CHAPTER 94: HOW DO I LOOK?

Jian Wei sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I will try, but I just want to get to the bottom of this." That was the thing with Jian Wei, when he had a gut feeling, he wouldn’t stop until he investigated it thoroughly.

The trick was never to ask him a scientific question unless you were prepared to endure a ten-minute lecture filled with equations, theories, and examples. In other words, Jian Wei was addicted to solving problems.

Jian Rui leaned back, arms crossed. "You don’t start your semester for another week. How about going on a vacation, just you?"

Jian Wei shook his head immediately. "That—no. I can’t. At least not now."

Jian Rui grinned, and Jian Wei felt a terrible chill of foreboding. Whenever Jian Rui smiled like that, it meant trouble. True enough, when Jian Rui told him to go on vacation, he made it happen within two days.

Jian Wei woke up one morning to find his lab locked. No matter how much he begged, Jian Rui refused to open it. Desperate, Jian Wei even tried to pull a trick from Jian Ci’s playbook and asked their mother for help. But Seraphyne sided with Jian Rui, insisting Jian Wei needed a break.

Thus, Jian Wei was practically carried out of the house by Jian Rui, with Jian Ci happily cosigning the plan.

While Jian Wei was gone, sulking over his forced exile from his work, Jian Ci and Yu Xi began their first semester at the academy. Jian Ci was buzzing with excitement, while Yu Xi, calm as ever, simply adjusted to the new rhythm.

On the day of departure, Jian Ci woke up so early it was almost absurd, earlier than he had ever managed before. His bags were neatly packed, his academy uniform pressed and on his body three full hours before the time Jian Rui had agreed to take them to the academy. He paced the room with restless energy until finally settling at the table, pouring himself some sweet tea.

Yu Xi came in from the simulator, sweat still clinging to his brow from his daily training. He stopped short, startled to see Jian Ci already dressed. "Am I late?" Yu Xi asked, his voice uncertain.

Jian Ci shook his head, smiling. "No, I am early."

Yu Xi nodded. "Oh, let me go get ready." He turned to leave, but Jian Ci’s voice cut through the air. "Hey, wait."

Yu Xi glanced back, puzzled. Jian Ci’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. "How do I look?"

Yu Xi turned fully, watching as Jian Ci spun around, his uniform catching the light.

The structured navy-blue flight suit clung to him with tailored precision, every seam reinforced to suggest both resilience and agility. Sleek yellow piping traced the contours of his arms and torso, accentuating the lean strength of his frame, a design that spoke of speed and tactical focus. His shoulders carried the slight breadth of armored padding, giving him a commanding silhouette that drew eyes without effort.

At the center of his chest gleamed the insignia of a cadet—a stylized emblem of the Imperial Academy, polished to brilliance, catching the light with every subtle movement. It was more than decoration. It was a mark of belonging, a promise of discipline and honor.

Utility straps and modular compartments lined his belt and thighs, practical yet elegant, optimized for cockpit tools and emergency gear. Each buckle and clasp was secured with precision, the ensemble balancing ceremonial sharpness with battlefield readiness. The suit was not just fabric and armor—it was a second skin, a declaration of purpose.

The boots, matte and sturdy, were fitted with magnetic grips for zero-G maneuvering, their weight balanced perfectly with the rest of the ensemble. The high collar rose to frame Jian Ci’s face, trimmed with subtle gold that marked rank and readiness, catching the light just enough to lend him an aura of quiet regality. The uniform blended ceremonial sharpness with rugged functionality, but on Jian Ci it became something more—an extension of his presence, a statement of confidence.

Yu Xi was entranced. His gaze lingered, caught in the lines of the uniform, the way it seemed to transform Jian Ci into someone untouchable. He didn’t respond for a long time, lost in the sight. Jian Ci tilted his head, breaking the silence. "How is it?" he asked again.

Yu Xi blinked, startled back to himself. "You look handsome."

Jian Ci’s lips curved into a smile. "Really?"

Yu Xi nodded, his voice firmer. "Really. You look incredibly handsome."

The smile deepened, but Yu Xi’s composure faltered. He rushed up the stairs, his heart pounding. If he looked any longer, he feared he might fall even harder than he already had. In his room, he hopped into the shower, letting the water cool his flushed face.

Two hours later, Yu Xi had already put on his own uniform, the fabric crisp against his skin. Just as he adjusted the utility strap, the panel made a soft sound. Jian Rui’s voice came through, calm but commanding, "Can I come in?"

Yu Xi, adjusting the straps of his uniform, glanced up. "Sure."

The door slid open and Jian Rui stepped inside. His eyes immediately caught the crisp lines of Yu Xi’s uniform, the way it fit him with quiet authority. "You look good," Jian Rui said with a small smile.

Yu Xi nodded. "Thanks."

Jian Rui carried a metal box in his hands and placed it carefully on the bed. "There are suppressants in there. Jian Wei put thirty inside for emergencies. He already has suppressants in his possession, but these are just in case."

Yu Xi’s gaze lingered on the box. "Okay. How many does he take in a day?"

"One," Jian Rui explained. "But in case of emergencies, he can take another. Never more than three."

"Okay," Yu Xi said quietly.

Jian Rui hesitated, then added, "Oh, and in case he goes berserk and the suppressants aren’t working, give him one of these." He tapped a smaller vial inside the box. "It’s TX506. Only in an extreme emergency—but I’m sure it won’t come to that."

Yu Xi frowned slightly. "What is it used for?"

"It represses erratic Espers," Jian Rui answered firmly.

Yu Xi nodded. "Okay, noted."

Jian Rui’s tone softened as he turned to leave. "If he does anything that makes you worried, message me immediately."

Yu Xi’s fingers brushed the box, his expression unreadable, but he gave a quiet, "Understood."