Chapter 16
Song Muqing didn’t refuse.
Lu Xuefeng lay quietly in bed, waiting for him to finish washing up. He felt the bed dip slightly beside him as Song Muqing lay down.
There was a gap between them.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know what Song Muqing was doing, simply remaining still.
“Shall I turn off the light?”
“Yes,” Lu Xuefeng replied.
Song Muqing leaned over and switched off the bedside lamp.
The room was plunged into darkness, followed by the rustling sound of blankets as Song Muqing settled back into bed.
The room fell silent.
Lu Xuefeng closed his eyes, preparing to sleep, but despite the late hour, he wasn’t sleepy.
After a while, Song Muqing spoke softly, “Do you have to be so far away?”
His voice was low, with a hint of amusement, as if he found Lu Xuefeng’s distance amusing.
Lu Xuefeng turned over, closing the gap between them slightly, though not by much.
Song Muqing shifted as well.
In the darkness, they were facing each other, but with no light, Lu Xuefeng couldn’t see him clearly.
But he could feel Song Muqing’s gaze on him.
“Can you sleep like this?” Song Muqing asked softly, a playful tone in his voice.
Lu Xuefeng replied that he could.
“Why did you suddenly suggest sleeping together?”
Lu Xuefeng thought for a moment, recalling his friend Jin Hong’s words.
“Because we’re married,” Lu Xuefeng paused. “We’re partners.”
He was aware of his role.
They would likely be living together for a long time.
Although they didn’t have a strong emotional foundation, they should still live like a normal couple.
That was how married life should be.
Lu Xuefeng wouldn’t mistreat himself, but he wouldn’t neglect his partner either.
Moreover, Song Muqing had said he didn’t intend to live separately and didn’t want to give the impression of marital discord. Song Muqing was giving him time to adjust, but eventually, they would sleep together.
In that case, Lu Xuefeng might as well adjust sooner rather than later.
“Give me your hand.”
Lu Xuefeng was taken aback by the request, then hesitantly extended his hand.
Song Muqing took his hand under the covers.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know how he had managed to find his hand in the darkness.
Song Muqing didn’t speak.
In the quiet, Lu Xuefeng could hear his own steady heartbeat. His palm warmed from Song Muqing’s touch.
Lu Xuefeng’s hand twitched slightly.
“Xuefeng,” Song Muqing finally spoke, “I want you to understand that in our relationship, you don’t have to force yourself or do anything you’re uncomfortable with. You can do whatever you want.”
“I’m not forcing myself.”
Lu Xuefeng replied.
“I know.”
Song Muqing released his hand, moving closer, and gently caressed Lu Xuefeng’s ear. “I just want you to know how I feel. With me, you’re free.”
There was no need to feel constrained or worry about others’ opinions.
Every marriage was different.
With Song Muqing, Lu Xuefeng had absolute freedom; there were no restrictions.
They didn’t need to follow others’ examples; Lu Xuefeng could do as he pleased.
Lu Xuefeng had mentioned that he wasn’t good at maintaining intimate relationships.
So, Song Muqing wouldn’t ask him to do so.
But Lu Xuefeng indeed disliked being restricted by marriage.
He wanted to thank him, but remembering Song Muqing’s previous words about not needing to thank him constantly, he simply replied with a soft “Okay.”
“Come home with me this weekend?” Song Muqing asked, seeking his opinion. “To meet my parents.”
“Yes, alright.”
Lu Xuefeng felt he was ready.
“They have a dog. If you don’t like pets or are allergic to fur, I’ll let them know in advance.”
“No need,” Lu Xuefeng quite liked dogs, asking softly, “What’s its name?”
“Ollie. A Samoyed.”
Lu Xuefeng nodded, not saying anything more, then heard him ask, “Are you nervous?”
As he spoke, Song Muqing gently caressed his ear, making it tickle.
Lu Xuefeng reached out to stop him.
“A little,” he admitted.
The weekend was only a few days away, and Lu Xuefeng needed to prepare gifts for his future in-laws.
