Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your patience. I am feeling much better, but I will let you amazing readers know that I do not have a backlog of chapters anymore. I will try to keep to a regular posting schedule, but I must ask you for your patience. I respect all my readers, and truthfully you are all valuable to me, so please do not take this as the author slacking! Enjoy this happy chapter!
12 Years Ago
Suburbs of the Capital during the Autumn Hunt
Li Changyu – 10, Jin Xiyan – 12
“Roar!”
Jin Xiyan’s heart leapt up into his throat at the very second he was about to let go of the string of his bow. His aim shifted and the arrow shot off center and struck the ground next to the rabbit he had aimed for. The sandy colored rabbit jerked its head up when the arrow landed beside it and bolted, running into the thicket of grass nearby.
His hand shook in frustration when he turned to the familiar sight of Li Changyu. The little omega beamed at him, his lips pulled into a cheeky grin that made his eyes crinkle into little half-moons.
Jin Xiyan’s heart did a little thump and he scowled. “You should not sneak up on people like that,” he grumped.
“Aw, are you mad because you didn’t get that little bunny?” Li Changyu held up a rope with three rabbits tied to it. “You can take one of mine!”
Seeing how much Li Changyu caught in such a short amount of time since they split up soured his mood even more. Like every Autumn Hunt, this part of the woods was purposefully cleared of predators, leaving behind prey animals for the people in their entourage to hunt. When they were finally allowed to go hunting on the grounds, Li Changyu insisted on sticking by him. As usual, the younger boy clung to him like a pesky shadow. While it logically made sense since he was Jin Xiyan’s reading partner, Li Changyu carried on and on about this and that, making it hard to concentrate on the hunting part of the trip. He had suggested they part ways and meet up later to see who could catch the most.
Jin Xiyan grumbled to himself. How did he catch all those so fast?
“I would have caught one if you were not so loud,” he admonished, but the lecturing tone just went over Li Changyu’s head. The other boy stuffed the string of rabbits into Jin Xiyan’s hands and skipped over to the arrow. He bent down and plucked it from the ground and sheathed it in the small quiver on his back.
Turning back to Jin Xiyan, Li Changyu said, “You can have those three. I can get plenty more.”
“That is not the point,” huffed Jin Xiyan.
“Mmn,” Li Changyu hummed in response and rocked back on the balls of his feet. “Well…I am bored all by myself here. We should hunt together!”
“No.”
Jin Xiyan stepped up to Li Changyu and pushed the rabbits back to him, perhaps a little too forcefully. Li Changyu flinched and scrambled to catch the rope holding the bundle. Jin Xiyan shouldered his bow and strode past him.
Jin Xiyan could hear the crunch of leaves behind him as Li Changyu followed, “But what about assassins?!”
He didn’t bother looking behind him when he answered Li Changyu, “Emperor Father has guards on patrol.”
“Yeah…but I am responsible for you!”
“This is your month off. You are the one who demanded to come along.”
He couldn’t make out what Li Changyu mumbled, but he once again spoke up.
“Aren’t you afraid about getting lost? What if we run into a pack of wolves?!”
Jin Xiyan’s quiver and bow almost slipped off his shoulders as he heaved an exasperated sigh. “You know very well there are none of them around. The hunters took care of that before we even arrived.”
“But what about bears!” Li Changyu’s steps quickened and Jin Xiyan felt the boy closer, but still followed behind. “You can’t tell me that you’re not afraid of bears.”
Jin Xiyan didn’t want to repeat himself, nor entertain Li Changyu. He kept silent.
“Bears are huuuge,” drawled Li Changyu. “Their jaws are so big they can probably swallow us whole!”
His eyes rolled up to the sky. Please.
“They have beady evil eyes…”
“…”
“…and big sharp teeth…”
“…”
“…and claws that are like daggers!”
Fed up with Li Changyu’s ranting, Jin Xiyan stopped in his tracks and whirled around, “Li Changyu, would you–”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
His jaw snapped shut, cutting himself off when he froze. Just as Li Changyu stopped as well, a large, tawny colored bear lumbered out from a tree and came into view. There was a nasty set of scars shaped like claw marks that started at his forehead and over one eye that was clouded. It’s massive shoulders flexed as it walked on all fours, it’s good eye following them.
