Chapter 22 1/2

Jiang Li finished the experiments at hand, sealed the materials, requested leave from the institute, and contacted Cen Lang on the third day.

“I’m ready.”

“Wait in the dormitory; I’ll come to pick you up.” “Alright.” “The cabin is spacious; you can bring several sets of clothes; no need to stick to winter wear.”

The temperature inside the battleship can be adjusted, and different planets have varying temperatures. Wearing heavy winter clothes everywhere is unnecessary.

Jiang Li fiddled with his phone, accepted Cen Lang’s understanding, and stuffed three sets of spring and autumn clothes into the suitcase, ensuring he could change at least once a day.

The clothes he chose were relatively loose. Being two months pregnant didn’t show much; at most, he wasn’t as thin as before. The nutritional supplements provided by the medical station weren’t taken for granted.

Oh, nutritional supplements… Jiang Li opened the wardrobe and pulled out a black bag. In early pregnancy, it’s essential to supplement with folic acid, which must be taken along. Jiang Li took out a sealed tube, poured twenty days’ worth of folic acid, tightened the lid, and tucked it under his clothes.

Leaving the plastic bag slightly open, Jiang Li squatted down, his gaze lingering on those “it’s fine not to eat, but it’s better if you do” nutritional supplements. Calcium supplements, high-quality protein supplements—the doctor said he had insufficient nutrient intake in his childhood, so he should take more during pregnancy.

Would it be noticeable if he brought too much? After all, Cen Lang knew he used to only drink nutritional supplements.

Hidden in his clothes, secretly eating should be fine, right?

Following Cen Lang’s generous sharing nature, Jiang Li wasn’t worried about going hungry on the way. It’s just… He didn’t want to eat too much of Cen Lang’s food. He planned to take care of his own meals throughout the journey. Eating a bowl of tomatoes offered by Cen Lang was already his limit.

With each bite, he felt a bit guilty, so he decided to keep a record. [January 31st: Tomatoes *7] and then find an opportunity to repay with something equivalent.

Jiang Li also counted twenty days’ worth of nutritional supplements, separate from the supplements, packaged openly for public consumption and privately for private consumption. Everything was ready, and the knock on the door came at the right time. “Jiang Li.” It was Cen Lang’s voice.

Jiang Li stood up from the suitcase and glanced at his frequently used medical kit. He decided not to bring it.

He didn’t want to be tempted to disinfect everywhere once he arrived in a new environment, becoming more and more like the caregivers in the underground city. Cen Lang might not remember everything, but he would definitely know if there had been a major cleanup around him.

You can’t let Cen Lang suspect twice; generally, when such a person suspects for the second time, it means they’re going to investigate thoroughly. Jiang Li’s account couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Yang Xiaoli had transferred several amounts to his card, and there was also a cash amount, but it couldn’t be scrutinized.

Jiang Li opened the door, and Cen Lang skillfully took the suitcase. “The spacecraft is parked on the rooftop.”

Every building at the Third Military Academy could connect to a spacecraft, but the passage to the rooftop was locked.

Jiang watched as Cen Lang took out a key and effortlessly opened the door. “How do you have the key?”

Cen Lang: “The principal gave it to me.”

Jiang Li was somewhat tempted to ask, “Which time was it given?” He felt like he had jumped into a pit. “Sir!” The airflow generated by the rotating spacecraft was blowing around, and a bodyguard stood at the spacecraft’s ladder, saluting when he saw the two.

Jiang Li’s pupils contracted for a moment. He had talked to this bodyguard before. He had deliberately lowered his voice at that time; hopefully, he wouldn’t be recognized.

Interrupted by the bodyguard, Jiang Li forgot about the previous question, pursed his lips, and stood behind Cen Lang, pretending to be invisible. Cen Lang: “It’s windy on the rooftop; let’s hurry up.”

Jiang Li nodded and walked past the bodyguard with his head down.

“Hello, Dr. Jiang,” the bodyguard Wang Wang greeted enthusiastically.

