Chapter 52 – Your Home Is Even Farther Than Mars

Jian Mei’s changes were most apparent to Meng Ting.

The boy had just been able to speak calmly to himself, but he still appeared somewhat frail and visibly weakened due to some illness. However, just as his phone vibrated a little, indicating that someone had sent him a message, Jian Mei merely gave it a quick glance. He didn’t even open the message to read what the other person had said. Yet, the moment he saw that someone had messaged him, his eyes revealed happiness and joy.

It was a kind of inner delight and excitement, like the sprouting of slightly withered seedlings when they encounter sweet dew and sunshine. It was so cheerful. As for who that person was, Meng Ting didn’t want to speculate anymore. However, it seemed as though suddenly,she felt that the question she had asked herself just now didn’t require Jian Mei to give her an answer. It was as if she had a vague understanding that Jian Mei had already found someone he cherished enough.”

At this moment, she suddenly didn’t feel sad anymore. Instead, she felt a bit happy because it seemed like the boy she liked had found someone he cared about, and that made her content.

Meng Ting stayed for a while and then left. The doctor wanted the patient to rest properly, and the time for receiving visitors shouldn’t be too long. This arrangement was made when Jian Mei was critically ill before. After Meng Ting left, Jian Mei felt a bit uneasy, so he asked his mother, “Mom, is my medical report this time not looking good?”

“No, don’t overthink it,” Shen Meina tidied up his bedding. “Just focus on resting well and following the doctor’s treatment.”

Jian Mei asked, “When can I be discharged? The midterm exams are coming up.”

Shen Meina’s actions paused. Her head was lowered, so her expression couldn’t be seen clearly. She took a slightly deep breath and said, “Well, we’ll have to see what the doctor says. It shouldn’t take too long. Don’t think too much; focus on recovering, and you’ll be out sooner.”

Jian Mei nodded. He didn’t press further, and Shen Meina visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Once she left, Jian Mei opened his phone’s WeChat and saw the messages from Lu Xingwang. The last recorded message was from yesterday, right after he lost his phone. Lu Xingwang asked if he had left school and bid him goodnight. Today’s messages included a good morning greeting, inquiries about his well-being, and even a missed call notification.

Jian Mei looked at these messages, and for some reason, his heart felt particularly warm. He used to think he was the only one who worried about Lu Xingwang. Now, he felt like his feelings were being reciprocated. His concern for DaZhuang ge was met with DaZhuang ge’s concern for him.

Jian Mei replied, “I’m fine; it’s just that I lost my phone.”

After sending this message, he quickly received a response, as if someone was waiting for his reply, monitoring his account. Lu Xingwang asked, “Your phone was lost?”

For the people of the Stan star race, who had communication devices implanted in their wrists, the situation of losing a communication device was non-existent. So, he had considered that Jian Mei’s communication device might have malfunctioned or that something had happened to him, but he hadn’t anticipated that a mobile phone could be lost.

Jian Mei answered, “Yes, my phone was stolen at the mall.”

The heavy stone that had been hanging over Lu Xingwang these past two days finally dropped.

“Sorry for making you worry,” Jian Mei sent to him.

Lu Xingwang didn’t mind and replied, “As long as you’re safe.”

What somewhat surprised His Highness was that Jian Mei added, “But let me tell you secretly, I’m actually a little happy.”

Lu Xingwang raised an eyebrow, thinking that this boy might be a little foolish. He asked, “Happy about what?”

Jian Mei’s face showed seriousness, and he typed, “When I lost my phone, I was really anxious. I thought that if I couldn’t contact you anymore, I’d be very sad. If we lost contact in the future, I don’t know if you’d forget about me. I don’t know how you think about it. Maybe you’d be fine without me because you’re so amazing, and you’d have many people around you. If we really lost contact, you might not even care.”

Lu Xingwang furrowed his brow.

Jian Mei continued typing, “But seeing that you were thinking of me too, it makes me a little happy because I don’t want to be separated from you.”

…

After reading Jian Mei’s words, Lu Xingwang’s expression turned somewhat serious. He wanted to correct Jian Mei’s mistaken perception about their relationship, as his memory was excellent, and he wouldn’t forget important people in his life. Even though he was exceptional, he didn’t have many people around him because he was selective. He cared about the relationship and wouldn’t be fine without it.

But all these words might not be fully understood by Jian Mei and could lead to misunderstandings.

After giving it some thought, Lu Xingwang made a decision.

He called Jian Mei and asked, “Is your charger nearby?”

Jian Mei was stunned for a moment before replying. “Yes, it’s with me.”

Lu Xingwang hummed. “Switch it on, I’ll give you something.”

Jian Mei quickly found his charger in the drawer. After turning on the switch, the charger emitted a bright light. Subsequently, a star-shaped obsidian gem appeared before him. This gem was incredibly beautiful, dazzling under the light. What was even more magical was that when held in one’s hand, it didn’t emit light but felt warm. It was as though, by touching this gem, he could feel the lingering warmth of Lu Xingwang. Jian Mei involuntarily clasped his hands together, cradling the small gem in his palm.

“What is this?” he asked. “It’s so beautiful.”

