Chapter 35
Shu Ci.
Lu Wanqing pressed his tongue against his teeth, the name echoing softly in his mind.
A warm current seemed to roll from his chest, the warmth spreading through his blood, causing Lu Wanqing a moment of trance.
At the end of his destined path, “Shu Ci”‘s destination wasn’t him, Lu Wanqing.
He originally thought he had met true love, so he readily agreed to the divorce, but then he kept inexplicably appearing around him, inexplicably witnessing bizarre scenes, and passively watching the tear-stained life of his “ex-husband.”
In the dead of night, Lu Wanqing would still recall the day Shu Ci was pregnant and pushed into the water.
Even if it was just his ex-husband with whom he had exchanged only a few words, Lu Wanqing couldn’t be indifferent to the death of an ordinary life. However, whether it was rushing to save someone or calling for help, he couldn’t do it.
It was as if God had cast a binding curse on him.
He tried his best but couldn’t break free from his shackles, trapped in place, unable to move a single step, watching a vibrant life, a life carrying another life, sink into the water until the person who should have appeared—Gu Lanzhu—arrived.
There were many such incidents; compared to the destruction of his glands, the damage to his foundation as an omega, falling into the water was just a trivial matter.
Yet, even so, he ended up in that person’s arms.
He had once firmly believed that some people possess a fate that others cannot reverse, a life that no one can change.
In this new beginning, perhaps he should live his own life well, not have needless pity and kindness, and not care about the life and death of others.
He still failed, defeated by his damned sense of morality.
Returning to the starting point, he still couldn’t help but drive to the vicinity of the Central Hotel.
However, unlike before, this time, Shu Ci ran towards him.
Those light blue eyes, devoid of the previous listlessness and docility, captivated Lu Wanqing’s heart.
From that day on, he realized that he was Shu Ci, yet he wasn’t “Shu Ci.” He seemed like a winged sprite, causing the wheel of fate to teeter precariously.
He was somewhat surprised yet relieved. Perhaps this Shu Ci could successfully remove his shackles and escape his predetermined fate. So he forgot his lesson, forgot to reflect, and began to help him relentlessly.
Independence, divorce; as long as Shu Ci wanted it, he could agree.
He should pursue his own life.
Until he realized that the blurry voice he heard in his mind was so similar to Shu Ci’s, a secret desire suddenly arose in Lu Wanqing’s heart.
If it were merely the photos he touched, it might be some kind of mysterious accident. But adding the fact that he could hear his voice, the possibility of it being a coincidence became negligible.
——There was an unverified connection between him and Shu Ci.
This connection caused him to fall into an abyss of jealousy and suspicion at that moment.
Was it only him? Would others… feel it too?
Did the person with a 100% match with him also experience the same thing?
“General Lu?” The researcher, facing Lu Wanqing’s turbulent eyes, shivered. “Is there a problem with our research plan?”
Lu Wanqing’s gaze fell on the corner of the research plan he had crumpled, and his mind instantly calmed.
“No,” he said softly. “Continue.”
“Oh… okay.”
The researcher wiped the sweat from his forehead and led them inside. “After the abnormal pressure caused the heavy rain at the airport last time, some corrosive substances appeared on the scene. And we found that after removing the corrosive substances, a new substance that didn’t exist before remained!”
As the researcher spoke, his face gradually flushed, his eyes gleaming.
He paused, realizing that the two leaders didn’t seem to understand the shock in his words.
Whether in physical properties, chemical composition, crystal characteristics, or spectroscopic characteristic analysis, the substance that was separated was a unique, unprecedented new mineral in nature.
If this weren’t a military project, those researchers would have happily spread the news, reporting it to international and national societies for naming and classification, and then in-depth analysis of its value.
Generally, the economic value research of a mineral deposit is the most important, followed by geological research.
However, the substance that appeared in their institute not only had an unknown origin but was also closely related to danger.
Before it was fully understood, the new substance could not be certified.
A more articulate colleague finished explaining to the marshal and General Lu, finally making them understand the importance of discovering the new substance. They came to the experimental vessel, and the yellowish-purple mineral lay quietly there.
“Just looking at the color, doesn’t it look like a mixture of cranberries and grapefruit? We’re temporarily naming it Ziyou Stone internally, and this name will also be used in the report to both of you.”
Lu Wanqing bent down and carefully examined the purple mineral in the experimental vessel, his brows furrowed.
He thought of Shu Ci’s camellia necklace.
“Are you sure it’s not man-made?” He Lian asked.
“Sure,” the researcher nodded. “Man-made ones usually have obvious traces, and the composition and connection gaps are different from natural creations. We are certain that Ziyou Stone is a natural substance.”
Hearing this, Lu Wanqing looked again at the somewhat jagged Ziyou Stone.
Whether it was Ziyou Stone or the unknown creatures, none of them had appeared in that predetermined destiny.
How many changes had Shu Ci’s wings stirred up?
“I have a creepy feeling of unease.”
Leaving the research institute, He Lian frowned. “I thought it was a man-made mutated creature plan from another country, but now it seems not likely.”
Lu Wanqing didn’t make any judgment.
What if it is natural and what if it’s man-made? The experience of being bound to fate is natural to him, but Shu Ci said that maybe he was in a novel, in a man-made world.
How many human traces are there in their self-proclaimed natural and pure lives? He couldn’t be certain.
