Chapter 38: “Then Let Him Fall in Love with Me First”

Something light, like a seed, fell without any sensation, silently burying itself deep in his heart, just waiting for the day it would break through the soil and sprout.

Under this subtle invasion, Jiang Yao’s racing heart miraculously calmed. He looked at Duan Zhuxian, feeling as if an eternity had passed.

It wasn’t until the master of ceremonies’ voice sounded again, “Does the other groom have something to say to his beloved?”

Jiang Yao opened his mouth and found his voice, “He said it very well. I have nothing more to add. Everyone, enjoy the food, drink, and have fun.”

The master of ceremonies laughed, “It seems our other groom is too overwhelmed to put his feelings into words.”

The ceremony ended, and the newlyweds made their way from the backstage to the banquet to toast the guests.

Jiang Yao followed behind Duan Zhuxian in silence for a long time before speaking, “What you said just now, I almost believed it.”

The volume was low, like a tentative probe, filled with careful consideration, hiding a sense of urgency.

They happened to reach a secluded corner when Duan Zhuxian stopped, turned around, and faced Jiang Yao, halting his steps.

The two stood less than half a meter apart, confronting each other, as if standing at opposite ends of a suspended tightrope, where one misstep would send them both plummeting into an abyss of no return.

Jiang Yao’s heart raced again, but he maintained his composure, waiting for Duan Zhuxian’s response, unsure if he wanted to hear the truth or another carefully crafted lie.

Ultimately, it was Duan Zhuxian who took the first step.

“Did your heart flutter?” Duan Zhuxian asked.

“No,” Jiang Yao replied decisively, almost too quickly.

Duan Zhuxian paused for a moment before saying calmly, “Who told you not to be proactive enough today?”

Jiang Yao was taken aback, then a slight, almost non-existent smile curved his lips. “Alright.”

Admitting it was all an act was enough…

Jiang Yao thought, and feeling an unusual emotion welling up in his chest, choking his throat.

He swallowed several times, encountering that stifling discomfort, and tried to savor it slightly.

It seemed to be… disappointment.

Damn, why would he feel disappointed?

Jiang Yao snapped out of his reverie, feeling a rush of panic.

Did he really expect that after a few times in bed, Duan Zhuxian would go from not caring about him to crossing the Mariana Trench and falling in love with him?

No, why did he even hope for Duan Zhuxian to fall in love with him?

Jiang Yao’s head buzzed, and he felt like punching himself.

He must have been possessed just now, and by a melodramatic ghost no less!

The two continued walking.

Jiang Yao grumbled, “There was no mention of this part during the rehearsal.”

Duan Zhuxian replied calmly, “I added it right before going on stage.”

The boy he had liked for so long was now wearing a white suit and, amidst the blessings of all the guests, had become his partner.

Ten years of emotions surged at that moment, and he needed an outlet.

He was prepared for Jiang Yao to chase after him in fury, but unexpectedly, Jiang Yao didn’t get angry. Instead, he followed behind, quietly asking questions. Despite all his attempts to conceal it, he couldn’t hide the uncertainty in his voice.

Duan Zhuxian narrowed his eyes, suddenly struck by an unprecedented idea.

“You must have spent a long time writing that speech, Mr. Duan,” Jiang Yao scoffed. “I get that you wanted to create some dramatic effect, but there was no need to exaggerate so much, saying something like ‘long admired.'”

Long admired—something that was inherently impossible.

Duan Zhuxian had always had someone he liked before.

He only realized this now.

Footsteps and guests’ discussions could be heard just beyond the wall—

“Mr. Duan is really impressive, managing to make a business marriage seem so seamless. No wonder he’s so powerful at such a young age, holding significant control in Hua Yan.”

“Yes, I bet the other members of the Duan family are just waiting for him to make a mistake.”

…

Jiang Yao walked on, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Even the audience knew it was an act, and yet he, the actor, almost took it seriously.

He said, “Take it easy from now on.”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “If you think you can do better, go ahead.”

“A man can’t say he can’t,” Jiang Yao said arrogantly, lifting his chin. “You rest now and watch me.”

Before stepping into the banquet area, he took Duan Zhuxian’s hand, intertwining their fingers. As they entered the bustling scene, he gently tilted his head, brushing his ear against Duan Zhuxian’s.

Just a little closer, and he could almost hear the man’s erratic heartbeat.

*

After toasting a round of drinks, Duan Zhuxian went to the second-floor lounge to take a phone call.

Jiang Yao chatted with Chen Yiqi and Shen Tang for a while, then turned and encountered a man with a smiling face.

He looked familiar, probably a classmate of Duan Zhuxian from high school. If he remembered correctly, they had a good relationship.

Thinking through Duan Zhuxian, he quickly recalled the man’s name—Wei Zhihan.

Before their junior year, he and Wei Zhihan were just acquaintances who nodded in passing. After he fell out with Duan Zhuxian, Wei Zhihan started appearing more frequently in his life, playing a few games with him and attending a few gatherings. They lost contact after graduation.

Jiang Yao assumed Wei Zhihan was invited by Duan Zhuxian.

Wei Zhihan handed him a business card. “This is my card.”

Jiang Yao took it and saw that Wei Zhihan was an architectural engineer with companies both domestically and abroad, quite a significant figure.

His eyes lit up with interest.

Just as Duan Zhuxian finished his phone call and stepped out of the second-floor lounge, he saw Jiang Yao downstairs talking to a man. They were chatting and laughing, standing very close together, seemingly looking at the same phone screen.

