When Zong Yuan uttered the words “He is my wife,” 0046 observed clearly how Fu Xin seemed to scatter like a shadow that had suddenly grown legs, fleeing in all directions, vanishing in an instant.
0046 remarked, “Zong Yuan, you did it.”
Its tone carried a hint of disbelief.
How could a single sentence have such an effect?
Zong Yuan pondered for a moment. “As expected.”
He looked at Fu Xin, his gaze helpless. “This guy is just infatuated with love.”
0046 hesitated to ask, “Zong Yuan, did you say that on purpose?” Was it all just to complete the task?
Though it seemed a bit callous, Zong Yuan responded honestly, “At the very least, I do have some fondness for him right now.”
It wasn’t exactly love; Zong Yuan had never really liked anyone else in his life. Having any degree of fondness from him was already significant.
0046 said, “But Fu Xin really likes you.”
Zong Yuan glanced over; Fu Xin’s eyes were bright, as if sparkling with stars, filled with trust and affection.
After a moment of silence, Zong Yuan suddenly asked, “Does that mean my task is complete?”
“Yes,” 0046 replied.
“Then will I have to stay here forever?”
0046 carefully considered its response. “This is the real world. You will have to remain here until Zong Yuan’s lifespan comes to an end. That’s one of the difficulties; many people complete their tasks but struggle to distinguish reality because everything here is real, making it easy to get lost.”
Zong Yuan tapped the armrest of the sofa, hearing Fu Xin’s small voice speaking to Mother Zong, “Auntie, I’m a boy.”
Zong Yuan exhaled slowly, feeling relaxed. “Since I have to stay here for a lifetime anyway, then why should I be troubled? If I can like him, I will. If I can’t, as long as I don’t have anyone else I like, what’s wrong with being with him? At the very least, he listens to me—he’s obedient.”
0046 didn’t quite understand. “What if you end up liking someone else?”
Zong Yuan shook his leg, his demeanor casual. “Then we’ll just have a good time together and part ways when the time comes. We can be good friends.”
He looked at Fu Xin. “My brother’s illness can be postponed for a few years this time.”
0046 checked the task board. “It hasn’t been calculated yet, but it should be at least five years.”
If a task could extend his brother’s life by five years, then there were still a dozen or so tasks left.
There was no choice; his brother was suffering from an incurable illness and could only wait for death.
Mother Zong paused, repeating, “Boyfriend?”
Fu Xin shyly denied, “Zong Yuan is just joking.”
Suddenly, Father Zong stood up, striding powerfully in front of Zong Yuan with a serious face. “I don’t care; I want a grandson.”
“Give me, give me, there is,” Zong Yuan waved him off dismissively. “Dad, you’re quite open-minded.”
Even Mother Zong, who was usually slow to catch on, understood now. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “You— you and this little boy?”
Zong Yuan spread his hands helplessly. “Mom, it can’t be helped. Your son is gay.”
It couldn’t be more obvious; he didn’t realize that just moments ago, he had forcefully kissed Fu Xin upstairs.
He had pulled Fu Xin out of the abyss, which in itself represented that Fu Xin was now his responsibility.
Fortunately, although it sounds somewhat unfair—he didn’t like Fu Xin in the same way Fu Xin liked him—he enjoyed teasing him. He could kiss and hug him. Feelings would develop over time.
Fu Xin couldn’t guess Mother Zong’s reaction. His throat felt dry and he was both nervous and scared, his mind racing with possibilities. What if Mother Zong didn’t agree? What would Zong Yuan do?
Would he say it was all a joke or would he say he would cut off contact with Fu Xin?
He wasn’t like someone without a mother who wouldn’t care about his father’s opinions. If his family opposed him…
He clenched his hands tightly, unable to imagine a day without Zong Yuan.
Having been given redemption only to have it taken back—he would go crazy.
“Auntie, I really like Zong Yuan.”
Mother Zong said, “But you two are both boys.”
She looked at Fu Xin’s lowered head and felt an inexplicable sense of pity. She then turned to Zong Yuan, her expression serious. “Zong Yuan, what do you think?”
Zong Yuan dropped his playful facade and thought seriously about everything that lay ahead. As Fu Xin watched him, he could see the anxiety slowly darkening his eyes.
Zong Yuan said, “Mom, get ready to accept the reality.”
Fu Xin let out a sudden sigh of relief.
Mother Zong understood Zong Yuan’s personality; once he said something, he would surely follow through. With modern technology being so advanced, many families around them accepted same-sex relationships and there were always a few unique individuals in high society. She just hadn’t expected her son to be one of them. “But you need to think it through. These things don’t matter much; apart from a few whispers behind our backs, no one will confront us directly. But you can’t mess around; you need to take responsibility, understand?”
Zong Yuan beckoned Fu Xin over with his hand. “Looks like we’re bound together.”
Fu Xin felt warmth spread throughout him. With Mother Zong’s nod, he entered a state of blissful distraction, dumbly running to Zong Yuan’s side. “So, I’ve finally caught you!”
Zong Yuan nodded, grinning. “From now on, you need to work harder. Aim to tie me down soon, so I can only be with you. Got it?”
Fu Xin nodded earnestly as if he had just received an important state mission. “I will!” He then asked, a bit bewildered, “If I tie you down, can I imprison you?”
It felt like he had pushed open an astonishing door.
Zong Yuan replied, “No, you can’t.”
Zong Yuan’s parents exchanged glances, their expressions complicated. “I can’t believe my eyes; I’m not looking anymore. Let’s go eat,” Father Zong declared.
