I Really Didn't Want the Long Aotian to Be My Wife [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 20
The Wei family has been recently suffering from a few hard days. An emerging company suddenly surfaced and swept the entire mobile phone industry. It bought a large number of media outlets and launched a massive, full-scale promotion.
Even middle-aged and elderly people who don’t usually go online are aware of a new cell phone that has various features and is lightweight and convenient.
Originally, the Wei family watched this massive promotion with the attitude of watching a good show. This was because the mobile phone came in two styles: one was a normal model with no noticeable difference from other phones in appearance, and another was a stylish model.
The stylish model had two external designs resembling a mech suit and a kitten. The promotion claimed to have the tactile feeling of a mini mech and the soft touch of torturing a cat. Moreover, it boldly claimed that the external design would not add any weight to the phone itself, and the phone itself was even lighter than all other phones on the market.
Also, the promotion asserted that the chip was from their independently researched top-notch technology, featured fast processing, high heat dissipation, and would never stutter.
Any company could change the appearance of the cell phone, but this would inevitably increase the weight of the phone. As a daily necessity, cell phones favor lightweight and convenient designs. No company would be naive enough to add any impractical designs to the cell phone weight for appearance.
Under such a mass promotion, most netizens had an attitude of ridicule and watching the show.
However, after a temporary promotion, the phones were quickly released in Z City for trial sales. The first batch of buyers astonishingly discovered that the company’s promotion was true: the phone had not gained weight, and it indeed felt like furring a cat. Despite not having fluffy fake fur on it, the tactile feeling was amazingly not cold or hard.
This sudden burst made a large group of cat lovers go wild. Some people even came from far away by high-speed rail or airplane to buy these phones. Within a few days, the phone, still in trial sales, had topped the trending search on multiple occasions.
In response, the public relations department of Zhen Ge Company stated that they had adopted advanced touch simulation technology. They will properly introduce this phone before it is officially released nationwide.
Everyone anticipates this unveiling event along with its widespread availability at various communication business offices nationwide.
For a time, the phone sales under the Wei family plunged to a historical low. Everyone was waiting to get their hands on the upcoming Infinite Possible Series by newcomer, Zhen Ge Company.
What’s more important is that the research department of the Wei Group researched the Infinite Possible series and got nowhere. The peer review was more apt, firstly, they couldn’t replicate the exterior design, and secondly, the chip was indeed better than theirs, it processed information faster, and was more stable.
This was what gave Wei Chengye a headache. A short-term slump meant nothing to them as the Wei family had a big business to fall back on. But if this series of phones were to be launched, it would be a consistent and serious blow to the Wei family.
Wei Chengye looked at his personal assistant standing next to him without daring to take a breath. He didn’t get angry, but asked, “How did Zhen Ge manage to get the opportunity to cooperate with multiple business offices?”
The biggest problem for an emerging cell phone company was the lack of funds to open offline physical locations. Yet, Zhen Ge quietly landed cooperation with several major carriers and directly announced its intention to release nationally in multiple business offices after the unveiling.
Wei Chengye couldn’t make heads or tails of the problem, and what surprised him even more was that the Wei family’s troubles were just beginning.
Jian Yuanbai was set on bringing down the Wei and Fu families as quickly as possible. But for these families, particularly the Wei family, with their large businesses, a rapid decline was obviously going to be challenging.
The Wei and Fu families were like influential big brothers followed by his loyal junior. The Wei family would eat meat, and the Fu family would follow suit, content with sipping soup. This was also one of the reasons why Fu Pengyi intentionally made things difficult for Wei Zhenge, to please Wei En.
With conventional methods proving ineffective, Jian Yuanbai could only think of something special.
In the meeting hall of Zhen Ge Company, aside from the Wei and Fu families, sat chairpersons from every other large and small company within the industry. Even though Zhen Ge was a newly emerging company, Jian Yuanbai, dressed in a sharp suit, sat calmly in the place of honor. “As for the appearance technology, Zhen Ge has applied for the patents. However, we are willing to share this technology with everyone.”
“All of us can profit together, and all you need to do is pay Zhen Ge an annual licensing fee. As long as you pay up, we’re willing to sign the patent license agreement.”
The people in the meeting room exchanged dubious looks, clearly in disbelief. Yet, Jian Yuanbai not only confirmed the truth of this, but also added, “You can pay the patent fee yearly in one lump sum, or choose to pay based on a commission of your cell phone sales.”
