Two days later

  The being who did not belong to Earth sat alone on the bedroom balcony, his entire figure blended into the night.

  The cool evening breeze stirred a few loose strands of hair across his forehead. Beneath them, the cold gleam in his eyes flickered in and out of the darkness.

  Suddenly, an ornament on his left wrist emitted an eerie red glow, drawing his attention back from the distant lights to his own arm.

  “He… why would he come here?”

  Chen frowned, murmuring to himself.

  “Chen?”

  At that moment, the owner of the apartment slid open the floor-to-ceiling glass door from inside and leaned his head out.

  “Is something wrong?”

  In an instant, Chen brushed away the chill that had clung to him moments before. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

  “Well… could you please help me hold this for a moment?” the scientist asked awkwardly, gesturing toward the blueprint in his hand.

  Despite the distance, Chen could clearly make out the bold characters printed on it—

  How to Tie a Bow Tie

  Rising to his feet, Chen followed Yan Qing back into the apartment without hesitation.

  “You’re going out tonight?”

  Watching Yan Qing struggle in front of the mirror with his outfit, Chen asked flatly.

  “Yes,” the scientist replied while wrestling with the bow tie. “While I’m out, don’t wander around. I don’t want to find you in one of my colleagues’ labs, understood?”

  “…May I come with you?”

  Chen slowly approached the mirror, stopping just behind Yan Qing.

  “Earth civilization behavioral observation.”

  “…There’ll be too many people,” Yan Qing said hesitantly. “I can’t guarantee something won’t happen—”

  The golden eyes dimmed.

  Yan Qing had been ready to refuse outright, but when he caught Chen’s reflection in the mirror, the light cast long shadows across the other man’s face.

  Somehow, he read a trace of disappointment there—light as a feather against his chest, yet enough to make him inexplicably restless.

  “…”I must be insane.

  “Fine,” Yan Qing said at last, turning around and pointing at Chen. “But only if you promise not to do anything that draws attention.”

  Chen met his gaze and smiled brightly.

  “I promise.”

  New York suburbs, XX residential district. 7:00 p.m.

  “Based on the structure and scale of this property, its market value would range between ten—.”

  “Please,” Yan Qing cut Chen off helplessly. “I didn’t bring you here so you could tell me how rich Xiaowen’s family is.”

  “I thought complimenting someone’s wealth was perfectly normal.”

  “…Fine,” Yan Qing sighed, giving up on arguing. “If possible, do your observation in less crowded areas. But first, we need to go into the hall. I’ll introduce you, then you can talk to people—or find somewhere quiet. Got it?”

  Chen nodded obediently.

  They entered the villa, where lights blazed and voices filled the air—just like any other lavish upper-class social event.

  “Oh! Look who’s here!”

  A rosy-faced elderly man emerged from the crowd, eyes lighting up when he spotted Yan Qing.

  “William! It’s so hard to get you here these days—you’re practically a global celebrity!”

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  William was Yan Qing’s baptismal name. His parents were devout believers; ironically, their son believed only in scientific laws.

  “Uncle Zhao, I’m sorry, I just—”

  “Enough, I’m not blaming you,” Zhao Zhenyan laughed heartily, patting Yan Qing on the shoulder.

  Beside them, Chen silently clenched his fists.

  “Uh… and this gentleman is…?”

  “Oh!” Yan Qing said quickly. “This is Chen. He’s my grandmother’s younger sister’s grandson. We recently got back in touch, and he’s staying with me for a while.”

  Yan Qing’s grandmother had Anglo-Saxon roots—distant, but enough to make the family explanation pass.

  “Oh, hello,” Zhao Zhenyan said politely, extending his hand.

  Chen did not respond—aside from the mask-like smile on his face.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I have very sensitive skin.”

  Yan Qing instantly regretted bringing him.

  “Ah—yes, yes, sorry about that, Uncle.”

  “Oh, no problem,” the elder chuckled, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere.

  After exchanging pleasantries with the birthday host, Zhao Zhenyan moved on to greet other guests.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  Once Yan Qing confirmed no one was paying attention, he pulled Chen into a corner. Chen had been glaring coldly at Zhao Zhenyan the entire time—even after the man left.

  “You promised you wouldn’t do anything strange!”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Then why were you staring at uncle Zhao like that? That’s rude, you know.”

  Chen looked away, evasive. “…I won’t do it again.”

  Yan Qing sighed. There was no reasoning with his awkward personality.

  “If you really feel uncomfortable here, I can take you home first.”

  “No,” Chen replied. “This is a valuable observation environment.”

  “Then you—”

  “Yan Qing!”

  A voice suddenly interrupted.

  “I believe that is the human you intend to form a pair-bond with,” Chen said coolly, lowering his gaze. “He’s come to find you.”

  Yan Qing shot him a helpless look, then turned.

