That night, the two of them slept together again, just like in the morning. Chu Yan fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but Xiang Kun found it hard to sleep.
He lay on his side, gazing at Chu Yan’s slightly hazy profile in the darkness, lost in thought.
How did he end up sleeping with this person? It seemed like just yesterday they were quarreling and fighting, hating each other to the core.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet…”
Chu Yan’s sleepy voice came from the darkness. Before Xiang Kun could respond, Chu Yan, who had been lying flat, had turned to his side and was now draping an arm over Xiang Kun. He patted him lightly a couple of times, mumbled something incoherent, and fell back asleep.
Xiang Kun’s body stiffened as he felt Chu Yan’s warmth envelop him. His heart pounded rapidly for a few moments before gradually calming down. Sleepiness washed over him, and he closed his eyes, burying his head in Chu Yan’s chest, breathing softly.
‘Is this a dream…?’ he wondered, feeling as if he had stolen something precious, carefully tightening his grip.
‘If it’s a dream, let me dream a little longer.’
Xiang Kun ended up staying at the Chu family’s residence. During the day, he worked on mechas with Qiao Zhiya, and at night, he slept next to Chu Yan. His demeanor softened day by day, a smile slowly appearing on his face, and he even gained a little weight.
A month passed quickly, and Chu Yan’s break as a new recruit ended. It was time for him to return to the military. Xiang Kun, blending in with the Chu family, saw him off. After he left, Xiang Kun returned to Chu Yan’s room and sat there for a long time.
No one urged him to go back. In fact, the family seemed to express a desire for him to stay. Yet, that night, he left without saying goodbye.
A month later, Chu Yan returned on another break and once again dragged Xiang Kun back to the Chu family’s residence.
“Hurry, my mecha has a problem. Help me fix it. Qiao and Erge went out, and Master Ren was also away. You’re my only hope.”
Xiang Kun couldn’t refuse and ended up staying again.
Fixing the mecha took exactly as long as Chu Yan’s break.
And so, it happened again and again. Fixing mechas, sparring, helping Qiao Zhiya organize the lab… Chu Yan came up with various excuses, and Xiang Kun found himself spending Chu Yan’s breaks at the Chu family’s residence.
Xiang Lingyun started to sense something was off, and Chu Huai seemed to have picked up on something as well. During meetings, they exchanged disdainful glances, causing other officials to speculate whether the Chu and Xiang families were at odds again.
In the lounge after a meeting, Xiang Lingyun solemnly declared, “Xiao Kun is my chosen heir.” Meaning: it’s impossible for him to be married off into another boy’s family!
Chu Huai adjusted his sleeves and calmly countered, “We’ve already prepared a wedding house for Xiao Yan. It’s ready for use anytime.” Implying: there was no way Chu Yan would be married into another family, becoming their daughter-in-law!
They exchanged a look, then both huffed and parted ways in a huff.
Seeing the rumors spreading, Qiao Zhiya subtly probed Chu Yan. Chu Yan, avoiding eye contact, mumbled, “It’s… just like that. He’s just a paper tiger, actually quite nice…”
‘A paper tiger…’ Qiao Zhiya thought silently. Then he asked, “When did you start having feelings for him?”
‘When?’ Chu Yan recalled a morning waking up entangled with Xiang Kun, his face flushing red. He blurted, “How should I know when it started!” and ran off.
Qiao Zhiya watched him leave, then dashed back to the main house, face flushed with excitement. “Dasao, Xiao Yan has figured it out! He’s figured it out!”
With the new year festivities approaching, the adult world’s pretentious banquets began anew.
“Third Young Master Chu is 24 years old now, isn’t he? It’s time to find a wife,” one official’s wife, Madam Jia, said with a laugh.
“Yes, yes, I wonder what kind of girl he likes,” Madam Yi echoed with a smile.
“Who knows, maybe he likes men,” another woman, Madam Bing, interjected coldly, her smile not reaching her eyes.
The first two madams stiffened, glaring at the third, who remained unfazed, adjusting her hair. “Speaking of which, Young Master Xiang and Young Master Yuan are also 24 now. They should find partners too.”
Gu Yan’an, pretending not to catch the insinuation, smiled warmly and said, “Thank you all for your concern. Xiao Yan already has someone he likes, which saves me a lot of worry.”
‘What? He has someone he likes?’
The wives were taken aback. Nearby, Xiang Kun, who had been about to greet them, also froze. His smile faded, his face turning pale. He stood there blankly for a moment, then abruptly turned and walked out.
