The General's Love Glitch - Chapter 15

Jun Jue’s call of “Weiwei” was like a thunderclap out of the blue, instantly setting the crowd abuzz.

The person in question, Ruan Wei, reacted a bit slower. She didn’t immediately realize Jun Jue was calling her, only noticing that numerous cameras were suddenly trained on her, flashing incessantly.

The blinding white light made her extremely uncomfortable.

Jun Jue faced a similar situation. Reporters clamored to ask questions, each eager to break the hottest story.

“General, we’ve heard that not only did you win this battle, but you also resolved a personal matter along the way. Could you share how you encountered this romance?”

“General, there are also rumors that you’re already planning to marry. Is that true?”

“General, was this relationship initiated by you?”

…

Amid the noisy chatter, Jun Jue hadn’t seen such a chaotic scene in a long time. The cold, harsh flashes of cameras assaulted her eyes, painting everything in stark white.

The overwhelming brightness transported her back to that night ten years ago.

A piercing white light had split the darkness, illuminating the blood-soaked white floor. Her parents lay motionless on the ground, while she sat in the pool of blood, staring blankly at the bodies of her two loved ones.

Chief Executive Lin Aimin had emerged from that blinding light, just as he did now.

Jun Jue snapped back to reality as Lin Aimin approached her, wearing the same kindly smile she remembered from her childhood.

“Xiao Jue has worked tirelessly to defend the Federation in two consecutive battles. Everyone, please save your questions for another time.”

Jun Jue glanced sideways at the benevolent elder shielding her from the reporters’ barrage. His back looked every bit the concerned parent, fussing over their child.

Yet, against the backdrop of that glaring white light, it all felt surreal.

Jun Jue averted her gaze and looked at Ruan Wei.

The camera flashes were like lethal weapons to Ruan Wei. She tugged desperately at her hood, trying to pull it lower.

Suddenly, Jun Jue knew what to do. She strode forward and took hold of the hand clutching the hood.

“Come home with me,” Jun Jue said.

…

Lin Aimin’s voice continued tirelessly addressing the media.

“Ever since Xiao Jue’s parents were killed by vampires, I’ve been her closest elder. As family, I will naturally take her lifelong happiness seriously.”

A cold sensation spread from Jun Jue’s palm, creeping upward. A flash of white light seared through her mind, bringing with it a pain like her nerves were being stripped away.

Ruan Wei seemed to shudder as well.

Jun Jue’s private hovercar was parked at the designated spot in the starport. When they reached it, Jun Jue released Ruan Wei’s hand, opened the door, and said, “Get in.”

The hovercar was military green, bearing the same insignia as the stripes on Jun Jue’s uniform. Ruan Wei climbed in and sat down, and Jun Jue closed the door behind her.

But Ruan Wei barely registered any of it. Her mind was still echoing the Chief Executive’s words that Jun Jue’s parents had died at the hands of vampires.

Under current Federation law, vampires weren’t even permitted to exist. If Jun Jue found out she was one, Ruan Wei couldn’t imagine how much hatred she would face.

Jun Jue circled to the driver’s side and got in, noticing Ruan Wei’s dazed expression.

“Seatbelt,” she reminded, tilting her head slightly. When Ruan Wei remained lost in thought, Jun Jue decided not to disturb her further and silently fastened the seatbelt for her.

By the time Ruan Wei snapped out of it, they were already soaring through the sky. Their hovercar weaved among countless stars, big and small, bright and dim, each one filling her with wonder.

The sensation of weightlessness made her hesitant to look down. Instinctively reaching for the seatbelt, she suddenly realized it was already fastened.

Pressing a hand to her chest, Ruan Wei listened to her heartbeat for a moment, recalling that vampires possessed the ability to fly though she had never had the chance to develop it and wondered if she could still use it in the future.

Jun Jue kept her eyes fixed ahead, focused on piloting the flying car until it landed in the courtyard of their home. Only then did she turn to glance at Ruan Wei.

Ruan Wei leaned to the side, gazing curiously at this unfamiliar yet spacious place, where rows of guards and attendants stood on either side of the path.

“We’re here.”

Jun Jue stepped out of the car first, while Ruan Wei fumbled for a while before finding the door release button, her movements slightly flustered.

“Welcome home, General and Madam!” The elderly butler in a tailcoat led the two rows of attendants and guards in a bow.

Ruan Wei was so distracted by the greeting that she nearly stumbled.

Jun Jue remained expressionless, offering no comment on the form of address.

“This is Uncle Zhang. He’s been the family butler since my parents were still alive,” Jun Jue introduced.

“Hello, Uncle Zhang,” Ruan Wei greeted politely.

