HOYSE CHAPTER 81

Chapter 81 — Not Even a Sliver of Possibility

His heart had begun its betrayal without him knowing when.

Faint stirrings took root and sprouted without his awareness.

Ripples splashing in his heart reflected the sparks dancing through the sky outside the car, their radiance intertwined.

This brand new realization shot through his limbs like an electric current. Rong Jing released Gu Xi and stared in disbelief at the still-bewildered omega before him. Those innocent eyes reflected his suddenly changed expression.

You treat me as “home,” as your best friend.

You trust me so much, making me an exception among all alphas, yet I developed other thoughts. ‘

Rong Jing covered his face, momentarily unsure how to face Gu Xi.

At first it was just a tiny change.

But feelings were like this. No matter how small the change, once it happened, there was no turning back. He could no longer continue treating the other person as just a friend.

Annoyance, self-reproach, shame, a series of emotions occupied Rong Jing’s thoughts.

Of all people, it had to be Gu Xi, the person he most wanted to protect.

The sounds of fire trucks and police cars came from outside. Right after the accident occurred, Rong Jing had signaled Zhou You with his eyes to call the police immediately. They should all be here now. Rong Jing draped his coat over Gu Xi.

“Wait in the car, don’t go down.” This house was being sold by Gu Xi. Most items inside had been moved to Imperial Water Bay, so it was basically empty now. But Gu Xi’s address wasn’t exactly a secret. There were definitely reporters rushing over after catching wind of this.

After Rong Jing got out of the car, only Guan Hongyi in the front seat and Gu Xi, who sat dazed under Rong Jing’s coat, remained inside.

A kiss, they kissed!!!

Guan Hongyi was going crazy. Though it only lasted a few seconds, and it seemed the alpha just wanted to divert Gu Xi’s attention, the kiss was even quite gentlemanly.

But no matter how gentlemanly, it was still a kiss. This was Gu Xi’s first kiss, right?

Treasured for so long, and just like that, gone.

Guan Hongyi: “Don’t destroy me after you come to your senses. I couldn’t stop him in time!”

What answered him was Gu Xi’s contemptuous gaze. Too lazy to deal with the flustered Guan Hongyi, wrapped in the suit jacket still warm with another person’s body heat, Gu Xi’s eyes followed after him.

The bodyguards had stopped several people trying to escape, waiting for Rong Jing to come handle them.

This group were local thugs who just took money to do jobs. They’d received the assignment today and came to do it. How could they expect the hunter to become the hunted, that they’d be discovered and caught red-handed?

“Hand them over to the police.” Caught in time, perhaps these people still had some evidence on them they hadn’t destroyed. No matter how cautious Ji Jiongjie was, he couldn’t be that fast, right?

From the known original plot, what the scumbag attackers did to the protagonist included but wasn’t limited to: stealing resources, arson intimidation, forced marking, car accident mishaps, etc. When Rong Jing arrived in this world, the first incident had occurred three years before Gu Xi’s kidnapping. The subsequent major events would unfold layer by layer according to the original plot.

After Rong Jing’s continuous interference, the plot was now unrecognizable.

According to the laws of novel-derivative worlds, the remaining items might squeeze in and circle back.

Upon noticing this pattern initially, Rong Jing had investigated this apartment building. Then he discovered that the floors above and below where Gu Xi lived were all empty. If Fang Juelian hadn’t bought in early, even this neighbor relationship couldn’t have been established.

The floor where Gu Xi lived was completely separated from residents on other floors.

That was the truly creepy part. Rong Jing had checked the property owner, an overseas Chinese who didn’t live in the country year-round.

Following the trail, he discovered faint connections to the Ji family.

After that, Rong Jing borrowed bodyguards from his eldest brother to regularly patrol around Gu Xi’s apartment. Rong Jing was also well aware there was no such thing as preventing thieves for a thousand days. He hadn’t expected that chess piece he’d placed back then would actually be useful one day.

