Ch69 - (II). Always being accomodated

Upon arriving in H City, Rong Jun followed Councilor Fung into the car that had come to pick them up. During the drive, they were briefed on the situation in greater detail and discussed a few preliminary responses.

By the time the car stopped in front of the government building, the group rushed inside without delay.

It wasn’t until dawn the next day that Rong Jun finally emerged alone, hailing a taxi by the roadside.

The taxi stopped in front of a hotel. A doorman hurried over, opening the door and gesturing him inside.

His luggage had already been left at the front desk by the escort earlier. Rong Jun collected his ID and room key, politely declined assistance, and carried his 20-inch suitcase upstairs himself.

The suite was spacious, a proper business hotel room, but Rong Jun had no energy to appreciate the details. He slipped into his slippers, set his suitcase aside, loosened his tie, and collapsed onto the bed.

Sleep claimed him almost instantly, totally drained for the day.

Less than ten minutes later, he stirred abruptly, remembering something. Sitting up, he grabbed his suit jacket and pulled his phone from the pocket.

The previous night had been chaotic. He hadn’t answered Yan Chen’s calls, only sending a brief message. After that, he had his phone on ‘do not disturb’ setting.

Rong Jun’s chest tightened as he stared at the row of missed calls and unread messages. Guilt gnawed at him, a pang of panic also crept into his heart of what punishment might be waiting on the other end for him?

It was seven in the morning. Normally, Yan Chen would still be asleep. Rong Jun hesitated. Should he call now, or wait a little later? Seeing that the last missed call had been just half an hour ago, he closed his eyes momentarily and breathed deeply as he pressed the call button.

The line connected almost instantly.

“Qingqing.” Yan Chen’s voice was low, tired, but not angry.

Rong Jun’s chest ached. He could picture him, waiting all night, running on little to no sleep. “…I’m sorry, Yan Chen,” he whispered, covering half his face with his hand, his voice hoarse with guilt. “I…”

“Did you just get back to the hotel?” Yan Chen asked.

“Mm.”

“Then rest first. Call me when you wake up.”

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…

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Rong Jun answered patiently, and each time he saw Yan Chen’s expression soften through the screen, a small measure of relief settled in his chest.

“Qingqing, tomorrow’s Friday. Can I book a flight tonight and come see you?”

“I should be heading back the day after tomorrow afternoon,” Rong Jun replied. “Don’t come.”

Yan Chen’s expression darkened. “We haven’t seen each other for almost two weeks. Don’t you want to see me sooner?”

“Of course I do. But flying back and forth is exhausting. Just wait two more days. Things here will be finished soon. I’ll take the earliest flight back.”

Yan Chen looked reluctant, but he didn’t press. He lingered on the screen, watching Rong Jun’s calm, focused expression, his loneliness barely hidden as he stared at him longingly.

“When you come back… will you still be busy here?”

Rong Jun felt a pang at the question. His fingers traced idle patterns across the screen, as if he could reach through and touch him.

“I’m not sure yet.”

Yan Chen forced a small smile. “We’ll talk about it when you get back.”

“…Okay.”

“Get some rest.”

“You too.”

…

After the call ended, Yan Chen sat frozen, his thoughts spinning in circles. Unwanted images flickered through his mind, pulling him toward frustration and restlessness. He pressed the phone’s power button repeatedly, watching the screen light up and dim.

Even if Rong Jun returned, he’d probably be too busy.

The thought pressed on him heavily.

Suddenly, Yan Chen unlocked his phone and opened an airline app.

Once I’m there, Qingqing won’t be able to send me away. I’ll go first and figure things out later.

After booking the ticket, he lay back on the bed, grinning to himself, his heart racing at the thought of seeing him, the hug, and especially the kiss tomorrow.

“Heh…” he giggled at the thought.

…

The next morning, Yan Chen packed lightly, headed to work, and after finishing his shift, drove straight to the airport. The flight to H City was just over an hour. Though it was dark when he arrived, it wasn’t too late at night.

A taxi brought him to Rong Jun’s hotel. Using a small advantage, he obtained the room number. Wanting to surprise him, he went straight to the door, only to find no answer.

It was nearly nine o’clock so where could he be?

He called, but Rong Jun didn’t pick up.

Leaning against the wall, Yan Chen sighed. This wasn’t the first time Rong Jun had been unreachable, he was probably still busy. His legs ached from standing, but he didn’t move. If he went downstairs to book another room, he might miss him coming back.

So he waited.

He set down his suitcase and sat beside it, passing the time scrolling on his phone. Every so often, he glanced toward the elevator, hoping to see the familiar figure.

Hours passed and eventually, night slipped into early morning.

At 4:15 a.m., Yan Chen checked his phone again, irritation flashing in his eyes.

“Working this late again…”

He rubbed his forehead in exhaustion and frustration. Just as he decided to go search for Rong Jun, his phone rang.

He straightened instantly, answering. “Qingqing, where are you?”

“I just finished work. I’m heading back now.”

Hearing the fatigue in Rong Jun’s voice, Yan Chen swallowed his irritation. A small, genuine smile spread as he imagined Rong Jun’s expression upon seeing him.

“Then hurry back to the hotel. We’ll talk when you get there.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Yan Chen tidied himself quickly, straightened his clothes, and fixed his hair, setting his suitcase upright. He pictured Rong Jun’s surprised look, imagining throwing open his arms and pulling him close. Then, almost as if fate had timed it perfectly, a nearby door opened.

Yan Chen glanced over instinctively.

And froze in disbelief.

Because stepping out of that room…

Was none other than his Rong Jun.