ICAWZ Chapter 60

Gaien is a perfect candidate for a marriage alliance, possessing status and position. Behind him stands the entire imperial family, and marrying him can bring endless benefits. Han Yan has spent half his life chasing after fame and fortune; how could he let an opportunity slip through his fingers?

The female in front of him is beautiful yet not foolish, quiet yet not dull. Beneath the lifeless appearance hides a beast with sharp claws. Despite having one leg crippled, it’s inconsequential to Han Yan—

After all, he, too, was once a person with imperfections.

The backyard was deserted, shrouded in the dimness of the night. Han Yan’s fingertips leisurely traced over Gaien’s back, his movements unabashed, as if the female zerg before him had long become his possession. Behind the lenses, his eyes were clear, but his tone was deep and slow, a deceptive gentleness lingering, “What do you think?”

He became increasingly satisfied with Gaien…

Whether it was the beautiful countenance in front of him or the benefits it could bring, Han Yan felt extremely pleased. After all, if the Zerg Emperor had handed him a foolish and ugly female zerg, Han Yan would have considered terminating this deal. Such a scenario would have been a significant loss for him.

Gaien remained silent, feeling the lingering warmth below the corner of his eye, still trapped in the aftermath of Han Yan’s recent light kiss. Upon hearing the male zerg in front of him saying he wanted to marry him, Gaien slowly raised his eyes to look at the other. In the dark night, he sarcastically tugged at the corner of his mouth, his tone devoid of emotion as he asked, “Would playing with a cripple amuse you?”

He didn’t believe that Han Yan would marry him.

Not in the slightest.

As a prince, Gaien had already lost his eligibility to compete for the throne. As a military female, he was equally unable to return to the battlefield due to his disability. In this situation, he was nothing more than a useless piece on the chessboard.

If Han Yan were clever enough, he should keep his distance, much like those noble male zergs dancing inside.

Having navigated society for a long time, Han Yan saw through the thoughts of the female zerg in front of him at a glance. His ash-blue eyes silently observed the other, and in the end, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he slowly released his hold on Gaien’s waist, extending a well-defined right hand towards him, whispering, “Let’s go.”

Perplexed, Gaien asked, “Where to?”

Han Yan replied, “Let’s go find His Majesty together.”

Han Yan is a businessman, valuing practical benefits. Instead of empty talk and extravagant promises, he prefers to prove himself through concrete actions.

Gaien was led into the grand hall by Han Yan.

When they left, they might have walked side by side at most, but upon their return, they displayed such an intimate posture that immediately drew the attention of numerous guests. Seeing the situation, Gaien instinctively tried to pull away from Han Yan’s grasp, only to be held even tighter. After struggling for a few seconds, he finally quieted down.

Han Yan, without showing any emotion, tightened his grip on Gaien’s cool fingertips, calmly leading him upstairs. He seemed oblivious to how his intimate and protective actions could hold such a deadly allure for a female zerg. He just lowered his gaze, adjusted the glasses that had slipped down his nose, and concealed all emotions beneath the surface.

Or perhaps… he knew.

He was well aware of how his actions could lead to misunderstandings for Gaien, an unprivileged and disabled prince. Yet, deliberately confusing the other’s thoughts, he would then watch indifferently from the sidelines, remaining detached from the situation. Observing as this female zerg gradually fell into his hands, becoming his prey.

Han Yan could sense that, contrary to the rumors circulating outside, the Zerg Emperor actually held a deep affection for his nephew. In other words, Gaien’s attitude would ultimately determine the success or failure of this marriage.

The Zerg Emperor had been engaged in a quiet conversation with a group of generals from the northern regions. Upon seeing Han Yan and Gaien return, his gaze fell on their joined hands. There was a subtle pause, barely noticeable, and even Lord Yechi beside him couldn’t conceal his surprise.

The two of them had only gone for a stroll in the garden, so how did they return with their hands intertwined?

Han Yan led Gaien to stand in front of the Zerg Emperor before slowly releasing him. He nodded slightly, offering a respectful bow, always mindful of etiquette, “Your Majesty.”

