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When it came to organizing the wedding banquet, it naturally had to be grand and lively. After all, theirs was a marriage of convenience, and a powerful alliance meant to be showcased to the outside world.
Once the wedding invitations were sent out, the shockwaves they created in the public sphere were undeniable.
Two men getting married wasn’t particularly unusual, but for it to happen within their so-called elite social circle and to be announced so publicly was indeed somewhat sensational. Not to mention, the fact that Ye Corporation and Ronghua Corporation would now be joining forces and collaborating closely naturally led to everyone having their own thoughts and calculations. Who married whom wasn’t the key point—this was.
But for Qi Xing, Ye Xingzhou, and even Qi Xing’s family, the focus was on ensuring the wedding banquet was flawlessly executed, leaving no room for regrets.
Initially, there was a disagreement over the venue. Ye Xingzhou and Qi Xing had planned to hold the wedding at Ye Corporation’s resort, but Qi Ronghua firmly vetoed the idea. The old man insisted that he wasn’t “marrying off” his son and saw no reason to hold the wedding on Ye Corporation’s turf.
In the end, they settled on a five-star hotel in the city center, which was convenient for the guests and perfectly acceptable.
The wedding banquet was handled by professionals, and the couple only occasionally checked in on the details. Everything proceeded smoothly.
On their way back from a food tasting session, Qi Xing received a WeChat message from Yang Kaiming: “Young Master Qi, do you need a bridesmaid squad? We’re all willing to sacrifice ourselves to be your ‘sister squad’—we’ll even wear bridesmaid dresses without a second thought!”
It was followed by a cheeky emoji.
Qi Xing’s reply was succinct: “Get lost.”
His father was right—he wasn’t the one “marrying into” Ye Xingzhou’s family, so why should he be cast as the bride?
“Ye Xingzhou, why don’t you be my bride instead?”
Ye Xingzhou, who was driving, glanced back at Qi Xing, who was grinning at him. Unfazed, Ye Xingzhou replied, “No.”
Qi Xing pouted, “Why not? Just once, for me?”
Ye Xingzhou: “Not happening.”
Alright, if Ye Xingzhou were to dress up as a bride, it would indeed be a spectacle that would make it impossible for him to maintain his dignity in public. Qi Xing was, of course, just joking.
However, while it was out of the question for the wedding, they could always play around with role-playing at home. He’d just have to wear Ye Xingzhou down another time.
Lin Zhinian, whom Qi Xing hadn’t been in contact with for a while, also sent a message: “Young Master Qi, I received your wedding invitation, but unfortunately, I’ll be abroad for an art exhibition, so I won’t be able to attend. Congratulations in advance. I didn’t expect you two to take this step publicly. It’s a bit surprising, but it’s also wonderful. Wishing you both happiness.”
Qi Xing replied with a smiley face and a simple “Thank you.”
Lin Zhinian could, in a way, be considered half of their matchmaker, though he had long since been “thrown over the wall.”
Whether it was Yang Kaiming or Lin Zhinian, their first reaction upon receiving the invitations was undoubtedly surprise. Others likely felt the same, perhaps even harboring misunderstandings or whispering behind their backs, convinced that their marriage was driven by profit or some other ulterior motive. Those who outwardly offered congratulations and flattery while inwardly harbored disdain were certainly not in short supply.
But that was all there was to it. No matter how much disdain or disapproval they felt, they would still rush to attend the wedding banquet. After all, this was the world of fame and fortune.
“Why can’t it just be love?”
When asked by an old friend how his son had ended up entangled with the formidable Ye Xingzhou, Qi Ronghua chuckled over his tea and replied, “Young people need to have their moments of impulsive love. You old folks just don’t get it—you’ve lived decades for nothing.”
Ye Xingzhou’s gaze shifted toward Qi Xing, who put away his phone. “Daddy, it’s still early. Let’s find a place to have a couple of drinks?”
Ye Xingzhou: “Drinks?”
Qi Xing: “Yeah.”
He suddenly felt like having a drink. Occasionally, he and Ye Xingzhou could change up their usual date spots.
There was a bar nearby that Qi Xing used to frequent. He led Ye Xingzhou in with ease, took a seat at the bar, and immediately ordered drinks from the bartender.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been to a place like this.”
Now that he was no longer a playboy and was a married man with a family, he rarely went out to join the gatherings organized by Yang Kaiming and the others—and even then, only when Ye Xingzhou had evening engagements. As soon as Ye Xingzhou’s events ended, Qi Xing would leave immediately, no matter the time. Back then, Yang Kaiming and the others had teased him for being a “homebody.” Now, they mocked him for being “whipped.” Qi Xing didn’t bother responding—so what if he was whipped? He was perfectly happy with it.
Ye Xingzhou reminded him, “We’ll leave after a couple of drinks.”
“I know,” Qi Xing said before leaning over and placing a hand on Ye Xingzhou’s shoulder. “Big Brother, let me show you what a young person’s nightlife is like, huh?”
