Work Text:
When two popular male actors from the circle were caught by reporters getting a marriage certificate together overseas, it immediately became hot.
There were many people who were overjoyed by the news. But there were many who were not.
This news exploded while Li Zhao was having dinner with Yan Ting, made with the onions and herbs that he (or rather, the gardener uncle) had grown in the garden.
After dinner, Li Zhao and Yan Ting sat down on the sofa. Leaning against Yan Ting, Li Zhao idly opened his phone.
It took a few tries to log onto Weibo.
Li Zhao looked at his phone with complicated eyes. Fans and netizens had swarmed into many actors’ Weibo’s and commented loudly, and even he was not immune.
“What is it, Zhao Zhao?” Yan Ting murmured, wrapping his arm around Li Zhao’s shoulder.
Li Zhao’s expression became even more complicated.
Yan Ting quickly read the comments and news. A brief darkness fell across his eyes. “A person’s attraction to someone regardless of gender, this type of thing is normal. Ignore them.”
Li Zhao nodded. “Okay.”
“En.” Yan Ting turned on the television, so that the two of them can watch Li Zhao’s latest drama.
Yan Ting had Qin Xiao keep track of the momentum of the news.
Some citizens started calling for the legalisation of same sex marriage, and a series of posts catipulated it into the hot search. Why were they so lacking that many people who had to go to a foreign country to obtain a marriage certificate?!
Yan Ting lightly touched the sunflower necklace hanging around his neck.
He had told Sister Xia that he will give Li Zhao everything that he can.
He turned meaningful eyes to Qin Xiao.
“Of course, sir.”
The news exploded when Cang Huan, at that point one of the biggest companies in the country, sent their Cangwei lawyers to fight for the change.
They swayed a large proportion of the on-the-fence population into accepting, then advocating, for the legalisation of same sex marriage. Some of the netizens even started to call out for anti-discrimination laws and changes in adoption and many things snowballed.
A lot of homophobic news outlets were ruthlessly suppressed. Yan Ting would never allow someone to speak ill of his Zhao Zhao.
In fact, in these modern times, most people, especially netizens, were not extremely homophobic. Once they see that everyone around understands that same-gender love is normal, like pack animals, those netizens go with the flow.
Also, the economic benefits were clear.
Thus, with relative smoothness, same sex marriage was legalised.
On the very first day same-gender couples could obtain a marriage certificate, there was an odd scene at one of Beijing’s marriage offices.
Numerous bodyguards stood in two lines, from the main entrance to the office counter. No one except employees could pass. Many opportunistic reporters clustered around the office. Who was the rich tyrant that was going to get married today?
A sleek black car pulled up.
The door opened.
Long legs, sleek suit, and a high-value cold face…
The cameras flashed, capturing images partially blocked by the bodyguards.
It took a moment for some of the reports to recognise the face.
“Is that the boss of Cang Huan???!!”
“Then who is his wife?!!”
Wife? Today is the first day of legal same-gender marriage, wouldn’t that mean that the wife of Cang Huan’s boss was not a woman…?
Yan Ting bent down and held his hand out to help the person still inside the car.
Expensive clothing, luxurious accessories, and a face that everyone knew!
“Li Zhao!”
“Zhao Zhao!”
Li Zhao glanced at the reporters and good-naturedly waved.
“Post this on Weibo, now!”
Yan Ting put an arm around Li Zhao and drew him closer. “Don’t look at them.”
Li Zhao turned to Yan Ting, and said a little helplessly, “Ting Ting, they’re more excited than us.”
“No one is more excited than me,” Yan Ting said with an unexcited face.
Li Zhao smiled, laughter in his eyes. “En, no one is more excited than my Ting Ting.”
The two of them smoothly acquired their red marriage books.
Qin Xiao, who had come in a second car, took their photos.
Yan Ting immediately posted a picture of the red books on his Weibo.
And Li Zhao felt very cheeky when he reblogged it with a smiley face.
“Put two happy faces,” Yan Ting said.
Li Zhao giggled, and put another smiley face. “En, double happiness.”
Then he put his phone away and hugged Yan Ting tightly. “Thank you.”
“There is no thanks between husband and husband,” Yan Ting petted the furry head.
“Let’s go home, our family is waiting for us,” Li Zhao said.
Yan Ting nodded solemnly. Their family was waiting for them.
