Still Frame Chapter 11
byChapter 11 The Show Window Marriage (3)
Despite being prepared, the moment Zhang Liuxin saw Wen Jin, he couldn’t look away.
On ordinary days, Wen Jin possessed a cold handsomeness, carrying the casual ease of someone who achieved fame early. Today, however, his hair was neatly combed, fully exposing a pair of sharp, ink-black phoenix eyes that commanded attention. The dark, double-breasted suit, paired with a champagne-colored tie, transformed him from a cold, handsome statue into a gleaming, unsheathed famous blade, radiating a deep, mature charm.
Yet, a light-colored boutonniere adorned his lapel—white calla lilies intertwined with lotus-root-colored moth orchids, their ribbons gently trailing. This softened his sharp contours while boldly declaring his identity as the groom.
This is my husband.
Zhang Liuxin lowered his gaze, moving from his own identical boutonniere to the champagne-colored suit, finally resting on the conspicuous exoskeleton brace on his left leg.
Why do they look so perfect together, yet feel so discordant?
“What are you standing there for?”
Wen Jin parted his lips, his gaze sweeping over faintly, pausing briefly on Zhang Liuxin’s left leg. This short moment made Zhang Liuxin feel as if his left leg had been scorched again within a single day. He instinctively took half a step back.
“Zhang Liuxin,” Wen Jin called his name again.
Zhang Liuxin then noticed he had raised an arm, just like a real groom in any idol drama.
“I’m sorry.”
Zhang Liuxin took his arm, apologizing softly.
Wen Jin seemed even more displeased. Looking at his profile, Zhang Liuxin felt as if the previous softness had been a figment of his imagination.
As guests began to arrive, Zhang Liuxin felt his heart rate accelerate, especially under the subtle glances directed at his exoskeleton, making him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
“Didn’t sleep well?”
Wen Jin nodded naturally to the passing people. Everyone who saw him offered the same flattering look, saying in soft voices, “Congratulations, Young Master Wen, Young Master Zhang, on your wedding.”
Zhang Liuxin could only manage a stiff smile, responding to false sincerity with feigned emotion.
“A little insomnia,” Zhang Liuxin admitted truthfully.
A soft chuckle came from beside him. Zhang Liuxin thought he misheard and started to turn his head, but a male voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Brother Wen, Young Master Zhang, congratulations on your wedding.”
The newcomer had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, tall and handsome, with a pair of flippant but appealing peach blossom eyes. He was smiling broadly and waving at them.
It was Lu Zixia, Wen Jin’s good friend and the eldest young master of the Lu family.
Zhang Liuxin managed to force out a difficult smile and nodded slightly.
Beside Lu Zixia was He Qing, wearing a pine-green suit. This color was difficult for most people to pull off, but on him, it looked tailor-made, making him appear refined, clear, and handsome.
“Liuxin, this suit suits you very well too.” He Qing smiled at him.
Zhang Liuxin returned the first genuine smile of the day.
“Young Master Wen, marriage really changes a person,” Lu Zixia naturally leaned toward Wen Jin, who subtly sidestepped him. Unfazed, Lu Zixia instead draped an arm over He Qing’s shoulder. “Your face isn’t stinky today. Happiness brings a fresh spirit, doesn’t it?”
Wen Jin glanced at him coolly. “I’ll throw you into the sea later.”
Probably knowing Wen Jin was capable of such a thing, He Qing nudged Lu Zixia’s arm. “Zixia, it’s A-Zhuo’s wedding today. Stop being frivolous and speak properly.”
Lu Zixia mumbled, “Got it,” but then turned his attention to Zhang Liuxin.
He smiled at Zhang Liuxin and said, “Mr. Zhang, it’s been a while. The last time I saw you was at Interstellar University.”
Zhang Liuxin had not met this friend of Wen Jin’s through Wen Jin, but through someone who should have been here today.
At this moment, he feared that Young Master Lu, who was accustomed to speaking his mind, might suddenly utter the name that caused him such embarrassment. Fortunately, Lu Zixia showed Wen Jin respect. He merely gave Zhang Liuxin a few light glances and ultimately said nothing.
“My mother is away on a business trip,” the secretary behind Lu Zixia stepped forward, presenting a gift box. “My father will be here later. This is the wedding gift from the two elders. My mother really wanted to see you in your wedding attire, and she asked me to take some photos for her.”
“Thank you for your aunt’s concern. Please take a few extra pictures then.”
Lu Zixia laughed. “Sure thing. I’ll get close-ups when you two kiss later.”
Zhang Liuxin shifted his gaze uncomfortably.
He Qing said, “A-Zhuo, you know my mother gets seasick. She and my brother will be coming from the airport later.”
Wen Jin nodded. “Understood. Please forgive any shortcomings.”
“Given our relationship, there’s no need to be polite.”
As they chatted casually, Zhang Liuxin’s gaze drifted toward the distant crowd and landed on his stepmother, Ren Shuyun.
She wore a light blue gown with a beautiful corsage pinned to her chest, intimately holding Zhang Jiming’s arm. She smiled with the same elegance and composure as she did during any social engagement. However, Zhang Liuxin knew very well that over the past month, many wrinkles had appeared on her meticulously maintained face, and streaks of white had begun to show in her beautiful black hair.
