Farming to Cultivate Immortality – CH28

Chapter 28 – The Fate of the M-Preg World

After buying everything, Xia Yi was looking for a teahouse or somewhere to take a break when he heard Gu Wenzhu’s voice not far away. “Xiao Yi.”

Xia Yi turned his head in surprise, only to see Gu Wenzhu smiling as he stood under the shade of a tree not far away. He had rushed over so quickly that a few drops of sweat still lingered on his handsome face.

“What are you doing here?” Xia Yi asked, both surprised and delighted.

“I’m here to pick you up.”

“Didn’t you say you’d only come get me if I didn’t return by dinnertime?”

“I figured it’s almost time for dinner anyway,” Gu Wenzhu replied confidently, ignoring the midday sun directly overhead.

Huh? Lunch had only just finished a short while ago.

But seeing Gu Wenzhu made Xia Yi so happy that he no longer cared whether it was noon or evening. Joyfully, he reached out to grab Gu Wenzhu’s hand.

Gu Wenzhu quickly glanced around, his handsome face flushing red.

Xia Yi knew exactly what he was thinking. He shot Gu Wenzhu a sideways glance, filled with a silent threat: ‘Go ahead, try letting go.’

Gu Wenzhu didn’t dare let go. Deep down, he didn’t want to, but holding on made him too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye. After thinking for a moment, he quickly took off his outer coat and draped it over their clasped hands.

And so, they strolled hand in hand around the village.

The weather had turned chilly, but Gu Wenzhu had a layer underneath, so they didn’t attract any attention as they walked.

They wandered from one end of the village to the other, and then back again. Gu Wenzhu even stopped by a shop to buy a few pounds of this year’s new cotton, turning to Xia Yi to explain, “I’m preparing ahead. Next time we go to the county, I’ll buy some fabric and make you a padded jacket.”

“179, my wife is really something—so capable, except for being a bit flat-chested. But that’s no big deal, I don’t mind.”

As evening approached, Xia Yi decided to go to the silversmith to pick up the rings. He had originally planned to surprise Gu Wenzhu, but since he was already here, it wouldn’t hurt to pick them up together.

The two of them entered the silversmith’s yard. “Master, are my rings ready?” Xia Yi asked.

“They’re done, and I’ve also carved the design,” the silversmith replied, nodding as he went into the back room, returning with a pair of shiny silver rings.

Xia Yi had ordered a simple pair of plain bands, so they turned out well—smooth and rounded.

He gently picked up one and looked at the inner band. “Huh? Why does this have a ‘1’? Didn’t I ask for a ‘Y’?” Xia Yi asked in confusion.

Seeing the silversmith’s blank expression, he quickly gestured in the air. “I wanted a ‘Y’.”

“That little branch is too tricky to make. I couldn’t manage it, so I just went with a ‘1’ instead,” the silversmith said with a hearty laugh. “I figured it looked close enough, just missing a little twig, haha.”

Xia Yi picked up the other ring to inspect it closely and was shocked. “Why does this one have a ‘0’?”

“I asked for a ‘G,’ not a ‘0.’ Look, it’s supposed to be open-ended. But you engraved a closed ‘0.’”

The silversmith stared blankly for a while. “Oh, they’re different? I thought you wanted a circle and didn’t notice that it wasn’t fully closed.”

Just great. One ring had a ‘1,’ the other had a ‘0.’

Was this the fate of living in a world that revolved around guys?

Seeing Xia Yi’s disappointed face, the silversmith grew anxious. “What’s wrong? Are you not satisfied? Did I make a mistake with the rings?”

“No, no, Master. You did a great job, they’re beautiful,” Xia Yi quickly reassured him, not wanting to complain further. He paid for the rings and they left.

The two of them walked to an old, secluded willow tree at the edge of the village. Bathed in the golden sunset, Xia Yi grinned at Gu Wenzhu. “I had these two rings made—one for each of us.”

With that, he took out the ring engraved with the ‘0’ and instructed, “Hold out your hand.”

Gu Wenzhu obediently extended his hand.

Xia Yi tried to slip the ring onto his ring finger.

Oops, it wouldn’t go on—it got stuck.

No, no, his ring finger was too thick. Let’s try the pinky.

It got stuck again.

Was this a hand or an iron rake? What’s going on?

Gu Wenzhu chuckled softly as he watched Xia Yi furrow his brows and bite his lip, still trying to figure out how to get the ring on his hand. Gently, Gu Wenzhu took the ring, held Xia Yi’s hand, and carefully slipped the ‘0’ onto Xia Yi’s slender ring finger.

It fit perfectly.

Then he picked up the ring with the ‘1’ and slid it onto his own left ring finger.

Perfect fit!

Gu Wenzhu raised his hand, squinting at the ‘1’ in the sunlight before looking at Xia Yi’s ‘0.’ A faint smile curved his lips.

