Chapter 175
Yuan Heng stood at the arched gate. Seeing him, Wang Jin's eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
Yuan Heng promptly stepped forward to embrace him, seemingly afraid he might stumble or bump into something, carefully shielding him in his arms.
It had been over two months since they last saw each other, and the longing between them was intense. As soon as their eyes met, their gazes remained fixed on one another. Yuan Heng even managed a discreet glance at Wang Jin's stomach, where a small, distinct curve was now visible. At the sight of that faint swell, Yuan Heng's expression softened into something indescribably tender.
"..." Xi Ning had originally intended to say something, but was utterly rendered speechless by the cloyingly affectionate sight of the two.
He walked through the arched gate. Inside was the front courtyard of the residence. In front of the house, an ancient tree was planted, with tables, chairs, and a swing beneath it. Some fruit trees were also planted nearby.
This courtyard wasn't particularly large, but it had six rooms of various sizes, completely sufficient for a family and some servants.
A dense row of fragrant plants was cultivated along one side, forming a sort of green hedge. This hedge sectioned off a separate area, with only a single, purposefully laid path leading into it. Xi Ning walked over to investigate and found the kitchen and latrine located there. In the surrounding wall was a side gate that opened directly onto the outside street...
The other walls connected to different courtyards, which were much simpler than this one, seemingly designed specifically for receiving outside guests...
Xi Ning walked to the main house and pushed open the door. He had thought the inside would surely be like the houses outside—just an empty shell, certainly without furniture. Unexpectedly, upon entering, all the furniture was in place.
The furnishings were exactly the same as in Xi Yao's room in the pavilion. Xi Ning paused slightly and walked in. The windows in the room were wide open; one side offered a view of the ancient tree in front, the other side looked upon the flowers in the backyard.
This place was quite qualified as a residence, with a high degree of completion, seemingly deliberately finished first...
Therefore, aside from this residence, the rest of the city's completion level...
Xi Ning walked out and called to Yuan Heng, "The three-month deadline has passed, but your city..."
Yuan Heng immediately stepped forward, interrupting him, "The city is indeed not fully complete, but this area is perfectly livable. The houses you saw outside, City Lord, can accommodate everyone. As for the interior furnishings, they can manage those themselves."
Hearing this, Wang Jin quickly added, "Brother, actually, aside from the city walls and main roads, this place can already be considered a city."
How can it be considered? It's still far from it.
Xi Ning's eye twitched. His younger brother, in his eagerness to defend his husband, was truly being blind to the facts.
Xi Ning sighed. Yuan Heng said, "I know you are concerned about beast hordes, City Lord. I am an ancient beastman. Predatory beasts instinctively avoid me. As long as I am here, even if a horde comes, there is nothing to fear. Without the threat of beast hordes, this place can function fully as a city. We can continue to improve and build it while it is in use. What do you think?"
It was a reasonable proposal.
While the overall completion was not high, constructing so many houses and even laying roads in three months—with this main house ready for immediate occupancy—was already quite an achievement.
Moreover, this house... one look was enough to see the considerable effort invested. Yuan Heng had clearly put his heart into it.
Xi Ning's expression softened. Wang Jin pleaded, "Brother, Brother Heng has worked extremely hard. Now that the deadline has come, please let us have our wedding."
"..." Xi Ning's eyelid twitched. "So, I'm the one preventing the wedding?"
Wang Jin nodded. Xi Ning was momentarily speechless. Upon reflection, it was indeed the case.
Yuan Heng pressed his lips together, then suddenly knelt. "City Lord, I know this city may not yet meet your standards. But the ger and I cannot wait any longer. The child in his womb cannot wait either."
Xi Ning inwardly thought that bringing up the child's urgency was an exaggeration—the baby was merely three months along, its form not yet complete. Yet, Wang Jin continued to nod eagerly in support. "Yes, brother. Leaving the city aside, this house alone is very complete. Living here with Uncle Shan, Mu ger, Uncle Qi, and myself would be a comfortable life. Please agree."
A comfortable life? Is living in the pavilion not comfortable?
Xi Ning retorted silently in his heart. But gazing at the thoroughly satisfactory courtyard, his resolve finally softened. "Very well."
Wang Jin was overjoyed. Happiness was evident in Yuan Heng's eyes as well.
The beastmen gathered outside seemed to have received the news, creating quite a stir.
Wang Jin felt his cheeks grow warm.
The wedding was ultimately scheduled for seven days later.
Yuan Heng still needed a few days to make final arrangements for the city. During this time, Wang Jin remained in the new city, settling into the nearly perfect house.
And after a separation of more than two months, he and Yuan Heng were finally living together again.
Xi Ning sent over Mu ger, Qi ger, Uncle Shan, and others, along with some ger servants. The courtyard instantly became lively.
Watching Yuan Heng busy himself with city affairs, Wang Jin felt a pang of sympathy, which soon gave rise to another idea.
"Brother Heng, let me handle the wedding preparations this time," Wang Jin suggested one night after the man returned home.
Yuan Heng paused, shook his head, and was about to speak when Wang Jin cut in, "Brother Heng, you arranged everything for our previous wedding ceremony. This time, let it be my turn. I want to prepare a grand feast for you. Is that alright?"
