Chapter 99

Chapter 99

The winter break was short, and after sending Xie Zhigui back, Xie Qingyuan returned to her Taoist temple.

Had she not left, Xie Zhigui would be troubled about where to hide Ming Fei Yu; given his unwillingness to settle for less and bear grievances, he would surely cause some trouble, alerting Xie Qingyuan to something amiss.

With the new term approaching, Xie Zhigui took his documents to the school to process a delayed enrollment, asking Ming Fei Yu to wait for him at the school gate.

Ming Fei Yu was unhappy, not wanting to part with him, not even for an hour.

It was still a bit chilly in early spring, and as he wrapped the scarf tighter around Xie Zhigui to protect him from the cold wind, he voiced his discontent, “Why can't I come with you?”

Xie Zhigui explained, "Family members are not allowed inside."

Ming Fei Yu clearly liked this response; his lips quickly curled into a smile, but he deliberately put on a stern face and asked, “Who made that rule?”

“I made the rule.”

Ming Fei Yu, looking at him with his assertive demeanor, smiled slightly, "Quite domineering."

“Domineering as it may be, you’ll have to accept it.”

Xie Zhigui tiptoed slightly and planted a quick kiss on his face.

"Wait for me here."

No sooner had he finished than he dashed into the school, leaving Ming Feiyu to react.

Ming Feiyu stood still, watching his figure gradually disappear from view, the cold wind persistent, yet no longer bringing a sense of loss.

Inside the school.

Xie Zhigui first visited the counselor's office for a stamp of approval.

"Knock, knock—"

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, Xie Zhigui scanned the room and noticed the counselor wasn’t there, only a senior student.

The senior, spotting him, took off his headphones with a look of pleasant surprise, stood up with a smile, "Xie Zhigui?"

"Isn’t the official start of classes tomorrow? What brings you here today?"

Xie Zhigui courteously replied, "Good day, senior. May I ask where the teacher has gone?"

The senior: "Oh, the teachers are in a meeting at the comprehensive building."

Xie Zhigui: "Will it take long?"

The senior glanced at the clock on the wall, "Not too long, perhaps half an hour."

"Thank you, then I'll wait outside for a while," said Xie Zhigui, stepping back to close the door.

"Hey, hey!" The senior hurriedly walked over, placed a hand on the door frame, and with the other, tugged at Xie Zhigui's wrist, pulling him back inside, "No need for that, Zhigui. It's cold outside, come in and wait. There’s plenty of room anyway."

Xie Zhigui looked down at the hand grasping his own.

"Oh, sorry about that." The senior released his hand, stepped aside to make room, "Come in."

"Okay, thank you."

Xie Zhigui found a stool by the counselor's desk to sit down, barely settling his materials before a cup of hot water was handed to him from behind. He turned to thank the senior, blew on it to cool it down, and took a small sip. The senior pulled up a chair across from him and sat down.

Xie Zhigui glanced up and caught the senior staring at him, an expression of awkwardness spreading across his face upon being noticed.

Xie Zhigui wasn't oblivious. Setting down his cup, he looked straight into the senior's eyes and asked bluntly, "Senior, is there something you want to ask me?"

"No, nothing," the senior chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

"It’s just that... it’s been so long, and you seem even more handsome than before."

"Hmm," Xie Zhigui didn't care to explore what had changed about his appearance.

He didn't mind others calling him "pretty" or "good-looking," but he disliked being scrutinized with a gaze filled with desire.

Of course, Ming Feiyu was the exception.

Even if he didn’t like it, he had gotten used to it and couldn't do much about it.

"What is this?"

The senior picked up the documents Xie Zhigui had placed on the table, skimmed them briefly, and looked up in surprise, "Are you dropping out?"

Xie Zhigui snatched the documents back and stuffed them into his bag without giving the senior a second glance, his tone detached, "It's just a deferral of admission."

The senior became anxious, asking hurriedly, "Why defer? Are you unwell, or has something happened at home? You can tell me; maybe I can help."

Xie Zhigui replied, "It’s a private matter."

The senior stood up from his chair, even more astonished, "What kind of private issue causes you to not attend school? You haven't done anything illegal, have you?"

"Senior, I've said it's a private matter."

His intent to avoid answering was clear, but the senior didn't seem to get it, prattling on relentlessly. Glancing at the wall clock, Xie Zhigui saw there were five minutes left before the counselor would return, and it wasn't the time to just walk away.

