PMWAIAAPM Chapter 63

Chapter 63: This is the Second Time You Don’t Want Me

Clearly, Xing Yang was still by his side yesterday; he couldn’t believe it, he just couldn’t believe it.

Li Yue wanted to stop him; the media outside was waiting for him to leave the set, eager to catch a glimpse of his embarrassment. Xing Yang and the Jiang family’s marriage was announced, was their contract simply a joke?

The film base was swarmed with media waiting for the first scoop. As soon as Tan Zhiyu stepped outside, he was surrounded.

Someone asked if he was being played for a fool, or if he was the third party.

Someone asked him how it felt being in the same project as his rival.

Someone questioned what was so good about Xing Yang, anyway.

The trending hashtag #TanZhiyuIsABigVictim topped the charts, placing him in the role of the victim.

【Wow, the two alpha fanbases are going wild; meanwhile, Xing Yang beautifully avoids it…】

【Jiang Cheng only entered the entertainment industry out of boredom; now that Xing Yang has retreated behind the scenes, directly making money, the two are cruising smoothly while the one who loves acting, Tan Zhiyu, is backstabbed…】

【Are you kidding me? Tan Zhiyu has never had rumors before, but this time he lost so completely!!】

【Xing Yang has gone mad; he actually abandoned Tan Zhiyu?】

【Pay attention to what you say upstairs; our Jiang Cheng is also super cute! He just has poor eyesight.】

As Tan Zhiyu faced the camera with an expression of anger and confusion, he found himself speechless. What exactly did Xing Yang take him for? What did their so-called love from a few months ago amount to?

Li Yue couldn’t stop him at all and could only coax him patiently all morning.

Director Zheng was completely bewildered. Jiang Cheng’s scenes had already wrapped up last week, and besides promotional activities, there was no need for him to come back.

The film had garnered attention even while still shooting, with leads frequently embroiled in scandal. Yet they could not be replaced halfway through, with reporters crowding around the filming location.

Every action of Tan Zhiyu was exposed to the media.

“What did you say to him? When did you ever care about me? Are you using threats against him?!” The last time Tan Zhiyu called his mother seemed to be during last year’s New Year.

Fiona had long returned to Germany, and the background noise was filled with bilingual announcements; she was about to go on stage to speak.

“I didn’t threaten him, Zhiyu. If he really liked you, he wouldn’t have so readily terminated your child. Moreover, as far as I know, his original omega gland was obtained illegally, and he’s been deceiving you and your father. Someone like that is sent by Satan.”

“Bullshit!”

“Zhiyu, if you didn’t possess the beautiful facade I blessed you with, he wouldn’t even glance your way.” Fiona lowered her voice: “Get your act together for the media.”

“Media, media, media! All you care about is your reputation! What gives you the right to meddle in my affairs? You’ve never cared for me; what qualifications do you have?!”

Fiona clearly didn’t expect Tan Zhiyu to defy her like this. She went silent for a few seconds on the other end of the line: “You two parting ways is the best.”

“Beep beep beep—”

Li Yue managed the media outside, but the earliest flight was not until tomorrow morning.

Worried about Tan Zhiyu’s emotional state while driving, she cursed under her breath and hurriedly grabbed her bag to follow.

What on earth was this?!

Just a few days ago, everything was perfectly fine between them; how could it suddenly…

–

8 PM.

Butterfly Manor.

The garage was pitch black. A black Land Rover drove in, and Xing Yang stepped out of the car. Jiang Cheng was holding a small box filled with cat toys: “Little Ba should still enjoy these, right? At my place, he was always lazy and didn’t like to move; he’ll love it once we move in.”

Xing Yang smiled slightly: “I hope so.”

Jiang Cheng instinctively kissed his cheek: “Xing Ge, how long will you give me this time? Why not keep indulging me? I’m still young and fresh.”

The boy leaned against the car door, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, his eyes crescent-shaped with delight.

Originally, there were only the lights in their garage, but suddenly the headlights of a sports car flashed from across the way, illuminating the other side of the garage.

Their casual conversation came to a halt, the noise in the garage dissipated. They turned to look at the lit end, and a person got out of the passenger seat.

Under the stark white light, the tall figure of an alpha gradually emerged.

Tan Zhiyu stood by the car watching them, in a black coat that made him appear somewhat thin. He hesitated for a moment, hoping he was just imagining things as he didn’t get a clear view of the two men’s faces.

He slammed the car door shut and walked over: “What are you two doing?”

“Tan Zhiyu?” Jiang Cheng frowned, the animosity in his eyes unchanged as he angled his body to block Xing Yang: “What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t answer my calls or messages. Why?”

