ARBRMW : Chapter 84

Without Chen Xu’s knowledge, his identity was thoroughly exposed.

 

Former chairman Chen Xu’s youngest son, Chen family fell from grace when their company was acquired. This event even trended on Weibo for a while. Although Chen family wasn’t a top-tier family, they were still considered wealthy. Many people couldn’t believe that someone from such a background could be a kept man.

 

19L: Maybe many people don’t know, Chen’s company used to be quite reputable back in my grandpa’s days, known for its quality and good reputation. However, under the previous chairman, the company started to decline, eventually leading to its acquisition.

 

20L: Even though it’s not a top-tier company, Chen’s family is still wealthy. There’s no way the youngest son would be a kept man. The people making these rumors must be brainless.

 

21L: Exactly, Chen Xu was the provincial top scorer who got into our school. Someone so excellent would never need to be kept.

 

22L: Rumors like this are just nasty!

 

23L: But those photos of Chen Xu with that man look really intimate. It’s a shame we can’t see the man’s face, but just by the back view, he seems older.

 

24L: Chen Xu admitted to having a boyfriend publicly. The man in those photos could be his boyfriend. They are probably sweetly in love, not in a kept relationship.

 

Just as Chen Xu’s reputation was starting to recover, the account that initially spread the rumors about Chen Xu being kept posted new content.

 

It claimed that Chen Xu had a bad relationship with his family, often being sarcastic and mean to his parents and bullying his sister. It also stated that during high school, Chen Xu often skipped classes, got into fights, and frequented bars, contrary to the good student image people believed.

 

The first photo showed Chen Xu and Chen Yue near A University, with Chen Yue looking haggard and seemingly pleading with Chen Xu, who stood coldly by his side.

 

The second photo was of Chen Xu in high school, involved in a fight behind the school, with dyed hair and frequenting bars.

 

These photos shocked everyone who thought Chen Xu was a good student. It turned out his good student image was all a facade.

 

Then the poster uploaded more photos of Chen Xu getting into a luxury car and entering high-end restaurants with a man.

 

179L: OMG, this is shocking! My world is turned upside down! Chen Xu is actually this kind of person?

 

180L: Now I recall Chen Xu accusing Wu Bin of stealing his 2-million-yuan watch. Given his family’s financial situation, his dad wouldn’t dare buy such an expensive watch so casually.

 

181L: Finally, someone mentioned this. I always found it odd. A 2-million-yuan watch, and he left it in the dorm casually? Is he that rich, or did he set Wu Bin up?!

 

182L: Terrifying! Recently, he’s been taking frequent leave. Is it because his family went bankrupt, and he’s been over-servicing his sugar daddy?

 

183L: Possible. Disgusting! Just turned adult and already kept. I used to idolize him! I must have been blind!

 

Tang Zhen and Zhu Yao Yuan were furious as they tried to defend Chen Xu on the forum, but no one listened. People even started attacking them, speculating that Tang Zhen might also be kept, given his always cocky attitude.

 

Angry and frustrated, Tang Zhen continued arguing online. Zhu Yaoyuan, on the other hand, became wary of going to see Qin Yuzhen. She helped and talked for Chen Xu in the class, as girls who disliked her began warning her to be careful of diseases, implying Chen Xu might be carrying something dirty.

 

Chen Xu and the other contestants received the topic for the competition, and most were confused. Chen Xu had some ideas but showed no expression, making it hard to gauge his thoughts.

 

“Hey, kid, got any ideas?” Duan Barnett, as always, tried to be familiar, but Chen Xu dodged his hand.

 

“No comment,” Chen Xu replied coldly and left.

 

Duan Barnett watched Chen Xu’s departing back, rubbing his chin with interest. “Joe, are all your Oriental beauties this cold?”

 

Joe shrugged. “Maybe you were too enthusiastic and scared him off.”

 

“I thought my charm would win him over,” Duan Barnett grinned.

 

Chen Xu took out his keys to open his door, and a voice behind him called out arrogantly, “Which school are you from?”

 

Turning, he saw his next-door neighbor looking proud and ready to fight. When Chen Xu ignored him and continued unlocking his door, the young man, unused to being disregarded, grabbed Chen Xu’s shoulder. But Chen Xu quickly seized his wrist, eyes sharp as blades. “Don’t touch me.”

