Although the illumination at night was dim, it did not hinder Li Xiao from discerning the trace of mischief deep within Song Jin’s eyes.

Two Alphas who had only just met, bearing zero emotional foundation, and who hadn’t even parsed out whether they were friend or foe, proposing marriage—any idiot could tell this was nothing more than a deliberate provocation and a prank. But to joke about marriage… the Little Golden Lion was throwing another one of his late-night tantrums.

Did he honestly believe a marriage proposal would make him back down?

Li Xiao’s tone remained entirely flat: “As long as I agree to marry you, you’ll let me meet him?”

Song Jin nodded without a shred of psychological burden: “Naturally. I have always been a man of my word.”

Watching Li Xiao stew in his own dilemma, Song Jin’s mood improved considerably, finding even the cacophonous howling echoing from the surroundings rather pleasant to the ear. Making Li Xiao uncomfortable made him immensely comfortable.

“Then let’s get on with it.” Li Xiao casually swiped open his terminal. “Which website does your country use for registration?”

Song Jin: “…”

To ensure that candidates could successfully summon rescue teams, a necessary communication network was maintained within the testing grounds, permitting access to various government department websites.

Seeing Song Jin look over in stunned silence, Li Xiao urged, “Hurry up. I’m tired. Let’s finish the registration so I can go back to sleep.”

He’s actually digging his heels in with me?

Song Jin tapped open the official page of the Imperial Civil Affairs Center, countering provocatively, “Just fill out the details here and submit it.”

Li Xiao: “Foreigners are permitted as well?”

Song Jin: “As long as one party is a citizen of this nation, there is no issue.”

Beholding Song Jin’s expression—which practically screamed ‘Stop bluffing, I know you don’t have the guts’—Li Xiao nodded deliberately. He selected the marriage registration portal, and an application form instantly popped up on the screen.

The requested details were entirely foundational. Li Xiao filled them out within a couple of strokes, then questioned Song Jin: “What is your citizen identification number?”

Song Jin stared at the completed form, then canted his head to look at Li Xiao. “Are you truly going to marry me? Does your family know about this?”

“Marriage is a private matter; my family will not interfere.” Li Xiao feigned perplexity. “Do you require parental consent to wed? Ah, that makes sense. After all, you have only just come of age. You are still a child, so we can only—”

“Who said that? It is merely a marriage, what is the grand area of concern?” Song Jin felt stung by the ridicule. He swiftly input his own citizen ID onto the form.

Li Xiao had originally intended to mock him with a couple of sentences to exact a petty revenge before letting the joke pass. He had not anticipated that Song Jin would refuse to let it drop. If he bowed his head now, the arrangement to meet Song Yu would undoubtedly fall through, and there was no telling what absurd demands the Little Golden Lion would conjure up next time.

Pretending to verify the form, Li Xiao rapidly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

Song Jin’s hand resting against the excavator hood tightened slightly. He was silently gambling with himself, betting that Li Xiao wouldn’t actually dare to press submit. If he bowed his head first, he would be forced to arrange a meeting between Li Xiao and his older brother.

Setting aside whether Li Xiao was an ally or a foe—and whether arranging a meeting would invite danger to his brother—the current relations between the two empires were highly ambiguous. Once word leaked that the Emperor had granted an audience to a Dance exchange student, it could trigger a massive chain reaction. He had to proceed with utmost caution.

Most importantly, Li Xiao kept insisting that he couldn’t provide what was needed, calling him a child who had just come of age, while adamantly demanding to see his brother. This particular detail infuriated Song Jin to no end. In all his years, he had never been so thoroughly looked down upon.

The more you wish to see him, the less I will permit it.

“Are you still not finished checking?” Song Jin urged with a provocative sneer.

Li Xiao said nonchalantly, “If an error is made and it gets rejected, it will be far too troublesome.”

The corners of Song Jin’s mouth tugged upward, flashing an exceedingly sweet smile: “Hurry, I can scarcely contain my anticipation.”

Li Xiao: “…”

It appeared forcing this unhinged youth to back down first was an absolute impossibility. He possessed neither a betrothed nor a beloved; in his past life, marriage had never even crossed his mind. If a fake marriage was the price to pay to see Song Yu, the cost wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

Discarding any further hesitation, Li Xiao decisively tapped the submit button.

