Chapter 292: The Imperial Marshal Was Again Forcefully Flirted With 20

This realization made Yalikesi's heart sink.

Originally feeling the five days were long, they suddenly became extremely short.

One by one, unfinished things were recalled by him.

The small blue orchid in the garden had not yet bloomed, Jin Chen had promised his uncle to take him home for a meal but had not set a date, and the agreed-upon double combat training chamber had not yet begun renovation.

If he returns to the Empire, will the traces of his existence here slowly disappear?

He clenched the corner of his clothes, his heart growing increasingly heavy.

Jin Chen seemed not to show any unhappiness today; had he not thought of this?

But no matter how he thought, time continued to fly by.

Over the next few days, Yalikesi forced himself not to think about it, instead devoting all his thoughts to rehabilitation and combat training, restoring his bodily functions and strength to the greatest extent possible.

Even if he could not match his pre-injury self, he absolutely would not allow himself to become a useless waste.

In his free time, Yalikesi gradually sensed something was off.

In the past, whenever he had free time, Jin Chen would accompany him, no matter what they did, as long as they were together; over time, he went from being accustomed to this feeling to becoming somewhat dependent on it.

But these past few days, Jin Chen seemed especially busy.

Either he was in the Study or he had gone to the First Legion; returning in the evening, he showed utter exhaustion, then immediately dove back into the Study.

Worried that something major had happened in the Federation Legion, he didn't dare to ask, so he didn't inquire what Jin Chen had been doing these two days.

But…

Time was already running short.

On the third day, Yalikesi finished his morning rehabilitation training, went to the bathroom to take a shower, and found Jin Chen's Study tightly closed again; occasionally a few words of his conversation with subordinates could be heard, some involving military matters, he twitched his fingertips on the door handle, but ultimately did not barge in rashly.

After all, they still had a distinction in status; even if Jin Chen himself didn't mind, he couldn't let Jin Chen's subordinates have objections.

But his recent feelings really made Yalikesi feel somewhat unable to adapt.

He curled up on the sofa, then grabbed a blanket to cover himself, and with his still-damp fingertips opened the smartbrain, beginning to browse the Starnet aimlessly.

Upon seeing the discussion on the Starnet forum, his tea-drinking motion paused slightly, and he posted a message.

"I am an Imperial, because of some accidents I came to the Federation, and with a warrior here..."

His fingertips paused, he deleted those two words, and rewrote: "And I have come to live together with a person here; in a sense, he gave me a new life and beginning. After a period of getting along, we also confirmed our romantic relationship. Recently, due to some irresistible reasons, I must return to the Empire, thus facing separation from him."

"But as the time of parting draws near, he suddenly became busy, and the time we spend together has greatly diminished."

"So, are these two things related, or perhaps it's just my illusion?"

At this time, many people were surfing the Starnet; Yalikesi's post, once posted, received many replies.

He took a sip of tea, clicked into the messages section, and began to view the replies and comments.

1L: Bold guess! Could it be that he's also unaccustomed to our separation, so he uses work to divert his attention!

2L: But according to the OP's description, they should only have these few days left; how could they still have the leisure to divert attention? Shouldn't they be cherishing the time instead?

3L: Question! How long will the OP be separated this time? Perhaps in his view, you'll just go handle things and then come back?

4L: Side note: If an Imperial needs to reside long-term in the Federation, they should obtain a residence permit; does the OP have such a plan?

…

123L: It's starting to fade, right? Feeling that we won't see each other again anyway, it's better to nip the feelings in the bud early.

…

Responses of this sort.

Yalikesi's mood also fluctuated with these replies.

It seemed that whenever something about Jin Chen came up, he could never stay calm.

The reply on post 123 left him dazed for a long time; he turned his head to look at the tightly closed Study door, his amber eyes dimly flickering.

But over this period of interaction, every step they took had been initiated by Jin Chen; could it be that the one who was ardent first would also grow cold first?

Recalling the past bits and pieces, Yalikesi shook his head, feeling that he had overthought it.

Jin Chen wouldn't be like that; they were just temporarily lacking communication, perhaps as post 3 said, Jin Chen always thought he would return, treating this separation of unknown duration as a temporary distant posting, so he acted as if nothing were wrong.

The five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Yalikesi never found a chance to ask Jin Chen's attitude; each time he wanted to speak, seeing his smiling face made him reluctant to let the matter of parting break their warm companionship, so the unspoken words were sealed with a kiss.

The final detoxification process, which should logically be the most painful, but because Yalikesi had already attempted two rounds of detoxification stacked previously, the last round was actually easier to endure.

Watching the repair instrument restore his abdominal wound to perfect condition, no trace of injury remained visible.

Only he himself knew the cost paid for that blade.

For some reason, after the detoxification, the suppressed emotions of these days piled up even more, urgently needing an outlet.

But he was ultimately someone skilled at endurance.

That evening, Jin Chen received news that Imperial family member Duke Weite would lead a diplomatic delegation for negotiations, landing at the Federation's main star at 11 a. m. the next morning, and at that time Jin Chen would need to lead the First Legion's welcoming party to go greet them.

Duke Weite is the younger brother of the present Imperial ruler Xixidole, and the protagonist is Ian's father.

Their purpose this time was, on one hand, to take Ian and others still imprisoned out of jail, and on the other hand, to openly bring Yalikesi back to the Empire; whatever disposition would then have nothing to do with the Federation.

The negotiation time was set for tomorrow afternoon; if it went smoothly, that night the shuttle ship would depart back to the Empire.

Although he had long anticipated it, when the parting truly loomed close, Yalikesi's reluctance still burned to its peak.

After leaving the bathroom, Yalikesi remained somewhat absent-minded.

Until he heard a sentence, it was Jin Chen and Qiaoyisi communicating.

—— "The engagement ceremony need not be rushed; we'll see when the day comes…… I also haven't prepared yet."

He didn't catch the rest, but just this sentence alone was enough to set off a thunderclap in Yalikesi's heart.

The engagement ceremony—whose engagement ceremony—what does Jin Chen need to prepare?

Is it his? Who is he with? I myself will leave tomorrow; just who is Jin Chen going to get engaged to?

At that moment, Alex felt himself split into two souls, one coldly observing, scolding him for developing feelings, the other in anguish, not wanting to live, regretting how he had come to this point.

"Dear, what's wrong with this?"