One month later, Xie Chi and Wen Zhishao's wedding took place as scheduled.
The venue was drowning in double-petaled roses, airlifted in at dawn. Even the dinnerware and cutlery were bespoke, costing a small fortune.
But more breathtaking than the decor was the figure standing at the altar, waiting to officiate the ceremony.
It was Xie Chi's mentor—the former Supreme Commander of the war zone.
Aside from major state ceremonies, he almost never officiated for anyone. No one knew what strings Xie Chi had pulled to make him break his rule.
Inside the bridal suite.
"The guests can't stop talking about it! Everyone is so envious that you're marrying Captain Xie!"
"He cares for you so much. He even moved his unshakable Wednesday tactical training to the afternoon and pushed back the post-war briefing, just to fly to Bafu personally to select the fabric for your veil..."
Wen Zhishao's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her heart swelling with triumph. At this moment, she wished nothing more than for Jiang Ciyou to be standing right outside the door, forced to hear with her own ears just how much Xie Chi doted on her.
What a pity she isn't here to see this.
Meanwhile, in the groom's lounge, Xie Chi was also waiting for Jiang Ciyou.
When he received the negative response yet again, his expression turned glacial.
It had been a month since Jiang Ciyou went abroad for her mission. In all that time, there hadn't been a single phone call. Not even a message via the encrypted military channel.
She was a soldier he had trained personally. No matter how much he detested her twisted feelings for him, he didn't want her to meet with any accidents.
So, he had deployed men to watch over her, ordering them to report her every move in excruciating detail.
He knew Jiang Ciyou had rented a safe house in Italy. He knew her wounds were beginning to heal. He even knew she had met a new man...
He should have been relieved. Yet, deep in his gut, something felt wrong.
"Get her to come back for my wedding."
But Jiang Ciyou had refused. To this very day, she hadn't even sent a simple "Happy Wedding." It was as if she intended to draw a clear, irrevocable line between them.
How is that possible? She was always the one who couldn't bear to leave me.
Xie Chi grew increasingly agitated. He opened the encrypted comms history.
It is raining today. Miss Jiang did not go out.
The knuckles of the hand gripping his phone turned white. Restraining his temper, he typed a short question: How is she today?
Almost the very next second, a reply came through. It was fast—too fast. As if it had been prepared in advance.
Everything is normal. Miss Jiang went shopping with friends today. Please rest assured.
A photo was attached below the text. The face wasn't clearly visible, but the clothes were definitely hers.
I should be relieved, he told himself once again.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the medal pinned to his chest. After a moment of hesitation, he dialed Jiang Ciyou's satellite phone.
The receiver immediately played a mechanical female voice.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."
Unavailable? Was the signal blocked?
She must still be angry.
The thought brought a twisted sense of relief. Didn't I already know this? Jiang Ciyou has a near-crazy obsession with me.
If she was angry, it proved she hadn't done anything foolish. That was good.
Just as he was about to lock the screen, a news alert popped up:
[Conflict Escalates in Country X, Africa. Doctors Without Borders Base Attacked by Unidentified Armed Forces! Multiple Casualties; Several Medical Personnel Missing!]
He instinctively looked down at the medal on his chest—the one he never took off.
Snap.
With a soft, crisp sound, the medal that Jiang Ciyou had once held in her mouth broke without warning.
Xie Chi's brow twitched violently.
Just then, Mother Xie pushed the door open.
He looked up, his voice trembling instinctively. "Mother... has something happened to Ciyou?"