Luo Qi slept unusually well, generously tolerating Ye Mu's advances.
The next morning, when Luo Qi discovered an entire circle of bruises and two bite marks on his neck, his vision went black.
Although the weather was still cold, the temperature inside the royal palace was quite pleasant, not cold enough to require scarves or high-necked clothing. Thus, Mo Xuan raised his eyebrows in surprise upon seeing Luo Qi wearing a scarf.
Luo Qi tugged at his scarf and smiled sheepishly, "Mo Xuan, did you receive the invitation?"
Mo Xuan sat on the other end of the sofa, his gaze fixed on Ye Mu, who was watching him like a dragon guarding a treasure. He raised an eyebrow and moved closer to Luo Qi.
Luo Qi didn't notice anything amiss and looked at Mo Xuan expectantly.
Mo Xuan took the invitation out of his bag and handed it to Luo Qi, smiling, "I received it."
Luo Qi took the invitation. It was designed in black and red, featuring portraits of Luo Qi and Ye Mu, and clearly stated the time and location of the wedding. It was impeccable.
Luo Qi was very happy and kept telling Ye Mu, "Aunt Ye designed it beautifully. Look at the two children, so cute."
Ye Mu's expression also softened, "It is very good."
He and Luo Qi were hands-off; Madam Ye was fully in charge of these matters.
Mo Xuan watched the two opposite him with a constant smile. Although they had been this intimate before, and it seemed no different from before, he could still discern some subtle changes.
Anyone who came before them would likely notice their unusual relationship.
Mo Xuan lowered his head, his mind in a jumble.
Luo Qi placed the invitation on the table and smiled at Mo Xuan, "Although I've already given you the invitation, I still want to invite you again, and I want to tell you in person."
Ye Mu held Luo Qi's hand and smiled, "Mo Xuan, we've known each other for so many years, you are my best friend. I want to invite you to my wedding. You absolutely cannot refuse to come."
Ye Mu squeezed Luo Qi's hand, which he held, and gently pinched it, "He is your best friend, so what am I?"
Luo Qi leaned closer to Ye Mu's ear and whispered, "He is the best friend, and you are the best boyfriend, my... future husband."
Ye Mu's face flushed from his ears all the way down his neck.
Fu...ture husband.
Ye Mu couldn't handle it. Ye Mu needed a moment to recover. He coughed lightly, stood up, and bid farewell to Mo Xuan and Luo Qi, "I, I, I'll go to the kitchen to see what we'll be eating later. Um, you guys chat first."
He felt like a fool for being jealous of Mo Xuan. So what if he was his best friend? He was the future husband!
Fu-ture! Hus-band!
Ye Mu's face was hot. He needed to have a little more trust in his future husband. Besides, the fact that Luo Qi fancied him proved his excellent taste. He probably wouldn't even look at Mo Xuan, who was like a little chick.
Mo Xuan: Are you being polite?
Luo Qi also blushed slightly after saying it, but seeing Ye Mu's awkward gait made him laugh. His eyes sparkled as he pointed to Mo Xuan, "Look how funny he is."
Mo Xuan gazed at Luo Qi, seeing what seemed like stars twinkling in his eyes.
Luo Qi was like a child with a favorite new toy, showing it off with a little bit of boastfulness and a little bit of pride to his best friend. He looked very cute.
Luo Qi was doing it on purpose. He knew that Ye Mu and Mo Xuan were civil when they were in front of him, but in reality, they often clashed. He hoped they could get along better.
Cesi was not present today. After Ye Mu left, only Luo Qi and Mo Xuan remained in the room. Mo Xuan suddenly took Luo Qi's hand.
Luo Qi was startled, his face still wearing a smile, "What's wrong?"
Mo Xuan held Luo Qi's hand with one hand, and with the other, he suddenly grabbed Luo Qi's scarf.
Caught off guard, Luo Qi had his scarf pulled off by Mo Xuan, and immediately, the purple marks fell into Mo Xuan's eyes.
Mo Xuan's gaze was calm, but Luo Qi, as if scalded, quickly pulled his scarf back up.
Luo Qi's face instantly turned red. He fumbled to cover his neck, stammering a chaotic explanation, "Uh, no, I'm not, this..."
Mo Xuan looked at him intently. Luo Qi's voice gradually faded. Mo Xuan was not foolish; he naturally understood what these were. Explaining would be useless.
However, Luo Qi still felt incredibly awkward having these marks seen so clearly by his friend.
He scratched his head, "It's all Ye Mu's fault. I told him I was meeting you today."
Mo Xuan carefully observed Luo Qi's expression. Seeing only shyness and no embarrassment, he had already understood some things, but he still asked, "Are you and Ye Mu really getting married? With his personality, he won't give you a chance to regret it."
Mo Xuan understood Ye Mu well. He loved him so much that he wanted him alive and hated him so much that he wanted him dead. Precisely because he understood, he worried about Luo Qi.
He also understood Luo Qi's temperament. Luo Qi had always been vague about matters of the heart. If he was only with Ye Mu due to a moment of pleasure or curiosity, he would definitely regret it later.
Luo Qi was someone who didn't take things to heart. He was best at considering others' feelings but also the least concerned about himself.
Mo Xuan was actually very curious why someone like Luo Qi would decide to marry someone from a different race.
Mo Xuan sighed, his gaze focused on Luo Qi, "If you ever regret it, you can tell me. I will stand by your side."
The smile on Luo Qi's face gradually disappeared.
Mo Xuan knew that Luo Qi was the only child of King Cesi of the Insect Race, and he would never let Luo Qi get hurt. But he still wanted to ask.
Just as Luo Qi had said, they were best friends.
Luo Qi clasped Mo Xuan's hand and spoke after a moment's thought, "I don't know if I'll regret it in the future, but I am very happy right now."
He smiled at Mo Xuan and said, "I know what you're worried about, but I'm not foolish. I can distinguish between temporary curiosity and true love.
At least at this moment, I know that if I want someone to spend my life with, that person must be Ye Mu."
Mo Xuan didn't understand love or anything like that. He just wanted Luo Qi to be happy.
Forget it, forget it. He was watching over him anyway.
Mo Xuan took another small card out of his bag and handed it to Luo Qi, "Here, this is your wedding gift. With this, you can go to Mo Xing anytime, and absolutely no one on Mo Xing will dare to stop you."
Luo Qi smiled and took the card, then hugged Mo Xuan, "Okay."
Ye Mu stood at the corner of the stairs and smiled, then turned and leaned against the wall.
Mo Xuan didn't believe him, just as he didn't believe Mo Xuan. In this lifetime, the day would never come when Mo Xuan's words would come true.