Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 234: Family vacation

Jian Rui had braced himself long before the summons came. He knew his father’s temper, knew that the exposure of Lord Leung’s crimes would not pass without consequence.

When he stepped into the throne hall, he wore the mask he had perfected over the years. It was the mask of a useless prince, meek and ignorant, claiming he knew nothing of the scandal. But inside, he was calculating.

He had been careful with the evidence he leaked, strategic in every move. There was bo mention of the secret labs. Nothing about Jian Ci being drugged. Just enough to topple the Leung family without drawing suspicion too close to their family. His father’s fury was volcanic. The tirade left Jian Rui staggering out of the chamber with bruises around his neck, his eyes red from the assault. He looked so pitiful that even the palace attendants whispered sympathy, pitying the prince who seemed too weak to bear the weight of his father’s wrath.

Thaurion, however, was far from appeased. His rage boiled over, and in a fit of suspicion he declared, "You will all move into the imperial palace the one that belonged to your mother.

Jian Rui understood immediately. This was no act of generosity. Their father suspected something and wanted them under his watchful eye. But to the rest of the princes, the move meant something entirely different. The Jian brothers were no longer being iced out. Their father had placed them in a palace of significance, and that meant they had potential to contend for the throne.

All Jian Rui had to do was spread the news. Whisper it into the right ears, let the rumor take root. He knew one of the princes would act.

And as expected, two nights later, the palace burned. Flames devoured the halls, the night sky painted in orange and black. The attack was swift, merciless, and it happened under cover of darkness.

Jian Rui watched the inferno from the news, his expression unreadable. He had anticipated this outcome, had even nudged it into motion. The palace was gone and he didn’t even need to lift a finger.

Thaurion was livid, his fury consuming him as he demanded to know who had dared such an act. His obsession with uncovering the culprit kept him occupied, his attention fixed on the other princes.

And Jian Rui, ever the strategist, seized the moment. He claimed that he and his brothers no longer felt safe, that the attack had shaken them too deeply to remain. What could Thaurion do? He let them go, his suspicion masked by his greater need to hunt down the guilty.

So Jian Rui gathered his brothers, and of course Xiaobao, who refused to be left behind, and took them far away for a vacation.

Their destination was Lumeris, a jewel of the Virellia system. And there, perched above the radiant Sapphire Sea, awaited the Celestial Crown.

The retreat was unlike anything Yu Xi and Xiaobao had ever seen. White marble towers veined with silver rose from the cliffs, their spires gleaming beneath the twin moons. Crystal-glass ceilings caught the starlight, scattering it across obsidian floors inlaid with golden constellations. The air itself seemed to hum with majesty.

Each suite adapted to its guest’s aura, reshaping itself to harmonize with their energy. The infinity pool floated above the sea, its waters shimmering like liquid sapphire.

Rare wines were served in crystal goblets, their flavors infused with subtle psychic notes. And hidden deep within the cliffs lay the Royal Spa, where Guides and Espers could harmonize their body and spirit. It was more than a hotel. It was a sanctuary.

The moment they arrived at the Celestial Crown, Xiaobao was practically bouncing with excitement. Her communicator was already unlocked, snapping pictures of everything, the gleaming marble towers, the crystal ceilings, the radiant Sapphire Sea stretching endlessly below. She squealed at every detail, dragging them into frame one by one.

"Come on, smile!" she demanded, tugging Jian Wei by the sleeve, then pulling Jian Rui into a reluctant pose. Even Yu Xi was caught, his expression softening as Xiaobao leaned against him with a grin.

Everyone was patient with her. They let her have her way, indulging her enthusiasm until she finally laughed and released them, satisfied with her collection of memories. Xiaobao knew her limits. She had tortured them enough.

Hooking her arm through Yu Xi’s, she beamed. "Let’s go take a look at the view."

Yu Xi didn’t refuse. He glanced back at the others and said, "We are going to explore."

Jian Ci nodded. "Alright, your bags will be in your rooms."

Yu Xi smiled, then walked away with Xiaobao, their figures framed against the glittering sea.

Jian Ci’s eyes followed him, lingering longer than he intended. He didn’t even realize how intently he was staring until Jian Wei swung his bag against him with a grunt. "What are you staring at? Let’s go."

Startled, Jian Ci blinked and fell into step, unsettled. This wasn’t the first time someone had caught him staring, asking what was wrong. And the truth was he didn’t know. He didn’t know what he was thinking, or why his gaze always seemed to find Yu Xi. Jian Rui turned to them, his tone brisk. "We have the entire top floor. Your room numbers are on your communicators."

Jian Ci spoke up immediately. "I want to stay with Little Xi."

Jian Rui’s eyes flicked to him, unreadable, then softened with a knowing look. "I know. So I booked a double room for the two of you."

Jian Ci’s face lit up, his guilt and confusion momentarily forgotten. "You know me too well."

"The only reason I did it was because Yu Xi asked," Jian Rui said flatly, adjusting his cuffs. "Otherwise, I would have put you far apart."

Jian Ci shot him a glare. "You are such a hater." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Jian Wei leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Maybe we should take a nap and have dinner at seven."

"That sounds good," Jian Rui replied.

Jian Ci stretched, his arms arching above his head. "I really need it. I haven’t been able to sleep well lately."

Jian Wei’s eyes narrowed. "Since when? You know you are supposed to tell me if something is wrong."

Jian Ci shrugged, rubbing his temples. "It’s been a couple of days. It’s like I am sleeping, but I am so tired when I wake up."