“Hey, you—!”

Song Jin lunged to grab Li Xiao’s hand, but he was a second too late to stop him. A notification from the civil affairs system flashed upon the interface:

[Submitting to backend for review… Review approved. Testing questions have been dispatched to the bound terminals. Upon completion of the test, the marriage registration will be finalized.]

So marriage required answering questions.

Song Jin breathed a massive sigh of relief internally, his palms nearly breaking out into a cold sweat. He had almost ended up legally wed to this guy. If his brother or Brother Rong found out, he would be in for a severe lecturing.

So there was a secondary phase to the process.

Seeing that Song Jin had finally panicked, Li Xiao feigned confusion: “Was a section filled incorrectly just now? Shall we revoke it and fill it out anew?”

In this psychological clash, Song Jin had already lost. Li Xiao was naturally more than willing to offer his counterpart an elegant exit, given that they still needed to cooperate going forward.

Song Jin let out a low, drawling chuckle, displaying not a hint of panic: “No need. I simply misread it.”

They possessed absolutely zero understanding of one another. When it came to an compatibility test, how could they possibly pass? Seeing Song Jin looking entirely secure in his position, Li Xiao could roughly deduce his line of thought. If they failed the questionnaire and the marriage collapsed, it would serve as an ideal compromise for both parties to renegotiate their terms.

Li Xiao’s terminal vibrated, and the camera module automatically detached to float in mid-air, forcing itself open.

[During the questionnaire process, partners are strictly prohibited from assisting one another. Detection of any infraction will immediately terminate the session. Please be advised.]

Li Xiao: “…”

Song Jin: “…”

They were certainly making a grand production out of this.

[Question 1: When you and your partner return home from work, your partner says to you: “A colleague mentioned a barbecue place that just opened nearby is excellent.” What is their true underlying intention?

• A) They wish to eat barbecue.
• B) They wish to gossip about their colleague with you.
• C) They do not wish to cook dinner tonight.**

Li Xiao stole a glance at Song Jin. Given this brat’s temperament, let alone “not wishing to cook dinner tonight,” it was highly improbable he would ever step foot into a kitchen for the rest of his life. Option C implied that the partner normally cooked, which was a glaringly incorrect answer for their dynamic.

Without overthinking it, Li Xiao selected: “C.”

And that concludes that.

Song Jin suppressed a smirk, already contemplating what demands he should make momentarily to compensate for this ordeal.

[Answer correct.]

Song Jin: “…?”

“Brilliant work,” Song Jin said with a smile, though his tone indicated the exact opposite.

Li Xiao: “…”

[Question 2: You and your partner finally manage to secure rare time off to travel. Your partner says to you, “Let’s just go wherever you want to go.” What is the true meaning behind this statement?

• A) They genuinely wish to accompany you to your preferred destination.
• B) They want you to recognize that they are compromising for you, so that you will reciprocate the compromise next time.
• C) They are genuinely indifferent to the location.**

Li Xiao: “…”

Compromise? Compromise was an absolute impossibility for someone like Song Jin, not in this lifetime. If they were capable of mutual compromise, they wouldn’t have backed themselves into a corner answering marriage questions tonight.

Li Xiao: “B.”

Song Jin crossed his arms and nodded, entirely convinced that this answer was dead wrong. The answer to this textbook question was glaringly A.

[Answer correct.]

Li Xiao: “…?”

Song Jin: “…??”

Sensing the atmospheric pressure beside him plunge abruptly, Li Xiao asked in a low voice, “How many questions are there in total?”

Song Jin pulled a thoroughly disgruntled face: “I don’t know.”

Li Xiao: “You don’t know?”

Song Jin: “It’s not as if I’ve been married before.”

[Question 3: As an Alpha-Alpha couple, you and your partner undergo simultaneous susceptibility periods and are forced to temporarily occupy separate rooms. Your partner says to you: “Your symptoms are more severe than mine; you should hire a professional Omega healthcare provider.” What would you do?