That phone call earlier was from the bodyguards. So Rong Jing made the snap decision to have everyone get down.

At this moment, more and more residents from downstairs ran out, each one shaken.

There were also children unaware of the situation, both frightened and curious under the sparks, some even chasing butterflies below.

Rong Jing signaled Zhou You to take the two omegas back to the hotel first.

Just as he relaxed slightly, he noticed a flash of light in the bushes.

He immediately walked over and seized the other’s camera to check: “Which media outlet?”

He’d already notified all nearby bodyguards at the fastest speed to prohibit media entry.

The reporter was a newcomer. His initial anger turned to fear after discovering the person was Rong Jing.

“Rong-Rongling Media.” He spoke tremblingly.

Rongling. Wasn’t this the company I just acquired not long ago and renamed?

It was extracted from Rong Jing and Xie Ling’s names. What a coincidence.

“How did you sneak in?”

“I didn’t sneak in. I live, live in the complex. I just heard the explosion and came out, and this direction seems to be...” Gu Xi’s residence. He’d only inquired about it before but had never actually seen Gu Xi himself. “It’s true. This complex is relatively upscale. My parents sold two houses back home to gather the down payment so I could establish roots in Shangjing. Please don’t fire me.”

“You recognize me?”

“I happened to see you.” Seeing their top boss, he nervously and respectfully ushered this handsome young man into the office.

Rong Jing checked his camera. Inside were several blurry images of his own sedan, plus surprisingly a video of the explosion filmed from his balcony.

Rong Jing deleted the photos exposing his and Gu Xi’s relationship. Suddenly seeing one particular image, he enlarged it. After a long moment: “Can I borrow this camera for a while?”

“You, you use it.”

The fire department came to extinguish the fire. He took those two witnesses to the police station for statements. Those arsonists were temporarily detained. Since the house that caught fire was Gu Xi’s, Gu Xi would still have to make a trip in person for this matter.

Just after leaving the police station, the roar of an airplane passed overhead. Rong Jing looked up to discover the originally star-studded sky shrouded by red clouds, with occasional lightning.

On the plane, Wu Hanqi sat by the window looking down.

In his mind, a human-shaped card representing one of several parties was gradually dimming. If not stopped, it would completely vanish like the other two.

Already clashing with the bug, and still at a disadvantage?

The cooling period after the first confinement was almost over.

His knuckles tapped rhythmically on the armrest, making steady thumping sounds. His whole body appeared relaxed, but careful observation would reveal every part of him was poised to strike, as if hunting.

On his way back, Rong Jing received Wu Hanqi’s WeChat: Just arrived. When is the little friend free?

Rong Jing remembered Wu Hanqi had said he’d regularly stay in Shangjing going forward. Looks like he’d already arrived.

Rong Jing replied that he was free anytime. He now needed to find a way to obtain evidence of Ji Jiongjie’s crimes. But if Wu Hanqi arrived, the difficulty might increase many times over. He wasn’t sure whether Wu Hanqi would continue observing or help Ji Jiongjie. Of course, most importantly, he needed to first determine whether Heavenly Dao had become artificial. Rong Jing felt somewhat irritated.

He’d already sent the photographed images to Xie Corporation’s network information department, having them quickly conduct comparative analysis.

Only upon returning to the hotel entrance did he suddenly remember that today, aside from dodging disaster, there was also... Gu Xi.

How should he face him? Going forward, should he continue pretending nothing happened?

Rong Jing had zero confidence in himself. With complicated feelings, he arrived at Gu Xi’s room. Guan Hongyi opened the door: “He won’t sleep, won’t take the sobering medicine either.”

Really, he’d tried his best. The drunk omega had exposed his true nature, stubborn and cold. Even he was useless.

Gu Xi sat coldly on the bed, his face completely expressionless.

Like a statue, beautiful but lifeless.

Zhou You also sat nearby, dozing. Seeing Rong Jing arrive, he barely mustered up energy.

