Ch89 - (II). Past memories

Rong Jungot got out of the car and glanced at his phone, realizing he had slept for several hours, it was already the next morning. But because it was winter and the sky was still dark, he had the illusion that night had never ended.

As they drove home, the sky gradually lightened, and both of their stomachs growled loudly. Rong Jun ordered some takeout in the car, given how exhausted they were, neither had the energy to cook, they just wanted to eat and rest as soon as possible.

…

They soon arrived in their apartment.

On the dining table next to the kitchen were several disposable food containers with a few scraps of food remaining. No one sat in the chairs. The master bedroom door was tightly closed, curtains drawn.

Not far from the window, a huge black wolf was curled up on the bed. Next to him, a slender body curled into his side, his fluffy wolf tail wrapped tightly around him.

Rong Jun’s sleeping face was peaceful… at first. Shortly after, his expression twisted, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, a low groan escaping him now and then.

“Um… no…”

Yan Chen stirred, unable to sleep due to worry over Rong Jun’s earlier reaction. He quickly opened his eyes and checked on him. Seeing his pale, tense expression, he gently shook him awake.

“Qingqing, Qingqing!”

Rong Jun jolted awake from the terrifying dream, his eyes widening as he instinctively hugged the familiar face.

“Yan Chen!”

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“Probably,” Rong Jun muttered, unable to find any other explanation, and let himself relax into Yan Chen’s arms.

…

What he thought would soon fade tormented Rong Jun day after day, robbing him of restful sleep. His supposed days off were ruined by fragmented, blurry images that haunted his sleep.

He slumped in the corner of the sofa, dark circles under his eyes. Even with his eyes closed, he couldn’t relax, his body remained tense, a deep exhaustion weighing on him.

Yan Chen’s face mirrored his fatigue, his worry growing by the day. The thought of returning to the palace filled him with dread. Even if Rong Jun didn’t consciously remember everything, the signs were clear, he couldn’t risk him being exposed to it again.

No matter how much he tries to deny it, the only plausible explanation is that Rong Jun might be the same as him.

Someone who returned in the past. The only difference is that he remembered… and it is only a matter of time before Rong Jun himself would remember everything.

Thinking about it, Yan Chen grew restless. He mustn’t let him remember any of it at all cost!

Squatting beside the sofa, Yan Chen whispered, “Qingqing, you’re not in any condition to go to work. Shall I ask for leave for you?”

“It’s alright,” Rong Jun refused immediately. He had been at the Crown Prince’s Palace for only a short time; asking for leave seemed unnecessary. Besides, it wasn’t a physical illness, just sleep deprivation.

Yan Chen’s fingers brushed the bluish skin under his eyes. “You haven’t been sleeping well these past two days. Your eyes are all red.”

“I used to stay up late often. Lack of sleep is nothing new to me,” Rong Jun said, attempting to downplay it.

Yan Chen knew he would insist on returning regardless of what he said, but what if he ran into Yan An again? What if his fears were true?

His heart that was momentarily calm, tightened again. He wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his head on his lap, saying nothing more.

“I’m really fine,” Rong Jun murmured, stroking his hair lazily. His eyes drooped with exhaustion, and his hands weak.

Soon, fatigue overwhelmed him and he closed his eyes and slept once again.

Yan Chen looked down and found him asleep on the sofa. He watched quietly, noting how quickly fatigue overtook him again.

“You don’t have the energy to work in this state,” he whispered.

…

The bedroom curtains remained tightly drawn, a single lamp casting a faint yellow glow that lit Yan Chen’s dark, golden eyes. He lay on his side, propping his head with his elbow, watching the person finally asleep beside him. His gaze never wavered, he remained awake in case Rong Jun had another episode again.

Rong Jun had already taken the sleeping pills, and within minutes, their effects forced his restless mind into stillness.

The fragments of his earlier nightmare, the blurred images, and the echoing bell could no longer be resisted as it all came into clear view in his dream… or rather… his nightmare.

[bell!]

“Since you’re already so disgusting to me, I might as well make you even more disgusting.”

[bell!]

“It’s your fault. You abandoned me for someone else!”

[bell!]

“Qingqing, I can’t live without you… If you run again, I really will ruin you.”

[bell!]