Ch83 - (II). Lying

After receiving Rong Jun’s message asking him that he is downstairs to pick him up, Yan Chen immediately clocked out and went downstairs. On the way home, he didn’t hear a single word about the “Crown Prince,” and his expression remained unchanged. He didn’t even realize how good Rong Jun was at hiding his thoughts.

Had he always suppressed his desires before because of him?

The car drove into the apartment’s underground parking lot. Yan Chen carried Rong Jun’s box of miscellaneous items and held his hand as they walked home.

When they entered the study and placed the box on the table, Yan Chen finally spoke, though he really wanted to selfishly pretend he didn’t know.

“How’s the job search going?”

Rong Jun unpacked the contents of the box, organizing everything carefully. “All the resumes I submitted have been accepted. Now I’m still considering where to go.”

“It seems there’s nothing particularly appealing about those places.”

“I’m not in a hurry. We can wait a bit longer. I can take care of you during this time.” Rong Jun’s cheeks flushed slightly after saying this. He quickly carried the empty box outside, placed it in the entryway, and went into the dressing room in the bedroom.

Yan Chen followed, stopping by the wardrobe. “It seems the Crown Prince’s palace is recruiting recently. That would be a good choice for you.”

Rong Jun paused while taking off his suit jacket, then turned to face him after hanging it up. “I really didn’t know you’d pay attention to this kind of job posting, especially for the Crown Prince.”

“After all, you need to find a job now.”

Rong Jun didn’t believe him. “You knew, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean?” Yan Chen tried to hide the truth, but the subtle expression on Yan Chen’s face was impossible to miss.

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Having received the reassurance he wanted, Yan Chen’s expression softened. He gradually felt relief as he held Rong Jun’s hand. He hated the palace and the people inside, but if it could benefit Rong Jun, he wasn’t unwilling to compromise.

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be influenced by me.”

“I wasn’t.”

Yan Chen chuckled lightly. “Now you’re the one lying.”

“…“

Yan Chen then said, “Let’s go to the palace.”

“Yan Chen, you don’t need—”

“I’m not forcing you. I just want you to have a better future.” He lifted Rong Jun’s left hand and kissed the wedding ring on his finger. “Anyway, wherever you go, you’re mine anyway. You can’t run away.”

Rong Jun felt a mix of emotions. He felt sorry for Yan Chen, who was making a compromise for him, but he was also pleased with his decision. He had so much to say, organizing his thoughts over and over, yet he didn’t know how to express them. After studying for more than ten years, he only now realized his own inadequacy. In the end, he rested his head on Yan Chen’s shoulder and whispered,

“Thank you, Yan Chen.”

Yan Chen never imagined that he could feel happy every day because of making compromises. “This is what I should do.”

…

Rong Jun accepted Yan Hong’s offer. Feeling somewhat uneasy, Yan Chen took a day off to accompany him. As soon as their car entered the palace and reached the gates of the Crown Prince’s estate, a messenger greeted them and led them to Yan Hong’s office.

Apart from a few contracts that Rong Jun needed to sign in person, everything else had been prepared. He hadn’t even had time for breakfast before starting work.

“Wu Lin will explain the details of your tasks,” Yan Hong said, patting Rong Jun’s shoulder twice. Then, turning to Wu Lin, he instructed, “Take him there first.”

“Yes.”

Yan Chen quickly grabbed Rong Jun’s hand. “Are you just leaving like that? Aren’t you gonna give me a kiss?”

Rong Jun’s face reddened as he pinched him.

Yan Hong smirked, finding his younger brother’s clinginess rather novel, and a small smile tugged at his lips.

Rong Jun cleared his throat, embarrassed. “I’ll go first.”

Yan Chen reluctantly let go. “I’ll pick you up tonight.”

“Okay.”

Yan Hong couldn’t resist wanting to pat his younger brother on the back to comfort him, seeing him stare longingly as Rong Jun left. But there were other important matters to attend to.

“Come in and let’s talk.”

“No, I can still make it to work if I go back now.”

“It’s about you and your precious treasure.”

Yan Chen turned toward the door, then back at his brother again. “Have someone bring me a cup of coffee.”

Yan Hong sighed softly, shook his head, and pressed the call button on his desk.

“Bring in a cup of coffee.”