Chapter 132 – Together

When Lu Xingwang arrived to pick him up, Jian Mei was surrounded by a crowd of people on the roadside, all asking him questions.

As the lead doctor during the pandemic, Jian Mei’s name and face had become known nationwide in just a month. Even passersby could recognize him, and they eagerly came up to greet him:

“Doctor.”

“Are you really Jian Mei?”

“My mom says you’re the hero who saved us.”

Caught off guard by the crowd, Jian Mei still didn’t forget to remind everyone, “The most important thing is to stay vigilant against the pandemic. Even though it’s under control, you should still wear masks when going out, okay? And avoid large gatherings…”

The crowd laughed and nodded in agreement.

Jian Mei thought that was the end of it, but then more and more people began offering him gifts:

“Doctor, these are vegetables we grew ourselves.”

“This is some food we just bought.”

“Here are some fruits; please take some and try them.”

Although it was a chance encounter on the street, people eagerly gave Jian Mei whatever they had on hand, overwhelming him with their kindness while also deeply touching his heart.

Jian Mei politely declined the gifts, only urging everyone to take good care of themselves.

When Lu Xingwang got out of the car, Jian Mei had just managed to break free from the crowd, still slightly out of breath.

Lu Xingwang took his hand and said, “They really like you.”

Jian Mei laughed helplessly, “They’re so enthusiastic!”

“Because you love them too,” Lu Xingwang said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Jian Mei’s forehead. “It’s mutual.”

Without Jian Mei’s daily efforts on the frontlines, pushing through with determination, the pandemic wouldn’t have ended as quickly as it did. Many people aren’t oblivious; they can sense when they’re valued and loved.

Jian Mei smiled at Lu Xingwang and said, “I love you too.”

Lu Xingwang was momentarily taken aback by Jian Mei’s warm words. He was surprised, but also pleased. For some reason, ever since the pandemic ended, Jian Mei had become exceptionally sweet. He used to be a bit shy around Lu Xingwang, but now he openly expressed his affection, with sweet words that made him seem quite different from before.

Lu Xingwang felt a bit uncomfortable with the change, but he was also very happy.

He reached out and gently touched Jian Mei’s face. “I’ll take you out for dinner.”

But Jian Mei suggested, “How about I cook for you instead?”

Surprised, Lu Xingwang raised an eyebrow. “You can cook?”

“Don’t underestimate me,” Jian Mei huffed lightly. “I’m a good cook! Even my mom praises my cooking.”

Seeing how eager Jian Mei was, Lu Xingwang agreed, “Alright, I’ll help you in the kitchen.”

Jian Mei looked up at him and asked, “Aren’t you busy with work?”

As they walked toward the car, Lu Xingwang replied, “I’ve handled most of it.”

Knowing Lu Xingwang’s definition of “handled most of it,” Jian Mei suspected it meant he had been busy for a long time and finally carved out some time. He knew how much Lu Xingwang was always preoccupied with his duties.

Jian Mei held onto his hand. “Then let me show you my cooking skills.”

They drove back to the palace together.

Despite the capital being somewhat subdued by the pandemic, life within the palace continued in an orderly manner. Guards stood vigilantly on both sides of the palace walls, performing their duties with diligence. As they got out of the car, palace maids and attendants respectfully greeted them: “Your Majesty, good day. Dr. Jian, good day.”

Lu Xingwang guided Jian Mei through the palace halls.

In a soft voice, Jian Mei said, “It seems like everyone knows who I am.”

Lu Xingwang smiled slightly. “Who doesn’t know you.”

Jian Mei’s face showed a bit of pride as he grinned. “So I’m a celebrity now.”

Lu Xingwang nodded. “Yes, a celebrity.”

Noticing how composed Lu Xingwang remained, Jian Mei pouted slightly. “You’re with this celebrity now. Why don’t you seem more excited?”

Lu Xingwang looked down at him, then softly said, “Even long ago, before you were famous, I was always happy whenever I was with you.”

It felt as if his entire heart was suddenly immersed in warm water, gently rising and falling, sweet and comforting.

Jian Mei first felt a chill, but then a smile spread across his face. Holding Lu Xingwang’s hand, he walked down the small paths of the palace. Even as palace staff and patrolling soldiers passed by, he had no intention of letting go. It was the afternoon, and the warm, gentle rays of the midday sun fell on their shoulders, filling him with an unprecedented sense of happiness and contentment.

If it was possible, he thought, it would be wonderful if life could always be like this.

He and Lu Xingwang could continue walking hand in hand, from their vibrant youth to their twilight years. They wouldn’t need to face many storms, and even if they both became old men with white hair, they could still bask in the sun together like this.

The palace chef was shocked when he saw the emperor arrive; he was so surprised that he almost dropped his ladle. As he hastily prepared to bow, Lu Xingwang stopped him, saying, “We’d like to borrow the kitchen.”

