Chapter 8 The Last Day of December

Chapter 8: The Last Day of December

Mu Zhang found himself momentarily distracted as he watched Lin Juangui walk down the red carpet towards him.

Lin Juangui looked entirely different from Mu Yuanqing, yet he evoked a subtle sense of familiarity in Mu Zhang.

Mu Yuanqing's passionate warmth was irresistible. Coupled with his handsome, refined appearance and decisive personality, Mu Zhang quickly fell deeply for him, believing Mu Yuanqing to be the most perfect Alpha among their peers.

At the time, they were roommates. Mu Yuanqing had helped Mu Zhang extensively, and his proactive care stirred Mu Zhang's emotions, leading Mu Zhang to pursue him.

Mu Yuanqing initially hesitated, given they were both Alphas, but Mu Zhang's gaze was utterly compelling. Ultimately, Mu Yuanqing agreed to be with him.

After Mu Zhang's parents passed away, he was consumed by grief. It was Mu Yuanqing who stayed by his side, helping him navigate those arduous days.

Not long after, Mu Zhang asked Mu Yuanqing to leave the Federal Central Star with him. He had fallen out with his grandfather and hoped Mu Yuanqing would accompany him.

Mu Yuanqing refused.

He knew that two Alphas could not last. While he regretted Mu Zhang's family tragedy, he also bore the expectations of his parents and elders and could not abandon everything to leave with Mu Zhang.

Young and impetuous back then, Mu Zhang interpreted this as a lack of love from Mu Yuanqing and uttered many harsh words.

Mu Yuanqing found it difficult to articulate his reasons, but he knew his decision was not wrong.

Later, Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing reconnected, resolved their misunderstandings, and became bound by military interests. Mu Zhang came to understand Mu Yuanqing more deeply, perceiving the subtle depth beneath his cheerful demeanor.

That hint of white fir-scented pheromone was just like Mu Yuanqing himself—quietly aloof.

In contrast, Lin Juangui's beauty was overt. His face was like a mythical seductress, yet his serene, ink-wash-like eyes tempered that ethereal allure. He possessed a captivating beauty that, once seen, was unforgettable and lingered in one's memory.

On the day Lin Juangui proposed, Mu Zhang clearly sensed a significant change in him. His smile was no longer radiant, replaced by a somber gloom.

Mu Zhang remembered Lin Juangui not being like this before.

When they first met, Lin Juangui had smiled brightly and shyly, just as described in his profile—a beloved Omega, brimming with vibrant, youthful energy.

Ge Miao had mentioned that by the time he contacted Lin Qiu, Lin Juangui had already been confined to the attic for some time. Unless Lin Juangui's marriage could yield substantial leverage, Lin Qiu would never release him.

So, when Lin Juangui tore up the contract and requested a detailed discussion with Mu Zhang, Mu Zhang still made time to meet him.

That conversation made Mu Zhang realize that Lin Juangui was far more than a mere ornamental vase. Beyond helping Mu Zhang through his rut with the pheromones he favored, Lin Juangui possessed many other valuable attributes.

Mu Zhang was curious to see what Lin Juangui had in store. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, he decisively and unequivocally took the gamble.

As the Omega walked towards him with a smile, Mu Zhang suddenly had a moment of clarity—he was, in fact, getting married.

Lin Juangui's smile now was starkly different from when Mu Zhang first saw it. His eyes were cold, devoid of warmth or emotion. For him, this marriage was purely a transaction, devoid of any expectations.

Mu Zhang cared little for Lin Juangui's thoughts. As long as Lin Juangui fulfilled his duties, Mu Zhang would grant him anything he desired.

As Lin Juangui stood on the lily-adorned platform, Mu Zhang extended his hand. A torrent of colorful ribbons and lights cascaded from all directions, while layers of lights on the lawn stretched like waves into the boundless distance.

Lin Juangui placed his hand in Mu Zhang's, and the guests erupted in applause.

As the officiant ascended the stage, the hall lights dimmed slightly, and the boisterous chatter gradually subsided. A powerful beam of light converged on Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui, prompting everyone who saw them to praise them as a perfect match.

