This time around, Zhang Fengxi was able to discern things clearly.
Such as the fact that Liu Wenyuan first tried to approach Xie Jianyu, but when he got rejected, he moved on to accept Zhang Fengxi's affections.
Such as the fact that Xie Jianyu was a proficient liar with the superb ability to hide his feelings perfectly.
Or such as the fact that there was a struggle for the throne even within the Heavenly Emperor's inner family circle.
Zhang Fengxi blamed it on the newly attained knowledge when he was unable to show his interest in Liu Wenyuan openly. Not even when his parents and Liu Yichen set up a date for them to get to know each other.
"Prince Fengxi, do you dislike me?"
Stunned by Liu Wenyuan's words, Zhang Fengxi raised his head and looked at the former's aggrieved expression.
"I like you very much," Zhang Fengxi said automatically.
He not only liked Liu Wenyuan. He loved Liu Wenyuan. Liu Wenyuan was the love of his life.
He just couldn't help thinking of Xie Jianyu these days.
Liu Wenyuan looked beautiful whether he was smiling or not. Even his glistening tears were beautiful.
The omega knew of his excellent physical attributes and knew how to use them to his advantage.
Wiping the tail of his eyes with a handkerchief, Liu Wenyuan softly said, "Prince Fengxi has been really quiet since we started the boat ride. Is there anything that bothers you? I wonder if there is anything I can do to help."
Zhang Fengxi took Liu Wenyuan's hand and squeezed it. "Wenyuan, you are thinking too much. I just came back from martial art training today, so I am a little exhausted."
"Oh, now that I think about it. Prince Fengxi, are you also participating in the hunt next week?"
The Golden Dragon Palace conducted a hunting event every year in select area in the Human Realm. This year, it was to take place in Mount Qilin.
"I am so excited about the hunt," Liu Wenyuan said. "It is my first hunt after my debut."
Zhang Fengxi could not help but smile.
Of course, he was excited. Other than serving as a forum for healthy and friendly competition among all alphas across the nine heavens, the yearly hunt also promoted the single, not-yet-claimed omegas.
In Zhang Fengxi's previous life, Liu Wenyuan was selected as the most beautiful and desirable omega during this hunt.
"I am sure that you will shine the brightest of all omegas," Zhang Fengxi smiled.
Liu Wenyuan's cheeks took on an adorable pink color. He pressed both hands against his cheeks and averted his eyes. He looked both embarrassed and cute at the same time.
"I hope to be an omega that makes any alpha proud of having," he said.
"You already are."
Zhang Fengxi lifted a strand of Liu Wenyuan's silky hair and pressed a kiss against it. The gesture involuntarily made Liu Wenyuan's heart skip a beat.
"Prince Fengxi, do you mean it...?"
Zhang Fengxi raised a hand and tucked Liu Wenyuan's hair to the back of his ear.
"If you are willing, on your eighteenth birthday, let us tie the knot."
"Mmm... alright."
It might be too early to speak about marriage, but Zhang Fengxi knew that he wanted Liu Wenyuan a long time ago. They were like a pair of mandarin ducks, destined to be together. There was no point dragging the process and spending half a lifetime waiting in vain.
Once he and Liu Wenyuan were married, he was going to protect Liu Wenyuan at all costs. Liu Wenyuan was going to give birth safely to their child, and they would be happy together forever.
It was what he wanted.
Right?
The day of the hunt arrived in no time.
One by one, the prominent alphas of the heavenly realm descended to Mount Qilin.
This hunt was sponsored by Shuiran Palace, so the palace master and mistress were busy the entire morning preparing everything.
All hunt participants were given a pink orchid that was carefully pinned to their chests. They all knew what the flower was for.
When the hunt participants emerged from the mountain area again with their catch, they were required to ride past all the single omegas and hand one of them their pink orchid. The omega who collected the most flowers would be crowned as the year's most beautiful and desirable omega, the "Ethereal Beauty".
Zhang Fengxi arrived in time at the hunting venue. When he landed, he was welcomed with a cheer from the surrounding omegas. They were all standing together on a heightened platform, waving and laughing cheerfully at all the hunt participants.
Most of the alphas had arrived. They lined up neatly at the mountain base, waiting to enter the hunting ground.
Among them, Xie Jianyu, Jiang Muchen, and Zhou Guiying stood next to each other. Xie Jianyu rode a heavenly steed, Jiang Muchen a gigantic lion with red manes, and Zhou Guiying his own saber.
For the briefest moment, Zhang Fengxi and Xie Jianyu looked at each other. And then, Xie Jianyu averted his eyes and continued talking to the two alphas next to him.
Zhang Fengxi tugged on his spiritual mount's reins, urging it to join the other alphas.