Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"The streets are really lively today."

Bai Qi rubbed his hands together, clutching the two passes in his arms. With these, they finally had legal status.

Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and today was the last day the registration office would be open. After this, they’d have to wait another two months to apply for marriage.

They had made this decision during the last New Year’s celebration—to get their marriage certificate today, for a fresh start in the new year. Originally, they had planned to consummate their relationship that New Year's Eve, but Bai Qi hadn’t been feeling well, dealing with nausea lately, so they had to postpone it.

Qi Heyan’s gaze was tender as he held Bai Qi’s hand. "Are you still feeling unwell today?"

Bai Qi shook his head and sighed. "Are you nervous? I’m a little nervous. How do I look today?"

He tilted his head slightly. Over the past couple of days, both Qi Heyan and he had bought new clothes. Bai Qi wore a white padded jacket and a white hat, all coordinated by Qi Heyan, who said he looked like a snowball—though Bai Qi didn’t quite agree with that description.

"You look gorgeous. Absolutely perfect." Qi Heyan couldn’t help but smile as he spoke. Just as he was about to say more, he suddenly tensed, narrowing his eyes as he glanced toward a certain spot. He had this nagging feeling that someone was watching them.

"What’s wrong?"

Bai Qi noticed Qi Heyan staring intently in one direction and leaned over to look as well. "Is something there?"

"No."

Qi Heyan shook his head and withdrew his gaze, murmuring softly, "Must've been my imagination. Let’s go."

Bai Qi didn’t press further. He nodded and continued forward. There wasn't much of a line today, and soon it was their turn. Following the staff’s instructions, they signed their names and took photos.

Bai Qi had even practiced writing his signature for this day. At first, his handwriting had been messy, and Qi Heyan had teased him about it. But later, the alpha patiently taught him, and with Bai Qi’s effort, he could now write it neatly.

"Now, please read the marriage vows aloud. Can you both read?"

The staff handed them a sheet of paper. "If not, I can guide you through it."

Qi Heyan declined. "I can read. I’ll do it."

The alpha couldn’t hide his smile, his voice brimming with joy. "I’ll say a line, and you repeat after me, okay?"

Bai Qi gave a soft "Mm," his body tense as he focused intently on Qi Heyan’s words.

"I voluntarily take Bai Qi as my husband, to stay by his side for better or worse."

"I voluntarily take Qi Heyan as my husband, to stay by his side for better or worse."

"Whether in sickness or in health..."

"..."

The vows were short, and soon they finished reciting them. Then, in unison, they looked up at the staff, their eyes shining with excitement.

The staff member, uncomfortable under their eager stares, quickly stamped their marriage certificates with the official seal. The moment the red covers closed, they became the most important people in each other’s lives.

"Here you go. Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you." Bai Qi took the marriage certificate, biting his lip as he struggled to find words. "So this is it... we're really married."

Qi Heyan’s hands trembled slightly. He let out a soft "Mm," then took Bai Qi’s hand and led him outside. The alpha took a deep breath. "We’re married, Xiao Qi. You and I are married."

Bai Qi playfully nudged Qi Heyan, tilting his head up to smile at him. "Yeah."

"Let’s go home and have a nice dinner to celebrate."

Qi Heyan lowered his head to gently touch foreheads with Bai Qi, a smile tugging at his lips. "What're you craving? I'll get it."

The omega didn’t refuse. After a moment’s thought, he decided to go with Qi Heyan.

They set off immediately, their marriage certificates tucked safely in their pockets. If they had exchanged marriage certificates at that moment, they might have noticed the unusual emotions in each other’s expressions.

"I feel like eating meat." Bai Qi frowned slightly. "My appetite's been all over the place lately."

Qi Heyan nodded. "Then we’ll have meat. We'll just get a small portion for now. Once our house is built, we can eat as much as we want."

"Okay." Bai Qi swayed slightly. If not for the snow on the ground, he might've jumped for joy.

Why hold back happiness?

"I also want tofu." Bai Qi chewed his lip. Like Qi Heyan, he was clueless about shopping for groceries. The omega tried to recall how others did it while listing other things he wanted to eat.

They had recently bought a small pot, and though they were still figuring things out, they could manage a few simple dishes.

At his words, Qi Heyan immediately went to buy the tofu. He leaned down to nuzzle Bai Qi’s cheek. "Stay put. I'll be quick."

"Okay."

Bai Qi bent down to point at a section. "I want this piece."

The vendor glanced at him and smiled. "Your partner?"

"My husband. We literally just got married today." Bai Qi couldn't stop smiling as he said it. He was truly happy and wished the whole world could share in his joy.

"Congratulations." The vendor even threw in an extra small piece of meat. Bai Qi thanked him and stepped aside to wait for Qi Heyan, who returned shortly with two blocks of tofu.

"Let’s go home." Qi Heyan’s face was flushed from the cold. He had jogged back and was breathing heavily. "It’s freezing."

