Chapter 34: Xue Lian

"Xue Lian." Bael says.

The name settles naturally between them, like it belongs there.

Up close, he looks even more put together than before. Not flashy, not trying too hard, just... precise. Everything about him feels intentional, from the way his charcoal suit fits to the calm confidence in his posture.

He smiles at Bael, soft and familiar.

"You look well."

"I could say the same," Bael replies.

There’s something in his expression now that wasn’t there before, it’s subtle, easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

But I am.

I’m watching the way Bael’s shoulders relax slightly, the way his usual guarded expression softens at the edges. It’s a small shift, barely noticeable, but it’s there.

"I was starting to think you’d forgotten how to pick up your calls," Xue Lian says lightly. "Or maybe you’re still as bad at replying as you were when I was abroad."

So he’s someone Bael kept in touch with.

Not casually either, it’s enough for him to say that without hesitation, like it’s an old joke between them.

"I’ve been busy," Bael says.

"Mm." Xue Lian tilts his head slightly. "The merger must have consumed all your time, though I remember when being busy didn’t seem to stop you from calling before."

There’s no edge to his voice, no accusation, just familiarity, the kind that comes from history, from knowing someone well enough to call them out without offense.

They continue talking like this. Work comes up..something about a hospital, a transfer, a complicated case overseas. Names get mentioned like they both know them. Colleagues, mutual acquaintances, people from before.

The conversation flows easily, naturally, like they’ve done this many times before.

And I just stand here, still smiling, completely ignored.

Right, good.

I keep my expression pleasant, my posture relaxed. To anyone watching from a distance, I probably look perfectly content to let my husband catch up with an old friend.

But inside, I’m cataloging every detail.

...Is he Bael’s ex?

Or something more complicated than that?

The way Bael listens when Xue Lian talks isn’t the same as how he listens to business partners, his tone shifts, becomes less measured, more genuine. There’s a warmth there that I haven’t heard directed at anyone else tonight.

Not even me.

Not that I care about that specifically, we’re not in love, this whole thing is just... situational.

But still...

I notice.

"Oh."

Xue Lian suddenly stops mid-sentence, lifting a hand to his mouth like the realization just hit him.

He turns to me, eyes widening just enough to look sincere.

"I’m so sorry," he says. "I was just so happy to see Bael after such a long time that I completely forgot to greet you properly."

Of course you did.

The apology sounds perfect, concerned, embarrassed, genuine.

"I hope you don’t mind?"

I meet his gaze and smile.

"Not at all. Reunions can be distracting."

Something flickers across his face for a second, surprise, maybe, or annoyance that I’m not reacting the way he expected.

Then it’s gone.

"I’m glad you understand," he says, relaxing again. "It’s just that even though we talk very frequently, I still miss him sometimes. We’re very close, after all."

There it is.

He emphasizes "very frequently" and "very close" just enough to make his point clear.

Not even trying to hide it.

He’s establishing territory, making sure I know exactly where he stands in Bael’s life.

Like I’m the outsider here, not the one standing beside Bael.

At my wedding.

I keep my tone light, conversational. "That must have taken effort. Keeping in touch across time zones isn’t easy."

"It wasn’t," he agrees softly, glancing at Bael before looking back at me. "But some connections are worth the effort."

Ah.

Some connections. Worth the effort.

Unlike others, presumably.

I nod like that makes perfect sense.

"I’m sure they are."

He studies me for a moment, like he’s trying to read something from my reaction, trying to see if his words landed the way he intended.

When he doesn’t get what he wants...when my smile doesn’t falter, when I don’t shift uncomfortably or look away, his expression changes again.

Softer this time, his eyes lower slightly, like he’s suddenly uncertain.

"I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable," he says quietly. "If I said anything inappropriate, I apologize."

That was fast.

I almost admire the speed of the switch, from confident to vulnerable in half a second.

