Marriage Agreement - Chapter 3

With the Han-Xia partnership imminent, both sides needed a gesture of stability. Han Cheng moved with surgical efficiency; within three days, the paperwork was finalized. Legally, he and Xia Tian were now spouses.

However, the joint project was currently in its peak promotional phase. Not wanting a high-profile wedding to overshadow the business launch, Han Cheng decided to forego a ceremony entirely.

“Absolutely not!” Ruan Sihe frowned. “I know the timeline is tight, and the arrangements might be modest, but you can’t just skip the wedding altogether.”

Han Cheng offered a calm smile. “We’ll just tell people we had a private ceremony abroad or that we’re keeping Xia Tian out of the spotlight because of his age. Any excuse will do.”

“You…” Ruan Sihe shot a look at Han Cheng’s assistant, Liang Qingfeng. Taking the hint, Liang quietly exited the office and closed the door behind him.

“How am I supposed to explain this to Zhou Yun?” Ruan Sihe demanded. “I told her we were going to make this a grand affair! You have no idea how much I was looking forward to…”

Looking forward to the look on Yan Lihua’s face at the reception, she thought.

Han Cheng watched his mother with an amused glint in his eyes. “That was your promise, Mother. I never agreed to dedicate my energy to a wedding.”

Ruan Sihe’s brow furrowed, but Han Cheng continued with a helpless laugh. “Do you have any idea how busy I am? I have a plane to catch in an hour. I’ll be traveling for the next week straight, and when I get back, I’ll be buried in the backlog. I simply don’t have the luxury of time for a wedding.”

Ruan Sihe knew her son worked himself to the bone, but she loved the theater of social events. Whether the marriage was real or not, she wanted the spectacle. After a moment of thought, she asked, “What about the Xia family? Does Yan Lihua agree to this?”

Han Cheng nodded. “I spoke with Chairwoman Yan yesterday. I mentioned my schedule was packed and that the nuptials would be low-key. She was actually quite pleased. She said it was a sensible approach.”

“Of course she’s pleased!” Ruan Sihe snapped. “She’d be even happier if the two of you divorced tomorrow!”

Han Cheng laughed. “Rest assured, she won’t. She values next year’s cooperation even more than I do.”

Seeing she couldn’t move him, Ruan Sihe relented. “Fine. If anyone asks, we’ll say the wedding was in Saipan because Xia Tian loves the ocean. Got that? Don’t get your stories crossed.”

Han Cheng gathered his documents and nodded. “Loud and clear.”

“A wedding is one thing, but Xia Tian’s eighteenth birthday is in a few days,” Ruan Sihe added. “I’m going to host a celebration for him. Don’t you dare try to talk me out of that.”

Han Cheng smiled. “Of course not. Go all out. I’ll foot the bill. Pick out a gift for him on my behalf, something expensive.”

Her mood finally lifted, and Ruan Sihe agreed.

Still feeling as though she owed Zhou Yun and Xia Tian for the lack of a proper wedding, Ruan Sihe invited Zhou Yun out the next day to offer her apologies.

Zhou Yun, however, preferred the low profile. “The arrangement is perfect. And really, there’s no need for a birthday banquet; I already celebrated his birthday with him earlier this year.”

“That was his solar birthday; this is for his lunar one,” Ruan Sihe insisted, doing her best to play up her son’s virtues. “Han Cheng can’t make it back in time, so he specifically asked me to choose a gift for Xia Tian.”

“Han Cheng has always been very good to his own people. You’ll see in time.” Ruan Sihe praised her son tirelessly before turning to the waiter with a smile. “We’ll have the ‘Birdcage’ afternoon tea set as well, thank you.”

Once they were alone, Ruan Sihe winked at Zhou Yun. “Just let me handle this, alright?”

Zhou Yun had no choice but to agree.

“I’ll invite a good crowd, and you and Xia Tian should bring whoever you like,” Ruan Sihe said enthusiastically. “As for the ‘Grandmother’ and that ‘Aunt’ of his… I’ll send those invitations personally.”

Zhou Yun took a moment to realize she meant Yan Lihua and Xia Sisi. She gave a wry smile and nodded.

“After the birthday party, Xia Tian should move in. The house is nearly ready,” Ruan Sihe said, watching Zhou Yun closely. “You aren’t worried, are you?”

“If I were worried, I wouldn’t have let him meet Han Cheng in the first place,” Zhou Yun said gratefully. “You’ve done so much for us, Sihe. Truly, I don’t know how”

“It’s a partnership. Stop with the thank-yous, or Xia Tian will start overthinking things if he hears you,” Ruan Sihe interrupted with a laugh. “I think Han Cheng really likes the boy. He hasn’t stopped praising him since they met.”

