Marrying the Male Lead’s Disabled Uncle – Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Photo is Photoshopped, The Person is Innocent

Although he suspected Yan Xiuyuan, Pei Lang had no concrete evidence. However, with Yan Han’s support, he felt more at ease and focused on heading upstairs to record his song.

The track he chose was his original debut song from his past life, which conveniently met the submission requirements of the music platform. Since he was already familiar with it, the recording process went smoothly, and the song was quickly approved for release. It wasn’t difficult at all.

With its soothing melody, his unique voice, and uplifting lyrics, the song immediately caught listeners’ attention, prompting them to leave comments as soon as it was uploaded.

Lonely Wolf: New artist? Your voice is amazing. Did you compose this yourself? I’ve never heard it before. ( )

Dream Blue Butterfly: Your voice is so nice, little brother! I love it! (^_^)*

Ganyazi: Look what I found—a hidden gem! I want to be your first fan. Your voice is incredible! Please release more songs in the future. Love it!

Since the song was newly uploaded, the platform’s algorithm hadn’t yet determined its popularity. Typically, tracks needed time to accumulate listens before being promoted. Some users had discovered it, but it hadn’t reached a wide audience yet.

Still, the early feedback was enthusiastic and positive, without any of the usual online toxicity. It seemed like this platform had a relatively normal user base—perhaps because people came here for emotional healing.

As a text-based site without image or emoji comments, users tended to express their feelings through more descriptive words.

Pei Lang found this rather endearing. After replying to a few comments, he closed the site and patiently waited for news from Yan Han.

Su Jia worked quickly. Within just an hour, he had uncovered the truth.

“Boss, we’ve confirmed it. The photo is photoshopped, and Pei Lang is innocent.”

Su Jia’s tone carried a hint of relief—perhaps even excitement.

Previously, he had disliked Pei Lang. But after their constant bickering over the past few days, he realized Pei Lang wasn’t actually a bad person. Sure, he had a way of using a gentle voice to argue and provoke people, but deep down, he wasn’t malicious.

Knowing that Pei Lang had been framed, Su Jia unexpectedly found himself feeling relieved. He genuinely didn’t want Pei Lang to get hurt.

“Did you find out who started the rumor?” Yan Han asked coldly.

“We tracked down the person who spread it, but they weren’t the original source. Someone sent them the photos and paid them to spread the rumor. Because Pei Lang already had a history of negative press, the rumor-monger didn’t bother verifying the photos before making up a story.”

The so-called “witness” had fabricated an entire narrative, describing in vivid detail how he had personally seen Pei Lang seducing the Black man, even providing specific times and locations as if he had been present.

“We haven’t found out exactly who sent the photos, but…” Su Jia hesitated before continuing, “I did find out what Master Yan was planning to do to Pei Lang a few days ago. Given the circumstances, I suspect it was Master Yan.”

Before he met Pei Lang, Su Jia had always considered himself an intelligent person—not someone easily fooled.

“Go on.” Yan Han’s expression darkened. If it really was Yan Xiuyuan behind this, then he was even more inclined to help Pei Lang.

“That night, Master Yan had everything prepared. His plan was to completely ruin Pei Lang’s reputation. He was going to use the same method as today, but that time, he intended to make it real. Fortunately, Pei Lang never showed up for the meeting and has been staying at home since then. Master Yan’s plan failed, so now he’s resorted to spreading rumors.

“Of course, this is just speculation,” Su Jia added. “But Master Yan has been actively looking for Pei Lang recently, and he hasn’t been able to find him.”

Yan Han’s expression turned ice-cold.

A flicker of disgust flashed in his eyes, and he fell silent for a long time.

Su Jia had tracked every lead—except one.

The only piece of the puzzle they couldn’t verify was whether Yan Xiuyuan was truly behind it.

The photos were expertly manipulated, skillfully enough that the average person would never notice. Whoever was behind this had clearly intended to destroy Pei Lang completely.

“One hour,” Yan Han ordered, his voice sharp. “I want this settled.”

“Understood, Boss.”

As an entertainment company, they had an elite public relations team and knew how to handle scandals.

Even though Pei Lang had a tarnished reputation, clearing this matter wouldn’t be difficult.

Su Jia mobilized a PR team and hired a group of internet trolls to reveal the original, unedited photos. Then, several well-known digital forensics experts published reports exposing the manipulation, while the company spent money to remove the trending searches.

After this rapid-fire response, the storm finally began to subside.

Meanwhile, Pei Lang made a call.

When the person on the other end picked up, an arrogant and self-satisfied voice came through.

“What’s this? You finally remembered to contact me?” Yan Xiuyuan sneered.

Pei Lang got straight to the point.

“You were the one behind this, weren’t you?”

“So what if I was?”

Yan Xiuyuan didn’t even bother denying it.

Pei Lang wasn’t particularly angry. Now that the issue had been resolved, Yan Xiuyuan’s provocation didn’t matter anymore.

Hearing his response, Pei Lang’s lips curled into a slow, dark smile.

Because at that very moment, his phone was recording.

“What do you want me to do?” Pei Lang asked calmly.

Yan Xiuyuan suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

Pei Lang seemed… different.

He didn’t lash out in rage, didn’t hurl insults, didn’t try to seduce or manipulate.

Instead, he simply asked him a question.

For the first time, Yan Xiuyuan felt that Pei Lang was no longer the person he thought he was.

What did he want Pei Lang to do? Did he really have to ask?

“Of course, stay away from me and Ziqing. Just forget about it. I will never like you. Pairing someone like you with a dog would be an insult to the dog!”

