Chapter 92: An Explanation
Nan Yu slept soundly that night.
It was only after he woke up the next morning that things became a little awkward.
The moment he remembered what had happened the previous night, he instinctively looked down at himself.
Good.
He was still wearing the bathrobe, and nothing seemed to have happened afterward.
But then he covered his face with both hands.
Last night his head had hurt so badly that he hadn't had the energy to think about anything else.
Now that he'd recovered, he finally realized just how embarrassingly humiliating it had been.
Yu Lanfeng definitely knew why he had slammed his head into the doorframe.
This time...
He had truly embarrassed himself beyond redemption.
After agonizing over it for a while, he finally walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face, lowering the temperature in his cheeks.
Then he got dressed and left the bedroom.
Yu Lanfeng had already left.
That was actually for the best.
Although the man himself was gone, breakfast had been left on the table for him.
Nan Yu didn't leave a single bite behind.
"It tastes pretty good... I never expected that, as a Marshal, not only does he have looks, wealth, power, and status, but he's also an excellent cook. I wonder if there's anyone in this world who's worthy of someone like him..."
Only after saying those words did Nan Yu stand up and gather the empty dishes from the table, intending to take them into the kitchen. A cleaning robot would come by later to deal with them.
However...
The instant he turned around and saw the familiar figure standing not far behind him—
His vision went black.
Everything in his hands slipped to the floor.
Clatter—
Crash—
The sound of breaking dishes echoed through the room before finally dying away.
Yu Lanfeng was standing by the restroom door.
Only then did Nan Yu suddenly remember that this suite had more than just the bathroom inside the bedroom.
There was another restroom outside.
Since Nan Yu had still been sleeping, Yu Lanfeng hadn't wanted to enter the bedroom and disturb him, so he'd simply used the outer restroom.
So...
He hadn't left at all.
He had simply been inside the restroom.
Thinking about what he'd just said...
And remembering everything that had happened the previous night...
It's over...
The impression Yu Lanfeng had of him had definitely become unbearably awkward.
Nan Yu felt that, across both this life and his previous one combined, he had never been this embarrassed.
He hurriedly crouched down to pick up the broken dishes.
But Yu Lanfeng quickly strode over, gathered all the shattered pieces in just a few movements, and threw them into the trash.
"They're all broken anyway. Just throw them away."
Nan Yu slowly stood up.
He was so embarrassed that he didn't even dare look at him.
"I... I was just joking just now..."
Yu Lanfeng simply nodded.
"Mm."
That only made Nan Yu feel even more embarrassed.
He wanted nothing more than to run back into his room and lock himself inside.
However...
Yu Lanfeng knew that, logically speaking, the best thing he could do now was leave.
But he didn't want to.
Instead, he gently caught Nan Yu's wrist and led him over to the sofa before sitting down.
Nan Yu looked at the hand holding his wrist in surprise before lifting his gaze to Yu Lanfeng's face.
"Y-You... what are you..."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him calmly.
"You don't need to feel burdened."
Nan Yu blinked.
"What?"
Yu Lanfeng smiled faintly.
"No matter how outstanding I may be, there's still someone who's worthy of me."
For some reason...
The moment Nan Yu heard those words, he instantly calmed down.
Or rather...
He suddenly felt that everything embarrassing he'd said earlier didn't matter anymore.
Because in his opinion...
What Yu Lanfeng had just said was even more...
Well...
"...Ah... Right! That's true..."
Yu Lanfeng quietly watched him.
Apparently...
Nan Yu hadn't realized at all who he was talking about.
Yu Lanfeng wasn't willing to completely expose his feelings yet, so he released Nan Yu's wrist.
His original intention had simply been to stop Nan Yu from remaining so embarrassed.
Although his additional objective hadn't been achieved...
At least he'd accomplished his primary goal.
That was enough.
"I still have work to take care of, so I'll be leaving first."
Nan Yu nodded.
"I understand. Make sure you get some rest."
Not long after Yu Lanfeng left, Nan Yu arrived at the hospital and began another day's work.
The hospital had been incredibly busy lately.
However, Nan Yu's responsibilities were different from everyone else's.
He was exclusively responsible for the patients suffering from the most severe Mental Contamination.
Many of them also required treatment alongside various medical instruments.
