Chapter 101 2/2

Jiang Wanlan’s past occasionally appeared in military news, proving he was alive and honoured, alleviating some of Jiang Wanlan’s guilt.

Sometimes, Jiang Wanlan wished they had met later in life, perhaps at forty. But could they love as deeply as they did in their youth?

Jiang Wanlan wasn’t sure what Lu Jing was thinking now.

After twenty-five years, did General Lu, now accomplished and decorated, feel only a sense of shared responsibility for finding their son, or was there still love?

Jiang Wanlan leant his head against the glass, looking down at Lu Jing.

As he was about to leave, he saw Lu Jing take a miniaturised suppressant from his pocket and inject it into his vein. The suppressants had become very small, barely noticeable.

In university, Lu Jing had been accused of buying large quantities of suppressants to excel in an upcoming willpower exam. The investigation revealed he was doing it because he liked Omega and struggled to control himself around them.

Later, Jiang Wanlan felt a twinge of jealousy, only to discover that the Omega was him.

Reflecting on their first mission together, Jiang Wanlan had trusted Lu Jing completely, yet Lu Jing had still taken the suppressant.

Lu Jing’s love was silent, and Jiang Wanlan had not easily realised it.

Now, after all these years, he saw it again.

Feeling a bit happier, Jiang Wanlan instructed his assistant to send Lu Jing the same meals he ate daily.

Lu Jing wasn’t enthusiastic about meals, often delaying until the cafeteria had little left. His next susceptible period was approaching.

How would Lu Jing react if Jiang Wanlan appeared before him?

…

Jiang Wanlan discovered his trusted Uncle Wang had missed many children back then.

Plans to meet Lu Jing fell through.

Was fate punishing him for playing tricks when he wanted to reunite with Lu Jing?

In another heavy rain, Jiang Wanlan felt as miserable as in the past.

But as the rain stopped, a twist of fate brought clues from Cen Lang.

Meeting Jiang Li, learning Jiang Li was pregnant, discovering the child was Cen Lang’s… Jiang Wanlan was overwhelmed, finding his and Lu Jing’s roles more like two fathers to Jiang Li.

Their own issues seemed less important.

Less important?

Jiang Wanlan pressed his lips together. Since their reunion, Lu Jing’s every word to him has been about their child.

Besides that, nothing. Despite his eagerness to learn about Jiang Li, did they have nothing else to talk about? Jiang Wanlan also wanted to know about Lu Jing’s past twenty years, both the glorious and the lonely, bitter times.

Angry, Jiang Wanlan left Lu Jing to handle the visiting dignitaries alone.

If he wouldn’t talk, then he’d have to speak more.

Jiang Wanlan excelled at socializing. Upstairs, he listened to Lu Jing’s strained responses to each familiar or unfamiliar guest.

Chatterbox General Lu Zhengyao, who had recently broken his leg and was recovering at the sanatorium, was eager for conversation.

Such a man would definitely visit and congratulate for three hours.

Jiang Wanlan tapped the table, straightened his tie, and couldn’t help but whistle as he turned a page of his file, not really reading it.

Surely, Lu Jing would ask for help now?

They both sat in the tea room to receive guests, and General Lu Zhengyao would surely use 800 words to describe how well-matched they were and how their hardships had finally paid off.

Yes, the hardships finally paid off.

General Lu Zhengyao often represented the Federation in various comfort missions, and “hardships paying off” was his favourite speech theme.

Jiang Wanlan wasn’t afraid of being moved to tears.

Ding dong.

Lu Jing sent him a message.

Jiang Wanlan eagerly opened it.

“Can you let Cen Lang come down?”

Jiang Wanlan’s face turned dark. He’d rather ask the unrecognised son-in-law for help than him. What did that mean?

“No.”

Jiang Wanlan leant back in his chair, sulking.

Forget it; he shouldn’t get angry because of his son. If it affects his glands, that would be terrible.

In a second, Jiang Wanlan calmed down, took a photo of him and the baby, framed it, and placed it on the desk.

After some thought, he took out an old photo frame from the drawer.

It was a solo photo of Lu Jing from the year he was promoted to major. The military had released all the photos of the promoted officers online.

Lu Jing stood out with two stripes and one star on his shoulder among the officers.

Jiang Wanlan had printed this photo at least ten years ago but never placed it on his desk, fearing it would distract him.

He put Lu Jing’s photo frame next to the one with him and the baby.

They needed to take a family photo sometime.

The thought of a family photo with Cen Lang possibly thick-skinned enough to stand next to Jiang Li made Jiang Wanlan feel disappointed in Lu Jing.

Hadn’t Lu Jing spent three months with Cen Lang on Zhu Lu Xing? How had he not learned anything?

…

Jiang Li solemnly informed him that Jiang Wanlan’s susceptible period was approaching and he wasn’t allowed to use suppressants.

If he didn’t want to rely on Father Lu for now, it would be best to separate and calm down in advance; otherwise, it would be harder to endure.

Jiang Wanlan nodded. “I know, baby. I’ll live alone.”

Lu Jing said, “I have a separate house allocated by the military.”

Jiang Wanlan replied, “I don’t lack houses. I remember your batch’s houses were unfinished.”

Lu Jing looked at him steadily and said, “It was renovated five years ago.”

Jiang Wanlan raised an eyebrow. Renovated five years ago? So Lu Jing had thought about coming back to Earth, right?

Jiang Wanlan asked, “You’ve never returned to Earth, so how did you renovate it? Outsourced? Your taste must be terrible.”

Lu Jing said, “According to your preferences, I hired people to clean it. Do you want to take a look?”

Jiang Wanlan retorted, “Oh, what are my preferences?”

Lu Jing replied, “The way our home used to look.”

Jiang Wanlan countered, “But do you want to follow me? Will the suppressants in your pocket be enough?”

Lu Jing’s voice lowered, as if a leak had been punctured. “Can we not use them?”