Chapter 67 2/2

Due to research institute commitments, when he initially considered raising the child on his own, he needed a job with relatively flexible hours. Cen Lang, holding a large umbrella with sporadic snowflakes, lowered his gaze to read the “Job Manual” with Jiang Li: “Every researcher’s project needs approval through a campus-wide vote, discussing feasibility and practicality.”

Cen Lang, seemingly wealthy, said, “If your research institute doesn’t have an online holographic meeting system, I can donate a set.” He then set it up so that Jiang Li couldn’t see others during presentations.

Jiang Li turned and looked into Cen Lang’s eyes, saying, “Perhaps, offline, I can too.”

Cen Lang couldn’t help but recall the blockade Jiang Li faced in the hospital. His eyes narrowed, and he tidied up once he returned.

Fortunately, before leaving, he introduced the holographic battlefield to Jiang Li. Jiang Li diligently trained for desensitisation, or else… One person might need ten heads to deal with him.

Cen Lang was grateful for the comrades who spoke up for Jiang Li in his absence and personally thanked them over the phone.

Top-tier Alpha recipients of the calls were pleasantly surprised, speculating, “It must be your wife asking you to make the calls.”

Cen Lang: “Knowing is enough.”

Top Alphas: “Didn’t hear clearly; thank them again.”

Cen Lang: “Get lost.”

Cen Lang: “The first time meeting colleagues, and you want to challenge yourself?”

Jiang Li whispered, “If you accompany me, can we obtain entry qualifications?” Cen Lang replied, “Of course.”

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Jiang Li never experienced being sent for exams by parents. Each time, he took the exams himself, striving to escape the orphanage’s quagmire.

Looking at two large eggs, Jiang Li bit his lip, wondering where his father bought such big eggs. Cen Lang suggested, “Take a bite from both ends, and give me the rest.” Jiang Wanlan added, “Yes, eating like this works too.”

Cen Lang, using chopsticks to peel the eggshell, offered it to Jiang Li. Jiang carefully took a bite, turned the egg, and bit from the other end.

Cen Lang ate the portion Jiang Li bit off, leaving the rest in the bowl. The yolk was too dry, so he had a bowl of chicken soup. Jiang Li nibbled on the crispy doughstick, ate a few bites, and, when he wasn’t looking, pressed it into Cen Lang’s chicken soup. The doughstick instantly softened, seemingly disappearing.

“You have it together.”

Cen Lang smiled. Since sharing three meals a day with Dr. Xiao Jiang, their bowls have been identical. Initially, Jiang Li ate honestly due to his cleanliness and reluctance to give unfinished food to others.

Later, he realised, considering his own appetite, that Cen Lang found it challenging to gain weight. After some psychological adjustment, he started covertly transferring half of his food to Cen Lang’s bowl.

Cen Lang was right—Jiang Li could now pass over half-eaten items without a change in expression. After his small actions, Jiang Li’s ears turned slightly red, and he glanced at Cen Lang’s reaction.

Cen Lang picked up the softened doughstick and downed it in one go, saying, “This won’t happen again.”

The next day.

Cen Lang requested a temporary pass from the director of the research institute, confidently sitting below and observing Jiang Li’s presentation. Jiang Li, though still somewhat nervous, didn’t need to go on stage this time. Each person had a screen and headphones, and he spoke calmly into the microphone from his seat.

Cen Lang, without headphones, couldn’t hear Jiang Li’s content but observed his demeanour from a good vantage point, making occasional marks on the screen. Jiang Li appeared calm, unlike the day of the defense; there was no sweating or trembling. His gaze was steady, and his voice, cold and composed, differed from their usual conversations.

Cen Lang realised that when Jiang Li pretended to be calm during their talks, it was nothing compared to his current indifferent and rational tone. Jiang Li spoke with emotion when addressing those he cared about.

Forty-five minutes later, applause filled the institute as Jiang Li’s new drug research passed unanimously. After everyone left, Cen Lang approached, lifting Jiang Li and asking if he could stand. Jiang Li assured him, and, after helping tidy up the computer, Cen Lang asked if there was anything else or if they were heading back.

Jiang Li replied, “No problem.”

Since the birth of their child, he had been preparing for this day, simulating scenarios until his nerves finally relaxed.

The institute focused purely on research, and even if his performance was subpar, he would still pass. However, Jiang Li wanted to impress this time, to let Cen Lang see him in a better light and show his father that he had successfully transformed into an invulnerable “big baby.”

As a reward, Jiang Wanlan gifted Jiang Li a multimillion-dollar aircraft with a blue and white design that Dr. Xiao Jiang liked.

During the celebration that night, they invited Cen Wei to join. While eating, Cen Lang suddenly felt something was off, pulling Jiang Li to the restroom to check his gland.

“Dr. Xiao Jiang, you’re entering your susceptible period.”

Jiang Li, preoccupied with project approval and subsequent joy, hadn’t noticed the changes in his body. His pheromones had no scent, but Cen Lang, in a unique way, detected them.

Looking at Jiang Li’s shirt, Cen Lang suggested he should stay elsewhere that night to avoid affecting their father.

Cen Lang casually added, “Dad, at his age, values his pride.”

Jiang Li asked, “Where to?”

Cen Lang nonchalantly suggested, “How about the underground city? December 3rd, our one-year anniversary.”

Jiang Li replied, “Which date?”