Chapter 37 "Long-cherished Love."
Even though he had done such unacceptable things as sleeping with his mortal enemy countless times, Jiang Yao still had a bottom line in his heart, or perhaps a safety line -
He thinks kissing is more intimate than having sex.
Duan Zhuxian also had a tacit understanding with him. Even when they were entangled at the most intense moment, she never asked him for a kiss. At most, she only left one mark after another on his body.
Slumped in the chair, Jiang Yao grabbed Duan Zhuxian by the collar and asked fiercely, "Really?"
The tips of her ears are redder than her face with blush on.
Duan Zhuxian was forced to bend down, and said softly without fighting back, "Really."
In this regard, Jiang Yao was too innocent. He was only sixteen or seventeen years old when he tried to have a premature love relationship with someone else, but in the end, she was like a blank sheet of paper for him to paint patterns on. However, he did not dare to bully her too much, so it became necessary for him to coax her.
Jiang Yao stared and gritted his teeth for a long time, but finally decided to trust someone once, otherwise he would not be able to get over this hurdle.
The sudden heat on his face slowly dissipated, but the place where Duan Zhuxian touched was still hot and had a faint burning sensation.
Jiang Yao raised his hand and pressed his lips.
His mouth wouldn’t be allergic to Duan Zhuxian’s mouth, right?
At this time, the housekeeper's voice sounded outside the door: "Mr. Duan, there is a gentleman who claims to be your brother who wants to see you."
Duan Zhuxian straightened his clothes and said, "Let him in."
Before he could finish his words, a figure rushed in.
Jiang Yao turned around and saw that it was Duan Feiyi.
Duan Feiyi held a gift box in his hand and said to Duan Zhuxian, "Brother, I wish you a happy wedding."
"Put the things on the table." Duan Zhuxian gestured, then seeing Duan Feiyi standing still, asked, "Anything else?"
Duan Feiyi took two steps closer and said, "Brother, you've been so busy lately, let me help you with the resort project."
As soon as Jiang Yao saw Duan Feiyi, he remembered what happened at the racetrack last time and the bad things he had done to Duan Zhuxian. His face was already bad, and now he was shocked by his shameless words.
Is there anyone who is so blatant as to snatch projects?
Duan Zhuxian didn't react much, and only asked calmly: "Are you short of money?"
Duan Feiyi hesitated for a moment after his intention was exposed, but finally admitted: "I have a small company that has encountered some difficulties recently. I asked Huayan for investment, and they said they need your approval."
The company Duan Feiyi mentioned was opened without the knowledge of the Duan family. He did this to leave a way out for himself and his mother, and used the money he had pocketed from Hua Yan.
Duan Zhuxian said, "The resort project is too big for you to handle. As for letting Hua Yan invest in your private company, there's no guarantee that Dad and Grandpa won't find out."
Duan Feiyi half lowered his head and fell silent.
He knew everything Duan Zhuxian said, but he was desperate. With Duan Zhuxian's ability, he would definitely not have a share in Huayan in the end. If his company collapsed, he would really be left with nothing. What's more, he was being pursued for debt by North American casinos recently.
Duan Zhuxian said, "As your elder brother, I should indeed help you, but I have only been back in China for a few years, and I don't have much spare money."
Duan Feiyi's expression instantly became a little strange when he heard this.
From childhood to adulthood, he almost took away all of Duan Zhuxian's resources, forcing Duan Zhuxian into a desperate situation. Many times, Duan Zhuxian didn't even have pocket money, and even had to use the money he earned to pay for studying abroad.
Duan Feiyi felt that he was in the wrong and stammered, unable to speak.
Jiang Yao, who was standing aside, raised his eyebrows slightly, crossed his arms, and looked at the actor Duan Zhuxian.
When the pre-marital property notarization was done, Duan Zhuxian had an alarming amount of overseas assets, and was a true bachelor.
