Thinking that this was their first meeting and that he was the younger brother’s partner, Li Ji felt he shouldn’t be too petty. After struggling to convince himself, he reluctantly squeezed out a sentence: “You should still call me ‘Ge’ (older brother).”

Song Jin nodded with an innocent face: “I generally only call elderly men ‘old man’ (Lao-tou) when they are worthy of respect.”

Li Ji: “……”

Watching his older brother get stumped by the little cat, Li Xiao stood by and watched the show, showing absolutely no intention of helping him out. It had been a long time since this house had been this lively.

Old Liu snuck a glance at Song Jin, who had come in guns blazing, and then at Li Xiao, who acted as if nothing had happened, and smiled as he spoke: “Your Majesty, dinner is ready.”

Li Ji responded coldly and turned to walk toward the other side of the outer hall. Old Liu smiled and gestured for Song Jin and Li Xiao to follow, leading them toward the dining room.

Descending from the floating staircase, the dining room featured transparent floors that offered a complete view of the rainforest landscape below. Outside the windows was a waterfall, surrounded by thick vegetation, making it feel as if they were in a real, pristine forest.

Li Ji, walking in front, suddenly said: “Call me whatever you want.”

Song Jin: “……”

He’s still thinking about that.

Song Jin and Li Xiao exchanged a look and raised their eyebrows: [This brother of yours gives me a different feeling than what I imagined.]

Li Xiao: [How is it different?]

Song Jin: [He’s easier to bully than you.]

Li Xiao: “……”

A massive long dining table sat only three people, making it appear cold and distant. Seeing that he had been placed far away, opposite Li Xiao, Song Jin waved at the server bringing in the dishes: “Move my seat next to your Second Highness.”

The server paused, looking at Old Liu in a dilemma. The royal family had very strict rules regarding dining seating, and it was generally not something to be changed casually. Feeling the gaze from His Majesty, the server instantly broke into a cold sweat, standing stiffly in place, not daring to move.

The atmosphere was awkward for a moment. Old Liu quickly thought of countless ways to handle the situation while observing Li Ji’s reaction, then smiled at Song Jin: “Highness, do you not like this position?”

Song Jin said nonchalantly: “It’s my first time eating at someone else’s house; I’m afraid if I’m alone.”

Though his words claimed fear, his face was written with arrogance.

Old Liu couldn’t tell for a moment if Song Jin was intentionally picking a fight or if he really wanted to sit next to the Second Highness.

Li Ji was keeping an eye on Li Xiao’s reaction from the corner of his eye. Seeing that the latter had no intention of speaking, he walked to the head of the table and sat down: “Change it for him. If he gets scared to tears, people will think I’m bullying a child.”

Song Jin chuckled: “I didn’t expect you to be so considerate, Ge. How come you’re so old and still haven’t found a partner?”

Li Ji: “To spare you, my younger brother’s partner, from having to prepare two gifts. I’m just lightening your burden.”

Song Jin: “……”

Younger brother’s partner?

Once the server finished moving the chair and tableware, Song Jin sat down next to Li Xiao: “Although my family isn’t wealthy, we can still afford a little something. It’s just a matter of stealing a couple more bags of corn from my gege’s field.”

Li Ji: “……”

Stealing corn?

Li Ji’s eyebrows twitched: “Your family works in agriculture?”

Song Jin: “That’s not it. Everyone in my family is idle and lazy; they don’t have any proper professions.”

Li Ji: “Born on the Imperial Capital Star, having the capital to be idle is a skill in itself.”

Song Jin: “It’s nothing. Just sponging off my elders.”

Li Ji picked up his wine glass and nodded as if it were a serious matter: “No wonder you like calling people ‘old man’.”

Song Jin: “……”

Song Jin smiled: “That’s why I said it’s a respectful term. Usually, for anyone older, I collectively refer to them as ‘dead old man’.”

Li Ji: “……”

Should he be glad he hadn’t fallen to the level of ‘dead old man’?

Li Xiao was focused on eating, listening to the verbal sparring between the two, and felt the meal tasted even better. After Old Liu finished pouring wine for Li Ji, he took a bottle of non-alcoholic sake from a server and poured it for Song Jin and Li Xiao himself. He noticed Song Jin’s dining etiquette and secretly thought that this one must also be a young master from a noble family.

Never mind that this young master dared to lash out at His Majesty upon their first meeting; having worked in the palace for many years and seen all kinds of people, Old Liu knew that the aristocratic air exuding from him couldn’t be faked.

