When the alarm rang early in the morning, it just barked twice and Shafley raised his hand and turned it off.

Alpha frowned, turned over, and fell asleep again.

When Chen Ci went downstairs and faced the empty and quiet living room, he knew that the two people were still asleep.

He didn't know what time Chen Nian and Shafulai would get up, so he just made his own breakfast.

After eating and drinking, Chen Ci went up to the terrace on the third floor to enjoy the warm sunshine and fresh air in the early morning.

The terminal on my wrist vibrated.

Fu Tianhe: [Good morning! ]

Chen Ci: [Morning]

Fu Tianhe: [How did you sleep? I dreamed of you. Did you dream of me?]

Chen Ci: [Very good, no. ]

Fu Tianhe: [Hahahahahahahaha, when I was little I always thought that the people I met in my dreams would also dream about me. Every time I asked my mom about this she was always surprised and had to spend a lot of time explaining it to me.]

Fu Tianhe: [I suddenly realized that I don’t have to do anything now, I can sleep a little longer]

Chen Ci: [Go to sleep, I will be back soon. ]

Chen Nian opened his eyes tiredly, and not surprisingly, it was sunny outside the window.

He slowly turned over, and his arms relaxed and fell, hitting something broad, soft, and extremely elastic.

Chen Nian turned his head to look and found that Shafla was lying flat beside him, still asleep, with his arm resting on Alpha's chest.

Chen Nian immediately turned his head to look at the clock on the wall. It was 10:31.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Chen Nian jumped up and shook Shafulai's shoulders. "Why didn't your alarm go off? You're late!"

Shafley was awakened by him, opened his eyes, and said vaguely: "I turned off the watch. I'm going to take a break today and give myself a holiday."

Chen Nian was stunned for a moment and stopped shaking him.

He stared down at Alpha's still dazed expression and asked doubtfully, "Is it because I drained you last night? This shouldn't be the case. We are just getting started now."

"Not really. I still have some energy." Shafley turned over, facing Chen Nian, hugged the boy's waist, and buried his face in his belly. "I just feel that everyone is unemployed, and I am the only one who needs to work. I am a little tired."

Chen Nian: “…………”

The heat from Alpha's words penetrated the thin fabric and fell on Chen Nian's skin, feeling warm and intimate.

It seems to be true. Chen Ci always treated Shafulai as an ATM. He withdrew money and used it to support Fu Tianhe. Chen Nian was still in school, and his food and clothing were provided by the palace.

Thinking about it this way, Shaflay really had a hard time.

"Then you should sleep a little longer." Chen Nian was about to raise his hand to turn the room into dark sleeping mode.

"I don't want to sleep anymore. I'm hungry. I want to eat something." Shafley sat up, and the quilt was lifted. He saw the marks on Chen Nian's body from last night.

It was really late and none of them wanted to get up to wash, so they just slept together.

"I'm going to take a shower." Chen Nian was not shy at all. He stepped barefoot on the carpet, stretched his waist, and narrowed his brows with satisfaction.

Ah, life is so beautiful.

It was almost twelve o'clock before Chen Nian and Shafley appeared in the living room. Now it was good to go, so they could just prepare lunch.

Chen Nian sent a message to ask Chen Ci what he wanted to eat. After a while, Chen Ci came down the stairs and sat down at the dining table on his own.

The smart kitchen is very efficient, the hot meals were served quickly, and Chen Nian even opened a bottle of sparkling wine.

At the square table, Chen Nian and Shafley sat side by side. Chen Ci sat opposite Chen Nian. There was an empty seat next to him that could just accommodate one more person. It was not difficult to guess who would sit next to him.

Chen Ci has been wandering around for a while now, spending most of his time wondering how to survive. He rarely has time to take care of himself. His hair has grown a lot longer, even to the point of covering his ears. When he lowers his head to eat, it blocks his vision, which is a nuisance.

"Let me cut your hair," said Shafley.

Chen Nian: "Do you want to cut your brother's hair into the same shape as mine?"

