Chapter 37
The atmosphere in the command center was as heavy as iron. Luo Yan projected the detected quantum signal onto the main screen, a complex, encrypted waveform flickering.
"The signal lasted for 37 seconds, using a triple dynamic password." Luo Yan's mechanical eye flashed rapidly. "The outermost encryption method is exactly the same as recorded in the 'Star Shuttle Project' laboratory archives."
Miao Weizhen stood in front of the screen, his face stern. Wen Ling stood beside him and could feel the tension in his body.
"Can you locate the source of the signal?" asked Miao Weizhen.
"The signal has been forwarded through multiple quantum leaps, making it difficult to trace its ultimate source. But there's one discovery—" Luo Yan pulled up another set of data. "An extremely faint biometric signature is hidden within the signal. After comparison, it's 87% consistent with Dr. Miao Xinglan's genetic sequence."
The entire command center fell silent. Wen Ling noticed that Miao Weizhen's hand, hanging at his side, was clenched into a fist, his knuckles turning white.
"It may be fake." Luo Yan added, but his tone was uncertain.
"Continue monitoring and raise the alert level." Miao Weizhen's voice was unusually calm. "At the same time, strengthen intelligence gathering on the Sailiang capital. I want to know the truth about Wen Xunyi's critical illness."
After the order was given, everyone got busy. Miao Weizhen turned and walked towards his private workroom, followed closely by Wen Ling.
The door was closed, isolating the outside noise. Miao Weizhen stood in front of the workbench, his back to Wen Ling, his shoulders stiff.
"What do you think?" Wen Ling asked softly.
"It's true that Xinglan's consciousness is still stored on a certain server," Miao Weizhen said in a low voice, "but this signal came at a very opportune moment, right at the critical moment of the power transition in Sailiang."
Wen Ling walked over to him and saw the upside-down photo frame on the workbench. He turned it over and saw the girl with a bright smile in the photo, as if she was looking at them.
"You think this is a trap?"
"I'm more inclined to believe this is a bait." Miao Weizhen finally turned around, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. "Someone wants to use Xinglan as leverage to lure us in."
At this moment, Dr. Case pushed the door open and walked in with a serious expression: "Minister, you have to see this."
He handed over a medical report. "I've reanalyzed Wen Xunyi's medical data. He wasn't exposed to a common neurotoxin, but rather a gene-edited targeted drug. This technology..." Keston paused, "shares many similarities with the gene therapy technology used in the early stages of Project Star Shuttle research."
Wen Ling took a deep breath. Everything connected—
The technology outflow of the Star Shuttle Project, Wen Xunyi's poisoning, and that mysterious quantum signal.
"It seems that the enemy we are facing understands us better than we thought." Miao Weizhen said coldly.
That night, while sorting through the intelligence, Wen Ling discovered a detail that had been overlooked. Three months before Wen Xunyi's poisoning, Sailiang's Minister of Medicine had secretly visited the Federation to meet with none other than the former competitor of the "Star Shuttle Project"—
Federal biotechnology giant "Noah Company".
"Noah Company has been researching consciousness uploading technology." Wen Ling handed the information to Miao Weizhen, "If they get some of the research results of the Star Shuttle Project..."
"Then Xinglan's consciousness data is priceless to them." Miao Weizhen continued with a sharp look, "And Wen Xunyi's poisoning was most likely a technical test."
This speculation sent shivers down their spines. If they were right, then Noah had not only stolen the Star Shuttle Project's technology, but was also potentially carrying out some larger conspiracy.
Three days later, even more shocking news arrived: Wen Xunyi fell into a coma, and a hard-line representative from the Sailiang military suddenly visited the Federation and signed a massive medical cooperation agreement with Noah Corporation.
"They are going to enter Sailiang openly." Wen Ling looked at the information with a frown.
Miao Weizhen stood in front of the observatory, looking at the endless sea of stars: "It's time to make a choice."
"What are you going to do?"
"Noah Company wants Xinglan's data, so we'll give them a chance." Miao Weizhen's lips curled up in a cold arc, "But they have to follow our rules."
He turned and looked at Wen Ling: "Do you dare to play a dangerous game with me?"
Wen Ling walked up to him and stood shoulder to shoulder with him: "I said, wherever you are, there I will be."
Miao Weizhen reached out and gently stroked his cheek. This action had become so natural: "This time it might be dangerous."
"When have we not been in danger?" Wen Ling responded with a smile, placing her hand on the back of his hand.
Under the starlight, the two figures were tightly entwined.
"We need a suitable middleman," Miao Weizhen said at the strategic meeting the next day, "someone who can be trusted by Noah and accepted by all parties in Sailiang."
Everyone looked at Wen Ling. As Prince Sailiang, he was indeed the only suitable candidate.
"It's too dangerous." Luo Yan was the first to object. "Your Highness, if you appear in public, you're exposing yourself to everyone's guns."
"It's because it's dangerous that it seems real." Miao Weizhen looked at Wen Ling, "Are you willing?"
Wen Ling nodded calmly: "This is a responsibility I must bear."
The plan was set. Wen Ling would approach Noah Company under the pretext of seeking treatment for her uncle. Meanwhile, Miao Weizhen would secretly lay a net, preparing to uncover the hidden enemy in one fell swoop.
That night, Wen Ling was packing in the lounge. The door was gently pushed open, and Miao Weizhen was standing at the door. She didn't walk in as usual, but just looked at him quietly.
"Do you need help?" After a long time, Miao Weizhen spoke, his voice lower than usual.
Wen Ling looked up and saw the bloodshot in his eyes in the dim light. In order to formulate this dangerous plan, Miao Weizhen had hardly slept for several days.
"Everything is almost packed." Wen Ling put down the clothes in her hands and walked in front of him, "You should go and rest."
Miao Weizhen didn't move, but instead reached out and pulled him closer. The hug was sudden and strong, and Wen Ling could feel his heartbeat in his chest.
"I regret it." Miao Weizhen's voice was muffled in his shoulder, "I shouldn't have let you go."
Wen Ling gently stroked his back, feeling the tense muscles beneath his uniform. "This is the only choice, you know."
"I know." Miao Weizhen tightened his arms, "but I still regret it."
This usually calm and self-possessed man now acted like a stubborn child, causing Wen Ling to feel a sharp pain in his heart. He tilted his head back and gently kissed the corner of Miao Weizhen's lips: "Trust me."
Miao Weizhen looked at him intently, then suddenly pulled out a delicate metal device from his pocket. It was a small communicator, elegant in shape, with a dull metallic sheen.
"Old Lin made it specially." He put it on Wen Ling's wrist, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure. "In addition to quantum encryption, it also has a micro-locator embedded in it. No matter where you are, I can find you."
Wen Ling touched the communicator and found a line of small words engraved on the back:
May the stars guide you home
"Did you carve it?" he asked softly.
Miao Weizhen did not answer, but gently stroked the line of words with his fingertips.
This silent admission moved Wen Ling more than any sweet words.
"You must come back." Miao Weizhen held his face, forehead against forehead, "I can't lose someone important again."
There were too many unspoken fears hidden in these words—for Xing Lan, for Wen Ling. For the first time, Wen Ling felt so clearly the fragility deep within this seemingly indestructible man.
"I swear." Wen Ling looked into his dark brown eyes. "For you, I will definitely come back."
This promise made Miao Weizhen's eyes darken. He lowered his head and kissed Wen Ling. Unlike the restraint of the past, this kiss was filled with a deep affection that was almost desperate. Wen Ling could taste the bitter taste of coffee on his lips, and there was also a subtle tremor.
"Wen Ling," Miao Weizhen whispered against his lips between kisses, "Wait until all this is over..."
He didn't finish, but Wen Ling understood the unfinished promise. He took the initiative to deepen the kiss, using action instead of answering.
Late at night, Wen Ling was vaguely aware of movement around him. Miao Weizhen gently rose, tucked in the quilt for him, and then sat quietly by the bed for a long time. Moonlight filtered through the porthole, outlining his silent silhouette.
Wen Ling pretended to be asleep, but his heart was filled with sorrow. He knew that Miao Weizhen was saying goodbye to him silently in this way.
The next morning, when Wen Ling was packing her luggage, she found something unexpected in the deepest part of her luggage.
That was the photo of his sister that Miao Weizhen had always treasured.
On the back of the photo, next to the line of "To my brother", a new line of sharp handwriting was added:
【Return safely with our hope. —Wei Zhen】
Wen Ling's fingers gently stroked the words, as if he could feel the force of the pen tip. He carefully put the photo into his pocket, close to his heart.
Before boarding the ship, Miao Weizhen was waiting for him in the hangar. Under the gaze of everyone, he stepped forward to straighten Wen Ling's already neat collar, his movements so natural that it seemed as if he had done it a thousand times.
"Remember our agreement." He whispered in Wen Ling's ear, his fingers inadvertently brushing against the side of his neck.
Wen Ling nodded, and before turning to board the ship, she gently shook his hand. This brief encounter was their last tender moment in this farewell.
The spaceship slowly sailed away from the base. Wen Ling looked out the window and saw Miao Weizhen standing on the observation deck. The tall figure seemed particularly lonely under the vast starry sky, yet unusually determined.
He turned on the communicator and whispered, "Wait for me to come back."
A moment later, a response came from the communicator, just two simple words:
"forever."
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