"How about this," Duan Zhuxian suddenly said, still looking like a calm brother. "I can introduce you to an investment company. They're currently accepting small venture capital projects. As for whether you can attract investment, it depends on you."
After getting the company's contact information, Duan Feiyi left with tears of gratitude.
After closing the door that Duan Feiyi had knocked open, Duan Zhuxian turned around and met Jiang Yao's staring gaze.
Jiang Yao narrowed his eyes and said, "Although I don't know what your plan is, I can be sure that he fell into your trap. It's quite sinister, Mr. Duan."
Duan Zhuxian didn't deny it, but only asked, "Are you afraid?"
Jiang Yao raised his lips in disdain: "I know best what kind of person you are. If I were a little afraid of you, I wouldn't have provoked you in the first place."
He raised his chin to look at Duan Zhuxian, with a hint of youthful frivolity in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
Duan Zhuxian was a little surprised.
All along, he didn't want Jiang Yao to know too many not-so-glorious things about him, especially anything related to the Duan family. He was afraid that Jiang Yao would stay away from him even further because no one wants to be involved in trouble.
Jiang Yao walked forward and patted Duan Zhuxian's shoulder nonchalantly: "There's nothing wrong with being a villain. You don't have to hide things from me anymore. It's exhausting."
Duan Zhuxian paused and said with a smile, "Okay."
*
Before going to the wedding banquet, the emcee checked the process with the two. It was not as ceremonial as a man and a woman getting married. They just needed to show up on stage and wear a ring.
Jiang Yao breathed a sigh of relief and no longer had to hold back his laughter.
At twelve o'clock noon, the banquet hall was already packed with guests.
According to Jiang Yao's strong request, this wedding was not luxurious or grand, but when Jiang Yao got out of the car behind Duan Zhuxian and looked at the irises blooming all over the sky in the cold winter, he was still slightly stunned.
The rich blue-purple color seemed to be fluid, flowing from the eyes into the heart unknowingly.
Just a month ago, he happened to buy a bunch of blue irises from the flower shop called "Whisper".
Is it a coincidence?
For Jiang Yao, this wedding was not a big and tricky occasion. The guests were all well aware of the nature of the so-called business marriage.
However, walking among the dreamy flowers and accepting blessings from all directions, there was a moment when Jiang Yao felt that he was really marrying the person he loved, and his originally calm and composed steps gradually became unsteady.
After going on stage, Jiang Yao stood there in a confused manner, responding completely to the host's prompts. When he was putting the ring on Duan Zhuxian, he almost poked the wrong finger because of his shaking hands. The whole time, he was like a clumsy puppet, and looked like he was being forced into a business marriage unwillingly.
After exchanging rings, the process was finally completed, and the guests below began to make a noise -
"Kiss one, kiss one!"
"Kiss! French kiss!"
Jiang Yao's expression froze.
Here it comes, it seems someone’s prediction was correct.
Amidst thunderous cheers and countless camera shots, as his chin was lifted by a hand and that seductively perfect face slowly approached, Jiang Yao lowered his voice and warned, "If you dare stick out your tongue, I'll kill you."
Less than a centimeter away, Duan Zhuxian chuckled softly, "I'll do my best to prevent you from becoming a widower."
The words fell with a warm breath, and Duan Zhuxian's lips pressed over, holding his lips, slowly rubbing them a few times, taking away half of the lipstick.
This time, the kiss was much stronger than before in the room, but it was also more lingering.
They were so passionate that Duan Zhuxian had already let him go and stood up straight, but he was still savoring the feeling just now.
He's allergic again.
The place where Duan Zhuxian kissed felt warm.
And a little... sweet.
Did Duan Zhuxian put honey on his lips?
When he came to his senses, the big screen behind him was playing a video edited from photos.
They are all photos from middle school, some of which were taken on the field, and some of which were private photos. The two teenagers, one flamboyant and unrestrained, the other cool and steady, stand together as the protagonists, and they are surprisingly harmonious.
