For their first trip together, Ren Yi had considered Gong Yingxian’s preferences and wanted to choose somewhere rich in culture and history. Gong Yingxian, in turn, had considered Ren Yi’s feelings and wanted to choose somewhere romantic. But after discussing it, they discovered that both of them actually preferred something a little more hardcore. And so, this trip to South Africa came about.
It was a journey where primitiveness and wildness collided. They watched the red desert in Namibia, gazed at the sea at the Cape of Good Hope, admired the snowcapped mountains of Kilimanjaro, and drove a Jeep across the vast African grasslands, following the great animal migration. Their final destination was the Drakensberg Mountains.
They both loved mountain climbing and hiking, so instead of taking the usual tourist routes, they hired a local guide to lead them into the mountains for a three-day trek.
During the day, they walked and stopped whenever they pleased. Sometimes they studied unfamiliar plants; sometimes they launched their drone to admire the scenery from above; sometimes they built a fire and cooked together. At night, they slept in simple tents. Even after a full day of exhaustion, their passion never waned, and they would still eagerly cling to each other and make love. Every day in South Africa, almost every place they visited bore the mark of their passion.
Ever since the guide had seen the two of them kissing, he had very considerately kept his distance. Most of the time, it seemed as though the entire mountain belonged to just the two of them.
“This guide sure walks fast.” Ren Yi couldn’t even see him anymore. “With our stamina, we’re already better than most people, but he’s even more energetic than we are.”
“He’s a local. He’s running around these mountains every day, so of course he’s fast.” Gong Yingxian took a tissue out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from Ren Yi’s forehead. “Are you tired? Want to take a break?”
“Sure. Let me have some water.”
The two sat down on the ground. Ren Yi leaned halfway against the rock behind him and took a deep breath. “The air feels so good.”
Gong Yingxian handed him the water.
Ren Yi took several big gulps, drinking half the bottle. “Do we have any snacks left?”
Gong Yingxian opened his own hiking backpack and first pulled out a carefully wrapped pillow.
Every time Ren Yi saw that pillow, he couldn’t help teasing him. “Come on, think about it. If you didn’t bring that pillow, you could fit several more bags of potato chips in here.”
Gong Yingxian shot him a sidelong glance. “Don’t you use it too?”
“I don’t need it.” Ren Yi grinned. “I use my husband’s arm as a pillow. Isn’t that much better than this one?”
Gong Yingxian smiled too. “I wonder who it was that kept fighting me for the pillow in the middle of the night.”
Ren Yi brought the water bottle to Gong Yingxian’s lips. “Have some.”
Gong Yingxian lightly brushed his lips against the bottle opening, then changed his mind. In a soft voice, he said, “I want you to feed me.”
Ren Yi leaned closer and whispered in a breathy voice, “Do you want to kiss me, or do you want to drink water?”
Gong Yingxian pressed a hand against the back of Ren Yi’s head and leaned forward, capturing his lips in a kiss. He gave him his answer through action.
Beneath the gentle sunlight and the warm mountain breeze, the two kissed passionately. There was always an endless amount of love to express when they were in the throes of romance. They wanted to touch, embrace, and possess each other at any time and anywhere.
Ren Yi placed a hand against Gong Yingxian’s chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath his hiking jacket. “We’ve been so exhausted these past two days. How are you still so… energetic?”
Gong Yingxian licked Ren Yi’s moist, soft lips, looking reluctant to stop. “I’m not tired. Are you? If you’re tired, we can rest.”
“So you’re not a germaphobe anymore? You don’t mind sleeping in those tents? You don’t mind bathing in the river, even though the water isn’t clean?” Ren Yi teased. “Is it because being outdoors feels so good that you’re willing to put up with all of that?”
Gong Yingxian’s eyelashes fluttered, and an irrepressible smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Yes. I like it.”
“See? I was right. You’re just a horny guy.” Ren Yi gave Gong Yingxian a suggestive pinch. “I really don’t know how you survived twenty-five years as a virgin.”
Gong Yingxian replied awkwardly, “Even if I am… I’m only like this with you.”
Ren Yi thought Gong Yingxian’s slightly bashful expression was unbearably cute. He couldn’t help kissing him. “Good boy.”
Gong Yingxian pulled Ren Yi into his arms. He took off both their gloves and raised their hands, each wearing a wedding band, holding them up to the sunlight for a careful look.
Their slender fingers stretched toward the sun like resilient branches, allowing the sunlight to filter through the gaps and fall upon their skin, spreading a gentle warmth.
