"Don't look!"

Zhu Longwang paused. Fei Shang was adamant on not letting him enter his courtyard. Zhu Longwang furrowed his brows. Obviously, the man said that he would return soon. Yet, Fei Qianchi disappeared for a few days without letting him know. Even now, Fei Shang guarded the gates without any leeway.

"What is he currently doing?" Zhu Longwang was worried. The man had always told him everything upfront. Now that he had been gone for so long without a word, Zhu Longwang was both worried and scared.

Fei Shang looked inside, albeit a bit of worry on his face. "At the moment, he needs total peace and quiet. He has been like this for a few days now. No one has stepped in. He forbids anyone from entering." He sighed, "We can only wait."

Zhu Longwang's lips tightened, clenching his hand by his side. What was he doing?

Fei Shang, who saw the worry expression on Zhu Longwang's face, felt like an utter jerk at the moment. Blame Fei Qianchi. His older brother told him to fool and distract Zhu Longwang for as long as he could since Zhu Longwang had come earlier than the time they predicted.

Zhu Longwang bit his lips, breathing in deeply to calm himself. Perhaps, was there something wrong with his body? The man had been sleeping a lot these days. Although he exercised and cultivated properly, he slept longer too. He couldn't help the worry that sprouted in his heart. Fei Qianchi had been taking good care of him, even the littlest thing, the man helped him with. Now, something was happening and he had no clue about what it was.

Zhu Longwang looked at the expression on Fei Shang's face. The man's brows were furrowed.

In the end, Zhu Longwang could only wait.

-

"You came already?" Fei Qianchi looked at the man and woman in front of him, widening his eyes. This wasn't expected. They weren't supposed to arrive so soon.

Chan Lihua smiled sheepishly while Zhu Rong whistled, looking around.

"Well, Zhu Rong was able to pull some strings so we came as soon as possible." Then, lightly laughing, Chan Lihua also added, "It seems like we will be here for a while."

Fei Qianchi shook his head, "For how long?"

"A few years." Zhu Rong smirked, flicking his long red hair back as he stood behind Chan Lihua.

"A few years!?" Fei Qianchi exclaimed in shock. This... this would switch up his plans then.

Before he could continue, he remembered that Zhu Longwang was waiting for him. Fei Qianchi looked around the garden filled with petals on the ground. He had carefully set up everything, but with two additional people here, he needed to think.

"What is all of this?" Zhu Rong eyed the petals on the ground, then looked at Fei Qianchi who was dressed up nicer than normal. With his hair up, he was dressed in a gold robe with a dragon on the back.

Chan Lihua also looked around curiously. "Are you... perhaps going to ask for his hand in marriage?"

Fei Qianchi rubbed his nose, "It's similar to that. Though, I believe that we don't need to follow through the entire process. It's not like there's a point in a dowry. I'm planning to make everything as short as possible."

Hearing this, Chan Lihua smiled brightly, clapping her hands. "Then we came at the right time! I'll make sure to prepare everything as well as I can." Then, remembering something, she asked, "Didn't you adopt a brother?"

Fei Qianchi nodded. It seemed like Chan Lihua knew more about himself than he did.

"Perfect. I've always wanted another child." Saying this, Chan Lihua smiled warmly, causing Zhu Rong to look over.

"There's still me, we can always have a child." Zhu Rong sulked. Dressed in a black robe, the man's tall figure was big next to Chan Lihua's small frame.

"Of course. It's just... That child has helped Qianchi for so long. I owe a lot to him." Chan Lihua looked at Fei Qianchi and noticed his smile.

"Go get him! I'll prepare things for you." Saying so, Chan Lihua swirled her hand in the air, the petals slowly lifting into the air as they flew around the garden.

Coughing into his hand, Zhu Rong also decided the help out, "I'll do what I can."

Fei Qianchi smiled at the two of them. "I'll be back then. I will introduce you both to him." Without another word, stepping past the swirling flowers in the air, Fei Qianchi hurried out of the garden.

As he walked, his heart skipped hard against his chest. He was nervous and excited.

-

A strong presence swept over the mountain. Zhu Longwang tensed, even Fei Shang looked inside warily.

