Chapter 59 2/2

“The most advanced hibernation chamber can’t sustain someone for twenty-five years without food or drink.”

“Cen Lang will likely only find remains, perhaps just fragments of the spaceship. During the previous climate upheaval, many entered hibernation to reduce food consumption, awaiting a brighter future, provided there was a continuous supply of nutrient solution.”

Cen Lang: “Dad brought a lot of nutritional supplements up there, didn’t he? Maybe they’ll figure something out before running out of nutrients. What I’m doing is bringing them home.”

Cen Wei’s eyes showed a painful expression. This is why he can’t give up hope; his son and daughter-in-law are geniuses. What if they managed to endure until now? But the signal ship reported a location too distant—not even a specific point, but a range larger than an entire galaxy. Cen Lang breaks through.

There are countless dangers to reach there, and even then, finding them might be impossible.

Signal ships and spaceships are constantly moving in celestial motion. By the time Cen Lang follows the signal ship’s guidance, the spaceship might have drifted to an unknown location.

Even more perilous, once the signal ship’s signal is lost, Cen Lang may get lost, disappearing in the universe like his parents.

Cen Wei tremblingly lights a cigarette: “Can’t someone else go for you?” He knows it’s not possible even as he says it.

Even on the fringes of human activity, exploring new planets, no one does it better than Cen Lang, especially when venturing into the deep unknown of the universe.

Stellar storms? Meteor showers? Black holes? Galaxy contractions? Or other dangers beyond comprehension?

Only Cen Lang has the experience; he has been preparing for this day.

Cen Lang rejects: “How is that different from sending someone to die? And I would risk White Flame.” There’s only one White Flame, and only one chance.

Cen Lang has already planned: “The journey is too long. White Flame will carry as many nutrients and energy stones as possible, without heavy weapons. I’ll have the fleet escort

to the third boundary line.”

The first boundary line is around Earth, where inter-fire is prohibited by interstellar agreements.

The second boundary line is the safe navigation boundary.

The third boundary line is the farthest point humanity’s warships have reached, with space pirates active in the vicinity.

Cen Wei: “Several months… you might miss the birth of your child.”

A touch of tenderness flashes in Cen Lang’s eyes. He promised to accompany Jiang Li during her pregnancy, but now he’s leaving for another three months. Almost missing it all, he feels like a neglectful Alpha.

“I won’t take unnecessary risks; I’ll try to come back as soon as possible.”

Cen Lang stands up and says, “This operation is absolutely confidential. Jiang Li shouldn’t know the danger; don’t tell him too much.”

Except for the Cen family, no one knows what Cen Lang is doing.

If the news leaks and the Amis Federation finds out, they might blockade the third boundary line at all costs to prevent the return of the scientific genius. Cen Lang goes upstairs to find Jiang Li, who is reading war reports. He stands there quietly, watching for a while.

He hesitates.

He hasn’t taken good care of Jiang Li. Their romance just began. Jiang Li said, “It’s fine now,” and this ‘fine’ is about to be broken.

Fortunately, Dr. Xiao Jiang found his father, so he can entrust him with peace of mind.

If Jiang Li had liked him a little later, he wouldn’t have to suffer from unrequited love, and he would have been happy to deceive Jiang Li. If he knew he was going on a long journey, Cen Lang would definitely not expose Jiang Li’s little tricks.

But liking is liking! A man shouldn’t be fearful!

Cen Lang puts on a smile, goes over, and grabs Jiang Li, who falls on the sofa. “Dr. Xiao Jiang, you are my lucky star.” Jiang Li gets a face full of saliva, and the phone falls aside. Alpha’s habit of kissing everywhere is unchangeable, right? Cen Lang smiles. “Encountering you brings me a lot of good things. The illness is cured, love is found, a child is conceived, and just now, I received a signal from my parents’ spaceship.”

Jiang Li is stunned. He temporarily forgives him for the random kisses. “Can they come back?”

Cen Lang: “Yes, I plan to go pick them up.”

“Darling, I’m sorry, I have to leave for three months, but I’ll try my best to come back before you give birth.” Cen Lang buries his head in Jiang Li’s neck and kisses him.

Jiang Li doesn’t think pregnancy necessarily requires companionship. Cen Lang found his father for him, and he hopes Cen Lang can find his parents too. “There’s nothing to apologise for. When are you leaving?”

Cen Lang: “After midnight, the White Flame battleship is installing the docking port, so I can delay the spaceship’s return.”

As Cen Lang speaks, he sees Jiang Li’s phone screen, which shows precautions for pregnancy. He wants to pick it up, accidentally touches the screen, and the image shrinks, revealing the chat interface with his father-in-law.

Sent by Jiang Li.

Jiang Li is slightly stunned because Cen Lang left too hastily. A vague worry arises in his heart. He doesn’t even pay attention when Cen Lang takes a quick look at his phone.

Cen Lang may not come back in case of an accident, and he should reduce the noble thoughts of demanding his wife. Regret is not about what has been done but about what hasn’t. Jiang Li probably understands it too. Moreover, Cen Lang suddenly becomes less interested in noble thoughts; isn’t he indirectly telling Jiang about the dangerous journey?

Cen Lang softly says, “I’m leaving tonight. Can we try during the day?” Jiang Li inexplicably agrees, “Anytime, but we need to disinfect first.” Need to disinfect, huh?

“Okay.” Cen Lang decided to stop the disinfection game yesterday, but now he changes his mind, going along with Jiang Li’s wishes. As long as the wife is satisfied. Anyway, Dr. Xiao Jiang’s disinfection method has already been conquered by him; there is no need to go through it again.

Cen Lang lies down directly.

Jiang Li reminds, “Close your eyes.”

“Sure.” Cen Lang closes his eyes and hears Jiang Li tearing open the packaging. Is it a condom? Damn, even after experiencing it twice, he hasn’t developed any self-control. I can’t hold it back anymore. Farewell is imminent; I just want to cherish the time.

Jiang Li tears open the sterile cloth’s packaging.

Cen Lang looks like he has to get on the bed; the first time must start well, visibly. Cen Lang will become less cooperative with disinfection over time, just like kissing him, gradually crossing the bottom line. This time, if he doesn’t disinfect comfortably, Cen Lang will become even more uncooperative in the future.

He also knows that excessive disinfection will destroy the flora. Except for the first time, he won’t trouble Cen Lang every time.

Jiang Li deeply reflects on why his hands tremble during disinfection. The reason is that his attitude towards Cen Lang has changed. The Cen Lang in the underground city is, to him, a tool for reproduction, a patient who needs his pheromones. He needs to use a professional setting to restore his expertise, so Dr. Xiao Jiang intentionally purchased items online.

He takes out a piece of surgical sterile cloth, placing two layers on Cen Lang’s body. The blue sterile cloth has been pre-cut with a small opening, perfectly positioned.

Jiang Li glances at the overhead light, pulls the curtains, and turns on the white light.

The simulation is quite realistic.

Jiang Li takes a deep breath, recalling his experiences observing in the adenoma surgery room. Dr. Xiao Jiang begins the disinfection process.

The disinfecting hands are steady, and Jiang Li raises a corner of his mouth. He can easily disinfect five times without distraction.

Cen Lang feels something is amiss, opens his eyes, sits up, and grabs Jiang Li’s hand. He weakly says, “Don’t do this, sweetheart. I always feel like you have a knife in your hand.”