The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

80. Happy to Be Your Company

Translator: Iris Guo

“It’s okay. I’ve paid respects to my mother for thirty years, which makes me a qualified son somehow. Now it’s time to celebrate my birthday.” murmured Zhong Mingwei with a smile while lowering his head to eat noodles. “Girl, it’s so delicious.”

A’Chou looked at the back side of Zhong Mingwei’s head and his sweaty neck, felt so sorry for him, and wanted to cry. Then, she took a handkerchief to wipe him and said gently: “Zhong Mingwei, I’ll make you longevity noodles every year.”

“Okay.” Zhong Mingwei was eating noodles with his head down. He sounded a little vague and hoarse, which gave A’Chou a false impression that he was crying. When she was in shock, he raised his head and smiled to her: “Girl, wipe my face. It was wet by the steam.”

“Sure.” A’Chou looked at Zhong Mingwei’s moist face and slightly red eyes, didn’t say more but carefully wiped his face.

“By the way, you haven’t told me how you made the noodles.” Zhong Mingwei continued to eat. “How did you keep it complete?”

“Hey, I don’t usually share my special recipe,” A’Chou chuckled, continued to eat, and teased, “but I’ll share it with you if you’re willing to go to the courtyard and enjoy the sunshine.”

“Okay, but I’m sure you’ll overexert yourself again.” said Zhong Mingwei.

Lately, Zhong Mingwei was in a better condition. His arms were already flexible, and his waist and back were stronger, but his legs were still weak and couldn’t move at all. A’Chou had helped him off his bed and tried to make him stand, but he never made it, and once she fell and bruised her arm when she was steadying him. He lost his temper and refused to try again thereafter no matter what she said. She was worried, but she couldn’t force him to do anything, but today she finally found the good timing to suggest again.

As A’Chou expected, Zhong Mingwei readily promised her.

“I won’t overexert myself. I’m happy to be your company.” A’Chou chuckled, lowered her head, and continued to eat. Her hair was tied randomly in a small bun with a red string, which moved when she ate. She looked like a little furry cat.

Zhong Mingwei stared at the little bun and his heart was melting.

He was no longer the noble Crown Prince but a worthless nobody. No, he was worse than a nobody. His life or death was decided by certain officials in the capital or his father, and he might die at any time. Besides, he had become a half-dead paralytic and wasn’t able to take care of himself at all. He had to linger on with his last breath of life unashamedly and tragically…

How pathetic and miserable he was!

But he thought he was living the best time of his life.

He would rather stay paralyzed forever.

No!

He couldn’t! He needed to stand up and repay this silly, stupid, and ugly girl for her kindness.

No, he didn’t want to just repay her.

…

After breakfast, A’Chou went to Zhong Mingwei’s bed and massaged his waist and back for more than an hour. Then, she started to rub his legs, which was very difficult for her before because his legs used to be as hard as stones, although the skin was loose. After being massaged for days, they had become much softer and more elastic like those of a normal man. However, they still couldn’t move.

“Be patient. We’ve got a long way to go. Nobody could accomplish at one stroke.” A’Chou rubbed Zhong Mingwei’s legs harder. “It has only been more than two months, and your hands are already very flexible. You not only manage to eat noodles with chopsticks, but also can show off your penmanship if I give you some stationery. Tsk tsk! By the way, how is your calligraphy?”