While Li Zhao was happily eating with his family, enjoying Yan Ting feeding him morsels and he feeding Yan Ting in turn, #Cang Li marriage# rose to the hot search.
“Is this real? Is this not photoshopped???!!”
“Upstairs! Who would photoshop such a bad image?! It’s clearly real!”
Then netizens saw Li Zhao’s new post.
!!!!
Cang Li Fans: Hahahaha, we were right!!
So sweet!
The reality is so good! Supporters of love win!
Pure Li Fans: … we were wrong...
The pure Li fans had to admit the truth, but they were not sad or sour, because they had also consumed all the equality messages. Their Baby Zhao Zhao looks very happy in the photos. They soon got over it and flooded to Li Zhao’s Weibo to send in congratulations.
“This big sister is so happy for you!”
“Aunty sends you happiness x100000!!”
And some Li fans were simply licking their screens. Their Baby Zhao Zhao looked so handsome!
Compared to Li Zhao’s university admission banquet, Yan Ting did not hold anything back for the wedding, and Li Zhao felt like indulging him in this. The invitation list included not only Li Zhao’s circle of friends and family, but also many of his favourable acquaintances from the circle, directors and crew he had worked with, all the senior management at Cang Huan, and all the housekeeping staff.
The gift box was exquisitely designed to last as a heirloom, inlaid with gold, and the invitation shone with gold leaf.
The pre-wedding photos went extremely smoothly. Both men were beautiful. The stylists cried happy tears in their hearts to be able to use the jewellery and custom-designed clothes Yan Ting provided, and the photographers blessed the couple and hardly did any touch-up at all.
The wedding video was shot by Director Yang and the original crew of Shadow of the Sky, with whom Li Zhao shared the closest feelings. Director Yang wanted to do it for free, so good were his feelings to Zhao Zhao and the largest investor Yan Ting. But how could Yan Ting accept someone do something for free? No, he had to spend money for Zhao Zhao!
The venue for the wedding was not a hotel, but Yan Ting and Li Zhao’s private island. Cang Huan took a company-wide holiday as Yan Ting arranged multiple charter flights for all invited people.
Yan Ting had even told Qin Xiao to invite reputable photographers and reporters. This wedding was going to be grander than the marriage of the emperors, and Yan Ting was not polite about that. He wanted everyone to see the person who stood behind Li Zhao.
Over the years, there had been many people who tried to wrong Zhao Zhao. After this, if anyone dares, then they were clearly asking to be eradicated.
Li Zhao, Li Zhao’s close friends from the welfare home, and his parents all arrived a few days ahead of the wedding. Director Yang and his crew were also there to take a few last few shots for the wedding video.
The other guests arrived the day before the wedding, and the person Li Zhao was most waiting for arrived in the evening with the sunset across the sea.
The feeling in Yan Ting’s eyes deepened when he saw Li Zhao waiting for him.
“Welcome,” Li Zhao said, putting a coat on Yan Ting. He dropped a kiss on Ting Ting’s cheek. His eyes curved. “Do you want me to hold your hand?”
Yan Ting took Li Zhao’s hand immediately.
“In the last few days, I have been working hard,” Li Zhao said in a very serious voice. “I can now build a sandcastle.”
“Will you show me?”
“Only if you help me.”
“I will always help you.” Yan Ting looked down at their joined hands. “I will always be by your side.”
Li Zhao laughed. “Doesn’t it feel like we’re already married?”
Yan Ting looked at Li Zhao, and his heart swelled. He squeezed Li Zhao’s hand. “En.”
“Hehehe.” Li Zhao quickly kissed Ting Ting. His Ting Ting was so cute!
Li Zhao tugged his hand and Yan Ting obediently followed him to the beach. Behind them, the bodyguards followed with extra lamps.
On the beach, there was a pile of sandcastle making equipment that Li Zhao had arranged earlier.
“Prince, will you help me build the best sandcastle?”
“After tomorrow, you will be the Emperor, and I will be the King.”
Li Zhao tilted his head. “Isn’t there something wrong with that?”
“No.”
Li Zhao giggled. “Okay. Here.”
This time, Li Zhao had learnt how to use wet sand, but not too wet. He demonstrated how to use a wooden ruler to make straight surfaces from the bumpy shapes, and handed the ruler over to Yan Ting because Yan Ting was much better at this than him.
Li Zhao’s grin as the castle came into shape motivated Yan Ting to be as careful and perfect as possible.
