“He really is my wife…”

Wei Feng gave a light whistle, his eyes sweeping across Li Xun’s personal file. “Though, how do two Alphas have a child? You rich people’s technology is a bit beyond my understanding.”

“By relying on gene editing, you can fuse the genes of two Alphas together,” Song Jin said, unable to refrain from looking at Li Xiao. “However, this wasn’t originally a technology intended for childbearing. Embryos created through such methods can have many issues, so it’s strictly restricted in the Shengya Empire.”

Aside from natural conception, there were many ways to have children, but the more human intervention involved, the greater the hidden risks.

Gene editing carried the highest risks and was the most unstable. Even a healthy embryo screened through layers of checks had a very high probability of undergoing genetic mutations during growth, leading to deformities, disabilities, or unknown diseases.

To avoid causing excessive negative social fallout, the Shengya Empire had explicitly banned using gene editing to create embryos centuries ago. Even the Royal Family exercised extreme restraint when employing gene-editing technology.

Taking the cue, Wei Feng casually asked an extra question: “Then how do AA couples like you guys usually have children?”

Song Jin: “If we really want to, we can use genetic engineering to each have one.”

After speaking, Song Jin added another sentence: “Though my dad can still give birth, so there’s no need to go through all that trouble.”

Wei Feng: “…”

Wei Feng turned his head to look at Li Ji’s stomach.

Then this side can only rely on this one.

Faced with this result, both Li Ji and Li Xiao fell into their own silence.

Although he had prepared himself mentally, Li Ji still found it difficult to accept when the comparison result appeared. His mind was in a turmoil of endless, chaotic thoughts.

When Xiao Xiao was born, Royal Uncle Li Xun had already been dead for over a decade, yet Father King and Mother Queen were both still alive. Even if they needed to create an artificial embryo, why use Royal Uncle’s genes?

Why fuse it with Wei Feng’s genes?

Why hide it from him?

While Li Ji was agonizing over the bloodline, Li Xiao was thinking about entirely different matters.

Every member of the Royal Family was required to undergo routine DNA testing upon birth.

Jin Heng, who was in charge of the testing, definitely knew that he shared no blood relation with Father King and Mother Queen. But did Jin Heng know that his genes originated from Li Xun and Wei Feng?

Jin Heng was one of the Gao family’s people, so how much did the Gao family know?

“Xiao.”

His hand was gently shaken. Li Xiao snapped out of his thoughts and saw Song Jin chin-gesturing toward Li Ji: “Your brother is about to cry.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Li Xiao patted Li Ji’s shoulder: “Brother, hold it together.”

Li Ji: “…”

Hearing that single word, “Brother,” made Li Ji relax a great deal. He asked in a low voice, “What else do you two want to investigate?”

Li Xiao’s gaze swept across Jin Heng’s name on the screen: “In a few days, I need to return to the academy to meet with this person.”

In three days, a farewell dinner for exchange students would be held at the palace. Once he saw Song Jin and the others off, he would return to the academy to investigate the remaining matters.

Apart from Jin Heng, he also needed to see that old academy physician, Ye You, again.

Li Ji: “If you want to see him, you don’t necessarily have to return to the Military Academy.”

Li Xiao shook his head: “Bringing him to the Capital Planet isn’t appropriate; it’s easy to alert the enemy.”

Judging from his past life combined with the current situation under investigation, he didn’t feel the Gao family had any major issues, but just in case, it was better not to act too recklessly.

“Jin Heng holds a position at the Capital’s Biomedical Research Institute; he returns there for a few days every month.”

Li Ji gestured to Old Liu, “Look up when he’s returning next.”

Old Liu respectfully complied.

Li Xiao was puzzled: “What Biomedical Research Institute?”

Previously, he had looked into Jin Heng’s personal file; after being reassigned from the palace, he had gone to the First Military Academy’s Medical Department and remained there ever since.

Li Ji: “The Capital Biomedical Research Institute. He was a researcher there in his youth, but it belongs to a classified department, so this part of his work history isn’t added to his personal file.”

Li Xiao’s brow twitched.

The Capital Biomedical Research Institute? The same unit Qiu Bin belongs to.

