Drunk Kiss

"I do," said Yu Antong breezily.

"I...do," Xing Lixuan gritted out the words.

"May the groom exchange rings now," the officiant stated succinctly.

Yu Antong pulled out a ring, quickly slipping it onto Xing Lixuan's finger, then extended his own hand, "Your turn."

Xing Lixuan reluctantly followed suit.

Observing the groom's clearly unhappy expression, the officiant hesitated for a long moment before daring to say, "The groom may now kiss his partner."

Yu Antong turned his gaze to Xing Lixuan, who remained still, clearly uncooperative.

Undeterred, Yu Antong tiptoed, wrapped his hands around Xing Lixuan's neck, and initiated a kiss.

Despite Xing Lixuan's resistance, Yu Antong persisted for a full three seconds before pulling away, whispering, "Happy wedding day, husband."

After uttering those words, a smiling Yu Antong couldn't believe he was now married. Maybe it was all just a dream. Maybe he'd wake up and still be the frail person he always was.

The officiant, having held his breath throughout, wiped the sweat from his brow, relieved the ceremony had proceeded smoothly.

Subsequently, the couple stepped off the stage and headed to the lounge to quickly snack before attending to their guests.

Xing Lixuan was in a sour mood, and he accepted every drink offer without refusal.

Yu Antong had always been frail. He had merely tasted alcohol before, never consuming it in any significant amount, hence he was uncertain of his alcohol tolerance.

The wedding guest list was expansive, a mandate from Yu Qingnian, who insisted on holding a grand celebration.

Yu Qingnian had always aspired to gain a foothold in the real estate industry.

Everyone wants a slice of the cake, but it's not so easily obtained. Yu Qingnian couldn't break into that circle, whereas the Xing family, with their early foresight, had long dominated a significant portion of the real estate market.

The union between the Xing and Yu families, coupled with a grand wedding, undoubtedly elevated the Yu family's stature in Jiangcheng's business circle.

"Congratulations, Mr. Yu! Your nephew is truly a sight to behold, quite the match with young master Xing. A match made in heaven."

"Indeed, Mr. Yu has done an excellent job raising the child..."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Listening to the surrounding praises, Yu Qingnian gleefully clinked glasses with the guests, confident in the newfound respect he commanded.

The wine served during the toasts was mostly diluted with water, so after all the rounds, Yu Antong felt no discomfort.

It seems my alcohol tolerance isn't too shabby! Even though it was diluted, I've had quite a bit after all these toasts.

Yu Antong thought smugly.

After the toasts, the couple retreated to a private room designated for the Xing family.

A sophisticated middle-aged woman approached, saying warmly, "Finished with the toasts? Come sit, Tongtong."

Yu Antong recognized her as Xing Lixuan's mother; he had paid his respects with tea during the ceremony.

Somewhat awkwardly, he greeted Xing's parents, addressing them as 'mom' and 'dad'. Xing's mother then brought him over to an elderly lady, prompting, "Tongtong, call her 'grandma'."

The elderly lady seemed frail, but her sharp eyes seemed as though they could peer right into one's soul. Despite her age, remnants of her youthful elegance were evident.

The pronounced laugh lines on her face gave her a stern appearance. Though she was petite, the well-read Yu Antong knew this elderly woman held significant sway in the Xing family. It was largely her influence that had brought about his marriage to Xing Lixuan.

Yu Antong quickly assessed her, then obediently greeted, "Hello, Grandma."

"Hmm," the elderly matriarch responded, handing Yu Antong a red envelope. "Good boy. Live a good life with Lixuan."

Oddly enough, despite her instrumental role in orchestrating the wedding, the old lady's face didn't betray much joy.

"I will, thank you, Grandma," replied Yu Antong, taking the envelope but still observing the old woman.

If he wasn't mistaken, there seemed to be a hint of scrutiny and displeasure in her gaze.

Internally, Yu Antong scoffed. If she was so unsatisfied, why did she force her beloved grandson to marry him?

Xing Lixuan also noticed his grandmother's expression, sharing Yu Antong's sentiments.

Xing Lixuan, with a furrowed brow, said to his grandmother, "If there's nothing else, I'd like to retire for some rest."

Today, his mood was particularly sour, and even his usually respectful tone towards his grandmother had an edge to it.

Noticing Xing Lixuan's dark mood, the elderly lady refrained from commenting further. "You've had quite a bit to drink," she said. "Let the driver take you home. Yu, please look after him."

Given that he naturally lacked familial ties, Yu Antong wasn't accustomed to dealing with these people. He quickly acknowledged her request, hurrying to keep up with Xing Lixuan's brisk pace.

Xing Lixuan didn't reside in the Xing family mansion; he lived in a nearby apartment complex close to his office.

The wedding venue was about a thirty-minute drive from Xing Lixuan's residence.

As soon as they entered the car, Xing Lixuan leaned back with his eyes closed, paying no attention to Yu Antong, who, feeling the effects of the alcohol, remained silent for the journey.

Upon arrival, Xing Lixuan was the first to disembark, only to realize Yu Antong hadn't followed.

Even though he didn't particularly like Yu Antong, now that they were married, he couldn't just abandon him.

He turned back, opening Yu Antong's car door to find him sound asleep.

"Hey, wake up!" He leaned in, shaking Yu Antong with a hint of impatience. Xing Lixuan felt like his years of cultivated patience were being tested.

"Hmm~" Yu Antong opened his eyes in a daze, seeing Xing Lixuan's handsome face close by, thinking he was in a dream.

Xing Lixuan said, "Now that you're awake, get out."

