The Silly Prince Successfully Cancels the Engagement, But the Fiancée is His Childhood Sweetheart - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Awakening

Xiang Zhuo sat quietly on the bench outside the hospital room. His mind was numb, and he barely felt the pain in his body.

He stared blankly at the consultation room nearby, where Yu Xin leaned against Bai Jinfeng, gently dabbing the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. Meng Yunting bowed ninety degrees to the couple, offering his apologies.

Bai Jinfeng frowned and quickly reached out to help Meng Yunting stand up.

The matter was extremely serious. That remnants of the Former Empire were still entrenched on the Capital Star, and were actively causing trouble now and then, was an appalling situation. No one knew where else these landmine-like presences existed within the entire Eternal Empire, or whether the comrades fighting alongside them were truly loyal to the Empire.

The real-time footage recorded by the intelligent guides must have been uploaded to His Majesty the King via the academy. The incident alarmed the King, who sent his deputy to convey his condolences.

The King was enraged and promised that the remnants of the Former Empire would certainly not survive this time next year. The vendetta between the Old and New Empires had tragically fallen upon the shoulders of three military academy students. The King felt distressed and sympathetic, yet also furious at the cunning of the Former Empire’s remnants.

Regardless, the Empire would use all its resources to ensure the recovery of these three students.

Ye Sheng’s parents could not get away, so his older sister, Ye Zheng, came.

Ye Zheng stood quietly to the side, listening silently to the King’s greetings delivered by the deputy.

Xiang Zhuo felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. The German Shepherd pendant around his neck felt heavy, weighing down his head.

He stood up, pushed the door, and walked into Bai Qing’s room.

The massive medical pod stood on the floor, its top connected to numerous tubes of unknown function. The electronic screen beside it displayed Bai Qing’s status and some key physical parameters.

Xiang Zhuo couldn’t understand the technical jargon, but the screen full of glaring red text made him realize that Bai Qing’s condition was very grave.

He couldn’t restrain himself from pressing his palm against the glass of the medical pod. Directly opposite his hand was Bai Qing’s pale cheek.

“You’re going to be okay.”

…

Ye Sheng woke up on the second morning. His body was hardy, and his life-threatening injuries were primarily due to severe blood loss. Fighting the mecha monsters bare-handed had resulted in considerable damage.

The fortunate part was that Bai Qing had activated the self-destruct program just in time, Xiang Zhuo had rushed in immediately, and the academy’s rescue team had reached them swiftly.

Ye Sheng felt pain with every breath. Looking at his sister sitting by the bedside, he finally managed to stop complaining: “Sis, I’m thirsty.”

Ye Zheng gently raised the bed and handed him a cup of warm water.

Ye Sheng reached out to take it, but the slight movement caused him to wince in pain.

Ye Zheng wanted to laugh but couldn’t. She inserted a straw into the cup and held it to Ye Sheng’s mouth.

Ye Sheng: “Where are Bai Qing and Xiang Zhuo?”

“Xiang Zhuo woke up yesterday and went back to Stunken Palace. As for Bai Qing—don’t worry, the Royal medical team has taken over. He will be fine.”

Ye Sheng sharply caught the meaning behind Ye Zheng’s words: “The Royal medical team has taken over?”

Ye Sheng abruptly tried to get out of bed: “Where is he?”

The urgency in his heart completely overshadowed the pain in his body.

Ye Zheng slowly stood up: “He’s at Stunken Palace.”

Ye Zheng was much calmer than Ye Sheng. She briefly described the recorded footage uploaded by the intelligent guide to Ye Sheng and informed him of the King’s plan to eliminate the remaining forces of the Former Empire. Her final remark was direct and true: “If you go now, you’ll only complicate things. You must believe in the Royal medical team’s capabilities. It’s not too late to visit Bai Qing after he wakes up.”

Ye Sheng listened to his sister. Unable to argue, he sat back down on the bed, looking stunned.

…

The Royal medical team’s treatment plan was aggressive.

The team comprised highly talented young people with active minds. They often dared to imagine and execute what ordinary people wouldn’t.

They had the most advanced medical equipment and cutting-edge treatments. After soaking in the medical pod for three more days, these two factors resolved all of Bai Qing’s physical injuries.