After all, every soldier returning from the battlefield was covered in wounds.
Quite a few had already received treatment for their external injuries before arriving.
But many more hadn't.
If someone couldn't be treated at the border military base and had to be transported all the way to the Capital Star...
Their injuries were almost certainly life-threatening.
Not to mention the Mental Contamination that could drive people completely insane.
Just as Nan Yu was about to begin today's work...
He unexpectedly saw Qin Wenxing.
After regaining consciousness, Qin Wenxing had immediately returned to duty.
His only remaining problem was that his mental power was temporarily weakened.
As long as he avoided serious injuries and prevented any new Mental Contamination from entering his Mental Sea for the time being...
He could continue working normally.
His Mental Sea would gradually repair itself over time.
Watching Qin Wenxing walk toward him, Nan Yu felt a little puzzled.
"What's wrong? Looking for me again?"
If it was to thank him...
The man had already thanked him countless times.
So it couldn't be that.
Qin Wenxing handed him a small box about the size of a fist.
"You know who it's from."
Nan Yu paused briefly.
A rather complicated expression appeared on his face.
Seeing that expression made Qin Wenxing feel incomparably embarrassed.
Even so, he still forced himself to hand the box over.
Nan Yu nodded and accepted it.
"Well... when you go back, just tell him I accepted it and that I like it very much."
Qin Wenxing nodded awkwardly.
"Alright. Then I'll head back. Take care of yourself. If you have time someday, I'll treat you to a meal."
The two of them stood there looking at each other.
Both felt extremely awkward.
After exchanging only a few more words, they hurried off in opposite directions.
Only then did Nan Yu let out a sigh of relief.
He immediately opened the box.
The moment he looked inside—
He was so startled that he instantly snapped it shut again.
When he'd accepted it earlier, he hadn't thought much about it.
But now...
If he'd known what was inside beforehand—
He absolutely would never have accepted it!
Could something like this be given away so casually?
The man really didn't understand proper etiquette!
If anyone found out this item was in Nan Yu's possession...
Their relationship would practically be public knowledge.
Inside the box wasn't anything ordinary.
It was Yu Lanfeng's personal insignia—
The identity medal bestowed upon him by the Imperial Family.
That medal represented Yu Lanfeng himself.
Almost everyone knew that whoever possessed this medal...
Would become Yu Lanfeng's person from then on.
And now...
That medal was in his hands.
...Hm?
Only then did Nan Yu finally realize what that meant.
So...
Giving him this item...
Was Yu Lanfeng's way of telling him...
That he already belonged to him?
Nan Yu suddenly remembered what had happened the previous night regarding Ye Xing.
Perhaps because his reaction back then had been too strange...
Too emotional...
Yu Lanfeng had felt that his own position had been...
No, no.
Nan Yu hurriedly shook his head.
That wasn't what he meant.
This matter really wasn't that simple.
Regardless...
This item absolutely couldn't remain in his possession openly.
At the very least, no one could find out he had it.
He immediately looked around before casually placing the little box into his spatial button.
Only he could open it.
The Nianshen Grass was also stored inside.
It was incomparably safe.
Actually, opening someone else's spatial button wasn't difficult.
Anyone with mental power could do it—
Provided the owner hadn't locked it.
If it was locked...
Only its owner could open it.
Anyone attempting to force it open would simply trigger the spatial button's self-destruction.
Nan Yu glanced at his spatial button and felt somewhat conflicted.
Going to find Yu Lanfeng now obviously wasn't realistic.
Who knew where he was working at the moment?
Even if he searched everywhere, there was no guarantee he'd find him.
So...
He decided to keep it for now.
He'd deal with it later.
Taking a deep breath, Nan Yu couldn't help thinking...
Ever since Yu Lanfeng had grown closer to him, he had constantly been finding new ways to frighten him.
Of course...
From Yu Lanfeng's perspective, these were probably all pleasant surprises.
But to Nan Yu...
Every single one of them was a shock.
Nan Yu spent the entire day diligently working at the hospital.
When he returned to the lounge that evening...
Yu Lanfeng wasn't there.
He found it rather surprising.
Was Yu Lanfeng no longer resting here?
Or...
Did he know Nan Yu intended to return the medal, so he'd deliberately avoided coming back?
