When Gaien woke up in the morning, he felt that the kitchen was empty, as if something was missing. Upon careful thought, he realized that Johnny had been left behind at the banquet the day before. However, Han Yan remained seated in front of the holocomputer, engrossed in work, seemingly oblivious to this oversight. Gaien could only tactfully remind him:
“My lord, it seems like Johnny was left at the banquet. Should I go and bring him back?”
Han Yan, however, responded nonchalantly, “I know.”
When he woke up in the morning, he remembered, but it didn’t seem like a big issue, so he sat comfortably. After all, Johnny was already an adult male zerg, not a two or three-year-old cub. “You go to school, don’t worry about him.”
Seeing the male zerg sitting at the desk seemingly unresponsive, Gaien could only gently push the still warm breakfast towards Han Yan. With that, he limped out, apparently heading to the military academy.
The door closed with a soft click, and then everything fell silent.
Han Yan heard the sound and finally withdrew his attention from the holocomputer. He turned to look at the exquisite breakfast on the tray, staring at the thin star card in his hand, lost in thought, pondering something unknown.
Distractedly, he took a sip of the congee and then set the spoon aside. Opening a drawer, he locked the star card inside.
Three seconds later, he reopened the drawer and took out the star card again. Using the terminal to scan the card number and confirming through facial recognition, he checked the balance inside.
A staggering sum of money.
Han Yan briefly suspected that the female zerg hadn’t just taken out his salary card but had emptied out a significant portion of their savings. After all, the compensation for military females, no matter how high, was limited, and it was highly unlikely to accumulate such a substantial amount.
This situation was somewhat incomprehensible to Han Yan. As a shrewd businessman, he couldn’t fathom giving away a lifetime’s savings. He couldn’t bring himself to do what Gaien had done.
So, he couldn’t understand the other’s intentions.
Han Yan sat in front of the holocomputer, lost in thought for what seemed like a long time, though it was only a few seconds. Eventually, he silently pulled back the chair, stood up, and took his coat from the hanger. He walked straight out of the room.
Gaien had just finished cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks, getting ready to head to the military academy. Without thinking, he turned around and saw Han Yan already descending the stairs, dressed and ready. Subconsciously, he asked, “Are you going out?”
Han Yan nodded. “I’m going to the prince’s mansion to pick up Johnny.”
Gaien nodded at the words, about to say something, but the male zerg added casually, “Let’s go. I’ll drop you off at school on the way.”
Without paying attention to Gaien’s bewildered expression, Han Yan walked straight to the courtyard outside, opened the hatch of the aircraft, and sat inside. Crossing his legs in the seat, he habitually took off his glasses and wiped them, his expression consistently calm, making it difficult for Gaien to discern what was on his mind.
“…”
Finally, Gaien limped onto the aircraft. Silently, he took a seat next to Han Yan. As the hatch closed, he whispered, “Thank you.”
Han Yan wiped the lenses clean and put his glasses back on. “Thank me for what?”
Gaien shook his head slightly but said nothing. His pale fingertips unconsciously played with the sandalwood bead on his wrist—a habitual gesture that had become a part of him, making him feel a sense of completeness.
Seemingly wanting a smoke, Han Yan abandoned the idea due to the confined space. As the aircraft took off, he suddenly asked, “Do you know how much money is on that star card?”
Gaien nodded calmly, “I know.”
Han Yan still lit a cigarette but didn’t ignite it. He just lowered his gaze and took a sniff of the tobacco, absentmindedly warning, “I might end up spending it all.”
Admon and Johnny were both spendthrifts, and in a sense, Han Yan wasn’t much different from them. After all, they were family in a way, and it’s said that birds of a feather flock together.
Gaien smiled, “It’s okay. I’ll work hard to earn more.”
Han Yan’s ambitions were hardly hidden, and they would inadvertently surface in everyday life. How could Gaien not notice?
He understood those ambitions, and he didn’t mind helping pave the way for them. Once the money was given away from the star card, there was no intention of reclaiming it.
“…”
Han Yan closed his eyes in silence, repeatedly rolling the cigarette between his fingertips until the packaging tore, revealing several strands of brown tobacco. Only then did he lift his eyes, tossing the remnants of the cigarette into the trash bin.
“Come here.”
Han Yan patted his left leg.
Understanding his intent, Gaien obediently sat in his lap. The platinum-colored military uniform had a few wrinkles now, but it didn’t diminish the overall neatness and sharpness.
Han Yan finally noticed that Gaien was wearing a military uniform today. He raised his hand, brushing aside the disheveled silver hair in front of Gaien’s eyes. Those red eyes seemed to have gained a bit of clarity, and Han Yan kissed the red mole at the corner of Gaien’s eye. With a rare compliment, he softly uttered, “Very handsome.”
