The Ji family and the Wen family entered into a marriage alliance. The couple's relationship directly affects the market value of both families, and even moves the entire stock market.
And so...
In public, they were incomparably affectionate.
In private, they made no secret of how fake it all was.
These two century-old enterprises even had the public eating up their love story.
Onlookers all said they were shipping them: the sweetest couple among the elite, childhood sweethearts finally together!
Their friends in the know could only smile without saying a word. Everyone knew what they were like in private. Their greatest pleasure was contradicting each other, trading barbs every day, and watching the other blow their top.
They even swore they couldn't stand each other for more than six months.
Every day, they put on a performance in public, each determined not to let the other outshine them.
"Honey, have some water. I just blew on it to cool it down."
"Sweetie, have some shrimp. I just peeled it for you."
Onlooker No. 1: Ugh.
Onlooker No. 2: They really are trying their hardest to gross each other out.
Onlooker No. 3: Go ahead and gross each other out, but don't drag us into it.
-
Wen Sili was a leading figure of his generation, and true to his name, an elegant scoundrel. His cool, handsome face was always framed by gold-rimmed glasses, but they did little to hide his imposing aura.
One day, this always-dignified and impeccably dressed mogul attended a business forum. Beside his refined, abstinent-looking gold-rimmed glasses was an utterly incongruous punk skull earring.
It was brazen and rebellious, instantly catching everyone's eye.
A bold attendee stepped forward to ask about it.
The man's usually cold, intimidating gaze softened, even carrying a hint of pride. "My wife gave it to me, and designed and made it herself."
Everyone praised their deep devotion even more, and the market value of both families' stocks doubled the very next day.
Friend: Those two are really good at acting.
Then one day, when their group got together for a small gathering and the couple was late, a friend went out to look for them. The moment they stepped out of the private room, they saw the usually aloof man pinning his wife against the wall, meekly saying, "Don't be mad anymore."
Ji Wenxia gazed at him with her limpid eyes, her usually full lips smeared beyond recognition.
Friend: So that's what they mean by trading barbs. :)
Theme: Miracles are just around the corner. Wait a little longer.
