The speed of the Olin military was even faster than Jiang Yun had anticipated.
A blurred alarm sounded from the distance, growing clearer at an astonishing pace, like an alarm clock at dawn, ruthless and unfeeling as it shattered a gentle, fleeting dream.
Jiang Yun instinctively looked in the direction of the sound. In that instant, he seemed like a boy who had suddenly been forced to grow up overnight, his face carrying a trace of dazed detachment, as though he had been dragged back into reality against his will.
The two of them fell silent for two seconds amid the shrill alarms. It was Lu Huai who spoke first.
“Should I be leaving now?”
Jiang Yun’s eyelashes fluttered once before he nodded. “Yes.”
He did not try to keep him yet Lu Huai did not leave either.
Jiang Yun thought Lu Huai still had something to say. He waited for quite a while but Lu Huai said nothing more.
He did not continue to comfort him. He did not speak of mundane, lighthearted things to ease the atmosphere. Nor did he bring up any pressing official matters that had to be discussed.
In those final moments, Lu Huai simply stood there, quietly watching him.
“You’re still not leaving?” Jiang Yun asked. “Aren’t you afraid of being exposed?”
Lu Huai wore an utterly nonchalant expression. “I’ll just move faster when I retreat later. It’s only a group of Olin people, so it shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
So reckless, so unrestrained. Colonel Lu was indeed still as fiery and headstrong as he had been seventeen years ago.
If this had been back when they were newly married, when Lu Huai had asked, “Should I be leaving now?” Jiang Yun, the student would probably have acted spoiled and asked Colonel Lu to stay with him a little longer.
But now, the response Jiang Yun, the Foreign Minister, gave him was nothing more than a simple “yes.”
“Colonel Lu really hasn’t changed at all,” Jiang Yun let out a soft laugh. “As for me…”
“You haven’t changed much either,” Lu Huai interrupted him. “Aren’t you still the baby who needs me to help wipe away your tears?”
Jiang Yun’s body stiffened abruptly.
Lu Huai smiled as he spoke.
“I miss you very much, baby.” He looked at Jiang Yun, as if unable to hold himself back and repeated it once more. “All these years… I’ve really missed you.”
Lu Huai’s voice was much lower than before. Amid the steadily approaching alarm, it sounded utterly insignificant yet it made Jiang Yun’s heart tremble.
Jiang Yun believed that the reason his heart had trembled was still that ill timed form of address. He tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth.
“Please don’t call me like that anymore, Colonel Lu. I’ve long since passed that age. Don’t forget, our children are already in high school.”
If the children ever heard Lu Huai calling him that, where would his dignity as a father even go?
Lu Huai fell silent for two seconds, then laughed again, his tone light and easy. “Alright, Foreign Minister Jiang. Whatever you say.”
The alarm was now so close that there was only a single alley between it and them. Jiang Yun could already hear the rapid, hurried footsteps.
“Hurry and go,” Jiang Yun urged. “Don’t make things harder for yourself.”
“Then I’ll see you at the research institute in three days.. ” Lu Huai said breezily. Just as he had agreed so readily a moment before, he now revealed his truly infuriating nature at the point of farewell. “… Baby.”
Jiang Yun watched as Lu Huai’s figure swiftly disappeared around the corner of the alley. Almost the very next second, Lewis’s voice rang out behind him. “.. Foreign Minister Jiang? Foreign Minister Jiang!”
Not a second too early, not a second too late.
Colonel Lu, even while joking casually, maintained perfect control over the situation.
Within an hour of awakening, he had picked up a sniper rifle and blown Wickliffe’s head apart with a single shot.
He set the stage for their reunion and still spent the entire night reading to crack the security system.
He comforted him with embraces and kisses. He amused him with gentle, witty conversation. He wove for him a flawless dream of reunion.
And in the end, even the very latest moment of his departure had been calculated with absolute precision.
Colonel Lu would probably never truly lose control, never completely unleash his emotions without restraint.
Just as no matter how much Lu Huai had once loved his newlywed spouse, he would still only bury all his true feelings when he believed himself on the brink of death, uttering that one sentence: “I haven’t fallen in love with you yet.”
Just as Lu Huai had not released his pheromones to comfort him just now and he himself had not asked for Lu Huai’s pheromones either.
Because Lu Huai understood just as well as he did, understood that the current Foreign Minister Jiang could not carry the scent of Alpha pheromones on his body, much less the scent of his deceased husband.
Just like when Lu Huai said he would lose control together with him, in the end, the only one who shed tears was him alone.
How could Colonel Lu possibly cry?
Jiang Yun gazed at the corner that had swallowed Lu Huai’s figure and the corners of his lips gradually curved upward. “Colonel Lu, you really are always this composed, this at ease.”
