Resisting Arranged Marriages: Starting with Myself - Chapter 27

An hour later, Le Xiao appeared at the entrance of the bar.

He wore a black mask and a black overcoat that reached below his knees. This was a complete departure from his usual high schooler look of hoodies and jeans; his entire aura had shifted, making him look like a truly mature and steady adult.

Standing at the entrance, he scanned the room and quickly spotted Xiang Nan and their bandmates. He headed straight for the booth.

Pushing through the dancing crowd and stepping to the explosive beat of the music and the dazzling, multicolored lights, he reached the booth. He patted Xiang Nan on the shoulder, signaling for him to make space, then beckoned a waiter over.

“You actually came?” Xiang Nan looked at him with concern. “Don’t drink anymore. Aren’t you”

“The doctor never said I couldn’t drink.” Le Xiao arched an eyebrow at him and ordered a low-alcohol drink.

Seeing that Le Xiao’s complexion looked normal, identical to his usual self and devoid of his previous gloom or sickly appearance, Xiang Nan frowned suspiciously but ultimately said nothing.

“You’re finally here!” The drummer excitedly handed over a bottle of hard liquor. “Have a taste, we just opened it!”

“Hey,”

Before Xiang Nan could intervene, Le Xiao smoothly took the bottle and took a large swig. He smiled, “It’s good. Quite refreshing.”

The group began chatting again, their boisterous voices mixing with unrestrained laughter. Wrapped up in the atmosphere, Le Xiao blended in seamlessly, laughing loudly with the band members; at his happiest, he even slapped his thigh while laughing. He kept the bottle of hard liquor in his hand, unconsciously taking sips from time to time as if he were just drinking water.

Xiang Nan watched from the side, shaking his head. Eventually, he wanted to cover his face, unable to bear watching Le Xiao gulp down the alcohol one sip after another.

By the time the low-alcohol drink arrived at the table, Le Xiao was already slightly tipsy. He called the waiter over and switched his order to tequila.

“You’re still drinking?” Xiang Nan’s face was practically scrunched together. “When you get home later, won’t President Ye have something to say?”

“He’s not even home.” Le Xiao let out a cold sneer, tilted his head back, and took another swig.

The alcohol felt like a potent shot of adrenaline, bringing his heart and lungs back to life. A warm heat flowed slowly through his body, making his limbs feel slightly flushed and comfortable, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. His throat was seared hot by the liquor; the alcohol burned down his esophagus, and a wave of heat rushed to his brain, giving him an ethereal sense of floating.

His vision began to blur slightly, as if covered by a misty rain. The bitterness that had been stuck in his heart for days was washed clean by the alcohol, cast far into the back of his mind. The so-called heartbreak of a breakup that had troubled him for days now felt like the most insignificant matter in his life, not even worth mentioning, like stepping on an ant.

He chatted more and more happily with his friends, leaning on Xiang Nan’s shoulder and shaking with laughter.

When the bottle in his hand was empty, he set it back on the table and casually opened a new one. Was it whisky, tequila, or vodka? He didn’t even see clearly; he just followed his whims, recklessly taking another large gulp.

After an unknown amount of time, someone stopped by their booth, bringing with them the sweet scent of citrus pheromones.

Thinking it was the waiter with more drinks, Le Xiao looked up to inquire, only to see a strange Alpha standing blankly in front of him.

The Alpha looked like a college student with a clean face and the naive air of someone new to the world. A few stray hairs fell over his forehead, adding to his scholarly look. He lowered his head slightly, seemingly weighing his words. In the dim light of the bar, Le Xiao could see that the Alpha’s cheeks were flushed crimson, and the back of his ears were red as blood, the color reaching all the way down to his neck.

“Is something the matter?” Le Xiao asked.

“I was at that booth over there, and I kept noticing you,” The Alpha seemed embarrassed, his voice nearly drowned out by the loud music. “Your eyes are very beautiful.”

“I’d like to buy you a drink, if that’s okay? Or maybe get your contact information?”

The Alpha had come with his classmates today. Not long after arriving, he had noticed this tall, upright Omega.

Wearing a black coat and walking with a light gait, the Omega wore a mask, but his eyes were incredibly bright, like talking stars in the night sky, sparkling and brilliant.

Across several booths, the Alpha had been quietly paying attention to the Omega’s movements.

After meeting his friends, the Omega had taken off his mask, though half of his face remained hidden in the bar’s shadows, making it hard to see his features clearly.

