Unlike the dark and oppressive atmosphere inside the bedroom,
the Xie family living room, which rarely hosted guests, was brightly lit. Champagne roses decorated every corner. Guests raised their glasses and chatted merrily. Famous nobles of the capital planet could be seen everywhere, along with prominent figures from the military and government. The people who regularly made the headlines of financial newspapers and entertainment pages were all gathered here to attend Xie Yijin's engagement banquet.
“I have to say, if this were the old Xie Yijin, when would Li Yanjin ever have gotten a chance?”
“He's what you call someone who waited until the clouds parted and finally saw the moon.”
“Look at them. Now every one of them has turned their eyes toward Xie Yizhen and Cheng Yan instead…”
“Who would willingly marry their son or daughter to a cripple? Wouldn't that ruin the rest of their life?”
“The Xie family's second child is only a third-year university student, and Cheng Yan's only in his second year. Neither marriage can be settled anytime soon.”
“And Cheng Yan too—years ago I thought he was the Xie family's child bridegroom and would definitely marry Xie Yijin. Who could have expected General Xie to adopt him as a son instead?”
“Commander Xie really is such a pity. So young, and now she's like this.”
“The Li family got a bargain this time. They may be rich, but compared to a military family like the Xies, their background is still far inferior.”
“Come on, that's not what Madam Xie cares about.”
“What, Commander Xie still isn't coming out?”
“…”
As everyone whispered among themselves, Jiang Zhaohua tapped the microphone, drawing their attention.
“Everyone, thank you for coming to attend the engagement ceremony of my daughter, Xie Yijin, and my future son-in-law, Li Yanjin.”
The guests fell silent one after another and looked toward the mistress of the Xie household standing in the center of the living room with the microphone.
Jiang Zhaohua carried herself with graceful dignity and wore a polite smile. Pulling Li Yanjin beside her, she announced to everyone, “If no one objects, I hereby announce that my daughter Xie Yijin and Li Yanjin are formally engaged. Their wedding will be held on the fifteenth of next month.”
Today, Li Yanjin wore a ruffled shirt beneath a pale gray formal suit.
The suit was expertly tailored, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His smile overflowed across his face. He showed none of the awareness of someone about to marry a disabled person; he looked no different from any Omega about to step into a happy marriage.
When he heard Madam Xie say those words, a trace of shyness appeared on his cheeks.
Finally… Xie Yijin would belong to him forever!
The words had barely fallen.
A rich, magnetic voice sounded. “I object.”
The voice carried its usual coldness, piercing straight through the carefully packaged festive atmosphere.
Amid an uproar, the assembled elites turned toward the source of the sound.
Jiang Zui? Jiang Huaisheng?!
Why were they here?!
The Xie and Jiang families had been enemies for years. Xie Yijin and Jiang Zui had opposed each other since childhood, wanting to kick each other twice every time they met.
Years ago, Jiang Xing had died young in battle. Afraid Jiang Zui would also be lost, Jiang Huaisheng had taken Jiang Zui, who was originally supposed to enter command, and arranged for him to work in the rear hospital instead.
Now that disaster had struck Xie Yijin, had Jiang Huaisheng and Jiang Zui come not only to enjoy the spectacle but to wreck the engagement as well?
At this moment, Jiang Huaisheng was nearing eighty, his thin white hair sparse atop his head, seated in a wheelchair.
He had spent the first half of his life fighting fiercely on battlefields. His eyes remained sharp and spirited, carrying the formidable aura of a man long accustomed to command, and his expression was decidedly unpleasant.
Jiang Zui pushed Jiang Huaisheng slowly toward Jiang Zhaohua.
Hundreds of gazes landed on him and swept back and forth like scanners, filled with unmistakable hostility that told him to leave.
Xie Fan and Jiang Zhaohua exchanged a look and inwardly thought, This is bad.
Still, they were people who had weathered great storms. After a brief moment of surprise, husband and wife quickly put on smiles and walked forward together to greet them.
“Old Master Jiang, it has been a long time. Forgive us for not welcoming you properly.” Xie Fan smiled pleasantly and stopped in front of Jiang Huaisheng.
Jiang Huaisheng pulled the cane from the side of his wheelchair. With Jiang Zui supporting him, he rose unhurriedly and said in a barbed tone, “You didn't even send an invitation to my Jiang family. Anyone who didn't know better might think the Jiang family had already fallen completely and your Xie family now looked down on us altogether.”
