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"A bowl of rice. And chospticks." Shen Jiu huffs pointedly. 

"Only those? Can I interest you with some claypot tofu? No? Sliced fruits?" the man offers. 

"No, thanks. My husband has packed lunch for me. Though he forgot to put the rice and chopsticks inside the bag." Shen Jiu says coolly. 

"Ah, you're married? What a pity. I thought I have a chance. You're so pretty and smart, Shen-laoshi, your husband must be an amazing person too." the cafeteria worker makes a mournful expression as he hands the chopsticks and bowl of rice to Shen Jiu. 

Shen Jiu makes an unimpressed face, "Do you make a habit on flirting with married teachers?"

The cafeteria man grins, "Only with someone as pretty as you."

Shen Jiu rolls his eyes, "I'd appreciate it more if you don't forget to put the rice and cutleries, than if you flirt with me during work. Luo Binghè." 

Luo Binghè smiles apologetically, "I'm sorry, baobei, I was running late this morning so I didn't notice I haven't packed the rice yet." he leans over the counter, "We got frozen yogurt today, do you want some?"

"Hm. Okay." Shen Jiu nods, "How's your part-time going?" the part-time job referring to this shenanigan of him working as cafeteria worker in Shen Jiu's school.

"Joyful. Might consider applying for full-time. I might need didi to replace me for the main business." Luo Binghè smirks, "Baba will just have to deal with it."

"Don't be crass. Be filial to your father." Shen Jiu chides lightly. 

"Aw. But I can see you often here." 

"Work properly." Shen Jiu sniffs haughtily. 

"Shizun is so cold to this disciple." Luo Binghè says, but his smile is goofy and indulgent, "Have a nice lunch, Shizun. I'll see you later once school ends."

"Mn." Shen Jiu hums as a reply, then he also leans over the low glass counter to give a peck on Luo Binghe's cheek, before taking the cup of frozen yogurt and walks back to the faculty office. 

He doesn't need to turn back to see the ecstatic look on his husband's face over the kiss. Instead, Shen Jiu quickens his steps and ducks his head to hide his embarrassment. 

When their engagement (quiet and unassuming, with only their parents and the engaged pair during the dinner) is revealed to their younger brothers, Shen Yuan is the first to react. 

"I knew it! I knew something is up when Airplane asked me about you two!" he pauses, "Wait, does that mean—"

"They both remember." Luo Binghe looks amazed and slightly horrified at Luo Binghè, "I knew Jiu-ge remembers, but Gege...?"

Shen Yuan turns to his husband, "You knew Er-ge remembers?!"

"He told me about the novel and about the truth about Shizun; sorry, but I knew it earlier before Shizun explained it to me." Luo Binghe admits, "Though he threatens me not to tell you that he remembers."

"Er-ge!"

Shen Jiu flicks his brother's forehead, "Because you'll make a ruckus like this. Tell me, A-Yuan, would you still treat me as Shen Jiu, your Er-ge, had you known? Or will you treat me as a stranger?"

Shen Yuan bites his lip and takes his brother's hands, "You are my brother, first and foremost. It's kinda weird, but you're still Er-ge despite everything. Trust me, even if it'll get a bit awkward, nothing will change. You're still my brother."

Shen Jiu relaxes his shoulders, feeling as if a burden is lifted. 

"But that'd mean... You two..." Shen Yuan's eyes dart between Shen Jiu and Luo Binghè. "Oh, heavens, you even stayed over at Er-ge's apartment. Did he do anything to you, Er-ge?"

"No, he didn't." Shen Jiu sits down next to Luo Binghè, exasperated. He leans into the younger man when a hand circles his waist from behind, "We've talked. Moved on. Engaged, now."

"Your parents already knew about me and gave a good shovel talk." Luo Binghè adds calmly. "Oh, a good time too. I'm sorry for hurting you two, in didi's previous lifetime."

"You're sorry. For hurting us." Luo Binghe repeats, dumbly. 

"What, didi? You're the one treating me as stranger now, after all? Understandable, I was horrible back then." Luo Binghè's tone is light, but Shen Jiu places a comforting hand over his fiance's. "And I know my apology doesn't worth much, but I'm sorry nevertheless."

Shen Yuan wants to laugh incredulously and tells him that his sins are too great that such a light apology couldn't wash away it all. His attacks against Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe aside, just thinking about how he hurt Shen Jiu is enough to incite anger in Shen Yuan—especially now that he knows Shen Jiu is his brother. 

