Chapter 1264 - 1264 715_2

1264: Chapter 715_2 1264: Chapter 715_2 But this was voluntary on his part, not forced, not compelled by circumstances.

However, his sister’s marriage seemed a bit forced by circumstances.

He also believed that work is work, mission is mission, but it doesn’t conflict with personal life.

His sister never really had a personal life, yet she has to be with someone she doesn’t love…

Ever since Arno learned of his sister’s marriage, this has been his thinking.

But in reality, this was the first time he ever met Zhu Ye in person.

He didn’t even attend his sister’s wedding.

At that time, he was still busy shuttling between planets in the northern part of the Spiderweb Domain, doing intelligence work.

They had a meal together, cooked by his brother-in-law himself.

During their cheerful conversation, he unexpectedly found this person quite nice.

He could even see some traces of ‘affection’ between them.

This made him quite gratified.

And a little curious.

After finishing the meal and seeing the baby, the nanny cleaned up the dining room, the brother-in-law was coaxing the baby, and Arno and Osenia went to the study together, having a private space to chat.

Arno wanted to ask his sister how she’s been living recently, but didn’t quite know how to start.

Eventually, he said, “From what I saw in the Le Buddh Star Domain, things aren’t bad.

The Alliance’s army has already moved in.

Although each planet may only get a few divisions, it’s enough to establish a stable foothold on the surface.

The key still lies in various ordnance and supplies from the Alliance, helping the local residents to rely on their own strength to arm themselves within the base and resume production.”

Osenia nodded slightly, then smiled and said, “I’ve seen all this in the reports.

Your CIA isn’t bad, but shouldn’t this kind of intelligence be managed by the Foreign Affairs Bureau?

You guys in the CIA have quite a reach.”

Arno smiled sheepishly, and deflected, “That’s something the Prime Minister should discuss with Lambert Chief Justice, let him manage our Director Isaacson.

I’m just a grunt, doing whatever tasks come my way.”

The two of them had this conversation because the three major foreign intelligence agencies of the Alliance, in fact, each had slightly different responsibilities.

In these external intelligence tasks, work related to economic and political espionage should primarily be handled by the Foreign Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Their Central Intelligence Agency belongs to the Alliance Legal Affairs Center, and their main work, as it should be, primarily involves spying on any criminal, espionage, or invasive actions against the Alliance.

Of course, in crucial times, they can also execute political subversion, incite chaos, or turn key individuals.

However, now with the focus on war and economic reconstruction, counter-crime work is relatively less important.

Naturally, the CIA wouldn’t leave the most important work undone.

Indeed, they might be accused of overreaching, but anyway, all intelligence is compiled and categorized.

What needs to be given is given.

As for the leaders’ discussions among themselves, as Arno said, it has nothing to do with people like him who are actually working.

Osenia stared at Arno with a stern face for a long moment.

Arno was a bit uneasy.

Ever since they were young, his sister had been in charge of him.

Although he was somewhat rebellious, the bloodline suppression always existed.

Besides, having held a high position for many years, Osenia had developed an aura of authority, which combined with these, made Arno a bit uneasy.

But in the next second, Osenia suddenly laughed, and the previously tense atmosphere dissipated.

She touched Arno’s face and said, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, and the first thing you want to discuss is work?”

“Uh…” Arno looked slightly embarrassed.

Indeed, he had been thinking about his sister’s life earlier.

How rare it is to have a chance for a one-on-one conversation, and yet they talked about work?

But…

he sighed, “You’re busy.

Nothing is more important than the Alliance’s grand cause.

You can even casually choose a husband and have children; I’m about the same.

Today on this planet, tomorrow I don’t know where I’ll end up; often facing dangers in the darkness, a small mistake leads to eternal damnation…”

“For people like us, besides eating and sleeping, it’s all about work.

So what else is there to talk about if not work?”

After saying this, Arno laughed at himself.

Osenia seemed a bit dissatisfied, “My husband wasn’t casually chosen, and my child wasn’t born casually either.”

“Oh?

How many times did you and brother-in-law meet before getting married?”

Osenia replied calmly, “Not many, indeed.

He might not fully understand me, but I surely understand him well enough.”

At that, she smiled, made a cup of tea, and handed it to her brother, “My marriage is a big deal for the Alliance.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Department, and Anti-Corruption Bureau gathered a lot of intelligence and found many candidates for me to choose from.

I thoroughly reviewed every detail of Zhu Ye’s life from birth to now, read countless intelligence analyses, before I decided on him.”

“Heh.” Arno still felt uncomfortable inside.

“He is the most suitable person for me.

I believe I will fall in love with him, although my way of loving might be…

different from most.

I also believe he will fall in love with me, even though most of my time is spent on work.

But the analysis reports suggest that he doesn’t have a high demand for affection, and he’ll be a family-oriented person who can accept a wife like me,” Osenia said, “The facts prove that the intelligence analysis wasn’t wrong, and my judgment wasn’t wrong either.”

Arno got even angrier, sarcastically saying, “I never expected that my colleagues from internal intelligence would use their professional skills to help the Prime Minister with her love life and marriage.”

Osenia gave him a look, “What else could they do?

You shouldn’t worry too much.

Whether my life is going well, don’t I know best?

Zhu Ye is great; he never talks indiscreetly outside, and even his colleagues don’t know who I am.

He keeps the house in good order and takes great care of the child.

He also has his own career, which he’s passionate about.

We can be great soul mates, spending a lifetime together, and I’m quite satisfied with that.”

Without letting her brother speak further, she instead teased, “But how about you, young man?

You weren’t as honest as you claim to be.

Who’s the one spreading affection across planets in the Spiderweb Domain?”

Arno’s face showed a trace of awkwardness, “How did you know…

Well, I couldn’t help it in this line of work, sometimes you just have to sacrifice a bit, can’t help it, I didn’t want it either.”

Even while saying that, he cursed his colleagues to the heavens in his heart.

Why does everything have to be compiled into an intelligence report and sent to the Prime Minister’s desk?

Don’t I care about my reputation?

But at this point, the atmosphere between the siblings finally lightened up.

Arno also believed that his sister was an incredibly strong and rational person.

Compared to himself, Osenia surely knew what she wanted.

And with her position and capability, there’s no chance she wouldn’t live happily—could that brother-in-law Zhu Ye really bully her?

With that thought, Arno couldn’t help but advise, “You should still pay more attention to resting, and spend more time with my little nephew.”

“The Governor also told me that.” Osenia sighed and continued, “But…

how can I find time to rest with so much to do?”

“You, who are active in the Spiderweb Domain, can see many things more clearly.”

————

Could he?

With that thought, Arno couldn’t help but advise, “You should still pay more attention to resting, and spend more time with my little nephew.”

“The Governor also told me that.” Osenia sighed and continued, “But…

how can I find time to rest with so much to do?”

“You, who are active in the Spiderweb Domain, can see many things more clearly.”