CHAPTER 102: I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK

Just as Vigil gathered himself to retaliate, Yu Xi was pulled back. Jian Ci stepped forward, his fury radiating like a storm. His psychic energy surged, and for a moment it seemed he would escalate the fight beyond control. If Yu Xi hadn’t restrained him, Jian Ci would have bashed Vigil’s skull in without hesitation.

As Jian Ci dragged Yu Xi away, Vigil staggered to his feet, his voice dripping venom. "Who would have thought the tenth prince was a fucking coward."

The words hung in the air, sharp and poisonous. Jian Ci spun around, his fury boiling over, psychic power surging from him like a storm breaking free of its cage. The air itself seemed to tremble, and Yu Xi’s communicator immediately issued a sharp warning, Jian Ci was stepping into dangerous territory regarding his condition.

Jian Ci smirked, his voice cutting through the tension. "You are only talking shit because you are all the way over there."

Vigil’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t the type to back down, and he strode forward, but his goons quickly grabbed his arms, holding him back. The room was thick with hostility, and Yu Xi knew it could explode at any moment. Without hesitation, Yu Xi shoved Jian Ci out of the room, forcing him away from Vigil’s provocation.

They stepped into the hallway, Jian Ci still bristling with anger. From nowhere, Alarna appeared, her voice soft but intrusive. "Ci, are you okay?"

Jian Ci ignored her completely, his rage still at its peak.

Alarna shifted her attention to Yu Xi, seizing the moment. "What happened? Is he okay?" she asked, her tone dripping with concern.

Yu Xi opened his mouth, about to tell her he couldn’t talk right now, when Jian Ci suddenly returned. His hand clamped firmly around Yu Xi’s arm, pulling him away.

"What are you talking to her for? Let’s go," Jian Ci snapped, his voice sharp with possessive urgency.

Alarna clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm as she watched them walk away together, frustration burning in her chest.

***

Soon they reached their place, the quiet of the room a stark contrast to the chaos of the party. Jian Ci sat heavily on the bed, his head throbbing with a dull ache. His hands trembled slightly, betraying the strain he was under, but he tried to mask it by entwining his fingers, clasping them tightly together as though he could hold himself steady through sheer will.

Yu Xi’s communicator rang suddenly, the sharp sound cutting through the silence. It was Jian Rui and Jian Wei, both calling at the same time. They were synced to Jian Ci’s vitals, so the warning had reached them as well.

"Don’t answer," Jian Ci muttered, his voice low and strained. "Don’t."

But Yu Xi pressed the connection anyway. Jian Ci sighed, collapsing back onto the bed. "Fuckk..."

"Hey," Yu Xi said softly.

On the screen, Jian Rui’s voice came through immediately. "Where is he?"

Yu Xi tapped the floating screen, showing Jian Ci lying on the bed.

Jian Wei’s tone was sharp. "Just one night and you already derailed."

Jian Rui’s voice followed, calm but probing. "What happened?"

Yu Xi glanced at Jian Ci, who was sulking, his face half-hidden. "He is fine. He just got angry."

Jian Wei leaned forward in the video call. "What pissed you off this late?"

Jian Ci mumbled something under his breath, covering his face with his arm.

Yu Xi answered for him, steady but evasive. "He read something on the forum and got mad."

Jian Rui’s eyes narrowed, suspicion clear. Jian Ci, still shielding his face, peeked at Yu Xi from the corner of his eye. He was surprised that Yu Xi was covering for him, protecting him from scrutiny he didn’t want to face.

Yu Xi met Jian Ci’s gaze, his voice steady as he addressed the two on the call. "Don’t worry so much, he is really fine."

Jian Wei sighed, his tone heavy with concern. "Ah-Ci, take a suppressant just in case. I will be coming back tomorrow so I can take a look at you."

Before Jian Ci could respond, Jian Rui cut in sharply. "The fuck you are. Don’t even think about using him as an excuse."

Jian Ci, already pulling out the suppressant, injected it without hesitation. The faint sting was nothing compared to the storm raging inside him.

Jian Wei groaned. "Come on, are you seriously going to let me stay here bored?"

"Yes," Jian Rui snapped. "Stay there for a week. I will come pick you up then. As for you, Yu Xi—if anything changes, let me know."

Yu Xi nodded. "Alright."

"And you, Ah-Ci," Jian Rui added, his tone firm, "keep your temper in check, for heaven’s sake."

"Fine," Jian Ci muttered, already feeling the suppressant dulling the edges of his anger.

Yu Xi ended the video call, the floating screen fading into nothing. Jian Ci exhaled, his voice low. "I thought you were going to sell me out."

Yu Xi walked over, sitting beside him on the bed. His tone was calm but resolute. "Let’s get one thing clear."

Jian Ci removed his arm from his face, turning to him. "What?"

Yu Xi’s eyes held unwavering sincerity. "No matter what happens, I will always have your back."

Jian Ci’s heart thudded loudly in his chest. The words struck deep, resonating with a truth he couldn’t deny. He knew Yu Xi meant it—he knew it well in his heart. And for the first time that night, the storm inside him began to quiet.

Jian Ci didn’t know how he had fallen asleep earlier. All he remembered was the warmth that had wrapped around him, Yu Xi’s words echoing in his mind like a lullaby—I will always have your back. That promise had settled deep in his chest, soothing him until his body finally gave in to rest.

***

Hours later....

Yu Xi was asleep in his own room when the soft hiss of his door sliding open stirred him. He didn’t need to look; he knew it was Jian Ci. Instinctively, he shifted to the corner of the bed, making space for him as he always did.

But Jian Ci didn’t lie down on the side. Instead, he lowered himself directly on top of Yu Xi, his weight pressing down in a way that startled him. Half-asleep, Yu Xi mumbled, "What are you up to now? Go to sleep." He was ready to drift off again when something felt wrong.

Opening his eyes, Yu Xi turned to see Jian Ci’s face. His eyes were dazed, unfocused, just like that night they had kissed. Alarm shot through Yu Xi. He sat up quickly, gripping Jian Ci’s shoulders. "Ci, are you okay?"