TCFGBH Chapter 117

The blazing summer sun shone brilliantly.

It was lunchtime, and most students had gone to the cafeteria. In a secluded corner of the campus, under the lush canopy of trees, a cool, shaded area provided a perfect spot for rest.

“Ugh!” The boy let out a muffled grunt as his back slammed against the tree trunk.

The next moment, a lean figure pressed against him, gripping his collar and forcing him to bend forward. Their noses were nearly touching, breaths intertwining in an ambiguous posture, almost like lovers in a passionate embrace.

Ian squinted, a faint smile curling his lips as he gazed intently at the striking face so close to his. His voice was relaxed and cheerful. “Yan Yan, you’re so passionate. I’m thrilled.”

“Ian Hyde,” the young man’s expression was taut, his golden eyes glowing even brighter with anger. “What are you trying to achieve by spreading those rumors?”

Thanks to the plot, Xia Yan had already been prepared for this moment.

He knew the protagonist shou, Ian, would eventually enroll in the Imperial Central Military Academy, meet the protagonist gong, and later, during the upcoming mecha tournament, team up with Ludwig to kill him.

But… while Ian did show up, how did the narrative turn into him transferring schools for his “boyfriend”?

Now, practically the entire academy believed that the second-year transfer student from the mecha department—a supposed genius—was a hopeless romantic, madly in love with his aloof and heartless “boyfriend.”

“…”

As the rumors grew increasingly ridiculous, Xia Yan couldn’t hold back anymore and came to confront Ian directly.

“Hmm? What rumors?” Ian tilted his head, his smile pure and innocent. “I never agreed to break up with you. We’re still dating.”

“…”

The boy grabbed the hand holding his collar, lowered his head, and planted a kiss on the back of it. His eyes gleamed with possessiveness. “Don’t even think about shaking me off.”

The kiss came so suddenly.

Xia Yan instinctively tried to retreat but was pulled back and embraced tightly by Ian.

Though Ian had a babyface that made him look small and fragile, in reality, he stood at 186 cm tall, with lean, muscular arms and shoulders honed through training.

With his solid arms holding him in place, Ian rested his head near Xia Yan’s ear and whispered softly, “Are you sure you want to push me away? I have evidence of our relationship.”

“??!!!”

The young man looked up in disbelief.

“Yan Yan, you’re so naive,” Ian sighed deeply. “After all this time, didn’t you think I’d keep photos and videos?”

Xia Yan thought of his avatar in the holographic world. “That doesn’t even look like me.”

He had already deactivated that account, but traces of the past never truly disappeared.

Ian continued, “As long as there’s even the slightest resemblance, it’s enough. If I post it on the forums, curious people will dig deeper, especially with your high-profile status.”

Ever since Xia Yan’s appearance at the auction, he had amassed a massive fanbase, enamored by his looks.

These fans were passionate about uncovering any detail about him. If some secrets were exposed… it wasn’t impossible.

Xia Yan felt utterly hopeless.

Could this mission even proceed properly anymore?

He made one last effort to salvage the situation. “Aren’t you afraid that exposing yourself as a space pirate will ruin you?”

“The fallout would be worse for you, wouldn’t it? An Imperial heir secretly involved with a space pirate—that’s quite the explosive headline.” Ian tilted his head, his voice syrupy sweet.

“Brother, if that happens, you’ll have no choice but to run away into the universe with me.”

?

What’s with the excitement in your voice?!

Xia Yan stared at Ian, who seemed ready to act on his delusions, and panicked.

Gritting his teeth, he asked, “What exactly do you want?”

“I’ve always wanted something simple. All I ask is that you continue being with me.” Ian offered a tempting proposition. “I can keep designing even more useful mechas for you, brother.”

Ian’s talent for design was undoubtedly unmatched.

Without hesitation, Xia Yan refused outright.  “Absolutely not. The risks of our relationship being exposed are too high.”

“Then we can date in secret.” Ian, already familiar with Xia Yan’s personality, knew he prioritized interests above all else. His identity was indeed a ticking time bomb, but if it detonated, Xia Yan would suffer the fallout too.

“This is my final offer. You’ll agree, won’t you, brother?”

“…”

What else could Xia Yan do?

To keep the plot moving, he had no choice but to agree.

If Ian’s identity was revealed, leading to his death in the capital after being hunted by the military, the world’s storyline would collapse.

Reluctantly, Xia Yan said, “…Fine.”

“Yan Yan, I’m so happy.” Ian beamed, his face glowing with delight. He cupped Xia Yan’s face and, before the other could react, leaned in for a firm kiss.

Their lips met, and the faint taste of mint lingered on Xia Yan’s tongue. The kiss was brief but deliberate.

“???” Xia Yan shoved Ian away and furiously wiped his lips with his sleeve, trying to erase the man’s scent. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Ian blinked innocently.

“Isn’t a kiss normal between lovers?”

Were they really normal lovers? Seeing Ian’s blatant feigned ignorance, Xia Yan was at a loss for words.

He didn’t mind being kissed—it was just a kiss.

But given his character’s setting, as a proud noble kissed against his will by someone he didn’t like, he was supposed to be furious.

He forced himself to feign anger. “Next time, without my permission, don’t even think about doing that. Otherwise…” his voice turned cold, “our agreement is off.”

You can’t push someone too far.

Ian apologized readily.

“Sorry, Yan Yan, my mistake.”

Xia Yan: “…” Why doesn’t this feel satisfying at all?

Immersed in their own thoughts, neither of them noticed someone approaching until the stranger made their presence known. Both turned abruptly and found a tall, golden-haired man standing quietly not far away, watching them.

Ludwig, standing at an impressive 192 cm, was half a head taller than Ian.

His features were strikingly handsome, every detail perfect, and his posture upright. Compared to Ian’s youthful, doll-like face, Ludwig’s appearance was much closer to the conventional ideal of masculinity.

The moment Ian saw him, his internal “rival alert” radar went into overdrive.

The two locked eyes, their mutual hostility palpable.

Xia Yan… Xia Yan was losing his mind!!!

Why was the protagonist gong here? How much had he overheard?

He swallowed nervously, forcing himself to stay calm as he greeted him.

“Ludwig, what are you doing here?”

After speaking, he stared intently at the man, trying to gauge his reaction.

“You didn’t go to the cafeteria, so I came to find you.”

Ever since Ludwig awakened as an SSS-ranked warrior, all of his abilities had been significantly enhanced, including his vision and hearing. His timing couldn’t have been more precise—he arrived just in time to witness Ian forcibly kissing Xia Yan.

In that instant, a surge of boiling, shadowy emotions rose from the depths of his heart. He was consumed by an overwhelming desire to use his authority to bind the young man and lock him away forever.

Fortunately, the next moment, Xia Yan pushed Ian away with a look of disgust.

Their subsequent conversation gave Ludwig a faint suspicion—Ian had likely grasped some leverage over Xia Yan and was using it to force him into a relationship.

As long as Xia Yan hadn’t truly fallen for someone else, Ludwig could endure.

His current patience was merely preparation for savoring the sweet fruit of victory in the future.

Ludwig’s expression was unnervingly calm, which naturally put Xia Yan at ease. Assuming Ludwig hadn’t seen anything, Xia Yan hurriedly changed the subject.  “Ah, it’s getting late. I should head to the cafeteria.”

With that, he quickly walked away, his steps rushed as he left the area.