Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 85

Wu Lan Has Been Deceiving You All Along

Inside the Presidential Palace, veins bulged on Zhan Li’s temples, his eyes burning with a dark, venomous rage.

“Trash! A pack of useless trash!” He violently flipped his office desk, sending documents scattering across the floor with a loud rustle. “You can’t even find a single person!”

            

His confidant—Acting Director of the FBI, Chen Duo—stood by the doorway, breaking out in a cold sweat, not daring to lift his head.

“Mr. President, Admiral Ming Yu dispatched the Third Fleet to assist them. Our men…”

“I don’t want to hear excuses!” Zhan Li cut him off sharply. “You must bring Nansheng back within three days! The Qin family has already made it clear that if the wedding is canceled, they will publicly support Qin Mian’s campaign!”

            

Chen Duo swallowed hard and braced himself to speak. “But… Lieutenant General Zhan and Wu Lan have already left Federation space. It’s incredibly difficult for our people to track them…”

Zhan Li spun around, his gaze like a blade. “Then search! Use whatever means necessary—even if you have to turn the entire galaxy upside down, bring her back to me!”

He paused, lowering his voice into a chilling threat. “If she refuses to return… then make Wu Lan disappear forever.”

            

A tremor ran through Chen Duo. He bowed his head immediately. “Yes, sir! I’ll arrange it right away.”

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In a star region far from the Federation, a small spaceship drifted quietly along the edge of a meteorite belt.

The cabin was dimly lit, the faint glow of the console’s instrument panels casting soft light over two intertwined figures.

            

“Wu Lan… are you crazy?”

Zhan Nansheng was pinned against the ship’s control console, her back pressed against cold metal while the scorching heat of Wu Lan’s body pressed into her from the front.

Wu Lan chuckled softly, her fingers pinching her chin to force her to look up. “Eldest Miss, isn’t it a bit too late to say that now?”

            

Zhan Nansheng wanted to protest, but in the next second, Wu Lan’s lips pressed down upon hers.

The kiss was a bit fierce, carrying an uncompromising, predatory intensity.

Zhan Nansheng’s breath was stolen away in an instant. Her mouth was filled entirely with Wu Lan’s scent, mingled with a faint trace of blood, leaving her lightheaded and dizzy.

            

“Ngh…” She struggled slightly, only to invite an even more dominant suppression.

Wu Lan’s hand cupped the back of her head, while her other hand slid down the curve of her waist, her fingertips giving a gentle flick to undo her belt.

“Wu Lan!” Zhan Nansheng suddenly grabbed her wrist, her cheeks flushed bright red. “We’re on the run! You—”

            

“So?” Wu Lan cut her off, leaning down to whisper in her ear, her warm breath washing over the sensitive curve of her ear. “Eldest Miss, you weren’t this hesitant when you were running away from your own wedding.”

Zhan Nansheng choked, glaring at her fiercely with reddened eyes. Before she could think of a retort, Wu Lan’s lips descended upon the side of her neck, her teeth grazing the skin in a gentle bite that made her whole body shudder.

“You…” Her voice softened, her fingers unconsciously clutching Wu Lan’s collar.

            

Wu Lan chuckled, her fingers deftly slipping into her shirt. Her palm pressed against her slender waist, slowly sliding upward.

“Relax, Eldest Miss,” she murmured, her voice husky and seductive. “Nobody can disturb us now.”

Zhan Nansheng’s breathing grew increasingly rapid as her reason crumbled under Wu Lan’s relentless onslaught.

            

Her legs grew weak, and she could barely stand, forcing her to cling tightly to Wu Lan.

“Wu Lan…” she murmured softly, her voice carrying a dependence she hadn’t even noticed herself.

Wu Lan’s movements paused, her eyes darkening.

            

In the next instant, she hooked her arms under the backs of Zhan Nansheng’s knees, lifting her up entirely before turning around to press her flat against the console.

Zhan Nansheng let out a startled cry and wanted to curse, but she was quickly reduced to whimpering.

The starlight shone on their intertwined figures, thick with passion.

            

Once it was over, Zhan Nansheng lay limp in Wu Lan’s embrace, completely drained of strength.

Wu Lan’s fingers gently ran through her long hair, her movements unusually gentle.