He had been browsing but wanted to choose something appropriate.
Hearing this, Song Muqing chuckled softly.
He realized that Lu Xuefeng didn’t seem to lie, saying what he meant without beating around the bush.
This was good.
Song Muqing liked this about him.
“They’ll definitely like you.”
Song Muqing reassured him. “Don’t worry about it now. Go to sleep.”
“Okay.”
The next morning, Lu Xuefeng woke up nestled against Song Muqing.
He quickly came to his senses, realizing how close they were, and pulled away slightly, startling Song Muqing awake.
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t realized he had snuggled into Song Muqing’s arms while asleep; he hadn’t been aware of it at all.
Song Muqing didn’t comment, getting up naturally to wash up and prepare a simple breakfast for them both.
Then they got dressed for work.
Song Muqing had an important academic conference that afternoon, where he would be presenting, so he needed to dress formally.
He changed into a white shirt, a suit jacket, and a thick overcoat.
The well-tailored suit accentuated his physique, his legs long and straight.
Lu Xuefeng watched as Song Muqing chose a tie to match his outfit. With his handsome face, he was incredibly captivating.
“Which one is better?”
Song Muqing turned around, showing Lu Xuefeng two ties of different colors, asking him to choose.
Lu Xuefeng chose the darker one.
Song Muqing didn’t hesitate, putting it on in front of the mirror.
Finally, he adjusted his tie slightly, loosening it a bit.
Lu Xuefeng watched him through the mirror, his silver-rimmed glasses, his well-defined hands, and his handsome face, suddenly feeling a strange…
A word came to mind.
Alluring.
Lu Xuefeng looked away.
He realized Song Muqing looked particularly good in formal wear, even though he usually dressed more casually.
Lan Xin had seen Song Muqing picking up Lu Xuefeng the other day.
She hadn’t expected them to get married.
She felt a slight sense of smug satisfaction.
While everyone else was surprised by Director Lu’s sudden marriage, she had already met his partner.
It was a strange feeling.
During a break in the rehearsal studio, she bought coffee and handed it to Lu Xuefeng, whispering, “Director Lu, I didn’t have a chance to congratulate you yesterday, so I’m doing it now.”
Lu Xuefeng glanced at her, noticing her cheerful expression.
“Why are you so happy?”
“It’s a joyous occasion, of course I’m happy,” Lan Xin smiled, placing her laptop on the table. She asked, seeking confirmation, “Was it the gentleman who was waiting for you at the side entrance after the performance? He looked familiar.”
Lu Xuefeng admitted, “Yes, it was him.”
“I knew it! I thought he looked familiar. I didn’t expect you two to actually get together. My intuition is so accurate.”
“Intuition?”
“Yes! I asked if he was one of your admirers, and you denied it.”
“He wasn’t pursuing me at the time.”
Lu Xuefeng thought that back then, they had just met, and he hadn’t anticipated such a development.
After explaining, he glanced down at his phone.
He had received a message from Song Muqing.
He was asking if Lu Xuefeng wanted to go grocery shopping with him that afternoon to stock up the refrigerator.
“Okay.”
Lu Xuefeng agreed, then typed another message.
Lu: I’ll drive and pick you up this afternoon.
Song Muqing was slightly surprised: Oh?
Lu: You always pick me up. Let me do it this time.
Song: Alright, I’ll wait for you.
Lan Xin, seeing him engrossed in replying to messages, guessed he was talking to Song Muqing.
She made a small, pleased expression.
Lu Xuefeng put down his phone.
“Director Lu, I thought you two were well-matched back then, but I didn’t dare to say anything.”
Hearing this, Lu Xuefeng raised an eyebrow, his tone slowing. “Really?”
“Truly well-matched,” Lan Xin giggled, saying happily, “In a way, I’m a witness to your relationship.”
Although she hadn’t expected them to get married so quickly, she was always adaptable.
Lu Xuefeng smiled faintly. “You’re quite the smooth talker.”