• A) Dutifully comply and hire an Omega provider.
• B) Say to him, “Let me hire one for you as well.”
• C) Forget hiring an Omega; endure it through sheer willpower.**

Li Xiao: “C.”

A phrase like “endure it through sheer willpower” appearing in the options was typically a glaringly incorrect red herring.

Song Jin knit his brows in contemplation: “But the other two choices are also somewhat…” The two Alpha old men in his household had been together for over two decades, and he had never once seen them enlist an Omega provider.

[Answer correct.]

Li Xiao: “…”

What on earth?

Song Jin was practically driven to an amused laughter by sheer irritation: “What were you thinking?”

Li Xiao: “It said to endure it.”

Song Jin: “That was an obvious smoke screen designed to mislead you.”

Li Xiao: “…Next question.”

[Congratulations, you have successfully passed the testing questionnaire.]

Li Xiao / Song Jin: “…………”

There were actually only three questions?

Song Jin sneered: “It seems I’ll have to find someone to propose an amendment to the marriage registration laws to increase the questionnaire to three hundred items. Otherwise, far too many people will stumble into marriage by pure fluke.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Are you a demon?

Since matters had escalated to this point, Li Xiao teased, “If you truly didn’t wish to marry me, you could have spoken up directly. I am not an unreasonable man.”

Song Jin sulked with a thoroughly sour expression: “Well, now I am absolutely determined to make you mine.”

Li Xiao: “…”

How childish can you get?

A graphic popped up on the virtual screen:

[Please replicate the pose displayed in the randomized graphic to capture a joint photograph.]

The image depicted two stick figures, one draping an arm over the other’s shoulder while sharing a kiss.

Upon processing the visual, Song Jin hurled a sharp glare over, the warning intent explicit. Li Xiao raised an eyebrow, entirely unfazed by such an empty threat; he even found the Little Golden Lion’s reaction rather endearing.

“Come, let’s take the photo.”

At that precise moment, inside the monitoring and command cabin of the military warship, a group of instructors stood gathered before the massive display, utterly dumbfounded.

A few instructors arriving for their shift shift looked on with confusion: “What happened?”

“Some students are getting married!” someone supplied.

The incoming instructors snapped awake instantly, crowding around to indulge in the gossip. Upon discerning the individuals displayed on the screen, a collective gasp echoed:

“Aren’t those Song Jin and Li Xiao?!”

“What are they doing? Marriage?!”

“Could there be an error? They’ve only known each other for a few days.”

Someone pointed toward Li Xiao’s screen, which was fully visible to everyone due to the public streaming protocol: “There is no mistake, that is the registration gateway of the Civil Affairs Center!”

Instructor Chen Xing, shaken awake by his colleague’s relentless emergency calls, rushed into the cabin: “For heaven’s sake! These two troublesome brats!”

In the centuries since the founding of the Central Military Academy, absolutely no one had ever entered holy matrimony inside an exam room! The crucial issue was that these two were ninety-nine percent likely messing around. Of all the things to trifle with, they chose this!

Chen Xing strode up to the control console, ordering the staff to activate the localized audio broadcast system near their sector: “This is the Monitoring Center! Attention candidates, marriage is strictly prohibited within the testing grounds! Marriage is prohibited within the testing grounds!”

[You rascals! Marriage is prohibited within the testing grounds! Scram back inside and go to sleep!]

Hearing Chen Xing’s blaring warning, Song Jin expressed a face of profound regret: “What a pity. It seems we can only finalize it after the exam.”

“Since when did you become so compliant?” Li Xiao draped an arm over Song Jin’s shoulder with complete nonchalance. “By the time they manage to dispatch a team over here, our registration will have long been processed. What is there to fear?”

Song Jin glanced down at the hand resting on his shoulder, suppressing a powerful urge to swat it away as he asked with forced patience, “What if they deduct points?”

Li Xiao: “Let them deduct it. We have points to spare.”

Beholding Li Xiao drawing progressively closer, Song Jin leaned backward. He finally realized that this guy had no intention of letting him off the hook so easily. Pressing a hand against Li Xiao’s jaw, he shoved him away: “Do not get so close.”

