What is he proposing?
———
Shen Qingqiu retraced his steps, each heavy footfall bringing him closer to Luo Binghe—the person he'd tried so hard to distance himself from.
The forest seemed to echo his inner turmoil, leaves rustling secrets he wasn't ready to confront.
Memories of Luo Binghe flooded his mind: the unspoken emotions in his eyes, his gentle smile, and unwaveringdevotion.
Shen Qingqiu's heart clenched.
How had he been so blind?
How had he convinced himself he could
remain unaffected?
As the sun dipped below the horizon,
casting elongated shadows,
the evening chill seeped through his robes.
Yet, he paid it no mind, consumed by thoughts of their impending reunion.
Would Luo Binghe welcome him back, or had his repeated rejections forged an insurmountable rift between them?
The uncertainty gnawed at him,
each unanswered question a thorn
in his troubled heart.
Lost in thought, Shen Qingqiu almost missed the faint glow ahead—a warm light from a small clearing.
His breath caught as he recognized the familiar silhouette by the fire.
Luo Binghe.
The young man sat with his back to Shen Qingqiu, posture tense, as if awaiting someone.
The sight tugged at Shen Qingqiu's heartstrings, a painful reminder of the distance he'd tried to maintain.
Summoning his resolve, Shen Qingqiu stepped into the clearing, the crunch of leaves announcing his presence.
Luo Binghe stiffened, turning slowly, eyes widening in disbelief as they met Shen Qingqiu's.
Shen Qingqiu hesitated at the edge of the clearing, heart hammering as Luo Binghe slowly rose to his feet.
"…Shizun?"
Luo Binghe's voice was barely above a whisper, uncertain, as if he didn't trust his own eyes.
Shen Qingqiu swallowed hard.
"It's me."
A beat of silence stretched between them, thick with everything unsaid.
Then, Luo Binghe took a step forward, his expression shifting—hope flickering behind his guarded gaze.
"You came back."
Shen Qingqiu exhaled.
"I never should have left."
Luo Binghe's fingers curled into fists at his sides. "Then why did you?"
His voice was quiet, but the hurt in it cut deep.
Shen Qingqiu lowered his gaze.
"Because I thought it was the right thing to do."
Luo Binghe let out a breathless, bitter laugh.
"For who? Certainly not for me."
Silence.
Shen Qingqiu forced himself to meet Luo Binghe's eyes, taking a slow step closer.
"I was wrong."
Luo Binghe's breath hitched. His walls wavered, but he stayed rooted, as if afraid that if he moved, this moment would shatter.
"…Then prove it."
Shen Qingqiu didn't hesitate this time. He reached out, fingers brushing against Luo Binghe's sleeve—a tentative, wordless promise.
"Shizun..."
Luo Binghe's voice was a whisper, a mix of hope and apprehension.
Shen Qingqiu swallowed hard,
emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
"Binghe," he replied softly,
taking a tentative step forward.
For a moment,
neither moved,
the air thick with unspoken words.
Then, as if a dam broke, Luo Binghe surged to his feet, closing the distance in an instant.
Before Shen Qingqiu could react, he was enveloped in a tight embrace,
Luo Binghe's face buried in his shoulder.
"Shizun,"
Luo Binghe murmured, voice trembling.
"I thought... I'd lost you forever."
Shen Qingqiu's heart ached at the raw emotion.
Hesitantly, he raised his arms, returning the embrace.
"I'm here, Binghe," he said softly.
"I'mhere."
They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, the world around them fading into insignificance.
In that moment, all doubts, fears, and self-imposed barriers melted away, leaving only the undeniable truth of their feelings.
Pulling back slightly, Luo Binghe searched Shen Qingqiu's face, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Do you... hateme?"
he asked, barely audible.
Shen Qingqiu's chest tightened at the question that had haunted him since their last encounter.
Gently, he cupped Luo Binghe's face, thumb brushing away a stray tear.
"No, Binghe," he whispered,
voice thick with emotion.
"I could never hate you."
A shaky breath escaped Luo Binghe's lips, relief washing over his features.
"Shizun,"
he murmured,
leaning into the touch.
"I..."
Whatever words he had planned were lost as Shen Qingqiu closed the distance, pressing his lips to Luo Binghe's in a tender, heartfelt kiss.
It spoke of unspoken promises, of a future they'd face together, no matter the challenges.
As they parted, foreheads resting together, Shen Qingqiu smiled—a genuine, unreserved smile.
"Let's face whatever comes next together, Binghe."
Luo Binghe's answering smile was radiant, eyes shining with love and determination.
"Together, Shizun. Always."
With that, they stood united, ready to face whatever the future held, hearts beating in unison, no longer burdened by doubt or fear.
—
Binghe's playful smirk didn't fade as he stepped closer, eyes glinting with a teasing light that made Shen Qingqiu's heart skip a beat.
"So," Binghe began, a mischievous lilt in his voice, "now that we've had our emotional confrontation... how about we call this a new beginning? A fresh start?"
Shen Qingqiu blinked, tension stirring anew. "What are you—"
Binghe waved a hand dismissively. "It's obvious. I've been waiting for you to come back, and you've finally arrived.
So, to properly celebrate this grand reunion—why don't you join me tomorrow night? A date—for old time's sake?"
"A date?" Shen Qingqiu sputtered, caught off guard. "What do you mean, a date?"
"Oh, come on."
Binghe took another step forward,
unfazed by Shen Qingqiu's confusion.
"I'm talking about dinner, a moonlit stroll, maybe a little wine—nothing too fancy, just you, me, and noswordplay for once."
At a loss for words, Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
"You're seriously asking me on a date?"
Binghe nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, his smirk deepening.
"Yes, exactly. Need me to spell it out? Maybe a candlelight dinner with soft violin music? Or a rooftop view with city lights as our backdrop?"
Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms defensively,
though he couldn't suppress the warmth spreading in his chest. "I'm... not sure you're entirely serious right now."
"I'm deadly serious,"
Binghe said with mock gravitas,
voice dropping lower, teasing.
"I've been thinking about this, Qingqiu. You've been running from me for so long; it's time I take matters into my own hands. Plus, it's high time you enjoy a little of my company, don't you think?"
Shen Qingqiu stared, blinking rapidly. He couldn't believe the nerve of this person.
"You're unbelievable. I'm trying to have a serious conversation, and you—" He waved his hands in frustration.
"You're asking me out on a date?"
"Absolutely,"
Binghe replied without missing a beat.
"What else am I supposed to do when you look at me like that? You can't just go around looking all... irresistible and not expect me to make a move."
Shen Qingqiu blinked again, face flushing involuntarily.
"You're insufferable, you know that?"
"Mm-hm,"
Binghe hummed, completely unfazed,
"but you love it. Admit it.
You love how unpredictable I am."
He stepped even closer, the teasing in his eyes softening into something sincere.
"So, how about it? One night, just you and me, no expectations. Just a normaldate. You're notrunning away this time."
Shen Qingqiu's breath caught. He didn't know what to say, how to respond to the sudden earnestness—suddenly... vulnerable.
"Fine," Shen Qingqiu said, voice a little too dry. "But if this turns into a disaster, you're paying for the entire evening."
Binghe's face lit up, his grin returning full force.
"Deal! You have my word, Shizun.
I'll make sure it's an unforgettable night."