The warm morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the Xian family home, casting a cheerful glow on the preparations underway. Xian Zhan stood in the living room, surrounded by wedding decorations and a flurry of activity. His brother, Zhuo Cheng, was finally tying the knot with his beloved fiancée, Mei Ling, and the entire family was involved in making the day perfect.
"A'Zhan, can you check if the flowers have arrived?" His mother called from the kitchen, her voice slightly muffled by the boxes she was unpacking.
"On it!" Xian Zhan replied, heading towards the front door just as the delivery truck pulled up. The florist's assistants began unloading a variety of beautiful blooms-roses, lilies, and orchids-each more vibrant than the last.
"These look amazing," Xian Zhan said, admiring the flowers. He signed for the delivery and began directing the placement of the arrangements throughout the house.
As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. It had been nearly a year since his own arranged marriage to Wang Yibo, and though their relationship had started off rocky, it had gradually evolved into something deeper.
Watching Zhuo ge marry for love brought a sense of joy and a tinge of wistfulness to his heart.
In the midst of arranging the flowers, Xian Zhan heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey, lil brother, those flowers look great! Mei Ling is going to love them."
Xian Zhan turned to see Zhuo Cheng, his face lit up with excitement. "Thanks, Zhuo ge. Everything's coming together nicely. How are you feeling?"
"A bit nervous but mostly excited," Zhuo Cheng admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I just want everything to be perfect for Mei Ling."
"It will be," Xian Zhan assured him with a smile. "We've got everything under control."
Just then, Lu Jie emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray of tea and snacks. "Alright, break time! We all need to recharge before the final push."
The three siblings sat down together, enjoying a brief moment of calm amidst the chaos. They reminisced about their childhood, shared laughs, and expressed their hopes for the future.
"You know, Zhan," Lu Jie said, sipping her tea, "seeing you and Mr. Wang makes me believe in love even more. It wasn't easy, but you two found a way to make it work."
Xian Zhan smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Thanks, Jie. I think we're still finding our way, but it's worth it."
As the day wore on, the preparations continued with renewed energy. Mei Ling arrived later in the afternoon, her presence bringing a new level of excitement. She was a vision in her wedding dress, her eyes shining with happiness as she joined in the final touches for the ceremony.
That evening, under a canopy of twinkling lights, Zhuo Cheng and Mei Ling exchanged their vows and rings. The ceremony was a beautiful testament to their love and commitment, surrounded by family and friends who celebrated their union.
Xian Zhan watched his brother and new sister-in-law with a full heart, feeling grateful for the love that bound their family together. As he stood beside Wang Yibo, he realized that despite the ups and downs, he was exactly where he was meant to be.
The sun was setting over Shanghai, casting a warm glow over the bustling city.
Wang Yibo's mother, Mrs. Wang, sat in her office, gazing out the window. Her thoughts drifted to her ex-husband, Wang Yibo's father, and the years they had spent apart. Managing the company with her elder son, Wang Hai kuan, had kept her occupied, but a sense of longing had begun to creep into her heart.
"Mom, are you alright?" Wang Hai kuan's voice brought her back to the present. He stood at the door, concern etched on his face.
Mrs. Wang turned to him and smiled. "I'm fine, Hai kuan. Just lost in thought."
Hai kuan walked over and sat beside her. "Is it about Dad?"
She nodded, a wistful expression on her face. "Yes. I've been thinking a lot about the past and what we've lost. I believe it's time to mend those broken ties."
Hai kuan took her hand and squeezed it gently. "If that's what you want, I support you. But what about the company?"
"I know you'll manage it well," she replied, her eyes filled with trust. "I need to go back to Beijing. I need to be with your father and Yibo, if you need me here just a phone call and I will be right in front of you."
*****
A few weeks later, back in Beijing, the Wang family home was abuzz with preparations.
Wang Yibo stood in the living room, observing the transformation with a mix of apprehension and hope. His father, Mr. Wang, was equally nervous but determined to make this second chance count.
"Yibo, do you think this is a good idea?" Mr. Wang asked, adjusting his tie for the umpteenth time.
