Chapter 68: Suspicions
Chapter 68: Suspicions
After settling Luo Le, Gu Heting turned around and left.
Gu Heting's school residence is a one-bedroom, one-living room, one-kitchen, and one-bathroom apartment. It has been regularly cleaned by an aunt (referring to a domestic helper or housekeeper), so it is not dirty and can be moved into directly.
"Ahh..."
Hearing the sound, Luo Le looked down to find the little bundle in his arms had awakened, gazing at him with wide eyes.
"Ah, you're awake."
He reached out to rub Chen Chen's cheek, and a trail of saliva trickled down from the corners of Chen Chen's unsealed lips.
Luo Le found it amusing and reached over to wipe his mouth.
"We'll be staying here for now. Grow up quickly, okay?"
After that, they settled into their new residence.
Every day, Gu Heting would come over in the afternoon and generally stay for two hours before leaving.
There were times when she would bring nutrient solutions, fruits, or other items that Luo Le might need.
Chen Chen needs to drink milk seven times a day, and sometimes, when he wakes up hungry in the night, Luo Le has no choice but to get up and prepare the milk.
Within a few days, signs of fatigue began to show under Luo Le's eyes, darkening with each passing night.
He barely ventured out except to take out the trash, and was forced to adjust his schedule to match Chen Chen's.
It's a mystery how there can be so much sleep to catch up on in a single day.
In addition to the absence of an AI brain, it can be said to be almost isolated from the world, except for the occasional visits from Gu Heting.
Fortunately, Huo Lanjing hadn't come looking for her.
Another full month and a half had passed by in a blink of an eye.
Despite the numerous tugs in her hair by Chen Chen, Luo Le went to prepare his milk formula.
Upon arriving, Gu Heting immediately noticed the scene and chuckled, "This style is quite impressive."
Luo Le yawned, dismissing his childish behavior.
"Don't be angry. I have some good news for you."
Luo Le rubbed the baby bottle in his palm, checking the temperature by pouring milk onto his wrist as he asked, "What?"
Gu Heting didn't beat around the bush and said with a smile, "The person you were hiding from has left."
Has Huo Lanjing left?
Luo Le: "Really?"
"Of course,"
Upon receiving an affirmative response, Luo Le's gaze remained inscrutable as he pursed his lips. "That's wonderful. Will you be free tomorrow?"
Gu Heting was somewhat puzzled: "What's the matter?"
"It's time for me to return as well."
Gu Heting waved his hand and said, "I advise you not to do that. Every day when I go back, I can still feel the burning gaze."
Luo Le wore a puzzled expression. "He didn't withdraw his people?"
"No, I think he probably won't leave, he left in quite a hurry this time, I guess he'll be back after a while." Gu Heting said with a sigh.
Upon further reflection, Luo Le realized how he could have forgotten -- Huo Lanjing was always someone who wouldn't rest until he achieved his goal.
He poured the milk into his cupped palm again; this time, the temperature was just right.
About to speak, the sound of Chen Chen's crying echoed from within the room, interrupting their conversation.
After informing Gu Heting, Luo Le took the milk bottle and went inside.
After a while, Chen Chen, satiated and content, ceased his antics. Luo Le carried him over to the sofa to lie down.
"And this one." Gu Heting brought over a bow-shaped semicircle surrounding Chen Chen, adorned with little animal pendants that swayed with his movements.
Luo Le sat twenty centimeters above Chen Chen's head, while Gu Heting was at the tail end.
Observing the one who was amusing Chen Chen, Luo Le rubbed the palms of their hands together.
"Could I ask a favor of you?"
Gu Heting lifted his head, the smile on the corner of his mouth lingering: "Hmm?"
"Would you be willing to purchase a townhouse for me, a three-story detached dwelling with a rooftop, using your name? The payment would be made through my account."
Gu Heting slightly furrowed his brows and asked, "Shall I transfer it to you after I've finished buying it?"
Isn't this too much of a hassle?
Luo Le shook his head. "No, the fact that he hasn't withdrawn means he hasn't given up yet. He might trace you right after the transfer is completed."
Gu Heting hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Shall we proceed with the transfer once they have withdrawn?"
Luo Le: "Mm."
Gu Heting had been taking care of him before, and also occasionally running errands for him from time to time. He owes a great debt of gratitude.
He had never been one to owe favors, but he wasn't adept at navigating social dynamics. After much contemplation, this was the only solution he could devise.
When Chen Chen grows up a bit more, he'll return to the Empire. It's unlikely he'll come back. This house can be seen as compensation for that favor.
Once he fetches his mother, they'll return to Planet 423.
Though there was nothing grand there, he found great pleasure in the place's leisurely pace of life.
Let's settle there for two years first. We'll return to the Empire when it's about time for Chen Chen to start receiving an education.
When Wind City created this ID, they had already taken this issue into account. Hence, the ID named Gu Zhiwei held the privilege of unfettered choice in their children's education within the Empire.
Suddenly, Gu Heting exclaimed softly, "Look, look at your son."
Luo Le lowered his head upon hearing the sound.
At this moment, Chen Chen, lying on the sofa, rested his head on its soft cushion while propping himself up with his shoulders, exerting great effort as evidenced by the sounds he was making.
Worried that he might have difficulty breathing, Luo Le got up to lift him, but her hand was suddenly struck by Gu Heting.
"Let him come himself."
Luo Le vividly recalled the tender feel of Chen Chen's body. With his spine underdeveloped, he couldn't even stand while holding him. Could he really flip over?
They watched as the figure struggled for a long while but failed to flip over.