Gong Yingxian’s heart was filled with peace and contentment. Of course, these little rings weren’t what would bind Ren Yi to him for a lifetime, but they were a wonderful testament to their love.
“These rings are really beautiful. What brand are they?” Ren Yi asked. “I don’t know much about brands, but I’d like to know about these.” The rings were elegant and simple, yet they looked incredibly luxurious.
“I had a designer from Van Cleef & Arpels make them for us. They’re one of a kind.” Gong Yingxian lowered his head and kissed the corner of Ren Yi’s mouth. As if one kiss wasn’t enough, he continued with his cheeks and the curve of his ear, showering him with clingy, lingering kisses.
Ren Yi burst out laughing. “Isn’t that a little over the top? Was that really necessary?”
“Yes. I want to give you the best, something that’s one of a kind.”
I want to place everything I can give you right in front of you.
Ren Yi nestled into Gong Yingxian’s arms and gazed at the deep blue sky and the vast, empty valley. He said softly, “It’s so quiet. It’s almost as if we’re the only two people left in the whole world.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad.”
Even if the world ended the very next second, Gong Yingxian felt he would have no regrets.
“I’ve been so happy lately. I’ve never enjoyed a trip this much before.” Ren Yi felt a little embarrassed. “We must have spent quite a lot of money, right?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Gong Yingxian rested his chin on Ren Yi’s shoulder, gently rubbing his thumb over Ren Yi’s ring. “Money has no value to me. The only thing that can give it value is spending it on you.”
Ren Yi teased him, “Damn rich people.”
Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes slightly, like a cat lying on its back in the sun. Every one of his eyelashes seemed to radiate comfort and contentment. He looked as though he might fall asleep with the person in his arms.
“Hey, let’s shout something out!” Ren Yi suddenly suggested.
“How stupid.”
“Yeah, I guess…” Ren Yi suddenly threw his head back and let out a loud “Awoooo!” startling Gong Yingxian so badly that he jerked.
“Hahahahahaha—”
Gong Yingxian sprang to his feet and swiftly hoisted Ren Yi over his shoulder, charging toward the cliff.
“Hey, hey! What are you doing?!”
Gong Yingxian didn’t stop until he reached the edge of the cliff. He put the loudly protesting Ren Yi down. “That’s what you get for scaring me.”
“You’re so petty.” Ren Yi was still laughing. “Come on, try shouting. It’s a great way to relieve stress.”
Gong Yingxian cleared his throat, still feeling a little embarrassed.
Ren Yi took a deep breath and shouted toward the valley, “I’m the most handsome man in the world—!”
Gong Yingxian glanced at him, then imitated him, taking a deep breath and gathering his courage before shouting, “Ren Yi—!”
“Yeah—!” Ren Yi shouted back.
Gong Yingxian seemed to throw all caution to the wind. “I love you—!”
Ren Yi froze for a moment before bursting into laughter, laughing so hard he could barely stand upright.
Gong Yingxian kicked him in annoyance. “What’s so funny?! You’re the one who told me to shout!”
“Who would’ve thought you’d… Hahaha…” Sometimes Ren Yi felt as though he were dating an elementary school student. Gong Yingxian always loved him with such pure, straightforward, unreserved affection. He even tried to create romantic moments using cheesy tricks he’d apparently learned from who-knew-where. Although they often ended up being more hilarious than romantic, Ren Yi was still deeply touched. His heart was still filled to the brim with happiness.
Gong Yingxian’s face began to turn red. “D-Do you think proposing to you in the cemetery wasn’t very appropriate? If so, I can do it again…”
Ren Yi stopped laughing. He cupped Gong Yingxian’s face with both hands and gave him a firm kiss. “No. I thought it was wonderful. With your parents and sister there to witness it, that was the most romantic and sincere proposal in the world.”
Gong Yingxian’s eyes immediately filled with a smile.
Ren Yi cleared his throat lightly, then shouted toward the mountains, “Gong Yingxian, marry me—!”
The heat had just faded from Gong Yingxian’s face, but now it flared up all over again.
After shouting, Ren Yi amused himself so much that he started laughing. He took Gong Yingxian’s hand and made their rings rub and clink against each other. “Now it’s not just you who’s embarrassed, right?”
“There’s nothing embarrassing about saying I love you.” Gong Yingxian leaned over and nipped Ren Yi’s ear, threatening him. “But if you dare laugh at me again, I’ll make sure you can’t walk tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” Ren Yi was intimidated, because Gong Yingxian really could do it.
Holding hands tightly, the two gazed at the rolling mountains, the layers of lush green peaks, and the clouds and wind converging overhead. And in each other’s eyes, they saw love and eternity.