Translator: Sy
Chapter 30: The Rumours
The conference was on fire thanks to the marshal’s presence. Now that the entire galaxy was assured that their marshal was safe and sound, the internet was, completely swamped with Li Chengyan-related news. The trending page was now the marshal’s and the marshal’s alone.
#MarshalAttendsConferenceLiveAt6
#Marshal’sMegaHotPictures
#AlphaMarshal
#TheMarshal’sTop10Achievements
#HowToMarryTheMarshal
Each trending tag buzzed with viewers. Many even returned to the old #PrayForTheMarshal tag to wish for peace throughout the galaxy.
The Interstellar Age was, in truth, not exactly peaceful. Cultures were often at odds with one another, and humans were no longer the only intelligent beings in the universe. But as one of the more peace-loving species in the universe, they were bound to be singled out by the other extraterrestials. One of the biggest offenders was the merciless, bloodthirsty Parasites. They weren’t the most intelligent, but they were terrifying in combat. Whenever higher-ranking Parasites sent the command to attack, the lower-ranking Parasites rampaged like Spartans.
Many other extraterrestial-inhabited planets were massacred and destroyed at the hands of the Parasites, but humans had technology and mutation to thank for the boost in combat skills and their scrape with annihilation. With the current marshal standing on the frontlines, their chances of victory increased tenfold. The cloud that once loomed over the Interstellar people was gone.
To the Interstellar people, the marshal was a war god. How could they not pray for his safety and return?
While the people had their attention on the marshal, another tag quietly crept up the list.
#FeiHaoEntertainmentCompanyTerminatesScoutsEntertainment
[FeiHaoEntertainment]:
We, Feihao Entertainment, clarify the following: Scouts Entertainment’s official Interstellar account’s handler who is responsible for the false allegations against Mr. Zhang Yiming and the subsequent involvement of Mr. Jiang Feng, is indeed an artist under a contract with our company. Scouts Entertainment is an artist who participated in the idol program “Idol’s First Challenge” along with artist Lin Ning, whose contract with our company has been terminated. As far as we understand, Scouts Entertainment’s holder shared these baseless photographs out of a lapse of judgment caused by continuous unjust oppression and torment from Lin Ning.
The company acknowledges that this case has caused detrimental damage to Mr. Zhang Yiming and Mr. Jiang Feng’s reputation. Oppression is not an excuse to spread fake news, and our company does not tolerate such behaviour. The handler of Scouts Entertainment’s Interstellar account and artist had overstepped our principles. The company has made the decision to terminate our contract with them.
Many soon managed to track down the true identity of Scouts Entertainment’s gossip account: Feihao Entertainment’s Chu Yunqi, an idol who fell off the charts in the Idol’s First Challenge programme for ranking low; a D-list celebrity who barely made a splash even after appearing in a couple of TV dramas. In the picture, Chu Yunqi was pretty good-looking, with an above-average face that looked somewhat proper. He looked like the sort of person who’d get bullied by Lin Ning to the point of feeling forced to spread false rumours out of desperation.
Compared to the marshal’s chain reaction of explosive content, Feihao’s views were nothing. Feihao, the company that made ripples on the internet wherever it went, never had a problem when it came to going viral thanks to the sheer size of Jiang Feng’s fandom, but burning red celebrities were still, at the end of the day, no match for a figure who held the Interstellar people’s lives in his hands..
Besides, just by looks alone, next to no one in the entertainment industry had what it took to go up against the marshal. The marshal’s flawless face even had fangirls flustered.
What’s that? You want me to look at the latest entertainment news? Not to burst your bubble, but don’t you find these pictures of the marshal and this list of his military achievements way hotter? We’re leaving. There’s a marshal out there that needs oogling. Make way, Feihao.
In the end, these one or two tags from Feihao never really made it, desolately sandwiched and buried in between better, hotter tags. Many skipped over the tag when they saw it, some not even batting an eye. And so it stayed there in that half-assed position.
Chu Yunqi’s fans were stupefied. Sure, they loved their idol, but when the roof gives way this suddenly, nobody’s got the time to hold it up. They tried to pass the blame to Lin Ning for being a bully, but that ironically made Lin Ning’s account’s comment section even more popular than the tag.