Both parties were well aware of the circumstances surrounding this marriage, and there were certain things that didn’t need to be explicitly stated. The Zerg Emperor glanced at the silent Gaien beside him and then at Han Yan, who remained composed. It was as if he understood something profound, and he asked with a meaningful tone, “How was it? Did the scenery at Moonlit Lake satisfy you?”

It was unclear whether he was asking about the landscape or a certain female zerg.

Han Yan nodded subtly, whispering only two words, “Very beautiful.”

Han Yan remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips, making it difficult for others to decipher his true intentions. Only Gaien, without leaving a trace, cast a glance at him. In the end, he pursed his lips and withdrew his gaze, saying nothing.

The Zerg Emperor favored male zergs who understood the situation. Han Yan was evidently much smarter than the fool from the Durant family. This was the way things should be when it came to a royal arranged marriage – to accept it with joy rather than breaking one’s head over seeking annulment.

Even if Gaien had physical imperfections, royal blood still flowed within him. How could a subject dare to disdain him?

The Zerg Emperor was highly satisfied with this son-in-law. During their conversation, he couldn’t help but throw in a few more considerations, and Han Yan responded gracefully, handling the conversation with ease. If the discussion touched upon areas he wasn’t familiar with, he maintained a humble and respectful attitude. Even the military generals on the side couldn’t help but marvel silently.

The saying “judge a person after three days of separation” held true. Han Yan’s poised demeanor was nothing like that of a fool. With such wisdom and tactics, he was clearly not someone to be taken lightly.

Gaien could never fully blend into this lively circle. He stood silently with lowered eyes, seemingly disinterested in anything happening around him. Only when Han Yan spoke did he occasionally lift his gaze for a brief glance.

This man exuded sophistication and elegance, his expression calm and composed. There was no trace of the unrestrained touches he had just bestowed upon Gaien against the cool stone pillar in the pavilion. It made the latter briefly question if he had just experienced a fleeting and ephemeral dream.

Han Yan noticed Gaien’s gaze but didn’t turn around. Instead, he calmly concluded the current topic with the Zerg Emperor and then remarked, “I must thank the Eighth Prince for guiding me just now. Without him, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have had the chance to appreciate the beauty of the backyard.”

With that, he finally turned his head to look at Gaien, his gaze focused and serious, his voice deep like the tones of a cello. “Don’t you agree?”

Gaien always felt like Han Yan’s calm gaze pierced through his body, systematically stripping away each layer of clothing. His hand at his side unconsciously tightened and then gradually loosened. His tone remained flat, without a hint of emotion, “You’re too kind.”

His reserved nature was far from endearing. One could imagine that in bed, he probably wore the same lifeless expression—awkward and dull, destined to a future of solitude after being married to a male zerg.

The Zerg Emperor frowned slightly, reproachful, “Gaien, you are being very impolite.”

However, Han Yan didn’t mind. He didn’t like overly noisy types, and Gaien’s demeanor suited his preferences. Shaking his head slightly, he replied, “No, I am the one who was impolite.”

As he finished speaking, Han Yan gently removed a string of sandalwood beads from his wrist. It was one of the luxurious items among Admon’s collection, and Han Yan found it quite appealing, so he kept it. The rustic beads danced gracefully between his pale and slender fingertips, captivating to the eye. He said, “Nice to meet you. I haven’t had the chance to prepare a gift, but I hope you like this.”

As Han Yan’s words fell, Gaien suddenly felt a coolness on his wrist. He looked down to find a string of simple sandalwood beads adorning it. He instinctively glanced at Han Yan and caught a glimpse of a faint smile behind the lenses, enchanting and beguiling.

Gaien remained motionless, staring at Han Yan. His perpetually sickly pale face took on an eerie appearance under the lamplight, and even his voice was low, hoarse, and somber, “Are you sure you want to give this to me?”

Han Yan responded with a question, “Does Your Highness not like it?”

