ABFMV Chapter 33 Part 1

Xu Linlang knew Rong Chen’s intentions weren’t that simple.

Most likely, his words carried a double meaning, alluding to what happened back then.

Gu Nian immediately stepped forward and handed her a pure black spatial button. “This is the military’s newly developed A+ grade mecha.”

Xu Linlang took it in hand. “Thanks.”

She lifted her gaze toward Rong Chen. “Your Majesty, is there anything else? If not, I’ll take my leave.”

Rong Chen said flatly, “You and Chu Luochi can head back first. As for Qiye, I still have something to say to him.”

Xu Linlang knew Rong Chen still had doubts about Qiye’s identity. “I came here with Qiye. Since you still have something to tell him, I’ll wait for him.”

Rong Chen gave a light nod in agreement.

Qiye stepped forward. “May I ask what Your Majesty summoned me for?”

Rong Chen cast a sidelong glance at Gu Nian. Gu Nian quickly retrieved a vial from his storage space, glowing faintly green.

Xu Linlang’s chest tightened with unease when she saw it.

Rong Chen, however, smiled as he spoke. “I hear you were the true top scorer of this year’s Mecha Academy entrance exam, and with S-grade genes no less. Your future is limitless.”

Qiye lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty flatters me. I still have many shortcomings.”

Rong Chen waved a hand. “This vial was specially prepared by the military. It can enhance the body and even improve one’s genes. I heard you saved Linlang during the Lilan Military Academy trials, and you discovered the Zerg experiments too. So I’ve decided to reward you with this.”

Gu Nian carried the vial steadily to Qiye, placing the test tube across his palm.

The longer Xu Linlang looked at it, the more familiar it seemed—like she had seen it somewhere before.

Green… medicine…

!

Wasn’t this the same serum from the game, the one that was lethal to Zerg every time?

She knew it—someone as calculating as Rong Chen wouldn’t give Qiye anything good.

Even though Academician Chu Shao had already reported that Qiye showed no trace of Zerg genes, Rong Chen still treated him with suspicion.

He trusted no one—only what he could prove for himself.

Xu Linlang bit her lip. In the game, Qiye was indeed a hybrid. She didn’t know how he had managed to evade Chu Shao’s gene test, but this time… it wouldn’t be so easy.

She sneaked a glance at Qiye. He held the vial but hadn’t drunk it.

So he was wary of it too?

Rong Chen noticed his hesitation, a faintly mocking smile on his lips. “You don’t seem too pleased with my reward.”

Qiye’s fingers tightened around the tube. “Not at all. I just thought I should store it properly and drink it at home, so the effect can be maximized.”

A chill flickered in Rong Chen’s eyes. “Drink it now. This formula is a military secret—you can’t take it out with you.”

Xu Linlang’s heart clenched.

Judging by Qiye’s reaction, he must already know what this medicine does and that it would affect him. That’s why he hesitated.

In a rush, she stepped forward. “Uncle, you’re so biased. You know my genes are only C-grade, yet you give this kind of enhancer to an outsider instead of me.”

She blocked Qiye with her body, meeting Rong Chen’s gaze head-on.

Rong Chen’s tone was cool. “So Linlang still likes to snatch other people’s things. From childhood to now, nothing’s changed.”

Her smile didn’t waver. “Well, as the old saying goes—‘What you are at three, you’ll be at eighty.’ Some habits don’t die.”

She tried to snatch the vial from Qiye’s palm, but it didn’t budge an inch.

She shot him a look, but he pretended not to notice. Instead, he broke the seal, tipped his head back, and drank the serum in one gulp.

Xu Linlang: !

Was he out of his mind?!

The only reason she dared drink it in the game was because she knew it only harmed Zerg—it did not affect at all on humans.

But Qiye—who was definitely a hybrid—how could he dare swallow it down so decisively?

Just as she was preparing herself for his collapse, nothing happened.

Rong Chen pressed his lips together. “How does it feel after taking it?”

Qiye lifted his eyes. “Nothing at all. Just bitter.”

Rong Chen’s face darkened slightly. “I see. Then you may go. I’ve nothing further.”

Xu Linlang’s palms were slick with sweat as she bowed and answered respectfully.

Once they left the palace and boarded the starship, she couldn’t hold back anymore. “How could you drink that recklessly? Especially since it came from him—it’s dangerous.”

Qiye suddenly leaned close. “Are you angry?”

She realized then how sharp her tone had been. “…No. I just think you shouldn’t have taken that serum. It’s too risky. Once we’re back, I’ll have someone run a scan on you to be sure nothing’s wrong.”

A hint of joy broke through his composure. “If you knew it was dangerous, then why did you try to take it for me?”

Xu Linlang flicked a glance at Chu Luochi, who was clearly enjoying the show. She couldn’t reveal anything about Qiye’s identity here, so she just shot Qiye a glare. “Don’t you know why?”

Qiye gave her shoulder a light pat. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Chu Luochi tilted his head. “Still, I think Linlang’s concern makes sense. Back then, her genes were destroyed because she drank a bowl of bone broth prepared by His Majesty’s wet nurse for her brother. My dad always said it must’ve been on His Majesty’s orders. That’s why she’s so cautious about any food or medicine from him.”

Qiye’s hand at his side curled into a tight fist, so subtly no one noticed.

He had known this truth already—but hearing it again still made his chest twist painfully.

His voice turned dry, as if feigning ignorance. “Your genes… they were deliberately ruined to C-grade?”

Before Xu Linlang could answer, Chu Luochi was already nodding vigorously. “Of course. Linlang’s genes were originally S-grade! All those people calling her trash, calling me her lackey—that’s only because they have no idea what she’s been through!”