Perhaps noticing his gaze, Ren Shuyun looked back. This brief eye contact almost made Zhang Liuxin’s heart skip a beat. But before he could react, Ren Shuyun had already withdrawn her gaze and continued to smile charmingly at others.
Sure enough, Zhang Jiming had managed his family well, just as he had promised last night.
Zhang Liuxin should have been happy; at least the Zhang family wouldn’t humiliate him today.
But seeing Ren Shuyun in that state, he couldn’t muster any schadenfreude.
“Zoning out again.”
He Qing and Lu Zixia had left at some point. Zhang Liuxin felt his wrist being pinched, followed by Wen Jin’s voice: “Zhang Liuxin, you need to remember what day this is.”
“My apologies.”
“Today, you only need to focus on me,” Wen Jin said in an unquestionable tone.
Zhang Liuxin nodded, thinking that given how you look today, it would be difficult for anyone to look away.
There were few guests Wen Jin would personally greet. Most people, even those older than him, would bow and scrape when they saw Young Master Wen—except for a few.
“Young Master Wen, the Governor is here, and Minister Yue. They are in the lounge.”
“Got it.”
Wen Jin straightened his collar and stood up. He told Zhang Liuxin, “Let’s go meet them.”
Zhang Liuxin’s legs were still weak as they walked toward the lounge door. He nearly tripped over the thick carpet, but Wen Jin was quick, wrapping an arm around his waist to steady him.
Wen Jin rarely touched him, but he squeezed his shoulder, then slowly smoothed out the small patch of fabric. “Don’t be nervous. It’s a wedding today; they won’t say anything.”
“Mhm.”
Wen Jin’s words had little effect. Seeing the people seated in the lounge, Zhang Liuxin’s nerves instantly tightened to the extreme.
“Your Excellency the Governor, Minister Yue.”
The Governor smiled kindly and waved his hand, saying, “Today, we are elders attending a junior’s wedding. A-Zhuo, congratulations on your marriage.”
Minister Yue also said, “That’s right. Consider me your maternal grandfather attending your wedding today. There’s no need for formalities.”
Even though Zhang Liuxin knew the Wen family was powerful and that Wen Jin’s maternal grandfather was Minister Yue Zhence, the scene before him still startled him. He hadn’t realized the Wen family’s relationship with the Governor was this close.
“You must be the Zhang family’s child. Very good. You look well-matched with A-Zhuo.”
The Governor’s tone was calm, but the invisible authority of his high position radiated outward, making Zhang Liuxin feel breathless.
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Zhang Liuxin didn’t know if his voice was trembling. He wished he could hide in the floor, escaping the scrutiny of these high-ranking figures.
Yue Zhence beckoned them over. “Come sit down, let me take a look.”
He first looked at Wen Jin, then nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, you look spirited.”
Yue Zhence patted his grandson’s hand, then remembered the “grandson-in-law” beside him. “Liuxin, how is your body recovering?”
Zhang Liuxin replied, “Mhm, much better now. Thank you for your concern, Minister Yue.”
“Married life requires two people to support and sustain each other. You are young, and there will inevitably be friction, but don’t let gaps form. Be more caring and considerate.”
Minister Yue was indeed Minister Yue. Zhang Liuxin remembered the cold and oppressive look the man had given him a month ago during the engagement, seeing him dragging half a useless leg. Now, he smiled like a regular old man, offering kind blessings.
“We know,” Wen Jin interjected, glancing at the time. “Your Excellency, the ceremony is about to begin. We need to prepare. We will return to accompany you and Grandfather later.”
“Good, go ahead.”
Following Wen Jin out of the lounge, Zhang Liuxin felt like a drowning person who had suddenly found air again. He pressed his hand to his chest, recovering from the state of extreme tension.
“Forgot how to breathe?”
Zhang Liuxin admitted, “I was very nervous. I’ve never met His Excellency before.”
In fact, unless one was a favored son of heaven like Wen Jin, no one would speak to the Governor at such close range without being nervous.
Wen Jin showed no emotion, his phoenix eyes devoid of any ripple. He said flatly, “You won’t have many chances to meet him in the future anyway. Why be nervous?”
Zhang Liuxin paused, a bitter smile escaping his lips before being quickly concealed. He whispered, “Yes, you’re right.”
All of Yin Zhou had to show respect for Young Master Wen’s grand wedding today, but the sun did not. The sky was somewhat overcast. As Zhang Liuxin waited outside the venue, he stared at the white camellias nearby for a long time. The poor weather had robbed the fresh, delicate camellias of their luster, mirroring Zhang Liuxin’s inner state at that moment.
If only his mother were here, Zhang Liuxin thought, staring at the wood grain on the heavy doors, or Jiang You.
In short, on one of the most important days of his life—his wedding—nothing had gone his way.
He had no family offering genuine blessings, no close friends to chat with, and certainly no lover who reciprocated his feelings. He only had himself.
But whether it was finding joy in suffering or simply self-consolation, the moment the large doors were pushed open, Zhang Liuxin thought, at least his new husband did not favor traditional wedding formats. So, at this moment, at least Zhang Jiming was not standing beside him.