FT DR Chapter 115: The President and Little Dean

Chapter 115: The President and Little Dean

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

After completing the internship inspection, Mu returned to the Saint Martin Research Center, where Jin Zhe had left just over half an hour ago.

“How’s the situation?” Mu went straight to Sienna’s office as soon as he returned. “What did the President say?”

“It’s alright, the President is more gentle than I imagined,” Sienna said calmly, recounting the agreement reached with Jin Zhe in detail to Mu. “He originally asked me to provide him with a list of organization members, I refused, and he didn’t insist too much, agreeing to accept partial lists of liaison officers and leadership… I don’t know why, but I feel like he’s trusting us a bit too easily. Don’t you think so?”

Mu was also puzzled, “Yeah, he’s very tough politically and militarily, but he’s particularly lenient towards us.” He furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment before saying, “Regardless, this isn’t necessarily bad for the organization. Perhaps it’s because of our previous collaborations, like the Black Pearl Incident and the Tartaros Incident, where we’ve helped him a great deal.”

“You have a point,” Sienna agreed. “And the current situation isn’t very optimistic for him. The conflict between the Federal Chain Nebula and the Voyager Army and Navy is difficult to satisfy both sides. If he loses support from parts of the Congress and the Supreme Court, the second half of the year’s election will be troublesome for him.”

Mu nodded. “If, as he said, there will be a war between the Federation and the Voyager Army, our stance will be crucial. It’s inevitable for him to be gentle towards us in order to make us stand firmly on his side.”

“You’re right,” Sienna said with a smile. “With his attitude, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Since Kazumi Koyama defected to Lancer, I’ve been very worried. The organization is getting bigger and looser, and there will be more people like him who disagree with us in the future. Fortunately, Kazumi Koyama only accepted funding from Lancer for research. If someone brings a guide list or other resources to join the Voyager Army in the future, that would be a disaster.”

As she spoke, her expression became solemn, and she sighed, “I don’t want to be that kind of sinner. I can’t bring shame to the Nobel Peace Prize.”

“Teacher, you’re overthinking it,” Mu knew the pressure Sienna had been under for a long time. Over the past decade or so, as federal policies relaxed, the organization had been losing control. She had been trying to maintain it, but more and more people like Kazumi Koyama were appearing… Hopefully, government intervention could stop the pace of the betrayers and prevent the organization from sliding into the abyss.

Sienna sighed deeply, patted the hand Mu had on her shoulder, and said, “I won’t give up. I will lead the organization to a bright future. Humanity once betrayed the guides, but the guides cannot betray humanity, because we are also part of humanity.”

Mu nodded silently. Not harming humanity was inherent in the guides’ kindness and had always been the organization’s principle. The Holocaust was just a detour in human history and did not represent eternal hatred.

“Alright, next I’ll compile a list of liaison officers and negotiate with the President’s chief of staff, and then help him operate the forces in Congress and the Supreme Court,” Sienna said, rallying herself. “As for the embryo research project, I’ll leave it to you. The President’s intention is for us to collaborate with the Navy research institution under the name of the Saint Martin Research Center. You’re a scientist at the center and a medical expert, so it’s reasonable and won’t expose your identity.”

“Leave it to me, I’ll handle it properly,” Mu had no objections to her arrangement. Seeing that it was getting late, he said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take the kid home. Before the end of the internship, I’ll submit a detailed plan to the center.”

“Go ahead, she’s waiting for you,” Sienna said with a kindly smile, mentioning Zhuang Zhuang, “Oh, and the President went downstairs to see her. They got along very well and played together for more than half an hour.”

“Oh?” Mu was surprised. “The President went to see Zhuang Zhuang?”

“Yes, he’s really thoughtful. Knowing that you brought the kid here, he specially brought a gift for Zhuang Zhuang,” Sienna said. “He likes children very much. He played with the little ones from the early education class for a while and didn’t show any impatience at all. Unfortunately, he seems to be a confirmed bachelor and won’t have children.”

“He has a brother,” Mu said with a smile. “Maybe he gained some experience from taking care of his brother. He’s more than thirty years older than Jin Xuan.”

