Qin Gou gazed at Lu Lian lying on the hospital bed. It was rare to see him so unguarded. His sharp features seemed softened, like a clear lake surface undisturbed by wind.
Such a cold person, yet possessing such a mesmerizing face. Qin Gou watched quietly, then suddenly reached out a hand.
Just as his fingers were about to touch Lu Lian’s face, he paused abruptly and withdrew his hand.
“His Mental Sea might have inherent issues. The examination shows his Mental Sea is full of holes, like ground battered countless times by meteors. But you said you only recently encountered these Artificial Forbidden Cores.”
“What could be the cause?”
“Most likely, there’s something wrong with his Core Inhibitor itself.”
Qin Gou couldn’t help but recall the rampant rumors in Perat Main City. Actually, for a long time, the major families had maintained a balance of power until five years ago, when the name Lu Lian suddenly emerged. Associated with this name was an S-grade Nuclear Inhibitor Possessor, instantly igniting the stagnant noble factions. Afterwards, Lu Lian swiftly took control of most of the Lu family’s resources with thunderous methods and established Uralos the true sky above Perat Main City.
From then on, the balance of power shifted to one standing supreme above all others.
But when someone emerges so suddenly, it was predictable how many families would resent it. Forced to submit to Lu Lian’s dominance, they dared not oppose him openly, resorting instead to spreading rumors covertly.
The most circulated rumor claimed that Lu Lian had forcibly elevated his Mental Sea to S-grade through illegal biological experiments; otherwise, how could such a figure have remained unknown before?
But rumors remained rumors there was no evidence to prove any method could forcibly enhance a Mental Sea. Neither Core Inhibitor transplantation nor breaking through Core Inhibition Levels was possible.
Qin Gou had once heard this rumor too. At the time, he neither believed nor dismissed it, but due to his aversion to illegal biological experiments, he instinctively couldn’t bring himself to like Lu Lian.
Qin Gou thought, “Did he actually dislike Lu Lian?”
Yes, Lu Lian was also his love rival who took Ye Wan away, how could he possibly like such a person?
Nothing could be more detestable.
As Qin Gou thought this, his hand reached out again, gently brushing against the long, slightly gray eyelashes. It felt like a feather had touched his hand a little ticklish, with a hint of warmth.
Qin Gou withdrew his hand, lightly rubbing his fingertips together. His dark pupils held indescribable complex emotions.
“You seem quite fond of touching people while they’re asleep.” A clear, cold voice came through. Qin Gou looked up to see Lu Lian awake, his gray eyes fixed on him.
“Ah,” Qin Gou waved his hand dismissively, “You’re the one who said when you’re not fully conscious, it’s the best time for me to make my move.”
This “make a move” wasn’t what Lu Lian meant by “touching people.” Lu Lian couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge his poor joke and sat up to reach for the water on the bedside table.
Seeing this, Qin Gou stepped forward first, picked up the water pitcher, poured half a glass, and brought it to Lu Lian’s lips.
Lu Lian didn’t move, glancing at Qin Gou instead. “My hands aren’t injured.”
“No injuries?” Qin Gou raised an eyebrow, pointing at Lu Lian’s bandaged right hand. “The bite wound hasn’t healed yet, and you’ve already rubbed a new injury into it. You call this no injuries?”
Lu Lian lifted his eyelids slightly, then raised his left hand to take the water.
Qin Gou: “…”
“Seems like you’re already fine.” Qin Gou crossed his arms and watched Lu Lian finish drinking before continuing, “Then we should discuss serious matters, shouldn’t we?”
Lu Lian set the cup down properly and looked up at him, his gray eyes reflecting the fragmented light from the ceiling wall lamp, like a shattered starry sea.
For a moment, Qin Gou felt he might be somewhat inhumane: “Ahem, maybe…”
“Are you referring to the issue with my Mental Sea?” Lu Lian interrupted him, stating succinctly, “I’ve said there’s no need to account for this matter to you. Our transaction doesn’t include this item. After all, I’ve never brought up your loss of the Core Inhibitor either.”
“…” Qin Gou fell silent, his gaze darkening. It took a while before he looked up again. He sat back down in the chair beside the hospital bed, adopting a relaxed posture. “You’re right, Lu Lian. But I don’t want you losing control and killing me someday. What would be the point of our transaction then?”
“As long as I don’t participate in investigating the illegal biological experiments anymore, I won’t need to use my Mental Sea. Without using my Mental Sea, I naturally won’t lose control.”
“What do you mean?”
Lu Lian continued: “It’s simple. Don’t forget our cooperative transaction never included investigating illegal biological experiments. You only need to safely get me off the island in a few days.”
“I thought you needed to find Caberry yourself too, didn’t you?” Qin Gou raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned close to Lu Lian. His sharp features magnified infinitely before Lu Lian’s eyes, yet Lu Lian remained completely expressionless, not moving at all. Qin Gou studied his expression carefully, as if trying to bore a hole through it with his gaze. “Or have you already found what you want from Caberry?”
“Do I need to discuss this with you?”
“Indeed not necessary.” Qin Gou reestablished distance between himself and Lu Lian, sitting back in the chair. “In that case, Young Master Lu should rest well. When the time comes, I’ll just get you off the island.”
From then on, neither would owe the other anything.
Qin Gou left Lu Lian’s room but didn’t depart immediately. Instead, he stood quietly in place for a while. After a long time, he ruffled his already messy hair again, made a “tsk” sound, and then continued forward.
