IMAO Chapter 61

As they walked out of the cinema, the rain had stopped, but the ground was still a little wet.

While they were still debating what to eat, a clear, clean male voice reached their ears.

“Ji Rong?”

“Prince Hosea?” Ji Rong glanced at the man, instantly recognizing him by his distinctive peach blossom eyes and the beauty mark at the corner of his eye.

Hosea immediately approached them, asking, “Ji Rong? What brings you here? Shopping?”

Ji Rong was surprised that the prince remembered his name and replied politely, “Yes, just taking advantage of some free time to look around.”

Hosea stood before Ji Rong and Jiang Yuan, his beautiful peach blossom eyes fixed on Ji Rong with unmistakable fondness.

He had held Ji Rong when he was just born. He was just a soft tiny bundle at that time. Now the boy had grown even taller than him by half a head. Hosea couldn’t take his eyes off his little nephew.

Ji Rong, uncomfortable under Hosea’s gaze, turned his head to look at Jiang Yuan beside him.

Jiang Yuan was also unsure of the situation. Prince Hosea was Emperor Hoyt’s younger brother, holding a unique position both in Hoyt and internationally. Logically, they were just students participating in a competition. They were hardly worth such attention from someone of his status. However…

The prince was also famous for his willful nature.

During his recent birthday celebration, he invited students from all participating countries to attend, significantly increasing the difficulty for security.

But what could the Hoyt military do? They could only diligently ensure His Highness’s safety.

Hosea turned to Ji Rong, his eyes twinkling with a smile, “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Ji Rong: “?”

Jiang Yuan: “?”

Hosea smiled and said, “Come on, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

“Well… it’s not exactly my treat. I never pay at the Royal Hotel, and my brother can’t do anything about it.”

Hosea said with a grin, casting another glance at Ji Rong.

Of course, it’s not my treat. It’s your father’s!

Ji Rong shook his head, “Your Highness, there’s no need to trouble yourself. Besides, don’t you have other matters to attend to?”

Ji Rong gestured toward a slightly plump man standing not far from Hosea, suggesting that the prince shouldn’t worry about them when there were more pressing matters.

Hosea seemed to suddenly remember his companion. He strode over and said carelessly, “You head back first. I’m having dinner with them. As for what you mentioned, we’ll discuss it in a couple of days.”

The man frowned slightly at Hosea and said in a voice only they could hear, “Your Highness, I believe our matter is urgent. Hans has captured many of our people! We need you to find a way! They did this for our country!”

“Not only have I thought about it, but I’m already taking action,” Hosea smiled slightly, glancing back at Ji Rong before continuing, “Perhaps before long, our wise emperor will abdicate.”

“Abdicate?” The man froze, eyeing Hosea suspiciously, “Your Highness, the emperor won’t be fooled!”

Hosea smiled and said, “I have no intention of fooling my brother. Just wait a while and stop the protests for now. I’ll speak with Hans later about releasing the people.”

“Well… okay.” After a moment’s hesitation and Hosea’s assurance, the man turned and left.

Having dismissed him, Hosea turned back to Ji Rong and his companion who were still standing there, his eyes curved in a smile.

A few days ago, when he visited Horace at the Hoyt Palace, he noticed Horace’s swollen lips, which were obviously from passionate kisses. He didn’t need to guess to know Ji Chong was responsible.

So now, he didn’t need to do anything except wait for Ji Chong to discover Horace’s identity. For these two to be together, given their positions, one would inevitably have to give up what they had to accommodate the other.

Ideally, Horace would renounce the throne, and the country would transition to a constitutional monarchy, returning power to the people.

The less ideal scenario would be Ji Chong giving up his position as Federal Marshal to ‘marry’ into the royal family… Either way, it was a win-win situation.

Hosea shrugged, walked up to Ji Rong, and said, “It wasn’t anything important. Come on, let me treat you both to dinner.”

Entering the Hoyt Royal Hotel, Jiang Yuan found its luxury almost excessive.

At the rooftop restaurant, Hosea started ordering, “This, this, and this…”

“What do you think?” Hosea asked Ji Rong and Jiang Yuan halfway through ordering.

Both Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong were bewildered. Being suddenly invited to dinner by this powerful Hoyt Prince was confusing. They’d only met two or three times in passing and couldn’t understand why he would treat them to dinner.

“It’s fine, thank you,” Jiang Yuan said quietly.

Ji Rong simply responded, “Mm.”

