I Eat My Own Jealousy chapter 33

Chapter 33

The black insects on the aircraft hailed from the planet Ryan, feeding on these purple energy stones. Not only did they reproduce quickly in vast numbers, but they were also incredibly troublesome, preferring to inhabit areas close to energy stones. Once they detected someone attempting to touch an energy stone, they would attack like mad.

When Zong Ye first discovered the Ryan planet and began mining energy stones, the military personnel suffered greatly from these insects. Today, these insects on the Ryan planet were mostly eradicated. Unexpectedly, people from the black market managed to capture these insects and bring them to the Imperial Star.

These insects wouldn’t recklessly attack humans; they only targeted those attempting to touch energy stones. However, this batch of energy stones was exceedingly precious, and no one else could handle them except for Zong Ye, the Supreme Commander of the military. Clearly, this incident wasn’t an accident; it was directed at Zong Ye. However, no one had expected the sudden appearance of Jian Ning.

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“Professor Moor has already been sent back to the academy. As for Mr. Jian, he’s in the room waiting for your surgery to conclude. I just checked; he probably fell asleep on the sofa due to the long wait,” the subordinate paused, “Should I wake him now?”

Zong Ye shook his head, “No need. Let him sleep.”

The subordinate hesitated, then asked, “Marshal, what’s the story with that Fragrant Tree?”

The subordinate had been utterly startled by it. Not only could the Fragrant Tree manipulate its branches to restrain people, but the entire plant had grown an extra layer, with flowers in full bloom.

“It’s possible the plant’s genes mutated. The Academy never managed to cultivate seeds like these. Who knows what the eccentric scientists from the black market added to the genes. You know how they can create all sorts of bizarre things,” Zong Ye pondered for a moment. In truth, he wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, but he knew it was related to Jian Ning. It was an issue he couldn’t let anyone else discover.

The subordinate nodded without suspicion. The bigwigs behind the black market had a group of mad scientists who enthusiastically blended genes from various animals and plants. They had caused quite a stir a few years ago, wrecking several underground labs and unearthing many peculiar creations.

Zong Ye continued, “In regards to this matter, ensure those involved maintain secrecy. No one should talk about it.”

“Rest assured, Marshal. They know their limits; they won’t reveal anything,” the subordinate assured.

The few officers on the aircraft were all close associates of Zong Ye. They had participated in destroying the underground labs of the black market, and the bizarre genetic combinations of animals and plants would certainly cause public unrest and controversy if revealed. Therefore, they were accustomed to maintaining secrecy.

Having put his subordinate at ease, Zong Ye continued, “Also, those prisoners—erase their memories of their time on the aircraft.”

The fewer who knew about the Fragrant Tree, the better. If anyone within the military, who might be linked to the black market, learned of the Fragrant Tree through those prisoners, suspicion would arise. In that case, Jian Ning could potentially become a target.

“I’m tired. Let’s go out,” the effects of the anesthesia on his back wearing off, causing a slight discomfort, Zong Ye waved his hand and said with a furrowed brow.

Seeing him grimacing in discomfort, though his adjutant was puzzled about the memory erasure, he still said, “I’ll leave first. Please rest well.”

“Wait a moment,” Zong Ye remembered and stopped the adjutant, “Have all the items confiscated from the auction been turned over to the military?”

“Not yet. I will go back to the military headquarters to submit them now,” the adjutant replied.

Zong Ye said, “Keep the seeds Professor Moor requested and submit the rest.”

“Understood.” For the first time, the adjutant saw his Marshal secretly withholding the confiscated items. This time, he quickly thought of Jian Ning, who was sleeping next door. After a brief hesitation, he nodded in agreement.

Once the adjutant left, the room was empty. Zong Ye pushed aside the covers and got up, then opened the door to the adjacent room.

It was a suite, with the outer section as the sickroom and an inner room where caregivers could rest. Jian Ning was lying on the sofa in the inner room, the blanket on him about to slip off, sleeping soundly.