Encouraged by Qiao Zhiya, Chu Yan prepared for a romantic confession that night. After getting everything ready, he couldn’t find Xiang Kun in the family area and received several icy glares from Xiang Lingtyb.
He anxiously searched everywhere until a servant directed him to the garden, where he found Xiang Kun by the fountain.
Xiang Kun looked like a mess. His tie was undone, hair disheveled, leaning against the fountain’s edge with bottles scattered around, the smell of alcohol heavy in the air.
Chu Yan, shocked to find him drinking alone in the garden, and clearly drunk, rushed over. He called out a few times, but Xiang Kun didn’t respond. Worried, he bent down to help him up, intending to take him to a resting room.
The drunk Xiang Kun refused to leave, gripping the fountain edge and looking at him with bleary eyes, calling out, “Chu Yan?”
“You can still recognize me, so you haven’t drunk yourself to death,” Chu Yan replied irritably, bending down to pry Xiang Kun’s hand off the fountain. “Let go, I’ll take you to the lounge.”
Xiang Kun suddenly broke free from Chu Yan’s grasp and swung a fist at him.
Caught off guard, Chu Yan took the punch squarely in the eye, stunned and in disbelief. “What are you doing?”
“Returning the favor,” Xiang Kun answered coldly, yanking off his tie and lunging at Chu Yan again.
“???”
Chu Yan hadn’t expected Xiang Kun’s drunken rage to manifest like this. He tried to dodge the punches while attempting to calm him down, but Xiang Kun was determined to fight. They had sparred together countless times over the years and knew each other’s moves well. Chu Yan, afraid of hurting Xiang Kun, found it difficult to subdue him.
Taking a few more punches, Chu Yan noticed that Xiang Kun was aiming specifically for his face. The more he fought, the more agitated he became, his spiritual power becoming unstable.
Chu Yan couldn’t let this continue. He applied more force to restrain Xiang Kun, pressing him against the fountain’s edge. “Calm down! Stabilize your spiritual power.”
Xiang Kun stared at him with intense eyes, then suddenly closed them and head-butted Chu Yan.
“Bang!”
Their foreheads collided painfully. Chu Yan felt like his brain was going to explode, but he quickly held Xiang Kun to prevent him from hitting the fountain’s edge again. “What kind of drunken tantrum is this? I’m telling you, Xiang Kun, you’re never drinking again! Not even at my wedding!”
“Your wedding?”
The word seemed to trigger Xiang Kun. His eyes grew colder, with a hint of malice. Struggling again, he threw another punch. “Take it back, all of it. From now on, we’re even. Chu Yan, you’re a bastard!”
Chu Yan managed to restrain him, his once hopeful heart now shattered by Xiang Kun’s cold gaze. He couldn’t help but shout back, “Who’s the bastard now? You’re the one spouting nonsense! Wasn’t it you who secretly made mechas for me and kissed me while I was asleep? Trying to tease me and then run away? No way!”
Having his hidden feelings exposed, Xiang Kun’s eyes widened. Fueled by alcohol, he struggled even more, his spiritual energy scattering wildly. With reddened eyes, he shouted, “So you knew and still provoked me? Chu Yan, you’re despicable and shameless! Get lost! I don’t want to see you!”
The edge of the fountain was no place for a tussle. As Xiang Kun’s struggles and erratic spiritual energy intensified, Chu Yan also grew agitated. He pinned Xiang Kun to the ground, gritting his teeth. “Stop it! Pull back your spiritual power, or I’ll hit you!”
“Hit me! Then we’ll be done with each other!” Xiang Kun showed no sign of calming down, becoming even more agitated.
“Fuck!” Chu Yan cursed.
Xiang Kun sneered, “What the fuck? Let me go, and let’s have a fair fight!”
‘Fight, my ass!’
Chu Yan was about to respond when footsteps suddenly approached. The people who were supposed to be in the banquet hall appeared, staring wide-eyed at their current position and the bruises on Chu Yan’s face. The rumors outside were true – the Chu and Xiang families were at it again.
“Oh dear, they’re really fighting on this festive day,” Madam Jia couldn’t help but say. She then signaled her daughter to go forward. “Help Chu Yan up, it’s so cold out here. We don’t want him getting sick.”
Everyone fell silent, their expressions odd as they glanced at the wife. Internally, they all thought the same thing: ‘It’s not cold, the garden is temperature-controlled. And sending a girl to help a man in a fight? Clearly, she had ulterior motives.’
Xiang Kun, momentarily stunned, saw a girl approaching from the crowd. Remembering what Gu Yan’an had said and his hopeless feelings, his nose tingled with impending tears. Not wanting to embarrass himself, he struggled harder, trying to get up and leave.
