Chapter 59: I Miss You So Much

Li You had to think of a way. He needed to obtain more precognition about the future. Relying solely on those brief glimpses he had seen before, he could not determine exactly what would happen to his older brother later.

Those two instances of future precognition—one was him kissing his brother by the window, which had already happened; the other was his brother atop a giant dragon, which had yet to occur.

Li You needed more precognition. The furnace was a dispersal device. That thing might help him learn more, but the current problem was that Yulian absolutely would not let him know of the furnace’s existence.

If the furnace had truly been destroyed, Li You would have nothing to say, but since he had not seen the destroyed furnace with his own eyes, he still harbored a sliver of hope that it remained.

He had to find an opportunity to probe Yulian again, but not now.

After dinner, on the way back to Yulian’s home, Li You gazed at the buildings receding outside the window. He glanced at Yulian’s profile reflected in the glass and observed his mood. Pretending to be casual, he brought it up. “Do you have any A-grade crystals there?”

“I have some B-grade ones and plenty of C-grade, but forget about A-grade. The Empire is critically short on those lately.” Yulian glanced at him. “Why are you asking?”

Yulian knew that Li You had once obtained an A-grade crystal and gotten infected because of it. Connecting it to before and now, he could not help but start overthinking again. “You know, can you stop putting me on tenterhooks?”

Li You turned back. “I don’t mean anything else. You know I was infected by A-187X before. My body is still in an infected state. That state can balance my brother’s occasional surges of his true nature. I want to get some more crystals. It might help with the balance.”

Hearing it was for this reason, the furrow in Yulian’s brow eased somewhat. He steadied the hover car and took out his light brain. “I really don’t have any A-grade. I can apply for some B-grade crystals for you.”

He tapped a few times on the light screen and added, “According to General Peisengke, they found a lot of A-grade crystals in the Kailenoa District this time. If they really bring some back, I’ll save a share for you.”

“But you should ask your brother directly.” Yulian looked at Li You. “That would be much more convenient than coming to me.”

“Whether he can bring any back is another matter.” Li You said, “Right now, you’re the only one who knows where the Empire has crystals. I just wanted to mention it to you in advance.”

“Fine.” Yulian shrugged, amused. “To think there’s a time when you don’t trust Your Highness Li Ye.”

“I believe in him.” Li You lowered his head. Seeing his brother reminding him to sleep early again, he quickly replied to the message and looked up. “But I don’t want him to take risks for this. I won’t bring it up to him myself.”

Yulian fell silent and nodded. “Fair enough.”

He pushed open the door and got out of the car, yawning as he said, “Come on, come on. I’m dead tired.”

Li You got out holding the unfinished cake and followed Yulian into the house. He squatted down to greet Yulian’s beagle, then looked up at Yulian drifting slowly toward his room. “Where do I sleep?”

“Over there. The guest room is clean.” Yulian pointed to the left. “There are pajamas and pants in the closet, toothbrush and towel too. Your clothes are dry-cleaned and ready to wear tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Li You stood up, stretched his limbs, and headed to the room. He turned back and called toward the master bedroom. “Are you going to the lab tomorrow morning?”

“Nope, I’m off tomorrow.” Yulian’s voice was weary but carried a hint of smugness. “Li Ze owes me. Tomorrow, he’s covering my shift.”

“Then I’ll head out on my own in the morning. If you’re not awake, I won’t call you.” Li You thought for a moment. “Do you eat breakfast?”

“The kitchen breakfast machine will make food at the set time. Eat and go. Don’t wake me.”

“Mm. Rest well.”

The two no longer spoke. They each closed their doors. After Li You showered, blow-dried his hair, and lay down, he sent Li Ye a 【Good night】 and closed his eyes to sleep. But he was jolted awake by a flurry of urgent doorbell rings.

He propped himself up, turned on the wall light, and looked toward the closed bedroom door, listening intently.

The master bedroom door clicked open. Yulian’s slippers slapped loudly as he stormed toward the front door with great momentum. Soon, Li You heard the front door open, followed by two voices arguing.

One was Yulian’s, and the other was very familiar to Li You—Li Ze’s.

“Are you sick? Disturbing people’s sleep in the dead of night? You can’t sleep, so no one else can?!”

“You’re the sick one! Is that how you talk to me? I’m a Your Highness at least. Can’t you give me some face? You don’t pick up comms or reply to messages. Do you expect me to read your mind? How was I supposed to know where you put that data set!”

“I didn’t give you face? Whenever we’re in public, don’t I always call you Your Highness properly? Now it’s just us two, what are you pretending for? I gave you the data this afternoon. You were dozing off and didn’t hear. Blame me?”

“Damn it! Yulian!”

“You’re the damn one! Get lost. I want to sleep!”

The two argued fiercely, one bracing against the door, the other wrenching it, evenly matched in strength and cursing skill.

“…” Li You lay flat on the bed. After listening for a bit, he sighed, threw off the covers, got out of bed, opened the door, and stood at the guest room entrance to remind them. “Even though this is one unit per elevator, your voices right now can probably be heard upstairs and downstairs.”

The two arguing at the door froze simultaneously and turned to look at Li You.

Li Ze narrowed his eyes, glanced at Li You, then at Yulian, shouldered Yulian aside, strode in, even remembered to take off his shoes but didn’t put on slippers. Wearing just socks on the floor, he reached Li You in a few steps. “You You, why are you at this guy’s place?”

His tone was much gentler than when arguing with Yulian earlier. Listening closely, it even carried a bit of coquettishness.

Li You glanced at Li Ze, then at Yulian, who had closed the door with a sour face, and dropped a bombshell. “Why do I feel like you two get along pretty well?”

