MY ONE & ONLY OPTION ( Wangxian Rom-com)(COMPLETED)

Chapter-12

He left his office and headed for the elevator. He glanced across the room and saw Weiying in his office. he looked up and met his gaze. his lips curled in a soft smile, and he felt the corner of his own tug up in return.

Then he stepped into the elevator and riding up to the next floor where Lan Qiren’s office was located. He went back to Lan Qiren’s door and knocked.

“Come in,” Lan Qiren called.

Lanzhan entered the office. Lan Qiren was sitting behind his desk, but he stood up when Lanzhan came in, offering him a warm smile. He came around and embraced him for a brief moment before he gestured to the table where Lan Qiren often held personal meetings. He always served his clients tea, and Lanzhan saw that there was a spread waiting for them.

“Would you like to join me for some tea?” Lan Qiren asked.

Lanzhan thought about all of the paperwork that was waiting for him in his own office. He really needed to finish it, but he could tell that Lan Qiren wanted to talk.

“Sure,” Lanzhan said.

They sat down and Lan Qiren poured them each a cup of tea. Lanzhan took a sip of his as he waited for Lan Qiren to speak. It didn’t take long.

“How was your weekend in Yunmeng?” Lan Qiren inquired before he sipped his own tea.

“It was nice,” Lanzhan replied. “I shot a deer. That was interesting.”

Lan Qiren chuckled. “Hunting. It’s a Jiang's Clan wedding tradition, isn’t it?”

Somehow, Lanzhan wasn’t surprised that Lan Qiren knew that. Most of the time he thought that Lan Qiren knew everything. He let out a small chuckle.

“Yeah,” he said. “It’s kind of weird, right? But I guess it’s a big deal there. A way to prove you're a powerful Alpha or whatever.”

Lan Qiren nodded. “And how is Weiying? Is he settling into his new position?”

“Yeah, he’s doing great. He loves it.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” Lan Qiren set his cup down and looked at Lanzhan. “I want to ask you something,  nephew, and I would appreciate your honesty.”

Lanzhan felt his stomach drop. His uncle was sharp, and Lanzhan had wondered when Lan Qiren would question the legitimacy of his engagement. It seemed that time had come.

“Of course, Uncle,” Lanzhan said, struggling to keep his tone neutral.

Lan Qiren studied him for a moment with his intelligent eyes. “Are you marrying Wei Wuxian for citizenship, nephew?”

Lanzhan swallowed hard and dropped his gaze. He didn’t want to tell Lan Qiren the truth, but he couldn’t bear to lie to him.

“Yes,” he rasped out.

Lan Qiren nodded slowly, his eyes falling on his tea cup. “I had hoped that wasn’t true, although it had seemed...awfully convenient.”

Lanzhan could see the disappointment written all over his uncle’s face. “It’s not like that, Uncle. I...I had no choice.”

“You were facing deportation. I’m aware.” Lan Qiren looked up at him. “I hope Weiying is aware of your intentions, Lanzhan.”

His brow furrowed. “Of course. I was honest with his from the start.”

“Good. Does anyone else know?”

Lanzhan nodded. “Xichen and Meng Yao. It was their idea, actually.”

“Somehow, that does not surprise me.” Lan Qiren picked up his tea cup, but he didn’t drink from it. “I only hope you know what you are doing, nephew.”

“I do,” Lanzhan said.

Lan Qiren met his gaze. “I understand you may be desperate to stay—”

“Of course I’m desperate to stay here,” Lanzhan said. “I can’t go back. I refuse.”

Lan Qiren let out a sigh. “I understand, nephew. But do the benefits outweigh the risks?”

“Our interview went great,” Lanzhan snapped, feeling his irritation mount. “I’m not— we’re not—stupid. We’ve covered our asses. Once we get married, everything will be fine.”

“That’s not the only thing I’m talking about,” Lan Qiren said.

Lanzhan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Sometimes the way his uncle talked in riddles and metaphors could be downright infuriating.

“What are you getting at?” Lanzhan demanded to know.

“A lot can change over five years, Lanzhan,” Lan Qiren said thoughtfully. “Five years of living together, pretending to be married. Have you thought about what might happen if one of you falls in love with the others?”

Lanzhan averted his eyes. “That’s not going to happen. This is purely business.”

“Mm-hm.” Lan Qiren sipped his tea contemplatively.

Lanzhan studied with his uncle for a moment. “We’re getting married on the Lantern Festival.”

“So soon?” Lan Qiren quipped with false cheerfulness.

“Don’t jump to any conclusions,” Lanzhan grated. “It was his parents’ idea. We’ll be getting married on Yunmeng Island.”

“Yunmeng is lovely.”

Lanzhan looked at Lan Qiren pleadingly. “Uncle, please, no matter how you feel about what I’m doing, can you at least pretend to be happy for me? Can you just go along with it?”

“You’re asking me to lie to INS for you,” Lan Qiren said plainly.

“I’m aware,” Lanzhan replied irately. “You wouldn’t be lying if you hadn’t asked.”

Lan Qiren clucked his tongue in disapproval. “Don’t you turn this around on me, Lanzhan. This is your own doing. And you must live with whatever consequences come from it.”

“There aren’t going to be any consequences.”

“You can’t know that,” Lan Qiren said. “But you are my nephew, and I do not wish any ill will upon you, so I will do what I can to make sure this goes through.”

Lanzhan closed his eyes briefly and let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

“You know that I have looked at you as a son since Lan Ji…” Lan Qiren trailed off momentarily.

Lanzhan swallowed hard. “Uncle—”

Lan Qiren cut him off with a shake of his head. “I want you to be happy, Lanzhan. In all aspects. Perhaps...you could consider legitimizing this marriage.”

Lanzhan gaped at him. Was his uncle seriously suggesting Lanzhan should actually marry Weiying? And fall in love with him? That was insane.

“I’ve got time to meet someone else,” Lanzhan muttered. “It can’t be Weiying.”

Lan Qiren gave him a pointed look. “And why not?”

Lanzhan shook his head. “Because it just can’t be.” He didn’t want to talk about this anymore. He stood up. “Thanks for the tea.”

“Of course, nephew.” Lan Qiren got to his feet. “Please...just think about what I said, will you?”

“Yeah, sure.” Lanzhan started towards the door. “Oh, Mom and Sizhui will be coming out soon, too. Mind keeping this to yourself?”

Lan Qiren sighed. “That goes without saying, Lanzhan.”

“Thanks, Uncle.”

Lanzhan hurried back to his office, pushing the conversation with Lan Qiren from his mind. He had too much to worry about as it was. He wasn’t going to entertain his uncle's silly idea.

He couldn’t afford to.