Chapter 35
Shi Xiaowang hadn’t fully recovered his spiritual energy, and after crying so much, he quickly fell asleep again.
Jian Mo sat at the bedside and watched him for a long time.
Perhaps because he had expressed all the grievances in his heart, he seemed to sleep more peacefully than before.
Jian Mo leaned over and kissed his forehead.
Only after confirming he was fine did he get up and head downstairs.
“Yo, all calmed down?”
As soon as he reached the bottom, he heard Meng Zhan teasing him.
Jian Mo glanced at him and sighed.
“He’s asleep.”
Meng Zhan raised an eyebrow at Jian Mo’s reaction.
“He’s fine. Just rest for a couple of days, don’t worry too much.”
“Mm.”
Jian Mo responded softly, lowering his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
“Ah, if I’d known he’d react like this, I should have replied to his message earlier.”
Meng Zhan leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a click of his tongue.
Jian Mo looked up at him.
Meng Zhan smiled.
“This afternoon, Xiaowang sent me a message. He said your little chicks at home ate the catnip you mentioned, and it even carried self-purification ability. He had told me before that his purification ability could continue in catnip, so I focused on studying it. Recently, I finally found the substance in catnip that matches his ability. I tried using that substance as a culture medium—it really can maintain the activity of the ability.”
“I experimented with rhubarb in the institute as well. Before I arrived, I confirmed that rhubarb had also gained self-purification ability.”
Jian Mo’s expression gradually became serious, with a hint of anticipation even he hadn’t noticed.
“So…”
“So we really can completely purify the pollution, without harming him, and without making Xiaowang spend too much spiritual energy.”
Meng Zhan said seriously.
Jian Mo didn’t speak, but his eyes were full of joy and relief.
“Alright, don’t just sit there. Come back with me to the research institute.”
Meng Zhan stood up and stretched.
“After all, the little duke personally purified you, I need to see what changes have occurred in you.”
“Okay.”
Jian Mo nodded, agreeing readily.
The next day, when Shi Xiaowang woke up, only Jian Da Meow was still sound asleep beside him.
Two messages remained on the lightbrain, one from Jian Mo:
[Rest well. I still have some things to handle. I’ll try to come back as soon as I’m free in a couple of days.]
Jian Mo had left again.
Shi Xiaowang pouted.
Some people, always saying “of course,” but the moment you’re not careful, they’re gone again.
He hadn’t even asked what Jian Mo had come back for this time.
The other message was from Meng Zhan:
[I checked Jian Da Meow. Aside from the pollution you helped purify, he still retains some purification activity, enough to self-purify for a few more days. But the pollution you risked yourself to remove is really not enough for him! So, again, don’t mess around! Very dangerous!]
Shi Xiaowang’s eyes curved into a smile as he replied:
[Okay.]
Looking at Jian Da Meow beside him, a weight lifted from his heart.
It didn’t matter if it wasn’t enough. He could take it step by step. As long as it helped, he was relieved.
Thinking this, Shi Xiaowang reached out to touch the lion’s head.
But the moment his hand touched the fur, Jian Da Meow suddenly woke up and jumped off the bed, alertly staring at him.
…What are you doing?
Shi Xiaowang was baffled by the lion’s reaction, as if overnight he had returned to when they had just met.
“I didn’t purify your memory. Don’t you recognize me?”
The lion flicked his tail, looking at him with a conflicted expression.
He was genuinely scared of Shi Xiaowang, afraid he would sneak an attack while he was asleep.
Shi Xiaowang frowned and leaned closer, cautiously reaching out to stroke the lion’s fur.
The next second, the lion dodged again—purely reflexive.
“Hey!”
Shi Xiaowang went from annoyed to extremely annoyed.
“Why are you Jian all so annoying!”
He crossed his arms and pouted.
“Jian Mo’s never home, you ignore me, are you doing this on purpose?”
Jian Da Meow glanced at him, slightly guilty.
The cat slinked over to him, curling its tail around his leg.
But when Shi Xiaowang reached out to touch him, he retreated again.
Shi Xiaowang squinted.
Fine, fine!
“I get it. Jian Mo is afraid I’ll purify you again, so he’s keeping you away, right?”
The lion looked at him, twitching his ears.
Well… you could say that…
Shi Xiaowang snorted and ignored the lion, heading downstairs to feed the chickens.
While feeding, Meng Zhan sent him another message.
[Awake? How’s your body? Headache?]
[It’s okay, just a little tired, nothing else.]
Shi Xiaowang replied.
[Alright. I have something to tell you. I extracted a substance from catnip similar to your ability. Because of this, your ability can stay active in the catnip. Though I experimented, promoting it via medicine may not be enough. I can’t guarantee how long the ability stays active in the medicine. So I’m thinking, if we can connect it directly to the treatment chamber, in a more stable environment, maybe it will last longer. Any suggestions?]
