Chapter 37: The Professor's Departure

Lanska spoke calmly, “It was merely luck. If you had arrived a moment earlier, Steward, the credit would surely be yours.”

Li Buyun’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he burst out laughing. “This matter is of utmost importance to the Li family. The family head has been fretting about how to get closer to certain influential figures—now, finally, we have the opportunity. This will be decisive for the future development of the Li family. We must not delay; once I welcome back the young miss, we’ll set out at once.”

“Welcome back the young miss? Has she already arrived here? How come I know nothing of this?”

Lanska was shaken to the core by these words, a sudden sense of foreboding flashing through his mind.

Could it be that Li Buyun came here not knowing the professor was present, but rather searching for the young miss who loves to run away and explore? This… this is absurd!

For a moment, regret almost drowned Lanska, his face turning pale and stunned on the spot.

Li Buyun had no intention of looking at him again, striding away as he called loudly, “You should be grateful the young miss is safe. Otherwise, no matter how great your achievements, the family head would never forgive you.”

Watching Li Buyun and Li Sanli walk off into the distance, Lanska finally came to his senses, as if awakening from a dream. He dashed off madly to one side.

At this moment, Hua Keqiang had already led Li Yan, Lekai, and Lanbo out.

From the beginning, Hua Keqiang never intended to keep the members of the Resistance Alliance. Through various means—coercion and persuasion—he managed to recruit a large number of “pieces” from among them. Now, as he acted, the true revolutionaries, save for the Wu siblings, were almost entirely wiped out.

Although he had been abandoned by someone, Hua Keqiang was not discouraged. He had discovered Li Yan’s value, and the information received from his subordinates made him even more certain he had made the right bet.

Lekai remained silent. He had overdrawn his strength earlier, making him now appear extremely weak. All he wanted was to lie on a stone platform, connect to a current, and let powerful electricity open up his blocked meridians.

Lanbo seemed to notice Lekai’s discomfort, supporting him and whispering, “Little brother, hang in there. Once we’re safe, you can sleep as long as you like.”

Lekai forced a bitter smile, biting his tongue to keep himself awake, but the scenery before him began to blur.

In a haze, he seemed to see the professor standing in the plaza, waving at him, calling out: “Lekai, limits—remember, there are no limits for humans. As long as you believe, miracles will appear, potential will be boundless…”

“Potential will be boundless? But right now… I just want to sleep!”

Lekai muttered, his eyelids finally closing despite his efforts. Faintly, he heard childish cries and anxious shouts…

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“Lekai, Lekai, wake up!”

He didn’t know how much time had passed. Finally, Lekai felt a sense of ease; the fatigue vanished, his body overflowed with strength, seemingly even greater than before.

He opened his eyes to see a fluffy golden mane swaying before him.

“Lanbo? Why are you here? How long did I sleep? Where’s the professor?”

Lekai frowned, scanning the surroundings, and tore off all the wires attached to his body as he rose from the bed. During previous experiments, he always pulled out the wires directly, so it had become routine. To Lanbo, however, this was a shocking sight.

“Lekai, it’s good you’re awake. You’ve slept for three days and nights. You must be starving—let’s eat first, shall we?”

Lanbo’s gaze flickered as he spoke.

“So long? No wonder my stomach’s growling—I could eat a wolf!”

Lekai paid little attention to Lanbo’s expression, his mind focused on food. After every meridian treatment, he would devour a feast, and this time was no exception.

Lanska had already set a lavish banquet in the living room. Only father and son accompanied him, but most of the time, they simply sat in silence, watching Lekai devour the food. They exchanged glances, both showing a trace of hesitation, unsure how to begin.

Lekai wolfed down the dishes, seemingly oblivious to the two. Normally, Lanbo would have laughed and teased him, but this time, he remained unusually quiet, even somewhat sympathetic.

“The food’s good—much tastier than mutated beasts, but not chewy enough, not quite satisfying. Next time, you should try cooking mutated beasts.” Lekai finally finished, lying back and rubbing his round belly, laughing. Yet the bleak scene Lanska and his son had expected never appeared; Lekai didn’t cry out for his teacher.

“Lekai, there’s something I must tell you. It’s entirely my fault. Whatever punishment you decide after hearing it, I’ll accept.” Lanska finally steeled himself to speak. He could not imagine how Lekai would react upon learning that the teacher he depended on had been arrested by the Empire. No child could possibly accept it. He could sense the professor’s genuine affection for Lekai.

“No need to say it. Did my teacher leave any message or instructions?”

Though Lekai tried to conceal it, the smile on his face stiffened uncontrollably, forming an expression that was neither laughter nor tears, a strange look that should never belong to a child.

It was the kind of strength forged through suffering the world’s deepest pain.

“Lekai, you… already know?”

Lanska couldn’t hide his shock, staring incredulously at Lekai.

“Your expressions gave everything away. The teacher’s departure was inevitable—what’s so strange about it?” He chuckled. “You probably don’t know—the old man’s crimes are monstrous. He’s wanted across the universe by the leading powers of Capital Star. Getting caught was only a matter of time.” He paused, seeing the father and son dumbfounded, then continued, “The old man… my teacher, he’s shrewd—he definitely made arrangements. Hand it over!”

Lekai held out his palm to Lanska, but the iron-hard little hand still trembled slightly.

“Yes, before he left, the professor entrusted you to me, asking me to take care of you. Lekai, from now on, this is your home, and we are your family. You won't be alone and won’t be bullied again. As for the professor, I… I’ll try to help you.”

Lanska wanted to say he’d help Lekai rescue the professor, but thinking of the overwhelming power and influence on Capital Star, he realized he had no confidence to make such a promise.

He produced a wristwatch and gently placed it in Lekai’s palm. “The professor made this specially for you. Only you can unlock it.”

Lekai took the watch and smiled lightly. “Thank you, Uncle Lanska. I’ll take care of myself—I have my own home. As for those who would bully me, they haven’t appeared yet.”

Lanbo couldn’t help but ask, “Lekai, won’t you stay with us?”

He truly couldn’t understand why Lekai would give up such a comfortable place, choosing instead to live outside the firmament, in such harsh conditions.