The General's Love Glitch - Chapter 45

“Your Excellency, shall we depart now?” Lin Aimin’s most trusted subordinate approached him, bowing his head respectfully.

Lin Aimin suppressed the fury in his eyes and shook his head.

The situation had clearly shifted. If he continued to target Jun Jue at this point, it would only confirm the accusations of secretly oppressing her, something that would bring no benefit to his political career and might even ruin years of meticulous planning.

Thus, after the journalists had marveled for a while, they rushed toward him with their cameras. Lin Aimin maintained his image as a diligent and benevolent leader, stepping down from the warship with ease and graciously accepting their interviews.

His sudden descent startled the approaching reporters, who paused briefly before continuing forward, though none dared to get too close.

No one wanted to end up like Future General Zhuo Hanjun in the video, struck by the blue light shot from the Chief Executive’s hand and driven to madness.

Nor did anyone dare to be the first to speak, fearing they might incur the Chief Executive’s resentment. If he truly was the kind of man who secretly harmed his subordinates, those weaker than him would naturally want to keep their distance.

Though they held little value to him, it was better to err on the side of caution and avoid potential danger.

Seeking advantage and avoiding harm was human nature.

The reporters encircled Lin Aimin tightly, yet they left him ample space, standing alone at the center, like the focal point of a circle, surrounded by vast emptiness.

For the first time, Lin Aimin felt embarrassment and awkwardness.

He had made his own people fear him.

But in front of the cameras, he couldn’t show any trace of panic. He would never allow himself to reveal a flaw. Fortunately, the gentle smile on his face had been maintained for decades, it was muscle memory by now.

“It seems there has been a misunderstanding. If the Federation has failed in its oversight, I, as Chief Executive, will ensure that General Jun Jue receives justice.” Lin Aimin knew exactly what the public wanted to hear. By catering to their sentiments, he could first calm their fervor. Once the attention died down, it would be easier to make other arrangements.

A reporter pressed further, “Your Excellency also believes General Jun Jue was wronged this time. Can you quickly restore her innocence?”

“Of course,” Lin Aimin replied with a smile, though his thoughts were as venomous as a serpent’s.

Before, when things hadn’t escalated to this point, Jun Jue might have tolerated him. But now, there was no turning back.

One of them had to die.

He didn’t want to die, so Jun Jue would have to. And she couldn’t die simply, that would only immortalize her in the hearts of the Federation’s citizens. She had to die in disgrace, forever condemned, before it could suffice, before it could justify his years of scheming and apprehension.

After Lin Aimin delivered his hollow words, the journalists erupted in cheers. Online viewers, unable to voice their excitement, joined the frenzy through comments.

#Hurry up and clear General Jun Jue’s name, or she’ll be heartbroken!#

#Justice for General Jun Jue!#

#When General Jun Jue returns, she deserves real rewards but what else can we give her?#

#A promotion? But the highest military rank is already General.#

#What about the Federation government? The highest position is Chief Executive.#

#Uh… the Federation separates military and government. Don’t stir up trouble, folks.#

Don’t Stir Up Trouble +1, We Just Need to Give General Jun Jue Our Absolute Trust From Now On

…

Lin Aimin lowered his eyes, concealing the intense anger within. Were there already Federation citizens coveting his position for Jun Jue? Although no one had openly agreed, and many had later commented about the separation of military and political powers in the Federation, urging against stirring up trouble, it was already too late. The thorn in his heart had been pricked, and no matter how hard he tried to bury it beneath his skin, it was impossible.

He was the one who should be the Chief Executive, yet Jun Jue had taken too much from him. Even though Jun Jue posed no threat and he knew full well she had no such intentions, he simply couldn’t tolerate the existence of someone in this universe more powerful and beloved than himself.

Gritting his teeth, Lin Aimin raised his gaze, once again donning the composed demeanor of a benevolent leader.

“I’ve heard everyone’s opinions. Rest assured, I’ve watched Jun Jue grow up. Both emotionally and logically, I would never let her suffer injustice. Please trust me.”

Lin Aimin’s words did have a calming effect, but some hadn’t forgotten the earlier context and muttered under their breath, “But that video made it look like the Chief Executive was the mastermind.”

The voice was quiet, but Lin Aimin caught it instantly.

“The real mastermind is the one who fabricated that video, trying to sow discord between the Federation’s Chief Executive and its General, aiming to divide our nation. Their intentions are vile. As Chief Executive, I have no reason to harm someone I’ve watched grow up since childhood.” Finally seizing the opportunity, Lin Aimin dropped his forced smile, adopting the pained expression of an elder wrongfully accused.

“I, Lin Aimin, swear I will uncover the mastermind. Please give me some time.”

“As for how to reward and reassure General Jun Jue, a matter of great concern to everyone, I will personally go to Planet GR03 to assist her in completing the remaining integration work and bring her back. The honors due to Jun Jue will not be withheld.”

After Lin Aimin’s speech, some Federation citizens believed him. After all, as Chief Executive, he had made no major mistakes over the years and had always been diligent and caring toward the people.

Others remained skeptical. If General Jun Jue was truly innocent, how could the Chief Executive with all his resources fail to uncover the truth? The fact that things had escalated to the point where the Chief Executive himself was leading an expedition against General Jun Jue suggested only two possibilities.

