Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 319: We are dating.

Jian Rui tightened his grip on Stannis’ hand, his voice steady but carrying a weight that silenced the room.

"We are dating," he said.

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Jian Ci’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. Jian Wei was quicker to react, blurting out, "No fucking way."

"How long has this been going on?" Jian Ci demanded, his tone sharp, almost desperate.

"Years," Jian Rui answered simply.

That single word hit Jian Ci harder than anything else. His chest tightened, his mind racing. Years? He scoffed, shaking his head as if trying to physically reject the idea.

"How is that possible? I would have seen it if you two were dating. I am not that fucking blind."

Xiaobao leaned back with a smirk, her voice cutting through his denial like a blade.

"But you are that blind. You couldn’t even tell that Xi-ge liked you for years."

Jian Ci froze. His mouth opened, then closed again. He had no comeback, because it was true. The silence stretched, heavy and humiliating. Finally, he muttered, "Fuck."

Jian Wei exhaled, almost laughing at the absurdity of it all. "Yu Xi was right all along. You two were dating."

Jian Ci turned, staring at the boyfriend perched casually beside him. His voice was low, almost accusing. "You knew?"

Yu Xi’s expression was unreadable, but his eyes flicked toward Jian Wei with a look that screamed why the hell did you have to snitch on me now?

"You knew?" Jian Rui asked, startled. He had been so careful, so meticulous in hiding their relationship. How had Yu Xi seen through it when everyone else hadn’t?

"Oh, he absolutely knew," Jian Wei said quickly. "I didn’t believe him, though. The exact words he used were—"

Yu Xi cut him off sharply, his tone dangerous. "Say it and I’ll sic Xiaobao on you."

Xiaobao’s grin widened, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. She practically vibrated with anticipation, ready to unleash a storm of insults.

Jian Wei knew exactly how cruel she could be, she could shred his pride until he was running home to his mother in tears. The thought alone was enough to shut him up instantly.

Jian Ci’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Stannis. "So you were sneaking around with my brother, and you didn’t think to tell us?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Eros mumbled under his breath, "Now you know how that feels."

Jian Ci: "..."

Yu Xi shot his grandfather a look. "It’s not the same." Eros grumbled, folding his arms, clearly unwilling to concede.

Seraphyne’s voice cut through the room, calm but firm. "You should have told me sooner. You didn’t have to hide it from me."

Jian Rui’s fingers curled tighter around Stannis’ hand. "I just... I just wasn’t ready." His voice trembled with honesty. He glanced at her, his eyes searching. "How did you even know?"

Seraphyne’s lips curved faintly. "You made it so obvious yesterday. The way you rushed to help Stannis, the panic in your eyes... you looked like you were about to lose the most important person to you. And when you hugged him after, you couldn’t have been more obvious."

Jian Rui swallowed hard, his face heating.

Seraphyne’s gaze softened. "Just know we have your back. We will fully support you."

Stannis’ face lit up, joy breaking through his usual stoicism. "Thank you, mum."

Seraphyne: "..."

Jian Ci groaned. "Don’t call her that. You aren’t married."

Jian Rui smirked, his voice steady. "Yet. Married yet."

Eros interjected sharply, "And don’t call me grandpa either."

Yu Xi: "..."

Yu Xi tilted his head, wondering if his grandfather had swallowed a box firecrackers today, he was spitting fire at Jian Ci for no reason. "What is up with you today?"

Eros opened his mouth to reply, but Xiaobao cut in, her laughter ringing. "Haha, Jian Wei is the only single one in here."

Jian Wei: "???"

Eros and Yu Xi turned to her at once. Eros narrowed his eyes. "Who are you dating?"

Xiaobao straightened, her expression defiant. "You don’t know them."

Of course, she was lying. She was far more invested in Yu Xi’s love life than her own. Yu Xi arched a brow. "An imaginary boyfriend."

Jian Wei chuckled, finding it amusing until Xiaobao’s glare silenced him instantly. He shut his mouth, lips pressed tight.

***

The imperial prison was suffocating in its silence, the air heavy with despair. In the center of the cell, a man knelt, chains binding his wrists, ankles, and throat. His once regal clothes, embroidered with imperial sigils, were now torn and stained with blood. His head hung low, his breath ragged, his hatred burning like a furnace.

Thaurion’s thoughts twisted with venom. He wished he had never laid eyes on that bitch Seraphyne. He wished he had strangled his sons the moment they were born. He hated them all, his hatred consuming him, feeding the deranged laugh that spilled from his lips.

The reinforced doors slid open with a hiss. He expected Jian Rui, Jian Wei, or Jian Ci. He was ready to spit venom at them. But when he raised his head, his words died in his throat.

Thaurion’s lips twitched. His gaze locked onto Eros and Yu Xi.

He sneered. "I don’t think our hatred runs so deep that you would personally come to see me."

Yu Xi’s eyes blazed, his voice sharp as a blade. "You have no fucking idea."

His hand swung forward, emerald psychic power erupting from his palm. The force slammed into Thaurion, hurling him backward. He crashed into the wall, chains rattling, stone cracking under the impact.

Yu Xi stepped forward, his aura burning bright, his voice dripping with contempt. "Shouldn’t you be proud? One of your experiments was actually a success."

Thaurion’s sneer faltered as confusion clouded his face. His gaze shifted to Eros, who stood silent but unyielding.

"Don’t you see the similarities?" Eros said, his voice low, heavy with meaning.

Thaurion’s eyes narrowed. He looked again, truly looked, and the realization struck him. Yu Xi’s features bore resemblance to Eros, about sixty percent similar. If Yu Xi’s hair weren’t long, the likeness would have been even sharper.

Eros had once said his daughter had been one of the victims in the labs. Which meant...

Thaurion’s breath caught. His lips trembled as he whispered, "You... you were born in the underground labs."

Yu Xi didn’t reply, but his silence was answer enough. Not only had Yu Xi been born in those cursed labs, but he was also the impossible success Thaurion had sought, a hybrid of Esper and Guide.

Thaurion’s chest heaved, and then he laughed. Slowly at first, then louder, until it became a hysterical, deranged sound that echoed off the prison walls. His goal had been achieved long ago, and the proof stood before him.

"Who... who was your researcher?" Thaurion demanded, his voice cracking with manic curiosity.

Yu Xi’s jaw clenched, his emerald aura flickering dangerously. "My father. Gander."