DS Extra 18

They Swam Through the Dawn and Dusk Boundary (3)

It was just such a slightly intimate gesture, half a soft word that couldn’t even count as acting spoiled. But when used by Jiang Jianming, making the Crown Prince surrender was effortless—

“Of course.”

Although it was evening and the hospital room’s lighting was a bit dim, Jiang Jianming could still see the Little Highness’s eager gaze. “For such a small matter, don’t ask if it’s okay—just tell me what you want, and that’s enough.”

He had been frowning just moments ago, but now there was no trace of unhappiness left. It seemed Ryann truly loved it when he made requests of him, Jiang Jianming thought to himself.

Ordinary people should be the opposite. They’d be happy to receive gifts, but unhappy about constant demands; they’d be annoyed by constant interruptions of their work, and grateful only when receiving help.

That’s why the campus forum’s relationship section often had similar posts, like “Boyfriend of three years never takes initiative to spend money on me,” or “Should I break up if my girlfriend is too cold?”…

He knew it was a bit absurd to compare his relationship with the Crown Prince to romantic relationships. But in fact, during this time, every time he read similar gossip on the forum, he couldn’t help but put himself in those situations.

Moreover, occasionally when small ads popped up, if they had titles like “Imperial Prince’s Thousand Indulgences and Spoilings”—

“Why aren’t you talking?” Ryann suddenly reached out to touch his forehead. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere else?”

Jiang Jianming came back to his senses. Just as he was about to say “no,” he saw Ryann’s palm stop abruptly.

After all, he was one of the so-called imperial nobility. The Crown Prince was accustomed to having his way, so even without that intention in his heart, his words and actions easily carried the bearing of someone in a position of authority. But Jiang Jianming disliked this about him and had told him he couldn’t be so domineering, and Ryann remembered it.

So at this moment, Ryann pressed his lips together and said seriously first, “Don’t move, let me check if you still have a fever.”

Then he gently brushed aside the military academy student’s bangs with his fingers, confirmed that Jiang Jianming showed no resistance, and only then slowly placed his palm on his forehead.

“What are you thinking about?” Ryann asked.

…You.

Jiang Jianming’s eyes flickered. He swallowed the word that had almost escaped.

I’m thinking about you, and also thinking about how you think of me; I’m thinking about the relationship between us, and also how you think about the relationship between us.

I’m thinking, if I continue to get closer to you, how should I position myself properly.

You never think about these things, so of course only I have to think about them.

The military academy student clutched the corner of the blanket, his expression calm as he glanced up at the IV drip. No one could know that ripples were spreading across the lake of his heart.

“I’m thinking whether I can call the nurse to remove the needle.”

…..

Actually, given Jiang Jianming’s temperament, since he felt his energy had mostly recovered, he didn’t really want to stay overnight in the hospital.

It was only because he hadn’t completely recovered from the fever and had no one to care for him that Ryann forced him to stay in the hospital for observation overnight.

So they ordered takeout. Jiang Jianming ordered his own dinner and also ordered one for Ryann. After spending time together, he had already figured out the other’s tastes.

Ryann watched him operate from the side. When the order was complete and they reached the payment page, he pressed down on Jiang Jianming’s wrist. “Let me.”

Jiang Jianming didn’t indulge him and directly clicked to pay. “I haven’t fallen into such poverty that I can’t afford a single meal. After Your Highness helped me so much today, shouldn’t I at least treat you to dinner?”

Ryann immediately became dejected, staring at the successful order page without looking away. It was as if what he’d missed wasn’t just a chance to pay, but some once-in-a-lifetime treasure.

Ever since he’d met Jiang Jianming, it seemed a bottomless pit had quietly opened in his heart. He always felt what he gave wasn’t good enough, his understanding wasn’t deep enough, their relationship wasn’t close enough…

Calculating every detail, thinking things over and over. He actually knew Jiang Jianming was also trying hard to satisfy him. But that pit wanted even more, more.

The takeout arrived. Jiang Jianming put on his clothes and got up. The two of them sat facing each other on opposite sides of the small table.

Ryann divided the food for him and handed the utensils into his hands. Suddenly looking up, he said something shocking. “Jiang, next break, come stay at the White Jade Palace. I’ll take care of you.”

Jiang Jianming’s fingers trembled, and his chopsticks clinked against the bowl.

He almost said, “What position are you planning to use to bring a commoner into the imperial palace?” His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he still held back.

Seeing his expression change, Ryann immediately added, “Actually, there are very few people in the palace—mostly robots running around. It’s very quiet and suitable for studying. If you don’t want to see anyone, I guarantee no one will know you’ve moved in. If you’re willing, you can also come with me to see the Emperor, and I’ll take you to ride the Crown of Golden Dawn.”

“Besides, I’m alone in the palace too, with no peers my age. Usually the Emperor doesn’t really supervise me…”

The Crown Prince had never said such vulnerable words before. Being a bit anxious, his speech became halting. “Usually there’s a lot of coursework, and when I encounter things I can’t figure out, I don’t even have anyone to discuss with. If you could…”

Jiang Jianming looked at him with a complicated expression.

Ryann felt there was hope, so he simply went all in. He pulled out a chip box from his pocket and stuffed it into Jiang Jianming’s hand without allowing refusal. “For example, this combat recording analysis—could you help me look at it?”

