Chapter 113

Xia You opened her eyes and drowsily nuzzled her cheek.

A soft chuckle could faintly be heard.

Brain freezing for a moment, Xia You opened her eyes, pursed her lips, and lowered her gaze, carefully extracting her hand from under the Marshal's pajama hem, pulling with it a playful tentacle that continued to roll on his abs.

She innocently looked up, feigning innocence, "Your Highness, good morning."

"Morning." Lu Yinghuai lightly pressed his cheek against Xia You's forehead, then let go of the young man he had held all night.

After freshening up, Xia You sat outside the dressing room, holding and examining Lu Yinghuai's collar inhibitor, turning it over in her hands.

Dressed, Lu Yinghuai walked out slowly, buttoning his cuffs as he went.

Xia You looked up at him, "Do you need to wear this today, Your Highness?"

Lu Yinghuai glanced at it and nodded, "With the recent surge of erratic psychic energies in the base, it's best to be cautious."

Here, by 'cautious', he didn't mean he was at risk from other psychic forces, but rather that he was concerned others might get injured by the overflow of his own powerful psychic energy.

Psychic backlash could range from dizziness to potentially fatal outcomes; one can't be careless.

Xia You murmured in understanding, then added, "I remember you used to wear those special gloves and other jewelry-like inhibitors."

Lu Yinghuai responded, "Yes, back then the psychic attacks were more potent, and it was nearing the date when psychic energies tend to go haywire, so I had many inhibitors on."

Xia You remained silent, leaning against the couch armrest, her delicate fingers playing with the black leather inhibitor.

Catching on, Lu Yinghuai stood at the entrance of the dressing room, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

Xia You blinked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

With a slight smile and warm indulgence in his deep purple eyes, Lu Yinghuai asked, "Which one would you like to wear?"

"Um…" Xia You pondered, whispering, "This one?"

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Yinghuai inquired, "Are you sure?"

What's there to be unsure about? It's just wearing an inhibitor.

Xia You nodded firmly.

With a teasing smirk, Lu Yinghuai stepped closer until Xia You had to tilt her head up to see him. Then, for the first time in front of someone other than the emperor, he slightly bowed his head.

Yet, willingly so.

A surge of nervousness caused Xia You to grip the leather inhibitor tightly, a shiver erupting from the soles of her feet and spreading up, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.

Lu Yinghuai took Xia You's hand and, with her assistance, draped the leather collar around his neck, concealing his vulnerable throat.

Xia You's fingers trembled ever so slightly.

The warm breath exhaled by Lu Yinghuai brushed against Xia You's cheek, and as their breaths intertwined, an ambiguous affection began to simmer.

"Nervous?"

Lu Yinghuai asked in a soft voice.

"...Yes."

Xia You clutched the inhibitor tightly.

Slightly leaning in, Lu Yinghuai pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of Xia You's eye.

Instinctively, Xia You's legs tensed, her body inching closer to Lu Yinghuai.

With a soft "click", the buckle of the inhibitor fastened, and the red energy stone embedded in it activated, emitting a faint glow.

Wearing the inhibitor was never comfortable, but this time, Lu Yinghuai didn't show the slightest sign of discomfort.

He reached up, ruffling Xia You's hair before standing upright.

Xia You, still perched on the armrest of the sofa, took a moment before letting out a soft, astonished "wow."

Her gaze fixated on the inhibitor around Lu Yinghuai's neck.

Amused by Xia You's reaction, Lu Yinghuai chuckled, "What is it?"

Xia You's eyes darted for a moment before she reached out to tug at a corner of Lu Yinghuai's clothing.

Lu Yinghuai raised an eyebrow but leaned in closer, listening.

In an almost inaudible whisper, Xia You timidly asked, "Your Highness... next time, can I try the inhibitor designed like a bite guard?"

*

After breakfast, Lu Yinghuai, as usual, headed to the military training base, while Xia You reviewed her recent treatments.

Taking a bite of the apple from the fruit plate, Xia You looked at the bitten apple, reminded of Tanggao.

Compared to Tanggao's arms, his psychic disorder wasn't severe.

Originally, Tanggao was on Xia You's priority list for treatment. But ever since word spread that Xia You could fully heal psychic disorders, Tanggao has been missing for a week.

After pondering for a while, Xia You recalled that Tanggao chose early hibernation not due to a psychic breakdown but because of... psychological issues.

Xia You glanced around, repeatedly touching the only leopard beside her.

Ah Jie must've made peace with the Emperor recently, always seeming inseparable. Now, they were likely enjoying some private time elsewhere.

