Auston’s arrival was met with a warm welcome from the entire family. Carrying his luggage, Ryan found himself squeezed to the side, even less popular than the severely shedding Da Fu and the cold little mecha, Yuan Chu.
“General Dalton,” said cousin Connor, crossing his arms and sidling up to Ryan, playfully looking at his younger cousin. “Were you surprised and felt incredibly amazed when you first met? Share with me the changes you felt in your heart. I want firsthand material; who knows, maybe I’ll write a biography about you in the future.”
“…” Ryan widened his eyes slightly, looking at Connor’s attire. “Bro, why are you dressed like that? Fengge didn’t assign you any monsters to fight, did they?”
Wearing a close-combat unit camouflage uniform, with a makeshift foliage cape on his shoulders, face smeared with greasepaint, and a grass crown on his head, Connor looked like he had just emerged from a battlefield, having survived the intense fighting, with a lingering excitement and a ferocity provoked by the bloody encounters. Having arrived in the safe rear area, this “warrior” still carried the scent of gunpowder, inadvertently revealing exhaustion, apprehension, and gratitude for having made it out alive. However, Connor was not a soldier; he lived in an era of peace, residing in the safe and tranquil E69 Fengge plantation star and he was a web novelist.
“Connor, what are you doing?” Ryan asked.
Connor adjusted the camouflage on his shoulder, which still had plenty of dried twigs and leaves attached to it. Despite feeling exhausted, he persisted in teasing his younger cousin, displaying commendable spirit. “Lately, while writing ‘The Song of Beacon,’ I couldn’t quite immerse myself in the battlefield scenes. So, I decided to get this equipment and experience it firsthand.”
Ryan looked at the splatters of mud on Connor’s clothes, some dried and some still moist, emitting the natural scent of the outdoors. The pants were marked with numerous abrasions. This wasn’t just a simple attempt to understand; he had really gone deep into it. “Take it easy, though. With such a large daily writing workload and experiencing military life, your health should come first.”
“Well, it’s good for physical exercise, I suppose. When you have time, tell me about your experiences in warfare,” Connor said, switching back to his playful self after discussing serious matters. The face, rugged and expressive despite the camouflage paint, couldn’t hide his gossipy expression. “You asked me those questions, and I figured your wife must be someone important, like your superior. But I didn’t expect him to be such a high-ranking figure! Tell me, how does it feel? Admiral Dalton, Emperor Anderson, hehehe. Your relationship has a striking resemblance to what I’m currently writing”
Ryan: “…Don’t laugh like that; it makes me nervous.”
Rubbing his chin, Connor said, “In ‘The Song of Beacon,’ the vice general had secretly admired the emperor for a long time. Your feelings can be substituted into it. It’s all about subordinates’ admiration for their superiors, and it creates a strong sense of empathy. Darling, you have to share your love story and personal journey with me.”
Looking at his younger brother with a pitiful expression, Connor added, “I’ve gone bald trying to figure out how to make this love story believable for the readers.”
Ryan smiled at his cousin and his lips moved slightly as he uttered two words coldly, “Not happening.” He emphasized, “Qin Feng remained single throughout his life, and he didn’t have feelings for his vice general.”
Connor, “Oh, I knew you would refuse, so I was just asking. You see, as a writer, one must be willing to experiment and explore the unknown. Emperor Anderson once said, ‘If you don’t even dare to try, what’s the difference between you and a salted fish?’ And besides, I did my research. Stark admired and revered the emperor, so my novel has a certain level of plausibility. Alright, I’ll go upstairs and change my clothes.”
Ryan’s face contorted, barely suppressing the urge to punch his cousin. He spoke expressionlessly, “Stark is like the Emperor’s half-adopted son. Don’t write nonsense.”
“I know, but I’ve found elements of love in some autobiographies. It’s evident that the adopted son had an extraordinary affection for the emperor,” Connor said, dropping the topic and restraining his teasing demeanor. He looked at Ryan earnestly and wanted to give his brother a hug, his arms already wide open. “Happy married life, Ryan.”
Ryan allowed his cousin to embrace him, not stopping him from getting the still-damp mud stains on his clothes, “Thank you”.
