Under the witness of the officiant, Tang Xiao and Jun Tesi officially became a legally married couple and continued with the customary wedding proceedings. Leading Jun Tesi, Tang Xiao walked over to his parents' table.
“It's time to change how you address us, isn't it?” Tang Xiao's mother said with a beaming smile.
“Mom,” Jun Tesi hesitantly uttered the unfamiliar word. Mother Tang smiled even brighter upon hearing it. “Oh my, how sweet! Here, take this red envelope.”
A thick red envelope was stuffed into Jun Tesi’s hand. Since he had already reviewed the wedding procedures in advance, he accepted the red envelope from Mother Tang without hesitation.
The same process was repeated with Father Tang. After addressing him as “Dad,” Father Tang waved his hand and handed over a property deed.
“What is this?” Even Tang Xiao was taken aback, looking at the ownership certificate for a greenhouse located in the real world.
“It’s a greenhouse specifically for cultivating mushrooms. I honestly had no idea what to give him that would make him happy, so I decided on this,” Father Tang scratched his head, hesitantly watching Jun Tesi’s reaction. “Is this too presumptuous?”
Before Jun Tesi could speak, Tang Xiao immediately responded, “Not at all, not at all. Actually, Jun Tesi isn't too concerned about these things, right?”
With the answer practically placed in his mouth, the recently socially adept Jun Tesi naturally followed along with a serious face, “Whatever Dad gives me makes me happy.”
Next, his gaze shifted to the two Tang Chens at the table, and he hesitated for a rare moment.
The ‘Tang Chen’ from the game world quickly said, “Not me, it’s him.”
“Brother,” Jun Tesi called out naturally.
“Ah… uh…” The real-world Tang Chen’s expression became more complex than ever. Their parents must have already been aware of Jun Tesi’s non-human identity, or at least some part of it, but perhaps not all the details. However, Tang Chen knew the full truth. Hearing Jun Tesi call him ‘Brother’ sent an odd sensation through his entire body.
Yet Jun Tesi, seemingly oblivious to the impact he had on others, continued to meet and greet Tang Xiao’s relatives and friends. Almost everyone offered their congratulations. When they finally arrived at Dawson’s table, Jun Tesi sincerely handed Dawson a large red envelope as well. “Teacher, thank you for bringing us together. We wouldn’t be here without your efforts.”
Almost instantly, Dawson found himself being stared down by the sharp gazes of Lodge, Leon, and Xiao Bai. He let out a helpless laugh. “No, no, it was all your own doing.”
Honestly, who would have thought?
They really ended up together.
Dawson watched them walk toward the next table, his expression complex. He saw Jun Tesi slightly tilt his head to look at Tang Xiao, his gaze soft and devoted—as if he were looking at his entire world.
The remaining wedding formalities were significantly streamlined. Once everyone had finished their meal and the event was nearing its conclusion, Tang Xiao noticed a carriage parked at the base's entrance.
There was no mention of this in the wedding itinerary. He hesitated for a moment, only to see Jun Tesi stepping forward ahead of him, extending his hand.
At that moment, Tang Xiao understood. He hesitated briefly, then turned back to glance at his mother, who waved at him. “It’s fine, leave the rest to us.”
“Then we’ll take our leave,” Tang Xiao announced to the guests before taking Jun Tesi’s hand and letting him pull him into the carriage.
“What exactly are you planning?” Tang Xiao asked, settling into his seat. He noticed that the carriage resembled an open-top Western-style carriage, except… the creatures pulling it were clearly not horses.
Tang Xiao stared at the two horse-like creatures for a while before hesitantly asking, “These are mutant beasts, aren't they?”
Jun Tesi waved it off casually. “It’s fine, they don’t harm people.”
The carriage traveled smoothly along the road leading out of the base. Curious, Tang Xiao looked around. “So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there,” Jun Tesi replied with a nod.
The journey wasn’t long—just over ten minutes—before the carriage slowed down. As the familiar surroundings came into view, Tang Xiao had a hunch about their destination. And just then, a small unfamiliar villa appeared before them.
Tang Xiao and Jun Tesi stepped down from the carriage, Tang Xiao’s gaze slightly dazed. “I remember this place…”
“It’s where we once stayed in a cave,” Jun Tesi confirmed.
It was here that they endured the long, cold night when the King of Mushroom came, and it was also where they had once eloped.
Now, the former cave had been transformed into a two-story villa. Its exterior was painted white, adorned with warm, eye-catching decorations, designed in a minimalist Nordic style.
“And from now on, this will be our home in this world,” Jun Tesi added. “It’s also not far from Third Eye’s base, so if you ever need to go back, it’ll be more convenient.”
Of course, this was also a little selfishness on Jun Tesi’s part.
He wanted a place that belonged solely to him and Tang Xiao.
In human terms, it would be called ‘home.’
Jun Tesi had done an excellent job keeping this a secret. Tang Xiao hadn’t noticed a thing before. Curious, he walked closer to the villa and ran his hand along the exterior wall.
