Blazing Armor

For their first trip together, Ren Yi considered Gong Yingxian’s preferences and wanted to choose a place with a strong cultural atmosphere. Gong Yingxian, thinking of Ren Yi’s feelings, wanted to pick a romantic destination. After discussing it, they discovered they both liked something more adventurous, which led to their trip to South Africa.LoSUuYefzAxmdcRsdPMaFrSiFzJgUf

This journey was a collision of the primitive and the wild. They saw red deserts in Namibia, the ocean at the Cape of Good Hope, and snow-capped mountains on Kilimanjaro. They drove a jeep across the vast African savanna, following the great animal migration. Their final stop was the Drakensberg Mountains.csodKsOiKBmBacDNiVaHhnTtSfSrnm

Both of them enjoyed hiking and trekking, so instead of visiting tourist spots, they hired a local guide to take them into the mountains for a three-day hiking trip.HdrmwRUrmfZgdrrexhDctsWQWjCMTB

During the day, they walked and stopped frequently, sometimes studying unfamiliar plants, sometimes flying a drone to enjoy aerial views, and sometimes cooking together over a campfire. At night, they slept in simple tents, and despite being tired from the day’s activities, they still passionately made love. In South Africa, they left passionate marks at almost every place they visited.akEYzKWLWvcEfRWQcrWkOsycjZeqsC

After seeing the couple kiss, the guide consciously kept his distance, making it feel like they were alone in the vast mountains most of the time.yLGXCFKpZHUDMYhRfWduFRihxKYYhk

“This guide walks so fast,” Ren Yi said, unable to see him anymore. “With our stamina, most people can’t keep up, but he’s even faster than us.”lobIdpOTfKlPeeOFEUKdxjwrkVJclF

“He’s a local, running up and down the mountains all day, of course he’s fast,” Gong Yingxian said, taking out a tissue from his pocket to wipe the sweat from Ren Yi’s forehead. “Are you tired? Want to rest?”UnwJSXDLExyKNEHTxXEHpLqcLZlzdn

“Sure, let’s have some water.”MNQGBokKvvqqfCeVHFkLnhBAifiFkt

They sat down on the ground, with Ren Yi leaning against a rock behind him, taking a deep breath. “The air is so nice here.”pDOdoXrfbXlOAFtBbGOMlKrFdDXEiE

Gong Yingxian handed him the water.AZzwPgrwTnHsSDBcpDsDILCBqTlUuI

Ren Yi gulped down half the bottle. “Do we have any snacks?”GplKwNdHnvEPPDOGLOtSoGGIzixAGX

Gong Yingxian opened his backpack and first pulled out a carefully wrapped pillow.xRaxvrngWxAVpQbOeDtNebYaAgCkhM

Every time Ren Yi saw this pillow, he couldn’t help but tease, “You know, if you didn’t bring this pillow, you could fit several bags of chips in there.”eLIgTDQqdYPKaMZQqUKqucvIRcEdeN

Gong Yingxian glanced at him. “Don’t you use it too?”lyrOriXqEefHKUKoeNtWMVSWTcnlUx

“I don’t care for it,” Ren Yi said with a grin. “I’d rather use my husband’s arm as a pillow. It’s better than that thing.”tewXNwYACxzkWLwWGzDeCEHSAAtcLA

Gong Yingxian smiled. “I don’t know who fights me for the pillow in the middle of the night.”CHvVsGHfPZuNasFvPxLScjpAjYoOlf

Ren Yi brought the water bottle to Gong Yingxian’s lips. “Have some.”tOFTgXGMZFVKXAQLxboyhSRovQmdDv

Gong Yingxian’s lips touched the bottle briefly, then changed his mind and said softly, “I want you to feed me.”WRfYTEiiIIdCqKCpVachLVEOVgsJSW

Ren Yi leaned in and whispered, “Do you want to kiss me or drink water?”OrCJUXuudWhvBhBcNcyTeoAHtKqDTt

Gong Yingxian held the back of Ren Yi’s head and pressed his lips against his, answering with action. They kissed passionately under the gentle sunlight and warm mountain breeze, their love seemingly inexhaustible, wanting to touch, be intimate, and possess each other at any time.sEDgUEWcKSAupKgiSizmnyhjoTykpV

