Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The Imperial Prince

Not bothering with unnecessary matters, Chu Li spent his days attending classes, nurturing Sunset Glow, learning knowledge from Professor Wenren, and petting his cat at home... Time passed quickly.

Chu Li was content with his current situation; he had never felt his life so fulfilling before. He simply didn't have the energy to pay attention to anything else.

However, the military training exercise was drawing near, regardless of his will.

Three days before the drill, when he went to retrieve a package at the entrance, the guard informed him that starting tomorrow, the school would be sealed off, forbidding students from entering or leaving, and outsiders from entering the campus. All food deliveries and courier services would be suspended until after both the military exercise and the school's anniversary celebration had concluded.

Chu Li didn't receive many packages, most of which were for purchasing supplies for Li Hua Cat.

Having been in his new dormitory for some time, he had already bought what he needed. The school's lockdown wouldn't affect him much.

Out of curiosity, he asked before leaving, "Why is the school being sealed off? Do they do this every year?"

The gatekeeper, upon noticing that he was an Omega, gave him a gentle smile and spoke with a soft tone, "This year is rather unique; the First Prince will be visiting the academy."

"Oh... I see." Chu Li nodded. If not for their mention, he would have forgotten that there was even a royal family in this empire.

The First Prince?

He thought the name was something like... Lan something, but Chu Li couldn't quite recall the Arabic-sounding names. He only knew that the current emperor was in his fifties and had... one or two children, wasn't it?

He couldn't remember.

Chu Li didn't really care either. It was just something to listen to and promptly forget.

There were no classes for the Healthcare Department in the afternoon, so Chu Li went to the laboratory after his meal.

Professor Wen Renjian had promised to explain the lesson on human gender gene mutations to him a few days ago.

Just as he finished feeding Sunset's meal, Wen Renjian arrived.

Wen Renjian seemed to be quite advanced in age, with his hair already completely white. However, his posture remained upright. He should be a Beta since Chu Li had never seen him wearing an omega suppressor collar, nor did he carry the scent of pheromones or inhibitors.

His teaching level was exceptionally high, surpassing all the other teachers at school by a significant margin.

He explained concepts in a lucid manner, even making the most abstruse topics comprehensible with minimal words and time, allowing Chu Li to grasp them swiftly.

Moreover, it was one-on-one tutoring, which accelerated Chu Li's progress dramatically.

The forty-minute lesson passed quickly, with both of them fully absorbed in the process.

Putting away their textbooks, they both felt that the session had ended too soon.

Chu Li was the youngest, most diligent, and ambitious student Wen Renjian had ever encountered. Whatever knowledge he imparted was quickly assimilated by him.

Each time he saw Chu Li, his heart skipped a beat, longing to take him as his final disciple and entrust him with all the projects he was currently researching.

However, their acquaintance was still too brief, and Wen Renjian had some reservations. He decided to observe a little longer before committing.

Gazing at Chu Li's glowing eyes after the lesson, Wen Renjian smiled slightly and asked, "I have a small experiment planned for today. Would you like to stay and observe?"

During this period, Chu Li had mainly been involved in rearing Sunset Afterglow and hadn't participated in many experiments. He sensed that Wen Renjian's experimental protocols were highly classified.

Hearing such an opportunity, he naturally agreed without hesitation.

The duo moved to the adjacent laboratory, where Wen Renjian changed into lab attire and meticulously explained the safety precautions to Chu Li, who nodded in understanding at every point.

Once everything was prepared, their experiment commenced.

Their research focused on whether the genetic makeup of Sunset Afterglow could have an impact on humans. This part of the experiment had yet to advance to human trials. The current priority was to identify the key gene responsible for rejuvenation in Sunset Afterglow and extract it.

They needed to break down and decipher the Sunset Afterglow's genes.

It was a long and tedious process that required immense patience.

The experiment progressed smoothly until, just as they reached the final step, a commotion erupted outside the window.

Wen Renjian's actions paused momentarily.

Standing by the window, Chu Li glanced outside. Their lab was on the third floor, allowing them to catch a vague glimpse of the entrance.

He seemed to spot a convoy parked at the school gate, with even the principal present, likely receiving an important guest.

What important figure could there possibly be in school?

After much pondering, the only person that came to mind was the Crown Prince who would make an appearance during the upcoming military training exercise.

Chu Li ventured a guess, "It might be the Crown Prince arriving..."

His words were interrupted by a sharp shattering sound.

Startled, Chu Li turned around and saw Wen Renjian accidentally break the test tube in his hand.

The Sunset Afterglow Tissue Fluid they had extracted for hours was now dripping onto the table.

Wen Renjian quickly regained his composure and looked up, apologizing to Chu Li, "Sorry... I got a little distracted just now."

Standing by the window, Chu Li observed Wen Renjian closely before promptly stepping forward to help, "It's alright, Professor. Let me clean this up."

Chu Li tidied up the mess on the table for him.

Wen Renjian said, "I'm a bit tired. Sorry, let's continue this experiment tomorrow."

Chu Li replied, "I've already taken up too much of your time, Teacher. It's alright... I'll be on my way then."

Both nodded and bid farewell. As they parted ways at the door, Wen Renjian hesitated before calling out to Chu Li, "Little Li."

"What is it?" Chu Li turned around.

He saw Wen Renjian's expression freeze, and after a moment, the latter softly said, "During this period, the First Prince might appear frequently on campus. He's a member of the Imperial Family, so... if possible, avoid getting close to him."

Chu Li was slightly taken aback.

Avoid the prince?