Old Liu returned to wait by Li Ji’s side. He looked at the young couple sticking together; even though they weren’t doing anything inappropriate, they radiated a sweet, vibrant energy unique to those in the honeymoon phase, as if an invisible barrier surrounded them, isolating everyone else.

Old Liu looked at His Majesty sitting alone far away. Over there, it was clearly a cold, lonely, “empty-nest elderly” figure being shunned by the younger generation, even his wine-drinking looked bitter. Usually, he didn’t feel it, but in contrast, His Majesty appeared especially pitiful.

Indeed, I really should advise His Majesty to find a partner.

Li Ji suddenly felt a chill down his back and looked at Old Liu in confusion. Old Liu hurriedly lowered his head, forcibly stopping his wandering thoughts.

Although he was being shunned, being able to eat at the same table made Li Ji strongly eat more than usual.

Originally, there was a tea-tasting session scheduled after the meal, but after the rebellion attack had just broken out, Li Ji told Old Liu to take them to play while he went back to work.

“I happen to have something to talk to you about,” Li Xiao stopped Li Ji.

Li Ji: “What is it?”

Li Xiao: “About this attack.”

Li Ji frowned slightly and turned away.

Old Liu saw this and walked to Li Xiao’s side, saying respectfully: “Please, come with me.”

“No need, I’ll go myself.” Li Xiao looked at Song Jin: “Let Uncle Liu take you to rest for a bit.”

The little cat and his brother were meeting for the first time with no foundation of trust; with the cat present, there were many things he couldn’t speak openly about with his brother.

Song Jin understood his meaning, but he was still quite dissatisfied with being cast aside: “Don’t make me wait too long. If it gets too boring, I’m going back alone.”

Li Xiao looked profound: “Wait for me. Later, I’ll take you to ‘visit’ somewhere.”

Song Jin: “……”

Old Liu brought Song Jin back to the outer hall and had people deliver a number of exquisite desserts: “I heard you like sweets. I’m not sure if they suit your taste.”

Song Jin glanced at them casually, rather surprised. The attitude of the ushering server had made him think he would be given a hard time, but he hadn’t expected this special assistant to be quite normal.

Song Jin: “You were in the palace when Xiao was born, right? What did he like to do when he was young?”

Old Liu stood respectfully to the side, selecting things he could mention to tell Song Jin.

In the office.

Li Ji sat on the sofa and looked at Li Xiao, who had followed him: “What do you want to talk about?”

Li Xiao sat opposite him: “How do you plan to solve this matter?”

Li Ji scrutinized his younger brother, his eyes probing. Too many things had happened lately, leaving him no time to think about Li Xiao’s true stance.

“Why are you asking this?” Li Ji picked up a tea cup from the side: “You haven’t explained the previous matter clearly. How did you know they would make a move?”

“It wasn’t hard to guess. The matching mechanism for the selection tournament was tampered with. They wanted me to come here alone; it couldn’t have been to watch me win the tournament.”

Li Xiao’s expression was flat, “Besides, it’s rare for you to walk out of the safe zone. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to take the opportunity to make some small moves?”

“Small moves? Today’s incident isn’t small.” The smile on Li Ji’s lips turned cold: “I didn’t expect him to be able to use the Ravens to stir up trouble. They really went to great lengths.”

Li Xiao keenly captured his word choice and followed up: “Is there something special about the Ravens?”

Li Ji: “A group of repeat offenders.”

“Those weren’t the Ravens,” Li Xiao countered.

Li Ji paused his tea-drinking for a split second. He raised his eyes to look at Li Xiao, his smile fading: “How do you know?”

Under Li Ji’s sharp gaze, Li Xiao spoke calmly: “The Ravens have no reason to do that.”

Li Ji’s brows knitted together. Seeing his tone was extremely certain, he couldn’t help but recall that during the S80 beast tide, the Meng family attempted to use the Ravens to make moves, and Li Xiao had also been certain that it wasn’t the Ravens.

“Have you had contact with the Ravens?” Li Ji narrowed his eyes, probing, “Or have you always been in contact?”

Li Xiao didn’t deny it: “I’ve had contact.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Li Ji slam the tea cup down, splashing tea and wetting his sleeve.

Li Ji’s voice suddenly turned cold, anger suppressed in his eyes: “Regardless of what kind of contact you’ve had with them, sever all ties immediately!”

Not expecting his brother to react so strongly, Li Xiao asked calmly: “Why?”

“They are not good people!” Li Ji’s voice rose an octave: “I don’t care who you hang out with, but the Ravens are the exception!”

