all the closed doors now open for me

by WubADubDub

Summary:

A divorcee who had given up her dreams to allow her love to live his is offered a welcomed opportunity at showing everyone she was still capable of her job as a wedding photographer. Man or not, married or not, she would persevere to live the life she wanted. At least, she thought she would, until the wedding she's hired for gives her much more than she expected.

Notes:

hiii i literally love the double... i dont know where this fic idea came from but i needed to write about fangfei and xiao heng or else i was gonna go crazy. i hope i do them all justice! this first chapter is short and kinda lame, but itll build up quickly.

Chapter 1

Fangfei tucked her hair behind her ear while she analyzed prints of the photos she took for a wedding some couple months ago. Thankfully, the final products were looking good so far, and she wouldn't have to do any more tweaking before shipping them off to the clients. This was one of her easier shoots; clear skies, organized, peaceful, without any fussy bridesmaids or mother-in-laws.

It reminded her of her wedding years ago, as if the stars had aligned just right at that moment in time for their day of devotion, surrounded by an abundance of love and care from their families and friends.

Too bad it didn't last.

But, Fangfei wouldn't let it stop her from enjoying making a couple's special day forever memorable in graceful, well-taken pictures.

It was second nature to her at this point, really, so why stop? Even though it hadn't been long, she found it was better to keep herself busy. Though she got less bookings than normal for a while due to the rumors spreading, it was enough. Seeing her father and brother everyday instead of his mother and sister, being surrounded by the familiarity of her hometown instead of the looming dangers of the big city, was truly enough. She wasn't old by any means, but she couldn't see herself searching for another sweetheart in her lifetime. As much as it hurt her to say it, Shen Yurong was truly who she believed to be the only one.

Placing the photos neatly into the album took up most of her day, but she had promised her brother she would make dinner tonight, so she reluctantly did not lay in her bed for a nap and made her way to the nearby supermarket for fresh ingredients.

She made the trip as fast as possible so she wouldn’t be making the meal too late into the night. It was a bit of a whim decision as to what she was cooking, but decided to grab chicken breasts and some vegetables like lotus root, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and peppers to make a stir fry.

Unlike how she typically was when she was married, she was in and out of the store in under thirty minutes. Back then (which wasn’t that long ago, it was only a few months, though it felt much, much longer), she spent her time perusing through the aisles since she had less weight on her shoulders with Yurong being the main breadwinner. It was a bit blissful to have that luxury, though she couldn’t say she’d willingly go back to twiddling her thumbs.

Now, though poorer, she at least had the opportunity to do what she wanted without the fear of holding him back. Although the goal was to get her back to her original career plan as a wildlife photographer, it just didn’t go that way. She wasn’t upset that she had taken a different path, but she knew things would be drastically different if she had. Would she never have had this heartbreak if she put herself first?

It was something she mulled over as she cooked. Her father was napping on the couch nearby and her brother was in his room, awaiting her yell up the stairs for him to come eat. Would she have stayed here all along, living like this day in and day out throughout her twenties if she did what she wanted?

Typically, she didn’t like to consider the choices she didn’t take, since nothing would come of it now. Though, sometimes, she couldn’t help but pick at the healing scab that was healing over her heart. Maybe to make herself hate him, or to punish herself for being so stupid. If there were signs, she missed them all.

She let out a heavy sigh, Yurong’s smiles, hugs and laughs passing through her mind like a supercut that she couldn’t stop. What was he doing now? Did he still live alone in that big house, or did he move his mother and sister in? Did he hire landscapers to uproot all of her gardening and destroy the fish pond in their backyard that she spent days making?

Divorcing her with no notice should’ve been grounds for destroying everything in the house. She should’ve left him with nothing. Instead, she let him have it all, including her heart. Even though he gave her a lackluster explanation as to why with no room for marriage counseling, she still could not hate him. Something was wrong about it, but she was convincing herself that she just deluded herself to think that to still find a reason to love him.

Her body shivered a bit as she tried to relax herself. She should at least wait until she was alone in her room before she cried all over the dinner she was making.

So that’s what she had planned to do. She finished making the food, called to her brother and woke up her father. They had a standard meal together, small talk all around when nothing important was of interest. When she got to her room, she thought she’d want to lay in her bed and cry. This time, though, her brain was pushing for her to work. With little reluctance, knowing it’d be more productive, she gave in.

Fangfei opened up her laptop to continue working on another client’s photos. Theirs would need more retouching than the ones she shipped out today. Certain shots she had taken with the idea of blurring the background to put a focus on the scene, another of the bride’s daughter as the flower girl, needing some small stains removed from last-second snacking.

As she booted up her apps, she noticed a new email notification. She hadn’t seen anything on her phone, so this had to have just come through.

When she read the email sender’s name, she was a bit surprised. It was from Hong Xiao, CEO of H. Xiao Jewelers. She only knew of the name because it was the same brand Yurong had gotten hired at as a jewelry maker and engraver.

Fangfei had never met Hong Xiao personally, despite that Yurong had been working there for a few years, since she didn’t get many opportunities to meet him, and had few chances to attend any of the infrequent fundraisers or company-wide events. So it was interesting, to say the least, that he reached out to her. Though her ex-husband had mentioned meeting him and talking about her and her career, that felt like so long ago and she didn’t believe that such an important man would remember someone like a wedding photographer, a job that’s a dime a dozen these days.

Still, she anxiously opened the email and read its contents.

Dear Ms. Xue Fangfei,

My dear sister, Wanning, is set to be wed, and has requested you as her photographer for the event. It would be a pleasure if you could discuss this offer in person with me at your soonest convenience.

Sincerely,

Hong Xiao

Flummoxed was like an understatement to how she felt. This was certainly confusing, but an incredible compliment if it wasn’t some hoax. She made sure to triple-check the address, the numbers at the bottom and the e-signature. It all seemed real, so she took the plunge and replied. If it wasn’t, it’s not like she would get in trouble for that.

Dear Mr. Hong Xiao

I am deeply humbled by your sister’s request and would be honored to help make her wedding day unforgettable. My earliest availability is this Thursday during the early afternoon, if such works for you.

Thank you truly,

Xue Fangfei

After skimming the email several times over to make sure it sounded professional and polite with no typos, she sent it over. She couldn’t stop the smile from rising to her face.

It had been half a year since the divorce, and she didn’t get as many clients because of it. Why would a divorcee be good for wedding photos? Wouldn’t she ruin them on purpose, or maybe look miserable while doing her job? It was all nonsensical rumors mostly discussed amongst people in their hometown where Yurong, and so, her, had been well-known, that spread a bit into wedding communities of nearby towns online.

It got to her at first, especially having to deal with the pitying looks she received from those close to her when she moved back home, but if Fangfei was anything, it was resilient. And, if this was a real opportunity, it would shut those people up.

At first, Fangfei considered running outside to tell her family about this, but she had a feeling her father would be less than pleased to hear the name of the company he worked for that caused her to move away from home. Instead, she grabbed her phone and sent a message to her trusted friend, Haitang, to meet tomorrow for brunch to share the exciting news.

She was going to be fine. She would get invested in this job, pull it off spectacularly, and show everyone, including him, especially him, that she was handling herself just fine. Whether that was true or not… well, it was none of their business, anyways.

Notes:

hope u liked! if you did, feel free to leave kudos or comment below.

Chapter 2

Notes:

many page breaks in this chapter, i just had to get to the point. i'm still figuring out how to characterize fangfei (she's more of an enigma than xiao heng...) but hopefully i'm not disappointing anyone!

Fangfei wrapped her fingers around the heated ceramic that held her sweet hibiscus tea while she awaited her friend’s arrival. It had been a little chilly out today, given that fall had settled in, so she kept a warm coat on even in the heated cafe.

Each chime of the bell indicating a new arrival had her glancing up, perhaps due to anxiety, but after a handful of them, she finally saw the familiar face that was her childhood friend.

“Haitang!” Fangfei called softly, trying not to disrupt the other people in the quiet, though still lively, place.

Haitang spotted her and walked right over, Fangfei rising to greet her in a tight embrace. She had already grabbed a latte for her as per her request, so it didn’t take long for them to dive right into conversation.

Fangfei told her all about the email, showing it to her and watching her friend’s eyes get wide as she gasped and grabbed her arm. Even as she looked at the message again, she too still couldn’t wrap her head around it.

“So, and it makes sense, of course, do you think that means Wanning hasn’t heard any of those weird rumors? Or her brothers?” She asked.

Fangfei shrugged sheepishly, having had the same question herself. “I guess not. Which I’m grateful for, of course, but a bit worried that maybe he’s waiting to bring it up at the meeting,” she admitted. It crossed her mind quite a few times already how she would respond, and none of them felt right

Haitang nodded. “Well, I wouldn’t question it for now, then. Those people are just full of bitterness. Don’t pay them any mind anymore. You know you’re more than capable, A’Li,” she reassured her, reaching across the table to put her gentle hands over hers.

It made Fangfei feel just a little bit better. She still wasn’t completely at ease, but for now, she could push it to the side and enjoy the day with her friend.

When she walked through the door to her house later, she was greeted by her brother’s humming as he was hastily whipping up some late lunch for himself. She let him be instead of disrupting him, especially since she had gotten a notification about an email from Hong Xiao again that had her heart racing.

Before she went right to it, she changed into comfortable clothes, settled in her bed with some white noise from the television in the background. Then, she read it.

Dear Ms. Xue Fangfei.

Thank you for your quick response. If possible for you, I have Thursday at 1 p.m. available for us to become acquainted at my office. Please let me know if this is doable.

Sincerely,

Hong Xiao

Even if it weren’t she would’ve made sure she made the time to meet him whenever he asked. She responded with her affirmative and smiled to herself, feeling proud. She was good at what she did, and she wouldn’t miss such a chance to show that off a little.

---

Despite the fact that it was only a few days between the email exchanges and her meeting with Hong Xiao, Fangfei felt the days pass quicker than she expected. If anything, she anticipated her anxiety to drag them along while she got in her head about whether there would be tests involved or if it was just a typical type of initial appointment like she’s had with all clients. This was for a well-known model, so she wouldn’t be shocked if there was a little more to this than normal.

This was easily the most important clientele she’d had yet, so Fangfei made sure she dressed her best. She didn’t own many expensive clothes, but the ones she did own she made sure to wear only when such events called for it. Yurong had offered to purchase more luxurious things after they had gotten settled in the city, but Fangfei didn’t see the need. They had been able to move because they kept themselves frugal, and she never had an interest in those frivolous things anyways. Her father may have been the only, therefore successful, local bookstore owner with money to spare, but he taught her best that money can go as easily as it comes.

Fangfei shrugged a coat on to help combat the cooling weather, heading downstairs with her portfolio in hand. Her brother and father were cooking in the kitchen, which she could tell from the delicious aromas that spread throughout the house.

She smiled to herself. At least she could always have them. Even if she was no longer married, even if her job was at risk of falling through, her family would never leave. For that, waking up everyday had a meaning.

“I’ll see you later, I’m meeting a client!” She called out as she started to put on her shoes. Her dad was there in seconds to see her off, always doting on her since the breakup. He hummed upon seeing her.

“You have quite the outfit on,” he commented.

Fangfei gave a shy smile. “High profile client, father. I must present my best.”

Her dad placed a hand on her shoulder and gave the top of her head a kiss. “You’ll be fine, A’Li. Be yourself.”

She nodded, smile widening at his comforting words. “Yes, father.”

“Good luck, A’Li!” Zhao shouted from the kitchen.

With a bit of an extra pep to her, Fangfei headed out and made her way to the office in the city that was given to her in the email.

---

Gray cobblestone stacked tall with ornate decorations surrounding the guard door should’ve been as imposing as it looked. However, Fangfei didn’t feel that intimidated. It was the headquarters of a major jewelry company, of course the look would be over the top, and of course it would have people who monitor who goes in and out. It was just what made sense.

She walked up to the two men at the door, a polite smile on her face. “Good afternoon, I have a meeting with Mr. Hong Xiao today at one o’clock,” she told them.

“What’s your name, miss?” One of them asked, holding a tablet.

“Xue Fangfei.”

She waited as he checked for her name, hands clasped in front of her. When he nodded and stepped to the side, she thanked them.

Fangfei entered the building and admired the high ceilings with windows to match, elegant marble on the floor that shined like the diamonds on their jewelry. It was certainly upscale, which, even though she had lived in the city, she had never been to places like this as it wasn’t her style. There was a pang in her chest to think that this was Yurong’s new normal when she was the pedestal that put him there.

When an unoccupied lady sitting behind the reception desk waved her over, asking “How may I help you,” she stepped up.

“Good afternoon, my name is Xue Fangfei. I’m meeting with Hong Xiao at one,” she told her.

The woman nodded. “Sure, one moment please.” She seemed to scroll on her computer before looking up at her again. “You can take the elevators right around the wall here,” she gestured to them, “to the eleventh floor. Someone will be there to guide you.”

Fangfei thanked her and went to the area she motioned to, heading up to the eleventh floor as she was advised. The ride was quick, with soft music playing, only her in the car.

Like the receptionist said, there was yet another person to greet her and go through the same exchange for a third time. It was perhaps a bit extra at this point, but whatever. This seemed like the floor was dedicated to those with appointments, with others sitting in soft chairs, well-dressed and attentive. Though, she didn’t have to wait, as someone began to take her right away. Now, she was really about to meet Yurong’s boss.

Unexpectedly, her palms began to sweat the closer she got to the door. She gently rubbed them on the side of her trousers to not seem so fazed. It was just a client meeting. She’s done this before.

The staff person opened the door and motioned for her to go in. Hong Xiao was already sitting there in a dark green tailored suit, with one other person in the room, presumably some sort of advisor or secretary, he didn’t quite look like a guard, and coffee and snacks on the side of the table.

“Miss Fangfei, please, have a seat,” his deep voice called. It was completely welcoming, but she couldn’t calm her nerves.

Still, Fangfei smiled and nodded, taking a seat across from the young CEO and resting her portfolio folder on the table.

“Coffee?” He asked as he grabbed the pot.

“Please, thank you,” she replied. It’d feel rude to decline, even though she knew the caffeine wouldn’t help her feel better.

While he poured her cup, he spoke. “I see you’ve brought your portfolio, but there is no need. I have already examined your work on your website, which you update quite often, might I add.”

Fangfei blushed. “Yes, I like to make sure my photos are as up-to-date as they can be,” she quietly responded.

Hong Xiao smiled. “The reason I’m letting you know is so that you don’t have to worry. Truthfully, you already have the job.” What?

He could clearly see the look of shock she tried to hide, because he let out a chuckle.

“My sister personally requested you, like I stated. This is more to become acquainted and fill you in on the details of the wedding,” he told her. All she could do was slowly nod. She didn’t really expect… this.

He folded his hands together on the table. “My sister has asked to not tell anyone who she is marrying so as to not have it released to the public. Meaning, I will handle all the arrangements, and you will not be meeting them until the day of, if that is not too troublesome.”

Again, Fangfei found herself nodding her head, though a bit dumbly. “Sure, that’s completely reasonable.” She didn’t follow many celebrities, so she wasn’t sure if this was common, but she was going along with it anyway.

Pleased, he bowed his head before clearing his throat. “My question for you is if you have anything you require being that this is the case?”

She thought about it for a moment, but not too long, since she didn’t want to be rude, so she kept it simple. “As long as I am kept updated with the venue setup and requirements of what the bride and groom would like for the photos. If they have specifics, that is.”

“Done and done,” he replied, sipping his coffee, reminding her to do the same to her already forgotten drink. She also didn’t add anything to it, though she should’ve, because the bitter taste was hard to swallow, causing her to cough a bit.

If he heard it, he ignored it, continuing on. “Now, something else I must address,” he started, making direct eye contact in a way that had her stiffening. “I understand you have gone through a divorce recently.”

She saw this coming. It’d be a lie to say she hadn’t.

Fangfei swallowed and cast her eyes towards her lap, where her ringless fingers lay. “Yes, I did. It was not something I planned,” she hesitantly glanced back at him, who didn’t flinch, “but it has not changed my dedication to my job. I will not let my personal life stop me from bringing others the same happiness I felt on my own day. It would do both them and I a disservice.”

There was a bit of a pause, adding on to the stressful air. Maybe she said too much. No, she deserved to share her feelings, especially since her reputation was more easily tainted than his.

“I  see,” he murmured. “I appreciate your honesty.” He looked earnest, though she felt that he wasn’t done. When he broke eye contact, she felt goosebumps. “I would like to apologize in advance for any potential offenses on behalf of my sister. She can be set in some of her unbecoming ways,” he added.

It was a strange statement, and there seemed to be more than he let on behind it, but she didn’t want to get neurotic over it. If he wasn’t going to say anything more, she shouldn’t go crazy speculating, though it was certainly in her nature to do so. She figured that it had to do with outlandish demands and other stereotypical bridezilla things. As much as she wanted to worry because of how important Wanning was, she was experienced with this. She’d be able to handle it just fine.

“I’m sure it is within my capabilities, Mr. Hong. Thank you for being considerate of me,” she politely told him.

“Of course, Miss Xue,” he replied, and she couldn’t shake the strange, slightly solemn undertone she heard.

She let it go for now because it would definitely not be appropriate to bring up. If it were anyone else, and if the situation was different, she wouldn’t think twice. Fangfei knew when to pick her battles, though.

They discussed a couple other topics, such as the pay, length of time she was expected to work, amongst other details that’d be more pertinent the closer they got to the date. Then, with a smile, he stood up, inclining her to do the same as they shook hands.

“Miss Xue, thank you for meeting with me and accepting the offer. My sister will be delighted to have you.”

“It’s my pleasure, Mr. Hong,” she returned with a slight dip of her head.

Fangfei grabbed her portfolio and Hong Xiao walked her to the elevator in silence. He turned to her after pressing the down button.

“We’ll keep in touch, Miss Xue,” he told her.

Smiling, though she was still anxious, she nodded for what felt like the hundredth time that day. “I look forward to it.”

---

The wedding was scheduled for late April, just a bit over six months from when she first got an email hiring her. It was late in terms of wedding planning, but she knew standard rules didn’t apply to the richer clientele, and that was fine. She wasn’t sure if she could handle a year of this.

She never had direct contact with Wanning, meaning she also didn’t know anything about the groom, of course, since Hong Xiao wasn’t forthcoming in that regard whatsoever, like he warned about. It made her wonder if it really was for low profile, or something else entirely.

There was a pit in her stomach, both for what it could be (not that she had many ideas, and Haitang kept telling her she was getting too in her head about it), and for even being suspicious in the first place.

It got worse as it got closer to the wedding, like her instincts were suggesting something wasn’t right. She couldn’t back out, not like she necessarily wanted to, anyways, since it would certainly make her look bad, and she did need this opportunity.

Fangfei kept her outfit simple; a mustard yellow gingham jumpsuit with a high collar and short, puffed out sleeves. She added a belt for style and wore nude wedges to go with it.

She had considered a standard, dark button down and dress pants, but the wedding theme was based on spring colors and the ceremony would be held outdoors and she wanted to look and be comfortable. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt if she were to bring another set of clothes just in case, though, so she stuffed her typical choice of uniform in an extra bag.

Her father and brother gave her well wishes, not a standard occurrence for her jobs, but they knew who the client was. She worked by herself (something she was worried about for this wedding in particular because of how high maintenance it’d be, but she couldn’t trust anyone else in such a short time), so they assisted her with putting her equipment in the trunk of her car, and then she headed out to the city.

During her ride there, she spoke with Haitang about what she may expect to be greeted with, some comments a bit presumptuous about the bride. It eased her mind a little to have a lighthearted conversation, at least for the time being.

Fangfei knew she was in the right place when she saw all the floral and sky-high decorations from down the street. It seemed as if the whole venue was preparing just for this. She didn’t quite understand why her marriage was so grand, but maybe it was simply what she wanted. She wouldn’t ever think of having something like this, though she wasn’t going to judge Wanning for it.

She let the valet park her car after she received assistance from a worker with her belongings. It was still relatively empty of people since she was asked to take photos of the entry and setups as well as everyone getting ready. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Her equipment got rested on the side of a couch in the main area where guests would first be greeted, while she used her Canon R5 to take shots of the elaborate entrance. She spotted the welcome board across the hall, which clearly had the names of the bride and groom, so she went over to take a photo of the sign. It was just that she had to stop short when she actually read it.

Welcome to the Wedding of Zhao Wanning and Shen Yurong .

Notes:

for reference of her outfit: https://t.ly/3s4v-

hope u liked it. if you did feel free to leave kudos or a comment!

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Notes:

over 9k words... this chapter was exhausting lol! but i dont plan on writing a long chapter like this again for the rest of the fic. i had a lot of fun with trying to get their characters down, especially wanning's. i hope u guys like this one!

A coincidence, right?

Sure, they ended things in a weird way, but it wasn’t possible that he would be getting married so soon. He did love her all those years; he wouldn’t do this.

But maybe she didn’t know who he was in the end.

Even though she wanted to convince herself that someone could have the same name, what were the chances? That they could be marrying someone related to the company he worked at?

No, it wasn’t a coincidence.

This was very real.

Fangfei didn’t know how to begin to process this. Should she leave? Go to the bathroom and cry? God, how badly she was hoping she was somehow mistaken. She was no fool, though, and she couldn’t walk away.

Is this why it was kept hidden? Why Hong Xiao seemed apologetic during their first meeting?

Her chest was tightening. It was getting hard to breathe.

She put a hand over her heart and shut her eyes momentarily to try and regain her composure.

“Miss, are you okay?” A voice came from beside her.

Fangfei’s eyes shot open wide, ashamed, at the younger girl who spoke.

A bridesmaid, clearly, based on the way she was dressed and how early she was. Someone she should be taking pictures of, if she could get herself together.

Fangfei looked down at her feet in embarrassment. “Yes, I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I was just a little nervous for a moment.” It wasn’t the best lie she had ever told, but she couldn’t be quite honest, could she?

