The First Imperial Research Institute, Sector A.
At 4:00 AM, Professor Zhou’s eyes snapped open. With a crisp efficiency completely unsuited to his age, he finished washing up, pushed open his lounge door, and headed to the research hall housing the Freedom Gundam with a teacup in hand. Along the way, Professor Zhou wasn’t idle; his fingers tapped occasionally on his terminal, dialing a video call to his old rival far away in the Alliance, Shen Yushu.
However, even after Professor Zhou arrived at the research hall and picked a seat with a great view, the other party still hadn’t answered his video call.
Professor Zhou let out a “heh.” His expression was one of rare relaxation and smugness. “So you’re not going to answer, huh? I’ll just keep calling. I’ll call until you do.”
Tapping his terminal, Professor Zhou set it to auto-dial. Only then did he unhurriedly begin to enjoy his breakfast, calculating in his heart exactly how he was going to show off in front of that old geezer Shen Yushu later.
Heaven knew how long he had waited for this day.
Ever since Shen Yushu took in that genius student Jian Feichen, he hadn’t skimped on finding creative ways to show off to him over the past few years. Unfortunately, none of Professor Zhou’s own students were up to par. He didn’t know how many lemons he had eaten in jealousy over the years; every time, he could only shout back angrily, “No matter how amazing your student is, wasn’t he still hammered into the ground by our Empire’s Admiral Shi? Embarrassing!”
But Admiral Shi wasn’t his student after all, nor was he a researcher. Shouting like that was truly too pale and powerless. Every time, he would be choked into silence by that old geezer Shen Yushu with a single sentence: “Is he your student?”
And as the news of Shi Xingzhou’s mental injury spread, and the Alliance overtook them in deciphering the Ancient Civilization Heritage, the past two years had been incredibly stifling and miserable for Professor Zhou.
But now…
Our Consultant Xi single-handedly thrashed all of your Alliance’s researchers, leaving that brat Jian Feichen a hundred streets behind!
Just watch as I make you die of jealousy!
Professor Zhou auto-dialed for a full hour before finally getting through to Shen Yushu’s video feed.
The old man who appeared on the other end of the holographic screen had white hair but a youthful complexion and a kindly face. He was exactly the one known as the “Medical Titan”—the pyramid-topping big shot in the field of biology, Old Mr. Shen Yushu, who was also the Minister of the Alliance’s Science and Technology Department.
At this moment, Shen Yushu’s face was taut. He said impatiently, “It’s the middle of the night, why are you making harassing video calls?”
“What middle of the night? It’s only 6:00 PM over there in the Alliance right now. What are you pretending for, you old geezer?” Professor Zhou scoffed. “Weren’t you showing off to me in every way possible before about having a good student? Why aren’t you saying anything now? Dragging it out for so long before answering my call—you’re feeling guilty, aren’t you? Now you know what it means to be embarrassed?”
Shen Yushu snorted coldly, wearing an expression that practically screamed I can’t be bothered to entertain you.
Professor Zhou wasn’t about to let this rare opportunity to show off slip by. He shifted to reveal the Freedom Gundam behind him, which now had three pairs of wings fully lit up. The background noise was the cadenced Ancient Civilization language being played on a loop. “Look at this. Before Consultant Xi left yesterday, he deciphered two more sets of passwords. Our Empire has now reached 60% deciphering progress, while your Alliance is still stuck at 20%…”
Shen Yushu couldn’t resist glancing at those lit-up wings, thinking bitterly to himself that the machine had almost belonged to their Alliance. He said sourly, “It’s just alright, I guess. It’s not like it’s your accomplishment.”
Professor Zhou didn’t mind the sarcasm and mockery in Shen Yushu’s tone in the slightest. Instead, he leisurely took a sip of tea and sighed with deep emotion, “I have to say, sometimes people really just have to accept getting old. Previously, I always felt my energy couldn’t compare to that precious student of yours. But now, comparing myself to the 18-year-old Consultant Xi… only then do I realize the massive gap! I’m old, I’m old. It’s the young people’s world now.”
“Oh, right. This ancient civilization’s mecha is called the ‘Freedom Gundam.’ Consultant Xi deciphered that too.”
