Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 80

Chapter 80: The Wedding

Zhao Shenggu quietly made some trouble for the newspaper that had leaked the story — really just a warning, to let them know a tiger's whiskers aren't so easy to touch. It happened to suit his purposes perfectly; otherwise, he wouldn't have let them off so easily. His slight move scared the newspaper half to death.

Sure enough, not long after, Huaguo passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage. There was both criticism and praise, but overall—thanks to Zhao Shenggu's groundwork—the public reaction was much milder than expected.

Although the law was passed, given Huaguo's social atmosphere, same-sex couples were still hesitant. No one wanted to be the first to take the plunge.

Just one month after the law was enacted, Zhao Shenggu took the initiative to announce that he would marry his same-sex partner, sending shockwaves around the world.

On TV, in newspapers, on the radio—every media outlet was reporting the news, spreading across the globe at hurricane speed.

"My God, celebrities really are different—he actually dares to marry someone of the same sex!"

"What's so remarkable about same-sex marriage? Didn't we have 'split peaches and broken sleeves' in ancient times? Those were common back then. Is there really any need to make such a fuss? What I'm more curious about is who his same-sex partner is—I haven't seen any reports about that!"

[Split Peach: from the story of Mi Zixia, a favorite of Duke Ling of Wei, who gave the duke a half-eaten peach.]

[Broken Sleeve: from Emperor Ai of Han, who cut off his own sleeve rather than wake his sleeping male favorite Dong Xian.]

"Big shot, please accept my kneeling worship!!!"

"Disgusting. Two men getting married, and they even passed a same-sex marriage law. I really don't know what the country is thinking—isn't this corrupting public morals?"

"Wow, they're so brave. I bow in admiration..."

Within Huaguo, there were those who approved and, of course, those who disapproved. Compared to the mixed reception at home, internationally there was much less discussion about same-sex marriage itself—most people were curious about who Zhao Shenggu's partner was.

For a time, the whole world was buzzing.

Reporters camped outside Yuangu suddenly multiplied, and some especially resourceful ones even tracked down where they lived. When Zhao Shenggu came out of the company, he was surrounded by reporters, unable to move.

"Mr. Zhao, who is your partner?"

"Mr. Zhao, are you really planning to marry someone of the same sex?"

"Mr. Zhao, if you marry someone of the same sex, would you consider having children?"

"Mr. Zhao..."

"Mr. Zhao..."

The cameras and microphones never stopped. If not for the fierce-looking bodyguards beside Zhao Shenggu, every reporter would have loved to cling right onto him.

Zhao Shenggu pressed his hand down gently, and the authoritative presence he'd developed over years of being in charge quickly quieted the reporters.

"I am indeed going to marry my beloved, and he is indeed a man. We have a wonderful relationship—without him, there would be no me today. I believe that as long as it's true love, it doesn't matter whether it's same-sex or opposite-sex. I will live happily with my beloved. The wedding will be soon, and I'll invite you all to bear witness." With that, he said no more and was escorted by his bodyguards into the car.

"Hey, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Zhao..."

A female reporter took off her broken high heel and threw it to the ground in frustration: "Such a great man is actually getting married—and to a man, no less!"

A middle-aged female reporter next to her glanced at her. "Xiao Wang, no matter who Mr. Zhao marries, it's not our place to comment. If other reporters see you like this, aren't you afraid they'll write something nasty?"

The female reporter's face went pale, and she quickly pretended to know nothing. "Senior, I don't know what you're talking about?"

"If you don't understand, then don't talk nonsense."

When Zhao Shenggu got home, the reporters outside had already been chased away. Guan Yuan placed Chanchan in Zhao Shenggu's arms: "Look at what you've done — I didn't even dare step outside all day today."

Chanchan stared at his daddy in Zhao Shenggu's arms, then gave Zhao Shenggu a sweet smile. His daddy had seemed to be in a bad mood today and hadn't chatted with him much. Now that his dad was home, everything was better.

Zhao Shenggu touched his nose: "Alright, alright, I didn't think it through. The reporters outside are gone now. From now on, you can go wherever you want, and they can take as many pictures as they like. Isn't that what we wanted—to be open and aboveboard about our marriage?"

Guan Yuan thought about it and supposed he was right, but the thought of being stared at like a giant panda wherever he went in the future dampened his mood.

Zhao Shenggu could naturally tell what he was worried about: "They're just curious for now. Once more same-sex couples get married and there are more of us, they won't be camped outside our door anymore." Unfortunately, Zhao Shenggu had underestimated the appeal of Huaguo's first same-sex couple — no matter where they went from now on, they would always be surrounded by onlookers.