The girl took a step towards her. “Are you sure? You’re crying, miss.”

Her hands immediately flew to her face, fingertips getting wet from tears she wasn’t even aware she cried. She swallowed.

“I apologize, something overwhelmed me, that’s all.” If only she could stop talking. She was probably digging a deep hole for herself that was sure to be heard about.

Suddenly, two gentle hands rested on her arm. She was reluctant, but met the girl’s pitying eyes.

“It’s okay, I have many moments like that, too. My name is Jiang Ruoyu, but I go by Jiang Li,” she said (kindly?).

Fangfei tried to smile. “Xue Fangfei, though I also go by Li with my family,” she replied quietly.

Jiang Li seemed to observe her for a moment. “Are you the photographer?” She finally asked.

She followed her gaze to the camera she had around her neck and nodded. “Yes,” for some reason, she felt unable to say more. Maybe from fear, she wasn’t exactly sure. She just didn’t want her crying to be a highlight of the day that had nothing to do with her.

“Would you like to come to the bridesmaid’s room? You can take photos of us before we finish getting ready and come back to this after?” She offered.

It was a little strange to feel as if she was being read like an open book by someone she just met, but the distraction was welcome. That board could wait; it wasn’t the most important thing here.

Fangfei bowed her head slightly. “I’d appreciate that. I had planned on doing so, it’d make for beautiful photos.”

Jiang Li’s smile widened, and she led her to the room where a few other ladies resided. Of course, Shen Ruyun had to be amongst the group. She should’ve predicted this.

She could see her ex-sister-in-law’s eyes widen in recognition, but she didn’t dare say anything. It did confirm her unfortunate thoughts about the groom’s identity, but she wasn’t going to let her emotions show here.

So she plastered on the kindest fake smile she could, introducing herself properly after Jiang Li spoke. The ladies seemed to have no issue with her, hopefully meaning they didn’t even know who she was, and gladly posed as they pretended to apply their eyeshadow and such, playing with their hair and chatting.

In all honesty, they looked gorgeous, wearing royal blue dresses with subtle hints of green and orange in their makeup and accessories. Clearly, Wanning had a taste for brighter colors, interestingly even for her bridesmaids, but she knew she was still going to undoubtedly be the center of attention. She was a model, how could she not be?

The thought gave Fangfei a little pause, lowering her camera a bit and catching her reflection in the big mirrors. She pushed away the feelings that began to come to the forefront of her mind. She had a job to do. She would not get caught up in this one-sided heartbreak.

She spent at least forty-five minutes total with them, telling them she would take more during the ceremony and reception. She bid them a brief goodbye after giving them compliments, and Jiang Li was kind enough to see her out.

Fangfei turned to face her. “By any chance, do you know where the groomsmen are?”

Jiang Li nodded with a smile and brought her over to a nearby room. As Fangfei put her hand up to knock, the girl stopped her. She looked at her quizzically.

“I wanted to let you know that the groom’s room is there,” she pointed across the hallway, “and the bride’s is there,” she gestured the opposite way.

Fangfei swallowed the lump in her throat and bobbed her head. “Thank you, Jiang Li,” she replied.

With poise, she walked away, leaving her on her own. She knew she would see his friends inside, but there was nothing she could do about that. What would they say? They didn’t stop him, so there was no point, right?

When she knocked, she was met with the same person who had been his best man in their wedding. That made sense; if they were good enough then and loyal enough to stay, might as well.

It was clear on his face he did not consider her showing up here at all (neither did she), but she kept her cool.

“Hello, I'm just here for a few photos of the groomsmen getting ready for the wedding,” she told him, a bit stiffly, while holding up her camera.

When it clicked in his head, he dumbfoundedly nodded and stepped to the side to let her in. She walked by and saw more surprised, familiar faces. Still, she remained stoic. These men were not capable of bringing her to tears from sight alone. Only one man could do that.

She kept herself professional, directing them as needed and emphasizing the need for relaxed postures and happy faces. She was well aware she was the reason they were on edge, but she wasn’t going to let it faze her. It did make her wonder, if they and Ruyun didn’t expect her, did he?

She made the session as short as she could, not leaving any room for conversation and politely escorting herself out. The choice of who to go to next almost felt too easy. She wasn’t ready yet, if she ever could be.

A stylist opened the door for her after she knocked, and she was not at all shocked to see the bride dressed to the nines in a luxurious lace ballgown with a halter neck and detached, flowing sleeves. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She could only imagine how much it cost.

Upon entering, Waning looked over to her and gracefully got up with a smile to greet her, hands clutching her dress so as to not trip.

“Miss Fangfei, I’m ecstatic to have you here,” she said, her voice harmonious and overly courteous.

Fangfei smiled back. “It’s my pleasure. You look gorgeous,” she added, gesturing to her dress and perfectly styled hair. Even her smile was radiant as it spread across her face.

“Thank you. I presume you’re here for photos?” She asked.

Fangfei nodded. “Yes, if you’ll allow me.” Something told her she shouldn’t have given her the option, but she wanted to be polite.

Waning hummed. “Actually, is it okay if we meet in a bit? There’s still some things I’m getting done that I’d prefer to not have photographed,” she declared, turning around and sitting back in her chair. “Maybe you can take photos of my betrothed first?”

The request sounded innocent, but there was a glimmer in her eyes and sudden cockiness to her grin that made it feel off. It was possible she was reading too much into it, so she halted that train of thought.

Instead, again, she nodded. “Not a problem. I’ll return after I see him.”

While she made a move to exit, she heard her comment, “Take your time, I don’t expect you to rush.”

Now, that made her stomach do flips. It was unlikely Wanning was unaware of his past marriage perhaps, but did she know it was with her?

Her heartbeat picked up its pace as she stood outside his supposed door, those thoughts lingering. When she lifted her hand up and rapped on the door, her arm felt like lead, weighing her down and undoing her composure. She could hear the footsteps ringing in her ears, and when he opened the door, it was like the world went quiet.

His eyes went wide, like he hadn’t anticipated her. So, maybe he didn’t know, because he was processing her being there just as much as she was him.

He still looked handsome, with his sharp jaw and big, round eyes that stared in disbelief. Even dressed in his suit to be wed to another, much prettier woman, he still had her yearning for him.

“A’Li,” he began to say, but she wouldn’t let him finish. She couldn’t.

“Mr. Shen,” she cut him off, putting on a smile even faker than the ones before, which she knew he’d be able to see through, “your wife-to-be suggested I come take photos of you first before her, if I may.”

She knew she sounded strained and felt the sting of tears in her eyes, but she blinked them away.

Yurong shook his head and started to reach out, but she stepped back, and that clearly hurt him. But why? What was he even doing?

She saw him swallow and he wordlessly bobbed his head, going back into the room as she followed and shut the door. He looked as if he was going to say something, glancing at her with a fire in his eyes, and then at his feet.

Fangfei wasn’t stupid. He didn’t know. Waning hired her as the photographer and he didn’t know. Which very likely meant her presence was purposeful, but she didn’t want to entertain whatever the hell that all meant. Right now, she had to do her job and get the fuck out of this room. There were only the two of them, several feet apart in a large space, and yet the walls still seemed to be boxing her in and making it hard to breathe.

“Mr. Shen, whenever you’re ready,” she said, bringing the camera up to cover her face. The tension was too palpable, and she knew when he was angry from a simple look alone after being with him for so many years. And he was absolutely fuming. There wasn’t any time to question it, and she didn’t really want to, anyways.

Thankfully, she watched his body relax as he faced her through the camera. And in practiced motions, like he had been accustomed to from dating her, he posed artfully. He was used to having been her model for practice sometimes, and it came naturally even after all these months.

He stared at her through the mirror, making her shiver, but she held her camera tightly and continued to take photos. It scared her, the way he adjusted his tie and cuffs, all while maintaining eye contact, having a certain longing in them that was wordlessly breaking down her already feeble defenses.

All of a sudden, he turned to face her and stepped forward. She snapped a few shots but was now shaking . The only thing stopping her was his hands, which came over hers and lowered the camera.

“Are you all right, A’Li?” His voice was husky, but concerned, though his eyes almost had a desire in them that she was not going to entertain.

Fangfei let out a heavy breath through her nose. “Mr. Shen, I don’t believe we are on proper terms for you to refer to me as such. Please keep things polite and remove your hands.” She stared him down, willing herself to not cry, and waited.

His jaw clenched, but he let go, and breathed so hard she could feel it. “My apologies. You looked uneased, and I didn’t want to not say anything,” he murmured.

Her heart was beating so loud. Could he hear it? She put on another phony smile and looked right past him, unable to meet his eyes now. “Thank you,” she exhaled. “I have all the pictures I need for now, so I’ll be going,” she told him, beginning to exit when she spoke up.

“You’re really just going to leave?”

Fangfei stopped short and slowly turned back to face him, feeling hot not from shame, but rising anger.

“ You’re asking me that question?” She retorted, unable to control the bite, but quickly corrected herself. She needed to maintain her emotions, especially in front of him, who seemed to have no regard for her agency. This was not the same man.

He didn’t like hearing that, and she felt a tinge of sympathy for hurting him, but he hadn’t ever expressed that for her, so she pushed that down. She knew it made her as bad as him to do that, but she couldn’t let herself succumb to that line of thinking.

“As I said, I’ll be leaving,” she reiterated, and this time he didn’t stop her.

When she closed the door, it took everything in her not to collapse to the ground and sob. Her body was shaking, feeling like it was on fire, though like it was an ice burn, frozen from the inside out from such an encounter with him. It was the first time she had seen him since their divorce, and in such close quarters with no one else around.

Her body shivered at the hundred thoughts going through her brain. Why was he so affected by her presence? Why did he get so close to her? What did he want from her? Did he expect her to beg for him back? It scared her to even consider any of this and what their divorce had been. This wasn’t some meeting by chance, either. This was his wedding. Something was very wrong with this, but what, and why?

Although she would like to spend the time analyzing everything she’s learned, she can’t. For now, she’d have to play dumb and do her job, taking in every word and reaction from Yurong and, of course, Wanning. Surely she was sent to him first so she would let her guard down. But instead, she was more alert than ever.

Fangfei walked back to the bride’s room and knocked again. This time, it was Wanning herself and not a stylist, with no one else in the room. She wasn’t a fool, she knew what was going to happen here. She would remain a sangfroid.

“Ah, Miss Xue, welcome back!” Waning exclaimed, making a show of her dress by spreading her arms out and twirling back around to her vanity table. “I take it you met my husband?” She asked, glancing over her shoulder with a saccharine smile.

Fangfei tactfully returned the look. “Yes, he was quite courteous,” she replied. If she were being set up, perhaps Wanning would give herself away.

The bride’s lightweight sleeves bounced as she sat in her chair. “And handsome, right? I hit the jackpot,” she mused, like a cat having caught its prey.

With care, Fangfei lifted her camera slightly. “May I take photos of you, Mrs. Shen?” She seemed so suspicious… she wouldn’t let her have the upper hand if she could help it.

Hearing the title made Wanning perk up, while Fangfei felt slightly sick at the thought of having lost it. With ease, the bride sat back and posed, eyeing the camera, and her, down.

She put her skepticism aside and took photos, giving no direction. After all, Wanning was a seasoned model; she didn’t need them. She was perfect at knowing her angles and putting a sweet, dreamy expression on her face. At one point, she grabbed makeup left behind to pretend to put it on and ran her fingers through her hair. As she did so, she spoke.

“Is it normal to be nervous before your vows?”

The question caught her off guard.

She licked her lips. “I would say so. It’s only natural,” she responded, forcing her voice to relax.

Wanning sighed, resting her head on her arm in a practiced pose while facing Fangfei. “You’ve been married before,” it wasn’t a question, “how did you feel?”

Was that supposed to shake her? It did, admittedly, but her divorce wasn’t something she hid, although she still felt hot with shame because of who was asking.

She lowered her camera after snapping a photo and reminisced, bringing herself back as she stared off.

“I was anxious. Even though we had been together for several years, and this just seemed like the right next step for us, I was still anxious,” she murmured. “What if things went wrong in our marriage? What if he changed his mind and he didn’t want this? What if he didn’t want me?”

Her heart squeezed from the hurt of knowing what she does now, though, her body slightly shook so she didn’t cry any tears. She met Wanning’s intrigued eyes and continued.

“But I knew him. If he didn’t want this, he would’ve left long ago. He wouldn’t have taken the time to make our rings if he didn’t want to marry me. He loved me.”

The thought hurt. He did. In the past. Now? How could he? He’s moved on.

“So why did you get divorced, then?” Wanning asked, almost as if she was challenging her.

Fangfei shook her head. “I don’t know,” she admitted, because after all this, it didn’t match what his excuses had been. And that’s what she was now seeing them as—excuses.

Wanning stood up and walked over to her, placing a hand on her arm. “Well,” she started, giving her an innocent look, “some men just don’t realize what they have, do they?”

That almost seemed backhanded, yet she had to stop herself from reacting. Rather, she gave as much of a genuine smile as she could muster.

“Right,” she agreed. Then, she retracted herself, noticing a slightly puzzled expression from Wanning, and stood up straighter. “I believe I have a good selection for the album. I’ll leave you be, then, and take photos of the ceremony and reception areas before guests begin to arrive.”

She turned and went to the door, exiting this time without any comment from the bride.

As best as she could, with some sort of poise, she scurried over to the doors leading to where the ceremony was to be held. She had to get her mind off everything.

It was a beautiful day, so of course, it was able to be held outside. The sight was so extravagant, she sucked in a breath.

The scene was immensely colorful, with every hue of the rainbow present in the flowers, seat covers, aisle runner and arch; a beautiful lake view visible right through it, where even the water had been given its own ornate decor of floating lanterns and boats draped in light cloth that floated into the lake with more flowers resting upon them. The only thing it seemed to be missing were swans, but for some reason, she had a feeling even Wanning would consider that as too much.

Despite the fact that maybe there already was a lot going on, while Fangfei started to capture images from every angle and every minuscule detail, she didn’t find it gaudy or overwhelming at all. It was truly immaculate, and a great show of her eye for design and wealth. She couldn’t help but compare it to her simple, minimalist one where all she had wanted were her friends, family and him. Perhaps the stark contrast should’ve made her feel bad, but if anything, it validated her beliefs that there was more to this than meets the eye, and she wasn’t going to be swayed by this.

When she felt her near one hundred photos (yes, she counted) would suffice for a good amount to pick from for this area, she went back to where she started. This time, it was like dragging her feet, especially when the sign came back into view.

It was a bit of a gut punch that, no matter the reason, he was already betrothed to someone else. Meanwhile, she could barely even consider loving again.

When she reached the board, she took one photo and left it at that. It wasn’t the focal point of this. No, there was more that would outshine this.

However, she didn’t expect that when she walked into the reception area Mrs. Shen would be helping set up (in her own way, that is), last minute decorations. It made sense, since it was actually something she did during her wedding with Yurong, besides trying to control everything Fangfei wanted, which he had put his foot down on. With the focused yet worried expression on her face, she could tell Wanning left no room for conversation. The thought made her smile a bit. Served her right.

She started taking pictures of areas that no one was paying any mind to, like the tables, with close-ups on the varying, real flowers blooming out of the pretty terracotta vases and fake candles alight around it. The fresh aroma was welcome, relaxing her tightened muscles while she got wrapped up in capturing the empty, bedazzled room that held a 360 photo booth, a pop-up casino in the corner, and other areas that seemed marked off for more to come. It only lasted a few moments before a shrill voice rang out.

“Excuse me! We aren’t done here! Please don’t take photos!” The woman said, heels clacking on the floor following suit as they came towards her. She knew that nagging anywhere.

Fangfei turned around, unfazed, to stare at her ex-mother-in-law. She was almost able to relish the way her forceful, polite expression morphed into one of offense as she stopped immediately. Almost, if not for the context.

Mrs. Shen shook her head, clearly in disbelief. “What are you doing here?” She snapped.

Holding in an exasperated sigh, Fangfei held up her camera.”Didn’t you just request me to stop taking photos?”

She watched as the older woman made the connection and crossed her arms, not hiding her disdain.

“So, you decided to weasel your way in here once you managed to find out about his marriage?” She asked with a sneer. “I’m not surprised to see you drop to a low level, but you should know you won’t gain anything from this.”

There was never a time where she could stop herself from acting high and mighty, was there? Truly, she didn’t miss it.

Fangfei curled her hair behind her ear and looked away, making her face as unimpressed as possible. “Oh, then you don’t know that Wanning requested me? I guess she already sees who you are.” Her presence was likely not with the most noble of intentions, but she would use it to her advantage.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her face turn to one of shock. To rub salt in the wound, she shrugged and tacked on, “Ruyun didn’t tell you she saw me either. I was just taking her photos only a couple of hours ago.”

Mrs. Shen gasped, and began to hurry away, likely to scold her daughter, but did pause to hastily hush out, “I won’t let you off easily.”

As if she ever did. Not like she succeeded.

After she stomped away, Fangfei went back to her job. There were only a few workers present now, tidying up, so she knew they were waiting for the rest before finalizing it all.

The last place to touch upon was where cocktail hour would be held, in a room adjacent to the reception. It wasn’t as done up as the other places, but it still had extravagant touches, though more subdued, perhaps to fit the mood.

Once she had finished there, Fangfei went to grab her camera stand and other equipment to bring it over to the ceremony area. Given that she never had an assistant, she was used to the weight, but the whirlwind of emotions had already expended some of her energy, and she struggled to get it all in a comfortable manner.

She felt some of her burden lighten when a man gently grabbed the camera stand from her. Confused, she peered over.

The man grinned. “Need an extra hand?” He asked.

Fangfei gave a tight-lipped smile back, resisting the urge to proclaim her independence. “Please, thank you,” she replied.

He gestured his free hand outward. “Lead the way, ma’am.”

Wordlessly, she headed outside and tried to take the stand back, but he tsk’ed her this time. She nearly glared despite his good intent.

“Allow me,” he told her, placing it down and unzipping the bag to put it on the grass. “Where would you like it?”

Fangfei sighed. It shouldn’t feel uncomfortable accepting help, but it wasn’t ever her forte.

She pointed to the closer end of the aisle, right where the chairs ended. “There, please.”

With no hesitation, he did as she said, and although she was nervous he would break it, he seemed to have no issue with arranging, even going as far as to take the Canon R5 she just swapped with her Canon R6mk2 and setting it in place on top of the stand. He looked rather proud of himself afterward.

Fangfei couldn’t help but smile, a genuine one, as ridiculous as it felt.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, a twinge of guilt striking through her, as she had never asked for help before when it really wasn’t such a bad thing.

The man nodded. “Not a problem,” he replied. “If you need help again, I’m your guy!” And before she could even ask his name, he saluted and walked away. She didn’t want to seem awestruck, so she averted her eyes and got back to work.

She saw figures walking in and sitting down and felt the heat of several gazes on her, which she did her best to ignore. She knew it was people who had been at the other wedding, her wedding, and were questioning how she got the photographer role. To hell with them, though. If they had the audacity to show up to this wedding, they didn’t deserve any sort of explanation.

Before she knew it, it was time for the ceremony. Everyone was in a seat or their assigned position, so she turned on the video for the camera on the stand, making sure she was satisfied with the angle, and walked over to the arch and stood nearby, pretending to not notice that some people were more focused on her than those who they came for. She held her camera up, ready to snap when the time was right.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in first, all smiles, without a hair out of place, and Ruyun deliberately looked anywhere but at her. Next, their respective parents, and she could tell Mrs. Shen was acting like she didn’t exist. That didn’t bother her very much, since she was doing the exact same thing.

It was after they had all settled in that her heart instinctively began to race. She knew what came next.

Yurong passed through the doors, waving and smiling, and all she could do was snap, snap, snap.

When they locked eyes, she saw the way his demeanor changed ever so slightly. Despite being apart for so many months, she still knew him better than she knew herself. She kept her face as neutral as she could manage, even as the music started to play.

Wanning, accompanied by her father, walked in slowly, her dress trailing down the entire aisle as she came up to face across from her husband-to-be. Was the smile she gave her one of joy or self-satisfaction?

It was hard to immerse herself, but she used the camera as her shield and drowned out the noise of the preacher speaking. She walked around, crouched down and stepped back and forth throughout his spiel, all while trying to disregard the way they were clearly enamored with one another. This was a type of torture she was being put through, though she didn’t know what she did to earn it.

They began giving their vows, and while she could block Wanning’s out a bit, Yurong’s was impossible.

“Wanning,” he started, speaking from memory, as he did during their own, “ever since we met, you have changed my life. When I felt alone, you were never far away, and because of your thoughtfulness, it was easy to fall in love with you.” Fangfei bit her lip, only taking a couple of pictures. “Being with you was an unexpected gift, but one that I treasure and am grateful to have. I am ready for this next chapter, and I am happy to devote myself to you.”

The words made her feel sick, and the way he was straining to keep his eyes on his bride made it worse. It wasn’t as touching as she felt his had been to her, but it was enough to feel the bile rise to the back of her throat. She swallowed it down.

After the vows, the pastor continued and directed their words after they put on the rings for the pronouncement. Fangfei’s heart lurched once they said their “I do’s,” and then it was time for the kiss.

She held her camera close, shaking and shutting her eyes as she pressed down on the shutter button, gripping so tightly she was sure her knuckles turned white. After a second, she reopened them, the sight of them still kissing greeting her. They pulled away a second later, but the image was already burned into her brain.

Maybe she needed to see that. Maybe it would help her get through the rest of the night if she faced what was right in front of her.

She hesitated for a moment, but went right back to getting pictures while they walked down the aisle to an area on the side, where they and the bridesmaids, groomsmen and immediate family would follow for photos.

Fangfei let everyone go inside before shutting off the video, doing her best to steady herself and regain some composure before dealing with them directly.

They were all standing together. Jiang Li and, surprisingly, Hong Xiao focused on her when she walked over, grinning and bearing it. She tried to focus on where the good shots would be, what she wanted to capture, and how to act like nothing was wrong.

