Ch84 - (II). Little lover

The person who entered carrying the coffee was dressed in a butler’s uniform. Tall and slender, with white gloves, he placed the teacup steadily in front of Yan Chen.

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”

Yan Chen’s pupils constricted. He turned away, his heart tightening at the sight of Yun Cheng’s familiar, smiling face. He remained silent for a long moment before finally responding.

“…Mm.”

Shifting his gaze back, Yan Chen picked up the cup of coffee, took a sip, and looked directly at the person opposite him.

“So… what do you want to tell me?”

Yan Hong didn’t keep him waiting. “I want Rong Jun to move into the palace.”

Yan Chen let out a laugh laced with sarcasm, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

“What? Do I have to force him to move if he works here?”

“It takes almost an hour to drive here from where you live now. He’ll be exhausted if he commutes.”

“I can drive him back and forth by myself.”

“Given his personality, do you really think he’d let you go through all that trouble?”

“I can arrange a driver.”

“Yan Chen, your job is easy and leisurely, so you don’t see a two-hour round trip as anything serious, but Rong Jun is different from you.”

Yan Chen lowered his gaze and fell silent.

“Of course I won’t force him to move into the palace. I only hope he can fully recover his energy during his rest periods. Moving him here is just my suggestion. The choice is still yours.”

Yan Chen’s gaze was sharp, but all he could do was express his dissatisfaction with his eyes. He couldn’t bear to see Rong Jun suffer, so letting him move into the palace was essentially a done deal.

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Yan Chen wanted to refuse Yun Cheng’s help, but for some reason, he stayed silent, missing his chance to object.

…

Rong Jun was deeply surprised when Yan Chen suggested moving into the palace. He was so touched by Yan Chen’s thoughtfulness that he completely forgot how much Yan Chen disliked the place.

But when he finally realized what was happening and tried to protest, he found that Yan Chen had already brought all his belongings, and that very night, they moved into the bedroom that had once belonged to Yan Chen.

It wasn’t permanent. Yan Hong had promised that Rong Jun wouldn’t be overworked and that his days off would remain the same. The palace was just a temporary residence, they would still return to their little home when they weren’t working.

Rong Jun surveyed the room. The space was enormous, and there were areas he hadn’t yet explored. A long-lost awareness of Yan Chen’s status as the Third Prince resurfaced.

“I always forget that you’re the Third Prince.”

After familiarizing himself with his work, Rong Jun hadn’t felt too tired, but touring the palace had exhausted him. He collapsed onto the bed, letting Yan Chen help him undress.

Yan Chen deftly removed his suit jacket, gave him a playful smile, and said with a teasing tone,

“You don’t need to remember that. Just remember, I’m your husband.”

As expected, Rong Jun rolled his eyes.

“You’re so poor you’ll die of poverty.”

“How am I poor? Aren’t we married, what’s yours is mine and your kind of loaded now? Also, I’m just stating the truth.”

Rong Jun couldn’t understand why the way Yan Chen phrased it felt so irritating. Too lazy to argue, he simply closed his eyes and let Yan Chen help him out of his clothes.

…

(Two weeks later)

Rong Jun had almost adapted to working and living in the palace, but one thing puzzled him, since Yan Chen returned, apart from Yan Hong at the start, no one had come to see him, nor had he ever been summoned.

Since he started dating Yan Chen, they had practically lived together, and Rong Jun had never seen him return to the palace, even on holidays. They always visited the Zhou family or Rong Li’s place together.

Because he had grown used to Yan Chen’s presence, Rong Jun unconsciously assumed, “He should be here.” Only now did he notice the reason Yan Chen stayed by his side so constantly.

He had previously assumed Yan Chen disliked his family and didn’t care to explain. Experiencing it firsthand, Rong Jun began to feel uneasy, but he didn’t know how to bring it up, nor did he want to ask others.

Rong Jun’s forehead throbbed as he glanced at his watch. Work would end soon, and he had one last document to give Yan Hong for confirmation.

After knocking and entering Yan Hong’s office, he noticed a girl he hadn’t seen before. She sat casually on Yan Hong’s desk, dressed elegantly, toying with the pen Yan Chen often used. Rong Jun felt uneasy as the conversation he thought he overheard fell silent the moment he entered.

Yan Hong noticed Rong Jun’s expression and pushed the girl off the desk.

“All right, I have official business to attend to. Go back now.”

“I won’t leave until you let me out.” The girl showed no fear. Yan Hong, for once, looked troubled.

“Don’t even think about it. You’d better spend this time reflecting on your behavior in the palace.” Yan Hong’s displeasure deepened as he shot Rong Jun a sharp glance.

Rong Jun immediately stepped forward to hand over the document—but another hand snatched it halfway through, instantly drawing Yan Hong’s ire.

“Yan An.” His voice was quiet but carried an unusual authority.

Rong Jun realized this was the younger sister Yan Chen disliked. He hadn’t paid much attention to her before, but now he felt a deep sense of disgust, especially since she had disrupted his work. He took back the document politely but firmly.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

Yan An froze. Yan Hong, momentarily surprised, realized the document had already been laid out in front of him. Rong Jun calmly retrieved his pen and handed it over, saying,

“Your Highness, please sign after confirming that everything is correct.”

“Okay.” Yan Hong took the pen and began reviewing the document.

“Your newly hired secretary? Doesn’t he know the rules?” Yan An grabbed Rong Jun’s arm and tried to pull him toward her. Spoiled and willful, her action was a blatant challenge.

Yan Hong immediately intervened. “Don’t be silly.”

Yan An, seeing Yan Hong so serious, studied Rong Jun closely. A meaningful smile slowly appeared on her lips.

“He’s really handsome. Looks younger than all your secretaries.”

“You’ve been spoiled rotten,” Yan Hong snapped. He pressed the summon button and called the servants.

“Send the princess back.”

“I’m not leaving!” Yan An glared at the approaching servants, found nothing to her advantage, and instead hugged Rong Jun in front of them, eyes red with anger, glaring straight at Yan Hong. Her expression twisted with spoiled defiance.

“You actually treated me like this for your little lover!”

Yan Hong slammed his hand on the table, making everything tremble.

“Drag her out!”