Qiao Zhiya was taken by Chu Rong to the Chu family’s private port. Every time he tried to speak, Chu Rong would kiss him, leaving Qiao Zhiya no choice but to stay silent, his lips tightly sealed.
Seeing the noticeable smile on Chu Rong’s lips and recalling his earlier words about “getting married,” Qiao Zhiya clutched his rapidly beating heart, glancing at the increasingly familiar port scenery outside with growing excitement and anticipation.
Even when they arrived at the port, the hover car didn’t stop; it drove directly into the open A compartment of the flagship.
After parking, Chu Rong lifted Qiao Zhiya out of the car and, without putting him down, carried him onto an elevator, pressing the button for the central area’s floor.
“Chu… mmm.”
Qiao Zhiya couldn’t help but try to speak again, but Chu Rong silenced him with another kiss.
When the kiss ended, the elevator had just stopped. Chu Rong released Qiao Zhiya and gently caressed his slightly flushed face. “Let’s go change clothes, be good.”
Qiao Zhiya pursed his lips, wrapped his arms around Chu Rong’s neck, and buried his head in his shoulder. His blush spread from his face to his neck as he silently reflected, “No, no, it’s been so long since we’ve been together. I need to stay calm.”
But today was destined to be anything but calm. The central area of the flagship had been completely transformed. The once cool-toned decor was replaced with warm colors. Soft carpets extended from the elevator, and along the walls of the hallway were numerous photos — pictures of his everyday life with Chu Rong, photos from when he first joined the primary academy in his student uniform, solo shots of him working in the lab on mechas, and many snapshots of their daily life at the Chu residence. Towards the end, there were even photos of his parents.
This was no longer just a rest area of the flagship; it had been decorated to look like a home.
Qiao Zhiya, who had his head buried in Chu Rong’s shoulder, couldn’t help but lift his head to look at each photo. It was as if he was reliving his nearly three years at the Chu residence, and the shyness and excitement in his heart were slowly replaced by a warm sense of gratitude and nostalgia.
This was his life in the Federation—a happy life.
After passing the last photo of the whole family having dinner together, they reached a door adorned with a vine pattern.
He looked at the elven blessing vine design on the door, tightened his arms around Chu Rong’s neck, sniffed, and rubbed his face against Chu Rong’s, silently expressing his thanks.
Chu Rong turned his head to kiss him, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.
A warmly decorated new room came into view. Several ribbon-tied bunnies hopped over at the sound. Chu Rong set Qiao Zhiya down, closed the door, and then started to undress him, bending down to kiss his eyes and softly saying, “Close your eyes.”
Qiao Zhiya tilted his head up for the kiss, his eyelashes trembling slightly, and obediently closed his eyes.
The clothes on his body disappeared one by one, and he felt the soft touch of the bunnies on his feet, causing him to curl his toes. Then warmth enveloped him, and he was lifted again. After the sound of doors opening and closing, Chu Rong’s voice sounded again.
“Open your eyes.”
He opened his eyes, and a stream of warm water poured down. His vision darkened as his lips were kissed again.
After the bath, Chu Rong wrapped him in a towel and carried him to the bed, where he handed him a communicator. A video started playing automatically, and Chu Yan’s figure appeared on the screen.
Qiao Zhiya was puzzled, then couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s crooked, it’s crooked! Hang it straight!”
This was a behind-the-scenes video of decorating the flagship, starting with Chu Yan yelling at Lin Zhen for hanging photos crookedly. Lin Zhen’s response to Chu Yan’s complaints was equally straightforward and effective — he handed the tools to Chu Yan’s face and turned to leave.
Chu Yan’s face was filled with disbelief. Noticing the camera, he immediately jumped up and rushed over, shouting, “Butler, not only are you not helping, but you’re also secretly filming! No filming allowed!”
The screen darkened before lighting up again, showing Gu Yan’an and Mi Lai choosing outfits together. Mi Lai kept grumbling, her gaze on Chu Rong’s outfit practically shooting flames.
Gu Yan’an was all smiles, handing a few smaller outfits to Mi Lai, carefully asking for her opinion.
At a critical moment, Chu Pangpang suddenly started crying from a small bed on the side. The old butler, filming the video, became visibly anxious, causing the footage to shake and cut off again.
Qiao Zhiya laughed, his eyes turning red. He wiped them and continued watching.
The scene switched to Zhuang Yu, who looked sneaky as she entered the flagship’s kitchen. She headed straight for the wine cabinet, replacing all the wine with a liquid resembling alcohol.
After finishing, she clapped her hands happily, only to turn and face the camera. Startled, she bolted.
The camera pursued her, and the old butler’s voice, unusually agitated, called out, “I told you not to replace the wine with your so-called happiness potion. Come back and return the wine!”
The screen went dark again, leaving Qiao Zhiya amused by Zhuang Yu’s antics. In the next moment, the video showed Qiao Yi, standing in front of the very door they had just entered. He was carefully carving blessing patterns into the door, his expression earnest and almost reverent.
This was clearly a candid shot. Watching his father standing before the door, Qiao Zhiya lowered his head, wiping his eyes with a towel.
This was wonderful. Everyone was here, and it was truly wonderful.
The screen darkened as the video ended, and the communicator was taken away. A familiar hand lifted his chin, and he looked up with red eyes to be kissed by Chu Rong, who was now dressed in his suit.
He obediently closed his eyes, tears still clinging to his lashes.