This was fine.

She took her practiced role and began to direct people where to stand, what poses to make, you two, step closer, brush your hair out of your face , and tilt your chin a little this way , several times over and over. Not once did she let her eyes catch Yurong’s, who lingered on her, his gaze practically blazing through her. Wanning was semi-manageable, once she got past the overzealous affection she kept showing Yurong. If anything, it made for the most picture-perfect shots, and that she could appreciate, so she gladly honed in on those moments, even if it hurt underneath it all.

It felt like the hour would never end, but eventually she made it through, persevering through Mrs. Shen’s sideways glances and the others’ mystified looks. As she reviewed the photos, when she got to ones of their ringed hands on top of each other, she couldn’t stop the way she snapped back to reality.

Hastily, her equipment left behind momentarily, she went to the bathroom for a break. She wasn’t the only one there, dammit, but she went into a stall and sat down, taking quiet, deep breaths. As badly as she wanted to cry and scream, she had to hold it in. She couldn’t even rub any part of her face for fear of ruining her makeup, which would be a giveaway, surely.

How the hell was she going to get through the rest of this? Did she have the ability to keep up pretenses? Unfortunately, she knew she didn’t have a choice. All she could do was work till she gave out.

There’ll be moments she could step away. She’d be fine. She could do this.

Shutting her eyes and evening out her breathing, she regained the courage to head back out. Cocktail hour was still ongoing, so she took a moment to move her things (with no unsolicited assistance) to the reception area, which now had a setup for a caricature artist.

With some time to spare, she went to the guests and requested to take some photos of them. It wasn’t standard for her to do this, but she didn’t know how long she’d last during the reception. She was more than sure she would have to skip out on dinner; not like she thought she’d even had an appetite.

“Just think of the money, Fangfei,” she mumbled to herself while she wandered around. That wasn’t really the driving point of accepting this job, but she was grasping at straws to manage her sanity.

A few minutes later, everyone was instructed to move to the reception area. Fangfei let them all go through before making her own way. Despite Wanning having a flair for the dramatics, not long after the guests got to their seats, the DJ started playing the wedding party's entrance music.

Fangfei turned on the video camera she had placed prior after finagling with its location. She then positioned herself near the door with her other camera in hand. She started clicking away as the bridesmaids and groomsmen made their entrance. Even though this was a rough situation for her, she couldn’t help but smile. This was one of her favorite parts; seeing the duos have fun as they waltz in to their own songs, building up for the bride and groom to have their own, followed by their very first dance as a married couple. It was the best part for her after the actual marriage.

Though, when they did walk on in, her rose-colored glasses shattered.

Wanning looked so happy. And Yurong… his smile and intense gaze of love couldn’t have been faked. It was hard to see, so she used her camera as cover again. She trusted her skills enough that she was doing fine, and if they needed a little extra post-processing, so what? She had no idea she was in for this, and she was doing her best.

She followed them as they turned and spun around the dance floor, practically dancing around them, as if caught in their orbit. When the song ended, all of the guests were invited to join, and she swore she saw Yurong make a step towards her, eyes locked on her. But whatever he was thinking, she wanted nothing to do with it. She had to keep her distance as much as possible.

So she went over to those who stayed seated to grab photos of them. Some included elder members of the Shen family, who gave her disapproving looks, though they still complied with the pictures. She was sure Mrs. Shen had already fed them some tale. Even whilst married, it was one of her hobbies. Some things would never change.

Right when she was going to head towards a trio of men nearby, they all got up and wandered off. One of them she recognized as the man who helped her earlier. She would have to keep an eye out so she could thank him.

Once she made her way to those at their tables, she greeted people at the bar, and the few who had already begun to participate in the activities, enjoying the pictures she was able to get. Then, she observed those on the center floor through her lens.

It was almost like an out-of-body experience, completely disconnected from what was going on. Normally, a scene like this would appear in her nightmares, during her weakest moments. But this was very real.

A slight rush of dizziness overcame her, and she sidestepped into a firm body. She glanced beside her to find Hong Xiao himself standing there. She began to bow her head and apologize, but he put a hand up to stop her.

“If anyone’s apologizing, it should be me,” he said firmly.

Stupidly, Fangfei wondered if she had ever heard an earnest apology from a CEO, ever.

“Are you offended, Miss Xue?”

Oh, her mouth was open and her eyebrows were knitted together, certainly not an expression that she wanted to show.

Fangfei cleared her throat, letting her camera rest against her abdomen. “I’m sorry, I’m just taken aback. What…?”

Hong Xiao sighed, though it didn’t seem to be at her cluelessness. “I'm currently at odds with my sister and her twin brother, so I must make amends lest I undermine my business." He glanced away. "Which means I must placate her on certain things, even if I disagree—as long as it's not egregiously harmful."

She felt like she knew where this was heading.

His eyes met her wide ones. “I suggested other options, but she is not easily persuaded.”

Fangfei let out a sad huff. “So, you knew then?” About her having married Yurong before. About their divorce. Which meant she knew, too. She could’ve guessed this, but this was confirmation.

He didn’t answer, again looking to the side. That was telling enough.

She shook her head, gripping her camera tightly. “I won’t ask why. At least I know that I wasn’t making things up.”

“Well,” he cleared his throat, “I will let you continue your job then. Thank you for taking the offer.”

Rather, thank you for not running away.

Left to stew in her thoughts, she found herself even more confused, despite seemingly being closer to some sort of reason. Yurong didn’t expect her, clearly, and still acted empathetic towards her, but he was getting married. Was now remarried. Yet searched for her after their first dance. But he looked so in love. Did he pity her? Is that what it was? He found a new lover with a better pedigree and felt bad she had to see how much more he loved her?

This was awful. She felt awful. Still, she pushed herself to continue. She was in and out of her zone while getting sweet candids of people laughing, singing, and enjoying what else there was to do. She caught glimpses of the two holding each other close, with people she once considered her family and friends acting like nothing was amiss.

Maybe, for a minute or two, she could catch her breath. She still had at least another forty-five or so minutes until the food was served, she presumed, since the parent dances still had to happen.

Once more, she found herself in a bathroom stall, two girls' heels tapping out as she shut her door. She allowed herself to breathe heavily, trying to calm herself, but tears escaped anyway. Only a few slipped, and she let out a tiny sob. She grabbed a bit of toilet paper and dabbed at her eyes. As much as she wanted to wallow in this brief moment of reprieve, she couldn’t.

Later , she told herself.

Right as she let out a couple sniffles, the bathroom door squeaked. She froze, but hoped that the high-pitched sound drowned out her’s.

An eerie silence followed, and Fangfei didn’t move a muscle, clutching the cheap toilet paper like a lifeline.

“Miss Fangfei?” came a voice. A familiar voice.

She saw the heels peeking through. Jiang Li.

She chose not to respond.

“Miss Fangfei, are you okay?” She asked softly, as if trying to coax her. “Do you want to talk?”

Fangfei didn’t trust her voice, so, again, she remained silent.

There was the sound of the door locking, and footsteps traveling to the front of her stall after. She was afraid, despite how she had been kind earlier, she was afraid. How could she say anything when in such a vulnerable state?

“Even though there is something troubling you, you’re still here. You’re still doing your job, while suffering in silence. That’s something to be proud of.

“It’s hard to go around pretending things are okay, so don’t be scared to give yourself a break. You can’t heal if you don’t let yourself hurt.”

The words rang in her ears. This girl seemed so young, so early into adulthood, and yet was able to say words so heartfelt and moving.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Fangfei got up and unlocked her stall door, allowing it to fall open so she was face to face with her. 

Jiang Li smiled, though she didn’t speak. Fangfei knew it was to allow her to set the tone.

Though she couldn’t quite bring herself to smile, she tried. She lowered her head, ashamed.

“There has been…” she paused, considering her excuse this time, “unfortunate news that has been shared with me today. It has caused some distress that I have failed to keep to myself.” Fangfei met Jiang Li’s patient eyes, feeling no judgment. “This is the second time you have seen me like this. I apologize.”

Immediately, two hands grabbed her forearm, just like before.

“Being sad is not something to be sorry for. Not letting yourself be is,” she told her, unwavering. How could she understand these things? It made her feel a tad worse, if only out of sympathy for her.

Fangfei pursed her lips. “Thank you again, Jiang Li. Your words are very kind.”

Jiang Li released her arm and nodded. “It’s what I would want if it were me.”

She could relate to that feeling rather well.

Stepping past her, she said, “I have to get back now. Hopefully we won’t do this again.” She tried to be lighthearted about it, but failed.

Their eye contact lingered for a second before Fangfei headed out, tossing away the crumpled toilet paper still grasped in her hand, and got back to work. She didn’t feel that much better, but it would do for now.

The festivities hadn’t yet stopped, so she wandered the whole floor as she captured off-guard, happy moments. People were truly enjoying themselves. If only she could’ve had the chance to do that, too.

Once dinner was served soon after, everyone returned to their seats. Fangfei was, as standard, given a meal as well, which she could barely bring herself to eat, so she only picked at it. She knew there had to be eyes on her, be it his friends or family, so she acted like she was slowly eating, occupied with checking her camera roll. Honestly, she was barely even processing what she was looking at, brain slightly fizzled out with all she’d witnessed thus far.

When the best man clinked his glass to make his speech, she knew it was far from over, and prepared her camera.

He cleared his throat obnoxiously loud, earning a couple chuckles, but Fangfei couldn’t have been less amused. The only thing that interested her during his rambles was how unplanned it seemed, with his eyes darting to her more than once. For some reason, it seemed as if his speech was meant to reference her, but due to her physical presence, he cut it out.

Good, as he should have.

However, once he went on about Yurong attending company parties alone and how glad he was that it gave him the chance to meet Wanning, she didn’t feel very good. Barely anything digested, yet she wanted to throw up.

There were eyes staring at her, and she knew why. She knew what he had just implied to all those who knew her. It made her tense up, at least to hide any real reaction, for now.

After his speech ended, the maid of honor took her turn. It was easier to tune this out, especially while she did her job.

At that point, people who had finished eating returned to some of the extra activities, but the music was still set for the dining mood.

Despite having just returned from her restroom escape, she knew she had to leave again—not the bathroom this time. No. She placed her things down and headed outside.

She rushed herself there as secretly and inconspicuously as she could, careful to avoid others.

She didn't know much of the venue besides what she remembered from photos, but tried to follow the path that was more obscured by shrubs and foliage and had no scents of people taking a smoke break.

Her heart was pounding so hard that she had to rely on a basic hold of her senses in order to stumble across a more reclusive area. If she had been thinking right, if the couple had been anyone else, she would've suggested this as a spot for photos, but her mind was a whirlwind, hardly any train of thought on track. In fact, if there was a track, she was off the rails. It felt like she was going to suffocate despite the air being completely clear and light.

Shakily, she rested a hand on a nearby tree. She noticed she had gone around a building corner and the hedges were a bit high nearby, giving her some respite from any prying eyes, she hoped. She leaned her head against her arm and let out her sobs as quietly as she could, her body quivering.

"Why?" She murmured. "Why?" She repeated, but whining this time.

What he told her always sounded too orchestrated to her: a richer life (as if it wasn’t her that got him that opportunity in the first place), to have children. He didn't care about any of that before. He always told her their marriage was beautiful the way it was. Something had to be wrong, but she would bring more shame to herself if she tried to find out. People already thought of her as undesirable and unworthy of marriage, especially tainted after a failed one. If she had suspicions, she would simply look crazy.

How easy it must feel for him to see her like this. He didn't even shed a tear. And back then, when he said he divorced her for her sake? She knew she was a fool for lingering on those thoughts, wanting them to be true, but she still loved Yurong. She didn't want to let go yet.

She cried more, shaking her head. "How could you do this to me?" She whispered as she looked up to the sky, hopeless. The blue, cloudless sky. She wouldn't mind if it started downpouring so she couldn't tell where her tears started and where the rain ended.

She brought her trembling hands to her eyes to wipe them so she could regain her composure and head back, but a lavender square-shaped cloth was shoved right onto them before she could get them past her chest.

Fangfei froze, knowing that meant someone had seen and perhaps even heard her, which was terrible and embarrassing. She wanted to make herself invisible, but this wasn't a fantasy, despite how much she wished for all of this to be, so she hesitantly met the eyes of a young, handsome man.

"I'm not sure it would be well-accepted for the wedding photographer to be off crying in a corner of the venue like this," he said pointedly, an eyebrow raised and, to her chagrin, a slight smile on his lips.

Oh great, another blow to her already dwindling career. She was so stupid.

Her shoulders shook as she sobbed again, unable to stop it. "Please," she pleaded. "I just..." How could she even phrase it? "I... received some bad news, and-"

The handkerchief was once again pressed onto her hands, stopping her short.

"No one is looking for you,” he paused, angling his head down. Yet. But I suggest you use this and come back in. The night is almost over," he told her coolly. Maybe she was delusional, but it almost came off rather reassuringly, too.

She nodded dumbly, swallowing and taking the soft cotton to her face and drying the wet lines on her cheeks and around her eyes, no longer caring about her makeup. She sniffled, and when she went to thank the man, he was already gone.

Fangfei drew her lips in a tight line. She was nervous that he simply appeared and disappeared wordlessly, to the point where she would believe he was a figment of her imagination if there wasn't a physical cloth in her hands that he had given to her. But even though her mind was jumbled, her heart felt almost at ease, calming down from its racing pace.

She let out an unsteady breath and neatened her hair out, placing the handkerchief into a pocket. This was fine. She'd be fine. She had to be. The night was almost over .

The rest of the night was nearly a blur. She was disassociating so hard, running on pure instinct of what she knew would be good pictures and classic wedding shots. Even though she thought the photos of them in the aisle were hard, somehow the photos she took of them feeding each other hurt even more. Perhaps it had to do with the intimacy and the complete joy Wanning had. It reminded her of their wedding night, a memory now permanently stained.

Fangfei didn't want to believe that it was all a lie. How could he manage to put a smile on his face while she was standing right there, a flash going off from her heavy camera. She knew him so well, she thought. But was she just imagining the dead stare in his eyes? Or was it real?

She had to stop herself from losing her mind right in the center of the reception for the nth time that night. She didn't know how she hadn't collapsed or walked right out, but probably because she stupidly cared too much to see him after all this time to let this go. She missed him so much. More than she should considering how he stepped out of her life like they hadn't been high school sweethearts, devoted even in the face of their family's opposition. She postponed her career for him, stopped her trips and learned from home in the late hours of the night after her part-time jobs to be prepared for when he was finally established and able to provide. She never required it of him, but of course his unpaid apprenticeship had to be covered, and for him, her love was bountiful. To think he didn't feel the same... she couldn't bear it, not now.

Even the eccentric, unexpected lion dancers coming in couldn’t quite get her right. She didn’t have it in her to enjoy it, as incredible as it probably was, only seeing it through a lens.

The dances with their parents were right before the cake cutting, and she could tell Mrs. Shen was more than happy with this marriage than the one he had with her. It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did, given that it was from her, but it was a bitter cherry on top. That she was never good enough, never pretty or smart or successful enough.

After the over-the-top cake cutting, frosting on the face included, she took a moment to splash her face lightly with cold water and some breathing exercises. It was quick, not lingering too long lest she really wanted to have a breakdown this time.

The night was almost over .

She continued to avoid her ex-mother and sister-in-law as much as she could, snapping photos from a distance or stiffly up close with them just as rigid. She wondered what they would say if she got them alone. But truthfully, they were the last people she cared to speak with.

She didn’t care to speak with anyone, really. She let it all pass her by, becoming a machine in those last couple hours, doing her job on autopilot.

It was at the end, right near her freedom, when everyone was leaving and after she gave her brisk congratulations, as she was packing up her equipment.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wanning walking her friends out, and Mrs. Shen and Ruyun were bringing gifts to the cars. Her heart picked up its pace as she could feel more than hear the steps coming towards her.

"A'Li."

She didn't turn around. She wasn't going to.

"A'Li," that familiar voice called again. It was hard to ignore, especially since it had been a year since she had to let it all go at the drop of a dime. It was like she never got to process it at all, still raw in her heart.

Fangfei fumbled with the zipper of her camera stand bag, mentally cursing herself for looking so weak. It was obvious he knew he had an effect on her because she could feel the heat coming off him as he stepped closer, one of his calloused hands resting on the table her belongings were currently on.

Although she tried to control it, her whole body was shaking. She would not turn around.

Yurong sighed beside her. “Can we talk somewhere?”

The question made her want to scoff, but she was so afraid she didn’t even have the energy. Instead, she began to lift her bags and swing them over her shoulder, making a move to get the hell out.

But his hand grabbing her arm stopped her.

Her heart was racing now. Did it hurt from beating so hard or from witnessing a man she gave her all to love somebody else?

“A’Li. You won’t say goodbye?” He asked, and why did he sound so sad?

Fangfei sucked in a breath. She would not face him, but she would give him an answer.

“Mr. Shen,” she began, making her voice as icy as she felt from being left alone, in the dark for so long, “please remember that nickname is only for those closest to me. And, with all due respect, there is nothing for us to discuss. Thank you for trusting me with today. I’ll have the photos ready promptly.”

With as much force as she could muster after the day, Fangfei pulled herself away and walked outside, not even allowing the valet to grab her car, opting to find it herself, and choosing to rush over to it without assistance, the adrenaline making it easier to carry her things.

She carefully placed her equipment inside and got into the driver’s seat. Somehow, no one stopped her at all. She wasn’t sure where this blessing was from, but she wouldn’t take it for granted.

Without any hesitation, she started her car and headed home, ready to cry into her pillow until she passed out.

Notes:

thanks for reading, leave a kudos or comment if youd like! i love reading people's opinions!

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Notes:

this chapter is prob one of my faves for the fic. i loved writing xiao heng here. fangfei is rather complicated, but hes just sooo smug and arrogant. love him.

When Fangfei woke up, she felt terrible. Her nose was stuffy, her throat ached, and she had a pounding headache, all from how hard she sobbed the night before.

There wasn’t much she remembered after she had left, besides having to pull over once to get the tears out of her eyes. When she got home, neither her father nor brother were awake, saving her from making an excuse for the redness in her eyes and weariness on her face. She’d prefer to never tell them, if she could help it.

Truthfully, she tried to get as lost in her work as possible, more than anyone would recommend. All she wanted was to put that behind her. He left her life before, so she was going to make sure he didn’t come back.

She took on smaller jobs for people in her town (from those who didn’t shun her, anyway), like baby showers, coming-of-age ceremonies and such, even though it wasn’t what she loved.

Besides nature photography, she loved weddings because they’re that special moment of uniting with the person you want to be with for the rest of your life. At least, it should be like that.

Fangfei knew it was a hopeless romantic point of view, but she had no reason to doubt the love between her and Yurong. They were together for a good part of her life, and she had done so much for him. More than he had to do for her, given the ever-pressing traditional family values on both family’s sides. She wanted to blame him for what she lost out on, but she would be kidding herself to do that.

She had argued against her father more than once about their choices (her whole relationship with Yurong was only since she fought for it), so there was no reason she couldn’t have done it for herself. Yurong wanted to support her; she knew that, but it was never feasible, especially with his mother breathing down their necks about what their roles were in their marriage which was already a struggle to have.

No, she couldn’t put all that on him. He didn’t stop her, but he also didn’t stay with her after he used her, and that she could blame him for.

She tried not to focus on that anger as she got herself dressed for another job. This time, it was a wedding in the city, not too far from where she had been for his, but a different area to where she at least wouldn’t have to pass by it.

The clients for this wedding were long-time customers of her dad’s shop, who had even offered sweet gifts once they heard of her divorce. They were kind and relaxed, encouraging her to dress comfortably and have fun herself. It was an older couple who both had been widowed and were finally settling down with each other. The weight of it was heartwarming, though she did feel a bit bittersweet about it, wondering how she could move on from her first love.

Still, she was happy to do the job, especially since it was an evening party, so they had even booked her a hotel room.

Equipment and overnight bag packed up, she took a train to the city, since the venue was not far from the stop. It was one of the more fun-sounding weddings she had the pleasure of being hired for; the couple was good-natured and seemed to only surround themselves with those who wanted the best for them. She commended them for having the strength to move on after their hardships, and felt rather inspired by it.

At the reception, drinks were consistently being thrown back, guests forever on the dance floor and hugs and kisses were a-plenty. The speeches brought Fangfei to tears, only able to recall the moments through the photos she took. After the crushing news she came upon at the last wedding, this made her world feel a bit right again.

The couple invited her to the after-party, but she declined. While she heavily considered it, she made the choice to venture to a nearby bar alone. It would’ve been inappropriate to start crying about her ex-husband at an after-party for a wedding. Even though it was lovely, it was also the first one since last month, and all she truly wanted to do was drown in her sorrows.

Fangfei sat herself at a (luckily) empty seat in the corner of the bar, which was rather busy, but she didn’t care. Maybe it’d be easier to hide her tears if she was surrounded by drunk strangers.

While she wasn’t much of a drinker, she decided to keep her tab open just in case, since she was considering letting go a little bit and feeling what she’s been pushing down for over a year.

The bright lights from the television screens, the blaring music that blocked out the voices from the patrons beside her, and the heat from all the bodies in the room might be overwhelming to most, but Fangfei was past used to tuning these things out. Especially now, while she was getting lost in her thoughts, sipping her Manhattan. Wine was her standard go-to, but today she wanted to get wasted, within reason, of course. Hopefully she’d be able to control herself.

The first drink went down quickly as she mused over her bygone love, motioning for another. She stirred her cocktail pick around the glass, almost glaring at the unoffending empty cocktail. What did she do to deserve this? Did she even do anything wrong at all? Or was Shen Yurong just more in love with the beauty of Wanning, the riches she could secure for him and his family? She was breathtaking, she wouldn’t deny that, but out of all men for her to marry, it had to be him? Could it be possible Wanning manipulated him?

