Chapter 3
Wang Yibo's car arrived at the address his father had given him, a small studio apartment in a trendy neighborhood. He had sent Yubin to fetch Xian Zhan, and after a few minutes, Yubin emerged from the building with someone by his side.
As they approached the car, Wang Yibo felt a sudden jolt of surprise.
He had been expecting a man, but the person walking towards him looked anything but. This person features were delicate, with a beautiful face, long hair cascading down his/her back, and a slender body with a tiny waist. Wang Yibo's initial thought was that his father had made a mistake - this was definitely a woman.
But as Xian Zhan drew closer, Wang Yibo noticed something peculiar - a mischievous glint in his eye, a playful smile on his lips, and a confident stride that belied his delicate features.
"Xian Zhan?" Wang Yibo asked, learning his back against the car door, voice laced with uncertainty.
Xian Zhan nodded, and Wang Yibo's eyes widened further as he realized that this was indeed the man he was supposed to marry.
Wang Yibo opened the car door, and Xian Zhan slid in, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. The tension was palpable as they drove to the restaurant, the silence between them thick enough to cut with a knife.
They arrived at the upscale establishment, and Wang Yibo led Xian Zhan to a private room reserved just for them. The decor was lavish, and the aroma of gourmet cuisine filled the air.
As they sat down, Xian Zhan fidgeted with his napkin, avoiding eye contact. Wang Yibo tried to break the ice, but his attempts at small talk fell flat.
Their orders arrived, and they ate in silence, the only sound being the clinking of utensils on fine china.
Xian Zhan accidentally knocked over his glass of water, spilling it all over the tablecloth. Wang Yibo rushed to help, their hands touching briefly as they grabbed a napkin to mop up the mess.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.
"I'm sorry," Xian Zhan muttered, his face flushing.
Wang Yibo's expression softened, and he smiled. "It's okay. Accidents happen."
The rest of the lunch was a blur, with awkward conversation and uncomfortable silences. As they finished their meal, Wang Yibo reached for the check, his hand brushing against Xian Zhan's again.
Their eyes met once more, and Xian Zhan felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. He quickly looked away, his heart racing.
This was not going as smoothly as he had hoped.
Xian Zhan took a deep breath and spoke up, his voice firm but measured.
" Mr. Wang, I want to make something clear."
Wang Yibo looked up from his plate, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it?"
Xian Zhan's gaze held steady. "Apart from exchanging vows and signing the papers, I don't want anything between us. No expectations, no obligations. We're free to do whatever we like, with whoever we like."
Wang Yibo's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of surprise danced in his eyes. "You mean...we'll be married in name only?"
Xian Zhan nodded. "Exactly. I want my freedom, and I won't compromise on that."
Wang Yibo leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Xian Zhan's face. After a moment, he spoke. "Very well. I accept your terms."
Xian Zhan's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Wang Yibo to agree so easily. "Really?"
Wang Yibo's smile was sleek and calculating. "Yes. I have my own reasons for wanting this marriage, and personal freedom is one of them. Let's keep this arrangement...civil, shall we?"
Xian Zhan hesitated, unsure what to make of Wang Yibo's sudden acquiescence. But he pushed aside his doubts and extended his hand. "Deal."
Wang Yibo's handshake was firm, sealing their agreement.
Little did they know, this was just the beginning of a complicated game.
As they finished their meal, the silence between them was less awkward, but still palpable. Wang Yibo glanced at his watch, a sleek black timepiece that gleamed in the light.
"I should get you back to your studio," he said, his voice neutral. "You have a schedule to keep, I'm sure."
Xian Zhan nodded, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment that the lunch was ending. He hadn't expected to enjoy Wang Yibo's company, but despite their differences, there was something intriguing about the man.
As they left the restaurant, the bright sunlight was a stark contrast to the intimate atmosphere of the private room. Wang Yibo's car was waiting, and they drove back to the studio in silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine.
As they pulled up to the studio, Wang Yibo's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and nodded to himself.
"Almost forgot," he said, turning to Xian Zhan. "We need to get you fitted for a suit, and we need to pick out rings. My assistant has already booked appointments for us at a few boutiques in the area."
Xian Zhan's eyes widened in surprise. "Now?"
Wang Yibo nodded. "Yes, now. We don't have much time before the wedding, and I want to make sure everything is perfect."
Xian Zhan sighed, feeling overwhelmed. "Fine, let's get this over with."
Wang Yibo smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I promise, it won't be painful. Much."
And with that, they set off on their wedding shopping spree, with Xian Zhan feeling like he was being swept up in a whirlwind of chaos, and Wang Yibo seeming to enjoy every minute of it.
When they arrived back at the studio, Wang Yibo turned to him, his eyes gleaming with a hint of something Xian Zhan couldn't quite decipher.
"I'll see you at the wedding, then," Wang Yibo said, his voice low.
Xian Zhan nodded, feeling a shiver run down his spine. "Yes. At the wedding."
And with that, they parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts, the tension between them still simmering just below the surface.
The Xian family gathered in their living room, a warm and cozy atmosphere surrounding them. Xian Zhan's older sister, Lu, sat beside her husband, Yu Chen, while their brother, Zhuo, lounged on the couch, his eyes fixed on Xian Zhan.
"Little brother, we need to talk about the wedding preparations," Lu said, her voice gentle but firm.
Xian Zhan nodded, his eyes cast downward. "I know, sis. I'm just not sure if I'm ready for this, " thought I agreed.
Yu Chen, a calm and wise presence, spoke up. "bro in law, we understand your concerns, but we're here to support you. Your marriage to Wang Yibo will be a beautiful thing."
Zhuo chimed in, his voice laced with humor. "Yeah, and think of the amazing gifts you'll get!"
Xian Zhan couldn't help but smile, his family's warmth and love enveloping him.
Lu continued, "We've discussed the details with Wang Yibo's family. The wedding will be in two weeks, and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly."
Xian Zhan nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his family. "Thanks, guys. Just knowing you're all here for me makes me feel better."
Yu Chen placed a hand on Xian Zhan's shoulder. "We'll always be here for you, little brother. Now, let's get planning!"
As the family discussion continued, Xian Zhan's worries slowly began to fade. His sister, Lu, was right – with his family's support, he could face anything.
"Okay, let's get down to business," Zhuo said, pulling out his phone. "We need to finalize the guest list, choose a caterer, and pick a venue." Xian Zhan's eyes widened as his family dove into the details. He hadn't realized how much work went into planning a wedding!
"Ah, about the venue, I think the Wangs will want to provide that," Yu Chen said. "Given their status, they'll likely want a lavish and expensive one. Let's leave that to them and focus on the other details."
Yu Chen smiled at Xian Zhan. "Don't worry, we've got this. You just focus on showing up and looking handsome."
Xian Zhan chuckled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. With his family by his side, he knew he could handle whatever came next.
Just then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Lu said, standing up. She returned with a large bouquet of flowers, and Xian Zhan's heart skipped a beat as he saw the card attached – "To Mr. Xian Zhan, with care and support, Wang Yibo".
His family noticed his reaction and exchanged knowing glances. "Looks like someone's thinking of you," Zhuo teased.
Xian Zhan's face flushed, but he couldn't help the smile spreading across his face. He definitely knew something wasn't right – Wang Yibo wasn't the type to send flowers. Or maybe, just maybe, this marriage thing wouldn't be so bad after all.
Together, the Xian family dove into the wedding preparations, their love and support for Xian Zhan evident in every conversation, every laugh, and every reassuring glance.