Chapter 137 Precursor to Force

Chapter 137: Precursor to Coercion

When it was time to be discharged, Chen Su arrived, stepping out of the car. Uncle Wen reminded him, "Mr. Chen, the Director hasn't been sleeping well these past two days."

"My bad."

"...?" Uncle Wen was confused for a moment. "No, that's not it."

Uncle Wen added, "No, the Director is just angry for a while. Don't take it to heart. Just cheer him up, and he'll be fine."

"Mm-hmm."

Chen Su wasn't really listening.

Entering the ward, Uncle Wen packed up a few things and went to handle the discharge procedures. In the large room, only Chen Su and Zhao Jinzong remained. Chen Su stood near the side door while Zhao Jinzong sat by the bed, his hands resting on his knees. Light streamed in from the window, casting a warm glow behind Enigma, making him look cozy all over.

"Chen Su," Zhao Jinzong called softly.

"Mm." Chen Su approached Zhao Jinzong and asked, "How's your hand now? Feeling better?"

"Mm."

"Does it hurt? Is the mission on the Federation side urgent? When do you have to leave?"

"It doesn't hurt. I'm leaving this afternoon."

Chen Su was silent for a moment. "Then when will you be back?"

"Two weeks at the slowest, one week at the fastest."

"Mm..." Chen Su lifted Zhao Jinzong's injured wrist. Luckily, it was his left hand; if it had been the right, this wound would've taken much longer to heal.

Zhao Jinzong let Chen Su look at it, while his other hand wrapped around Chen Su's waist, pulling him between his knees. "Been busy lately?"

"Mm, somewhat." Chen Su lowered his gaze. "I thought you wouldn't want to see me."

"I *am* angry with you."

"I'm sorry..."

"Chen Su, you always put yourself in danger."

"If you were me, you'd do the same."

Chen Su still didn't think he was wrong. He was a perfect example of a research scholar: stubborn, opinionated, walking a path to the end. Once he had his own view, it was hard to change, and he would never back down—even if he verbally admitted fault, deep down he didn't acknowledge it.

For a scholar, even that verbal admission was rare. Typically, in a study, two research scholars would argue heatedly, cursing each other's insights as nonsense and their papers as worthless. Chen Su was a quintessential scholar; he'd already conceded by admitting he was wrong.

Zhao Jinzong let out an exasperated laugh. "Stubborn."

Chen Su gave a slight frown.

Uncle Wen finished the discharge procedures, and they got into the car. On the ride back, Chen Su was especially careful with Zhao Jinzong's hand. After returning to the Zhao residence, the delay in going back to the Federation had caused a heavy backlog of official work for Zhao Jinzong, who retired to the study to work.

Chen Su pulled up a chair and sat beside Zhao Jinzong, watching his injured hand very attentively, taking care of many things for him. Seeing Chen Su's excessive tension, Zhao Jinzong reached up and ruffled Chen Su's head. "No need."

Chen Su hummed in acknowledgment, got up to find a blanket, and leaned against Zhao Jinzong's arm and fell asleep. Chen Su had very high requirements for blankets; only then would it be comfortable enough to sleep with his chin resting on it.

Zhao Jinzong looked at the resting Chen Su and thought he looked like a kitten.

At noon, the housekeeper knocked and called them for lunch. When Chen Su woke up, he saw Enigma's slender hand. His eyelashes fluttered as he stood up.

After eating, Chen Su took Zhao Jinzong to the airport.

Chen Su's palms were sweaty. The incident with Sheng Beiqing a week ago kept replaying in his mind, and the image of Zhao Jinzong getting injured haunted him like a nightmare for a whole week, keeping him from sleeping well.

When the car reached the airport, Chen Su accompanied Zhao Jinzong to the entrance. He grabbed Zhao Jinzong's uninjured hand, looked up, and asked, "I'll come find you next week."

"No need, I'll be back soon."

"Alright, stay safe."

"Mm." Zhao Jinzong squeezed Chen Su's palm. "Why's it so cold?"

"I'm cold." Chen Su didn't let go, continuing, "Don't take Sheng Beiqing's words to heart. There's nothing between him and me... I only realized a year ago, when Meng Suizhi helped me up, that my condition only affects you."

"Chen Su, you don't have to explain. I wouldn't believe it."

"Okay." Chen Su released Zhao Jinzong's hand. "Then don't stay angry with me for now. Don't forget to text me back after you go abroad."

"Mm."

"After you finish your mission and come back, I'll make it up to you then."

"Okay." Zhao Jinzong wrapped an arm around Chen Su's waist and bent down to kiss his forehead.

Zhao Jinzong left.

Chen Su stood at the airport entrance for a long time, not moving even after Enigma's tall figure disappeared.

Chen Su was afraid Zhao Jinzong would ignore him.

And Zhao Jinzong was a man of his word—if he was lied to, he would stop talking to him, as Zhao Jinzong had said before.

Chen Su feared Zhao Jinzong would renege out of anger and not return. Although Zhao Jinzong was meant to stay in the Federation and achieve great things, if he really stayed, Chen Su would feel let down. Zhao Jinzong had once said he wanted to return to the capital and didn't want Chen Su to wait too long.

Chen Su texted Zhao Jinzong: "Call me when you land."

Chen Su didn't leave until the plane took off.

In the car, Chen Su asked Uncle Wen for a smoke.

After smoking, Chen Su felt much better and went back to work at the Drug Administration Bureau.

At three in the morning, Chen Su's phone vibrated.

Zhao Jinzong messaged him: "I've arrived at the Federation."

Chen Su saw the message but didn't reply, because staying up late would upset Zhao Jinzong.

The next day at noon, Chen Su called Zhao Jinzong. Zhao Jinzong was working and didn't answer, but sent a message explaining he was busy.

Chen Su answered flatly, "Mm."

Meng Suizhi could tell Chen Su wasn't himself lately, ever since last week. Zhao Jinzong's injury was no secret in the Fourth Bureau, after all—

Chen Su nodded, "Mhm."

"Don't worry too much. Medical technology is advanced nowadays; nothing will happen."

"Okay." Chen Su took his medicine and calmed down.

Over the next few days, due to time differences, work, and various issues, they chatted more frequently but rarely called each other. Chen Su learned that Zhao Jinzong would have to delay his return by two weeks.

Chen Su didn't reply to Zhao Jinzong's message that day; it was only the next day that he said 'got it'.

Chen Su gave Zhao Jinzong another two weeks.

In the capital, the ice and snow melted, everything came back to life, and the weather warmed up.

Around the time Zhao Jinzong had last said he would return, Chen Su bought a plane ticket and flew to the Federation late at night. Before that, he had applied for marriage leave.

For the marriage leave, Tanzhou approved it immediately and granted him an extended leave.

Chen Su flew to the Federal Office and called the alpha who had picked him up last time. The alpha was honored to drive over and pick Chen Su up, and took him to the International Federal Office. In the car, the alpha offered Chen Su a cigarette.

This time, he noticed a ring on Chen Su's hand.

After returning to the Federal Office, Zhao Jinzong also had a ring on his hand.

They were married.

The person before him was the General Administrator's spouse!

The alpha beamed.

Chen Su reminded him, "I didn't tell Jinzong in advance I was coming this time."

Chen Su's leave was approved before the end of the workday, and he arrived late at night; no one knew he had come to the Federation.

The alpha said he completely understood: "I get it! Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut!"

Chen Su hummed in acknowledgment.

The alpha escorted Chen Su upstairs. The General Administration's room could be unlocked with iris scan, key, fingerprint, and password.

Chen Su tried the password and got in on the first try.

The password was his birthday.