He had his arms around his friends’ shoulders, laughing happily. He held his drink, occasionally tilting his head back for a sip, his slender, fair neck particularly striking in the dark environment.

His Adam’s apple would bob, and occasionally a drop or two of alcohol would roll down his jaw and slip into his clothes; it was indescribably sexy and charming.

Perhaps his gaze was too direct and heated, as it alerted a companion nearby. The companion followed his gaze and quickly locked onto the target.

“Are you looking at that Omega?” The companion pushed him with a smile. “Hmm, though I can’t see the face clearly, those movements and that physique are definitely top-tier. You’ve got good taste, brother.”

The Alpha smiled but didn’t speak.

“What are you standing around for? If you like them, go ask for their contact info! What if it works out?” The whole table began to jeer, pushing and shoving him toward that booth.

He felt as though he were floating on clouds. A second later, when he regained his senses, he found himself meeting the Omega’s eyes, which were brimming with laughter.

Hearing the Alpha’s blurted-out invitation, Le Xiao felt as though he had heard a hilarious joke. His brow smoothed out like the wings of a soaring bird. His beautiful eyes crinkled into crescents as he laughed, and starlight seemed to spill out like the Milky Way, leaving the young Alpha transfixed.

He waved his hand at the shy young Alpha. “I’ll pass on the drink. As for the contact info, sorry, I can’t give it.”

Having finally summoned the courage to approach, the rejected Alpha lowered his eyes in disappointment. His gaze happened to land on Le Xiao’s extended hand.

At the base of the ring finger on his left hand, a silver band reflected the bar’s lights, appearing exceptionally dazzling.

Only then did he realize the Omega before him already had a partner. He hurriedly apologized in a panic, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you already had,”

He automatically assumed Le Xiao and the Alpha drummer next to him were a couple. After a hasty apology, he lowered his head and quickly walked away.

Le Xiao was stunned by the Alpha’s frantic departure. Following the direction the Alpha had been looking, his gaze landed on the ring on his finger, and he suddenly understood everything.

“My, my, our Xiao-xiao sure is charming,” the bassist teased from the side. “Even being married, people are still coming up to ask for your number!”

She gestured toward the ring on Le Xiao’s hand and joked, “The current one is still too plain; it’s not eye-catching enough. Xiao-xiao, you should quickly have President Ye get you a new one, ten carats, a pigeon egg! Make sure it’s so bright it blinds people from ten meters away, letting everyone know you’re taken so they don’t even dream about it.”

Le Xiao’s smile faded. His brow was no longer relaxed; it hung low like heavy storm clouds over an open field, creating a stifling pressure.

“There’s no need,” he said. He reached out and took another gulp of alcohol. “There’s no point in changing rings.”

Perhaps the alcohol was going to his head, but he put down the bottle and began to pull the silver ring off his finger. Though the size had been measured perfectly and Ye Jiming had slipped it on effortlessly, it seemed to take a great deal of effort for Le Xiao to pull it off.

He pulled at the ring forcefully, leaving the base of his finger flushed red and his skin stinging from the friction.

The moment the ring was removed, it felt as though a piece of his finger was missing, an empty sensation that was unsettling.

The silver ring lay in his palm before he slapped it onto the bar table. It let out a sharp “ding,” rolled around a few times, and finally came to a rest on the table.

The group was startled by his actions, and the previously lively atmosphere instantly froze.

“Xiao-xiao, what’s wrong?” The bassist carefully took his hand. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” Le Xiao gently patted her hand to comfort her and said tonelessly, “I just suddenly feel that wearing this ring is meaningless.”

“I still want a divorce.”

Xiang Nan nearly choked on a mouthful of water, coughing for a long time before catching his breath. He looked at Le Xiao in disbelief. “Divorce? Didn’t you say before”

“Exactly, Xiao-xiao, weren’t you two doing quite well? Why are you getting a divorce again?” the bassist asked, confused.

“Was it Ye Jiming who brought it up? Did he upset you? I,” The drummer had a fiery temper, looking as though he wanted to go fight Ye Jiming immediately.

“No, it’s my idea. It has nothing to do with him,” Le Xiao explained in a low voice.

“I’ve just always felt that this marriage is too absurd. From beginning to end, it’s all been ridiculous.”

“I probably don’t truly love him either; I just like his pheromones. Plus, he acted so considerate and gentle while we were recording the show, it really was hard not to like him.”