“That’s true,” Sienna nodded. “Anyway, he’s a very charming man. Zhuang Zhuang likes him very much.”

Mu always had a good impression of Jin Zhe. Hearing that he had brought a gift for Zhuang Zhuang, he felt that the man was considerate and courteous. Although he was somewhat too slick and worldly-wise, he didn’t feel hypocritical when dealing with things. He was quite straightforward.

Of course, this impression would completely dissipate a few hours later, but at this moment, Mr. Dean still had no idea.

Mu packed up the files he was going to take home and went downstairs to pick up his daughter. Most of the children in the early education class had already been picked up at this hour, leaving only three or four parents who were working night shifts. Zhuang Zhuang was playing with them on the floor mat. When she heard Mu’s footsteps, she immediately got up, rushed to the desk like a lightning bolt, hugged the gift the President had given her tightly, and stood at the door waiting for her dad.

“Daddy!” Zhuang Zhuang rushed into his arms like a bullet as soon as Mu opened the door. Mu had been busy all day, but seeing his daughter’s apple-like face, all his worries were forgotten. He lifted her up in his arms, “Zhuang Zhuang!”

“Hahaha!” Zhuang Zhuang giggled as Mu tickled her, causing her to squirm and laugh so much that she almost dropped her toys. “Daddy, why did you take so long to come back? I couldn’t wait for you to help me unpack the toys.”

“Oh, so you’re not missing me, you just want to play with the toys,” Mu teased as he put his daughter down on the floor. He helped her take off her little vest and straightened her dress. “Let me see what gifts Uncle President brought for you.”

“Zhuang Zhuang misses Daddy the most, playing with toys comes second,” Zhuang Zhuang quickly reassured him, handing the box to Mu. “The President gave me lots of battleships, and little figures, and even cannons!”

Mu took the box and examined it carefully. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Although he was a medical student, he still had some basic knowledge. What the President gave Zhuang Zhuang wasn’t just any toy; it was a limited edition model of the Voyager Army’s centennial commemoration, or even a special edition for the leader!

These were usually specially designed and produced by the federal military department for the centennial parade of the Voyager Army. This set included full-time military doctors and soldiers, indicating that it was a recent release. As far as he knew, only a hundred sets of this edition were produced nationwide, and less than twenty complete sets had survived to this day. The black market price had skyrocketed to over a million, and they were practically unavailable, even if you had the money!

This set also had the signatures of five presidents, including Jin Zhe himself. So its value was immeasurable. Even if it were given to a one-year-old child, it would be enough as a dowry when she grew up!

Was the President out of his mind? Or was it because both his brother and sister-in-law had sons, and the family was too male-dominated, so he had a special fondness for little girls?

Mu hesitated for a long time and didn’t dare to open the box with one hand holding his daughter. He said, “This gift is too precious. We can’t accept it casually. Let’s take it home first, and I’ll confirm with the President before opening it for you.”

“But I’ve been waiting for so long,” Zhuang Zhuang said, feeling very wronged. Although this child was rebellious in many ways, her upbringing was excellent. If Mu didn’t allow her to take something, she would never open it without permission. With big teary eyes, she pointed her finger, “The President personally gave it to me, and I really like it…”

“Be good, this set isn’t just a toy, it’s a model, very precious. We can’t accept such a valuable gift without reason,” Mu patiently explained to her, “Uncle President likes you, and we can accept his affection, but we can’t accept overly valuable items, understand?”

“Oh…” Zhuang Zhuang didn’t quite understand. In her mind, the value of a toy was solely determined by whether she liked it or not, not by its value. But since she liked it so much, it must be very valuable. So she nodded and said, “Okay, then can you call Uncle President to confirm when we get home?”

“Okay,” Mu praised her for her independence and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Zhuang Zhuang is so obedient and sensible. Daddy is proud of you.”

“Dean is obedient and sensible too,” Zhuang Zhuang beamed with pride at the praise, and she kissed his cheek in return. “Zhuang Zhuang is proud of you, Daddy!”

Father and daughter reached an understanding. Mu carried his daughter in one hand and the model in the other as they headed to the parking lot.

