Chapter 287: The Imperial General Was Again Forcibly Flirted With 15

Zu Zhu entered together with Steven and the others, who had just undergone temporary genetic facial disguise, from the corner side hall; he remained composed, as if he had no worries about what would happen today.

Even after the disguise, Alex still recognized the person in the corner at a glance.

Steven, who had dealt a finishing blow and left the battlefield, the attendant military doctor who ignored him, Imperial family member Ian, and a few others—likely Steven's subordinates—as well as the Jila brothers mixed in among them.

His cold stare drew the attention of Steven and a few others; upon seeing Alex apparently fully recovered, his demeanor unchanged from before, they all faintly startled, barely able to keep their composure.

Ian frowned and asked Zu Zhu, "Why did Alex recover so quickly? Has his poison been cured?"

Zu Zhu also looked at Alex and replied, "It's said that Jin Chen assigned his personal doctor Hol specifically to treat Alex; Hol's medical skills are superb, so perhaps the poison has indeed been neutralized."

"Impossible, he's just a prisoner—how could he deserve such top‑grade medical resources." Ian obviously didn't understand, even adopting a somewhat confrontational attitude.

Zu Zhu gave a strange smile and said, "This isn't your strictly hierarchical empire; under the Federation system, innocent prisoners are equal to citizens, and besides, he's currently the general's favorite."

Ian bit his lip, dissatisfied, looking at Steven: "You need to act quickly; my uncle is still waiting to hear news of Alex's death."

"I know, Ian, I certainly know." Steven soothed his lover with patience, "I won't let His Majesty the Emperor down."

A commotion suddenly arose from the guest seats.

Upon seeing who had arrived, Steven hurriedly led Ian into the bustling crowd to lower their presence.

Even if Ian was usually spoiled, he feared being discovered by the Federal President and obediently stayed quiet.

"Mr. President, it's an honor that you could accept my invitation."

Xavier showed a grateful expression and bowed to Joyce as she entered.

Joyce merely gave a cool nod, glanced around, responded to the guests' smiles with a greeting, then headed straight for the round table where Jin Chen was.

The other five people at the round table: "!!!"

Good grief, it's bad enough that General Jin Chen sat down, but now the President himself has shown up!

What luck have they walked into today!

Joyce raised her hand to signal they needn't stand, but instead of sitting beside Jin Chen, she took the empty seat next to Alex.

This move was unexpected by everyone.

Xavier's expression changed; he instinctively glanced at the three in the corner, while Zu Zhu kept signaling him with his eyes, urging him to quickly bring the President to the front row.

He swallowed, then approached to make a suggestion.

"Mr. President, I've already prepared a VIP seat for you in the front row."

"No need for that," Joyce said flatly, "no special treatment—just sit with the people."

Xavier: "…" Maybe you should still do it.

His face turned green; he really didn't dare to press further, for fear Joyce would notice the problem, so he slunk away embarrassed.

Originally, inviting President Joyce to today's engagement banquet was meant to save face, so the fiancée's family wouldn't suspect other motives—but who knew lifting a stone would end up smashing his own foot.

Jin Chen chuckled, "Dear, call him Dad quickly."

Alex almost choked.

Joyce: "…"

Alex lowered his guard, inexplicably acting a bit obedient, "Uncle."

He had previously met this president in a hurried audience with the Imperial Emperor, but today's meeting really felt different—aside from the change in stance, there was also… a shift in identity.

"Hmm, are your injuries better?" Joyce naturally accepted the title and asked.

"Much better."

"Then that's good; this brat Jin Chen is quite spoiled, and he's never been in a relationship before—if he does anything to bully you, just come tell me."

Joyce gave him a look, carrying the unique smile of an elder.

This instead made Alex feel somewhat flattered and surprised; he hesitated a few seconds, then slowly nodded, "I understand."

His feelings at this moment were quite complex.

Joyce is a very qualified foster father, he thought.

"What are you talking about? I'm not spoiled, don't spout nonsense." Jin Chen was unhappy and hurried to prove himself.

"Well, who was it that at fifteen, feeling wronged and unable to let it go, took my guard troops to someone else's planet and nearly started a war."

Joyce didn't stand on ceremony with him and simply gave an example.

"Sounds like you came back without beating me," Jin Chen retorted, then turned to his wife to play the victim: "That time I lay in bed for half a month! He wouldn't even let me use the quick‑repair device."

Alex blinked, silently thinking that if he himself had made such a mistake when young… a flicker of gloom crossed his eyes, quickly suppressed, and he laughed, "Serves him right."

Jin Chen: "…"

The five people at the table strained hard to hold back their laughter.

Who would have thought that the mighty General Jin Chen once had such a disgraceful, foolish moment in his youth.

Joyce also chuckled twice, then said, "Your older brother has just returned from a business trip—perfect timing to get together; in a couple days bring Alex home for a meal."

"Sure." Jin Chen replied, glancing sideways at Xavier already on stage, secretly thinking the show was finally about to begin.

The banquet hall lights then dimmed.

Xavier on stage spoke words of thanks to everyone for attending, while also asking both sets of parents to speak; the audience fell silent.

Alex and Jin Chen remained vigilant of their surroundings at all times, finally waiting for their move.

Waiters in all‑white serving uniforms pushed the food carts forward, first delivering pre‑meal desserts to the round table where President Joyce was seated.

Alex noticed that a waiter seemed to have bumped his arm, and at the same time something was pressed into his palm.

He turned to look, but the waiter had already vanished into the darkness.

It seems some people can't sit still any longer.

Alex lowered his head and leisurely opened that sheet of paper.

Imperial secret order.

Nice, they're using the imperial family directly to pressure me.

He smirked, shifted his posture to sit, making sure he could be seen from the corner, expressionlessly tore the note into pieces and soaked them in the glass cup.

I actually wanted to see what stupid plan Steven could still come up with to lure me out; to me, the current royal decree is nothing but a long‑winded piece of waste paper, and it's thanks to Steven that he could think of it.

In the corner, Ian, who had been paying attention all along, saw Alex's action and was both shocked and angry.

"He actually tore up the decree—how dare he!"

Zuozhu couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking that the method the royal young viscount came up with was simply naïve.

People are about to be killed by your royalty; how could they possibly still obey your decree?

He looked at Steven: "You haven't thought of a way?"

"Of course there is."

Steven revealed a smile of having victory in hand.