“Madam,” Uncle Zhang replied, studying her openly with growing approval. The girl was fair and gentle-looking, completely non-threatening, a perfect complement to their general.

“I’ve prepared dinner. Would the General and Madam care to eat something?”

Jun Jue glanced at Ruan Wei before nodding.

Jun Jue led Ruan Wei along the courtyard path paved with crushed white pebbles, past a white marble pavilion, and finally to the villa’s front door.

The ivory-white door was equipped with a smart system that automatically recognized Jun Jue and slid open, leaving Ruan Wei wide-eyed in amazement.

“Wei-Ruan Wei, come here,” Jun Jue corrected herself mid-address.

Ruan Wei didn’t seem to notice the slip, obediently stepping forward.

After Jun Jue registered Ruan Wei’s new information, the door would now open for her as well.

Ruan Wei tested it once just by approaching, the door swung open for her.

…

At the dining table, an array of delicacies covered the long surface, with the butler even ordering three different desserts served separately.

Yet, for once, Ruan Wei had little appetite.

The kinder Jun Jue was to her, the more uneasy she felt, her heart restless with anxiety.

“No appetite?” Jun Jue cut a portion of steak and signaled Uncle Zhang to pass it over. They sat at opposite ends of the long table, far apart.

Ruan Wei declined.

“I prefer mine rare,” she said.

Jun Jue saw nothing unusual about it, steak preferences were a matter of personal taste. The butler smiled. “Madam, please wait a moment. I’ll have the chef prepare another for you.”

Once the butler left, no one else remained near the table; the attendants stood at a distance.

Unable to hold back, Ruan Wei finally asked, “General, why didn’t you clarify things even after we got home?”

Jun Jue thought for a few seconds before realizing Ruan Wei was referring to her lack of denial about their relationship.

“I didn’t think it’s necessary,” Jun Jue replied.

Silence stretched between them for a full two minutes before Jun Jue spoke again. “I apologize for using you earlier at the starport. If it bothers you, I can clarify immediately.”

Ruan Wei shook her head. She didn’t mind, she had no one she liked right now. Jun Jue had done her a great kindness, and she owed her. Besides, she had been like a wooden puppet back then, completely unsure how to handle the situation, hardly any help at all.

She was just curious, why maintain the act even at home?

Jun Jue pressed her lips tightly together, remaining silent. Ruan Wei made a zipping motion across her mouth towards her.

“Don’t worry, General. I’ll do my best to cooperate with you, as long as you don’t mind my poor acting skills.”

…

When the medium-rare steak arrived, Ruan Wei began her meal while Jun Jue stepped aside to take a tense video call, leaving in a hurry shortly after.

Left alone, Ruan Wei enjoyed the delicious food. Once she was full, the butler led her to a spacious, bright, and minimalist room. The dominant gray-white palette gave off a somber, oppressive vibe.

But Ruan Wei was already quite satisfied. The room was spacious and clean, with a dedicated maid assigned to serve her. However, she was extremely uncomfortable with the arrangement and dismissed the maid, heading into the bathroom to bathe by herself.

The bathtub was enormous, filled with fragrant milk and adorned with floating pink petals from flowers she didn’t recognize.

She dipped her fingers into the milk to test the temperature, it was a bit too hot.

“How do I adjust the temperature?” Hailing from a remote planet overlooked by the Federation and having been out of touch with the world for ten years, Ruan Wei felt like she had time-traveled into the future.

[Dear General’s wife, it is my honor to serve you.] A calm female voice suddenly echoed through the steamy bathroom.

Ruan Wei jumped. “Who’s speaking?”

[I am the General’s private AI. Are you looking to lower the temperature of the milk bath?]

“Y-yes.”

[The temperature has been adjusted according to your body temperature. Please try it now.]

Ruan Wei dipped her fingers into the white milk again, it was cool and just right. After undressing and sinking into the bath, the experience was even more wonderful.

So comfortable. Even more comfortable than on the starship.

[Madam, would you like some red wine?] the AI asked.

“No, thank you. By the way, do you have a name?” Ruan Wei was curious about what kind of name Jun Jue would choose.

[Well… no. Could you give me a name, Madam?]

…

After her bath, Ruan Wei felt utterly relaxed. She slipped into the soft, form-fitting rose-red silk pajamas prepared by the maid and stepped out of the bathroom. To her surprise, the pristine white bed in the bedroom was now strewn with red rose petals, as if someone had quietly scattered them while she was bathing.

The gloomy gray-white tones were instantly ignited by the vibrant red.

Ruan Wei found a hairdryer and dried her hair, then eagerly jumped onto the bed, rolling around in the petals. Soon, surrounded by the floral fragrance, she drifted into a contented sleep.