Chapter Text
Tonight, Wang YiBo is going to propose!
It had been years since their son Suo-er was born so it was really about time for them to finally get married.
He planned everything to be simple but special and memorable. He booked a suite room in a 5-star hotel. Inside the bedroom, there was a round table that was good for two people. Light but high-class dishes were served together with a bottle of champagne. Around the room were quite a number of scented candles, the main lights were off to make the place a little dimmer and to have the romantic atmosphere in effect once the candles were lit.
They were supposed to meet here after they finished their work and tomorrow, they would take the same flight and go back home together.
Wang YiBo rubbed his hands and took out the ring box from his pocket. He was both excited and nervous.
He knew, both heart and soul, that Xiao Zhan was the one meant for him. He couldn't wait to take a vow of a lifetime with him.
Wang YiBo was about to open the ring box when he heard a beep sound from the door.
He's here!
And as if confirming his presence, Xiao Zhan said, "YiBo, I'm here!"
Wang YiBo hurriedly put the ring box back in his pocket. He fixed himself and steadied his body.
"Xiao-laoshi, where should I put this?"
Before Wang YiBo could get out of the bedroom, he heard a female voice.
Xiao Zhan, "Put that on the sofa, please."
What?! Xiao Zhan wasn't alone?!
"How about this one, Xiao-laoshi?" Another voice, this time it was a man's, was heard.
Those two other voices were certainly Xiao Zhan's assistants.
Xiao Zhan, "Hmm… just put it there."
While on his way to the hotel, Xiao Zhan passed by a newly opened mall. Out of impulse, he went shopping. He didn't take long but he still bought a lot that couldn't be carried by just him alone. His assistants then had to help him.
"YiBo! I bought you a set of Legos!" Xiao Zhan beamed. He was really excited because he knew Wang YiBo would love it.
But Wang YiBo on the other hand…
Fuck…
He couldn't help himself from cursing. Because fucking hell, his proposal had once again been thwarted!
Yes, 'again'! Because this was not the first time that Wang YiBo had already attempted to propose!
His first proposal attempt was in their house in Beijing.
It used to be a special place and it only became even more when it also became their home. They have indoor and outdoor living rooms separated by broad glass sliding patio doors. The garden was directly connected with the outdoor living room, perfect for viewing when they just want to snuggle and fall into a daze.
From the house front door entrance to the garden, a red rose petal pathway was created, leading to a two-step rounded podium. The podium was covered with a red velvet carpet and decorated with an arch of red roses. It was also wide enough for some slow couple dancing.
Not far from the podium, there was a small ensemble for a live background music, they were on a standby and ready for the cue anytime. Their distance was enough to give them some privacy as Wang YiBo had prepared some romantic, or maybe a little bit more cheesy, lines and he wanted to whisper them slowly into Xiao Zhan's ear.
Wang YiBo didn't want to dress up formally as it wouldn't match with Xiao Zhan's attire. Given that Xiao Zhan always takes good care of his looks, he would surely feel anxious when he sees Wang YiBo in a complete formal suit while he's in his jeans! Though in Wang YiBo's eyes, Xiao Zhan never looked ugly in whatever he wore, he didn't want Xiao Zhan to feel a tiny bit uncomfortable on this special day, so he decided to just wear a casual suit.
The door knob clicked and Wang YiBo's heart skipped a beat.
Xiao Zhan slowly entered and the camera then started recording to capture each moment. Wang YiBo was nervous as his eyes lingered on Xiao Zhan, it was a gaze with tenderness and fondness.
Xiao Zhan seemed confused as he looked around, there was also a little flush on his face. When his eyes met Wang YiBo's, he stopped in his tracks. Wang YiBo smiled at him and went closer since it would likely take a long time if he would just wait for his adorable motionless gege to move.
But when he was about to take Xiao Zhan's hand, Xiao Zhan moved his own hand away, avoiding Wang YiBo's. A bit surprised, Wang YiBo tried again but Xiao Zhan spread his palm out in front of him, stopping Wang YiBo from getting closer.
"I think you look hot but I'm sorry I'm already taken." Xiao Zhan said.
Before Wang YiBo could ask what was going on, he was already answered by the smell of Xiao Zhan's breath. "You drunk?!"
"You think you can take advantage of it just because I did?" Xiao Zhan snorted. "Listen, young man. No alcohol influence can change my loyalty to my Magnum Wang."
Before Wang YiBo could speak, Xiao Zhan added, "Oh, just to be clear, I'm not talking about that vibrator Magnum Wang. YiBo had already destroyed it, sadly. I am talking about the exact Magnum Wang of my Wang YiBo."
"..."
"So, shoo." Xiao Zhan gestured with his hand.