“But if liking him and being with him means I have to spend my whole life swallowing my pride to accommodate and understand him, then it’s just too difficult. I feel like I’ve tried hard, but I just can’t do it. Maybe in ten years I could, but right now, I really can’t.”

“Then what about me during these ten years? Now that his company is having trouble, he works late every day and doesn’t come home. He doesn’t answer calls or return messages, I understand all that. But he, he couldn’t even show up when I needed him most. So what can I believe from him? Didn’t all his previous guarantees and promises turn out to be nothing but empty checks?”

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and the bottle in his hand hit the bottom once more. The misery that had been bottled up in his chest for days finally found a vent and poured out all at once; it was an unprecedented relief. The accumulated sorrow surged out like a dam breaking, flowing from the hole in his heart and spilling all over the floor.

“Anyway, this marriage wasn’t real to begin with, so what if we divorce? It’s better to cut the losses now before anything more is wasted.” He spoke light words, but the bottle in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, weighing down his arm.

He took several more large gulps of alcohol and leaned against Xiang Nan’s shoulder, asking softly, “If I get a divorce, will you come help me move?”

“I will.” Xiang Nan patted Le Xiao’s head gently, as if soothing a child. “I’ll definitely come help you. Ye Jiming is incredibly thick-headed; I’ll give him a piece of my mind while I’m at it.”

He inconspicuously touched Le Xiao’s cheek. The skin was burning hot, his consciousness was blurred, and his gaze was wandering, even his eyes were clouded with a misty haze.

He should have realized earlier; no matter how high one’s tolerance, drinking hard liquor bottle after bottle would take a toll, not to mention Le Xiao’s tolerance was only average.

As he stood up with his phone, he turned to instruct the band members, “Keep an eye on him. He’s already a bit drunk; don’t let him drink anymore.”

With that, he pulled his coat tight around him and walked quickly out of the bar to dial Ye Jiming’s number.

The cold winter night wind chilled him to the bone. While waiting for the call to connect, he crossed his arms impatiently, tapping his foot on the ground and silently threatening Ye Jiming to pick up quickly.

Before long, the monotonous ringing ended, followed by Ye Jiming’s polite voice: “Hello?”

“Not good,” Xiang Nan retorted crossly. “Hurry up and come pick up your wife. He’s drunk.”

If you don’t come soon, your wife won’t be your wife anymore.

“Drunk?” Ye Jiming was clearly surprised, then immediately realized who it was. “Xiang Nan, right? Please send me the address. I’ll head there now.”

“Be quick.” After sending the address, Xiang Nan hesitated for a moment but ultimately couldn’t help opening the floodgates.

“Honestly, I don’t even want to start with you,” He let out a deep sigh. “This is between you and Le Xiao, so it’s not really my place to speak,”

The sound of a car engine starting came from the other side. “It’s fine, feel free to speak your mind. You’re Le Xiao’s best friend; you’re definitely one of the people who knows him best.”

“Then I’m really going to say it.” Xiang Nan took another deep breath, and then his words poured out like a machine gun.

“Lately, I keep hearing Le Xiao say that you’re too busy with work and rarely come home. I don’t know if your work has always been like this or if it’s just a recent emergency, but don’t you think staying at the company for long periods and leaving your partner alone at home is a form of torture? Staying out once or twice is one thing, but over the long term, can a relationship really survive that kind of strain? To put it bluntly, a partner who trusts you will think you’re working late, but one who doesn’t would have already suspected you were out chasing pleasures and partying every night.

“A relationship is between two people. You want to achieve your ambitions and take your work to the limit, I can understand that. Both Le Xiao and I have our own careers, and we also want to do our work to perfection. But if work ranks first on your life’s list by a massive margin, far exceeding so-called love and family, then I think you should seriously consider whether you still want this love. After all, if you’re always like this, love is just a way to torture your partner.

“I don’t know the specifics of your work; maybe you’re swamped every day with all sorts of emergencies. But you probably don’t know how much Le Xiao misses you at home every day, how much he longs for you to come back. He can’t even say it directly; he can’t constantly send messages or make calls, or he’d look like an ignorant, selfish, and inconsiderate shrew. He can only suppress all those feelings in his heart, waiting for you to come home at some unknown time to hear you say a line or two like ‘You’ve been wronged,’ ‘I’ll make it up to you later,’ or ‘I’ll put you first.’ But honestly, anyone can say those comforting words, anyone can write empty checks, what’s the use? If you can’t fulfill your promises, what’s the point of making them?

