After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 9

9:

As expected, Xia Yining was right. After boarding the flight to the South Island, Jiang Yan finally perked up. She even engaged in Ye Chenchen’s aimless chatter, making the atmosphere livelier than before.

Xia Yining spent most of her time reviewing documents. The main reason for choosing New Zealand’s South Island for the wedding photoshoot wasn’t to create special memories or preempt a honeymoon with Jiang Yan. It was for work, she was scouting new tourism routes for a project under her purview.

Ye Chenchen and Jiang Yan chatted across the aisle, their conversation meandering but inevitably circling back to Xia Yining.

“Jiang Yan, be honest—what trick did you use to get my cousin to agree to marry you?”

Ye Chenchen hadn’t seen a pigeon-egg-sized engagement ring. Though the Xia family could afford it, she couldn’t imagine what else Jiang Yan had to offer besides a financial offensive.

“Probably sincerity. After all, three years of high school plus a year of repeating is only four years.”

Ye Chenchen clearly didn’t buy it. “If my cousin was that easy to sway, you wouldn’t have had a chance. Some people chasing her have been at it for ten years, not just four.”

A thought flashed through Jiang Yan’s mind, but before she could dwell on it, Xia Yining’s calm voice cut in. “Chenchen, talk about something more substantial.”

When they negotiated the marriage contract, Xia Yining had promised to handle any skepticism, leaving Jiang Yan to simply cooperate. True to her word, she stepped in to deflect questions on most occasions.

“Cousin, this isn’t insubstantial! Look at Jiang Yan, she doesn’t even know why she won you over. How’s she supposed to keep you happy after marriage?”

Jiang Yan pursed her lips, inwardly grumbling. Good thing she was marrying Xia Yining. If it were Ye Chenchen, she wouldn’t agree even if it bankrupted the Jiang family.

Xia Yining, still flipping through her documents, didn’t ignore Ye Chenchen’s comment. “I don’t need deliberate pleasing. A simple, ordinary life is fine.”

Her tone was calm, her expression neutral, showing no trace of pre-wedding joy. Ye Chenchen glanced at Jiang Yan helplessly, noticing she wasn’t embarrassed but instead gave a slight smile toward Xia Yining.

Ye Chenchen surrendered. “Your cryptic, understated love is beyond me. Simple and plain is true, I guess.”

At the hotel, Ye Chenchen was more tactful than at the airport check-in, asking Jiang Yan diplomatically, “I’d like to share a room with my cousin. Is that okay?”

Jiang Yan smiled. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You don’t mind?”

Only then did Jiang Yan realize Ye Chenchen assumed she’d share a room with Xia Yining.

“Nope.”

After checking in, Jiang Yan took the room next door. Exhausted from the journey, they had no group plans. Too lazy to go out, Jiang Yan ordered room service.

It was Ye Chenchen’s first time on the South Island, where the winter chill was sharp, unlike the milder North Island. She cranked up the room’s heater, gazing out the window. “The natural environment here is so well-preserved. It’s truly a harmony of man and nature.”

“That comes at a high cost. Government policies and public cooperation, every link matters. Beauty always requires sacrifice.”

“Why can’t we achieve this back home?”

Xia Yining glanced outside. “Every country’s different. We can’t do it now, but that doesn’t mean we never will.”

Ye Chenchen checked tomorrow’s itinerary and saw they were heading to the glacier at 8:30 a.m.

“Isn’t that too early? There’s a 10:30 am slot.”

“In the morning there are fewer people, and I have other things to do after the shoot.”

Since she was scouting, she would visit other tourist spots too. Spending all day at the glacier wasn’t an option.

“Won’t it be too cold that early?”

“It’s just two hours. I can handle it.”

Seeing her cousin’s calm preparedness, Ye Chenchen didn’t press further. After dinner, a knock came at the door.

Xia Yining was about to remove her makeup when Ye Chenchen opened the door to find Jiang Yan.

She froze, then teased, “What, couldn’t stand being apart for even a little while?”

The clinginess was reminiscent of the old Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan gave a perfunctory smile, speechless at Ye Chenchen’s imagination.

“Is she here? I need to talk to her.”

Hearing their voices, Xia Yining came over.

“Come in.”

Jiang Yan didn’t sit, signaling she wouldn’t stay long.

“I just spoke with the photographer about finding time for a rehearsal.”

Rehearsal? Xia Yining was puzzled.

“Tomorrow’s glacier shoot—there are no changing rooms up there. We need to change beforehand and take a helicopter. We have to finish quickly to avoid health risks.”

Xia Yining hadn’t planned to linger, but she hadn’t thought it through as thoroughly as Jiang Yan, who clearly took the shoot more seriously than she did.

