Chapter 72 - Dropping off a giant buddha

Jai expertly folded the picnic blanket, tucking it neatly into the wicker basket beside him. With a playful grin, he folded up another small wooden chair and placed it on top. Shao wiped his brow, looking up at Jai with a hint of exhaustion.

"That's enough for today. Need a ride home?"

Jai scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes. "Well, duh! You think I'm gonna trek back on foot?"

Shao shrugged, feigning innocence. "I mean, I thought maybe you'd take the scenic route, you know, catch a bus or something..."

Jai shot him a look of mock horror. "Me? Take a bus? Do I look like a peasant to you?"

Shao sighed, shaking his head in amusement. "Sorry, forgot I was talking to Chenebol royalty here. Have you ever even seen a bus?"

Jai leaned back, grinning mischievously. "Seen one? Maybe. Ridden one? Absolutely not."

Shao laughed, picking up the huge basket. "Come, let's get you home before your parents send a troupe of bodyguards… why don't you have them, by the way?"

"I do, they follow me in secret," Jai whispered, pointing to a distant car that was parked a few meters from them.

Shao gulped slightly. There was not just one car, there were at least four black ones in proximity. One of the car's windows rolled down to reveal a cool-faced bodyguard. The man's gaze seemed to be glaring deeply at him. 'Oh my god, he looks like he is ready to shoot me down!'

Noticing his wavering gaze, Jai threw his head back laughing. "Don't worry, they won't shoot, dummy."

"W-who said I'm scared." Shao hurriedly wiped down his sweat. He opened the car's trunk and placed the basket in there. While doing so, Jai hopped into the passenger seat. 'He seems to be very used to being treated like a prince.'

Jai huffed in frustration as he tugged at the stubborn seat belt, which seemed determined to stay lodged in place. He shot a sheepish glance at Shao, who was already settled comfortably in the driver's seat.

"Need a hand there, little Prince?" Shao teased, leaning over to help Jai with the seat belt.

Grateful for the assistance, Jai let out a relieved sigh, but suddenly Shao's hand brushed against his own, making him freeze in his seat. He couldn't help but notice the pleasant scent emanating from Shao's hair, now even stronger in such close proximity.

As Shao effortlessly clicked the seat belt into place, Jai found himself holding his breath, his heart suddenly racing for reasons he couldn't quite understand. Hastily, he turned his head away, avoiding Shao's gaze.

Shao, however, caught the sudden shift in Jai's demeanor and couldn't resist a playful grin. "Why the sudden aversion to my handsome face?"

Jai's cheeks flushed slightly as he attempted to regain his composure. "Who said anything about being scared? I just... uh... didn't want to distract you while you were driving!"

Shao chuckled knowingly, starting the car and pulling out onto the road. "Sure, sure, whatever you say, Prince Charming."

Jai rolled down the window, hoping to dispel the overwhelming scent that seemed to cling to the air like a persistent fog. He couldn't shake the feeling that his sense of smell had become unusually sharp ever since the incident at the math competition. After that, strange scents had become more pronounced, but none as enticing—or troubling—as Shao's.

The word "seductive" danced around in Jai's mind, but it felt inadequate to describe the pull he felt toward Shao's scent. It was like an invisible force, tempting him to lean in closer, to indulge in something he couldn't quite name. With a silent gulp, Jai chastised himself for his wandering thoughts. "I'm going crazy," he muttered under his breath.

Before he could dwell further, his phone rang, startling him out of his reverie. "Hey, Dad, I'm on the way to my apartment."

His father's urgent tone cut through the conversation. "Come to the family house. Now."

Jai glanced briefly at Shao, a silent question in his eyes. "Why?"

"We need to talk immediately. Come as soon as you can."

"Fine." Jai sighed, turning back to Shao. "Can you drop me off somewhere else? It's a bit far. Or if you don't want to, I can get my bodyguards to pick me up."

Shao shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I've already welcomed a god into my car; I can't just abandon him, can I? Tell me where you want to go."

Jai relayed the address, feeling a pang of guilt for involving Shao in his family affairs once again.

As they drove in silence, Jai couldn't ignore the weight of Shao's unspoken thoughts. The address he had given was for his family's imposing mansion atop the mountain—an undeniable symbol of wealth and power.

"Your family..." Shao trailed off, his voice barely a whisper.

"Yeah, they own it," Jai replied, trying to brush off the significance. "It's about time you stopped being so intimidated by it. It's all normal."

Shao sighed, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. In his mind, he whispered, "No, it's not."

Shao dropped Jai off at the massive mansion without saying a word, his expression unreadable. Jai hopped out of the car and waited by the open door, gesturing for Shao to join him.

Shao looked at him questioningly, unsure of what was going on. But Jai just motioned for him to come out. "You have to have tea before you leave. Come on, it's the least I can do."

Shao awkwardly smiled, hesitating. "No, I... it's okay."

But Jai wasn't about to take no for an answer. He reached out and pulled Shao gently out of the car and into the grand foyer of his mansion. There was a reason he had brought Shao along. First of all, his father sounded kind of pissed, and if he had a guest present, maybe he'd rein in his anger a bit. Plus, Jai could tell Shao looked parched, like he could use a break.

Inside, the mansion loomed impressively, its opulent furnishings and grandeur a stark contrast to the casual demeanor of the two men standing in the entryway.

"Tea?" Jai asked, leading Shao toward the elegant sitting room. "I promise it's not poisoned or anything."

Shao chuckled nervously, following Jai's lead. "I'll take my chances."