Yulian: “…”

Li Ze: “…”

Li You saw varying degrees of disgust on their faces.

“Me and him?” Yulian was utterly shocked. “Are you serious? Are you really my best friend?”

Li Ze let out a derisive “heh,” smiling brightly at Li You. “You You, there’s no way I get along with him. Want to come play at second brother’s place? This tiny room behind you can’t really fit a person. Come on, go with second brother.”

“Li Ze, don’t push it!” Yulian was furious. He came over and slapped away Li Ze’s hand gripping Li You’s wrist, stood between them, glowering at Li Ze. “You already know where the data is. Kindly get lost and don’t disturb our rest!”

“Yulian!” Li Ze gnashed his teeth. “Am I too nice to you or something?”

Seeing them about to argue again, Li You quickly spoke up. “It’s very late. Don’t disturb the upstairs and downstairs neighbors.”

The two immediately shut up and turned to Li You in unison.

“What are you looking at me for?” Li You blinked. “Do what you need to do.”

He looked at Li Ze. “Aren’t you still working overtime?”

Then at Yulian. “Aren’t you super tired?”

Li You crossed his arms. “Whoever needs to work, work. Whoever needs to sleep, sleep. No more noise.”

He yawned, turned, and went back to his room. “I’m sleeping too. Goodbye.”

The room door closed. Yulian and Li Ze eyed each other without speaking, but their gazes could kill.

The two silently confronted each other for a while. Finally, Li Ze plopped down on the living room sofa and typed on his light screen: [I’m not leaving. I’ll wait for You You to get up in the morning and leave together.]

Yulian typed on his light screen: [Can you have some shame? This is my house!]

Li Ze did not care, even pushing his thick skin to the limit: [I know it’s your house. We’re colleagues. How many shifts have I covered for you? Forgot already? What’s one night? Stingy! No colleague love at all!]

Yulian laughed in anger: [Get lost. As if I haven’t covered for you. Stay if you want. No extra rooms anyway. Sleep on the sofa.]

After sending, he stormed back to his room furiously. The living room was left with Li Ze alone.

He sent the data to his chief disciple and sprawled comfortably on the sofa, exhaling in satisfaction.

Ditched work successfully.

Slacking off felt the best, he thought, rolling onto his side. He spotted the beagle squatting nearby, staring at him.

Li Ze’s expression froze instantly.

Oh no.

Why did it have to be a beagle…

Li You slept until he woke naturally. The next morning, after a simple wash-up and changing into his own clothes, he went out and saw Li Ze squatting by the sofa, knees hugged to his chest, shriveled up like a quail.

Next to Li Ze was the beagle darting around him excitedly, full of vigor. Compared to the beagle’s state, Li Ze looked utterly miserable.

Hearing the door, light returned to Li Ze’s dull eyes. He looked toward Li You and opened his mouth to speak.

Li You softly “shh”ed and shook his head at him, glancing at the tightly shut master bedroom door.

Li Ze clearly understood but was displeased. Fortunately, he did not speak, shook off the beagle, and had a simple breakfast with Li You before leaving Yulian’s home together.

At the residential building’s docking platform, Li You turned to Li Ze following behind. Though reluctant, he said it. “You should still go home and rest.”

Li Ze paused, touched. “Is You You worried about second brother?”

“…” Li You was helpless. “I’m afraid you’ll drop dead. You really look like you’re at your limit.”

“Business as usual. A nutrient agent will fix it.” Li Ze’s eyes curved in a smile. He was indeed exhausted, but truly happy now. “Where to? Second brother will take you.”

“No need. The hover car has autopilot.” Li You eyed Li Ze’s haggard face and heavy dark circles again. “Besides, if you drive, it’d count as fatigued driving.”

“True.” Li Ze was a bit regretful. “Then next time we get a chance to hang out.”

Li You did not respond. After a quiet moment, he asked, “Do you have any crystals?”

“Of course.” Li Ze instantly felt needed and said quickly, “Do you need some? I’ll get them for you.”

“I need A-grade.” Li You’s conscience twinged faintly, but he still used Li Ze. “They’re probably hard to find in the Empire.”

“Yulian told you, huh?” Li Ze scoffed disdainfully. “His clearance isn’t as high as mine. Of course it’s hard for him. I can get you an A-grade crystal.”

Li You hesitated to speak.

“Don’t worry. On the application, I won’t say it’s for you, and I won’t tell that guy Yulian.” Li Ze smiled. “Whatever you need in the future, come straight to second brother.”

Li You was quiet for a moment and nodded. “Mm, thanks.”

“No need to be polite.” Li Ze casually asked, “You You, what do you need the A-grade crystal for?”

Li You looked up and said concisely, “Purification. I need it to balance my brother’s state.”

Li Ze quieted. He scratched his face and smiled faintly. “Good. That’s a good thing.”

The two did not speak further. As they prepared to part, Li You turned back to Li Ze and called, “Second brother.”

Li Ze halted, turned, his gaze softening. “Mm, right here.”

“Goodbye.” Li You nodded to him.

Li Ze’s mood instantly lifted, soaring. He nodded quickly. “Goodbye, You You goodbye.”

After boarding the hover car, Li You did not drive off immediately. He stared blankly for a moment, took out his light brain, and sent Li Ye a message: 【Bro, I think I’m pretty bad.】

He regretted it right away and quickly withdrew it. Before he could relax, his brother replied.

Bro: 【Being a bit bad is good.】

Li You’s heart pounded. He held the light screen and sent: 【You’ve been watching the light brain this whole time?】

Li Ye replied: 【Mm, waiting for your messages.】

Li You’s face heated up. He had always thought Li Ye could be quite frank and direct sometimes, just like now. This line clearly meant: I miss you.