Because it was a public reception, Song Jin was participating only as a military academy student, and his attire and etiquette were determined according to those of an ordinary student. Even so, he still attracted layers upon layers of fanatic fans.

Li Xiao and Song Jin hadn’t even cleared the dormitory building before their photo together was already posted on the Royal Academy’s online discussion forum.

The Shengya Royal Palace is in the Shengde District of Imperial Capital Star, about a half-hour away from the Royal Academy. By the time Li Xiao’s group arrived at the assembly point, there were already exclusive transport vehicles waiting.

In the back seat, Jiang Hao flipped through the Shengya Royal etiquette course that Qian Can had sent him, working harder at it than he did on cramming for final exams. Seeing him so nervous, Da Bei comforted him: “Just stay with us and don’t say much; you don’t need to be afraid.”

Jiang Hao: “I’ll have to learn it sooner or later.”

Da Bei thought of Li Xiao and asked Qian Can, who was sitting on the other side: “Send a copy to my brother, too. I’m afraid he won’t be able to avoid socializing tonight.”

His face alone was enough to be a spotlight, he had taken first place, and he was a newlywed with Song Jin—he was basically layered with every possible “buff.”

Qian Can: “Don’t worry. With us around, who could sell him out?”

Besides, with the Boss present, even if there really were a mistake, who would dare to have an opinion?

Da Bei was still worried: “We’ll definitely have to drink tonight. My alcohol tolerance isn’t very good; I can’t block many glasses. What about you, Lao Jiang?”

Jiang Hao just wanted to say he could drink, but then he thought about how he had only come of age last month, so he said seriously: “My family upbringing is strict. They never let me drink alcohol; I only drink Erguotou.”

Da Bei: “Isn’t Erguotou liquor?”

“What does Erguotou count as?” After he said it, Jiang Hao reacted, asking innocently: “Erguotou doesn’t count as alcohol, right?”

Da Bei: “…”

Is there something wrong with your family’s upbringing?

In the other car, Jiao Bai sat in the driver’s seat, his gaze sweeping over the rearview mirror. The black-clad youth in the back seat was flipping through something. His face was calm, his behavior appropriate and relaxed; he seemed accustomed to attending royal wine parties and showed not even a hint of nervousness.

In the seat next to him, Song Jin was messaging his brother, confirming the timing for both sides. “Helped you set up an appointment with a pretty kid, though he’s a bit old.”

Li Xiao: “…Thanks.”

Song Jin: “Just thank me with words?”

Li Xiao looked up from the screen: “What do you want? Help you scrub the dirt off next time we shower?”

Song Jin: “…”

I endured the rubber ducks and the children’s stories, but what the hell is scrubbing dirt?

“Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about romance?”

Li Xiao: “After all, I’m getting old.”

Song Jin: “…”

The car entered the Shengde District, and the onboard AI popped up a prompt to connect with the security system.

【All personnel information in the vehicle has been confirmed; passage granted.】

Jiao Bai manually confirmed it, and only then did he accelerate to drive into the palace.

The reception was set in a side hall specifically used to entertain foreign guests. It was far from the main palace building complex and surrounded by boundless lawns. The car descended in the courtyard in front of the side hall’s main entrance. AI guards immediately flew over to scan them. After everyone got out, they guided the car to fly into the garage.

With half an hour left until the reception, quite a few people had already gathered in the courtyard, chatting in small groups.

“Xiao Jin.”

Song Jin looked toward the sound and signaled for Li Xiao to go over and greet them together: “This is Lieutenant General Qin Luo, head of the Royal Imperial Guards.”

Li Xiao looked at the Alpha standing before him, dressed in a Lieutenant General’s uniform. He looked to be in his forties, similar in age to Song Yu. Since he was in charge of the Royal Imperial Guards, he must be deeply trusted by Song Yu, and the Qin family was also a major noble house in Shengya.

“I’m Li Xiao.” Li Xiao extended his hand.

Qin Luo shook it, looking him over with a smile: “Xiao Jin’s taste is really just like his brother’s.”

Li Xiao chuckled: “I look somewhat like Prince Rong?”

Qin Luo was startled and waved his hand: “That smile isn’t like him.”

Li Xiao: “…?”

