Still Frame Chapter 12
byChapter 12 A Marriage of Convenience (4)
The strings of lily-of-the-valley flowers hanging from the dome swayed gently like a curtain of moonlight. The flower spikes floated in a hazy, soft light, and as the tide of lilies rippled, a fresh, gentle fragrance wafted over.
Soft-colored draperies hung lightly, and expensive crystal pendants cascaded down, blending with the layered flower arrangements on the floor, making everything appear even more brilliant. The halo of the crystal lamps wove a fine golden net over the meticulously carved floral art, leaving specks of light on the bouquet clutched in his fingertips.
Everything was as beautiful as a scene from a dream, and Wen Jin stood at the very center of the light, at the pinnacle of his beautiful dream. With every step he took, the distance between him and Wen Jin shortened.
This was probably the first time Wen Jin had looked at him so seriously, Zhang Liuxin thought.
The Wen family’s genes were excellent. Wen Jin possessed a pair of perfectly shaped phoenix eyes. His pupils were very deep, a pure, unblemished ink-black. When gazed upon by him, one couldn’t help but lose focus.
Perhaps no one else could possess such a perfect physique as Wen Jin. His face was free of wrinkles, blemishes, or even a single mole, like a piece of cool-toned noble glaze, or an ice lily, standing alone amidst the fleeting light and shadows of the room.
The wedding attire suited Wen Jin perfectly. Also dominated by pearl white, every inch meticulously outlined Wen Jin’s figure. His shoulders and back were broad, and the light flowed over the suit, stirring a soft luster that made him appear even more distinguished.
His mere presence there dimmed the surrounding extravagance and noise.
It wasn’t until Zhang Liuxin walked up to him that he clearly saw that the flower pinned to his chest was no longer there, replaced instead by a brooch.
The brooch was shaped like a willow branch. Each slender willow leaf was intricately carved from deep olive-green diamonds, held securely by fine platinum threads that wrapped around them, subtly receding at the edges. When light shone upon it, the olive green seemed to surge.
Zhang Liuxin looked up, meeting Wen Jin’s profound gaze. In those pure, ink-black pupils, he saw his own eyes glistening with tears.
The walk he took hand-in-hand with Wen Jin was very short. Zhang Liuxin couldn’t keep his eyes straight; his peripheral vision caught many faces—famous, nameless, familiar, and strange. There were also many lines of sight—exploratory, jealous, sorrowful.
It wasn’t until they reached the altar at the end, and he faced Wen Jin again, that those complex emotions receded like a tide.
The wedding was officiated by someone from the Provincial Committee. Zhang Liuxin vaguely remembered that the person was also an uncle whom Wen Jin knew well. The elder man’s voice was gentle as he said, “Next, please have the two newlyweds exchange their vows.”
Zhang Liuxin paused. When was this segment added?
He had confirmed the wedding procedure. He remembered that he only needed to say one phrase, “I do,” throughout the entire ceremony, so why…
“Liuxin.”
Wen Jin’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and Zhang Liuxin was rooted to the spot by the address “Liuxin.”
“Thank you very much for agreeing to be my spouse and walk with me into the future.”
“I promise you that I will always love you, cherish you, and I will be eternally faithful to you.”
Wen Jin’s gaze remained calm, yet at this moment, it gave Zhang Liuxin the illusion of eternity.
This is just like a crystal ball, Zhang Liuxin thought, or a meticulously decorated, exquisite display window. Wen Jin spoke these words like a character from a fairy tale, and even if they were false, he couldn’t help but feel happiness.
It was only from this distance to Wen Jin that he could see the small mole on his Adam’s apple.
Zhang Liuxin’s gaze traveled from that mole to Wen Jin’s eyes, like moving from a small planet to his vast universe. All the spontaneous, flowery, romantic, and complicated phrases in his mind vanished completely.
Only the final sentence remained—
“Wen Jin, I love you.”
The corner of Wen Jin’s lips curved slightly, and his beautiful eyes became animated.
“Now, please have the newlyweds exchange rings.”
Rings.
This was one of the reasons Zhang Liuxin had suffered from insomnia last night. He and Wen Jin hadn’t chosen the rings together; that was something normal partners did. Their relationship made it unnecessary, so everything had been handled by Wen Jin’s assistant.
The ring box opened, revealing a pair of expensive and beautiful men’s diamond rings—the grandeur of the Wen family, indeed.
Wen Jin took one out, his thumb first brushing against Zhang Liuxin’s fingertip, then sliding down the curve of his knuckle. Zhang Liuxin’s fingertips curled slightly. Wen Jin looked down as the fragmented light on the ring face swept over his finger bone, pausing slightly at the second joint. The moment the last inch was pushed in, their fingertips touched—a very light and soft sensation.
Immediately after, Wen Jin extended his hand to him. Zhang Liuxin followed his example, taking out the other diamond ring and slowly placing it on Wen Jin’s ring finger.
This was probably the first piece of jewelry Wen Jin had ever worn. Zhang Liuxin remembered that Wen Jin never wore any accessories during his student days.
Applause began to rise from below the stage. The mole at the center of his vision gradually drew closer, then blurred, until a warm sensation touched his forehead. As the applause intensified, Zhang Liuxin realized that Wen Jin had kissed his forehead.
The kiss was very short, perhaps very long. Wen Jin’s ring-adorned hand rested on the side of his neck, and the ring he had personally placed left a faint indentation on his skin.
Zhang Liuxin was still somewhat disoriented by what happened next. He simply followed obediently behind Wen Jin, like a marionette on a string, greeting one important figure after another.
