Chapter 52
One year later.
Family Guardian and Family Guardian 2 were both successful, and Jing Ciying’s studio was thriving. He started thinking about expansion.
Pei Songji, supportive as always, understood Jing Ciying’s independent nature and refrained from directly intervening, instead leveraging his network of contacts to facilitate the transition.
They were a team now, and Jing Ciying saw no need for rigid boundaries, accepting Pei Songji’s help gratefully.
With Pei Songji’s assistance, the studio smoothly transitioned into a full-fledged company.
The increased scale and scope of work meant longer hours for Jing Ciying, who dedicated himself to the company’s growth.
Pei Songji, understanding his dedication, didn’t interfere much, except for his unwavering insistence on a regular sleep schedule. He still picked Jing Ciying up from work every night, ensuring he went to bed on time.
Despite their busy schedules, they saw each other every day.
But their interactions remained limited to brief encounters and affectionate gestures.
Jing Ciying sometimes wondered if anyone would believe that two men in their thirties, in a relationship for over a year, hadn’t… progressed beyond cuddling.
But they were both too busy, and Pei Songji had never initiated anything more intimate. Jing Ciying, still somewhat shy, hadn’t either.
So, despite sharing a bed every night, they just… slept.
Jing Ciying had few close friends in Lincheng and couldn’t discuss such personal matters with his employees.
Although he felt their relationship was somewhat… unusual, he had no one to confide in, so he let it be.
He was too busy to dwell on it.
Finally, as the company stabilized and everything seemed to be on track, he allowed himself a break.
He took a few days off, returning home earlier than usual, taking a long, relaxing bath, and then going straight to bed.
He slept soundly, waking up refreshed the next morning.
The space beside him was empty, but the warmth lingered. Pei Songji hadn’t left for work yet.
He got out of bed and heard noises from the kitchen.
He found Pei Songji cooking.
His first purchase after the game’s success had been a new apartment: a three-bedroom unit. Without children, they had converted two of the bedrooms into separate studies, ensuring privacy while they worked, and the living room, spacious and bright, with a large window overlooking the city, was a significant upgrade from his previous cramped apartment.
He no longer felt so guilty about Pei Songji living with him, although it was still a far cry from Pei Songji’s usual luxurious accommodations.
But Pei Songji seemed content, never suggesting they move to his family’s residence.
The new apartment had a well-equipped kitchen, but neither of them cooked. They usually ate at the office or had the housekeeper prepare their meals.
This was the first time Jing Ciying had seen Pei Songji in the kitchen.
He didn’t question it, just watched him, amused.
Pei Songji, dressed in a crisp white shirt, clearly wasn’t accustomed to cooking. He was haphazardly adding ingredients to the pan without even looking at the labels.
Jing Ciying cringed.
Would this even be edible?
Pei Songji, sensing his presence, turned around. “Go wash up. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Okay.”
He had just finished washing his face when Pei Songji emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of food.
“What is this?” Jing Ciying asked, sitting down at the table and taking a sip of milk, the only recognizable item.
“Braised pork ribs. Your aunt said it was your favorite. I called her yesterday and asked for the recipe.”
Jing Ciying looked at the dish, which did resemble braised pork ribs, and took a bite.
It was… an interesting flavor. Salty and slightly fishy.
“Delicious,” he said.
Pei Songji, encouraged, took a bite himself, Jing Ciying unable to stop him in time. He chewed for a moment, then quickly spat it out.
“Don’t eat that,” he said, his culinary aspirations dashed. He took Jing Ciying’s chopsticks and reached for his phone. “I’ll have the housekeeper bring breakfast.”
Jing Ciying didn’t protest.
“Why the sudden urge to cook?” he asked, curious.
“You’ve been working too hard. I wanted to make you something nutritious.”
He looked at Jing Ciying with concern. “You’ve lost weight again.”
Jing Ciying was touched, but also guilty. He had been neglecting Pei Songji, his mind consumed by work.
Now that things had calmed down at the studio, he had more time. He wanted to spend some quality time with Pei Songji, perhaps a vacation, just the two of them.
“Let’s go somewhere when you’re less busy,” Pei Songji said, as if reading his mind.
“Where?”
“On a trip.”
“A trip?” Jing Ciying’s eyes lit up.
“Yes. Just the two of us.”
“I’d like that.” They had been thinking the same thing.
Pei Songji suggested a few destinations: the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland.
They were all appealing, but he finally chose Switzerland.
They stayed in Pei Songji’s chalet in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by mountains, forests, and a pristine lake, the scenery breathtaking, their privacy ensured by the remote location.
Jing Ciying loved it. The fresh air and stunning views were rejuvenating.
He took a long bath, then relaxed on a lounge chair in the living room, admiring the scenery through the large windows.
Snow-capped mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, a pristine lake shimmering in the sunlight.
He had been here before, as Pei Songji’s secretary.
Although Pei Songji owned properties all over the world, this was his favorite, his sanctuary.
It was quiet, secluded, its exact location known only to a select few, a place to escape the pressures of the world.
Jing Ciying had been here before, but this was the first time he could truly relax and enjoy it.
He had been the one serving then; now, Pei Songji was catering to his every need.
“Your drink, Mr. Jing,” Pei Songji said, handing him a cocktail.
Jing Ciying took the glass, a lazy smile on his face. “Anything else, my dear servant?”
