How Did the Top-Tier Male Lead Fall in Love With Me? 5

Chapter 5

The finals of the Beijing Speed Carnival officially kicked off, and the ultimate winner was about to be decided.
The racetrack was packed to the brim, the crowd’s excitement boiling over as their cheers filled the entire venue.
Engines roared like thunder, white smoke billowing.
At the signal, the race cars vying for the championship shot out like arrows loosed from a bow, tearing down the track at lightning speed. The competition was incredibly fierce.
A fiery red race car burned like a rolling flame, taking a commanding lead. Yet the driver was still not satisfied, his foot seemingly glued to the gas pedal, constantly accelerating, accelerating, faster and faster, as if he would fly off the track in the next second.
The race car driver, and every spectator whose heart was pounding in their chest, felt their adrenaline levels skyrocketing.
The fiery red car shot through the most difficult corner like a bolt of lightning, almost scraping against the edge of the green belt. The driver floored the gas pedal, pushing the speed to its absolute limit, creating gusts of wind that swept over the ecstatic audience.
“Ahhhhhh Shen Wu!!!”
“Go! Go, Shen Wu!”
“Shen Wu—”
Thousands upon thousands of spectators cheered wildly. No matter where they came from, most of them were shouting the same name.
Finally, the fiery red car, miles ahead of the rest, executed a beautiful drift and came to a stop.
The car door opened. The man in the black and red racing suit was still wearing his helmet, his face obscured.
“So damn cool, holy crap, so cool!!!”
“Champion! Shen Wu is the champion!!”
“Shen Wu totally deserves it!”
Shen Wu took off his helmet and made his way through the bustling crowd. He ran a hand through his sweaty black hair, pushing the messy fringe off his forehead.
He picked up a bottle of mineral water. Just as he tilted his head back, a familiar man’s face abruptly came into his line of sight.
He pressed his lips together, didn’t take a single sip, and screwed the cap back on the bottle.
The man bore some resemblance to him, but his aura was entirely different. He was more refined and steady, with a pair of silver-framed glasses resting on his high-bridged nose. His voice was deep and gentle. “Xiao Wu, congratulations.”
Xiang Zixu came over a few beats too late to remind him, “Wu-ge, Shen Ping-ge is looking for you.”
Shen Ping was thirty-three this year, a full ten years older than Shen Wu. He was his half-brother.
Three years ago, Shen Wu had been able to successfully register his marriage with Meng Huaizhi thanks in no small part to this brother’s secret help.
The main reason their father had opposed the marriage was likely his lack of trust in him. He had been willful and impulsive since he was a child, constantly arguing with his elders, even running away from home just to race cars.
Shen Ping was the only one in the family who supported all of his hobbies, fighting against the consensus for him countless times.
Shen Wu had always been grateful to this tolerant and magnanimous brother. But after learning that he was destined to die in a racing accident, his gaze towards Shen Ping carried a hint of an unreadable meaning.
Shen Wu first avoided his gaze and asked Xiang Zixu for a lollipop.
Shen Ping didn’t mind his slight, smiling as he asked, “Is eating a lollipop your new way of celebrating?”
“No,” Shen Wu shook his head, telling the truth. “It’s… to quit smoking.”
Shen Ping’s expression tightened slightly, the emotion in his eyes concealed by the strong reflection on his glasses.
Shen Wu had started smoking when he was sixteen.
Whether it was skipping class and failing subjects or his love for extreme sports, he could still argue his case with his father. But as for smoking, even he had to admit it was a terrible habit.
Before he had even gotten the hang of using a lighter, he was caught red-handed by Shen Ping while secretly smoking in the courtyard at night.
He had been terrified, but his gentle-natured brother hadn’t reprimanded him. He had even helped him hide it from their father.
The addiction to nicotine came years later, after the bad habit had accumulated over time.
“…Why did you decide to quit?” Shen Ping asked.
“It’s not good for my health,” Shen Wu said nonchalantly.
Shen Ping didn’t say any more, changing the subject. “Coming home for dinner tonight?”
Shen Wu shook his head. “No. If I go back, I’ll just end up arguing with the old man, and my mom won’t help me.”
Shen Ping coaxed him gently, his tone as soft as ever. “Don’t worry, I’ll always be on your side.”
Shen Wu finally looked up at him. “But I have plans with Meng Huaizhi tonight. We’re going to see Grandpa.”
Shen Ping was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “Mm, then remember to come home when you’re free. Call me anytime.”

