Due to Chu Wenyu’s influence, Jiang Ling no longer participated in Warwick’s team video calls. However, he requested the captain to provide a summary of the issues discussed during each meeting. He addressed questions he could resolve and shared his responses with the group in text format.
Since then, he found himself with plenty of idle time, realizing that apart from Chu Wenyu, there seemed to be no one else in his life.
The scheduled mecha training sessions increased, and at the same time, Jiang Ling’s skills improved significantly. After a period of training, he went from being constantly defeated to holding his ground, often even gaining an upper hand.
It’s just that, being a monarch, Chu Wenyu had far less free time. He frequently had to attend to matters of the state, and Jiang Ling even caught glimpses of him working late into the night, clearly not wanting him to know. Touched by this, Jiang Ling couldn’t just stand by, so when Chu Wenyu proposed another training session, Jiang Ling declined, expressing his desire to rest for the day.
The TV played a sci-fi soap opera, reminiscent of modern dramas but with a twist in the time setting. It told the story of love and murder between a genius commoner girl entangled with an aristocratic young man. As a pastime, Jiang Ling found it interesting.
Meanwhile, Chu Wenyu quietly attended to his political duties, occasionally glancing at the Alpha who was frowning, obviously absorbed in the plot. He shook his head while suppressing a smile.
It was an idyllic scene, portraying a peaceful passage of time.
However, everything changed when Jiang Ling witnessed the next plot development in the soap opera, now playing at double speed. The storyline had progressed to the male lead’s birthday banquet, where the female lead shockingly received an invitation from her arch-nemesis.
Perhaps out of extreme boredom, Jiang Ling’s mind flashed with something, a memory from the original owner.
Checking the date, he realized it was the birthday of the former small guard by his side. Before the transmigration, the original owner used to celebrate the guard’s birthday, considering they were each other’s constant support in the Charles Palace.
Feeling awkward, Jiang Ling noticed he had almost forgotten Anji’s face. Strangely, since moving into Chu Wenyu’s palace, he hadn’t seen Anji even once.
Deciding to rectify this and make up for months of neglect, Jiang Ling turned off the TV, intending to head to the kitchen. At that moment, Chu Wenyu, in his peripheral vision, noticed the movement and asked, “What’s up?”
“Your Majesty, please continue with your work. I’m going to the kitchen.”
Chu Wenyu raised an eyebrow in confusion but didn’t delve deeper since Jiang Ling didn’t leave the palace. He lowered his head to resume reviewing the documents presented by the steward when a sudden pause occurred.
Was Jiang Ling going to cook for him?
This thought lingered in Chu Wenyu’s mind, exciting him. He occasionally glanced in Jiang Ling’s direction, fingers subtly rubbing together in anticipation.
Since it was his birthday, Jiang Ling decided to make a small cake for Anji. At fourteen or fifteen years old, Anji should be at an age where he likes sweets, especially considering they’ve always used nutritional solutions as food. It seemed like a fitting birthday gift.
The kitchen utensils were very complete. Although Jiang Ling had never made a cake by himself before, he had a cousin in his family who owned a cake shop, so he had watched him do it many times.
Originally, a small cake could be made in half an hour, but because of Jiang Ling’s lack of experience, it took him more than an hour, and the appearance was average. Nonetheless, he was satisfied; at least it looked like a cake.
Chu Wenyu couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer. He wondered what could keep someone occupied for so long. Even though he wanted to wait for Jiang Ling to surprise him, after sitting idle for over an hour, he couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at the kitchen door.
Jiang Ling, at this moment, was packing the cake into a box. When he turned around and spotted Chu Wenyu, he curiously asked, “Has His Majesty finished dealing with state affairs?”
Chu Wenyu’s gaze lingered on the cake nearby for a moment before shifting to Jiang Ling’s face. Despite the handsome face covered in flour due to cake-making, he still looked charming, with a touch of innocence.
Seeing Jiang Ling’s efforts for him, Chu Wenyu felt a secret joy, and his ears turned slightly red.
Clearing his throat, he said, “Yeah, I’ve finished. But, are you sure you don’t want to wash your face first?” As he spoke, he wheeled closer to Jiang Ling, reaching out to touch his face, showing the flour on his fingers.
Close-up, looking into Chu Wenyu’s eyes like crystal, Jiang Ling felt a flutter in his heart, then smiled and went to wash his face.
Back in the living room, Chu Wenyu was eagerly waiting. Although, apart from mandatory birthday banquets, he hadn’t celebrated his birthday for thirty years, he knew the purpose of a cake. What puzzled him was that today wasn’t his birthday. Could it be some other special day?
Probably. It had been almost five months since Jiang Ling arrived on Burke Star, so maybe it was an anniversary of some sort.
Chu Wenyu felt a bit embarrassed for not remembering.
Though he wasn’t much of a sweet tooth, he’d devour anything made by that person.
Seeing Jiang Ling approaching with the cake ready, Chu Wenyu took his place at the small dining table in the corner of the living room, eagerly watching him.
What would he say?
