Still Frame Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A Marriage of Convenience (1)

[Today, Wen Jin, heir to the Wenlan Group of Yinzhou, and Zhang Liuxin, eldest son of the Zhang family of Yinzhou, held their wedding ceremony on the Wen family’s private island. It is understood that Wen and Zhang have known each other since childhood, were childhood sweethearts, and share deep affection. This union marks the profound integration of Yinzhou’s two most prominent families. The wedding ceremony was presided over by a special commissioner from the Yinzhou Central Committee, and nearly a hundred influential guests from Yinzhou’s political, business, and academic circles were invited to attend, including the President of the Yinzhou Academy of Sciences and the Director of the Silver Mirror Platform. Analysts point out that this marriage is not only a happy personal union but will also promote strategic synergy between the industries of the Wen and Zhang families. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will travel overseas for academic visits and cultural exchange, further demonstrating the two families’ shared mission in promoting social development. — Yin Jian Agency Report]

Is this really my wedding?

Zhang Liuxin had already arrived on the island. He was an outsider to this island, and equally, an outsider to this marriage.

Just a few days ago, he received his first exoskeleton. It was absurd to think that this exoskeleton came not from the Zhang family, but from the Wen family.

The Zhang family didn’t care about him, and the Wen family cared too much about Wen Jin to allow Wen Jin’s husband to be a cripple who walked awkwardly.

The Wen family had its own medical team, and this exoskeleton was custom-made for him. It was very lightweight and, naturally, extremely valuable.

But even so, Zhang Liuxin spent a lot of time adapting to it, learning to overcome phantom pain and muscle reactions, learning to use the exoskeleton to walk like a normal person, as he had before the car accident.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Please come in.”

The person who entered was Zhong Sixun, Wen Jin’s secretary. Zhang Liuxin had met her in college. She seemed to be someone from Wen Jin’s mother’s side of the family and had grown up with Wen Jin and Duan Chengzi.

Zhong Sixun had shoulder-length short hair and sharp, heroic features that made her eyes particularly bright and keen. Dressed in a well-tailored business suit, she moved with a decisive stride, possessing an air of competence that brooked no disrespect. Zhang Liuxin was always a little afraid of her.

“Mr. Zhang, the wedding attire has arrived. I’ll take you to try it on.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The Wen family’s island had a manor, the venue for the wedding. Its interior was as complex as a palace. After being led to the guest room upon arrival, Zhang Liuxin hadn’t dared to leave, worried about getting lost.

Perhaps sensing his apprehension, Zhong Sixun turned back and offered him a reassuring smile, deliberately slowing her pace to wait for him.

“Mr. Zhang, there’s no need to be nervous. There are no outsiders on the island right now, only Young Master Wen’s own people. The attire designer is also Young Master Wen’s friend.”

Zhang Liuxin nodded. In truth, he was the only outsider on this island.

Only a short month had passed between the engagement and the wedding ceremony. As he approached the fitting room, Zhang Liuxin recalled signing countless prenuptial agreements during that month, yet he had not met Wen Jin, his husband in the legal sense, even once.

The moment he pushed the door open, he was still wondering how he should address Wen Jin.

Call him Senior? They had long since graduated.

Call him Young Master Wen? That sounded like his assistant.

Call him Mr. Wen? He wasn’t selling insurance.

Before he could figure it out, he saw the scene inside. His highly strung heart immediately dropped back into place, and along with the tension, an unspeakable, secret anticipation vanished.

Wen Jin hadn’t come.

The enormous fitting room contained only the young designer and his two assistants.

Zhong Sixun walked forward familiarly and shook hands with the designer. “Mr. He, long time no see. Thank you for your hard work. This is Mr. Zhang.”

He Qing curved his lips. “I was chatting with A-Zhuo last time, but you were away on a business trip, or we could have had coffee together.”

He then stood up and looked at Zhang Liuxin, his tone gentle. “Mr. Zhang, hello. I am He Qing.”

Zhang Liuxin certainly knew who He Qing was. Even someone like him, who knew nothing about the design world, was familiar with the name of the great designer He. Moreover, he had heard of this Young Master He, who studied abroad in another state, during his university days.

However, this was his first time seeing He Qing in person. He was younger and more refined than his online photos suggested.

