After Breaking Up with the Alpha Villain, I was Forcibly Marked - Chapter 25

“Young Master, in addition to the letter from the Evig family patriarch, we also received an invitation from the Prince today.”

Remembering another matter, Chen Mujue turned and gestured for the attendant behind him to present a dark red invitation to the Alpha.

Gao Chang took the envelope, his gaze flickering with confusion. “Which Prince???”

His family had plenty of dealings with the Emperor, but they were relatively distant from the other Princes. One could say they had no shared interests or conflicts of interest. To suddenly receive such an invitation was quite unexpected.

Chen Mujue ordered the light screen to be retracted and turned his attention to the letter in the Alpha’s hand. “It is the coming-of-age ceremony for the Twelfth Prince’s second son. Many eligible noble and titled Alphas in the Empire have been invited.”

Gao Chang understood immediately. “So, it’s not just a coming-of-age ceremony; it’s a large-scale husband-hunting banquet.”

He scanned the contents. It was nothing more than an invitation to attend his son’s ceremony next month unremarkable, formal pleasantries that were neither too close nor too distant. However, the signature at the end of the text caught his eye.

The Prince’s surname was Xing. He hadn’t expected that. It was the same surname as Xing Xiyan.

What a coincidence, he thought.

Gao Chang tossed the invitation back to Chen Mujue. “Who is the Prince’s second son? Why haven’t I heard of him before?”

Chen Mujue shook his head, refolding the invitation precisely. “He is said to be a rare SS-rank Omega, currently studying at the Royal Academy.”

Information regarding members of the Imperial family had always been strictly protected by specific security agencies. Very few people knew details about them unless they chose to reveal them to the outside world. Being able to find even this much information was already no easy feat.

“Tsk. It seems you don’t know either. Whatever; it won’t be too late to meet him then.”

Once Chen Mujue spoke, Gao Chang lost interest in prying into the Prince’s second son, casually tossing the matter to the back of his mind.

That night, Gao Chang logged into his social platform account. Unsurprisingly, his private messages had exceeded 999+ unread notifications. He scrolled through a dozen or so private comments; they were still mostly vitriol.

Some were verbal attacks calling him shameless for using his strength as an Alpha to force himself on someone; others were mocking him, saying he must be talking big again. They claimed his “marriage” comments were just to grab attention pure deception arguing that a playboy could never willingly marry a “stumbling block.”

Gao Chang felt a surge of irritation. Before going to sleep, he finally couldn’t resist posting a fully public status update, directly responding to the controversies trending on the hot list.

In the post, he did not deny the fact that he and Xing Xiyan had been together. He also openly stated that the two were dating, had mutual feelings for each other, and that no force was used. Naturally, as an Alpha, he would take full responsibility for his partner until the end.

Regarding the promise made in that short video, he admitted it likely contained elements designed to cooperate with the interview’s “effect,” but it also contained his genuine feelings. Preparations for the wedding were already underway; it was by no means a lie.

To completely shut down any other netizens’ suspicions, he spent half an hour digging through his photo albums. He finally found the only photo he had where he was embracing Xing Xiyan from behind a candid shot where his Alpha “boyfriend power” was at its maximum. He enlarged the photo and attached it to the end of the post.

On the surface, this was a formal declaration of their relationship. It was also the first official announcement he had ever made, unlike with his “one-week” exes.

In the hours following the post, the comment section was once again bombarded by messages from citizens, and the post was pushed to the very top of the hot list.

Unexpectedly, the public opinion turned around. Long comments were posted overnight, with users expressing relief that he had finally “found his way back.” They arrogantly decided that he wasn’t yet “scum beyond saving” and could proceed to the next stage of observation. However, they warned that they would keep a close eye on his emotional trends and conduct long-term supervision; if he ever changed his mind or broke his promise, they would swarm him again without mercy.

The uniform wall of insults beneath the previous hot threads also began to fade away thanks to his response.

Gao Chang scrolled through the sudden change in the netizens’ tone, feeling quite surprised. He hadn’t expected that the “Playboy” title he had worn for years could be successfully scrubbed clean overnight with a single clarification post.

The results were unexpectedly good.

Unfortunately, his relief didn’t last long. On his third day back at school, a series of announcements arrived to sweep his peace away.

Two weeks ago, the news of him piloting the “White Eagle” mecha to save a pregnant Omega had already spread throughout every campus of the Imperial First Military Academy. Afterward, the school board conducted a comprehensive evaluation of his actions. They concluded that saving a person was a good deed and worthy of affirmation.

However, violating school rules and Imperial public safety regulations was an error that could not be overlooked. It was a serious matter, and he had to be disciplined. Considering his merits, the board finally decided to waive the cruel decision of five years of on-campus detention. Instead, they would send him as a military reserve to the planet Gadobra the border region between the Empire and the Federation to serve on guard duty.

The trial period was two years. If no further mistakes were made during that time, the school would not only send people to receive him personally upon completion but would also reserve the rank of Second Lieutenant for him.