When Duan Zhuxian approached, Jiang Yao was asking Wei Zhihan about some professional issues.

Since agreeing to consider joining Lu Xuan Shen’s company with Duan Zhuxian, Jiang Yao had been keeping it in mind. It was the first time Duan Zhuxian had asked for his help, and Jiang Yao didn’t want Duan Zhuxian’s investment to go to waste. He had investigated the Lu family and contacted many industry acquaintances, preparing a thorough research report.

Thinking that Duan Zhuxian and Wei Zhihan probably had some catching up to do, Jiang Yao said, “You two catch up, I’ll go have a few drinks with my buddies.”

After Jiang Yao left, Wei Zhihan took his eyes off Jiang Yao’s retreating figure and smiled at Duan Zhuxian. “Long time no see.”

Duan Zhuxian responded with a simple “Hmm,” without making small talk.

Jiang Yao had always been likable. During high school, in the throes of a turbulent adolescence, he had many admirers, including Wei Zhihan.

However, Jiang Yao was naturally oblivious to such matters and never suspected Wei Zhihan’s intentions toward him.

Wei Zhihan wasn’t surprised by Duan Zhuxian’s cold demeanor and swirled his red wine. “I didn’t expect you to use the marriage tactic. What’s the point of faking it?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “It’s none of your business.”

Wei Zhihan raised an eyebrow. “What if he finds out the truth? How will he see you then? A scheming liar? You know he’s straightforward and can’t stand being deceived.”

Facing Wei Zhihan’s obvious mockery, Duan Zhuxian’s expression remained unchanged. “Then I’ll make sure he falls in love with me first.”

Wei Zhihan was a bit taken aback. He didn’t expect someone as proud and reserved as Duan Zhuxian to be capable of such fierce words.

As Duan Zhuxian turned to leave, Wei Zhihan called out to his back, “At his eighteenth birthday party, I asked him why he didn’t invite you. Guess what he said?”

Duan Zhuxian’s steps paused slightly.

Wei Zhihan smirked, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. “He was drunk and, upon hearing your name, his eyes suddenly reddened. He said you never gave him any attention and that the person he hated most in his life was you.”

A few minutes later, Jiang Yao returned, completely unaware of the tension in the air, and asked, “Have you two old classmates finished chatting?”

Wei Zhihan said, “We should be done talking.”

“Then I’ll take this guy away,” Jiang Yao said to Wei Zhihan, then turned to Duan Zhuxian. “My buddies want to toast Mr. Duan.”

Duan Zhuxian nodded, the coldness in his eyes softening slightly as Jiang Yao wrapped his arm around his.

Wei Zhihan asked Jiang Yao, “How should I give you the information you wanted?”

“Add me as a friend, and we can connect later.”

Jiang Yao took out his phone and opened the QR code, not noticing the darkening gaze from Duan Zhuxian behind him.

He had been made to drink quite a bit earlier, and his head was feeling dizzy. After just a few steps, he clung to Duan Zhuxian’s arm like a koala.

A table of Jiang Yao’s friends saw this scene approaching and found it hard to believe.

One couldn’t help but say, “Did you two pretend to be enemies back then so you could secretly date? You two academic stars really put on a good cover.”

Another friend feigned surprise and said, “A few months ago, I heard our Young Master Jiang say he was going to get married. Only today did I find out the spouse is Mr. Duan. This really calls for a big congratulations.”

Jiang Yao let them tease him, responding with a series of “uh-huhs” and “yeahs,” then cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations to you all as well.”

These were Jiang Yao’s rowdy friends, who used to share his disdain for Duan Zhuxian but never dared to voice it, knowing none of them had the guts to stand up to Duan Zhuxian like Jiang Yao did.

But now that Jiang Yao had effectively “claimed” Duan Zhuxian, the golden boy, they felt no need to hold back. Fueled by alcohol, their jeers grew louder and more daring.

One particularly bold, drunken friend even called Duan Zhuxian “sister-in-law.”

Amidst the commotion, Chen Yiqi leaned over to Jiang Yao and whispered, “Isn’t Duan Zhuxian a bit reluctant to marry you?”

“Impossible,” Jiang Yao replied with a frown.

This marriage was something someone had eagerly pursued; he was the one being coerced.

“Really?” Chen Yiqi looked doubtful. “He doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao immediately turned to look at Duan Zhuxian, who was standing slightly behind him. He noticed that Duan Zhuxian’s expression was indeed dark, a thin layer of foundation unable to conceal it.

He thought back and couldn’t recall anything unpleasant happening. Moreover, Duan Zhuxian had just finished meeting an old friend.

Could it be that he was offended by being called “sister-in-law”?

Jiang Yao suppressed his inner glee and waved his hand dismissively. “They’re probably just riling him up with their nonsense.”

“Nonsense?” Chen Yiqi smirked. “Could it be that you’re the one who’s actually the ‘sister-in-law’?”

Jiang Yao retorted, “Get lost.”

Duan Zhuxian had only drunk two glasses with them at the beginning and then remained mostly silent. This behavior wasn’t surprising to anyone since Duan Zhuxian was always aloof and not part of their crowd.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yao, in between rounds of drinks and bragging, secretly observed Duan Zhuxian’s expression several times.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he poked Duan Zhuxian’s face with his finger.

Duan Zhuxian looked down at him, “What are you doing?”

His voice was deep and sounded genuinely displeased.

“Nothing.”

Jiang Yao squinted his eyes, inexplicably finding Duan Zhuxian’s visible emotions somewhat endearing.