Chapter 11
A series of raised voices intermittently emanated from the tightly closed Marshal’s office. Lu Wanqing stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on his shoes.
Soon, someone stormed out of the office. Catching a glimpse of Lu Wanqing, a trace of lingering anger flickered in their eyes. Their gaze fell upon his epaulets, and their brows furrowed instantly.
“When did the Twelfth Marshal change?”
“I’d like to ask the same. I don’t recognize that person at all.”
“It must be He Lian’s appointment.”
“…”
Lu Wanqing entered the office, leaving the gossip behind.
Marshal He stood with his hands behind his back, facing the window. He didn’t turn around. “You’ve come? I heard you haven’t been to your individual training these past few days.”
He showed no signs of having just had an argument, still having the energy to gossip about such trivial matters.
“I’ll report to you, then I’ll go.” He placed the documents on the desk, his gaze sweeping across another file spread out on the desk, noticing the word “Shu Ci” on it.
Lu Wanqing paused, his eyes flickering.
Ever since picking him up on the roadside, he’d noticed Shu Ci was different.
Previously, they were strangers, having no contact besides the day they registered their marriage. But these past few days, he had received messages from Shu Ci.
He didn’t know how to respond to his daily concern, so he just sent him his daily physical examination results after training.
Was Marshal He… investigating him?
Suppressing his doubts, he continued, “Ten unknown creatures appeared at the airport this time, their origin unknown. The Institute’s preliminary judgment is still that these unknown creatures have a stronger inclination to attack BOs. However—”
He paused perfectly, and He Lian turned to face him.
“The experimental supplies are exhausted, and the structural characteristics and hazard assessment are still awaiting further in-depth analysis.”
“They’ve noticed the changes in our funding structure,” He Lian walked to Lu Wanqing’s side. “They were just here arguing about this, demanding that we release the intelligence. What do you think?”
“Sharing intelligence in exchange for budget allocations? Do you really think that after obtaining our investigative data, they will consider the safety of the citizens and the people?”
Do they really care about the safety of BOs?
No, it would only become a tool and bargaining chip for their election campaigns.
As long as it doesn’t affect the interests of alphas, they won’t care, especially since the unknown creatures seem to only attack BOs.
Worse, once the intelligence is released, they will be the first to use these unknown creatures against those betas and omegas who attempt to enter the Parliament.
“I know that.” He Lian’s hair seemed whiter from worry. “Except for the Shen and Cui families, which one isn’t focused on vying for power and status?”
Military command originally belonged only to the supreme executive. When the parliament hasn’t elected a leader, he is the supreme commander of the army.
If he weren’t from any major family and had no vested interests, He Lian’s position would have been controlled by one side long ago.
“They only want to be the alphas at the top, no one cares about the lives of ordinary people,” Lu Wanqing said coldly. “Including yours.”
They both knew that no one could directly interfere with their mission operations. Thanks to the chaos within the parliament, whether forming a cabinet or electing an executive, until the supreme leader is decided, no single person can command them.
“Once we proactively ask for funds, those people will try every means to deprive you of your right to speak, turning us into tools for some people to eliminate dissidents.”
No one could guarantee that military command would remain independent.
He Lian looked up; this young man was like an immovable mountain, unsmiling, his mere presence reassuring.
To be honest, his impression of this child was vague. If it weren’t for the Twelfth Marshal’s meeting a few months ago, he wouldn’t have known that there was such a calm and decisive young general in the Far Regions.
He Lian thought that when he couldn’t hold on anymore, he might as well let Lu Wanqing take over.
“Let’s not talk about them. Let’s think of a way to deal with the funding issue later… The unknown creatures of unknown origin, how many incidents have there been this time?”
“Twenty incidents, starting from the beginning of the year when someone reported seeing something that resembled termites.”
“Twenty incidents, small in scale, no casualties, coming and going without a trace, insignificant amidst political and entertainment news. The top priority is finding the source.”
