Married Thrice to Salted Fish - - - Chapter 119

Chapter 119

Lin Qingyu considered this matter for several months. During this period of time, news that the emperor wanted to make Prime Minister Lin empress spread among the civil and military officials. Everyone’s reaction was different but generally speaking, the military officials turned silent upon hearing it while the civil officials cried.

The military officials only knew that Prime Minister Lin was General Gu’s widow and that he was about to remarry after being a widow for a year and a half. Oh, you say this is General Gu’s own last wish? And that Prime Minister Lin also didn’t want to remarry? Oh, that’s all right then.

The civil servants wondered if the emperor’s mental disease had relapsed, wanting to actually appoint a man as empress; and not just any man, but one who’d been widowed twice. But obviously, His Majesty wasn’t insane, otherwise, how could he have made such a harsh and decisive judgement regarding the governor of Liang Zhou, Qian Xiyuan’s corruption case? Not only did he have Qian Xiyuan beheaded but he also made an example of him, ordering all officials above the fourth rank in the capital to go to the execution ground to watch the sentence being carried out.

So the problem must be Lin Qingyu. Relying on his appearance, it was not enough that this person seduced Gu Fuzhou back then, he even dared to covet the position of empress! Such outrageous behavior!

One courageous old minister forced his way into the General’s Mansion, pointed his finger at Lin Qingyu and cursed at him. Unexpectedly, Lin Qingyu, instead of getting angry, smiled and invited the old man into the mansion. He served him tea and said: “To be honest, I do not wish to remarry. Unfortunately, going against an Imperial decree means death. Why don’t you go and dissuade the emperor for me? ”

The old minister: “…”

Therefore, a group of veteran minister came crying to Qinzheng Hall. “Your Majesty, you must not! A male wife goes against the natural order. A male empress would bring disaster upon our country and the people! Insisting upon having your own way, you doom the Xiao family line!”

Jiang Xing raised his head from the mountain of scrolls and raised his eyebrows. “Are you done?”

The old minister was so agitated that his whole face went flushed. He added, “…You doom the country, the nation and its people!”

Jiang Xing didn’t get angry. You could even say he was gentle and polite, “Once you’ve finished what you want to say, go back quickly. I’m busy.”

The old minister shouted, voice now hoarse, “Your Majesty!”

Jiang Xing said again, “That Zhen will make Prime Minister Lin empress is not up for discussion with you. I am only informing you all. Come and have a drink with me when you have time.”

The old minister covered his chest with his hand and almost vomited blood: “… Your Majesty!!!”

“Also, the Empress Dowager has already agreed to this matter. She is getting along in years. Do not bother her.”

The old ministers: “…”

Wu Youyuan, far in the Northwest, learning of this, cut off the arm of the Xixia prince to congratulate the empress. Back then, Gu Fuzhou had also been about his age when he took the life of Xixia’s crown prince and made a name for himself on the battlefield.

——The young man’s epic of youthful righteous ardor has just begun.

The Dayu’s first male empress was also the first male empress in history. How exactly they were to form this marriage was a problem. The crowning of an empress was inherently complex and complicated. The officials of the Ministry of Rites had to formulate a new sequence of processes. This dragged on for another half year, until the old ministers couldn’t help but feel numb to the matter. In the end, Lin Qingyu, who didn’t really wish to remarry, was “forced” to nod in assent.

In the second year of the emperor’s reign, the emperor wed his empress. It was announced to every corner of the nation and there was universal rejoicing.

Lin Qingyu once again put on a wedding dress for Jiang Xing. Counting the previous three times, this was the fourth time. Marrying the emperor was different from marrying any others. Jiang Xing knew that he didn’t like complicated things, so he specially chose a simple and solemn wedding dress for him the last time they were married. But this time, he needed to wear the dress embroidered with the pair of phoenixes flying together. The Shangfu Bureau had spent half a year working on it. He had to don on his phoenix coronet specially fashioned for a man. On his forehead, a phoenix feather huadian had to be painted. He must sit on a palanquin with eight carriers and be carried from the imperial palace’s main gate to within the palace.

His crowning as empress was held in Hua’e Tower. It was held with great strength and impetus, displaying the bearing of royalty. The first snow had just melted, but the upper floor of Hua’e Tower was filled with flowers. But no matter how many flowers competed to be most beautiful, when the emperor and empress walk up the steps, hand in hand, everything was relegated to being the foil to set off their beauty.

Apart from the sound of the bead curtains clinking on the phoenix crown, Lin Qingyu could only hear the beating of his own heart. He stood beside Jiang Xing and held Jiang Xing’s hand. He could feel Jiang Xing’s hands damp with sweat.

…On the surface, he looked so calm and composed, with the bearing proper for a monarch of a country. So many people stared at Jiang Xing, looking at him as though he were divinity. Only Lin Qingyu knew that Jiang Xing was still the same boy whose palms sweated when he was nervous.

Like this, he accompanied him, walking step by step to the highest spot.

Hundreds of officials paid homage. Heaven and earth celebrated together.

From this day on, winter had another meaning to Lin Qingyu.

It was night time. The flowers were beautiful, the moon was full and the happy evening was bitterly short.

No one dared to pour the emperor wine. Having learned from his past mistake, this time, Jiang Xing came to Fengyi Palace completely sober, not a drop of wine touched his lips. Lin Qingyu had already put on a bridal veil after the ceremony proclaiming him as empress. He was now sitting quietly on their bridal bed.

The empress’ wedding dress was dignified and heavy. His body was covered tightly, only a pair of white jade-like hands were exposed; on his left ring finger was a ring engraved with a dragon pattern.

Jiang Xing breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Qingyu had been obsessed with cultivating Gu for many days. He’d been worried he would come in to see that Lin Qingyu had sent away all the officials and was silently hatching poisonous lizard eggs.

So far so good.

He twisted the ring engraved with the phoenix feather around his finger. When the official reminded him that it was time to remove the bridal veil, he raised his hand. He was about to lift away the bridal veil when he suddenly stopped, as though he didn’t want to disturb the beauty. The official called out again and only then did he regain his composure and he reached out his hand again.

The playful bridal veil was disturbed and a beautiful face like peaches and plums gradually appeared behind veil’s tassels. They locked eyes, Jiang Xing was momentarily dazed, as though drunk. He was distracted by his bright eyes, dazzled by his beauty.

They’ve been married three times. They’ve dated for three years and they’ve shared the same bed three hundred and six times. But at this moment, Lin Qingyu still made his heart flutter, bashful and at a loss.

The official reminded him that it was time to drink the wine, but he gave no response. Lin Qingyu said, “You are all dismissed.”

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Jiang Xing finally came back to his senses. Seeing Lin Qingyu’s teasing expression, he immediately tried to regain some dignity, putting on a look as though he had seen all to be seen. He said with a smile, “Beauty, you are my Laopo once again.”

Lin Qingyu raised his eyebrows. The huadian on his forehead also moved slightly. “What does laopo mean in your hometown?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Jiang Xing was a little surprised, “Laopo means wife.”

Lin Qingyu made the proper inferences. “Then that means, Laogong means husband.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Exactly.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. He picked up the wine pot, poured two cups of wine and handed one of them to Jiang Xing. “Then, let’s share a drink, Laogong.”

Being called “Laogong” by this classical beauty in a wedding dress, Jiang Xing felt he must have already lived a full life. He took the wine cup and wrapping his left hand round Lin Qingyu’s right, drank the wine in one gulp.

Taking off the bridal veil, drinking wine together… they did everything a normal wedded couple should do, missing not a single step. After that, only consummating their marriage remained.

Jiang Xing was in no hurry. He wanted to admire this beauty in red for a little longer. He stood in front of Lin Qingyu, raised his chin with his hand, looked at Lin Qingyu seriously, and suddenly sighed, “What I wouldn’t give for a camera right now.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “What is a camera?”

Jiang Xing sat down beside Lin Qingyu, and began to teach him the basic principles of a camera.

Lin Qingyu listened for a while then smiled lightly and said, “It’s our third wedding night, are you sure you want to be talking about this?”

“Weren’t you the one who asked?”

“You can tell me later.” Lin Qingyu said, “If we don’t do this now, it’s going to be dawn.”

Under the light of the red candles, Jiang Xing’s eyes were so very bright. “But Baobei’s so beautiful, I don’t know where to start.”

Lin Qingyu grabbed his hand and put it on a certain part of his body. With a slight smile on the corner of his lips, “From here.”

Jiang Xing’s breathing tightened. He said with a smile, “Then I shall listen to my wife.”

Jiang Xing pushed Lin Qingyu to fall back on the swath of red.

With the strong feeling of their deep love, they locked eyes on each other. Lin Qingyu tried to raise his hand to touch the corner of Jiang Xing’s eye. “You look so good…”

“I look good?”

“En.” Lin Qingyu said softly, “You on top of me, dripping with sweat, you look so good.”

Jiang Xing paused for a moment, his eyes filled with emotions. His voice was so hoarse, he could barely speak, “You’re going to be the death of me.”

…

Waking up in the middle of the night, Lin Qingyu turned over. Before, he even opened his eyes, he heard a voice, “Qingyu, I’m here.”

Lin Qingyu slowly opened his eyes. He didn’t realize that there was no longer anyone beside him. He saw Jiang Xing sitting at the table and turned over a report in his hand. “Why did you wake up suddenly?”

Lin Qingyu blinked his eyes, making certain he hadn’t seen wrong. “What are you doing?”

Jiang Xing was full of resentment. “Reading these reports. I finally understand that my salted fish dreams went completely up in flames the moment I became emperor. From now on, I will be a donkey plodding forward with the country on my back.”

Lin Qingyu: “…You might be donkey but there’s no need for you to read reports on your wedding night, is there?”

“True.” Jiang Xing said, pained, “But I was so nervous and anxious these past few days that I couldn’t do anything. I’ve left a lot of things undone.”

Lin Qingyu wondered, “Why were you nervous and anxious?”

Jiang Xing said calmly, “You make me nervous. I was going to marry you again.”

Lin Qingyu laughed. “It’s not the first time we’ve gotten married. There was nothing to be nervous about.”

“Marrying you, no matter how many times I do it, I will definitely still be nervous. And this time, I was going to marry you with my own body, so of course the feeling is different.”

Lin Qingyu’s heart throbbed and his chest felt slightly hot. This person’s casual words could so easily make him blush and his heart skip a beat, like a young man discovering romance for the fist time. He was so capable.

“Then go ahead and finish those up. Once you’re done, come to bed.”

Jiang Xing sighed, “Alright. Go to sleep first, don’t wait up for me.”

Lin Qingyu couldn’t smell the other’s scent and feel the other’s warmth beside him. He still wasn’t used to it and so he asked, “Can you come and read those in bed?”

The corner of Jiang Xing’s lips ticked up. “If you want your husband to coax you to sleep, you can just say it.”

So Lin Qingyu said directly, “I want my husband to coax me to sleep.”

Jiang Xing went to bed with the scroll in his arms. Half lying down against the pillow, he took Lin Qingyu into his arms. “Go to sleep, Baobaei, we have to go to Ci’an Palace to pay our respects tomorrow morning.”

Lin Qingyu nodded, found a comfortable position in Jiang Xing’s arms and closed his eyes once again.

As the night darkened, Jiang Xing became more and more sleepy. He struggled to finish his reading. He then turned his head and saw the mountain of reports piled up beside him and couldn’t help feeling sad; he was still working overtime on his wedding night. Even donkeys weren’t put to work this hard —how did he fall to this level!?

The person in his arms moved slightly in his sleep. Jiang Xing looked down at him.

Lin Qingyu was pillowed against his abdomen, breathing lightly against his stomach; his long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks.

He quickly had an answer.

Because there was one thing that was more important than being salted fish.

His wish was for Lin Qingyu to be unrestrained, to be able to do what he wanted to do; even to be able to do bad things without the slightest scruple. He hoped that Lin Qingyu could freely pursue his ideals and live out the brightest and most dazzling existence.

He didn’t want Lin Qingyu to be well-behaved and sensible. He didn’t want Lin Qingyu to suppress himself for the so-called good of the country.

He wanted Lin Qingyu to be willful and happy forever.

For this reason, he was willing to be a salted fish that was not so idle.

II

Extras

123

Extra Story 1

Dayu’s emperors didn’t have a marriage leave and the day after his wedding, he already had to attend court. This was a rule set by his predecessors. Jiang Xing felt these rules were inhumane and had to be changed. But after thinking about it, he wasn’t going to benefit from these changes; only future emperors would benefit. Forget it; if he had to suffer, he couldn’t suffer alone.

After morning court finished, it was time for the cabinet members to discuss matters in Qinzheng Hall. Jiang Xing sat on the dragon throne, fighting back his sleepiness as he listened to the ministers’ reports on the unresolved matters that morning.

Li Chan said, “Your Majesty, Jizhou’s governor, Xie Kejin is requesting for an increase in the soldiers’ pay. How should we respond?”

Jiang Xing asked, “Why does he want to increase the soldiers’ pay?”

“Xie Kejin says there are frequent changes in the Northern border and Jizhou has to recruit more soldiers and acquire more horses. They are taking precautions.”

Jiang Xing said casually, “Does Xie Kejin mean to say that the King of the Northern border has plans to rebel once again?”

Li Chan said cautiously, “I dare not speak nonsense.”

“The King of the Northern Border and Jingchun are living a lovey-dovey happy life in the North. He has no reason to rebel. And if they had wanted to rebel, they could have done so two years ago, taking advantage of when the court was preoccupied with the war with Xixia. Why would they wait until now?” Jiang Xing said, “What Zhen sees is Xie Kejin growing apprehensive because of Qian Xiyuan’s fall. Taking warning from an overturned cart, he is made even more aware of the importance of money and food for soldiers and horses and so he has the audacity to ask Zhen for more pay and provisions for soldiers.”

In the Dayu, the governors were the managers of the provinces and its highest local official. Jizhou was foremost among the nine provinces. It bordered the north and occupied a vast territory. Xie Kejin had entrenched himself in Jizhou for many years, covering the sky with one hand, he had been assembling a personal army, leaving the court with no choice but to be on guard against him.

Li Chan asked, “Then Your Majesty means…to not give it?”

Jiang Xing thought for a while. Twirling a yet unstained brush in his hand, he said, “Xie Kejin might not actually be harboring any thoughts he shouldn’t. This might simply be the grieving of a fox for the hare. He’s just a little shaken. If we do not provide it, I’m afraid we might be beating the grass to scare the snake. If we wish for him to remain calm, we would still need to give something to him. However, Zhen has no intention of giving him everything he wants.” Jiang Xing suddenly stopped twirling his brush. “Relay my order. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are to discuss and come up with an appropriate amount. We cannot not give but we won’t give all.”

Li Chan said, “This minister hears Your Majesty’s order.”

After Li Chan retreated, Nan’an Hou stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, there was a severe drought in Xuzhou last year and famine broke out as soon as winter came. Many of its people have been forced from their homes and starved of food. Should we distribute grain and provisions as soon as possible to relieve the disaster?”

Jiang Xing frowned. “Send the aid. Also, Xuzhou is to be exempted from land tax for three years.”

Then, an imperial censor came forward to present his complaint. “Your Majesty, the eldest son of the Minister of Rites was in a male brothel in the capital the day before yesterday. Driven by jealousy over one young man, he came to blows with the Wen Family’s Ninth Young Master. Both come from wealthy prominent families, the sons of some of our highest officials. Unexpectedly doing such indecent and vulgar things, it sets an extremely bad example. I hope Your Majesty will punish them severely.”

As the censor’s complaint wasn’t as important as the matters the other ministers presented, Jiang Xing took this time to do a bit of something else. He opened a blank scroll, wrote down the words “What are you doing, Baobei?” and handed it to Xiao Songzi. Xiao Songzi tacitly understood and retreated with the scroll in his hands.

Jiang Xing asked the censor, “Who did you say was fighting?”

“The eldest son of the Minister of Rites and the Wen Family’s Ninth Young Master.”

Jiang Xing wondered, “These two have a good relationship, don’t they? I remember that they grew up together.”

The censor said solemnly, “The emperor is wise. Though they come from different families, they regard themselves as brothers. Turning against each other for a man? They spoke ill of each other, beat each other, punching and kicking. Beauty misleads, a blue face brings calamity. The words of our ancestors ring true.”

Jiang Xing yawned, pretending not to understand what the censor was implying, “Who struck first?”

The censor hesitated for a moment and said, “According to my investigation, it was Ninth Young Master Wen who threw the first punch. But Ninth Young Master Wen claims he didn’t hit the Minister of Rites’ eldest son very hard, a touch that’s all. But the Minister of Rites’ son threw a very strong punch in return…”

Jiang Xing found it both infuriating and laughable. He suddenly felt like some kind of kindergarten teacher. “They haven’t necessarily turned against each other. I think they’re more like children throwing tantrums.”

The imperial censor said, voice deep, “Your Majesty, these two are both over sixteen years old. They are no longer children! Does the Emperor mean to say they have committed no fault?”

Imperial censors have always been blunt and outspoken. Jiang Xing didn’t become angry. He raised his hand and signaled the censor to calm down. “Why so anxious? Zhen didn’t say they wouldn’t be punished. However, neither of them hold any official position, so I can only punish their parents. The Minister of Rites and Wen Guogong have failed to properly teach their son and grandson. They will be fined for half a year and each will be fined one thousand teals of silver to fill the treasury.”

After being so busy for a couple of hours, they finally finished discussing all matters that should be discussed. The rain in June, the wind in July… all these good and beautiful things in the world couldn’t compare to the words “this minister will now take his leave”.

Except for his beautiful wife, of course.

As soon as the ministers retreated, Jiang Xing’s dignified posture quickly collapsed and he slumped lazily on the dragon throne. He felt exhausted physically and mentally, more tired than after plowing three acres of land. Fortunately, Xiao Songzi had returned from Xingqing Palace with Lin Qingyu’s reply.

After the emperor and empress are married, the empress should reside in Fengyi Palace. But Jiang Xing didn’t want to live separately from Lin Qingyu so he had Lin Qingyu remain in Xingqing Palace. He even moved him into the main hall from the side hall. Not to mention in the imperial family, even in ordinary noble families, the master of house and the madam had their own residences. But the emperor and the empress lived together every day, like some commoner couple.

Lin Qingyu’s reply to Jiang Xing was only three short words: [Hatching the egg.]

It turned out that he was looking after their eldest son or perhaps eldest daughter who was about to be born. No wonder he was so perfunctory in his reply. Jiang Xing really wanted to go and watch Lin Qingyu hatch the egg but he still had a lot of reports he needed to read.

These reports, these evil reports, the eternal bane of his existence, the shackles of pain in his life.

Jiang Xing stared at the pile on his table and every part of his body resisted. “Forget it,” he gave up on himself, “I’ll sleep for a while and read them later.”

Xiao Songzi urged, “Your Majesty, if you delay until night again, the Empress will be unhappy.”

Jiang Xing hesitated and said, “Then I will read quietly after he falls asleep.”

Xiao Songzi, having gotten the empress’ instructions in advance, had no choice but to toughen his scalp and continue to urge, “Your Majesty, these reports contain important matters selected by the cabinet. They really must not be put off.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu came to the Qinzheng Hall and asked Xiao Songzi who was standing guard outside, “How is His Majesty?”

Xiao Songzi smiled bitterly, “The emperor…”

Seeing Xiao Songzi’s expression, Lin Qingyu already had a guess. Walking into the inner hall, he saw Jiang Xing lying on the dragon desk. It looked as though he had already fallen asleep. He had his head pillowed on one arm, pressing against an open secret missive, brush still in hand.

Lin Qingyu pulled out the secret decree. This was a secret decree for Shen Huaishi. Jiang Xing was ordering the Heavenly Prison Sect to go to Jizhou to secretly observe the governor’s movements. He also said that while he was there, Shen Huaishi could go to the Northern Border to catch up with Jingchun.

When Jiang Xing wrote the latter part, his words were crooked and could barely be made out. This was enough to prove that he had held on until he simply couldn’t and fell asleep.

Lin Qingyu took off the fox fur robe from his own shoulders and covered Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing woke up slowly, his arm having gone numb. He opened his eyes and saw Lin Qingyu standing in front of the imperial desk, writing something with a brush. They had just been married, in order to display the majesty of the imperial household, Lin Qingyu chose to wear splendidly decorated robes, extremely glamorous and luxurious.

Jiang Xing propped his head up with his hands, looked at Lin Qingyu with a smile and said after a while, “Is the Empress done hatching the egg? Is it a prince or a princess?”

Lin Qingyu glanced at him. “Hatching eggs isn’t that quick. It will take a few days for the little poisonous snake to break through its shell. Now that you’re up, go and move to the bed. Sleeping on your desk isn’t good for your health.”

“It’s fine.” Jiang Xing moved his shoulders a bit, “I’m used to sleeping like this — What are you reading?”

“The reports. I’ll handle the rest for you and you can go and rest.”

“Ah, this is embarrassing.” Jiang Xing sat on the dragon throne and borrowing strength from the desk, slid in front of Lin Qingyu with a slight push. The dragon chair in Qinzheng Hall had specially been remodeled by Jiang Xing. The four legs were installed with wheels, allowing him to slide around. He also had it modified to allow for the height to be adjusted. “I just discovered something.”

Lin Qingyu said, “What?”

“Are you an imperial report?”

Standing, Lin Qingyu was much taller than Jiang Xing, Lin Qingyu said, looking condescendingly down at him, “What did you say?”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Because the more I look at you, the more I want to sleep.”

Lin Qingyu said, expression completely calm, “Well, maybe if you stop sleeping with me so much, you can have another hour of sleep every day that way you won’t fall asleep in Qinzheng Hall.”

Jiang Xing put on an expression as though he’d had a suddenly realization, “That makes sense. I’ll try it next time.”

Lin Qingyu paused, frowned and said, “But you can’t cut back too much…”

Jiang Xing found his wife cute that he couldn’t help but ask, “Qingyu, how about a kiss?”

Lin Qingyu’s heart trembled slightly. He lowered his eyes and said calmly, “Kiss me if you want. Why do you have to spout so much nonsense?”

Jiang Xing laughed. He was too lazy to stand up, so he put his arms around Lin Qingyu’s waist and forcing him to bend down. He then raised his head and kissed him on his lips.

This kiss gave Jiang Xing a little more life.

After the kiss, Lin Qingyu found himself sitting on the others lap, with the other’s arms around him. His breathing had gone rough, his cheeks were flushed. The way he looked, like he was asking him to have a taste, completely blew away all Jiang Xing’s interest in handling proper work.

However, the eternal sorrow of the corporate drone was that even if the sky was afire, they had to finish work first.

Jiang Xing hugged Lin Qingyu from behind, resignedly picked up his brush and continued writing out the unfinished secret missive. Lin Qingyu recovered from the heat of passion and asked, “You’re letting Shen Huaishi visit the Northern Border. I suppose it isn’t simply to let him catch up with Jingchun.”

“I firmly believe that the King of the North has no intention to rebel. But just in case. After all, I can’t be taking the country as my plaything.” Jiang Xing thought of something, “Speaking of which, I haven’t been out of the capital with you yet. Where do you want to go on our honeymoon, Baobei?”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Honeymoon? What’s that?”

Jiang Xing put down his pen and patiently explained to him the origins of the honeymoon.

124

Extra Story 2

Lin Qingyu was very surprised when he learned what a “honeymoon” was. For Jiang Xing, who found even the distance from Xingqing Palace to Fengyi Palace too far, to actually invite him to go on a long trip together?

“Where do you want to go?” Jiang Xing ordered Xiao Songzi to unfold Dayu’s map and hang it on the wall. He put his hand on Lin Qingyu’s shoulder and said, “How about we go to the Southern Border?”

Lin Qingyu said, “I’ve been to all the places in the south.”

“Hmm… how about Xuzhou? It’s the rainy season so the small villages there would be very charming.”

“I’ve been there too.”

Jiang Xing had a bad feeling. “Then let’s go north?”

“When I was sixteen, I stayed in the north for half a year with several fellow apprentices.”

Jiang Xing was in a complicated mood. “You’ve been everywhere and you went to all these places with people that aren’t me.”

“A man aspires to travel far and make one’s mark. And you like to nest in one place.” As Lin Qingyu said it, a trace of doubt appeared on his brows. That’s right, in the past, he traveled around the world with his mentor, doing good for society and saving people. But now he didn’t have much interest in going anywhere, he just wanted to stay at home with Jiang Xing.

Lin Qingyu glanced at Jiang Xing. “I blame you. You’ve made me lazy.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Is it all my fault?”

“We can’t go on like this, Jiang Xing.” Lin Qingyu said, speaking from his heart, “While we’re still young, we must learn as much as we can and do all that we can. Staying all day in the palace, engrossed in romance; what kind of life is that?”

Jiang Xing disagreed, “We don’t do it the entire day. We have a lot of work to handle. Besides, only young people can engross themselves in romance. When we’re old, we wouldn’t be able to even if we want to.”

Lin Qingyu said, half-truthfully, “Don’t worry, when you’re old, you’re still going to be able to engross yourself in romance. I just need to apply acupuncture.”

Jiang Xing was very excited. But how could there be such a good thing? There must be a price to pay. In the end, his desire to live prevailed, “No, I want to keep living a few more years.”

The two discussed for a long time, but they couldn’t come to a conclusion. Instead, the topic strayed further and further away. Hua Lu came in to serve them fresh fruit, “Your Majesties, this is the pear sent from Qingzhou.”

After Lin Qingyu remarried for the third time, this time to the emperor, Hua Lu voluntarily entered the palace and was now the maid in charge of Xingqing Palace. Both she and Huan Tong thought that Lin Qingyu had been forced into this marriage and she entered the palace to continue serving Lin Qingyu. Huan Tong wanted to enter the palace to continue serving him as well but according to the rules, he had to cleanse himself and Lin Qingyu could not bear to let that happen to him. And so he left him in the General’s Mansion to learn how to manage a household from Yuan Yin.

Jiang Xing casually took a pear from the basket and tossed it up and down for fun. “Since you’ve visited all the places worth visiting in the Dayu, why don’t we let chance decide where we go for our honeymoon?”

Lin Qingyu said, “You mean, draw lots?”

“Sort of.” Jiang Xing ordered Hua Lu, “Hua Lu, fetch me a dagger and a wide ribbon.”

Hua Lu brought what Jiang Xing asked for. Jiang Xing said, “Qingyu, close your eyes and throw the dagger at the map. We’ll go wherever it hits.”

Oh, so they could also do it like this. Lin Qingyu found it a little novel and asked, “What if it turns out to be too far from the capital?”

It was not actually uncommon for the emperor to travel far away. Emperor Yuwen went to the south seven times. It was not impossible for Jiang Xing to leave the capital for several months, leaving the cabinet to take charge of the government. But if he stays away from the capital for too long, something unforeseen might happen. The Dayu’s territory was vast. Going from the southernmost point to the northernmost point could have several years.

Jiang Xing said, “Then we’ll just choose somewhere else.”

Jiang Xing blindfolded Lin Qingyu with red silk ribbon, leaving half of the bridge of his nose. His reddish lips slightly parted due to the sudden darkness, giving him an ambiguous and obscene air. Just looking at him was getting Jiang Xing hot under the collar. Thinking of how Lin Qingyu was cold and reserved in front of outsiders, yet gorgeous and blooming when under his body, he couldn’t help but bow his head and plant a kiss on the beauty’s lips.

Hua Lu was stunned for a moment but Xiao Songzi pulled at the hem of her clothes. She then turned around and retreated, pretending that she hadn’t seen anything.

Underneath the silk blindfold, Lin Qingyu’s long lashes moved. “Why are you suddenly kissing me again for no reason?”

Jiang Xing just laughed. “I often kiss you for no reason. Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while. “That’s true.”

Jiang Xing held the dagger and helped Lin Qingyu wrap his hand around the handle. “Throw it.”

He threw the dagger and after hearing it hit, Lin Qingyu took off the silk blindfold and saw where the dagger struck. “Jiaozhou?”

Jiaozhou was located in the south of the Dayu. It was surrounded by mountains and forests and was close to the sea. It was humid and a place with heavy miasma, making it unsuitable for long-term residence. A few years ago, after Shen Huaishi’s attempted assassination of Xiao Cheng, he lived in Nanyue in Jiaozhou for a time to hide from the Tianji Camp.”

Jiang Xing said with great interest, “What a coincidence. Actually, you could say that Jiaozhou is my hometown.”

Lin Qingyu was a bit surprised. “Really?” He always thought that Jiang Xing’s hometown was in another world, a place that couldn’t be found in the Dayu’s territory.

“Yes. But in our place, ‘Jiaozhou’ is not called ‘Jiaozhou’.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “What’s it called then?”

Jiang Xing recalled his poor knowledge of geography, “Jiaozhou in my hometown is referred to as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Northern and Central Vietnam. Among them, I was born in Guangdong and moved to Jiangnan with my parents when I was young. In the Dayu, it’s called Yuzhou. Then I returned to Guangzhou in Guangdong after finishing high school.”

“Guangdong, Guangzhou.” Lin Qingyu remembered these words in his heart, “I didn’t expect you to be born in such a remote and desolate place.”

“Remote? Desolate?” Jiang Xing asked incredulously, “What about Guangzhou is remote and desolate…?”

Before Jiang Xing had time to defend his hometown, Shen Huaishi came in. He came to bid farewell to the empress. In two days, he will be leaving for the north.

“Huaishi, you came at a good time.” Lin Qingyu said, “You have been in Nanyue. You tell the emperor whether Jiaozhou is a remote and desolate place or not.”

Shen Huaishi looked at Jiang Xing. “Your Majesty, Jiaozhou is vast and sparsely populated. Most of the common people live among the high mountains and live by hunting and gathering. It is a whole world of difference between the capital, Jiangnan and other places.”

Jiang Xing choked and said, “Fine, Jiaozhou might be a bit barren now, but in a hundred, no, a thousand years, it will be one of the most affluent places in the country.” Jiang Xing pointed to Jiaozhou on the map, “Look Baobei, Jiaozhou faces the Southern Sea and borders several neighboring countries. Once a port is opened…”

Shen Huaishi almost choked at hearing the word “Baobei”. Now he really truly believed that the empress considered him a good friend. Otherwise the emperor wouldn’t tell him his true identity, nor would he be not treated like an outsider in the slightest.

It was not surprising that the emperor would call Lin Qingyu “Baobei”. The strange thing was that Lin Qingyu could accept it so calmly, without feeling awkward at all. If other people, ignorant of his true identity, coveted his beauty and called him “Baobei”, he would probably feed them to the princes and princesses.

Jiang Xing has always been generous and easy-mannered, but now talking about his hometown, he was filled with nostalgia and he couldn’t help feeling sentimental. “I haven’t spoken the dialect of my hometown for five or six years. I’m afraid I might have forgotten how to speak it. Huaishi, how do they call beauties in Nanyue? Do they use ‘liangzai’ and ‘liangnu’?

Shen Huaishi told him very seriously, “No.”

“Then what words do they use?”

Shen Huaishi uttered two strange sounding words. Jiang Xing didn’t understand at all. He shrugged and said, “Fine.”

Lin Qingyu pondered, “I’d like to see your hometown.”

He was filled with yearning for the world where Jiang Xing grew up in. He wanted to know what kind of mountains and rivers could raise a person like Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing hesitated and said, “But Jiaozhou is too far away from the capital.” No matter what Jiaozhou will look like in a thousand years, the current Jiaozhou truly was too remote. Ministers who committed crimes were often exiled there.

Lin Qingyu said regretfully, “Indeed.”

At this time, a servant from Ci’an Palace arrived, inviting Jiang Xing and Lin Qingyu to the evening meal. Jiang Xing said, “Qingyu, you go ahead. Don’t keep the empress dowager waiting for too long. I’ll go after I have a talk with Huaishi.”

Lin Qingyu nodded and said, “Alright.”

Lin Qingyu walked out of Xingqing Palace, and noticed Hua Lu’s distraught appearance: “Hua Lu.”

Hua Lu came back to her senses. “What is the Empress’ instructions?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Do you find it strange that I am so close to the emperor? Are you wondering if I’ve completely forgotten about Young Master Hou and General Gu?”

Hua Lu lowered her head. “This servant dares not.”

Lin Qingyu could see through to Hua Lu’s thoughts. On the one hand, she felt that her master wasn’t a heartless and ungrateful person. But on the other hand, she could see how he and the emperor held the tray to eyebrow level. She was even more confused and puzzled than when he married Gu Fuzhou back then.

Lin Qingyu intended to tell her the truth and said slowly, “Don’t you think that the emperor’s temperament is very similar to Young Master Hou’s and General Gu’s?”

Hua Lu’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Thi-This servant now knows!”

Lin Qingyu asked, “You know?”

Hua Lu lowered her voice, “The Young Master is treating the emperor as a substitute for the Young Master and the General?!”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Hua Lu looked worriedly towards the hall, “Young Master, does the emperor know about this?”

Lin Qingyu chuckled and said, “He knows and he is happy to be this substitute.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t have to wait long in Ci’an Palace before Jiang Xing arrived and the two of them had dinner with the empress dowager. They were served an extremely delicious dish of steamed fish. Jiang Xing knew that Lin Qingyu preferred light flavors; he was sure to like it. He chose the tenderest part of the fish and removed the bones before putting it in Lin Qingyu’s bowl.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lin Qingyu took some fresh spring bamboo shoots and placed it in his bowl in return, “These bamboo shoots are plump and tender. Your Majesty should give them a try them.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Thanks for your consideration, Empress.”

The empress dowager looked as the two kept exchanging gifts. A strange feeling rose in her heart. To love one’s wife was a good thing but the emperor was being too polite and attentive to the empress. The two were both men and those who didn’t know would think the empress was the emperor’s husband.

After dinner, the Empress Dowager said, “Empress, please go on ahead. Aijia would like to say a few words to the Emperor.”

Lin Qingyu glanced at Jiang Xing. He gave a salute and said, “Then Chen will be taking his leave.”