As Hosea asked the server to bring the food, he pointed to Ji Rong and added, “For his dessert, please omit the star fruit. He doesn’t eat it.”

“Of course.”

Ji Rong was startled hearing Hosea’s instruction, “How did you know I don’t eat star fruit?”

Ji Rong had noticed earlier that the desserts used star fruit as decoration. The fruit, shaped like a perfect five-pointed star with its sweet taste, was commonly used as a garnish. But few people knew he was allergic to it. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t eat it, he couldn’t.

Hosea: “…”

How did he know? Of course, he knew. Horace had collected so much information about Ji Rong, and he’d seen it all. So naturally, he knew about Ji Rong’s star fruit allergy…

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Hosea forced an explanation, “During my previous visits to the Federation to see Alfonso, we dined together, and I noticed you seemed to dislike star fruit.”

Ji Rong: “…” Do you pay this much attention to me?

Ji Rong secretly pondered the situation. How did Hosea know about his food preferences? What was going on? Could it be that the prince had taken a fancy to him because of his good looks?

It seemed quite possible!

During previous dinners, the prince had only ever looked at either his father or him, and with such strange gazes, too. Maybe he really did like his face! Could this prince actually have intentions toward him?

Besides, a prince personally inviting two students to dinner was strange in itself!

Thinking this through, Ji Rong’s mood became rather weird. He turned his face away and, after some thought, pulled out his communicator to send Jiang Yuan a message.

Buzz.

Jiang Yuan lit up his communicator screen and glanced at Ji Rong, his eyes slowly forming a ‘?’

Ji Rong: Holy crap, does he like me?! I’m freaking out!
Ji Rong: He’s watching me! Look at his eyes!

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan shifted his gaze to Hosea and noticed that those beautiful peach blossom eyes were indeed fixed on Ji Rong, filled with gentleness and what seemed like affection.

Jiang Yuan: It seems… he really might.
Jiang Yuan: Marry him, and you’ll skip a lifetime of struggle.
Ji Rong: I’d rather struggle on my own… so…
Jiang Yuan: ?
Ji Rong: I need to reject him subtly!
Jiang Yuan: How? This one could be troublesome.
Ji Rong: What do you think?
Ji Rong: [smirking]
Jiang Yuan: …

It couldn’t be what he was thinking, could it?

While Jiang Yuan was still contemplating, Ji Rong suddenly grabbed his hand. “Are you cold?”

Jiang Yuan: “…Not cold.”

So they’re pretending to be a couple again. What’s wrong with all these Omegas today?!

Ji Rong: “But I’m cold, help warm me up.”

Jiang Yuan glanced outside at the clear sky after the rain, then at the indoor temperature display showing 27 degrees.

Jiang Yuan gave Ji Rong a helpless look, his eyes speaking volumes.

Jiang Yuan: You’re too fake.

Ji Rong: What else can I do?! I’m in such a tough spot!

When Ji Rong grabbed Jiang Yuan’s hand, Hosea’s gaze noticeably faltered, but when he looked at Jiang Yuan again, his expression became gentle.

He asked softly, “Your name is… is… Jiang…”

Jiang Yuan: “Jiang Yuan.”

“Ah yes, I’ve been too busy lately. My memory isn’t the best,” Hosea smiled slightly, “I’ll remember your name now.”

Jiang Yuan smiled awkwardly, thinking it’d be better if he didn’t.

The prince hadn’t called his name before because he simply couldn’t remember it, yet he’d recognized Ji Rong from afar, knew his name clearly, and even knew about his aversion to star fruit…

Although Jiang Yuan had also noticed Ji Rong’s star fruit issue, that was only because they frequently ate together.

This must really be love.

Hosea smiled at Jiang Yuan. He hadn’t paid much attention to him before, being completely focused on his little nephew Ji Rong. But seeing Ji Rong holding Jiang Yuan’s hand like that, they were clearly a couple.

He now looked at Jiang Yuan differently – his nephew-in-law!

His nephew-in-law was quite handsome.

He hadn’t noticed before.

“Jiang Yuan, you’re a Beta, right?” Hosea asked, trying to sound kind, but his peach blossom eyes made it appear rather awkward.

Jiang Yuan nodded, “Yes…”

Hosea: “It’s quite difficult for Betas to conceive.”

Ji Rong: What’s this person saying? Is being able to get pregnant as an Omega such a big deal? Hmph!