Seeing Li Xiao frowning with a solemn expression, Li Ji pulled up Jin Heng’s complete file: “His work content in both the palace and the research institute is unclassified to the public; only my clearance level can look it up.”

As the virtual screen was projected into midair, Wei Feng subconsciously glanced at it. Seeing the photo in the file, his pupils shrank, and he stepped closer without realizing it.

“It’s him…?”

Li Xiao was deep in thought when he noticed Wei Feng’s abnormal reaction. He glanced at the file with confusion, realizing something: “Is he that doctor?”

Wei Feng stared blankly at the photo, memory fragments flashing rapidly before his eyes.

A dome with bird stone carvings, an endless array of cultivation tanks, fleeing people, glaring firelight… and finally, settling on that enlarged face approaching from above as a cultivation tank was opened.

The doctor was wearing a mask, revealing only his slightly drooping eye corners. There were few wrinkles between his brows, making him look thirty to forty years old. His tone when speaking was peaceful, but perhaps because of that white coat, he felt frightening.

“It’s him!”

Wei Feng’s face darkened. “The doctor who transferred me out of the cultivation tank at the feed base and secretly locked me in a lab to do research on me! After thirty years, he’s aged quite a bit, but I won’t forget these eyes.”

Li Ji looked astonished: “How could it be him? Take another close look.”

Wei Feng: “It’s him, no mistake!”

This outcome was something none of them had anticipated.

Wei Feng had been putting together the puzzle for over half a month, piecing together over a hundred faces. Li Ji had Yi Yongning check them one by one, and not a single one matched completely. Who would have thought this doctor was right under their noses?

“Jin Heng worked at Z152’s abandoned base thirty years ago?”

Song Jin leaned against the table with his arms folded. “So Jin Heng is actually one of the Meng family’s people? Or does the Gao family… also have problems?”

Li Xiao’s face grew grave.

Whichever it was, it wasn’t good news for them.

Song Jin looked at Li Xiao: “Is it possible that Jin Heng secretly gave you Wei Feng’s genes? Given his position back then, he could have pulled it off.”

Li Xiao: “Then how do you explain the DNA report? Without Father King’s instruction, Jin Heng couldn’t have hidden it on his own.”

Jin Heng might have had ways to tamper with the embryo, but during the DNA testing, a professional team supervised the entire process; it couldn’t be faked.

Song Jin guessed blindly: “Was the supervisory team in on it, too?”

Li Ji took over: “The supervisory team was temporarily assembled from the Royal Family’s medical team and researchers from various institutes. Different people were invited every time; the likelihood of them all belonging to the Meng faction is very low.”

While they were speaking, Old Liu returned from outside and reported respectfully: “Your Majesty, Jin Heng will be going to the research institute in two days.”

Li Xiao: “Do you have Jin Heng’s work schedule?”

“Yes.” Old Liu forwarded the file to Li Xiao.

Li Ji still had work arrangements, so they returned to the main hall first.

Li Xiao and Song Jin went to the lounge beside Li Ji’s office. Li Xiao sat on the sofa, flipping through Jin Heng’s work schedule.

Song Jin fetched some testing instruments, fiddled with them, and attached the sensor element to Li Xiao’s gland to perform a susceptibility period test.

09 was very displeased: “I won’t allow you to stick this thing on my master. Take it away, I can perform this kind of test too!”

Song Jin checked the values on the instrument and said casually, “You can’t even detect a susceptibility period, yet you have the nerve to speak up.”

09: “My testing data is 100% accurate!”

Song Jin’s tone was disdainful: “Is that so?”

09 blew its top, cursing up a storm: “I happen to be the most outstanding mecha!”

Song Jin: “Who doesn’t know how to boast?”

Listening to them bicker, Li Xiao quickly scrolled down through the attendance records, pausing slightly when he saw an entry from six months ago.

Calculating the time, on the second day after Jin Heng arrived at the research institute, Li Xiao had handed over the blood seized from Youlong to Qiu Bin for testing. Shortly after that, Qiu Bin received two misdirected boxes of blood.

At the time, Li Xiao had found it strange; looking back now, it seemed it might have been a premeditated plot.

