ABDIBCB Chapter 05

On the way back, Yuan Yi repeatedly wiped his palms on his pant legs. He acted nervous, keeping his head down the entire time, looking uneasy and cautious.

Seeing this, Zhou Tandai said, “You did well today. I can tell that Principal Li and Professor Jian both like you. But when you go shopping with Professor Jian, be extra careful not to say anything inappropriate that might upset her. Also, remember to take the initiative to pay for the things you buy this afternoon. Your aunt will transfer the three million into your account shortly. And even if you plan to continue your studies, don’t forget—the most important task after marrying into the Li family. Only if you accomplish this well can you truly secure your position in the Li family. Do you understand?”

“Understood.”

At that moment, Fang Jing transferred the three million. “The money has been sent to you. Remember not to spend recklessly—you can’t let the Li family think you’re wasteful. Also, the house is currently rented out, and the tenants are still living there. The property title can be given to you; it was only under our care, and the name on it is yours. But if you want to use the house, you’ll have to wait until the middle of next year.”

Yuan Yi had almost forgotten about that. But as long as the house was in his name, the rest didn’t matter much.

Yuan Yi returned to his room again. He knew very well that Fang Jing wouldn’t let him take the clothes he used to wear, but he still pretended to be unaware and packed all his clothes into his bag. It wasn’t until Fang Jing noticed and scolded him that he took them all out. But one damaged set—he secretly wrapped it in several layers of paper and stuffed it into his backpack.

In the afternoon, Jian Yurou personally came to pick him up. Carrying his backpack and pulling a small suitcase, Yuan Yi boarded Jian Yurou’s aircraft. He left without hesitation, making Fang Jing feel a little uneasy. “Are you sure it’s really okay to send him there?”

Zhou Tandai said, “It’s definitely better than sending our son. Don’t you know what kind of personality our son has? If we had forced him to go, he wouldn’t have ended up married—he would’ve made an enemy instead. Though Xiao Yi might not be completely willing to go either, at least he’s obedient and doesn’t have any bad intentions.”

Some things are engraved in the bones. His younger sister had been quiet since childhood, and this nephew of his had inherited that trait from her. Only then did Fang Jing fall silent, completely unaware that the “quiet” nephew they imagined was, at this moment, inside the aircraft, removing his communicator in front of Jian Yurou, dismantling it, and deliberately damaging one of its internal components.

Jian Yurou had already guessed his intention from the little ear symbol. Seeing that he had taken it apart but hadn’t damaged the crucial part, she simply smiled and reached out her hand.

Yuan Yi placed the small components into Jian Yurou’s palm. Jian Yurou took them, directly snapped a tiny chip inside, and tossed it into the trash bin. “Now, no one can listen to our conversation.”

“Thank you, Professor Jian.”

“It’s nothing. We’ll buy a new one later. Your identity is special—once we get the new communicator, I’ll have someone install an anti-surveillance system for you. Also, if you have any other requests, you can tell me now.”

People raised in military families naturally had a sharper sense of awareness, but Jian Yurou’s sharpness came with a sense of calm. 

Yuan Yi had thought that getting along with Jian Yurou and Li Chengping shouldn’t be difficult. Teachers, aside from the common habit of being a bit fond of lecturing, were generally decent people. But he hadn’t expected Jian Yurou to be this easygoing. And judging by her demeanor, it wasn’t just an act—she genuinely carried an air of kindness and tolerance.

Perhaps some things didn’t need to wait any longer. Yuan Yi asked, “Professor Jian, can I change my major?”

Jian Yurou was slightly taken aback. “Change your major? To what?”

She hadn’t expected Yuan Yi to make such a request and was a little surprised. As far as she knew, the only talent this child had was in drawing. While it wasn’t particularly outstanding, compared to his other skills, it was one of his better abilities. She had even considered finding him a better teacher to guide him.

Yuan Yi said, “I want to transfer to clinical medicine.”

Jian Yurou was even more perplexed. “Those two majors are completely unrelated. And the semester is already more than halfway through—you’ve missed a lot of classes. Even if you transfer, it’ll be incredibly difficult to catch up.”

She was actually putting it mildly. It wouldn’t just be difficult—it would be nearly impossible.