Zhou Yun offered a modest smile, but her brow gradually furrowed. She hesitated, looking as though she wanted to speak. “It’s wonderful if Han Cheng likes him, but… Xia Tian is so young. Once he moves in and they’re living under the same roof, I can’t help but worry…”

She let the sentence hang. Ruan Sihe understood immediately and let out a laugh. “Don’t worry. Han Cheng might have a bit of a reputation as a flirt, but he knows where the line is. Even if they’re sharing a house, he won’t lay a finger on him. Besides… as reckless as he can be, he still has to answer to you. The young heir of the Xia family isn’t someone he can just toy with.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust his character,” Zhou Yun said apologetically. “It’s just that I’ve heard so many rumors about his… romantic entanglements. He seems very ‘affectionate.'”

“You believe what the tabloids say?” Ruan Sihe scoffed. “Most of the time it’s just starlets using his name for clout. And as for being ‘affectionate’… I’ll tell you something you might find hard to believe. Since Han Cheng returned to China, he hasn’t actually had a serious girlfriend, or boyfriend, for that matter. Sure, he’s had his flings; he doesn’t exactly deprive himself in that department, but he’s never actually lost his heart to anyone. He’s quite cold-blooded, really. He likes the play, but he hates the responsibility.”

Zhou Yun felt a bit more at ease. Xia Tian was the only grandson of the Xia family; Han Cheng surely knew he wasn’t someone to be treated as a casual “fling.”

Ruan Sihe took a sip of tea and added with a small cough, “Of course, if they live together and actually do fall for each other… Well, you can’t blame me for that. That’s beyond my control.”

Zhou Yun’s heart skipped a beat again, but Ruan Sihe quickly smoothed it over. “I’m just talking! Don’t take it so seriously. Besides, what’s wrong with my son? I love your boy to bits, yet you’re still acting like mine isn’t good enough. Where’s your heart?”

“It’s not that he isn’t good enough! It’s just that Xia Tian is only eighteen…”

“Alright, alright, let’s drop it. We’ve ordered so much food. Should I call your sister-in-law to join us? Xia Sisi is his aunt; after all, wouldn’t it be fitting for her to help with the birthday plans?”

“Please, don’t set off that powder keg. And really, there’s no need for a massive production…”

“I know, I know. Just a small, intimate gathering…”

****

Five days later, Xia Tian’s jaw nearly hit the floor as he surveyed the massive banquet hall. A day ago, his mother had told him to come here after his tutoring session because “Auntie Ruan” wanted to celebrate his birthday.

If he hadn’t known this was his first formal appearance as Ruan Sihe’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t even have bothered with the suit.

“Why didn’t you invite your friends?” Ruan Sihe asked, stepping away from a group of socialites. Seeing Xia Tian standing alone, she smiled. “This is your party, after all. Don’t be a stranger.”

Xia Tian gave a polite smile. “It’s fine. I already had a party with my friends for my solar birthday.”

“Ah, right.” Ruan Sihe nodded. “Well, today is a good chance to make some new friends. Your mother is already here; let me take you to her.”

Before they could move, Ruan Sihe spotted the late arrivals: Yan Lihua and Xia Sisi. She immediately changed course to greet them with a beaming smile.

Since Xia Sisi was in her prime, Yan Lihua took her to every function like this, hoping to scout a worthy husband for her darling daughter.

“You’re late, in-laws,” Ruan Sihe chirped. “Busy day at the office?”

“Not at all. We were just picking out a gift for Xia Tian. Sisi spent ages looking for the perfect thing,” Yan Lihua said, looking at Xia Tian with artificial affection before nudging her daughter. “Give it to him, dear.”

Sisi forced a smile and handed the gift box to Xia Tian. “Happy birthday.”

This was the first time Xia Tian had ever received a gift from his aunt. He smiled and opened it to find a pair of diamond cufflinks.

“How exquisite,” Ruan Sihe noted, nodding approvingly. “They’ll go perfectly with the watch Han Cheng got him.”

She turned to Yan Lihua and Sisi with an explanatory smile. “Han Cheng was so upset he couldn’t fly back in time for the party. He insisted on getting Xia Tian eighteen gifts to make up for it, one for every year. One of them was a diamond-encrusted watch.”

Yan Lihua smiled warmly. “Han Cheng is so attentive to Xia Tian. It really puts my mind at ease.”

