Chapter 54: Your Highness Youyou, I Like You!!

Li Ze had been deeply troubled by one thing lately. He racked his brains and realized that he truly did not know how to get along with his younger brother—he had not known back then, and he still did not now.

These days, Li Ze constantly recalled events from ten years ago. He tried to find memories of getting along amicably with Li You, but there was not a single one.

In his memories, the young Li You always avoided him. Once he grew a bit older, he became even more distant. And the main culprit behind this situation was undoubtedly Li Ze himself.

Li Ze supported his forehead with one hand. Heavy dark circles under his eyes paired with his worried expression made him look utterly dejected.

Ekua pushed open the laboratory door and came in. He placed the boxed meal in his hand next to Li Ze, held up the documents in his other hand, and did not even glance at Li Ze slumped over the lab bench. “Dr. Yulian has already provided the data. Next, our team needs to integrate it. Dr. Li Ze, you must clear your afternoon schedule. If nothing unexpected happens, you will have to work overtime tonight as well.”

“Got it.” Li Ze lifted his head, took the documents from Ekua’s hand, and skimmed through them at a glance, ten lines at a time. After finishing the last page, he set them down, took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.

“Is there a problem?” Ekua asked.

“Yes, a very serious one.” Li Ze looked up from his chair, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze grave as he stared at his prized student. “Tell me, how should I rebuild a good relationship with my brother after years of awkwardness?”

“…” Ekua’s face remained expressionless as he took back the stack of documents Li Ze had set down. He said ruthlessly, “Pardon my bluntness, Second Highness. Your Highness Youyou has every right not to forgive anyone. Looking back at those memories that scattered after he jumped into the furnace ten years ago, I believe everyone who harbored malice toward him should repent and be punished. If I were Your Highness Youyou, I would not forgive anyone—not you, who never trusted him and treated him coldly; not the eldest Highness or the third Highness.”

Li Ze clutched his head with both hands and groaned in frustration, “Ah!” “I know, of course I know. I do not expect his forgiveness. I just want to try to make amends.”

Ekua watched the genuinely pained Li Ze and sighed silently. He slowly tidied up the messy lab bench. “Your Highness, I have a younger brother seven years younger than me. I did not know how to get along with him back then either, but now that he is older, our conflicts have lessened. More often, we sit down and talk things out properly—of course, that requires having common topics. Perhaps you could take the initiative with Your Highness Youyou, explain things clearly, and apologize properly.”

“What if he is not willing to listen to me at all?” Li Ze sincerely sought advice from Ekua.

“That means the situation is quite serious.” Ekua said.

“Then what should I do?” Li Ze was extremely distressed. “I really know I was wrong. Back then, I was too hot-headed and too easily swayed by public opinion. I really… really did not mean to.”

“But you did hurt Little Highness, did you not?” Ekua said helplessly, offering advice. “If Little Highness does not want to see you, are you just going to give up? You need to show sincerity in your apology.”

Li Ze paused for a few seconds, then abruptly stood up and strode toward the laboratory door. “You are right. I am going to see him now. I want to try to be a good big brother.”

“Wait, Second Highness—oh, no, here you should be addressed as Dr. Li Ze.” Ekua called out to stop him in time. “Your work today is already piled up. If it is not finished, Dr. Yulian will complain to Your Highness Li Ye again. After all, this detection data concerns the Kailenoa mission. Are you sure you want to leave?”

Li Ze halted abruptly, turned back, and grudgingly took the documents from Ekua’s hand. “I know, I got it! I will finish it!”

To hurry and find Li You, Li Ze rallied his spirits, gathered the team, and forcibly completed the task ahead of schedule that afternoon. Afterward, he packed up, changed into casual clothes, and drove his hover car straight to the Military Academy, arriving just in time for the freshmen’s final training session on the field.

Li Ze put on sunglasses and squeezed into the crowd. He accidentally bumped into someone and turned to see Li Ming, who was also wearing sunglasses and skulking about. At the same time, Li Weier was nearby.

The three fell silent. Li Ze clicked his tongue. “How is it you guys again? Are you all so idle? Eldest, do you not have any tasks? Third, why are you not staying at your workstation and running around everywhere?”

Li Ming crossed his arms. “Mind your own business about whether I am idle or not. Why are you not staying in the lab? What are you doing here?”

“Of course I am here to see Youyou!” Li Ze gnashed his teeth and sized up the two in casual clothes. He sneered. “I get it. You are here to make up with Youyou too, right?”

“Pardon my bluntness, big brother. Among the three of us, Youyou probably hates you the most.” Li Ze shrugged. “After all, he takes a detour when he sees you. Do not waste your effort here. Leave it to me. Once Youyou and I make up, I will definitely put in a good word for you in front of him.”

“Where do you get the confidence that you can make up with him?” Li Ming did not indulge Li Ze at all and sneered. “It is true he takes a detour when he sees me, but do you think he does not do the same for you? In his eyes, we are all the same. No one is better than anyone else.”

Li Weier remained silent the whole time, focused only on watching Li You on the training field below. She spoke up at the right moment. “His condition is off today.”

The two who had been bickering looked down together, their gazes fixed intently on Li You in Class A’s rest area.

Today, Li You was still required to do practice tests in the rest area while the other students endured Teacher Moger’s strict training. He was receiving a baptism of knowledge.

Li You’s combat scores would undoubtedly rank at the top among this year’s freshmen. There was no doubt about that. Even if a royal family member’s scores were mediocre, it could still crush a large group of people. The previous arena matches had already proven this.

But Li You had fallen far behind in cultural studies. The other students had spent three years learning the material before entering the Military Academy, and there were countless updated knowledge points. This was undoubtedly a huge gap for Li You.

Li You had a good memory and flexible thinking—these were things Li Ming, Li Ze, and Li Weier all knew. But to learn so much in a short time, even the best performer among the three, Li Ze, would probably struggle.

“I want to go down and help him.” Li Ze muttered to himself, then frowned and carefully observed Li You as he stood up and moved around. He noticed his gait was odd. “Is his leg injured? Why does he look a bit limping?”

“Could it be from sitting too long and getting numb?” Li Ming stared at Li You too. He even lifted his sunglasses and squinted to observe closely. “No, that is not it. It looks like his thigh is injured.”

“He has been doing tests in the rest area all day and stood up very little. We did not notice before.” As a doctor, Li Weier was especially perceptive about such things. “It is definitely a thigh injury.”

“Damn it, which bastard did this?!” Li Ming flew into a rage and was about to vault over the railing when Li Weier pulled him back in time.

“Calm down. The injury does not seem serious.” She looked below. “His condition is pretty good overall. It might also be related to sitting for so long. And look closely—he is smiling.”

Li Ze, who had also been about to vault the railing, stopped. He first looked at Li Weier, then turned to look below. Sure enough, he saw Li You, who had finished moving around and sat back in his chair, smiling.

He sat there alone, eyes curved happily. He did not know what joyful thing he was thinking about, but two red flushes colored his cheeks. Paired with his fluffy, curly golden hair, he looked just like a soft, fluffy kitten.

“Mm, he is really cute.” Li Ze’s expression softened as he said to himself. “How did I not notice before how cute my little brother is? I am such an idiot.”

Li Ming rarely agreed with Li Ze. He crossed his arms and huffed. “He is injured and does not even go get it treated. He just sits there grinning like an idiot.”

Li Weier glanced at the two. “Li You’s class is almost over. I am going to the exit to wait for him.”

“Me too, me too!” Li Ze hurried to follow.

“Childish.” Li Ming said that, but he still trailed behind step by step.

Once the three had disappeared from sight, the group of students behind where they had stood—cowering like quails and not daring to make a sound, who were also senior students here to observe Your Highness Youyou’s studies—finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.

On the Military Academy Student Channel, a post exploded.

Someone had secretly filmed the three Highnesses wearing sunglasses and confronting each other. The video was crystal clear throughout, and the dialogue was audible.

After posting, the anonymous OP added a comment: 【Your Highnesses, stop arguing! We can all tell you are total brother-cons!!】

The comment section stacked up layer after layer.

【Heavens, why are they sneaking around to watch Your Highness Youyou? It is so dramatic!】

【Are the Highnesses only now realizing how cute Your Highness Youyou is? I noticed ages ago! If I had a little brother like that, I would want to pinch his cheeks every day!】

【But everyone, have we forgotten? Ten years ago, we saw Your Highness Youyou’s memories, and back then, everyone’s words toward him were so vicious and intense. The three Highnesses seemed to…】

【I was young back then. I heard neighbors gossiping about Your Highness Youyou every day, and I hated him too. Thinking back now, I am the one who deserves to die.】

【Are the three Highnesses trying to make amends? Then they need to apologize properly!】

【Honestly, it is not just the three Highnesses. I owe Your Highness Youyou an apology too.】

【Me too! I admit I cursed at Little Highness before. Now I regret it to death. I am such a jerk…】

【Raising my hand to change the topic! In the video, the Highnesses said Your Highness Youyou seems injured!】

【I heard it too! Oh no, is it true? I am going to send some care packages to Your Highness Youyou. Does anyone know where Class A classroom is?】

【Just send them to the training field!】

【Count me in!】

…

Li You went to the Faculty Dormitory for dinner, helped Teacher Lisa clear the table, then obediently sat on the sofa. He watched Teacher Moger reviewing his test papers nearby, tense as if he were being assessed on combat skills again.

A moment later, Moger handed the light screen to him. “Your completion rate today is good. Keep it up.”

Li You let out a huge sigh of relief and smiled. “Finally.”

“Happy already?” Moger chuckled. “You kid are easy to please, but this level is barely passing. Consolidate tomorrow, and the day after, we resume combat classes.”

“Okay.” Li You agreed, put away his light brain, and stood. “Then I will head back first. See you, Teacher.”

With that, he called out to the distance. “Goodbye, Teacher Lisa!”

“I made baked milk. Drink it before you go.” Teacher Lisa brought over the baked milk.

Li You took it. “Thank you, Teacher. I will drink it on the way. I left something at the training field and need to get it now.”

“Go ahead. Tomorrow, tell me on the light brain what you want to eat.” Teacher Lisa smiled and waved at him.

Li You headed for the door but was called back by Moger.

“Wait a minute.” Moger, sitting on the sofa, scrutinized him and frowned. “I wanted to ask since morning. Is your leg injured? Your walk looks weird.”

Li You froze, his face gradually heating up. He mumbled evasively, “It is fine. Got bitten by a bug. I applied medicine, and it is almost healed.”

Moger looked skeptical.

“It is really fine.” Li You changed his shoes, hurriedly said goodbye again, and rushed out the door.

In the room, Moger and Lisa exchanged glances.

“Are there bugs in the Imperial Palace?” Moger was incredulous.

Lisa smiled. “Perhaps?”

“This needs to be reported to Li Ye. He should have the attendants check it out. What kind of talk is this?” Moger took out his light brain and immediately messaged Li Ye.

At the Imperial Military, Li Ye paused upon receiving the message, then dialed Li You’s comms. There was a faint sound of wind on the other end—Li You was clearly still outside.

Neither spoke. After a moment, Li Ye broke the silence. “Does your leg still hurt?”

Li You’s steps paused. He softly hummed, then walked slowly and said quietly, “It is actually okay. It is just that the pants rub against it a bit uncomfortably.”

“I will apply more medicine for you tonight.” Li Ye was quiet for a few seconds, then asked, “Not home yet?”

“I am going to the training field to get something.” As he spoke, Li You arrived at Class A’s storage room on the training field. He went to his locker, opened the door, and saw it filled with food and countless letters. As the door opened, they spilled out, burying his legs.

Li You stared down in a daze. Hearing Li Ye ask on the comms what was wrong, he paused for a few seconds before speaking. “My locker suddenly has a ton of stuff in it, and letters…”

He lowered his head for a glance and happened to see the words written on a letter, reading them out slowly: “Your Highness Youyou, I like… you?”

On the other end of the communication, Li Ye’s expression instantly froze, and his voice sank a few degrees: “Who wrote it?”