Chapter 3 Engagement

Chapter 3: The Engagement

The youngest Representative in the capital, and the most beloved among the common people, Jiang Huaiyan.

Zhu Shinian had seen him many times on TV and in newspapers; he was so familiar with many of his speeches that he could almost recite them by heart.

But in the first second he saw Jiang Huaiyan, those weren't the first things that came to mind.

He finally remembered what he had wanted to ask Gu Zhen last night but hadn't.

The military's internal forum said that Gu Zhen, the only grandson of the old General Gu who held military power, was going to form a marriage alliance with Jiang Huaiyan, the heir to the Jiang Corporation.

He wanted to ask Gu Zhen if this... was really true.

Even though both were alphas, with today's mature technology for in vitro embryo cultivation, a marriage alliance between two families with shared interests wasn't that unusual, even for two alphas.

The youngest Major General in the Empire, the most dazzling newcomer in politics—they seemed like a truly perfect match.

And what about... me?

For just a second, that question flashed through Zhu Shinian's mind.

But that wasn't something Zhu Shinian should worry about. In truth, he didn't even have the right to be sad.

"Representative," Fu Cheng said with an awkward, placating smile, "the other senior officers really do have other matters..."

Zhu Shinian snapped back to the present, approached Jiang Huaiyan, and introduced himself politely: "Hello, Representative Jiang. I'm Colonel Zhu Shinian from the military. I'll be escorting you on your trip to Saint Gallen today."

Jiang Huaiyan stood up and looked at Zhu Shinian.

It was indeed a face as beautiful as an omega's. No wonder Gu Zhen was so infatuated.

Even though he wore the same military uniform as anyone else, it surprisingly fit Zhu Shinian perfectly, making him look tall and elegant.

How interesting. Other people's lovers were always trying to shirk dirty work and use power to climb the ranks, but here he was, taking on a thankless job no one else wanted.

No wonder Gu Zhen had repeatedly told Jiang not to cause trouble for this man. With a personality like that, if someone actually tried to bully him, he would have been walked all over long ago.

Fortunately, Jiang Huaiyan had no such intentions. Just a well-behaved, pretty, pitiful little bird. Why make things difficult for him?

If it weren't for the fact that he really didn't like someone else's lover, even Jiang Huaiyan himself would have liked such a pretty little bird.

As long as Gu Zhen delivered on everything he promised the Jiang family, even if he kept ten of these pretty little birds, Jiang Huaiyan would only ask if he could manage them all.

Jiang Huaiyan stood up and shook hands with Zhu Shinian, who quickly bowed his head slightly and then shook his hand.

Jiang Huaiyan's fingers bore the slight calluses typical of a privileged politician, warm and dry.

When their eyes met, Jiang Huaiyan's eyes were bright, almost exactly as they appeared on TV—like stars, naturally drawing everyone's attention.

"Are there any other available officers at Lieutenant Colonel or above?" Jiang Huaiyan inquired politely. "I heard Colonel Zhu is in his rut today and hasn't taken rut leave in six months. I don't think dragging an alpha in rut to forcefully carry out a mission would yield very good results."

It wasn't the friendliest opening. Fu Cheng grumbled inwardly that they should be grateful they got anyone, but before he could repeat himself, Zhu Shinian smiled and explained in a very good-natured tone.

"It's fine. My rut ended this morning. I'm from the 26th District, and I've always admired you... I'm... I'm very honored to accompany you today."

Zhu Shinian wasn't skilled at smooth talk; even sincere praise came out clumsily.

Jiang Huaiyan, of all people.

Zhu Shinian had watched many of his speeches, received the scholarships he awarded to students from the 26th District who gained admission to university, understood his political stances better than his opponents did, admired him, respected him, and had even thought that once he climbed higher, he might ask if there was any way he could be of use.

Perhaps used to flattery, Jiang Huaiyan smiled faintly without much reaction.

The helicopter was already waiting on the tarmac. Zhu Shinian slightly bowed and extended his hand in a "please" gesture.

"Colonel Zhu was once Major General Gu's adjutant, wasn't he?" Jiang Huaiyan asked with a smile, as if making casual conversation as the helicopter began to taxi. "Has he talked to you recently about anything happening in his family?"

Zhu Shinian was momentarily stunned, not expecting him to bring up Gu Zhen so directly.

For a moment, he felt that Jiang Huaiyan's gaze was penetrating and knowing, as if he already knew everything.

He knew about his relationship with Gu Zhen. Coming here was a notice for him to cut ties, because he and Gu Zhen were getting married.

"I'm not sure. The Major General rarely discusses anything outside of work with me," Zhu Shinian replied cautiously after a brief silence.

"He and I are getting engaged," Jiang Huaiyan said with a smile. "Gu Zhen is very territorial and doesn't like me meddling in his work. Seeing you and me together would probably upset him."

"Next time, Colonel Zhu, don't take on such thankless, difficult tasks."

The helicopter climbed at a steep angle, and Zhu Shinian's ears rang intensely, a dull ache spreading through his head.

They... were getting engaged.

The engagement mentioned on the forum... it was true.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself so many times, when the reality was confirmed, his heart still clenched in pain.

Gu Zhen was getting married.

Gu Zhen... was really marrying someone else.

But Gu Zhen should have gotten married long ago—to an omega lady or gentleman from a noble family, not a commoner, and certainly not an alpha born in the slums.

