SCOM - Chapter 61
Chapter 61
After enrolling in the Federal First Military Academy, Zuo Luohuan reviewed all the course materials, found nothing particularly challenging, and after a month of accumulating enough credits, left campus to enjoy herself. She headed towards the West District, eventually reaching Xijiang Exile Star. There, in an underground casino, she'd befriended someone who shared her temperament. They won big, but neither cared much for the money, spending most of their winnings there and having a blast. However, Zuo Luohuan had another motive for visiting Xijiang: she wanted to check on the 377th Army's mining progress.
Initially, she planned to say goodbye to her friend and visit the mining area alone, but she never got the chance. The heir of the Hong family invited them to the casino's anniversary celebration, even suggesting they become regular guests. Zuo Luohuan declined, but her friend accepted.
The casino was bustling during the anniversary event. Zuo Luohuan spent almost every day there with her friend, occasionally attending dinners at the Hong family mansion as her friend's plus-one. The Hong family displayed large mineral rocks, which the heir claimed were from the mining area, waiting to be tested for Silver-Green.
"The 377th Army is poorly equipped. We're planning to collaborate with them, providing testing equipment and mining vehicles. The deal is almost finalized," the Hong heir mentioned, noticing Zuo Luohuan's interest in the rocks.
At the time, Hong Tongdao was largely uninvolved in family affairs, leaving the management to his adopted son. Zuo Luohuan had no interaction with Hong Tongdao, but during a gathering at the Hong mansion, she accidentally wandered into his study and saw a mineral analysis report on his desk.
Why would Hong Tongdao, someone uninvolved in the business, have such a report?
Zuo Luohuan had only flipped through one page when the door opened, revealing Hong Tongdao. His face changed drastically upon seeing her. He strode over, snatched the report, and demanded to know what she was doing there.
"Wrong turn," Zuo Luohuan said, raising her hands with a shrug and a smile. "Sorry."
Hong Tongdao dismissed her, his eyes dark. As Zuo Luohuan walked towards the door, her smile faded. Suspecting something was amiss with the report, she decided to investigate again that night.
However, things took an unexpected turn. Back at the casino, her so-called friend suddenly attacked her. The wound on her side, deep enough to expose bone, was a result of his surprise attack. Even so, she managed to dodge his fatal blow.
"You're not so simple after all," her friend said, surprised by her skill as he looked at the bloody knife in his hand. "Too bad… there's something on this blade."
Zuo Luohuan looked down at her side, her consciousness fading. Her last memory was of him approaching her.
When she awoke, she was facing Hong Tongdao. He believed she had read the entire report and interrogated her about who she was working for and whether she had informed anyone.
Ji Yuezhi had asked Zuo Luohuan how long she was held captive. She'd said she couldn't remember, but she never forgot. From the moment she opened her eyes in that basement, she endured nine days and nights. The video Ji Yuezhi saw was from the first day. By the tenth night, she was barely alive, and Hong Tongdao, losing interest in interrogation, ordered her to be taken to the mines and disposed of.
Zuo Luohuan seized the opportunity, killing the two men escorting her and escaping. News of the Hong heir's murder soon followed, throwing Xijiang into chaos. She found a chance to return.
As dawn broke, Zuo Luohuan turned to the window, a smile on her face, but her eyes icy. He better still be on Xijiang.
...
"G, you three look…" Luo Shaoyuan began, observing the trio that morning. She trailed off, then sent a message to Zuo Luohuan. Are you planning something? Enough manpower? Want me to call in some people from the North District?
Though not a strategist, Luo Shaoyuan had good instincts. She'd sensed something was up with Zuo Luohuan and the others since the previous night, especially given the annoying "eyes" around them lately.
Isn't Classmate Luo known for taking on ten at once? Zuo Luohuan replied, smiling at her as she looked up.
Luo Shaoyuan scoffed. People said Zuo Luohuan resembled her father, but Luo Shaoyuan disagreed. Commissioner Zuo never smiled, and if he did, it was genuine, unlike Zuo Luohuan's perpetually insincere smile. Up to you. Call me if you need anything.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Star Lord," Ji Yuezhi said to Zhou Li after breakfast. "We'd like to pay a visit to the Star Lord. Would that be possible?"
Zhou Li quickly replied, "Of course. The Star Lord said you were welcome to visit anytime."
The Star Lord's office was in the administrative center. The group took a flight vehicle to the helipad on top of the administrative building.
"I've contacted the Star Lord. He'll be finished with his meeting in half an hour. You're welcome to look around in the meantime," Zhou Li offered politely.
The administrative building, while not as extravagant as those in the city center, was imposing and grand. They took the elevator down from the top floor to the 24th floor.
After half an hour of exploring, they arrived at the conference room door just as the Star Lord emerged. He greeted Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan enthusiastically. "I've been meaning to meet Miss Zuo and Young Master Ji, but official business has kept me occupied. I didn't expect you to come here yourselves."