Li Xiao ignored his hand entirely: “The photo session is about to time out. Cooperate a little. You were the one who insisted on marriage; are you frightened now?”

Song Jin hardened his resolve to counter: “What could I possibly be frightened of?”

Li Xiao: “Then let’s proceed.”

Song Jin: “…”

The proximity was far too close. A familiar, commanding pressure washed over him, his nasal passages entirely filled with the other party’s scent. Seeing that Li Xiao remained thoroughly composed, possessing not an ounce of intent to back down, Song Jin called a halt at the final absolute second, pinning Li Xiao’s shoulder to push him away: “Fine. You win.”

Li Xiao: “I fail to comprehend. What is the meaning behind those words?”

Song Jin lowered his voice: “I will grant you the audience with him.”

Li Xiao smiled with deep satisfaction: “A deal is a deal. In that case, I shall revoke this marriage application—”

Click.

The distinct chime of a shutter snap exploded beside their ears. Both men snapped their heads toward the screen. A joint photograph remained captured within the interface window. Due to the angle of their positions, it appeared exactly as though they were sharing an intimate kiss.

[Photograph has cleared review.]

[The marriage registration process has been completed.]

[The subsequent six months shall serve as the marital observation period. Wishing you a joyful marriage.]

Each man checked the personal dossiers on their respective terminals. Their marital status had officially transitioned from Single to Married (Pre-registered).

Li Xiao / Song Jin: “…………”

They had played themselves.

Qian Can woke up groggily to use the restroom. The moment he stepped out of the cave entrance, his eyes landed squarely upon the glowing virtual interface, causing his voice to crack in a high-pitched screech:

“Boss, you… you got married?!”

His volume was so immense that it instantly startled the students sleeping near the cave entrance. Believing a mutant beast raid was underway, they charged out brandishing their military knives, only to encounter a screen entirely filled with flashing pink hearts.

The crowd: “…?!!!”

The two powerhouses had actually slipped out to sit atop an excavator in the dead of night to get married?! What kind of tactical play was this?!

Planet T100, The Kingdom of Dance, Imperial Palace

Li Ji seized a brief respite from his administrative duties to retreat to a small pavilion nestled in a corner of the private gardens, reviewing the playback of the practical combat assessment.

Such assessments were typically withheld from the public, but given the participation of exchange students this term, the Saintia authorities had specifically granted network clearance to the Dance government.

“The Second Highness possesses truly exceptional martial prowess.” Senior Aide Liu poured tea for Li Ji, offering a selection of pastries. “One wonders under whose tutelage he acquired such skills.”

Li Ji nibbled on a pastry: “A wild brat, nothing more.”

The aide continued: “Even when compared against Saintia’s elite military cadets, he does not pale in the slightest. The little sprout of yesteryear has truly grown up.”

Li Ji let out an ambiguous grunt, offering no direct commentary.

When the footage transitioned to the midnight segment, the dialogue between Li Xiao and Song Jin was entirely obscured by the static of the environment. Li Ji merely sensed that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat peculiar: “What are they doing there?”

The aide drew closer to peer at Li Xiao’s interface. A sudden realization striking him, he accessed his own terminal to query the associated database, instantly freezing in sheer shock. “This is—!”

Li Ji said with impatience, “Out with it.”

The aide projected the intelligence file corresponding to Li Xiao’s assumed identity: “The Second Highness has entered into matrimony with this blonde Alpha youth!”

“What kind of marr—cough, cough, cough, wheeze—” Li Ji slammed his hand onto the table as he rose, a piece of pastry wedged firmly in his throat. He frantically downed several gulps of tea, then hurled the porcelain teacup to the ground, shattering it into fragments as he roared, “Go and uncover the absolute truth of this matter this instant!”

The aide leaped aside to evade the flying porcelain shards, hastily complying: “Understood!”

The Draco Constellation, Saintia Imperial Palace

King Song Yu had only just arrived at the administrative chambers early in the morning when his chief aide knocked and entered, a highly nuanced expression framing his features.

Song Yu casually lifted a folder to browse through its contents: “What is it?”

The aide stated: “Your Majesty, the Fourth Highness has wed Li Xiao.”

Song Yu lifted his gaze from the documents: “Who has wed whom?”

