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Fanwai One â Part Two
Over the next four or five days, Wang Zhe took him to several famous attractions in Germany according to his pre-prepared itinerary, plus some scenic and less well-known places. Every day, every hour was planned just right, not too tiring and not too boring.
However, what impressed Jiang ShaoYan the most was the intimate thoughtfulness of these German hotels. They stayed at the first hotel for three nights. The first day, the arrangement was misty roses and then they were replaced by apricot roses the second day and with red roses the third day.
When they arrived at the second hotel, the first thing he saw was yet again the beautiful red roses, which were replaced with yellow roses the next day. On the third day, they were changed back to those pale pink misty roses.
Jiang ShaoYan looked at the English words on the card, âAre Germans even so strict when it comes to romance? Leaving a card with a label, afraid that we wouldnât recognize roses?â
If it hadnât been for these cards, he mightâve suspected that Wang Zhe had specially arranged these flowers, but with these cards, it really seemed like these were official gifts from the hotel. After all, Wang Zhe wouldnât need to state the flower names specially, just writing âI love youâ would be enough.
Wang Zhe smiled shallowly and didnât reply.
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Seeing that tomorrow was his silly dogâs birthday, Jiang ShaoYan quickly and sneakily prepared the gift while Wang Zhe was taking a shower early in the morning and hid it in his own pocket, then they went out together.
Today was their penultimate day in Germany. According to the original plan, they were supposed to go to Wang Zheâs family house to spend the evening with his parents and then head off home the next day. Jiang ShaoYan had bought some gifts and brought them with him. Although this wasnât the first time he was seeing his parents, he was nevertheless thorough about this kind of etiquette.
After ringing the doorbell, the door was opened almost instantaneously, so Jiang ShaoYan thought that the parents had been waiting for them and said a bit apologetically, âDad, mom, I apologize, there was a traffic jam.â
âItâs fine, donât worry, you two come in quickly so you donât roast in the sun outside.â The Wang couple enthusiastically welcomed them.
Jiang ShaoYan entered the door, put his gifts down, and took a seat on the living room sofa. Wang Zhe sat next to him, and Papa Wang and Mama Wang followed right after them, sitting on either side.
The four of them sat in relative silence for a moment.
ââŠâŠâ
Why does this silent atmosphere feel so strange?
Jiang ShaoYan took the lead and said, âMom, Dad, what do you want for dinner? Iâll cook.â
Papa Wang quickly replied, âNo, no, you donât have to do anything today.â
Jiang ShaoYan was confused, âIs there something going on today?â
âUhâŠâŠâ Papa Wang choked up and Mama Wang followed up for him, âHe means that the two of you have been tiring yourselves out the past few days. Have a good rest and let us take care of dinner.â
âRight, right, thatâs what I meant.â
Jiang ShaoYan felt that something wasnât right about this. After the parents left, the two of them went up to their bedroom and he asked Wang Zhe, âWhatâs up with your parents? Theyâre more reserved than when I first met them.â
âI-I donât knowâŠâŠâ Wang Zhe looked all around, as if he had entered his own bedroom for the first time ever, and suddenly said, âI have a bit of a headache. ShaoYan, join me for a nap.â
Jiang ShaoYan immediately threw the doubts to the back of his mind and stepped forward to touch his forehead, âHow come you have a headache? Must be because you stayed up late last night. Iâll make you go to bed early, you better do as youâre told.â
Wang Zhe gripped his hand and placed it on his cheek, nuzzling cutely against it, âIâm obedient, I listen to you above all else.â
Jiang ShaoYan coughed a few times, barely able to maintain his severe expression, âQuickly lie down, so troublesome. Iâll go out after you fall asleep.â
But in the end, he actually fell asleep first.
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When he woke up, it was already around 6 or 7pm. Downstairs, Mama Wang had called out âquickly come down to eatâ and Jiang ShaoYan had been woken by this sound. He rubbed his eyes before opening them and found himself nestled into his alphaâs arms. There was a small patch on the otherâs chest where he had drooled, but Wang Zhe was lounging against the headboard, browsing on his phone unruffled and calm, as if completely unaware.
He instantly blushed with shame and slapped his hand down with a *pa* to cover the screen and keep him from looking at it, âWhy didnât you wake me up when I started drooling.â
These words were quite unreasonable, but Wang Zhe just smiled, âItâs okay.â He reached out and wiped away the wet traces at the corner of Jiang ShaoYanâs mouth.
âWhen you sleep like that, itâs too cuteâŠâŠI couldnât bear to wake you up.â
Jiang ShaoYan was instantly at his witâs end with him.