You might not know this yet but now, you’re no longer the only one who can handle everything with perfect ease.
If it had been me who slept through those seventeen years, then when I saw you again, I wouldn’t have cried either.
Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze, his expression calm and unruffled as he turned around and took initiative to walk straight toward the dark mass of people.
“There are so many bodies here!” someone shouted. “O.. one, two, three… eight! There are eight in total!”
“Their fatal wounds seem to have all been caused by cold weapons?”
“What on earth happened here? Has anyone seen the Alliance’s Foreign Minister?”
“Foreign Minister Jiang!” Jiang Yun recognized Lewis’s voice. “I found Foreign Minister Jiang!”
Lewis came running toward Jiang Yun, panting heavily, his expression clearly shaken. “Foreign Minister Jiang, are you alright?”
Jiang Yun replied lightly, “I’m fine.”
“Why did you suddenly disappear from the tavern?” Lewis asked anxiously. “We searched for you for such a long time!”
“From what I observed, none of you would have stood a chance against that assassin,” Jiang Yun’s tone carried a hint of mockery. “If I hadn’t left on my own, was I supposed to stay there and wait to die?”
Lewis choked on his words and said, “You shouldn’t think like that. Being out there alone is the most dangerous thing of all.”
Jiang Yun raised his brow slightly. “So did you catch that assassin?”
“…No.”
“Then it seems I made the right choice.”
“Foreign Minister Jiang, may I ask what’s going on with these eight bodies?” another Olin second lieutenant asked. “Who were they and who killed them?”
“When I arrived here, they were already dead,” Jiang Yun wore an expression that looked almost amused. “You’re asking me, then who exactly should I be asking?”
The Olin soldiers looked at one another, their bellies full of doubts and questions, all blocked by Jiang Yun’s single sentence.
“Now,” Jiang Yun lifted his hand and casually brushed the snow from his shoulder, “I’m a little tired. Please send me back to the Salvation, alright?”
The alarm stopped abruptly. The bulletproof vehicle carrying an important figure rolled steadily across the snow, leaving the shantytown behind as it headed toward the harbor.
There was only a little time left before dawn. The faint light of the star flickered in and out of view.
The snow continued to fall and the shantytown returned to its original backwardness and quiet.
Fitch was an ordinary miner who lived in the shantytown. Every day, he rose early, becoming the first to arrive at the mining area to begin his day’s work.
He needed to finish the work hours stipulated in his contract with the Olin government as quickly as possible so he could return to Belok Star and reunite with his wife.
Humming a hometown tune, Fitch walked through the empty alley. Suddenly, his steps came to a halt.
A young man was blocking his way.
Fitch couldn’t see the man’s face clearly. From his bearing and outline alone, he could tell that this was a young man in his early twenties.
The youth sat against a dilapidated wall in the snow, his face buried in shadow, shoulders slightly slumped, motionless for a long time.
Fitch thought it was another miner who had collapsed from severely excessive work hours. He hurried forward. “Sir? Sir, are you alright?”
“……”
Catching sight of something, Fitch hesitated for a moment before asking, “A are you… crying?”
“……”
When the young man did not respond, Fitch asked again, “Or… are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
The youth finally reacted, his voice as faint as a candle about to be extinguished. “…My heart hurts.”
Fitch jumped in fright. “Please hang on! I’ll take you to the clinic right away!”
“……”
“Sir, please come onto my back. I’ll carry you to the clinic!”
“…Thank you for your kindness.” The youth thanked Fitch from the darkness. He seemed to have recovered a little from the pain, his voice gradually returning to normal. “But there’s no need.”
Fitch said urgently, “Heart problems can be fatal!”
The youth let out a laugh. “But if it’s because I saw my wife after a very long time apart, can that clinic cure it?”
Fitch let out a breath of relief. He could somewhat understand the young man yet not fully.
He understood the loss of control that came with reuniting with one’s wife after a long separation. Every time he went home and saw his wife, he would be so emotional that he cried.
But how could one’s heart hurt? Has something happened to the young man’s wife?
Fitch didn’t dare ask further but since they both had wives they deeply loved and the young man’s voice and manner of speaking were very comfortable, he was more than willing to sacrifice a bit of work time to chat with him.
“Did you video call your wife?” Fitch said enviously. “Making a call on Ice Wasteland Star is too expensive. My wife won’t even let me call her.”
The youth gave a soft “mm” and said, “I hope you’ll be able to see your wife again very soon.”
Fitch couldn’t help asking, “Um… is your wife doing well?”
The youth nodded, then shook his head. “He’s grown up. He’s become very capable.” The youth seemed to picture his wife’s face and couldn’t help laughing softly.
