Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"...Huh?"

Bai Chen happened to roll over into the soft bedding, so he didn't hear clearly—what? What did Xie Yilin say?

Xie Yilin noticed his confusion.

The Alpha's fingers twitched, then paused, as he repeated, "Dealing with Cheng Ziang doesn't count as being a jerk."

Bai Chen: ...Ahem.

Right, right, it doesn’t count. He and Cheng Ziang aren’t in that kind of relationship. But... thinking about Cheng Ziang's self-important attitude, he couldn't help but laugh.

Bai Chen’s lips curved into a smile, spreading across his face. Cheng Ziang probably never expected they were only in a fake marriage arrangement. So whatever Cheng Ziang said, Bai Chen just played along.

At the same time, he suddenly remembered something.

The Omega bit his lip and cautiously asked, "Your Highness?"

Xie Yilin turned to look at him.

"...Today, Cheng Ziang said," Bai Chen spoke slowly, as if casually, but his ears perked up, and his attention sharpened. "He said His Majesty summoned you back. Is that true?"

What he really wanted to ask was whether their agreement might end early because of this.

If so, he could understand.

Xie Yilin stayed silent.

Then, Bai Chen heard him say calmly, "Yes."

Bai Chen bit his lip again and cautiously asked, "So, what about us..."

"It won’t."

Before Bai Chen could finish, Xie Yilin had already grasped his concern.

The Alpha’s deep, soothing voice filled the room. Even without seeing those cold gray eyes, Bai Chen could tell Xie Yilin’s expression was distant and icy.

...Like a statue braving a snowstorm.

Strong, proud, and unmatched.

But no one knew just how cold the storm could be.

"This won’t change our agreement."

His voice was steady, unwavering, even as he spoke these words, restrained as if it were second nature. A habit of burying everything deep, hiding it away, and walking alone through the icy cold.

"I should’ve made it clearer to you earlier."

"From the start, when I thought about a marriage agreement, there were political reasons behind it."

Xie Yilin had never considered starting a family or marrying someone.

As he got older, even his younger adjutant, Xiao Ling, was engaged. But marriage had never crossed his mind.

Until the emperor called him back.

"My father hopes that I will marry a noble to solidify my status as the heir."

After years away from the center of power and with those malicious rumors, as soon as Xie Yilin entered the capital's social circle, he faced aversion, exclusion, and numerous ill-intentioned probes.

They aimed to exploit his marriage for their own purposes. Even the emperor's push for marriage had ulterior motives.

"Later, the intelligent system sent a list."

It was a list of Omegas highly compatible with him. After skimming through it, Xie Yilin immediately noticed Bai Chen, the only commoner on the list.

As a commoner, Bai Chen had fewer entanglements, making him a simpler choice.

"I chose you," he said, "and I won't change my mind easily."

It's quite interesting, really.

At first, there were many reasons for choosing Bai Chen.

But what sealed the deal was Bai Chen's unexpected response in their communication.

At the time, Bai Chen was also dealing with some negative online buzz.

He thought it might make for a fair deal.

Generous compensation and royal protection—but now, it seems he might have stumbled upon a unique treasure.

Xie Yilin finished his calm narration, his expression as cold and distant as falling snow. As the night deepened, Xie Yilin lowered his gaze and murmured, "Things like today..."

"This won't be the last time."

The banquet, Cheng Ziang's probing... it will all continue.

They might even grow worse, escalating with each incident.

Xie Yilin started to doubt himself.

He wondered if he had made the right choice.

"Your Highness," Bai Chen said softly.

Bai Chen turned to face Xie Yilin.

The moonlight was hidden by clouds, but in the dim light, his eyes sparkled like stars.

"I know," Bai Chen said with a smile.

After all, he wasn't a fool.

He is well aware of the Crown Prince's notorious reputation; he knows the royal family is the most prestigious in the empire; at that banquet, he witnessed the subtle tactics of the nobles... so, Bai Chen knows.

"It's okay."

The faint scent of sweet oranges filled the small bed. It was the most comfortable and pleasant summer scenario, as if being in the sweetest place of expectation, surrounded by grass, leaves, and plump fruits, with the hazy moonlight casting down, reflecting in the Omega's eyes.

His eyes were like the starry sky, like the sea, shimmering and brilliant. In an instant, Bai Chen smiled. Thus, the ice and snow drifted away, sealed in the distant winter.

In his dimples, there was honey that had been brewing for a long time.

"You've already given me what I wanted most."

Xie Yilin was momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, a hint of confusion briefly crossed his brow before disappearing instantly.

The man raised his hand, covering his eyes just like before.

His long eyelashes brushed against his palm again.

Then, he softly said, "Goodnight."

***

The next morning, filming resumed.

Since yesterday's task was just a simple grocery shopping and cooking, the production team decided to keep challenging the guests early in the morning.

So, today's task was...

"Rock climbing???"

