Page 155 of He Is My Bride

When Hanjun said nothing, Li Ying worried whether Hanjun doubted his devotion.

“But you’re right,” Li Ying said, “it’s going to be alright.”

Why does it still sound like you are just left comforting yourself?Hanjun thought.Can’t you believe it when I say it?

How could he, when Hanjun didn’t even believe it himself?

Hanjun hated feeling so helpless, unable to please everyone. Unable to both fulfill his family’s expectations,andgive Li Ying all the happiness he would have deserved. Yet somehow, he had to.

Is there nothing more I can say or do for you? For us?

Hanjun swallowed. He knew there was more he could have done, but it seemed he was a selfishman while Li Ying was so infinitely giving. But what if Li Ying was done giving? What if he didn’t want to give up his life for Hanjun and the Wu family? Hanjun had to be sure.

“Li Ying, are you sure you’re ready to do this?” Hanjun felt like he was free-falling and the ground was coming up to meet him.Please, say yes! I need you to say yes! I need you to…!

Li Ying was quiet for what felt like forever, and it tore Hanjun’s nerves. He was still falling.

Li Ying himself stood at a precipice. He was either going to take the leap and fly, through storm or sunny weather with Hanjun, or turn back to… what?

What did Li Ying have without Wu Hanjun in his life that would have mattered half as much? Li Ying knew he couldn’t turn back. Itwas this or nothing. And the terms Hanjun had set were clear: he had a business to run nd a legacy to honor, and while he loved Li Ying, he was a man of duty and filial piety. Li Ying couldn’t ask Hanjun to give that up for him. Who washeto make such demands?

‘Selfish, entitled,’Mrs. Qian’s words echoed somewhere deep in Li Ying.

I will be deserving of you, Hanjun!

I don’t deserve you, Li Ying!

Li Ying nodded against Hanjun’s chest. “Yes. I’m sure.”

Li Ying felt Hanjun sigh out in relief under his cheek. Hanjun squeezed him and buried his face in his hair.

They held each other together until the emotions had washed over them, leaving both certain this was the path they were going to take.

—

A few days later, their marriage certificates were unceremoniously stamped for them in the municipal office while they squeezed each other’s hands numb behind the counter. They were handed one red, passport-like document each, that stated they were now husband and wife.

“Congratulations on your marriage,” said the clerk.

And that was it: Li Ying and Wu Hanjun were officially married.

—

Doctor Wang Yan was leaving the hospital late at night. She had had to stay late to assist her seniors with a sudden combo-transplantation surgery. Now she was very much done for the day and ready to go home, take a long, hot bath, and make it up to her girl.

She was walking through the parking lot, looking down at her phone as she messaged her girlfriend, letting her know she was now on her way.

Wang Yan only looked up when she thought a car had been driving too slow behind her for a moment too long: she turned to look and saw a black Rolls Royce Cullinan. There was a suited, large man behind the wheel and another man sitting at the back, but Wang Yan didn’t see his face. The car pulled up next to her, and though she kept walking, the driver kept her lined with the tinted backseat window, which was now rolling down.

“Can I offer you a ride home, Wang Yan?” asked Wang Guosheng from the backseat.

Wang Yan stopped, so did the car. She knew this was not a request.

“I had understood that our business was concluded,” she said. She had guts and nerves of steel, but if anything put a healthy fear into her, it was her family head.

“It is not. Get in the car, let us talk like family.”

Wang Yan had no choice. She went around and got into the SUV. It felt spacious inside, and the seats were upholstered with black leather. There Wang Guosheng sat at the other end of the bench, clad in his burgundy suit and monk strap shoes, one leg crossed over the other. He didn’t look at Wang Yan. He put his finger on a button on the door panel.