WHIF- Chapter 2

Ch. 02 A pie falling from the sky

    The wreath resting on the table was strung with keys, with the most eye-catching among them being the various different models of car keys, so many that they nearly occupied half the space on the wreath.

    Zhao Yuancheng walked off cursing, while Ji Xiang was still stunned by the earth-shattering words from the man he’d never met before—this Mr. Yang.

    What was this supposed to be? A pie falling from the sky?

    Or a scam? Why was it all so sudden? Was he going to get knocked out and dragged away in the next second?

    But this was a society ruled by law, after all.

    “Mr. Ji?” Yang Chaosheng glanced at the now-empty seat across from Ji Xiang, the corner of his lips lifting slightly in a polite smile. “May I sit here?”

    Ji Xiang made a small, dazed sound. His brain hadn’t caught up yet. Still, he automatically removed the glass Zhao Yuancheng had used. “Sure, go ahead.”

    “Thank you.”

    Ji Xiang couldn’t figure out what Yang Chaosheng was after. He silently observed as the man opened his briefcase and pulled out a tan leather file folder.

    Yang Chaosheng unfastened the string with practiced ease, and Ji Xiang’s gaze was instantly drawn to his hands.

    Long and clean fingers, but with strong joints that hinted at strength. No flashy accessories, only a Montblanc watch [mfn]Montblanc is a luxury brand from Germany, most famous for its pens, but it also produces high-end watches, leather goods, and accessories.[/mfn] catching a sliver of sunlight on his right wrist.

    It dazzled his eyes—and so did the man himself.

    Yang Chaosheng began stacking up property deeds and bank cards from the folder, arranging them neatly, leaving Ji Xiang utterly bewildered.

    “These are all car keys, although I’m afraid there’s no Maybach S480 that you want, how about S680? If you are not satisfied, you can also order another one for you.”

    The tone was so casual, as if he was just saying, “I’m getting BBQ rice for lunch—want some too?” Ji Xiang was shell-shocked and couldn’t help pinching the flesh of his arm under the table.

    It hurt. Not a dream.

    Is this man crazy?

    “These are property deeds under my name,” Yang Chaosheng continued calmly. “I own three residences in this city—two villas and one apartment. The apartment’s in Jintai District, where I currently live. One villa is on Xiaoshan Hill, and the other is near the coast in the Chongning District. My parents are mostly in Jiulin now, so I also own a few places there. If it bothers you, I can sell the Jiulin properties and buy new ones here.” He pushed the documents and bank cards toward Ji Xiang as if he were just stacking some cards. “As for the bride price, you don’t need to worry. The remaining cards contain all of my savings from work, all earned legally. We can draft a written agreement to declare these assets as joint property.”

    As he was talking, Ji Xiang didn’t even dare breathe too loudly. His family was well-off, and he’d lived a smooth life for 28 years. Even after his parents divorced and remarried, they never turned away from fulfilling his needs.

    But no matter how rich you are, you can’t be like Yang Chaosheng!

    How can someone just give away his family fortune and propose marriage after just one meeting?

    “You… are serious?”

    “Yes. Also, I’m an Alpha, but I don’t place importance on having children, so you don’t need to worry about that. I won’t act like that rude Alpha just now. If you have any other concerns, you can tell me—I’ll meet all your needs.”

    Yang Chaosheng adjusted his glasses. Just that one gesture exuded composed, elite professionalism. Yet here he was, treating marriage like a game.

    Ji Xiang skimmed the property deeds. They really did match what he said.

    It was too perfect, and he didn’t even ask for anything… Was this a trap?

    He quickly shut the documents and pushed them, along with the keys and cards, back across the table.

    “Um… sir…”

    His mind was still blank. Yang Chaosheng’s words had hit too hard. When he tried to recall the man’s surname, his mind drew a blank—only remembering “Chaosheng, like tidal waves and endless vitality.”

    Poetic as it was, he couldn’t just call him by his given name…

    Noticing the awkwardness, Yang Chaosheng gently reminded him, “My surname is Yang. If you don’t mind, you can call me Yang Chaosheng.”

    “Okay… Mr. Yang, I’ll be honest. No matter what you might’ve overheard earlier, I’m not looking to get married. I only agreed to this blind date to appease my parents. Marriage just isn’t what I’m after.” Ji Xiang withdrew his hand. “You have excellent qualities—easily a top-tier candidate in the dating pool. I’m just not a good match for you.”

    Ji Xiang wasn’t an idiot. A man like Yang Chaosheng—handsome, wealthy, respectful—he would be a walking billboard on any street. That someone like him would offer everything and propose on the spot? Ji Xiang had only seen that in movies.

    He tried to be tactful, just short of saying “You must be up to something.”

    But then again, from Yang Chaoshen’s perspective, Ji Xiang was also a stranger. There was nothing he had that could be exploited.

    Ji Xiang’s imagination even drifted to human trafficking, but Yang Chaosheng soon broke the silence. “You don’t think we’re suitable… is it because I’m not your type?”

    There was a sincere, almost imperceptible note of hesitation and disappointment in his voice. For a moment, Ji Xiang felt like turning him down would be some kind of unforgivable crime.

    “That’s… not what I meant. You’re great. It’s just—you suddenly showed up out of nowhere, offered me all this, and asked me to marry you…” Ji Xiang took a deep breath and spoke incoherently, “It’s too weird. You haven’t even set any conditions. Can you see how strange that is?”

    Yang Chaosheng stared into Ji Xiang’s eyes and just as Ji Xiang was about to say more, he gave a small nod.

    Ji Xiang thought the conversation was over. But then Yang Chaosheng stood up before he did, and said, “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom. Mr. Ji, would you mind waiting a few more minutes?”

