I Woke Up and got Married Chapter 8

Chi Suinian didn’t wake up until noon.

A hangover is tough to endure. If he’d known his tolerance had dropped so quickly, he wouldn’t have touched those drinks last night. His head felt like it was splitting, so he braced himself on the table, stood up, and slowly walked to the bathroom to wash his face.

When he came out, his phone was buzzing again. With a blank face, he opened it, only to be overwhelmed by a flood of unread messages from Lu Heng.

“…”

99+ unread messages? Did Lu Heng write a novel for him?

Chi Suinian couldn’t be bothered to read them. He just dialed Lu Heng’s number, then walked into the bathroom to take a shower—he hadn’t slept well last night, was drenched in sweat, and couldn’t stand feeling sticky without a wash.

Lu Heng picked up quickly, “It’s almost two in the afternoon, and you’re just waking up?”

Chi Suinian put the call on speaker, turned on the shower, and let the warm water stream over his head. “I drank too much yesterday. I needed the extra sleep.”

On the other end, Lu Heng seemed to pause for a moment. “You only had a few drinks—not enough to feed a fish. You call that too much?”

Chi Suinian pushed his wet bangs aside and looked up. “You try lying in a hospital bed for months, then let’s see if you can even handle one drink.”

Lu Heng was silent for a moment. “…Fair enough. I forgot about that. So, how are you feeling today? Still rough?”

“I’m alright,” Chi Suinian said. “What did you need?”

“You didn’t read the messages I sent?”

Chi Suinian wiped his face and frowned. “You sent too many; it was annoying to look at.”

“…Damn!” Lu Heng exclaimed. “I didn’t write that much in my whole college entrance essay, and you didn’t even read it?”

“What was it about?”

“Your idiot cousin.”

Chi Suinian froze. “What did he do to you?”

“That moron was trash-talking you in the group chat last night. Do you think I’d just let that slide? Of course I stood up for you—”

“You beat him up?”

“Not exactly,” Lu Heng said shamelessly. “I’m a law-abiding citizen; I don’t do anything that could get me in trouble.”

“…” Chi Suinian sighed. “Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”

“That kid drank quite a bit last night, and when he left the bar, I noticed he had the nerve to drive. So, I reported him. Right after he left the parking lot, the cops pulled him over, and he ended up getting taken in.”

“…” Chi Suinian turned off the water and was silent for a moment. “So that’s all? You wrote a whole essay for this?”

Getting taken in by the police was no big deal for Chi Yu. It happened so often that he practically treated the station like his second home. His dad would just bail him out in a few days, no problem.

Writing an essay about this?

Free time, apparently.

“But that’s not all. Let me finish,” Lu Heng cleared his throat. “Your cousin, Chi Yu, wasn’t just drinking and driving. There was a girl in the car with him—and she was carrying something illegal.”

Chi Suinian was startled. “Carrying what?”

Lu Heng said the name of a substance. “Over a kilogram of it. Enough to get him the death penalty. Who knows how much Chi Yu himself was involved.”

Chi Suinian stayed silent for a while. This was no small scuffle; it was crossing a legal line. If Chi Yu was indeed involved, even his powerful father wouldn’t be able to protect him from the judge’s sentence.

Tch, this idiot really outdid himself, heading straight for disaster.

A real talent.

“Let me be clear—I just meant to stick up for you. Things went this far because of his own stupidity. I’m worried your uncle will give you trouble over this, so be careful these next few days.”

“Got it.”

Drying his hair without much concern, Chi Suinian thought about how he hadn’t seen his uncle in four or five years, not since they’d divided up the inheritance. Whether his uncle wanted help or revenge, he wouldn’t be looking for him.

What did any of this have to do with him?

After putting on a loose outfit, he headed downstairs. Passing through the living room, he saw Lu Zhiyue sitting on the couch watching TV.

Automatically, he checked the time: 2:25 PM.

During working hours, what was Lu Zhiyue doing here? Did the entire company go bankrupt?

That’d be a cause for celebration.

The dining room, adjacent to the living room, was bright and welcoming. As soon as he came downstairs, the cook at Lu Zhiyue’s house approached him. “Young Master Chi, you’re awake. Lunch is ready, all prepared according to your preferences. Shall I serve it now?”

