Chapter 117

Chapter 117

"I haven't left yet. Papa isn't up yet."

Across the lush green lawn, Bo Yiming was leisurely riding his bicycle. His watch was on call, clipped to his collar, and as he spoke, he tilted his head to look up at the second floor of the mansion.

The white curtains on the balcony billowed gently in the warm breeze, soft and serene.

Xingxing: "Did your Daddy tell you where you're going?"

"No."

Bo Yiming gripped the handlebars, pushing up on the pedals to stand. "I can't play with you today. You gonna miss me?"

Xingxing: "Yeah. I'll miss you even during meals."

Hearing his little brother's particularly sweet tone, Bo Yiming grinned happily. "Big Brother will miss Xingxing too."

Not far away, a voice called out.

"Master Bo!"

It was Uncle Xu.

Bo Yiming turned the bicycle around, pedaling hard a couple of times as he headed back toward the mansion. "Grandpa Xu, what is it?"

Uncle Xu smiled. "Your father said you'll be leaving in half an hour."

Bo Yiming dismounted, curious. "Grandpa Xu, do you know anything? Where are we going?"

Uncle Xu walked over to steady the handlebars and explained, "I’m not sure either. Your father must have plans. You’ll see soon enough."

Bo Yiming knew Grandpa Xu rarely lied to him, so he nodded.

"Big Brother?"

A faint call came from the watch on his chest, sounding like a lonely puppy, tinged with a pitiful note.

Bo Yiming quickly lifted the watch. "Xingxing, I'm here. But I have to go out now. I’ll tell you when I get there, okay?"

"Yeah."

Second floor.

-

Wen Cishu stretched lazily in a fluffy nest of blankets, his eyes hidden beneath the covers, revealing only the lower half of his face. His soft lips were a delicate rosy hue, slightly swollen.

After stretching his achy limbs, he curled up weakly again.

A hand slowly tugged back the edge of the blanket, and his still-drowsy gaze met a backlit face. He muttered something softly before burying his face back into the covers.

"What?"

Bo Tingyuan bent down, wrapping his arms around him along with the soft blanket. "Rise and shine."

"Not yet."

Wen Cishu dove deeper into the blankets, then suddenly seemed to realize something. He pawed blindly, tugging at something before he finally pushed the covers away, gulping air, his hair a mess as he glared at Bo Tingyuan. Between his slender fingers clutched a crumpled navy-blue tie.

This tie was first used to tie up Bao Tingyuan last night, but somehow wound up covering his eyes instead.

It was still there, wrapped around his neck the entire night.

Bao Tingyuan reached up to remove the tie.

Wen Cishu tilted his head back on purpose: "Untie it."

Bao Tingyuan lowered his head to kiss his neck, gently loosening the hastily tied knot from last night.

Wen Cishu took the chance to tickle him.

They fell into the blankets, roughhousing for a bit.

Until a knock sounded at the door.

"Dad?"

Bao Yiming’s voice came from outside.

The two dads froze mid-play. Wen Cishu suppressed his laughter and pushed Bao Tingyuan to stand up. "Yi Ming, come in."

When Bao Yiming bounced inside, he saw his elder dad bending down to put on his glasses, his face back to its usual stern calm.

Lately, he’d noticed that in the bedroom—especially when his younger dad was present—his elder dad rarely wore glasses.

Wait, so his elder dad didn’t even need glasses?

Bao Yiming’s gaze swept critically over his elder dad’s stern face, coming to a conclusion:

Elder Dad probably wears glasses just to look cooler.

But to him, his elder dad actually appeared younger and more handsome without them.

His eyes then shifted from his elder dad’s face to his younger dad. Though, if Younger Dad wore glasses, he’d still look awesome~

Bao Tingyuan watched as his little son, like a chameleon, went through a whole range of funny expressions in half a minute.

He stepped forward and bent down to look at the small face.

Bao Yiming felt his elder dad’s gaze was oddly intense, the glare off his glasses weirdly intense. He leaned in curiously: "Hmm?"

Bao Tingyuan gently ruffled his son’s hair: "It’s nothing."

For a second, it hit him—that the child standing before him was truly his and Wen Cishu’s, all grown up and safe.

"Had breakfast yet?"

Bao Yiming gave a dutiful nod, sensing that his elder dad’s gaze held more than his words conveyed. But he was still too young to decipher the deeper meaning.

Still, he could unmistakably feel the affection radiating from his elder dad, so he threw his arms around him: "Don’t worry about me, Elder Dad."

Not far away, in the bathroom, Wen Cishu held his toothbrush, his eyes soft as he watched the father and son.

Bao Tingyuan always said Yi Ming was just like him, but standing face to face like this, they clearly looked alike.

After Wen Cishu finished washing up, he teased as he entered the walk-in closet: "Mr. Bao, wanna help me pick today’s outfit?"

Bao Yiming, flopped on the couch, peered up with a "Huh?"—why’d Younger Dad say that?