The chef had no objections and immediately agreed, “Please, just let us know what dishes you’d like, and we’ll prepare them for you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Lu Xingwang replied. “We’ll handle it ourselves.”

The chef was dumbfounded, as if he had just heard something utterly unbelievable.

It truly was shocking—an emperor, usually preoccupied with matters of state, suddenly saying he wanted to cook for himself. It was like a deity declaring they wanted to descend to the mortal world.

Jian Mei went over to the refrigerator and found some meat. He said softly, “I’ll make you some braised spare ribs to try.”

“Oh, and the New Year is coming up,” Jian Mei continued, grabbing the meat. “Although our dates aren’t the same as yours, I’ll still make some dumplings. I can teach you how to make them—it’s super easy. That way, in the future, A’Ruo can prepare some for you when you’re busy…”

He often forgot that Lu Xingwang was the emperor and would never go hungry, with someone always ready to prepare food for him at any moment.

But in his worry and deep concern for Lu Xingwang, he couldn’t help but think about many things.

Lu Xingwang asked, “Is this the same dumpling you made for me before?”

Jian Mei nodded. “Yes, do you like meat-filled ones?”

Lu Xingwang was fine with whatever Jian Mei wanted to make.

They found a suitable substitute for flour and started kneading the dough. Jian Mei’s technique wasn’t exactly professional, so he often ended up rolling the dough too thick, too thin, too large, or too small—resulting in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

While making dumplings, dough ended up all over Jian Mei’s face.

Lu Xingwang reached out and wiped the flour from his face, saying, “You got it all over your face.”

Jian Mei grinned foolishly and replied, “You have some on your face too.”

He tried to help Lu Xingwang wipe it off, but because of the way he lifted his hand, the flour puffed into the air, sprinkling down on both of them like a dusting of snow.

Jian Mei couldn’t help but laugh, “A bit more flour and you’d look like an old man.”

Lu Xingwang, still holding a dumpling, said, “Everyone gets old eventually.”

Jian Mei leaned closer, asking, “Even you’ll get old?”

“I will,” Lu Xingwang replied, placing the finished dumpling aside. “When I’m older, I’ll choose a successor and then take you to explore different galaxies. There’s one galaxy nearby where flowers bloom year-round without ever wilting. I think you’d like it.”

Jian Mei toyed with the dough in his hands, saying, “That sounds nice. I’d love to see it. I’m just afraid I won’t live long enough to get old.”

Lu Xingwang frowned, his usually gentle expression darkening. In his silence, he seemed incredibly imposing, almost frightening. But he didn’t get angry at Jian Mei. After a brief pause, he said, “If you don’t want to wait until we’re old, we can go within the next few years.”

Jian Mei looked up at him, “Aren’t you busy with work?”

“There’s always time,” Lu Xingwang responded softly, as if making a promise. “As long as you want to go.”

Jian Mei looked at him and then gently smiled. He said, “Just hearing you say that is enough for me. It’s like I’ve already been there.”

Lu Xingwang thought he was just joking.

Jian Mei was very focused on making the dumplings. He even secretly slipped a few gold coins inside some of them, saying that whoever found a gold coin would be sure to have good fortune in the coming year. He made sure to put coins in several of the dumplings.

As the dumplings boiled in the pot, the water bubbled, filling the air with steam.

Jian Mei asked, “Did you learn how to make them?”

Lu Xingwang nodded, “It’s not that hard.”

“Maybe A’Ruo should learn how to make them too,” Jian Mei said, holding chopsticks. “That way, when I’m not around and you miss me, you can make these and think of me.”

Lu Xingwang spoke slowly, almost as if to reprimand him for being lazy: “It only has meaning if you do it yourself.”

Jian Mei covered his mouth and laughed, “So strict.”

They messed around until it was quite late before they finally ate the dumplings.

The taste was actually pretty ordinary, but their hearts felt incredibly fulfilled.

Later, Jian Mei lay in the bed of the palace, hugging Lu Xingwang, and said, “I didn’t get a single dumpling with a gold coin today. What should I do? My luck is so bad, maybe I won’t get rich.”

Lu Xingwang replied, “I’ll make money for you to spend in the future.”

Jian Mei sighed, “It only has meaning if you earn it yourself.”

“You can pay me in other ways,” Lu Xingwang said.

Jian Mei, curious, asked, “What kind of payment?”

As soon as he finished speaking, his mouth was gently but warmly covered by a kiss. The kiss was filled with tenderness, their breaths mingling as they held each other close, raising the warmth between them.

When the kiss ended, Jian Mei was left nearly breathless.

Lu Xingwang gently patted his shoulder, “Sleep.”

Jian Mei nodded, then shyly gave Lu Xingwang a small kiss on his cheek before nestling into his arms to sleep.

As Lu Xingwang watched the person in his arms gradually fall asleep, the warmth and tenderness from earlier slowly faded. He placed his hand gently on Jian Mei’s wrist, where a pulse should have been, it had stopped after Jian Mei fell asleep.