Chu Yan snapped back to reality. Ignoring the sudden crowd, he restrained Xiang Kun again. Seeing tears in Xiang Kun’s eyes, he paused, then frowned, bent down, and kissed him hard on the lips.
Wow.
The crowd gasped in unison. Madam Jia was stunned, and her daughter rolled her eyes before happily retreating into the crowd to watch the show.
Xiang Kun, completely taken aback by the kiss, stopped struggling and stared at Chu Yan with wide eyes. When Chu Yan finally pulled away, Xiang Kun muttered, “You…”
“Stop talking and pissing me off. Shut up!” Chu Yan glared at him, pulling out a ring from his pocket and shoving it onto Xiang Kun’s finger. He stood up, pulling Xiang Kun to his feet, and shielded him slightly from the crowd. “What are you looking at? Never seen people in love? Move along!”
Everyone’s expressions grew increasingly odd at this violent display of affection. Chu Huai, who had been watching from the back, stepped forward, cleared his throat, and reprimanded Chu Yan, “What a mess! Take Xiang Kun to the lounge and tidy up!”
Although his words seemed directed at Chu Yan, it was actually a way to defuse the situation and disperse the crowd. Sensing this, the onlookers withdrew their various speculations and tactfully left. Chu Yan quickly took the opportunity to lead a dazed Xiang Kun away, not to the lounge, but directly to a hover car.
“Where are we going?” Xiang Kun asked, still stunned, staring at the ring on his hand.
Chu Yan frowned, ripping off his tie and glaring at him. “Sober yet?”
Xiang Kun, feeling a mix of guilt, shyness, and discomfort, avoided Chu Yan’s gaze, nodding almost imperceptibly. “Yes,” he replied. After all this, if he wasn’t sober, he might as well be dead.
“Good,” Chu Yan said through gritted teeth, narrowing his eyes. “Since you’re sober, let’s get down to business.”
“What business?” Xiang Kun had a sinking feeling that something was off.
Chu Yan touched his bruised eye socket, biting out, “Getting a marriage certificate!”
That night, the Federation’s 24-hour self-service marriage registration office saw an unusual couple. One was disheveled, the other sporting a black eye. They didn’t exchange a single word but successfully passed the spiritual power trust assessment and obtained their marriage certificate.
After receiving the certificate, Chu Yan hoisted a bewildered Xiang Kun over his shoulder and took him straight back to the Chu residence.
In the banquet hall, upon receiving the news, Chu Huai raised an eyebrow and turned to the stone-faced Xiang Lingyun, warmly saying, “Ah, we are in-laws now. When shall we have a meal to discuss the kids’ marriage?”
“Boom.”
Xiang Lingyun’s unstable spiritual power shattered the table he was holding.
The next morning, sunlight filtered in as Xiang Kun slowly opened his eyes, staring directly at Chu Yan’s still bruised face.
“Good morning, dear.”
Chu Yan grinned brightly, kissing him on the lips before pressing down on him, happily rolling around. “It’s not a dream after all. From now on, no more drinking — it’s bad for your health.”
Xiang Kun, still dazed, felt his heart race uncontrollably at Chu Yan’s affectionate words and actions. He lifted his hand to push him away but saw the ring on his finger. Flashes of memories from the previous night came rushing back. His body stiffened, and without thinking, he kicked out.
“Thud.”
“Ouch!”
Chu Yan cried out in pain, having already been battered by Xiang Kun the night before.
Realizing what he had done, Xiang Kun hurried to the edge of the bed, nervously asking, “Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”
Chu Yan didn’t answer. Instead, he hooked an arm around Xiang Kun’s neck and kissed him deeply.
Xiang Kun’s breath was stolen, his mouth pried open. His face turned crimson, and he instinctively tried to struggle, but Chu Yan overpowered him, pinning him back onto the bed. Their ringed hands touched, and Chu Yan finally released his lips.
“We’re legally married now. You can’t hit me anymore, that’s domestic violence. I could report you!” Chu Yan said righteously, then softened his tone, smiling as he kissed Xiang Kun’s nose and lips. “But we’re newlyweds, so I forgive you. Now, let’s get up and have breakfast.”
Xiang Kun, still in a daze, let himself be pulled up, washed up, and led out for breakfast. They received a bunch of red envelopes before finally having a moment alone.
Everything felt like a dream. Xiang Kun, confused and anxious, shakily reached into his space button and pulled out a brand-new red certificate.