After Lin Qingyu left, the Empress Dowager said to Jiang Xing, all earnest words and sincere wishes. “Your Majesty, you are the emperor and the empress is your subject. Courtesy between a monarch and his subject is greater than that between husband and wife. The three cardinal principles and five virtues govern human relations and is the natural order of things. Do you understand what your Mother is saying?”

Jiang Xing smiled faintly, “I understand.”

The empress dowager was a woman of her time. That she thinks this way was normal. There was no use arguing with her; it would just be a waste of words. He agreed with his words but shall persist in doing it again the next time.

When Jiang Xing returned to Xingqing Palace, Lin Qingyu asked him, “What did the Empress Dowager say to you?”

Jiang Xing told him the truth. “She is upset that I deboned the fish for you. She implied that I should maintain my dignity as the emperor in front of you.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Then what does the emperor think? Does this mean you won’t be deboning my fish for me anymore?”

“How is that possible?” Jiang Xing said seriously, “You and I are both men. It could be said that you are my wife but then it could also be said that I am your wife. Since this is the case, of course, I will give you equal and respectful love.”

… Lin Qingyu couldn’t make up his mind, wondering whether he should be moved or not. He knew Jiang Xing too well. Generally, when he said words to move him, Jiang Xing would follow it up with something to spoil the mood.

Sure enough, before he could respond, Jiang Xing added, “It’s a pity the empress dowager would never understand. I didn’t bother trying to persuade her. How about this, I will teach you to speak my native dialect and we can speak Cantonese in front of her in the future. It’ll be a secret conversation.” Jiang Xing was eager to give it a try, “How about it, isn’t it interesting?”

Lin Qingyu: “…Heh.”

In the end, they decided to travel to the South. It just so happened that the taxation reform in Jiangnan was in full swing. They could observe the peoples’ sentiments while they were there.

Lin Qingyu wanted the Ministry of Rites to handle the emperor’s trip but Jiang Xing stopped him. “A honeymoon is spent by the couple together. If we bring a large group, it won’t be a honeymoon, it’ll be a group tour.”

Having said that, as the rulers of a dynasty, they had to have guards and servants in the palace, let alone when they travel far away. Jiang Xing also knew that traveling alone with Lin Qingyu was unrealistic. The Dayu was no better than his hometown, when going on a trip there were many complicated things to prepare. He didn’t know how much to bring and his carriage driving skills were average.

In the end, the two decided to take Xiao Songzi, Hua Lu and some the best shadow guards from the Heavenly Prison Sect. They then headed all the way to the South.

The author has something to say: I can’t wait to write them in the modern setting!

For example, Qingyu transmigrates to modern times and dates Jiang Xing, who’s still a high school student.

One day, Jiang Xing told him excitedly: Qingyu, I’m now eighteen years old!

Qingyu: … Again?

125

Extra Story 3

March in Yangchun was filled with apricot blossoms and spring showers, peach blossoms and swaying willows. It was a good time to be traveling to the south of the country. Their group had two carriages; one for Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing and the other for the servants to take turns to rest. The shadow guards looking after the safety of the emperor and empress followed them in the dark.

Just traveling from the capital to the Southern regions takes a lot of time. The carriage needed not only to be comfortable but also had to have some entertainment to relieve boredom. Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing’s carriage was extremely spacious, big enough for two grown men to fully lie down. The inside was covered with cushions. It was outfitted with a teapoy with some fruit and preserves to satisfy their food cravings and also a small sized bookcase with paper and brushes, some medical books and novels.

Lin Qingyu wanted to pass the time by reading, but Jiang Xing insisted on teaching him to speak Cantonese and wouldn’t let him off.

He had a highly retentive memory and instantly remembered things he’s seen, the same went for things he’s heard. While they were in the palace, Jiang Xing had taught him to read and write the characters of his hometown. With the Dayu’s characters as foundation, he easily mastered simplified characters. During their usual days, when the two of them would chat with Xiao Songzi, Jiang Xing, hating anything troublesome, would fall back on using simplified characters. Thus, even Xiao Songzi had learned to understand simplified characters. Now, Lin Qingyu spent a little time learning Jiang Xing’s native dialect and by the time the carriage arrived at Yuzhang, he was able to have a simple conversation with Jiang Xing in Cantonese.

“Qingyu, say that again, the one I taught you just now.”

Lin Qingyu said unhurriedly, “I heckin’ luv ya?”

Jiang Xing was amazed. “You’re so talented.” There was nothing awkward about his accent. One who didn’t know otherwise would think that Lin Qingyu was born and bred in Jiaozhou.

Lin Qingyu said lightly, “His Majesty must have misspoken. The world is so vast, is there anything I do not have the talent for?”

Jiang Xing gave a thumbs up. “Damn it, you almost had me there. If you go to my hometown and take the college entrance examinations—the college entrance examinations is kind of like the imperial examinations, you would most definitely take top spot.”

Lin Qingyu said modestly, “This insignificant skill of mine is nothing to speak of.”

“Then, I have to play a song for you.” Jiang Xing picked up the Xiqin beside him, “The title of this song is: Lonely is the Unmatched.”

Having had his fill of playing around, Jiang Xing started to feel sleepy. Lin Qingyu generously lent him his lap as a pillow. When Jiang Xing woke up, it was already dusk. Lin Qingyu maintained the same sitting posture as when he had fallen asleep, with a chess piece between his fingers, playing one man chess. The glow of the setting sun sprinkled over Lin Qingyu’s shoulders, making his face seem aglow. Even his hair seemed to take on the golden hue of the setting sun.

Probably in order to fit with the beautiful spring scenery, Lin Qingyu wore a sky blue corseted robe today. With eyes lowered, lost in thought, he looked like a naturally carved jade porcelain figure.

Jiang Xing spent a long while simply appreciating the sight of him. His heart seemed to have been ignited by the setting sun. Lin Qingyu noticed his rapid breathing and looked at him. “You’re awake?”

“En.”

Lin Qingyu touched Jiang Xing’s cheek with the back of his hand. “Are you thirsty?”

Jiang Xing grabbed his wrist. Eyes twinkling, he said quietly, “Qingyu, I kind of want to…”

The two had been married for a long time and they shared a deep mutual understanding. With just one look from Jiang Xing, Lin Qingyu knew what he was thinking.

Lin Qingyu could vaguely hear the conversation between Xiao Songzi and Hua Lu outside. The look in his eyes was clear. “Don’t even think about it — We’re in a carriage.”

Jiang Xing just laughed. “Don’t be like that. I can’t even think about it? I’m not going to do anything.”

Lin Qingyu sneered. “You want to use your imagination to bed me again?”

“Oh, that’s right. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten that I still have this skill.” Jiang Xing put his hands behind his head, imagining, “Just listen, there’s a rustling sound. It’s me lifting the hem of your clothes. Immediately, you feel a slight chill. My hand has reached in and is pressing against your soft spot. Our lips meet and my palm starts rubbing slowly…”

Lin Qingyu supported his forehead. “His Majesty is so talented. That you didn’t turn your considerable talents to writing romance novels is a true loss for this world.”

Jiang Xing’s lips curved into a smile and he said, “Then have you cum yet?”

Lin Qingyu was very supportive. “Three times already.”

Jiang Xing said boldly, “Well, I’ve already cum five times.”

Lin Qingyu: “…” He’ll remember to increase the number next time.

When they first arrived in Yuzhang, the two spent the day walking around the city for a day with Xiao Songzi and Hua Lu. Although the markets in the South weren’t as lively and bustling as those in the capital, they also had their own charms. The willow trees swayed with the wind and the calls of the vendors had a soft tone unique to the Southern dialect. The way the women dressed too was slightly different from what was worn in the capital. In their hands, they held fans made of light gauze, creating a graceful and subdued style.

Both Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing were dressed like ordinary rich young masters. Lin Qingyu was more like the son of a scholarly family, wearing a long blue robe that attracted the attention of many people. On the other hand, Jiang Xing, holding a jade fan, appeared like an elegant young man with a free and easy manner. He asked Lin Qingyu, “Qingyu, is there any place you want to go?”

Lin Qingyu said, “The largest pharmacy in Yuzhang is called ‘Xuanhu Tang’. It’s known as the Imperial Medical Office of the South. I’d like to go and have a look.”

“Alright. Xiao Songzi, go ask for directions to Xuanhu Tang —— Xiao Songzi?”

When he didn’t get a response, Jiang Xing turned around to look for him, only to find that Xiao Songzi had been distracted by a shop called “Liu Ziang Zhai”. “What is it? Do you want to buy cosmetics?”

Only then did Xiao Songzi come back to his senses and hurriedly said, “Replying to the Young Master, this servant wishes to bring back some local product as a gift to my younger sister.”

Hua Lu asked curiously, “Is there any difference between Yuzhang’s rouge and the capital’s?”

Lin Qingyu said, “If you want to find out then go in and have a look.”

Xiao Songzi was overwhelmed by favor from his master, “No, no. How can we can possibly delay the Young Masters’ matter for mine?”

Lin Qingyu said, “This is a leisure trip. There is no hurry for any matter. Go on, go in.”

The boss of Liu Xiang Zhai was used to talking human when talking to humans and talking ghost when talking to ghosts. As soon as she saw Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing, she knew that these two must be giants among men so she hurriedly greeted them with a smile. “Esteemed Sirs, are you interested in buying some rouge and powders? Then you came to the right place. In the whole of Yuzhang Liu Xiang Zhai’s cosmetics are the best. Even the nobles in the capital who’ve used it swear by it.”

Jiang Xing pointed with his jade fan to Xiao Songzi. “We’re not the ones looking to buy. Rather, it’s this little brother who’s interested. You should address him. Don’t mind us.”

The boss looked at Xiao Songzi, blatantly sizing him up. The smile on her face faded a bit. “What would you like to buy, little brother?”

Xiao Songzi didn’t know anything about women’s cosmetics. He scratched his head, and said, “I have ten pieces of silver. What can I buy?”

As the eunuch personally serving the emperor, Xiao Songzi had quite a lot of savings. But when all was said and done, he was a child from a poor family and being frugal has been his habit since he was a child. For him, spending ten pieces of silver on a rouge was already a splurge.

When the boss heard him say this, she immediately knew that he knew nothing about this trade. “Ten pieces of silver won’t buy you anything good,” the boss said. “Better to add three more and that should be just enough to buy you Liu Xiang Zhai’s signature powder.”

Xiao Songzi appeared embarrassed. “I left the rest of my silver in the carriage.”

Lin Qingyu was about to pay the extra silver for Xiao Songzi but was stopped by Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing looked at the boss, raised his eyebrows and said, “What good rouge can’t be bought with ten pieces of silver?”

The boss begun to have misgivings. This young man in his brocade robe was obviously a nobleman. What did he know of the price of rouge and powders? “Yes,” the boss toughened her scalp. “I wouldn’t lie to you. You get what you pay for. The goods here in Liu Xiang Zhai simply cannot be compared to those used by those cheap wretches on the street.”

When Jiang Xing entered this shop, he noticed that there was another cosmetics shop right across called “Yu Fang Zhai”. He smiled and said, “Since you didn’t bring enough money, we’ll just have to come next time.”

The boss hurriedly tried to persuade them to stay, but the customers left so decisively that she could only watch helplessly as they went to the opposite shop. She and the boss of the shop across have been rivals for more than a decade. Seeing the other make money pained her more than losing money herself.

Xiao Songzi said, “Young Master, I won’t buy it anymore. We should go to Xuanhu Tang first after all.”

Jiang Xing said, “We’re already here. It would be a pity not to buy.”

“But I don’t have enough money.”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. How could ten pieces of silver not be enough to buy good rouge?” Jiang Xingyu put away his fan and beckoned, “Come here, I will teach you how to do it.”

Jiang Xing whispered a few words to Xiao Songzi. “Go ahead, we’ll wait for you outside. While you’re at it, help me buy a box of rouge — the best one they’ve got.”

Lin Qingyu asked suspiciously, “What are you up to?”

Jiang Xing was the very face of innocence. “Why, I’m buying it to give to Xiu Jiao momo when we get back.”

Xiao Songzi entered Yu Fang Zhai alone and said to the proprietress who came up to him, “The boss of Liu Xiang Zhai opposite said that you can’t buy any good rouge for less than ten pieces of silver. If you don’t agree, let’s argue.”

The proprietress’ mood soured upon hearing this and said with a sneer, “That ignorant fool. She’s an utter embarrassment to Yuzhang. — Don’t worry, young sir. Forget ten pieces of silver, even three pieces is enough to buy you the best rouge and powders in Yuzhang.”

After Xiao Songzi returned from Yu Fang Zhai loaded with cosmetic purchases, they continued walking in the direction of Xuanhu Tang. Yuzhang was a land of esteemed scholars and many of those who topped the Dayu’s imperial examinations came from here. Bookstores lines the street, specializing in poetry collections and treasured scrolls of calligraphy and paintings.

Jiang Xing had no interest in calligraphy scrolls. If he wanted, he could have the world’s most talented scholars write for him every day. He randomly picked some books to pass the time on their journey and asked Xiao Songzi and Hua Lu to take them back to the inn where they were staying the night.

Lin Qingyu spent a long time in the Xuanhu Tang, conversing with the doctor in charge and the errand boy who was in charge of collecting medicinal herbs for them. He also talked with the man who sold their medicine and while he was there, he even dispensed medicine for a patient suffering from a cough. He claimed to be a student of the Imperial Medical Office, here in Yuzhang to study. Most of the Dayu’s doctors aspired to join the Imperial Medical Office and he being such a beautiful doctor, who would dare to slight him? Who could have the heart to slight him?

They walked around the city almost the entire day and when they returned to the inn that night, not to mention Jiang Xing, even Lin Qingyu felt a little tired. After washing up, the two of them went to bed, fully clothed, without the energy to even consider doing a bit of lovemaking.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xing, as was his habit, turned to hug the beauty when he was unexpectedly met with thin air.

“Qingyu?” Jiang Xing opened one eye and saw Lin Qingyu sitting in front of the mirror with his hair tied back. He opened the other eye. “What are you doing?”

“Today I plan to go up Kuangsu Mountain.” Lin Qingyu said, “The herb collector in Xuanhu Tang said that there are many medicinal herbs unique to Yuzhang deep in the forests of Mt. Kuangsu. I’m going to try my luck. Maybe there’ll be a pleasant surprise waiting for me.”

Jiang Xing couldn’t believe it. “So, we’re going out today?”

Lin Qingyu asked strangely, “Otherwise?”

Jiang Xing’s voice went weak, “I thought we could rest at the inn today.”

Lin Qingyu was puzzled. “We’re here to travel. If you want to just rest in the inn, why’d you even come out? Wouldn’t it have been better to rest in the palace?”

Jiang Xing had no way to refute. He fell back down and laughed. “Yesterday we walked at least 20,000 steps. My legs were about to break. Today you want me to climb a mountain. You’re out for my life, aren’t you? The honeymoon I imagined is the kind where we walk at most 10,000 steps as you and I stroll along the beach.”

Lin Qingyu ruthlessly shattered his beautiful fantasy. “There is no sea in the South.”

Jiang Xing looked wretched. “Along the lake is fine too. I’m not asking for much.”

Lin Qingyu sighed. “Then how about you stay in the inn to rest?”

Jiang Xing frowned. “But, I want to stay with you.”

Seeing Jiang Xing so conflicted, Lin Qingyu too began to feel conflicted too. Of course, he wanted to stay with Jiang Xing as well. But Jiang Xing looked so much like a dead fish, tired and paralyzed, like his legs would break if he walked a few more steps. It would be too cruel to make Jiang Xing come with him up the mountain to collect herbs.

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and testing it out, said, “I also want to stay with my Lao Gong.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu pretended not to know what effect this had on Jiang Xing. “What kind of expression is that?”

Jiang Xing’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He said, “That’s not fair.”

The corners of Lin Qingyu’s lips ticked up and he asked, “Does Lao Gong have the strength to walk now?”

Jiang Xing assessed the strength he had in him and said in resignation, “It seems I have.”

The author has something to say: Do you think there would be something exciting when you saw ” Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing’s carriage was extremely spacious, big enough for two grown men to fully lie down. The inside was covered with cushions”?

——I wasn’t thinking anything! ! ! (dog head)

126

Extra Story 4

After they finished dressing, Hua Lu and Xiao Songzi brought in their breakfast. The breakfast in the South was considerably light: small wontons with thin skin and tender stuffing, fluffy rice balls and sweet bean curd with brown sugar syrup. Although they could also eat these in the palace and the ones the palace made were a lot more refined, the ones served in the inn had a lot more local flavor.

Hua Lu seemed not to have slept well last night and she couldn’t stop yawning. Seeing this, Jiang Xing asked, “Were the beds in the inn uncomfortable?”

Hua Lu hurriedly knelt down and said, “This servant has been disrespectful in front of their Majesties. I ask that you forgive me.”

“We’re all on vacation. It’s fine to not be as formal as we are in the palace.” Lin Qingyu said, “Just treat us as young masters from an ordinary family”

Xiao Songzi couldn’t help laughing. “Young Master, Hua Lu was reading a novel late into the night and that’s why she probably didn’t get enough sleep.”

Hua Lu, pale faced, said anxiously, “Eunuch Song!”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Why? Was the novel really that interesting? How about you let me have a read?”

Hua Lu blushed, “Replying to the Young Master, this servant was reading “The Story of King Ding’s Pampered Wife”.”

Hearing the title, Jiang Xing laughed out loud. “Hua Lu is now at the age when she’s gotten an interest in romance novels!”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Where did you get this kind of book?”

Hua Lu whispered, “Replying to Shaojun, it’s one of the novels Young Master bought yesterday.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing put on a look of innocence. “I just grabbed books at random. How could I have known there was such a book in there?”

Lin Qingyu exposed him, “Then why do I distinctly remember that you have an interest in these kind of books?”

Jiang Xing refused to admit it. “How could that be possible? I’m not Hua Lu.”

Lin Qingyu hit the nail on the head. “Then why have you read “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch”?”

Jiang Xing: “…”

After breakfast, their group set off for Kuangsu Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, the carriage couldn’t go any further so they could only go on foot. There were many rivers, streams and waterfalls in Kuangsu Mountain, which was famous all over the world for both its peril and grandeur. The mountain was densely forested and shrouded in clouds and mists. When ordinary people entered the mountains, they could easily lose their way.

When Xuanhu Tang learned that Lin Qingyu was going to go deep into the mountain, they introduced him to a mountain villager to serve as his guide. This villager had grown up in Kuangsu Mountain and he was very familiar with the mountain terrain. Although he was already sixty years old, he was still healthy and strong. His temperament though was a bit eccentric. After walking for two hours, the villager still walked as though he were flying, like path before them was flat ground.

Lin Qingyu walked in front, chatting with the villager about the rare and exotic herbs in Kuangsu Mountain. He heard Jiang Xing say, “Qingyu, we have been walking for a couple of hours, let’s rest.”

Lin Qingyu turned to look at Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing’s breathing was steady and he seemed fine. He probably just wanted to be lazy. “I have a few places to go to before dark. Time is tight and we can’t delay.” Lin Qingyu whispered, “Why don’t you have the shadow guard appear and carry you up?”

Jiang Xing smiled bitterly and said, “Forget it, I can’t afford to lose face with them.”

The village man glanced at Jiang Xing, shook his head and continued walking on. The closer they got to the top of the mountain, the colder it became. Not long after, it began to rain lightly. It is rainy in spring and Xiao Songzi came prepared with enough rain gear. Jiang Xing took an umbrella and said, “Shaojun and I shall share one. Xiao Songzi, you take care of Hua Lu.”

At this time, Jiang Xing was still able to keep up with Lin Qingyu and the villager. Ever since entering the mountain, Lin Qingyu has been wholly focused on his medicinal herbs. But now that he was under the same umbrella with Jiang Xing, he became a little dazed.

The spring rain pattered against the umbrella and wet the ground. The smell of wet earth filled his nostrils but still, he could smell Jiang Xing’s fresh, natural, warm and lazy scent.

The mountains were made deep green in the rain. It dampened their clothes. Ignoring the difficult mountain road, it was a scene of elegance.

After walking for an hour more, there came the sound of rushing water in front of them. They saw a waterfall cascading down thousands of feet, splashing water at its foot. The broken cliff face, like a natural screen, blocked the spray.

Xiao Songzi was met head-on with this sight and he exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful!”

Jiang Xing said, “Flying curtains are like a jade screen; a sea of stars in the nine heavens.” It turns out that the ancient poems hadn’t been exaggerated.

The villager squinted his eyes to look at the opposite cliff and suddenly shouted, “Glazed Grass.”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes lit up. “Where?”

The villager raised his hand: “There, on the cliff opposite.”

In the rain and fog, it was difficult to see. Lin Qingyu took a few steps forward, almost reaching the edge of the cliff. Finally, he saw a solitary tuft of grass growing on the cliff face. Lin Qingyu said softly “It really is Glazed Grass.”

Jiang Xing took Lin Qingyu’s hand and asked, “What is Glazed Grass?”

Lin Qingyu explained to him, “It’s an herb unique to Kuangsu Mountain. It prefers a humid environment. It usually grows on cliffs and near waterfalls. It is extremely precious. It is used as medicine in its dried state and has a miraculous effect on heart palpitations.”

“Extremely precious? How precious is that?

Lin Qingyu’s voice went slightly cold, “Even in the Imperial Medical Office in the capital, there are only two specimens and they had been requested by King Heng last year.”

The villager snorted and said, “You are quite lucky to come across Glazed Grass your first time here. The last time I saw it was two years ago.”

Jiang Xingyuan looked at the small spot on the cliff and asked, “Qingyu, do you really want it?”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “I really want it. It’s just that Glazed Grass grows on the cliff faces, so picking it is very difficult. And it’s even raining.”

Jiang Xing said with a smile. “So what? If the Madam wishes it, I will go up a mountain of swords and into a sea of fire. I will get it for you even at the risk of my own life.”

Lin Qingyu’s heart sank and he said coldly, “You just shut up.”

Hua Lu remembered the scene she had read last night in “The Story of King Ding’s Pampered Wife”. King Ding and Queen Ding went for a spring outing in the mountains together. Queen Ding praised the wild flowers blooming on the cliff and King Ding rushed to get it for her. While picking it, he slipped, almost losing his life. The queen’s face turned pale and she cried, like a pear blossom made wet with rain. King Ding gently wiped away his wife’s tears and said affectionately, “So long as the queen wants it, even the stars in the sky, this king will get it all for you.”

Such deep affection moved her to her very core. Unexpectedly, the emperor regarded the empress like King Ding regarded his queen. No wonder he would willingly act as a substitute for the other two men. It wasn’t an easy feat for the ruler of a country to reach this stage.

Just as Hua Lu was being moved, the emperor’s tone changed: “– Do you think I would say that?”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Hua Lu: “???”

Jiang Xing estimated the height and distance of the cliff and concluded that the risk was too high. It was true that he could have the shadow guard give it a try but the rain made everything slippery and even with Shen Huaishi’s skill, they wouldn’t be assured of success. The life of a shadow guard was also a life.

Good medicine was precious but life was even more so. Jiang Xing coaxed, “Listen, Baobei. This is too dangerous, we don’t want it.”

Hua Lu froze.

Lin Qingyu smiled. “Alright, we don’t want it.”

The villager’s face turned ugly. “Are you sure you don’t want it? The picking period for Glazed Grass is only a few days. If you miss it today, it’ll be gone the next time. Do you know how much gold a tuft of Glazed Grass can sell for?” According to the rules of the trade, he as their guide would be entitled to a portion of the sale.

Jiang Xing said, “We are not short of money.”

The villager asked anxiously, “Why are young people so afraid of death?”

When Xiao Songzi heard this, his face changed suddenly, “Presumptuous! Do you know who you are talking to!”

Jiang Xing stopped Xiao Songzi and smiled casually: “Calm down, the old man is right. I really am afraid of death.”

The villager stomped his foot. “If you don’t want it, I want it!” He said and turned around, going off to find someone to help him.

Jiang Xing said lightly, “I advise you to think twice.”

Lin Qingyu smiled silently. He knew that Jiang Xing wasn’t afraid of death.

When Jiang Xing was still Lu Wancheng, he took the matter of his life and death very lightly. During the first half of the year, he had almost no desire to live. Later, when he had something to concern himself over and a person he cared about, he didn’t hesitate to use strong medicine to fight poison with poison, just to live a few more months.

Afterwards, he experienced death as Gu Fuzhou and now he cherished his life more than even before. Even if there was only a little risk, he will not try it.

It was a good thing for Jiang Xing to be afraid, so that he wouldn’t put himself in danger. He hoped that Jiang Xing would always cherish his life and be afraid of death forever.

Although he had missed out on the Glazed Grass, Lin Qingyu still gained a lot of other herbs. As they were going down the mountain, their basket was packed full. The next day, Lin Qingyu heard from the staff of Xuanhu Tang that by the time the villager who was their guide found helpers and reentered the mountain, the Glazed Grass had withered due to the rain. The villager went ballistic on the spot and fell ill after returning home.

Lin Qingyu felt quite sorry for him but didn’t think much about it. For the next few days, he continued to visit famous doctors in Yuzhang and benefited a lot. Jiang Xing summoned the prefect of Yuzhang to inquire about the taxation reform.

The group stayed in Yuzhang for five days, after which they continued their way south. It was a day’s journey from Yuzhang to their next stop. In the carriage, Lin Qingyu flipped through a book “Kuangsu Medicinal Herbs”, comparing the medicinal herbs recorded in the book with those he had seen. When he turned to the page that recorded the Glazed Grass, Lin Qingyu paused, remembering the rare grass that he had missed.

When he turned to the next page. A tuft of Glazed Grass, dried out in the sun, appeared in front of his eyes.

Lin Qingyu was slightly taken aback and then he looked at Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing was slumped on the bed, holding “The Story of King Ding’s Pampered Wife” reading it with gusto. Sensing Lin Qingyu’s gaze, Jiang Xing raised his head and asked knowingly, “What’s the matter?”

“How did you get it?” The one on the cliff had obviously withered, so where did the one Jiang Xing gave him come from?

Jiang Xing tilted his head to look at him and smiled. “What are you talking about, Baobei? I don’t understand.”

…

Lin Qingyu realized that Jiang Xing seemed to like creating all kinds of small surprises for him in the course of their everyday lives.

Like that engagement ring he thought he would have to wait for half a month to receive; slipping it onto his finger the next day; like the Glazed Grass that he thought had no chance of getting suddenly appearing unexpectedly in front of him.

It was obviously just a trivial matter but it always made him feel very, very good.

He really liked Jiang Xing very much. What a privilege it was to be able to spend the rest of his life with such an interesting soul.

Lin Qingyu’s chest turned hot and his body heated up along with it. He stopped talking nonsense, pushed open the window of the carriage and called, “Xiao Songzi.”

Xiao Songzi said, “Empress?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Find a place with no one around and stop the carriage. Have everyone—including the shadow guards who are secretly guarding the carriage, fall back half a mile.”

Xiao Songzi felt that the empress’ order was strange but didn’t dare think too much about it. He hurried off to prepare. Jiang Xing turned thoughtful and said slowly, “Qingyu, you don’t mean to…”

Lin Qingyu laughed lightly, “Just doing it in your thoughts is too boring.”

127

Extra Story 5

The horses for the emperor’s use were all very well-trained. No matter what happens inside the carriage, the imperial horse would simply stands in place, grazing leisurely.

Jiang Xing paused suddenly and took out a box of rouge from out of nowhere. Lin Qingyu opened his lips slightly. Through a haze, he saw Jiang Xing dip his fingertip into the gorgeous rouge and then smear it on his lips.

Jiang Xing was inexperienced and didn’t apply it well enough. The rouge was faintly smeared on the corners of Lin Qingyu’s mouth, making him appear not drunk but tipsy, bright and affectionate.

Jiang Xing stared unmoving at him for a long time. Lin Qingyu called out, dazed, “Jiang Xing…?”

Jiang Xing hugged him, almost like a sigh, “Qingyu, how did you grow up like this? Do you know how gorgeous you are?”

As he said that, as if he could no longer control himself, he closed his eyes and kissed Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu still kept his eyes open. Leaning his back against the bookshelf on the carriage, he was almost hanging on Jiang Xing’s body. He saw sweat drip onto Jiang Xing’s drooping lashes.

When they parted, Jiang Xing also had a touch of rouge on his lips. Coupled with his passionate eyes, it was even more moving than when he first saw him.

Lin Qingyu raised his hand and stroked the corner of Jiang Xing’s mouth. He said, voice hoarse, “Then, why aren’t you continuing?”

Xiao Songzi and the others were waiting half a mile away from the carriage. By the time they were called back by the emperor, it was already dark. “Build that fire, boil some hot water and let’s cook something to eat.” Jiang Xing told him, “We’ll sleep outside the city tonight.”

Xiao Songzi said, “Your Majesty, even though the carriage is big, it definitely won’t be comfortable enough to sleep on. If we hurry, we can reach the city and spend the night there.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “You don’t understand. We’re doing this for fun.”

When the hot water was ready, Jiang Xing personally carried it back to the carriage. With the few rabbits the shadow guards hunted and the dry preserved food and seasonings they’d brought with them, they all had more than enough to eat for dinner.

After the rabbit was roasted, Jiang Xing helped Lin Qingyu off the carriage. The empress was the very picture of calm and composure, even if he did smell like another man.

The rabbit they roasted simply over an open fire, of course, wasn’t good as the one cooked in the palace, but Lin Qingyu thought it still tasted good. It seemed he was really hungry. Suddenly, a black shadow flashed in front of Lin Qingyu’s eyes. It was the shadow guard who’d been secretly guarding them.

Shadow guards can only show up when their master is in danger. Jiang Xing asked, “What happened?”

Holding something in his hand, the shadow guard knelt in front of the empress and said, “Replying to their Majesties, there was a snake entangled in a tree just now.”

With the light of the fire, Lin Qingyu saw the snake in the shadow guard’s hand clearly. He said, “It’s cute.”

The shadow guard was taken aback, wondering if he should be gentle with this little snake.

“Unfortunately, it’s not poisonous.” Lin Qingyu was silent for a moment, “Your Majesty, I miss the little poisonous snake.”

Jiang Xing raised his eyebrows. “Then should we head back to the palace now?”

Lin Qingyu calmly said, “If that’s the case, then having fun is still more important.”

Jiang Xing couldn’t help teasing, “What a cruel imperial mother and father. For the sake of having fun, they completely neglected their children.”

Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing spent the entire spring in the south, after which, they went to the summer palace to escape the heat of summer. When they returned to the palace, it was almost autumn. What awaited Jiang Xing was a mountain of official documents. How much fun he had at the beginning was how miserable he cried afterwards. This autumn and winter, Jiang Xing never slept for more than three hours. After making it to the New Year when he could set aside state affairs for a while, a bunch of family affairs popped up.

The kings of the various fiefs were returning to the capital one after another to celebrate the New Year. There were endless family banquets in the palace. Fortunately, the empress dowager was around to help orchestrate these events and Jiang Xing didn’t have to bother too much. He just had to bring his wife to put on a show at the banquet itself.

In the past, the concubines would enter the palace to pay their respects to the empress dowager and the empress. This year, the empress was a man and the rules have changed. Empress Lin had no interest in seeing them, so he spared them the trouble of having to come. The only ones who were allowed to enter the palace to pay respects to Empress Lin was the Lin family.

Lin Qinghe has grown into a young boy. Although not as beautiful as his elder brother, everyone could tell that he will be a handsome man in the future. Lin Qinghe wasn’t as interested in medicine as his father and brother and he will be taking the imperial examination in the future to pursue his career as an official. He was currently studying away from home and the number of times he got to visit in a year could be counted on one hand. Since it was so rare for Lin Qingyu to see his younger brother, he got to stay in the palace for a few days.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, Lin Qingyu was supposed to be in charge of the festivities, but his little poisonous snake had eaten something and had been listless since last night, curled up in a ball and shivering. Lin Qingyu felt distressed and stayed by the little poisonous snake’s side to take good care of it.

This was a small snake from the Western Regions. Its body was light blue with eyes bright red like agate. It was said that it could only survive in the environment of the Western Regions. Lin Qingyu managed to find a nest of snake eggs and successfully hatched three of them. Only this little snake grew up to adulthood. Jiang Xing had even named him Jiang Xiao Lin.

Lin Qingyu tried to feed the little snake a special decoction. After drinking the medicine, the little snake finally got back some of its appetite. It stuck out its tongue and slithered slowly towards the fresh bullfrog beside it. Seeing this, Lin Qingyu was slightly relieved. At this time, Hua Lu came in to report, “Empress, the Second Young Master and Prince Yi are here.”

King Yi was Jiang Xing’s most insignificant cousin with a fief so far away from the capital that he could only return to the capital once every three to five years. Not long after his father died of illness, being that he was the only son, the title automatically fell to him. King Yi’s son, named Xiao Zhuo, was only five or six years old and it was his first time coming to the palace with his father.

Lin Qingyu asked, “Why is Prince Yi and Qinghe together?”

Hua Lu replied with a smile. “Second Young Master ran into the prince by chance in the imperial garden. Seeing that he was lively and cute, he took him to play together.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Have them wait for me in the main hall.”

Lin Qingyu settled the little poisonous snake and went to the main hall. He saw Lin Qinghe holding Xiao Zhuo’s hand as Xiao Zhuo looked around curiously, his pair of big eyes looking extremely lively.

When Lin Qinghe saw Lin Qingyu, he let go of his hand and said, “Qinghe gives his greeting to elder brother.”

Xiao Zhuo followed suit and knelt down, “This humble servant, Xiao Zhuo greets the Empress.” Though only five or six-year-old, he already spoke quite eloquently and his demeanor as he knelt and saluted wasn’t any less dignified that that of an adult man.

Lin Qingyu nodded lightly. “Qinghe, what are you doing in Xingqing Palace? You should take your friend somewhere else more fun to play.”

Lin Qinghe smiled and said, “Replying to elder brother, he heard from me that elder brother is raising a blue snake and he pestered me to let him take a look.”

Lin Qingyu was slightly surprised. “You’re not afraid of snakes?”