Nervously, Chu Wenyu watched Jiang Ling’s thin lips and listened as he spoke, somewhat absent-mindedly.
“Your Majesty, where did you assign Anji earlier? It’s his birthday today, I haven’t seen him for a while, so I thought I’d give the kid a cake.” Jiang Ling asked sincerely.
The relationship between the original owner and Anji wasn’t just master and servant; they were like family. Jiang Ling could sense it.
Knowing Chu Wenyu had a strong possessiveness, Jiang Ling believed it wouldn’t be an issue now. Besides, Anji was still underage and an Alpha; His Majesty shouldn’t be worried.
Chu Wenyu’s heart skipped a beat, and his expression noticeably darkened. The earlier anticipation turned into anger.
However, looking at Jiang Ling’s expression, Chu Wenyu was sure that Jiang Ling didn’t have feelings for a servant. Still, he was displeased that Anji held a place in Jiang Ling’s heart.
He wanted Jiang Ling to have only him, entirely focused on him.
Chu Wenyu slowly backed away, pushing the wheelchair away from the dining table, casting a glance at Jiang Ling with suppressed displeasure. He smiled and said, “I didn’t expect you to remember the birthday of a guard. It’s the steward’s arrangement; go ask.”
Jiang Ling sensed that Chu Wenyu seemed unhappy. To play it safe, he explained, “He’s like a little brother to me, and he’s an Alpha.”
“I’m an Alpha too. Do you want to be brothers with me?” Chu Wenyu couldn’t help but ask.
Jiang Ling was momentarily speechless, nearly forgetting about this aspect. The difference between Anji and Chu Wenyu was significant, not just in status but also in appearance. Anji had a round face, looking quite sturdy.
Moreover, if the person in question wasn’t Chu Wenyu, Jiang Ling’s orientation wouldn’t be towards a male Alpha.
“Well, forget it. I was just teasing you. I won’t get jealous without reason. Go on, hurry up.” Chu Wenyu, seeing Jiang Ling at a loss, smiled without much warmth.
He couldn’t let the Alpha think he was being unreasonable.
“I’ll be back soon then.” Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that Chu Wenyu was becoming more considerate.
After watching Jiang Ling leave, Chu Wenyu thoughtfully tapped his fingers. Jiang Ling found out where Anji was from the steward and went to look for him. Well, the steward was quite adept at arranging things; the emperor’s palace was situated in the eastern part, and Anji was conveniently placed in the west.
After searching for a while, he found Anji cleaning the garage.
This area was where the royal family members lived. Although the other princes failed in seizing the throne, their wives and children were safely placed here. Besides being instructed not to disturb the emperor, everything else was like any royal family in the entire galaxy. They lived in detached villas, and those with talent went to the Burke Star First Academy.
“Anji?” Jiang Ling called.
Anji immediately turned around, joyfully responding, “Your Highness!” and rushed over. Jiang Ling couldn’t help but feel that Anji seemed to have been well-fed; at least, he looked plump and strong.
Finding a small pavilion, the two sat down to chat. Anji indeed had a hearty appetite; seeing the cake Jiang Ling brought, he knew it was for him and began eating with tears in his eyes.
He hadn’t seen his prince since their last separation, but it seemed the monarch treated him well now. Every past grievance was forgotten.
“Have you been treated well here? But you never came to see me,” Jiang Ling’s guilt disappeared and he took the initiative.
Anji, with a troubled expression, said, “How dare I bother Your Highness? The steward warned me before, saying the emperor doesn’t want me to disturb you.”
Jiang Ling was stunned. Was it ordered by Chu Wenyu?
After some thought, he understood; he probably worried that the master and servant would stick together.
“As long as you’re doing well here, don’t worry about me,” Jiang Ling casually said, willing to comply with Chu Wenyu’s wishes.
Anji nodded. He hadn’t suffered any grievances; he was just a bit upset that his prince was enjoying delicacies without him. However, recalling the memory of the tyrant, he dispelled that thought.
“Your Highness, you used to dislike the emperor before I left. Do you not dislike him now?” Anji, observing Jiang Ling’s expression, asked.
Jiang Ling awkwardly smiled. How could he explain his relationship with Chu Wenyu to this loyal guard, who had once wanted to help him escape?
“Well, not anymore. Don’t think too much about it.”
After delivering the cake, it was time for Jiang Ling to leave. However, Anji suddenly remembered something and quickly spoke up, “Your Highness, when I accompanied the other sisters out of the palace to buy food, a beautiful sister asked me to give her contact information to you. She claimed to be some princess.” However, because he didn’t dare to approach Jiang Ling, he gave up on the idea.
Anji opened his social account, showing the contact information to Jiang Ling. After glancing at the avatar, he recognized it was Princess Anna. Jiang Ling nodded, took out his phone, logged into his social account, and without much hesitation, sent a friend request.
The response came quickly.
[Are you Prince Jiang Ling?]
[Yes, it’s me.]
Jiang Ling’s last impression of Princess Anna was her hurried departure, supposedly due to some urgent matter, according to Chu Wenyu. He wasn’t sure why she went through the trouble of getting his contact information.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
