Part 4
Ning Yunyi was the calmest of them all. “I’ll go. I’ve thought of a way to solve this once and for all.”
Everyone at the table looked at him in unison. “What way?”
Ning Yunyi dropped a bomb in his calmest voice. “Pick a fiancé.”
Everyone’s mind went blank. “??”
Seeing them startled, Ning Yunyi quickly explained his plan for a fake engagement with Eustace, including how the Crown Prince wanted him to be involved with the Herman family, so he would just go with it.
This would put the Crown Prince at ease and save him from other noble families eyeing him as a “growth stock.”
Big Brother Ning and the others had initially thought it was inappropriate, but when they heard the noble families were already preparing male candidates for Xiao-Di, they fell silent.
They could dodge once, but they couldn’t dodge every single time.
Eustace was fake anyway, and he was willing to cooperate…
So, the family decided to go along with it for now. At most, once the Crown Prince’s matter was resolved, they would just explain everything clearly.
On Zong Hao’s side, the Crown Prince personally sent a video to talk about the banquet.
This time he didn’t hide it from Zong Hao, even mentioning the matchmaking intention, advising, “A-Hao, it’s not that you have to pick someone immediately. It’s just that you’ve been alone all these years, and I’m worried for you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like anyone this time; it’s just a look. Most importantly, this time it’s for the Young Head of the Herman family and Mr. Bai.”
Zong Hao frowned as he listened. “The Young Head of the Herman family and Mr. Bai?”
The Crown Prince smiled. “Mr. Bai is very popular on the Capital Star right now. The shops he opened are booming, and every noble family wants him as a son-in-law. Who knew there was a misunderstanding last time? It turns out Mr. Bai prefers men. So this time, we changed direction. Besides, I heard Mr. Bai was very fond of Eustace last time…”
The expression under Zong Hao’s mask grew even stranger. “Is Mr. Bai close to Young Head Eustace? Why would he be fond of him?”
The Crown Prince’s smile deepened. “It’s understandable that you don’t know, A-Hao; you’ve never cared for these things. Eustace and Mr. Bai are said to be business partners. However, Mr. Bai is interested in Eustace, whereas Eustace… is quite resistant. But the Head of the Herman family said that for the sake of the family’s greater good, Eustace will agree. As long as Eustace is on board, I believe this banquet will go smoothly. A-Hao, want to go watch the fun?”
Zong Hao lowered his eyes, thinking of something, and quickly replied, “I’ll go.”
It had been a while since Ning Yunyi had formally left the Ning house. The news was immediately reported to the Crown Prince.
“He’s really coming toward the palace?” The Prince sat there, casually flipping through an ancient book.
Subordinate: “It’s true. He even specially dressed up. However, his appearance is too rough; he’s not very eye-catching. Young Head Eustace might not necessarily like him.”
The Prince chuckled. “Whether he likes him or not isn’t up to him. Don’t worry, he’ll agree.”
Unless Eustace didn’t want to be the Young Head anymore.
On the other side, in the carriage entering the palace.
The Head of the Herman family frowned at the dark-faced Eustace. “Do you understand everything I said?”
Eustace’s acting was so good it was hard to tell truth from fiction. “I don’t understand.”
The Family Head was furious. “Your marriage was never something you could decide on your own. You were willing to have an arranged marriage before, so why are you refusing now that there’s a candidate?”
Eustace was so angry he laughed. “I said I didn’t mind an arrangement, but that doesn’t mean the candidate can suddenly become a man. Is that the same thing?”
Family Head: “I heard your relationship with him isn’t bad. The braised meat and barbecue you opened together are quite popular. You should get along fine.”
Eustace found it absurd. Even though he knew it was fake, being forced by the old man made him very unhappy. “If you were suddenly told to be gay with the Crown Prince, would you be happy? Would you think it’s fine?”
“Bastard! What kind of nonsense are you saying?” The old man’s face turned red. If anyone heard this, where would he put his face?
“You still want face? Do I not want face? What will people think of me and Mr. Bai later? Let whoever wants to marry him do it! I can’t do this thing of sleeping with a man!” Eustace stiffened his neck, his expression growing more sullen as if he wanted to leap forward and bite him like a mad dog.