Wang Yibo nodded. "Yes, Dad. It's time for us to be a family again. We've all changed and grown."
Just then, the door opened, and Mrs. Wang stepped in, looking elegant and composed. She and Mr. Wang exchanged a tentative smile before embracing each other tightly. The moment was both emotional and hopeful, marking a new beginning for their relationship.
Later that evening, the family gathered for dinner. Wang Hai kuan had flown in from Shanghai for the occasion, bringing his wife and their two young daughters, Mei and Fei. The atmosphere was warm and filled with laughter as everyone shared stories and reminisced.
However, beneath the surface, there was tension. Mrs. Wang's gaze occasionally drifted to Xian Zhan, her expression disapproving. She had never been fond of him, believing he had married her son for his wealth and status.
After dinner, Mrs. Wang took Wang Yibo aside. "Yibo, we need to talk about Xian Zhan."
Wang Yibo stiffened, anticipating the conversation. "What about him, Mom?"
"I don't trust him," she said bluntly. "I believe he married you for our money."
Wang Yibo's expression hardened. "Mom, not again, I already told you Xian Zhan is not like that. He's proven himself to me time and time again. Our marriage may have started as an arrangement, but it's become much more than that."
Mrs. Wang sighed, clearly not convinced. "I hope you're right, Yibo. I want what's best for you, but I'll be keeping a close eye on him."
As the days went by, Mrs. Wang settled back into life in Beijing, rekindling her relationship with Mr. Wang and adjusting to her new role in the family. Despite her reservations about Xian Zhan, she couldn't deny the love and dedication her son had for him.
In the end, it was a journey of reconciliation and growth for the Wang family. They had come a long way, and though there were challenges ahead, they faced them together, united by love and the hope for a brighter future.
The grand Mansion in Beijing was a blend of elegance and tension. Wang Yibo's father, Mr. Wang, had taken a liking to his son-in-law, Xian Zhan, and often enjoyed their conversations. However, Mrs. Wang's disdain for Xian Zhan cast a shadow over their daily lives.
Wang Yibo entered the dining room early one Saturday morning, finding his father already seated with a newspaper in hand. "Good morning, Dad."
Mr. Wang looked up and smiled warmly. "Good morning, Yibo. Did you sleep well?"
"As well as can be expected," Wang Yibo replied, his thoughts on Xian Zhan. He had been trying to get closer to his husband, but Xian Zhan's distance was disheartening.
Just then, Xian Zhan walked in, his eyes avoiding Wang Yibo's as he greeted the family. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Zhan," Mr. Wang replied cheerfully. "Join us for breakfast."
Xian Zhan nodded and took a seat, carefully placing himself a bit farther from Wang Yibo. Mrs. Wang entered, her presence immediately adding a layer of frost to the room. "Xian Zhan, I need you to help with the garden today. It's in a terrible state, and I expect it to be perfect by evening."
Xian Zhan nodded, swallowing any retort. "Yes, Mother."
Wang Yibo frowned, but he held his tongue, not wanting to escalate the situation. He knew his mother's attitude was unfair, but confronting her directly often led to more trouble.
Throughout the day, Wang Yibo tried several times to engage with Xian Zhan. He found him in the garden, diligently working on the flower beds. "Zhan, do you need any help?"
Xian Zhan shook his head, his tone polite but distant. "No, I can manage. Thank you."
Wang Yibo sighed, feeling the weight of the emotional barrier between them. He reached out, gently touching Xian Zhan's arm. "Please, let me help. We're in this together."
Xian Zhan hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. As they worked side by side, Wang Yibo tried to start a conversation. "I miss spending time with you. We haven't really talked in a while."
"I know," Xian Zhan replied softly, his eyes focused on the soil. "It's just... I need time to trust you more, Yibo ge."
Wang Yibo's heart ached at the words. "I understand. I just wish we could bridge this gap."
Meanwhile, Mr. Wang observed the young couple from the patio, a look of concern on his face. He turned to Mrs. Wang, who stood beside him with a critical eye on Xian Zhan. "They need our support, not more pressure."