But then, he sees Luo Binghè's fingers trembling under Shen Jiu's palm, and the anger fades away. Shen Jiu mentioned they have talked about their past, and moved on. That means Shen Jiu has forgiven Luo Binghè, even to the point where he agrees to Luo Binghè's proposal. 

Luo Binghè looks calm, but in his stead, Shen Jiu is the one who looks rather pained. Which is funny? Because Shen Jiu doesn't have to feel responsible at all about Luo Binghè's sins. 

........or maybe he does feel responsible. Shen Yuan suddenly feels sad. His brother is too hard on everyone including himself. 

Shen Yuan decides to not overthink about it too much. The whole situation is already weird. If the fearsome Bingge somehow regretted his actions and now is engaged to his brother—the original Shen Qingqiu! Oh, god, now that he thinks about that deeper, Shen Yuan has to talk to him in depth later—then Shen Yuan just has to follow along with that. 

"No, I..." Luo Binghe looks down, "It's... You're still Gege, but... This is all weird."

"Weird doesn't even begin to cover it." Shen Jiu scoffs. 

Luo Binghe takes deep breath, "I'm aware of your past actions, and back then when you came to my world to kidnap my Shizun, I also wanted nothing but to beat you up. But you're also my brother who had been kind to me, despite your memories. Where you can easily get revenge when I was a defenseless child, you instead treated me well."

Luo Binghè shrugs, and now that Luo Binghe knows that he's always been that other Luo Binghe, he can see that gesture as a mask of nonchalance. He's hiding his more emotional expression under that easy smile, "You are my brother. No special reasons to treat you well."

He nods, and sighs, "Reconciling the two versions of you will take time, but if you two can move on over your past, then I will try to do the same too." then Luo Binghe moves over to hug Shen Yuan's waist, "And besides, we defeated you in the end."

Apology accepted, in other words. 

Luo Binghè chuckles, "That you did."

Seeing as the talk the both of them had been dreading went relatively well, Shen Jiu stands up and heads to the door, "That's all we need to come here for. Luo Binghè, let's go."

"Yes, yes, Shizun." Luo Binghè stands up to follow Shen Jiu, "We can see ourselves to the door. See you two later." he pleasantly smiles at the two men inside the apartment before he walks outside the unit, where Shen Jiu is already waiting. 

Almost by instinct, he takes hold of Shem Jiu's hand and interlaces their fingers. The weight and pressure from the engagement ring feels nice on his hand.

"So, nobody wins the bet." Luo Binghè comments, "We underestimated our acting skills and overestimated their perceptive skills."

Shen Jiu smiles wryly, "I should have made the first bet."

"But then I would never get that kiss." Luo Binghè mock-protests. 

"Who says I wouldn't give you one if I won the bet?" Shen Jiu pretends to ignore his fiance's scandalous gasp. "Don't be dramatic. It's just one kiss."

"Out of the many we can share." Luo Binghè agrees, "Where to next? Your place or mine?"

"Yours. I haven't bought a bigger bed." Shen Jiu mutters. 

"You won't need to buy one if you move in with me. The place is too big for myself." Luo Binghè kisses the back of Shen Jiu's hand, still interlocked with his. 

"Mn. It is." Shen Jiu replies softly. He pauses walking towards their car, and Luo Binghè takes the silent permission to kiss his beloved sweetly. He smiles into the kiss when he feels Shen Jiu leans more into him, and he in turn tightens his hold on Shen Jiu's waist. 

Their wedding is quiet, not as grandiose as Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe's wedding, and only held once. Their parents wanted to give them the same level of celebration, but Shen Jiu and Luo Binghè refused politely.

There's no need of many witness for their marriage. Just the heavens and hell, ancestors and family, and themselves. 

Luo Binghè kisses him again in the tranquil silence of the bridal chamber. Shen Jiu sighs and melts into the kiss. They still have to attend the banquet. Though, Shen Jiu is not too opposed if they take their time inside the room... 

"I'm blessed." Luo Binghè whispers, "You're my biggest blessing, Shizun."

Shen Jiu lowers his gaze, shy, "And you're my best fortune. Binghè."

Overcame with love and tenderness, Luo Binghè holds Shen Jiu close and gives him more gentle kisses. He'd never let go of this happiness, will never make Shizun willingly leave him, forever if possible. 