Xiao Zhuo smiled, his brows and eyes curving, “Replying to the Empress, I’m not scared. Snakes are so cute.”

Lin Qingyu smiled lightly. “Then, follow me.”

No matter how adept the little poisonous snake seemed at reading humans’ actions, Lin Qingyu would never let a child get close to it. Xiao Zhuo simply looked at it from a distance, his little face flushed with excitement. He kept exclaiming, “It’s so cute and pretty.” Lin Qinghe by one side, patiently told Xiao Zhuo all about the little snake. “It’s native to the Western Regions, which is very far away from the capital. We’ve named him Jiang Xiao Lin.”

Xiao Zhuo was confused. “Ah, why is it surnamed Jiang?”

Lin Qinghe was stumped by this question. “This… I don’t know either.”

Lin Qingyu looked thoughtfully at the two young boys, one big and one small. A thought inadvertently sprouted in his heart.

Lin Qingyu joined Lin Qinghe and Xiao Zhuo for some snacks in Xingqing Palace. Not long after, Xiao Songzi came to remind him that it was time to prepare for the family banquet and lantern festival.

It was another year of the Lantern Festival, with thousands of lights, trees looking as if afire and flowers shining silver. Dressed in fine clothes, the emperor and the empress climbed up the tower, standing atop the highest point of the capital, overlooking the city that never sleeps.

The empress dowager was getting old, so after only a short time spent admiring the scenery, she returned to Ci’an Palace. Once she was gone, the remaining insignificant people were not worthy of the attention of the emperor and empress. Lin Qingyu casually cut a paper lantern and said, “Your Majesty, have you ever thought about adopting children?”

Jiang Xing said, “Since you brought it up, does the empress have someone in mind?”

“Not really.” Lin Qingyu said, “But I think we can put some thought into this matter.”

Jiang Xing said with a smile, “It’s possible. But there’s no need to rush, there will be much time in the future.”

Lin Qingyu smiled. In the distance, dots of bright light gradually rose into the sky, brightening up the entire night sky.

They had much time in the future. This moment was perfect just as it was.

“Jiang Xing.”

“En?”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes were alight. “Happy fourth anniversary.”

Jiang Xing was slightly taken aback and he stared at Lin Qingyu’s side profile.

The night was as day and this beauty was as jade.

“Happy fourth anniversary.” Jiang Xing raised the corner of his lips, “Please continue to take care of me in the coming year. At this time next year, you will love me more than you do now, alright?”

Love him more? But he already loved him so much.

Lin Qingyu said, “That depends on your performance.”

Jiang Xing smiled lightly. “Then I will work hard.”

The author has something to say: This story ends here, and the timeline will not be lengthened, because I want the salted fish and the beauty to stay in their best years, to indulge always in love — the forever eighteen-year-old Classmate Jiang! (Voice Hoarse)

Next are the extras set in modern times! =3=

128

Extra Story 6

Lin Qingyu slowly took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

This all started when Xu Junyuan claimed to have obtained a mystical stone from the peak of Kunlun Mountain. This stone was filled with the aura of heaven and earth. It was entirely green like an emerald. He divided the strange stone into two, making a pair of pendants, and presented it to the emperor and empress on the emperor’s Longevity Day.

Xu Junyuan was a strange person and Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing knew to treat with caution any gifts he presents to them. Following his instructions, the two placed the pendants under their pillow and went to sleep. Who would have ever thought that he would find the world turned upside down upon waking up?

Lin Qingyu found himself standing in a surging crowd. It was as crowded as the Dayu’s Lantern Festival. But these people were obviously not from the Dayu. Their mouths and noses were covered with cloth. Some of them were wearing thin and strange clothes, somewhat similar to what Jiang Xing had been wearing the two times he’d entered his dreams. While some were dressed in something similar to what they wore in the Dayu, long corseted robes. It was why Lin Qingyu, in his Dayu attire, didn’t appear so conspicuous.

——Oh, how could he not be conspicuous?

He had just stood there for a short while and already onlookers had surrounded him. These people were looking unabashedly at him. Some held up rectangular objects, while others pointed something cylindrical at him. He knew that the rectangular object must be a mobile phone and this cylinder must be the camera that Jiang Xing had told him about. They were taking pictures of him.

… When he returns to the Dayu, he was going to have their little poisonous snake deliver his thanks to Xu Junyuan for his generous gift.

Lin Qingyu appeared calm on the surface but a trace of confusion and fear rose in his heart. His fear wasn’t because he suddenly found himself in a strange place but because Jiang Xing was not by his side.

If the strange stone Xu Junyuan had given them was what had caused him to come to this foreign land, then Jiang Xing should have come with him. But where was Jiang Xing?

Lin Qingyu raised his head and saw a huge banners hanging on the ceiling. The characters on the banners were simplified characters that Jiang Xing had taught him. It read “Guangzhou Hanfu Carnival“.

Guangzhou was equivalent to the Dayu’s Jiaozhou and was Jiang Xing’s hometown. Jiang Xing must also be in this city.

He must be here — he better not dare not be here!

Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes and pondered. The passers-by who took pictures of him were all calling out, “Hey, kiddo, look this way please. — Look at the camera. Thank you!”

“Hey Handsome, where did you get your hanfu? Can you send me the link to their store?”

“Xiao gege, can I add you on WeChat? I’ll send you the picture after I finish editing it~”

…

Lin Qingyu kept on a cold expression and said nothing. He didn’t mean to turn a deaf ear but he really didn’t know how to respond. He decided to first leave this crowded place and find somewhere quiet to think about what to do next.

While repeatedly saying ‘excuse me’ to the onlookers, he made his way to the side. The place he was in was huge, not any smaller than Xingqing Palace. Even after walking for so long, he still hadn’t reached the end. He found that as soon as he stopped, people would immediately turn to watch him. As he walked, many people took out their mobile phones to take pictures of him and call out to him but at least, he wasn’t as flustered as before.

Jiang Xing once said that if he ever found himself in his hometown, he could be found using a mobile phone. The most urgent task was to find someone to borrow a mobile phone from to call Jiang Xing. According to his observation, everyone in Jiang Xing’s hometown has a mobile phone so it shouldn’t be difficult to borrow one.

“Excuse me–”

An excited voice came from behind him. Lin Qingyu turned around and met a pair of big doe-like eyes. It was a girl about his age, with something called a [work permit] hanging around her neck, on which her name was written. The girl’s surname is Ke, and her name was Ke Tang.

Ke Tang said, “Xiao gege, it’s best to wear a mask when you’re not taking pictures.”

Ke Tang lived up to her name; her voice was very sweet. Lin Qingyu said, “A mask?”

“Yeah, although there’s no epidemic in Guangzhou at this time, we can’t take it lightly.”

“I don’t have a mask.”

“Then I’ll give you one.” Ke Tang took out a mask and handed it to Lin Qingyu. Before Lin Qingyu put it on, she said quietly, “Wait a minute, xiao gege, can I take a photo with you?”

As a staff member of the Hanfu Carvinal, it wasn’t quite appropriate for her to be doing this. But this xiao gege was just so good-looking that she couldn’t help it.

Lin Qingyu didn’t respond.

Ke Tang was a little embarrassed but she didn’t blame Lin Qingyu at all. Was it impolite for a beauty to ignore others? She simply wasn’t worthy in the first place!

“It’s okay if it’s not!” Ke Tang hurriedly said, “Excuse me!”

Lin Qingyu smiled, “I didn’t say no. Please.”

Ke Tang was dazed by this unexpected turn and hurriedly took out her mobile phone. She didn’t dare to stand too close to the beauty, for fear of messing up the expensive clothes he had on him.

The xiao gege was a head taller than her, about 1.8 meters tall, which was passable in the south. Ke Tang raised her phone up, made a ‘v’ sign at the camera and took the picture. Because she was a little flustered, she forgot to turn on the beauty filter. Facts have proved that a true beauty could stand the test of the front camera. A casual photo was better than the any that she’d refined for five hundred years.

Lin Qingyu asked. “Are you done taking the picture?”

“I-I’m done.” Ke Tang smiled brightly, “Thank you, xiao gege!”

“You’re welcome.” Lin Qingyu put on the mask and revealed his real purpose, “I also have a request. Can I borrow your mobile phone?”

“Huh? My phone?”

Lin Qingyu explained, “I’d like to use it to find someone, but I don’t have a mobile phone myself.”

Ke Tang thought that Lin Qingyu simply hadn’t brought his mobile phone with him. After all, his fancy clothes didn’t seem to have any pockets to store a phone. Ke Tang generously handed her phone. “Here you go.”

Lin Qingyu stared at the phone, but didn’t take it. Jiang Xing had told him a lot about mobile phones when he was bored and had nothing to do. He knew many of its uses, but without the real thing in the Dayu, no matter how much he knew about it, he couldn’t use it.

“Can you make this call for me?” Lin Qingyu asked.

“Of course.” Ke Tang was very enthusiastic, “What’s the phone number?”

Neither he nor Jiang Xing thought that they would one day actually return to Jiang Xing’s hometown. That matter about making a phone call was simply said casually. Fortunately, he had an excellent memory and he memorized the string of numbers after only listening to it once.

Ke Tang dialed out the number Lin Qingyu recited and before it rang, she asked, “Xiao gege, who are you trying to call?”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and said, “My husband.”

Ke Tang stared at him wide-eyed, almost dropping her phone: “…Ah?!”

When Jiang Xing woke up, he found himself lying on the sofa. The air conditioner was whistling, a thin blanket was covering his body and his mobile phone lay quietly beside him.

Jiang Xing slowly sat up and looked at the time. It was already late in the afternoon. He started sleeping after lunch and he’d only slept for five hours in total but felt like he’d slept for a long, long time and had a long, long dream.

The side effect of his nap was that everything looked wrong. There was this feeling of vicissitudes, as if everything seemed a lifetime away.

Jiang Xing sat on the sofa in a daze. There was the sound of footsteps coming down on the stairs. A girl wearing a pure white dress and light makeup appeared. It was his cousin, Pei Zhiqi, who was one year older than him.

Seeing Jiang Xing’s distraught look, Pei Zhiqi asked, “What’s the matter with you?”

Jiang Xing said slowly, “I feel like I’ve just had a very long dream. I dreamt that I died and lived again and that I lived and died again. It was so painful. I also…dreamt of a classical beauty in a wedding dress.”

“A beauty? How beautiful?”

Jiang Xing tried his best to recall but got nothing. “Fuck, I can’t remember.”

Pei Zhiqi didn’t take it seriously. “That’s just how dreams are. You forget about them when you wake up.”

Jiang Xing hesitated for a while and then said, “You’re right.” He gave up trying to remember and lay back down on the sofa.

“Stop sleeping, you’ve been sleeping all afternoon.” Pei Zhiqi said, dumbfounded, “Are you really going to sleep away the first day of the National Day holiday?”

“Actually, not just the first day. I plan to spend the next six days like this.” Jiang Xing turned on his phone, clicked on the reading app and continued to read the novel he hadn’t finished.

Pei Zhiqi caught a glimpse of his screen and said in surprise, “You’re really reading “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch!”

“Weren’t you the one who recommended it to me?

Pei Zhiqi smiled slyly. “Yes, yes. So, what do you think of the plot?”

“It’s hard to say. What’s keeping me going is my desire to see how Xiao Cheng dies. I wanna see Doctor Lin kill everyone.”

“Doctor Lin? You mean Lin Qingyu. Do you like him?”

Jiang Xing said without hesitation, “I like him.”

“But he’s not a good person. He killed a lot of people for revenge.”

Jiang Xing raised his eyebrows. “And it just so happens that I like watching him take revenge and kill people. I declare that from today onwards, I will be Doctor Lin’s loyal supporter.”

Pei Zhiqi had on a complicated expression. “Then I advise you that you push a bit more, in case the house collapses…”

Jiang Xing sensed something was wrong. “What do you mean? What happens to my great beauty?”

“Pretend like I said nothing.” Pei Zhiqi said guiltily, “Read for yourself and find out.” After saying so, she took an orange from the coffee table and headed upstairs.

Half an hour later, Pei Zhiqi went downstairs again, holding a mobile phone in her hand. “The Hanfu Carnival is on the hot search, it seems that there’s a store with a super handsome model…” She zoomed in on the photo, squinting her eyes to spot any flaws. “Is it really possible for someone to be this handsome?”

Jiang Xing whispered, “He died.”

Pei Zhiqi was taken aback. She didn’t immediately realize what he was talking about. “Who? Who died?”

Jiang Xing chuckled. He rubbed his eyes that had been staring at the phone for a long time and said, “So boring.”

Pei Zhiqi saw that his screen was at that scene of Lin Qingyu committing suicide in the Eastern Palace. She suddenly realized and empathized with him. She expressed her deep sympathy. She sat down next to her younger cousin and comforted him, “Don’t think about it too much. He’s just a fictional character. Once you go offline, you should tell your grievances to fuck off. Come on, lao di. Get on your account. I’ve recently been practicing my jungler. Take me flying. ”

Jiang Xing: “…”

“Ah, I forgot! You haven’t turned eighteen yet. You can only play for an hour at night during the holidays! How miserable.”

Jiang Xing silently opened the game and successfully logged in. Pei Zhiqi was dumbfounded. “How’d you do that?”

Jiang Xing said, “I used Auntie’s ID card. And by auntie, I mean your mom.”

The two entered the game and were engaged in a team battle when a phone call came. The caller ID was an unfamiliar number and the area was in Guangzhou. There was a high probability that it was a sales call so Jiang Xing swiped his finger over the screen, refusing the call.

‘Toot–‘

Ke Tang blinked and told Lin Qingyu, “Your husband hung up the phone.”

Lin Qingyu frowned. “What do you mean by hung up?”

Ke Tang said, “It means that he didn’t want to answer the call.”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes turned cold and he said coldly, “Why?”

“Must be because he saw an unfamiliar number and didn’t want to answer it. I would do the same.” Ke Tang said, “How about I send him a message?”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “Alright, thank you.”

Ke Tang typed out the message, checked it with Lin Qingyu and sent it after confirming that there was no problem: [Hello, I am an enthusiastic passer-by. Your wife is lost, without a mobile phone and he’s asking you to pick him up~]

Lin Qingyu and Ke Tang waited fifteen minutes for Jiang Xing’s reply:

[? ]

129

Extra Story 7

Usually whenever he received similar scam messages, Jiang Xing wouldn’t even take a second look. Him replying with a [?] was already giving the scammer a lot of face. The main reason was that the scammer didn’t ask him to send money; they didn’t say that his wife was hit by a car and was now in the hospital and in urgent need of money. This could simply be a case of mistaken identity, so he considered this ‘?’ reminder as his good deed for the day.

The other party quickly replied to him: [Are you Jiang Xing?]

Very well; the possibility of it just being sent to the wrong number was ruled out. This was a fraudulent message and the scammer had even obtained his information in some way.

Jiang Xing: [I am your father.]

Ke Tang held her mobile phone as if she were holding a hot potato. She glanced at Lin Qingyu and saw that his face had turned cold, his eyes flashing daggers. It made her think they ought to turn up the air conditioner in the stadium.

“Xiao gege, did you remember the number wrong?”

Lin Qingyu sneered. “I didn’t remember it wrong.” This kind of reply that sounded like the person who sent it was asking for a beating; he was sure that it came from Jiang Xing. He could bet Xu Junyuan’s life on it.

Ke Tang’s big eyes were full of question marks. “Ah? Then why is he like this?”

Lin Qingyu shook his head. He didn’t know either. Jiang Xing should have realized he was missing. He should be trying his best to find him, just like he was. After receiving such a message, he should be flying over. How dare he reply to him with a [?]!

Ke Tang tentatively asked, “Xiao gege, are you okay?” She felt that she had solved the case. The young couple must have quarreled and were in the middle of a cold war. The beauty condescended to step down for his husband and asked him to pick him up. But his husband believed they were still trading vicious words and was pretending to be some cold-fucking scumbag, leaving him to fend for himself.

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and said, “As I remember, mobile phones can send photos?”

Jiang Xing thought that saying “I am your father” would be enough to shut up this scammer. He didn’t expect him to become more courageous as his frustrations mounted. He even sent over a photo of his “wife”.

Jiang Xing clicked on it thoughtlessly. A young man in ancient Chinese clothes appeared on his phone screen.

Jiang Xing was stunned.

The fancy clothes they young man had on did not belong to any particular dynasty in their history, yet he found it very familiar. What made him even more stunned was that the young man seemed unreal, as though it’d been taken out of some CGI game.

But this face brought with it such a strong sense of familiarity. When he saw it, his heart unexpectedly raced to 180 beats per minute.

He didn’t wonder even wonder why this swindler was sending him the picture of a man. With that kind of face, a man or a woman, he was the wife everyone dreamt of. Being a swindler nowadays wasn’t easy. With Photoshop skills like this, he ought to be able to open up a treasure store.

Stranger: [Your wife looks like this, are you really not going to come and pick him up???]

From the three consecutive question marks, Jiang Xing got a vague image of the swindler gnashing his teeth in exasperation and jealousy.

You liar, how’d you get so dramatic?

Jiang Xing: [You went overboard with the Photoshop, xiongdi]

The stranger was gradually becoming irritable:

[? ? ? ]

[I didn’t even use a beauty filter! If you don’t believe us, then add me on WeChat. Let’s video call!!! ]

Jiang Xing really wanted to see how the scammer was going to go about this, so he willingly added this phone number on WeChat. Immediately after, the scammer sent over the video call request.

Jiang Xing didn’t intend to reveal his face so he covered the camera. In this way, he could see the other side, but the other side could not see him. Soon, his “wife” appeared in his vision.

That CGI game face suddenly came alive. He could even clearly see the teardrop mole at the corner of the young man’s eye.

As everyone knew, video calls couldn’t be edited.

Lin Qingyu couldn’t see Jiang Xing. He could only see darkness. “Jiang Xing?”

When no one responded, Lin Qingyu called out again, “Laogong?”

Jiang Xing’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “En.”

Just this simple “en” was enough for Lin Qingyu to conclude that it was Jiang Xing’s voice. The heavy stone in his heart finally fell. The most urgent matter was to meet up with Jiang Xing first. He’ll settle scores with him later.

Lin Qingyu asked, “Where are you?”

Jiang Xing replied in a daze, “At my aunt’s house.”

“Come and pick me up. I’m…” Lin Qingyu looked at Ke Tang, “Where are we now?”

Ke Tang said, “I’ll message you the address!”

Lin Qingyu nodded and said to Jiang Xing, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

After hanging up the video, Jiang Xing engaged in an inner struggle at the sight of the address the stranger sent over.

He has common sense, he swears he does. But the super good-looking young man called him ‘laogong’.

The young man’s expression completely didn’t seem like he was lying. Besides, would anyone with looks like that have to sink so low as to commit something like phone fraud? And even if he really did want to swindle him, why choose a place full of security?

Most importantly, he himself felt that he had seen his “wife” somewhere.

Jiang Xing stood up. He grabbed his schoolbag and walked out. As he was heading out, he happened to run into his aunt who was back from grocery shopping. His aunt said, “A’Xing, it’s time for dinner. Are you still going out?”

Jiang Xing said, “I’m going to see a classmate.”

“Then have the driver take you.”

“No, I’ll just take the subway. It’ll be faster.”

Ke Tang, the good Samaritan, decided to see this through to the end. She asked her supervisor for a half hour break and guided Lin Qingyu out of the venue. She then kept him company as he waited for his husband by the side of the road. Not for anything else, she just wanted to know where this beauty’s husband got the confidence to quarrel with his wife, pretending not to even know him. If she had a wife like this, she’d even swear he was her ancestor just to get him to stay. How dare that slag man do him dirty like this!

The great beauty had put on the mask but he still attracted a lot of attention. It couldn’t be helped. The clothes he had on were too luxurious. How could those be considered clothes? He was practically wearing a car.

Lin Qingyu watched as cars galloped past in front of him, their speeds unmatched by any of the Dayu’s thousand-mile horses. Jiang Xing’s hometown was even more bizarre than he imagined. Unfortunately, before he was back with Jiang Xing, he simply didn’t have the heart to appreciate and explore it at all.

Will Jiang Xing drive to pick him up?

Suddenly, Lin Qingyu’s pupils shrank. He pointed at something that was moving and said, “What is that? It’s moving so slowly.”

Ke Tang looked in the direction he was pointing at. “What? What?”

“The thing with the basket in front of it.”

Ke Tang was confused, “You mean the shared bicycle?”

“Oh, my husband is here.” Lin Qingyu narrowed his eyes, “He came on a shared bicycle.”

There were several people coming towards them on shared bicycles but Ke Tang could tell at a glance which one was the great beauty’s husband.

It was a boy wearing a black mask, headphones around his neck, a backpack slung on his back. Riding the bicycle against the wind, his bangs were swept back. His slightly upturned eyes were very charming, brimming with the aura of youth.

Even if she couldn’t see his face clearly, the boy still gave her a “refreshing and handsome” feeling. Was it because of temperament? Or height? Or figure? Maybe the outfit?

But the boys’ clothes were also very simple — a loose T-shirt, black trousers and sneakers, like what most teenage boys wear. It’s strange. Why did he look so sexy in that outfit?

The boy stopped the bicycle in front of them. He looked towards them and asked uncertainly, “Hi?”

Lin Qingyu took off his mask and met Jiang Xing’s eyes.

Jiang Xing’s heart beat faster.

Lin Qingyu walked up to Jiang Xing and ordered, “Take off your mask.”

Jiang Xing paused and though confused, obediently took off his mask.

——It was Jiang Xing; Jiang Xing with short hair, Jiang Xing wearing his hometown clothes, the same Jiang Xing who appeared in both his dreams.

Lin Qingyu thought of Jiang Xing’s excessive “joke” and wanted to slap him on the face. He raised his hand and he was about to let him have it but Jiang Xing seemed to be in a daze and he made no move to dodge.

Lin Qingyu’s hand slowly dropped. How could he be willing to hurt Jiang Xing?

And so, abandoning himself, he threw himself into the young man’s arms.

Jiang Xing’s eyes suddenly went wide. He smelled a light, familiar scent of medicinal herbs.

“Why’d you only get here now?” Lin Qingyu embraced him tightly. “I thought I was going to be separated from you again. I was so scared.”

Jiang Xing raised his hands but in the end, he didn’t touch the handsome boy’s body. He felt something hot roll down the boy’s cheek against his shoulder. He said, at a loss, “Hey…”

Standing to one side, Ke Tang, who was about ready to swoon, received a WeChat message from her supervisor urging her to go back to work. She had to break away from this beautiful scene in before her eyes. “Well, I still have something to do in the exhibition hall.”

Lin Qingyu straightened up. He restrained his emotions and said, “In the future, my husband and I will find a chance to thank you.”

Ke Tang waved her hands again and again, “It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s what I should have done.” As she spoke, she cast another subtle look at Jiang Xing. She shouldn’t have cared about the affairs of these handsome guys, but she really didn’t want to see the beauty being wronged. “Xiao gege, when you get back your phone, can you add me on WeChat?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Sure.”

Ke Tang smiled. “Then I’ll be going first.”

Now that he had returned to Jiang Xing’s side, Lin Qingyu finally felt safe and was ready to settle accounts. “Why did you say you didn’t know me just now?” Lin Qingyu said coldly, “Was it fun playing that joke?”

Jiang Xing’s heartbeat still hadn’t calmed down. But he was very good at pretending. No matter how nervous he was, he could pretend nothing was wrong. “It’s not that, buddy. Should I know you?”

Lin Qingyu’s heart sank. “What do you mean? You’ve already forgotten about me after only an hour apart?”

“What? What?”

Lin Qingyu’s face was frighteningly cold. “Jiang Xing, I’m not any mood to joke around with you right now.”

“No, don’t be angry. I was wrong.” Jiang Xing apologized out of instinct. “Maybe I forgot. Just give me a hint, anything is fine. I will try my best to remember.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Honeymoon, Yuzhang, carriage.”

Jiang Xing frowned. “We were in a carriage together?”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Judging by Jiang Xing’s expression, he really didn’t remember him.

If his conjecture was correct, Xu Junyuan’s strange stone that had the effect of stabilizing the soul, brought Jiang Xing back to his body in Guangzhou. While, he himself since he had no body in Guangzhou, was sent over with both his soul and original body. The last time Jiang Xing returned to his original body in the Dayu, he was unable to speak for a period of time. His amnesia this time was probably also a side effect of returning to his old body.

But what if he was wrong? If… If the Jiang Xing in front of him has no memory of being in the Dayu at all? And if this Jiang Xing was not that Jiang Xing, then what should he do?

Seeing the beauty in gorgeous clothes frown, his lips pursed tightly, his eyes at a loss, as if he had been bullied and suffered a great grievance, Jiang Xing felt inexplicably panicked and he couldn’t help but say, “But, I really think I’ve seen you somewhere.”

Could he be an elementary school classmate? Impossible, his memory was quite good. If there’d been such a handsome boy among his classmates, how could he not remember?

Lin Qingyu was taken aback. “You think I look familiar?”

“Yes, you give me a very familiar feeling. But I don’t think you could be my wife.” Jiang Xing originally wanted to say that he was a straight and underage. It was impossible that he’d have a male wife. But when the words reached his lips, he changed them again, “I’m not that lucky.”

Lin Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Xing had a vague impression of him, which proved that his conjecture was correct. Jiang Xing’s memory was still there, it just needed a little time to recover. “Let me ask you, do you have a wife now?”

“……No.”

Lin Qingyu was a little more satisfied. “Then I’ll be your wife, okay?”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Calm down, Jiang Xing. No matter how good-looking the other party is, he’s still a stranger from who knows where. Even if you want to bend, you can’t bend so hastily. You’ve got to at least go through some inner struggle and conflict.

Jiang Xing smiled. “Sorry, you’re not my type.”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “Are you sure? If we’re talking about looks, I should be everyone’s type.”

Jiang Xing looked at the other person’s face, but couldn’t say anything to refute.

Lin Qingyu chuckled softly. “Laogong, I’m hungry.”

Intuition told Jiang Xing that the boy didn’t have the slightest malice towards him and the boy really did seem to know him. Reason told him too that casually believing a stranger was death seeking behavior. But this time, he just wanted to trust his instincts.

Jiang Xing thought it over and said, “If you say you’re not a liar, I’ll take you to eat delicious food.”

Lin Qingyu said, “I’m not a liar.”

Jiang Xing was still not at ease. “Swear it.”

Lin Qingyu was quite speechless. “I swear I’m not a liar.”

“Okay.” Jiang Xing said, “What do you want to eat?”

130

Extra Story 8

Mobile phones, cameras, cars, air conditioners weren’t the only things Lin Qingyu knew about Jiang Xing’s hometown. He also knew a little about the food here. Fortunately, Jiang Xing often talked to him about these things. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to maintain his composure in this strange world.

“I want to eat what you often eat.” Lin Qingyu said.

What Jiang Xing most frequently ate were the housekeeper’s home cooked meals. During the National Day holiday, their housekeeper had asked for leave and when his aunt heard about it, she invited him over to eat. Obviously, he couldn’t bring a stranger to his aunt’s house. It didn’t cost much to treat someone to a meal. He’ll just treat it as entertaining an online friend he was finally meeting face-to-face.

Jiang Xing saw a shopping mall near the exhibition hall and suggested, “Shall we go to the shopping mall?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Shopping mall? Do they sell your clothes there? I want to change.” It was really quite hot here and not only was his current outfit very eye-catching, it could also cause heat stroke if worn for too long.

Jiang Xing looked at the beauty quietly — Is it not enough that you’re cheating me out of a meal, you’re also cheating me out of a set of clothes?

Fine, with your beauty, being cheated is worth it.

The two walked to the entrance of the mall. Lin Qingyu didn’t have a mobile phone and couldn’t scan his code to enter. Fortunately, he could register manually.

Lin Qingyu looked at the strangely shaped pen and said to Jiang Xing, “You write for me.”

Jiang Xing was a little puzzled. He picked up the pen and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Lin Qingyu.”

Jiang Xing paused. “Which Qingyu?”

“The Qing for clear and the Yu for feathers.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “What a coincidence. I just read a novel called “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch” and there was a character named Lin Qingyu in it.”

Lin Qingyu said lightly, “En, I’m that Lin Qingyu from “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch”.”

Jiang Xing thought he must have heard wrong. “Huh?”

The two of them standing there at the entrance to the mall, registering, meant that they were in the way of others who wanted to get in. Jiang Xing didn’t have time to ask and simply said, “What’s your ID number and mobile phone number?”

Lin Qingyu said, “I don’t have that sort of thing.”

Something was wrong; something was very wrong. Jiang Xing put down the pen and took Lin Qingyu aside. He asked, “What did you mean by that just now?”

“I meant what I said literally.” Lin Qingyu said, “I am from the Dayu and you and I also met in the Dayu.”

Jiang Xing looked like he’d seen a ghost. This… should he praise Lin Qingyu’s con for being novel?

Lin Qingyu thought it necessary to explain clearly to Jiang Xing. “It’s a long story. Let’s go someplace cool and I’ll explain to you in detail.”

Jiang Xing regained his composure and saw a nearby milk tea dessert shop that didn’t require you to register. And so he took Lin Qingyu inside and sat him down. “You wait here for me.”

“Where are you going?”

“Aren’t you hungry?” Ever since Lin Qingyu said he was hungry, it kept nagging in his mind, “I’ll go buy you something to eat.”

Lin Qingyu’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you.”

Jiang Xing bought two cups of milk tea, four donuts and eight egg tarts. He inserted the straw for Lin Qingyu and handed it over. “Here, try it.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t take it. Instead, as though it were the most natural thing in the world, he took Jiang Xing’s hand, bowed his head and took a sip of the milk tea. Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Jiang Xing, this is delicious. I like it.”

After standing in the sun for a while, Lin Qingyu’s cheeks were slightly reddish, looking more enticing than the donuts.

Jiang Xing couldn’t help laughing. “You’re so cute.” As soon as the words were out, he was stunned.

What is he saying? How could he say such frivolous things to a boy he’d just met for the first time? When did he get so greasy?

Lin Qingyu has long been accustomed to Jiang Xing’s “greasiness”. He took two big mouthfuls of milk tea and ate an egg tart. When he no longer felt so hungry, he said, “Have you ever thought that one day you would be transmigrated into the world of “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch”?”

“……Never.”

Lin Qingyu explained everything in detail. He and Jiang Xing met each other, got to know each other and fell in love; from the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion to the General’s Mansion, and finally to the Imperial Palace. Jiang Xing had died three times and they were married three times. Finally, he talked about Xu Junyuan, “I don’t know if Xu Junyuan has already found out that we’ve left the Dayu. But if he knows what’s good for him, he should already be thinking of a way to get us back.”

After Jiang Xing heard Lin Qingyu’s words, his first reaction wasn’t to call 110. Instead, he thought of that dream he had during his nap. He dreamt that he’d lived and died, died and lived again and there was a beauty in a wedding dress—these were basically consistent with what Lin Qingyu had said.

He seriously suspected that he was going out of his mind. He actually felt that what Lin Qingyu said wasn’t completely made up.

Lin Qingyu saw that Jiang Xing still didn’t believe him yet so he raised his hand, pointed at Jiang Xing’s Adam’s apple and said, “You have a mole here.”

Jiang Xing instinctively looked down. His headphones were still hanging around his neck, blocking his Adam’s apple, so Lin Qingyu shouldn’t have been able to see it.

Lin Qingyu continued, “Your birthday is on the fifth of October. Your mother was a very strong person and was very strict with you. She forced you to learn ancient Chinese calligraphy and required you to be proficient in everything. You didn’t disappoint her and though tired of studying, you still manage to secure first place. You are very good at attaching protective screens and you can play the Xiqin—for you, it should be called an Erhu…”

Jiang Xing ate a donut to calm his shock. “Did you investigate me?”

“You have a secret that no one knows. When you were in second grade of elementary school, you once broke your mother’s perfume bottle and then blamed it on your little dog. The dog’s name was Xiao Mi.”

“Who told you all this? Jiang Xing asked incredulously, “My cousin?” No, even Pei Zhiqi didn’t know that he’d framed Xiao Mi.

“You told me yourself.” Lin Qingyu said, “You’re the only one who knows about this, aren’t you?”

Jiang Xing’s entire being was torn.

Who is he? Where is he? Is this world real or not?

Lin Qingyu saw a shop selling fishing gear opposite their shop and added, “You also like fishing.”

Jiang Xing had fallen in love with fishing when he was Gu Fuzhou. He said that fishing was the most wonderful sport in the world. Later, Jiang Xing became the emperor and he had very little free time. He wanted to sleep, cling to him and occasionally fish. So he would ask him to accompany him to sleep or go fishing with him.

Finally, Lin Qingyu was wrong about one thing. Jiang Xing calmed down and said, “I don’t like it.” He doesn’t even know how to fish.

Lin Qingyu said, “No, you like it.”

Jiang Xing was very sure. “No, I don’t like it.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t want to waste his words. He stood up and said, “If you don’t believe me, go and have a look at that store.”

Jiang Xing froze as soon as he stepped into the fishing shop. Why did he feel like he was in heaven? He felt as much joy here as he did visiting a sneaker store. He suddenly felt that not only could he fish, but that he could fish with ease. The entire Pearl River wasn’t enough for him to fish.

It was over. He already felt in his heart that what Lin Qingyu said was the truth. Is he crazy or is the world crazy?

Jiang Xing had a somber expression on his face, saying nothing. Lin Qingyu thoughtfully said nothing, giving him enough time to digest. When the two returned to the street, blown by the sweltering wind, Lin Qingyu finally understood why Jiang Xing always said that air conditioners saved people’s lives.

Before Lin Qingyu could speak, he heard Jiang Xing whisper, “Clothes.”

“What?”

“You have to change out of that Hanfu before we talk about anything else.” Jiang Xing still had countless questions in his mind, but the strange thing was that he was more concerned about whether Lin Qingyu felt hot in his outfit. “I’ll take you to my house and you can wear my clothes for now — Is that all right?”