Jihua University was a comprehensive university, and its medical school was one of its most prestigious faculties. Medicine was one of the two most renowned programs in the institution, a field where countless students fought tooth and nail just to get in. Transferring from art and design to clinical medicine? That was madness. Even if she had the means to help him transfer, if he couldn’t keep up, he wouldn’t be able to graduate anyway.

Yuan Yi knew the idea was a little crazy. But medicine had always been his true field. He loved studying it, and he had no real interest in other disciplines. So he still wanted to try.

Jian Yuru hesitated for a long moment before finally saying, “If you’re serious about this, I can ask around and find you a tutor to help. But this won’t be an easy path. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”

Yuan Yi nodded firmly. Ever since he arrived in this world and accessed the optical computer, he had spent time researching—not just Li Heng’s life, but also the state of medical advancements in this era. What he found was beyond anything he had ever known. The level of progress fascinated him, and deep down, he felt a strong pull toward it.

But transferring majors wouldn’t be simple. The admission scores for the Arts College and the Medical School were vastly different. If he wanted to switch, he had two options: retake the entrance exam and start over as a freshman, or take the specialized transfer examination. The latter required him to prove that he could keep up with his peers, and only then would he be granted the opportunity to join the program.

Jian Yurou, however, looked conflicted. “Xiao Yi, if you marry Li Heng, the military will expect you to conceive as soon as possible. You’ve probably heard—Li Heng’s genetic profile is… unique, and because of that, they won’t give you much time to decide. You’ll likely be pregnant soon. Do you really think you can handle both carrying a child and studying in such a demanding field?”

Yuan Yi met her gaze without hesitation. “I want to try.”

His voice was calm, but there was a determination in his eyes that left no room for doubt.

“I don’t want to retake the entrance exam, but I do want to prepare for the transfer test. If I can pass, Professor Jian, could you help me with the transfer process? I truly want to study medicine.”

Jian Yurou studied him for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. If that’s what you want, I’ll see what I can do.” She did not argue further, deciding to first consult a friend before making any conclusions.

The two of them then went to the mall and started by shopping for bedding.

Yuan Yi had never been to the Li family’s home before. However, Jian Yurou, being very considerate, had a smart robot take pictures of the room he would be staying in and sent them to him. After looking at the images, he immediately knew what he needed to buy.

In fact, there wasn’t much that needed changing. The furniture was already in place, the room was bright enough, and the curtains seemed to have good light-blocking effects. In the end, he only bought two sets of interchangeable bedding, toiletries, and a new communicator.

He also bought a thermos, a new optical computer, and some pens and notebooks. Then, after placing these items into the aircraft, he went to the hospital with Jian Yurou to complete the preoperative examination before officially stepping into the Li family’s home for the first time.

The Li family lived in one of the townhouses. The house had a total of four floors, above and below ground, with gardens in both the front and back, and neighbors on either side.

When Yuan Yi arrived, the neighbor on the right, an auntie, was collecting laundry. She asked Jian Yurou, “Professor Jian, whose child is this? He’s really good-looking.”

Jian Yurou replied, “This is my future daughter-in-law. His name is Yuan Yi. Xiao Yi, this is an old neighbor of the Li family. You can just call her Aunt Feng Lu. She’s a military weapons expert.”

Yuan Yi said, “Hello, Aunt Feng Lu.”

Feng Lu was a female alpha, tall and imposing, looking as if she were under fifty. But the people here generally aged well, so he couldn’t guess her exact age. This was a military compound, and those who lived here were not ordinary people. Moreover, with houses so close together, everyone naturally knew about the Li family’s current situation. Feng Lu gave Yuan Yi a friendly smile and said, “Welcome, Xiao Yi.”

Yuan Yi thanked her and followed Jian Yurou inside.

The smart housekeeper came to greet them, scanning Yuan Yi’s biometric information. Jian Yuru then led him to the room prepared for him, which was on the second floor.

Yuan Yi found that the room was much larger than it had appeared in the video. The colors also looked brighter in person, with a decor dominated by soft green and creamy yellow, making it look like a child’s room.

