Chapter 42 – DaZhuang Ge Is The Best

Since going shopping wasn’t originally Lu Xingwang’s intention, he appeared extremely indifferent after entering the street. Even though there were a variety of items on display, he could maintain a calm demeanor. Only the young general next to him seemed amazed as if he hadn’t stepped out of the house for eight centuries, especially when he saw stones that could spew fire, bracelets that allowed temporary flight when worn, and sculptures that revealed one’s true thoughts when touched.

Zuo Qingshan was excitedly looking at the items on the stalls. “Your Highness, don’t you want to buy something?”

Lu Xingwang showed no interest at all and said in a flat voice, “They’re useless.”

They were just some temporary novelties, more of a gimmick. But in reality, these sorcery items could be easily debunked1 by someone with high divine power. Therefore, they were ineffective when used in a legitimate manner.

Zuo Qingshan scoffed, “It’s still fun to buy and play with them. You’re such a boring person.”

“Buying things to play with also requires spending money.” Lu Xingwang glanced at him. “I’m short on funds.”

Zuo Qingshan rolled his eyes secretly. Forget whether the General’s Residence had money or not. Just the private treasury of the Third Prince was said to be so huge that one building couldn’t contain it and two would be needed. Who would believe that he had no money? Only a fool would!

…

Although they were just leisurely strolling, Lu Xingwang didn’t forget about Jian Mei’s presence.

Whenever he saw something interesting at a stall, he would stop, open the recording function on the system he carried, and send the footage to Jian Mei. While others might just take a look, when Jian Mei received these unusual videos, he was truly amazed:

“Wow, what is this?”

“What was that just now? Why was it glowing?”

“What is this red one?”

The items on the sorcerer’s street were diverse, and there were some things Lu Xingwang himself didn’t know about. He would stop and ask, and then relay the information to Jian Mei. As the frequency increased, he couldn’t resist Jian Mei’s enthusiasm. The two of them would chat and type messages, but he couldn’t reply properly in front of the stalls, and Jian Mei was getting impatient.

Finally, Lu Xingwang said, “I’ll video call you, but I’ll set it to blur the people. You can only see the goods, okay?”

Jian Mei didn’t even know when WeChat had this feature, but he didn’t mind joining in the fun. Besides, he was only interested in seeing the small toys and street goods. He wasn’t particularly concerned about the people, so he quickly agreed, “Okay!”

Lu Xingwang felt relieved at last.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to show it to Jian Mei but there were some peculiar creatures in the city that had strange appearances, and he was afraid of scaring the child.

“Ding…”

After buffering for a while, the video finally played.

Jian Mei sat on the bed, watching the slowly playing footage on his phone. Unlike the recorded videos, this one was entirely from Lu Xingwang’s point of view, making it more realistic and immersive. The surroundings of the street were lit with orange lanterns, and the stalls on both sides were filled with colorful bottles of potions and various strange toys.

The stall owners shouted, “Baby beasts, only two months old, easy to care for, and they’ve already learned several songs.”

Jian Mei wanted to take a closer look, but he found that the face of the so-called baby beast was blurred by the camera. However, judging from its body shape, it was obviously an animal. “What kind of animal is this that can sing?”

Lu Xingwang said, “Baby beast.”

Jian Mei was clueless. “I’ve never heard of that. Is it a unique animal from your place?”

Lu Xingwang replied, “Yes.”

They walked to another stall, which had a different style from the others. It had a cute aesthetic, such as hats with cat ears, ear studs that blocked out noise when worn, and various peculiar snacks emitting enticing aromas.

Jian Mei’s attention immediately shifted. “Looks so good!”

Lu Xingwang had no choice but to stop walking.

The vendors were observant. Although Lu Xingwang had changed the attire when he came out, but his noble aura was still apparent. In order to conceal his identity, the young man wore a silver mask. Although the style of the mask itself was ordinary, it was exquisite and made of such translucent and lightweight material that only the wealthy nobles could afford. It was something that ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to think about, giving the impression of being wealthy.

