Chapter 3

Chapter 3

His voice was low, piercing like ice, carrying an unyielding command that exuded authority like a mountain.

It was just a single word, but the moment it was uttered, the temperature around them seemed to drop, as if a heavy pressure was pressing down.

The burly bodyguards at the door trembled, cowering like frightened chickens.

"S-sorry, CEO Li, we were just—"

"Not my concern."

Before the lead bodyguard could finish, the man cut him off without mercy.

"I said, get out.

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

If they still couldn't understand the dismissal, they had no business being here. They trembled as they bowed in apology:

"We're really sorry, please forgive us. We'll get out now!"

With that, they scrambled out of the room, shutting the door behind themselves.

"...Let's go, search downstairs... He might have taken the elevator."

Their murmurs trailed off as footsteps faded down the hall, seemingly gone from this floor.

Huh? Scared off that quick?

Hearing the silence around him, Song Nian, still crouching in front of the man, blinked slowly and craned his neck to look around.

The guy who helped him was really nice.

And he seemed pretty badass too, scaring them away like that.

Was he some big shot? Maybe he could latch onto him.

"Thank you, I really owe you one. If it weren't for you, they would have caught me. What's your name by the way?"

Thinking that, Song Nian looked up and flashed the man a sweet smile, thanking him politely.

Just as he was figuring out how to schmooze him, he heard a soft scoff from above, and then the man looked down.

At that moment, a ray of sunlight streamed in through the window, like a spotlight, hitting the man's face perfectly.

They faced each other, their gazes meeting in midair, each perfectly reflected in the other's eyes.

Only then did Song Nian get a good look at the man's face.

"Y-you are..."

His eyes went wide, shock all over his face, his words coming out in a stammer.

"Who am I?"

Li Yanchuan sneered, the corner of his mouth twisted into a mocking smirk as he looked down at him.

"Song Nian, you tell me."

His thin lips parted slightly, tone laden with knowing mockery.

Suddenly being called by his full name, as if the King of Hell himself had read it from his ledger, Song Nian shook with fright.

How could this guy be Li Yanchuan?!

Running away from a wedding right to the groom—this was terrifying.

Song Nian felt like crying but couldn't muster any tears, crouched there awkwardly, frozen, not knowing what to do or say.

What could he say? "Sorry, I'm running away from our wedding—thanks for scaring off those guys, I'll be going now"?

That would probably end with him dead in a ditch!

His brain racing, Song Nian scrambled for an answer.

He forced an awkward but polite smile, about to invent some excuse, when his eyes met the man's handsome face and he froze.

Bathed in the warm morning light, he finally took in Li Yanchuan's features.

Li Yanchuan had sharp, slanted brows and piercing eyes, a very stern, cold facial structure, with sharply defined facial lines. His lips were thin and straight, set in a firm line.

His dark, deep eyes were like an unfathomable ocean, making his emotions unreadable. His scrutinizing gaze always held a veil of frost and mist—distant, aloof.

The hand resting on the chair back looked pale in the sunlight, faint blue-green veins visible on the back, complemented by his wristwatch and tailored suit, exuding maturity and stability.

His chilling aura that kept everyone at arm's length was mixed with the mature charm of a grown man.

Even in a wheelchair, he radiated an unmistakable authority, betraying no hint of weakness.

Staring at Li Yanchuan's face, Song Nian swallowed hard, not even trying to hide it.

Now he was in deep trouble—he hadn't expected his fiancé to be this handsome when he decided to run.

And if he remembered right, Li Yanchuan was twenty-nine, exactly six years older than him.

—Not just handsome, but the age gap was perfect.

Mature, steady—completely his type. A rare ideal.

For a moment, Song Nian was dumbstruck, his gaze fixed on the man, unable to say a word.

"What, still haven't come up with an excuse?"

It wasn't until Li Yanchuan's icy voice cut through that he snapped back to reality.

"Of course I do. I know who you are."

Song Nian scratched his cheek sheepishly, ducking his head as if embarrassed.

Then he mustered his courage, firmly grasped the man's hand, and lifted it up.

"You're..."

"—my husband."

His eyes sparkled, as if filled with stars, so dazzling it was hard to look directly at him. He spoke earnestly, enunciating every word.

Screw running away from the wedding! With such a handsome bargain husband, who'd want to run away?

As the saying goes, "A romantic death under peonies is worth it." Being reborn and marrying one's ideal type—even if it ends tragically, it's worth it.

Heh.

Li Yanchuan looked at the hand that was holding his, then at the silly grin on the man's face, remembering the "husband" he'd just blurted out, and couldn't help but frown.

What kind of stunt was this Song Nian pulling now?

Had Li Wenguang instructed him to start getting close, to make him let his guard down?

Remembering Li Wenguang's taunting yesterday, Li Yanchuan's face instantly darkened.

He coldly snatched his hand back, said nothing, and turned his wheelchair to leave.

"Hey, hubby, where are you going?"

Seeing this, Song Nian quickly stood up to go after him.

But after squatting for too long, his legs had fallen asleep, his feet didn't feel like his own.

As soon as he took a step, his uncooperative legs tangled together, and Song Nian stumbled, unable to catch himself, falling straight forward.

