Chapter 78 Old Acquaintance "I've been looking for you for a long, long time."...
Besides accompanying King Sklag II through those incredibly tedious procedures, Shi Wei also had some other things to do on this trip.
Most of them are showing their friendship with their motherland and strengthening their ties with the Fran Empire, such as visiting their alma mater or having a meal with old friends.
The Imperial Public University also prepared a low-key welcoming ceremony. As Shi Wei strolled around, she remarked with emotion: her alma mater has been doing better and better since she left.
Many new facilities have been built, and the school's Hall of Fame has gained many rising stars—of course, there is also her special presence.
The virtual screen showed a photo of her giving a speech at a student assembly years ago, when she was young, youthful, and beautiful.
"How old were you then, in your twenties or thirties?" The man next to me reached out and tapped the screen, scrolling through the familiar yet unfamiliar faces.
Shi Wei thought for a moment and said, "It should be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight. A short animated film I made suddenly became popular. I wasn't originally eligible to be an outstanding student that year, but I was suddenly asked to give a speech."
“I’ve seen that animated film. It’s very well made and very touching,” said King Skolag II, his gaze falling on her. “Once you’re done with this busy period, you can consider making an animation like that for Manra.”
Shi Wei became interested: "How about making a biography of Asta?!"
His Majesty paused for a moment before saying, "Mara's history is very long. You don't need to focus on any particular period. I think you're very good at writing this kind of comprehensive history—"
"Then let's forget it, it's too long and tiring." Shi Wei shrugged and tapped her own image on the virtual screen with her fingertip.
"Seeing this suddenly reminded me of a time when I received the national scholarship and qualified for a government-funded study abroad program. I applied to the Humanities Research Institute in the Chaotic Starfield and was accepted, but then the Chaotic Starfield and Manra went to war, so I didn't dare to go." Shi Wei recalled a past event.
“Why not go to Manla? I remember Manla and Fran have many opportunities for academic exchange.” The man took her hand and gently stroked it in his palm.
Fortunately, he forced through the bill and fought a battle with the mercenaries; otherwise, Shi Wei would have gone to study in the Chaotic Starfield.
Yi Lan, that bastard, must have just made his fortune back then. He didn't dare to imagine what the consequences would be if the two of them ran into each other.
She hadn't expected that he would notice the slight regret she hadn't mentioned. This man was really too perceptive. Shi Wei sighed, "The competition for Manla's spot is too fierce. I was eliminated in the first round."
If she had the chance to go to Manla at that time, would she have met him again?
It's best not to ask such questions, lest you cause them unnecessary distress.
Shi Wei saw those sea-blue eyes fall on her face. Sklag II lowered his head and kissed her lips, saying, "It's alright, we will meet again eventually."
Whether it's sooner or later, the outcome will be the same.
She will eventually board that flight and meet Decali.
She will eventually come to his side.
...
While strolling around campus, she ran into an acquaintance—well, Shi Wei didn't really think so.
Okay, it's my ex-boyfriend.
To be honest, she didn't quite remember what Eric looked like anymore, and with his appearance having changed quite a bit, when he greeted her and His Majesty in the delegation, Shi Wei only felt that he looked somewhat familiar and took a few more glances at him.
These two eyes fell into His Majesty's eyes, and then her hand was pinched.
Shi Wei glanced at him with a puzzled look, then accepted the flowers offered by a young Omega student representative, wondering why he was pinching her.
Did she say something wrong?
But even when he said something wrong before, he didn't take it seriously.
Eric had put in some effort to infiltrate the delegation. His father, brothers, and sisters had all warned him not to get too close to His Majesty, lest he offend him and ruin the cooperation, and no one would protect him.
Eri snorted coldly. He wasn't going to do anything; he was just... just couldn't let it go.
He always felt wronged.
After Shi Wei dumped him, he was initially very disdainful. What was a commoner Omega, just because he was a little pretty, had a likable personality, and was a little capable...?
He's so handsome, capable, and considerate, yet she finds him annoying!
How could she possibly dislike him! He's always been indifferent to noble Omegas of his own age, but he's always treated her, his girlfriend, like a precious gem, spoiling her rotten and indulging her every whim. Yet she complained that he was too annoying and that he had no boundaries.
He was still negotiating with his family, trying every means to marry her, dreaming of a happy ending, when reality slapped him in the face.
After being dumped that day, Eric vowed never to speak to her again, never to look at her again.
Even if she begged and pleaded to get back together, he would never agree. Then he learned that Shi Wei had gone on a trip to another city without any remorse.
No way, she's not that heartless.
She must have dumped me and then regretted it, but she said something too harsh and was afraid I wouldn't accept her back. So I'm in so much pain and regret every day that I have to leave this place of trouble and go out to clear my head.
Eric calculated the time; Shi Wei had been on vacation for three days and hadn't sent him a single message yet. This must be the saddest and most heartbreaking time for her!
He calmly made a call.
"Your requested call is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."
Huh? The communicator is broken?
...
Enraged, Eric crushed several communicators in his hand. "Fine, fine, you won't answer my calls, huh? You've blocked me, huh?"
Even if you come to me crying and begging, I won't talk to you anymore.