He was about to decline when he hesitated.

It was strange, but since moving into the Lu household, he hadn’t felt the slightest familiarity with his surroundings. Sometimes he wondered if his memory loss was a bit too thorough, wiping his memories as clean as a blank slate.

But when he thought it over calmly, he didn’t find any inconsistencies—his memory genuinely seemed to stop one year back.

Chi Suinian had always been a picky eater, disliking most foods since childhood due to his frequent illnesses. Because he was so selective, he couldn’t even clearly name his preferences, yet the cook here claimed to know them.

Intrigued, he changed course to the dining room.

On the table were five dishes and a soup. His gaze swept over the plates—they were all things he liked to eat. It seemed he really had stayed with the Lu family for a while.

As soon as he sat down, Lu Zhiyue joined him.

“What are you doing here?” Just seeing his face reminded him of the ridiculousness from the night before, and his hand itched to punch him.

“Eating.”

Chi Suinian kicked the leg of the chair under him. “Can’t you sit somewhere else?”

The dining room was huge, with ten chairs. Why did Lu Zhiyue insist on sitting right next to him?

“I could.”

“Then sit further away.”

Lu Zhiyue stayed put. “I have something to discuss with you.”

Chi Suinian narrowed his eyes. He was starting to get PTSD from this tone of voice.

He set down his spoon, fingers clenching around it, fully on guard.

—If Lu Zhiyue tried anything like last night again, he’d gift him a custom black eye.

Lu Zhiyue seemed to chuckle softly and said, “There’s a charity auction tomorrow night…”

Chi Suinian was caught off guard.

“I want to ask if you’ll go with me.”

Relieved, he replied without hesitation, “No.”

Such events required a charitable and compassionate heart, and he wasn’t one to pretend for a whole night with a forced smile.

His face would freeze up.

“You haven’t made a public appearance since you woke up. This is a good opportunity, beneficial for stabilizing the company,” Lu Zhiyue added. “Qin Suitian agreed too; he’ll probably call you this afternoon.”

Chi Suinian scoffed. “I’m the boss. Does his agreement matter?”

“Yes, you’re the boss,” Lu Zhiyue smiled slightly. “So, will you go?”

The tone was almost like coaxing a child. His brow twitched in annoyance. He wanted to say no, but he realized he did need to make an appearance sooner or later. If he skipped this event, Qin Suitian would just arrange another one.

Given the choice, he’d rather go to a charity auction than hobnob with a bunch of suit-and-tie types talking business.

“Fine, I’ll go,” he warned, “but if you try anything funny, I’ll make sure you end up in the hospital the next day.”

Lu Zhiyue paused for a moment, then nodded. “Got it. One more thing…”

Chi Suinian took a sip of his porridge. “Go on.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Zhiyue asked, “About those photos from last night—you really didn’t like them?”

“…” He almost choked on his porridge. He barely swallowed before grabbing Lu Zhiyue by the collar, pulling him close. “Do you think I’m just bluffing? Think I won’t actually hit you?”

Unfazed, Lu Zhiyue met his gaze, not caring about the wrinkles in his expensive suit. “So you blocked me because of those photos?”

Chi Suinian sneered, “Why else? Think I go around blocking people for fun?”

Lu Zhiyue looked down slightly. “Alright. I won’t send any more of those, then. Will you unblock me?”

“Dream on.” He pushed him back, his tone harsh. “Stay in my blocked list for life.”

“…”

—

The charity auction was scheduled for 8 PM the following night.

Since it was his first public appearance since his recovery, he picked out a low-key suit that suited the charitable theme.

The dark gray, tailored suit fit him perfectly, lightly cinched at the waist to highlight subtle contours, flowing down along his legs. His refined, handsome features radiated an air of understated luxury and elegance.

Though the outfit was subdued, he was eye-catching nonetheless.

As he was still fastening his cuffs, Lu Zhiyue stood waiting beside him, already ready.

When he bent down slightly to change his shoes, the fitted fabric hugged his waistline, outlining his slim figure.

Lu Zhiyue glanced subtly at his side profile.

…How could someone have such a small waist?

His curiosity didn’t go unnoticed; Chi Suinian turned and caught him looking. He scowled. “…What are you staring at?”

