I Eat My Own Jealousy chapter 31

Chapter 31 

Feeling somewhat dizzy, Jian Ning sent a message to Owen, apologizing for not saying goodbye to him when he was taken away by Zong Ye at noon, and then he turned off the lights and went to bed early, wrapping himself in a blanket. In a hazy state, he heard a slight sound at the window, and then the bed beside him suddenly sank as a dry, warm palm pressed against his forehead.

Jian Ning, still groggy, opened his eyes and, aided by the moonlight pouring in from the window, made out the man who was leaning by the bedside, bending down to look at him.

At first, Jian Ning was startled, but as he met the gentle gaze of the man, he suddenly remembered Zong Yue’s words. It dawned on him that this was Zong Ye from Blue Star.

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“Goyjl?” vbl xyd oayrrle bkx kd vbl czydjlv yde rwzzle bkx kdvs yd lxcaynl. Tkp eau yde oyax byde alynble swv vs vswnb bkp qzwpble nbllj. “Pke usw ts pll y esnvsa?”

Tyhkdt alyzkgle vbl vawvb, Kkyd Lkdt zlydle ytykdpv vbl xyd’p nblpv, bkp lulp olzzkdt wr okvb oyaxvb, yde psqvzu pyke, “R eke.”

“Mbkapvu? Nlv xl rswa usw y tzypp sq oyvla.” Fllkdt bkp ryzl zkrp, vbl xyd tsv wr vs tlv oyvla, cwv Kkyd Lkdt tayccle bkp nszzya yde pyke, “R esd’v oydv oyvla.”

Fllkdt vbyv Kkyd Lkdt oypd’v alpkpvkdt bkx yp xwnb yp vbl zypv vkxl, vbl xyd rywple, zssjkdt dlahswpzu yv bkx. “Zsw… usw jdso lhlauvbkdt dso?”

Jian Ning nodded. “The Queen told me.”

The man carefully explained, “On the night at the Zong family’s, I wanted to tell you, but there wasn’t enough time. He knew I was planning to sneak out the next night when he let his guard down, so he stayed up all night. I didn’t have a chance to come find you.”

So that’s how it was. Jian Ning leaned against his chest and asked, “How long can you stay tonight?”

“I can stay with you until dawn tonight.” The man’s hand lightly stroked the back of his head, and with an anxious tone, he asked, “You’re not mad at me? For not telling you the truth and leaving you and Tuan Tuan behind?”

Jian Ning gritted his teeth and replied, “I’m mad.”

Instantly, the man’s body tensed up, his actions becoming awkward. “I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t expect his mental strength, which was injured, to recover so quickly. I thought I had more time. “

Jian Ning pursed his lips and didn’t say anything, enjoying the sight of the man’s nervous demeanor before giving a light hum. “Considering you left so much money for me and Tuan Tuan, I won’t be mad at you for now.”

“However, that money will be taken back soon.” Thinking of Zong Ye’s master personality threatening him, Jian Ning complained.

The man let out a sigh of relief and reassured, “No, it will all stay for you and Tuan Tuan, won’t be taken back.”

Jian Ning rolled his eyes. “It’s your master personality’s demand. Can you stop him?”

The man’s throat rolled as he and the dominant personality did not share memories, but the dominant personality had left a record of the circumstances surrounding Jian Ning’s illness on the communicator. The dominant personality had made an unprecedented move this time to let him come out, all to comfort Jian Ning. He didn’t want Jian Ning to know, lest Jian Ning would go soft on the dominant personality. He simply replied, “Yes, you can trust me.”

“After I left, how did you and Tuan Tuan come to the Imperial Star?” The man changed the topic, asking about what happened after he left.

Jian Ning proceeded to recount the events involving meeting Professor Lin Yang and Weiss.

Listening to his story, the man’s aura suddenly dropped, his face tensed up, and his deep eyes became full of resentment. When he was on Blue Star, he should have killed that person before leaving.

Jian Ning had never seen the man in this state before, so he quickly pulled his hand and said, “Weiss is already dead, everything’s fine now.”

“You, aren’t you going to ask me how I managed to kill him with plants?” This time, Jian Ning looked at the man with some unease. As far as he knew, the Empire seemed to lack individuals of his gender who possessed the ability to manipulate plants like he did.

“Regardless of how you killed him, I’m glad you have that ability,” the man hugged Jian Ning tightly, kissed the top of his head, his eyes still harboring resentment.

Jian Ning sighed softly. He had taken medicine before sleeping, and now drowsiness was overwhelming him, prompting a yawn. The man patted his back and whispered, “Sleep, I’m here with you.”

“Why didn’t you remove the disguise membrane?” Seeing that he still had the disguise membrane on his face, the man reached behind his ear and took it off for him.

“Terry occasionally comes in, so I didn’t take it off,” Jian Ning said, holding back his fatigue as he pushed aside the blanket. “You can come in too.”

