After Amnesia, I Learn I'm a Scumbag Top?! - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The process unfolded even more smoothly than Pei Ji had anticipated. Almost the instant he sent his second message, he received a reply from Qiao He.
Qiao He’s shock was palpable; even through the screen, Pei Ji could sense his excitement.
They quickly agreed on a meeting time.
Pei Ji, meticulous as always, typically arrived at the agreed-upon location twenty minutes early. However, he was surprised to find that Qiao He had apparently arrived even earlier.
As soon as Pei Ji entered the restaurant, he spotted Qiao He sitting at their reserved table, glancing around. But his gaze, after lingering on Pei Ji for only a few seconds, darted away.
He didn’t recognize me.
Pei Ji was taken aback.
Still, it had been two years since they’d last seen each other. It was understandable that Qiao He wouldn’t recognize him.
Pei Ji approached and greeted him, “Hello, are you Qiao He?”
At the sound of his voice, Qiao He immediately snapped his gaze back from across the room and stared at him intently.
Stunned, bewildered, incredulous.
Qiao He hesitated to acknowledge him, finally calling out after a long pause, his voice uncertain, “…Pei Ji?”
Pei Ji removed his mask. “It’s me.”
Without the mask obscuring his face, Qiao He could finally see him clearly. His eyes flashed with emotion as he exclaimed in a trembling voice, “Brother, it’s been two years! You’ve finally contacted me!”
Pei Ji was both flattered and bewildered by Qiao He’s overreaction.
This reunion felt less like meeting a former colleague and more like reuniting with a comrade-in-arms after many years apart.
Qiao He scrutinized him intently, his expression shifting between laughter and tears. “I almost didn’t recognize you! From a distance, I thought you were a fresh high school graduate.”
Hearing this, Pei Ji could only offer an awkward smile.
In his current memories, he had indeed been a recent high school graduate just a few months prior.
Overwhelmed by the reunion, Qiao He stood in the hallway and rambled incoherently. Pei Ji listened in a daze, reluctant to interrupt, forcing himself to endure the disjointed monologue.
Once Qiao He had exhausted his emotional outbursts, the two sat down at the dining table, facing each other, only to find themselves with nothing to say.
A deathly silence enveloped them.
The atmosphere grew subtly awkward.
Thinking it was his idea to invite Qiao He out, Pei Ji didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. He took the initiative, saying, “I actually wanted to ask you about some things from the past.”
“What is it? I’ll tell you anything I know,” Qiao He replied sincerely.
Hearing this, Pei Ji cut to the chase, abandoning any pretense. “A few days ago, I was in a car accident and lost some of my memories, especially the period right after my debut.”
“The internet says I was a scandal-ridden, incompetent artist—bullying my teammates during survival shows, plagiarizing my self-composed songs, and losing my talent, ruining my future.”
“Is any of that true?” Pei Ji’s voice suddenly dropped, his eyes betraying undisguised frustration and confusion.
“…Am I really that kind of person?”
But he didn’t get an immediate response.
Qiao He leaned closer, his eyes scanning Pei Ji with concern. “A car accident? How bad was it? Did you hit anything vital?”
It was severe—it struck at the most vital part of me—my destiny.
But Pei Ji couldn’t just bluntly tell him that the car accident had triggered a time slip, turning him from a law-abiding high schooler into a near-thirty-year-old gigolo.
Instead, Pei Ji forced a nonchalant smile. “It’s nothing serious. Just having trouble remembering some things.”
“Ah? Does it affect your daily life?” Qiao He pressed anxiously.
Affect it? This was a world-shattering event worthy of being etched in the annals of his life.
Overnight, he’d gone from nothing to having a wife, kids, and a cozy home, seemingly on the path to becoming the ultimate kept man.
“Not at all,” Pei Ji insisted, feigning normalcy.
Qiao He breathed a sigh of relief. “Good to hear.”
Having confirmed that Pei Ji wasn’t seriously injured, Qiao He finally returned to the matter at hand, dredging up the bitter memories from the past and recounting everything he knew, detail by detail.
Four years ago, Pei Ji had signed with Huanyu Media, becoming one of their junior artists. Qiao He was the assistant the company hired to support him.
As a newcomer with no fame, Pei Ji had to make the rounds of various shows and drama sets to gain exposure. But each appearance lasted barely a few seconds, yielding minimal results.
Later, Huanyu Media received an invitation to participate in a talent show and nominated ten of its artists, including Pei Ji.
Among the contestants, Pei Ji stood out in every aspect. With just one stage performance, he captivated countless fans and became a frontrunner for a debut spot, even earning the popular vote as the initial center in the theme song music video.
