DASFAM_CH 01

Ding dong.

The elevator doors closed, temporarily blocking out the smell of disinfectant that filled the hospital corridor.

Bai Xu stood silently in the corner, staring at the familiar yet unfamiliar face of "his" face in the wall mirror—

Fair and clean cheeks exuded a delicate and gentle charm, with clear brows and eyes, and slightly white lips.

The slightly long bangs hung down smoothly, barely hiding the thick bandage on the left side of his forehead. And beneath the bandage, the stitches from a wound that was only a few days old still throbbed faintly.

“......”

"Bai Xu, what are you standing there spacing out for?"

Someone called out to him.

Bai Xu didn’t turn around. Instead, his gaze shifted through the reflection in the elevator mirror to the middle-aged couple beside him.

Both of them were also staring at him, with the same sharp expressions in their eyebrows giving them a matching look of a married couple.

The man in the lead took a deep breath and spoke with a strong sense of disgust and warning, "I’m telling you, this marriage is already a done deal. When we get to the ward later, you better behave yourself!"

"If you dare to offend me, I won't let you get away with it!"

The middle-aged woman beside him immediately responded to her husband, “How could he possibly have such guts?”

“Bai Xu, who do you think has been providing for your food, clothing, and expenses all these years if not our Bai family? Now that the old man is gone, we can’t keep supporting a freeloader like you. If you have any sense, you should repay us through this matter. Do you understand?”

“......”

Bai Xu didn’t respond, his lowered eyes flashing with a fleeting trace of coldness.

Understand?

Having just recently transmigrated into the book, he certainly understood.

Three days ago, Bai Xu accidentally transmigrated into a novel called 'The Abyss'.

The book tells the story of the protagonist, a wealthy young master who, after suffering a car accident during a power struggle and experiences the destruction of his family, also becomes disabled and falls into despair, he later sets up a series of revenge schemes step by step.

To put it simply, it’s a face-slapping novel that is a bit cliche but classic enough.

As for the original host of this body, who had the same name as him, Bai Xu, he was a first-class cannon fodder character in the book and only appears in a few words.

Combining the remaining memories in his mind, Bai Xu learned that the original host was actually an orphan.

When he was ten years old, he was brought back to the Bai family in the name of a ‘charitable adoption’. In fact, it was because the patriarch had believed the words of a fortune teller—

That the original host had a ‘strong fate that could ward off disasters’, which would continue the fortune of the Bai family. Even the name he was given, ‘Xu’, was meant to signify ‘continuation’.

Thinking about this, Bai Xu found it ridiculous: Where did these feudal superstitions come from? It's absolutely absurd!

Because of his cowardly nature and lack of understanding of the world, the original host caused quite a few embarrassing incidents and became widely disliked after entering the Bai family. Although he held the title of "young master," he had no real authority, even the servants secretly bullied him.

A month ago after the old patriarch of the Bai family passed away from illness, Bai Rendao, who finally took over the family business, arranged a marriage for the original host in order to obtain business interests.

Upon learning of this, the original Bai Xu who in a rare display of resistance got into an argument with the Bai family members. As a result, he was viciously kicked down during the confrontation, hitting his forehead on the corner of a table and passed out, which allowed the current Bai Xu to unexpectedly take control of the body.

—Ding dong.

The elevator reached the top floor of the hospital.

The strong smell of disinfectant rushed in again, making Bai Xu feel dizzy.

Bai Rendao exchanged a look with his wife, Qian Shuling, then ordered Bai Xu, who was standing in the corner, “Let’s go. You have no room to refuse today.”

The couple took the lead in stepping out of the elevator.

Bai Xu suppressed the uncomfortable dizziness and pretended to follow behind them.

The top-floor ICU is reserved for exclusive use, which essentially means that it caters to the wealthiest and most influential patients with the highest medical fees and top-notch resources.

In front of the ward door at the end of the corridor, the bodyguard confirmed Bai Rendao’s identity several times before allowing them in, “Old Madam, Mr. Shang, Mr. Bai and the others have arrived.”