So the vendor was quite proactive. “Sir, take a look at our local specialties. They are very delicious. For example, this fun pastry, although it looks transparent, when you put it in your mouth, it automatically transforms into the most nostalgic flavor you desire. And this little jumping frog pastry, it’s one of our best-selling items. It has almost zero additives, but its nutritional value is high. Although it has a sweet and spicy taste, it won’t irritate your stomach. Both adults and children love it.”

Jian Mei’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t help but mutter, “There are still such amazing things in this world.”

Lu Xingwang, who was not swayed by the vendor’s efforts, remained unmoved. But unexpectedly, Jian Mei became extremely interested. Zuo Qingshan, who was behind them, casually said to the vendor, “Don’t bother, he won’t buy…”

Lu Xingwang parted his lips and said, “Give me two servings.”

?

Zuo Qingshan couldn’t believe his eyes as he looked at him.

After purchasing the two servings, Lu Xingwang didn’t leave. He pointed at the ear studs2 on the stall and said, “Give me a pair of those too.”

The vendor didn’t expect to encounter such a generous customer. He had to give a reminder, “Sir, these ear studs cost 100 gold coins, and these two desserts cost 20 gold coins.”

The items in the sorcerer market were expensive, and most people who could come here were either rich or noble.

The currency in Stan Star was gold coins, and 1 gold coin was equivalent to 100 Chinese yuan. For an ordinary family, 120 gold coins could be several months’ worth of living expenses.

Lu Xingwang didn’t even bat an eyelid. “Wrap them up.”

The vendor immediately smiled and said, “Alright!”

Zuo Qingshan, who was next to them, looked at Lu Xingwang as if he had seen a ghost. Who was the one who just said he was short on funds? And why did the Third Prince like eating sweets! Poor Zuo Qingshan hadn’t realized that the communication terminal was involved in connecting the video call. He was still caught up in intense self-doubt.

After Lu Xingwang received the desserts, he didn’t speak immediately.

Jian Mei on the other end of the communication held his breath for a long time. Finally, like a little snail extending its tentacles, he cautiously asked, “Why is your currency gold coins?”

Lu Xingwang wasn’t prepared to hide it from him and instead asked, “What do you think?”

Jian Mei fell into contemplation and finally came up with a possibility. “Are you on the streets of some film and television city? I heard that in certain places, if they host a party or something, the currency will indeed change.”

Lu Xingwang knew that he was deceiving himself, but he didn’t expose it. “Hmm.”

Jian Mei didn’t know if he felt relieved or had his hopes dashed. Curiously, he asked, “You bought pastries.”

Lu Xingwang said, “Yes.”

“You, eating them all by yourself at this late hour?” Even though he is drooling, he dare not directly ask for some.Jian Mei used extremely subtle language, but there was a hint of probing.

Of course, Lu Xingwang saw through the little boy’s thoughts. A smile curled up on his lips. “I can finish them.”

Jian Mei felt quite disappointed!

But he was a sensible child who knew he shouldn’t make inappropriate demands.

So he pouted and obediently replied, “Okay, take your time to eat.”

Lu Xingwang found Jian Mei’s reluctant but silent demeanor unexpectedly adorable. He had never had a habit of teasing people like this before, but for some reason, he was in a surprisingly good mood at this moment. When he felt that he had teased him enough, he stopped and promptly sent the items through the terminal.

Jian Mei had been consoling himself, thinking that maybe they weren’t even tasty. However, the charger on the bed suddenly revealed the pastries that Lu Xingwang had just bought. The crystal box packaging was exquisite and beautiful, and the pastries inside were crystal clear and extremely tempting. He was astonished, “Why did you give them to me? Weren’t you able to finish them?”

Lu Xingwang said, “Suddenly, I don’t feel like eating them.”

Jian Mei didn’t expect him to change his mind. “Really?”

“Hmm.” Lu Xingwang curled his lips. “You eat them.”

Jian Mei never expected to experience such a stroke of luck in his lifetime. He felt overjoyed in his heart but pretended to remain calm. “Then, I’ll reluctantly help you solve the problem.”

Lu Xingwang didn’t expose him. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Jian Mei grinned from ear to ear, happily sitting on the bed and snacking. It was true that good things happened when he was with DaZhuang ge! DaZhuang ge forever amazing!