“Not good people?” Li Xiao’s expression was ripple-free: “What have they done?”

Li Ji laughed in anger: “A group of space pirates who have been wreaking havoc in the Nanming constellation for decades—what do you think they’ve done? If you associate with these people, you’ll end up dead without even knowing how!”

Li Xiao observed his brother’s expression: “Is your intelligence source reliable? Perhaps they aren’t the way you think they are?”

“You’ve been brainwashed so quickly?!” Li Ji slammed the table and stood up, looking down at Li Xiao: “My patience is limited! If you don’t listen, roll back to the Imperial Capital Star right now!”

Li Xiao looked up into his eyes: “Because they are members of the Bi-Que tribe and have the same bloodline as me?”

That casual sentence was like a heavy hammer, smashing down on Li Ji’s head. Memories that had long been buried resurfaced one by one. Li Ji stiffened his face and avoided Li Xiao’s gaze, not letting him see the pain he was struggling to hide, before steadying himself and turning back: “Those people are just using you, do you understand?”

“Using me to achieve what goal?” Li Xiao subtly sensed the change in Li Ji’s emotions but refused to retreat even a half-step.

Li Ji: “They are rebels! You tell me what goal they could achieve by using you?!”

Li Xiao followed up: “Using me to deal with the royal family, or supporting me in driving you off the throne?”

The words were so direct as to be treasonous. Li Ji’s anger surged: “What have those people been telling you?!”

“You say they are using me.” Li Xiao stood up and looked directly into Li Ji’s eyes: “And what about you?”

Li Ji couldn’t hide his astonishment: “What does that mean?”

“Why do I have the Bi-Que bloodline? Why did you suddenly start ignoring me back then? And that time—” Li Xiao paused slightly, “Why did you strangle my neck in the middle of the night?”

It was as if something exploded in Li Ji’s brain. His ears were buzzing, and it took a long time to find his voice.

“You were awake at the time?”

Li Xiao: “If I were about to be choked to death by you, could I still fall asleep?”

Li Ji’s eyes flickered, avoiding Li Xiao’s gaze. Seeing him silent, Li Xiao continued: “Since you wanted me dead, why not just finish the job?”

“I never wanted you dead!” Li Ji was incensed by the words, questioning sternly: “If I wanted you dead, would you be alive today?!”

Li Xiao: “If you didn’t want me dead, what were those times you sent people to kill me?”

Li Ji couldn’t believe it: “When did I—”

Halfway through, Li Ji realized something, and his face changed drastically. “Why didn’t you tell me these things back then?”

“I couldn’t even see you. Did I have a chance to tell you? Did I dare to tell you?” Li Xiao smiled ironically: “How could I dare to tell the murderer?”

Li Ji was so angry he became calm: “Is this why you took the initiative to leave the palace?”

Li Xiao didn’t deny it: “For the sake of survival, I had to leave. Besides—there was nothing left there for me to be attached to.”

Nothing left to be attached to…

The words struck Li Ji in the center of his chest. He slumped back into his seat, clutching his forehead in pain, trapped in the memories of those years.

Li Xiao watched him. In his mind, he involuntarily flashed back to his brother’s appearance before his death in his previous life—fragile, as if he would shatter completely if squeezed lightly, slipping away from his fingers bit by bit.

Li Xiao wanted to reach out and grab him, but thinking there were still things he hadn’t confirmed, he held himself back.

For a time, neither spoke. The atmosphere in the office was heavy to the extreme.

Li Ji lowered his head, his voice sounding exhausted: “Since that’s the case, then why did you come back?”

“I want to know the truth.” Li Xiao’s voice was very low, “I don’t want to live like this, in the dark, anymore.”

“The truth?” Li Ji sneered, “There is no truth. What you see is what it is.”

Li Xiao: “What’s up with my bloodline?”

Li Ji let go of his hand, his tone somewhat nostalgic: “The year Father was pregnant with you, I was away studying. When I returned, you had already been born. They just told me this was my younger brother.”

Li Xiao: “But bloodlines can’t be faked. So, just like the rumors in the palace, am I really born to a servant?”

Li Ji remained silent for a while: “Perhaps.”

Li Xiao: “Is this why you suddenly started avoiding me back then?”

“Take it as that. Anyway, I was never a good brother.” Li Ji laughed bitterly: “Stop having contact with the Ravens, go back to T811 and live your own life, don’t step into this world ever again.”

This time, it was Li Xiao’s turn not to understand.

“What T811?”

