Even stranger, the kid was confirmed infected by Abyss Pollutants and also by crystal stones—high-tier ones at that—yet his emotions were so stable. He didn’t harm anyone, kept his mouth shut, and had terrifying strength. Several adults could barely subdue him.
A few days ago, when Peisengke and the others tried using the Mutant Mirror on the kid’s doll, a bunch of grizzled veterans who’d served the Empire for over a decade nearly couldn’t hold down a child. If word got out, people would die laughing!
What was even more infuriating was that after Qi Yu returned, the kid smashed the mirror right in front of everyone.
He said innocently afterward, “Ah, it’s broken.”
The more Peisengke thought about it, the angrier he got, his teeth itching with rage.
Qi Yu reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose and advised him, “Enough, what’s the use in just getting angry? Has the codebreaker arrived?”
“They said any minute now.” Peisengke turned to the officer behind him. “Has the person arrived?”
“They’ve reached the Teleportation Space Station and are on the way.” The officer told him. “It’s Your Highness Li Ze.”
“Why him?” Peisengke’s face instantly soured.
“Your Highness Li Ze is indeed a genius in this area.” Qi Yu reminded Peisengke. “Calm down.”
“Tch.” Peisengke turned back and continued staring at the light screen. He glanced back at Qi Yu, brows furrowed. “You’ve been back so many days and still haven’t gained any weight. Have you even been eating properly?”
Qi Yu crossed his arms. “A few days? How could it be that fast?”
While the two bickered, Li Ze pushed the door open and strode straight to the nearby table. He set down his decryption toolkit, unfolded it, and put on his glasses. “Information samples. My time is limited.”
“Your Highness Li Ze really is a busy man.” Peisengke handed over the info samples with poor grace.
“Every second I waste here, Dr. Yulian at the Central Laboratory might pull an all-nighter and drop dead because of it.” Li Ze picked up the thick data log, then set it down and began inputting from the first page with his device. “As you know, when one of us goes out, the other has to handle both workloads. It’s enormous—we really don’t have time to mess around with you.”
As he spoke, he glanced up at Qi Yu in the distance. “Long time no see, General Qi.”
Qi Yu nodded. “Long time no see, Your Highness Li Ze.”
Li Ze didn’t mince words. “I actually don’t care if that guy Li Ye lives or dies. If not for Li You going to such lengths to protect him back then, I’d rather that monster stay in Kailenoa forever.”
“Watch your words.” Peisengke frowned. “Your Highness, looks like you haven’t reflected properly in your report.”
“It’s not like it’s missing a few tens of thousands of words.” Li Ze shrugged.
The room was thick with tension. Qi Yu stopped the about-to-erupt Peisengke and shook his head at him. Peisengke irritably “tch”ed and stormed back to the light screen.
Qi Yu felt helpless. After standing guard in the room for a moment, he headed to the adjacent interrogation room. He stood in the corridor and looked through the one-way glass at the little boy inside munching on bread.
The boy was named Garna, around six or seven years old, with fluorescent purple eyes like A-187X crystal stones. He hugged a rabbit doll, while the bear doll lay trampled underfoot, looking rather pitiful.
Garna finished the bread in his hand, then took a chocolate ball from a pile of snacks, unwrapped it, took a bite, puffed out his cheeks, and suddenly turned to look at the glass.
Qi Yu outside froze for a moment. Unsure, he shifted to the left, but the boy withdrew his gaze and continued munching the chocolate.
It was one-way glass—the inside shouldn’t see out.
But it seemed like he’d been spotted just now.
Qi Yu frowned, an inexplicable irritation rising in his chest.
–
Kailenoa District.
Day nine.
Li You used every trick he had, his teeth nearly grinding to bits. Starting from day five, Li Ye hadn’t just defended—he’d started attacking too.
While attacking, Li You also had to defend. At this moment, he bet all his power on one final strike. As the nearly depleted Brass Knuckles grazed past Li Ye’s cheek, Li You’s hot breath suddenly tensed. His arm swept horizontally, blocked by Li Ye’s single arm. The tip of the Brass Knuckles pressed against Li Ye’s cheek.
Li You instantly relaxed, going limp, only to be caught by Li Ye’s single arm.
“Finally…” Drenched in sweat, Li You hung from Li Ye’s arm, hands and feet dangling. He laughed in relief, his laugh sounding silly.
“I finally touched you!” Li You turned his head to look at Li Ye, whose face also had fine sweat. “Nine days! Five hours today! I’m so awesome!”
“Mm, you’re the best.” Li Ye carried Li You outside, set him on the sofa, squatted down, and massaged his legs.