She scoffed at herself and asked the bartender for another drink. How could she even try to come to that conclusion? Why would Wanning do that? Would Yurong really have been deceived like that?

Her eyes shut tightly as she rested her fingers against her temple. When her second drink came, she hastily sipped.

Why was she trying so hard to absolve him from any fault? He couldn’t even divorce her amicably. Her. The woman he claimed to be committed to and whom he had once stated owed his life to. But only communicated through lawyers while destroying the life they built together.

And to have the audacity to try to speak to her that night, a whole three hundred and seventy-five days later? To want to make excuses, like he was afraid of getting caught at not meaning all those affectionate words said before?

Fangfei clenched her fist around the glass that was becoming blurry from the tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t want to sob outright, but she did let herself cry and pity herself for doing so.

She still cared about him, even after all this time. She still missed seeing his face before she slept and when she woke, smelling his cologne wherever he lingered, the way he’d leave his mess cluttered when he had too many commissions at once.

Why didn’t he just tell her the truth? That another woman caught his eye, that she was from a wealthier family and could give him more than what they had. That he was, after all this time, just a vain and greedy man under it all.

Maybe if she thought it enough she could convince herself that was the truth. Not what he claimed about children and a more fulfilling life.

She sniffled and had more of her drink. This was so… unfair—all of it. She was a good person and had been a great wife.

She shut her eyes and felt the tears drop from her face. Pathetically, she bit her lip to stop herself before she cried too much and looked like a fool.

The sound of a cup being placed in front of her made her open her eyes. She was surprised to see another drink there. Had she looked so tragic that the bartender gave her a free one?

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice too quiet to grab their attention. “Excuse me,” she tried again, loud enough to be heard over the music and catching a couple eyes from those around her. She cowered into herself a bit as the bartender came over.

“Yes?” They asked while using a cocktail shaker.

“I didn’t order this,” she tried to say politely, pointing at her new refill.

The bartender jerked their chin over to the side and replied, “That man over there paid for it.”

Fangfei followed the general direction and immediately knew who they were talking about by the way she was getting stared down at by a man and two others alongside him. She instantly recognized him as the one who found her crying outside the venue.

Her instincts told her not to engage, but the alcohol was disagreeing, encouraging her to take a plunge into potential danger. She was still with it enough to hastily send Haitang texts about it, though.

Haitang, I’m drinking at a bar.

And the man I kind of mentioned with the handkerchief and nice face?

Well he’s here and asked for my company.

Okay, maybe it was a little bit of a lie, but that’s technically what he was doing, right? Isn’t that what this meant when people did this? She never had a chance to explore this type of life. Regardless, he did have something he could hold over her head, so she should acknowledge him.

The vibrations of her phone let her know Haitang was multi-texting her right back.

What?

A’Li, be careful!

Just because he was chivalrous doesn’t mean he isn’t creepy!

Keep an eye on your drink AT ALL TIMES.

If you talk to him you have to text me back later.

Or else!!!

Fangfei smiled a bit at her friend’s concerned messages.

Of course, Haitang. I’ll be safe.

She slipped her phone into her purse and called for the bartender, this time to close her tab. Then she grabbed the free drink and with her bag, barely composed, tears still drying on her cheeks, weaved through the people over to where the three men were. They were still eyeing her; they must’ve been this entire time. Even still, she was not deterred. That was likely thanks to the alcohol.

With perhaps a little more force than she meant, she placed her drink down on the table, droplets falling across the wood and on her hand. She swallowed and spoke.

“I think this is yours,” she said slowly, testing the waters, and following up with a small sniff. She really hoped it wasn’t that obvious in this lighting that she’d been crying.

Fuck, was that why he gave her a drink? Why did she get up? Maybe she should’ve stayed seated.

Then again, she wouldn’t know how to return the handkerchief to him if she didn’t use this as a chance to ask how to do so.

The man kept a stoic face, sipping his wine leisurely, eyes unwavering. When he finished, he put it down carefully, as if mocking her, and raised an eyebrow. “Do you make it a habit to cry in public places?”

Fangfei sputtered. Who was he to be saying that to her?

“Excuse me?” She asked, letting her tone come out harsh. Now, regardless of why he bought her a drink, she was not grateful.

Instead of answering, he tilted his head to the side slightly, prompting one of the men sitting across from him to get up and take a spot beside him. Then, he gestured to the now-empty area.

“Why don’t you take a seat? You have questions, and I have answers,” he stated, his lips curling up at the ends.

Maybe it was the alcohol, her slight craving for intimacy, his hot face or a combination of all three that had her carefully sitting down, making sure she gave him her best menacing look. She hoped it would discourage whatever games he was trying to play, but she probably looked like a kicked puppy if anything.

She took a glance at the man she was beside, and up close now, she recognized him as the guy who assisted her with her camera equipment at that wedding.

“Oh,” she pointed at him, “you’re the one from the wedding. You helped me,” she stated dumbly.

He grinned. “I didn’t think you’d remember! I sure did,” he replied, sipping his beer, completely unperturbed by her exchange with the other man.

She nodded. “Of course I… I really appreciated it. Thank you,” she trailed off, giving him a quizzical look, as she didn’t know his name.

For a brief moment, she swore she saw him glance across the table in question before meeting her eyes again.

“Wen Ji,” he replied.

“Wen Ji,” she repeated, with a small smile.

Though it didn’t last, because a condescending, low baritone reached her ears yet again.

“Aren’t you curious about that night? Surely there are things you’d like to know,” he said, leaning back against the booth, an open fan suddenly in his hand that he used.

Fangfei squinted at him. She wasn’t sure what he was trying to get out of her, but regardless, she didn’t want to rehash those feelings with a stranger , even if he had consoled her. Kind of. That was why she came here alone. And he messed that up for her. Ugh.

He stared at her, waiting. It was making her feel uneasy. She had an inkling he was going to continue until she finally answered.

Huffing, she crossed her arms. “No,” she replied with. Not just to cut the conversation short, but because it was the truth.

An amused hum reverberated across the table, even with the loud music. “You have no questions? I suppose you don’t care to know how I found you, then,” he retorted slyly, putting his glass to his lips again.

Well, part of her did want to know that .

She brushed her hair over her shoulders, feigning apathy. “You’re coming off as a stalker, so I don’t think I have to ask when the answer seems clear.”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see the surprised reactions of his two friends. Had she said something that ludicrous? To her, it felt true.

A moment of silence passed while he held his glass. As he stared at its contents, he answered.

“It seems you didn’t notice you had walked by me,” he chastised. “There was something off about a runaway photographer, don’t you think?” He glanced up at her again, the glint in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine.

Shame washed over her. It wasn’t a lie. That was basically what she had been then, hadn’t she?

Impulsively, she reached for her own drink, that he got her, she remembered this, and chugged it all down, not minding the burn and how it dripped down her chin, cherries leaving stains above her lips that she wiped away with the back of her hand.

That didn’t seem to be what any of them expected, and she felt rather smug seeing even his eyes grow large.

When they kept quiet, except for Wen Ji offering her a napkin, which she gratefully took, she stared down the man across from her, newfound confidence rushing through her.

“What? You want me to wail about my woes and plead for your counsel?” She scoffed. “Well, maybe if I get enticed with more liquor, you can keep watching me cry.” That was basically a threat; she was an ugly crier.

Why the hell was she proposing that, though? She didn’t really want to sob in front of unknown men, and lower her guard by drinking with them. But the expression of concern and almost disgust that painted his face did not hold any warning signs.

With a single raised finger, all cool and nonchalant, he grabbed the attention of a server and requested a refill of her drink.

He closed the fan, the smirk finding itself back onto his face. “Do you think your tears are the entertainment? It’s a key part of the show, that’s for sure, but not what I’m seeking.”

Fangfei tilted her head. “The show?” That sounded insulting, but the liquor was clouding her natural deduction skills.

He hummed again, languidly placing his arms across his chest. “Hong Xiao spoke to you that night.” It wasn’t a question. Who was this guy?

She squinted. “Yes,” she affirmed cautiously.

“And he gave you some insight.” Another statement.

Her face twitched. “Yes,” she said again.

One of his hands flared out as he turned it up dramatically. “So, aren’t there things you’re wondering about?”

She had no response. If she were to be honest, she was in the middle of wanting to know more or lock the door and throw away the key. She knew if she opened Pandora’s Box, there would only be trouble. And yet, she was still compelled to do so.

No one spoke until her new drink had arrived, at which the man gestured to it.

“Drink up if you’d like to open your mind to more. Or don’t, and you can still ask questions, but you may find yourself more unhappy this way.”

She knew what he was implying. Though she had questions, she wasn’t even sure she wanted them answered, let alone tonight, and right now.

Fangfei took in a breath. “Maybe, instead, I will use this to air out my grievances,” she murmured, picking up her glass and staring at it. It crossed her mind that the lie she told him at the wedding had been seen through as soon as she said it, but she had no energy to care.

The man took his wine cup and held it out towards her. “Knowledge is not a burden meant for everyone.”

Half-processing his words, she bobbed her head and lightly clinked their drinks together, sipping it down. If she was in her right state of mind, she would've challenged that she was more than capable of whatever he was keeping secret.

Caution was thrown to the wind. All she wanted to do was cry. This stranger wanted to be deceptive and make her prod him for reasons why that all happened. Well, she didn’t want to. Okay, she did. But not now. Not tonight. She had prepared herself for sulking, so that was what she was going to do, even if she didn’t get the chance for a weird interrogation like this again. No handsome man was going to confuse her and lead her astray from a possible life of peace, if she chose that. She was just getting comfortable with herself before that wedding. If she went down the rabbit hole, she’d never crawl out. And if he was to push her down there, why would he help her get out?

Part of her wanted to trust him, more than just accepting drinks from him, because he had acted solicitous that night willingly, but the other part needed to know what he was getting from this. Because he definitely was getting something.

Once again, he got another drink for her and for himself as well. She wasn’t quite sure what his two friends were doing, sipping on their own beverages in silence, only purpose being to observe their back-and-forth.

Which had her wondering, were they just friends, or something else? Bodyguards? Lackeys?

The more her small body had, the less coherent her thoughts were. She was envisioning a supercut of moments from the wedding, all of which hit her like one punch after the next. She put her forehead against her palm and felt the tears roll down her cheeks again.

Betrayal. That’s all she could repeat to herself. His love, the way he cared, promises he made. All lies. She spent years with a man who turned his back on her.

It hurt. It hurt so much, and though she tried to keep quiet, the sobs still shook her body. She put her hand in a fist, gripping a few strands of hair along with it, the other resting on her chest. She closed her eyes, though it wasn’t like she could see with them open.

She didn’t know how long she spent alone with her feelings in that crowded room, three men surrounding her. She finished her drink, yet he didn’t call for another one. Or maybe he did and she just couldn’t tell, because another one came by at some point. Should she be worried that he wasn’t cutting her off? She wasn’t sure.

That one went down like water. At this point, nothing was even making sense to her. She wanted to leave, she wanted to call him, she wanted to pretend he didn’t exist.

But she felt so weighed down, all she could do was sit there, pressing her face into her hands and crying more.

“How could you betray me?” She whispered into her palms.

A hand on her back made her look to her side to see a blurry Wen Ji offering more napkins, albeit hesitantly.

She probably looked disgusting, so she took them and bowed her head in silent thanks, blowing her nose and wiping her nonstop tears. With how much of a mess she was, she was glad she didn’t have to return home, even though she didn’t quite plan to get like this.

Fangfei sniffled. “Why did this happen to me?” she wailed out, hopefully at a reasonable level.

“Maybe there is someone pulling the strings, with quite a few puppets at their disposal,” the man answered, and god his sultry tone was doing something to her scrambled brain right now.

She reached her arms across the table, nearly knocking over their glasses, to grab his hands, oblivious to the nonplussed reactions of the three, staring hard at his perfectly sculpted face.

“And that someone… isn’t you?” She whispered.

He swallowed and lightly pulled away. “I believe it is time for you to bid the alcohol goodbye.”

She pouted. “Now that I’m speaking, you don’t want to listen,” she protested.

The man sighed and slid out of the booth after the other unnamed one did, motioning for Wen Ji to get you out. He had to nudge at her, to which she planted herself firmly, but being that she was rather inebriated, it wasn’t that firm at all.

She stumbled as she stood, Wen Ji and Thing Two, she would now call him, having to support her so she didn’t fall flat on her face.

“Where are you staying?” He asked, placing his hands into his pockets. Where’d his fan go?

She pointed sluggishly. “The hotel two blocks down,” she slurred, completely unaware of the stares other patrons had at her state. If she were sober, she would personally burn herself alive.

“The Hilton?” Thing Two asked.

Fangfei dramatically bobbed her head. “Ye-up.”

The man waved them off. “Get her there safely, and meet me at the parking garage after.”

She glanced up at him, putting on her best puppy eyes. “You don’t want to see me anymore? Was my crying that bad?”

He seemed to chuckle just a little at that, maybe. She couldn’t tell. He didn’t reply though.

The others began to guide her away, him staying behind, presumably to pay the bill.

“Wait,” she fought against them a bit, causing them to pause. “How will I repay you? What about the handkerchief?” Of course she had to ask this now and not when she would actually remember the answer.

Some people pushed past them, and he didn’t answer, so they kept going. Only after a couple more steps did he speak, his low voice faintly catching her ears.

“Goodnight, Xue Fangfei. We’ll meet again.”

It wasn’t until she tried to recount what happened the following day did she realize she had never told him her name.

Notes:

hope you liked it. if you did feel free to leave kudos or a comment!

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Notes:

more moments with xiao heng~ the next couple chapters wont be as fun but just like the show, you gotta do things for plot yk?

A couple of weeks went by after that without any incidents.

Well, except for the fact that she was now putting off working on those wedding photos, and her schedule was only getting busier. She really should get back on that. But dammit, that impromptu sob fest really put a sour taste in her mouth, especially when she had to see ones of them kissing.

It had now been nearly two months since that day, and while she had a lot of progress done, there was still some more to do. It didn’t help that she overbooked herself more than necessary, but she had nothing else to do to pass her time, and if she wanted to maybe take a chance at the wildlife photographer job, she needed the money to travel.

The only person she consistently made time to see was Haitang, who she’d just met last week after her calendar cleared up. Even though she got nagged to hell and back for her recklessness, it was a much needed escape.

Although, it did find her now in the weekend’s farmers and artisan market in a nearby town. She needed to grab some handspun yarn from a local farmer after her friend’s excitable puppy nipped at her pair of jeans and ripped them.

It had been some time since she last had been here. Right after the divorce was finalized, she came and stood by where Yurong’s shop used to be for hours. It had become something else at that point, but she could still remember coming in to drop off his lunch, admiring his handiwork and helping him with where to display his pieces, or assisting as his receptionist of sorts.

People took pity on her, since they knew who she was and the history of where she stood, along with the recent news. She didn’t quite expect it to spread as it did, false rumors and all, but those who frequented the market seemed to believe he left for greed, not because of her supposed shortcomings. After his recent affairs, maybe that was what it really was after all.

She couldn’t linger on this, though, as she had stuff she needed to get done.

The layout and shops hadn’t changed much, so she was able to navigate to familiar places. She got fresh vegetables and fruit, along with eggs and flour, for homemade dumplings, something she’d been wanting, from a farmer who she had been well-acquainted with, chatting it up like dozens of days hadn’t gone by since.

It made her a bit nostalgic for those simpler times, and though she longed for a smoother course than her current one, she knew that whatever waited beyond the bend had to hold better things.

Since she was in the market, she splurged on some pretty photo frames and books for clients that caught her eye. Admittedly, one of them was so embellished that she bought it for Wanning. Though she didn’t know where she stood with her, she was a very important person, and she couldn’t come off shaken by what happened.

Her last stop was the yarn shop, where she only picked a couple of colors for her task. Embroidery wasn’t her strong suit, but she thought she may as well make the pants more unique this way.

With three bags full in her hands now, she had what she came for and went towards an exit. She was admiring all the pretty Spring crafts and scents that she had to stop short when she saw an unexpected someone at a local jewelry maker’s table.

His arrogant demeanor was hard to forget; he carried himself like a Duke of a kingdom. She wanted to know who he was, why he kept appearing all of the sudden, what he could possibly want with her or from her, and—

Unexpectedly, she felt herself get launched forward, onto the pavement, bags slipping from her fingers, their contents falling out and yarn rolling away. Gasps rang out around her, with the person who bumped her profusely apologizing as she picked up some of her items to help her.

Fangfei just felt embarrassed, staring at the ground and blindly reaching for her belongings. She was so careless, standing still in a crowded place like this. Was she really that upset by it, or were the tears beginning to well up, despite how her body shook trying to stop them, due to her frustration and exasperation? She blinked it all away. She was fine.

When she made a move towards her dirtied yarn, it got picked up and dusted off for her. She met the face of the bystanders, and somehow still felt surprised at who she saw.

The familiar man offered his hand while his companions placed everything back in her bags for her. She knew this was quite a scene now, so she hurriedly took his hand and stood up, brushing herself off.

Without warning, he took her away from the area and to a reclusive part of the market. She may have felt afraid if the other two weren’t close behind, her bags in their hands. Once they had all stopped, his warmth left her.

He crossed his arms as she faced her, inspecting her with his stare. She felt even more exposed than just moments ago, in a place full of people.

Instinctively, she covered herself with her arms and looked away. Still, she could see him smirk.

“Did no one ever tell you that being stopped in a crowd is a sure way to get yourself hurt? Or do you choose to not heed such warnings?” He asked.

Fangfei kept her lips tightly sealed. This guy continued to want a reaction from her. Did she slight him in a past life or something?

He dramatically sighed. “Hm. Reluctant to talk still?”

Fangfei whipped her head up. He had some audacity.

“Should I want to talk to a man following me around?” She retorted back with a glare. Should she also try to challenge said man? Probably not.

To her surprise, he grinned wider. “Oh, going to accuse me of that again?”

Fangfei bristled. It was like that was a compliment to him.

He pointed one hand in the direction they came, suddenly appearing rather phlegmatic. “I was doing business with a jeweler nearby,” he stated.

She felt a twinge of curiosity now. Was he offering an explanation? But she wouldn’t let him go that easily.

“And the bar? What about that, hm?” She pressed on, daring to take a step closer.

He placed his hand back on his other arm and looked at her rather critically. “Am I not allowed to be in a local pub in the city I live in?”

Perhaps that was hard to dispute, though her concerns had not yet yielded. She made that clear with her wary gaze, trying to read what could be hidden behind that practiced mask.

Somehow, she got him to crack first.

He glanced away, a bit exasperated, maybe, before staring her down again and speaking.

“It seems you have things to ask this time. How about we chat over tea?” He tapped his fingers on his arm while waiting for her answer.

Fangfei clicked her tongue. She did want to know who he was, at the very least. After making him wait longer than necessary, seeing if she could get his mask to slip again, she agreed when he stood firm.

His two friends came with, which she supposed was fine, being that they were holding her bags and had already seen her ugly cry. Though, she would not be doing any of that today.

When they settled in, orders placed, he sat back in such a pompous way, it only made her more determined to figure out who he was.

She decided to match his posture, crossing her legs and folding her arms over her chest (she realized this was an action she was doing a lot with him.) That seemed to intrigue him, as he raised a brow and cocked his head, resting his chin on his fingers.

“You can ask me questions,” he said, irritatingly smug, “and I’ll provide answers.”

“Who are you?” She asked immediately.

As if he expected that, he shut his eyes in some type of delight. Upon reopening them, replied, “Ask me something else.”

Fangfei narrowed her eyes. “Already going back on your word?”

Their drinks and Wen Ji’s sandwich arrive then, forcing a pause that he took advantage of by slowly sipping his tea.

While he put his cup back down, eyes on it, he said, “Someone who also is curious as to your being there.”

That made her pause, sitting up straighter. “Is there something you know?” She questioned, slowly, accusatory.

Out of seemingly nowhere, he pulled out a black fan and opened it, fanning himself and looking proud, likely at having gotten her attention back.

“We’re like different sides of a coin,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“What?” She did not feel like entertaining any riddles.

He wordlessly gestured to her drink with the fan, so she reluctantly picked it up, but waited for him to say more first.

“Both looking at the same thing, but through opposing lenses,” he told her, enrangingly calm with his dumb fan.

She indignantly placed the ceramic down without taking a sip. “I think I’ve changed my mind. I’m no longer interested in asking any questions.” She made a move to get up, scowling and not in the mood for games. She reached for her bags, though froze at his next words.

“You don’t perceive your invitation there as harmless, do you? Haven’t you considered there was an ulterior motive?”

Yes. Of course she did. How could she not?

She wasn’t going to say that, though. She only glared at him, daring him to try any more tricks.

He closed the fan and placed it down. “I could provide some insight for you, maybe,” he offered, his stare heated and intimidating.

She sat back down cautiously. “And how would you do that?” For some reason, she was feeling a bit breathless.

He hummed. “That’s a good query. Do you still have my handkerchief, by chance?”

She decided she would allow him to dodge that question. For now.

“I do,” she replied, making her voice coy.

That seemed to please him, and in turn, she felt… happy about that?

“Good,” he said. “You can repay me by fixing the tear in it, in case you’ve yet to notice it.”

“Repay you?” Yes, that had been lingering in her mind, but how did she know he cared about it?

One of his eyebrows went up as he grabbed his tea. “That night at the bar, you had asked me how you could return my favors.”

Fangfei blanched.

“Oh.”

He sipped his tea, satisfied. The sound of Wen Ji chewing his sandwich filled the silence. She pursed her lips.

“So, fixing the handkerchief will repay my debt, then?” She asked.

He held up a finger while lowering the cup. “Only one.”

Her eyebrows drew together. “How many do I have? I don’t like owing favors.”

One more finger came up. “The handkerchief will be repayment for reminding you to remember whose presence you were with.”

“And the drinks…” she trailed off, afraid to touch upon her faint memories of that night.