Dinner consisted of specially formulated nutrients for children, or as Zhuang Zhuang described it, “a plate of yellow mush and a plate of green mush.” The little girl had a good appetite and spent a whole hour mashing it up with a spoon. Eventually, she managed to eat most of it, leaving only a small portion spread across the table.

Mu praised her for her self-sufficiency, changed her clothes, and gave her a new bib before sending her to the terrace to take care of the flowers and plants. In order to cultivate her understanding of plants, he had several pots of weeds, such as dandelions, clovers, and pansies, as well as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The goal was to make her less picky about food and willingly eat these vegetables.

Zhuang Zhuang went to water the plants with a watering can and then squatted down to “lecture” each one. As Mu tidied up the utensils and put the dirty clothes in the cleaning machine, he listened to her tender voice saying things like “grow up well, okay?” to the eggplants and peppers, and couldn’t help but smile.

It was absolutely right to have a child. He had never known that such a small creature could have such strong vitality and such impressive energy. He used to think that life was all about responsibility, struggle, and effort… until he had Zhuang Zhuang, and he realized that life was so beautiful, so soft, so vivid and lovely.

Every child is an angel full of positive energy.

After finishing the housework, Mu returned to the bedroom and opened his personal terminal. He dialed the contact information Sienna had given him and reached out to the President’s first secretary.

The holographic call was quickly established, and the first secretary immediately recognized him, respectfully saying, “Hello, Dean Mu. May I ask what you need from the President?”

“Hello,” Mu replied. “Today, His Excellency the President came to our center and brought my daughter a set of the Voyager Army commemorative edition model kit. I felt it was too precious and wanted to confirm with him.”

“Alright, I will immediately inform His Excellency the President,” the secretary said respectfully. “However, since His Excellency the President has already given it to your daughter, you might as well accept it. This set of models has been in the President’s collection for many years, with a message left by the former President before he retired. He treasures it very much.”

“That’s why I feel it’s too precious,” Mu insisted. “Please, tell him that I would prefer to accept another gift that is more like a toy.”

“Very well, I will report it to him.”

The screen flashed, and the communication ended. Mu sat by the window, waiting for a response, holding the model set on his lap and carefully admiring it. To be honest, he also liked this model set very much. The military artists had a unique aesthetic, rigid and accurate, yet filled with a certain broad sentimentality. Having such a thing at home was both grand and delicate.

And it could ward off evil.

There were several presidents’ signatures on the transparent box, along with the last President’s message to Jin Zhe—”The land of the Federation is stable beneath your feet, and the stars of the Federation shine in your sky.”

Mu silently recited this sentence several times, feeling an indescribable, lonely and tragic feeling suddenly stirring in his heart. As one of the leaders of the Free Guide organization, he had once felt that the cause he persisted in was lonely and tragic, unknown to others, not tolerated by the law, not recognized by society. But thinking back, could he compare to Jin Zhe, who as President, took over the weak regime three and a half years ago, bearing the hopes of his predecessors alone? 

Fundamentally, they were the same kind of people, sacrificing their own lives for the greater good, having no friends, no mate, only the faith they firmly held in their hearts.

Of course, the “public” he stood for and the “public” Jin Zhe stood for were incomparable in terms of quantity and complexity.

Lost in thought, his left hand trembled slightly, indicating an unfamiliar line. Mu’s heart skipped a beat as he answered, and Jin Zhe’s familiar three-dimensional image slowly appeared before him.

The President was obviously still working, his iron-gray formal shirt impeccable, his blue diamond cufflinks exquisite and dignified. But his expression was extremely calm, even carrying a hint of indiscernible tenderness. “Hello, Mr. Dean.”

“Your Excellency, I’m really sorry to disturb you so late,” Mu faced him with some pressure, which had existed since their last meeting, he didn’t know why.

“Um, it’s okay. I just finished dinner and I’m resting,” the President said gently. “The secretary said you want to return the gift I gave to Yan?”

Mu was not used to others calling his daughter by her full name, saying, “The gift is too precious. I just checked, and it was auctioned for a high price of one million seven hundred thousand recently. I’m very uneasy.”

