Ch67 - (II). Anxiety that he never felt before

Their new home was located in a quiet residential area, just 500 meters from the Capitol Building, surrounded by government offices.

They rented a three-bedroom house, one room for sleeping, and the other two converted into separate studies. The open-plan kitchen flowed seamlessly into a bright living room, much like their previous apartment. The overall layout and furnishings hadn’t changed much, though the living room carpet was now rarely used.

Since the empire’s reforms, the prime minister’s authority had been significantly reduced. He no longer held absolute power over national affairs, and the influence of noble families had declined as well.

The abolition of the upper house stripped nobles of their hereditary privileges, forcing them to compete in elections like ordinary citizens, becoming members of the sole remaining lower house—the House of Representatives.

Even so, the prime minister remained the highest symbol of authority beneath the royal family, and many still pursued the position relentlessly.

MP Fung, whom Rong Jun worked under, led the Conservative Party. The current prime minister had already served three years, and an early general election could be called as soon as next year. Rong Jun had to focus on expanding his party’s influence while managing countless administrative duties and completing his postgraduate studies. There was barely any time left for rest.

Over the past three years, Yan Chen had quietly observed everything Rong Jun did. He had come to realize that, even in his previous life, he had underestimated Rong Jun’s ambition.

Gradually, he learned to accept that Rong Jun’s work would consume much of his time. And somewhere along the way, Rong Jun had grown used to relying on him, allowing Yan Chen to fill every corner of his life outside of work.

…

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye since Rong Jun began working.

Every evening, Yan Chen would personally drive to pick him up. Recently, Rong Jun had been leaving work so late at night, often so exhausted that he would fall asleep against the car window, even during the short 500-meter ride home.

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Rong Jun wasn’t fully asleep, but too drowsy to resist. He let out a soft murmur, looping an arm around Yan Chen’s neck and burying his face in his chest, seeking warmth and comfort.

Back home, Yan Chen carried him into the bedroom, helped him change, and settled him under the covers. He wanted to let him sleep longer but worried he might wake up hungry.

“Qingqing, get up and eat something before going back to sleep.”

Rong Jun frowned faintly, rejecting the idea somewhere in his half-conscious mind. In reality, he only let out a few indistinct sounds before slipping back into sleep.

…

Even though he had gone to bed early, Rong Jun didn’t fully wake until seven.

Each time he stirred, the warmth beside him tempted him to drift off again.

Seeing Yan Chen still asleep, Rong Jun quietly wrapped his arms around his waist, nestling closer for a few moments before slowly sitting up. Only then did he realize he was already in clean pajamas, and was already clean from head to toe.

He didn’t need to ask who had taken care of him.

Resting his hand on the pillow, he gazed at the man beside him whose eyes were now closed, breathing steadily beside him.

Rong Jun felt his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably.

Carefully, he reached out, smoothing the stray strands of hair at Yan Chen’s temples, then leaned down to press a light kiss against them, gentle enough that it wouldn’t wake him.

…

At 7:30, Yan Chen’s internal clock roused him.

The empty space beside him made him sit up immediately. Glancing around and not seeing Rong Jun, he hurried to the living room only to find him in the kitchen.

“You should have woken me up,” Yan Chen said.

Rong Jun held the frying pan in one hand, the other resting lightly against his abdomen. “I am almost done. Go wash up first.”

Over the past six months, Rong Jun had rarely had time to cook. So Yan Chen always made sure to cook for him so that he wouldn’t rely on takeout.

Yan Chen lingered for a moment before finally obeying. When he returned, breakfast was already set on the table.

As he sat down, his gaze fell on Rong Jun’s face that was noticeably thinner now, with faint dark circles under his eyes.

A trace of displeasure crossed his expression.

“Are you working overtime again today?”

“We’ve been getting raises almost every month.” Rong Jun watched him carefully, noticing the lingering dissatisfaction in his expression. The silence stretched, making him uneasy. He pressed his lips together, wanting to explain, but in the end, he only muttered a soft, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Yan Chen said, though the irritation in his chest didn’t fully fade.

The person he cared for most was exhausted because of someone else. More than resentment, it left him with a mix of anger and helpless sorrow.

Rong Jun lowered his head. He stirred the vegetable porridge in his bowl again and again, but didn’t take a bite.

In the more than three years they had been together, he had never felt as unsettled as he did now.

It was clear Yan Chen was worried, but what else can he do?