Chapter 11
In the exclusive medical room of the administrative office, the cold metal instruments glowed dimly.
Lin Yao sat quietly in the examination chair, feeling a slight tingling sensation at the back of his neck. A doctor wearing sterile gloves was operating a sophisticated neural access device.
"Chip implantation complete, neural link calibration in progress... 3... 2... 1... Link successful."
The doctor looked at the data stream on the screen and said, "Mr. Lin Yao, your identity chip has been successfully activated and bound. Initial authority: Level 3 citizen of D City."
Lu Cheng stood aside, tightly holding Lin Yao's slightly cold hand, his face showing a mixture of joy and heartache as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. "That's great, Yaoyao! You don't have to worry about the issue of being an "illegal resident" anymore! I'm sorry for putting you through these past three months..."
The image in his mind automatically emerged: To be with him, Lin Yao resolutely destroyed his original identity chip, becoming a "ghost" not recognized by the official D City, struggling to survive on the edge of the contaminated area. This sacrifice made Lu Cheng's desire to guard and protect him reach its peak.
Lin Yao felt the tiny hard object under the skin of the back of his neck, his blue eyes lowered, hiding a hint of sarcasm.
New World Dog Tags.
In the old world, the sword of Damocles wiped out the losers, while in the new world, identity chips define the right to survive. Essentially, they are no different.
However, this chip did solve the biggest potential hidden danger - a person without an identity chip is a walking target in the academy and even in the dome society.
"Thank you...Acheng."
He raised his head, revealing a slightly tired yet extremely dependent smile, and gently leaned his head on Lu Cheng's arm, "Finally... I have a home."
These words accurately touched the softest spot in Lu Cheng's heart.
Lu Cheng immediately hugged him tightly, his voice filled with unquestionable determination: "Yes, you have a family now! From now on, I will be your family! No one will dare to hurt you again."
The look he gave Lin Yao was filled with cherishment and a heavy sense of responsibility.
This heavy and burning emotion is the most novel experimental sample for Lin Yao.
In the old world, emotions were a luxury and a deadly poison. Trust meant the possibility of betrayal, and love often concealed a deadly murderous intent.
He had never experienced Lu Cheng's unconditional, almost paranoid affection before. He was like a calm scientist, observing the strange microorganisms in the petri dish with curiosity and exploration, even taking the initiative to create experimental conditions.
…
The identity chip was successfully reissued, and Lu Cheng was in a good mood. He decided to take Lin Yao to participate in the Dome Ecological Park Open Day event held by the college.
In name, it is for students to relax, but in reality it is an occasion for the younger generation of each family to show off and socialize.
Lin Yao was wearing a moon-white dress carefully selected by Lu Cheng. Her silver hair fell softly on her shoulders, and her blue eyes looked clear and fragile under the natural light simulated by the ecological park.
He followed Lu Cheng quietly, playing the role of a beautiful and fragile vase, attracting many curious or jealous glances.
"Acheng brother!"
A clear yet somewhat indulgent female voice echoed. Xia Wei, dressed in an expensive custom-made dress, walked over quickly with a sweet smile on her face. Her gaze instantly turned cold when she met Lin Yao's, revealing undisguised contempt.
"Xiao Wei." Lu Cheng nodded politely, his attitude gentle but with a sense of distance, "You are here too."
"Yes, I heard that the ecological park has introduced a new variety of Epiphyllum to City A, so I came here to take a look."
Xia Wei's gaze pierced Lin Yao like a knife. "This is... Lin Yao, right? Seeing is believing."
She deliberately emphasized the word "classmate" to hint at his civilian status.
"I heard that you suffered a lot in the past? Even your identity chip..." She didn't finish her words, but the implication was obvious: How could a refugee without even an identity be worthy of standing next to Lu Cheng?
Lu Cheng's brows immediately furrowed, and a faint arc of electricity flickered around him: "Xiao Wei! Watch your words!"
At this moment, Lin Yao gently tugged at Lu Cheng's sleeve. His blue eyes quickly filled with tears. His voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, with a strong sense of inferiority: "Acheng... Miss Xia is right... I... I really am not worthy of you... my status... in the past... "
He choked at the right moment and tilted his head slightly, as if he was too embarrassed to control himself.
"Yaoyao!" Lu Cheng was so distressed that he protected him behind him. When facing Xia Wei, his gentleness completely disappeared, leaving only the majesty and coldness of an S-level potential person and the son of the city lord.
