Fated Bonds

Chapter 7: "Messages and Mixed Signals"

The weekend arrived, bringing with it a blend of anticipation and anxiety. Zhan had spent the past few days vacillating between hope and doubt about Yibo’s response. He had barely managed to focus on anything else, the text message lingering in his mind like a persistent itch.

As Zhan sipped his coffee that morning, his phone buzzed, nearly causing him to spill his drink. He quickly set the cup down and grabbed his phone, heart racing.

1 new message from Yibo: “Sure, I’m free Saturday afternoon. What time were you thinking?”

Relief washed over him, quickly followed by excitement. He felt a warmth spread through him, igniting a flicker of hope that maybe this marriage could lead to something more meaningful.

Zhan typed back eagerly, “How about 3 PM? We can meet at that café on Fifth Street.”

Yibo: “Sounds good.”

Just like that, their plans were set. Zhan spent the rest of the day trying to contain his excitement. He picked out his outfit with care, wanting to make a good impression. He settled on a casual yet stylish look—well-fitted jeans and a soft, cream-colored sweater that highlighted his features.

When the clock struck three, Zhan arrived at the café, nerves fluttering in his stomach. He spotted Yibo already seated at a table near the window, his expression neutral as he scanned the menu. Zhan’s heart raced again at the sight of him. Yibo had a natural aura that was both intimidating and captivating.

“Hey,” Zhan greeted, forcing a smile as he approached the table.

“Hello,” Yibo replied, looking up and meeting Zhan’s gaze. There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, which made Zhan’s heart skip a beat.

Zhan sat down, feeling the weight of their impending marriage pressing down on him. “Thanks for meeting me,” he said, fidgeting with his hands. “I thought it’d be nice to get to know each other better.”

Yibo nodded, his gaze steady. “Yeah, I agree. It’s important for us to understand one another since we’re… getting married.”

Zhan felt his cheeks heat at the reminder of their situation. “Right. So, um, how has your week been?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

“It’s been busy with work,” Yibo said, his voice calm and measured. “I’ve been overseeing some projects at the corporation. You?”

Zhan opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden rush of emotions overwhelmed him. “It’s been… okay, I guess. Just planning the wedding and everything.”

Yibo raised an eyebrow. “I imagine it can be overwhelming.”

“It is,” Zhan admitted, feeling vulnerable. “I know it’s supposed to be a happy time, but I can’t shake this feeling of uncertainty.”

“What do you mean?” Yibo asked, his tone shifting slightly, hinting at genuine interest.

Zhan took a deep breath. “I mean, we barely know each other, and we’re being thrust into this marriage. I can’t help but worry about how it’ll all play out.”

Yibo’s expression softened a bit. “I understand. It’s a lot to take in. But maybe we can make it work.”

Zhan nodded, feeling a flicker of hope again. “That’s what I’m hoping for. I don’t want this to feel like a business arrangement. I want to at least like the person I’m marrying.”

Yibo regarded him for a moment, and Zhan felt his pulse quicken. “I think that’s fair. I want the same.”

Their conversation continued, oscillating between casual small talk and deeper discussions about their hopes and fears. Zhan was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Yibo, though he could still sense an underlying tension. It felt like they were both trying to navigate a tightrope—wanting to connect while remaining cautious.

As they sipped their coffees, Zhan found himself wanting to delve deeper into Yibo’s world. “So, what do you like to do in your free time?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Yibo paused, as if considering the question. “I don’t have much free time, to be honest. Most of my focus is on the company. But I do enjoy reading and occasionally going for long drives.”

“Reading? What do you like?” Zhan asked, intrigued.

“Mostly non-fiction,” Yibo replied. “Books about business strategies, economics… things like that.”

“Interesting,” Zhan said, trying to imagine Yibo buried in business books rather than the more romantic novels he preferred. “Do you have a favorite?”

Yibo thought for a moment. “There’s one called *The Lean Startup* that I found particularly enlightening. It offers a new perspective on how to approach business.”

Zhan smiled, trying to relate. “I mostly read fiction—escapism, you know? But I guess we all have our preferences.”

Yibo nodded, and a flicker of something resembling warmth crossed his face. “That makes sense. It’s good to escape reality sometimes.”

As the conversation flowed, Zhan felt more at ease. They began to find common ground, sharing laughs over their different tastes in music and movies. Yet, despite the light moments, Zhan couldn’t shake the feeling of something unsaid lingering between them.

Their meeting ended too soon, and Zhan found himself reluctant to part ways. “Thanks for meeting me, Yibo. I really enjoyed this.”

“Me too,” Yibo replied, his expression thoughtful. “We should do it again sometime.”

Zhan’s heart fluttered at the prospect. “Definitely. Maybe next time we can pick a movie to watch together?”

“Sounds good,” Yibo said, standing up to leave.

As they walked out of the café together, Zhan couldn’t help but feel a mix of hope and uncertainty. This meeting had been a step in the right direction, but a nagging thought tugged at his mind. Would this connection survive the trials of their impending marriage, or would it fade into the shadows like Chen?

That evening, as Zhan settled into bed, he picked up his phone again, checking for messages from Chen, but there was still nothing. A feeling of loss settled in, even amidst the spark of his growing bond with Yibo. Perhaps it was time to finally let go of his past and embrace the future, whatever it might hold.