Zhan Nansheng caught her breath for a moment, then suddenly looked up and bit down hard on Wu Lan’s shoulder.

            

“Hiss—” Wu Lan winced from the pain but didn’t pull away. Instead, she let out a low chuckle. “Eldest Miss, are you a dog?”

Zhan Nansheng released her bite and stared at her, her gaze fierce yet fragile. “Wu Lan, I’m warning you.”

“Hmm?”

            

“I gave up everything for you.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I only have you now. If you dare betray me…”

Wu Lan didn’t wait for her to finish, leaning down to kiss her.

This kiss was much gentler than before, carrying a soothing intent.

            

After a long moment, Wu Lan released her, brushing the corner of her eye with her fingertip. “Tired?” she murmured softly.

Remembering the aching soreness throughout her body, Zhan Nansheng glared at her petulantly. “Isn’t it all your fault? You have no restraint at all.”

Wu Lan smiled, pulling her closer into her chest. “Then sleep here for now. I’ll carry you inside in a bit,” she said softly.

            

Zhan Nansheng huffed, but in the end, she closed her eyes in exhaustion, soon falling asleep in her arms.

Wu Lan watched her in silence, her gaze complex.

After a long while, she quietly rose, carried Zhan Nansheng into the lounge, and laid her down. Then, she turned and headed for the hatch.

            

She couldn’t delay any longer; it was time to meet Qin Mian.

While Zhan Nansheng slept, Wu Lan piloted the small spaceship toward their designated rendezvous point.

A meticulously dressed adjutant had already been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Wu Lan arrive, he stepped forward immediately and saluted. “Director… Miss Wu, the Marshal is waiting for you in the meeting room.”

            

Wu Lan nodded, following the adjutant across a fully transparent skybridge.

The automatic doors to the meeting room slid open silently.

Marshal Qin Mian stood with his back to the door, looking out of the panoramic window. When the patriarch of the Qin family turned around, Wu Lan noted the grim, probing look in his eyes.

            

“Director Wu,” Qin Mian’s voice carried the calm composure typical of those in high authority. “I’ve long heard of your great name.”

Wu Lan nodded slightly and smiled. “Marshal Qin, I’ve long ceased to be any kind of director.”

Qin Mian smiled, not pressing the topic. “Please, sit. Would you like something to drink?” he offered politely.

            

“There’s no need,” Wu Lan replied, straightening her back. “I believe you know why I’m here.”

Qin Mian said unhurriedly, “Murong Xia sent you to negotiate a collaboration?” He suddenly laughed. “It’s been so many years, yet she still hasn’t given up? I must admit, I’m quite surprised she managed to persuade someone like you to work for her.”

Detecting the probe in his words, Wu Lan remained calm. “Marshal Qin, I’m sure you know what kind of man Zhan Li is even better than I do. If his daughter can publicly jilt your daughter today and humiliate the Qin family, tomorrow her father, Zhan Li, will dare to do something even more outrageous. Zhan Li is deeply wary of you; why haven’t you made your plans sooner?”

            

“I know what you’re after.” Qin Mian’s fingers paused along the rim of his cup. “But on what grounds should the Black Kite expect me to believe you can stand against Zhan Li?”

Wu Lan paused. “What kind of proof do you want?”

“Ming Yu,” Qin Mian suddenly pronounced the name. “The Federation’s youngest Admiral, the head of the Ming family, and someone with incredibly close ties to Marshal Lin Pinghai and the Song family. If you can persuade Ming Yu to support me…” Qin Mian leaned forward. “…then I’ll believe the Black Kite’s sincerity.”

            

The room fell into silence.

“I can try to persuade Admiral Ming,” Wu Lan finally replied. “But you must show sufficient sincerity as well.”

Qin Mian raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”

            

“Release Song Zhuohua.”

Qin Mian shook his head with a bitter smile. “Song Zhuohua is detained in the Military Special Prison. It requires the joint signatures of three Marshals to secure her release.” He cast a meaningful look at Wu Lan. “However… if you truly can convince Ming Yu, I can promise to sign.”

“Deal.”

            

“I look forward to a successful collaboration!”

As she left the starport, Wu Lan’s temples throbbed painfully.

