Chapter 53: Senior Brother
Moreover, the help he mentioned definitely wasn't as simple as the instructor had made it sound, just casually having patrol officers pass by a few more times.
In reality, he might actually have his friend arrange rotating patrol teams to continuously watch the area and make absolutely sure nothing unexpected happened.
But right now, the most important person was the senior brother who had stayed behind.
Liu Gan took a deep breath.
"You all probably know my situation very well. The whole academy knows it, actually. It's not some secret."
Nan Yu said, "Senior Brother, don't be sad. Once I finish the two commissions ahead of you, I'll come to your place."
The corners of Liu Gan's mouth lifted.
"Thank you, Junior Brother. To be honest, I'd already become numb. I thought I really would have to spend decades accumulating military merit before I'd qualify to apply for the help of a High-Tier Mental Power User. After all..."
Nan Yu interrupted him.
"Senior Brother, it'll be fine. Your lover will recover. I'm here, aren't I? Look at me. My mental power is stable, and I'm not that tired. You already know Zhou Kunyao's situation. If I could cure him, then your lover definitely won't be a problem."
Liu Gan stared intently into Nan Yu's eyes for a while. After confirming that the ease on his face wasn't fake, he finally revealed a genuine smile of relief.
Liu Gan had a lover named Zhang Yun.
They had graduated in the same class.
The two had met when they were assigned to the same dormitory upon entering the academy. Later, they discovered that they had much in common, and as they spent more time together, their relationship naturally deepened until they became lovers.
There were no earth-shattering events between them, but their feelings had always been stable.
Because Mental Power Users were scarce, and capable ones were even rarer and pickier, many Ability Users ended up pairing with each other.
Everyone had blessed them.
After graduation, they entered the same legion after passing its examinations and carried out missions together.
Incidentally, that legion was Yu Lanfeng's First Legion, the number one legion in the Empire.
And back in school, one of them was always first while the other was second. They were both lovers and rivals, becoming one of the academy's legendary stories.
Almost every student had heard of Liu Gan and Zhang Yun and envied such a relationship.
Zhang Yun was Liu Gan's lover, and also the reason why Liu Gan had desperately sought help.
At first, things had gone smoothly after entering the legion.
Everything progressed steadily.
But once, due to a newly appointed acting commander making a mistake, their squad was thrown into danger. While waiting for reinforcements, Liu Gan and the others had no choice but to fight countless mutated beasts head-on.
During that battle, Zhang Yun secretly consumed too much mutated beast jerky to protect him.
The resulting mental contamination became so severe that even the legion's Mental Power Users didn't dare treat him casually.
Liu Gan could only bring Zhang Yun back to the Capital Star and place him in a military facility specially responsible for housing and caring for such soldiers.
After learning that sufficient military merit would allow him to apply to the Empire for assistance from a High-Tier Mental Power User, he had gone completely crazy earning military merit.
As long as he still had a breath left in him, no matter what the mission was, as long as it granted merit, he accepted it without hesitation.
After so many years, even he felt like he had become nothing more than a machine built for completing missions.
Learning about Nan Yu this time had been pure coincidence.
He had suffered an injury during a mission. It wasn't serious, but the military doctor had issued a strict order that he had to rest for a full month before returning to duty.
He had no choice but to come back.
Only a few days after returning, he heard about Nan Yu.
Because the legion Nan Yu had secretly worked with was Yu Lanfeng's legion, Liu Gan had heard a few rumors about him.
In short, because of those bits and pieces, and because he had nothing better to do while resting, he decided to pay attention.
Unexpectedly, that casual interest had turned into a wonderful opportunity.
Zhang Yun could be saved!
He no longer had to remain tied to a bed, waiting decades for Liu Gan to accumulate enough military merit.
Every time he saw Zhang Yun bound to the bed, out of his mind, Liu Gan's heart ached unbearably.
If only he had been stronger.
Stronger...
A little stronger...
If he'd noticed sooner, perhaps things wouldn't have ended up like this...