Seeing Li Xiao lost in thought, Song Jin bent down and rested his hands on Li Xiao’s shoulders from behind: “Notice something?”

Li Xiao’s expression grew serious.

“I might have been calculated from the very beginning.”

Song Jin was puzzled: “How so?”

Li Xiao wasn’t 100% sure yet, so he simply contacted Qiu Bin directly.

[When are you free over the next two days?]

After a moment, a reply came back from the other side.

[I’ll be at home after 8 PM.]

Li Xiao: [Then I’ll come find you around 9 o’clock.]

Qiu Bin: [No problem.]

Song Jin: “Who is Qiu Bin?”

Li Xiao teased him solemnly: “A cultured, gentle, slightly frail, but very capable man.”

Song Jin turned Li Xiao’s face around to make him look into his eyes: “Your susceptibility period isn’t over yet, and you dare to arrange a late-night meeting with a man right in front of my face, huh?”

Li Xiao asked with total innocence: “Should I have arranged it behind your back instead?”

Song Jin touched his face, smiling chilliness: “If you think you’re very beat-resistant, feel free to try.”

Li Xiao: “Would you have the heart to hit me?”

Song Jin pinched his face firmly: “Why wouldn’t I? Even a scumbag passing by gets a kick, let alone a fine youth with such a strong sense of justice like me.”

Li Xiao knitted his brows: “It hurts.”

Song Jin: “Don’t act spoiled.”

The kitten was fierce, fragrant, and deadly cute.

Just as Li Xiao was preparing to catch him for a kiss, the instrument beside them sounded a beeping prompt.

Song Jin released Li Xiao and stood up straight to confirm the test data.

The pheromone fluctuation curve was slightly higher than the standard value, which for an average Alpha would already mean the tail end of the susceptibility period. But this old guy was so good at enduring, it might be inaccurate.

Song Jin stowed the instrument and turned to put it back into the medical kit.

“Your body is still unstable; take it easy these two days.”

“Mm.”

Li Xiao watched Song Jin walk away, trying his best to pretend to be calm, yet a hint of dissatisfaction still leaked from his eyes.

“Is it absolutely necessary to go tonight?”

Song Jin turned around and saw Li Xiao beckoning to him. Thinking there was something top-secret to discuss, he sat down next to Li Xiao and pressed his ear close.

Li Xiao wrapped an arm around him, saying seriously: “Keep this exact distance from me today.”

Song Jin: “…”

He’s really quite sick.

With Li Xiao in this state, how could Song Jin possibly feel at ease letting him go out alone? By nine in the evening, he had changed into inconspicuous clothes, put on a hat and mask, and acted as Li Xiao’s exclusive driver.

Arriving at the apartment building in Tianlu District, Li Xiao led Song Jin along a familiar route to find Qiu Bin’s home.

The person who opened the door was a cultured, refined Beta. Song Jin thought to himself that this was exactly the type the old guy would like.

Why is everyone in the world except me the type the old guy likes?

Qiu Bin raised his head, once again intimidated by Li Xiao’s height and imposing aura.

“Please come in.”

“No other guests at home, right?” Li Xiao held the doorframe as he stepped inside, with Song Jin following behind him.

Qiu Bin led them into the living room, then turned to brew coffee.

“No, just me.”

The living room sofa was small and stacked with numerous documents and materials. Song Jin looked around and found nowhere to sit.

It wasn’t Li Xiao’s first time here, so he was already used to it. Finding a spot to sit down, he extended a hand to Song Jin: “Come sit on my lap.”

Song Jin: “…”

You really dare to say that.

Qiu Bin walked over with the coffee. Seeing this, he picked up the stack of files and tossed them casually onto the floor: “Sorry about that, it’s a bit messy.”

Li Xiao waited until Song Jin sat down beside him before looking at Qiu Bin: “Do you still remember the first time I handed that blood over to you?”

Qiu Bin: “Of course I remember.”

As he spoke, Qiu Bin hesitated slightly: “During this period, the Danse Empire’s military seized quite a bit of blood at the border. When I watched the news, I noticed the reagent tubes were the same as the ones you gave me. Is this blood…”

Qiu Bin had always been someone who did the job for the money without asking extra questions. Li Xiao remarked calmly, “The Shengya Empire’s military is also investigating. There might be a connection. Are you very interested?”