“Of course its fine. I’ve always wanted to visit your house.” Lin Qingyu said, “How do we get there?”

Jiang Xing turned on his phone and glanced at the taxi app. It was the National Day holiday and it was dinner time, there were a lot of people taking taxis and the APP warned him that he’d have to wait at least 20 minutes.

“I want to try riding that.” Lin Qingyu pointed to a car passing in front of them. “Can you drive?”

Jiang Xing’s heart tightened and he said, a little bit defensively, “Uh, no.”

Lin Qingyu was a little disappointed. “I thought you could do everything.”

Jiang Xing felt that he’d been dealt a violent hit.

Lin Qingyu remembered that Jiang Xing came here on a shared bicycle. He asked, “Are we going home on a shared bicycle?”

“Let me take you to take the subway.” Jiang Xing said leisurely, “You came all the way from the Dayu, how could you miss Line 3 and Line 5 during the evening rush in Guangzhou? I must take you to experience it.”

“Subway?” Lin Qingyu looked around and saw a sign with the word “subway” written on it, “Are we going there?”

Jiang Xing’s face changed slightly and he thought he had caught a flaw. “Wait a minute, if you’re really from ancient times, how can you read simplified characters? You also know about shared bicycles?”

“You taught me.”

“Okay, my apologies.”

Lin Qingyu walked towards the subway station, but was stopped by Jiang Xing. “I was just kidding with you,” Jiang Xing said with a smile, “You can’t squeeze into the subway with your clothes like that.”

Jiang Xing called their family driver. “Uncle Chen, it’s me. Are you free now? Can you come and pick me up? …No, not the one near the school. It’s the holidays, I’m not staying there anymore. It’s the one in Zhujiang New Town. My current location is…”

It would take about ten minutes for the driver to get to them. Jiang Xing hung up the phone. He looked at the beauty in splendid clothes holding a cup of milk tea and called out hesitantly, “Lin Qingyu?”

Huh? Why did it feel so awkward?

Lin Qingyu raised his head, furrowed his brows and said, displeased, “What did you call me?”

Jiang Xing quickly changed his words. “Qingyu.” As soon as he said this, Jiang Xing suddenly became enlightened and at ease. “How about you take the wig off first? Just looking at it makes me feel hot. It must be worse for you.”

“Have you gone dumb from shock?” Lin Qingyu sighed, “This is my hair.”

Men in ancient times did have long hair. Jiang Xing stared at Lin Qingyu’s long locks of hair hanging down his chest and said, “Are you really not wearing a wig?”

“En.” Lin Qingyu knew that Jiang Xing liked touching his hair, “Do you want to touch it?”

Jiang Xing was stunned. He asked, “Can I touch it?”

Lin Qingyu said, “If it’s you, you’re free to touch it.” Jiang Xing had touched every part of his body, inside and out.

Jiang Xing stretched out his hand and carefully picked up Lin Qingyu’s long hair. It was very light, very soft; silky and cool.

In an instant, a picture vaguely flashed through Jiang Xing’s mind: he and Lin Qingyu were lying together on a large bed. Lin Qingyu was lying on his back and he was lying on his side, carelessly playing with Lin Qingyu’s long silky hair.

Holy crap, Lin Qingyu really did seem to be his wife.

This was cause for celebration!

131

Extra Story 9

The person who came to pick them up was a middle-aged man with extremely short hair driving a black car. Lin Qingyu could tell that this car was cleaner and more refined than most other cars on the road. Just as there were bad horses and good horses, there were also good cars and bad cars.

Lin Qingyu saw a circular sign erected at the very front of the car; a circle that was evenly divided into thirds. Did this have some profound meaning?

Jiang Xing has always gotten along with their family driver. Their driver didn’t need to come down and open the door for them. They were normal people, there was no need to put on any sort of show. Jiang Xing opened the door to the back seat and made a gesture of invitation. “Go on in. Didn’t you want to ride one of these?”

Lin Qingyu bent over to get in and then sat up. Jiang Xing then got in and greeted the driver, “Uncle Chen.”

The driver grinned. “It’s been a long time.” The driver saw Lin Qingyu from the rearview mirror and said in surprise, “A’Xing, is this your classmate?”

The driver and Jiang Xing spoke Cantonese, but Jiang Xing answered him in Mandarin. “No, he’s not.”

He wasn’t a classmate but the driver tacitly understood that he was a friend. The driver also switched to Mandarin. “Why is your friend wearing ancient clothes? Is he a celebrity?”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “No, we just came back from the Hanfu Fair.”

“Hanfu? Oh, I know, it’s very popular among young people nowadays.”

“Yes.” Jiang Xing replied casually, “Uncle Chen, please turn down the temperature of the air conditioning. We walked around outside and it was so hot.”

The driver lowered the temperature by two degrees and complained, “At this rate, it won’t be cold until November.”

Lin Qingyu listened to the conversation between Jiang Xing and the man. In his estimation, the man should be someone like a groom but Jiang Xing had called him ‘uncle’ and he talked as if they were equals.

Jiang Xing did the same when he was in the Dayu. When Xiao Songzi brings him tea and water, he would occasionally get a “thank you” from the emperor and it made Xiao Songzi feel was if his life were about to end. He begged Jiang Xing to let him go, crying bitterly. Only then did Jiang Xing restrain himself.

The corners of Lin Qingyu’s lips quietly ticked up.

This Jiang Xing, who was gentle and courteous to others, had another kind of cuteness that couldn’t be seen in the Dayu.

With Jiang Xing by his side, Lin Qingyu was finally in the mood to appreciate this strange world. He looked out the window and saw all kinds of shops lining the road. He knew every word on the shops and didn’t know what it meant when they were connected together. There were also tall buildings rising from the ground. They went up so high, how were people about to go up?

As the sky gradually darkened, lights went on in every building, lighting up Lin Qingyu’s eyes.

This was Jiang Xing’s hometown, so bright, so colorful. There were air conditioners and mobile phones; there were generous girls working outside, cars that run faster than thousand-li horses and sweet milk tea and egg tarts.

Jiang Xing grew up in such a world.

It was so nice.

The driver drove the car directly into the community’s underground garage. Before getting out of the car, Jiang Xing said, “Thank you, Uncle Chen.”

“No need to be so polite. Your family pays me.” The driver smiled and said, “Call me anytime you need anything.”

After the driver left, Lin Qingyu asked, “Is the person who drove a servant of your family?”

Jiang Xing choked then said with lingering fear, “That was a close call.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t ask me this question in the car.” Jiang Xing toes curled in mortification just imagining that scene, “Or it would have definitely meant my social death.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “What does social death mean?”

“Human death is divided into two types. One is normal death and the other is social death…”

Lin Qingyu was extremely intelligent and he immediately understood with just this hint. He snorted coldly and said, “I’m not stupid. Of course, I wouldn’t have asked in front of the driver. However, your driver seems to speak differently from us.”

“Oh, that’s because he’s lived in a Cantonese-speaking area his whole life. Naturally, he’d have a bit of an accent when speaking in Mandarin.”

“Then why don’t you have such an accent?” Lin Qingyu then remembered, “Ah, that’s right. It’s because you only came back to Guangzhou when you entered high school. You told me that when you were in the Dayu.”

Jiang Xing made a “tsk” sound. “I used to tell you everything, huh? Am I that much of a chatterer in front of you? Conan says ‘my father taught me this in Hawaii‘ while you come here to Guangzhou and say ‘my husband taught me this in the Dayu’?”

“There are still many things you haven’t told me. For example, how do we go up this building soaring into the sky?”

“Thank you for finally acting like an ancient and allowing me my dignity as a person of modern times.” Jiang Xing led Lin Qingyu to a strange door, “We’ll take the elevator up.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Elevator?”

No matter how much Jiang Xing talked about it, he couldn’t cover everything. For example, the elevator, Jiang Xing never mentioned it to him.

Jiang Xing briefly introduced the principle behind the elevator, “The elevator uses a traction drive method and the core of the drive mechanism lies in…”

Lin Qingyu interrupted him, “In short, we can go up when we ride this box.”

Jiang Xing snapped his fingers. “That’s a good summary.”

Aside from the door in front of them, there was another one not far away. Lin Qingyu asked, “Is that other one also an elevator?”

“En, that’s a housekeeper’s elevator.”

“Housekeeper?”

Jiang Xing described to him a housekeeper’s duties. Lin Qingyu nodded. “I understand. A housekeeper is a servant.”

Jiang Xing explained patiently, “A housekeeper is not a servant. They are employed on an equal footing with us. So, when you interact with our housekeeper in the future, you can’t treat her like a servant, just treat her like an ordinary elder. When you’ve got nothing to say, just say ‘thank you’ a few more times and the food she cooks will taste even better.”

Lin Qingyu was puzzled, “Since you’re equals then why don’t the housekeepers and owners take the same elevator?”

Jiang Xing was stumped by his question. In order to maintain his omniscient image in front of Lin Qingyu, he could only come up with a universal answer, “Why are the elevators separate, you say? Well, I believe you are familiar with elevators, but elevators have to be separated. Why must they be separated, you say? Housekeepers must take the housekeeper’s elevator and the owners must take the –…”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes twitched. “Fine, shut up.”

Entering the elevator, Lin Qingyu watched the number gradually increase from -1, finally stopping at 26. Lin Qingyu heard a “ding”, and the elevator door opened. Jiang Xing began to change his shoes. “We’re here.” He helped Lin Qingyu take out a new pair of indoor slippers, “I’ll get you some clothes. You can sit wherever you want. Do you want to take a shower first?”

Lin Qingyu looked around curiously, “Yes.”

Jiang Xing went to his wardrobe, picked out a T-shirt and a pair of shorts he’d only wore once, took out a new bath towel and placed them in the bathroom. Back in the living room, he saw Lin Qingyu leaning over and touching the sofa, his expression looking a little wrong.

Jiang Xing asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Qingyu hesitated to speak. “It’s nothing.”

“Then should I show you to the bathroom?”

Lin Qingyu said, “There’s no rush.” Jiang Xing’s house must also have air conditioning since he didn’t feel hot at all now. “Show me around your house first.”

Jiang Xing was a little confused. “Okay.”

Starting from the living room, Lin Qingyu followed Jiang Xing to see the dining room, the entertainment room, the L-shaped balcony, the kitchen, the master’s bedroom, the elders’ bedroom, the guest bedroom, the study room and even the housekeeper’s room.

“Auntie’s on leave. I’ll be the only one in this house for the whole holiday—well, now you’re here too.”

Lin Qingyu frowned, “Your house is really…”

Jiang Xing was very self-effacing “It’s a little big for just one person but you just need to get used to it.”

“Your house is really small. It’s so small, is it enough for you to live in? There’s not even a garden or a pond. If you want to fish, you’ll have to go out.” Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing lovingly and sympathetically, “You really have such a tough life here.”

Jiang Xing went silent for a long time. He then said hesitantly, “Might I ask, what did you do before you married me?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Originally, I was the son of the imperial medical office’s panyuan. Later, I became an Imperial Physician and finally, I was prime minister of the imperial court.”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Turns out you’re the Lord Prime Minister, hahaha.” Jiang Xing gave a sheepish smile, feeling awkward at having been rude. “This place of ours really isn’t fit to house the third in command of a nation. I’ve wronged the Lord Prime Minister.”

“There’s no need for that. I’m your wife. Naturally, I won’t dislike you over something like this.” Lin Qingyu thought for a while and asked, “Is there a pawn shop in Guangzhou?”

“A pawnshop? When I was young, I occasionally saw one or two but it’ll probably be difficult to find one now.” Jiang Xing said, “Lord Prime Minister, why are you asking this?”

“Find a pawnshop and sell these clothes. The money can help cover our living expenses.”

Jiang Xing said with a complicated expression, “Um, thank you?”

“If it’s not enough, there’s still this jade pendant.” When Lin Qingyu transmigrated, he’d been wearing around his waist a beautiful jade pendant of the finest quality, a tribute from the north. “And if that’s still not enough, the only thing left to pawn is our wedding ring.”

“Wedding ring?”

“En, you specially designed it.” Lin Qingyu took off the ring and showed it to Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing carefully inspected it inside and out. It really did look like his design style.

Jiang Xing was at a loss. “What about my wedding ring?”

Lin Qingyu said, “It should still be on your body in the Dayu.”

Jiang Xing became unhappy. “A wedding ring is such an important thing, how could you even think of selling it?”

“It’s because I don’t want you living in such poverty.” Lin Qingyu has always paid little attention to things outside of him. The reason why this ring was significant was because it was given to him by Jiang Xing. To him, Jiang Xing was more important than anything else. “We still have one ring. You gave this to me when we were married for the third time. If you think it’s a pity, you can give me another later.”

Jiang Xing laughed, “Okay, okay.”

Jiang Xing took Lin Qingyu to his en suite bathroom. Lost memories aside, he and Lin Qingyu have only been together for a few hours, but he can already understand Lin Qingyu’s thoughts about all these modern things just from his expression. For example, Lin Qingyu’s slightly inquisitive eyes meant that he didn’t know how to use the things in the bathroom.

“This is for hot water and this is for cold water.” Jiang Xing demonstrated to Lin Qingyu how to adjust the water temperature, “Then apply this on your body. You can use the stuff in the blue bottle to wash your hair. I’ll put away your clothes for you and then I’ll go out. Call me anytime you have any questions.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “You’re going out?”

Jiang Xing choked but quickly recovered. He said with a smile, “If I don’t go out then should I stay here and watch you?”

Although Lin Qingyu wanted Jiang Xing to recover all his memories as soon as possible, he didn’t want to push him too hard. As the saying goes, haste makes waste. He nodded and said, “Then you can go out.”

Jiang Xing walked out of the bathroom, closed the door and suddenly felt like he’d just missed out on a million dollars.

Everything that happened today was too fantastical. If this was before, Jiang Xing would think it nothing but a low-end scam. But he couldn’t explain the feeling Lin Qingyu brought to him. Nor could he explain the scenes that flashed in his mind. Pity that the scenes were just scenes and didn’t show the whole plot. He wants to remember what happened in the Dayu as soon as possible. He didn’t want to disappoint Lin Qingyu.

Jiang Xing stood in front of the French windows and thought for almost half an hour, but he still couldn’t remember any useful information.

“Jiang Xing.”

Jiang Xing turned around and the newly bathed beauty came into view. Jiang Xing quickly looked away. He took a sip of ice-cold cola before turning his gaze back to Lin Qingyu.

What he brought to Lin Qingyu was a pure white T-shirt. The fabric was pure cotton so it easily turned translucent when wet. At this time, Lin Qingyu’s wet long hair already turned it half-wet.

Under the lights of the living room chandelier, Lin Qingyu’s porcelain-white skin exposed no blemishes—except for the original teardrop mole. His long lashes were also wet, the tip of his nose, a little red and his lips were smudged into a bright color by the steam. He didn’t know if he was bent or not but it didn’t seem to matter as if he weren’t already bent, he quickly was becoming one.

When Jiang Xing saw Lin Qingyu wearing fancy clothes, he thought him noble and dignified, a lonely unmatched existence at the peak. Now in modern clothes, Jiang Xing only just realized how long and straight Lin Qingyu’s legs. He was about six to seven centimeters taller than Lin Qingyu and his T-shirt was obviously a little too big for Lin Qingyu. It obviously had a standard-sized ordinary collar but with the Lin Qingyu wore it, it was quickly slipping off his shoulder.

Lin Qingyu was a little thin, tiny fishes could swim in his collarbones. Coupled with his long hair that reached his waist, viewed from the back or side, he looked a little like a girl. Few men could look so delicate, but Lin Qingyu’s appearance wasn’t feminine. If he cut his hair short, no one would mistake his gender.

To distract himself, Jiang Xing handed him what he had in his hand and said with a smile, “You’re done with your bath? Come on, try this. I’ll get the hair dryer.”

“The hair dryer is for drying your hair? No, I’ll just wipe it dry.” Lin Qingyu looked at the bottle of black water and asked, “What is this?”

“It’s soda, a kind of water that can make people happy. It’s best for drinking after taking a bath in summer.”

“But isn’t it October?”

Jiang Xing shrugged. “October here is no different from midsummer.”

Lin Qingyu took the soda. He first lowered his head and sniffed it, then took a sip. His expression froze.

Jiang Xing asked with a smile, “Is it good?”

“It’s a bit sweet and it also has a stimulation that’s hard to describe. I don’t like it very much.” Lin Qingyu raised his head, “Jiang Xing, I want to drink milk tea.”

Jiang Xing said, “Don’t anymore. You’ve already had one today and you’ve eaten so many desserts. You won’t be able to sleep at night if you drink anymore.”

Lin Qingyu wasn’t very happy. Jiang Xing has always been responsive to his requests but now that he was in his own territory, he dared to refuse him. He asked Jiang Xing, “Is milk tea expensive? So you can’t afford too much?”

Jiang Xing couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I suppose it is kinda expensive but it’s not that I can’t afford it. Don’t be angry, let’s drink it again tomorrow.” Without Jiang Xing knowing it, his tone had already turned coaxing, “That shop today was one that I just found randomly. To be honest, the taste was so-so. Tomorrow I’ll buy you milk tea that is a hundred times better.”

Lin Qingyu asked doubtfully, “Really? A hundred times?”

Jiang Xing assured him. “Really, a hundred times better.”

Lin Qingyu reluctantly accepted this plan, temporarily letting go of his obsession with milk tea. He pointed to the irregularly-shaped glowing cylindrical building very close to them outside the floor-to-ceiling windows and asked, “What’s that?”

Jiang Xing said, “That’s Canton Tower. Because it looks like a human waist, it’s also nicknamed ‘Slim Waist’.” “Slim Waist is a landmark building in Guangzhou and one of the must-see attractions for tourists.” Seeing it just outside their window, Jiang Xing had long grown numb to it. “If you like it, I’ll take you to see it tomorrow night. But it’s a holiday now, so there must be a lot of people going there.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Who was the person who designed and built Slim Waist?”

Jiang Xing said, “We can look it up on the internet. Why do you ask?”

“I want to see him. It might prove rewarding.” Lin Qingyu pondered, “Dayu’s Minister of Public Works recently took leave to mourn the passing of his parent. We are in urgent need of someone to succeed him. Since this person was able to design Slim Waist, he must be a very talented person. If we can seek his advice…”

Jiang Xing almost spit out his mouthful of Coke. He suppressed a smile and said solemnly, “Don’t make your decision too rashly. Next time, I’ll take you to Beijing and Shanghai to have a look around. You might find a better candidate for the ‘Minister of Public Works’. Oh, would you like to read the financial news and select the Minister of the Revenue while you’re at it.”

Lin Qingyu asked, puzzled, “What are you laughing at?”

Jiang Xing had on a serious expression. “I’m not laughing.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing as if he was looking at a fool. “You’re obviously holding back your laughter.”

Jiang Xing: “…” He thought he had pretty good acting skills. How was Lin Qingyu about to see through him?

Lin Qingyu saw through Jiang Xing’s thoughts again. “We’ve been in a relationship for more than four years. I can tell what you’re thinking just by your expression.”

“More than four years?” Jiang Xing grasped the key point, “You mean we’ve been dating for more than four years?”

“Yes, we just had our fourth anniversary not too long ago.”

After such a long time, they could be regarded as old married couple. Four years, a lot could be done in four years.

Jiang Xing couldn’t help looking at Lin Qingyu’s lips. He asked, “Then Qingyu, have I… kissed you?”

Lin Qingyu said lightly, “What nonsense. You kiss me every day.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

With a wife this beautiful, it would be strange not to kiss him everyday.

“Then have we…?” Jiang Xing cleared his throat, and said as casually as he could manage “Have we had…”

Lin Qingyu looked up at him and said, “Does Laogong wish to ask if we’ve slept together?”

When he was in Dayu, if there were other people around, Lin Qingyu would always call Jiang Xing “the emperor”. If the two of them were alone, he would usually call Jiang Xing’s name directly. The number of times he’s called him Laogong can be counted on his fingers. But now he’s had an epiphany. When Jiang Xing called him “Baobei”, at first, he wasn’t used to it and even felt it was a little unnatural. Later, as Jiang Xing called him that more and more often, he seemed to form a misconception – Obviously, he was supposed to be Jiang Xing’s Baobei all along.

It could be deduced from this that if you wanted to turn a person into your husband, you should call him ‘Laogong’ every day.

A tingle went through Jiang Xing’s whole body at being called ‘Laogong’. He steadied his breathing, turned his eyes away and pretended to be calm as he said. “en”.

Lin Qingyu smiled, “What do you think?”

The heat on Jiang Xing’s body rose uncontrollably. He lowered his eyes and laughed lowly, “Don’t laugh at me like that.”

Lin Qingyu looked at him. “Why?”

Jiang Xing was quiet for a while. Then his hand holding the iced soda suddenly tightened. He raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

The author has something to say:

Having written stories set in ancient times for so many years, I suddenly realized how fun writing modern Chinese can be! ! !

Me writing ancient Chinese: How should I gracefully describe the protagonist’s shock (joyful, indignant, sorrowful) mood… (So painful.. just 500 words per hour)

Me writing modern settling: F*ck it all! We’ll do it however I want!

132

Extra Story 10

When it was time to go to bed, Jiang Xing gave Lin Qingyu his room. He explained one by one to Lin Qingyu how to turn on the lights, how to adjust the temperature in the room and that there was water in the small refrigerator if he got thirsty.

Lin Qingyu pointed to a portrait of a dark-skinned man pasted on the wall above the top of the bed. He asked, “Who is this person?”

“A basketball star, I like him very much.” At the mention his idol, Jiang Xing couldn’t help but want to share, “I even have a pair of sneakers signed by him. Should I show you?”

“No need.” Lin Qingyu said indifferently, “You’ve never hung my portrait above the bed.”

Jiang Xing was startled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “This is different.”

Jiang Xing watched Lin Qingyu get into bed and covered him with the quilt. He even put both hands under the quilt and said, “Then I’m leaving. I’ll sleep in the guest room, you can find me if you need anything.”

Lin Qingyu gave a faint “en”. Not long ago, he was sharing the same bed with Jiang Xing, doing this and that, getting no sleep. But now he has to sleep in a separate bed. Outrageous!

Jiang Xing turned off the lamp for him. He walked to the door and remembered something. He asked, “By the way, Qingyu, do you prefer white?”

Lin Qingyu was slightly happy. “Did you remember?”

“I just remembered a few scenes, you seem to wear a lot of white and blue.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “Indeed.” He usually wore white but the Dayu’s uniform for officials was indigo, so he wore these two colors the most.

Jiang Xing asked again, “Which color do you prefer, white or blue?”

Lin Qingyu said, “White.”

Jiang Xing smiled. “Understood, good night.”

Before going to sleep, Jiang Xing tidied up Lin Qingyu’s fancy clothes and took a few photos with his mobile phone. He didn’t know much about Hanfu and modified Hanfu, so he decided to seek help from a professional. He remembered that Pei Zhiqi had joined the Hanfu club when she was in junior high school. So he sent the photo to Pei Zhiqi.

Jiang Xing: [How much do you think this modified Hanfu is worth?]

Pei Zhiqi: [! ! ! Where did you get that photo?!]

Jiang Xing: [Why so excited?]

Pei Zhiqi: [Check the local hot search!]

Jiang Xing opened Weibo, and sure enough, he saw two related trending searches: #Guangdong Hanfu Fair# and #His Highness the Crown Prince at large at the Hanfu Exhibit#.

Under the hot search were pictures of Lin Qingyu in his Chinese robes. He walked around the Hanfu exhibit with a chilly expression on his face, pulling up the attractiveness index of the whole event through his own efforts alone.

What the fuck did they mean His Highness the Crown Prince? This was obviously a beauty looking for his husband. Thinking that he was that husband, Jiang Xing chuckled, raised his hand and slowly covered his eyes.

… This was just too stimulating. Most people simply wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Pei Zhiqi looked at those photos repeatedly and said: [If I were asked to estimate the price, I think it would be worth upwards of a hundred thousand.]

Jiang Xing: [Too low.]

Early the next morning, Lin Qingyu woke up in Jiang Xing’s room. Faced with the unfamiliar surroundings, he was momentarily dazed. A day has passed and Xu Junyuan still hasn’t figured out a way to get them back. When he returns to the Dayu, he will definitely demolish Xu Junyuan’s newly expanded meditation room.

When Lin Qingyu went to the guest room, the boy on the bed was still fast asleep. Jiang Xing was used having the air conditioner quite low, so the quilt wrapped around his body was wrapped tightly. Only half of his side profile was exposed outside the quilt.

Lin Qingyu sat down by the bed, touched the boy’s dashing nose and then, without a shred of mercy, squeezed it.

Jiang Xing frowned. The air pressure around him seemed to have dropped. His eyes opened a slit, showing annoyance and sullenness. Lin Qingyu didn’t seem to care. He said, “It’s me.”

As expected, the boy was momentarily at a loss. When he saw clearly that it was him, the irritability in his eyes instantly disappeared. He smiled dimly at Lin Qingyu, closed his eyes again and in a voice that sounded a little nasal due to tiredness, said, “Let me sleep for a while longer, just a little while longer. Thank you, Baobei…”

For a moment, Lin Qingyu didn’t hear clearly, “What did you call me?”

Jiang Xing fell back asleep as soon as he closed his eyes. Lin Qingyu saw a book called “Five-Year College Entrance Examination, Three-Year Simulation” next to his pillow. The book was so big and thick that it could be used as a pillow.

He remembered that Jiang Xing must still be in his third year of high school. Jiang Xing said that in his hometown, the third year of high school was when people lacked sleep and rest the most. It was a rare vacation; maybe he should let him sleep for a while.

Lin Qingyu looked at the boy off in dreamland. Jiang Xing, who’d lost his memory of the past few years also seemed to be a few years younger. When Jiang Xing was Gu Fuzhou, he could act like a mature man on the outside no matter how he actually felt inside. Later, when Jiang Xing became the ruler of the country, he had cultivated himself to be a man equal to the task. One moment he was a magnanimous and tolerant wise king and the next, he was an emperor who held all completely in his power.

Jiang Xing in his hometown was more like Jiang Xing in Lu Wancheng’s time. If there weren’t so many things that happened later, Jiang Xing might have continued like this forever.

Some indescribable emotion surged in Lin Qingyu’s heart. He lifted up the quilt and got into bed. Finding his usual position in Jiang Xing’s arms, he lay there for a while but he kept feeling a little uncomfortable.

Lin Qingyu realized the source of the discomfort. He took Jiang Xing’s hand, and placed it on his waist.—Now, it felt right.

So, when Jiang Xing woke up sometime near noon, he realized that he’d gained a long-haired beauty in his arms. The beauty was resting on his arm, his shallow breathing ringing in his ears.

Jiang Xing’s body went as stiff as a zombie’s. His arm was already numb and might fall off at any moment. — When did Lin Qingyu get into bed?

He had a vague recollection of what had happened that morning. He was surprised that he showed no ill temper at all despite being woken up so early. Was that really me?

Jiang Xing didn’t dare to move. He carefully reached for his mobile phone on the bedside table. It was just the slightest of movements, but it woke up the light-sleeping beauty in his arms.

Jiang Xing lowered his head to meet Lin Qingyu’s eyes and said calmly, “Good morning?”

“Good morning.” Lin Qingyu said, “Did you remember something?”

Jiang Xing recalled carefully. “There are still only sporadic images in my mind.”

Lin Qingyu smiled inexplicably. It seems there were some thingsthat were already engraved deep in Jiang Xing’s soul. Even with his memories lost, his instincts remained. “Time to get up. It’s almost time for lunch.”

Lin Qingyu got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Yesterday Jiang Xing taught him how to wash using these modern tools. He was very interested in this thing called “electric toothbrush”. It would be amazing if it could be used to clean some difficult-to-clean herbs.

As Lin Qingyu was washing his face, he noticed Jiang Xing staring at him from behind. He raised his eyes and met Jiang Xing’s eyes through the mirror. “What?”

Jiang Xing came over and brushed his long hair behind his ears, “Your hair got wet.”

Lin Qingyu glanced sideways at his long hair that slipped onto his shoulder. “It’s a bit troublesome. Can you hold it for me?”

Do you even have to fucking ask?

Jiang Xing stood behind Lin Qingyu, and when Lin Qingyu leaned over to wash his face, he held Lin Qingyu’s long hair to prevent it from getting wet. Because the white T-shirt Lin Qingyu was wearing was too big, from his towering view, he could vaguely see the other’s fair neck and a pair of attractive butterfly bones.

Thank you, I have just been seduced.

The affairs of life are oh so impermanent. In his memory, at this time yesterday, he was still standing here alone brushing his teeth and washing his face but today he was helping his beautiful wife who fell from the sky by holding his hair.

“Do you have scissors at home?” Lin Qingyu wiped off the drops of water on his face, “I want to cut my long hair.” He had seen Jiang Xing with short hair in the Dayu. He’d wanted to try having short hair at that time but it was a pity that he was the prime minister first and then after, the empress. He had no choice but to be prudent when it came to his demeanor.

Jiang Xing came back to his senses and asked, “You want to cut it yourself?”

“En.”

“What if you give yourself a bad haircut?”

“It’s fine.” Lin Qingyu stated the facts calmly, “A bad haircut won’t make me any less beautiful.”

Jiang Xing stared at the long hair in his hand and said slowly, “I should still take you out to have it cut.”

Lin Qingyu could hear the regret in Jiang Xing’s tone and asked, “You don’t want me to cut it?”

“That’s not it.” Jiang Xing smiled, “It’s your hair and you can decide what you want to do with it.”

Lin Qingyu observed Jiang Xing’s expression and said, “I’ll cut it tomorrow. You can say a proper goodbye to my strands today.”

Jiang Xing fondled Lin Qingyu’s long hair lovingly. “Time is running out. I want to give each of them a name.”

“Do as you wish.”

Neither of them can cook so they could only order takeaway for lunch. “Qingyu, what do you want to eat?” He said boldly, “No need to be polite, order whatever you want.”

Lin Qingyu naturally wouldn’t be polite with his husband and the things he brought with him from the Dayu should be enough to improve Jiang Xing’s poor life. “Three delicacies fish fillet, stuffed crab, crystal dragon and phoenix cake and stir-fried seasonal vegetables — Let’s start with these for now.”

Jiang Xing hesitated. “Excuse me, can you repeat your order, Lord Prime Minister?”

Jiang Xing wanted to prepare lunch and, afraid that Lin Qingyu would be bored by himself, he turned on the TV in the living room so that Lin Qingyu could watch while he waited. In order to make it easier for Lin Qingyu to understand, he even deliberately chose a period drama. Lin Qingyu was immediately attracted by the TV and he learned to change the channel without having to be taught. He was so engrossed in watching that he didn’t even notice the doorbell ring.

Jiang Xing opened the door, accepted the lunch delivery and arranged the dishes on the dining table. “Qingyu, come and eat—Qingyu?”

He called three times in a row before Lin Qingyu responded to him. Seeing the dishes on the table, Lin Qingyu asked, “How did these get here?”

“Of course someone else cooked it. I haven’t learned enough cooking skills yet.” Jiang Xing paused, “Did you want me to cook it?”

“No need. But your family doesn’t have any servants, right?”

“Oh, I asked the steward for help.”

“The steward?” Lin Qingyu looked around, unable to believe it, “Your family needs a steward for this small piece of land?”

Jiang Xing explained weakly, “The steward isn’t mine alone. He’s the steward for all the owners but it is a personalized service. It comes with high-end properties and is part of the 20,000 to 30,000 yuan property management fee…” Seeing that Lin Qingyu was about to say something, Jiang Xing clasped his hands together in apology and said humbly, “Don’t scold me. Please don’t scold me. This child is well aware of his poverty.”

Lin Qingyu swallowed back his words and comforted him, “Things will get better.”

The dishes Lin Qingyu ordered were considered home-cooked dishes among the rich and powerful in the Dayu. But now they were in a foreign country. The taste naturally won’t be the same. It should have been improved. He tasted a few ingredient combinations he had never tried before. The taste was more layered.

Jiang Xing asked him, “Is it delicious?”

Lin Qingyu nodded lightly. “It’s not bad. It has its own distinct style, different from those produced by the Dayu’s Shangshi Bureau. It’s hard to tell which is better.”

Jiang Xing said in a drawn out manner, “It’s the least we can expect from a two-star Michelin restaurant.”

Lin Qingyu wondered. “What is Michelin?”

Jiang Xing earnestly educated his wife. “It’s a kind of tire.”

It is a joy to watch a beauty dine. Jiang Xing too had learned dining etiquette when he was a child but his loose personality and laziness made him want to eat in bed. How could his feigned for-outsiders manners compare to Lin Qingyu’s innate elegance?

When Lin Qingyu lowered his head to eat, his long hair would fall forward was well. He had to push back his hair from his face like a girl with long hair.

So fucking cute. Such an adorable beauty, could he really reign in all the civil and military officials as prime minister?

Jiang Xing was watching him with much enthusiasm when the landline in the living room rang, it was a call from the property manager. “Jiang Tongxue, I got your package and I’ve already sent someone to deliver it to you.”

“Okay, thank you.” Jiang Xing accepted the package then went to the study and rummaged through it. When he returned to the dining room, he had an old mobile phone in hand.

“This is the mobile phone I just got rid of and there’s a SIM card in it.” He said to Lin Qingyu, “It seems that an ID card is required to apply for new SIM cards so you can use this one in the meantime.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Alright, bring it here.”

Jiang Xing didn’t understand. “Bring what over there?”

Lin Qingyu asked suspiciously, “Aren’t you going to give me your old phone?”

“I’m just taking out the card inside.” Jiang Xing looked at him incredulously, “You even want to use my old phone? How dare you!”

Lin Qingyu raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“How could I possibly let you use my old mobile phone?” Jiang Xing held up the brand new box in his hand, “I’ve already taken you as my wife so, of course, you have to have the latest model.”

Lin Qingyu said helplessly, “There you go again. Aren’t you tired of this game?”

“Huh? Why did you say ‘again’?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Every time you give me something, it’s all very sudden and there’s never any warning.”

