That day, Jian Xiuyun woke up before dawn. He climbed out of Kan Wenxiao’s arms gently, carefully got out of bed, picked up the candlestick and walked out.
After washing up, he went into the kitchen and planned to show off his skills.
Today was Kan Wenxiao’s birthday. He practiced secretly for half a month and finally learned how to make a bowl of longevity noodles one day ago.
Jian Xiuyun came to the kitchen, put the candlestick on the chopping board, and started making dough.
He added flour first, then added water, stirred them evenly, and then started kneading with his hands.
Kneading noodles was a physical job, and after a while, Jian Xiuyun’s hands became sore.
He stopped and stretched his wrists, then continued kneading.
Every time Kan Wenxiao had a birthday before, he either didn’t remember it or they stood against each other. He always managed to miss it perfectly.
This time he was determined to make amends and give him a perfect birthday.
After working for more than half an hour, Jian Xiuyun finally made a bowl of longevity noodles.
The slender noodles were stacked neatly in the bowl, with an egg lying on the surface. The egg was covered with a layer of broth, and finely chopped green onions floated around. Just looking at it made people’s mouths water.
Jian Xiuyun wiped the sweat from his face with satisfaction and was about to take the noodles when he saw Kan Wenxiao striding in.
As soon as he saw him, the panic in his eyes faded away, and he walked over and hugged him tightly.
“Why are you here?” Kan Wenxiao buried his head in his shoulder, as if he was relieved.
Jian Xiuyun still wanted to ask him.
According to his original plan, he would bring the longevity noodles to the bedroom, then kiss him awake and start a good day.
As a result, his plan fell apart before it even started, which was really sad.
“I…I should be asking you the same. Why did you wake up so early?”
Kan Wenxiao straightened up, his voice laced with grievance, “The person in my arms suddenly disappeared, how could I stay asleep?”
Jian Xiuyun was speechless by what he said.
Kan Wenxiao turned his head, saw the longevity noodles on the table, and asked, “Shizun, did you want to eat noodles? Just tell me next time and I will make it.”
Jian Xiuyun was amused by him. “Have you forgotten what day it is today?”
Kan Wenxiao thought for a moment and then responded, “My birthday.”
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.
“Vaeqlv.” Aljc Wlesec rjlv, kjixlcu bea, “Vlcmf sbe jgf tfgf, sbe mjc rfgnf la sbegrfio.”
“Yxjs.” Bjc Qfczljb lwwfvljafis gjlrfv tlr ojmf jcv obiibkfv tlw bea.
Ktf akb rja vbkc ja atf rabcf ajyif lc atf mbegasjgv. Aljc Wlesec tjcvfv tlw atf mtbqralmxr jcv rjlv, “Sja delmxis, la klii ufa mbiv.”
Kan Wenxiao nodded, picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
“Is it delicious?” Jian Xiuyun asked him.
Kan Wenxiao didn’t raise his head, but nodded while taking a big bite.
Jian Xiuyun said hurriedly, “Slow down.”
But Kan Wenxiao kept eating.
Jian Xiuyun was stunned. With a sigh, he sat aside to watch Kan Wenxiao finish a whole bowl of noodles, not even leaving the broth.
After Kan Wenxiao put down his bowl and chopsticks, he raised his head, his eyes bright and clear, as if what he just saw was an illusion.
“Thank you, Shizun! These were the best longevity noodles I have ever had.”
Of course, what he didn’t say was that these were also the first longevity noodles he had ever had.
There was no memory of his birthday before the age of four. Ten years after the age of four passed in the blink of an eye. No one even knew his birthday, let alone make him a bowl of longevity noodles.
He once saw Lin Liaoting eating it.
Lin Liaoting would have a big birthday party every year, and there would also be a bowl of longevity noodles, but he didn’t like it. He just took a few bites and counted it as finished, and every time he would have a big bowl left.
Kan Wenxiao looked envious.
Later, Jian Xiuyun promised to celebrate his birthday, but before it could arrive, they got separated for five years.
Jian Xiuyun was not even willing to spend the next birthday with him.
He never had a good birthday, and then gradually stopped caring.
Unexpectedly, Jian Xiuyun remembered and was willing to make a bowl of longevity noodles for him.
His master had always been lazy and never cooked, so he must have practiced for a long time.
He was even a little afraid when eating the noodles. The years now were too beautiful, and he was afraid that it would just be a dream again. He would wake up, and find himself lying in his cold bedroom all alone.
