Marrying the Male Lead’s Disabled Uncle – Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Domineering CEO’s Self-cultivation 

Pei Lang skillfully tied on an apron and began washing the vegetables. Since Yan Han preferred light meals, he decided to make pork rib soup for him.

His movements were fluid, graceful, and methodical, making it clear that he was no stranger to the kitchen. But deep down, he was in torment.

Because for some reason, Yan Han was actually watching him cook—like a crime boss overseeing a body disposal.

Pei Lang felt like a low-level henchman getting rid of evidence, except the so-called “evidence” were just vegetables under his knife.

And then—

“Are you trying to seduce me?”

Yan Han’s sudden question startled Pei Lang so much that the lotus root slipped from his hands, and he almost cut his finger.

Wait, what?!

I’m literally just cooking!

How did this big guy get the idea that I was seducing him?!

Pei Lang hurriedly put down the knife, turned around with a smile, and patiently explained, “Mr. Yan, I think you may have misunderstood something. I don’t seduce just anyone.“

That should have cleared things up.

Except—

That explanation only made Yan Han even angrier.

“Oh? So what, I’m not even as good as Yan Xiuyuan?”

Pei Lang: “…?”

Wait.

Was he actually feeling competitive about this?!

Pei Lang had already guessed that the uncle and nephew didn’t get along, but he never expected their rivalry to be this bad.

“Mr. Yan, please don’t overthink things,” Pei Lang said with an easygoing smile. “Yan Xiuyuan is definitely not as good as you. At the very least, you’re the best person I’ve met since I arrived in this world.”

If he wanted to curry favor, he had to say nice things. Compliments didn’t cost anything, right?

“A powerful person like Mr. Yan must have investigated my background before signing the contract with me,” Pei Lang continued. “I’m not a good person, and no one around me treats me sincerely. Everyone looks down on me. But you—you’re different. You took me in and gave me a place to stay. To me, that’s already a great kindness.”

His voice was half genuine, half acting, with a touch of bitterness flashing in his eyes.

He blinked, stealing a glance at Yan Han, then silently turned back around to chop the vegetables.

The rhythmic sound of the knife echoed through the kitchen, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Under the bright kitchen lights, Pei Lang’s thin figure looked somewhat lonely and desolate.

The entire atmosphere was heavy, filled with unsaid emotions.

If Yan Han hadn’t personally witnessed Pei Lang’s little food scams earlier, he might have actually believed all this.

But instead, he simply said, “So, it’s not seduction—it’s flattery?”

Pei Lang sniffled, smiled knowingly, and gave up on acting any further.

Turning back to face Yan Han, he suddenly noticed something peculiar—

The tiny version of Yan Han sitting on his shoulder was reading a book.

And the title of that book was—

《The Domineering CEO’s Self-Cultivation Manual》

…

What. The. Hell.

Pei Lang froze, completely stunned.

This… this is what Mr. Yan reads in his spare time?!

Curiosity completely took over his rationality, and before he knew it, Pei Lang had stepped closer to Yan Han.

Ignoring the man’s cold, wary gaze, Pei Lang focused all his attention on the tiny chibi version of Yan Han, who was deeply engrossed in the book.

Chapter 31: How to Distinguish Between Seduction and Flattery?

“First, one must understand that both seduction and flattery serve a purpose…”

Pei Lang’s vision darkened as he read further.

This ridiculous book… actually existed in this world?!

And Yan Han not only read it—he even memorized it?!

Just as Pei Lang tried to skip ahead to the conclusion, the mini Yan Han suddenly closed the book with a snap.

Then, Yan Han himself turned his head cautiously and asked in a low, dangerous voice—

“What are you looking at?”

Pei Lang: “…”

Busted.

He tried to think of a quick excuse and blurted out, “I was reading a book.”

Yan Han’s sharp eyes narrowed instantly.

Pei Lang immediately realized his mistake and rushed to explain—

“I mean, I was reading you, Mr. Yan!”