They've been miserable for too long, Shizun especially. It's time they make the best present for themselves, overwriting their distant past. 

[an excerpt]

....

The bright eyed gongzi smiles upon seeing his xiansheng indulgently playing with the little kids from the village. Xiansheng's soft voice, lecturing the children about how to play the street games, drifts over as the gongzi rests underneath the tree. 

"Gongzi, we're so grateful. If it weren't for you and your master, the village would be flooded and drowned." the village chief bows politely. 

Gongzi smiles, "We're glad to be of help. It's purely coincidental that we heard of the water monster in the dam. I'm glad we're not too late."

"Indeed, indeed. We hope your stay here is comfortable, gongzi. Tell us if there's anything you need."

Gongzi hums, "Then, can you tell me where's the market?"

...

They walk in tandem away from the village. The sun hasn't risen yet and the weather is still cold, but they know it's better to continue their journey to the next destination, wherever it is, than to stay for long in one place. 

Gongzi hands over the four sticks of tanghulu he bought from the market to xiansheng, "For breakfast. Apologies, xiansheng, this one haven't cooked yet."

Xiansheng scoffs but takes the tanghulu sticks, "No need. This master was the one who told you we need to hurry." he gives one stick back to gongzi, "You haven't even combed your hair. So messy."

Gongzi smiles at the comment and at the tanghulu given to him. Knowing how much xiansheng loves sweets, this act means a lot more than it seems. Especially giving it to gongzi. 

His long, unruly black hair sways in the wind as they walk. Completely different from xiansheng's obediently smooth and silky har. During their quieter times, xiansheng often combs it for him, finding a satisfaction in taming the wild mane. Of course, gongzi would never object to those times. He cherishes the moments where xiansheng is showing care towards him. 

"And one more, I found this on the market as well and thought it'd suit xiansheng." gongzi gives another item as xiansheng finishes his tanghulu. 

Xiansheng receives the item—a modest silver hairpin, with flower patterns carved into it. He frowns, "You didn't waste money for all these, did you?"

"No, it was cheap. It's the least I can give to xiansheng for now. I know you can't wear guans or elaborate headpieces. Too flashy and stands out." gongzi says, his hands on his back, "I want to repay xiansheng for finding my jade guanyin necklace for me."

"It's nothing big. I just happened to see it during my morning walk." xiansheng pauses, then adds, "Ming Fan was really regretful when he first heard of your demise during the Conference."

Gongzi inhales sharply, the Heavenly Demon crest on his forehead sparks to life, momentarily bypassing the illusion spell to hide it. Xiansheng flinches, but his face remains passive. Gongzi immediately puts the illusion spell back in place and backs away. 

"I'm sorry. It's unintentional. This one knows xiansheng had his reasons to push me into the Abyss. I'm okay now." gongzi murmurs. 

Xiansheng tentatively reaches out to take his right hand and holds it with both hands, "I didn't regret pushing you, but I regretted your harsh experience inside the Endless Abyss. For that, this master is sorry."

"Mn." gongzi nods, he's tired to talk about that part in his life. He places his other hand on top of xiansheng's hands, which is still caging his right hand, "Binghe wants to put the hairpin on Shizun's hair. May I?"

Xiansheng pauses, before he nods. He ducks his head as gongzi steps closer, closing his eyes. It's the most vulnerable he's been in front of gongzi. A sign of trust. Gongzi knows it's only thanks to their many arduous hardships that they face together, that xiansheng can lower his guard like this before him. 

He gently puts the hairpin in place, and brushes away some strands of hair from xiansheng's face. He's taller now, he could peer into xiansheng's face easily. His finely shaped nose, his phoenix eyes and long lashes, his lips. 

Xiansheng's eyes opened, first unfocused as they gaze on the ground then slowly lifts up to stare back at gongzi. 

"Looks good?"

"Perfect." gongzi breathes, "Xiansheng looks good with anything."

"Flatterer." xiansheng murmurs, before he resumes walking. Gongzi takes a moment before he follows along. 

"Where to next, xiansheng?"

"Somewhere warmer." xiansheng answers. Warm like your smiles and your comfortable presence in this self-imposed exile. 

And so, the humble gongzi and his wise xiansheng continue their long journey, together — next to each other's side. 

[Proud Immortal Demon Way - Final Chapter: End]