Indeed, it was only after reaching the luxurious suite on the top floor that Lin Chuan discovered that the other party was actually a foreigner. Lin Chuan said with a face full of surprise, "My God, Engles, it's actually you?!"

"Baron Lin Chuan, long time no see, how have you been?" Engles, with a face flushed red with a smile, was thrilled to see Yu Qiu again.

"I never imagined we would meet here," Lin Chuan couldn't help shaking his head.

"Yes!" Engles nodded slightly, and said, "It's indeed hard to believe. I flew more than ten hours from Great Britain to get here, I hope you don't mind that I didn't come to find you personally. It was beyond my control, really too exhausting."

"No, no, no." Lin Chuan hurriedly shook his head and said, "Mr. Engles, you're too kind. But you didn't fly all the way from Great Britain just to take me out for a meal, did you?"

"Of course not." Engles's demeanor was graceful as he slightly bowed and said, "I have specifically brought greetings from Her Majesty the Queen."

"How is Her Majesty the Queen?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"Very well, only, Her Majesty the Queen has always been concerned about you," Engles sighed and said, "Your lifesaving grace for Her Majesty the Queen has always been remembered in her heart. This is also your kindness to Great Britain. We will always remember it."

"Engles, you are wrong again," Lin Chuan laughed and said, "Back then, it was just a small effort on my part. Plus, I would have done the same for anyone else."

"Yes, Baron Lin Chuan, you are kind-hearted, you are the hope of Great Britain," Engles smiled and said.

"Engles, please speak directly," Lin Chuan felt somewhat anxious. The fact that the other party had come all this way must mean something serious had happened, or it was something extremely important.

"Baron Lin Chuan," Engles said earnestly, "Her Majesty the Queen is already aware of your situation in China and is deeply outraged. Thus, she has especially sent me to find you, in hopes that you will take up British citizenship. Her Majesty the Queen will not only personally grant you British residency, but will also bestow you with a Viscount title. You and your family will all be able to enjoy the privileges of a Viscount title, and moreover, it is hereditary."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan's inner energy surged, and his face became grave as he fell silent.

This was a temptation; for many ordinary people, obtaining a UK residency alone would be an incredible achievement, not to mention being elevated in rank. This was simply an unreachable matter, yet now such temptation was laid out before him.

Unfortunately, Lin Chuan could not.

"I'm sorry," Lin Chuan revealed a composed smile and said, "Engles, please tell Her Majesty the Queen that I am deeply appreciative of her gracious offer, but I, Lin Chuan, was born a Chinese, and I will die a Chinese spirit. Therefore, I cannot accept Her Majesty's request."

"Why?" Engles looked puzzledly at Lin Chuan and said, "Baron Lin Chuan, this honor is not something ordinary people can receive. Please consider it carefully, you are seen as the most suitable candidate for the royal guard by Her Majesty the Queen. If you refuse now, you might never have such an opportunity again."

"It's okay," Lin Chuan shook his head and said, "I am grateful for Her Majesty the Queen's mercy. I accept it in my heart."

Engles was in a dilemma, his face full of conflict. This time, the Queen's order was to bring Lin Chuan back to the United Kingdom at all costs, to persuade Lin Chuan to acquire British citizenship. He had thought that his own presence would be enough to easily persuade Lin Chuan, but unexpectedly, things were not as simple as he imagined. This puzzled Engles.

After some thought, Engles said with a bitter smile, "Baron Lin Chuan, please consider it carefully. I will be here for a few more days, hoping to hear good news from you."

"Engles, why bother?" Lin Chuan said with a bitter smile, "Although I owe Her Majesty the Queen a favor, I'm just an ordinary person. There's really no need to make such a fuss, nor to offer me such generous treatment."

As Lin Chuan did not agree, Engles had no choice but to plead earnestly, after all, he was under orders from Her Majesty the Queen.

After seeing off Lin Chuan, Engles could only make a satellite call to Buckingham Palace.

"Your Majesty the Queen, I have failed in your entrusted task," Engles said with a face full of contrition.

"Engles..." the Queen began to speak and then fell silent before she chuckled and said, "It's alright. There is an ancient Chinese saying that sincerity can even move metal and stone to breakpoint. It means that as long as one is sincere, anything can be achieved."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen," Engles quickly nodded.

After hanging up the call, Engles began to reminisce, having served the Queen his entire life. From her coronation to now, he had served Her Majesty the Queen for over thirty years. Reflecting on these thirty years, it seemed that he had never seen Her Majesty the Queen so persistent and caring about someone. And her initial intentions have been constant throughout the years.

This only showed how much Her Majesty the Queen must admire Lin Chuan.

Perhaps, Lin Chuan truly is a once-in-a-century talent. This realization weighed heavily on Engles's heart; he finally understood the difficulty of this task, and also the trouble it entailed. From Lin Chuan's tone of voice and expression, it was clear that Lin Chuan was resolute, seemingly leaving no room for consideration. If only there had been some hesitation, but there was none at all.

Upon hearing the matter, he refused without hesitation. This only deepened Engles's disappointment.

.........

On the way back, Lin Chuan drove at a slow pace.

In his mind, he began to reminisce about the past. He thought back to past glories, to comrades who had died on the battlefield, to his own mistakes. Perhaps, he could never return to how things once were.

A seemingly insignificant error had destroyed his prospects; yet another country extended an olive branch to him. Perhaps, he really could leave, leave this place of disappointment for a place with a brighter future. But could he live with betraying his master? His parents? The red flag he had looked up to since childhood?

No, he couldn't leave.

This was the answer deep in Lin Chuan's heart, as well as his most steadfast belief.

Even if he were expelled, even if a trivial mistake became leverage against him. But, everything he had was given to him by this organization. Without it, there would be no him; without the red scarf tied around his neck as a child, there would be no him now. He could not abandon the organization just because of disappointment in his heart, he could not embrace another out of their glory and betray his own country.

Perhaps, no one would blame him. Perhaps, everyone would understand him. But, he could not convince himself, he could not forgive himself. Even if he enjoyed a higher status, a nobler title, and even a greater dignity in another country's capital, he would always view himself as unworthy.

As a soldier, deserting the organization is a very serious matter.

As a soldier, betraying one's country is a matter of great shame.

Towards the organization, loyalty without fail; to the country, never to betray!

This was Lin Chuan's inner faith, the education he received since childhood. Love the country, love the party, love the people. From the day he enlisted, Lin Chuan was educated in this way, as if it had become an unwavering belief that was deeply ingrained in his marrow.

Driving home, Lin Chuan felt somewhat dazed.

Because Lin Chuan felt his will wavering, in that moment, he sensed an injustice from the organization. Wasn't it just the killing of an official's son who colluded with the enemy? He was doing what was just; why should he be stripped of his military status? Initially, his master told him that this was the country's most elite and trump card force, with the right to execute first and report later. But why would there be such a result?

Lin Chuan felt it was unfair, but of course, he was helpless. It seemed that no righteousness could rise above the children of high-ranking officials, and no laws nor justice could suppress the arrogance of some officials.

And now, a true, democratic nation extended an olive branch to him; a person who truly believed in him, who appreciated him, wanted to win him over. This was a very tempting proposition for him. Within Lin Chuan's heart there seemed to be indecision, on one side was the bureaucracy he loathed; on the other, the democracy and freedom he yearned for.

"Sigh…" Lin Chuan sighed heavily.

"Brother Lin, dinner's ready," Nuo Xiaoxi poked her head out from the door and said, "The meal is prepared."

"Okay, I'm coming," Lin Chuan nodded.

The dinner was tasteless; after hastily gulping down a few bites of rice, Lin Chuan hurriedly rushed out.

"Chuan, are you full already?" Mrs. Lin quickly asked.

"I'm full," Lin Chuan's voice came from outside the door.

Nuo Xiaoxi blinked and said, "Auntie, I feel like Lin Chuan is acting differently from before, has he encountered any trouble?"

"Silly girl, don't overthink it," Mrs. Lin smiled, "Even if he is in some trouble, that is something for adults to worry about. You should focus on your studies now and strive to get into a good university. Once you graduate, you can marry Chuan and have children."

"Auntie!" Nuo Xiaoxi's face flushed red.

Mrs. Lin was also full of emotion. Initially, she didn't know how to tell Nuo Xiaoxi about Song Xiaojia's situation. Now there was no need to say more; in the end, Nuo Xiaoxi still became the ideal daughter-in-law in her eyes. As for family background, although Xiaoxi's family was poor, their own family wasn't much better. Thus, the two families were well-matched, and a situation like that with Song Xiaojia would certainly not occur.

.........

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