“See!” Li Changyu smiled and pointed at him. “You are afraid!”
Jin Xiyan swallowed, his stuttered words coming out in soft pants, “Ch-chang–”
The bear’s gaze shifted to stare at the animated Li Changyu. It’s broad nose twitched as its lip curled, revealing said sharp teeth. Jin Xiyan’s heart pounded against his chest, the sound of his racing beat was so loud between his ears that Li Changyu sounded muffled.
“Are you afraid of me, Your Highness?” Li Changyu lifted his arms up high, curling his free hand with his fingers drawn wide like claws.
Jin Xiyan lifted a trembling hand, wordlessly pointing behind Li Changyu. His mouth twitched, words caught just behind his suddenly too-dry lips. The bear stalked closer, and Li Changyu paid no mind to Jin Xiyan’s silent plea. His smile curved into a cheeky, mischievous grin that showed off his teeth.
“You better run, Your Highness, or I’m going to eat you!” Li Changyu went on his tiptoes, and the bear reared back and rose on his two back feet. Li Changyu laughed and let out a playful roar like he’d done before. “Roar!”
The bear opened his maw and roared, its jowls shook from the force of his cry and bits of thick spit flung around. Li Changyu froze, his smile falling into a wide eyed look of shock. He spun around, his head craned far back to stare up at the ferocious beast. The bear lunged forward, and Jin Xiyan reacted on instinct.
“Run!”
Before the bear could bring its paws down onto Li Changyu, Jin Xiyan dropped his bow and reached out to snatch his wrist. He broke off into a run, dragging Li Changyu along until the boy’s feet caught up with him. They ran side by side with Li Changyu’s smaller hand gripping Jin Xiyan’s hard enough to bruise, but Jin Xiyan was holding on just as tight.
Jin Xiyan was suddenly in charge, but he was running wildly. He lost sense of where they were going, but he couldn’t think beyond looking for obstacles ahead, Li Changyu beside him, and the predator chasing after them. His chest burned, the heavy pounding of his heart crashed against his ribs like a wave. He was snapped out of his focus when he felt Li Changyu let go and pry his hand out from his.
At first he was afraid to look, but he let himself glance to his side and was relieved that Li Changyu was still there. He was tossing his quiver and bow, then threw his bag at Jin Xiyan. He caught it easily, but protested when Li Changyu was stripping off his belt.
“What are you doing?!”
“My Papa always said that if I ever got kidnapped or in trouble to leave stuff behind so he could find me!” Li Changyu answered above his heavy, labored pants. He flung the belt behind him, the piece landing straight onto the bear’s snout and covering his eyes. The bear yelled and swiped his paw across his own face, shredding the belt apart into ribbons.
They were nearing a tiny river that, at this time in the season, was just a tiny stream, but Jin Xiyan knew they were heading towards the outer limits of the campgrounds now. Both boys stumbled and skidded down the small bank of dirt and sand that dipped into the bed of the stream. Jin Xiyan caught Li Changyu’s elbow when he slipped on the smooth rocks that lined the bottom. He kept a hold of it when they ran, splashing water around their ankles.
Li Changyu looked back first, and so did Jin Xiyan. The bear was still pursuing them, and he didn’t look like he was going to lose interest. He was starting to feel out of breath, and he could only imagine how Li Changyu felt. Suddenly, the boy bumped his shoulder with a hand, bringing his attention back. Li Changyu raised his hand and pointed in a direction.
“There! Higher ground!”
The forest curved upward to a rocky mound. It wasn’t quite a mountain, but it was taller than a hill. They stopped long enough for Li Changyu to take his bag back from Jin Xiyan and then hoist it over his shoulder. The two climbed the craggy, uneven terrain, and still the bear persisted. It clumsily followed, rocks shifting from under its massive weight. Jin Xiyan looked around as he climbed, trying to find something – anything – that could help. He was already feeling weary, and they wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace much longer.
