Marrying the Male Lead’s Disabled Uncle – Chapter 38

Pei Lang merely smiled, unfazed. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve heard the same things countless times before—just the same few sentences over and over again. Nothing new.”

“Don’t take it seriously. You’re nothing like what they say.” Zhong Yixiao wanted to comfort him, but seeing Pei Lang’s indifferent expression, he swallowed his words. Saying more would only seem insincere. Instead, he changed the subject. “How about I treat you to dinner tonight? Consider it an apology.”

Before Pei Lang could reply, his assistant handed him his ringing phone. The caller ID made Zhong Yixiao frown instinctively—it was that woman. He glanced sideways at Pei Lang.

“Forget it for today. Go ahead and take your call. I won’t disturb you,” Pei Lang said casually, stepping away.

Zhong Yixiao felt a pang of disappointment but still answered the call.

The voice on the other end was trembling. “Zhong Yixiao, help me.”

It was rare to hear such vulnerability from her. As Zhong Yixiao’s agent, she had always been a decisive and sharp-tongued woman, feared by many artists in the company. No one had ever seen her panic before.

But now, her voice quivered as if someone was choking the life out of her—like she could die at any moment.

No matter what, they had worked together for years, so Zhong Yixiao didn’t hang up immediately. “What happened?”

“I don’t know why, but the company just fired me. And they said I’m permanently blacklisted—no other agency will take me either. I brought you up, Zhong Yixiao. You have to help me!”

The news was shocking. This woman had held a powerful position in the company, one of the most influential agents in the industry. For her to be suddenly cast out like this—it was clear she had offended someone.

The entertainment industry was ruthless. A single word from the right person could ruin a career.

But who had the power to erase her overnight?

Who had such complete control over the industry, to the point that even someone as well-connected as her was left jobless and hopeless?

Zhong Yixiao felt a chill run down his spine.

“I sympathize, but I can’t help you. Think carefully—who did you offend?”

There was silence on the other end, as if she were racking her brain for an answer.

Then suddenly, she let out a piercing scream.

“It must be Pei Lang!” she shrieked. “He must’ve been angry about what I said yesterday. That whore! His financier must’ve done this for him! I said he had someone backing him. That filthy, effeminate slut—I want to see him!”

Her voice was hysterical, filled with unhinged rage, as if she wanted to tear Pei Lang apart with her own hands.

Zhong Yixiao’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head slightly, glancing at Pei Lang, who was reclining nearby with his eyes closed, resting after the exhausting shoot.

Annoyance flared within him. The woman’s sharp, grating voice was already testing his patience. “If it really was him, do you think you’d still have the chance to get anywhere near him?”

“I can’t accept this! I refuse! How can all my years of hard work be destroyed because of that man?!” she howled. But deep down, she already understood the reality—she had no way to retaliate against Pei Lang.

Still, how could she possibly swallow this humiliation?

“If he wants to ruin me, then I’ll drag him down with me! If he won’t let me live in peace, I’ll make sure he and his so-called backer don’t have an easy time cleaning up his image! I’ll expose him! I’ll let the whole world see his true, disgusting face!”

She was out of her mind.

Zhong Yixiao pursed his lips, his voice turning cold. He reminded her, “Do you think that would actually do anything? Pei Lang’s reputation has never been clean. Exposing something like this won’t even cause a ripple. If anything, it’ll only make things worse for you.”

A man already covered in mud wouldn’t care about a little extra dirt.

Even if she exposed him, what would change? The public already believed Pei Lang was some plaything for the rich. If anything, her claims would only confirm what people had always assumed. Meanwhile, she’d be making even bigger enemies out of the people protecting him.

She had already paid a steep price just for saying the wrong thing. Could she even imagine what might happen if she continued down this path?

Silence.

Then, the woman broke down completely, sobbing on the other end.

Zhong Yixiao frowned, now thoroughly irritated. He was about to hang up when she clung to her last hope.

“Please, help me. You’re on the same crew as him, right? Please, just ask him to show me mercy. I’ll apologize to him in person—no, I’ll beg if I have to. I’ll ask him to convince his backer to spare me. I can’t lose everything I worked for. Zhong Yixiao, I was there for you when you were nothing! You can’t abandon me now!”

Zhong Yixiao exhaled sharply, his patience running dry.

“Are you still this naïve?” he said coldly. “Do you really think people with that kind of power would take back their decision just because of a nobody like you?”

She still didn’t understand. If she had just kept her mouth shut, those powerful people wouldn’t even know who she was.

Now, it was too late.

Even if Zhong Yixiao wanted to help her, there was nothing he could do. More importantly—he didn’t want to help.

He had spent enough time around Pei Lang to know he wasn’t the person outsiders made him out to be. And yet, the thought that someone was protecting Pei Lang left a bitter taste in his mouth.

On the other end of the line, the woman finally fell silent.

Zhong Yixiao had nothing more to say. He ended the call.

Pei Lang had overheard enough to get the gist of the situation. He turned his head slightly, meeting Zhong Yixiao’s searching gaze. Then, he smiled.

That smile was dazzling—pure yet seductive, contradictory yet irresistible.

“Did your friend get into trouble?” Pei Lang asked lazily.

“No big deal,” Zhong Yixiao replied, watching as Pei Lang stood up. “Heading back?”

“Yeah, I just need to pack up first.”

Pei Lang removed the outer layers of his costume, leaving only a thin white inner shirt and pants. The soft fabric draped over his slender frame, accentuating his narrow waist and long legs.

Zhong Yixiao watched him leave, then slowly looked down at his phone, lost in thought.

