At the wedding reception, Yu Antong noticed Xing Lixuan heading towards the restroom. Feeling the call of nature himself, he decided to follow.

Yu Antong unzipped his trousers next to Xing Lixuan. As the clear sound of Xing's stream hitting the porcelain stopped, Yu's curiosity got the better of him, and he sneaked a glance towards Xing.

After all, standing beside him was the dominant lead character from the book, rumored to be the very epitome of masculinity.

Yu Antong took a quick peek.

He then gasped, exclaiming, "It's enormous!"

He then looked down at his own.

Sighing internally, he wondered, "How can there be such a disparity between two men, even considering their respective roles?"

"Shameless!" Xing Lixuan frowned deeply, shooting a disgusted glare at Yu Antong.

The man who always kept his composure during intense business negotiations was now flustered, hastily adjusting his trousers.

"What's the matter?" Yu Antong teased as he approached Xing Lixuan, "Not only did I want to see, but I might want to use it too."

"In your dreams!" Xing Lixuan retorted, his forehead veins bulging in irritation. He quickly distanced himself from Yu, walking out in long strides.

In stark contrast to Xing Lixuan's frustration, Yu Antong cheerfully hummed a tune as he returned to the lounge.

Who would have thought that after a car accident, he would find himself in a novel?

At the moment of the accident, Yu Antong thought he was done for. In the last second before he lost consciousness, he regretted living such a dull life, solely focusing on his health.

Perhaps it was his unwillingness to let go, but after what felt like an eternity, he was awakened by the deafening sounds of firecrackers, only to find himself in unfamiliar surroundings.

"Why are you still in bed? Don't you know what day it is?" The bedroom door burst open, and in stormed a middle-aged man in red traditional attire. Upon seeing Yu Antong still in bed, he looked extremely displeased.

Yu Antong was bewildered. "What day is it? Care to enlighten me?"

What on earth was happening?

Noticing Yu Antong's clueless expression, the middle-aged man's disdain was palpable. Yet, his voice changed, feigning kindness with an underlying threat, "After you're married into the Xing family, make sure you visit often. Your sister, An Nan, will miss you."

After saying that, the man stepped aside to let a few attendants in, "Get him ready. The Xing family's procession will be here shortly. We can't miss the auspicious hour."

Getting married? What's happening? Moreover, he was an orphan abandoned by his parents; since when did he have a sister?

Wait a minute, An Nan? That name sounded familiar. Where had he heard it before?

Before Yu Antong could collect his thoughts, he was hustled by several women into changing clothes and then seated in front of a makeup mirror.

The face in the mirror had delicate, fair skin with exquisite features, especially the expressive, captivating eyes.

His eyes, a unique phoenix shape, were not too elongated. They gave him a gentle, warm gaze, the slight upward tilt adding an unapproachable nobility, balancing out his rather stunningly beautiful appearance for a man.

It was undoubtedly the face he found so irresistible even when looking at himself.

He reached out to touch his Adam's apple—it was still there. No doubt, he was still a man.

Yu Antong wondered: Since when could men marry in the dynasty?

A flash of memory streaked across his mind, swift as lightning.

He recalled it—the name An Nan. Wasn't she the sister of the novel's main character he was following, "Spoiled by the Rich"?

He had amusingly commented when he first discovered the novel: "The protagonist shares my name! I'm definitely reading this!"

Someone replied to his comment: "Be careful of novel-transmigration!"

Back then, he had laughed it off, but now, could it be that he had indeed transmigrated into the story, becoming the character with his name?!

Pushing away the makeup artist working on his face, Yu Antong said, "I need a moment in the restroom."

Once inside, the shock induced a rapid heartbeat. In this confined, silent space, the pulsing was all the more pronounced.

Pausing for a moment, he placed a hand over his heart. The robust rhythm excited him further.

He was born with congenital heart disease, frail since childhood. His heartbeat had never felt this strong before.

It made sense why he felt different upon waking. The chronic frailty he was accustomed to was gone. He now possessed a healthy body!

A healthy body—something Yu Antong had never dared to dream of. It was as if he was reborn.

He hopped in place a couple of times.

No discomfort in his heart whatsoever!

His reflection in the mirror showed flushed cheeks, radiating life, a far cry from his past pale and feeble appearance.

Elated, Yu Antong began to jump around in the restroom, laughing gleefully, eyes misting up, almost on the verge of tears of joy.

