Chapter 163: A Wedding Without a Bride

  I can see that Dongfang Yu has some opinions about me, although her tone is full of concern and care, it's not without a hint of blame.

  I smiled and said: "How come you're sitting here at this meeting? Have you been promoted already?"

  Dongfang Yu nodded slightly and suddenly reached out to grab my hand, saying somewhat sorrowfully: "Why didn't you even give us a phone call? Don't you know how worried we were about you?"

  Just as I was about to speak, Chen Jing's voice came over: "He's having so much fun outside, how would he think of calling us?"

  I turned around to see Chen Jing and Li Huanhuan, as well as Du Yifei, Zhou Hui, Bai Feng and others walking in one after another. It was only then that I understood the meaning behind Old Man Chen's decision to keep me here - it was to let me meet these friends whom I had not seen for a long time.

  This time I returned to Hulong Temple, I was busy almost non-stop, except for Chen Jing, no one else had seen me yet.

  I'm quite excited, with a feeling of reunion after a long time apart. I really want to go forward and hold onto these friends for a good chat. But now Chen Lao and others are still here, I have to pay attention to the influence, so I can only look at these friends and smile.

  Chen Jing had seen me before, so she didn't feel much excitement. She just took a glance at me and then said with a smile: "Our time is limited, let's talk if you have something to say, don't waste our time."

  Dongfang Yu still held my hand and said first: "I strongly demand that Jin Cang bring us with him this time when he goes to the Three Gorges Reservoir."

  Dongfang Yu's words were like a fuse, as soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately followed up and said: "I also want to go with him, he can't abandon us again."

  The one who said this was Du Yifei. She looked more mature than before, and her tone of voice was also more overbearing, which was somewhat different from the previous Du Yifei.

  Li Huan still has an opinion about me, after seeing me, she didn't give me a good face, and wouldn't even talk to me.

  Zhou Hui and Bai Feng remained silent, only looking at me with a hint of blame in their eyes.

  I had a mind to say a few words to them, but Old Chen said at this time: "The long story of children can be told later, you still have a long time! Now I have a task for you, listen carefully."

  We several people still listened to Old Chen's words very much, so we all calmed down together and waited for Old Chen to give orders.

  "You people are all one family... I'm not wrong in saying that, am I? So this time we discussed it and decided that you'll go to the Three Gorges Reservoir together." Chen Lao's words had a somewhat unusual tone: "We hope that this time you can truly be together, at least, and bring several big fat babies to our Huaxia country."

  Mr. Chen's words made several of my friends, including Chen Jing, blush, and I felt a bit embarrassed too, so I couldn't help but glance at my friends, afraid they would get angry because of Mr. Chen's words.

  "Frankly, you're all grown up now and should be getting married and having kids. We old folks have discussed this for a long time and think that since you girls all like Jin Cang, why not just marry him together?"

  Chen Jing was the first to object: "How can this be? So many of us marrying one person, it's against the law and against reason."

  Li Huan also couldn't help but say: "Whoever wants to marry him can marry him, just don't count me in."

  Du Yifei loudly said: "Good, I can finally be with Jin Cang openly and honestly. See who dares to say that I am not his fiancée in the future, and not allow me to be with him?"

  Zhou Hui and Bai Feng remained silent, but it was clear that they also disagreed with Old Chen's proposal, they just didn't have the nerve to say so.

  Dongfang Yu didn't say anything, she just glared at me fiercely, her expression as if she wanted to swallow me whole.

  I couldn't help but smile bitterly, feeling speechless. Old Chen spoke up for me: "If any of you are really unwilling to marry Jin Cang, I will immediately remove whoever's name from the list of those going to the Three Gorges Reservoir this time. Tell me now, who among you is unwilling to marry Jin Cang?"

  The conference room suddenly fell silent, and Du Yifei and others who were still talking also immediately shut their mouths.

  Old Chen burst out laughing and said: "I knew you young people like to pretend... still pretending? I'll really let Jin Cang leave you. Don't think I don't know, all of you are in love with that little brat Jin Cang."