The lynx and the snow leopard, both cats, accompanied their master for psychic adaptability training. Reportedly, the expansion of their psychic sea led to slight mutations in their psychic powers.

Xia You wasn't surprised. After all, the noticeable increase in Cookie's size was evident even in the live broadcast. Yet, after a thorough post-treatment check on Snow Cookie, Xia You found no visible changes.

Thinking of the Husky's wolfish howl and the protective coloring, akin to that of wolves, emerging on its back, Xia You speculated—she might be stimulating the psychic sea to expel parasitic entities. This approach could be viewed as Xia You using her psychic power to assist patients in a secondary psychic development.

After contemplating it, Xia You felt no guilt over the employment agreement sent over by La Tiao, who seemed to be seeking praise.

The compensation was indeed exorbitantly generous. Xia You had even heard that the Senate was constantly lamenting to the Emperor due to La Tiao's actions. However, Xia You shrugged off such thoughts. For the complete treatment of psychic power and its secondary development, he felt the compensation wasn’t a bit excessive.

After all, he held a monopoly in this line of work—unique throughout the galaxy.

Heading towards the kitchen, Xia You intended to seek Uncle Zhou’s assistance. After a brief search without finding him, he was about to leave when he spotted Sen Shi passing by outside through the kitchen window.

“Sen Shi!”

The young man jerked his head up, eyes instantly locking onto the source of the sound. Recognizing Xia You, his face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Lord Xia You!"

Estimating the window's height, Xia You used a nearby shelf for support, effortlessly flipping himself out and landing with ease.

Sen Shi: "..."

Before the young man could rejoice, he felt a chill down his spine from the cold, predatory eyes staring through the kitchen window.

Xia You chuckled, "It's been a while. How's the Chief of Sen Qiu doing?"

Trying hard to ignore the glaring leopard, Sen Shi replied, "With my brother confined at home by my sister-in-law, what could possibly go wrong? At worst, they might just be... well, somewhat at odds."

"What?" Xia You seemed taken aback.

Surprised to find himself discussing such matters with his idol's partner, Sen Shi quickly tried to change the subject, stammering, "That's just how they are — Miss Xia You, did you need me for something?"

"Oh, right," Xia You nodded, "Could you fetch me a companion beast?"

A wave of relief washed over Sen Shi.

A trivial request.

"Of course, which one would you like?"

"The red panda."

Sen Shi's eyes twitched, hesitating, "Who...?"

With clarity, Xia You reiterated, "The red panda."

A silence fell over Sen Shi.

Sensing something amiss, Xia You's eyes narrowed, "Have you seen him lately?"

Sen Shi pulled a wry smile, making a gesture to indicate size, "You're looking for a red panda about this big, always accompanied by an expressionless capybara with a penchant for research?"

From Sen Shi's vivid description, Xia You could detect an undertone of... distress.

With a plaintive look, Sen Shi said, "That red panda has been at our training grounds for several days, constantly tinkering with something that looks like but isn’t quite a mech."

"And that capybara too, piloting that bizarre contraption and trying to capture our companion beasts. We can neither defeat nor outrun it, and we've been instructed to cooperate with their tests."

Desperation tinted Sen Shi's voice, "We haven't had a proper mission in days, it's been an endless cycle of running, getting captured, being released, and running again — I'm terrified of balls now."

Xia You had an inkling of what Tanggao was up to.

Previously, Tanggao had developed a mech-like device for capturing released companion beasts from the protected zones. Due to the limited space in the cockpit, it was hard to find a suitable pilot, so the project had been shelved.

Now, with the presence of Orange, Tanggao had likely reactivated this toy-like mech and was in the midst of data calibration.

Xia You added, "So, can you bring him to me?"

In a game of hide and seek, a red panda’s size is undoubtedly an advantage. But who is Xia You? He's the one who, if he wishes, can grasp the fluffy interstellar healer.

Sen Shi nodded fervently, "Absolutely!"

If he couldn't do it alone, he could always enlist his entire combat squad.

Given the choice, who would want to live a life constantly being caught and released, in an endless, humiliating cycle?

*

Sen Shi's squad acted swiftly. In less than an hour, a stunned and rigid red panda, along with a serene capybara, were brought before Xia You.

The orange that had been carried all the way here turned its head to gaze at Tang Gao, who sat dazedly on the table with his large tail. Flicking its small ears, the orange stood up, revealing four tiny black claws, and ambled towards the direction of the backyard.

It paid no heed to the anxious squeals of the panda behind.

Xia You sighed, sat cross-legged on the carpet, his eyes level with Tang Gao on the table.