Lu Zhiyue half-closed his eyes, his lips curving slightly but remaining silent. Chi Suinian, feeling annoyed by the stare, spun around, checking himself over, wondering if there was something wrong with his outfit.

“Nothing,” Lu Zhiyue retracted his gaze. “Let’s go. It’s almost time.”

“You’re crazy.”

At 7:40 PM, Chi Suinian and Lu Zhiyue arrived at the central venue in Jin City.

This auction was a grand event, attended by the most influential figures in Jin City. Chi Suinian even spotted a few familiar faces from the political arena.

…This was indeed a place to show off. As a playboy, he might inadvertently step out of Jin City’s social circles and into the world stage.

Entering the venue required a donation for auction, which Chi Suinian had prepared in advance. He and Lu Zhiyue registered their items before going inside.

The whole time, Chi Suinian didn’t say a word to Lu Zhiyue.

The two of them looked mismatched, and their expressions seemed distant, as if they’d just gone through a major breakup.

Chi Suinian walked forward expressionlessly. Since he wasn’t involved in running the company, there was no need to socialize. He was here just to make an appearance.

“Chi Suinian?” A man approached, his narrow eyes squinting slyly, his thin lips curving into a fox-like grin. “What a coincidence, seeing you again.”

Again?

Chi Suinian didn’t recognize him. “Who are you?”

The man’s face stiffened momentarily. “Don’t remember? We met just two nights ago—your cousin introduced us.”

Hearing that, Chi Suinian vaguely remembered.

That night at the bar, Chi Yu had brought someone over to him. But the lighting was dim, and he’d had a few drinks, so he hadn’t noticed the man’s, well, distinctive appearance.

“My name’s Ding Xuxing. I’m the general manager of Rongheng Real Estate. I’ve heard of your charm for a long time, and seeing you tonight…” His eyes sparkled as he scanned Chi Suinian from head to toe. “…it lives up to the rumors.”

It more than lived up to the rumors—he was even more impressive.

Ding Xuxing couldn’t resist licking his lips. He took out a business card and held it out. “Here’s my card, with my private number on it. I’d love the chance to get to know you better.”

While he had a playboy reputation, Chi Suinian didn’t mingle with just anyone. Ding Xuxing’s eyes were calculating and lecherous, which Chi Suinian found distasteful. Just as he was about to decline, he felt an arm wrap around his waist, the scent of a deep, clean men’s cologne enveloping him.

Somehow, Lu Zhiyue had come up behind him, casually placing his hand on his waist. Taking the business card from Ding Xuxing, he tossed it into the nearby trash can. “Sorry, Mr. Ding. He didn’t bring any cards.”

The warmth of Lu Zhiyue’s hand on his waist threw Chi Suinian off. He instinctively tried to break free, but Lu Zhiyue tightened his hold, pulling him even closer.

“…”

Mindful of the situation, Chi Suinian grabbed the hand around his waist, gripped it with all his strength, and twisted it fiercely.

But there was no cry of pain or release as expected. Lu Zhiyue acted as if he didn’t feel the pain at all, even tightening his grip on Chi Suinian’s hand.

What?

This guy was shameless.

“Lu Zhiyue, you don’t want this hand, do you?” Chi Suinian’s expression turned dark.

Lu Zhiyue’s face remained calm, though his voice was slightly hoarse from the pain. “Hold still. Everyone’s watching.”

Oh, so you’re aware? And you’re still holding on?

Chi Suinian was used to people staring and knew a lot of eyes were on them, accompanied by whispers from the crowd.

Held in an awkward position, with Lu Zhiyue’s arm around him, the two of them looked like a loving couple from every angle.

If you ignored Chi Suinian’s dark expression, that is.

Ding Xuxing’s gaze darted between them before he walked away with a scowl.

The moment he was gone, Chi Suinian broke free from Lu Zhiyue’s hold.

There were too many people around to start a scene, but holding in his frustration wasn’t his style either. So, taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he ground his heel into Lu Zhiyue’s leather shoe.

Lu Zhiyue: “…”

“Touch me again, and I’ll break your damn dog claws.”

“…”

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TL- Hey readers!! Let me know if you spot any mistakes and Happy reading.