But he still lay quietly in bed, showing no signs of waking up.

The head of the medical team was a middle-aged Beta named Chen Qinghua. Wearing a white coat and holding a stack of proposals, he stood half a step behind Xiang Zhuo and reported clearly: “If mental power exhaustion is treated solely with rest, his brain will inevitably remain in a state of deep sleep. At this time, the most crucial thing is to help him regain control over his mental power and restore his brain to an active state. Once the brain resumes normal function, he will recover.”

Xiang Zhuo asked in a low voice: “Will waking him up this way have side effects?”

Chen Qinghua thought for a moment before answering: “Theoretically, yes. The most obvious side effect is headaches, but they will gradually disappear as he resumes his daily life.”

Xiang Zhuo nodded gently: “Then let’s try it.”

Chen Qinghua placed a head-mounted simulation trainer on Bai Qing.

Unlike ordinary trainers, this head-mounted simulation trainer was activated and sustained by mental power.

That is, the moment it is worn, the trainer stimulates mental power and guides the wearer to control their mental power for simulation training.

An ordinary person might find this machine useless, but for post-combat recovery like Bai Qing’s, it was highly suitable.

Chen Qinghua turned to Xiang Zhuo: “I will come over every two hours to record the patient’s condition. If there’s any abnormality, I will stop the treatment immediately.”

Xiang Zhuo nodded.

Chen Qinghua took a step to leave but noticed Xiang Zhuo showed no intention of moving. He returned and pointed to the readings on the electronic screen for Xiang Zhuo: “Your Highness, this is the alarm for abnormal physical indices. If this number approaches the critical limit, it will trigger an alarm and sever the link between the simulation trainer and the patient’s mental power. I will also rush here immediately upon receiving the alarm…”

In other words, everything was under control, and there was no need to constantly stand guard.

Xiang Zhuo seemed not to have fully understood. He nodded again: “Good, I understand.” He remained seated on the bedside sofa, completely still, his eyes fixed on the person nestled in the soft mattress and blankets.

Chen Qinghua chose not to insist further. He opened the door to leave and immediately ran into His Majesty the King waiting outside.

The King rubbed his temples: “How is he?”

Chen Qinghua reported: “Bai Qing’s physical condition has recovered, but he has not yet woken up. I am trying a new treatment plan. I will monitor it for five days to see if there is any improvement. If this plan is effective, we reasonably predict the patient will wake up on the third day.”

The King nodded softly: “That’s good. I can give the Bai family an explanation. What about the other one?”

Chen Qinghua: “His Highness’s body is fine, but His Highness has been guarding the patient non-stop and hasn’t rested for two days.”

The King scoffed: “Then let him stay. That brat.”

A faint smile appeared on Chen Qinghua’s usually indifferent face. He had watched Xiang Zhuo grow up and felt some affection: “It doesn’t look like His Highness dislikes the young master of the Bai family at all.”

The King seemed resigned: “Who cares what he thinks? Treating marriage like a joke and messing with that child, Bai Qing, so decisively in the beginning. I’ll see how he handles things now.”

Chen Qinghua smiled and said no more.

…

Xiang Zhuo was forced to go back and sleep once by Chen Qinghua, but after waking up, he immediately rushed back to Bai Qing.

The room was completely quiet, with only the faint humming of the instruments audible.

It was already the fourth day. He heard Chen Qinghua discussing an alternative treatment plan with others in the team.

Xiang Zhuo’s heart sank. He involuntarily held Bai Qing’s cold hand, trying to convey some strength to him.

The sunlight outside the window was bright. In this season, there were few flowers, and the greenery was no longer lush. Every plant and tree conveyed a sense of fading twilight.

Suddenly, he felt the hand in his palm twitch slightly.

Xiang Zhuo quickly looked down, then up at the electronic screen. All values were normal.

The person on the bed’s eyelashes were gently fluttering. Overwhelmed with surprise and joy, Xiang Zhuo quickly called for Chen Qinghua.

Seeing Bai Qing’s state, Chen Qinghua also breathed a sigh of relief. He cut off the mental power link between the simulation trainer and Bai Qing and smiled as he spoke to Xiang Zhuo: “Congratulations, Your Highness. Just a little longer, and the patient will wake up.”