The man lifted the blanket and entered, pulling Jian Ning into his arms. Just before falling into deep slumber, a thought flashed through Jian Ning’s mind: Zong Yue had said that the second personality only appeared when he saw his face. But this time, he hadn’t seen his face. How did the second personality emerge?

Before he could ponder further, the effects of the medicine kicked in, and Jian Ning fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Jian Ning woke up early. The sky outside was already bright, and there was no one beside him. There was a glass of water on the bedside table, still warm, and a note was placed on top, written in the man’s handwriting. It mentioned that breakfast was prepared in the kitchen and still warm in the pot.

Jian Ning pushed aside the blanket and got out of bed. After washing up in the bathroom, he came out. Terry then entered, complaining, “Ning, you’re still sick, why bother getting up? I could have made breakfast.”

Jian Ning smiled and replied, “I’m already fine.”

“Really?” Terry came over and touched his forehead. It was no longer hot. Seeing that he had energy again, Terry felt relieved.

The two of them sat down at the dining table to eat. Terry was sipping the porridge in his bowl, looking puzzled. “Ning, why does the porridge you made today seem a little burnt?”

Jian Ning’s spoon paused in his hand, and he chuckled, “You’re complaining about breakfast made by someone who’s just recovered from being sick?”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare,” Terry hurriedly replied with a smile, quickly finishing the porridge in his bowl. “I feel like the porridge you made today is especially delicious.”

After finishing breakfast, the two went to their classes. The teaching buildings were located separately, and they bid each other goodbye at a crossroads before parting ways.

The day’s lessons were quite simple, as they went to the planting area to learn about the care methods for the crops that had been planted a few days ago. Due to the enhancement of their mental abilities, Jian Ning had transferred to Class B. In Class B’s planting area, he was assigned a small farm. It was much larger than the one he had in Class C, and it even had a greenhouse for growing ordinary fruits.

Not far from Class B’s planting area was the exclusive greenhouse for Class A. Inside, they cultivated expensive crops. The Queen’s birthday was approaching, and it was rumored that Class A was either researching flower cultivation or preparing fruits to give to the Queen as a birthday gift.

After the teacher finished explaining, they were allowed to work on their own. A few students huddled together, casting envious glances towards the nearby greenhouse. They whispered, “It would be nice if we could go to the Queen’s birthday party.”

If they could present crops they had personally grown to the Queen, and if they gained the Queen’s favor, then after graduation, they could enter the Royal Planting Institute with just a word from the Queen.

“You’re overthinking it. We’re not like those people from Class A, who not only have high mental abilities but are also either related to generals or the royal family. How could we possibly attend the Queen’s birthday party?”

As everyone envied and discussed, Jian Ning squatted on the ground, tending to the crops in his hands. Distractedly listening, he learned that the Queen’s birthday party was approaching. Thinking of that gentle woman, he regretfully thought that it would be nice if he could also give her a birthday gift. However, hearing the conditions for attending the birthday party that his classmates were discussing, he realized he probably wouldn’t have the chance.

If only his mental abilities could recover a bit more. Jian Ning clenched his fingers, thinking about those energy stones that could replenish his mental energy. They seemed to be particularly rare and weren’t circulated outside or among the public. He couldn’t help but sigh.

After class, he washed his hands clean and, as usual, headed towards the laboratory. The laboratory had been upgraded with enhanced security measures. The plants that had been severely damaged were all showing strong signs of recovery, bursting with small and vibrant shoots full of vitality.

Jian Ning rolled up his sleeves, put on an apron, and carried pots of plants out onto the balcony to bask in the sun. Professor Moor hurriedly walked in, saying, “Ning, come with me tomorrow afternoon.”

“Where are we going?” Jian Ning placed the plants on the balcony and asked.

“To a place where we can buy seeds,” Professor Moor said. “The Queen’s birthday party is coming up, and I’ve been invited to attend. I plan to give her a special plant. You can come with me.”

Professor Moor was taking him to the Queen’s birthday party? Jian Ning was momentarily stunned, then he realized, “Where is Professor Moor going to buy the seeds? Doesn’t the academy have a variety of seeds?”

“The academy doesn’t have everything,” Professor Moor shook his finger mysteriously, “You’ll find out where we’re going tomorrow afternoon. Don’t tell anyone else, not even your roommates.”

Jian Ning could only nod.

The next afternoon, after finishing his classes, Jian Ning left with Professor Moor.

Professor Moor drove a hover car and flew for about half an hour before reaching a remote and dilapidated building on the outskirts.

He parked the hovercar at the entrance, and a waiter approached. Professor Moor took out a black crystal card from his pocket. After the waiter verified it, he had both of them extend their wrists. He retrieved a black cylindrical object resembling a pen from his pocket and pressed it against their wrists. Only after this did he allow them inside.

A triangular black symbol appeared on their wrists, along with a number. Jian Ning rubbed his wrist, not managing to wipe it off. He turned to look around the building. Guards were stationed everywhere, each one tall and robust, wielding energy rifles as they patrolled.