Qin Luo fished a red envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Li Xiao: “A gift for our first meeting.”

Does Shengya have this kind of custom? Li Xiao was completely bewildered, but out of politeness, he accepted it. “Thank you.”

Today was a special situation; it was the day Song Jin was bringing his partner back to meet the family for the first time. As Qin Luo introduced the scenery to Li Xiao, he led them to go and greet others.

Walking to a terrace in a corner of the courtyard, the few people there rose one after another upon seeing them. The first thing Li Xiao noticed was a female Alpha wearing a long dress with a coat draped over her shoulders. She wasn’t much older than Qin Luo. She looked imposing yet maintained an air of charm; she was either a high-ranking official or the head of a family.

“This is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qian Xun,” Song Jin said to Li Xiao.

Li Xiao nodded. Surname Qian—that must be Qian Can’s mother.

“You are Li Xiao?” Qian Xun walked up to Li Xiao and extended her hand. “If those old fogies in the Danse Ministry of Foreign Affairs were all replaced by people like you, I wouldn’t have to be so weighed down every day at work.”

Li Xiao tapped her hand and withdrew it. “For some things, it is indeed more convenient to communicate with younger people.”

Qian Xun looked at him a bit longer, took a red envelope out of her bag, and handed it over: “A gift for our first meeting.”

Li Xiao: “…”

By the end of this round, he had a pocketful of red envelopes. While the group of middle-aged people was chatting, Li Xiao asked Song Jin in a low voice: “Are the customs here so strange?”

Song Jin glanced at his pocket: “There’s no such custom at all. What’s strange is this group of old things. Just get used to it.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Qian Can and the other three arrived shortly after, just missing Li Xiao’s group. Da Bei looked around for people, terrified that Li Xiao would be kidnapped: “Why can’t I find my Big Brother and the others?” Although Li Xiao had disguised his identity, this was, after all, the enemy’s main base, and he had to be cautious.

“With the Boss there, what are you afraid of?” Qian Can locked his eyes on the dessert table in the distance. “Let’s go, Big Brother will take you to eat something good.”

Jiang Hao and Da Bei’s mentality was the exact opposite. They felt that this was the safest place, happily following behind Qian Can to mooch food and drinks. In the short month since walking the path of a good person, he had mooched off both the Danse Royal Family and the Shengya Royal Family; if he told the brothers in the Snow Leopard [gang], no one would believe him.

At 4:00 PM sharp, the reception officially began. Everyone followed the waiters’ guidance into the luxurious hall. Li Xiao and Song Jin mingled with the students. After waiting a moment, they saw the blonde Alpha dressed in King’s uniform walk out slowly, followed by two special assistants and a group of black-clad Betas.

Seeing Song Yu at this moment, the heart Li Xiao had been holding in his chest fell halfway down. Too many things had happened since he came to Shengya from Danse; thankfully, everything was going smoothly.

“Wipe your drool.” A chilly voice came from his ear.

Li Xiao: “How is he cuter than you?”

Song Jin hummed lightly: “You’re the cute one.”

Li Xiao: “Thank you.”

Song Jin: “…”

Shameless.

Song Yu said a few brief opening remarks, his gaze sweeping over Song Jin and Li Xiao in the crowd, and asked the Principal of the Royal Academy standing beside him: “Who won this tournament?”

The Principal hurriedly reported the names of Li Xiao’s group of six: “Three of them are excellent exchange students from Danse.”

Song Yu looked back at everyone: “Same old rules. Let two people from the first-place team dance the opening dance.”

Hearing “dance,” Qin Le grabbed Qian Can and hurriedly stepped back half a step. Are you kidding? Two Alphas dancing—it would definitely be recorded by the elders in the family and mocked until the New Year. Seeing them retreat, Jiang Hao and Da Bei took a step back as well.

When everyone looked over, Li Xiao and Song Jin were the only ones standing at the front. The crowd burst into applause and cheers.

Song Yu: “Then it’ll be those two cubs.”

Song Jin glared at the old man over there. If I really dance, the old man will definitely turn it into a meme.

Seeing that Li Xiao and Song Jin hadn’t moved for a long time, the crowd discussed it in private.

“I heard Li Xiao is a commoner and from Danse; he probably doesn’t know how to dance.”