Han Yunyun almost fainted, "I... I'm scared of heights..."

"It's not just simple rock climbing," the female director thought, why does it always have to be me? She tried to explain the rules objectively: "Each group will send one person to climb, while the other answers trivia questions below."

"If the question is answered correctly, the climber moves up three steps; if answered wrong, they retreat three steps."

"The group that reaches the destination first and picks the flower from the cliff wins today's challenge."

"Oh..."

"I get it," Bai Chen said with a smile, "It's trivia plus board game plus rock climbing, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes..." the female director nodded quickly, "So today's challenge tests the rapport of cooperation and understanding of each other."

She glanced specifically at Bai Chen's side and added, "The longer the time spent together, the easier it will be to win today. So, we've made some rule adjustments."

"Couples who haven't been together as long can choose an easier question bank."

Han Yunyun immediately stepped forward, raising her hand high, "I'll take the easy questions; we've only been in love for a year!"

The live chat burst into laughter.

"LOL, they've officially been together for a year, but they've been in love for much longer, right?"

"Yeah, but now, to win, they can shorten their time in love... Don't ask, just say it was love at first sight."

"Anyway, whatever Han Yunyun says, Xin Yu will just agree..."

However, unexpectedly, Xin Yu also slowly raised his hand, "I don't want to."

"Huh?"

Han Yunyun turned to him in surprise, "Silly, it would be easier this way."

"I don't want to."

The Alpha, who had always unconditionally doted on and obeyed his fiancée, was uncharacteristically stubborn at this moment, "We've been in love for three years; we know each other very well..."

"So that's how it is... Now I get why Xin Yu feels that way."

"It suddenly hit me how much Xin Yu loves Han Yunyun. Being a rare AB couple, it must be tough for them."

"But this will make things harder. Han Yunyun is just looking out for them."

Han Yunyun, visibly upset, pulled Xin Yu aside to talk, while the director temporarily shifted focus to Bai Chen, asking him, "What about you, Bai Chen? Are you gonna use this option?"

"Hmm..."

Bai Chen thought for a moment, then looked at Xie Yilin.

Uncharacteristically, Xie Yilin frowned slightly and stayed quiet.

...A contractual, fake marriage between two people who've known each other less than a month—they couldn't exactly be called close.

But Bai Chen remembered that Xie Yilin had been injured.

Even Xiao Ling, his long-time adjutant, didn't know the full story.

His fingers twitched slightly. Finally, the Alpha locked eyes with Bai Chen, deferring the decision to him.

Bai Chen pursed his lips, then smiled. "We'll pass."

The barrage lit up again, with snarky comments pouring in.

"Who does he think he is, acting so confident?"

"The show set up the toughest challenge for Cheng Ziang and Tang Congyun, the seven-year couple, right? So Bai Chen thinks he's on their level?"

"Honestly, that seven-year couple doesn't seem like they've been married seven years—more like seven days."

"Maybe that's just how they are as an old married couple. Bai Chen's couple is the weird one—no dating, just straight to marriage."

"Was it a shotgun wedding? Their earlier act seemed pretty forced."

"Forced? Maybe they're just in the honeymoon phase."

"Who knows? Maybe the show will cut them some slack."

Han Yunyun and Xin Yu wrapped up their talk and joined the group. Han Yunyun was pouting, but Xin Yu stepped up: "I'll do the rock climbing."

Typically, the Alphas went for rock climbing while their partners handled the questions.

Bai Chen gave Xie Yilin a thumbs-up. "Your Highness, you got this!"

Xie Yilin stayed silent, offering only a slight nod.

The three Alphas suited up in protective gear and harnesses. Their rugged outfits, a change from their usual casual wear, gave off a raw, primal vibe.

Xie Yilin, especially, stood out.

"So... so handsome? Alphas are indeed most attractive in their most primitive and instinctive state!"

"A burst of hormones! By the way, does anyone know what level His Highness is?"

"It's said to be very strong, you can tell from the battle videos that he's strong, but now that you mention it, there seems to be very little information about His Highness publicly available..."

The program team provided head protection, but Xie Yilin refused. The Alpha shook his head lightly. "Not necessary."

The protective gear on his body was already slightly affecting his speed, and the headgear was also just obstructing his vision.

His tone carried a confident certainty, coupled with an unconsciously exuded aura of strength. The man slightly raised his eyes, and his sharp, eagle-like gaze was already fixed on the mountaintop.

The director couldn't help but ask Bai Chen, "How strong is His Highness really?"

Bai Chen shook his head, nodded, then shook his head again.

The director looked puzzled: "What does that mean?"

Bai Chen curled his lips into a smile.

The Omega's smile was sweet, like he'd been dipped in honey. He made a big heart shape with his hands and declared firmly, his tone strong and resolute, "I don't know how strong His Highness is."

"Because in my heart, His Highness is and always will be the strongest!"