Gaien looked at him seriously, “Are you referring to the clothes?”
Han Yan neither confirmed nor denied, “What do you think?”
He felt that this female zerg looked even more beautiful without clothes.
Gaien always seemed to align with Han Yan’s thought process. He kissed the slight protrusion of the man’s Adam’s apple and whispered, “I’ll show you when we get home.”
It was as if he was intentionally enticing someone, and this little play indeed succeeded.
Han Yan, upon hearing the words, involuntarily tightened his embrace, but then slowly loosened it, remembering that the female zerg’s abdomen seemed to be injured. His gaze behind the lenses remained clear and indifferent, giving the impression that his inner emotions were unmoved. However, a few seconds later, the man responded with a low and deep “Hmm.”
Hmm.
This word carried a faint emotion but resonated in the air, much like the desire that had been subtly teased just moments ago.
The aircraft quickly arrived at the Bardell Military Academy. As Gaien was about to leave, he calmly hooked Han Yan and gave him a lingering kiss before stepping off the aircraft. Standing at the entrance of the academy, he looked back at Han Yan one last time before limping into the building.
The sun shone brilliantly today, warm yet not glaring. When Gaien stood in the sunlight, some of the shadows that surrounded him seemed to dissipate. His posture was eternally upright, dressed in a neatly elegant military uniform that even made people overlook his disabled right leg.
Gaien and Yusto were the only two S-class royal zergs in this generation of the imperial family—one with meticulous thinking, the other valiant in battle. They were once known as the twin stars of the empire. However, when the former fell, his glory was forgotten.
In the warmth of the spring day, Han Yan couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of Gaien’s former brilliance.
As Gaien’s limping figure gradually disappeared from view, Han Yan withdrew his gaze and refocused on the driving crystal screen. He adjusted the destination, preparing to head to the Prince Pei’s residence.
Johnny hadn’t returned home all night, likely staying there. Han Yan inwardly speculated that he must be enjoying himself and might not even want to leave when he arrived. However, upon reaching the prince’s residence, he was surprised to find Johnny behaving unusually well.
“Apologies, Your Excellency Asha. Due to the late hour last night, I let His Excellency Johnny stay overnight in the guest room without notifying you in advance. It was my mistake.”
Prince Pei gestured for Han Yan to take a seat on the sofa, and he instructed the butler to bring some snacks and tea. His words were smooth and considerate, leaving no room for anyone to hold a grudge.
Upon hearing this, Han Yan glanced at Johnny, who sat obediently nearby, and nodded with a faint smile. “It’s okay. Johnny must have caused you some trouble. I left in a hurry yesterday and accidentally left him here.”
Johnny, wanting to speak but dare not to: “…”
Upon hearing Han Yan mention the events of the previous night, Prince Pei paused for a moment and then asked, “Is Gaien’s injury better?”
Taking a sip of tea, Han Yan countered, “Have you found out who locked the door to the dressing room?”
Regardless of the severity of the injury, Han Yan couldn’t simply overlook what happened yesterday. While investigating Sande, he discovered an interesting fact. This nobleman was idle, inclined to gamble, and Admon had previously accumulated a significant gambling debt. The creditor happened to be Sande Durant.
However, whether the substantial gambling debt was legitimately won by the other party’s skill or through cheating was open to debate. After all, Sande used to be an inveterate gambler who always lost, but that night, he suddenly won dozens of rounds, making his luck seem unusually good.
Anticipating that Han Yan would bring up this question, Prince Pei had the butler bring a video card. “Although the surveillance in the corridor was cut off by someone, the camera at the opposite corner accidentally captured footage of Fallon. He’s the one who locked the dressing room door with a key.”
Prince Pei’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant. While intrigues among female zergs were not uncommon, Fallon’s audacity in the prince’s residence was a bit too much.
Han Yan wasn’t surprised by this answer; he only needed the evidence. He reached over and took the thin video card, stuffing it into his jacket pocket. “Thank you.”
Prince Pei, looking somewhat pale, perhaps due to illness, noticed Han Yan’s actions. He coughed lightly and then looked at him, “Your Excellency, pardon me for being somewhat impertinent, but I’m curious about how you plan to handle this situation?”
Han Yan spoke vaguely, “Are you interested as well?”
Prince Pei’s voice was deep, “This matter happened in my residence after all. I believe I have the right to settle this account. His Excellency Sande has always been rash, and I initially thought he might become more restrained with age. Unexpectedly, he’s become even more audacious. If we don’t teach him a lesson this time, he might repeat the offense.”
Han Yan didn’t refuse. After all, settling scores after the fact was akin to a post-fight reckoning; there was no harm in having one more person involved. “I recall that yesterday, while in the study, the Durant family seemed to be considering opening a shop and setting up in the commercial area under your name?”
Prince Pei seemed to catch on, “Do you want me to reject them?”
