Today, his luck was unusually good. Since it was already the second day, nearly half the participants were holding extra nameplates, and Chi Zhan managed to collect enough to pass the threshold with barely any effort.
Students who had passed were ferried back to the waiting hall by shuttle.
By the time Chi Zhan arrived, the hall was already buzzing with people, all immersed in discussions about the exercise.
He chose a quiet corner and had just sat down when someone rushed over. “Chi-Chi! You’re finally here! I can’t believe I beat you this time!”
Thinking back on the past two days, Chi Zhan could only describe it as a blessing in disguise. But of course, none of that could be shared with Tao Ran.
“So many people have passed already?” Chi Zhan looked around. “It’s lively.”
“Mm! Everyone’s talking about who might’ve actually beaten the Crown Prince and snagged that exclusive nameplate,” Tao Ran said, eyes gleaming. “Chi-Chi, did you run into the Crown Prince? If it was you, I bet you could’ve beaten him!”
Chi Zhan hesitated slightly.
“No. His Highness is incredibly strong—not someone you can defeat easily.”
What now…
The Crown Prince’s nameplate was still in his pocket.
But clearly, the best time to return it had already passed.
***
Three hours later, in the projection hall.
“This round of assessment has officially concluded. Lists of those who passed and those who didn’t have been sent to your personal terminals. We hope your performance will inspire further all-around development…”
The speech dragged on, dull and lifeless. Hardly anyone was paying attention—everyone’s focus was locked onto the final highlight of the day:
Did anyone actually manage to get the Crown Prince’s nameplate?
“I saw him! I ran in and got flattened instantly—he’s unbelievably strong. I really don’t think anyone at our academy could beat him.”
“It had to be an Alpha, right? Betas just aren’t strong enough.”
“Why not an Omega? The rules never said it had to be by force. Maybe His Highness liked someone and just gave it away.”
“Then maybe he gave it to Moy—he is the Crown Prince’s personally nominated secretary candidate.”
“Chi-Chi?” Tao Ran tilted his head. “You’re zoning out. Did something happen during the exercise?”
Chi Zhan snapped back to himself, glancing at the screen. “No.” After a pause, he looked around the room.
If he could find His Highness now, maybe there was still a chance to return it…
“The last item of today’s event—something we’re all curious about. Was the Crown Prince’s exclusive nameplate taken? Let’s invite His Highness to answer.”
Zhou Yanxing took the stage and said concisely, “Yes. My nameplate was taken.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Chi Zhan had been halfway out of his seat but now had to quickly sit back down to avoid drawing attention.
“Someone actually beat the Crown Prince? Who was it? I need to worship them immediately!”
“Could’ve been someone from the Mecha Division—they’ve got the biggest advantage.”
“Or maybe it was an Omega. The Crown Prince fell for them at first sight and gave it to them like a token of affection.”
“Hah! You’ve read way too many trashy romance novels. This whole exercise is about finding an all-around elite. A pretty face means nothing.”
“Hey, are you trying to diss Moy? Sounds like someone’s just salty they didn’t get picked. Pathetic.”
Chi Zhan interlaced his fingers, trying to steady his nerves. What now? It was clearly too late to return it. He didn’t want to get the nameplate this way…
“Is this seat taken?” came a familiar voice.
Chi Zhan looked up and met Cen Chi’s smiling eyes. He gave a small nod. “Mm.”
“Will the student who received the exclusive nameplate please come on stage to receive a direct-entry certificate from His Highness himself, granting priority in the secretary selection process.”
Everyone was watching.
Strangely, though—if someone had really earned such a rare honor, they should’ve been shouting it from the rooftops. Yet despite all the asking around, no one had any clue who it was.
“His Highness seems to be looking in our direction… Could the person be somewhere over here?”
There were so many people seated below—surely he couldn’t be seen, right?
Back then, the Crown Prince had been unconscious. He probably didn’t even know it was Chi Zhan who took the nameplate. He might assume it was someone else entirely.
Even so, unease crept through his chest like fog.
The pocket where the nameplate was hidden now felt unbearably heavy.
“You okay? You look a little tense.” Cen Chi leaned slightly toward him, voice soft, eyes warm. “Are you feeling unwell?”
There was nothing threatening in his gaze, yet Chi Zhan couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew something.
But how could he? He was probably just overthinking it.
“I’m fine,” Chi Zhan said. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, “Do you have time later? About what happened yesterday…”
Cen Chi’s lips curled into a smile. “Of course. Your pheromone sample report just came in too—we can pick it up together.” As he spoke, he handed over a bottle of electrolyte water. “This helps when you’re low on pheromones.”
Chi Zhan thanked him and accepted the bottle.
“Will the student who received the exclusive nameplate please come on stage immediately.”
Still, no one moved.
The moderator frowned.
“Is the student not present? That’s strange… Your Highness, do you recall what the student looked like?”
But the Crown Prince showed no sign of frustration at the delay. On the contrary, he seemed to be recalling something amusing. His voice, calm and indulgent, carried across the hall.
“Perhaps they’re too shy to come up. That’s fine.”
Then, in a deep, steady voice, he added, “This student clearly understands the importance of discretion—an essential quality for my secretary. I may not know what you look like, but I’ll be waiting for you in the lounge.”