Ren Yi placed his hand over Gong Yingxian’s pounding heart through his jacket. “We’ve been so tired these past two days, how are you still so ‘energetic’?”nOjZnmrBmtGzUgWKybJFiYwIbknnDF

Gong Yingxian licked Ren Yi’s soft, wet lips, looking unsatisfied. “I’m not tired. Are you? If you’re tired, we can rest.”ZnCOfaWSdqsqaAaKDCMHoJhfJrVbEx

“You’re not being a clean freak now? Not complaining about the tent being uncomfortable? Not saying the river isn’t clean enough to bathe in?” Ren Yi teased. “Is it because it feels so good outdoors that you can tolerate all of this?”CVjsSitabOdFGtjPZdXJEhUVWcxsXI

Gong Yingxian’s eyelashes fluttered, a smile he couldn’t suppress playing on his lips. “Yes, I like it.”SrOHlnQVkmTbPMuqIOSobBImBqoxvF

“I was right, you’re just lustful,” Ren Yi said suggestively, pinching Gong Yingxian. “I really don’t know how you survived those twenty-five years as a virgin.”tYjjzLfyNsnksKnpMlmkySpmkhzWAa

Gong Yingxian said awkwardly, “Even if I’m lustful… it’s only for you.”cwYmFGQPFCCJvyZCyVIrEcqDoymsbI

Ren Yi found Gong Yingxian’s slightly shy expression extremely cute and couldn’t help but kiss him. “You’re so good.”VahbxmqijfbsAULVWwOANxgvnVEwsK

Gong Yingxian hugged Ren Yi close. He took off both their gloves and held up their hands wearing matching rings, examining them carefully in the sunlight. Their long fingers stretched towards the sun like resilient branches, letting the light filter through the gaps and fall on their skin, spreading warmth. Gong Yingxian felt peaceful and content, knowing that what bound him to Ren Yi for life wasn’t just these small circular bands, but they were excellent witnesses.niEIYyeEttXdRAoyqgoWteOBpgBwHH

“These rings are really beautiful. What brand are they?” Ren Yi asked. “I don’t know much about brands, but I want to know about these.” The rings were simple and elegant but looked high-end.bPeyjLGUUhsGYRRpcQTCjUHbJCNYmW

“I had them custom-made by a Van Cleef & Arpels designer. They’re one of a kind,” Gong Yingxian said, lowering his head to kiss the corner of Ren Yi’s mouth, then his cheeks and ears, as if he couldn’t get enough.hHzknjzQUJpknkwfRGWpRqSXQxaPyF

Ren Yi laughed. “That’s so extravagant! Was it necessary?”mhJNBvTbNPyVxxLWJweWeTejeBsIaY

“Yes, I wanted to give you the best and something unique,” Gong Yingxian replied. He wanted to offer Ren Yi everything he could possibly give.pCYFEVdtKenOtlqlzmkshPibSkoyet

Ren Yi leaned into Gong Yingxian’s embrace, looking at the azure sky and the vast valley, and said softly, “It’s so quiet. It feels like we’re the only ones left in the world.”acEyEwtSmAdWQXpHfjZWANOsJGwUAz

“That wouldn’t be bad,” Gong Yingxian said. Even if the world were to end the next second, he felt he would have no regrets.zzbSjPCOpNUYZWdzBHoGmMynhGTJFa

“I’ve been so happy these days. I’ve never had this much fun before,” Ren Yi said, a bit embarrassed. “It must have cost a lot, right?”PrykRgEwhOmWPlbfWYUillxfdKFecL

“Don’t worry about that,” Gong Yingxian said, resting his chin on Ren Yi’s shoulder and gently rubbing his ring with his fingertip. “Money has no value to me. The only thing that gives it value is spending it on you.”gsDZOTLtHNIWpMNePQesolWLcmMKwv

Ren Yi teased, “Damn rich people.”UaHYdJyssqfbovzQYfvjpuoZnWepod

Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes slightly, like a cat basking in the sun with its belly exposed. Every eyelash seemed to write comfort and satisfaction, as if he might fall asleep holding the person in his arms.zycXBMkuctHSBgxEaWsnsYHAybYkZJ

“Hey, let’s shout something!” Ren Yi suddenly suggested.EMZOkyHnOLEgpZCXMPCFMcbmSFIzFk

