"Wait, Mr Lin," Chen Xuan said quickly. "Let Lin Bei stay here for observation a few days. Even if he's not an awakener, we'll do everything we can to help his condition."
Lin Xiangdong hesitated.
There were many gifted specialists in the Bureau — perhaps one of them might find a way to help his son.
And the technology here was far more advanced than any research centre he'd seen.
Chen Xuan pressed gently. "Don't worry, Mr Lin. It's absolutely safe here. I'll have Yourong look after him. And there's another patient here — a simple-minded guy — he can keep Lin Bei company so he won't get bored."
"Well… alright."
Lin Xiangdong wasn't one to fuss, so he nodded.
But his heart was heavy. His time was running short, and he didn't like leaving Lin Bei behind.
"Son, you'll stay here for now," he said softly. "Captain Chen and his team will help you get better. Daddy has to go, but don't miss me too much."
"Got it. Go ahead," Lin Bei said cheerfully.
It was lively here, much more fun than home — and there were, after all, big watermelons.
"Cough, cough!"
Lin Xiangdong suddenly doubled over, blood rising in his throat.
Lin Bei frowned. "Told you, you're sick. You keep coughing every day. Come on, I'll give you an injection."
He grabbed his father's hand and tapped it with a finger.
Ding! Healing energy activated. Patient will recover within three days.
"There. You're cured."
Lin Bei said it with full conviction.
Lin Xiangdong's eyes softened, tears threatening to fall. He wanted to believe it — wanted it so badly.
He didn't want to leave his son alone in this world.
"Uncle," Yourong whispered nearby, "I think this guy's worse off than Zhou Cong."
"Quiet!" Chen Xuan snapped.
Lin Xiangdong waved goodbye. "If you get tired of staying here, tell me and I'll come fetch you."
"Yeah, yeah, go home already."
Yourong sighed inwardly. There's no doubt now — his mental state's serious. Why did Uncle insist on keeping him? And why me?
"Alright," Chen Xuan said. "Since no superpowers were detected, Yourong, arrange a room for him."
Yourong nodded helplessly.
Lin Bei hid his wrist behind his back, clutching the detection bracelet tightly. It looked shiny, futuristic — and now it was his.
Chen Xuan noticed but didn't comment. It was just a bracelet; he could let the boy keep it.
Soon after, Yourong led Lin Bei to a freshly cleaned room.
It wasn't luxurious like his home, but it was spacious, bright, and spotless.
At the head of the bed was a blue button.
"You'll stay here," Yourong said. "If you need anything, press the blue button and I'll come help. Understand?"
"Got it."
Lin Bei turned immediately and pressed the button.
Beep!
Yourong's wristband buzzed.
She sighed. "Are you busy right now?"
"Yes," Lin Bei said seriously. "I want you to wash my feet."
Yourong nearly choked. Wash your feet?
"Uncle, did you hear—"
"At home, people always wash my feet for me," Lin Bei added matter-of-factly.
Chen Xuan rubbed his forehead. Of course — the heir to a hundred-billion fortune, raised with servants.
He'd forgotten what "normal" meant for someone like this.
"Well," he said awkwardly, "Lin Bei isn't incapable, he's just… lacking self-care habits. Maybe you could help him once? It might encourage him."
Yourong froze. "I—"
"This is part of your job," Chen Xuan interrupted quickly.
Grinding her teeth, Yourong finally nodded. "Alright. Just this once."
Lin Bei sat comfortably on the bed, smiling as Yourong knelt to wash his feet.
Her professionalism didn't hide the discomfort, and the silence between them was heavy.
She focused on the task — methodical, precise — her face unreadable.
When she was done, she quietly carried the basin away, hoping never to repeat this scene.
Then—beep!
Her wristband buzzed again.
She turned, exasperated. "What now?!"
"Uh… nothing. Just testing if the button still works."
Yourong's teeth clenched. He's a punishment sent by the gods…
After cleaning up, Lin Bei sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
His mind wandered somewhere no one could follow.
Knock, knock.
"Who's there?"
"Hi, I'm Zhou Cong from next door. Wanna be friends?"
Lin Bei jumped up and opened the door.
Outside stood a plump young man with greasy hair, mismatched eyes, and the confident smile of someone utterly unaware of how he looked.
"Hey, you're the new guy, right? I'm Zhou Cong — they call me Da Congming! Came to welcome you."
"'Great Cleverness,' huh?" Lin Bei eyed him up and down, unconvinced.
After a long pause, his face turned to disappointment.
"You'd better leave. My dad said I can't play with idiots."
Zhou Cong blinked. "Huh? That felt like an insult…"
He stood there, thinking hard, his expression slowly twisting from confusion to outrage.
"Who told you I'm an idiot?! Who—who leaked that?!"
He puffed out his chest proudly.
"I'm not an idiot, I'm just built different!"