The director of the academy where Wen Jin worked came over to chat with him. Despite it being a wedding, the two men discussed cells. Zhang Liuxin listened in a daze. Perhaps he wore a slightly foolish expression, because Wen Jin patted his shoulder and asked Zhong Sixun to take him out for some fresh air to clear his head.
“Miss Zhong, I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Zhang Liuxin urgently needed a space that belonged only to himself. After Zhong Sixun nodded, he escaped into the bathroom.
The sight of a groom in his wedding suit sitting alone on the toilet was somewhat comical. Zhang Liuxin patted his face. He hadn’t drunk any alcohol, yet he felt intoxicated, perhaps because of Wen Jin’s kiss.
He lightly touched his forehead. Of course, there couldn’t be any mark, but he still felt Wen Jin’s warmth lingering there.
This gesture was a bit obsessive, Zhang Liuxin smiled helplessly, withdrew his hand, and prepared to return to the venue.
Just as he twisted the doorknob, he heard two male voices outside.
One person said, “As expected of Young Master Wen. Even that person came today. He really gives face to the Wen family. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him the Crown Prince.”
“Get lost. If you want to die, don’t drag me into it. Can you please guard your mouth?”
The man snorted, “It’s not that dramatic. But I really didn’t expect Wen Jin to marry a cripple. A young master with his eyes on the top of his head actually deigned to look at someone like Zhang Liuxin.”
“Didn’t they say they’ve known each other for a long time? But it’s just an exchange of benefits, nothing more to say.”
“Seriously, then doesn’t this count as Wen Jin’s only flaw? Since I was little, I’ve heard my dad constantly mention his name. But no matter how outstanding, famous, or powerful he is, he still has to marry for the family, taking a disabled person he probably hasn’t even spoken much to.”
“Well, don’t say that. Zhang Liuxin is lucky. He has the ability to latch onto Wen Jin. If I didn’t know that someone like Wen Jin wouldn’t look twice at him, I would have actually believed they were in love when they were on stage just now.”
“Tsk tsk, but Zhang Liuxin must have developed real feelings for Wen Jin. After all, the young master is handsome. When he said ‘I love you’ on stage just now, it sounded genuinely sincere.”
“…”
It seemed someone else entered, and the two men fell silent and left. Zhang Liuxin shook his head to himself, a bitter smile on his lips. This was perhaps something he had to endure by marrying Wen Jin. He should have known this long ago.
But a cloud still drifted over his heart.
He sighed, not rushing back to the banquet hall, but instead wandering alone to the back garden.
The back garden was large, filled with light-colored fresh flowers for the wedding. As soon as Zhang Liuxin stepped in, he was greeted by the overwhelming scent of oriental lilies.
He sat on a long bench by the fountain, staring blankly into the water basin. He couldn’t help but think of that kiss, Wen Jin’s warm hand on his neck, and those harsh, unpleasant truths.
“Meow—”
Zhang Liuxin snapped back to reality, rubbing his ears, thinking he had imagined it.
“Rustle—”
Zhang Liuxin was startled, watching the slightly shaking flower bush nearby with vigilance. It was a white camellia tree. A few camellia flowers were shaken loose and fell to the ground.
Zhang Liuxin picked up a whole one and looked up along the branch, unexpectedly spotting a small, fluffy white creature.
The little thing raised its head, revealing a pair of green eyes. Its ears twitched, and it lightly jumped down.
“Meow~”
It was a kitten.
Two pairs of green eyes met. The kitten curiously assessed the human who shared its eye color. After a moment, perhaps deciding the person posed no threat, it approached Zhang Liuxin’s feet and tentatively rubbed against him.
Zhang Liuxin carefully stroked the top of the kitten’s head. The cat was probably only a few months old. Except for its black tail, the rest of it was snow white and very beautiful. However, it was too thin, with a pointy little face that made it look like a small fox at first glance.
“Where did you come from?”
It looked like a poor little stray. Zhang Liuxin rubbed the kitten’s chin again. “The garden is very dangerous for you. There are lilies here.”
The kitten didn’t understand, merely squinting its eyes in enjoyment.
“Are you hungry?” Zhang Liuxin felt the kitten’s protruding spine. “Shall I go find you something to eat?”
He stood up and returned to the banquet hall to grab some ham. When he returned to the garden, the little creature was still obediently curled up nearby, waiting for him.
“This is all I have.”
The kitten devoured the food. Zhang Liuxin took the opportunity to stroke the tip of its tail while it was distracted. “You’re so cute.”
“Do you have a name?”
The kitten, of course, didn’t answer him, only rubbed affectionately against his leg, then curiously scratched at his exoskeleton, seemingly confused as to why the human had that thing on his leg.
“Mr. Zhang?”
Zhong Sixun’s voice came from behind. Zhang Liuxin stood up. “I have to go.”
He reluctantly withdrew his gaze. Unexpectedly, after turning around and taking just two steps, the kitten followed closely behind him.
“Go back quickly. I can’t take you with me,” Zhang Liuxin couldn’t resist, squatting down again to stroke it. “I don’t even have a home myself.”
The kitten tilted its head, looking at him.
“Mr. Zhang, what are you doing?” Zhong Sixun had found him. “Where did this cat come from?”
Seeing her frown, Zhang Liuxin quickly said, “I don’t know, a stray cat. Let’s go back.”
“Then please wash your hands again later. Your suit might also need to be tidied up; it will have cat hair on it. Young Master Wen doesn’t like these furry little animals.”
Zhang Liuxin was not surprised. He glanced longingly at the kitten and said, “Alright, thank you for the trouble.”
Zhong Sixun smiled and shook her head. “It’s no trouble. I’ll take you.”
At the time, Zhang Liuxin thought that his encounter with the little white cat with green eyes on his wedding day was both the first and the last.