38 Jiang Cheng-tasia (1/2)
(A/N: really don't know the full story of Anastasia. forgive me about this XDXDXD anyways, i'm really sick rn and just went to the nearest computer shop from our house just to update. i want to keep my promise to my dear readers to update today, so... XDXDXD *0* anyways, please have fun with this chap of mine. kiyaaaaaaaaa!!! XiCheng!!!! *0*)
The night of the palace ball.
”Mother.” Jiang Yanli called to her mother who's helped by Jiang Cheng to go down the carriage. ”I'd go in first.” She said.
Without waiting for Yu Ziyuan to answer, Jiang Yanli ascended the stairs.
”Ah Cheng.” Yu Ziyuan called to him when they entered the palace. ”You go and enjoy yourself. I'll be fine here.” She told him as she sat on the chair, watching the dancers in the middle.
”Yes.” Jiang Cheng answered and roamed around the palace. ”Where will I go, though?” he asked and blew out air as he went out of the terrace.
He hugged himself when he felt the cold night air seeped through his clothes. He rubbed his hands and blew through it.
He slowly walked and stopped to watch the city lights sparkling afar the dark city, making them looked like stars in the night sky.
He smiled.
”Leave this to us!”
”No.”
”But, we can't let you carry the tray – ”
”You could – ”
”We can't! Also... you will just create more work for us because you'd drop them – ”
”What did you say?”
”Nothing. Please leave the kitchen and change your clothes now. The ball is already starting – ”
A handsome young man carrying a tray full of bread stopped when he saw somebody standing in the terrace.
A guest. He thought. What is he doing here? And it's so cold – he thought and almost shivered when the cold night air blew.
He looked inside the ballroom. I can't pass there. He thought and looked at the tray filled with breads he wanted to sneak to his room for a midnight snack. He's eyes fell back to the lone guest in the terrace. This is the only way – he thought.
He was about to silently pass when he stopped after he saw his face.
”Sir!” JinGuangyao – the royal messenger, called, following behind him. ”I tell you, your uncle will get mad if you won't stop fooling arou – eh? Sir?” he called when he saw he's gone.
He was about to sigh, relieved, when he saw the person he's looking for is walking towards a guest in the terrace. ”Wha – ” he said, wide-eyed, as his jaw dropped when he saw what happened next.
”Good evening, good sir.”
He didn't dropped the tray - ! he thought, shocked, remembered the person's clumsiness.
Too late to stop the person, he sighed and left.
”Good evening, good sir.” A voice called.
”Hm?” Jiang Cheng turned and saw a man carrying a tray of breads. A guest? He thought and looked at the man's clothes. He can't be. He thought seeing the man's simple clothes. ”What is it?” he asked.
The man, who he just noticed is handsome, smiled. He raised the tray. ”Would you like one, sir?” he asked.
Jiang Cheng looked at the delicious breads before him, the aroma wafting with the cold wind. ”Err... but it still isn't dinner time.” He said and looked inside the ballroom where the king – Lan Qiren, already giving a long speech.
The bread man chuckled. ”Trust me, sir, the king will be giving a long speech.” He told him and smiled.
Jiang Cheng grimaced, also feeling this'll turn out that way. ”W-Well, thanks – ” he said and took a bread. ” – how much?” he asked.
The man stood beside him and put down the tray. ”You're willing to pay?” he asked back.
Jiang Cheng's forehead knotted. ”Although this bread may be delicious, but this wouldn't cost that much... right?” he asked and looked at the bread.
The man chuckled. ”Well – ” he said and smiled as he leaned down towards Jiang Cheng's face.
Jiang Cheng held his breath as his face flushed, seeing that man's handsome face so near him. Their lips are only an inch away from each other as their breaths mingled.
”W-what?” Jiang Cheng asked, his heart beating so loudly against his chest.
The man's deep and dark but surprisingly gentle eyes stared at him, looking as if it turned darker.
They turned when they heard a commotion inside the ballroom.
”Mom. Dajie-!” Jiang Cheng called immediately ran away, leaving the man behind.
The man smiled as he watched him ran away. ”I won't let you (ran away), again.” he said and turned to the man walking towards him. ”Uncle.” He called.
The man's face turned grim, seeing the commotion inside. They waited until the commotion ended.
The next day.
”Hmm~”
”... he looks energetic.” Jiang Cheng said, surprised to see Ying-erella happily cleaned the floor.
”A-Xian.” Jiang Yanli called. ”Did something good happen?” she asked, smiling brightly.
Ying-erella turned to her, smiling brightly, too. ”No way... it's dajie the one who must've something good happened – ” he told her.
Jiang Yanli just laughed. Jiang Cheng sighed and shook his head, feeling a headache. But, not because of the two (JY and WWX), but because of last night.
He shivered when he remembered what happened. Only when he got home he realized how scary that man is. Although handsome, but that man is weird. He thought.
”Dajie.” He called. ”I'll be going out.” he told her. ”And don't call him that – ” he said, referring to 'A-Xian'. ” – you're not following the script.” He told her.
”Did we ever follow any script?” Jiang Yanli asked, then laughed when he frowned.
Jiang Cheng sighed and left, didn't know a new headache will find him – which is related to last night.
At the town.
”Good sir, please buy - !” the woman selling scarf said.
”These will look good on you - !” the man selling accessories said.
”Good sir, good morning. Please buy these breads – ” a voice said behind him.
Jiang Cheng stopped and froze. Wait – he thought. The voice sounds familiar - ? he thought and slowly turned. He felt all of his hairs stood up when he saw the handsome man last night.
”You - !” he said and immediately took steps back, a meter away from the man selling breads.
Like last night, the man is holding a tray of breads.
The man chuckled. ”I'm glad the good sir remembered me.” he said, delight in his eyes as he looked at him (JC).
Jiang Cheng frowned and looked at the man suspiciously. ”Are you following me?” he asked and took another step back.
”Ahahahaha. What if I do?” he asked back.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide and he took another step back. But, it was a stable behind him. He held his breath when he felt the doors opened and his body fell.
But, before he could, strong arms held him by the waist and swapped their positions. In the end, it was the bread man who fell on the hays, Jiang Cheng on top of him.
The people exclaimed and many onlookers came.
”Oww...” the bread man groaned, his back hit the hays.
Jiang Cheng's eyes went wide. ”Are you alright?!” he asked, worried, as he checked his limbs for wounds.
The man's brows raised seeing his worried face. He smiled, then chuckled. ”I am fine – ” he said and stared at his (JC) face. Seeing you get worry for me and all that... I will be fine. He thought, but didn't voice out his thought.
He just smiled brightly at him.
Jiang Cheng's face flushed when he saw his smile. He immediately got off of him and stood up. He fixed himself. ”I – I see – ” he said and cleared his throat as he looked away, blushing.