DALOA CH150

Seeing the unfriendly look Li Xiao shot his way, Wei Feng let out a whistle: “Don’t mind me, please continue. I’m not in a rush.”

Song Jin adjusted his coat: “Finished asking your questions?”

“Asked everything that could be asked.”

Speaking of Meng Shan, Wei Feng dropped his casual smirk. “I wondered how strong he really was—turns out he’s just a psychologically twisted old fogey.”

Song Jin: “Then we should head back.”

Li Xiao’s rut hadn’t passed yet; staying here any longer would be too much trouble.

Wei Feng stroked his chin thoughtfully: “It might not be that easy to go back.”

Song Jin: “…What else did you do?”

Just as he finished speaking, faint signs of commotion came from outside the door.

Li Xiao’s terminal vibrated—it was a report sent by Yi Lian.

【Meng Shan was found collapsed on the stairs, unconscious. Meng Jian has already ordered a lockdown of the castle.】

Attached below the text was a photo sent to Yi Lian by Yi Yongning.

In the photo, Meng Shan was collapsed head-first on the stairs in a contorted pose. He was bruised and battered, nosebleed running all over his face, and his leg was bent at an obviously abnormal angle. Crucially, he was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers—not a single trace of his former grandeur as the family head remained.

Revolted by the wrinkled skin, Song Jin stared intently at Li Xiao to cleanse his eyes.

“Did you kill him?”

Wei Feng smiled warmly: “I’m a professional actor. I won’t do a single thing that isn’t written in the script.”

Song Jin chuckled softly: “If this kind of photo leaks out, won’t it be the death of him?”

“Let’s leave here first.” His clothes were completely soaked and clung to his body uncomfortably. Song Jin stood up and extended a hand to Li Xiao. “Come up.”

Li Xiao placed his hand in Song Jin’s, then looked at Wei Feng: “Get out.”

Wei Feng: “…”

Not only did this young couple ditch him during the mission, but now they were ostracizing him too.

“You’ve been glaring at me ever since just now,” Wei Feng argued with Li Xiao. “Forgot your father the moment you got a wife?”

Li Xiao’s voice turned cold: “Are you leaving or not?”

Wei Feng: “…”

Wei Feng complained to Song Jin: “Your husband is being mean to me.”

Song Jin cracked his knuckles with a pop: “He’s only being mean to you, but I might actually beat you up.”

Wei Feng: “…”

What kind of people had he ended up with?

The two went to the nearest rest room. Song Jin tossed aside their drenched formal wear along with both pairs of shoes, waiting for someone to bring replacement attire.

Turning around, he saw Li Xiao sitting down draped in a bathrobe, rubbing his temples. Song Jin walked up behind him and gently massaged his head: “Feeling any better?”

Li Xiao leaned against the back of the chair, his brow tightly furrowed: “Dizzy.”

Song Jin was now covered in his scent from head to toe. Although the anxious restlessness had been suppressed, the chaotic pheromones were still making him uncomfortable.

The pheromones of two Alphas were naturally incompatible; they couldn’t linger for too long, and the marking effect would last for a day at most.

As expected, marking him once wasn’t enough.

Unaware of the calculations running through Li Xiao’s mind, Song Jin bluntly chided him: “You told me to be careful before, yet look at you—you didn’t say a word even when your own rut arrived.”

Li Xiao: “I took an suppressant injection just ten days ago.”

Under normal circumstances without particularly strong triggers, the effect of the suppressant should have been more than enough. Yet Li Xiao had not only entered his rut, but hadn’t even realized it himself.

Song Jin asked 09 through 07: “Your master entered his rut—did you fail to notice it completely?”

Just as he asked, a pheromone curve window popped up in Song Jin’s field of vision.

09’s raspy voice carried a sense of stubborn defiance, sounding clearly unconvinced: 【Master’s data was entirely within normal ranges. How could I have noticed?】

Song Jin sneered: “Can a rut just happen out of nowhere? He had signs of it half a month ago.”

09: 【Are you looking for a fight?】

Song Jin spoke lazily: “Looking to get formatted?”