Bai Xu stood at the back, quietly observing everything in the ward—

The large room was divided into two areas by a transparent glass door.

In the outer resting area, an elderly woman sat with her eyes closed on a sofa, turning a string of fine peach wood prayer beads in her hand and seemed to be silently chanting something.

Standing beside her was a middle-aged man in a suit, who was now bowing respectfully to the elderly woman and saying, “Mom, the Bai family has arrived.”

With just one glance, Bai Xu guessed the identities of the two.

Old Madam Shang and her eldest son, Shang Yun.

Bai Rendao and Qian Shuling completely changed their harsh demeanor from the elevator, almost flattering as they went up to greet them.

Bai Xu ignored this deliberate and flattering greeting, his gaze fixed through the transparent glass on the unconscious young man lying in the hospital bed—

A nearly perfect face with a high nose, even though his complexion was sickly pale, it didn't diminish his appearance at all.

“……”

A trace of interest briefly flickered in Bai Xu’s originally calm eyes before it quickly disappeared into the depths of his pupils.

The man lying in the hospital bed before him was his arranged marriage partner—

The third son of the Shang family, Shang Yanxiao.

The Shang family is one of the top wealthy families not only in the capital but throughout China. And the current head, Old Mr. Shang, is a legendary figure in the business world.

It is said that Shang Yanxiao, the man in front of him is the grandson Old Mr. Shang values the most and the one who resembles him the most in temperament and ability.

Shang Yanxiao dared to make a splash in the stock market when he was still in high school. And shortly after graduating from college, he represented the Shang family in securing a billion-dollar acquisition deal, a feat that shocked the entire industry.

Good looks, exceptional abilities—he was a true favored child of heaven.

A month and a half ago, Shang Yanxiao accompanied his parents to Australia to support his younger brother in an Formula 1 racing competition. However, on their way back home, the family of four was involved in a sudden car accident.

Shang Yanxiao’s parents died on the spot. Shang Yanxiao and his brother were seriously injured. The Shang family used a top medical team to rescue them for several days but the situation was still not optimistic—

Shang Yanxiao fell into a vegetative state and has yet to regain consciousness, while his younger brother, Shang Queyan, a race car driver, was forced to undergo an amputation.

When this incident was reported back to the capital, it naturally became the headline news in major financial magazines. Countless people secretly lamented:

“The whole family has been stricken. The third branch of the Shang family is finished!”

"Looks like the succession rights of the Shang family might change hands in the future."

Bai Xu briefly reviewed the information he had gathered since entering this world then he heard a question from behind, “Your Bai family really has no objections to this? And this child, does he have no objections either?”

Bai Xu turned around and met the gaze of Old Madam Shang, who had asked the question.

Since the accident, Shang Yanxiao showed no signs of waking up and has been deemed by the hospital to be at risk of becoming a vegetative state.

Perhaps it was the shock of losing both her son and daughter-in-law, or maybe she was desperately hoping for her grandson to wake up safely.

Old Madam Shang, who had always been a devout follower of Buddhism and believed in the words of ‘master of Taoism’, had no choice but to make a plan—

Trying to bring good fortune through marriage which led her to approach the Bai family.

Facing Old Madam Shang's questions, the only two middle-aged men in the ward exchanged a subtle glance, and Bai Xu, who caught this scene, also understood clearly—

What marriage? What good fortune through marriage?

It was nothing more than certain people deliberately hiring a ‘master’ to put on an act and deceive the anxious old lady to make her believe it was true, so that they could secretly seek what they needed.

Bai Rendao was using him as a bargaining chip and threw him to Shang family in exchange for business benefits.

As for Shang Yun, being the biological second uncle of Shang Yanxiao, he also wished for the latter to never wake up, so that he and his own son could clear the way.

This marriage, which didn’t require the consent of the parties involved, was more like an invisible humiliation, and was just a means for Shang Yun to appease his mother and assert his presence.

