WARNING: This chapter ends on a cliffhanger. You might want to wait for the next chapter and then read them both at once. Proceed at your own discretion.
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina, Cat
Under Adonis' brazen protection, Sui Yuan's army career pa.s.sed by just as smoothly.
The soldiers under Adonis' command were even worse fanboys than the trainees. Adonis personally led them time and time again to victory, attaining honour over and over again. The majority of the officers had already followed him for 10 years or even longer. No matter what it was, anything that was covered by Adonis' halo was revered by the soldiers. It wasn't even necessary to mention Sui Yuan, Adonis' "darling" who he deeply cherished and treated with the utmost care and caution, as if he was deeply afraid of not being considerate enough.
Despite that, a portion of the people thought that Sui Yuan was not worthy of Adonis, and were afraid that he would be spoiled. Very quickly, they learned not to think that way, as Sui Yuan's actions dispelled their misgivings.
Sui Yuan was cheerful and optimistic. He easily integrated himself into their group, as if he didn't believe he was "special" at all. He also never asked for any special treatment.
He seldomly went searching for Adonis. Most of the time, he mingled with the soldiers of his little squad. They trained together and connected with one another. Even Adonis's attention towards this little squad rose quickly. It was unfortunate though, that this little squadron could not bear this kind of attention.
—-They didn't want to become the General's non-existent love rivals at all~ We beg you to please let us off QAQ
"Since you're dating, you should take the initiative!"
The soldiers who originally were worried that Sui Yuan would disrupt Adonis' work as a soldier, one by one began to say that he should spend more time by Adonis' side. This was because as long as Sui Yuan was there, Adonis would become warm like a spring breeze.
On the other hand, if Sui Yuan didn't meet with him for a period of time, Adonis would become callous and strict–even worse than how he was before.
"Cough, cough. Is Zheng Yu here?"
Sui Yuan, who had just finished sparring with his comrade-in-arms, brushed his sweat-drenched hair and raised his head. He saw an officer standing at the dorms' entrance, expression awkward.
"Major!" Sui Yuan saluted at once. He noticed that the other wanted to say something but was hesitating with his emotions in disarray. Therefore, Sui Yuan took the initiative to ask, "Do you have any orders?"
"It's not an order…that…You…do you have some free time now?" The Major cautiously spoke.
“…I do.” Sui Yuan looked like he understood what he was getting at.
"Please help us QAQ" projected from the Major's eyes. He impatiently grabbed onto Sui Yuan's arm, hastily explaining, "There was a mistake in the work that the General had a.s.signed. I had just scouted around and heard that the General's mood is not good right now…" He turned his head to look at Sui Yuan. The Major's face was full of complaint, "How long has it been since you went to look for him?"
"…Most recently, I've been preoccupied with squadron training. I couldn't be absent for this. So…a week?" Sui Yuan's lips pulled up slightly as he explained.
"Indeed," the Major quickly followed up, "You should first go accompany the General. I'll come make my report 10 minutes later. Please, please~"
Sui Yuan: "………………"
—-Where are those outstanding fighting G.o.ds? What about the legendary elite heroes? All of them are so lame, are you kidding me?!
Sui Yuan was urged by the Major to go to the General's HQ. As soon as he entered, he received the silent welcome of everyone inside, who were all moved to tears. An officer, who was leaning by the door, secretly stuck his thumb up to the Major who was outside. What he had done was truly too beautiful!
They had just been forced into such a cruel training QAQ. The General's poisonous tongue really made people feel like they had nothing to live for. QAQ
The originally cold and downcast atmosphere was swept away at once. When Adonis saw Sui Yuan, his previously gloomy and fidgety mood was immediately cleared up. He even took the initiative to stand up and walk towards Sui Yuan, caressing his sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, "Has training ended?"
"En. It just ended–I didn't even have time to take a shower and wash up before I was pulled here to rescue HQ…" Sui Yuan said the latter half of his sentence very quietly. Everyone at HQ could hear it very clearly though. Although Sui Yuan's tone was extremely petulant, no one planned to empathize with him at this time–Take a shower? How was this more important than saving their lives?!
Adonis, who felt cheerful now, naturally felt distressed for his exhausted beloved. At the same time, he was extremely satisfied with his subordinates tact and awareness of the situation. He looked around at the officers who were nervous to the point of feeling numb with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. Adonis immediately spoke up to allow Sui Yuan's entrance through the side door of the Command Room to his personal room to rest, eat, and shower–it would be amazing if Sui Yuan would lie on the bed looking like a delicious meal while waiting for him to finish work, so that they could do some heavy exercises that were good for both the mind and body.
Sui Yuan naturally knew what kind of nonsensical thing Adonis was thinking. He silently turned his head as he pushed open the side door. He had only said a sentence of complaint, but in the blink of an eye the Command Room's atmosphere changed from a frigid winter to that of a warm spring, and all of the people inside could happily continue to give their mission reports in a relaxed manner.
After having a relaxing hot shower, Sui Yuan, who felt comfortable in both body and soul, laid on the bed with a milk pouch in his mouth. He was just feeling drowsy when he suddenly heard the sound of conversation from the Command Room outside abruptly stop. It was completely silent.
Sui Yuan's brows creased and he hurriedly dressed himself. After straightening his appearance, he walked out the door. The Command Room that had previously just adopted a relaxed atmosphere had become completely solemn. Everyone's expression was grave, as if they were restraining some kind of emotion.
Upon hearing the side door open, Adonis turned his head towards Sui Yuan. His icy blue eyes were sharp and dazzling, "The temporary armistice period has terminated. What we're going to face next is a brutal war–are you ready?"
"Of course," Sui Yuan's eyes exposed a smiling expression, his tone firm, "We are soldiers who have been waiting for this day."
Adonis stood up and walked until he stood before Sui Yuan. He pulled him into his embrace and lowered his head to kiss the top of his head, encouraging him and wis.h.i.+ng him well.
Sui Yuan closed his eyes and buried his head into the other's chest, the corners of his mouth raising silently.
One of them was looking forward to their upcoming serene future together; the other was mourning for the end of their peaceful lives as well as their separation that was close at hand.
War was merciless. They had still been laughing and encouraging one another a moment before, as comrades-in-arms promising to survive together. Yet in the next moment, everything vanished in a puff of smoke. Not even their skeletons remained. Everything was a cruel baptism to the new recruits.
Some people fell apart. In their hearts was a shadow that was difficult to get rid of. Afterwards, they were killed. Some people would pull themselves together, pressing on with the memories of their dear friends, becoming true soldiers.
Within this group of new recruits, whose spirits were exhausted when faced with the torture of having to kill or be killed, Sui Yuan's performance was particularly dazzling. It was as if he wasn't a new recruit facing war for the first time.
Indeed, this wasn't his first time experiencing war.
He had killed an unknown number of people in the previous worlds. He had even personally started a terrible war, causing the people of that world to fall into extremely miserable circ.u.mstances.
