Chapter 10: The Drowning Ghost of the Abyss
Wei Jia knew the story was boring for children, and he had told it deliberately. Kids usually liked exciting and romantic tales, but *Yue Ren Ge* was a story of unrequited love, the kind that would bore any child to sleep. However, he needed Little Ting to fall asleep quickly, so he could get ready.
He quietly got up, tucked the blanket around Little Ting, and tiptoed out of the bedroom.
He returned to his own bare-bones room, which had nothing but a bed and a desk. After locking the door, he changed into his usual dancing outfit and opened his laptop to log into the Aldous streaming platform.
As soon as he logged in, a barrage of messages and photos flooded his inbox. Most were disgusting pictures or lewd messages. Wei Jia’s face remained expressionless as he began deleting them. As the stream of private messages dwindled, a nameless sense of suffocation filled his chest, as if it were about to drown him.
…Wasn’t he doing all this, putting on a show in front of the camera, just for these people’s tips? Taking their gifts while despising them for their vulgarity—don’t act so high and mighty, Wei Jia…
He laughed bitterly at himself, but the emptiness in his heart only grew. While he was busy deleting obscene messages, his phone buzzed with a new notification. He glanced at it and saw it was from his professor.
"Wei Jia, regarding your recent request to take a leave of absence, I think it’s too impulsive. You’re already in your third year. Dropping out now would be a waste. I understand your family situation, and I will do my best to help you apply for financial aid. Please take a few more days to think it over, okay?"
Even through the screen, Wei Jia could feel his professor’s concern. His heart warmed, but he wasn’t naïve. Financial aid was always limited, and besides, he still had that massive, seemingly insurmountable debt from the car accident. If he continued his studies, the part-time jobs he could take on the side wouldn’t be nearly enough to cover his expenses.
The social workers had suggested he send Little Ting to a foster care family, but the child cried under the blankets every night. If he really sent him away, wouldn’t that make Little Ting believe he was unwanted? His sister had raised him alone, and now it was his responsibility to do the same.
As he pondered how to reply to his professor, another message came in. This time, it was from his senior, Huang Nan.
"Xiao Jia, come back. Without you playing the role of the water ghost in *Suoliu*, the whole performance feels off. We’re performing in two weeks…"
Before he could finish reading the message, fate seemed to mock him. His recently healed left leg began to throb painfully. The sharp, bone-deep ache made him clench his teeth to keep from crying out. Once the pain subsided, Wei Jia angrily threw his phone onto the bed and covered his face.
What dancing? He could barely stand for long periods now… Wei Jia thought bitterly. He glanced down at his injured left knee, where the newly healed skin was still an angry pink, contrasting with his pale complexion. It was a stark reminder of his shattered dreams—he truly had become a water ghost, forever trapped in the depths of the abyss.
He laughed bitterly to himself. Just then, his computer chimed. He had received a new message. Wiping his face, he opened it, frustration bubbling up inside him.
Dammit, who’s sending me another disgusting picture?
He was about to hit delete, but then he noticed it wasn’t from a random user. It was from the platform’s official account.
"Mr. Wei, our company’s leadership is very interested in your channel and would like to discuss signing an exclusive contract with you. If you are open to this, please contact Secretary Cheng." The message included a phone number.
Wei Jia was stunned.
── What the heck? Is this a scam? There are streamers way more popular than me. Why would they choose me?
Wei Jia was confused. He was about to delete the message, but then his eyes fell on the sea of vulgar photos in his inbox, and suddenly, he understood.
…So, I’ve finally reached the point where people are asking for my price…?
Once he grasped the situation, Wei Jia didn’t feel angry. Instead, he felt only confusion. He wasn’t particularly attractive, and he never interacted with his audience. His streams were always just him dancing or doing stretches. Sure, he got plenty of unsolicited pictures, but…
He glanced down at his injured leg, then at his professor’s message. After a long internal struggle, he finally dialed the number.
── If I’m going to sell myself, I might as well sell to someone reputable. At least that way, it won’t feel as gut-wrenching.