After lying down for too long, both of them grew concerned about the potential impact on their lungs, and thus decided to give up.
Yet, before they could lay a hand on Chen Chen, they witnessed him tilt his head back and, with a sudden lurch of his body, flip over them.
Gu Heting turned his head to look at him, "What do you think, I told you he could do it, it's been three months, it's about time for a turnaround."
Luo Le was surprised that this soft little creature, who couldn't even hold its head up steadily, could actually flip over.
He watched as Gu Heting held Chen Chen in his arms, swayed him a couple of times, patted his butt, and said with a smile, "Raise the dragon head."
Upon finishing his words, Chen Chen broke into a grin; however, his laughter was accompanied by a flow of saliva.
"Oh, do keep an eye on your son."
Luo Le promptly grabbed two tissues to wipe Chen Chen's mouth.
Gu Heting suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, "Chen Chen should have a physical examination. Bring along the notebook related to him and let's go have a look."
Luo Le nodded and turned to pack his belongings.
The hospital is equipped with specialized infant health screening instruments that provide more comprehensive data, tailored specifically for young children.
Gu Heting unfolded the small blanket, then asked Luo Le to wait here, and went to check on Chen Chen with a "hey" while holding him.
The office was meticulously arranged, with Luo Le seated in his chair, swiveling around several times.
At the same time, Gu Heting has already placed Chen Chen into the detector, watching the alternating blue lights and paying attention to the numbers on the display screen.
Chen Chen delightedly danced with joy under the alternating glow of the lights.
After a moment, the report came out.
Gu Heting took it and read through it line by line.
When Chen Chen was born, due to limitations in resources, such an extensive examination had not been conducted on him.
Suddenly, Gu Heting's gaze fell on a certain spot, and his eyes flickered slightly.
The Mα gene - how could Chen Chen possibly possess the Mα gene?
Alphas and Omegas typically manifest their natures at the age of eighteen. There exists a particular gene in the world; should it present itself, it irrefutably identifies a child as an Alpha, with their mental prowess destined to escalate to an A+ level, leaving no room for doubt.
This is the recessive α-gene, exceedingly rare, occurring in only one out of sixty million individuals. There's a fifty percent chance it can be passed down genetically.
And this gene...
Looking at the little one giggling, Gu Heting was slightly distracted. After a while, he carried him back.
By the time he arrived, Luo Le might have grown weary from waiting and had fallen asleep, curled up on the table.
If it were any other day, Gu Heting might have just let him continue to sleep, but he had something to attend to in a while.
He gently nudged Luo Le.
Luo Le gradually came to, opening his eyes to find the man before him. Rubbing his eyes, he asked, "How is it?"
"No issues at all, perfectly healthy."
Luo Le nodded. "In that case, I'll be heading back first. I'll cook tomorrow. If you don't mind, come over for dinner after work."
Gu Heting had no objections.
The following evening, Luo Le cooked three dishes and one soup while Chen Chen was asleep.
By the time the last dish was ready, the other two had already grown cold.
No sooner had I heated it up than the doorbell rang.
Luo Le took off his apron and walked over, only to find Gu Heting standing outside the door.
Didn't he have the key?
Could it be that they left it behind?
Luo Le pulled open the door, but Gu Heting didn't come in right away. Instead, he just stood there, looking at him.
With a full heart of curiosity, he waved his hand in front of her eyes. "What's wrong with you? Are you alright?"
Gu Heting snapped back to reality upon hearing the voice, managing to force a somewhat strained smile.
"Nothing much, just a bit weary."
"Let's retire early tonight."
Chen Chen sat on the sofa, gazing at the pendant hanging above, reaching out to grasp it with delight.
At the dining table, both remained silent, quietly enjoying their meal.
After a while, Gu Heting suddenly looked up and called out to him.
Luo Le tilted his head slightly. "Hm?"
Gu Heting reached into his pocket and pulled out a card, saying, "This is a new ID. With this, you won't have to hide and dodge anymore."
Luo Le frowned slightly and glanced at him. "Where did this come from?"
Gu Heting: "I got it from a friend."
When creating the identity of Gu Zhiwei, Wind City mentioned that the Empire was tightening its grip on such matters.
How did Gu Heting's friend manage to obtain that?
"Which friend?"
"Accept it, this is the identity of an Imperial citizen, granting you all the privileges of the Empire's nobility. With this status, you can provide Chen Chen with better educational opportunities."
Luo Le pushed the card back again. "No need," he said.
This privileged number, Wind City mentioned it was very expensive. He couldn't accept it.
Gu Heting: "Why?"
In the Empire, the nobility formed a circle, the influential families another, and the wealthy and politically connected offspring constituted yet another circle. Each group grew up intertwined.
If he were to genuinely use these IDs to exercise privileges, it's likely that the fraud would be discovered within an hour.
Not to mention, such a status would make it more likely for her to encounter Huo Lanjing.
"No other reason really, I've just grown accustomed to it."
Gu Heting raised his eyes and noticed that Luo Le's gaze was extremely firm, so he sighed and took back the item.
"Very well, do reach out to me if you have any matters in the future."
Luo Le nods, "Alright."
In the meantime, within the Fifth Planet's office, an unusual silence reigned.
Huo Lanjing sat in his chair, gazing at the map of the spacecraft with a troubled frown.
He spent a month on the Second Planet, but his efforts proved fruitless.
Following that, his subordinate reported that they seemed to have found Luo Le, which was why he rushed back in a great hurry, only to find out it was just someone who resembled her.
Qin Chen suddenly spoke from the side, "You haven't found her yet?"
"Mm." There was a hint of impatience in his tone.