TTTQF Chapter 123

Acting Turns Into Reality

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is no different from past family feasts. A large group of people silently finishes their meal, and once Grandmother Pei gives the order, they each return to their own courtyards. It is only after they get back that the real holiday begins. Every household sets up their own feast again, and families happily eat together.

Pei Che stays with Grandmother Pei for a while, and only returns after she grows tired. As soon as he enters the courtyard, he notices that Jiang Miao has set out quite a few things on the table outside, including mooncakes, fruits, and several dishes to go with wine.

"You’re finally back," Jiang Miao smiles and waves at him. "Come on, we were just waiting for you. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival today—how can we not enjoy the moon?"

The sadness Pei Che feels instantly washes away. He walks over, sits down with them, and as they admire the moon, he shares stories he knows about the Mid-Autumn Festival.

That night, Pei Che thinks about the scene of enjoying the moon and still feels warmth in his heart. Moments like this only seem to happen before his parents pass away. After their deaths, every festival symbolizing reunion is marked by his grandmother quietly shedding tears, while he quietly endures, and Mu'er lives in his own world, unaware of it all.

Everything changes after he meets Jiang Miao. Days begin to feel full of hope, and even small things in life become memories that can bring a smile. Tonight, more than ever, he feels the long-lost warmth of family. Pei Che can no longer hide his feelings. Half sitting up, he gently gazes at the sleeping Jiang Miao beside him and softly presses a kiss on his forehead.

That kiss seems to drain all the energy from his body. Pei Che smacks his lips, feeling completely satisfied, and drifts off to sleep.

He doesn’t see that Jiang Miao beside him has opened his eyes, filled with shock. Upon closer inspection, that shock is mixed with a hint of knowing acceptance. He has known all along that "acting turns into reality" isn’t just a made-up phrase!

Jiang Miao touches his forehead, still feeling the damp sensation from the kiss. He quietly turns to the side and looks at the handsome face on the pillow next to him.

Even with his eyes closed, Pei Che’s remarkable features remain evident. How could someone like him sneak in a kiss in the middle of the night? Jiang Miao can’t figure it out. He feels tempted to shake Pei Che awake and ask him what he has been thinking, what that kiss means. But after thinking it through, he restrains himself. He can’t wake Pei Che; he hasn’t sorted out his own feelings yet, and if things go wrong, they might not even be able to stay friends—that would be disastrous.

Since Pei Che hasn’t said anything directly to him, Jiang Miao decides to pretend nothing happened. He’ll figure things out and then talk to Pei Che once he is ready! 

Throughout all this, Jiang Miao never once feels disgusted or uncomfortable about being kissed by another man, nor does he ever think of distancing himself from Pei Che.

"Brother Jiang, you're back?" After the holiday break, Brother Fang, the doorman at the Imperial Academy, stands diligently at the gate, welcoming students as they return. Spotting Jiang Miao coming with the crowd, he greets him with a bright smile.

"Yes, classes start tomorrow. If I don't come back this afternoon, it will be too rushed tomorrow. No one's been here for a few days, so it's a good chance to clean up while there's still sunlight," Jiang Miao replies cheerfully. He carries two bags, while two small children each carry a small bundle, following behind him.

Brother Fang glances past Jiang Miao and asks, "Where's Young Master Pei? Why isn't he with you?" Young Master Pei might appear gentle, but he is actually quite strong, and with him around, Jiang Miao only needs to carry the lighter things.

Jiang Miao explains, "His friends invite him to go boating on the lake. He'll be back later." They invite Jiang Miao as well, but he feels the two children need to settle down after the break, so he declines and brings them straight back to the Imperial Academy.

As soon as Brother Fang hears the word "boating," his expression becomes mysterious, as if something comes to mind, and he even chuckles slyly.

"What's up with you?" Jiang Miao asks, puzzled by his strange expression.

Brother Fang replies, "Brother Jiang, you may not know this, but recently a group of refined courtesans has been frequenting Cuiwei Lake. Each one is an exceptional beauty with great talent, and they've attracted countless romantic scholars. If I had the money, I’d want to see it myself."

"You mean... Cuiwei Lake?" Jiang Miao hesitates. The name of the lake sounds familiar, as if he’s heard it earlier today.

