Even though it wasn’t an official wedding, and just an engagement banquet for the heir of the Xi family, and the time from decision to preparation had only been twenty-eight days, it was still held with great grandeur. The Xi family’s staff spun like tops during those twenty-eight days…designing the attire, ordering materials, decorating the venue, arranging the itinerary etc.
The engagement celebration was to last three days. The main banquet on the first day would be held at the Xi family estate and would shift to a seaside castle under the Xi family’s name after sunset to complete the engagement ceremony. The next two days would be celebratory events. A luxury cruise will circle District Three, with stops along the way where many celebrities and superstars were invited to perform. The cruise ship would eventually arrive at a small town famous for opera, already contracted by the Xi family, where a lavish party awaited its guests.
As one of the three major conglomerate families in the Core Zone, it wasn’t just the hereditary clans under the Xi family who would attend. Aristocratic families occupying key seats in the Upper Council, justices of the Federal Supreme Court, prosecutors, and various central authority figures would all be eager to come and offer their congratulations to the Xi family.
Receiving an invitation from the Xi family was, in itself, a significant symbol of status for those in the Core Zone.
Even an uneducated and ignorant child born in the chaotic slums of District Twelve would know that the future of the Federation rested in the hands of two families. The nutrient supplements distributed to District Twelve for consumption bore the mark of Shennong Pharmaceuticals, and the discarded mechanical scraps found in recycling stations…only those branded with the Nuwa Bionics logo could fetch a price on the black market.
As the environment grew more hostile and resources continued to dry up, with the world tilting into decline, everyone pinned their hopes on boarding the Noah’s Ark of either the Pei family or the Xi family.
Guests for the banquet would arrive throughout the morning.
It was still the early phase, with fireworks at dawn and last-minute preparations.
After all, it was an extremely important event. Aside from the seriously ill Master Xi lying in the ICU, everyone in the Xi mansion had rehearsed the engagement process just yesterday.
It was already very late by the time everything had gone through. Xin Hexue didn’t get to sleep until nearly midnight last night.
He was awakened by the morning fireworks and symphony.
The Alpha sharing the bed with him turned over, propped himself up on one elbow, and kissed him on the lips. “Good morning. I’m already excited and nervous.”
Xin Hexue had just woken up. His voice was slightly hoarse as he replied, “I thought you wouldn’t get nervous.”
Xi Zhengqing smiled at him, eyes filled with a sense of peace and happiness. “I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. Everyone will see us together and they’ll all bless us.”
At this thought, Xi Zhengqing’s nerve endings were already subtly excited from the blissful image in his mind.
“They will.” Xin Hexue’s eyes curved slightly. “Today will go smoothly.”
Xin Hexue returned a light kiss, then sat up and stretched. His silk pajamas were thin, and as his movements grew more exaggerated, the fabric shifted like satin in the wind, rippling down and exposing one smooth, bare shoulder.
Perhaps due to a lack of blood circulation, his skin tone leaned towards a cool white. Xi Zhengqing was already very familiar with this, but at the moment, the young man’s shoulder bore a faint tinge of pink.
The healthy and beautiful hue may be due to the nutritious meals Xi Zhengqing had regularly prepared for him over the past few months.
Looking at that spot, Xi Zhengqing felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
His cooking skills have improved dramatically, and his progress has even been acknowledged by the private chef who taught him how to cook.
Xin Hexue was actually still a bit sleepy, but they needed to wash up and get ready as soon as possible. After that, the stylists and makeup artists would arrive to prepare them for the formal look required at the engagement ceremony in the evening.
Time wasn’t exactly tight, but in between, they would need to meet the guests properly dressed to welcome their arrival.
He turned his head, not understanding why Xi Zhengqing wasn’t moving at all.
Xin Hexue finally noticed Xi Zhengqing’s unusual behavior.
…Truly an energetic beast.
The Alpha sat on the bed and even had the audacity to hold Xin Hexue’s hand and ask, “Can you help me out?”
Xin Hexue averted his gaze and replied awkwardly, “No, we still have to exchange engagement rings tonight.”
He seemed to mind that…activities like this make his palms rubbed to red.
“Zhengqing, can you go to the bathroom and take care of it yourself?”
Xi Zhengqing wrapped his arm around his waist. “That would take too long. I need you. You don’t have to use your hands.”
He tilted his head and kissed Xin Hexue on the side of his face.