On the other side of the market, Zuo Qingshan finally realized that something was wrong.

After all, anyone would notice if the things their companion was holding suddenly disappeared. So he asked, “Who are you talking to, Your Highness?”

Lu Xingwang muted the sound of the video and turned to look at Zuo Qingshan. He replied, “A friend.”

Zuo Qingshan was stunned. In his impression, Lu Xingwang had always been a loner. He lived as if he didn’t need any friends at all. He found it hard to believe that this person actually had friends?!

Lu Xingwang seemed afraid of saying too much and reminded him, “He’s still a child and doesn’t understand many things. Don’t scare him.”

?

Zuo Qingshan was even more shocked after hearing this!

Could these be the words Lu Xingwang would say?!

He was actually afraid of scaring him and cared about others’ feelings? When did His Highness become so kind and considerate of others’ feelings? Have you ever cared about my feelings, a child like me? Countless words couldn’t describe Zuo Qingshan’s current feelings. However, at the same time, he felt like he had broken through a barrier. The teddy bear, as well as the pastries—maybe all of these weren’t what His Highness truly liked, but because of the person on the other side of the video call?

Oh my god…

Over the years, Lu Xingwang had seen numerous admirers flocking around him, as he was considered a dream lover for many girls. But his standards were high, and he had never shown any special interest in anyone. However, the person in the video this time seemed to be some kind of extraordinary celestial being3. It was truly incredible!

…

Lu Xingwang walked forward. As he ventured deeper into the street, it was no longer just about buying and selling goods. There were many interactive games, such as archery where hitting the bullseye would earn prizes, or guessing games where getting it right meant receiving a free gift.

Lu Xingwang wasn’t interested in these things, but General Zhuo was quite enthusiastic. He loved competitions, so he immediately asked Lu Xingwang, “Do you want to play?”

Lu Xingwang gently shook his head.

General Zhuo then said to the stall owner, “Give me ten arrows.”

The stall owner explained, “Our rule is that if you hit three bullseyes in a row with a perfect score, you can exchange them for a prize. Initially, the target is stationary, but after exchanging a prize, it becomes a moving target.”

Both Lu Xingwang and General Zhuo wore indifferent expressions.

Whether in the palace or the military, they had been practicing with high-difficulty moving targets since they were young. Most high-ranking nobles were skilled in both archery and horsemanship, so these little tricks didn’t impress them at all.

General Zhuo took the arrows with a smile. With practiced movements, he pulled back the bowstring, squinted his eyes, and released the arrows one after another, hitting perfect scores with all three consecutive shots. The high accuracy stunned the stall owner and the people around, but this was just the beginning. After adjusting his posture, the target switched to a higher difficulty moving target. However, this posed no challenge to Zuo Qingshan, who had undergone rigorous training in the military. Arrow after arrow hit the bullseye without hesitation.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Jian Mei, who was there to spectate, exclaimed, “Amazing!”

Only the stall owner wore an tangled expression. In the end, with tears in his eyes, he gave two prizes to General Zhuo and said, “You are truly talented. I suggest you join the military, where you can shine brightly.”

General Zhuo smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll go in a couple of days.”

The stall owner couldn’t wait for him to disappear.

But General Zhuo hadn’t had enough fun. He had been suffocating in the military, where no one wanted to compete with him. However, things were different here. Not only could he compete, but he could also win prizes. Where else could he find such a good opportunity? Adhering to his principle of never missing out, he played all the games in this area.

Not only were there cheers from passersby, but also the rambling of Jian Mei to watch the excitement through the phone.

“Wow, how accurate!”

“Oh my, so thrilling! It was a close call.”

“Wow, that’s incredible!”

“That prize is just a teddy bear, really?”

Although Jian Mei came to watch Lu Xingwang’s shopping, this game interrupted their plans. Jian Mei seemed to forget about the presence of His Highness. Children’s attention always gravitates toward the most exciting things, so Jian Mei, this heartless brat, ate the pastries bought by His Highness and only watched the young general play.

When the General Zhuo returned with his belongings, he asked Lu Xingwang, “Shall we go back?”

