Ouyang coated his entire body with isolation cream and sunscreen. In his left hand, he held a black sunshade umbrella. Behind UV-protection sunglasses and a mask, he wore a full set of charcoal-gray casual sportswear designed for sun protection. He stood atop the tallest building near Little Qiu’s middle school.
Peering through binoculars, he scanned the campus grounds.
Though Bloodkin possessed exceptional vision that rendered such tools unnecessary, Ouyang preferred not to reveal the changes his body had undergone.
During recess, he tracked Little Qiu’s movements. When classes resumed, he retreated to a shaded corner on the rooftop. He listened to the young guard on duty sharing recent intel.
Ever since Brother Long started escorting Little Qiu to and from school, suitors had suddenly multiplied among her classmates.
Bribing her male classmates with snacks and drinks, he’d learned one phrase above all others: *"Our chance has come."*
*"What chance?"* Ouyang asked, curious.
*"Ever since you began picking her up, they all assumed you were her boyfriend..."*
*"We’re not like that,"* Ouyang sighed, staring blankly ahead. He’d always treated Little Qiu like a little sister. Nothing more.
*"But now that Brother Long is the one escorting her? They think you two broke up. So they see an opening. Many want to take your place—to become her boyfriend."*
*"How utterly dull."*
*"You don’t get it, Ouyang-ge. Marrying into the Xiang family fortune? That’s a life of ease..."* The young guard’s eyes gleamed with envy as he gazed into the distance. *"Xiaomo controls all liquor and tobacco trade across the Northern District. Living as a kept man under Xiaomo means security. Or if Little Qiu married a scion from another district’s ruling family? That could expand Xiaomo’s network."*
*"What do you take Little Qiu for?"*
Unlike Ouyang, she’d been raised by Brother Long since birth. She disliked—and refused—to involve herself in Xiaomo’s affairs. She knew entanglement would only bring trouble.
It was precisely because of people like this guard that Little Qiu distrusted certain members of Xiaomo. And why Brother Long never entrusted her care to others.
Realizing his blunder, the young guard paled. *"I’m sorry, Ouyang-ge! I didn’t mean— I just envy her position—"*
Ouyang exhaled slowly, his tone icy. *"The poor have their struggles. The rich have theirs. Focus on your duty."*
*"Understood."*
Ouyang had his own burdens. With only part of Xiaomo aware of his disguise, and a Bloodkin Prince forcing him into marriage, all he wanted was freedom—to reclaim his old life.
*Even if you avoid trouble, trouble finds you.*
Just days ago, hunting Mosterians had nearly cost him his life.
Watching boys trail Little Qiu like obedient puppies, Ouyang muttered in disgust:
*These kids are unbearably tedious.*
*"Aren’t you about their age, Ouyang-ge? Infiltrating the school to protect her would be easier than standing here, right?"*
Ouyang had dropped out after junior high to manage Xiaomo under Brother Long. He was only one year older.
*"Too many people inside. Hard to act against the target."*
His gaze fixed on the second-floor corridor of the five-story teaching building. There stood Tianyu Wei—the Wei Family’s heir to their power monopoly, overseeing electricity fees and distribution across the Northern District. His father, Niu Wei, had been holding suspicious private dinners with Xiaomo’s regular clients. Investigations were already underway.
Tianyu Wei watched Little Qiu like a prized songbird in a gilded cage—certain she was already his.
Ouyang narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of revulsion crossing his face. That familiar arrogance... it made his skin crawl.
*"I’ll pick Little Qiu up today."*
Noticing Ouyang’s unusually pale complexion, the guard frowned with concern. *"You alright, Ouyang-ge? You look unwell."*
Even fully shielded under the umbrella, prolonged sun exposure made Ouyang’s skin emit a faint scent of charred meat.
*"I’m fine."*
Burns were trivial.
As an older brother, he wanted to protect her. *While he still could.*
*"Ouyang-ge?! What are you doing here? Where’s my brother?"*
Little Qiu’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing him after school.
*"Just back from a trip. Brother Long’s busy, so I’m handling pickups now."*
His presence drew immediate attention from her classmates.
*"Is that Ouyang?"*
*"So they didn’t break up?"*
*"Lucky her... I wish I had a brother who’d pick me up every day."*
Merely standing there deterred half her admirers. Even mistaken for a "fake boyfriend," he could still shield her. That was enough.
*"This rooftop’s dangerous. Let’s go."*
Seeing Ouyang’s ashen face, Little Qiu grabbed his icy-cold hand and turned toward the alley—only to be blocked by five boys.
Tianyu Wei stepped forward, flanked by four lackeys. A forced smile curled his lips. *"Long time no see, Ouyang-ge. You’ve gotten... shorter. And thinner."*
*"Ignore him, Ouyang-ge. Let’s go,"* Little Qiu urged, trying to push past. But the lackeys formed a wall.
Brother Long’s warning echoed: *Treat him like air. Don’t engage.*
*"You might guard her today,"* Tianyu Wei declared, voice dripping with certainty, *"but you can’t protect her forever. What I want... is mine."*
*"Planning to snatch her in broad daylight?"* Ouyang finally broke his silence. His gaze remained steady, calm yet razor-sharp. *"Go ahead. Try it."*
Tianyu Wei’s smile tightened. He waved his lackeys aside.
*Of course.* Threats meant nothing to a man who walked beside Brother Long.
Eyes narrowing, Tianyu Wei’s voice dropped to a whisper thick with anticipation:
*"Just wait. The Northern District is on the brink of upheaval."*