Jiang Zhaohua kept a graceful smile on her face, but she knew perfectly well that the visitors had come with bad intentions.
Over the years, because of what happened to Jiang Yan, the Xie family had yielded to the Jiang family at every turn. After Jiang Xing's death, they had secretly given even more assistance. Yet Jiang Huaisheng had never once shown the Xie family a friendly face.
Because of Yijin, she hadn't had a single good night's sleep in three months.
She wasn't the sort to act delicate, complain about fate, and do nothing but cry. Grief was grief, but a mother became strong for her child. Precisely because Yijin was now in such a terrible state, Jiang Zhaohua had to be stronger, find a way to help Yijin, and make her pull herself together again.
Anything that interfered with Yijin's recovery would be eliminated!
Yijin and Jiang Zui were mortal enemies. Right now, Jiang Zui was the person Yijin least wanted to see.
Jiang Zui's tongue was as poisonous as Jiang Huaisheng's. He might open his mouth and infuriate Yijin to death!
Jiang Zhaohua had no habit of letting outsiders humiliate her daughter.
No matter what, this time she had to protect Ajin!
Xie Fan was just about to speak when Jiang Zhaohua cut him off.
“Old Master, how could you say that?” She gave a perfectly proper smile, looking aggrieved. “It's only because every time we sent you an invitation before, you never came. So this time we thought we'd simply avoid bothering you. It really isn't easy being a junior like me. If I send an invitation, that's wrong. If I don't send one, that's wrong too.”
When Xie Yizhen heard that the Jiang family had come to ruin the event, she hurried over. Hearing her mother's words made her feel wonderfully vindicated.
Then she saw Old Man Jiang's expression worsening and quickly ran over to join in. “Exactly, exactly! It's so hard being the younger generation. Whatever we do is wrong.”
Xie Fan frowned slightly.
He shot Jiang Zhaohua a look that said Don't make trouble, then glared at Xie Yizhen for her lack of respect toward an elder.
Jiang Zhaohua and Xie Yizhen immediately behaved themselves.
Leaning on his cane, Jiang Huaisheng stood as sternly as a cold bamboo stalk in the wind. “I didn't come here to trade clever words with you!”
“I came to steal the bride.” Jiang Zui stepped forward to stand beside Jiang Huaisheng. He had always acted cleanly and decisively and had no intention of wasting words here.
The statement left every guest at the banquet shocked and disbelieving.
Steal the bride?! Whose bride?! Li Yanjin?!
Everyone knew Li Yanjin and Jiang Zui couldn't stand each other. They fought over anything either one liked, and their terrible relationship was common knowledge in their social circle. But to come steal Li Yanjin at a moment like this?!
“Li Yanjin really is good-looking. Even among Omegas, he's outstanding.”
“Jiang Zui works at the same hospital as him. No wonder they clash every day. So they're actually bickering lovers?”
“Who knew Li Yanjin was that impressive? He captured two Alphas at once!”
“If it were me, I'd choose Jiang Zui! No matter how you look at it, the Jiang family isn't bad. There are fewer family members, so he'd have the final say in everything. Most importantly, Jiang Zui is excellent in every respect.”
“Xie Yijin is such a pity. This time Jiang Zui beats her in absolutely everything.”
“…”
“…”
Xie Fan and Jiang Zhaohua frowned faintly and both looked toward Li Yanjin.
Li Yanjin had always been at daggers drawn with Jiang Zui in the hospital, but because this was his engagement day, he hadn't dared act up and had been behaving obediently throughout. Hearing that Jiang Zui had come to steal the bride nearly knocked him unconscious with the sheer absurdity of it.
Once he heard it was a bride-stealing attempt, he connected it with their many previous clashes. He also knew some Alphas liked to use malicious hostility as a way to attract an Omega's attention. For a moment, he actually believed it. Although he loved Xie Yijin, the person in front of him was still a handsome and exceptional high-level Alpha.
He coughed lightly, then said to Jiang Zui with deliberate reserve, “I understand your feelings, but I will only ever love Xie Yijin in this life. Please go back.”
Hearing that, the crowd couldn't help giving him admiring looks.
Just as the rumors said, he was deeply devoted to Xie Yijin! Faithful through everything!
“Stop flattering yourself. What the hell are you supposed to be?”
Jiang Zui rolled his eyes and cut him off. He gave Li Yanjin a contemptuous glance, then looked at Xie Fan. “The one I want is Xie Yijin.”
