Li-Cheng and Lui Cheng lounged on a large velvet couch in an upscale bar, each nursing a glass of red wine. Soft jazz played in the background, and the dim lighting gave the space a warm, intimate glow. They sipped their drinks in silence for a moment, eyes scanning the crowd.
"So... you're really going through with this marriage?" Lui Cheng finally said, swirling the wine in his glass. "I didn't think you'd ever agree to it. Honestly, I thought I'd be the one marrying you someday. How could you betray me like this? My heart... shattered."
Li-Cheng groaned. "Lui Cheng, not this again. When will you stop with your drama? It's getting old."
Lui Cheng grinned. "You're just too fun to tease. The way you always react—makes my day."
Li-Cheng shook his head, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. "Anyway… I met my bride today."
"Oh? How was she? Beautiful? Sexy? Cute?" Lui Cheng leaned in with interest.
Li-Cheng took another sip and leaned back. "Crazy."
"Crazy?" Lui Cheng raised a brow. "What do you mean, crazy?"
"I mean completely wild," Li-Cheng replied, eyes narrowing at the memory. "She almost killed me today. I was this close to teaching her a lesson, but I knew my mother would skin me alive if she found out. So I let it slide. But it was… something."
Lui Cheng laughed. "Wait, what? She attacked you?"
"She beat up my bodyguards first. Then tried to attack me. She didn't even flinch when I glared at her. No fear. Nothing. It was… unexpected."
"So now you're marrying her for the thrill?" Lui Cheng asked, half-joking. "You've officially lost your mind."
"No. Not for the thrill," Li-Cheng said, grinning slightly. "I just want to see her face when she finds out I'm her husband. The shock will be worth it. She's the first woman who didn't melt or pretend in front of me. I respect that."
Lui Cheng shook his head, amused. "Sounds like love at first sight to me."
"Don't push it. I never said I liked her. I just think… she'll make life interesting. Better than those fake, overly polished women everyone throws at me."
"Li-Cheng, listen. Marriage isn't a game. If you're doing this out of revenge or curiosity, don't. It's a lifetime commitment. You can't just jump into it for fun."
"If it doesn't work out, I'll divorce her. Simple," Li-Cheng said nonchalantly.
"You think divorce is that easy? If you're not serious, leave her alone. Don't ruin her life just because you're bored."
Li-Cheng sighed, rolling his eyes. "Can you stop? You're not even married. Spare me the lecture."
"I'm giving you advice because I care, idiot. Don't do something you'll regret later."
"You talk too much. My ears are bleeding," Li-Cheng snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Good. They deserve to bleed. Every time I talk sense into you, you act like I'm torturing you," Lui Cheng fired back.
"Say one more word and I'll beat you."
"Try it," Lui Cheng said with a mischievous grin. "Let's see if you've still got it."
"You're asking for it," Li-Cheng warned, setting down his glass.
Lui Cheng tapped him lightly on the forehead and took a few quick steps back. "Come on, catch me if you can, Mr. Groom-to-Be."
That was it.
Li-Cheng shot up from the couch and lunged at him. The two began chasing each other between tables, drawing amused glances from nearby patrons. As Lui Cheng laughed and retreated, he didn't notice someone standing just behind him. He bumped into the person, hard, causing a glass of wine to tip and spill all over them.
The room fell into a brief hush.
Li-Cheng slowed to a stop, eyes widening.
Lui Cheng turned slowly, dreading what—or who—he had just run into.
"Uh-oh," he muttered, staring at the furious figure drenched in red wine.
Li-Cheng covered his face with one hand and muttered, "You're dead."