Lu Xingwang gently shook his head. “No.”

The young general looked at him in confusion. “Then…?”

Lu Xingwang said to the dejected stall owner nearby, “Give me twelve arrows.”

The stall owner had just suffered a big loss at the hands of the young general, and he could feel the strong power of Zuo Qingshan. He regretted doing business with him. However, when he perceived that Lu Xingwang didn’t possess any divine power, the stall owner felt relieved. After all, the chances of someone without divine power hitting a flying target were virtually zero.

For such a customer who came right to his doorstep, the stall owner naturally wanted to take advantage of the situation and charge more. He made a regretful decision, “Meeting today is fate. Don’t talk about twelve arrows, here, I’ll give you ten more for free! Enjoy yourself!”

Lu Xingwang gave him a meaningful look. “Are you sure?”

The stall owner nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

Lu Xingwang wasn’t someone who liked to take advantage of others. After pulling the bow once and getting used to it, he spoke up, “Six targets hit to exchange for a prize.”

The stall owner and others were all stunned. After all, the young general could hit three targets at once. Lu Xingwang voluntarily changed it to hitting six targets at once. Wasn’t that making it much more difficult?

Jian Mei quickly said, “Isn’t that too much?”

Lu Xingwang calmly replied, “Just playing around.”

The stall owner was also an easygoing person who never stopped anyone from seeking death. He decisively waved his hand and said, “Alright, six targets it is. If you really hit all six, forget about the grand prize, from now on, you can play without paying me a dime!”

Lu Xingwang smirked but didn’t say anything.

Many people gathered around; they had all heard that someone without divine power was about to play a game here.

Standing on the shooting platform, bow drawn fully, the young man’s back straight, his eyes narrowed slightly. His movements were graceful and decisive, making the challenging task of shooting seem effortless to ordinary people. He barely hesitated.

The machine target system announced:

“Ten points.”

“Ten points.”

“Ten points.”

The casual expression on the stall owner’s face gradually faded, replaced by disbelief.

Out of the twenty-two arrows, almost all hit the bullseye. The cheers from the surrounding bystanders grew louder. Although Jian Mei on the other side of the video didn’t understand the sport of archery, he knew that Lu Xingwang’s performance was extraordinary. So, he cheered as well, saying, “That’s amazing! So cool!”

Lu Xingwang didn’t react to the cheers of the bystanders, but when he put down the bow and heard Jian Mei’s voice, he spoke, “Was it fun?”

“It was so much fun!” Jian Mei, being the first fan of his highness, enthusiastically said, “You’re simply amazing, no, you’re the most amazing!”

Lu Xingwang had never cared about such empty praise before. He was always at the top, shining brightly for many years. But whether he claimed first place or received more compliments, his heart always remained silent amidst the excitement. There was never a trace of happiness. Everyone around him would be laughing, but he couldn’t feel the joy.

However, inexplicably, this time he felt happy. It was like a child who had won and received a cake, and the cake wasn’t victory but Jian Mei’s praise.

…

After playing for a while, Lu Xingwang was ready to leave, so he ended the call with Jian Mei.

As the group was about to leave, the stall owner caught up with them. The young general thought he was coming for the prize, but to his surprise, the stall owner came carrying a bunch of things and placed them directly into Lu Xingwang’s hands.

Lu Xingwang furrowed his brows slightly. “What’s this?”

The stall owner stood in front of him and said, “Although you’re wearing a mask, I guess you’re the Third Prince, right?”

Lu Xingwang didn’t respond.

“Don’t misunderstand, I didn’t rely on anything. I could tell by your archery skills. You probably didn’t expect it, but we have been playing videos of all the competitions you participated in at home, including your archery performances.”

The stall owner continued, “It’s not me who watches them, it’s my son. Since he was young, he has dreamed of joining the military and serving the country, but he doesn’t have divine power. He couldn’t match the other kids in basic skills, and he couldn’t pass the military’s screening. He was depressed for a long time.”