After work that afternoon, Lu Xuefeng didn’t delay, driving directly to pick up Song Muqing.
Before leaving, he sent Song Muqing a message.
“I’m on my way.”
Song Muqing, on his way back to his office after the department meeting, finally had time to check his phone and saw the message.
Lu Xuefeng had already left a few minutes ago.
Based on the driving time, he had enough time to return to his office and gather his things.
Song Muqing wasn’t in a hurry, walking with a few colleagues.
They chatted along the way, discussing the meeting, with a few complaints mixed in.
Song Muqing didn’t participate in the conversation, busy replying to Lu Xuefeng’s message, telling him to drive slowly and be careful.
“Professor Song?” someone suddenly asked. “Are you coming or not?”
Song Muqing looked up, puzzled. “Coming where?”
“Why are you so distracted, Professor Song?” Zhao Qi teased. “Who are you texting?”
As the youngest professor at the university, with his amiable personality, he had been the target of good-natured teasing when he was first promoted, everyone calling him “Professor Song.” They had gotten used to it and continued to address him that way.
“My family,” Song Muqing put his phone away.
They didn’t think much of it, assuming it was a family member, which was perfectly normal.
“Chen Jing’s friend opened a restaurant outside our university. It’s their grand opening today, and they’ve invited us to try their food, a free tasting,” Old Zhou explained. “She’s already there, waiting for us.”
Chen Jing and Zhou Xinhai were a couple, married for quite some time, and everyone knew them well.
Song Muqing recalled them mentioning it before.
He hadn’t paid much attention at the time.
“Of course, I’m going! I don’t have anything else to do today,” Zhao Qi readily agreed.
Everyone seemed agreeable, except for Song Muqing, who declined. “I won’t be going.”
“Why not?”
“I plan to eat at home,” he replied.
“You still have to cook at home. You’re by yourself anyway, what difference does it make where you eat?” Zhao Qi protested.
“Yeah, it saves you the trouble of cooking.”
Song Muqing shook his head with a smile, insisting, “I’d rather not.”
Old Zhou, sensing something amiss from his expression, asked, “Is someone at home?”
“Yes,” Song Muqing nodded, then decided to share the good news. “I’m married.”
He hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to tell them before, and since the topic had come up, he decided to announce it.
Everyone was stunned, completely taken aback.
“Sorry, it’s a bit sudden. I haven’t had a chance to tell you all yet.”
Zhao Qi was bewildered. “This is indeed… sudden.”
“When did this happen?”
Old Zhou glanced at Song Muqing’s hand, bare, without a ring. “Did you just register your marriage?”
“Yes,” Song Muqing admitted. “I’ll treat you all to dinner another day.”
“Dinner isn’t enough. For such an important occasion, Professor Song should treat us to a wedding banquet.”
“No wonder you’ve been in such good spirits lately. It’s because of this joyous event.”
“Oh no, Xiao Xia, now you’re the only single one left.”
They teased Xia Yan, urging him to find a partner. The atmosphere was lively.
Zhao Qi asked, “When are you bringing Mrs. Song over to meet us?”
“Yes, yes, Professor Song has such high standards. Your wife must be very beautiful.”
Song Muqing hadn’t told anyone about his sexual orientation, and he had kept his personal life private, so they naturally assumed he had married a woman.
Song Muqing didn’t mind.
He hadn’t told them before.
But there would be no more misunderstandings in the future.
“I’ll definitely introduce you all when there’s an opportunity.”
Then, Song Muqing corrected them seriously, “However, it’s my husband.”
Everyone was momentarily stunned, completely surprised.
“Oh, so…”
“That’s wonderful too. Congratulations!”
“…”
Song Muqing didn’t give them much time to react, glancing at his phone and excusing himself. “I have to go now. Talk to you all later.”
“In such a hurry?”
Song Muqing couldn’t help but smile, thinking that Lu Xuefeng should be arriving soon. His expression softened, his mood lifting.
“Yes, my husband is here to pick me up. He’s waiting.”