  Chen Jing seemed to be holding back her anger and said with a hint of indignation: "This is a private matter between us, as the head of the military department, shouldn't you not interfere in these things?"

  Just as Old Chen was about to speak, Li Huanhuan continued: "Exactly, although you are our elder, you can't arrange our marriage for us. And it's such an unfair marriage!"

  Old Chen suddenly said, turned his head to look at me, sighed and reluctantly said: "I can't help you anymore, you clean up your own mess!"

  I couldn't help but smile wryly, just as I was about to talk to Chen Jing and the others, they collectively turned their backs on me, not a single one acknowledging me.

  Chen Lao couldn't help but burst out laughing this time, however he didn't say another word and left the conference room with Long Jinfeng and Wen Wu.

  I knew that if I didn't make things clear today, the days to come would be even harder. So, I steeled myself and said: "You don't have to do this either, I know I've wronged you, and you have your opinions about me... How about this? You can choose to leave me or marry me, and I will respect your choice."

  As soon as I finished speaking, Chen Jing was the first to get up and leave, clearly intending to leave this place and ignore me.

  I was deeply anxious, and I wanted to reach out and stop Chen Jing. But I had just said that I would respect their choice, and now if I went back on my word, it wouldn't be very manly of me. So the hand I stretched out slowly withdrew again.

  Li Huanhuan almost left with Chen Jing, she didn't have a bit of attachment when leaving. Following Li Huanhuan's departure were Zhou Hui and Bai Feng, then Du Yifei who was still very happy just now.

  I watched as their silhouettes disappeared before my eyes, almost unable to hold back a cry. To be honest, I was really quite sentimental, and couldn't bear to part with any of them!

  Now they collectively leave me, and I feel like I've suddenly lost the most precious thing in my heart, filled with emptiness.

  Fortunately, there was still Dongfang Yu who hadn't left, so I didn't feel too lonely. So I looked at Dongfang Yu and opened my mouth to speak.

  Dongfang Yu suddenly broke free from my grasp at this moment and left with big strides without looking back, leaving me standing there staring blankly at her receding figure.

  I feel like I've been abandoned, and for a while, I didn't react at all, I just felt very uncomfortable.

  This is something I've never felt before, so while I'm feeling uncomfortable, I also feel empty and helpless, as if I've really been abandoned by the whole world.

  I sat alone in the empty conference room, staring blankly at the ceiling. I never thought that Chen Jing and the others would leave me without hesitation. I had assumed that at least a few of them would stay behind to keep me company. It seems I overestimated myself and underestimated my friends.

  I started to recall the days I spent with them, and also the scenes where I got to know them. Suddenly, I found it really hard to leave them. Asking me to leave them is like asking me to leave my own family, which feels very uncomfortable, reluctant and strange!

  I suddenly remembered a book I read a long time ago, the title of which was "A Wedding Without a Bride". Now my situation is really just like what it said - alone by myself, wanting to get married but without a bride.

  It's strange that I don't hate Chen Jing and the others at all. Maybe I know myself that I'm a promiscuous person, and I don't deserve to be with them. They are so excellent, each one of them is worthy of my love and care. But I just happened to get entangled with each of them, it's strange if they didn't leave me.

  I suddenly felt enlightened. I didn't let go of Chen Jing and the others, but was happy for them instead. After all, now that they've left me, they'll live a better life, and I'll be happy for their beautiful future.

  So I stood up and walked towards the conference room door.

  "Have you been dumped?" As soon as I walked out the door, I heard Sun Heng's voice: "You little scoundrel, really... your cousin was right, you're a philanderer, and it'll end badly for you!"

  I smiled wryly: "Is my cousin doing well? Is it a nephew or niece? The last time we met was too rushed, I didn't even ask about this, sorry."

  Sun Heng patted my shoulder and laughed, "You're a noble person who often forgets things! I'm not blaming you, as long as your cousin doesn't get angry after seeing you later. By the way, I have a son and a daughter, originally they should both call you uncle, but unfortunately, your cousin isn't very willing."

  I was puzzled: "Why not? He is their uncle after all!"