“This was originally meant for my future grandson or granddaughter,” Jian Yuru said. “But for now, Xiao Yi, you can stay here—it works just as well. Later, when Principal Li and I have time, we’ll tidy up Li Heng’s room. If you’d prefer, you can move there instead. But if you like this room, we can always prepare another bedroom for the child when the time comes.”

“I’m fine with anything. Thank you, Professor Jian, and sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble.” Seeing the room’s decor, Jian Yuru seemed to get emotional. She wiped her reddened eyes and said, “Get some rest first. I’ll call you for dinner later.”

Yuan Yi unpacked his things and did some light organizing. Then, he went to a holographic shopping mall to buy a few sets of new clothes and had them delivered to this new address.

By the time he finished, Principal Li had returned. The three of them had dinner together downstairs. Though it wasn’t their first time sharing a meal, the atmosphere at the table wasn’t exactly lively. After all, the family had held a funeral just last year, so this was understandable. People put on masks when they were outside, but at home, they could show their true emotions.

Principal Li said, “Professor Jian and I are usually quite busy, so most of our meals are prepared by the smart chef. The taste is… well, passable. Xiao Yi, if you’re not used to it, we can ask Professor Jian to hire a housekeeper to cook for us.”

Yuan Yi wasn’t picky about food. During his time working at the hospital, it was common for him to miss meals. Besides, he could cook himself. Other than work, his only hobby was making good food when he was at home, and he was skilled in preparing both main courses and desserts. He said, “No need to trouble yourselves. Things are fine the way they are—quiet and comfortable. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll cook for you both.”

Jian Yurou asked, “You can cook?”

In this day and age, smart chefs were the norm, and fewer and fewer people knew how to cook. Even among omegas, it was rare to find someone who could, and those who did usually only knew the basics.

Yuan Yi replied, “I can make a few things, but I can’t guarantee they’ll taste great.”

At this moment, he felt a little like he was facing his superiors—almost like being a student again, temporarily staying at a teacher’s house. He was an orphan and had no experience with family life, but during his middle school years, his teachers had helped him a lot. He would always remember that.

Jian Yurou said, “Then I’d really like to try your cooking. Maybe in a few days.” She paused before continuing, “Just now, Principal Li and I discussed your situation. If you’re really determined to change your field of study, it’s not impossible to try. But if you go through with it, it’d be best to take some time off first to focus on catching up with medical coursework. It’ll be extremely demanding. Of course, if you’re determined to push through, it’s not impossible. It’s just that…”

Jian Yurou sighed, hesitating for a moment before saying, “It’s just that the higher-ups are requiring you to undergo the pregnancy procedure as soon as possible. Are you really not going to reconsider?”

Yuan Yi’s gaze was unwavering as he replied firmly, “No need. I’ll have the surgery and switch my specialization.”

Li Chengping said, “Then tomorrow, Professor Jian will notify your school and request leave for you.”

Yuan Yi nodded. Seeing how determined he was, the two elders couldn’t help but think of their own son—just as stubborn as a mule.

Meanwhile, on a planet several light-years away…

Thick fog rolled across the land, carrying the scent of blood. From deep within the misty forest, the deafening roars of beasts echoed through the sky.

A group of soldiers moved cautiously, standing back to back. Suddenly, something came crashing through the forest. The leaves rustled, the sound growing faster and faster—until a massive wild boar, nearly as tall as a grown man, leaped out and lunged at the soldiers!

Puff!

A dagger pierced the boar’s neck. The beast let out a sharp, ear-piercing scream as it dropped from midair. Its hooves scraped the ground twice before it charged at the soldiers again—firearms couldn’t be used here, as the highly flammable, oil-rich plants posed a constant risk of ignition.

The soldiers surrounded the boar and stabbed with all their strength. The beast thrashed desperately for a few moments before its movements slowed and it lay dying. Working together, they pushed the corpse aside. Their faces were smeared with sweat and blood, making it hard to tell one from another.

One of the soldiers asked, “Night Wolf, how long has the general been gone?”

Night Wolf replied, “Fifty-one minutes.”

Another soldier said, “Do you think the general and Lieutenant Li will make it back?”

Silence fell over the group. This planet was teeming with giant beasts, and the scent of tree oil in the air carried a faint toxicity. Ever since Lieutenant Li had been snatched away by a rock panther, only the general had the speed to keep up. The rest of them could do nothing but follow the trail of his pheromones as they advanced, but their pace was painfully slow.