First, the Chief Executive was the mastermind, seeking to eliminate Jun Jue at the earliest opportunity. This was supported by the fact that as soon as news broke of Jun Jue’s supposed death, Lin Aimin had rushed to appoint Zhuo Hanjun, a previously unheard-of “reserve General”, to replace her. It all seemed premeditated.

The second possibility was that while the Chief Executive wasn’t the mastermind, he knew Jun Jue had been framed but chose to turn a blind eye, using the opportunity to remove her.

Those who entertained these thoughts dared not voice them aloud, keeping them to themselves.

Only when Lin Aimin boarded the warship again, ostensibly to “personally reassure General Jun Jue,” did they dare speak up.

“Even if he’s going to reassure General Jun Jue, there’s no need to bring the Aimin along, let alone keep the 100,000 Federation troops on board.”

“Right, that detail was almost overlooked.”

“Did the Chief Executive forget?”

Lin Aimin had indeed momentarily forgotten this point, but a close aide soon reminded him, and he recalled it.

” Chief Executive, if we change our plans, should we first send the federal troops back?” the aide asked.

“No need.” Lin Aimin leaned his hands on the control panel of the starship’s command center, staring at the small red dot marking a location. “I don’t intend to change the plan. I’m just deceiving those mindless fools who follow the crowd.”

“But-”

Lin Aimin raised his hand to stop the aide from continuing.

“I know what you want to say. As long as this expedition eliminates Jun Jue, the dead can’t speak. The living will decide everything.”

“Those soldiers…” The aide’s voice unconsciously lowered, a chill running down his spine. If the Chief Executive could treat General Jun Jue, whom he had watched grow up, like this, what would he do to the soldiers who were struggling with the guilt of turning against their idol?

“Kill them.” Lin Aimin uttered the word with a smile, his tone icy. “Just like on Planet GR03 before, let Jun Jue witness those soldiers die before her eyes again. Wouldn’t that be a grand gift?”

The aide shrank his neck, feeling the cold seep into his bones.

…

On Planet GR03, the orange-red sunset faded as the residents, carrying their farming tools, returned home with sweat and smiles on their faces.

Jun Jue was holding a meeting with her team. The Junchen had also been deployed, taking a different interstellar route from the Aimin, and had encountered minor issues, possibly slowing it down slightly.

“So, the Chief Executive might arrive before Sister Jiang Lan. We’re in danger tonight.” Ruan Wei clung tightly to Jun Jue, hugging her arm nervously as she voiced her speculation.

Jun Jue nodded.

“Then, General, how do we resist the Chief Executive? Just hold out?” Jiang Tang asked.

Jun Jue shook her head. “Our priority isn’t how to resist the Chief Executive but how to protect the residents of Planet GR03. We can’t let them get hurt. We must get them to safety before the Chief Executive arrives.”

“Dig tunnels?” Jiang Tang blurted out, recalling old movies where this was the solution.

“Too late.”

“Um…” The star lord timidly spoke up. “General, my home has a basement where the residents could take shelter.”

“How could we forget your gold-stashing basement?” Jiang Tang rubbed her hands together. “That seems feasible. What do you think, General?”

Jun Jue nodded. There was no better option now. She looked at the Chief Executive and said, “If you’re truly willing to open your basement to the residents, it might help change their perception of you and aid your future tenure as star lord.”

“That’s what I was thinking. As the star lord of this planet, I should take responsibility!” The star lord’s blood surged with determination. Given the chance, he wanted to be seen as a good person in everyone’s eyes.

…

After ensuring the safety of Planet GR03’s residents, Jun Jue and her team began adding bulletproof vests over their combat suits.

Worried that high-powered weapons might penetrate, Jun Jue had Ruan Wei wear two bulletproof vests, ensuring full-body protection.

Once this was done, Jun Jue suddenly realized that sending Ruan Wei to the Chief Executive’s basement with the residents would be the safest option.

She acted on this thought immediately. The group headed to the basement together, and upon arrival, she asked Tao Xinran and Sun Qian to help hold Ruan Wei back.

“I don’t want to!” Ruan Wei naturally refused to hide away. “General, I want to stay with you!”

Breaking free from Tao Xinran and Sun Qian’s grasp, Ruan Wei ran over and clung tightly to her, holding on even more fiercely than during their closest moments before.

“Weiwei, be good.” Jun Jue gently stroked Ruan Wei’s smooth, long hair and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“No!” Ruan Wei refused without hesitation, her fear mounting at the thought of the Chief Executive bringing 100,000 federal troops.

“Weiwei.” Jun Jue sighed helplessly, allowing Ruan Wei to hold her for a while longer. She tried to pull away when Ruan Wei seemed to relax, but Ruan Wei gave her no chance, only tightening her embrace further.

“General, are you planning to face the Chief Executive ‘s artillery fire with only Sister Jiang Tang and Sister Jiang Li by your side?” Ruan Wei’s voice trembled with sorrow.

“Weiwei, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“General, more than fearing death, I fear being separated from you. Please let me go with you, okay? I’m wearing two layers of bulletproof vests, and if you get hurt, I can still heal you.”

“General,” Tao Xinran and Sun Qian, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but chime in, “We all want to help!”

…

Author’s Note:

Weiwei: Doesn’t want to be separated from the General (._.)