  Sun Heng burst out laughing: "Isn't it because when the kid was one month old, you didn't even send a gift? You said you really are something, if you can't come in person, at least send some gifts! I've always thought of you as my best brother."

  I forced a smile and said, "Can't I just make it up to you another day? Do you have to treat me like this?" Pausing for a moment: "Director Sun, you're a busy person now, how did you find the time to come looking for me? You didn't specially come to ask me for gifts, did you?"

  Sun Heng was taken aback, then burst out laughing: "I'm here specifically to discuss business with you. This time when you go to the Three Gorges Reservoir area, can you take me and your cousin along? We also want to go."

  I was taken aback and frowned, saying: "How could I possibly be in charge of this matter? You are now the master of the Dragon Guard, and it is impossible to change your residence casually."

  Sun Heng sighed: "I am no longer the master of the Dragon Guard!"

  I was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

  Sun Heng said: "I was transferred away from the Hu Long Shi, and I am still on standby. If you can take me to the Three Gorges Reservoir area, I will follow you immediately."

  I frowned and said: "When did this happen? Why didn't I know about it? Did you make a mistake?"

  Sun Heng shook his head and turned around to glance at the sky: "To be honest, I don't know what the reason is either, all I know is that this is an order personally given to me by Old Man Chen."

  I was already feeling uneasy about Chen Jing and others leaving, now I've heard the news of Sun Heng's resignation, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious: "I'll go ask Old Chen, what exactly is the reason that made both you and me leave Hu Long Shi."

  Sun Heng didn't stop me, but followed me together to find Old Chen, it seems that he was also very puzzled about this matter in his heart.

  Mr. Chen seemed to know we were coming and was waiting for us outside his office. When he saw me and Sun Heng, he smiled and said, "You're here? I've been waiting for you guys for a long time."

  I knew Old Chen must be waiting for us to make a statement, so I asked directly: "Why were Sun Heng and I both transferred away from the Hu Long Shi?"

  Mr. Chen smiled and walked into his office, we followed him in. He pointed to the sofa in the office and said: "Please sit down first, I'll tell you all about it slowly."

  I sat down with Sun Heng, and Old Chen's secretary, Little Zhang, poured us a cup of water.

  "After Xiao Zhang left, Old Chen turned to me and Sun Heng and said: 'To put it simply, the idea of you two leaving Hu Long Shi was mine and Wen Wu's. As for the specific reasons, I think you should have some ideas already, now let me tell you in detail.'"

  I exchanged a glance with Sun Heng, both of us were shocked and puzzled.

  Chen Lao continued: "You all know that the current situation in our Huaxia country is not good, with strong enemies outside and turmoil inside. It can be said that we are already at a critical moment of survival. The strength of our military can only barely suppress the external enemy. As for the internal turmoil within Huaxia, we are now powerless to control it."

  "Having the heart but lacking the power?"

  Chen Lao nodded slightly: "You may not know that in the past few years, our Huaxia country has made large-scale military cuts to connect with the international community. The number of active servicemen has decreased significantly, and recently we suffered heavy losses on the battlefield in the south... So now our military can only respond to external enemy invasions."

  I thought of our previous losses on the southern battlefield and couldn't help but nod: "How many soldiers do we still have who can go to the battlefield now?"

  Old Chen hesitated slightly, looking at the expression on his face, seemingly not very willing to tell us these things. However, he still said: "Except for local militia and soldiers who can currently go to the battlefield, as well as those already on the battlefield, we counted them, less than three million people."

  I slightly furrowed my brow: "Three hundred thousand? It's a bit less, but it should be enough to deal with the invading enemy. Why do you say we still lack personnel?"

  "Alas, you don't know that our current battle line is too long, and 300,000 people are not enough. In fact, if we can't achieve a decisive victory, it's not just 300,000 people, even another 300,000 people would not be enough."

  I nodded: "It seems that the current situation is still not optimistic. Commander, what do you want us to do? Please give orders."

  Mr. Chen hesitated for a moment and then said to me with some surprise: "I hope you can get married soon..."