“I’ll go change my clothes now. My mom has already given me a few looks.”
“Wait,” Ryan called out, opening his suitcase and taking out a letter. “As I mentioned before, Fan Lanting Francis asked me to bring this letter. He wants to come to our house as a guest, but only if you give your permission.”
Connor initially raised his hand but then put it down, wiping his hands on the inside of his clean clothes before accepting the letter nonchalantly. “Oh, another fan letter. It’s really troublesome. They always express their love for me in the letters, making it hard to resist. But for your sake, I’ll reluctantly accept his invitation to be our guest.”
The most contradictory person in the family is my cousin. If he doesn’t care about fans, he could just accept them with dirty hands, why bother cleaning them first and treating them seriously? Ryan made it clear here, and it’s only a matter of time before Connor’s careless mouth gets him into trouble.
Family members gathered around Auston, chatting lively with him. Auston responded clumsily, and Mom always held his arm with a joyful and contented smile on her face. Connor averted his gaze and gave Ryan a reminder, “No one believes that your partner is General Dalton. Even if they see the real person, they probably think it’s just a resemblance. That’s not good; there will be repercussions later. You should clarify it sooner.”
Ryan nodded, “You’re right, I know.”
“Alright, I’ll go change clothes. I’ll come down later to join the party. Hehe, hopefully everyone’s behavior will still be natural.”
Ryan tossed the luggage aside and squeezed in between the elders, making his way to the center where he held onto Auston’s hand. Auston, feeling helpless, looked at Ryan for help, and Ryan reassured him by gripping his hand tightly. Relatives and friends exchanged knowing glances, observing the great relationship between the two children.
Adapting to a marriage is not the same as a free love relationship, as it requires a significant amount of time and effort to build intimacy. Couples like Ryan and Auston, who demonstrate a special and perfect bond, are evidently the epitome of this.
Ryan’s mother, Pelly1T/N: I think the name ‘Pelly’ is direct translation of Chinese name ‘Pei li’. As everyone’s name in this novel goes with the Western name, I decided to leave it as Pelly, released Auston’s hand and walked over to her husband, leaning against him. After exchanging a glance, they looked at the two children standing in the middle. As parents, there is nothing happier than seeing their children happy.
Standing beside the parents was Ryan’s grandmother. Due to her age, she had become quite short in stature. Her hands rested on a cane as she pursed her lips and looked at Ryan and Auston, her cloudy eyes filled with complex emotions.
E69 Planting Star was an ancestral property passed down to Ryan’s family. In this generation, Ryan’s parents took over the management. Ryan’s uncle’s family operated a fresh food supermarket in Newnes, supplying crops and meat from E69. Ryan’s uncle specialized in animal husbandry research and worked for his wife, who was involved in horticulture. Their daughter, Ryan’s cousin, studied early childhood education and ran the only kindergarten on E69, teaching the children of the workers. Aunt Peggy lived here with her son, Connor, after her divorce. She had great skills in making desserts and taught people how to make them through the Star Net, earning some income.
In addition to family members, there were also Dad’s close friends, Uncle Potter and his wife Helen, present. They didn’t have children of their own and had always treated Ryan as their own.
When the elders saw Ryan with his partner, they were very pleased.
The lively and joyous music continued playing as the elders quieted down, watching Ryan and Auston, the protagonists of today’s party. Ryan held Auston’s hand and solemnly introduced him to the closest family members, “Dad, Mom, Grandma, I have brought my beloved back. His name is Auston, and he is General Dalton of the Empire. We get along very well and are very happy. Dad, Mom, please bless us, alright?”
General Dalton?!
Despite Ryan’s repeated emphasis on his partner’s name and showing them numerous photos, his parents and some other relatives never made the connection between the smiling young man in the pictures and the distant and aloof general they had seen in the news.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
In the silence, Auston nervously tightened his grip on Ryan’s hand, causing some discomfort but Ryan didn’t pull away. He could feel Auston’s sweaty palms, and Ryan stood a little closer to him. Auston was aware of his issue – whenever he got nervous, his complexion wouldn’t look good. He made an effort to control himself, resulting in a somewhat peculiar expression on his face.
