WHIF- Chapter 17

Ch. 17 Yuan You

    In the end, honouring Ji Xiang’s wishes, Yang Chaosheng decided on a small wedding. They wouldn’t invite too many people, just a few close friends and family as witnesses.

    He even picked a lucky date when everything was said to be auspicious. And they agreed to get their marriage certificate before the ceremony.

    “Are you sure I don’t need to meet your parents before we register?” Ji Xiang asked, panting as he caught the subway, his phone wedged between his ear and shoulder. “Feels kind of rude to just swoop in and kidnap their son without even saying hi.”

    “No need. I am running off with you willingly,” Yang Chaosheng chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, my parents are very easygoing. I already told them. They’re on a vacation abroad right now and can’t come back for a while. The wedding will take some time to prepare anyway. We’ll have a chance to meet before then.”

    “Alright, I’ll go with your plan.”

    Through the phone, Yang Chaosheng could hear the subway announcements blaring in the background. “Once we get the certificate, do you want to move in first? Your company and Shengsong are in the same direction. I can also drop you off, it might make your mornings easier.”

    Since it was the peak rush hour, Ji Xiang couldn’t find a seat and just leaned against the pole, listlessly chewing on a piece of bread. By the time he arrived at his stop, he looked utterly worn out. “But our work schedules don’t match. This poor corporate slave has to clock in by 8:30, you know.”

    Yang Chaosheng liked hearing the little snippets of Ji Xiang’s life, whether good or bad, they made him feel closer to him. His voice carried a soft smile, “That’s fine. I’ll still get you there. I’ll even make sure you wake up on time.”

    Ji Xiang feigned surprise, “Isn’t this service from Lawyer Yang too good?”

    “This is just the standard treatment for one’s partner,” Yang Chaosheng replied, voice calm and gentle. He paused, thinking of a way to sound more charming. “You might want to seriously consider this offer… it’s a sure win.”

    “Well then, since Lawyer Yang is taking so much effort, I guess I’ll have to think it over carefully,” Ji Xiang played along. “Anyway, I gotta get off. Work time.”

    “Alright.” Yang Chaosheng replied, but then realized the call hadn’t ended yet. So he added, albeit a bit awkwardly, “…Don’t forget to eat lunch.”

    He was so used to waiting for clients to hang up first that it had become a habit. The spontaneous words of care caught Ji Xiang off guard.

    But not for long. He responded with a dazed “Okay,” but then quickly realized that this might be the first step in the process of cultivating feeling, so he also said, “You too. Bye!”

    “Bye.”

    Just as Ji Xiang ended the call and prepared to exit the station, a headline banner caught his eye, slowing his steps.

    “Yuan Group’s stocks in turmoil—Chairman Yuan Qingfeng critically ill and hospitalized; only son Yuan You rumoured to have returned to quietly reclaim control.”

    “Hey, what are you staring at?”

    Shen Siru appeared behind him and gave his back a slap. Ji Xiang jumped and quickly turned off his screen.

    “Why the guilty conscience?” Shen Siru gave him a curious look. “You didn’t even notice I was on the same train. Been flirting the whole way with your ‘You too, me too’, huh? Was that Yang Chaosheng?”

    “It was,” Ji Xiang answered casually, confused by Shen Siru’s teasing tone. “What do you mean, guilty? You scared me! Am I not allowed to even show a little shock now? That’s so unfair.”

    “Well, I was trying to eavesdrop on how far you two had gotten,” Shen Siru nudged him with an elbow. “Things seem to be going well?”

    “Seems like it.”

    He still wasn’t sure about the future, but so far, Yang Chaosheng, aside from being overly apologetic and a little stiff, hadn’t shown any real flaws.

    To be honest, he was actually a near-perfect partner for a respectful, well-balanced marriage.

    As they entered the company together, Ji Xiang casually mentioned that they’d be getting their marriage certificate next week. Shen Siru pouted. He was never a fan of rushed marriages, especially not with unfamiliar alphas. But since it was his best friend’s big moment, he forced a cheerful “Congrats.”

    To lift his mood, Ji Xiang pinched his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll just directly give you the bouquet, so that it helps you with your romantic luck. Okay?”

    “No thanks.” Shen Siru sneered and then grumbled, “Alphas are dogs. Not a single decent one among them.”

    Ji Xiang teased, “Then maybe try one of us equally amazing betas?”

    “Hmph. I even offered to marry you to help you out, remember? But no, you had to go with that Yang Chaosheng guy.”

    “Marrying you wouldn’t be fair. You’re my good friend, I don’t want you to sacrifice anything for me.”

    Just as Ji Xiang patiently explained, he locked eyes with Song Zheli, who was waiting by the elevator.

    “Director Song,” Ji Xiang nodded politely.

    Shen Siru echoed the greeting, though a bit nervously as he remembered how much he’d badmouthed Song Zheli in private and felt awkward.

