Part 2
Jiang Chenyan lowered his voice toward the light-brain. “Your parents are very worried about you. They specifically came to ask me about your whereabouts.”
The faint roar of a shuttle engine came from the light-brain. Kai Lanās voice sounded a bit airy: “They would definitely ask you for information. After all, they know how to use the internet, and all the suspicions online are pointed at you…”
“By the way, you didn’t expose me, did you?”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t.” Jiang Chenyan paused and still couldn’t help asking, “How have you been lately? Hiding forever isn’t a long-term solution.”
“Iām working on some inventions and such. Life is okay, but Iām almost out of money. Equipment and materials all cost money; Iām in urgent need of a sum of capital for turnover.”
Jiang Chenyan looked at the fallen leaves on the ground, his Adam’s apple moving. “Talking about money hurts feelings.”
Kai Lan grew anxious. “I consider you a close relative! You have to help me!”
“Itās not that I won’t help. Itās mainly that Iāve had a falling out with my family, so I don’t really have much money on hand. But Iām considering getting a job recently to help you as much as I can.” Jiang Chenyan sighed. Suddenly remembering the news that had been put aside, he added, “By the way, a lot of things have happened lately. I forgot to tell youāProfessor Ariel knows you aren’t dead.”
The other side of the light-brain went silent instantly, leaving only the roar of the shuttle engine. Only after a long while did his voice come through, carrying a heavy tone: “What?” He was caught off guard by the news.
Standing on the side, Shen Shiyueās expression shifted slightly. He moved closer to Jiang Chenyanās side without a word.
Jiang Chenyan rubbed his brow and explained toward the light-brain, “There was a bit of a mishap before. Under the Professorās pressure, I truly couldn’t hold out, so I let slip that you were still alive. He hasn’t looked for you since then, has he?”
“He hasn’t.” Kai Lan frowned, thinking for a moment before saying, “In that case, he should be supporting me in his heart.”
Jiang Chenyan followed with a sound of agreement: “Then it seems thatā”
“Since he doesn’t oppose it, how about I just borrow a sum of capital from him?” Kai Lan interrupted Jiang Chenyan, sounding a bit excited. “I think this matter is a sure thing!”
Jiang Chenyanās mouth twitched. He said irritably, “Do you have no shame? There might still be resentment pent up in the Professorās heart. Borrowing money at a time like this is just looking for trouble.”
He hadn’t forgotten the way the Professorās fingertips were shaking with rage when he learned the truth. Such an important matter had been kept from him all along; the Professor likely felt that, in their hearts, they had never treated him as one of their own.
Thinking of this, Jiang Chenyan let out a silent sigh. Actually, he admitted this point himselfābefore, he truly hadn’t treated the Professor as one of his own. From the deliberate distancing at the beginning to the instinctive concealment when things happened laterāto put it bluntly, there was always a layer of wariness in his heart.
Kai Lan let out a light cough. “Don’t worry about the money matter. I have my own sense of how to handle it; Iāll see what I can do. As for my parents…”
His voice paused, and the composure he was deliberately maintaining vanished by more than half. His tone was laced with obvious helplessness: “Is my mother very panicked? Are her emotions particularly agitated?”
Jiang Chenyan held his light-brain, looking at the leaves on the ground being swirled by the wind. His Adamās apple moved. “Auntie was indeed very worried, but it hasn’t reached the point of collapse.”
Standing on the side, Shen Shiyue didn’t say a word, only blocking the cold wind blowing toward him.
“I understand. Jiang Chenyan, thank you.” Kai Lanās voice was a bit raspy. “But itās still better for them to believe Iām dead.”
“Are you sure you want to do this? Family ties aren’t something you can just let go of.”
Kai Lan: “To gain something, one must lose something. Weāll talk about it later. They should understand my painstaking efforts.”
Looking at the interlacing light and shadow on the ground, Jiang Chenyan gave a soft “Mm.”
It was only then that he noticed the sun had come out. The golden-red morning sun broke through the shackles of the clouds, pouring down with warmth. The light pierced through the branches behind the experimental building, casting dappled shadows on the leaves. The air, which originally carried a chill, was gradually warmed by the sun.