Before they could say anything, Fei Qianchi appeared.

As Zhu Longwang looked at him, he couldn't help the beating of his heart once he saw the smile on Fei Qianchi's lips.

"Longwang!" Fei Qianchi called out as he pulled the man's hand. It seemed like the man was taking good care of his health.

"Is everything alright?" Zhu Longwang's eyes drifted towards the courtyard.

"Well..." Fei Qianchi's eyes twinkled, winking as he said, "Follow me first." He dragged the man with him as Zhu Longwang walked, a bit confused.

Fei Shang smiled from behind them. Then, looking towards the side, he saw Zhu Luishui who was also slowly walking over.

Slowing down, Fei Shang whispered, "Did he tell you?"

Zhu Luishui nodded, looking at his brother's back as he followed Fei Qianchi. "Yes. He visited me yesterday and told me his plans. It's not like I can stop him. I've done everything for my brother. He deserves his happiness and I have no right to take that away from him." Then, speeding up, Zhu Luishui said, "We should go soon. I feel two strong presences in there. I'm a bit wary about who has come."

Fei Shang nodded.

-

Fei Qianchi grabbed onto the man's hand, slowly walking with him.

"Where are we going?" Zhu Longwang asked in confusion. He held on tightly to Fei Qianchi, able to feel the man's emotions bouncing off of him.

Fei Qianchi turned back with a teasing smile, "It's a secret."

As they stepped into the garden, Zhu Longwang gasped. He looked around as the arrays of flowers suddenly bloomed and blossomed. This... he turned his eyes up to Fei Qianchi who smiled warmly, his heart skipping in turn. Was it?

"Let's go, there's still more." Fei Qianchi didn't say anything as he continued to pull the man towards their destination.

Zhu Longwang looked at the man leading him, only shaking his head with a smile in the end.

"Many years have already passed." Fei Qianchi brought up. Away from Zhu Longwang's eyes, his blue eyes glazed with wetness.

Before Zhu Longwang could say anything else, as they continued walking with the flowers blooming in their path, they arrived at the heart of the garden. Dozens of red flowers bloomed brightly. In the air, peach blossom petals drifted and swayed, swirling through the air.

"This." Zhu Longwang felt his heart suddenly stab in both pain and remembrance. This scene... it felt so familiar to him.

Fei Qianchi turned around, smiling as he did so. "Isn't it beautiful?" He had to admit. Chan Lihua and Zhu Rong's appearance made the scene more romantic than it would have been.

Zhu Longwang's lips quivered. Fighting against his bubbling emotions, he finally mumbled, "Yes, yes, it is." His eyes grew red.

"So many centuries have passed us by, Longwang. Through pain, through longing and madness, I wouldn't change a thing. No matter how everything turned out, I wouldn't change a thing because the present now would have changed too." Fei Qianchi smiled warmly, turning around as he grabbed both of Zhu Longwang's hand. "Longwang, what about you?"

Zhu Longwang looked up, avoiding the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. His cold expression crumbled, making his feelings more evident. "Nothing. Even the moments when it hurt, even when I suffered unimaginable pain, I do not regret anything." He smiled as Fei Qianchi caressed his face.

Fei Qianchi was both scared and happy. When he thought about it, it scared him. If his life as a business tyrant hadn't ended, would he be here now? If he didn't die, then he would have never met Fei Shang. He wouldn't have learnt about Zhu Longwang, about his hidden past. It scared him.

"Longwang, I love you more than words could say. I am willing to offer the world for you so long as you smile like this forever," Fei Qianchi was mesmerized by Zhu Longwang's smile. It was pure with love in abundance.

Fei Qianchi had never thought that he would commit to one person, to fall for a man like this. He had been a playboy all his life, unable to find love. But now, he was solely Zhu Longwang's. His everything, his whole being belonged to this man in front of him. Together side by side, he would walk with him.

Zhu Longwang's hand shook. His heart shook in warmth as the man gently caressed him. He bit his lips, afraid that the tears would escape past his eyes.

Fei Qianchi reached into his pocket, pulling out the pendant that he had recently finished. Upon the light blue jade, a Phoenix with its wings outstretched was in the middle of the pendant. Behind it, the figure of a dragon flew with it. A red string, woven with care, was tied to the pendant.