Was there such a thing?

In his previous life, there were no princes in the country he lived in, causing Chu Li to instinctively think that Prince Lant was just an ordinary person. There was no thought in his mind to avoid the other party.

Of course, he wouldn't have any contact with the prince anyway. After all, he wasn't chosen for the military district's school exercise that the prince was supervising.

Only after Wen Renjian mentioned it did he realize that he might accidentally run into the prince, and that commoners and royalty inhabited different worlds.

Wen Renjian likely advised him to keep his distance from the royal princes, fearing he might provoke trouble.

Chu Li smiled and reassured, "Don't worry, Professor. Their schedules must be packed. Apart from attending classes, I'll only be returning to my dormitory to rest. There won't be any chance for us to cross paths."

Wen Renjian nodded absently, still seeming lost in thought.

Observing his expression, Chu Li ventured, "Then... should I take my leave, Professor?"

Wen Renjian paused before responding, "Yes, go ahead."

Fate, at times, has a way of playing tricks. Chu Li heeded Wen Renjian's advice and refrained from wandering about aimlessly.

Yet, after classes in the afternoon, while heading to the cafeteria, he stumbled upon the esteemed Crown Prince amidst a crowd.

Surrounded by a group, it seemed they were on a tour of the school. The principal, unlike his demeanor when conversing with Chu Li, now wore a fawning expression, his aged face blossoming into a grin as wide as a dahlia flower.

They had just exited the cafeteria and happened to bump into Chu Li head-on. With only one path available, any attempt by Chu Li to retreat would be too conspicuous.

Considering that the esteemed First Prince would unlikely focus his attention on him, Chu Li stepped aside, planning to head to the cafeteria after they passed.

The group approached grandly, and as they drew near, Chu Li noticed the First Prince standing at the center of the crowd.

He appeared young, dressed in royal attire with a black Alpha inhibitor bracelet on his wrist.

Chu Li deduced inwardly that he was an Alpha, no more than thirty years old, and from his appearance, he seemed to be both talented and arrogant.

At that moment, he was engaged in conversation with the principal, who spoke extensively before receiving a cool nod in response.

As he lifted his gaze, his eyes swept across the roadside and unintentionally landed on Chu Li, who was waiting nearby. The prince's gaze lingered on Chu Li for a moment.

He was a very handsome Omega, but he wasn't wearing a collar... The prince's brow furrowed slightly as he asked the principal, "Isn't this the Medical Department? Why would there be an Omega here?"

The principal was taken aback. There was only one Omega in the entire Medical Department, and how could it be so coincidental that the prince encountered him... Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he pondered nervously for a moment. Eventually, he stiffened his neck and mustered the courage to say, "H-he... Yes, there's only one Omega in the Medical Department. He performed exceptionally well in the written exam and was chosen by Professor Wen Renjian to join the research team. Moreover, h-he already has his own Alpha and has been permanently marked, so he won't be affected by other Alphas' pheromones. So, we... We took the bold step of allowing him to transfer departments."

In any case, it was all Wen Renjian's fault.

If the prince were to blame anyone, let it be Wen Renjian.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince didn't press the matter. He merely nodded gently, his gaze sweeping over Chu Li once more.

He had been permanently marked.

What a pity.

The Crown Prince averted his gaze and said coolly, "Let's go."

The group passed by Chu Li's side.

Chu Li was still sensitive to human gazes and knew that the Crown Prince had looked at him twice.

But what could he have that was worth two glances?

He didn't understand.

Lowering his head, he walked into the cafeteria, quickly dismissing the incident from his mind.

Exiting the cafeteria, he heard the familiar sound of a cat meowing. Chu Li paused and headed towards an empty corner behind the cafeteria. Sure enough, he found Little Li Hua Cat on the tiles by the roadside.

Recently, it had been dwelling indoors, making the cat much cleaner overall. Now, with some mud on its legs, it was busy grooming itself. Chu Li's heart tightened as he watched. He suddenly remembered that with the recent hustle and bustle at school, if the First Prince, who might not fancy cats, were to spot Li Hua Cat on the way and demand its removal from the premises, what would they do?

It couldn't be allowed to roam outside freely anymore.

With concern, Chu Li bent down, picked up Li Hua Cat from the ground, and whispered, "You shouldn't go out for a while, okay?"

"Meow?" The kitten, held upside down in Chu Li's embrace, meowed questioningly.

With one hand free, Chu Li stroked its head gently. "There have been many unfamiliar people around the school recently. I'm worried that they might find you and cause trouble. I'll let you out to play once things settle down."

Meow~

The little Li Hua Cat seemed to understand, responding with a submissive meow.

Chu Li often felt a deep connection with this cat; it often seemed to comprehend his words.

Furthermore, the cat cared deeply for him. Whenever he returned to the dorm late, it would always find him and accompany him back home.

Was it possible that the cat had suddenly appeared in the canteen because it knew he would encounter the First Prince and was worried about him?

This thought flashed through Chu Li's mind but was quickly suppressed.

If that were true, this cat would be incredibly remarkable.

But based on Chu Li's observations during this period, even the cats in this world were just ordinary felines.

It probably couldn't understand his words.

Cats and dogs could become attuned to human emotions after living with them for a long time. In certain aspects, they were even more intelligent than humans.

Chu Li carried the cat back to his dormitory. After placing the cat and its food down, he checked the doors and windows, making sure all the windows were securely closed. Only then did he share his meal with Little Li Hua Cat.

Author's Note:

An unexpected additional chapter.

The capriciousness of having a stockpile of drafts.