Or perhaps...
A difficult mission had arisen that required him to personally take command again?
After all, Yu Lanfeng had originally returned to the Capital Star because of Qin Wenxing's condition.
Now Qin Wenxing had recovered.
And Yu Lanfeng had even entrusted such an important item to Nan Yu.
So...
He had probably returned to one of the border sectors to continue fighting.
Nan Yu suddenly felt that it might be a very long time before he saw Yu Lanfeng again.
An inexplicable sense of disappointment welled up inside him.
By this point, he had already completely forgotten his earlier determination to return the medal.
Perhaps...
Keeping it as a memento wasn't such a bad idea after all.
No one could open his locked spatial button anyway.
Taking a deep breath, Nan Yu retrieved the box.
Opening it again, he looked at the medal resting inside.
It symbolized Yu Lanfeng's identity.
It was essentially equivalent to his personal seal.
Holding this medal would allow someone to freely enter countless restricted locations without being stopped.
Still...
Nan Yu quickly put it away again.
As useful as it was...
He couldn't possibly use it.
If anyone discovered he possessed it...
Wouldn't that amount to admitting everything?
That there was an ambiguous relationship between him and Yu Lanfeng.
Yu Lanfeng probably wouldn't care.
But Nan Yu didn't want his reputation to suffer because of it.
So...
He absolutely had to hide it well.
Since Nan Yu had been busy working at the hospital every day lately, he rarely even returned home.
He had even less time for anything else.
So when he received a communication request from Yang Zhou...
He was genuinely surprised.
It was two in the afternoon.
He had just finished a task and stepped outside for a short break, taking a drink of water, when Yang Zhou's call appeared.
Strange.
Yang Zhou normally knew that this was one of his busiest periods and would never contact him now.
Unless...
Something extremely important had happened.
Nan Yu swallowed the mouthful of water before accepting the call.
"Yang Zhou, did something important happen?"
Yang Zhou nodded.
"It is important, but definitely not more important than what you're doing. I only called to try my luck. If you'd been busy, I'd have just left it alone. But it looks like you actually have a little free time?"
Nan Yu nodded.
"I do. About ten or fifteen minutes. If it's important, you can tell me now."
Yang Zhou smiled.
"Good. Since you have time, I'll explain it briefly so you won't be caught off guard later."
Nan Yu suddenly thought of something.
"Does this have something to do with the person who wanted to challenge me before?"
Yang Zhou nodded.
"Yeah. I'm surprised you still remembered. I thought you'd forgotten."
"The Mental Power User who wanted to challenge you before got tied up because of Bai Zhouyun's contract."
"Now another one has appeared."
Nan Yu looked unconcerned.
"Who is it?"
Yang Zhou's expression became slightly serious.
"This person's background isn't ordinary."
"He's not from the Empire."
"He's from one of our allied nations."
"He heard about you and wants to challenge you."
"He's part of their royal family."
"Not a direct heir, though."
"He's the child of the younger brother of the person currently inheriting their throne."
Nan Yu narrowed his eyes.
"That expression doesn't look right. Don't tell me he's an illegitimate child?"
Yang Zhou immediately looked embarrassed.
One look told Nan Yu he'd guessed correctly.
"Alright. So?"
Yang Zhou coughed awkwardly.
"It's actually not a huge issue."
"They've already brought the matter before His Majesty."
"The royal family all knows about it now."
"It just hasn't been made public yet."
"I heard that after learning he wanted to challenge you—and after he proposed it directly before the Emperor—they didn't immediately agree."
"They said they'd ask for your opinion first."
"So... prepare yourself."
"Someone should come looking for you very soon."
Nan Yu nodded thoughtfully.
"I see..."
"But if only the royal family knows..."
"Yang Zhou..."
"How exactly did you hear about it?"
"Don't tell me you picked it up from some random stranger's gossip."
"Are you sure someone didn't fool you?"
"Something about this doesn't feel right."
He had merely asked casually.
But the next second—
Yang Zhou practically jumped into the air.
"His Highness the Crown Prince would never lie! Everything he says is true!"
The instant the last word left his mouth...
He realized he'd said something he shouldn't have.
Covering his face with both hands, he collapsed backward onto the sofa.
Nan Yu could only see the empty living room.