 

The designer’s hand is his life, and the young man felt pain in his wrist. Furious, he shouted, “Let go! Do you know who I am? How dare you touch me!”

 

Chen Xu pushed him away, saying coldly, “I don’t care who you are. If you mess with me, I’ll deal with you.”

 

Not expecting such resistance, the young man realized he had encountered a tough opponent. He spat a curse and stormed back to his room, slamming the door.

 

“Idiot,” Chen Xu muttered, glancing at the closed door.

 

Except for meals, the contestants spent their time in their rooms working on their designs. With Si Ye not around, Chen Xu pulled all-nighters, progressing faster than many.

 

“Being young is great. We old folks get rough skin and dark circles from all-nighters, but look at him, full of collagen, not looking tired at all,” some contestants remarked, watching Chen Xu in the dining hall.

 

“Being young is great,” they echoed.

 

“I saw his light on at four in the morning. He might be almost done.”

 

“Don’t say that. I’ve just finished sketching. No sleep for the next few days.”

 

“Let’s finish our coffee and get back to work.”

 

Standing silently in the corner, the young man glared towards Chen Xu’s direction.

 

“Have you got the draft from aunt yet? I’m running out of time!”

 

“Tomorrow, I must get the draft by tomorrow.”

 

“And find out more about this Chen Xu guy!”

 

In his room, the young man stared at his ruined drafts with dark eyes.

 

He suddenly heard the door next door close. Chen Xu had gone out.

 

Unable to resist, he pulled out a spare key and sneaked into Chen Xu’s room.

 

Seeing Chen Xu’s draft, he was stunned. “How… how is this possible…”

 

For someone who seemed so young, Chen Xu couldn’t be this talented. If he produced this design, what chance did Zhuo Ruibo have?

 

He had been preparing for this for so long, waiting for this opportunity. He couldn’t let it be ruined so easily.

 

Zhuo Ruibo resisted the urge to destroy the draft and silently left Chen Xu’s room.

 

After finalizing his design, Chen Xu started working in the workshop, bringing his design to life.

 

“This fabric won’t do. I need a different color,” Chen Xu was particular about the fabric. The staff brought many samples, but none satisfied him.

 

“Isn’t this close enough? I don’t see the difference,” one staff member complained, not understanding Chen Xu’s pickiness.

 

Chen Xu shook his head. “Not the color I want. The final product will be very different.”

 

If time allowed, he would dye the fabric himself.

 

The staff exchanged glances, reminding him, “Mr. Chen, you were ahead, but now you’re falling behind.”

 

Chen Xu knew this. He was the fastest to finalize the design, but his time was consumed by selecting fabric.

 

Rubbing his forehead in fatigue, Chen Xu wondered if he should compromise.

 

“Wait, can I make a call?” Chen Xu remembered the fabric from his wedding suit. That fabric might work!

 

To prevent cheating, he used a public phone under staff supervision.

 

Quickly dialing a familiar number, Chen Xu called Si Ye.

 

As soon as it connected, he said, “Uncle Si, it’s me. I need a specific fabric.”

 

The staff, overhearing, wondered who this Uncle Si was. If they couldn’t get the fabric, could Chen Xu’s uncle?

 

“The fabric from our wedding suit. Can you find out if there’s any left? I need it now,” Chen Xu spoke quickly. Si Ye, hearing his urgency, promptly asked Secretary Jiang to contact the supplier.

 

“Chairman Si, the fabric is available but needs to be shipped from overseas,” Secretary Jiang reported.

 

“Get it here immediately and send it to the capital,” Si Ye instructed, then reassured Chen Xu, “I’ll have it sent over. Don’t worry.”

 

“Thank you, Uncle Si,” Chen Xu felt a warm surge in his heart. With Si Ye around, any problem could be solved.

 

With staff watching, Chen Xu couldn’t chat long and ended the call.

 

“Thank you. Sorry for the trouble,” he thanked the staff and calmly returned to his workshop.

 

The two shocked staff members exchanged glances.

 

“Did I hear that right? He’s not even nineteen and married?!”

 

…

 

Si Ye had the fabric shipped by private plane. The next morning, Chen Xu received the much-needed material.

