Chapter 163: Don’t Do This to Me

Chapter 163: Don't Do This to Me

It has been half a month since Jiang Xingliu's graduation ceremony, and Chen Yin still hasn't taken any action.

Shen Zhixue, however, is not in a hurry. Chen Yin should be the one feeling anxious now.

In the Jiang family, the military academy is the only place to access the military. If Chen Yin wants to contact that person, she can only do it at this last moment, or she will miss this opportunity.

The child is as cautious as an adult, but no matter how cautious she is, she has to complete this task.

Jiang Xingliu, on the other hand, is a bit impatient. He graduated at the top of his class in the military academy.

Originally, he thought that without the existence of the male lead in this life, Jiang Xingliu's position as the first battlefield commander should be uncontested. However, the appointment has been delayed, and it is unclear what the reason is.

Even Wan Chenghan inquired around the military department, but he couldn't find out whose hand the appointment was stuck in.

"According to the old practice of the Empire, the first place in the military academy graduation assessment is indeed qualified to become a commander." Wan Chenghan held a glass of juice, sipping it nonchalantly: "It might just be delayed this year, don't worry. If the appointment hasn't come down by the end of the summer vacation, I'll go find Qiu Ying."

Jiang Xingliu frowned and didn't speak. He quickly finished the juice in his hand.

"But why are you in such a hurry? The Empire and the Federation have stopped fighting now, this battlefield commander position is currently unnecessary, whether there is one or not is the same." Wan Chenghan took a bite of the straw: "Or do you have other purposes?"

"The battlefield commander has the ability to dispatch warships." Jiang Huizhou supported his forehead with his hand, smiled and said: "Let me think, it's not because some kid is eager to travel to another galaxy to find someone, is it?"

Wan Chenghan nodded: "Now I get it, you're trying to find Yuan Jibai, aren't you?"

Jiang Xingliu pursed his lips and didn't speak.

"I don't know how Yuan Jibai is doing, it's been a while since I last heard from him." Wan Chenghan said belatedly: "Didn't Lu Qingyan tell you about Yuan Jibai?"

"No." Jiang Xingliu finally opened his mouth. The young man has gone through the voice change, his voice is no longer as childish as when he was a child, now his voice is between immature and steady, it sounds pretty good: "He never talks to me about Du Du."

"Oh, I see." Wan Chenghan laughed: "Lu Qingyan's most hated person in this life is Jiang Huizhou. You're like a scaled-up version of Jiang Huizhou, it's understandable that he doesn't want his precious nephew to get involved with you."

Jiang Xingliu turned his head: "I didn't say I want to do anything with him, I just want to see."

"Alright, alright." Wan Chenghan waved his hand: "I don't care about you two little kids. Your glands aren't fully developed yet, are they? It's not interesting. I came here today mainly to inform you that Qiu Ying will hold a banquet the day after tomorrow. The invitation should be sent to you by then, remember to come."

"A palace banquet?" Shen Zhixue walked out with a plate of iced fruit: "Why is Officer Qiu suddenly hosting a banquet?"

"Hey." Young Master Wan modestly lowered his hand: "My birthday is in a few days."

Shen Zhixue was stunned and said: "Your birthday?"

"Yes." Wan Chenghan crossed his legs, forked a piece of watermelon from Shen Zhixue's fruit plate, and said: "Although I'm not sure what's been going on between you two these past few years, it seems like you are always arguing, but I still hope Zhi Zhi can find more happiness."

Shen Zhixue was silent for a moment, and did not speak.

He and Jiang Huizhou are putting on an act; Lu Qingyan knows, but Wan Chenghan doesn't.

All their plans seem to proceed without Wan Chenghan's knowledge, which makes Shen Zhixue feel a little guilty.

But this is not because they suspect Wan Chenghan, but because... given Wan Chenghan's careless nature and his mind that's ill-suited for conspiracies, if they brought Wan Chenghan to play, they probably wouldn't have to act for six years, and Chen Yin would likely extract all the information from them the very next day.

"Uncle Wan Chenghan's birthday banquet?" Chen Yin sat on the swing in the yard, tilted her head: "May I go as well?"

Wan Chenghan nodded: "Yes, what do you say, Zhi Zhi?"

Shen Zhixue lowered his eyes, and soon smiled with curved eyebrows: "Of course, we'll all be there."

Wan Chenghan looked at Shen Zhixue and suddenly said, "Go ahead, make a wish."

Shen Zhixue was surprised. "Me? Isn’t it your turn to make a wish since it’s your birthday?"

Wan Chenghan’s ears turned red as he turned his head and grumbled, "If I make a wish, you might not fulfill it."

Jiang Huizhou, sitting nearby, coughed lightly and shot a sharp glance in Wan Chenghan’s direction.

Wan Chenghan ignored it. With Chen Yin present, Shen Zhixue couldn’t stand up for Jiang Huizhou and just smiled, saying, "Isn’t it kind of weird for me to make a wish on your birthday?"