“No,” Gaien shook his head slowly, “I just want to remind you that once you give something away, there’s no turning back, or else…”

“Gaien—”

As if fearing Gaien might say something inappropriate, the Zerg Emperor interrupted him sternly, “Since His Excellency Ashya has given it to you, accept it without asking impolite questions.”

To a male zerg, Gaien’s recent attitude was indeed quite offensive.

Gaien hesitated briefly at Han Yan’s words but ultimately chose not to say anything more.

Han Yan, however, showed no signs of annoyance. He continued to gaze earnestly at Gaien, his voice gentle, “Of course, I won’t take it back. So, do you like this gift?”

Gaien remained silent, using his left hand to gently cover the string of beads on his right wrist. Then, little by little, he tightened his grip, holding onto it tightly, as if afraid it might be snatched away. After a while, he let out a barely audible “Mmm.”

It was an acknowledgment.

Han Yan smiled. He knew that this marriage was now settled, “It was a pleasure spending time with you today. I hope we have the chance to meet again.”

With those words, he nodded respectfully to the Zerg Emperor and made a bow, “I won’t disturb your discussion with the generals any longer. I’ll take my leave.”

Having waited long enough upstairs, Han Yan felt it was time to depart to avoid any further inconvenience. He gracefully excused himself and descended the stairs.

The Zerg Emperor watched his retreating figure and then glanced at Gaien. Suddenly, he asked, seemingly out of the blue, “Do you like it?”

Gaien remained silent, his gaze fixed on the string of beads on his wrist. All his attention was focused on it, his eyes fixated and concentrated, like a child who had just received a beloved toy.

“…”

Thus, the Zerg Emperor understood his answer. He closed his eyes, slowly exhaling a breath as if relieved but also concealing profound worries.

Downstairs, amidst clinking glasses and mingling guests, people danced elegantly to the soothing music on the dance floor. As Han Yan passed by the wine tower, he casually picked up a glass of wine. With a casual glance, he noticed Seventh Prince Yusto leaving the banquet hall accompanied by a black-haired and black-eyed male zerg.

The late Emperor had a total of eight sons, four of whom had perished on the battlefield. The remaining four princes shared similar appearances but possessed vastly different temperaments. Seventh Prince Yusto was known for his unruly nature and was the most formidable contender for the crown. He was hailed as the brightest and most dazzling gem in the crown of Salaranfa. Yet, despite being brothers, Gaien lived as if he were a lost soul, becoming a forgotten and dust-covered remnant of history.

The world only remembered that Gaien had a limp leg but had forgotten why it was so. The blood-soaked battlefields where he had fought were now distant memories, with no traces left behind.

Perhaps marrying Seventh Prince could bring the greatest benefits, but Han Yan, contrary to expectations, disliked overly conspicuous things. Just like the string of wooden beads adorning his wrist—simple and understated.

He swirled the liquid in his wine glass, his gaze landing on the male zerg reportedly picked up by Seventh Prince from the Solitiam Forest. The side profile seemed vaguely familiar, and after a moment of contemplation, he quickly arrived at an answer—

It was the passenger who had been sitting in the back row of the tourist bus.

It seemed that the individual had been very fortunate, not only escaping the accident unharmed but also gaining the favor of a prince.

Whether it was because Han Yan’s gaze was too conspicuous or for some other reason, the black-haired male zerg seemed to sense something and turned his head. His eyes cut through the crowd, accurately landing on Han Yan.

Han Yan’s face looked completely different from before, but he wasn’t concerned about being recognized by this “companion”. He raised his wine glass in a distant salute, gave a faint smile, and then turned away, blending into the midst of the guests.

Unfamiliarity, therefore no need for acknowledgment.

That was all.

The banquet finally came to an end in the late hours of the night. The palace had arranged for a driver to take Han Yan back to his residence. From the subtle details, it could be inferred that the Zerg Emperor had silently approved of this marriage.

At that moment, Admon was anxiously waiting at home, worried that something had gone wrong for Han Yan at the banquet. If the marriage fell through, they would be left with the burden of the 40 million debts to handle themselves!

