A Stand-in Bride

Chapter 14

Yibo

Haoxuan, Dylan and Jackson stare at me, none of them sure what to say. That's not what gets me though. It's the fact that Haikuan is sitting opposite of me in my living room. It's rare for all five of us to be together, since Haikuan lives in London. The fact that he flew here overnight means they're worried about me.

"What is this shit about you two breaking up a week before the wedding?" Kuan asks eventually. "You're supposed to be the lucky one out of us, dickhead. You're the only one of us that actually gets to marry the person you love and you pull this bullshit."

I run a hand through my hair and look up at the ceiling. "It's not like I wanted to, Kuan. I'm as surprised as you are. I knew we had our issues, but what couple doesn't? I didn't expect her to call off the wedding for real."

Dylan groans and shoves against Kuan's shoulder. "You fucking suck at this consolation shit. Why did any of us think you were going to be our best bet?" He looks at Haoxuan and nods. "You try Xuan. Put that PhD of yours to good use."

Xuan frowns at Dylan and shakes his head. "I have PhD in robotics. What am I supposed to do? Build him a robot fiance?"

Jackson burst out laughing. "I bet the robot would still have more character than Cheng Xiao ever did. Don't tell me any of you are actually upset that they broke up? Fuck this love match bullshit because when it comes to Yibo, love clearly is fucking blind."

I shake my head and lift my whiskey glass to my lips. "Thanks guys," I tell them. "I feel so much better now."

My cousins chuckle amongst themselves and it hits me then. They're concerned about me, but the relief in the air is palpable. My cousins aren't upset that Cheng Xiao and I broke things off. They're just concerned because I'm hurting.

"Did you guys truly not like her or are you just trying to make me feel better?"

They glance at each other and Xuan and Jack elbow each other, as though they're both indicating for the other to speak. In the end, it's Kuan who speaks up.

"It's not that we don't like her Yibo. It's just that she clearly wasn't the one for you. Cheng Xiao is a diva and some guys are really into that, but you aren't one of them. We all saw how it killed you to have to cater to her at every turn, never getting much in return. She wouldn't even publicly acknowledge your relationship, you know? I always felt like you deserved better than that, so no, I'm not upset she broke things off with you. Someone had to do it and I know you never would. You'd stick with her, even if it's just to comply with Grandma's terms."

Xuan looks at me, his expression pained. "Yibo," he says, "Tell us the truth. Were you happy with her in recent years or had you just gotten used to the status quo?"

I grit my teeth and look away. "What the fuck are you? Socrates?" I snap.

Dylan shakes his head. "He's avoiding the question boys. You know what that means right? Yibo knows he wasn't happy but he's loyal till the fucking end. Won't admit it even now."

My cousins nod in agreement and I rise to my feet. I've had enough of this shit. I don't need this right now. Just as I'm about to walk away, I'm stopped in my tracks by a sweet, soft voice.

"Yibo."

I turn to face my grandmother, finding her standing in the doorway with Reba by her side. Great. Why don't we just have a full-blown family get-together in my house?

Dilraba smiles at me apologetically, as though she knows my family is overwhelming me at the worst possible time. While Reba never said a bad word about Cheng Xiao, the fact that she didn't warm up to her even after years of us dating says enough. I'm surprised I never saw it before.

"I'm sorry Cheng Xiao broke things off," Grandma says, "but this wedding is happening with or without her."

"What?" I ask, confused. "What do you mean Grams?"

Grandma smiles. "Cheng Xiao isn't the woman I wanted you to marry in the first place. This just proves that I was right. I made an exception for you and I shouldn't have."

I sink back into my seat, dread washing over me. What is she talking about? She can't be saying what I think she is saying, right? Surely Reba wouldn't be standing there so calmly if she was.

"If Cheng Xiao won't marry you, then Xiao Zhan must. If Xiao Zhan also refuses, the deal with the Xiaos is off the table and I'll slash your inheritance in half regardless of whether I find you another girl."

"Grandma! I... I can't marry Xiao Zhan. This... this is ridiculous." I turn to look at my cousins for support, but their expressions are carefully blank, as though they dare not admit that they agree with Grandma. What the fuck?

"I can't. Not her, Grandma. She's a friend. I've always seen her the same way I see Reba, you know that." I look at Reba, but there isn't even a hint of defiance on her face. The same girl who turned completely feral whenever I teased Xiao Zhan back then just stares at me with a serene smile on her face. Is she truly not going to say word in Xiao Zhan's defense?

"Xiao Zhan would never agree to it," I add. "I dated her sister for years. Why would she ever consider marrying me?"

The mere thought of forcing Xiao Zhan into something she doesn't want sickens me. She'd do it out of obligation and she'd resent me for it.

"Don't do this to her," I plead. "Xiao Zhan isn't meant to be tied down. It can't be her Grandma. Give me some time and I'll make Cheng Xiao see reasons. She'll be there Grams."

Grandma smiles at me. "She won't be. I highly recommend that you speak to Xiao Zhan before I do Yibo. I never should have given you as much freedom as I did. There's a reason your marriage are decided upon by me. It's a centuries long tradition that has never failed us, yet we deviated with you. I was in the wrong for doing so and I'll be correcting my mistake as swiftly as possible. I'm not canceling your wedding. It'll happen and you'll marry the woman I chose for you."

"Reba," I snap. "Are you seriously just going to stand there and let this happen to Xiao Zhan?"

She smiles at me and grabs Grandma's hand. "I trust Grams," she tells me. "She knows what's best for you better than you do Yibo. And truthfully? I can't think of a better husband for my best friend than you. You'd never mistreat her and if given enough time, you'd make her happy won't you?"

I grit my teeth in an effort to rein in my temper. Is she fucking crazy? I watch as she pulls Grandma along with her, the two of them disappearing through the door.

I grab my whiskey glass and empty it before slamming it down on the table. "Fuck!" I yell. I turn to face my cousins, fury coursing through my veins. "Thanks for standing up for me fuckers."

Haikuan smiles at me. "Maybe Dilraba is right, you know? Maybe Grams does know what's best for you."

I shake my head and grit my teeth. "Fuck you," I tell him. "All of you."