“But you’re truly amazing. He saw your competition, and even without divine power, you were able to achieve such great results. Even children with divine power might not be able to do what you did. He had almost given up, but in the past six months, he has become more determined. Next month, there will be another recruitment for the army, and he will give it another try.” The stall owner bowed to Lu Xingwang. “Thank you, Your Highness. You have given our child hope and a future.”

Lu Xingwang said, “I didn’t do anything.”

The stall owner lowered his head, as if wiping away tears. “With a role model like you, that’s enough.”

“I initially thought that you were traveling low key this time and didn’t want to be recognized, so I shouldn’t come over. But there are some things I really wanted to tell you. I was afraid that I would miss this opportunity and wouldn’t have another chance.”

The stall owner looked up at Lu Xingwang, his voice low but sincere. “Regardless of whether you have divine power now or whoever the Crown Prince is, Your Highness, please don’t be sad or disheartened. No matter what, in the eyes of us commoners and ordinary people, you are the most outstanding heir to the throne.”

Such simple words, yet they stirred up a wave. Lu Xingwang’s eyes darkened and said, “Thank you, I understand.”

The people didn’t know about his terminal illness and limited time left to live. They still held the hope of a figure called the Third Prince in their hearts. Lu Xingwang wouldn’t shatter that hope; he would only lament for himself.

Beside him, Zuo Qingshan smiled and said, “My friend, you might not know, but the military’s policies have changed. The newly appointed commander has issued new regulations. Now, even those without divine power can participate in enlistment. After passing tests and training, they can officially join the military. If your son works hard, he has a great chance.”

The stall owner was stunned. He vaguely guessed that the young man in front of him probably had a significant background, but he couldn’t help repeating happily, “That’s wonderful… Thank you, thank you.”

The young general bid farewell with a smile and left with Lu Xingwang.

The stall owner behind them stood in a daze, watching the backs of the two young men walking down the road. The dim streetlights cast long shadows, and he inexplicably felt that perhaps in the future, that light would also illuminate the planet of Stan Star and become the backbone of ordinary people.

…

Afternoon.

In library.

Jian Mei, was diligently reviewing, studying in the library at noon. Shen Meina had made it clear that if he didn’t perform well on the final exams, he would have to attend makeup classes during the vacation. That meant he might not be able to stay at his grandfather’s house for a long time. This threat was successful, and now Jian Mei’s mind was solely focused on studying the books . He approached a bookshelf, searching for the needed materials, but unfortunately, the book he needed was a bit too high, and being short, he couldn’t reach it.

“Let me help you.”

Someone took the book for him, and Jian Mei turned around in surprise. It turned out to be the boy who asked him for pancakes on the street a couple of days ago. Jian Mei exclaimed, “It’s you!”

Cai Jian handed him the book and nodded casually. “Yeah, it’s me.”

Ever since that day when he robbed him for pancakes, Cai Jian had been restless. He went back and watched the Snow White play, but instead of finding peace, his mind was constantly occupied by thoughts of the beautiful little princess. It was driving him crazy. At noon, he came to his sister’s school to bring her something, and on the way back, he saw Jian Mei at the library and inexplicably walked over.

After realizing that Jian Mei was a good kid, Cai Jian regretted his failed robbery from that noon. Although the robbery didn’t succeed, he still felt a bit guilty. So, he came over to find an excuse to redeem himself and apologize.

Jian Mei looked up, his clean eyes fixed on him without blinking, and he smiled, asking, “What are you here for?”

Cai Jian didn’t know why, but he felt nervous whenever he saw Jian Mei. It was as if he was facing a prince in prison. He forgot the prepared lines he had in mind and looked around, unsure of how to start the conversation.

Jian Mei said, “Are you here to study too?”

Great, why didn’t he think of that!

Cai Jian quickly replied, “Yes, yes, I’m here to study too. What a coincidence, haha.”

Jian Mei held the book and said, “That’s really a coincidence. The books here are well-stocked, and it’s hard to find a spot. Have you found a place? If there are no available tables, you can sit at my spot.”

Cai Jian immediately said, “I haven’t found one.”

Jian Mei smiled and said, “Alright, go to the first table on the left on the second floor. There’s a blue water bottle there. That’s where I’ll be. I’ll bring two more books.”

Cai Jian nodded. “Okay!”