Ye Chenchen approved of the idea, chiming in to persuade Xia Yining. “Cousin, I think Jiang Yan’s got a point. You can review your files later. Practice the poses now to save time tomorrow.”

Xia Yining considered it and agreed.

They booked a small hotel meeting room, and the photography team was present. The photographer reviewed the pre-discussed plan, explaining every detail.

Jiang Yan and Xia Yining listened attentively, quickly grasping the process.

The photographer suggested, “Let’s practice the poses.”

Though it was a unique outdoor setting, wedding photos called for classic moves. As a same-s3x couple, they’d also designed poses to highlight feminine grace.

Their chemistry was better than during the promotional shoot, but they were still awkward with hugs or cheek kisses, leaving it unclear whether it was shyness or lack of practice.

After several tries, they barely passed. The photographer, a perfectionist, cared only about the shot’s quality, not their status.

“Try the cheek kiss again. Lean in slowly, then a gentle kiss, conveying love and cherish.”

The instruction was for Jiang Yan, who was to perform the action.

Her ears warmed as she coughed lightly. Xia Yining’s reaction was calm, but she wasn’t entirely at ease either.

She had been kissed three times already, and the photographer was still not satisfied.

Good thing it was just the cheek. If it were elsewhere, she’d have walked out.

“One more try.”

Jiang Yan took a deep breath, mentally reviewing the photographer’s instructions, striving for the desired effect.

She leaned in slowly, gazing at Xia Yining’s perfect profile, as if seeing a beauty from the Ice Age. As they drew closer, she felt the warmth radiating from Xia Yining’s cheek, sensing her shared nervousness.

Focusing, Jiang Yan channeled a deeper tenderness, pressing her lips gently to Xia Yining’s soft cheek.

“Great, excellent!” The photographer’s voice was excited, thrilled with the result. “Keep this vibe tomorrow with the glacier backdrop, the ice-and-fire contrast will be breathtaking!”

Jiang Yan pulled back, coughing softly again. “Sorry, I didn’t expect the photographer to be so demanding.”

Xia Yining didn’t respond, it wasn’t Jiang Yan’s fault. The photographer wasn’t wrong either; wedding photos needed intimacy and beauty. She understood it was part of the process.

She was just worried Jiang Yan might push boundaries. What if next time it wasn’t just her cheeks?

Since Li Zifeng’s comments, a small guard had formed in her heart. Not constant vigilance, but in certain moments, an inner alarm would sound.

With rehearsal over, everyone prepared to rest for the early start. Jiang Yan stayed behind, asking the photographer more questions.

Curious, Ye Chenchen eavesdropped but held back from joining in.

Back in their room, she reported to Xia Yining, who was reviewing files. “Jiang Yan was asking about tomorrow’s shooting intervals and insulation measures. She even mentioned possible rain, saying we would need a Plan B if it does.”

Xia Yining glanced up briefly, offering no comment.

“I thought she would just eat and sleep this whole trip, slacking off. She’s surprisingly thorough.”

Ye Chenchen was pleased to see Jiang Yan taking the shoot seriously, it showed she cared.

Xia Yining’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent.

Ye Chenchen, annoyed by her cousin’s indifference, pressed, “Cousin, why no reaction? Isn’t this your business too?”

Xia Yining looked at her, amused. “What reaction should I have?”

“Uh…” Ye Chenchen faltered, unable to answer.

The next morning, it rained briefly but cleared up, not affecting the schedule. Stepping off the helicopter, they wore heavy down jackets over their wedding dresses, but the cold was still biting.

Jiang Yan managed, but Xia Yining’s dress truly tested her endurance. They quickly ran through the rehearsed poses, but when it came to the final kiss, a sudden wind kicked up.

Xia Yining’s hair blew across her face, obscuring the cherished detail they had practiced. With time restrictions and temperatures low, they couldn’t afford to linger.

Thinking fast, Jiang Yan tucked her hair back, then cupped her face, placing a kiss near her lips. The photographer captured it, the moment more stunning than the rehearsed pose.

Framed by the massive glacier behind them, it was profoundly romantic and striking.

“Perfect!” The photographer gave a thumbs-up, signaling no further shots were needed.

This single frame justified the arduous trip.

As the shoot wrapped, Ye Chenchen rushed forward with Xia Yining’s jacket, only to see Jiang Yan already holding her close.

Up close, she noticed Xia Yining’s lips were slightly discolored, likely from the cold wind’s delay.

“Cousin, are you okay?”

Taking the jacket from Ye Chenchen, Jiang Yan released Xia Yining and draped it over her.

Turning to Ye Chenchen, she said, “She should be warming up now.”