“Of course, the two payment methods would have different pricing. But rest assured, Zhen Ge is all about win-win cooperation. The price won’t be too steep. A year from now, we at Zhen Ge are also willing to share our chip technology with everyone.”
Jian Yuanbai smiled, his hands lightly clasped together. “All of this, on the condition that no information is leaked to the Wei or Fu families, especially if you have collaborations with them. It would be best if you could put those on hold for a while.”
“We will offset the corresponding patent fee based on the value of our cooperation, and also offer discounts on the licensing fee for the chip technology.”
Every person present had the same thought flash through their mind: the Wei and Fu families were finished.
No one could refuse Jian Yuanbai’s offer. If they didn’t agree today, they would be the ones cast aside tomorrow. The industry is cruel in that way; whoever has the technology has the power to make the rules.
…
Jian Yuanbai had never mentioned these thoughts and schemes to Wei Zhenge. Their days seemed to have returned to normal, with Wei Zhenge busy with classes and learning, and Jian Yuanbai buried in his company’s work.
But unlike before, Jian Yuanbai would come home for lunch, bringing takeout he had ordered from a high-end restaurant.
He always felt that Wei Zhenge was already tired from studying and that any spare time should be spent resting, not cooking. Previously, he had just started his company and was too busy; now, as Wei Zhenge didn’t order takeout himself, Jian Yuanbai took it upon himself.
Wei Zhenge graciously accepted his kindness and gradually learned to tell Jian Yuanbai what he wanted to eat for lunch in the mornings.
Jian Yuanbai was genuinely surprised. “I thought you weren’t picky, but there are many things you don’t like to eat?”
“Doesn’t eat pumpkin, doesn’t eat loofah, doesn’t eat spinach, even if the eggplant is too hard, he won’t eat it,” Jian Yuanbai looked at Wei Zhen Ge who was blushing, slowly saying, “Picky eating isn’t a good habit, kiddo.”
The word ‘kiddo’ was slightly elongated, as if he were savoring it, teasing him with a kind of spoiled indulgence.
Wei Zhen Ge bit his lip, feeling a slight warmth under Jian Yuanbai’s gaze. He wasn’t the adult Long Aotian who could handle everything with cool detachment from the story, he was still just an adult in name only, a fresh eighteen-year-old boy.
Thus he turned his face uneasily, mumbling, “I, I can eat, just don’t like to.”
Wei Zhen Ge was picky, but also not, in his days with the Wei family, most of the time he just took what he got, had no choice, and ate what was available.
Jian Yuanbai laughed gently, ruffling his hair, “Alright, I won’t force you to eat, don’t be spoiled.”
The nutrients from the veggies he didn’t like could be obtained elsewhere, there wasn’t a necessity to eat those particular vegetables, this was called scientifically nourishing a child.
Yet, due to Xiao Zhenge’s clear statement that he didn’t want another father figure, Jian Yuanbai could only silently praise himself, not daring to voice it out.
This was also why Wei Zhen Ge obediently sat, allowing him to ruffle his hair. If Jian Yuanbai would say his thoughts out loud, the soft cotton-filled Xiao Zhenge might instantly turn into a cement-filled rebar pillow.
Unaware of the crisis he narrowly avoided, Jian Yuanbai spoke to Wei Zhen Ge, “I won’t be coming back for lunch tomorrow, I’m going out of town on a business trip.”
“You can cook yourself or order takeout.”
A company decided to terminate its cooperation with the Wei family, and this involved how to offset the patent fees and some other cooperative matters that Jian Yuanbai needed to personally handle.
He handed Wei Zhen Ge a business card, “This is the phone number of the restaurant we often go to, you can call them to deliver right to the door.”
Wei Zhen Ge took the card, he didn’t say whether he would order or not, “Alright, you please be careful on the road.”
By the next evening, Wei Zhen Ge remembered that he had forgotten to ask Jian Yuanbai whether he would be back that night. They wouldn’t necessarily eat together at night, but every night Wei Zhen Ge would wait for Jian Yuanbai to come back, this has become a habit between the two.
In the past, he hesitated to call Jian Yuanbai, but now he could dial casually.
The call was quickly answered, but it was a strange young woman’s voice on the other end, “Hello? Who is this?”
Wei Zhen Ge was taken aback, “Who are you?”