"Fine." Guan Yuan certainly understood Zhao Shenggu's good intentions. Who wouldn't want to walk openly with their beloved? And this way, even if some unsavory characters approached in the future, at least he could fight back from the position of legal spouse. At that thought, Guan Yuan's mood improved, and he waved his hand magnanimously: "Alright, let's eat."

Chanchan and Zhao Shenggu both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

Chanchan didn't talk much at the dinner table—he just buried his head and ate. He was very good with his spoon now, and Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu had to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't eat too much.

After the family finished eating, Guan Yuan felt Chanchan's round little belly and looked at him helplessly: "Chanchan, you've eaten too much again. Walk around the room a few times, or you'll get indigestion."

Chanchan looked at his daddy with an innocent expression, hoping to be let off the hook. But Guan Yuan's expression didn't change, and Chanchan knew what he meant. He sighed helplessly, stood up, and waddled around the room. So annoying—this was supposed to be chatting time with his two dads.

Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan watched him shuffle around the room like a roly-poly toy and both laughed unkindly, earning a resentful look from Chanchan.

Guan Yuan made a stopping gesture. "Alright, Daddy's not laughing anymore." He said it while forcing down his smile. Chanchan then fixed his gaze on Zhao Shenggu, as if to say his dad was still laughing.

Zhao Shenggu quickly wiped the smile off his face: "Alright, Dad's not laughing either. Chanchan, be a good boy and digest your food."

"Xiao Yuan, we need to pick a good day for the wedding." Zhao Shenggu produced a yellowed booklet from somewhere. Guan Yuan leaned over and saw it was an almanac.

Zhao Shenggu's finger pointed to the sixteenth of August: it clearly said "suitable for marriage."

"August sixteenth—that's less than half a month away. Is there enough time?" Guan Yuan asked, stroking his chin.

"Enough. The sooner the better." Zhao Shenggu looked like he couldn't wait.

Guan Yuan was amused by him. "Why are you acting like this? We're already living like we're married — this is just a formality."

Though he said that, as the wedding day drew closer, Guan Yuan couldn't help feeling nervous. Even Chanchan noticed.

"Daddy, why do you keep spacing out?" Chanchan was chatting with Guan Yuan, but Guan Yuan kept drifting off. To Chanchan, this was... this was simply unbearable.

"Oh, sorry. What were you saying?" Guan Yuan had been thinking about the upcoming wedding and accidentally lost focus.

Chanchan huffed and turned his head away, then turned back: "Promise me, you can't space out again this time. You've done it several times already—I've forgiven you for all the previous ones!"

"Cough, okay..." Guan Yuan felt embarrassed too.

"Daddy, we were just talking about why the birds in the trees are always chirping."

"Oh, that's their language—just like how you're talking now. Think about it: if you weren't allowed to speak for a whole day, could you do it?" Guan Yuan thought for a moment and said.

Chanchan tilted his head and thought about it, then found the idea absolutely agonizing. He answered honestly: "No, I couldn't. But Daddy, why don't other animals chirp like that? Daddy? Daddy?"

Chanchan saw that Guan Yuan had spaced out again. He helplessly looked up at the ceiling, got off the sofa, and toddled away in a huff. 

I'm going to chat with Grandpa Butler. Daddy keeps ignoring me—I'll let him know I have a temper too.

The day arrived despite Guan Yuan's nervousness.

That day, Zhao Shenggu hosted a grand banquet, sending invitations far and wide. Figures from the political world, the business world, the media, and Yuangu's employees all gathered together. The wedding was held in Chinese style.

Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan were both grooms. They wore red groom's outfits and toasted a few key guests. No matter what these people thought privately, they all wore joyful expressions on the surface.

The media present would broadcast the entire wedding without missing a moment—the whole country would witness this century wedding.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan, with Old Master Li as witness, bowed to Heaven and Earth and to their elders, then bowed to each other. When Old Master Li announced the ceremony complete, the entire venue erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Guan Yuan looked at all of this. This time, not only were they together, but they had received blessings from so many people—something he never would have dared imagine in his previous life.

Before he knew it, tears blurred his eyes.

A pair of warm hands grasped his, then gently wiped away his tears. A soft voice whispered in his ear: "Baby, be good. From now on, we'll be together for all our lives, never to be separated."

Guan Yuan answered through his tears: "Mm."

How fortunate it is to have found a partner to lean on each other. We will watch Chanchan grow up together, watch him get married and have children, grow old together, then walk together into the sunset, supporting each other. When winter comes, we will light a fire and sit around its dim glow, wearing reading glasses, reading and talking together!

Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan looked at each other and smiled, both seeing determination in the other's eyes.

In this moment — till the seas dry up and the rocks crumble, their love will never waver!