No matter what… he had to try.
Giving up without a fight simply wasn’t Chi Zhan’s style.
“Not coming out, huh?” Zhou Yi grew impatient with the silence. With a sneer, he strode forward and yanked the curtain open. “Too late. Time to die—”
Chi Zhan had been ready to charge, but suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped tightly around his waist. His eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, momentum carried him backward, toppling him directly onto someone’s chest.
A second later, he felt a firm hand press against his shoulder, flipping him around and pulling him into a seated position—face to face with the stranger. One of his hands landed instinctively on the other’s body for balance.
Someone’s here…?
Before Chi Zhan could get a clear look, a palm cupped the back of his head, pushing it down with firm, unyielding force until his cheek was resting squarely against a white military uniform-clad chest.
A cool, clean scent of mint enveloped him.
“What now, huh? You think you’ll get away with eavesdropping—” Zhou Yi’s voice, dripping with menace, abruptly cut off.
“My dear little brother, just who are you trying to catch?”
The Crown Prince—no one knew exactly when he’d arrived—sat leisurely with Chi Zhan perched on his lap. One arm held Chi Zhan firmly in place, the other braced casually under his chin. He cast Zhou Yi a languid glance, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Zhou Yi’s arrogance evaporated the instant he saw Zhou Yanxing.
“B-gege.” Zhou Yi’s once-cocky tone stuttered to a halt. He gave a forced cough to cover his panic. “So… you’re already here.”
“I believe that’s my line,” Zhou Yanxing replied evenly. “You show up without a word—was this supposed to be a surprise visit?”
“Haha, yeah, exactly.” Zhou Yi forced a dry laugh. “I heard this year’s students are pretty capable. I figured I’d come pick a secretary officer too.”
He glanced at Zhou Yanxing again. But aside from that infuriating smile, there was no emotion to be seen on his face.
Which only made him more terrifying.
“So,” Zhou Yanxing said breezily, “you’re planning to compete with me for talent?”
His gaze dropped to Zhou Yi’s legs, which were frozen in place, and his smile deepened.
“Don’t worry. I’m not angry—yet.”
“Right, right, my gege’s always so generous. You’d never get upset over a couple of words.” Zhou Yi laughed nervously and motioned for tea. The attendants, well-trained, quickly brought out two cups, setting them before each prince before silently retreating.
Zhou Yi wasn’t exactly afraid of Zhou Yanxing. It was just that his elder brother had always been touchy about personal space. Zhou Yi had crossed the line once or twice and learned his lesson—he didn’t dare get too close again.
But the truth was, Zhou Yi didn’t really know Zhou Yanxing. Their interactions were mostly limited to formal family dinners, so he had little insight into what kind of person his older brother really was.
He had deliberately timed his visit for when Zhou Yanxing wouldn’t be around—anything to avoid running into him. Who knew the guy would appear like a damn ghost, nearly scaring him to death?
Still… even if Zhou Yanxing had found out, so what?
Zhou Yi held a trump card.
Among the royal brothers, he was the one the old emperor favored most. The others were all disappointments. Zhou Yanxing was too domineering, never one for honeyed words—that alone kept the emperor lukewarm on him. At a critical time like this, one misstep could cost him the Crown Prince title.
Zhou Yi was banking on that. That’s why he dared to openly poach someone from his brother—there was something cathartic about it.
Feeling smug again, Zhou Yi finally took notice of the young man in Zhou Yanxing’s arms.
Dressed in a jet-black combat uniform, the youth had a lean, slender frame. He was straddling the Crown Prince’s lap, head lowered as if startled, resting lightly against Zhou Yanxing’s chest. His face was hidden, but his skin was pale.
That someone could get so close to Zhou Yanxing… was no small thing.
Drawing on years of experience, Zhou Yi noted the smooth curve of the young man’s nape—and the visible Pheromone Isolation Patch there.
“My, my, gege. You sure live a charmed life,” Zhou Yi said with a knowing grin. “The Omegas at the military academy are a lot more fun than those delicate ones outside.”
No wonder Zhou Yanxing wasn’t mad about losing the last one—he’d clearly set his sights on a new toy. He sure put on a good act, though. Every Omega Zhou Yi had sent his way had been thrown out without exception.
Zhou Yanxing regarded him coolly, offering no reply.
Emboldened, Zhou Yi pressed further.
“gege, if you’ve already decided to give him to me, isn’t it a bit inappropriate to still have him in your arms?”
The corners of Zhou Yanxing’s lips lifted, but his eyes remained cold.
“Second Brother, didn’t all those medical checkups include your eyesight? If you’ve gone blind, why not get it treated?”
Zhou Yi hadn’t expected to be insulted so bluntly in front of an outsider. His smile faltered. Color drained from his face as he struggled to maintain composure.
Still, he forced a chuckle.
“Ah, so he’s not Moy. My mistake. I thought… maybe you had your eye on a fresh face. He looks quite good—why not let me have a look too?”
Zhou Yanxing remained seated, calm and composed. At those words, he lifted a brow.
“Then why don’t you ask him if he’s willing to let you look?”
Chi Zhan was still a little dazed.
Why was the Crown Prince here? He was supposed to be in the projection hall… which meant he’d seen everything—Chi Zhan sneaking in, hiding like a criminal.
These two were chatting as if nothing had happened, discussing secrets no outsider should ever hear. Should he excuse himself and leave?
Just as he began to lift his head, the hand resting on his nape pressed down again, gently but firmly, pushing him back against that uniformed chest.
The message was clear: Stay still. Just play your part as scenery.
When he didn’t resist, the hand slowly slid down to his shoulder, giving a subtle pat—comforting, perhaps.
Zhou Yanxing had changed into the ceremonial uniform worn for royal events. Custom-made for the royal family, it was crafted from the finest fabric imported from the Ice Star, exuding a natural coolness to the touch, its texture exquisitely fine.
The tailoring was precise, hugging his frame perfectly—a far cry from the heavy bulk of standard military attire.
And Chi Zhan, at that moment, was pressed against the spot just above Zhou Yanxing’s heart.