Ahead of them was a little outcrop that had a clean split that was wide enough for a body. The gap was dark, which meant there had to be some sort of cave in the back. He paused to tug on Li Changyu’s pant leg to get his attention, then jerked his chin towards the direction he wanted to go. Li Changyu followed his line of sight and then nodded wordlessly, and the two boys continued their scramble to safety. Jin Xiyan held on to a stone that jutted out near the gap and stretched out his other arm to grab Li Changyu and help him along. Li Changyu threw his bag into space first. Jin Xiyan looked down to see the bear getting leverage on some large boulders, ascending at a faster pace now.
“Go, go!” Jin Xiyan urged, pushing him. Li Changyu grunted and squirmed, squeezing his body through the crevice. He managed to get through and tripped into the small cave. Jin Xiyan tried following, but he was a bit too big.
“Get rid of your stuff!” Li Changyu’s voice echoed, and Jin Xiyan could see his partially obscured face through the crack. Jin Xiyan took off his quiver, tossing it down at the bear in a last ditch effort to hinder him. He tried a second time, but he still couldn’t, and he finally threw his bag away. He could get his shoulder and leg in, and Li Changyu’s small hands held onto his wrist.
Li Changyu pulled while Jin Xiyan pushed. Jin Xiyan’s cheek scraped against the stone as he tried to wedge himself through. A roar sounded, and he stupidly looked back to see the bear gaining momentum. Frantically, he held onto Li Changyu.
“Hurry, hurry!”
Li Changyu yelped, then growled, “Suck in your gut!”
Jin Xiyan had a few insults in mind, but he ignored them to follow his advice. He sucked in a deep breath and pulled his core tight against his frame. It only took a few seconds and he was yanked through, his crown knocked off in the process. It clattered to the stone floor while Jin Xiyan tripped, his body launching at Li Changyu from the momentum. He fell into the darkened cave and collided with Li Changyu, his face smashing into the other’s.
He felt his lips press hard against something equally soft. For a split second, the sensation ignited a spark that traveled up his body, but their continued fall gnashed their teeth together. Li Changyu let out another cry, his arms flailing during their fall. Jin Xiyan landed on top of Li Changyu, hissing in pain. He could taste blood, and his lower lip throbbed. Jin Xiyan braced his hands on either side of Li Changyu and pulled back enough to look down and opened his eyes which were struggling to adjust to the dim light that poured in through the crack.
Li Changyu’s chin and lower lip was smeared with a bit of blood, his eyes wide and filled with a bit of familiar fury. Li Changyu smacked at Jin Xiyan’s chest.
“Get off, you are too heavy!”
Jin Xiyan was a little too stunned to respond immediately. Warmth swelled in his cheeks, caught between embarrassment and something even stranger that he couldn’t put his finger on. His distraction was short lived, because the scant light that was there was blocked by a large mass. Both boys turned their heads and saw the glistening, enraged eye of the bear peeking through. The bear’s rumbling growl echoed in the space and it pushed a meaty paw through, swiping wildly. Li Changyu screamed, something Jin Xiyan had never heard before, and it kicked him into action again. Jin Xiyan scrambled off Li Changyu but pulled the other closer, scooting them back away from the beast until he felt a hard wall against his back.
When that didn’t work, the bear pulled its arm back and began to claw at the crevice. It’s claws raked down along the stone, but the earth would not budge. Li Changyu clung to Jin Xiyan’s arm, making him squeeze Li Changyu even tighter against him as they could only watch. After many attempts, it appeared that the bear wouldn’t be able to fit through, and the bear came to realize that. It roared out its protests at defeat, pacing in front of the tiny entrance to the cave.
They remained huddled together until they could hear the bear’s lumbering steps move away. Jin Xiyan let out a choked breath, not realizing that he’d been holding it for the entire time. His chest heaved as he took in some much needed air, and it appeared Li Changyu wasn’t any better. The younger boy trembled beside him and wiped the ringlets of sweat on his brow with his arm.
“Do you believe it is gone?” Jin Xiyan kept his voice low, but his words still lightly reverberated around the shallow cave.
