Chapter 49 My Choice Is You

Chapter 49 My Choice Is You

Elio chose a perfectly ordinary moment to propose the idea of a wedding.

It was a weekend morning, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their apartment living room, spilling onto the polished floor. The air was fragrant with orange juice and the gentle sizzle of frying eggs.

Su Qionglin sat at the dining table, deeply engrossed in a complex, printed case report. Dressed in simple loungewear, his soft hair falling casually across his forehead, he seemed less reserved than usual.

Elio, sporting his signature silly lion apron, carefully slid golden-fried eggs from the pan onto a plate. He hummed a tuneless melody, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Su Qionglin across the table, finally settling on the ring adorning his left ring finger.

The ring had been there for a while, fitting snugly at the base of his finger. It never interfered with daily routines like washing or handling medical instruments; Su Qionglin had almost grown accustomed to its presence.

Elio carried two plates over, set them down, but didn't immediately sit.

He sidled up to Su Qionglin, his arm naturally wrapping around his shoulders, his chin resting in the crook of Su Qionglin’s neck as he looked at the ring. Casually, he began, “Dr. Su, we’ve been like this for quite some time now, haven’t we?” He felt Su Qionglin’s gaze lift from the report and turn to him before he continued, “Don’t you think it’s time we had a wedding?”

As he spoke, his bright blue eyes sparkled, brimming with an almost overflowing anticipation.

Su Qionglin met his gaze, calmly responding, “Alright. What do you have in mind?”

Elio instantly brightened.

He pulled a chair close to Su Qionglin and began to paint a vivid picture from his imagination: “I’ve got it all planned! We could book a private island, or maybe an ancient castle with a vineyard! We’ll invite all our friends, fans, and friendly media for a truly grand wedding! There’ll be drone shows in the sky and the most spectacular fireworks at night…”

He grew more and more excited, gesticulating wildly.

Su Qionglin listened patiently to Elio’s fanciful ideas before firmly dismissing the plan: “Too noisy.”

He took a sip of orange juice and added, “Too many people.”

Elio’s smile instantly drooped, and even his dazzling blond hair seemed to lose some of its luster. He looked at Su Qionglin with those now-moist, slightly aggrieved blue eyes, like a large dog denied a walk, muttering softly, “But I want everyone to know…”

“Know what?” Su Qionglin ignored his theatrics, set down his glass, and looked at him. “That tennis superstar Elio Lutz is married? Or that *we* are married?”

Elio was momentarily speechless, opening his mouth but no words came out.

Seeing his dejected expression, Su Qionglin offered his own suggestion: “We can register at the civil affairs bureau first, then have a quiet meal with my clinic colleagues and your core team members.”

Elio gasped, his face clearly conveying, “How can you be so cold and heartless?” He opened his mouth to protest, but under Su Qionglin’s calm, unwavering gaze, all his exaggerated words died in his throat, leaving only a pitiful whimper.

A few seconds of silence hung between them.

Suddenly, Elio’s eyes lit up with a flash of inspiration. “I’ve got it! Dr. Su, I know the perfect place!” He excitedly grabbed Su Qionglin’s hand. “S City! The center court! The very court where I won the championship and proposed to you!”

He carefully observed Su Qionglin’s reaction. “That place means so much to me, and it’s incredibly quiet on non-match days, hardly anyone around. We could be right in the center of the court, just us, and our closest few…”

This time, it was Su Qionglin’s turn to raise an eyebrow slightly.

He hadn't considered that option. That venue had witnessed Elio’s professional triumph and marked a pivotal moment in their relationship.

Of course, Su Qionglin wouldn’t refuse such a meaningful suggestion. He nodded. “Alright.”

Elio instantly sprang back to life, his smile erupting, dimples deepening, almost leaping from his chair. “Fantastic! I’ll start planning immediately!”

The first step in planning was drafting the guest list.

Elio, full of boundless energy, quickly compiled a lengthy list of names, encompassing tennis luminaries, representatives from major sponsors, socialites… The list was so extensive it could almost form a small federation.

Su Qionglin took one look and, after confirming that Elio merely wished to celebrate rather than turn the wedding into a social event, picked up a pen and decisively crossed out over two-thirds of the names.

“Don’t know these people,” he stated flatly, his pen tapping a few names. “Not close with these. These, unnecessary.”

Elio looked at the drastically shortened list, a pang of sadness in his heart. “Dr. Su… but these are all…”

“A wedding should only invite those who genuinely share our joy, not mere spectators looking for entertainment,” Su Qionglin interrupted. “Since the wedding has no social agenda, there’s no need for so many guests.”

Ultimately, the list was refined to fewer than thirty people.

It primarily included Elio’s family, his core team members, and a few colleagues from Su Qionglin’s clinic.

Elio looked at the successfully “slimmed-down” list, initially a bit disappointed, but quickly rallied. He carefully reviewed the remaining names and nodded firmly. “I’ll follow your lead!”