"It’s totally fine," Wan Chenghan said. "If making a wish is a must on a birthday, and I don’t have any wishes, wouldn’t it be a waste if you didn’t?"

Shen Zhixue paused for a moment, glancing at Jiang Huizhou’s growing scowl, and then smiled. "Alright, I’ll make a wish for you."

"What wish are you going to make?" Wan Chenghan’s eyes lit up as he leaned in.

Shen Zhixue teased him, "Isn’t it bad luck to tell your wish?"

"But it’s my birthday, my wish. What’s wrong with me knowing?" Wan Chenghan said simply. "It doesn’t count. Just tell me."

Shen Zhixue nodded and waved Wan Chenghan over.

Wan Chenghan leaned in, and Shen Zhixue whispered a secret in his ear. Wan Chenghan instantly blushed and looked away quickly.

"That doesn’t really count, does it?" Wan Chenghan stammered. "Is that your wish?"

Shen Zhixue nodded. "Yes, that’s my wish."

"I gotta go," Wan Chenghan suddenly said, his eyes shifting nervously as he quickly stood up and headed for the door.

As he passed the coffee table in the living room, he knocked into the corner but acted like nothing happened, continuing out the door without stopping.

Jiang Huizhou’s expression was dark as thunder, as if he was about to strangle Shen Zhixue on the spot.

Chen Yin, jumping in, asked, "Uncle Shen, what did you whisper to Uncle Wan Chenghan just now?"

Shen Zhixue blinked. "A secret."

Chen Yin, loving the tension, let out an "Oh."

Jiang Huizhou said coldly, "Enough, Shen Zhixue. I’m still alive, you know."

Shen Zhixue stood up coolly. "Whether you’re alive or not has nothing to do with me."

With that, he took the fruit plate and walked back to the kitchen.

Chen Yin glanced at Jiang Huizhou’s barely contained rage and smiled. "Uncle Jiang, don’t be mad. Uncle Shen surely didn’t mean it."

Jiang Huizhou didn’t even look at her. He just stormed back to his room and locked the door in frustration.

Deep down, Shen Zhixue was a little scared. Although he had been acting with Jiang Huizhou for years, this was the first time he had pushed it this far. For a moment, he could almost feel the violent aura emanating from Jiang Huizhou.

It was a tangible, real sense of killing intent and anger.

But he had no choice. Only by fully convincing Chen Yin could they lure the snake out of its hole.

To be safe, after angering Jiang Huizhou, Shen Zhixue boldly not only didn’t go to "apologize" that night but also took the cold war to the next level. From the time Wan Chenghan left until the day of the palace banquet, the chill around Jiang Huizhou never dissipated.

On the day of the palace banquet, Jiang Xingliu and Chen Yin dressed appropriately and stood at the door waiting for Shen Zhixue and Jiang Huizhou.

Shen Zhixue was dressed in a custom-made white suit, adorned with sapphires that exuded an air of elegance and handsomeness.

Jiang Huizhou, on the other hand, wore a simple black suit. The simplicity and uniformity of the color brought an air of sophistication, and the well-tailored trousers highlighted the smooth and straight lines of his legs.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Shen Zhixue's waist.

Shen Zhixue instinctively straightened his back, instinctively remembering that Chen Yin was still by his side. He then elbowed Jiang Huizhou's waist and said in a cold tone, "What are you doing? Don't touch me!"

"We are about to attend a palace banquet," Jiang Huizhou said indifferently. "Do you want Qiu Ying to notice how at odds we are?"

Shen Zhixue pursed his lips and said, "At least we're not at the banquet yet."

Jiang Huizhou tightened his grip, his voice hoarse, "Practice in advance. Shen Zhixue, even if we can't get along, do you think I would let you run off to your little lovers?"

At these words, Shen Zhixue snapped, "Jiang Huizhou, what do you mean?"

Jiang Huizhou's voice turned icy, "You know exactly what I mean. Do you think I don't know why you're going to this banquet? Oh, really, it's his birthday, and you made a wish for him? What role do you play in his life that you should make a wish on his birthday?"

Shen Zhixue pushed Jiang Huizhou away and quickly straightened his disheveled clothes, "Think what you will. Is it my fault we're at this point?"

With that, he got into the hovercar first.

Jiang Huizhou followed, casually closing the door and shooting a cold glance at Jiang Xingliu, "You'll take Chen Yin in the next car."

As the hovercar moved off, their argument still echoed from within.

Chen Yin watched the departing hovercar, her eyes clouding, lost in thought.

Grown-up Chen Yin was even more strikingly beautiful, the kind to make hearts flutter at first glance. Additionally, she had differentiated at the age of fifteen, unsurprisingly becoming an omega.

A sweet omega was a rarity in the empire, especially within a military academy.

Chen Yin had received a wave of love letters, and many Alphas had boldly pursued her by breaking the academy's rules, setting up heart-shaped roses and candles. Yet, Chen Yin firmly rejected each one.