"Whoa!"

Just as he thought he was about to hit the ground hard, he suddenly landed in a solid embrace.

Hearing the noise, Li Yanchuan, who had been about to leave, stopped. But as he turned to look, the guy suddenly tumbled into his arms.

If he hadn't stabilized the wheelchair in time, both of them would have fallen to the ground.

"Hiss..."

Song Nian gasped, holding his head as he slowly propped himself up, only to realize he had wound up on top of Li Yanchuan.

With his hands on the wheelchair armrests and his knees on the wheelchair seat, from behind, it looked as if Song Nian was straddling the man's lap.

The tables were turned—now Song Nian was on top, and Li Yanchuan was below.

He lowered his head a little, only to notice how close they were.

So close that their noses were almost touching, with the faint touch and warmth of each other's skin.

He could also feel the man opposite him suddenly breathing heavily.

Even this close, the man's perfect features were still striking, handsome enough that Song Nian couldn't help swallowing hard again.

And Li Yanchuan was also getting a close look at Song Nian for the first time.

Previously, he had only seen his photo on the documents and had never met him in person.

His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

Song Nian was undeniably good-looking—fair-skinned and clean-cut, the delicate type. His skin was so pale that a slight press would likely leave a red mark.

His features were neat and refined, with downward-slanting, round, bright eyes that always looked moist, as if covered in a layer of mist, making him appear particularly innocent and well-behaved.

If he wanted, he could probably win anyone's heart with just a little flirting, thanks to those eyes.

No wonder that guy Li Wenguang was involved with him.

Thinking this, Li Yanchuan's expression darkened.

"Sorry, my legs are numb."

They stared at each other, neither speaking first, until Song Nian awkwardly spoke up, explaining softly.

He pouted, his naturally plump lips standing out even more, shining with the glossy color of lipstick, looking like Jell-O.

It unconsciously stirred the mischievous thought of wiping off the lipstick.

By any means necessary, using any body part.

"...Get up."

Li Yanchuan pursed his thin lips and ordered in a hoarse voice.

"Sorry, c-can you give me a moment? My legs are still completely numb QAQ."

Song Nian, on the verge of tears, his voice unconsciously softened as he begged.

Though he wasn't intentionally raising his pitch, the tone sounded coquettish to the listener.

Li Yanchuan frowned but said nothing.

Nor did he refuse.

Taking this as tacit consent, Song Nian broke into a bright smile at the man:

"Thank you."

His lips curled up, his eyes crinkled, and with the backlight, the sunlight from outside scattered behind him, casting delicate light on his hair and face like playful sprites, outlining his soft silhouette.

In the face of such a warm and radiant smile, even the bright sun would dim.

He's got some charm and moves.

Li Yanchuan thought, looking down.

After a moment, the feeling came back to his legs, and Song Nian tentatively moved them, preparing to stand up.

But just as he was about to climb off, the door was suddenly pushed open again, crashing against the wall with a loud bang.

The newcomer seemed anxious, gasping, gripping the doorframe, and before catching his breath, he yelled:

"Bad news, Yanchuan—the Song family said Song Nian..."

"...Ran away."

He trailed off, clearly pausing as he saw the situation inside.

Who said Song Nian had run away? Wasn't he right here?

From the newcomer's angle, Song Nian was straddling Li Yanchuan, his hands on either side, looking down at the man in the wheelchair.

This posture was a classic wall slam.

No, perhaps it should be called a wheelchair slam?

"Hi...?"

The air suddenly fell into an eerie silence. Song Nian felt for some reason that he should say something, so he hesitantly raised his hand and waved at the man.

The man hesitated, his gaze sweeping over Song Nian before landing on Li Yanchuan.

"Uh, am I interrupting you two?"

"...Qi Ze."

Hearing this, Li Yanchuan's temples throbbed faintly. He shoved Song Nian aside, turned his wheelchair toward the door, and asked, "What is it?"

"Hey, never mind. They said Song Nian ran away, but who'd have thought he'd come running to you?"

The man called Qi Ze waved dismissively, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed, watching amusedly.

As far as he knew, his friend had been forced into this marriage, and he was also aware that the young master of the Song family, the one he's supposed to marry, was no pushover—having a long history with Li Wenguang.

So when he learned that Song Nian had fled the wedding, he mistakenly thought the guy was deliberately trying to embarrass Li Yanchuan, and he rushed over to inform him so he could plan ahead.

Who'd have thought that Song Nian, fleeing the wedding, would end up in Li Yanchuan's lounge?

Would his friend have been forcefully kissed if he'd come any later?

Ran away from the wedding?

No wonder the bodyguards were chasing him—so that's why he ran in here without thinking.

Hearing this, Li Yanchuan raised an eyebrow, his unreadable gaze casually sweeping over Song Nian beside him.

Oh no, will he misunderstand me?

I didn't mean to flee the wedding, QWQ

Noticing this, Song Nian's heart lurched, and he quickly clarified.

He crouched down beside Li Yanchuan, resting his chin on the armrest with a pitiful look, looking up with a soft voice: "Honey, I was wrong."

"I'm not running away. I really want to marry you."