The silence didn’t last long as the grandmother, who hadn’t uttered a word since Ryan’s arrival, walked out. Thud, thud, thud – the sound of the cane hitting the ground felt like it was striking at the hearts of everyone present. The grandmother moved with unsteady steps, her weathered face showing no particular emotion. She approached Auston and looked up at the young man bearing the Dalton surname.
Under the gaze of his grandmother, Auston’s heart sank. He felt like a young soldier being inspected by a superior officer, and the words “nervous” and “anxious” couldn’t fully describe his current state of mind. He held his breath, his body stiffening, afraid of being rejected, a coldness slowly crept up from the depths of his heart.
“Child, welcome to our family. I wish you both a happy marriage.” After five or six seconds, his grandmother released her cane and opened her arms to embrace the nervous and anxious Auston with tenderness. “Our family is small and humble, just an ordinary household. Ryan is a child without much pretense, very easy to get along with. Auston, when you come here, please don’t disdain this place, and don’t think Ryan isn’t outstanding enough.”
“No, no,” Auston bent down and hugged his grandmother, speaking incoherently, “Grandma, don’t say that. Ryan is excellent. Meeting him is the greatest fortune of my life. I really like all of you, I like E69, and I appreciate the simple life. Please don’t see me as a general. In everyday life, I’m just an ordinary person.”
He lowered his eyes, his thick lashes trembling slightly, covering the sourness in his eyes.
The grandmother gently patted Auston’s back with her aged hand, “Good child, as long as you both are happy, this home will always be open to you.”
Ryan embraced his grandmother and Auston from the side, “Grandmother, we will be happy. Thank you.”
The eldest member of the family had already made her stance clear, and the others naturally followed suit. Moreover, the fact that Auston was a general was already accepted from the depths of their hearts when Ryan found his significant other. Indeed, this identity is terrifying. It’s like the Emperor of the Empire stepping into the humble abodes of a remote planet. The common people would instinctively feel nervous, excited, and constrained. They wouldn’t know where to put their hands and feet, or how to naturally interact with such a high-ranking official.
The curriculum may be complex, but luckily, as long as one maintains a calm mindset, there’s nothing that can’t be learned.
Moreover, Auston is very approachable, and his smile is warm. He is completely different from the distant and aloof general portrayed in the news. If it weren’t for this, they wouldn’t have been unable to connect the two even after Ryan mentioned his name and shared photos.
After holding each other for a while, the grandmother glanced at Ryan reproachfully, “Where can you find two people who look so alike and have the same name? They claim it’s a coincidence, deceiving themselves! Come, child, here’s a red envelope from grandma. I wish you both a peaceful and harmonious future for a hundred years.”
A red envelope adorned with double happiness symbols, embossed in gold, was placed into Auston’s hands. It was his first time receiving a red envelope, and he felt its weight, both literal and symbolic.
Afterwards, when his Mom stepped forward, she was somewhat surprised but not overly shocked. With Ryan’s previous groundwork, they had actually made psychological preparations to some extent; they just couldn’t believe it. She gave Auston a loving embrace and said with moist eyes, “You must be happy.”
“Wishing you both the best.” Dad’s emotions were slightly more reserved than the Mom’s, but his eyes were also red. Without saying much, he hugged them directly.
The parents also gave them red envelopes, and finally, other relatives offered their blessings as well. The elders all gave red envelopes. Chinese culture was well-preserved in Ryan’s family. They had specially exchanged banknotes that are rarely used in daily life at the bank and put it in the envelopes, representing the well wishes and approval of their loved ones.
The party is not ending because it hasn’t started yet. After Ryan and Auston go upstairs to change their clothes, they can continue. There will be a feast and post-dinner relaxation, a time for the family to bond and exchange information. Ryan and Auston were hurried upstairs by their parents. Ryan leads Auston to their room on the third floor. Before coming home, their parents mentioned that they had redecorated the room, keeping the same style but merging it with the adjacent study, making the bedroom more spacious. They even set up a baby room, so when they have children in the future, they can take care of them nearby while they’re still young.