However, Yu Antong clung to Xing Lixuan's neck, feigning sleep. "I'm not awake, carry me, hubby."

Caught off guard, Xing Lixuan lost his balance, tumbling into the back seat with Yu Antong.

Laughing, Yu Antong teased, "Hubby, you're quite eager, aren't you?"

Startled by his nonsensical words, Xing Lixuan quickly covered Yu Antong's mouth. Feeling embarrassed, he glanced at the driver, his face red with mortification. "What are you yelling about?!"

With the obstacle removed, Yu Antong leaned in, licking the palm of Xing Lixuan's hand in his 'dreamy' state.

"You!" The sensation of the wet touch made Xing Lixuan pull back in disbelief.

Yu Antong murmured, "Hubby, hold me."

"Damn it! Shut up," Xing Lixuan growled.

Fearing what this drunken fool might utter next, Xing Lixuan hurriedly helped Yu Antong out of the car, urging the driver to leave.

As the driver left, Xing Lixuan visibly relaxed, supporting Yu Antong as they waited for the elevator.

In his inebriated state, Yu Antong's expressive eyes glistened, gazing affectionately at Xing Lixuan. In a soft voice, he cooed, "Hubby~"

After calling out, he shyly buried his face into Xing Lixuan's chest.

"Damn it!" Xing Lixuan felt overwhelmed by the sudden intimacy, the warmth from Yu Antong's face seeping through the thin summer fabric. A peculiar sensation swelled in his chest, leading him to curse under his breath.

To his surprise, that comment hit a nerve. Yu Antong perked up playfully, saying, "Oh, you naughty husband, being so straightforward. Give me a kiss first."

Saying so, he puckered up, expecting a kiss.

The elevator door opened, revealing a middle-aged couple stepping out. Caught off guard by the sight of two men embracing, they paused, then quickly averted their eyes in embarrassment.

Once the couple left, Xing Lixuan, a vein throbbing in his forehead, steered Yu Antong into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Xing Lixuan distinctly heard the retreating couple mutter, "Young people these days, really..."

For a split second, Xing Lixuan considered leaving Yu Antong behind. He regretted turning back for him earlier.

Xing Lixuan watched the elevator's floor indicator, praying to reach their floor quickly.

Unaware of his predicament, Yu Antong saw how close Xing Lixuan's face was to his own and couldn't resist.

Standing on tiptoes, he planted a soft kiss.

A gentle "smack" echoed, sounding especially loud in the enclosed space.

Never having been kissed, Xing Lixuan's ears turned beet red. He exclaimed in exasperation, "What on earth are you trying to do?!"

Once they reached their apartment, Xing Lixuan beelined to the bedroom and tossed Yu Antong onto the bed with its bright red wedding linens.

Sitting on the edge, Xing Lixuan felt more exhausted than if he'd run ten kilometers.

Fatigued, slightly inebriated, and having woken early, he felt an overwhelming wave of sleepiness. He intended to freshen up and rest.

He tried... and failed to rise.

Turning, he saw Yu Antong gripping his shirttail.

Lying on the bed made Yu Antong sleepy too, yet he still managed to mutter dreamily, "Husband, kiss..."

Seeing him genuinely drunk, Xing Lixuan cautiously asked, "How did you and Yu Qingnian persuade my grandmother to let you marry me?"

Here, 'you' referred to both Yu Antong and Yu Qingnian.

Xing Lixuan couldn't fathom his grandmother's thinking—insisting he marry a man whose only redeeming quality was his looks.

His grandmother wasn't unreasonable. Like many elderly people, she nagged him to date and get married once he began working. But it was always gentle prodding, meant to keep him on track.

Fed up with the nagging, he finally came out to his family, telling them he was gay and wouldn't be marrying a woman.

While his family struggled with acceptance, they eventually came around. His grandmother was heartbroken but stopped pressing him about marriage.

Recently, she was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer, with the prognosis giving her at most six months.

After that, she hinted that he should bring home a boy he liked, emphasizing that gender didn't matter. What mattered was finding someone compatible and kind. She wouldn't interfere in his love life.

Given all this, Xing Lixuan was utterly baffled as to why she suddenly insisted on him marrying Yu Antong.

The elderly lady had always doted on him. When he fell into the water as a child while playing, without hesitation, she jumped into the icy winter waters to save him, leaving her with lingering health issues ever since.

Her love for him went beyond the typical bond between grandparents and grandchildren. She had also saved his life. So, when she began to stubbornly refuse food, Xing Lixuan felt compelled to agree to marry Yu Antong.

In truth, if he had truly been against the marriage, he could have refused. But he knew that she only wanted what was best for him, and so, during the last six months of her life, he decided to humor her wishes.

He had others investigate Yu Antong multiple times and found him to be unremarkable, even incompetent.

But this seemed like a positive aspect to Xing Lixuan; such a person would be easier to manage. After the marriage, he planned to sideline Yu and then gradually persuade the elderly lady.

Yet, the man before him was quite different from the report. It was intriguing.

His thoughts were interrupted by Yu Antong's voice.

Yu Antong mumbled, "You're asking me? Haha, how would I know? You should... you should ask the author."

"Ask who?"

Yu Antong's last words were so faint that even when Xing Lixuan leaned in closer, he couldn't catch them. He pressed on, "Clarify, why did you agree to marry me?"

Something seemed to tickle Yu Antong's fancy as he covered his face and giggled, saying amidst laughter, "Oh, how could I possibly say~"

Xing Lixuan was speechless. He should've known better than to expect a straight answer from this man.

As he removed Yu's hand from his clothes and stood up, Yu Antong cheerfully suggested, "Kiss me and I'll tell you."

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