At any moment, something deadly could come bursting out of the forest. Their stamina was depleting rapidly. If they didn’t make it back to the starship soon, the chances of returning to the home planet would become impossibly slim.

Someone asked, “How much time until the star bridge reopens?”

Night Wolf replied, “Less than two hours.”

Winter, Night, Flight, and Snow—these were the four elite guards. Night Wolf was responsible for all data and time-related intelligence support.

Winter Wolf, the captain of the guard, held priority command when General Li Heng and Lieutenant Li were absent. At this moment, he said, “The general ordered that if he doesn’t return within an hour, we are to leave without him.”

The others didn’t even hesitate. “No way!”

Winter Wolf snapped, “We don’t have a choice! It’s the general’s order! And don’t forget why we’re here. If none of us make it back, who will avenge this betrayal?”

The Nine-Colour Star Bridge was a crucial transport link connecting nine major planets. Their mission had been to guard the bridge during a routine deployment, and everything had gone smoothly—until someone tampered with their patrol ship while they were out on an inspection. That sabotage had led to their current predicament.

The support trooper, already on edge, was close to tears. “But there are only ten minutes left… and still no word from the general or Lieutenant Li.”

Just then, Flight Wolf spoke up. “Shh. Listen.”

A sudden tension filled the air before he shouted, “Four o’clock direction!”

The moment the words left his mouth, four or five creatures—dusty gray and shaped like velociraptors¹ T/n: Velociraptor is a genus of small dromaeosaurid dinosaurs that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous epoch, about 75 million to 71 million years ago.—came charging toward them. Though not particularly large, they were lightning-fast, and their claws were as sharp as scythes and steel hooks.

Winter Wolf barely had time to shout before he was tackled to the ground. The sheer number of attackers made it impossible to maintain their usual multi-on-one combat strategy. In the blink of an eye, someone had already had a chunk of flesh torn from their body!

The soldiers stabbed frantically with their daggers, their strikes no longer following any precise technique. Blood splattered across their faces, so much that they couldn’t even tell if it was from the beasts or themselves!

Just as they were about to finish off the last of the five creatures, one suddenly let out a strange shriek. Heavy footsteps rumbled in the distance.

Flight Wolf cursed, “Shit, did that thing just call its daddy?!”

As he spoke, a massive beast—dozens of times larger than the smaller ones—came thundering toward them. Flight Wolf hurled his dagger, but it didn’t pierce through! Instead, it clanged uselessly against the ground with a dull thud, a testament to how thick the creature’s hide was.

The support trooper’s face went deathly pale. “W-What do we do?”

Winter Wolf roared, “What do you mean, ‘what do we do’?! Run! Get up the trees!”

The group scattered instantly. Just as they thought they were doomed, the massive dinosaur suddenly reared its head back as if something had ensnared it.

Those who hadn’t made it up the trees paused, watching in shock. A thin silver gleam wound tightly around the dinosaur’s throat. Then, with a thunderous, bone-rattling howl, the silver wire snapped taut with blinding speed—twisting the dragon’s neck out of place. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc as its head was brutally severed!

A figure dropped from the trees like a divine warrior, landing effortlessly. On his back, he carried another person.

Who else could it be but their commander?!

In unison, the soldiers cried out in relief, “General!”

Li Heng adjusted the injured Lieutenant Li on his shoulder. His face was smeared with blood and sweat, but his deep black eyes remained icy-calm, carrying the sharp authority of a true leader.

His voice was hoarse and low. “How long?”

Night Wolf, still startled, stammered, “J-Just one second short of an hour.”

Winter Wolf reported, “General, by our current calculations, it’s roughly May 25th on Huamei Star. If we make it to this star bridge cycle, we should reach home in about three days by our time—around half a month in homeworld time.”

The vast distance between the two locations meant their gravitational forces differed, affecting the flow of time accordingly.

Li Heng glanced at the sky, displeased, then ordered coldly, “Relay my command—summon the Phantom Ship. We pass through the star bridge the moment it stabilizes. Absolute secrecy on our return. I want to see which bastard had the guts to come for my life!”

The soldiers responded in unison, “Yes, sir!”