It felt cold and solid. Tang Xiao hadn’t noticed the faintly nervous expression on Jun Tesi’s face behind him. Instead, he wondered—when had this even been built? A project like this would have taken at least several months to complete. Yet, Jun Tesi had been by his side the entire time, never away for that long…
“Xiaoxiao,” Jun Tesi suddenly spoke behind him, “do you want to go inside and take a look?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tang Xiao responded with a quiet ‘Mhm’ and stepped into their new home alongside Jun Tesi.
The interior decor matched the style of the exterior, aligning perfectly with Tang Xiao’s aesthetic. The cozy additions, like small potted plants in the corners, gave the place a warm atmosphere. It was at this moment that Tang Xiao suddenly realized—this was their home now.
Home.
Had he really settled down?
For a fleeting moment, Tang Xiao was dazed. He finally grasped the weight of marriage. He had subconsciously avoided thinking about it, always using his experiments as an excuse. While it was true that he was busy, another part of him had been hesitant, intimidated by the gravity of the word ‘marriage.’
Yet, he was the one who had brought it up in the first place.
“Xiaoxiao?” Jun Tesi's slightly nervous voice came from behind. Tang Xiao turned around and saw the hesitation in Jun Tesi’s eyes. “Are you unhappy?”
“No…” Tang Xiao blinked hard, stepped forward, and embraced him. “I’m very happy.”
“Thank you, Jun Tesi.”
“As long as you're happy,” Jun Tesi sighed in relief, hugging him back. What he hadn't expected was that Tang Xiao would suddenly tilt his head, press a hand to the back of his neck, and kiss him fiercely.
In this passionate kiss, they slowly digested everything that had happened today—whether it was exhaustion, uncertainty, or the fear buried deep inside. All of it melted away as their emotions intertwined, warmth rising between them.
They kissed with such intensity that they lost awareness of their surroundings. At some point, Tang Xiao found himself pressed against Jun Tesi, his legs wrapped around the other's waist. He vaguely sensed movement, but the kiss left him too dazed to care. His back met something cool and solid, making him shiver slightly—only for his clothes to be lifted the next second as Jun Tesi’s fingers pressed against his slender waist.
The ambiguous sound of water filled the air. Tang Xiao’s body softened, and his mind clouded. He was in his twenties, still full of youthful vigor, but his focus on experiments had left little time for such matters. Now, as those hands explored his skin, his passion was quickly reignited.
Yet, with the last shred of his rationality, Tang Xiao managed to push back a little. “W-wait, we haven’t showered yet.”
At some point, they had moved from the doorway to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. Tang Xiao was now pressed against the glass, his clothes disheveled, a fine layer of sweat forming on his pale waist.
Jun Tesi wasn’t faring much better. His tailored suit pants had a noticeable bulge. He leaned in to kiss Tang Xiao’s earlobe, whispering, “It’s fine, I don’t sweat, and you're already very clean…”
“What do you mean clean?! You reek of alcohol, it’s disgusting!” Tang Xiao resisted the temptation firmly. Jun Tesi might not actually absorb the scent of alcohol and had his own ways of cleansing himself, but as a human, he still needed to take a shower!
He bent down and slipped out from Jun Tesi’s arms.
Jun Tesi watched Tang Xiao’s retreating back with a hint of grievance, but then a thought seemed to cross his mind, and he quietly followed.
When Tang Xiao entered the bathroom and took off his shirt, he noticed Jun Tesi stepping in as well. “You—”
“I'm dirty too. Let’s shower together.” Jun Tesi’s reasoning was sound, and Tang Xiao hesitated only for a second before realizing that once Jun Tesi stepped in, showering wouldn't be the only thing happening.
Jun Tesi was fast—before Tang Xiao could refuse, his suit jacket was already off, revealing a well-defined chest with sculpted muscles.
Tang Xiao's intended refusal got stuck in his throat. He had to admit, Jun Tesi’s human form was a work of art, an irresistible temptation for anyone with an appreciation for aesthetics.
Tang Xiao himself had once had a six-pack before fully committing to his research, but he had let it slide. The most infuriating thing was that Jun Tesi didn’t even need to train—his body naturally conformed to the peak of human attractiveness.
Noticing Tang Xiao’s gaze lingering on him, Jun Tesi smirked and stepped closer. “Let me help you take off your clothes. This suit looks a bit tricky to remove.”
Tang Xiao was momentarily dazzled, and before he knew it, he had been stripped down, efficiently washed, and placed in the bathtub. The entire process was so smooth it was almost frightening. Even more concerning was how naturally his body had started cooperating with Jun Tesi’ss touch.
The bathroom in the villa was enormous. Rather than a regular bathtub, there was a full bathing pool, and the water was already at the perfect temperature. Tang Xiao didn't even bother questioning how Jun Tesi had prepared everything in advance. More pressing was the fact that Jun Tesi had joined him in the bath, and despite the ample space, they were pressed into the same corner.
This was clearly not just about bathing.