“Hehehe! We did it!” Li Zhao jumped up when they finished building the castle. “The process is good, but the result is also important!!” He laughed. He picked up one of the buckets with water and washed his hands and washed Ting Ting’s hands. A bodyguard handed them a towel to dry their hands.
Li Zhao then took out his phone and happily took a few pictures. He posted it on his Weibo and put his phone away immediately so that he could hold Ting Ting’s hand again. He tilted his head and rested it on Yan Ting’s shoulder.
Yan Ting looked down and kissed Li Zhao’s forehead. His beautiful angel, the brightest sunflower.
On the day of the wedding, the weather was perfect, the sky a clear blue, the sea a sparkling blue, the island lush green.
Large red Double Happiness banners adorned either side of the doors to the buildings among multiple other red wedding decorations.
As Liu Fen looked around, she couldn’t help but smile. She remembered telling President Sun that it would be romantic to hold a wedding here. And here she was, a few years later, attending Zhao Zhao’s wedding with that gentleman.
“As a straight man, even I can see how treasured Zhao Zhao is,” said Lu Hao, who was walking beside Liu Fen.
“You know the different colours of red lipstick, are you a fully straight man?” Liu Fen teased.
“Isn’t Sister Fen gaining many girls-love CPs with that recent martial arts drama? Soon you’ll have more girlfriend fans than me,” Lu Hao joked.
Liu Fen smiled and shook her head. “Yet in the end, I am a straight woman. Where am I going to find a nice man to raise?”
The two of them continued to joke as they entered the main building.
Everyone who attended was moved by Yan Ting’s feeling and meaning for Zhao Zhao. The atmosphere was very harmonious—even the bosses of Strawberry Entertainment and Purple Eggplant Entertainment would speak casually with each other.
Music announced the start of the wedding ceremony. From one side, Li Zhao, his parents Lin Shen and Du Yushu approached the altar that was set up. From the other side, Yan Ting was accompanied by Qin Xiao and the housekeeper uncle who had watched him grow up from very young. Both Yan Ting and Li Zhao wore matching red traditional clothes adorned with real gold designs of dragons and phoenixes.
First, Li Zhao and Yan Ting bowed to Heaven and Earth. Second, bow to the ancestors. Third, bow to the parents, Lin Shen and Du Yushu. Both Lin Shen’s and Du Yushu’s eyes were glittery with tears of joy. After everything, to be able to see their baby getting married...it was overwhelming in the best way possible.
Li Zhao’s eyes were bright and happy. Yan Ting’s lips didn’t smile but his eyes did, drawing Li Zhao close to him.
“I love you,” Li Zhao whispered.
Yan Ting nestled his forehead against Zhao Zhao’s. “I love you more.”
“Hehehe, you’re so cute,” Li Zhao beamed.
Yan Ting’s heart was itchy. He gently kissed Li Zhao.
Normally, the bride would then give tea to the parents and family. Yan Ting took his role seriously, offering tea to Du Yushu and Lin Shen.
“Mum, Dad,” he called them, just as Zhao Zhao had told him too all those years ago.
“Son,” Lin Shen said, drinking the tea to swallow the big lump in his throat. “Wishing you a hundred years of happiness.” He handed Yan Ting two big red envelopes.
“Enjoy a hundred years of peace and love,” Du Yushu said, also handing Yan Ting two big red envelopes.
As part of Li Zhao’s family, Sister Xia and Brother Ming.
“Look after Li Zhao, okay? And make sure to always forgive that naughty child,” Sister Xia said. She wanted to say more words, but she in fact, she had already said them over the course of their relationship. Over time, she had become more relaxed. With Du Yushu as the ‘proper’ mother-in-law, Sister Xia took on her role as big-sister seriously, and that included being Yan Ting’s big sister-in-law.
“What about when Ting Ting is naughty?” Li Zhao said innocently.
Yan Ting wrapped his arm around Li Zhao’s waist. “When am I naughty?” he said in a low voice.
Zhu Xia looked between the happy couple and smiled exasperatedly. “Here, here,” she said, stuffing them with red envelopes. Zhou Ming quickly followed suit, giving the newly married couple their well wishes.
After talking more pictures, Li Zhao and Yan Ting changed into western suits and opened the banquet. As the married couple though, they still needed to go to every table and greet the guests.
However, Yan Ting knew Li Zhao’s temperament too well. He ruthlessly broke protocol and made sure to let Li Zhao eat first, making sure that the first five courses—of ten—were Li Zhao’s absolute favourite-favourites.
