What If I Ended Up Marrying My Enemy? - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Going Public

 

Yu Wenxuan didn’t get a clear answer. He simply watched as Yu Zhixue walked farther and farther away, disappearing around the corner.

 

His stomach, empty for too long, burned uncomfortably. He pressed his palm over it, trying to soothe it, but it was useless.

 

After that day, Yu Wenxuan stopped dwelling on those matters—as if he’d truly erased those ill-timed memories from his mind.

 

He returned to his normal life, occasionally petting the school cats in his free time. When others asked why Yu Zhixue seemed to dislike him, he could calmly reply:

 

“Maybe he just plain doesn’t like the sight of me.”

 

That small shift in attitude was keenly noticed. Word spread that Yu Wenxuan had finally had enough of Yu Zhixue’s constant cold stares and started to dislike him too.

 

Once it became common knowledge that their relationship was bad, those unavoidable encounters somehow ceased instantly.

 

Yu Wenxuan didn’t know if it was coincidence—or if Yu Zhixue was deliberately avoiding him.

 

…

 

Every time they completed a project, Yu Wenxuan would always get pulled into a group photo. They said it was for memories.

 

Yu Wenxuan didn’t care much for that kind of thing, but he never spoiled the mood.

 

The outdoor shoot for the video had finally wrapped up. All that was left was editing and music—basically, it was nearly done.

 

Everyone in the group let out a long sigh of relief, only to realize someone was missing. They turned to see Yu Wenxuan sitting on the lawn.

 

A chubby campus cat, pampered by students, was rubbing against the hem of his pants. He looked down and gave it a pet.

 

The cat flopped over and exposed its belly.

 

Seeing it lie there so content and trusting, Yu Wenxuan picked it up and stroked its fur. His slender fingers ran gently through the soft hair.

 

The others came over and asked, “The weather’s nice—want to take a picture out here?”

 

Yu Wenxuan placed the cat back on the ground and nodded. “Sure.”

 

The group was well-prepared and efficient. Before long, the camera was set up, and they arranged themselves by height and practiced posing with peace signs.

 

Yu Wenxuan stood at the back, his messy black hair slightly covering his brow.

 

Behind them came the voices of unfamiliar students—probably another group out shooting video. Seeing their setup, they began chatting among themselves about taking pictures too.

 

As they debated what to do, Yu Wenxuan and his group finalized their poses after a few trial runs.

 

A girl ran over to set the timer on the camera, then quickly dashed back into position.

 

Standing in the back, Yu Wenxuan caught a bit of their conversation. The sound reached his ears, indistinct but strangely jarring.

 

“Who should ask… Xue… to take a picture?”

 

The voice was muffled, barely clear—but it startled him nonetheless.

 

As the shutter clicked, Yu Wenxuan couldn’t help but turn his head to glance over.

 

It was just a group of strangers, huddled together and chatting excitedly, completely unaware of his gaze. Yu Wenxuan quickly looked away.

 

After the picture was taken, everyone crowded around the camera to check the shot. One of them quickly noticed something.

 

“President, were you not looking at the camera?”

 

“Totally! Your head’s turned. What were you looking at?”

 

Yu Wenxuan chuckled and gave a casual excuse: “The ginkgo leaves distracted me.”

 

Even he wasn’t sure why he turned just then. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe something else.

 

“You’re still not tired of those school ginkgo trees?” someone teased. “Then let’s take another photo.”

 

“Sure,” he replied.

 

…

 

Yu Wenxuan had assumed that, given their strained relationship, Yu Zhixue wouldn’t show up at his graduation.

 

But unexpectedly, Yu Zhixue did arrive—right on time. He still carried a hint of the chill from outside, heading straight for a quiet corner to sit.

 

Since it didn’t seem like he had any intention of coming over, Yu Wenxuan didn’t approach either. He vaguely remembered hearing somewhere that Yu Zhixue didn’t drink alcohol.

 

As evening fell and people began to leave, Yu Wenxuan made his way toward the door—only to be stopped by the one person he’d expected.

 

Yu Zhixue stood in front of him, blocking his way.

 

He was especially quiet today, and as the saying goes—when something’s off, there’s probably a reason.

 

Yu Wenxuan thought to himself: What now? Here to hurl insults before graduation? Or to throw one last jab?

 

After two years of butting heads, Yu Wenxuan looked at him and asked, “Do you want something?”

 

From this angle, he could see the top of Yu Zhixue’s head. In an uncharacteristically calm tone, Yu Zhixue spoke:

 

“Yu Wenxuan, congratulations on graduating.”

 

Yu Wenxuan froze for a second. Then, since the other didn’t say anything else, he gave a proper response:

 

“Thank you.”

 

In the two years that followed, he never saw Yu Zhixue again. Since everyone knew about their past tension, no one brought up Yu Zhixue around Yu Wenxuan.

 

In those moments when his mind wandered, Yu Wenxuan sometimes wondered when they might run into each other again. At a conference table? Would they still be rivals?

 

But he never expected their reunion would be at his own birthday party—and even less expected that they’d end up sleeping together.

 

He looked at Yu Zhixue’s pale fingertips and asked if he’d ever thought about having a boyfriend.

