Listening to the laughter in his ear, Rong Shi also began to smile.

The little cat looked at him with a cheerful smile: “So—who’s better, roommate or me?”

The smile on Rong Shi’s lips suddenly froze: “…”

He’d never thought he’d face this question.

The little cat tilted his head: “Hmm?”

His fluffy white cat ears twitched slightly with his movement. Rong Shi couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke them.

The little cat was very obedient, lowering his head for the petting.

Rong Shi didn’t miss the cunning glint that flashed in his eyes for a moment.

“You and him—you can’t be compared at all.”

The cat’s head under his hand stiffened, then he heard him ask, “How so?”

Rong Shi: “My roommate has a terrible personality. He throws tantrums at the drop of a hat, and he likes to hit people.”

Little Cat: “…”

Terrible personality?

Rong Shi, trying to suppress the upward curve of his lips: “He especially loves beating people half to death. He’s happiest watching others suffer, a little pervert.”

Little Cat: “…………”

A little pervert?

Seeing his brows furrow, Rong Shi tried to keep his lips from curving upward: “He acts on impulse, his thought process is different from most people, and he’s very fickle, always flirting and then running off.”

Little Cat’s smile gradually turned vicious: “Oh—so he’s just a scumbag, then?”

Rong Shi nodded: “He really is—”

Before he could utter the word “scumbag,” a cat-paw punch flew towards him.

Rong Shi dodged sideways, lifted his leg to block the cat-paw kick aimed at his knee, and simultaneously seized his furry wrist, pulling hard.

Before falling onto him, the little cat regained his balance.

Rong Shi chuckled: “Playing a sneak attack?”

The little cat twisted his wrist, violently swinging towards his face.

“Let’s see if you’ve been slacking off lately.”

They hadn’t seriously fought online for several days, and both were excited to play.

The little cat pressed him hard, his voice chilling: “Aren’t you going to replace such a scumbag roommate or keep him for Chinese New Year?”

Rong Shi dodged and retreated: “He’s a bit scummy, but he’s quite cute.”

The little cat’s punching arm paused, completely uncomforted by the remark, and he struck even harder.

“You even find a scumbag cute; you’re quite a pervert yourself.”

Rong Shi seized his sweeping ankle and pulled, embracing him as he spun around.

The little cat had just regained his footing when he was suddenly encircled from behind. He heard Rong Shi’s laughing voice by his ear.

“A pervert for a pervert, aren’t we a match made in heaven?”

The grainy, magnetic voice made his ears tingle.

Hearing the little cat’s displeased huff but feeling him not struggle, Rong Shi was satisfied and stopped teasing him.

If he truly angered him, he’d be the one in trouble.

Rong Shi took his hand: “Even he’s not as cute as you.”

Little Cat frowned: “How?”

Rong Shi: “Too hard.”

Little Cat: “…” Damn it.

His palm suddenly emptied, and the virtual character in front of him disappeared.

Rong Shi: “…”

[You’ve angered the sugar daddy away.]

Rong Shi: “…I know that without you reminding me.”

[Then why are you still being a smart-aleck?]

Rong Shi: “…I was clearly praising him just now.”

---

The next morning, Liu Hong, Chen Chen, and others came to find him.

Rong Shi: “Celebration banquet?”

Chen Chen explained: “You guys skipped the award ceremony that day, so you didn’t know. Tomorrow night at 8 PM, it’s set at Major General Qin Zhao’s residence. The top three teams have to attend.”

Liu Hong’s face was filled with disdain: “What celebration banquet? It’s just a giant matchmaking event and a meat market! We’re just pieces of meat on a stall for them to pick from!”

Old Bai chimed in agreement: “I hear many noble scions will attend, especially you, Chairman. Since the Goddess isn’t here, you have to protect yourself well.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Just as Liu Hong said, these celebration banquets, while seemingly for congratulating the winning teams, actually had many hidden agendas.

If it were anywhere else, he wouldn’t go.

01 had previously detected a significant difference in Qin Zhao’s pheromones before and after. Perhaps this time they could find some clues from him.

Usually, participating teams would prepare their formal attire for the banquet in advance before departing. Only Rong Shi’s team, who came purely for fun, had brought nothing but necessities.

Fortunately, Chen Chen, Liu Hong, and the others were all sons of prominent families and were more influential in Imperial Capital Star than on Academy Star.

Just after noon, Rong Shi received several sets of formal wear gifted by his teammates.

Qin Luo, about to head home, looked at the neatly laid out gift boxes on the sofa, his voice tinged with sourness.

“Why didn’t they prepare clothes for poor me?”

Rong Shi sat on the single armchair by the French window, casually reading a book and sipping coffee.

“Do you really want to know?”

Qin Luo: “…”

Qin Luo: “No, I don’t.”