Acutely sensing the tone in Li Xiao’s voice, Qiu Bin hastily waved his hands: “Many people in my unit are discussing it. I’m just a little curious, I didn’t mean to break the rules.”

Li Xiao spoke straight to the point: “I asked you back then if anyone had discovered you testing those blood samples, or if anyone had seen you. You said no at the time. I need you to answer me again now.”

Qiu Bin was very puzzled: “Did the information leak?”

Li Xiao: “You just need to answer my question.”

Qiu Bin recalled the events from several months ago carefully.

Since Li Xiao was asking like this, it meant something had gone wrong.

Li Xiao waited patiently. Song Jin didn’t know the full situation, so he didn’t speak rashly. Unintentionally, he noticed the documents scattered on the ground bearing the logo of the Capital Biomedical Research Institute, suddenly realizing why Li Xiao was in such a hurry.

After thinking for a long time, Qiu Bin spoke up again: “No one should have noticed. If I really had to say, an old senior had the opportunity to enter my laboratory. Only he could have possibly discovered the blood sample testing I was doing.”

Li Xiao: “Who is he?”

Qiu Bin didn’t hide it: “His name is Jin Heng, a very senior researcher at the institute. He’s currently in a semi-retired, attached status.”

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly froze.

Qiu Bin felt very uneasy.

The atmosphere gave him the sensation that his time was up, and he couldn’t help but say in a low voice: “He usually doesn’t care about these minor matters. If he really discovered it, he would have asked me. He didn’t mention anything, so he probably didn’t notice.”

“Good as long as he didn’t.”

Li Xiao rose as if nothing had happened, “If you receive similar blood again, tell me in time.”

Qiu Bin nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness I don’t have to refund the money, scared me to death.

The two stepped out of the apartment building and got back into the car, each sinking into thought.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Li Xiao rapidly went through the events surrounding his first trip to Z152 in his mind.

He had been guided to Z152 by the address on those two misdirected boxes of blood, happened upon an insect tide, was transferred by the garrison to that hospital, and happened upon the abandoned underground base.

Looking back now, the military transport vehicle pulled over by the roadside and the refugees crowding them onto the truck might all have been intentionally arranged.

They had been ambushed there by the Zheng family army, which Li Xiao had assumed was targeted at Raven.

After the incident, staying at the Huajie Hotel arranged by Wei Feng, and seeing Gao Mo arrested on the street—recalling it now felt somewhat subtle as well.

When he was reborn and began taking action, someone hidden behind the scenes had moved too.

“So it really wasn’t an accident.”

Song Jin rested his hands on the steering wheel, looking out the car window. “Those two misdirected boxes of blood sent to the research institute were actually sent to you on purpose, waiting for you to walk into the trap.”

Li Xiao: “Wei Feng received blood as well. It’s hard to say who the Zheng family army was actually targeting.”

Song Jin: “The Meng family sent the blood to you two separately to lure you over to kill each other. Then he had the Zheng family lie in ambush to kill the winner. It would eliminate a Royal Family member while pinning the blame on Raven.”

“There are still many contradictory points.”

Li Xiao spoke softly, “If Jin Heng is one of the Meng family’s people, why would the Meng family fuse Wei Feng’s genes into the Royal Family’s genes?”

Song Jin speculated: “To use you as a gimmick for rebellion in the future? Claiming the Second Prince has traitor bloodlines or something?”

Li Xiao shook his head: “Then why would the Meng family send people to kill me?”

Song Jin scratched his hair in frustration, swearing softly: “I can’t understand a pervert’s mind.”

After thinking it over, Li Xiao sent a message to Li Ji.

Song Jin leaned over to look: “What do you plan to do?”

Li Xiao petted the kitten that voluntarily snuggled up to him: “First sound out Gao Wanxin’s attitude; he must be hiding a lot of things.”

Military District, Gao Family residence.

Gao Wanxin was working overtime in his study when his backup terminal suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and swiped it open.

[The Royal Family checked Jin Heng’s attendance schedule.]

“This day has finally come…”