Only philosophers need to delve deep, and there’s only one thing he needs to do.
“I suggest strengthening the institute’s security starting tomorrow,” Lu Wanqing said. “No matter who did it, what the reason is, protecting people’s lives is paramount.”
He Lian fully agreed, or rather, this was what he admired most about Lu Wanqing.
In his eyes, there was never a difference between A, B, and O; everyone was someone he should protect.
He Lian looked at the sky and sighed softly. “The parliament should determine the next executive officer before November this year. I hope they can choose a normal person so that we can discuss whether to publicly warn the public.”
Lu Wanqing was unwilling to get involved in the political turmoil and didn’t respond.
After a long silence, he asked He Lian, “You said earlier to let Shu Ci come to the base to shoot the promotional video, when can it start at the earliest?”
There were too many suspicious points about Shu Ci.
He didn’t know if it was because of his wings that caused such a drastic change; Lu Wanqing wanted to communicate with him as soon as possible.
“…”
Lu Wanqing’s eagerness was seen by He Lian, much like a young man who couldn’t wait to be with his wife every day.
He Lian got into the car himself, waving his hand to shoo him away.
“Give him a special invitation work permit from the publicity department. He can come anytime, okay?”
“Wow—your work permits are so cool!”
When Lu Wanqing handed the work permit to Shu Ci, he was practicing pheromone mimicry in the stairwell.
The work permit was black and gold, appearing colorful and shimmering under the lights. Gold threads were hidden in the black strap attached to the permit, dignified and solemn.
Shu Ci took a stack of thick paper from his desk and handed it to Lu Wanqing. “Just right, I wrote eighteen scripts and storyboards. Can you help me see which one your supervisor likes? I’ll polish it before I show it to them.”
“Eighteen?” Lu Wanqing took the heavy papers. “Isn’t that a bit much?”
“…Are you kidding me?” Shu Ci was deeply familiar with the temperaments of clients; eighteen options were the result of his life experience and various bizarre client aesthetic preferences. “Back when I was unknown, I made a promotional video for a company’s annual meeting, and I revised over seventy versions of the plan, and eventually used the first version.”
After exchanging their secrets, Shu Ci didn’t bother hiding his past from Lu Wanqing.
He wasn’t the original owner; he wasn’t anyone else; he was just himself.
Lu Wanqing leaned against the slightly oppressive low door of the stairwell and briefly scanned Shu Ci’s plans.
Each plan had a brief description, and the storyboards on each page were hand-drawn, with detailed written explanations beside them. Although primitive, it showed the writer’s care and dedication.
How long had it been since he came back from the island, he probably didn’t stop working on this for a moment.
His gaze shifted from the manuscript to Shu Ci, meeting his expectant eyes. Every strand of his wine-red hair was full of energy, his gray-blue eyes shining brightly, his slightly parted lips revealing his anticipation, while the upturned corners of his mouth hinted at his pride and confidence.
It turned out that when he was doing what he loved, he was so dazzling.
He handed the stack of carefully prepared papers back to him seriously. “You don’t need to worry about what the Marshal likes. The promotional video is for prospective recruits; what they like is important.”
“Oh,” Shu Ci took it, blinking. “I’m talking about the supervisor, not the Marshal… No, your promotional video needs to be reviewed by the Marshal?”
“Tomorrow, the twelve Marshals and the Marshal will choose a plan together,” Lu Wanqing’s eyelids drooped slightly, speaking slowly. “Send me an electronic version.”
Actually, no, this kind of promotional video didn’t need their review at all.
He arranged tomorrow’s regular meeting agenda; the moment he saw eighteen plans, he wanted to add this item during the tea break.
He wanted more people to see how excellent his husband was.
“Tomorrow?!” Shu Ci was stunned. “When will filming start?”
“As soon as possible. You’ll be starting school soon, aren’t you planning to include the promotional video in your summer internship?”
“Right, almost forgot.” Shu Ci scratched his head.
At his age, he still had to relive the nightmare of starting school, which was ridiculous.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have someone pick you up at the base. You can take a look at the equipment and the venue in advance, and you can mention anything you need to prepare in advance.”
Shu Ci looked at his schedule. “Ah, but tomorrow morning I have an appointment to go to the service center to handle the follow-up procedures for the island inheritance.”
“Estimate the time, and I’ll have someone pick you up there.” Lu Wanqing calmly took the work permit from Shu Ci’s hand, put it on for him, and gazed at Shu Ci’s neck.
“I have a meeting tomorrow and will be back to the base late. Control your pheromones.”
Then, he turned to leave.
There were many things to prepare for the twelve Marshals’ regular meeting, so he could only give these instructions.
“Don’t worry.”
Shu Ci looked at Lu Wanqing’s back, skillfully controlling his pheromones, walking around him and opening a flower. “By the way, my promotional video needs some individual shots. I wrote it in the plan; when you have the meeting, have the leaders pick a few good-looking ones from each branch of the military.”
Lu Wanqing paused, using his pheromones to gently wrap around the flower he offered. After many days, their pheromones came into contact again, there was less hostility, but more indescribable restlessness.
It was rare to see him being so proactive, but the request was quite uncomfortable. How many handsome Alphas did he want to choose?
Couldn’t… he choose him?
After a long while, he withdrew his pheromones, hiding all his thoughts.
Then he nodded. “Okay.”
Author’s Note:
Old Lu, you are Director Ci’s male lead!
——