Volume One, Chapter 15: Brother, I’ll Rescue You from the Turmoil of Love—You Absolutely Must Find Someone!

Meng Yuan patted his face, thinking, How could that be? He was a distinguished colonel—how could he possibly get angry over the words of an insignificant commoner? It must have been his own overthinking.

Yet, when Resde returned to his study, he found himself unable to focus on the official documents. The echo of the female’s words about leaving kept ringing in his mind.

Irritated, he picked up his phone and made a call.

“Yo, Colonel, calling me? It’s like the beast god has appeared.”

“Cut the nonsense. I’m annoyed. Let’s go drink.”

“Sigh, looks like this stress-reliever is going back online.”

“Are you coming or not?”

“Of course.”

Inside the luxurious private room of the Helna Empire’s top-tier bar, two men dressed in casual clothes sat opposite each other, clinking their glasses across the table.

The man across from him swirled his glass and downed it in one gulp. “Last time I saw you, you really gave me the impression that you were about to cut ties for good.”

Resde snorted coldly. “You put on a good act too. Major General Galler sure looked imposing.”

Galler gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Back then, you sensed something was off. Everyone in our squad got promoted except for the two of us. So you came up with the idea to fake a falling-out for the emperor’s eyes. Sure enough, less than six months later, I got promoted, and step by step, I climbed to the pivotal position of Major General. Just a pity about you—you were so capable, yet had to…”

Resde’s face betrayed no emotion. Their family’s achievements overshadowed others, yet their kin remained reckless, accelerating their own downfall.

“Colonel isn’t bad either—not like you, the busy man.”

Galler sighed. “Maybe tomorrow I should mention to the emperor that you’ve been a colonel for quite some time. Newcomers younger than you have already moved up a rank. It’d be awkward if you met them.”

“My affairs are none of your concern, Major General.”

Galler’s expression darkened. “Resde, you’re addicted to acting, aren’t you? No need to chat like this in private.” He glanced at the table between them—must have been three meters long at least.

“Are we supposed to be speaking across a galaxy?”

“Aren’t you afraid of being caught by paparazzi, only to be demoted by the emperor the next day?”

Galler sat beside him, slinging an arm over his shoulder in a friendly manner. “When I talk to my brother, who’s gonna stop me? Besides, the real skill is getting photos into the emperor’s hands.”

He then leaned in with a gossiping expression. “You’re not really one to drink, yet you’ve already finished a bottle of hard liquor since you arrived. Spill it! What’s bothering you?”

“Oh, I heard you have a female at your place? Let me guess, she’s part of your troubles?”

Resde’s eyes flickered momentarily.

This tiny movement was magnified many times over in Galler’s eyes.

“You’re acting strange. The moment I mentioned her, your expression changed. Come on, spill it—no hiding things from your brother.”

Resde’s mind replayed everything from the first time he met Meng Yuan until now.

“What do you think love is?”

Galler nearly burst out laughing. “No, bro, I was just guessing. Didn’t expect it actually involves that female.”

Resde glared at him. Careless—he’d been exposed.

But now that it was out, might as well brainstorm together.

He put down his glass and leaned back into the soft sofa.

“The first time I saw her, she looked so pitiful. I suspected she was trafficked into the underground fighting arena. Because I couldn’t find any information on her, I didn’t report anything to the higher-ups. Then I found out she was pregnant.

A weak and helpless female, with no known family, so I softened and took her into the manor. But as we spent time together, I realized I developed unusual feelings for her. Though I’m not sure if this is love. What do you think?”

Galler gave no response.

Resde asked again, “What do you think?”

“Ah, sorry, I was lost thinking about something.”

“What?”

“I was wondering—how could the iron-faced, cold-as-ice imperial colonel have a soft heart?”

Resde fell silent.

“Or have you long had feelings for that female, but only just realized them now as emotions started to overflow?”

“I don’t know.”

“Alright, if you don’t know, close your eyes. I’ll ask you some questions—you need to think deeply and answer truthfully.”

“Okay.” Resde closed his eyes. “Go ahead.”

“Wait a moment.”

Resde frowned slightly, wondering what he was up to now.

“Ahem, okay, now I’ll ask.”

“Do you blush or feel your heart race upon seeing that female?”

Resde frowned again. What kind of questions were these? Still, after some thought: blush? No. I might feel a little embarrassed when I see her, but that’s different. Heart racing? A little.

“Yes and no.”

Galler was speechless. “It’s either yes or no. Choose one.”

“When I see her, only my heart races a bit. No blushing.”

“Do you feel shy?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think about her all the time?”

“No.”

“Do you think about her sometimes?”

“Yes.”

“When she’s in danger, do you feel nervous or scared?”

“A little.”

“At night, do you feel empty, lonely, cold? Do you long for her...?”

Galler’s questions were becoming more absurd. Resde opened his eyes and glanced at him; he was reading from his phone.

Without mercy, Resde jabbed him with his elbow.

“Ah!”

Galler clutched his chest and got up from the floor. “Resde, that was an unfair sneak attack! I was worrying about your love life, and you stab your good brother in the back like this?”

Resde didn’t want to bother with him. He glanced down at the phone lying on the floor, still displaying the questions Galler had just asked.

“So this is your method for helping me?”

Galler looked at him sheepishly.

“If I’d known, I’d have just Googled it myself.” Saying this, Resde grabbed his coat and prepared to leave.

“Wait! Brother, I’ve never dated a female either, so who knows what love feels like? Better to search on the phone. But we have a preliminary answer—look, you’re in love.”

He picked up the phone and handed it over.

Resde looked at the results on the screen, feeling a tremor within.

Could it really be?

“From my experience, you’re still struggling in the river of love. Just let me help you, and I guarantee I can save you.”

“Based on what experience?” Resde was utterly skeptical now. Save me? Do you think I’m so eager to be single no more?

“Heh, of course from years of battle experience.” Galler scratched his head awkwardly.

Resde scoffed. “I can’t believe I foolishly listened to you for so long. I must be truly mad.”