Yang Zhou himself had already fallen out of view.
Nan Yu asked softly,
"So..."
"What's going on?"
"Yang Zhou..."
"When exactly did you secretly get together with him behind my back?"
Yang Zhou immediately shot upright.
"H-Hey! Don't make things up!"
"We're just friends!"
"It's not that kind of relationship at all!"
"Our relationship is completely innocent!"
"We've just talked a little more than usual!"
Nan Yu wore an expression of complete disbelief.
If they were really just friends...
Would Crown Prince Yuan Qiyang reveal information this confidential to someone who was merely a friend?
Who was he trying to fool?
Even if they weren't together yet...
They definitely weren't far from it.
Still...
Something about it felt strange.
After all, Yuan Qiyang was the Crown Prince.
If he wanted to choose a Mental Power User...
The royal family would almost certainly expect someone among the absolute best Mid-Tier Mental Power Users.
So why would he become interested in Yang Zhou?
It wasn't that Yang Zhou wasn't wonderful.
He absolutely was.
But he simply didn't seem to meet the standard the royal family would likely set for the future Crown Princess.
Even if they truly became a couple...
There was no way they could announce it publicly anytime soon.
Nan Yu's eyes rolled thoughtfully.
In the end, he came to a decision.
If this was real...
Then he needed to reach the High-Tier Mental Power User level as quickly as possible.
Once that happened...
He could lend Yang Zhou the Nianshen Grass and help him advance into a Mid-Tier Mental Power User.
That way...
There would still be some difference in status between Yang Zhou and Yuan Qiyang.
But at least...
People could reluctantly admit they were a reasonably suitable match.
Nan Yu stared deeply at Yang Zhou.
Eventually, Yang Zhou couldn't take it anymore.
He reluctantly explained,
"Seriously, nothing happened."
"Whenever you and Marshal Yu leave to discuss important matters privately..."
"I'm left alone."
"So naturally I ended up chatting with him."
"We talked..."
"Then exchanged contact information."
"Later we'd chat whenever we had time."
"And somehow..."
"It gradually turned into... what it is now."
"But what I'm trying to say is..."
"There is absolutely nothing between us like what you're imagining."
"Really!"
Nan Yu quickly raised both hands.
"I know, I know."
"I definitely misunderstood you earlier."
"Sorry."
Only then did Yang Zhou finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"As long as you don't misunderstand."
"Oh, right."
"I heard that Mental Power User is extremely powerful."
"An illegitimate child who was brought back into the royal family and officially recognized..."
"That alone proves how capable he is."
"After hearing about you..."
"He's definitely unconvinced."
"And apparently his temper is terrible..."
"Well... maybe not terrible exactly."
"He's just... incredibly spoiled and overbearing."
"If he gives you attitude when you meet..."
"Just talk back."
"This is our Empire."
"Not their country."
The corner of Nan Yu's lips curled upward.
"I understand, Mama Yang."
Nan Yu's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?"
Nan Yu blinked innocently.
"I didn't say anything, Yang Zhou. Alright, I understand now. I'll pay attention to it. Thanks for warning me so quickly. When the match is over, I'll let you know the result as soon as possible."
Yang Zhou waved his hand.
"That's not necessary. The Crown Prince said that when you compete, he can bring me in to watch. I'll know the result on the spot anyway... huh...?"
The meaningful look in Nan Yu's eyes left Yang Zhou completely at a loss.
Just a moment ago, he'd insisted that he and Yuan Qiyang weren't particularly close.
Then, in the very next breath, he'd said that Yuan Qiyang would personally bring him in to watch Nan Yu's match against the royal family member from the allied nation.
So...
Were they close?
Or not?
What exactly was going on?
Nan Yu quietly took a deep breath.
He still wasn't entirely sure what was happening.
But there was one thing he had figured out.
Yang Zhou was trying very hard to hide the true nature of his relationship with Yuan Qiyang.
Nan Yu wasn't the type of person who insisted on getting to the bottom of everything.
Since Yang Zhou wanted to keep it secret, he probably had his own reasons.
With that thought, Nan Yu simply smiled and stopped asking.
"Alright, I have to get back to work. If there's anything else, we'll talk after I'm finished. I'll call you tonight."