He knew that Xia Yi loved to pair everything with him—whether it was matching outfits, belt colors, or even checking if their socks were identical.

“Why aren’t you wearing the same socks as me today?”

“They are the same—they’re both white, aren’t they?”

“Look at your feet. Yours are ‘bone white,’ and mine are ‘pure white.’ How could they be the same? And the belts are different too. Yours is sky blue, mine is light blue…”

Every day, when Gu Wenzhu dressed according to Xia Yi’s instructions, he had to squint and strain his eyes to tell the difference between the seemingly identical shades, falling into countless traps laid by Xia Yi’s meticulous demands.

Xia Yi raised his hand and brought their rings together. His fair skin contrasted against Gu Wenzhu’s healthy tan, their hands—one big, one small—wearing matching rings, glowing harmoniously in the sunlight.

Then, squinting slightly, Xia Yi glanced at Gu Wenzhu from the corner of his eye.

Gu Wenzhu was focused on his ring, a gentle smile on his face. His handsome features were highlighted by the warm glow of the sunset, making his sharp profile even more striking.

Xia Yi’s heart began to race. Summoning his courage, he turned to face Gu Wenzhu and asked, “Brother Zhu, do you know what rings symbolize?”

“Hmm?” Gu Wenzhu raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

Suddenly, Xia Yi dropped to one knee, his eyes staring straight ahead, and loudly declared:

“Brother Zhu, I want to ask you to marry me.”

Gu Wenzhu was startled when Xia Yi suddenly knelt in front of him. At first, he thought Xia Yi’s leg had gone numb and reached out to pull him up, but then he heard those words.

In an instant, he froze, like a statue, completely stunned, unable to move.

Before Xia Yi could wait for a reply, he was just about to sneak a glance up when he heard a thud. Gu Wenzhu had suddenly dropped to his knees, right in front of him. His face flushed red, and he excitedly exclaimed, “Xiao Yi, I want to ask you to marry me.”

“I’m sorry, Xiao Yi. I originally planned to propose after the new year. Since you mentioned before that you didn’t want to get married, I thought I’d give you more time to adjust, hoping you’d like me more and eventually accept me. I was planning to wait until spring, when everything blooms, to officially propose. But because of my oversight and not discussing it with you, you, a man, have even knelt down… It’s my fault.” Gu Wenzhu’s face was filled with shame.

“Xiao Yi, please marry me. I will treat you well and protect you for a lifetime.”

“The luckiest thing in my life was meeting you, and my greatest wish is to be with you forever.”

“I don’t want anything else, as long as I have you. I’ll do everything I can to give you a good life.”

After Gu Wenzhu finished his emotional vows, his eyes were shining brightly. He shuffled forward on his knees a few steps, not caring if anyone might pass by, and tightly embraced Xia Yi in his arms.

“Xiao Yi, I’m sorry. I proposed too late. I deserve to be punished. I’m so sorry, Xiao Yi.” Gu Wenzhu pressed Xia Yi’s head to his chest, closing his eyes and murmuring softly.

“This scene isn’t quite what I imagined… but it doesn’t matter,” thought Xia Yi, feeling a bit lightheaded as he was enveloped in Gu Wenzhu’s arms, his ears filled with the sound of Gu Wenzhu’s rapid heartbeat.

The sun had tilted westward, and the two began walking home slowly, side by side.

It was autumn, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of ripe fruits. Xia Yi’s shoulder would occasionally brush against Gu Wenzhu’s arm, and a warm feeling spread through his heart.

He wasn’t paying attention and tripped over a small stone. After Gu Wenzhu steadied him, he knelt down in front of Xia Yi. “I’ll carry you.”

“Aren’t you afraid people will see?” Xia Yi glanced around. In the distance, a few villagers were returning home with hoes slung over their shoulders.

“We’re about to get married—what’s there to be afraid of?” Gu Wenzhu’s voice was full of confidence, carrying far enough that those villagers turned to look their way. “It’s quite a walk, and you’ve been out all afternoon. Your legs must be tired.”

Seeing Xia Yi hesitate and glance around, Gu Wenzhu urged him, “Come on, hop on.”

Without overthinking, Xia Yi climbed onto Gu Wenzhu’s broad back without hesitation.

“When we get back, I’ll talk to Uncle Wang to pick a good day in two months, and we’ll get married,” Gu Wenzhu said happily as he carried Xia Yi home.

“Then, a few days later, I’ll take you to the town to buy some fabric and new bedding.”

“We also need to find a carpenter to make new furniture.”

“But I want to make some of the furniture myself.”

“Oh, and I’ll buy you some jewelry and makeup.”

Xia Yi quickly interrupted, “No need for that, Brother Zhu. I don’t like that stuff, not at all.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t buy any, we’ll do as you like.”