Chapter 4 - News of Marriage (2/2)

It has been nearly a decade since Adrian had last seen his grandfather. Due to the differences in their positions, the social circle within the Capital Star back then was afraid of him, and his family had been disappointed in him since he entered the Supreme Institution.

His grandfather had clearly gotten old. He was currently speaking to Zhong Yan who sat to his right, and he appeared to be speaking to him with a very gentle attitude—he had never even shown such kindness to his own grandchildren—Zhong Yan was also listening to him with respect. Stalvern was also black-haired, so looking at them so suddenly now gave him the feeling that he and Zhong Yan were a harmonious grandfather and grandchild duo.

Adrian scoffed. Something like “leading a wolf into your own house” truly was something only his grandfather could do. He was not even afraid of the boat flipping over halfway through, sitting with an ungrateful wolf like Zhong Yan. Meanwhile, Zhong Yan had clearly been listening to a whole three years worth of his complaints towards that old bugger, but now he’s actually turned around to work with that old fogey. As expected, he was practically born for the political life.

On that side, the two simply exchanged a few words and kept it at that. Zhong Yan was dressed in a black formal suit, and sitting in his own seat. Looking at him, he seemed to be listening diligently to the Principal’s speech, and his face looked just as usual, you could not find anything off about him at all.

He really was a hypocrite; so Adrian thought.

But some people were just that good at being hypocrites. Father Time seemed to be quite partial to this young man; he was already twenty-seven years old, but he still had a flawless face that was alabaster like fine white porcelain, and his eyes were still as clear and beautiful. Sitting there, he almost looked as if he had just reached twenty years old, and was a graduand waiting to receive “Butterfly’s” career proposal.

How did Zhong Yan feel when he was sitting in this hall at that time? He was a person who was good with planning in the long-term, and would think carefully before he took a step. Adrian knew him too well, so he knew that his betrayal on the last day was not a sudden impulse coming from greed of power. So it must have been premediated. As for how long that plan had been brewing for, Adrian could not muster any guesses.

Seven years ago, when he walked with Zhong Yan to this very hall with his arm over his shoulders, Zhong Yan must have foreseen their falling out that would happen in the next few hours, but no ripples could be found in his expression at all during then. And what about before that? What about the time he spread that three-dimensional holographic star map over the entire dorm room, and expressed his dreams to Zhong Yan? Had he already known then that the two of them would eventually part ways? Or perhaps even earlier, when they huddled together in bed during the first hours of sunrise, talking about their childhoods? Had Zhong Yan already planned to hear more about the Yate family, so as to lay the tiles for the path ahead of him? Or even earlier, when they had…just met?

Funny, he had given so much of his feelings, even more than that of a mere friend, only to be given a slap on the face by the other; only then did he realize that Zhong Yan might not have given even a little bit of himself to him from the beginning to the end.

Perhaps the reason why his eyes were red earlier was due to the rabbit specimen, Adrian sneered in his heart; God knows why Zhong Yan was so obsessed with those furry creatures and even fell in love with those giant space rabbits. In his opinion, those space-land amphibious rabbits were too big, stupid, and lazy too. He saw no merits in them.

Adrian’s mind drifted away. The graduation ceremony was long and boring. The criticizers and supporters of AI have been fighting against each other, and now the call for change was resounding even deeper amongst the younger generation; even this old and traditional institution was no exception. More than half of the graduates had refused “Butterfly’s” career proposal, and chose instead to pay the fine; this situation was nothing new in these past two years.

A few hours into the ceremony, only the last student was left. According to tradition, the order for the graduation ceremony should be based on the total ranking list in descending order, and was concluded by the Student Council President.

There was a commotion at the rear of where the students were gathered. Many people were whispering to each other, and the noises combined were getting louder and louder, attracting the gazes of many guests sitting in front, all wondering what had happened amongst the students.

“What,” Adrian said with impatience, “is the Student Council President for this batch a real piece of work as well?”

Fayn looked over and waved to the student who had just rejected “Butterfly” earlier and expressed their wishes to request for a career in Navi System. That student looked to his left and right; chaos was already brewing. Everyone was busy whispering to each other, nobody cared about any rules anymore, so he ran over to the guest area.

Before Fayn could even ask, the student told him with a strange look on his face, “Adjutant Suster, here’s what happened, one of the girls in the School of Social Sciences found the ceremony too boring so she turned on her terminal and was secretly looking around the virtual community. It just happened to be ‘Butterfly’s’ weekly marriage proposal announcement, and you know how many people look at that every week…”

Fayn would not have imagined ever meeting anyone to top him in longwindedness. He cut him off, “Get to the point!”

“Counselor Zhong Yan’s name appeared on the list.”

When he heard this sentence, Adrian felt a heavy blow to his heart. He could not explain what it felt like; it was like a bee sting, but it also felt like he took a step on thin air, falling.

Fayn: “…” As one of the few who knew the deeper insights to the case from seven years ago, he turned subconsciously towards his friend with worry.

“What’re you looking at me for!” Adrian snapped. The deeper implications in Fayn’s eyes made him extremely annoyed, and he could no longer hold himself back. “What’s it got to do with me if some stupid c*** with eight generations worth of misfortune has to get married to Zhong Yan?”

That student looked dumbfoundedly at Adrian, and appeared as if he wished to speak, but could not.