Page 6 of He Is My Bride

Hanjun frowned, but as Li Ying didn’t back down, he said, “I can’t tell them to…

‘ fucking get over it.’ They won’t. And I…

” Hanjun paused abruptly, closing his eyes to gather himself.

“I’m to inherit my family’s legacy of over three hundred years.

I love you, Li Ying, but I can’t so easily throw it all away, because it isn’t just about me.

What you have to understand is that it’s never just about you over there; it’s always about family. ”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound so alien to me, actually. You know, I might be American-born, but I’ve learned my share of family values.”

“Then you understand I must exhaust every other option before choosing to get myself disowned!” Hanjun faced Li Ying again. “And I didn’t intend to dismiss your experiences,” he added in a gentler voice.

“But making me a mistress is an option?” Li Ying asked.

“You’re not a ‘mistress.’”

“What’s the other word, for guys? Anyway, are those your terms?”

Hanjun’s eyes softened. “No, if you don’t want to.”

Hanjun could never force Li Ying into anything if he wasn’t alright with it, but he’d hoped he could have convinced him. It would have been the less risky plan.

Li Ying pressed his head on Hanjun’s shoulder. “I’m not saying I want you to choose me over your family. I’m not even saying that’s the ultimate choice to be made here. I couldn’t ask that of you. I know family is important since I’m only borrowing someone else’s.”

Hanjun’s heart stung. He felt so bad for Li Ying. At least Hanjun had a biological family in his life, so shouldn’t he try his everything to keep it, even if he had to make sacrifices for it?

But the life Hanjun ought to sacrifice to meet others’ expectations was his own, not Li Ying’s. However, if they wanted to continue their lives together, they had to find a compromise.

There was, of course, still plan C.

“Maybe we can figure out something else?” Li Ying proposed carefully, though he had no idea how to solve their dilemma.

“I’ve thought of something for a while now, but…” Hanjun shifted awkwardly in Li Ying’s arms.

“But what?”

“I’m afraid it’s asking too much from you.”

Hanjun couldn’t believe what he was about to propose, but if there was a chance he could marry the man he loved, it was worth trying, were Li Ying willing.

“Well, let’s hear it, at least,” Li Ying said.

“We could get my family’s blessing,” Hanjun looked Li Ying firmly in the eyes, “if you were a woman.”

Li Ying made something between a scoff and a chuckle. “Well, I’m not. Or, what, do you want me to go to Shanghai in drag? You know, I partook in a drag show once, I’ve got some experience!”

Hanjun just stared at Li Ying, whose dry laughter soon died down.

“Ha-Hanjun? You’re not actually being serious?”

“Not like that. But you are pretty, you could…” Hanjun blinked rapidly, blushing. “Some men look convincing when they have long hair and makeup. You also have a very soft voice. When you’re not yelling.”

Li Ying stared at him. He couldn’t take Hanjun seriously, could he? “Are you saying that I’m girly? ”

Hanjun blushed a deeper shade of red and looked apologetically at Li Ying, who merely burst into laughter, rolling on the bed.

“You are tall and have wide shoulders…” Hanjun tried to assure him, but his words got drowned under Li Ying’s intensifying hoots while he slapped his hand against Hanjun’s shoulder in his hysterics.

“Ow, my belly! I laughed too much! Or is it my period? ” Li Ying glanced up at Hanjun and broke into another giggling fit.

Hanjun’s proposition had come out of left field, but Li Ying found himself thinking: Could this be the way he could marry Hanjun?

Hanjun sighed patiently. “You don’t have to do it.” He should have known this was a ridiculous plan.

“No, wait!” Li Ying sat up and grabbed Hanjun’s hand. “It’s crazy, but could it really work? Could we fool your family into blessing our marriage by disguising me as a girl?”

“I could see you pulling it off. However, even after we marry, you would have to commit to it—full-time. As my wife, you would have to become a woman for all of Shanghai… forever.”

Hanjun couldn’t have blamed Li Ying for not wanting to go through with this, not only moving countries, but presenting as a different gender to the public, all just to marry him.

But Li Ying had his heart set, “Forever as your wife…” He nuzzled against Hanjun’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t mind that. It’s just clothes, right?”

Hanjun’s heart swelled with hope. He pressed a kiss into Li Ying’s hair.

“If you feel ready to do it by December, why don’t you join me when I return to Shanghai?” Hanjun suggested. “You could stay in my place over your Christmas break, and I could introduce you to my family as my girlfriend.”

“I would love that!”

Li Ying was willing to see this through. He wouldn’t mind masquerading as a woman if it meant he could call Wu Hanjun his husband in front of the whole world.

But what about those who knew the truth about him being a man?

“But Hanjun,” Li Ying spoke, “what if we got caught?”

“That is a risk we should seek to minimize. You will probably have to keep our relationship and the plan secret from the Qians. If your family knew the truth, I fear they might reach out to my family and expose you unwittingly.”

Li Ying was disappointed. He would have to keep his relationship, his marriage, a secret from his own family? The thought was depressing, but at the same time Li Ying knew Hanjun was right, the risk was too great. Would keeping such a secret be worth marrying Hanjun?

“Will you be okay with that?” Hanjun asked cautiously.

“I will have to be.” Li Ying couldn’t imagine sharing his life with anyone else—it had to be worth it. “I want to marry you, Wu Hanjun.” Li Ying looked him in the eyes. “Let’s do this, let’s make me your wife for real!”

Hanjun smiled, wider than Li Ying had ever seen him smile. Li Ying let himself be pulled into a kiss, embracing Hanjun as they fell onto the bed.

“But first, we’ll have to figure out the logistics of this ruse, make sure I’ll be the perfect bride for you,” Li Ying said before Hanjun could distract him. “I know someone who can help us.”