After ending his call with the Research Institute, Yun Xingze happened to receive another from Luo Wenchuan.
When he answered, he saw Luo Wenchuan appear on screen in what appeared to be a room that blended understated elegance with luxury.
“How are things going on your end, Senior Wenchuan?” Yun Xingze asked.
“Quite smoothly,” Luo Wenchuan nodded slightly before curling his lips into a smile. “And you?”
“I’m done here too,” Yun Xingze smiled back. “I can return tomorrow.”
Luo Wenchuan paused thoughtfully before saying, “I’ll need a bit more time tomorrow probably until evening. Shall we go back together tomorrow night?”
Yun Xingze nodded, his tone light with pleasure. “Sure.”
“And tomorrow…” Luo Wenchuan suddenly hesitated, his expression turning slightly awkward. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
Yun Xingze froze for a moment.
His heart began racing as if he could guess what the other meant, yet didn’t dare assume.
After a pause, Yun Xingze swallowed and said, “I have something to tell you too.”
Luo Wenchuan’s gaze lingered on Yun Xingze’s face.
Though separated by the screen, in that moment, it felt as if they stood face to face, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.
After a brief silence, Luo Wenchuan suddenly chuckled softly.
Yun Xingze scratched his head. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m laughing at myself,” Luo Wenchuan replied with a hint of self-deprecation. “I’m already looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Guess I won’t be sleeping tonight.”
Yun Xingze felt his heartbeat quicken like a restless rabbit, his temperature rising slightly.
In his life, the few times he’d ever felt this flustered had all been in front of Luo Wenchuan.
Meeting Luo Wenchuan’s expectant gaze, Yun Xingze’s chest swelled with joy.
Though neither had voiced it aloud, their mutual feelings were unmistakable.
“Me too,” Yun Xingze said with a faint smile, his fair, handsome features glowing under the light, leaving Luo Wenchuan momentarily dazed.
After a long pause, Luo Wenchuan snapped out of it and cleared his throat softly. “Get some rest early tonight.”
“Okay,” Yun Xingze replied, anticipation coloring his tone. “See you tomorrow.”
Once the call ended, Yun Xingze went to freshen up briefly.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Yun Changsheng’s voice came through: “Xingxing, open up. Your dad has something to tell you.”
When Yun Xingze opened the door, he asked coolly, “What is it?”
“I have good news for you,” Yun Changsheng said with an ingratiating smile. “Tomorrow night, I’ll take you to the company and reward you with the latest Twin-Star mech. It’s worth eight million!”
Yun Xingze raised a brow. “Oh? You’re not angry that I turned down the engagement?”
“Ah, why would I be mad at you? You’re my precious son!” Yun Changsheng reached out to ruffle Yun Xingze’s hair but was deftly avoided.
Retracting his hand awkwardly but without irritation, he chuckled dryly before continuing, “We’re family. Everything we do is for your good, but the final decision is always yours.”
Yun Xingze was surprised. Had this man actually come to his senses so quickly?
In fact, Yun Xingze had no idea that Yun Changsheng had recently sent out invitations to numerous business tycoons, inviting them to attend the engagement banquet for Yun Xingze and Chi Yu.
Although both Yun Changsheng and Qin Shuang were somewhat dissatisfied with Chi Yin’s actions, feeling that he had deceived the Yun family and disregarded their status, they chose to compromise for the sake of mutual interests.
“But by doing this, we’re also offending the Chi family,” Yun Changsheng sighed, putting on a troubled expression. “So, Xingxing, you still need to come with me tomorrow to apologize to them.”
Yun Xingze frowned. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’ll do it,” Yun Changsheng quickly reassured him. “You just need to accompany me to the hotel and have a meal with the Chi family.”
Yun Xingze looked at Yun Changsheng with suspicion. However, the final decision regarding the engagement was indeed in his hands. As long as he refused, neither family could force him.
So Yun Xingze ultimately agreed to Yun Changsheng’s request but sternly stated, “After tomorrow, I will have no further dealings with the Chi family. I won’t handle anything related to them again.”
Yun Changsheng felt a twinge of guilt, but he maintained a magnanimous facade. “Of course. You’re the pride of our Yun family,” he said.
Despite his words, Yun Changsheng was determined to marry his son off to Chi Yu all because of the news Chi Yin had brought about the development of a psionic amplifier.
After all, Yun Changsheng had once dreamed of piloting mechas but had to abandon it due to insufficient psionic abilities, settling for running a company instead. If the psionic amplifier were successfully developed, he could finally fulfill his dream.
