MMLDU Chapter 11

This day, Pei Lang was at home using equipment to create a song. Usually the most punctual about eating, he surprisingly forgot the mealtime as he got caught up in his work. After spending the entire morning, he finally completed the instrumental. In the afternoon, he planned to record the lyrics and then the song would be ready to publish.

This song wasn’t something he had created on a whim; it was an older piece from his previous repertoire. Since it hadn’t been released in this world, repurposing it didn’t seem unreasonable, especially given the tight timeframe for new compositions.

Pei Lang was someone who not only looked attractive and spoke pleasingly but also knew how to charm others. Aunt Lin, who interacted with him daily, found their relationship harmonious. Her son worked at Yan Han’s company. But being busy with his own family, he barely had time to care for her. Over this period of time, Aunt Lin had gotten to know Pei Lang quite well and realized that he wasn’t as bad as she had initially thought.

From being disliked by everyone in the past to now being approachable and down-to-earth, Pei Lang had won Aunt Lin’s favor to the point where she regarded him as her own son. Yan Han didn’t return home for lunch, so Aunt Lin’s workload increased because of Pei Lang. However, seeing him enjoy his meals so wholeheartedly brought her a sense of satisfaction.

Today, Pei Lang had been busy in his room the entire morning. Although Aunt Lin prepared the meal, she didn’t want to disturb him and chose to wait quietly. The dining table had a warming feature, keeping the food hot. When Pei Lang finished his work and came downstairs, he could still enjoy a steaming meal.

“Wow, Aunt Lin, so many delicious dishes today!” Pei Lang exclaimed.

Dressed in casual clothes, his face looked fresh and fair, resembling that of a college student.

As he entered the kitchen, he gave Aunt Lin a gentle hug before eagerly sitting at the dining table, ready to eat.

Although he was technically freeloading, Pei Lang genuinely appreciated Aunt Lin. He naturally felt a sense of dependence on kind elders, likely due to the lack of maternal love during his childhood.

The hug brought a wide smile to Aunt Lin’s face. “You’ve been working hard at the gym lately. I picked these ingredients especially for you. Eat more.”

“Thank you, Aunt Lin,” Pei Lang said as he began eating in earnest. Ever since he started eating Aunt Lin’s cooking, he no longer wanted to prepare meals himself—it simply couldn’t compare.

After finishing his meal, Pei Lang got up to stroll around the garden. Feeling bored, he opened his phone and was startled to find himself trending on social media again.

#PeiLangWithBlackMan

#EyeSearing

#FlamboyantTwink

The insulting hashtags made his eyelids twitch violently. Clicking into the topic, he found it was indeed another scandalous trend.

A series of inappropriate photos were posted—each one heavily suggestive and X-rated. In the images, Pei Lang, heavily made up and striking seductive poses, appeared to be “exercising” with a muscular Black man. Although the key areas were censored, the sight still made Pei Lang feel sick.

Back when his former assistant had suspected he liked men, Pei Lang had considered his sexual orientation uncertain. In this world where homosexuality was legal, he thought he might one day meet a man he truly liked. But after seeing these photos, his stomach churned violently, leaving him with the urge to throw up.

Now, he was absolutely certain—he was as straight as they come.

The comments below the photos were even more harmful than the images themselves. Not a single comment questioned the authenticity of the photos, nor did anyone stand up for him. Pei Lang wasn’t sure if the photos were real, but at least since arriving in this world, he hadn’t done anything remotely like that.

If these incidents were truly from the original owner’s past, the thought of this body being touched and toyed with by men made Pei Lang deeply uncomfortable, his brows furrowing tightly.

At this moment, the only person who could possibly help him was Yan Han. The problem was, he didn’t even have Yan Han’s contact information. Pei Lang paused in thought, a sudden idea flashing in his mind. He turned and headed back to the villa.

“Aunt Lin, do you have Mr. Yan’s contact information?” Aunt Lin was in the middle of preparing a chicken for dinner. The chicken soup needed to simmer for several hours, so she had started early.

Pei Lang’s steps were steady but quick—a rare sign of urgency.

“Did something happen? I only have Assistant Su’s phone number,” Aunt Lin said, setting aside her work and stepping toward him.

“Can you give it to me? I need to talk to them about something.”

“Of course.” Aunt Lin pulled out her phone and gave Pei Lang the number. After thanking her, Pei Lang returned to his room.

He called Su Jia and learned that Yan Han was in a meeting and unavailable to take his call at the moment. Left with no choice, Pei Lang hung up and waited.

An hour later, after Yan Han had finished his meeting and returned to his office, Su Jia informed him of Pei Lang’s call.

“This is the first time Pei Lang has reached out to me,” Yan Han said, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. “What did he want?”

“He didn’t say,” Su Jia replied. He hadn’t asked for details but could make a good guess. “Boss, you should take a look at this first.”

With that, he pulled up the trending hashtags and handed the device to Yan Han.

At a glance, the photos made Yan Han feel like even looking at them for another second would taint his eyes. He quickly averted his gaze, his expression dark and grim. “Investigate this immediately. Be quick.”

“Yes, Boss,” Su Jia replied. Seeing Yan Han’s foul mood, he didn’t say anything further and left to handle the matter.

The Pei Lang in the photos looked just like his former self—heavily made-up, with slightly longer hair, completely different from the person standing before him now. Yan Han couldn’t help but mentally split Pei Lang into two people. The one in the photo wasn’t the same as the one he saw now. It seemed absurd, even strange, but the two gave him distinctly different feelings.