He brought his hand down and crossed his arms. “Since I unpromptedly bought you the drinks, that isn’t on your tab.” He glanced to the side, breaking eye contact. “And, if I had been so forlorn that I’d drink and cry with strangers, it wouldn’t be quite fair to have that held over my head.”

The truth of her actions made her blush, though in a way, his words were a bit of a relief.

With no warning, he grabbed his fan and stood up and moved to leave. The other men did as well, bags left to rest on the ground.

“Where are you going?” She asked before she could stop herself. Ugh, and she sounded way too concerned about it.

Facing her with a knowing grin, he stated, “I have other things to attend to, Miss Fangfei.”

She looked between him and the tea. “But, how… will I pay you back for all of this?” She knew she would have given him money for the drink, but he very clearly was not the type of man who accepted monetary settlements.

He lazily shrugged, opening the fan to use it. “We’ll have to find that out the next time we meet.” He made one step forward before adding, “Keep the handkerchief on you once you’ve finished. I travel quite a lot for my work, so we may meet again at any time.” It somehow sounded like a warning, though she wasn’t feeling afraid.

Just like that, he and his two followers left her, without letting her reply. And yet, that didn’t upset her. Allowing her to be by herself for a moment was definitely what she needed now.

She knew it had gone cold at that point, but she grabbed her cup and closed her eyes as she finished it in a swift gulp.

When she sat down that evening to finally continue in editing more of their wedding photos, she saw the yarn sticking out of one bag. Huffing, she got out of her chair, picked it up, and stared at it like it had personally insulted her. After a long moment, she tossed it back in the bag roughly.

That handsome man and his stupid handkerchief could wait.

Notes:

hope u enjoyed. leave a kudos or comment if u did~

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Notes:

a bit boring chapter imo lmao, but i have to progress the story!!

The following morning, she woke up to a text from Haitang confirming a time and place to meet for lunch. She had forgotten momentarily that she had awoken in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, worried about the recent events and the elusive man tied to them. Fangfei knew if she saw her friend, she might be able to cope better.

Hours later, she sat across from her, who was sipping at her sweet smoothie as she intently listened to Fangfei retell the incident from yesterday.

“Then he just left, leaving me alone. I had to carry my bags all the way back,” she grumbled, arms still a bit sore from the weight she lugged.

Haitang frowned. “And you still don’t know who he is?”

Fangfei sighed. “No. Like I said, when I asked him, he dodged it. Then began trying to perplex me and has been making me rethink what I thought I knew.”

Her friend pursed her lips. “Well, he has to be related to this somehow, right? He was at the wedding, so-oh!” (need dash) She perked up, grabbing Fangfei’s attention. “He has to be in one of the pictures then.”

Fangfei raised an eyebrow. “So?” Truly, she didn’t quite know where she was going with this.

“ So , find his face and we can reverse image search him,” she replied like it was obvious, emphasizing the idea with a clap of her hands. “Get his Instagram or something.”

She let the suggestion turn in her head. It wasn't a bad recommendation. Though he seemed to keep to himself. Would he really show up?

“Sure, why not?” She replied.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s do it now!” Haitang exclaimed, extending her hand out as if she expected something from her.

She just gave her a quizzical look.

A dramatic sigh came from Haitang, followed by her hand flipping over on the table. “A’Li, don’t you have photos on your phone? In your cloud, storage, something, that we can check?” She asked, leaning forward.

Fangfei mouthed “oh” and got out her phone, going to that wedding album in her synced storage. She didn’t want to sift through all of that, she had seen it enough, and offered it to her friend.

She described the strikingly red suit he wore with elaborately coiffed hair, drinking her coffee while Haitang spent several minutes swiping, determination clear on her face. At one point, she almost asked for her phone back and that she would do it herself, but knowing the woman across from her, she wouldn’t allow it. Though she hoped she’d come across something soon, because now she was letting her mind wander to what he had said.

You don’t perceive your invitation there as harmless, do you? Haven’t you considered there was an ulterior motive?

Harmless, no… she was undoubtedly hurt. But Yurong had no idea about it, so was the ulterior motive in regards to him? It seemed plausible, but… why?

She chewed her bottom lip as she thought. Did Wanning use her to get to him? On their wedding day? That seemed ridiculous. And crazy, too. She couldn’t just make assumptions. She knew nothing, if there was even something to know about. According to her nameless, unfairly handsome shadow she’d acquired, there was.

“Hmmm, is this him? I’m just going off the supposed arrogance you’ve said he has, and this guy definitely has it.” She turned the phone around to show her, eyes wide with curiosity.

As soon as Fangfei caught a glimpse, she knew.

“Yes, that’s him,” she affirmed.

Proud, Haitang hummed happily, screenshotting a close-up of his face and now, presumably, doing some reverse image search using that. Fangfei wasn’t confident it would work, really.

When her friend let out a gasp, enough for people to turn their heads, she had an inkling she was wrong.

Fangfei peered over and there, on her phone, was a detailed page about the COO of H. Xiao Jewelers, Xiao Heng.

If Haitang didn’t start squeezing her forearm, she would’ve considered herself dreaming. How could the COO be involved in this? What for? There was no mistaking that this was him.

“A’Li… this is one of Yurong’s bosses . And co-worker of the man who hired you !” She whisper-shouted.

Fangfei could only nod dumbly, trying to piece together what this could mean.

If the COO wanted to know about why she was the hired photographer, then did that mean the owner, Hong Xiao, did, too? It reminded her of what he had said at the wedding.

“I’m at odds with my sister and her brother currently,” she mumbled, still focused on the pictorial of whom she now knew as Xiao Heng.

“Huh?” Haitang asked.

Fangfei looked up at her, not realizing she had spoken out loud. “Ah, that was what Hong Xiao had said to me that night. I know I haven’t shared much of the wedding with you. I’m sorry. It’s…” she hesitated, feeling more emotional given how Haitang had been with her through it all.

Her friend moved her hand down carefully over her’s. “You can tell me whenever you’re ready.”

The consolation could’ve made her cry. Why was she so easily brought to tears lately?

She nodded her head. “I think I am. If you have the time.”

Haitang squeezed her hand. “For you? Always.”

---

Thunder booming and bright lightning flashes disturbed Fangfei in the early hours of the morning. She nearly jumped up at the sound, worried it was something crashing downstairs, but heard the rain and was able to calm her breathing and racing heart.

Sitting up groggily, she sighed. Unfortunately, that really shook her awake, and it’d be hard to fall right back to sleep. There wasn’t much she could do, as working on retouching while tired wasn’t a great idea, and she shouldn’t make too much noise if her family was asleep (she realized the irony in this.) To pass the time until she’d be exhausted again, she settled on reorganizing and tidying up her room.

It wasn’t much; placing a framed piece of artwork on a shelf, tossing out old mail and papers, even dusting off her souvenirs and the books and crannies in her room.

Which is how she came across a handcrafted wooden ring holder she kept hidden away. She knew what was in it, and she had hid it last year for this exact reason.

She couldn’t stop herself from grabbing it, duster forgotten about, and holding it carefully. The weight of the custom box was much like the heavy one in her chest.

Fangfei stroked the grain and rested her thumb on the opening. Nothing good would come out of opening it, yet she still yearned to do so. If she saw what was inside, she’d be hurting herself, and she was already in bad shape.

Though her mind told her not to, her heart was what she listened to.

There, tucked gently into some cushion, was the ring Yurong made for her. It was as breathtaking as it had been when he proposed, due to her diligently ensuring she treasured her lover’s betrothal. When she touched it and traced its shape, she could remember it like it was yesterday.

Coursing through the water, several koi fish in a backyard pond were being watched by Fangfei, who had her chin in her hands, leaning her elbows on a small table she sat at nearby. The skies were clearer than they’d been in some days due to heavy rain, so it was nice to bask in the sun. It was still a bit early in the morning, but she couldn’t wait to enjoy the day not holed up inside.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of her and Yurong’s backyard, the splashing of the fish, the bird’s tweets, and whistles from the grass as it was gently blown. If this was the rest of her life, she’d live with it.

“You look like a Renaissance painting,” came suddenly from her husband, who, when she reopened her eyes, saw was just coming down their deck steps.

Fangfei smiled. He was looking handsome, even still dressed in his night robes that she got him some odd years ago.

He came to stand beside her, gazing at her with such love, she knew she had to be matching it.

She reached for his hand, which he gave graciously, and they laced their fingers together.

“I’m surprised you’re awake right now,” she murmured, staring at their intertwined hands.

“Well,” he started, “I could feel your lack of presence.”

That made her giggle a bit. “I didn’t realize you were that in tune with me, dear.”

He squeezed her hand. “After all these years, of course. I could not imagine being devoted to another,” he said, so earnestly it almost made her heart beat out of her chest.

“This garden you’ve made in our home,” she glanced up at him, intrigued by why he was mentioning her sanctuary, her self-placating way of still observing wildlife, “is proof of your unwavering love. Love that I do not know how I earned, given how much you have sacrificed.” Fangfei wanted to protest, but he shushed her. “There was only one thing I could think of that could return maybe half of all you’ve done.”

Still holding her hand, he kneeled down on one knee. The air was sucked right out of her lungs.

He pulled out an exquisitely made wooden box, which she knew what it had to hold.

Looking deeply into her eyes, releasing her hand, he told her sweet nothings and then asked her to marry him.

The ring was made by him, using fine silver and accent gold, a precious square-cut diamond sat atop the head, smaller stones on either side. When he picked it up to put it on her finger, he made sure to note the SY + XL engraved inside.

They kissed and embraced under the rising sun, birds still singing their song, water still flowing.

And with her camera, making her laugh, he took the first photos of her and them together as a supposed devout couple.

On that day, she thought she had known everything. She had thought her and Yurong were forever.

Notes:

visual of xh's suit: https://t.ly/tHYl5

hope you liked it. if you did feel free to leave a kudos or comment~

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Notes:

another shorter chapter for progress purposes, and fangfei is missing xiao heng for some reason that she can't understand. hmmm.

Numbly, Fangfei traced her fingers down the photo behind the glass of a photo frame she got at the market. Yurong and Wanning were holding each other and smiling amongst the intricately arranged flowers and lake backdrop.

They looked happy.

Fangfei was starting to realize that all this image was not as it seemed. Still, there was something real there, and that hurt the most.

She sighed shakily and placed it in a well-padded box with the album and USB of the digital photos. The second framed picture followed, that one of their bejeweled left hands resting atop each other. Briefly, she wondered if their rings had engraved initials in them as well.

The thought was like a punch to the gut, and she had to physically grasp her desk to gain control of herself. She felt like throwing up. If she could curse Shen Yurong for nine familial generations for making her feel this way, she’s almost certain she’d do it in a heartbeat.

Her only hesitation was that she still loved him.

She hurriedly closed the box and taped it shut. The faster she did this, the easier it’d be to let go. She had things she wanted to know, though she still struggled with whether it was worth harming her sanity.

Maybe this was something she could better decide on during her next chance encounter with Xiao Heng. Though, she did feel they were less adventitious than he was letting on. When she saw him next, she’d be sure to bring it up again.

Even though all she went out for was to drop off the box at the post office, she had suspicions he’d be there, detailing to her some excuse of having a P.O. box right at that very location which he conveniently came to check today at that second.

But no, he never showed. Why was part of her disappointed? It was a bit hard to deny that, for the first time in many years, she felt like a man was listening to her and letting her own choices. Not pressuring her to sacrifice her dreams because he had a family to support. Perhaps he was a bit of an enigma, yet somehow it was like he wanted her to find out more.

She shook her head to erase the thoughts and charming face that was Xiao Heng. She didn’t really understand him, she was just so lonely that she wanted to believe she could.

A buzz in her pants pocket grabbed her attention, though when she looked it was just her brother asking of her whereabouts. However, she noticed she missed an email alert from, to her bewilderment, Jiang Li.

That was not someone she ever expected to contact again, as kind as she was, so she didn’t exchange any information. Though, her email was public information, so that part didn’t shock her. She was curious as to what the email was for, since the subject being “Request to Meet with You” gave her no hints. Her message was more detailed, about her sister’s marriage and having some questions, but was she hiring her? Did she need some sort of help? Why her, if that was the case?

Jiang Li was good-natured, or at least seemed to be so, and Fangfei was curious, so she accepted her request and went as far as offering to meet today. She had planned her schedule accordingly to ensure she got these wedding photos finished, so her next event was still a couple days away, making her availability rather open.

She replied to her brother and slipped her phone away again, finishing her task of mailing their photos with as much emotional detachment as she could muster.

By the time she got back in her car, Jiang Li had already given her a time and place to meet in two hours, along with her number.

---

The young girl was patiently sat at a small table by a window when Fangfei arrived. She softly smiled and perked up at seeing her, making Fangfei abashedly wave in return.

“Thank you for meeting me, miss,” she said as soon as Fangfei had slid into the chair.

She shook her head. “You can just call me Fangfei,” she told her. Truthfully, the title made her feel old, and she wasn’t even thirty yet.

Fangfei folded her hands together and rested them on the table. “So, you wanted to ask me something?”

Jiang Li nodded. “Yes.” She glanced down, pursing her lips, before relaxing and looking back up. “My younger sister just got married and wanted to have her reception soon. This was a sudden announcement that they made only last week, and I promised my sister I would help her.”

This sounded familiar. Did siblings often do this? Why didn’t Xue Zhao offer this for her? Because she’s older?

Wanting to not interrupt, Fangfei encouraged her to continue with an inclination of her head.

“I wanted to ask you if you’d be willing to be the photographer for the reception, or, if it’s too soon, maybe a guest, if you’d like.”

A guest? She considered having her as a guest when they were hardly acquainted? Her heart swelled a little at the idea, truthfully.

Fangfei raised her eyebrows slightly, peering at her. “When are they expecting the reception to be?”

Jiang Li smiled nervously, and she had a feeling that it would be very soon. “Two months. July twenty-fourth, to be exact.”

If her eyes could pop out of her head, they probably would have.

“Two… months? What’s the rush?” While she didn’t think it was bad, she didn’t know how they would manage to plan everything in that time frame. How did they even book a venue?

It seemed that Jiang Li knew how that sounded and shook her head. “Her fiance is enlisting in the military, so they decided they wanted to marry before then and didn’t want any protest from our families, so they did so quietly with me as one of the witnesses.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I thought maybe you could be the photographer for at least the party. I know the summer is a busy time, but I was also worried that the bad reviews might be hindering your work as well, so-”

“Wait, the bad reviews?” She interjected. What?

Jiang Li covered her mouth slowly. “Oh, you haven’t seen them?” She looked ashamed at having been the one to let her know.

Fangfei’s eyebrows furrowed. “They’re of my photography?” The other girl nodded. That was weird. None of her recent clients had come to her with any complaints.

She unlocked her phone and went to her public page and sure enough, she had two recent reviews that each gave her one star. Her stomach started to do flips as she read them.

One of them said the photos were too filtered and unnatural, with little variety in subject matter, while the other said the baby shower photos were amateurish, like she didn’t have any experience. Though it was true she didn’t excel in photography of children, she never considered herself as overdoing or lacking in her skills. Both of them succeeded in hurting her, that was for sure.

Her eyes felt wet, but she wouldn’t cry. She needed to stop being so emotional in front of strangers. She was better than this.

A soft hand carefully took the phone from her, placing it face down on the table. Fangfei hesitated, but met her, surprisingly unpitiful, eyes.

“I don’t think you should worry about them. Once Wanning recommends you, it will overshadow them,” she said. Although it was meant to comfort her, Fangfei worried that those were people whose issues would go ignored because of exactly what she was just told.

She sighed. “But I would still look bad if I didn’t listen to their complaints,” she replied.

Jiang Li’s eyes cast down. “You’re right, I just don’t want to upset you more than I already have. Wanning showed us some of the unedited previews you sent and they looked amazing,” she added, voice small.

Fangfei patted her hand and smiled. “Thank you Jiang Li. It wouldn’t be professional of me to disregard them, that’s all.”

Despite that she was definitely confused about their mere existence, an entirely separate issue, she needed to treat them properly. She just truly wasn’t sure how these could’ve come about.

She tossed that to the side for now and refocused the conversation. This wasn’t something that Jiang Li needed to be concerned about whatsoever.

“So… you’d like me to be the photographer?” She reaffirmed, grabbing her phone to scroll through her calendar.

The summer months were typically busy, and although last year was an off-season for her, she was back on her feet this time. Meaning she did have some events planned near that day, but was free otherwise. It’d just be quite the tiring few weeks, which she was ready to accept.

Jiang Li nodded firmly. “Yes. But if you would like, I can get you in as a guest.”

“And may I ask why?” She wished she bit her tongue, but she wanted to know, and she couldn’t shake her skeptical ways.

That caught her off guard, though she rebounded quickly, saying, “To be honest, I felt sad when I saw you, and thought of myself when I was struggling and no one lent a hand.

“So although I’d appreciate hiring you for my sister, I want you to enjoy something rather than be on the outside looking in, because I know what that’s like.”

This time, Fangfei really was moved to tears. Again, she couldn’t believe what she must’ve gone through to be this mature when she couldn’t have been older than twenty-five.

She wiped at her eyes and smiled. “Thank you, Jiang Li. I appreciate that.” A lot. More than she was going to say, lest she look more pitiful.

Fangfei tucked her phone away and put her hands in her lap. “I’d be happy to be the photographer. Let’s discuss the details, shall we?”

Notes:

hope you enjoyed. leave a review or kudos if you did!

Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Notes:

i have not forgotten this story~ the last month was just busy for me and i was waiting for my beta-reader to have the time to look it over. i originally wanted to plan for more in this chapter but im actually satisfied with how it is.

hope you like it~

Nothing happened. It had been two weeks since she learned about the reviews and even responded to them, biting her nails anxiously, and yet nothing.

No responses, no other random negative comments.

Why, then, was she rolling the ring Yurong made for her between her fingers, debating on selling it and fleeing from her home again so as not to trouble her family?  Sure, things were fine now, but what if last year repeated itself, and her father’s business took a hit this time?

It wouldn’t provide for a down-payment on a house, but the money she could likely get from this plus what she had saved and expected for Wanning’s wedding might. Taking all those smaller jobs maybe wasn’t such a bad idea in hindsight.

She released a shaky sigh, tucking the ring away. It was a ridiculous idea and silly conclusion to come to, though she still found herself inside a jewelry buyers store at a mall not far away.

Pursing her lips, she walked up to the counter, placing the certification papers and wooden box with that ring inside on the glass.

“Hi,” she said. The man on the other side raised an eyebrow. “I was wondering what the price would be if I sold the ring in here?”

“And what should I know about this?” He asked slowly, basically disinterested. Was it obvious she had never done this before?

She looked down at the box. “A craftsman who works at H. Xiao custom-made it for me. It’s fine silver and a two carat diamond.” He opened the box and picked up the ring, turning it around to examine it, even using a loupe to see the fine details.

He looked rather intrigued. “And you don’t want to sell it to them? They’re in this mall, you know.” She didn’t answer, lump in her throat. So, he continued. “I’ll need some time with this. If you’ll give me a day, I can have an answer on the price tomorrow afternoon,” he said as he placed it back and looked at her.

Fangfei nodded. She didn’t really have any idea of its worth, so this was just her first stop, and hopefully she could get something decent out of it. Two carats was worth a lot, wasn’t it?

It was ridiculous how little she knew despite all her years with Yurong, though perhaps the same could be said about him and photography.

After signing a couple papers in regards to their evaluation process and potential consignment offer, she left it behind with them. Though she was looking for money, she also wanted to get it out of her life. There was no use in holding onto it.

Since she had come the couple of towns over for this, she figured she may as well mindlessly wander the mall for a couple hours. She did want to get a new face wash, and maybe a candle or two. A differently-scented perfume wouldn’t hurt, too.

Hence how she found herself with two bags full more than she had planned an hour and a half later. Maybe she’d head to a clothing store further down the way if she was investing this much into retail therapy.

A bit happier than when she had first arrived, Fangfei strolled towards the shop. She paused when she saw the H. Xiao store that man had mentioned being here.

Taking a glance to the side, she saw an empty bench. She was feeling a sudden rush of lightheadedness, so she took a seat and set her bags down. And then she stared at the store.

For how long, she didn’t quite know. She just kept looking, wondering. How many rings there did Yurong contribute to making? Were any of them like the one he gave her? Did anyone who worked in that store knew who he was, what he meant to her? What he, a man designing rings, gifts one bought for their loved ones, had done to her? If only she was crazy enough to go up there and ask. Instead, she was only crazy enough to sit there and look on as people went in and out, employees assisting them and then not.

It must’ve been a while. Countless people passed by her, some even sat down, and maybe an older woman tried to make small talk with her, though it was heavily blocked out due to the thoughts running rampant inside her head. Workers even seemed to change shifts, and, was she imagining it, or did they point to her, gossiping over her stationary presence?

When she felt a figure standing by her, probably a security guard to question her at this point, she thought that maybe she wasn’t making that up after all.

She didn’t expect the voice that she heard.

“You didn’t strike me as an emotional person, Miss Fangfei,” his deep voice said, and even though she wasn’t facing him, she could hear the smirk in his tone.

She turned herself to face him, and sure enough, there he was, lips up at the corners. She glared. What could he be doing here?

“Does having a moment of sentimentalism equal emotionality?” She challenged.

He jutted his chin at her and tapped under his eye twice. She was confused, bringing fingers to her eyes to feel them and being met with wet cheeks. Great.

She cast her eyes down, wiping her face dry.

He crossed his arms. “Is it sentimentalism…” he took a step closer,” or memories of a past heartbreak?”

She snapped her head up. “You’re being rather rude, Mr. Xiao.”

His eyebrows went up. “Oh? I see you’ve done your research, Miss Fangfei.”

Fangfei scoffed. “You’re one to talk,” she retorted, looking anywhere but his bewitching face. It held nothing good for her. What was up with his hypocrisy? She grabbed her bags and stood up, not facing him any longer. “Thank you for your consideration, but I will be leaving now.”

