Chapter 80

Chapter 80

"You're so beautiful."

Pei Qingji couldn't help saying, the tips of his ears slightly reddened.

Cheng Yuan was a bit shy, but still smiled a little.

That smile left Pei Qingji stunned; he froze for a moment before coming to his senses, his ears flushing.

"I..."

"Let's go."

Cheng Yuan took Pei Qingji's arm, following him downstairs.

Pei Qingji froze, never expecting him to take his arm on his own, and he stood there for a long moment, not knowing how to react.

"Why aren't you coming?"

Seeing him still standing there, Cheng Yuan paused and called to him.

Pei Qingji finally came to his senses, but his ears were getting hotter and hotter.

Once they got downstairs, everyone was stunned, all chiming in with praise.

"Looking good."

Pei Qingji thought they looked good too.

"This is the one."

His tone carried a barely contained excitement that was obvious to anyone listening.

Pei Qingji had never looked forward to Monday so much.

As he waited anxiously, Monday came around quickly.

During this time, Cheng Yuan not only didn't mind his touch, but also smiled at him often.

Pei Qingji felt like he was walking on air.

He didn't know what was going on with Cheng Yuan—whether he'd finally come around or... but he was happy right now.

"Let's go on our honeymoon right after the wedding."

"Do you want to go overseas?"

"Where do you want to go? I'll take care of the visa."

Pei Qingji held his hand, chattering on excitedly.

"What about the baby?"

Cheng Yuan looked at their interlaced fingers, his gaze dropping.

"Let the grandparents take care of him for a bit."

Cheng Yuan watched Pei Qingji, who was like a giddy young lad, planning out their wonderful future together.

He hid the complicated emotions in his eyes and said after a long moment.

"I'm fine with anything."

"Great, then let's go see the snowy mountains, okay? Or maybe go skiing?"

"Or how about Antarctica? We could see penguins there, or maybe the Arctic."

"No, you're still not fully recovered."

Pei Qingji talked to himself excitedly, like a little kid.

Seeing this, Cheng Yuan's fingers curled slightly.

"Why's your face so pale? Are you feeling sick?"

Pei Qingji was always the first to notice when he wasn't feeling well, touching his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Not warm, so probably no fever."

Cheng Yuan shook his head and simply said, "I'm fine."

Summer nights could still get a bit chilly.

"It's windy outside; let's go inside."

With that, Pei Qingji stood up and helped Cheng Yuan up, leading him toward the villa.

He was always so thoughtful, even draping his jacket over Cheng Yuan's shoulders.

They were right outside the villa, just a few steps from the door—there was no need for a jacket.

Cheng Yuan pursed his lips.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing his mood was off, Pei Qingji asked.

Cheng Yuan stayed silent.

Monday, the wedding day.

The weather was beautiful today, with a gentle breeze bringing a hint of coolness.

Family and friends from both sides had all arrived.

Lu Mingzhe was there too.

"Dude, didn't expect you to move this fast." His eyes darted back and forth between the two, his tone teasing and amused.

"Let me wish you both a happy wedding and everlasting happiness."

Pei Qingji had gotten his hair styled, making his handsome features even more striking.

He curved his lips into a smile.

"Thanks, I'll treat you to dinner sometime."

"Wow, you actually said thanks?"

"At least you're finally talking like a normal person. You don't know, he used to..." Lu Mingzhe complained.

Pei Qingji shot him a cold, indifferent look.

"Used to what?"

"Used to... nothing. I've got stuff to do, so I'm outta here." Lu Mingzhe forced a dry laugh and quickly made an excuse to leave.

He had a feeling that if he actually said that out loud, he was a dead man.

Pei Qingji gave a cold snicker, then turned to Cheng Yuan, his voice softening even more.

"The ceremony's about to start. Let's head on up."

Cheng Yuan nodded.

The first few rows of the cathedral were packed with family and friends from both sides.

Just then, the officiant's voice rang out loud and clear.

"Let's welcome our couple to come on up."

Right then, the sound of a piano filled the church, playing the wedding march.

Doves flew over the cathedral as bells chimed.

"Do you, Mr. Cheng, take Mr. Pei as your husband?"

"From this day forward, in poverty or wealth, in sickness or in health, in good times and bad, in youth and old age, you will love him, respect him, cherish him, and stand by him."

"Never abandon, never leave, through life and death, faithful and true, forever and always."

Even though they were already married, this moment still made him a little nervous.

Cheng Yuan froze for a second.

Pei Qingji's heart clenched, full of anticipation and nerves.

"I do."

The second he said it, he froze again.

Because he saw Cheng Yuan smile at him once more.

Somewhere in the middle of everyone's applause, he'd already dropped to one knee and slipped the ring onto Cheng Yuan's finger.

In that moment, the ring found its own meaning.

Even the baby in the stroller giggled happily, as if cheering on his two dads.

Under everyone's gaze, Pei Qingji rose from his half-kneel and looked at Cheng Yuan in front of him.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he softly kissed Cheng Yuan on the lips.

In the distance, Xiao Ling's excited voice rang out.