"Old Madam, of course, our family has no objections. Xiao Xu is also willing to accept this marriage."

Qian Shuling quickly answered.

She pretended to walk over to Bai Xu's side with a hypocritical smile, "Our Xiao Xu has been blessed since he was a child. Before my father-in-law passed away, he even had a fortune-teller read our family's fortunes—"

"The patriarch said Xiao Xu has good fortune that there will be no disaster in this life and a good relationship in the next two years.”

“Really?”

Old Madam Shang’s eyes brightened slightly.

Before this, she had hesitated about whether to go through with it, but she finally decided to give it a try. 

The reason she chose Bai Xu was, firstly, because of the ‘master’ guidance, and secondly, she felt a boy would be better than a girl. If this plan didn't work out, at least it wouldn't affect the child's future too much.

“Old Madam, how could I lie to you about such an important matter?" 

After saying that, she patted Bai Xu's back, which was clearly as a reminder but actually a threat, “Why are you still being quiet? Didn't you say at home that you've admired the third young master for a long time?”

"……"

Hearing these fabricated statements, Bai Xu raised a meaningful smile, “Well, I have no objections.”

Bai Rendao and Qian Shuling exchanged a glance, their heart strings relaxed slightly, assuming that Bai Xu had surrendered obediently.

But the next second, the two heard Bai Xu take the initiative to add, "However, I have one condition."

This was said to Old Madam Shang, with a firm tone, as if he had planned something.

Bai Rendao frowned slightly and instinctively wanted to stop him, but Old Madam Shang responded first, "Child, tell me."

Bai Xu continued to ask, "Although the third young master and I haven't interacted before, does this alliance count as a marriage between him and me, right?"

Old Madam Shang nodded.

"Then, since my future fiancé is temporarily inconvenient and unable to make decisions—"

Bai Xu glanced at the scheming Bai couple, then shifted his gaze to Shang Yanxiao lying on the hospital bed, "Regarding the bride price and dowry, once you’ve settled the details, you can just transfer the amount directly to my account."

"….."

This shocking statement caught everyone off guard.

Bai Rendao's expression immediately changed as he stared at Bai Xu in disbelief, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Has this cheap guy really lost his mind?

Who asks the Shang family for money so openly? If this matter spreads out, where would the Bai family's reputation go?

Qian Shuling was not willing to pay for it, so she quickly responded, "That's right, Xiao Xu, this marriage situation is different, you can't just—"

"How is it different?"

Bai Xu had anticipated the couple's reaction and put on an innocent face.

"Since I've agreed to this marriage, I'm treating the third young master as a normal person and following the normal procedures. Is there any problem?”

“......”

With just one sentence, Bai Xu left Qian Shuling speechless, too afraid to respond.

She glanced awkwardly at Old Madam Shang, not daring to say anything about her precious grandson not being a ‘normal person’.

There was a sneer in Bai Xu's eyes, “So, it's fine for you to secretly use me as a bargaining chip for business interests, heartlessly sell me off for profit, but I can't openly mention it?”

Bai Rendao's face turned ashen, completely unprepared for Bai Xu, who was usually easy to manipulate, to turn against him publicly and leave him in such an awkward position.

Qian Shuling forced a fake smile and said, "Where did you hear such nonsense? We’re really doing this for your own good. So many people wish to marry into the Shang family but never get the chance."

"Oh? Is there such a free thing in the world?"

Bai Xu nodded thoughtfully, but the question was like a heavy hammer, "Then why don’t you have your own son do it?"

—Slap!

The questioning words became an invisible but resounding slap, landing squarely on the false faces of Bai Rendao and Qian Shuling, leaving them unable to refute.

Upon hearing the words ‘business interests’ and seeing the Bai couple’s reaction, Old Madam Shang immediately understood the trick and silently looked at the eldest son beside her.

Shang Yun rolled his Adam's apple nervously and excused himself in a low voice, "Mom, it’s not what you think. This has absolutely nothing to do with me."

