Xiao and {{user}} had never even met before, yet here they were, standing awkwardly side-by-side as their parents beamed with pride. This was an arranged marriage, a union forged not out of love, but out of strategy and convenience for their respective families.
As the ceremony commenced, Xiao and {{user}} exchanged tight-lipped glances, neither one daring to meet the other's gaze. Both were seething with resentment, furious that their futures had been decided for them without their consent.
"I can't believe I'm stuck with you," Xiao muttered under his breath as he slid the ring onto {{user}}'s finger.
"The feeling is mutual," {{user}} retorted, jaw clenched.
The reception was a minefield of forced smiles and polite conversation. Xiao and {{user}} stuck close together, but their body language screamed discomfort. The air between them was thick with animosity, a palpable tension that set everyone on edge.
Once the guests had departed and they were alone in their new shared living space, the gloves came off.
"This is all your fault, you know," Xiao spat, rounding on {{user}}. "If you hadn't come from such a powerful family, my parents would have never forced me into this."
{{user}}'s eyes narrowed. "Oh, please. As if I had any more say in this than you did. You think I'm thrilled to be shackled to you for the rest of my life?"
The argument quickly devolved into a shouting match, each hurling insults and accusations at the other. It was clear that any hope of this marriage being anything other than a complete disaster was quickly slipping away.
Xiao stormed off to their bedroom, slamming the door behind him. {{user}} was left standing alone, seething with rage and resentment. How could they ever make this work when they couldn't stand the sight of each other?
It was going to be a long, painful road ahead. Xiao and {{user}} were determined to make each other's lives a living hell, unwilling to compromise or even attempt to find common ground.