Qi Xun didn’t need to breathe, but at this moment, he found himself uncontrollably panting. His fingers trembled as he typed out a “Yes.”

*

The weather on this auspicious day was perfect. The sun was shining, a gentle breeze blew, and it wasn’t as stifling as the previous days.

Ruan Xinyuan chose a plain white, formal shirt and paired it with dark blue straight-leg jeans. He styled his hair to reveal half of his eyebrows, making him look a bit more mature.

Since it was Saturday, the Jiang City Civil Affairs Bureau was only open for half a day, so he had to get up early to get ready.

Ruan Xinyuan, unusually slow, took an hour to prepare. By the time he left, his three roommates were still asleep.

He checked his documents one more time to make sure he had everything, then quietly left the dorm. After closing the door, he stood there, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

In truth, he was still nervous. Even when he got into Qi Xun’s car, his palms were sweating.

Qi Xun also wore a plain white shirt, but his had bamboo embroidery on the cuffs, adding a touch of elegance that suited him perfectly.

This was the attire they had agreed on last night.

Ruan Xinyuan glanced at Qi Xun and noticed his hair was fluffy today, completely covering his eyebrows, unlike the usual style that showed a third of his forehead.

This made Qi Xun look several years younger, and others might think they were about the same age.

Ruan Xinyuan found this version of Qi Xun intriguing, and he couldn’t help but stare, forgetting his nervousness.

“Is there something on my face?” Qi Xun noticed the gaze from the corner of his eye and smiled slightly.

Realizing he’d been staring too long, Ruan Xinyuan shook his head, “No, it’s just that your hairstyle is different today, but it suits you.”

“That’s good. I wasn’t used to it at first,” Qi Xun said gently, brushing his bangs aside. “But I thought letting my hair down might make me look younger, and it seems to have worked.”

Ruan Xinyuan’s eyes lit up, “You do look younger, almost the same age as me.”

He added quickly, “Not that you didn’t look young before.”

Qi Xun chuckled, “No matter how young I look, I’m still ten years older than you. Which hairstyle do you think suits me better?”

“Both suit you. It’s all about the face,” Ruan Xinyuan replied quickly with a grin, then changed the subject, “My parents are coming to Jiang City tomorrow. I wonder if your parents are available?”

Qi Xun nodded slightly, “No problem. What time do they arrive? I’ll drive to pick up your parents and grandma.”

“Let me check,” Ruan Xinyuan opened WeChat to look at the train info his mom sent yesterday. “They’ll arrive at four in the afternoon, just in time for dinner.”

Qi Xun understood and asked considerately, “Alright, do they have any dietary restrictions? I’ll arrange the restaurant.”

“They can’t handle too spicy, prefer sweeter flavors. But Jiang City’s cuisine is similar. You’re from Jiang City too, right?” Ruan Xinyuan realized he didn’t know where Qi Xun was from.

Since Qi Xun’s parents were also in Jiang City, he assumed they were locals.

Unexpectedly, Qi Xun shook his head, “I was born in Huai City, so I’m from there. It’s not far, but we don’t have relatives there, so after I started working here, I brought my parents over.”

Ruan Xinyuan blinked, “Huai City… I’ve always wanted to visit, but never had the chance.”

Qi Xun’s mind stirred, “Huai City isn’t big, not as developed as Jiang City. But if you want to see it, I’ll take you next holiday. Then you can show me Ning City.”

“Deal,” Ruan Xinyuan smiled brightly.

Chatting with Qi Xun eased all his pre-arrival nerves.

Last night, he had trouble sleeping, worried about his illness flaring up and anxious about today’s big event.

Luckily, the heartache didn’t occur yesterday, so he was relieved now.

It seemed like… everything was because of Qi Xun.

Could the destined one’s effect really be so magical?

Even though Ruan Xinyuan’s worldview had been slowly crumbling due to his illness, he was still a bit shocked at this moment.

“Xiao Yuan, we’re here.” Qi Xun pulled out the car key and unbuckled his seatbelt.

Ruan Xinyuan turned to look out the window, seeing their destination.

Most people getting marriage certificates were working adults who couldn’t find time on weekdays. So, on the weekend, the only time the Jiang City Civil Affairs Bureau was open, many people lined up early.

Ruan Xinyuan got out of the car, and Qi Xun asked softly, “Got all your documents?”

“Yes.” Ruan Xinyuan nodded obediently and walked with Qi Xun to the entrance.

After waiting for a while inside, a staff member guided them to register their marriage application.

Sitting on the sofa, both Ruan Xinyuan and Qi Xun filled out the forms seriously.

“Professor Qi?”

Qi Xun paused, instinctively turning around to see a woman with wavy hair in a red knit dress, staring at him and Ruan Xinyuan in surprise.

Ruan Xinyuan looked up at the voice, stood with Qi Xun, and met her gaze. Not recognizing the woman, he looked at Qi Xun for an explanation.

