Chapter 004 Substitute Marriage 04

Chapter 004 Stand-In Marriage 04

Henry was about to answer.

Wei Qing suddenly realized, "The one surnamed Zhou?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..." Wei Qing's tone was laced with amusement.

It was already evening, and the purple dusk of Gonggong Star slowly descended.

His gaze fell on the surviving space pirates displayed on the screen before him, and the teardrop tattoo beneath Wei Qing's eye seemed to twist with malevolence.

He said, "Clear the April for landing. I have a show prepared for my fiancée."

"Understood," Henry replied verbally.

He mentally corrected: It's the April, Marshal.

The April landed on Gonggong Star, and Zhou Younan was invited to the reception room by the bald Captain Fei Li.

Most of the people aboard the April were Betas; only the captain and two deputy captains were Alphas, and they had already bonded.

Everyone treated Zhou Younan with a kindness he had never experienced before—a warmth that made him feel as though staying aboard the April for the rest of his life might not be so bad.

Captain Fei Li mentioned that Marshal Wei Qing only permitted the April to land after he informed the Blood-Drop Army of Zhou Younan’s presence on the ship.

"It seems the Marshal is quite eager to meet you," Fei Li said with a knowing glint in his eyes.

Zhou Younan nodded stiffly. He didn’t take the captain’s words seriously, but he couldn’t help but dwell on them. After all, the Marshal’s attitude toward him would determine his living conditions for the foreseeable future.

Captain Fei Li invited Zhou Younan to watch Gonggong Star’s planetary channel, which was broadcasting news of the space pirates being annihilated by Wei Qing.

Though the video had been blurred, the pirates’ screams of agony were so harrowing that gooseflesh prickled all over Zhou Younan’s skin.

Dinnertime arrived, but Wei Qing did not appear.

Instead, an officer accompanied by two soldiers boarded the April, carrying a vintage-style aluminum tray.

All three wore the Blood-Drop Army’s standard black military uniform, adorned with gleaming silver buttons and decorations. The officer at the front sported three six-star insignias on his shoulders, marking his rank as a general.

Only when the trio stood before him did Zhou Younan get a clear look at their faces.

The two soldiers behind the general had tattoos on their faces—one with a cross-shaped design on his left cheek, the other with lightning bolts framing the corners of his lips.

The general at the front, however, had an unmarked face. He had deep brown hair, sky-blue eyes, thick brows, and a square jaw, exuding an aura of integrity.

"My Lady, I am Henry Gray. You may call me Henry," the general introduced himself, saluting.

As Henry saluted, Zhou Younan noticed a tattoo on the back of his left hand—a plain band.

"This is a gift from the Marshal," Henry said, at which the soldier with the lightning tattoos stepped forward.

He placed the aluminum tray on the table before Zhou Younan.

When uncovered, it revealed a plate of roasted meat and a glass of red wine.

The rich aroma of the roasted meat slowly wafted out.

Upon closer inspection, the scent carried a faint, inexplicable sweetness.

Captain Fei Li, standing beside Zhou Younan, licked his lips.

"I’ve heard Gonggong Star is home to a creature called the Red Phoenix—a three-limbed, triple-winged animal with vibrant feathers and exceptionally sweet, delicious meat. Could this be Red Phoenix roast from the Marshal?"

The soldier confirmed, "Yes."

Turning to Zhou Younan, he added, "Our Marshal personally roasted this meat. We hope you enjoy it."

Zhou Younan was surprised to hear Wei Qing had cooked it himself.

It had been years since anyone had prepared a meal for him.

The soldier then placed the wine before Zhou Younan. "This is the Marshal’s personal stock of red wine. He said sipping it slowly will keep you from getting drunk."

The soldier smiled warmly at Zhou Younan—a simple, earnest expression that contrasted sharply with the striking lightning tattoos by his lips.

Zhou Younan relaxed slightly and said softly, "Thank you."

Captain Fei Li rubbed his bald head, his voice tinged with flattery. "Master Zhou, it seems the Marshal holds you in high regard! Not only did he send personally roasted meat, but even a drink to accompany it."

"You must understand, delicious food is hoarded by the elite these days—it costs a fortune. Most of us survive on nutrient paste. Yet here you are, with meat and wine so fragrant it’s making my mouth water."

For emphasis, he exaggeratedly slurped and made a show of wiping his mouth.

Captain Fei Li’s antics dispelled the somewhat serious atmosphere in the reception room, and Zhou Younan relaxed completely.

"Since it’s the Marshal’s gesture, you should try it," Fei Li urged, snapping for a crewman to bring a fork, which he respectfully placed beside Zhou Younan’s hand.

With Captain Fei Li, General Henry, and the two soldiers all watching, Zhou Younan—though not hungry—obligingly ate two mouthfuls of the meat and a small sip of the wine.

After swallowing, Fei Li leaned in, asking, "How is it?"

Zhou Younan replied, "Delicious."

Fei Li beamed, addressing General Henry. "Master Zhou says it’s delicious. Please be sure to relay that to the Marshal."

Henry ignored him, instead glancing at the other soldier.

The soldier with the cross-shaped tattoo on his cheek walked to the window, retrieved a telescope from his belt, and peered into the distance.

After adjusting it, he nodded slightly to General Henry.

Henry hesitated briefly, a flicker passing through his blue eyes.

He said to Zhou Younan, "The Marshal has prepared an opening act for you. Look through the telescope, and you’ll see."