After watching for a moment, Zong Ye walked over, bent down to pick up the blanket and cover him. Just as he was about to leave, Jian Ning rubbed his eyes and woke up.

“If you’re awake, I’ll have someone take you back,” this was the first time they were alone together since their disagreement at the villa. Zong Ye’s expression was stiff, showing a hint of discomfort.

Seeing him standing here, even though his face was a bit pale, Jian Ning felt relieved that he was alright.

Recalling their unpleasant quarrel at the villa, Jian Ning also felt a bit uneasy, “Thank you.”

Zong Ye’s dominant personality saved him; otherwise, he would have been the one infested by those bugs.

Zong Ye pressed his lips together without saying anything. He was about to leave to find someone to send Jian Ning back to the academy when Jian Ning stopped him, “Wait. About that when we were in the aircraft…”

He nervously looked at Zong Ye. At that time, he had impulsively used his ability on the aircraft, and so many people saw it. There shouldn’t be any problems, right?

“Don’t worry, no one will talk about what happened on the aircraft,” Zong Ye could tell what he was concerned about, “But, what exactly did you do, and what’s the deal with the energy stone? Once I’m healed, you have to tell me.”

The energy from an energy stone was extremely difficult to extract. Even after decades of research by the scientific academy and the black market, there had been almost no progress. Yet, Jian Ning, in such a short time, managed to make the energy from an energy stone disappear. Zong Ye needed to know the reason.

Seeing the cautious look in Jian Ning’s eyes, Zong Ye’s throat tightened as he suppressed the faint sense of disappointment welling up inside. He added, “If you don’t want to tell me, you can also tell him.”

“…Him?” Jian Ning was momentarily puzzled, then realized that Zong Ye was referring to his second personality.

Zong Ye walked to the doorway but stopped again. He slightly turned his body, his pale and stern face revealing no emotions. In a calm tone, he said, “Don’t dwell on the past. I won’t hurt you again in the future.”

Once he left, Jian Ning was left stunned. Was he… apologizing for their argument at the villa?

The adjutant escorted Jian Ning to the villa first to pick up Tuan Tuan and then back to the academy. Before leaving, the adjutant handed a wooden box to Jian Ning, saying, “These are Moonflower seeds. Take them to Professor Moor.”

Jian Ning was surprised, “I don’t need to submit them? Can I just take them out?”

The adjutant smiled, “Of course, I can’t take them out casually. The Marshal instructed that you should give these to Professor Moor.”

With Zong Ye’s permission, Jian Ning finally accepted the box with relief.

Back in the dormitory, Terry was in the kitchen cooking. Seeing Jian Ning return, Terry came out and asked, “Ning, where did you go? Why are you back so late?”

“Just went to see the seeds with Professor Moor. He’s preparing a gift for the Queen’s birthday party,” Jian Ning didn’t mention the black market matters.

Terry was intrigued, “Really? Did you find something suitable? I heard that Professor Moor can bring someone to the Queen’s birthday party. Is he planning to take you?”

“Yeah,” Jian Ning nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed, “Professor Moor has that intention.”

“That’s fantastic,” Terry exclaimed joyfully, “I have to tell Jenny. Knowing that you’re going to the Queen’s birthday party, she’ll be so envious.”

“Go wash your hands with Tuan Tuan and we’ll be able to eat soon,” thinking of the food still cooking in the kitchen, Terry hurriedly went back.

Jian Ning returned to his room, and Tuan Tuan hopped from his arms onto the bed, playfully pawing at the sapphire necklace around his neck.

When Jian Ning picked up Tuan Tuan, he had noticed that the little creature was now wearing a sapphire necklace around its neck. The butler had said that Zong Ye had given it to Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan was still young, and wearing such a valuable necklace was too conspicuous. Jian Ning sat on the edge of the bed and picked Tuan Tuan up, intending to take the necklace off and keep it safe.

“Aowu…” Tuan Tuan wasn’t pleased, nibbling on Jian Ning’s finger, unwilling to let him take it off.

