Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Xie Qingfeng, looking at the camera, couldn't help but reveal a radiant smile, the tender affection in his eyes almost spilling out from the photo.

However, due to the kangaroo's large head, its vision was blocked and it couldn’t see this moment.

Xie Qingfeng thought the photo session was over, only to see the kangaroo mascot carefully put the camera back and tidy up the tripod, then continued to touch its bulging belly, which seemed to be stuffed with something.

Suddenly, the kangaroo stumbled forward, startling Xie Qingfeng, who quickly moved to support it.

But unexpectedly, it knelt on one knee and pulled out a carefully compressed bouquet from its “pouch.” As it was released, the bouquet burst open with a pop, revealing a bunch of dewy roses that dazzled under the summer sun.

Xie Qingfeng took a while to recover, still bending over, the scent of the flowers enveloping him. The kangaroo’s large head was very close, and now at his eye level due to its kneeling position.

He felt as if he could see Jing Xi smiling through the kangaroo's eyes.

Being so close, he could even hear Jing Xi’s voice, “Congratulations on your graduation.”

Xie Qingfeng’s voice was a bit hoarse; he had anticipated Jing Xi might find a way to show up, but not like this. Despite his preparedness, he was still moved.

Whether before his time travel or after, he was acutely aware of Jing Xi’s feelings for him.

The thought of what might have been, had Jing Xi not come with him into this unfamiliar time and space, left him feeling both moved and scared. Without Jing Xi, he would have spent decades alone in this strange world.

Xie Qingfeng didn’t dare to think further. He lifted the bouquet to his chest and suddenly embraced Jing Xi.

Jing Xi was surprised and delighted, but because he had stuffed the kangaroo pouch to hide things and avoid crushing the flowers, he couldn’t fully return the embrace.

After the embrace, Xie Qingfeng glanced at curious onlookers nearby, straightened up, and pulled the kangaroo away.

Reaching a quieter area, he suddenly started running with the kangaroo.

With the graduation ceremony over, there was no need to stay, and considering the hot weather, he didn’t want Jing Xi to remain in the costume.

Sure enough, once they got home and Jing Xi took off the costume, his clothes underneath were soaked. Xie Qingfeng pursed his lips and sighed, “Are you silly?”

Jing Xi glanced at him, about to say something, but then, playing the fool, spread his arms and tilted his head, “Brother, what are you saying? I don’t understand, my brain is slow.”

Xie Qingfeng felt a shiver run through him, “Great, there goes all the emotional moment, utterly destroyed.”

Jing Xi, feigning ignorance addictively, spread his hands: “I don’t know how to bathe. Brother, will you help me wash?”

Xie Qingfeng: “…”

Jing Xi, shaking his head and pretending to be unsteady, fell towards Xie Qingfeng, who, helplessly, caught him in his arms.

Laughingly, Jing Xi rubbed his sweat-covered body against Xie Qingfeng.

Now, unwilling or not, a bath was inevitable.

Jing Xi, far from being well-behaved in the bath, didn’t just stop at bathing. After an hour, he dragged Xie Qingfeng into a lengthy teasing session, only settling down to bathe again with Xie Qingfeng when he was exhausted to the point of almost kicking Jing Xi out.

Returning, Xie Qingfeng glanced outside. The curtains were drawn, making it unclear what time it was, but it was obviously still light out.

Too lazy to bother, he was about to drift off to sleep when he felt Jing Xi holding his hand, slipping something cool onto his left middle finger.

In a daze, Xie Qingfeng felt it; it seemed like a ring. Overwhelmed with sleepiness, he only heard Jing Xi’s gentle coaxing, “Sleep now.”

His last conscious thought was of Jing Xi’s soft kiss on his forehead before he completely fell asleep.

When Xie Qingfeng woke up again, it was already dark, the aroma of food wafting in from the living room. Turning over in bed, his fingers twitched, finally noticing something extra there.

He lifted his hand; in the darkness, it was hard to see clearly, but his improved vision due to his higher cultivation level allowed him to discern a ring on his left middle finger.

It seemed his pre-sleep sensation hadn’t been wrong; indeed, a ring had been placed on his finger.

And on that particular finger, the implication was all too clear: a proposal. And Jing Xi had stealthily put it on, leaving no room for refusal.

Xie Qingfeng examined the ring repeatedly until the door softly clicked open. He then put his hand back down.

Jing Xi entered to check if he was awake, perfect timing for dinner. Sensing that Xie Qingfeng was awake, he asked, “Ready to eat?”

Xie Qingfeng hummed in agreement, “Yes!”

Jing Xi, hearing his spirited response, couldn’t help but laugh lightly, but then, his gaze inevitably drifted to Xie Qingfeng’s left hand.

Just hidden under the thin blanket, nothing was visible. The room was cool with air conditioning, and Xie Qingfeng, in his pajamas, got up from under the covers.

Passing by Jing Xi to go to the bathroom to freshen up, he stopped at the bathroom door, Jing Xi still following him.

Xie Qingfeng feigned ignorance, turning back, "What's up?"

Jing Xi touched his nose, "Nothing, go ahead and wash." Why hasn't he noticed? Isn't it obvious? Or is he still groggy from sleep?

It wasn't until Xie Qingfeng sat at the dining table, enjoying the meal to their hearts' content, and put down his bowl that Jing Xi realized Xie Qingfeng had known all along.

Jing Xi put down his bowl gently, chuckling, "Don’t you have anything to ask me?" His gaze still flickering towards Xie Qingfeng's left hand.

Xie Qingfeng casually retorted, "Ask what?"

Jing Xi couldn’t hold back, grinning, "About the engagement ring."

Xie Qingfeng played dumb, "Really? I thought it was just a regular gift. So it’s a proposal, huh."

Jing Xi grew anxious, "Isn’t it okay?"

Xie Qingfeng pretended to remove the ring, "Isn’t it too precious? Maybe..."

Jing Xi reached across the table, grabbing his hand, his dark pupils fixed on Xie Qingfeng, eagerly, "No, you can’t. Wearing it means you’ve agreed, no going back."

Xie Qingfeng never intended to remove it; seeing Jing Xi’s reaction almost made him laugh, his eyes shining with mirth that grew until he genuinely laughed.

Jing Xi realized he'd been tricked, playfully biting Xie Qingfeng’s forehead, "You love to scare me."

Xie Qingfeng clicked his tongue, "Not sincere enough."

Jing Xi, smiling, sat back down, "When shall we visit your parents?"

Xie Qingfeng, "Why?"

Jing Xi’s smile deepened, "To discuss the wedding date. We're engaged now, and you agreed, so shouldn’t we get married? I’ve researched this process for years."

Xie Qingfeng: "???" He felt something was amiss.