My fiancé through a marriage alliance was incredibly busy; his younger brother practically handled everything for him. From delivering the contract to proposing, from choosing the house to looking at wedding dresses, he didn't even make an appearance three days before the engagement party. His younger brother told me. "Sister-in-law, my brother is like this because he has a girl he loved but couldn't have deep in his heart. The walls of his room are covered in her photos. Please don't mind." I minded very much, so I swapped my fiancé for his younger brother at the last minute. He had no objections and even happily said he would attend the engagement party. Except, on the day of the engagement, my fiancé disappeared. When I went backstage to find him, he was having a freestyle brawl with a man who looked very similar to him. "You knew I've been secretly in love with her for years! Why didn't you tell me the alliance was with her?!" "Why should I tell you? There are just as many photos of her in my room as yours. Brother, you taught me: fight for what you want." 1 "The contract... isn't it in your hands?" I frowned at the young man in front of me. He was handsome, but he didn't look very smart. "This... this is the contract I need to use later. Your marriage contract was eaten by the driver on the way here." He stammered, and I looked at him suspiciously. A week ago, I added my arranged fiancé, Arthur Vance, on Snapchat. Up until noon today, he had sent exactly one message. [I'm a bit busy lately. My brother will pass by your family's company this afternoon. I'll have him drop off the contract. If there are no issues, sign it and have him bring it back.] I replied with an 'okay'. Sure enough, the receptionist said someone was here to deliver a contract in the afternoon. It's just that this guy still looked indifferent when he closed the door, but the moment our eyes met, he suddenly jumped up from the sofa. And then, holding a contract, he said the contract was lost. "I'll text your brother and ask him to send someone else with another copy." I couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied. Was the Vance family being too insincere? We finalized the alliance a month ago. I haven't even met the eldest son, and the youngest son lost the contract he was supposed to deliver. Are they trying to show me who's boss? Frowning, I was about to text Arthur. I, Chloe Hastings, wasn't desperate to marry into the Vance family. There was no need to make things so ugly. "Don't!" The man hurriedly interrupted me. "I'll deliver the contract tomorrow. How about I treat you to a meal first and discuss the contract details on my brother's behalf?" I looked at the tips of his red ears, then checked my watch. I nodded in agreement. While waiting for the food, he suddenly seemed to have made some sort of resolution and started introducing himself. "My name is Ethan Vance. I'm 6'1", 162 lbs. I work out year-round, I have abs..." I frowned and cut him off. "Does this have anything to do with the contract?" Ethan's face turned red, and he suddenly looked at me a bit pitifully. "I guess not, but you'll be my sister-in-law from now on, so I wanted to introduce myself..." I was speechless. Looking at his somewhat pathetic but handsome face, my inexplicable anger suddenly vanished. "Okay, keep going." But Ethan stopped talking. He stared at me quietly and suddenly spoke. "Sister-in-law, did you ever change your name?" I blinked. "No... oh, wait, yes." If my stage name counts. He let out a long breath and then stopped chattering. Instead, he ate quietly. Although he stopped talking, he stared at me unblinkingly. His stare made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I had to focus all my attention on the food. Surprisingly, he ordered everything I loved to eat. When we parted ways, he took out his phone. Thinking I'd have to add him eventually anyway, I didn't refuse. However, after getting home, I still sent a message to Arthur. [I didn't receive the contract. Send someone with another copy tomorrow.] It took a long time for a reply. [My brother told me. Sorry, he's always been rash like this. He'll deliver a new copy tomorrow.] I sighed, thinking of Ethan's burning gaze, then looked at the cold attitude opposite me, as if he didn't want to say another word. I decided not to reply again. 