Shafley: “Yeah.”

"Okay, then we should look exactly the same when we meet." Chen Nian readily agreed. Chen Ci naturally had no objection. It was indeed a bit inconvenient to have hair that was too long.

Chen Nian: "You should also cut mine a little bit, as it covers the tip of my ear a little bit."

However, five minutes later, Chen Nian began to regret why he made this request.

He sat on a chair, looking at Shafley holding a comb and a pair of scissors in the mirror, and couldn't help but ask, "...Can you really cut hair?"

"Why not?" Shafley said, "When I was a kid, I learned pruning from a gardener for a while. Cutting hair should be based on the same principle."

“Oh wow, is Sadhu Scissorhands going to cut a landscape garden on my head?” Chen Nian deadpanned, “I suggest you think it over before you do it, so as to avoid—Aaaaaaaah!”

Chen Nian let out a scream as Shafley raised his knife and cut off a strand of his hair.

The soft black hair fell lightly to the ground, leaving only a gap on Chen Nian's head.

Chen Ci: ………………

He took a step back in silence.

Shafulai raised the scissors, looked at Chen Nian, who looked frantic in the mirror, coughed lightly, and said, "Sorry, I think I cut too much."

"...I killed you!!!"

Forty minutes later, Chen Nian and Chen Ci, who had the same short hairstyle, sat at the table together.

Chen Nian crossed his arms over his chest, obviously still a little angry. Although Shafley later saved his hairstyle, it could not make up for the pain in his heart caused by the scissors.

Chen Ci was briefly explaining his future action plan to the two of them. In fact, there was nothing extra to say. He would go to Sanshui with Fu Tianhe and try to find out more about Moonlight and the brothers' life stories.

"Before you leave, I think we need to make some more thorough preparations." Shafley stood up and said, "I'm going to go out for a while and will be back in about an hour."

Chen Nian: "To do what?"

Shafley: “You’ll know when the time comes.”

Good guy, you’re still keeping us in suspense.

Chen Nian did not ask any more questions. He listened to the noise of Shafulai leaving the room and said to Chen Ci beside him, "Brother, what are you here for? Shafulai said you have something important to do."

Chen Ci thought for a second. Chen Nian had read all his diaries and knew that he had actually been living in the White Tower, reading books and daydreaming all day long, and was very bored. There was nothing he needed to deal with.

So he answered truthfully: "Physical examination."

Chen Nian frowned: "What happened to your physical examination? I felt that you didn't look very well when you came back last night. And you clearly said before that there was nothing wrong with your body, so why do you have to do a checkup every month?"

Faced with Chen Nian's repeated questioning, Chen Ci didn't know how to answer. Judging from his brother's current reaction, he had obviously discovered some clues.

But Chen Ci hasn't decided yet to tell him the truth.

"You and Shafley are hiding something from me, right? Is there something I don't want to know? Brother, we are brothers. No matter good or bad, I am willing to bear it with you."

"Tell me honestly, did the White Tower lock you up for some evil research? Is it because you are an Omega and have a strong mental power? Or is it because you can attract primordial creatures?"

"Neither. I'm not actually hurt at all. You don't have to worry about that." Chen Ci finally spoke, "I just haven't figured out how to tell you yet."

Chen Nian: "If you have anything you haven't thought of, just tell me the truth. Just open your mouth and make a sound."

Faced with his brother's firm and stubborn eyes, Chen Ci was ultimately unable to utter a word.

After a long while, he said softly, "I can only say that you will know it one day, but I don't want it to be now."

Chen Nian raised his voice: "Why? Is it because you want to protect me? Because we have the same talent, once you tell it, it means that I might end up in the same situation as you?"

Chen Ci answered with silence.

Chen Nian saw his expression and knew that he had hit the mark. He took a deep breath and calmed down in his heart. "Okay, I understand. They are all doing me a favor. This is the most common trick used by adults."

"Are you angry?" Chen Ci asked.