Under the clear, brilliant light, Lin Juangui's beauty seemed almost otherworldly.

Even though Mu Zhang disliked Omegas, he had to admit that Lin Juangui's beauty was exceptional, even among the most stunning. His appearance was impeccably presented.

Lin Juangui didn't know what Mu Zhang was thinking, but he knew his practiced smile could deceive anyone.

The Alpha's smile was subtle, making him appear even more elegant and handsome.

After the officiant concluded the blessings, Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui exchanged rings and each declared "I do." The officiant, with a beaming smile, announced, "Now, the Alpha may kiss his Omega."

According to the rehearsal a few days prior, Mu Zhang was to hold Lin Juangui's hand and kiss its back.

However, as Mu Zhang leaned in, Lin Juangui blinked, as if perplexed by the deviation from the script.

When a soft touch brushed his ear, Lin Juangui instinctively flinched and recoiled.

It was an ill-timed reaction. To avoid suspicion, Lin Juangui quickly raised his hand to embrace Mu Zhang's neck, creating an appearance of intimate closeness.

They were so close that Lin Juangui could even detect the asphalt-like scent emanating from Mu Zhang's scent glands.

Amidst the guests' cheers and applause, Lin Juangui's words carried a chilling edge: "Mr. Mu, have you forgotten the rehearsal script?"

Mu Zhang chuckled softly. "I never even bothered to look at the flowchart the planner sent me."

"..."

His brazenness was utterly outrageous.

Lin Juangui maintained his graceful smile, his acting skills truly impressive. Mu Zhang, holding his hand, surveyed the guests attending the banquet.

Mu Yuanqing was absent.

Although the wedding preparations had been brief, Mu Zhang had spared no expense on the grandeur. Since he was marrying an Omega, he intended to make the most of the situation.

But now, the most crucial guest was missing. Mu Zhang maliciously surmised that Mu Yuanqing must have been intimidated.

Hadn't he said he would eventually marry an Omega? Now that Mu Zhang had fulfilled Mu Yuanqing's "wish" by marrying one, shouldn't Mu Yuanqing have appeared at the wedding to offer some hypocritical blessings?

During the post-wedding reception, Lin Juangui and Mu Zhang changed into light golden traditional jackets embroidered with flying birds.

This was Lin Juangui's first public appearance as Mu Zhang's partner. Although he hadn't been involved in any of the wedding details, Mu Zhang's meticulousness surprised him. For instance, given the strained relationship between Lin Juangui and his parents, Mu Zhang had them make a brief appearance before sending them off, even sparing Lin Juangui a face-to-face meeting.

Originally, Lin Juangui had viewed the wedding as a mere game, but he hadn't expected Mu Zhang to put so much thought into it.

It seemed he genuinely cared about his reputation—why else would he go to such lengths?

Most of the wedding guests were Mu Zhang's acquaintances. Lin Juangui's former classmates were still in school and merely sent wedding gifts as a gesture.

However, even without friends or family by his side, Lin Juangui remained completely composed. When asked how he and Mu Zhang met, he answered smoothly, effortlessly silencing those curious about their past.

"Mu Zhang and I have a compatibility rate of over 90%. We met through family matters and both felt it was a good match, so we got married. But I'm still young, and he doesn't plan on having children too soon, so we're in no hurry."

For highly compatible Alpha-Omega pairs, even minor conflicts in daily life could be easily smoothed over by pheromone influence. Those surrounding Lin Juangui praised Mu Zhang for his good fortune, envying him for having such an Omega.

Lin Juangui held his wine glass and smiled faintly, clearly at ease in such settings.

Meanwhile, Mu Zhang, who was asking Gu Mi to investigate Mu Yuanqing's whereabouts from a distance, seemed distracted.

"How could he go missing? Sai Ling Star is heavily guarded—where did these space pirates come from?"

Three minutes earlier, Gu Mi had informed Mu Zhang that the signal from Mu Yuanqing's starship had vanished. Frowning, Mu Zhang excused himself from his friends and moved to a quieter spot to inquire about the situation.

Gu Mi replied, "It's not space pirates; it's a wormhole."

