After Breaking Up with the Alpha Villain, I was Forcibly Marked - Chapter 28

“Does Senior have something on his mind?”

The youth cast a glance toward the Alpha’s side profile, which still bore the lingering flush of their encounter. In his light-colored eyes, a flicker of satisfaction from having achieved his desire flickered.

“Do I? What could I possibly have on my mind? You’re seeing things.”

Gao Chang averted his gaze, forcing himself to endure the soreness in his lower back as he quickened his pace to walk ahead of Xing Xiyan, attempting to hide his internal struggle.

Fortunately, the incident on the rooftop had been a false alarm; the people in the stairwell never actually stepped out, nor did they see them. However, while the rooftop incident was over, what awaited him afterward was not going to be any less intense. Even though the two had just finished a “round,” he was still leading the youth home to practically beg for more. He truly couldn’t find it in himself to be happy about it.

“If Senior is unwilling, you don’t have to force yourself.”

Sensing the Alpha’s hesitation, Xing Xiyan’s gaze lingered on the fair, smooth, and slender nape of his neck. The satisfaction from moments ago was suddenly defeated by a renewed abyss of desire; the urge to mark the man surged within him.

Deeply aware of the uncontrollable madness beneath his skin, he knew that only the warmth of physical contact could soothe it. Without another word, he seized the Alpha’s wrist. The moment Gao Chang looked over, his knuckles tightened, grip by grip.

“Really…?” Gao Chang dazed for a moment, unable to believe the sincerity in Xing Xiyan’s words.

Xing Xiyan leaned in close, his thin lips near Gao Chang’s ear, speaking at a deliberate pace. “Mmm. Even though Senior promised me, it hasn’t even been a day and you’ve changed your mind. Regardless, I will respect Senior’s decision.”

Even as he said this, his grip on the Alpha’s hand showed no signs of loosening. Every action was a stark contrast to the “understanding” nature of his words. It didn’t sound like he was giving Gao Chang a chance to back out at all.

Gao Chang glanced at his left hand, held firmly by the other. He tried to pull back toward himself, but failed. After a quick mental calculation of the negative consequences of a last-minute change of heart, he wisely chose to stick to the original plan.

He hurriedly scanned the military students trickling out of the school gates, then looked at Xing Xiyan who was slightly taller than the surrounding crowd and himself and took the youth’s hand. “Ahem, it’s getting late. Let’s just go home.”

Is it just my imagination? he wondered.

He felt that Xing Xiyan had become different recently. Not only had he grown taller, but he had also shed the cold detachment of their first meeting. The chill that usually overflowed from those light eyes had been replaced by an unusual heat when facing him. He had become quite a bit more “clingy.”

Yet, Gao Chang still didn’t dare to conclude whether this current dynamic meant he had truly won the youth’s heart. At this thought, he couldn’t help but lament the System’s absence once more. If only it were here to offer a few prompts, he wouldn’t have to take so many “detours.”

The pair had just stepped out of the school gates when they unexpectedly ran into someone. It was Xing Yizhao, waiting beneath a tree.

He was dressed in a luxurious, white outfit with intricate gold patterns fashionable yet elegant. He stood alone amidst the constant flow of people. A few strands of his soft, flaxen hair were lifted by the breeze, revealing a smooth, fair forehead. His brown eyes were gilded by the sunlight, and his full, crimson lips stood out against his flawless, slightly baby-fat cheeks. He looked bright, vibrant, and arrogant like a proud white peacock.

Upon seeing them, that radiant face fifty percent similar to Xing Xiyan’s broke into a sweet smile. He waved enthusiastically in their direction.

Stirred by his emotions, the peach fragrance in the air intensified, floating toward the Alpha like threads of sweet mist from dozens of meters away. Gao Chang, smelling the scent he remembered so well, immediately recalled Wen Chengmin’s warning. He held his breath, trying to minimize his intake to avoid being induced into a Rut again.

Alongside his vigilance, a wave of confusion rose in his heart. He couldn’t fathom why Xing Yizhao had come looking for him. The youth seemed oblivious to Gao Chang’s wariness, taking small steps toward him. His exquisite face was tilted up as he offered a passionate greeting:

“Brother Gao Chang, long time no see.”

“Brother… long time no see.”

“…” Xing Xiyan remained silent, his face cold.

“Hel—”

Gao Chang was about to respond when he felt a surge of literal pressure on the wrist Xing Xiyan was holding. The undeniable force sent a bolt of pain through his nerves, forcing him to swallow the words before they could leave his mouth. He had almost forgotten the animosity between Xing Xiyan and his brother.

He quickly weighed the options between “keeping Xing Xiyan steady” and “building a rapport with Xing Yizhao.” Having a sharp eye for the situation, he chose to stabilize the former and keep his distance from the latter. He cleared his throat and spoke in a neutral tone:

“Is there something you need?”

Xing Yizhao tilted his head, his glass-like eyes brimming with a shy light. “The invitation… did you receive it?”

Gao Chang was bewildered. He instinctively shot back, “What invitation?” When had he ever received an invitation from Xing Yizhao?

“How could that be? Did you not receive it?” Noticing the Alpha had no memory of it, the shyness in Yizhao’s eyes was replaced by confusion. “They should have delivered it to you a few days ago. Was it lost on the way?”

Before meeting the Alpha, Yizhao had only associated with the Imperial family and other nobles; he rarely cared for outside matters. Thus, during their first meeting at the hospital, he hadn’t realized the man was Gao Chang, the son of the Empire’s richest man. Realizing the irresistible influence the man had on him, he had investigated the Alpha’s identity while still in the hospital.

He thought the information would be hard to find, but a casual search on the Star Network yielded plenty of results age, height, and pheromone attributes were clear at a glance. Although, most of the news was regarding the Alpha’s scandals. However, none of that mattered to him; it wasn’t enough of an obstacle to stop his hunt. After being discharged, he had added Gao Chang’s name to the guest list for the banquet and sent the invitation to his manor.

Hearing him repeatedly mention the invitation, Gao Chang recalled the letter he had received a few days ago. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

His gaze shifted from the cold, dark-faced Xing Xiyan to the chattering Xing Yizhao.

“Are you… the second son of the Twelfth Prince?!”

If Xing Yizhao was the Prince’s son, then did that mean Xing Xiyan was the Prince’s other son?!