Then, he could pilot an SSS-class mecha, leave the company to Qin Shuang, let Yun Xingze maintain the Yun-Chi family alliance, and have Yun Wu join the military after university to further expand the Yun family’s influence.
To Yun Changsheng, this plan was perfect. So perfect it felt like a dream.
So what if he had to deceive Yun Xingze a little? He believed he was acting for the greater good.
The next morning, the Yun family gathered for breakfast, a rare occurrence.
Yun Changsheng had a habit of watching the news during meals. On the massive virtual screen in the living room, the morning news was playing when a breaking story caught everyone’s attention.
[At 5:30 a.m. today, the Imperial Royal Family suddenly issued an announcement on the Star Network, stating that a press conference would be held at 5:00 p.m. to disclose important information. Sources indicate that this conference.]
“A press conference?” Yun Changsheng widened his eyes. “The royal family hasn’t made any announcements in ages. Could it be they’re revealing the heir’s identity?!”
Yun Wu nodded beside him. “It must be. There were already rumors about the Second Prince before. The timing seems right now.”
Qin Shuang, unusually quiet, seemed preoccupied.
“If it’s true, every Omega in the capital will probably go crazy,” Yun Changsheng mused. “After all, I heard the Second Prince just came of age not long ago, so he’s definitely unmarried. Who knows who’ll be lucky enough to marry him?”
He then turned to Qin Shuang. “Don’t you think so, dear?”
Qin Shuang snapped out of her thoughts and replied, “Yes, you’re right.”
Yun Xingze could tell that Qin Shuang wasn’t listening to Yun Changsheng at all—”You’re right” was probably just her catchphrase.
Perhaps noticing Yun Xingze’s gaze, Qin Shuang suddenly glanced at him but quickly looked away.
As for the royal family news, Yun Xingze wasn’t particularly interested.
Though in the imperial capital, the term “royal family” felt both unfamiliar and distant to him.
To Yun Xingze’s surprise, Luo Wenchuan seemed very concerned about this news and even sent him a message: “Remember to watch the live broadcast at 5 PM.”
Yun Xingze couldn’t help but ask, “Do you also want to know what the second prince looks like?”
After a while, Luo Wenchuan suddenly replied, “I’ve seen him before.”
Yun Xingze’s eyes widened in astonishment as he typed back, “You’ve actually seen him?!”
“Not only do I know what the second prince looks like,” Luo Wenchuan replied, “I also know what his future consort looks like.”
Yun Xingze was thoroughly confused.
Luo Wenchuan, how does he know everything?!
Could he be…
Yun Xingze swallowed hard and slowly typed out a message before sending it: [Are you… a guard who escaped from the palace?]
Yun Xingze thought to himself. Luo Wenchuan often went out on “missions,” earned substantial money, had impeccable manners, possessed extraordinary combat skills, and hailed from a barren planet.
Yes, he must be a palace guard.
Then, Yun Xingze asked Luo Wenchuan another question:
[Are you an imperial bodyguard?]
This time, Luo Wenchuan took a full ten minutes to reply, with just two words: “Guess.”
Yun Xingze immediately responded, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret!”
He thought to himself; so Luo Wenchuan is an imperial bodyguard. That must be a lucrative profession.
Maybe he should try applying for the position someday?
The identity of the second prince and the evening press conference sparked massive discussions across the star network, dominating all trending topics.
Everyone speculated whether the heir would be the first prince or the second prince.
The first prince, Luo Yi, had been doted on since childhood, raised in the imperial capital, highly educated, graduated from Noah Military Academy, already achieved notable accomplishments in the military, and had a 90% compatibility match as his consort.
Meanwhile, the second prince had been exiled to a barren planet since childhood, his identity and whereabouts unknown, possessing nothing but royal blood.
Thus, most people didn’t hold high hopes for this mysterious second prince.
In the afternoon, the royal family began preparations for the grand press conference.
The venue was set in the palace’s Golden Conference Hall.
Luo Wenchuan was selecting formal attire in the palace’s vast dressing room.
He disliked wearing such clothes but patiently took his time choosing, as he would be appearing before the cameras and Yun Xingze in his true identity.
Just then, the first prince, Luo Yi, suddenly appeared.
Luo Yi had always looked down on his younger brother, who grew up on a barren planet. Confident in his father’s favor, he saw no comparison between them.
