Chapter 93 - Two Generation Chiefs (1/2)
“Xiao Yan, don’t…” Adrian felt pained but it wouldn’t be too proper to comfort him in front of everyone. Their statuses were different now, he had to show the President respect in front of others. So, he could only dismiss his own subordinates by saying, “I need to talk to the President. You three should go check on the progress.”
The Third Colonel knew he said something wrong just now and quickly ran away while Adrian didn’t have the time to settle the accounts with him. With his hand half around Zhong Yan’s waist, Adrian took him up the stairs in the College of Engineering’s Experiment Building.
In order to facilitate their communications and scheduling, all the machines they needed were moved to the first and second floors. So, nobody was around when they arrived on the third floor. Adrian took Zhong Yan into his arms, but strangely, Zhong Yan did not hug him back.
Adrian had many reasons he wanted to bring up to explain why he was the best candidate. The inside of this planet was filled with dangers after all. A human had to be sent deep into danger. In a situation others could survive in he would also be able to survive. In a situation others could not, he would still be able to survive. Having the strongest person go would be the best option to minimize the possibility of incurring a sacrifice. But when the words came to his mouth, he couldn’t say it. There was no way Zhong Yan would not understand such a simple reason. Moreover, Zhong Yan had already expressed that he did not object to his choice. This seemed to have taken away the need for Adrian to even explain.
“I’m sorry.” In the end, those were the only words he could muster. He held the man in his arms tightly and apologized. “I’m sorry.”
Zhong Yan gently pushed him away. If you did not look at the slight tinge of red at his eyes, then his expression could even be described as calm. “You didn’t do anything wrong, really, and I’m not just saying that. You didn’t stop me when I became President, so I won’t stop you from being the hero either. Both of us know the line between our personal lives and public, so I support your decision. When you save everyone…When you come back…Could you…”
A crack finally appeared on his calm mask. He could hear his voice choking back. Adrian felt like something was stuck in his throat and he couldn’t say anything at all. His chest heaved up and down before he could adjust himself. He promised Zhong Yan solemnly, “Once this ends, I’ll retreat from the frontline. I’ll never put myself in danger again. I’ll always stay by your side, and I’ll go wherever you go. I won’t leave anymore, okay?”
Zhong Yan’s mood did not alleviate because of this promise, because the premise of it was that he needed to come back up alive. For a human made of flesh and blood to break through the ultimate protection set up by an omniscient super-AI seemed almost like an impossible task. Without saying yes or no, he looked down. “Let’s go down and check on the progress. I’ll sign the presidential decree for your operation later.”
“Xiao Yan…”
“Commander-in-Chief!” A young voice shouted from downstairs.
Both Adrian and Zhong Yan looked over and saw a tall student who was about twenty-years-old standing by the stairs. Adrian nodded to him and said, “Yes, what is it?”
Then, he introduced him to Zhong Yan. “This is the current Student Council President of the Supreme Institution. He helped us out a lot a few days ago and he’s one of the students who chose to stay behind.”
While he was speaking, the young Student Council President walked over to them and greeted Zhong Yan. “Your Excellency the President. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jonny Studen. I asked a few of the colonels earlier and they told me that the two of you were upstairs. I just overheard Senior Zhong Yan talking about a presidential decree on my way up…Please excuse my presumptuousness, but may I ask if the two of you were discussing the candidates for the underground mission?”
The situation was getting clearer and clearer, and though no specific plan has been announced, most people were aware that someone would have to go down in this situation. There wasn’t anything they had to hide. This was something they were going to announce soon, so Adrian admitted it. “That’s right. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I do.” The boy straightened his back and spoke in a firm voice. “Please let me perform the task.”
Adrian was surprised. Zhong Yan remembered an intelligence report he received from the Supreme Institution two months ago and whispered to Adrian, “The Student Council President for this generation comes from the Military Academy.”
“As of this month’s rankings, I am also the current Chief of the Military Academy.” Jonny said, “Senior Yate was once the Chief of the Military Academy as well. I’m sure you must know the weight this list holds.”
If Adrian were to say that Fayn rushing over from Navi behind his back to take his place in this task annoyed him, then this student who still had that youthful aura around him simply made him want to laugh, but he restrained himself. He did not wish to offend this boy’s sincerity.
Zhong Yan said helplessly, “Mr. Studen, we will not send a student who has yet to leave the campus to this mission.”
“Then much less Your Excellency the Commander.” It seems that Jonny had already guessed early on that his proposal would be rejected, but he tried to argue with reason. “Mankind needs the Commander, but they may not necessarily need a student who has yet to even graduate!”
As soon as he said that, the faint smile at Adrian’s lips disappeared completely. Zhong Yan shook his head and looked at Adrian’s expression. Without saying anything, he took a step back.
“Jonny—I hope you don’t mind me calling you that,” Adrian said, “You told me specifically that you were the current Chief of the Military Academy, so you also agree that performing this mission may require excellent abilities in combat, correct?”
“Yes, Senior.”
“Good. Then let’s fight.”
Jonny froze. Suspecting that he might have misheard, he asked, “What?”