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**Author’s Note**
CC: Humph, I’ll buy my hubby and make sure he only dances for me from now on. 😏
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Chapter 11: Green Light Overhead
“This seafood tower was meticulously prepared by our kitchen, using the finest crab and lobster. The heat from the hot pot below steams the top, and the essence of the seafood drips into the broth below…”
The restaurant manager kept rambling on, but the familiar customer seemed uninterested, scrolling through his phone, his handsome face clouded with gloom.
Even though Young Master Jian looked displeased, the manager could only awkwardly try to please him. Just as he was about to serve Jian Shao a bowl of soup, the man suddenly lifted his gaze and shot him a cold look, speaking in a deep voice, “Who gave you permission to touch my food?”
The powerful aura of the high-ranking Alpha immediately suppressed the middle-aged man. His scalp tingled as he awkwardly retracted his hand, silently cursing himself for overstepping. But Jian Ximeng, who was already in a bad mood, didn’t want to tangle with him any further. He waved his hand, signaling for the man to leave.
The restaurant manager left with an embarrassed smile, and once the door was closed, Jian Ximeng, who had been suffocating from the cheap aftershave smell, finally managed to take a breath. He pulled out a handkerchief to cover his nose and idly picked up a piece of Dongpo pork with his chopsticks.
Whether it was from taking too much Chinese medicine or the lack of ventilation in the private room, he felt unbearably hot. Even the usually tender and flavorful Dongpo pork tasted dull in his mouth, so he spat it out in irritation.
At that moment, his phone rang. Taking it out, he saw it was a voice call request from his fiancé, Bai Jing.
── The sun must have risen in the west! This little flirt is actually reporting in?
Jian Ximeng felt a bit suspicious but still answered. However, before he could even say “Hello,” he was greeted by the sound of seductive moans flowing from the other end of the line.
“Bai Bai, between me and that Jian Shao, who’s better?” A stranger’s panting voice asked.
“Mmm… You’re better… Ah! There… Harder…” Bai Jing’s soft moan followed, and then came the creaking of a bedframe and the rough breathing of the stranger.
── Slut!
Jian Ximeng cursed angrily, hanging up the phone.
He and Bai Jing had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, but neither of them was what you’d call “proper.” They had broken up and gotten back together countless times, yet never truly ended things.
The Bai family and the Jian family were old family friends. Half of the country’s top-tier celebrities were signed under Bai Jing’s father’s entertainment company, and all of Bai family’s promotional work was handled through Jian Ximeng’s online media company. Even many of Aldous’s popular streamers were funneled into becoming trainees under the Bai family’s talent agency. Their businesses were deeply intertwined.
Because of these business ties, the two of them breaking up would undoubtedly spark endless gossip and could even affect stock prices. But it wasn’t just about that—Jian Ximeng thought he probably liked Bai Jing: Bai Jing fit his aesthetic tastes perfectly—fair-skinned, beautiful, long-legged, and wild in bed, always full of tricks. There was no reason not to like him.
Even though both of them played around on the side, Jian Ximeng had thought that if they really got married, he’d be willing to settle down with Bai Jing. But unexpectedly, Bai Jing had replied, “Don’t! If you stop playing, how will I have any fun?”
Before he could react, Bai Jing, that little seductress, had leaned in with a playful smile, “Xixi, you know? Rich men are easy to find, but one like you, who’s rich, well-endowed, and doesn’t care what I do, is one in a million! I’m not going to be some typical omega, staying at home and raising kids. We’re a perfect match!”
…A perfect match…? Jian Ximeng thought vaguely.
Bai Jing’s words left him feeling confused. But when he thought about how his mother had watched his father indulge in debauchery, yet had no choice but to endure and compromise, he seemed to understand a little, though it also left him feeling a bit bitter. After some thought, he eventually gave in.
Isn’t life just like this? He already had a great hand—good family background, stunning looks, a career that was soaring, and a generous, beautiful partner. How many Alphas could be as fortunate as him?
That’s what he told himself, but a nameless anger and irritation still surged within him.
The phone in his hand buzzed again, but this time it was from his secretary.
“Jian Zong, the person has arrived.”
“Alright, bring him up,” Jian Ximeng said in a muffled voice, then hung up the phone and slowly walked back to the table.
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**Author’s Note**
**CC**: Is there any male lead as unlucky as mine? You’re like a stepmother!!! (cries on the floor)
**Sang Sang**: Child, you’re not alone (smokes)
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