Then, he saw his Dad walk into the closet and pull the door shut behind him.

Bao Yiming scratched his head in confusion. First, his Dad told them they were going out, and now his little dad brought up "what to wear."

He glanced down at his navy blue and white striped shirt.

When both dads emerged wearing very formal suits—one black and one blue—

Bao Yiming realized something was up.

—Why were they dressed like they were going to a wedding?!

He shot up from the couch like a rocket.

Wen Cishu chuckled, shooting a glance at Bao Tingyuan. "If you jump any higher, we’ll have to call the repairman from your Dad’s company to fix the ceiling."

Bao Tingyuan pushed his glasses up.

—He remembered his own words, even if they were just a joke.

Bao Yiming spun around in frustration, looking for his slippers while grumbling, "Hmph! You didn’t even warn your adorable son to change clothes in advance! Bad dads!"

With that, he bolted out, yelling, "I’m changing into formal wear too—wait for me!"

Wen Cishu called after him, "No rush. We haven’t even eaten yet."

Bao Yiming slowed briefly as he stepped out, then suddenly took off like a rocket toward his room, muttering, "If it’s such an important day, shouldn’t we have matching family outfits for the three of us? Ah!!"

Inside the room, Wen Cishu gave Bao Tingyuan a light nudge. "Why didn’t you remind Yi Ming?"

Bao Tingyuan wrapped an arm around him and led him out. "He’ll figure it out himself."

Wen Cishu smiled to himself—truly, a dad who knew his kid inside out.

Only after laughing did he realized too late: he might have just exposed that he remembered today was their wedding anniversary.

So now it was a case of "we both know, but neither’s saying it"?

Wen Cishu stole a glance at him, only to have his gaze caught.

Bao Tingyuan teased, "Why are you peeking at me?"

He turned his head and kissed the corner of Wen Cishu’s lips, then, in the blink of an eye, bent down and swept him up into his arms.

"Eh?" Wen Cishu let out a surprised ‘Eh?’ as Bao Tingyuan lifted him into the elevator. "I can walk, you know."

He instinctively reached out to press the elevator button.

Bao Tingyuan looked down at his face, still as youthful as ever, his voice low with emotion. "In a few more decades..."

Wen Cishu quickly covered his lips, meeting his green eyes with a soft shake of his head.

He leaned gently into Bao Tingyuan’s shoulder as the elevator descended to the first floor.

Just as Bao Tingyuan stepped out, Wen Cishu whispered, "Don’t worry. Even in decades or centuries, we’ll still be together."

Bao Tingyuan tightened his arms around him and replied softly, "Mm."

-

By the time Bao Yiming came downstairs in his formal wear, his two dads had already finished breakfast and were sitting in the living room.

The two sat on separate sofas, both reclining in relaxed comfort, their eyes quietly meeting.

The midday sunlight outlined their profiles—their demeanors contrasting yet both wore the same gentle expression.

It was like a painting, or a scene from a movie, radiating a dreamlike warmth.

Bao Yiming realized more deeply than ever that today, though seemingly ordinary, was extraordinary.

He hurried downstairs and dashed toward his fathers, who looked like they belonged in a dream.

-

The three of them got into the car together.

Instead of impatiently asking questions, Bao Yiming even suppressed his usual impatience, mirroring his fathers' calm patience, waiting for what was to come.

Wen Cishu, seated in the middle, felt Bao Tingyuan's hand tighten around his.

He even had the illusion that this man was unusually tense.

What kind of wedding anniversary surprise could possibly make Bao Tingyuan feel tense?

Originally composed, Wen Cishu now caught his nervous energy, unconsciously brimming with anticipation.

Several cars curved along the winding hills on the outskirts of the city.

On the downhill slope, the scenery outside the window shifted, unveiling a valley cradling a white, steeple-crowned chapel on a green lawn.

Leaning against the window, Bao Yiming exclaimed in delight, "Papa, look! There's a little church!"

Wen Cishu gazed outside, breathing in the fresh, clean mountain air. "This would make a lovely summer getaway."

"Next year, we'll come stay for a few days," Bao Tingyuan said, telling the driver to ease off.

However, the hills at the city's edge were modest, and soon the car entered the valley, heading toward the white chapel nestled at its heart.

Wen Cishu guessed their destination was the church.

Sure enough, the cars parked neatly in the designated area, and the three of them emerged, making their way to the chapel doors.

Beneath the tall doors, Wen Cishu lifted his chin slightly, his eyes sweeping over the intricate ivory filigree.

Bao Yiming finally blurted out, "Are we here to visit the church? Is someone really getting married?"

Suddenly, the realization hit him, and he looked up in disbelief.

Today was his fathers' wedding anniversary!

Bao Tingyuan turned to Wen Cishu. "Would you like to go in with me?"

Wen Cishu suppressed a smile. "Didn't we agree that no matter where we go, we'll always be together?"

Bao Yiming: ? Wait, was he just the chaperone here?

