Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen
Ren Ju looked at Si Nuo in complete disbelief, as if he couldn’t fathom how Si Nuo had managed to match with a partner—especially when that partner had even bought him cake from the central canteen.
Though the meal at the central canteen for their first meeting was funded by the empire and didn’t require their own money, any extra desserts or food had to be paid for personally.
Ren Ju recalled how, after meeting his own partner at the canteen, he had repeatedly hinted that he’d heard the desserts there were delicious, hoping his partner would buy one for him voluntarily.
But the other seemed like a block of wood, not understanding a thing.
If it weren’t for the fact that his partner was an A-level psychic, Ren Ju would never agree to be matched with an older man who was divorced twice and balding!
After listening to Ren Ju, Zhang Yu rolled his eyes. “What do you mean by that? Why is it only you who gets matched and not Si Nuo? What’s wrong with our Si Nuo—his looks? Or his painting skills?”
Being directly called out like this in front of everyone, Ren Ju hurriedly defended himself. “I—how could I mean that? Don’t slander me!”
“Whether you’re slandering or not, you know deep down,” Zhang Yu snorted, then laughed and turned to Si Nuo, “So that cake was really from him? Then how is it between you two?”
Only now did Si Nuo realize the truth—the cake wasn’t some complimentary gift from the central canteen for the matched partners. It was bought by Guan Xingchen for him.
He guessed maybe Guan Xingchen noticed he hadn’t eaten much, so he bought the cake for him.
It was quite thoughtful.
Si Nuo felt awkward addressing this in front of everyone, so he just nodded and said, “Yeah, it went pretty smoothly.”
Hearing that Si Nuo had a matched partner, the other classmates immediately gathered around, curious. “Si Nuo, what kind of person is your match? Is he a psychic?”
Zhang Yu raised his hand, coughing to suppress the gossip. “You guys are way too nosy. Alright, alright, don’t ask so much. Si Nuo isn’t the type to show off. Besides, it’s not even certain yet. Don’t give him a hard time!”
That word “show off” made Ren Ju, who had been all ears trying to hear what kind of partner Si Nuo had, suddenly feel a pang in his heart.
Might as well just say my name directly!
With Zhang Yu intervening, no one pressed further. Si Nuo gave Zhang Yu a grateful look.
Finally, when class ended, Si Nuo took his cake and went back to the dormitory with Zhang Yu.
The moment the dormitory door closed, Zhang Yu immediately grew curious. “Tell me, what exactly is going on? Weren’t you going over there today to reject him? How come you ended up agreeing? By the way, what does His Highness look like? Is he really as fierce and ugly as the rumors say?”
He fired off all these questions at once—it was clear he’d been holding back his curiosity for a while.
Si Nuo placed the cake on the table, turned around, and replied, “He’s not ugly, but he is a bit fierce.”
Guan Xingchen definitely wasn’t ugly in the slightest, but fierce…
Si Nuo instinctively touched his neck.
Then he told Zhang Yu the whole story again.
Zhang Yu, unable to believe it, looked at Si Nuo in disbelief. “So you two had already met twice before the matching? And the last time you came back late was because of him? That’s an incredible coincidence! And this time, even after you told him you wanted to refuse, he still wanted a chance to try? Could it be… he’s taken a liking to you? He likes you?”
“How is that possible? Someone of his status liking someone like me who has nothing?”
“Don’t say that, Si Nuo. Have you even looked in the mirror? Do you even know how you look? Want me to tell you?”
“Alright, stop flattering me.” Si Nuo was amused and exasperated by his words.
Right now, his current body resembled his original appearance, but due to a genetic illness and poor nutrition, his complexion was very unhealthy—pale and weak rather than just gaunt.
He thought anyone with good judgment wouldn’t choose a frail person like him.
That’s why he couldn’t understand why Guan Xingchen wanted to give it a try.
But since he agreed, he might as well give it a shot.
Looking again at the cake on the table, Si Nuo hesitated a moment, then opened Guan Xingchen’s communication app and typed:
“Thank you for the cake. I will enjoy it.”
After sending the message, Si Nuo thought that since he’d accepted Guan Xingchen’s cake, he shouldn’t show up empty-handed. But what could he possibly give back?
With Guan Xingchen’s status, he likely lacked nothing.
And the only thing Si Nuo was good at was painting. Maybe he could paint a portrait for Guan Xingchen.
Just as he was pondering these ideas, Guan Xingchen replied:
“You’re welcome. As long as you like it. Are you free tomorrow?”
Seeing that message suddenly, Si Nuo’s heart tightened: [Tomorrow I’ll be painting a mural at school. Do you have something to do?]
Guan Xingchen replied: [Nothing, just asking. Got it.]
Afterwards, Si Nuo felt like Guan Xingchen hadn’t finished saying something.
Zhang Yu saw Si Nuo looking a bit troubled after sending the message and asked, “What’s wrong? Who are you chatting with?”
“With him. I thanked him for the cake he sent me. He asked if I had time tomorrow, and I said I’ll be painting murals. He said he got it.” Si Nuo said, looking at Zhang Yu with confusion in his eyes, “But I feel like he might have more to say.”
“Oh my goodness, Si Nuo, how can you be so clueless? When someone asks if you’re free tomorrow, it’s just a way of asking you out! Even if you really don’t have time, you could at least ask if he wants to come watch you paint. You can’t just shut him down right away!” Zhang Yu scolded him with a mix of frustration and fondness.
Si Nuo’s eyes suddenly widened. “I… can I say that? What if he doesn’t want to?”
Zhang Yu stroked his chin, looking cunning. “Based on my many years of reading novels, it’s impossible that he wouldn’t want to. Trust me—bro, even if I’ve never eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run. Just say it!”
Thinking about it, Si Nuo realized his previous reply had been too cold.
So, following Zhang Yu’s advice, he sent Guan Xingchen another message: [If you’re free tomorrow, come watch me paint, okay?]
Back at the apartment, after returning with the aide, Guan Xingchen sat on the sofa for a long time, then suddenly glanced at his terminal with a smile in his eyes.
Not long after, he looked listless again and slumped on the sofa. The aide was about to ask what was wrong when the terminal beeped once more.
Guan Xingchen tapped to open the message, saw Si Nuo’s invitation, sat up abruptly with a smile on his lips: [Alright!]
The aide rubbed his nose. “Your Highness, what’s got you so happy? Want to share with me?”
Guan Xingchen looked up at him. “Nothing.”
After a moment: “Prepare a new set of clothes for me. I need it tomorrow.”
The aide pretended not to understand. “Is tomorrow some important day?”
“Do I need a reason to wear new clothes?”
The aide nodded. “Then since it’s not important, are you going to meet Si Nuo tomorrow?”
Guan Xingchen: “…You know too much!”
Author’s note:
Guan Xingchen: So what if I want to see my wife in new clothes~
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