“Alright, fine. I know you like it. Take it off tonight and put it back on tomorrow when you go out,” Jian Ning patted Tuan Tuan’s head and wiped the saliva from his bitten finger with a tissue.

Tuan Tuan wagged its tiny tail, its paw tapped the sapphire, causing it to glow. In an instant, a small round sphere zipped out from the sapphire, transforming into the familiar golden ball with wings. It circled around Jian Ning and Tuan Tuan, flying up and down.

“Hello, Ning Ning,” Fei Yu cheerfully greeted Jian Ning, the two small dots on the spherical body twinkling like eyes.

Jian Ning was taken aback. Wasn’t this Zong Ye’s mecha? Why was it here with Tuan Tuan? And how could it talk?

Seeing his confusion, Fei Yu flew to Tuan Tuan’s side, nuzzled its ear with a wing in an affectionate manner, and then explained, “Master sent me to accompany Little Master. Ning Ning, I’m an S-class mecha, very intelligent, and capable of many things.”

Jian Ning looked at Fei Yu with complex eyes. It was Zong Ye who had taken Fei Yu back before. Now he sent it back, but Jian Ning couldn’t fathom Zong Ye’s thoughts.

“…How did you come out from here?” Jian Ning pointed at the sapphire necklace around Tuan Tuan’s neck and asked.

Fei Yu folded its wings, rolling into Tuan Tuan’s belly, and said, “This is a dimensional link. It’s where I stay. To summon me, you just need to tap it.”

“But…” Fei Yu was pulled out by Tuan Tuan’s little paw, then it spread its wings and flew into the air again, “Actually, I prefer staying outside. Ning Ning, could you not put me back in when you sleep at night and instead make a soft little nest for me?”

“Sure.” Jian Ning couldn’t help but smile. A little round sphere that liked soft nests like an animal.

“You’re the best, Ning Ning.” Fei Yu happily flew in front of Jian Ning and nuzzled his cheek with a wing.

“Alright, you stay in the room. Tuan Tuan and I are going out for dinner. We’ll come play with you later.” Jian Ning touched Fei Yu’s wing, then picked up Tuan Tuan and went to the bathroom to wash their hands.

True to his word, when he went to sleep, Jian Ning made a small nest for Fei Yu next to his pillow using a towel. Fei Yu said goodnight to him and Tuan Tuan happily before they all fell asleep together.

The next day, after finishing classes and arriving at the laboratory, Professor Moor was already inside.

“Hey, Jian Ning, how did the Marshal do yesterday?” Professor Moor asked with concern upon seeing him.

“The surgery went smoothly, and he seems to be fine,” Jian Ning took out the Moonflower seeds from his pocket and handed them to Professor Moor, saying, “The Marshal asked me to give these to you.”

Seeing the seeds, Professor Moor was taken aback, “For me?”

Jian Ning nodded and placed the seeds in his hand.

Professor Moor looked at the seeds in his hand, feeling conflicted. Last night, the adjutant from the Marshal’s side had approached him to explain the incident on the aircraft. He had been dealing with plants for years and wasn’t like the others around Zong Ye who believed that the entire plant, from root to crown, growing rapidly and ensnaring people consciously, was due to some genetic modification in the seeds.

At the time, the closest to the fragrant tree were the Marshal and Jian Ning. Furthermore, when everyone was startled, he had noticed that the Marshal moved Jian Ning’s hand away from the fragrant tree. He suspected the peculiar behavior of the tree was related to Jian Ning.

He had initially decided to ask Jian Ning about it today, but he hadn’t expected the Marshal to have Jian Ning deliver Moonflower seeds to him. According to regulations, all confiscated items were meant to be handed over to the military. Others might secretly keep things, but Marshal Zong Ye wouldn’t. From Zong Ye’s actions in saving Jian Ning yesterday and having him deliver the seeds, Professor Moor was certain that Jian Ning’s relationship with the Marshal was far from ordinary.