Left speechless, Wang YiBo felt a tinge of jealousy with his own dick. But he wasn't able to dwell on that thought as he knew he had to quickly think of something that could still save the situation and somehow push through his proposal.
Xiao Zhan, "Ugh. Why is it so hot?!"
Immersed in his own thoughts, Wang YiBo didn't see soon that Xiao Zhan was stripping himself naked. Only when Xiao Zhan was already topless and was about to also remove his pants did Wang YiBo come into realization, and at a speed faster than light, he rushed towards Xiao Zhan to cover him up with the same suit jacket that was thrown away.
With Xiao Zhan now covered in his arms, Wang YiBo stiffly turned his head to the people present.
No one else is ever allowed to see his Zhan-ge's body!
His expression was blank but dark. His stare had already stabbed each person around them. Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a low voice, "Scram."
If words could pierce people, then they would have already been by now. They quickly disperse to save their lives.
This sudden happening had overwhelmed Wang YiBo that it caused him to release a small amount of dark pheromones.
Xiao Zhan trembled as those pheromones traveled through his nose. He had long since been drunk but that scent had made him more intoxicated, sparking arousal in his body. "YiBo?"
Amused, Wang YiBo, "Yea?"
"You smell so good." Xiao Zhan wrapped his arms around Wang YiBo's neck, deeply inhaling the scent that was almost gone.
Wang YiBo sighed. Just what is he gonna do with his very cute gege?
"Zhan-ge, do you know what you just did? It's so bad that I think you deserve a punishment." His Zhan-ge had ruined his proposal after all.
Xiao Zhan, who never had an idea, just nodded his head. "Okay. Punish me, Bo-ge."
Wang YiBo snickered.
The night then ended with no marriage proposal but a long session of disciplinary action.
His next proposal attempt was at the beach. This time, he thoroughly took note of everything in Xiao Zhan's schedule and with the pretense of a casual family vacation, they set a date for it and took a leave from work.
If Xiao Zhan would be off work and it would just be their family of three for the next three days, Wang YiBo could more guarantee that Xiao Zhan would not have a sudden appointment, outing or hangout like what happened last time when Xiao Zhan's friends had suddenly invited him for a night out drinking, that which was the reason Xiao Zhan came home drunk in the night Wang YiBo was supposed to propose.
So maybe now that he had reserved a certain good amount of Xiao Zhan's time only for their family, there was a higher chance that this would go as planned, right? He had planned that this family vacation would just be like their usual one, but on the last night, he would then surprise Xiao Zhan with a marriage proposal!
His plan was really quite better this time, but fucking hell, why was it that one night before they leave, Wang YiBo would unexpectedly have a car accident?!
He was on his way home when a car suddenly collided with theirs. The impact wasn't too strong but they were hit at the side of the car where Wang YiBo was seated. His head hit the car window, but except the huge bump in his head and whiplash injury, he had no wounds, internal bleeding or any other serious injuries.
He was really annoyed at his extremely rotten luck. But even though he was wearing a neck brace, his body wasn't actually in unbearable pain. It seemed like he could bear to travel tomorrow!
But when Xiao Zhan arrived at hospital and his pale face and anguished expression looked more lifeless than him, Wang YiBo knew that there would be no more beach vacation.
Xiao Zhan's eyes were full of tears that were yet to fall. When he saw Wang YiBo, he was relieved, worried as hell and angry. He stretched his arms forward, wanting to very much feel and be reassured of the warmth of this stupid young man, but he didn't know where he should touch as any body part of Wang YiBo's seemed in pain.
"I'm okay." Wang YiBo took Xiao Zhan's hands. He kissed them tenderly then brought them on his face. He smiled and said again, reassuring Xiao Zhan, "I'm okay."
"You're so stupid…" Only then did his eyes that were brimming with tears finally fall. He knew it wasn't Wang YiBo's fault, but as much as he was relieved, he was also angry. Angry for making him worried, perhaps? Xiao Zhan wasn't really sure.
Wang YiBo chuckled and pulled Xiao Zhan closer, urging him to sit on his lap. As also a motor racer, accidents are inevitable, he's already used to crashing his motorbike. Surely, a minor car accident didn't feel like anything new. So his mind state was more irked with his proposal getting thwarted again.
But seeing Xiao Zhan like this, it completely slipped out of his mind that he now has a family worrying about him. He did feel stupid for realizing it late.
"I'm sorry." Wang YiBo whispered.
Xiao Zhan shook his head. "As long as you're okay." He wanted to breathe in where that cinnamon scent was directly coming from but that annoying neck brace had withheld him, so he could only lean his head on Wang YiBo's shoulder.