“Would you like to grab a cup of tea with me? I won’t force you to let me pay.” Meaning he’d still try to. Cad . She was ready to wave off the offer when he added, “There’s still the other open tab that I may have a solution for.”

That had her turning on her heel to look him dead in the eye and wait for him to say more.

He blinked and glanced to the side in an almost eye roll, though he looked smug about it. “Come, let’s sit, and I’ll tell you more.”

She wasn’t completely convinced, but she was looking forward to having less reason to interact with this mysterious man.

He led her to the cafe attached to the mall, which was rather unbusy even during the middle of the day. She had never been here before, though it looked nice, and maybe a bit pretentious. Seemed to suit his tastes.

They ordered separately, she ensured that, ignoring his weirdly scrutinizing look at being rejected from the opportunity to rope her into increasing her debt. Something about his demeanor made every expression seem so calculated and more intimidating. Why were her cheeks heating up?

Fangfei grabbed her drink when it was ready, not waiting for him, and sat down at a table off to the side. For some reason, this felt like a rendezvous, and she didn’t want people to catch them together. Who? No one she could think of, she was just being neurotic.

Xiao Heng ( Xiao Heng , his name sounded nice, even in her head) sat down across from her. She kept her lips sealed and sipped her drink, staring him down.

He folded his hands up on the table, as if presenting himself for a business meeting. “I heard Miss Jiang Li hired you as the photographer for her sister’s wedding,” he said nonchalantly.

She scoffed. “You seem to hear many things. Does a COO need to have ears everywhere?” This guy had some nerve.

“A COO has to ensure the company functions efficiently,” he quickly replied. Well-rehearsed, clearly. It couldn’t have been the first time someone called him out on his meddlesomeness.

“Including involving yourself in the personal lives of the employees?” She quipped.

He smirked and crossed his legs. “Miss Fangfei, do you think Wanning is only a contracted employee?” He grabbed his cup, bringing it close to his lips, the steam rising over his face. “She is the sister of Hong Xiao, with whom I am close. And Mr. Jiang is on our board of directors, making me well acquainted with his family.”

Okay, so he had a point. Well, screw his point.

“How does this concern me?” She decided to ask. She was not fond of all the word games.

He took a long, drawn out sip. She squinted. “Miss Ruoyao has expressed that she would love for attendees to bring a guest with them. A date, if you will.”

She knew where this was going. She also knew what her answer was.

Fangfei matched his posture. “You’d like me to find you someone, then?”

To her surprise, he seemed amused. “Drop the photographer position for the wedding and become my plus one instead,” he stated, like it was so simple. He kept doing this, and it was really grating on her now.

She shook her head. “I will not,” she replied.

“How will you pay me back?”  He asked, examining her and resting his cup down.

Fangfei leaned forward daringly. “You’ve thought of two things, what’s one more?” This type of boldness was not her norm, but something about him brought it out of her.

He hummed. “Miss Fangfei, do you expect me to do everything for you?” He questioned, face neutral now, staring into his tea.

She rested her chin on her fingers. “You haven’t given me any reason to think you wouldn’t.” What was she saying?

His lips turned up again. “Your words are quite the compliment.”

She swallowed, pressing her lips together and sighing through her nose. She did want to give herself less reasons to see him. At least, that’s what she was going to keep telling herself.

“If I accept, I have one condition.” He raised an eyebrow, still focused on his drink, so she continued. “My friend has to be a date for someone else.”

There was a beat of silence, like he was considering something. Then, “Are you planning something?” He asked, with no hint of accusation in his voice.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Should I willingly throw myself into a lion’s den with no escape?”

It was faint, and quick, but she swore she saw his face twitch in an uncomfortable way. Did that upset him?

He released his cup. “I’ll make the proper arrangements.”

“Thank you,” she replied, drinking her own tea now that a deal had been made, choosing to not linger on his dodging of the question.

She watched as he took out his phone, saying,  “I’ll take your phone number.”

That nearly made her spit out her drink. “I beg your pardon?”

The stare he gave her was like he was looking right through her. She instinctively tensed her body a bit, legs tight together.

“I have to contact you about the dress requirements,” he said.

She tilted her head, judging him. “I could ask Jiang Li myself. Besides, I have to tell her about rescinding the photographer position,” she stated something she felt should’ve been blatant.

He tipped his head, as if mocking her. “I’ve already made arrangements regarding that, so I’ll handle it for you.” She went to interject, but he continued. “Besides, Miss Fangfei, do you expect Miss Jiang Li to know what I’m wearing so we can properly coordinate? How about your transportation to the venue?”

Unfortunately, he was right. Again.

She blew air out of her nose, miffed, and crossed her arms. “Well, Mr. Heng , when you put it that way, it seems I am not left with a choice.”

“I may be making grand requests, but there is never a time where you’re expected to accept.”

That sent a chill down her spine, maybe from the strange hidden message it certainly held, or from his velvety tone.

Fangfei peeked down at her lap, and then back up at him and his intense gaze.

“I’ll only say it once, so listen closely,” she warned, disliking how he seemed to indulge in that, before reciting her phone number. Why did she feel like he somehow had it already anyways?

They fell quiet, with only the chatter of other patrons and soft music filling the empty air between them.

She looked over at him, trying to study his face and posture. He was undoubtedly alluring, though a bit frustrating with his elusiveness. She didn’t want to be involved with him, yet he did have a face she thinks she’d miss.

“Is there something on my face, Miss Fangfei?” He asked, even when he wasn’t looking directly at her to catch her stare. Subtlety was typically her strong suit, but around him, it was as if her brain was turned upside-down, recklessly acting without calculating the result of it.

She bit the inside of her cheek momentarily and then blinked slowly, lips turning down.

“When will I get to know the truth?”

About Yurong, about why she was hired, about why Xiao Heng was roping her into this.

He didn’t reply, not for a couple of minutes. He decided to finish his tea, so she had her’s. And, staring at her now empty cup, he spoke.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

Notes:

leave a comment or kudos if you liked <3

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Notes:

very short chapter here, but i promise im making up for it with a 6k+ word chapter for the next one~

this one is more just insight into fangfei/yurong, like a filler episode, if you will.

The first time she met him, he had volunteered as a subject in her freshman high school photography class.

She thought he was cute, and was impressed that a boy would offer to do this kind of thing. Though she later found out he had done it to get himself extra credit, it didn’t change her opinion much.

After that, she seemed to start seeing him everywhere; between several classes in the hallways, waiting for a friend after a class, even having the same lunch period. Each time she saw him, her crush developed more and more.

Though it wasn’t until the following sophomore year, when they both joined the same club after school, did she approach him.

He was sitting by himself to the side reading a book, waiting for the other students to arrive, so she plopped herself down beside him.

“Excuse me,” Fangfei said quietly, feeling nervous over what should’ve been nothing.

He glanced up at her, eyebrows raised in earnest. His handsomeness nearly took her breath away.

“I don’t know if you remember,” she started, looking down at her hands in her lap, “but last year, you modeled for photography students.” She swallowed and looked back at him. His expression was unchanged, but he didn’t seem disinterested, so she went on. “I just wanted to thank you for that.”

He smiled a little, and her heart raced. “I’m surprised you remember that,” he replied, his voice like honey.

Her cheeks flushed at the statement. “I was just grateful, that’s all. So I wanted to tell you that.”

He nodded in understanding, expression free of judgement. “You’re quite welcome…” he trailed off.

“Fangfei,” she told him, perhaps a bit too eagerly.

“Fangfei,” he repeated slowly, like he was trying it out.

She swallowed. “And you’re Yurong, right?” He nodded again. “Nice to meet you, Yurong.”

“Nice to meet you, Fangfei.”

It was a slow start, but they developed a habit of conversing during those small windows between classes when they crossed paths in the halls, along with working together in the club.

They had their first date after knowing each other for a few months. It was at the movies, some action film she didn’t really know anything about, only going to it because of his suggestion, yet she was able to enjoy it since she was with him. At the end of the night, to her own surprise at her boldness, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Not long after that, Yurong had been the one to ask her to make it official, but they kept it hidden from their families for years. Lies about who’d they go see, spending allowance money on gifts for each other, and using after school activities as opportunities to spend more time with one another.

It had its challenges, given that they wanted to be open about their relationship, and struggles often came up because of that. Spats about missing anniversaries or last-minute cancellations weren’t common, but still more than either of them liked. So, when they graduated high school, they told their parents.

Mrs. Shen had immediately disapproved because she had never met her, yet when offered the chance, declined since she thought Fangfei was deplorable for seeing him in secret. Yurong made excuses for his mother, something she didn’t expect, but she couldn’t talk back since her own father was not fond of their relationship, either.

For some odd months, it made making time for dates harder, and it almost seemed as if they wouldn’t get through it, but when they had enough to comfortably do so, they moved out of their houses and rented an apartment together. This came with threats of being cut off, of not being allowed to return, and shunned within the family. While Yurong hesitated, Fangfei was steadfast, convincing him they’d come around.

And they did, after a couple of months of their respective siblings missing them.

They had their first meetings with their families, and though their parents were still reluctant, finally approved of the two of them being together. Mrs. Shen was still wary, but Mr. Xue cared too much about his daughter to mean any of his past threats, and found himself liking Yurong, who had meaningful aspirations.

His father had been a smelter, crafting things in his free time. Yurong was enthralled by that type of work, but wanted to do more that focused on the making of jewels. He had made a simple band for Mr. Xue as a thank you, and even forged together a necklace to hold a photo within it for her brother.

They took two years to study in college and get associate degrees, though Fangfei had no plans of pursuing anything else. She wanted to be a self-employed wildlife photographer, and that came more from experience in the field more than anything a school could teach her.

It led to some amazing trips with Yurong during school breaks, where she’d venture off in the early morning to capture birds just beginning to sing and fly low for food, rabbits hopping out of their holes and morning dew still wet on the fresh flowers. Some nights, despite Yurong’s protest, she’d camp out to listen to the crickets, or depending on the area, an owl hooting, and foxes begin to hunt their prey. She didn’t sleep there, but she did sit and wait in some inhospitable places, or had to put her hiking and climbing skills to the test. With care, of course, since she had people who loved her, one waiting up with worry back at their hotel room.

The days he had to stay home, she was more daring, risking injury to get the perfect shot. She’d never tell him this, though, and concealed scratches and bruises with makeup during those times when necessary.

At twenty-one, Yurong received an apprenticeship that he had to devote a lot of time to. Since it was unpaid and the hours were long, there was even less money coming in than usual, and they couldn’t afford to go on so many vacations. Fangfei had to put a pause on her own career to work a second job, and though it did upset her, she knew his job was the safer bet for the two of them. It was fine, she would get back to it when things settled down.

Though, it took a year and a half before he was promoted and finally earned a living. With more normal hours, he even took the time to open his shop that he first did as a pop-up, before being able to make it his top priority. Fangfei was able to drop one of her jobs, though she still couldn’t work on her preferred portfolio, and instead helped with the store sometimes. She kept track of orders, tidied up the area, and assisted customers.

People in their hometown praised his work and ethics, making it easier for him to build a reputation and earn recognition. Which was how he got scouted by H. Xiao.

They noticed how much traffic he received, and after visiting him thrice, offered him a position, just like that.

And somehow, within a few months, they were able to get a house in the city. It meant Fangfei had to find a new job entirely, which was when he first planted the idea of a wedding photographer into her head, since they had just gone to one and knew the couple spent a lot on it. It wasn’t a notion she entertained right away, sticking with selling prints and calendars of some of her photos while working minimum-wage at a local photo supply store.

It wasn’t until he proposed, after nearly a year in that house, that she considered it, having to go through the process herself. And at twenty-five, she was Mrs. Shen.

Yet only for three years, when she unexpectedly had to drop the title teenager Fangfei had dreamed of having.

Notes:

hope you liked it. feel free to leave kudos or a comment~

Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Notes:

another long chapter! we're only about two away from the ending id say. the other chapters likely wont be as long, but we'll see where they take me! also, this is basically where my crack ship kinda comes in, but nothing crazy~ i wanted to keep it subtle.

references for outfits i mention in the chapter:

xff: https://shorturl.at/OWmzH
haitang: https://shorturl.at/ekANn
xiao heng: https://shorturl.at/Si7Ny

Delicate fingers ran through her soft, long hair, helping to style it in an up-do for the event they were attending tonight. Her face was already patted down with eyeshadow and blush, a nude color staining her lips. She didn’t really want to go, but if she was going to, she would go all out, knowing a certain someone would be looking in her direction.

Hence why she wore a slightly sparkly, sleeveless, short gold dress that would surely draw some attention to herself, undoubtedly, but the theme was elegance, so it fit, especially when she added her long black gloves.

Haitang, on the other hand, was matched with her prospective date in a floor-length shot silk green dress with puffed sleeves, an old thing she was able to borrow from her mother. It made her look like she stepped out of a movie. The two of them definitely made for a couple of pretty guests, she knew that for sure.

Fangfei rested her hands in her lap as she sat on the couch while they waited for their escorts to arrive. Her friend plopped beside her smiling.

“Although I’ve had some suspicions about this guy, I am eager to see how he’s managed to grab your attention,” she said.

Fangfei blanched, swallowing. “You say that like he asked me to go out of romantic interest and not his own personal gain,” she muttered, acutely aware of how bitter she sounded. She hadn’t many chances to entertain men in her life, and though the temptation was strong with this one, it was strictly business.

Haitang nudged her.”Out of all ways to ask you to pay him back for some tea, this is what he chooses? I don’t know, A’Li,” she sang.

Fangfei huffed. Yes, she was right that there were definitely other options, though this was still to mostly benefit him. Bringing her of course evened their score a bit, and if Yurong and Wanning ( the Shens , her mind unhelpfully supplied) were present, it’d probably get one of their masks to slip. For why he cared, she was still in the dark about, but for her… she did find herself craving a real answer.

“Do you think I’ll get to know why I was at the wedding by doing this? Why Yurong didn’t know, and why he acted so strangely?” She asked, looking at her lap. She knew Xiao Heng was using her, but maybe she should let herself be used. Maybe, she should use him the same way.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Haitang incline her head. “Don’t tell me you’re going to approach him?” Fangfei didn’t answer.

Haitang vigorously shook her head. “No, no, no. Leave him alone. I get it, something isn’t right and Wanning is shady, but that’s not for you to go digging into. This guy is the COO yet is giving it his attention, so obviously it’s related to the company, right? Her brother is involved! I’m not sure you need to be, too.”

She turned her head to face her. “You don’t think I already am? As much as I’d like to keep my distance, the more I hear, the more I want to understand,” she told her adamantly.

“And that’s part of the reason I’m coming, isn’t it?” Haitang asked, and her face looked far too sad.

“Haitang, I-”

“It’s okay, I understand.” But it didn’t mean she agreed.

Fangfei felt a lump in her throat. “I wasn’t considering it like that when I asked him, I mean that,” she whispered. “I just… trust you more than anyone.”

Haitang gave her a solemn smile and put her hand over her’s. “A’Li, I’m always telling you to stop being so independent. While I don’t like that this is when you’re choosing to exercise that, of course I’m going to stick by you.”

Fangfei sighed and shook her head. “This whole thing has been nothing like I’ve ever thought of,” she mumbled. “Thank you, Haitang.”

Haitang’s smile widened and she hugged her in a tight squeeze. “I can only imagine what it must be like for you.”  She pulled away, staring at her with some newfound determination. “But don’t worry. Yurong will have to apologize for what he did, and I bet Wanning won’t come out unscathed, either.”

That made her laugh. Although Wanning was disconcerting, she’d shake her off for now. If she had questions, she’d ask Xiao Heng, who clearly had her on his radar.

The thought passed her mind instinctively, and she blushed. Who was she to be requesting things like that of him? Besides, she wanted to be done with him and his withdrawn, enigmatic ways. And his ridiculous arrogance. Who cared if he had an irresistible face? Not her.

The doorbell rang, and they met eyes, knowing that meant their dates had arrived. If only Fangfei could dispel the sudden unease in her stomach.

Haitang opened the door, the faces of Xiao Heng and, surprisingly, Thing Two, greeting them.

As expected, their colors matched, and they looked just as well-dressed, if not better. Xiao Heng, as she was beginning to notice, missed no opportunity to show off, with gold lining his eyes and embellishing his suit jacket. The outline in his pants indicated that he, most likely, even carried a matching fan or handkerchief with him.

Did that make him predictable? She wondered if he’d be peeved to know that.

“Miss Fangfei, Miss Haitang,” he greeted, smirk rested in place. “This is Lu Ji, he’ll be accompanying you,” he gestured to him, eyes resting on her friend. His partner stared stoically.

Wen Ji, and now, Lu Ji.

Speaking of…

“Is Wen Ji attending as well?” Fangfei asked.

Xiao heng raised an eyebrow. “Were you hoping to see him?” That tone of voice seemed strange.

She returned his look with a suspicious one of her own. “I’ve never seen you without both of them, that’s all,” she stated, ignoring the way her brain was repulsed by the suggestion of her being interested in Wen Ji.

He grinned wider. “He’s in the limousine with his date. Come,” he said, offering his hand.

Her and Haitang obviously had the same thing cross their minds when they exchanged glances.

Limousine?

Of course.

“What’s wrong? Never been in one before?” He teased. How annoying.

Fangfei walked past the two men, declining his hand and making her way to the car without a word.

No , she hadn’t, because she didn’t have money to burn.

A limo. Seriously?

She went to open the door, but he grabbed the handle first, returning her glare with an amused expression.

He pulled the door open and said, “After you.”

Fangfei smacked her lips and sat herself inside the limo, with Haitang coming in a moment later, eyes wide as she looked around, and their dates last.

She greeted Wen Ji, trying not to seem too impressed with the vehicle. It was quite exhilarating, the way it made her feel rich and important, like she was some starring role instead of a background character.

She deliberately avoided Xiao Heng’s gaze, only paying him any mind when he introduced them to the other woman, Jiuyue.

Since she was coupled with Wen Ji, she wore a stunning floor length navy dress and pearls on her neck and ears. She had to be someone of the same status.

The sudden realization of how out of place her and Haitang would be hit her, making her grip the leather tightly. Not that she cared much of what other guests would think, but would she be taken seriously?

There was idle chatter amongst the four, with Xiao Heng trying to bait Fangfei into a quarrel of sorts like it was entertainment for him. She dismissed him, already feeling like she provided him with enough amusement as is between all of their encounters.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jiuyue watching, and wondered what it was that seemed to have her looking so stoic. Despite how she teased and chatted with Wen Ji and had a glass of wine with him, she repeatedly kept observing Xiao Heng, and thereby, Fangfei.

It wasn’t unnerving, but it was something she would keep a tab on.

She listened in and out on the conversations, not wanting to involve herself in things she knew nothing about; the company, their work life and relations. It gave her a peek as to who the two men who were with Xiao Heng were (his subordinates), and a little about the man himself.

He must’ve been well-liked and competent to be so high up in position, even if she couldn’t quite see that first part being completely true. It was hard to see him as anything but a bit devious, since despite that there had to be more to him, he was not eager to share that side of him.

“Finally here!” Wen Ji exclaimed, putting down his drink and clearly eager to get out. He must feel restless. After all, they had to go back and forth between the city and her town, which was a long time to be sitting in a suit cramped in a car. Although, a limo was rather open, and had alcohol, so that must’ve helped. If she wasn’t worried about appearances, she would’ve had something herself.

Lu Ji went out first, offering his hand to Haitang like a gentleman. Wen Ji got out with Jiuyue next, who had no intentions of leaning on him, glancing back momentarily as she picked up her dress. Xiao Heng, of course…

Fangfei wanted to exit before him, but his long legs stretched outside first, turning around with an open palm. He unfortunately left no room for her to squeeze by, and despite her glaring, slyly smiled and waited.

Reluctantly, she allowed him to assist her out, shutting the door behind them and guiding her to the entrance of the very well-lit and loud venue.

While she knew they were here for a reception only, she still found herself taken aback at how upbeat it was. She almost entirely assumed it would be more sophisticated and mature like Wanning’s, especially given the theme.

Though that was the fun of weddings, she supposed. She had been to Halloween-themed, Masquerade-themed, based on television shows… a royal type of wedding was not the most out there, but perhaps because it was for, well, rich people, it was a little strange.

The three couples stepped inside and followed the sound of a party that had already started, workers greeting them along the way. However, upon entering the room, it was just the beginning, with only some guests and young kids entertaining themselves.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure draped in pink sashay away. Where she left, Yurong stood. And where he stood was right by the seating board.

Fangfei sighed and set her lips in a line, detaching from Xiao Heng to step forward but was still held back. When she looked to chastise him, she was met with Haitang instead.

Wordlessly she waltzed over to the seating board, very clearly giving Yurong a less-than-polite look. Which, on Haitang, wasn’t that threatening. She didn’t say a word to him, choosing to focus on finding their names, leaving him to glance between her, and then Fangfei, eyes widening and narrowing at the sight of her, but not alone.

It seemed like he wanted to come over and say something or ask questions, but Haitang, having satisfied her needs, flipped her long hair right in his face, hmph -ing and sticking her chin up as she walked back to them. Fangfei wanted to laugh, much like Wen Ji practically was, but kept her face as neutral as she could, even when her friend linked their arms together to go to their assigned table.

Haitang leaned over slightly. “What did you think of that? Was it okay?” She whispered.

Fangfei smiled. “I think it was just what he deserved.”

They both laughed, sitting down in chairs at a round table. Fangfei had been so consumed with Yurong’s presence that she neglected to admire the setup of everything.

The tables were mostly decorated in navy blue, white and gold, reoccuring colors throughout the whole room. They certainly went all out with the theme; a gargantuan chandelier above the center floor, glass centerpieces studded with gemstones, statues of water fountains and what was likely to be some chocolate fountain stood tall, even thrones as the bride and groom chairs. It seemed rather excessive, but it definitely highlighted the obscene wealth in royalty. She could only imagine what else was to come.

“Different from all the weddings you’ve been to before, Miss Fangfei?” Xiao Heng’s deep voice drawled.

