CHAPTER 128: DEFEND YU XI’S HONOUR

Startled, Jian Ci shook his head quickly. "No, no, I am good, thanks."

The young man smiled politely. "Do let me know if you need help."

Jian Ci forced a nod, his pulse racing, while his eyes drifted back to Yu Xi and the girl. He had been so startled at being caught lurking in the clothing store that he decided to leave immediately. Finally, logic kicked in. He told himself it was ridiculous to keep stalking Yu Xi and his mysterious companion. Since he was already at the mall, he figured he might as well make the trip worthwhile. He wandered through the polished corridors, picking out gifts for his family. He even bought a couple of things for Yu Xi, hoping to ease his guilt. To finish off his errand, he treated himself to a smoothie dripping with golden nectar, the kind he always craved when he needed comfort.

An hour later, Jian Ci stood at the counter, arms full of shopping bags, waiting for his drink. Just then, someone stepped up beside him. A girl’s voice rang out, cheerful: "One pink smoothie, please."

Jian Ci turned his head and met her gaze. She smiled warmly, and he forced himself to smile back, though his nerves prickled. He shifted a little further away, but her next words froze him. "I saw you at the store earlier."

Jian Ci swore silently—fuck—before managing, "Yeah, I remember."

"Are you here alone?" she asked casually.

"Yeah," Jian Ci replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just shopping for the family."

Her eyes flicked to his bags. "Nice."

Jian Ci knew he shouldn’t say anything more, but the words slipped out before he could stop himself. "Are you here with your boyfriend?"

The question hung in the air, heavier than he intended, his curiosity betraying him.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, isn’t he handsome?"

Jian Ci forced a polite grin. "He is very handsome. How did you guys meet?"

"We met on Starnet," she replied proudly. "Don’t we look good together?"

Jian Ci nodded stiffly. "Yeah... you do."

The barista slid his smoothie across the counter, and Jian Ci grabbed it quickly, eager to escape. "Have a great day," he muttered, turning to leave.

"Have a great day, tenth prince," she called after him.

Jian Ci froze mid-step, his stomach dropping. She smiled knowingly before walking away, sipping her pink smoothie through the straw.

"..." Jian Ci’s mind went blank. He rushed home, the smoothie in his hand suddenly tasteless, heavy with dread. He didn’t dare mention the encounter to Jian Rui or Jian Wei. The thought of her snitching to Yu Xi terrified him. Yu Xi would know he had been at the mall, following him like a stalker.

Already, Jian Ci was rehearsing excuses in his head when Jian Rui passed his door. "Yu Xi is back," Jian Rui said casually.

Jian Ci’s heart lurched. "Seriously? Fuck."

"I thought you would be happy to have him back," Jian Rui remarked, narrowing his eyes.

"I—I am happy," Jian Ci stammered, his voice too quick, too defensive.

Jian Rui studied him, suspicion sharpening his gaze. "You are acting suspicious. What did you do when you went outside?"

"Nothing," Jian Ci said hastily. "I just bought you some gifts."

He picked up one of the shopping bags and carried it over to Jian Rui, his expression carefully neutral. Jian Rui raised a brow, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Why? Is it because you want something?" he asked while opening the bag. Inside lay a pair of cufflinks, sleek and elegant, clearly expensive. Jian Rui’s eyes widened slightly. They had undoubtedly cost Jian Ci a pretty penny.

"No reason," Jian Ci said quickly, his voice softer than usual. "I thought they would look good on you."

For a moment, Jian Rui felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t told Jian Ci the truth about Yu Xi, and now, seeing this gesture, it weighed on him. He forced a smile. "Yu Xi is bringing someone with him, so be on your best behavior."

Jian Ci’s smile faltered. "Who?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.

Before Jian Rui could answer, a loud voice rang out from downstairs. Jian Wei’s unmistakable yell: "Fuck no!"

Jian Rui instantly knew Yu Xi had arrived. He hurried downstairs, Jian Ci trailing behind. But Jian Ci’s steps faltered when his eyes landed on Yu Xi and his girlfriend, standing together like the picture-perfect couple.

Jian Wei’s dissatisfaction was palpable. He actually blurted, "What are you doing here?" Yu Xi blinked, startled. Jian Wei was always polite, so why was he bristling at Xiaobao?

Xiaobao smirked, her tone teasing. "What, you missed me already?"

Yu Xi was speechless, caught off guard. Jian Ci, watching, could almost see the metaphorical green hat perched atop Yu Xi’s head. He blurted, "You are Yu Xi’s girlfriend, you shouldn’t flirt like that with my brother."

Jian Ci squared his shoulders, ready to defend Yu Xi’s honour against what he thought was blatant disrespect. His voice was sharp, his glare unwavering. For a moment, the room fell into a stunned silence, tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

Yu Xi blinked in surprise, utterly baffled. What on earth made Jian Ci think that was his girlfriend?

Xiaobao tilted her head, her lips curling into a sly smirk. "Brother, what is this crazy man talking about?" she asked, her tone dripping with amusement. That smirk was devious, and Jian Ci felt his confidence falter.

Jian Ci, "..." His mind scrambled with confusion.

Yu Xi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Ci, this is my sister, Xiaobao."

Jian Ci’s jaw dropped. "Sister? I thought you had a brother."

Xiaobao chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "This one is not really smart, is he?"

"..." Jian Ci’s silence was deafening.

Yu Xi replied, "Yeah, but she’s my sister now."

Jian Ci’s entire worldview shattered in that instant. He turned to Jian Rui, silently asking if he saw this madness too, but Jian Rui was already stifling a laugh. Even Jian Wei couldn’t hold back, his shoulders shaking.

"So you two knew and didn’t tell me?" Jian Ci demanded, his voice cracking.

Jian Wei burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "You thought it was his girlfriend—hahaha!" He leaned against Jian Rui, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

Jian Rui finally lost control, laughter spilling out uncontrollably.

"You should have seen how he was sulking," Jian Wei managed between fits of laughter. "Ahahaha—it was so funny."

Yu Xi stood there, speechless, caught between exasperation and disbelief as his brothers dissolved into hysterics.