After composing himself, he stepped out, allowing the makeup artist to continue, while recollecting the novel's plot.

In the story, after Yu Antong's parents died in a plane crash during his childhood, he and his sister were adopted by their greedy uncle, Yu Qingnian, who coveted their inheritance.

Under their uncle's roof, the siblings faced maltreatment and hardship.

That was until rumors spread about the heir of the Xing family being gay.

Yu Qingnian, always striving for the top tier of the city's elite, initially took the rumors lightly. After all, in a prestigious family like the Xings, even if the heir did have such inclinations, it was but a fleeting dalliance. In the end, he would still marry a woman to bear heirs.

The domineering matriarch of the Xing family would never allow her only grandson to marry a man.

But then, an idea struck him. His face lit up with hope. Yu Qingnian envisioned the pathway to the upper echelons laying right before him.

After two days of contemplation, he hurried to the Xing residence, met with the family's matriarch, and astonishingly, brokered a matrimonial alliance between the two families.

Many readers have commented, questioning what exactly Uncle Yu said that could make Mrs. Xing force the protagonist to marry a man.

No matter how much the readers inquired, the author only responded: "It's a foreshadowing. If you're curious, dear readers, keep following the story."

The book's synopsis depicted a gentle and affectionate 'uke' versus a domineering 'seme' who verbally disapproves but is genuinely infatuated. Sadly, the author's skills didn't live up to it, causing character inconsistency.

The uke, who was supposed to be tender and easily wooed, was inexplicably portrayed as a saintly figure. Even when the Yu family went overboard, he would retaliate with kindness, emphasizing they were still family.

Yu AnTong, with a can't-stop-now mentality, continued reading despite the discomfort, mainly because the description of the protagonist's seme was too enticing.

A sharp nose, slender fingers, a well-built torso, he appears aloof and arrogant in public but becomes incredibly shy when in love. He might voice his complaints, but his actions scream devotion. He's the utmost husband material.

He's eagerly waiting for the seme's transformation in the story.

But not all readers were as patient as him. Most claimed to be misled by the synopsis, rating it lowly, criticizing the uke for being too sanctimonious and not matching the seme's stature, even demanding a character replacement.

Influenced by the readers' feedback, the author shockingly revealed in the latest update that they planned to 'write off' Yu AnTong and introduce a new uke.

That's when Yu AnTong lost his Zen-like approach.

With his failing health making each day uncertain, he worried about burdening young men with his condition. Having never dated in his 20 years, he treasured finding a character sharing his name and identity in a novel. He wanted to live vicariously, romancing the seme, but the author was not only destabilizing the story but now planning to kill his character. In frustration, Yu AnTong commented, "Dropping this story!"

A few days later, having some free time, Yu AnTong revisited the novel, curious about the subsequent chapters.

To his surprise, there were no new updates from the author.

It turned out, after the author's announcement to change the uke, half of the remaining readers revolted, commenting that they'd abandon the story.

The author, overwhelmed, declared in the synopsis: "This story has been abandoned and will never be resumed."

Feeling cheated, Yu AnTong harbored resentment towards the author but still remembered the story vividly.

While lost in thought, which only lasted minutes, something happened.

Before he realized, the Xing family's procession arrived for the wedding, but the seme, Xing LiXuan, he was most looking forward to seeing, was absent.

Understandable, since Xing LiXuan was being forced into the marriage. His displeasure was expected.

En route to the wedding venue, Yu AnTong pondered if he should flee. Even though the seme was depicted as dashingly handsome in the novel, marrying a complete stranger felt rather rash.

But the moment he saw the real Xing LiXuan upon alighting from the car, his decision was made.

marry!

In the wedding backstage lounge, Xing LiXuan sat on a sofa, feigning sleep.

He looked youthful with sharp facial features, neatly combed-back hair exposing a broad forehead and fierce eyebrows.

His prominent nose bridge and thin lips radiated a strong masculine aura.

Disturbed by the noise, Xing Lixuan furrowed his brow and lazily opened his eyes, visibly annoyed at being interrupted.

The man's gaze was momentarily languid and hazy, but it quickly sharpened into a penetrating depth, radiating a commanding presence. His tailored black suit accentuated this aura, making it easy to forget that he was just twenty-five years old.

Yu Antong's heart skipped a beat. "He's breathtakingly handsome!"