No more beach vacation, no more beach proposal. Xiao Zhan cancelled their flight and spent their 3-day leave at home. Getting taken care of and spoiled by his Zhan-ge was actually not a bad thing at all. He might as well just enjoy it, there would be a next time to try again anyway. He just hoped that next time would finally succeed.
And so for the third time, here he was, attempting to propose again.
But after he already made things simple this time, fuck! It still ended up getting thwarted!
He hurriedly cleared the table. He threw the food in the trash can, blew off all of the candles, then trusting his instincts, he hid the dishes and champagne in a cabinet that Xiao Zhan would least likely open. They both prefer using just one cabinet for each one of them so it wouldn't be hard when searching and it wouldn't be a hassle when packing up since they don't really stay too long in a hotel. Though it would never be their problem as they have their own assistants to do chores for them. But Xiao Zhan sometimes rummaged in Wang YiBo's stuff and grabbed just whatever he liked—a jacket, most oftenly. Thankfully, the suite room he booked had a lot of cabinets available so he was safe from getting discovered. Well, probably.
He pulled out a long ply of tissues and also threw them in the trash can to cover the food and make it seemed like there were only tissues inside.
A person's adrenaline rush is truly an amazing wonder. Wang YiBo was able to do everything in no more than a minute. After a quick one last look that everything looked normal, he jumped on bed awkwardly pretending that he was just chilling with his phone. He took a deep breath to relax his body when a sweet smell went through his nose. The scent of the candle was still lingering!
He jumped out of the bed and sprang towards the door, just in time when Xiao Zhan was also about to enter. Of course Wang YiBo wouldn't let Xiao Zhan find out his failed attempt nor let him have an idea about it, so he wrapped his arms around his Xiao Zhan and lifted him up by his waist. He turned their bodies around, whirling away from the door.
Xiao Zhan who was suddenly carried was surprised. He let out a soft gasp before emitting a heart-warming laugh.
"What the hell are you doing?" Xiao Zhan giggled.
"I miss my baobei."
It wasn't a lie. Wang YiBo did miss him.
"Put me down, YiBo. There are people around." Xiao Zhan said but his big smile was very much still present.
The said people who are already used to such a show of their bosses' affection to each other, were just minding their own business, totally acting like nothing out of the norm was happening.
"You didn't miss me?" Wang YiBo pouted his lips.
Whenever Wang YiBo pouted lips, his yeekies also showed. How could Xiao Zhan resist that? He took a gentle bite on those yeekies before landing a kiss on those pouting lips. "Miss you too."
They had a great night together after that but the turmoil in Wang YiBo's heart persisted.
None of his plans had ever worked out! No matter how keenly he prepared for each of them, for some reasons, they never succeeded!
Why did it seem like it was intentionally getting opposed by Fate itself?!
It seemed like there was no other reason if it wasn't.
In the charity foundation Wang YiBo owns, while he was seated in his desk office that he rarely goes to, he repeatedly and absent-mindedly opened and closed the ring box in his hand. The engagement ring he had prepared was elegant and unique, and despite not having a broad knowledge in art or design, everything in this ring was Wang YiBo's idea and there was nothing else but only Xiao Zhan in his mind when he was visualizing every detail.
The center stone had to be a red diamond as red was a color second to none that suited Xiao Zhan the most. The red diamond was in a circular shape while its prong was white gold in the shapes of rose petals, tiny white diamonds as the side stones were around it. The shank was also in white gold but the shape and texture were of a stem and leaves.
Wang YiBo had specially customized a rose engagement ring for Xiao Zhan.
Staring at the finished product, Wang YiBo was certain that anyone who would see it would only say praises about it. But its real beauty would only shine when it's finally in a finger that it's destined to be.
While staring vacantly, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door.
"Wang-laoshi, your brother Wang LiuKuan is here."
"Kuan-ge?"
"Yes, sir."
"Let him in."
The door opened and Wang LiuKuan entered.
"'Sup, ge? What's the sudden visit for?"
"Nothing really. Just want a breather." Wang LiuKuan said and took a sip of the tea that Wang YiBo's assistant had served.
But Wang YiBo knew his brother too well. He knew very well that his brother was just in fact, skipping his work.
Wang LiuKuan, "You look troubled though." It's a given that he also knew his little brother just as much.
Wang YiBo heaved a deep and long sigh. From his hand, he put the ring box on the table.
Eyes widening a little, Wang LiuKuan, "You proposed?"
"Not yet, Kuan-ge. Not fucking yet."
"Then why don't you? Don't tell me you're scared." Wang LiuKuan snickered, there was an obvious tease in it.
Wang YiBo rolled his eyes. "No way in hell! I already have tried, ge! For three times already! For three times!"
"He rejected you?!" Wang LiuKuan never thought it would be possible though.
