AIDDPD Ch2

After the wedding, Bai Li was utterly exhausted.

As soon as he set foot in the lounge, he threw off his jacket and tossed it aside. He dove forward and collapsed face-first onto the lounge sofa.

Lu Zhao followed him in, just as tired. Too worn out to drag Bai Li off the sofa, he just pulled up a chair, sat down, and loosened his tie.

After loosening it twice, he felt Bai Li watching him, but he ignored it and kept adjusting.

Yet Bai Li wasn’t the type to keep quiet just because someone didn’t respond to him. He said, “Hey, Flower, the way you loosen that tie is really something.”

Lu Zhao cast a sidelong glance and said coolly, “No one else is here; there’s no need for you to keep doing that.”

“You don’t understand me at all,” Bai Li said, flipping onto his back and sprawling across the sofa with a casual wave of his hand. “I never hold back on compliments for my partner, you know. Even if there’s no romance between us, you’re still worth the praise.”

In silence, Lu Zhao opened his personal terminal. Because of work, he rarely visited the Empire’s forum, especially the entertainment section. Recently, however, he had picked up on how intensely the Empire’s citizens had been discussing his marriage to Bai Li, yet, due to his own complicated feelings, he had avoided looking at the forum.

During the wedding preparations, he had only met his legal partner Bai Li once—enough to recognize him later. Other than that, he spent his days in the personal quarters assigned by the regiment or in the training room passing the time.

Even as the curious, eager stares from his fellow soldiers nearly consumed him, he didn’t reveal a single detail about his marriage.

When he opened the entertainment section of the Empire’s forum, the post featuring photos of his and Bai Li’s wedding was pinned at the top; the level of attention was remarkable. Ever since their marriage was announced, no celebrity had managed to outshine the two of them; just unearthing Bai Li’s personal details had already overshadowed several gossip stories about minor stars.

Lu Zhao felt overwhelmed by the forum discussions. After quickly skimming a few posts, he realized Bai Li’s personal history had been thoroughly dissected. Following one link led to Bai Li’s personal blog, where people had already trashed him several times over. By now, they’d come to terms with reality and quieted down a bit.

His gaze lingered over phrases like “concrete,” “deadweight,” and “crippled young master” before he closed the page.

Lu Zhao rubbed his sore forehead and, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “I didn’t expect things on the forum… to turn out this way.”

He truly hadn’t expected it.

After all, in his life, there was nothing but work and necessary rest. Prior to this, he had never paid attention to such public opinion.

When he didn’t hear a reply from Bai Li, Lu Zhao thought he must be in a bad mood and pursed his lips. “I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”

Just as he finished speaking, Bai Li let out a loud “Aah!” almost making Lu Zhao jump.

Looking up, he saw Bai Li was using his terminal to play a simulated star battle game. On the light screen floating mid-air was a shiny gold medal, with fireworks going off in the background.

Lu Zhao: “…”

Bai Li jumped up from the sofa, put an arm around Lu Zhao’s shoulders, and said, “Look, man! I just beat a ranked player—I’m awesome!”

Lu Zhao said, “Yes, you’re amazing.”

Then he pried Bai Li’s arm off, making him yelp. “Ouch, ouch, ouch! Let go, let go!”

Lu Zhao didn’t let go, pressing down on his wrist and twisting the hand of a dignified, six-foot-plus alpha until his face contorted. He repeated, “I’ll make it up to you.”

“Is this supposed to be your way of making it up to me?” Bai Li said, half laughing, half exasperated. “Anyway, why make it up to me?”

Lu Zhao looked at him and replied, “For marrying me. I owe you that much.”

His expression was calm and serious, and Bai Li had to say, “Fine, fine, can you let go now?”

This time, Lu Zhao released his grip. Bai Li clutched his wrist, inspecting it carefully. There were red marks left from the twist, and he felt quite sorry for himself. After blowing on it twice, he continued, “All right then, Flower. So how do you plan to make it up to me?”

Lu Zhao was stumped and sat in thought.

He felt indebted to Bai Li, a sense of guilt that no one else understood but that he and Bai Li both keenly felt. Lu Zhao hadn’t actually expected Bai Li to agree to marry him when he’d asked.

“I’m not short on money. As for status…” Bai Li patted his left leg. “Not so easy.”

Lu Zhao’s gaze followed the pat and lingered on Bai Li’s left leg. He had heard a bit about the severe injury Bai Li suffered back then, though he didn’t know the full details. “Can your leg not be fully healed?”

“Could you be any more blunt?” Bai Li covered his chest, feigning hurt.

Lu Zhao paused. “My apologies. I’m not good with words.”

Bai Li patted his leg again. “Walking’s fine, but piloting mechs—no chance.”

Lu Zhao felt regret, but his nature kept him from finding anything to say to offer comfort.

Before he had time to agonize over comforting him, Bai Li’s personal terminal chimed with a notification. Someone in the game had requested a battle, and he enthusiastically rolled up his sleeves, diving into a new round of simulated star wars.

