Chi Zhan finally blinked, reaching up to touch it.
Cold.
Where a tie should’ve been, Zhou Yanxing had instead fastened a brooch shaped like a feather entwined with a knight’s sword. In the center dangled a piece of smoky gray crystal. The cool chain and the sharp edges of the sword complemented each other in a strikingly elegant design.
They rode in silence.
As they neared their destination, Zhou Yanxing finally spoke in a lazy drawl.Â
“Chi Zhan, something’s off about you today.”
Zhou Yanxing rarely used Chi Zhan’s full name. The sudden formality made Chi Zhan straighten up instinctively.Â
“I might be…”
“Think it through before you answer.” Zhou Yanxing’s tone turned icy. “You’ve been distracted since this morning. You blew off our scheduled time, stood me up, and ignored my calls. I want to know what’s going on—and I expect a real answer.”
He glanced at Chi Zhan, curling his lips into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.Â
“If you think you can fool me, you’re welcome to try.”
Chi Zhan was momentarily speechless.
What could he even say?
Should he confess that he’d been racking his brain all day trying to come up with a fake “boyfriend” just to stop Zhou Yanxing from developing feelings for him?
***
They arrived a bit early. The pier was quiet, with only a few people boarding. The sea breeze was gentle.
Young Master Bai stood at the dock surrounded by five or six bodyguards in black suits, dressed like a shimmering little prince. When he spotted them, he immediately stepped forward with a bright smile.Â
“You’re here!”
Zhou Yanxing nodded politely.Â
“Happy birthday.”
Young Master Bai beamed. “Welcome to my birthday party! Thank you for the gift—I really liked it.”
“Don’t mention it. Secretary Chi picked it out.”
“……”
Young Master Bai had clearly hoped to chat with Zhou Yanxing alone but struggled to come up with a valid excuse, stealing glances at him instead. Ever since he accidentally spilled coffee on Zhou Yanxing, he’d noticeably toned things down—probably because he realized he’d tanked his favorability and didn’t dare act too boldly anymore.
“Um,” Young Master Bai fidgeted with his fingers, eyes darting everywhere. “Can I ask for a small favor? Would you take a photo with me?”
Chi Zhan tensed instantly, terrified Zhou Yanxing would drop a blunt, straight-man comment and make the birthday boy cry on the spot. That’d be the end of the party—maybe even their ticket onto the cruise.
To his surprise, Zhou Yanxing was unusually agreeable today.Â
“Sure.”
Young Master Bai lit up. He turned and called, “You, come take the picture.”
One of the sunglasses-wearing bodyguards swiftly set up a tripod and a professional camera at lightning speed—so fast even Chi Zhan didn’t have time to react.
Now that was professional. Fast, efficient, and no-nonsense.
Clearly, Chi Zhan still had a lot to learn.
Just as he was about to step back to give them space for the photo, Zhou Yanxing reached out and grabbed his arm. The grip wasn’t forceful, but it was expertly firm, effortlessly pulling Chi Zhan beside him. Then, with calm composure, he wrapped an arm around Chi Zhan’s waist and faced the camera.
“Take the shot.”
Originally, it was supposed to be just Zhou Yanxing and Young Master Bai standing side by side. But thanks to this sudden maneuver, their lineup turned into Zhou Yanxing—Chi Zhan—Young Master Bai, arranged by height in a neat descending triangle.
“……”
“……”
Even the bodyguard holding the shutter seemed stunned. Finger hovering over the button, he hesitated. The cool black shades on his face might as well have had the words: You’ve gotta be kidding me.
Young Master Bai’s smile nearly cracked.Â
“Is Secretary Chi… joining the photo too?”
Chi Zhan opened his mouth to answer, but Zhou Yanxing seemed to anticipate it. The fingers resting on Chi Zhan’s lower back tightened, a silent but unmistakable warning.
Chi Zhan dared not speak. Dared not move.
Zhou Yanxing, you tyrant.
“Since it’s a group photo,” Zhou Yanxing said smoothly, “having all three of us makes it livelier. You don’t mind, do you?”
It was a skillful move—one that left Young Master Bai no room to object. He could only force a smile and say to the bodyguard, “Take it.”
Click.
Young Master Bai’s face was frozen in numb politeness, Chi Zhan wore a barely-stifled smile, and Zhou Yanxing’s expression was cold and imperious. The moment was captured in a single dramatic frame.
If Chi Zhan had to name that photo in three words, it would be—A Hongmen banquet.**
A staff member approached. After checking their invitation, he said, “This way, please.”
Chi Zhan glanced at his watch.Â
“President Zhou, go ahead. I’m waiting on the others.”
He’d brought a few more employees along this time, and they hadn’t arrived yet. He planned to wait for them and also arrange the schedule for tomorrow.
This cruise ship was touted as the largest in the world, with seven full decks. The first level housed the bar, casino, and theater. Decks two through six were guest suites, and the top deck held the pool and entertainment zones. Just standing at the base, it was impossible to see the top.
Chi Zhan stepped onto the top deck. The winter sea breeze was even chillier up there. His suit was elegant, but not exactly warm. Time was ticking closer, and more and more guests were arriving.
“Why are you standing here alone?”Â
A familiar voice sounded beside him. Chi Zhan turned, startled.Â
“…Doctor Cen?”
Cen Chi, for once, was in a sleek black suit. The sharp lines gave his features a frosty edge, but the subtle warmth in his eyes softened the chill—like sunlight melting snow in spring.
“You know Young Master Bai too?”Â
“We met on a blind date. He invited me to his birthday yesterday. I happened to be free, so I came.”
Chi Zhan couldn’t help but laugh.
He’d thought Young Master Bai was head over heels for Zhou Yanxing, but apparently, he was keeping his options wide open. Then again, the game never said a player could only pursue one love interest. Hell, even chasing four at once was perfectly allowed.
The real Sea King** here was the player.
If that was the case… was it possible all four romance targets were on this cruise right now?
A gust of wind swept by, making Chi Zhan shiver.
“You look amazing today,” Cen Chi said, giving him a once-over, “but… you’re underdressed. Are you waiting for someone?”
“Yeah.” Chi Zhan nodded. “A few employees still haven’t arrived.”
“That’s rough.” Cen Chi lifted a hand, gently brushing the back of his fingers along Chi Zhan’s cheek, as if testing the temperature. “Secretary Chi, you’re freezing, aren’t you?”
**Note: Hongmen Banquet – a metaphorical term from Chinese history, referring to a banquet with deadly intent. This term was used humorously to describe the ambush-like situation.
**Note: Sea King – internet slang for someone adept at juggling multiple romantic interests/partners.Â