09: 【I’m not your battle armor, so stop threatening me.】

Listening to them bicker, Li Xiao’s head began to throb again.

“Is it really that fun arguing with yourself?”

Song Jin: “…”

This bubble-headed AI was definitely not him.

Since the physical data monitored by 09 was normal yet a rut had suddenly erupted, Song Jin could only think of one possibility—Li Xiao’s self-control was simply too good.

If he hadn’t been triggered by too many scents at the birthday banquet tonight, Li Xiao might have quietly passed through this rut without anyone noticing.

At that thought, Song Jin couldn’t help asking, “How did you usually pass your ruts before?”

Seeing Li Xiao’s eyes half-closed as if he were falling asleep without any intention to answer, Song Jin recalled his posture from earlier—filled to the brim with aggression. With shifting eyes, he bent down to press right up against his ear: “Did you use to do this to other people too?”

It wasn’t that Li Xiao didn’t want to answer, but rather that he tried thinking for a long time without recalling how he had spent his ruts in the past.

In his previous life, in order to deal with the Meng family, he had spent several years rushing across various battlefields, wishing he could stretch one day into two. Often so busy he forgot to eat, he had no mind to spare for ruts.

After the war ended, he was busy cleaning up the mess, never once troubled by ruts.

It had been fine to ignore it before, but for some reason, the reaction was so severe this time.

Seeing how much Song Jin cared, Li Xiao deliberately said, “Take a guess?”

Song Jin: “…”

At it again.

This kid must have played around a lot in the past.

There’s no reason why, when neither of them had experience, he was the one being led by the nose.

Song Jin: “From now on, you’re only allowed to play with me alone, do you hear me?”

Li Xiao responded casually: “Mm, only playing with you alone.”

Song Jin: “…”

Song Jin pinched his face: “Asking for a beating?”

Li Xiao knit his brows, his words slurred from his pinched cheek: “It hurts.”

Song Jin: “Don’t act cute.”

Li Xiao: “Jin, I’m dizzy.”

Song Jin: “…”

Starting to fake it again.

By the time the side hall’s butler brought over the replacement formal wear, Li Xiao had calmed down considerably compared to before. While changing, he asked the butler about the situation outside.

The butler answered respectfully: “The Meng family guards are searching everywhere for suspicious personnel. Admiral Meng is currently notifying everyone to return to the main hall.”

“Sounds nice on paper,” Song Jin said, buttoning his cuffs. “Is it protection or surveillance?”

Li Xiao thought for a moment, then contacted Wei Feng through 09: 【Have him go do something for me.】

09: 【He says he’s angry and needs his son to coax him before he’ll get better.】

Outside in the corridor, Wei Feng was preparing to look for Meng Jian based on 09’s cues.

Since he was already here, he might as well go all the way and teach Meng Jian a lesson too.

09: 【The Madame said that while he can’t get your son to coax you, he can send you to meet your grandfather.】

Wei Feng: “…”

He had once been a mighty and domineering general, yet here he was being bullied by his son and son-in-law.

09: 【Master has given a new instruction.】

Wei Feng stopped. Hearing it out, he grinned and headed toward the second-floor rest rooms.

His son and son-in-law were a bit fierce, but as long as they didn’t target him, it was still pretty satisfying.

Second floor.

Inside the rest room originally arranged for Li Xiao, a group of Omegas had made thorough preparations, but Li Xiao was nowhere to be seen.

“Go ask what’s going on!”

“Don’t rush, they said he’d be coming over shortly.”

“When they come in, deal with Song Jin first! He’s too terrifying!”

“I’m so nervous! Song Jin is so strong, how can we fight him?”

“What are you afraid of! Use high-voltage electricity to stun him!”

As they spoke, a window suddenly burst open with a loud bang.

The cool night breeze swept in, sending the gauze curtains fluttering in the darkness. Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

In order for the aphrodisiac incense to take effect, they had locked the windows in advance—why had one suddenly opened?

“Who checked the room? Can’t even lock a window properly,” a brown-haired Omega complained, walking over to close it.

As the Omega casually turned his head, he caught sight of a dark figure flashing past outside the window. Terrified, he scrambled backward: “There’s something! There’s something outside!”