The weather on Planet Lorca was hot one moment and cold the next; there was no telling what would happen later…
After hanging up with Kai Lan, Jiang Chenyan and Shen Shiyue didn’t delay any further. They picked up their brooms and focused on their work until the fallen leaves and debris behind the building were cleaned up entirely. Only then did they collapse on the steps, gasping for breath.
“So tired.” Jiang Chenyan rubbed his aching waist. “How about we go for a drink?”
Shen Shiyue lowered his eyes and didn’t respond immediately. “…”
Seeing this, Jiang Chenyan added another sentence: “Letās just have a drink.”
Mainly, he was afraid that one day he might suddenly die and lose the chance.
Enjoying life in the moment was also quite important.
The matter with Lode was like a thorn, stabbing painfully into his heart; he couldn’t forget it no matter what.
Suicide? This conclusion always made him feel stifled.
Was Lode truly a suicide?
Case after case, each one was wrapped in the shadow of a conspiracy, making it hard to breathe.
In this chaotic game, no one could predict their lifespan; no one knew which day would bring a death without warning.
The plot had mostly collapsed. Did the original novel describe a character like Lode? It didn’t seem so.
Jiang Chenyan frowned. Heād just have to take it one step at a time…
“Shen Shiyue, weād better have a drink.”
Even cannon fodder should enjoy life.
Shen Shiyue followed him, half-protesting but ultimately giving in.
Enjoying life in the moment was one thing; wanting a drink was another. Perhaps what truly drew Jiang Chenyan was simply having a good, hearty drink.
As soon as they sat down, Jiang Chenyan ordered several varieties. Once the glass was in his hand, he lost all restraint. The cold liquid slid down his throat, bringing a warm, tipsy feeling that spread throughout his body. The fatigue and stifling feelings of the past days mostly dissipated, and he felt entirely comfortable.
Shen Shiyue originally held a bit of restraint, but later he also followed, drink after drink. Without realizing it, the empty wine bottles in front of them had piled into a small stack.
Shen Shiyue was mostly fine, but Jiang Chenyan was incredibly drunk.
Supporting himself on the table, he shook his head. Jiang Chenyanās gaze was already a bit unfocused. “How are you perfectly fine? Your face isn’t red at all.”
Shen Shiyue reached out to support his body as it was about to tilt over. His fingertips touched the manās burning cheek. His tone was calm. “Itās been practiced. Are you drunk?”
“No… Iām not drunk.” Jiang Chenyan frowned in protest, but as soon as he finished speaking, his head felt as if it were filled with lead and began to sink. His eyelids also started to fight.
His brain had crashed.
He indeed seemed a bit unclear.
As the tipsiness surged, Jiang Chenyanās head was groggy. He instinctively raised his hand and draped it over Shen Shiyueās shoulder.
He didn’t speak. He just stared with eyes misted with moisture, looking straight at the person close at hand. Even his breath carried a faint scent of alcohol.
Being stared at by him made Shen Shiyueās heart hitch. His Adamās apple rolled, and he asked softly, “Do I look good?”
Jiang Chenyan: “I don’t know how to answer that.”
“…”
Shen Shiyueās gaze fell on those moist, rosy lips. His throat tightened. He didn’t speak again, reaching out to pull the person firmly into his embrace. His voice was husky. “Youāve had too much to drink. Iāll take you back.”
Jiang Chenyanās feet stumbled. He failed to steady his center of gravity, and his body slammed violently to one side. In the next second, his alcohol-scented soft lips unexpectedly collided with the corner of Shen Shiyueās mouth.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Shen Shiyueās whole body stiffened; he even forgot to breathe.
His fingertips were still resting on the small of Jiang Chenyanās back. The warm sensation from his palm intertwined with the softness on his lips.
His voice was incredibly raspy. “Jiang Chenyan.”
“What…”
Shen Shiyue: “You kissed me.”
Jiang Chenyan was a bit confused. “…” So?
His brain was a complete blank. What was the situation?
“Are you going to take responsibility?”
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