Chapter 49: Brother, Yours Seems About to Explode Part 1

Little Wan Sis woke up, but that was all she did. She lay in the sickroom of the Central Laboratory, watched over by several lab technicians and doctors. She could not speak and merely kept her eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling like an empty shell.

Li You stayed in the laboratory all afternoon. Since he could not enter the sickroom for the time being, he could only wait outside.

As evening approached, he found another of Li Ye’s subordinates—the officer who had stopped him last time, not wanting him to clash directly with Li Ming and Li Weier.

“Good afternoon, Little Highness.” The black-haired officer nodded.

“I want to see Senior Jason and Senior Lude.” Li You said to him, then asked, “What should I call you?”

“My name is Hei Ying.” Hei Ying said to Li You. “Bryce Jason and Andre Lude are currently in confinement. If I may be so bold, Your Highness, does Your Highness Li Ye know about this visit?”

“Does he need to know?” Li You took out his Light Brain and sent a message, then looked up and showed it to Hei Ying. “He’ll reply if he sees it. I just want to check on the two seniors. It’s fine even if we can’t talk. Can I?”

Li You’s eyes were very beautiful. Those blue crystal-like pupils sparkled, making it hard for anyone to stare too long yet impossible to look away.

Hei Ying pondered for a moment, took out his Light Brain to report to Li Ye at the same time, and said to Li You, “Please follow me.”

The confinement area was in the Imperial Military. They arrived soon after leaving the Central Laboratory. On the way, Li You received Li Ye’s reply, which told him he must enter the confinement zone with Hei Ying’s accompaniment.

Li You showed the Light Brain to Hei Ying, who understood and opened the door to the confinement zone for him.

After walking through a long, empty corridor, they reached the confinement zone. Li You saw Jason and Lude outside two confinement cells in the A partition.

Senior Jason was doing push-ups in his cell, already at five hundred and ninety-eight. Meanwhile, Lude in the adjacent cell sat quietly in the corner reading a book, his face seeming even paler.

Compared to Jason, who was shirtless with healthy wheat-colored skin, Lude looked much frailer.

Permissions were granted for both cells. Though a thick wall separated them, they had a dialogue function, allowing the occupants to communicate.

Jason counted for himself while persistently chatting with Lude.

But in reality, he was the only one talking.

“Hey, seriously, if you’re really worried about that orphanage, how about we crowdfund to rebuild it?”

“…”

“If you don’t want to go back to the Empire, I’ll go with you.”

“…”

“I’ve got it all planned. We apply after confinement ends—five years? Or ten? You decide.”

“…”

“I don’t know what exactly happened, but we didn’t commit any crimes. We’ll get out for sure.” Jason finished his last push-up, flipped over, and sprawled on the floor in a human starfish shape. He then sat up, looking at the bare wall. “Hey, Lude, you listening? Fell asleep?”

Lude closed his book, his reaction very cold. “Shut up. You’re annoying.”

“So you were listening.” Jason laughed twice, stood up, and stretched his limbs. “What do you think of what I just said? Think about it.”

Lude was very irritated. “Not interested. You stay in your Imperial Capital. Why go to Anjiel?”

“You’re in Anjiel.” Jason said. “Why can’t I go? Anyway, it’s all missions wherever.”

Lude kept a cold face and ignored the guy.

Outside, Li You and Hei Ying watched the two and exchanged a glance.

“It’s like this every day. Jason is talkative, Lude is quiet.” Hei Ying said to Li You. “The chats don’t last long. Most of the time, it’s Jason talking unilaterally about daily life and future plans. No flaws in the dialogue. The information obtained so far still can’t connect to the Kailenoa incident.”

Li You withdrew his gaze and looked at the two seniors. “I’m not here to investigate them. I really just came to see them.”

Hei Ying was stunned for a moment and nodded. “I understand.”

Li You looked at the seniors in the two cells, his thoughts gradually drifting far away to a long time ago, when he had gone with them to explore Kailenoa beyond the stars.

Li You had foreseen Kailenoa’s existence. Besides himself and these two seniors, no one else knew how to get there.

But this Kailenoa incident…

Little Wan Sis knew about Kailenoa and might have gone there.

The “Mutant Mirror” was one way to get there, and the “Mutant Mirror” was already dead. Before its death, it had been in the orphanage where Senior Lude was.