Jian Xiuyun handed him a cup of tea, his tone full of guilt, “If you like it, I will make a bowl for you every year.”
When Kan Wenxiao heard this, he immediately said loudly, “I like it.”
–
After eating, Jian Xiuyun asked Kan Wenxiao to wait outside, while he went to the study to get the gifts he prepared.
This was originally a piece of jade given to him by his Shizun. Since the color was suitable, he carved it into a hibiscus flower and engraved the words “Kan Wenxiao” on it.
When he took the box hidden behind the “Sichuan and Chongqing Recipe” and was about to go out, Jian Xiuyun glanced down and saw something protruding from between the “Guangdong Recipe” and “Body Care Method” at the bottom.
Jian Xiuyun pulled out the two books and found a navy blue notebook hidden between them.
Jian Xiuyun opened it curiously and recognized Kan Wenxiao’s handwriting at a single glance.
There were only a few short sentences on each page, and they were very random. They were all trivial matters in daily life, but every sentence was about him.
“Shizun said today’s quail crystal clams are delicious, so I will make them tomorrow.”
“Shizun whispered today that Xue Rongxiang is too stupid. Well, I think so too.”
“Shizun said he likes his current life, and I like it too.”
“Shizun just got up today and didn’t have breakfast. I must wake up early tomorrow.”
“Shizun is angry and cannot scold.”
“Shizun went to see Lin Liaoting today, and I am not unhappy.”
“Shizun married me today, I am very happy.”
“…”
He kept turning until the last page, which was written down just yesterday.
“Shizun said today was so boring. Will he leave me?”
Jian Xiuyun closed the notebook and placed it on his chest, feeling like something was surging there.
He suddenly remembered the letters he found while taking care of Kan Wenxiao when he was injured.
There was one written for Yu Shaozhi.
There were letters addressed to his ministers.
There were also letters addressed to him.
He had forgotten the details, but only remembered a few sentences.
“…Everything I do in my life is out of my control. I have betrayed the heavens, separated my heart from you, and violated ethics. What I have wanted for half my life has not been achieved. Although I cannot stay with you in life, I can only hope to do so after death. This is one of the feelings. I have been trapped for half my life, with no way to escape…”
Trapped for half a lifetime, unable to escape.
Jian Xiuyun only understood it today.
Kan Wenxiao’s love and caution, Jian Xiuyun’s deep feelings and worries.
But in fact, he was not the only one who could no longer find relief.
Jian Xiuyun put the book away as it was, held the box tightly and walked out.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Kan Wenxiao standing there waiting for him.
Kan Wenxiao’s eyes fell on the box in his hand, and he asked with a smile, “Shizun, what kind of gift has Shizun spent so long preparing for me?”
Jian Xiuyun looked at him and suddenly stepped forward, throwing himself into his arms.
Kan Wenxiao noticed something unusual about him and hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Jian Xiuyun shook his head and replied, “It’s a big gift.”
“What?”
“My whole life, it’s yours.”
Kan Wenxiao was stunned when he heard this, and then Jian Xiuyun continued, “I love you.”
After a long winter, spring finally returned, the nestlings in the forest were chirping, and the breeze became gentle.
The wanderer set out on his way home, and his confused heart found its destination. Kan Wenxiao hugged Jian Xiuyun tightly and replied word by word, “I love you too.”
And with this, the story comes to an end. I would like to thank you all for hopping along on this journey, and would like to thank you for each and every comment, for they all made my day. Reading your comments, your thoughts, and theories, it was all enjoyable and truly appreciated. It was nice to read a story and have someone to share it with. Guess no more sleepless nights until I find another novel to translate, haha.
May you all have a great day/night!
Thank you so much for translating this novel, you have no idea how much fun I had reading it!
It was so well translated and sooo fast!
I love it, lots of love <3
Thank you for doing such a great job translating this novel! Such a sweet ending 💗
Thank you for your hard work !
Thank you so much for your hard work!
Thank you for working so hard! Your translation was really good.
Hi kleio, thanks very much for the story, it was beautiful
Gracias translator!
I like the extras ending more than the main story ending, though it kinda felt like reading about different characters.
Thank you so much for translating this novel, I enjoyed reading it a lot!
I loved this story so much! with it’s ups and downs. thank you very much for translating such a wonderful work.
Thank you for the wonderful translation! ♥️
Thank you for the translation!! It was such a rollercoaster ride, a painful read, but great ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Thank you for your hard work as always. I really enjoyed this novel, it’s far from usual.
Have a great day ❤️
Thank you for the translation keep!!! Please sleep more?!