Chapter 19: The Crown Prince
Wen Xun rubbed his chin, looking Monday up and down. No matter how he looked at it, this puppy had nothing to do with being a Xenogenic. It was so ordinary that it wouldn’t even attract a glance from a pedestrian if it were wandering the streets.
Monday didn’t know Wen Xun, but it could smell Yu An’s scent on him. It liked people who were close to its master. Monday sat obediently on the ground, tilting its head and looking at Wen Xun with its round puppy eyes, its tail wagging behind it. “Woof!”
[Hello!]
Unfortunately, Wen Xun couldn’t understand. Right then, Yu An, the “little translator,” went online. “Papa, Monday is saying hello to you.”
“Cough-cough!!” Wen Xun was startled into a coughing fit. He hastily pulled Yu An to his side, forced himself to stay calm, and explained to the people around them, “Children have very vivid imaginations—they’re always full of whimsical ideas.”
How could a normal person understand a Xenogenic? Wen Xun once again discovered a point where Yu An could easily be exposed. He would definitely have to have a serious talk with him later, or his identity as a Xenogenic cub would be found out at any moment. That would be troublesome.
Following Wen Xun’s lead, everyone present treated Yu An’s words as a whimsical, child-like imagination and didn’t suspect a thing.
Yu An knew he had said something he shouldn’t have again. He dejectedly lowered his small head. He was always causing trouble for Papa; he was such a stupid child.
The next second, a soft, warm kiss landed on his cheek. Yu An froze, looking up in shock. He had clearly done something wrong; why did Papa still give him a kiss?
Kisses were supposed to be for good, obedient children.
But Wen Xun was currently chatting with Fu Yin about Monday’s situation. Yu An could only harbor his confusion and stand obediently to the side.
Because of that gentle kiss, the clouds over Yu An’s heart vanished instantly. The curve of his lips was very small, and his dimples were faintly visible.
He was like a shy kitten that had been kissed by its owner. Though his heart was racing with excitement, he didn’t dare show it in front of so many people. He kept it hidden in his heart, but his eyes never left Wen Xun.
I like Papa so much.
“Woof-woof! (Look at me, look at me!)” Monday affectionately rubbed against Yu An’s trousers, whimpering and begging for attention.
Yu An reached out to pat the dog’s head. “I am looking at you.”
Monday happily licked the back of his hand.
Wen Xun and Fu Yin discussed Monday. Wen Xun was skeptical of Monday’s identity. “You’re sure Monday is a Xenogenic? I don’t sense any mental magnetic field on it.”
Ling Xingcheng also didn’t believe the puppy he had searched for so long had suddenly turned into a Xenogenic. He lifted the puppy by the scruff of its neck, looking it over. “You must be mistaken. This is just an ordinary dog.”
Fu Yin twirled a lock of green hair around his finger. “I’m not mistaken. The Base has confirmed its identity. But it’s true; when I first saw the dog, I didn’t think it was a Xenogenic either. However, it definitely is one, and its ability is very special.”
Wen Xun: “How so?”
“It can camouflage.” Fu Yin looked at the puppy acting enthusiastically toward Yu An. “Not the kind of camouflage that tricks the eyes; it can turn into any organism, completely changing its physiological structure and possessing that species’ abilities.”
“The Base has conducted tests. Monday’s current forms include a cheetah, a snake, and an eagle.” At this point, Fu Yin paused. “Aren’t you the General Technical Director of the CAF Project? How do you not even know about a new special Xenogenic at the Base?”
Wen Xun said naturally, “I’m on leave. I’m at home accompanying An-an.”
Fu Yin sighed. “You really are serious about raising a child.”
He completely ignored the Base’s affairs, leaving such a massive project aside just to play with Yu An. One had to say, those old fogies at the Base surely had a few more white hairs now.
Right then, Soland crawled out from Yu An’s pocket. His deep lake-blue eyes fixed on Monday. [Chausier’s aura. This dog has been in contact with Chausier?]
Yu An was surprised. “Who is Chausier?”
[A crazy clansman.]
After Chausier had found the wrong cub last time, there had been no further news. Soland had assumed he had stayed at the Temple, but he was clearly still in this world.
Monday had been infected by Chausier’s mental power, causing its mutation and giving it a portion of Chausier’s abilities.
Yu An hadn’t heard the name Chausier before and quickly lost interest.
Because of Monday’s special status—and since Fu Yin, an S-rank Arbiter, was the one who brought it to the Base—no one dared to say anything when he brought the dog out.
But if Yu An, a small child, went around with a B-rank Xenogenic, the Base would definitely object.
There was no other choice; Monday’s ownership still belonged to Fu Yin, but Yu An would care for it on a daily basis. He just had to take it to the Base occasionally for inspections.
Yu An put on the small clothes Butler Ide had brought for Monday, then put on its leash, explaining to it apologetically as he squatted before it, “I’m sorry, Monday. Many people are afraid of doggies. This way they can feel at ease.”
Monday was perfectly fine with the leash. Because it was pink and had two small wings, it was delighted. [Like! Like! Monday loves it super much!]