"No, I'm not mad at you, I'm just a little mad at myself." Chen Nian paused, "If I could be as good as you and Shafley, this situation wouldn't be here."

Chen Ci had no way to explain to Chen Nian, so he could only stand up, open his arms, and hug his brother who was sitting on the chair.

Chen Nian closed his eyes and hugged Chen Ci tightly as well.

He didn't want to be protected so closely by others, but Chen Nian knew that only when he had enough ability could he break the status quo.

Shafley got out of the driver's seat, walked around the front of the car and opened the back door.

Alpha stretched out his hand and helped the middle-aged man with almost completely white hair out.

The hunched middle-aged man's face and the backs of his hands exposed from his sleeves were covered with burn marks, like irregular pieces of dark red plasters stuck in a mess on his skin.

Jiang Dai's eyes were completely dark. He could only hold onto Shafulai's arm and put all his trust in the young Alpha.

During his time in the hospital, experts from other departments also conducted a comprehensive physical assessment of Jiang Dai. He had several serious underlying diseases and needed continued treatment.

Almost two weeks have passed since the vision restoration surgery, and Jiang Dai still has thick gauze wrapped around his eyes.

At first he was very uncomfortable. Although his vision was severely damaged before, he could still see something. Unlike now, there was only darkness in front of his eyes. Due to the obstruction of the gauze, he could not even sense the most basic light.

The loss of vision made his mood worse uncontrollably, and he became much more silent.

Fortunately, Chen Nian often comes to accompany him. Even if he is unable to leave and come in person, he will call him. Every time Jiang Dai hears the boy's cheerful voice, his mood will improve a lot.

Now, after diagnosis by experts, he can remove the gauze on his eyes, and the date is set for today.

But Jiang Dai didn't expect Shafulai to look for him. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't explain much, but just said that he would take him to a place.

Jiang Dai agreed. Before getting in the car, he was fully prepared mentally. Perhaps Shafley would take him to the palace, where he would face questioning or some kind of punishment.

There is nothing to be afraid of anymore, as long as his beloved child can live happily.

Jiang Dai was supported by Shafulai and walked slowly forward. The soles of his shoes were relatively thin, so he could feel the texture of the cobblestone road.

The eldest prince's voice echoed softly in my ears: "There are stairs ahead, please be careful."

Jiang Dai raised his feet and tentatively stepped onto the stairs. Then he heard the door open. Accompanied by Shafley, he walked in.

It didn't look like the palace he was familiar with in the past.

Shafulai helped Jiang Dai sit on a chair and said, "The doctor said you can remove the gauze in front of your eyes today."

Jiang Dai: “Yes.”

"Let me take it down for you." Shafulai walked behind Jiang Dai, who was sitting upright with his hands on his knees, and was obviously tense.

Shafley said nothing more. He untied the bandages one circle at a time, finally revealing the gauze underneath.

The gauze on his eyes was removed, and he finally felt the light again. Jiang Dai did not open his eyes directly. He felt the sunlight passing through the thin eyelids and falling on his retina.

Two weeks of darkness made him long for light even more.

"I think there must be someone you really want to see as soon as your eyesight recovers." Shafley placed a hand gently on Jiang Dai's shoulder.

...Who do you want to see?

Jiang Dai was stunned for a moment, then tentatively opened his eyes.

The moment he opened his eyes, his vision was a little blurry, but Jiang Dai could still make out that there were two young men sitting in front of him.

Clean and neat black hair, and clear amber eyes.

They have the same face, the same hairstyle, wear the same clothes, and even sit in the same position on the chair.

So much so that even Jiang Dai, who had grown up with Chen Nian, was unable to distinguish the two at first glance.

My thoughts were suddenly pulled back to nineteen years ago.

He leaned over and gently placed the baby next to his brother, the two children wrapped in different colored swaddling clothes to distinguish them.

But there is actually a more convenient way. The older brother's birthmark is on the right, and the younger brother's birthmark is on the left. A crescent moon is imprinted in different directions on their shoulders.

