From that night on, Xie Liufeng started becoming elusive.

Chu Xinghui tried for two days to catch him and ask about the progress, but he could never find him.

He had no choice but to temporarily give up and wait for Xie Liufeng to come to him with an invitation.

Fortunately, Xie Liufeng was quick. After a few days, he made a whole table of Chu Xinghui’s favorite dishes and invited him over.

Xie Liufeng led Chu Xinghui to a table set under a osmanthus tree, and recalling what Xie Liufeng had said before, Chu Xinghui asked: “Is today a particularly memorable day?”

Xie Liufeng explained: “Today is the sixteenth.”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment but couldn’t figure out what was special about the sixteenth, looking at Xie Liufeng in confusion.

Was the moon particularly round today?

Xie Liufeng continued: “The word ‘six’ sounds smooth, and I checked the almanac. It’s an auspicious day for weddings.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He felt that Xie Liufeng might have some issues and reached out to check his forehead, worried that his presence might jinx the proposal.

Xie Liufeng took his hand off his forehead and put it back on the table: “Don’t touch me, I’m a bit nervous right now.”

He emphasized: “Just a little nervous, not overly nervous.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

Though Xie Liufeng appeared calm on the surface, Chu Xinghui decided to observe how things unfolded.

The black bird had just returned from outside. It perched on a branch, cocking its head to look at the two of them for a while, before flying down to join in the commotion and maybe find some food.

It hopped around the feet of the two men, wandering aimlessly.

Xie Liufeng, deep in thought, was staring seriously at Chu Xinghui, trying to find the right words to begin.

After a while, his peripheral vision caught the bird hopping around. It was incredibly annoying and kept disrupting his train of thought.

But his mind wasn’t clear enough to deal with such trivialities, so after a brief hesitation, he decided to grab the bird.

He picked up the black bird but had no idea where to place it. Scanning around, he found a conveniently-sized bowl and, in a spur of the moment decision, tried to stuff the bird into it.

The black bird seemed confused at first, then panicked and began struggling.

Chu Xinghui quickly acted, snatching the bird from Xie Liufeng’s hands just in time to save the soup from being ruined.

…He had confirmed it now. Xie Liufeng was indeed nervous.

While the bird might be good for a stew, it would at least need to be plucked and the water boiled first before cooking.

The bird, unaware of Chu Xinghui’s dangerous thoughts, immediately flew back up to the tree after being freed.

Xie Liufeng, having gathered himself, finally spoke: “I…”

Chu Xinghui, sitting up straight, stared at him with seriousness, and the moment Xie Liufeng said the first word, Chu Xinghui nodded: “Mm, I agree.”

Xie Liufeng blinked, dazed for a moment, before recovering with a wry smile: “…I haven’t even finished yet.”

Chu Xinghui, still serious, replied: “It’s fine. I’ll agree first.”

After all, it was bound to happen, and if he didn’t agree soon, the food would get cold.

Xie Liufeng: “…”

Finally, Xie Liufeng adopted a serious, formal posture and began discussing their relationship: “Alright, I’m going to say it now.”

Chu Xinghui wanted to agree immediately, but decided to let Xie Liufeng finish speaking first.

As Xie Liufeng took a moment to think, he began slowly, his voice measured: “I’ve lived for a long time and traveled to many places. A long life is a double-edged sword. Even someone like me, over time, ends up losing some parts of themselves.”

He paused for a moment, his gaze serious: “But for you, this world is still new, and you have endless possibilities for growth. So, I worry that choosing me now might be because you haven’t yet had the time to meet someone better. I also worry that, over time, you might get bored with me.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

Xie Liufeng had already mentioned the first reason before, but Chu Xinghui hadn’t expected to hear the word “bored” coming from him.

He’d never met anyone more adept at finding ways to entertain himself than Xie Liufeng.

Chu Xinghui paused, then decided to humor his future Dao companion, and seized the opportunity to offer his own declaration: “There’s no one better. If I were to regret anything, it would be that I wasn’t born sooner, so I could meet you earlier.”