…
The removed bed sheets were carefully taken away by a diligent robot, ready to be sent to the laundry room.
Xin Hexue finished his morning shower and basic grooming in the bathroom. He came out wearing soft, comfortable cotton slippers, but there was still a faint tingling sensation from the soles of his feet.
Fortunately, after tonight, he probably wouldn’t have to keep pretending with Xi Zhengqing anymore.
To ensure the engagement banquet went smoothly, Xi Zhengqing had already moved Xin Hexue into the Xi family estate a week ago.
Compared to the Pei residence, the Xi residence was slightly smaller due to a smaller number of descendants, but every detail in the decoration of the estate quietly revealed an atmosphere of wealth no less than the Pei family.
Xin Hexue and Xi Zhengqing stayed in the master bedroom on the third floor. He acted very reserved, like most Betas, and was unwilling to engage in formal sexual activity with Xi Zhengqing before marriage. Xi Zhengqing had to continue maintaining his gentleman persona and exercise great restraint, although they did occasionally engage in some borderline behavior.
During this period, Xin Hexue seemed to be idly wandering about, but in fact, he had been searching for Xi Zhengqing’s collection room.
Xi Zhengqing had previously told Xin Hexue that he had a collection room filled with rare gems and fine porcelain he had bought at auctions and various events. It was where he kept all the treasures he liked.
He wanted to give all the treasures in that room to Xin Hexue.
Xin Hexue suspected that the leverage on Xi Zhengqing, which he had yet to get a hold of all this time, was most likely hidden in that room.
For example, the collar he had given to “Pei Guangji”.
That pervert must have stored it away there very carefully.
And had the nerve to play innocent with him for so long.
It wasn’t until this morning, on the day of the engagement, did he suggest Xin Hexue step on him.
This was a game he had played with only “Pei Guangji.”
He had a guess as to where the entrance to the collection room was.
Xi Zhengqing wouldn’t have placed it too far, so he had been searching the rooms on the third floor these past few days.
Now it seems….
The master bedroom was a whole set of rooms, including not only the bedroom but also two bathrooms, dual walk-in closets, and a study.
Xin Hexue casually entered the study and pretended it was unintentional.
He accidentally bumped into the porcelain vase next to the last bookshelf.
The flowers in the slender-necked vase were already somewhat wilted, and it looked like they hadn’t been changed in quite a while.
The vase turned slightly.
The tall and massive bookshelf moved like two doors, splitting from the center and automatically sliding open to both sides.
The room it led to had no lights on, and it was completely dark.
‘Was it here?’
Xin Hexue raised his foot, but suddenly, a large hand yanked him back forcefully. The movement was fast and urgent, so much so that the person forgot to control their strength.
“Hiss…”
Xin Hexue lowered his gaze. His wrist was being gripped tightly, and the abrupt tug just now had left a slight burning pain.
Xi Zhengqing’s palm was very cold, completely different from its usual warmth. He turned the porcelain vase two more times, and the bookshelf closed again like an automatic door.
As he quickly led Xin Hexue out, he finally remembered to explain his strange behavior: “That room has been abandoned. When it was first built, the feng shui was bad, so it was left unused for years. It’s full of dust and very dirty. Don’t go in. You’ll probably start coughing.”
Xin Hexue let him lead the way, pretending not to notice Xi Zhengqing’s momentary panic.
He was sure that Xi Zhengqing had hidden the collar in that room.
He had found the place where Xi Zhengqing kept his leverage.
A faint smile flashed across Xin Hexue’s eyes.
But just like a cat would never know how messy and filthy a mouse hole could be, Xin Hexue would never guess that Xi Zhengqing was such a pervert that he had a wall full of photos of… him.
Back in the bedroom, Xi Zhengqing waited until Xin Hexue wasn’t looking before exhaling a heavy breath from his chest.
Just a little more and his secret, his true face, his twisted mind…everything would’ve been completely exposed in front of Xin Hexue, and the gentlemanly mask would have been shattered.
There was no room for mistakes on a day like this.
Xi Zhengqing used his communicator to send a message, ordering someone to reinforce the entrance to the dark room.
Xin Hexue told Qiu Yuan about the location and the situation.
The two fiancés exchanged a gentle smile, each with their own hidden agenda.
…
The main garden of the Xi family estate covered a vast area. A large stage was built in the center, where many famous singers and dancers were invited to perform during the day to liven the atmosphere.