Bai Qi agreed, keeping pace with him as their voices faded into the distance. "Yeah, let’s soak our feet in some hot water when we get back."

"Sure..."

The meat vendor watched them leave, and found himself smiling too. Just as he lowered his head, a shadow loomed over him. Without looking up, he asked, "What would you like?"

But no one answered. Confused, the vendor looked up—and froze in shock. "You… who are you?"

One of the men grinned at him. "Do you mind telling us the names of those two who just walked by?"

The vendor’s eyes darted nervously as he carefully relayed everything he knew—even mentioning Qi Heyan worked at the gambling den and who he had married.

That evening, Bai Qi and Qi Heyan made dinner together. They stewed the tofu with meat and ate it with steamed buns. Their normally quiet little cabin was filled with warmth. Bai Qi rubbed his hands together, digging in heartily, like he was making up for lost meals.

.

"Stuffed, aren't you?" Qi Heyan finished the remaining food, then got up to clear the dishes. He casually patted Bai Qi’s stomach and teased, "Feeling a little soft here, aren't we?"

"Have I?" Bai Qi flopped onto the bed, unbothered. "Haven't been doing much physical work lately, so it’s natural."

Qi Heyan just chuckled and left it at that. After tidying the table, he went to get water for washing up. The instant he stepped outside, he ran into the gambling den's manager. Qi Heyan was startled. "What are you doing here?"

The manager forced a smile. "We need to talk. You got a minute?"

After a beat, Qi Heyan turned and called out to Bai Qi, "Gotta run to the den. I’ll be back soon. Get some rest."

At this, Bai Qi also got off the bed and walked to the door, the omega frowned. "What do they want from you so late?"

"Must be important." Qi Heyan ran fingers through Bai Qi's hair, then planted a quick kiss to the omega's lips, whispering, "Wait for me."

Bai Qi didn't respond, only nodding silently as he watched Qi Heyan leave with the other man. Yet his heartbeat was racing strangely. Pressing a hand to his chest, he murmured, "Why is it beating so fast?"

He sat on the bed, slowly processing the evening's events. Thinking back on the day's events, Bai Qi took out the marriage certificate again—Qi Heyan's was also in his possession. He studied it from every angle, still feeling as though it were all a dream.

"To think we're actually married now." Bai Qi didn’t know his own birthday, so he had set it as the last day of every year. By that count, he was already twenty.

Only twenty, and already married.

Bai Qi let out a quiet breath, then got up and carefully hid the marriage certificates before simply waiting for Qi Heyan to return.

Now, this little home wasn’t just his—there was someone else in it too.

The thought made Bai Qi’s mood giddy. He hummed absently as he sat on the bed, waiting.

But even as the wind howled outside, there was still no sign of Qi Heyan.

Bai Qi’s eyes darted nervously. He opened the door to look outside—the snow was coming down harder now, and just that brief moment outside was enough to get his clothes wet. Worried, he shut the door, unsure if the alpha would make it back safely.

That man was unbelievable, calling Qi Heyan away at this hour.

Bai Qi was displeased. He sat in a chair, waiting a while longer before resting his head on the table. Still, Qi Heyan was nowhere to be seen.

Something felt wrong. The omega immediately stood up, put on his hat and mask, and rushed outside. The wind was brutal tonight, cutting into his face.

He made his way to the casino, his hands red from the cold. "Open up! Open up!"

Someone soon answered—the same man from earlier. He didn’t seem surprised to see Bai Qi, only saying, "He’s gone. Didn’t you see him?"

Bai Qi didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath. "I haven’t even asked yet. How did you know why I’m here?"

"Where’s Qi Heyan?"

The man sighed helplessly. "He’s not here, Bai Qi. Let me give you some advice—he’s not from your world. It’s better to let go now."

Bai Qi snorted at the words. He looked at him like he was a madman. "You’re insane."

After a pause, he asked again, "Is he really not here?"

The man shook his head, then said nothing more before shutting the door firmly in Bai Qi’s face.

Bai Qi shuddered. A cold dread surged in his chest. Clenching his fists, he tried to reassure himself. "We just got married today. How could—"

"That man’s talking nonsense. Maybe we just missed each other."

He headed back home, but even there, Qi Heyan was nowhere to be found. Staring at the empty cabin, Bai Qi clenched his jaw and rushed out again, calling as he went, "Qi Heyan, where are you?"

"Qi Heyan!"

His footprints were quickly buried by the snow. His steps grew slower and slower until Bai Qi couldn't take another step, shout no louder.

He returned to the cabin’s doorstep, his legs giving out as he collapsed to his knees before the empty house. His face was wet with snow and—perhaps—tears. He had searched all night, and now he couldn’t tell which was which. His body was frozen stiff, his voice raw from shouting.

Bai Qi let out a bitter laugh and slowly bowed his head.

The snow settled on his shoulders, soaking into his clothes, crushing him until he slumped forward.

Dawn broke, but the one he waited for never returned—as if the blizzard had swallowed him whole, erased him without a trace.