The grand lobby buzzed with life—nobles drifting in, their voices blending into a lively hum, silk robes whispering as they swayed, and the faint chime of jewelry punctuating the air. Kai, Yifong, and Donghua exchanged light banter, seamlessly blending into the vibrant scene. But suddenly, Donghua's gaze sharpened. His eyes narrowed as he squinted toward a figure carving a path through the crowd—a tall, strikingly handsome man flanked by an aura of undeniable authority.
"Whoa," Donghua murmured, voice low with keen interest.
"You've got a rival for the title of 'most handsome,' Xing Li. And he's even taller than you."
Kai instinctively followed Donghua's line of sight. His gaze fixed on a figure with razor-sharp features, exuding confidence with every deliberate step, his charisma effortlessly drawing attention. The man's presence was magnetic—something about him commanded the entire room's focus without trying.
A cold shiver ran down Kai's spine. It was the same man he'd met at Zhu Dian.
His mind snapped into overdrive. Heart pounding, Kai spun around sharply, as if trying to vanish into the crowd. He straightened, desperately attempting to appear casual, but inside, panic ignited. Don't see me. Don't recognize me.
Meanwhile, Cheng Ren caught up and leaned in close to Jiang Wei, voice hushed and trembling with nervous energy.
"Do we really need to enroll too?" he asked quietly, eyes darting around as if afraid of being overheard.
Jiang Wei, calm and unreadable as always, responded smoothly.
"It's the best way to forge connections and gather intel. You never know what might prove useful."
Donghua's gaze flicked from the two figures—then shifted back to Yifong, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Hey, isn't that the Young Master Cheng Ren?" he whispered, voice tinged with intrigue.
Yifong nodded quietly. "Seems like it," he confirmed.
Kai's eyes widened in disbelief as he studied the handsome young man and Cheng Ren. His voice was almost a whisper, trembling with shock. "Cheng Ren? The one standing next to… my so-called beauty rival?" he asked, trying to stay calm, yet his heart hammered painfully.
Donghua nodded again, eyes narrowing.
"Be careful, Xing Li," he warned softly. "That guy might try to get close to you. He's not picky—women or men, it's all the same to him. He's part of the royal family, loaded with wealth, and a notorious playboy. I wonder what he's doing here."
The words struck Kai like a blow to the gut. Cheng Ren—the so-called cousin of the protagonist? Then where was Jiang Wei?
Just a few meters behind the trio, Cheng Ren and Jiang Wei lingered, their presence almost casual but their words echoing in Kai's mind when he caught Cheng Ren calling out Jiang Wei's name.
Kai's chest clenched painfully. The man he'd met at Zhu Dian—the one who had seen his white hair and whom he'd revealed his real name—was the protagonist himself. His secret was exposed, or at least, he feared it was.
Kai's mind spiraled into chaos. The words echoed relentlessly—Stay hidden. Keep your head down. Don't offend Jiang Wei, and maybe I'll make it out in one piece. His breath came in shaky gasps as he desperately tried to steady himself amid the swirling chaos of the bustling lobby.
"I just need to avoid him," Kai whispered softly, almost to himself. "I'm still early in the story. I haven't crossed any lines yet. As long as I don't cause trouble with him, he won't have a reason to come after me."
Yifong had been watching Kai intently, his expression flickering with concern. Was he trembling? Zoning out? It was hard to tell. The worry was obvious in his eyes, but he hesitated before finally speaking.
"Xing Li," Yifong called softly, trying to get Kai's attention amidst the noise.
After a few more calls, Yifong gently reached out, placing a steadying hand on Kai's shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked, voice full of genuine concern.
Donghua, noticing Kai's tense posture, thought he might be the cause of Kai's unease. With a mischievous grin, he chimed in to lighten the mood.
"Don't tell me you're scared of Cheng Ren? Come on, if he tries anything, I'll scare him off myself. No way I'm letting him hit on you."
Kai blinked out of his trance and looked at both Yifong and Donghua, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. But beneath the shock, he felt a wave of gratitude for their distraction.
He took a deep breath, trying to dispel the lingering tension. "Why am I even freaking out?" he muttered, almost to himself.
"I've already died once. Now I'm just going along with someone else's story." With a slow exhale, he settle his nerves and regain composure.
He shot a teasing smirk at Donghua. "Man, you sure he wouldn't sweep you off your feet if he tried?"
Donghua grinned back, playing along with a wink. "Yeah, I know I'm pretty good-looking too. So if he comes at me, just make sure to protect me, alright?"
They both burst into laughter, and the weight of the nervous tension that had been pressing down on Kai's shoulders suddenly lifted. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of relief.