Shen Wu went back to his dorm to shower and wash his hair. He changed into a cream-white, cable-knit crewneck sweater and a pair of warm, soft, coffee-colored trousers.
It was a departure from his usual “cool guy” style.
The light, warm-toned clothes softened even the sharp contours of his features.
Meng Huaizhi’s car was already waiting downstairs. He jogged over, opened the door, and got in.
The closing door created a noticeable gust of air that wafted towards Meng Huaizhi in the driver’s seat.
It was the natural, subtle scent of soap after a shower.
Meng Huaizhi glanced down and saw the gleaming bronze trophy resting on the soft sweater, and it dawned on him. “No wonder you wanted to go today.”
“Of course. I have to give it to Grandpa while the trophy is still warm.”
As Shen Wu replied, he also looked over. Meng Huaizhi happened to be placing his hands on the steering wheel. His fair, slender fingers stood in stark contrast to the black leather.
His fingers were bare, except for a diamond ring that suddenly appeared on his left ring finger, looking particularly out of place.
It was their wedding ring.
Although they hadn’t had a formal wedding, the rings were a must. Otherwise, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from their elders and lead to endless questions.
Shen Wu looked at the ring for a few extra seconds before turning his head away, his attention captured by the scenery outside the window.
As Meng Huaizhi drove, he would occasionally sneak a few glances over.
Shen Wu had deliberately changed into a clean, well-behaved outfit to see the old man, but he hadn’t taken off the silver titanium steel chain around his neck. He had seen this necklace at the clubhouse last time.
The chain wrapped around his neck, the pendant hidden inside the collar of his t-shirt or sweater.
Since his teens, Shen Wu had been fond of all kinds of jewelry—silver or black, in a more handsome style, chosen to match his outfits.
His gaze shifted downwards.
His clean hands after his shower were carefully cradling the trophy, but his fingers were completely bare.

At the Meng family home, Meng Zhenshen, who lived alone, had been waiting for a long time.
During the three years Meng Huaizhi was not in the country, Shen Wu would often visit Meng Zhenshen. He was even more familiar with the house than the Meng family’s own young master.
He had also eased much of the loneliness of the old man who had lost his son and daughter-in-law early on.
He went up first and called out, “Grandpa.”
The elegant, white-haired old man’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he responded, “Ah, Wuwu is here.”
For a tall man of over 180cm like Shen Wu to be called by a cute, repetitive nickname by a frail old man was somewhat incongruous.
In the past, Meng Zhenshen, like other elders, had called him “Xiao Wu.” At sixteen, Shen Wu was no longer willing to call Meng Huaizhi ‘ge’ and had also become sensitive to the commonly used “xiao.”
The sixteen-year-old him had said to Meng Zhenshen, “Grandpa, can you not call me Xiao Wu? It makes me feel like I’m still in middle school.”
And at that time, Meng Huaizhi had already become a university student.
So Meng Zhenshen had changed it to “Wuwu.”
The teenager had fixated on the word “xiao,” completely ignoring the fact that “Wuwu” was even more childish.
Having his own grandson and his favorite child accompany him for dinner as a couple, the smile never left Meng Zhenshen’s face the entire time.
Finally, the old man extended an invitation. “Why don’t you two stay here tonight? The room is always kept clean.”
It was a kind offer that was hard to refuse, but they were a couple in name only, a contract marriage. If they stayed the night, they would have to sleep in the same room.
Three years ago, they had quickly gotten their marriage certificate. A few days later, the newly freed Meng Huaizhi had gone abroad to develop his music career. This was the first time they had encountered such a situation.
Shen Wu tried his best to control his expression and stole a glance at Meng Huaizhi.
Meng Huaizhi’s expression was normal as he replied, “Okay.”
And then there was nothing more.
Shen Wu couldn’t ask too many questions in front of Meng Zhenshen, so he warned Meng Huaizhi with his eyes: If you keep this up, you’re going to end up in a ‘chasing your wife to the crematorium’ scenario.
Unfortunately, Meng Huaizhi didn’t understand the novel’s plot and couldn’t decipher the meaning in his eyes. Besides, Meng Huaizhi was always used to keeping his expression guarded. After years since his debut, he had developed the ability to ignore the gazes of others.
Meng Huaizhi didn’t look over. He followed Meng Zhenshen upstairs to find his room.

