Night had fallen, and the streetlights flickered like scattered stars along the dim road. The hovercar glided forward silently; the interior was steeped in quiet.
After Xie Guanning had made that remark, Jiang Yan had studied him in silence for a long time before wordlessly pulling him into the hovercar.
Xie Guanning felt a bit awkward himself. He pretended to look at the scenery outside with an air of nonchalance, but the eerie atmosphere in the car was becoming stifling. His lips parted and closed several times before he finally turned to Jiang Yan, cleared his throat, and said, “By the way, I have some good news to tell you.”
Jiang Yan kept his eyes on the road and gave a faint, “Mm.”
Xie Guanning watched him cautiously. “Imperial University just called me.” He observed the man’s profile. “They said I ranked first in the college entrance exams and asked if I was interested in applying.”
Jiang Yan turned to look at him, and after a moment, gave another slow acknowledgment.
Xie Guanning pursed his lips but continued anyway. “I’m going to decline.” He lowered his gaze and said slowly, “I want to go to the Imperial First Military Academy. With my grades, it should be a guaranteed admission.”
Jiang Yan remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “I know.”
Silence reclaimed the car.
The smile on Xie Guanning’s face vanished completely. He turned away silently to watch the busy traffic outside; the rapidly passing lights cast shifting shadows across his face.
He didn’t understand what Jiang Yan was thinking. Or perhaps he did know, but simply didn’t know how to react. This kind of situation was far too foreign to him.
The car slowed to a stop at a red light. Jiang Yan turned to him. The streetlights from outside filtered through the window, spilling over the youth’s face, outlining the beautiful curve of his profile and gilding his long, curled eyelashes with a layer of light.
After a long silence, Jiang Yan spoke softly. “Guanning.”
He said, “You are amazing.”
He had always known. He knew the boy could run a shop by himself, work hard to earn and pay back money, and even face a situation like today’s all on his own.
Xie Guanning’s eyelashes trembled, but he didn’t speak. Amidst the silence both inside and outside the car, he heard the man’s voice, which carried a trace of a helpless sigh. “But the next time something like this happens, could you please tell me in advance?”
From the moment he received the news, Jiang Yan had rushed to have people investigate. He found out about the meeting between the Xie family and Fang Qi, and which private room they were in. It wasn’t until he heard from a waiter that the boy was in the restroom and seemed to be doing well that his racing heart finally steadied a little.
Jiang Yan had waited outside for as long as Xie Guanning had been in the restroom. The moment he saw him, he had scanned him meticulously; only after confirming there were truly no problems could he finally relax.
But what followed was a profound sense of helplessness.
He said, “Ningning, you need to realize that there are people who will worry about you.”
Xie Guanning looked up at him, his expression clouded with obvious confusion. The word “worry” was too distant a concept for him. The Xie family wished he didn’t exist; since his earliest memories, the most vivid emotion he had perceived from others was disgust. He was used to doing everything himself and was accustomed to not being a burden.
But now, someone was telling him they were worried.
He opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time, unsure of how to respond. Finally, he managed a dry, “I’m sorry.”
The youth sat with his head half-bowed, the golden tufts of hair on his head shivering slightly with his movements. He looked soft and obedient—exactly like the boy himself at this moment.
Watching him, Jiang Yan felt his heart soften instinctively. Or rather, the moment Xie Guanning had uttered that one sentence back at the restaurant, all of Jiang Yan’s irritation and helplessness had turned to ash.
The red light ahead turned green, and someone behind them honked their horn in a rush. Jiang Yan glanced at Xie Guanning again and finally couldn’t resist reaching out to pat the boy’s hair.
Xie Guanning’s beautiful peach-blossom eyes instantly went round, and his hand reflexively flew up to cover his head.
Jiang Yan coughed slightly to hide the smile in his eyes. “Consider it compensation.”
Xie Guanning frowned, thinking the man was being a bit bizarre.
As the hovercar started up again, the atmosphere in the car gradually became harmonious. Jiang Yan suddenly asked, “How much money do you still owe?”
Xie Guanning knew what he was asking. He did the math in his head and replied, “About a few tens of thousands or so.”
The last time he modified that mecha for Song Queyang, the results were excellent, and the payout had been substantial. Combined with his day-and-night work recently, he had almost saved enough.
Jiang Yan nodded, then added, “You can use Fang Qi as a shield for now, but what about after that?” He pointed out the core issue: “The Xie family might not let you go so easily.”
Xie Guanning smiled. He leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery blur past. His eyes deepened. “It doesn’t matter. Once this period passes, whatever happens next will have nothing to do with the Xie family.”