“I’ll try.”

“Even you trying is useless.” Who do you think you are? I’ve known him for over ten years and... huh, what the?

Rong Jing came to Gu Xi’s bedside, peeled open a sobering pill, and held it to Gu Xi’s lips.

Gu Xi obediently opened his mouth. His tongue unconsciously touched Rong Jing’s finger. Rong Jing froze for a moment, then withdrew his hand.

Rong Jing: “Thanks for your hard work. Please help me send him home.”

Zhou You: “Look, it’s already 2 AM.”

Rong Jing: “Double, no, triple overtime pay.”

Zhou You immediately beamed with smiles: “Deal.”

Seeing Rong Jing wanted to be alone with Gu Xi, Guan Hongyi felt somewhat disappointed in Rong Jing. If not for such thick filters, he’d rush up and stop him directly.

“Wait, wait a minute. An alpha staying in this room isn’t quite appropriate, right? Do you know our Gu Xi is very popular? Among those pursuing him are many big shots! I’m warning you not to mess around, or I’ll expose you. You’re also a person of status. Be careful or I’ll expose you!”

“Got it.”

“Don’t think I’m joking. I’m planning to introduce him to some quality alphas recently, each one no worse than you.” Between a best friend and a male god he hadn’t successfully pursued, comparatively, the best friend was slightly more important. He hadn’t been dazzled by beauty.

“If he wants an alpha, I’ll arrange it for him.” Rong Jing said gently. Actually, Rong Jing appreciated Guan Hongyi a bit. Being able to save such an omega made Rong Jing feel fortunate.

Gu Xi’s gaze moved, staring fixedly at Rong Jing. His hands hidden under the covers clenched tight.

Rong Jing shot Zhou You a look. Zhou You understood and politely escorted Guan Hongyi out.

“What do you mean? Uh uh uh, wait, this is going too far. You touched my butt... ahhh!”

Zhou You didn’t dare casually pull Guan Hongyi anymore. This person could make him die without a burial place with just a few words.

Zhou You’s face darkened. He’d been completely proper. Was this omega falsely accusing him of being a wolf?

Truly a scholar meeting a soldier. After much persuasion, he got Guan Hongyi to the floor below and opened a drawer to show him the contract that had long been signed.

Contract term of one year. Both copies had Rong Jing’s signature. Whichever one Gu Xi chose to sign was fine.

Guan Hongyi’s eyes widened. On that utterly shameless 1-yuan contract, he saw Gu Xi’s signature.

At the same time, he also saw the other “ancestor contract.”

Hehe, what a conspicuous signature.

You omega, seriously? How much do you want it, huh?

Since being ordered by Rong Jing to return to the hotel, Gu Xi had been like a doll that only knew how to breathe.

Gu Xi waited several hours. Once he got the person back, his body warmed and sleepiness came.

“Sleep. I’ll stay here with you.”

Rong Jing removed his coat that was still draped over Gu Xi. Previously, Guan Hongyi had tried to remove it several times but was driven back by Gu Xi’s cold gaze.

Rong Jing’s fingers landed on Gu Xi’s shirt buttons. He’d done this before when caring for him, so didn’t think too much, just wanted to help Gu Xi change clothes.

But the moment he touched the warm, soft skin at the neckline, meeting the omega’s gaze, Rong Jing abruptly turned around and found a set of pajamas to place on the nightstand.

“Change yourself later.”

Gu Xi looked at the clothes, then at Rong Jing. Right in front of Rong Jing, he undid the buttons one by one, slowly.

Rong Jing turned away. Gone from sight, but his hearing became more acute, the friction of skin against fabric, perfectly detailed.

Gu Xi lifted the covers and burrowed inside, leaving only a fluffy head exposed.

Watching Rong Jing, Rong Jing’s heart itched from being looked at with those soft, gentle eyes.

Rong Jing thought of some of Gu Xi’s previous reactions. A possibility emerged.