Mrs. Wang huffed. "He needs to prove he's worthy of our Yibo. Until then, I'll keep an eye on him."
Mr. Wang sighed, knowing his wife's stubbornness would not easily be swayed. "I hope you see the good in him, dear. For Yibo's sake."
As the sun set, Wang Yibo and Xian Zhan finished their work in the garden. Wang Yibo took a deep breath and spoke softly, "Thank you for letting me help. I hope we can continue to work on us.. As friends of course."
Xian Zhan looked at him, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Maybe we can. One step at a time."
Wang Yibo's heart lifted slightly at the words, a small but significant victory in his efforts to win his husband's trust and love. As they headed back to the mansion, the path ahead still seemed challenging, but Wang Yibo was determined to fight for their relationship, one day at a time.
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, casting a warm glow on the polished floors, another warm Sunday morning.
Wang Yibo sat at the dining table, staring at his untouched cup of coffee.
His thoughts were on Xian Zhan, who had been avoiding him more than usual.
Mrs. Wang entered the dining room with an air of authority. "Yibo, I need you to review these documents for the charity event next week," she said, placing a stack of papers in front of him.
"Yes, Mom," Wang Yibo replied, glancing at the documents. He knew she was trying to keep him busy, possibly to keep him away from Xian Zhan.
Just then, Xian Zhan walked in, his eyes quickly darting away from Wang Yibo's. He took a seat at the far end of the table, next to Mr. Wang, who smiled warmly at him. "Good morning, Son. How did you sleep?"
"Good morning, Dad. I slept well, thank you," Xian Zhan replied politely, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.
Mrs. Wang didn't waste a moment. "Xian Zhan, I need you to organize the library today. It's a mess and needs a thorough cleaning."
Xian Zhan nodded obediently. "Yes, Mother."
Wang Yibo clenched his fist under the table, frustration bubbling inside him.
He knew his mother's tasks were an excuse to keep Xian Zhan busy and away from him.
"Mother, I can help Zhan with the library. It will be faster if we do it together."
Mrs. Wang's eyes narrowed. "Nonsense, Yibo. You have more important things to do. Zhan can handle it."
Xian Zhan stood up, giving Wang Yibo a fleeting, apologetic look before heading to the library.
Wang Yibo watched him go, feeling the distance between them like a physical barrier.
After breakfast, Wang Yibo decided he couldn't let another day go by without trying to bridge the gap. He followed Xian Zhan to the library, finding him already hard at work, dusting and organizing books.
"Zhan," Wang Yibo called softly.
Xian Zhan looked up, surprised to see him. "Yibo ge, you should be working on the charity documents."
"I needed to see you," Wang Yibo replied, stepping closer. "Please, let me help."
Xian Zhan hesitated but then nodded, handing him a cloth. They worked in silence for a while, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, Wang Yibo couldn't hold back any longer. "Zhan, I know things have been difficult. I know our marriage is just a name, don't you think we should forget everything and try to work on it? I want to make it right. I want to earn your trust."
Xian Zhan paused, his eyes softening slightly. " he thought it is not a bad idea thou, okay Yibo ge, but you have to be patient with me, I don't open up easily. "
"I understand," Wang Yibo said, his voice filled with sincerity. "But please know that I'm here for you. I like you, even if I haven't been able to say it out loud."
Xian Zhan's eyes widened in surprise. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "I... I need time, Yibo. But thank you for saying that."
In Xian Zhan mind, he knew this shameless Man just want his ass to wrack, nothing else.
As they continued to work, Mr. Wang peeked into the library, a hopeful smile on his face. He turned to Mrs. Wang, who was watching from the hallway. "You see, dear? They just need time to figure things out."
Mrs. Wang crossed her arms, her expression still stern. "We'll see. I'm not convinced yet."
In the quiet of the library, amidst the dusty books and lingering tension, a small step had been taken. Wang Yibo and Xian Zhan were far from where they wanted to be, but they were moving forward, one careful step at a time.
As the day drew to a close, Wang Yibo felt a flicker of hope that, despite the challenges, they could find their way to each other.