Fei Qianchi didn't say a word as he knelt down onto one knee.

"Qianchi!" Zhu Longwang was shocked as the man suddenly knelt down before him. He stretched out his hand, but the man smiled as he looked up.

"Don't be so startled. Stay like that. You can't move until I'm done." Fei Qianchi smiled teasingly, catching sight of the man's red eyes.

With the pendant in his hand, Fei Qianchi began to slowly tie it by Zhu Longwang's hip.

"Zhu Longwang, my heart belongs to you. No matter how many lifetimes pass us by, this heart will love only you be it in life or death." As Fei Qianchi said these words, he slowly tied the string. It was as if the words were being mended together along with the string, tying the words together. "From this moment on, I declare myself belonging to you. I will walk a road with you, side by side. I will hold your hand as we walk through the everlasting mountains, seeking the glory of our lives. Through old and young, through sickness and health, I promise to never leave you."

Fei Qianchi stumbled over his words as he became choked up by his emotions. This lifetime... this lifetime, Fei Qianchi was willing to love without being scared. He was Zhu Longwang's and Zhu Longwang was his, forever and always.

"Even when the world turns, even when the ground shakes and the sky crumbles, I will walk this journey with you. No matter the obstacles, no matter the rivers we pass, my heart will neither waver nor shake." Fei Qianchi took in a deep breath as he finished tying the pendant on Zhu Longwang. Looking up, he caught sight of the man's trembling lips.

Fei Qianchi mustered a bright smile, lifting his hand to wipe away the man's tears that slowly fell. "Zhu Longwang, are you willing to marry me? Are you willing to be my husband, walking through this life together?"

Zhu Longwang inhaled sharply, unable to stop the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He was happy. He was so happy, he couldn't help but cry at the same time. It... felt so familiar. These words evoked a feeling that he could almost recall, yet, he was unable to put his hands on what it was.

"Longwang?" Fei Qianchi asked once more. He was both patient and gentle in that moment. With his blue eyes shining, his lips were lifted gently.

"Yes... always and forever, I will be yours." Zhu Longwang's voice trembled slightly, "I am willing to marry you." His purple eyes looked up, strength and love within them.

Fei Qianchi pulled Zhu Longwang towards him. "From now on, you are mine." Then, he kissed the man.

It was sweet and soft, light and innocent, as if signifying the blossoming of their love. It was the slightest touch, but it sent waves of warmth into their hearts, entrapping them. The flowers surrounded them, falling around them as it drifted in the air.

At that moment, a round of applause was heard.

Zhu Longwang backed away in both shock and embarrassment. He looked around, the light blush on his face made him appear lovable.

He looked behind them, seeing his brother with Fei Shang. He was embarrassed, but it seemed like they knew already knew.

At that moment, the strong presence lingered around them once more. "What... do you feel that presence?" Zhu Luishui furrowed his brows, his fingers flicking in the air.

"Oh no." A woman's voice was clearly heard.

Zhu Longwang turned his head at the voice that was near him, watching as Fei Qianchi shifted slightly.

Fei Shang grunted, stifling a groan as a strong energy swept across them.

"Stop that!" The woman scolded.

Fei Qianchi wanted to facepalm. He had successfully proposed but had totally forgotten that Chan Lihua and Zhu Rong were still here.

"Mom, dad, come out."

Zhu Longwang flinched from Fei Qianchi's words. As far as he knew, he thought that Fei Qianchi's mother died.

There was a slight drift in the air as a wave of energy settled. Slowly, two people appeared just a bit further behind Fei Qianchi. One was a woman, both beautiful and graceful. Her hair was white, falling down her back. The other was a handsome man, with his red hair tied up. His brows were fierce, with brown eyes and a vermillion mark in between his brows.

"Hello," Chan Lihua greeted. She smiled lightly, her brown eyes twinkling. By her, Zhu Rong held onto her hand.

"This?" Fei Shang was a bit confused by this scene.

Zhu Longwang's eyes slightly widened. He could see bit and bits of similarity between the woman and Fei Qianchi.