“Student Gao, our school does not have the heart to let your talents go to waste. After repeated consideration, we have made this ‘best of both worlds’ arrangement. I hope you can understand our good intentions, see the school’s expectations for you, and cherish this rare opportunity. As for the rank of Second Lieutenant, rest assured, our school will definitely keep it for you.”

The Principal spoke with deep sincerity, his words broadcasting infinite possibilities and hope.

Gao Chang found the speech dull and had no interest in the rank of Second Lieutenant. He thinned his lips and raised an objection without a hint of hesitation: “Sorry, Principal. I think I’m better suited for on-campus observation…”

“Student Gao… are you dissatisfied with the school’s arrangement?” The Principal was stunned. Clearly, Gao Chang’s answer was outside his expectations.

Gao Chang placed both hands behind his head, leaning lazily against the leather-velvet sofa. “That place is too dangerous. Staying at school is safer.”

Don’t think I don’t know, he thought. Because Gadobra was at the intersection of the Empire and Federation territories, it was plagued by frequent wars and disasters. The inhabitants there were a mixed bag violent and lawless comparable to a “Scrap Planet.” Going to a place like that was just asking to put his life on the line. He wasn’t bored enough to go out of his way to seek suffering.

Looking at his “slacker” posture, the Principal felt a surge of disappointment, yet he had to maintain a polite tone: “Student Gao, you are a fine sprout chosen through careful selection by our school. With your masterful level of mecha piloting, you should be used where you are needed most. Giving up such a rare training opportunity for temporary enjoyment and letting your talent go to waste would be truly detrimental to your life.”

The Principal was earnest. As a workplace veteran who had navigated the corporate world in his previous life, Gao Chang immediately heard the hidden motive. Good grief, he’s just using me to hit his KPIs.

“It’s not that I can’t go, but shouldn’t the military rank be bumped up a bit?!” Asking him to risk his life for a Second Lieutenant was thinking too highly of him.

The Principal asked hesitantly, “You are dissatisfied with the Second Lieutenant position…?”

Gao Chang’s gaze swept over the massive posters of past Marshals hanging on the opposite wall. A spark of passion ignited in his heart, and he instinctively sat up straight. “At least Lieutenant Colonel. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

Hearing his lion-like demand, a few more hairs fell from the Principal’s already thinning head. “Ah, this… I can’t make that decision. You know, while our school has raised countless officers over the years, we have always been open, upright, and followed the rules… certain things have an inertia. The higher up you go, the more complex it becomes, the more tedious the procedures, and the more it must conform to the rules.”

By the end of the speech, Gao Chang’s patience was nearly gone. He simply stood up and, while walking toward the door, casually remarked, “It seems this is indeed a lot of trouble. The Principal should find someone else to go. Besides, I’m getting tired of this school anyway; processing a transfer shouldn’t be difficult.”

The Principal scrambled from his seat, jogged to Gao Chang’s side, and began to plead with “snot and tears”: “You can’t! You can’t do that, Student Gao! As for the candidate, it has to be you. If you don’t go, our school has no other ‘display-worthy’ sprouts left. If you transfer schools, how will I explain it to your father? I can’t let an old man like me let down his old classmate.”

If this ‘mobile vault’ leaves, the ‘old vault’ (Gao’s father) will surely follow! Where would the school find its next financial pillar?! The old geezers at the other military academies had been clamoring about a lack of talent lately; he absolutely couldn’t let them snatch his person away at this critical moment.

Gao Chang wasn’t about to be fooled by his sob story. He shifted his body, nimbly dodging the fleshy palm about to land on his shoulder. “That’s your problem. Whether I change schools or not is my freedom.”

The Principal struggled internally for a moment before finally deciding to relent. “Student Gao, you are a rare talent of our school; naturally, we wouldn’t let you be buried… what you mentioned, while ‘on principle’ it’s not allowed, it’s not entirely impossible to accommodate. As long as you successfully complete the mission without any major mishaps—and ideally, perform some meritorious deeds our school isn’t unwilling to run those errands for you…”

A cunning smile curled at the corner of Gao Chang’s lips. “Since the Principal has put it that way, as a student, I have no choice but to follow the arrangement.”

To be honest, going to a place like Gadobra for a title meant taking on a lot of unknown risks. He also didn’t know if, two years from now, Xing Xiyan would still be waiting for him. Even though the other had readily agreed to his marriage proposal without saying much, he was still a bit uneasy. Perhaps in these ten days, he should focus on building their relationship, just in case he returned to find the person gone.

With the intention of seizing the time to consolidate his relationship with his “conquest target,” Gao Chang left the Principal’s office. He didn’t return to the training ground but headed straight for the teaching building where Xing Xiyan was.

To his surprise, the classroom was empty. The seat in the last row, the one furthest to the right where a certain figure should have been sitting, was currently vacant. After considering where the youth might have gone, he followed his memory and headed to the rooftop.

“At least he’s here. I didn’t come for nothing.”

Seeing that thin silhouette, Gao Chang felt a surge of joy. He called out and quickened his pace. In the next second, the youth, whose back was turned toward him, spun around and violently tackled him to the ground.

After a world-spinning moment, a familiar, alluring scent instantly filled his nostrils.