The wormhole had transported Mu Yuanqing's starship to an unknown location. A large-scale search would require significant manpower and resources, and the unexplained disappearance of a Federation general would cause immeasurable public panic. Such a matter absolutely could not be handled with great fanfare.

Mu Zhang wasn't overly concerned; he simply ordered the patrol ships around Sai Ling Star to strengthen their defenses and take precautions. He instructed them to notify him immediately if they could detect any signals from Mu Yuanqing's starship.

Mu Yuanqing was a seasoned individual who had weathered many storms; a wormhole was no major issue for him. As long as the starship had sufficient backup fuel, Mu Yuanqing would undoubtedly find his way back.

However, Mu Zhang's heart was still preoccupied with Mu Yuanqing. When he returned to the party and his friends asked about Lin Juangui's birthday month so they could prepare gifts, he was completely out of sorts.

"It's the last day of December, the day before New Year's. Easy to remember, right?"

Lin Juangui had approached at some point, naturally and familiarly looping his arm through Mu Zhang's and looking up slightly at him.

Mu Zhang quickly regained his composure, nodding and saying, "Mm, it's very easy to remember."

The Alpha didn't notice that when the Omega came to his side, all his friends' gazes fell on the face of the person beside him.

Lin Juangui had been subjected to various forms of scrutiny since childhood, and it was precisely this excessive attention that cultivated his aloof, elegant, and unapproachable demeanor.

However, when interacting normally with people, Lin Juangui still appeared very amiable, which contributed to his popularity.

During the evening banquet, the band and singers Mu Zhang had invited quickly enlivened the atmosphere. Lin Juangui, being an Omega, couldn't tolerate such a noisy environment, so after only a short while, he went outside to the bushes near the mansion to get some fresh air.

"Alpha-dominated weddings are always like this—rowdy and loud, offering no respite for your eardrums. Let them have their fun; let's see if their pheromones can blow the roof off."

The one who came out with Lin Juangui was Zhuang Xi, also an Omega. Her husband was a senator and a former classmate of Mu Zhang's. Due to his busy work schedule, he had sent his wife to attend the wedding.

There weren't many Omegas present today, and Zhuang Xi was a real people person. She and Lin Juangui quickly struck up a conversation, really hitting it off. Zhuang Xi even invited Lin Juangui to visit her home sometime.

Lin Juangui turned to look at the Alphas and Betas swaying to the music, a faint smile on his face. "The night view from the Floating Island is absolutely breathtaking. Shall I show you?"

"Sure! I've long heard that the scenery of Luochen Manor is extraordinary. This wedding is my only chance to see it."

Luochen Manor was sprawling. The wedding was held in the garden to the southeast, and the nearby villas had been converted into banquet venues. Lin Juangui led Zhuang Xi toward the edge of the garden. Before they could sit down, Zhuang Xi suddenly pointed at the sky and exclaimed, "Is that... a meteor?"

Lin Juangui followed Zhuang Xi's gaze and frowned. "It doesn't seem like it."

The meteor was flying at a visible speed toward Sai Ling Star, its tail trailing a plume of smoke.

Zhuang Xi bit her lip, no longer able to appreciate Sai Ling Star’s dazzling nightscape. She felt a panicked anxiety, unsure where to flee. "Could it be... a malfunctioning or inoperable starship? After activating its self-preservation program, it might randomly land on a planet with gravitational pull. No one knows where it will crash! What if by some awful luck it hits the Floating Island..."

The people attending the wedding today were all prominent figures, so Zhuang Xi’s concern was not unfounded.

Meanwhile, Mu Zhang, who had rushed back to the main house’s office, used his highest authority to order his subordinates to activate the gravitational device, redirecting the plummeting starship to a more open area and quickly evacuating civilians to minimize casualties.

That starship belonged to Mu Yuanqing. When its signal reappeared, it was already speeding toward Sai Ling Star, likely following some preset program.

Mu Zhang didn't know what Mu Yuanqing had encountered, but at that moment, all his earlier resentment and stubbornness vanished.

All he wanted was for Mu Yuanqing to be safe.