“Professor Song, what a coincidence.” Qi Xun smiled politely, standing up to shake hands.

The woman covered her mouth, still shocked, “Professor Qi, are you here to get married? Quietly doing big things, huh?”

Without warning, Qi Xun held Ruan Xinyuan’s hand, introducing him intimately, “This is my fiancé, soon to be my legal husband.”

Ruan Xinyuan’s hand was completely enveloped, warmth spreading from the touch. He was stunned for a few seconds, his heart racing, ears turning pink from Qi Xun’s action.

Qi Xun, as if accustomed to the gesture, naturally introduced the woman to Ruan Xinyuan, “This is my colleague, Professor Song Min.”

Ruan Xinyuan smiled sweetly, dimples showing, and waved, “Hello, Professor Song.”

“Hello,” Song Min looked between them, beaming, “We were just discussing what kind of celestial being could win over Professor Qi. Turns out, it’s a celestial among celestials. You two are a perfect match.”

Ruan Xinyuan blushed even more at the compliment.

Qi Xun smiled, “Thank you. But Professor Song, to avoid unnecessary trouble and attention, I don’t plan to make my partner’s identity public. I hope you can keep it confidential.”

Song Min flipped her hair, raising her divorce certificate with a grin, “Don’t worry, I also need you to keep my divorce a secret. Some people might gossip behind my back.”

Qi Xun maintained his polite smile, “Rest assured, Professor Song.”

“Congratulations to you both. I’ll be off now.” Song Min, in her high heels, left briskly.

Once she was out of sight, Qi Xun released Ruan Xinyuan’s hand and sincerely apologized, “I thought it was better to show some intimacy in front of colleagues, so I didn’t ask your permission. Sorry.”

Ruan Xinyuan’s fingers curled slightly from the touch, but he shook his head, “It’s okay, I understand.”

After the brief encounter, they resumed filling out the forms. Ruan Xinyuan’s mind wandered to Song Min’s certificate. Though it looked like a marriage certificate, its meaning was entirely different.

He suddenly thought…

If his illness was completely cured and the destined bond broken, if Qi Xun didn’t like him by then, wouldn’t divorce be best?

That way, Qi Xun wouldn’t be trapped by him and could pursue true love.

He just hoped the illness would be cured soon, ideally right after getting the marriage certificate.

Thinking of this, guilt washed over Ruan Xinyuan, even though Qi Xun had agreed to this.

But when it came to life and death, he felt he owed Qi Xun more.

If Qi Xun ended up liking him…

Then…

“Xiao Yuan, we’re not in class. Why are you daydreaming?” Qi Xun teased, breaking his thoughts.

Ruan Xinyuan’s ears tingled, his face heating up from being caught, “Okay, okay, I’m almost done.”

Soon, he completed the form and handed it to Qi Xun.

Qi Xun glanced over it, stacking the papers together.

Ruan Xinyuan leaned closer, whispering with a smile, “Brother Xun, did you notice something amazing?”

Qi Xun paused, thought for a moment, and shook his head, “What is it?”

Ruan Xinyuan pouted, taking the forms from Qi Xun and pointing to their birthdate section, “You didn’t notice this?”

Qi Xun scanned the information, feigning surprise, though his heart skipped a beat.

In the underworld, he’d tried countless ways to find records of Ruan Xinyuan’s birth, but to no avail. However, in the human world, he had other means to know Ruan Xinyuan’s basic information.

So, he already knew they were born on the same day, month, and year, making him forget how surprising it should be.

“I was careless, didn’t notice. Does this mean we’re destined?” Qi Xun turned to Ruan Xinyuan, his tone coaxing, naturally wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

Ruan Xinyuan was easily swayed, meeting Qi Xun’s deep gaze, whispering, “Maybe…”

Being so close, Qi Xun’s gaze moved from Ruan Xinyuan’s eyes to his lips, a restrained yet greedy desire clashing within him. But his eyes remained clear, seemingly without want.

“Um,” Ruan Xinyuan’s eyelashes fluttered, shifting slightly, “I think it’s our turn.”

Qi Xun chuckled, “Let’s go then.”

Once it was their turn, the process went quickly. During the photo session, the photographer couldn’t help but praise, “You two look like stars! Handsome and perfect together!”

“Come closer and smile.”

“Three, two, one!”

Even after receiving the freshly printed red booklet, Ruan Xinyuan was in a daze.

He had actually followed an unspeakable fate and married someone.

The photo on the marriage certificate was beautiful. Ruan Xinyuan studied it for several seconds, unconsciously smiling.

“Xiao Yuan.”

In a corner where no one noticed, Qi Xun called softly.

“Hmm?” Ruan Xinyuan looked at him, eyes still smiling.

Qi Xun tapped his red booklet against Ruan Xinyuan’s, “Now, can we change how we address each other?”

“Call you… hubby.”