His once dormant heart as a character in the novel immediately awakened; every feature of this man was exactly to his liking.

The suit looked impeccable on him, utterly top-tier!

It's no wonder the author exaggeratedly described Xing Lixuan as the dream man for every young person in Jiang City.

"I'm totally smitten with this man!"

Trapped in a book and gifted with an ideal spouse? This is perhaps the greatest stroke of luck I've ever had.

Recalling his previous life of hesitations and twenty years of solitude, now with a second chance and a potentially short life span, why hesitate? It's time to live it up!

After all, it's just a fictional universe. Being with a character has no real consequences, and given the author intended for his character to perish, shouldn't he seize every joyous moment while he can?

...

"Hurry, the auspicious time is upon us! Where are the rings? Have you got them?" the wedding planner anxiously ushered the two from the restroom to the stage, "Alright, alright, just don't lose them. Let’s go."

...

On stage, two grooms stood in their elegant attire—one tall and striking, the other lean with unparalleled beauty.

Individually, both were undoubtedly striking, but together their energies felt a tad mismatched.

The shorter groom seemed relaxed with a constant smile. The taller one, however, appeared tense, as if he might bolt any second.

The audience wasn't fazed. In the world of the elite, nothing is truly surprising. Same-sex marriage had been legalized years ago, and this wasn't the first pair to wed.

What was truly peculiar to the attendees wasn't the wedding itself, but the stark contrast in social standing between the two men.

While the Yu family held some reputation in Jiang City, it paled in comparison to the Xing family's stature. The match seemed uneven, and there was no obvious affection from the younger Xing towards his groom.

"May I ask if the two handsome grooms are ready to commit to each other, to love, honor, and cherish for a lifetime?" Having witnessed all kinds of dramatic events, the MC decided to keep things brief and straightforward.

"I do," said Yu Antong breezily.

"I...do," Xing Lixuan gritted out the words.

"May the groom exchange rings now," the officiant stated succinctly.

Yu Antong pulled out a ring, quickly slipping it onto Xing Lixuan's finger, then extended his own hand, "Your turn."

Xing Lixuan reluctantly followed suit.

Observing the groom's clearly unhappy expression, the officiant hesitated for a long moment before daring to say, "The groom may now kiss his partner."

Yu Antong turned his gaze to Xing Lixuan, who remained still, clearly uncooperative.

Undeterred, Yu Antong tiptoed, wrapped his hands around Xing Lixuan's neck, and initiated a kiss.

Despite Xing Lixuan's resistance, Yu Antong persisted for a full three seconds before pulling away, whispering, "Happy wedding day, husband."

After uttering those words, a smiling Yu Antong couldn't believe he was now married. Maybe it was all just a dream. Maybe he'd wake up and still be the frail person he always was.

The officiant, having held his breath throughout, wiped the sweat from his brow, relieved the ceremony had proceeded smoothly.

Subsequently, the couple stepped off the stage and headed to the lounge to quickly snack before attending to their guests.

Xing Lixuan was in a sour mood, and he accepted every drink offer without refusal.

Yu Antong had always been frail. He had merely tasted alcohol before, never consuming it in any significant amount, hence he was uncertain of his alcohol tolerance.

The wedding guest list was expansive, a mandate from Yu Qingnian, who insisted on holding a grand celebration.

Yu Qingnian had always aspired to gain a foothold in the real estate industry.

Everyone wants a slice of the cake, but it's not so easily obtained. Yu Qingnian couldn't break into that circle, whereas the Xing family, with their early foresight, had long dominated a significant portion of the real estate market.

The union between the Xing and Yu families, coupled with a grand wedding, undoubtedly elevated the Yu family's stature in Jiangcheng's business circle.

"Congratulations, Mr. Yu! Your nephew is truly a sight to behold, quite the match with young master Xing. A match made in heaven."

"Indeed, Mr. Yu has done an excellent job raising the child..."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Listening to the surrounding praises, Yu Qingnian gleefully clinked glasses with the guests, confident in the newfound respect he commanded.

The wine served during the toasts was mostly diluted with water, so after all the rounds, Yu Antong felt no discomfort.

It seems my alcohol tolerance isn't too shabby! Even though it was diluted, I've had quite a bit after all these toasts.

Yu Antong thought smugly.

After the toasts, the couple retreated to a private room designated for the Xing family.