They went downstairs, only to find that the dinner was rich and almost too overstated, the table full of large dishes, covered from one end to the other, as if it were for the New Year celebration. Jiang ShaoYan looked over it all and couldnât keep from asking, âMom, Dad, are there guests coming?â
âNo, just the four of us.â
The portion of these dishes was probably enough for four people to eat from New Yearâs Eve to the seventh day of the New Year.
Of course he didnât say that. To preserve his face, he ate two full plates, but his stomach capacity was naturally limited. In the end, he couldnât keep going. He fell to the sofa with a belch and watched TV with his belly protruding out.
Wang Zhe helped his parents clean up the kitchen, then came to the living room looking for him. He glanced at his watch and said, âItâs only nine oâclock, letâs go out for a stroll.â
Jiang ShaoYan figured that would aid his digestion, so he immediately agreed. Before going out, he took out the thing that had been in his pocket all day and checked it over. When he was finished, he properly and carefully tucked it back into his pocket.
Wang Zheâs family residence wasnât near the downtown area, so at night, the surroundings were quiet and peaceful, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the leaves and the faint sound of voices from the other residences. They walked slowly along the stone lane, through a small landscaped wooded area. Then the view before them spread into a wide panorama, a large sea of ââroses coming into view.
âWhy do I remember that this was a grassy field before?â Jiang ShaoYan said in confusion.
Wang Zhe had already walked ahead of him. In the middle of the sea of flowers, he turned around, âThese flowers were planted afterwards. I thought it was beautiful and just wanted to show you.â
âItâs very beautiful,â Jiang ShaoYan acknowledged, looking at Wang Zheâs broad, tall figure before him, topped by his handsome face. Highlighted by roses on all sides, he almost looked like the illusion of a Prince Charming from a childâs fairy tale.
The sight from his imagination made him shiver, goosebumps spreading from head to toe. He stepped forward.
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When he looked closely, he realized that the roses planted here were of several colors, almost all of which heâd previously seen at the hotels. They were arranged in picturesque disorder, setting each other off nicely. Also, there were lights spread through them, so even though it was night, the sight was very clear.
Walking ahead of him, Wang he casually broke off a few flowers. Jiang ShaoYan immediately spoke up to stop him at the sight, âWhat are you doing, stop it.â
With his hand extended towards a red rose, Wang Zhe paused, ââŠâŠit doesnât matter, there are plenty of flowers here.â
âDoes the quantity matter? Havenât you ever been taught not to carelessly kill flowers?â
ââŠâŠâ Wang Zhe withdrew his hand and said timidly, âI-I just need another red one and thatâs itâŠâŠâ
Jiang ShaoYan looked around and, seeing no one nearby, quickly broke off the red rose to him and slipped it to him, whispering, âHide them away and donât take them back out. Losing such face. Next time, Iâll buy them for you.â
Wang Zhe stared blankly at the rose heâd put into his hand, a complex expression on his face.
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In the center of the field of flowers was a rest place, which was still made up of the original grassy lawn. Several of the other nearby neighbors were drinking beer and watching an open-air movie. When they saw them, they enthusiastically called out for them to watch as well. Since they didnât have anything else to do anyway, Jiang ShaoYan sat down and took a few sips of a beer passed over by an older man, since the sense of being stuffed from the meal previously had only just faded.
After sitting down, Wang Zhe seemed a little uneasy, peeking at his watch from time to time, as if waiting for something to happen.
Jiang ShaoYan naturally knew what he was waiting for, it would be his birthday in two hours. By deliberately leading them over here on the walk, he definitely wanted to wait here with him until time ticked down to zero to enter his new year of life.
Although it didnât feel much different to celebrate his birthday here or at home, since his alpha wanted to create this kind of romantic atmosphere, he naturally had to keep him company in the end.
After the classic romance movie on the screen finished, another started up. The night was becoming darker and darker. The other residents left to go home one after another, smiling and saying a few words in German as they headed off. Jiang ShaoYan didnât understand a word, but Wang Zhe nodded again and again in reply. He asked him what they were saying, but he just said they were saying a few casual words.
At five minutes to midnight, the movie finally ended and the screen went dark with just a faint white light. In the whole large area, only the two of them were left.
Jiang ShaoYan yawned, thinking that time was almost up. He straightened up from where heâd been leaning on Wang Zheâs shoulder, reaching for his hand.
As a result, he found that his hand was sweaty.
