During that period, Li Ming as the eldest had indeed faced immense pressure, but everyone had been under strain. Li Ming clearly knew Li You wasn’t truly mischievous or lazy. Hadn’t Li You tried to work hard? He had—the others in the imperial family knew it. He wasn’t irresponsible; he just couldn’t keep up with the rest and, repeatedly struck down, desperately needed a distraction. Skipping classes was real, but calling him irresponsible was a baseless accusation.
Even knowing that, Li Ming had still lashed out at Li You. Second and Third Bro could see Big Bro venting his negative emotions on Li You, yet no one stopped it.
Only Li Ye had sided with Li You.
Looking back now, Li You had actually borne the heaviest burden then.
Yet it was always Li You who put on a brave face and comforted everyone.
Thinking about it now, it was truly absurd.
Moger stayed silent for a long while before standing. “Let’s go. Your Teacher Lisa’s calling us for dinner.”
Li You checked the time. “But it’s only four o’clock.”
“The chestnut cake’s ready.” Moger crossed his arms. “Going or not?”
Li You stood up immediately. “Going!”
With that, he bounced along in quick little steps to catch up with Teacher Moger.
At the same time, in the combat arena, someone in the student formation called out to Li Ming. “Coach, isn’t Coach Moger teaching freshmen this year?”
Li Ming withdrew his gaze and glanced at the student. “Even if he is, it wouldn’t be your group. Where’s your focus? Practice properly.”
The students, oblivious to Li Ming’s bad mood, chattered away.
“Your Highness Li Ming, you know we all dream of taking one of Coach Moger’s classes. He’s the best instructor who’s taught imperial members!”
“Actually, Your Highness coming to teach our class this year has been a huge surprise for us too!”
“Speaking of which, why’s Coach Moger at the freshman training field?”
“Oh, I’m super curious too! I thought I was seeing things when I spotted him earlier! He’s my idol!”
“Hey, did you see that blond guy next to him? The one with sunglasses—who’s that?”
“Is he a freshman too? Why’s he hanging with Coach Moger?”
“He’s blond—such a rare hair color, and the exact same shade as Your Highness Li Ming’s gold. Think he could be some imperial family member?”
Li Ming’s head throbbed, his temper flaring up. He barked, “Is this how you train? With this kind of discipline, you think you can become imperial warriors?”
“Go—everyone, penalty run ten laps around the field now. No dinner until you finish!”
The entire venue instantly fell silent, and no one dared to make a sound anymore. Students and instructors from the other squads all turned to look this way. Li Ming irritably scratched his hair and glanced once more in the direction where Li You had disappeared, feeling a heavy stuffiness in his chest.
Completely unaware, Li You followed Moger away from the military academy. After several turns, they arrived at the faculty housing of the military academy. He followed Moger inside, changed his shoes, stood straight, and politely greeted Teacher Lisa, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Teacher Lisa stared at him in a daze for a good while before finally revealing a smile. “Long time no see, Little Highness.”
“I told you in advance.” Moger handed her the bouquet of flowers he had bought on the way home, draped an arm around her shoulders, and looked at Li You. “Even seeing you in person, she still hasn’t reacted.”
“This is just too unbelievable.” Lisa rubbed her eyes with her hand, then smiled brightly and beckoned Li You over. “Come, Little Highness. I baked chestnut cakes. Dinner will take a bit longer, so have some to tide you over.”
Li You hurried forward and took them with both hands. “Thank you, Teacher Lisa.”
He picked up a piece of chestnut cake and took a bite. “Mmm! Teacher Lisa’s chestnut cakes are the best!”
“You’re just good at flattery.” Moger inserted the flowers into a vase, tied on an apron, and waved at him. “Go eat in the living room. Your Teacher Lisa and I will call you when dinner’s ready.”
Li You trailed behind him to the kitchen door like a little shadow. “Do you need help?”
“What can you do?”
Li You thought for a moment. “I can eat.”
“Go play.” Moger was amused. “Just like your brother—you can’t even use a kitchen knife, and you want to help.”
Teacher Lisa beside them laughed one moment and had red eyes the next as she listened. But Li You didn’t leave. He squatted at the kitchen door, cradling the little bamboo basket of chestnut cakes, popping one after another into his mouth with muffled words. “I’m not going. I’ll stay and chat with you.”
“Chat? You used to be so scared of me you’d take a detour when you saw me.” Moger snorted a laugh. “What, not scared anymore?”
“Teacher Lisa’s here now.” Li You stood up and scooted closer to Teacher Lisa. “Teacher Lisa is the best.”
“You little rascal.” Moger glanced back at him. “What about me?”
“Teacher Moger is great too.” Li You beamed as he stuffed another piece of chestnut cake into his mouth.
“You sure know how to sweet-talk.”
The three of them chatted idly in the kitchen. When Li You had eaten half the chestnut cakes in his basket, his light brain suddenly received a message. It was from Li Ye.