2 Early the next morning, I saw Ethan downstairs. He was leaning against the car window, holding a folder, having waited who knows how long. When he saw me, his eyes lit up. "Sister-in-law." He walked over quickly, his pace a bit hurried. "I brought the contract." I reached out to take it, but he put it behind his back again. "No rush. Let's go pick out wedding rings today first, okay?" I was taken aback. "Is this your brother's idea too?" I was having trouble suppressing my anger, but Ethan's tone was sincere. "No choice, he's busy." Fortunately, Ethan was very humorous and handsome. He chatted with me all the way. It put me in a much better mood. He took me to a high-end luxury design boutique, which surprised me a bit. I knew this boutique; my friend had her wedding rings custom-made here. But the lead time was very long. For a marriage alliance like ours, it was usually just a formality. "Sister-in-law, the lead time depends on whether the money is right." Ethan was very serious. "Within three days, I can get you the ring you desire." After taking my measurements, I hadn't even figured out how to get Arthur's size when Ethan already extended his hand. I was dumbfounded. He flashed a wide grin at me. "Sister-in-law, my brother and I have very similar builds. If I can wear it, he definitely can." Suppressing the weird feeling in my heart, the corner of my mouth twitched. What a good brother. He handles everything, and looks incredibly happy doing it. The sales assistant didn't hear what we were saying and looked at me enviously. "Your boyfriend is so good to you. He's handsome and rich. Our boss usually doesn't take rush orders; I wonder how much he paid to cut in line like this..." Another sales assistant chimed in. "And the lady is so pretty, just like that celebrity I used to see on TV. A handsome guy and a beautiful girl. Your boyfriend's eyes are practically glued to you." No one dislikes being praised. My face felt hot, and I instinctively tried to explain. "No, he's..." Before I could finish, Ethan leaned in. "Thank you. We'll come pick up the rings in three days." A masculine scent enveloped me. Ethan stood behind me, one hand casually resting on the counter. Although he kept a respectful distance, I could smell the faint scent of cedar mixed with soap on him. There was a mirror behind the sales assistant. At first glance, it looked like he had me half-embraced in his arms, exactly like a couple deeply in love. Seeing the man in the mirror looking down at me with a burning gaze, my heart suddenly skipped a beat. Before I could turn around, he sat up straight. "Let's go." After picking out the rings, I brought up signing the contract again. But the moment I opened it, my gaze froze. Ethan Vance... I frowned and looked up at him. "Why isn't it Arthur Vance's name?" Ethan blinked and leaned in to look too. The cold scent on him was stronger. We were so close I could even see the fine peach fuzz on his face. "Oh no, messed it up again." I almost wondered if he was doing it on purpose. The man frowned, rubbing his head in frustration. "I'm so clumsy to make a mistake like this. Sister-in-law, you're not mad, are you?" A strong scent of manipulative sweetness. Seeing his tightly pressed lips and pitiful look, all my anger vanished instantly. "Forget it. I'll follow up with your brother later." But he shook his head. "My brother is too busy. You guys can sign the contract when you meet later." I nodded. "That's the only way." He added. "But my brother hasn't had any free time lately. He even finds it annoying when I text him. Sister-in-law, let's talk about this when he contacts you." I choked, feeling something was very off. But looking into his sincere eyes, I couldn't bring myself to say anything. "Okay, I understand." Seeing my agreement, the corner of Ethan's mouth curled up slightly. "Then I'll take you to pick up the rings in three days to see if they fit?" What else could I say? I just nodded and agreed. The three days passed quickly. Except for Ethan sharing a bunch of useless daily updates with me every day, Arthur's Snapchat was dead silent. 3 I was already used to it. It was a marriage alliance anyway. In our circle, it was an unspoken rule that it was just a title to bind the interests of the two families. There really wasn't much to talk about with a stranger. Instead, it was Ethan who made me suspect he might be interested in me. Every day it was 'Good morning, sister-in-law' and 'Good night, sister-in-law'. After breakfast, as soon as I walked out the door, I unsurprisingly saw Ethan's handsome face. "I picked up the rings." He pulled me towards the car. Looking at his intimate and expectant demeanor, I felt an indescribable weirdness. When the car door opened, I was completely stunned by the sight of it filled with flowers and balloons. Ethan took the ring from the passenger seat, got down on one knee, his eyes shining. "Miss Chloe Hastings, will you marry me?" My brain didn't process it for a moment. "What?" A flash of guilt crossed Ethan's eyes. "Hurry up, sister-in-law. A marriage alliance still needs some ceremony. How can you get married