Chapter Seventeen: Never Let Go

The sedan came to a stop beside them, and then the rear window rolled down to reveal the stern face of a middle-aged man.

“Get in,” he ordered.

Luna Tsukimi pulled open the rear door, but the man spoke again:

“Luna, sit in the front.”

“All right.”

Seeing that Chen Ziang remained motionless, the man addressed him once more:

“Shall we talk? Get in the car first.”

Chen Ziang sighed inwardly and opened the rear door.

As the car started moving, he pondered how best to address Luna’s father—should he call him “Uncle,” “Sir,” or simply “Mister”? But before he could decide, the middle-aged man suddenly spoke in a deep voice:

“In the presence of elders, it is customary for the younger generation to introduce themselves first. Haven’t your parents taught you manners?”

“Father!” Luna suddenly turned back from the front seat and exclaimed loudly, “He’s from the Landers, so why are you holding him to Islanders’ traditions? Besides, you were the one who invited him into the car, so isn’t he technically the guest? Shouldn’t you introduce yourself first if introductions are necessary?”

For a split second, Chen Ziang caught a flash of embarrassment on Mr. Tsukimi’s face, almost as though he were choking.

But the expression vanished almost instantly; he quickly recovered his composure and said to Chen Ziang in a quiet voice,

“I am Seisho Tsukimi, Luna’s father.”

“Good afternoon, Uncle,” Chen Ziang replied promptly. “I’m Chen Ziang, a colleague of your daughter’s from the same department.”

Seisho Tsukimi nodded, then remarked coolly, “My daughter can be quite willful. I hope she hasn’t caused you too much trouble at work.”

Just as Chen Ziang was about to protest—“No, not at all”—Luna spun around again, fuming.

“I have not caused any trouble, all right? I’ve been doing my job just fine!”

“Luna!” her father snapped, “When your father is speaking with a guest, don’t interrupt!”

When his daughter fell silent, he frowned in frustration and turned to Chen Ziang.

“Luna is my only child. Her mother spoiled her terribly from a young age. Please excuse her.”

“You’re too kind, Uncle,” Chen Ziang replied quickly. “Luna is doing very well at work, you have nothing to worry about.”

Seisho Tsukimi gave a wry, almost playful smile. “With her family background, even if she were nothing but trouble, would your supervisors dare say a word against her?”

That might not necessarily be true, Chen Ziang thought privately. At least in our Countermeasures Division Six, if anything serious were to happen, not even the strongest connections could protect her.

After a moment of contemplation, Seisho Tsukimi asked, “Chen Ziang, which university did you graduate from?”

“Imperial Jixian University,” Chen Ziang replied.

“Jixian University is an excellent school,” Tsukimi commented. “But you do know that in today’s system, to enter the City Hall, one must be a graduate of Arctic North University, correct?”

Arctic North University was the most prestigious institution in the entire Takamagahara Sector, widely known as the “cradle of civil servants.” There was even a saying that two-thirds of the officials in the Governor’s Office graduated from there—and the reality bore that out. At least within the law enforcement system, everyone knew that if you hadn’t come from Arctic North, the most you could hope for in this life was deputy director.

Even the current Chief of Police, Eikenshima Bamba, had been a deputy director before taking the graduate examination at Arctic North University; only after obtaining his degree was he promoted to chief.

“Father,” Luna interjected, unable to hold back, “didn’t you yourself not graduate from Arctic North University?”

“I studied abroad in the Federation,” Seisho Tsukimi explained, trying to be patient.

“Which just goes to show,” Luna said quickly, “that you don’t have to have a degree from Arctic North to make something of yourself in the system. Besides, I don’t think a man has to climb the political ladder to be considered successful. Mother always complains that ever since you became a high official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you’re never home for dinner. She sometimes wishes you’d stayed in your company back in the Federation instead.”

Seisho Tsukimi was nearly at his wit’s end. He realized his daughter was firmly on Chen Ziang’s side—whatever pressure or questioning he tried, she would counter it forcefully, making further conversation impossible.

A heavy, awkward silence filled the car until the driver suddenly asked,

“We’ve entered Gunma Ward, is it Tone River Road, Kiryu Street?”

Seisho Tsukimi looked at his daughter, who replied,

“Yes, number 126 Tone River Road.”

So she’s even memorized the address, has she? Seisho Tsukimi’s heart grew more anxious, and he hurried to say,

“Regardless, Luna is my only daughter, so her future husband must join our Tsukimi family!”

Chen Ziang: …What?

“Father, what are you saying!” Luna exclaimed in exasperation. “If you can’t speak properly, just say less!”

Seisho Tsukimi was left speechless. For a dignified official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be scolded by his daughter as someone who “can’t speak properly” was indeed a bitter irony.

But a state meeting and meeting a prospective son-in-law were two very different things. With his daughter so resolutely on the other side, any pressure he applied would be futile.

The car stopped by Tone River Road. Luna hopped out quickly, yanked open the back door, and dragged the bewildered Chen Ziang out, hissing,

“No matter what my father just said, don’t take it to heart!”

She was truly anxious now, terrified that Chen Ziang would reply, “I could never marry into your family; let’s not see each other again.”

But Chen Ziang merely chuckled, waved reassuringly, and then headed inside.

He could well understand Seisho Tsukimi’s scrutiny and sharpness, but the old man had clearly misunderstood. He and Luna were not involved in that way—surely Luna would clear up the misunderstanding when she got home.

Luna watched him enter his house before finally turning and getting back into the car beside her father.

“Luna,” Seisho Tsukimi sighed, “I don’t mean to interfere, but it seems to me that he… doesn’t have any particular feelings for you?”

“Mm,” Luna sighed as well. “And why do you think that is, Father?”

Her father paused to consider, then said,

“He doesn’t seem ambitious or driven. Perhaps he feels your family background is too much pressure for him?”

“That’s not entirely it,” Luna replied softly. “Father, did you know he has a younger sister who is blind and autistic?”

“Yes,” Seisho Tsukimi nodded. “So he feels unworthy of you?”

Seeing her silence, he offered a faint smile.

“I must admit, he truly isn’t your equal.”

“And what, in your view, would make someone worthy of me?” Luna asked, her face expressionless. “Must it always be a match of equal families?”

“Not necessarily,” he hastened to amend, seeing his precious daughter upset. “If you truly care for him, our family would never deliberately stand in your way. But the problem is, he doesn’t see you that way, does he?”

The temperature inside the car seemed to drop suddenly, and Seisho Tsukimi felt a chill.

He heard Luna say quietly,

“Father, this time… I absolutely won’t let go.”