Everyone: “!!!”
Everyone: “???”
Jiang Zui's expression remained calm, as though he were talking about something entirely insignificant. “I want to marry Xie Yijin.”
“What?!”
Li Yanjin's face went through every imaginable emotion before changing violently. How could he possibly have expected Jiang Zui to come here to steal Xie Yijin?! Almost reflexively, his expression turned colder than steel. “Don't even dream of it!!!”
When did this happen?!
When had Jiang Zui developed feelings for Xie Yijin?
Over the years, Li Yanjin had driven away so many Omegas circling Xie Yijin, yet he'd never once paid attention to Jiang Zui!
Weren't they mortal enemies?
Xie Fan frowned. After a brief moment of doubt, he asked, “You want to marry Yijin?”
Jiang Zui stared steadily into his sharp, authoritative, intimidating eyes. “That's right.”
Anyone else might have been frightened away by Xie Fan's terrifying presence after a single glance, too afraid even to meet his eyes. Jiang Zui not only dared to look directly at him, he held his gaze with equal determination.
He lied without even needing to think, the words pouring straight out. “Xie Yijin and I have known each other since childhood. We fought and fought until feelings developed. She can't live without me, and I can't live without her. The way our relationship works is different from other couples. You wouldn't understand.”
Xie Fan and Jiang Zhaohua exchanged a glance.
Could Yijin and Jiang Zui truly have feelings for each other?
Another uproar swept through the guests, as though they'd heard some earth-shattering secret.
“Xie Yijin and Jiang Zui?! They're both Alphas!”
“My god! Is this the legendary love-through-hatred?!”
“Alpha-Alpha couples do exist, but they're a tiny fraction of the interstellar population. Their pheromone compatibility is poor, and they can't soothe each other. How would they get through susceptible periods?”
“Interstellar marriage law does say that regardless of gender, as long as two people register, they receive full legal marital rights. But nearly everyone still pairs Alpha-Omega. Alpha-Alpha couples are far too rare.”
“What exactly am I hearing?”
“This is insane. He isn't stealing Li Yanjin at all!”
“…”
“…”
“Jiang Zui, there's a limit to joking around.”
After her brief shock, Jiang Zhaohua decided Jiang Zui really had come to wreck the engagement. She laughed it off, intending to muddle through and send him away.
After a moment of panic, Li Yanjin absolutely refused to let this engagement fail.
He showed his aggressive side. “Exactly. There's a limit to joking. Yijin isn't a toy for you to amuse yourself with! If you marry Yijin, there's no guarantee you won't torment her to death!”
“Jiang Zui! Isn't my sister miserable enough for you already?!”
Xie Yizhen became so agitated she rushed forward to shove Jiang Zui, only for him to react instantly and catch both her hands.
How could there be someone in this world who kicked another person while they were down to such an extent?!
Jiang Zui curled his lips in a cold smile. “I'm not discussing this with you.”
His words landed with absolute force. “I'm only informing you.”
Jiang Zui pushed Xie Yizhen away. His gaze, cold as a snow-covered mountain, settled on Xie Fan. “Uncle Xie, back when my older sister Jiang Xing died while serving under your command, you promised my Jiang family that you would grant me, Jiang Zui, one request. Does that promise still count?”
When Jiang Xing died, Xie Fan had indeed come to pay respects and made that promise in front of many people.
Jiang Zhaohua nearly fainted when she heard it.
How could she not know? She had been standing right beside him when he made the promise.
Xie Yizhen had never known anything about it. Seeing Jiang Zui's expression of absolute confidence, then looking at Xie Fan's hesitation, she screamed No inside her head.
He couldn't agree! Absolutely couldn't agree!
Her sister and Jiang Zui were like fire and water. If they really married, Jiang Zui would kill her sister!
And her sister was already in such terrible condition. Facing Jiang Zui every day might make her even more suicidal!
Xie Fan pondered for a moment. Rare difficulty appeared on his face as he tried to persuade Jiang Zui in the tone of an elder. “Jiang Zui, are you certain you want to marry Yijin?”
“I am.” Jiang Zui answered steadily.
Their eyes met. Jiang Zui was neither humble nor arrogant, calm and unhurried.
Xie Fan showed a trace of worry. “But you're both Alphas.”
“Uncle Xie,”
Jiang Zui's voice remained measured. “As I said, I'm only informing you.”