Reading Meng Zhan’s long message, Shi Xiaowang’s eyes lit up.
[That works! I think it’s a great idea!]
His purification ability could finally enter the treatment stage!
Shi Xiaowang was so excited he could barely contain it.
Looking up, he saw the mischievous Jian Da Meow.
Squinting at him, he sent a message to Jian Mo:
[Don’t come back! I’m running away from home!]
Jian Da Meow, upon receiving the message, looked utterly confused.
[Where to?]
[I said I’m running away. Of course I can’t tell you where.]
Shi Xiaowang smirked like an evil little dog.
Not telling you!
Then he turned to report to Uncle Ye, who had just entered the greenhouse.
“Uncle Ye! Teacher Meng said there’s progress in purification research. I plan to stay at the research institute for a while. They’re studying the treatment chamber, and my ability may be needed. It’s more convenient if I stay there.”
Oh.
Jian Da Meow understood.
Meng Zhan had mentioned the treatment chamber yesterday.
Going to the research institute was fine.
It also prevented Jian Da Meow from being suspicious every time Shi Xiaowang got close.
Meng Zhan naturally welcomed Shi Xiaowang.
He had already prepared a room for him and sent him over that day.
On the first day of Shi Xiaowang’s departure, Jian Mo breathed a sigh of relief.
On the second day, he was bored in the greenhouse.
On the third day, Jian Mo looked at a photo sent by Meng Zhan—Shi Xiaowang propped up a large pot, cooking for the institute staff. He looked very happy, and so did the staff.
Jian Mo hesitated. Maybe he should also go stay at the base…
That night, Jian Mo stayed alone in the greenhouse. Listening to the wind and insects outside, the leaves rustling, he lay on the bed looking at the stars Shi Xiaowang loved most. He couldn’t resist opening his lightbrain.
[Asleep?]
Shi Xiaowang didn’t reply for a while.
[Not yet. Teacher Meng, Aunt Ling, and the lab colleagues are roasting potatoes on the mountain while waiting for the experiment results.]
[What’s up?]
[Nothing, just asking.]
He deleted it after writing. Too much resentment.
[How’s your body these days?]
Deleted.
They were roasting potatoes on the mountain—of course it was fine.
Jian Mo took a deep breath.
[I’m going home for a few days.]
After a while, Shi Xiaowang replied.
[Oh, have Uncle Ye cook something nice for you. The peas at home should be ripe. If you want to cook, you can try my pea soup from yesterday. Everyone said it was delicious.]
Jian Mo couldn’t help but smile.
[Did you do that on purpose?]
[No, I’m just running away. I can’t cook for you.]
This reply was quite fast.
Fast and deliberately teasing.
He realized for the first time that this little friend had such a temper.
He used to be so easy to coax…
[Still mad?]
Jian Mo asked.
On the mountain, Shi Xiaowang poked the potatoes in the fire with a stick, smiling at Jian Mo’s message.
[Mad about what? I’m serving the people. I’m happy.]
To prove it, he sent a group photo of everyone laughing around the campfire.
Soon, he received a reply from Jian Mo.
[Hmm, looks happy.]
Attached was a single photo of Jian Da Meow lying on the bed looking at the stars—lonely and solitary.
[Don’t care about Jian Da Meow missing home at all?]
Jian Mo asked.
Shi Xiaowang suppressed a smile.
[Oh, he’s not playing with me, so I’ll just think about him.]
[So heartless?]
Jian Mo raised his brows, smiling lightly.
[Right? You think so too?]
Shi Xiaowang replied immediately.
[Some people, when they leave, don’t come back at all. They don’t care if others miss them. So cruel!]
Jian Mo read this pointed message and chuckled.
[Hmm, I can tell, someone’s really angry.]
[Shouldn’t they be?]
[Yes, absolutely.]
Shi Xiaowang laughed on the mountain, making Meng Zhan frown.
“What are you doing? We’ve already eaten enough potatoes. There are sweet potatoes left. You don’t need to send us any more ‘couple goals,’ okay? Eat it yourself.”
“What couple goals? I’m roasting potatoes!”
Shi Xiaowang replied, confidently, whether he didn’t understand or pretended not to.
Besides roasting potatoes, he never stopped typing.
[Alright, I’m not mad. But I really can’t go back yet. The treatment chamber is still being tested. The purification ability extracted directly from catnip is still too weak. We can only use it as a conversion medium. I still need to provide purification, so I’ll stay here. When it’s done, I’ll tell you, and I’ll make you delicious food when I return. We have many fruits and vegetables here that aren’t at home.]
[Okay.]
It seemed he really didn’t plan to return home in the short term.
Jian Mo hesitated for two seconds, then added:
[Or I can come to see you tomorrow. Okay?]
Shi Xiaowang saw the new message and laughed, deleting his written reply “How about you come see me tomorrow?” and changed it to:
[Okay!]
