Lover Number 1.4

Li Jie nodded, sensing that the conversation had taken a more serious turn. As they approached the crown prince's chamber, he decided to change the subject, not wanting rumors about his personal life to spread.

"Are you not interested in finding someone for yourselves?" Li Jie asked the Huang siblings, hoping to divert their attention.

Huang Yiming appeared slightly shocked and hurt by Li Jie's words. Li Jie couldn't comprehend the reason behind his friend's hurt expression, but he didn't have time to delve deeper into the matter as Huang Baozhai began speaking again.

"Not really," the girl sighed, her cheerful and genuine smile still intact as usual. "I don't even know what I like."

"I thought you were similar to me," Li Jie remarked, their conversation growing more hushed as they neared the crown prince's palace.

"Honestly, I don't know," Huang Baozhai shrugged. "I thought I only liked girls for a long time, then I thought I preferred boys. And now, I find myself contemplating settling down with someone and having children..."

"We can discuss this further in the chamber." Li Jie gestured to the two of them that they would continue their conversation there.

When it came to the crown prince, every maid seemed eager to uncover the tiniest details of his life, attempting to be a part of it in some way.

The three friends maintained silence until they arrived at the crown prince's chamber. During the walk, Li Jie could feel the eyes of every palace maid fixed upon him. If he were alone, he might have crumbled under the pressure, but with his two friends by his side, he felt more at ease.

"Good day, Your Highness," a maid bowed, her face blushing a deep shade of red as she smiled at Li Jie.

Li Jie returned the smile and nodded before stepping into his chamber, with Huang Yiming and Huang Baozhai following him.

"Alright," Li Jie said, stopping and turning to his friends, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he settled on the floor. "I don't want to hear anyone's advice." Huang Baozhai had already warned them, but Li Jie couldn't resist teasing her a little. "I'm sure you're perfectly fine!"

"I never said I wasn't," Huang Baozhai retorted, her tone playfully defensive. Li Jie knew he had caught her red-handed, but he didn't want to pressure her too much. He then turned his attention to Huang Yiming.

"Yiming..." Li Jie's eyes sparkled with curiosity, enjoying the palace gossip and love affairs, especially when it involved his friends. "Don't try to evade the conversation. Do you have someone you like?"

Huang Yiming hesitated, attempting to escape the topic. "What about you, Your Highness? You keep insisting that you don't like anyone."

"I really don't!" Li Jie flopped onto the ground, stretching out his limbs. "Has anyone ever confessed their love to you?"

"Plenty," Baozhai smirked, while Yiming simply replied, "No one."

Baozhai gave her brother's dark and handsome profile a knowing look. "Really? Not even one person? Have you never noticed someone looking at you that way? Sometimes people can be oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart."

"No," Huang Yiming answered curtly. "I would know if someone were looking at me like that."

Huang Baozhai arched an eyebrow and smirked mischievously at Li Jie. "And what about you, my sweet highness the crown prince? Any romantic entanglements?"

Li Jie maintained a casual demeanor, masking the slight hint of understanding in his eyes. "I believe I would notice if someone had feelings for me too," he replied, trying not to delve too deeply into his own suspicions.

Huang Yiming, briefly lifting his gaze from the floor, locked eyes with Li Jie. "Do you suspect anyone of having feelings for you?"

Li Jie shrugged, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Nah, I don't think so!"

Huang Yiming sighed and let his head fall onto the table in front of them, betraying a hidden vulnerability. Sensing his friend's turmoil, Li Jie chose to feign ignorance and preserve their friendship, refraining from prying further into Huang Yiming's words.

Curiosity brimming in his innocent smile, Li Jie turned his body upside down to face Huang Yiming. "What's wrong, Yiming-ge?"

Huang Yiming finally admitted, "I lied. I do have feelings for someone."

Huang Baozhai's excitement couldn't be contained. "Oh, spill it, spill it! Who's the lucky person? Tell me now or face my wrath!"

Huang Yiming, tempted to tease his sister with a random answer, quickly changed his mind, not wanting to miss out on an opportunity.

Amidst Huang Yiming's stoic façade, Huang Baozhai couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. However, Huang Yiming remained distant and guarded, leaving her unsure of her instincts.

To divert the conversation from the potentially sensitive topic, Huang Baozhai grinned at Li Jie. "I remember you seeking my advice earlier. If you have something on your mind, just let it out."

Li Jie, pretending to ponder, gazed out the window. "Your problem... I seem to have forgotten..."

Huang Baozhai sprawled on the ground, mimicking Li Jie's actions. "Are you telling me that my favorite person in the world doesn't remember my problem?"

Huang Yiming shook his head, silently mocking their childish behavior. Despite his own vulnerability when alone with Li Jie, he chose not to acknowledge it.

Li Jie joined them on the ground, feigning ignorance and embracing their lightheartedness. They continued their conversation, oblivious to the unspoken tension.

"I think you're just afraid of the things you should fear the most," Li Jie said, gesturing towards the ceiling, his gaze following his hands absentmindedly.

"If it's about heirs..." Li Jie empathized, understanding the weight of expectations. "You can always adopt with your partner."

"And if you truly have an inclination towards men, embrace it. It could be a passing interest, but I highly doubt it."

"If something is meant to happen, let it unfold naturally. If you find yourself falling for someone, allow it and make an effort to win them over."

"Besides, love knows no gender. If anyone dares to say otherwise, come and vent to me."

Li Jie grinned at Huang Yiming and Huang Baozhai. "Remember, you both have the crown prince on your side!"