“Mr. He, hello. I am Zhang Liuxin. I’ve heard so much about you.”

He spoke with a sense of facing a formidable opponent. He Qing’s smile widened. He took Zhang Liuxin’s hand and led him to sit on the sofa, saying warmly, “No need to be nervous. You are A-Zhuo’s partner, so you are naturally my friend. May I call you Liuxin?”

He Qing’s hand was slightly cool. The touch on his hand brought Zhang Liuxin back to the present. He tried to relax his tone as much as possible, masking his awkwardness.

“You can.”

But he could only manage to utter those two dry words.

He Qing looked him in the eye for a moment. That gaze made Zhang Liuxin feel exposed, and he nervously shifted his gaze away.

“Ah, sorry. I’ve heard of you before, but this is my first time meeting you. Your eyes are beautiful—an olive green that contact lenses couldn’t replicate. They truly look like diamonds. No wonder…”

Perhaps due to his profession, He Qing’s speech always carried an artistic flair of exaggeration. Yet, his tone was calm and his demeanor elegant, making his words easy to believe.

Zhang Liuxin had never been praised so directly and openly, especially not by someone like He Qing. He pursed his lips and quietly said, “Thank you.”

He Qing chuckled softly and patted his shoulder. “Don’t be so formal. Let’s try on the clothes.”

An assistant wheeled out a standing clothes rack and carefully unwrapped the three layers of packaging to reveal the full suit.

The suit was made of pearl-white fabric. Only upon closer inspection could one see the soft, subtle pearlescent sheen within the delicate texture. It featured three-dimensional tailoring, exquisitely designed peaked lapels, and three lustrous natural mother-of-pearl cufflinks at the sleeves. The trousers had clean lines and a high-waisted cut that perfectly connected to the vest. The inner lining was trimmed with a tone-on-tone damask silk, adding exquisite detail. Finally, it was paired with a crisp, pure black bow tie, resulting in exceptional elegance.

Zhang Liuxin’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. He was only brought back to attention when He Qing spoke.

“What do you think?” Seeing Zhang Liuxin’s satisfied expression, He Qing relaxed considerably. He put an arm around his shoulder and guided his hand to the shoulder and neck area of the suit. “Look here.”

Zhang Liuxin carefully touched it and found a subtle dark pattern imprinted on the shoulder and neck, shaped like waves. Looking closer, he could see that the stitched threads showed a faint blue color in the light.

“Wen Jin has an affinity with water, so I incorporated this design. How is the suit? Do you like it?”

“I like it.”

Zhang Liuxin withdrew his hand. He liked it so much he didn’t dare touch it, only tracing the details of the suit with his eyes repeatedly.

Such a beautiful suit was to be his wedding attire.

And it was for his wedding to Wen Jin.

“Go try it on. Do you need my assistant to help you?”

He Qing’s assistant was a girl, and Zhang Liuxin naturally couldn’t trouble her to help him change clothes. “No, I’ll go by myself.”

Once inside the private fitting room, facing the dazzling suit, Zhang Liuxin sighed and sank onto a nearby soft chair.

He reached out and touched the trousers, looking at himself in the mirror: slightly sunken cheeks, dull eyes, and the conspicuous exoskeleton dragging his left leg.

The surprise and amazement he felt earlier instantly vanished like smoke. The Zhang Liuxin in the mirror shattered those fantasies.

“Liuxin? It’s alright, wear it boldly. The clothes aren’t that precious,” He Qing’s gentle voice came from outside at the right moment.

“Okay.”

He Qing’s voice was timely and indeed helped to ease Zhang Liuxin’s emotions.

The upper attire consisted of a shirt, vest, and suit jacket. Clothes make the man, and he had to admit that wearing this wedding suit made the Zhang Liuxin in the mirror look more refined.

But for the lower attire, after putting on the trousers, Zhang Liuxin braced himself on the armrest and stood up. He looked at himself in the mirror for a long time, trying to take two steps forward. Sure enough, the person in the mirror frowned, his left leg trembling uncontrollably, and even those two short steps were crooked.

…It looked terrible.

Zhang Liuxin put the exoskeleton back on, only to miserably discover that the machinery pressed a crease into the expensive fabric of the trousers.