Johnny sat on the sofa, equally anxious, “Father, do you think if Ashya really marries the Eighth Prince, we can be more open about our takeout?”

At this moment, he wasn’t interested in buying a new aircraft or limited edition game cards. All he wanted was a normal meal.

Admon paced back and forth in the living room to alleviate his anxiety, “Certainly, after a male zerg gets married, all the assets will be under the male zerg’s name. That’s how it was for your Dad and me. The Eighth Prince is the Royal Prince, wealthy and prosperous. When the time comes, you can eat whatever you want. We might even move to a first-class district.”

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t even notice when the front door opened a crack.

Han Yan stood at the entrance, overhearing their discussion. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, thinking that he hadn’t even gotten married yet, and his dear “father” and “brother” were already scheming about the future monarch’s wealth?

Unfortunately, their ambitions were modest; they were only discussing ordering takeout.

Han Yan pushed the door open and walked in. He changed into indoor shoes at the entrance and casually closed the door behind him. With a faint smile, he asked, “What were you just talking about? Wealth and takeout?”

Admon and Johnny froze at his words, instinctively turning their gaze toward the door. They noticed that Han Yan had silently entered the room and was standing in the entrance, looking at them with an enigmatic smile.

Johnny reacted quickly, standing up from the sofa and stammering, “N-Nothing, I was just saying that if I become wealthy in the future, I’ll order takeout every day.”

“Oh, really?”

Han Yan wasn’t sure whether to believe them or not. He took off his suit jacket and casually hung it on a coat rack. Then, he walked to the living room, took a seat on the sofa, and loosened the silver-gray tie with a seemingly casual gesture. He asked, “So, what did you have for dinner tonight?”

Johnny replied, “Meat… Meat slice fried rice.”

Admon vigorously nodded beside him, “Yes, fried rice!”

Han Yan asked, “Who made it?”

Johnny subconsciously pointed to Admon, but when he turned his head, he saw Admon pointing at himself. Johnny quickly retracted his hand, and almost changed his words when he realized his mistake, “I made it.”

Han Yan, habitually rubbing the beads on his wrist, realized he had already given them away. He tapped his fingertips and calmly withdrew his hand, asking, “Are you sure?”

Johnny nodded nervously, “Sure.”

Han Yan looked at Admon, “So, was the meal he made delicious?”

Admon, without much thought, said, “Delicious, of course, we’ve already finished eating.”

Han Yan was quite satisfied with their answers. He turned to Johnny and said, “Is that so? Then I’ll trouble you to make another fried rice. I remember there’s a bag of rice in the cupboard, and the fridge still has four cans of meat. It should be enough for you.”

Johnny’s pupils shook when he heard this. He pointed at himself in disbelief, “Me… Are you asking me to cook?”

Han Yan nodded, “Yes, how you made it tonight, just make another portion.”

Johnny seemed to want to say something, but before he could speak, Admon quickly pushed him into the kitchen. With a stern face, Admon scolded, “What are you standing there for? If you’re told to cook, then cook! Hurry up!”

Admon, who seemed to be familiar with the principle of “if you don’t die, I won’t die either,” ignored Johnny’s pleading eyes. After speaking, he promptly turned back and closed the kitchen door with a click, trapping Johnny inside.

After completing all this, Admon finally sat down next to Han Yan, eagerly asking the question that concerned him the most, “Ashya, how was the banquet today? Did His Majesty agree to betroth the Eighth Prince to you?”

He obviously didn’t understand the royal style of doing things. Even if the Emperor wanted to arrange a marriage, he would never announce it on the spot at the banquet without prior notice.

Han Yan took off his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose, and didn’t answer the question. Instead, he suddenly asked an unrelated question, “Did Lord Yechi call tonight?”

“Lord Yechi?”

Admon was puzzled by the question, wondering why that old fellow would call. However, before he could ask, the terminal on his wrist suddenly rang, indicating an incoming call from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lord Yechi.

