WHIF- Chapter 30

This is the last chapter for today.

Hope you enjoy reading!

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Ch. 30 Long-time crush

    The photo of them with the veil draped over was the one Yang Chaosheng chose to be printed in a massive 48-inch frame and hung on the wall behind the sofa, replacing the plain geometric print Ji Xiang had once complained about.

    Ji Xiang thought 48 inches was absurdly large, especially for a blown-up close-up of them kissing. He had tried more than once to persuade Yang Chaosheng to pick another shot—maybe the one where they were holding each other’s waists and looking at the camera. It would blend into the living room better. But both Yang Chaosheng and the photographer insisted that nothing else compared to this one.

    Minority yields to majority. The photo was printed and hung at an incredible speed. Now every time Ji Xiang walks past the living room and catches a glimpse of the wedding photo, he instinctively reaches up to touch his forehead.

    As the wedding day drew closer, Shen Siru couldn’t sit still on Ji Xiang’s behalf and proposed throwing him one last bachelor party—his final hurrah before stepping into what he called ‘the grave of love’.

    “…So? What’s your type these days? Tell me in detail, I’ll help you find someone.”

    It wasn’t his fault for not knowing Ji Xiang’s ideal type. In the past, he had shown little interest in romance. Then suddenly, he was marrying someone like Yang Chaosheng—a man with the vibe of an old-school cadre. Shen Siru simply couldn’t make sense out of it.

    Ji Xiang had his phone pinned between his shoulder and ear while listening to his plans, all the while sitting cross-legged on a beanbag chair, helping Yang Chaosheng unwrap blank invitation cards.

    Since Ji Xiang didn’t respond, Shen Siru continued his persistent persuasion: “It’s a fake marriage anyway. Who knows if feelings will really develop? He can’t control you yet. Even if you two get divorced later, you’ll go your separate ways—what’s the difference from now?”

    His voice wasn’t exactly quiet. Yang Chaosheng, who was writing out guest names, paused and looked up. That’s when Ji Xiang realized Shen Siru was speaking too loudly.

    He quickly set the seal aside, mumbled a few perfunctory words to him, and hung up, though not before hearing him shout, “Just think about it again!”

    Ji Xiang exchanged a look with Yang Chaosheng and put his phone away. “Siru is a close friend of mine. I didn’t hide the fake marriage thing from him, but he doesn’t know all the details, so he tends to say nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.”

    Yang Chaosheng nodded, fingers tightening around his pen. “It’s okay.”

    Still, Shen Siru’s words struck a nerve. Their marriage had no emotional foundation. There was no guarantee.

    Feelings take time to nurture, and even then, only if he was lucky enough to win Ji Xiang’s heart. Sometimes Yang Chaosheng would think pessimistically: maybe he should just cherish this fleeting bond while it lasted.

    Perhaps it would become a memory he’d never forget for the rest of his life.

    Ji Xiang, ever perceptive, sensed the waves of quiet disappointment radiating from Yang Chaosheng. He stood up, shifted the beanbag chair closer, and shortened the distance between them. “Are your hands sore from writing, husband?”

    Yang Chaosheng choked on his breath and coughed a few times. “…I’m fine.”

    Ever since their wedding photoshoot, Ji Xiang had started calling him ‘husband’ more and more naturally, as if immune to any embarrassment. It was like he’d adopted it as the simplest way to address him, and always delivered it like a surprise attack.

    He’d noticed by now that a single “Husband” could instantly lift Yang Chaosheng’s mood to the max level—it was like a real-life emotional healing elixir.

    How did he know? Probably because Yang Chaosheng’s lips would involuntarily curl up a bit every time.

    “I’ll help you write some too.”

    Just as Ji Xiang turned to get a new gold-embossed pen, Yang Chaosheng pulled him back and pressed him down beside him. “Help me seal them instead.”

    Yang Chaosheng had even ordered a custom wax seal stamp with a rose design. Ji Xiang secretly marveled again at how thoroughly this man had prepared for their wedding. He sat back down and began sealing the envelopes with wax.

    By the time they finished, half the desk was covered with bright red wedding invitations. Ji Xiang snapped a photo and casually sent it to Ms. Ji Shuyu. To his surprise, she replied instantly, even though it was the time she’d usually be busy.

    [Mom: [photo] [photo] [photo] ]

    [Mom: “Which outfit should I wear to meet Chaosheng’s parents? Your Uncle Wan is useless, he just says everything looks fine.”] [mfn]All of these except the photos are voice messages and therefore the double quote indicating that.[/mfn]

    [Mom: “Chenchen says the red one is festive, but I think it’s too flashy. This dark green one feels more fitting.”]

    Ji Xiang thought for a moment before replying:

    [CilantroKiller: “They all look good.”]

    [Mom: “Can’t you give me a real opinion? Oh, and I’ve prepared some meeting gifts for them. Take a look.”]

    She sent another set of pictures. Ji Xiang sighed. This was clearly her anxiety acting up. Yang Chaosheng noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

    “The day after tomorrow we’re meeting your parents, and my mom’s getting more and more nervous the closer we get.” Ji Xiang showed him the chats.

    Yang Chaosheng chuckled softly and placed his palm over Ji Xiang’s hand. “Do you mind if I say a few words to Auntie?”

    Ji Xiang shook his head and tapped to start a voice message.

    And truth be told, Yang Chaosheng had a gift for soothing Ms. Ji Shuyu. With just a few warm words, he solved her outfit dilemma and eased her nerves in one go.

    “Are you nervous?” he asked Ji Xiang after finishing the message.

    To say he wasn’t nervous at all would be a lie. Anyone, even the most carefree person, would feel some pressure meeting their in-laws for the first time.

