Chapter 008 Substitute Marriage 08

Chapter 008 Stand-In Marriage 08

Leaving the Levis Royal Hotel, Zhou Mo took Zhou Younan for a salad.

Zhou Mo mixed the salad and placed it before Zhou Younan.

"Last time I took you for steak, you barely touched it," he said. "I figured you might prefer lighter flavors. This place’s salad might be to your liking—give it a try."

Zhou Younan looked down at the plate: crisp green vegetables, red fruits, and boiled white meat.

Feeling a pang of hunger, he picked up his fork and took a bite. A sweet burst of flavor filled his mouth, indeed suiting his taste.

"Is it good?" Zhou Mo asked.

"Mhm," Zhou Younan nodded.

"Eat more. You’re too thin," Zhou Mo said, his gaze filled with care.

"Mhm."

Zhou Younan pretended to focus on his salad, stealing a glance at the suit hanging on the coat rack. A corner of the dark blue card Lance had given Zhou Mo peeked conspicuously from the pocket—a glaring, impossible-to-ignore sight.

He covertly watched Zhou Mo, who was mixing salad dressing for himself. Zhou Mo’s fork movements were refined and elegant, like a conductor leading an orchestra—graceful, almost musical.

He picked out the purple cabbage and added some sugar to his own portion.

Noticing Zhou Younan’s gaze, Zhou Mo smiled and explained, "I don’t like purple."

"Just how powerful are the Nabels?" Zhou Younan asked.

"Immensely."

"The Nabell Family is one of the five founding families of the Tyrell Empire. Their industries are all related to military arms—they don’t touch light manufacturing, so people outside Torigis don’t know the extent of their influence."

"But anyone involved in the defense sector, or anyone who’s been to Torigis, knows the Nabels are a powerhouse family."

A dynasty unto themselves…

Everything in the Empire was controlled by families. The royal family naturally held the most power, followed by the five founding families, then the rising wealthy families, then smaller families and businesses, and finally the common people.

Though recently, it seemed some forces were challenging the Empire’s rule. Zhou Younan didn’t understand—the only system completely different from the Empire’s was the Federation’s, but not all Federation citizens were happy either.

He believed peaceful development was the best path.

Unable to stay silent any longer, he asked Zhou Mo, "Where did Lance Nabel tell you to meet him?"

Zhou Mo’s hand stilled mid-stir. He lowered his eyes and said, "That has nothing to do with you."

"He’s threatening you with the venue—how is that not my business?"

Zhou Younan shared his thoughts.

"I don’t like the Levis Royal Hotel. I don’t want to hold the wedding there. Brother, let’s find another place."

Zhou Mo ignored his opinion and said flatly, "It doesn’t matter if you don’t like it—Wei Qing does. His previous wedding was at the Stellar Hall. Even though the Zhou Family is preparing your wedding, for your future, we need to indulge his preferences."

Remembering Wei Qing’s hostility toward him, Zhou Younan said, "Indulging his preferences with the dress and venue won’t change anything."

Zhou Mo set his fork down sharply onto the table, anger flashing in his eyes. "What do you mean, 'won’t change anything'?"

Startled by his sudden anger, Zhou Younan wasn’t used to arguments. His lips sealed shut.

Zhou Mo let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "The Emperor himself ordered this marriage, and Father is the one sending you off. I can’t stop it."

He ducked his head, ashamed. "The Zhous haven’t been fair to you—we owe you better. But marriage is a chance to build a new family, to have a real family. I want happiness for you."

"So I want to do everything I can to make this wedding perfect, to show Wei Qing how much the Zhou Family values you, so he won’t disrespect you. I want your marriage to thrive."

Zhou Younan was taken aback by Zhou Mo’s despondency.

When Zhou Mo said Wei Qing liked that venue, Zhou Younan had assumed he was trying to please Wei Qing. He’d misread Zhou Mo’s intentions.

Zhou Quan and Zhou An couldn’t wait to marry him off to Wei Qing. Outsiders relished his misery. Yet Zhou Mo was trying to protect him in his own way.

Zhou Younan’s chest tightened with warmth.

Zhou Mo’s words about marriage might be right, but he didn’t believe in love.

Love existed—just not for him.

Yet someone still hoped for his happiness.

Zhou Younan’s lips quirked up, his eyes shimmering.

Seeing this, Zhou Mo’s expression darkened further. "I’ll reclaim Stellar Hall for you. I promise."