Jiang Yuan: “…Yes.”

Hosea smiled slightly and turned to Ji Rong. Although Betas had difficulty conceiving, with a strong enough Alpha, it was possible. His nephew would definitely be able to do it. After all, with parents like his, such a strong genetic combination couldn’t go wrong.

Ji Rong’s mouth twitched. How could this prince be so sinister? Two sentences to drive a wedge between them, and now he was staring at him. What was that supposed to mean?!

Beside him, Jiang Yuan felt his scalp tingle under Hosea’s gentle gaze. As expected of His Highness. Unlike that Omega called Sivir at the KTV this afternoon who looked ready to kill when Ji Rong clung to him, the prince’s gaze was so tender it could squeeze water.

As the food arrived and they began eating, Hosea asked with a smile, “Are you comfortable staying at the Silver Palace?”

Ji Rong: “It’s quite nice.”

Hosea made an affirming sound, “If you need anything, just ask. They’ll fulfill your requests.”

“I watched your competition. You were impressive!” Hosea said with a smile.

Ji Rong was secretly frustrated. He’d been maintaining a cold face and responding indifferently the whole time, yet why was this prince still so chatty?!

Couldn’t he understand the meaning behind his cold demeanor?

Hosea: “Do your best in the competition! You’ll surely win first place!”

Jiang Yuan: …

This prince truly lived up to his reputation for being casual. What would the Hoyt competing team think if they heard these words?

At the Lu residence in Hoyt:

Lu Yan, who was eating dinner, rubbed his nose, feeling an itch.

His red-haired brother Louis looked at him and asked, “Ge, are you feeling unwell?”

Lu Yan shook his head. “No… just a bit itchy.”

Louis: “Must be an Omega thinking about you somewhere!”

Lu Yan: “Shut up and eat.”

Back at the rooftop restaurant, Hosea came out of the restroom and immediately spotted Ji Rong standing by the door. He shook water from his hands and looked at Ji Rong, “Need something?”

Ji Rong glanced at Hosea and nodded. The two walked to the smoking corner.

Hosea: “Go ahead.”

Hosea looked at Ji Rong leisurely, curious about what his little nephew wanted to say.

Ji Rong: “Jiang Yuan and I are a couple.”

Hosea nodded, “Mm-hmm, I know.”

Ji Rong: “I won’t accept anyone but Jiang Yuan!”

Hearing this, Hosea was stunned. His little nephew was exactly like his Marshal father. He’d been keeping tabs on Ji Chong after Horace left him all these years. Ji Chong had remained completely faithful, rejecting Omegas, Betas, and Alphas alike.

Seeing Hosea’s silence, Ji Rong thought he didn’t believe him and immediately said, “I mean it!”

Hosea: “I believe you.”

Just then, Hosea suddenly grabbed Ji Rong and pulled him into a room around the corner.

Ji Rong was startled and tried to push Hosea away but stopped when Hosea made a silencing gesture and cracked open the door slightly.

Following Hosea’s gaze, Ji Rong saw two figures speaking quietly.

“So, baby, after dinner, shall we go to your place?”

A deep, husky male voice rang out.

Horace turned his head to glare fiercely at Ji Chong, “Go back to your Federation residence, don’t follow me!”

Ji Chong: “But baby, I want to go home with you.”

Horace: …

Horace:?

Ji Chong: “When you asked to come home with me, I always agreed.”

Horace: …

Go home, his ass.

To the Hoyt Imperial Palace?!

Hah, was he crazy?

Horace wore sunglasses. Although the Hoyt Royal Hotel was his property, he still felt uncomfortable visiting, especially when encountering acquaintances. There was just this inexplicable… feeling.

As the voices drifted in, Ji Rong recognized the face that somewhat resembled his own, and his whole world turned upside down.

His father was calling his stepfather ‘baby’!

And his stepfather remained cool as ever. His face was partially hidden behind those large sunglasses.

“We already have a child. What’s wrong with coming home to meet your family?”

The words hit Ji Rong like a thunderbolt, leaving him completely stunned.

His father and stepfather… already had a child?

Ji Rong looked at Horace with his large sunglasses, unconsciously glancing at his belly, his emotions incredibly complex.

He… was going to have a younger sibling…

“What does the child have to do with this?”

“How could it not?”

As they continued talking, Ji Chong suddenly hoisted his stepfather over his shoulder and carried him away.

Seeing Ji Chong’s move, Hosea burst out laughing.

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