“Understood.”
He Lian turned, picked up the report Lu Wanqing submitted, and glanced at it. Besides the summary of the airport operation, Lu Wanqing also compiled the environmental characteristics and subsequent research progress of several previous occurrences of the unknown creatures.
He Lian put down the report, looking at Lu Wanqing with relief. “There were no casualties at the airport this time. You and Cui You did a good job.”
Previous cases of casualties among BOs had been covered up in various ways.
“I dare not take credit. Although the causal link is unclear, it can only be said that the method of using abnormal cloud pressure to predict is quite reliable.”
Lu Wanqing pointed to a chart he’d drawn.
“The coincidence of abnormal cloud pressure and the location where unknown creatures appear is high, and the time interval between their appearances is relatively fixed, about a month.”
This is why they are about to go to Dragonthorn Island.
——Abnormal pressure has been detected above Dragonthorn Island.
He Lian said, “The area of sea covered by the abnormal pressure is quite large, even including the Gu family’s private island. You should know what to do when you lead the team.”
“Don’t reveal your whereabouts.”
“That’s right. By the way, I have another document here—”
He Lian took out the document next to him and pushed it towards Lu Wanqing.
This was the document Lu Wanqing had seen earlier, mentioning “Shu Ci” in the text.
“Just found out this morning, Dragonthorn Island isn’t unowned.” He Lian sighed. “It’s a private island with a confidentiality agreement. The owner has passed away, and the island access application records of various institutions will be automatically synchronized to the designated heir after confirmation.”
Lu Wanqing’s brows furrowed. “You mean, Shu Ci is the heir?”
The name lingered on his lips, a trace of warmth.
He Lian cleared his throat. “What if your wife confirms the inheritance and goes to the island one day? Do you remember what you wrote in your island access application?”
“…” Lu Wanqing, who had just submitted his island access application, remained silent.
He wrote that it was for a tourism team-building event.
In reality, it was a full island inspection; if unknown creatures appeared, there would also be a fight.
He Lian looked at Lu Wanqing meaningfully, patted him heavily on the shoulder; “Remember to clean up after the mission. Check your pheromones, they can’t be left behind. This is for your own good.”
After all, no normal tourism team-building event would involve anyone releasing pheromones indiscriminately.
After receiving his new identity card, Shu Ci immediately applied for a new SIM card. Just as he was about to change his SIM card, he suddenly received a message.
It was from Shu Cui, saying he wanted to communicate with him on behalf of his father about the change in Shu Changze’s inheritance. He set a time and place, saying he would be waiting for him there.
Shu Ci was silent for a long time.
Although he didn’t know what this idiot cousin was up to, he wouldn’t pass up the chance to get money.
So he went home, changed into an exquisite cold-toned suit, and arrived at the reserved seat in the upscale restaurant on time.
The phone recorder was in place, real-time location synced with Shen Ti, plainclothes bodyguards were posing as diners at one and nine o’clock positions. Shu Ci calmly and leisurely ordered a cup of Pu’er tea and browsed the news.
It was close to the government service hall; he could see the reporters he met at Shen Ti’s house conducting street interviews through the window.
The parliamentary election was imminent, and the media’s public opinion polls were the trendsetters.
When Shu Cui arrived, he saw his cousin, whom he had envied for years, sitting elegantly in a chair, the light gray fabric of the chair perfectly matching the stripes on his jacket.
His wine-red hair wasn’t as soft as before; today’s style was unapologetically rebellious and arrogant.
“Why are you here so early?” He sat opposite him impatiently.
“You’re late, one minute and twenty seconds.” Shu Ci put down his teacup, waited for him to sit down, and calmly asked, “Did Shu Changhai really ask you to negotiate my father’s inheritance, or are you using this as an excuse to cause trouble for me?”
As soon as Shu Ci finished speaking, he saw Shu Cui’s fingertips involuntarily twitch.