Could Gu Xi have even a little bit of favorable feelings toward him? Or was he being overly narcissistic, producing illusions?

When signing the contract, Gu Xi had said very definitively that they had no feelings for each other, the contract was just a way out.

Gu Xi was usually very dependent on him, so he hadn’t planned to scrutinize many things. If he had, the two of them might not have gotten to where they were now.

Rong Jing’s heart pounded. He didn’t understand being roundabout. He didn’t even know the scumbag attackers’ pursuit methods.

He was more accustomed to asking the person involved directly on the spot. Of course, being too direct definitely wasn’t appropriate. If he failed, they couldn’t even remain friends.

Right now it was just a bit of attraction. He thought perhaps he could restrain it.

Advance to attack, retreat to defend.

If Gu Xi was willing to give him a chance to pursue. Should they try being together for real?

Not leaving problems overnight was a good habit.

Rong Jing’s hand rested on the bed edge. Gu Xi immediately seized the opportunity, sneakily moving closer to that direction.

Rong Jing asked: “Gu Xi, do you know what I just went to do?”

Thinking his small movements were discovered, Gu Xi’s hand quietly extending out froze motionless.

Gu Xi didn’t hesitate: “Give statements.”

Seemed he hadn’t lost his judgment. Rong Jing silently nodded to himself. Very good. Opportunity knocks but once, now’s the time.

Seeing Rong Jing hadn’t noticed, Gu Xi quietly extended his hand from under the covers again. Just as he touched Rong Jing’s fingertips, Rong Jing pulled back as if electrocuted.

Discovering Gu Xi’s hand exposed outside, he grabbed it and tossed it back under the covers, lest he catch cold.

Gu Xi stared accusingly: “...”

Get used to it. Not like it was the first or second time.

Gu Xi lay flat, playing dead.

Rong Jing opened his mouth several times but found it hard to speak. A blush spread from his collarbone to his earlobes. Watching time pass second by second, he still couldn’t ask.

The indoor lighting was dim, only a bedside lamp spreading pale light.

Gu Xi squinted, nearly asleep.

Rong Jing despised himself once over before gaining a bit of courage to inquire.

Extremely serious, as if deciding a major life matter, he asked: “There’s something I want to ask you.”

Gu Xi was drowsy. Hearing this, he made an “mm” sound.

“Regarding the future, is there any possibility you’d... choose an alpha to, ahem,” Rong Jing’s heart thundered, “to date?”

Taking a deep breath, he’d finally asked.

First time in his life asking a male this kind of question. Gu Xi was a male, that couldn’t be more obvious. But in Rong Jing’s heart, he was also an omega, someone he wanted to protect under his wing.

Something he’d never imagined before now came out so naturally.

“Alpha, who?” Gu Xi mumbled.

Memories of being confessed to and obsessively pursued by countless alphas since childhood surged up. The deep-rooted revulsion in Gu Xi’s bones nearly spilled out. Only in front of Rong Jing did he forcibly maintain appearances.

“...All of them.”

Gu Xi vaguely remembered that when signing the contract, he’d seen in Rong Jing’s specially made “ancestor contract” a clause: Party B may freely date during this period. If needed, Party A may introduce suitable alphas and shall not obstruct Party B’s marriage and romance intentions.

Of course he hadn’t signed such a ridiculous contract. This blockhead b*****d.

Oh right, didn’t he just discuss with Little Hong how to sell me off?

Don’t even think about it. Not in this lifetime.

“No.” Gu Xi said with eyes closed, decisively. “Not even a sliver of possibility.”

Having said it, as if releasing a breath of frustration, he felt utterly refreshed. Even the nauseous feeling from the hangover wasn’t so unbearable anymore.

Oh, that felt good!

Save your energy from scheming.

If you have time, look at me more. I still have some charm.

After a long while, Rong Jing’s voice finally came: “I understand.”

That trailing tone contained a hint of sudden enlightenment.

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