“That’s stupid.”kIiRGFZTdXFYSZZKaSucYztkPEmOtn

“Yeah…” Ren Yi suddenly let out a loud “Woah!”, startling Gong Yingxian.ZkrVaCQxjZidacjVUbJNziOEdVWNfw

“Hahahahaha—”BnqOuJcpxXNGbSBudMixmyjPadsJIX

Gong Yingxian quickly stood up, threw Ren Yi over his shoulder, and ran towards the cliff.ycxwuZPjciNRkoqgohwiTkCohOxfhq

“Hey, hey, what are you doing?!”oxpJegaECGPZXXmtFQtQmXeRwkODER

Gong Yingxian stopped right at the edge of the cliff and put the yelling Ren Yi down. “That’s for scaring me.”dXvMTldAXrJWTMTTSGuyZFdmGnjkSF

“You’re so petty,” Ren Yi said, still laughing. “Come on, let’s shout. It’s very stress-relieving.”SoKTjQeVOAAxhpbWOVgBIqNbfIKwhs

Gong Yingxian cleared his throat, still feeling a bit embarrassed.OBeuTeuxeRsfVdxGyxxMXZiQimkgNK

Ren Yi took a deep breath and shouted towards the valley, “I’m the most handsome in the world—”ESDROPOEpamhDOmUwuGgFjdrQhmYQJ

Gong Yingxian looked at him, took a deep breath, and mustered up the courage to shout, “Ren Yi—”NCpsgBlVaVEFPPCYavMhIhNTKYYqVs

“Yes—” Ren Yi responded loudly.OvdmUiGSirAEBvkuFqyZAmaTomGvtd

Gong Yingxian, as if throwing caution to the wind, shouted, “I love you—”NtBuSZyXorMdWyMUjTUNKCApZlxGXJ

Ren Yi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, laughing so hard he could barely stand straight.DHxMRetuIwdrSQJWROYgtWzsCQsmuk

Gong Yingxian kicked him angrily. “What are you laughing at! You told me to shout.”SeaCfIYPuDHAVcRZcDsIMezZpSpDNM

“Who knew you would… hahaha…” Ren Yi sometimes felt like he was dating an elementary school student. Gong Yingxian always loved him in such a pure, straightforward, and unguarded way, trying to be romantic with methods he must have learned from somewhere, though the effect often turned into laughter. But Ren Yi was still moved, still felt his heart full of happiness.fKxYMCqSPQbacHxWNzVtjFsiLIJRbW

Gong Yingxian’s face started to turn red. “Do you… think my proposal at the cemetery wasn’t good? I can do it again…”VqrBVsRYNDlilseMREjKXpDDKKZpUF

Ren Yi stopped laughing. He cupped Gong Yingxian’s face and kissed him hard. “No, I think it was perfect. Having your parents and sister as witnesses made it the most romantic and sincere proposal in the world.”MyOdRtXLaaLACPolwMEhIQsVWKPKdb

Gong Yingxian’s eyes immediately filled with joy.GVpukPGzzeKSzgMspPJmoEYaJPJRPw

Ren Yi cleared his throat and shouted towards the mountains again: “Gong Yingxian, marry me—”enhsYGZIRyNqcUSzcLyxUSqmhyLFMh

Gong Yingxian’s face, which had just cooled down, suddenly burned hot again.TuYjAisRNPmHCEJvEmdAeDRoXneSXi

Ren Yi laughed at himself after shouting. He held Gong Yingxian’s hand, making their rings rub and clink against each other. “Now you’re not the only one who’s embarrassed, right?”DLPoDTHZErzffsFUjWLuxwgLaggCWD

“Saying I love you isn’t embarrassing,” Gong Yingxian said, leaning in to bite Ren Yi’s ear and threatening, “But if you dare laugh at me again, I’ll make you unable to walk tomorrow night.”AOcHqDECBzdfLwaqsqstinlrMoHPqZ

“I wouldn’t dare,” Ren Yi said, scared because he knew Gong Yingxian could actually do it.GFjkQoopkNkGmVpXTzKzHdLihkizkT

They held hands tightly, watching the undulating mountains, the layers of green peaks, the convergence of wind and clouds, and at the same time, seeing love and eternity in each other’s eyes.TIEKIOqSPXIGWJeImnBqHitRfiXmOa