“I was actually looking forward to being invited by Song Jin.”

“But Li Xiao is so handsome! Just walking around with Song Jin is pleasing to the eye!”

Li Xiao noticed the mischievous glint in Song Yu’s eyes and extended his hand toward Song Jin: “May I invite you to dance?”

Song Jin reluctantly placed his hand on his and asked in a low voice: “Do you know how to dance?”

“Learning on the fly. I’m very smart,” Li Xiao said casually.

Song Jin: “…”

You really know how to flatter yourself.

The melodic piano music began. Li Xiao put his hand on Song Jin’s waist, swaying with the music. Song Jin really thought Li Xiao didn’t know how, but he didn’t expect his steps to be spot on; he controlled everything perfectly, from his posture to his expression.

Under the spotlight, being stared at deeply by a pair of beautiful dark eyes—it was enough to make even a wild boar go into heat.

“Wow—!” Many people in the crowd gasped in hushed tones.

What kind of top-tier visual feast is this?! Why does watching two Alphas dance make one’s heart pound?!

Li Xiao’s carriage was something he carried in his bones; it was nothing like someone who had learned it on the spot. This looks nothing like a commoner!

“Your heartbeat has quickened,” Li Xiao said in a low voice.

Song Jin smiled: “Need you to tell me?”

Li Xiao: “You stepped on my foot.”

Song Jin: “…”

Li Xiao: “That’s the second time.”

Song Jin: “Shut up!”

Li Xiao chuckled low. After the song ended, he hooked the back of Song Jin’s neck and tilted his head to kiss him. Song Jin’s eyes flashed, and his hand holding Li Xiao’s tightened. What is this kid doing?!

“Awoo—!”

“Kiss! I’m dead!”

Many students shrieked with excitement.

With their lips pressed together, Li Xiao pulled away as if nothing had happened, bowed to everyone, and led Song Jin back to their original position, casting a smiling glance at Song Yu on the way.

Song Yu: “…”

Dead brat.

Everyone thought they had kissed; only he, from his angle, could see it was a perspective trick. Daring to provoke me on my own turf—he must be tired of living.

Seeing Li Xiao and Song Yu exchanging meaningful glances, Song Jin gripped Li Xiao’s chin and turned it toward himself: “Kissing me without even a heads-up?”

Li Xiao: “We’re already an old married couple; do I need to send a notice to kiss?”

Song Jin was so angry he laughed: “Then go ahead and actually kiss me.”

Li Xiao watched Song Yu head to the second floor and said casually: “Those things should be done with someone you truly like.”

Song Jin’s expression darkened: “What do you mean by that?”

Hearing the tone in Song Jin’s voice, Li Xiao finally caught on and realized his previous remark had been ambiguous. His intention had been that he didn’t want Song Jin to sacrifice more beautiful memories than necessary because of this mistaken marriage. Although he wasn’t a good person, he couldn’t truly act like scum. Since it was a transaction, he should let it remain purely as a transaction.

Li Xiao: “I meant—”

Before he could finish, several Omegas in magnificent attire walked up to them, their cheeks flushed, not knowing if it was from excitement or shyness.

“Song Jin, may I invite you to dance?” the pretty and well-behaved Omega in the middle looked at Song Jin and asked.

Song Jin’s voice was cold; he rejected him bluntly: “I don’t like dancing with strangers.”

The Omega’s face stiffened, looking quite helpless. Song Jin didn’t even look at him; he turned around and left.

Li Xiao declined the dance invitation and chased after him. The group including Qian Can and Jiang Hao looked at each other, not quite understanding. Everything was fine just a moment ago—why are they suddenly bickering?

Seeing Li Xiao disappear from sight, Da Bei was worried and wanted to follow, but Jiang Hao pulled him back.

Da Bei: “I’ll go take a look.”

Jiang Hao: “Young couple quarreling—what are you going for? To be a lightbulb?”

Da Bei leaned in close to Qian Can and asked in a low voice: “What is Song Jin’s family background? Do you know what his parents do?”

Qian Can swirled the champagne in his hand and chuckled: “They’re both merchants, they have money, and they can afford to support your brother, so don’t worry.”

Da Bei: “…”

Is that the issue?