 

Watching Yu Zhixue’s stunned expression as he looked over, Yu Wenxuan actually felt a strange thrill and happiness.

 

Finally, you can’t calmly look at me and claim it was all in my imagination anymore.

 

…

 

After asking that question, Yu Zhixue didn’t reply—but he didn’t reject him either. It was like he was giving silent permission to “try.”

 

But this trying… was something few people knew about. Because Yu Wenxuan himself wasn’t sure whether Yu Zhixue was acting on a whim.

 

Maybe someday, he’d say he regretted it.

 

And if that day came, no one would blame Yu Zhixue for walking away.

 

But over time, Yu Wenxuan realized—he could no longer accept the possibility that it was just a whim.

 

That was when he first discovered that Yu Zhixue liked sweets, enjoyed watching absurd dramas that others found pointless, and would secretly cry when no one was looking.

 

He’d get sad when he didn’t see Yu Wenxuan, and he’d be happy all day over a simple souvenir.

 

If his eyes had captivated Yu Wenxuan for two years when they first met—then how long would it be now?

 

Yu Wenxuan lowered his head and kissed him softly in the flickering city lights outside the window, wondering:

 

Probably a lifetime.

 

…

 

After they got married, Yu Wenxuan never asked why Yu Zhixue used to hate him. It didn’t matter anymore—as long as he was here now.

 

Accidents always came without warning. Just before the rear-end collision, Yu Wenxuan had been wondering what gift to bring back for Yu Zhixue.

 

The next second, there was only pain and a ringing in his ears that made him want to throw up.

 

In the chaotic blur of flashing images and sound, Yu Wenxuan thought he heard someone crying.

 

Luckily, the accident wasn’t serious. After a few days of rest, he could move around again.

 

One day at work, when a sudden wave of dizziness hit, Yu Wenxuan thought it was a lingering symptom. He asked his assistant to leave and shut the office’s lounge door behind him, intending to sleep it off.

 

But when he woke up—the world had flipped upside down.

 

With only the memories from five years ago, Yu Wenxuan stared at the unfamiliar scenery outside the window. A steady knock came from the door.

 

He opened his phone—and saw the news that he was married.

 

Full of hesitation and confusion, he returned home—only to see a familiar figure he’d once always passed by.

 

Yu Zhixue, hair tied up, looked over at him. That single glance sent another storm raging through his heart.

 

Looking back now, Yu Wenxuan figured he must have liked Yu Zhixue for a long time—maybe even from the very beginning.

 

Otherwise, why would he have gone out of his way to help a complete stranger? Why would he have stubbornly chased after an answer?

 

But Yu Zhixue had worn his dislike on his sleeve, and Yu Wenxuan’s pride wouldn’t let him admit anything. So he buried it—deep.

…

The sky had brightened who knows how long ago. Yu Zhixue woke up a bit earlier than Yu Wenxuan and found him frowning in his sleep.

 

He reached out to smooth his brow, but before he could do much, his hand was caught.

 

Yu Wenxuan opened his eyes—not groggy at all, but filled with a deep, unreadable emotion.

 

He held Yu Zhixue’s hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of his wrist, his voice hoarse beyond reason.

 

“That time, I promised I wouldn’t leave your side—not even for a second. I’m sorry.”

 

The words hit Yu Zhixue like a punch. He was stunned.

 

Yu Wenxuan had said that during one of Yu Zhixue’s business trips—right before he lost his memory.

 

Seeing how shaken he was, Yu Wenxuan didn’t say anything more—just quietly waited for him to gather himself.

 

After a long silence, Yu Zhixue finally spoke:

 

“How much have you remembered?”

 

“All of it,” Yu Wenxuan said softly. “You’ve had a rough time.”

 

He recounted the entire process to Yu Zhixue, who sat on the bed, legs curled up, quietly listening.

 

When he finished, Yu Wenxuan suddenly asked something unexpected:

 

“Back in college—what did you think I thought of you?”

 

In all their years together, Yu Zhixue rarely brought up the past. After all, most of it was unpleasant and filled with conflict.

 

Yu Zhixue lowered his eyes and guessed, “Arrogant. Bad temper. Rude.”

 

Yu Wenxuan smiled. “Wrong.”

 

He held Yu Zhixue’s face in his hands and said seriously, “Want to know the truth?”

 

Even though the answer might not be good, Yu Zhixue still wanted to hear it. He nodded slightly—and heard Yu Wenxuan say:

 

“Back then, I thought you were especially beautiful. If you had smiled at me even once, I definitely would’ve chased you.”

 

Yu Zhixue’s eyes shot up. Yu Wenxuan saw his thick, black lashes trembling.

 

“When we weren’t together yet, I said we shouldn’t go public in case one of us regretted it. But now, three years have passed.”

 

Yu Wenxuan looked at him and said quietly:

 

“Do you regret it? I never have.”

 

Of course he knew how Yu Zhixue would answer—but he still wanted to hear him say it aloud.

 

Yu Zhixue quickly rebutted, firmly declaring:

 

“No. I’ve never regretted it. Not once.”

 

“Good,” Yu Wenxuan nodded, then leaned in and kissed the corner of his eye.

 

“Then let’s go public.”