This Isn’t a Game

Meiling, still oblivious to the issue, took a sip of her drink, completely unaware that she had just set off every alarm possible.

"So," she said cheerfully, "when are we doing another family dinner? Maybe I can bring Wei Jun next time!"

Nene almost choked.

Alexander's fingers tapped once against the table—sharp and deliberate.

Then, too smoothly, he asked, "Does your father know about him?"

Meiling immediately fidgeted.

"Uh… not yet," she muttered. "But I was planning on telling him soon!"

Nene raised an eyebrow. "You've been dating for a year, and you haven't told him?"

Meiling pouted. "You know how Baba is! He'd just try to control everything. I wanted to enjoy it first before he got involved."

Nene sighed.

Because, okay—fair.

Lin Zhen would absolutely try to control it.

But also—a genetics researcher? Really?

Alexander, however, wasn't interested in Meiling's love story.

He was already a step ahead.

"I'll have him looked into," he said, reaching for his drink.

Meiling blinked. "Huh?"

Nene snapped her head toward him. "Excuse me?"

Alexander took a sip of water, completely unbothered.

"If your father doesn't know, it means he hasn't been properly vetted," he said. "And if he's studying dominant bloodlines, he's already too close to something valuable."

Meiling frowned. "Wei Jun isn't like that!"

Alexander didn't even blink. "I'll decide that for myself."

Nene gritted her teeth.

"Alexander," she said slowly, "you can't just dig into someone's life because you feel like it."

His gold eyes flicked toward her.

"Can't I?"

Meiling pouted. "Alexander, you're being dramatic."

Alexander set down his glass smoothly, barely sparing her a glance. "No, I'm being careful."

Nene exhaled sharply. "You don't even know if he's a threat."

Alexander tilted his head, gold eyes calm but firm. "That's why I'm having him vetted."

Meiling huffed. "Wei Jun is not a criminal, you know. He's a researcher."

"A researcher," Alexander repeated, "who studies bloodlines, fated mates, and dominant Alpha traits. And now, conveniently, he's dating a girl with one of the strongest bloodline claims in the country?"

Meiling stiffened slightly. "It's not like that!"

Alexander didn't argue.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table, his tone smooth but absolute.

"Until I'm satisfied with his background, I don't want him near Nene."

Meiling blinked.

Then, to Nene's absolute horror—

She gasped softly, clasping her hands together.

"Wait," she said, eyes shining. "That's so sweet."

Nene froze. "What."

Meiling sighed dreamily. "You're being protective over your wife!"

Alexander didn't deny it.

His lips tilted slightly, but he just leaned back, taking a sip of water.

Nene, meanwhile, was about to explode.

Meiling grinned. "I get it now! You're being overbearing because you don't want any unknown variables around her. That's so romantic!"

Nene whipped toward Alexander. "Do something. Stop her."

Alexander just raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because she's turning this into some kind of love story!"

Meiling nodded eagerly. "It kind of is! You're like those old Alpha romance dramas. All strong and possessive and—"

"STOP," Nene said immediately.

Meiling giggled. "Oh my god, wait, does that mean Nene is your weakness?"

Nene choked.

Alexander, to Nene's absolute disbelief, smirked slightly.

"Maybe," he murmured.

Nene dropped her fork. "I hate you."

Alexander's smirk only grew. "No, you don't."

Meiling clapped her hands together. "I KNEW IT. This is so cute."

Nene was going to die.

Alexander let Meiling gush about her fantasy romance version of events, but his patience had limits.

"Enough," he said smoothly, setting his glass down.

Meiling blinked, startled by the sudden shift in tone.

Alexander turned to her, calm but absolute.

"This isn't about romance," he said. "It's about security."

Meiling frowned. "But—"

Alexander's gold eyes sharpened.

"Your boyfriend studies fated mates and Alpha genetics," he said. "Your bloodline is one of the strongest in the country. And now, after dating him for a year, you're sitting here telling me he's never once asked about your family in detail?"

Meiling hesitated.

Her fingers fidgeted slightly.

"Well… not directly," she admitted.

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"You don't see the problem?"

Meiling bit her lip. "Wei Jun isn't like that! He's not involved in politics—he's just interested in science."

Alexander exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple.

"Science," he repeated.

Meiling nodded eagerly. "Yes!"

Alexander studied her for a long moment.

Then, voice calm but firm—

"Meiling," he said, "if he's only interested in science, why are you hiding him from your father?"

Meiling froze.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Nene tensed.

Because that?

That was the real question.

And Meiling had no good answer.

The silence stretched.

Then, finally, Meiling exhaled sharply.

"Because I know Baba wouldn't approve," she muttered. "Not because Wei Jun is bad, but because he's not from the kind of family Baba wants for me. He's not an Alpha. He doesn't have power."

Nene's stomach twisted.

Because that?

That was true.

Lin Zhen wouldn't have approved.

Not because of research, not because of genetics—but because Wei Jun wasn't politically valuable.

And for a second, Nene almost felt bad for her sister.

But Alexander?

He wasn't convinced.

His fingers tapped once against the table—sharp, deliberate.

"Maybe," he said. "Or maybe he's hiding something."

Meiling's eyes flashed with frustration. "Why do you have to assume the worst?"

Alexander's gold gaze flickered slightly.

"Because I don't take risks," he said smoothly.

Alexander had heard enough.

Without another word, he pulled out his phone, typed a single command, and set it back down on the table.

A smooth, effortless action.

Meiling frowned. "What was that?"

Alexander didn't even look at her.

"You're blocked," he said simply.

Meiling blinked. "…What?"

Alexander continued eating, completely unbothered. "No contact with Nene. No contact with this side of the family. Until I'm satisfied with your boyfriend's background, you are not allowed in my territory."

Meiling gasped. "YOU CAN'T JUST—"

"I can," Alexander said smoothly, cutting into his steak. "And I just did."

Nene stared.

Because—what the hell just happened?

Meiling looked horrified. "That's insane! You can't block me from seeing my own sister!"

Alexander tilted his head. "Can't I?"

His golden eyes flicked up, calm and sharp.

"You are a potential risk," he said. "And I don't allow risks in my territory."

Meiling's mouth fell open.

"I—I'm not a risk!" she sputtered. "I didn't do anything!"

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You brought a variable into my space. Until I know his intentions, you are compromised."

Meiling turned desperately to Nene. "Tell him he's overreacting!"

Nene opened her mouth—

And froze.

Because as much as she hated what Alexander was doing—

He wasn't wrong.

Wei Jun was a risk.

Maybe not a direct one, maybe not a threat, but still—a problem.

Nene exhaled sharply. "Meiling, just… let him check things first."

Meiling stared.

"You're taking his side?" she asked, voice small.

Nene gritted her teeth. "I'm saying you might be too close to see the bigger picture."

Meiling swallowed hard, hurt flashing in her eyes.

Then, voice quiet but firm—

"Fine," she muttered. "Do whatever you want."

And just like that, she stood up and left.

Nene watched her go, stomach twisting.

She turned back to Alexander, glaring. "Did you have to be so dramatic?"

Alexander took another bite of food, calm as ever.

"Dramatic?" he repeated. "No. Efficient? Yes."

Nene groaned.

This man was going to drive her insane.