“Where is Jian Yuanbai?”
The woman started to giggle, her voice somewhat flirtatious, “Oh, I’m the future Mrs. Jian. As for Mr. Jian, he’s in the bath right now. Are you looking for him?”
“Wei Zhenge replied calmly, “No, that’s alright.”
He ended the call. The knuckles of Wei Zhenge’s hand gripping his phone soon turned white from his obvious strain. He just stood in his empty room, holding his phone for a long while.
He stepped to the window and shut it. It must have been the wind that crept in, making him feel somewhat cold.
When Jian Yuanbai emerged in his bathrobe, he stood stunned for a moment at the sight of a scantily dressed woman, striking a provocative pose on his bed. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and stammered, “Sorry, sorry, I walked into the wrong room.”
The woman who suddenly appeared had startled him so much that he didn’t even grab his clothes. Using his exceptional sense of balance, he groped his way out in the darkness, clutching his eyelids shut.
Just as Jian Yuanbai was about to exit his hotel room altogether, the woman, unable to maintain her sensual pose, abruptly stood and said, “Mr. Jian, you didn’t walk into the wrong room.”
Jian Yuanbai didn’t pause for a moment, quickly opening the door and exiting the room. Seeing this, the woman hastily donned a robe and rushed after him. As Jian Yuanbain scrutinized the room numbers over and over again, she caught hold of his arm, “Mr. Jian, why are you running off?”
“Miss, have you entered the wrong room?” Jian Yuanbai brushed her hand away rudely. Now that the woman was dressed, Jian Yuanbai finally dared to look at her. Totally confused he asked, “How did you manage to get into my room?”
The woman let out a groan of pain in response, “Mr, Jian, I’m simply an admirer of yours, who wanted to discuss your entrepreneurial journey.”
Entrepreneurial journey? Jian Yuanbai’s eyes darted, now realizing what was going on.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, the woman rejoiced secretly. She was about to hook the belt of Jian Yuanbai’s bathrobe with her hand, but before her hand could reach it, Jian Yuanbai gripped her wrist forcefully, causing the woman’s face to contort in pain, and then she heard Jian Yuanbai declare without a shred of doubt:
“I understand now. You were sent by Wei Chengye to probe into our trade secrets, right? Tell me, where did you get my room card from?”
The woman was stunned and almost cried out because of the pain. While managing not to scream, she squealed, “Mr. Jian, I just wanted a deep and detailed interaction with you.”
“I know, you were trying to delve deep into our company’s trade secrets. I’m going to take you to the police right now.”
The woman was so annoyed with his cluelessness, she decided to be more explicit, “Mr. Jian, I just want a deeper interaction with…your ‘little brother’.”
Jian Yuanbai was taken aback: “You want to kill me?”
The woman was dumbfounded, feeling like cursing. Is this how a normal person thinks? Is the emphasis on the word ‘life’ in ‘man’s life root’? It’s about the part ‘root’, after all.
It was not until the boss of the cooperating company came to explain the situation that Jian Yuanbai, with an unhappy face, released the woman and changed out of his bathrobe before swiftly catching a flight home.
Jian Yuanbai boarded the airplane, seething with anger. If it weren’t for this whole mess, he might have been sleeping by now!
By the time he arrived home, it was already two in the morning. He thought Wei Zhenge would be asleep, but to his surprise, upon opening the door, he saw Wei Zhenge sitting on the couch, expressionless, lost in thought.
Although puzzled as to why Wei Zhenge was still awake at such an hour, Jian Yuanbai was ready to vent his frustrations. But before he could say a word, he heard Wei Zhenge ask with a ghost of a voice:
“Did you enjoy sleeping with that woman?”
“She said she’s the future Mrs. Jian. Congratulations, you’re getting married.”
Already fuming, and now faced with accusations as soon as he walked in, Jian Yuanbai’s anger was doused with a bucket of cold water, leaving him feeling utterly wronged. “Don’t you trust me?”
Then, his slow mind finally caught up. “Wait, how do you know about this?”
Wei Zhenge explained, “Three hours ago, I called you, and a woman answered.”
“And then your phone was switched off.”
Jian Yuanbai felt even more aggrieved. “Are you believing someone’s word over mine? Don’t you trust me?”
