Si Yu looked at Gu Nanfeng, who was leaning against his shoulder with a helpless and dejected expression. He patted the his back and gently extended his mental tendrils into the other’s consciousness to soothe him.

Gu Nanfeng felt so comfortable that he didn’t want to leave. When he sensed the consciousness attached to those mental tendrils, his body stiffened for a moment.

Si Yu’s mental consciousness was almost fully opened.

Gu Nanfeng held Si Yu tightly, gritting his teeth, and said, “Just wait a bit longer, just a little longer.”

This wait lasted for almost half a year.

Everyone in the team knew that Gu Nanfeng had “stolen away” Lieutenant Qiao, yet even after six months of their mental bond, there was no reliable outcome.

The two had already been on several missions together, but their relationship was still stuck at holding hands and sharing a few kisses.

Even the higher-ups in the team asked Si Yu what was going on, their expressions indicating that if Gu Nanfeng was playing games with him, they would drag him out and let the team deal with him.

Si Yu couldn’t figure it out either. Every time, Gu Nanfeng would say, “Wait,” but never clarified what exactly they were waiting for. However, Gu Nanfeng had been acting like he was on a mission lately, full of energy and as if he was preparing for something big.

Although Si Yu could forcibly probe Gu Nanfeng’s thoughts, he didn’t. “If he says wait, I’ll wait,” Si Yu thought. After all, they had waited this long; what was a little more time?

One day, while Si Yu was moving to a new dorm,Gu Nanfeng came to help.

Si Yu had hidden his notebook and diary well in advance, but a traitorous bat betrayed him. The bat rummaged around until it found Si Yu’s notebook and sneakily brought it to Gu Nanfeng.

Its crafty behavior was too much, even for Gu Nanfeng.

Gu Nanfeng only needed to read the first page to understand what it was. He didn’t read further, carefully put it back, and continued helping with the move.

Once they were in the new dorm, Gu Nanfeng sat in Si Yu’s room, split a dragon fruit in half, give one half for the bat, and cut the other half nicely before handing it to Si Yu.

Gu Nanfeng: “Does it taste good?”

The bat was munching away, completely ignoring him. The question was for Si Yu.

Si Yu nodded.

Gu Nanfeng: “Do you have plans the day after tomorrow?”

Si Yu shook his head: “No.”

Gu Nanfeng: “Can we apply to go out together the day after tomorrow? I want to take you somewhere.”

Si Yu didn’t ask any questions and agreed.

That day, the two submitted an application and left the unit. GuNanfeng, looking serious, took Si Yu into a car that had come to pick them up.

Sensing Gu Nanfeng’s nervousness, Si Yu calmed him down and asked, “Where are we going?”

Gu Nanfeng was so nervous that his leg started shaking. “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

When they arrived, Si Yu realized that Gu Nanfeng had brought him to his family home. Gu Nanfeng’s parents and sister, seemingly aware of their arrival, warmly welcomed them.

After formal introductions were made, the group sat down for a meal.

At the dinner table, Si Yu felt something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. It wasn’t until the dessert was served and he saw a ring box on the plate that he understood.

At that moment, Gu Nanfeng knelt down on one knee beside him.

Si Yu, flustered, looked around, and Gu Nanfeng’s family smiled warmly at him.

Kneeling down, Gu Nanfeng cleared his throat and began, “I said wait before because I wanted to earn the top spot in the unit. You’re so exceptional that I wanted to be worthy of you once I had achieved something. I calculated my scores recently, and Just a little more and I’ll reach the top, but I’m close enough. Once I make it to the top, we can have the wedding.”

He spoke earnestly and seriously, like he was reporting to a superior.

Qiao Si Yu knew how nervous he was. When he reported to his superiors, he wasn’t like this at all. He would sometimes even joke around and get scolded for it.

Qiao Si Yu was also nervous. His partner looked especially handsome today, clearly having prepared well, and yet he hadn’t noticed. He, on the other hand, had come in simple, casual clothes. Compared to Gu Nanfeng’s family, who were all dressed formally, he felt a bit out of place.

Qiao Si Yu’s thoughts were quickly picked up by Gu Nanfeng, who grabbed his hand and said, “I wanted to bring you to meet my parents today, something I’ve been planning for a while. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you.”

“I’ve always felt guilty. If I hadn’t been so reckless when I was younger, our first meeting wouldn’t have been so bad.”

“I thought I could make up for everything you’ve done for me, but after seeing your notebook, I realized I had oversimplified it. Compared to you, I’ve fallen so short. I—”

This feeling, this love, might take him a lifetime to catch up to. Thinking about it made Gu Nanfeng sad.

His emotions surged so strongly that Qiao Si Yu noticed. He didn’t know how to explain it. It had been his own decision; he had never felt wronged. Everything was done willingly.

The bat perched on Gu Nanfeng’s back, gently hugging him. Gu Nanfeng, with trembling hands, took out the ring and said:

“Qiao Qiao, you don’t have family, so I will be your family. You can’t speak, so I will be your voice. From now on, no matter where you are, I will be by your side.”

He looked up, eyes full of determination and devotion.

“Life isn’t that long. You’ve spent six years chasing me. Now, rest a bit. For the rest of our lives, I’ll hold your hand, and we’ll walk together, slowly.”

“Is that okay?”

Si Yu can’t help the tear that rolled down on to his cheeks, he can’t even hide the smile that slowly crept from his lips, he nodded and replied,

“Okay.”

—End—