Chapter 64: Brother Is in Trouble

The most recent photograph was taken before Xianyu Feng was sent abroad for study by the Imperial City South Medical University—a commemorative image of the three family members. At nineteen, Xianyu Feng was tall and slender, his features gentle and refined rather than strikingly handsome, with a warm, scholarly air and eyes glimmering with determination and intelligence. He seemed an ordinary, unremarkable young man, yet he was a rare medical prodigy, selected to join a mysterious medical organization.

Afterwards, as Bai Luomei had mentioned, Xianyu Feng scarcely appeared again. It was said that he kept in touch with his family via video calls for the first half year, but afterwards, news of him became scarce.

Regarding this, the administrators of South Medical University and the recommending professor always insisted it was Xianyu Feng’s personal decision; the school had merely recommended him for overseas study and fulfilled their original promise.

“So, does that mean that nowadays, apart from that medical organization, no one knows Xianyu Feng’s true whereabouts?” Nangong Ao asked, his gaze fixed.

Bai Luomei nodded helplessly. “That medical organization was jointly established by several nations. Its internal security is extremely strict, making it almost impossible to investigate its affairs. Perhaps the only people who might still get news of him are Miss Biao and her daughter.”

Nangong Ao thoughtfully rubbed the black and silver ring on his finger. “According to the records, Xianyu Feng, despite his intelligence and meticulousness, has one greatest weakness—Qingqing. Yet, during this significant period when Qingqing has returned to the Nangong family, he has not appeared…”

“You mean…” Bai Luomei hesitated, voicing the thought in her heart, “Xianyu Feng might have been restricted in his freedom?”

Nangong Ao neither confirmed nor denied it.

Ever since Qingyu Xianyu had manifested that strange symptom the night before last, Nangong Ao, knowing Xianyu Feng was the heir of a medical family, suspected he must know something about the situation. That was why he wanted Bai Luomei to investigate Xianyu Feng’s whereabouts, hoping to contact him.

But when they tried to look into his life abroad, they encountered numerous obstacles, making it impossible to pursue the matter further.

Nangong Ao had no concern for Xianyu Feng’s circumstances; his only worry was whether Qingqing might face further complications. Any changes in her would mean changes for the Nangong family, and Nangong Ao could not afford to be careless.

Now, unable to trace Xianyu Feng, all he could do was wait to see if Dr. Yuan Man could unlock the secret behind Qingqing’s illness.

Meanwhile, across the ocean in another country—Country Z—in the research office of the medical organization where Xianyu Feng worked, several young doctors were being reprimanded.

“No more excuses! Because of your mistakes, we’ve lost not just one but two batches of samples. If Feng were here, this never would have happened!” The elderly, silver-haired doctor sitting behind the desk flung the documents at the young doctors.

A short doctor grumbled, unconvinced, “So what if Feng is talented? Didn’t he betray us long ago?”

“Silence!” The silver-haired doctor slammed his hand on the desk, his face livid. “Feng would never betray us!”

“Dr. Andre, you say Feng wouldn’t betray us, but he took the samples sent by Country K without permission. That’s a fact!” The short doctor pressed on. “He hasn’t returned since, and even his homeland has no idea where he is. How do you explain that?”

“You…” Dr. Andre was left speechless, his anger choking him.

The other doctors began whispering among themselves.

“Dr. Andre always favors Feng.”
“Of course—he keeps pleading for Feng with the superiors, even though the facts are clear.”
“He values talent…”
“Come on! It’s just because Feng possesses secrets that none of us can decipher!”
“What exactly does he know?”
“Who knows…”

Though Dr. Andre hated to hear anyone slander his cherished pupil, some matters were unknown even to him; his attempts at defense felt hollow and weak.

“Enough! You’re all content to enjoy the fruits of others’ research rather than strive for progress yourselves—that’s your own problem!” The silver-haired doctor sighed. “Don’t blame me for favoring him! When the higher-ups come to hold you accountable, you’ll understand what true ruthlessness and cruelty really are!”

With that, the silver-haired doctor grabbed his folder and left the office, leaving the young doctors staring at one another.

So, who would bear responsibility for the loss of the samples this time?

------

For three consecutive nights, Qingqing Xianyu hadn’t slept well.

On the third morning, she found Young Master Ao sitting at the dining table, waiting for her.

These past nights, Nangong Ao had returned home but heard nothing from her room; yet Aunt Rong remarked that Qingqing had been rising early and her spirits were poor. So today, he stayed behind to wait for her.

Seeing her weary face and the obvious dark circles under her eyes, he asked, “What happened?”

Aunt Rong kept out of sight in the kitchen while Qingqing, her eyes slightly red, spoke softly, “I was afraid the previous symptoms would recur, so I set an alarm…”

Nangong Ao was speechless for a moment.

She looked so frail and gentle, yet she insisted on being strong! Any other girl would have sought help from her family by now.

----

Nangong Ao sighed inwardly, then said, “Your method only treats the symptoms, not the root. It might even backfire. Don’t torment yourself like this again.”

Qingqing knew her approach couldn’t solve the problem, but she truly couldn’t think of a better solution.

“Take today off and come with me to the research department again.”

Upon hearing this, Qingqing could only nod obediently.

This time, Nangong Ao didn’t have Cui Hao drive them; instead, Jiang Mohe took them.

At the research department, Dr. Yuan Man tried hypnotic therapy on Qingqing again, but the outcome was the same.

This time, Yuan Man nearly failed to extricate herself. Only when her assistant, waiting outside, noticed the time had exceeded the limit and entered to check, did she break free from the trance.

Meanwhile, Qingqing had fallen into deep sleep, and remained unconscious.

Nangong Ao looked at Qingqing’s uneasy slumber, his brow furrowed. “If she can’t be cured now, is there no way to at least alleviate her condition?”

Yuan Man rubbed her temples, helpless. “Either lock her up or find someone to keep an eye on her.”

She couldn’t control her own mental state, and no one else could intervene. Leaving her alone was like setting a time bomb out in the world—she could slip into a hallucination at any time and not return, or, worse yet, hypnotize others without realizing it.

Nangong Ao’s expression was troubled.

Locking Qingqing up was the worst option. But who would be suitable to watch over her?

“Oh, what exactly is this girl to you?” Yuan Man couldn’t resist her curiosity. “You seem very protective of her. Are you planning to replace your fragile princess?”

“Yun’er isn’t fragile!” Nangong Ao retorted, displeased.

“Haha, sorry, my native language isn’t very good,” Yuan Man apologized, not sounding sincere. “Let me ask again—do you like this girl?”

“She’s my sister.”

“What? Aren’t you an only child?”

Please don’t tell me it’s some illegitimate daughter drama! Yuan Man imagined.

“She’s a distant cousin,” Young Master Ao replied, more patient than usual.

Yuan Man took a few seconds to process this, then understood. “A distant cousin isn’t a close relative, so you could date her, right?”