A Proposal and a Shared Home

“Was I truly that obvious?” Su Hanxing asked, a wry smile touching his lips as he silently acknowledged Chi Qiu’s lengthy statement. “If even I noticed, then it must have been quite apparent.”

Seeing Su Hanxing admit it, Chi Qiu felt a wave of relief wash over her. Had he not harbored any affection for her, her words just now would have been a profound embarrassment, perhaps even preventing her from ever facing him again.

“Indeed, I am very much enamored with you,” Su Hanxing confessed.

He continued, “It was likely in Sishui Marsh, when I awoke from unconsciousness and saw you for the very first time. That was when I first clearly understood what it felt like to be moved, to feel love.”

“Our subsequent days and nights together in the cave dwelling only solidified the true feelings deep within my heart. That is why I deliberately brought you into the Yinglong Tomb—my intention was to spend more time with you, hoping to change your previous impressions of me.”

Chi Qiu nodded, then posed a question, a hint of confusion in her tone. “Why didn’t you tell me the reason for the body swap earlier?”

“My dear Chi, with your cautious nature, how could you have possibly believed my one-sided account?” Su Hanxing responded, a touch of self-reproach in his voice. “I had originally planned to tell you after we left the Yinglong Tomb, once our relationship had softened a bit. I never expected you to realize it beforehand.”

He added, “In fact, I must thank Senior Yinglong. If he hadn’t merged our souls to repair the Dragon Orb, allowing you to see my memories, it would have been incredibly difficult to explain this matter clearly.”

Chi Qiu conceded, “That does make sense. The whole affair was far too bizarre; I would indeed have found it hard to believe at the time.”

She affirmed Su Hanxing’s explanation.

“My dear Chi, I am truly, deeply enamored with you. Would you be willing to become my Dao Companion?” Su Hanxing looked at Chi Qiu with utmost sincerity, his voice solemn and grave.

“I understand,” Chi Qiu replied coolly.

Her expression remained unreadable, yet inwardly, her mind raced, frantically trying to formulate a suitable answer for Su Hanxing.

“You understand?” Su Hanxing was prepared for rejection, so he wasn’t afraid of being turned down. However, Chi Qiu’s evasive response left him momentarily stunned, unsure how to proceed.

“Is this your way of rejecting me, dear Chi?” Su Hanxing finally asked slowly after a long pause.

Chi Qiu slowly shook her head, then, as if realizing something, she quickly shook it several times, like a rattling drum.

“Not a rejection, then it’s an acceptance?” A flicker of joy crossed Su Hanxing’s face.

“Neither,” Chi Qiu continued to shake her head.

“Neither accepting nor rejecting? What does that even mean?” Su Hanxing felt utterly bewildered, completely at a loss as to what Chi Qiu was truly implying.

“You and I are both God Concealing stage cultivators, possessing incredibly long lifespans. How can the matter of becoming Dao Companions be treated lightly?” Chi Qiu subtly widened the distance between them, her words deliberately slow, each syllable seemingly weighed with careful thought.

“I owe you for saving my life twice, and I am grateful for the numerous treasures you bestowed upon me in the Yinglong Tomb—a debt I could never repay, even with my death. If your intention isn’t to form a Dao Companion bond but merely to engage in intimate relations, then we can turn back to my residence right now.” Chi Qiu averted her gaze, unable to meet Su Hanxing’s eyes as she spoke.

Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, almost seeming to bleed. She struggled to maintain a normal tone, continuing, “But you just spoke of becoming Dao Companions. This is a momentous decision, one that requires careful deliberation. We should spend more time together to truly confirm our hearts’ intentions before deciding whether to form such a bond.”

Chi Qiu harbored a desire to evade the situation. She recalled Su Hanxing’s previous letters mentioning his busy schedule within the Tianyan Sect, suggesting their current meeting wouldn’t last long. Once he departed, she would have ample time to ponder the matter thoroughly.