    “If I say I’m nervous, will you comfort and encourage me?” Ji Xiang blinked playfully.

    “I’ll hug you—exclusively,” Yang Chaosheng opened his arms. But he didn’t move, just waited for Ji Xiang’s permission.

    Ji Xiang hugged him immediately, then pulled back and patted his back. “Got it. I won’t let our big lawyer Yang lose face.”

    On the day of the family meeting, Ji Xiang and Yang Chaosheng split up. Ji Xiang drove to pick up his family from a villa in the suburbs, while Yang Chaosheng and his sister Yang Yueming, went to the airport to welcome their parents. They would all meet later at the hotel.

    When Yang Zhongnian and Shen Fu got off the plane and met them, they each gave their son a big hug, it had been months since they’d seen him.

    “Where’s my son-in-law?” Shen Fu took off her sunglasses and immediately looked around behind her son.

    She had been eager to meet Ji Xiang in person. Last time, they’d only had a fleeting glimpse over a video call.

    Yang Chaosheng smiled helplessly. “Xiao Xiang went to pick up his family. You’ll see him at the hotel.”

    “I told you not to be impatient,” Yang Zhongnian said, patting her hand.

    “Alright, alright. What about Miaoguang?” Shen Fu asked.

    Yang Yueming took their luggage. “I had her go with Xiao Xiang to greet his parents.”

    “You are really treating her like an assistant again, aren’t you?”

    Shen Fu tapped her daughter’s forehead. Yang Yueming dodged quickly. “No way! I feel bad for her. If I’d known you were this fond of Miaoguang, I would’ve sent her to pick you up and gone with your new son-in-law instead. I’m just extra now anyway.”

    Yang Yueming put on a show of being wronged. Yang Chaosheng, watching with a blank face, finally cut in. “Let’s get in the car. Don’t keep them waiting.”

    Meanwhile, Ji Xiang and the others had already arrived at the restaurant.

    Ji Shuyu was visibly anxious, and Wan Wenqi stayed close to her side, trying to comfort her. Ji Chen hadn’t seen Ji Xiang in ages and clung to him like glue.

    Miaoguang, now used to being Yang Yueming’s assistant, had taken it upon herself to play host, warmly greeting each of Ji Xiang’s family members.

    At 6:10 PM, Ji Xiang received a ‘tip’ from Yang Chaosheng: They’re downstairs. Moments later, the knock came, and everyone stood up almost at the same time.

    What followed went naturally but descended into cheerful chaos. Ji Xiang was stuffed with red envelopes and had his head patted and cheeks pinched by Shen Fu, whose affection practically overflowed.

    Yang Chaosheng didn’t escape unscathed either. Ji Shuyu ended up giving him the family heirloom gold bracelet she’d originally intended for her daughter-in-law. Ji Xiang felt nothing but second-hand embarrassment watching the feminine gold bangle on Yang Chaosheng’s wrist, it looked absolutely ridiculous.

    After dinner and sending their elders home, Ji Xiang finally got a moment alone with Yang Chaosheng. In the car, he held up Yang Chaosheng’s right hand with the bracelet and couldn’t help laughing. “I bet my mom never thought I’d end up marrying out instead of bringing someone in.”

    Yang Chaosheng let him play with his hand, but the moment Ji Xiang tried to remove the bracelet or suggested he could, Yang Chaosheng would subtly pull away. “I don’t mind. I can be the one who marries out.”

    As long as it was to Ji Xiang, he didn’t care.

    Ji Xiang chuckled, then suddenly recalled something Shen Fu had blurted at the dinner table. He didn’t know if it was true, but in his heart, he just thought it was a teasing joke. “Your mom said… you had a long-time crush on me?”

    Yang Chaosheng froze. But Ji Xiang continued speaking, “Come on, that’s impossible, right? We barely even interacted in high school. You were the top student, totally focused on studying. And besides, how would a block of wood know how to fall in love, hmm, Lawyer Yang?”

    There was a teasing glint in Ji Xiang’s eyes. Yang Chaosheng turned around and held his hand tightly.

    He wanted to admit it. But he was afraid it would scare Ji Xiang away.

    This fake marriage, this excuse to develop feelings—it was all a lie. If Ji Xiang found out the truth, that he had planned the marriage from the start, would he feel it was all just some calculated ‘scam’?

    “…Why so quiet?” Ji Xiang shook his hand. “Too tired?”

    “No,” Yang Chaosheng replied, “I was just thinking… if I really had a crush on you back then, would you have been with me?”

    He paused, then added, “Wait, forget it. Probably not. You always said you believed in chemistry and fate…”

    “If it were you from eleven years in the future who came to me and said we were getting married, maybe I would.” Ji Xiang smiled. “Of course, there’s also a chance I’d think you were completely insane.”

    “…Fair enough.”

    But in his heart, Yang Chaosheng thought,

    If such a miracle had existed—if he could’ve known back then that one day he and Ji Xiang would get married, even if there was a 99% chance Ji Xiang would think he was crazy, as long as there was 1% hope… he would’ve taken the bet.

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T/N:-

Although I am a bit late for this message but still, we are more than 1/4th of the journey everyone ₍⁠₍⁠ ⁠◝⁠(⁠　ﾟ⁠∀⁠ ﾟ⁠ ⁠)⁠◟⁠ ⁠⁾⁠⁾. I hope you are enjoying reading the story as much as I am enjoying bringing it to you.

And if you are enjoying the story and would like to help boost up my caffeine levels a bit, please do consider buying me a cup of ☕. More caffeine = More chapters

Also don’t forget,

No. of cup of ☕ = No. of extra chapters (Please do mention the abbreviation WHIF of this novel while buying the coffee)

Happy Reading!

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