Chapter 45: Youyou Likes Big Brother the Most Part 1

Dinner lasted more than an hour, and as the departure time Li Ye had mentioned approached, Li You grew anxious instead.

His brother was very strong.

This was just an ordinary outing mission.

Only five days.

He knew all this, but as he repeatedly picked up the light brain and watched the time tick by second by second, the unease and anxiety in Li You’s heart intensified.

At that moment, Teacher Lisa emerged from the study and beckoned to Li You, who sat on the sofa. “Little Highness, come here.”

Li You, who had been staring blankly at the light brain, snapped back to attention in an instant. He stood and walked over. “What is it, Teacher?”

Lisa led him into the study, had him sit on the sofa, handed him a cup of baked milk, then turned toward the full wall of bookshelves. She took a dark box from the middle shelf, returned to sit on the adjacent sofa, and handed the box to him. “This should be yours. I thought, since Little Highness has already returned, it’s time for it to return to its original owner.”

Li You looked stunned. “My thing?”

“Open it and see.” Lisa smiled.

Puzzled, Li You lowered his head and opened the box in his hands. Inside lay an amethyst necklace, placed on a soft white layer, gleaming brilliantly.

He recognized it at a glance—this was no ordinary gemstone, but a necklace crafted from A-187X crystal.

Li You remembered. This was indeed the gift he had given to Teacher Lisa.

Ten years ago, when he already knew his life was entering its countdown, he had given it away.

Back then, to complete his plan, Li You had racked his brains to find A-187X crystal stones. He had then used every possible method to infect himself with the crystals and, after successfully getting infected, retained some crystal samples.

He had crafted the remaining crystals into two items: a necklace and a ring. The necklace went to Teacher Lisa, who had unfortunately suffered from a mutant species attack and whose health had always been poor. As for the ring…

Li You’s eyes went blank, his expression dazed.

The ring—he had given it to his brother.

At that time, Li You knew that high-grade crystals had a purification effect. By dividing the crystals into two portions and giving them to his brother and Teacher Lisa, it was not just to leave a memento; more than that, he hoped the crystals could heal them.

And now, Teacher Lisa looked completely recovered.

Li Ye…

Li You pursed his lips.

Since reuniting with Li Ye, he had never seen the other wear that ring.

Li You had given Li Ye plenty of little trinkets, but to this day, the only one he had seen Li Ye carry was that old pen.

“But Teacher, this is the gift I gave you. You don’t need to return it to me.” Li You held the box with both hands and offered it back. Looking at Teacher Lisa in her light purple long skirt, he smiled. “This necklace matches your dress today perfectly. Shall I put it on for you?”

Lisa shook her head. “No, child. This was yours to begin with.”

Li You was stunned for a moment.

“Have you forgotten? That year, I had an accident. The doctors said my body wouldn’t last much longer. I figured I’d just make the most of my remaining time, and your gift would be wasted on me, so I didn’t plan to accept it.” Lisa told him. “You said back then that the necklace would be kept here with me for now, and you’d come pick it up later. That’s why I accepted it.”

She smiled and added, “See, I’ve kept it safe for you until now. Now that you’re back, it’s time to take it.”

“Little Highness, perhaps all this is a coincidence, or perhaps it was destined.” Teacher Lisa took out the necklace, pulled Li You’s hand with her other hand, and placed the necklace in his palm. “The world won’t forget you.”

She patted Li You’s hand. “Welcome back.”

Li You stared dazedly at the necklace in his hand. Under the warm touch of Teacher Lisa’s palm, his thoughts were suddenly pulled far away, as if he had fallen into a tunnel through time and space. Countless scenes flashed before his eyes. When he came back to himself, he found he was standing outside a hospital room.

This was the scene from over ten years ago, when he had given the necklace to Teacher Lisa. Li You stood outside the hospital room. He saw inside: his past self sitting by the hospital bed, Teacher Moger standing on the other side, and Teacher Lisa lying weakly on the bed.

He saw his past self by the bed forcing a smile as he handed the necklace to Teacher Lisa, his eyes red as he said he would come back for it later.

He also saw the teenage Li Ye, arms crossed and leaning against the hospital room door, quietly watching his past self inside the entire time. Those eyes held too many unspoken words.

Li You stared blankly at teenage Li Ye. In that instant, he noticed something he had overlooked for many years.

Li Ye’s eyes had always been fixed on Li You, every moment.

Li Ye’s eyes could speak.

In those eyes hid deep affection.

Li You froze. The next second, he snapped out of these scenes. He stared blankly at Teacher Lisa before him and saw surprise in her eyes.

They had just briefly entered the memory Illusion Realm created by the A-187X.

A-187X crystal, a high-grade crystal stone, could create an Illusion Realm under certain conditions.

In the past, Li You and Li Ye had been pulled into Illusion Realms several times. Aside from the first few times caused by Little Wan Sis, it was almost always the crystals at work afterward.

The source of the Illusion Realm was, without surprise, the memories of those pulled in.

The trigger required both parties to have been affected by the crystal.