The puppy ran back and forth, the small wings on its back flapping up and down. It looked incredibly cute.
Having retrieved Monday—and with Ling Xingcheng and Fu Yin, two acquaintances, there—Yu An and Wen Xun didn’t return to the room. They gathered to chat and eat small sweets.
Wen Xun scanned the surroundings. “Have any of you seen Ruoyi?”
Oh right, where is Little Auntie? Yu An also perked up his small head, turning around to look for Ruoyi. As he looked, he suddenly remembered he didn’t even know what Ruoyi looked like.
Ling Xingcheng leaned back in his chair, tossing chocolate beans into the air. The next second, a bean landed perfectly in his mouth. He chewed as he spoke, “She was with my sister just now. Great, now both of them are gone.”
But they couldn’t possibly be lost, so Wen Xun didn’t worry about them.
The hall was already filled with people. Various small groups had formed based on status, and almost everyone’s gaze was shifting toward Yu An, though few dared to disturb them.
Soon, Lin Huaichen walked over. The current him was a bit different from the Papa Yu An was familiar with.
Lin Huaichen’s tall and lean frame combined with his expensive suit made him look exceptionally noble and imposing. His features were naturally sharp and aggressive, and the smile he usually wore was gone, making people instinctively feel afraid to meet his gaze.
Yu An stared at him blankly. He was still in a daze even when Lin Huaichen reached him, his eyes unblinking as he watched his dad.
Lin Huaichen was amused by his dazed appearance. The smile in his eyes softened the dangerous aura around him. He leaned down to pinch the boy’s soft cheek. “What’s wrong? Don’t recognize me?”
Yu An came back to his senses, obediently offering his face to be petted. “Papa is different.”
“How so?”
Yu An furrowed his brow. “Papa was… so fierce just now. So scary. I didn’t even dare to talk to Papa.”
Lin Huaichen had two different faces: one for his family and one for outsiders. The former was a joker and a complete “pleasure-seeker”; the latter was cold and distant, not even sparing a glance for anyone.
Perhaps he had been in “business mode” for too long and hadn’t switched back properly, which had scared little Yu An.
Lin Huaichen reflected for two seconds and called a servant to bring a piece of strawberry cake. “It’s Papa’s fault. How about Papa makes it up to An-an? Eat a piece of cake to calm down?”
Yu An’s daily quota of cake was already finished, so this piece was an unexpected delight. He happily took the small plate and started eating, his mouth stained with cream. “Thank you, Papa!”
Lin Huaichen sat down next to Wen Xun, putting an arm around his shoulder. Spotting Monday, he looked at Ling Xingcheng with surprise. “Finally found the dog? Not easy, Little Ling. At least this month wasn’t a total waste.”
“Fu Yin is here too. Old classmate! Why is your hair green? Even if you’ve been ‘greened,’ you shouldn’t be so desperate.”
Ling Xingcheng, Fu Yin: “…”
Sometimes they really didn’t know how Wen Xun put up with Lin Huaichen. He was truly asking for a beating!
Lin Huaichen didn’t stay long. Seeing Yu An had finished his cake, he picked him up. “Let’s go, treasure. Time to meet the people.”
Yu An swallowed the last bit of cake, instantly becoming nervous. “Okay~”
Monday was left in Wen Xun’s care. Soland, uncharacteristically, chose to stay behind, perching on Monday’s head and poking its brow with a small tentacle. The two Xenogenics conducted their own communication.
Ling Xingcheng and Fu Yin glanced at Soland, their brows furrowing simultaneously.
Fu Yin looked up at Wen Xun. “Too dangerous.”
He could clearly see that Soland was also a Xenogenic, yet he couldn’t see its specific rank. To leave such a Xenogenic with a child? What were Wen Xun and Lin Huaichen thinking?
Wen Xun took a small sip of wine, looking away guiltily. “The child likes it. There’s no choice.”
He wanted to throw this ugly Xenogenic away too—it was an eyesore—but he couldn’t help it if Yu An liked it.
Currently, Yu An was nervously clutching Lin Huaichen’s neck, his eyes darting around like a kitten in a state of high alert.
Lin Huaichen led him into the circle of power players. These well-dressed men and women of high status all stopped their conversations and raised their glasses. “Patriarch Lin.”
Yu An tried to peek out, but seeing these unfamiliar uncles, aunties, grandpas, and grandmas, his inner fear still took over. He nudged Lin Huaichen’s neck. “Papa… scared…”
Lin Huaichen soothingly patted his back, lowering his voice. “Then just hold me. You don’t have to do anything.”
As he spoke so gently to the child in his arms, the various household heads were shocked. They exchanged glances and quickly guessed Yu An’s identity.
It seemed this little fellow was the child adopted by the Patriarchs of the Lin and Wen families. He was clearly very pampered. It looked like the Kyoto circle was about to have a new, untouchable, and very real “Little Prince.”
Lin Huaichen scanned the room, holding Yu An steadily. His lips curled up. “Everyone, let me introduce him.”
“Yu An. Mine and A-Xun’s son. The future master of the Lin family.”
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