Yan Han’s expression remained icy, but the little chibi on his shoulder had suddenly pulled out a large mirror, adjusting his stance to admire himself from different angles.

…

Okay. That was way too adorable.

Pei Lang forcefully held back his laughter and tried to sound sincere.

“Mr. Yan, you’re like a book—a treasured, hardcover edition, untouched for years. People admire your value and impressive appearance, but few truly understand your depths.”

His tone became soft and thoughtful as he continued.

“I consider myself lucky. I had the chance to read a few pages, and now I can’t help but want to read more. It’s fascinating. The more I read, the more I’m drawn in.“

Yan Han scoffed.

“You’re quite skilled at flattery.”

Despite his indifferent tone, the little chibi on his shoulder was still staring into the mirror, clearly pleased.

Then, Yan Han got straight to the point—

“Tell me, what was your real reason for waiting for me tonight?”

Pei Lang immediately switched gears. “Mr. Yan, shall we eat first?”

At the mention of food, he suddenly remembered—

Oh, right.

He still hadn’t finished cooking yet.

“I’m sorry! I’ll get right to it.”

Yan Han: “No, I don’t want to eat anymore.”

Pei Lang: “Okay.”

He wasn’t going to force it.

Yan Han’s sharp gaze locked onto him again, completely unfazed by Pei Lang’s attempts to change the subject.

“Tell me your real reason.”

Pei Lang took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

“Mr. Yan,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “You’re Yan Xiuyuan’s uncle—his elder. That means you can control him, right?”

Yan Han’s response was immediate.

“No. He’s a rebellious child.”

Pei Lang: “…Huh?”

“Then… would he dare to be rude to you?”

“Of course. He’s a rebellious child.”

Pei Lang: “???”

Aren’t you supposed to be his elder?

Yan Xiuyuan is so arrogant, and yet you just let him disrespect you like that?

…

Come to think of it, they’re both adults now. It made sense that he wouldn’t accept being disciplined by a slightly older uncle.

Still—

Something about their dynamic felt way too weird…

Could Pei Lang really count on Yan Han as his golden thigh to cling to?

He had serious doubts.

Just as he was lost in thought, Yan Han drove his wheelchair over to the sofa in the living room, and Pei Lang followed closely behind.

“If you’re hoping I’ll step in and arrange for you to marry him, I suggest you give up that idea now,” Yan Han said coldly. “Not only because of what you did before, but because we are legally married. This marriage was arranged by my father, and if you want to marry Yan Xiuyuan, you’ll have to get past both him and me.”

“You’ve misunderstood,” Pei Lang quickly corrected. “I don’t like him.”

He sat down across from Yan Han, his expression earnest.

“I was just angry before and wanted to win against Pei Ziqing for once. But after a while, I realized it was meaningless, so I gave up. I really don’t like Yan Xiuyuan, and honestly, he’s not a good person. I… might have scolded him today, and he seemed very angry.”

Pei Lang paused for a moment, then added meaningfully, “You see, we have a contract, right? If something happens to me, your father will definitely find out. If he starts asking questions and the truth about our marriage gets exposed, wouldn’t that affect your reputation?”

Yan Han never wanted to marry Pei Lang in the first place.

There had been no wedding, no public announcement, and even the servants at home had no idea. Aside from Yan Han himself, probably only his father knew. If their contract marriage got exposed because of Yan Xiuyuan, it would only make their future divorce more complicated.

Yan Han did not want trouble.

His father had forced this marriage upon him, thinking it would bring good luck. But in five years, if his legs still didn’t recover, and his father grew older and stopped pressuring him, he could simply get divorced quietly.

So why would he let Yan Xiuyuan mess things up now?

Yan Han’s expression remained calm, but in his heart, he silently cursed his nephew.

Rebellious brat.

After a long pause, he finally said, “Just stay in the villa. Yan Xiuyuan won’t be able to find you.”

And with that, he took the elevator upstairs.