With perfect, sonorous articulation, Professor Zhou deliberately recited it again in the Ancient Civilization language: “In the Ancient Civilization tongue, it is pronounced as ‘Freedom Gundam’.”
What are you showing off for? What are you so smug about?!
Did YOU decipher it?
That’s all Consultant Xi’s accomplishment! What does it have to do with you?!
“…”
Crack. Shen Yushu crushed the floor tile under his foot, completely forgetting that he had done the exact same thing a few days ago—showing off his precious student Jian Feichen, advising Professor Zhou to accept his old age, saying how nice it would be to retire at home so he wouldn’t have to bicker with the younger generation. He had even boasted that once the Ancient Civilization Heritage arrived in the Alliance, it would be publicly exhibited, and he would mail Professor Zhou a ticket.
“My pronunciation was correct, right?” After asking, Professor Zhou acted as if he suddenly realized something. “Oh my, I’m getting old and muddled. I forgot that you don’t even know the correct pronunciation! Consultant Xi specifically taught me this. Old Shen, let me tell you something quietly. I’ve already made an appointment with Consultant Xi. First thing tomorrow, I’m taking that bronze sword with me as a guest to the Admiral’s Manor…”
The corner of Shen Yushu’s mouth twitched. He knew this old geezer calling him for an hour straight was purely to show off.
If his hand hadn’t slipped for a second, he would never have answered this old man’s call.
Shen Yushu really wanted to throw a sarcastic remark back, but remembering the brightly lit holographic screens behind him, he had no choice but to sit still in his place. He quietly reached out and turned the volume from Professor Zhou’s side all the way down to the minimum.
The world instantly became much quieter. Ah, comfortable.
“Consultant Xi said the ancient civilization’s ‘Sword’ culture is profound and expansive. I wonder what the name and origins of my bronze sword are. For the sake of our many years of friendship, I will definitely share it with you later, Old Shen…” Professor Zhou was right in the middle of his boasting when he suddenly felt something wasn’t quite right. Why is it so quiet on the other end?
His sitting posture is so awkward too. Doesn’t this old man absolutely love lying around like a salted fish in private? Why is he sitting so upright right now, and even wearing a rare formal suit?
No!
There’s definitely a problem somewhere!
Professor Zhou narrowed his eyes, observing back and forth meticulously like a falcon. Whichever direction his gaze shifted, Shen Yushu would shift to block it, making a show of wanting to end the call. “What are you looking at? If you have nothing else to say, get lost quickly. I’m still busy over here.”
“Busy? When I was busy back then, didn’t you pester me to show off for two whole hours? If you dare hang up my video, I’ll lock up your precious student!”
Shen Yushu’s motion to close the video paused.
And on this side, Professor Zhou finally discovered through the lighting and shadows that several holographic screens were still open behind Shen Yushu. Although he couldn’t see the content on the screens, he could faintly hear voices coming from them. Suddenly, an unfamiliar yet familiar youthful voice entered his ears.
Professor Zhou furrowed his brow slightly. Why does this voice sound so familiar? It’s a youth’s voice… who is it again…
A youth…
A youth?!
Professor Zhou suddenly snapped to realization. He slammed the table in anger and sprang up. “Well played, Shen Yushu! You old geezer, you have no martial ethics! You actually went behind my back to look for Consultant Xi!”
The S-class Professor Zhou was so enraged he crushed his teacup with his bare hands. He wished he could rush over to the Admiral’s Manor right this instant and tell Consultant Xi to ignore Shen Yushu, that shameless old scoundrel!
No, no, no, rushing over there right now is too slow!
Professor Zhou, who had already sprinted to the door of the research hall, abruptly stopped. He looked down at the terminal on his wrist, and an idea instantly came to him.
…
Early morning.
When Shi Xingzhou opened his eyes at his fixed time, the faint morning light outside the window was scattering hazily into the room.
I actually fell asleep… Shi Xingzhou sat up in bed, only to feel that last night’s sleep had brought a rare sense of stability and peace. He hadn’t experienced this feeling in almost five years. In the past, even if he lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep, his Mental Sea would still be agitated, and he could never truly rest.