Pei Songji knelt beside him. “Any other requests, Your Majesty?”
“Some fruit, perhaps?”
“Right away.”
Pei Songji returned with a plate of freshly washed fruit.
“Shall I feed you?” he asked, popping a blueberry into Jing Ciying’s mouth.
Despite enjoying the pampering, Jing Ciying felt a twinge of discomfort.
It was too extravagant.
“So this is how you lived before,” he said, shaking his head. “Such decadence.”
Then he remembered Pei Songji owned multiple properties like this, and his sense of injustice intensified.
“Evil capitalist,” he muttered.
Although he had always known Pei Songji was wealthy, he suddenly felt a surge of resentment.
Pei Songji popped a cherry into his mouth. “Don’t insult yourself.”
“I’m not insulting myself. I’m not a capitalist. But…”
“But what?”
“But I can boss around a capitalist.” He opened his mouth. “I want an apple.”
“As you wish,” Pei Songji said with a smile, feeding him a slice of apple.
It had started as a playful role reversal, but Pei Songji seemed to have taken to his new role with unexpected enthusiasm.
That evening, he even prepared Jing Ciying’s bath and squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush.
It was something Jing Ciying had done for him countless times, but now, with the roles reversed, he felt strangely uncomfortable.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said.
“But you did it for six years,” Pei Songji replied, his voice soft.
Jing Ciying wanted to protest, but looking at Pei Songji’s expression, he couldn’t.
If this brought him some comfort, some solace, then he wouldn’t deny him this small pleasure.
He accepted Pei Songji’s care.
It started innocently enough, but somehow, it ended with them in bed.
It had begun like their usual bedtime cuddles and kisses.
But tonight, Pei Songji didn’t stop.
Jing Ciying gasped, his eyes widening in surprise as he realized what was happening.
“Songji…” he whispered, wanting to stop him.
But Pei Songji continued, his touch gentle yet insistent, and Jing Ciying’s eyes filled with tears.
It was too much, too fast, the bright lights amplifying his embarrassment. He covered his face with his arm, unable to look at Pei Songji.
After a while, Pei Songji stopped.
Jing Ciying, his mind still reeling, thought it was over.
But Pei Songji gently pulled his arm away, his gaze intense. “Do you want me to continue?”
Jing Ciying’s mind went blank, his face burning.
He couldn’t bring himself to say yes.
“Turn off the lights,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
“No,” Pei Songji said.
“You…”
He didn’t know what to say. He turned away. “Do what you want.”
His simple acquiescence seemed to embolden Pei Songji.
“Alright. I’ll take care of you, then.”
It was a long and intense night, and Jing Ciying thought Pei Songji was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
He had started so gently, asking for permission, but now…
He woke up exhausted, with only one thought in his mind.
This was more tiring than work.
They spent the next few days exploring the chalet, their time consumed by… each other.
They didn’t even go outside.
It wasn’t until their trip was almost over that Jing Ciying remembered they were supposed to be hiking in the Alps.
They were at the foot of the mountains; they had to at least try.
He insisted on an early night, conserving their energy for the next day’s hike.
But as they stood at the base of the mountain, he started having second thoughts.
“The Alps are over 4,500 meters high. Can I even make it?” he asked, doubting his physical abilities.
“Don’t worry, there’s a cable car. It won’t be that difficult,” Pei Songji reassured him.
Although skeptical, he agreed to try. They had come all this way.
And he had woken up early for this; he couldn’t back out now.
They took the cable car partway up the mountain, then put on their skis and continued their ascent.
Jing Ciying, still weak from his surgery, struggled, his pace slow. He even experienced altitude sickness, needing supplemental oxygen.
Pei Songji, on the other hand, was strong and energetic, even offering to carry him when he couldn’t go on.
Jing Ciying was impressed but had no desire to emulate his athleticism. He finally reached the summit, thanks to Pei Songji’s encouragement and occasional assistance.
They arrived before dawn. The Alps stretched before them, a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks, jagged cliffs, and a swirling sea of clouds, the mountain rising above the clouds, the boundary between earth and sky, snow and cloud, blurring into a seamless expanse of white.
The world seemed to fall silent, just him and Pei Songji, alone at the edge of the world.
He was speechless, awestruck by the beauty, when a golden glow appeared on the horizon, piercing through the clouds, the first rays of sunlight illuminating the snow-covered peaks.
“Songji, look!” he exclaimed, turning to Pei Songji, but he wasn’t there.
A sudden premonition made him turn around, and he saw Pei Songji kneeling on one knee, holding a ring.
“You…” he began, finally understanding.
“I’m doing the one thing I’ve always wanted to do,” Pei Songji said, his voice filled with emotion, his gaze locked on Jing Ciying’s. “Marry me.”
“Marry you?” He must be hallucinating from the altitude sickness.
“Yes. We’re in Switzerland.”
“Switzerland…” He remembered the list of countries Pei Songji had suggested, all of which recognized same-sex marriage.
This hadn’t been just a vacation.
Pei Songji had planned this all along, just as he had always been a part of Jing Ciying’s own plans.
“So… will you be with me? Forever?” Pei Songji asked, his voice soft, almost a whisper.
His mind was a whirl of emotions, but his body responded instinctively, his hand reaching out, his fingers trembling slightly.
“I will,” he whispered.
— The End —
