Page 14 of He Is My Bride
Li Ying was willing to see this through. He wouldn’t mind masquerading as a woman if it meant he could call Wu Hanjun his husband in front of the whole world.
But what about those who knew the truth about him being a man?
“But Hanjun,” Li Ying spoke, “what if we got caught?”
“That is a risk we should seek to minimize. You will probably have to keep our relationship and the plan secret from the Qians. If your family knew the truth, I fear they might reach out to my family and expose you unwittingly.”
Li Ying was disappointed. He would have to keep his relationship, hismarriage,a secret from his own family? The thought was depressing, but at the same time Li Ying knew Hanjun was right, the risk was too great. Would keeping such a secret be worth marrying Hanjun?
“Will you be okay with that?” Hanjun asked cautiously.
“I will have to be.” Li Ying couldn’t imagine sharing his life with anyone else—ithadto be worth it. “I want to marry you, Wu Hanjun.” Li Ying looked him in the eyes. “Let’s do this, let’s make me your wife for real!”
Hanjun smiled, wider than Li Ying had ever seen him smile. Li Ying let himself be pulled into a kiss, embracing Hanjun as they fell onto the bed.
“But first, we’ll have to figure out the logistics of this ruse, make sure I’ll be the perfect bride for you,” Li Ying said before Hanjun could distract him. “I know someone who can help us.”
Chapter 3: The Consultant
The next day, Li Ying and Hanjun were at a popular fast-fashion retailer at Columbus Circle. Li Ying had taken a friend along: Anne Lüi.
Li Ying had primed Anne for the shopping spree with the following cover story: ‘Hanjun just really gets turned on when I dress up as a girl!’ He had made sure to say it while Hanjun was present, as he greatly enjoyed his boyfriend’s ensuing fluster.
Anne was a graduate of a major fashion institute and was currently starting her career as a stylist, so she was perfect for the task of transforming Li Ying into a woman.
“And get this,” Li Ying said to Anne from behind the fitting room curtain, “he kind of proposed to me on Monday, but…”
Li Ying could hear Anne gasp outside when he spilled the tea.
“No, wait, he didn’tactuallydo it!” Li Ying peeked out. “But he revealed to me that he had ordered the ring.”
“But now it’s not a surprise! Is he always this bad at keeping secrets?” Anne asked.
“No, but I was being the drama again, and he wanted to reassure me. He almost showed me a picture of the ring, but I toldhim not to, at like, the last moment. So, at least the ring itself will still be a surprise.”
“Do you think he got you a real diamond?”
“Anne, you silly girl, do you know what ‘blood diamonds’ are? I hope he didn’t.” Li Ying opened the curtain and revealed his first look. “Ta-dah!”
It was a loose-fitting black sequin V-neck dress, mid-thigh length, and Li Ying thought it would have looked pretty killer on him if it were tighter. “Why is everything so baggy? Is this really my size?”
“Oversized look is in right now. It’s not very flattering on all bodies, but on you it looks like in the magazines. You’ve got a body like a model, I’m jealous.”
Li Ying tightened the dress by pinching from the sides and looked at himself in the mirror, back and front. “Yeah, except I got no amazing boobs like yours.”
With or without boobs, Li Ying thought he looked good in a dress.I think I would make a pretty fine chick if I say so myself.
“So, this kind of dress would go well at any cocktail event.” Anne put on her professional voice and ignored how Li Ying’s meaningless flirting made her cheeks flush, even if it was in a joking manner. “It’s ‘the little black dress,’ but more glam. Also, if you want, I can make you this,” Anne drew out the silhouette of Li Ying’s dress with her fingers, “but in a fit you like more, and from a better fabric and—Look, the stitching is coming apart already and it hasn’t even left the shelf.” Anne leaned down to pick at something on the hem. “I can make you a better quality dress over a weekend.”
Li Ying looked at his friend like he had found a gold nugget. “Anne, you actually know this stuff!”
She pouted and crossed her arms at her chest. “I have a degree in fashion, you know. I do this for a living.”
“I’m sorry, Anne, the meals are on me today.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Anne rolled her eyes. “A stylist’s gotta eat, too.”
Li Ying realized he was being sassed at. “I’m not trying to take advantage of you, I just… You’re the only one I could turn to. I really don’t want to explain to my sister what I do in the bedroom. The Qians still don’t even know I have a boyfriend.”
