A Romantic Rumor

Liu Yiwu had referred to that young man as "the kid"—a way of addressing him that had not been heard in a very long time. In the commander's eyes as he spoke, one could see unabashed relief and pride. It was the kind of emotion and expression elders showed when that troublesome brat of their own family finally made good and did them proud. Ranked among humanity's top ten, commanding a formidable force, possessing boundless potential, and wielding an ever-expanding influence... By now, it seemed only those in Huaxia who had watched him grow—those who had steadfastly believed in him beneath false accusations and through mortal peril, doing everything in their power to protect and defend him—could still speak of him like that. *Yes, indeed... will he even want it?* Reminded by Commander Liu Yiwu's words, the Speaker silently asked himself once more in his heart. Turning his head, his weary eyes slowly drifted across every pair of eyes in the hall. As Speaker, Kemore could not directly guide the chamber or express too pronounced a bias before a vote. Those were the rules of the Azure Council. Yet at this moment, the councilors—including Mayne—distinctly saw an explicit emotion in his gaze: earnest plea, even supplication. The truth was just as Mayne had said earlier. This was no longer merely a matter of the Coalition's stance toward Major Qing as an individual. Alphonse had dealt a torpedoing blow to the Coalition. The soldiers were watching, and the Coalition had to win back their hearts. And of course, if they could also win back Major Qing, that would undoubtedly be the best outcome. "Proposal No. 31 of the year, May 26, 1994: concerning the release of the truth behind the Alphonse incident to the entire Azure military in the name of the Alliance Council, offering an apology, and holding all responsible parties accountable... now entering the voting procedure." "Proposal No. 32: concerning the extension of formal apologies and gratitude to Major Han Qingyu and his comrades via official documentation... now entering the voting procedure." "Proposal No. 33: concerning the unconditional bestowal of the Alliance's highest honor, the Starlight Azure Medal, upon Major Han Qingyu of the Azure Huaxia Front, alongside commendations for Lieutenant Wu Xu, Second Lieutenant Shen Yixiu, Second Lieutenant Wen Jifei, Private He Tangtang, and others... now entering the voting procedure." Kemore finished speaking in his customary calm, emotionless tone. Then he looked up, his tired eyes gazing down at the councilors who were gradually rising to cast their ballots. In truth, because of the proposal to "hold all responsible parties accountable," if Kemore were to personally step forward now, accept primary responsibility, and resign, it would produce a powerful and persuasive effect. Kemore had considered it. Back when he dispatched Howard to find Han Qingyu, he had already braced himself for that eventuality. Yet he could not do so right now. To do so in their current predicament would be running away. The election of a new Speaker would delay countless matters and bring massive upheaval. He had to hold on first and strive to salvage the situation. "The voting begins," Kemore said. *** *Ring, ring, ring...* The moment Mayne returned to his office, the dedicated-frequency phone on his desk rang. In fact, it had been ringing continuously. "How is it, Mr. Mayne? Did the Coalition produce a solution?" On the other end of the line, Ashleia asked anxiously. "Yes," Mayne said. "Then..." "I think there is still hope for the Coalition, child." Leaning back in his office chair, Mayne lowered his head and rubbed his rough, exhausted face with both hands. "Proposal No. 31... passed with a majority of 71 votes. Proposal No. 32... passed with a majority of 163 votes. Proposal No. 33 passed with a majority of 412 votes." Mayne recited the proposals and the voting results. In truth, it was a pleasantly surprising outcome. "...Thank God," Ashleia murmured softly on the line. "Yes, child, but now we face an even larger problem—one where God might not be able to help..." Mayne paused, then said, "Aren't you and Major Qing friends? Ashleia, no matter what, please do your utmost to try and persuade him to accept." "I..." Ashleia stammered, feeling somewhat embarrassed. *Friends? When he said, 'Who knows if you've turned into a bad person over the past three years? So stand right there, don't come any closer'... Who told you all that I was his friend?