Yun Xingze stared blankly at Eugene, fragments of the original novel’s plot flashing through his mind. Suddenly, he understood why the original owner had died.
There was a passage in the original text:
[Today was Yun Xingze and Chi Yu’s engagement banquet, coinciding with Yun Xingze’s heat cycle. He deliberately avoided taking suppressants, intending to complete their lifelong bond with Chi Yu after the banquet.]
“So that’s how it was,” Yun Xingze murmured thoughtfully. “After becoming a Beta, you came directly to Noah Star?”
“Before leaving, I beat that bastard to a pulp,” Eugene said, the corner of his lips curling up. “Though removing the gland was painful, losing its restraints boosted my combat abilities significantly. Fucking satisfying.”
Yun Xingze was stunned by Eugene’s actions, but what struck him more was Eugene’s calm demeanor when recounting the experience completely devoid of resentment or bitterness.
As if it had been just an ordinary decision.
“I don’t hate this scar,” Eugene said, meeting Yun Xingze’s gaze. “But I got tired of explaining it to every Alpha, so I cover it outside the research institute.”
Yun Xingze nodded in understanding.
Just then, Eugene received a summons for a brief meeting in Professor Jin Xuan’s office.
Before leaving, Eugene turned to Yun Xingze: “Keep at it. I don’t know how far along your experiment is but I’m glad you’re developing neural connectors for Omegas.”
With a final smile, Eugene departed.
Yun Xingze took a deep breath, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility—this experiment couldn’t afford to fail.
After weeks of adjustments, the neural connector model on Yun Xingze’s holographic display began taking shape.
Simulation results showed this prototype could enable B-grade psychics to pilot S-class mechs.
If treated as a psychic amplifier, its enhancement coefficient reached…
“2.1 decent, but room for improvement,” Yun Xingze muttered, continuing to refine the model.
He aimed for a coefficient above 3.1.
Meaning C-grade psychics could operate S-class mechs.
This would suffice for most Omegas.
Moreover, the connector wasn’t limited to mechs. It could interface with other large-scale psychic weapons.
Success would allow Omegas to pursue military careers, elevating their social status.
As Yun Xingze immersed himself in research, Eugene burst in, elated.
“Xingze! Professor Jin Xuan just announced the first psychic amplifier is complete!” Eugene’s voice trembled. “All our efforts paid off!”
Yun Xingze smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
“See? Our institute’s capabilities are formidable.” Eugene rushed over excitedly. “A 1.3 enhancement coefficient for the first generation! Just imagine!”
Pride for their research institute rang clear in his voice.
“Oh, really?” Yun Xingze smiled without saying much, deciding to show the completed connector to You Jin only after it was fully made.
You Jin glanced at the model on Yun Xingze’s light screen. It looked rather crude, hardly like something that could succeed.
Yun Xingze remained silent; his eyes fixed on the simulation progress displayed on the screen.
Thanks to his modifications, the amplification factor of the connector had increased from 2.1 to 2.6—twice that of the Research Institute’s standard.
Unable to understand the experiment, You Jin assumed Yun Xingze’s silence was due to lack of progress and comforted him, “You don’t have to push yourself so hard. Helping with experiments every day is already exhausting, and now you’re developing this. You should go back and rest early.”
“Mm.” Yun Xingze nodded.
Satisfied with the 2.6 amplification factor, he shut down the light screen and left the Research Institute with You Jin.
When Yun Xingze returned to the hotel, he spotted an unexpected figure at the entrance—Chi Yu.
Chi Yu had just come back from outside, having heard some good news from his father.
Seeing Yun Xingze, Chi Yu eagerly ran over and exclaimed, “Xingze, I have some huge news to tell you!”
Yun Xingze gave him a sidelong glance. “What kind of good news could you possibly have?”
In his eyes, every word from Chi Yu’s mouth was nothing but bad luck.
“My dad told me the Research Institute is making a big move,” Chi Yu lowered his voice mysteriously. “They’ve apparently found a top-tier expert to help with their mental amplifier experiments. The first-generation amplifier has already been successfully developed.”
Such major news would shock anyone who heard it.
Chi Yu himself had been stunned for a while before processing it. He had expected Yun Xingze to be thrilled by the news, but instead, he saw two words written all over his face:
“Indifference.”
Yun Xingze ignored him and walked straight into the hotel.
Chi Yu hurried after him, frustration creeping into his voice. “Xingze, don’t you realize how important this is? If our Chi family shares the Research Institute’s intel with yours, Changsheng Corporation could instantly become the industry leader!”
Yun Xingze remained unmoved.
Thinking he didn’t believe him, Chi Yu pressed on, “I’m serious! The Research Institute really has a top-tier expert helping with the experiments.”
Yun Xingze sighed and turned to face him. “How many times are you going to repeat this?”
Seeing Yun Xingze’s cold attitude, Chi Yu gritted his teeth, his temper flaring. “Yun Xingze, what’s with your attitude?! Even military officials are scrambling for updates on the amplifier’s progress, wanting to know its amplification factor. This is crucial intel; if you don’t care, doesn’t the Yun family?!”