Jiang Xing was very satisfied. “As expected of me.” He opened the box and inside was a white mobile phone, “But this time, there was a warning.”

Lin Qingyu was slightly taken aback and then he understood. “This time doesn’t count and I don’t understand these things. If I did, I would definitely have been able to see through it.”

“That’s alright. If you don’t understand, I can teach you.” Jiang Xing inserted the SIM card and activated it, “First, I’ll teach you how to call me.”

“I’ll learn how to use the mobile phone later,” Lin Qingyu said, “I’ll finish watching the TV show first.”

“What show?”

What Lin Qingyu was so engrossed in was a Hong Kong police drama. Jiang Xing cut several kinds of fruits in the kitchen and brought them to the living room. He saw Lin Qingyu sitting on the carpet, staring intently at the TV.

“Qingyu, you shouldn’t sit so close to the TV or your eyes will tire.” Jiang Xing was stunned hearing himself say that and he couldn’t help complaining, “Hold on, I’m starting to sound like an old amah.”

Lin Qingyu raised his head to look at Jiang Xing. He stretched out his hands towards him. “Alright then, please carry me to the soft chair.”

Jiang Xing put down the fruit plate and sounded his agreement as nonchalantly as he could.

Don’t panic, you can do this. You can do this. This is your wife who you’ve been married to for more than four years. You’ve slept together who knows how many times. Right now, he’s just asking you to carry him, that’s all. Why the fuck as you so nervous?

After making the proper mental preparations, Jiang Xing calmly picked up the clingy beauty and placed him on the sofa. He told him, “This soft chair is called a sofa.”

Lin Qingyu said, “I’ll kept that in mind.” Michelin and sofa. He learned two new words today.

Lin Qingyu seemed completely unaware of his subconsciously acting spoiled just now. His attention was still all on the TV. Jiang Xing sat down beside him and watched TV with him. The air conditioner was turned on a little low, Lin Qingyu covered his shoulders with a thin blanket and automatically leaned his head on Jiang Xing’s shoulders.

Lin Qingyu’s movements were so natural. It seemed that they’d done something similar countless times before.

But the problem was, he didn’t remember. Lin Qingyu’s casual words and actions were huge physical and mental stimulus to him.

This really made him look so naive. It’s so unfair.

Jiang Xing was filled with so much grief and indignation that he didn’t even register what was on TV. Until he heard Lin Qingyu ask, “Jiang Xing, what’s that?”

Jiang Xing glanced at the screen, where a gunfight between police and gangsters was playing out. “Those are handguns, firearms. They use gunpowder to fire bullets. One of the most common weapons in modern times.”

“Weapon?” Lin Qingyu looked at the gun in the protagonist’s hand and watched as he knocked down an enemy in the blink of an eye, “It seems to be more powerful than Qingyun Jiuzhou Spear.”

“That’s right. Times have changed, My Lord.”

“And how does that compare to my little poisonous snake?”

“The gun is probably more powerful. I’m guessing your little poisonous snake would still need some time for its poison to take effect.”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “It’s that powerful? I want it.”

Jiang Xing couldn’t help laughing. “That’s a really tall order. Here, only the police can have guns. This way, it’ll be faster for them to catch and subdue the bad guys.”

“What kind of crime did that man commit for the police to catch him?”

Jiang Xing could only guess the plot based on fragmented details. “It seems he seduced a minor or something.”

Lin Qingyu frowned. “So it’s against the law to seduce minors? And if you do, you’ll be caught by the police with guns?”

“More or less.”

Lin Qingyu fell into deep thought. After a long time, he sat up slowly, moved his head away from Jiang Xing’s shoulder and shifted a bit away. “Jiang Xing, I actually lied to you.”

“Ah?”

When we were in the Dayu, we weren’t husband and wife, but brothers with different surnames, sworn brothers.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

“Truly, we made an oath with blood and swore before heaven and earth.”

What Lin Qingyu said was true. When Jiang Xing was still Lu Wancheng, he’d clamored every day for them to call each other ‘brother’. Later on, he acquiesced and they held a ceremony to be sworn brothers.

Jiang Xing was silent for nearly a minute. Then he suddenly smiled. “Come on, it’s too late for you to say this now.” He leaned back on the sofa, looking lazy. He raised his hand and touched Lin Qingyu’s cheek with his fingertips, “Although I haven’t remembered everything, I can feel it—I’m certain of it. You’re my wife.”

133

Extra Story 11

It only took Lin Qingyu half a day to learn how to use most of the functions of the mobile phone; though his typing speed was no match for the average teenager. Jiang Xing suggested that he use voice-to-text conversion. Lin Qingyu spoke Mandarin in a very standard manner and his speed of speech was also just right making it so that there were almost no errors in recognition.

Aside from communication, a phone’s biggest function is for entertainment. Jiang Xing said, “Shall I download a few games for you to play? Since you are still a novice, I will teach you how to play Anipop first and then I’ll teach you how to play Jungler, given your personality I think you suit Jungler best.”

Lin Qingyu said, “This matter of playing the jungle will be discussed later. The most important thing now is that you teach me how to search and look up information on my mobile phone.”

Jiang Xing asked, “What do you want to look up?”

“A lot.”

Jiang Xing taught Lin Qingyu to surf the Internet and Lin Qingyu once again fell into a state of ecstasy. Jiang Xing also had something to check so he sat next to Lin Qingyu and while looking things up, he fed Lin Qingyu bites of after-meal fruit.

He didn’t know how long Lin Qingyu was going to stay in modern times. According to Lin Qingyu, if they wished to return to the Dayu, it would depend on a man named Xu Junyuan. In modern society, it could be said that without an ID card, even moving around would be difficult.

So here comes the question, how does a black householder get an ID card?

The procedures listed online were complex and complicated and Jiang Xing grew dizzy just looking at the never-ending list of relevant policies. He decided to ask his grandfather’s omnipotent assistant for help. He made a phone call to explain his request and the assistant readily agreed. She told him to take the black householder to accomplish the formalities once the holidays were over but to leave the rest to her.

When he came back from his phone call, he saw that Lin Qingyu had gone to the balcony. He was facing the Pearl River, his long hair was buffeted by the winds, his fair face carrying a dignified expression.

Jiang Xing asked, “Qingyu, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Lin Qingyu, seemingly weak and weary, passed the phone to Jiang Xing. “The girl who helped me find you last time, please add her on WeChat for me.”

Lin Qingyu’s mobile phone interface was still on his browser and there was a series of search records on it:

[Is a gunshot wound fatal and how to heal it.]

[You can’t do anything to minors, restrictions on minors]

[Is it illegal to have a relationship with a minor?]

[What is the best medical institution in the country?]

[Where can I buy poison?]

[Can I keep poisonous snakes?]

[Criminal Law]

Jiang Xing: …

He now had a guess as to why the villainous beauty looked as though he’d suffered such a serious setback. Sorry, we really can’t poison people here.

Jiang Xing added Ke Tang and returned the phone to Lin Qingyu. Ke Tang sent several cute cat emoticons, Lin Qingyu pressed the voice button to reply. “Thank you for helping me find my hus-…for helping me find Jiang Xing.”

Jiang Xing had a premonition that the wife he’d just acquired was about to fly away. He tactfully changed the subject. “Qingyu, do you want to go out for a stroll?”

“Not really.” Lin Qingyu said softly, “I’m a little tired.”

“You don’t want to drink milk tea?”

Lin Qingyu hesitated for a moment. “I do.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Then I’ll call the driver to pick us up.”

Lin Qingyu was not very happy. “But I want to be alone with you, without other people around.”

Jiang Xing was troubled. “Then what should I do? I don’t know how to drive and I can’t wrong you by making you ride a bike with me, that’d be so tiring.” And Lin Qingyu didn’t know how to ride a bike anyway. This luxury apartment was located in the most prosperous area of the city, within walking distance to the commercial center. But how can he let the ancient beauty walk with him? He had to take Lin Qingyu to experience the convenience of modern transportation.

So, the property’s steward received Jiang Xing’s call for help once again, “Can you rent me a scooter?”

Lin Qingyu went out wearing Jiang Xing’s clothes and shoes. The shoes were from Jiang Xing’s junior high school days but they were just the right size for Lin Qingyu and although the clothes were a little loose, they were decent. With his mask on and his long hair loose, he looked like a girl in her boyfriend’s clothes.

Lin Qingyu followed Jiang Xing downstairs, where the steward had already prepared the electric scooter and helmets. The steward repeatedly confirmed with Jiang Xing: “You really don’t want me to call a car for you?”

“No, this is more convenient——Qingyu, look up. Put on this helmet.”

Lin Qingyu was still chatting with Ke Tang: [Let’s talk later, I’m going to ride a scooter.]

Ke Tang: […You’re going to ride what?]

Lin Qingyu: [A scooter.]

Ke Tang: [Huhuhu, can’t your husband take you on something bigger? What if you two don’t fit?]

This car called a “scooter” was indeed a tad bit small for the two grown men and Lin Qingyu couldn’t help wondering if it could even support their combined weight.

Jiang Xing patted the back seat of the scooter. “Come on.”

Lin Qingyu hesitated. “Will this be better than a car?”

“Of course.” Jiang Xing said with a smile, “You’ll never get stuck in traffic on this thing. Isn’t that good enough?”

Lin Qingyu straddled up and clasped his sides tightly with both hands. Jiang Xing said, “Put your arms around my waist and hold on tight.”

Lin Qingyu remained motionless and asked, “Does hugging your waist count as seducing you?”

“No, it’s called good safety awareness. Not only will you not be caught by the police, but you will also be praised.”

Only then did Lin Qingyu hug Jiang Xing tightly from behind, pressing his face against his back. The scooter started to move. Though the speed varied greatly from a car, it was surprisingly refreshing and comfortable. The trees on both sides gradually receded as the two of them left the community and came onto the public streets. The breeze blew away the summer heat.

When they arrived by the commercial area’s sidewalk, Jiang Xing parked his scooter and took off Lin Qingyu’s helmet for him. Lin Qingyu’s long hair had been pressed flat by the helmet and blown into a mess by the wind. The top of his head was about to puff up. Jiang Xing hid his smile behind his mask and smoothed Lin Qingyu’s hair with his hands.

Lin Qingyu let Jiang Xing fix his hair and asked, “Where’s the milk tea?”

Nowadays, almost every street had a milk tea shop. Jiang Xing chose a popular brand and spent the huge sum of 70 yuan to buy two cups of their signature milk tea. While paying, he demonstrated to Lin Qingyu step by step how to use mobile phones to make mobile payments.

Jiang Xing remembered that there was no money in Lin Qingyu’s WeChat, so turning around slightly, he made a fund transfer.

After a while, Lin Qingyu received a message: [Jiang Xing has transferred 5,200 yuan to you]

Lin Qingyu looked up at Jiang Xing: “What does this mean?”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Milk tea money for my wife.”

The milk tea this time was indeed much better than the last time’s; although not by a hundred times, at least ten times. The two walked down the street holding a cup of milk tea each. Even though they were wearing masks, they still attracted looks from many passers-by because of their height and temperament. Especially Lin Qingyu, who would take off his mask to drink milk tea from time to time. As soon as he showed the other half of his face, passers-by would realize that this was not some young couple.

When passing by a small goods store, Jiang Xing, seeing that most of the customers were girls, suggested, “Qingyu, let’s go in and have a look?”

Lin Qingyu, not knowing what kind of shop it was, simply nodded, “Alright.”

As soon as he entered the shop, Lin Qingyu smelled a strange fragrance. He found the source of the smell, which turned out to be a row of scented candles — he didn’t know the similarities and differences between the fragrances here and the Dayu’s.

Jiang Xing found the accessories area by himself. He didn’t understand anything about girls’ things so he asked the clerk for help, “My wife’s hair is too long and it always gets wet when she washes her face. Apart from a rubber band is there anything that can help with that?”

He asked openly and earnestly, with bright and beautiful eyes, so that the clerk showed 100% enthusiasm and replied, “How about buying a hairpin, or a headband? Our cat ears headband is one of our bestsellers. It’s…”

As Lin Qingyu was studying the ingredients of the candles, he felt someone approach him from behind. He thought it was Jiang Xing, but when he turned around, he saw a strange man. The man combed back his shiny black hair and grinned at him. “Pretty girl, are you here by yourself? You’re so tall, are you a model?”

Lin Qingyu frowned in disgust. Seems there are Disciples of Greasiness in every world.

Intentionally or unintentionally, the man was fiddling with his car keys. “Let’s add each other on WeChat. Next time, I’ll treat you to coffee.”

There was a girl standing behind the man, her eyes were filled with disgust and impatience. “Ge, that’s enough. Can’t you tell when someone doesn’t want to talk to you?”

Unwilling to give up, the man took out his trump card. “Pretty girl, I’m 1.84 meters tall, a little taller than you.”

Was cursing someone out illegal here?

Before Lin Qingyu could tell him to ‘take a hike’, a baseball cap was pressed down onto his head.

“I’m sorry, handsome.” Jiang Xing pulled down the brim of the cap to cover Lin Qingyu’s face and said casually, “You’re talking to my wife right now.”

The man saw that Jiang Xing looked like a student, so he flashed him his car keys again. He said, “Maybe your girlfriend, but not your wife.”

Jiang Xing smiled politely, “My wife.”

Although they didn’t get a certificate, they did have a matchmaker’s introduction and three matches and six engagements and that makes him his wife.

But in the eyes of men, a high school student with a wife is like a kid playing house. “Alright, fine, your wife. But I just want to make friends with your wife. Don’t get me wrong, Xiao Shuai Ge.”

Jiang Xing saw the man’s car keys and silently took out his electric scooter keys. The man let out a light cough to hide his happiness at his win. He wanted to say something, but the girl standing beside him held him back. “Let’s go, I’ve finished shopping——”

The girl used all sorts of excuses and finally pulled the man out. The man felt that he had lost face and asked his sister, “Why did you stop me? Are you afraid of some scooter-riding student couple?”

“Don’t make a fool of yourself.” The girl said contemptuously, “Do you know how much that boy’s shoes cost?”

“Just how much can a pair of shoes cost?”

The girl snorted coldly, “The money you paid for that second-hand BMW is probably just barely enough to buy him two pairs. And you want to hook up with his girlfriend? Lol, what face do you have?”

The man sneered and said, “If he had that much money then why take a scooter? Those shoes must be fake.”

“Oh, get over yourself. You think they’re take a scooter because that’s the only thing they can afford. Haven’t you heard that bringing out your girlfriend to experience life is the latest thing? Even riding scooters is fun.”

Lin Qingyu looked at the man’s departing back and said two words to himself. “…Criminal law.”

Jiang Xing’s forehead twitched. “I ask the Lord Prime Minister to be magnanimous with his patience.”

There were few boys with long hair and Lin Qingyu’s brows and eyes looked delicate. It wasn’t surprising that that wretched man would mistake him for a girl.

After walking out of the shop, Jiang Xing suddenly laughed and said, “Qingyu, I…I want to hold hands with you.”

Jiang Xing’s tone was full of youthful nervousness, which reminded Lin Qingyu of the years when they were still in the Nan’an Hou’s mansion.

Who could refuse Jiang Xing when he was like this?

Lin Qingyu looked left and right then stretched out his hand. “Alright.”

Two slender hands were clasped together. On their other hand, the two were still holding their unfinished milk tea. Flushed faces were hidden under the masks and even though their palms are hot and sweaty, they did not let go. They were no different from other young couples in love strolling along the street.

When Lin Qingyu saw the traffic policeman directing traffic at the intersection, he immediately let go of Jiang Xing’s hand and walked forward quickly, leaving Jiang Xing alone in confusion. At this moment, Jiang Xing had the impression of being caught by the head teacher doing PDA.

Lin Qingyu took two steps and then looked back at Jiang Xing, urging with his eyes: Are you not following?

Jiang Xing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, he chased after Lin Qingyu and took Lin Qingyu’s hand again. “Don’t be nervous, Baobei. At most, this is just puppy love. The policeman uncle won’t arrest you.”

Actually, it probably can’t technically count as puppy love. According to Lin Qingyu, his actual age has already past the legal age of marriage.

Lin Qingyu turned thoughtful. He took out his mobile phone and searched: [Is puppy love against the law?]

Answer: Puppy love is not illegal, but students are advised to focus on their studies. We do not advocate puppy love, especially during the all-important third year of high school! Reject puppy love! Start with me!

Lin Qingyu: …

134

Extra Story 12

In the evening, the two had a hot pot meal. Lin Qingyu had also eaten hot pot in the Dayu and didn’t think there was anything new about it. The only thing that he found strange was that before the meal, Jiang Xing soaked their bowls and chopsticks in hot tea, as if performing some kind of mysterious ceremony.

The waiter thoughtfully brought them aprons and oil-proof bags for their phones. There was even a hair tie for Lin Qingyu so that he could tie his hair up.

“Wait a minute.” Jiang Xing took out a bear hair tie, “I bought it for you, use mine.”

Lin Qingyu was not satisfied. “Why is it a bear?”

Jiang Xing said, “Because I couldn’t find a little snake. You can use the little bear first and I’ll buy a little snake hair tie online for you later.”

Lin Qingyu took the hair tie. “That’s not necessary. I’ll just make do with this.”

Lin Qingyu tied his long hair with the bear hair tie and then sat waiting for Jiang Xing to feed him. Jiang Xing mixed a dipping sauce for him, swearing that it was the Jiang Family’s secret ancestral recipe and that if Lin Qingyu hadn’t been his wife, he wouldn’t have passed it on to an outsider.

Lin Qingyu, still worrying about the dangers of puppy love, hesitantly said, “You’re underage. It seems that you cannot have a wife.”

Jiang Xing was forced to compromise. “Alright, not a wife but what about a boyfriend?”

It was the first time Lin Qingyu has heard this form of address and asked in confusion, “Boyfriend?”

Jiang Xing explained the meaning of boyfriend to Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu said, “Very well. From now on in your hometown, you will be my boyfriend.”

Jiang Xing heaved a sigh, “The more you live, the more you regress.”

The two of them were halfway through eating when guests came to occupy the next table. It was a family of three. The dad was pushing the baby carriage and a little boy about a year old was sitting inside, looking at them curiously with big round eyes.

Jiang Xing stared at the baby carriage, his hand, holding his chopsticks with vegetables, hanging in the air. His eyes slackened. Why did he feel like he’d been in a stroller that needed to be pushed… a wheelchair?

Suddenly, Jiang Xing said in a low voice, “Damn, Qingyu.”

Lin Qingyu’s hand shook and the beef ball he had picked up with great difficulty fell back into the pot. “What is it? You scared me.”

“I remembered.” Jiang Xing was a little excited, “I remembered that I went to the Dayu.”

Lin Qingyu was momentarily stunned and forgot all about the beef ball. “Really?”

Jiang Xing nodded excitedly. “So I really didn’t die, and was reborn as General Gu?”

Lin Qingyu felt that something was a bit wrong. “What do you mean by that?”

“Uh, I did remember but I didn’t remember completely.” Jiang Xing spread his hands, “I just remembered what happened when I was Lu Wancheng. I still haven’t remembered those things you told me happened when I was Gu Fuzhou.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Could it be that the recovery of his memories will come by the lifetime? First Lu Wancheng, then Gu Fuzhou, and finally Xiao Li?

Jiang Xing was immersed in his memories. “So, after I became Gu Fuzhou, I chased after you? Did I confess to you?” Jiang Xing couldn’t help sighing, “They weren’t wrong when they said I showed such promise. A display worthy of me.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing silently. No matter how much memory has been restored, Jiang Xing was still Jiang Xing. His nature has not changed at all. In just a few days, he recovered his memory of his previous life. It won’t take long for him to fully recover.

Lin Qingyu wasn’t too worried. He still even got it in him to joke with Jiang Xing, “You think that it’d been up to you? Learn the “Book of Songs” by heart first.”

Jiang Xing’s smile gradually disappeared: “…No, don’t tell me that you were the one who chased me? You were the one who confessed to me? I was that much of a loser in love? No, I don’t believe it.”

Lin Qingyu continued to enjoy his beef balls and said lightly. “I don’t know. Maybe you should remember it for yourself.”

Jiang Xing’s memory only returned up to the night when Lu Wancheng died of illness. He was full of curiosity and thirst for knowledge about what happened later. He asked while cooking Lin Qingyu’s tripe. “Didn’t you still like girls? Why would you marry my second reincarnation?”

“Why do you think?”

“I didn’t embarrass General Gu, did I?”

“No.”

“What happened to the rest of the Nan’an Hou Mansion?”

“They’re basically alive.”

“What about Shen Huaishi?”

“He’s doing fine.”

Jiang Xing paused for a minute, as if wanting to confirm, then asked, “Qingyu, do you really like me?”

“En.”

Jiang Xing rested his chin on his hand and looked at the ponytail-ed great beauty opposite him. “What do you like about me?”

Lin Qingyu raised his eyes and glanced at him. “I like that you look good, you will always be eighteen years old.”

Jiang Xing didn’t know whether he believed it or not. He said with a smile, “I love this reason—then when did you fall in love with me?”

Lin Qingyu didn’t give an answer immediately. When did he fall in love with Jiang Xing? Was it during the Lantern Festival of that year? Or when he married Gu Fuzhou? Or was it even earlier?

Perhaps as early as when they were in the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion, his love for Lu Wancheng had already sprouted, but at that time he hadn’t known what it was. He only knew that Lu Wancheng was bound to die, even if he sensed his feelings, he didn’t dare go through with it.

Jiang Xing, who now only had his memories of that life, in a mysterious was making up for the regrets while he’d been Lu Wancheng.

“Qingyu?”

Lin Qingyu came back to his senses, and was about to answer but discovered something important, “You’re overcooking the tripe.”

In order to gain more value from the hair tie Jiang Xing had bought him Lin Qingyu kept his long hair for a few more days. Jiang Xing took out his dusty camera and took picture after picture of Lin Qingyu’s face; whether it was a picture worthy moment or not, it didn’t matter.

Lin Qingyu was wearing the cat ears headband and he had just finished washing his face when he heard a voice, “Qingyu, turn around.”

Lin Qingyu’s face suddenly appeared in the viewfinder. Under the dim and warm light in the bathroom, his face seemed to emit a soft glow.

Jiang Xing stared in a daze and forgot to press the shutter button. He said like a sigh, “…fuck.”

Lin Qingyu took off the cat-ears headband and let his long hair fall down. “High school students shouldn’t swear so much. If you’ve taken enough pictures, I’ll cut my hair short today. Long hair here is inconvenient after all.” He didn’t want his gender to be mistaken every time he went out.

Jiang Xing had no objections to this. Lin Qingyu with long hair was amazing, but he was also looking forward to Lin Qingyu’s short hair. “Okay, I’ll help you find a reliable Mr. Tony.”

His Mr. Tony had opened a studio and attained the legendary title of chief stylist. In his hands, Jiang Xing’s hair has never come out wrong. But Lin Qingyu didn’t think this meant much. After all, even when Jiang Xing cut his hair haphazardly, he still came out looking really good.

After heaping tons of praise onto Lin Qingyu’s face and hair, Tony asked, “What kind of hairstyle would Shuai Ge like?”

Jiang Xing said, “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Shuai Ge has such fair skin. We can try dyeing it a light color to match his facial features. We’ll go with the aloof and noble son style, which also matches his temperament.” Tony said, exaggerating, “To be honest, the moment I saw him, it made me want to kneel down and pay him my respects.”

Jiang Xing asked Lin Qingyu, “Do you want to dye your hair?”

Lin Qingyu said, “That’s not necessary. I don’t want to attract too much attention.”

Tony smiled and said, “That’ll probably be a bit difficult.”

Jiang Xing said, “He doesn’t want the cold and noble son look. If you can, just try to make him look simple and open. Oh, by the way, can you cut a lock of his hair as a souvenir for me?”

Lin Qingyu’s long hair, which he’d been growing for twenty years, was cut short for the first time. Without the cover of his long hair, the contours of his face became more distinct, which somewhat magnified his delicate facial features. Tony cut him some bangs and they covered his brows a little. If he bows his head slightly, it can somewhat slow down the swift and fierce attack of his good looks.

Lin Qingyu looked at himself in the mirror. It looked both familiar and unfamiliar. The face was the same face but his hair has gone from long to short and it gave off a different feel; a little less luxurious and a little more refreshing.

A hand was gently placed on Lin Qingyu’s hair. Lin Qingyu looked up at Jiang Xing, waiting for his evaluation. Mr. Tony on the side was full of praise. He kept calling him good-looking, dignified, handsome, and beautiful. All oft repeated things.

Jiang Xing locked eyes with him through the mirror and he held his gaze for a couple of seconds. He then looked away first and said with a smile, “You look bewitching, Baobei. Now, I won’t be able to pin down your hair in the future.”

When Jiang Xing was signing to pay the bill, from the corner of his eye, he saw Tony and Lin Qingyu chatting for a while. The two left the studio and before Jiang Xing could ask, Lin Qingyu gave Jiang Xing the business card that Tony had given him. It was a business card of a scout from an entertainment company. It wasn’t surprising that Tony would know someone in that circle.

With the business card between his fingers, Jiang Xing flung it like a playing card straight into the trash can by the sidewalk. “Qingyu, when I go back to school, I won’t be with you 24 hours a day anymore. You…”

Lin Qingyu knew what he was going to say, and said: “It’s okay, I have a mobile phone, an air conditioner and milk tea. You can go to school with peace of mind.”

Jiang Xing had no choice but to accept it. “Seems you’ve stumbled onto the true meaning of a modern man’s life.”

On the last day of the holiday, they didn’t go back to Zhujiang New Town but went to Jiang Xing’s apartment near the school. In order to sleep an extra half an hour each morning, Jiang Xing usually stayed here save for the holidays. The houses near the school were all of a certain age and its outside appearance couldn’t compare to the large apartments beside the Pearl River. The area was also on the small side. But the interior design wasn’t the least bit sloppy. The apartment was only a five-minute walk from Jiang Xing’s high school. Even the ten minute breaks between classes would be enough for Jiang Xing to climb over the wall, get back home and take a look at his wife.

Jiang Xing bought and downloaded all the literary classics of Chinese medicine that he could find onto the e-book reader. He then signed up to all the video streaming sites and finally he personally taught Lin Qingyu how to play games. “If you still feel bored, just send me a WeChat message and I will ask for leave to come back to accompany you.”

Lin Qingyu was playing the game and said absent-mindedly, “Alright.”

Jiang Xing thought about it from every angle. In the end, he still couldn’t bear to let his beautiful wife stay at home alone. Half-truthfully, he said, “Qingyu, how about I drop out of school? I want to stay with you. In any case, when we return to the Dayu, it seems like this diploma won’t be of any use.”

Lin Qingyu was fighting in a team battle and didn’t even raise his head. “Not necessarily, nothing learned is ever wasted. If you successfully complete your studies, at least, the Dayu’s monarch will be a high school graduate instead of a dropout.”

Jiang Xing sighed. “Okay, then you continue playing. I have to get some things done.”

Lin Qingyu asked casually, “What do you need to do?”

Jiang Xing was full of resentment. “I need to cram. I’ve got to finish my homework.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

135

Extra Story 13

Jiang Xing wrote not a single word of his homework the entire seven day National Day holidays. Lin Qingyu watched as he opened the schoolbag that had been lying in the corner the entire time and took out a large stack of exercise sheets. Judging by the thickness, there must be at least twenty pages.

Lin Qingyu asked, “How long does it take you finish one exercise sheet?”

Jiang Xing took off the cap of his pen. Twirling the ballpoint pen, he said casually, “At least half an hour.”

After a rough calculation, he concluded Jiang Xing might not be able to complete his homework even if he stays up all night. Lin Qingyu was reminded of those days when Jiang Xing had been buried under scrolls and scrolls of official reports. It was both funny and infuriating. “If you knew you had such a difficult task, why did you delay doing it until now? What have you been doing the past six days?”

Jiang Xing raised his eyebrows. “How about you tell me what I’ve been doing?”

“Don’t blame this on me.” Lin Qingyu immediately exposed the truth, “Even without me around, you would definitely have still delayed doing it until the last day.”

“Damn it.” Jiang Xing randomly pulled out a math exercise sheet, glanced at the question and wrote down the answer. “I’m in such a miserable state, yet you still won’t let me blame you.”

Lin Qingyu said coldly. “Of course not.”

In the Dayu, Lin Qingyu would occasionally stay up late with Jiang Xing to review reports. It never occurred to him that there would be a day when, despite the absence of reports, he would still stay up late with Jiang Xing to do his homework.

Inside the study, the desk lamp was turned on and on the table, were two cups of milk tea. One was doing homework while the other was playing games. They did their own things quietly, without disturbing the other. Jiang Xing finished an exercise sheet, he dropped his pen and looked at Lin Qingyu. He saw Lin Qingyu, with headphones on, pick up his milk tea to take a sip. But because his eyes couldn’t leave the phone screen, his lips were met with air. He tried twice before successfully catching the straw.

Jiang Xing chuckled. He was thinking of going over to Lin Qingyu to cling to him when he heard Lin Qingyu ask, “What does a Magic Spike mean? My teammates are asking if I can fill in as a Magic Spike.”

In the game, a Magic Spike refers to a mage who can be an assassin. Usually, the level of operation needed to play this type is higher than for other types of mages. Lin Qingyu had just started to play tower defense games; Jiang Xing has only taught him two or three easy-to-play heroes, enough for a low-level newcomer.

“Don’t pay attention to them.” Jiang Xing said, “Just play as you know how to play.”

Lin Qingyu said, “I also want to try other things.” Saying so, he chose a hero who had complicated combos and somewhat complex machanics.

Jiang Xing couldn’t stop him, Lin Qingyu had already locked onto the hero. Jiang Xing hesitated to speak, “If your teammates curse at you, let me help you play.”

Lin Qingyu said, “No need, you can just help me curse back at them.”

Jiang Xing stopped doing his homework. He went to Lin Qingyu’s side to watch him play. Four minutes into the game, a wave of small team battles erupted between the two sides. Lin Qingyu successfully took off with an impressive combo and took first blood.

Jiang Xing was a little confused. “This…” There was a high probability that it was merely a coincidence.

Seeing Lin Qingyu successfully pull off three consecutive moves, Jiang Xing became more and more confused. He couldn’t help asking, “Qingyu, have you practiced this hero before?”

“No, it’s my first time playing.”

“Then how did you manage to take off?”

Lin Qingyu asked, puzzled, “Well, it was explained pretty clearly in the skill description, wasn’t it? If you want to take off then you just play according to the description.”

Jiang Xing was silent for three seconds. He then smiled and said, “Yes, yes, yes. It’s that simple. You go on then. I’ll continue answering my homework.”

Jiang Xing had procastinaed on too much homework and he didn’t finish until early in the morning. Lin Qingyu was first to give up and he fell asleep lying on the table. Jiang Xing picked him up, carrying him bridal style. He wanted to take him to sleep in the master bedroom before going back to continue on his fight but seeing Lin Qingyu’s sleeping face, he felt a little bit reluctant.

Starting tomorrow, he won’t be able to be with Lin Qingyu 24 hours a day.

So, he moved his work from the study to the bedroom. He emptied the things from the bedside table and turned it into his temporary desk. He sat cross-legged on the floor, with the bed beside him — Lin Qingyu was sleeping next to him.

In the middle of the night, Lin Qingyu opened his eyes. Half-asleep, he saw that the bedside light was still on and called out, “…Jiang Xing?”

Jiang Xing immediately stopped writing. “Did I wake you up?”

Lin Qingyu was sleepy. “Why haven’t you finished yet?”

“Soon.” Jiang Xing patted Lin Qingyu’s back like he was putting a child to sleep, “You go to sleep first.”

Lin Qingyu nodded and closed his eyes obediently. Just like that, Jiang Xing gently patted Lin Qingyu’s back with his left hand as he wrote down the answers one by one with his right.

Jiang Xing struggled until three o’clock in the morning when he finally finish his homework. He went to bed weakly and lay down beside Lin Qingyu. With his last bit of willpower, he adjusted the alarm clock to go off half an hour earlier.

Lin Qingyu went to bed late last night and so, he woke up late the next day. When he woke up, Jiang Xing was already packing his things, looking sluggish and sleepy.

“Are you going to school already?” Lin Qingyu asked.

“Yeah. I’ve already bought breakfast and put it on the dining table, remember to eat it.” Jiang Xing hurriedly stuffed his textbooks and exercise sheets into his schoolbag. Although the alarm clock had gone off on time, he still couldn’t help staying in bed for ten minutes more. He then went to buy breakfast for Lin Qingyu. He was most probably going to be late. “Auntie will come to clean and cook at noon. I’ve already told her that you’re at home so you can just tell her what you want to eat.”

Lin Qingyu nodded in response. “Alright, you better get going.”

Jiang Xing fastened his schoolbag on his back and rushed to the door. He stopped suddenly, turned back, and threw himself on the bed. Lin Qingyu groaned, pressed to the bed by the weight of Jiang Xing and his schoolbag. Lin Qingyu asked, “What are you doing?”

Jiang Xing leaned over and pressed a kiss on Lin Qingyu’s forehead. “I want to kiss you before leaving.”

Lin Qingyu was slightly taken aback.

“Fuck, I’m really going to be late.” Jiang Xing ran away after kissing him, “I’ll be going, Qingyu.”

Lin Qingyu raised his hand and touched his forehead. Jiang Gongzi… No, it should be Classmate Jiang. Once again going out with his first love, he was still very reserved — or, panicky might be a better word.

Jiang Xing’s “Auntie” was a middle-aged woman who worked quickly and talked little. She would come only at lunch time to cook and while she’s there, she would clean up as well. For most of the time, Lin Qingyu was alone at home. He didn’t feel bored though. A modern medical book was enough to keep him occupied for the rest of the day.

Lin Qingyu was so immersed in his book that he didn’t even play much. After an unknown amount of time, the sound of a key turning came from the living room. Lin Qingyu glanced at the time. It was still too early for Jiang Xing to get off school. Did the Auntie come in early?