"Qianchi, would you care to introduce us?" Chan Lihua asked as she stepped closer with Zhu Rong, standing next to Fei Qianchi.

Fei Qianchi could only smile as he shook his head. But still, he was grateful for them. After all, they had helped him with his proposal.

Fei Qianchi looked over everyone who seemed confused and surprised, then to Chan Lihua, who smiled brightly, and Zhu Rong, who slightly curved his lips into a grin.

Fei Qianchi waved his hand, telling everyone to gather. He looked at Zhu Longwang and smiled lightly.

Then, slightly puckering his lips, he grabbed Chan Lihua. "This is my mother, Chan Lihua, and this is my father, Zhu Rong." He skimmed over their identities, not knowing how to explain it.

Zhu Rong slightly smirked, glancing at everyone. "My son didn't say much so I will explain. I am Zhu Rong, Deity of Fire, and this is my wife, Chan Lihua, Deity of Dynasty. We are deities from the heaven."

Zhu Longwang's mouth slightly opened, turning his face towards Fei Qianchi, who looked away, avoiding his eyes.

"I... Brother told me that you passed away." Having been by Fei Qianchi's side for a long time, Fei Shang knew most of Fei Qianchi's background story. Thus, hearing that Chan Lihua was still alive, he was startled.

Zhu Luishui let out a small sound before he whispered, "Deities?" From heaven?

"You didn't tell me this." Zhu Longwang looked at Fei Qianchi with innocent eyes.

Fei Qianchi felt an arrow hit his heart. How could this man do this to him? Didn't he know how cute he looked at the moment?

Coughing into his hand, Fei Qianchi was about to speak up but Chan Lihua helped him instead.

"We recently got back into connections with each other." Chan Lihua brushed her hair back, her brown eyes looking warmly at Zhu Longwang. "Qianchi spoke about you quite a bit, thus, we decided to come and see you two. I came not as a deity from heaven, but as a mother. I came to welcome you into my family." She smiled warmly as she reached for Zhu Longwang.

By her side, Zhu Rong whispered, "Since I am a strong deity in heaven, and Qianchi is also my son now too, both my people and I will protect and oversee him. I came to give my blessings and to imprint your souls with my sigil of protection." The man was usually like a child towards Fei Qianchi and Chan Lihua, but at the moment, he carried the bearings of a true deity of heaven, both regal and strong.

"This," Zhu Longwang didn't know how to react when Chan Lihua grasped his hand warmly with an affectionate look. He didn't what to say or do, but the woman continued to smile towards him.

"Zhu Longwang, you are going to be my beloved son's husband. At that moment, you will officially be tied to him and I will treat you as if you are my son. So, do not be wary of us. Qianchi has visited us often and we've spoken to him about these matters already." Chan Lihua looked at Fei Qianchi as she said this and the man nodded, reassuring Zhu Longwang.

Chan Lihua looked around to both Fei Shang and Zhu Luishui, "I am thankful to both of you for helping my son, especially for bringing him back to this world. Fei Shang, my son adopted you as a brother long ago when I was gone from this world. I thank you for everything you've done, for standing by Qianchi's side all these years. Zhu Luishui," The woman paused for a second, "You are a complicated soul. But still, thank you for everything you've done."

"Call her mother." Fei Qianchi teased as he stepped closer to Zhu Longwang, observing the man who was both nervous and startled. He turned his eyes to Zhu Rong, "You made the flowers bloom, didn't you?"

Zhu Rong merely looked at him with a smirk. "Of course. It was easier than snapping my fingers."

Then, he focused on Zhu Longwang, who was still stammering.

"Mother." Zhu Longwang's voice was a bit quiet, but Chan Lihua's eyes brightened.

She grabbed the man. "Come. Let's all talk inside first." Without waiting for an answer, Chan Lihua pulled the man as she grabbed Fei Qianchi with her other hand, both of them being dragged with her.

Fei Shang and Zhu Luishui slowly walked behind them, still baffled by the situation.

As Zhu Rong looked around, his eyes suddenly grew sharp. "What a horrible stench." The man scowled, "There's an abandoned presence here." But shaking his head in the end, he also followed everyone.

There was a dark mist that slowly escaped, drifting away.

.

.

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