“Chapter 129: Side Story 2”

"Chapter 129: Side Story 2"

"After their wedding, Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi planned to go on a honeymoon."

"The destination had been chosen long ago by Jing Xi, who had dreamt of a particular honeymoon spot. So, this time, he took charge of all the arrangements."

"Seeing Jing Xi's mysterious excitement, Xie Qingfeng was happy to fulfill this small wish of his."

"They set off on their honeymoon three days after the wedding. The reason for not leaving the next day was Jing Xi’s playful antics the night of the wedding, leading to a late start the following day, hence the departure was set for the third day."

"The location of their honeymoon was a secret known only to Jing Xi; before leaving, they only informed the elders that they would be away for a month."

"Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi first took a plane, then switched to a car, and after several twists and turns, even Xie Qingfeng couldn't recognize where they were."

"Eventually, they arrived at a seaside location."

"Nearby were several isolated islands, rumored to be sold to mysterious buyers who turned them into holiday resorts, popular among the wealthy for buying or renting as private playgrounds."

"Xie Qingfeng guessed that Jing Xi had rented one for a month, planning to spend a truly secluded honeymoon just for the two of them."

"Having made peace with it, he just let it be."

"Jing Xi took Xie Qingfeng onto a small boat, just big enough for two. Jing Xi didn’t have anyone else row for them. He seemed to have learned it somewhere, rowing quite proficiently."

"The sea was vast, with only the distant outlines of the isolated islands' tall trunks visible."

"It was a foggy day, obscuring the view."

"Initially, Xie Qingfeng watched Jing Xi row with interest."

"Halfway through, Jing Xi stopped, pulled out a black cloth from his embrace, and flicked it towards Xie Qingfeng: 'Since it's a surprise, it wouldn’t be fun if you saw it too early, right?'"

"Xie Qingfeng glanced at him, understanding that Jing Xi didn’t want him to see."

"He sat there, calmly letting Jing Xi cover him with the black cloth. The material was silky, soft to the touch, and carried a hint of sandalwood scent."

"It smelled good, not like perfume, but more like it had been subtly infused with the fragrance of sandalwood. The silk's quality reminded him of something from before his travels through time."

"Xie Qingfeng sat quietly, listening to the gentle sound of the waves brushing against the water, and gradually his heart calmed even more, eventually crossing his legs and beginning to meditate."

"By the time he came back to his senses, they had already reached the shore. Unable to see, he remained still."

"Jing Xi came over to assist him, bending down and jokingly asked, 'Should I carry you?'"

"Xie Qingfeng gave him a look, though it was a pity Jing Xi couldn’t see it behind the cover."

"His ears twitched, discerning the direction, and he turned and stepped off the boat with precision, his feet touching the soft sand of the beach, experiencing a unique sensation."

"He was always a go-with-the-flow kind of person. After arriving in City C, aside from needing to go out due to special emotions, he rarely moved from his spot."

"Not to mention going to the seaside for fun. Now that he had chosen to vacation, he was fully immersed in the experience."

"'What about the promised surprise? Can I take off the blindfold now?' Xie Qingfeng asked in Jing Xi's direction."

"Jing Xi shook his head: 'Not yet, there's still some preparation to do.' Saying this, he stepped forward, took Xie Qingfeng's hand, their fingers intertwining tightly. They walked slowly, Jing Xi leading Xie Qingfeng step by step towards a certain place."

"Xie Qingfeng could distinctly feel Jing Xi's mood on this island was different – relaxed, devout, even nostalgic."

"Jing Xi led him as if he were a precious treasure. They didn’t walk fast due to Xie Qingfeng’s limited mobility, but the destination was close, and soon a creaking sound was heard as a wooden door opened."

"Xie Qingfeng smelled the scent of the sea mixed with the aroma of wood."

"Jing Xi, worried that Xie Qingfeng might feel uncomfortable being unable to see, explained, 'It's windier here than on the shore, a bit colder. We should change clothes first. Don’t worry, it’s a wooden cabin without windows, just the two of us inside.'"

"Xie Qingfeng hummed in response: 'Change into what? Where?'"