At ten o’clock at night, Meng Zhenshen, who was over seventy, had long since gone to bed.
Meng Huaizhi could make music anytime, anywhere, with just a laptop. Colorful waves danced on the computer screen, but the bedroom was silent. All the complex sounds were completely blocked out by the tightly sealed over-ear headphones.
He was clearly a musician, yet he was always unbelievably quiet.
Shen Wu stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, thought for a moment, and called out, “Meng Huaizhi.”
Seeing Meng Huaizhi take off his headphones, he continued, “I didn’t break our agreement.”
Hearing this, Meng Huaizhi realized Shen Wu wanted to talk about the trending topic.
He put down his headphones, made sure the bedroom door was locked, and then walked over.
They had agreed to keep their marriage a secret from the public.
But when the “Meng Huaizhi’s Late Night Rendezvous with a Male Celebrity” topic was gaining traction, Shen Wu had deliberately replied to those comments about Meng Huaizhi on Weibo. Although he hadn’t said it outright, his replies had a slightly suggestive tone.
“I was just riding on your popularity,” Shen Wu rubbed the small mole on his nose. “I didn’t even know how I got on the trending list. I knew you’d suppress it anyway.”
“It was the PR department that bought the trending topic, and they accidentally bought one related to F1,” Meng Huaizhi didn’t hide it either.
Shen Wu’s expression relaxed, his peach blossom eyes curving slightly. “Then you really should be the one to suppress it for me.”
Then, Shen Wu smoothly transitioned to another topic.
“Grandpa can’t control you now even if he wants to. It doesn’t matter even if we get a divorce,” Shen Wu said. “As long as I agree, we can get one.”
Meng Huaizhi’s brow furrowed slightly.
He resisted the urge to ask immediately, waiting for Shen Wu to continue.
“I feel like being a celebrity isn’t so bad now. I quite like interacting with fans,” Shen Wu slowly laid out his conditions for the divorce. “You have over thirty million followers on Weibo. You’re a top-tier star, I won’t compare myself to you. Two million. As long as my followers reach two million, I’ll agree to the divorce.”
Meng Huaizhi’s expression was unreadable.
After a long moment, he said, “Grandpa probably won’t be happy.”
Shen Wu was prepared. “I’ll still come to see him often after the divorce. For the three years you weren’t in the country, I came to the Meng family by myself. Being married or divorced doesn’t seem to make much of a difference.”
Meng Huaizhi was silent, not responding for a long time.
Shen Wu pondered for a moment, then added, “Two million followers shouldn’t be too hard, right? I already have a hundred thousand.”
Meng Huaizhi: “Mm. You got on the trending list for ‘Racing God’ on your own last time. If you officially debut, two million won’t take more than a few months.”
“I also think I have potential,” Shen Wu said. “Several entertainment companies have already sent me invitations.”
At this point, the deal was more or less settled, but the atmosphere wasn’t as light as Shen Wu had expected.
Shen Wu lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. He and Meng Huaizhi were going to get divorced sooner or later. A mutually beneficial arrangement like this was the best option. If he switched careers and entered the entertainment industry, he might be able to change his fate of dying in a racing accident.
Right now, there was a ready-made top-tier star who could help him out and promote him.
The main character shou, who had yet to appear, was also in the industry. Once he entered the circle, he could also help set them up and personally dispel the main character shou‘s worries, so that the male lead wouldn’t have to go through the ‘chasing his wife to the crematorium’ trope because he had been married to some cannon fodder.

Meng Huaizhi’s eyes were lowered as he stood silently by the floor-to-ceiling window in the dead of night. A thin layer of coolness seemed to envelop his plain white shirt.
Shen Wu also lowered his eyes and happened to see the ring on his index finger, which he hadn’t taken off.
At this hour, the person they needed to put on a show for was already fast asleep. Shen Wu couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you still wearing the ring?”
Meng Huaizhi touched the cool surface of the ring. “I’ll take it off when I go to sleep.”
“Right.”
Shen Wu suddenly remembered something.
He reached up to the metal chain around his neck. Its silver luster was somewhat similar to the ring’s.
With a flick of his fingertip, the pendant hidden in his collar swung out in a beautiful silver arc, landing on the soft texture of his sweater.
It was a ring, identical to the one on Meng Huaizhi’s ring finger, but it carried a bit of scorching body heat.
“I was afraid I’d lose the ring.”
Shen Wu’s eyes were slightly lowered, his long lashes dense, as he slowly explained the ring-shaped pendant.
“So I put it on a necklace and have been wearing it around my neck.”
Meng Huaizhi was slightly taken aback.
His cool hands were clearly behind his back, yet it was as if his eyes could see the residual body heat on that ring.