A flicker of surprise passed through the man's light-colored eyes. In the beastman world, no ger had ever spoken of holding a feast for their beastman.
Yuan Heng looked at the ger. Though his appearance was soft, his bearing carried a subtle sharpness, as if reflecting his own strong will and inherent pride.
Everything Wang Jin had accomplished in Ning'an City had shown the man that his little ger was no ordinary person. He could thrive on his own merits. He seemed to possess a natural nobility, inspiring admiration and willing obedience from many gers and beastmen alike.
Someone like him would naturally have ideas beyond the ordinary. However, arranging a wedding was a significant undertaking, and the little ger was also pregnant...
Seeing Yuan Heng's silent disapproval, Wang Jin said anxiously, "I just want to tell everyone that Brother Heng belongs to me alone. Isn't that allowed?"
His soft voice, filled with possessiveness and a touch of willfulness, stirred the man's heart.
The man's eyes widened slightly. He looked at the ger, who seemed to suddenly realize what he had said. Chagrined, he pressed his lips together, his face and the tips of his ears flushing pink.
A smile touched the man's eyes, and his heart softened as if tread upon by a soft-footed creature, leaving gentle impressions...
He reached out and took Wang Jin's hand, his thumb stroking the back of the ger's soft hand. It was a simple touch, devoid of overt desire, yet it conveyed a deep sense of intimacy.
The gentle caress soothed the sudden embarrassment Wang Jin felt at his inadvertent confession. Feeling reassured, he leaned against the man, burying his face in his chest and breathing in his familiar scent.
He truly wished he could stay in this embrace forever. He rubbed his head lightly against the man's chest a couple of times, his tone softer and more coaxing than ever before. "Please agree, Brother Heng."
If Mu ger had been present to hear such a tone, he would have surely blushed and scurried away. But the man found it utterly endearing.
He gave a light, admonishing pinch to the flesh of Wang Jin's hand and finally relented, his voice full of fond resignation. "Alright."
Wang Jin was delighted, his sweet smile forming little crescents by his eyes.
Yuan Heng's heart stirred. He lowered his head to brush a kiss against those rosy lips and said, "But you must promise not to overexert yourself. If this feast requires hunting in the forest..."
"If hunting is needed, I will hire others to do it. I won't go into the forest myself and make you worry," Wang Jin interrupted.
Yuan Heng was silent for a moment. "Tell me what you need, and I will hunt it for you."
"Absolutely not," Wang Jin said. "It's better if what Brother Heng hunts is only for me to eat."
The ger didn't even realize how possessive his words sounded, but in that moment, they greatly pleased the man.
He felt as if a young deer were prancing about in his heart, leaving a trail of joyful footprints...
His little ger was becoming more and more adept at charming him.
He really wanted to keep him all to himself. His arm around Wang Jin tightened slightly.
In the days that followed, Wang Jin began his preparations.
At first, Yuan Heng was concerned, but seeing that Wang Jin maintained his regular meals and rest without fail, he gradually set his worries aside.
Seven days later.
Early in the morning, Wang Jin retrieved the specially made wedding robes for the man and gave them to Lai Yuan, instructing him to deliver them.
Several days earlier, Wang Jin had sent out invitations to Xi Ning and the others.
Now all the guests had arrived. Wang Jin had decorated the courtyard exactly as he remembered from the weddings in his previous life.
In the main hall, a table and two chairs were placed at the front. In Wang Jin's world, these were for the parents of the couple. Here, since both Wang Jin's and Yuan Heng's fathers were gone, Xi Ning would occupy one seat.
Originally, it was meant for Xi Ning alone, but upon learning the chairs were for family elders, Xi Ning brought a slender man to sit beside him.
The courtyard was adorned with lanterns and colorful banners, decorated extensively with red silks, creating a brilliantly festive scene. The character for "double happiness" was pasted on windows and doors, cut by Wang Jin together with Mu ger, Qi ger, and the others.
As the auspicious hour approached, Wang Jin went to fetch Yuan Heng. For tradition's sake, they had spent the previous night apart.
Yuan Heng opened his door to find Wang Jin waiting for him in the courtyard.
Today, Wang Jin was dressed in bright red wedding robes, which made his complexion appear even fairer. The robes were edged with cloud-pattern embroidery. Instead of his usual hairpin, he wore an elaborate and ornate crown. Compared to his usual elegant simplicity, he now carried an air of stunning beauty.
Yuan Heng's gaze seemed fastened to him.
Wang Jin was similarly affected. The wedding robes he had designed for the man featured a raised collar on the traditional garment. It wasn't overly high, but it accentuated the line of his collarbones, adding a touch of striking elegance.
Wang Jin had also used a small trick, making the man's outer robe from a layer of semi-transparent gauze. As the man moved, the fabric floated lightly, each sway seeming to brush against Wang Jin's heart.
Pop! Bang!
The sudden crackle of firecrackers startled them both back to the present. Wang Jin's heart hammered. His face flushed, he stepped forward and extended his hand to the man.
Yuan Heng glanced at the offered hand, a slight curve lifting the corner of his mouth. He placed his hand in Wang Jin's.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the two walked toward the main hall. Wang Jin looked at the man. The man was calm and steady. Even though Wang Jin was the one leading him forward, it felt as though the man was guiding their way.
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