Chapter 46

Chapter 46

After a twenty-minute rest, Shi Jian and the others watched Muye emerge from the command tent, clutching several stacks of papers, trailed by a few Alphas of similar stature.

Among them, a white-haired figure seized Shi Jian’s attention. Before the man even drew near, Shi Jian felt an inexplicable urge to call out his name—

"Gu Shiyun, your direct upperclassman and the head of the Disciplinary Department. I assume you’re all familiar with him. He was among the first batch of students dispatched to the White Mist Academy district and has already assisted the military in achieving several critical breakthroughs." Muye stepped aside slightly, offering a concise introduction of Gu Shiyun.

The white-haired Alpha was dressed similarly to the squad members, though he wasn’t wearing a face mask, allowing everyone to see his perpetually cold expression. However, when his gaze met Shi Jian’s, his pale eyes showed distinct cracks in their icy demeanor.

First, there was surprise, then barely contained delight, but in the end, all emotions coalesced into profound worry. Though he didn’t speak, Gu Shiyun’s eyes seemed to ask, *How have you been while I was away? Has anyone bullied you?*

Most didn’t notice this subtle shift in Gu Shiyun—not even Shi Jian himself, who only felt touched by this unexpected concern—except for the keenly observant Yu Chen and Xu Bai.

Yu Chen let out a cold snort, crossing his arms as he glowered at Gu Shiyun. He didn’t know why he felt so irritated, as if his territory had been invaded, but who cared? He had always despised try-hards like him.

Oh, and he almost forgot Shen Xingchuan—that obnoxiously cheerful extrovert.

Sui Bian was just as disgusting. Who did that loser think he was to bully Shi Jian alongside him?

Fu Yan… well, he was basically just an attendant, a servant meant to wait on Shi Jian and his future husband. At least he stayed in his lane and wasn’t too bothersome.

Yu Chen scanned the people around him and realized there wasn’t a single one he didn’t dislike—

Well, except for Shi Jian.

He didn’t dislike Shi Jian. Most of the time, he harbored a strange, perverse, destructive impulse to ruin something beautiful.

But on rare occasions—like now—he was repulsed by how chummy Shi Jian got with those commoners, as if cheapening himself.

Unfortunately, no one cared about his opinion. Shi Jian had already scooted over, making space for Gu Shiyun to sit beside him, completely ignoring Yu Chen’s scorching glower.

Muye added, "Since you’re all new here and unfamiliar with many things, the school and the military have decided to reorganize the advance teams, assigning seniors to guide and train you for this mission. Our department has been assigned Gu Shiyun."

He led a round of applause, which the others followed with lackluster clapping—except for Yu Chen, who remained silent with a dark expression.

Muye turned to Gu Shiyun. "I’ll go check on your dorm. You fill them in on the current situation. I’ll leave this to you."

Gu Shiyun nodded. "All evidence points to a radical faction. We’ve confirmed they’ve been orchestrating Omega abduction cases for years. The earliest case dates back ten years, the most recent three months ago. The abducted Omegas remain missing, likely murdered. Their motives are still unclear, but to prevent further threats, the royal family has ordered all military regions to intensify crackdown operations. As students, your primary task is protection—pairing up to monitor high-risk targets if necessary. Otherwise, you’ll assist in search operations. Direct confrontation isn’t required, so no need for concern."

He paused. "For now, the first day is for getting settled in the camp. Specific assignments begin tomorrow. You may request leave to explore, but wear civilian clothes and avoid causing public panic."

The students, initially tense at the severity of the situation, brightened instantly at the prospect of visiting the city center.

Yu Chen smirked and waved a hand. "Have at it. I’ll cover all expenses today—after all, you all call me Crown Prince. My treat. Senior Gu, feel free to claim reimbursement too. I’ll be *very* generous."

Amid the cheers, Sui Bian muttered, "Poser."

Gu Shiyun remained unfazed. "Thanks, but no need."

