Chapter 60: Behind the Miracle (3)

Ye Lang clearly hadn't considered the question at all; he simply replied offhandedly, "Go home and sleep, of course! I’m giving you a few days off—go have some dates with your dear Moya. Come back to my place in a few days, but remember, if you notice anything strange, come find me right away."

Go back to your place? What does that mean? Are you planning for Zhen Xiaoyan to live with you? Come to think of it, haven’t you two basically been living together these past twenty-some days? Could it be that your whole purpose in helping her was for this?

Ye Lang’s words sent many minds wandering down speculative paths, making them overlook what he said next.

"I know. So, what do you want to eat tomorrow?" Zhen Xiaoyan nodded, understanding exactly what Ye Lang meant. He was concerned she might have aftereffects and needed her to stay close so he could observe her and react promptly if necessary.

Ye Lang shook his head and replied, "Nothing, I’m going to sleep for a few days. Don’t bother me, go spend time with your boyfriend. And don’t forget to take your medicine!"

"Got it, you think I’m as forgetful as you? Get some good rest. I know you’ve done a lot for me these past twenty days, even if you don’t want me to know," Zhen Xiaoyan said gently, gazing at Ye Lang.

How could she not know what Ye Lang had done? Just think: to transform her from that former state into the beauty everyone now adores, it couldn’t have been easy for him.

Leaving aside everything else, the medicinal baths alone required a special concoction every day, tailored to her constantly changing condition. Ye Lang had to stay up late preparing them each night, then watch over her during the day in case something went wrong.

So, in these past twenty days, he hardly rested—and he didn’t want her to know, lest it affect her progress. Naturally, he wouldn’t let Liu Feiyan and the others find out either.

Thus, the world saw only Zhen Xiaoyan’s perseverance and the inhuman suffering she endured over those twenty days, never realizing Ye Lang’s hardships—no one except Zhen Xiaoyan.

"Who said I did a lot for you? I’ve been so relaxed every day," Ye Lang replied with a soft laugh, not wanting to dwell on the matter—it was all in the past now.

"I knew you’d say that. All right, go get some rest!" Zhen Xiaoyan didn’t press further; some things are best kept in the heart, not spoken aloud.

After that, Ye Lang left. As expected, Zhen Xiaoyan was crowned the Flower Queen—no one dared to falsify the outcome.

Of course, this wasn’t just because of Ye Lang. More importantly, the Emperor himself had bet on Zhen Xiaoyan to win and was present at the scene. Who would dare manipulate the result and let her lose the title?

Even if, by some stretch, Zhen Xiaoyan was slightly outshone by another talented lady, the crowd would still have chosen her as Flower Queen. But her performance today far surpassed any other contestant, so her position was unassailable.

Before everyone’s eyes, Zhen Xiaoyan left arm-in-arm with Moya. No one knew where they went afterward—not because people weren’t curious or didn’t have the means to find out, but because no one wished to intrude on their moment.

...

At Zhen Xiaoyan’s home, a small episode played out...

"Xiaoyan? Is that really you?" Her mother circled around her, inspecting her daughter’s completely transformed appearance.

As the person who knew her daughter best, she had every reason to doubt the girl before her was real, for she was most familiar with Xiaoyan’s situation.

Ye Lang’s words had come true—

When the time comes, even your own mother won’t recognize you!

"It’s me! Am I beautiful now?" Zhen Xiaoyan grinned, holding her mother’s hand and acting a bit coy.

"You’re very beautiful, but are you really my chubby little Xiaoyan?" Her mother caressed her face, unable to believe this delicate beauty was once her round-faced, plump daughter.

"Hehe, yes, I’m your chubby Xiaoyan. Well, I’m not chubby anymore, but I might be again in the future, hehe…" Zhen Xiaoyan said, giggling foolishly, recalling Ye Lang’s warning that her new look might only last a while.

"This is unbelievable. How can anyone believe such a thing?"

"Hehe, hard to believe, isn’t it? I never imagined I’d change like this. It feels like a dream—and even if it is, I’m content," Zhen Xiaoyan replied with a smile.

Her mother just stared at her in bewilderment, saying nothing.

"Mom, do you remember when I was little and so hungry that I ate mud as a snack…?" Zhen Xiaoyan started recounting some private memories, but her mother responded,

"Everyone knows about that, and it wasn’t just once or twice…"

"… And do you remember when I got stuck in the bath barrel while bathing…?" This was a rare embarrassment—few people knew of it. At the time, the bathhouse was out of order, so she used an old barrel from her childhood, but by then it was a tight fit.

"Not many people know, but anyone who asks around would find out. Our family’s already told everyone in private—you’re the only one who didn’t know…"

"What?! You all… Hmph! Then what about the birthmark on my chest—did you spread that too?" Zhen Xiaoyan exclaimed, blushing furiously.

"That, no—only you and I know about it… Xiaoyan, is it really you?" her mother finally realized, hugging Zhen Xiaoyan tightly in excitement.

"Of course it’s me! How could you not recognize your own daughter? And… Mom, don’t hug me so tight, I can hardly breathe!" Zhen Xiaoyan protested, struggling a bit.

Her mother always hugged her like this, using the same strength as before. Back then, Zhen Xiaoyan could handle it, but now she couldn’t.

"Oh, you’ve grown so delicate now… Well, can you blame me? You’ve changed so much, even your mother can’t recognize you!"

"Hehe…"

"Come on, tell me, how did you do it? Tell me the secret—I want to lose weight and become young and beautiful too!" No woman can resist such temptation.

Especially at her mother’s age, it was even more irresistible…

――――――――

Recommended: a friend’s new novel, "Tycoon of Another World." If you remember "Technological Era of Another World," this is the same author’s new book. He’s spent the past two years playing World of Warcraft and Swordsman Online with Xiaoxiao, being rather lazy, but now he’s back to writing—maybe it’s time for him to start thinking about marriage, hehe…

Click the title below…

[bookid=1811587, bookname="Tycoon of Another World"]