Ren Ju stared at Si Nuo in disbelief, seemingly unable to accept how Si Nuo had managed to get matched, and that the other party had even bought him a cake from the Central Restaurant.
Although the cost of dining at the Central Restaurant during the first official meeting is covered by the Empire and requires no personal expense, any additional pastries or meals must be paid for out-of-pocket. After meeting his own match previously, Ren Ju had hinted several times that he had heard the pastries there were delicious, hoping his partner would take the initiative to buy him one. The result? The man had been like a wooden post and hadn’t understood a word of it. If it weren’t for the fact that the man was an A-level esper, he would never have agreed to be with an old, balding man on his second marriage!
After hearing Ren Ju’s words, Zhang Yu rolled his eyes. “What do you mean by that? Why should you be the only one allowed to get matched? Why can’t our Si Nuo? What is lacking in Si Nuo? Is he not good-looking, or is his painting not good enough?”
Facing such a direct confrontation in front of everyone, Ren Ju immediately defended himself, “I—how could I mean that? Don’t slander me!”
“Whether it’s slander or not, you know the truth yourself,” Zhang Yu snorted, then turned to Si Nuo with a smile, “Did he really send you this cake? Then you two…?”
Si Nuo finally realized that this cake was not some perk provided by the Central Restaurant for their matching session, but rather something Guan Xingchen had bought for him specifically. Realizing that the man must have noticed he hadn’t eaten much at the time and bought the cake for him, Si Nuo felt that the gesture was incredibly thoughtful.
Si Nuo didn’t want to discuss it too much in front of everyone, so he just nodded and said, “Yes, things are going quite smoothly.”
The others in the class, learning that Si Nuo had successfully matched, immediately gathered around, curiously asking, “Si Nuo, who did you match with? Is he an esper?”
Zhang Yu, hearing this, raised his hand and coughed to deflect the attention. “You guys are too nosy! Enough, enough! Why are you asking things like that? Si Nuo isn’t a show-off, and we don’t even know if things will work out yet. Don’t put Si Nuo on the spot!”
That word—”show-off”—hit Ren Ju hard, as he had been pricking up his ears, desperate to hear what kind of person Si Nuo had matched with. You might as well have just shouted my name out loud!
With Zhang Yu there to help deflect, the others found it difficult to ask further. Si Nuo gave him a look of gratitude.
When class finally ended, Si Nuo took his cake and went back to the dorm with Zhang Yu. The moment the dormitory door closed, Zhang Yu asked curiously, “Quick, tell me! What exactly is going on? Didn’t you go over there today to reject him? Why did you agree to it? What does His Highness actually look like? Is he as fierce and ugly as the rumors say?”
Having asked so many questions in one breath, it was clear he had been dying to know.
Si Nuo set the cake on the table and turned back. “He isn’t ugly, but he is a bit fierce.”
Guan Xingchen definitely wasn’t “ugly,” but as for being “fierce”… Si Nuo subconsciously touched his neck. Afterward, he recounted the whole experience to Zhang Yu.
Zhang Yu looked at Si Nuo in disbelief. “So, you had already met twice before the match? The last time you came back late, it was because of him? You two are truly fated! And this time, even after you went there to reject him, he still asked you to give him a chance to try? He… he couldn’t possibly have taken a liking to you, could he? Does he like you?”
“How is that possible? A person of his status liking someone like me, who has nothing?”
“You can’t say it like that, Si Nuo. Have you ever looked in a mirror? Do you not know how good-looking you are? Do you want me to tell you?”
“Alright, stop praising me,” Si Nuo said, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. His current body was very similar to his original appearance, but because he suffered from a genetic disorder and lacked proper nutrition, his complexion was very poor. He didn’t look gaunt or emaciated, but he was certainly pale and frail. He believed that as long as someone had decent taste, they wouldn’t be interested in a sickly person like him. That was why he couldn’t understand why Guan Xingchen wanted to try things out with him.
However, since I’ve already agreed, I might as well try.
Looking at the cake on the table again, Si Nuo hesitated, then opened his contact list to Guan Xingchen: [Um… thank you for the cake. I will enjoy it.]
After sending the message, Si Nuo thought that since he had accepted the cake, he couldn’t just leave it at that; he should prepare a return gift. But what should he give? Given Guan Xingchen’s status, he probably wasn’t lacking anything. Since painting was his only skill, perhaps he should paint a portrait for him?
Just as he was thinking this, Guan Xingchen replied: [You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it. Do you have time tomorrow?]
Seeing this, Si Nuo felt a nervous tension in his chest: [I will be painting a mural at school tomorrow. Do you have something on your mind?]
Guan Xingchen: [Nothing in particular, just asking. I understand now.]
After that, Si Nuo didn’t know what else to say, feeling as though Guan Xingchen still had more to say.
Seeing him looking conflicted after sending the message, Zhang Yu asked, “What’s wrong? Who are you messaging?”
“Him. I thanked him for the cake, he asked if I had time tomorrow, and I told him I’d be painting a mural. He said he understood.” Si Nuo looked at Zhang Yu, his eyes filled with confusion. “But I have a feeling he didn’t finish what he wanted to say.”
“Oh my god! Si Nuo, why are you so dense? He asked if you were free tomorrow because he wants to see you! Even if you’re busy, you could ask him if he wants to come watch you paint! You can’t just shut him down like that, can you?” Zhang Yu looked at him with an expression of “I can’t believe you’re this clueless.”
Si Nuo’s eyes widened suddenly. “I… I can say that? What if he doesn’t want to come?”
Zhang Yu stroked his chin with a sage-like expression. “Based on my years of reading novels, there is no way he wouldn’t want to. Trust me, even if I’ve never eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run, right? Just say it like that!”
Si Nuo thought it over and realized his previous reply had indeed been too cold. So, following Zhang Yu’s advice, he sent another message to Guan Xingchen: [If you have nothing to do tomorrow, would you like to come watch me paint?]
After the adjutant and Guan Xingchen returned to the apartment, the adjutant watched as His Highness sat on the sofa for a long time, suddenly looked at his terminal, and then a smile appeared in his eyes.
Not long after, His Highness was back to lying limp on the sofa, looking spiritless. Just as the adjutant was about to ask what was wrong, His Highness’s terminal chimed again.
Guan Xingchen lay on the sofa, tapped his terminal, and upon seeing the message from Si Nuo, he sat up with a start, the corners of his lips curling upward: [Okay!]
The adjutant touched his nose. “Did you encounter some good news, Your Highness? You seem so happy. Would you like to share it with your subordinate?”
Guan Xingchen looked up at him. “It’s nothing.”
After a long pause, he added, “Prepare a new set of clothes for me. I need them for tomorrow.”
The adjutant feigned confusion. “Is tomorrow some kind of important date?”
“Can I not wear new clothes just because it’s not an important date?”
The adjutant nodded. “Well, if it’s not an important day, then are you going to see Lord Si Nuo tomorrow?”
Guan Xingchen: “…You know far too much!”