AN: Two more Chapters coming out in an hour for those who would like to wait. Happy reading loves.
Jian Ci hated people who played tricks the most, and though Alarna’s smile was polite, he couldn’t shake the suspicion that she had everything to do with gossip blogs. She gestured to the boy beside her. "This is Rowland, he is in the same building as me."
Rowland was strikingly cute, his smile dazzling enough to draw attention. Jian Ci, however, didn’t have the habit of ignoring people simply because of their associations. He gave a short nod. "Hi."
Yu Xi followed with a polite greeting.
Rowland’s eyes widened as they landed on Yu Xi. "You... you are Yu Xi!"
Yu Xi’s brow arched. "How do you know me?"
"You are all over the school forum," Rowland said eagerly. "Your entrance results were amazing."
Yu Xi gave a curt, "Thanks," while Jian Ci took the snacks from his hands and muttered, "Let’s go."
Alarna bit her lower lip, noticing Jian Ci’s coldness toward her. "You are going to the party, aren’t you?" she asked hopefully.
Jian Ci didn’t reply, his stride steady as he walked ahead. It was Rowland who filled the silence. "Let’s walk together."
Jian Ci didn’t want to, but he didn’t reject them either. He simply walked in silence, his mood darkening.
The trek to Building C would have been unbearably awkward if not for Rowland’s incessant chatter, his voice bouncing from one topic to another. Yu Xi glanced at Jian Ci, noting the sudden heaviness in his expression. Something had shifted—his easy warmth was gone, replaced by a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface.
He slowed his steps, his voice calm but firm. "You guys go ahead."
Alarna, perceptive enough to know when to retreat, nodded quickly. "Oh, okay. We will see you inside." She turned away, tugging a confused Rowland along with her.
Rowland glanced back, his smile still bright. "Yu Xi, see you inside."
Yu Xi blinked, taken aback by the casual familiarity. "Sure," he said, watching them disappear around the corner.
A sudden chill swept over him, like a cold breeze brushing past his skin. He turned toward Jian Ci, ready to ask what was wrong, but his words faltered when he saw Jian Ci’s gaze, dark and stormy.
Yu Xi frowned, confused. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing," Jian Ci replied too quickly.
Yu Xi’s eyes narrowed. "Since when did you start lying to me?"
Jian Ci reached out, ruffling Yu Xi’s hair, but his eyes slid away, avoiding the question.
Yu Xi pressed on, his voice softer now. "If you don’t tell me, how can I make you feel better?"
Jian Ci sighed, the weight of his frustration slipping through. "Remember those headlines?"
Yu Xi’s chest tightened. "Yeah, I remember." How could he forget the rumours that Jian Ci and Alarna were the new it couple. The gossip had been scrubbed off Starnet, but whispers still lingered, spreading like wildfire.
Jian Ci’s jaw clenched. "I am just upset about that. Seeing her makes me even more angry."
Yu Xi’s voice was quiet but firm as he looked at Jian Ci. "Then let’s go back. We don’t have to go to the party." His tone carried a subtle plea, the desire to spend the evening alone with Jian Ci rather than surrounded by strangers.
Unbeknownst to them, Alarna was hiding just behind the wall, her nails digging into her palm as she clenched her fist. She had been listening the entire time, and Yu Xi’s words made her blood boil. She had to find another way to get Jian Ci to that party.
Her plan had already backfired once. She had asked her father to release those headlines, hoping to corner Jian Ci into acknowledging her. She hoped the Imperial Lord would pressure him to marry just like what happened to the 5th prince.
All it took was a couple of rumors and they were bound for life. But who could have anticipated that her plan would fail and he would not only be angry at the headlines, but with her as well.
Alarna’s chest tightened. She would never admit her involvement, not openly. Instead, she would act pitiful, apologetic, and sincere, weaving her words carefully to soften his heart. From the moment she first laid eyes on Jian Ci, she had decided he would be her husband. That conviction burned inside her like fire.
And so, she resolved that she would do anything in her power to make it happen, no matter the obstacles in her way.
Alarna moved back a little, pressing herself against the wall as she bit her lower lip. Her fingers danced quickly across her communicator, sending a message to Elias Halrix.
Elias, the son of Lord Halrix, a high-ranking member of the celestial court, was the one who had organized this party. She had already asked him to make sure Jian Ci would attend, but now she had to push again, to ensure he would urge Jian Ci directly.
Her message was simple: Is Jian Ci there?
Elias replied within seconds: No.
Oh, she typed back, feigning casual retreat. She knew how to step back when necessary, how to manipulate the situation without appearing desperate.
Elias, perhaps feeling guilty, responded almost immediately: Let me ask him.
Alarna’s lips curved faintly. Okay, she replied, knowing she had set the wheels in motion.
Meanwhile, Yu Xi glanced at Jian Ci. "Don’t you want to go back?" he asked quietly.
Jian Ci opened his mouth to reply, but his communicator buzzed. He frowned, checking the caller ID. It was Elias. With a sigh, he answered.
Music thumped faintly in the background as Elias’s excited voice rang out. "Where are you? The party won’t start without you!"
Jian Ci hesitated, his gaze flicking to Yu Xi. For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Jian Ci said, "I am on my way."
"Okay, see you soon!" Elias replied, his voice brimming with satisfaction.
Jian Ci hung up the call, his expression unreadable. Yu Xi bit the inside of his cheek, frustration gnawing at him, though he kept his face calm. He knew he couldn’t control Jian Ci, he could never control the person he liked. All he could do was stand by his side, keep him company, and hope that was enough.
"We will stay twenty minutes, okay?" Jian Ci said at last, his voice clipped.
Yu Xi nodded. "Okay."
Alarna, who had been lingering nearby, heard enough to know her plan had worked. She walked away silently, her presence fading into the background.