Li Changyu audibly gulped, his head shaking side to side. “I don’t know. It’s best to wait here for a bit.”
Jin Xiyan nodded, mostly because he wasn’t sure what else to say. He was a little too afraid to peek through the crevice so he thought it best to stay far from the narrow entrance. He tucked his legs underneath himself and stood up, relieved to find that the cave wasn’t terribly small. Li Changyu got up as well, swiping his mouth with the back of his hand then brushing off his knees. Li Changyu crouched and felt around.
“What are you looking for?” He continued to whisper.
Li Changyu looked up, “My bag, I had it with me.”
Jin Xiyan knelt down onto one knee and helped Li Changyu search for it. His fingers grazed against leather, and he grabbed it. He handed it to Li Changyu, who whispered a soft thank you in reply. Jin Xiyan dropped his other knee and sat down on the hard ground, at a slight loss for what to do.
Why was that bear here? The hunting grounds were supposed to be thoroughly cleaned out of predators, which was why they were allowed to explore in the first place. They weren’t even that far out from the boundary when they ran into it. Either the guards and hunters were inept, or the bear was purposefully brought over. Jin Xiyan rubbed the back of his neck, his concern growing. Was this a plot against Emperor Father?
“It will get dark soon,” Li Changyu commented, scooting towards the entrance where he peeked through. “I should make a fire.”
“Make it small, or the smoke will choke us in here.”
“En.”
Li Changyu pulled out a firestick that he blew on and it provided a little more light for them to rummage along the ground for things to use. There were some leaves and sticks, but some birds must have sought shelter from the weather at some point because there was a small bird’s nest in the corner. That proved to be the most useful.
Again, the fire really wasn’t a means of warmth but to help illuminate the cave a little bit better. Li Changyu set it close to the entrance, explaining that if it is night time and they see the glow the people that would inevitably look for them may know they were hiding there. The cave was shallow, not much bigger than a small storage room, but it was tall enough that the ceiling was pitch black.They sat opposite one another in their own corner of the cave, each partially illuminated by the tiny kindling fire.
A tiny gurgle and rumble was loud enough to echo, and Jin Xiyan’s stomach responded in kind. Jin Xiyan lifted his head and glanced at Li Changyu, who now rummaged through his bag. Li Changyu pulled out something wrapped in paper, pausing once it was retrieved. The younger boy stared at the object in his hand then turned his gaze to Jin Xiyan.
With a frown, Li Changyu spoke, “I do not have much, only the meatbuns my Mama packed for me. I know it is not something His Highness likes, but–”
“No!” He said abruptly, surprising even himself at the outburst. He was suddenly filled with the need to reassure Li Changyu, so he rushed to explain. “There is no need to apologize. Actually, meatbuns are my favorite…”
Had I even had a meatbun before? Jin Xiyan had to assume that Li Changyu knew his diet just as well as anyone else. He mostly ate a bland vegetarian diet, under the guidance of the Imperial Physicians, in order to maintain optimum health. He was the only candidate for Crown Prince, after all.
Li Changyu’s lower lip stuck out and his brows furrowed. He exchanged glances between the meatbuns and Jin Xiyan, the skepticism evident on his face. A gleam flickered in his eye, the firelight and shadow making it appear more wicked than perhaps it was. Sweat prickled on the back of Jin Xiyan’s neck but he plastered on a smile.
Li Changyu got up to walk over and plop down beside Jin Xiyan. He set his bag between his legs and unwrapped the meatbuns, which were bent in a less “bun” shape now, likely from their escape. Jin Xiyan opened his mouth to ask a question but Li Changyu popped a bun into it. Jin Xiyan nearly choked on it, but Li Changyu pushed a small gourd jug into his hands.
After chewing, Jin Xiyan chased the bun with some water. He coughed into the crook of his arm, glaring from the corner of his eye at the smiling Li Changyu. His eyes crinkled at the corners and a dimple appeared in his cheek. Through semi-watery eyes, Jin Xiyan stared at Li Changyu. The little giggle that followed his broad grin brought the typical flush of annoyance that Jin Xiyan felt with Li Changyu’s teasing, but it also tickled his heart. Another blush crept across his cheeks.