"Of course not! I know he will say yes." Wang YiBo said with full confidence.
Wang LiuKuan had to scoff at that unnecessary show off.
"But listen, ge. No matter what, for some reason, all my proposals got thwarted."
Wang LiuKuan raised an eyebrow and urged Wang YiBo to continue.
"The first time was, he came home drunk and started undressing in front of everyone. How could I still push it through? I would never propose while he's naked! I wouldn't have minded if we were alone, but there were many other people!"
"Second time was that car accident two months ago. I don't think I will need to explain more about that and so the third time I tried, which was the last one and was a week ago, he came with his assistants when I was expecting to meet him alone!"
"His assistants don't know anything about it. What if they accidentally ruined our supposed moment together? I couldn't take that risk." Wang YiBo sighed and drooped his head, seemingly like he lost all of his energy.
Wang LiuKuan, who had no words to speak, "Whoa... Damn, YiBo. That… really sucks."
Wang YiBo snapped his head up as if he instantly recovered some energy just so he could complain more and express his disappointment, "I know right?!"
He opened the ring box and said "I just to ask him already, 'Zhan-ge, will you marry me?!'"
Just as the ring box was opened, the door was opened as well. There would have been no problem with just the door opening, but the situation didn't turn out that way because the person who opened it was none other than Xiao Zhan himself!
The door was fucking opened! By Xiao Zhan! By Zhan-ge!
With this timing of course, it was evident that Xiao Zhan had heard everything. Just what are the damn odds that Xiao Zhan would all of the sudden appear when Wang YiBo was impulsively rehearsing his proposal speech?
If it wasn't fate's timing, there could be no other answer.
SILENCE.
No one moved, no one spoke, no one even breathed.
After a few more moments that seemed like an eternity of silence, Xiao Zhan broke it by giving an answer to the hanging question, "Um, yes."
"..."
"..."
"PFFT!" Xiao Zhan couldn't hold it in anymore, he burst out laughing. "BWAHAHAHA!"
Wang YiBo "..."
Wang LiuKuan, "﹏"
Xiao Zhan laughed so hard that he lost strength in his knees. He had to lean and hold on to the door frame to support himself.
Wang YiBo was alternately looking down and side-eye glaring at his brother who tried but failed to stop himself from also laughing, terribly shaking as he covered his own mouth and leaned down to hide his face from Wang YiBo that which he also failed at.
Even though Wang YiBo wanted to ask Xiao Zhan why the hell he was here out of the blue, whether Xiao Zhan had a valid reason, an important matter to discuss or neither of the two, it would no longer change what had happened anymore.
Was this why everything he worked so hard for never went like how he wanted them too? Because Fate's plan for him was actually this?! This bullshit?!
This is the lamest proposal ever!
Xiao Zhan, who still couldn't stop from laughing, almost had to pull himself to walk towards his super duper cutiepie YiBo. Whether it would work or not, he tapped Wang YiBo's shoulder with the intention of comforting this adorable baobei of his. After trying so hard that he felt like he had destroyed his stomach just to stop himself from laughing, he held out his left hand in front of Wang YiBo and said, "Since you haven't taken my left hand yet, I'm presenting it to you already. Aren't you gonna put the ring in my finger yet?"
Wang YiBo was too lost for words to speak anything.
"Didn't you hear? I already said yes." Xiao Zhan urged him.
Wang YiBo pinched the ring, about to pull it out, but his mind and heart still could not accept that this was how his 'best ever' proposal turned out to be. So the ring stayed in its place, still not yet pulled.
Xiao Zhan went impatient so with Wang YiBo's fingers on the ring, Xiao Zhan pulled his hand finally taking the ring out of the box.
"Ah—" was the only thing Wang YiBo could say as Xiao Zhan put the ring in his finger himself with Wang YiBo's hand holding it.
Wang YiBo's hand stayed midair and Xiao Zhan just ignored it as he was already occupied with the ring in his finger.
Xiao Zhan let out another but soft laugh, his eyes were full of adoration as his fingertips gently touched the rose engagement ring. He couldn't help repeating, "Yes, YiBo." He showed off the ring in his left hand before he added, "I am so gonna marry you!"
No words could describe how beautiful the rose ring looked on that equally beautiful jade-like hand.
As much as Wang YiBo wanted to savor this moment that he had imagined for a thousand times, how lame it turned out had still left him more devastated.
Later that night, Xiao Zhan posted on his Weibo a picture of his left hand wearing the rose engagement ring and another picture of Wang YiBo seated at his desk, hiding his head in his arms. His dark red ears weren't lucky enough to hide as well though.
In the said post, Xiao Zhan wrote:
I said yes!
#BestProposalEver
End of Best Proposal Ever!