Xi Zhengqing had more so-called friends in the world of fame and fortune. Even though he wanted to stay by Xin Hexue’s side at all times, he couldn’t ignore the greetings and kindness from some business partners.
The place was bustling with people, and glasses were clinking everywhere.
Congratulations and socializing.
Xin Hexue was now an orphan with no relatives to invite. So, when Xi Zhengqing brought it up, he only invited a few friends from the film set with whom he had decent relationships.
Wei’er looked him up and down in surprise, then stared into his eyes and said, “Xue, I can’t believe it. You’re only twenty and already stepping into the grave of marriage… I thought no one was worthy of you, that you wouldn’t like anyone.”
Xi Zhengqing saw Xin Hexue speaking to an unfamiliar Alpha and was about to walk over, but was held back by another guest who had just come to offer congratulations.
Xin Hexue turned back and gave him a reassuring smile.
Wei’er took a sip of wine and said with a tone full of regret, “Xue, it looks like he really cares about you. You’ll be happy.”
He thought Xin Hexue was too…perfect, so he had never dared to reveal his feelings, and now he could only watch as the other party got engaged, married, had children…
‘No.’
Wei’er suddenly thought of this angle and asked Xin Hexue, “Uh, although this question might be a bit presumptuous, are you two planning to have children? You know, with current medical technology, with some modifications, Beta males can also carry pregnancies…”
Xin Hexue: ?
‘What a niche sentence.’
Xin Hexue answered firmly, “No, we don’t want children.”
Wei’er showed a hesitant expression, “But, I mean, your fiancé is the heir of the Xi family…”
The traditional values of the Xi family were well-known even in the entire Core Zone and ranked among the top.
Even if it weren’t the Xi family, any other large or small financial conglomerate would place more importance on offspring than anything else.
Just look at the various fertility medical projects tailored for the wealthy families by Core Zone hospitals and major laboratories.
These hospitals and labs even received large annual sponsorships and investments because of these projects.
“Xin-ge!”
Xi Xiaode finally saw Xin Hexue. He was holding a little yellow dog, running over joyfully, followed by his birth mother and stepfather.
The two adults nodded politely and kindly at Xin Hexue.
Xin Hexue lowered his hand and rested it on Xi Xiaode’s shoulder.
“If it’s for the next heir, Xiaode is quite good too.”
Xi Xiaode blinked and had no idea what Xin Hexue and Wei’er were discussing.
As the sun set, the symphony orchestra played a flowing melody.
The notes were radiant, and the large crystal fountain spouted columns of water. In combination with the lights, it looked like a silver sea blooming with flowers.
Everyone had already gathered in the banquet hall for dinner.
After the dinner session ended, everyone would move to the seaside castle, where the day’s most important engagement ceremony would take place.
The long table was filled with exquisite food, adorned with candelabras, and seasonal white flowers in glass vases.
The ballet troupe finished their opening dance in the center.
The violinist’s bow vibrated and bounced across the strings, and the bright and powerful notes invigorated the spirit.
Then, with the accompaniment of other instruments, the music gradually softened and slowed down.
Today’s most important couple made their appearance.
They each walked down the long staircases on the left and right sides.
As they descended step by step, the lights followed them the whole way, and drones from major media outlets focused their cameras on them.
Champagne-colored flowers like cascading waterfalls climbed up the sculpted columns and walls. Classical palace-style crystal chandeliers hung down, twinkling like stars and matching the play of light and shadow on the sculptures.
Xin Hexue, like Xi Zhengqing, wore a white suit.
Most of those present had never seen this unknown Beta before. They watched as he slowly walked down, each step seeming to echo with the rhythm of their heartbeats.
He didn’t look like a commoner from District Twelve, but more like a pure, elegant and noble young master.
Walking into the public eye under the lights, he was a perfect, dazzling unpolished gem.
The long staircases on both sides finally converged at a central platform.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
As Xi Zhengqing reached out his hand to Xin Hexue, the door of the banquet hall creaked softly.
From outside came the scent of heavy night dew in the garden.
The Alpha’s shadow was stretched long, casting a dark shroud over the red carpet.
All the guests turned their eyes toward the unexpected visitor. The Alpha’s aura was oppressive, as if a storm was about to come.
He walked forward but didn’t take a seat, even though someone at the long table at the front reminded him that his seat was here.
Pei Guangji strode across the red carpet.
