Chapter 43 Oath
The day that Ping An arrived at the fortress for the first time was both an ordinary and extraordinary day.
It was normal because life inside the fortress continued to run smoothly according to its established rhythm. In the morning, Su Ran was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when Ping An, wagging its fluffy tail, followed closely at his feet, occasionally rubbing its wet nose against his calves to remind him of its presence.
After checking the morning security data, Wen Yu also came to the kitchen, naturally took the bowls and chopsticks handed to him by Su Ran and set them down, and casually rubbed Ping An's big head that was leaning over.
On the dining table was a simple salad made by Su Ran using strawberries she had just harvested from the sunroom and homemade yogurt from her stash, accompanied by golden-brown toast and a fried egg. The three of them sat around the table, enjoying their meal quietly, occasionally punctuated by the soft clinking of cutlery and soft, contented hums.
After the meal, Su Ran, as usual, went to inspect the sunroom and plant factory. After a year of careful feeding and rehabilitation training, Ping An's left front leg had developed a slight limp, but it did not affect its joyful running at all. It excitedly rushed ahead of Su Ran, shuttling between the lettuce rows and tomato trellises, but miraculously never knocking over a single plant.
It would stop by the strawberry bushes, deeply inhaling the tempting sweetness, but never take a bite—a rule it learned through several "educations" and "bribes" from Su Ran. When Su Ran inspected the drip irrigation system, it would squat beside her and watch; when Su Ran picked ripe vegetables, it would help gently nudge the rolled-away tomatoes back with its nose.
Wen Yu then began his routine maintenance. The fortress's massive system required constant attention and upkeep. He first went to the main control room to confirm that the external sensors were intact overnight, and the mountain roads blocked by directional blasts remained eerily silent. Then he checked the energy reserves; the solar panels had been highly efficient during the prolonged period of extreme heat, and the energy storage units were in good condition. Next came the water circulation and purification system—this was the lifeline, and its failure was not to be tolerated.
Sometimes, Ping An would sneak up to the door of the control room, peek in with half of his furry head, see Wen Yu's focused back, and then discreetly retreat, instead lying down to wait at the door of the tool room.
In the afternoon, it was time for routine physical training and tactical review. In the spacious underground training room, Wen Yu would instruct Su Ran on combat techniques, weapon use, and emergency responses. Ping An was initially frightened by the rapid movements and simulated sounds, hiding in a corner.
But as time went on, it seemed to understand that this was a "game" and "learning". It would squat outside the safety line, tilt its big head, and watch with its blue eyes without blinking. Occasionally, when Su Ran completed a beautiful move, it would let out a short "woof", as if cheering.
After training, Su Ran was covered in sweat, and Ping An would come over and lick his sweaty hands with its warm tongue, or bring him a towel. Wen Yu leaned against the wall, watching the interaction between the man and the dog, a faint hint of gentleness flashing across his cold and stern eyes.
Everything seemed normal. But Su Ran vaguely sensed that Wen Yu seemed a little different today. Not in his demeanor, but in an aura, a deeper, more refined feeling. He seemed to look at Wen Yu more often than usual, and the time he spent looking at him was a fraction of a second longer. At lunch, Wen Yu had almost emptied his bowl of his favorite bok choy. During afternoon training, the fingertips that corrected his movements, lingering on his waist, seemed unusually warm and… lingering?
Su Ran attributed this to his own illusion, or perhaps the psychological effect of the "anniversary." He didn't expect Wen Yu to remember such a day, or even bring it up. In the apocalypse, being able to get through each day safely, with each other by his side, and peace by his side, was enough to be grateful for. He didn't care about those formalities.
But in his heart, he still secretly prepared a little "celebration" for the first anniversary of this little life coming into their lives. He planned to cook some of Wen Yu's favorite dishes for dinner, and he also secretly used the last of his cocoa powder reserves to try baking a few small "cakes" that might not be very successful in shape.
As evening fell, the aroma of dinner filled the fortress. Su Ran had indeed prepared braised pork ribs, stir-fried vegetables, tomato and egg drop soup, and a few small chocolate "cakes" that, while not particularly appealing in appearance, smelled incredibly tempting. Ping An also received a special "dog food cake" with minced chicken.
