Chapter 58 Everything

Chapter 58: Complete

Tao Juan was a strong-willed person, so hearing him sound this weak was almost the first time Zhu Shinian had heard him like that.

"How is the Governor? Is he injured? How did this happen? Didn't they say the advance was going smoothly?"

The battle reports sent back only said everything was going well, but no one had told Zhu Shinian that Tao Juan was wounded.

The frontline campaign should have been led by Zhu Shinian. Tao Juan was already burdened with old injuries and nearing fifty.

Zhu Shinian had met Tao Juan's wife and children. Tao Juan's wife was two years younger than him, a gentle and introverted omega.

Their first child had died young in the early days of the rebellion, and their youngest daughter was barely ten years old.

If something happened to Tao Juan, what would they do?

"Don't worry, Major General. The Governor’s life is not in danger," the secretary called back in person shortly after. "The advance has been mostly smooth, but the Empire's forces seemed to have switched commanders mid-battle. Their tactics completely changed. We held our advantage, but when we tried to push further, the Governor was wounded while charging ahead."

"The Governor blames himself, saying he's too old and not fast enough anymore. He didn't want Deputy Governor Lin and the others to worry, and he was afraid it would affect morale, so he kept it quiet. Rest assured, he's in good condition now—out of danger and in good spirits..."

"If the Governor is wounded, then I should replace him on the front lines." Zhu Shinian, usually so good-tempered and never interrupting others, suddenly became anxious, even dropping the formal address for Tao Juan. "My teacher has been fighting for so many years; his body isn't in good shape..."

"Major General, but this is the Governor's decision. None of us have the authority to interfere, right?" The secretary interjected flatly.

Zhu Shinian was momentarily stunned, realizing, he shouldn't have questioned Tao Juan's decision.

"Major General, the situation here is intense. I'm going to hang up now. For matters on the home front, you can discuss them with the committee. You decide first, then report back."

As soon as the secretary finished speaking, the line went dead. Zhu Shinian had no choice but to put down the communicator.

Four months after the Empire declared war on the Resistance, the Eastern Front campaign officially began, with Tao Juan personally commanding.

Initially, the Resistance had high morale, quickly capturing the eastern half of District 19. The Imperial military fought back stubbornly, but a week later, the Resistance took the entire District 19.

However, the Empire made a rare move by changing commanders mid-campaign. The Resistance expected the Imperial ranks to fall into chaos, but after two weeks of fighting, they found the new commander was aggressive and bold, a total opposite of the last one, who'd run at the first sign of trouble.

The Empire's military equipment was superior, and they had ample troops. The Resistance didn't dare push too far into enemy territory and had to slow their pace. Around this time, Tao Juan was wounded at the front. District 18 held out for almost two months, and the Imperial forces even started showing signs of a counterattack.

Fortunately, it was the traditional Lunar New Year, and the Imperial forces slowed their advance, allowing the Resistance to regroup and catch their breath.

The Lunar New Year brought a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere to the Resistance zone, in stark contrast to the tense front lines.

This year was the first New Year celebrated since District 26 joined the Resistance.

Most shopkeepers were locals from District 26 and had no plans to return home for the holiday.

With abundant and stable electricity, the streets and alleyways were brightly lit at night. There were fewer troublemakers, and the Empire's oppressive taxes on District 26 had been lifted. Everyone feared the Empire might return, so they still hadn't learned to take it easy.

Many elderly people and omegas were tending to small shops while holding children, while their alpha and beta family members went home to prepare festive meals, slaughtering chickens and ducks.

Even a smokeshop on the outskirts had bright red lanterns hanging. The owner's chubby orange cat was sprawled on a bamboo rocking chair by the cash register, easily mistaken for a big orange fur cushion.

With a soft rustle almost too quiet to hear, the furry cushion hopped down, way more nimble than it looked, jumping into the owner's arms like it was spooked.

The owner looked up at the customer who had pushed aside the curtain. He carried the cold from outside, and despite wearing a suppressant patch, the owner could still pick up a cold, faint scent of pheromones.

Smelled like cedarwood, but something was off—lifeless, like dead cedar.

Having seen many like him, the owner knew this poor alpha had early gland deterioration and didn't have much time left.

"A lighter, please."

The owner handed over the lighter, and when the customer offered a gold coin for change, he waved it away.

"I can't break that. Forget it, it's on me—these are two coppers apiece."

The alpha had a strikingly handsome face that was unforgettable. Even pale, he didn't look sickly. He seemed taken aback for a second by the owner's kindness.

"It's the New Year. Spring will be here soon," the owner said, stroking the cat in his arms, as if speaking to the cat and to the customer.

Jiang Huaiyan understood the implication: the New Year had come, and spring was approaching. If they made it through winter, they could hang on a bit longer.

He didn't see himself as a patient, nor did he think he needed pity or charity. It wasn't that he was so destitute that he needed a stranger to give him a free lighter—his doctor and secretary had just taken his away.

He took the cheap green lighter and left the gold coin on the counter.

"Happy New Year," he said with a faint smile. "Think of it as me buying this fat… um, this kitty a can of food."

Someone was waiting for him outside. He smiled and apologized for the wait. The other guy took the lighter and lit a cigar for him, real respectful.

