Page 117 of He Is My Bride

“And you trust she wouldn’t tell anybody?”

“Not if her life depended on it.” Li Ying trusted his foster sister fully. “Of course it’s not the same as being able to tell my whole family, or being able to take you to meet them as my husband on days like these, when every couple is visiting their in-laws. But it would be nice if I could tellsomeone.”

Hanjun felt like a knife was being twisted in his heart. He kissed and caressed Li Ying’s hair. “I’m sorry. I really wish I could.” Hanjun couldn’t put his finger on why he felt like his words were empty.

Li Ying put his head back on Hanjun’s chest. “I keep daydreaming about it, how funny is that? Just making up scenarios in my head of how it might go. Indulge me: what would you do if Mrs. Qian called me a faggot?”

Hanjun frowned. “Why is that part of your scenario?”

“I try to make them realistic.”

“I would tell her she shouldn’t call you that.”

“Howwould you tell her?”

“…Politely.”

“But with that look on your face, like, ‘I won’t ask twice?’”

Hanjun didn’t know what to say to that.

Li Ying’s phone rang: Anne.

”‘Sup,” Li Ying answered in his casual Brooklyn accent.

“I have a plan for you.” Straight to business. “Do you have something to take notes with?”

“No.”

“Go get some pen and paper then.”

“I’m being cozy.” Li Ying curled up on Hanjun’s chest.

“Please move,” Hanjun said, “you’re heavy.”

Li Ying rolled off to lay next to Hanjun, put his phone on the speaker, and placed it between Hanjun’s pecs to free his hands for hugging him.

“Listen carefully, then!” Anne said. “A representative from a local Chanel store will shortly deliver you a long black pearl string. They were still closed for the New Year holidays, but I made some calls—”

“As you do, boss.” Li Ying grinned, hearing how pleased Anne sounded, even if she had had to pull strings in the middle of the night East Coast time.

“Anyway,” Anne went on, “combine that with the red tassel earrings. I employed a shopper to find you some dress gloves, preferably short. I told him we prefer sheer ones, maybe with polka dots, but let’s see what he turns up with. Try them on, take pictures and run them through me first before agreeing to keep them.”

“U-huh.”

“I also told him to get a black or red purse with a fringe of some kind, if he can find one. For the twenties vibe, without looking too costumey. I didn’t tell the shopper who I’m working for because I don’t trust anyone anymore, although he will realize once he delivers, but I let him know which event they’re for and he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation… and so did I.”

“Anne, promise me you will also sleep tonight?”

“Unlikely. I’m having a big cup of coffee right now, and I’m trying to reach someone from Shanghai… You know, usually for events of this caliber, we stylists try to coordinate with each other so that no client will end up wearing the same thing? It usually takes weeks atleast, and now you’re calling me on the same day and putting us both in a situation. Did you not know about this party?”

Li Ying slapped Hanjun right on the tit. There was a loud smack and a firm little jiggle as his toned pectoral took the punishment. Hanjun flinched, letting out a quietly grunt, and blushed.

“What was that?” Anne’s voice asked from between Hanjun’s pectorals.

“I’m spanking my lousy husband’s tits because he didn’t tell me about the party earlier! He must have known for weeks!”

“…You know what, give him another one for me.” Anne didn’t know she was on speaker.