Chapter 32.2 – Announcement

Rhodes and Deng Dong followed behind their fathers respectively and met at the entrance hall. Looking at each other in surprise, they said in unison: "You received the invitation, too?"

Their eyes met, and both of them suddenly turned away at the same time, no longer wanting to look at the other. Hmph… So what if he was invited? I’m Young Master Ji’s number one follower!

Rhodes' father, Earl Sinclair, and Deng Dong's father, Sir Deng, also smiled superficially and greeted each other. With their heads up and chests high, they each brought their son into the palace.

With their status, they would never have been eligible to attend a palace banquet before. It was all because their sons had grabbed onto a big fish. They’d always felt that their sons were just troublemaking rich kids. Scolding them everyday wasn’t even enough. That’s why they’d never thought that one day, they’d be the ones riding on their stupid sons’ coattails to attend the banquet. Never had they imagined this would happen!

Not even in their wildest dreams!

That’s right, they still had to strongly warn their smelly brats to be more careful later. This place wasn’t like the outside world. They had to pay attention to their etiquette and choice of words. They absolutely couldn’t make His Majesty unhappy, and must coax Young Master Ji well. Young Master Ji was so loved by the emperor, his future prospects were certainly not limited! He could even become the empress someday, right?

Although Young Master Ji’s constitution was a little lacking, and his personality wasn’t that great either, he was high-born and good-looking. What mattered the most was that the emperor liked him.

As long as His Majesty liked him, then anything was possible!

The decorations in the royal garden had been completed long ago. Hanging on the tree branches, were twinkles of small star-like jewels, sparkling and giving off a soft radiance. The ground was covered in precious jade stones. All around were rare and valuable flowers and plants, carefully trimmed by a master gardener. The attractive flowers gave off a beautiful fragrance as they swayed in the wind.

The whole scene was luxurious and extremely tastefully done.

Long dining tables and chairs were placed in the middle of the garden. They were spread with white tablecloths lined in gold. On the tables, were exquisite cuisines from all over the galaxies.

If Carlos’ house was refined extravagance, then this royal palace was overwhelming majestic luxury.

One was low-key luxury, and one was flaunting.

When Ji Ling came out hand-in-hand with Jing Sui, his heart was completely stifled. Originally, he’d only wanted to find an excuse to leave the palace. In the end, that had changed into a public display of affection!

Dealing with Jing Sui alone was already hard enough. Now, he also had to pretend to be intimate with him in front of so many people. This made things so difficult for straight male Ji Ling, that he wanted to die. He prayed non-stop in his heart that Jing Sui would mind his image in public, and not act like he usually did with him. Otherwise, he’d feel ashamed to death!

He still wanted to save face. He really wanted to save face!

Jing Sui turned to look at the youth’s slightly reddened ears and embarrassed expression. He couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. The boy was being bashful again. Really… When would he be able to let go and accept him? This shyness, although lovable, also made it very difficult for him.

But in the end, he still paid heed to the youth’s mood. Today’s party was all to make him happy, after all. He wouldn’t foolishly annoy and anger him. Otherwise, when the kitty gets angry, he’ll also extend his claws and scratch.

Jing Sui walked out holding onto Ji Ling. In response to all the greetings, he gave a nod. Jing Sui had long been accustomed to accepting all the flattery. Everyone was beyond respectful to him, and he was tired of listening to all their flattery. Normally, these words wouldn’t stir his heart in the slightest, but today…

He heard these people fawn and praise Ji Ling, saying that they were a match made in heaven, Ji Ling was a good boy and that he had a good eye. They said that Ji Ling was blessed to have him as a partner. When he heard these things…

Strangely enough, his mood turned very good. He even wanted to hear them say more. He turned around, and found that Ji Ling’s face was already flushed red to the tips of his ears. His lips couldn’t help but raise up a little.

Considerately, he let go of the Ji Ling’s hand and smiled at him as he said: “Go, your friends should all have arrived.”

As if he was granted amnesty, Ji Ling quickly escaped from that suffocating environment. He did indeed see Rhodes and Deng Dong standing in the corner. This was the first time in the palace for both of them. Like curious babies, their faces were full of amazement and caution. Seeing that Ji Ling was coming over, they gave wide happy smiles.

Rhodes gave him a thumbs-up saying: "Young Master Ji, congratulations on fulfilling your wish. His Majesty looks like he really loves you!"

Deng Dong gave him a high-five saying: “Young Master Ji, this is the first time His Majesty has hosted a banquet for anyone in the palace. His feelings for you must be sincere!”

Ji ling: ……

Listening to these words made his heart feel even more stifled. With a dark face, he turned and left on the spot, pretending as if he hadn’t come here or heard anything.