"Jing Xi, holding his searching hand, leaned in closer, with a tone both coaxing and anticipatory: 'How about I help you change? The clothes are a bit complicated, and you can’t see.'"

"Xie Qingfeng pondered, having some understanding of Jing Xi: 'You wouldn’t have chosen some indescribable clothes to trick me into wearing, would you?'"

"'How could I? Am I that kind of person?' Jing Xi's voice was earnest."

"Xie Qingfeng hummed: No, you are."

"Seeing his disbelief, Jing Xi simply picked up a tray nearby and removed the topmost crown, letting Xie Qingfeng feel the intricate clothes: 'It's thick, don’t worry, you’ll be wrapped up snug and secure.'"

"Feeling the thickness, at least three layers, it reminded him more of the regular attire he used to wear in ancient times."

"Easing his mind, Xie Qingfeng opened his arms, ready to let him proceed."

"Xie Qingfeng didn’t have to wait long; soon his outer clothes were removed, and thankfully, Jing Xi had some restraint. He didn’t take advantage of Xie Qingfeng's blindness, leaving him in shorts and a T-shirt."

"Then Xie Qingfeng felt a shirt slide over him, its soft, cool, silky material causing a moment of surprise."

"This sensation was both unfamiliar and familiar; unfamiliar because it had been so long since he had worn anything like it, and familiar from the years he had adapted to his current life, almost forgetting his past life."

"Familiar because the texture of the clothes was something he had encountered many times before."

"At first, Xie Qingfeng thought Jing Xi had found ancient clothes to surprise him, but as each piece was added, he realized these were the robes he wore as the Grandmaster during significant events."

"They were even the very ones he had worn before."

"Considering the emperor had his secret treasury, hiding boxes of gold, keeping a set of Grandmaster robes was plausible."

"As the final piece, the Grandmaster's crown, was placed upon his head, Xie Qingfeng thought his current hairstyle made it a challenging task."

"Somehow, Jing Xi managed it, securing the crown firmly in place."

"For a moment, Xie Qingfeng felt dazed, as if he had traveled back a thousand years, standing again in the Grandmaster's hall, awaiting a ceremony."

"After dressing Xie Qingfeng, Jing Xi started changing his own clothes, the sounds indicating their complexity. Xie Qingfeng wondered if they were imperial robes or something equally grand."

"He was somewhat excited; was this an attempt to relive the days of their past?"

"But Xie Qingfeng had to admit, he too felt a sense of nostalgia. His departure from his homeland was a necessity, but he had buried, not forgotten, his past."

"Once Jing Xi was dressed, he came over, his voice soft, his hand trembling slightly as he took hold of Xie Qingfeng's."

"Xie Qingfeng couldn’t see him, but facing in Jing Xi's direction, he gripped back firmly."

"He knew Jing Xi was reminded of his past demise, but this time it was different."

"Jing Xi, clutching his hand tightly, led him step by step out of the wooden hut towards a certain direction."

"After an unknown amount of time, Jing Xi stopped, pressing close beside him, and whispered softly, 'Grandmaster, we have arrived.'"

"At these words, Xie Qingfeng felt a flash before his eyes. When he closed and then reopened them, the scene before him left him astonished. He stared ahead, as if traversing through the river of time, his past and present life overlapping at this moment."

"The ancient-style pavilions and halls before him were just like the Grandmaster's Palace where he had lived for many years."

"It was as if nothing had changed, and he was still the Grandmaster of the great Jing Dynasty, waiting in the palace for the return of the young emperor who had left to lead the troops that year."

"Only, he had broken his promise; he hadn’t waited until that day."

"As Xie Qingfeng looked at everything, his voice grew hoarse, and his eyes warm with emotion. He turned to look at Jing Xi, who stood beside him in armor, just as he had been when he left all those years ago."

"Jing Xi, too, was looking at him. Seeing Xie Qingfeng’s gaze, he smiled, his smile tinged with tears: 'Grandmaster, I have returned.'"

"'I have brought you... home.'"

"Even if they couldn’t return, after a thousand years, he could still create a home that belonged solely to them."

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