Chapter 47: Chapter 43: A Jealous Rivalry, Shen Zueran’s First Victory

At that moment, he wished for nothing more than to pull Yu Lan into his arms and comfort her.

How could he ever bring himself to blame Yu Lan?

This was all his own doing.

Even without his memories, he had returned to Yu Lan’s villa. Without him even realizing it, his body had acted before his mind, already treating that place as his home.

As Huo Zhanting suddenly drew near, the overwhelming scent of a mature man’s fiery hormones washed over her.

Yu Lan pressed her lips together and recoiled slightly, her mind still struggling to grasp why Huo Zhanting’s attitude had suddenly shifted.

She still saw him as that cold, ruthless, and imposing iron-willed Imperial Marshal.

Shen Zueran’s dark eyes narrowed. Moving before anyone else could, he abruptly wrapped his arm around Yu Lan’s slender, soft waist.

"Lanlan, don’t be afraid. Everyone has seen how you’ve been taking care of Marshal Huo. Your tireless effort hasn’t gone unnoticed."

"I’m sure Marshal Huo isn’t the type of person to confuse right and wrong. He certainly won’t hold this against you."

"Of course, if Marshal Huo really *does* insist on making an issue of it..."

As he said this, Shen Zueran’s expression turned stern. His aura grew sharp and formidable as he kept one hand on Yu Lan’s waist, the very picture of someone standing up for another.

"Lanlan is a member of my Science Research Institute. I will protect you, no matter the cost."

Not only was this scoundrel taking the opportunity to advance his own position, but he was also taking a subtle, vicious jab at his love rival. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Huo Zhanting’s face instantly darkened.

And yet, the simple, beautiful little female was completely oblivious to Shen Zueran’s little scheme.

Her eyes immediately reddened with emotion again as she called out softly, "Director."

The sight sent Huo Zhanting’s chest heaving, his blood boiling. He wished he could just plant his fist right in Shen Zueran’s pretentious, scheming face.

Shen Zueran tilted his chin up, returning a smug look.

’He hoped Huo Zhanting would just go ahead and punch him. He’d guarantee he wouldn’t fight back.’

’As for what Yu Lan would think... well, that was another matter entirely.’

’He would definitely play the pitiful, wronged party.’

Huo Zhanting was no fool. Sensing Shen Zueran’s intentions, his hand at his side clenched into a fist, letting out a series of CRACKS.

The sound made Yu Lan’s face go pale. She was terrified that Huo Zhanting’s punch was meant for her; her fragile body wouldn’t be able to take a single blow.

"M-Marshal Huo, please don’t get agitated."

"If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave right now."

"Really, I’m leaving now."

With that, Yu Lan bolted from the hospital room like a frightened rabbit and disappeared down the hall.

Huo Zhanting moved to chase after her, but Su Xingye, who had been standing aside and quietly observing, pursed his lips and stepped forward, blocking his path.

"Marshal, Lanlan probably doesn’t want to see you right now."

"Please give her some more time to think."

Huo Zhanting froze. His golden eyes swept condescendingly over Su Xingye. After a long moment, he let out an abrupt, cold laugh laced with pure scorn.

"Su Xingye. Major General Su."

"So let me ask you, are you saying that for Lanlan’s own good... or as a way to drive off a romantic rival?"

Huo Zhanting’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. With Yu Lan gone, the man no longer bothered to conceal his wild, ruthless, and formidable aura. The full force of his 3S-level pressure came crashing down, aimed directly at Su Xingye.

It had to be said, as the Imperial Marshal, Huo Zhanting had climbed the ranks step by step on his own military merits. If his enemies were ruthless, he was even more so.

His methods were iron-fisted, his presence imposing. An ordinary male couldn’t last a single minute under such pressure.

But if he thought this would be enough to make Su Xingye submit, he was sorely underestimating him.

In this battle for the female,

so what if one was the lofty Imperial Marshal, and the other the Genius Lieutenant General?

Both men were at the same starting line.

Only the one who won the female’s affection could seize the high ground.

Su Xingye’s deep green, beast-like eyes stared right back, completely undisguised. His thin lips curled into a smirk that was seventy percent ruthlessness and thirty percent provocation as he enunciated each word:

"Both."

"Wanting to drive off a rival and wanting what’s best for Lanlan are not mutually exclusive."

The possessiveness in a male’s very bones kept them on high alert at all times. They would seize any opportunity to eliminate a rival without a moment’s hesitation.

Su Xingye’s undisguised frankness instantly plunged the atmosphere into an icy abyss.

The two equally powerful, tall, and handsome men stood before the hospital bed, their auras crackling with hostility. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, yet they both suppressed their rage, maintaining a fragile peace on the surface.

But if a single spark were to fall, the entire place would erupt into a devastating, uncontrollable brawl.