Xia Sisi turned away, her face pale with resentment. She didn’t say a word.

Before they arrived, Yan Lihua had warned her repeatedly: no matter how she felt, she had to play the part of the doting aunt in public. Sisi was a terrible actress. Every word out of Ruan Sihe’s mouth felt like a slap. Within minutes, she couldn’t take it anymore and excused herself, claiming she’d seen an old friend.

Sisi wasn’t lying. She had spotted a familiar face in the crowd, a male star who had once been one of Han Cheng’s “rumored” interests. A cruel smile touched her lips.

Xia Tian dutifully stayed by Ruan Sihe’s side until the candles were blown out. “Go on, go have some fun,” Ruan Sihe laughed. “You don’t need to babysit me. Go make some friends and enjoy yourself.”

Xia Tian had been waiting for that exact sentence. He glanced at his mother, who gave him an encouraging nod, and finally slipped away.

He didn’t actually like these parties; he wasn’t at the age where networking felt like fun. His face hurt from the forced smiling. He would have much rather been playing basketball or singing karaoke with kids his own age.

Still, he could feel Ruan Sihe’s genuine kindness and wanted to honor it.

He glanced at the watch Ruan Sihe had just fastened onto his wrist, the one Han Cheng supposedly sent. It was already 10:30 PM. The party would likely wrap up soon.

“Nice watch.”

Xia Sisi, arm-in-arm with a young, attractive man, sauntered up to Xia Tian.

The man looked familiar to someone Xia Tian had seen on TV, but he couldn’t place the name. He gave a polite nod but remained silent.

“Wait, I remember now… don’t you have one just like it?” Sisi said to the actor, her smile loaded with hidden meaning. “I wonder if it was a gift from the same ‘special someone’?”

The actor gave Xia Tian a suggestive, knowing smile, neither confirming nor denying.

Xia Tian understood instantly. This man was likely one of Han Cheng’s former flames.

He offered a small smile and prepared to leave, but Sisi blocked his path. “What’s the rush? Ya Xin and Han Cheng used to be quiet… close. Why not ask him for a few tips?”

So his name is Ya Xin, Xia Tian thought. He vaguely remembered seeing him on a variety show.

“I don’t think I need any ‘tips,'” Xia Tian replied. “But I have to say, seeing you here is quite a surprise.”

Ya Xin shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “I was just thinking the same about you. I never knew Mr. Han had a taste for… your type.”

Xia Tian sighed, deciding to lean into the role. He nodded brazenly. “Yeah, he’s absolutely head over heels for me. It surprised me too.”

Xia Sisi: “…”

Ya Xin blinked, a flash of genuine irritation crossing his face. “You misunderstand me. I meant… with your ‘slender’ build…”

Ya Xin took a step closer, his eyes glinting. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Mr. Han is… remarkably vigorous. In bed, he’s a beast; he’ll put you through the wringer until you’re begging for mercy. I’m just worried someone as fragile as you won’t be able to take it.”

Xia Tian froze. Ya Xin’s smile turned taunting. “Oh? Don’t tell me you and Mr. Han haven’t… Ah, I see. So it really is just a cold business arrangement? That doesn’t sound like he’s ‘head over heels’ at all.”

“I…” Xia Tian was still just a kid. Mentioning sex made his face burn instantly. He had no experience and didn’t know how to lie convincingly. But with the Han-Xia deal on the line, he couldn’t let rumors of a fake marriage start. He hesitated, then said uncertainly, “Of course we.”

“Of course we have.”

Xia Tian’s eyes widened. The group spun around. Han Cheng was standing right behind them, though no one had seen him arrive.

Sisi nearly dropped her glass in shock. Ya Xin took a wary step back. Han Cheng walked calmly to Xia Tian’s side and turned his gaze to Ya Xin. “I have no idea how you think you know what happens in my bed, but… are you really that interested in my wife’s sex life?”

Han Cheng shifted his gaze to Sisi. “Is my Aunt interested too?”

Sisi looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

“No, of course not,” Ya Xin stammered, his face pale. “It was just… Young Master Xia’s reaction was so oblivious, I thought I’d misunderstood. I’m sorry.”

“Of course he’s oblivious,” Han Cheng said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, suggestive register. “Whether or not I ‘put people through the wringer’ depends entirely on who’s in the bed. Xia Tian wouldn’t know anything about the stories you’re telling. He wouldn’t find me rough at all. After all… how could I be anything but gentle with my own husband?”

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