Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The venue was vast. As Bai Qi followed the crowd inside, confetti drifted down from above. He looked around—it seemed to be a shopping mall, but due to the event, many people couldn't get in.

Bai Qi was assigned to logistics, which meant fetching food and drinks for anyone hungry or thirsty. The work wasn’t particularly heavy, but he was more concerned about Qi Heyan’s task.

Today, the alpha was dressed in a black suit, sunglasses, and a mask. The tight-fitting outfit accentuated Qi Heyan’s toned chest, and Bai Qi had already snuck several glances.

“Are you new here?”

Someone from the logistics team suddenly tapped Bai Qi’s shoulder. “What’s your name?”

Startled, Bai Qi turned around warily and quickly shied away. “I’m Bai Qi.”

The other person rolled their eyes at his reaction. “Nervous much?”

Bai Qi didn’t respond, quietly arranging the food while occasionally glancing ahead.

The mall was enormous, with multiple floors and all the shops open. The overwhelming variety of products left Bai Qi dazzled. He recalled someone once telling him that the wealthy district was like a dream—living there was like stepping into a fairyland.

Now, seeing it for himself, Bai Qi feared he might get lost in it, swept up in the fantasy.

“Welcome, everyone.” A man stepped onto the temporary platform, dressed formally and looking important. “Today is our charity day. First, I’d like to say…”

What followed was a rambling speech full of empty words, praising whichever faction he supported. Bai Qi couldn’t tell whether the man was backing the Alliance or the Empire.

“Hey, Bai… Bai Qi, bring this over. The little girl at table two is hungry. Just set it down and don’t say anything, got it?”

“Understood.”

Bai Qi picked up the tray and walked out, sticking close to the edges to avoid the media cameras. He placed the tray down and even gave the little girl a quick smile before turning to head backstage.

The charity event was being broadcast live. Bai Qi glanced at the screens—quite a few people seemed to be watching. Uninterested, he quickly looked away.

“You’re wrong!”

A woman suddenly stood up, her voice drawing Bai Qi’s attention. He paused for just two seconds—then a gunshot rang out.

Bai Qi’s eyes widened. He bolted for the backstage area, but before he could enter, panicked people rushed out. “Someone’s been killed! There’s a murderer!”

Bai Qi halted mid-step, then immediately turned and ran. He moved nimbly, weaving through the crowd, unsure where the attackers were but doing his best to stay hidden.

His gaze darted around, searching for Qi Heyan. The alpha was looking for him too, and amidst the chaos, they quickly found each other. The crowd erupted into chaos as the man on stage was escorted off under heavy guard.

But the attackers clearly wanted him dead—gunfire soon concentrated in one direction.

Wen Si stood to the side, shouting, “Go! Now!”

Qi Heyan tossed his sunglasses aside, exchanging a glance with someone behind Wen Si before swiftly assessing the attackers’ positions. A plan formed in his mind.

“Follow me.”

Qi Heyan rushed forward, pressing the man’s head down and forcing him to move. “Don’t move!”

The alpha navigated through the crossfire, barely dodging shots multiple times. Bai Qi, watching from a corner, winced. He wanted to yell for Qi Heyan to be careful but held back.

Qi Heyan…

“Boss Wen.”

A low, hoarse voice sounded behind Bai Qi. His heart jumped as he turned—the familiar man from before stood behind Wen Si. In the next instant, a blade went straight through the beta’s chest.

They were close, hidden in a blind spot. Blood gushed out, splattering across Bai Qi’s face.

Wen Si died without uttering a word. His eyes wide, he collapsed toward Bai Qi.

The omega’s face paled. He recoiled, mouth working wordlessly, unable to speak.

“No…”

Don’t come near me!

Bai Qi reached out to push the corpse away, jaw clenched in fear. But before he could touch Wen Si, a hand shoved the body aside. Qi Heyan had appeared beside him.

“Are you okay?” Qi Heyan yanked Bai Qi into a tight embrace, pressing him against his chest. “I’m sorry. I scared you.”

Bai Qi clutched the front of Qi Heyan’s shirt, voice shaking. After a long moment, he whispered, “I’m… I’m fine.”

The alpha had just got someone to safety when he turned and saw this. The assassin sent by the casino was incompetent—after killing Wen Si, he left without a second glance.

Seeing Bai Qi’s ashen face, Qi Heyan’s heart clenched. His face full of worry. “It’s over. You’re safe now.”

The situation was quickly brought under control. Two people died—Wen Si and one of the man’s bodyguards. The rest suffered minor injuries, but the trauma was immense. Qi Heyan was assigned to help the wounded, leaving Bai Qi to wait aside.

The omega had settled a little after Qi Heyan’s prolonged comfort, including the calming pheromones. Now, Bai Qi sat on a small stool, watching the crowd rush toward the ambulances.

The ground was stained with blood. Bai Qi couldn’t stand blood—his thoughts were scrambled, and the places Wen Si had touched him still reeked of death.

He lowered his head, wringing his hands, gaze following Qi Heyan’s movements.

“Your Highness, why are you here?”

The man who had been speaking on stage suddenly hurried over, his tone odd. “I’ve failed. I messed up.”

Bai Qi looked up just as the man referred to as “Your Highness” met his gaze. The other was unusually beautiful—so much so that Bai Qi couldn’t look away.

There was something unsettlingly attractive about him.

The prince noticed Bai Qi too. Raising a hand to silence the man, he approached softly. “What’s your name?”

“Bai Qi.”

The omega started to stand, but the prince gently pressed him back down. With careful hands, he lifted Bai Qi’s mask. Bai Qi automatically tensed but restrained himself, mindful of their difference in status.

However, the prince did nothing further, simply adjusting the mask back into place. Bai Qi kept his eyes down, missing the flash of interest in the other’s gaze.

“Are you here to work?” The prince’s voice was gentle. He was slender, as if long afflicted by illness. “Or is someone with you?”

Bai Qi found the questions strange but answered anyway. “My… my partner is here. I’m just pitching in.”

“I see.”

The prince straightened, about to say more when a hand settled on Bai Qi’s shoulder. Qi Heyan, having turned to find a stranger near Bai Qi, had rushed over without hesitation.

Fearful that someone might harm him.

Bai Qi reacted swiftly, grabbing Qi Heyan’s arm. Softly, he said, “This is His Highness…”

He wasn’t even sure if that was the correct address. Nervously, he glanced at the prince, only to find the other still watching him. Qi Heyan quickly caught on. “My apologies.”

"It's alright, you may go."

The prince stepped back, watching the two depart. He chuckled softly, raising his hand to take a subtle sniff—a familiar scent of pheromones.

Someone he knew.

"See something, Your Highness?"

The prince withdrew his gaze, he murmured, "Nothing... Only an omega."