He marched straight to Jiang Cheng and pushed him aside, facing Xing Yang: “I’m talking to you.”

“Tan Zhiyu, you—” Jiang Cheng stepped in front, refusing to budge.

Tan Zhiyu’s pheromones suddenly flooded the air, overwhelming and pushing forward. Jiang Cheng offered no retreat, as an unspoken battle began to brew.

Li Yue, standing at a distance, never expected such a situation to arise. They had arrived at Butterfly Manor in the afternoon, and when no one was at Xing Yang’s home, they had been keeping watch in the garage. Who would have thought she’d see Xing Yang return with Jiang Cheng and even kiss him!

Tan Zhiyu nearly crushed his phone in the car.

This kind of confrontation between an ex and a current partner was terrifying.

“Jiang Cheng, go upstairs and take care of Little Ba.” Xing Yang pulled Jiang Cheng back gently and said softly.

“Xing Ge…”

“Go on.”

Jiang Cheng hesitantly carried the box upstairs while Xing Yang returned to the car and took out a card, casually holding a cigarette in his fingers.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t I send you a message? What’s unclear?”

“Are you feeling unwell? Xing Yang, don’t lie to me. You visited me yesterday. How could you just turn around and… Is my mother threatening you? What she says doesn’t matter; if you need a gland, we can figure it out together. I…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, his brow furrowed deeper in concern as Xing Yang slipped the card into his pocket.

“What does that mean?”

Tan Zhiyu looked at him with confusion.

He was convinced Xing Yang was threatened by his mother and would have to act as though he hated him. They just needed to meet and clarify everything, that would be enough.

“Zhiyu, stop acting like a child.” Xing Yang said gently.

As the smoke exhaled from his mouth, their view was obscured by the thick fog.

“Why are you smoking…”

“The child was aborted; I had surgery, so I’m okay now. I won’t die. If we need to, we can still hang out. After all, being with a big star like you feels like a gain.”

“What?” Tan Zhiyu froze, staring at him stiffly, failing to understand what he meant by ‘hanging out together.’

“I thought I might not survive, thinking of leaving a child behind as a legacy, but now I have plenty of time ahead, so that child doesn’t seem necessary anymore. Thank your mother for saving me; Jiang Cheng isn’t someone who can’t let go. Next time you two can coexist peacefully. Whether we divorce or not, it’s up to you.”

Tan Zhiyu seemed to have lost his rationality, his eyes reddening as he tried to grasp his hand, quietly and almost humbly asking: “You don’t mean that… do you?”

Was Xing Yang simply looking for someone to accompany him in his final days, touched by his so-called naïve sincerity?

Now that he could live, was he going to turn their arrangement into a mere agreement of non-interference? Whether or not to divorce didn’t matter…

Xing Yang slightly furrowed his brows, distaste evident as he evaded Tan Zhiyu’s hand, flicking the ashen cigarette butt off and taking a deep drag before extinguishing it beneath his foot, then lowered his gaze to exhale smoke.

In the hazy white fog, Xing Yang’s sharp and unfamiliar gaze stabbed deep into Tan Zhiyu’s eyes.

That gaze—Tan Zhiyu had seen it before, across the negotiation table with businessmen.

Xing Yang’s thin lips parted slightly, his tone indifferent: “A bit tired of this.”

“No breakup has been mentioned. I had a good time with Jiang Cheng; who knows, maybe I’ll come back to find you after a while.”

“Good time.”

Each word of this phrase deeply pierced Tan Zhiyu’s nerves, his eyes swirling with mixed emotions.

He felt as if he were experiencing mild tinnitus: “What do you mean by that?”

“You don’t understand this? How did you even study your books back then? Daba.” Xing Yang slightly curved his lips in a smirk.

He held no scent of omega; the gland was covered by a bandage.

Tan Zhiyu stared at the man before him, unable to determine if what he said was indeed a lie.

So ironic.

With eyes full of sharpness, Tan Zhiyu had become the fish ensnared in a net, waiting to be slaughtered.

“What do you take me for?”

Tan Zhiyu’s brows twitched as he stepped forward, pressing the question: “Have you found other options and kicked me aside? Just yesterday we were in bed together; do you see me as your harem lover? After spending some time with Jiang Cheng you’ll come back to find me—what kind of nonsense is that?”

He found it hard to believe, his questioning gaze trying to find traces of a lie in Xing Yang’s eyes.

Tan Zhiyu’s veins popped as he clenched his fists, his chiseled jaw tense. He stared at Xing Yang’s cold brows, so calm, as if they had never known each other, as if they were complete strangers.