The Family Head felt tired. The Prince had said this Mr. Bai was definitely not ordinary, though he didn’t know how the Prince was so sure.
He was told that no matter what, he had to bring Mr. Bai into the Herman family’s fold.
The Head gritted his teeth. “As long as you agree to the engagement, I will immediately hand over half of the family head’s power to you.”
Eustace, who had his arms crossed, slowly turned his head. “Are you serious?”
The Head laughed mockingly. “Weren’t you very principled?” But he didn’t dare mock him too much and stopped while he was ahead. “Naturally, I’m serious.”
Eustace’s pale face tightened. “Plus fifty million star coins for my pocket money.”
Ransoming auctioned shifters from the Underground City was too expensive; he might as well take the chance to fleece the old man.
Family Head: “…”
Eustace spread his hands. “You know, if I don’t want to, I can make sure no one succeeds tonight.”
The Family Head took a deep breath, remembering this was his biological son and his chosen successor. “…Fine!”
At the banquet, things were completely different from last time.
There were noticeably more men.
Wearing suits and ties, they were as handsome and young as could be.
They were all dressed up to the nines—to put it simply: they were either young or good-looking, covering every type.
When Zong Hao followed the Crown Prince in and saw this scene, he felt an inexplicable lump in his throat. He frowned but didn’t speak.
The Prince smiled and said, “See? I didn’t lie to you. We didn’t even invite many women this time; they’re all men, specially prepared for Mr. Bai. A-Hao, you know the interstellar food scene is a desert and desperately needs new blood. Mr. Bai is the breakthrough. He represents a kind of vitality, potential, and the possibility of changing the interstellar world. So A-Hao, I am doing this for the sake of everyone in the galaxy.”
Zong Hao didn’t speak. Changing the entire galaxy was true, but unfortunately, it wasn’t because of this so-called Crown Prince.
Ning Yunyi arrived at that moment, coming alone.
He wore a white suit that made his red hair even more flamboyant.
But this time, it was combed back neatly, making his stubble look less jarring. Instead, he looked refined and scholarly, with a sense of elegance.
The Prince smiled upon seeing this. “A-Hao, it’s rare to see Mr. Bai so formal. It seems I’ll definitely be drinking his wedding wine.”
Zong Hao: “…”
The Prince didn’t get a response and followed Zong Hao’s gaze, realizing he was looking at Mr. Bai.
Recalling how Zong Hao and the other had accidentally shared a dance last time, could it be that he also had feelings for Mr. Bai?
But looking at Mr. Bai’s face, he felt it was impossible.
He hadn’t heard that A-Hao liked men, let alone… someone of Mr. Bai’s type.
Zong Hao finally spoke, but he shook his head firmly. “Your Highness might be disappointed. Mr. Bai likely won’t be interested in Young Head Eustace.”
Ning Yunyi cared so much about the little guy; how could he suddenly find him a stepfather?
Not to mention Eustace was the Vice-Chairman of the Shifter Alliance. The two were close, but it wasn’t a romantic relationship.
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? But what if there’s an accident?”
Young Master Eustace was quite good-looking. Once the Herman Family Head convinced him to be proactive, could this Mr. Bai, who liked men, really resist?
Whether Ning Yunyi could resist was unknown, but after Eustace half-reluctantly accepted the fifty million star coins, he appeared in a dazzling vermilion robe.
His face was feminine and fair, his lips and teeth highlighted by the vermilion color. His black eyes were even more striking, and his soft black hair fell down, but he looked exceptionally fierce when staring at people.
The bustling banquet hall went silent for a moment.
Many noble families had received news that the Herman Family Head intended to force his Young Head to marry Mr. Bai.
Everyone knew Eustace was a tough nut to crack. How could he possibly agree?
So many people had come, partly to watch the show and partly because if they were chosen by Mr. Bai, their status in their own families would rise.
Since the Prince favored Mr. Bai so much, he was bound to have a limitless future.
As soon as Eustace appeared, he stared straight at Ning Yunyi not far away.
