Chapter 97

Chapter 97

At five o'clock, the first light of dawn was just piercing the darkness. Xie Yunshen opened his sleepy eyes. He was used to training at this hour every day. Although he had been busy being in love these past few days, he decided to get back to it today.

He needed to maintain peak condition to protect Mr. Yan.

His gaze lingered on the face of the person beside him for a moment. To avoid waking him, Xie Yunshen resisted the urge to kiss him, ultimately just giving his cheek a light touch before reluctantly climbing out of bed.

There was a converted training room on the first floor. The training room at the Yan family estate was actually a later replica of this one, commissioned by Xie Yunshen.

Alone now, Xie Yunshen felt a twinge of regret. With both Mr. Yan and himself gone, would Old Wu feel very lonely?

Given his loyal and deeply caring nature, he was bound to be sad for a while.

It was strange, when you think about it. Even now, he didn't know why Mr. Yan had come into his real life.

Everything felt like a dream.

Finished with his training by seven, a refreshed Xie Yunshen went upstairs for a shower. Seeing Mr. Yan still sleeping soundly, he couldn't help but smile. He hadn't held back at all last night. Leaning down, he nuzzled Mr. Yan's face again.

Noticing Mr. Yan's brow twitch, as if he was about to wake, Xie Yunshen immediately pressed his hand down, patting it gently like soothing a baby's shoulder, apologetically trying to coax him back to sleep.

Mr. Yan didn't open his eyes. It was unclear if he had woken up midway, but Xie Yunshen saw a faint smile curve at the corner of his lips.

After two minutes, he leaned down again to confirm Mr. Yan was asleep, then nuzzled his shoulder through the blanket. He was so fragrant.

Filled with a sense of accomplishment, Xie Yunshen stood up, intending to go downstairs and fix breakfast. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. He quietly closed the bedroom door and walked down the stairs warily.

In the living room, he saw a middle-aged man in a tailcoat, with two men in suits standing behind him.

"Long time no see, Mr. Xie," the man said upon seeing him, placing his hands in front of him and offering a classic butler's smile.

"Oh, it's you," Xie Yunshen's expression softened.

"My apologies. Seeing the door open, I entered. It was highly improper, but I was extremely eager to confirm your presence here." He bowed slightly, executing royal etiquette flawlessly.

"So, what brings you here?" Xie Yunshen nodded.

"It's like this. Prince Blanken got married three years ago and sent you an invitation. He was wondering why you didn't attend? There's been no news from you for years, and he's been very worried."

Xie Yunshen was taken aback. He had indeed received the invitation three years ago, but he had transmigrated into the novel world before even opening it.

After returning for certain special reasons, he had been in low spirits and completely forgot about the matter.

That invitation should still be in a drawer somewhere.

Xie Yunshen was somewhat surprised. "Just for this, he sent you here personally?"

"There is indeed another matter."

He went and poured three glasses of water. "Have some water first."

The other two were bodyguards. Clearly taken aback by being offered a drink, they remained motionless behind the butler.

The butler accepted the water glass, took a polite sip, placed it on the table, and then took several photographs from an exquisite box.

"His Highness asked me to give these to you."

Xie Yunshen took the photos, feeling a mix of surprise and unfamiliarity, then broke into an amazed smile. "The little brat has had a little brat of his own."

Hearing this address, the butler could only pretend not to have heard.

In this world, only Xie Yunshen would call a prince a 'little brat'.

Xie Yunshen flipped through the photos with a gratified sigh, feeling sentimental. "...In my memory, he was just a teenager, wasn't he?"

"His Highness is twenty-five this year. When you were protecting him, he happened to be fifteen. The young prince is only two years old now."

"Time flies..." Xie Yunshen smiled. "A butler as busy as you wouldn't have come just to deliver photos, would you?"

"Actually, there is indeed another matter. The royal family has been unsettled recently. Several months ago, the Princess Consort fell mysteriously and gravely ill and has not woken up. Last month, His Highness also survived an assassination attempt. Fortunately, he escaped unharmed. Now, His Highness is extremely worried about the young prince. Therefore, he wishes to invite you to the palace to protect the young prince."

Xie Yunshen said, "I'm sorry, but I've retired."

"His Highness said he would pay any price to have you come to the palace. If the Princess Consort were not still at the palace, His Highness would have rushed here to see you himself."

Xie Yunshen remained silent.

"Because only you can protect the young prince properly, we beg you to agree." The butler stood up and bowed to him.

Xie Yunshen could only harden his heart and stand as well. "Please don't say such things. I've retired. Besides, I have my own life now."

The butler was momentarily stunned, his eyes downcast. "Yes, my apologies. Please keep the photos."

After seeing the visitors off, Xie Yunshen sat alone on the sofa for a while, looking at the photos, before gathering his emotions to make breakfast.

By ten in the morning, Mr. Yan still showed no signs of waking. He used to get up early to handle work or study.

It seemed last night really had been too intense.

Watching the breakfast grow completely cold, Xie Yunshen finally couldn't resist. He ran upstairs, burrowed under Mr. Yan's blanket, wrapped his arms around him, and nuzzled his head against his chest.

The commotion woke Mr. Yan. His hand first rubbed the head nestled against him before he opened his eyes.

"Mr. Yan, you smell so good," Xie Yunshen whispered from under the covers, nestled between his arms, gently taking his chest into his mouth.

