Chapter 12: Within Reach  Shen Qian truly lived up to his reputation—utterly authoritative!  

[Administrator Shen Qian—known as the Workaholic King.]  

[His greatest talents include staying awake for 24 hours and working nonstop for the same duration.]  

[Perennially relies on adrenaline and caffeine to minimize sleep. Avoids sleeping whenever possible. A perfectly normal human being.]  

[A high-energy leader.]  

[Practically inhuman.]  

Shen Qian lifted his head from a towering stack of documents, adjusting the gold-rimmed monocle perched near his eye as he regarded Lin Yu with keen interest.  

Beside him, paperwork rose in mountainous piles, and on his System Panel, an avalanche of unread messages awaited his attention.  

It was clear just how swamped Shen Qian must have been to take this call—and how intrigued he was by its content to have switched to a video conversation.  

Lin Yu stood nearby, frowning, clutching the flickering “001” in his arms, his expression troubled.  

After a moment’s thought, Shen Qian curved his lips into a smile. “Aside from your mind going blank, anything else?”  

“For example…”  

He twirled the pen in his hand, its polished surface catching the cold gleam of the overhead lights.  

“For example, did your heart race? Or did you find yourself increasingly wanting to be alone with that person?” He studied Lin Yu with an inscrutable smile, his brow gradually smoothing as he spoke.  

Lin Yu tightened his grip on the “Ragdoll” 001, pressing his lips together before answering slowly, “No racing heart, but the latter…”  

He lifted his head, meeting Shen Qian’s probing gaze directly, as if wrestling with his thoughts before finally admitting:  

“It feels… strange.”  

Tilting his head slightly, his fingertips whitened from the force of his grip, though he seemed unaware of it. “Why do I keep sensing something around him?”  

Lowering his gaze, Lin Yu opened his palm, staring at the familiar yet unfamiliar lines etched there, and added, “Today, I didn’t even realize—why didn’t I notice when he got close to me?”  

Shen Qian’s smile deepened, enigmatic. “Should I approve your leave request? I wouldn’t mind some wedding sweets while I’m at it.”  

Lin Yu looked up, puzzled, studying Shen Qian’s expression for a full five seconds before hesitantly replying,  

“It really feels off—I’ve never been this unguarded around any other being before.”  

Shen Qian chuckled softly, lifting an exquisite teacup to his lips. He blew on the surface—though there was no tea leaf to disturb—before taking a graceful sip.  

The cup, gilded and adorned with intricate floral motifs that hinted at its otherworldly origins and exorbitant price, settled back onto the table with a soft ripple.  

“Good for you. How long do you want me to approve your leave for?”  

“Ah, who would’ve thought that the once-inexperienced Little Dragon would now…”  

Lin Yu furrowed his brows, cutting him off. “I’m serious. Something’s wrong. Maybe you could unlock a portion of my Source Power for me.”  

“Fine.” Shen Qian nodded, raising a hand to tap lightly on the faintly glowing screen before him.

“Activation time 30 minutes, freely adjustable, activation level 10%.” His efficiency was remarkably high. In no time, his gaze shifted from the screen back to the paper documents, picking up the fountain pen without hesitation.  

Lin Yu glanced at Shen Qian, who had once again immersed himself in being the Workaholic King, and silently ended the video call.  

The room instantly dimmed from its faint glow back to complete darkness—a state only visible to 001 and himself. The advanced technology from another Interstellar World seemed undetectable by any level of surveillance.  

Lin Yu looked at the pitch-black room, running his fingers over the meticulously smoothed bedsheets at the head of the bed, finding some comfort in the gesture.  

He slowly pulled the blanket up, curling into it in a posture that betrayed deep insecurity.  

The sheets bore long creases from his weight as he shifted, his breathing gradually steadying.  

……  

As it turned out, even someone who had never known embarrassment could feel it.  

Even if he hadn’t even been human before.  

Lin Yu stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushing lightly through his hair. The air in the suburban dawn was exceptionally fresh.  

In the distance, he spotted Zhang Modu, head bowed as he watered the flowers.  

The blooms of this season were rare and strikingly beautiful, their petals swaying in the wind as if, like Lin Yu, they were savoring the morning.  

Standing amidst the flowers, Zhang Modu was focused and gentle, the droplets from his sprayer catching the light as they settled on the petals. He stood there alone, undisturbed.  

Lin Yu hesitated.  

001 bounced from Lin Yu’s head to his shoulder. “Doesn’t his family have a gardener? Why is he watering the plants?”  

Lin Yu pressed 001’s mute button, ignoring its indignant glare, and walked straight toward Zhang Modu.  

Bathed in the golden hues of dawn, Zhang Modu seemed to notice the approaching figure and smiled softly, raising a hand in greeting.  

He was dressed lightly, like a blade of grass swaying among the blossoms.  

The wind carried the scent of morning dew, mingling with the fragrance of fresh grass.  

Lin Yu reached his side and activated his Source Power for just a second—only to see a vague, shadowy mass.  

—A shadow?  

Why would there be a shadow around a person?  

Zhang Modu’s smile in the morning light was almost radiant. “Good morning, Ayu.”  

Lin Yu stood still for a few seconds before responding slowly, “Good morning.”  

Zhang Modu handed him the spray bottle, carefully wiping away the lingering droplets at the nozzle. His expression was attentive as he looked up at Lin Yu, lips curving slightly.  

“Want to give it a try?”  

The morning sunlight felt piercing to Lin Yu.  

He took the bottle but accidentally brushed against Zhang Modu’s slightly warm fingers.  

The contact lasted only an instant.  

Lin Yu traced the dewy surface of the bottle, fingers tightening around it.  

Zhang Modu took a step closer, tilting his head to study Lin Yu’s motionless stance. “A friend mentioned… you’ve been going to your company a lot lately?”  

His eyes held genuine concern. “Did something happen? You seem to have been running around for this.”  

Lin Yu met his gaze. “A few things, yes.”

Zhang Modu leaned in closer, his gaze intently fixed on Lin Yu’s face, their proximity so near they could feel each other’s mingled breath.  

He held his breath for a moment. “Can I help you, Ayu?”  

The morning light was warm, much like the breath that now hovered between them.  

The wariness in Lin Yu’s eyes vanished completely the moment Zhang Modu drew near.  

A shadow?  

What was that?  

Lin Yu turned his head slightly, the closeness of the other’s face making him feel almost unnatural.  

Never mind—he could figure it out later.  

Maybe it was just a human trick.