“Does this mean I graduate? Coach Li Ye.” Li You sprawled like a salted fish.
“Mm, congratulations on graduating.”
“Then when do we set off?” Li You asked.
“Rest a day to adjust. Depart the day after tomorrow.” Li Ye told him. “Need to prepare some things.”
“Okay.” Li You closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them. He keenly caught his brother’s eyes turning to vertical pupils. Propping his chin, he leaned closer and tilted his head to observe. “Brother, are you…”
Li Ye glanced at him.
Li You pursed his lips, thought for a moment, then said, “If you need my help, I hope you’ll tell me straight.”
Li Ye looked up. “Mm, I do need it.”
“Then…”
“My condition hasn’t been good these past few days. Need to stabilize before departure.” Li Ye stared at him intently.
Polar Night hadn’t ended yet. After what happened between them before, the prolonged skin contact had stabilized Li Ye for many days, but now it was worsening again.
Li You pinched his fingers, inevitably recalling those memories that made his whole body heat up.
His gaze drifted. “Then… only one day left.”
After thinking it over, Li You asked, “If I turn back into a cat, can you keep me on you until departure?”
“Yes.” Li Ye seriously relaxed Li You’s muscles. “As long as there’s skin contact.”
Li You let out a big sigh of relief for some reason. “Then after dinner.”
As he spoke, he placed both hands on the back of Li Ye’s neck, thinking to cool him down, but instead got chilled by Li Ye’s low body temperature. He jolted. “Why are you so cold?”
“Normal body temperature.” Li Ye grabbed Li You’s mischievous hands, placed them on his knee, and massaged the arms. “Your temperature is too high.”
“Oh.” Li You lowered his gaze and stared blankly at Li Ye’s fingers. Suddenly, his forehead was lightly flicked.
He clutched his forehead and looked up at the standing Li Ye. “What was that for?”
“Get up and eat.”
“Okay…”
After dinner, Li You followed Li Ye to pack gear. Before rest, he abruptly turned back into a cat. His fur hid his embarrassment, so he boldly slipped into Li Ye’s sleeping room, climbed onto the bed, burrowed under the covers, yawned, and fell asleep before anyone arrived.
When Li Ye entered, he saw a small lump under the bedding. He lifted it— it was the cat.
The already-asleep cat.
He lowered the bedding, went to the bathroom to shower. Amid the steaming heat, those red eyes kept forming vertical pupils, the monster in his heart howling nonstop.
Li Ye had wicked thoughts. Maliciously, he considered staying in Kailenoa forever, just with Li You.
Only him and Li You.
These ideas had sprouted more than once, but he suppressed them each time.
He couldn’t do that—he couldn’t decide for Li You.
In his daze, Li You vaguely saw his brother go to the bathroom and waited in a hazy state.
Half an hour passed, and his brother didn’t come out.
An hour passed, still nothing.
The cat jolted awake, anxiously leaped to the bathroom door. “Meow—”
“Meow—”
“Meow aow aow—”
【Brother, you didn’t drown yourself, did you??】
【Brother—】
The door opened. Li Ye appeared, wearing only pants with dripping hair, squatted down, picked up the cat. “What are you yowling for?”
Li You stared intently at his older brother’s pectoral muscles right in front of him. He placed his paw on them, then pulled it away, chanting inwardly.
【Don’t look improperly, don’t look improperly, don’t look improperly…】
【Such pretty pecs…】
【They must feel great to knead.】
【No, no!!】
The cat buried his face in Li Ye’s arm. His drooping tail swayed nonstop, and the paws that desperately wanted to knead pawed at the air a few times as he cried out inwardly.
【Get a hold of yourself, Li You!!】
【How old are you to still be kneading pecs?!】
【Aren’t you ashamed?!】
The cat shifted forcefully to the side, resolutely avoiding Li Ye’s tempting chest. He struggled to run away.
Li Ye’s voice came from above. “Didn’t you say you wanted a hug?”
The cat froze. He turned back and buried his face into his older brother’s chest, completely letting go.
【For a hug.】
【Don’t blame me for kneading you then.】
【Fair trade.】
【Yes, very fair.】
The cat kneaded the chest while purring contentedly, very earnestly. Before long, Li Ye’s chest had been kneaded red.
It wasn’t that Li Ye couldn’t withstand it; it was that Li You’s special training over the past few days had greatly increased his strength.
He stared dazedly at his older brother’s reddened pecs, then looked up at Li Ye. His cat eyes drooped. “Mrrrow.”
Li Ye glanced down. “It’s fine. Keep going.”
Li You read the good mood in his older brother’s eyes.
Li You: …?
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