It wasn’t that Wei Zhenge didn’t trust him; it was the noisy sound of running water he’d heard over the phone and the idea of a man and a woman in the same hotel room late at night that didn’t need much explanation. Moreover, one would typically switch off their phone only if they didn’t want to be disturbed.
Jian Yuanbai hadn’t checked his phone until that moment and only now realized it was indeed switched off. Angrily, he sat down beside Wei Zhenge and recounted everything that had happened that evening.
Wei Zhenge blinked and could barely contain his laughter. He knew Jian Yuanbai thought differently than most people, and although he usually ended up being the butt of someone else’s anger, the absurdity of Jian Yuanbai’s logic, when applied to others, was actually quite amusing to him.
While he struggled not to laugh, the joy still shone through his eyes. Seeing this made Jian Yuanbai even more upset, “You actually think I would sleep with a woman I don’t know.”
Wei Zhenge quickly admitted his mistake, “I was wrong.”
Jian Yuanbai snorted coldly, “I’m giving you the cold shoulder. For a week! No, for a month!”
Wei Zhenge couldn’t help but be amused by his pettiness and cuteness, “Is it that serious?”
Feeling utterly wronged, Jian Yuanbai retorted, “What do you know? This is about my honor as a man.”
Wei Zhenge couldn’t help but want to laugh at his remark about a man’s honor. He gritted his teeth to avoid laughing during his apology, “I realize I’m in the wrong. Please, I don’t want to fight with you.”
Jian Yuanbai simply ignored him and deliberately looked away from Wei Zhenge.
Recalling the last time he called Jian Yuanbai “brother” and his softened demeanor, Wei Zhenge gently called out, “Jian ge, brother, I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
They both seemed oblivious to the fact that based on their prior relationship as guardianship, Wei Zhenge shouldn’t be unhappy about Jian Yuanbai potentially being intimate with a woman.
Wei Zhenge grabbed the hem of Jian Yuanbai’s clothing, softening his voice to a plea, “Brother…”
Barely tolerating the disturbance, Jian Yuanbai finally turned to look at him, only to meet Wei Zhenge’s bright eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter, the corner of his mouth quirked up in a tiny smirk.
That mouth, recently bitten hard by its owner, was bright red. Its stunning color was a stark contrast against his porcelain-white face, reminiscent of a red plum blossoming against the snow. Both the snow and the red plum were beautiful.
That night, Jian Yuanbai had a dream.
In the dim and blurred landscape of the dream, a pair of eyes sparkling with stardust shone with an undistorted clarity. The owner of those eyes, his lips curled up in a smile, whispered, calling him ‘brother’.
Translator Footnotes:
机甲 (jijia): Translate as Mech suit is a type of robotic armor or exoskeleton appearing in various forms of media. Here, it refers to one of the unique design options for the new phone.
虐猫 (nüèmāo): Means torturing a cat. In this context, it is a playful translation that signifies petting or stroking a cat, in line with the cultural love for cats in the internet era.
席卷了整个手机界 (Xíjuǎn le zhěnggè shǒujī jiè): “Sweep the entire mobile”. An idiom that means influencing or changing significantly in a certain area or field.
“小朋友” (xiaopengyou): It is used by adults when they speak to children. Literally means “little friend” but it’s usually translated as “child” or “kiddo”.
命根子(mìnggēnzi): In Chinese, this term is slang for ‘male genitalia’. The term is made up of the characters for ‘life’ (命 – mìng) and ‘root’ (根子 – gēnzi), hence the confusion when translated literally.
崇拜 (chóngbài): Literally translates as ‘worship’. In this context, it’s used to express deep admiration or idolization.
You guys are already in a love relationship, just didn’t realize yet!
What did you think about this chapter guys?
Love ya (˘ε˘˶ )
Storyteller One Shameless Bookworm's Words
Hi there! I'm "One Shameless Bookworm" who thrives on novels, especially Chinese BL ones! Please let me know what do you think about this novel in the comments section. Did you like my translation? Feel free to Buy Me a Milk Tea
merizz
Kyaaaaa! Hi, I just want to drop by and say thank you for translating this. I’ve finally caught up with the recent updates andddd as a translator as well (from another site), I know how hard it is to keep on moving forward. I just want to encourage you to continue translating! I may not comment every chapter, but I really enjoy reading them all. I can’t buy you milk teas for now since I’m not that well-off, so I read them all online and view ads for you! Thank you for your hard work and I’m looking forward to you finishing this novel! Big thanks! <3