Chapter 139 – The Eve of the Wedding

During dinner, while Jian Mei was still nervous and worried about whether Lu Xingwang would be interrogated by his parents, he was surprised to see that his parents were already deep in conversation with him. Shen Meina was especially enthusiastic, constantly piling food onto Lu Xingwang’s plate. Her warmth was so overwhelming that Jian Mei almost felt like he was the one who had been picked up from some distant, obscure place.

After dinner, Lu Xingwang offered, “Let me do the cleaning.”

Shen Meina quickly responded, “Oh, no, no, you don’t have to. Let the maid handle it. You and Mei Mei should go for a walk to help with digestion.”

Jian Mei hesitated, “A walk this late?”

Shen Meina shot him a glare.

Jian Mei cleared his throat, “Suddenly, I feel like going out for a walk.”

As they were talking, Jian Changjia happened to return home. He had heard about the dangerous situation his parents were in earlier that day and knew that the person who saved them was now in their home. So, when he saw Lu Xingwang, he was very polite, extending his hand and saying, “Hello, I’m Jian Changjia. Thank you so much for what you did today.”

Lu Xingwang replied softly, “No need to thank me. It was nothing.”

Shen Meina smiled and added, “Xingwang is so accomplished at a young age, and he’s also very humble. We’re lucky to have met him.”

For some reason, it seemed like Lu Xingwang was naturally good at winning over the approval of elders.

Jian Mei speculated that it might have something to do with the environment Lu Xingwang grew up in. As the crown prince, he had to deal with adults like the emperor, empress, and concubines from a young age, so he knew exactly how to handle such situations.

Jian Changjia hesitated for a moment, then looked at his brother and asked, “Where are you two going?”

“We’re heading out for a walk,” Jian Mei replied with a smile.

Jian Changjia frowned, “What’s the point of a walk this late?”

Shen Meina glared at her eldest son, “You didn’t even join us for dinner, so why are you meddling in other people’s business? If Mei Mei wants to go for a walk, let him. You go eat your dinner!”

Jian Changjia was taken aback.

Meanwhile, Shen Meina had already ushered Jian Mei and Lu Xingwang out the door together.

After they left, Jian Changjia hesitated and then asked, “Dad, Mom, what’s going on with those two?”

“What else could it be?” Jian Mei’s father sighed from the sofa, “Our son’s grown up and can’t be kept at home anymore.”

Jian Changjia said “What?”

He was stunned for a long time before he understood what his father meant.

However, he couldn’t accept the idea that his brother had been “taken away” in just one day of him not being home. “Mom, Dad, are you serious? Do you even know who that guy is? You don’t know anything about his background or his family. How can you just trust him with Mei Mei?”

Shen Meina replied, “We may not know, but Mei Mei does.”

Jian Mei’s father, lying on the sofa, added, “You know your brother’s personality, don’t you? These past few years, he’s been distant, like his mind was somewhere else. He may have seemed normal, but his heart wasn’t here. Ever since he barely survived that close call at the hospital a few years ago, there have been signs—his strange health issues, and other incidents—that show there are things and people we’re not aware of.”

Shen Meina continued, “Since he’s been waiting for this person, and now he’s finally found him, how many more years would we make him wait if we tried to separate them?”

“You know your brother’s temper,” Jian Mei’s father said, taking a bite of fruit from the table. “He’s been out of it these past few years, but have you ever seen him interested in romance?”

Shen Meina nodded, “As long as he’s happy now, that’s all your father and I care about.”

It’s often said that parents know their children best, and this couldn’t be more true.

Jian Mei thought he had hidden his feelings well, but his parents had noticed everything. Even though they didn’t know about Stan Star, as the people who cared most about him in the world, they understood. They knew that sometimes, it’s best not to dig too deep. Pushing too hard would do no good for anyone.

…

Seeing his parents’ stance, Jian Changjia couldn’t argue further.

However, while washing his hands before dinner, he suddenly thought of something. Why did that man’s voice sound so familiar, as if they had spoken before, either long ago or not too long ago?

…

The next day

Jian Mei finally resigned from the hospital and informed his parents that he would be traveling abroad for some time to clear his mind. He then boarded Lu Xingwang’s invisible warship, hidden in the mountains, ready to return to Stan Star.

He thought that after being away for several years, not many people would remember him. But the reality was quite the opposite, completely exceeding his expectations. When he landed, Zuo Qingshan teased him, saying, “They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and we haven’t seen you in years, Mei Mei. It feels like it’s been centuries.”

Zuo Qingshan looked even more mature than before.

Standing behind him was someone Jian Mei didn’t recognize at first glance, but after a moment of hesitation, he tentatively asked, “Xiao Ban?”

