Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Hao Jixin was the first to notice the ring on Xie Qingfeng’s finger, which he saw in Jing Xi’s office while reporting for work.

He caught sight of Xie Qingfeng stepping out of the office's private room, and immediately greeted him with a beaming smile.

Hao had been abroad for a project during the master's graduation last week. He had given his graduation gift in advance but missed the actual event. This was his first meeting with the master since the graduation.

Wanting to ask how the master felt after graduation, he froze upon seeing the ring on Xie Qingfeng’s finger as he dried his hands, "This, this…" turning incredulously towards Jing Xi. Had he moved so fast?

Just a week ago, there was no ring, right?

Did he propose while Hao was abroad?

Seeing Hao’s expression, Jing Xi knew he had noticed, and flashed a smug look: Aren't you envious?

Letting him show off his love in front of him and the master, Hao’s sweet talk of 'honey' and 'darling' couldn’t compete with him actually becoming a part of the family.

Next week, they would visit his parents to set the wedding date, then get the marriage certificate in advance, cementing his status as the husband.

Jing Xi, wanting to tease Hao Jixin further, cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, “Forgot to tell you, my status has changed. Thought I should let you know.”

Hao Jixin: “What?”

Jing Xi: “I'm no longer just Director Jing. I'm Xie Qingfeng’s fiancé now. And soon, legally, his spouse. The kind with a certificate.”

The same-sex marriage law had already been enacted two years ago, allowing couples to register their marriage.

Back then, Xie Qingfeng hadn't graduated yet, and he didn’t dare to propose so hastily. But now that he had, he was eager to get the marriage certificate as soon as possible, even if it meant doing it that very afternoon.

Still, there were procedures to be followed.

Hao Jixin was dumbfounded: Could Jing Xi be any more smug?

Later, when it was just Jing Xi and Hao Jixin, Hao couldn’t resist asking how Jing Xi had proposed, especially considering the rapid pace of events. Previously, Jing Xi would even seek his advice for the master's birthday.

And now, he had secretly managed to pull off such a big event!

That was really impressive!

While envious and jealous, Hao Jixin couldn’t help but also want to learn the trick. If it was indeed effective, he wanted to propose to his own beloved.

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, he felt this person was his destined partner.

Jing Xi didn’t hold back, pretending to be mysterious, casually saying, “Our relationship is strong. There wasn’t really any ceremony. I just slipped the ring on Qingfeng’s finger while he was asleep. When Qingfeng woke up and saw the ring, he was moved and tacitly agreed, accepting my proposal.”

Hao Jixin was stunned: “Really? Just like that, and it worked?”

Jing Xi shrugged: “Of course, it’s true. More real than gold.”

As Hao Jixin left the office, he felt like he was floating, his mind buzzing. Could this be the essence of simplicity in its highest form?

Two words stuck in his mind: Sincerity.

A few days later, Hao Jixin, while watching a movie with his girlfriend, chose a boring film, and she fell asleep. In the dim light of the cinema, he sneakily slipped the ring he had been carrying all day onto his girlfriend’s left hand.

He eagerly anticipated her waking up, being moved to tears, and throwing herself into his arms to accept his proposal.

Instead... he got a harsh scolding.

His girlfriend whimpered, feeling that he didn’t value their relationship enough to propose so casually, and she stopped talking to him.

The next day, Hao Jixin numbly stormed into the office: “You lied to me, it doesn’t work at all! This kind of proposal will get you scolded!”

Jing Xi hadn’t expected this simpleton to actually propose and was silent for a moment.

Hao Jixin was persistent: “Tell me, did you leave out some steps? How could it be that simple?”

Jing Xi thought seriously: “Maybe it’s the big kangaroo mascot suit at the graduation ceremony, plus balloons and a big bunch of roses?”

Hao Jixin, still not giving up, asked: “Really… that’s all?”

Jing Xi shook his head earnestly.

Hao Jixin was perplexed: So why did the master agree just like that? Could it really be… all about looks?

Hao Jixin then hurried off again, likely to make amends with his girlfriend.

In a couple of days, they were back to being affectionate and loving.

However, if he wanted a successful marriage proposal, it seemed there was still a long way to go.

After meeting each other's parents, Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi set their wedding date for six months later. They decided to have a small ceremony during the New Year holidays, inviting only close friends and family, taking advantage of the holiday period.

However, registering their marriage wouldn’t require such a long wait.

The two chose a date, the Seventh of July.

On that day, they went to the civil affairs office early in the morning. Hao Jixin drove them as a chauffeur, and they didn’t need to worry about anything else that day, just focused on registering their marriage.

There were many couples registering that day, so they arrived early to be first in line.

The long queue behind them was bustling and lively. Although people noticed the two young men at the front looking good, one resembling Jing Yi Emperor, they didn’t dare to recognize him.

Since Jing Yi Emperor’s retirement, many companies tried to recreate his fame with look-alikes. They hadn’t learned much else, but they did adopt his style of long hair.

Thus, it was common to see men with long hair, and most people assumed they were just imitating Jing Yi Emperor.

As soon as the civil affairs office opened, they registered their marriage.

When they came out, Hao Jixin immediately drove up to pick them up and they left. It wasn’t until later that some people realized the resemblance to Jing Yi Emperor, but they doubted themselves, having never heard of Jing Yi Emperor liking men.

After Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi got their marriage certificate, they first visited their foster parents, showing them the certificate. The old couple, finally relieved, had no doubts about their relationship, but seeing the certificate made their hearts settle.

The elderly couple gave each of them a substantial red envelope. Initially, they wanted to keep them for dinner, but realizing it was their special day and they might prefer some alone time, they didn't insist.

Jing Xi had reserved a restaurant, booking an entire floor, where they could view the entire seascape from the top floor in the evening.

The two didn't drive; after dinner, with time to spare, they walked home along the streets.

Throughout the walk, neither spoke, quietly savoring this rare peace. It was past ten, and the streets were not crowded, except for the occasional passing car.

They strolled along a secluded path, hand in hand on the sidewalk, passing tree after tree, lamp post after lamp post, their intertwined shadows cast by the dappled light, inseparable for life.