He froze for a moment, then couldnât keep from saying with a laugh, âBeing this nervous, is it really such a big deal?â
Wang Zhe suddenly went rigid all over. He turned his head bit by bit mechanically and looked at him, âYouâŠâŠyou already know?â
Seeing that time was ticking down quickly, Jiang ShaoYan simply admitted, âYeah, Iâve known since you asked me to come on a trip to Germany.â
Wang Zheâs eyes widened and his jaw dropped, shocked into speechlessness. After a few seconds, he collapsed like a balloon quickly deflating, âI messed upâŠâŠ I prepared for so long. I definitely thought I could surprise youâŠâŠâŠâŠâ
âItâs your birthday, how could I be the surprised one, I should be the one surprising you.â Jiang ShaoYan drew him into an embrace and kissed his forehead. âDid I surprise you? Happy birthday.â
Wang Zhe blinked blankly for a moment, then seemed to come to some sudden realization. His eyes suddenly lit up, the light of the screen reflecting brightly in the green of his eyes. His palm became even more sweaty.
Jiang ShaoYan took three cards out of his pocket and handed them over to the man before him, âHere, this year Iâm giving you a very special gift.â
Wang Zheâs heart raced wildly. He forced himself to hold back, swallowing hard. He asked, âWhat is it?â
âThe first card is a Pardon card â no matter what you do wrong, as long as you use this card, Iâll forgive you; the second one is a Discipline card â if I do something wrong, you can discipline me however you wish and I wonât argue or fight back; the last one is a Promise card â this one is incredible, no matter what you ask, I will promise you. All these cards are single-use only.â
Jiang ShaoYan went through the cards one by one. Heâd used some creativity to slightly change Liu Hanâs original idea. That kind of one-day masterâs rights wasnât applicable to their family, because firstly, Wang Zhe would probably not like master-servant play and secondly, his own status as the head of the family was firm and unshakable.
Wang Zhe accepted the cards and said nothing for a while.
Jiang ShaoYan saw that his hand was shaking a little and, thinking that he was moved, leaned up to his ear, wanting to throw gas on the fire.
âI almost forgot, I havenât said it to you yet todayâââ He lowered his voice, âI love you. Iâll say it again, happy birthday.â
This was the promise they had made while in college, that Jiang ShaoYan would confess to him once a day every day.
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When Wang Zhe heard this, he raised his head instantly, his eyes burning brightly.
âAfter midnight, I will be 22 years old.â
Jiang ShaoYan was stunned for a moment. He didnât understand why he was saying this so suddenly, having expected that he would flush red and go incoherent like usual.
âYeah, I know.â
â22.â Wang Zhe closed his eyes and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. He opened his eyes and continued, âCan I use a card now?â
Jiang ShaoYan was still dumbstruck by his previous words, so he said, âWell, yeahâŠâŠBut itâs single-use, are you sure you want to use it now?â
âMhm.â Wang Zhe nodded and drew out the Pardon card. âI lied to you before, can you forgive me?â
ââŠâŠwhat lie?â
âForgive me first, then Iâll continue.â
âCome onâŠâŠ I forgive you.â
âI wasnât looking over my thesis or work stuff previously during the evenings.â
The faint worry in Jiang ShaoYanâs heart instantly faded, âJust that kind of thing. I already knew and was okay with it, I know you were going over the trip itineraries.â
âIt wasnât the itineraries,â Wang Zhe said, âI was actually arranging the flowers in the hotel, as well as the flowers here, and some other things. I told you a lot of lies so that you wouldnât find out, sorryâŠâŠ Iâm really stupid, I couldnât think of anything more creative, I hope you can forgive me. After thatâââ
His brow was furrowed, his expression strained and solemn. He took Jiang ShaoYanâs hand and returned the Promise card together with the Pardon card, âI want you to promise me something.â
Jiang ShaoYanâs mind was a little scattered. âNo, why are you being so solemn on your birthday? Suddenly using two cards at once, isnât it too wasteful?â
Wang Zhe didnât reply. He took the six previously-plucked roses out from his pocket, along with the cards heâd seen in the hotels.
âDo you remember these?â
âOf courseâŠâŠwhatâs going on?â
âRead the first letters.â
Jiang ShaoYan didnât understand, but he still did it. The first one was misty rose, he still remembered well, then the second card said apricot rose, then there were two red roses, one yellow rose, and finally a misty rose.
âM, a, r, r, y, mâŠâŠâ
The further he read, the softer his voice became, until he was barely breathing the letters out.
âyouâŠâŠâ
*Dong!* The bell of a distant church rang out at this moment, the solemn, clear sound traveling through the distance, echoing in this vast, tranquil sea of ââflowers.
It was past midnight.
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Jiang ShaoYan looked at his alpha, who was gazing at him with a deep expression. Then he knelt on one knee and, from who knew where, took out a luxurious golden box. He slowly opened it before him.