He had experienced Rong Shi’s sharp tongue many times before.

---

The next evening after dinner, Rong Shi picked the plainest black suit from several flamboyant options, changed into it, and set off with Chen Chen and the other three.

In the car, Liu Hong looked left and right in the rearview mirror, frowning: “Damn, I’ve aged ten years for nothing.”

Chen Chen smoothed back his hair, combing it meticulously.

“You call yourself ‘Laozi’ (an old man), who else would be old if not you?”

Liu Hong: “Want to fight?”

Hu Feng: “I told you to use less hair wax, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Old Bai: “Slicked-back hair is handsome!”

Liu Hong and Chen Chen raised their hands in strong agreement.

Hu Feng: “I only see grease.”

Liu Hong and the other two exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked at Rong Shi, who sat silently.

His long legs crossed, he casually looked out the window, propping his hand, like a calm bystander; all the commotion had nothing to do with him.

Liu Hong and the other two: “…” The boss doesn’t use hair wax, not cool!

Qin Zhao’s family resided in the Saint German District, the heart of Imperial Capital Star, where only royalty and great nobles were qualified to live.

Adjacent to the Saint Martial District on the outer ring of Saint German was the area where ordinary nobles and military-political families resided.

Commoners promoted to general rank could also apply for a piece of land here.

Rong Shi’s gaze swept over a certain lawn below—that was his home fifteen years later.

Back then, he was busy every day, yet still had to make time to oversee the construction of his house.

He had meticulously prepared for over a year. Just as he brought Mianmian over, he went to the battlefield.

He wondered if Mianmian was used to living alone—

The hovercar landed in a spacious courtyard. Rong Shi and his group of five exited the car, which was immediately guided into the garage by the AI.

There were still about twenty minutes before the banquet began. Men and women in luxurious evening wear were scattered in small groups throughout the courtyard.

---

Before taking more than a few steps, someone came over to strike up a conversation.

“You must be Rong Shi?”

Hearing the voice, Rong Shi turned his head to look.

The woman before him was tall, only half a head shorter than him, wearing heavy red lipstick and dark makeup. Her long, curly black hair was tied into a high ponytail, and she wore a sleek, black backless evening gown. She was a rare female Alpha.

[Granddaughter of Elder Qian, Qian Xun. Her father married into the Qian family. 19 years old, Alpha, studying law at the Royal Academy. Has an Omega husband who gave birth to five, five children for her fifteen years later.]

Rong Shi: “…”

“My name is Qian Xun, and Qian Fan is my maternal grandfather.” Qian Xun extended her hand, her smile polite. “We never had a chance to meet during the league. I hear you like Alphas. Would you consider me?”

Out of respect for her being an Alpha, Rong Shi politely shook her hand, withdrawing his fingers as soon as they touched.

“I apologize, I’m married.”

Qian Xun spread her hands: “That’s a shame.”

The Qian family was both a great noble family and a military-political family. Before the current head, Qian Li, retired, the Qian family was once in a position second only to one, vastly different from the Liu family (Liu Hong’s) and the Chen family (Chen Chen’s).

Qian Xun was more familiar with the noble circles than Liu Hong and others. After some conversation, she led them to greet others.

Qian Xun: “The other day, I was on a video call with my grandfather, and I saw two little bean-sized kids. Are they yours? Are they for sale?”

Rong Shi: “No.”

Qian Xun pouted, muttering softly: “Fine, if not for sale, I’ll just steal them.”

Rong Shi: “…”

“Miss Qian.”

Rong Shi and Qian Xun both looked in the direction of the voice.

It was He Nian.

“It’s you,” Qian Xun’s voice was noticeably much colder than before. “How come you didn’t come with Song Ke?”

He Nian instinctively glanced at Rong Shi out of the corner of his eye, his voice slightly tense.

“I came with my teammates.”

After a few pleasantries, the air suddenly grew quiet.

He Nian tactfully found an excuse to leave.

Rong Shi watched him walk away, asking quietly, “Is he very close with Song Ke?”

Qian Xun scoffed lightly: “He’s just one of Song Ke’s many playthings; few people know about it.”

Rong Shi: “Then how do you know?”

Qian Xun said candidly: “I accidentally saw him once when I went to a club to procure men.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Liu Hong and others: “…”

Seeing them all looking subtly at her, Qian Xun asked, puzzled: “What, only men are allowed to be lustful?”

Chen Chen: “A gentleman is lustful, but has principles in his pursuit.”

Qian Xun: “It’s free for the taking, why not?”

Liu Hong: “You’re a girl, don’t keep saying ‘procure’ all day. Did your face get thicker with makeup?”

Qian Xun: “Sister spends her own money to procure legally, why can’t I say it?”