Li Zhao ate happily, picking the fish off the bones for Yan Ting.
“You’re so good at eating now!” Li Zhao praised him.
“En.” Yan Ting poured some more tea for Li Zhao.
Du Yushu wanted to pick some of the lobster for Li Zhao, but instead, watched Yan Ting do it. She was happy, and silently took her husband’s hand.
The housekeeper uncle’s eyes were soft. It warmed his heart to see how Yan Ting had opened up under Li Zhao. Such a scene would have been impossible five years ago. He firmly believed that Yan Ting and Li Zhao’s love would be remembered for a long, long time.
After Li Zhao was moderately full, Yan Ting took him for a walk to greet the guests.
Song Yu had a sense of deja-vu when he came to stand in front of Li Zhao and Yan Ting who were holding hands. “I wished you happiness already, now I wish you more happiness,” he said, stuffing a slim red envelope into Li Zhao’s hand. Inside there was a debit card, because why would Song Yu deal with cash? “It’s good, you’re finally married.” Song Yu dared to look at Yan Ting. “Many happy returns, good fortune.”
Li Zhao: “....” Why did Song Yu’s words sound more like congratulating a business cooperation?
“Thank you,” Yan Ting said seriously.
The pair moved on to greet the other guests at Song Yu’s table, who included Yao Yuguang and his aunt, as well as Du Xing.
Yao Yuguang handed over his red envelopes with a deep bow. “I wish you 1000 years of happiness!”
“En.”
Yao Yuguang looked up again at Li Zhao with meaningful eyes. “Do you accept me…”
“What is there to accept?” Li Zhao said. He smiled mischievously. “I do not need a younger brother, but I am missing a son.”
Yao Yuguang gaped, while Song Yu rolled his eyes. He knew Yao Yuguang from the circle of rich second generations. It seemed that although Yao Yuguang had stopped provoking Yan Ting, he’d moved onto pestering Li Zhao. Didn’t he know that Li Zhao was the doted youngest brother already? Which youngest brother would want a younger brother to take their place?
At least Du Xing’s well wishes were normal.
In fact, Song Yu had acted in a number of dramas with Du Xing, many of them with Li Zhao in common. It was true, those who worked well with Li Zhao rose with him. That said, Song Yu found Du Xing rather shy, and he was amazed that such a person had survived in the circle for so long, acting skills aside. Even the white lotus-like Li Zhao was actually black bellied when he wanted to! Song Yu cannot count the number of times he’d had to reprimand the people who tried to insult Du Xing.
Du Xing was happy for Li Zhao. He was happy that same sex marriage had been legalised. If his ex-boyfriend had known this would happen, would they have broken up? Since then, Du Xing hadn’t had a new boyfriend.
“What’s with your dark face?” Song Yu poked his cheek. “If Yan Ting sees that, I won’t be able to help you.”
Du Xing rubbed his cheek and smiled faintly. “Nevermind, I’m just a little tired.”
“Tired?” Song Yu frowned. “How can you be tired? Here, eat some more…” He poured Du Xing tea and served him meat. “Eat, eat.”
Du Xing lowered his eyes.
“Don’t worry,” Song Yu said. “Now that Li Zhao has gotten married, it is 100% likely that the dogs and chickens around him will start being successful in love too.”
“Love, marriage?” Yao Yuguang jumped in. “Your personality is not right for that, Song Yu.”
Song Yu turned to squabble with Yao Yuguang. “And what about you? You love cars so much, are you going to get married to one?”
Song Yu’s words were so ridiculous that Du Xing smiled.
Meanwhile, Li Zhao had finished receiving the well wishes from the Cang Huan ‘uncles’/department heads, who happily called him “Little Boss”. He even gave Qin Xiao’s girlfriend, Lu Wenwen, an autograph. Lu Wenwen’s eyes were shining so much that even Li Zhao felt a little helpless.
“Everyone from the Cang Li CP supports you!” she whispered.
“Thank you,” Yan Ting said. “Keep up the hard work.”
“Y-yes.”
Qin Xiao looked at his girlfriend, and wondered why he couldn’t compete with his boss and Mr Li Zhao. Was it because he wasn’t handsome enough?
“It’s okay,” she patted him. “Our love is not that bad.”
Not that bad??? Qin Xiao sighed in his heart.
After the wedding banquet came the big cake.