My brother has been exceptionally quiet since he was young. He only cried for a while when he was just born. After that, whenever he felt uncomfortable or hungry, he would only make babbling sounds.

My younger brother is different. He cries a lot and his noise is so loud that it can be heard from the third floor.

Jiang Dai knew how much the Marshal valued the two children. He was not at ease leaving the brothers in the care of the maids, so he took care of them personally.

What will these two brothers with completely opposite personalities be like when they grow up? Jiang Dai has imagined countless times, will there be constant quarrels and arguments? Or will they love each other?

Even the Emperor came to visit the twins many times, and even brought the young Crown Prince with him. Jiang Dai heard that His Majesty and the Marshal were discussing a marriage contract.

One of these two children will become the princess consort of His Royal Highness Shaflay.

He was lost in thought when out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of the seven-year-old eldest prince lying on the edge of the bed, looking curiously at the two identical babies.

"Can you guess who the brother is?" he asked.

The eldest prince shook his head. He thought for two seconds and pointed his finger at the baby on his left. His finger attracted the baby's attention and was grasped in the baby's soft little palm. He was so surprised that he wanted to take it back.

"This is my younger brother." Jiang Dai replied with a smile.

After the fire that burned down the entire Chen family, Jiang Dai thought that he would never have the chance to see the two brothers appear in front of him at the same time again in his lifetime.

Time has passed for too long, things have changed and people have altered, but the imagination I once had has now become a reality.

"Uncle Jiang." The young man sitting on the left said cheerfully, "This should be a happy occasion, why do you look like this?"

The mirror between the two brothers was suddenly broken and shattered to the ground. They were not mirror images, but completely different individuals.

The demeanor, tone of voice, and behavior are all easy to recognize once you are familiar with them.

Jiang Dai raised his hand and carefully wiped the moisture from his eyes with gauze, and said deliberately: "I can finally see things clearly again. I am a little too excited."

Chen Nian looked annoyed: "Is that so? I thought you were so happy because you saw me again."

Jiang Dai laughed.

Jiang Dai looked at Chen Ci. During the many days in the underground city, he tried his best to collect any news about his brother. According to the reports, the only son of the Chen family was a mysterious prince's consort who never appeared in public. All his information was hidden.

Jiang Dai could only tell himself that his brother would have a good life under the joint care of the White Tower and the royal family. Moreover, he believed that His Highness Shafulai, who had shown many good qualities since childhood, would love his fiancée.

Until one ordinary day, he found that the boy who returned home was a little different.

It only took Jiang Dai one day to finalize the incredible guess. After all, although the twins looked exactly the same, their personalities were completely opposite.

Jiang Dai didn't know how the two brothers met and recognized each other, nor how they made the bold decision to exchange identities. He struggled for a long time and finally did not expose it on the spot.

Chen Nian was the child he raised with great difficulty, and Chen Ci was also the child he cared about day and night for many years.

The seemingly quiet and introverted brother is actually a person who cannot stay at home. Perhaps it is because he has lived in the White Tower since he was a child and has been subject to many restrictions. He has revealed a strong desire for freedom and even traveled around Cinnabar with the Alpha he knew and sent many photos of his travels.

Jiang Dai finally felt relieved, certain that everything was going in the best direction.

He lowered his head, letting the moisture in his eyes slowly fade away.

Shafulai poured tea for Jiang Dai, and he pulled over another chair and sat next to him. "Don't be nervous. I asked you to come here today mainly so that you can see the person you want to see the most as soon as you recover your eyesight. By the way, I have some questions for you."

Jiang Dai: "What does your highness want to know?"

"We have recently encountered a rather serious situation. As the person who is most likely to know the whole story, you may be able to help us answer our questions."

Jiang Dai: "Are you talking about the fire incident that year?"

Shafley nodded. "Yes, but it's not just the fire at Chen's house. Can you tell us more details? Chen Ci and I have investigated many private files, and the conclusions on the case are vague. There are also files that we cannot access with our authority."