Mother Zong added, “Fine, your eyes may be blind, but my eyes are still good.”
Father Zong muttered, “Damn, I let that slip.”
Fu Xin felt like he was walking on a cloud, like a butterfly being blown about by the wind. He floated back home, where Fu Dongqiang was waiting on the sofa. “Why are you back so late?”
A smile remained plastered on Fu Xin’s face, one he couldn’t suppress no matter how hard he tried. “Dad, I have a boyfriend now.”
Fu Dongqiang, “…”
“It’s Zong Yuan. His family is in the capital and his parents have already agreed. I need to study hard, take the exam to go to the capital to see him, and then marry him.”
“…”
“I’ve already won him over; the next step is to propose to him with my own abilities.”
“…”
Fu Dongqiang couldn’t find the words to say as he watched Fu Xin float around like a fool, chattering endlessly.
He was really so happy.
When the principal learned about this, he was completely stunned, not understanding at all why he had previously been giving those pieces of advice.
Just a moment ago, Father Zong was still sighing heavily, and the next moment, he was grinning and saying, “The important task of taking care of him is entrusted to you, my old friend.”
The principal was left speechless.
With less than three months to go before the college entrance examination, everyone in Class 1 of the third year discovered that Fu Xin was different.
He was practically possessed by the urge to study, study, and study.
Thanks to Yang Fan and the others’ explanations, the entire class knew that Fu Xin didn’t like Zhang Zhi’liang. Coupled with his change in image and personality, he became cheerful and hopeful. Many people in the class accepted him and got along well with him.
Fu Xin immersed himself in a sea of practice problems, radiating a glow of “I love studying”. Yang Fan was puzzled. “Why are you suddenly working so hard?”
Fu Xin was focused on solving problems. “To get into a university in the capital.”
“That far?” Yang Fan was taken aback. “Why do you want to go there?”
Fu Xin paused for a moment, then revealed a sweet smile, speaking with the tone of someone who has a dream. “I want to marry Zong Yuan.”
Yang Fan, “…”
Fu Xin’s current goal had evolved from winning over Zong Yuan to marrying him—excellent progress.
Zong Yuan continued to receive Fu Xin’s persistent letters. He didn’t know what to think, but he was oddly captivated by this method of communication.
People around him teased, “Oh, your girlfriend wrote again.”
Zong Yuan replied with an “Mm”, opened the letter, read it carefully, and then put it in his pocket.
Even though he never replied, it didn’t extinguish Fu Xin’s enthusiasm in the slightest.
In the sweltering heat of July, the college entrance examination came to an end.
After finishing his exams, Zong Yuan instructed the driver waiting at the school gate, “Go to xxx.”
That was where Fu Xin’s exam location was.
When Fu Xin squeezed out of the crowd, he saw Zong Yuan hiding from the sun under a tree.
He was wearing a hat, looking handsome and tall, with the black earrings near his ears reflecting dazzling glimmers of light.
Fu Xin flew over like a little bird, excited. “Future husband!”
Zong Yuan: “…” Was he that intense?
He put his arm around Fu Xin’s shoulders and led him to the car. “Let’s go eat; your dad is there too.”
Fu Xin clung to him, feeling much more confident after three months of studying. His interactions with friends had made him more cheerful. “Kiss!”
Zong Yuan helplessly leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
Fu Xin was as happy as a three-year-old child, his eyes and brows curved in delight. 0046 sighed, “What a lovely little angel; how did he end up liking you?”
Zong Yuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of disdain in his expression. Fu Xin looked at him and reached out to touch his Adam’s apple, feeling wronged. “You still haven’t agreed to my proposal.”
Zong Yuan casually replied, “Things that come too easily are never cherished.”
“That’s true,” Fu Xin nodded, smiling as he poked at him. “A few days ago, Mom said you were getting close to a girl, and it made me want to tie you up.”
This kid was getting bolder and bolder.
Zong Yuan said, “That idea is a bit dangerous.”
“Then just agree to me,” Fu Xin insisted.
At the restaurant.
Fu Xin sneakily tossed some vegetables into Zong Yuan’s bowl and Zong Yuan ruthlessly smacked the back of his head. “Eat.”
Mother Zong looked at Fu Xin with sympathy and glared at Zong Yuan. “Don’t bully him.”
Fu Dongqiang chuckled, “Young couple, it’s fine, it’s fine.”
Zong Yuan leaned down and quietly asked Fu Xin, “Does it hurt?”
Fu Xin thought for a moment and replied, “If I get a kiss from my future husband, then it won’t hurt.”
He couldn’t resist it.
Fu Xin looked at him expectantly, as if he were the whole world.
Zong Yuan’s heart stirred. Under the watchful eyes of their parents, he gently pressed a kiss to Fu Xin’s forehead. “Your future husband gives you a kiss.”
In an instant, Fu Xin’s smile lit up his face.
Zong Yuan had only been in this world for just under four months.
Yet, those four months could save a person’s entire life.
0046 looked at Fu Xin, who was now sparkling with happiness. For a moment, it couldn’t even recall how Fu Xin had looked when they first met.
It sincerely said, “Zong Yuan, I have a feeling that if you dare to hurt Fu Xin, something really bad will happen.”
Zong Yuan replied, “Am I that kind of person?”
Fu Xin nestled in his arms, feeling the happiness of being spoiled by his future husband.
Online, people said that a passive partner should be a bit more flirty, but he wasn’t sure if he could pull that off.
But it didn’t matter; Zong Yuan would like it.
Eventually, he would love him—Zong Yuan, who belonged to him alone.