Li You looked at Lude, who was quietly reading in the confinement cell, his mind a mess.

There was no evidence to prove Lude was involved. The investigation was stuck here.

He thought for a moment and asked Hei Ying, “Can I go in and chat with Senior Lude?”

Hei Ying’s expression changed slightly, and he shook his head. “Sorry, Your Highness, that’s really not possible.”

“Alright.” Li You was quiet for a few seconds, then asked very sincerely, “Then if I want to send them something, can you help deliver it?”

“If you want to send something in, we’ll check and verify it first, then deliver it for you.” Hei Ying said to him. “If you want further contact, Little Highness, perhaps after Your Highness Li Ye returns, you can go in together with him.”

Li You blinked and deliberately mumbled, “Do I have to wait for Li Ye? I’m a Highness too.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Hei Ying quickly explained. “Your Highness, you can do whatever you want, but I can’t let you be in danger, no matter how low the risk.”

“I understand. I was just joking.” Li You smiled. “That’s it for today. I’ll bring what I want to send tomorrow.”

Hei Ying nodded. “I’ll see you out.”

“Thank you.”

Li You returned to the military academy, made it in time for dinner at Teacher Moger’s house, then went to the training ground for evening practice. It was already very late when he finished. He did not rush back to the Imperial Palace but headed to the military academy library under the cover of night.

The military academy library was open twenty-four hours a day. It was the largest library in the entire Empire, housing countless authoritative books of all sizes.

Library seventh floor, mecha materials room C section.

Li You, already holding three or four books in his arms, walked slowly between the rows of bookshelves. He held the books with one hand and raised his Light Brain with the other, but he still could not find the Mecha Refinement Compendium Deluxe Edition he wanted.

Li You stopped, switched the books to his other arm, shook out his sore arm, and suddenly turned to find a head peeking from behind a nearby bookshelf, watching him stealthily with unusually fervent eyes.

“…” Li You looked around and saw no one else, so he took the initiative to greet, “Hello?”

Aisalie jumped in fright, and the books in his arms scattered. He fumbled to catch them but failed, so he hurriedly squatted down to pick them up.

Soon, a shadow fell over him. The golden-haired youth squatted in front of him, picked up the books, tidied them, and handed them over. “Here.”

Aisalie was extremely nervous; his hands shook as he took the books. “Th-thanks!”

Li You noticed the book in the other’s hands and his eyes lit up. “Where did you find this Mecha Refinement Compendium Deluxe Edition? Can you tell me? I’ve been looking forever.”

Aisalie was incoherent, tongue-tied, face flushed red. He simply pulled out the book and offered it with both hands. “H-here, for you.”

Li You was a bit surprised and smiled. “No need, just tell me where it is.”

“I-I…” Aisalie hurriedly gathered the pile of books on the floor and stood up. “Please follow me!”

Li You stood and followed him to the B section, where he quickly got the book he wanted. He stroked the cover and turned back with a smile to the boy. “Thank you. You really helped me out.”

“N-no problem!” Aisalie blushed whenever nervous. He looked at the beautiful youth before him, fidgeting and swallowing repeatedly before finally blurting out an attempt at conversation. “Do you like mecha too?”

“I’m quite interested, but I borrowed this book for a senior.” Li You said. “He really likes mecha.”

“I-I too… Ah, I mean, I’m interested too, and I have a senior who loves mecha too. No, my little uncle.” Aisalie’s words kept stumbling, his eyes fixed eagerly on Li You, yet he dared not stare too long at those beautiful eyes that made his heart race. His gaze flickered and dodged.

“Then we have quite the connection.” Li You took the initiative to ask. “Are you a military academy student? Can I know your name?”

“Aisalie!” Aisalie was thrilled. “My name is Aisalie!”

Li You freed one hand. “I’m Li You. Nice to meet you, Senior Aisalie.”

Aisalie was shocked. He bowed deeply, nearly dropping his books, and hurriedly freed a hand to shake Li You’s, his voice trembling with excitement. “Hello, Your Highness Youyou…”

Li You smiled without saying a word.

“I really like you. I’ve always liked you. I…” Aisalie started wiping tears as he spoke. “I’m your follower. I’ll love you forever…”

Li You said gently, “Alright, your eyes will be swollen tomorrow morning.”