Lu Zhao said, “…You’re really something else.” He genuinely hadn’t seen anyone like Bai Li, who didn’t seem to care about his own illness at all.

After a few knocks on the door, Huo Cun pushed it open and entered. “Major General, the Marshal sent me to ask if you and Mr. Bai Li would like to meet with reporters from the Imperial News Agency.”

Lu Zhao’s reputation was too prominent, which meant there were always troublesome matters.

He wasn’t very adept at handling things outside of work. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Do I have to go?”

“Huh?” Huo Cun was stunned by the question and responded blankly, “I don’t know. The Marshal asked me to ask, so I’m asking.”

Hearing the commotion, Bai Li looked up, seeing the two elite officers looking at each other in confusion, and couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s there to agonize over? If you want to go, go. If you don’t, then don’t.”

Lu Zhao looked at him and said, “It doesn’t seem quite right.”

“Oh, didn’t expect you’d be willing to deal with those reporters,” Bai Li said in surprise. “I find it pretty annoying. Their questions just keep coming, always trying to lure me into a trap.”

Bai Li still carried a bit of that old-school military rogue energy. When he put on a front, he was alright, but sometimes he’d get carried away and let it show. His way of speaking also retained a certain crudeness he’d picked up from years of rough-and-tumble experience in the corps. He was often mocked by tabloid gossip columns, which left him with little face in the aristocratic circles.

However, Lu Zhao didn’t mind. Although he hadn’t had much interaction with Bai Li before, when they truly spent time together, he found it wasn’t uncomfortable; it was actually rather relaxed. Seeing Bai Li speak so plainly now, Lu Zhao’s originally furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and he held back a smile. “You didn’t exactly avoid those traps either.”

Both of them recalled Bai Li’s chaotic past headlines, and Bai Li scoffed and cursed with a laugh.

“The Major General’s status is…delicate,” Huo Cun said thoughtfully. “Some people are always looking for something to make a fuss about.”

In the end, it was all about prying into how an omega without a family background managed to rise to the rank of Major General.

Bai Li glanced at Lu Zhao, who remained expressionless, clearly accustomed to it. Bai Li continued operating the game while asking, “So, do you want to go?”

Lu Zhao found Bai Li interesting; this was the second time tonight that he had asked for his opinion. Lu Zhao answered directly, “I don’t want to.”

Bai Li then asked Huo Cun, “Did the Marshal say where the reporters are?”

“The front entrance.”

“Alright,” Bai Li closed the game mid-battle, stood up, and grabbed his coat. “Get someone to park the Major General’s hovercar at the back entrance. Tell the reporters at the front that my old injury flared up, my leg’s hurting, I’m writhing in pain, and the Major General is taking me to the hospital.”

Lu Zhao and Huo Cun didn’t react immediately.

Huo Cun stammered, “Will that work? Haven’t your leg been injured for years? And now they suddenly hurt again?”

“Of course,” Bai Li replied, completely unabashed. “Lu Zhao’s married now; he’s not a single omega anymore. His legal alpha can go with him wherever he wants, whenever he wants. Haven’t you heard of ‘follow your husband after marriage’?”

Huo Cun, after a pause, muttered, “I’m just worried they’ll twist it into something about omegas obeying alphas after marriage, making it sound like the Major General got married and became some sort of pushover.”

Bai Li rolled his eyes at him. “That’s why I’m saying it’s Lu Zhao who’s taking me to the hospital. Just tell it that way. They’ll make up the rest on their own. By tomorrow, the forums will be filled with debates about how strong omegas can hold up half the sky.”

Huo Cun, impressed, dashed off, leaving Lu Zhao unable to stop him.

“You don’t need to do this,” Lu Zhao frowned. “I said when we first met, you only need to marry me, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Bai Li waved his hand. “Enough. I don’t want to deal with those people either.” Seeing Lu Zhao’s continued hesitation, he added, “You need to make a career in the military. Even if you don’t mind this kind of mess, it’s best to avoid it when you can. I’m different; I’ve been through so much that one more nuisance won’t bother me.”

Seeing his smug attitude, you’d think he’d gained some huge advantage. Lu Zhao’s mouth relaxed, a hint of a smile appearing. “Fine, thanks. But I will repay—”

“You’ll repay me, huh?” Bai Li interrupted immediately. “You’ve said it so many times, it’s like I’m selling myself short here.” He opened the lounge door. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s drive back first, and we’ll discuss any compensation later.”

Lu Zhao nodded, and the two left the lounge together, heading straight for the back entrance where the hovercar was parked.

To avoid drawing attention, Bai Li’s flashy hover sports car was parked at the front entrance as a distraction. They both rode in the more discreet, civilian-style hovercar that Lu Zhao drove, heading toward a property Bai Li owned in the main city.

Lu Zhao drove while Bai Li sat in the passenger seat, busy stirring things up by replying to forum posts. His personal terminal kept chiming with new notifications. Glancing at the screen, Lu Zhao saw Bai Li’s cocky tone as he provoked others on the forum with overly brash comments, and decided not to look anymore.

