Chapter 80: Family

Chapter 80: Family

Grandfather Lu let out an "Ai" and hurriedly said, "No, not really..."

Lu Yi: "What did he say?"

"What demands did he make? What promises did he give?"

Grandfather Lu: "..."

He knew that Lu Yi was always perceptive, so he had refrained from mentioning Lu Tianxing to him these past few days.

It was only because of Lu Tianxing's words today that had genuinely worried Grandfather Lu, compelling him to initiate the video call to see how Lu Yi was truly doing.

Lu Yi: "About me?"

Grandfather Lu: "..."

The old man let out a long sigh.

"The Military Intelligence Department extracted quite a bit from Lu Tianxing through interrogations and torture," he said wearily. "Including other military personnel who have colluded with the Ice Butterfly Symbiosis Association, and their deeds... Yes, there are still some details about you that he didn't divulge."

"Over the years, whenever you returned to the Capital Star, it was him who conducted your physical examinations," the elder Mr. Lu said, equally exhausted. "The ice butterfly poison used this time was specially refined and tailored to your constitution."

"Tianxing... Lu Tianxing mentioned that if they don't allow him to create an antidote, it would be very difficult to completely eliminate the ice butterfly poison in your body using ordinary medications."

"The hospital would need considerable time to research and formulate an antidote... I'm afraid your body won't hold up."

Rong Mi's brows knitted tightly together.

"What does Lu Tianxing mean by that?" he said coldly. "He still wants to see Lu Yi?"

Chen Mo had mentioned before about Lu Tianxing's request during his conversation with the military.

"Things have changed this time," the elderly Mr. Lu hesitated for a moment before he eventually turned to Rong Mi. "He wants to see you."

Rong Mi: "…"

Lu Yi: "…"

In the hospital room, the young man's furrowed brow instinctively relaxed, causing Lu Yi to frown instead.

"I'm not going."

"At least he has some originality."

Both Lu Yi and Rong Mi spoke at the same time.

The general's expression darkened as he turned to Rong Mi, "You don't have to go."

If he had known that Rong Mi would be dragged into this, he definitely wouldn't have brought up the topic. He had assumed that Lu Tianxing still had intelligence to exchange with the military, but it turned out that his request could only be fulfilled by Lu Yi himself.

Rong Mi gave Lu Yi a glance, his face still cold, though inwardly he was speechless.

He had already figured out Lu Yi's game.

Indifferent to his own well-being, yet overly concerned about others.

But of course, Rong Mi was not someone Lu Yi could control.

He's more in charge of Lu Yi!

"I'll go hear what nonsense he has to say." Rong Mi completely ignored Lu Yi's instructions. He observed the general's furrowed brows and the gradual darkening of his ice-blue eyes, and, after all, added a few more words, reciting Lu Yi's lines first, "I'm bringing the wolf."

This was Lu Yi's request every time they went their separate ways.

"It's not a big deal." Rong Mi sensed the general's unconscious tension after mentioning Lu Tianxing, and his heart softened a bit. For the first time in days, he softened his tone.

Rong Mi: "Stay at the hospital and wait for me worry-free. It won't hurt to just go and see him."

"I'm also very curious about what he wants to tell me."

Lu Yi: "..."

Lu Yi closed the communication screen with his father and turned to Rong Mi.

"I find it hard to guess as well," Lu Yi said calmly. "But whatever demand he makes, don't comply, and don't trust him."

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi chuckled softly.

"You think I'm an idiot?" he said with displeasure. "Why would I fulfill the demands of a traitorous war criminal?"

Lu Yi: "Even if it's about my body."

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Let me say it again, I'm not an idiot," Rong Mi repeated. "Of course, I care about your body, but I won't let others manipulate me blindly."

As he finished speaking, he suddenly hissed softly and wore a thoughtful expression.

"...The Ice Butterfly Poison on you was planted by Lu Tianxing," the young man frowned in disgust. "Ordinary antidotes haven't been effective."

Perhaps, Lu Yi, as Lu Tianxing's nephew, really held some more effective antidote.

Rong Mi: In that case, he had to hear what Lu Tianxing had to say!

Lu Yi discerned Rong Mi's thoughts from the subtle change in his expression, causing a shadow to fall upon his own face.

He knew that Rong Mi cared for him.

That was because he was Ayin's master.

Or, if he were to indulge in a bit of narcissism, perhaps the young man also appreciated – or at the very least, didn't dislike – certain aspects of his personality.

The affection of an ordinary friend was satisfactory enough for Lu Yi.

But he imagined that Lu Tianxing would reveal to Rong Mi aspects of himself that the young man was unfamiliar with.

Some not-so-desirable parts.

Lu Yi fell silent, gazing at Rong Mi. After a moment, he finally spoke, "I trust Lu Tianxing, not just because he is my kin."

"Nor solely because he grew up alongside me."

Over the years, the war zone's turmoil intensified, and traitors emerged even within the First Legion.

Of course, Lu Yi would investigate those around him... including Lu Tianxing.

On one hand, Lu Tianxing was indeed cautious in his actions. He had worked in the capital planet's hospital for many years, building a wide network of connections, and his family background was clean. Many times, even if something he was involved in went awry, no one would suspect him, let alone link him to certain special incidents. As a result, when Lu Yi re-investigated, he found no trace of evidence.

On the other hand... just like Lu Yi, Lu Tianxing had lost loved ones in the war zone.

It was difficult for Lu Yi to genuinely suspect... that Lu Tianxing could put aside such enmity to conspire with Ice Butterfly.

From across the room, the Silver Wolf, who had just finished its steak and was grooming itself, lifted its head at the sound of Lu Yi's voice.

