CHAPTER 26: HE IS OFF-LIMITS

In the center of the group was a stunning girl with long, glossy hair and cherry red lips that curved into a mischievous smile. She slid into the seat opposite Jian Ci with practiced ease and said, "Ci-ge, you brought a new friend today."

Jian Ci leaned back, smirking. "Wow, Leila, you just couldn’t miss the chance. You saw a handsome Esper and rushed over like a moth to flame."

Yu Xi lowered his gaze, the sourness from earlier creeping back into his chest. The food on his tray suddenly looked dull, tasteless. He picked at it, silent.

Leila leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Don’t mind him. You are the first man I have ever drooled over."

The group burst into laughter, loud and unrestrained, as if she had delivered the punchline of the year.

Jian Ci rolled his eyes. "You ha, you failed to lure me into your trap, so now you’re switching targets?"

He reached out and pulled Yu Xi closer by the waist, his voice playful but firm. "He is off-limits."

Leila’s smile sharpened. "Says who?"

A voice cut through the noise, deep and commanding. "Says me." It was Jian Rui.

Leila and the others stiffened instantly, scrambling to their feet and saluting.

Jian Wei stood behind them, arms crossed. "Go make yourselves useful elsewhere."

The group scattered like startled birds, grateful for the reprieve.

Jian Ci released Yu Xi’s waist and turned to his brother. "I thought you two wouldn’t make it in time for dinner."

"We made time," Jian Wei said as he slid into the seat across from them, his coat still smelling faintly of antiseptic and ozone.

His eyes flicked to Yu Xi’s tray, and his brow arched. "You picked his food, didn’t you?"

Jian Rui, who had just sat down beside him, leaned over for a better look. "He absolutely did."

Jian Wei sighed. "Ah-Ci has an incredibly sweet tooth. Neither of us can stand his tastes."

Jian Ci, unbothered, stabbed a glazed star boar rib dripping with crystallized plum glaze and held it up to Yu Xi’s lips. "He might like it. Here, try this."

Both Jian Wei and Jian Rui stared at him, identical expressions of disbelief etched across their faces. It was the kind of look that said, Are you seriously feeding him?

Yu Xi leaned back slightly, uncertain. He reached for his fork, but Jian Ci dodged his hand with a grin. "Try it."

After a pause, Yu Xi leaned forward and took the bite.

The sweetness hit him like a wave. Jian Wei hadn’t exaggerated, it was so sugary he questioned whether there was any actual meat beneath the syrupy glaze.

Jian Ci leaned in, expectant. "How is it?"

Jian Rui smirked. "Don’t lie to protect his feelings."

Yu Xi swallowed and said plainly, "It’s too sweet."

Unfazed, Jian Ci sliced into a piece of honeyed quail drizzled with saffron nectar and brought it to Yu Xi’s lips again. "Try this one."

Yu Xi didn’t hesitate this time. He leaned forward and took the bite Jian Ci offered. The moment the honeyed quail touched his tongue, his expression cracked, just slightly. His brows twitched, lips pressing together in a way that betrayed the truth.

Jian Rui pointed with his chopsticks. "See? You are not normal."

Jian Ci’s smile faltered. He picked up Yu Xi’s tray, looking vaguely betrayed, and stood. Without a word, he walked off.

Yu Xi watched his retreating back, a flicker of guilt tightening in his chest.

Jian Rui resumed eating. "He will sulk for a bit, but he’l will be fine by bedtime."

Jian Wei nudged his own tray forward. "You can have mine. It’s mostly mild."

Yu Xi shook his head. "No, it’s okay." Just then, Jian Ci returned, a bright smile lighting up his face. He carried a new tray, carefully balanced, and set it in front of Yu Xi.

"Try this," he said. "If you don’t like it, I will get you something else."

Jian Wei and Jian Rui exchanged a look, surprise etched across their faces.

Jian Ci shrugged. "What? Eat before it gets cold."

Yu Xi looked at the tray. There was steamed rice, sautéed greens, lightly seasoned fish. It was a simple meal.

"Thanks," he said softly, and began to eat.

Jian Ci sat beside him, already digging in like nothing had happened.

Jian Wei had just started eating when a thought tugged at him. He glanced across the table, watching Jian Ci twist the cap off a bottle of juice. Jian Ci took a long sip, his expression melting into satisfaction as he set the bottle down with a soft clink.

Without missing a beat, Jian Wei reached for it. "Let me have a sip."

Jian Ci’s hand shot out like lightning, snatching the bottle away. "Get your own."

Jian Rui raised an eyebrow at Jian Wei, his look saying You know he doesn’t like sharing, what are you doing?

Jian Wei held up a finger and mouthed, Wait.

Jian Rui turned to Yu Xi, voice gentler. "I have sent people to look for your brother."

Yu Xi paused mid-bite. "Thank you."

"No need," Jian Rui replied. "I will update you as soon as I hear something."

Yu Xi nodded. "Okay," and resumed eating.

Jian Wei leaned back, still watching. "Yu Xi, aren’t you thirsty? Do you need a drink?"

Jian Ci didn’t hesitate. He picked up the juice he had just drunk from and handed it to Yu Xi. "Here, have this."

Yu Xi wasn’t thirsty, but he accepted it and took a sip.

Jian Wei blinked and Jian Rui’s jaw dropped. Neither said a word, but the silence was deafening. Jian Ci, oblivious, just smiled and reached for another bite of food. It was as though he hadn’t realised the oddity in what he had done. One moment, he was sipping his juice with a satisfied sigh, and the next, he was handing it to Yu Xi without hesitation.

Jian Wei, who had just been denied a sip moments earlier, turned to his older brother. Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. If spoken allowed it would sound like, "Did he really just do that?" with Jian Wei replying, "Yes, he absolutely fucking did."

Yu Xi took two sips, his expression softening into quiet contentment. He set the bottle down, and Jian Ci casually picked it back up and drank from it again, completely unaware of the tension he had stirred.

Jian Rui shifted, uneasy, but said nothing. Instead, he changed the subject. "When we get back, there will be a lot of training. Rest up today."

Yu Xi nodded. "Alright."

Jian Ci groaned. "You would think we were going to war with the way you have me training."

Jian Rui lifted his mug, the rim brushing his lips. "We are never not at war."

Jian Wei added, "The enemy can strike at any moment."