Fangfei returned his comment with an unamused look. He surely was not truly interested in her answer and more in trying to elicit some sort of response. For why? Probably because he got enjoyment from it. After all, he had said her tears were an integral part of what he was watching play out.

Remembering that, she began to feel angry. She completely forgot that he made such a comment, as if her tribulations were some sort of show, like she was an actress and not a real person. Did he think he could say that because she was kind of drunk? Well, she recalled it now, and she wanted him to apologize. How could she still owe him after that?

Grouchily, she rose from her chair, saying under her breath,“I’m going to grab a drink from the bar.” The sudden change in demeanor clearly concerned Haitang, and even the man at fault seemed curious, though only her friend followed, closing her hand gently around her forearm.

“A’Li, what’s wrong?” She asked.

Fangfei continued her march to the bar, holding her scowl back all the way. After she did her best to politely order, she mumbled, “Remembered Xiao heng is a selfish man. He only seeks to solve his own problems.”

Haitang leaned forward to meet her eyes, frowning. “What happened? Did he say something?”

The  bartender placed her drink down, and she let Haitang request her own before answering.

“That night at the bar,” she began, grabbing the straw to sip, “he acted like this all was some form of entertainment for him to watch. As if my life was a show.”

She watched her friend’s eyes go wide. “He what ?”

Fangfei shook her head. “He didn’t exactly say it like that, but the implication was there,” she clarified.

Haitang recoiled. “That’s not okay. Do you want to get out of here? I can call us a taxi-”

“No,” she cut her off softly, sighing.  “I came thinking I’d get some answers to what’s going on, so I intend to leave with them.”

The other drink slid toward them, and they thanked the man before trailing back to their table, where, of course, they were being watched from.

Haitang’s lips pulled to the side. “I’m behind you no matter what. Just say the word.”

Fangfei allowed herself to smile. “Thank you, Haitang.”

They sat back down wordlessly in their chairs, though Wen Ji made a move to grab himself a cocktail. More people in extravagant outfits continued to pour in, though she still kept looking over to the husband and wife across the room.

She felt a lingering stare, glancing to confirm her date had indeed been focused on her. She leisurely took a sip of her drink, but she knew he could tell she was far from being at ease.

Why he was so deceptive, so crude, yet seemingly earnest, she couldn’t quite figure out. Even if he had his own goals, he seemed to care a lot about her’s. Was it really only for his own benefit?

“Have I upset you in some way, Miss Xue?” he had the nerve to ask.

Fangfei rested her lips on the rim of her glass. “If that’s what you think, why are you asking?” She retorted.

She could tell he was studying her, and willed herself not to meet his eyes. Why help him when he insistently kept her in the dark?

No, that wasn’t right, and she knew it. If they were to get their answers, they needed to be more open. It wasn’t unlikely that their issues coincided.

“I don’t believe you truly care for my feelings, Mr. Xiao. I’m just an actress giving you the behind the scenes,” she stated, eyes watching the undisturbed liquor in her cup before drinking again.

Xiao Heng seemed to bristle at that, but gave no response, which was unexpected, and, strangely, hurt a little.

He wasn’t even going to deny it? She was a fool for considering there was a chance he cared.Surely, helping her only benefited him in the end, which was why he was doing it then.

Fixating on something she knew all along was not productive, and neither was throwing back the rest of the Gold Rush she ordered, but she would need the liquid courage to make it through the night. Shen Yurong was even more of an obstacle than Xiao Heng, as vexatious as he was, and if he so much as made eye contact with her, she would tell him how she’d been feeling. Or try to, at least.

The urge to grab another drink was strong, and she made a move to get up for a refill, ignoring her date’s scrutinous eyes, when the music changed and got louder. Of course, that meant the wedding party would begin their procession.

Reluctantly, Fangfei placed her glass down and sat in her chair once more. Though Xiao Heng immediately stood, grasping her glass and leaving the table.

Perhaps it had her a bit speechless, but she wasn’t going to watch him strut over to the bar without a care, gingerly hand them the cup and-

No. She would instead stand up and focus on the couples coming through the door, holding hands or linking arms and dancing into the room. There were several faces she didn’t know, of course, but she saw Tong’er, and then Jiang Li, right before Ruoyao and her husband made their way in.

As expected, she was glitzed and glammed up, all sparkles and eyes twinkling with delight. Maybe her husband was not as expressive as her, because he didn’t seem as excited. Though, when they turned to face each other, she could tell he was happy just by how he looked at her.

A light graze against her arm and gentle push of glass into her hand shook her out of focus, and she wasn’t shy to meet Xiao Heng’s dark eyes.

Even though there were lights, they were spontaneously flashing, leaving the room mostly dim besides a spotlight on the bride and groom. Still, she could capture every feature of his well-sculpted face. And somehow, even in the low light, he looked more handsome than before.

She gripped the cup and swallowed, thanking him with a silent bow of her head and returning her attention to the main event. As they danced with each other, with their parents and others, she felt his eyes only on her.

---

Haitang wanted to enjoy the activities provided; the photobooth, archery (strange to have indoors, but it was small and thankfully monitored), and a customized emblem based on one’s name by an artist, so Fangfei indulged her. There were other things, like a giant Go board and a large, mixed take on Jenga and Battleship of “destroying the other’s castle.” It was all impressively keeping the theme, even though it was perhaps a bit much.

While waiting for Haitang’s emblem to get finished, Fangfei felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Jiang Li there, prettily dressed in navy blue, accented with gold jewelry and makeup. She was smiling, but the creasing on her forehead indicated something was bothering her.

“Jiang Li,” Fangfei started, returning the expression, “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten the chance to say hello to you.”

The girl shook her head. “It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ve been greeting everyone and getting pulled along by my sister. Even though she has a husband to parade around with her, she’s still asking me to join her in all these things,” she said, motioning to the games and stands.

“Hm, maybe she’s just grateful for you, since you’ve helped her plan it all,” she mused. Could that be what’s on her mind? “I’m sure it’s exhausting for you,” she tacked on.

Jiang Li slumped a bit, nodding with a pout. It was rather comforting to see her like this as opposed to the mature conversations they’ve had in the past.

Haitang turned around, holding her one-of-a-kind design. “A’Li, look, isn’t it nice? I think my family could hang it up somewhere,” she commented while admiring it.

Fangfei glanced at the neat strokes and colors in the painting of her family name. “I think they’ll enjoy it quite well.” She turned back to Jiang Li and gestured to her friend. “This is my close friend Haitang. And this is Jiang Li.”

Although it wasn’t quite the case, she almost felt as if she was introducing people from two different worlds to each other. Haitang was her best friend and knew most ins-and-outs of her, yet she was very separate from this whole situation in a way. Whereas Jiang Li was part of the reason she continued to put herself in aggrieving circumstances.

She didn’t blame Jiang Li, not at all, but she was merely a… side character to this act, and her friend and onlooker. It made her cringe at even using the same comparison Xiao Heng would, yet she couldn’t deny the way everything felt like some dramatic story, all playing their roles and no one letting their masks slip. Truthfully, she was never a fan of Masquerades; those who covered their faces were the ones with the most to hide.

The two women acquainted themselves, and Haitang slipped away to allow them to talk, having been told about who the girl was, she knew there were things to discuss.

Fangfei folded her hands in front of her. “I am sorry I wasn’t able to take the photographer position,” she told her sincerely.

Jiang Li shook her head, resting a hand on her’s. “When Mr. Xiao told me he wanted you as his date, I was happy. You as a guest was what I hoped for, but I wouldn’t want you to feel pressured. I’m glad you’re close with him, he’s a well-meaning man.”

Such a compliment had her puzzled. “What do you mean?”

She watched her eyes flit down. “He has not always seemed upright to me, but he’s done much for my family in ways I wouldn’t have expected. Even though he came off arrogant, he’s helped me and my sister with our careers, being kind enough to continuously have us as the models.

If she didn’t know better, she’d have said Jiang Li was being paid to say this, as if her modeling contract with H. xiao had a clause about defamation and praise. That’d somehow be too low for his tastes, if she had to guess. He’d rather do direct intimidation.

Fangfei nodded slowly. “I see. I was unaware of his good deeds.” While true, she couldn’t help the tone implying she didn’t think he had any.

Jiang Li glanced over her shoulder, and she followed her gaze to the man himself, who, for once, did not have his eyes on her. “I didn’t always trust him, as with even my father, people with power can be cruel and unrelenting. If he were that way, I don’t believe my family would be here. It’d be Wanning only.”

Ah, now that made sense. That still seemed like he was using other people for his own gain, but the favorability of the Xiao daughter did not seem high. Speaking of, she didn’t see either of them around the available things to do, but maybe that was for the best.

The girl faced her again. “You’re a strong person, Miss Fangfei. I think Mr. Xiao asked you here for that reason.”

It seemed rather ominous, but she knew it was likely her hinting at something romantic based off her shy smile.

She didn’t know what to say, though, so she returned the smile. Jiang Li let her know the food would be out soon, and so they parted ways, Fangfei trying to brush off the interaction.

She sat back down between him and Haitang, and after several long, drawn out and quiet minutes besides the music and clinking of Wen Ji’s glass, forcing Lu Ji to cheers with him, the main courses began to be brought out.

While her friend made comments to her about the food, Fangfei could only smile and nod, lightly picking at her plate. Curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she saw how close Wanning was to Yurong, how it looked like she wanted to sit on his lap right there. Did she catch her staring? Or was she simply assuming she was, playing it up to dig the knife deeper into her heart? She knew little of his new bride, but her judgement of character was hardly flawed. (She didn’t consider Yurong as an exception; he had been true for years. The missing piece she didn’t know was what could've changed him.)

All of the sudden a sharp jawline and just as fine eyes began to obstruct her view, leaning forward and grabbing the salt shaker. It looked rather painstaking to go so far when surely his arms had to be long enough. Unless…

It felt rather presumptuous, but now he was in her direct line of sight to see Yurong, and he was taking his time moving out of it.

How ridiculous to even entertain that. She focused back on her food that she had made no dent in, though she seemed to already feel full. Still, she ate more, slowly, surprised to see the unfamiliar woman, Jiuyue, looking her way. She was finished with her meal, quietly surveilling. When their eyes met, she glanced away. Fangfei felt a bit weird, but would let it go. After all, she had seen how Jiuyue looked at Xiao Heng in the limousine.

As the meal seemed to be ending, the best man got up to make his speech. Fangfei paid little attention to it, watching how Wanning also had no interest, preferring to study her nails or whisper in Yurong’s ear, captivating his attention. If this weren’t in such a public place, she would’ve felt as if she was intruding.

Her attention was guided back by a low voice in her ear.

“Tired of the repetition in these speeches, Miss Fangfei?” He asked.

When she turned to face him, he was far too close for her comfort. Still, she remained headstrong.

“Quite,” she replied. It wasn’t a lie, she believes people go off some similar script and proceed to personalize it as they see fit. That was probably the least unique thing about weddings, in her opinion. Though some were worse than others, the speeches could all be summed up the same way: loquacious.

But when Jiang Li spoke, she did listen, and found her speech to be beautiful.

“Being an older sister has always felt like a gift. I’m happy to be able to see you live a happy and fulfilling life. I always want to be someone you can rely on, even for a last minute wedding.” A pause for the expected laughs, which Fangfei did participate in. “Sisters will be sisters, whether by full, half, or no blood. There is not much more for me to say that I haven’t told you personally, but to everyone else, I’d like to let you know that Ruoyao and Yanbang have worked to get to this point, and will continue to have the struggle that distance will cause, but their love is real, and it is beautiful.” With a smile, she looked at the couple, Ruoyao dabbing at her tears.

Fangfei felt bittersweet, even if it was well-spoken. Not all trials could be worked through, but if they happened, could it have been real love to begin with? She found herself constantly back-and-forth with her view on it, and if love can really start and stop instead of lasting or being faked.

Her head was thinking too much, even after two drinks. She would like to enjoy another one but wasn’t sure how she’d look if she did so. Would it be pathetic? Surely, she had several pairs of eyes on her tonight, and she unfortunately cared about every single one of them.

Fangfei shook off the desire to indulge in alcoholic escapism and leaned back in her seat, finished with her meal. She put on a small smile and glanced over at Haitang, who was tapping her mouth clean with a napkin.

“You must’ve really enjoyed it,” she teased.

Haitang chittered. “Nothing like I’ve ever had. I can’t believe you could get tired of this, A’Li.”

Fangfei shrugged, breaking eye contact. “I suppose I’ve just come to appreciate home-cooked meals.”

A worker came by to collect the dishes, and just like that, the music changed tempo, encouraging people to get out of their seats once more and enjoy a love song.

An extended hand came into view, and the sight of Xiao Heng wordlessly offering to dance, eyebrow raised and smirk at home, made her swallow. She questioned his motives, but she also did not want to sit idly the entire night.

So, she put her hand in his and let him escort her to the center floor where others had already gathered. It was awkward; placing her hands on his shoulders and allowing his on her hips. This was not a position she could’ve foreseen herself in with him, but he seemed undisturbed, even as she studied him.

Xiao Heng hummed. “Awestruck, Miss Fangfei?” He asked cooly.

Fangfei squinted. “Not quite. Though I am looking for your hidden intentions,” she admitted. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t tell.

He tilted his head just slightly, leaning closer. “Is it not enough to dance with a pretty woman?”

She looked away immediately, swallowing again, uncaring of how that made her seem. How crass.

Somehow, in all of her honing in on him, she missed how they were turned around right over next to Yurong and Wanning. Suddenly, one of his hands grabbed her’s, and as if slicing through something, he separated one of their interlocked hands to place her’s on top of Yurong’s. And like that, Xiao Heng let her go and got ahold of Wanning, the quickness and shock of it all throwing them all off.

“Don’t you think you should ask before switching partners?” Wanning asked sharply, clearly furious, but still trying to maintain composure, especially in such a cramped area.

Xiao Heng was not the least bit bothered or intimidated. Quite the contrary, it was like that was the exact response he’d hoped she would give him.

“You’ll have to excuse me,” he said, bringing her close, to her clear disgust, “I learned from him.” His eyes darted over to Yurong, who was nearly frozen in hesitation after the swap.

Fangfei felt heat rise to her cheeks, and she wasn’t even the accused. She started stepping away, forgetting her link with Yurong, and getting pulled back into a stiffened body, turning around to meet her ex-husband’s soft eyes. Was that desperate yearning on his face, or was she projecting?

Worried of watching eyes and being a nuisance for standing still in the middle of the dance floor, she slowly placed her hands on his shoulders, assuming the same position as with Xiao Heng. He followed without delay, leaning in too close for what a married man should. She avoided his gaze.

“You look beautiful,” he said, voice far too tender.

She grimaced. “I know, I don’t need you to tell me that,” she replied.

“A’Li-”

“Shen Yurong,” she stiffly cut him off, meeting his eyes. She had said she would tell her what was on her mind, and since she had felt a little loose, she would. “When you decide to start putting your cards on the table, you can count me in. Until then, I’ve no interest in playing games with you,” she warned.

His grip tightened slightly, which made her uncomfortable, but not because she was afraid of him. “I have things to tell you, if you’d let me,” he tried.

She shook her head. “Not here. And only if you will tell me everything.”

The look on his face was not comforting. Why did he look so conflicted? It was obvious where his priorities now lay.

Not feeling like she could keep her composure any longer, Fangfei removed her hands and detached herself, heading straight for the bar yet again. She wasn’t going to make it through the rest of the night if she was coherent enough to think about what Yurong said, how he stared and sounded.

As soon as she stepped up to the counter, she could feel a presence right behind her. She chose to ignore it, ordering another Gold Rush and waiting for it to arrive before turning swiftly on her heel to face Xiao Heng.

“Why would you do that?” She asked, unsure if she was just hurt from Yurong or feeling betrayed by this man as well.

He took a moment to order his own drink, and it feels like she’s being the one made to wait now. Once it’s in front of him, he responds with,  “Are you feeling better?”

Fangfei looked at him suspiciously. “Why would I be?”

Xiao Heng sipped his drink, giving her such an intense stare that it was hard for her to not glance away, but she was determined to not back down. “You looked him in the eye, spoke with him, and you’re not crying,” he answered.

That wasn’t what she expected to hear. She did focus her eyes somewhere else now, struggling with a retort, before deciding to drop it. She picked up her glass and walked over to the table.

No one else was there, so she supposed that maybe none of them had seen the scene he made. Even if they did, at least she wouldn’t have to speak about it now. He didn’t return to the table, and when she felt a twinge of disappointment, she drank more.

The rest of the night went by hastily, probably due to her lack of retention from the alcohol. She wasn’t drunk, no, but decently on the way. As expected, Haitang kept her company after they reunited, distracting her from more than one man tonight.

She vaguely remembers speaking with Jiang Li again, something about keeping in touch, and barely being able to swallow down any of the cake due to how sick all the drinks were beginning to make her, while the others were drinking wine with it with no issue. Surely, eyes were monitoring her again, though she couldn’t register, because it felt like far too many.

When they were on their way back, Fangfei ensuring she had no chance of bumping into him, Haitang tried to chat with her, but she was far too tired, so she settled for Lu Ji. She seemed to genuinely enjoy his presence, and maybe she could see this becoming something. Or, maybe her brain was foggy and she was making things up.

Wen Ji and Jiuyue made light conversation, both seeming quite alert despite the long night and the amount of drinks she saw him have, and her date occasionally made comments, though kept himself close to her, repeatedly peering down to her face.

Eventually, Lu Ji was helping Haitang out of the limo, with Xiao Heng following to assist her now. Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his palm and stepped out.

With some distance between them and the other couple, he asked, “How’s the handkerchief coming along?” Was he really still teasing her even at her current state?

If she had the energy, she would’ve scoffed. However, something panged at her heart. He had let her be the rest of the night, and maybe making her come face-to-face with Yurong to try to find closure, which she blundered, wasn’t as terrible of a thing as she originally thought. Or, she could also be exhausted and giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Still, she did think maybe it earned her attention now.

“Maybe you can come by next week and see for yourself, if you feel so inclined,” she told him, still able to maintain some sassiness.

He stopped walking, so she did as well. He faced her, lips turned up. She liked the way he smiled, genuinely, without any hint of mockery. Even more, she liked the words coming out of his mouth.

“My schedule will be open for you, just say the word.”

Notes:

thank you for reading! i hope you enjoyed it. leave a review or kudos if youd like~

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Notes:

some insight into yurongs reasoning in this chapter with more fangheng content, of course. next chapter will be the last one, hopefully out some time next week!

As she suggested last week, Fangfei took the time to fix the tear, using her minimal embroidery skills. She added a little flower to at least make it look nice, and once she was done, reached out to let Xiao Heng know.

Almost as if he was awaiting the exact moment she would text him, he replied with haste, stating that since she had made him wait this long, he should be treated to a meal.

On impulse, she had replied that it took time for broken things to be repaired. She regretted saying it as soon as she sent it, but he took it in stride, making a joke about if it took as long to cook lunch.

It was rather pleasant coming from him.

Though it felt like she was consoling a child about making him wait and not coming today, she gave in regardless, allowing him to request for her to make dumplings.

They set a time and once she had finished making them, she busied herself with small household duties as she waited.

Fangfei walked out of her home to grab the mail, going down the steps and opening the mailbox. When she heard footsteps coming up behind her, she didn’t expect the man behind her to be the person she faced.

Yurong stood there, looking like he was preparing for penance. He stepped forward, and she stepped back.

“What are you doing here?” She questioned, feeling completely on defense, adrenaline beginning to race throughout her body.

He frowned. “I want to speak with you, please,” he replied, sounding desperate already.

Fangfei glared at him and his audacity. “Honestly?” She spat.

“A’Li, you know I love you, right?” He asked, trying to grab her.

She had to scoff at that, though her eyes were beginning to water. “Don’t say that, I never faked that with you. You were everything to me, you completed me,” she whispered. Now her hardly healed wounds were starting to reopen. “Until you met her, and realized I didn’t make you whole. But she could, right?”

“No, A’Li,” he denied, shaking his head.

She leaned forward a bit. “She could make you richer, she could be the perfect wife to hang on your arm. Why would a sophisticated craftsman like you want to be mixed with a woman who had no qualms sleeping on the bare ground than a refined lady like her?”

That took much of her energy, and she couldn’t hold back her tears, allowing them to roll down her cheeks.

Again, he tried to refute it. “No, that’s not true.”

She tilted her head, this time being the one to step closer. “Then what is true, Shen Yurong?”

There was silence for longer than there should’ve been, and when she went to interrogate more, he spoke first.

“I was doing this for you,” he said, eyes cast down. “I wanted to make up for stopping you in what you wanted to do. If I could obtain a more secure position, I could help you. I could’ve given you what you missed out on,” he told her, now looking her in the eye, so intense. So… serious. He wasn’t joking, and that was not easy for her to process.

Fangfei shook her head, upset at the words she was hearing. “Yurong, don’t tell me this,” she murmured.

He grasped her arms, and she felt too shaken up to stop him. “A’Li, I wanted to tell you. But I knew you wouldn’t agree. I knew you wouldn’t want me to do this. I was supposed to marry her and then help you, and it would’ve been in secret. I wanted to use myself to repay you.”

This was more than repugnant, it was treacherous. He knew he shouldn’t have told her then, why did he think it would be any different now?

Words couldn’t escape her. How could she reply to such an admission of guilt? Was she supposed to thank him?

Yurong kept going, unable to stop him. “I didn’t know you’d be at the wedding. She didn’t tell me, and I wanted to confide in you then, but you wouldn’t even let me talk to you.” He sighed. “My feelings for Wanning have become more real than I thought, but I would still do anything for you,” he proclaimed, like it was something to be proud of.

Somehow, that just made her want to shrink down into nothing and hide. The tears only began to blur her vision, almost refusing to fall for someone like him, even when she shut her eyes.

As she tried to get something out to oppose him, a more welcoming, assured voice rang out, making her look up.

