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nEditors: SimoB and yummers

nWith five days to go before the one month deadline, Yu Chennian’s animosity value stopped to 55 and refused to drop any further throughout the day.

nThe System began to fret.

nIt fretted by whispering incessantly: Host, Host……are there really no problems? Is it really okay like this? There are only five days left ying.

nThe System that learned how to yingyingying couldn’t stir up Shi Qing’s heart that was as hard as steel.

nCurrently, it was time for an afternoon nap. Yu Chennian hadn’t woken up yet.

nHe was comfortably enjoying the warmth that was radiating from Yu Chennian as he laid in the other’s arms.

nWhat’s the rush? Have you noticed that Yu Chennian’s body is becoming more and more pleasing to touch?

nHe poked at the firm muscles in front of him repeatedly as he spoke.

nYing… The System swallowed back its tears with great difficulty and said pitifully: But there are only five days left until the full month.

nThe animosity value still hasn’t dropped to 50, so we will be thrown out by the World’s consciousness. There’s just five points left, just five……

nIf the difference was large enough to be hopeless, it wouldn’t be so anxious.

nBut there were only five more to go!!

nWith one last push, they could make it!

nIt’s a pity that Yu Chennian’s animosity refused to drop just five more points.

nShi Qing was still in no hurry.

nBe good. Go read the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’. Wasn’t a picture book edition just released?

nThe System had always been unable to deal with its own Host. Upon seeing Shi Qing being so uncooperative, the System could only run away while crying.

nShi Qing carried on with touching Yu Chennian like before after it had left. He took advantage of Yu Chennian’s comatose state and poked at the youth continuously to his heart’s desire.

nThis continued until the strong muscles by his hand moved and bulged slightly. Then, a long and slender hand approached, grasping Shi Qing’s hand in its palm. His grip was strong, but he only slightly circled the young, white, and tender fingertips without using any strength.

n“You’re awake?”

nThe little master, who had done all sorts of things to the other person while they were asleep, didn’t feel guilty at all. He said hello naturally, before removing his hand from Yu Chennian’s grip and continuing to poke: “For some reason I think you’re sturdier than before. This growth is happening way too fast.”

nYu Chennian tried his best to ignore his unceasing actions. He answered in a deep voice: “I’ve been eating more meals these days.”

n“I eat a lot too, ah. But how come my belly only grew fatter.”

nShi Qing bowed his head and touched his abdomen with an unhappy face: “I didn’t get any taller either.”

nYu Chennian glanced at his flat abdomen and said honestly: “You are not fat.”

n“How can I not be? I’ve grown a lot of meat here.”

nThe little master’s little temper rose again. He grabbed Yu Chennian’s hand and landed it on his abdomen. “Touch it. Do you see how much meat there is?”

nPutting Yu Chennian’s hand on his stomach, Shi Qing’s white and delicate face was full of unhappiness. He continued to mutter: “It’s really strange. We do the same things and eat almost the same meals everyday, so why is it that only you can grow tall and strong? Your muscles are so hard too. Meanwhile, I can only grow a lump of fatty meat.”

nYu Chennian’s ears were filled with the little boy’s whines and discontent as his hands rubbed the fatty meat Shi Qing was referring to.

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nIt really wasn’t fat. It was actually pretty flat. But the originally soft stomach grew even more tender with someone warming the bed and after being fed well this winter.

nThrough the clothes, Yu Chennian could even think of how delicate and white this place would be. There shouldn’t be many soft spots that could be pinched, just a small handful.

nOnly three words could describe it: plump, silky, and tender.

nThe young man pinched it with his fingers almost unconsciously.

n“Aiya!”

nThe body underneath his hand immediately sprung up like a live fish after being tickled.

nShi Qing directed an indignant glare at Yu Chennian: “What are you doing!”

nYu Chennian realized what he had done when he noticed the angry glare. His hands dropped immediately as his head lowered slightly.

n“Sorry.”

n“Humph!”

nThe little master threw off the warm blanket. Due to his nap, his white face was flushed, which made him appear rather shy.

nAfter he sat down, he made an announcement, “Today I have a playdate with my friend. You’re coming along with me.”

nWithout waiting for Yu Chennian to respond, he bossily added: “You’re not allowed to refuse. I’ve already informed His Majesty; he also agreed to let you go out with me.”

nYu Chennian was silent for a few seconds.

n“Okay.”

nHe saw how overjoyed Shi Qing was by his agreement. His eyebrows and eyes all revealed his arrogance as they rose up. His pride appeared to be flowing through his whole body. Yu Chennian was able to guess some of the little master’s inner thoughts.

