Chapter 101 1/2

Jiang Wanlan and Lu Jing were in college during one of the most turbulent times.

The training consisted of real missions. Typically, military academies have different training modes based on specialisation and physical fitness levels, but there was a special cooperative mission that grouped Alphas and Omegas together.

It was both a training exercise and a social event.

Many Alphas were expected to go to the battlefield immediately upon graduation, and the exceptional ones were recruited by the space force. During their university years, if an Alpha and Omega took a liking to each other, the military academy didn’t discourage them from starting a family early.

Lu Jing and Jiang Wanlan were paired together.

The first task for an Alpha before departure was to have an Omega personally inject them with an inhibitor.

There were oral inhibitors and neck patches, but injectables were the most effective. The primary rule for Alpha-Omega cooperation was that the Alpha must not go into heat during the mission to ensure the Omega’s safety.

Jiang Wanlan was afraid of needles and equally terrified of giving injections.

Holding the syringe, he felt it was cruel to pierce the strong, muscular arm of an Alpha.

He was the first person to think it was cruel, and it was the first time in Lu Jing’s life someone showed such concern.

The military academy had specialised willpower training, and Lu Jing always ranked first, especially in sensitivity period Omega pheromone interference training, demonstrating extraordinary restraint.

Some malicious rumours spread that Lu Jing was impotent, but whenever pheromone strength tests were conducted, he always ranked the highest in his class.

Some Omegas in their sensitivity period would deliberately tear off their suppressant patches near Lu Jing. He remained unaffected, much to their frustration.

With the Federation in dire need of personnel, the promotion path for top Alphas was like climbing a celestial ladder. Alphas like Lu Jing, who excelled in every aspect, had limitless potential even without connections.

Some families, lacking outstanding Alpha descendants in their generation but coveting military honours from the interstellar wars, secretly approached Lu Jing, hoping to recruit and cultivate him. With his character, they believed he wouldn’t challenge their authority and, once convinced, would show high loyalty and obedience.

Lu Jing didn’t respond to these offers, not wanting to become a “military puppet” for any family.

As Jiang Wanlan contemplated for a long time, feeling unsure and awkward, he eventually put down the syringe.

“No injection; let’s just go.”

Lu Jing took the syringe and injected himself in the arm without changing his expression.

Jiang Wanlan said, “You can’t push it in that fast! ”

Lu Jing withdrew the needle and said, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Wanlan was the most privileged Omega of his class. Old Master Jiang initially disapproved of him participating in the training, believing he should stay in the central district, safe, awaiting graduation, arranged marriage, and the continuation of the family’s honour.

While his classmates embarked on dangerous missions, Jiang Wanlan was arranged by his father to go on blind dates with Alphas from equally prestigious families.

That Alpha was particularly nasty. Jiang Wanlan had seen him deliberately harass civilian Omegas with his low-grade pheromones, taking pleasure in their panic. In contrast, he would use sweet talk and flattery with wealthy Omegas.

Jiang Wanlan despised such Alphas, especially when compared to Lu Jing.

Called back by his father for a blind date, Jiang Wanlan left the mission to Lu Jing alone.

Lu Jing nodded and agreed.

Half an hour later, Jiang Wanlan sent a message to Lu Jing: “Can you come pick up your teammate?”

Standing on tiptoe by the wall, Jiang Wanlan soon saw Lu Jing appear at the top of the wall.

Lu Jing climbed down, still in his combat uniform, and crouched to offer his back as a step for Jiang Wanlan.

Jiang Wanlan glanced at his pristine white suit, took it off, draped it over Lu Jing’s shoulders, and removed his shoes before stepping onto Lu Jing’s back to climb up.

Sitting atop the wall, he waited for Lu Jing.

Lu Jing picked up his shoes and tucked them into his pants pocket, then effortlessly hoisted himself up the wall with the powerful muscles of his shoulders.

Jiang Wanlan was reminded of Lu Jing’s pull-up record at school.

After helping Jiang Wanlan down from the wall, Lu Jing tossed his shoes to the ground.

Jiang Wanlan quickly put them on. “Our mission is to patrol Xingxing Road, right?”

Lu Jing nodded.

During the war, the central district’s control over the surrounding areas weakened, and the enemy breached the borders, flooding the federal black market with weapons.

Jiang Wanlan scanned the area with his instruments, while Lu Jing collected the contraband.

Encountering violent criminals often led to fierce battles.

Jiang Wanlan was always safe, watching from a distance.

Lu Jing, a man of few words, would warn three times before taking down those who didn’t surrender their weapons.

Jiang Wanlan, struggling to see clearly, moved closer each time until Lu Jing had to warn him over the earpiece: “Stop.”

Jiang Wanlan: Is he talking to the criminals?

Lu Jing: “Stop, Jiang Wanlan.”

Jiang Wanlan: “Alright.”

It was the first time Lu Jing used his full name.

Later, when they were together, they lived in the area they patrolled. If nothing else, at least they wouldn’t hear gunshots.

But it turned out to be a mistake.

…

Twenty-five years later, Jiang stood behind the glass of a high-rise near the sanatorium’s back gate, watching General Lu at the guard post.

The night Lu Jing started working as a security guard at the sanatorium, Jiang Wanlan knew.

He saw Lu Jing choose a post at the furthest gate from him.

He had given up on Lu Jing once but had never truly let him go.

Despite the oath he swore to his father, Jiang Wanlan believed it had a limit, unlike his eternal bond with Lu Jing.

But their baby was only one year old, needing his father the most, while Lu Jing was already twenty-five.

Jiang Wanlan had to make a choice.

He was too young when he decided to be with Lu Jing, causing all three of them to suffer.

Separating from Lu Jing seemed like the right decision.

Lu Jing consistently proved Jiang Wanlan’s choices were right.

When Jiang Wanlan chose him, Lu Jing worked hard to ensure Jiang Wanlan had a better life. Even after Jiang Wanlan left the Jiang family, their living standards didn’t drop significantly, as Lu Jing quickly earned money and never hesitated to spend it. By the time Jiang Wanlan left, Lu Jing had already bought clothes for their baby up to the age of five.

When Jiang Wanlan gave up on him, Lu Jing climbed to the rank of general without interference, making onlookers remember Jiang.