The Durant family had already lost the protection of the Zerg Emperor when they withdrew from the marriage, and coupled with the incompetence of their later generations, their situation had worsened. Prince Pei wasn’t afraid to offend them.
“No,” Han Yan shook his head, adding with a meaningful tone, “You don’t need to reject them. Let them open a restaurant in the commercial area under your name. The more, the better. If the minister of the Chamber of Commerce is willing to join them, that would be even better.”
As for the reasons, Han Yan didn’t elaborate.
After a moment of contemplation, Prince Pei seemed to catch on, “Is it related to the software you’re developing?”
Han Yan didn’t deny it and smiled, “You could say that.”
Prince Pei only knew that Han Yan intended to venture into software development. What exactly he was developing, however, was not detailed during their conversation in the study yesterday. Business matters were often not discussed too openly; much like investments and gambling, luck and foresight played a crucial role, and one never knew the outcome until the last moment.
Prince Pei had navigated the business world for many years and considered himself to have a keen eye. Han Yan, with his meticulous thinking, clearly wouldn’t involve himself in unprofitable ventures. Prince Pei’s intuition told him that this business deal might be worth a try.
Even if it turned out to be a loss, with the layer of familial ties, and considering it was Han Yan’s first entrepreneurial endeavor, Prince Pei was willing to offer some support. With substantial wealth at his disposal, he didn’t mind the money involved. “If Your Excellency needs any assistance, I am more than willing to help.”
With this statement, Prince Pei made his position clear.
Johnny sat beside, feeling like he was on pins and needles throughout the conversation between Han Yan and Prince Pei. He hadn’t understood a word of what they were discussing, and time seemed to drag on endlessly. It was only when he saw Han Yan preparing to take his leave that he immediately stood up with a soft sound, obediently following behind Han Yan, looking as innocent as possible.
Han Yan bid farewell to Prince Pei, “I apologize for Johnny’s disturbance yesterday. If there’s a chance in the future, please do visit Admon Manor as an honored guest.”
Prince Pei glanced at Johnny upon hearing this, then retracted his gaze. He straightened the coat draped over his shoulders and smiled, “His Excellency Johnny is a good child. Please don’t worry too much. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit the manor.”
Johnny lowered his head even further.
Han Yan seemed to sense something unusual but didn’t speak up. It wasn’t until they were on the aircraft, leaving the prince’s residence, that he questioned Johnny, “What did you do at the prince’s residence yesterday?”
Johnny instinctively lifted his head, catching a sharp undertone, “Do?”
Han Yan’s gray-blue eyes looked at him faintly, conveying a silent sense of pressure. He remained silent.
Johnny finally realized what was going on, “Oh… I… I didn’t do anything. I just played some games, ate cake, took a shower, went to bed, and then… and then you came to pick me up.”
It sounded quite ordinary.
After all, Johnny was a gaming enthusiast. His usual routine at home was no different—eating and playing games, with little interest in anything else.
Han Yan didn’t press for more information. The air fell into silence once again.
Johnny casually looked out of the porthole and noticed that the route seemed a bit unusual, “Where are we going? This isn’t the way home.”
Han Yan replied with just two words, “The mall.”
He had recently set his sights on an office space in the central area. Due to a shortage of funds, the contract had not been finalized until today when he went to secure the location.
Johnny asked abruptly, “Big brother, are you going to start a company and do business?”
It seemed like the first time Johnny addressed Han Yan as “big brother”. Upon hearing the question, Han Yan looked at him, adjusting his glasses with a lift of his hand, “Who told you?”
Johnny replied, “I guessed.”
Knowing Johnny’s intelligence, Han Yan didn’t spare any feelings in debunking his guess, “Your guess is wrong. Who told you?”
Johnny hesitated for a moment and finally uttered a few words, “Prince… Prince Pei.”
Han Yan wasn’t surprised, “I am planning to start a business. So what?”
Johnny mumbled for a while before finally saying, “You… You can take me with you into the business.”
Han Yan raised an eyebrow, “Giving up gaming?”
Just mentioning the word “gaming” now made Johnny want to cry. If he hadn’t played games yesterday, he wouldn’t have missed the spectacle, wouldn’t have been forgotten by Han Yan at the party, wouldn’t have stayed overnight at the prince’s residence, and wouldn’t have…
Johnny, with teary eyes, made a solemn vow, “I quit, I won’t play games anymore! If I ever play games again, you can break my hands!”
Han Yan remained silent, thinking that his younger brother’s mind was going haywire again. Just as they were talking, the aircraft happened to arrive at the Main Star Mall. Han Yan opened the cabin door and got off, leaving behind a casual remark, “We’ll talk about it later if there’s anything.”
He had a lot of things to buy today and currently didn’t have time to play the role of Johnny’s therapist.
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