"Brother, just hearing you say that is enough. I don’t need the venue." Moved, but still, Zhou Younan refused. He didn’t want Zhou Mo to bow to Lance Nabel for his sake.

"Listen. Leave this to me. Don’t worry about this—just focus on getting married."

"I don’t want it!" Zhou Younan repeated firmly.

Seeing his stubbornness, Zhou Mo hardened his tone. "Well, I’ll make sure you get it!"

Zhou Younan grew anxious. Zhou Mo was a good person—good people shouldn’t suffer because of him. But another thought suddenly struck him.

In a disbelieving tone, he asked, "Are you into someone like Lance Nabel?!"

"Of course not!" Zhou Mo denied immediately.

"Then why are you so set on meeting him? Stop pretending this is for me." Zhou Younan pursed his lips. "I’ve made myself clear."

Zhou Mo chuckled. "I’m not fooled."

Zhou Younan didn’t respond. He ate the rest in silence.

After the meal, Zhou Mo signaled for the check. Zhou Younan grabbed the suit from the coat rack and handed it to him.

Zhou Mo took it and walked Zhou Younan back to his hotel room.

Before leaving, he said, "I’ve seen Wei Qing a handful of times. He’s unconventional but not cruel. As long as you humor him, he won’t give you too much trouble. Try not to fret."

But the Zhou Family had never followed his lead from the start.

Though he thought this, Zhou Younan only replied with a soft, "Okay."

After Zhou Mo left, Zhou Younan closed the door. He took the dark blue card from his pocket and flushed it down the drain.

As the card was swept away, Zhou Younan recalled the emotions he had felt while escorting Luo Luo to the Zhou household.

He'd felt nervous yet hopeful and happy. He had hoped to have a family, with people who cared for one another.

But the Zhou family fell short of his expectations.

Now, Zhou Mo had shown him kindness.

Zhou Younan already regarded him as an elder brother, which was why he had swiped the card.

Walking to the table, Zhou Younan picked up the tin box placed there and inspected it.

The capsule remained undisturbed inside.

Zhou Younan had considered carrying the box with him, but after careful thought, he decided it was safer to leave it in the hotel rather than risk carrying it around.

So every time he returned from going out, Zhou Younan would immediately check the condition of the capsule.

After confirming the capsule was intact, Zhou Younan found General Henry’s contact information on his terminal.

Ten minutes later, Zhou Mo showed up breathless outside Zhou Younan’s door: “Where’s the card?”

Zhou Younan replied calmly, “Tossed it.”

Zhou Mo was equal parts furious and tickled: “You! You…”

“Brother, don’t worry. Marshal Wei Qing doesn’t care where the venue is.”

“How do you know?”

“I called and asked.” Zhou Younan tapped his terminal and played the recording of his communication with General Henry.

The call connected, and General Henry saluted: “Good day, Madam.”

Zhou Younan cut to the chase: “The venue my brother originally booked at the Levis Royal Hotel was taken by the Nabel family. Will the marshal raise a fuss if the wedding is held elsewhere?”

“I’ll need to check with the marshal. Please wait a moment.”

The feed went silent. Three minutes later, Henry responded: “The marshal doesn’t mind.”

The call ended, and Zhou Younan looked at Zhou Mo: “That was General Henry Gray, Marshal Wei Qing’s right-hand man.”

Zhou Mo was frustrated that before he could lift a finger, Zhou Younan had already handled it.

Headstrong but quick to act.

“Your stubbornness is the spitting image of Uncle's.”

***

Lance Nabel was surrounded by his goons as he entered the VIP lounge of the club.

As soon as he sat down, a lineup of hostesses entered, led by the manager.

Each was attractive in their own way, but Lance remained uninterested. He was still pissed that Zhou Mo had folded instead of come crawling to him.

“Boss Lance, none of them to your liking?” The manager grovelled with a smile.

Lance crooked a finger at him: “You got anybody with blue hair, tall and slender, and easy on the eyes?”

The manager shook his head apologetically.

Jack, one of Lance’s goons, immediately kicked the manager: “If you don’t have any, go find some!”

The manager beat a hasty retreat with his entourage.

Jack, who had a scar on his cheek, fixed a drink and handed it to Lance: “You jonesin' for Zhou Mo, boss?”

Lance was the third son in his family and was respectfully addressed as the third young master in their circles.

He gave a slight nod in response.

“The third young master is too much of a gentleman—you don’t like forcing things. I heard Zhou Mo takes after his Beta mom, who was a Hepburn by birth. I’ll go check the Hepburn family later—there’s bound to be someone who floats your boat.”

