Chapter 61: Like a Dream (1)

Zhen Xiaoyan shook her head and said, “Don’t ask me about that. I’m just following Ye Lang’s instructions—whatever he tells me to eat, I eat, whatever he asks me to do, I do. Oh, by the way, Mom, in a few days I’ll be staying at his house for a while. He’s given me a few days off, so I can spend some time with you and Dad.”

“You’re going to stay at his house? Don’t you like Moya? Daughter, who do you actually like? Moya has a good character, is talented and capable, while Ye Lang, the thirteenth young master of the Ye family, isn’t as good—he doesn’t even have an attribute. Still, he is the Ye family’s thirteenth young master, and that alone makes up for his shortcomings. If you want to choose him, that’s fine too…” Her mother’s mouth began firing like a machine gun, going on and on.

“...Mom, I’m going to Ye Lang’s house because my condition still needs monitoring. If I have any adverse reaction to the medicine, I can get treatment right away.” Zhen Xiaoyan finally found a chance to cut in.

“Oh, that’s it? Then why wait a few days? Wouldn’t it be better to go over right now?” Her mother asked, concerned.

“These few days... I... I’m going to... have a date... with Moya...” Zhen Xiaoyan’s face grew redder as she spoke, her voice growing smaller and smaller.

“Oh... so that’s how it is...” Her mother replied, half smiling.

“Hmph! I went through so much trouble and put up with so much today, can’t I even go on a date?” Zhen Xiaoyan stomped her foot a little, then ran inside.

“Xiaoyan, don’t run! I never said you couldn’t. This is your first date—do you want your mom to give you some advice?”

“No, no...”

...

“Mom, does the birthmark on my chest look like a phoenix now?” Zhen Xiaoyan stared at the birthmark on her chest, a bit uncertain.

“Hm, before you were too chubby, it was hard to tell what it was, but now it’s clear—it really does look like a flying phoenix!”

“I thought so too! But that idiot Ye Lang said it looked like a big fat chicken, and said it was ugly…” Zhen Xiaoyan muttered as if to herself.

“That’s just him being silly. It actually looks beautiful… Wait, how does he know about that? Did you two...?”

“Ah, what, I don’t know anything, don’t ask me…”

...

In those days spent together, day and night, she had to soak naked in the medicinal bath every day. Once, she was startled by something and stood up, exposing herself. That idiot, completely oblivious, looked her over carefully and commented that her progress was good, that her figure and skin were better than expected.

It seemed that even now, that fool still hadn’t realized just what kind of situation that was!

...

Anyway, after repeated confirmation, no one questioned Zhen Xiaoyan’s identity anymore. In truth, they had already believed it—Ye Lang’s rather domineering declaration was the best proof! Strangely enough, most people felt that if he said it, it couldn’t be false. It was an inexplicable sort of trust.

As for Ye Lang, after creating such a miracle, he vanished from sight once more. Perhaps everyone had grown used to this, so they quickly put him to the back of their minds, waiting for him to make another appearance someday.

It wasn’t that no one tried to seek him out—curiosity about these events was only natural—but Ye Lang spent the first few days sleeping, and then claimed he needed to recuperate, taking a month’s sick leave. As a result, no one could get close to him.

After a month, everyone had basically figured things out, so there was no need for further questions. Only a few “little matters” remained that needed Ye Lang’s help, though this only applied to a small number of people.

During this month, Zhen Xiaoyan didn’t just stay home with Ye Lang. She would get up early and prepare a mountain of food—most of it for herself, a smaller portion for Ye Lang.

Then Ye Lang would get up, check her pulse and examine her condition, deciding whether she needed medicine or acupuncture.

After that, she would go to class, only returning to Ye Lang’s little courtyard after school for another checkup, and then she would cook again.

Of course, if she had a date scheduled, everything else would be pushed back!

As for their relationship, it was quite simple: first and foremost, they were friends; second, she was the patient, he the doctor. There was nothing else between them—at least for now.

Of course, others didn’t see it that way. Many people speculated about the true nature of their relationship!

Ye Lang, naturally, didn’t care what others thought. He simply did what he had to: monitor Zhen Xiaoyan’s condition, determine exactly what aftereffects she might have.

And what were they?

“Fatty, after a month of careful observation, thorough investigation, and bold conjecture—plus some other factors—” Ye Lang began.

“??” Zhen Xiaoyan stared at him blankly, not understanding a word, but she didn’t interrupt, afraid of saying something wrong.

After a lengthy preamble about his methods and evidence, Ye Lang finally said solemnly, “I am certain you have a very serious aftereffect!”

Zhen Xiaoyan wasn’t afraid. She smiled and said, “Go ahead, tell me. I’m ready for anything. This past month has exceeded all my expectations…”

Indeed, it had surpassed her expectations by far. At first, she had only hoped for a short window, just enough to go on a single date with Moya. But now it had been a whole month, and she had gone on at least eight or ten dates.

But did those dates really make her happy? Perhaps. Outwardly, she certainly seemed happy. Yet even she didn’t know if her happiness came from finally being with the one she loved, or from fulfilling a long-cherished dream.

Perhaps that was why, even if she returned to how she once was, she wouldn’t be afraid or feel regret—because she had already experienced it.

“All right, I’ll tell you. Your aftereffect is—indigestion. Because your digestive system was shut down so completely this time, you’ve suffered permanent damage. Your digestive ability will be only about a tenth of a normal person’s.” Ye Lang frowned slightly as he spoke.

Zhen Xiaoyan was silent for a moment, unable to grasp the consequences, so she asked, “Does that mean I’ll go back to how I was before? Will my skin turn dark and ugly again?”

“No, it’ll be hard for you to gain weight ever again,” Ye Lang replied, shaking his head.

“Yes! That’s wonderful, I won’t turn back!” Zhen Xiaoyan cheered with joy, and only then thought of other matters—