Li Ji was lost in his own thoughts, subconsciously replying: “T811. Didn’t I help you settle down there?”

“When did you settle me there?” Li Xiao frowned.

Li Ji was impatient: “When you left the palace at eight years old! You—”

Li Ji realized, looking abruptly at Li Xiao, meeting his calm eyes.

Li Xiao: “I’ve never been to T811, nor do I know I have a home there.”

Li Ji couldn’t believe it: “You really haven’t been?”

“Do I have any reason to lie to you?” Li Xiao had a headache: “Who did you have handle it? The Yi family?”

Li Ji’s face was ugly. He remained silent for a long time before speaking: “I will handle these things; you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Even now, you still don’t trust me?” Li Xiao turned his head to hide his disappointment, then looked back at him: “I was born here, I can’t escape. Even if I go to 811, can you guarantee my safety there?”

Li Ji: “That’s still safer than you mingling with the Ravens!”

Li Xiao: “This isn’t the first time your intelligence has gone wrong! Have you ever suspected that the Ravens aren’t what you see?”

Li Ji replied with difficulty: “Yes, my intelligence channels have indeed been infiltrated, but I am sure I am not wrong about the Ravens!”

“What makes you so sure?” Li Xiao’s patience was exhausted, his tone poor.

Li Ji: “As long as you separate yourself from the Ravens, you don’t need to worry about the rest.”

Li Xiao sighed softly and turned to leave with a dark face.

“I have my own judgment. Since we can’t convince each other, let’s do our own things.”

Li Ji stood up abruptly and grabbed Li Xiao’s wrist: “Wake up!”

Li Xiao couldn’t endure it any longer. He turned and punched Li Ji in the face: “You’re the one who needs to wake up!”

Li Ji wasn’t prepared and his face was hit to the side. He looked at Li Xiao in astonishment. The searing pain stimulated his nerves, and he immediately made a fist and smashed it into Li Xiao’s face: “Stubborn fool!”

Li Xiao was hit head-on. After taking a heavy punch, he grabbed Li Ji’s collar and punched him again: “You’re no better!”

Back and forth, the brothers started fighting in the office.

Li Ji’s swinging hand was grabbed, and he switched hands to strike Li Xiao directly in the abdomen: “If you act so recklessly again, ten lives won’t be enough for you to lose!”

Li Xiao kicked him away without mercy: “None of your business!”

Li Ji staggered back two steps, gasping while clutching his stomach. Furious, he went up and landed another punch: “Are you going to listen or not?!”

Li Xiao dodged the fist: “If you insist on your own opinion, then I have nothing to say to you.”

He turned to walk toward the door.

“Li Xiao!” Li Ji called him, panting heavily, speaking almost word by word: “I only have you!”

Li Xiao paused.

“I kept you safe, not so you could go die casually!” Li Ji wiped the corner of his broken lip and leaned against the side of the sofa: “If I have an accident, you are the only heir to the throne of the main family; you are the last hope!”

Li Xiao turned to look at him, his expression indifferent: “If you have a few more children, wouldn’t you have plenty of hope?”

“If I had children, you would have died outside long ago.” Li Ji suppressed the surging irritability and anger: “A prince of no value—who would exert effort to protect him?”

Li Xiao’s expression shifted slightly: “So you just didn’t get married?”

“I know this isn’t a good idea, but my side is full of disobedient old people. You tell me what I should do?” Li Ji looked at him: “I can only hope that among them, there are still some who support the royal family and are willing to help me protect you.”

Li Xiao: “And if there isn’t anyone?”

“Then there’s no game to play. Dying early is a form of release. Who told you and me to be born in the royal family?” Li Ji gave a miserable smile: “Facts prove that it hasn’t reached the worst stage yet.”

Li Xiao: “When I left the palace back then, what arrangements did you make?”

Li Ji’s gaze fell on the vines hanging outside the window: “The Yi family has had a marriage alliance with the royal family for a hundred years and is deeply tied to the royal family. They are the most trustworthy among the five families. I asked Yi Yongning to find some candidate planets, and finally decided on T811. As for the Gao family who escorted you away—compared to the Meng, Zheng, and Qi families, the Gao family has a decent family style. Even if they remained neutral, they wouldn’t harm you.”

But as a result, the Gao family didn’t send Li Xiao to T811, and they had been reporting false intelligence all these years. This was the part that neither of them could figure out.

If the Gao family had already been won over by the Meng family, Li Xiao would have been gone long ago. But if the Gao family hadn’t been won over by the Meng family, then what was this about?

