The Master of the Garden and the Cold Gaze from the Podium

As evening fell, the city was draped in a velvet curtain of twilight. In the heart of A-City lay Garden Plaza, once an abandoned wasteland that the Qi Corporation had acquired decades ago for a pittance. Today, it was the city’s premier Central Business District, home to the untouchable Qi conglomerate.

The head of the Qi family, Qi Yu, was a low-profile man, but everyone knew his son, Qi Suichuan. He was Xue Zhen’s “rumored boyfriend,” the Second Male Lead of this world, and a man destined to be eclipsed by the Dragon Aotian. Yet, at this moment, Qi Suichuan was the crown jewel of high society, having taken over the family business with a ruthlessness that left his elders in awe.

The charity gala was a sea of luxury—gentle piano music, fluttering waiters, and the clinking of crystal. Xue Zhen adjusted his overly tight silk tie, listening absentmindedly as his stepfather, Tang Jia, chatted with business associates.

Tang Jia had insisted on Xue Zhen’s presence tonight to “show him off.” To ensure he looked the part, Xue Zhen’s mother, Li Nana, had spent over an hour supervising his styling. She had even “suppressed” him into getting a soft perm and pinned a magnificent emerald brooch to his pearl-white suit. The gem, shimmering like a deep spring pool, perfectly complemented his fair skin and cat-like eyes.

“My Xue-xue is so beautiful,” Li Nana had cooed, her red-nailed fingers brushing his cheek. “You take after me.”

Now, standing in the banquet hall, Xue Zhen was the target of many admiring—and calculating—glances. Tang Jia introduced him to several “uncles” and “aunts,” including a Ms. Cheng in a champagne-colored dress.

“My nephew is at A-University too,” Ms. Cheng said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “He’s in the same major as you. He’s mentioned you before.”

Xue Zhen tilted his head, his dark eyes wide and innocent. “Oh? What did he say about me?”

Ms. Cheng’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “Only good things, of course. He tried to invite you out recently, but you were ‘busy’.” She turned to Tang Jia. “Don’t be too strict with the boy; kids at this age need to play.”

Xue Zhen mentally rolled his eyes. A nephew in my major? A ‘Boss’ who likes racing? He realized he had likely rejected Ms. Cheng’s nephew—the “Boss” who had sent the curly-haired messenger to class earlier that day.

Suddenly, the doors creaked open. The room fell silent as a man in a sharp suit entered, barking orders into a phone.

Xue Zhen perked up. Is this the Second Lead? He squinted. The man was handsome enough, but… “Uh-oh,” Xue Zhen whispered to 886. If this was the man he was supposed to be rumored with, the “Love Department” was certainly skimping on quality. 886 echoed his disappointment.

But the man didn’t head for the podium; instead, he stood by the door, waiting.

The doors opened a second time. This time, the silence was absolute, broken only by the rhythmic, heavy click of leather soles on the floor. A low collective gasp swept through the crowd: “Young Master Qi is here!”

Xue Zhen stopped teasing 886 and looked up.

A tall, commanding figure walked in. He was a head taller than the previous man, wearing a tailored light-grey suit that was buttoned to the neck, outlining a powerful, disciplined physique. His hair was swept back, revealing a face of cold, sculptural perfection. His eyes—dark, phoenix-shaped, and profoundly indifferent—seemed to overlook the world.

“Host,” 886 whispered, “the real Second Lead is here.”

“I see him,” Xue Zhen replied, standing on his tiptoes to get a better look.

Despite the distance and the crowd, the man was remarkably sharp. Sensing a gaze from the corner of the room, Qi Suichuan turned his head with predatory precision. Across the sea of socialites and shimmering lights, those cold, black eyes locked directly onto Xue Zhen’s.