Han Yan wasn’t surprised at all. “Go ahead, let’s hear what he has to say.”

Admon had no choice but to press the answer key. It wasn’t clear what Lord Yechi said on the other end of the call, but Admon’s expression first turned surprised, then shocked, followed by ecstatic joy. He nodded and bowed, expressing gratitude, “Yes, yes, yes… Thank you for His Majesty’s trust. We will definitely not let him down. It is an honor for our family. No rush, no rush, we will make preparations in the shortest possible time…”

Admon exchanged pleasantries with Lord Yechi for a while through the terminal, then finally hung up, looking delighted as if he had won the lottery.

Han Yan had been resting his eyes, and when Admon finished the call, he slowly opened them and asked, “So, is the marriage settled?”

“It’s settled! It’s settled!” Admon couldn’t hide his excitement. “Ashya, Lord Yechi said that His Majesty is very pleased with you. Not only has he decided to betroth you to the Eighth Prince, but he also bestowed a high-end residence. The wedding might be a bit rushed, so we need to make preparations as soon as possible!”

Han Yan wasn’t surprised. With Gaien’s estrus period approaching, the wedding couldn’t be delayed any longer. He casually asked, “What do we need to prepare for the wedding?”

He seemed to have not yet delved into the knowledge in this area.

Admon replied, “You just need to prepare yourself. The male’s responsibilities are grooming, choosing clothes, and that’s it. The wedding decoration and rings are taken care of by the female. We don’t have to spend a penny.”

The latter part of the sentence is the key.

However, Han Yan had already opened the terminal and was diligently searching for something on it. He organized his thoughts and said, “I will go to the mall tomorrow to buy the wedding rings. You are in charge of the invitations. I have amnesia and don’t know whom to invite.”

Admon thought that Han Yan had misunderstood his words and reminded, “Ashya, we don’t have to spend money on this wedding. The Eighth Prince will take care of the rings.”

“I know.”

Han Yan only said these words.

He was a businessman, avoiding losses at all costs. However, now that the marriage was secured, he aimed for perfection. This wasn’t just Gaien’s wedding; it was his own wedding as well. Besides, Earth didn’t have such customs where even the wedding ring expenses were to be covered by the female. Han Yan considered himself to have some standards as a man.

As Admon was about to say something in response, a sudden bang echoed from the kitchen, startling him. Turning around, he saw Johnny walking out with a plate of something black and unrecognizable. Slamming the plate down in front of Han Yan, Johnny exclaimed, “The meat and rice you asked for!”

The plate of “food” was still emitting smoke, resembling a pile of burnt charcoal. It was evident that Johnny had probably tossed the meal into the microwave, inadvertently causing the plate to explode.

Han Yan held a magazine in his hand, waving away the lingering smell of burnt food. He raised an eyebrow and asked casually, “Is this what you guys had for lunch?”

Johnny remained silent, avoiding Han Yan’s gaze guiltily. He subtly kicked Admon’s leg, signaling him not to play dead on the sidelines.

Admon nervously responded, “This is what we had for lunch.”

Han Yan asked, “Is it delicious?”

Admon, with a guilty conscience, nodded and reluctantly uttered, “Delicious.”

Han Yan chuckled ambiguously, “Alright, eat it all in front of me.”

Admon: “??!!!”

Han Yan, after his remark, ignored them and continued to flip through the magazine, searching for information about wedding rings. The screen of the terminal on his wrist hadn’t dimmed yet, displaying a record of a takeout order.

[Dear customer~ Your reserved Double Zerg Deluxe Late-Night Meal Set has been delivered. If satisfied, please remember to give a five-star review~]

[Consumption time: Tonight at nine o’clock.]

[Consumption amount: 5866 star coins.]

“Ugh—!”

It was the sound of Admon being nauseated by Johnny’s dark cuisine.

 

 

 

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Author’s Note:

#Remember to eat, Grandpa San will be very happy#

#But if you spend money on takeout, Grandpa San won’t be pleased#