Unfortunately, this success was short-lived. As the show neared its finale, allegations of Pei Ji bullying his teammates suddenly surfaced online. In the actual broadcast, his consistently cold demeanor gradually eroded his public appeal.
His reputation collapsed overnight. Those who had once supported him abruptly turned against him, nearly everyone condemning him as unworthy of debuting and chanting slogans like “Pei Ji, leave the industry!”
“Talent shows don’t allow assistants to accompany the artists, so I don’t know the specifics,” Qiao He said indignantly. “But they’ll stop at nothing for ratings. The footage they aired was definitely maliciously edited.”
“Brother, I’ve been your assistant for nearly a year. No one knows your character better than I do. You’re not that kind of person.”
Qiao He grew increasingly agitated, his brow furrowing tightly. “Bullying teammates? That’s utter bullshit! In my eyes, you’re the most outstanding and dedicated artist there is.”
Pei Ji traced the rim of his cup, pondering. “So… I was actually framed?”
“Of course you were, Ge! Don’t doubt yourself for a second. Those reality shows are riddled with scandals that keep coming to light. All that dirt on you? The production team cooked it up.”
“And that dogshit company, Huanyu Media, treated you like disposable trash. They only cared about pushing their golden boy. When you got into trouble, they didn’t lift a finger to defend you or clear your name—they even fanned the flames!”
“They told you to endure it, to withdraw from the competition, to keep the peace.”
“Those power-abusing bastards! Every last one of them is rotten to the core!” Qiao He’s face flushed crimson as he slammed his cup on the table with a thud.
Pei Ji sorted through his thoughts.
Thankfully, just as he’d suspected, the bullying allegations were complete fabrications, and the accusations of past misconduct were just lies others had pinned on him.
With the massive weight lifted from his chest, Pei Ji let out a sigh of relief.
Calming down, Qiao He looked at him cautiously and asked, “You reached out to me… is it because you’ve finally emerged from the shadows?”
Having lost his memories from before the time travel, Pei Ji had no recollection of these events. But after hearing Qiao He’s account, though relieved, he felt deeply unsettled.
Blurry images flashed through Pei Ji’s mind, frame by frame, each triggered by Qiao He’s words.
Though the images were indistinct, he felt the raw pain of each scene with undeniable clarity.
The few minutes of description stretched into an eternity. Pei Ji felt as if he were reliving those bitter days, following Qiao He’s narration step by step.
A complex mix of emotions churned within him.
Had he truly moved on from his past?
It was a question he struggled to answer.
After a long silence, Pei Ji mumbled a vague “Mm.”
Qiao He consoled him, “Sigh… Bro, it’s amazing you’ve managed to pull yourself together. If something like that had happened to me, I’d probably have sunk into despair and wasted away.”
Pei Ji forced a bitter smile. “It wasn’t as bad as you make it sound.”
The conversation grew increasingly heavy. Sensing the danger of triggering more painful memories, Qiao He quickly changed the subject. “Anything else you want to ask? I’ll tell you anything I know.”
Beyond the reality show’s hidden agendas, Pei Ji truly longed to understand the dynamic between him and Chu Tinghan. But he couldn’t find the right words, too embarrassed to ask outright.
“Um…” Pei Ji rubbed the rim of his glass awkwardly. “Have I ever… told you about my family before?” he asked tentatively.
Qiao He blinked in confusion. “What family? I only know your relationship with them isn’t good. During the audition show’s filming of support videos, only your parents didn’t appear.”
Pei Ji had fallen out with his parents centuries ago. He shook his head. “I’m not talking about that family.”
Completely bewildered, Qiao He asked, “Then what family are you talking about?”
The words caught in Pei Ji’s throat, refusing to come out. After a long struggle, he finally forced them out, his voice slow and hesitant: “It’s just… like a boyfriend… or maybe even… a child?”
The moment the words left his lips, Qiao He nearly leaped out of his chair, his eyes widening to their fullest extent. “WHAT???”
Was there something wrong with his ears? No, it must be something wrong with Pei Ji’s brain!
How could Pei Ji have a boyfriend and a child without him knowing?
Seeing Qiao He’s dumbfounded reaction, Pei Ji was surprised. “Didn’t I ever tell you about them before?” he asked, his voice puzzled.
“No, that’s not it…” Qiao He, still processing the shock, waved his hand slowly. “It’s not about whether you told me or not. You’re the most dedicated idol out there! You couldn’t possibly be dating during your peak. And if you had a child… that’s practically a capital crime!”