“Ha,” the President laughed heartily, and Mu inexplicably felt that the expression was particularly familiar. It took him a moment to realize that it looked a lot like Zhuang Zhuang’s, feeling a bit awkward.

“It only cost twelve hundred Federation credits to make. Shall I check the military’s accounts for you?” Jin Zhe chuckled. “Don’t measure its value by the auction price. For me, it’s just a model the military gave me. It has no price.”

“But it has signatures of previous presidents on it, and there’s a special message from the former President specifically for you—’The land of the Federation is stable beneath your feet, and the stars of the Federation shine in your sky,'” Mu hesitated. “Yan is still a child. I feel uneasy about her accepting such a gift.”

“‘The land of the Federation is stable beneath your feet, and the stars of the Federation shine in your sky’… It’s been a long time since anyone recited that to me,” the President’s gaze became distant, as if landing on Mu, and then as if on an unknown distant place, he sighed after a while, “What a beautiful phrase. When I silently recited it back then, I imagined standing in the vast night sky, feeling a tingling sensation of adrenaline, do you know that, Dean?” He shook his head, “I’m old now, and the children’s lives are just beginning. They are the ones who should truly enjoy this phrase. I gave it to Yan because she likes military affairs, and also to pass on this message to her.”

Listening to his words, Mu inexplicably felt a tingling sensation of adrenaline, but when he came to his senses, he felt he might be showing too much favoritism towards Zhuang Zhuang. Hesitating, he said, “But…”

“What are you still hesitating about?” The President interrupted him. “Alright, the gift is for Yan from me, she has ownership, and you only have custody. If you want to return it, wait until she is an adult to decide whether to return it to me.”

Mu was completely speechless, touched his nose, and said, “Okay, then let me thank you on behalf of her, Your Excellency, the President.”

“Haha, tell her not to thank me.” The President became genuinely happy, laughing heartily, his gaze sweeping over the background behind Mu, stopping at the drawer cabinet, and saying, “Ah, what’s in that levitating bowl?”

Mu’s face changed. Ever since Wu Chenghe caught him and asked what it was last time, he had moved the bowl and shards to the bedroom. He had forgotten to select “remove background” during the call just now, and it had fallen into the President’s eyes again.

“Sorry, if it’s related to your privacy, just forget I asked.” The President noticed his displeasure and immediately retracted the question. “It’s late, I have a meeting to attend. Goodbye then.”

“Alright.” Mu rallied and bid farewell to him. “Thank you again, Your Excellency, the President, for taking up so much of your time.”

“It’s nothing, talking to you was very pleasant. I like your voice.”

“Why do I feel teased?” Mu felt strange in his heart, but the President’s expression was too honest, his tone too sincere, so he quickly brushed it aside and said, “Goodbye.”

“Goodnight.” The President prepared to end the call, then suddenly said, “Wasn’t that a piece of shard?”

“Uh.” Mu was choked for a moment, but before he could answer, the President severed the connection, disappearing.

Mu stood there blankly for a while, then got up and walked to the drawer cabinet, taking the shards from the levitating bowl.

 These were fragments he had extracted from his own body. He remembered more than thirty years ago, in a dark cave, a sentinel used his body to shield him from collapsing rocks…

At that time, he had taken out many shards from the man’s back. The man didn’t speak much, but he was very grateful to him. If it weren’t for the timing, when he had just come of age, triggering the bonding heat, he would never have harmed the innocent man.

That was the first time he killed someone. He remembered controlling the man’s consciousness cloud, making him crash into the rocks until he was a bloody mess…

Mu trembled uncontrollably, closed his eyes, even his eyelashes quivered, that was the only man in this lifetime who had ever marked him temporarily. He remembered the man’s body temperature, the strong muscles, the tender palms…

No, everything was over, he killed him.

Mu threw the shards into the levitating bowl, pushed them to the corner of the cabinet, and covered them with an electronic photo frame. He had always kept them to remind himself not to kill innocent people indiscriminately, to use his power with restraint.

And… some other kind of memorial… perhaps…

He didn’t want to think about it anymore, picked up the model box, and walked to the living room.

 

 

 

 

 

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