Xie Liufeng reached out and pinched his cheek, laughing in spite of himself: “Can you let me finish?”

Chu Xinghui obediently quieted down.

“But now, I don’t want to worry anymore. I like you, and I can’t control my feelings for you.” Xie Liufeng looked at Chu Xinghui earnestly and asked: “So, will you be my Dao companion?”

Actually, he had prepared a lot more, including pages of compliments for Chu Xinghui, but when it came down to it, only these few words seemed to matter.

After all, there were many reasons to stay apart, but there was only one reason to be together—because they liked each other.

Chu Xinghui, however, remained silent for a moment and didn’t immediately reply.

Xie Liufeng looked at him, suddenly feeling like he wanted to throw the bird back in the soup bowl. But the bird hadn’t come down from the tree, and perhaps he should first go and grab it.

Seeing Xie Liufeng’s hesitation, Chu Xinghui, feeling a bit unsure, asked: “…Can I agree now?”

Earlier, Xie Liufeng had never allowed him to agree first, so this time, he needed to check.

Xie Liufeng: “…”

He suddenly realized how unreasonable his earlier nervousness had been.

Chu Xinghui, now eager, asked: “So, can I agree?”

Xie Liufeng: “…”

Now, he was completely calm.

Seeing that Xie Liufeng didn’t object, Chu Xinghui straightened up, confirming their relationship: “Alright, I agree. From now on, we’re Dao companions.”

Xie Liufeng finally couldn’t hold back anymore. He lowered his head and laughed.

Being Dao companions was a serious commitment—it represented the only bond they would have with each other for the long years to come.

In the long passage of time, he had gotten used to being alone. Before meeting Chu Xinghui, he had never thought that “Dao companion” would ever be a term related to him.

But from today on, they would be together.

Chu Xinghui, suddenly feeling a bit shy, grabbed his chopsticks and lowered his head, pretending to busy himself with food.

Xie Liufeng was still smiling, watching him with a gentle gaze.

The osmanthus flowers had reached their peak, and the ground was covered with a layer of fallen petals. A breeze blew by, sending a few of them onto Chu Xinghui’s hair.

Xie Liufeng reached out, brushing the petals from his hair.

Chu Xinghui looked up at him.

The person before him had seen the loneliest snow in the north, experienced the busiest of mortal lives, and after countless rises and falls, now, here he was, brushing away petals from his hair.

Chu Xinghui suddenly felt a stir in his heart.

He stood up, pulling Xie Liufeng to his feet as well.

Then, he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Xie Liufeng’s neck, and kissed him.

Xie Liufeng was stunned for a moment, then he held the person in front of him tightly and took the initiative to kiss him for the first time.

The two kissed for a while, and finally, Chu Xinghui suddenly realized an important issue, biting Xie Liufeng’s lips with dissatisfaction: “You haven’t taken initiative in kissing me yet.”

Xie Liufeng’s voice became a bit hoarse. He felt quite wronged: “You’ve already been active, where is there any space left for me to act?”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and felt that it made sense. So, he stopped moving, lifted his head from Xie Liufeng’s arms, giving Xie Liufeng a chance to act.

Xie Liufeng bent his eyes, looked at him with a smile, then lowered his head and very gently kissed his forehead.

*

A few days later, Shang Ling arrived in Beiyue and began to check the accounts from the recent period.

This year, Wanbao Trading Company in Beiyue set a new revenue record, which was very gratifying.

The more Shang Ling checked, the happier he became, and he started to consider whether to open another branch.

He was thinking about where to locate the new store and who to promote for the management when he suddenly sensed another strong presence appear in the area.

It was a master.

Shang Ling’s gaze instinctively sharpened.

He vaguely felt that the aura of the visitor seemed somewhat familiar. Before he could recall who it was, the person walked confidently in front of him.