Annoyed by the incessant questioning, he stated plainly, "I'm getting married."

"Married?" A look of bewilderment flashed in the senior's eyes as if he couldn't grasp the meaning of the word.

Then he looked down and noticed the ring on Xie Zhigui's right hand, his mind exploding with realization.

"Married!!!"

“Whom are you planning to marry?! Hold on, just how old are you to be getting married now!”

He shouted excitedly, attempting to rush over and grasp Xie Zhigui's shoulders. Xie Zhigui nimbly stood up and dodged to the side, his gaze cold and vigilant.

"Senior, your reaction is a bit too much."

The senior, flustered, tried to defend himself, "No, Zhigui, I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I'm worried you're being deceived!"

Xie Zhigui cut him off, "Firstly, I am an adult and I'll take responsibility for my choices; secondly, I'm naturally marrying my lover, it couldn't possibly be you; and lastly, what right do you have to question me?"

Xie Zhigui's demeanor was cool and distant, effectively silencing the words of the senior before striding towards the door without giving him a chance to retain him, regardless of how the senior stuttered in his attempts.

The office door slammed shut behind him, and leaning against the door panel, he breathed in the fresh air deeply, hearing a frustrated growl emanate from within.

He sighed quietly to himself, regretting not waiting outside if he had known this encounter would occur.

He was also relieved that Ming Feiyu had not followed him, for if he had, the fellow inside would not know how much more he might have had to suffer under Ming Feiyu's hand.

It wasn't that he was concerned about that person's well-being; he simply did not want to spend time and effort explaining to Ming Feiyu about some inconsequential people and matters.

A sense of security is something that should be mutually provided.

Even the strongest of bonds can't withstand the onslaught of misunderstandings, time and again.

For a mere formality, he had run all over the school, from one place to another, and just as he arrived, he was told to go somewhere else; for a few simple stamps, it took an entire morning to complete.

In the brisk chill of early spring, he was dressed in several layers provided by Ming Feiyu, so well-insulated that he broke out in a thin sweat on his forehead, feeling like a steamer, emitting moist, hot vapors.

He was so warm that he wanted to take off his scarf and hat, but on second thought, he decided to keep them on to avoid a scolding later.

He walked towards the school gates, his pace shifting from a saunter to a brisk walk, and without realizing when, he began to jog.

Because he couldn't wait, and also because he simply couldn't wait.

Advancing against the cold wind, the warm breath turned into puffs of white mist, his chest rising and falling more dramatically, and when the school gates came into view, his heartbeat and senses suddenly quickened.

He saw Ming Feiyu, who was raising his arm high to wave at him; Ming Feiyu had also seen him and was walking his way.

"A-Yu—"

“Xie Zhigui!”

A voice called out loudly from behind him; Xie Zhigui turned at the sound and saw his senior running towards him swiftly.

“Wait for me!”

He caught up to Xie Zhigui, panting from the run, “I-I have something to tell you.”

“What is it,” Xie Zhigui said, his impatience evident.

He glanced sidelong at Ming Feiyu not far away, noticing Ming Feiyu had come to a halt, standing still, their gazes meeting briefly before Ming Feiyu’s probing eyes swept over the senior. Xie Zhigui knew that look was anything but friendly.

But why isn’t he coming over? What is he waiting for?

“What exactly is it?” Xie Zhigui, unable to guess Ming Feiyu’s thoughts, felt an uncharacteristic anxiety stirring within him, his gaze repeatedly drawn in that direction.

The senior, looking into his face, noticed that even without a smile and despite an air of impatience, Xie Zhigui was still strikingly handsome—a face that could seize his attention from a crowd. A flustered blush quickly spread over his cheeks, his speech becoming less coherent, “I-I just wanted to tell you that I actually, I…”

“I know,” Xie Zhigui murmured.

The senior was surprised, “What do you know?”

Before he could finish, Xie Zhigui had started to jog towards a man not too far away with an otherworldly appearance.

The instant their gazes met, the man showed no emotion, just a bland look, yet it instilled a sense of horror as if he was marked by some venomous creature from the depths of the wilderness, causing him to notice his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Who is he? What is his relationship with Xie Zhigui?

“A-Yu, lower your head.”

“Why?”

“To kiss.”