Bao Tingyuan freed a hand to rest on his son's shoulder. "Yi Ming, open the door for us."

"Oh!" Bao Yiming planted both palms against the heavy doors and slowly pushed them open.

Countless pristine ivory roses came into view, their petals even covering the floor tiles.

As the doors creaked, sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows above, drenching the roses in kaleidoscopic light.

Bao Yiming knew that his two fathers had had their wedding in a church in Paris.

The small church before them was intimate, with only a few rows of seats, but every row was adorned with fresh flowers.

At the front stood a pastor, standing patiently with a serene smile, as if awaiting their entrance.

From the moment they stepped out of the car—or perhaps from the moment they left the mansion—Bao Tingyuan’s gaze and attention never left Wen Cishu.

Especially as the church doors slowly opened, he fixed his gaze unwaveringly on Wen Cishu.

He had no specific expectations, yet he was always easily soothed by the subtle shifts in expression on Wen Cishu’s face.

The moment Wen Cishu stepped inside, he couldn’t help but glance at Bao Tingyuan, and when their eyes met, it felt as if they had returned to their church wedding ten years ago.

Time had passed, yet they were fortunate enough to remain each other’s greatest support.

Wen Cishu felt the warmth seeping from Bao Tingyuan’s palm.

This time, he realized—this man, who had been steadfast and reliable for the past decade, was actually nervous now.

He curved his lips slightly, wordlessly conveying with tender eyes: *I love every arrangement you’ve made, just as I love you.*

Bao Tingyuan understood that look. He loosened his grip, only to intertwine them tightly with Wen Cishu’s.

After walking down the long, quiet aisle, they finally stood before the pastor.

The observant Bao Yiming quietly took a seat in the first row to observe the proceedings.

There were no murmurs from guests, only silence and tranquility.

It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them—and their child.

The pastor gazed at the two exceptionally handsome young men and spoke in a solemn voice, “Gentlemen, congratulations on ten years of marriage, built on love and mutual devotion.”

Bao Yiming quietly applauded for his fathers: *This is really wonderful!*

He quickly checked his watch, ready to capture this unique and beautiful moment.

“Now, please face each other,” the pastor said. “Mr. Bao, place your right hand upon your heart. Do you take Mr. Wen as your lifelong partner, vowing to care for him, protect him, and respect him, through sickness and health, poverty and wealth?”

Tears gathered slowly in Wen Cishu’s eyes. When Bao Tingyuan looked at him and said, “I do,” he smiled through glistening lashes, his dark lashes damp.

After a decade of challenges and hardships, he finally understood the weight behind those three words Bao Tingyuan had spoken back then.

Unable to hold back, Wen Cishu stepped forward and embraced the man before him.

Bao Tingyuan’s palm pressed against his back, gently soothing him.

The pastor tactfully paused, unexpectedly moved—this was his first time witnessing an anniversary vow renewal.

Wen Cishu quickly regained his composure and stood straight again.

He saw the tell-tale shimmer in Bao Tingyuan’s eyes.

The pastor continued, “Mr. Wen, place your right hand upon your heart. Do you take Mr. Bao as your lifelong partner, vowing to love and cherish him faithfully, as the years pass and through all of life’s challenges, never to be parted?”

Wen Cishu instinctively nodded first, his smiling eyes brimming with tears. “I do.”

They fell into each other's arms once more.

As the sole witness, Bo Yiming couldn't help but get teary-eyed.

The priest took out the ring box: "You two, please exchange rings, letting all promises be sealed on your ring fingers and preserved in each other's hearts."

Only then did Wen Cishu realize that Bo Tingyuan had the same idea as him, but had prepared the 10th-anniversary rings even earlier.

Bo Tingyuan removed the old wedding ring from his ring finger, and Bo Yiming quickly stepped forward: "I’ll take it, Papa."

Bo Tingyuan handed it to his son, then took out the new ring and slowly slid it onto Wen Cishu's finger.

Wen Cishu did the same.

Bo Yiming took the ring box handed to him by the priest, placed the two old rings inside, and returned to his seat.

Wen Cishu lowered his gaze, gazing quietly at the new platinum wedding ring.

This time, he would be very careful to keep it safe and never take it off, not even for a second.

He quickly glanced at the priest, hinting he had a gift too.

He took out a prepared pair of collar stays and carefully placed them in Bo Tingyuan's hand.

Wen Cishu pursed his lips in a faint smile: "I figured we’d swap gifts."

Bo Tingyuan clutched the gift box, squeezing his hand: "Thank you."

The priest took a step back: "May you both keep cherishing each other in the long years to come, love and stand by each other."

They embraced once more.

Wen Cishu closed his eyes, his tear-damp lashes against Bo Tingyuan’s cheek as he kissed the corner of his lips and murmured: "I should be the one saying thank you. Bo Tingyuan, thank you for loving me, for loving our child. Thank you for everything."

Bo Tingyuan knitted his thick brows and tightened his embrace.

—Wen Cishu, thank you for coming into my life.

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