“Good, good idea.” Lance looked at him approvingly.

Jack, pleased with the praise, beamed: “It’s my honor to ease the third young master’s worries.”

Lance took a sip of his drink and recalled the skinny little Omega Zhou Mo had been protecting earlier.

He called up the snapshot he had taken of Zhou Younan and showed it to his goons: “Who is this Omega? Does anyone recognize him? I saw Zhou Mo looking out for him.”

“Don’t know.”

“No idea.”

…

“Ah, I know, I know!” Another meathead henchman, John, muscled his way to Lance’s side. He nervously rubbed his nose. “That’s the young master of the Zhou family. Didn’t His Majesty order a marriage alliance between the Zhou family and Marshal Wei Qing? Based on the timeline, the wedding should be happening soon.”

Before he could finish, Lance started shaking like a leaf.

Jack kicked John: “What possessed you to mention Wei Qing?!”

Lance trembled even harder.

Jack slapped himself: “Third young master, I was wrong.”

The burly John, sent sprawling by the kick, clambered back up and knelt at Lance’s feet to apologize: “Third young master, I was wrong, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have mentioned Wei Qing.”

Lance’s trembling intensified, spilling wine from his glass.

“You’re still talking?!” Jack kicked John again.

It took a while before Lance finally calmed down.

Wearing the expression of a doomed man, he told Jack: “I took the Stellar Ballroom that Zhou Mo had booked.”

John, who had just recovered from the two kicks, heard Lance’s words and blurted out: “Huh?! Third young master, you didn’t take the wedding venue, did you?”

Lance personally kicked him this time: “Shut your damn mouth!”

Jack was also gobsmacked. He tried to console Lance Nabel: “Third young master, it shouldn’t be a big deal. I’ll put out some feelers to gather some information.”

A short while later, Jack bounced back grinning. He spilled the tea about Wei Qing messing with Zhou Younan.

Of course, Wei Qing’s name was replaced with “Long-hair.”

Several people in the room couldn’t help but nearly lose their lunches upon hearing the details.

Jack reassured Lance: “Long-hair is still in the Nuwa star system with no intention of returning. That means he couldn't give two shits about the young master of the Zhou family at all. Third young master, you don’t need to worry too much about taking the venue.”

"Good, good." Lance felt relieved.

In the booth's dim lighting, Jack masked the disdain in his eyes.

There were only two people Lance Nabel feared—one was his second brother, and the other was Marshal Wei Qing.

Jack could understand fearing his brother. But why fear Wei Qing?

Lance never gave a clear reason, only telling Jack that he was a madman.

Jack thought Lance was too timid and touched the scar on his cheek.

You had to meet a madman face-to-face to see who was crazier.

***

Henry was shocked to get Zhou Younan's call—Zhou Younan, who was always so timid and never dared to look people in the eye, actually reached out to him.

Must be important?

With that thought, Henry hit answer.

Upon seeing Zhou Younan, Henry bowed slightly. "Madam, good day."

Zhou Younan explained the matter of the wedding venue change.

Henry said, "I need to consult the Marshal. Please wait a moment."

Henry went to the top floor, where Wei Qing lay sprawled lazily on a recliner, eyes closed, basking in the sunlight.

After explaining about the venue change,

Henry couldn't help stirring the pot: "This happened because you didn't make an appearance before the wedding."

Wei Qing scratched his ear, his tone completely dismissive. "Mhm, mhm, mhm."

He pushed himself up slightly, lazily opening his eyes and asking with a hint of amusement, "Did Zhou cry?"

"No."

"Oh."

Bored, Wei Qing lay back down, slowly rolling over lazily to tan his other side.

"What is your response?" Henry stepped closer to ask.

Wei Qing clicked his tongue, his voice lowering. "Back off. Rein in your pheromones."

Marshal Wei Qing disliked Alphas and Omegas getting too close—he hated the scent of pheromones.

This was non-negotiable. Henry had messed up.

Immediately, he retreated several steps.

Wei Qing stretched. "Deal with petty stuff however you want."

With his answer, Henry was about to leave when Wei Qing called him back.

"Have you seen my snuff bottle? I can't find it. Help me look—this is important!"

Henry's eye twitched. "If it matters so much, why do you always play with it and forget where you put it?!"

With that, he marched out in a huff.

Wei Qing cracked one eye open, scratching his nose as if trying to shoo away the faint sea-salt scent.

"So touchy?"

"My snuff bottle... I'm lost without it..."

"I wonder if Old Wang would hook me up with another."