He felt Mr. Yan's hand tighten in his hair, his knee drawing slightly closer. Not a sound was uttered, yet his breathing was so distinct, his entire body exuding an incredible sense of tolerance and composed charm.

Driven by the emotions in his heart, Xie Yunshen's gaze deepened. His surging blood urged him closer.

Midway, Mr. Yan couldn't help but call out his name, his voice laying bare the whispers of his soul. In the cool autumn air, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The early autumn wind wound around the undulating mountains.

A bent arm held his body close. Their breaths met as naturally as flowing water, trembling as they left faint marks on his shoulders and latissimus dorsi.

Thus, last night's frenzy was compounded by this morning's sweetness. Mr. Yan felt sore in his waist and knees. Xie Yunshen even dressed him, forcibly carried him downstairs, and made him eat breakfast.

"Skipping breakfast will make you feel unwell," Xie Yunshen said, placing him in the dining chair. Then, he leaned down and gave a firm suck beneath his ear, as if to prove how true that statement was.

He scooped up a spoonful of plain congee mixed with minced meat and brought it to his lips.

Mr. Yan turned his head to look at the person who had seriously prepared breakfast and was now feeding him. Although his stomach was empty, his soul was already sated, savoring this love that belonged solely to him.

Halfway through the feeding, Xie Yunshen suddenly laughed. "It's like in those commercials where a mom feeds her baby complementary food porridge."

Mr. Yan didn't take offense at the remark. Instead, he smiled slightly. "Thinking of another baby, are you?"

Xie Yunshen was stunned.

"Thank you for being so sure about choosing me."

"What?" Xie Yunshen laughed, with a totally confused look on his face.

"I overheard you." Mr. Yan picked up the photos lying face down on the table, which showed a cute, blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby.

Xie Yunshen chuckled. "So Mr. Yan's an eavesdropper, huh?"

"I woke up the moment your mood shifted," Yan Shiqi said calmly.

This statement stunned Xie Yunshen. He set the bowl on the table, cupped Yan Shiqi's face with a look of wonder, and studied him intently. "Mr. Yan, are you really some kind of god reborn?"

"Perhaps you are too important to me. My soul won't let me ignore your emotions." Mr. Yan's expression remained as composed as ever, his gaze as tranquil as a lake's surface.

Yet, the sheer impact of those words was enough for Xie Yunshen to remember for a lifetime.

His heart gave a violent lurch, and he pulled Yan Shiqi tightly into his embrace.

"Would you be worried about me?" Yan Shiqi's gaze was profound.

Xie Yunshen rested his head against the crook of Yan Shiqi's neck. "The very first lesson in training, our instructor told us that being a bodyguard is a profession where death could come at any time. But it's just a profession. We can't spend our whole lives protecting others, right? We have our own important people. When we meet that important person, that's when we retire."

Yan Shiqi's hand gently stroked the back of Xie Yunshen's head as he murmured, "A Shen, you're such a good boy."

Xie Yunshen actively rubbed his head against that palm. "Mr. Yan, we said Saturday afternoon was for our date, remember?"

Yan Shiqi's voice was magnetic, his gaze indulgent. "For someone who's already died once, what does the day of the week matter? Whether it's Friday or Monday, anytime you want, my time is yours."

Xie Yunshen thought he must have heard wrong. "What? Died once? Mr. Yan, what are you talking about?"

Yan Shiqi pinched his ear. "You—haven't you died once before?"

Realizing he'd read too much into it, Xie Yunshen couldn't help but lean in and kiss him.

Forest Park.

Chattering elementary school students filed into the sightseeing train.

Xie Yunshen and Yan Shiqi were squeezed into two corner seats by the nation's blossoming flowers.

A colleague said this Forest Park was a must-visit local dating spot.

The scenery was indeed beautiful, but Xie Yunshen had chosen a weekend, coinciding with a student autumn outing, so the place was packed.

"Mr. Yan." Xie Yunshen returned from the concession stand with two ice cream cones.

In that instant, Xie Yunshen saw a flash of surprise on Mr. Yan's face.

"Has a big shot like you never had an ice cream cone before?"

Yan Shiqi took the cone. "Just not store-bought. And that was back in childhood."

Xie Yunshen: "..." Right, the Yan family even had snacks made fresh by chefs.

"Gotta try everything," Xie Yunshen offered, helping him peel off the wrapper.

"Sharing an ice cream cone is a must-do for young couples!"

The above was advice from a colleague who'd been single all his life.

Mr. Yan looked at the tempting strawberry jam on the cone, took a bite, and was immediately shocked by the cold. His face scrunched up slightly, brows furrowing as he pursed his chilled lips.

Xie Yunshen froze for a second, then laughed without hesitation and kissed him on the cheek. "Too adorable."

Mr. Yan set the cone aside. "Maybe I really am too old for this."

Xie Yunshen laughed, took a bite of his own cone, held it in his mouth, gently parted Yan Shiqi's lips, and pushed the half-melted ice cream inside.

The smooth, sweet ice cream melted in the warm mouth.

Just as Mr. Yan was about to extend his tongue, Xie Yunshen's lips withdrew.

"Isn't it less cold like this?" he asked affectionately.

"Mmm, another bite," Yan Shiqi said.