Extra 1 – The Galaxy Witnesses Lovers’ Vows

Ruan Zhen noticed that Song Shuling had been acting a bit off lately.

It wasn’t that he had become cold or had other thoughts, but occasionally, when he turned around, he would catch Song Shuling quickly averting his gaze.

And the unmasked expression was quite clear.

Slightly aggrieved.

Ruan Zhen pondered for a while and quickly came to a conclusion.

It seemed… a bit jealous.

This summer, he was planning to have a reunion with his high school classmates, and they had agreed to go to Tibet to experience the sacred plateau scenery.

Coincidentally, Song Shuling had to go abroad for a project, which would also take about half a month.

Ruan Zhen was a bit hesitant about going, as he was quite a homebody. Although he was eager to visit Tibet, he hadn’t made up his mind. That day, Song Shuling came back looking apologetic and said, “Baby, I’m sorry, I have to go to Europe, but…”

Hmm?

Ruan Zhen’s eyes lit up. With no one at home, he could agree to the reunion with his classmates.

At that moment, he was drinking the fish soup Zhang Laotou had stewed. He wiped his mouth and said, “Sure, I’m going out too.”

Song Shuling seemed to be taken aback.

After hearing Ruan Zhen’s explanation, he smiled and said, “Sure, go ahead. When you’re young, you should see more of the world.”

So, it was settled.

Ruan Zhen spent a lot of time preparing for the trip, diligently browsing social media for travel tips, and was captivated by the distant mountains and rivers.

It took him some time to realize that Song Shuling was acting strange.

He had been a bit slow on the uptake.

That evening, the high school class president asked if everyone was free to meet at a bar and discuss the itinerary.

Someone immediately chimed in the group chat, “Isn’t the itinerary already set? President, are you trying to treat us?”

Everyone started teasing, and the president, embarrassed, sent a shy emoji, saying, “You guys are mean.”

After a few seconds of silence, the group named “Two Legs to Tibet” exploded with activity.

“President, don’t do this, it’s making me feel sick.”

“Whatever you are, get off our diligent and upright class president!”

Even Ruan Zhen couldn’t resist, sending a cat eating melon emoji.

After a while, the president hesitantly explained that he had recently fallen for a girl, and her bar had just opened. He wanted to support her and create more opportunities to spend time together.

The group immediately turned into a bunch of groundhogs, screaming in excitement.

Ruan Zhen was laughing at his phone when someone pinched his chin and kissed him.

“What’s so funny?”

Song Shuling had just come home, still in his shirt, and sat down next to Ruan Zhen on the sofa, one arm around his waist, the other loosening his tie, looking relaxed.

“Our class president has finally bloomed,”

Ruan Zhen smiled and leaned into his embrace. “You know, in high school, he was almost devoid of emotions. Everyone else was in early love, or at least had some vague infatuation, but he had none. He was interested in neither girls nor handsome guys. His famous quote was, ‘Physics is my eternal love.'”

“Later, in college, everyone started dating, but he still didn’t. He said he would dedicate his life to physics… but now, he’s finally come to his senses.”

Ruan Zhen was enjoying telling the story, and Song Shuling listened with a smile, enjoying Ruan Zhen sharing these little anecdotes. The atmosphere was great, with Ruan Zhen being playful and Song Shuling laughing.

Until his shirt was lifted, and a warm touch ran down his back.

“Stop,”

Ruan Zhen patted Song Shuling’s forearm. “I have to go out and cheer our class president on.”

Song Shuling didn’t move, just nodded, maintaining the position. “Sure, I’ll pick you up later, but—”

He casually pressed Ruan Zhen’s lower back.

The parrot wouldn’t learn to mimic, but Song Shuling was repeating others’ words now.

“In high school, everyone was in early love, or at least had some vague infatuation.”

His tone was drawn out.

“In college, everyone started dating.”

Song Shuling looked at Ruan Zhen with a half-smile, his touch becoming firmer. “What about you?”

Well, that’s it.

Ruan Zhen finally understood what had been bothering Song Shuling lately.

All these words had been building up, waiting for him to jump into the trap!

Back then, Ruan Zhen had told Song Shuling that he had someone in his heart, which was why he couldn’t accept him—Ruan Zhen hadn’t lied. He did have a vague infatuation, and at that time, he hadn’t truly fallen for Song Shuling.

So when he mentioned going on a trip with his high school classmates, Song Shuling might have misunderstood, thinking that the so-called “white moonlight” was among them.

But this guy was being ridiculous.

He didn’t raise any objections.

He just stared at Ruan Zhen with a aggrieved, resentful, and silent gaze, as if, being the older one, he shouldn’t be so petty over some youthful infatuation.

So he hoped Ruan Zhen would figure it out on his own.

Hey, he didn’t say anything, leaving Ruan Zhen to guess.

Now, he finally found an excuse, slowly tracing the contours of Ruan Zhen’s back, his fingers exploring downward.

Ruan Zhen shivered.

