CHAPTER 115: YOU BRAT!

Chancellor Lasson heard the voice calling after him, but he pretended not to. His pace quickened as he turned the corner, heading straight for the staff-only area. He thought he could slip away unnoticed, but he underestimated Jian Ci.

The young prince sprinted forward, ignoring the weight of his title, and caught the chancellor just as he was about to disappear through the door. "Uncle, are you avoiding me?" Jian Ci demanded, pulling him back.

Chancellor Lasson gritted his teeth, his patience thinning. "You brat, have you forgotten I am your elder?"

"How could I forget, uncle?" Jian Ci replied smoothly, releasing him. "I respect my elder—especially the elderly ones."

The words struck a nerve. Sensitive about his age, Chancellor Lasson snapped, "You!"

But Jian Ci only smiled, so brightly and innocently that no one would have guessed he had just poked the man’s sore spot.

"Let’s talk in my office," Lasson muttered, resigned.

They walked together, and once inside, Jian Ci wasted no time. "Uncle, can I join Yu Xi’s team, please?"

Chancellor Lasson sighed. His godson had always been indulged, and he had a tendency to give Jian Ci whatever he wanted. But this time, his hands were tied. Jian Rui had already twisted his arm, forcing his decision.

"I would love to help," Lasson said carefully, "but I can’t. It’s already set in stone."

Jian Ci’s smile faltered.

"Yu Xi is the team leader of his squad, and you hold the same position in his own," he reminded him of this fact, hoping it would settle the matter. But Jian Ci’s stubbornness flared. "I don’t care about my leadership position. Swap me with Vigil—he provokes Yu Xi anyway."

Chancellor Lasson sighed, his voice heavy. "My hands are really tied."

Jian Ci narrowed his eyes, refusing to believe it.

Five minutes later, Jian Rui’s communicator buzzed. He excused himself from the room, saying, "Just a second," and stepped outside. The moment he answered, Jian Ci’s voice exploded through the line. "Jian Rui, you are dead!"

The shout was so loud it carried back into the room. Because the door hadn’t closed properly, every Marshal and general inside heard it, Stannis included. Jian Rui froze, his expression unreadable. "...." He walked further away, trying to contain the situation.

The generals began to chuckle at the outburst, but Stannis’s gaze cut through the room like a blade. He singled out General Bail. "Keep chuckling, and I will tell your wife where you were two weeks ago."

The laughter died instantly. The generals stiffened, their faces turning grave. None dared meet Stannis’s eyes, afraid he might expose their secrets.

Meanwhile, Jian Rui spoke firmly into the communicator. "I am your big brother."

"You keep interfering," Jian Ci snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You are so annoying!"

Jian Rui’s voice was firm, sharper than usual. "You two already share a dorm. Don’t be too clingy."

Jian Ci’s eyes narrowed, his tone defiant. "Why does it bother you that I am clingy? He doesn’t mind."

For once, Jian Rui put his foot down, not for himself but for Yu Xi’s sake. He knew that with Jian Ci breathing down Yu Xi’s neck, the boy’s feelings would only grow stronger, and when the inevitable hurt came, it would crush him, perhaps drive him mad. "I mind," Jian Rui said coldly. "You aren’t switching teams."

He hung up, and with a swipe of his finger, blacklisted Jian Ci’s number.

"Hello? You—" Jian Ci’s voice cut off as the line went dead. He growled, his frustration boiling over. "Two can play that game. We will see who outlasts who."

His gaze shifted to Chancellor Lasson, who stiffened under the intensity. That fierce glare reminded him of Seraphyne when she was truly angry. Jian Ci was his junior, yet in that moment Lasson felt a chill, a fear so sharp he almost reached for his communicator to call Jian Rui to come collect his brother.

But Jian Ci suddenly smiled, bright and disarming. "Uncle, I understand. It’s not your fault."

He walked over to the desk, fingers brushing against the crystal ornament resting there, a gift from Seraphyne when she was alive. His smile lingered as he caressed it, gentle yet dangerous, as though he might shatter it in the next second.

"You were just misled," Jian Ci whispered, his tone deceptively soft, his smile hiding the storm beneath.

Chancellor Lasson’s voice cracked with alarm. "Don’t touch it, it’s fragile!" He reached forward, desperate to rescue the crystal ornament from Jian Ci’s hands. But before he could, Jian Ci had already lifted it, holding it with deceptive care.

"Don’t worry, uncle," Jian Ci said smoothly, his smile bright but his tone edged with something sharper. "I know how important this is to you. I will be careful."

The Chancellor’s heart pounded. He felt as though he was being threatened, though there was no proof, no words he could use to accuse him.

"Uncle, can I ask you a favor?" Jian Ci continued, his voice calm, almost playful.

"Sure, sure—anything. Just put that down," Lasson pleaded, his hands twitching.

"From now on, any academic decisions for Yu Xi and me should be decided by only the two of us. My brothers aren’t allowed to interfere."

"Yes," Lasson said quickly, his nerves fraying. "I won’t let them interfere."

"You promise?" Jian Ci pressed, his eyes gleaming.

"Yes, I promise, I promiseee. Now put it down!"

"Okay," Jian Ci said lightly. But as he lowered the ornament, his fingers slipped deliberately, making it wobble in the air. Chancellor Lasson nearly cried tears of blood, his heart leaping into his throat.

"Oops, sorry," Jian Ci said with mock innocence, finally placing it into his uncle’s trembling hands.

"You brat!" Lasson roared, clutching the ornament tightly to his chest, as though shielding it from further torment. Jian Ci only smiled, the picture of mischief and menace combined.

"I am sorry, uncle, I didn’t mean it," he said, his tone suddenly soft, almost childlike.

Chancellor Lasson exhaled, still clutching the ornament tightly. "Don’t you have class?"

"Oh right," Jian Ci replied quickly, flashing a bright smile. "Thanks, uncle, you are the best."

That innocent expression made it seem as though he hadn’t just threatened him moments ago. Lasson shook his head, unsettled, while Jian Ci walked out. The moment the door closed behind him, the smile fell away. His annoyance simmered, then spiked when he turned into the corridor and saw Yu Xi standing with Rowland.

Yu Xi reached out, brushing his fingers through Rowland’s hair. Rowland smiled, the scene almost tender, almost romantic. Jian Ci’s chest tightened. If Yu Xi wanted to meet Rowland in private, he should have said so—not lied to him.

Jaw clenched, Jian Ci turned back, choosing the long way around to avoid disturbing them. It cost him precious minutes, and by the time he returned to class, Yu Xi was already seated, calm as ever.