All: “…”

Rong Shi stepped back half a pace, half his body hidden in the shadows of the trees, indicating with his actions that he didn’t want to hear or participate in such topics.

If a certain little wild cat heard it, he would throw a tantrum again.

---

Suddenly, a glass of champagne appeared before him. Rong Shi turned his head to see a waiter holding a tray.

Waiter: “Sir, your champagne.”

Rong Shi took it: “Thank you.”

Rong Shi wouldn’t put food of unknown origin into his mouth.

He idly twirled the wine glass.

If He Nian was Song Ke’s person, then his sudden approach to Song Yu made sense.

However, he wondered if He Nian’s pheromone problem was also related to Song Ke.

Catching sight of the waiter serving drinks to others out of the corner of his eye, Rong Shi felt a stir of curiosity and looked intently.

Why did that back look somewhat familiar—

It wasn’t until the waiter walked away, his figure obscured by greenery, that Rong Shi suddenly realized.

It was Jiang Huai!

Liu Hong and the others were trying to persuade a female Alpha, who was obsessed with men, to turn over a new leaf when they suddenly saw Rong Shi walking in a certain direction.

Liu Hong: “Where are you going?”

Rong Shi: “Restroom.”

Qian Xun gazed at Rong Shi’s retreating figure, smacking her lips: “That physique looks quite delicious.”

All: “…”

Put away your lecherous gaze!

Even with streetlights on, the night courtyard still had many dark corners.

As he reached the corner near the backyard, the waiter seemed to sense something unusual behind him and suddenly sped up, running inside.

Rong Shi quickly followed a few steps, narrowing his eyes to survey his surroundings.

[AI minion synchronized view activated. Activate normal mode?]

Rong Shi: “Yes.”

As soon as he spoke, surveillance feeds appeared in the four corners of his vision, with four different angles pinpointing the waiter’s location.

Rong Shi lightened his footsteps and pursued.

As he passed through the backyard corridor, faint voices suddenly came from the front left.

He hesitated for a moment, then went to the window and pressed his ear to listen.

“…person is in position…can proceed…”

“…the First Prince is the key…”

“…the Second Prince can’t be let go either…new lab drug has arrived…”

The soundproofing was too good. Even with Rong Shi’s excellent hearing, he could only hear fragments intermittently.

[This house doesn’t have an AI installed. Should I sneak in and record?]

Just as Rong Shi reached for the windowsill, preparing to let 01 slip in in liquid form, a dog bark suddenly came from behind him.

“Woof woof! Woof woof!”

The curtains were pulled open the next moment, and a man opened the window and peered out: “Who?!”

But he looked around and saw nothing but the fiercely barking dog inside the house.

“Is someone outside?” Qin Zhao walked over.

“No one,” the man said.

Qin Zhao frowned and made a call: “Security alert.”

Rong Shi used a rope conjured by 01 to jump onto the second-floor balcony, then swung to the other end and lightly jumped down.

Footsteps sounded from all directions. He quickly made a judgment and ran towards the path that led back to the courtyard.

He had avoided the AI, only to be foiled by a dog.

The footsteps all around were closing in. The courtyard was just ahead, but suddenly, footsteps came from behind a row of greenery in front of him.

Rong Shi clenched his fist, preparing for a single decisive strike.

As his fist swung out, a long leg stepped out from behind the greenery.

In an instant, Rong Shi retracted his hand, grabbed the person’s hand, and pressed it against the green wall.

Song Yu was about to make a move when he looked up and saw Rong Shi’s face.

Just as he was about to speak, a group of guards suddenly ran out from all around them.

He raised his hand to Rong Shi’s nape, turning his head to look at them impatiently.

“Get lost.”

The guard captain knew his identity. He looked at Rong Shi with a vigilant gaze and cautiously asked, “Excuse me, did you see anyone suspicious pass by here?”

“I’m not your security guard; I have no obligation to help you guard your house,” Song Yu sneered. “Either get lost or die.”

The guard captain was rebuffed. He truly didn’t dare to provoke this particular gentleman and could only tell the others to continue searching elsewhere.

Once they had walked away, Song Yu withdrew his gaze and teased, “Still not letting go? Are you really going to kiss me?”

After he spoke, he heard Rong Shi chuckle softly twice and lean closer.

Is he actually going to do it?

As he gradually got closer, Song Yu inexplicably became very nervous.

It turned out that kissing and being kissed were completely different feelings.

Their lips were almost touching when Rong Shi stopped.

Rong Shi: “I can kiss you, but we need to discuss the price first.”

Song Yu: “…”

---

Author’s Note:

Rong Bunny: Later, Rong Bunny pulled out a food stamp from a box full of them.

Rong Bunny: Tonight, I want a clingy yet wild little cat as a pillow. [Covers face, shy]

Song Cat: … [Learning from a small film]