CHAPTER 95: SET BOUNDARIES

AN: Happy Saturday. Thank you so much for the golden tickets, votes, collections and reviews. Thank you so much Gwen_Allen, Stars_to_fall, Star_S, Rissa_9545, Pagalu, Big_Mantou and Monmot for the amazing gifts. I appreciate it so much. Happy reading lovelies.

***

Yu Xi adjusted the strap across his chest and said calmly, "I will, don’t worry."

Jian Rui’s sharp eyes caught the misaligned buckle on Yu Xi’s utility strap. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and fixed it, his hands precise and steady. "Thank you," Jian Rui murmured.

Yu Xi shook his head. "No need for that. You know very well why I am doing this."

Their gazes met, a quiet understanding passing between them. Jian Rui gave a small nod just as the door slid open.

"Little Xi, are you done?" Jian Ci’s voice rang out. He froze in the doorway, his eyes narrowing. From his angle, it looked like Jian Rui was touching Yu Xi in a way that made his blood run cold.

"Why don’t you ever knock?" Jian Rui asked casually, finishing the adjustment as though nothing unusual had happened. His tone was nonchalant, unbothered.

Jian Ci strode forward, his expression tense. "Little Xi and I have an understanding, right, Little Xi?"

Yu Xi glanced at him, and Jian Ci relaxed when he realized Jian Rui had only been helping.

Jian Rui stepped back, his task complete. "You should let him know before you go in. What if, in the future, he has someone over?"

Jian Ci sat on the bed, dismissive. "Then he will tell me, and I won’t come over."

Jian Rui sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. He turned to Yu Xi. "You should tell him to knock first. Set boundaries. Have a spine."

Yu Xi hesitated. "..." Then he said simply, "I won’t have anyone over."

Jian Rui was speechless.

"See?" Jian Ci said smugly. "He doesn’t mind, so what’s it to you?"

"Fine," Jian Rui muttered. "I won’t bother with you two. Let’s go."

Jian Ci chuckled, feeling oddly triumphant, his smugness radiating like victory.

***

The gates of the Imperial Academy loomed tall, opening with a slow, deliberate grandeur that revealed the bustling chaos within. New recruits streamed in from every direction, their chatter and footsteps blending into a symphony of anticipation. Sleek motorcades lined the entrance, each one belonging to prominent families who flaunted their status with long escorts and polished banners.

Jian Rui, despite his royal status, had no desire to draw attention. This was the capital, the safest place in Orion drift, and he preferred to move quietly. He turned to the two. "Let me take you inside."

Jian Ci waved him off immediately, his grin irrepressible. "No, no, we are good. We can figure it out. Besides, if we have a problem, we can ask Uncle Lasson."

Jian Rui’s brow furrowed, but he relented. "Fine. Just don’t make trouble."

"I won’t," Jian Ci promised, already bounding out of the vehicle. He refused even the bodyguard’s offer to carry his bags, insisting on doing it himself.

Jian Rui lingered, his gaze shifting to Yu Xi. He lowered his voice. "If anything happens, don’t delay. Inform me immediately so I can deal with it."

Yu Xi nodded, calm as ever. "I will let you know."

Satisfied, Jian Rui added, "Oh right. I sent you more funds. If it’s not enough, let me know."

Yu Xi’s reply was steady, his tone respectful. "Okay. I will."

Jian Rui leaned back in his seat, his tone calm but firm. "Oh, and I won’t have an assignment for you for now, so be at ease."

Yu Xi inclined his head. "Alright." Jian Rui gestured toward the door, and Yu Xi nodded, stepping out of the hovercar with his usual composure.

Before the door could close, Jian Ci rushed over, his energy spilling out in a rush of words. "Rui-ge, I will miss you. Don’t forget to eat and rest well, oh—and tell Wei-ge not to work too hard."

Jian Rui’s lips curved into a smile. "I will let him know. And you—don’t make trouble. If you are dating, tell me so I can deal with the matter in advance."

Jian Ci laughed lightly. "You worry too much. If I like someone, I will tell you."

Yu Xi bit the inside of his cheek at those words, a sharp pang tightening in his chest. He didn’t even know what he would do if Jian Ci started dating. He actually might lose his mind.

The pair walked together toward the enrolment section. As Jian Rui watched them walk toward the enrolment section, the crowd swallowed them into its rhythm. For all the noise and grandeur, Jian Ci’s excitement and Yu Xi’s quiet composure stood out, two cadets stepping into an unknown exciting future.

***

The academy gates towered above them, and the line of new recruits stretched long, winding across the courtyard. Jian Ci didn’t mind waiting. People were talking about him and gasping having recognized him but he was used to the whispers that followed him everywhere.

Normally, he brushed them off without care.

But this time, the whispers weren’t only about him. They were also talking Yu Xi. Jian Ci caught fragments—admiration, awe, envy. Yu Xi, eyes fixed on his floating screen, was calmly checking the dorm assignments, academy rules, and the schedule after enrolment.

Jian Ci’s ears caught the murmur of an Esper nearby, whispering to his companion about asking for Yu Xi’s contact. "He’s the top scorer this year," the voice said, brimming with excitement. Jian Ci’s eyes narrowed. When the Esper finally approached, Jian Ci stepped forward, blocking his view entirely.

The man, shorter than Jian Ci, startled at the sudden obstruction. He looked up, only to meet Jian Ci’s fierce violet gaze—eyes that seemed to blaze with a silent command: get lost. The young man paled, turned on his heel, and scurried away without another word.

Jian Ci smirked, satisfied, before draping his arm casually around Yu Xi’s shoulder. "What are you looking at?" he asked, his tone light.

Yu Xi didn’t glance up, his focus steady on the floating screen. "The program for this week."

Jian Ci studied his side profile, the curve of his cheek, the calm sharpness of his eyes, and a smile tugged at his lips. "Yu Xi, you are so good at taking care of me."

Yu Xi turned his head slightly, his lips brushing dangerously close to Jian Ci’s cheek. His voice was dry but warm. "If I don’t take care of you, you would be running around like a headless chicken."

And he was right. That was why their pairing worked so well. Yu Xi was the planner, the one with strict schedules and foresight.