Ch. 12 The love story between the Medicine King and the Meal King
Ever since Ji Xiang injured his arm, he and Yang Chaosheng had been chatting more frequently on WeChat.
Other than discussing the terms of their contract marriage, Yang Chaosheng would occasionally remind him to apply medicine and check on his wound. In return, Ji Xiang would politely ask, “Have you eaten?” or “Still haven’t eaten this late?” or “Aren’t you hungry?”
In short, their conversations now had a touch of more warmth compared to the previously task-oriented exchanges, though both still maintained a certain level of formality and distance between the lines.
Shen Siru, who had seen this string of aimless chats, couldn’t help but comment sarcastically, “What kind of ‘pre-marriage vibe’ is this? You two are about to get married and this is all you talk about? One’s the Medicine King, the other the Meal King. Might as well talk yourselves to death.”
But Ji Xiang didn’t see anything wrong with it. After all, they were both busy with work and life, and sometimes their replies were even delayed by hours.
Ji Xiang might ask, “Have you eaten?” during his lunch break, and Yang Chaosheng wouldn’t reply until 7 or 8 p.m. with, “I’ve eaten. You?”
After that, Yang Chaosheng tried to be clever and timed his messages better, like sending “Is your wound still itchy today?” at 8 a.m. sharp. But Ji Xiang, whose sleep schedule was anything but normal, would still be fast asleep at that time. When he eventually woke up late and rushed out the door for work, he barely had time to check WeChat.
Even so, whenever they did have free time, they’d always reply. Anyone watching from the outside might’ve thought that those messages were some royal decrees [mfn]‘Royal decrees’ are official orders or proclamations issued by a monarch[/mfn] demanding an immediate response.
Just a few days ago, Ji Xiang had even asked Shen Siru to introduce him to a lawyer to help draft the prenuptial agreement between him and Yang Chaosheng. He was called Lawyer An.
He told this Lawyer An all his conditions and preferences. For discussions requiring all three parties but with no time for face-to-face meetings, they simply created a group chat for efficiency. Whoever was available would respond.
It wasn’t until Saturday morning, while Ji Xiang was working overtime, that he received a definitive message that they could go to Shengsong [mfn]Yang Chaosheng’s law firm[/mfn] in the afternoon to sign the agreement.
Ji Xiang checked his schedule. He also had to go to the hospital that afternoon to have his stitches removed. So, he replied in the group chat:
[CilantroKiller]: Lawyer An, what time at Shengsong? I have to stop by the city hospital first.
[Lawyer An]: Two o’clock.
[Yang Chaosheng]: You’re getting the stitches removed?
Lawyer An immediately withdrew his message and went silent like a dead fish.
[CilantroKiller]: Yes.
[Yang Chaosheng]: What time’s your appointment? I’ll take you there and we can go to Shengsong together afterwards.
[CilantroKiller]: The same time, two o’clock that Lawyer An just mentioned.
[Lawyer An]: Oh, Mr. Ji, any time works for me. Just let me know when you two decide. I have already reached an agreement with Mr. Yang.
Ji Xiang hadn’t been to Shengsong before, so he opened up the map app and calculated the commute time.
[CilantroKiller]: Let’s make it three o’clock. The stitch removal shouldn’t take long.
[Lawyer An]: [OK.jpg]
That morning, Yang Chaosheng had chatted with Ji Xiang and knew he was working overtime.
[Yang Chaosheng]: I’ll pick you up outside your office at 1:30?
[CilantroKiller]: Sounds good. Sorry to trouble you.
[Yang Chaosheng]: Not at all.
Ji Xiang put away his phone, planning to head down for lunch around 12:30. That way, he’d be just in time to meet Yang Chaosheng.
As he spun his chair around, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind. It was Song Zheli,
“Wanna grab lunch together?”
Since Shen Siru wasn’t working that weekend, Ji Xiang had lost his usual lunch buddy.
“Sure,” he said. “But you’re working overtime too, Director?”
“Isn’t this what one would call, sharing joys and sorrows?” Song Zheli joked. “Well, actually, there’s a new collaboration proposal. I wanted to review it first so I can present it at Monday’s meeting.”
“Big company?”
Song Zheli raised his eyebrows slightly in confirmation.
“So, I’m getting VIP insider info, huh?” Ji Xiang grinned.
“Yup. And here’s another little surprise.” Song Zheli lowered his voice. “The company thinks our creative planning team is too loosely organized. They want to appoint a creative lead above the team leaders to coordinate with the design group. I’ve recommended you.”
“I know you’ve held some resentment over me parachuting in as director, but you’re genuinely creative. Under your leadership, Group A’s project completion rate and client satisfaction have skyrocketed this past year. So, if this new position does come through, you’re more than qualified. Even without my recommendation, upper management would’ve noticed.”
The unexpected praise left Ji Xiang a bit embarrassed. But since this wasn’t an official announcement, just some inside talk, he didn’t dare overthink it.
Ji Xiang had always lived by a simple rule: seize the opportunity when it comes; otherwise, hold steady. For now, he would just focus on doing his job well.
“Oh right, this is for you.” Song Zheli produced a box of ointment covered in foreign text, like a magic trick. “It’s scar cream I had a friend bring back from overseas. I used it while studying abroad, thought it worked well.”
“Director Song, are you Doraemon in disguise? Last time it was eye-drops, now scar cream. Always just what I need.” Ji Xiang teased.