Bro: 【Is training going smoothly?】
Li You glanced at the chestnut cakes in his arms and replied guiltily: 【Smoothly.】
A quick reply came from the other side: 【First day of training—tell Teacher Moger not to push too hard. Relax your muscles well afterward.】
Li You continued feeling guilty: 【Got it.】
To avoid more questions from Li Ye, Li You changed the subject first: 【Have you set off?】
Bro: 【Not yet. Estimated two hours.】
Li You: 【Mm. Stay safe.】
Bro: 【Okay.】
Just as Li You thought Li Ye wouldn’t send more messages and put away the light screen to stuff another chestnut cake into his mouth, the light brain rang again.
Bro: 【On a break?】
Li You’s heart jolted. He fumbled to reply: 【Yeah, mid-training break.】
Immediately, the other side asked: 【Can we video?】
Li You was about to refuse when the video call came through.
The ringtone blared suddenly, startling him. His hand trembled, and he accidentally hit accept.
“……” In the video, Li Ye narrowed his eyes at Li You, who had puffed cheeks and a clearly residential background instead of the training ground. He raised a brow. “Mid-training break?”
Li You swallowed the chestnut cake in his mouth and tried to cover. “On the way—stopped by the teachers’ place to rest.”
Moger and Lisa heard the sound and looked over together. Seeing Li Ye on the light screen, they came to greet him.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness Li Ye.”
“Hey, got time now? Come over for dinner.”
“Good afternoon, Teacher Lisa, Teacher Moger.” After the greetings, Li Ye declined the dinner invitation. “Sorry, I can’t come. Heading out on a mission soon. Have fun.”
After some small talk, it was Li You and Li Ye’s turn to speak again. Li You looked at Li Ye on the screen and asked, “Why’d you suddenly think to video call me now?”
“Wanted to see you.” Li Ye said.
Li You was thrown off by the blunt words, his gaze drifting uncertainly. He only managed an “Oh.”
After that, neither spoke. Li You’s eyes chased invisible specks in the air while Li Ye quietly watched him. In the kitchen, Moger and Lisa both turned their heads, glancing several times at the brothers who barely exchanged words. They exchanged a look, both a bit baffled.
“Eat well. Hanging up.” Li Ye broke the silence first.
“Oh.” Li You pursed his lips. “You eat well too.”
“Mm.”
“Bye, brother.”
“Bye.”
The video ended. Li You stared blankly at the light screen, stuffed another chestnut cake into his mouth, and spaced out—so much that he nearly choked.
Lisa hurriedly got him a glass of water and watched him drink it down, laughing helplessly. “Little Highness and Your Highness Li Ye used to get along so well. Why do they talk less now?”
“We…” Li You’s lashes fluttered, his voice half as loud. “We still get along fine now, it’s just…”
He scratched his cheek, not knowing how to put it.
Lisa looked at him, then glanced up at Moger in the distance. They understood each other without words. She pulled Li You to the sofa and sat down, saying gently, “Little Highness, Your Highness Li Ye just isn’t good at expressing himself, but he’s actually very gentle.”
“I know.” Li You nodded.
“That year after you left, Your Highness Li Ye immersed himself in work day and night. You could say the empire’s recovery period was all carried by him. Even with all that busyness, he’d rush to the Sunlight Palace every night.” Teacher Lisa patted the back of Li You’s hand. “Moger and I were at the Sunlight Palace then too. We happened to see him a few times late at night, standing in front of the garden lost in thought.”
She spoke softly. “I’ll tell you quietly—that was the first time I saw Your Highness Li Ye shed tears. He just stood there motionless, without a sound. After a long while, he’d return to work, day after day, year after year.
“Little Highness, Your Highness Li Ye missed you very much.” Lisa said to Li You. “Now that he can see you again, he’s surely happy. He just doesn’t know how to express it, like those silent tears in the garden back then.”
Li You froze. “He cried?”
“And not just once.” Moger said from the kitchen. “We saw it three times, not counting the other times. You were always the crybaby back then. I even thought he cried more than you.”
“…” Li You was somewhat surprised, but his heart clenched tight. He balled his fists. “I get it.”
Lisa smiled warmly. “Your Highness Li Ye’s temperament has cooled a bit, but I believe you two can get along like before, right?”
“There’s really nothing between us.” Li You rubbed his hands. “I didn’t fight with him. It’s just lately I’ve been a bit…”
Li You found it hard to say directly and went roundabout. “He’s the person closest to me. Don’t worry, I won’t throw a tantrum at him.”
“That’s good. You’re both good kids.” Lisa patted Li You’s head and went back to help in the kitchen.
Left alone on the sofa, Li You spaced out for a few seconds and took out his light brain.
Li You: 【The teachers said you secretly cried before.】
Li You: 【Youyou isn’t a crybaby. Li Ye is the crybaby.】
Soon, the light brain got a reply. Li You picked it up and looked—his heart rate sped up.
Bro: 【Because I missed you a lot.】
Li You’s face heated up. He set down the light brain and sat quietly. Moger on the other side saw his flushed face and frowned. “You that hot, kid?”
Teacher Lisa turned her head too. “Need the AC on?”
Li You shook his head. “No need. I’m not hot.”
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