Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 253: Brothers square up

Yu Xi walked past him, his stride confident, heading straight for the hovercar. The bodyguards peeled away, moving toward their own vehicles. Jian Ci stood rooted for a moment, the gun heavy in his hand. His heart heavier still caught between awe, relief, and a longing that refused to let him breathe.

Yu Xi’s voice was cool, almost dismissive. "You are not coming."

But Jian Ci’s grin was bright, unshaken. "I am. I am coming." He slid into the driver’s seat with a confidence that belied the storm inside him.

Jian Ci tilted his head, his tone teasing as he asked, "How did I look? Handsome, right?"

Yu Xi replied, "Your brother is going to kill you."

Jian Ci’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. "No, I am going to ki—" He caught himself, forcing a laugh. "Yell at him."

Yu Xi’s brow arched, sharp and questioning. "For what?"

Jian Ci’s jaw tightened. "Look at you. Did he just pimp you out?" he said feeling sour.

Yu Xi blinked, his expression flat. "..." He finally said, "Pimp who out? I chose to wear this."

The words hit Jian Ci like a blade. His jealousy surged, burning so hot it nearly consumed him. He froze, struggling to keep it contained. Every fiber of him screamed to go back, to do more damage to Gael, to gouge out his eyes for even daring to look at Yu Xi.

Instead, Jian Ci shrugged off his jacket and draped it over Yu Xi’s shoulders, his voice low and firm. "Don’t dress like this ever again."

Yu Xi’s lips curved, his tone deliberately provocative. "What if my boyfriend likes it?"

Jian Ci’s heart lurched. "What boyfriend? You are single."

Yu Xi smiled, sly and dangerous before saying, "For now."

The words landed like a boulder on Jian Ci’s chest, crushing him with their weight. His breath caught, his mind spiraling. He couldn’t bear the thought of Yu Xi with someone else. He wouldn’t be able to handle it.

And deep down, Jian Ci knew the truth. If Yu Xi ever got another boyfriend, he might make them disappear. He was more than capable of it. The thought was terrifying and yet, in his heart, it felt inevitable.

He had to find a way to tell Yu Xi how he felt. Because if he didn’t, the darkness inside him would find its own way out.

Jian Rui stepped into the condo, his eyes scanning the rooms with sharp precision. It didn’t even look like Jian Ci had been there at all. There was no trace of his presence.

"Shit," Jian Rui muttered under his breath. He swiped his communicator and dialed Jian Ci. The line rang, but Jian Ci didn’t answer immediately.

Inside the hovercar, Jian Ci stared at the flashing screen, his jaw tight. He didn’t want to pick it up. Yu Xi, seated beside him, noticed. "Jian Rui," he said softly.

"Yeah," Jian Ci admitted, almost sulking. "I don’t want to talk to him."

"Answer it," Yu Xi urged.

"I don’t want to," Jian Ci said again, his tone almost a pout, as though begging Yu Xi not to make him do it.

"He is worried about you," Yu Xi reminded him.

Jian Ci didn’t reply. Instead, he typed out a curt message: See you at home.

Back at the condo, Jian Rui read the response and sneered, his lips curling in irritation. He turned with a sharp humph and left.

When he got home, Jian Ci still wasn’t there. He sat down, waiting, his fingers tapping the armrest in restless annoyance. Jian Wei was perched at the counter, eating a muffin, watching him with mild amusement.

"Will you just stop?" Jian Wei said. "He is an adult. He can go off when he wants to."

"Not when he can explode at any moment," Jian Rui shot back, his voice edged with frustration.

Jian Wei shrugged. "When has he ever had a public outburst?... And besides, he can’t stand being away from Yu Xi for long."

The words made Jian Rui freeze. A bad premonition stirred in his chest. "Did you tell him where Yu Xi was going?"

"No," Jian Wei replied quickly.

"He must know," Jian Rui said, his tone sharp. "That brat must know."

Jian Wei’s eyes widened. "Shit. Did he break into my communicator?"

Jian Rui turned his gaze on him, sharp and cutting, as though saying without words: What do you think?

Just then, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Jian Ci and Yu Xi stepped out together, side by side.

Jian Rui’s eyes locked onto his brother’s sharp, defiant gaze. His voice was low, simmering with accusation. "Really?"

His posture was rigid, his expression carved into the shape of an angry father about to discipline a disobedient son. His gaze bore down on Jian Ci, heavy with authority.

Jian Ci didn’t flinch. "Yes, really. You sent Little Xi to that pervert as bait."

The words froze Jian Rui in place. Yu Xi turned his head, his voice calm but firm. "I chose to go."

Jian Ci’s jaw tightened. "It’s not about you. It’s about him."

From the counter, Jian Wei muttered under his breath, "Oh shittttt."

Jian Rui rose to his feet, his body coiled as though ready to square up. Jian Ci wasn’t afraid. He met his brother’s intimidating glare with one of his own, sharp and unyielding.

Just then, Xiaobao descended the stairs, her face mask still on. "What are you all arguing about? I need my beauty sleep."

Yu Xi’s voice cut through the tension. "Ci, don’t make trouble."

Normally, Jian Ci would have listen to him, but not this time. His gaze stayed locked on Jian Rui, defiant.

Jian Rui’s tone was clipped. "Yu Xi, can you give us a minute?"

Yu Xi hesitated, then said, "Fine." He turned to leave, but Jian Ci’s hand shot out, gripping his arm. "He isn’t going anywhere."

Yu Xi looked down at the hand holding him, then up at Jian Ci. His sharp gaze carried a warning, one Jian Ci had seen him use on others, but never on him. The look pierced straight through him, like a knife stabbing into his chest.

Jian Ci’s grip faltered before letting go.

"Don’t go too far," Yu Xi said quietly. Then he walked up the stairs, taking Xiaobao with him, leaving the brothers behind in a silence thick with tension.

Jian Wei exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Let’s go talk somewhere private."

Neither Jian Ci nor Jian Rui moved. Their standoff was ironclad. Jian Wei sighed and shoved them both forward. Reluctantly, they followed, heading to their mother’s sanctuary.

Inside, the air was cooler, calmer, but the atmosphere between the brothers remained taut. Jian Ci sat as far away from Jian Rui as possible, his body angled like a wall. Jian Wei didn’t dare sit between them. He had learned his lesson long ago about being collateral.

Seraphyne’s projection shimmered into view, her presence commanding yet gentle. She looked at her sons, her voice soft but piercing. "Ci Ci, what are you really mad about?"

Jian Ci sneered, his tone sharp.

"Watch it," Jian Rui warned, his voice low.

Jian Ci’s eyes flashed. "See that? You act like you are my father. But you are not."