When he came to the living room, before he could see who had come, he was hugged and knocked back a couple of steps.

“Qingyu…!”

It was Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing was wearing his school uniform, panting slightly. It was apparent that he had run all the way home from school.

He hugged Lin Qingyu tightly. Confused, Lin Qingyu asked, “What’s the matter with you?”

Jiang Xing said in a low voice, “I sent you so many messages and even called you. Why didn’t you answer?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Sorry, I didn’t see it.”

His phone was in the living room and turned to silent. He hasn’t yet developed the habit of carrying his mobile phone with him all the time and looking at it whenever he had nothing to do.

Jiang Xing mumbled, “You’re really going to scare me to death.”

“What’s so scary about this?” Lin Qingyu pushed Jiang Xing away, walked to one side and picked up his phone, “When I see it, naturally, I’ll reply to you.”

Jiang Xing sighed, “Qingyu, please do me a favor. Please do not not answer my calls, please do not not reply to my messages. I know it’s unrealistic for you to reply in seconds but check your phone at least every hour — or even every two hours, okay? I hadn’t heard from you for so long that I couldn’t focus in class.”

Lin Qingyu flipped through the messages sent by Jiang Xing. Since Jiang Xing arrived at the school, he sent several messages every so often.

[Qingyu, I’m in the classroom. As soon as I entered, I was stopped by number two. He asked me how many exercise sheets I’d done during the holiday. He said that in addition to the twenty sets assigned by the teacher, he answered ten more. I feel like he’s trying to screw me over.]

[This “Li Sao” is a bit difficult to memorize… Worried.]

[Hello? Is anyone there?]

[Qingyu? ? ? ]

[Have mercy on this child…]

Lin Qingyu said, “What do you mean so long? It’s only been two hours.”

Jiang Xing choked. “Two hours isn’t long enough?”

Despite how well Lin Qingyu has been adapting to modern society, he was a man from ancient times after all. Without getting a response from Lin Qingyu, Jiang Xing’s imagination would inevitably run wild. He worried about whether Lin Qingyu went out and got into trouble. He worried about if Lin Qingyu encountered any difficulties at home. He even worried that Lin Qingyu might just disappear.

Lin Qingyu said, “Even when we were in the Dayu, we couldn’t just let Xiao Songzi run to and fro delivering messages all the time.”

Jiang Xing shook his head. “It’s different. You don’t belong to this world, you came here because of me. If you disappeared suddenly, I would think…” Jiang Xing laughed at himself, “I would think that you went back to the Dayu alone. On my way back here, I was even wondering if I would need to get hit by a car again before I could go back and find you. If that’s the case, then I can only…”

Lin Qingyu’s face changed slightly and he interrupted him, voice cold, “Don’t say such stupid things.”

Jiang Xing complained, “That’s why you can’t scare me like this.”

Lin Qingyu suddenly realized that Jiang Xing, like him, was also afraid of being separated and losing the other. And this was after just recovering the memory of his first life. Jiang Xing has only experienced their separation once. How would Jiang Xing feel once he remembers them being separated a second time? Even if he did manage to return in the end, faced with a Lin Qingyu who had been on the verge of collapse, Jiang Xing still had to reason with him, comfort him, coax him and give him enough sense of security——And Jiang Xing was even a year younger than him.

Perhaps, Jiang Xing was just as affected as he was about their repeated separations only that he never showed it.

Lin Qingyu adjusted the collar of Jiang Xing’s school uniform and said softly, “Okay, from now on I will try to promptly reply to your messages.”

Just try?

Jiang Xing was still not satisfied. He grabbed Lin Qingyu’s shoulder and said with a serious expression, “Qingyu, here in our place, it is against the law not to reply to your boyfriend’s messages within two hours.”

Lin Qingyu was silent for a moment and then asked, “Do I look that easy to deceive?”

136

Extra Story 14

Although it wasn’t illegal not to reply to your boyfriend’s messages, in order to give him sufficient sense of security so that he could study with peace of mind, Lin Qingyu worked hard to develop the habit of carrying his mobile phone around with him. He would even occasionally take the initiative to send messages to Jiang Xing, sharing what he’d seen and heard in his daily life.

So, during recess, Jiang Xing changed his normal routine and instead of lying on his desk to catch up on sleep, he happily chatted with Lin Qingyu on WeChat.

Today, Lin Qingyu said that he wanted to go to the pharmacy. As soon as he entered the pharmacy, Lin Qingyu was like a fish in a river. Just from the messages he sent, Jiang Xing could imagine how excited he was.

Lin Qingyu took many photos for him, most of which were medicines. A few weren’t medicines but drew Lin Qingyu’s interest anyway.

Lin Qingyu: [Jiang Xing, look at this.]

Jiang Xing clicked on the photo Lin Qingyu sent and sat up straight.

Jiang Xing: […Baobei, listen to me and put that down first.]

Lin Qingyu: [I want to buy it and study it at home.]

Jiang Xing: [Buy, buy, buy—or would you like me to buy it for you after school?]

Lin Qingyu: [No need, I can buy it now.]

Jiang Xing was worried that Lin Qingyu wouldn’t have enough money, so he made three money transfers worth 5200 yuan each. There was no message from Lin Qingyu. He must have gone to pay the bill. Jiang Xing clicked on the photo and looked at it again. He couldn’t help thinking.

Jiang Xing: [By the way, the Dayu probably doesn’t have these things.]

Lin Qingyu: [There aren’t any among the common people. But some small western countries have given something similar as tributes to the Dayu.]

Jiang Xing: [So, did I use it when I slept with you before?]

Lin Qingyu: [No need.]

Jiang Xing: [Fuck, I’m such a scumbag.]

Lin Qingyu: [?]

Jiang Xing: [Only scumbags don’t glove up.]

Lin Qingyu: [It has nothing to do with you, I like it when you come in straight.]

Jiang Xing, wearing his high school uniform, sitting by the window in his classroom, staring at the phone screen, felt his body was getting hotter and hotter. He could no longer remain clam. — Why did he have to talk about this with Lin Qingyu during the break?

Jiang Xing went to the water dispenser, filled a glass of cold water and drank it in one gulp. When he came back, he saw that Lin Qingyu had withdrawn his last message.

Lin Qingyu: [I forgot for a moment that you’re still not yet an adult here. In the future, don’t ask me about our past in bed. I might get accused of seducing a high schooler.]

Just as Jiang Xing was about to reply, a pair of his hands slammed down on his desk, pressing down the English test paper that had just been handed out. A boy with glasses and a crew cut glared at him—this was the second in their class, Chen Zihao.

Chen Zihao said through gritted teeth, “Why?!”

Jiang Xing put away his phone and asked, “What?”

“I made ten more sets of exercises than you did during the National Day holiday,” Chen Zihao was furious, “So why is my score still lower than yours?!”

Jiang Xing glanced at Chen Zihao’s English test paper. His score was only two points lower. “I guess I’m just lucky.”

Chen Zihao roared, “How can you be so lucky every single damn time!”

“That’s because Heaven rewards the diligent…”

Chen Zihao was furious. “Cut your bullshit, you’ve never ever tried hard!”

Jiang Xing said with a smile, “You can’t say that. You don’t see me when I’m working hard. It’s only in school that I’m lazy. As a matter of fact, I study until very late at home. Staying up until three or four o’clock in the morning is a common occurrence. “

Chen Zihao was stunned and then instantly suspicious. “Is that true?”

Jiang Xing appeared very sincere. “It’s true. The reason why I don’t study hard in school is to put on an image.” Jiang Xing patted the boy on the shoulder, “You’re too anxious, buddy. Take it easy, with your current grades, you’re a shoe in for any university you want.”

Chen Zihao didn’t expect he would be comforted by his rival. After calming down and thinking about it, he thought himself mad to suddenly break his defenses and came looking for Jiang Xing. That their school’s great heartthrob was willing to let him go was already generous enough; unexpectedly, he was even willing to talk to him about this.

Handsome, smart, polite, not at all aloof despite being liked by so many people and never one to show off — no one could ever hate such a boy.

Chen Zihao took a deep breath and apologized to Jiang Xing. “I’m sorry, this is my problem.”

Jiang Xing watched as Chen Zihao returned to his seat and continued to bury his head in the sea of exercise sheets. He felt an invisible pressure. It’s true that Heaven rewards the diligent. Chen Zihao worked harder than he did. It was only a matter of time before he surpasses him.

Though tired of studying, he also hated the feeling of losing. He had no intention of giving up first place.

Jiang Xing sighed and reluctantly started to work on his exercise sheets. Lin Qingyu had a very good grasp of time and would only chat with Jiang Xing during break time anyway.

On Friday afternoon, Jiang Xing took half a day off and took Lin Qingyu to get his ID card settled. According to their actual ages, the two should have already passed the legal age of marriage a long time ago. But on Jiang Xing’s ID card, he was still 17 years old and Jiang Xing insisted that Lin Qingyu was only a year older than him. And thus, Lin Qingyu became a boy who had barely just turned eighteen. He had very suddenly become several years younger, turning from a great beauty to a little beauty.

But a genuine Beauty was extremely malleable. Lin Qingyu’s modern sense of fashion was influenced by Jiang Xing. He often wore T-shirts, jeans and sneakers. And with his hair cut short, he appeared very much like a high school or college student. But where is his precipitation of age? With a shirt and suit on, the aura of an adult beauty simply couldn’t be suppressed. When he had his ID picture taken, he simply posed bare-faced, hair pushed back and a stoic expression on his face. The picture came out perfect, without any need for any sort of retouching. He could send it directly to any entertainment agency and make his debut on the spot.

Jiang Xing was envious. “Qingyu, you’re already eighteen. You’re free, unfettered. You’re no longer subjected to the anti-addiction measures when playing games.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “That’s true. I can even take the driver’s license test.” It wasn’t that he didn’t like riding the scooter but the days were getting colder and soon, it would really be too cold to ride the scooter.

“That’s wonderful! You can drive me to school in the future.” Jiang Xing joked, “Come the holidays, we can go for a drive down by the beach. You drive for three or four hours and I sleep on the co-pilot seat and play with my phone.”

Lin Qingyu was in a delicate mood. “Before, I had to see you off to morning court, now, I have to send you off to school?”

Jiang Xing gave a teasing smile. “There has been no news from the Dayu for a long time and we don’t know if we can ever go back. Qingyu, do you want to go to high school with me and then take the college entrance exams? Aren’t you interested in joining the country best medical school?”

Lin Qingyu was taken aback: “…Attend high school?”

“That’s right. With your photographic memory, if you transfer to our school, you’ll definitely take away my number one spot.”

Lin Qingyu sneered slightly. “That’s to be expected.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Baobei, you have absolutely no sense of humility.”

Lin Qingyu thought of something and asked worriedly, “If we become classmates, can I still be your Baobei?”

“Of course. Why ever not?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “Who knows? You have so many rules here. You can’t approach things here with the Dayu way of thinking. For example, in the Dayu, cousins can get married, but not here.”

Unlike Jiang Xing who was weary of studying, Lin Qingyu has always been interested in learning, more so if it was about medicine and poison. Because of Jiang Xing’s hometown’s laws, he wasn’t allowed to study poison but he could still study medicine. The medicines here were very different from the Dayu’s. If he could learn a thing or two, it would truly be a blessing.

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and said, “I want to go have a look around your school.”

Although they lived in a community near the school, Lin Qingyu hadn’t been to Jiang Xing’s school yet. The balcony of their apartment faced the school’s sports grounds and Lin Qingyu would often see the students doing morning exercises for PE classes.

Whether it was in morning exercises with hundreds of thousands of people, or joint PE classes with several classes’ worth of students, he could always easily spot Jiang Xing. It wasn’t that he had good eyesight. Jiang Xing was so much taller than the others, that it was hard not to see him.

“Okay.” Jiang Xing agreed, “And while we’re at it, I’ll show you another side to this city.”

The high school that Jiang Xing attended has a long history. It is located in the center of the old city. Within ten minutes’ walk is an urban village. An urban villages, as the name suggests, refers to villages within cities. The houses here are all old, most of them don’t have elevators but there are quite a few residents.

Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing walked down a dark and narrow path lined with bustling shops. “Don’t underestimate the people who live in urban villages.” Jiang Xing said, “All of them are rich people in the making.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Why do you say that?”

Jiang Xing then educated him on the concept of modern demolition. At five or six o’clock in the evening, students begun to get off school. Corporate drones were also let off work. The urban village gradually became livelier. All sorts of roadside stalls began to be set up.

Lin Qingyu was immediately attracted by various roadside stalls. It has been a while since he arrived to modern times. Jiang Xing has taken him to eat hot pot, dimsum, western food and even instant noodles. He has never taken him eat from the absolutely clean and hygienic roadside stalls.

Passing by a dorayaki shop, Lin Qingyu said, “I want to try that.”

Jiang Xing was very much aware of his role. “I’ll buy it for Baobei.”

Jiang Xing bought two, one for Lin Qingyu and one for him. After Lin Qingyu took two bites, he found the stuffing inside too sweet so he pushed the rest to Jiang Xing. He pointed to a long skewer of something and asked, “What is that?”

“Sausage. Do you want it?”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “Yes.”

The grilled sausage was too greasy. Lin Qingyu ate a third of it and gave the rest to Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing has always believed in never wasting food and after eating one and a half dorayaki and two thirds of a sausage, he noticed a pattern and only bought one portion when Lin Qingyu proposed trying a pudding cake. Lin Qingyu took one bite, decided that it was not to his liking and handed it over to Jiang Xing. “This does not taste good. Here.”

Jiang Xing, who had lost part of his memory and was in a relationship for the first time, was stunned. “You’re giving me even the things that taste bad? Do you really like me?”

Lin Qingyu couldn’t help laughing. “Maybe you’ll find it tasty.”

The two of them devoured nearly every kind of snack sold down the street. A subway was being built at the intersection and two excavators were hard at work. The makeshift fence did little to hide their majestic figures.

Lin Qingyu stopped and asked, “What is that?”

“They’re excavators.”

Lin Qingyu stared at it for a good long time and couldn’t help sighing, “If the Dayu had this, it wouldn’t take decades to build a palace.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Then, would the Lord Prime Minister like invite the driver of the excavator back to the Dayu to work in the Ministry of Industry?”

Lin Qingyu glanced at Jiang Xing and knew that this person was making fun of him again. Going along with Jiang Xing’s act, he said, “In your opinion, which of these two excavator drivers would be better?”

Jiang Xing, tone and movements exaggerated, made an assessment, “In my opinion, the master driver on the left one is more skilled in his operation. With a glance, you can tell he’s from Shandong.”

Lin Qingyu wondered, “How do you know?”

Jiang Xing smiled dishonestly. “I’m just guessing. You shouldn’t believe me.”

No man can refuse the allure of an excavator and Lin Qingyu was no exception. He stood there enthralled, reluctant to leave. Jiang Xing asked him, “Aren’t you thirsty? Would you like some milk tea?”

Before Lin Qingyu could answer, he saw a girl wearing the same school uniform as Jiang Xing walking towards them. “Senior Jiang Xing——”

Jiang Xing turned around and saw a girl who looked a little familiar. She must be a freshman or sophomore in their school. “Hello?”

The girl stood still in front of Jiang Xing and when she saw Lin Qingyu, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes. She pulled off her mask, revealing a rosy face and shyly said, “Senior, this is for you.”

Before Jiang Xing could react, a cup of milk tea was forcibly stuffed into his hand. It was the first time for Lin Qingyu to see pink milk tea. It even had a cute pattern on the cup, full of girlish charm.

The girl, seemingly afraid that Jiang Xing would refuse, turned around and ran away after delivering the milk tea.

“Senior?” Lin Qingyu said with great interest, “Is that like a ‘shixiong’?”

Jiang Xing said stiffly, “…En.” He looked like he was holding a hot potato. He wanted to throw it away but felt that it would be too rude. “Qingyu, you wait for me here.”

Jiang Xing chased after her. He returned the milk tea to the junior and politely declined her request to add him on WeChat.

After returning, Lin Qingyu looked at him, smiled lightly and said, “Why didn’t Senior accept the milk tea?”

“I don’t know her.” Jiang Xing quickly changed the subject, “Qingyu, would you like to watch a movie tonight?”

Lin Qingyu said, “But I want to play a game with Senior.”

“Then shall we go home now?”

Lin Qingyu said again, “Alright, Senior must be getting tired of lugging around his schoolbag.”

“…I was wrong,” Jiang Xing put on a pained look, “Qingyu, I was wrong.”

“What did you do wrong?” Lin Qingyu said calmly, “You can’t control the kind words of others, and you can’t control the hands of those who give gifts. You’re not at all at fault.”

Hope ignited in Jiang Xing’s eyes. “Then you’re not angry anymore?”

“Of course I wouldn’t be angry with Senior.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu saw Jiang Xing’s ‘nothing left to live for’ expression and couldn’t help smiling, “I’m really not angry. You’re the one I like. If I’m the only one in the world who likes you, then my vision must be terrible. You’re excellent and deserve to be liked by many people. It’s a pity…” Lin Qingyu said almost pityingly, “It’s a pity that as long as I’m here, you will never take a second look at them.”

Is this the confidence and pride of a great beauty? Jiang Xing was relieved but not completely relieved. He felt like other people’s milk tea have now created an indelible shadow over him. When he went to sleep that night, when he lifted up the quilt, he found it filled with cups of the milk tea that almost caused his death.

Jiang Xing went to buy two cups of milk tea that were just his and Lin Qingyu’s. “Qingyu, should we have a toast?”

Lin Qingyu cooperatively touched his cup against Jiang Xing’s. Jiang Xing took a picture of the scene with his mobile phone and posted the picture of their two hands and two cups of milk tea on his Moments.

Soon, his phone started vibrating like crazy. Jiang Xing took a casual glance, picked out his cousin’s message and replied.

Pei Zhiqi: [What does that post on your Moments mean??]

Jiang Xing: [Take a guess.]

Pei Zhiqi: [Are you seeing someone?]

Jiang Xing: [Yes.]

To be exact, he not only was seeing him but he had also married him and married him many times over.

Pei Zhiqi: [! ! ! ]

Pei Zhiqi: [Who’s your girlfriend? Is it one of your classmates?!]

Jiang Xing didn’t feel like talking much with others, so he automatically ignored a lot of the messages. Until Pei Zhiqi sent this message: [Wait, did you remember to block teachers and our older relatives from your Moments?]

Jiang Xing: [. ]

Pei Zhiqi: [Hoo boy]

Jiang Xing: [Don’t get excited! It’s not a big problem.]

137

Extra Story 15

Throughout the weekend, Jiang Xing’s cell phone and WeChat never stopped ringing. After seeing him go to the balcony to answer the phone again and again, Lin Qingyu asked him what had happened.

Jiang Xing said, “Have you seen the photo I posted on Moments?”

“I saw it.” Lin Qingyu said, “Ke Tang also posts similar photos. Is there any deep meaning behind it?”

Jiang Xing said with a smile, “It’s normal for her to post this kind of photo. But for me, I can sometimes go an entire year without posting anything. That’s why everyone’s making a big deal over nothing.”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while, and guessed, “You think that milk tea is delicious and you want to recommend it to your friends?”

“That’s exactly it.” Jiang Xing said casually, “Good things should be shared together, right? Let’s not talk about this. How about we duo queue?”

Jiang Xing set his phone to do-not-disturb mode. — Although running away was shameful, it was just so much easier.

Lin Qingyu was doubtful. If it were over something so simple, Jiang Xing’s phone wouldn’t keep on vibrating. But high schoolers who study tirelessly five days a week, shouldn’t be forced to talk about matters they didn’t want to talk about during their hard-earned rest days.

Lin Qingyu logged into the game, opened the room and waited for Jiang Xing to go online. After waiting for a couple of minutes, Jiang Xing still hadn’t logged on. He looked up and saw Jiang Xing, holding his phone, his face looking as though it were about to crack.

“This is not good.” Jiang Xing smiled wryly, “She really made good on her word.”

“She?”

“My aunt. She used to dote on me the most. It’s her ID card I used to play games. Just now, she actually untied her ID card from my account — so cruel.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Why’d she do that?”

Jiang Xing looked at the game’s login interface and sighed. “She probably wants me to concentrate on my studies.”

Elders wouldn’t want their children dating so they usually block off their bank cards and unbind their ID cards. This must be Pei Zhiqi’s bright idea.

“She’s right, you should concentrate on your studies.” Lin Qingyu smiled lightly, his eyes like limpid waters. But Jiang Xing thought he could detect a tinge of schadenfreude in them. “It can’t be helped. I’ll just solo queue and you can do your homework.”

It felt like a fishbone was stuck in Jiang Xing’s throat. “Why does that sound terrible for me?”

“Then, grow up quickly.” Lin Qingyu took the phone away from Jiang Xing’s hand and downloaded “Five-Year College Entrance Examination, Three-Year Simulation” to it. “When you grow up, you can do many things.”

Jiang Xing raised his eyebrows. “For example?”

Lin Qingyu knew what Jiang Xing wanted him to say. He raised the corners of his lips, “For example, I can help you pop…” Lin Qingyu suddenly broke off in the middle of speaking, “Forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything.”

He got up and made to leave, wanting to leave Jiang Xing alone to study at ease. But unexpectedly, the other party grabbed his wrist. Before he had time to react, he was already sat on Jiang Xing’s lap.

“Pop what, Baobei ? —is it pop my cherry?” Jiang Xing embraced him and smiled, “Where did you learn such inappropriate words?”

Lin Qingyu calmly said, “Then what should I have said – deflower you?”

Jiang Xing was silent for a couple of seconds and then said worriedly, “I think, rather than not letting me play games, it should be you who has his time online controlled. What have you been learning from the Internet, Lord Prime Minister?”

“How can you and I be compared? Lin Qingyu said lightly, “So long as adults don’t break the law, they’re allowed to learn anything.”

There are still many things a male high schooler barred from playing games could do. He could catch up on new episodes, watch movies, browse forums and if nothing seemed good enough, there’s always napping. While Lin Qingyu was playing solo, Jiang Xing came over to watch him play. He even said he would play the erhu for him.

All in all, as long as it wasn’t studying, Jiang Xing found anything interesting.

Lin Qingyu has long been accustomed to this. How Jiang Xing looked not wanting to study was very similar to how he looked when he didn’t want to read reports in the Dayu. But Lin Qingyu wasn’t worried at all. Whether it was doing homework or reading reports, if it was something Jiang Xing needed to do, no matter how reluctant he was, Jiang Xing would do it well and do it before the deadline.

Lin Qingyu originally thought that Jiang Xing wouldn’t start doing his homework until Sunday night. Unexpectedly, he found him conscientiously studying after lunch. Lin Qingyu was very surprised and asked him why.

Jiang Xing clicked on Chen Zihao’s post and showed it Lin Qingyu: [Today I broke my record. I only took 35 minutes on my math exercise. Unfortunately I missed a multiple-choice question…]

It turned out that it was the male high schooler’s competitive nature at work. Lin Qingyu couldn’t help but smile. “Do you best, Classmate Jiang.”

Jiang Xing twirled his pen, “Classmate Jiang needs to be accompanied by his boyfriend to do his best.”

“Alright, I’ll go grab another chair.”

“No need. Let’s get in bed and I’ll just study there.”

Lin Qingyu was thus kidnapped by Jiang Xing to lie in bed while it was still light out. The high school student lay on his beautiful wife’s lap memorizing words. When he reached “vacant, vague”, he suddenly got stuck.

Lin Qingyu said, “The next one should be ‘vat’.”

Jiang Xing looked up at him, “How do you know?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “I just heard you when you were reciting it last week.”

Jiang Xing: “…Oh.”

By the end of the month, the wind had turned cool. The air conditioner that had been working for half a year was finally able to take a break. Jiang Xing changed into his autumn and winter long-sleeved school uniform. Auntie has had a lot of experience making soup and the daily soups she cooked for the two of them weren’t heavy. The taste was comparable to the ones made by the Shangshi Bureau in the palace.

It was a pity that not all students enjoyed such privileges as Jiang Xing. Many of the students made do by buying dinner from the roadside stalls outside the school. In order to prevent the students from eating so much unhealthy food and to also to encourage them to eat at the canteen and thus save more time for studying, the school issued a new regulation prohibiting day students from leaving school during dinner time.

The taste of the dishes in the canteen could be said to be quite interesting; there really were too many things about it to complain about that they didn’t know where to even start. The students didn’t want to eat in the cafeteria and so parents were left with no choice but to work harder, preparing dinner and sending it to school every day. Jiang Xing didn’t hate eating in the cafeteria, but the housekeeper worried that he wouldn’t be able to get the right nutrition and so, insisted on bringing him meals every day.

After a few days, Jiang Xing faintly felt something was wrong. He asked Lin Qingyu to feel his abdominal muscles. “Do you think it’s become less distinct?”

Lin Qingyu touched it several times and told him, “I don’t think it feels any different from before. Why are you worried about them disappearing?”

Jiang Xing said, “Auntie sends me twice as much food as I eat by myself every day. I ate it while reading and before I know it, I’ve eaten it all. And after I eat, I just sit in class. There’s a big risk of getting fat.”

When students reached the third year of high school, some became “fat from overwork”. The boy at the desk in front of him had already gained ten pounds in just one month.

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and asked, “Do you still not remember what happened in Gu Fuzhou’s life?”

“Not yet.” Jiang Xing’s heart skipped a beat, “Could it be that I was also troubled about putting on weight in that life?”

“During that life, your biggest problem wasn’t gaining weight.”

“Then what was it?”

“Hair loss, going bald”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu suppressed a smile and took the opportunity to persuade the high schooler to exercise more. “The body is the capital of the revolution. During breaks, go out and move around. And stop sending me messages during PE classes and do actual exercise instead. If you really lose your abs, I’ll despise you.”

Although he knew that what Lin Qingyu said was a lie, in order to protect Lin Qingyu’s beloved abs, Jiang Xing was forced to change. From then on, whenever his PE classmates invited him to play, he wouldn’t refuse.

It was just that playing basketball was really tiring.

Today, while auntie was making soup, she received a WeChat message from Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing had forgotten an important form at home and he had to hand it over to the teacher before class ended that afternoon. And so, he had to ask the housekeeper to bring it to him at school.

Auntie found the form and was about to go out when she received a call from home. Auntie’s father had slipped at home and was sent to the hospital. Lin Qingyu told the housekeeper to go and attend to that matter. He could take care of delivering Jiang Xing’s form and dinner.

Lin Qingyu went out with the lunch box and the form. During the walk there, which usually didn’t take more than five minutes, a little incident occurred. There was a bug in the traffic lights at an intersection. The time for the pedestrians to cross was changed from 60 seconds to 5 seconds. If you wanted to cross the road, you had to run.

Lin Qingyu watched as the other pedestrians ran wildly across the road one by one, with unsightly panting faces.

This traffic light was simply unreasonable. Was no one going to handle this? Running across the street like that was simply undignified, especially with a lunch box in your arms.

But the soup Auntie made was best eaten while hot.

Lin Qingyu closed his eyes, unhappily put up the hood of the sweater and hugged Jiang Xing’s lunch box against his chest. Run? I’ll run! Let’s run! In any case, no one can accuse him of not running for Jiang Xing.

When they arrived at school, the students still hadn’t finished class yet. Lin Qingyu explained why he was there to the security guard and after registering, he was let in. This was his first time at Jiang Xing’s school. The building was quite old and it felt quite settled. The teaching buildings were connected together and from a distance, one can see black heads inside the classroom.

Lin Qingyu did not go to the teaching area but walked towards the sports ground. Jiang Xing’s weekly PE class was at this time. Jiang Xing had also messaged him before his PE class.

There weren’t many classes having PE at this hour so Lin Qingyu spotted Jiang Xing’s field relatively easily.

It wasn’t long after class started, the PE representative was leading everyone to warm up. The PE teacher was quite considerate, knowing how much stress they were under, he simply made the students run a couple of symbolic laps and then let them play as they wished.

After the two laps, Jiang Xing’s body was already feeling hot. The PE rep came to him, a basketball in his hands. “Jiang Xing, are you playing?”

Jiang Xing said reluctantly, “I’ll play. You guys go on ahead. I just need to send a message first.”

“Who are you sending the message to?” The PE rep said with a smile, “Your milk tea date?”

Jiang Xing bowed his head and typed. He absent-mindedly said, “Who else?”

Jiang Xing: [Qingyu, I’m off to preserve my abs. I won’t have my phone with me so I might not be able to reply to your message right away.]

Lin Qingyu: [No need to reply, just turn around.]

Jiang Xing was momentarily stunned. He then raised his head and turned around. His heart skipped a beat.

Lin Qingyu was standing by the sports ground, wearing the black hoodie he’d bought for him not long ago and a mask, looking straight at him.

Why’d he even have to warm up? He spent so long warning up when all he needed to do was lock eyes with Qingyu?

Lin Qingyu watched Jiang Xing running towards him. The corner of the boy’s mouth curled up. His hair was a little messed up by the wind and the rays of the setting sun danced nimbly on him.

Lin Qingyu couldn’t help his face from breaking into a smile, waiting for the boy to come to him.

Jiang Xing ran faster than even when Lin Qingyu tried to beat the traffic light.

“Qingyu, why are you here?” When Jiang Xing smiled, the corners of his brows and eyes twinkled, “Why didn’t you tell me first?”

“Whenever you give me little surprises, you don’t notify me in advance.” Lin Qingyu gestured to him with the things in his hand, “Your form and your dinner. Something came up at Auntie’s home so she left first. I didn’t want to make two trips so I just brought both.”

Jiang Xing took the lunch box and said, “It’s so heavy. Auntie must have packed it for two.”

As the two were talking, many students cast curious glances at Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu said, “Then I’ll go back first.”

Jiang Xing didn’t want to accept this kind of inhumane scenario. “I only have half an hour until class finishes. Why don’t you wait for me and we’ll have dinner at school together?”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while, then nodded and agreed, “Alright. Anyway, I have nothing else to do at home.”

The PE rep shouted, urging Jiang Xing, “Jiang Xing, you coming or not? You’re the only one missing.”

“Go,” Lin Qingyu said, “I’ll watch you from the sidelines.”

Jiang Xing suddenly became nervous. He gulped and said, “Sigh, do you want to watch me play basketball…”

Lin Qingyu asked, “I can’t?”

Jiang Xing laughed: “You can, you can. But having you watch me, makes me nervous. If I fail to appear forceful and get abused, what will I do in the future?”

Lin Qingyu turned expressionless. “Then should I go?”

“Don’t, Baobei. I’m just joking with you.” Jiang Xing pulled on Lin Qingyu’s hoodie cap, not letting him go. “I will try my best not to be abused and to not embarrass you.” Saying so, Jiang Xing took off his school uniform jacket, handed it to Lin Qingyu along with his mobile phone, turned around and ran towards the court.

138

Extra Story 16

After Jiang Xing entered the court, his phone vibrated several times. Lin Qingyu unlocked it and took a look. They were messages from his class’ group chat.

[@Jiang Xing, from which class is that guy you were talking to just now? He has a good temperament and good eyes. Can you ask him to take off his mask? I want to use a magnifying glass to see.]

[I don’t think he’s from our school. He wouldn’t have been able to escape my eyes. These peepers zero in on beauty.]

[I’m guessing he’s Jiang Xing’s brother? I saw him deliver food to Jiang Xing.]

[That makes sense. I can see the shared male god genes.]

[I thought you were all guys. Why are you all getting so excited? With all this fuss, I thought it was Jiang Xing’s milk tea girlfriend who came.]

…

Lin Qingyu held Jiang Xing’s phone and jacket in his arms. He looked towards the court. All he knew about basketball was that you had to throw the ball into the opposite basket. Ten boys attacked and defended back and forth on the court, colliding with each other, sweating profusely, full of passion.

Their blood was running hot. They were in the prime of their youth, brimming with vitality and zest for life. This was how seventeen/eighteen-year-olds should be. No matter how much of a salted fish Jiang Xing may be, his strong nature rooted deep his bones would always show itself at times like this.

Jiang Xing was one of the tallest among the boys. In their class, only the PE rep was as tall as he was. The PE rep had specially been admitted for his athletic abilities. He trained religiously every day and has developed a body rippling with muscles. Lin Qingyu watched the two confront each other and couldn’t help noticing how much leaner Jiang Xing was compared to his opponent.

Jiang Xing’s body did not follow the usual route of a tall man. He was slender, his muscles weren’t deliberately exaggerated. His body’s contours appeared more natural. His overall appearance was much closer to that of a beautiful youth.

When Jiang Xing had been Lu Wancheng, he was too weak and Lin Qingyu felt distressed for him. When Jiang Xing had been Gu Fuzhou, whenever he pressed him down, Lin Qingyu found him rather heavy; any heavier and he wouldn’t have been able to bear it. In Lin Qingyu’s opinion, Jiang Xing’s current figure was just right.

On the court, the PE rep could be considered a full hexagonal warrior. Save for Jiang Xing, all the others were simply no match for him. The heavy responsibility of guarding him naturally fell on Jiang Xing’s shoulders. Jiang Xing’s stamina and physical strength weren’t as good as the PR rep’s but his reflexes were quick. He heard someone yell the name of the PE rep. Jiang Xing closed in on the PE rep from an unexpected direction and intercepted the ball a second before the PE rep reached out to catch it. He quickly counter-attacked. Jiang Xing stood outside the three-point line and held the ball firmly. He then sent it straight into the basket.

The moment he scored the point, Jiang Xing turned his head and instinctively turned to look at Lin Qingyu.

The PE rep let out a curse. “Jiang Xing, what’s gotten into you today? You’re really giving it your all.”

Jiang Xing smiled without saying a word. How can he not give it his all? His wife was watching.

Lin Qingyu was indeed watching. Jiang Xing dripping with sweat has always been one of his most favorite sights. He wasn’t the only one watching. There were many girls watching the boys play on the sidelines of the court. Two girls were standing next to Lin Qingyu and from time to time, their conversation drifted into Lin Qingyu’s ears.

A girl with short hair said, “Is the boy who came to deliver Jiang Xing’s dinner today really his brother?”