Shi Jian ignored him entirely—Yu Chen was just being his usual toxic self.

Spurned by both, Yu Chen’s features contorted in bottled-up fury. He sneered, "Shi Jian, playing with this… *charity case*—don’t tell me you’re paying his way?"

Shen Xingchuan, a random casualty, frowned. "Yu Chen, just because you're loaded doesn't mean you have the right to look down on others. If this got out, even your father, the First Military Region Commander, would catch flak."

Yu Chen gritted his teeth but held back—too many eyes here, including military representatives. He could only hiss, "Mind your business."

Shen Xingchuan met his glare fearlessly.

Shi Jian, torn between amusement and concern, stepped between them—though his willowy build wasn't much protection.

"Stop acting like a rabid mutt. Behave, or I’ll give you a refresher on what it’s like to be chased down."

He expected the threat to work, but Yu Chen’s face actually colored instead, his lips curling. "Oh? I’d *love* that."

…Shi Jian didn’t dare call him a pervert, lest it only excite him further.

With a disdainful eye-roll, he spat, "Get lost."

Yu Chen actually left, smug as if he’d won, dragging Xu Bai along.

Shi Jian was speechless. His accidental insult had turned prophetic—the proud, untouchable Crown Prince was, at his core, a complete masochist. The worse Shi Jian treated him, the more obsessed he became.

Baffling.

Shen Xingchuan grumbled a few more curses before brightening. "Wanna explore the city? Our school’s in the middle of nowhere—I’ve never been to the capital."

Shi Jian almost agreed, but noticing Gu Shiyun shadowing him closely, he said instead, "I need to talk with Senior Gu. Fu Yan can go with you—he’s from here."

Fu Yan readily accepted. Sui Bian butted in demanding to join, but Shi Jian ignored him.

Shen Xingchuan laughed. "It’s not like an Alpha asking an Omega out. We’re all bros—no sweat. Just let me know if you want anything."

Shi Jian nodded.

The moment the trio left, Gu Shiyun stated with quiet intensity, "I’d like to invite you out."

His gaze was intense, leaving no room for refusal.

Shi Jian suddenly recalled Shen Xingchuan’s words—*It’s not like an Alpha inviting an Omega*—but why did this feel exactly like that?

A disquieting realization struck him. He had always identified as an Alpha, believing his dynamic with Gu Shiyun was strictly brotherly. But…

Did Gu Shiyun see him as an Alpha?

Flustered, he was grateful for the mask hiding his flushed ears. Before he could respond, Gu Shiyun repeated, "May I?"

"...Sure." Shi Jian pushed the strange thought aside. Maybe he was overthinking.

Gu Shiyun smiled faintly and led him to his dorm. "Did you bring luggage? Change out of your combat gear. I’ll be your guide."

Shi Jian hesitated. "I… snuck in Shen Xingchuan’s suitcase. There wasn’t room for extra clothes."

Poor Shen Xingchuan—not only had he risked smuggling Shi Jian in, but he’d also had to beg Fu Yan to pack his underwear.

Just as Shi Jian thought their outing was scrapped, Gu Shiyun pulled out a white winter outfit from his closet.

"I knew you’d come, so I prepared in advance."

Shi Jian stared, stunned.

"This…"

He was truly thrown. After months apart, Gu Shiyun seemed… different. As if their once-pure Alpha camaraderie had stealthily transformed into something else.

Yet facing Gu Shiyun's quiet yet shining eyes, he... just couldn't find it in him to refuse.

"Alright... fine." Shi Jian reluctantly took the winter outfit.

Gu Shiyun obligingly turned around: "Go ahead and change. I won't look."

...As if that makes it any less suspicious!

What self-respecting Alpha would avoid seeing another Alpha change clothes?!

"..."

Shi Jian said with exhausted resignation, "But there's a full-length mirror right in front of you."

"..."

An awkward tension filled the small room. Gu Shiyun, flustered but trying to maintain decorum, hastily retreated: "I'll wait outside."