A message popped up.

[ .: Yan Xiuyuan is getting engaged. ]

When Pei Lang returned to his hotel room, he saw the text from Yan Han.

After washing up, he lay on the bed and typed a short response.

[ Lang: When? ]

[ .: Three days later. ]

[ Lang: Oh. ]

Pei Lang wasn’t interested in the news. The two leads had finally reached this stage—after this, no matter what obstacles or side characters tried to interfere, they wouldn’t be separated again.

Soon, they would shine in their respective fields.

Wait, that’s not right.

If I—the biggest cannon fodder—stop stirring up trouble, then who’s going to drive the plot forward?

Pei Lang suddenly realized this issue. The system only required him to fill in the gaps as long as it didn’t interfere with the main storyline. So… did that mean the job of causing trouble had been reassigned to someone else?

Who cares?

Whatever happens to them has nothing to do with me—as long as it doesn’t get in the way of my own progress.

[ .: The Yan family knows about our marriage. As the elder, my father wants us to attend the engagement party together. ]

[ Lang: Sure. I’ll ask the director for leave tomorrow. So… I’m nominally his… aunt now? ]

Pei Lang’s eye twitched. He wasn’t too pleased with the idea of being addressed in such a feminine way.

[ .: Theoretically, yes. ]

[ Lang: ………… ]

[ .: If you don’t like it, just let them call you ‘Uncle,’ like they do with me. You can take the day off, go home a night early, and pick out a decent outfit. ]

[ Lang: Who else will be at the engagement party? ]

[ .: Just the elders from both families. Not too many people, so don’t be nervous. ]

[ Lang: Okay. ]

You should be the one who’s nervous, Pei Lang thought.

You’re not afraid of being laughed at by the elders for bringing me home, but for some reason, I’m the one feeling a little anxious. The whole family will be there—including his father, and Yan Xiuyuan’s father.

Even though we’re not a real couple, meeting so many elders all at once still feels… kind of weird.

The next day, Pei Lang went to see Director Jin to request leave.

Director Jin had always been understanding towards Pei Lang and approved his request without hesitation.

After filming all morning, Pei Lang finally had a rare break.

Lu Lu showed up, carrying more than a dozen lunch boxes. “Brother Lang, someone brought you food.”

It was obvious these weren’t from a restaurant, which made Pei Lang curious. “Who sent them?”

“I don’t know her,” Lu Lu said, shaking his head. “She was a very kind auntie. She told me to take good care of you. Is she a relative of yours, Brother Lang?”

“I don’t have any relatives who would bring me food,” Pei Lang said indifferently. Those so-called relatives were lucky if they weren’t adding insult to injury.

“How dare you accept food from someone you don’t even know?”

“I didn’t think she was a bad person. And she seemed to know you well. She was just delivering food, so I figured it should be fine.”

As Lu Lu set the lunch boxes down in front of him, the fragrant aroma of rice filled the air. Pei Lang instantly understood.

“I’ll ask later if it’s from my aunt,” he said casually. “I’m out of shower gel. Go buy some for me.”

“Got it.”

Once Lu Lu was gone, Pei Lang pulled out his phone and made a call.

“Aunt Lin, did you bring me food?” He was almost certain—he could still catch the familiar scent lingering in the air.

“Mr. Yan asked me to deliver it. He said you wanted to eat it,” Aunt Lin replied warmly.

Mr. Yan?

Pei Lang suddenly recalled that he had mentioned craving Aunt Lin’s cooking before. He never expected Yan Han to remember, let alone arrange for it to be made and delivered to him.

“Yeah, I did miss it,” Pei Lang admitted. “Thank you, Aunt Lin. That must have been a lot of trouble for you.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all! Just let me know anytime you want some, and I’ll make it for you.”

“Alright. Be careful on your way back. I’ll visit when I have time.”

After hanging up, Pei Lang eagerly opened the lunch boxes.

Inside were all his favorite dishes.

With good food in front of him and someone who actually cared about him, the exhaustion from filming seemed to melt away.

His appetite was thoroughly awakened, and without waiting for Lu Lu, he dug in.

Midway through his meal, he thought of Yan Han and took a quick picture, sending it over.

[ Lang: (Photo) ]
[ Lang: Aunt Lin brought me food. It was delicious. Thank you, Mr. Yan. ]

There was no immediate response—Yan Han was probably busy. Pei Lang set his phone aside and focused on eating.

Not long after, Lu Lu returned, joining him for the meal. With each bite, he couldn’t help but sigh in amazement.

“The food is so good… this completely changes my idea of what home-cooked meals should taste like!”

Later that day, after finishing work, Yan Han finally checked his phone and saw Pei Lang’s message.

He held his phone for a long time, deep in thought.

Then, without much thinking, he snapped a picture of the view outside his window and sent it.

The image was nothing special—just tall buildings, a bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and warm sunlight.

But Pei Lang was busy filming by then, and the message went unanswered.

Yan Han frowned slightly and put his phone down.

Feeling a little restless, he absentmindedly flipped through a book a friend had given him. It was one of those guides on how to pursue a lover.

A certain passage caught his attention.

“A domineering CEO pursuing his beloved must create thoughtful surprises. It’s not just about money or power—it’s about pleasing them and fulfilling their wishes.”

Yan Han read the words over carefully.

“Catering to their needs… creating surprises…”

He mulled over the meaning for a moment.

Then, realization dawned.

I see.

So that’s how it works.

Cater to their preferences. Create surprises.

That’s easy enough.

After all—he knew exactly what Pei Lang liked.