Wenzhi genuinely appreciated the design of the underground city. Thanks to the infrastructure and raw resources poured in by the various factions that had joined their cause, it didn’t feel like a suffocating bunker. It was a thriving, breathing metropolis.
Even with heavy construction still echoing through several districts, the city was alive. Vehicles cruised down the sleekly paved roads, and modern trains effortlessly swept people across the districts.
If he was being entirely honest with himself, Wenzhi hadn’t fully realized just how massive this project was going to become. Even the biting winter air managed to seep through the upper vents, a subtle reminder to everyone that it was winter above.
The train ride downtown was unusually quiet. Most people were holed up in their apartments, trying to process the trauma of the day’s sudden Red Zone expansion.
Wenzhi and Xinyuan sat flush against one another, speaking in low, hushed tones about the battlefield and the bizarre interaction with the Disaster-class Espers.
Wenzhi deliberately withheld the revelation of his newly ascended SSS-rank status; he wanted to keep that tucked away for their date.
Before long, the train glided to a smooth halt at the downtown station. They made their way to the restaurant.
The venue was absolutely packed with people eating, drinking, and laughing so loudly that the noise blurred into a warm hum. The moment they stepped through the threshold, a few recognized them, and Elder Suisui was practically sprinting over to greet them.
"Faction Leader Lin!" she called out, a bright, welcoming smile on her face. Her hands were clad in heavy kitchen gloves, making it immediately obvious that she was personally back in the kitchen cooking.
Her appearance instantly reminded Wenzhi of the phone call they’d shared during the Rift outbreak. She looked between the two of them, her eyes darting eagerly to Xinyuan. "Mr. Shao... are you two ready for that meeting we discussed? I was actually just about to call you to...."
"No," Xinyuan grumbled before Wenzhi could even open his mouth.
Even though Wenzhi had briefly mentioned the arrangement to him, Xinyuan was clearly not tolerating an interruption on their night off. "We are currently on a date."
Elder Suisui’s cheeks instantly flushed with a delighted grin. "Oh! Oh, of course you do. Right this way, please."
She turned around, weaving through the crowded tables to lead them deep into the back of the establishment. She brought them to an exclusive, secluded booth specifically reinforced with soundproofing panels, featuring a sleek table and plush seating.
"Here you go. Enjoy your evening," Elder Suisui said with a polite bow before leaving them to their privacy.
Xinyuan, whose fingers were still tightly interlaced with Wenzhi’s, cleared his throat. He stepped forward and pulled out Wenzhi’s chair with old-school courtesy.
Wenzhi snorted, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "What a gentleman."
Xinyuan just smiled, though his fingers reluctantly uncurled from Wenzhi’s hand as Wenzhi took his seat. Xinyuan slid into the chair directly opposite him.
Between them, the translucent digital menu screens built into the tabletop flickered to life, casting a soft, glowing light over their faces. They quickly tapped through the options, selected their meals, and hit send.
Because the restaurant’s climate control was significantly warmer than the chilly corridors outside, Wenzhi unbuttoned his heavy coat, while Xinyuan shrugged off his jacket.
As the layers came off, Wenzhi leaned back and locked his grey eyes onto his partner. Xinyuan was practically vibrating across the table, his energy tight and defensive.
Wenzhi let out a sigh, crossing his arms over the glass table. "We are on the date, Xinyuan. What the hell is going on with you?"
"I..." Xinyuan cleared his throat, his chest heaving under the suffocating weight of his own nerves. "It might be the wrong time. But it feels right."
Before Wenzhi could process the words, Xinyuan rose from his seat. He walked around the glass table to Wenzhi’s side and immediately dropped onto one knee.
Reaching into his pocket, his hand emerged holding a sleek velvet box. He popped it open to reveal a stunning ring, a flawless, deep blue diamond catching the translucent glow of the menu screen.
Wenzhi froze entirely, his grey eyes widening as he stared down at the gem.
Xinyuan looked up at him, his gaze intensely raw, holding his breath as he asked, "Will you please marry me?"
"I..." Wenzhi blinked, a wave of realization washing over him. "wow. You are serious, and I am incredibly dumb,"
Without a single second of hesitation, he reached down, took the ring from the box, and slid it firmly onto his finger. He stared at the blue diamond resting against his skin in genuine, quiet awe before looking back down at Xinyuan.
The Esper looked like he was about to pass out. "Is that... is that a yes?" he croaked.
Wenzhi laughed and reached out to press his fingers against Xinyuan’s flushed cheek. "Were you honestly expecting me to refuse you?"
"No," Xinyuan breathed, a massive wave of relief visibly rolling off his shoulders. He reached back into the box and pulled out a second ring. "I... I got one for myself, too."
"Give it here." Wenzhi said softly. He took the ring from Xinyuan’s fingers and slid it securely onto the Esper’s hand.
Xinyuan’s face split into a giddy grin. "Now everyone knows you’re mine."
Wenzhi laughed, his heart racing wildly against his ribs as the reality of the moment settled in. He was married. He was officially married to Shao Xinyuan. There was no hesitation, no lingering doubts, and absolutely zero regrets. It felt undeniably amazing.
Unable to resist the proximity, Wenzhi leaned down, capturing Xinyuan’s lips in a fierce kiss. Xinyuan responded instantly, deepening the contact, wrapping his arms around Wenzhi’s waist as if kissing his Guide was the only thing keeping him sane.
Before long, their food arrived, and they ate with ease, letting the chaos of the burning world fade into background static.
When it was finally time to head back, they stepped out into the corridor in front of the restaurant, their hands tightly intertwined. Before they could make it out, Elder Suisui came rushing toward them, slightly out of breath.
"Faction Leader Lin! Mr Shao! Are you two leaving already?" she asked, adjusting her apron.
Wenzhi and Xinyuan stopped, looking at her. "Yes, we were just about to..."
"The Eclipse Faction Leader is here," Elder Suisui interrupted. "I called him over since you are already downtown, and I figured... why the hell not kill two birds with one stone?"
Wenzhi instantly felt Xinyuan’s grip tighten around his hand like a vise. Xinyuan was pissed off that the political board was crashing their wedding night.
Wenzhi let out a resigned sigh, turning his head to look at Xinyuan who was doing everything in his power not to glare a hole through the Elder’s forehead, his jaw locked tight.
Wenzhi squeezed Xinyuan’s hand back, offering a subtle, reassuring glance before looking back at Suisui.
"Fine," he agreed. "Lead the way."
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