Page 33 of He Is My Bride
Anne checked up on him and helped, ensuring everything was as close to perfect as possible. They would land in Shanghai Pudong airport within a few hours, and then it would be showtime.
“How do you feel?” Anne asked as she finished styling Li Ying’s signature preppy ponytail.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I would be this nervous.”
Not because Li Ying had any problem meeting new people and socializing with just about anyone he met, but because of how much was at stake: this was Hanjun’s family he was going to meet, his future in-laws, hopefully.
“Anne…” Li Ying hesitated. “Thiswillwork, right?”
“Li Ying.” Anne put her hands on his shoulders and looked at him through the mirror. “You make a very beautiful, assertive young woman who, excuse me, has an impeccable sense of style. Just look at her.“
Li Ying smiled and put his hand on hers, looking at himself, at that person Anne was describing: partly theater, smoke and mirrors, but at the core, it washimthat she meant.
Anne continued, meeting Li Ying’s eyes in the mirror, “She made it to a top medical school, and she knows what it takes to get what she wants. But she’s also very kind at heart, generous and honest, and would make any uncle-in-law feel very lucky to have their nephew marry her.”
“Anne, I can’t cry now, my eyeliner—”
“Iswaterproof.”
Li Ying tore off a piece of tissue and looked up to blink the tears back, carefully tapping at the corner of his eye.
“We have done a good job with allthis,” Anne said, “you don’t have to worry about your performance, just do what you have been doing so far. Just be… Well, don’t betoomuch yourself.”
“What does that mean? You just said I’m perfect.”
“Well, you could drop the tasteless jokes. It’s not very cute or sexy.”
“You should have made me a goth chick.”
“You could forget about getting married to a Wu.”
“Can we do a goth look sometime, though? You know I used to have a phase.”
Anne sighed. “Sure. But now, prepare to hit the runway as a proper young lady.”
“Yes!” Li Ying was ready.
iiIn Chinese language, A- (?; a) is a prefix used in front of the surname or last character of someone’s given name to express familiarity orfriendliness.
Chapter 7: Shanghai
Li Ying made his landing on Shanghai soil in the tweed skirt and the tied blouse, carefully balancing down the airstairs in his boots with some help from Hanjun. Li Ying held his hand as the man walked ahead of him, looking back to make sure his boyfriend got down safely.
Well, aren’t I a damn princess! Why, why do I have to wear these ridiculous heels?! These are dangerous and should be illegal!
Li Ying made his way down sideways, unapologetically looking down at his feet to make sure he didn’t misstep, holding the handrail with his other hand until he was on solid ground. He’d made it out of the plane alive, at least.
There was a black car waiting for them, taking them from the runway to the terminal. In the entryway were three men, two wearing ordinary, non-matching suits. Not big guys or anything, and they weren’t wearing sunglasses either, but they got earpieces; personal security. They shadowed the trio as they followed the third man, this one wearing a more formal suit and an ID tag; some kind of concierge.
“Miss Li,” Anne addressed Li Ying politely. They had agreed she should address him formally while acting as his personal stylist-shopper-assistant in public. She was looking at the bodyguards whilehanding Li Ying his large-framed Gucci sunglasses. “Better put these on.”
Li Ying would do anything Anne told him to at this point. He took the sunglasses and put them on right before they stepped through the next pair of doors to the land side. Coming out of the VIP terminal and into the main lobby, suddenly there were people everywhere, going to and fro.
Somewhere in the crowd there was a bright flash, then another. Li Ying noticed a couple of people with professional cameras pointed at them. One reporter tried to walk up to them, but the bodyguard subtly raised a hand towards him, shaking his head.
“Keep walking,” Hanjun spoke in a lowered voice. He was walking close to Li Ying, who turned his eyes back ahead and made sure to keep up with Hanjun like a duckling.
They crossed the lobby and followed the suit to the pick-up area outside. They hadn’t taken their luggage, but by now Li Ying would have been an idiot if he didn’t think it would all be taken care of. The sky outside was overcast, and a drizzle had begun coming down.