“Auston, we’re home,” Ryan said with a smile as he opened the door.
Auston, holding the red envelope, nods eagerly, filled with anticipation.
Click.
With a crisp sound, the milky-white door swings open, revealing the room before their eyes. The self-built house in their Planting Star has cheap land value, allowing for the freedom to build a house of any size. Ryan’s room was already spacious, but after the renovation, it became even more expansive. The first thing that catches their eye is the floor-to-ceiling glass door that occupies most of one wall. When the sliding door is partially opened, it leads to a three-meter-wide sun-drenched balcony. From the balcony, they can see the rippling lake, the coconut trees and palm trees standing silently on the shore, and the delicate pink sand under the trees. It’s twilight, and the calm, pale pink lake reflects the brilliant red clouds, foreshadowing a sunny day tomorrow.
The floor-to-ceiling sliding door is adorned with vibrant red double happiness symbols, and a white curtain hangs in front of it, gently swaying with the breeze.
Indoors, the walls were adorned with light gray wallpaper, and some of Ryan’s collectibles were hung on them. Against the wall, there was a large two-meter-wide bed. The original deep blue bedding, reflecting Ryan’s style, had been replaced with festive red. Many red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds2T/N: LUCKY FRUITS (JUJUBE representing wealth, prosperity, and fertility, PEANUTS are symbols of health and good fortune, LONGANS are believed to be good luck at weddings, as they are associated with having many sons traditionally, LOTUS SEEDS are symbols of prosperity and represent having a big family) were arranged on the bed, with the Chinese character for “joy” displayed on these nuts.
The whole room is filled with the ambiance of a newlywed couple.
Auston walks around inside the room, sometimes standing in front of the bookshelf, looking at Ryan’s collection of books, sometimes walking to the sliding door, staring at the character for happiness, lost in thought. He also stands by the bed, gazing at the nuts arranged on it, knowing that in Chinese culture, they symbolize “having children early.” Then he goes to the small compartment and when he sees the environment inside, his eyes widen suddenly. “Ryan, Ryan.”
“Huh?” Ryan walks in and sees the decoration in the baby room, unable to hold back a twitch of his lips. “This…isn’t it a bit too much?”
“It’s fine. I like these photos.”
The walls of the baby room are adorned with some photos that use composite photography techniques to generate an image of what their future child might look like. This technology existed during ancient Earth times, and the current technology has improved upon it. Barring any surprises, their child would indeed resemble the image. Auston lightly touches the photos with his fingertips, as if he can feel the chubby face of a little child. He said, “I really like it.”
Ryan wraps his arms around Auston from behind, his breath brushing against Auston’s neck, “We’ll work hard for it.”
Auston nodded earnestly. “Yes!”
- ··
The protagonist of the wedding party has finally made their appearance. The teddy bear that replaced them was not put away but cuddled together on the side, smiling at everyone. On the large round table, delicious dishes prepared by skilled men and women seize everyone’s attention. The most eye-catching among them is the roast chicken in the center of the table. Its shiny and golden skin reveals tender and juicy meat inside, infused with the flavors of the secret marinade that Mom exclusively prepared. The roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions cooked alongside the chicken also emit their own fragrances while absorbing the marinade and chicken flavors, making them incredibly tasty.
The whole family sat together, enjoying their meal with great delight. Even Da fu under the table had its own plate, filled with specially prepared unseasoned chicken. Da fu happily devoured the food, wagging its tail behind, meowing in contentment. It was quite a sight, resembling more of a cat with wings than the majestic ruler of B612, the lion-griffin beast.
After the meal, they take a short break before engaging in post-meal leisure activity—playing Mahjong!
Uncle Potter calls out, “Come on, let’s play Mahjong! Even if you don’t know how, it’s okay. It’s easy to learn, and we’ll teach you.”
“I don’t know how,” Auston responded. He didn’t have much entertainment in his life before, except for the occasional visit to the Great Emperor Museum.
Uncle Potter has already set up the Mahjong table and said, “That’s alright. Let Ryan guide you. He started playing Mahjong with us when he was three years old. He picked it up right away, a true prodigy. By the time he was ten, we could hardly beat him.”
