Today is not the time for a family banquet. The Patriarch has gathered everyone at the ancestral home for three reasons: First, it is to announce the investigation of Chao Huan; second, it is to celebrate Chao Cheng Yan's triumphant return; and third, it is to discuss a business union.

During the banquet, Chao Ning did not sit at the main table. Firstly, he did not deserve it, and secondly, he did not like it. He sat at the farthest table, burying his head in devouring the food that was served, completely disregarding how the relatives at the same table looked at him. These peripheral relatives also looked down on him because compared to this illegitimate child, their bloodline was at least "pure."

He didn't bother about it. If someone wanted to talk to him, he would chat for a bit. If no one approached him, he would focus on his affairs. As long as his family was stable, he could continue conducting experiments at Xing University. He didn't care about anything else.

"...The third matter. The Gu family has had many dealings with the Chao family in business, and this time the Gu family intends to form a marriage alliance. For the Chao family, this is not a bad thing. After all, the Gu family's century-long accumulation is different from that of the Chao family. The old master also considered this point. If they ally, they can complement and support each other, and both parties can benefit." Chao Zhe, the legitimate eldest son of the Chao family and the adoptive father of Chao Ning said, "As for the chosen candidate for the marriage alliance, the old master has already made a decision and sought my opinion. I agree to entrust this heavy burden to Chao Ning."

The whole scene erupted into an uproar.

Most of the people's astonishment was feigned.

"Zhao Ning... Zhao Ning?" Zhao Zhe, the head of the Zhao family, glanced around the main table, his gaze empty and a hint of stiffness in his smile. He searched the entire venue for his beloved son, but to no avail, causing his smile to almost fade under his increasing anxiety.

After finishing a crab leg, Chao Ning lazily raised his hand and said, "I'm here, I don't have any objections."

He had already heard about the matter of an Alpha like him being betrothed to another Alpha as soon as he returned.

Does he have the right to resist?

"No."

But he could make a request.

Just as Zhao Zhe was about to praise someone, he heard Zhao Ning say, "I have a request."

"What request? Don't say it's just one request, even if it's ten requests, Dad will fulfil them for you!" Chao Zhe acted like a doting father, saying, "As long as you behave."

The younger generation of the family all looked towards Chao Ning with smug expressions, as if saying "misfortune makes one happy" was written all over their faces. Only Chao Chengyan remained indifferent, neither happy nor sad.

Chao Ning asked, "If I marry into the Gu family, will I still be able to continue studying at Xing University?"

He is nineteen this year, and all the people in the morning family think he is still studying in his second year in a very ordinary and disciplined manner. But in reality, when he was in his first year, he was already earmarked by the teacher of the "Insect Research Experimental Group" at Star University due to his outstanding experimental performance and talent. He was approved to join the group as soon as he entered his second year and is now a junior core member of the group.

He doesn't care whether he gets married or not. As an Alpha, can he afford the unexpected consequence of getting pregnant? No. But what he is afraid of is not being able to conduct experiments anymore. This has been the only thing he has liked the most, cared about the most, and wanted to strive for the most in his life so far.

He only wants to conduct experiments, as he has a fondness for studying the insect race.

However, he also knew what it meant to send him for a marriage alliance this time. It was just a way to appease the Gu family, and at the same time, they could also reclaim all the investments they made in him, such as his education at Star University. After all, he was just an illegitimate child, a discarded pawn that could be easily used as cannon fodder.

Therefore, he must fight for it. If he cannot even fulfil this small request for the royal family, who knows what kind of rumours might be spread about the royal family by outsiders? Don't be deceived by the fact that everyone here is a member of the royal family; it's all just a façade.

Zhao Zhe was taken aback, he glanced at the old man before saying, "Of course, even if you get married, your studies won't be interfered with by your family."

"Thank you, Dad." Chao Ning smiled, looking obedient and understanding. No one noticed the fleeting disappointment in his eyes.

He lowered his head and continued gnawing on the crab legs, his self-deprecating smile completely hidden.

"He still holds hope for the Zhao family, truly foolish."