As Xie Zhigui spoke, he moved closer, wrapping his arms around Ming Feiyu’s neck, gently coaxing him to tilt his head down and planting a decisive kiss. Ming Feiyu's pupils dilated for a moment, then understanding, he placed one hand on Xie Zhigui's waist and the other cradling his head, moving tenderly with the rhythm of Xie Zhigui's breath, their kiss deepening and intertwining, indistinguishable.

There weren’t many people at the school gates at this hour, just a few scattered around, but Xie Zhigui’s boldness in initiating a kiss here meant he wasn’t afraid of being seen. Whoever saw, whatever they said, he didn’t care anymore.

It was time—he needed to let everyone around him know that he belonged to Ming Feiyu, and Ming Feiyu was his.

Whether it's through sitting down for a calm and collected conversation or indulging in public displays of affection as if no one else existed.

He was done hiding this relationship; he wanted to love Ming Feiyu fervently, courageously, and straightforwardly—like the scorching sun of the dog days, like a wildfire spreading across the fields.

This was what Ming Feiyu had been waiting for—for him to dash willingly into his arms, to kiss him, to embrace him, and to boldly declare to all—“We are lovers.”

Devoted lovers.

The kiss grew longer and deeper, Ming Feiyu sparing a glance towards the so-called senior. This time, intimidation was unnecessary; the other had conceded before even beginning.

His Ah Gui was truly becoming more attuned to him.

By the time they finished, the senior had already left. Xie Zhigui was indifferent, not even bothering to glance back as he caught his breath and pulled Ming Feiyu away.

He laughed, “All the formalities are taken care of, let’s go home.”

Ming Feiyu tightened his grip and they started walking home. After a few steps, he asked knowingly, “That person has liked you since your freshman year, and today he ran across the entire school to stop you, wanting to confess. Aren’t you going to explain things to him?”

Xie Zhigui countered with a puzzled tone, “How do you know that?”

“I know everything about you,” Ming Feiyu said calmly, looking ahead.

Xie Zhigui smiled silently.

Really, he always liked to play these sorts of games.

Well, let him know. After all, there was nothing that Xie Zhigui couldn’t share with Ming Feiyu.

Xie Zhigui stopped, his interlocked hands causing Ming Feiyu to halt as well. Xie Zhigui gazed into his eyes, seeing his own reflection.

“I don’t need to explain anything to him. No matter how many people like me, I only need to answer to you, to be responsible for you, to reassure you of my love, and to let you enjoy being loved by me because you are the one who is my lover.”

Ming Feiyu looked at him intently and, after a few seconds, stepped forward to wrap him in an embrace, “Ah Gui, I’m really happy today.”

This embrace was especially tight and warm.

Xie Zhigui also reached out his arms to hold him, tilted his head up, and asked, “What about you? If something like this happened to you, would you explain it to me?”

“I won’t let it happen.”

Ming Feiyu closed his eyes and lightly kissed his forehead—a gesture of solace and a pledge of fidelity.

If it were anyone else making such a claim, Xie Zhigui might dismiss it as a fleeting boast, but coming from Ming Feiyu, he believed it would be followed through.

They took a path less traveled on their way home, where the afternoon sun cast a warm, bright trail beneath their feet. Walking hand in hand with his love amidst the fragrant flowers and greenery, Xie wished the road were longer, the time slower, aimless in direction, but never without his companion.

Like now, understanding each other without the need for words, simply continuing side by side was all they required.

Passing a bush, Xie Zhigui heard a rustling within and curiously peered inside.

“What is it?” Ming Feiyu asked.

Xie Zhigui turned his head with a light chuckle, “Nothing much, just a couple of kittens.”

Then, looking towards the clear, clean sky with a gentle breeze caressing his face and the constant rustling in the bushes, he sighed, “Spring has truly arrived.”

Ming Feiyu nodded, gripping his hand tighter.

“Ming Feiyu.”

With tender affection, Xie Zhigui called to him, his eyes locked on his, his tone deliberate and gentle as if it were the embracing sunlight around them—warm, bright, and enduring—he said, "I want to marry you."

A warm, deep smile filled Ming Feiyu's eyes, affectionate and lingering, “Yes.”

This was a request he would never deny.

A sliver of sunlight fell precisely on the spot where two rings lay side by side, filling the gaps with a heart-shaped halo.

This was the tenderness and romance of spring.