Opening it, he saw Chu Yan’s serious, bruised face alongside his own drunken one. Memories of last night became clear: the arguments, the kiss, the feeling of a ring sliding onto his finger. All the sensations came flooding back. Clutching the certificate, he saw Chu Yan approaching in home clothes, carrying a glass of milk and humming off-key. A twisted sense of possessiveness surged in Xiang Kun’s heart.
Chu Yan was his.
No matter the reasons or whom Chu Yan liked, the person in front of him now belonged to him and only him forever.
“Daydreaming again?”
Chu Yan approached, placing the glass of milk in front of him. Seeing Xiang Kun holding the marriage certificate, he raised an eyebrow, ready to tease him when Xiang Kun suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled him in for a fierce kiss.
Chu Yan was momentarily stunned. A hint of shy delight flashed across his face. After passionately returning the kiss, he pulled away, suppressing his gloating excitement, and said, “Why are you suddenly so clingy… This is the living room. Let’s wait until we’re back in the bedroom, okay?” He patted Xiang Kun’s head with feigned sternness.
Feeling Chu Yan’s touch, Xiang Kun’s heart almost overflowed with happiness. He couldn’t help but grab Chu Yan’s collar again and fiercely said, “Chu San, if you ever cheat on me, I’ll castrate you!”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Chu Yan frowned at him but couldn’t help but laugh, unable to contain his smugness any longer. He comfortably leaned back on the sofa, boasting, “You’re just acting tough because you know I like you. Fine, considering how many times I beat you up when we were kids, I’ll be more lenient with you. Don’t be too moved.”
Xiang Kun was stunned, his previously twisted emotions dissipating instantly. He turned to look at Chu Yan in disbelief and asked, “Who did you say you like?”
“Whoever answers, of course…” Chu Yan mumbled shyly, then frowned at him again, scolding, “Enough with the mushy stuff. Drink your milk and stop being silly, or I’ll hit you.”
“Whoever answers.”
Xiang Kun’s breath hitched. Carefully observing Chu Yan’s barely concealed joy, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He slumped onto the sofa, his eyes slightly glazed.
“It’s me…” he murmured, his tone shifting from disbelief to certainty. He almost bit off the words, tears suddenly streaming down his face as he firmly stated, “The person you like is me.”
Chu Yan’s smugness vanished. He quickly moved closer, awkwardly trying to wipe Xiang Kun’s tears, only to make them flow even more. Anxiously, he said, “Why are you crying? I wasn’t really going to hit you. See, I didn’t even fight back when you hit me yesterday. Don’t cry. I promise I’ll never hit you again, really.”
Xiang Kun moved his gaze, seeing the concern and anxiety in Chu Yan’s eyes. Suddenly, he hugged him tightly, burying his face in Chu Yan’s shoulder, and whispered fiercely in his ear, “Just getting the certificate isn’t enough. I want a wedding — the biggest wedding.”
This person was his, and he wanted to announce it to the entire Federation and the Blue Star system, ensuring no one dared to covet him or try to take him away.
Chu Yan hugged him back, patting him soothingly. “Of course we’ll have a wedding, and it’ll be very formal and grand. My Dage and everyone else agree. Getting the certificate yesterday was just a compromise. The wedding will be a big affair.”
“The ring you chose is ugly. I want to pick another pair.” A pair that was bigger and more dazzling, so everyone would know Chu Yan was taken.
“What’s ugly about it? I chose… Okay, okay, you can pick. Pick whichever ones you like.”
“The mecha you pilot must be made by me… once I can make one as good as Qiao Zhiya’s.”
“The second-generation [Knight] I’m piloting now was made by you and Qiao, wasn’t it? Fine, fine, you can make it. I’ll wait for you, no rush.”
…
After making a series of messy requests, Xiang Kun finally stopped crying, his emotions gradually stabilizing.
They embraced quietly for a long time before Xiang Kun spoke again, his voice low, “One last request: you can’t die before me. You have to always love me.”
Chu Yan was taken aback, then hugged him tightly, nodding earnestly, “Alright.”
-end of story-
T/L: Of course Chu Yan/Xiang Kun gets a Vegas marriage. I’m not surprised.
And that’s it! It’s been a long journey~ ending my longest-running tl project feels a bit bittersweet, but I’m glad I finished it!!
Hope you enjoy this series as much as I do!
For my next project, I’m translating [Who Are You Calling Gege?]! It’s a funny esports danmei, with 90% romcom and 10% esports honestly. The MC is hilarious, all bark and no bite when it comes to horniness. He’s the “a slut in theory but not in practice” type of character!