Song Shuling, who exercised regularly, had calloused palms. The feather-like touch was unbearable.

“Hmm?”

Song Shuang pulled Ruan Zhen over, placing him on his lap, face-to-face. “Did you?”

Ruan Zhen was already breathing a bit heavily, yet he asked, “What?”

Song Shuling was silent for a moment.

His movements were slow and deliberate.

Ruan Zhen grabbed his shoulder, exclaiming, “—Stop!”

“What?”

This guy was ruthless, using Ruan Zhen’s words against him, his face innocent and aggrieved.

Ruan Zhen wasn’t falling for it.

As Song Shuling continued, Ruan Zhen took a deep breath and let him, knowing that the one holding back wouldn’t be him. It was early, and the night was young. His pale skin gradually flushed pink. Ruan Zhen tilted his head and looked at him. “So, Third Lord, you’re jealous about this?”

He tossed the question back.

Song Shuling looked at him, leaned in, and gently bit Ruan Zhen’s Adam’s apple.

Damn, explain what it means to be jealous?

Song Shuling wasn’t the type to care about the past.

What bothered him was the part of his lover’s past that he hadn’t been a part of.

Ruan Zhen reached out and ruffled his hair. “Wow, what a strong scent of vinegar (jealousy).”

Song Shuling’s voice was muffled. “—Yeah.”

He was honest enough to admit it.

Ruan Zhen didn’t say anything, just leaned down to kiss Song Shuling, his forehead, eyelids, and cheeks, holding his face and kissing wherever he could, saying, “I like you the most.”

His lips were sweet today.

Song Shuling, of course, wanted a taste.

They kissed until they both fell onto the sofa. Ruan Zhen suddenly straightened his clothes, flipped over, and pinned Song Shuling beneath him.

Song Shuling, his excitement interrupted, looked at him in confusion, his chest heaving.

“Alright, I’ve told you before.”

Ruan Zhen’s shirt buttons were completely undone, his skin barely visible. “Back then, I did have a crush on an older brother. He helped me, and it was a vague infatuation, so I remembered him.”

There was something he didn’t dare to say, that although he had forgotten, the boy was very handsome.

The kind of handsome Ruan Zhen liked.

Song Shuling was the same type, with sharp features and a sharp gaze, exuding a mature masculine aura.

Subconsciously, Ruan Zhen seemed to be drawn to older men.

“But I don’t even know his name, and I’ve forgotten what he looks like,” Ruan Zhen continued. “He’s just a faint memory, something I used to cope with. So, don’t worry about it.”

He smiled and leaned down to kiss Song Shuling’s lips.

“I like you the most.”

Song Shuling couldn’t take it anymore. He kissed him dizzily, then stood up, straightened their clothes, picked up his coat and car keys, and fulfilled his duty as a partner.

That was to drive his lover out.

His mind was a bit hazy, the sound of Ruan Zhen’s laughter echoing in his head.

I like you the most.

The most!

Song Shuling couldn’t help but straighten his back, the butterflies in his heart fluttering in unison.

Sometimes he wondered why, even though they were both open about their love, every time Ruan Zhen confessed, his heart would race wildly.

Maybe he was destined to be under Ruan Zhen’s spell for life.

And he was content with it.

The bar wasn’t far from home, about twenty minutes away. Ruan Zhen unbuckled his seatbelt and tickled Song Shuling’s palm.

Song Shuling was looking at him.

“Probably end around half past eleven,” Ruan Zhen thought for a moment. “Do you want to pick me up?”

Song Shuling didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

Ruan Zhen was his lover!

Why should anyone else pick him up?

Ruan Zhen smiled and didn’t refuse. “Alright, half past eleven. I’ll drink a little less, don’t worry, I won’t get drunk.”

He opened the car door and got out, not asking where Song Shuling planned to go, quickly waved, and ran into the newly opened bar.

The brass bell on the door jingled softly.

Song Shuling still held the steering wheel, sighing lightly. The car still seemed to retain Ruan Zhen’s scent, a familiar and comforting aroma from their daily life.

After a while, he reached into the cabinet and pulled out a dark blue velvet box.

Inside was a ring, for a proposal.

Song Shuling had ordered it a long time ago, not telling Ruan Zhen, afraid of being discovered, and didn’t dare bring it home, keeping it in the car.

The box opened, the ring reflecting a brilliant light.

His gaze fell on it, a tenderness and longing he hadn’t realized he felt.

If he could, he would have proposed to Ruan Zhen long ago. Now, with Ruan Zhen still in school, it wasn’t the right time to ask him to marry him, but in Song Shuling’s heart, he wished he could have met him earlier.

Before anyone else in the Song family.

Or even better, meet high school Ruan Zhen. He would take him to play basketball, then buy skewers from the small street behind the school. This guy loved sweet things, even putting sugar in his tomatoes and eggs, so he would buy ice cream and freshly baked bread.

What about a younger Ruan Zhen?

The street was sparsely populated. Song Shuling leaned on the steering wheel, lowering his eyelashes.