without even a proposal?" Without another word, he took my hand and started putting the ring on. I was dumbfounded. I watched as he, with trembling fingers, tried to put it on me three times but failed. Ethan's forehead started to sweat. "Did your brother ask you to do this too?" Seeing how nervous he was, I actually felt like laughing. Ethan was silent for two seconds, pinching the ring as if deflating. "No, he didn't say anything. I just wanted to make it up to you." "How can a girl get married without even a proposal?" I let out an "oh," took the ring, and put it on myself. Ethan looked at me with bright eyes. Then, he put the men's ring on his own hand. Faced with my confused look, he said. "I'm also seeing if it fits. I'll give it back to my brother when we get back." However, he dragged me shopping for a whole day, followed behind me paying for everything, and that ring stayed firmly on his hand. That night, after thinking for a long time, I still sent a message to Arthur. [Did you receive the ring?] Arthur replied very quickly. [Yes, I got it.] I let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed I was overthinking things. But for the next month, Ethan handled practically everything, showing up at my door every single day. Choosing the marital home, arranging the engagement party details, he even found the MC for the engagement party. The MC smiled until his eyes crinkled. "I've never seen such an attentive groom. You're truly blessed." The corner of my mouth twitched. I looked at Ethan, who was bustling about, and didn't say anything. The date got closer and closer, but I still hadn't met the legendary fiancé. Almost everyone thought my fiancé was Ethan. Who would have thought I hadn't even met my actual fiancé face-to-face yet? Even our messages stopped at the time I asked him about the ring. Until three days before the engagement party, I texted him, feeling somewhat speechless. "We have to at least take a photo for the engagement poster, right?" Even my wedding dress was picked out with Ethan accompanying me. When he paid, a bunch of sales assistants surrounded me, praising me to high heaven. But I couldn't feel happy. I knew neither party needed to invest true feelings in an alliance. But such a cold and dismissive attitude still annoyed me. This time, Arthur replied very quickly. [Sorry, I've been really busy and forgot. See you tomorrow.] 4 I tossed my phone aside in frustration and rubbed my temples. Ethan's messages kept popping up non-stop. [Sister, I saw a stray cat at the villa entrance. Its eyes are round, really miss you.] [Typo, looks a lot like you.] The weird feeling in my heart grew stronger. I didn't reply. Lately, Ethan was becoming more and more clingy. That weird feeling was as if we were a young couple about to enter marriage. I decided to keep my distance from him. Although it was an alliance, with Arthur's attitude, our post-marriage life would probably be like most alliances in our circle—we'd each do our own thing. But I had no intention of playing around with his younger brother. The next day, I washed up casually and went to the bridal shop. Along the way, thinking about the envious looks of the sales assistants when I tried on the dress, and their expressions when they see that the guy taking wedding photos with me is not the same guy who accompanied me to pick the dress. I felt a somewhat malicious anticipation. I expected to see what kind of expression they would have when they saw the guy taking wedding photos with me was different from the one who picked out the dress with me. I sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the bridal shop. Arthur's message still said he would be right there. [I've arrived. Remember to bring the contract.] I texted him, and he replied 'okay'. But I waited and waited, and Arthur still didn't show up. Just as I was getting extremely impatient, a Maybach finally slowly drove up not far away. Through the window, I locked eyes with the man who had just stepped out of the car. He got out and walked towards me. 5 My phone chimed with a notification, but I didn't open it. I just frowned tightly, looking at Ethan, who had already walked up to me. "Why is it you?" He chuckled. "I live nearby. I came to see how your wedding photoshoot with my brother is going. How is it? Going smoothly?" I didn't speak. Ethan looked around, his surprise a bit exaggerated. "He's still not here? Oh, my brother probably hasn't been to this area in a long time and doesn't know there's traffic right now." My mood worsened. He sat down opposite me, staring at me intently. "Sister-in-law, my brother is like this because he has a girl he loved but couldn't have deep in his heart. The walls of his room are covered in