"Where will you run to? I can dig you out from anywhere."

Tang Gao remained silent, setting down the small wrench he had been holding. With a huff, he leaned back on the table and glared at Xia You. He activated a screen to type: [What now? I’m in the middle of adjustments; almost done!]

Xia You rested his chin on the table, stealthily reaching out to pinch the shrunken wrench, cocking his head to Tang Gao, “What can you do with such a tiny wrench? Doesn't it tire you out?”

Tang Gao, frustrated, typed: [Xia You!!]

"Mhm, I’m here. Don't be mad; you're all fluffed up." Xia You responded nonchalantly, sitting up straight and extending a hand, palm up, towards the panda, giving Tang Gao a sincere look.

Tang Gao, still annoyed, swatted Xia You's hand away.

[What?]

Xia You quickly gripped Tang Gao's little paw, giving it a playful shake. "A little pat."

While Xia You often pets his companion creatures, holding their paws in such a manner typically signifies he's about to start a psychic treatment.

Tang Gao paused, the conflicted expression evident even beneath his fluffy cheeks. As his eyes darted, he tried to withdraw his paw, but Xia You held it firmly.

Xia You didn’t offer cliched words of comfort or claim to understand Tang Gao’s concerns, anxieties, or sadness. Xia You knew that no one could truly grasp Zhuo Xi's struggles and pain.

No one can truly grasp Zhuo Xi's blend of insecurity and pride.

Xia You sighed gently and expressed her frustration, "As the number of companion creatures I heal increases, I experience uncontrollable aches in my mental realm. If only I could undergo mecha training during such times..."

Tang Cake sneaked a glance at Xia You.

He understood her meaning, knowing that she was trying to provoke him, but...

Tang Cake's large tail swept back and forth on the table, wrestling with his thoughts for a while before he hesitantly typed: [Really?]

Xia You raised her hand, solemnly declaring, "I swear on the soft fluffiness I cherish, every word I said is true."

Hiss.

Tang Cake took a sharp intake of breath.

This was a promise that Xia You could never possibly break.

Tang Cake gazed at the small wrench Xia You had placed before him, lost in thought.

Was he truly ready to become Zhuo Xi once again?

Xia You released Tang Cake's paw, patiently awaiting his decision.

After a long pause, Tang Cake took a deep breath, bent down to pick up the wrench—which to a red panda was quite large—and cradled it in his arms. Dragging his fluffy tail behind him, he hopped off the table, took deliberate steps towards Xia You, and gently placed his paw into her outstretched palm.

He wanted to give it another shot.

Another attempt to bring Zhuo Xi... back to life.

Because someone was waiting for him, someone was expecting him.

……

Tang Cake was returned to the hibernation center.

Once he awakened from within his body, he would still need to undergo limb regeneration therapy in the medical pod.

Later, Lu Yinghuai returned from outside, bringing Xia You some of the fruits previously gifted by the Husky.

The skin and flesh of this fruit are toxic, but its core is remarkably similar to an energy stone. While it doesn't contain the pure energy found in energy stones, it has a very unique taste.

Occasionally indulging, Xia You has quite a fondness for pomelo.

The only difference now is that, previously, Uncle Zhou would sit beside the dining table, telling stories and removing the seeds from the fruit for Xia You. Now, Lu Yinghuai sits next to Xia You, listening to her recount the day's events, while he deseed the fruit for her.

Holding Yuan Yuan, Xia You caressed its fluffy chest and said, "Tang Gao left the final calibration data before returning to the hibernation center. With the presence of oranges, we can try deploying that robotic cat teaser."

Lu Yinghuai pondered, "Alright, let Fan Yu Xin handle it."

"Hmm?" Xia You inquired curiously, "Does Major Cheng have a mission?"

With a subtle pause, Lu Yinghuai responded, "She's busy adjusting to her new wings."

Xia You was taken aback, "Wings... what?"

"After her second psychic development, her spirit beast sprouted wings on its back."

Lu Yinghuai arranged the seeds he had removed on a plate, meticulously lining them up in rows.

"However, from the tests we've conducted so far, it can only glide at low altitudes and doesn't possess the ability to soar at high altitudes."

Absorbing the news, Xia You murmured, "...That seems fitting, actually."

During a prior visit to the snowy mountain reserve, Xia You had witnessed the hunting process of a snow leopard once. Its glide alongside the cliffs wasn't much different.

Rubbing her cheek against Yuan Yuan's neck and playfully twirling its tail, Xia You was completely oblivious to the subtle pause in Lu Yinghuai's movements beside her.