He met Xin Hexue’s slightly surprised gaze, then looked away. Just before Xin Hexue’s hand could fall onto Xi Zhengqing’s…
“Bang!”
Anger, like a wildfire ready to ignite, flared through his throat. Pei Guangji stepped forward and, with a powerful swing, landed a solid punch on Xi Zhengqing!
Gasps erupted from below the audience. Someone from the Xi family reacted quickly, ordering all the media to stop recording and cut off the live broadcast.
Pei Guangji had used his full strength, while his opponent was completely unprepared.
Xi Zhengqing staggered back uncontrollably, retreating two steps before grabbing the stair railing beside the platform to steady himself.
A red bruise appeared on his cheekbone, and even the skin was torn.
Xi Zhengqing used a handkerchief to wipe away the blood foam from the corner of his lips and sneered, “Is this how you congratulate a childhood friend on finding love?”
Pei Guangji’s chest heaved violently. Though dressed neatly in a suit, his voice and expression were fierce, making him look more like a thug.
“Friend?” he questioned, stepping forward. “What you mean is, taking advantage while your friend’s lying in a hospital bed and using disgraceful methods to steal his… lover?”
He could finally define his relationship between him and Xin Hexue.
Pei Guangji looked at Xin Hexue. Thousands of words crowded his throat, all trying to burst out.
Xi Zhengqing said coldly, “What disgraceful methods? And you’re so clean? What’s your relationship with him? Isn’t everything clearly written in the contract?”
“Now you blame me for stealing your lover?” Xi Zhengqing sneered, then turned toward Xin Hexue, his tone softening to the extreme. “He chose me. We are in a free and equal relationship.”
“Of course, don’t be too upset. Reaching the point of marriage, you actually helped too. It’s all thanks to your willingness to entrust Ah Xue to our care.”
Every word Xi Zhengqing spoke struck Pei Guangji’s sore spots, especially about the true nature of this relationship and the message Pei Guangji had mistakenly sent in their group chat.
Pei Guangji was forced back step by step.
Xi Zhengqing smiled like a complete victor. “So, give us your blessing. I will bring Ah Xue happiness…everything you couldn’t give him, I can.”
The rage burned from his throat to his brain. Pei Guangji lunged forward and grabbed Xi Zhengqing by the collar. He had completely lost his composure and his eyes were bloodshot. “Don’t make it sound so noble! You’re a thief! A hypocrite hiding behind morality! A liar who doesn’t speak a single word of truth!”
‘Liar?’
That word triggered an alarm in Xi Zhengqing’s mind.
He had already confirmed that the villa had no surveillance. And he had wiped the access records in the villa completely clean.
Unless there was footage, Pei Guangji shouldn’t know he had ever borrowed his identity.
Just in case, he couldn’t let Pei Guangji say it out loud.
And he absolutely must not let Xin Hexue find out!
Xi Zhengqing yanked his collar back and kicked Pei Guangji without any mercy.
Pei Guangji took the kick solidly, then clenched his fist and swung at Xi Zhengqing’s face. After being blocked, he grabbed Xi Zhengqing’s collar again and slammed him hard against the wall.
The two Alphas started fighting.
The platform and the banquet hall’s long table weren’t on the same level and were some distance apart, so the many guests couldn’t hear what hostile words they were exchanging.
They only saw them start fighting without warning, ruthlessly attacking their childhood friend.
Members of the Xi and Pei families had already stepped forward trying to intervene, but it was like ants on a hot pan…anxious yet at a loss for what to do.
Xi Zhengqing smashed Pei Guangji’s head against the wall with a loud “bang”.
Pei Guangji’s mind spun, and there was a high-pitched ringing sound in his ears.
He kicked Xi Zhengqing in the stomach, sending him falling onto the steps.
Pei Guangji pushed away everyone trying to stop him. His Alpha instincts for combat had been fully triggered and his mental state had reached an uncontrollable high.
He pinned Xi Zhengqing down and kept punching…
One punch!
Pei Guangji’s fist swung down.
In front of his eyes flashed the missed messages he’d seen on the communicator.
Xin Hexue had sent them to him.
That night, he had an accident.
[I hate you.]
[Let’s terminate our contract. No matter what, I want to leave here. I don’t belong here…]
[I’ll find a way to work hard and pay the one million starcoins back.]
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t respect your opinion.’ He had fallen for the young man at first sight, but had chosen the wrong way to begin their relationship.