A sophisticated middle-aged woman approached, saying warmly, "Finished with the toasts? Come sit, Tongtong."

Yu Antong recognized her as Xing Lixuan's mother; he had paid his respects with tea during the ceremony.

Somewhat awkwardly, he greeted Xing's parents, addressing them as 'mom' and 'dad'. Xing's mother then brought him over to an elderly lady, prompting, "Tongtong, call her 'grandma'."

The elderly lady seemed frail, but her sharp eyes seemed as though they could peer right into one's soul. Despite her age, remnants of her youthful elegance were evident.

The pronounced laugh lines on her face gave her a stern appearance. Though she was petite, the well-read Yu Antong knew this elderly woman held significant sway in the Xing family. It was largely her influence that had brought about his marriage to Xing Lixuan.

Yu Antong quickly assessed her, then obediently greeted, "Hello, Grandma."

"Hmm," the elderly matriarch responded, handing Yu Antong a red envelope. "Good boy. Live a good life with Lixuan."

Oddly enough, despite her instrumental role in orchestrating the wedding, the old lady's face didn't betray much joy.

"I will, thank you, Grandma," replied Yu Antong, taking the envelope but still observing the old woman.

If he wasn't mistaken, there seemed to be a hint of scrutiny and displeasure in her gaze.

Internally, Yu Antong scoffed. If she was so unsatisfied, why did she force her beloved grandson to marry him?

Xing Lixuan also noticed his grandmother's expression, sharing Yu Antong's sentiments.

Xing Lixuan, with a furrowed brow, said to his grandmother, "If there's nothing else, I'd like to retire for some rest."

Today, his mood was particularly sour, and even his usually respectful tone towards his grandmother had an edge to it.

Noticing Xing Lixuan's dark mood, the elderly lady refrained from commenting further. "You've had quite a bit to drink," she said. "Let the driver take you home. Yu, please look after him."

Given that he naturally lacked familial ties, Yu Antong wasn't accustomed to dealing with these people. He quickly acknowledged her request, hurrying to keep up with Xing Lixuan's brisk pace.

Xing Lixuan didn't reside in the Xing family mansion; he lived in a nearby apartment complex close to his office.

The wedding venue was about a thirty-minute drive from Xing Lixuan's residence.

As soon as they entered the car, Xing Lixuan leaned back with his eyes closed, paying no attention to Yu Antong, who, feeling the effects of the alcohol, remained silent for the journey.

Upon arrival, Xing Lixuan was the first to disembark, only to realize Yu Antong hadn't followed.

Even though he didn't particularly like Yu Antong, now that they were married, he couldn't just abandon him.

He turned back, opening Yu Antong's car door to find him sound asleep.

"Hey, wake up!" He leaned in, shaking Yu Antong with a hint of impatience. Xing Lixuan felt like his years of cultivated patience were being tested.

"Hmm~" Yu Antong opened his eyes in a daze, seeing Xing Lixuan's handsome face close by, thinking he was in a dream.

Xing Lixuan said, "Now that you're awake, get out."

However, Yu Antong clung to Xing Lixuan's neck, feigning sleep. "I'm not awake, carry me, hubby."

Caught off guard, Xing Lixuan lost his balance, tumbling into the back seat with Yu Antong.

Laughing, Yu Antong teased, "Hubby, you're quite eager, aren't you?"

Startled by his nonsensical words, Xing Lixuan quickly covered Yu Antong's mouth. Feeling embarrassed, he glanced at the driver, his face red with mortification. "What are you yelling about?!"

With the obstacle removed, Yu Antong leaned in, licking the palm of Xing Lixuan's hand in his 'dreamy' state.

"You!" The sensation of the wet touch made Xing Lixuan pull back in disbelief.

Yu Antong murmured, "Hubby, hold me."

"Damn it! Shut up," Xing Lixuan growled.

Fearing what this drunken fool might utter next, Xing Lixuan hurriedly helped Yu Antong out of the car, urging the driver to leave.

As the driver left, Xing Lixuan visibly relaxed, supporting Yu Antong as they waited for the elevator.

In his inebriated state, Yu Antong's expressive eyes glistened, gazing affectionately at Xing Lixuan. In a soft voice, he cooed, "Hubby~"

After calling out, he shyly buried his face into Xing Lixuan's chest.