He had always blamed himself.
Originally, he had thought this life would continue for decades.
But...
Nan Yu noticed Liu Gan's eyes gradually turning...
Liu Gan suddenly stood up.
"Anyway, I'll pay according to your rates. I've saved enough credit points over the years. And I owe your family an enormous favor."
Nan Yu smiled.
"Alright, but don't rush off yet, Senior Brother. Leave us your contact information first. We'll contact you after we finish our current work."
Liu Gan, who had been trying to flee, froze.
Right!
He hadn't exchanged contact information yet!
With no choice, he secretly wiped away his tears before turning around seriously and exchanging communication numbers with all three brothers.
"I'll wait for your call."
Only now did he realize just how wonderful this month-long vacation was.
He needed to thank that military doctor and his captain for forcing him back to rest.
After sending Senior Brother off, Nan Yu and the others finally relaxed.
Nan Yu lay pitifully on the table.
"Uncle Nan, I'm starving..."
Uncle Nan laughed helplessly and shook his head affectionately.
"I already knew you'd be hungry. I've prepared plenty of delicious food for you."
He quickly brought out several dishes, all still steaming hot.
It was obvious they had only been prepared recently and had been kept warm while waiting for him to come home.
Nan Yu instantly perked up.
"Thank you, Uncle Nan. You're always so thoughtful."
Uncle Nan simply smiled and urged him to eat.
Nan Yun and Nan Zhen stared at Uncle Nan with widened eyes, but he acted as though he hadn't noticed their gazes.
Fortunately, Nan Yu, who was happily eating, soon realized something.
There was far too much food for him to finish alone.
So...
Uncle Nan had done this deliberately.
Because they hadn't informed him when discussing these matters earlier, he had remained angry even though he'd learned about everything before they left.
He simply wasn't the type to show it directly.
This was his way of expressing his displeasure.
After swallowing the food in his hand, Nan Yu carefully looked at him.
"Uncle Nan, Big Brother and Second Brother seem hungry too. I can't finish all this by myself. How about... how about the four of us eat together?"
Not three people.
Four people.
Including Uncle Nan.
Only then did Uncle Nan reveal a genuine smile.
Exactly.
Shouldn't it be like this?
No matter what happened, they should discuss it with him too.
He wasn't some terrifying monster.
Nan Yun and Nan Zhen finally breathed a sigh of relief and joined in.
The family sat together, warm and harmonious.
But it seemed they had forgotten something.
Once there was a first time, the second and third treatments became much easier and more practiced.
Although the next two Ability Users' mental contamination was severe, neither had reached Zhou Kunyao's level.
After each treatment, Nan Yu felt somewhat tired, but strangely more excited.
Because every time he cultivated together with the Nianshen Grass afterward, the purity of his mental power increased permanently, even if only by a tiny amount.
How could he not be happy?
At this rate, perhaps he could shorten the time needed to become a High-Tier Mental Power User even further.
However, after finishing the third commission and returning home, they saw the man sitting in the seat of honor—
Only then did they suddenly remember.
They had forgotten about their father!
Fortunately, he had been on a mission and couldn't freely contact the outside world.
Maybe...
Perhaps...
There was still room for negotiation?
Seeing his three children return, Nan Ming became furious.
"Get over here right now! Do I need to personally invite you?"
The three brothers immediately shrank back and obediently lined up beside the table.
Nan Yu clasped his hands pitifully.
"Dad..."
Nan Ming's entire body stiffened.
Looking at his youngest son helplessly, he couldn't help softening.
Ever since childhood, Nan Yu had been the treasure of his heart.
Thankfully, their family genes were excellent. Nan Yu hadn't become some spoiled wastrel, but a talented and outstanding son completely unlike the trash from the Bai family.
"You, you... what am I supposed to say to you? Why couldn't you wait until I got back before doing something so dangerous? Why were you in such a hurry?"
Nan Yu apologized miserably.
