Still Frame Chapter 71
byChapter 71: The Gaze
A few days before the wedding, Wen Jin was still attending meetings in another state. After learning that Zhang Liuxin had arrived on the island, he called Zhong Sixun mid-meeting. “How is he? Is he adapting to the exoskeleton?”
“Mr. Zhang mostly stays in his room. Regarding the exoskeleton, he seems to have adapted; he moves around without issue. Mr. He will arrive on the island tomorrow to bring the wedding attire for Mr. Zhang to try on.”
“Good. I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Wen Jin had seen the designs and photos provided by He Qing and was very satisfied. The pearl-like white would suit Liuxin perfectly.
But when he rushed back and saw Zhang Liuxin wearing the white suit, he was still slightly taken aback.
Due to the car accident, Liuxin had lost a lot of weight. His slender yet upright figure just managed to fill out the suit. His silhouette was refined and clean, and like his name suggested, carried a certain willow-branch-in-the-wind grace.
However, as Wen Jin approached, the other man displayed that look of a startled fawn again. Wen Jin looked at his delicate wrist bones and thought that after he moved into Wenfeitai, he might need to hire a nutritionist.
The pattern around the shoulders was only visible up close. Wen Jin had initially only conceived of it as an idea, but He Qing’s finished product was more stunning than he had imagined. This gave him the feeling that the person before him was marked with his own imprint, even if it was just an item of clothing.
Wen Jin restrained himself and pressed down on Liuxin’s collar, catching a very clean scent, likely emanating from Zhang Liuxin himself. It was consistent with the impression the man gave: calm and gentle.
Unfortunately, Wen Jin had some important matters to finalize over the next two days, and only had time to share dinner with Zhang Liuxin the day before the wedding.
It wasn’t his imagination; ever since Zhang Liuxin learned he was marrying Wen Jin, he seemed even more flustered around him and spoke less. However, Wen Jin couldn’t discern if Zhang Liuxin’s emotions included sadness, so he specifically asked He Qing, thinking that as an artist, He Qing would have a more acute perception of human emotions.
He Qing smiled without answering, only saying after a moment, “A’Zhuo, that’s your own groom, your husband. You need to learn to understand your partner’s emotions.”
“He Qing, you’re starting to sound more and more like Lü Zixia.”
The curve of He Qing’s smile widened slightly. “Is that so? Well, if you want my feeling, I feel Liuxin is quite happy to marry you. And seeing him in person, I think I know why you like him so much. Those eyes truly are like that diamond—absolutely beautiful.”
Wen Jin thought He Qing had become overly dramatic since returning from his studies abroad, but he agreed internally. He put away his phone when he saw Zhang Liuxin come downstairs, slowly shuffling toward the dining table.
Their eyes met a few times. Wen Jin sensed he had something he wanted to say, but just as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by a sudden phone call.
It was Lü Zixia calling. Wen Jin glanced at the screen, not particularly eager to answer. He was more interested in knowing what Zhang Liuxin was thinking and wanted to say.
However, the person opposite him looked hesitant, stammering for Wen Jin to take the call first.
“Young Master Wen… no, the groom,” Lü Zixia’s voice came through the receiver, sounding a bit frivolous.
“Get to the point.”
Wen Jin watched Zhang Liuxin struggle to cut his steak, his movements somewhat unfamiliar.
“A’Qing really wasn’t wrong. You’re getting married and still have such a temper. Will your sister-in-law be able to handle you?”
Wen Jin was silent for a moment.
“I originally prepared a grand bachelor party for you tonight, but since you and Brother Duan are already on the island, I had to drag A’Qing along.”
Sure enough, waves of sound could be heard from the other end.
“A’Qing said sister-in-law looks great in the wedding attire. I’ll come over tomorrow for a good look,” Lü Zixia said, only two or three of his ten sentences being genuine. “A’Zhuo, I really didn’t expect you to be the first to marry. I thought it would be us two brothers who’d be single until fifty.”
He Qing, who was nearby, cursed him and told him to be serious.
Lü Zixia yawned lazily. “Isn’t it true? Brother Duan is into forced love, insisting on eating the twisted melon. Wen Zhuo is sexually cold, allergic to both men and women since childhood. You never speak up, holding a secret crush for years without telling us who you even like. And me, I’m a social butterfly who can’t settle down.”
Wen Jin, uncharacteristically, didn’t argue. He chuckled. “Your self-awareness is quite accurate.”
Lü Zixia said, “Hey, Young Master Wen, you and your spouse need to thank me properly at the wedding tomorrow and pour me a drink. I was the one who always accompanied you while you pursued your wife in college.”
“I should thank you for that.” Wen Jin’s voice sounded very pleased, giving Lü Zixia goosebumps. He tossed the phone to He Qing beside him.
He Qing took the phone. “Zixia’s had a bit to drink. Do you two still have things to attend to?”
“Yes.”
He Qing said, “Then I’ll hang up. How about I bring a photographer tomorrow? We can take a few more pictures of you and Liuxin.”
Wen Jin’s smiling voice came through. “Thanks. Come early tomorrow.”
After hanging up, Wen Jin saw that Zhang Liuxin’s head was bowed low, as if he were spacing out. So, he spoke, saying he needed to go see his parents and Duan Chengzi soon.
Zhang Liuxin seemed a little scared, Wen Jin felt, so he didn’t keep him in the room for too long. What displeased him was that Zhang Liuxin still called him “Mr. Wen.” It was too formal. They were already married. He felt Zhang Liuxin should call him by his name, or call him A’Zhuo like family, or even call him Senior like he used to in school, using that gentle, refined voice.
