As Chen TianYang expected, Bai YiHan stepped out of the car stopped by the side of the road. He was visibly frustrated and annoyed.
This was it! So TianYang thought.
He pushed down the nervousness bubbling up in him, slowly pulled over by the road and stepped out of his car.
YiHan was feeling restless and uneasy when he saw his target car stop behind his.
"The youngest son of the Bai family?" TianYang asked with a smile.
He's hooked! His sister stood a chance! YiHan stamped down the excitement swelling in him. He pretended to not recognise who TianYang was and replied, "That's me. You are…?"
"I'm Chen TianYang. I'm acquainted with your sister and I frequently her mention you. We met during the old Mr Yan's birthday party," he said. TianYang's smile deepened into a warmer, friendlier smile.
The old Mr Yan's birthday banquet? So much happened that day. Everything about that day was a mess. YiHan didn't remember having seen TianYang there at all. Still, YiHan smiled and said,
Ah, Mr Chen. My apologies for not recognising you just now."
"It's fine. Is there something troubling you?" TianYang knew why but he still asked.
YiHan frowned (full marks for expressiveness) and replied, "Something's wrong with my car. Looks like I'll have to call for someone to fetch me."
"No need to go through all that trouble. If you trust me, why don't I be your driver for once? Where are you heading to? I'll get you there," TianYang said.
"You're my sister's friend. Why won't I trust you? I just don't want to bother you," YiHan politely refused in pretence.
"You're too polite. It wouldn't be a bother. Get in," TianYang replied.
YiHan then decisively looked over at his driver and said, "Uncle Xu, you head back in a cab."
"Don't worry. I'll get someone to tow the car for repairs. You go," said the driver with a smile.
YiHan nodded back and quickly jumped into TianYang's car.
As the car slowly slid back into the flow of cars driving through, YiHan shoot a glance at the rear-view mirror to find the ever-honest Uncle Xu drive away in his car. He. Drove. The. Broken-Down. Car. Away…
YiHan felt like crying. Uncle Xu, can't you wait until we're out of sight first?
He hurriedly snuck a glance at TianYang only to find the other man's gaze focused on the road ahead. It didn't seem like he'd seen YiHan's "broken-down" car smoothly driving away. YiHan let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness!
TianYang pursed his lips and tried hard to hold his laughter back in. His future brother-in-law was so cute!
YiHan's tense body relaxed slightly. TianYang didn't see through his lie. He tilted his head and looked at the other man from the corner of his eye. Just like a scanner, his gaze swept up and down. Not a single hair on the other's body was overlooked.
Some bored soul on the internet had created a "Hottest Man Among the Rich in the City" leaderboard. JingYuan and TianYang were very well-known there. They're always part of the top three. While this leaderboard was rather nonsensical, it was rather accurate. It must've been created by someone among the upper-class society. They clearly were familiar with the people in their circle. The critique wasn't exaggerated and it merely talked about the men's looks, nothing about their families. The leaderboard went viral for a time. YiHan had even taken a look at it and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry at it back then. Now that he's had a good look at Chen TianYang, he definitely agreed with it. Chen TianYang was certainly a rare beauty. He was much more handsome in real life, especially when he smiled. His face would soften and it was very moving. Yes, this person was definitely a fit match for YiHan's sister. TianYang also had a high nose bridge. They all said men with high nose bridges were all…ahem, that thing.
As for TianYang's body, YiHan couldn't really tell right then because the other man was sitting down. However, he remembered what TianYang looked like when he stepped out of the car. Wide shoulders, long and slender legs, a slim waist, vibrant and flushed cheeks, and a strong gaze. TianYang looked handsome and capable.
Okay. YiHan gave him nine out of ten for his looks. It's not that the other was bad in any aspect, but JingYuan would always be the most handsome man alive to YiHan. No one else can beat JingYuan in that.
TianYang sat up straight and tried to portray the best side of himself while pretending to not know his future brother-in-law was evaluating him. When he saw YiHan reveal a look of satisfaction out of the corner of his eye, he secretly let out a sigh of relief. His looks had passed the test, it seemed.
Next up would be to engage in conversation. Despite the initial awkwardness born from making small talk, the two soon found themselves happily chatting away. While YiHan knew of Chen TianYang in his past life, he had never really talked to him. Who knew the heir to the Chen family, rumoured to be the most talented among the younger generation of the Chen family, would be so open-minded and funny (big misunderstanding)? TianYang was so friendly and kind that it was so nice just chatting with the other.
The drive went by pleasantly with plenty of laughter along the way. By the end, they both developed a good impression of the other and had started calling each other by first names. TianYang felt that his future brother-in-law wasn't as immature, brash and selfish as the rumours made him out to be. YiHan was such a cute and obedient kid. As for YiHan, he concluded his future brother-in-law wasn't as strict and conservative as the rumours made the other out to be. Yes, YiHan thought TianYang was a very friendly and open-hearted man.
The car finally arrived at the Bai family home. The two swapped contact information and agreed to go riding next Monday before going their own ways.
After testing the waters, YiHan decided Chen TianYang must really like XueQing. Every time her name was brought up, TianYang's face would automatically soften. Every time he spoke XueQing's name, his voice would be all warm and gentle. He most likely was in love with XueQing, but YiHan still had to confirm that. YiHan must continue testing.
Translator's Note:
First names: The exact line read, "they had started calling each other 'Chen-dage' and 'YiHan'". Chen-dage meaning Big Brother Chen. However, that'll introduce a suffix for no real reason to this story. Hence, it was changed to "first names".