Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 143: What if I get caught?

Alarna sat stiffly, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t want to speak, not about this, not to him. But her father’s gaze was unrelenting, his voice coaxing, insistent. Eventually, she gave in, her words spilling out in frustration. "I just can’t get him to notice me."

Her father leaned back in his chair and chuckled, the sound deep and dismissive. "That’s what’s bothering you? Do you think every consort in the imperial palace won their position by currying favor with the imperial lord?"

Alarna frowned, her voice sharp. "Then how did they get what they wanted?"

"They got a little help," he said smoothly.

She blinked, confused. "Help?"

"You just need a little something to speed things up," he replied, reaching into his robes. He pulled out a small vial, its contents shimmering faintly. "Use this to get things going. Sneak fifteen ml into his drink and let the magic work."

Alarna’s brow furrowed, suspicion clouding her eyes. "I don’t know..."

Her father pressed the vial into her hand, his tone firm. "When he takes it, he will lose his mind, desperate for a guide. That’s when you swoop in—guide him to the point of being marked and create a psychic bond. After that, he will be in the palm of your hands."

Alarna stared at the vial, her voice trembling. "Are you sure this will work? Last time you said the press thing would work, but he got so angry he despised me."

Her father’s smile was cold. "Trust me. This time it will work. And remember, you are the guide in his team. No one would ever suspect you."

Alarna’s fingers tightened around the vial. She looked unsure, her brows furrowed as she stared at the vial in her hand. But inside, her heart raced with excitement. This was exactly the kind of scheme she thrived on. Manipulation was second nature to her, she had learned every trick from her mother, who had taught her how to twist words, bend emotions, and make others believe her ideas were theirs. Even now, she had maneuvered her father into thinking this plan was his, just as she had done when she arranged for those incriminating pictures to be taken.

"Are you sure about this, Dad?" she asked, feigning hesitation.

"Of course," her father replied, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"What if I get caught?" she pressed, her voice trembling just enough to sound genuine.

Her father chuckled, his tone indulgent. "You know I will deal with it. Just be at ease."

Alarna smiled sweetly, masking the thrill bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "Thank you, Dad."

The older man laughed heartily. "Just give me a fat grandbaby as soon as you get married. Your marriage will help Dad a lot."

Alarna lowered her gaze, hiding the smirk tugging at her lips. Everything was falling into place.

Meanwhile, Jian Ci remained blissfully unaware of the plot against him. His mind was elsewhere, occupied with something far more innocent. He was thinking of Yu Xi’s birthday. It was coming soon, but unfortunately, it fell right in the middle of the three-day exam. While Alarna schemed in shadows, Jian Ci worried only about how to make Yu Xi’s day special.

He had been thinking about i5 for weeks. He wanted to take him out and celebrate on a night out, but that wasn’t possible right now. The semester’s final mission loomed, and the schedule left no room for indulgence. All Jian Ci could do was order a cake and prepare his gift in advance, a gesture that felt too small compared to what he truly wanted.

Jian Ci never resented Jian Rui more than in this moment. If only they were in the same team, he could have wished him a happy birthday on the day of during the exam.

The night before departure, Jian Ci rushed to Yu Xi’s room. Yu Xi was on a video call with Xiaobao, her lab coat crisp, her hair tied high in a ponytail. "Did you really like it?" she asked.

Yu Xi lifted his hand, showing the rings gleaming on his fingers. "I love them a lot."

"They look so good on you," Xiaobao said warmly.

Yu Xi’s gaze flicked toward Jian Ci, who smiled as he placed a small box on the desk.

Xiaobao’s voice carried on, "Did you see the pictures I sent you? He is a great guide for you," she added, walking deeper into the lab.

Yu Xi opened his mouth to respond, but Jian Ci moved closer, standing behind him. His hand rested firmly on the desk, his chest pressing against the back of Yu Xi’s head, his tone firm as he said, "Your brother is focused on his studies right now, he doesn’t need to be in a relationship."

Xiaobao smiled knowingly. She had sensed Jian Ci’s presence from the start, and that was why she had brought up the subject. Hearing him interfere in matters that had nothing to do with him, answering for Yu Xi as if he were his guardian, made her smirk. She turned her gaze toward him and said slyly, "And the spokesperson is here."

Jian Ci didn’t deny it. Instead, he replied smoothly, "If you have any questions for him, I will answer for you."

Xiaobao raised her middle finger at him, her expression sharp with irritation. Jian Ci only chuckled, unfazed, before sprawling comfortably across Yu Xi’s bed, his eyes fixed on Yu Xi with a teasing glint.

"Happy early birthday, brother," Xiaobao said warmly. "When you come back, we will go out together to celebrate."

Yu Xi ran his fingers through his hair, his voice calm but pleased. "That sounds good."

Suddenly, Jian Wei’s voice cut in from the background. "Are the results out yet?"

Xiaobao turned, her brow furrowed. "Results are out yet who?" she asked, deliberately mocking his impatience.

Jian Wei pursed his lips, annoyance flashing across his face. "Why... why are you like this? It’s like you were sent from hell to torment me."

Xiaobao leaned closer to the screen, her tone playful as she said, "Brother, you hear this? This is how he speaks to me," directing her words toward Yu Xi.

Jian Wei, standing nearby, frowned. "You are on a call with Yu Xi?" He walked over, his voice rising with indignation. "Yu Xi, why is your sister like this? She bullies me day in and day out like I am not her elder."

From the bed, Jian Ci chuckled, the sound unmistakable. Jian Wei’s eyes narrowed. "Of course you are there. Don’t you have an exam to prepare for?"