“Oh, is that so?” Pei Lang responded lightly. He acted as if he understood, then suddenly shifted the conversation. “Did you not comprehend what I told you the other day? Fine, let me repeat it today.

“Yan Xiuyuan, I have never liked you.

“The reason I used to seduce you was simply because I hated Pei Ziqing. I couldn’t stand seeing him do well. As for why I hated him, you can ask him yourself.

“In fact, just as you find me repulsive, I also find you disgusting.

“You will probably never experience what it’s like to suppress your own disgust, to seduce someone you loathe just to get revenge on another person you despise. But I’ve had enough.

“Instead of living a life consumed by hatred, constantly entangled with vile people, I’d rather focus on myself and live well.”

Yan Xiuyuan was completely stunned.

Pei Lang’s words were firm, spoken in an orderly and composed manner. It was so unexpected, so direct, that for a long time, Yan Xiuyuan was left speechless.

Only Pei Lang’s voice continued to ring in his ears.

“Today, I’ll say this one last time. If you want me to stay away from you, then fine. I’ve already hidden myself, and I will stay away from you. In the future, even if we cross paths, I won’t even spare you a glance.

“I’ve already said all of this to Pei Ziqing. He probably didn’t bother telling you.

“So, do you understand now?”

This wasn’t an act. This wasn’t a joke.

Pei Lang was dead serious.

And somehow, that realization made Yan Xiuyuan feel extremely uncomfortable.

He had always been the one rejecting others. No one had ever rejected him. Even though Pei Ziqing had made him chase her for a long time, she had always given him just enough hope, never shutting him out completely.

But Pei Lang?

Pei Lang had stepped all over his dignity, had ruined his reputation, had forced him into the role of some tragic “devoted husband” in the eyes of the public. And now, Pei Lang was the one letting go first.

That was what truly infuriated him.

Yan Xiuyuan couldn’t quite explain what he was feeling. Maybe it was just his pride.

Even if Pei Lang wanted to let go, it should’ve been because he was forced to—because Yan Xiuyuan had crushed him beneath his feet.

Not because he simply chose to walk away.

“You think this is over?” Yan Xiuyuan suddenly sneered. “Heh, Pei Lang, why are you acting so high and mighty?

“You weren’t like this when you stripped in front of me and begged for my attention.

“And now you think you can just let Ziqing go? Do you think that erases all the harm you’ve done to her?”

Yan Xiuyuan’s voice was filled with rage. He gritted his teeth, wishing he could tear Pei Lang apart.

“I want you to kneel in front of me and apologize to Ziqing.

“If you do that, maybe—maybe—I’ll consider letting you go.”

Yan Xiuyuan was the so-called “child of destiny,” adored by countless people. He refused to believe that Pei Lang truly had no feelings for him.

Pei Lang was just scared.

That had to be it. He was being a coward, which was why he was saying all this.

Besides, wasn’t this a good deal?

If Pei Lang knelt and apologized, everything could be smoothed over. In a few years, people would forget, and Pei Lang could still live a decent life.

He thought Pei Lang would agree.

But instead, he heard a sneer.

A very mocking sneer.

Yan Xiuyuan’s face darkened instantly. His voice turned sharp as he snapped, “What the hell are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at you, obviously,” Pei Lang replied smoothly.

At that moment, he genuinely couldn’t hold back his amusement.

He had never met such a ridiculous person before. Such an idiotic, brainless protagonist.

Pei Lang wasn’t the type to curse often, but this time, he really couldn’t help it.

He couldn’t think of a more accurate word than:

“Fucking dumbass.”

“Say that again!”

Yan Xiuyuan completely lost control. His usual arrogance and composure shattered. He had exposed his emotions completely.

But his rage was only met with more ridicule.

“You really are an idiot with hearing problems,” Pei Lang said lazily.

“Pei Lang, you’re asking for death.” Yan Xiuyuan’s voice shook with anger.

“Just you wait. If I ever find you—”

Not only was Pei Lang not afraid, but he even insulted him more viciously.

Yan Xiuyuan’s eyes turned red with fury. He was like a wild beast on the verge of rampaging, but with no prey in sight, he could only take his anger out on the objects around him.

A loud crash rang out.

Something had been thrown.

Then another.

The sound of a table being smashed.

Pei Lang smirked. “Wow, someone has anger issues.“

He clicked his tongue. “Young man, getting angry so easily probably means your liver isn’t in great shape. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“PEI LANG!!”

BANG!

This time, it wasn’t Pei Lang who hung up the call.

It was Yan Xiuyuan, who smashed his phone in rage.

Pei Lang let out a soft sigh.

“Well, looks like I pissed him off again,” he murmured to himself.

Then, his lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“But damn, that felt good.”

Pei Lang carefully saved the entire recorded conversation.

He knew he couldn’t beat Yan Xiuyuan—not in a direct confrontation.

But keeping these recordings? Now that was useful.

Someday, he might need them.

After this exchange, Pei Lang was certain that Yan Xiuyuan now hated him to the core.

Which only strengthened his resolve—he had to cling to Yan Han’s thigh even tighter.

Right now, in this entire world, the only person who could truly protect him was Yan Han.

And this time, it was thanks to Yan Han that he had managed to escape unscathed.

Without Yan Han’s help, he would’ve been completely alone—no background, no real skills, and absolutely no way to fight back.

He owed Yan Han a huge favor.

“Hmm, I should properly thank him.”

Pei Lang hadn’t yet figured out how exactly he would repay Yan Han.

But there was no rush.

For now, it was still early. No need to overthink things.

He headed downstairs, greeted Aunt Lin, and then went straight to the gym.

It was time to work out.