The reason for the rejection was, of course, Jiang Xingliu.

Thus, it was common knowledge in the academy that Jiang Xingliu and Chen Yin were childhood sweethearts, and that Chen Yin had joined the academy for Jiang Xingliu. There were even rumors that Chen Yin was Jiang Xingliu's betrothed from childhood.

Jiang Xingliu always scoffed at such rumors, well aware of his goals and Chen Yin's tactics.

By the time they arrived at the banquet, Shen Zhixue hadn't yet had the chance to see Wan Chenghan before Jiang Huizhou dragged him into a public restroom.

The restrooms at the banquet venue were impeccably clean, with walls so polished they almost reflected light. So when Shen Zhixue's shoulder hit the mirror, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Wait!" Shen Zhixue swallowed hard and quickly explained, "This is just the situation we're in. I didn't mean to upset you!"

"You made a wish for him?" Jiang Huizhou pressed Shen Zhixue down and slapped his buttocks hard, "What did you say to him?"

Shen Zhixue felt his scalp tingle and swallowed again, "Jiang Huizhou, stop messing around. We still have important matters to attend to..."

"Right now, knowing what you said to him is my important matter," Jiang Huizhou snorted, "Even if it's fake, even if it's just acting, it's not allowed. Who told you to act like this? Who gave you the script? Shen Zhixue, do you think I have no temper?"

"I really didn't say anything!" Shen Zhixue grabbed the fabric on Jiang Huizhou's shoulder, afraid of wrinkling it, as they still had to go out later to avoid suspicion. He quickly let go, his fingers forced to press against the black obsidian washbasin.

His fair skin contrasted with the black, reflective obsidian surface, looking both sexy and alluring.

"I just said some very ordinary things!"

Shen Zhixue recalled, "Just wishing Wan Chenghan good health and happiness... Isn't that what people usually say on birthdays?"

Jiang Huizhou pressed his forehead against Shen Zhixue's, "Did you set this up?"

"...Kind of, it was a last-minute decision. I just wanted to boost Chen Yin's confidence so she could contact that person faster. Ah... this palace banquet is her final opportunity, right?"

"Zhi Zhi, you’ve got to keep it down," Jiang Huizhou whispered into Shen Zhixue's ear, his voice hoarse, "This isn’t like the music room at home. If you’re too loud, people outside might hear."

"Then why are you doing this...!" Shen Zhixue’s eyes filled with frustrated tears, his desires flared up because of Jiang Huizhou’s actions, he could only whimper in protest, "You know this, yet you’re still doing this to me."

"Hmm?" Jiang Huizhou asked, amused, "Doing what to you?"

Shen Zhixue, furious, leaned on the obsidian counter, "Don’t mess with me like this, even if you’re mad... wait until after everything’s over, then... then..."

"Then what?"

"Then figure out how to handle me, but now, what if Chen Yin catches on?!"

"Just once," Jiang Huizhou said with a chuckle, "I’ll make it quick."

Shen Zhixue was shocked, "Are you crazy? What time is it now? Is this really the time for this?!"

"You’re nuts, I’m done talking to you," Shen Zhixue struggled to get down, yanking up his loose pants and trying to push past Jiang Huizhou.

Jiang Huizhou grabbed his arm.

Shen Zhixue glared at him, hissing, "Jiang Huizhou, even if you’re horny, you’ve got to think about the situation, okay? You’re...!"

Before he could finish, Jiang Huizhou pulled him close.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Shen Zhixue felt Jiang Huizhou’s fingers at his waist, panicking but not daring to make a sound, his eyes wide with urgency.

Jiang Huizhou quickly fixed his clothes, buttoning up what he’d undone, whispering, "Looks like we’re out of time."

Shen Zhixue finally relaxed.

The locked bathroom door clicked, and Jiang Huizhou quickly pulled Shen Zhixue into a nearby stall.

Shen Zhixue glanced at him, gesturing to the floor.

Jiang Huizhou sat on the toilet seat, tapping his lap.

Shen Zhixue had no choice but to sit on Jiang Huizhou’s lap, lifting his feet as best he could.

This way, his entire weight was pressed against Jiang Huizhou, especially that part, pressing against Jiang Huizhou's crotch, seemingly able to clearly feel the awakening of a certain dormant giant.

Shen Zhixue covered his mouth, biting his lip to prevent himself from making any strange sounds.

The bathroom door finally opened, and footsteps followed.

Someone walked in, standing by the sink to wash their hands.

Not long after, it seemed someone appeared at the door.

After a while, a man's voice rang out.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is the men's restroom, you dare to come in?"

Shen Zhixue's heart sank heavily.

It was Wan Chenghan's voice.

Wan Chenghan had a very distinctive voice, one that Shen Zhixue would never mistake. The person speaking outside was indeed Wan Chenghan.

But who was the person who had just entered...

"Isn’t this place supposed to be safe?" the newcomer spoke, and locked the bathroom door behind them.

It was Chen Yin.