Forced by fate – Destined to be his Wife

“Thank you, Master Cai. Today’s lesson was enjoyable, and I really learned a lot.” TangShi bowed to her teacher, holding her bag as she was readying to leave and thanked him again for today. Time was passing so fast being in this school and her daily schedule here was a highlight of her life. She had found her love of painting again and her days were passing in relative happiness, compared to before.

“You are a good student. Rong was right about your talent and dedication, and I am enjoying seeing your skills grow, Miss. Lei.”

“That means a lot, thank you. I am so happy here, that words cannot express it. I bid you a good evening and shall see you bright and early.” TangShi bowed once more, full of the joy of having her respected tutor praise her and carried the rolled-up watercolor with her from yesterday. It was a practice piece while studying light on water, but she was incredibly proud of it and wanted to show YuZhi the piece. He was supportive of her time here and had hung her last lesson piece in his study at home.

“TangShi. Wait up.” Rong Cai called to her as she made her way to the gate, allowing him to catch up with her without fully stopping. She knew YuZhi would be waiting today as he had text her that he was taking an early day so he could pick her up.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Cai?” TangShi turned briefly, pulling the gate as she did so as she was eager to leave. They had plans for dinner and she was excited to see YuZhi after another couple of days of his absence. His work was slowing down enough to afford him one early night.

“How many times, TangShi? Call me Rong. We’re almost the same age. And I feel like we’re friends now…. friends don’t use titles.” He smiled, reaching over her head to open the gate fully so she ducked and quickly stepped aside so as not to end up in his armpit. Not overly comfortable with the way Rong always seemed to get very close to her in innocent ways. She couldn’t say he was not a nice guy, as he never openly did or said anything to make her doubt him. He was always pleasant and helpful and chatted to her respectively. It was just her own sense of personal space always felt invaded when he was close, and she was sensitive to it. He always seemed to find at least one instance a day to talk to her alone and never other students, so it made her wary. She wondered if it was because of how YuZhi reacted the first time they met, and it was a subconscious thing because he had told her to stay away from him.

“The school is thinking of hosting a small gallery in a month’s time. It’s a regular annual thing we do. Taking our promising students and showcasing them in an amateur gallery for a few days. Then we repeat at end of term with the same artists. It always brings a lot of interest, especially when those who regularly come get to see the progress in our students. It always fuels new applicants every semester.”

“Sounds amazing.” TangShi replied with only half interest, glancing over her shoulder into the carpark but didn’t yet see YuZhi’s jeep. Aware she was increasingly eager to get moving.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“I want Alice Lin to be one of the named artists. Of course, I know you like to keep her anonymous, but we don’t need to expose you. Just display your art and you can come as a guest to view the gallery showing. We can be go between for any interviews, so you don’t reveal your true identity.”

“That sounds awesome. I’m sorry though, can we talk about it tomorrow, as I really have to go. I hope that doesn’t sound rude; it’s just I have plans.” TangShi tried to politely rebuff him as she caught sight of the familiar black car turning in and her heart thumpity thumped at his appearance. A cross between excitement and nerves, because Rong Cai was standing practically hemming her in against the gate with his tall muscular frame and she knew YuZhi wouldn’t like it.

Rong Cai looked up and saw where her eyes flickered. Inwardly irritated at the appearance of the so-called boyfriend and pasted a smile on his face. He had searched them up after that first meeting, knowing a Leng would make headlines and was disgusted at the fact he had broken up with one girl mere months before TangShi dated him. His return of bad mood had lasted several days the first time he laid eyes on this asshole because he kept turning over the possibility he was using her as a rebound from his long-term model girlfriend dumping him. He felt TangShi was being used and would be discarded before long.

“Sure. Why don’t you come to my office a half hour before class tomorrow, when the two of us can discuss it. I’ll order some steamed buns for breakfast.” Rong moved back just enough for her to slide by, knowing to do so her body would skim his intimately. Aware he didn’t give her enough room and felt smug as the black jeep parked up with its bonnet facing this way. Full view of the two of them. He wanted that rich guy to feel threatened and know he wasn’t giving up on pursing her. If anything, a jealous fight between them might show TangShi he wasn’t a good guy.

TangShi hesitated and tried to flatten herself against the metal gate as she moved by him, turning so only her shoulder skimmed his abdomen and helped push him back to give her room. It was awkward and she nodded and mumbled an apology for bumping him as she sped past.

“Tomorrow then, bye.” She rushed out breathily and took off.

“Bye, TangShi. Tomorrow.” He smiled after her, waving and making a point of looking at YuZhi with a smug expression.

YuZhi got out of the car, having seen the way that Cai jerk was caging TangShi in against the gate and wall as she tried to leave. He could tell by her body language she was not happy and looking to escape and that asshole didn’t exactly give her any room. It riled that inner rage that this time was not just jealousy, but that fierce protectiveness he had for her. TangShi was firmly cemented in his heart as someone vulnerable and too sweet to be rude, and it made him crazy when people bullied her or took advantage of her nature.

Stalking towards them as she slid out, her face reddening at the body contact with him and YuZhi had to use all his will power to keep his expression blank and his mood controlled. This ass was smirking his way and making it obvious his intention was to rile YuZhi up. Only he didn’t have any idea who his opponent was, and it was clear there was a better way to piss this guy off than verbal bitch matches. If Rong thought it would start a fight between him and TangShi he was wrong.

YuZhi focused his eyes on TangShi who was walking towards him at a fast pace, seemingly flustered. YuZhi smiled as he relaxed his face and his heart raced at how much he wanted to run over and punch Rong Cai in the throat. Rong’s eyes on them, his attitude all over him like a black smog.

“Hi.” TangShi came up to YuZhi coyly, her cheeks were a little blushed and he could tell she was nervous about how YuZhi was going to react. Seeing as he had made an idiot of himself the last time he saw this guy all over her and wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. Jealousy was never his thing and he had to be more controlled this time.

YuZhi pushed thought aside and acted on impulse. All that male testosterone on display and making sure that marking his territory was clear so this ghoul would stay away from her. He stepped the distance between TangShi and himself and swooped down with intent.

Catching her with a hand on each hip and tugging her into his body, he tilted his head, slid her close, and delivered a pecked kiss on her mouth that brought her to a shocked standstill. TangShi’s hands instantly landed on his shoulders in response as she gasped at his maneuver and became frozen still. YuZhi didn’t relent his hold and held her there for a long minute, more than necessary for a platonic peck on the corner of her mouth. Aware that the jerk would see it only from behind TangShi and assume the kiss was more passionate than it was.