21

Yang Chen once again disguised himself and, accompanied by Zhou Di, disembarked from the train in Shengjing. Except for the piece of top-grade jadeite, all the other stones were paid for and sent back to Yang Chen's home by Chen Yufeng. Consequently, Zhou Di accompanied Yang Chen to stay in a small hotel, feeling at ease. This time, Yang Chen once again showed his skills, taking Zhou Di around shengjing to dine, drink and enjoy themselves. He was already familiar with Shengjing so they frequented restaurants near the presidential palace, those near the Wasoku embassy and the various taverns near government offices, especially those around the military department. Zhou Di asked:

"Do you understand the language of Wasoku?"

Yang Chen replied:

"A little. I just can grasp some of what they talk about. But it's not a concern because my staff here can understand it. He will inform me of anything important."

Zhou Di lowered his head, either speaking to himself or feeling ashamed, and said softly:

"Chen Ge, you're so outstanding, knowledgeable not only in the military matters but also in other affairs. How lucky I am to be your lover as I am so mediocre and ordinary."

Yang Chen caressed his head and kissed him on the face, saying:

"I've told you that I love you as a person, regardless of whether you're outstanding or mediocre. Besides, you're not mediocre at all because you're also very outstanding in your own field. You won your the superb jadeite and I anticipate your priceless treasure. Don't feel too inferior, my baby."

Zhou Di suddenly hugged Yang Chen, sitting on his lap and kissing him, saying:

"I love you so much."

Yang Chen hugged him back, smiling at him and returning the kiss, saying:

"I've always been confident that I'll make you love me."

Three days after their arrival in Shengjing, it was announced that the adjutant of the Young Marshal's was coming to Shengjing to prepare for the upcoming auction, where the Young Marshal, Yang Chen, would choose a birthday gift for his mother. 

Zhou Di asked, puzzled:

"Aren't you already here?"

Yang Chen replied:

"You're so straightforward! I just want to privately take a look around and gather more information. It wouldn't be so carefree for me if I were to appear officially. Everyone will be focusing on me. If you want more exposure, I'll take you everywhere with me. If you prefer not to, I'll assign someone else to accompany you so you can go around freely. You just follow me to the auction."

Zhou Di quickly shook his head and murmured:

"No, I don't want to be seen with you in public. If I follow you, it might not be good for you or cause more trouble to you. No, I don't want."

"It doesn't matter. It's just that people might gossip and speculate about our relationship." Seeing Zhou Di shaking his head continuously, Yang Chen hugged him tightly and continued, "I understand you have your own concerns and I have mine too. But don't worry, I promise that I'll find a way for you stand by my side openly and honorably. I'll never allow any unfair treatment to you. Okay, I will assign someone to accompany you so you can go everywhere freely if you don't want to be with me in public this time."

Zhou Di whispered:

"No, not unfair, but can't we....."

Yang Chen smiled and said:

"My little devil, of course, I don't want to leave you alone. I've rented a whole floor in the hotel, and my room is a presidential suite. We can do anything we want."

Zhou Di was quietly brought into the hotel by Yang Zaihua. His room was next to Yang Chen's room in the presidential suite, with a connecting door to Yang Chen's room. This room had previously been Yang Zaihua's, facilitating his service to Yang Chen. Now, at Zhou Di's request, Yang Zaihua moved into another bedroom in the presidential suite. Soon Yang Zaihua understood Zhou Di's implication: it was different for a married adjutant to stay in the presidential suite compared to an unmarried man.

Zhou Di had never anticipated that Yang Chen's arrival would attract such attention in public. Apart from the media presence, there was a welcoming party hosted by President Jin at the hotel. Although Zhou Di didn't attend this party, he heard that numerous senior politicians and dignitaries in Shengjing were in attendance. This included the second son of Chen Yutian's, Chen Shubing, as well as several other notable figures related to the Yang family.

With the help of Yang Zaihua, Zhou Di sneaked into the party and took a glimpse of the festivities. While holding a glass of the wine, everyone was chatting amiably, but to Zhou Di, aside from compliments, it all seems like empty talk and boredom. He drifted off to sleep in a daze, not knowing how long he had slept until he was awakened by kisses and caresses. He responded and complied, sinking into the familiar scent.