Zhu Shinian, uncharacteristically distracted, happened to lose his balance as the helicopter lurched, his body swaying violently.

"Clumsy."

The expected awkward fall didn't happen. Jiang Huaiyan moved quickly to wrap an arm around his waist, and Zhu Shinian, caught off guard, fell against his chest.

Zhu Shinian hadn't been this close to anyone other than Gu Zhen in a long time. Perhaps because Jiang Huaiyan was also nervous, the scent of cedarwood pheromones immediately enveloped him.

Zhu Shinian's body stiffened. Jiang Huaiyan's fingers gripped his waist tightly enough to hurt.

It was several seconds after the helicopter leveled off before Jiang Huaiyan let go.

"Not feeling well? If you're in rut, you should rest at home. Is someone in the military bullying you, pushing all the work onto you?"

"I'm sorry, Representative," Zhu Shinian said, coming back to his senses and apologizing awkwardly. "It was my fault. I caused you trouble... No one in the military bullies me. Nothing like that..."

Jiang Huaiyan frowned slightly, leaned in, and pressed his hand to Zhu Shinian's forehead.

Due to frequent use of suppressants, Zhu Shinian had indeed been running a low fever since taking the shot that morning, but he was used to it. Minor aches and pains were normal for them; he always carried out missions like this without any issues.

Perhaps feeling the heat, Jiang Huaiyan held his fingers against Zhu Shinian's forehead for several seconds. His fingers were cooler than Zhu Shinian's skin, and the touch was unexpectedly pleasant.

Zhu Shinian's heart ached even more. Gu Zhen's fiancé was such a good man—from a fine family, strikingly handsome, the kind who stood out in any crowd.

I'll never... ever measure up.

The person I've let down is also such a good person.

His heart pounded rapidly in his chest, guilt and a jealousy Zhu Shinian didn't want to admit nearly consumed him, making it hard to breathe.

Please, move your hand.

Please don't... don't be so kind to me.

"No, I don't have a fever. Sorry for worrying you."

Jiang Huaiyan's expression relaxed a little, and he naturally withdrew his hand. Zhu Shinian nodded as if pardoned, finally relaxing his whole body.

But his heart was still pounding violently in his chest; if not for the roar of the helicopter, it would have been obvious to Jiang Huaiyan.

After two agonizing hours, the helicopter finally landed in Saint Gallen.

Stepping out of the helicopter, the mountain wind, mixed with snowflakes, stung his face. The helicopter had landed directly in the disaster area. Although the southern capital had just entered autumn, in the high-latitude mountainous region, the various temporary tents and sheds were already covered with a thick layer of snow.

"We're being stationed here?" Zhu Shinian frowned slightly. "This isn't far from the epicenter, is it? What if there are aftershocks?"

"Sorry, Colonel Zhu. The experts and government officials in Saint Gallen have considered that too, but as you know, our country is small and the disaster area is vast. We can only place people in open areas to minimize the impact even if there are aftershocks."

Zhu Shinian didn't say anything, his gaze landing on Jiang Huaiyan, who was giving a media interview not far away.

Professionally, Zhu Shinian naturally didn't want to expose his charge to danger; personally, his guilt and admiration made him even more reluctant to let Jiang Huaiyan take risks.

But in the end, Zhu Shinian just let out a very soft sigh and slowly followed behind.

Whatever Jiang Huaiyan wanted to do, Zhu Shinian wanted to see him actually achieve it.

He would watch over him. After all, as long as he was there, he could guarantee nothing would happen to Jiang Huaiyan.

As a star councilor, many news outlets on-site wanted to interview Jiang Huaiyan. Jiang Huaiyan graciously accepted the interview and even pointed from a distance at Zhu Shinian, presumably introducing the military representative to the media.

Zhu Shinian knew that he had always been like this—he never cared if others said his charity work was for a good reputation or hypocrisy; as long as he had a chance, he would openly vie for camera time.

For a politician, attention was everything.

Only when his political career was steady and far-reaching could he realize his ideals and do more for the empire and for the people he cared about.

"Let's focus more on the disaster victims," someone asked Jiang Huaiyan if the political marriage with another alpha was real. He replied with a hint of sarcasm, "If your company is willing to donate 500,000 silver coins to the disaster victims, I'll even cooperate in spinning a news story with you about me being engaged to a lizard."

A few laughs broke out in the crowd. Political news with a hint of scandal had always been the media's favorite topic. Jiang Huaiyan could always easily steer the situation in the direction he wanted like this.

Zhu Shinian also laughed with the crowd, but unexpectedly, Jiang Huaiyan shot a glance at him at that moment.

"But if I really have to marry an alpha, at least spin a story about a better-looking one. Don't set me up with..." Jiang Huaiyan scanned the crowd, as if looking for a target to mock. After a moment, his gaze landed on the reporter who had asked the first question.

Then Jiang Huaiyan stopped himself with a composed demeanor. The other reporters' cameras followed his gaze to the chubby reporter who had asked the first question, and the crowd burst into laughter.

"If there were no omegas left in the world and I had to choose an alpha to marry..." Seeing that he had successfully steered the topic away, Jiang Huaiyan smiled faintly and let the blushing reporter off the hook. "I'd prefer someone like Colonel Zhu."

Author's note: