Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)

He Juan decided not to bicker about this though. Either way, it was not like he came here to fight. He was also certain that the bodyguards were just there to prevent her from being alone in an enclosed space with a stranger Alpha.

He took the lead to say, "I’m sure you have heard of me from Doctor Jia or the rumors that have been spreading throughout the country, but let me introduce myself again." He offered a polite and gentlemanly smile, not extending his hand out of concern that the omega might still be feeling quite traumatic after the accident. "I am XIU from Xuanlong."

"Liang Yuanjun," she offered her name in return, her gaze boring a hole into He Juan’s face. "I didn’t expect Mr. Xiu to look so... young. Oh, please don’t take it to heart. I didn’t mean anything by that," she hurried to add for fear that the man in front of him would be offended. "After hearing the rumors about you, I have been expecting someone older... or someone with a similar age to me."

He Juan chuckled softly. As expected of a politician, even her way of doubting He Juan’s capability was so slick and veiled in praises that would surely befuddle someone gullible. Unfortunately, He Juan was far from being gullible.

"I understand," he replied. "You are not the first person who makes such a claim, nor will you be the last. Thank you for making some time for me amid your busy schedule, Miss Liang. As you have surely known from Doctor Jia, I have a proposal for you. It’s just..." he swept his gaze over the bodyguards behind her. "I don’t know if I am allowed to talk freely like this?"

Liang Yuanjun showed a hesitant look.

He Juan could almost hear the gears spinning in her head. Of course, she would want to talk to him alone but she also feared that this was a trap and He Juan would do something to her once she dismissed her bodyguards. He could understand her wariness and vigilance.

As such, he took the initiative to stand up and crook a finger toward the male Beta. "Search my body," he instructed.

The Beta glanced at Liang Yuanjun and upon receiving her nod of approval, he stepped forward and methodically checked for He Juan’s suit pockets and trousers. Finding nothing, he shook his head and returned to position.

He Juan smiled, "As you can see, I am completely defenseless right now. Of course, if you’re still feeling doubtful, feel free to take a gun for yourself. Please do not worry that I will be up to something. You have heard those rumors, Miss Liang, I hate Alphas who abuse their strength and status the most. Moreover, I have a hunch that we will become partners in the future, so it’s only right for me to make a good first impression on you, no?"

In response to his long spiel, Liang Yuanjun merely fixed him with an unreadable look. After pondering for a while, she took a deep breath, stretched out a hand to ask for her bodyguard’s gun and signaled for them to wait outside. They nodded politely and marched out of the room in large and even strides.

He Juan narrowed his eyes. Ex-soldiers, he noted.

Liang Yuanjun deftly checked the magazine and placed the gun right beside her. "Please take a seat. I apologize for showing you such embarrassing conduct, Mr. Xiu."

"No problem," He Juan gracefully sat back down. He did not beat around the bush and immediately went straight to his purpose for coming here. "Before I get to my proposal, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Feel free to stay silent if you think that you are unable or unwilling to answer them. First, this will be the third time you are running for prime minister’s position, am I right?"

Liang Yuanjun tensed, presumably not expecting He Juan to poke her right on her sore spot. "...Yes," she replied after one long moment.

"I have seen your campaigns, Miss Liang. They’re very innovative and noble. To empower omega’s standing in society..." he keenly sensed it as Liang Yuanjun’s gaze turned sharp as she went to grab the gun beside her, but he pretended to see nothing and continued, "I support you, and I think the majority of the citizens in this country support you too. Despite the high rates of crime toward omegas, it actually involves only less than 10% of the total population. You have roused the sympathy of the remaining 90% and I’m certain if our country holds elections at the national level, they will undoubtedly garner massive votes for you. But..."

He Juan leaned forward and asked seriously, "Are you aware of the reason why you always lost in the end, Miss Liang?"

A flicker of anger flashed through Liang Yuanjun’s eyes. "Of course..." she said through gritted teeth, her thin shoulders shaking in rage. "Of course, I know. I couldn’t defeat the foul corruption in the National People’s Congress. Even though I received the nomination from the President himself, it’s no use as long as those people’s votes were manipulated..."

Two times. Two elections. It meant ten years...

It had been ten long years since she fought tooth and nail in the corrupted government, desperately holding onto the ideals that she would one day be able to change the fate of omegas in this country. Yet again and again, she was left to drown in her own disappointment and frustration.

The first time, she got into an accident and had to recuperate for a few months, causing her to miss out on her duty and be eliminated from the nomination. Until now, she believed that her accident was not a mere coincidence, but because of the lack of evidence, she could not do anything at all.

The second time, she lost out on the votes just by a mere 2% margin. Two fucking percent... just two more percent and she would have sat in the position she had been fighting for for years!

But in the end, she still lost...

She had underestimated the viciousness and cruelty of her enemies. This year, they strived to destroy not only her standing and reputation, but also her life, her future... and the future of all omegas in the country. She couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Doctor Jia had not taken her away in time. The labels of ’promiscuous’, ’wanton’, and ’slut’ would definitely stick to omegas for years or decades to come. After that, their status in the society would become even lower. Everyone – or perhaps even themselves – would think that it would be an embarrassment to be born as an omega. They might even become humiliated to leave their own house. Just imagining it was enough to send chills down her spine.

She let out a hoarse, despairing laugh. "It’s my fault. In the end, I am still too weak compared to them..."

"It’s been hard on you," He Juan told her sincerely. He could see the unyielding strength and spirit in her eyes, could see how determined she was to uphold her ideals and how she was ready to sacrifice everything to achieve that. If it was this person...

She raised her brow, surprised that He Juan’s first reaction was to comfort her. "You..." her brows creased in doubt. "Pardon my bluntness. I just can’t understand, exactly what are you trying to achieve by arranging this meeting, Mr. Xiu?"

"Simple," He Juan chuckled. "I just want to check if you are really like how I imagined you to be and I have to say, I am not disappointed at all."

"Miss Liang," he started in a light tone, yet the gravity in his silver eyes showed how he was not here to mess around. "What if I told you that I can assist you into this position? You will fight in the frontline, whereas I will become the shadow behind the scene. This will be a win-win situation for both of us. What do you say?"