With some hesitation, the aide retrieved the recorded playback from the testing grounds: “The Fourth Highness and Li Xiao successfully registered their marriage last night.”

Song Yu accessed his private terminal, navigating to the personal dossier of his youngest brat within their family group chat. The registry indeed displayed: Married (Pre-registered).

Well played, Li Xiao.

Is this the proper decorum for someone seeking a political partnership? Before even granting me an audience, you’ve already laid claim to my heir!

With a sharp thud, the folder was dropped firmly onto the desk.

The aide’s heart hammered against his ribs. He lowered his head slightly, not daring to gaze upon Song Yu’s countenance. “Shall we initiate contact with the Civil Affairs Department to annul the marriage registration?”

Following a brief silence, Song Yu rested his chin upon his palm, letting out a chuckle: “Since the knot is already tied, bringing him into the family fold isn’t a terrible outcome. One can never have too many younger brothers.”

The aide: “…”

What exactly are you implying? Are you being serious right now?

Apocalypse Constellation, Exam Sector Q303

Before the dawn could even break, the news of Song Jin and Li Xiao’s marriage had already rippled through the entire candidate pool. The collective expression of the students was exceedingly difficult to quantify—shock blended with perplexity, perplexity laced with a touch of grief, and grief underscored by a distinct undercurrent of manic excitement.

Two apex Alphas boasting god-tier combat capabilities and peak visual aesthetics forming a powerhouse alliance through a whirlwind marriage? The gossip mills were practically driven to madness.

As the central figures of the storm, the two individuals remained unnaturally silent, sitting apart as they systematically organized their respective rucksacks.

A dynamic that began as a playful skirmish had somehow culminated in a legal union. To make matters worse, the application could not be revoked instantly; the legal framework barred divorce on the exact date of registration, forcing them to wait until tomorrow at the absolute minimum. Even if they filed for divorce, a historical record of the marriage would permanently stain their personal dossiers, designating any future marriage as a secondary union.

At the thought of this, Song Jin’s temper flared up fiercely. Since they had ended up married regardless, he shouldn’t have backed down during that final second. He had completely lost this round to that bastard Li Xiao!

Qian Can edged over hesitantly, squatting down to ask in a hushed whisper, “Boss, are you being serious about this?”

“Do I look as though I am jesting?” Song Jin countered, his tone icy enough to induce a shiver.

Qian Can: “…”

What newlywed individual looks as thoroughly murderous as you do right now?

By the cave entrance, Da Bei paced back and forth in frantic anxiety, unable to find peace whether standing or sitting. “Bro, did you truly marry Song Jin?”

Li Xiao: “Yes.”

Da Bei clutched his hair: “Do you harbor romantic feelings for him? But we are exchange students, we are slated to return to our home nation before long…”

“Return for what purpose?” Li Xiao pulled the laces of his combat boots tight, snapping the metal buckles shut as he spoke with a trace of self-abandonment. “In any case, no one anticipates my return, and I am merely viewed as an eyesore within the palace walls. I might as well remain in Saintia; at the very least, the populace here treats me with some decency.”

Da Bei: “…?!”

Even if that is the case, that is hardly a valid justification to casually pick an Alpha to marry!

Just as Da Bei prepared to press the matter further, he caught sight of Song Jin approaching out of the corner of his eye, flanked by Qin Le and Qian Can.

Song Jin stood well over 190 centimeters, possessing broad shoulders, a tapered waist, and long legs. Years of rigorous conditioning imparted an exceptionally commanding posture to his frame; merely standing there, he exuded an immense aura, the oppressive weight of a prime Alpha washing over the immediate vicinity.

Da Bei fell instantly silent. Didn’t his older cousin mention previously that the Second Highness preferred a gentle, powerful Omega who excelled at nurturing others? Had he misread the intelligence brief? Song Jin shared absolutely zero correlation with the Second Highness’s ideal type!

Song Jin strode directly before Li Xiao, lowering his eyes to meet his gaze: “It is time to depart, babe.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Da Bei / Qian Can / Qin Le: “…”

The remaining onlookers: “…”

What a terrifying term of endearment, sob…