Chapter 91 2/2

“The signal from the hibernation chamber.

If we wait for the signal line to be repaired, we’ll definitely receive it.

The Cen family wouldn’t wait like this.

Lu Jing is the leader of the search team, now aboard a warship specifically designed to detect hibernation chambers.

Jiang Li wrote his undergraduate thesis but soon found himself daydreaming.

The war is over, but neither Dad nor Cen Lang have returned home. Only a message from Dad a few days ago, mentioning cleaning up the battlefield.

Space is filled with floating debris, posing a serious threat to passing spacecraft.

“Jiang Li, I’m heading back. My dad is coming home,” a classmate nearby happily packs his books; his dad is also part of the space force and returning today.

“Alright, take care.”

Jiang Li waits for three more days, still only receiving messages from Dad about clearing the battlefield with Cen Lang.

So much wreckage to clear?

Jiang Li remembers Cen Lang’s previous disappearance due to Alpha transformation, avoiding him because pheromones were aggressive.

What about this time?

Jiang Li unconsciously walks to the entrance of the underground city, unguarded without Cen Lang.

A few years ago, Little Jiang Li persuaded his brother to grant him access to the underground city at any time.

Jiang Li knows that if Cen Lang willingly gives him access, it means he won’t be returning. Yet, he still opens the door.

The long underground passage leads to the living quarters.

Jiang Li curiously explores. The underground city, originally an air-raid shelter, should have more extensive space.

It’s renovated, and there should be larger spaces around.

Jiang Li feels the metal walls, searching for a door. The walls are seamlessly crafted, making any seams invisible.

Only by feeling and pushing can he find a way.

His hand touches a wall in the bathroom, and a door suddenly opens.

Another identical corridor, like a string with multiple knots, each node a vacant room, some spacious, some narrow.

Certainly, there’s more than one exit in the air-raid shelter.

Jiang Li goes back to the first room, grabs a weapon and an oxygen bottle, and continues forward.

He believes this is the territory of the Cen family, and it should be safe inside.

Jiang Li doesn’t remember how long he walks; opening the last door reveals his family’s basement.

Well, that’s normal. The military quarters have an underground passage to the air-raid shelter, which makes sense.

Jiang Li recalls childhood details; they had furniture when they moved in. This house was probably initially given to the Cen family by the military but remained unoccupied; it was later given to Lu Jing.

Exiting the basement, Jiang Wanlan asks strangely, “Baby, when did you come back?”

Jiang Li: “Just now.”

Jiang Wanlan: “Come, let’s eat.”

Jiang Li: “When is Dad coming back?”

Jiang Wanlan: “Don’t know; many soldiers are on leave; this might be the last batch.”

Jiang Li nods, washes his hands, and takes a red bean bun to eat.

Dad has obviously talked to Lu’s dad; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so relaxed.

The one truly missing is Cen Lang.

At night, Jiang Li, lying in bed, takes a flashlight and a skateboard and heads into the tunnel.

The skateboard saves time and effort; it took Jiang Li over three hours to walk back; sliding on the skateboard takes only a moment.

This time, he wants to test if the door can be opened in reverse.

That bathroom door can be pushed to the next room; can it be pushed back?

If it can, the security is too poor, and he has to suggest Cen Lang lock it.

Jiang Li exerts force, his face turning red, but the door doesn’t budge, as if it were non-existent.

In a flash of inspiration, he takes out his access chip, not knowing where the sensor is, kneels down, and swipes from bottom to top.

Drip—the door opens.

Suddenly, there’s a noise outside. Jiang Li immediately returns.

After about half an hour, Jiang Li’s palms are sweaty; he tries to swipe the card again.

He’s back inside the bathroom, hearing the familiar heavy breathing outside.

It’s Cen Lang.

They are so familiar that they can recognise each other just by their breath.

Jiang Li knows turning on the light will intensify the pain, so he walks blindly towards Cen Lang by following his breath.

He kicks a hibernation chamber.

Jiang Li is somewhat angry; Cen Lang was transported in a hibernation chamber and not even taken out.

Cen Lang seems not entirely conscious, holding onto the edge of the hibernation chamber and trying to climb out.

After some hesitation, Jiang Li pulls him out, conflicted because the hibernation chamber is very powerful.

Cen Lang, seeming exhausted and possibly having taken medication, falls asleep, leaning on Jiang Li’s shoulder.

Jiang Li massages his acupoints, noticing some relief in his symptoms, so he continues. Fingers and shoulders sore, Jiang Li remains silent, remembering how, when he couldn’t sleep the first time his dad went on a business trip, Cen Lang patted his back all night.

Until dawn, Jiang Li quietly retraces his steps.

He wonders what explanation Cen Lang will give when he wakes up.

Will he again deceive him into participating in closed training? “