The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 472: This Is Enough

Chapter 472: This Is Enough

The meal was simple and warm. The three ate silently as a calming air surrounded them. The secluded space provided them with time to collect themselves and lean into the new closeness. The entire trip was a bonding adventure, from the start in Nanshan to its waypoint in Sun Village.

In the end, it felt like everyone had grown closer, and more intimate than before.

A lot had happened over the last week, from their individual confusions to blurred pathways of communication, it had been a roller coaster. Finally, Xu Zeng felt much more relaxed and excited even, at their growth.

It was a feeling stronger than the pleasure he got from a kiss or even the release he found in Xu Hu Zhe’s arms. It was a building sense of security that had been nurtured from their words to their actions, and he had never felt this way before.

Xu Zeng had all his most important people in one place. It was a bittersweet happiness, but it was the best possible outcome.

He had his dad’s memorial tablet so he could take his parent with him. He had his space— although he couldn’t access it... yet... he knew he had an energy source— where his brother’s body rested somewhere within.

He would have to take some time to settle his dad in the space and find his brother’s body, but that was a quest for another time. For now, they were all altogether in a way. Maybe he would take the two eggs to visit their dad after he found Xu Feng’s body. He hoped the space would be accommodating.

Powerful artifacts like his space and the rings connected to it often had a mind of their own. After some time, they became sentient. While he and Xu Feng both had rings— their entrance to the space— the artifact seemed to favor his brother over him.

If that wasn’t the case, why would it be so easy for Xu Feng to enter the space from Donghua? This was now more apparent to Xu Zeng knowing that the zombie world had more energy, yet entering their space from the other side, was always difficult and draining for him.

In any case, the space might have acknowledged them both as masters, but it favored one over the other. It even protected Xu Fegn’s body upon his death.

This line of thought made Xu Zeng’s head throb. His typically stubborn nature would want to test the boundaries of his abilities. Today was different though.

The silver-haired ger sat on the flat rock, gently stroking the surface with his hands as he allowed his nephew’s weight to center him. He would likely never come back here. In fact, if he had his way, he would never return to Sun Village for any reason— it was a choice.

He watched his two comforts as they busied themselves by the stream. Xu Hu Zhe expertly washed the dishes as Bai Mo attempted to help him. The fox wasn’t accustomed to this kind of labor but was eager to lend a hand and give Xu Zeng some space.

Hu Zhe was always patient, and the Bai Mo was optimistic.

The world would continue to go on whether Xu Zeng wanted to live or not. Whether the hole in his heart that opened with his dad remained open or closed; Whether the fractured pieces that shattered with his brother’s death were able to hold together; No matter what, the world would go on.

Even if he didn’t want to go on, there was Xu Hu Zhe, there was Bai Mo, there were Da Long, and Xiao Long. He would go on for them, and he would be strong.

With the dishes done, and everything that could possibly be carried with them, packed away, the group made their way back to the nearest town.

It was possible to run into an Ox Cart on the way if they’d left earlier, but they were enjoying their meal and time together. Sun Village may or may not still be in chaos, but it was harvest season, and all those able-bodied in other villages, were in the fields.

The times an Ox Cart could be seen were narrow during this season. Xu Zeng actually preferred this. He didn’t want to run into anyone from Sun Village. He was in a calm state of mind after their meal, but the shenanigans of the morning had taken a toll on him.

Now, he just wanted to be at peace with his companions. Even the thought of switching back to his male form— something he’d been looking forward to since the start of their trip— was too much for him. He was drained but also comfortable.

The company he was in, was too relaxing, making him feel more secure than ever before. At the same time, the experiences of the morning, and his entire life, left his brain in a strange state.

Happy and sad. Present and distant. Exhausted and excited.

There were ups with his downs and downs with his ups. As they walked back to the town, Xu Zeng rubbed his nephews through the backpack. They would get to hatch soon. For now, all Xu Hu Zhe carried the bulk of their load, including the items with remnant energy from Xu Zeng’s own hatching.

As soon as they returned to Nanshan Estate, if things were settled, and their father and papa were home, Xu Zeng would provide the children with the opportunity to hatch. It would be better for it to be done within his space...

It would be nice if their dad’s final resting place was where they first took their breaths... and it would keep the huge amount of energy the hatching would bring, in a contained space and benefit the space.

It was a win-win-win all around, except... The only drawback was that Xu Zeng wasn’t sure he would bring that many people into the space. He could barely drag himself into the space... It shouldn’t be a problem to drop the eggs into the space— they were Xu Feng’s children, and surely the space would welcome them.

Inanimate objects were not a problem either, but living breathing people like Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang, might be a problem.

"Hah." Xu Zeng sighed.

"Are you tired?" Xu Hu Zhe asked, slowing his pace to keep up with the two stragglers.

Xu Zeng simply shook his head. He wasn’t tired, this amount of walking was nothing. He wasn’t used to long treks anymore, but his body could still handle this much. He would change bodies when they were far enough away from Sun Village.

"I... I can... walk." The fox didn’t seem to be as convincing as he intended. His breathing was labored. They had already been walking for an hour and a half. For a pampered young master, he had tried.

Xu Zeng reached out to take the bag Bai Mo had, but it was quickly snatched by Xu Hu Zhe who smiled at him and then down at Bai Mo. "We’re almost there."

It was a bit strange. Xu Hu Zhe hadn’t offered to carry the fox this time, and that seemed to make Momo happy. Instead of fighting for the backpack, he easily surrendered and focused on keeping pace.

The silent communication between his companions went over his head. There was something he wasn’t getting, something he hadn’t heard, but it was still nice to see them get along. Xu Zeng couldn’t help but smile to himself.

"Don’t worry... Once we re... return home," the fox took a heavy breath, "I’ll start on transferring your dad’s resting place. You can choose if he... he rests in Bai Mansion or Nanshan Estate."

Bai Mo was clearly having a hard time, but even now, he was thinking about what would be best for Xu Zeng. Everything would be alright in the end. Whether they took his slavery case to the yamen or whatever, it was almost unimportant for Xu Zeng. Being close to his loved ones, and being in this comfortable bubble was what mattered.

"Thank you." That was all he could say. It was how he felt to his core. He was thankful for Bai Mo and Xu Hu Zhe. The things that happened today didn’t affect whether he would marry them or not, that was already a foregone conclusion.

This was happiness. He knew it. He could feel it even in the conflicting emotions and the confusion and pain from the morning’s events. Through it all, there was a slither of happiness and comfort he wouldn’t let go of.

Xu Zeng took the initiative to hold the fox’s now open hand boldly. There was no one on the way. And for the next little while, until they reached town, they didn’t expect to see anyone. He would use this time to share warmth with his people, and his mates.

Xu Hu Zhe’s hands were occupied, so Xu Zeng took the other’s wrist instead. This was enough. They were enough. Even if he wasn’t a four-headed dragon that could control space and time, or a phoenix with the strongest of fires, this was more than enough for him.