Shang Ling recognized the person in front of him, then quickly lost interest and lowered his gaze back to the account book. He casually greeted: “Oh, isn’t this Sword Sovereign? Next time, please raise your hand when you enter the door, knocking on it won’t take much time.”

Xie Liufeng casually found a place to sit: “Isn’t this an office area? It’s not a private space.”

Shang Ling was well-informed and knew a lot about the recent events in the Beiyue Sword Sect. He was a bit curious about why Xie Liufeng suddenly appeared here, so he temporarily put down his account book: “Weren’t you handling the matter with Cultivator Biyun at the sect?”

Xie Liufeng showed a rare troubled expression and hesitated: ” Cultivator Biyun people are being watched by Fang Yan, but I need to ask you for a favor.”

Shang Ling observed his expression, finding it a bit unusual, and immediately became interested: “What is it?”

Xie Liufeng handed him a few invitation cards: “Help me see which version of these invitations looks the best.”

Most people in the Beiyue Sword Sect had poor taste, and Chu Xinghui had no research on these matters, so Xie Liufeng took the opportunity to find outside help while he was out.

Shang Ling took the invitation cards and flipped through them.

For a wedding… Hmm, very normal.

Then he casually looked at the two names.

He recognized Xie Liufeng’s name, but the other one…

Shang Ling didn’t react at first: “Chu Xinghui… this name sounds a bit familiar.”

He thought for a moment and suddenly realized: “Ah, isn’t this your ‘Star’… Wait, your disciple?”

Xie Liufeng called him “Star” so often that Shang Ling almost forgot Chu Xinghui’s full name.

Not thinking much, he casually connected the two names and said: “Are you holding a disciple ceremony? Wait… has it been this long…?”

Xie Liufeng felt that his friend wasn’t very perceptive and hinted to him: “What disciple?”

Shang Ling was a bit confused: “Your disciple.”

Xie Liufeng clarified: “What disciple? I never took a disciple.”

Shang Ling: “…”

What kind of person was this? He had been calling him “disciple” so affectionately before, and now, in such a short time, had expelled him from the sect?

Shang Ling pondered for a moment, suddenly realized something, and lowered his head to confirm the content on the invitation. He looked at Xie Liufeng as if seeing a ghost.

Wait… How did it become a life partner?

Shang Ling carefully confirmed: “You two… are planning to be together now?”

It wasn’t just a random name thrown on there, was it?

Xie Liufeng awkwardly touched his nose, then quickly became confident: “Yes, what’s the problem?”

Unmarried, unmarried, there’s no problem with being together.

Shang Ling: “…”

He stopped talking and lowered his head to choose an elegant, simple, and tasteful invitation from the several he was given, then handed it back to Xie Liufeng.

Xie Liufeng carefully compared it and thought that this friend’s taste was acceptable, so he tentatively added this one to the list and thanked Shang Ling: “Thanks.”

Shang Ling calmly tried to pitch: “We also provide ceremony services here, do you want to make an appointment?”

His heart had already turned as cold as a knife after killing monsters for ten years in the Wanjing Valley. He didn’t want to know why old trees bloomed, he only knew how to do business.

Xie Liufeng thought for a moment and asked: “Do you have any discounts?”

Shang Ling nodded: “Yes.”

A big discount? He’d definitely sell him the most expensive package when the time came.

Xie Liufeng thought it wasn’t bad: “Alright, once we set the date, I’ll bring my Star along to take a look.”

Shang Ling: “…”

Before, he always talked about his disciple, now he wasn’t even trying to hide it.

Xie Liufeng achieved his goal, bought a few things along the way, and quickly left.

After all, he was now a married man and couldn’t waste time with people who didn’t have a life partner.

Shang Ling watched his friend leave, recalling the earlier situation, feeling a bit mixed inside.

He couldn’t focus on the account book anymore, so he temporarily put it aside.

Maybe he should’ve understood earlier: what kind of disciple relationship could ever be so affectionate?

But he still felt a bit resentful.

Why was it that an old tree blooming was happening to Brother Xie, of all people?

 

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