Ch78 - (II). Let’s get married

The shower area sat at the far end of the bathroom, separated by a pane of frosted glass.

Through it, only a blurred silhouette could be seen, but even that was enough for Rong Jun’s imagination to fill in the rest.

He quickly shook his head, forcing the thought away, and swallowed.

The ring was clenched tightly in his right hand.

Step by step, he walked forward and knocked lightly on the glass.

The sound of running water stopped almost immediately. A moment later, the door slid open. Yan Chen stood there, his hair damp, and droplets of water tracing down from his forehead.

“What is it?” he asked, smiling faintly, his voice tinged with teasing. “Want to shower together?”

Rong Jun’s heart skipped, then began pounding uncontrollably.

Without answering, he raised a hand and pressed it against Yan Chen’s forehead, gently but firmly pushing him back inside. His gaze flickered, unable to meet his eyes.

“I… have something to tell you.”

“Then say it.”

The frosted glass blurred everything once more. Yan Chen could only make out Rong Jun’s silhouette standing just outside, his forehead resting lightly against the glass, one finger unconsciously tracing along its surface.

Silence stretched between them as Rong Jun internalized what he would say to him.

Rong Jun opened his mouth, then closed it again. Each attempt felt harder than the last.

Inside, Yan Chen’s patience began to wear thin. He slid the door open slightly, a half-smile playing at his lips.

“Qingqing, if it’s that difficult, I don’t mind helping you,” he said softly, his tone dipping flirtatiously. “Just don’t blame me if you regret it.”

“I don’t need your help.”

Rong Jun pushed the door shut again at once, his face burning.

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Every word came slowly and carefully.

“Let’s get married.”

Time seemed to stop.

Yan Chen’s face immediately contorted and froze.

The calm expression on his face shattered completely as he stared at the ring in stunned silence.

For once, his usually sharp mind went utterly blank. He couldn’t even tell if what he had heard was real.

Outside, Rong Jun waited.

Seconds passed and there was still no response.

His arm that was still extended inside, began to ache. He hesitated, then called softly—

“…Yan Chen?”

That voice snapped Yan Chen back to himself.

He blinked, still dazed. His gaze dropped again to the ring then to Rong Jun’s hand.

Slowly, almost uncertainly, he reached out. The moment his fingers brushed against Rong Jun’s, a sharp, overwhelming emotion surged through him, so intense it almost made him suffocate.

Rong Jun tensed slightly at the touch, then let out a quiet breath of relief.

At least… he hadn’t been rejected.

Once he had taken that first step, the rest came easier. His chest still rose and fell unevenly, but his voice steadied.

“I’m not good at saying things like this,” he admitted softly. “But… I only want to marry you.”

A brief pause.

“…Is that okay?”

Yan Chen’s throat tightened.

“Yes…” His voice broke.

Then he yelled deeply in delight. “Yes!”

The word echoed faintly in the enclosed space, making Rong Jun’s ear ring from the loudness.

In the next instant, he pulled the door open and dragged Rong Jun into his arms, holding him tightly, his voice trembling against his ear.

“Yes… yes… a million times yes!”

Rong Jun’s embarrassment faded and was replaced by warmth as he took in Yan Chen’s reaction.

He returned the embrace just as firmly as a tear slipped his eye.

“Thank you,” he murmured, “for being willing to spend your life with me.”

That single phrase made Yan Chen’s chest ache. His eyes reddened almost instantly.

After everything, everything he had held onto, every fear he had endured.

The person he longed most in his life was now placed gently into his hands.

“We’re getting married?” he asked, as if needing to hear it again from Rong Jun’s mouth,

“Yes.”

“You proposed to me?”

Rong Jun’s face flushed. He buried his gaze against Yan Chen’s shoulder as he answered sheepishly.

“I did.”

“Qingqing, I…”

Yan Chen’s voice broke.

A sharp ache passed through Rong Jun’s chest. He pulled back slightly, lifting a hand to Yan Chen’s face, gently brushing away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

He then leaned forward, resting his forehead against Yan Chen’s.

Then, carefully, he took Yan Chen’s hand and slid the ring that was engraved with delicate peacock feather patterns into his finger.

“When would you like to register with me, Mr. Yan?”

“Anytime.” Yan Chen replied, smiling from ear to ear.

He pulled Rong Jun closer, pressing a kiss against him, no longer able to hold back the flood of happiness in his heart.