The three (and the dog) sat down again. Su Ran pointed somewhat embarrassedly to the crooked "cakes": "Um... Ping An has been here for a year, and I was thinking... to celebrate a little. They don't look very nice, but please bear with them."
Wen Yu looked at the few small, dark pieces of food, clearly made with care, and then at Su Ran's slightly flushed cheeks and expectant eyes. Something flickered slightly in his deep eyes. He didn't say anything, but simply picked up a piece and took a bite. The taste... a little sweet, a little bitter, slightly overcooked, but very satisfying.
"Delicious," he commented, taking another bite.
Su Ran's eyes lit up immediately, and she picked up a piece herself, happily eating it. Ping An ate without even lifting her head, her tail wagging like a propeller.
Dinner ended in a warm atmosphere. Su Ran got up to clear the dishes, thinking that he might brew a pot of tea later and perhaps watch a movie together. However, Wen Yu pressed his hand down.
"Don't pack yet." Wen Yu's voice was lower than usual, with a gentle strength that left no room for doubt. "Come with me, I'll take you somewhere."
Su Ran was taken aback: "Where to?"
"You'll see when you get there." Wen Yu didn't explain, but simply took his hand, his grip firm and warm. He glanced at Ping An, who was staring at them expectantly, and unusually took the initiative to call out, "Ping An, you come too."
Ping An immediately stood up happily, wagging its tail and following.
Wen Yu, holding Su Ran's hand, didn't go to their usual media room, study, or training room, but instead headed towards a relatively less used passageway on the upper level of the fortress. This passageway led to the observation deck at the highest point of the fortress.
Su Ran's heart skipped a beat. Aside from visiting the observation deck out of curiosity when they first moved in, they rarely used it afterward. It offered the best view, allowing them to see the sky and distant mountains through special reinforced glass, but most of the time they preferred the more comfortable and secure interior space.
As she stepped onto the last few steps, the doors to the observation deck slid open silently. The sight that came into view made Su Ran pause for a moment.
The room had clearly been decorated, yet it was extremely simple, lacking any of the ostentation of a pre-apocalyptic wedding or celebration. Soft, warm yellow wall lamps replaced the usual cold white main lighting, casting a warm, non-glaring glow. In the center sat two of their most comfortable upholstered armchairs, which they usually used in the living room, with a small coffee table between them.
On the coffee table sat a pot of steaming fruit tea—Su Ran recognized it immediately; it was made with the mixed dried fruits he had sun-dried, and it was his favorite flavor. Next to it was a small dish containing a few oddly shaped cookies that he had just baked that afternoon but hadn't had time to serve yet.
But what's most breathtaking is the view overhead. The fortress's "zenith" simulation system is activated to its fullest potential, no longer simply displaying blue skies and white clouds or the daily day-night cycle, but switching to a "deep-sky star map" mode. The vast and boundless Milky Way stretches across the "sky," countless stars shining clearly and brightly, slowly rotating and flowing, serene, magnificent, and profoundly deep enough to make one's soul tremble. It's as if the romance and eternity of the entire universe have been condensed into this small space.
Ping An seemed to be stunned by the sight. Instead of running around excitedly as usual, it quietly squatted by the door, its blue eyes gazing at the starry sky, then at its owner standing beside it. It let out a very soft, satisfied purr, then lay down, resting its chin on its front paws, like the most loyal guardian.
"Brother Yu, this is…" Su Ran murmured, her gaze shifting from the starry sky to Wen Yu's face. Under the starlight, Wen Yu's profile appeared exceptionally sharp, and his usually calm and sharp eyes now seemed to have fallen into the Milky Way, shimmering with a gentle and focused light that Su Ran had never seen before.
Wen Yu didn't answer immediately. He led Su Ran to a chair, but didn't sit down. He turned around to face Su Ran directly and released his hand. But this act of releasing him didn't create a sense of distance; instead, it made the air even more stagnant, filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere, as if something was about to erupt.