However, Zhang Liuxin’s current state clearly wasn’t suitable for discussing these things. So, after the other man entered the restroom, Wen Jin ran into Duan Chengzi, who had finished his arrangements. The two brothers went out onto the terrace for some fresh air.
“Where’s your wife?”
Duan Chengzi leaned against the railing, took out his phone, and sent a voice message, sounding roguish. The recipient didn’t reply after receiving it. He licked his canine tooth and let out a deep, low laugh from his throat, a little sinister. It only lasted a moment. Putting away his phone, he looked at Wen Jin, reverting to the steady older brother persona.
“He has a name.”
Although he said that, Wen Jin didn’t look displeased. He looked at the distant sea horizon; the ocean had turned black at night.
“Fine, Zhang Liuxin, right? Why do I feel like he’s so afraid of me?” Duan Chengzi pointed to his face. “Do I look that fierce? Compared to you, Mr. Poker Face, I’m quite approachable, aren’t I?”
Wen Jin nearly gagged, turning his face away, shifting his gaze from the flat sea to the more distant sky. The island offered a view of stars that Huanshi couldn’t.
“He’s not afraid of you, he’s afraid of my father,” Wen Jin said. “I should tell him that he won’t have to see my parents often in the future, so he won’t be so nervous.”
Duan Chengzi tutted twice. “A’Qing said you had a love-struck brain, and I thought his account was hacked. Turns out the one who was hacked was you. Wen Jin, I never thought you’d have a day where someone completely captivated you.”
Wen Jin didn’t understand why everyone kept saying this. He was just marrying Zhang Liuxin. These were things a husband should naturally do. His parents did these things, and though they lacked affection, they were meticulous. Since he and Zhang Liuxin were mutually in love, shouldn’t he do better than his parents?
But he was in a good mood today, so he didn’t refute Duan Chengzi.
“Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, you’re getting married. I still remember you following me around calling me Gege when you were little,” Duan Chengzi said with a tone of nostalgia.
Wen Jin said coldly, “Is your memory failing? I only remember calling you Duan Chengzi.”
Duan Chengzi smiled. “A’Zhuo, you were cuter when you were little, just didn’t talk much.”
Wen Jin was very beautiful as a child. Compared to his current sharp coldness, he was like a porcelain doll back then. Duan Chengzi still remembered when his aunt took him in after his parents died. The first time he saw Wen Jin, he thought he was a girl. He asked Yue Yun in front of Wen Jin, “Auntie, didn’t you say I had a younger brother at home? Why is there only a sister?”
Yue Yun couldn’t help but laugh, lifting Wen Jin’s bangs to reveal a snowy, glutinous-rice-ball-like small face. She said, “He is a younger brother. Xiao Zhuo, quickly call him Gege, Chengzi Gege.”
Wen Jin already had a strong personality back then. Because of Duan Chengzi’s comment about him being a “sister,” he treated him like air for a full month, not saying a single word to him.
Recalling these past events, a gentle curve appeared on Wen Jin’s lips.
“A’Zhuo, you’re still very lucky,” Duan Chengzi had a good nature and usually presented a free-spirited and generous image, but his tone now carried a hint of vague regret. “You’re marrying the person you love so early. Zhang Liuxin must like you too. I can see it in the way he looks at you. Just now in the room, when Zhang Jiming said those things, he instinctively looked at you.”
Wen Jin was momentarily stunned. “He was looking at me?”
Duan Chengzi sighed, feeling that his younger brother’s married life would be a long and arduous journey.
“But thank you, Ge. I wish you good luck.”
Now it was Duan Chengzi who was stunned. Wen Jin rarely called him Gege. They weren’t far apart in age, and a warmth flowed through his heart. But thinking of his own distant boyfriend, he frowned in worry, pulling a cigarette box from his pocket, lighting one, and exhaling smoke.
“But you’ll have a lot of public events after the wedding. You don’t like that much, do you?”
“To marry him, it has to be this way,” Wen Jin frowned. “Duan Chengzi, that smells awful.”
Duan Chengzi said lazily, “Just half a stick. How long has it been since I smoked?”
Just for the wedding security, he had been working non-stop for two days and two nights. He couldn’t help it; his uncle was highly suspicious and wouldn’t entrust such matters to outsiders.
“A’Zhuo, tomorrow is your wedding. Let me interview you. How do you feel right now?”
“I don’t feel anything. If you talk nonsense again, I’m leaving.” Wen Jin was choked by the smoke, his expression cold as he turned sideways away from Duan Chengzi.
“Tsk, I won’t say anything, I won’t say anything,” Duan Chengzi laughed helplessly. “Just bear with it a little longer, Young Master Wen.”
“I can tolerate any amount of superficial formality, but I can’t tolerate this smoke. I’m leaving.”
Duan Chengzi extinguished the cigarette and popped a piece of candy into his mouth. “Chat a little longer. It’s your big day tomorrow; shouldn’t you talk more with your brother?”
Wen Jin was only a retreating back, leaving behind a faint “He’ll be back soon and won’t find me.”
“Fine, fine, I give up. Go on, go find your wife.”
But back in the corridor, he didn’t see Zhang Liuxin. The restroom was empty too. Perhaps he had returned to his room. Wen Jin pressed his throbbing temples and instructed someone to send a cup of sweet milk to his room.
Brother, I am not completely captivated by him. I have my own pace.