After all that time spent testing and exploring feelings, entwined fingers, whispered promises, and vows of eternal love that had drowned Tan Zhiyu.

Now to hear him say there would be a future, he was reduced to a concubine in a harem awaiting his turn to be favored.

Was it Xing Yang’s cunning or was it that he had walked into a trap from the start, misjudging the man?

It felt as though Tan Zhiyu had been led around by the nose by Xing Yang all along.

For the first time, Xing Yang had concealed his feelings for him…

Yes, Xing Yang’s original intent in marrying him was just for physical intimacy; to sleep with him was his last wish before dying.

Now that he could live long, did that no longer matter?

He and Jiang Cheng had known each other for a long time.

“Just a literal meaning.” Xing Yang shrugged: “I cashed out my shares in the company. Tomorrow we’re going on vacation—to see the auroras. Once you finish this film, feel free to come over whenever you want.”

Tan Zhiyu closed his eyes, his chest heaving with unrestrained emotions: “How can you say such a thing?! Isn’t it disgusting?!”

The fire raging within his heart made him want to grab Xing Yang and question him fiercely: Why was he treating him like this?!

His genuine feelings made him feel worthless, like a roadside rose easily picked.

Xing Yang’s eyelashes fluttered, looking his way, a scrutinizing gaze that Tan Zhiyu couldn’t comprehend.

“Meow—”

Jiang Cheng appeared carrying Little Ba down the stairs: “Xing Ge, let’s go.”

“Mm.” Xing Yang turned and prepared to get into the car.

Facing Xing Yang’s cold back, Tan Zhiyu recalled the night they passionately kissed in Switzerland, when Xing Yang held him tightly, tears flowing down to his collarbone, a hoarse voice saying: “Zhiyu, my Zhiyu…”

He really wanted to ask if that feeling back then was also a lie.

“Xing Yang!” he suddenly called out.

Xing Yang stopped but did not turn back, instead reaching into his pocket for another cigarette, seemingly waiting for him to finish speaking before leaving without looking back.

Tan Zhiyu chuckled softly: “I don’t want secondhand things.”

He hoped that Xing Yang would, like last time, give him some form of retreat, allowing him to find a way to salvage their relationship.

“I’ve given you money, haven’t I?” Xing Yang’s back was still turned to him.

Tan Zhiyu had never lacked for money in his life.

“Xing Yang, this is the second time you’ve rejected me.”

Xing Yang bit onto the cigarette butt, his jaw tense, eyelids twitching as if he wanted to break free from constraints, and after struggling for a few seconds, he directly pulled the car door open.

This was not the second time he was being rejected.

This was the last time.

Tan Zhiyu found it somewhat laughable.

Clearly, it was Xing Yang who first teased him, yet he was the one who became caught up in it; the most ridiculous part was himself.

He was indecisive, easily manipulated; no one could refuse playing around with someone as innocent as him—not even their child could be said to be retained.

Where was their future?

In a daze, Tan Zhiyu felt as if a dull, unsharpened knife was slowly cutting into his heart.

Xing Yang’s words were very simple; he could live a long life, living freely. He could be a part of the harem.

From start to finish, he had been playing with him.

Tan Zhiyu picked up the bank card he had thrown on the ground, but that black Land Rover had already driven off, never to return.

His sincere feelings had brought him back from Hai Cheng to Beijing, but his pride held him back.

It was like having lived a beautiful dream of life and death together for months.

Turning and twisting had made him think he’d found a love to walk through life and die for together, but someone had woken Xing Yang up, and he had returned to the starting point—always discarded like a business card by his parents.

Xing Yang achieved success in both career and love, becoming the prideful diamond bachelor.

He had become a person again.

–

The Land Rover drove out of Butterfly Manor and stopped by the roadside.

Jiang Cheng gripped the steering wheel, Little Ba in the backseat calling out.

He cast a sideways glance at Xing Yang sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly rolling down the window: “Do you need to lean on my shoulder for support?”

“Thanks.” Xing Yang tugged at the corner of his mouth but turned to look outside: “Do you think he believed it?”

“With how much he hates me, there’s no way he wouldn’t believe it. Xing Ge, you really dropped out too early; otherwise, you’d be achieving just as much in acting as Tan Zhiyu.” Jiang Cheng chuckled, his tone light, trying to lift his spirits.

Xing Yang’s Adam’s apple shifted; he smiled self-deprecatingly, his expression turning confused: “Am I really that conflicted and foolish?”

“No, you just care too much about him, afraid he would be hurt and have nothing.” Jiang Cheng replied.

Xing Yang’s eyes reddened slightly as he exhaled.

“Are you really not going to have the surgery? The gland Fiona found is really…”