    He was so sincere. Ji Xiang, who freely admitted to being a sucker for good looks, set his bag back down. It was the weekend, after all. “Sure.”

    While Yang Chaosheng was gone, Ji Xiang fiddled with his phone. A short while later, a server arrived with a small cake. He frowned. “I didn’t order anything.”

    “It was the gentleman who sat across from you. He asked us to bring this out so you wouldn’t get bored waiting,” the server explained with a smile. “It’s our pistachio brownie. Please enjoy.”

    Ji Xiang took the plate and fork, dazed, thinking that the man was too thoughtful.

    This really felt like one of those too-good-to-be-true scams where they’d harvest your organs and sell them.

    He hesitated. He loved pistachios. But in the end, he didn’t touch the tempting dessert. Carefully, he slid the plate over to Yang Chaosheng’s side of the table.

    When Yang Chaosheng returned, all he saw was the round back of Ji Xiang’s head, staring out the window. The cake was miles away from its intended recipient. Sitting back down, he asked gently, “Not to your taste?”

    Ji Xiang had been watching a sun-drenched cat lounging lazily near the flowerbed outside. Hearing the voice, he turned back reluctantly. “No, you were just being too kind. I don’t like accepting favors for no reason.”

    Yang Chaosheng glanced out the window. “It’s only a cake. I’m the one who took up your time—it’s an apology.”

    Ji Xiang smiled. “So, Mr. Yang, did you keep me here because there’s more you want to say?”

    “Yes.” Yang Chaosheng didn’t press about the untouched cake. “I understand why you don’t trust me. To be honest, I have my own motives for wanting to marry you—something I didn’t disclose earlier. I hope you can forgive me.”

    He took out his mobile phone and showed Ji Xiang the chat history. There was not much content, just a conversation between a mother and a child.

    Ji Xiang blinked at that. It was eerily familiar. It looked exactly like how his own mom texted him after every blind date.

    So, all parents were the same…

    “My parents keep pressuring me to date. But I’m busy with work, and I don’t have time for emotional investment. Most people go on blind dates hoping to fall in love and start a family, and I don’t want to waste the effort finding someone I ‘click’ with.’ Yang Chaosheng said calmly, “You don’t want to marry either, and your parents are also pushing you. So, a contractual marriage between us would work. And, you’re the most suitable person for me right now.”

    “I forgot to introduce myself properly. I’m a lawyer, specializing in civil and commercial litigation. Here’s my card,” Yang Chaosheng said, pulling a navy coloured business card from his pocket. “If you’re still unsure, we can draft a prenup—whatever you need.”

    Ji Xiang took the card and glanced over the details.

    Senior Partner, Shengsong Law Firm.

    The address was in Jintai District—not far from here.

    Didn’t seem fake.

    If this was all true, marrying Yang Chaosheng would eliminate many of his headaches.

    More importantly, no more weekly freak-show blind dates.

    He was really going to go crazy.

    Each one drained him so badly that it felt like his soul had been wrung out. And he still had to go to work the next day.

    Ji Xiang clenched his fingers. “Everything you’ve said… I’ll need some time to think it over.”

    “Of course. Take your time.” Yang Chaosheng brought up a QR code. “Can we at least exchange contact info? If you decide, just let me know.”

    “Sure.”

    Ji Xiang scanned the code and sent a friend request. But before he logged out of the app, the request was already accepted. He glanced at Yang Chaosheng, surprised by the speed.

    Yang Chaosheng looked completely calm.

    “Do you remember my name?” he suddenly asked, a playful hint in his voice.

    Ji Xiang winced—clearly a jab at his earlier forgetfulness. “Of course I do. It’s on the card, isn’t it?”

    Yang Chaosheng chuckled softly, “Impressive.”

    Ji Xiang didn’t even know what he was being praised for, but his face suddenly felt like it was being heated up on a frying pan.

    “What about me?” he asked. “Do you know my name?”

    “Mm.” Yang Chaosheng’s voice was as steady as still water. “Ji Xiang.”

    “Which ‘Xiang’?”

    “As in ‘to miss someone’.”

    Then he even showed Ji Xiang the newly added contact name in his WeChat.

    Ji Xiang stared for a second, then looked away. “How did you know that? Were you eavesdropping?”

    God knows how much of his ‘battle’ with Zhao Yuancheng he had overheard.

    “Hmm, eavesdropping is wrong. I apologize,” Yang Chaosheng said sincerely.

    “…I’m not blaming you.”

    “Good.” Yang Chaosheng pushed the untouched cake back towards him. “Then can I ask Mr. Ji to accept this now?”

    Ji Xiang paused, then cut the cake in half with his fork. “Let’s share.”

    He slid one half onto his empty plate, then handed the other half and the fork back to Yang Chaosheng.

    Yang Chaosheng looked briefly surprised, then said, “Thank you.”

    Looking down at the unevenly divided cake, his fingers trembled slightly.

    Ji Xiang smiled, amused. “You bought it—why are you thanking me?”

    Yang Chaosheng didn’t respond, quietly tasting the sweet cake.

    “Oh, right.” Ji Xiang hesitated, then spoke with some difficulty. “There’s one thing…”

    Yang Chaosheng looked at him expectantly.

    Ji Xiang swallowed the last bite and said, “I can’t understand those legal provisions, so… if we do sign a prenup… can I find my own lawyer?”

    “Not that I don’t trust you…” he trailed off, unsure how to explain.

    Clearly, he was being cautious.

    “Of course. That’s no problem.” Yang Chaosheng remained composed. “If you agree, feel free to bring your lawyer along.”

    He even added gently, “It’s good to be cautious. You’re doing the right thing.”

    Hearing that, Ji Xiang lowered his head, slightly embarrassed.

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The author has something to say:

Xiao Yang: No need to say more, my wife is always right.