“Have you heard about what happened to Marshal Chu?”
“I’ve vaguely heard some rumors. Something about his health not being good, that he’s fallen into a coma.”
“Think about it carefully. Think deeper. Here’s a hint: the Security Department has been very active lately. A lot of people have been called in for talks.”
Hearing this news, the others attending the class reunion widened their eyes. After exchanging glances with each other, they stopped discussing the topic.
Melina’s hand tightened around her wine glass, but she quickly relaxed again.
Her advisor across from her smiled and said, “Congratulations, Melina. Your performance during the Haige Star incident was very responsible. The Third Star Ring government has decided to transfer you to the Education Bureau as the Director of the Admissions Office.”
Moving from the Fourth Star Ring to the Third Star Ring was considered a promotion.
Melina wore an impeccable smile. “I owe it all to my teachers’ guidance. Without you advocating on my behalf, it would have been very difficult for me to advance.”
“Haha, we’re all from the Political Academy. We’re on the same side. It’s only right that we look out for each other.”
Melina asked casually, trying to seem unconcerned, “What’s this about Marshal Chu they were talking about?”
Her advisor gave her a knowing, half-smiling look and lowered his voice. “Lin Xiaohe poisoned Marshal Chu into a coma. The Security Department is investigating the organization behind it. I recall Weasley joined a new political party?”
He said meaningfully, “Young people always have their own ideas, that’s fine. But when it comes to playing around versus making important decisions, you still need to consider the future and your career prospects.”
Melina raised her glass. “You’re absolutely right.”
The Second Star Ring Political Academy’s class reunion didn’t end until late in the night.
Melina leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window of her hotel room, staring blankly at the neon lights outside.
Should she tell Weasley about this?
Melina closed her eyes in frustration. Scenes from Haige Star surfaced in her mind. It felt like two little people were fighting inside her heart.
One whispered, “Melina, you’ve finally struggled your way up to the Third Star Ring. So many eyes are watching you. Are you going to throw away your political career for Lin Xiaohe?”
The other little person said, “Do you remember your original aspiration for entering politics? When faced with injustice, are you going to stay silent?”
Frustrated, Melina punched the glass window with her fist.
A reflection appeared on the glass. Two flames seemed to burn in the reflection’s eyes, filled with reluctance and defiance.
Melina looked at herself in the window, paused for a moment, then smiled in relief.
She dialed Weasley’s number.
Weasley had two heavy dark circles under his eyes, but his voice was cheerful, full of energy and drive. “Mom, our Xinghe Party has become the second ruling party on Wasteland Star! We’ve taken half the seats on the Wasteland Star Council.”
He spoke excitedly about his plans for Wasteland Star. “The taxes on farmers on Wasteland Star are way too high. Our Xinghe Party proposed the ‘Tiered Agricultural Tax Reduction Act,’ which reduces agricultural taxes based on the land grade. The lower the land grade, the more taxes are reduced.”
“We’ve already secured the support of quite a few council members. At next month’s council meeting, this plan will pass with a two-thirds majority.”
Weasley’s eyes seemed to hold an entire galaxy. Even through the screen, you could see him glowing.
“Mom, when our Party Leader wanted to go to school, her family went into debt for tens of thousands. If it weren’t for the special admission to the Central Military Academy, her family probably would have gone bankrupt. So, our Xinghe Party decided to set aside 50 million Star Coins to establish the Xinghe Education Fund, to help poor students afford school.”
The corners of Weasley’s mouth turned up. He was very happy.
Compared to piloting a mech, doing practical things to help people in need gave him a much greater sense of accomplishment.
“Mom, what do you think of what we’re doing? Haha, I’m very confident that under the Party Leader’s leadership, our Xinghe Party will eventually become the third largest ruling party!”
Melina looked deeply at Weasley, a hint of pain in her voice. “Weasley, I have to tell you some bad news.”
The smile froze on Weasley’s face. His expression gradually became serious and solemn.
Melina said, “Lin Xiaohe is suspected of poisoning Marshal Chu. She’s currently under investigation by the Security Department. I have inside information that she will most likely be charged with treason.”
Melina’s voice was calm, with a hint of coldness. “Anyone the Security Department targets never ends well. She’s the leader of the Xinghe Party. If she falls, the Xinghe Party will definitely be implicated.”
“Weasley, you have two choices: leave the Xinghe Party or disband the Xinghe Party.”
Weasley’s smile disappeared, and he said firmly, “No, there’s a third option.”
“Oh?”
“Rescue the Party Leader and get justice for her! I absolutely do not believe that the Party Leader would betray the Federation or plot against Marshal Chu!”
Melina stared at the disconnected video call, stunned for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
Just as she expected, Weasley would choose the difficult path, the one that let him live with a clear conscience.
Melina took a deep breath, rolled up her sleeves, and got ready to go back to work.
…
After hanging up, Weasley urgently notified the members of the Xinghe Party.
The naive, rich young master who had just joined the Xinghe Party rushed to his father. “Dad, Lin Xiaohe is being bullied again! She’s Captain Lin, who came from our Sixth Star Ring. Bullying her is bullying our Sixth Star Ring military!”
Yao Siyuan had finally managed to get a few days off and was just about to spend some quality time with his wife when his troublesome son interrupted.
“Lin Xiaohe is a student at the Central Military Academy. Cassian will protect her.”
The naive young master jumped up and down in anxiety. “Protect her how? The Security Department is the one causing her trouble!”
The Security Department?!
Yao Siyuan shot up from his seat. He made several phone calls in a row and vaguely learned that Lin Xiaohe had allegedly poisoned Marshal Chu and was being detained by the Security Department.
But who would believe that?!
Marshal Chu valued Lin Xiaohe so much. She was the only student in the entire Agriculture Department. Even if Lin Xiaohe’s mental strength was only 1, just Marshal Chu’s connections alone would be enough to guarantee her a life of wealth and honor.
Why would Lin Xiaohe want to poison Marshal Chu? It was completely illogical!
Yao Siyuan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed tightly.
The naive young master said anxiously, “Dad, what should we do?”
Yao Siyuan couldn’t resist. He pulled out his carefully hidden e-cigarette and took a deep drag. “The Security Department’s power is beyond your imagination. We from the Sixth Star Ring have no say in front of them.”
The Federation had abandoned the entire Fourth Star Ring because of an unknown attack. Their Sixth Star Ring had no one to care for them. The Security Department’s attitude towards them was like a fart in the wind – they just let it go.
Thinking about how the Federation government and the parliament had been constantly pressing the military in recent years, to the point where they were almost on the verge of a complete breakdown, Yao Siyuan gritted his teeth and called Song Wen, the District Chief of the Fourth Star Ring Military Region.
The two of them talked quietly for a long time, late into the night.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Xinghe Party launched a public opinion offensive.
Thanks to their heavy investment riding on Lin Xiaohe, the party had ample funds. Soon, they stirred up a wave of public opinion across the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Star Rings.
[People’s Hero Lin Xiaohe Framed and Mysteriously Vanishes]
[How Hard Is It to Break Through Class Barriers? Lack of Ability, or an Artificial Divide?]
[Shock! Who Is Openly Trampling on Legal Fairness and Justice?]
