Always watching. Always listening. What would Xiao Xingchen say? How would he react? He thinks, he hopes that all they've said mean more than what they've done to this point. That there's more Xingchen wouldn't mind doing, if he only learns what more there is they can do.

Xingchen had told him that if they're to be together, they'll be together. This. Marriage. Cultivation partners. Just the next step towards that.

Xue Yang still waits, heart beating loud enough he's sure the other man can hear it as he holds onto Xingchen's hand. Carefully gentle. Gentle...gentle...

And then that precious voice answers, speaking the words he'd desperately, suddenly, wanted to hear. His breath huffs out in relief and he doesn't care who sees as he laughs and reaches out to tug Xingchen in close to dance him around in a silly little circle.

It doesn't even occur to him to doubt his Daozhang.

"It's decided!" Just. Not when. But details! "We should celebrate!"