"Dad, I'm sorry. It's just... after returning from there, I felt my mental power had become stronger. I thought I could try things I didn't dare before."
"And... and I wanted to finally turn the reputation I'd carried for all these years into reality. That's why I asked Big Brother and Second Brother to help me..."
Nan Ming sighed again.
"Fine. Go rest. But remember, you absolutely can't be so reckless again."
He had wondered why there were patrol teams lingering around their home when he returned.
Only after hearing Butler Nan's explanation did he understand.
Without his knowledge, his youngest son had solidified his reputation.
It was a good thing.
But he still wasn't happy.
It was too reckless!
What if they encountered people who were hard to deal with?
And then there was another matter weighing on his heart—
The Bai family.
Once they learned how outstanding Nan Yu truly was, they definitely wouldn't continue ignoring °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the engagement between Bai Zhouyun and Nan Yu.
Perhaps Bai Zhouyun would become even more persistent in pestering his precious son.
At that thought...
Nan Yu smiled brightly.
"Thanks, Dad. I knew you're the best to me."
Then he happily ran upstairs, turning around midway to give Nan Yun and Nan Zhen an apologetic look.
The brothers could only watch helplessly as their little brother escaped to his room, leaving them behind to endure their father's fury.
Sure enough, as soon as Nan Yu's bedroom door closed—
Nan Ming began.
"Tell me, how are you two acting as older brothers? Xiao Yu is still young and doesn't understand many things. But what about you two? Don't you understand either? Following him in his nonsense?"
"If those patrol teams weren't outside, our residence would've already become a public garden where people came and went freely! Didn't you think someone might pay a huge price to secretly hire experts to abduct Xiao Yu?"
Actually, he was still annoyed by the fact that the patrol teams had stopped him and demanded identity verification when he returned.
He had actually needed to verify his identity to enter his own house!
But after understanding the truth, he realized those patrol officers had been acting for their benefit.
Naturally, he couldn't blame them.
Which meant all his anger could only be directed at his two foolish sons.
By the time Nan Ming finally released them, it was already past midnight.
Nan Yu had long since fallen into a deep sleep.
Naturally, Nan Yun and Nan Zhen had also told Nan Ming about the Nianshen Grass.
Nan Ming remained silent for more than ten minutes before sighing.
"Does your little brother really have confidence?"
"Becoming a High-Tier Mental Power User within the next few years?"
Nan Yun nodded heavily.
"Dad, you have to trust him. He's truly incredible. He perfectly completed all three commissions. That's enough to prove his potential. With such excellent conditions now, he'll definitely succeed. The only question is how long it'll take."
Nan Ming frowned slightly.
"If that's the case, then it's settled."
"If the Bai family brings up the wedding, I'll delay things as much as possible. Or I'll take more missions and stay away. As long as I'm not home, they won't have anyone to discuss the marriage with."
After all, if Bai Zhouyun wanted to marry Nan Yu, they had to speak with Nan Ming.
Were they supposed to negotiate with Nan Yun, Nan Zhen, or Nan Yu himself?
Thus, Nan Ming's absence was the best delay tactic.
Of course, this would place him in danger.
After all, missions were called missions precisely because they were dangerous.
If Nan Yu had been present, he certainly would have objected.
But only three Ability Users sat here now.
To them, entering a legion was a blessing.
Taking missions and earning military merit was only natural.
Danger?
Of course it was dangerous.
Wasn't that obvious?
Could something without danger even be called a mission?
Three stubborn men.
Had Nan Yu been here, he never would've let the matter pass so easily.
Unfortunately, he was asleep.
By the time he appeared the next morning, the discussion had long been buried.
Over the next few days, the Bai family remained strangely quiet.
No one came to bother Nan Yu.
As he ate breakfast, he found it somewhat strange.
"The Bai family hasn't come looking for me? Even after I became this outstanding, do they still look down on me?"
Nan Yun snorted.
"Enough, little brother. We're eating. Don't bring up that disgusting thing."
