said sincerely, “I’m sorry.”

His little cousin was startled and hurriedly waved her hands. “I’m not blaming you! I’m just a little sad… I only became a wife-fan a few days ago and I’ve already been dumped.”

Yan Xi responded gently, “I’ll treat you to something delicious next time.”

His little cousin thought he was still feeling guilty and instead comforted him. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll be fine after being sad for a while. It just means I can’t call a married man ‘husband’ anymore. It’s not like I’m going to stop being a fan. I still have plenty of other husbands, so don’t worry about it.”

The more understanding the girl was, the guiltier Yan Xi felt. He promised her all sorts of things to make it up to her, which only made the girl think she had upset him somehow and left her completely at a loss.

Yan Xi survived the conversation with his heart in his throat. After hanging up, he even received a screenshot from his older male cousin as a consolation.

Older Cousin: Oh wow, you don’t stand a chance.

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