“Oh? What about here?” Hearing his words so calm and indifferent, Murong Qiufeng raised his head, gently pressing his hand against the gauze on Shangguan Ye’s chest, careful not to touch the wound. His voice carried a trace of anger. “Do you think you’re invincible, that you can block everything? Or do you think you have nine lives, that losing one doesn’t matter because you still have more?”
Shangguan Ye watched his growing agitation and couldn’t help but reach out, gently stroking his face with a hint of heartache. His fingers caressed the exhaustion etched into those eyes, and he said helplessly, “Whether I’m invincible or have nine lives, I don’t know. But I do know one thing—you are neither invincible nor immortal. I can’t let you get hurt. Even if you were invincible, I wouldn’t allow anyone to leave a single mark on you. You’re mine. Every inch of you should bear only my imprint.”
At first, Murong Qiufeng felt a lump in his throat, his heart a tangled mess of emotions. But then, as the words continued, something seemed off. Seeing the teasing glint in Shangguan Ye’s eyes, he shot him an exasperated glare and sighed. “You always think about how you can’t bear to see me hurt, but have you considered my feelings? Do you think I can bear to see you injured? You always say I scare you, but what about this time? Didn’t you scare me just as much?”
The more he spoke, the more his heart ached, and his chest tightened with fear. It had been so close—so very close. He’d almost lost him forever. His eyes reddened with suppressed tears.
Shangguan Ye froze, taking in Murong Qiufeng’s lingering fear and worry. His heart ached as well, but his lips curved into a playful smile. Twirling a strand of his hair around his finger, he asked softly, “Hmm, should I take that as a declaration of love, my dear?”
Murong Qiufeng’s face flushed crimson. He turned his head slightly, voice low and shy. “It’s just the truth.”
Shangguan Ye blinked, stunned. He had been teasing to lighten the mood, but now his heart raced. Propping himself up on one elbow, his gaze burned with intensity as he clutched Murong Qiufeng’s hand. “Wait. What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me… it means what I think it means?”
Murong Qiufeng was caught off guard by his sudden movement and nearly toppled onto the bed. When he looked up, Shangguan Ye was leaning over him, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
His heart softened. Shangguan Ye was a powerful and domineering man, yet he was so vulnerable and uncertain when it came to him. To have someone like this, what more could he ask for in life?
His lips curved into a gentle smile.
Shangguan Ye was momentarily entranced by that smile—so dazzling and breathtaking that it struck him to the core.
“Lie back down,” Murong Qiufeng said, pushing his shoulder. “You’re still injured. Stop moving around.”
Shangguan Ye came to his senses and obediently lay back. But he kept his gaze fixed on him, eyes twinkling like stars. “Then say it. Explain it to me. My comprehension isn’t great, you know.” He’d already seen the answer in Murong Qiufeng’s eyes, but he needed to hear it aloud.
His heart swelled with sweetness, warmth spreading through his chest. He had always known this day would come, but experiencing it was something else entirely.
This time, Murong Qiufeng didn’t avoid his gaze. He interlaced their fingers, his smile soft yet firm. Slowly, he leaned down.
Their lips touched—a fleeting, icy brush that sent a heatwave through both their bodies.
When he pulled back, his eyes glimmered with tenderness as he whispered, voice low and resolute, “That is my answer. I, Murong Qiufeng, wish to be with you, Shangguan Ye, until our hair turns white—never to part.”
Until our hair turns white, never to part…
Shangguan Ye stared at him, stunned. The words echoed in his mind, over and over, etching themselves into his very soul. His vision blurred with unshed tears as he tightened his grip on their entwined hands.
“You’d better remember that promise,” he said with a hoarse chuckle. “No backing out now. If you try, I’ll lock you up for life.”
“I won’t,” Murong Qiufeng answered with a reassuring smile.
Shangguan Ye smiled back, though his eyes glistened with tears.
Outside the door, Yuxiang wiped her eyes with a sniffle, her lips curving into a delighted grin. Chanyang and Qian Baihuan exchanged disapproving looks, but even they couldn’t deny the warmth swelling in their chests. Only Shun Yi, leaning motionless against the wall, showed no reaction. But if one looked closely, they might notice the faintest upward curve of his lips.
Inside the room, silence stretched for a moment before Shangguan Ye tugged playfully at Murong Qiufeng’s hair. “You sly fox. You picked the worst possible time to say that.”
“Why? What’s wrong with now?” Murong Qiufeng blinked in confusion.
Shangguan Ye’s eyes darkened with a wicked glint. “Because I really, really want to devour you right now.”
Murong Qiufeng’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “Stop talking nonsense!” He tried to push him away.
Shangguan Ye winced and gasped, face contorted in pain.
Alarmed, Murong Qiufeng immediately stopped. “Is your wound opening? Lie down!”
Shangguan Ye bit his lip, his expression pitiful. “See? You just confessed your love and now you’re bullying me.”
“You…!” Murong Qiufeng’s face turned even redder.
Shangguan Ye chuckled softly, pulling him into his arms. “My little fox, you still owe me a wedding night, remember?”
Murong Qiufeng groaned and buried his burning face against his chest, his heart full of exasperated happiness.