Nan Ming froze slightly.
Looking at the calm Nan Yu and then at Nan Yun and Nan Zhen, who clearly regarded such remarks as normal, he suddenly understood something.
His youngest son had truly let go of Bai Zhouyun.
This was wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
Frankly, he'd rather see Nan Yu remain single forever than marry Bai Zhouyun.
It would simply be wasting his precious son.
Since Nan Yu ignored Nan Yun's insults toward Bai Zhouyun, Nan Ming no longer paid attention.
After breakfast, Nan Yu planned to return upstairs and cultivate with the Nianshen Grass.
But unexpectedly, someone came to visit.
However, the patrol team outside stopped them immediately.
Nan Yu was puzzled.
"Who would come to our house at a time like this?"
Nan Yun contacted Captain Luo, with whom he'd exchanged communication numbers earlier.
"Hello, Captain Luo. Who is it?"
"It's someone named Yun Feiyu. He says he's Nan Yu's classmate and friend and wants to discuss something."
Yun Feiyu...?
Nan Yu naturally knew him.
Just like Bai Zhouyun, he was trash.
Only he was a trash Mental Power User.
His mental power was so weak he couldn't even perform the most basic mental contamination purification.
He and Bai Zhouyun were practically made for each other.
Still, he remembered that his younger self had indeed been quite close to Yun Feiyu.
Nan Yun looked toward him.
"Little brother, do you want to see him?"
Nan Yu frowned.
Honestly, he didn't want to.
Just as he was about to refuse, another message came from Captain Luo.
"Another person just arrived. He says he's Nan Yu's classmate. His name is Yang Zhou. Do you know him?"
Yang Zhou?!
Nan Yu's eyes widened.
Damn!
After returning to the past for so long, he had actually forgotten about Yang Zhou!
"Let him in. Let Yang Zhou in. We really haven't seen each other for a long time..."
He paused.
"Forget it, let both of them in. Since they're already here, we might as well settle everything in one go."
Nan Yun had no objections.
After all, this was the Nan family.
Could the two of them really cause trouble here?
They'd be thrown out immediately.
When Yun Feiyu saw Yang Zhou, he looked surprised.
"I didn't expect you to come too. It's been a long time. I heard you went back to your hometown. Why did you return so soon? Didn't you say you weren't continuing school?"
Yang Zhou's mouth twitched.
Yun Feiyu really never changed.
Every sentence was loaded with hidden barbs.
His tone sounded soft and innocent, yet every word stabbed directly into people's hearts.
Yang Zhou had taken leave from school to return home for his elder's funeral.
Meanwhile, his relatives only cared about fighting over the inheritance and paid no attention to the funeral itself.
He clenched his fists tightly.
If his grandfather hadn't left a will beforehand, they would've stripped him of everything.
As if suddenly remembering something, Yun Feiyu covered his mouth lightly.
"Oh my, listen to me. Sorry, I forgot why you'd gone back. I said something I shouldn't have. You... won't mind, right?"
Yang Zhou had never been gentle toward Yun Feiyu.
And he wasn't about to start now.
"If you know you can't speak properly and always say things you shouldn't, then you should have enough self-awareness not to talk to me when we meet. Do you not even understand something that simple?"
At that moment, Captain Luo walked over.
"Gentlemen, please come in. But your hovercrafts need to be parked nearby. Our patrol craft will take you over there. Just let me know when you leave."
In truth, Yun Feiyu hadn't even come in his own hovercraft.
He had used Bai Zhouyun's hovercraft.
It even bore the Bai family emblem.
Seeing it, Yang Zhou immediately sneered.
"Wow, you're really good at sweet-talking people. Bai Zhouyun actually lent you his personal hovercraft? You two seem awfully close."
"Back then, Nan Yu, Bai Zhouyun's actual fiancé, wanted to borrow it once, and Bai Zhouyun refused without even thinking."
"And yet your relationship with him seems even better than theirs. Truly eye-opening."