“Well?” Li Changyu dipped his head to meet Jin Xiyan’s gaze. “How was it?”
It is…Jin Xiyan nodded sharply, and in a clipped tone, he said, “Good.” He held out his hand for another and Li Changyu’s brows rose. Looking skeptical, Li Changyu did give him another, then turned to sit beside Jin Xiyan and ate his own.
There were only four buns in total, so each of them were able to eat two. This time Jin Xiyan ate it slowly and was able to appreciate the taste. It was, in fact, quite good.
Before long it was nightfall and even more thick, inky shadows surrounded them. Li Changyu didn’t leave his side after eating, and they were mostly quiet. The silence between them stretched on until Jin Xiyan heard a small chatter. Turning his head to Li Changyu’s direction, he saw the smaller boy shivering, his teeth lightly clacking together from the force of it. Though it was a little cold, Jin Xiyan could tolerate it well, but Li Changyu was small. He also remembered that Li Changyu had shed his outer shirt, and was now only in a thin upper garment. Without a thought, Jin Xiyan wrapped his arm around Li Changyu and pulled him close. The sleeve of Jin Xiyan’s robe was big enough to be like a small blanket when compared to Li Changyu’s frame.
Li Changyu resisted by pulling away and shot him a glare. “What are you doing?”
“It is cold. Do you want to come down with an illness?”
“I’m not a baby! I don’t need to be coddled.”
Jin Xiyan clucked his tongue. Silly boy. Jin Xiyan knew that Li Changyu would have had a pout on if he could, but his lip kept trembling from his shaking. Insistent, Jin Xiyan again dragged him back again to his side, his hold firm around Li Changyu’s waist. There wasn’t the usual witty retort or muttered curse, but just a silent agreement. Li Changyu huddled a little closer, curling up enough that his head rested against Jin Xiyan’s shoulder. Soon, Li Changyu’s shivering stopped.
The night came and went. Bits of the early morning rays of sun cut through the slit in the stone and shone directly onto Jin Xiyan’s face. The warmth and brightness of the new day roused him from his uncomfortable sleep. He blinked his still-tired eyes open and took stock of himself and Li Changyu. Jin Xiyan felt stiff in his body, but awkward that he was still cradling Li Changyu close to him. He’d taken off his cloak at some point to wrap it around them like a blanket.
He gave the boy a slight shake and whispered, “Changyu…Changyu…”
“Changyu! Your Highness!”
The echoing call of Li Changyu’s name made Jin Xiyan’s head snap up. The voice was distant, but it sounded familiar. He shook Li Changyu a little harder now.
Li Changyu’s lower lip stuck out, whimpering in his sleep. “Shizuuuuun, five more minutes.”
Jin Xiyan raised his voice, “Changyu!”
Li Changyu sat up straight, sitting at attention while his fists rubbed at his eyes. He yawned, and the person called out Li Changyu’s name again, and it appeared to wake up Li Changyu even more. Their eyes met and they exchanged a nod. He didn’t let Li Changyu go right away, instead he helped cover Li Changyu with his own cloak to keep his modesty. Li Changyu scrunched his nose but did not make any complaints. Jin Xiyan got up and he followed Li Changyu, allowing him to slip through the gap first. He shimmied himself through with slightly less trouble.
“Guangzhu!” Li Changyu cried out at the small outcrop where the cave entrance was, his hands cupped around his mouth. His voice projected across the trees and his call was met with a response.
“Changyu!” A deeper, more hurried voice called. Li Changyu yelled for his Father as they made their way down the hill. They reached down at the foot of it just in time for Li Beidou and the eldest Li son Guangzhu to break through the treeline.
The imposing General looked haggard. He stopped mid-step and swayed, falling to his knees with arms outstretched. Li Changyu ran to his Father and flung his arms around the man’s broad neck. Li Beidou lifted Li Changyu easily off his feet, their embrace festive and full of warmth. It felt odd, being an outsider and witness to this. Jin Xiyan quietly and somberly stepped forward.