Qin Le saw the situation and hurriedly took them to participate in the next event to distract them. On an occasion like today, quite a few people knew Song Jin’s identity, but they wouldn’t just casually spread it when outsiders were present, just in case.

Li Xiao chased Song Jin into the atrium. The reception had only just begun, and aside from guards, there wasn’t a single guest here. Li Xiao quickened his pace and grabbed Song Jin’s arm.

“I said the wrong thing; I apologize.”

Song Jin shook off his hand with a sour face: “Other than liking Rong Mianmian, who else do you like? Don’t tell me you have some bullshit ‘white moonlight’ back in Danse.”

Li Xiao: “If I had someone I liked, I wouldn’t have married you.”

Song Jin: “I don’t care who you like; until we divorce, you belong only to me.”

Li Xiao: “…Mm.”

Song Jin: “That response was so reluctant?”

Li Xiao laughed out loud: “Are you a dean of students?”

Song Jin’s face collapsed; he already wanted to hit someone.

Li Xiao took his hand and walked back: “I owe you one more time.”

Song Jin wouldn’t let him hold it: “If you don’t like it, why hold my hand?”

Li Xiao said casually: “When you’re looking after a child, don’t you usually hold their hand for fear of losing them?”

Song Jin was thoroughly enraged; he threw a punch right at his face.

Li Xiao was a bit bewildered. Back and forth, he ended up fighting with him under the corridor of the atrium.

Unable to wait for them, Qin Luo, who had been sent to find the “children,” saw this scene and had an illusion of returning to twenty years ago. He just said it—Song Jin’s taste was the exact same as the King’s; it was hereditary. Another fierce general had been added to the nest of straight men in the Song family; they had endless fights day after day.

After the two loosened their muscles, Qin Luo approached. Avoiding everyone’s line of sight, he took them down a side path to another building. After turning several corners along a luxurious corridor, Qin Luo opened a door and said to Li Xiao: “His Majesty is waiting inside.”

Li Xiao nodded and looked at Song Jin: “Wait for me here?”

Song Jin’s anger flared up again: “What can’t I hear?”

Li Xiao: “A bit of personal business.”

Song Jin couldn’t be bothered with him and entered the office first. As a result, he was blasted out by Song Yu as soon as he went in. Seeing the little lion looking like he was about to explode, Li Xiao fished a piece of candy from his pocket and stuffed it into his hand: “I’ll come out as soon as I finish.”

Song Jin was so angry: “Do you take me for a three-year-old child?”

“Be good.” Li Xiao turned and entered the office.

Song Jin was full of bottled-up frustration; he sat on the sofa in the outer room and unwrapped the candy to pop into his mouth.

“How is one piece enough to eat?!”

Qin Luo: “…”

Can’t blame Li Xiao for treating you like a child.

The office door closed behind him. Li Xiao walked around the screen and saw Song Yu sitting by the tea table, with another Alpha in casual clothes next to him, resembling Rong Mian.

“Sit.” Rong Shi signaled to Li Xiao.

Li Xiao pulled out the chair opposite them and sat down.

“Since we’re all family, no need for pleasantries. Song Jin has already told me about the Super Os. What do you want me to do?”

Song Yu set down his teacup: “Ugly words first—I agree to cooperate, but that doesn’t mean I agree to your marriage.”

Li Xiao chuckled: “We’re already married even if you don’t agree. Are you only allowed to have marriage freedom yourself, without giving Song Jin a chance to make his own choice?”

“Don’t give me that,” Song Yu said, looking at Li Xiao. “Whether you like each other or not, I can see it at a glance.”

Li Xiao: “Afraid I’ll steal away your heir?”

Song Yu: “He is my bottom line.”

Rong Shi listened to them argue and leisurely brewed tea, placing a teacup in front of Li Xiao. “If you marry into our family, we are very welcome.”

Song Yu added: “Our house is big; we have plenty of room for extra sandbags.”

Li Xiao: “…Go ask my brother. If he agrees, I have no opinion.”

“That brother of yours? He’d love to throw you to the ends of the earth and never see you again, right?” Song Yu said with a smile. “If I weren’t waiting for you to come, I would have leveled Danse eons ago, instead of leaving the border between our countries a mess.”