“Uh, hello.” Jiang Li had to stop and look into the other’s eyes, responding calmly.

Stars appeared in Wang Wang’s eyes. Wow, Dr. Jiang is so polite. The last person to be this polite was

“Don’t speak in the wind; it’s easy to get a stomachache.” Cen Lang urged Jiang Li to board.

Wang Wang closed his mouth, stopping his “Wow” halfway. Excellent people always surround themselves with excellent gentlemen, huh?

From the ground to the space force base, they first took a spacecraft to the spaceship launch area, transferred to the spaceship, and headed to the interstellar transfer point.

Jiang Li noticed that Cen Lang liked to pilot the spacecraft himself, showing a natural interest in mechs and armored vehicles. Those hands seemed capable of manipulating all instruments.

Wang Wang bravely struck up a conversation: “Dr. Jiang, how long have you known Mr. Lang?”

Jiang Li was wary of being called Dr. Jiang by this bodyguard because the first time he went to the underground city, he wore a white coat. “I’ve known him for a little over a month. I’m not a doctor; just call me Jiang Li.”

Wang Wang seemed a bit disappointed. A month was too short; he hadn’t had enough time to get to know Dr. Jiang. Jiang Li thought, What was he disappointed about?

Wang Wang tactfully said, “Our Mr. has been tormented by the information storm syndrome for twenty years and even been in solitary confinement in the underground city. He just recovered recently. Please pay more attention to Mr.’s health. The old man is very worried.”

Reciprocal attention; isn’t this a way to get closer?

Jiang Li agreed readily, “Sure.”

Wang Wang continued, “When Mr. was in the underground city, he suffered physically and mentally.”

Anyone hearing about Mr.’s experience would feel sympathetic!

Jiang Li looked sympathetically and said, “I read the military’s records.”

Wang Wang said, “The records are incomplete. Mr. Lang not only suffered physically from the storm but was also deceived by a green tea.”

Jiang Li:?

Wang Wang glanced at Cen Lang in the cockpit. Was it okay to say this?

Cen Lang remained silent. He didn’t mind letting Jiang Li know some of the past through Wang Wang. Moreover, Jiang Li seemed eager to hear.

Wang Wang continued, “Mr. Lang found an Omega with a green tea-flavored information scent, thinking it was the right match. He spent ten million to buy his information scent and promised him half of the Lang family’s assets if he was willing to go in and take care of Mr. Lang. The green tea agreed on the surface but then found a caregiver as a substitute.”

Jiang Li had never known what exactly happened in between, and he didn’t dare ask Cen Lang. Today, he finally touched on the truth. So, he was a substitute?

Wang Wang said, “The green tea even pretended to be sick in the hospital afterward, pretending to be injured by the storm. Fortunately, Mr. had keen eyes and immediately found out he hadn’t been there.”

“I dared to deceive Mr. Lang, and now he’s in custody.”

Jiang Li: “…”

Wang Wang tried to arouse more sympathy from Dr. Jiang: “Mr. Lang spent ten million to buy information scent, and the green tea spent two million to find a substitute.” “Darn it, the substitute was even outsourced several layers, and the final caregiver was only hired for…”

“Wang Wang.” Cen Lang stopped him from mentioning that worthless number.

Wang Wang shut up.

Jiang Li: “…” He knew; it was only fifty thousand.

He didn’t dare accept the original price of two million; he had to weigh what he had to give. He just wanted to do a part-time job.

The spacecraft stopped at the spaceship launch area, and a brand new spaceship was ready to depart.

For the first time, Jiang Li left the earth, eagerly taking in the various devices around him.

Cen Lang patiently guided Jiang Li onto the ship and then reached out to stop Wang Wang outside. “You go back and report.” There was no need for a third person inside the spaceship.

Wang Wang:?

Cen Lang: “Save fuel.”

Talking about gossip so enthusiastically, isn’t he capable of telling it himself? When the spaceship stabilizes, it can start interstellar automatic cruising; he has—