her photos. Please don't mind." I was taken aback. "What?" Ethan covered his mouth, looking at me apologetically. "Did no one tell you, sister-in-law?" I stood up abruptly. I can accept a marriage alliance partner having someone in their heart, but I cannot accept them loving someone deeply while simultaneously hiding it and being with me. Moreover, I definitely didn't want my future marital home to be plastered with photos of another girl. I took out my phone. "Thank you for telling me this. I'll make things clear with your brother. I definitely mind this. Let's just forget about the marriage." My family didn't only have one target for a marriage alliance. I had truly tolerated enough of Arthur lately. Arthur's message was still on my phone. [Sorry, Miss Hastings, I left early but got stuck in traffic. I'll be there in about half an hour. Please wait a little longer.] I typed a reply. [No need. There's no need to come.] My wrist was gently grabbed. Ethan's dark eyes stared at me unblinkingly. "Sister-in-law... no, Sister, the Vance family doesn't only have Arthur available for a marriage alliance." 6 I was startled. Ethan's voice seemed to carry a bewitching charm. "Sister, I'm not inferior to Arthur in any aspect, and I've also reached the age for a marriage alliance." This was practically laying it all out in the open. I looked at him in silence. "You like me?" Though phrased as a question, I was very certain. I wasn't stupid; I hadn't lacked suitors growing up. Ethan's behavior recently couldn't have been more obvious. The man opposite me smiled. He looked very good when he smiled, his eyes curving like a sly little fox. "Yes, I like you. If we change the alliance partner to me, the conditions between the two families remain the same. Is that possible?" My heart skipped a beat. After a two-second silence, I nodded. "Let's discuss it with both sets of parents." Even if I didn't ally with the Vance brothers, there were the Smiths and the Johnsons. The next alliance partner might do even worse than Arthur. In short, a handsome alliance partner who likes me and takes the initiative. Accepting him wasn't a bad thing. Ethan's breathing quickened, and he took a sudden step closer. "Really?" I nodded, not missing the wild joy in his eyes. "I'll tell my dad right now." He pulled out his phone to make a call while simultaneously reaching into his pocket. Then, he put it on his own ring finger. I was dumbfounded. Isn't that the ring? Didn't Arthur say Ethan had already given it to him? "Yes, my brother is too unreliable. He hasn't taken Miss Hastings seriously even now. Miss Hastings only didn't complain because she has a good temper." "Dad, to appease the Hastings family's anger, I've decided to sell myself to them." "Don't worry, Miss Hastings has already agreed. I'll perform well." The corner of my mouth twitched. Looking at Ethan talking nonsense so seriously, I wanted to laugh. I also called my dad. To him, it didn't matter who the alliance partner was. What mattered were the benefits the Vance family's network could bring. He had no objections either. When the call ended, I saw the message Arthur sent. [What do you mean? Sorry, Miss Hastings, I apologize for being late, but a marriage alliance is not a game. I hope you can consider the interests of both families.] [I will make it up to you later. I'll be there in ten minutes.] Ethan took my phone, looking like a proud rooster, and pressed the voice message button. "Brother, you don't need to come. The cooperation between the two families isn't terminated. Miss Hastings just decided to switch partners." The phone rang, and I heard Arthur's voice for the first time. He sounded somewhat angry. "Ethan, stop messing around and give the phone back to Miss Hastings." Before I could speak, Ethan couldn't wait to explain. "It's true. We've already closed the door to take wedding photos. Don't come over. That's it." He hung up the phone and suddenly buried his face in the crook of my neck. I was startled. Ethan's body shook as he giggled. Like a cat that stole a fish, so happy he was about to jump. I withdrew the motion to push him away and let him nuzzle me. Emotions are perhaps contagious; I also started feeling somewhat happy. Ultimately, compared to the always cold Arthur, whom I had never met. I preferred the green tea puppy in front of me. 7 Arthur indeed didn't show up again. He sent a final message. [I still must apologize. The company has been too busy recently, and I neglected you. But I must also congratulate you. I will send a generous gift to apologize at your engagement party with Ethan.] After all, he would be my brother-in-law in the future. I didn't want things to be too awkward, so I replied "okay". We didn't contact