Noticing the smile on Li Xiao’s lips fading, Rong Shi spoke: “I heard about your situation from Yangyang. I am curious: why did you take the risk to choose rebirth?”

The success rate of the time machine was very low; it was highly likely to fall into an endless sleep upon activation from which one would never wake up. In his previous life, Li Xiao had successfully purged the dissidents and gained control of Danse, reaching the top in his twenties.

“Everyone has their own obsessions.” Li Xiao set down his teacup and looked at Song Yu, speaking to Rong Shi: “In his previous life, he waited for you for ten years. I think he should be very clear about this feeling.”

“Enough, don’t drag that out.” Song Yu held Rong Shi’s hand on his lap and asked Li Xiao: “What did the youngest tell you?”

Li Xiao recounted the intelligence regarding the Super Os. “In the previous life, did the Shengya ten-year civil war have anything to do with the Super Os?”

Song Yu didn’t deny it: “You know Lin Quan, right?”

Li Xiao nodded. Song Yu’s rival in the previous life.

Rong Shi signaled for 01 to release the data. Several virtual screens in the air before them displayed some classified files.

Li Xiao was a bit surprised: “Is it okay for me to see these?”

Rong Shi: “We’re all family.”

Li Xiao: “…”

After reading it, Li Xiao was very astonished. The fact that Lin Quan had been researching Super Os could actually be traced back 70 years. At the time, some members of the Bique clan went to the border to work illegally, and when they went to the hospital for check-ups, Lin Quan’s people discovered the properties of their blood. After that, Lin Quan secretly invested manpower and resources, using the Bique blood to conduct a large number of illegal human experiments to develop the transformation serum.

“Eleven years ago, my people went to Bique town and destroyed their blood supply chain, but now modified humans have appeared again.” Song Yu looked at Li Xiao. “This cannot be a coincidence.”

Li Xiao’s expression was solemn: “In this matter, what is your stance?”

Rong Shi: “What is your stance?”

Li Xiao: “If it is an obstacle, then I must purge it.”

“What about the intelligence on your side?” Song Yu asked.

Li Xiao shook his head: “I only learned of the existence of modified humans not long ago.”

Song Yu and Rong Shi exchanged glances, both feeling that Li Xiao’s words lacked credibility. The Danse civil war had erupted thoroughly in the previous life, and quite a few royal members had died; how could Li Xiao not know about the modified humans?

“I have no need to lie to you.” Li Xiao saw their skepticism. “Either it truly didn’t exist in the previous life, and it’s because of Shengya’s changes in this life that led to the changes in Danse, or it did exist, but the traces of its existence were erased.”

Song Yu pondered for a moment and asked solemnly: “Have you ever participated in the transformation?”

Li Xiao could have said no with certainty, but Song Jin’s remark that day about “a reserve measure left behind so as not to be influenced by modified humans” made him waver.

“Not sure,” Li Xiao answered honestly. “I’ll only know after I go back to my country to investigate.”

While the two sides were secretly conversing, a post titled #The Spring of the Face-Obsessed has Come Again! HD Photos of Beast-Type Top-Tier Alphas Song Jin and Li Xiao!# was floating high on the home page of the Royal Academy’s online discussion forum.

Among the nearly 100,000 comments discussing whether Li Xiao was a commoner, a comment by an ID named “Looks Mean Nothing” was constantly being pushed to the top.

【Li Xiao was never a commoner; he is the Second Prince of Danse! Everyone in the Imperial Capital knows this; this time, he disguised his identity to attend school in Shengya.】

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“???” The Second Prince of Danse?! Can’t say things like that casually!”

“Don’t say that, don’t say that—the Danse royal family is indeed surnamed Li!”

“No wonder he is so noble; turns out he is royalty! My god.”

“That’s not right, is it? Since he is royalty, why can the other exchange students bully him at will?!”

But no matter how others questioned, that “Looks Mean Nothing” never replied again.

Not long after, the matter was hung on the online platform, and the hot word #Li Xiao Prince of Danse# surged to the number one spot on the trending list within minutes.

The Prince of Danse had actually disguised his identity to come to Shengya as an exchange student. Amidst the shrieks of the numerous face-fans, various conspiracy theories appeared, and some even went to the public page of the Shengya Royal Family, demanding an investigation into Danse’s intentions.