Jiang Yan’s expression shifted slightly. Xie Guanning explained, “No matter how large the Xie family’s business is, they are just merchants; they have no ties to the military or government. Once the summer break is over, I’ll be at school. Even if the Xie family wanted to do something, would they dare strike right under the nose of the Military Academy?”
This was exactly why Xie Guanning had abandoned his usual low profile during the college entrance exams to strive for the top spot. Mingli High School was wealthy and offered many high-value scholarships. Usually, the top 1% of students received first-class scholarships, and Xie Guanning had always strategically hovered right on that line. He wanted the money without the unwanted attention that came with being ranked first, second, or third.
But things were different now. He needed a brilliant record to showcase his excellence. The more outstanding he was, the more the Military Academy would value him, and the less the Xie family would dare to act recklessly.
In other words, he had been working to increase his bargaining chips from the very beginning. Every step he took had been meticulously calculated.
Jiang Yan looked at him deeply for a long time. Xie Guanning smiled again, sounding half-joking and half-shameless. “Besides, even if they really plan to cling to me and not let go, surely my Senior won’t just stand by and watch me die, right?”
The car came to a sudden, jarring halt. Xie Guanning lurched forward from the momentum and looked at Jiang Yan in shock, only to find the man staring at him with a dark, unblinking gaze.
“What did you just call me?” Jiang Yan asked.
Xie Guanning swallowed, feeling that something was inexplicably off. After a moment, he tested the waters carefully. “Se… Senior?”
Jiang Yan stared at him for a long time before finally giving a low, “Mm.”
Xie Guanning thought it was strange. Just as he was about to say something, the man reached out and pinched his cheek. With his usual calm and composed expression, Jiang Yan said, “Say it again.”
Xie Guanning was utterly confused, yet because of the man’s reaction, the title suddenly felt colored with an indescribable quality. He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“What are you doing?” he mumbled, his voice muffled. He tilted his head, trying to break free from the hand, but Jiang Yan didn’t listen.
“I want to hear it,” Jiang Yan said. His tone was serious and solemn, his clear eyes reflecting the streetlights as he stared at the boy without blinking.
For some reason, Xie Guanning felt his face heating up. He grumbled, “What is wrong with you?”
Jiang Yan didn’t say a word, simply remaining in a stalemate with him. Eventually, Xie Guanning couldn’t take it anymore. He looked away and quickly blurted out, “Senior, Senior, Senior!”
Jiang Yan’s brow relaxed in satisfaction, though his hand seemed reluctant to leave the boy’s cheek.
Xie Guanning quickly dodged away, shrinking back to a safe distance and rubbing his face as he glared at him. “Seriously, why do you like being so touchy-feely?” He muttered under his breath, “Don’t you know that Alphas and Omegas shouldn’t be so intimate?”
Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t be intimate?” He countered, “Then who was the one who said they liked my pheromones before?”
Xie Guanning froze. As the realization hit him, his face turned a violent shade of red. “Jiang Yan!”
In his embarrassment and indignation, he forgot all about politeness and boundaries. He threw open the car door, wanting to get out, but forgot he was still wearing his seatbelt. Just as he tried to stand, he was jerked back violently by the strap.
Jiang Yan couldn’t help but laugh.
Xie Guanning glared at him, his eyes filled with fire and his face burning so hot it felt like he was about to catch flame.
Jiang Yan pressed his thin lips together, stopping himself from teasing further. He leaned forward, looming over Xie Guanning. Xie Guanning looked at him warily, only to see Jiang Yan reach out and gently unbuckle the seatbelt for him.
Xie Guanning paused. At the same time, a steady, lingering fragrance gradually washed over him, swirling around his nose. He instinctively took a sniff. When he came to his senses, he saw Jiang Yan looking at him. Though the man didn’t say anything, the amusement in his eyes was unmistakable.
The atmosphere in the car became a bit delicate. Outside, the cicadas were chirping in long, drawn-out rhythms. The two were very close, close enough to clearly see the thick, long lashes of the other.
It was Jiang Yan who pulled away first. “It’s getting late. Go back and get some rest.” He reached out and ruffled Xie Guanning’s brilliant golden hair, his features appearing incredibly gentle under the glow of the outside lights. “I expect you’ll be quite busy tomorrow.”
Xie Guanning got out of the car and walked slowly into the building, stopping in front of the elevator. His expression shifted through several emotions before he finally couldn’t help but rub his cheeks vigorously with both hands.
Honestly…