CHAPTER 117: WHO IS THE OLDEST HERE?

Jian Ci crossed his arms, his tone sharp but tinged with embarrassment. "Because I fell for the same trick before, and pictures were all over the school forum. Rui-ge had to bail me out."

Yu Xi blinked, his voice calm. "Oh. I was just helping him. At the time, Rowland kept brushing his hair, trying to get it out, but it was really stuck. I got tired of watching him fight with his own hair, so I helped. I didn’t think anything of it."

Jian Ci leaned closer, his expression serious. "Listen to me as your elder, so you won’t fall for the trap."

Yu Xi raised a brow. "You are older than me by a few months."

"That’s why you should listen to me," Jian Ci insisted. "No hugging, no holding hands, no carrying anyone... and no smiling."

Yu Xi frowned. "Smiling sounds unreasonable."

Jian Ci tilted his head, smug. "Who is the oldest here?"

Yu Xi: "..."

"Trust me," Jian Ci said firmly. "I will never mislead you."

Yu Xi’s eyes narrowed. "Didn’t you have a scandal with Alarna just weeks ago?"

Jian Ci winced but recovered quickly. "Yeah, and I learned from that mistake."

Yu Xi suddenly let out a stifled laugh, unable to hold it back.

Jian Ci’s eyes widened. "Why are you laughing?"

Yu Xi only smiled faintly, the sound of his suppressed laughter lingering in the air, while Jian Ci’s indignation grew sharper by the second.

Yu Xi lowered his gaze, his voice calm. "Nothing, I will listen to you."

Jian Ci narrowed his eyes, refusing to let it go. "And you pinched me for him."

Yu Xi sighed. "Sorry. Here, let me see." He stepped closer, his hand brushing Jian Ci’s side where he had pinched earlier. Jian Ci winced but leaned into it. "A few inches up," he instructed.

Yu Xi obeyed, rubbing the spot higher, when suddenly the classroom door creaked open. The girl who sat in front of Yu Xi froze in place, her eyes wide at the sight.

"What?" Jian Ci asked, his tone sharp.

"The professor said you can come back in," she stammered.

Jian Ci smirked. "Tell her that we haven’t finished the punishment."

The girl blinked, wondering how this strange scene could be considered as punishment. He looked like was enjoying it.

Yu Xi straightened, his voice polite. "Thanks. We will go inside."

"But—" Jian Ci began, only to be silenced by Yu Xi’s firm look. It shut him up instantly.

Together, they walked back into the classroom, but they weren’t in the mood to learn anymore.

***

Jian Rui pushed open the door to the private room, Stannis following close behind. Both of them had their faces disguised, a precaution they deemed necessary—any hint of their meeting would alert the man in the palace. The room was already prepared, soft classical music drifting through the air, the faint notes mingling with the scent of polished wood and expensive wine.

Xiaobao sat elegantly at the table, a glass of champagne in her hand. When she saw them enter, she rose gracefully and greeted them with formal courtesy. Jian Rui gave a small gesture, urging her to sit again. Stannis, however, remained silent, his sharp eyes studying her. She wasn’t intimidating at first glance, her demeanor was warm, even friendly, but beneath that surface was something unsettling, a secret buried deep that seemed to hum in the air around her.

Her gaze swept the room, and she noticed Yu Xi’s absence. "He isn’t coming?" she asked.

"You will meet him soon," Jian Rui replied evenly. "I just wanted to have a conversation with you first."

Xiaobao nodded, unsurprised. "Okay. Then can we eat first? I am really excited to try the Imperial City’s finest dishes."

Jian Rui shook his head. "We are still waiting for one more person."

Xiaobao tilted her head, about to ask who, when the door burst open. Jian Wei rushed in, slightly disheveled. "I am so sorry, had the best scalp massage and my brain is still—" He froze mid-sentence, his eyes locking on Xiaobao.

"You," he said, stunned.

Xiaobao’s lips curved into a smile. "Senior."

Jian Rui lifted the porcelain cup of tea Stannis had poured for him, the steam curling upward in delicate wisps. He took a slow sip before asking, his tone measured, "You two know each other?"

Jian Wei shifted uncomfortably. "She said her name was Skylar, and that she was a student at the Institute of Neural Sciences."

Xiaobao smiled faintly, her voice calm. "That’s the name I give to strangers. And yes, I am enrolled there."

Jian Rui’s brows furrowed. The fact that Xiaobao had discovered Jian Wei’s whereabouts and met him without his knowledge unsettled him deeply. It made him wary, more cautious of her than before.

"Who is she?" Jian Wei asked, his suspicion plain.

"Xiaobao," Stannis replied simply.

"Yu Xi’s brother?!" Jian Wei muttered.

"Sister," Xiaobao corrected with a smile, her tone light.

Jian Wei studied her face, realization dawning. "That’s why you look so familiar."

"Sit down," Jian Rui ordered, and Jian Wei obeyed, though his eyes remained fixed on Xiaobao as if she were something alien. Jian Rui nudged him. "It’s not good to stare."

"She knew who I was and approached me. I don’t trust her," Jian Wei said firmly.

Xiaobao tilted her head, unbothered. "I understand. Would you like to try the starcrust sea shells? I heard they are delicious."

Jian Rui’s brow arched in surprise. Jian Wei immediately pointed, his voice rising. "See? See? She’s trying to antagonize me!"

Only a select few knew Jian Wei’s severe allergy to shellfish. The fact that Xiaobao had mentioned it so casually sent a ripple of unease through the room.

Jian Rui sat back in his chair, his mind sharp as he pieced together the situation. Xiaobao wasn’t simply being playful or careless—she was showing her hand. Whoever stood behind her was powerful, and not someone to be taken lightly. He masked his unease with a calm smile. "Let’s order," he said, his tone steady.

Stannis glanced at him, his expression saying everything Jian Rui already knew. Without a word, Stannis rose. "Excuse me," he muttered, and left the room.

Outside, the balcony was dimly lit, the air heavy with silence. Their men were stationed discreetly around the area, watching from the shadows, ensuring no one slipped past unnoticed.