"That's right, Cuiwei Lake. The lake itself isn't very large, but the scenery is beautiful, especially now. The air is filled with the scent of sweet osmanthus from both banks, with the distant Qiong Mountain covered in red leaves. Boating on the lake at this time must be a delightful experience." Brother Fang's eyes sparkle with longing. Jiang Miao can't help but admire him—after all, the Imperial Academy truly is the nation's top institution. Even the doorman speaks so eloquently.

However, the content of his words makes Jiang Miao frown slightly. It seems that when Han Qin and the others invite Pei Che to go boating, they say something similar. If that’s the case, Pei Che and his friends must have gone to Cuiwei Lake. When Brother Fang mentions the courtesans, Jiang Miao can't help but curl his lips. So much for boating—they clearly go to see beautiful women. If he had known, he would’ve gone with them!

"Brother Jiang, what's wrong?" Brother Fang asks curiously, noticing that Jiang Miao seems distracted.

"Nothing. We're heading in now, so we won't bother you." Jiang Miao instructs the two children to hold on to their things and follow him inside.

Brother Fang stands there, watching Jiang Miao's back in confusion, not understanding why he is so anxious all of a sudden.

Once back at the courtyard, Jiang Miao puts down his things and begins cleaning. After wiping everything down, he stands in the yard for a while before starting to sweep the fallen leaves scattered across the ground. 

These fallen leaves are in various shapes and colors, ranging from deep yellow to light yellow to apricot yellow, covering the ground like a naturally woven carpet.

The moment Jiang Miao sees them, he thinks of Pei Che; if Pei Che sees such a scene, he will surely be very happy. The reason he doesn’t clean up immediately upon entering is that he hopes Pei Che might return early and see this beautiful sight.

After tidying up the courtyard, Jiang Miao sits lost in thought until the sun gradually sinks lower in the sky. He suddenly realizes he hasn’t cooked yet. He goes to the kitchen, looks at the ingredients on the chopping board, picks out a few, thinks for a moment, and then puts some back.

He figures there is no need to make too much; Pei Che probably won’t be back for dinner tonight. Boating and enjoying beautiful women—what a pleasant thing that is. He is sure Pei Che has completely forgotten about home.

(Translator’s notes: Someone is J-E-A-L-O-U-S….Drank a whoooole jar of vinegar, hehe)

As he places the vegetables in a basin to take them outside to wash, he suddenly turns back and retrieves the vegetables he has just put aside. He finds an excuse for his actions: after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the food shouldn’t be too sparse. Even if there are only three of them, they still have to eat heartily.

For others, cooking might be a troublesome task, but for Jiang Miao, it is an opportunity to temporarily cast aside his worries and immerse himself in the process.

…

"Brother, when can we eat?" Xiao Shitou and Pei Mu look at the dishes on the table and then at Jiang Miao, who seems to be lost in thought, and ask carefully.

"Huh? Oh, you can eat now; we won’t wait any longer." Jiang Miao comes back to his senses and serves rice for the two little ones, placing it in front of them.

"Brother, aren’t you eating? Are you waiting for Brother Che to come back and eat together?" Xiao Shitou notices that Jiang Miao hasn’t served himself, so he is a little curious.

"Why would I wait for him? Children shouldn’t talk while eating; focus on your meal," Jiang Miao quickly denies, swiftly serving himself a bowl of rice to show that he isn’t waiting at all. However, the occasional glances he casts towards the courtyard door during dinner betray his true thoughts.

(Translator’s notes: J-E-A-L-O-U-S!!!)

Xiao Shitou secretly pouts, feeling that adults are so overbearing. This must be what their teacher means by "only officials can set fires, but commoners cannot light lamps."

After dinner, the sky is completely dark. Jiang Miao helps the two little ones wash up, and after they return to their room, he comes to the courtyard alone. He opens the courtyard door, finding it pitch black outside, with an eerie silence surrounding him—not even the sound of insects chirping, let alone the footsteps of someone returning late.

Jiang Miao's thoughts surge within him, and he feels his mind is a chaotic mess. He doesn’t know whether to be angry at Pei Che for returning late or at himself for being weak. He suddenly frowns, locks the courtyard door, and strides quickly to the bedroom. Blowing out the candle, he lies down on the bed, pulls the quilt over himself, and falls asleep.

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