each other again. The marital home, wedding rings, and wedding dress were already prepared. And since Ethan was the one who accompanied me to buy and look at all of them, changing the fiancé made things proceed exceptionally smoothly. Only the names on the engagement invitations needed to be changed. The engagement party was still set for three days later. On the eve of the engagement party, the two families agreed to have dinner together. Because of Ethan's embellished complaints, Mr. and Mrs. Vance were very apologetic and full of praise for me. My parents had no objections either. "His dad is lazy and dumped the whole company on Arthur. He's carrying it alone, working overtime until dawn every day. He even got hospitalized for a stomach bleed last week. He was too busy, so he couldn't make it." Mrs. Vance glanced at me and still explained on behalf of her eldest son. I smiled faintly and didn't speak. I didn't care anymore anyway. Watching Ethan run around taking care of me like I was his ancestor, my smile came from the heart. "It's fine. It's good for brother-in-law to be busy." On the day of the engagement party, as guests filed in, Ethan suddenly pulled me aside. "Sister, will you only like me?" I froze, not understanding why he suddenly asked this, but still smiled and nodded. "Of course." His face was a bit pale. "Sister, how about we just exchange rings and leave the stage? I have social anxiety." I raised an eyebrow, not believing his nonsense at all. If he had social anxiety, then there was no one with social anxiety in this world. Ethan was acting weird today. He kept looking outside and then nervously fixing his gaze on me. I thought about it; maybe it was pre-wedding jitters. So I stood on my tiptoes and gently kissed his lips. "Stop overthinking. I don't have any exes. Who would come to crash the wedding?" After saying this, Ethan's body suddenly trembled. I instantly felt something was wrong and my face grew a bit serious. "You don't have an ex-girlfriend coming to crash the wedding, do you?" Ethan pouted. "No, you're the only person I've ever liked. I'm just scared..." He muttered, guiltily glancing at the main entrance where guests were being welcomed. "My heart is racing. Sister, kiss me again." I smiled and kissed his cheek, but suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness behind me. The next second, Ethan's arm around my waist tightened abruptly. He swallowed hard, staring straight at the door. I turned my head and followed his gaze. Our eyes met, and a stunning face, eight-tenths similar to Ethan's, entered my line of sight. This must be the elusive eldest brother. I thought. He was indeed good-looking, but different from my imagination. An aura of icy coldness surrounded him. But as he stared at my face, his pupils suddenly shrank, looking somewhat shocked. "Sister, Chloe, don't look at him." The arm around my waist tightened again, and Ethan's panicked voice sounded in my ear. I turned my head. Panic filled his eyes. "Look at me, okay?" I chuckled softly. "Hasn't the alliance partner been changed to you? What are you panicking about?" Perhaps this sentence gave Ethan courage. His furrowed brow relaxed slightly, and then, right in front of his brother, he buried his face in my neck and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm not afraid." I was about to get up and greet the guests when he pulled my arm. "Chloe, your lipstick is smudged. Go touch up your makeup. The engagement party is about to start." I shot him a reproachful look. It was all his fault, gnawing on me without a word like a little puppy. I turned and headed to the dressing room. When I came out, the MC ran over looking panicked. "The engagement party is about to start. Where did you two go?" I was taken aback. "Isn't Ethan here?" He frowned. "Wasn't he with you?" My heart sank. I picked up my dress and went backstage to look for him. Ethan... he didn't actually run away from the wedding, did he? However, before I took two steps, I heard Ethan's voice. Before I could relax, I heard an angry question. "Ethan! You knew I liked her! Why didn't you tell me the alliance partner was Chloe?!" After a muffled groan, I heard Ethan's smiling voice through the door. "Why should I tell you? You're stupid. You lost the person you looked for all these years even when she was delivered to your door. You deserve it." "Your room is covered with her photos. Mine has no less than yours. Brother, you taught me: fight for what you like." I stared blankly at the door, my mind completely scrambled. The next second, the door was yanked open. Ethan's rebellious smile froze, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.
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