“Hey, Xinyuan, my friend wants to play basketball, so I’m heading out first.”

Fang Youzhi, seeing Ruan Xinyuan’s expression, knew it was the crush he mentioned adding him, and wisely decided to slip away.

“Ah,” Ruan Xinyuan responded a beat late, his eyes glued to the phone screen, “Okay.”

After Fang Youzhi picked up his tray and left, Ruan Xinyuan continued to stare at the phone screen, pondering that phrase.

Fiancé…

To Ruan Xinyuan, this role was just a way to “tease and fool” the elders, something that shouldn’t exist.

But now, someone actually showed up to fill this void, making him feel quite peculiar inside.

Not to mention, it was something he initiated.

Ruan Xinyuan didn’t hesitate any longer, clicked agree, and after some thought, added the note “Professor Qi.”

[Abundant Wealth Golden Ingot: Professor Qi, hello [rose]]

[Professor Qi: Hmm]

Ruan Xinyuan was prepared to wait, but Qi Xun replied instantly.

While he was still hesitating about what to say, he saw “the other party is typing…” in the chat box.

[Professor Qi: I’m free Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday noon. Pick a time, and we can discuss the marriage details.]

Qi Xun went straight to the point, catching Ruan Xinyuan off guard.

Looking at the words “marriage details,” he felt a sense of unreality.

Is this really not a dream?

[Abundant Wealth Golden Ingot: How about Friday night?]

[Professor Qi: Okay, I’ll book a restaurant and send you the location.]

[Abundant Wealth Golden Ingot: Alright [rose]]

The conversation ended in three minutes, very efficiently.

But looking at this exchange, Ruan Xinyuan felt it was more like scheduling an interview than discussing marriage.

He finished his AD calcium milk, put his phone in his jeans pocket, and picked up his tray to dispose of it.

Unexpectedly, as he stood up, a familiar piercing pain shot through his chest, turning his face pale. He slowly sat back down, fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of the plastic tray, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

The knife-like pain lasted five seconds, retreating just before he broke into a cold sweat, gradually fading away.

Ruan Xinyuan panted, closed his eyes, and then reopened them.

This time, the symptoms were manageable, not lasting long, and no other symptoms appeared.

But these sporadic attacks worried Ruan Xinyuan that he might faint again like last time. Fortunately, the subsequent episodes weren’t as intense, and as long as he stayed still, he could endure them.

If it happened like the first time, it would be fine in the dorm, but in public, it would be troublesome.

He exhaled deeply, stood up with the tray again, his hands still trembling from the pain, not fully recovered.

He hoped he could endure these episodes until he and Qi Xun got married.

—

Southern Yan Underworld, Sacrificial Heaven Hall.

“Why aren’t you offering me cola this time?” Song Qi glanced at the plain water in his cup, feeling it was tasteless.

Qi Xun snorted, “Aren’t you worried about killing your sperm?”

Song Qi was momentarily speechless, stubbornly saying, “Yes, plain water is healthy, I just love drinking plain water.”

“Did you come to me today because you’re having trouble pursuing someone?” Song Qi tapped his ceramic teacup with a serious air. “It’s normal to have trouble pursuing someone, after all, you don’t have as much practical experience as I do…”

“I’m getting married to him.” A sharp light flashed in Qi Xun’s eyes.

“Pfft—”

Song Qi choked on his second sip of water, spraying it on the floor.

Qi Xun glanced at him sideways, not bothering to argue, and added cheerfully.

“He proposed to me in the human world, with his current identity, and I agreed.”

Song Qi’s mind was in chaos, trembling as he held up a number, “Wait… wasn’t it just five days since you last came to me?”

“And how come he proposed to you? I thought you were pursuing him.”

Qi Xun smirked, “He said he’s been fond of me for a long time, every day feels like a year, and he was eager, so he proposed.”

“And you just agreed?” Song Qi found it unbelievable.

“Even though it’s the 21st century now, with freedom in marriage for both heterosexual and homosexual couples, from his perspective, you barely know him, just a brief encounter, isn’t it strange to agree like this?”

“Oh, by the way,” Song Qi remembered something important, “Did you see if the red luan on his forehead lit up?”

Qi Xun’s expression turned cold, his tone icy, then he suddenly laughed, “No, but it’s okay, I’ll make it light up.”

“As for the issue you mentioned, I’ve already thought of a solution, no need to worry.”

Song Qi felt a chill down his spine, thinking to himself, I’m not worried about the other side thinking there’s something wrong with you, I’m afraid you’ll be deceived by some mortal out for your money or body.

Whatever, whether it’s true love or a doomed relationship, it’s not up to him to decide.

He sighed, shook his head, raised his cup, and laughed heartily, “Then let me congratulate you in advance, on your new marriage in the human world.”

Qi Xun clinked glasses with him and drank the cola in his cup.

—

“Rushed into marriage?” Ruan Xinyuan’s eyes flashed with a moment of surprise.

Qi Xun smiled gently, putting down his spoon, and continued.

“In two years, I’ll be thirty, and naturally, my parents are urging me. Over the years, my relatives, elders, and their friends’ children have all gotten married, which indirectly became a marriage urging talisman for me. If I don’t find someone soon, I might be dragged to a blind date tomorrow.”

Ruan Xinyuan nodded in understanding, as someone also “urged” to marry, he could empathize deeply.

Qi Xun then shifted the conversation, “And at this time, you appeared.”

His gentle words were like a feather falling on a calm lake, stirring ripples in Ruan Xinyuan’s heart.

“You said you’ve had a crush on me for a long time.”