“Miss Fangfei, I thought you wouldn’t have anyone else over,” he said, strutting towards them so casually, as if the air wasn’t palpably tense.

It seemed to set Yurong on edge from how quickly and angrily turned around.

Ignoring him, Xiao Heng stepped beside her and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. She thought she should’ve felt embarrassed by the intimacy, but if anything, it was comforting, and she remembered their first meeting involving a similar scenario, though as strangers. Funny how comfortable they’ve become.

When she rested her eyes upon Yurong again, his jaw was set, and she almost felt afraid.

Xiao Heng didn’t seem the least bit worried. “Mr. Shen, do you have business here?” He asked, despite knowing the answer.

Yurong glared. “So you really are involved with him. I see… so concerned with the truth, even though it seems greed is not my sin alone to bear.”

“Shen Yurong!” Fangfei declared. “I am not like you. We will never understand one another again,” she stated, voice faltering near the end.

Placing an arm around her shoulders, an oddly consoling gesture, Xiao Heng spoke seriously. “You should leave, before this makes its way around.”

A threat. Likely regarding Wanning more than anything else.

Reluctantly, she could tell, Yurong left, but not before looking at her wistfully, knowing he couldn’t do anything more with him here.

The arm around her left, leaving her to feel a bit colder, though he still stood close. Hesitantly, she raised her eyes to meet his.

“Xiao Heng,” she murmured, a bout of shyness coming over her.

“A’Li,” he replied, strangely fond, yet clearly amused.

She huffed at his jocoseness. “You really came.”

He crossed his arms. “I did. I came earlier, and saw him,” he admitted. She held her tongue, letting him continue, before she went to berate him with any of her assumptions. He seemed pleased by this. “I didn’t believe he had good intentions, so I let him act first before interfering.” A pause, like he was debating something, then asking, “Did he hurt you?”

He sounded more concerned than she would’ve expected, but it wasn’t unwelcome. She shook her head.

“Good,” he replied with a nod. “I take it the dumplings have been prepared for my arrival?”

The change in subject, especially to that , had her matching his stance. “And if they haven’t?” They had, because she did believe he was going to show up, but with his ostentatiousness, she wasn’t going to appease him that easily.

He shrugged. “Then I suppose I’ll have to help you make them, won’t I?” Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be capable of anything in a kitchen. And she wouldn’t get to know if she was right about this.

Fangfei grabbed the mail she had initially come to retrieve, closed the mailbox and headed back to the house. “Luckily for you, I was kind enough to not make you get your hands dirty,” she called over her shoulder, relishing in the charmed look on his face.

“Aren’t you benevolent?” He retorted as he stalked behind her, removing his shoes and shutting the door while she placed down the mail.

As she guided him towards the kitchen, she tilted her head at him. “Would you like the dumplings or handkerchief first?”

Xiao Heng seemed intrigued at having been given an option. How little respect he expected of her.

“After upholding justice, I believe I’m a bit famished,” he said.

Fangfei shot him a look, but gestured to the bowls, covered with plates to keep the heat in. As she took them off, she said, “The blue bowl is chicken, the red is pork and the green is vegetable.” She offered him a plate, which he took and started to help himself.

“Hmmm, quite the large amount of dumplings, Miss Fangfei,” he commented, looking nothing short of puckish.

Fangfei placed her elbows on the counter and rested her chin on her folded hands. “These are not only for you. I do have a family I live with, you know,” she replied.

He frowned, though it looked tongue-in-cheek. “But I was the one who asked for them.”

She laughed. “Am I not allowed to make this for other people, Xiao Heng?” She questioned, daring to be so familiar with him.

He took a small bite of a dumpling and raised an eyebrow. “Should I want to share these with anyone else, A’Li?”

This felt like dangerous territory, but she ignored the fluttering of her heart.

“This wouldn’t have to be the only time I make these.” She glanced off to the side, hoping to entice him a bit. “I could always return all your charities like this, if you’d prefer that,” she offered, staring at him again.

A soft snicker came from him, and he nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll keep this in mind.”

Strangely, she felt herself getting shy and felt the need to hastily switch the topic.

Fangfei grabbed a dumpling for herself, standing up straight. “So, did you have anything you wanted to discuss with me over these soft, doughy dumplings?”

His following stare was intense, like he was trying to read her mind. He peered at his half-eaten potsticker. “It seems like you’re the one with something to say,” he remarked.

He really could read her so well. Would it be good to confide in him? Sure, he had been rather shifty, but overall she had a hard time denying the underlying good intentions, and their goals were relatively aligned.

“Well,” she began, “there have been a couple of negative reviews I received recently. I was unaware of them until Jiang Li brought it to my attention,” she explained.

She pursed her lips and looked down. “I wasn’t as attentive as I usually am due to all the jobs I was booked for at the time.” Why did she want to share this excuse? Did it matter how he saw her?

She was beginning to realize that it did.

Xiao Heng looked deep in thought. “Only two?” He murmured. His eyes flitted up towards her. “Did you reach out to them?”

Fangfei nodded. “Yes, I even offered a partial refund, but I’ve gotten no replies and the reviews are still there.” She sighed, fiddling with her dumpling. “It seemed so out of place and delayed.”

“I wouldn’t be overly concerned,” he said. She drew her eyebrows together, confused, but allowing him to continue. “I don’t believe it happened by chance.”

Though she had an inkling of what he meant, still, she asked, “What do you mean?”

He crossed his arms. “Do you truly think that, with your temperament and prowess, suddenly there are two people in the same timeframe who take issue with your work, and have also not responded, despite the offer of a refund?”

Fangfei didn’t want to consider it, and yet, she was.

“So what are you suggesting?” She didn’t appreciate that she had to keep interrogating him. He never could get to the point, could he?

Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, that if she wasn’t looking at him, she would’ve missed it. “You’re asking a question you know the answer to.”

Fangfei placed the dumpling down, no longer in the mood. “Xiao Heng, if only you’d explain to me how Wanning could be capable of causing such discord.” She placed her chin between her fingers in thought. “It surely couldn’t be based on her influence alone… unless she has a backer you’re worried about?”

When she saw his face, it was almost like an answer. He looked guarded now and didn’t reply.

She shook her head. “Shen Yurong couldn’t be the threat you’re concerned with,” she murmured, almost concerned that somehow, he was.

The corners of his lips went up just a bit. “You don’t find him to be minacious at all?” Was he joking or completely serious? She didn’t have much more patience for this.

Fangfei craned her neck. “Not until now. Should I be concerned?”

Xiao Heng smirked. “There is nothing for you to lose your pretty head over. It’s only something I can take care of.”

The compliment had her momentarily struggling to process his words, but when she realized, she took a step back, even with a counter space already between them.

“Did it ever occur to you that I have my own matters that require me to take care of?” She questioned, on defense.

“And I gave you an opportunity last week, did I not?” He replied swiftly.

She wanted to bite her tongue, literally, but decided against it. “Did I ask you to? After all, you’ve barely had  my interest at heart.” She matched his posture. “And that’d be fine if you gave me a choice in my participation.”

Now, it was like he wanted to breach the gap between them, yet he’d have to go all the way around to do so, leaving him to hesitate, something she hadn’t seen him do before, or even know he was capable of.

“Do you know I’m more at risk than you with all that I’m doing?” He asked, so seriously it made her shiver.

She still narrowed her eyes at him. “You have further to fall, but much more cushion to protect you, that you may not have fallen at all.”

He scoffed audibly, like in disbelief she’d even said that at all. “Miss Fangfei,” he drew out, “you make me sound cruel.”

She held her ground, even when his stance was unwelcoming. “I can take matters into my own hands to resolve my issues if necessary, Mr. Xiao,” she told him, placing her hands gently on the granite, even though she felt ready to combust.

That made him sigh, and surprisingly, relax, aggression falling off his face and the air calming down with him. Without making eye contact, he said, “I’m not an unjust person, A’Li. There’s nothing that’d benefit you if you were as involved as I.” He peered up to see her expression, which she kept neutral.

“Xiao Heng,” she began, “we both know Wanning has negative intentions where I’m concerned. Why are you avoiding this?”

There was a long pause from him, perhaps to…

“You’re right, Yurong is not who Hong Xiao and I feel ill at ease with,” he answered. He jut his chin up. “But, it is also no one you know, or for you to know.”

Fangfei lowered her head and glanced off to the side. “Tell me, then, how having me by your side is beneficial to you.” Was this something she wanted answered?

“Wanning is not without frailty,” he replied matter-of-fact.

Her face scrunched up as she took in his words. Realizing the meaning, she squinted at him. “Me? How?”

Xiao Heng pursed his lips, almost as if disappointed she was asking. “She used you to get to Shen Yurong, did she not?”

Fangfei clicked her tongue. “And you’re using me to get to her, then?” She questioned, even though she knew the truth, staring him down.

He had led her to the conclusion, so he didn’t seem fazed by her indignation. “You want me to say it.” It wasn’t a question.

When she stood silently, he frowned. “I cannot foresee Wanning’s actions, less so with Shen Yurong, but when I knew there were no good intentions that could possibly come from them, I had to make it clear that you were not a mere stage prop.”

Something about those words made her stomach do a flip. What reason could he possibly have for caring enough to ensure her well-being? At least with the Jiangs it came as a company benefit, but her…

The possibilities, given their current state of affairs, could only be so many, and that was making her open up a door that she was trying to lock shut.

She cleared her throat. “I see. Your kindness does not go unnoticed, Xiao Heng,” she said, mouth dry by the time she got to his name. She needed something to drink.

He gave a slow nod, glancing away. “Well, I don’t do it for free, as you know. So I will be requesting to take some of these dumplings home with me.” He focused on her again, eyes playful, even with a tone so humorless.

Fangfei, unable to help herself, smiled, perhaps a little shy. “Of course. And if you really do like them, the offer will always be there.”

His soft, smugless smile in return unexpectedly made her heart leap. “You flatter me, A’Li.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear as nonchalantly as she should (which likely was not at all), she turned around to grab a glass to fill with water.

“Would you like a drink, Xiao Heng?” She offered after quietly clearing her throat.

She could feel his heavy gaze on her. “Some water would be appreciated,” he replied, voice even.  Somehow only she was losing her composure, if he possibly felt any way at all about this.

Though she didn’t mind it as much as she thought. There was something in how relaxed and collected he seemed, even when he looked entirely fixated on her. It was different from anything she had experienced before.

More so, she found herself liking it.

Notes:

hope you enjoyed it. if you did please feel free to leave kudos or a comment.

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Notes:

yay, the final chapter is here~ i really liked writing this story, and im quite pleased with how it turned out, even if it wasnt what i expected when i came up with the idea.

i hope you guys like it, thank you for reading!

Although it was only nearing the end of August, it was still rather melancholic that summer was coming to a close. The last several months had been a whirlwind, and with the loss of long days, so went the sanguine attitude Fangfei tried to hold onto.

Now that the excitement, if it could be called that, simmered down some, she worried about the dwindle in job offerings providing a needed distraction from her troubles.

She was still trying to come to terms with what Yurong’s intentions had supposedly been. He wanted to use Wanning to help her? Was that really his goal? And she hadn’t been trustworthy enough for him to tell her this. How could that have been a problem? He knew it was wrong, yet somehow she’s still the one being blamed. If he was being honest, was it something she should tell Wanning?

Despite how vicious she was, was this the kind of life she deserved? It was hard to answer that question, and although she didn’t wish to be involved, she felt obligated to end this in a way where she’d have no regrets.

After searching for a way to contact Wanning, even though it’d be to her management, she went to draft an email, yet a sender’s name gave her pause.

It had been sent a couple of hours ago. For several moments, she hovered over it, lingering in thought about if it would benefit her to open it. She could already see part of it and could easily guess the rest, but if there was more, she wanted to know.

With a click, she opened Yurong’s email, slowly reading it.

A’Li,

I know my words to you that day were harsh, and I take them back. I know you aren’t like that. You’re much purer and couth than I, which is why I thought up such a plan and couldn’t bear to share it with you. I miss you, A’Li. I’ve made mistakes I will spend the rest of my life repenting for. Would you please meet me once more, and we can make things right between us?

Yurong

It was open-ended, but Fangfei could read between the lines. He would do something to try to be together again, but shouldn’t he know there was no going back?

Yes, she had wanted to hear his side and reasoning at one point, and he had divulged finally, but that didn’t mean things could be okay. If anything, it made it worse. Wanning was only going at her because of his personal torments, all of his own creation.

And comparing her to him, when she had no say in any of this, made her indifferent to ever entertaining his nonsense.

Hesitantly, she began composing an email, unsure of her decision for once. She typically felt like she was doing the right thing, but now, it didn’t feel like there was any clear option.

She paused to think, to weigh her options. Would it be beneficial to put herself in a position of leaving things up to Wanning? Was this better said in an email, where she didn’t have to face her churlishness, or in person, so she could tell her with sincerity?

She needed a moment to contemplate it, so she went downstairs to brew herself some tea and come back to her computer with a fresh mind. Some deep breaths here, a splash of water on her face there, and with a mug in hand, she headed back to her room.

Even after all of that, though, she still sat down at her desk without a definitive answer. Fangfei sighed and sipped her tea, blowing air out through her nose.

An email notification ping rang from her computer, and when she checked the inbox tab, she was taken aback.

Surely, there were no hidden cameras in here, that’d be absurd. Yet, how did it seem Wanning was reading her mind?

She bit the inside of her cheek, but didn’t falter in scanning her message.

Xue Fangfei,

I’d like to have your company so we can discuss some things. If you’re available today, you can stop by this address at 2pm. If you’re not, we will arrange for another time.

Shen Wanning

It didn’t take any guessing to know this was non-negotiable. What the repercussions were, she didn’t consider. She had an empty schedule, so she would go and not have to worry about the consequences of avoiding her.

It seemed suspicious to get this, but she had a feeling Yurong’s internal turmoil as of late was not so secret. And, at least it saved her the effort of making the decision herself.

Fine. She would meet her and put an end to all of this.

---

Fangfei drove up slowly to a gated area, greeted by some sort of security where she had to confirm her name in order to be allowed entry. When she pulled up to the mansion, she left her keys for the valet to park and tucked something into her jacket pocket.

She had looked up the address before going, so she expected the lavishness, but this seemed unnecessary. She knew why Wanning invited her here, though. She wanted to intimidate her.

Whatever she had planned, be it some monetary deal, threat or otherwise, she was prepared to decline it.

A worker led her inside to where said woman rested on a velvet loveseat, teacup in hand, in her finest silk robes. It was pretentious, but she was stating something with the demeanor she possessed.

Power.

Without even lifting her head, Wanning sighed. “Ah, Xue Fangfei,” she lamented, like she was chiding her, “I thought Yurong would be over you by now.” She lightly blew on her tea.

Fangfei did her best to remain undisturbed, but still narrowed her eyes, keeping silent.

Wanning’s eyes flitted up to her. “I’m sure you’ve come to know that hiring you for our wedding was to test his loyalty, which is quite fragile.” She took a slow sip of her drink, something Fangfei had noted that these people, when possessing the upperhand (yes, this included Xiao Heng) liked to do. Because she was so beneath her, this conversation should be stopping and going at her discretion.

Regardless of having done it herself, it was to provoke Xiao Heng the way he did her. This was hardly as harmless. She didn’t appreciate it.

Wanning hummed. “What do you think we should do about that?”

Ignoring the pronoun used, Fangfei answered. “If you’re that concerned maybe you should choose a better man. Why waste your efforts on someone who’s heart is somewhere else?” And she meant it. For all her deviousness, even Wanning did not have to be subjected to Yurong’s faithlessness.

Though she seemed rather fascinated by her response than anything, sitting up more and smiling wide. “Have you lost your love for Yurong?” She asked.

“It’s been gone,” she replied without hesitation.

Wanning nodded, daintily holding the cup over its plate. “That’s good, but how will you get him to get rid of his?”

Fangfei narrowed her eyes at the boldness of such a request. "You chose him as your husband, making him leave me. Shouldn't that be your responsibility?"

Wanning placed her plate and cup down on the glass coffee table in front of her, poising herself elegantly, legs crossed and hands on her knees. "I could ruin your career. After all, you already have the negative reviews, so maybe you should move away so this all could be forgotten." She gives her a saccharine smile. "Maybe I could even sponsor you," she adds on.

Despite how much she wanted to speak crudely, she kept herself level-headed. She could not let her get the better of her.

Fangfei raised her chin up. "So you know about the reviews? You must be quite interested in me. Well, you are welcome to smear my name if you so please." She sighed through her nose before continuing. "I want to be completely rid of Yurong and anything else you're looking to involve me in." She knew that was a risk, being open like that, but she cared more about proclaiming her indifference.

Suddenly, Wanning got up and stepped close to her, but she didn't flinch. "So you'll disappear then? Because that's what it takes," she said, her heated breath tickling her skin.

Fangfei scoffed. "If you're that insecure why'd you marry him?" She challenged in a low tone.

Wanning's face scrunched slightly, a pitiful attempt at an unbothered smirk plastered on. "He was the only one who saw right through me," she whispered.

"Be careful he doesn’t see through you to his next step on the ladder," she warned. Then, she fetched something she stuffed away earlier; the wooden box with her old wedding ring. "Return this to Yurong for me," she offered out to her, which she surprisingly took without question, though her face was full of suspicion. "I'm leaving. I request that you do not involve me further. I do not want him. You should not want him either, but since you now share his last name, his problems are yours, not mine.

"Moving forward or staying behind are for both of you to decide, but I've made my choice," she stated. She terribly wanted to tell Wanning of Yurong’s intentions, but she wasn't feeling so saintly anymore.

Somehow, Wanning had no venom to spit back, only mustering up a glare. If Fangfei had left her speechless, good. If she had any plans on doing anything more to her, so be it. Fangfei was not a doll to play with.

After letting the silence linger, she turned around to leave. Only making it a few steps away, Wanning's voice rang out.

"Xue Fangfei. In another life, I think you and I could've been friends."

Fangfei paused. She glanced down at the polished tile and then back up ahead of her.

"If you ever learned to behave, then maybe we could have."

With the conversation finished, she walked outside and kept herself collected as the valet grabbed her car. She wasted no time in buckling herself in and making her way back home.

It all had given her the chills, but she knew she was being monitored as she left, so she waited till she was a few blocks away to pull over and regain her composure.

Fangfei licked her dry lips and rested her head on the steering wheel. She wasn't sure what emboldened her to act the way she did, but all she knew was that she hoped she didn't regret it.

---

Unexpectedly, as she was cleaning the dishes after dinner only a few hours later, her brother called for her from the entryway.

"Yes?" She shouted back over the sound of the water.

"Someone is here for you. A man. He says his name is," a moment of quiet as he presumably got the name, "Xiao Heng."

Fangfei nearly dropped the plate in her hand. It shouldn't have come as a surprise, yet it did.

He commonly came and went as he pleased, something she now was accustomed to, but it was always with the pretense of some plotting they'd engage in.

Yes, she did go and see Wanning and she suspected that he heard about it before she had even left the mansion. Yet, that was her own task, and if anything, her words towards Wanning could've unraveled her so much that he should be focusing on how to take advantage of that.

But he was here.

"A'jie?" Her brother called.

"I-I'll be right there," she replied, cursing her stuttering. Couldn't she keep herself together?

She placed down the dish, shut off the faucet and dried her hands, huffing to release her tenseness before walking over.

In another turn of events, Xiao Heng dressed down. No suit or adorning cloth or object in his hand. Just him in a plain button up and slacks. Somehow, he looked even better like this.

When she felt that her brother was still lingering, she shooed him off to go finish the chores, ignoring his grumbling. Meeting Xiao Heng's face again, he was clearly amused. Fangfei unabashedly smiled back.

"A'Li, may I speak with you outside?" He asked, voice smooth as honey. How could she say no?

Actually, she could hardly even say yes, voice lost to her awe, opting to nod and follow him outside after swapping her shoes, closing the door behind her.

He faced the street in front of them, crossing his arms and glancing sideways at her. "An observer I've entrusted expressed to me that Yurong was underperforming today. Before I jumped to any conclusions, I had to see you."

Fangfei blinked. Considering her without acting? Well, that was a first.

"For what reason?" She inquired. She meant the words she said to Wanning; she was moving on. She hoped he wouldn't try to drag her back.

Xiao Heng turned his head towards her. "I wanted to know if you were in any way involved in his low spirits."

Fangfei pursed her lips and looked away. "I may be," she replied.

He hummed. "I see. You're quite adept at doing the things you wish to achieve, A'Li," he commented, earning her attention once more with a quick whip of her head.

"Xiao Heng, I'm merely driven to lead my life unshackled and without regrets," she quipped back, eager to correct him. If he truly believes she was trying to tear Yurong down... no, surely he wouldn't. He knew her enough at this point. He knew her enough before he even offered to dry her tears.

He tilted his head slightly. "I suppose that means you've no interest in taking time to dine with me and discuss more trivial matters if it meant we were within another's presence, then?"

The words took two times to circle around her head for her to process them. She faced her whole body toward him now, the effort put into relaxing herself moot.

"Xiao Heng," she warned. For what, she didn't know. He wouldn't play a game like this.

"A'Li," he replied affectionately, making her shiver despite the warmth of the still setting sun.

There was a mayhem of emotions running rampant inside her, yet at the forefront of it all, was hope.

Hope to be happy. Hope to live her life how she wants. Hope to love again.

Fangfei smiled at him, but did not dare speak. She reached out to tentatively grab his hand, which he eagerly allowed. His eyes were wide, gazing at her with fondness and patience she had been familiar with at one time.

Maybe, with him, it wouldn't be so terrible to allow herself such a thing again.

Notes:

if you liked it, please feel free to leave a comment or kudos.

as well, i plan on writing for LGIEF, perhaps for The Princess Royal, and maybe more for The Double if i think up anything. im always open to suggestions and especially people to talk with. if youd like to find me betwixt fics, my tumblr is fairytaehl.

thank you again for choosing to read this!