Just as Xia You was about to say something, she saw Lu Yinghuai setting aside what he was holding, wiping his fingers clean on a napkin, and activating the holographic computer.

Lu Yinghuai: "It's a message from Wen Xuan, asking us to come over."

A knot formed in Xia You's heart.

Sensing Xia You's anxiety, Lu Yinghuai took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Xia You pressed her lips together: "Alright, let's go together."

……

Compared to their last visit, Meng Wenxuan's lab looked as if a large animal had rampaged through it, with mess everywhere.

As soon as Xia You and Lu Yinghuai entered, Meng Wenxuan immediately looked up, stating bluntly, "Lady Xia You's psychic sample is flawless, and the results from the blood test are all normal."

"However, I conducted an additional infectious comparison test."

Meng Wenxuan's gaze toward Xia You was profoundly complex.

If it weren't for Xia You's request, no one would waste time comparing a person's blood to a virus that had long been extinct.

Yet what was even more unbelievable and frightening was that the comparison matched.

"Lady Xia You's blood has an infectious rate that is 80% similar to the zombie virus that once existed on ancient Blue Star."

"Marshal, I need your cooperation for an infection test."

Xia You: "…?"

Lu Yinghuai: "…"

Standing up, Meng Wenxuan's expression was grave, "Marshal, Lady Xia You, you might not grasp the gravity of the situation."

"Although I haven't found much research data on the ancient Blue Star's zombie virus, the Marshal's psychic realm is currently in a delicate balance. If invaded by an unknown virus, it's unpredictable how things might change."

Xia You, confused, replied, "But wasn’t my psychic sample alright?"

Besides, he never came into contact with my blood or anything like that.

Of course, Xia You knew how the zombie virus spread.

Recollecting her previous bite incident, Xia You had always been cautious on this front. Not to mention Lu Yinghuai, even others hadn't come into contact with her blood.

Gleaning something from Xia You's expression, Meng Wenxuan looked stunned, "You and the Marshal... have not...?"

Lu Yinghuai remained silent.

Xia You... After understanding, she too became silent.

The room was suddenly filled with a palpable awkwardness.

For a while, no one spoke.

Wenxuan Meng opened his mouth slightly, casting a baffling glance at Yinghuai Lu, and whispered, "... I can also offer other types of examinations here."

"It's confidential."

A vein on Yinghuai Lu's forehead throbbed. He said gravely, "No need."

"Oh... Ah."

Wenxuan Meng felt a chill down his nape under Yinghuai Lu's gaze, only then realizing whom he was trifling with. He took two steps closer to Xiayu.

Yinghuai Lu gave Wenxuan Meng a cursory glance, "Get to the point."

In haste, Wenxuan Meng took out a blood sample from Xiayu and research data about the zombie virus that had been preserved from various sources since the great disaster.

Xiayu's sample had been sent out only a few days ago. Wenxuan Meng hadn't made much progress. The urgent call to the two was purely based on a misunderstanding... fearing that Yinghuai Lu's psyche might get unpredictably agitated.

After briefly explaining, Wenxuan Meng left another blood sample of Xiayu. But this time, at his insistence, Yinghuai Lu also left samples of his blood and psychic energy.

*

Xiayu walked ahead of Yinghuai Lu. As they ascended the stairs, one after the other, Xiayu suddenly turned and asked, "Would His Highness like to hear it?"

Yinghuai Lu reached out to steady the staggering Xiayu, his reply unusually forthright, "Yes."

Xiayu smiled.

"Alright, I'll tell His Highness."

Once both had finished freshening up and were seated against each other on the plush carpet, Xiayu suddenly sat upright.

"Wait, something's not right—"

Yinghuai Lu looked at him.

Xiayu lowered his head swiftly, activating his holobrain to send a message to Wenxuan Meng.

"This isn't good. I need to ask Dr. Meng if kissing should be alright?"

Yinghuai Lu took a deep breath, lifting Xiayu by the waist into his embrace and, holding his chin, pressed a fierce kiss upon him.

"It might be contagious..."

"Mhm."

Moments after being released, Xiayu's lips, which had been fervently caressed, turned a tantalizing shade of red.

"Is there anything His Highness fears?" Xiayu lifted a hand to play with Yinghuai Lu's earlobe, "After all, you've been matched with a healer who can get infected by zombies."

No one had ever treated Yinghuai Lu this way before.

Yinghuai Lu tilted his face to plant a kiss on Xiayu's palm, "Then try your best, Little Yu."

"Try what?"

"To infect me."