Seeing the Xie family hesitate, he swept his gaze over them. “Your Xie family owes ours this.”
At those words, the Xie family fell silent.
For many years, the Jiang family had hung over the Xie family like a haze that could never be dispersed.
After Jiang Zui's parents died, the Xie family had wanted to make amends, but there had never been an opportunity. Who could have known the first compensation Jiang Zui ever asked for would be such a difficult one?
This was the Xie family. How could they possibly agree so casually?
And Jiang Zui was an Alpha! Once they returned to the hospital, Li Yanjin would make sure Jiang Zui paid for this!
Unexpectedly, after two seconds of silence, Xie Fan said, “I agree.”
Xie Yizhen, Jiang Zhaohua, Cheng Yan: “!!!”
Agree?! How could he agree?!
If Jiang Zui married Xie Yijin, then what was Li Yanjin?! Where did that leave him?! Jiang Zui was an Alpha!
At that moment, the gazes falling on Li Yanjin felt like needles.
And threaded through those stinging gazes was faint, almost imperceptible ridicule.
The guests hadn't expected Xie Fan to agree either. Whispers spread inside and outside the room, and some people even pulled out their phones to take pictures.
“My god, Xie Yijin and Jiang Zui are getting married?”
“Even if Xie Yijin doesn't die, Jiang Zui will skin a layer off her!”
“If this were the old Xie Yijin, maybe she could withstand Jiang Zui tormenting her. But the current Xie Yijin…”
“General Xie actually agreed!”
“Then what about Li Yanjin? He actually had his marriage stolen by an Alpha.”
Jiang Huaisheng sat back down in his wheelchair. “Let's go.”
As Jiang Zui pushed Jiang Huaisheng away, he tossed back one sentence. “Tell Xie Yijin not to piss her pants from fear.”
Xie Yijin spent her days drunk and muddled.
When she woke from another drunken sleep, Xie Yizhen stammered nervously, frightened as she told her, “Sis, Sis… Dad arranged for you to marry Jiang Zui! H-how about I arrange a spaceship and you hurry up and run away?”
“Who?” Xie Yijin suspected something was wrong with her ears.
She heard her previously placid heart begin pounding strongly—excited, thrilled. Her black-and-white, boring life suddenly seemed to contain the tiniest hint of interest again.
Xie Yizhen looked frantic. “Jiang Zui! Jiang Zui, the one who wants to cut you into a thousand pieces!!!”
Xie Yijin's ashen eyes suddenly lit up. Then she fell silent for several seconds.
A moment later, her brows relaxed. The corner of her lips even curved into a faint smile. Slumped in her wheelchair, she gradually straightened into a proper seated posture. One by one, she calmly fastened the mismatched buttons on her clothes, then smoothed her messy hair, which had grown a little longer. A trace of displeasure flashed through her eyes.
Xie Yizhen: “Sis, run!”
Xie Yijin: “Why should I run?”
Xie Yizhen: “Don't tell me you're actually going to marry him?!”
Xie Yijin smiled pleasantly. “That's right.”
Xie Yizhen's eyes widened as she nearly stopped breathing. “You really like Alphas?!”
Xie Yijin nodded with a bright smile.
Right now, whatever Jiang Zui said was the truth.
She hadn't managed to marry Fu Shuheng and defeat Jiang Zui that way. But marrying Jiang Zui… seemed like another way to defeat Jiang Zui.
That was Jiang Zui, after all.
Even though she truly couldn't imagine how this marriage had been arranged, nor what being married to Jiang Zui would look like,
there was only one thought in her head—she was going to win!
She was going to beat Jiang Zui forever and ever!
Xie Yizhen couldn't accept it. She asked nervously, “You really like Jiang Zui?”
Xie Yijin's gaze became unbelievably tender, as though she'd truly heard the name of a lover. “Right now, I love him very much.”
Xie Yizhen: “!!!”
Xie Yizhen's world collapsed!
Xie Yijin, meanwhile, thought: finally, someone was coming to kill her.
Dying at Jiang Zui's hands, dying at the hands of her lifelong rival, was still better than drinking herself to death, starving to death, or dying of illness.
Author's Note:
Xie Yijin: Starting today, no more alcohol. I'll scrub myself clean and wait to die looking handsome.
Xie Yijin: Starting today, I need to pay attention to my appearance and take a heroic-looking funeral portrait.
Xie Yijin: Starting today, I'm going to personally arrange everything after my death