The Star Lord bowed deeply as he shook their hands, displaying utmost deference. This wasn't unusual. Xijiang was merely an exile star, small and lacking resources. It was natural for its Star Lord to be obsequious towards the children of the most influential families in the Federal Military Council.
Zuo Luohuan's gaze shifted from the Star Lord to the person standing behind him, then quickly back. He's connected with the Star Lord of Xijiang now too?
"Is this… the Star Lord's son?" Ji Yuezhi asked, glancing at the sharply dressed young man behind the Star Lord.
The Star Lord turned to the man and explained, "No, this is my secretary, Zhang Yongzhen. Quite young, isn't he? But very efficient."
Ji Yuezhi nodded and presented the gift he had prepared as a meeting present for the Star Lord.
"You must have visited the underground casino," the Star Lord said warmly. "Feel free to play a few more rounds. It's on me."
"We haven't had much luck," Zuo Luohuan replied with a smile. "A few more rounds, and we might lose everything."
"Hahaha, it's all for fun," the Star Lord chuckled, leading them to a reception room. The young man beside him deftly poured tea for everyone.
Ji Yuezhi sat beside Zuo Luohuan, very close. His conversation with the Star Lord filled the room. Zuo Luohuan leaned back languidly on the sofa, her right hand hidden behind Ji Yuezhi, reaching past his waist to gently hook his right hand.
Zhang Yongzhen, carrying refreshments, walked behind the sofa, catching a glimpse of their subtle interaction.
"These are local specialties of Xijiang," Zhang Yongzhen said, placing the refreshments on the coffee table.
"Thank you," Ji Yuezhi nodded, his politeness carrying the subtle air of a superior addressing a subordinate.
"These are about all Xijiang has to offer. Everything else is imported," the Star Lord said, gesturing to the refreshments. "Of course, it can't compare to the Capital."
"It tastes pretty good," Jiang Hong commented, taking a bite.
Ji Yuezhi sat upright, his right hand being played with by Zuo Luohuan behind his back. He felt nothing, only wondering if she was doing this for Zhang Yongzhen's benefit.
"As long as you like it," the Star Lord said, looking at them. His gaze settled on Luo Shaoyuan. "Are you the student who's from here?"
"No, my junior is at the hospital caring for his parents today," Ji Yuezhi explained. "His parents are in the 377th Army and were injured in a mining accident recently."
"I see…" the Star Lord sighed. "The 377th Army has been mining for so many years without finding anything useful."
"I heard that once they finish mining the eastern mountain, and if they don't find anything, the 377th will leave," Ji Yuezhi said. "They should be reassigned next year."
"The 377th has worked hard all these years," the Star Lord said, shaking his head. "Our exile star's finances are already strained. We have to provide welfare for the local residents. We can't even afford to support them."
They sat for a while longer. Then Ji Yuezhi asked, "Could we visit the mineral testing research institute? I heard it's in the administrative district. We've never seen how minerals are tested."
"Certainly," the Star Lord replied, turning to his secretary. "Yongzhen, please take them there. I have two more meetings this afternoon. Are the researchers working today, though?"
"Yes, the 377th Army delivered ore from the eastern mine last night," Zhang Yongzhen replied with a slight bow. "They should be separating the raw materials today."
"Perfect," the Star Lord said, bidding farewell to Ji Yuezhi and the others before leaving the reception room.
Zhang Yongzhen led the way, turning to Ji Yuezhi. "Please follow me."
The research institute was next to the administrative building, a six-story white structure. Entry required a keycard. Zhang Yongzhen made a call downstairs, waited for someone to come down, and then led the group upstairs with the other person.
"Apologies, the institute has strict procedures. Some test results are confidential and cannot be disclosed," Zhang Yongzhen explained, looking back.
Ji Yuezhi nodded in understanding. Zuo Luohuan stood by nonchalantly, occasionally glancing at him, perfectly portraying the bored Alpha accompanying their Omega on an outing.
"Are you all students at the Federal First Military Academy?" Zhang Yongzhen asked, a hint of envy in his eyes. "I planned to apply to the military academy, but I failed one of the academic subjects."
"I'm not," Luo Shaoyuan said. "I'm from the Northern Military Academy."
Zhang Yongzhen looked surprised. "Then why are you here…?"
"Nothing to do during winter break, so I tagged along with them. Honestly, Xijiang Exile Star is pretty boring," Luo Shaoyuan yawned, nudging Zuo Luohuan's heel. "We should head to the West District in a few days."
Zuo Luohuan leaned against the elevator's mirrored wall, glancing at Ji Yuezhi. "It's up to him."
Ji Yuezhi's lips curved slightly, his eyes feigning the curiosity of a wealthy young master towards a less developed place. "It's quite interesting here. Lots of things I've never seen before."
"Then let's stay a few more days," Zuo Luohuan said.
Among the group, Zuo Luohuan had the final say, but she clearly cared about Ji Yuezhi's opinion. While appearing distant on the surface, they seized every opportunity for small, intimate gestures, like a couple in a secret relationship. Zhang Yongzhen, through the reflective elevator doors, subtly observed the dynamics between them.
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