The long-haired girl said, “Can’t be. I heard from Pei Zhiqi that Jiang Xing’s an only child.”

“Oh, I see. Was the one who brought him his dinner before his mother? I don’t think she looks like Jiang Xing at all.”

“That’s his housekeeper. It seems Jiang Xing’s mother passed away when he was in junior high.”

“Ah,” the short-haired girl exclaimed, “How could this be…”

Lin Qingyu remembered the form that Jiang Xing had to hand in. In the column for mother, there was only a single slash.

When they were in the Dayu, Jiang Xing occasionally mentioned his parents. Lin Qingyu knew that Jiang Xing’s mother had passed away, but the details were unclear. When Jiang Xing talked about his mother, he always had a nostalgic look, saying that she was strict with him and that she insisted he take the first place in everything. Even though he complained, he never said anything bad about his mother.

“I heard it was cancer and that she’d had surgery. You know, when fighting cancer, the patient’s mood is very important. Jiang Xing had done everything to make his mom happy. I heard from Pei Zhiqi that when his mom celebrated her birthday, Jiang Xing copied down [Don’t Get Angry] and gave it to her. Unfortunately, after fighting cancer for seven years, she finally passed away. Later, Jiang Xing’s dad started another family and settled abroad, so Jiang Xing returned to Guangzhou to attend high school.”

“Damn it, Jiang Xing’s father is such a scumbag.”

“You can’t say that. His father is still being responsible. At least Jiang Xing’s monthly pocket money of more than 200,000 yuan is being provided by his father.”

The short-haired girl was shocked. “I really didn’t expect that.”

“Otherwise, where do you think Jiang Xing’s good temper came from? We’ve been classmates with Jiang Xing for so long but have you ever seen him lose control of his emotions?”

The short-haired girl shook her head.

Jiang Xing’s classmates had never seen him lose control of his emotions, but Lin Qingyu had. He had seen Jiang Xing with the taste of blood in his mouth, saying he wanted to take someone’s life; he had also seen Jiang Xing in his arms, crying and saying sorry.

Jiang Xing has obviously developed an open-minded and free-spirited character only because he was exceptional.

The short-haired girl looked at the male god running on the court and was filled with emotion. “Jiang Xing has such a good personality, I thought he must have a very happy family life.”

The long-haired girl said, “Except for his parents, he should still be very happy. Although his mom is gone, the other elders in his family love him very much. Pei Zhiqi’s mom even just wants to adopt him outright and take him to live with her. But, Jiang Xing felt that living with the elders would curtail his freedom so he insisted on living alone. Pei Zhiqi’s mom hired a housekeeper to cook him delicious meals and take care of him…”

A burst of cheers pulled Lin Qingyu back from his thoughts. It was Jiang Xing; he’d broke through the defenses of three opposing players and made a riveting slam dunk. As soon as his feet landed on the ground, he turned around and locked eyes with Lin Qingyu.

Lin Qingyu, who was completely ignorant of the significance of basketball to modern boys: …Huh?

This basketball game went back and forth. The team led by the PE rep had a very strong offensive but Jiang Xing’s side wasn’t letting them gain too much ground. They were simply playing for fun and no one kept track of the points. As soon as the class bell rang, the thoughts of every student turned towards food. The PR rep threw the basketball to Jiang Xing, “I’m gonna take a quick shower! Xiongdi, do me a favor and bring the basketball back to the equipment room.” After saying so, he ran off like was doing a hundred meter sprint.

Jiang Xing walked towards Lin Qingyu, the basketball in his arms. He lifted the hem of his shirt and wiped off his sweat. “Qingyu, what’d you think of my playing? Was I cool or not?”

“Not bad.” Lin Qingyu returned his phone and jacket to him, “Do you have something to tell me?”

Jiang Xing thought for a while. “I don’t think so.”

“Then why did you look back at me every time you scored a point? I don’t understand.”

Jiang Xing choked and asked, “Did I really do that?”

“En.”

Jiang Xing said slowly, “That’s probably because I’m still too naive. It’s my first time being in a relationship so I ask for your understanding.”

“Alright.” Lin Qingyu said, “Where do you want to eat?”

The cafeteria was overcrowded and taking Lin Qingyu to his classroom would be inconvenient. Jiang Xing took the lunch box from Lin Qingyu and said, “Let’s go to the football field? We’ll make a picnic out of it.”

The football field was covered with artificial grass. Sitting and having a meal there had its own kind of elegance. Lin Qingyu nodded. “Okay.”

Since it was dinner time, there was almost no one on the field. The two sat beside the wire fence, with Jiang Xing’s school jacket serving as their cushion. Jiang Xing opened the lunch box. On the top layer were fried beef with scallions and sweet and sour pork tenderloin. There was a partition between the two dishes to prevent the tastes from mixing. The second layer held two vegetable dishes, stir-fried okra and cucumber salad. In the flask was well-stewed tree mushroom and fig duck soup. Auntie also prepared a box of sliced cantaloupes.

Lin Qingyu reminded him, “It is not advisable to eat immediately after strenuous exercise. You can eat some fruit first.”

Jiang Xing speared a piece of cantaloupe with a toothpick and moved it to Lin Qingyu’s mouth, “Open wide.”

The cantaloupe was sweet and juicy, its flesh fine and tender. It could be consider a simple natural delicacy. As Lin Qingyu chewed and swallowed slowly, he heard Jiang Xing say, “Auntie’s plate-setting skills seem off today. This doesn’t look as good as the ones she made before.”

Lin Qingyu immediately swallowed the cantaloupe in his mouth and complained to Jiang Xing, “It has nothing to do with Auntie. It’s that traffic light’s fault.”

Jiang Xing didn’t understand. “Huh?”

“The traffic light at that intersection near your place. The green light only lasts five seconds. In order to get the food to you, I had to run across with the lunch box in my arms. The lunch box was jolted around so of course, the dishes inside would be messed up.” Lin Qingyu said coldly, “Is that traffic light defective? I really hate it. Is there any way to get rid of it? I don’t want to have to run like that every time I go out. If that thing was in the Dayu, I would definitely have it uprooted.”

Lin Qingyu looked so stern but Jiang Xing couldn’t help laughing out loud; a hearty, unrestrained and boisterous laugh.

Lin Qingyu frowned. “You think this is a laughing matter?”

Not only was Jiang Xing laughing, he was laughing so much that he couldn’t stand upright. His elbow knocked into the basketball that had been placed to one side causing it to roll.

Lin Qingyu: “…”

“The great Lord Prime Minister’s first enemy after coming to the modern age is unexpectedly…!” Jiang Xing pointed to the top of his head and said with a smile, “You’re going to empty my health bar from cuteness, Qingyu, Baobei .”

Lin Qingyu frowned. “I don’t understand.” He had only seen heath bars in games. Where did Jiang Xing get a health bar?

Jiang Xing laughed so hard that he couldn’t speak. A big smile on his face, he took out his mobile phone to search which to department he should report traffic lights problems.

Lin Qingyu was simply baffled. “What’s so funny?”

Jiang Xing didn’t know how to explain his feelings to Lin Qingyu. He just wanted to laugh and his lips just can’t help ticking up when he sees Lin Qingyu, especially when he says such cute things.

Lin Qingyu, who still couldn’t get an explanation, grew quite impatient. “Jiang Xing!”

The last few students had also left, leaving only him and Jiang Xing on the football field. Jiang Xing finally had enough of laughing and said, “You ask me why I’m laughing but I don’t know…”

As he said that, Jiang Xing lowered his head and kissed his lips as if he couldn’t hold it anymore.

The dusk cast an amber light as the evening breeze blew lazily. The basketball rolled and rolled, finally stopping in the football net. Even time seemed to stand still at this moment.

He and Jiang Xing sat on the campus green, kissing quietly.

139

Extra Story 17

The elder in the housekeeper auntie’s family had suffered a fall and needed to be hospitalized. The housekeeper asked for a week off to look after her family. Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing had to resolve the matter of their meals by themselves. Jiang Xing could eat in the school cafeteria; he was actually more worried about Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu said, “Don’t worry, I won’t treat myself badly.”

Having been living in modern times for some time, Lin Qingyu now has a clear understanding of Jiang Xing’s family background. Jiang Xing wasn’t a boyfriend who needed him to save money. Since they might return to the Dayu, what Jiang Xing needed was a boyfriend who would help him spend money. So, every day while Jiang Xing was queuing up in the school cafeteria, he would receive photos from Lin Qingyu.

In the morning, Lin Qingyu went to a time-honored Cantonese-style breakfast restaurant. A pot of Pu-erh tea, which the merchant claimed was good but was only mediocre for the Dayu empress, was served with satay steamed tripe, golden shrimp dumpling, and congee with six different types of fixings. In the afternoon, Lin Qingyu went to the top floor of a five-star hotel for afternoon tea, sitting by the window overlooking the entire central business district. In the evening, he tried a highly-recommended hot pot restaurant near their home. In the short video he took for Jiang Xing, the red oil hot pot was bubbling, a piece of fresh wagyu beef was blanched for eight seconds and then dipped in the Jiang Family’s secret dipping sauce.

The chicken drumstick rice in front of Jiang Xing was suddenly not quite as delicious. He too took a photo of his dinner and sent it to Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu replied to him with the words “how miserable”.

Jiang Xing: [I also want to eat hot pot.]

Lin Qingyu: [I can pack it up for you and take it home.]

Jiang Xing: [How do you take home hot pot?]

Lin Qingyu: [I’ll go and buy a pot.]

For a moment, Jiang Xing couldn’t tell whether Lin Qingyu was joking or not. He imagined the scene of the big beauty carrying the red oil hot pot in a basin and couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Automatically, the other boys who were seated with him turned to look towards him, showing knowing looks.

“Falling in love’s so scary,” one of the boys said. “It’s turned our school’s male god into a handsome himbo who laughs at his phone.”

“Don’t, you’re gonna kill me from laughter. He and you took the same test. What did you score and what did Jiang Xing score? How do you have the face to call him a himbo?” The PE Rep stared at the chicken drumsticks on Jiang Xing’s plate. “Xing Ge, see how I protected your dignity? Don’t you think that deserves a chicken leg?”

Jiang Xing was so busy sending messages to his boyfriend that he didn’t even hear what they were saying: [Isn’t it boring eating out alone?]

Lin Qingyu: [No, eating alone is peaceful.]

Jiang Xing looked at a teddy bear on the background of the photo, pondering. His terrible friends were still trying to wrestle information about his milk tea girlfriend from out of him. Jiang Xing said, “Tell the teacher I’ll be absent the rest of the day, will you?” He put the chicken leg into the PE rep’s bowl, “Here’s your reward. No need to thank me.”

What Lin Qingyu said had been half-truth and half-lie. For Lin Qingyu, going out alone might not necessary be peaceful as he’s often stopped by passers-by asking for his WeChat. Also, since not many people eat hotpot alone, the waitresses probably felt he was lonely and so put a big teddy bear to sit opposite. They would come round from time to time to ask if he needed anything and to constantly refill his tea and water. While Lin Qingyu simply wanted to eat his hotpot in peace.

The hot pot restaurant was full with most tables taken by small groups. With a teddy bear as a dinner partner, Lin Qingyu seemed a little out of place. Besides, delicious food like hot pot should be shared with relatives and friends.

Lin Qingyu thought of his parents and his younger brother. As for friends… the first thing he thought of was Shen Huaishi.

In the Dayu, others either respected him or feared him and many admirers simply coveted his face. It seemed that only Shen Huaishi treated him with sincerity.

He didn’t know whether these people he care about in the Dayu were doing fine.

Lin Qingyu was absent-mindedly eating the hot pot when the waitress came by again and asked, “Would the pretty boy like some more water?”

Lin Qingyu was instantly going to refuse when he suddenly realized something and surprised, raised his head.

The big bear opposite had been pushed aside and a high school student in his school uniform, pulled off his schoolbag and sat down, greeting him with a smile, “Hi.”

At this hour, Jiang Xing should still be in evening self-study. Lin Qingyu was momentarily stunned, “Are you — skipping class?”

“I don’t want to either but I’m really greedy for —,” Jiang Xing looked at him, “Hot pot.”

As soon as Jiang Xing showed up, Lin Qingyu’s little bit of homesickness disappeared. A slight smile danced at the corner of his lips but what he said made the high schooler heartbroken. “Have you finished your homework?”

Jiang Xing lowered his head and ticked a few more dishes on the order sheet. He said, “I’ll find time to finish it later.”

Lin Qingyu said casually, “Chen Zihao must have finished his homework long ago. I bet when he gets home, he does a few more sets of exercises sheets.”

Jiang Xing raised his head and raised his eyebrows. “The Lord Prime Minister’s words are simply inspiring. I propose they be included in “Encouraging Learning“. ”

Lin Qingyu knew better than anyone whether Jiang Xing’s excuse of being greedy for hotpot was real. “You promised me that puppy love wouldn’t affect your studies.”

Jiang Xing tapped twice on his phone and handed it to Lin Qingyu. “Please take a look, Lord Prime Minister.”

Lin Qingyu saw a page with a table. “This is…”

“My report card of the first mock exam. What do you say, can I eat hot pot now?”

Lin Qingyu sighed softly, impressed once again by this salted fish. “Did you secretly work hard again?”

Jiang Xing admitted with a smile, “Of course. No one succeeds without effort. Even I have to work hard to achieve results. Only that once you reach a certain level, say top five for my age group, it might be more of a matter of talent and luck. I’m very efficient at school. When I’m not thinking of you, all I think about is studying, so I can afford a night off from self-study and have a hot pot meal with you.”

Lin Qingyu picked up a piece of shrimp for Jiang Xing. “There are no absolutes. For some people, success comes more easily.”

“Baobei, you really think too highly of me.”

“I was talking about me.”

“I see.”

After eating the hot pot, Jiang Xing wanted to go to the movies. It was already late by the time the movie ended and the two of them walked home. When they passed by the school, they suddenly heard someone call Jiang Xing’s name.

Lin Qingyu stopped and saw a few boys wearing the same school uniform as Jiang Xing walking towards them, their steps were quite aggressive. Lin Qingyu looked as though he wanted to stick needles into all of them. He asked Jiang Xing, “Are they your classmates?”

Jiang Xing shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“It’s really Jiang Xing.” The leading boy’s eyes wandered between Jiang Xing and Lin Qingyu and when he realized that he wasn’t taller or more handsome than either of them, his face became even uglier. “Is it you who rejected Fang Shiwei? You broke her heart?”

Jiang Xing asked, “Who’s Fang Shiwei?”

“And you even made her cry?”

Jiang Xing: “?”

“Heh.” The boy sneered, “You listen up. She’s my girlfriend now. Stay away from her, don’t let her see you. Laozi’s woman can only have laozi in her eyes.”

Jiang Xing silently took off his school uniform, trying to separate himself from being identified as schoolmates with these idiots.

Lin Qingyu thought for a while, then turned towards Jiang Xing’s cheek. Jiang Xing lowered his head and put his ear to Lin Qingyu’s mouth. Lin Qingyu asked, “Is this what they mean by “Chuunibyou”?”

Jiang Xing smiled, “You’re so smart.”

Lin Qingyu glanced at the boy and spit out what Jiang Xing held back. “You idiot.”

The boy was suddenly angered and he approached Lin Qingyu menacingly. “Who the hell are you to insult me!”

A hand blocked the boy’s way. Jiang Xing exerted a little force and the boy was pushed back a couple of steps. “Buddy, you’ve said what you wanted to say,” Jiang Xing was still smiling, but his eyes weren’t as bright as usual. “Let’s end things here.”

The boy looked down at Jiang Xing’s hand and knew it was a threat. He looked down and looked up, pressed his tongue against his cheek and said with a sneer, “End it here? I’m willing to fight for my woman, are you afraid?”

Jiang Xing said “Oh”, thinking that this chuuni boy was going to make all modern high school students lose face.

“Don’t any of you move.” The boy stared at Jiang Xing, “I want to fight him one-on-one.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, a black figure quietly appeared behind the boy. The boy felt a chill on his neck and his collar was suddenly yanked. Before he even realized what had happened, a crashing sound filled his ears and a burning pain burst on his back — It was him. He’d been flung and he hit the trash can on the side of the road.

The boy yelled, “You trash, launching a sneak attack! You’re shameless!”

Lin Qingyu said in disgust, “Shut up. We didn’t do anything.” He looked at the shadow behind the boy and murmured, “…it’s him.”

A man came out from the shadows, wearing the uniform of a shadow guard of the Dayu, a sword strapped around his waist. He looked at Jiang Xing and Lin Qingyu with surprise in his eyes.

The moment Jiang Xing saw the man, the blurry picture in Jiang Xing’s mind gradually cleared. — the surrounded city in the frontier, the soldiers, the cavalry, the flames of war and all the arrows. He couldn’t help blurting out, “Huaishi?”

Lu Wancheng had never met Shen Huaishi and Jiang Xing only saw Shen Huaishi for the first time when he was Gu Fuzhou. Lin Qingyu was a little surprised, “You remember?”

When he’d recovered his memory as Lu Wancheng, Jiang Xing was still a little excited. Now he couldn’t get excited, instead, he smiled sadly, “Yeah, I remembered it all.”

Shen Huaishi, who came from afar, said solemnly: “Your Majesties, Emperor, Empress, you escort is late!”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

After a weird silence, the boy lying beside the trash can broke out into a burst of earth-shattering laughter. “Pfft hahahahaha—the emperor and empress! Hahahaha——”

At this moment, Jiang Xing could feel the premature end of his high school career. He couldn’t stay in this world any longer. Please take him back to the Dayu immediately.

Lin Qingyu though still remained calm, “Was it Xu Junyuan who sent you here?”

“Yes, the National Teacher said…”

“This is not the place to talk.” Lin Qingyu looked around, “Put your sword away first or you’ll be arrested by the police.”

The two brought Shen Huaishi home. Shen Huaishi had just arrived and without any foundational knowledge like Lin Qingyu, for him everything here absolutely amazed him. Keeping in mind the purpose of his trip, he reported to the now law-abiding empress, “The National Teacher said that he’s still trying out various method to return you both to the Dayu, please be patient and remain calm.”

“Try?” Lin Qingyu said coolly, “It’s already been a month, how long will he have to try? The country can’t remain without an emperor. If this drags on, the civil and military officials may have to establish a new emperor.”

Shen Huaishi said, “Your Majesty, please do not worry. A month in another world is only a short while in the Dayu. As soon as you left, the National Teacher sent me to pass on the message.”

“The other world must be relative.” Jiang Xing said, “I stayed in the Dayu for seven years and it was only as long as my nap when I come back here.”

Lin Qingyu pondered, “Could it be that we have to stay here for seven years before we can go back?”

Jiang Xing said, “Seven years is a long time.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Actually, it’s not so bad. That’ll be enough time for you to finish a combined undergraduate and master’s degree.”

Jiang Xing thought he must have heard wrong. “What about a combined undergraduate and master’s degree? No, Qingyu, I’m so tired of studying. I almost lost my life in my third year of high school. You want me to go to graduate school?”

Lin Qing smiled slightly, “The Dayu’s ruler turned from a high school dropout to a master’s degree holder. This is a good thing that will benefits the country and the people. For the sake of the common people, I ask that the Emperor be wronged for another seven years.”

Jiang Xing also smiled, “These are words spoken from anger. I don’t believe you.”

Shen Huaishi said, “The National Teacher also said that if a person leaves this world, the time in this world will be static. In other words, when we go back, the time in the Dayu will not have changed.”

Jiang Xing found a blind point, “You mean, seven years later, my body will be 24 years old and my mental age will be 31 years old. When I return to the Dayu, according to the theory of relatively static time, I’ll be returning to that body that just turned eighteen?”

Shen Huaishi was made a little dizzy by Jiang Xing’s question. After sorting it out in his mind, he said solemnly. “The Emperor is wise.”

Jiang Xing: “This…”

Lin Qingyu: “…Heh.”

Lin Qingyu asked Shen Huaishi about the details, while Jiang Xing went to the balcony to call his grandfather’s assistant. “It’s me. Nothing’s the matter but I have a black householder friend who needs to apply for an ID card — Yes, another one. “

140

Extra Story 18

Xu Junyuan had sent Shen Huaishi basically to tell them to rest easy. In doing so, Shen Huaishi had now also become stranded in the modern world.

“It’s getting late, let’s go to bed earlier.” Lin Qingyu said calmly, “The Emperor still as to attend tomorrow.”

Hearing the word “Emperor”, Jiang Xing’s toes curled in mortification. By now, not only had he recalled the events of Gu Fuzhou’s life, but a good deal of his memories as Xiao Li had already returned. But while the word ‘Emperor’ in the Dayu evoked supreme respect, in modern times it evoked supreme cringe. So much so that he might as well change his name to ‘chuuni‘. Chuuni Mama opened the door for Chuuni. Oh, Chuuni, you’re back!

Jiang Xing covered his face with his hands. “Qingyu, are you doing this on purpose?”

Lin Qingyu smiled and said to Shen Huaishi, “Things here aren’t like in the Dayu. From now on, here, you can just call me and Jiang Xing by our names.”

Shen Huaishi quickly said, “This subordinate dares not.”

“Well, you better start daring.” Jiang Xing complained, “Because of your ‘Emperor, Empress’, I’m already considering transferring schools.”

Shen Huaishi was about the same height as Jiang Xing. Lin Qingyu brought him a set of Jiang Xing’s clothes and taught him how to take a bath. Jiang Xing also made a bed for him. Shen Huaishi was overwhelmed by the favor, but because he was unfamiliar with the place, even though he wanted to take care of things himself, he didn’t know where to start and could only accept the care of the two.

After Shen Huaishi settled down, Jiang Xing went to take a shower first. Lin Qingyu was sitting at the table checking over Jiang Xing’s Chinese homework when he was distracted by Jiang Xing’s continuously vibrating phone.

It was Jiang Xing’s friend group. There were six boys in the group, all of whom were close friends with Jiang Xing and they were currently all making a fuss. It started with one boy posting a short video. Lin Qingyu clicked on the video and saw himself, Jiang Xing, Shen Huaishi and the chuuni boy earlier.

This video must have been filmed by one of the members of the chuuni boy’s group. The original intention had been to secure evidence that Jiang Xing had been the one to hit first. Instead, they’d managed to capture a big surprise.

“Your Majesties, Emperor, Empr-…”

Without waiting for the word “Empress” to finish, Lin Qingyu decisively turned off the video. At this hour, male high schoolers would still be awake and the five boys were all fired up because of this video:

[Hahahahahaha, I laughed so hard I was practically crowing. Children within a ten kilometer radius all thought it was dawn and picked up their schoolbags to head to school. I was almost caught by the canteen owner and made into kung pao chicken!]

[The question is, who’s the empress? The milk tea girlfriend?]

[Do you see any girl in the video? That brother standing next to Jiang Xing seems to be that handsome boy who came to school to deliver his dinner last time——God, what have I done? I, a commoner, having been calling His Majesty by his name this entire time! This subject deserves death!]

[Your Majesty, are you considering taking in a concubine? I’m not gay, but with your face (and your money) I think I can do it. Name me your concubine and I will serve the Empress during her maternal confinement.]

Lin Qingyu’s eyes froze over. Somber expression on his face, he sent: [And you think you’re the one who gets to make this decision?]

“I’m done with my shower. You can take yours now.” Jiang Xing came out of the shower, felt the coldness radiating from Lin Qingyu’s body and paused in the middle of wiping his hair, “Baobei?”

“Ridiculous.” Lin Qingyu said coldly, “If this were the Dayu, I would definitely…” Lin Qingyu closed his eyes and silently muttered, “Criminal Law”. “Forget it, I’m going to take a bath.”

Jiang Xing watched Lin Qingyu walk into the bathroom, completely unaware of what had happened. He only realized when he picked up his phone and saw the chat history.

Jiang Xing sent three smiling expressions.

[The emperor is here! Brothers, hurry up!]

[The emperor is here – long live the emperor, long live, long live!]

Jiang Xing: [You should be thankful you live in a society ruled and protected by law. If we were in ancient times, your mouths would have already gotten you white silk ties within a day.]

[Xing Ge, when did you ascend to the throne? Why didn’t you tell us?]

Jiang Xing said nothing, sending only another smiley face.

[Based on two years of seatmate friendship with His Majesty, I insist that I be made regent!]

Jiang Xing: [Where did the video come from?]

[I saw on the school’s main group chat. It’s probably already been passed around a thousand times.]

Jiang Xing: […]

[Your Majesty, just what is going on?]

Jiang Xing: [A friend was playing a prank on me. If you can’t even tell that, you better get your eyes checked.]

[Well, your friend deserves an Oscar. That “Emperor” was so sincere, it almost made me want to kneel down and shout ‘long live the Emperor!’]

[That costume’s also pretty good. It looked so fucking real.]

Jiang Xing endured his friends’ teasing and Lin Qingyu finished his bath. Because he was upset, Lin Qingyu forgot to take his clothes into the bathroom with him. He came out with only a bath towel wrapped around his waist. Jiang Xing raised his head from his mobile phone, saw the drops of water on Lin Qingyu’s lower back. His breath suddenly stuck in his throat.

During his time as Gu Fuzhou and Xiao Li, he’d done many things with this body in front of him.

He’d really slept with Lin Qingyu and done so many times, in all sorts of places. He remembered how it felt to be inside Lin Qingyu.

He’d been fine while he was ignorant and knew nothing. He could simply regard himself as an ordinary student. But now that he has remembered…

Lin Qingyu felt Jiang Xing’s unusual gaze, turned around and asked, “What?”

Jiang Xing hesitated to speak, “Qingyu, I want…”

Lin Qingyu took his clothes and walked to the bathroom, calmly saying, “No, you don’t want to.”

Jiang Xing laughed. “Then why don’t you sleep with me and put me to the test?”

Lin Qingyu said, “I will.”

Probably because he was too tired from school, this temptation proved not that hard to resist. He was uncomfortable and hot, but it wasn’t enough to stop him from falling sleep. It just goes to prove that what those scumbags tell girls about feeling so uncomfortable and in pain, that they would die if they didn’t do it, was all just a bunch of bullshit.

Jiang Xing began memorizing “Chu Shi Biao” and in the process, his lids grew heavy and he naturally fell asleep. Lin Qingyu opened his eyes, looked at the boy lying next to him and sighed silently.

Jiang Xing wasn’t the only one being tested by sharing a bed. He found a comfortable position in Jiang Xing’s arms and whispered, “I want to too, but I can’t be caught by the police.”

The next day, Lin Qingyu took Shen Huaishi to find Teacher Tony. Teacher Tony saw Shen Huaishi’s temperament and knew exactly what hairstyle was suitable for him. After one session, Shen Huaishi had transformed from a plain-looking passerby in ancient attire to a modern handsome guy with properly proportioned features.

Lin Qingyu said, “It’s just a shorter hairstyle but it created such a big change.”

Teacher Tony said with a smile, “This sort of thing is very common. A lot of those ‘ugly’ guys in period dramas actually look quite good in modern dramas, right? Only true ‘male gods’ are able to make any look work.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Huaishi, what do you think?”

Shen Huaishi touched his prickly short hair and said shyly, “I’m not used to it.”

Lin Qingyu smiled slightly. “You’ll quickly get used to it.”

As Teacher Tony was sending the two of them out, he said to Lin Qingyu, “Have you given any thought to what I told you last time? Many of my customers are people in the circle, and I can introduce you——With a face like that, not entering the entertainment industry is simply too wasteful.”

Before, Lin Qingyu didn’t know when they would return and so, making sure to be ready to return to the Dayu at any time, he hadn’t made any plans for his modern life. Now, it seemed that he should have some long-term goals.

Lin Qingyu once again thought of this modern age’s highest medical institution. He replied to Teacher Tony, “There’s no need for me to consider it. I’m not interested in this matter.”

With Shen Huashi’s arrival, Lin Qingyu became very busy. He began teaching Shen Huaishi to recognize simplified characters, to use electrical appliances and to become familiar with modern society. What surprised Jiang Xing was that Shen Huaishi learned quite quickly. Although he wasn’t as good as Lin Qingyu with his photographic memory, he could remember most things after seeing and hearing it a couple of times. He was performing much better than a lot of the native born academic slags.

Jiang Xing’s surprise drew Lin Qingyu’s attention. “Do you have the wrong idea about Heaven’s Prison Sect? In modern times, Heaven’s Prison Sect is comparable to the CIA. Every member of Heaven’s Prison Sect is a one in a million talent. Shen Huaishi, as its leader, naturally has good learning ability.”

Shen Huaishi was very embarrassed. “It’s thanks to the empr-… to Qingyu’s great teaching.”

After they secured Shen Huaishi’s ID card, there was now a lot more things the two of them could do.

On Monday, Jiang Xing went to school as though serving a sentence. Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi took a cruise down the Pearl River, watching the bustling city from on board a luxury sightseeing boat.

On Tuesday, Jiang Xing was worked harder than a dog and was more tired than one. Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi hiked up Baiyun Mountain, overlooking the city and watching the sunset.

On Wednesday, Jiang Xing was barely holding on to his life. Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi ate at a century-old Cantonese restaurant. When brought back home roast goose for Jiang Xing to eat when he was tired from doing homework.

On Thursday, Jiang Xing’s life was hanging by a thread. Lin Qingyu stayed at home and taught Shen Huaishi how to play games. Jiang Xing returned home after studying late into the night to see his empress playing an assassin and his assassin playing an empress.

On Friday, Jiang Xing barely survived by relying on his obsession with the weekend. During class break, Jiang Xing was looking at the photos Lin Qingyu had sent him, when the PE Rep came to gossip with him. “Your Majesty, I have something important to report.”

Jiang Xing pressed down on the space between his brows. What’s done was done and so, he decided to simply go along with it. “What is it?”

“A new girl has been transferred to the class next door. It is said that she is a mixed-race little beauty with curly hair and big round eyes…”

Jiang Xing’s heart skipped a beat and he asked, “Does our school also accept transfer students?”

The PE Rep scratched his head. “I think you’re missing the point?”

“Zhen asked you something.”

The PE Rep was stunned by Jiang Xing. “Replying to His Majesty. Of course, the school accepts transfers. As long as you have this…” The PE Rep made the gesture to indicate money, “And pass the transfer test. Of course, if you donate tens of millions or maybe a building to the school, you’d probably be able to get in without even taking the exam.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “So that’s it.”

That evening, when Jiang Xing came home from school, Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi were sitting on the sofa, looking at the tablet computer, researching who knows what.

“You’re back.” Lin Qingyu said, “Do you have a lot of homework this weekend?”

“A lot? Please call it what it is, which is ‘endless’.” Jiang Xing threw down his schoolbag dejectedly and walked to the two of them, “What are you looking at?”

Shen Huaishi said, “Qingyu is debating whether to go to Beijing or Xi’an.”

“Beijing? Xi’an?”

“Huaishi got his ID card. We’re planning to take the high-speed rail or plane to visit other cities.” Lin Qingyu explained, “Beijing is the country’s current capital and there are countless institutions of higher learning there. Xi’an is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties so it’s worth a visit.”

Jiang Xing said, “Why choose? Of course we’ll go visit everywhere. But there’s still two months before winter vacation. It’s too early to make plans now.”

Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi looked at each other and Lin Qingyu said, “Why wait for winter vacation? Huaishi and I can go anytime.”

Jiang Xing had a heart attack. Pointing at himself, he asked, “You and Huaishi? What about me?”

Lin Qingyu said, matter of fact, “Don’t you have to go to school?”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu comforted him, “We’ll go on Monday and return on Friday. That way, we can still be with you on the weekends.”

Jiang Xing took the tablet from Lin Qingyu’s hand and said, “Let’s explore that later. Take a look at this first.”

Jiang Xing put the two forms on the table and at the top of the forms were the words, “Transfer Application Form”.

Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi both raised their heads at the same time and cast questioning looks at Jiang Xing.

“Zhen will have you both attend school.”

141

Extra Story 19

Jiang Xing’s high school was one of the city’s key schools. Obtaining the transfer qualifications wasn’t easy. Even though he’d used his family connections to obtain those transfer qualifications, Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi still had to take the transfer exam.

Lin Qingyu had no objection to this. He had checked and found that if he wanted to enter the best medical school, he had to take the college entrance examination and he had to get a fairly high score. Even had Jiang Xing not said anything, he still would have wanted to attend.

Shen Huaishi was a little uneasy. “Your Majesty, do I-do I have to go to school too?”

Jiang Xing raised the corners of his lips and smiled happily, “Of course, I’m not letting either of you escape.”

Shen Huaizhi said, “But I’m only here to protect the emperor and empress.”

Jiang Xing said, “If you want to protect us, you must at least be by our side. If Qingyu and I both go to school, how will you protect us?”

Shen Huaishi said without hesitation, “From the shadows.”

Lin Qingyu said, “I prefer that you protect us out in the open.”

Since the Empress had already spoken, Shen Huaishi had no choice but to agree. Jiang Xing hired retired special-grade teachers as tutors for the two of them, one for each subject. They studied nine to six on weekdays, with weekends off. After class, Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi still had to complete the homework assigned by the teachers. They had very full schedules.

Lin Qingyu learned quickly. At the beginning of the month, he had just started to learn the basics of junior high school physics and by the end of the month, he had already started to use Lenz’s law. He was a natural at languages. He had learned Cantonese easily when he was in the Dayu and now, memorizing English words was as easy as drinking water. This photographic memory skill went against the natural order. Jiang Xing suspected that Lin Qingyu’s vocabulary after two months of learning English could easily crush his.

Shen Huaishi wasn’t quite as good. Although his studies also went smoothly, he was only human after all and wasn’t a match for a god of learning. Lin Qingyu’s speed of learning was many times faster than Shen Huaishi. In order to wait for him to catch up, Lin Qingyu also took the time to pass his driver’s license test – all subjects 1 to 4 were passed with full marks in one go.

When Lin Qingyu got his driver’s license, he became the student who passed the fastest since the establishment of the driving school. For this reason, the driving school made him a pennant with the words “Most Beautiful Student”.