 

Hugging the fabric, his chest filled with warmth and gratitude. He thought about thanking Si Ye properly upon returning but immediately immersed himself in work, striving to finish before the deadline.

 

On the eve of the finals, Chen Xu finally completed his design. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he admired the finished product.

 

Gently touching the dress, his eyes sparkled like diamonds. “I made it just in time.”

 

He piled clothes in a corner, used a coat as a pillow, and fell asleep.

 

The summer night breeze dispelled the heat. Chen Xu curled up tighter, clutching the coat.

 

A figure silently approached, tossing a lit cigarette into the dry, fabric-filled workshop. Watching the fire ignite, the person’s face lit with a satisfied smile.

 

“Cough… cough…” Thick smoke woke Chen Xu, who thought he had returned to that fateful fire.

 

Terror and pain paralyzed him. Rationally, he knew he had to escape, but his body wouldn’t move.

 

Though the fire hadn’t reached him, his body ached. He trembled, hugging himself, eyes unfocused, as if reliving his past life.

 

It felt like everything since his rebirth was a dying illusion, like a mirage seen by the match girl in the firelight.

 

Illusions vanish with a touch.

 

As the flames neared, the red dress on the mannequin pulled Chen Xu back to reality.

 

The dress!

 

He sprang up, rushing to save the dress.

 

It was made from the fabric of his wedding suit, shipped overnight from abroad. This dress symbolized his rebirth.

 

“Cough, cough…” Clutching the dress, he ran to the door, but it was warped by the heat and wouldn’t open.

 

Turning to the window, he saw it was three stories high but decided to jump, wrapping the dress in his coat and tossing it down first.

 

“Someone’s up there!” someone shouted below.

 

The crowd looked up, seeing a slender figure leap from the window, disappearing into the night.

 

“Whoa! He jumped!”

 

“Did you get it on camera?”

 

“Yeah, got it!”

 

Chen Xu landed safely, using a tree to break his fall. Apart from some abrasions and smoke-irritated eyes, he was unharmed.

 

That night, his jump went viral, and Si Ye, seeing the video, recognized Chen Xu instantly.

 

Heart racing and face pale, he booked a flight to the capital that night.

 

Seeing the fire behind Chen Xu brought Si Ye back to the past.

 

He thought he had eliminated all threats to Chen Xu’s life, but now he realized Chen Xu could still face danger out of his reach.

 

Si Ye was overwhelmed with the fear that Chen Xu might be destined not to live past twenty-two, even if he had eliminated all the threats.

 

The flight was torturous for Si Ye, each minute feeling like an eternity.

 

His only thought was never to let Chen Xu out of his sight again.

 

He couldn’t bear to lose him a second time.

 

…

 

“Knock, knock.”

 

“Mr. Chen, there’s someone here claiming to be your family,” a staff member awkwardly informed Chen Xu.

 

Having just finished talking with the organizers and police, Chen Xu stood up in confusion.

 

Seeing Si Ye, all his pent-up grievances surged. Stunned, he ran and threw himself into Si Ye’s arms.

 

Si Ye hugged him tightly, kissing his hair, his voice hoarse, “It’s okay, I’m here.”

 

The staff watched in shock, wondering if this was Chen Xu’s husband. Handsome guys sure stick together.

 

Sensibly, the staff left them alone.

 

Si Ye carried Chen Xu inside, closing the door behind them.

 

“Sorry I’m late,” he whispered, kissing Chen Xu’s temple.

 

Chen Xu shook his head, wanting to speak but feeling the tremor in Si Ye’s body, realizing he was scared.

 

“Uncle Si?” Chen Xu’s eyes were red, his face pale, looking pitiful.

 

Si Ye buried his head in Chen Xu’s shoulder, taking a deep breath, “It’s nothing.”

 

“I’ll take you somewhere else,” Si Ye didn’t want to leave Chen Xu here alone, and Chen Xu didn’t want to stay either. Seeing Si Ye brought out all his vulnerability.

 

But so what? This was Si Ye, who would always protect him. He could show his vulnerable side without worry.

 

“Okay.” Chen Xu placed his hand in Si Ye’s, who held it firmly, leading him out.

 

Secretary Jiang was negotiating with the organizers, firmly expressing their stance. The organizers hadn’t expected such influential contestants.

