1122 - Chapter 34.1

“If you dare sneak coffee again, try it and you’ll be my CEO’s wife, only allowed to tend flowers and tease birds from then on.”

Hearing Yan Nanchen’s domineering tone, Jiang Yi frowned but remained defiant: “You wouldn’t dare?”

Yan Nanchen stepped closer: “Try me and see if I dare.”

Jiang Yi held his ground but still retreated slightly under the pressure: “Then I’ll run away.”

“You won’t get away this time.” Spotting the potted plant behind Jiang Yi, Yan Nanchen swiftly wrapped an arm around his waist to pull him away before he could bump into it, whispering by his ear: “In a few days, you’ll be implanted with the hypermemory chip. How exactly do you plan to run then? Fly away?”

Caught off guard by the sudden proximity, Jiang Yi sidestepped to escape his hold, recognizing the teasing tone: “I refuse. This is voluntary, so I refuse.”

The hypermemory chip had a tracking system there’d be no running away with that.

Besides, he wasn’t some child who could easily get lost. He’d been fine abroad for five years, and domestically was even safer. He definitely didn’t need this chip.

Noticing Jiang Yi’s resistance, Yan Nanchen straightened with a smile: “This year’s census includes hypermemory chip registration. Without one, you’ll be considered an undocumented resident. After five years of joint development with Galaxy Group, the project has achieved widespread adoption. For your safety, you and Qiao Qiao will both be implanted.”

Jiang Yi: “…” Had so many of Neptune’s projects merged with Galaxy Group in just five years?

Then Yan Nanchen’s large hand came down on his head.

“Be good, please. Don’t scare me like that again, alright?”

Jiang Yi froze at the unexpected term of endearment, nearly jumping out of his skin. Just as a few secretaries passed by, he turned to leave but tripped over the nearby plant.

Yan Nanchen swiftly pulled him into an embrace, sighing: “You give me heart attacks daily. Do you want me to watch you every second? Or carry you around nonstop?”

Jiang Yi: “!!!” Wide-eyed, he glanced pointedly at the secretaries nearby, tilting his chin to signal their presence.

“I’m the CEO. Is there anything I can’t say?”

Jiang Yi: “…” The CEO sure was something. Really something.

The passing secretaries spotted the romantic drama but dared not openly gawk, suppressing smiles while slowing their steps to eavesdrop.

Noticing their deliberate pace, Yan Nanchen subtly shifted to shield Jiang Yi’s burning ears, smirking: “Walk any slower and my CEO’s wife will get angry. Watch your pay cuts.”

The secretaries immediately scurried back to their office.

Jiang Yi grabbed Yan Nanchen’s arm in flustered fury, hissing: “What are you saying?! What if they misunderstand?!”

Yan Nanchen gazed at his flushed ears, smiling tenderly: “Misunderstand what? It’s the truth.”

Jiang Yi was speechless: “You really have some imagination.”

“Just thinking of you makes everything beautiful, the whole world brightens up. Seeing you every day makes me so happy, and I’ve even started to hope for more.” Yan Nanchen paused, then smiled. “To hope that you’re the first thing I see when I wake up, the last before I close my eyes, that it’s you every moment that would be even more beautiful.”

Jiang Yi turned and walked away, unwilling to listen to Yan Nanchen’s sweet talk any longer. Did he really think such words could sway him? Was he that easy to pursue?

Absolutely not.

Despite the banter, the two headed to the Galaxy Research Institute after breakfast.

Galaxy Research Institute

“From current statistical data, the genetic sequences carried by the Secondary Differentiation Population can only be extracted from reaction tests and reports. This has been an issue for over two decades, which is why the Secondary Differentiation Gene Defect remains the most complex genetic test today. Over the years, our institute has focused on this direction, conducting gene comparisons between those who have taken the Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine and those who haven’t. We’ve discovered differences in Secondary Differentiation Phenotypes and causes between the two groups.”

“You might wonder why, despite both being Secondary Differentiation cases, their phenotypes and causes differ. Take Case A: this patient was originally an Omega who underwent secondary differentiation into an Alpha. He belongs to the earlier-differentiated recessive Secondary Differentiation Population, with a differentiation age of 15. After long-term treatment with Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine and neutralization reaction tests, ten years later, he and his Omega partner conceived a child. Genetic testing showed no Secondary Differentiation inheritance in the child.”

The institute director pointed to the comparative values on the screen. “Case B: this patient was originally an Alpha who underwent secondary differentiation into an Omega. This is a later-emerging recessive Secondary Differentiation case, with a differentiation age of 26. After less than six months of secondary differentiation intervention therapy, she became pregnant. Genetic testing during pregnancy showed no issues, but the child suffered acute dominant secondary differentiation and passed away within half an hour of birth. Dominant secondary differentiation is an acute condition, more pronounced and harder to diagnose than recessive cases. It also indicates that this Secondary Differentiation Omega’s physical condition was incompatible with childbirth.”

Jiang Yi stared at the reports on the screen, his eyes dimming slightly behind his glasses. “So, you’re saying that Secondary Differentiation individuals who undergo long-term treatment with Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine and neutralization reaction tests have a much higher chance of not passing on the Secondary Differentiation gene to their offspring?”

The director nodded. “Yes. Since the official rollout of the Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine, this probability has increased significantly compared to five years ago. Previously, the inheritance rate to the next generation was 95%. With the special medicine, it’s dropped to 50%, and for those who recover well, even below 5%.”

