Chapter 48: Straight Ball Cat

Aisalie was called away by the school leaders on his way to the training field. By the time he hurried over afterward, the venue was already packed. The people in the front rows were all standing, so he couldn’t see the arena at all from the back.

It was not until noon, when the matches ended, that he, who had only been able to watch through the holographic screen hanging in the air above the center of the field, finally squeezed into the arena itself. Yet Your Highness Youyou was already gone.

The audience dispersed, and the freshmen also disbanded to head to the cafeteria. Only those who were unwilling to leave, those taking photos as souvenirs on-site, and many students searching for Your Highness Li You remained.

Li You had fought with hot blood boiling. Afterward, Moger led him away through the exclusive passage. When they arrived at the student lounge, he was still in a state of high excitement.

“Time to snap out of it.” Moger handed him a bottle of nutrient agent. “Did you have your fill of fighting this morning?”

Li You held the nutrient agent in both hands and nodded. “Yeah, it was great.”

“You rascal.” Moger tossed a clean towel over his head and glanced at his hands. “You didn’t wrap that pair of brass knuckles and used them for so many matches—don’t your hands hurt?”

“I got a bit carried away and really didn’t notice.” Li You grinned foolishly.

“What about now?”

“They hurt now.”

Moger chuckled and tapped a few times on his light brain. “Go to the school hospital yourself later to get them treated. I’ve made an appointment for you. Also, you can’t use the brass knuckles like that in the future. That’s hurting the enemy a thousand times while damaging yourself eight hundred. If you like them, prepare in advance. Even if they feel right, you still need to wrap them.”

“Got it.” Li You nodded.

“Drink the nutrient agent. Your body needs time to recover after high-intensity arena matches,” Moger said. “Don’t go out for now. Let your muscles relax and adjust your condition. Come back for training in the afternoon.”

“Alright, contact me on the light brain if there’s anything.” Moger frowned at the light screen. “The higher-ups are calling me for a meeting right now. You can either go to the cafeteria or find Teacher Lisa yourself.”

He pointed at his nose as he spoke. “Don’t think you can skip meals just because you drank a nutrient agent. You’re too skinny. You won’t keep up with the nutrition without eating.”

Li You nodded vigorously like a little chick pecking at rice. “Yeah, yeah. I’ve got it all memorized. You should hurry off, Teacher.”

Moger left in a rush and soon vanished from sight. Li You finished the nutrient agent, yanked the towel off his head, and stretched his muscles on the spot. Waves of soreness made him grimace—it was refreshingly painful.

He didn’t dare slack off. He completed a full set of stretches, then massaged his calves and thighs, not neglecting his arms or shoulders either. After about half an hour, his body had relaxed considerably, his temperature returned to normal, and only then did he grab his regular clothes and head to the bathroom.

He came out feeling fresh and clean, backpack in tow, ready to go to the cafeteria. Just then, he received a message from Teacher Lisa, so he turned toward the faculty apartments instead. After mooching a meal, he was nagged by Teacher Lisa to go to the school hospital.

The knuckles of the hand that had gripped the brass knuckles were all chafed red, with the inner sides rubbed raw. The doctor shook his head repeatedly while treating him. “Such nice hands, and look what you’ve done to them!”

Li You had been afraid of four kinds of people since he was little: teachers, doctors, his father, and his big brother.

Whatever the doctor said, he listened obediently without rebutting a word, nodding and nodding like a little chick pecking rice.

After treating him, the doctor didn’t leave. He crossed his arms and looked at the obedient boy sitting in the chair, then couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle his hair.

Li You looked up blankly at the touch, blinking in confusion.

“You…” The doctor cleared his throat lightly, trying to maintain his seriousness, but he changed his tone anyway. “Are you Li You?”

Li You glanced at the class and personal information he had just filled out. “I don’t think I wrote it wrong.”

The doctor stared at him in shock and whispered, “This is too miraculous.”

Li You knew what the other was thinking. He just smiled and had no intention of explaining. He stood up to give thanks. “Thank you. I’ll be going now.”

“Remember not to get the wounds wet. Hold off on training for now. I’ll inform your coach that you can’t use your hands for high-intensity activities for the next few days,” the doctor reminded him. “Come back at this time tomorrow for a dressing change.”

“Got it.” Li You nodded politely, said goodbye to the doctor, and headed straight toward the training field.

The number of people on the road gradually increased, and Li You could feel a bunch of people following behind him.

He steadied his steps, and the sounds behind him immediately stopped. When he continued walking, the noises started up again.

Li You simply stopped and turned around. He saw a large group of military academy students trailing behind. Once spotted, they all quickly averted their gazes, looking at the sky, the ground, the air—very busy but who knew with what.

“…” Li You blinked slowly and greeted them sideways. “Hello.”

The group turned back to him with delighted gazes, nodding vigorously in embarrassment and excitement. “Hello, Your Highness Youyou!”

Li You smiled, considering the greeting done, and turned to continue walking.

However, the “tails” behind him kept following. He felt a bit helpless and chose to ignore them.

After rounding the scenic avenue, he looked up and saw three people wearing sunglasses coming straight toward him. Without hesitation, Li You turned to detour around them.

Li Ze hurriedly stepped forward to block him upon seeing this. “Wait, wait! Didn’t you recognize us?”

Li You glanced at him. “I did.”

“Then why detour?”

“Because I recognized you.” Li You looked away. “What do you want?”

“Can’t we come see you if there’s nothing?” Li Ze took off his sunglasses, his fox-like eyes squinting with a smile as he looked at him. “Youyou, are you free after afternoon training today? How about coming to Second Brother’s place to hang out?”

Li You took a step back and pulled his arm out of Li Ze’s grasp. “No.”

“Ah…” Li Ze looked at him disappointedly. “Rejected so fast. I’m a little hurt.”

“…” Li You pressed his lips together as he looked at him, then at Li Ming and Li Weier one to the left and one to the right, saying nothing.

Among the four now, Li You was more than ten years younger than the other three and the shortest in height. Being surrounded and blocked by the trio, he looked quite small, helpless, and pitiful.

The “thousand-person tracking army” behind had been ready to come forward and “drive away” the three weirdos in sunglasses. But when one took off his sunglasses and turned out to be Your Highness Li Ze, they immediately lost their momentum and didn’t dare approach.

“I’ve prepared chocolate cake. You like fish, right? I had the chef make some for you.” Li Ze persisted relentlessly. “If you don’t want to see Big Brother and Third, they don’t have to come. Just you and me, we can chat.”

Li You still shook his head. “No, I’m not going.”

“Do you like little animals? I have two kittens at home,” Li Ze said.

“You actually got cats? What’s good about those shedding little things?” Li Ming shot Li Ze a disdainful look.

“What do you know? The world can’t be without cats.” Li Ze tsked. “Shedding is a bit annoying, sure, but they’re so cute. Besides, that guy Li Ye has cats—why can’t I? Not only do I have them, I have two!”

“Childish.” Li Ming sneered coldly.

“…” Li You watched the two bicker expressionlessly, suddenly remembering something very important.

He shed a lot of fur too.

Would his brother find it troublesome?

Li You fell into thought and took out his light brain to message Li Ye, but Li Ze spotted it and stopped him.

“Wait, wait… Don’t be impulsive. We’re not here to force you. If you don’t want to go, don’t. Next time is fine…” Li Ze chickened out and retracted his earlier words with a smile, settling for the next best thing. “How about dinner together tonight then? What do you want to eat? Second Brother’s treat.”

“I have something tonight.” Li You glanced at his light brain. It was almost time to assemble.

“What could you possibly have?” Li Ze walked beside Li You, chattering as they went. “Li Ye… oh, your brother isn’t even in the empire, right? And that guy Yulian isn’t around either. Wouldn’t you be bored all alone?”

“I have to go home and groom the cat.” Li You stared ahead. “No time.”

“…Groom the cat?” Li Ze froze.

“My brother’s cat.” Li You looked at him. “He’s out on a mission, so I’m taking care of his cat.”

“…” Li Ze stood rooted to the spot, watching the boy walk away. He turned back to the two silent followers behind him. “What did you two come for? Say something!”

“Heh.” Li Ming snorted a laugh. “Weren’t you so capable? You said not to bring me and Third—go on, get him to accept your invitation first.”

“I had no plans, just came to see him.” Li Weier was utterly aloof. “And to keep an eye on Big Brother.”

“…” Li Ze rubbed his forehead with one hand. “Pig teammates.”

Li You finally shook off the three and, upon reaching the outskirts of the training grounds, suddenly received a communication from Yulian.

“Youyou, Li Yiwan woke up!”

Li You halted. “How is she now?”

“My assistant is watching her. Her condition is stable for now; she’s awake but not fully conscious.” Yulian told him. “I need you to come take a look. Youyou, if you’re by her side, the chances of her waking up fully are much higher.”

“Got it.” Li You ended the call, messaged Teacher Moger to report in, and rushed to the hover car docking station at full speed, setting off toward the lab.

On the way, a message came from his brother.

Li You opened the voice message.

“Li Yiwan’s condition is stable. Someone’s keeping records, so no need to rush. Drive the hover car safely.”

Li You replied, “I know. Your hover car has auto-pilot, works great.”

Soon, Li Ye messaged back. “Message me when you arrive.”

Li You replied, “Okay.”

He took the chance to ask, “Bro, how’s your mission going? Smooth?”

The reply came quickly. “Smooth.”

Just hearing his brother’s voice put Li You at ease. He then played the next voice message.

“Did you use brass knuckles in the morning arena matches? Is your hand injured?”

“…” Li You’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at his bandage-wrapped fingers. After weighing admission versus denial for a moment, he chose to admit it. “Minor injury.”

Bro: “Send a photo.”

Li You switched from semi-auto to full auto-pilot, snapped a photo from an angle that didn’t look too bad, and sent it. “See, it’s nothing.”

He quickly changed the subject. “Bro, did you watch my matches? On Starnet? How was it? Was I awesome?”

He had meant it as a guilty ploy to seek praise and divert attention, but unexpectedly, his brother didn’t skimp on the compliments.

“Yeah, I watched. Very impressive.”

Li You’s ears itched from his voice brushing over them. He reached to scratch behind his ear but missed, puzzled for a few seconds before moving his hand to his head. Sure enough, he touched fluffy cat ears and plucked a tuft of cat fur along with it.

“…” Li You stared at the fur in his palm and smacked his lips. “Oops.”

Li Ye frowned at that. “What happened?”

“Bro.” Li You held the fur. “Your cat sheds a lot.”

There was silence on the other end, followed by a low chuckle. “It didn’t mind you shedding either.”

Li You’s face heated up. “Anyway, you can’t find it troublesome.”

“Mm.”

“I was going to groom it myself.” Li You said softly. “Better wait for you to come back and groom me instead.”

The tail end of the voice on the other end rose noticeably, his mood clearly good. “Sure.”

The cat ears on Li You’s head twitched. He reached up and pinched the tips, calling out, “Li Ye.”

“Call me Bro.”

“Bro.”

“Mm.”

“Your voice sounds so nice.”

“…” There was a pause on the other end. “Li You.”

“Here.”

“Why didn’t I notice you talking so bluntly before?” Li Ye asked him. “Scared to say it to my face?”

“No, I’d definitely dare.” Li You grinned cheekily. “I just suddenly realized your voice sounds great, and your face is handsome too.”

He lowered his voice to almost a breath. “I like it all so much.”

No sound came from the other end. Li You stared at the unresponsive light brain and called softly, “Bro?”

“Here.” Li Ye’s voice had shifted a bit. “I’ll finish the mission tomorrow and arrive on Prime Star in the afternoon. You better really say that to my face.”

Li You was stunned, his face instantly flushing red. “Wasn’t it five days?”

“Finished early.”

“Why give yourself extra work?” Li You’s face burned hotter, his composure shattered, words tumbling out incoherently. “I take back what I said! You take it back too!”

Li Ye: “Too late.”