There was also a small anecdote concerning the rings.

Elio, unbeknownst to Su Qionglin, secretly contacted a jeweler and enthusiastically returned with a design sketch. The ring featured a massive diamond, which, in his eyes, was perfectly befitting his Dr. Su.

Su Qionglin gazed at the paper adorned with exaggerated hearts and intricate patterns, silently for a long moment, before simply rejecting it.

Elio: “…”

The final wedding bands were minimalist platinum plain bands, redesigned by Elio, sleek and smooth, with their initials engraved on the inside.

Although Su Qionglin felt the proposal ring would suffice, Elio was unusually insistent on this point, believing a new beginning demanded a brand new ring. Su Qionglin indulged him.

Days passed in orderly preparation.

On the wedding day, the sky above S City was a pristine blue.

The center court, on this non-match day, felt unusually vast and tranquil.

That morning, in the preparation room at the court, Elio was already impeccably dressed. His tailored white suit perfectly accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, his golden hair neatly tied back, revealing a smooth forehead and a strong nose. Yet, he clearly had no mind to admire his own handsomeness, pacing back and forth like a caged lion.

“Dean, is my bowtie crooked?” he asked his coach for the umpteenth time.

Coach Dean leaned against the doorframe, watching his protégé’s uncharacteristic nervousness, and couldn’t help but tease, “Hey, kid, I’ve never seen you this nervous even before a Grand Slam final. Relax, you’re not going to lose.”

“This is different!” Elio took a deep breath, his heart racing uncontrollably.

In stark contrast, Su Qionglin in another preparation room was far calmer. He had already changed into a well-tailored dark gray suit that perfectly outlined his slender, upright figure. Unlike Elio’s restlessness, he held the latest dental journal, seemingly focused on reading, though he hadn’t turned a page for quite a while.

The time arrived.

Soft music gently echoed through the empty stadium.

The guests were already seated. Elio’s sister Annie, dressed in a sharp suit, smiled brightly; Coach Dean and agent Hawke sat together, conversing in low tones; Xiao Zhou clenched her hands excitedly, eyes sparkling; Gu Yunshen sat quietly nearby, a gentle smile gracing his face.

Elio stood at the center of the court, facing the short aisle, his palms slightly damp. His gaze was fixed intently on the end of the aisle.

Then, Su Qionglin appeared.

Unaccompanied, he walked alone, calmly and steadily down the aisle paved with a light-colored carpet. The dark gray suit outlined his slender, upright figure, his black eyes appearing exceptionally serene under the court’s bright natural light. His steps were steady, his expression as composed as ever, yet carrying an inherent, reassuring strength.

Watching him emerge from the light and walk towards him, seeing his calm and self-possessed demeanor, the wildly beating heart in Elio’s chest strangely began to settle, little by little.

His Dr. Su was always like this, capable of bringing him an indescribable sense of stability with his absolute composure. Elio’s lips involuntarily curved upward, his dimples clearly visible, the nervousness in his eyes replaced by a profound, melting love and anticipation.

In his world, it seemed there was only that figure drawing closer and closer.

Su Qionglin reached Elio, stopped, and looked up at him. Elio truly looked handsome today—his meticulously styled golden hair, the perfectly fitted white suit; he practically glowed under the sunlight.

The officiant spoke, but neither of them paid much attention. Their focus was entirely on each other.

It was time for the exchange of vows.

Elio spoke first.

He took Su Qionglin’s hand, gazing deep into his dark eyes. Elio’s own blue eyes, usually full of sunshine and vitality, now glistened with unmistakable tears.

“Dr. Su,” he began, using the title out of habit, his tone solemn, “I never imagined that one day I would meet the person I want to protect most in this life. You are my greatest victory off the court, the warmest light in my life.” He struggled to maintain his smile, the dimple in his left cheek deepening with the complexity of his emotions. “I promise to always be your most loyal partner, your closest family. I love you.”

By the time he finished, his eyes were fully red-rimmed. He held back his tears with effort, gripping Su Qionglin’s hand tightly.

The venue was quiet; one could hear the soft gasps from a few female guests.

Then it was Su Qionglin’s turn.

Everyone looked at him, including the teary-eyed Elio.

Su Qionglin’s expression remained calm. He looked back at Elio, taking in the unmistakable love and nervousness in his eyes.

“Elio,” he said, clear and precise, calling him by his name, “I don’t need protection, and I don’t believe in empty notions of forever.”

The words took some attendees by surprise, and Elio’s heart tightened slightly.

But Su Qionglin continued, his gaze never leaving Elio: “But I believe in the choice I’m making right now. I believe that standing here, choosing you, is the most correct decision I’ve made after careful thought. I am willing to face everything in the future with you, whether smooth or troublesome. I don’t want you to dim your light for me, just as you’ve never tried to change who I am. Us, just like this, is perfect.”