The youthful soldier, wearing a military cap, rushed over and gave him a huge hug. “Mei Mei!”

Both friends were excited to be reunited after so many years.

Jian Mei asked with concern, “How have you been these past years?”

“I’ve been great,” Xiao Ban replied, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “During the pandemic, I made up for my past mistakes, and the Marshal didn’t sentence me. Instead, he allowed me to enlist in the army, and I became part of the regular military. At the beginning of this year, I was promoted and earned the rank of major after distinguishing myself in a battle.”

It was then that Jian Mei noticed the insignia on Xiao Ban’s military uniform.

Time had transformed this once impulsive youth into a much more mature person. His skin was a healthy tan, and his smile radiated pure confidence. He was no longer the boy who couldn’t lift his head in shame.

“Everyone’s been good to me,” Xiao Ban continued with a light laugh. “Even the Marshal…”

When Jian Mei saw the emotion in Xiao Ban’s eyes as he mentioned Zuo Qingshan, he glanced over and noticed that Zuo Qingshan’s gaze was also fixed on Xiao Ban. Instantly, Jian Mei understood and felt a surge of happiness for his friend. “That’s good, that’s really good.”

Xiao Ban saw Jian Mei and realized that he, too, must have had a good life these past years.

They caught up, talking about the changes over the years. They mentioned that Ping Ping had completed his studies and started working at a hospital, Nan Feng and Ying got engaged last year, and Yunshi had become a consul at a hospital, no longer resisting the idea of studying medicine, and had grown into a very skilled doctor.

Time had flown by, and everyone was moving forward.

Jian Mei felt a wave of emotion after hearing all this. Just as he was about to say that he’d like to find an opportunity to see everyone, Xiao Ban said, “Everyone’s already here.”

Jian Mei was taken aback.

“You and His Majesty are getting married, after all,” Xiao Ban said with a sidelong glance and a smile. “So, everyone has set aside their work to come here.”

Jian Mei looked at Lu Xingwang in shock.

He hadn’t expected anything about a wedding, but the man beside him reminded him, “Did you forget? We’re engaged.”

Zuo Qingshan approached with a chuckle, “These past few years, we’ve almost been driven crazy. The ruler of the nation has had an empty palace—there hasn’t been anyone by his side! Our country is peaceful, with no wars, so the ministers have nothing better to do than to keep pushing for a wedding!”

Jian Mei asked in confusion, “Pushing for a wedding?”

“Pushing for you and His Majesty to get married, of course.”

Jian Mei wanted to say that, as far as everyone here knew, he had died , so how could there be any talk of a wedding?

However, when he returned to the palace with this doubt in mind, he was surprised to find the entire palace decorated with lights and festive banners. It was clear that preparations for the wedding ceremony were already underway. In the reception hall, he even met A Ruo.

A Ruo smiled and said, “Mei Mei, you’ve finally come back?”

Jian Mei hesitated, “You knew where I was?”

“Of course!” A Ruo replied cheerfully. “Weren’t you saved by the elders of the Wu tribe? You were seriously injured and couldn’t leave, so you’ve been recovering for a few years, and now you’re finally well again.”

“…”

What a perfect explanation!

A Ruo sighed, “His Majesty has been waiting all these years. We’ve all been hoping you would return.”

It was only then that Jian Mei slowly realized that during all the years when he and Lu Xingwang might never have met again, Lu Xingwang had always, unwaveringly, believed in their reunion. Even if it seemed it would never happen, even if the journey was long and difficult, he never gave up.

When the bright red wedding uniform was brought to him, Jian Mei felt a bit dazed.

Outside, it was lively, with crowds bustling about.

Someone walked in from outside—it was Lu Xingwang. He stood at the doorway and asked, “Did they scare you?”

Jian Mei shook his head, then picked up the red uniform and softly said, “I’m not sure if it will fit, but I think it’ll look pretty handsome on me.”

Lu Xingwang walked up to him and gently pulled him into his arms.

Jian Mei buried his head in Lu Xingwang’s chest, and they embraced for a while. After a moment, Jian Mei softly asked, “Why did you tell everyone I wasn’t dead? What if you couldn’t find me?”

Lu Xingwang whispered, “I knew I would find you.”

Jian Mei chuckled softly, “So confident.”

“If I couldn’t find you in a day, I would search for a month. If not in a year, then in three, five…” Lu Xingwang’s voice was low and steady, filled with determination and a deep, hidden love, “I would keep searching for as long as it took.”

Jian Mei’s heart began to race, just as his feelings for Lu Xingwang had always burned passionately.

In his ear, he heard Lu Xingwang’s deep, magnetic voice say, “Because I knew you were waiting for me.”

So,

“I would never give up.”