Jiang Jianming: “…”

The Crown Prince’s gaze was too eager, and the bait was set far too obviously. With such a straight hook and salty bait, Jiang Jianming felt like a silent fish.

He was somewhat troubled. Biting would be too stupid, but not biting would mean the Little Highness would be hurt, which was equally difficult.

“Is that so?” Jiang Jianming smiled helplessly, took the chip box, and tucked it into the side pocket of his backpack. “If it’s just writing some analysis, we can just connect online.”

Ryann: “The palace has demonstration equipment and simulated combat mechas…”

Jiang Jianming: “I have those at the Military Academy too.”

Ryann dejectedly closed his mouth.

He looked down at the snow-white, soft, and glutinous dessert in his bowl—tangyuan that Jiang Jianming had specifically ordered. So he continued making conversation. “Do you like eating sweets?”

“Not really a particular preference. It’s just that my father often made me desserts when I was little.”

“Actually, the White Jade Palace’s afternoon tea—”

“Stop, hold on. Let’s eat first…”

As he reluctantly put a tangyuan in his mouth, a bizarre thought suddenly popped into Ryann’s mind.

Tangyuan, these unassuming little sweets with their black sesame hearts, sitting plainly without decoration, yet appearing so clean in the clear broth… In a way, they really were quite similar to Jiang Jianming as a person.

Ryann stared at the tangyuan in his bowl distractedly, and the edge of his spoon pressed a mark into the soft glutinous rice skin.

Applying a bit more force, the tangyuan’s outer skin was cut open, and the black sweet sesame filling immediately flowed out.

The Crown Prince was immersed in the brain-hole of his own peculiar metaphor when his heart suddenly panicked for no reason.

He watched the sesame filling flow outward, about to dilute into the broth, and the soft white skin pitifully collapsed.

Ryann’s eyebrow twitched. He quickly used the spoon to block the opening he’d cut himself, scooped up the tangyuan without daring to look, and swallowed it whole in one bite.

Looking up again, Jiang Jianming was watching him with a baffled expression.

It was as if a question mark was about to float above his head at any moment.

“Your Highness, this is…”

It’s in your own bowl, and no one’s competing with you for it. Are you getting anxious with yourself?

Or is it that just because I won’t go stay at the palace with you, you’re taking it out on the tangyuan?

Ryann’s ears turned slightly red: “…”

If they were more familiar, or already in a relationship as lovers, perhaps His Highness would follow his heart and say with a straight face: I just felt you were very similar to this tangyuan.

I cut open your heart, but seeing you about to break down, I couldn’t bear it, so I hurriedly ate you into my own stomach—only then could I feel at ease.

But the current Crown Prince couldn’t yet spout such serious nonsense. He just pressed his lips together and stared at Jiang Jianming, trying to muddle through.

The military academy student across from him tried but couldn’t hold back. He pressed his fist to his lips and let out a muffled chuckle.

He pushed the remaining tangyuan from his side into His Highness the Crown Prince’s bowl. “If you like them, have another one.”

…Jiang was willing to share food he’d eaten halfway with him, and he’d even scooped it over with the spoon he’d used!

Ryann secretly rejoiced again, unilaterally deciding this must be a sign of greatly increased intimacy, and quickly accepted it with pleasure.

Jiang Jianming watched him with a half-smile, only feeling that the Little Highness was really very cute.

Before they’d met, who could have imagined that the young crown prince one looked up to at solemn occasions every day would be so lively in private?

“About going to the palace…”

He deliberately drew out his tone, watching Ryann tense up before saying, “I’ll think about it.”

Ryann: “!”

That was enough. Ryann was so surprised and delighted he didn’t know what to do. He stopped eating, grabbed his wrist device, and said he was going to start making arrangements.

Jiang Jianming’s scalp tingled. He looked at the time—it was already eight o’clock at night. Afraid Ryann might make a call directly to the Emperor, he quickly held him down. “Wait, not these next few days—absolutely not! I still have exams…”

“You’re sick. You can’t exhaust your mind and energy anymore.”

“I’m just a little short of finishing my review, just a tiny bit.”

Ryann couldn’t win against him, so he had to compromise. “Then what do you need to review? Before you sleep, I’ll read it to you a few times, and you’ll remember it.”

After Jiang Jianming finished washing up and lay down in bed, Ryann really did pick up his optical computer and began reading those dry sentences in a methodical manner.

The Little Highness’s voice was very pleasant—suitable for delivering dignified speeches or reciting elegant poetry, not for doing this kind of thing.

Jiang Jianming couldn’t help but feel a few threads of guilt at this waste of talent, thinking: I’m wasting his time again.

But this time, he didn’t stop him. Jiang Jianming closed his eyes and just listened quietly.

The knowledge points were no longer entering his brain. Other emotions were tangling around his heart, tickling and hooking there.

Half asleep and half awake, Jiang Jianming silently repeated in his heart: “He said he wanted to stay by my side more. He wanted it.”

After a while, the lights in the hospital room were dimmed. The soft blanket was pulled up and tucked firmly around him. Ryann’s voice drifted near and far, but continued steadily until he sank into dreamland.

That night, Jiang Jianming slept very soundly. It wasn’t until the morning light of the next day dispelled the night that he intermittently had some dreams.

In the dreams there was a young man with platinum-blond curly hair, and golden roses blooming in the palace.