Old Madan Shang squeezed the beads in her hand tighter and straightened her eyes again.

"Yes, this matter will eventually reach other people's ears in the future. Since this relationship exists in name, our Shang family won't wrong you."

"Child, how about this? If you're willing to go through with this marriage, you will receive every bit of the money that’s rightfully yours."

The Shang family is wealthy and not short of money.

As for the real nature of the relationship between Bai Xu and the Bai family, she neither had the mind nor the desire to delve into it.

Although Old Madan Shang was anxious and rushed to the doctor, she still had a good eye for judging people. Compared to the straightforward and agreeable Bai Xu, the Bai family clearly had more problems.

It seemed that Bai Xu’s days with the Bai family hadn’t been too pleasant, and he likely wanted to seize the opportunity to escape.

Old Madam Shang gently turned her prayer beads and looked at Bai Rendao, "Mr. Bai, Mrs. Qian, the customs of a marriage cannot be neglected. As elders, we must provide some security for the children, don’t you agree?"

Qian Shuling hadn’t expected that what seemed like easy money would require them to put in money first. She was extremely reluctant, holding her frustration in check by clenching her molars, so stunned that she was unable to say the word ‘yes’ against her will.

Shang Yun, aware of his mother's temperament, gave a light cough as a reminder, "Mr. Bai, what do you think?"

Bai Rendao, recalling how difficult it had been to establish even this slight connection with the Shang family, didn't dare say anything in opposition. He knew he had been tricked by Bai Xu yet he had no choice but to swallow his pride and agree.

"Yes, the dow.."

He paused and then changed his words with some difficulty, "We, the Bai family, will prepare the money."

Old Madam Shang nodded slightly and turned back to Bai Xu, “Just six months.”

She didn’t intend to force Bai Xu into the arrangement indefinitely but instead gave the time that had been confirmed earlier, "If Yanxiao's condition hasn't improved by then, whether you stay or leave, it is up to you."

"Okay."

Seeing that everything was initially settled, Shang Yun came out to smooth things over, "Mom, I’ve arranged a private room at a hotel near the hospital. How about we all go there and have a meal together? We can also discuss the children’s marriage."

Old Madam Shang didn’t refuse, and the Bai couple had no objections either. Only Bai Xu really didn't want to get involved in that kind of situation.

He looked over at the hospital bed again, where Shang Yanxiao's pale face gave off a gentle impression, “Old Madam, I’m not hungry yet. Can I stay here to see the third young master?"

Seeing her grandson still unconscious on the bed and recalling the fortune-teller's advice to ‘let them be alone together’, Old Madam Shang agreed after thinking for a while.

"Alright."

Bai Xu didn't look like a child with bad intentions

Moreover, the private ward was equipped with surveillance and had security guards stationed at the door, ensuring the safety of her grandson.

…

The ward door closed, and the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Bai Xu, who heard this movement, closed his eyes and sighed heavily: Fortunately, everything that had developed so far was within his expectations.

It should be noted that the original person had no connections in the capital, and as a newcomer as a book-wearer, he needed a stable place to stay and a certain amount of financial leverage in a short period.

Compared to the Bai family, which had long since regarded him with disdain, the Shang family was clearly a better fit.

Although Bai Xu didn’t believe in the idea of ‘bringing good fortune through marriage’, he was willing to accept this kind of ‘interest-bound’ false relationship.

After all, he was already in a novel world, so what else he couldn't do? Besides—

Bai Xu approached the hospital bed, looked at Shang Yanxiao's features in detail, and muttered with interest, "Good-looking but in a coma, wealthy family but can't control me..."

"Where else could I find such a perfect deal as this practically worthless marriage investment? It's like making money for nothing."

Bai Xu was very satisfied with the start of the game. With a bit of bad temper that no one knew, teased Shang Yanxiao who was in coma on the bed:

"Nice to meet you for the first time, my dearest fiancé~”

–

TL: Muji

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