They started kissing again, but this time, Jun Tesi’s approach was different—his kisses made Tang Xiao’s tongue go numb, the sensation of being completely dominated washing over him. It felt as though he was melting into the water.
Jun Tesi knew the effect his body had, and he wasn’t shy about using it. He guided Tang Xiao’s hand over his own abs, letting him feel the firm, warm skin beneath his fingertips. Tang Xiao’s hand instinctively lingered, tracing the defined lines. Pressing his ear against Jun Tesi’s chest, he could hear the rapid heartbeat beneath.
Jun Tesi wasn’t satisfied with just that. He lifted Tang Xiao’s face, kissing him over and over. At some point, Tang Xiao let out a soft gasp, his expression shifting to one of alarm. “W-wait, not here! The water is too hot—”
“Don’t be afraid, Xiaoxiao.” Jun Tesi’s voice was husky. “I adjusted the temperature just right.”
Despite the reassurance, when the heat surged around him, Tang Xiao instinctively tensed, clinging to Jun Tesi’s waist. But that only made things easier for a certain someone. Jun Tesi picked up his waist and pressed it. Tang Xiao trembled and widened his eyes, as if he had been betrayed suddenly.
Jun Tesi let out a satisfied sigh. Tang Xiao was more sensitive than usual, and Jun Tesi, too, was more eager than ever. Seeing Tang Xiao trembling, he didn’t push too far, shifting him to a more comfortable position.
Still, he showed no intention of stopping. When Tang Xiao adapted a little, his movement was also increased.
The water sloshed against the edges of the bath, rising and falling. Tang Xiao’s lower half burned, while the cool tiles against his back sent chills up his spine. The contrast of heat and cold made it feel as if his very soul was slipping away. Yet, after the initial shock, a different kind of sensation gradually took over, making his mind go blank.
Tang Xiao was more sensitive than usual, and Jun Tesi was just as overwhelmed. Beneath his skin, faint traces of blood pulsed visibly. Unable to hold back any longer, he took a deep breath.
The lights in the villa suddenly dimmed.
Tang Xiao asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s okay.” Jun Tesi leaned close to his ear, his voice low and husky. “Let’s change the setting.”
Tang Xiao blinked. The sudden darkness robbed him of his sight, but he keenly noticed that the skin of the person pressed against him had turned slightly rougher. Before he could think further, Jun Tesi suddenly lifted him, hanging him onto his body, and carried him out of the bath.
Tang Xiao was momentarily speechless. As Jun Tesi moved, a completely different kind of pleasure surged through him. He buried his head in Jun Tesi’s shoulder and couldn’t help but bite down—but instead of warm skin, his teeth sank into fibrous mycelium.
At that moment, Tang Xiao realized something—but he didn’t say it.
He also failed to notice that, in the darkness, the once-cozy villa was undergoing a drastic transformation. Crimson mycelium seeped out of the pristine white walls, and the staircase, as if alive, shifted in height. From the bathroom to the master bedroom on the second floor, they walked for what felt like an eternity. Tang Xiao had to stop four or five times along the way, and by the time they reached the bedroom, his legs had turned to jelly—he was only moving because Jun Tesi supported him.
He thought the darkness was amplifying his senses, but he never suspected that the very walls, staircases, and corridors he leaned against were the real culprits.
Finally, the door to the master bedroom opened. Tang Xiao, dazed and exhausted, was placed onto the large bed. Jun Tesi had already shed his human form, hiding his true self in the shadows. His gaze was filled with satisfaction as he looked at the young man lying there—half his face buried in the pillows, cheeks still tinged with a lingering flush. He was so adorable that Jun Tesi couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss him again.
“No… I really can’t anymore this time,” Tang Xiao muttered, eyes shut, shifting slightly as he clutched his stomach.
Jun Tesi reluctantly moved his hand away and gently rubbed his stomach. “Alright, we won’t. Rest well.”
“Next time…” Tang Xiao forced open one eye and gazed at Jun Tesi’s silhouette in the darkness. “You don’t have to turn off the lights. I don’t mind.”
Jun Tesi was briefly stunned, then felt warmth swell in his chest. He glanced behind him.
The walls, floor tiles, and furniture had all reverted to their original state—no one would have guessed that the entire villa was constructed from mycelium.
The principle was the same as the time Jun Tesi had once offered Tang Xiao a place inside his own body to live, only this time, the mycelium was hidden more discreetly.
This was a home in human eyes, but for a monster, it was a love nest.
He took pleasure in occupying every unnoticed corner, the spaces that quietly pieced together Tang Xiao’s entire world.
Even if Tang Xiao wasn’t always looking at him, as long as he stayed in this villa, he would still be surrounded by him.
A monster’s possessiveness—intense yet concealed. Having been satisfied by love, he carefully reined it in, revealing only a fraction of the iceberg in the places humans wouldn’t see.
As for telling him the truth… that could wait until tomorrow.
In the end, Jun Tesi chose to remain silent. He slipped under the blankets, wrapped his arms around his freshly-wedded legal partner, and drifted into a sweet dream.
Tomorrow would surely be another happy and joyful day.
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