Lu Xingwang explained, “This is something you can use to contact me. If your phone gets lost in the future, no matter where you are, as long as you put a drop of your blood on the gem, you can contact me.”

Jian Mei wondered, “Is it that amazing? You don’t need signals or to pay for calls?”

Lu Xingwang had never felt so speechless in his life, but he responded, “Yes, no need.”

This was a soulstone bestowed upon every child born into the Lan family. This soulstone was closely linked to its owner, and when Lu Xingwang was born, the Imperial Noble Consort Lan had prepared this soulstone for him to carry with him at all times. She also told him that the soulstones of their Lan family were meant to be given to their future partners, ensuring that, no matter where they were, whatever happened, they would never lose contact.

Lu Xingwang had always taken good care of this soulstone.

However, he had only three or four years left to live, and this was the third year. He didn’t know how much time he had left, but it was clear he wouldn’t have a partner. That’s why he wanted to give it to Jian Mei.

Lu Xingwang only told Jian Mei, “Take good care of it, and don’t lose it.”

Although Lu Xingwang didn’t explain to Jian Mei how important and precious this gem was, Jian Mei could still sense its significance. So, he carefully stored the gem. He was worried about losing it no matter where he placed it. He even made a rather solemn and adorable pledge, saying, “You can rest assured. This is the first time you’ve given me something like this, and I’ll definitely take good care of it. It’s a life-and-death commitment with the stone!”

Lu Xingwang couldn’t help but smile at this kid.

“But I still don’t feel safe no matter where I put it,” Jian Mei really liked the star-shaped gem. He held it and asked, “Can I drill a small hole in it and wear it on my body?”

Lu Xingwang agreed, “Yes.”

This soulstone had been carried by him for many years, even serving as a spiritual solace after his mother’s passing. But now, he no longer needed it because he had found a new source of spiritual support.

Jian Mei touched the jade pendant around his neck. It was a gift from his grandmother when she was still alive. His grandmother had always been kind to him and often gave him many things. This little jade Buddha pendant was one of those gifts. She had told him that this pendant could dispel toxins, promote health, and protect its wearer. After a brief hesitation, Jian Mei removed the jade pendant and sent it to the charger.

Lu Xingwang received the unexpected item in his hand.

Jian Mei’s voice came through the phone, “It’s for you.”

Lu Xingwang was puzzled, “What is this?”

“It’s a jade pendant that I always wear. There’s a Buddha on it, our god. It can bless you and keep you safe,” Jian Mei’s voice sounded sincere. “You can wear it.”

Lu Xingwang asked, “But if you’re giving it to me, what about you?”

Jian Mei chuckled softly, and his voice carried a touch of tenderness in the silent night, “Don’t I already have the xingxing?”

Lu Xingwang couldn’t help but shiver at the clear voice that felt so close. Jian Mei had never called him by name before, but in this moment, he felt inexplicably touched.

Jian Mei returned his words, saying, “Take good care of it, and don’t lose it.”

Though Jian Mei had been told by his mother that he would be discharged soon, he had his own doubts. In the previous two years when he got sick, he could leave the hospital the next day, but this time seemed different. Although his parents tried to control the situation in front of him, Jian Mei, despite his usual carefree demeanor, was very attentive in such matters.

He suspected that he might not be doing well.

He didn’t know what would happen to him in the future, whether he would live or die, so he wanted to give the little jade Buddha to Lu Xingwang. If he were no longer around someday, at least the jade Buddha could be with him.

In fact, he had many regrets. He still wanted to study medicine at a medical university, visit many places, and hopefully meet Lu Xingwang again in the future.

“DaZhuang ge,” Jian Mei cautiously said, “Can I know where you’re from?”

Lu Xingwang didn’t expect this question, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Mei felt a bit disappointed but didn’t push further, and softly said, “It’s okay if it’s not convenient to tell me.”

Suddenly, Lu Xingwang felt that Jian Mei’s emotions were a bit off today. His Highness had always guarded his privacy well, partly because of the dangers related to his royal identity and partly not to scare Jian Mei. However, today, he had the sudden urge to involve the boy more, and it felt fine.

So, Lu Xingwang opened his mouth and said, “No, it’s fine.”

Jian Mei suggested, “Then, how about we share our locations? Let’s see how far apart we are.”

Lu Xingwang agreed, “Sure.”

Before opening the location-sharing feature on WeChat, Jian Mei assumed that he and Lu Xingwang were probably just in different countries, a few thousand kilometers apart at most. Maybe they’d even be separated by an ocean or two, but it wouldn’t be a big issue. After all, taking a plane was no problem. However, when they opened the location sharing, the map kept zooming out. It first zoomed out to cover all of China, then passed over several oceans, and finally, when the map zoomed out to show the entire Earth, Jian Mei’s eyes widened. At this point, he managed to retain a bit of sanity and even started to imagine that with today’s technology, it wasn’t a problem to reach the moon. So even if Lu Xingwang were on Mars, it wouldn’t be too far away.

However, when the map zoomed out to reveal the entire solar system, Jian Mei’s mentality collapsed.

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)

Hope you all ready for the surprises on this Sunday.

Can’t wait to catch up with all of you in the next chapter! Stay tuned and keep the excitement alive(⌒‐⌒)