Oh well, better not ask anymore. Let’s just act as if the incident on the aircraft didn’t happen. Professor Moor silently thought to himself; he didn’t want to offend the Marshal.

Unaware of Professor Moor’s change of heart, Jian Ning rolled up his sleeves and went to move some plants onto the balcony for some sun.

Today’s work in the laboratory was busier than usual. Jian Ning came out a bit later than usual, and he had already missed the time he usually picked up Tuan Tuan. Rushing toward the academy’s entrance, he was almost there when he received a voice communication from Butler Abel.

“Master Jian,” Butler Abel’s voice came through the communicator, “You might need to personally pick up Young Master today.”

Jian Ning asked in confusion, “Why?”

Butler Abel sighed, “I tripped at noon and fell. My old bones aren’t sturdy anymore, and I can’t get up now. The eldest Master needs care at the hospital, and Second Young Master is away on a business trip to another planet. There’s no extra help to send to the Young Master.”

Jian Ning replied quickly, “Then I’ll go pick him up myself. Are you alright, Grandfather?”

Butler Abel reassured him, “I’m fine. Please come quickly. I’m waiting for you.”

Ending the call, Jian Ning hailed a hover car at the academy’s entrance and headed to the villa.

Upon arrival, Butler Abel was waiting at the front gate in a wheelchair. Jian Ning helped him inside, and Butler Abel had a servant bring over some juice, saying, “Young Master and Fei Yu are playing upstairs. You should go up and see. They’re waiting for you.”

Jian Ning nodded and went upstairs to check on Tuan Tuan and Fei Yu. As he was about to descend to let Butler Abel know that he would take Tuan Tuan and leave, he heard a loud crash of breaking dishes coming from the kitchen.

Jian Ning quickly entered the kitchen. Butler Abel was in his wheelchair, surrounded by shattered pieces on the floor, and a cleaning robot was tidying up.

“Grandfather, what happened?” Jian Ning entered and asked.

Butler Abel sighed and said, “I intended to make soup for the Young Master, but before I even started, I accidentally broke the bowl.”

Jian Ning pushed him out of the kitchen and had the robot clean up, asking in confusion, “Isn’t there a cook who prepares meals?”

Butler Abel explained, “She had an unexpected situation at home yesterday, so she took two days off and went back. Who could have known that the Young Master would get injured and hospitalized? I hurt my leg as well and can’t walk.”

“Master Jian,” Butler Abel looked at him and pleaded, “Could you please make some soup for the Eldest Young Master? He’s injured and in the hospital. The hospital food must be hard for him to stomach. Making some soup for him would help him recover.”

“Me?” Jian Ning hesitated for a moment, thinking about how Zong Ye had gotten injured because of him. Moreover, both the primary and secondary personalities shared the same body. If the primary personality recovered faster, the secondary personality would too. He finally nodded and agreed, “Alright, I’ll make it for him.”

After simmering the soup and placing it in a thermos, Jian Ning washed his hands and was about to take Tuan Tuan back to his dormitory. But then Butler Abel said again, “Master Jian, could you also take it to the hospital? I’m truly not able to take it there.”

To the hospital? Jian Ning was about to hesitate, but Butler Abel sighed and said, “Forget it, I won’t trouble you, Master Jian. I’ll take it myself.”

With that, he held the thermos, slid his wheelchair with difficulty, and began moving toward the door.

“Grandfather,” Jian Ning couldn’t bear to see him struggle like that and stepped forward, saying, “Alright, I’ll take it there.”

Butler Abel immediately handed the thermos to him and said happily, “Take Young Master with you too. The Eldest Young Master must be missing Young Master.”

After saying that, he swiftly called for the driver and urged Jian Ning to get into the car with Tuan Tuan.

As the hover car left, Butler Abel stood up from his wheelchair with a satisfied expression, his hands behind his back, and headed to his room to contact Zong Yue.

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Translator’s note: What a matchmaker 😂

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