Finally, looking straight into Elio’s eyes, he said deliberately, word by word: “Here and now, in the presence of the law and everyone present, I confirm that my choice is you.”

This was Su Qionglin’s vow.

Elio’s tears fell instantly. Unable to hold back any longer, he stepped forward and drew Su Qionglin into a tight embrace. He buried his face in Su Qionglin’s neck, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Su Qionglin was pushed back half a step by the force of the hug but quickly steadied himself. He raised his hands and returned the embrace firmly, if not gently, patting Elio’s back twice—just as he had done many times before to comfort this overgrown puppy.

Warm applause filled the venue, mingled with good-natured chuckles.

The rest of the ceremony proceeded smoothly.

They exchanged rings, and in front of everyone, the officiant declared them officially partners.

After the simple ceremony, a small reception followed, with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

The most eye-catching moment was the cake cutting. The cake, designed from one of Elio’s whimsical ideas, featured two fondant figures on top: one wearing a white coat, holding a tiny dental drill with a serious expression; the other dressed in white tennis gear, swinging a racket with a bright smile, his golden hair captured perfectly.

When Su Qionglin saw the cake, his expression froze for a moment before he shot a faint glance at Elio, who was looking at him expectantly. Elio quickly explained, “I think it’s cute! It represents us!”

Su Qionglin didn’t say anything else. When cutting the cake, he made sure to take the figure holding the dental drill for himself.

Xiao Zhou looked at the cake, covering her mouth to stifle laughter, her shoulders shaking. Gu Yunshen, on behalf of their colleagues, offered his blessings with gracious words and a warm smile, sincerely wishing them all the best in their future.

Sister Annie walked over with a wine glass, first hugging Su Qionglin, then patting her brother firmly on the shoulder. Smiling at Su Qionglin, she said, “From now on, Elio is all yours to handle! If he does anything foolish, feel free to teach him a lesson—our whole family supports you!”

Elio protested beside them, “Annie! I’m getting married today!”

Annie rolled her eyes. “Married or not, you’ll always be my little brother.”

Everyone laughed.

The dinner concluded in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Back in their hotel suite, Elio remained in a state of high excitement, a silly grin plastered across his face as he hovered around Su Qionglin. Su Qionglin had already taken off his suit jacket and undone the top button of his shirt, preparing to take a shower.

Elio wrapped his arms around him from behind, resting his chin on Su Qionglin’s thin shoulder. "Dr. Su," he murmured, "I must be the happiest Alpha in the world right now."

Su Qionglin didn’t pull away, allowing himself to be held, feeling the warmth and heartbeat from the man behind him. After a moment, he replied flatly, "Hmm, I know."

A quiet moment passed in the room, with only the faint sounds of the city drifting in from outside.

Just as Elio thought that was all the warmth he would get for the night, Su Qionglin spoke again, "Me too."

But even though he wasn’t an Alpha.

Elio went completely rigid.

He spun Su Qionglin around, staring at him in disbelief. His bright blue eyes were wide, filled with rapturous light. "Dr. Su! You… say it again?"

Of course, he had heard Su Qionglin’s words, but he could barely believe what he'd heard—Su Qionglin had never expressed his feelings about their relationship so directly before.

Seeing his foolish expression, Su Qionglin couldn't be bothered to say it again. He simply raised a hand and nudged him aside. "Out of my way. I'm going to shower."

But Elio refused to let go, holding him tightly like a big dog that had found a bone, persistently pleading, "You said it! I heard it! Dr. Su, please say it again…"

Unable to shake him off, Su Qionglin finally never did repeat those words. Instead, he cut off Elio's chatter with a brief, resigned kiss.

…

After the wedding, life returned to its usual routine.

Su Qionglin went back to his clinic as usual, seeing patients and reviewing case files. Elio also resumed his training, preparing for the upcoming competitions.

The only change happened on Su Qionglin’s desk.

It seemed as though nothing had changed.

Yet, something was different.

On the corner of Su Qionglin’s clinic desk, where the frosted blue glass figurine, the miniature tennis racket keychain, and the goofy lion plush sat, there was now a newly added simple photo frame.

Inside the frame was a candid photo taken by the photographer right after they exchanged rings at the wedding. In the photo, Elio was hugging Su Qionglin tightly, his face buried in Su's neck, revealing only a small part of his profile and his bright golden hair. Yet, anyone could feel the overwhelming happiness bursting from the frame. Su Qionglin, being held tightly, was hugging him back, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Sunlight streamed through the clinic window, shining on the photo frame and illuminating Su Qionglin as he focused on his work. The platinum band on his finger occasionally gleamed softly under the light.

Life remained busy and peaceful, but within those seemingly unchanged routines, something had quietly taken root—becoming the most stable foundation and surest choice in each other’s world.

Author's Note: [kiss][kiss][kiss][kiss]

Thank you to all the little angels who have supported Dr. Su and Elio up until now—much love!

I’ll stop writing here, but their story continues.

Hope to see you in the next book!

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