Even as the Empire’s Crown Prince, Gu Heng had to admit he was surprised. His gaze hardened on the composed Alpha before him.
He had to hand it to fate—he’d hooked a big fish.
Any intelligence operative would have rejoiced to learn that the young master of the Federation’s Blue Eagle Group had willingly walked into their net. Yet, strangely, Gu Heng felt no satisfaction.
When he met Zuo Shihuan’s bright, sincere light-brown eyes, the earnest emotion in them stirred a faint resistance in his chest.
He’d rather this remain a purely physical entanglement—whether Zuo Shihuan was drawn to his face or his body, that was fine. Anything but having to question whether that look in his eyes was genuine.
Zuo Shihuan said softly, “If you still don’t believe me, I can give you more proof—that I’m not lying to you…”
“No,” Gu Heng interrupted quietly. “I believe you.”
Zuo Shihuan’s lips curved. “Then do you agree?”
By all logic, Gu Heng had no reason to refuse. After all, to win the favor of the Federation’s Blue Eagle heir could yield immense benefits—perhaps even access to their deepest secrets.
But Gu Heng stared at Zuo Shihuan for a few seconds, not agreeing right away. His gaze was cold as he asked, “Why? What exactly do you want from me? Be direct. I don’t believe an upper-class Alpha would be so kind for no reason.”
Zuo Shihuan froze for a moment in hesitation. His deep, gentle light-brown eyes looked toward Gu Heng as he spoke honestly.
“Just as you said, I come from the upper class. Compared to me, there’s nothing to gain from you. If I have to name one thing, I hope you’ll leave the Lower District, cut ties with those you used to associate with, and live a normal life.”
Gu Heng was even more confused.
He could sense that Zuo Shihuan was the same kind of Alpha as he was—rational, composed, and always seeking maximum benefit—not the way he was acting now…
Zuo Shihuan continued, “You can interpret it however you want, but I truly have no reason to deceive you.”
Gu Heng frowned. “Why?”
Before Zuo Shihuan could answer, Gu Heng suddenly let out a small laugh. “You like me, don’t you?”
Zuo Shihuan froze at the direct question, lips parting but unable to speak.
If there weren’t any feelings, he wouldn’t have come back to the bar again—waiting until midnight just for a glimpse of Gu Heng. But to admit it out loud? The always reserved and self-contained Zuo Shihuan couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
“But I don’t like you,” Gu Heng said lightly. “Sleeping with you, though—that I don’t mind.”
Zuo Shihuan’s pupils trembled. His face turned pale as he looked to the side at Gu Heng, who remained indifferent, and said, “So even then, you’d still want to ‘sponsor’ me? Support me without getting anything in return? Even if you don’t sleep with me, I’ll still sleep with someone else.”
Gu Heng’s cold words crushed Zuo Shihuan’s heart mercilessly.
And that was exactly what Gu Heng intended to do.
He didn’t need a Federation Alpha to like him, nor would he stoop to deceiving one.
Zuo Shihuan’s status was intriguing, yes—but not enough to make the Imperial Crown Prince lower himself to seduce or manipulate a Federation Alpha’s feelings.
Besides, Gu Heng understood his own nature better than anyone—his desire for control ran deep.
Zuo Shihuan liked him, but he also wanted to control him.
He hadn’t even said much before arranging housing, telling him to leave the Lower City District, to cut off old acquaintances. Even the jobs he offered seemed like choices, but in truth, they were all under his supervision and influence.
If Gu Heng really agreed, he’d no longer need to do intelligence work—Zuo Shihuan would take over every part of his life, from relationships to work.
Zuo Shihuan’s status would only become a shackle for him.
He hadn’t come to the Federation to be kept by some wealthy Alpha. If Zuo Shihuan simply fancied him instead of wanting to control him—
Maybe Gu Heng wouldn’t have minded toying with a Federation Alpha he didn’t particularly dislike.
Unfortunately, Zuo Shihuan had crossed the line. To Gu Heng, he had already become a problem.
“Do you understand now?”
Gu Heng’s tone turned mocking. “If not you, there’ll be someone else. I don’t need you. And what do you mean by a ‘normal’ life? I think mine’s perfectly normal. Better that than your fake kindness, thinking you can ‘save’ me from the Lower City District. You don’t even realize—I never wanted to leave.”
Zuo Shihuan’s lips turned white; his clenched fists trembled. Every word Gu Heng spoke cut into his heart, raw and bleeding.
He’s not like that person.
He had misunderstood. Gu Heng was never like that man. He stood clear-headed at the center of the abyss, moving within it like a fish in water. Others might think he’d fallen, but in truth, he lived the way he wanted—completely awake.
He didn’t need Zuo Shihuan, and there would always be others who’d come to him, drawn in—like moths to the embodiment of the abyss itself.
“Unless…”
Gu Heng’s low, magnetic voice sounded again, and Zuo Shihuan couldn’t help but look up, eyes bright.
But what he saw was a cold, cruel smile curling on Gu Heng’s lips.
“Unless an Alpha like you lets me top him. But tell me, young master of the prestigious Zuo family—would you really let some nobody Beta from the Lower District f*ck you?”
Zuo Shihuan’s pupils quivered; his reddened eyes looked at Gu Heng and murmured, “But I’m an Alpha… how could I…”
How could an Alpha let a Beta top him? Alphas were always the dominant ones.
Even back when Zuo Shihuan thought he was a Beta, he’d always imagined being with a female Beta—not… underneath.
“Since Mr. Zuo isn’t willing, then forget it.”