Ye Xingzhou brushed his hand away and calmly sipped his drink. “Behave.”
Qi Xing chuckled, pretending to be unfazed.
He was about to tease Ye Xingzhou some more when he accidentally overheard someone mentioning his name. The voices came from behind him, mingling with the laughter of young playboys and laced with disparaging remarks about him and Ye Xingzhou.
“You’re such a country bumpkin. Everyone in Huaicheng City knows about the alliance between Ye Corporation and Ronghua Corporation. My dad said the other day that upstarts will always be upstarts—they’ll do anything to get ahead. Qi Ronghua has no shame, and his son is just as cunning.”
“Pfft, as if your dad would let you do it even if you were willing. You’d still have to catch the eye of that Ye family scion. Qi Xing just happens to have a pretty face. I’m not just talking about Young Master Ye—even I feel an itch when I look at him. With that look of his, he’s definitely wild in bed.”
“Don’t say that. Why go all the way to marriage for something that’s just a fling? My dad said that the Ye family guy is a viper, and now that he’s teamed up with that old fox Qi Ronghua, who knows what they’ll do in the future.”
“That’s your dad’s problem. What’s it got to do with you?”
Qi Xing poured himself a drink, downed it, and stood up. Ye Xingzhou didn’t stop him.
He stretched his neck. It had been too long since he’d last taught someone a lesson, and his bones were practically stiff from disuse.
The playboys were still drinking and amusing themselves with crude jokes about him and Ye Xingzhou and their words growing increasingly outrageous.
“You know what? If I had that Qi kid’s looks, I’d totally throw myself at Young Master Ye. So what if he’s a guy? Money’s the boss. As for what happens in bed—just close your eyes and grit your teeth, and it’ll be over before you know it.”
There was a burst of raucous laughter.
Qi Xing abruptly sat down on the armrest of the sofa next to the speaker with his smile laced with mockery. “Sorry to disappoint, but you don’t have my face, and Ye Xingzhou has no interest in your pathetic attempts to throw yourself at him.”
The group, who had been laughing uproariously moments ago, now stared at him as if they’d seen a ghost. Their laughter died instantly, leaving only the deafening background music of the bar to fill the silence.
The guy next to Qi Xing was so startled that he fell off the sofa and landed on the floor.
Qi Xing glanced around and recognized the group as the same bunch who used to hang around Ye Wanqi, that bastard. They’d never gotten along with him, and now that they had the chance, they were clearly eager to badmouth him.
He suddenly felt bored. Beating these guys up would only dirty his hands.
“Y-Young Master Qi…”
The playboys forced out awkward smiles and their expressions uglier than if they’d been crying, and utterly ridiculous.
Qi Xing patted the head of the guy next to him. “If you want to get into Ye Xingzhou’s bed, try reincarnating with a new face and fix that sleazy attitude of yours. Though even then, it’s still impossible.”
He then turned to the guy across from him. “As for you, I don’t know if my dad’s shameless, but you and your dad certainly are. Just the other day, your dad was groveling to mine for investment, acting like a total lackey. Who knew you’d talk trash about my dad, the ‘upstart,’ behind his back? I’ll be sure to let him know—maybe he’ll reconsider investing in your project.”
The guy panicked. “No, Young Master Qi, that’s not what I meant…”
Qi Xing didn’t bother listening. He went around the group and giving each of them a piece of his mind. Finally, he reached the one with the pudgy face who’d said he felt an itch when he looked at Qi Xing. The guy forced out an awkward smile, his expression full of sycophancy.
Qi Xing held back, feeling no desire to even bother with this guy. It was just bad luck.
Ye Xingzhou walked over and placed a hand on Qi Xing’s shoulder. The moment the playboys saw him, they turned as pale as if they’d seen a ghost and too terrified to even breathe. They probably wished they could slap their past selves for the things they’d said just minutes ago.
Ye Xingzhou ignored them all but his cold gaze briefly settled on the one who’d fantasized about Qi Xing.
The guy’s face twitched as a sense of impending doom washed over him.
Ye Xingzhou looked away and said to Qi Xing, “The driver’s here. Let’s go.”
As they walked out of the bar, Ye Xingzhou casually sent out a message.
Qi Xing noticed. “What are you doing?”
“Just having someone teach their families a lesson.” Ye Xingzhou replied indifferently.
Qi Xing fully approved. Those bastards deserved a beating—maybe even a good old-fashioned ambush to knock some sense into them.
“Why can’t it just be love?”
As they got into the car, Qi Xing suddenly muttered this under his breath. Ye Xingzhou glanced at him, and Qi Xing looked up with a smile. “We’re getting married and having a wedding because of love. Why is everyone so shocked and confused, and why do they keep making up all those stories?”
Ye Xingzhou took his hand. “Ignore them.”
Qi Xing shook his head. He was just saying it casually.
He and Ye Xingzhou were together because of love. Those who didn’t understand were just ordinary people—not worth mentioning.