* "I'm begging you, Ashleia." "Understood, Mr. Mayne. I will do my best," Ashleia replied. The call disconnected. Ashleia turned and looked at Ian standing behind her. "Good heavens, you're still smiling, Ian... Don't you know how nervous I am right now?" Ian was still grinning. Chuckling, he said, "Sorry, Ashleia. I just... I just suddenly realized that those fellows on the Council really don't understand The King at all. They should have added a fourth proposal—say, compensating him with twenty thousand metal blocks—and then told The King he had to accept all of them together or reject all of them together. That would've done it!" "..." Ashleia could not help but break into a smile as well. "See, wasn't I right?" Ian continued with a grin. "The odds of him accepting would've been far higher that way. Even if he took the Starlight Azure Medal afterward just to prop up a wobbly table leg!" *** [*Brat, just take it. That thing is forged from metal blocks after all. I have one too.*] The plane carrying the Coalition delegation touched down in Nepal. Chen Buer's letter lay beside Han Qingyu's hospital bed. It was truly difficult to understand why such an unrefined old man was always so fond of writing letters. The key point of the letter was not the metal blocks—after all, the Starlight Azure Medal was not the size of a millstone. The real point lay in those last five characters: *I have one too.* "Report!" a soldier shouted from outside the military tent. "...Come in." "Reporting, Azure journalists Ashleia and Ian have arrived to visit..." "To visit? Haven't they been staying on our side all along? With Caixin." "Yes, sir, but they said they wish to see you." "Oh, alright. Let them in." Ashleia stepped into the tent. Not long ago, the young reporter had sworn that from now on she would only admire and support The King on a rational level, never mixing in personal feelings again, and never presumptuously and unilaterally treating him as someone close to her. Yet the instant she laid eyes on that mangled arm beside the hospital bed... Ashleia froze, and tears began to spill down her face. "I... well, my apologies, Major Qing..." Three minutes had passed. Ian reluctantly tore his gaze away from Ashleia, who was weeping uncontrollably, and looked at Major The Qing, speaking with deep embarrassment. The situation was truly mortifying, but entirely understandable. Ian had always known what this injured man before them meant to Ashleia. It was a love that far surpassed mere infatuation. "It's fine. But... why is she crying?" On the hospital bed, Han Qingyu asked earnestly, his eyes full of bewilderment. *Crack.* Ian heard that nonexistent shattering sound once again. "*Sob...*" Beside him, Ashleia wept even louder. Ian attempted a hand gesture, but it seemed utterly meaningless. You couldn't exactly shrug at Major Qing, could you? The person in front of him was Han Qingyu, after all. Though Han Qingyu himself lacked any self-awareness regarding his own status and influence, Ian, as an ordinary member of Azure, was acutely conscious of it. He had no choice but to stay silent. "Um, what's wrong?" Han Qingyu tried to shift his body, addressing Ashleia directly. "Can you stop? Is there any way to make you stop?" "*Sob...* Not unless you accept the Starlight Azure Medal!" The moment the words left her mouth, Ashleia stunned herself. Inside, she fretted with helpless shame, screaming internally: *Heavens, who do you think you are? What are you doing, Ashleia...* Ian thought she had probably lost her mind as well. "Well then, alright," Han Qingyu said. Ashleia: "..." Ian: "..." "Stop crying," Han Qingyu said gently. In that instant, Ashleia froze completely. Watching her, Ian worried she might faint on the spot. *** "He accepted. The dispatched councilors have already entered the Third Fixed Exploration Site." At the Alliance Council, a soldier stood at the hall's entrance, delivering the report. Kemore's furrowed brow finally relaxed. "Really?" one councilor asked in disbelief. This was far smoother than anticipated. After all, the intelligence sent back from the Third Fixed Exploration Site had stated that Major Qing held grudges fiercely—a fact he admitted himself. "Yes. Reportedly, it was because of Miss Ashleia's tears." "...*Whoa.*" A sudden realization dawned upon Mayne. He tilted his head back, his mouth wide open. It smelled of a romantic rumor. The very first romantic rumor in Azure's history regarding Major The Qing. The atmosphere in the hall shifted, and a buzz of excited clamor broke out.