CHAPTER 76: LOSING CONTROL

He scrolled through the feeds, reading the hot gossip plastered across Starnet. Headlines screamed about Jian Ci and Alarna, painting them as a perfect match. Yu Xi’s chest tightened, the words cutting deeper than he wanted to admit.

Pictures from Jian Ci’s birthday celebration filled the space. Yu Xi’s gaze locked on one photograph. Jian Ci, regal in deep blue and gold, his faint smile captured perfectly as Alarna leaned close, her presence intimate. Another photo followed—Alarna’s arms wrapped tightly around Jian Ci in a hug.

Yu Xi’s chest constricted. His breath came shallow, uneven. Jealousy burned through him like acid, searing every nerve. His psychic power began to ripple, erratic pulses flashing across his aura. He tried to suppress it, to force calm into his veins, but the more he stared, the more the storm inside him grew.

His eyes shifted, glowing with a dazzling green. He clenched his fists until his nails pierced flesh, blood welling in his palms. He didn’t care.

The walls of the simulator trembled as the storm erupted—winds howling, lights flickering, energy surging like a tempest trapped within steel. His communicator beeped incessantly, warning of his unstable condition. The shrill sound grated against his nerves, feeding the chaos, until the room itself seemed to pulse with his fury.

With a snarl, Yu Xi ripped the communicator from his wrist and hurled it across the room. It struck the steel floor with a sharp clatter, skidding to a stop, unbroken of course. Devices built for Espers were designed to endure their fury.

But then came the voice.

It seeped into his mind like smoke, curling through the cracks of his thoughts, carried on the storm raging inside him. It was whispering to him and tempting him. You can have him if you want. Just imprison him.

The words echoed, wrapping around his consciousness like chains. His aura flared, the storm intensifying, winds rattling the walls, lights flickering in protest. For a moment, Yu Xi faltered. The temptation was there, sharp and poisonous.

But his heart recoiled. He couldn’t do that, not to Jian Ci. Not to the one he loved.

And then—another voice. Familiar. Urgent. Like driftwood in a flood.

"Yu Xi!"

It was Jian Ci’s voice.

The panic in its tone cut through the chaos, slicing through the storm like a lifeline. Yu Xi clung to it, desperate, letting it pull him back. His aura flickered, the winds subsided, the green glow in his eyes dimmed.

When he came back to himself, the simulation room was quiet again. His breath was ragged, his fists bloodied, and the silence pressed heavy against his chest.

And Jian Ci was there. His arms wrapped firmly around Yu Xi, holding him tight as though he could anchor him against the storm that had just passed. Yu Xi froze, his breath caught in his throat, then slowly pushed himself upright, trembling.

"Yu Xi, are you okay?" Jian Ci’s voice was low and urgent.

Yu Xi couldn’t even open his mouth. The words stuck, heavy with embarrassment. Jian Ci’s hand brushed his cheek, wiping away the streaks of blood that had fallen like tears. His expression was anxious, his brows drawn tight. "What happened just now?"

Yu Xi stared at him, overwhelmed by the inexplicable emotion rising in his chest. Seeing Jian Ci care for him like this, it was unbearable and yet intoxicating. He reached out, fingers trembling, to cup Jian Ci’s face. Jian Ci had his head lowered, gently wiping the blood from Yu Xi’s palm with a handkerchief.

"There is blood," Jian Ci murmured, holding his wrist.

Yu Xi curled his fingers, shame flooding him. ’He’s right. I will only dirty him.’ He tried to withdraw his hand, but Jian Ci refused to let go. "You are hurt. It will be painful to touch anything until you’re healed."

Yu Xi looked at him, startled, his heart pounding. Jian Ci’s gaze was steady and unyielding. He wiped the last trace of blood away and asked softly, "Little Xi, what is really going on? First it was your lip, you looked so exhausted like you were run over by a mech in your sleep, and now... now this."

The silence that followed was heavier than any storm.

Jian Ci met Yu Xi’s gaze, his expression sharp, unwavering. "Tell me the truth. Did my brothers do something to you to get that suppressant?" His tone was so serious, so absolute, it felt as though he was ready to sever ties if Yu Xi admitted it.

Yu Xi shook his head quickly. "No, it’s not like that. The process is painless... if it was bad, I wouldn’t have done it."

"Painless or not, there must be a price," Jian Ci pressed, his voice low but firm. "And if this episode is the result of it, then don’t do it anymore. I am content with my situation."

" Jian Ci!" Yu Xi’s voice rose, sharp and startling. Jian Ci froze. When had Yu Xi ever yelled at him?

Yu Xi’s chest heaved. "I want to do this for you. I don’t expect anything in return, so be at ease."

Jian Ci faltered, his eyes locking onto Yu Xi’s cold emerald gaze. Something stirred inside him, emotions he couldn’t name. He looked away, composing himself, his lips tightening. "Why... why do you want to help me?"

Yu Xi hesitated, then forced the words out. "Because you are my best friend."

The words cut him like a blade. Saying it killed him. He didn’t want to be friends.

Yu Xi wanted to be his man, his partner, the one who stood beside Jian Ci through storms and silence alike. But that was just a pipe dream. The words best friends had torn through him like a blade, ripping away a piece of his flesh.

Yet to Jian Ci, it was as though he had won the lottery. For months he had been waiting, hoping, trying to coax Yu Xi into saying those words. And now that Yu Xi had finally spoken them, Jian Ci felt like he was standing on top of the moon.

He tried to hide his beaming smile, but it slipped through anyway as he said, "Let’s make a blood oath to be best friends forever."

Yu Xi froze, then shoved him lightly away. "Don’t push your luck."

Jian Ci chuckled, unbothered. "You can’t blame a guy for trying."

Yu Xi’s voice was steady, though his heart trembled. "Since we are friends, then friends tell friends everything."

"Well, yes," Jian Ci replied, "you can ask me anything. But first, after I take you to see Wei-ge. I’m worried."

He started to rise, but Yu Xi’s hand shot out, gripping his wrist and pulling him back. Jian Ci staggered, his balance faltering, and he nearly fell against Yu Xi.

Their lips hovered dangerously close—so close that one small move, one breath, and they would touch. The air between them burned with unspoken tension.