Just as Shi Xingzhou was thinking, a knock sounded at the door.
He looked up and said gently, “Enter.”
Butler Wang pushed the door open and walked in. He carefully observed Shi Xingzhou’s expression, and upon seeing a rare look of satisfaction from a full night’s sleep on his face, he finally reported, “Admiral, Mr. Jian from the Alliance arrived two hours ago. I saw that you were sleeping, so I took the liberty of not disturbing you.”
Shi Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What is he here for?”
That brat got his head shaved by me yesterday. Shouldn’t he be hiding from me now, afraid I’ll force him into a handstand hair-washing live stream again?
Butler Wang’s expression was complex. He hesitated to speak, stopped, and then hesitated again. Finally, he managed to squeeze out a single sentence: “You’ll know once you go to the drawing room.”
Shi Xingzhou lifted his eyelids and gave him a look. Butler Wang held firm and didn’t say a word.
Twenty minutes later.
Shi Xingzhou changed his clothes and walked into the drawing room. At a glance, he saw Xi Xiuran sitting amidst a pile of holographic screens, simultaneously translating text and communicating with the two old professors, Shen Yushu and Professor Zhou.
Xi Xiuran was wearing a pair of non-prescription glasses, and his hair was tied back into a small ponytail. His expression had completely swept away its usual laziness. He looked incredibly energetic, translating the text on the screens with an unprecedented level of seriousness.
Shi Xingzhou: “???”
He lowered his eyes to check the time on his terminal. It was 6:00 AM.
This is the salted fish Consort of his who refused to move a muscle? Didn’t he sleep until 10:00 AM just yesterday?
Shi Xingzhou’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. His cold gaze then swept toward the unfamiliar maid standing behind Xi Xiuran.
The maid was wearing a classic black-and-white maid outfit—a knee-length black dress paired with white stockings and black leather shoes. On her head sat a cute white lace headband. Her fiery red hair was tied into pretty, adorable twin tails. Her features were exquisite and flamboyant, and her large, pale golden eyes resembled the morning sun.
The red-haired maid was listening earnestly to Xi Xiuran’s translation, constantly taking notes with pen in hand. She occasionally frowned in confusion, and occasionally nodded in contemplation. She didn’t look like a maid at all, but rather a good student paying attention in class.
This is… Jian Feichen?
Just as Shi Xingzhou was feeling bewildered, he heard Xi Xiuran say, “I’m thirsty.”
Jian Feichen immediately put down his pen and paper, stepped forward, and poured a cup of tea for Xi Xiuran. After silently completing this, he quietly retreated, picked up his pen and paper again, and stared intently at the star map on the holographic screen.
Shi Xingzhou: “…”
Butler Wang lowered his voice and said, “When I woke up at 5:00 AM, I saw the Consort and the others busy here. According to the night guard, the light in the Consort’s room was on until 4:00 AM last night. At 4:30 AM, he had the robot prepare some food, and after eating, he immediately came to the drawing room and has been busy with Old Mr. Shen and Professor Zhou until now…”
He stayed up all night without sleeping…
Shi Xingzhou’s brow furrowed slightly.
Sweat was about to drip from Butler Wang’s forehead.
Jian Feichen was highly perceptive. Even though he was listening intently, he acutely sensed the sudden change in the surrounding atmosphere. He immediately turned to look.
Upon turning around, his gaze locked straight onto Shi Xingzhou standing at the doorway.
Dressed in a simple shirt and suit pants, Shi Xingzhou stood at the intersection of light and shadow. His expression couldn’t be seen clearly, but with his tall and straight posture, no matter where he stood, the oppressive aura of a superior came crashing forward.
“S-Shi Xingzhou…”
Jian Feichen’s breath caught in his throat. With a clatter, the pen and notebook in his hand fell to the floor.
His face instantly flushed bright red. He felt completely unwell, standing there with stiff limbs, so socially dead that he wished he could disappear from the Capital Star and flee back to the Alliance overnight. But looking at the star map that was at a crucial point of deciphering on the holographic screen, he couldn’t bear to leave. He could only silently edge behind the sofa, trying to minimize his presence.
Hearing the commotion, Xi Xiuran finally snapped out of it and looked up.