Jiang Dai was silent.

Just when everyone thought he would shirk the question and refuse to answer, Jiang Dai whispered, "It's been so long, and the memory should have faded, but I still remember everything that happened that day, all the details."

"Because every night, that fire reappears in my dreams."

"The fire occurred the day after the marshal's death. When the bad news came, the entire Chen family was in grief. Although the marshal told me before he left that this trip was full of dangers, even more dangerous than all the battles he had experienced before, and asked me to be prepared for him to never come back."

"I pulled myself together. As a housekeeper, I must properly handle the Marshal's funeral. But before the body is delivered, the most important task is to take good care of the two newly born children."

"I was summoned to the palace early that morning. His Majesty discussed with me the marshal's funeral and your upbringing. He planned to take you to the palace and raise you in the safest place. You are the children of heroes."

"But when I returned to Chen's house, I found that the house was already on fire."

Shafulai's expression was obviously frozen. During the time when Jiang Dai was summoned to the palace, a fire broke out in the Chen family. This time point made it too easy for people to think of bad possibilities.

Even Chen Ci and Chen Nian couldn't help but look at Shafla.

Chen Nian straightened up nervously. No way! Could it be that he and Shaflay were going to do something like "your father killed my whole family, but we ended up loving each other, I'm sorry, but because of hatred, we should break up" or some other clichéd drama?

Jiang Dai noticed the changes in everyone. He shook his head and whispered, "Your Highness, don't worry. I believe His Majesty. His Majesty will not do such a thing."

Shafley hummed, took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and said, "And then?"

"The fire was already very intense at that time. The Marshal's men carried Master Chen Ci out of the flames, but Chen Nian was still in the house."

"I pushed everyone aside and rushed into the house. The moment I ran into the fire, I saw a monster."

Chen Nian's eyes widened: "Monster?"

Jiang Dai nodded and closed his eyes tightly. This was something he had never forgotten in all these years.

Impossible to forget.

"It was a thin human figure with two oval heads side by side on its shoulders, soft arms that reached down to its knees, four legs, and a body covered with sharp spikes. In the firelight, it looked like a cold metal. It was walking down the burning stairs."

"It didn't notice me. Maybe it didn't expect that someone would come in when the fire was so big." Jiang Dai smiled. "I held my breath and hid behind the sofa. It passed by me five meters away. I saw blood on the spikes on its arm."

"Then I rushed up to the second floor because before I left, my brother was sunbathing by the French window in the living room, and my brother, who was still half asleep, was in the bedroom."

"There was the body of a murdered maid in the corridor. I went crazy and searched for her, but the crib was empty and there was no trace of you anywhere. There was blood on the ground and bloody footprints left by the monster. It had just left from here."

Chen Nian: "...Is it here to kill me?"

Jiang Dai nodded. "Just when I thought there was no hope, I heard a cry from under the bed. Somehow you managed to crawl out of the crib and get under the bed without being discovered by that monster."

"I carried you out. The fire was already very big at that time. The thick smoke made it impossible for me to see the road. The fire also burned into the bedroom and even caught me on fire. I don't remember how I ran out with you in my arms."

"Fortunately, I was rescued at the last moment."

"Who saved you?" Chen Nian asked impatiently.

Jiang Dai: "Royal Guard."

The three of them were stunned at the same time, which meant that the emperor knew from the beginning that Jiang Dai and Chen Nian did not die in the fire.

Well, it's not that surprising actually, as everyone has already guessed it.

Jiang Dai: "You all probably know what happened next. I received some emergency treatment, and when my life was safe, I took Chen Nian to the underground city and lived in a place where no one could find us."

Shafley didn't understand: "Since you have already saved Chen Nian, why don't you take him to live under the protection of the royal family?"

"Because before leaving, the Marshal also told me another thing."

"He said that if anything happened to him, he would take one of his two brothers with him and leave forever."