A massive wave of joy violently struck Xiang Zhuo’s mind. He felt dizzy for a moment and stumbled backward. Fortunately, there was a sofa, and he sat down abruptly, belatedly managing a laugh: “That’s good.”

Chen Qinghua knew he shouldn’t linger. After performing another checkup on Bai Qing, he left with peace of mind.

Xiang Zhuo, however, was flustered. He sat on the sofa one moment, then moved to the bedside the next, completely unsure what to do.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he heard a faint gasp.

Bai Qing slowly opened his eyes. A pair of lake-blue eyes, full of confusion, stared quietly at the ceiling. He turned his head questioningly and saw Xiang Zhuo.

Xiang Zhuo opened his mouth, almost on the verge of tears. He managed to restrain himself, forcing a very awkward smile, and asked Bai Qing: “Are you in pain anywhere?”

Bai Qing spoke slowly, unnaturally meek: “Headache.”

Xiang Zhuo leaned over, unable to resist reaching out to touch Bai Qing’s head: “It’s alright. Chen Qinghua said it won’t hurt once you’ve fully recovered.”

Bai Qing happened to see the German Shepherd necklace sliding out from Xiang Zhuo’s neck: “That necklace suits you well. It’s the style I instantly fell for.”

Xiang Zhuo’s face flushed again. He tucked the necklace back into his clothes: “Thank you.”

He didn’t know what he was thanking him for—whether it was the necklace or Bai Qing’s life-saving sacrifice on Giant Forest Island.

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

It was Xiang Zhuo’s intelligent guide’s voice. Fearing Bai Qing might hear it, Xiang Zhuo quickly changed the subject: “Are you uncomfortable anywhere else in your body?”

Bai Qing was exquisitely beautiful. His silver hair had grown a bit longer, with a few strands resting on his delicate Adam’s apple. The gunshot wound on his left arm had healed, but a patch of pink scar tissue was visible.

Xiang Zhuo inexplicably thought of the small scar on Bai Qing’s elegant ankle when he went to find him that day.

Xiang Zhuo suddenly felt very hot, and his face flushed a few shades darker.

Bai Qing said softly: “I’m fine. I just feel weak…”

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

Xiang Zhuo lost control of his emotions: “Shut up!”

Bai Qing instantly fell silent.

Seeing Bai Qing’s eyes, Xiang Zhuo quickly explained: “No, it’s my intelligent guide…”

Bai Qing supported himself and sat up. Xiang Zhuo fumbled, wanting to help Bai Qing, but he was afraid to touch him anywhere, fearing this delicate, beautiful glass person would shatter in his clumsy hands.

As Bai Qing moved, the wide collar of his shirt slipped to the side, slightly revealing his rounded, fair shoulder.

“Is this Stunken Palace?” Bai Qing looked around at the decor. “Thank you for saving me too.”

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please prioritize rest.”

“No, no problem… it’s nothing.”

What is going on? Why is my heart beating so fast? Xiang Zhuo was terrified that Bai Qing would hear his intelligent guide’s frantic warnings, but this sensation was too peculiar. He was extremely flustered…

“Alarm, alarm. Heart rate too fast. Please cease all activity immediately and call for medical assistance.”

Xiang Zhuo was now red up to his neck: “I have something to do! You rest well first!”

Bai Qing watched him quietly.

Xiang Zhuo, afraid to look into Bai Qing’s eyes, fled the room as if escaping.

Outside the door, Xiang Zhuo leaned against the wall, breathing the fresh air. It took a long time for him to calm down. He questioned his intelligent guide: “Don’t take the initiative again in the future.”

“Yes, yes, Master.”

But suddenly, he remembered that he had actually shouted in front of Bai Qing.

Will Bai Qing misunderstand?

This is so mortifying…

Xiang Zhuo felt utterly defeated: “Remind me to kill myself in ten minutes…”

Intelligent Guide: “Affirmative, Master. I have set a timer to remind you to kill yourself in ten minutes.”

Xiang Zhuo: “…Shouldn’t you try to talk me out of it?”

Intelligent Guide: “You just instructed me not to take the initiative.”

Xiang Zhuo: “…”