It seemed unsuitable no matter what. Zhang Liuxin adjusted it many times, but no matter how he adjusted, the exoskeleton still looked jarring against the white clothing. So, he simply gave up, opened the door, and walked out.

“Mr. He, I’m sorry, this exoskeleton…”

He straightened his bow tie and looked up. Zhong Sixun, He Qing, and the others were gone. Only a tall, straight figure stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

The person turned around, their eyes met in the air, and Zhang Liuxin’s voice trailed off. He paused, and the problem from before entering the room resurfaced. Only one answer remained in his mind, so he hesitantly spoke, “Mr. Wen…”

Wen Jin was wearing a shirt and trousers, spectacles perched on his nose, looking as if he had just finished handling official business. But at this moment, his sharp phoenix eyes, shielded by the lenses, surprisingly showed a hint of unexpected gentleness.

“Come here.” Wen Jin lifted his chin.

Zhang Liuxin walked over, stopping exactly one meter in front of Wen Jin.

There was fatigue in Wen Jin’s eyes, but his expression was unreadable. He suddenly raised his hand, startling Zhang Liuxin, who froze in place, afraid to move.

But Wen Jin merely helped smooth down his collar. As he withdrew his hand, Zhang Liuxin felt his fingertips brush his neck, causing a faint tickle.

“What’s wrong with the exoskeleton?”

Wen Jin’s gaze remained fixed on him—a heavy, scrutinizing look. Zhang Liuxin felt as if he were being scanned by a cold machine.

“Nothing.”

“Then why were you apologizing to He Qing?” Wen Jin asked mercilessly.

Zhang Liuxin felt a little intimidated. He took half a step back before saying, “The exoskeleton pressed down the trousers.”

This made Wen Jin frown. He lowered his eyes for a look and said, “That’s nothing. Does it fit?”

Before Zhang Liuxin could answer, he added, “It fits very well.”

His tone suggested satisfaction that He Qing had dressed up a stray dog that was about to belong to him quite nicely. Zhang Liuxin forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, it fits.”

Wen Jin gave a slight nod, used the internal line to call He Qing in, and asked him to bring a fresh pot of tea.

The two of them were alone in the large fitting room, yet neither spoke. Wen Jin sat down on a nearby sofa, while Zhang Liuxin felt awkward standing. After some deliberation, he sat on the single armchair next to the sofa.

Fortunately, He Qing arrived quickly, followed by a servant who respectfully entered to replace the tea. Wen Jin then picked up a cup and took a sip.

“A-Zhuo, long time no see.”

“We saw each other half a month ago.”

He Qing decisively withdrew his gaze and turned his attention to Zhang Liuxin, praising him. “I didn’t expect it to suit you this much, Liuxin. You look so handsome wearing it.”

Although he knew it was polite flattery, Zhang Liuxin still felt shy from the compliment. “Thank you, Mr. He.”

“Is there anything that doesn’t fit? Could you stand up so I can take a look?”

“Sure.”

He Qing circled him and nodded in satisfaction. “It truly fits perfectly.”

Then, he pressed down on Zhang Liuxin’s shoulder, guiding him to sit next to Wen Jin, while he himself sat on the single armchair. “Wen Jin, why don’t you bring your set over to try on too? Your custom-ordered brooch has arrived as well.”

“I have a conference call soon. No time.”

He Qing frowned in disagreement. “Your wedding is in three days. Why are you so busy?”

Zhang Liuxin also wanted to know. Wen Jin looked too tired, as if he hadn’t rested properly in a long time.

“Research, group meetings, business trips.”

Wen Jin was concise. He held up his phone, and then, taking a call, he stood up and left the room.

Being ignored by Wen Jin was something Zhang Liuxin was already used to. So, he merely watched Wen Jin’s retreating figure disappear outside the door with restraint, before his gaze fell back onto himself, staring at the seemingly permanent crease on the trousers for a while.

He Qing was probably very sensitive to emotions. Seeing this, he handed Zhang Liuxin a cup of slightly cool tea. “Wen Jin has indeed been very busy lately. If I recall correctly, his team at the Academy of Sciences has a patent that will be announced at a press conference next month.”

Zhang Liuxin shook his head, took the cup, and rubbed the handle. “Yes, I know. It’s alright.”