Forced by fate – Destined to be his Wife

TangShi was feeling sick with nerves, clinging to Linlin’s hand as they stood backstage and awaited the official walk out onto the runway for the engagement announcement. Uptight and strung out like a tightly wound coil. She had never understood this tradition of treating engagement like a show, strutting out on a stage and being presented to rich men and women who didn’t care at all who was being married off. Even her own family sat out there had little to no emotion on this announcement, given they already got what they wanted, and she was secretly married to their business promoter. It was all about money and status after all.

“Breathe. Relax. It’s no big deal. Think of it as a pageant and you only have to walk out, smile, get your ring, and then go enjoy yourself with YuZhi after a small speech. You don’t even have to say anything. Just look pretty.” Linlin was trying to soothe her panic, fluffing out her bridal style dress and making sure her friend was picture perfect for the swarm of media out there. TangShi looked ethereal and almost fairylike all in white with pinned up hair and natural make up.

YuZhi Leng getting engaged was a big deal, given all his years in the limelight and the fact while dating Rhea Cheng, he never once made that move. It confirmed to the public that TangShi was the true love of his life, given their dating had been only a couple of months at most and it was causing stirs with the official announcement. More than they ever expected. His fans were elated, and his social media was going crazy today.

“After this speech you’ll be called out Miss. Lei.” A young organizer for the event and part of the Leng Group PR team, gave her a gentle rub on the shoulder, bowed and left them at peace to go check on other details. TangShi peeked out from behind the huge satin curtain at the sea of diners at white linen tables, the array of extravagant flowers dotted around the room, soft lighting and low music, and that terrifying center walkway. Swallowing hard and then pulling back slightly to fan her face as heat spread all over.

YuZhi appeared in the middle of it, holding a microphone while facing the crowds, two men by either side. Seemingly comfortable with public speaking and being in the limelight and she admired him from her hidden spot. His tall muscular frame that seemed built for a tuxedo and his charisma and aura that demanded attention. She had to pinch herself to really believe he was hers, and this wasn’t all a dream.

“Thank you all for coming to our event tonight and celebrating with the Leng And Lei family. Leng Group has been one of Shanghai’s leading companies most of my life and it gives me great pleasure to represent it as we move into a brighter future…….” YuZhi began his speech, knowing he had a lot to get through in terms of thanking attendees. The obligatory list of things he must say so as not to offend anyone, especially business associates from notable families. Even though this was about his impending marriage, these kinds of things were always about business first.

TangShi snuck away, zoning out as the wave of fear turned her cold and her stomach twisted in knots. Fanning her face and motioning to Linlin she needed to go to the bathroom or out for air for fear of passing out where she stood. This was nerve-wracking.

“Calm down, calm down.” Linlin crooned following her and catching hold of her hand to give her a squeeze. “you got this. Just hold onto YuZhi and smile. That’s it. It’s one walk to meet him and then it’s pretty much over.” Linlin had been to her fair share of glitzy engagement announcements and was an old hat at how this should go.

“Where you going?” ZhengLi appeared, coming to make sure everything ran smoothly and to personally escort TangShi onstage at YuZhi’s insistence. He knew she would be scared and nervous as being center of the show was not her thing. Her lack of self-confidence eating away at her.

“Trying to cool herself down. My baby girl is looking rosy and ready to jump ship.” Linlin teased and spun her, pulled out a powder to blot TangShi’s face in an attempt to tone down the high color at her cheeks. Somehow though, it suited her and made her seem youthful and shy.

“Hold onto me. You are out of time, Mrs. Leng. Come on, as best man it’s my job to escort you to your husband and keep you from running away.” ZhengLi cocked a cheeky smile at her, and held his hand out, gesturing her to come to him as he could hear YuZhi’s speech coming to a close. He was present for all rehearsals and knew when it ended. Linlin got behind her and pushed her in his direction, frog marching her right to him while patting her back in a loving way.

“Smile, stand tall, chin up and own it, baby. You’re about to be thrown into the limelight as the future Leng daughter. Get used to red carpet events and being famous. You can’t escape it once you’re part of that family.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

ZhengLi Caught her wrist and tucked her arm in his firmly, pulling her in tight and gave her a pat on top of her head in a fatherly gesture. Knowing he might need to be heavy handed in getting her out there. He could feel her fear emanating.

“Come on. We’re practically siblings already. Trust me to hand you over.” He smiled softly, winking at Linlin and getting one in return. A kiss blown their way as she turned and headed off to go find her seat out there with the guests. “It’s not that bad when you get out there. The lights make it near impossible to make out all the faces. You might only see the first row or so. You look pretty and you have nothing to worry about, YuZhi will take good care of you, he’s used to this.”

“I’m ready.” Her voice wavered, her hand trembled and yet she took a deep breath to calm herself and stood up straight. Shoulders back, chin up, and pasted a bright smile on her face. Mimicking everything Linlin showed her. Moving with him confidently as though she wasn’t scared witless inside.

They made their way out onto the stage from behind silver curtains and as ZhengLi said, the light obscured the hundreds of guests in the hall, and only really gave her clear view of the closest diners at the tables down each side of the runway. All of which were Leng and Lei family. She kept her eyes up and over the top of them and was guided straight to her fiancées side. Internally shaking but to onlookers she seemed poised and bright with happiness.

YuZhi turned as he introduce her by name, smiling and holding out a hand as she was transferred from ZhengLi to him quickly. Sliding her delicate small palm in against his larger warmer one and that feeling of safety swept over her as their fingers entangled. Gripping onto him with a vice like hold, squeezing his hand to feel secure. YuZhi pulled her in close, turned and smiled at her with utter adoration.

“We couldn’t be happier to share this special night with all of you and confirm our plans to marry in the near future with publicly giving one another our engagement rings. TangShi, it’s my honor to bring you into the Leng family.” YuZhi leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before he motioned to the side. ZhengLi appeared carrying a custom white satin box that held two rings and handed them over.

YuZhi let go of TangShi briefly, opened the box and held it between them in one hand while he handed his mic to ZhengLi. Sliding out the ring for TangShi and carefully put it on her outheld hand. She was visibly trembling as she watched the princess cut diamond get put in its rightful place, swelling with joy and forgetting about the watchers. He kept hold of her hand in his and leaned down to peck her on the forehead as a way of calming her.

“Start of a new life for us, honey.” He uttered softly, admiring his bride with a full heart.

TangShi followed suit and nervously, with fumbling fingers took his ring out before putting it on his finger too. His was a simpler silver band with a diamond embedded beside some intricate carving. TangShi couldn’t help the tears welling up in her eyes, or her heart and chest heaving because this wasn’t fake anymore and actually meant something to her. Getting emotional with the reality that only a few days ago this ceremony was only for show and now it meant something else entirely.