Su Ran's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest. He had a vague premonition of something, but he couldn't believe it.
Wen Yu's gaze went deep into Su Ran's eyes, as if trying to etch the image of his soul into them. Then, slowly and very solemnly, he took out a small, undecorated black velvet bag from the breast pocket of his work shirt.
Su Ran's breath hitched, her eyes fixed on the bag.
Wen Yu's fingers were steady as he untied the drawstring of the bag, poured out two items, held them in his palm, and handed them to Su Ran.
There are two rings.
It's a very simple, even plain, ring. There are no carvings, no gemstones, just two smooth, cold, metallic rings. But upon closer inspection, you can see they've been polished to an exceptionally smooth and glossy finish, with not a single burr on the edges, gleaming with a restrained yet solid sheen under the starlight. The material appears to be some kind of alloy, a deep, matte silver-gray, possessing a texture that has been forged over time.
"This is…" Su Ran's voice trembled slightly. He raised his head and looked at Wen Yu, his eyes filled with disbelief and excitement.
"It was made from scraps of a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy that I found in the warehouse." Wen Yu's voice rang out steadily, and under the tranquil starry sky, each word was as clear as if striking Su Ran's heart. "I polished it for a long time. The size should be just right."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Su Ran, and continued in that low and solemn tone, "Su Ran, we've been together for quite some time. We've been through extreme cold, survived floods, endured insect plagues, killed zombies, and fought off enemies. Together we built a sunroom, raised chickens, rescued Ping An, and turned this fortress from a refuge into a home."
His speech was unhurried, as if stating the most objective facts, yet filled with the deepest emotions. "The old ways before the apocalypse—weddings, ceremonies, legal documents—have no meaning in this world and represent nothing."
Su Ran nodded vigorously, tears welling uncontrollably in his eyes. He knew, he had always known. Those formalities were as insignificant as dust compared to the life-and-death experiences they had shared.
"However," Wen Yu paused slightly, his gaze becoming even deeper and more intense, as if sparks were burning within it, "there are some things I feel I still need to say. I need a mark, a proof. Not for anyone else to see, but just for ourselves. To confirm, to remember, so that… in the longer, perhaps more difficult years to come, when we are occasionally weary and doubtful, we can touch this mark and remember today, remember the feelings we have at this moment."
He picked up the smaller ring, pinched it between his fingers, and held it up to their eye level. The metal ring shimmered in the starlight. "This thing is very ordinary. But it's one of the hardest, most corrosion-resistant, and most representative materials of 'longevity' that I could find. It's like this fortress, like the promise I want to make to you—simple, yet strong; plain, yet enduring."
Then, he extended his left hand, slowly but with unwavering determination, and took Su Ran's left hand in his. His palm was large and warm, calloused from years of handling weapons and tools, yet it was incredibly gentle, as if he were holding a fragile treasure. Su Ran's fingers were slender and trembled slightly as he held them.
Wen Yu lowered his head, his gaze fixed on Su Ran's ring finger, his eyes focused as if performing an extremely precise operation. He took a deep breath, raised his eyes, and looked again into Su Ran's tear-filled eyes, asking, word by word, clearly and with immense weight:
"Su Ran, are you willing?"
"I am willing to stay with you from now on, no matter how long the end times are, how many unknowns and hardships lie ahead, to be each other's only family, only partner, and most trusted comrade-in-arms?"
"Willing to share everything, to bear everything, whether in health or illness, in good times or bad, to entrust one's back to the other, to entrust one's life to the other, to support each other, to never abandon one another, until... the end of time, or the moment when this world truly ends?"
There were no flowery words, no sentimental preamble, only the most core and essential questions. Every word seemed to be ripped from the depths of his heart, carrying scorching heat and metallic weight, striking Su Ran's heart and resonating deeply.
Su Ran's tears finally burst forth, not from sadness, but from an overwhelming surge of happiness and emotion that filled his chest, almost to the point of bursting. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat choked, unable to utter a complete sound. He could only nod forcefully and desperately, large tears rolling down his cheeks, dripping onto their clasped hands, and onto the waiting ring.