As he hadn’t walked far, another person entered the library.

Jian Mei was browsing books when he heard a voice beside him, “What are you doing?”

Standing beside him was Cai Zhenzhen. In fact, she disliked Jian Mei very much and didn’t like her role being taken by someone else. But since she sprained her foot that day, she would inexplicably think of Jian Mei’s serious and oddly handsome expression when he treated her leg. In the following days, she inexplicably started paying attention to Jian Mei and discovered that this person was serious in everything he did and had a particularly pure mind. Hr was a good person.

So…

She really wanted to apologize for some of the bad things she had said before, but she couldn’t find an opportunity to speak up at school. When she heard that Jian Mei would come to the library at noon, she made up her mind to approach and strike up a conversation.

Jian Mei said, “Zhenzhen?”

Cai Zhenzhen raised her proud head and said, “Hmm, what’s up?”

“Is your foot better?” Jian Mei, being a little doctor, couldn’t help but show concern. “Does it still hurt? I remember your knee was scraped too. Remember to avoid getting it wet as much as possible; otherwise, it might leave a scar.”

He was so gentle.

How could he care so much about others?

Cai Zhenzhen’s heart softened, and her previous aura suddenly dissipated. She became somewhat vulnerable and said, “Hmm, of course I know that. I don’t need you to tell me.”

Jian Mei smiled. “That’s good.”

“Oh, by the way,” Jian Mei was about to leave and then curious about why Cai Zhenzhen was here. “What are you doing here? Are you also here to study?”

Cai Zhenzhen hadn’t figured out how to start the conversation yet, so she casually agreed, “Yeah, yeah, I’m here to find books too, but it seems like all the spots here are taken.”

Jian Mei nodded. “I have a small table upstairs. If you’re in a hurry, you can sit with me.”

Jian Mei thought that the little princess would definitely refuse since she disliked him so much. He was just being polite; after all, there wouldn’t be an opportunity to sit together anyway.

But to his surprise, Cai Zhenzhen agreed right away and even smiled, saying, “Sure!”

Jian Mei looked at her unexpectedly.

Cai Zhenzhen cleared her throat. “I mean, well, that’sthe only way to do it. We can make do with this reluctantly.”

Jian Mei said to her, “You go up first. It’s the first table on the left. I’ll bring one more book and join you.”

Cai Zhenzhen said, “Okay.”

As she walked away, another person entered the library. It was none other than Cheng Yu. Actually, he had heard from his buddy a couple of days ago about Cai Jian causing trouble for Jian Mei outside of school. He didn’t know the details, but when his buddy called to tell him that Cai Jian came to the library to find Jian Mei, he quickly rushed over, ready to be the hero.

Taking small steps towards Jian Mei, he felt a bit anxious and called out, “Meimei.”

Jian Mei was taken aback. He really didn’t expect to encounter so many familiar faces while looking for books to study. Surprisingly, he said, “Class Representative?”

Cheng Yu looked at him with concern. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jian Mei innocently replied. “What about you?”

Cheng Yu felt a bit awkward now, but he was good at hiding his emotions. He quickly put on a smile and said, “Nothing much. I just saw you and came over to say hello.”

Jian Mei felt relieved. “Oh, I see.”

“You… Class Representative, are you here to study too?”

He had heard from his classmates that students from his school didn’t really like coming to this library, so he couldn’t understand why there were so many people here this afternoon.

Cheng Yu paused for a moment and responded, “Um… yes, yes, I’m here to study too. You know, the final exams are coming up, so I came to review.”

Jian Mei smiled. “I see.”

“Have you found a table?” Cheng Yu asked proactively. “It seems like there are quite a lot of people here, and I just arrived, so I couldn’t find a table.”

What were the odds, he found a table for four. At first, he was a little embarrassed to sit alone, and he didn’t expect that he would suddenly have enough people for mahjong.

Jian Mei pointed upstairs and said, “There’s a table up there. If the Class Representative doesn’t mind, we can sit together.”

Since everyone was so enthusiastic about studying, it made sense to work together!

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)

(expose the falseness or hollowness)

(earrings)

(out of this world)