The pricey cigar, lit with a two-copper lighter, instantly looked like a cheap knockoff. Jiang Huaiyan took a drag without inhaling, but he couldn't taste the usual tobacco.

Unfortunately, due to complications from his gland defect, his sense of taste and smell had pretty much given out on him.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang. This cigar is amazing—I've never had such a good one."

Jiang Huaiyan smiled faintly. "Happy New Year, Attorney Zhao. Sorry to make you come all the way out here during the holiday."

"No trouble at all. It's my job to be with my client, and I can still make it home for dinner. But if you don't mind me asking… why did you pick this spot?"

The car was parked next to the tobacco shop, which was at the foot of a mountain. A newly built stone path wound up the mountain, disappearing into sparse woods. You could barely make out gray tombstones on the hillside.

This was a cemetery in District 26.

"...Sorry, I'm being nosy. Please don't mind," Attorney Zhao quickly said, realizing he had crossed a line. The client was the one who decided where to meet; he shouldn't be prying into the client's personal business.

"It's nothing," Jiang Huaiyan said with a faint smile. "I just wanted to go for a walk where the air was nice. My health is getting worse, and I can't drive long distances. I grabbed a cab here but couldn't catch one back, so I called you."

In District 26, people didn't usually visit graves around New Year's. Mr. Jiang probably just wanted some fresh air, took a walk, and ended up by the cemetery.

But this place was on the outskirts, mostly a cemetery. The hill wasn't high, and the view wasn't anything special. Locals rarely came here for hiking.

"I'll drive you into town. We can probably find a hotel conference room or a café."

Jiang Huaiyan nodded and walked toward the car. Attorney Zhao opened the back door for him.

As he glanced down, his eyes landed on the back of Jiang Huaiyan's coat, where there was a small dark mud stain.

He had only met Jiang Huaiyan once before, at his law firm. In his impression, Mr. Jiang was so particular that he wouldn't put anything on the coffee table if there was even one water spot.

The mud was dry with white edges, obviously been there a while.

The stone path had just been redone last month and was cleaned every day. Normally, you wouldn't even get your shoes dirty hiking there.

Jiang Huaiyan's coat wasn't short; its hem reached about mid-calf. If he had been walking normally on the stone steps, that spot would've been eight or ten inches off the ground—there's no way it could've gotten muddy.

Attorney Zhao silently scolded himself for his habit of overthinking like a lawyer. If the client came for a hike or to visit a grave, it was none of his business.

This Mr. Jiang probably missed the Qingming Festival and had to come now to pay respects. He probably felt a bit embarrassed about not coming on time.

The suburban road was empty and silent. Attorney Zhao was driving, and Jiang Huaiyan watched the trees outside the window trace winding curves. After only a short while, he felt dizzy.

So health is such a precious thing. Jiang Huaiyan couldn't help but sigh.

Come to think of it, his memory was a bit fuzzy; he had somewhat forgotten what it felt like to lie in a hospital bed.

Fortunately, there were few cars on the road. Attorney Zhao noticed he was carsick and quickly found a café and pulled over.

Jiang Huaiyan took the paper and pen the attorney had prepared, briefly tallied his assets and his plans for after his death, then handed them over.

“...All of it to one person?”

Attorney Zhao only took a quick look, then couldn't help asking in surprise.

He looked down at the numbers Jiang Huaiyan had just written, then raised his head to look at him. Jiang Huaiyan's profile was turned to him, his gaze fixed far away, his expression unclear.

This gentleman's total assets were extremely substantial: various bonds, stocks, real estate, gold, and cash. To leave such a vast amount entirely to one person without any distribution or trust was extremely rare in his career.

“Yes, all to him.”

Attorney Zhao was silent for a few seconds, then carefully spoke: “Mr. Jiang, are you sure you want to give it to someone... with no legal relationship to you? Neither a relative nor a lover. Mr. Jiang, you may not fully understand the law; such a gift creates no obligations. The other party has no responsibility towards you, and even...”

It has happened that people hope for such a client to die sooner, even providing substandard care for his illness to get the inheritance faster.

Attorney Zhao didn't finish. The person the client wanted to give his estate to must be very important to him, and he feared that saying such things would upset the client.

“I suggest you sign another type of intended guardianship agreement. This kind of agreement creates obligations for the other party towards you and establishes oversight with the legal team...”

“I confirm it.”

Jiang Huaiyan interrupted him, his tone still flat but with no wiggle room.

“You’re still... determined to sign an estate gift agreement? However, Mr. Jiang, I must fulfill my duty as a lawyer to remind you that such a gift carries legal risks. I never advise my clients to sign such agreements.”

Jiang Huaiyan finally turned to look at him. There was no particular emotion in his eyes, only calm, as calm as a deep pool of water.

“Attorney Zhao,” Jiang Huaiyan said, “this is my decision.”

Attorney Zhao finally held back the words on the tip of his tongue.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll prepare the agreement and bring it to you when it’s ready. There are also some inheritance tax issues that we need to discuss with you...”

Jiang Huaiyan was already a bit tired. He lifted his eyelids and gave him a weary glance.

“Just arrange it, then.”

Author's note: