Cen Chi was the Emperor’s illegitimate son.
By the time tonight’s palace banquet ended, that fact would spread like wildfire—even the students at the military academy would soon know. Chi Zhan had only learned a few hours earlier than the rest.
But that wasn’t why he was angry.
It wasn’t that Cen Chi had hidden his identity, or even that he’d publicly outed their “relationship.”
No—it was that Chi Zhan had realized he’d been used.
For a purpose that had now become uncomfortably clear.
Thinking back, Cen Chi’s attitude had shifted the moment he found out Chi Zhan had private contact with the Crown Prince. From that point on, he’d begun to insinuate himself into Chi Zhan’s life in increasingly intrusive ways—eventually maneuvering himself into the role of “boyfriend.”
But now, knowing who Cen Chi really was, it all made sense.
The real goal behind his threats wasn’t to be with Chi Zhan.
It was to exploit their fabricated relationship to sow discord and mistrust between Chi Zhan and the Crown Prince.
Royal power struggles were vicious. Historically, people had killed and been killed over the position of Crown Prince—it was nothing new.
But Chi Zhan hated being lied to.
And this wasn’t the first time he’d been deceived.
“You used me to get at him. That’s why you suddenly started being nice—to me and Tao Ran.”
Tao Ran had been right: Cen Chi was a distant person. In that way, he and Chi Zhan were similar—both hid behind a smile. But there was a crucial difference.
Chi Zhan was kind to others from the heart. He helped people because he wanted to, without any agenda.
Cen Chi, on the other hand, only showed kindness when it served a purpose.
Chi Zhan didn’t have to say who “he” was. Cen Chi knew.
He studied Chi Zhan for a moment, and that ever-present polite smile finally faded.
“I won’t deny it. But I never meant to hurt you.”
“How thoughtful,” Chi Zhan said icily. “Besides an empty apology, do you have anything meaningful to offer?”
“Have you ended things with him?” Cen Chi asked abruptly, as if the subject had changed entirely. “A man like that isn’t worth your time. If you’ve lost something, I’ll make it up to you.”
“Make it up?” Chi Zhan’s voice tightened with fury and disappointment. Cen Chi didn’t sound even slightly guilty—instead, he was slandering the Crown Prince. “I thought you were just a creep. Turns out you’re a manipulative bastard, too. Since you’ve broken our agreement, I’m asking you to move out. That’ll be your way of making amends. Is. That. Clear?”
He couldn’t even name what he was feeling anymore.
When Cen Chi had first helped him, had offered to collect pheromone samples for him, Chi Zhan had truly believed he was a decent person.
Clearly, his judgment wasn’t always right.
Cen Chi was stunned. He hadn’t expected Chi Zhan to outright tell him to leave. After a long pause, he said quietly, “What do you even like about him? If it’s the title of Crown Prince… that will be mine eventually.”
“That’s none of your business,” Chi Zhan snapped.
He wasn’t even sure they were talking about the same thing anymore. But just seeing Cen Chi’s face now infuriated him. He barely restrained the urge to punch him square in the jaw.
“You’d better move out tomorrow.”
He turned to leave—but Cen Chi suddenly grabbed his wrist.
“I’m not moving out. Want to guess what would happen if he found out I kissed you?”
Chi Zhan froze mid-step.
“Are you afraid he’ll get angry? Alphas are naturally possessive. If he found out, he might lock you up. That’s not an exaggeration, Chi Zhan. I know Alphas better than you do.”
Chi Zhan clenched his fist.
“You done talking?”
“Don’t make me move out.”
“You’re not moving?” Chi Zhan’s voice was chilling. “Fine.”
He turned back and punched him.
Hard.
***
Tao Ran was pacing, worry etched across his face. What the hell are those two talking about? Chi-Chi looks furious—something must’ve happened… Just as the thought hit him, he heard a loud crash from outside.
He rushed to open the door—and froze.
Chi Zhan was fighting Cen Chi.
More accurately, Chi Zhan was beating the crap out of him.
Tao Ran cried out, “Stop! Chi-Chi! You’ll get a disciplinary record for fighting! You can’t risk that—what about becoming the Crown Prince’s secretary?!”
Chi Zhan had already landed several blows. Cen Chi wasn’t even fighting back, which only fueled his anger. He yanked Cen Chi up by the collar.
“Weren’t you real bold earlier, huh?” he growled. “Why so quiet now?”
The ruckus drew the attention of other students.
“What’s going on?” someone asked.
Cen Chi was half-lying on the ground, Chi Zhan straddling him, pinning him down.
But despite everything, Chi Zhan couldn’t bring himself to hit his face. He forced his voice into something calm enough to pass:
“We’re just messing around. It’s nothing.”
“Really?” someone asked, eyeing Cen Chi’s pale face.
Cen Chi managed a weak smile.
“Boyfriend’s just a little upset.”
“Ohhh…” The onlookers all nodded knowingly and dispersed.
Once the crowd had gone, Cen Chi gave a cough, pain twisting his expression. His voice was faint.
“Ouch… Are you done now?”
***
The dorm fell into dead silence—you could hear a pin drop.
Tao Ran looked left, then right, his eyes silently pleading with Chi Zhan: What now?
Chi Zhan took a deep breath.
“Cen Chi. Move out.”
But Cen Chi kept his head down, lashes casting shadows over his stormy gray eyes.
“That part… was my fault,” he murmured. “If you’re still angry, I apologize. Next time…” He looked up at Chi Zhan. “I’ll tell you in advance.”
Chi Zhan snapped, “If apologies worked—”
“You can tell me to do anything, just don’t make me leave. Please?”
To be fair, Cen Chi—with his refined and noble appearance—was undeniably popular at the academy. While his features weren’t as sharply handsome as the Crown Prince’s, who made hearts race on sight, Cen Chi had an elegant, ink-brush grace to him, like a gentleman from ancient times. A different kind of appeal, but no less admired.