“So, my dear Chi, you were thinking of my well-being…” The confusion on Su Hanxing’s face finally dissipated. The corners of his mouth curved upward as he released Chi Qiu’s hand, which he had been holding. Then, he gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side, and whispered softly.

“I am currently out to complete a mission for my sect. The Tianyan Sect hopes I can achieve at least a top-three ranking in the martial arts tournament four years from now, which is why I’ve come to the Imperial City. I wonder, my dear Chi, if you would be willing to let me stay with you for these four years? The rent is negotiable; just name your price.”

Chi Qiu froze, realizing for the first time what it truly meant to hoist oneself by one’s own petard. Having spoken first, she now found herself without any valid reason to refuse.

After a brief moment of contemplation, she said, “Very well. My residence is quite spacious, yet there are few occupants. Hanxing, you’ve arrived at a fortunate time, so there’s no need for any rent.”

Since evasion was no longer an option, Chi Qiu decided to be straightforward. In her view, even if she refused to let Su Hanxing live in her residence, he would undoubtedly visit and bother her frequently. Thus, she nodded gently, agreeing to Su Hanxing’s request.

“We need to buy some things now anyway. We can pick up your bedsheets and bedding at the same time,” Chi Qiu said, turning to look at Su Hanxing.

The two were incredibly close, with half of her body leaning against him. At such proximity, Chi Qiu could even feel Su Hanxing’s breath on her face. Chi Qiu gazed at Su Hanxing, her heart pounding fiercely. It was then that she was surprised to discover she didn’t dislike this feeling at all.

“Excellent, let’s go, dear Chi.” Su Hanxing’s smile widened upon seeing Chi Qiu agree so readily. He actually kept bedding and sheets in his storage artifact, but he hadn’t told Chi Qiu.

Su Hanxing’s arm around Chi Qiu’s shoulder tightened slightly, causing her to lean further, almost being pulled into his embrace.

“If you pull any harder, I won’t be able to walk,” Chi Qiu said, sensing Su Hanxing’s audacity. She reached out and lightly tapped his chest, wanting him to loosen his grip a little.

Su Hanxing glanced down and saw Chi Qiu’s heels were slightly off the ground, indeed making it difficult for her to walk. He immediately eased his grip and said with a hint of apology, “My apologies.”

“It’s fine,” Chi Qiu shook her head, saying nothing more.

Imperial City

Outer City

“Shopkeeper, do you have any honey?” Chi Qiu asked, pulling out a silver ingot at a candy shop.

The two had arrived in the Outer City together. Along the way, Su Hanxing had been remarkably well-behaved, doing nothing more than keeping his arm around Chi Qiu.

“Of course, we do. How much do you need, miss?” The candy shop owner, a man around fifty with slightly graying temples, rough hands, and a perpetual smile, replied. He turned and searched for a moment, then retrieved a round porcelain bottle, about a chi tall and three inches wide, placing it on the counter.

“I need a lot. I’ll take this entire bottle.” Chi Qiu picked up the porcelain bottle, quite pleased, then handed the silver ingot to the shopkeeper. “No need for change.”

“Thank you, miss.” The shopkeeper took the silver ingot, weighed it in his hand, and, feeling its substantial heft, immediately beamed with joy.

“What are you buying this honey for, dear Chi?” Su Hanxing asked as they left the candy shop, once again putting his arm around Chi Qiu.

“It’s the season for osmanthus blossoms now, and several golden osmanthus trees in my courtyard have bloomed abundantly. My cultivation progress has been slow recently, so I thought I’d make some osmanthus desserts to try.” Chi Qiu put away the porcelain bottle of honey she held, then continued, “Next, we’ll go buy some bedding.”

“Then I’m in for a treat!” Su Hanxing exclaimed, his spirits high and full of anticipation.

“They might not taste good,” Chi Qiu said, pouring a bucket of cold water on Su Hanxing’s eager expression.

“I still have to try them,” Su Hanxing’s enthusiasm remained undimmed.

“As you wish,” Chi Qiu relented.