Winter vacation was fast approaching, which meant that finals were coming soon and then only half a year would be left before the college entrance examinations. All high school seniors work very hard and Jiang Xing was no exception. Even during the New Year’s holidays, he studied at home. With Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi studying along with him, he finally felt that all was right with the world.

On New Year’s Eve, the housekeeper Auntie got off work after preparing a sumptuous dinner. Guangzhou wasn’t so cold in winter and the three of them set up a small dining table on the balcony, facing the Pearl River and Slim Waist. Jiang Xing even opened one of the bottles of red wine that his father had kept for many years.

As a Dayu native, Lin Qingyu has no special feelings for New Year’s. He preferred to celebrate Lunar New Year. But Jiang Xing was so excited that he naturally decided to go along with him. He watched Jiang Xing take out three glasses for the red wine and asked, “Can minors drink?”

Jiang Xing immediately answered, “Yes.”

Lin Qingyu narrowed his eyes. “Let me check.”

“…Is there not even this little bit of trust between husband and wife?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Yes.” In matters like this, he had no trust in Jiang Xing at all. After all, Jiang Xing was also the one who told him that in modern times, people go into hot springs in the nude.

Lin Qingyu found the “Law on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency”, which stated that minors were not allowed to smoke and drink alcohol. At the same time, it prohibited businesses from selling tobacco and alcohol to minors.

“You can’t drink too much but the occasional drink at home shouldn’t hurt.” Lin Qingyu raised his chin towards the wine glass, “Pour the wine then.”

Jiang Xing feigned a burdened figure and then pretended to sigh, “I’ve finally discovered that in this family, I am but a servant.”

Hearing these words, Shen Huaishi felt as if he was suddenly faced with a formidable enemy. He quickly got up and said, “This subordinate shall serve their Majesties.”

Shen Huaishi was extremely remorseful. After living in this house for a couple of months, he had gradually gotten used treating the emperor and empress as equals; so much so that he found himself doing something so disrespectful as sitting and waiting for the emperor to pour him wine.

“Sit down.” Lin Qingyu gave Jiang Xing a look of “see what you did”. “Jiang Xing’s just putting on an act. Don’t mind him.”

Jiang Xing pressed down Shen Huaishi’s shoulder and pushed him back down to sit. “You call me ‘Your Majesty’ again while we’re here and you better believe I’m gonna make you eat this wine bottle.”

Shen Huaishi’s eyes widened and he pursed his lips. “This subordinate… Huaishi dares not.”

It was Lin Qingyu’s first time to drink red wine and for the first two sips, he found that he wasn’t quite used to the taste. After a few more sips, he was awakened to the beauty of red wine; it’s pleasant aroma, mellow taste and long aftertaste.

Once they were done with dinner, there were still a few more hours before midnight. A lot of people had already gathered in the square near Slim Waist. Counting down the New Year in front of a city’s landmark is undoubtedly one of the most traditional ways to celebrate the New Year’s. No matter how lively the square was, their residential building was still quite peaceful. Slim Waist was right before their eyes, as if they could reach out and touch.

Lin Qingyu suggested playing games to pass the rest of the time. He was still very much interested in online games. He liked playing assassin and he also enjoyed controlling the overall situation and taking the enemy’s life when they’re caught off guard.

Jiang Xing said, “But it’s already past nine o’clock.” Ever since his puppy love relationship was discovered, Jiang Xing was forced to use his own ID card to play games. Thanks to the anti-addiction system for minors, he could only play for an hour a day even on holidays.

Lin Qingyu threw a sympathetic look towards the male high schooler. “Then you can only watch me and Huaishi play.”

Jiang Xing forced a smile on his face. “That doesn’t sound very interesting.”

“Then would a math exercise sheet be more interesting?”

Shen Huaishi was moved to pity by Jiang Xing’s expression that he cracked and he offered to accompany Jiang Xing to do his homework. “I’ve also fallen behind on my homework. So, I’ll go work on those with Jiang Xing.”

In order not to disturb the two of them, Lin Qingyu put on headphones. Jiang Xing couldn’t see the game screen or hear the sound, so he could only judge the battle situation by the expression on Lin Qingyu’s face.

At the beginning of the game, Lin Qingyu frowned unhappily. It must be because he’d been robbed of the jungler position and was forced to make do with a different role.

Lin Qingyu’s expression became colder and colder, indicating that the game was going against them.

Killing intent floated in his eyes… Was he being camped or had he been killed in retaliation?

At the end of the game, Lin Qingyu took off his headphones and threw his cell phone. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger and said, “Idiot.”

While Shen Huaishi was taking a shower, Jiang Xing left his half-done exercise sheet and sat down beside Lin Qingyu. “What’s wrong?”

“Some idiot robbed me of the jungler position and I was forced to play a marksman. He also had the support follow him so I often wound up fighting two to one, sometimes even three or four would gang up against me. And despite all that I was able to kill a few. Then that idiot actually had to gall to put the blame on me, saying that my marksman isn’t even fit to clean toilets.”

Jiang Xing: “…” It’s over. He felt a little like laughing. What should he do?

Jiang Xing tried his best to hold back his laughter. His intuition told him that if he laughs now, he’ll probably lose his wife.

“That overconfident noob actually has the gall to try and teach me how to do things.” Lin Qingyu became angrier and angrier as he spoke. He stretched out his arms to Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing picked up the beauty who wanted a hug and put him on his lap. “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. I’ll help you report him.”

“What’s the use of reporting him?” Lin Qingyu rested his forehead on Jiang Xing’s shoulder, “I want this person hunted all across the country and disposed of as soon as possible.”

Jiang Xing deliberately went along with it, “Sure. Then, send me his in-game account page and I’ll help you arrest him.”

Lin Qingyu hesitated and felt that his plans might be a bit too much. “Forget it, it’s just a game.”

Jiang Xing laughed. Lin Qingyu’s reaction was exactly as he had imagined.

“Why am I still so angry?” Lin Qingyu closed his eyes, “I’ll go answer an English exercise sheet to vent.”

Once Shen Huaishi came back, they became three students sitting in a row, diligently doing their homework. After Lin Qingyu finished his English exercise sheet, Jiang Xing helped him check the answers. Seeing that all the objective questions were correct, Jiang Xing couldn’t help but ask, “Qingyu, how did you do it?”

Lin Qingyu said lightly, “What do you mean? You can do it too, can’t you?”

“For sure. But how long have I been studying and how long have you been studying…”

Lin Qingyu said, “To me, these words are no different from Chinese characters. When I look at this paper, it’s like I’m reading a Chinese test paper for the third graders.”

Jiang Xing was silent for a full half minute. He then suddenly grabbed Lin Qingyu’s hand and said sincerely, “I’ve truly wronged you by making you my wife.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Shen Huaishi smiled and said, “If Qingyu were to take the Dayu’s imperial examination, he would definitely take first place.”

While Jiang Xing was proud of his wife, he also felt a little guilty. If he really fails to score higher than Lin Qingyu in the future, would Lin Qingyu not find him handsome anymore?

Lin Qingyu then started to do his math homework. Jiang Xing saw that he was stuck on a geometry problem and felt that he could finally show his skills – he only had the barest advantage in these subjects that didn’t require rote memorization.

Jiang Xing leaned over and pointed the pen tip at the question. “Qingyu, this question is actually not difficult, you just need to draw an auxiliary line between point A and point H…”

Lin Qingyu looked up at him. “You also want to teach me how to do things?”

“…I wouldn’t dare.”

Jiang Xing slid back to his chair. Lin Qingyu looked down at the geometry problem, and after thinking deeply, he reluctantly made an auxiliary line between point A and point H.

Three minutes before midnight, Jiang Xing sent his dad a Happy New Year message. They were in different time zones but he didn’t bother to time it, simply following the domestic time. His dad replied to him right away.

[Happy New Year. I heard from your aunt that you’re dating?]

[En.]

[Will it affect your studies?]

[It won’t.]

[Okay, I’ll double your living expenses starting this month.]

[No need, I’m not short of money.]

The inheritance left to him by his mother was being managed by a trust while he was yet of age. The monthly pay out was quite substantial.

[It will always come in handy.]

Jiang Xing no longer refused. Who wouldn’t want money?

[Thank you, Dad.]

At 11:59, a 60-second countdown appeared on Slim Waist. Both Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi were immersed in the sea of questions and had no intention of doing anything else. Jiang Xing stared at the numbers outside the window and suddenly exclaimed, “Fuck! Huaishi! Look over there!”

Shen Huaishi’s first reaction was that there was an assassin. He stood up abruptly and looked in the direction Jiang Xing pointed at. “Who is it!”

Jiang Xing’s “Fuck” was full of emotion. Lin Qingyu thought that if it weren’t assassins, it would be aliens. He was about to turn his head to look when his lips were suddenly kissed.

“Happy New Year, Qingyu.”

142

Extra Story 20

Jiang Xing’s final exam was a city wide’s joint exam. He got the first place in the school and the second place in the city, only one point behind the city’s first placer. He was reluctantly satisfied with this result, saying that it was not in vain that he’d been doing homework even during New Year’s Eve. Lin Qingyu though was not very satisfied, “Why only second place?”

Jiang Xing defended himself, “The city’s first placer is the neighboring school’s hold-out academic tyrant. He’s been studying a year longer than I have…”

Lin Qingyu sneered. “Excuses. If you’d concentrated more on your homework instead of kissing me all the time, would things have turned out like this?”

“…Let’s not talk about this.” Jiang Xing took the report card away from Lin Qingyu’s hand, “The Lunar New Year is coming soon, how do you want to celebrate our first Chinese New Year in modern times?”

There was only one semester left before the college entrance exams. Thus, winter vacation for senior high school students was limited to only ten days. It starts two days before New Year’s Day and they had to be back at school seven days after. They even had to celebrate the Lantern Festival in school. But the Lantern Festival was also the anniversary of his and Lin Qingyu’s love – they’ve been together for five years.

Lin Qingyu asked, “How do modern people generally celebrate the (Lunar) New Year?”

Jiang Xing told him everything — posting Spring Festival couplets, making dumplings, having New Year’s Eve dinner, watching the Spring Festival Gala, giving out red envelopes… Save for watching the Spring Festival Gala, the other customs weren’t much different from the Dayu’s customs.

Jiang Xing’s father had no plans to go back to China for this year’s Lunar New Year. His paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles all called; several urged Jiang Xing to come over to their houses for the celebration, promising red envelopes if he came. Considering that neither Lin Qingyu nor Shen Huaishi liked lively and boisterous celebrations, Jiang Xing did not hesitate to use hard and soft means to politely decline all these elders who loved him.

For the three boys, getting together to celebrate the Lunar New Years, was somewhat of a challenge. Auntie too went home, so they had to be the ones to handle their own New Year’s Eve dinner. Between Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing, one was an ancient young master and the other was a modern young master. Neither had been in the kitchen more than a handful of times in their whole lives. Shen Huaishi stepped up to undertake the task, saying that he knew a thing or two about cooking.

Jiang Xing asked curiously, “Does the Heavenly Prison Sect teach their members to cook?”

Shen Huaishi nodded. “When shadow guards go out on missions, eating and sleeping in the open air is common. We can’t let ourselves starve to death.”

“Don’t you carry dry rations with you?”

Shen Huaishi smiled and said, “That’s true when we go out alone. But sometimes we travel with our master, and we can’t let the master eat dry rations with us.”

Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing exchanged glances and they simultaneously thought of Shen Huaishi’s former master. Lin Qingyu said, “Cooking in modern times should be much more convenient than in the Dayu. Jiang Xing and I can help you.”

Together, they headed to the mall to buy goods to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Before going into the mall, Jiang Xing bought three cups of milk tea. Three grown boys, holding cups of the milk tea, bought new clothes and shoes before finally heading to the supermarket.

They loaded an entire shopping cart full of snacks and took a little of each type of fruit. In consideration for the kitchen-illiterate, food manufacturers have launched quick-cook dishes. The ingredients have all been processed so that even the amount of salt and oil needed had been packed in small pouches.

Lin Qingyu said, “It’s so simple and convenient. I feel like even I can cook this.”

“Then would you condescend to cook for us?” Jiang Xing said, “It’s been five years, Qingyu and it seems like you’ve never cooked for me. I even cooked noodles for you once.”

“What’s difficult about this?” Lin Qingyu was unfazed, “Leave it to me.”

Lin Qingyu was determined to cook for Jiang Xing with his own hands so he refused Shen Huaishi’s offer to help. He unpacked the quick-cook dish and was quickly dazed as he stared at the pile of ingredients. He knew that the oil goes in first but what after that? In what order should he put these many ingredients into the pan?

Lin Qingyu couldn’t figure it out, so he had no choice but to ask Jiang Xing and Shen Huaishi, who were putting up paper cutout decorations on the windows. Jiang Xing said, “There should be step-by-step instructions on the package. You can just follow that.”

Lin Qingyu’s expression froze for a moment and then he said, “Okay.”

Jiang Xing still felt uneasy and so he asked Shen Huaishi to go to the kitchen to have a look. Shen Huaishi couldn’t find Lin Qingyu at first. He was getting puzzled when he suddenly found Lin Qingyu huddled in the corner.

Lin Qingyu was squatting next to the trash can. He had his head tilted, frowning, trying to make out the words on the package he’d thrown into the trash can.

Shen Huaishi then realized what must have happened.

Having prepared the dishes strictly according to the instructions, Lin Qingyu’s dishes came out looking good and quite tasty. Jiang Xing had also a big bag of dumplings. The three of them ate their New Year’s Eve dinner as they watched the Spring Festival Gala.

Lin Qingyu was a native of the capital and could be considered a northerner. For him, dumplings were a must for Lunar New Year. He picked up the steaming hot dumpling fresh out of the pan. He wanted to eat it but stopped, putting it near Jiang Xing’s mouth, saying, “Jiang Xing, blow this for me.”

Shen Huaishi suddenly realized what Jiang Xing meant when he often sighed about “How is my wife so cute?”. Before, he never understood. To him, Lin Qingyu was cool, elegant and lofty. How could the word “cute” possibly be used to describe Lin Qingyu?

But now, he finally discovered Lin Qingyu’s cute side. Did this mean that he could now be considered one of Lin Qingyu’s closest friends?

Jiang Xing didn’t have much interest in the Spring Festival Gala and he just watched it casually. On the other hand, the two from the Dayu were absolutely engrossed in watching it. While watching one of the folk performances, Lin Qingyu heard the sound of the erhu and thought of something. “Jiang Xing.”

“Hm?”

“You said that when you were a child, your mother asked you to learn two musical instruments, one traditional and one western. So besides the erhu, what other musical instrument do you know how to play?”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Guess.”

Lin Qingyu was speechless. “Back then, you asked me to guess your name, now, you’re asking me to guess what western musical instruments you play? Can’t you just tell me?”

“I can’t.” Jiang Xing said feeling quite justified, “I’m good at only a few things. If I tell you outright, how can I surprise you in the future? Think about it, a lifetime’s pretty long. When we’re seventy or eighty, wouldn’t you feel pleasantly surprised if I suddenly come out and put on a performance for you?”

Lin Qingyu said coldly, “No.”

Lin Qingyu was a curious person. Jiang Xing refused to tell him so he had to find a way to get the answer. After watching the Spring Festival Gala, the three went back to their rooms. Jiang Xing saw Lin Qingyu doodling and drawing on the tablet and asked, “What are you doing, Baobei?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “I’m figuring out what kind of musical instrument you play.”

Jiang Xing just laughed. “Do you have to be so serious about it?”

“Yes.” Lin Qingyu looked at the list of western musical instruments, “Since your mother forced you to choose two to learn, given your personality, you definitely wouldn’t have chosen one that’s too difficult. We can exclude the clarinet, piano and others like it. Secondly, so long as you can sit, you will never stand. So you wouldn’t have chosen an instrument that needs to be played while standing. Also, you wouldn’t have chosen an instrument that is too heavy…”

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu looked up, saw Jiang Xing was holding a gift box and asked, “What’s that?”

Jiang Xing said, “My cousin knows I’m seeing someone so she said she wanted to establish a good relationship with her siblings in advance. This is her New Year’s gift to you.”

Lin Qingyu was thus distracted. “For me?”

“Yeah, should we open it and have a look?”

“Alright.”

Jiang Xing opened the gift box, glanced at it and closed it immediately. Lin Qingyu asked suspiciously, “What?”

Jiang Xing appeared embarrassed. “She gifted you things that girls like.” He hadn’t told his family that his wife was a man. Everyone just assumed he was dating a girl.

“It doesn’t matter.” Lin Qingyu said, “What matters is her good intentions. Let me see.”

Pei Zhiqi was very generous to her future sibling, giving her a lipstick and a piece of clothing. Jiang Xing said, “No wonder she suddenly asked me about your height and weight…”

Lin Qingyu originally thought that Pei Zhiqi had given him a blue robe but when he unfolded it, he realized that the style of the dress was quite unique, with slits going up the thighs. It was a stule he’d never before seen in the Dayu or in modern times.

Jiang Xing gave a “tsk” sound. “She sure knows how to tease. Qingyu, this is a cheongsam.”

“Cheongsam?” Lin Qingyu touched the exquisite embroidery on the dress, “It combines both classic and modern beauty. Not bad.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Do you want to wear it?”

Lin Qingyu asked back, “Do you want me to wear it?”

Jiang Xing was taken aback, his Adam’s apple bobbed. “I don’t… But if you want to wear it, I can…”

Lin Qingyu chuckled lightly. “Leave it be for now.”

After having a look at the dress, Lin Qingyu then took the lipstick and opened it. It was a bright red lipstick. “Is this the rouge used by modern women?” Lin Qingyu scratched a line across his hand, trying to smell the spices used in the lipstick. “If we can bring this thing back to the Dayu, it will definitely be widely sought after by women.”

Jiang Xing shook himself out of his fantasy of the beauty in cheongsam. He said, “Some lipsticks can be used by men too. Do you want to try it?”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while. “Alright, I’d like to know how it feels when applied.” After all, this wasn’t his first time using rouge.

Jiang Xing said, “Let me help you.”

Lin Qingyu faced Jiang Xing, his lips parted slightly, waiting for the touch of lipstick. Jiang Xing moved slowly and carefully, applying only a thin layer. But this color was simply too red. Just this barest application already turned Lin Qingyu’s lips cherry red.

Jiang Xing suddenly remembered his third wedding night with Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu had worn a bright red wedding dress and his lips too had been this fiery red.

Lin Qingyu noticed Jiang Xing’s intense burning gaze. Before he had time to say anything, Jiang Xing was already kissing his freshly painted lips.

This kiss was that of a grown adult man, carrying with it the taste of danger. Lin Qingyu was carried onto the bed, his shirt was lifted up and the young man’s hands kept rubbing against his waist He reached out to push, but was grabbed had his wrist grabbed instead.

“I’ll just hug you and do nothing else.” Halfway through his words, Jiang Xing felt that something was wrong. He added, “Although my words may sound like I’m deceiving you into sleeping with me, I really can hold back, believe me.”

…It’s over, he’s done for. Why was it that the more he said, the more he sounded like a scumbag?

“It has nothing to do with you.” Lin Qingyu turned his head and said softly, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back.”

Jiang Xing’s breathing tightened. He immediately quit talking nonsense and kissed him again.

On the first day of the New Year, both Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing put on new clothes; the same style of hooded sweater, but different colors. Lin Qingyu’s was white while Jiang Xing’s was black. Lin Qingyu took out the red envelope he’d prepared in advance and handed it to Jiang Xing. “New Year’s money.”

Jiang Xing was a little surprised. “For me?”

“Right now, I’m older than you, so I have to be the one to give you New Year’s money.”

Jiang Xing took the red envelope and said with a smile, “It’s so thick.”

“I earned it myself.”

“How did you earn it?”

Lin Qingyu said, “How can I make money in the modern world? Naturally, by relying on my face. Some shop bought the right to use the photos taken of me at the Hanfu Festival.”

“Sure enough, you’ll never go hungry if you’ve got a pretty face.” Jiang Xing said, “Since I’ve received your red envelope, it’s only right that I give you my New Year’s greetings.”

“Alright, get on with it then.”

Jiang Xing took two steps back, cupped his hands before his chest and bowed. “”First, a thousand years to langjun and second, to qieshen, perpetual health.”.”

Lin Qingyu smiled, and replied, “Third, like the swallows perched on roof beams, may we see each other year after year.”

They wore their hair short, wore modern clothes and saluted each other as they did in the Dayu.

143

Extra Story 21

Before the new term, Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi took the transfer exam. When Lin Qingyu came out of the examination room, he immediately saw Jiang Xing waiting at the door.

Jiang Xing said with a relaxed tone, “How did you do in the exam?”

“Fair.” Lin Qingyu said, “Where’s Huaishi?”

After a while, Shen Huaishi, looking dejected, found the two of them. Because he was so depressed, he forgot to change their forms of address, “Your Majesties placed such high hopes on me. I didn’t know how to do a few of the questions…”

Jiang Xing comforted him, “It’s just a few questions. That’s already pretty good.” Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi have only been studying for less than half a year. That Shen Huashi performed like this in the exam was quite normal. It was Lin Qingyu who was abnormal.

Shen Huaishi showed a wry smile. “I don’t think I passed the exam.”

Jiang Xing was already prepared. “Huaishi, you like sports a lot, don’t you?”

Shen Huaishi didn’t know why Jiang Xing was asking him this. He answered, “This is but natural.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “Then don’t panic. You guys, come with me.”

The three of them arrived at the sports field, where the PE teacher was leading the sports students through their routine training. The PE Rep in Jiang Xing’s class specialized in the high jump but because he did nothing but eat and gain weight during the Lunar New Year break, he was currently being scolded quite severely by the PE teacher. Lin Qingyu had a mask on. He could hear the teacher’s roar even from a distance. “And you want to be admitted to a sports university?!”

Jiang Xing patted Shen Huaishi on the shoulder. “It’s your turn to show your stuff.”

Jiang Xing had bought some sports drinks in advance. He gave one to the PE Rep and another to the PE teacher. The teacher looked at Jiang Xing, eyes filled with regret and unwillingness. “Jiang Xing, are you really not going to join the school team? The swim team always has a spot open for you.”

Jiang Xing smiled and said, “No, thank you, Teacher. Swimming’s really tiring.”

The teacher rolled his eyes. “Quit that already. What about the basketball team? I saw you playing basketball last time.”

“To be honest, the only sport I’m passionate about right now is fishing.”

Teacher:”……”

Jiang Xing got to the point. “Teacher, I have a friend who I would like to recommend to you…”

Shen Huaishi didn’t even need to show his stuff. The teacher took one look at his perfect athletic figure and smooth muscle lines and it was like he’d discovered a hidden treasure. One touch and he was filled with excitement.

Jiang Xing was not at all surprised by this. – The majestic leader of the Heavenly Prison Sect had been subjected through hellish training since he was a child. He was battle-trained and experienced. The high jump was mere child’s play to him. With this specialty and another semester of study, it wouldn’t be difficult for Shen Huaishi to get into a good university. If one were so bold as to dream a bit bigger, he might even win honors for the country in the future.

For the last two days of the holiday, Shen Huaishi was pestered by the PE teacher into attending training, which left the young couple with time alone together. Jiang Xing decided to take advantage of the holiday to celebrate their fifth anniversary in advance.

Having just finished the exam, Lin Qingyu too wanted to be salted fish for a couple of days and so acquiesced to be taken out. Modern people’s idea of celebrating their anniversary is nothing more than finding a nice restaurant to have a meal or going out to see a movie. But Jiang Xing wanted to go fishing.

“When I was emperor, there was a pond in the palace and I could still fish occasionally. Now that I’m back in modern times, I’ve never fished even once.”

Lin Qingyu looked at the wronged and aggrieved high school student and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Where do you want to go fishing?”

Jiang Xing had done his homework and chose a homestay located in a small forest, known as the Secret Garden. The cottage was hidden in a forest, giving off strong fairy tale vibes. It was surrounded by nature with streams and ponds but was also equipped with modern amenities like a bath, a bar, a restaurant and even a ranch.

Jiang Xing’s family driver took the two of them to the homestay. The owner welcomed them warmly, making polite conversation as he showed them around the place. “May I ask, are you two friends or…”

Jiang Xing said, “We’re a couple.”

The owner smiled knowingly, “We have complimentary cake and roses for couples who stay with us.”

“In that case, can you write ‘Happy 5th Anniversary’ on the cake?”

“Fifth anniversary?” The owner was stunned, “If I remember correctly, it said on your ID cards that…”

Jiang Xing was very honest. “You remember correctly.”

The owner was taken aback. “This…” Should he call the police?

Lin Qingyu glanced at Jiang Xing and said to the owner, “He’s joking with you.”

He smiled and said, half-truth and half-lie, “Am I?”

The owner was more willing to trust decent handsome guys over handsome jokers. Panicked over a false alarm, he wiped the sweat off his brow and continued to introduce, “We also provide guests with fishing gear and use of a grill and campfire…”

Jiang Xing took the fishing gear and headed straight for the stream not far from the homestay. The stream was crystal clear. The air was refreshingly cool without being too cold. Having lived in the city for a long time, occasionally coming to a small forest to experience the slow life and get away from it all was also a different kind of pleasure.

“An unsurpassably clear stream; in this lonely spot, a cloud as your only friend.” Lin Qingyu said, “How did you find such a place?”

Jiang Xing skillfully placed the bait on the hook. “It was recommended by a classmate. He said this place is superb, only that…”

“Only that what?”

Jiang Xing lowered his voice. “When he was sleeping at night, he saw something strange.”

Lin Qingyu felt that Jiang Xing was probably pulling his leg and so he said lightly, “Oh.”

Jiang Xing said, “Aren’t you curious what it was?”

“A ghost, probably.”

Jiang Xing was speechless.

It was getting dark. Lin Qingyu asked the owner to set up the grill by the stream. Jiang Xing was fishing while he was preparing dinner. When he wasn’t sure whether it was cooked or not, he would feed Jiang Xing a bite.

Jiang Xing has been fishing in the Dayu for a few years and had some skills. After an hour, he’d managed to catch one loach, a small one. Seeing him thoroughly enjoying himself, seeming not at all to tire, Lin Qingyu understood what it meant to ‘suck but still want to play’.

This male high schooler was obviously good at so many sports but he only loves fishing. What can he do but accompany him?

During this period, Ke Tang sent Lin Qingyu a WeChat message, asking him if he’d given more consideration into becoming a model to earn extra money.

Ke Tang: [A lot of Hanfu stores have seen your photos and want to work with you.]

Lin Qingyu: [No need. I probably won’t have much time in the future. ]

Ke Tang used this topic to start chatting with Lin Qingyu. When she found out that Lin Qingyu was out fishing with his boyfriend, she sent a series of question marks.

Ke Tang: [What the hell? Fishing!? Isn’t dating a high schooler all about doing homework together, visiting food stalls and handing him water while he’s playing basketball?]

Lin Qingyu: [Maybe but my male high schooler’s different.]

After three hours of fishing, the two made their way back with their “bountiful harvest”. The moonlight was dim; birds called to each other in the woods. Lin Qingyu saw an unusual beam of light shining through the dense forest. He stopped and asked, “What’s that?”

Jiang Xing too was puzzled. “I don’t know. Do you want to go and have a look?”

“Alright.”

The two walked towards the beam of light. It was too dark under their feet, so Jiang Xing turned on the flashlight of his mobile phone to illuminate their way. “Qingyu, you walk behind me.”

They were getting closer and closer to the light and Lin Qingyu saw the silhouette of a huge monster. Suddenly, a gust of evil wind blew by and sent the fallen leaves flying. A low sobbing sound seemed to mix in with the rustling of the leaves.

Lin Qingyu asked, “Did you hear that?”

“I only heard the wind.”

Lin Qingyu said softly, “Are there any other guests in the homestay?”

Jiang Xing said, “No, the owner said it’s just the two of us today.”

Lin Qingyu’s face was grave. “Could it be a lonely ghost or some lost soul?”

Jiang Xing smiled. “There’s no such thing as lost souls.”

Lin Qingyu looked pointedly at him, saying nothing.

Jiang Xing asked in confusion, “What are you looking at me for?”

Lin Qingyu said, “If there’s no lost souls in the world then how did you die and come back to life three times?”

Jiang Xing was momentarily taken aback. “You’ve got a point there. You go back to the homestay and I’ll go take a look.”

Lin Qingyu couldn’t stand it. “Don’t say such stupid things. If you want to have a look, we’ll go together.”

Jiang Xing hesitated. “But…”

Lin Qingyu took his hand and walked forward. “Let’s go.”

The two continued to move forward and when they were only a few steps away from the behemoth, bright lights suddenly came on.

Lin Qingyu instinctively raised his hand to block the light. He was only able to see straight after his eyes adjusted.

——A spotless silver coupe, the same color as the moonlight, was parked in the wooded clearing.

While Lin Qingyu was still dazed, Jiang Xing walked up to him, raised his fist and unfurled it. A car key dropped, hanging off his finger.

“Qingyu, this is for you.”

Lin Qingyu understood. He found the situation both infuriating and funny. “You played me.”

Jiang Xing smiled innocently and brightly. “I didn’t, you were the one who mentioned ghosts. I said there’s no such thing but you still refuted me.”

“Can’t you just give me gifts properly? Why do you have to make it a surprise every time?”

Jiang Xing thought for a while, “Probably because you look so cute whenever I surprise you.” He put the car keys in Lin Qingyu’s hand, “Allow me to give you in advance my gift for our fifth anniversary. Don’t say I didn’t prepare any presents on the day itself, alright? Do you like it?”

Lin Qingyu’s chest turned warm and his heart was beating fast. They were already an old married couple but Jiang Xing could still get him to react like this. Was this the charm of a surprise?

Lin Qingyu smiled slightly. “I like it.”

Jiang Xing deliberately turned his smile wicked. “Then I’ll have to trouble you to drive me to and from school from now on.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

As expected of Jiang Xing; a single sentence was all it took to vanish half of this warm, fuzzy feeling.

Even with this gift, Lin Qingyu, of course, still walked to school – their apartment was only a few steps away from the school. He’d be crazy to drive that short distance.

Lin Qingyu’s score was way above what was needed for the transfer. In order to properly nurture his talent, he was assigned to a class with a renowned and reputable teacher. He winded up in the same class as Jiang Xing. Shen Huaishi’s score was not bad and he too passed. He’d also captured the PE teacher’s heart with his athletic prowess and successfully enrolled as a sports-track student.

Jiang Xing was like the father of a child who just entered elementary school. He helped them buy schoolbags, school supplies and even picked out a bunch of tutorial books for them, refusing any thanks. On the day the three of them headed to school together, Jiang Xing was feeling extremely pleased. From now on, he would be able to cling to his wife 24 hours a day.

He was simply hopeless. Save for sleeping, all he wanted was to cling to his wife all the time.

When he arrived at school, the first thing Jiang Xing did was to go to the classroom and ‘do away’ with his deskmate. Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi went to report to the Academic Affairs Office. After going through the admission procedures, they were taken away by their respective class advisors.

The class advisor was an excellent teacher with twenty-five years of teaching experience. Looking at the boy beside her, she couldn’t help feeling a little worried. Won’t such a good-looking young man transferring to their class affect the students’ ability to study?… Having Jiang Xing was already enough for to cause her headaches and now there’s another one. Why did her class have to have such handsome guys?

Before entering the classroom, Lin Qingyu took off his mask and put it away. During the morning self-study, the classroom was noisy and became even noisier when the class advisor walked in. Chen Zihao’s voice was particularly loud. When they found that there was another person behind the teacher, they all stopped talking simultaneously.

The girls exchanged secret glances while the boys were even more excited than they were. A boy who usually liked to joke around with the teachers asked, “Teacher, who is this pretty boy?”

“He’s a new transfer student to our class.” The head teacher turned to Lin Qingyu, “Introduce yourself to everyone.”

Lin Qingyu’s self-introduction was only “Hi everyone, my name is Lin Qingyu” but it was enough to cause a commotion among his classmates. The boy seated at the table before Jiang Xing’s, turned his head and gave Jiang Xing a sly smile, “Jiang Xing, looks like you’ve got competition for your spot as campus heartthrob.”

Jiang Xing looked at Lin Qingyu, his eyes sparkling, “Oh?”

The PE Rep muttered, “Why does he look kinda familiar…?”

The class advisor looked around the classroom and saw that the seat next to Jiang Xing was empty. She asked, “Jiang Xing, what happened to your seatmate?”

Jiang Xing said, “He abandoned me and said he didn’t want to sit with me anymore.”

The former deskmate kept silent, pissed but not daring to speak.

The class advisor said, “Then you can go and sit with Jiang Xing.”

Lin Qingyu threw Jiang Xing a pointed look. He walked towards his seat. The class advisor continued on behind him, “Today is the Lantern Festival. You’ve all enjoyed your New Year’s break so you should all be feeling refreshed. There are only four months left before the college entrance examinations. There isn’t much time left. Success comes from persistence and persistence creates miracles. Hard work will always win…”

Lin Qingyu sat down beside Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing acted as though he were meeting him for the first time. He smiled politely. “Hello, new classmate, I’m Jiang Xing.”

He’d been kissing him in bed last night and now he’s putting on a show again.

Lin Qingyu went along with this male high schooler’s performance. “Hello.”

“We’ll be seatmates from now on, please look after me.”

Jiang Xing extended his hand.

Lin Qingyu held Jiang Xing’s hand and said, “Please take care of me as well.”

The two clasped hands for a couple of seconds and Lin Qingyu felt something slightly cool against his palm.

He withdrew his hand suspiciously to see a platinum ring inlaid with diamonds on his palm, shining brightly under the fluorescent lamp of the classroom.

——End of the full text

The author has something to say:

They will stay in our world for seven years and then they will return to the Dayu to continue their careers after getting their degrees~

The full text of “Three Married Salted Fish” ends here. Please give me a five-stars if you liked this book. It will make me more motivated to write the side story “Married Four Times to Salted Fish”! ! !

Well, see you next time

Translator’s Note: Hello~! This is the official end of Married Thrice to Salted Fish. (If you check the novel page of the raw,