Hearing Qin Shuang’s words, Yun Changsheng’s eyes revealed astonishment.
The shocks Yun Xingze had brought him today were simply too many, making him suspect he was dreaming.
First, the person who liked Yun Xingze turned out to be the heir apparent, then the Queen personally visited the hospital, and now even the director of the Mecha Research Institute had come.
Yun Changsheng cautiously opened the door and peeked inside, seeing four or five distinguished individuals gathered around the medical pod, discussing countermeasures.
Eugene frowned and said seriously, “When I had my gland removed, the situation wasn’t this severe. Xingze’s cut is too deep, it’ll probably take quite some time to heal.”
Ming Xiao sighed deeply, “What a pity. I thought he could return to the institute immediately.”
Both Yun Changsheng and Qin Shuang were shocked. Yun Xingze had actually entered the Mecha Research Institute!
“We need to find a way to help Xingze recover quickly,” Jin Xuan said, looking at Yun Xingze with heartache in his eyes. “I’m still waiting for him to officially become a member of our institute.”
Although Yun Xingze had a laboratory at the institute, he wasn’t yet a formal researcher. Ever since learning that Yun Xingze had mastered the technology of the psionic amplifier, Jin Xuan had wanted to give him an official position.
Hearing this, Yun Changsheng and Qin Shuang suddenly realized Yun Xingze must be a new intern at the institute who hadn’t been made permanent yet.
“I know the director of the Biological Research Institute and have already contacted him,” Cheng Yuan interjected. “He’s promised to help research gland recovery technology. Xingze will definitely get better.”
Listening to this, the two outside the door thought Cheng Yuan must be an exceptionally noble director, and Xingze must be truly talented otherwise, why would the esteemed director of the Mecha Research Institute show such concern for a mere intern?
Cheng Yuan and the others had noticed Yun Changsheng. Though well-mannered, they all maintained a cool demeanor toward these parents.
Yun Changsheng entered bowing and scraping, smiling obsequiously at Cheng Yuan. “Director Cheng, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve always admired you. Your concern for Xingze is his good fortune.”
Cheng Yuan and the others could tell Yun Changsheng had no real understanding of Yun Xingze’s capabilities or his significance to the institute. These parents, who showed no genuine care for their son and only wanted to marry him off, earned their silent contempt.
“Having him is our good fortune,” Cheng Yuan replied before turning to leave his contact information with the hospital, offering any assistance needed.
As a legendary figure of considerable standing in the Empire, the hospital naturally treated him with utmost respect, immediately promising to inform the institute the moment Yun Xingze’s condition improved.
Only then did Cheng Yuan and his group feel reassured enough to leave.
As they prepared to depart, Yun Changsheng hurried after them, asking, “Director Cheng, may I ask what work Xingze primarily does at the institute? Is he learning a great deal there?”
Yun Changsheng was particularly interested in whether Yun Xingze could provide the Yun family with classified research information.
The institute members, all sharp individuals, immediately discerned his intentions.
Cheng Yuan remained silent, while Jin Xuan politely responded, “Mr. Yun, all matters within the institute are classified. It would be best if you refrained from asking such questions.”
Yun Changsheng had no choice but to drop the subject.
Qin Shuang then earnestly inquired, “Then approximately when might Xingze become a permanent employee?”
Cheng Yuan gave Qin Shuang a calm look before suddenly smiling and saying:
“If it weren’t for the gland removal today should have been his ‘official induction’,” Cheng Yuan remarked.
After saying this, the research institute team paid no further attention to the Yun family and left the hospital directly.
To Yun Changsheng and Qin Shuang, Cheng Yuan’s words were nothing short of a biting sarcasm.
At this moment, Qin Shuang suddenly recalled what she had once said to Yun Xingze:
“Unless you can find someone of higher status than Chi Yu or get into the Mecha Research Institute, you must marry Chi Yu.”
In such a short time, Yun Xingze had accomplished both.
Yet he had been forced by his family to remove his gland and fell into a coma.
With such a bright future ahead, he had no choice but to resist in this manner.
The Starsea Academy team’s high regard for Yun Xingze and the personal visit from the research institute director proved one thing to Qin Shuang:
An Omega’s worth isn’t defined by marriage. At least, certainly not Yun Xingze’s.
A flash of remorse and regret crossed Qin Shuang’s eyes. She regretted not recognizing Yun Xingze’s capabilities sooner and failing to understand this truth.
Seeing Qin Shuang’s despondent expression, Yun Changsheng comforted her: “Don’t worry, Xingze will wake up. Now that he’s become a research institute intern, there’s still hope for our Yun family.”