“I don’t want to play with Ryan; I always lose,” Cousin Connor said as he rolled up his sleeves. “Let’s make it interesting. Whoever loses has to eat strawberries. We’ll keep piling them up, and the loser has to finish them all.”
This is all targeted at Ryan. It’s not fun to win money, and gambling is not allowed. Using food as a reward is the best option. Whoever wins gets to eat as much as they won. The ultimate winner may not necessarily have the last laugh, hehe.
The last ones at the table were Uncle, Uncle Potter, Connor, and newcomer Auston. Auston is Ryan’s apprentice, so Ryan and him were counted as one. With Ryan’s participation, the outcome of the game is pretty much known from the beginning since he is experienced = =.
In the living room, they play cards and look at their hands, while Mom and Dad are talking in the kitchen.
“Qin Yi, take out the cheesecake from the refrigerator. It’s ready to eat.” Just like her sister, Mom Pelly was skilled in cooking, and her various homemade desserts were delicious. Ryan had learned from her.
Dad Qin Yi opened the fridge and took out the cheesecake, adorned with plump raspberries. “It looks absolutely delicious.”
Mom chuckled, “When have I ever made something that wasn’t delicious?”
“Well, of course. My wife makes the best,” Ryan inherited the gentle expression in his eyes from his dad, who is a considerate man that instantly makes people feel warm and close just by looking at him.
Mom took out a knife to cut the cake. Just as the knife was about to descend, she paused and said with some concern, “They really are an odd couple. I’m afraid there might be a lot of conflicts in the future due to their unequal status. My little Ryan is a stubborn child. Once he sets his mind on something, he won’t change. Will he feel uncomfortable in his heart when he realizes that the general’s status keeps rising while he remains a common soldier, creating a gap in their family status?”
“Pelly, what are you thinking? Our Ryan is not a fragile person. He will only strive forward and become a man who can stand by his wife’s side. He won’t wallow in self-pity.”
Pelly sighed, “I guess I’m overthinking. You’re right. But Ryan isn’t smart, you know.”
Dad: “…Do you have any misunderstandings about our son?!” Dad has never seen anyone more outstanding than his own son.
Mom said: “Just look at him. During school, so many girls and boys liked him, but he couldn’t tell at all. Even when kids came to our house to pursue him, he thought they were here to buy agricultural products and enthusiastically sent them off with three or four eggs. When it came to assigning tasks, he happily went to the kitchen without any objections and happily did the work. What else can you call that if not stupid? Sigh, and during the early days after he was born, he wouldn’t cry or smile. He would just stare at the ceiling like a dummy. When we tried to feed him, he refused to eat. But look at him now, all grown up. Maybe he’ll become a father himself soon.”
As the crisp sound of mahjong tiles colliding filled the room, Mom couldn’t hold back her tears in front of her husband. Despite her gentle and serene appearance, she quietly wept tears of joy for her son growing up. “I just want them to be happy.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Amidst the crisp sound of mahjong tiles colliding, Ryan and Auston teamed up and almost made their cousin, Connor, win every round. They kept supplying tiles, one after another, and Connor’s plate was overflowing with strawberries.
Auston, being considerate, didn’t let Connor suffer too much and kept a relaxed grip on his tiles. Being clever, he had already learned how to play Mahjong. On the other hand, Ryan was mischievous and secretly wished for Connor to win every round. After all, it was Connor who had written ‘The Song of Beacon,’ creating an unrealistic romance for Emperor Anderson…… As Ryan played another tile, he suddenly looked at his cousin with a piercing gaze, causing Connor to tense up. The last time he was looked at like this by his younger cousin, he had spent ten days pulling radishes and ended up with sore hands.
With a smile that conveyed brotherhood and harmony, Ryan suddenly shifted his focus away from Connor. In fact, he even decided to win a few more rounds for himself. He made up his mind to provide some material for ‘The Song of Beacon,’ such as the lavishly luxurious toilet in the museum, the number of secret admirers Emperor Anderson had, the romantic relationships that went beyond friendship, and even his own addiction to playing mahjong…….Write whatever you want, give a pen to my cousin!
