My Best Friend Says One Thing and Means Another

A hundred years ago, it is said, there was a devoted couple: the general won a great victory on his first campaign and reclaimed lost territory, while the divine physician left seclusion to save the people during a plague.

The emperor wished to reward and encourage them, and, moved by their steadfast love, issued an unprecedented decree granting them permission to marry.

But not long after their wedding, the general met defeat and the divine physician died for love. Their story became a tragic legend, passed down through the ages.

A hundred years later, rumors spread that Jiang Mengjing, a physician at Jiangji Hall, and Xie Shenchuan, an advisor to the General's residence, were reincarnations of that ill-fated couple from a century ago, destined to reunite in this life.

But the two had been close friends for over a decade, as refined and upright as orchids and jade. Xie Shenchuan called him his closest friend and confidant, while Jiang Mengjing dismissed the gossip as idle talk.

Yet during the three months after Xie Shenchuan first received an imperial order to leave the capital and head north to quell a rebellion, Jiang Mengjing frequently dreamed of the so-called "past life connection" between them.

In his dreams, they met and came to understand each other, then fell deeply in love beneath the bridal candles. Jiang Mengjing woke up blushing and breathless countless times, telling himself it was impossible!

He suspected he had a troubled heart, but to his shame, despite being a physician, he couldn't figure out what was troubling him.

For three months, Jiang Mengjing spent his days examining patients, writing letters and composing treatises, and his nights inseparable from his dear friend, exchanging tender affections.

He had no idea how to face his friend when he returned, but gradually began to notice that something about him was different...

Listening to the worries Jiang Mengjing didn't want anyone else to know, helping him escape the constraints of being a reincarnated divine physician, sneaking over the wall into his courtyard night after night just to drink a cup of honeysuckle tea he'd made himself...

For over a decade, had Xie Shenchuan's actions toward him really been nothing more than what one friend should feel for another?

If so, why was he so distant toward everyone else, as though Jiang Mengjing had been his only friend in his more than twenty years of life?

And if not, why did he keep saying, "We're just friends"?

Wait, what?

At last, Physician Jiang awoke as if from a dream, saw the light, and understood the truth:

Didn't his "friend" bring up their friendship a little too casually?

Thinking back on the popular romantic tales and the ending of the dreams...

Wait, was he the one with a troubled heart?!

Physician Jiang thought he might have to treat him.

[Reading Guide]

1. A free-spirited, reserved, devoted-dog general x a gentle, teasingly seductive beauty of a physician

2. Past and present lives, both couples are each other's first and only love, happy ending. Everything they do is for a better future together!

3. The story is split evenly between plot and romance. The romance picks up after Chapter 53, so you can follow the chapter titles to find your preferred parts.

4. One-year age difference (in the past life, the recipient is older; in this life, the pursuer is older). In terms of their experiences, the recipient gets both a clingy younger puppy and a steady, reliable older man in this life.

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Next book: Childhood Friends Meet and Smile Warmly

■ Impartial-looking, secretly partial Minister of the Court of Judicial Review x sunny, office-worker Minister of Rites

Set in the same world as this book, it tells the story of Yan Qiyu and Ruan Hefu. Please add it to your collection!

[Impartial-looking, secretly partial Minister of the Court of Judicial Review VS sunny, office-worker Minister of Rites]

☆ A sweet, short childhood-friends romance ☆

Everyone at court knew that Minister of Rites Ruan Hefu and Minister Yan Qiyu of the Court of Judicial Review had been childhood friends. They also knew that Yan, who was usually decisive and impartial, had only ever smiled for Ruan.

But despite all the indulgence and endless concessions, Ruan Hefu, who had friends everywhere, assumed that Yan Qiyu was simply bad with words and couldn't make friends.

Feeling sorry for him, Ruan Hefu returned Yan Qiyu's affection with the deep devotion reserved for his very best friend.

Then one day, Ruan Hefu received an imperial decree to have the Ministry of Rites and Court of State Ceremonial organize the princess's wedding. The groom was a friend he'd met recently. After working nonstop for a month, he asked that friend for a few extra cups of wine at the banquet.

The friend didn't hold back either. "I, Lin, can hold my liquor. Minister Ruan and Minister Yan will have to return the favor with double the drinks!"

At those words, Ruan Hefu was struck as if by thunder. A golden light seemed to burst in his mind, and he sat frozen for a long time.

His friend thought he was embarrassed. Then he spotted Yan Qiyu approaching with a cold expression and decided not to say anything more.

That night, Ruan Hefu returned to the Ruan residence, exhausted and drunk, but refused to let the carriage take Yan Qiyu away with him. He insisted that Yan stay the night.

Ever since Ruan Hefu had gone to the Yan residence as a young boy to study alongside Yan, this had long been routine for them. Yan Qiyu agreed.

But once they entered the inner room, Ruan Hefu, seemingly not entirely sober, rose onto his toes and pinned Yan Qiyu against the door. He wrapped both arms around Yan's neck, his eyes curving as he smiled.

"Qiyu, do you... like me?"

Yan Qiyu had no time to react. A warm kiss, tasting of wine, had already given him the answer.

Theme: People can triumph over fate.