The other Omegas felt their scalps go numb, retreating in a group.

“What is it? Stop making a fuss over nothing!” An Omega in a white suit had just finished speaking when an ornament on a low cabinet suddenly tipped over.

“Ah—!”

The more faint-hearted among them were already screaming in terror.

“It was just blown by the wind! What are you shouting for!” Just as the white-suited Omega said this, rapid footsteps echoed from the ceiling above.

“AAAAAH—! There’s a ghost! This place is haunted!”

Soon after, the night light in the corner began to sway back and forth.

The group of Omegas turned pale with fear.

Someone yanked open the room door and bolted out: “I can’t take this anymore!”

“Hey! Come back!” Before the white-suited Omega could call the first person back, a whole swarm followed them out. Seeing everyone leave, he could only grit his teeth and follow suit.

Main hall.

Officials and nobles were returning from various smaller halls one after another, sitting together and whispering in quiet conversation.

“I just heard old man Meng was attacked.”

“Ah? Attacked inside the castle?”

“Here, let me show you the photo.”

“Whoa! Even his clothes were completely stripped off?!”

Not far away, listening to the discussions among the nearby people, Yi Yongning shook his head with a tut: “When people get old, they really bump and fall easily.”

Gao Wanxin had returned with a plate of meat, eating while asking: “What about his clothes then? Were they ripped off when he fell down?”

Yi Yongning: “Maybe he was getting ready to change? If old man Meng got attacked on his own turf, wouldn’t that be a joke?”

Yi Yongning didn’t deliberately lower his voice. Hearing these words, several nearby officials felt very conflicted.

To the Meng family, the birthday banquet of the former head, Meng Shan, was an occasion of considerable weight. Most people present understood what tonight’s banquet meant for the Meng family.

Yet right after the Second Prince publicly embarrassed Meng Jian, Meng Shan had fallen naked down the stairs. One couldn’t help but catch a whiff of a decline setting in after a peak.

When Li Xiao and Song Jin arrived after changing their clothes, they happened to see everyone discussing Meng Shan.

Meng Jian’s assistant rushed all the way over, blocking their path: “Your Highness, you’re unwell. You should head to the rest room to rest first, lest you be triggered again.”

Li Xiao ignored him and strode inside: “The person who attempted to assassinate me hasn’t been dealt with yet—how can I rest at ease?”

Meng Jian’s assistant: “Please rest assured, the Commander is already handling it!”

“Rest assured?”

Song Jin picked up the conversation: “With your security control full of loopholes like this, how can anyone rest assured?”

Hearing the commotion, others in the main hall looked toward the entrance one after another.

Li Xiao looked to be in much better shape than before. Song Jin’s brows carried a sense of laziness, and his every gesture held an indescribable allure, looking even more captivating than earlier.

Everyone stared straight-eyed.

No wonder the Second Prince had been turned gay by Song Jin—who could withstand this?

The assistant wanted to persuade them further, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Meng Jian storming over furiously with a group of people, forcing him to step aside.

“Second Prince.”

Meng Jian walked up to Li Xiao. “You’ve recovered your health? That was quite fast.”

Li Xiao asked calmly: “Still no results from the investigation? Is checking a few security camera logs really that difficult?”

Meng Jian: “My apologies, another situation came up.”

Yi Lian explained what had just happened in Li Xiao’s ear at an opportune moment.

Yet after listening, Li Xiao’s expression showed no change whatsoever: “That’s your family matter. What, is my attempted assassination as a prince not even as important as your father taking a tumble?”

Everyone in the main hall felt their nerves tighten.

Here it goes again.

This explosive atmosphere.

Suppressing his irritation, Meng Jian’s aged voice carried the authority of someone in power: “My father was attacked by unknown personnel. This is no family matter. If we don’t find the suspect as soon as possible, everyone present could become the next target.”

“Is your Meng family really this unreliable at handling things?”

Song Jin casually kept his hands in his pants pockets and let out a sneer. “Why even hold a banquet if this is how you manage things? Isn’t that just harming people?”