Reaching the innermost area, Qin Gou pushed open a wall, revealing that there was actually a very large space behind this base.
The first things that caught the eye were various large operating equipment, with people working inside them, controlling their operations.
Jiang Zhuo poked his head out from the largest mechanical equipment in the center, a streak of white dye standing out sharply in his black hair: “Boss!”
Qin Gou waved a hand. Jiang Zhuo patted the dust off his clothes and jumped down: “Boss! How’s my dog doing?”
“You mean Noodles?” Qin Gou rubbed his chin. “There should be enough dog food at home, but there’s no guarantee he won’t run around. Can you reimburse the furniture he breaks?”
Jiang Zhuo silently retreated a step, hugging himself: “How would I have money? I barely survive on the meager salary you pay me each month!”
Qin Gou said succinctly: “Then use the dog as compensation.”
“Great, boss. You really do have your eyes on my dog.” Jiang Zhuo said loudly, “Don’t even think about it! This is my dog, and I’m his favorite!”
Qin Gou raised an eyebrow. If they were being technical, Mian Tiao’s favorite should actually be Lu Lian.
How could someone so cold and detached be so beloved by little dogs?
Qin Gou didn’t know why his thoughts kept drifting back to Lu Lian. He decided to stop thinking about it and asked Jiang Zhuo, “Where are the others?”
“You mean them!” Jiang Zhuo slapped his forehead, “They’re all settled in the usual place. Want to go check on them?”
Qin Gou nodded. The two walked inward together, passing through various manufacturing workshops filled with new equipment and machinery until they reached the innermost room – a large, heavy door hidden in the shadows.
Qin Gou pressed the button beside the door.
The heavy door slowly opened, revealing bright light that cut through the darkness.
“Hey!” A strong young man’s voice called out from inside. If this were Blaise’s Experimental Factory, everyone would recognize this as 096’s voice.
Standing behind the door was a man with a crew cut. While not particularly handsome, he had sharp, resolute features that clearly showed he’d been through real battles.
“Lao Jiu.” Jiang Zhuo called to him, then turned back to Qin Gou, “Lao Jiu works really hard. He’s been gradually taking over the transportation and management of many large equipment.”
Lao Jiu, also known as “096,” rubbed his head, “I’m not cut out for delicate work like research and operations, so I can only help out in this way.”
“Lao Jiu, you’re reliable.” Qin Gou went over and patted his shoulder.
“073 no, Brother Lu, from now on you’re my boss.” Lao Jiu threw a comradely arm around his shoulder, “Finally don’t have to work illegal jobs every day anymore – those weighed on my conscience and kept me on edge all the time. Here, I can earn money just by using my strength, it’s really good. Hey… boss, you’re so capable, you should’ve said so earlier! Whatever needs to be done, I’ll fully cooperate. No need to put on an act in front of me! And that partner of yours is even more impressive…”
“Partner?” Jiang Zhuo looked over.
“Alright, enough chatter.” Qin Gou interrupted him, skillfully changing the subject, “Where are the others?”
“They’re all inside.”
The group continued inward as they talked. The spacious area was filled with busy people. Many looked quite young but had various physical disabilities. Fortunately, they had all been assigned work suitable for them and were now diligently performing their respective duties.
The hall was brightly lit, but only by artificial lights. Many rarely went out to see the sun. Some had their Core Inhibitors taken by Core Inhibitor traffickers, while others had been accidentally caught up in illegal biological experiments and forced into exile.
All of them had been taken in by Qin Gou here.
Everyone who saw Qin Gou greeted him: “Brother Qin!” “Brother Qin’s here.” “Brother Qin, any missions recently? If there’s anything I can help with…”
A faint smile played on Qin Gou’s lips as he responded to each person in turn.
Behind the hall were the living quarters. The group walked further in and knocked on the final door.
A blond boy opened the door.
Having just arrived recently, he was still somewhat timid, but knew his manners well enough to give a slight nod before letting Qin Gou in.
Ellis was sitting on the bed. His originally handsome face was wrapped in thick bandages, but fortunately his spirits seemed good, and he even had the leisure to slowly flip through a book.
Hearing someone approach, he looked up as if expecting it: “Boss. They said I should call you that.”
“You don’t have to call me that.” Qin Gou sat down. “Just call me Qin Gou.”
Ellis shook his head: “You saved me and my brother. I said I’d devote myself completely.”
“And I said, what would I do with your devotion?” Qin Gou replied. “Whether you stay or not, you can remain here for a while, experience life outside, then decide for yourself.”
“As for your Mental Sea and the injury on your face.” Qin Gou paused. “I can’t treat the Mental Sea, but Doctor Bai has methods to alleviate it. The injury on your face can be healed with a Healing Pod, but you should know most Healing Pods are monopolized by the Main City. We’ve recently developed one that’s still in the experimental phase. You can wait.”
“No need.” Ellis touched his bandaged face, which should have been a beauty indistinguishable between male and female. “It’s better to keep it like this, as a constant reminder.”
“Take your time to think it over.”
“What do you want to ask? Go ahead.” Ellis changed the subject abruptly, speaking directly. “You saved me, so I’ll tell you everything I know, including to that gray-haired gentleman.”
“No.” Qin Gou interrupted Ellis. “Don’t tell him.”
Don’t tell him.