Fated Bonds

Chapter 19: Unveiling Paths

Zhan stared at the letter in his hands, heart pounding with excitement and nerves. He had applied for several internships, hoping to gain real-world experience and prove himself outside the shadow of his family’s wealth. The name of the company, Lan Corporation, had seemed familiar, but in his rush to secure the opportunity, he hadn’t thought much about it.

Now, as he held the acceptance letter, a strange feeling crept over him. Lan Corporation... There was something more to it, something that tugged at the back of his mind, but he couldn’t place it.

“You got it, huh?” Yubin’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. His best friend had been by his side throughout the application process, offering encouragement and occasionally reminding him to breathe.

Zhan nodded, unable to hide the mix of joy and uncertainty in his expression. “Yeah, I did. But... there’s something weird about it.”

Yubin raised an eyebrow. “Weird how? It’s a top-tier company. You should be celebrating.”

“I know. It’s just... the name. Doesn’t it sound familiar to you?”

Yubin thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, I don’t think so. You’re probably just overthinking it. It’s a huge opportunity, Zhan. You’ll be working in one of the best companies in the city.”

Zhan nodded again, though the strange feeling lingered. He brushed it off, telling himself it didn’t matter. This was a new chapter for him, a chance to prove that he could make something of himself.

---

A week later, Zhan found himself walking through the doors of Lan Corporation. The gleaming lobby and the buzz of activity only heightened his excitement. He was assigned to the marketing department, eager to dive into the work and learn as much as he could. Everything seemed to be going smoothly—until lunchtime.

As he made his way to the cafeteria, Zhan’s steps faltered when he saw a familiar face. His heart dropped into his stomach. Chen.

Chen was leaning casually against a wall, talking to a group of employees, looking as smug as ever. It had been months since Zhan had last seen him, and he hadn’t expected their paths to cross like this. Chen caught sight of him, and for a moment, their eyes locked. A smirk tugged at the corner of Chen’s lips, a look that made Zhan’s stomach churn.

What is he doing here?

Zhan quickly ducked into the nearest elevator, pressing the button for his department floor with a trembling hand. He had thought he could leave the memories of Chen behind, but now it seemed like the past had followed him to his new beginning.

---

As the days passed, Zhan settled into his new role, trying to focus on his tasks and avoid Chen. But his unease grew when he overheard a conversation in the break room.

"Did you hear the boss is coming in today?" a woman whispered to her colleague.

"Mr. Wang? The CEO?" the other person replied, excitement clear in their voice.

Zhan froze, his mind whirling. Mr. Wang? CEO?

He hadn’t put the pieces together until that moment. Lan Corporation was a subsidiary of Wang and Lan Corporation... and Wang Yibo was the CEO.

It all came crashing down. Wang Yibo owned the company. The realization hit him like a freight train. How could he have missed it? His own husband was the one running this massive corporation, and he hadn’t even known.

Zhan’s heart raced as he processed this. Yibo had never mentioned it directly, though it wasn’t surprising given how little they talked about personal matters. But now that Zhan knew, he felt an odd mix of frustration and embarrassment. He was working for his husband’s company, and no one here knew they were married.

---

Later that day, Zhan spotted Yibo walking through the office. He was dressed in his usual sharp suit, the air of authority and command surrounding him unmistakable. Employees greeted him with respect, but Yibo’s attention remained fixed straight ahead. Zhan watched from a distance, still unsure how to approach the situation.

Should he say something? Would Yibo even want people to know about their marriage? Zhan decided to stay quiet for now, not wanting to cause any unnecessary awkwardness. But every time Yibo walked past his desk or made an appearance in the department, Zhan felt a knot of tension form in his chest.

And then, of course, there was Chen. Zhan couldn’t shake the feeling that Chen was watching him, waiting for an opportunity to strike. He had no idea what Chen’s endgame was, but he knew one thing: Chen couldn’t be trusted.

One afternoon, as Zhan was finishing up some work, Chen approached him. His presence immediately set Zhan on edge, and he barely looked up from his computer.

“Well, well,” Chen drawled, leaning against Zhan’s desk. “Imagine my surprise when I saw you here. Looks like we’re working together again.”

Zhan kept his eyes on his screen, trying to ignore him. “What do you want, Chen?”

“Just being friendly.” Chen smirked. “But it’s interesting, isn’t it? You, working here. Did you get the job on merit, or was it... handed to you?”

Zhan clenched his fists under the desk, his anger simmering. He didn’t respond, refusing to give Chen the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten under his skin.

Chen chuckled. “I’m just curious how things work in this company. Especially since, you know, you’re connected to the CEO.”

Zhan’s heart skipped a beat. Did Chen know?

Before Zhan could say anything, Chen leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me... for now.”

Zhan’s blood ran cold. Chen knew something, or at least suspected. And if he was willing to play dirty, this could spell trouble for Zhan’s new life at the company. As Chen walked away, Zhan felt a sense of dread settle over him.

What was Chen planning? And how long could he keep his marriage to Yibo a secret?

---

Zhan knew one thing for sure: his internship wasn’t going to be as simple as he had hoped. Between navigating his complicated feelings for Yibo, dealing with Chen’s manipulations, and trying to succeed in his own right, he had a long road ahead of him.

And the stakes were only getting higher.