Ning Yunyi smiled at him, showing a set of white teeth that was as flamboyant as could be.
The crowd gasped, already imagining a drama of forced love. After all, this was the Prince’s favorite. Even someone like Eustace had to bow his head—how tragic.
But they were more worried that if Eustace’s madness flared up, he might just smash a wine bottle over Mr. Bai’s head. Would the banquet be over then?
Not only were others worried, but the Herman Family Head was too. He whispered, “You better not screw me over. I’ve already transferred the fifty million to you. Even if you’re acting, you have to do it well. You can’t be disrespectful to Mr. Bai. My standing with the Prince depends on whether you can win him over.”
Eustace didn’t speak. He gritted his teeth and suddenly walked toward Ning Yunyi with two glasses of wine.
The Family Head’s heart skipped a beat. Damn, his son wouldn’t just splash a glass of wine in Mr. Bai’s face, would he?
Zong Hao also frowned. Curiously, Ning Yunyi not only wasn’t worried but was even smiling at the approaching Eustace.
Zong Hao thought about how his relationship with Eustace was indeed different. He wouldn’t actually splash wine on him, would he?
Just as Zong Hao was thinking about whether to go over, Eustace stopped a few steps away.
Then he raised a glass.
Everyone held their breath—ahhh, here it comes!
Then they watched as Eustace handed over a glass. One moment his face was sullen, and the next, the corners of his mouth curved up into a seductive smile. “Mr. Bai, you look… truly handsome today.”
Ning Yunyi looked pleasantly surprised. “Is that so? Young Head Eustace is also very charming today.”
Crowd: “??” Was this person who was praising instead of cursing really Eustace?
Herman Family Head: I never expected that after all the methods I tried, I couldn’t set Eustace straight, but he bent for fifty million!
If he had known… why would he have gone through all that trouble?
The Crown Prince laughed. “A-Hao, it seems I wasn’t wrong.”
Beside him, Zong Hao couldn’t laugh.
He had only been gone for a day, not a month or a year, right?
Why did he feel like his brain wasn’t working properly?
But that was just the beginning. At the center of attention, Eustace and Mr. Bai began their second exchange.
“Bai, care for a drink?”
“It would be my honor.”
Then, Mr. Bai whispered something in Eustace’s ear. The usually fierce Eustace’s face turned red, and he glared at Mr. Bai before draining his glass in one gulp. His eyes darted around, looking like a startled deer that had been teased.
The crowd whispered.
“Ahhh, what did Mr. Bai say?”
“I only saw his lips move… something about a cross-cupped wine?”
“Wow, he didn’t say he wanted to have a wedding toast with the Young Head, did he? Is the progress that fast? Will the engagement invitations be sent out tomorrow?”
“After all, Eustace was always cursing people and never dated. This Mr. Bai looks like an old hand. Tsk tsk, the young guy can’t handle the teasing. He fell right into the old man’s hands.”
“Damn, suddenly I think they’re kind of cute together.”
“Shipping everything will only hurt you. Did you forget why we’re here? Eustace is our rival! We’re here to be matched with Mr. Bai too!”
Zong Hao had good hearing and caught these whispers. At first, he could remain calm.
He thought that perhaps Eustace and Ning Yunyi were just acting.
But the more he watched, the more it felt wrong. Wasn’t it… a bit too real?
Or had Ning Yunyi been threatened the moment he left?
After finishing their drinks, Ning Yunyi and Eustace began whispering again, this time specifically covering their mouths.
“Not bad. That look just now gets a 100 from me. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Of course. I just fleeced fifty million star coins from the old man. Never mind acting embarrassed; I could even go a step further.”
“Really?” Ning Yunyi pretended to reach for his face. Eustace wasn’t afraid at all—it was just acting. However, halfway there, Ning Yunyi’s hand stopped. He was looking at something past Eustace’s shoulder.
Eustace looked back and saw a figure striding toward them.
Recommended Reads
![Does A Broken Mirror Reunion Exist in Esports? [Esports]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/esports-225x300.png)
![[ABO] President Shou Is Not a Total Shou](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-shou-is-not-a-total-shou-214x300.jpg)