  “Xiaowen.”

  The woman approaching them moved with easy familiarity, her blue cocktail dress catching the light as she crossed the room. Xiaowen didn’t hesitate—she reached Yan Qing first, fingers slipping naturally into his hand, as though it were the most obvious place for them to be.

  “Why didn’t you come find me?” she asked, smiling.

  Her voice was light. Too light.

  “I was talking with your father,” Yan Qing replied. “I was just about to—”

  “I kept thinking you’d show up any second,” she continued, tilting her head slightly. “You’ve been very popular tonight.”

  Her gaze flicked briefly past his shoulder, scanning the crowd—not searching, exactly. Assessing.

  Yan Qing laughed awkwardly. “Your dad cornered me. I didn’t stand a chance.”

  “That sounds about right.” She smiled again, then leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Still, people are watching us.”

  He stiffened, just a little.

  “I wanted to introduce someone,” Yan Qing said quickly, turning. “He was right here—”

  He stopped.

  The space behind him was empty.

  “Introduce who?” Xiaowen asked.

  “He was standing right behind me,” Yan Qing said, already scanning the room. “I swear he was—”

  “When I saw you,” Xiaowen said carefully, “you were alone.”

  That couldn’t be right.

  Yan Qing released her hand, eyes darting across the hall. The estate was crowded, loud, bright—too many people, too many corners where someone unfamiliar could disappear.

  “Do you mind if I just—” he started.

  Xiaowen’s fingers brushed his wrist before he could step away. Not gripping. Not restraining. Just enough to register.

  “Do you always get this distracted,” she asked softly, “or is it just tonight?”

  He hesitated. “I’m just worried about him.”

  She studied his face for a moment, then sighed—quietly, as if conceding something.

  “I thought,” she said, “that once we were engaged, I wouldn’t have to compete for your attention.”

  Her voice didn’t rise.

  That was what unsettled him.

  “I’m not choosing one over the other,” Yan Qing said. “It’s not like that.”

  “I know,” she replied. “I’m just saying… it puts me in a difficult position.”

  She glanced around again—at the guests, the room, the watching eyes.

  “People expect a good image from us now,” she added. “From you.”

  Yan Qing felt a familiar pressure settle between his shoulders.

  “I’ll be quick,” he said. “I just need to make sure he’s alright.”

  Xiaowen released his hand.

  “Do what you need to do,” she said, already stepping back toward the crowd.“Just don’t make me explain it later.”

  She turned away before he could respond.

  “Xiaowen—”

  She didn’t look back.

  Yan Qing stood there for a second longer than necessary, then ran a hand through his hair.

  What is wrong with me?

  Since Genesis, things had felt… off. She was still there, still smiling, still present—but somehow always just out of sync with him. Irritated by small things. Watching him more closely than before.

  Maybe it was the wedding.Maybe it was him.

  He should have handled it better.

  Meanwhile, Chen stood among the trees at the edge of the estate, lights glimmering faintly through branches.

  Another figure emerged from the dark—tall, composed, his presence calm in a way that suggested authority rather than force.

  “Your Majesty.”

  Chen sighed. “This isn’t Teleopea, Xiao.”

  “…Understood,” Xiao said.

  “The Councils?” Chen asked.

  “They’re waking earlier than expected,” Xiao replied. “Once conscious, they’ll review prolonged absences.”

  “And mine will stand out.”

  “Yes. Especially without delegation.”

  Chen’s gaze returned to the villa. “Then I’ll answer when asked.”

  Xiao hesitated. “Others have been sanctioned for less.”

  “I am aware.”

  A pause.

  “You’re not returning yet,” Xiao said.

  “No.”

  Xiao inclined his head. “Then I will prepare them.”

  When he vanished back into the trees, Chen remained, thoughtful but unshaken.

  The party kept going on as Yan Qing searched the estate with growing unease, checking the terrace, the hallways, even the edges of the garden. Each minute that passed tightened something unpleasant in his chest.

  I never should have brought him.

  He stopped at the edge of the trees, heart pounding.

  “Chen?”

  Nothing.

  “If you don’t come out right now,” Yan Qing muttered, more anxious than angry, “you’re not coming back with me.”

  A pause.

  Then—

  “Looking for me?”

  Yan Qing nearly jumped out of his skin.

  “There you are!” he snapped, relief and irritation tangling together. “How many times have I told you not to disappear like that?”

  “Habit,” Chen replied mildly, stepping into the light.

  “Where did you go?”

  “To observe your social behavior,” Chen said. “In a quieter environment.”

  Yan Qing groaned. “Of course you did.”

  Chen’s gaze lingered on him for a fraction longer than necessary.

  “I thought you would be angry,” he said.

  Yan Qing frowned. “Why would I be?”

  Chen’s smile lingered, thoughtful rather than amused.