Zhou Younan turned toward the window. The violet-tinged night sky shimmered, and in the distance, pinpricks of light betrayed the Blood-Drop Army’s encampment.

Was that where he was supposed to look?

Seeing his hesitation, Captain Fei Li prodded, "Oh, young master, the Marshal explicitly instructed to use the telescope. How else would you see the show?"

Zhou Younan bit his lip, set down his fork, and walked over to the soldier. Leaning in, he peered through the eyepiece.

The view jumped across the distance to the parade grounds of the military camp.

There, a large group of tattered figures stood linked hands, dancing around a bonfire, their faces glowing with frenzied delight.

"These are the residents of Gonggong Star," the soldier beside him explained. "They're holding a celebration."

Zhou Younan thought: They look very happy. Eliminating the space pirates must be beneficial for the locals.

The telescope's angle shifted slightly, revealing a man sitting by the bonfire in the night, flames flickering across his golden, shoulder-length hair.

A breeze lifted the loose strands by his cheeks, allowing Zhou Younan to clearly see the teardrop tattoo under his eye.

Wei Qing sat on a fallen, dried tree trunk, relaxed and at ease, holding a skewer of something over the fire to roast.

"Our Marshal is grilling meat," the soldier added.

What did this mean? Why was he being shown this?

The angle shifted again slightly, and Zhou Younan saw the charred mass burning fiercely in the center of the bonfire.

The long, black object stood upright in the flames—a cylindrical base with five dangling, finger-like protrusions at the top.

The shape was eerily familiar.

Zhou Younan looked closer and realized with horror that it was a human arm.

Through the flames, he could make out the outlines of the shoulder, torso, and head.

His pupils shrank to pinpricks.

The bonfire was entirely made of piled-up human corpses.

The soldier's voice, no longer gentle, turned icy.

"The Gonggong tradition for dealing with space pirates is death by fire. Our Marshal respects local customs."

Death by fire?

Zhou Younan had always been terrified of flames.

His face drained of color, a chill creeping up from his feet, sending shivers down his spine.

He recoiled, unable to bear the sight of this "entertainment."

"Young Master, are you alright?" Captain Fei Li, unaware of what he'd seen, hurried to Zhou Younan's side and helped him back to his seat.

As he sat down, the aroma of the roasted meat before him drifted to him—a scent he had found appetizing just moments ago.

But now, after what he had seen through the telescope...

Had Wei Qing roasted this meat over that same bonfire?

Very likely. He was overcome with nausea.

Zhou Younan grabbed his wine glass and took a large gulp, washing the bile back down.

He pushed the plate of roasted meat away and met Henry's gaze.

Henry was staring at him expressionlessly, clearly observing his reaction.

Biting his lower lip, Zhou Younan quickly lowered his head, tears pricking his eyes from the effort to suppress his emotions.

Now, Zhou Younan fully understood one thing: Wei Qing had sent him roasted meat, wine, and this "performance" not out of concern.

He was deliberately trying to disgust him.

Why would Wei Qing do this?

They'd never even met.

Henry, still standing, made a gesture. The soldier by the window put away the telescope and returned to his position behind him.

Pretending not to notice Zhou Younan's distress, Henry continued, "The Marshal formally invites you aboard the *Sparrow Voyager* to enjoy fine cuisine with him on the way to Cambella for your wedding."

"N-no... I can't."

As soon as the refusal left his lips, Zhou Younan could no longer hold back. He rushed out of the reception room and emptied his stomach.

The sounds of vomiting carried inside, making Captain Fei Li awkward. He forced a smile at General Henry. "General, you see... our Young Master, he... just now meant that he isn't feeling well and would prefer to stay on the *April* for now."

He patted his chest. "I guarantee we'll deliver the Marshal's bride safely and unharmed to Cambella. Please assure the Marshal of that."

This time, Henry didn't even glance at him.

***

As soon as Henry and his soldiers left the *April*, the General received a priority comms request from his Marshal.

"So, did my fiancée like it?" Wei Qing asked eagerly.

"He vomited, Marshal," Henry replied.

Wei Qing barked a laugh.

Once he calmed down, Henry added, "He refused to board the *Sparrow Voyager* and travel to Cambella with you."

Wei Qing said lightly, "I only meant to frighten him a little. I don’t actually want him on the *Sparrow Voyager* yet."

A brief silence passed between them before Henry said, "Marshal, I won't participate in this again. I believe Omegas require Alpha protection, not intimidation."

"It’s because of Alphas like you, constantly pampering Omegas, that they grow so arrogant."

"Marshal, Omegas are the Empire’s valuable assets—"

"Tch," Wei Qing cut him off, his tone teasing. "Taking his side? What, is this Zhou guy that pretty?"

Henry said formally, "As your subordinate, it’s inappropriate for me to comment on your partner’s appearance."

"So, not good-looking then."

Henry sighed. "He’s as attractive as Su Xi."

"He’s an Omega. Why compare him to Su Xi?"

Henry fell silent.

Wei Qing pressed, "Does his scent appeal to you?"

This time, Henry gave a direct answer. "It’s a common woody fragrance."

"What’s his name again? Zhou something?"

"Zhou Younan."

Wei Qing complained, "What an unremarkable name."

Then, abruptly changing the subject, he said, "Get back here. This Red Phoenix I've got roasting is almost done—you’ll make it just in time to eat."

Henry immediately declined. "No, thank you, Marshal. I prefer nutrient paste."

"Pfft. Philistine."