The A-187X was like a time capsule that revealed memories, storing bits and pieces from those years. Perhaps on some afternoon, or some clear morning, these “surprises”—or “accidents”—would arrive quietly and suddenly.

Just like now.

Countless scenes flashed through Li You’s mind. As he searched and scanned through these memories, he suddenly recalled the relics Li Ye had put away. His eyes widened in realization, and he shot to his feet.

Lisa was surprised. “What just happened?”

Li You’s heart raced, his ears buzzing. He had never felt this urgent before. He placed the necklace back in Teacher Lisa’s hands. “Teacher, I have something urgent right now. What we just saw was a memory Illusion Realm—it’s not dangerous. I’ll come back later and explain!”

Li You turned and hurried out. As he left the study, he nearly collided with Moger passing by. He quickly stepped aside, continued running outward, and apologized while moving. “Sorry, Teacher Moger! I have something urgent! I’m off!”

“You brat, watch where you’re going!” Moger scolded, then shook his head helplessly. He took a sip of water and looked at Lisa. “What’s gotten into him?”

Lisa followed him out and stood beside Moger, watching the departing youth. She shook her head. “I don’t know, but from his reaction, it shouldn’t be bad news.”

Li You left the faculty dormitory. He ran through the military academy grounds. In his haste, he forgot his sunglasses at the teacher’s place but had no time to go back for them.

He anxiously checked the light brain.

Only half an hour left until his brother’s departure.

Li You wanted to message Li Ye but held back.

The departure time couldn’t be changed casually. If he sent a message, Li Ye might really adjust the schedule for him.

That wouldn’t do.

Li You ran through the academy grounds, staring at the navigation to find the shared hover car docking station. The campus was huge and unfamiliar to him, so he asked for directions as he went.

“Go straight along the scenic avenue to the left, then turn right, and you’ll see it.” The military academy student stared blankly at the youth, subconsciously covering his mouth with his hand. “You…”

“Thanks!” Li You flashed him a smile and hurried off.

The surrounding students all stared dazedly at the blond youth. Some even took out their light brains to snap photos.

The Empire’s Starnet spread information at astonishing speed. Unbeknownst to Li You, his photo had already begun circulating on Starnet.

Li You finally found the shared hover car platform inside the academy. He activated a hover car, took off, and sped toward the Imperial Palace.

In just a few minutes at high speed, he arrived. The hover car landed steadily on the palace docking platform. Li You dashed out, forgetting to even close the door, and ran all the way back to Li Ye’s residence.

Kairien was cleaning the front hall. Seeing Li You enter, he bowed politely. “Good evening, Your Highness Youyou. Shall I prepare dinner for you?”

“No need, I’ve eaten!” Li You rushed to the tightly closed door leading to the rear hall, panting as he fumbled at the door. He glanced back at Kairien.

Man and AI robot stared at each other for a few seconds. Kairien stepped forward and opened the door to the rear hall for him.

“Thanks, Mr. Kairien! I won’t tell!” Li You said as he bolted inside.

Kairien smiled amiably at the fleeing youth. “Oh no, it’s fine. His Highness won’t stop you from entering his private space.”

Li You didn’t catch those words. He plunged into the rear hall, groped along the wall, and turned on all the lights.

Using the memories from the Illusion Realm, he found the study. Inside, he mimicked the way Li Ye had opened the hidden cabinet before, revealing the door to the basement.

Not finding the light switch, he groped his way down in the dark.

Finally, he reached the place where Li Ye stored his relics.

Panting from exhaustion, Li You picked up the box with both hands, feeling inexplicably nervous.

His throat bobbed as he entered the password, but the screen showed it was incorrect.

He thought for a moment, then entered Li Ye’s birthday. Still wrong.

Li You’s heart rate spiked. He took a deep breath and entered his own birthday. With a click, the lock opened.

The box lid lifted, revealing a ring as brilliant and crystalline as an amethyst, along with other little trinkets Li You had once given Li Ye.

A badge, a watch, a button, a tie, and even a small flower made into a specimen in a glass vial—all carefully stored inside.

Li You stared blankly at all this. He looked up in a daze and saw the entire wall of trophies before him. These were the prizes Li Ye had won from every competition, honors he had asked Li You to “keep safe” back then.

Li You’s eyes grew a bit sore. He lowered his head to look at the items in the box and slowly reached out, his fingertip lightly picking up the ring.

“What are you spacing out for?”

The youth’s voice was faint.

Then came a lively voice.

“Bro, look, the fish in this river are so plump!”

Li You snapped out of it for a moment and found himself not far from the small stream behind the Imperial Palace. He could see two youths, one squatting and one standing by the stream.

The blond youth was barefoot, pants rolled up to his thighs, splashing gently in the water with his hands.

The black-haired youth stood beside him, arms crossed, still in that unchanging tactical suit.

The blond youth chattered like a little sparrow.

The black-haired youth was very quiet, only responding occasionally.

What had he been thinking back then? Li You remembered. He had been thinking the weather was nice, perfect for fishing; the fish were plump, perfect for steaming; his brother was great, just too aloof.

But now, from a distance, Li You clearly saw.