Ryan loosened his grip, and Connor, who was on the verge of exploding with anger, no longer won. However, he felt a chill down his spine as he squinted at Ryan, fearing that this guy was up to something mischievous. But until the end of the game, Ryan didn’t do anything else. Could it be that Connor was overthinking?
Uncle’s family, Uncle Potter and his wife didn’t live here permanently. They had their own house nearby.
“With Ryan, it’s always the same story when it comes to playing cards. He crushes you effortlessly. This kid has skills, he could rival the Mahjong God himself, Tyrion Martell.” It was a chilly evening, and Uncle stepped out wearing his coat.
Uncle Potter shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s only natural. Young people should surpass the old veterans. If they can’t beat us old folks, well, then the future doesn’t hold much hope.”
“Haha, you make it sound like Mahjong determines our future development.”
“Well, of course! Just look at how much Emperor Anderson loves it. There is a world exists within Mahjong.”
Their voices grew increasingly distant, gradually fading away.
Aunt Peggy, cousin Connor, and Ryan’s family all lived together. Grandmother had already gone to bed early and was fast asleep. After finishing the mahjong game, Connor, Ryan’s cousin, went back to his room to continue writing. Aunt Peggy and Ryan’s mother tidied up the kitchen, while Ryan’s father cleaned the living room. Ryan and Auston helped with the chores, and once everything was cleaned up, they each returned to their rooms.
The natural and warm interactions among everyone made Auston feel completely at ease. He greatly enjoyed the cozy atmosphere within the family. Today was one of the happiest days of his life, and even in his dreams, he could feel a smile forming on his face.
Sitting on the fabric sofa in the room, Auston wore a contented smile on his face, still immersed in the family interaction. He looked at Ryan and asked with a hint of curiosity, “Is Uncle Potter’s surname Tyrell?”
“Well, because of that surname, Uncle Potter faced exclusion from a young age. He spent a long time as a wandering adventurer before he met Aunt Helen and wanted to settle down,” Ryan unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his muscular physique. “I remember when I was seven or eight years old, Uncle Potter brought Aunt Helen here, and they decided to stay. They’ve been working on the farm ever since, but they couldn’t have children. It’s their regret.”
“Tyrell… It’s rare to find people with that surname nowadays,” Auston remarked.
In front of him, Ryan unbuttoned his cuffs, removed his belt, and his white shirt hung loosely on his body. His dark blue jeans were unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of black underwear with a white trim. However, Auston hadn’t yet realized what Ryan was doing, calmly lost in his thoughts.
“Tyrell’s surname has been associated with betrayal and treachery, leading to discrimination,” Ryan gave up on taking off his pants and instead sat next to Auston, sitting close to him. “But who can say for sure what happened seven hundred years ago? Whether Tyrell was truly a betrayer, only the people of that era would know. As a guard, he stood by the Emperor’s side through thick and thin. All I see in him is sincerity and bravery. Besides, who would document their own misdeeds in a diary? He’s not crazy.”
“Ryan…” Auston placed his hand on Ryan’s chest, feeling the warmth beneath the cool fingertips. He hesitated, leaning back slightly, feeling the hem of his shirt being pulled out, and then a warm hand slipped inside, pressing against his skin. His voice calling out Ryan’s name became faint, as he held Ryan’s hand through the fabric, his actions seeming both reluctant and longing.
Ryan cheered himself on, not wanting to fall into the old habit of being hesitant. He actively left one light kiss after another on Auston’s body. “Happy honeymoon. The night is still young.”
The thin veil curtains swayed intermittently, and faint ambiguous moans and whispers could be heard through the gap in the sliding door, dispersed in the wind. The lights in this room dimmed, but a room on the second floor remained illuminated until dawn. The single dogs had to rely on their own hands and efforts…
Hi, everyone. Thanks for reading!! I’m really sorry that I can’t update much in the next few months. I have to study for my final exams these days. Hope you all understand!!! Thanks for your support. Love you all!!❤
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152
[The single dogs had to rely on their own hands and efforts…]
This caught me off guard XD
Thanks for the update! Goodluck on your exams. Jiayou!
Thanks for your kind wishes❤❤❤