"Xia Wei, apologize to Lin Yao! Otherwise, I don't mind visiting your father in person to discuss the Xia family's upbringing!"
Xia Wei was shocked by Lu Cheng's unprecedented harsh attitude, and her face turned red and white.
She looked at Lin Yao, who was firmly protected by Lu Cheng behind him, with only half of his pale face exposed, and was so angry that she almost bit her teeth.
This bitch! Why are you pretending to be pitiful?
“S-sorry!”
Xia Wei squeezed out a few words from between her teeth, glared at Lin Yao fiercely, and stomped her feet and ran away. She felt extremely humiliated, and this humiliation was all caused by that pretentious Lin Yao!
Lu Cheng immediately turned around, carefully cupped Lin Yao's face, and wiped away the non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes with his fingertips: "Don't listen to her nonsense. You are the most important person to me. I am the only one who has the final say on whether you are worthy of me or not! Don't say such stupid things again in the future."
His eyes were serious and fervent, as if he was making some sacred oath.
Lin Yao nodded "touched", buried his face in Lu Cheng's arms, and his shoulders shook slightly, as if he was sobbing.
In fact, he was calm inside, and even felt a little excited about the success of the experiment.
Xia Wei's disparagement was like a catalyst, and indeed, Lu Cheng's desire to protect and possess was instantly explosive. The feeling of being cherished and unconditionally protected... was indeed very novel, like tasting a kind of candy that he had never eaten before.
He silently noted down Lu Cheng's body temperature, heart rate, and changes in his eyes, just like recording experimental data.
"Sorry to bother you two."
A lazy, magnetic voice interrupted. A young man in a flashy burgundy dress, handsome to the point of being sinister, approached with a wine glass in hand. He was none other than Qin Mu, the exchange student and the second son of the mayor of City B.
His eyes lingered on Lin Yao without any concealment, with strong interest and a hint of determination.
"Master Lu, this beauty is the one who has captivated you... Lin Yao?" Qin Mu's gaze was extremely aggressive. "She is indeed worthy of her reputation. She is even more... seductive than the rumors say."
He said the last word lightly, with an ambiguous meaning.
Lu Cheng immediately pushed Lin Yao behind him, his eyes sharp as a knife: "Qin Mu, be mindful of your limits."
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Lu." Qin Mu shook his wine glass with a charming smile, "Just appreciate the beautiful things."
"Student Lin Yao."
He walked right past Lu Cheng, his eyes blazing as he stared at Lin Yao. "How boring is it to stay in a small place like D City, following an unromantic battle enthusiast? How about coming back to B City with me? I promise that I'll give you as much resources and... happiness as Lu did."
He deliberately released the alluring aura of a superior, which was his magic weapon for victory and was very effective against those with weak wills.
Lin Yao's blue eyes widened slightly, as if he was surprised by this sudden proposal. He saw the playfulness and desire to conquer in Qin Mu's eyes, and also keenly caught Lu Cheng's instantly tense body and suppressed anger.
A perfect opportunity to experiment.
His face showed confusion, struggle, and a subtle... hesitation. He timidly peeked out from behind Lu Cheng, his gaze lingering for a moment on Qin Mu's handsome and elegant face, then quickly glanced at Lu Cheng, whose face was ashen, as if he was struggling to make a decision.
He even unconsciously took half a step forward, getting closer to Qin Mu, his fair fingers nervously twisting the corners of his clothes.
"Master Qin... Master Qin..." Lin Yao's voice trembled with hesitation, like a bewitched little animal. "Is City B... really... better?"
As he asked, his eyes were like a frightened deer, quickly scanning Qin Mu's hand that was stretched out as if to touch his cheek.
Just as Qin Mu's lips curled up in triumph, and his fingers were about to touch Lin Yao's cheek -
"Lin Yao!" Lu Cheng's roar was like thunder, containing extremely suppressed rage and incredible pain.
He suddenly pulled Lin Yao back behind him with such force that Lin Yao staggered.
Lu Cheng didn't even glance at Lin Yao. His cold gaze locked onto Qin Mu like a bolt of lightning: "Get lost! Otherwise, I wouldn't mind letting you experience the limits of an S-level lightning ability right now!"
A terrifying pressure descended in an instant, and the air was filled with the smell of war.
Qin Mu's face changed slightly. He didn't expect Lu Cheng to react so violently, and he didn't expect Lin Yao's momentary hesitation to be so powerful.
