Chapter 4

The Public

Adrien wanted to show his real self to her.

Not this fake persona that she always dreamed about.

It was hard for her to open to him. He knew it was because of his stupid personality act he puts up. But he didn't know how to act around her. What should he do?

He threw the magazine on his table. It had some information on him shopping for wedding rings. They really need to release the truth to the world soon.

Marinette called Chat's number again. Again, he didn't pick up. Instead this time it said, "This phone number has been deactivated." She sighed.

She and Adrien had been shopping for stuff for the wedding all of last week. He still had a cold expression, but was surprisingly very smart. He looked into every little thing. Today they were taking a break from the money spending. Marinette was sitting down on the couch watching a Chinese movie, while Adrien was working on his laptop doing work. Marinette was going to start working in the company starting in the next few weeks.

Adrien then suddenly shouted, "Ni kan shenme?" Marinette recognize the language as Chinese. "I can't speak Mandarin."

"You're Chinese yet you can't speak Mandarin?," of course he already knew this. He saw her watching the movie with French subtitles on. Adrien was thinking he could teach her and have some bonding time.

"Just because I'm Chinese doesn't mean I can speak Chinese," she retorted.

"How about I teach you?"

"How about no? I've managed to go without speak Chinese for 23 years, I can handle it."

"When we visit China for work, you will have to speak the language," he teased. Marinette didn't want to admit it, but he was right. "Fine. I'd would rather have an actual teacher than you."

"Ah c'mon. Would you want a strict person teaching you or a kind soul like me?"

"You're far from a kind soul."

Adrien gave her the puppy eyes. Which - of course - she couldn't resist.

"Oh alright. But you better be actually teaching me. Not saying words that are stupid in Mandarin." He nodded.

And that's how the Chinese lessons began.

It had been almost two weeks since she started the lessons with Adrien, and she was actually getting the hang of it.

He was teaching her the right things, she confirmed it when she was practising with her mom. His pronunciation was so perfect! She had a little French accent in hers and was hoping to get rid of it soon. From the time they started, they both spoke Chinese so she could practice it a lot more. Speaking is one thing, typing, writing, and reading was a whole different subject. She could recognize a few words...mostly food. God how much she loved Chinese food. Not to mention snacks, which she buys every time she goes to the Asian supermarket.

"What is this word?"

"Wae si... muh?"

"That's right!," Adrien had been showing his soft side lately. Not to mention those cute little dimp-. Marinette stopped herself. He felt like Chat, but he wasn't. They had the same eyes...but not the same sweet voice.

Later, she got a letter in the mail.

The only word she knew was her Chinese name.

"Hey Adrien? What does this say?"

He was looking intently at his computer screen, without looking away he waved for her to come close. Marinette placed the letter in his hands.

"To Marinette Dupain-Cheng, from Kong Bi Ming."

Marinette frowned.

"Bi Ming? Who is that?"

"I feel like I've heard this name before... isn't he a singer?"

"Wait, Kong is my uncle's surname! Maybe this is my cousin! Read the rest", she begged.

"Dear Marinette- can you please not look over my shoulder? You can't even read it!"

"Fine."

"Anyways, I haven't met you and it would be a pleasure to meet you! I'm your cousin, Bi Ming! My mom likes to talk about you every time she sees you. Always complaining about not having a daughter ha ha ha."

"Does it really say ha ha ha?"

"Yeah, it's an actual word. A whole complex character."

"Okay... continue."

"Maybe we could meet up sometime? I'm coming to France in a few weeks for my tour. I've enclosed some tickets so you can come enjoy the concert!" They both looked the 2 tickets inside the envelope.

"They're backstage passes too, hope you can come! It's on March 27!"

"Isn't that day scheduled for the wedding?", Marinette commented. Adrien nodded in response.

He continued reading, "Anyways my mom sends lots of love." Adrien squinted. "What?", Marinette asked.

"There's no direct translation for this word."

"Whatever, you read most of it anyways", she grabbed the letter.

Marinette than begged,"CAN I PLEASE GO?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Um? Because we're getting married that day?"

"Why can't we just postpone it?"

"Why don't we postpone the concert?"

Marinette gritted her teeth. Why was he so set on marrying on her? She typed in 'Bi Ming' into the search bar on her phone. She pressed on the first image, and boy was he smokin hot.

The young woman scrolled through more photos. She understood the appeal. Was he already famous in France? How come he looked so familiar? Wait, isn't he model for Agreste? She was going to work with him! Marinette was excited that she was gonna work with a long lost relative. Well technically he wasn't 'lost' but she hasn't met him yet.

What was her mother talking about? About not liking his music? It's literally setting the roof on fire.

A certain Chat was getting jealous.

"What are you doing? Drooling over your cousin?"

"No! God, I'm not that weird!" He peered over her shoulder. "Yes, you are." Marinette continued scrolling through his music videos that his company posted on Youtube. Even Adrien could admit that he was good. But he didn't say it out loud.

Just then Adrien's phone started ringing. "Hello? Wait what?" He walked over to the TV and turned onto a celebrity news channel. In big bold words were:

Adrien Agreste is Dating Chloé Bourgeois?

Adriens face turned red from anger. "Like I would care", Marinette grumbled. To be honest, she was a little jealous. Only a teeny tiny bit.

Yes, I can speak Mandarin. Pinyin is the cringiest, I hate spelling it out. Also when people spell you're as your. I also lost the original extra 500 words so I'm sorry if this is kind of rushed because I freaked out. Hope you enjoyed this 'filler chapter'. Sorry if this is shorter than most. Still studying. I did not proof read.