  I let out an "ah" and asked: "What do you mean by that? What does this have to do with our current situation?"

  Chen Lao hesitated for a moment, then said: "I know you're currently at odds with Chen Jing and the others, and they won't marry you at this time... However, I think that in order to thoroughly bring the Female God organization under our military's jurisdiction, you'll have to make sacrifices..."

  I furrowed my brow: "You mean to say that the person I'm marrying is a high-ranking member of the Goddess organization? This... seems like a political marriage..."

  Chen nodded: "You're right, that's what our military means. No matter who you have in mind... or whoever you hope to marry, I'll go and propose to Wang Mu on your behalf. Just name the person, and I'm confident I can get the wedding done within three days."

  "I smiled wryly: 'Is this an order? It feels utterly absurd!'"

  "Chen Lao's face turned serious: 'Don't underestimate this order, political marriage is the crystallization of wisdom for thousands of years in our Huaxia country. Once you combine with one of the goddesses, the Goddess organization will truly join our military, and at that time we can suddenly gain a full 200,000 troops, completely breaking through our current predicament. Your merit, young man, would be maximized.'"

  I furrowed my brow tightly, but I didn't know how to refute Old Chen. In the face of the country's life and death, those personal things were negligible, and I had nothing to say.

  Sun Heng also had a look of surprise and incomprehension on his face, seemingly also puzzled and disdainful of such an order, but he too had nothing good to say about it.

  Mr. Chen continued, "I know you and Wang Mu's daughter Ying'er get along well, and I also know that Ying'er is currently in the Wudang sect. Why don't you temporarily marry Ying'er for now? As for that girl named Xia Lin, forget it, there's no fate between you two."

  I smiled wryly and said, "You've arranged everything, now you're just informing me?"

  Mr. Chen smiled wryly, his smile tinged with helplessness: "This time we owe you an apology, so don't say any more." He paused for a moment: "Ying'er has also agreed to be your bride, but she's currently in seclusion and can't come over to hold the wedding ceremony with you. So this time, our wedding will have to be held in secret."

  I suddenly understood what Old Chen meant: they just wanted me to know that my wedding would be reported and publicized by all major media, but personally, I didn't need to really be with Ying'er. This was just a ploy to deceive outsiders, its purpose being to let the world know that our military now had another ally, another source of strength, and could thoroughly defeat all our current enemies.

  I thought it through and nodded in agreement. I didn't have any losses, but I could gain enough power for the Huaxia nation to resist foreign forces, so why not? However, if Chen Jing and the others found out about this afterwards, who knows whether they would leave me completely, making me a married man without a bride.

  Chen Lao saw me agree and said with great joy: "Then we will contact the media, tomorrow to tell the whole world that Jin Cang, one of our military ministers, has joined forces with Wang Mu Ai's daughter Zhu Li Bian He, the largest underground force in China. The military power of our country will take a leap forward, and those hostile forces will no longer dare to attack us recklessly."

  Chen Lao's excitement, I knew it was genuine joy for the peace that was about to come to Huaxia. So I also smiled and said: "I'm happy to be able to do my part for Huaxia too."

  Sun Heng still had a puzzled expression on his face, with three parts worry. I knew he was worried that I would not be able to face Chen Jing and the others later, so I whispered to him: "Don't worry, when the Huaxia country is really stable, I will explain this matter well to them."

  Sun Heng nodded slightly: "I'm afraid that by the time everything has changed, your friends have either married someone else or completely lost confidence in you and distanced themselves from you!"

  I was taken aback, and suddenly felt that Sun Heng's words made a lot of sense. For a moment, I thought about regretting it. However, immediately after that, I thought of a sentence: If they really loved me, they should understand me. Otherwise, the relationship between us hasn't reached the level where we can rely on each other for life, and that's okay...

  This idea made me feel a bit relieved, but I didn't know that just like several months ago when I agreed to Chen Lao's request to infiltrate and sabotage the Female God Organization, I had left myself with a huge hidden danger, causing myself to fall into an irreversible situation. And this kind of desperate situation is getting deeper and deeper.