Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

"Every year, we are surprised by the level of intelligence some students exhibit in the Country. However, for the past two years, our school has witnessed the birth of the most intelligent student who has ever walked on the surface of the world.

"Four years ago, Valen Lu started school for the first time. At that time, he was a little over 6 years old. He was given tests to find his class but he aced all the questions, so he was taken to grade 6.

"Three years ago, he graduated from elementary grade but only spent one year in middle high school. Last year, he was given double promotions to high school and this year, he is graduating after getting another double promotion.

"Valen Lu participated in ten quizzes for the school in three years and each time, he brought honor to the school. He set such a high standard for two years straight, our students who wrote the college entrance exam last year and this year, bagged the first five positions, placing our school on the list as the best intermediate school in the world.

"Thanks to Valen Lu, our students have grown by 100% in the last two years. We’ve bagged great deals, advanced infrastructures, and collaborations with the best universities in the world. This means, our graduates with good results can get into any university of their choice anywhere around the world. Those with outstanding results, would automatically get the government sponsorship without applying.

"These privileges were something no school in Country M has ever enjoyed after the disaster that turned the country into a place for survival." The principal sighed with sorrow, but immediately cleared his throat and continued.

"Knowing that a ten-year-old child is the genesis of all this, is enough to shock us all.

"Please, let’s welcome Valen Lu to the stage!"

A deafening round of applause stole the peace from the hall. Even little Kaylus was not an exception.

Valen put the child down and got up. However, she immediately held tightly onto Valen’s finger, an indication she was going too. Valen sighed softly but had no choice but to take her along.

On the stage, Kaylus stood beside him while smiling. Valen received his diploma from the Administrator Superintendent. Once a picture was taken, the old man hugged Valen before the child started to receive his numerous Awards.

’Student of the year!’

’Academy Excellence Award!’

’Appreciation Award!’

’National Merit Award!’

’Principal’s Award!’

’Five-star Award!’

After which, he was honoured to give the Valedictorian speech. Just like his father, Valen said a few words and returned to his seat.

Soon, the ceremony came to an end and everyone returned home.

...

Arriving at the Lu mansion, Valen didn’t go into the house with the other members. With his graduation gown, he headed for the side of the mansion, beside the pool. Kaylus was asleep so she didn’t follow.

The guards carried the six cases with the trophies in them and followed Valen.

Standing alone at the side, was a beautiful glass house. Valen stopped to take in the view for a long while. Memories flooded his mind that he didn’t know when a tear dropped on his cheek.

The glasshouse slowly transformed into pruned shrub plants. A maid was watering the plants while Jeslyn lay on a lounge. Little Valen stood a few feet away from her with a hose, spraying water on Jeslyn.

A few moments later, the two could be seen running around the area. Jeslyn chasing Valen.

The scene changed back to the present. The child took a deep breath and walked towards the entrance of the glass house. Arriving at the front, the door opened and he walked in.

Inside the glass house was a music studio housing smaller doors. Valen opened one of the doors and went in with the guards.

Inside the side room was a show box frame attached to the wall for medals. Beside it was a transparent cabinet for trophies.

"Leave them there," he pointed at the white desk.

The guards left the trophy cases on the desk and left.

Valen took off the six medals from his neck and arranged them with the other ten medals.

One by one, he arranged the trophies inside the cabinet. Once he was done, his gaze drifted to the other trophies. He took out one and looked at it for a long time until he zoomed out again.

"Album of the year’s award goes to VJ Cute’s Spirit Leads’ Album!"

The hall erupted into a round of applause for a long time before it died down and many became sad. Jeslyn is in a coma, she won’t be coming to get the award, but rather her company will.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Valen left his seat and went to the stage to collect the Award on behalf of his mother.

That wasn’t all. The child gave a speech like his mother would.

"Best New Artist Award goes to VJ Cute!"

"Song of the Year goes to VJ Cute’s Spirit Leads!"

Jeslyn wasn’t there to receive her three Awards three years ago, but her son and family were there. Manager Kate also received the All-time Best Manager’s Award. The woman cried so hard on stage while giving her speech that she was helped down from the stage by her Assistant after making people weep.

Three years ago was a roller coaster for everyone.

Valen put the trophy back in and closed the cabinet.

"System, how much longer will it take for my parents to be back?"

[ How many times have you asked me this? I told you I’m not a predictor. ]

Valen left the side room and went to the studio. He looked through the music book he had been writing for over a year and sighed.

[ Do you need a new book? ]

"I can get one if I need it."

[ I would suggest you stop dedicating so much of your time writing songs for your mother and focus on how to develop this Country and make it a peaceful place. ]

"Or rather, I should focus more on how to deactivate you."

[ I’m sorry to disappoint you, host. You can’t get rid of me unless you’ve gotten a child. ]

Valen sighed. The system is not a bad thing though. Thanks to its support, he became the best he could ever be.

[ I can hear that. Just tell me, ’thank you’ and stop being so prideful. ]

"Stop spying on my thoughts."

[ Then stop thinking. ]

It’s been like this for three years. If not for the system and Kaylus, Valen would have gotten into depression. Aside from those two, another thing that had been keeping him busy for the past year was writing songs for Jeslyn. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Valen hates to see his mother’s career go down the drain, so he made sure that the public never forgot his mother. He does publicity for her, Lolita talks about her, Piper and Brian, including Celestine, do the same. And lastly, Emma and Ava also talk about her a lot on interviews.

So, even though Jeslyn isn’t back yet, her name is still all over the place.