CHAPTER 51: CHILDISH

AN: I am so sorry for the delay. I will re-edit if there are errors. I am jus so sleepy. Happy Reading

Jian Ci groaned dramatically. "Fine, I will go."

He stomped toward the door, muttering under his breath, and, true to his petty nature, flicked off the lights on his way out.

Jian Wei stood frozen. "..."

Yu Xi stifled a laugh, shoulders shaking.

"Turn the lights on," Jian Wei said flatly, and the AI assistant obediently restored the room to brightness.

"You encourage this," Jian Wei added, glaring at Yu Xi.

"What did I do?" Yu Xi asked, feigning innocence.

"You know he likes pleasing you."

Yu Xi blinked. "..."

Does he? The thought echoed in his mind, uninvited and unsettling.

Jian Wei, already prepping a tray, said, "I need a blood sample. I think I am on to something."

Yu Xi’s eyes lit up. "Really? Take a gallon if you want."

Jian Wei gave him a look that could curdle milk. "I am not trying to kill you."

Yu Xi smiled slightly as he stretched out his arm. He would gladly give up his heart if needed. It already belonged to Jian Ci anyway.

Jian Wei moved beside him, gloves already on, and expertly drew the blood.

As the vial filled, Yu Xi asked, "What are you on to?"

"There is a serum that will trigger your body to produce neuro-suppressants," Jian Wei said, voice calm but clipped as he adjusted the settings on the monitor. "Once your system stabilizes, I will extract the compound from your blood and isolate the active agents. I just need to confirm something first."

Yu Xi’s gaze didn’t leave Jian Wei’s face. "And that will help Jian Ci?"

Jian Wei’s eyes flicked to the monitor displaying Jian Ci’s psychic waveform, erratic, jagged and unstable. The peaks pulsed like warning sirens. "If it works, it will slow the progression of his condition. Maybe even tame the worst of his psychic pulses."

Yu Xi’s voice sharpened. "Then why not inject the serum now?"

"I have to do more research," Jian Wei replied. "Talk to some professors. I am not risking a misfire."

Yu Xi nodded slowly, jaw tight. "Okay."

But inside, he was losing patience more especially when he saw Jian Ci curled up and trembling with tears streaking his face . It was unbearable. Yu Xi would do anything, be anything. to stop Jian Ci’s pain. Even if it meant bleeding for a cure.

Jian Wei finished drawing the blood sample with practiced precision, then peeled off his gloves and nodded. "You can go."

Yu Xi glanced at the sterilized patch on his arm, the faint sting barely registering. "Okay," he said, turning toward the door. But halfway there, he paused, then looked back.

"If you need me, you let me know."

Jian Wei glanced up, surprised by the softness in Yu Xi’s voice. "I know," he replied. "Just be patient."

Yu Xi nodded and left.

Jian Wei sat still for a moment, gaze distant. He was wondering how could someone be this dedicated to his annoying and childish brother? It was baffling. Jian Ci was impulsive, dramatic, and exhausting, but Yu Xi was not scared away by it. Jian Wei sighed and returned to his work, the question lingering in his mind.

A week later, Yu Xi stood in the simulator, breath heavy, sweat glistening on his brow. He had just finished a grueling session when the door slid open.

Jian Wei stood there, panting, like he’d sprinted the entire way.

Yu Xi rushed over. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine," Jian Wei said, catching his breath. "You need to come with me."

Yu Xi’s heart skipped. It had to be a breakthrough.

He followed Jian Wei down the hallway, and Jian Wei spoke rapidly, excitement bubbling. "I perfected the serum. I was talking with my professor, and it just clicked. The compound...."

Yu Xi didn’t understand a word Jian Wei was saying. Something about neuro-suppressants, compound isolation, and biochemical triggers. It all blurred together like static. The only word that mattered was the word ’perfected’. It rang in his ears like a bell.

That was hope. That meant Jian Ci might be okay.

When they reached the lab, Jian Rui was already there, eyes locked on the floating screen displaying streams of psychic data. Their mother stood nearby in her projected form, her expression sharp and focused as she studied the graphs.

Jian Wei was practically vibrating with excitement. "All we need to do is inject him with the neuro-suppressant and induce stress. Then I will extract his blood and isolate the active agent."

Yu Xi didn’t hesitate. He sat down on the medical bed, pulling up his sleeve like a soldier reporting for duty. Out of everyone in the room, he was the least concerned about side effects. If this could help Jian Ci, he would give a limb.

The others turned to look at him.

Yu Xi, halfway through rolling up his sleeve, blinked. "What?"

Jian Rui asked Jian Wei, "Are you sure about this?"

"I am positive," Jian Wei said.

Lady Seraphyne’s voice was calm but firm. "What about the side effects?"

Jian Wei’s voice faltered as he listed the potential side effects. "I can’t know all of them," he admitted, "but there might be nausea, heart palpitations... and mental pain."

The words hung heavy in the air. His earlier excitement drained from his face, replaced by guilt. He had been so focused on helping Jian Ci that he had overlooked what the cost might be for Yu Xi.

Jian Rui stepped forward, concern etched into his features. "Yu Xi, you really don’t have to do this. We can find someone else."

Yu Xi raised his head, eyes steady. "I am Gander’s best specimen. The others won’t do."

Lady Seraphyne’s projected form flickered slightly, her expression conflicted. As a mother, she wanted to save her son. But watching Yu Xi volunteer himself so readily stirred something painful in her.

"If it becomes unbearable," she said softly, "you let us know. We will stop. We will figure out another way... one that hurts less."

Yu Xi’s gaze didn’t waver. He had already made his choice. For Jian Ci, he would endure whatever came his way.

"We can figure that out later," Yu Xi said, his voice steady. "Right now, we can only work with what we have."

Jian Wei glanced at Jian Rui and Lady Seraphyne, then nodded. "We need to be prepared for anything. Let’s do it in the lab in the basement."

Yu Xi stood without hesitation, already moving toward the door. His resolve was unwavering, his steps firm.