The photos were truly eye-watering. And then he thought about Pei Lang’s clean, handsome face, the occasional subtle smirk that hinted at some small benefit he had gained, and the words he had said—half threatening, half pleading. It was as if they were two completely different people.

Yan Han found himself wondering how things were going at the villa and ultimately decided to call back. The phone rang, and Aunt Lin answered. Upon realizing it was Yan Han calling, she went to fetch Pei Lang.

“Mr. Yan,” Pei Lang said as he took the call.

“I hear you’re looking for me?” Yan Han’s voice was cold, but it made Pei Lang instinctively release a breath of relief.

It felt like finding a lifeline. Though Yan Han’s tone was indifferent, the fact that he had reached out meant there was still a chance.

“Mr. Yan, did you see the trending topic?” Pei Lang asked softly, not wanting Aunt Lin to overhear. Yan Han didn’t respond, which Pei Lang took as a silent acknowledgment. “Mr. Yan, could you help me look into the source of these photos? I know it’s shameless to ask, but you’re the only one who can help me. Although we only have the title of ‘husband and wife’, you are the person who’s treated me the best in this world, aside from Aunt Lin. I don’t want to drag you down. But if this becomes public, your reputation will be tarnished and the Yan family’s image will be damaged.”

It was the same half-threatening speech again, which Yan Han disliked, but it was the truth.

“Your courage is growing,” Yan Han’s icy voice seeped into his ears, sending a chill down Pei Lang’s spine.

“I’m not bold,” Pei Lang replied. “It’s because Mr. Yan is willing to help me. Human nature is never satisfied—if you help me once, I’ll just want to ask for your help again. Actually, someone like me, just a small fry, doesn’t even deserve to be in your sights. You could have quietly dealt with me. Even if your father knew, without evidence, he wouldn’t make things hard for you. You could have freed yourself from me without even a hint of threat. But you didn’t do that, did you? You’re kind, you’re excellent, and you’re protective. Standing in your position, you’re still able to maintain your good heart, untouched by money or profit. You’re truly remarkable.”

Pei Lang’s voice was pleasant, his tone comfortable. Even when asking for help, his speech was clear, calm, and unhurried. This long speech, full of praise, made Yan Han’s dissatisfaction from earlier, caused by the half-threat, dissipate.

“Mr. Yan, please help me. Right now, I don’t have anything to offer you in return. If you think it’s unfair, how about… I call you ‘wife’? Thinking about it, that should be easier to accept, right? Although there’s no real emotion behind it, we are family after all. Isn’t it only natural for family members to help each other out?”

“Do you want to die?” Yan Han was once again angered by these words. He knew that Pei Lang had been working out obsessively. Su Jia had said that Pei Lang was doing it to become a big and strong 1. Now he was focusing his attention on him.

“Or… should I call you ‘husband’?”

Yan Han was certain that he didn’t like Pei Lang, but upon hearing those words, he didn’t immediately retort. Pei Lang was just joking. Since the other person didn’t object, Pei Lang’s brain suddenly went blank, not knowing what to say next.

Luckily, Yan Han reacted first. “I will look into the photos.”

“Uh, okay, thank you, Mr. Yan.” Yan Han was indeed a good person, and his inner thoughts were surprisingly endearing. It was a shame about his legs; if he could stand, there would be no issue with Yan Xiuyuan. He would definitely be a top-notch, outstanding man. Pei Lang felt a little regretful. “Mr. Yan, your father wanted you to marry me so you could stand up again. If there’s anything you need, I will definitely help you.”

Pei Lang couldn’t help but wonder when that damn system would show up again. Maybe he could ask if there was any way to help Mr. Yan stand up.

“No need.” Yan Han said, then abruptly hung up the phone.

He had already given up hope on his legs. Pei Lang couldn’t do anything, could he? Not even the top bone and nerve specialists from around the world could fix them, so how could Pei Lang?

The phone call was suddenly cut off. Pei Lang sighed deeply.

Maybe the disability was like a thorn in Yan Han’s heart—something that couldn’t be mentioned. That’s why he reacted so strongly.

With Yan Han taking charge, Pei Lang finally relaxed. He had been blackened before, but those were minor and insignificant. He didn’t even need to clarify them. In a few days, the rumors would die down on their own. But this was different—its nature was far worse, with a much bigger social impact. For something like this to happen to him, it seemed almost plausible, which is why no one, whether a hater or a passerby, was stepping up to question the truth. That was the most troublesome part.

The most important thing is that Pei Lang wasn’t sure whether these photos were true or just rumors. He didn’t know much about the original owner’s past. However, when he hired a private detective to investigate, it seemed that the original owner wasn’t someone who slept around. At most, he liked to compete with Pei Ziqing, had a bad temper, and didn’t have many friends.

Yan Xiuyuan had invited him to a bar that night, probably planning something, but Pei Lang didn’t go. Recently, Yan Xiuyuan had been unable to find him, so in a fit of rage, he spread rumors.

Pei Lang didn’t want to think of the male lead as someone so despicable, but it felt entirely reasonable. If it was about something serious, why would the meeting have to be at a bar, especially at night?

He hadn’t denied that he had planned to set Pei Lang up that night.

“If it really was him, there’s no need to be so distant in the future.” Pei Lang had recorded the conversation with Yan Xiuyuan that night.

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