Although these combat uniforms were originally designed with ergonomic precision for ease of movement, at this moment, they’d taken on a rather… ambiguous secondary function.
Black really did complement his skin tone. Even the small patch of delicate skin peeking from the tightly fastened collar of the uniform looked even more pale and striking by contrast.
Chi Zhan’s wrists were cuffed together behind him with military-grade restraints, his shoulder blades pressed against the thick trunk of a tree. Whatever method the other man had used to adjust the cuffs, it worked—he couldn’t move an inch. All he could do was endure the blatant, unfiltered gaze sweeping over him.
He didn’t seem to be in any real hurry to find the ID tag. That much, Chi Zhan had already concluded.
He could’ve gone straight for it. Instead, Xiao Xing had taken a step back and simply stood there, eyeing him with a look impossible to read—clearly lost in thought.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
Chi Zhan finally asked, breaking the silence as more and more people touched down nearby. Time was slipping away.
Xiao Xing, who had been thoroughly enjoying the view of his gege’s figure, let a smirk tug at his lips.
“But you still haven’t told me—where’s the ID tag? Do you really want me to search for it myself?”
That look—innocent enough to make someone want to beat him senseless.
Chi Zhan fell silent for a beat, choosing to sidestep the question entirely. He said coolly, “How long have you been following me?”
Ever since he left the beach, Chi Zhan had sensed someone tailing him. He’d tried to test the waters several times, but nothing turned up. He’d even considered letting the stalker reveal themselves first—only to end up as prey instead.
Sure enough, Xiao Xing said, “Since you landed, I’ve been nearby the whole time. But that place was too dangerous. This seemed like a safer spot.”
“……”
So the safe zone he had so carefully scouted out… ended up being chosen by Xiao Xing too?
After a moment, Xiao Xing asked again, “Are you mad?”
“If you’re not as skilled as someone else, there’s nothing to be mad about.” Chi Zhan replied calmly, shooting him another glance. “Since you’re not planning to take my stuff, unlock the cuffs.”
“Oh, I’m definitely taking them.” Xiao Xing chuckled, taking a few steps closer, boots crunching over twigs as he lowered his head. “Mm… so where is it, then?”
He was standing too close now… close enough that Chi Zhan felt distinctly uncomfortable.
It wasn’t just that the normal boundary of personal space had been broken—it was the fact that he could feel the other man’s breath. And that… he did not handle well.
Still, he didn’t let it show.
Xiao Xing’s nimble fingers undid a single button, as if peeling open the perfectly wrapped lid of a cake box, about to uncover something warm and sweet inside.
Of course, that was just his own twisted fantasy.
The only thing Xiao Xing could smell was the scent of leaves and damp earth. His gege was a Beta—naturally, he wouldn’t have—
…Huh?
As Xiao Xing popped open the button, Chi Zhan was quietly working on unlocking the handcuffs behind his back. These military-issue cuffs, while smart, weren’t entirely unhackable. A hidden switch housed a microchip, and if removed, it would disable the auto-lock mechanism.
And when that moment came, he was going to beat the crap out of Xiao Xing. Just so he could learn firsthand who the real “less skilled” person was.
So focused was he on disabling the cuffs that he didn’t even notice Xiao Xing leaning in right beside his neck. Their faces were just inches apart, the tip of Xiao Xing’s nose grazing so close it felt like a wolf sniffing out his prey. The smile on Xiao Xing’s face gradually faded.
Warm breath brushed against his skin, snapping Chi Zhan back to full awareness. He realized the other man was way too close, and frowned, trying to edge away.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” Xiao Xing answered, pulling back just a bit. His boots crunched on some dry leaves as he looked Chi Zhan over, voice dropping, “Your breathing’s a little fast.”
“You’re too close.”
“Does it happen no matter who gets close to you?” Xiao Xing murmured. “So obedient… like someone just waiting to be taken apart.”
“You’re the one who ambushed me,” Chi Zhan retorted, brows furrowing.
He really was struggling to stay calm. Partly because he was still trying to unlock the cuffs right under Xiao Xing’s nose—and partly because…
Chi Zhan felt himself growing warm again.
To avoid giving anything away, he scrambled to distract the guy. He started a conversation.
“You don’t seem like someone from the Mecha Academy.”
“Oh?” Xiao Xing blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift to small talk. But he followed along easily, his tone clearly amused. “What makes you say that?”
“Mecha students aren’t trained in hand-to-hand combat.”
“Well… yeah, true. But I picked it up as a kid. I’ve got the basics down. Not bad, right?”
Was… was he fishing for praise?
Chi Zhan finally located the locking mechanism—but it was just out of reach. Lips tightening, he stretched, straining just far enough to brush it—
Click.
He pressed the release without hesitation. A soft snick barely audible in the forest air—and his wrists came free.
But before he could even move, a pair of hands shot out from nowhere and clamped around his wrists like iron tongs. Click—the cuffs snapped shut again.
“…!!”
Then he noticed… his other wrist wasn’t cuffed.
He raised his hand and saw the other end of the handcuff now locked around Xiao Xing’s wrist.
“All that talking just now—wasn’t to get to know me, huh? Just wanted to pick the lock,” Xiao Xing said softly, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
…Why the hell did he sound disappointed? Wasn’t that completely normal?
“This way, you won’t be able to run.” Xiao Xing pressed a few buttons. “I’ve locked the handcuff controls. Without the key, no one’s getting these off.”
Chi Zhan felt a headache pounding at his temples.
Just what the hell was Xiao Xing trying to pull now?
“…Where’s the key?”
Xiao Xing spread his hands innocently.
“Feel free to search me.”