Even though Yan Han didn’t say much, Pei Lang understood the subtext loud and clear—

As long as he stayed quiet and didn’t cause trouble, Yan Han would protect him.

Pei Lang leaned back on the couch and smirked to himself.

“Yan Han is actually a pretty nice guy.”

Yan Han didn’t return to his bedroom right away.

Instead, he went to his study, turned on his computer, and pretended to work.

But no matter how much he tried to focus, one particular thought kept looping in his head—

“Yan Han is a good person who can get along with others.”

…Was he really, though?

Pei Lang’s words played over and over in his mind.

Even though it was clearly flattery, Pei Lang had said it with such sincerity—his eyes bright and clear, his voice soft and smooth, like reciting poetry.

It was strangely pleasing to hear.

In Pei Lang’s eyes, he seemed different from how others saw him.

It was a strange feeling, but… he didn’t hate it.

And so, when Pei Lang indirectly asked for his protection, he had agreed without hesitation.

If it had been anyone else, trying to manipulate him like that, he would have crushed them immediately.

But Pei Lang…

Pei Lang was different.

Still, there was something he couldn’t figure out.

It was as if Pei Lang had become a completely different person overnight—

He could act, charm, and say all the right things.

But if he had this level of skill all along, why had he ruined his reputation so badly?

What was his real goal?

That night, Yan Han thought about it for a long time, but in the end, his mind was a mess.

Meanwhile, Pei Lang casually scrolled through his phone for a bit before falling asleep.

After offending Yan Xiuyuan, Pei Lang fully embraced his new life of leisure at the villa.

Free food, free drinks, unlimited internet—why on earth would he go outside?

The villa was huge and fully equipped with everything—a gym, swimming pool, garden, and even entertainment facilities.

It was basically a private resort.

One day, Pei Lang stumbled upon the gym and immediately decided to make full use of it.

After getting Yan Han’s permission, he started training every day.

He worked out and practiced martial arts, pushing himself hard because he needed results fast.

His body had no foundation for combat, so he ended up covered in bruises from falling.

But he didn’t stop.

After repeatedly falling and getting injured, he finally got his body to move in sync with his old skills.

His form was perfect, but his strength was still lacking.

There was a huge gap between his current self and his past life.

But he was making progress.

At the same time, he also passed his online part-time job interview.

The website helped him register an account as a songwriter, and from now on, he could upload his own music.

The platform was dedicated to mental health.

It wasn’t just about music—it also had healing articles, artwork, psychology discussions, and professional therapists offering online consultations.

The site had grown immensely popular, but no one knew who was running it behind the scenes.

While Pei Lang was enjoying his quiet, productive life, Yan Xiuyuan was boiling with rage.

His plan to publicly humiliate Pei Lang had failed spectacularly.

After Pei Lang hung up on him that night, it was like he had vanished from the face of the earth.

For someone with such a bad reputation, Pei Lang should have been impossible to hide.

Usually, every little move he made would be all over the internet, flooded with hate comments.

But now?

Radio silence.

There was nothing.

No scandals. No gossip.

Nothing to attack.

Yan Xiuyuan had been holding in his anger for too long, and it was starting to mess with his temper.

Before, he had always been gentle and patient with Pei Ziqing, only losing his temper occasionally.

But now…

He was constantly irritable.

He couldn’t find Pei Lang, and he couldn’t vent his frustration.

Pei Lang was either dead or had someone powerful protecting him.

But who?

There were only a few people in the industry who could hide someone from him.

And Yan Han was one of them.

But that was impossible.

His uncle was cold, ruthless, and a complete clean freak.

There was no way someone like Yan Han would take Pei Lang in.

Even if Yan Han wanted to spite him, he wouldn’t go that far.

After thinking it over again and again, Yan Xiuyuan still couldn’t figure it out.

So in the end, he made a decision—

If he couldn’t find Pei Lang…

He would force Pei Lang to come out himself.

By setting the internet on fire.