Ch76 - (II). Engagement Ring

Perhaps the title of the Third Prince had its effect. Over the past two weeks, Rong Jun had been able to arrive at work and leave on time without any lingering incident from his superior.

However, he was gradually being edged out of important projects. Tasks he had once led were quietly reassigned, his responsibilities stripped away piece by piece until most of his previous efforts amounted to little.

Rong Jun’s feelings were… complicated. But it wasn’t regret, he had anticipated this outcome the moment he made his choice. It was more a quiet unwillingness to accept it, mixed with a faint trace of self-pity.

He had always known that one could not have everything. He had made his decision.

Even without this position, he still had the ability, and the time to build something elsewhere.

But if he lost Yan Chen now… there might not be another chance.

Resting his chin on his hand, Rong Jun scrolled absently through the search results on his phone. His gaze fixed on the first link.

(Homepage – Supreme Court.)

It was time to find a new path. If things are not working for him here, then he will find other opportunities elsewhere.

[Knock, knock.]

He locked his phone and set it aside, straightening slightly. “Come in.”

“Secretary Rong, your package.”

The assistant placed a small parcel on his desk before leaving.

“Thank you.”

Once the door closed, Rong Jun picked up a utility knife and sliced open the box. Inside was a smaller, more delicate gift box, wrapped neatly with a ribbon and marked with a jewelry brand logo.

A faint light flickered in his eyes. He untied the bow and opened it carefully.

Inside, nestled in soft raffia, lay a deep red ring box.

His heartbeat tightened as he lifted it and opened the lid.

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But after what happened at the hotel…

He found himself thinking about their future seriously for the first time.

He had no intention of spending his life with anyone else other than Yan Chen. And more than that, he wanted Yan Chen to know. To truly understand that he only has him in this life. So he would never have to feel that kind of insecurity again.

A quiet anticipation filled his chest. Nothing in their daily life might change, and yet… the thought alone brought an unfamiliar sense of excitement.

Carefully, he placed the ring back into the box, closed it, and stored it away.

Then he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, this is Azel Restaurant. How may I assist you?”

“Hello, I made a reservation for a private room two weeks ago.”

“May I have your name?”

“Rong Jun.”

…

At the end of the workday, Rong Jun slipped the ring box into his coat pocket, draped the coat over his arm, and left the Parliament building with his briefcase.

When Yan Chen arrived, he was surprised to see him standing outside in the cold, dressed in only a suit jacket.

As soon as Rong Jun got into the car, he visibly chilled.

Yan Chen frowned. “Why aren’t you dressed properly in this weather?”

Rong Jun avoided his gaze, folding his coat neatly on his lap as he fastened his seatbelt. “Exercising.”

Yan Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or scold him. He turned up the heater, then reached out, touching Rong Jun’s cheeks and ears. The cold sensation of Rong Jun’s skin made his brows knit tighter. “You’re freezing.”

Yan Chen’s hands were warm. Almost instinctively, Rong Jun leaned into them, brushing lightly against his palms.

Then, remembering something, he spoke while entering an address into the navigation system. “I booked a restaurant. Let’s eat there tonight.”

They had gone out to eat many times before, but this place was unfamiliar. Yan Chen glanced at the name and location. “Trying somewhere new?”

“A colleague recommended it,” Rong Jun replied. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “I want to try it with you.”

Yan Chen only heard the last part. His earlier irritation vanished instantly.

“Alright,” he said, smiling as he started the car.

…

Azel was a Western-style restaurant in the city center, a standalone two-story building surrounded by high-rises. The first floor offered open seating, while the second floor held private rooms.

Their room was small, no more than nine square meters. A square dining table sat in the center, decorated with three candlesticks of varying heights. The dim lighting, combined with the flicker of candlelight and the glow of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, created an intimate, almost ambiguous atmosphere.

When Yan Chen stepped inside, he paused at the doorway. His gaze shifted to Rong Jun who was calm and composed.

As if nothing about this setting was unusual.

Rong Jun hung his coat neatly, pulled out a chair, and sat down without hesitation.

Yan Chen couldn’t tell whether he truly felt nothing or was simply pretending.

Taking the seat across from him, he teased lightly, “Did your colleague come here with their partner too?”

The dim lighting masked the subtle shift in Rong Jun’s expression. He leaned forward slightly, adjusting his chair. “No. She came with her husband.”

The word husband immediately caught Yan Chen’s attention.

Even though it had nothing to do with him, his thoughts filled in the implication effortlessly.

He feigned confusion. “With who again?”

“…Her husband.”

Yan Chen smiled faintly. “Mm.”

Rong Jun frowned, replaying their exchange of conversation then suddenly froze as he realized what Yan Chen must be thinking.

A flush crept up his face.

He wanted to glare, but the thought of what he was planning later stole his confidence.

In the end, he could only mutter, “Childish.”

Hearing that, it only made him appear more endearing to Yan Chen.

On impulse, he reached out, tilting Rong Jun’s chin up to get a better look.

[Smack!]

His hand was swatted away.

The sharp sting said everything about Rong Jun’s embarrassment.

And yet… Yan Chen’s smile only widened even more as he kept teasing him.