An emerald ring appeared within.
Even in the dim light, it still shone with a splendid, profound green brilliance, just like those eyes he knew so well.
âThis is my grandfatherâs heirloom, emerald, the last initial, e.â
Wang Zhe laughed lightly.
âI finally reached the legal age for marriage, please âmarry meâ, will you?â
Jiang ShaoYan stayed silent for a long time, until Wang Zhe added another sentence in worry, âI used the Promise card, you have to promise me whatever I askâŠâŠâ
Jiang ShaoYan stared at the ring in a spellbound daze.
He hadnât imagined this day, so now that the moment had come, he was stunned into speechlessness. There was no need for this kind of formality between them. Even if Wang Zhe had casually said âletâs get marriedâ one day, he wouldâve agreed without the slightest hesitation.
But Wang Zhe had obviously wanted to use the most sincere and solemn way to engrave this moment in his memory, giving him the most beautiful sense of ceremony.
Jiang ShaoYan snapped out of it and found this all a little amusing. This silly dog, actually using the Promise card to ensure that I couldnât refuse, but how is it possible that I could refuse? It seemed that he still didnât have enough confidence in their relationship.
In his heart, he thought to himself that heâd need to properly instruct this man once again when they got home in a bit. He stretched out his hand to pull Wang Zhe up and opened his mouth to reply. Just then, the screen that had gone dark suddenly lit up again.
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Liu Hanâs huge face instantly appeared on the screen, accompanied by his loud voice that could be heard for a kilometer away, âYan Bao, ai!!! I knew that youâd agree!!! Youâll finally get married off, wuwuwu, I, your daddy, am so happy. I wish you both the best, that all your wishes come true, that you live together until a ripe old age when your hair goes white!!!!!â
Jiang ShaoYan: ââŠâŠâ
Wang Zhe: ââŠâŠâ
The next to appear was Luo YongHeng, beating his chest and bowing his head, âYan Ge, even you are getting married off, but me, I donât even have a partnerâŠâŠ Oh Heavens above! Why are you so unfair! *cough cough*âŠâŠbut I still wish you two happiness, health, and harmony! Please remember to take the time to introduce me to a beta or an omega, maybe even an alpha wouldnât be out of the questionâŠâŠâ
Jiang ShaoYan: ââŠâŠwhat kind of mess is this?â
Wang Zhe blushed and stood up quickly. He crossed his hands over his head and shouted into the distance, speaking in German. Jiang ShaoYan couldnât understand him, but he looked in that direction and was stunned to see the older man they had sat down to watch the movie earlier making an OK gesture.
The video was immediately turned off and the screen went dark again. Wang Zhe turned around, kneeling down in annoyance again, and raised the ring.
âHe saw you reach out and thought you agreed, so he started to play the well-wishes video I asked people forâŠâŠ Weâll pretend that didnât happen, okay?â
ââŠâŠsilly dog.â Jiang ShaoYan facepalmed. âLet him put it back on.â
âNo, you still havenât promisedâŠâŠâ Awareness suddenly dawned on Wang Zhe, his eyes suddenly shining bright, âHave you agreed?!â
Jiang ShaoYan was dumbfounded, âI promise. Of course I promise. Is it even necessary to ask me still? Do you still have misunderstandings about our relationship?â
Wang Zhe jumped up with excitement, then immediately knelt down again, cupping his omegaâs hand and putting the ring on it carefully. He wasnât satisfied just placing it on him, he clasped his hand and kissed his hand all over constantly, from the back to his fingertips over and over. He was slow to look up, but when he did turn his face up to Jiang ShaoYan, even as such an obviously mighty alpha, he was so cute that the sight could melt a personâs heart.
âShaoYan, I love you so muchâŠâŠin the future, I will never stop loving you!â Wang Zhe pecked a kiss on the back of his hand again, his voice soft and warm, âThen letâs continue watching the video? I found lots of people to give well-wishes and got a lot of red envelopes<sup>1</sup>âŠâŠâ
The kisses made Jiang ShaoYanâs heart itch. His thoughts were no longer on the video.
âKeep watching what, letâs go home.â
He turned around and started to walk away, but was pulled back by Wang Zhe, âWait, wait, later on our parents gave their blessings, donât you want to see them?â
Jiang ShaoYan was unmoved, âWeâll watch it again tomorrow. Letâs hurry home.â
âOkayâŠâŠyou sleepy? Then letâs go home and sleep.â
âYes, letâs go to bed.â
Jiang ShaoYan turned his head and smiled.
âI want to sleep with my husband<sup>2</sup>.â