He saw Shi Xingzhou standing silently at the doorway, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression cold and unfathomable. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Xi Xiuran put down his pen, not feeling that anything was amiss in the slightest. He smiled at him, revealing two sharp little canine teeth. “Morning~”
Shi Xingzhou stared at him fixedly for a moment. Ultimately, his expression softened, and he walked over to Xi Xiuran. “Consort, good morning.”
He strode over to the seat next to Xi Xiuran and sat down. Only then did he lift his eyes to greet Old Mr. Shen and Professor Zhou on the other side of the holographic screens.
Because of Shi Xingzhou’s arrival, Professor Zhou and the others finally realized that the sun had come up. Shen Yushu was detail-oriented; he glanced at the breakfast on the table that Xi Xiuran had barely touched. After greeting them, he took the initiative to say, “My assistant is rushing me to eat breakfast. We’ve been busy all night; why don’t we all take a break?”
Professor Zhou was also worried about exhausting Xi Xiuran, and hurriedly agreed, “Let’s take a break, let’s take a break. I happen to need some food too. I’m a bit hungry.”
“Then I’ll also…” Jian Feichen had already quietly sidled over to the door, trying to slip away.
Once the serious, academic atmosphere was gone, Jian Feichen’s sense of shame was infinitely magnified. Especially with Shi Xingzhou here, he practically wanted to vanish on the spot.
F\*\*k! I consider Shi Xingzhou my rival! How am I ever going to provoke him in the future after this?!
Xi Xiuran shot him a glance. Jian Feichen tearfully changed his tune, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying. “I-I’ll go prepare the meal for the Admiral and the Consort. Please wait a moment.”
To hell with being a one-day maid!!!
Jian Feichen quickly ran out. Butler Wang hurriedly chased after him, shouting as they went, “Mr. Jian, slow down! I’ll take you to the kitchen! Your skirt! Your skirt is flying up! You’re flashing everyone…”
Jian Feichen: “Shut up!!!”
In the blink of an eye, only Shi Xingzhou and Xi Xiuran were left in the drawing room.
Shi Xingzhou turned his head to look at Xi Xiuran. “What is going on?”
Xi Xiuran chuckled. “Building a good relationship with Old Mr. Shen! Who knows, maybe he can cure you.”
Shi Xingzhou paused, raising his eyes to look at him.
Perhaps because he had stayed up all night, and his hair was just casually tied back, a strand of hair at the end of Xi Xiuran’s ponytail was sticking up uncharacteristically. It gave him a lazy, cute look. Those emerald cat-eyes were hazy with the morning light, not as energetic as usual, yet they were still entirely filled with his reflection.
The sharpness in Shi Xingzhou’s heart inexplicably collapsed at one corner.
He knew Old Mr. Shen had extraordinary medical skills, and was also an ability user, but Old Mr. Shen couldn’t cure him. No one in this world could cure him anymore.
But Xi Xiuran didn’t know that. This incredibly lazy person—the one who claimed he would just provide him with “the end of life care”—had simply found a tiny sliver of hope, and foolishly stayed up all night without sleeping just to cozy up to Old Mr. Shen. He had painstakingly poured his effort into translating a star map that would give any layman a massive headache just looking at it.
Shi Xingzhou lowered his eyelids. His long, slender fingers suddenly reached up and pressed down that stray strand of hair sticking up from the youth’s head. When his slightly cool fingertips brushed past his scalp, it sent a shiver through him.
Xi Xiuran: “?”
He looked up at Shi Xingzhou.
“Your hair was sticking up.” Shi Xingzhou’s voice was steady and calm, his expression peaceful. “Are you not sleepy?”
His action was too natural, as if he was just casually helping out. Xi Xiuran didn’t overthink it, and couldn’t hold back a small yawn. “I’m alright. I don’t really have anything to do usually anyway. I’ll just work a bit harder today, and go to sleep when I’m done.”
Shi Xingzhou nodded, not saying anything more. “Let’s go. Time to eat breakfast.”
Xi Xiuran paused for a moment, then nodded. “Oh.”
T/n: Please Vote on NU to support the novel. You can support the original author here. Happy Reading 💅