Li Guangzhu was also a little worse for wear, his eyes heavy with visible bags under them. He bowed to Jin Xiyan.
“This subject greets Your Highness,” Li Guangzhu’s hoarse voice croaked. “Are you injured, Your Highness?”
“I am well,” Jin Xiyan waved his concern away. “We are unharmed.”
Li Guangzhu nodded, then rounded back to his Brother, who was now set down. He grabbed one of Li Changyu’s ears and pulled.
“You! What were you thinking, venturing so far like that?!”
“Aiya!” Li Changyu flinched and slapped Li Guangzhu’s hand. “Why is it my fault!?”
“It’s always your fault!”
“Not this time! It was a bear!” Li Changyu elbowed Jin Xiyan in the ribs. “Tell them!”
The two men looked alarmed at Li Changyu’s move, but Jin Xiyan again held their worry at bay with a raised hand. He rubbed the center of his chest where Li Changyu’s bony elbow had struck him.
“He is correct. There was a bear, and we were forced to seek shelter. I apologize for the worry our disappearance brought.”
Li Beidou’s lips thinned as he pressed them together, looking between the two of them. His pale yellow eyes fell to Li Changyu’s small frame dwarfed by Jin Xiyan’s cloak. Li Beidou wouldn’t admit this out loud, but he had an apprehension about the two being so close. Being next to the Crown Prince was sometimes the safest and most dangerous spot to be in. His youngest Son was also an omega, and tried as he might to ignore it, it was times like these that reminded him that his Son’s status was different. He’d been given assurances by the Grand Empress Dowager, but…
Father and eldest Son shared a long look, silently communicating that they were perhaps thinking the same thing. The silence ended when Li Changyu grabbed his Father’s hand.
“Can we go back now? I’m starving!”
—-
Jin Xiyan was spared a lecture from his Emperor Father because a eunuch insisted on a physician seeing him first. Jin Xiyan laid in the bed inside his spacious tent, feeling it wholly unnecessary. The physician sat in a low stool beside him, checking his pulse. He was an elderly man with a long, narrow white beard that looked like a snowy cap on top of a mountain. The physician was also sizing up Jin Xiyan.
The young alpha was growing like bamboo and his features were becoming more and more like His Majesty’s each day. They even had the same clenched set of their jaw. The physician clucked his tongue and mentally shook his head. Such a little Crown Prince had to shoulder the burden of being the only eligible heir. It was hardly a childhood, and he was now close to nearing adulthood. He thought it was a shame.
Jin Xiyan’s eyes strayed away from the physician when the tent flap moved and his heart jumped. The physician grew alarmed when the Crown Prince’s pulse thudded against the fingers he used to check the pulse. The normally steady, healthy rhythm was disrupted, as was the silence.
“You got scared so much that you had to take a nap?!” A voice piped up, teasing and melodic. The physician turned his head to the intruder, seeing that it was a young omega. His smile took up most of his face, adding to the softness of the boy’s features. He skipped inside the tent towards them, and he carried a plate of something in his hands.
The Crown Prince’s pulse elevated again, bringing the physician back to his task. He looked at the Crown Prince’s face, and one look made everything clear. A spark shimmered in the Crown Prince’s eyes that were fixed on the omega and the tiniest hint of red peppered across the young Prince’s cheeks. The soft twitch of his eyebrow highlighted the tiny bead of sweat that formed at his temple.
The physician released the Crown Prince’s wrist and stroked the length of his beard, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips. This physician had served many an Emperor, and double the amount of royalty. In his long career, there was only one disease he could never cure fully: love sickness.
The omega stopped beside the bed, looking at the physician. He gave another smile that was charming and polite. “Hello. Is His Highness alright?”
The physician caught the flicker of worry passed over the boy’s face. The little omega’s eyes were sharp and clear, obviously being very observant.
“Mm,” the physician hummed. “His Highness needs to relax and regain balance of his qi and spleen.” To the Crown Prince, the physician stood and bowed. “This subject will send a prescription to His Majesty to inspect. Please take care of your body, Your Highness.”
The lovestruck Prince nodded dumbly. The physician gathered his things while the boys talked.
