Fated Bonds

Chapter 3: "Uncharted Territories"

Xiao Zhan found himself wandering through the quiet campus of his college, his mind racing as he tried to process everything. The autumn leaves crunched under his feet, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in his heart. Marriage? To someone he had never met? It felt unreal, like something out of a storybook, but the reality was painfully clear.

As he walked past the familiar buildings—the library, the student center, the café where he and Chen had spent countless afternoons—Zhan felt a heavy weight on his chest. He had given so much to Chen, believed in their love, but now, all of it felt like a cruel joke. Was Chen really using him all along?

Zhan sat down on a bench, burying his face in his hands. What was he going to do? His parents had made up their minds, and he knew they wouldn’t back down. The idea of marrying someone like Wang Yibo, a man he didn’t even know, made him feel trapped. But what choice did he have? If it meant protecting himself from Chen, perhaps this was the right path, even if it didn’t feel like it.

He remembered his father’s voice, filled with concern and desperation. “Zhan, this is for your own good.” Zhan wanted to believe that. He wanted to trust his parents, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being tossed into uncharted waters without a life vest.

As he sat lost in thought, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw a message from Yubin, his best friend.

Yubin: Hey! Are you okay? You seemed off at breakfast. Let’s meet up after class. I’m worried about you.

Zhan hesitated for a moment but then typed back.

Zhan: I’ll be there. I need to talk.

---

Meanwhile, Wang Yibo was finishing up a meeting at the corporation, the usual discussions about quarterly profits and expansion plans buzzing around him. But his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the impending marriage to a stranger. He had spent his whole life focused on work, rarely letting anyone into his inner circle. And now, he was being thrust into a relationship that felt like a business deal rather than a union of hearts.

As he signed off on the last report, Yibo leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. Why did everything have to change now? The corporation was thriving, and he didn’t want anything to distract him from that success. But his uncle had insisted that this marriage was crucial for both families, and Yibo was starting to feel the pressure.

“Yibo?” A voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Wang Haikuan, his younger brother, stepping into the office. “Are you free? I need your advice on something.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Yibo replied, though he was only half-listening. His mind kept drifting back to Xiao Zhan.

Haikuan took a seat across from him, a serious look on his face. “I heard you’re getting married.”

“Yeah.” Yibo tried to keep his tone casual, but he knew Haikuan could see through the facade. “Uncle Qiren thinks it’s a good idea.”

“Are you okay with it?” Haikuan asked, genuine concern etched in his features. “I mean, what do you know about this guy?”

“Not much,” Yibo admitted. “Just that his family is wealthy and respectable. That’s all that matters, right?”

Haikuan frowned. “You know it’s more than that. Marriage is a big deal, especially for you. You should at least meet him before going through with it.”

“I will,” Yibo said, feeling a hint of irritation. “But I’m not looking for a love story here. I’m focused on the business.”

Haikuan crossed his arms, unconvinced. “But what if he’s someone you actually like? What if he’s different from what you expect?”

Yibo’s mind wandered back to the image of Zhan—bright-eyed and cheerful, despite the heavy burden he was facing. What if? He pushed the thought away. No, he had no room for distractions. His priority was his family and the company.

“Let’s just see how it goes,” Yibo finally said, dismissing Haikuan’s concerns. “I’ll meet him, and we’ll take it from there.”

---

Later that afternoon, Zhan met Yubin at their favorite café, a cozy little spot filled with the aroma of coffee and pastries. As he stepped inside, he immediately spotted Yubin sitting at a corner table, his brows furrowed in worry.

“Zhan!” Yubin exclaimed, standing up to embrace him. “I was getting worried. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Zhan managed a weak smile as he took a seat across from him. “It’s just been… a rough day.”

“What happened?” Yubin leaned in, concern etched on his face.

Zhan hesitated, unsure of how to explain everything. He couldn’t just drop the bombshell of an arranged marriage on his best friend without context. But as he began to recount the events of the morning—his parents’ revelation, the talk of marriage—he could see Yubin’s eyes widen in shock.

“Wait, so your parents are marrying you off to Wang Yibo?” Yubin exclaimed, his voice rising. “But you don’t even know him!”

“I know,” Zhan said, rubbing his temples in frustration. “And it doesn’t feel right. I just… I don’t know what to do. I never wanted this.”

Yubin frowned, clearly trying to process the information. “What about Chen? What does this mean for him?”

Zhan felt a pang of guilt at the mention of his boyfriend’s name. “I don’t know. I guess my parents are just trying to protect me. But I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being forced into something I’m not ready for.”

“Have you met Yibo yet?” Yubin asked, sipping his coffee. “What if he’s not so bad?”

Zhan shrugged. “I have no idea. I just know that he’s this wealthy CEO, and everyone says he’s cold and ruthless. What if he doesn’t even want to be married to me?”

“Maybe he’ll surprise you,” Yubin said with a small smile. “You might find you have more in common than you think.”

Zhan stared into his coffee cup, pondering the possibilities. What if Yibo was different? What if he was someone Zhan could actually connect with? But the weight of his parents’ expectations pressed heavily on him, and he didn’t know if he was ready to take that leap.

“Whatever happens, just remember I’m here for you,” Yubin said, reaching across the table to squeeze Zhan’s hand. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Zhan looked up, gratitude flooding through him. “Thanks, Yubin. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

As they sat there, the café bustling around them, Zhan couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn’t yet imagine. He was stepping into the unknown, and while fear gripped him, a flicker of hope ignited within. Maybe this marriage could lead to something unexpected—something beautiful.