Chapter 204

Chapter 204

Bai Xingshu felt a chill run down his spine at Shen Geng's words, his skin breaking out in goosebumps.

"I already told you it was an accident!" His face twisted with clear disgust, clearly pushed to his limit.

The way everyone was acting, one would think Shen Geng had committed some unforgivable offense against him.

Bai Xingshu shot up a hand in a firm stop gesture, rolling his eyes and scoffing. "Why are we even discussing this here?"

More importantly—

Why were they even talking about it at all?!

It wasn’t that Bai Xingshu felt shy or embarrassed. Having seen countless uninhibited scenes in the chaotic post-apocalyptic world, he didn’t consider last night’s incident particularly scandalous. Yet, listening to their words stirred memories of being bitten last night—the back of his neck prickled uncomfortably once again.

Seeing Bai Xingshu subtly defend Shen Geng only frustrated the others further.

Honestly, none of them wanted to dwell on this matter either.

Eventually, Lin Lie pressed his lips together and glanced at his older brother, Lin Li, who stood silently, eyes lowered. Since it was nearly time for the daily gathering, Lin Lie finally redirected the conversation, asking Bai Xingshu, "Xingshu, what exactly happened between you and my brother yesterday?"

After speaking, everyone heard Lin Lie quickly add, "I... I'm your friend too, right? And his younger brother. I have the right to ask, don't I?"

Despite trying to sound calm, the vulnerability hidden beneath Lin Lie’s words was unmistakable.

Bai Xingshu quietly observed Lin Lie, noticing his tightly clenched fists, as well as the astonished disbelief Luo Yu and Song Xiyan cast toward him for bringing up the "friend" topic at a moment like this.

Even now, this guy still insisted on emphasizing friendship.

Ordinary friends wouldn’t get so worked up just because Bai Xingshu ended up becoming his brother’s partner.

Some might even be happy if a close friend became family.

Lin Lie’s behavior was far too obvious. Even though Bai Xingshu wasn’t perceptive when it came to emotions, he could still sense the feelings radiating from Lin Lie.

Bai Xingshu fell silent, slowly shifting his gaze to the others present. Their eyes were gradually focusing on him—those who had openly confessed their feelings and those who had kept them hidden—all waiting for his answer.

He could even sense a barely concealed eagerness in some of their gazes, silently urging him to choose them.

Bai Xingshu: "..."

To distract himself from the heavy expectations pressing down on him, Bai Xingshu decided to tease his system, maintaining a perfectly calm expression: [System, look? I told you being strong enough is all that matters!]

[See? They're all elite Alphas!]

The system, still muted: [...]

"System: [ಠ益ಠ!!!]"

Right, they're all elite Alphas—but then why don’t you just pick one?

What’s the point of telling me if you won’t make a choice?

Of course, Bai Xingshu was only playing around with the system.

In truth, he had already made up his mind about how to handle things with Lin Li before even leaving the dormitory. Under the weight of everyone’s expectant gazes, he slightly lifted his chin and said casually, as if it were nothing, "Actually, nothing happened."

"You forgot? Back when we were in the Fourth Legion, your brother never really congratulated me, did he?"

Well… that’s true.

After all, when Bai Xingshu was being honored, Lin Li had been getting 'roughed up' by others. And after they met again, Bai Xingshu started talking business with Lin Li.

It was true that Lin Li had never congratulated him.

So Bai Xingshu just threw this out as an excuse to explain what happened yesterday.

Hearing this, Lin Li froze.

He hadn’t expected Bai Xingshu to flat-out deny the deal.

That marriage pact… was it off the table now?

Lin Li immediately shifted his gaze to Shen Geng.

Shen Geng looked just as stunned, staring at Bai Xingshu in complete surprise before his eyes lit up, unable to hide his delight.

Lin Li: "…"

What he’d only suspected before—that the Crown Prince liked Bai Xingshu—was now crystal clear.

The flicker in Lin Li’s expression went unnoticed by the others, as nearly everyone’s attention was fixed on Bai Xingshu.

Hearing Bai Xingshu’s answer, Lin Lie’s expression brightened just like Shen Geng’s, his voice lifting as he pushed, “Then what about you and my brother going to Lovers’ Lake? What was that about?”

For Lin Lie, Bai Xingshu’s answer felt like going from hell to heaven in a heartbeat, but his reaction was way too obvious.

Bai Xingshu tried to convince himself he was clueless about feelings, that maybe he’d misread Lin Lie’s emotions—but that excuse didn’t hold water at all.

When did this happen? Bai Xingshu wondered briefly, but only for a moment.

Because it didn’t matter anymore.

Bai Xingshu knew exactly who he liked.

He sighed inwardly before answering Lin Lie’s question.

"Lovers’ Lake? I didn’t pay attention. It just looked like a quiet place." Having already prepared his response, Bai Xingshu spoke calmly. "Lin and I only talked about legion matters there."