As he drove, he pondered how to compensate Bai Li.

When they parked in front of a newly built apartment building, a robotic butler took over the car as soon as Lu Zhao stepped out, parking it in the garage for him. Lu Zhao retrieved a box of nutrient solutions from the back seat and followed Bai Li upstairs.

“Nutrient solutions?” Bai Li glanced at the box in Lu Zhao’s hand in the elevator. “Restorative type—are you injured?”

Lu Zhao was a bit surprised. “You know about this?” It was a new formula that had only recently been developed within the corps.

“I’ve tried all kinds of restorative types over the years,” Bai Li replied lazily.

Lu Zhao thought of his leg.

They soon reached the floor. Bai Li had bought the entire level, so it was sparsely furnished, with an open layout. Outside the large floor-to-ceiling windows, the night sky and city lights sparkled. Even with the lights off inside, the glow from outside was bright enough for one to move around freely.

Standing in the high-rise apartment, Lu Zhao looked out, realizing once again that he was standing at the heart of the empire.

“Where’s the injury?” Bai Li waved his hand to turn on the lights, flooding the room with light. “I’ve got some other types of nutrient solutions here; maybe they’ll work for you.”

Lu Zhao took off his white suit jacket. Watching Bai Li casually rummage in the refrigerator for a few bottles of nutrient solutions, he finally spoke, “Last time we met, it was too brief; we didn’t get a chance to clarify a few things.”

Bai Li looked up at him. “I thought we’d covered everything. I don’t interfere with you, you don’t interfere with me, and I fully support you continuing your work.”

Lu Zhao said nothing, standing by the window and looking out. The brilliance of the empire’s lights cast a slightly obscured expression on his face.

He estimated there wouldn’t be any expression, Bai Li thought. He didn’t mind that Lu Zhao didn’t answer; instead, he rummaged through a few boxes of nutrient solution from the temperature-controlled cabinet, checking the model while continuing, “Are you worried that as lonely A and O, I won’t be able to control myself? Be confident; you should believe you can pin me down and beat me.”

Lu Zhao didn’t expect that in his lifetime he would hear such words from an imperial alpha; it was truly wonderful. He completely awakened from his contemplation, but the energy he had finally gathered inexplicably dissipated.

“I’m not worried,” Lu Zhao replied, walking towards Bai Li from in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and picking up the nutrient solution that Bai Li had placed on the table to look at. “There are quite a few.”

“These are all recovery types, and a few were developed by the imperial research institute; the effects are decent,” Bai Li casually pulled out a few. “It’s just that the taste isn’t great. For such an expensive price, it’s really hard to drink.”

Lu Zhao asked, “Is it effective for your leg?” After asking, he felt he had misspoken; if it were effective, Bai Li wouldn’t be in such a state today. Lu Zhao pressed his lips together, “Sorry.”

Bai Li waved his hand to indicate he didn’t mind: “The pain relief effect of these is pretty good. Oh right, where did you get hurt?”

Perhaps because of Bai Li’s casual attitude, Lu Zhao also relaxed. He opened his personal terminal: “It’s complicated to explain; I’ll send you a copy of the medical examination report.”

“Okay.” Bai Li also opened his personal terminal.

After a few seconds, Bai Li suddenly said, “By the way, Flower…”

Lu Zhao lowered his head to find his medical examination report: “Hmm?”

Bai Li cleared his throat: “Have we added each other’s contact information?”

Lu Zhao was taken aback, thought for a moment, and couldn’t help but curse, “I really forgot to add you.”

They were married, yet the two of them hadn’t even added each other’s contact information until now.

Bai Li couldn’t help but laugh, and Lu Zhao felt this matter was rather absurd. He still hadn’t felt the tension of getting married; it was inexplicable that he had become Bai Li’s legal partner, and the two of them only exchanged contact information on their wedding night, which was even later than exchanging rings.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhao finally couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

He laughed lightly, the corners of his mouth rising, and the coldness on his face was swept away. Lu Zhao’s laughter appeared gentle and focused, as if he had completely immersed himself in a pleasant mood, rather than skimming the surface.

Bai Li’s gaze lingered on Lu Zhao’s face for a while before he was brought back to reality by the prompt sound of the contact request Lu Zhao sent. He ignored his personal terminal and leaned forward slightly, getting a bit closer to Lu Zhao: “Major General, there’s something I’d like you to consider.”

Lu Zhao wasn’t repulsed by Bai Li’s closeness and didn’t show the usual timidness an omega would have when facing an unfamiliar alpha. He calmly raised his eyes to meet Bai Li’s gaze: “What is it?”

“If one day you don’t want to use inhibitors anymore, consider letting me be the alpha who marks you,” Bai Li’s voice was very low, dragging out an ambiguous, hoarse tone.

Lu Zhao looked at him, his five fingers pressed against Bai Li’s big face, pushing him far away: “Just speak plainly; what are you acting for?”

Bai Li: “…”

You really are something.