The wedding was set for May, after Qi Xing’s 26th birthday.
The ceremony was scheduled for the evening. Since it was a wedding between two men, they skipped the traditional bridal procession and simply arrived at the hotel together to greet guests outside the banquet hall.
The majority of the guests were friends from Ye Xingzhou and Qi Ronghua’s business circles. Nearly everyone from Huaicheng City’s business community was in attendance, along with many who had traveled from out of town specifically for the wedding. Regardless of what they might have been thinking privately, everyone wore bright smiles and offered hearty congratulations, praising the couple as a perfect match made in heaven.
Li Zechen and his parents were also among the guests. After presenting their red envelope, Li Zechen looked at Qi Xing’s beaming face and said with a smile, “I didn’t expect you two to come this far. It seems I was wrong—you really are the perfect match. Congratulations.”
Qi Xing raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Thank you.”
He and Ye Xingzhou were indeed the perfect match. They didn’t need anyone else to say it—they knew it better than anyone.
Ye Xingzhou’s old classmate and his younger brother also attended. Qi Xing had only met them once in Beijing, when he’d invested in their venture capital firm. Over the years, he’d occasionally exchanged messages with Ning Zhiyuan on WeChat, so they were somewhat familiar.
The three million Qi Xing had invested only yielded its first dividend this year, and the amount wasn’t much. After all, venture capital typically takes years to turn a profit. But Ning Zhiyuan was highly capable, and their Zhiyuan Venture Capital was thriving. There was no doubt that Qi Xing would see significant returns in the future—he didn’t need to worry about it.
As Ning Zhiyuan signed the guestbook, Cen Zhisen pulled Ye Xingzhou aside for a brief chat, nodding toward Qi Xing. “I didn’t expect you two to go public. It’s a good thing.”
Ye Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. “You’re surprised too?”
“More than surprised,” Cen Zhisen said with a smile, “I’m envious.”
Ye Xingzhou: “You could do the same.”
Cen Zhisen smiled without responding, then stepped forward to take the pen from Ning Zhiyuan and sign his own name.
Ye Xingzhou had someone escort them into the banquet hall.
Qi Xing chatted with his parents for a moment before walking over to greet Ning Zhiyuan and the others. After they entered, he glanced back.
Cen Zhisen had his arm draped over Ning Zhiyuan’s shoulders as they walked in, and Ning Zhiyuan was leaning in to talk to him, their interaction natural and intimate—very different from the first time Qi Xing had met them years ago.
“Huh?”
Ye Xingzhou glanced at him.
Qi Xing, curious, asked, “So, your old classmate and Ning Zhiyuan—are they really just brothers now?”
Ye Xingzhou: “Are you curious?”
Qi Xing: “Can’t I ask?”
Ye Xingzhou, uninterested in others’ affairs, replied, “Maybe.”
Qi Xing chuckled. Of course—he’d known it all along. He couldn’t have been wrong.
As the guests continued to arrive, with some time still left before the ceremony, Qi Ronghua and his wife stayed outside to greet people while Qi Xing and Ye Xingzhou returned to the dressing room to prepare.
When the door closed, Qi Xing suddenly turned and pressed Ye Xingzhou against the wall before leaning in to kiss him.
Ye Xingzhou, with his hands in his pockets and leaning casually against the wall, let Qi Xing take the lead. He quietly returned the kiss, and when Qi Xing finally pulled back slightly, he asked, “What’s on your mind?”
“Ye Xingzhou, did you hear? Even your old classmate is envious of us. People are envious of us,” Qi Xing said, laughing. All the insincere congratulations and blessings paled in comparison to the word “envy.”
Ye Xingzhou: “Are you happy today?”
He always asked this. Qi Xing thought for a moment, then replied, “If you perform well later, I’ll be even happier.”
Ye Xingzhou patted his waist. “Let’s get changed.”
They each changed into their tuxedos. Qi Xing looked at their reflections in the mirror—both wearing custom-tailored suits in gray and white, a perfect match.
Ye Xingzhou stood behind him before leaning down to pin a ruby brooch to the lapel of Qi Xing’s white tuxedo. He whispered in Qi Xing’s ear, “Qi Xing.”
Qi Xing: “What?”
Ye Xingzhou looked up and saw Qi Xing’s gaze in the mirror. His long fingers trailed down the front of Qi Xing’s shirt, starting from the second button and slowly moving to the third.
Even through the fabric, Qi Xing could feel the warmth of Ye Xingzhou’s fingertips. He swallowed hard as he met Ye Xingzhou’s intense gaze in the mirror. “Ye Xingzhou, it’s not time to undress yet.”
Ye Xingzhou leaned in closer with his voice low and amused. “Then we’ll undress when we get back.”
Someone knocked on the door, reminding them that the ceremony was about to begin.
After adjusting each other’s bow ties, Ye Xingzhou’s hand brushed Qi Xing’s chin as he said, “Just follow my lead later.”
Qi Xing paused for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”