Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 269: A bribe, for what?

Jian Ci whispered, "Little Xi, warm me up."

Yu Xi sighed, his voice heavy with sleep. "Didn’t you want to sleep alone?"

"I did," Jian Ci admitted softly, "but I missed you."

Yu Xi shuffled away, turning his back to him. "Just go to sleep."

"Okay," Jian Ci said, hugging him tighter.

In the dark, where Jian Ci couldn’t see, Yu Xi smiled faintly. He liked it when Jian Ci slept beside him. When Jian Ci had said earlier that he wanted to sleep alone, Yu Xi hadn’t been happy, though he hadn’t said anything. Deep down, he had hoped Jian Ci would come later in the night, like he had done countless times and as expected, Jian Ci had come.

Jian Ci lay there, his lips pressed together, staring at Yu Xi’s side profile in the dim light. He hesitated, his thoughts tangled, his heart pounding. Finally, he whispered, "Little Xi, are you awake?"

Yu Xi’s voice came low, steady. "What is it?"

Jian Ci opened his mouth, then closed it again. He wrestled with himself, the words caught in his throat. The silence stretched until Yu Xi finally said, "Spit it out."

Jian Ci sighed, the sound heavy with conflict. "If I do something that you hate... would you stop being friends with me?"

Yu Xi’s brow furrowed, his voice sharper now. "Does it have to do with Xiaobao?"

Jian Ci shook his head quickly, his voice hushed but earnest. "Huh? No, no, nothing to do with Xiaobao. She is like my annoying little sister."

Yu Xi replied, "Then you are good."

Jian Ci blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah," Yu Xi said simply.

Jian Ci hesitated, then pushed further. "Even if I killed someone?"

Yu Xi’s lips curved faintly, his tone dry. "I have killed a couple of people. Will you stop being friends with me?"

Jian Ci’s answer was immediate. "No."

"Go to sleep," Yu Xi said, closing his eyes.

Jian Ci heaved a sigh, his chest loosening. "Okay."

The silence stretched, broken only by the sound of their breathing until Yu Xi suddenly muttered, "Will you stop breathing in my ear?"

Jian Ci stiffened. "I didn’t."

Yu Xi tried to wriggle out of his embrace, but Jian Ci reacted fast, tightening his hold. "I won’t do it again, I promise," he pleaded.

Yu Xi didn’t listen, twisting against him. The two of them tussled in the sheets, chuckling despite themselves.

In the end, Yu Xi leaned close, deliberately exhaling against Jian Ci’s ear. "How do you like that?"

Jian Ci jerked, finding it unbearably ticklish, and burst into laughter. "You are impossible," Yu Xi said, shaking his head as he lay back down.

Jian Ci embraced him again, pulling him close. The laughter faded, replaced by quiet. His smile slowly disappeared, replaced by a shadow of worry. If things go south tomorrow, he thought, this might be the last time Yu Xi lets me hold him.

So he tightened his arms just a little more, savoring the warmth, determined to memorize the moment before sleep finally claimed him.

Next day...

Yu Xi held up the outfit Jian Ci had laid out for him, his brow furrowing. The sleek cut, the subtle shimmer in the fabric, it looked far too formal for an ordinary day.

"Are we going to a gala or something?" Yu Xi asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

From the bathroom, Jian Ci emerged with a towel wrapped around his hips, his chest bare, droplets of water sliding down his skin. He leaned casually against the doorframe, though his eyes betrayed a nervous flicker. "You can say that. I have a second option if you like."

Yu Xi waved his hand quickly. "No, no, it’s fine. I was just curious."

"Good," Jian Ci said, disappearing back into the bathroom.

Yu Xi scratched the back of his head, muttering under his breath. What the hell is he up to? Jian Ci had been acting strange ever since they woke up. He was clumsier than usual, laughing nervously at the smallest things.

When Yu Xi had asked Jian Rui and Jian Wei what was wrong with him, the two brothers had feigned ignorance, as if they hadn’t noticed anything.

And then there was Xiaobao. Jian Ci had showered her with starcoins, enough to let her splurge at her favorite store. Yu Xi couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a bribe, but for what?

He sighed, deciding not to overthink it. If the Jian brothers aren’t worried, then neither should he.

"I am going to take a shower," Yu Xi announced, heading toward the door.

Jian Ci peeked out from the bathroom, his towel still clinging to his hips. "Alright. Take your time." Yu Xi left, forgetting his communicator on the bedside table.

The moment the door clicked shut, Jian Ci moved quickly. He dressed in the clothes he had prepared for himself, an outfit that matched Yu Xi’s almost perfectly, down to the subtle accents. Standing before the mirror, he adjusted the collar, his reflection staring back at him with a mix of determination and nerves.

It wasn’t just a fancy ensemble. It was a statement. A silent declaration. Couple’s outfits, he thought, his lips pressing together. Tonight, Yu Xi will understand.

He swept his hair back with a proud flick, admiring the way his reflection looked. His chest swelled with a quiet satisfaction, everything about him tonight felt deliberate, purposeful.

Then a buzz cut through the silence.

He glanced at the bedside table, assuming it was his communicator. He picked it up, only to realize it was Yu Xi’s. Jian Ci froze, about to set it back down when he saw the sender’s name: Roan.

For a moment, he did the mature thing. He placed the communicator down and walked away. But then another buzz echoed in the room. Jian Ci clenched his jaw, his steps faltering. Another buzz followed, sharp and insistent, like Roan was taunting him.

"Fuck," Jian Ci muttered, spinning back. His hand snatched up the communicator, his pulse pounding. He knew he would regret this, but he still opened the message.

The first one was harmless enough: Hope you got home well.

His jaw tightened.

The second: I am just training. And then came the match that lit the fire. It was picture of Roan, shirtless and drenched in sweat, hair plastered to his forehead, muscles flexed and gleaming under the gym lights.

Jian Ci’s jaw clenched so tight it nearly snapped. His vision blurred with rage.

The next thing he knew, he was standing outside the very training gym Roan had taken the picture in. Three espers moved to block his entry, but Jian Ci’s psychic storm tore through them like paper. Violet energy surged around him, violent and unrestrained.

Inside, more espers rushed to intercept him. Eight in total, their powers flaring in defense.

But Jian Ci was a raging beast. His fury was uncontainable. He launched himself into the fray, violet psychic power crashing against theirs, overwhelming them one by one. The air crackled with energy, the walls trembling under the force of the clash.

Alarms blared. The building went into full lockdown.

And Jian Ci, eyes burning, stood at the center of it all, his storm consuming everything in its path.