 

“I saw the kid getting into a luxury car with a man,” Duan Barnett gossiped.

 

“Considering what happened, his family probably took him home,” Joe speculated.

 

Duan Barnett poked him, “Do you think tonight’s incident was a coincidence?”

 

Joe squinted, “Not many coincidences.”

 

Behind them, Zhuo Ruibo clenched his fists, eyes flickering.

 

He hadn’t known Chen Xu was inside. He only wanted to burn the dress.

 

Realizing he almost killed someone, Zhuo Ruibo broke into a cold sweat.

 

It’s okay, it’s okay, no one will know I started the fire.

 

He comforted himself, stumbling back to his room.

 

“He looks like he’s seen a ghost,” Duan Barnett remarked.

 

Joe eyed Zhuo Ruibo thoughtfully, suspecting something.

 

…

 

Si Ye coaxed Chen Xu to sleep before stepping onto the balcony for a call.

 

“Zhuo Ruibo, from the Zhuo family?”

 

“Yes, he confessed after a bit of pressure. He said he didn’t mean to kill, just wanted to burn Mr. Chen’s dress, not knowing he was inside,” Secretary Jiang reported.

 

“Why target Chen Xu?” Si Ye couldn’t believe Chen Xu would provoke someone like that. 

 

Secretary Jiang, at the police station, sensed Zhuo Ruibo was hiding something.

 

“He said he found Mr. Chen annoying, and without Mr. Chen, he’d be the youngest contestant.”

 

Understanding dawned on Si Ye. Zhuo Ruibo aimed to be the youngest prodigy in fashion design, a title that would propel his career. 

 

But with Chen Xu, barely nineteen and exceptionally talented, Zhuo Ruibo saw his spotlight stolen.

 

After the call, Si Ye phoned Lin Penghan, the third son of Elder Lin, and the Lin family’s main contact with the business world. Lin’s wife, Zhuo Shunan, was Zhuo Ruibo’s aunt.

 

Closing the balcony door, Si Ye saw Chen Xu sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

 

Chen Xu had visibly lost weight, all the hard-gained flesh gone again.

 

Head bowed, he stared at his hands, butterfly bones protruding through his sleepwear.

 

Heart aching, Si Ye approached, hugging him. “When did you wake up? Why didn’t you call me?”

 

Chen Xu, hearing Si Ye, snapped back. “I saw you on the phone and didn’t want to interrupt.”

 

“Work’s done. Let’s sleep a bit,” Si Ye lay beside him.

 

Leaning against Si Ye’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, Chen Xu felt reassured.

 

“I thought I was going to die,” Chen Xu laughed lightly, trying to sound indifferent.

 

But Si Ye’s grip tightened, hurting him.

 

“Touch wood, don’t say that,” Si Ye’s superstitious rebuke startled Chen Xu, who hadn’t expected Si Ye to believe in such things.

 

Buried in Si Ye’s embrace, Chen Xu’s heart felt lighter. “Touch wood.”

 

“You’ll be fine,” Si Ye stroked his hair, speaking to both Chen Xu and himself.

 

“Mm.” Chen Xu, clutching Si Ye’s shirt, said, “Sorry, I scared you.”

 

Si Ye, resting his chin on Chen Xu’s head, his voice hoarse, “You don’t know how scared I was seeing that video.”

 

Chen Xu, hearing this, felt a sharp pain in his heart, kissing Si Ye’s hand repeatedly. “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

 

Si Ye’s eyes reddened, gazing at Chen Xu seriously. “You must be fine. If anything happens to you, it’s like taking my life, you know?”

 

Chen Xu’s heart trembled, nodding solemnly, voice hoarse, “Mm.”

 

He kissed Si Ye’s red eyes, feeling like his heart was being pricked with needles.

 

That night, he expected nightmares but slept soundly in Si Ye’s arms. It was Si Ye who woke several times, each time from a nightmare.

 

He repeatedly found himself trapped in nightmares, unable to escape. When Chen Xu woke, he saw Si Ye drenched in cold sweat, his face twisted in pain.

 

“Xiao Xu!”

??

Si Ye shouted with a heartbreaking cry, awakening from the nightmare, his body covered in cold.

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