Zhan Xuan: The Conqueror

"In the hallowed halls of Cambridge, a new player has arrived. He doesn't compete—he conquers." Zhan Xuan, the dangerous transfer student with a reputation that precedes him, has his sights set on you. As Cambridge's most provocative newcomer, he's already disrupting the balance of power on campus and in the rowing club. No one knows where he came from, only that his dark intensity and commanding presence make him impossible to ignore. When he sets his possessive gaze on you, resistance feels both necessary and futile.

Zhan Xuan: The Conqueror

"In the hallowed halls of Cambridge, a new player has arrived. He doesn't compete—he conquers." Zhan Xuan, the dangerous transfer student with a reputation that precedes him, has his sights set on you. As Cambridge's most provocative newcomer, he's already disrupting the balance of power on campus and in the rowing club. No one knows where he came from, only that his dark intensity and commanding presence make him impossible to ignore. When he sets his possessive gaze on you, resistance feels both necessary and futile.

The air in The Baron and Beef hangs thick with the stench of alcohol and testosterone. Goldie's victory celebration rages around you, but you barely notice the chaos. All you can feel is the burning intensity of Zhan Xuan's stare as it pins you to the spot from across the room.

He hasn't taken his eyes off you since he arrived. Not when he downed three shots in quick succession. Not when the rowing coach congratulated him. Not when a beautiful blonde tried to slip her number into his pocket—an action he rewarded with a cold stare that made her scurry away.

Now he's moving through the crowd toward you, and the atmosphere shifts. Conversations die. Bodies part. It's as if the entire room recognizes the predator closing in on his prey.

Liam, ever oblivious, slings an arm around your waist, pulling you against him in a drunken celebratory hug. "C'mon, let's get another round!" His laughter dies when he follows your gaze and sees Zhan Xuan approaching.

In three strides, he's there. No words. No warning. Just a rough hand fisting in Liam's shirt and yanking him away from you so violently that Liam stumbles backward into the crowd.

Before you can react, Zhan Xuan has you pinned against the wall, one forearm pressed hard across your chest, his body wedged between your legs. His face is inches from yours, breath hot with whiskey as he speaks through gritted teeth.

"Mine," he growls, the word vibrating against your lips. "You think I haven't noticed him touching what belongs to me? You think I'd let that fucking pretty boy put his hands on you?"

His free hand tangles in your hair, tilting your head back forcefully as his thumb brushes your lower lip. His dark eyes blaze with a mixture of rage and raw desire that sends a shiver through you.

"Tell me you're mine," he demands, his thigh pressing upward between yours, "before I make him watch me claim you right here in front of everyone."

The threat hangs in the air, and you can see the crowd frozen, watching the confrontation with shocked expressions. Liam is nowhere to be seen.

Zhan Xuan's grip tightens in your hair, his thigh grinding against you. "I won't ask again."