Chapter 105: Departure! New Level Unlocked!

Chapter 105: Departure! New Level Unlocked!

The private doctor bent down and retrieved the stethoscope from Shen Zhixue's body.

Jiang Huizhou came over and asked, "How is he?"

"He's perfectly fine," the private doctor said with a hint of helplessness. "He's simply exhausted and needs a few days of proper rest. Now, speaking of which, shouldn't you be somewhere else right now, Jiang?"

Jiang Huizhou made a noncommittal sound and deliberately ignored the rest of the doctor's question. "It's my fault, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

The doctor shook his head and asked, "When are you setting sail?"

This doctor had always been Jiang Huizhou's confidant, and it was he who supplied the replica when Jiang Huizhou faked his own death.

"After he gets better," Jiang Huizhou said. "I'll bring him with me."

The doctor was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "You're a smart man, and I believe you can weigh the pros and cons. He's an excellent choice, at least from a physical standpoint. You must be head over heels for him."

There was hardly an unmarked spot on his body, after all.

A rare look of embarrassment crossed Jiang Huizhou's face.

Every time he got close to Shen Zhixue, it wasn't just Shen Zhixue who fell under his spell.

He couldn't help it either; the moment he caught a whiff of Shen Zhixue's distinctive scent, it sent Jiang Huizhou into a frenzy of desire, and the entire world became this delicate, whimpering omega.

"But there's one thing I don't understand," the doctor said. "If that's the case, why haven't you fully marked him? Until now, all he has is your temporary marking on his gland."

Jiang Huizhou chuckled bitterly.

However, Shen Zhixue seemed to have a strong aversion to the idea of pregnancy or an Alpha knotting him.

"He said he doesn't want to get pregnant with anyone's child," Jiang Huizhou said, sitting by his side, gently tracing Shen Zhixue's facial features with his fingertips. "I don't want to force him."

The doctor looked surprised. "That doesn't sound like you. You've never cared about anyone else's feelings, you little maniac."

Jiang Huizhou chuckled softly. "You're right, but he's different. If it's him, I'm willing to spare some of my dwindling sincerity."

The doctor nodded, prescribed some medicine for Shen Zhixue, and left the Jiang family villa.

Because of Jiang Huizhou's commotion, his status in the empire had become precarious, and the safest choice was to leave for the Federation as soon as possible. But Jiang Huizhou stayed behind.

Shen Zhixue passed out mostly from exhaustion and slept for about a day and a night before waking up.

When he opened his eyes, Jiang Huizhou was lying next to him, holding him in his arms.

Shen Zhixue felt a bit thirsty and wanted to get out of bed to pour a glass of water but quickly woke Jiang Huizhou up.

"Awake?" Jiang Huizhou sat up, supporting his shoulders and placing a pillow behind him. "The doctor said you're overworked and need to rest properly. Don't move."

He grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table, paused, and said, "The water's cold, I'll get you some more."

Shen Zhixue held his wrist and, with a light cough, said, "No need, I'll drink this."

Jiang Huizhou got out of bed, leaned down, and kissed him on the lips. "Don't drink cold water when you're sick, okay? Be good."

Then he shuffled off to get some hot water.

Shen Zhixue let out a long sigh and stretched, feeling like his bones were falling apart after that sleep.

Jiang Huizhou poured some hot water and brought it over to him. Shen Zhixue furrowed his brow but still took a couple of sips, his lips pressed together.

"How are you feeling? Is anything still bothering you?"

Shen Zhixue shook his head, glanced at his watch, and was momentarily stunned. "I slept this long? Didn't you say you were going to the Federation today?"

Jiang Huizhou nodded. "But since you hadn't woken up, I delayed the plan by a few days."

Shen Zhixue pursed his lips and sincerely asked, "What's the specific plan?"

Jiang Huizhou looked at him but didn't say anything.

Shen Zhixue put down his water cup. "Share what you can. You want me to come with you—what exactly do you need my help with? I can help. But you need to give me some information; otherwise, I might end up being sold out while counting your money, don't you think?"

"If I were to say," Jiang Huizhou swallowed, "it's just because I can't leave you."

Shen Zhixue leaned against the bedside table, his expression blank. "If it's just about certain... needs, then I don't see the point in going with you. Just bring a toy along. If not, the Federation shouldn't be lacking in beautiful omegas, right?"

Jiang Huizhou looked at him, suddenly feeling a tinge of sadness, and spoke in a pitiful tone, "You don't seem to trust me at all, Zhi Zhi."

"With your track record, it's hard to trust you," Shen Zhixue replied honestly.

Jiang Huizhou was briefly speechless. After a moment, he mumbled, "Can't you pretend? Weren't you good at playing a part in front of me before?"

"No need," Shen Zhixue said, patting Jiang Huizhou's shoulder. "We're both too tired. Let's find a simpler way to get along. I don't trust you, but you haven't exactly left me much trust either."

"I'm not like you, Zhi Zhi. You're a heartless, ruthless omega. You turn your back on someone right after you're done with them. It's really hurtful."

Shen Zhixue sneered. "Keep it simple. Speak plainly. Right now, you're the one needing a favor."

"I planted some hidden assets in the Federation a long time ago," Jiang Huizhou said, quickly regaining his composure. "You might not believe it, but I hold a title in the Federal royal family."

Shen Zhixue: "?"

How can someone from the Empire have a title in the Federation!?

Shen Zhixue asked earnestly, "Is that even possible?"

"A few years ago, I was on the frontlines and found a dying Federal teenager on the battlefield between our two countries."

Shen Zhixue glanced sideways. "Given your personality, you saved someone?"

Jiang Huizhou didn't disappoint Shen Zhixue. "Mainly because the royal insignia on his battle armor was very tempting."

Shen Zhixue: "..."

Just as expected!

"Later, I found out he was the only son of the Federal Fidele Duke, the heir to the Duke's estate."

"And then you killed him?"

Jiang Huizhou looked at Shen Zhixue. "Is that really what you think of me? That I'm someone who would resort to any means?"

"Ah, otherwise."

Jiang Huizhou choked, realizing it was his own doing, and had no choice but to say regretfully, "I just couldn't save him. He was too badly injured. So, I sent a message to the Duke's estate, informing them of the young Duke's death."

As if to prove his innocence, he quickly added, "At first, I just wanted to send the young Duke's body back home, so I took it to the Federation. But the Duchess went mad after hearing the news of her son's death."

Shen Zhixue could pretty much guess what was coming next: "So she mistakenly recognized you as the young Duke?"

Jiang Huizhou nodded: "Fedel seems to love his wife very much, so he took me in as his foster son and had me take the young Duke's place in front of the Duchess. Over the years, I've been away from the Federation using the excuse of going on study trips. Recently, the Duchess's condition has started to deteriorate, and Duke Fedel is pressing me to return."

"What do you plan to do?"

"Using this identity, I will enter the upper echelons of the Federation's decision-making and force the Empire to surrender. With the Wan family's control over the Empire, I believe it will be very difficult to achieve this from within."

"That's it?"

"That's the full extent of my plan for now."

"..."

That's a pretty hasty plan.

Shen Zhixue didn't for a second believe this was all Jiang Huizhou had planned, but it was understandable that Jiang wouldn't tell him everything. After all, they were never entirely honest with each other.

Shen Zhixue said, "This trip is too dangerous; you shouldn't bring Jiang Xingliu."

"Who said I was going to bring him along?" Jiang Huizhou scoffed, "Don't worry, I've already left him with the right person."

"Duchess Yuan?"

Jiang Huizhou clung to Shen Zhixue, "Zhi Zhi, you're still the one who gets me best."

Meanwhile, Jiang Xingliu had no idea that Jiang Huizhou had sold him out. At that moment, he was experiencing the greatest ordeal of his life at the Yuan family's residence.

Du Du was clinging to his leg, whining, "Why won't you play with me?"

Jiang Xingliu dragged his suitcase outward with a blank expression: "I have no interest in Ultraman using his invincible ray to defeat monsters and protect the Empire. Besides, I've been playing this game with you nonstop for three days. I want to go home."

"No, no, don't go! This time, you can be Ultraman, alright?" Du Du sat on the floor, using all his strength to prevent Jiang Xingliu from leaving. "I'll be the little monster, okay? Jiang Xingliu, don't leave... What will I do without you? Jiang Xingliu..."

"Let go." Jiang Xingliu struggled to move away, "I don't want to be Ultraman!"

"Do you not want to live?"

Just as Jiang Xingliu was prying Du Du's short, chubby fingers off him, Lu Qingwan walked in from outside, holding an envelope.

Seeing Lu Qingwan, Du Du immediately yelled, "Mom! Jiang Xingliu is trying to leave! Stop him quick!"

Lu Qingwan walked over and, after a moment of silence, handed the envelope to Jiang Xingliu, saying, "I'm afraid you're going to be staying here for a while."

Jiang Xingliu was stunned, took the envelope, and looked at it: "What is this?"

"A letter Shen Zhixue sent me," Lu Qingwan explained, "He said he's going away for a while and asked me to take care of you until he returns."

Jiang Xingliu's eyes turned a deep red as he looked up abruptly, "What does that mean? Is Zhi Zhi... leaving me?"

Lu Qingwan looked at him and quickly reassured, "Don't get the wrong idea. Zhixue must have something really important to take care of. He'll be back once it's done!"

Jiang Xingliu forcefully balled up the envelope, his head hanging low in silence.

Du Du let go, whispering, "Jiang Xingliu, are you...?"

It was the first time Du Du had ever seen Jiang Xingliu cry. Usually, it was Du Du doing the crying, while Jiang Xingliu never shed a tear.

"Why are you crying? Don't."

Jiang Xingliu bit his teeth, his voice trembling with stubbornness.

"Liar."