Chapter 23: The Most Gossipy Senior Colonel

At this moment, he found Ming Zeyu intensely irritating.

The man’s flamboyant long golden hair, his eyes that seemed to shimmer with a metallic luster, his excessively refined and beautiful features, and the cynical curl of his lips—all of it grated on him. Furthermore, his arm was draped flirtatiously over the waist of a beautiful woman; it was clear the man was out shopping with a lover.

Why did it have to be him of all people?

He was the most gossipy, playboy-like staff officer in the entire military department. A soldier who insisted on keeping long hair and led a chaotic personal life—Xing Haotian never imagined that one day he would have his own weakness seized upon by such a man.

"Ah!!!" Ming Zeyu let out a sound of near-eerie exclamation. He had only been guessing; he hadn't truly believed Xing Haotian would be here. And where was here? This was the most luxurious and extravagant shopping mall in the Imperial Capital, a paradise for high-society socialites. Yet, Xing Haotian had just walked out of a lingerie boutique, clutching a bag stamped with the store’s logo.

Xing Haotian was buying lingerie. This was simply beyond all reason!

"Lieutenant General Xing, out shopping? For your girlfriend?" The gossipy Ming Zeyu felt his soul ignite with a burning desire for scandal.

"Yes," Xing Haotian replied, stingy with his words. He truly did not want to be entangled with Ming Zeyu.

"Really?" Ming Zeyu was brimming with enthusiasm, his eyes flashing with a light that rivaled the luster of Xing Haotian’s own.

He had merely been speculating—did Xing Haotian actually admit it?

"Is that so? I’m very familiar with this place. Why don’t I act as your guide? Sweetheart, go buy yourself something; it’s on me today!" Ming Zeyu pressed a gold card into the hands of the beauty he was holding. Dating was lovely, of course, but it could never compare to the spectacle of Xing Haotian’s gossip!

He could only say that Xing Haotian was the most rigid, stiff, and socially inept young man he had ever met.

Of course, his capabilities were beyond question. He was a highly successful soldier and a powerful general—titles that brought him great honor and compensated for his shortcomings. But for such a man, one standing at the peak of the pedestal, to admit he was buying things for a girlfriend—and specifically lingerie that invited such wild daydreams—Ming Zeyu was shaken!

What could be more exciting than a man who had never had a scandal suddenly finding himself at the center of one?

***

Xing Haotian desperately wanted to shake off Ming Zeyu, but the most difficult task—buying lingerie—was already over. He absolutely did not want Ming Zeyu involved in such private matters. However, for other items like clothing and shoes, having an expert around was indeed beneficial. With this thought, Xing Haotian relented.

"How old is Lieutenant General Xing’s girlfriend? Let’s look at clothes suitable for her age first!" Ming Zeyu was clearly adept at grasping Xing Haotian’s weaknesses, gossiping in a way that seemed natural, all under the guise of helping pick out clothes for the mysterious girlfriend.

"Sixteen," Xing Haotian stated coldly.

*An old ox eating tender grass,* Ming Zeyu thought rapidly. He hadn't expected Xing Haotian to be that kind of person. It was impossible to tell! He had originally assumed that if Xing Haotian ever found a girlfriend, it would be one of those terrifying, unmarried, battle-hardened old maids from the military who were tougher than any man.

Of course, Ming Zeyu held a grudge regarding that, as his own lack of combat prowess meant he had long been relegated to desk work, and he had been crushed by those terrifying women more than once.

"And her height and weight?" Ming Zeyu asked.

"168.7 centimeters, 47.2 kilograms!" Xing Haotian recited. These were basic stats; a single scan at a hospital could provide them.

However, for a man to remember such details was impressive. At the very least, Ming Zeyu had never bothered to learn the height and weight of his own companions; even if he could guess, he would never be so precise.

Moreover, when Xing Haotian spoke these numbers, his expression was incredibly gentle. Ming Zeyu could be a hundred percent certain: Xing Haotian had fallen in love!

Good heavens. This was likely to be the most sensational news of the year. The old fossil Xing Haotian had actually blossomed!

Ming Zeyu poured 120 percent of his enthusiasm into the task, recommending several high-end boutiques that were benchmarks for elegant and youthful fashion. Two exceptionally handsome men, both of whom were profound martial artists, were now excitedly picking out women's clothing together. The scene was incredibly bizarre, drawing glances from all around, yet the parties involved were completely oblivious.

One was earnestly imagining how his sweetheart would look in the clothes, while the other’s soul of gossip burned bright, desperate to know which woman had finally captured Xing Haotian.

Dresses, tops, pants, shoes, and matching bags—it had to be said, without Ming Zeyu, Xing Haotian could never have completed such a massive undertaking.

At the very least, he felt that without Ming Zeyu, his solo efforts would have been imperfect and lacking. For the first time, his disdain for Ming Zeyu was not absolute; the man’s methods for wooing women were, in fact, quite worthy of admiration.

"Colonel Ming Zeyu, thank you for today," Xing Haotian said solemnly.

***

"No problem, no problem! We're off the clock, no need to be so stiff. I'm a few years younger, so why not call you Brother Xing? And Brother Xing can just call me by my name!" Ming Zeyu said, blatantly trying to cozy up to him.

However, Xing Haotian was in a good mood, and Ming Zeyu’s attempt was a success. Since Xing Haotian had come to approve of him, he replied casually, "Zeyu, if you ever need help with something, feel free to come to me."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony in the future! Should these things be sent to your girlfriend? Let me help you with that!"

Although he had only kept one of each item, the total was still quite significant. Xing Haotian didn't think Ming Zeyu was making a fuss over nothing. Most importantly, Ming Zeyu had been referring to Wei Zi as his girlfriend all along, and now that he had just acknowledged him as "Brother," Wei Zi had effectively been promoted to "Sister-in-law." Xing Haotian’s mood was excellent.

That’s right—Wei Zi was his girlfriend, his wife. Even if she didn't acknowledge it now, she would be in the future!

At this moment, Xing Haotian felt a bit of vanity, a desire to show off that he had such a wonderful girlfriend, even if he didn't quite realize it himself.

And so, Ming Zeyu’s quest for gossip finally reached its conclusion: he had successfully conquered Xing Haotian’s defenses and was about to meet the mysterious and formidable sixteen-year-old girl.

This was the girl who had captured Xing Haotian—he was overwhelmingly curious to see just how powerful she really was.

The two boarded the Azure Dragon combat vehicle and drove toward the most luxurious hospital in the Imperial Capital. As the vehicle neared its destination, Ming Zeyu felt a sudden lapse in composure.

How could he have forgotten? Xing Haotian suffered from "Fire Poison." According to the medical staff, any woman who had intimate relations with Xing Haotian would be invaded by the poison, resulting in disfigurement at best, and death at worst!

The fact that they were rushing to a hospital… could it be that the woman had already fallen victim to the poison and been disfigured?

Ming Zeyu immediately sensed a disaster. Would he be silenced by Xing Haotian for knowing too much?

He suddenly realized that being a gossip could be hazardous to one’s health.