"Ahhhh, that's so sweet!"

"Keep your voice down."

"I'm just so excited!"

"So sweet, so happy!"

Xiao Ling couldn't help but cry tears of joy.

Brother Zhou raised an eyebrow. "You're crying?"

"What, I can't cry?"

Xiao Ling sniffled, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and shot a glance at her brother.

"Didn't you cry on the sly too?"

Brother Zhou's eyes were indeed a little red, but he insisted stubbornly.

"Why would I cry?"

But how could he not, though?

The two of them had been leaning on each other for years, and the moment he saw him happy, he was deeply moved.

He was genuinely happy for him too.

Just then, the church lights suddenly dimmed, and the projector started showing images.

At the start of the footage, a figure appeared.

It was Cheng Yuan.

It started with him in the hospital, then carrying the baby, and then scenes of them going to the doctor together when the baby was born and got sick.

"When did you shoot this?"

Cheng Yuan was taken aback.

Pei Qingji smiled and explained himself.

"I shot it a long time ago, thinking I'd keep it as a keepsake. Didn't expect to use it this time."

Scene after scene played on the projector, set to music—warm, healing, and moving enough to make you cry.

Cheng Yuan watched, the corners of his eyes getting red.

He lowered his eyes, his lips pressed into a thin line.

After the wedding, family and friends slowly filed out.

Pei Qingji had been drinking, and his ears were a little red.

"You better take good care of An'an, or you'll have me to answer to."

Brother Zhou seemed drunk too, but he still insisted on toasting with him.

"Bro, that's enough. Cut it out."

Xiao Ling was a bit exasperated—he clearly couldn't hold his liquor, yet he still wanted to drink.

Pei Qingji thought of Cheng Yuan still waiting for him and suddenly ducked his head with a soft laugh.

He stood up and set down his glass.

"I'm heading out now."

Pei Qingji quickened his pace, almost eagerly hurrying to the door.

Suddenly nervous and unsure how to act, he instinctively knocked.

Realizing what he'd done, Pei Qingji couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself, running a hand over his face.

What was he doing? Why would he knock on his own husband's door? And the door wasn't even locked.

With that in mind, Pei Qingji opened the door.

But the next second, the smile on his face froze as he strode quickly into the room.

Cheng Yuan wasn't there.

But the baby's stroller was still there, with what looked like a letter inside.

Pei Qingji's steps slowed unconsciously, stopping in front of the stroller. He bent down and picked up the letter.

His hands were trembling inexplicably, and a sense of dread rose in his chest.

Pei Qingji opened the envelope, and after reading what was written, he stood frozen.

"I forgive you."

Before he could even feel relief or joy, he read on, and his expression darkened.

"But I think we should take some time apart for now."

"I'm sorry. I had already decided to leave before I agreed to the wedding, yet I still let you plan it."

"You're an amazing person, but I just feel we're not right for each other right now."

"You don't need to lower yourself for me. You're truly good enough."

"The baby... I'm leaving them with you."

"I know I'm being selfish, not doing my part as the baby's father, but the doctor said the baby's pheromones only calm down when you're around, so..."

"And please apologize to your uncle, aunt, and grandpa on my behalf."

"I'm... leaving. Don't try to find me. I can take care of myself."

"If we ever run into each other again, maybe..."

Maybe they'd have another chance to be together, and if it wasn't meant to be, then so be it.

Cheng Yuan had been writing in the room for a long time, going through countless sheets of paper, crumpling and tossing them aside.

He felt he was being somewhat cruel—giving someone hope, then cutting it off himself.

He shouldn't have agreed to the wedding in the first place, let alone when he knew he was going to leave.

Leaving at the very moment he was most excited was utterly heartless.

Thank you for holding the wedding, for fulfilling the intense feelings from seven years ago, and for settling that debt.

If you're asking me if I love him now—

Cheng Yuan probably couldn't really say.

With Pei Qingji, they'd been through too much together. There was definitely love, but also guilt, lingering attachment, and nostalgia—it was complicated.

He felt that maybe they both needed a few years apart.

The only thing he couldn't stand was leaving the baby.

Afraid he'd soften, Cheng Yuan blocked Pei Qingji everywhere without giving him a single chance.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Papa's leaving."

Cheng Yuan held the baby, his eyes full of reluctance.

The baby didn't seem to understand, just giggled.

He paused, then bent down to plant a kiss on the baby's forehead, silently apologizing in his heart.

He regretted that he'd never heard the baby call him "Papa" even once.

But he wouldn't be around by the time the baby could speak.

Cheng Yuan was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he'd get too attached and wouldn't be able to leave.

He knew he shouldn't be so pessimistic—maybe he could use this chance to accept him, and it might not turn out badly.

He'd already packed. He went back to the villa to grab his stuff and got on a bus.

He'd explain it to his grandma later.

He didn't know where he was going—he'd just go wherever the bus ended up.

Leaning against the window, Cheng Yuan watched the familiar scenery pass by and suddenly froze.

He instinctively reached out his hand, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

He... missed home, a little.

Author's note:

N/A.