Chi Yu knew Yun Xingze’s family must desperately need this information, which was why he said as much.
To be precise, the entire mecha industry was after it.
“Not interested.” Yun Xingze didn’t even look at him.
Chi Yu’s anger surged at Yun Xingze’s indifference. He grabbed Yun Xingze’s wrist. “Why are you so stubborn? You want this intel, don’t you? Just because you refuse to forgive me, you’d rather miss out on such a golden opportunity?!”
Just then—
Before Yun Xingze could break free from Chi Yu’s grip, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a tall figure in the hotel lobby.
Then, Yun Xingze froze in place.
Sensing Yun Xingze’s unusual reaction, Chi Yu followed his line of sight.
Luo Wenchuan stood not far away; his face cold as he stared at the two of them.
A second later, his gaze slowly lowered, landing on the spot where Chi Yu was gripping Yun Xingze’s wrist.
His eyes were piercingly cold, as if he could bore a hole through Chi Yu’s hand with his glare.
Yun Xingze instinctively tried to pull away, but Chi Yu refused to let go. The two remained locked in a brief standoff.
Chi Yu was still trying to persuade Yun Xingze: “Xingze, stop messing around. This is really crucial information.”
Yun Xingze turned to glare at him, gritting his teeth. “If you don’t let go right now, I’ll show you what a crucial fist feels like.”
No sooner had Yun Xingze spoken than he heard footsteps approaching.
Luo Wenchuan strode over with long, decisive steps, closing the distance between them.
The familiar scent of mint drifted over, mixed with a faint trace of red wine.
Had Luo Wenchuan been drinking?
Before Yun Xingze could react, Luo Wenchuan reached out and seized Chi Yu’s wrist, squeezing with terrifying strength.
“Ah—!”
Chi Yu cried out in pain, feeling as though he hadn’t been grabbed by a hand but by the grip of a mech.
It didn’t take long before Chi Yu released Yun Xingze.
Immediately, Luo Wenchuan took Yun Xingze’s other hand and pulled him toward the elevator.
Yun Xingze stared blankly at his back.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Luo Wenchuan looked furious and was that…
Jealousy in his eyes?
Inside the elevator, once the doors closed, Luo Wenchuan turned to look at him without a word.
He simply stared at Yun Xingze.
With an expression Yun Xingze had never seen before.
Meeting those striking, narrow black eyes, Yun Xingze couldn’t decipher the emotions within; only that he felt like he might fall into them.
Before he could figure out what Luo Wenchuan was feeling, the elevator doors opened.
Luo Wenchuan led him by the hand toward his room.
Finally snapping out of his daze, Yun Xingze asked in surprise, “Senior Da Chuan, what… what are you doing?”
Luo Wenchuan remained silent.
In the quiet, he guided Yun Xingze inside.
The lights flickered on as they entered, but the moment they did, Luo Wenchuan turned to face him.
Then, in one swift motion, Luo Wenchuan raised a long, powerful arm, reaching past Yun Xingze’s ear to press his palm against the door slamming it shut.
With his other hand, he turned off the lights.
In the darkness, the senses sharpen.
Yun Xingze confirmed it. Luo Wenchuan had indeed been drinking red wine.
Trapped between the door and Luo Wenchuan’s body, Yun Xingze inhaled the lingering scent of alcohol, which seemed to dull his own reactions, as if he, too, were under its influence.
Then, Luo Wenchuan suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between them.
In the dimness, Yun Xingze could just make out his eyes, his long lashes, the straight bridge of his nose, and his sharp, sensual lips.
His handsome features drew closer and closer.
Yun Xingze’s mind went blank, forgetting how to react.
When their faces were mere inches apart, Luo Wenchuan finally spoke, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Where… where have you been all this time?”
Yun Xingze froze, not expecting this question. After a brief hesitation, he explained, “I really was working on mecha-related matters. You could say I was researching mecha technology at a certain factory.”
He couldn’t disclose matters about the research institute and could only explain it this way.
Fortunately, Luo Wenchuan didn’t press further.
Staring into Yun Xingze’s eyes, he said slowly, “It’s already 1 a.m. now.”
Yun Xingze gazed blankly into the other’s eyes, momentarily failing to grasp the meaning behind those words.
After a brief silence, Luo Wenchuan’s deep voice reached Yun Xingze’s ears in the darkness: “You promised me you’d come back early. And why were you walking back with Chi Yu?”
Yun Xingze wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him.
Because he didn’t just detect a hint of jealousy in Luo Wenchuan’s words; there was even a trace of…
Something resembling grievance?
Before Yun Xingze could process this, Luo Wenchuan suddenly buried his head against Yun Xingze’s neck, his chin resting on the latter’s collarbone as he mumbled, “I waited so long for you.”
Yun Xingze froze, feeling the prickly sensation of Luo Wenchuan’s hair against his skin at his neck and below his ear.
He thought to himself, Luo Wenchuan must definitely be drunk.