A teenage Ruan Zhen must have been very cute.

Song Shuling wished he could steal him away, hide him at home, and let him grow up in a world of luxury, a happy little dumpling.

Everyone who saw him would love him.

Thinking about it, he dozed off.

In his dream, Song Shuling walked a long way.

Ahead was a white mist, nothing to see, no sounds to hear.

He walked quietly.

Then, he saw a vast forest.

The noisy cicadas suddenly filled the air, and Song Shuling squinted in the bright sunlight.

In the hazy light, he saw a young man walking toward him.

Then, he walked straight through his body and continued on.

“Come on,”

The young man suddenly turned, his youthful eyes showing a hint of defiance. “Why aren’t you following?”

Song Shuling stared at him.

The young man, seeing he didn’t follow, turned and quickly disappeared down a long alley.

The road was lined with cockscomb flowers, and there were faint barks. Song Shuling felt a bit disoriented, finding the place slightly familiar.

The next moment, the young man reappeared.

Carrying a boy in his arms, the boy was curled up, crying softly.

“It’s okay, I saw them bullying you first.”

“You also fought back bravely, you did well.”

The boy’s face was red, his thin shoulders trembling.

The sunlight filtered through the soapberry trees, casting golden spots on the ground. The young man walked straight to Song Shuling and smiled at him.

Song Shuling was stunned, instinctively reaching out, his heart pounding.

The boy shrank back, hudding into the young man’s arms, afraid.

The young man smiled and whispered—

“Go, grow up well.”

…Song Shuling woke up suddenly.

His heart was racing so fast that his entire chest was vibrating. Ruan Zhen was knocking on the car window, looking anxious.

The moment the car door opened, he pounced. “You scared me to death!”

The gathering had ended early, and he had planned to surprise Ruan Zhen, but found Song Shuling leaning on the steering wheel, unresponsive.

Song Shuling held him, gently patting Ruan Zhen’s back. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”

“Didn’t you rest well?” Ruan Zhen looked up. “If we go back, I can drive?”

He had gotten his license last year and could certainly drive them home.

“Sure,”

Song Shuling didn’t refuse, smiling. “Then, it’s up to you, baby.”

The dream had ended abruptly, and his mind was still a bit fuzzy, but he had forgotten most of the details, feeling a dull ache in his heart, unable to pinpoint the cause.

It didn’t matter. When they got home, he would have Ruan Zhen by his side.

Ruan Zhen opened the car door, sat in the driver’s seat, and noticed a dark blue box had fallen from the safety lock.

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly opened the cabinet, putting the velvet box back.

Just in time, as Song Shuling was about to open the door and get in.

“What?”

Song Shuling unbuckled his seatbelt. “Did you drink? Your face is a bit red.”

“No,” Ruan Zhen looked innocent. “I drank water… Let’s go.”

He turned and stepped on the gas, focusing on driving.

Song Shuling wasn’t as clever in front of Ruan Zhen.

Ruan Zhen had already discovered the ring.

At first, it was because of Song Shuling’s excited expression and nervousness. Ruan Zhen didn’t pay much attention at the time, but later, he found the dark blue box in Song Shuling’s pocket by chance.

He hurriedly put it back.

Later, he discovered Song Shuling had hidden the ring in the car.

Song Shuling didn’t say anything, and neither did Ruan Zhen, but he could guess that Song Shuling might propose to him when he graduated.

The summer night was noisy with the wind, and the lights of the city shone through the towering buildings.

Ruan Zhen couldn’t resist glancing at Song Shuling.

“Hmm,”

Song Shuling was looking at him too. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Ruan Zhen smiled sweetly. “Can’t I just look at you?”

Song Shuling smiled back. “Sure, look as long as you want.”

Preferably for a lifetime.

When would the proposal day be? Ruan Zhen didn’t know and didn’t guess. He just kept the surprise in his heart, waiting for his lover’s daily confessions.

In every shared night and morning embrace, they shared their heartbeats.

Whether it was “Let’s get married” or “I like you,” nothing could surpass a thousand, ten thousand kisses and the endless love in their eyes.

Of course, a sense of ceremony was still important.

The car stopped, and Ruan Zhen unbuckled his seatbelt, turning to kiss Song Shuling.

No one spoke, just two young men embracing, whispering to each other.

Ruan Zhen whispered, “Song Shuling.”

“Here,”

Song Shuling held his hand, his eyes gentle. “Always here.”

“Sometimes, you can be quite silly… getting jealous over nothing.”

“Uh-huh, I know.”

Under the starry sky, the eternal galaxy witnessed the lovers’ vows.

“What else do you know?”

Song Shuling leaned down and kissed him, his voice soft—

“I know I will always love you.”

(The End)

Author’s Note:

It’s over~ The bonus side story will be released at the end of the month, and the two will start their happy life.

If you can, please give a five-star review (please, I’m begging you, bowing down)

Thank you for staying with me, I hope you are happy and blessed!

Hope to see you again!