“He… he’s gone from being a little beauty to a great beauty now, he doesn’t seem to know how to act spoiled anymore.”
From the youth’s words, it sounded like he and his wife had been apart for a very long, very long time. Fitch asked curiously, “How long has it been since you last saw each other?”
The youth fell silent again.
Just when Fitch thought he wouldn’t get an answer, the youth finally spoke. “…A very, very long time.”
Seventeen years, more precisely, sixteen years and seven months.
Six thousand and fifty seven days, one hundred and forty five thousand three hundred and sixty nine hours.
It was truly… far too long.
“I should go.” The youth pushed himself up with one hand against the wall. Whether intentionally or not, his back remained turned toward Fitch and his face stayed hidden from Fitch’s view the entire time. “I wish you a pleasant day.”
“Ah… thank you.” Fitch felt inexplicably flattered. “I also wish you a pleasant day.”
The youth waved goodbye to Fitch, his back facing the sky that was not yet fully bright and disappeared alone into the darkness.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Who can compare to Colonel Lu?Chapter 2 · He should be deadChapter 3 · How were we born?Chapter 4 · That’s where Colonel died..Chapter 5 · No one knows my pheromone than Colonel LuChapter 6 · Colonel Lu’s remainsChapter 7 · Heat is approachingChapter 8 · CheckmateChapter 9 · A dream liked married lifeChapter 10 · What might be his pregnancy be like?Chapter 11 · He thought he would be the father of two childrenChapter 12 · So we just hang Colonel Lu on the wall?Chapter 13 · Finally, I have something to say to my wifeChapter 14 · Why doesn’t Colonel Lu understandChapter 15 · He doesn’t Love MeChapter 16 · You’ll see him soonChapter 17 · So casual, so carelessChapter 18 Part 1 · He.. He’s looking at meChapter 18 Part 2 · He..He’s looking at meChapter 19 · Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 20 · Wait until I bring back your zombie Alpha dadChapter 21 · Long time no see, Jiang YunChapter 22 · I still have that qualificationChapter 23 · It still tastes sweet when you kiss itChapter 24 · He seems to have forgotten how to act cuteChapter 25 · The two unfortunate children were completely terrifiedChapter 26 · Please make yourself at home.Chapter 27 · Hello, UncleChapter 28 · Am I not your deceased husband?Chapter 29 · Don’t you love me anymore?Chapter 30 · Our home is No. 5, Qianshui RoadChapter 31 · Is he… here to keep him company?Chapter 32 · What exactly did Alpha bring me?Chapter 33 · Thanks a lot, brothers!Chapter 34 · Hi?Chapter 35 · I only let you take care of the child for one dayChapter 36 · Did you have thoughts when you ‘died’?Chapter 37 · Put a double bed in your homeChapter 38 · They both suffered heavy lossesChapter 39 · Welcome back to the Alphas’ arena.Chapter 40 · Why should I lower myself?Chapter 41 · I have learned that Colonel Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 42 · They are sensitive and vulnerableChapter 43 · He would also feel regret.Chapter 44 · When a child is quiet, they’re definitely up to somethingChapter 45 · Dad, you have such a good eye for choosing a husband!Chapter 46 · Who made it wear a colonel’s uniform?Chapter 47 · I love him very muchChapter 48 · Okay, I believe youChapter 49 · I remember you went pretty hard on him at the end.Chapter 50 · Colonel Lu, don’t be too fierceChapter 51 · To…make up for the regretChapter 52 · A perfect match!Chapter 53 · Colonel Lu, let’s get married!Chapter 54 · When will you finally learn to stop talking nonsense?Chapter 55 · My darlings, we’re homeChapter 56 · Babies, please stopChapter 57 · I’m about to enter my heat cycle, not my due dateChapter 58 · Is he complaining to his wife?Chapter 59 · The only lieChapter 60 · Colonel Lu, the babies are all crying.Chapter 61 · Dad, Colonel Lu bullied me.Chapter 62 · A large number of foreign ministersChapter 63 · Jiang Mu definitely likes handsome guys tooChapter 64 · First time bringing a partner to a major diplomatic occasionChapter 65 · You’re still as handsome as you were back thenChapter 66 · Bedtime Strategic PartnerChapter 67 · How can you be so good at threatening people?Chapter 68 · I’m waiting for youChapter 69 · I’ll stay by your side, from beginning to endChapter 70 · Can you handle Lu Chao’s… educational session for me?Chapter 71 · The First SpringChapter 72 · Extra 1Chapter 73 · Extra 2Chapter 74 · Extra 3Chapter 75 · Extra 4Chapter 76 · Extra 5Chapter 77 · Extra 6Chapter 78 · Extra 7Chapter 79 · Extra 8Chapter 80 · Extra 9