Gu Heng’s gaze turned cold as he turned to leave.
He walked toward the hotel door, hand reaching for the handle—when suddenly, a pair of hands gripped his waist tightly, stopping him.
A thin, trembling voice came from behind him.
“What if I am willing to let you?”
Gu Heng’s eyes darkened; veins stood out on the back of his hand as he reached again for the doorknob.
But the arms around his waist only tightened. Soft lashes brushed against his skin, tears wetting the back of his neck. Then came a hoarse whisper—
“I don’t want you going to anyone else—whether they’re Betas or Omegas. I’m jealous of them. If this is what you want… I—I can give it to you…”
Gu Heng’s lips twitched, but he couldn’t bring himself to smile.
“You’re drunk.”
“I know.”
“You’ll regret it tomorrow.”
“I’m drunk, that’s why I want to do all the things I can’t do when I’m sober. Let me regret it tomorrow. I just want to follow my heart for tonight—I don’t want to see you with anyone else.”
Then came the hurried sound of buttons being undone—the sharp rip of fabric. A white shirt fell in disarray at their feet. Breathing, quick and nervous at first, turned steady and determined. The soft rustle of clothing being shed, one piece after another.
Gu Heng’s eyes darkened sharply. He reached back to grab Zuo Shihuan’s hand to stop him—but his fingers brushed against smooth, bare skin, and something indescribable jolted through him.
“Still planning to open that door?”
Pressed against a warm, trembling body, Gu Heng felt the moisture of restrained tears on his neck and heard the bold, breaking voice behind him.
Gu Heng almost laughed in disbelief—out of sheer anger.
Open the door? And let everyone see Zuo Shihuan standing there stark naked?!
He had to admit—at that moment, he was completely outmaneuvered by this bold Alpha.
Through clenched teeth, Gu Heng hissed, “You’re really not afraid I’ll just open the door?”
If he accidentally did—if he hadn’t noticed Zuo Shihuan’s little tricks—it could easily turn into tomorrow’s headline: “Young Master of the Zuo Family Caught Acting Indecent.”
Zuo Shihuan’s tone was steady. “Like you said, I’m an Alpha. What’s there to be afraid of?”
His dark eyes were shadowed, but he tightened his arms around Gu Heng’s waist. His cheeks were flushed like from drunkenness, yet in the depths of his gaze burned a sharp, lucid desire.
Gu Heng shut the door and locked it, his laughter edged with fury. “You’re really something.”
No wonder—he was a Zuo, and not just that, the Zuo family’s sharpest heir. He’d hit exactly where Gu Heng was softest, and used it to threaten him—brazenly, and successfully.
Zuo Shihuan glanced up at Gu Heng’s angry profile, then lowered his eyes, lips pressed tight. He was afraid Gu Heng might say something that would trample what pride he still had left.
To Gu Heng, he must already look like a shameless Alpha.
“…”
“What, cat got your tongue now?”
“…”
“If you won’t talk, then I will.”
Gu Heng gave a cold laugh. He closed his eyes, darkness falling across his vision. Unhurriedly, he turned around—and without hesitation, lifted Zuo Shihuan by the waist.
The man in his arms gasped sharply. Gu Heng, still with eyes shut, sneered, “Now you’re scared? Don’t be. I won’t drop you.”
Though he couldn’t see, he moved easily through the hotel suite—he’d already memorized the layout at a glance, avoiding every obstacle effortlessly.
Step by steady step, he reached the bed.
He set Zuo Shihuan down, pulled up the bedsheet, and covered him tightly. Only once he was sure there was no risk of exposure did he open his eyes.
The sight that greeted him made his chest tighten— the Alpha lay wide-eyed, stunned, pale lashes trembling; faint tear tracks glistened beneath his light brown eyes; his lips were bitten red; the white sheet slipped just enough to show the curve of one shoulder—pale and smooth, a sharp line against the fabric.
The image stung Gu Heng’s eyes.
He tugged the sheet back up, covering that bare shoulder completely—almost tying it down to keep it from slipping again.
If he stayed any longer, he knew he might lose control.
“I should go.”
This time, no one stopped him.
Behind him, Zuo Shihuan’s silence was deafening. With every step Gu Heng took toward the door, his chest constricted, his heart tight and heavy.
Though he was a top-ranked S-class Alpha, that short distance to the door felt endless—so near, yet impossibly far.
“Go ahead,” came a hoarse, bitter laugh behind him. “It’s not like it’s the first time.”
Gu Heng froze, then turned back—only to see something that made his heart stop.
Zuo Shihuan’s head was bowed, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His swollen eyes were wet and red, filled with fragile hatred—like shards of shattered glass. Silent tears fell one after another, and he stared at Gu Heng—bleeding, broken, defiant.
“You’re not the first to walk away from me,” he said quietly. “Without you, I’ll be better off.”
Gu Heng went rigid.
He should have left. Since Zuo Shihuan had said that, there was nothing left between them.
But seeing that look—those eyes full of hate and pain, the lips bitten until blood streamed down—he knew that if he took one more step out that door, that hatred might last forever.
He hesitated, then walked back. Reaching out, he pried Zuo Shihuan’s lips open gently to stop him from biting any deeper—afraid the Alpha might really bleed himself out.
His thumb brushed across the smeared blood, painting his lips like lacquer.
Gu Heng tried to wipe it away—but was met with a sudden bite. Teeth sank into his thumb, leaving deep impressions, before loosening again with quiet restraint.
Just like Zuo Shihuan himself— cold on the outside, burning within, soft-hearted despite everything.