But, in the circle, this tag was under quite the scrutiny. This was far from an apology over the false Lin Ning and Zhang Yiming rumours— this was a declaration of war between Feihao and Starlight Entertainment. Jiang Feng was Feihao’s and Yiming Starlight’s: things were about to get bloody.
As for Lin Ning? Well, he was nothing but a tool caught in the crossfire. Who cares if he lived or died? He was already a goner from the get-go. Feihao bringing him up as a bully? The people in the industry smiled drily— no one really believed that. Muddy shoes just get muddier, after all. It was pretty economical, actually.
*
Zhang Yiming’s dark eyes were unwavering. After reading through Feihao’s deliberately undertrending apology, he put his tablet down and looked at his manager.
The manager said, “It was only a matter of time. If they really were sorry, they would’ve done so right after that security clip came out, or right after the public figured out Scout Entertainment’s true identity. But they didn’t. The marshal’s return’s a great opportunity for Feihao, though: pick a moment where everyone’s attention’s occupied on the marshal and post a statement to stay under the radar without seeming irresponsible, then push everything onto Lin Ning and pluck Jiang Feng out of the mess. Then play angel by terminating their contract with the scapegoat. It was a good strategy.”
Zhang Yiming studied his fingernails, lightly brushing them across the surface of his teacup. The pale green tea trembled, thin tea leaves fluttering as they drifted apart. The light scent of tea wafted throughout the room. The man’s gaze stopped at the teacup, the glint in his eyes mocking:
“Y’know, I know Jiang Feng well. You might not know this, but his family’s complicated. He’s like a boulderrolling off the peak of a mountain, y’know— once he starts, he’s never going to stop. Jiang Feng’s past will catch up to him soon. All it takes is one bad day.”
The manager’s heart skipped a beat. He connected the dots between what happened years ago to the Jiang family to what was happening now, and winced in disbelief.
Zhang Yiming put down his teacup. Steam fluttered over his eyes.
*
When Lin Ning saw the tag, he eyed Chu Yunqi’s name, emotions bubbling inside him. Then he sighed.
“What’s wrong? Still mad?” Zhang Zhining’s cheeks puffed up in indignation for Lin Ning. “Don’t worry, I trust you. You’re not someone who’d do stuff like that to the people around you… It’s bullshit.”
Lin Ning sighed again. “I’m not mad. All the rumours and hate-painting or whatever don’t matter anymore. I’m just worried about Chu Yunqi.”
“Huh? Are you crazy? Feeling bad? For him?”
“It’s not surprising that the company would drop Chu Yunqi just like that. It’s kinda like how I’d left back then, too. And then… the self-harm. It’s all too familiar. Feihao and Jiang Feng have been playing this game for so many years, you know.” Lin Ning smiled toothily. “Looks like I’ve got to go track down this Chu Yunqi. We were teammates, after all… Oh, this’ll be an interesting chat.”
“…Why do I get the feeling that you don’t hate Chu Yunqi at all? You sound more like you want to win him over.” Zhang Zhining rubbed his chin. Getting involved might get Lin Ning tangled up in an even bigger mess. He looked at Lin Ning for an answer.
A breeze blew throughout the room, catching a few strands of hair from Li Ning’s forehead. The room fell into silence again. Finally, Lin Ning mumbled, “Because Chu Yunqi’s a victim, an offender, and a witness. I’ve been waiting for this moment. There’s no way I’m letting him go.”
Lin Ning couldn’t sleep that night, so he sat on the balcony, watching the stars. The Main Planet had a beautiful night sky. Stars sprayed across the dark blue sky, like the Milky Way, but with this beauty came a sense of artificiality. Lin Ning’s Earth never had sceneries like this. Besides, there was no moon. In the end, all the stars were was a reminder that Lin Ning didn’t belong here.
[System, how are the other planets outside this Main Planet like?] Lin Ning asked. [I’ve been here for a while now, but all I’ve done is coop myself up. I’m not taking the opportunities I should be taking.]
The System showed Lin Ning a chain of videos featuring all the hottest tourist spots on the other Interstellar planets.