In the Shengde District, the Shengya Royal Palace.

Someone at the reception was reminded by a friend to look at the news online, and it was like a nuclear bomb exploding on the spot, catching all the guests off guard. Those who didn’t know Song Jin’s identity were exclaiming that Song Jin was so lucky, having found a handsome and capable Prince as a wife, saving himself a hundred years of struggle.

But those who knew Song Jin’s identity all had their expressions change drastically. Song Jin was a Prince of Shengya, the only seedling of this branch of the family—how could he marry the Prince of Danse?!

Shengya and Danse hadn’t even established diplomatic relations yet, and the two countries’ Princes being tangled up with each other was no good thing. Who knew if the Danse Prince had evil intentions and was deceiving their simple and cute Fourth Highness!

“Eh? Where did Song Jin go?” Many people in the hall started looking for Song Jin.

“Li Xiao isn’t there either, god! Won’t something happen to Song Jin?”

The whole hall was discussing it, and Da Bei’s group heard it too. Qian Can and Qin Le’s surprise was no less than the others’. Earring-bro is actually the Second Prince?

Qian Can rushed to Jiang Hao and Da Bei, asking in a low voice: “Is it true? Is Boss Li really a Prince?!”

Jiang Hao glanced at Da Bei repeatedly, then said: “It’s so strange that this kind of news would come out just after entering the palace.”

Da Bei was already breaking out in cold sweat, grabbing Qian Can and asking: “Where did they go?!”

Just as Jiang Hao said, Li Xiao’s identity was exposed right after he entered the palace; this was obviously abnormal. Although the two countries appeared to be in the process of establishing diplomatic relations, only they themselves knew what kind of thoughts they were hiding. With Li Xiao’s identity exposed at such a time, if Shengya suddenly lashed out, it would be too easy to deal with a person who didn’t even have a weapon in a heavily guarded palace!

Seeing Da Bei so nervous, Qian Can could almost conclude it was true.

“Don’t panic; send a video call to ask. Maybe they felt stuffy in the hall and went out to play.”

Da Bei scrambled to send a video call to Li Xiao, but no matter what, he couldn’t get through. Seeing this, Jiang Hao quietly edited a message and sent it.

【Big Brother, someone leaked your identity online.】

In the office in the other building.

When Li Xiao received the message, he had just finished negotiating cooperation with Song Yu and his group. He had come to thoroughly resolve the modified human issue. In exchange, when he needed it, Shengya would provide necessary support and promised that before the situation in Danse stabilized, they would not launch a war against Danse.

Song Yu had an extreme personality and brutal methods of handling things, but he was a gentleman; whatever he promised, he would certainly do. Li Xiao had confirmed this in his previous life, which was why he wanted to seek cooperation again.

After seeing the message, Li Xiao opened the online platform and, sure enough, saw his own name hanging in the headlines.

Song Yu teased: “You’re a Prince, after all; your situation is worrisome.”

Li Xiao closed it casually: “A little trick.”

One could guess with their toes who was backstabbing him.

In the outer hall, Song Jin was waiting, his whole person becoming irritable. He didn’t know for the how-many-eth time he was considering whether to rush in.

07’s voice suddenly sounded in his ear:

【Master, detected a news story concerning the Madame!】

A screen automatically popped up in his field of vision. Song Jin glanced at the headline, and his expression sank.

“Source?”

07: 【Royal Academy online discussion forum, a comment posted by ID “Looks Mean Nothing” at 16:43:08 PM.】

Song Jin: “Check who this ID is for me.”

Just as he finished speaking, another virtual screen popped up before his eyes, displaying Meng Tao’s personal information.

07: 【He was too cunning! He used several sets of camouflage programs, but for me, it was a piece of cake.】

The office door opened. Song Jin saw Li Xiao come out and said to 07: “Publish his real-name verification for me and hang it in the most conspicuous place.”

07: 【Alright! Then I’m off on an errand, hehe.】

Li Xiao walked over: “Who are you talking to?”

Song Jin didn’t answer; his voice was chilly: “Your identity has been exposed. The Shengya Royal Family isn’t acting like people; they’ve detained you as a hostage.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Song Yu and Rong Shi, who followed him out: “…”