Qin Shuang looked concerned: “But you declared you were cutting ties with him.”
“That was just a joke!” Yun Changsheng immediately responded. “The boy surely wouldn’t take it seriously.”
The thought of Yun Xingze becoming a research institute intern eased Yun Changsheng’s mind, bringing an irrepressible smile to his face.
After all, being inside the institute would make obtaining information much easier.
Yun Changsheng began fantasizing with a grin: “If he reverts to being an Omega, he can marry into royalty. If not, staying at the institute isn’t bad either. By the way, if Xingze gets officially inducted, do you think he could get information about the psychic amplifiers?”
“It’s not that simple,” Qin Shuang frowned disapprovingly. “He barely studied mecha growing up. We don’t even know what he’s responsible for at the institute. Classified projects like psychic amplifiers would be hard to access.”
Yun Changsheng remained optimistic: “Still better than the Chi family. Let’s just wait for Xingze to wake up.”
Yun Xingze remained unconscious for a full week – far longer than doctors predicted, abnormally long.
During his coma, Yun Xingze’s mind was filled with various dreams, mostly related to the novel’s plot. The person who appeared most frequently in these dreams.
Was Luo Wenchuan.
Yun Xingze himself had no sense of how long he’d been unconscious.
When he finally awoke, his eyes opened to a pale hospital ceiling.
The windows were in light-blocking mode, keeping the room dim, though he could tell it was morning.
Expecting discomfort upon waking, Yun Xingze was surprised to feel as if he’d simply had a good sleep. As he sat up, his limbs felt remarkably strong.
In fact, his entire body seemed more capable than before.
Instinctively, his fingers went to his gland – now just a scar where the organ used to be.
It seemed…
He had truly become a Beta.
The hospital system immediately detected Yun Xingze’s awakening.
Several doctors in white coats rushed in, their faces filled with urgency. The moment they saw Yun Xingze, their expressions lit up with joy.
“Thank goodness, you’re finally awake!”
“If you hadn’t woken up soon, the Queen would’ve probably skinned us alive.”
“Praise the heavens. ”
Yun Xingze looked at their anxious faces, momentarily confused.
He scratched his head and asked, “Was I asleep for long?”
“A whole week! Seven entire days!” The hospital director was so emotional he nearly burst into tears. “The royal family questioned us every single day. Why did removing your gland cause such a prolonged coma? The problem is, we didn’t know either!”
Yun Xingze was stunned. How had he been unconscious for so long?
Could it be related to the altered plot?
The director turned to the nurses and ordered, “Quick, run a full checkup on the Second Prince’s consort!”
Yun Xingze gaped at the doctor in shock. “What Second Prince’s consort? What are you talking about?!”
“Future Second Prince’s consort,” the director chuckled, wearing an “I get it” expression. “Not officially engaged yet, right? Doesn’t matter, it’s only a matter of time anyway.”
Yun Xingze felt awkward. He wanted to explain, but he didn’t know how.
Of course, even if he did, the director would just think he was joking.
After all, with the Queen checking on Yun Xingze’s condition every single day, who would believe he wasn’t the future royal consort?
“Everything looks normal,” the nurse reported after the examination.
Everyone sighed in relief and began discussing the next steps in his treatment primarily focusing on “how to restore Yun Xingze’s gland.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay. I’m so happy for you,” a nurse beside him said sincerely, her voice brimming with genuine relief. “Your gland removal even made headlines across all major platforms. The entire Federation is talking about it. Everyone’s calling you a hero among Omegas.”
Yun Xingze froze, a surreal feeling washing over him.
His original reason for removing his gland had been purely to protect himself and protest against those forcing the marriage not just the Yun and Chi families, but also the architects of societal norms.
Having arrived in this world not long ago, Yun Xingze felt no sense of belonging to anyone or anything here except perhaps Luo Wenchuan.
Some of that detachment stemmed from the Yun family’s neglect, but mostly, it was because he simply didn’t belong to this world.
So, he had never imagined becoming a hero for Omegas.
Nor had he expected his actions to cause such an uproar.
The first to arrive upon hearing of Yun Xingze’s awakening were the Yun family.
“Xingxing, you’re finally awake!” Yun Changsheng rushed into the ward, sitting beside Yun Xingze and gripping his hand. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been these past few days?”
Qin Shuang also gazed at him with concern. “How are you feeling? Are you comfortable?”
Yun Xingze found their behavior unfamiliar.
After removing his gland, the Yun family should have given up on him.
Why were they suddenly so attentive?