Two punches!
Pei Guangji gritted his teeth and used all his strength.
[…I hate you.]
[Why did you lock the access rights to the villa?]
[Am I a canary you locked in a cage, one you can come see whenever you’re pleased, just for your amusement, but when you are unhappy, you ignore me and I don’t even have the freedom to move?]
[…Did you come back?]
[Why haven’t you come back?]
[I think I’m starting to hallucinate.]
[Today is my birthday. The villa is so empty.]
[I think I have a fever. I feel sick.]
[My stomach hurts too.]
‘I’m sorry I didn’t get back in time.’
Three punches!
Xi Zhengqing turned his head to the side and spat out a mouthful of blood.
[…You win.]
[Come back quickly, I can’t take it anymore.]
[This time, I’ll be obedient. You can do whatever you want to me. I won’t resist. I won’t say I want to leave anymore.]
[You came back.]
[But you seem a bit strange, you even stopped using this account and changed to a new communicator, so you didn’t receive the messages I sent earlier, right?]
[You said you had a small accident and your vocal cords were damaged…]
[It’s okay. Just stay with me like this. I won’t go anywhere.]
‘I’m sorry I didn’t take good care of you. That’s why this happened.’
‘The deception….’
‘And the culprit…!’
Pei Guangji raised his fist again, but his arm was yanked hard by Xin Hexue.
The young man’s voice trembled, “Stop fighting… stop fighting…!”
‘Since you have regained your memories, if you want to fight, you should at least first say the truth out loud!’
‘What was the point of silently beating someone to death?!’
Xin Hexue hated iron for not becoming steel.
This man just went ahead and stacked up his own heartbreak values, and then went ahead to help his good friend gather some pain value along the way?
What exactly did Qiu Yuan say? What did he do?
Xin Hexue had already given Pei Guangji an entire day to prepare, and this was what he gave him? A real-life Mortal Kombat-style dog-eat-dog act?
Xin Hexue took a deep breath.
During the pause when Pei Guangji stopped, Xi Zhengqing had already struggled free.
The servants, worried that the fight would hurt Xin Hexue, moved him aside.
Pei Guangji looked at Xin Hexue across the crowd. His thin lips parted, his tone softened as if afraid of scaring Xin Hexue, “Listen to me…”
The young man’s pupils contracted and he subconsciously shouted, “Watch out!”
A champagne bottle smashed into the back of Pei Guangji’s head.
With a “bang”, it shattered.
The Alpha collapsed heavily to the ground.
Xi Zhengqing’s face was expressionless as he dropped the bottle and walked around Pei Guangji.
There were bruises on his face and fresh blood flowed from the corner of his broken lips. He tidied himself up briefly, but it was pointless.
Xi Zhengqing’s state was clearly abnormal. He smiled and grabbed Xin Hexue’s hand, his every move and word were terrifyingly obsessive, “Alright, it’s just a small interlude, it doesn’t matter. Ah Xue, don’t be afraid. Let’s go to the seaside castle now and complete the engagement.”
Xin Hexue gritted his teeth.
There was no way around it. Pei Guangji hurt the enemy by eight hundred but injured himself by a thousand. His heartbreak value was nearly maxed out. Meanwhile, Xi Zhengqing stood unmoved like a mountain.
Men were unreliable.
Fortunately, he had left a backup plan.
Sure enough, a servant soon came running in a panic, “There’s a fire! There’s a fire!”
“Young Master!”
“Your third-floor bedroom is on fire!”
Xin Hexue nodded slightly with satisfaction.
Fortunately, he had left a backup plan. As long as the fire was set away from the third-floor bedroom, preferably in the opposite direction, it would draw people’s attention over there.
Then he would take the chance to sneak into the collection room and, with just the right timing, discover that collar.
He would uncover the truth himself.
‘But, hmm…?’
‘The third-floor bedroom was on fire?’
Didn’t he tell Qiu Yuan to direct that hired mutant species to set the fire far from the third-floor master bedroom?
Through layers of people, Xin Hexue locked eyes with Qiu Yuan, who had been watching the drama from the long table up front.
Qiu Yuan also realized something was wrong.
He had been watching from the sidelines, leaning back with his legs crossed. Now he immediately sat upright.
That mutant species had set a fire.
Wouldn’t it burn all the critical evidence to ashes?
Xin Hexue’s eyes went dark.