Qi Xun’s sudden mention of this made his heart ignite like a match, burning away the calmness of the lake in his heart, his cheeks heating up.

This was a lie.

It made him feel guilty and nervous, blushing with embarrassment.

Ruan Xinyuan even felt a bit afraid to look up and meet the other person’s eyes, but what must come will come. He cheered himself up internally, raising his gaze to meet Qi Xun’s deep eyes.

However, he abandoned the script he had prepared earlier and blurted out another story.

“Actually, it was love at first sight for me. A month and a half ago, when I came to the school to find Qiao Siming, I happened to see you. We passed by each other, but you left a deep impression on me.”

Ruan Xinyuan thickened his skin, his dimples like small holes burned by shy emotions, “A month and a half can be considered a long time, right…”

He uneasily picked at his fingers.

This story was too simple, full of holes.

The hastily reconstructed script was crude but more genuine than the previous one.

The person opposite didn’t mind, instead smiling gently, making one feel like a spring breeze in early autumn.

“Doesn’t that seem unfair to you?”

Ruan Xinyuan heard Qi Xun say.

He was momentarily stunned, “Why?”

“You like me, but I don’t like you yet. Agreeing to your proposal just because of parental pressure isn’t responsible for you, even though my parents have no requirements for my spouse, whether male or female, it’s up to me.” Qi Xun raised an eyebrow, looking at Ruan Xinyuan with an inquisitive gaze.

Ruan Xinyuan hadn’t expected Qi Xun to say this, and he had no prepared response, speaking a bit haltingly.

“Then you could try liking me, wouldn’t that make it fair?”

He regretted saying this as soon as it left his mouth, considering he didn’t actually like the person, how could he ask them to like him?

If it weren’t for the truth about the mysterious fate being hard for ordinary people to believe, he would have almost confessed the truth to Qi Xun.

This thoughtless response was completely formulaic!

“Uh, not really, you don’t have to force it. Besides, I don’t like Professor Qi that much, so we’re… probably still fair.”

“As long as we can respect and understand each other, this mutually agreeable marriage isn’t unfair.”

Ruan Xinyuan blushed, patching up his previous answer.

Qi Xun maintained a calm smile, as if he could accept anything Ruan Xinyuan said without surprise.

“That does seem a bit fairer. In that case, when do you think we should get the marriage certificate?”

“Both parents also need to meet.”

The topic shifted again by Qi Xun, and Ruan Xinyuan thought for a moment.

Naturally, he wanted it as soon as possible, but was afraid Qi Xun would find it too rushed…

In the few seconds he hesitated, Qi Xun spoke again.

“Of course, my preference is to do it soon. The longer it drags on, the more my parents will push, but it’s up to you.”

Ruan Xinyuan’s eyes lit up, wasn’t this exactly what he wanted?

“Ahem, then let’s do it soon. My grandma knows a bit about fortune-telling and can pick an auspicious date. I’ll tell her, and once she figures it out, I’ll let you know, okay?”

“Mm, in that case, you can also decide when our parents meet. My parents are settled in Jiang City and are generally available,” Qi Xun sipped barley tea, his long fingers caressing the cup, “And about the wedding, do you have any thoughts?”

Ruan Xinyuan was caught off guard by the question. He hadn’t really thought about it, always assuming getting the marriage certificate was the end of it.

But… a formal marriage seems to require a wedding, right?

Qi Xun seemed to see through Ruan Xinyuan’s internal struggle, considerately saying, “But since you’re still in school, we can postpone the wedding. It’s not an essential formality.”

Ruan Xinyuan remembered this point, relieved, as it was a good excuse. He nodded obediently at Qi Xun, then picked up his teacup to take a sip, sticking out his tongue, “Mm-hmm.”

“Then… there’s just one last question.” Qi Xun’s fingers tapped the table silently but rhythmically.

“Mm?” Ruan Xinyuan blinked, looking at him seriously.

Qi Xun stared at Ruan Xinyuan’s unresponsive forehead for two seconds, unable to resist a mischievous thought.

“Xiao Yuan, can I call you that?”

Ruan Xinyuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he nodded, responding softly, “Sure.”

“Then isn’t calling me Professor Qi a bit distant?”

“In front of both parents, it might seem a bit formal.” Qi Xun spoke unhurriedly.

Ruan Xinyuan felt the other made sense, but after thinking for a while, he couldn’t come up with a good term.

He couldn’t just call him husband, right?

Just thinking about that term gave Ruan Xinyuan goosebumps.

“How did you address your previous partners? Just do the same.” Qi Xun subtly reminded, his eyes flickering.

Ruan Xinyuan instinctively replied, “I’ve never dated anyone before.”

The breath Qi Xun held while waiting for the answer flowed smoothly again, kindly offering Ruan Xinyuan a suggestion.

“You can just call me Qi Xun.”

He waited a few seconds, noticing Ruan Xinyuan’s expression turned a bit strange, mixed with hesitation, reluctance, and even a bit of embarrassment.

“Um…” Ruan Xinyuan picked at his fingers, “How about I call you Brother Xun instead?”

“After all, you’re older than me, and I’m afraid it’s not polite to call you by your full name…”

After saying this, Ruan Xinyuan smiled brightly and winked at Qi Xun.

Qi Xun silently let the cuteness pass, because he was actually over nine hundred years older.

“Alright, then after we officially get married, we can change the term.”

Ruan Xinyuan looked directly into his eyes, “Change to what?”

Qi Xun leaned in a bit, his deep eyes like a brilliant universe, constantly drawing Ruan Xinyuan’s attention.

“What do you think it should change to, Xiao Yuan?”

Ruan Xinyuan blurted out, “Husband?”