"I...I do!" He finally found his voice, choked with emotion, but with all his might, he shouted clearly, "Brother Yu! I do! Only you! It's always been you! It will always be you!"
His voice echoed in the empty observation deck, tinged with sobs, yet filled with unwavering determination and ecstatic joy. The starry sky seemed to brighten for a moment in response.
Slowly, gently, the corners of Wen Yu's lips curved into an unprecedentedly tender smile. That smile spread from his lips to his eyes, dispelling all his usual coldness and giving his entire face a captivating radiance. He gazed intently at Su Ran, as if trying to etch this image of him, tear-streaked yet radiant, into the depths of his soul forever.
Then, he lowered his head, his movements incredibly gentle, and carefully slipped the cool metal ring onto the base of Su Ran's left ring finger. The size was perfect, fitting the curve of the knuckle perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.
The coolness of the metal was quickly dispelled by the warmth of her skin, transforming into a reassuring sense of presence. Su Ran raised her hand, her eyes blurred with tears as she looked at the simple silver-gray band around her finger, feeling that it was more dazzling than any diamond or jewel in the world.
Wen Yu gently placed the other ring in Su Ran's palm.
Su Ran picked up the ring with trembling fingers. The cold, hard touch made him feel even more acutely the extraordinary nature of this moment. He imitated Wen Yu and took Wen Yu's left hand.
Wen Yu's hands were much larger than his, with distinct knuckles and long, strong fingers, both bearing the marks of time and symbolizing strength. Looking at these hands that had once wielded weapons in battle, and had also gently bandaged his wounds and built his home, Su Ran felt an overwhelming surge of love and devotion.
He looked up at Wen Yu, at the man who had given him a new life, a home, and all his love and trust. Starlight shone on Wen Yu's deep features, and also on his own tear-streaked face.
"I, Su Ran, am willing too." He spoke, his voice still choked with emotion, yet incredibly clear and solemn, as if making a vow, "I am willing to be with Yu-ge forever, never to be separated. No matter what the future holds, you are my home, my everything. I love you, Yu-ge. In this life and for all eternity, I will only love you, only be with you."
After saying that, he took a deep breath, steadied his trembling hands, and solemnly and slowly pushed the ring, which also symbolized eternity and vows, into the base of Wen Yu's left ring finger.
The size also fits perfectly.
The moment the ring was fully on, it was as if an invisible clasp clicked shut, binding two hearts that had wandered for so long and endured so much hardship together, forever. From that moment on, they were connected by blood and shared a common destiny.
Wen Yu lifted their hands, both adorned with matching rings, and their fingers intertwined tightly. The cool metal pressed against each other, quickly warming with the same body heat. He looked at Su Ran, his eyes filled with an undisguised, boundless love and contentment, as vast as the starry sea.
"I love you, Su Ran," he whispered, the first time he had uttered those three words so clearly and directly while he was sober. Then, he lowered his head, kissed away the tears streaming down Su Ran's face, kissed the corners of his eyes, his cheeks, and finally, kissed his lips deeply and devoutly.
This kiss was unlike any before. It carried no urgency of lust, only endless tenderness, cherishing, gratitude, and the imprint of vows. Between their intertwined lips and teeth, there was the salty bitterness of tears, the sweetness of fruit tea, the familiar scent ingrained in their very bones, and the unreserved closeness and fusion of two hearts.
The starry sky silently revolved above them, the vast Milky Way like a shimmering ribbon, crowning them. Beneath their feet lay a sturdy fortress, the home they had built with their own hands. By the door, a guardian stood quietly, its blue eyes reflecting the starlight and their embracing owners, as if it too understood the solemnity and beauty of this moment.
There was no applause from the guests, no priest's blessing, no wedding dress or suit, no cake or champagne. There were only a pair of rings, two cups of tea, a few crooked cookies, an eternal starry sky, and two souls embracing tightly in the dust of the end times, making a lifelong vow.
This is a unique wedding that belongs only to them. With the stars as their witness, the fortress as their home, their remaining years as their betrothal, and each other as their vow.