When Alex returned to the mansion, the butler informed him, "Master called you several times. Your communication device was unreachable."
Alex nodded, changed his clothes, and called Wu Xiufan. "I went to the palace," he explained. "My device was broken."
"Palace? Why?" Wu Xiufan asked, his voice filled with concern.
"The Queen summoned me. We had a brief chat," Alex replied.
Wu Xiufan was puzzled. "About what? Was it an interrogation?" he wondered. Knowing the Queen wouldn't harm Alex, he decided to wait for more information.
"Take care," Wu Xiufan said, hanging up.
The next day, Alex closely monitored the news but found nothing unusual. His attackers likely wanted to keep the incident private.
Alex had refrained from hitting his attackers in the face, fearing public exposure. He knew they would try to retaliate if their identities were revealed.
The news of Alex's covenantor identity spread like wildfire, turning the once positive public opinion towards him and Wu Xiufan into a storm of gossip and speculation.
**Online Comments:**
* "So, Alex is a covenantor? No wonder he's so beautiful."
* "The Yu Family is truly cunning. Sending their eldest son to serve His Excellency in exchange for favors."
* "No wonder His Excellency keeps him close. Who could resist such a beautiful covenantor?"
These comments, fueled by a mix of curiosity and envy, painted a distorted picture of Alex and Wu Xiufan's relationship. The public's perception shifted, casting a shadow over their previously admired bond.
Alex and Wu Xiufan, however, remained unfazed. They understood that the public's opinion was fickle and easily swayed by rumors. Their love for each other ran deeper than superficial judgments, a bond forged in shared experiences and mutual respect.
As the days turned into weeks, the public's fascination with Alex's covenantor status gradually faded. The city moved on, its attention drawn to other matters. But for Alex and Wu Xiufan, the battle against the darkness had only just begun.
Alex was disheartened by the public's misconceptions about covenantors. After weeks of research, he discovered that the empire had established laws protecting covenantors centuries ago. These laws guaranteed their basic rights and established a compliance agency to monitor their living and working conditions. Any violations were promptly addressed through legal action.
Covenantors were legally bound to refrain from speaking ill of their employers, leaving them vulnerable to mistreatment. Despite the existence of a compliance agency, employers could easily conceal their abuses. The agency, corrupted by bribery, became a farce, losing sight of its original purpose. The public's perception of covenantors shifted, treating them with disdain. The agency, once intended to protect covenantors' rights, had become a distorted version of a slave market.
Covenantors born into ordinary families were particularly vulnerable. Without someone to advocate for them, they were unlikely to seek justice.
The system treated covenantors as luxury commodities, stripping them of their voice, emotions, dignity, and rights.
Alex's covenantor status transformed public perception. Instead of being seen as the eldest son of a noble family, he was now viewed as Wu Xiufan's possession.
Alex's heart raced with a newfound determination. The memory card, a silent witness to the horrors faced by covenantors, ignited a fire within him. He realized that it wasn't enough to simply expose the injustices; he needed to empower the covenantors themselves.
He began to formulate a plan, a way to unite the covenantors and give them a voice. He would use the memory card as evidence, a stark reminder of the abuses they faced. He would create a platform for them to share their stories, to raise awareness, and to demand change.
Alex knew it would be a difficult task, but he was determined to succeed. He would fight for the rights of covenantors, to ensure that they were no longer treated as property, but as individuals with dignity and worth.
With renewed purpose, Alex set out to build a movement. He reached out to other covenantors, sharing his vision of a world where they were treated with respect and equality. He formed alliances, built a network of support, and inspired hope in the hearts of those who had lost faith.
Together, they fought for change, demanding justice and equality. They used the memory card as a powerful tool, exposing the truth to the world. Their voices grew louder, their demands more insistent.
Slowly but surely, change began to happen. The public's perception of covenantors shifted, fueled by the courage and determination of those who dared to speak out. The government, under pressure from the growing movement, was forced to take action.
New laws were passed, protecting the rights of covenantors and ensuring their well-being. The compliance agency was reformed, its corrupt officials replaced by dedicated individuals committed to justice.
Alex and his fellow covenantors had achieved their goal. They had broken free from the chains of oppression, and they had reclaimed their dignity.
As the city moved forward, the memory of the past faded, replaced by a new era of hope and equality. And Alex, the catalyst for this change, stood tall, a symbol of courage and resilience.
"Young Master Alex, Master will be arriving in ten minutes," the butler announced over the intercom.
Alex adjusted his clothing and met his family at the door to welcome Wu Xiufan home.
Wu Xiufan had been away for eight days, initially contacting Alex frequently. However, as the days passed, communication dwindled. Alex hesitated to reach out, fearing he might interfere with Wu Xiufan's plans. Only after his safe return did Alex feel relieved. Next time, he would find a way to accompany him, rather than waiting anxiously alone.
A hover car landed in the mansion's parking bay. Wu Xiufan stepped out, his gaze sweeping over the butler who greeted him. His eyes then settled on Alex, standing by the door.
"Welcome home, Sir. Your journey must have been tiring," the butler said politely.
"Hm," Wu Xiufan responded, walking towards Alex and wrapping his arms around him.
"I prepared a hot bath," Alex said, leading Wu Xiufan to his bedroom
The butler watched Alex and Wu Xiufan as they walked away, noting the master's affection for the young man. However, the butler couldn't help but think of Alex's covenantor status.
As they walked to the bedroom, Alex noticed something unusual about Wu Xiufan's right hand. He was holding it stiffly at his side, a departure from his usual graceful gait.
In the bedroom, Alex assisted Wu Xiufan in removing his coat, noticing the gauze bandage peeking out from under his shirt sleeve.
"What happened to your hand?" Alex carefully rolled back Wu Xiufan's sleeve, revealing the bandaged arm.
"I encountered a bit of trouble on the road," Wu Xiufan replied, downplaying the injury.
"You shouldn't get it wet," Alex insisted. "Let me help you with a sponge bath."
Wu Xiufan's eyes lit up with pleasure. "Yes," he agreed.
As Alex assisted Wu Xiufan, he couldn't resist examining his body for other injuries. He found a few bruises on his muscular arms but was relieved to see no major wounds.