Pei Ji grew even more confused. Qiao He’s tone was so certain, it didn’t sound like he was lying. Yet, according to others, Pei Ji not only had a sugar daddy boyfriend, but also a two-year-old child with him.
Fortunately, Pei Ji had prepared for this. To investigate his past relationship with Chu Tinghan, he had deliberately bought a ring to wear as a prop, hoping to gauge Qiao He’s reaction and test the waters.
Pei Ji subtly extended his hand, deliberately showcasing the dazzling wedding ring on his finger, waving it back and forth to grab Qiao He’s attention.
The zircon on the ring sparkled so brightly that it quickly captured Qiao He’s gaze.
Qiao He stared at the ring, his eyes wide with disbelief. He pointed at it and exclaimed incredulously, “Brother, you—you’re married?!”
Pei Ji glanced down at the ring and calmly nodded.
Qiao He’s face was a mask of horror. “Who’s the lucky person?!”
Pei Ji paused for a moment, feigning profundity. “I can’t reveal his identity,” he said solemnly.
Still undeterred, Qiao He pressed on, “Can’t you tell me? Is it some big shot in the industry?”
By sheer accident, he’d actually guessed right. Pei Ji nearly lost his composure, biting his lip before countering, “Who do you think it is?”
He was practically begging Qiao He to say Chu Tinghan’s name, but Qiao He nearly scratched his head bald trying to think of someone, his face a mask of confusion and bewilderment.
In Qiao He’s mind, Pei Ji had never shown any romantic interest in anyone, making it impossible to imagine him dating, let alone marrying. This sudden marriage without any warning made him deeply uneasy, suspecting Pei Ji had fallen into a massive scam.
Qiao He looked at Pei Ji, his words catching in his throat.
“What do you want to say?” Pei Ji prompted.
Qiao He’s expression was indescribable. After a long hesitation, he blurted out, “You… you haven’t been tricked into marrying someone, have you?”
Pei Ji froze, completely taken aback. This was the last thing he had expected.
Tricked into marrying someone? How could that be possible?
Before he could respond, Qiao He was already launching into examples. “I’ve seen it happen firsthand. Six months ago, my cousin married this guy who was incredibly attentive before the wedding. But as soon as they tied the knot, he showed his true colors—racking up massive debts and even hitting her. He was a completely different person before and after the marriage!”
After speaking, Qiao He added urgently, “They’re still fighting in court for divorce. You absolutely mustn’t get scammed like my cousin!”
Qiao He spoke with such conviction that Pei Ji frowned deeply, thinking he was making mountains out of molehills. “It can’t be that extreme, can it?”
“Is he threatening you?” Qiao He pressed anxiously. “Did he force you into this marriage?”
Before Pei Ji could respond, Qiao He continued urgently, “Does your sudden desire to see me today have something to do with him? What conditions did he give you?”
Initially, Pei Ji had dismissed Qiao He’s claims as mere paranoia. But as he listened, he realized there might be some truth to them.
While Chu Tinghan hadn’t threatened him directly, Pei Ji had indeed felt compelled to marry him. Desperate to escape his reputation as a freeloading deadbeat and wanting to take responsibility for Chu Tinghan and their child, his decision could certainly be considered a form of duress.
As for conditions… Chu Tinghan had insisted on one non-negotiable condition for Pei Ji to see their child.
Qiao He’s seemingly far-fetched claims had, unexpectedly, struck close to the mark.
Pei Ji’s mind suddenly felt like a tangled mess.
Before this, he had almost resigned himself to the label of “useless kept man,” but Qiao He’s recent words had shaken his conviction.
Since waking up, he had been piecing together his identity solely through the accounts of others. Yet the person living in their descriptions might not be the real him.
Even though he desperately wanted to reject the “useless kept man” label, the overwhelming consensus had forced him to believe it.
Suddenly, Pei Ji realized he had been living too passively, constantly pushed along by others.
The confusion and panic immediately after transmigrating had completely robbed him of his ability to think independently. Not only had he fallen into the trap of self-justification, but he had also stumbled blindly into marriage with Chu Tinghan.
But Qiao He’s words had jolted him awake, making him question the truth of his “useless kept man” identity and even doubt his marriage partner, Chu Tinghan.
From beginning to end, Chu Tinghan had maintained control of the situation, while he remained trapped in a passive role.
This imbalance put him at a severe disadvantage, making it easy for others to manipulate him.
What if Chu Tinghan is lying to me…?
The thought sent alarm bells ringing in Pei Ji’s mind.
No, I can’t stay passive any longer. I need to reclaim control.