Rhodes and Deng Dong looked at each other with vacant expressions, unsure of what they had said wrong to offend Ji Ling. They stood there gawking dumbly, not daring to follow…

After a while, Rhodes began to accuse Deng Dong, saying: “Do you even know how to speak properly? You made Young Master Ji so angry, he left. "

Deng Dong replied angrily: "It must’ve been you who doesn’t know how to speak properly. You were the one who made him so angry he left."

The two of them disagreed on everything and started bashing each other!

………………

Ji Ling didn’t want to attend to anyone. All he wanted was to be alone for some quiet time. He silently snuck over to a dimly lit corner with nobody, stood there and let out a big sigh. With a vacant and lost expression, he started feeling uncertain about his next steps.

Did he have no choice but to give up and stay in this world using the identity of another person? Did he have to spend his days having papapa with another man everyday?

Just the thought of this made him feel extreme despair.

This was so frustrating. It angered him to death. How could he possibly complete the mission like this? What in the world did these guys even like about him?

If things continued like this, then he’d be happily accepting Jing Sui’s courtship, and living a wonderful and beautiful life happily ever after. He’d pretty much be taking the main shou’s route himselffff!!!

But he really didn’t have a thing for men!

He’d already committed every bad deed he could. He had thrown away his conscience and risked his little life to court death, but all that amounted to nothing. Ji Ling felt like he’d exhausted every trick in his book… Maybe he really had to reveal his true identity and say, ‘Sorry, Bro. I actually don’t love you. I didn’t want to cheat your feelings, nor did I want to give you any trouble at all. I only hope that you and Ning Yu can achieve a happy ending… I’m already willing to be a stepping stone on the path to your love, so can you please just save me some face?’

But when he thought about how Jing Sui doted on and loved him, he couldn’t help but fear. If he really said that to Jing Sui, he would likely die a miserable death.

Ugh.

Ji Ling mind was full of chaos. He couldn’t make heads or tails out of anything, and that made him feel extremely distressed. Just as he was preparing to go back in, he suddenly felt someone blocking in front of him. He looked up and immediately saw that it was actually Jing Sui who’d come over.

He said, surprised: “Brother Jing Sui, how come you’ve come out here?"

In the next moment, Jing Sui tightly embraced him without saying a word. The man then raised his chin, and lowered his head to kiss him without warning!

Ji Ling just about lost it. Bro, can you exercise a little restraint? Do you have to express your love anytime anywhere?! Ji Ling was very gloomy inside, but still kept his face impassive and let Jing Sui kiss him. He was already so used to this that it was scary…

He was not the one the boy wanted.

What could he do but yield and retreat?

Ji Ling looked at the complex expression in Brandon’s eyes. Remembering that this guy had just watched the show for half the day, he was embarrassed to death. Brandon must be laughing at him! Angrily, he pushed Jing Sui away, and turned to run. This was too much!

Jing Sui didn’t stop him this time, and let Ji Ling run away as he wanted. He turned to face Brandon, and said lightly: “Were you looking for me for something?”

Brandon looked Jing Sui straight in the eyes and said slowly: “If ever a day comes when you hurt him…" His voice was firm, steady and calm. He faced Jing Sui with cold eyes and said solemnly as he narrowed his eyes abruptly: "I will take him away from you."

………………

Ji Ling was forced to perform a kissing show in front of Brandon just now, and his face was still burning hot. Furiously angry, he kicked a stone by his feet. Jing Sui, that stupid pig’s foot!

Damn himmmmm!

What should I do now? Everything I could do, I’ve done already. I don’t have a single idea left. A strong sense of powerlessness made him feel extremely lost. He felt like he was almost at a dead end.

Of course, he was in no mood to go attend the banquet over there. Just hearing those people try to flatter him was upsetting. Ji Ling then walked back along the small path silently.

Now, he really regretted that he’d used boredom as an excuse. This was originally just a problem between him and Jing Sui. Now, everyone and his dog knew. It probably wouldn’t even take a night before the entire imperial aristocracy knew how much Jing Sui doted on him. This was pretty much a public execution for him…

Ji Ling was in low spirits so he didn’t really pay attention to where he was going. At this moment, a black shadow suddenly appeared in front of him. Ji Ling jumped in fright and was about to ask who it was, when his mouth was suddenly covered by someone’s hand. He was then pressed onto the tree trunk behind him!

After that, someone’s deep and refined face approached him. The man whispered in his ear: “It's me."

Ji Ling’s pupils constricted. He saw who had suddenly appeared in front of him and his brain just about crashed.

Carlos! How could he have shown up here?!