Only then did Yang Zhou snap back to reality.
"Okay, okay! No problem. Just contact me whenever you're free."
After hanging up, Nan Yu checked the time.
Great.
His break was over.
He finished the water in his cup before returning to the ward to continue working.
According to what he'd heard, if they could just keep this pace up for another month, everything would finally settle down.
That thought made him rather happy.
Because then...
He'd finally have time to spend properly with Yu Lanfeng.
Although...
Whether Yu Lanfeng would actually have any free time was another matter entirely.
However, before anyone from the Imperial Family had a chance to contact him...
Nan Yu encountered Bai Zhouyun blocking his hovercraft while he was on his way home.
He had hurried back because he'd heard his father would secretly return home for a visit today.
He never expected Bai Zhouyun to intercept him.
How?
His whereabouts had always been kept confidential.
No one was supposed to know.
Even Nan Yun and Nan Zhen didn't know he was going home today.
So how did Bai Zhouyun know?
Moreover...
It didn't look like a chance encounter.
It looked as though Bai Zhouyun had known in advance and had deliberately been waiting here for him.
So...
Should he open the hatch and let Bai Zhouyun in?
Or should he simply fly around him and leave?
Just as Nan Yu was hesitating and had decided to leave instead...
A communication request came in.
It wasn't from Bai Zhouyun.
Nor was it from Yun Feiyu.
It wasn't from anyone he was familiar with.
Still...
The contact somehow seemed vaguely familiar.
So he accepted it.
The person appearing on the other end of the video call was actually Qin Wenxing.
"Hello, Nan Yu."
"Hello. Is something the matter?"
Qin Wenxing smiled.
"Nothing major. The Marshal asked me to tell you something."
"No matter where a doctor is, they should always pay attention to their own safety."
Nan Yu fell silent.
He suddenly felt that Yu Lanfeng either possessed clairvoyance, could hear things from thousands of miles away, or perhaps even had the ability to predict the future.
It just so happened that, while Nan Yu was debating whether to meet Bai Zhouyun, Yu Lanfeng had sent Qin Wenxing to call him.
Seeing the strange expression on Nan Yu's face, Qin Wenxing didn't immediately end the call.
Instead, he asked,
"Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
The moment he spoke...
Yu Lanfeng, who had been working nearby, instantly looked up at him.
The sudden movement scared Qin Wenxing half to death.
Why had he gone and asked that extra question?
Nan Yu answered honestly,
"It's nothing serious. I just ran into Bai Zhouyun on my way home, and I'm wondering whether I should go out and meet him."
Qin Wenxing had just opened his mouth to respond when he saw his Marshal abruptly stand up.
Yu Lanfeng strode over with an extremely grim expression.
The sight frightened Qin Wenxing even more.
Nan Yu blinked as Yu Lanfeng appeared on the communication screen.
"...Marshal?"
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"Mm. Remember this."
"Don't go out to see him."
Nan Yu blinked again before obediently nodding.
"Okay."
Only then did Yu Lanfeng relax a little.
"Is he alone?"
"Are there any other people nearby?"
Nan Yu thought for a moment.
"The people secretly protecting me haven't reacted at all, so he should be alone."
"I haven't seen anyone else."
"The surroundings are pretty open."
"They couldn't exactly be hiding underground, could they?"
"This is a park."
Yu Lanfeng remained serious.
"No matter what, never judge only by appearances."
"Always prepare for the worst."
"So stay alert at all times."
Nan Yu nodded.
"Alright, I understand."
"So I'll just pretend he doesn't exist and leave directly?"
Yu Lanfeng answered without hesitation.
"Mm!"
Nan Yu pressed his lips together.
He wanted to laugh...
But didn't dare.
If Yu Lanfeng saw him smiling now, who knew how long he'd stay upset?
"Oh, right."
As he spoke, he took a small box out of his spatial button.
"I really like this."
"Thank you."
"But it's still far too precious... and honestly, giving it to me like this is a little too reckless."
"When there's an opportunity later..."
"You should take it back."
"And then..."
"...Later..."
"When the proper time comes..."
"You can give it to me again."
Unexpectedly...
After seeing the box, Yu Lanfeng frowned slightly before shaking his head.
"What is that?"
"What's inside it?"
"I gave it to you?"