He picked up his teacup, hiding the upturned corner of his lips, his eyes slightly raised.
He knew that for such serious matters in the Shu family, it would have to be an alpha, his elder sister Shu Can would be more appropriate, how could it be him?
“If you want to find me, just say it directly, no need to beat around the bush. By the way, tell Shu Changhai that I want to meet him in the presence of a lawyer. If he’s still planning to curry favor with Gu Lan Zhu, I won’t make it easy for him either.”
The Shu family itself had numerous loopholes in its business operations; he still vaguely remembered the evidence Gu Lan Zhu used to slap the Shu family in the original plot.
He could also get those witnesses and evidence.
“I…”
Shu Cui avoided Shu Ci’s bright gaze and waved his hand to order a latte.
After the waiter left, he stammered, “Are you happy in your marriage?”
Shu Ci almost spat out his hot tea.
What kind of turn was this?!
He wiped his mouth: “P-pretty good.”
The man is tall, handsome, and can carry him without even breathing heavily.
He cooperates, and even when he sent a confession message, he didn’t respond emotionally. What a great person!
“1% is also called pretty good?” Shu Cui stared at him, as if trying to find some insincerity on his face, “Giving up on Gu Lan Zhu, the top A, who are you kidding?”
He had envied Shu Ci since childhood, envied his good looks, and envied that all the A’s would surround him.
He and his father conspired to have him marry a husband with 1% compatibility; his father wanted to control him, and he wanted to humiliate him, to make him unhappy.
But why was he happier than he imagined, even enjoying it?
Shu Ci observed him with great interest.
He found Shu Cui’s delicate and conflicted expression at this moment far more vivid than the one-sided portrayal in the original book.
“Um, I ask you, if being with Gu Lan Zhu means having to give your heart and soul, getting your kidneys and glands removed, getting scarred, miscarrying, and getting pregnant again and again, would you want it?”
Shu Ci propped his chin, thinking that I’d rather run away, whoever wants him, just take him away.
Shu Cui hesitated, recalling the scene where Shu Ci awkwardly snuggled into his husband’s arms that night and was carried into the car, the scene was enviable even from afar.
Compared to Gu Lan Zhu’s fierceness, such gentleness and consideration was far more tempting.
“No.” Shu Cui shook his head. “But Gu Lan Zhu shouldn’t be that kind of person.”
Shu Ci couldn’t help but chuckle slightly at his dazed expression. “Do you believe that yourself?”
“I… I don’t believe it.” Thinking of the pheromones that almost killed him that day, Shu Cui reflexively trembled, then stiffened his neck, “But your husband isn’t much better!”
“Oh? It sounds like you know him very well.” Shu Ci scoffed.
He knew that all the information he possessed came from the original text. The narratives of the original owner and Gu Lan Zhu’s point of view would inevitably have omissions; blindly believing the original text would easily lead to a narrow perspective.
In other words, he needed to collect information from different angles, to understand as much as possible about people and things that might help him escape the plot.
He didn’t refuse Shu Cui’s meeting for this purpose.
“Of course! All employees of the family company submit pheromone samples upon joining the company, and my father regularly performs compatibility tests to find suitable alphas for us.”
Shu Cui was goaded into it, and in order to get the upper hand, he spilled all about how they conspired to find him this partner.
“Your husband is a low-level employee, he requested half a year’s salary in advance before joining the company, he lives in a dilapidated place on Juqing Road, and he almost had a criminal record for fighting at a construction site before. I don’t believe he doesn’t have violent tendencies.”
Shu Ci frowned.
…Are you talking about the Lu Wanqing I know, who drives a golden license plate SUV, takes calls from the Marshal, and sends me text messages reporting his physical condition every day?
Author’s Note:
Shu Ci/Lu Wanqing: What other surprises do you have that I don’t know about?
Shu Ci: Wait, I didn’t know I had an island either!