For the next two days, Yang Chen and Zhou Di spent most of their time at the auction house. Yang Chen meticulously examined all the items up for auction, occasionally asking Zhou Di about their cultural and historical value of the items and having him note down the prices he was interested in bidding. Zhou Di said anxiously:

"I am not skilled at appraising values, especially for items other than antiques. I'm worried my estimations might affect your bidding decisions, especially for the mechanical items."

Yang Chen reassured him:

"Don't worry about it. Just follow my instructions."

"But don't blame me if you end up losing money."

Yang Chen teased playfully:

"Of course I'll blame you. If I lose, you'll have to compensate me with your body. Hurry up and write down the price. If you don't write down, I will fuck you to death. Write down quickly."

"What? Why am I losing out on both ends?"

Yang Chen continued to tease:

"Losing out on what? Don't you like it?"

While Zhou Di rolled his eyes helplessly, Yang Chen chuckled and looked at him. Since everyone knew that Yang Chen was selecting a birthday gift for his mother, each time he raised his paddle, the price of the item would quickly skyrocket. However, unexpectedly, he didn't bid on any item except for one, a man's wristwatch.

Yang Chen said casually:

"Here it is. It's my gift for your marriage."

After his word, with no expression, he handed the wristwatch to Zhou Di, but he felt a pang of hurt in his heart. Zhou Di exclaimed:

"You... You are..."

No, Zhou Di didn't know what to say anymore. This was truly unexpected to him. Suddenly he seemed to understand something and asked:

"Do you want me to break off my engagement or do you want to leave me?"

Yang Chen chuckled bitterly and said:

"Zhou Di, what kind of person do you think I am? What do you want me to say about your marriage? No, besides offering my blessings and giving you a wedding gift, there is nothing else I can do. This trip we're on, I've never felt such happiness before. We do what we want to do without restraint but how do we handle things when we go back? I will be busy with my affairs in Qudu and you will get married. Yes, I can go to Yucheng to enjoy our time but I dare not to hope that you'll come to meet me every time. My wish is that you and I can be together openly but it is obviously impossible for us now. You're bound by your sense of moral filial piety and duty to your family, and I also have my own concerns too. No, Dizi, I love you. If our relationship is exposed, it is you who will be hurt more than I. I neither have the right to let you break off your engagement nor want you to leave me. We have to face this situation because this is the reality. I've shared my thoughts with you, my Dizi, and what you choose to do is up to you. But now that no matter what you choose, I'll understand but I just want to tell you that I'll always be here waiting for you."

After hearing this, Zhou Di rushed forward without hesitation, embracing Yang Chen tightly and burying his head in his chest, saying:

"Chen Ge, I will never leave you. You're right. We can't be together openly. Thinking about what I said in front of your family, I thought I was speaking righteously, but in the real world, how many homosexuals in the real world can be exposed to the public? I don't think so. It is impossible for them and neither can we. Chen Ge, to tell you the truth, I'm so scared to lose you."

Yang Chen cupped his face and lightly kissed his lips, saying:

"No, you will never lose me. I've always said that I'm here to wait for you forever, just like you said: as long as we are together in our hearts. That's enough. Besides, we've shared such wonderful times together. These memories will be the best for me when you're not by my side."

"Wait a moment." Zhou Di left Yang Chen's embrace to get his sketchbook. Flipping to a few pages in the middle, his face turned red as he said:

"These are a few concepts I came up with for the carving of that exquisite jadeite. It's called pornographic porcelain. Normally it is made from the porcelain but I want to carve that jade into a pornographic for us so can you help me choose one?"

Yang Chen smiled as he looked at Zhou Di and said:

"I never expected that you would have such a thoughtful idea. I like it. Let me choose one."

Zhou Di nodded, and Yang Chen looked at Zhou Di's sketchbook page by page, then turned to a blank page and quickly drew one picture. Zhou Di looked at it and saw that it was identical to one of the previous sketches, but the faces were similar to theirs. Zhou Di asked:

"How to do if someone finds out?"

"Who will find out? After you finish your carving, I will make a beautiful box for it, which we can keep it inside so only you and I will be able to see it."

"I will definitely carve it with all my soul and spirit. I told you I will give you a priceless treasure."

Zhou Di kissed Yang Chen after his words.