“I charged you last time, so let’s skip the payment this round. No need to put a price on every little thing between friends,” Song Zheli preempted him. “Just buy me lunch today.”
“Deal. Pick any place downstairs.”
They ended up eating at a casual buffet on the ground floor. Normally, Ji Xiang wouldn’t socialize this much with Song Zheli, given the boss-subordinate dynamic and the fact that they were once rivals.
But Ji Xiang wasn’t the type to hold grudges or give people the cold shoulder. If he lost, it just meant he wasn’t skilled enough. Song Zheli had always treated others with kindness. Lately, he’d even started calling himself Ji Xiang’s ‘friend’ more often, which made Ji Xiang feel a bit closer to him.
After lunch, Ji Xiang returned his tray, then detoured to buy a few chicken drumsticks.
Seeing this, Song Zheli laughed, “Don’t tell me you changed your mind and are working overtime this afternoon too, stocking up on snacks?”
“Of course not.” Ji Xiang also grabbed a bottle of water from a convenience store. “There’ve been a few new stray cats around the flower beds. Just bringing them something to eat.”
Song Zheli followed behind, watching Ji Xiang skillfully squat down, rinsing the chicken in water and calling softly toward the bushes.
Soon the shrubs rustled, and three differently coloured kittens emerged, rubbing against Ji Xiang.
He gave each a gentle head pat. The one in the middle was dissatisfied and pounced onto his knee. Ji Xiang chuckled and cradled it in one arm while stroking its fur.
Song Zheli was surprised by how fearless the stray cats were. As he stepped closer, the one in Ji Xiang’s arm hissed, its fur bristling.
Ji Xiang noticed and explained, “I’ve fed them several times these past few days, so they recognize me now. You’re new, give them some time.”
There was a hint of pride in his tone. Song Zheli couldn’t help but smile and played along, “Alright, Boss Ji.”
Ji Xiang grinned, handed him a disposable glove, and they squatted together, shredding chicken for the cats.
The kittens ate happily and, as their guard dropped, they even let Song Zheli pet them.
When he finished feeding, Song Zheli removed his glove. Ji Xiang still had a bit of meat left and playfully tried to hold the cat’s paw to tease it.
Just as he scratched the grey cat’s chin, his phone rang. His hands were occupied, so he asked Song Zheli to take it out for him.
Song Zheli did so, and his eyes caught the caller ID, Yang Chaosheng. He answered the call and held it to Ji Xiang’s ear.
“Hello?”
“It’s me. I’m downstairs at your office.”
Although Yang Chaosheng’s voice was as gentle as ever, Ji Xiang found it odd, he usually just texted. Why the call today?
“I’m here too. Give me a second, I’ll be right down.”
Ji Xiang removed his glove, took the phone, and just as he stood up, spotted Yang Chaosheng by his car.
“Yang Chaosheng—” Ji Xiang waved.
Yang Chaosheng looked over, ended the call, and walked towards him.
Ji Xiang checked the time. It was five minutes before 1:30.
Still, out of courtesy, he asked, “Have you been waiting long?”
Surprisingly, Yang Chaosheng gave a quiet “Yeah,” his gaze flicking to the kittens behind them, the image of Ji Xiang and Song Zheli feeding them together still fresh in his mind. “I came early.”
Then, the silent Song Zheli finally spoke, “And this is?”
Ji Xiang and Yang Chaosheng exchanged a glance and froze for a second.
Yang Chaosheng didn’t know how to introduce himself.
Ji Xiang’s friend? Or his fiancé?
The former sounded distant; the latter, Ji Xiang might not like it.
Better to let Ji Xiang decide. Whatever he said, Yang Chaosheng would accept.
“Oh right, forgot to introduce you. This is my boss, Song Zheli.” Ji Xiang walked over and hooked his arm around Yang Chaosheng’s. “And this is my boyfriend, Yang Chaosheng.”
Yang Chaosheng paused, and those painful images suddenly shattered and instead bloomed like fireworks.
“Boyfriend?” Song Zheli looked stunned. Realizing his reaction was a bit much, he added, “Sorry, I just… hadn’t heard you mention him before…”
“We only got together recently,” Ji Xiang said with a smile, nudging Yang Chaosheng’s nose playfully. “Not many friends know yet. Just introducing him now since we happened to meet.”
“…Yeah.” Yang Chaosheng tightened his grip slightly, suppressing the surge of emotions that might make him seem uncomposed. He nodded at Song Zheli, “Nice to meet you.”
Song Zheli’s smile was forced, his eyes fixed on their interlinked arms. “…Nice to meet you.”
Yang Chaosheng narrowed his eyes.
As an alpha, he could sense another’s possessiveness and curiosity.
He realised, Song Zheli had the same unspoken, wishful thoughts about Ji Xiang.
“We’ve got plans this afternoon, so we’ll be off,” Ji Xiang said, brushing off the awkwardness. “Director Song, don’t work too late.”
“Sure. See you Monday.”
Song Zheli stood there for a long time, watching as Ji Xiang’s ‘boyfriend’ opened the car door for him and drove off. His face slightly cold.
The author has something to say:
When Cao Zimian heard Ji Xiang calling Yang Chaosheng his ‘boyfriend’, he said: “Yang Chaoseng, I am telling you, this guy is something…😡
Xiao Yang (unable to hear anything): But… but he said I am his boyfriend! Boyfriend!!!🫠
He said ‘ boyfriend’ ! (つ≧▽≦)つ
Thank You for the new chapter (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