"Damn it!" Xing Lixuan felt overwhelmed by the sudden intimacy, the warmth from Yu Antong's face seeping through the thin summer fabric. A peculiar sensation swelled in his chest, leading him to curse under his breath.

To his surprise, that comment hit a nerve. Yu Antong perked up playfully, saying, "Oh, you naughty husband, being so straightforward. Give me a kiss first."

Saying so, he puckered up, expecting a kiss.

The elevator door opened, revealing a middle-aged couple stepping out. Caught off guard by the sight of two men embracing, they paused, then quickly averted their eyes in embarrassment.

Once the couple left, Xing Lixuan, a vein throbbing in his forehead, steered Yu Antong into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Xing Lixuan distinctly heard the retreating couple mutter, "Young people these days, really..."

For a split second, Xing Lixuan considered leaving Yu Antong behind. He regretted turning back for him earlier.

Xing Lixuan watched the elevator's floor indicator, praying to reach their floor quickly.

Unaware of his predicament, Yu Antong saw how close Xing Lixuan's face was to his own and couldn't resist.

Standing on tiptoes, he planted a soft kiss.

A gentle "smack" echoed, sounding especially loud in the enclosed space.

Never having been kissed, Xing Lixuan's ears turned beet red. He exclaimed in exasperation, "What on earth are you trying to do?!"

Once they reached their apartment, Xing Lixuan beelined to the bedroom and tossed Yu Antong onto the bed with its bright red wedding linens.

Sitting on the edge, Xing Lixuan felt more exhausted than if he'd run ten kilometers.

Fatigued, slightly inebriated, and having woken early, he felt an overwhelming wave of sleepiness. He intended to freshen up and rest.

He tried... and failed to rise.

Turning, he saw Yu Antong gripping his shirttail.

Lying on the bed made Yu Antong sleepy too, yet he still managed to mutter dreamily, "Husband, kiss..."

Seeing him genuinely drunk, Xing Lixuan cautiously asked, "How did you and Yu Qingnian persuade my grandmother to let you marry me?"

Here, 'you' referred to both Yu Antong and Yu Qingnian.

Xing Lixuan couldn't fathom his grandmother's thinking—insisting he marry a man whose only redeeming quality was his looks.

His grandmother wasn't unreasonable. Like many elderly people, she nagged him to date and get married once he began working. But it was always gentle prodding, meant to keep him on track.

Fed up with the nagging, he finally came out to his family, telling them he was gay and wouldn't be marrying a woman.

While his family struggled with acceptance, they eventually came around. His grandmother was heartbroken but stopped pressing him about marriage.

Recently, she was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer, with the prognosis giving her at most six months.

After that, she hinted that he should bring home a boy he liked, emphasizing that gender didn't matter. What mattered was finding someone compatible and kind. She wouldn't interfere in his love life.

Given all this, Xing Lixuan was utterly baffled as to why she suddenly insisted on him marrying Yu Antong.

The elderly lady had always doted on him. When he fell into the water as a child while playing, without hesitation, she jumped into the icy winter waters to save him, leaving her with lingering health issues ever since.

Her love for him went beyond the typical bond between grandparents and grandchildren. She had also saved his life. So, when she began to stubbornly refuse food, Xing Lixuan felt compelled to agree to marry Yu Antong.

In truth, if he had truly been against the marriage, he could have refused. But he knew that she only wanted what was best for him, and so, during the last six months of her life, he decided to humor her wishes.

He had others investigate Yu Antong multiple times and found him to be unremarkable, even incompetent.

But this seemed like a positive aspect to Xing Lixuan; such a person would be easier to manage. After the marriage, he planned to sideline Yu and then gradually persuade the elderly lady.

Yet, the man before him was quite different from the report. It was intriguing.

His thoughts were interrupted by Yu Antong's voice.

Yu Antong mumbled, "You're asking me? Haha, how would I know? You should... you should ask the author."

"Ask who?"

Yu Antong's last words were so faint that even when Xing Lixuan leaned in closer, he couldn't catch them. He pressed on, "Clarify, why did you agree to marry me?"

Something seemed to tickle Yu Antong's fancy as he covered his face and giggled, saying amidst laughter, "Oh, how could I possibly say~"

Xing Lixuan was speechless. He should've known better than to expect a straight answer from this man.

As he removed Yu's hand from his clothes and stood up, Yu Antong cheerfully suggested, "Kiss me and I'll tell you."