S watched Chi Zhan with a thoughtful gaze.
“You haven’t asked all your questions yet. They’re included in the consultation fee.”
Originally, Chi Zhan had wanted S’s help investigating a Federation citizen named Jiang Yi. But since it was a sensitive matter that couldn’t risk exposure, he’d gone through Tao Ran’s referral instead. Yet after this series of exchanges, the sense of familiarity only grew stronger. His intuition was usually spot-on—he had definitely met S before. He just couldn’t place him yet.
So now he hesitated to speak further.
Nor could he be sure whether S had recognized him. Chi Zhan hadn’t disguised himself or altered his voice. While S maintained a cold, impersonal demeanor, would a complete stranger really foot a nine-million credit debt on his behalf? He didn’t seem like the reckless rich type, either.
Especially since the debt had nothing to do with S to begin with. No ordinary person would have taken responsibility so easily. Chi Zhan trusted Tao Ran, but S was far harder to read. He opened his light-brain, preparing to message Tao Ran and ask if he knew S’s real identity—only for a hand to land gently on his wristwatch.
The motion carried a subtle assertiveness, perhaps even a hint of offense, but S remained perfectly courteous, never touching his skin directly. Instead, he raised one finger and began to tap lightly on the watch’s surface in a seemingly random rhythm.
Chi Zhan had no idea what he was doing. S sat just across from him, with only the small table between them. When he leaned forward slightly, the distance between them shrank—close enough for Chi Zhan to notice how long his lashes were, how thin his eyelids, and how his gaze was deep and still like aged ink—impossible to read.
S glanced at him again but said nothing, tapping once more on his watch.
That look… was a cue: pay attention.
The tapping had seemed random at first. But no—quite the opposite.
It was a cipher. A very old one—the Butterfly Code. It used rhythmic tapping to mimic the flutter of butterfly wings, each signal corresponding to a specific frequency and meaning.
Hardly anyone used it anymore. It was too obscure, too cumbersome, and required a level of cryptographic knowledge most lacked. But Chi Zhan had always had a fascination with codes and had studied them in the library often, so he deciphered the pattern quickly.
Surveillance.
S tapped it three times before pulling his hand back and taking a sip of his drink, as if giving Chi Zhan time to think.
“If there are other matters you’d like to commission, tell me now.”
Chi Zhan’s expression didn’t shift, but inside, waves were crashing.
Who exactly was S?
He clearly knew the Butterfly Code well—and that wasn’t even the most shocking part.
Chi Zhan had only learned it through dusty old tomes in the library, on a personal whim. Even Tao Ran, his closest friend, didn’t know about this hobby. But S’s actions showed complete confidence that Chi Zhan would understand the code.
He must have accessed his library borrowing records. That was the only explanation.
Being seen through—without even realizing it—was the most unsettling thing of all.
The Imperial Military Academy’s network was maintained exclusively by the royal family’s tech unit. It was a fortress. Nearly unhackable. Yet S, per Tao Ran’s introduction, was clearly not just “some guy.” It was entirely possible that breaching the system had been child’s play for him.
Chi Zhan didn’t know if S had slipped up, or if this was a deliberate show of power—his way of saying: I already know everything about you.
But now, Chi Zhan had made up his mind.
He had to see S’s face behind that mask.
Otherwise, this man would remain a volatile, uncontrollable threat—a ticking time bomb.
S: gender unknown. Strength: unknown. But from the way he had stopped that Alpha cold earlier, Chi Zhan knew he wouldn’t be easy to deal with.
There was only a gauzy curtain between them and the bar. If a fight broke out here, they might both be thrown out.
Chi Zhan signaled to the server.
“A tequila.”
“That’s a strong drink.”
“I hold my liquor well.” Chi Zhan smiled slightly. “Want to have a drinking contest?”
“Getting drunk in a place like this is dangerous,” S replied, the implication clear—I wouldn’t recommend it.
He really was far too concerned. Was he this considerate with everyone? Maybe he was just a genuinely kind person whose only wish was world peace—but somehow, that didn’t fit S at all.
The drink arrived quickly.
Chi Zhan normally didn’t drink at all, let alone strong spirits like this. Just one sip and his throat burned. He couldn’t imagine how S had managed to drink half a glass without batting an eye.
He coughed, grabbed a napkin, and dabbed at his mouth. S didn’t stop him, but his gaze clearly held a trace of disapproval—and something else… Was that fondness?
…Must’ve been his imagination.
Chi Zhan chuckled.
“It’s not bad. Let’s get down to business.”
S replied coolly, “Go ahead.”
“I want you to find someone for me. This person’s identity is a little… unusual. Might not be traceable. Most people wouldn’t be able to find them. But you can, right? I mean, I already paid you. That was my last bit of living money, too.”
Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe just the exhaustion—Chi Zhan’s pale skin was quickly tinted with a flush, though he believed it wasn’t visible in the dark.
He was wrong. With Alpha night vision, S could see everything crystal clear.
Still, he didn’t comment on Chi Zhan’s tipsy, rambling phrasing. He simply watched him quietly and said, “I can.”
“Really?” Chi Zhan took another sip. The glass was already more than half empty. He coughed again. “The lemon slice’s a bit sour.”
“Too much and you’ll get dizzy,” S warned.
“I… I’m fine. Do you come here often?”
“Occasionally.”
“You rich?”
S didn’t seem to mind the question—or that the conversation had long since crossed into personal territory. He answered with calm patience, “More or less.”
“I’m really grateful to you…” Chi Zhan looked up, mumbling, “Why aren’t you drinking?”
S gestured to his empty glass as explanation.