Lin Ning: [That’s kind of cold. Aren’t you supposed to say, “No matter where you go I’ll follow, Host! Let’s start our life-changing Interstellar journey together!” or something?]
The System retorted all too happily, [My dear Host, trust me when I say I love you, but as a System, I love completing tasks with my Host and earning lots and lots of Faith way more than I do traveling. My orders are to keep you from doing too many unnecessary things… Though I do think you’re different from the other Hosts. ]
Lin Ning: […Some day, I’m taking Xizai with me on a journey across the Interstellar.]
The System grumbled, […Hold on. You forgot about me.]
Lin Ning laughed evilly. [Huh? Don’t worry. You’ll just stay home counting Faith.]
The System stomped its feet, then blasted an earworm in Lin Ning’s head.
Lin Ning laughed again. [Aww, sorry, okay? Please stop this god-awful song. My head’s about to explode.]
Just as Lin Ning was beginning to relax, a notification rang. It was from Chu Yunqi, who’d just accepted Lin Ning’s friend request from some hours ago. To take that long to accept his request might’ve meant that things on Yunqi’s end weren’t good.
Lucky the body’s original owner was meticulous. He kept a lot with him, such as Chu Yunqi’s Interstellar account, which was great for Lin Ning.
The music stopped. [Hey, Host, what are you planning?] the System asked.
The edges of Lin Ning’s mouth quivered. [To mess with Jiang Feng, obviously. He doesn’t get that you never back someone into a corner. Agitated bunnies can bite back, too… Think about what a human can do.]
After a moment, the System grumbled, [But he didn’t even reply to your message, and your relationship with him’s pretty awkward now. He just spread rumours about you, remember?]
Lin Ning shrugged. [It would’ve been weirder if he had replied. A surprise’s coming, just you wait.]
*
The time they agreed upon came. Lin Ning was super happy today. He stood outside the block, eyes brightening as the miniature aircraft came into view. This aircraft was one of the most classily luxurious models Lin Ning had ever seen. He sighed in admiration.
Liu Yue landed the aircraft onto the ground. Lin Ning peered in and found Xizai sitting— expressionlessly, as always— on the shotgun, its two front paws stuck neatly together. Tts tail curled sternly over them, but its ears twitched as it saw Lin Ning.
Lin Ning took the kitty in his arms giddily, one forearm under that kitty’s little butt, the other rubbing the back of its head. Xizai’s long fur felt good to stroke. Lin Ning had been getting bolder and bolder by the day. Now he’d reached the point of being able to ruffle the cat daily.
The cat meow-ed in protest, a paw swatting over Lin Ning’s obnoxious hand.
Lin Ning held the kitty’s paws down. He had more pressing matters to attend to. Not only had he realized that Li Chengyan was the marshal, but that Liu Yue, too, was no small fry. To be the marshal’s adjutant… He saw, with his own eyes, how Liu Yue, as an adjutant, stuck by Li Chengyan’s side throughout the entire conference.
As marshal, there was no way Li Chengyan would have the time to deliver his pet cat to Lin Ning in person. The fact that he’d allowed the cat to come over was already a miracle in and of itself.
Liu Yue read Lin Ning’s thoughts through his facial expressions. He nodded at Lin Ning. “Good morning, Mr. Lin Ning.”
“Good morning, Mr. Liu Yue.” Lin Ning nodded in return, then bit his lipin hesitation. “Uh, I saw the Interstellar conference yesterday.”
The kitty in his embrace shifted, its tail curling back and its ears perking as slightly as it could. Discomfort melted its icy face.
Liu Yue’s gaze flickered towards the cat.
His superior glared back.
Liu Yue wanted to die.
The marshal’s memories hadn’t returned yet and he treated Lin Ning with the weirdest attitude, which made speaking to Lin Ning a pain in the ass. Liu Yue felt as if he was tap dancing on a minefield. His boss had the universe’s scariest face.
Liu Yue had to pause to think. “I know you’re curious about Mr. Li Chengyan and my identities, but everything really is just as you suspect: Li Changyan’s the marshal and I’m his adjutant.