Just what kind of place had Professor Moor brought him to? Jian Ning wondered silently, following Professor Moor into the building. They walked along a corridor, and the waiter stopped, pressing a spot on the nearby wall. The smooth wall split open to reveal a door, leading to a staircase descending underground.

The waiter gestured for them to enter the door and then closed it once they were inside.

A bright light illuminated the staircase, and Jian Ning followed Professor Moor downstairs. The area opened up before them into a vast circular hall.

In front of them was an auction platform, and below it were rows of seats. Many people were already present. Waiters weaved through the crowd, people chatted and whispered while holding wine glasses in small groups.

Professor Moor took a wine glass from a waiter, sniffed it—it was alcohol—and asked, “Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?”

“Wait a moment.” The waiter quickly brought over a non-alcoholic beverage.

Professor Moor handed the drink to Jian Ning, explaining, “This is the black market auction. They will be auctioning the seeds we need later.”

Jian Ning looked around with sudden realization; this was the black market auction. He had heard Terry mention that the black market held auctions periodically for rare and precious items. The owner behind this black market was influential and very mysterious. The Imperial Department had been trying to apprehend him but had failed.

The timing and location of the auction were always different, and the customers came from various planets. It was said that among the clientele were nobles, which was why the mysterious owner remained elusive.

Before each auction began, those who had previously participated in the auction would receive information about the auction items. Professor Moor had a friend who had attended several auctions and knew that a type of seed that had been extinct for hundreds of years and hadn’t even been replicated by the academy would appear in this auction. He had informed Professor Moor about it.

Professor Moor had obtained an invitation card through his friend. One invitation card allowed an additional person to accompany. As the seeds they needed were quite unique and required a young person like Jian Ning, Professor Moor had brought him along.

Checking the time, Professor Moor saw that the auction was set to start at 2:30, which was still fifteen minutes away. He guided Jian Ning to their seats as indicated by the numbers on their wrists.

Not far behind them and slightly to the side, two unremarkable young men in suits sat. The shorter of the two leaned back lazily in his chair, seemingly engaged in a lighthearted conversation with the taller young man beside him. However, up close, traces of anxiety could be heard in the taller man’s tone. “Marshal, why did Jian Ning and Professor Moor come here?”

The taller man, his fingers tensing slightly, glanced casually at the two in front of them. He then surveyed the area rapidly, noticing the surveillance cameras and hidden guards. The security here was even tighter than outside.

After Professor Moor exchanged a few words with Jian Ning, the latter suddenly stood up and asked a waiter something before heading towards the restroom.

The taller man also rose from his seat, appearing casual. He followed behind Jian Ning as if it was nothing, heading toward the restroom.

As Jian Ning exited a stall after washing his hands, he realized there were no tissues left in the box. He flicked his wet fingers, preparing to leave, but his wrist was suddenly grabbed by the taller man.

“You splashed water on my clothes. Do you know how expensive this outfit is?” The man’s tone was brash, and he looked down at Jian Ning.

“I’m sorry. Let me wipe it off for you.” Since there were no tissues, Jian Ning could only offer to use his sleeve to wipe the water off. However, after closely examining the man’s suit, he couldn’t find a single water droplet.

“Is wiping it enough?” The man suddenly pressed him against the wall, his warm breath brushing against Jian Ning’s neck. Jian Ning frowned, intending to push the man away, but then he heard the man’s urgent whisper in his ear, “This place is dangerous. Leave with Professor Moor quickly.”

“Sir, please refrain from causing a scene here.” Before Jian Ning could react, or even understand how the waiter had noticed, the waiter had entered and separated the two.

The man snorted unhappily, disdainfully brushed his clothing, and then turned to exit the restroom.

“Sir, are you alright?” The waiter looked concernedly at Jian Ning.

Jian Ning shook his head, and the waiter left.

That person just now… was Zong Ye? What was he doing here? And why was he disguised as a stranger? Jian Ning had recognized Zong Ye’s voice from his murmured words and was still puzzling over this when he left the restroom. He spotted a pile of unused tissues tossed into a nearby trash bin.

Returning to the circular hall, Jian Ning retook his seat next to Professor Moor. He scanned the hall and spotted Zong Ye. He was seated a little distance away, casually sipping his drink and engaging in conversation with the man beside him.

Knowing that Zong Ye’s disguise likely meant he had a mission, Jian Ning didn’t dwell on it. He withdrew his gaze and was about to follow Zong Ye’s advice and suggest leaving with Professor Moor. However, he overheard Professor Moor muttering to himself, “Why are they auctioning energy stones? But this energy stone is really strange. Its color is different from regular energy stones, and yet it’s being sold at such a high price.”

Jian Ning’s attention shifted to the electronic screen in Professor Moor’s hands, and he froze. On the screen was a purple crystal about the size of an egg – the exact same type he had absorbed before, the one that could replenish his mental energy.

***