    When the elevator arrived, Song Zheli held the door open for them. Shen Siru stiffly followed Ji Xiang in, almost looking as if he was doing some kind of march.

    And Song Zheli noticed it.

    In his nervousness, Shen Siru forgot to press his floor number and even just got stuck at the other end. Just as he awkwardly stretched across to ask someone to hit ‘3’, Song Zheli beat him to it and pressed it himself.

    “Thanks…” Shen Siru mumbled.

    “You’re welcome.”

    The elevator reached the third floor. Song Zheli gave a friendly nod as he saw him off. By the time they reached the ninth floor, Ji Xiang exited together with him.

    “Your friend seems a bit socially anxious?”

    “You mean Siru?”

    Ji Xiang wasn’t sure. He’d never heard anyone describe Shen Siru like that.

    Siru had always been loud and carefree. Back in kindergarten, the other kids even nicknamed him ‘Little Loudspeaker’ because of his booming voice and nonstop chatter.

    “Hm, isn’t he?” Song Zheli chuckled, recalling Shen Siru’s awkward demeanor. “Just a passing impression. Totally possible I’m wrong.”

    At the punch-in machine, Song Zheli gestured for Ji Xiang to go first.

    Ji Xiang didn’t argue. There were still five minutes before work officially started, plenty of time.

    Seemingly casually, Song Zheli asked, “I overheard it just now, you’re getting married? Didn’t you two just start dating?”

    Ji Xiang scanned his face and stepped aside. “Yes, it was pretty recent. But it feels right, and our families were starting to push. So, we figured, why not?”

    “Pushing already? You’re only in your early thirties,” Song Zheli probed. “The other party is an alpha?”

    Ji Xiang nodded.

    “Don’t you think, physiologically speaking…” Song Zheli paused, searching for words. “Well, I just mean… alpha-omega pairings are more… natural, right? Wouldn’t two betas be easier?”

    “Didn’t think Director Song was so traditional,” Ji Xiang smiled. “But I think if feelings are strong enough, nothing really stands in the way. You see, we can find quite a few AB or BO couples growing old together nowadays, don’t we?”

    He didn’t continue the conversation and returned to his desk. “I’ll bring wedding candy for you soon, Director Song.”

    He sat down and glanced at his phone. The news article was still open.

    He had a strong gut feeling that the medical report he accidentally saw at the hospital, the one with Yuan You’s name, wasn’t just a coincidence.

    And that hunch was quickly proven true.

    The new collaborative project Song Zheli had mentioned was with Yuan Group, Tongcheng’s top company dealing with medical equipment.

    Normally, communication between both parties would go through the client’s planning staff. So, when Ji Xiang saw Yuan You, whom he hadn’t seen in years, walk into the meeting room, he was just as shocked as everyone else.

    But while the others were stunned that the newly appointed chairman had shown up in person, Ji Xiang was terrified that Yuan You and Shen Siru might run into each other.

    Song Zheli excitedly introduced the team, but Yuan You interrupted him at Ji Xiang’s name. “I know him.”

    “Friend of Siru’s, right? Ji Xiang?”

    Gone was the cocky, immature boy from high school. Yuan You now wore a sleek, tailored suit and carried the air of a composed, successful man. But the way he said ‘Siru’ still made Ji Xiang wince.

    He stood firmly on Siru’s side, sharing his pain, his anger, and his wounds.

    But past was past, and Yuan You was now an untouchable client. Ji Xiang kept his tone respectful. “Hello, President Yuan.”

    He only hoped Yuan You would leave soon, before Siru walked in.

    Ji Xiang was afraid that Siru would be dragged back into the emotional aftermath of their breakup. It was obvious that Yuan You was the reason Siru had remained closed off to relationships all these years, and why he held such bitterness towards alphas.

    Though probably ‘unwilling’ might not be the right word. Whether it was unresolved feelings or lingering trauma, Ji Xiang didn’t know. Maybe both. Maybe Siru didn’t even realize it himself.

    Knock knock—

    Song Zheli looked over the crowded room. “Come in.”

    It was Shen Siru. “Hi, I’ve got the documents Kaylee asked me to deliver to 903…”

    His voice trailed off. The very scene Ji Xiang had hoped to avoid was now happening.

    Even in a conference room packed with people, Shen Siru felt dizzy and disoriented.

    The alpha who once heartlessly told him to ‘get lost’, saying it was ‘just for fun’ and he shouldn’t take it seriously, was now standing right in front of him, watching him with a half-smile.

    “Siru. Long time no see.”

    Shen Siru wanted nothing more than to smash the folder over his head. But he couldn’t.

    He’d made too many mistakes to lash out again. He’d learned restraint and composure. So instead, he buried every cruel thought that came to his mind deep inside and forced a tight-lipped smile.

    “Indeed. Long time no see, Mr. Yuan.”