“We weren’t trying to hide our identities from you, though. Our positions are special, so we don’t share anything too personal if we can avoid it, you know? I apologize… I should’ve informed you of this as soon as I could.”
Liu Yue looked sincere. It was clear that he hadn’t intended to hurt Lin Ning in any way.
Lin Ning nodded in understanding but pulled the kitty closer to his chest. “And… Xizai…”
“Mr. Li Chengyan likes the environment you’ve provided his cat here, so can it stay with you? He’s swamped with work now, so I’m afraid it’ll be a while before he can see it again,” Liu Yue continued.
Lin Ning nodded again. Those were the magic words he was waiting for. Although he had no idea why Li Chengyan would prefer his environment, as long as Xizai could stay, he couldn’t care less.
“Please tell Mr. Li Chengyan I promise too take good care of the kitty. If he ever wants to see him, I’d be more than happy to send him over. He can come over, too, if he wants, of course.”
Xizai averted its eyesand meowed reluctantly .
Liu Yue: “……”
The hell? Why make me the messenger? You’re literally hugging each other right now!
If all those crazy marshal fans saw this, wouldn’t his unapproachable and unattainable image go up in flames???
Lin Ning skipped back after parting ways with Liu Yue. Maybe his trip to the future was worth it— he’d never seen a living marshal before in his past life. Worth it. He was going to brag about this for the rest of his life. This was about as crazy as buying a ticket to an idol’s concert.
He even got to keep the marshal’s cat— Woah, Lin Ning was amazed at himself.
“We’re back!” Lin Ning yelled as he swung the door open.
“You’re back?” Zhang Zhining tilted his head towards them, busying away with the vegetables. He caught the cat glaring at him.
???
That was what Zhang Zhining’s head looked like.
“Xizai, let’s have some Dalu noodles today! I’ll add lots of anchovies to celebrate your return. How’s that?” Lin Ning did not read the room. He’d already started rubbing the kitty, its fluffy tummy especially. “Let’s see… Oh? Looks like you’ve gained a little chub. That guy’s been feeding you well, huh…”
The cat struggled to pry itself out of Lin Ning’s hands. Lin Ning would’ve been disappointed if he had succeeded. For some reason, the cat didn’t want to make him feel that way. But… he’d not only been eating the food Lin Ning prepared for Xizai, but Li Chengyan’s portion, too… Maybe Lin Ning was right.
I got fat? The cat thought coldly.
After the reunion dinner, Zhang Zhining collected the bowls and cutleries. Lin Ning, on the other hand, stayed glued to the cat. His hand, too, never parted from the cat. The cat’s fur was shaggy by now.
“You’re pretty tight,” Zhang Zhining sighed. “Living with you’s the best. I bet anyone who gets to spend the rest of their life with you will be very, very happy.”
Lin Ning nodded thoughtfully. “Wise of you, Zhining.” he joked shamelessly.
说完他就憋不住了，笑得满地打滚儿，眉眼笑成一条线，白皙的面庞在灯光的照射下宛如凝脂玉一般漂亮，一张柔和动人的俊秀面孔更是完美到无可挑剔，一颦一笑都是醉人的风景，就像是从招贴画上走出来的小少爷。
He chortled. Soon, he was rolling on the floor in laughter. His smooth, porcelain skin glowed like a jade under the light. His laugh rang through the air, mesmerizing, like the clear tinkles of a glass windchime.
Like golden pearls glinting under the sunlight.
Zhang Zhining was stupefied. For a moment, he couldn’t remember how it felt to form words. So that was why people loved idols. It felt as if there was nobody else in the entertainment industry, male or female, with looks as captivating as Lin Ning’s.
The tablet rang. Lin Ning walked over to check it, kitty in his arms.
Zhang Yiming: We’re launching a reality programme about food. Interested?
Lin Ning’s heart trembled a little. He settled in his seat with Xizai still in his arms, and gingerly placed his chin on top of Xizai’s fluffy head, carefully studying Zhang Yiming’s message.
Zhang Zhining watched the cat’s eyes flash at Lin Ning’s tablet as Lin Ning sat himself up. The temperature around it seemed to drop.
???
The hell was wrong with this wooden plank of a cat?
ML will glare at anyone close to his wifey XDDD