“We have to cut them together,” Li Zhao said solemnly. He held the knife first, and Yan Ting, standing very close behind Li Zhao, wrapped his hand around Li Zhao’s. Cameras snapped as they cut the cake.
“Here, you are first.” Yan Ting served Li Zhao a slice of cake. But he did not hand the plate to Li Zhao, instead picking up a spoon to feed Li Zhao.
After that, the staff came to slice up the cake and serve it to all the guests.
Brother Xiaoyuan was leaning back in his seat, patting his stomach. When he saw Li Zhao coming to sit down at his table, he said, “The food was very good!”
“Hehe, did you like the noodles?”
Brother Xiaoyuan had a confident expression. “The noodles too. They were made by your chefs, weren’t they?”
“You look very handsome,” said Zhang Xiaoyuan’s mother. “Why aren’t you married yet?” she then asked her son.
Zhang Xiaoyuan sweated. “Mum…”
“Don’t say you have too much work! Even Special Assistant Qin Xiao has a girlfriend!”
Qin Xiao, sitting across the room, turned his head, frowning. He had the feeling that someone was talking about him? But since Yan Ting wasn’t looking his way, he put the feeling aside.
Da Ke (Ke Da), who was sitting next to Zhang Xiaoyuan, wondered if he could use his matchmaking system to help Brother Xiaoyuan...would it work?
After cake was dancing, and after dancing, Sister Xia shooed Li Zhao and Yan Ting out.
“We will farewell the guests, don’t let us be lightbulbs on your wedding night.” She looked at how Li Zhao was half-hanging off Yan Ting’s neck and looking sleepy and waved her hands. “Go, go.”
Yan Ting also saw how sleepy Zhao Zhao was. “En.” He lifted Li Zhao up, entrusting the closing duties to Sister Xia.
“Have we forgotten to speak to anyone?” Li Zhao mumbled.
“Thinking about others?” Yan Ting said, his lips twitching.
Li Zhao looked a little more awake. “Then I’ll only think of you,” he said.
“En.”
Li Zhao smiled, scratching Yan Ting’s chest a little and snuggling closer in his arms.
Yan Ting carried Li Zhao to their private building that was right by the beach. Yan Ting tried to put Li Zhao down, but Li Zhao wouldn’t let go.
“You need to change your clothes,” Yan Ting tried.
“Change in bed,” Li Zhao said, acting soft.
Okay, Yan Ting spoiled him.
Tomorrow, they will take a chartered flight for their honeymoon. But tonight, they will sleep here, listening to the sound of the waves and to each other’s hearts.
Yan Ting had Qin Xiao post their photos all over Weibo. Everyone had to know that Yan Ting and Li Zhao were together. No one was allowed to covet Li Zhao.
Li Zhao agreed, he didn’t want anyone to covet Yan Ting either.
Qin Xiao coordinated with Luo Rong to jointly post photos on Yan Ting’s and Li Zhao’s weibos.
Before Qin Xiao could even buy the hot search, #Cang Li Wedding# became hot by itself. The pictures were simply too exquisite. Most black fans couldn’t bear to say something mean, and the few that did were quickly buried under the happy fans. The topic would have been even hotter if it weren’t for all the fans busy licking their screens. Fashion bloggers were vibrant with discussion on what priceless items Li Zhao was wearing.
The #CangLi# CP also shot up. Professor Chen’s daughter, Chen Lanlan, quickly drew a lot of Q/cute pictures, and many fans were busy putting together fan wedding videos in addition to Director Yang’s.
Li Zhao secretly saved a lot of the photos. Yan Ting looked so handsome, and Li Zhao’s fingers slipped multiple times. He couldn’t help but feel that the CangLi relationship that the fans created was very good and sweet. He sneaked a look at Yan Ting, and startled when he realised that Yan Ting was looking at him too.
“Hehe, I wasn’t doing anything…”
Yan Ting: “...” He glanced over at Li Zhao’s phone and saw one of the CangLi stories with papapa. He took Li Zhao’s phone away and said, “Why are you looking at that? We can do it for real.”
Li Zhao was shameless. He quickly wrapped his arms around Yan Ting. “Are you jealous of them?” he murmured, rubbing his head against Ting Ting’s.
“No.” Yan Ting’s eyelids lowered, as his lips curved up. He took Zhao Zhao’s hands, their matching rings glinting in the light. “I’m very happy.”
The End!