Eric put these trivial matters to the back of his mind. There were countless things to care about in the family, and he had too many things to do. What was a little Omega compared to that?
He was busy like this for a while, and he didn't think about that heartless Omega for so long. That's great. Did he really think he couldn't live without her?
Then I saw my younger brother forward a screenshot to me:
"An Omega citizen has gone missing at Manla Star Plaza, please..."
Eric opened the screenshot, and his pupils dilated.
...
Eric's feelings were extremely complicated when he saw Shi Wei again.
She was more beautiful than I remembered, her temperament even more outstanding, as if she had fully blossomed, like the rose around her neck.
He only remembered the terror he felt after receiving the news. Shi Chuan's investigation application was initially suppressed. It was someone in the military who reported the missing person case to higher authorities. It was only after several reports that it was taken seriously. His younger brother, who was serving in the military, saw Shi Wei's name and forwarded it to him.
Eric sensed the invisible hand of the Manra Security Bureau, and combined with the location of the disappearance and the power struggles within his family, he instantly felt uneasy.
It is highly likely that Shi Wei has fallen into the hands of the Manla Security Bureau. Her background has already been investigated by her own family and is very clean, so there is no way that the Security Bureau would notice her.
So, she must have gotten herself involved in something. The investigation application from her family was put on hold, and Eric immediately contacted his cousin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, the Li family also pushed for an investigation into the disappearance, and even high-ranking military officials were paying attention to the matter. In the end, the Security Bureau was unable to suppress the disappearance case.
Unbeknownst to Shi Wei, her family and friends did everything they could to secure many things for her.
Eric hosted the dinner at a noble banquet hall in Fran, with a classical overall ambiance, carved beams and painted rafters, a large amount of wooden architecture, and an elegant design. Shi Wei glanced at it and inwardly cursed Fran and his group of old nobles for their still so particular tastes.
She remembered that although such places were not expensive, ordinary people could not get a reservation at all; they were only open to nobles.
After Eric learned that she liked homemade food, he often used the excuse of having a meal to ask her out.
"This color suits you very well," the other person politely complimented her jewelry.
Actually, she was dressed rather "plain" today because someone had deliberately dirtied her pink dress that morning.
"Dressed up so nicely, did you see your ex-boyfriend? Hmm?" King Sklag II's hand caressed her slender waist, and a faint pheromone wafted over.
Shi Wei sighed: "If you dress too plainly, people will think you're stingy."
Hmm, that makes sense.
So His Majesty matched her outfit with a set of aquamarine jewelry.
"As beautiful as your eyes," Shi Wei coaxed him, finally satisfying him.
Eric's invitation was straightforward, sent in his father's name, and was perfectly aboveboard. Shi Wei initially wanted to refuse, but felt that he seemed to have let go of the past, and with the intention of maintaining a good relationship with his family and making things easier for Shi Chuan, she accepted the invitation anyway.
The Earl was polite and courteous. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Shi Wei, he left helplessly under his son's impatient gaze.
The once arrogant and aloof young man has now skillfully concealed his sharp edges, even appearing somewhat gentle. Neither of them spoke; Shi Wei remained composed, but Eric finally smiled and spoke first, saying, "You've changed a lot."
"You too." Shi Wei no longer felt the same annoyance towards him as before, and joked, "I used to always see you with a sour face, but now I'm a little unaccustomed to seeing you smile so often."
"Is that so?" Eric thought to himself, feeling a sigh like his father's. He knew that Shi Wei was no longer from his world.
That emperor could give him far more than he could give.
The two chatted casually about Fran and Manla's economic cooperation. The more they talked, the more amazed Eric became.
Shi Wei seemed to have said a lot, but in reality, he only needed to pay attention to a few sentences.
Whether he could understand, how much he could understand, and what his reaction would be all seemed to be within her expectations.
A long time ago, Shi Wei always said that they were not from the same world. At that time, he did not feel that way because if he wanted, Shi Wei could become a person from his world.
But now, her face is right in front of me, yet so far away.
Such a suggestion is already a great favor.
“I thought you would choose the Li family.” Eric was well-informed, and he said frankly, “After you lost contact with Manla, I looked for you for a long time… a long time. Then some things happened. Your brother had a good relationship with Li Huaize, and their family also helped.”
That's why Fran asked Manra to investigate.
She smiled slightly, tapped the cup with her delicate fingertips, and said casually, "But I still want to thank you. Thank you for caring about me back then."
The two of them are now too far apart in terms of status, so this is all I can say.
Eric understood and changed the subject.
Shi Wei couldn't believe that the young master, who had such a terrible personality, had become so sensible and understanding. She thought to herself that everyone was growing up.
So he said to him, “My elder brother has not been settled on Mercury Star for long. I have heard that your family has some property there. I hope you will take good care of him in the future.”
Eric was taken aback. Wouldn't her family go to Manla? But he didn't ask, so he smiled and said, "Don't mention it. We're all friends. It's nothing."
Shi Wei nodded in satisfaction and left.
Only the young nobleman remained, watching the departing figures of the group from the bridge.
The ancients have already ridden away on the clouds, leaving only the wind and moon behind.
May everything go smoothly for you in the future, and may you be safe and sound every year.
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The author's note: Wishing every baby all the best and peace every year.
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