Classic move, really. If the subtle dig doesn’t work, try making yourself look like the one who’s been hurt.

"I’m not uncomfortable," I reply calmly. "You were just talking about someone you’re close to."

That should be reassuring.

It doesn’t seem to be.

For a second, he looks like he’s about to say something else. His mouth opens slightly, like he’s searching for the right words.

Then—

"Young Master Wuchen?"

I turn.

Mrs. Zhou approaches, elegant in her burgundy dress, with that same warm smile from earlier.

"Sorry to interrupt," she says, though she doesn’t sound sorry, her eyes flick briefly to Xue Lian with an expression I can’t quite read. "But I was hoping to steal you for a moment."

"Of course," I say. "What for?"

"A few of us are gathered near the terrace. Spouses, mostly, I thought it would be good for you to meet them properly."

She gestures vaguely toward a group standing near one of the tall windows.

Ah.

That makes sense.

Building connections, establishing a social circle within this world. It’s practical, necessary, even.

I hesitate.

Just a little.

My eyes shift, almost without thinking, toward Bael, then to Xue Lian.

Something about leaving them together doesn’t sit well. Not because I’m jealous...I’m not. But because Xue Lian just spent the last several minutes making it very clear that he has history with Bael, that they’re close, that he matters.

And now I’m supposed to just walk away and let them continue?

Before I can respond, Bael’s hand leaves my waist.

The absence is immediate, like a weight lifting.

"You should go," he says.

Simple and direct.

Like there’s nothing to think about.

I look at him.

Really look at him.

His expression is neutral, giving nothing away, the same controlled mask he wears for business negotiations.

And then, from the corner of my eye, I catch it.

Xue Lian’s smile.

Small, and satisfied.

Like this is exactly what he expected.

Like he expected Bael to release me and stay with him instead, like I should hurry up and leave so the adults can talk.

Something in me tightens.

Seriously?

Even if you have history, even if Bael still has feelings for you, could you not do this today of all days?

In front of everyone?

With cameras everywhere?

I’m already drowning in scandal. The last thing I need is photos of my husband ignoring me at our own wedding reception to spend time with his beautiful ex-whatever.

I swallow it down.

No point in making a scene, no point letting them see that this bothers me.

Instead, I smile.

That sweet, gracious smile Grandmother drilled into me.

"Alright," I say lightly to Mrs. Zhou. "Lead the way."

Then I turn back to Bael.

Before he can react, before he can say anything else, I step closer.

My hand comes up naturally, like it belongs there, and I press a soft kiss against his cheek.

Not rushed or hesitant, it’s just enough to look affectionate without being too intimate.

When I pull back, I meet his eyes briefly.

Then I glance at Xue Lian.

And smile.

His expression changes.

It’s quick, but it’s there.

That calm, sweet, controlled look cracks just a little, his eyes widen slightly, his mouth tightens.

Like he just bit into something rotten.

Good.

Bael looks surprised for a second, his eyebrows raising slightly.

Then the corner of his mouth lifts, settling into something that looks almost like a smirk. Like he finds this amusing.

Like he knows exactly what I just did.

I ignore that.

"Excuse me," I say politely, stepping back.

Mrs. Zhou beside me looks far too pleased with what just happened. There’s a gleam in her eye that suggests she enjoyed watching that little power play.

"This way, Young Master Wuchen," she says warmly.

I follow her toward the terrace without looking back.

But I can feel it.

The weight of Xue Lian’s gaze on me the whole way across the room.

Good.

Let him stew in it.

Let him wonder whether Bael and I are just playing roles or if there’s something more.

Let him second-guess everything he thought he knew.

For the first time since this reception started, I don’t feel like I’m just enduring it.

I feel like I’m playing the game.

And winning.

Even if it’s just a small victory, even if it doesn’t change anything in the long run.

At least here, in this moment, I wasn’t the one being pushed aside or overlooked.

And somehow, that feels like enough.