After a moment of hesitation, Ayin stood up and approached. Silently, it drew near Rong Mi, then, following an impulse from the depths of its heart, rested its wolf head on Rong Mi's shoulder and gave a soft howl.

As if it disliked hearing Lu Yi bring up the past, it sought comfort from Rong Mi.

Rong Mi heard the wolf's footsteps and felt a weight on his shoulder as the wolf's fur brushed against his cheek.

He sensed the wolf nuzzle his cheek before the entire animal leaned into him, resting against him without moving.

Rong Mi: "..."

Indeed, the large wolf was quite heavy!

But no human could resist a wolf's affectionate behavior!

Especially an unusually clingy one!

Although Rong Mi didn't understand why wolves would act this way, he adored Ayin's completely dependent demeanor.

The young man naturally reached out to rub Ayin's approaching wolf head. After doing so twice, his gaze returned to Lu Yi.

Heaving a deep sigh, the youth knew that he couldn't maintain his cold attitude towards Lu Yi for much longer.

He couldn't bear to see Lu Yi looking so pale and weak, with a seemingly calm expression that belied the shadow of gloom in his eyes.

"Making wrong judgments is quite normal," Rong Mi interrupted him. "If you don't want to talk about it, then let's not."

Rong Mi had no idea what Lu Yi was thinking, but on the night the amusement park base battle ended, he hadn't seen Lu Yi exhibit such an expression.

Certainly not something to be celebrated.

The admiral shook his head.

"Lu Tianxing had a close relationship with my mother."

"My mother… his sister, she fell in the warzone."

"At that time, I was about to graduate from high school."

As Lu Yi recounted the past, his words were succinct.

"My mother requested leave to attend my graduation ceremony, so she was given additional tasks before her break."

"She overexerted her mental power during that mission, resulting in a disorder of her mental domain. A week later, she passed away despite treatment."

Rong Mi paused in his rubbing of the wolf's head.

He furrowed his brows deeply and opened his mouth, as if to speak.

Yet, the Admiral shook his head, indicating that his tale was not yet concluded.

"Lu Tianxing had once built his own family."

The Admiral's narrative skipped over a considerable period before he continued.

"His wife was a mecha squad commander. She was transferred to the First Legion from another legion five years ago, under my command."

"... Her starship was ambushed and destroyed by the Ice Butterflies during a battle."

"Their child never got the chance to be born."

Lu Yi's tone remained as cold as ever, albeit slightly hoarse.

"I suppose he must despise the Ice Butterflies," Lu Yi stated, pausing for a moment.

"Perhaps he hates me even more."

For his mother had walked into death for his graduation ceremony.

And he, as the highest-ranking officer of the First Legion, had failed to protect Lu Tianxing's wife and child.

His life had once carried many roles.

But it was only as a mecha pilot, commander, and legion leader that he excelled.

To those close to him, his presence was far from a source of comfort.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi's brows knitted tightly together.

He couldn't grasp Lu Tianxing's reasoning and found no words to console Lu Yi.

He also vaguely sensed that there seemed to be... an unresolved issue in the general's heart.

"I believe you understand, General," the young man finally leaned forward, covering Lu Yi's eyes.

He disliked seeing Lu Yi's current expression far too much.

"Don't blame yourself for Ice Butterfly's mistakes," Rong Mi said, tracing the faint black markings on the General's cheek. "That's even less of an excuse for Lu Tianxing to hurt you... or betray the Human Federation."

Lu Yi replied, "Perhaps."

His voice was deep, meeting Rong Mi's gaze.

"I don't want you to see Lu Tianxing," the General quirked a self-deprecating smile.

He didn't share these thoughts with Rong Mi to seek sympathy.

He simply wished to spare Rong Mi from hearing from others that he had caused the death of his kin.

And...

Lu Yi continued, "I'm afraid he'll hurt you."

Lu Yi knew that his special feelings for Rong Mi wouldn't be hidden from those who knew him well.

If Lu Tianxing hated him this much...

He wouldn't miss the chance to hurt the person he loved the most as a means of retaliation against himself.

He recalled the day his mother passed away.

"At that time, Elder Sister was a hero," Lu Yi, who had yet to graduate from high school then, failed to grasp the hidden meaning in his uncle's voice, "…to the entire Federation, yes."

"But she left me behind."

Due to deliberately suppressing memories of the funeral, it wasn't until these past few days that Lu Yi recognized the gloom that had settled in Lu Tianxing's eyes back then.

"Xiao Yi is an emotionally distant person," Lu Tianxing stood before the tombstone, his gaze sweeping over Lu Yi, who was bent over to lay flowers. The youth still carried a touch of naivety in his features, his lips pressed tightly together, and his posture straight and resilient after standing up.

He hadn't slept all night; his short hair was disheveled, his face heavy with fatigue, yet there were no traces of tears in the corners of his eyes.

"He said he wanted to attend a military academy, just like Elder Sister, to fight for the peace of the Federation."

"But he didn't shed a tear for her."

The Federation was of such paramount importance.

It had already taken his beloved sister from him.

And years later, it took his dearest wife.

Lu Tianxing knew he could never convince himself to view Lu Yi without prejudice.

When his wife was transferred to the First Legion, Lu Tianxing had hinted to the newly appointed Legate, Lu Yi, not to assign his wife any perilous missions.

But Lu Yi, for the sake of fairness in the Legion and the Federation, did not heed that advice.

The Federation was so important.

Why didn't Lu Yi offer his own life alongside it?

Every time Lu Tianxing examined Lu Yi afterwards, he couldn't help but think.

With Lu Yi clinging to life in such a pitiful state... why hadn't he just gone and died?