Jiang Yao was shocked and asked Duan Zhuxian, "Why do you still keep these photos?"
Duan Zhuxian said, "I'm not as forgetful as you."
Jiang Yao snorted.
He didn't lose it, he kept it at the bottom of the box and never took it out to see the light of day for all these years.
But he was embarrassed to say it.
Looking at the scenes passing by, Jiang Yao suddenly felt a slight swelling in his heart.
Some things are like air, so light that they seem non-existent at ordinary times, but they linger in his life from beginning to end. As long as he is willing to turn over his memories and try to feel them, they will definitely be waiting there.
But he also felt that this analogy might not be appropriate.
Because he has no way of knowing, if his life loses these insignificant moments, whether he will immediately realize their irreplaceable importance, just like losing air.
Forget it, he is not very good at Chinese anyway.
The guests were also shocked by these photos. What happened to the promised business marriage?
“I didn’t expect that they were truly in love.”
"It's just an act. I heard they are mortal enemies who can't stand each other."
"What kind of sworn enemy would keep each other's photos for ten years?"
…
The whispers of the guests reached Jiang Yao's ears. He kept a smile on his face, but subconsciously retorted in his heart: My mortal enemy would do that!
Someone couldn't get enough and shouted from the audience: "Why are there only old photos? We want to see the current ones!"
I told you not to overact, or else something might go wrong!
Jiang Yao looked at Duan Zhuxian with a bit of schadenfreude, and asked him with his eyes: How should you respond?
Duan Zhuxian picked up the microphone and said calmly, "Sorry, the photos now are private collections."
Damn, Duan Zhuxian is really eloquent.
Jiang Yao was impressed.
After the video finished playing, the emcee said, "Next, it's time to express your feelings. Please invite the two newlyweds to offer their vows to each other."
Jiang Yao: "?"
I didn't tell him there was this part...
Jiang Yao suddenly panicked, and when the emcee handed him the microphone, he took a big step back.
The microphone was finally taken over by Duan Zhuxian.
Then, Duan Zhuxian's clear and steady voice echoed throughout the audience: "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend our wedding."
There was warm applause from the audience.
After the commotion subsided, Duan Zhuxian spoke again: "Me and my lover, Mr. Jiang Yao."
The word "lover" is too serious.
Jiang Yao was caught off guard by the blow and his heart skipped a beat.
Duan Zhuxian still faced the guest seats, stretched out his hand to the side, and his fingers precisely clasped Jiang Yao's fingers.
"We met eleven years ago as high school classmates. Many teachers and alumni from foreign language high schools are also here."
"He is very outstanding and is the most dazzling and popular person in the school."
The deep, magnetic voice traveled through the surround sound system and continuously flowed into Jiang Yao's eardrums, making him feel a little dizzy, as if he was bewitched by something, and his left chest was pounding.
It seemed like it was the first time he heard Duan Zhuxian praise him, using the word "most" twice.
"Our story begins simply. Eleven years ago, on October 10th, he walked across the sports field, approached me, called out my name, and invited me to a volleyball match."
Having said that, Duan Zhuxian paused, as if he was brewing something.
Jiang Yao looked at Duan Zhuxian's profile with his eyes slightly lowered and his Adam's apple rolling, and intuitively felt that Duan Zhuxian was tending to turn his head towards him.
His already pounding heart suddenly accelerated to the point of exploding.
Stop! Don't look over here!
Jiang Yao shouted the order in his heart.
However, the next second, he was fixed by Duan Zhuxian's gaze and stood still.
He had never seen such affectionate eyes, like the night sky and the deep sea, attacking like a dragnet, as if to drag people in and drown them.
"Jiang Yao, the reason why I want to marry you is very simple."
In a trance, he heard Duan Zhuxian speaking word by word.
"Because I have loved you for a long time, and I will love you for the rest of my life."
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