“Do you know what Le Xiao has been doing lately? Do you know when Le Xiao needed you most? Relying on one’s partner, one’s Alpha, is almost an instinct for any Omega, especially for an Omega in their first relationship. Do you know how many concessions and how much endurance Le Xiao has put in, how much pain and grievance he has suffered just to accommodate and understand you? If you don’t even know these things, if you aren’t even willing to ask about his life more than once a day beyond saying ‘I’m not coming home for dinner tonight,’ what right do you have to say you love him?

“I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t have much experience. But if my Alpha ignored my needs, my feelings, and my existence because they were entirely focused on work, I would definitely break up.”

After the long lecture ended, Xiang Nan gasped for air, feeling like his lung capacity had increased.

“That’s all I have to say. If you still don’t understand, I’m powerless. If something goes wrong with the relationship then, don’t blame me for not warning you,” he added stiffly.

The other side was silent for a very, very long time, so long that Xiang Nan almost thought the signal was bad and that Ye Jiming hadn’t actually heard a single word, as if he had been wasting his breath talking to a brick wall.

Fortunately, after the long silence, Ye Jiming’s deep voice spoke again: “I understand. Thank you.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Hanging up, Xiang Nan exhaled a puff of white air and walked back into the bar with his freezing hands tucked away.

As soon as he returned to the booth, his vision went dark: Le Xiao had somehow picked up the bottle again and was pouring it into his stomach as if his life didn’t matter. Alcohol spilled from the corners of his mouth, flowing down his jaw to his neck and staining the collar of his black coat.

“You’re still drinking!” He angrily snatched the bottle back and scolded loudly with his hands on his hips. “You’ve only been recovered for a few days, are you trying to kill yourself by drinking like this?!”

“You guys too!” He pointed at the band members. “I was only gone for a few minutes! Didn’t I tell you to watch him?”

The group lowered their heads like frightened quails. The drummer argued softly, “Nan-ge, we tried, but we really couldn’t stop him,”

“Let him drink, Nan-ge. It’s clear Xiao-xiao is trying to drown his sorrows. It’s better to get drunk and forget than to be miserable.”

“Forget my foot!” Xiang Nan cursed irritably, slamming the bottle back onto the table.

Le Xiao was completely drunk, his face flushed and his eyes as hazy as a thick fog. He grabbed Xiang Nan’s sleeve and pulled him closer, leaning against his arm while alternating between crying and laughing.

Like a mother who had run out of ways to deal with a child, Xiang Nan completely lost his temper. He leaned Le Xiao’s head against his shoulder and gently stroked his hair. “Xiao-xiao,”

“Xiang Nan,” Le Xiao’s voice was muffled. “Tell me, should I have stuck to what we agreed on in the beginning, stuck to divorcing Ye Jiming?”

“I’m so stupid. I just mysteriously fell for him like this and made myself so sad,”

“He was just acting. He doesn’t actually like me at all, he doesn’t care about me at all, it was all just a performance for the show, wasn’t it?”

“And in the end, I was foolish enough to believe it, tell me, am I very stupid and dim-witted?”

“Xiang Nan, should I really get a divorce? If I had insisted on it from the start like we planned, there wouldn’t be all this trouble now.”

“But if I divorce, what about my parents? This was an arranged marriage they set up since childhood; they definitely won’t agree to it. How am I supposed to convince them?”

Xiang Nan couldn’t answer any of these questions. He could only purse his lips and stroke Le Xiao’s hair repeatedly like he was soothing an infant. He said softly, “No matter what, Xiao-xiao, I’m always on your side.”

Le Xiao smiled and nuzzled into the crook of his neck. “I knew you were the best.”

“So tell me, should I still get a divorce?”

Xiang Nan was silent for a moment before tentatively asking, “What do you think? Do you really want a divorce?”

Le Xiao tilted his head quietly, seemingly deep in thought.

After a while, his alcohol-numbed brain finally seemed to process the thought. He nodded firmly and said loudly, as if cheering himself up, “I want a divorce.”

Just then, the band changed songs. The noisy music and thundering drums suddenly stopped, and for a moment, the bar held only the noisy chatter of guests. Waiters in uniform moved skillfully through the crowd, and glass cups clinked together with a clear sound.

Xiang Nan suddenly had a bad feeling.

Following his sixth sense, he looked back. There, amidst the lull in the music and the surrounding chatter, standing just a few steps away with his coat in hand and carrying the chill of the outside air, was a hurried Ye Jiming.

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