“No crying until the wedding is over.”
After the kiss, Chu Rong gently rubbed his ear and softly commanded.
He opened his eyes, looking at Chu Rong, who was now perfectly groomed and dressed, and took a deep breath to suppress the lump in his throat. He nodded and responded, “Okay.”
Chu Rong didn’t let him move while changing into his suit. From underwear to socks, Chu Rong dressed him piece by piece. Once dressed, Chu Rong held his hand and led him out, following the carpet to the elevator and pressing the button for the top-floor observation deck.
Sensing his nervousness, Chu Rong gently squeezed his hand and reassured him, “Today is just a party, not the official wedding, so relax.”
He took a deep breath, watching the floor numbers rise, and tightened his grip on Chu Rong’s hand.
The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and fireworks exploded. Countless streamers and confetti floated down, and Chu Yan’s cheerful voice called out, “Welcome, newlyweds!”
Applause and warm laughter filled the air as family and friends gathered around.
Qiao Zhiya, initially startled by the fireworks, relaxed his ears, looking at the smiling faces of those gathered outside the door. Shy yet grateful, he softly said, “Thank you, everyone.”
The fireworks exploded once more, and Chu Rong gently squeezed his hand in reassurance. Leading him into the center of the crowd, they officially commenced the heartwarming celebration.
Qiao Zhiya felt this was the happiest day of his life. His parents were here, the Chu family was here, friends were here. The lights were warm, the music was cheerful, the sky above was a vast expanse of stars, and all around were friendly smiles and laughter. Everything seemed to be wrapped in a warm, soft glow, and the laughter and joy made it feel like a dream.
Slightly tipsy, he leaned on Chu Rong’s shoulder, his eyes scanning his parents enjoying the view, Chu Huai and Gu Yan’an teasing Chu Pangpang, Chu Yan and Xiang Kun bickering, friends chatting nearby. With a smile on his face, he felt the warmth and sleepiness wash over him. He softly said, “Chu Rong… thank you.”
Chu Rong didn’t reply but held his slowly sinking body steadily, kissing his forehead.
The flagship, filled with lively chatter, sailed toward the asteroid belt. When Qiao Zhiya woke from his dream, the asteroid belt was already in sight.
With Chu Rong’s help, he changed into his formal attire again. Holding hands, they walked to the top observation deck, now entirely transformed, and under the watchful eyes of their loved ones, walked down the red carpet to stand before the priest and witnesses.
It felt like last night’s beautiful dream had extended into reality. Vows were exchanged, rings were placed, a kiss was shared, and they received blessings from their families. He followed the instructions, slipping the custom ring with vine patterns onto Chu Rong’s finger, then looked at the camera, capturing this perfect moment.
He knew his mother was crying. He saw his father’s red eyes. He noticed the slight rasp in Chu Rong’s voice during his vows. He wanted to cry too, but he couldn’t. This was a moment of happiness, and he wanted to smile until the end.
The ceremony ended amidst a flurry of blessings. Just as he was about to find a quiet place to shed some happy tears, everyone suddenly stepped back. Chu Rong held his hand and, under the warm gazes of their loved ones, led him to the elevator.
Qiao Zhiya was puzzled, glancing back at their friends and family who remained behind, and at his parents who were leaving from another elevator. He asked, “What’s going on? Aren’t we supposed to have a banquet?”
“My brother will handle that. We have another mission,” Chu Rong replied, guiding him into the elevator and pressing the button for the A cabin. As the doors closed, he kissed him and explained, “The wedding is over, now it’s time for our honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon?” Qiao Zhiya was confused, asking, “Where are we going?”
Leaving the entire ship’s guests to go on a honeymoon seemed a bit too much.
Ding, the elevator doors opened, revealing a mini spaceship at the A cabin entrance and Qiao Yi and Mi Lai standing beside it.
Chu Rong, leading him over, replied, “We’re going to your hometown.”
Qiao Zhiya suddenly stopped, his heartbeat quickening, and he asked anxiously, “Where did you say we are going?”
Chu Rong stopped as well, then picked him up and continued toward the mini spaceship. He whispered in his ear, “We’re going to your homeland, the Magic Continent. The ancient yellow leaf tree forest has abundant magic reserves, perfect for setting up a teleportation array. Qiao, you can go home.”
‘Home?’
Qiao Zhiya tightened his grip on Chu Rong’s clothes, looking at his parents smiling at him from the spaceship’s entrance, then at the asteroid belt scenery outside the cabin. His lips pressed together, his expression tense, he covered his face with his hand and, trembling, whispered with a hint of tears in his voice, “Thank you… thank you.”
Three years, it had been three whole years, and he could finally go home.
This was the best wedding gift, the most perfect surprise. So, thank you. Thank you, everyone, for meticulously planning all of this.
Seeing their son’s tears, Mi Lai couldn’t help but tear up as well. Qiao Yi quickly hugged her shoulders and patted her comfortingly. He then exchanged a glance with Chu Rong before both of them, with their partners, boarded the mini spaceship.
The navigation lights illuminated, and the mini spaceship shot out of the A cabin, heading into the asteroid belt. Their next destination was— home.
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PS: Tomorrow, there will be one last extra chapter featuring Chu San and Xiang Kun. Love you all, mwah mwah mwah =3=
T/L: for Chu Yan/Xiang Kun side stories, there’s 3 chapters! Also, there’s still 1 Chu Rong/Qiao Zhiya extra~ it’s about their babies!