"Some folks must’ve overheard us, right? I think a few passed by while we were talking."

Of course, it wasn’t just a few.

Plenty of people passed by.

After all, both Bai Xingshu and Lin Li were well-known figures at Capital Military University. Who wouldn’t stop to eavesdrop once they recognized them?

So Bai Xingshu shut down the others’ doubts fast.

On yesterday’s forum, some had already voiced their confusion, saying they’d overheard Bai Xingshu and Lin Li discussing mind-numbing military theory.

That’s why, despite all the excitement and speculation on the forum, no one could pin down the truth about their relationship.

Most of the messages flooding Bai Xingshu’s communicator were questions, not congratulations.

And clearly, this answer was exactly what the others present wanted to hear.

After Bai Xingshu's logical and well-founded words, everyone except Lin Li visibly eased up.

Especially Lin Lie, who was practically bursting with happiness, like he got a second lease on life.

Lin Li observed his brother's state and glanced at Bai Xingshu's seemingly relieved expression, pressing his lips together slightly.

Finally, Lin Li turned his gaze toward Shen Geng.

Emotions and loyalty battled inside him, but in the end, Lin Li closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his focus had shifted back to Bai Xingshu.

Lin Li nodded and calmly dropped a bombshell: "Yes, Bai Xingshu is right. I was just using those things as an excuse to pursue him."

In Lin Li's mind, Bai Xingshu made the deal with him precisely to avoid Shen Geng.

This was further confirmed when Bai Xingshu shook off Shen Geng's hold earlier.

But... Bai Xingshu was just too damn nice to people.

Having been repeatedly influenced by his brother's words, even if Lin Li had initially believed Lin Lie was totally brainwashed, those thoughts still stuck with him.

Thus, Bai Xingshu's current pretty clear rejection of continuing the deal was, in Lin Li's eyes, just him backing down and trying to be considerate in response to his brother's emotional breakdown.

But... it was entirely unnecessary.

Lin Li thought with icy clarity.

Even now, all Lin Lie could muster was the word "friend."

Since he had already made such a choice, there was no point sticking to Lin Lie's path.

Lin Lie was already twenty—way past old enough to be responsible for his own words and actions.

Though Lin Li put family first, he wasn't about to be a pushover.

Instead, he wished Bai Xingshu would look out for himself more.

Based on the vibes Lin Li was getting, Shen Geng, provoked by the flowers he had sent yesterday, had gone as far as doing something akin to a temporary mark on Bai Xingshu. If Bai Xingshu gave Shen Geng hope now, Shen Geng would just go further with even more extreme and excessive actions.

Everyone knew that newly differentiated Alphas were at the stage where their pheromones fluctuated most intensely, making them liable to force things.

At this moment, Bai Xingshu still didn't know Shen Geng's identity, still believing there was plenty of time and opportunity.

But Lin Li wasn't buying it.

Bai Xingshu might... only have this one chance to shake off Shen Geng.

So Lin Li chose to step forward.

Almost bluntly, he let Bai Xingshu know they could continue—no need to sweat it.

All eyes turned to Lin Li, but he simply gazed quietly at Bai Xingshu, his expression faintly encouraging, hoping Bai Xingshu would make the right choice.

Bai Xingshu was floored.

He had never expected Lin Li to suddenly say such a thing.

Having no clue what Lin Li was thinking, Bai Xingshu only felt like he wasn't getting his point across.

So Bai Xingshu immediately stepped forward and, under everyone's shocked stares, grabbed Lin Li's hand.

Nobody saw this coming. The others present gaped in shock, never expecting that after hearing Bai Xingshu deny any relationship with Lin Li, they'd see a public confession followed by what appeared to be Bai Xingshu accepting it.

The people present felt like their minds were about to short-circuit. Fortunately, Bai Xingshu’s voice quickly reached their ears.

"Let me talk with Brother Lin alone."

The tone was flat and emotionless, showing no trace of happiness or joy.

Oh, so he didn’t actually mean yes.

Their half-broken hearts stopped mid-collapse. Before they could react, they stood there blankly watching Bai Xingshu drag Lin Li away, instantly disappearing from sight.

The others: "..."

They looked at each other, baffled.

With Bai Xingshu gone, the four remaining could all be considered love rivals. In theory, things should've gotten tense right away.

But after being put through such emotional wringers, even though it was still early in the morning, everyone felt completely drained.

Eventually, Song Xiyan silently left first. Lin Lie and Luo Yu exchanged defiant glances before heading downstairs separately.

Suddenly alone in the hallway, Shen Geng: "..."

Bai Xingshu pulled Lin Li a good distance away before finally stopping and turning to him apologetically. Wasting no time, he spoke clearly and firmly, “Brother Lin, I'm sorry, but the deal is no longer necessary.”