The negotiation was more difficult than she’d anticipated. Qin Mian was deeply calculating, and every step carried a test. Fortunately, the outcome was acceptable; she just didn’t know how things were progressing on Qingpei’s end.

            

Wu Lan hesitated for a moment, attempting to contact Song Qingpei using her communicator, but the connection wouldn’t go through.

This left her with a faint sense of unease.

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Meanwhile, when Zhan Nansheng woke and found Wu Lan gone, a sudden panic gripped her for no reason.

            

It wasn’t until she saw a video message left on the mechanical butler, informing her that Wu Lan had gone to scout the surrounding area, that she finally let out a sigh of relief and slowly got up.

“Eldest Miss, it’s time to eat,” the mechanical butler said in a gentle voice, walking over with a serving tray.

Zhan Nansheng shook her head. “I’ll wait a bit longer.”

            

Just then, the spaceship’s alarm system suddenly shrieked.

Zhan Nansheng turned around abruptly, only to see three warships rapidly approaching on the radar display.

“Identify!” she ordered sharply, while quickly activating the defense system.

            

“Identification complete. Non-whitelist vessels.” The system’s cold response made Zhan Nansheng’s heart sink.

The three warships had already surrounded her spaceship, and her communication channel was forcibly connected.

“Lieutenant General Zhan,” a familiar voice came through. “The President sent us to bring you home.”

            

Zhan Nansheng’s pupils contracted sharply—this was the voice of her father’s confidant, Lin Sheng.

“Fuck off!” she snapped furiously. “I’m not going back with you!”

“I’m afraid that’s not up to you,” Lin Sheng’s voice was still respectful, yet it carried an unyielding firmness. “The President has ordered that if you refuse to cooperate…”

            

“Or what?” Zhan Nansheng sneered. “Kill me?”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, followed by a sigh. “Lieutenant General Zhan, do you really know Wu Lan?”

Zhan Nansheng’s fingers paused. “What do you mean?”

            

“The President told me to tell you,” Lin Sheng’s voice suddenly dropped. “Wu Lan isn’t an ordinary person at all. She’s the orphan adopted by Former President Rong Cen back then, and she’s been lurking by the President’s side all these years just to seek revenge.”

Zhan Nansheng’s blood seemed to freeze in an instant. “You’re lying!”

“More than twenty years ago, when Rong Cen was conducting secret experiments on Planet Blue Tree, Wu Lan was injected with high-purity Blue Tree extract,” Lin Sheng continued. “That’s why she differentiated into a rare Enigma¹, possessing mental strength far exceeding that of ordinary humans…”

            

“Shut up!” Zhan Nansheng slammed her hand down onto the communication disconnect button, her chest heaving violently.

Yet in the very next second, the communication link was forcibly re-established.

This time, it wasn’t Lin Sheng who appeared, but the holographic projection of Zhan Li itself.

            

“Nansheng,” Zhan Li’s voice sounded even colder than usual. “Have you thrown enough of a tantrum?”

Zhan Nansheng clenched her teeth. “Father, I’m not going back.”

“For a heartless, deceitful liar?” Zhan Li sneered. “She approached you and seduced you solely to complete her mission. Do you think she really loves you?”

            

“That’s impossible!” Zhan Nansheng’s voice trembled. “Wu Lan, she…”

“She what?” Zhan Li cut her off. “She approached you to obtain the Zhan family’s secrets, to use you to threaten me…”

“No…” Zhan Nansheng shook her head, refusing to believe it.

            

Zhan Li’s gaze became disappointed and cold. “I gave you a chance, Nansheng. Since you refuse to wake up, you can bear the consequences yourself. You’ll regret this.”

The communication suddenly cut off. Zhan Nansheng stood frozen on the spot, her whole body cold.

Just then, the spaceship’s hatch was suddenly forced open.

            

Lin Sheng stormed in, leading a squad of heavily armed personnel.

“Lieutenant General Zhan, forgive me,” he said, gesturing for his men to step forward. “By the President’s order, we’re bringing you back.”

Zhan Nansheng instinctively backed away, her hand reaching for the pistol at her waist. “Don’t come near!”

            

“Give me three days! I’ll personally prove whether Wu Lan has been deceiving me!”

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