Jiang Yi frowned deeply. So, in the end, it was his problem his body simply hadn’t been fit for childbirth. That Qiao Qiao had survived was already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

Perhaps this was why he couldn’t accept it. Why? What had he done wrong? Even if he had made mistakes, an innocent child shouldn’t have had to bear the consequences.

One who hadn’t even had the chance to open their eyes and see the world.

He slumped heavily into the chair, his face behind the cold silver-rimmed glasses filled with despondency. The hand propped on the table massaged his temples, where throbbing pain pulsed on both sides. His other hand, hidden beneath the desk, clenched into a trembling fist, knuckles whitening from the force.

At that moment, a hand covered his tightly clenched one. He looked up to meet Yan Nanchen’s concerned gaze.

He didn’t pull away, his mood still somber.

“This is precisely why we’re vigorously promoting the Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine and advocating for the Secondary Differentiation Population to undergo neutralization therapy while establishing genetic family trees. Currently, this is the most effective method to enable the Secondary Differentiation Population to produce healthy offspring. Hence, the pre-pregnancy stage is particularly crucial. Scientifically, it’s recommended that individuals undergo at least three years of Secondary Differentiation Special Medicine treatment and neutralization reaction testing before conception. Since medication cannot be used during pregnancy, preparatory measures are especially vital.”

“The Galaxy Research Institute’s current Secondary Differentiation Gene Detection Technology is already world-leading. However, due to the unique nature of the Secondary Differentiation Population, further time is needed for exploration.”

“President Yan, President Jiang, please allow us more time.”

After the meeting concluded, they visited the lab to review their neutralization reaction test reports. The data clearly showed differing phenotypic expressions for the same etiology this was the distinction between those who had taken the special medicine and those who hadn’t.

Including Jiang Yi’s own neutralization reaction test report, the values from his past differed from his present ones. Unlike other gene defects with their variability, the secondary differentiation gene defect remains humanity’s most challenging problem to overcome, particularly in developing more accurate detection technologies.

After a full day of work, it was already 4:30 p.m. when they left the institute.

“Are we picking up Qiao Qiao from school?”

Yan Nanchen fastened his seatbelt but noticed Jiang Yi still slumped in his seat, silent and despondent, without his seatbelt on. Leaning over, he helped secure it for him.

“I miss Nian Nian.”

Yan Nanchen froze momentarily, his hand pausing mid-motion. He studied Jiang Yi’s profile his body turned slightly, head resting against the window, the weight of regret and guilt seemingly crushing his shoulders.

The composure he’d maintained at the institute had now crumbled, all his defenses in front of others stripped away.

Then he saw Jiang Yi turn his head, revealing red-rimmed eyes that wrenched his heart.

“I truly failed him. I didn’t take care of myself properly.” Jiang Yi sat up, voice choked as he cupped his hands together as if holding something tiny. “Back then, he was only this small, just this small. If it hadn’t been for me.”

Yan Nanchen cradled his face, cutting him off.

“Yi Yi, this was ultimately my fault. If I hadn’t marked you back then, you wouldn’t have gotten pregnant. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.” He wiped away Jiang Yi’s tears with the back of his hand, meeting his self-reproachful gaze. “You should hate me, hate me for marking you, hate me for getting you pregnant, hate me for not being there during your hardest times. You should never have had to endure such suffering.”

Jiang Yi lowered his gaze, tears falling. “There are still two days until July 28th Qiao Qiao and Nian Nian’s birthday, and also Nian Nian’s death anniversary. To keep Qiao Qiao from being scared, I make sure to be very happy on that day. I buy two cakes and light two sets of candles. Qiao Qiao blows out her own candles, but Nian Nian’s, we leave them unblown.”

“I also buy two gifts. Whatever Qiao Qiao has, Nian Nian should have too.”

“But by nightfall, I can’t hold it together anymore. I keep wondering if it was because I wasn’t careful enough during my pregnancy that I lost Nian Nian. Otherwise, why was everything fine during the pregnancy, but she was gone after birth? Even now, I still ask myself was it because I didn’t cherish myself enough?”

Jiang Yi felt utterly overwhelmed. He didn’t want to keep reliving these thoughts, but he was afraid of forgetting. Then, Yan Nanchen pulled him into an embrace.

“It was me who didn’t cherish you properly,” Yan Nanchen said, his heart aching. He felt this pain too, but it was nothing compared to Jiang Yi’s suffering. “From now on, we’ll take good care of your health, take your medicine properly. If you forget, it’s okay. I’ll remember for you. Please don’t cry anymore, alright?”

Perhaps no words could ever heal this wound. Only companionship eternal companionship could offer solace.

The Alpha’s pheromones enveloped him, silent yet powerful, easing Jiang Yi’s defenses. He buried his face against Yan Nanchen’s shoulder, arms wrapping tightly around his back, eyes red as tears streamed uncontrollably. His voice was a strained whisper, barely escaping his lips: “I don’t want to forget her. I can’t forget her. I’m so afraid I’ll forget Nian Nian.”

Listening to the muffled sobs beside his ear, Yan Nanchen’s heart ached unbearably. He turned his head, pressing a kiss to the corner of Jiang Yi’s lips, doing his utmost to release even the faintest trace of Alpha pheromones despite the blocker’s suppression just to soothe his Omega’s distress.

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