“W-what is that?”
“Oh, I brought your favorite!” The boy plopped himself onto the bed and held up a bun that he plucked from the plate. “Meatbuns!”
The Crown Prince grumbled about how everyone was fussing, but it didn’t stop him from taking the offered meal. The omega giggled and happily munched on a bun of his own, his legs lightly kicking as they hung over the edge. A part of the physician wanted to clear his throat and remind them of manners, but it was the Crown Prince’s expression that gave him pause. The tension that usually made the Prince’s brows furrow relaxed, and the normal blankness of his gaze now shined brightly.
The physician just stroked his beard once more and left, leaving instead what appeared to be the best medicine for the Crown Prince behind.
Author’s Note:
To give some context of the chronological order of the flashback sequences, they can be read as followed by chapter titles:
First Encounter, Autumn Hunt Interlude, How Can I Protect You?, Beginnings of Love, Dog Day Afternoon, and An Old Letter.
Thank you for your writing. Please take care & take your time, tell your story well. That is the best for you and your readers. Good things come to those who wait, and I would not want you to rush for no good reason. Great story
Thank you so much <3 I am really happy you are enjoying reading about these two clowns.
I hope you’re taking care of your health. Thank you so much for bringing this story to us! Always take your time (though you know I’m always hungry for MOTP content) and do what’s best for you. Thank you!
LCY being the balm to soothe JXY’s soul is everything. I can’t wait for you all to see simp JXY, in the flesh, memories back, all grown up.
Thanks for the chapter ♥️♥️
You are welcome! Are you happy with it?
Absolutely 🤗
Im glad that you are well…
Take a good cate of your self
Aiyoo i accidentally click post .. tsk
Im glad that you are well… Take a good care of your self. JXY puppy love is so adorable . . I knew he genuinely like LCY. I really hope his memories would come back soon. Thank you so much for the update!
Thank you so much for your kind words <3 I am also glad that people are recognizing his puppy love, even if he doesn’t quite have a word for it just yet.
Such a sweet chapter😘❤
I am glad you can appreciate the fluff!
The history behind the birthday meat buns that overshadowed Qin Yuze’s song! That was one of my favorite chapters, early in their marriage. Taking this memory from Jin Xiyan is unforgivable. I’m confident he’ll have it back now.
I am very purposeful in my writing. If you reread shattered memories, you can see that JXY’s subconscious was remembering this memory. Also, with the end of the chapter where QYZ brings tea, the reader now knows the truth as to what happened right after that.
I’m actually worried now.. what kind of a horrible thing could have changed this lovestruck boy into current Jin Xiyan..
And, why did this chapter start with bunny murder? 🐰
RIP bunny, he died for good plot. 🙏
😂😂
Take a good care of yourself Domino. Thanks for the chapter!
Fue un capítulo muy tierno!! Thanks for update! We can wait; take care of yourself and continue writing this beatiful novel!🥰
Thank you! <33
So cute….🥰 hope to see JXY act similarly protective and affectionate towards LCY soon n in their original bodies too..
P.S. Dom, hope ur injury is better …pls do take care of urself 😇😇
I have ginger tonics, Tylenol, and lots of hot packs!
And yes, our JXY is actually a clingy one.
Shit I’m late,.i had been waiting for this update ..but I got so busy with my exams coming up… But that didn’t stop me from reading…
and gosh they are sooo cute.. .. Hehe.. Thanks for the chapter 🥰🥰love it
Study hard! I know you can succeed! Crush those tests!
Great Dom… hope to hear ur r fully recovered soon😊
N wow… looking forward to the epis of grown JWY clinging to LCY once they switch back…😁 Also would love to see LCY be a bit shy n pretty once in a while …😍
Hnnngggg so cute mi ded ⁽⁽ଘ( ˊᵕˋ )ଓ⁾⁾
Thamk for the chappie, domdom-sama (｢`･ω･)｢
Yw my shiro!!
Ohhh the claustrophobia is real. Great chapter!
Part of me had the original idea that JXY wouldn’t be able to stand up in it but I scrapped that in my first edit.