He shrugged and took a step back pretending to be relaxed: "It was just a joke, why are you so angry, Mr. Lu? My beauty, it seems that your knight... is very possessive."
He looked at Lin Yao meaningfully, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Lu Cheng grabbed Lin Yao's wrist and, without a word, strode out of the ecological park. His grip was like a pair of iron pliers, clenching Lin Yao's neck painfully.
Back in the dormitory, Lu Cheng suddenly shook off Lin Yao's hand, stood in front of the window with his back to him, his shoulders tense and the air pressure around him frighteningly low.
This was the first time he showed such strong negative emotions towards Lin Yao...anger, disappointment, and a cold feeling of betrayal.
"Acheng..." Lin Yao stepped forward, his voice filled with cautious tentativeness and a hint of tears, "I... I was just scared... He... He came too close..."
Lu Cheng turned around abruptly, staring at him intently with his crimson eyes, his voice hoarse and suppressed: "Just scared? I see you're very shaken! What? City B is better? Can it bring you more happiness?!"
He had never spoken so harshly to Lin Yao.
Lin Yao's blue eyes instantly filled with tears, and big drops of them rolled down. He took a step back as if he couldn't bear it anymore, his body trembling slightly: "No... No... Ah Cheng... I only have you... I'm just... I'm just afraid... He said it so confidently... I'm afraid that you will... will leave me..."
He cried so sincerely and felt so fragile that it seemed as if he would break at any second.
This trick works every time.
Sure enough, seeing Lin Yao's tears and the desperate look of being abandoned by the whole world, the anger in Lu Cheng's eyes was like being poured with a basin of cold water, and it was extinguished instantly, leaving only overwhelming heartache and regret.
How could he be so mean to Yaoyao? Yaoyao was so fragile and so dependent on him. Being frightened by that bastard Qin Mu must have scared her terribly. His reaction just now must have scared Yaoyao even more.
"Yaoyao... I'm sorry! It's my fault." Lu Cheng rushed forward and hugged the trembling and crying Lin Yao tightly in his arms, with such strength that it seemed as if he wanted to rub him into his bones and blood.
"I shouldn't have been mean to you, you bastard! I... I was just... I was just too afraid of losing you." He spoke incoherently, his voice choked with fear, "What that bastard said was bullshit! There's only me, and you can only have me! I won't leave you! Never!"
He kissed Lin Yao's forehead and head over and over again, comforting him clumsily and swearing.
Lin Yao sobbed in Lu Cheng's arms, feeling his intense heartbeat and scorching body temperature, and listening to his almost paranoid promises.
But in his heart he was calmly analyzing: anger, jealousy, loss of control, regret, ecstasy of regaining what he had lost... In just a few minutes, the intensity and complexity of the emotions Lu Cheng displayed far exceeded the total amount that could be seen in the old world in a year.
The subsequent chain reaction of emotions that comes with this jealous reaction is… so funny.
Especially when Lu Cheng doubled his compensation out of regret, the experience of being extremely cherished made him feel a twisted and novel satisfaction.
He snuggled docilely in Lu Cheng's arms, like a frightened fledgling that found shelter, but the corners of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible, cold and interested arc that Lu Cheng couldn't see.
The emotional value this tool could provide seemed even richer than he had anticipated. This experiment on emotions was becoming increasingly interesting.
As for Qin Mu? Lin Yao felt nothing. He was just a self-righteous fool who used his status to try to rob and plunder.
But... maybe I can use it to stimulate Lu Cheng and see if I can get some more interesting reactions out of him?
…
Outside the window, Manager Wang stood in the shadows, looking towards the dormitory building through the one-way glass, a sinister smile on his face.
He had just received a complaint from his nephew Wang Rui that was exaggerated.
Got a replacement ID chip? Perfect.
A refugee suddenly gained legal status, or even became a third-class citizen? There's a lot of room for maneuver here.
He had to think carefully about how to use this identity that he had lost and regained to create some real trouble for that annoying silver-haired boy and Young Master Lu who was protecting him.
Further away, Su Rui was in the laboratory on the top floor of the medical center, looking at the abnormal energy fluctuations from the direction of the ecological park that had just been captured on the light screen. She then looked at the still stable F-level data in Lin Yao's medical file, and her brows were deeply furrowed.
"Lin Yao...how many secrets are you hiding?"
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