“Too many guests arrived, so some with bad intentions may have snuck in.”

Meng Jian looked at Li Xiao: “I heard you didn’t go to the rest room I arranged earlier. May I ask where you went from the moment you left until just now?”

The expressions of everyone present changed.

Meng Jian was actually suspecting the Second Prince, and questioning him to his face.

This was a complete showdown.

“Old Meng!”

Yi Yongning walked over with a dark face: “Watch your tone!”

Meng Jian: “I am merely conducting a routine inquiry. What are you getting so worked up for?”

Seeing Yi Yongning about to speak again, Li Xiao raised his hand to signal him to step down: “Didn’t you send an assistant to monitor me? Do you have that little confidence in your assistant’s work capabilities?”

Whoa!

Everyone gasped in secret.

They hadn’t expected the Second Prince to choose to break the window pane directly.

If you won’t play nice, I won’t play nice either; nobody gets to have a good time.

Meng Jian: “I have no need to monitor you.”

“Is that so? The Omega from your branch family just failed an assassination attempt. Perhaps he was acting under someone’s orders.”

Li Xiao looked at Meng Jian and countered, “May I ask where and what you said to Meng Fei over the past few days?”

Meng Jian’s expression turned extremely unsightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

Li Xiao: “Just a routine inquiry. What are you getting so worked up for?”

Seeing Meng Jian suffer another setback, Yi Yongning watched from the side, feeling immensely satisfied.

Meng Jian’s rage surged to his throat, yet he couldn’t let it explode.

Before Meng Jian could press further, Meng Tao over on the side lost his composure. He rushed over and yelled loudly at Li Xiao: “Stop acting! Who doesn’t know you can’t stand our Meng family? You’re the only one here who would attack my great-grandfather!”

The entire main hall fell deathly silent.

Meng Jian shouted sternly: “Shut up!”

However, Meng Tao was in the heat of his anger and had yet to realize the severity of the situation. Pointing at Li Xiao, he said to Meng Jian: “He did it! Right as he left, great-grandfather had his accident. How could it be such a coincidence—mph!”

Just as Song Jin was about to move, Meng Jian beat him to it, causing him to inwardly curse at the disappointment.

Struck by a slap, Meng Tao staggered two steps back, looking at Meng Jian in utter disbelief.

He was actually slapped in public by his grandfather?!

Meng Jian: “You—!”

“Yi Lian.”

Li Xiao interrupted Meng Jian in a cold voice: “Meng Tao is suspected of defaming the royal family. Take him away.”

Yi Lian answered respectfully, restraining Meng Tao in two or three moves.

“I didn’t! Let go!”

Meng Tao was both shocked and enraged: “What kind of thing are you to dare lay a hand on me?!”

Li Xiao: “And what kind of thing are you?”

“I—!” The words were at the tip of Meng Tao’s tongue when he belatedly realized the atmosphere was off.

It was too quiet.

The looks everyone was giving him were wrong.

Meng Jian bit his back teeth, forced to yield for now: “Your Highness, Tao-tao is young and ignorant. Please don’t hold it against him.”

Li Xiao: “He’s half a month older than me. He’s an adult.”

As they spoke, hurried footsteps came from outside the main hall.

A group of Omegas ran into the hall, their faces pale.

“It’s haunted!”

“There’s something dirty in rest room number three on the second floor! It’s too terrifying!”

Li Xiao turned his head to look over: “You came from rest room number three?”

The group of Omegas still had lingering fears and didn’t think much of it, nodding repeatedly.

“The locked window opened by itself! The lights were swaying, and there were footsteps on the ceiling!”

“Hurry up and send someone to check it out!”

Li Xiao feigned confusion as he asked Meng Jian’s assistant: “Which rest room did you arrange for me earlier?”

Suddenly named by Li Xiao, the assistant’s face shifted slightly.

“It was number two—”

“Number three.”

Yi Lian interrupted him, respectfully addressing Li Xiao: “I confirmed with this assistant earlier that room three on the second floor was the temporary rest room for you and the Consort.”

Li Xiao nodded unhurriedly: “Then why were these Omegas in the rest room prepared for me?”