After all this talk, more problems emerged than were solved.

Li Xiao checked the time: “Let’s deal with the matter at hand first; we can talk about the rest after the tour ends.”

In the outer hall, Song Jin, through the shared vision of 07 and 09, was watching the Li brothers fighting in the office while listening to Old Liu tell stories. Seeing Song Jin’s expression suddenly turn subtle, Old Liu was somewhat uneasy and probed: “You don’t like listening?”

Song Jin stood up and headed toward the office: “I’ll listen to the rest next time.”

Old Liu saw this and hurriedly followed.

“His Majesty and the others might not have finished talking.”

“It’s over.” Song Jin walked to the door, which opened just as he reached it.

Seeing the swelling and redness at the corner of Li Xiao’s mouth, Song Jin clenched his fists until they cracked: “Do you need a substitute fighter service?”

“……” Li Xiao took his hand and walked out: “Check me first, it hurts so much.”

Song Jin looked cold: “It hurts? That’s right! Who told you to put your face out there for him to hit?”

Li Xiao: “……”

Song Jin’s tone was impatient: “Fighting with the old man, and you even lost.”

“Didn’t lose.” Li Xiao stepped aside, signaling for him to look behind: “He’s worse off than me.”

Song Jin looked over: “……”

Li Ji, who followed out behind them, had the right side of his face swollen bigger than a steamed bun, blood hanging from the corner of his mouth, his hair messy, his clothes wrinkled, and several of his expensive accessories had fallen off. He was a far cry from the cold, elegant image he had when they first met; now he looked like a complete victim.

Old Liu was startled to see the brothers looking like they had just finished fighting: “Your Majesty, are—are you alright?!”

Li Ji endured the pain and raised his chin: “Go get the medicine.”

Old Liu didn’t dare call anyone else in. He arranged for them to sit down first and ran to get the medical kit.

Song Jin took Li Xiao to a corner of the outer hall, picked up cleaning tools, and disinfected Li Xiao’s wounds. Li Xiao leaned back on the sofa with his legs bent, watching Song Jin’s focused face without speaking.

Song Jin: “Why? Want to cry? Since we’re so close, I can lend you my shoulder—ten thigh rubs for the price of one.”

Li Xiao: “…… Still charging fees at a time like this?”

Song Jin: “Even brothers settle accounts clearly.”

Li Xiao: “Profiting during a national crisis is illegal.”

Song Jin sneered: “You want it or not?”

Li Xiao reached out to pull him over, burying his head in Song Jin’s neck. Smelling the familiar scent, his mood lightened quite a bit.

The hot breath brushing against his neck felt a bit itchy. Song Jin avoided it slightly and patted his head: “Cry if you want to. It’s not shameful in front of Daddy.”

“They say ‘cat-huffing’ reduces stress.” Li Xiao’s hand tightened around Song Jin’s waist, his voice revealing a faint smile: “It turns out it’s true.”

Song Jin: “……”

I thought I’d be able to see this brat crying.

What a disappointment.

Song Jin straightened up and pushed his face away: “Since you’re not crying, finish applying the medicine properly.”

Li Xiao: “What medicine? It’s not as effective as kissing me.”

Song Jin raised an eyebrow. How did that sound so familiar?

“One kiss, ten ab crunches.”

Li Xiao: “Put it on my tab.”

Song Jin tilted his head slightly and kissed the corner of his mouth: “You’d better know the consequences of defaulting on your debt.”

Li Xiao chuckled, reversing the situation, and deepened the kiss.

In the inner hall, from Li Ji’s seat, he could see the young couple kissing in the distance. He scowled, extremely displeased. Old Liu saw his expression was off and followed his gaze.

The couple in the honeymoon phase were so sweet even while applying medicine; in contrast, His Majesty could only sit there alone waiting for him to apply medicine. It was truly too bitter.

Old Liu applied medicine for Li Ji and asked cautiously: “Your Majesty, why not—why not find a partner?”

Li Ji, who was holding his hand and guessing which of his younger brother and brother-in-law was the ‘top’ and which was the ‘bottom,’ came back to his senses and looked at him sternly: “Do I look like someone who has the time to date?”

Old Liu: “…… It doesn’t have to be dating. You could have an arranged marriage or a blind date. There are plenty of excellent Omegas who like you.”

Li Ji: “I’m a perfectly fine monarch, and I’m reduced to finding a marriage through a blind date?”

Old Liu: “……”

That may be so, but you don’t look like someone who has the ability to date at all.