nHe had probably bragged to his friends outside the palace about how a prince followed him as a valet or something.

nThe little master, who wanted to show off quickly, climbed off the bed and called the eunuch outside to dress him. He urged Yu Chennian hurriedly.

n“Hurry up!”

nHis tone clearly indicated a command, but his naturally soft and waxy voice made it sound like he was acting spoiled.

nYu Chennian stood up in silence and began to dress himself as well.

nSince he stayed at Shi Qing’s residence so often recently, all of his few cloaks were stored here.

nPerhaps the little boy himself didn’t notice, but he began to stick to Yu Chennian more and more.

nHe needed to be accompanied by Yu Chennian no matter what he did, or else he’d be grumpy.

nBut Yu Chennian’s emotions grew more and more complicated over time.

nShi Qing was happy to take him everywhere, and he was happy to comply as well.

nBut at the same time, there was an unresolved knot at the bottom of his heart.

nShi Qing only saw him as a servant and playmate, but he wanted to be something different from that.

nHe wanted more.

nShi Qing finished changing his clothes and heard that someone outside had made a bowl of peony flowers carved out of ice. He ran out excitedly to have a look.

nOnly Yu Chennian, the eunuch who served him, and the eunuch that came to inform him about the ice sculptures were left in the room.

nThe young man continued to adjust his waist ornaments like he usually did.

n“Your Highness, let this one……”

nThe eunuch came forward with a bowed face and began to help Yu Chennian earnestly.

nWhen the eunuch who served Shi Qing saw this scene, his heart was filled with disdain.

nThis was just an unfavoured prince that anyone could step on, but this guy was so obsequious. Couldn’t he see the situation clearly?

nHe didn’t want to stand there and watch Yu Chennian get dressed either. He turned around and left to find Shi Qing.

nThere were only two people left in the room.

nYu Chennian opened his arms and raised his head only slightly, but his temperament was quite different from the wooden impression he left on others. He asked lightly: “How did it go?”

nThe eunuch replied: “It was as Your Highness predicted. The Hu people have repeatedly violated the border. They’ve already taken three cities, but they were all desolate places anyway.”

n“As long as it’s a part of our country’s territory, regardless of whether it’s desolate or not, it’s still a great shame for other countries to be able to conquer it. The court will most likely be thrown into uproar by this news.” There were no superfluous expressions on the young man’s face. He only asked: “Who is the general of the Hu people?”

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n“It’s their second prince; the one who is brave and skilled at fighting.”

n“Go back to tell Uncle to contact some old ministers. When the news of war is carried back, let them petition for a prince to lead our forces in the war since the Hu people are also sending out a prince. Three of our country’s cities have been taken in a row. Say that this is the best way to regain our nation’s prestige.”

n“Understood.”

n“Also, tell my uncle that I must be the one to go to war in the end.”

nThe eunuch looked up in surprise: “Your Highness?!”

nYu Chennian said with a wave: “Leave.”

nThe eunuch hesitated for a few seconds. But he bowed respectfully and left.

nAfter standing in the room for a while, the young man stepped out the door, and went to the end of the corridor. There, he saw the youth looking at the ice sculptures with great interest.

nHe had a bright smile without a trace of pride on his face, which was truly rare for him. Just like a child, he used his white fingertips to carefully touch the petals carved out of ice.

nWhile having a good time, Shi Qing inadvertently looked back at him. He immediately smiled and waved him over: “Yu Chennian, look at how much this flower sculpture resembles the real thing.”

nThe little master was born prematurely, so in the past—even in the summer— his family would not allow him to touch more ice than was necessary, let alone make ice sculptures for him to play with in winter.

nThis was the first time he had ever seen ice sculptures.

nThe youth strode over with big steps.

nHe stared at the crystal clear ice sculpture before suddenly asking: “Do you like peonies? Or do you like ice sculptures?”

nShi Qing huffed and lightly kicked Yu Chennian with his foot. He raised his little chin arrogantly: “I’m not gonna tell you.”

nYu Chennian didn’t get an answer, but he wasn’t disappointed.

nHe only looked at the bowl of ice sculptures in front of him with unfathomably deep eyes.

nHe thought, since Shi Qing didn’t specify, he probably liked peony ice sculptures.

nIf one day, he covered the palace with peony ice sculptures— Shi Qing would become even more happy, right?

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nAuthor’s Note:

nWhy do I feel like Big Nian is like a wild horse that broke free of its reins and started following after a strange man?

nNo!

nNo!

nI must be mistaken!

nEveryone please give a warm welcome to the other new editor for this novel, yummers!

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