Chapter 48: Reluctant to Meet Again

Feeling much better, Lu Yixue invited Mrs. Belika to watch an opera performance together.

Mrs. Belika agreed.

The two watched an opera performance together.

After it ended, Lu Yixue invited her to dinner, but she was refused.

“Lu, I really want to collaborate with you all. It’s just that I truly can’t commit right now.” Mrs. Belika smiled bitterly. “If the mysterious traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can’t cure my Dorothy, then for the next few years, I’ll pause my career and focus on accompanying Dorothy through the final stretch of her life.”

In truth, over these many years, they had consulted countless renowned doctors, yet there had been no progress. Dorothy had already accepted this outcome.

Although Mrs. Belika refused to accept this cruel fate, she had instinctively fallen into despair.

Trapped in desperation, they didn’t want to give up, but they had a clear understanding of their situation, which bred painful and sorrowful negative emotions.

Lu Yixue understood this feeling well. The days of waiting for death were unbearable, and others’ words held no power. She only said, “If there’s any way I can help, feel free to contact me anytime.”

Mrs. Belika smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

But she didn’t know about the Lu Family’s efforts in genetic diseases, so she merely smiled and didn’t take Lu Yixue’s words to heart.

On the way back, Lu Yixue pondered how to seal the collaboration.

She recalled that Pei Shijin had boarded the ship because she was following her teacher on a business trip, so her teacher must have been invited by Mrs. Belika.

The best approach was to learn about Mrs. Belika’s daughter Dorothy’s condition through Pei Shijin.

However, their current relationship made it hard to discuss mutually beneficial cooperation. It might even leave Pei Shijin with the impression that she was only profit-driven, not sincerely wanting to reconcile, but merely using her to secure the deal with Mrs. Belika.

Lu Yixue rubbed her throbbing temples. What a headache.

Even without collaborating with Mrs. Belika, the Ming Group could certainly capture the market—it would just take longer and be more winding.

This didn’t align with the education Lu Yixue had received since childhood, but after much thought, she gave up on the “shortcut.”

Their beginning had stemmed from an exchange of interests; from here on, their days could be purer.

Lu Yixue settled comfortably in her room, recuperating while studying and refining her pursuit plan.

She hadn’t expected Pei Shijin to come to her proactively.

It was the afternoon of the second day after Dorothy boarded.

That morning, the doctors invited by Mrs. Belika had come to diagnose Dorothy. Pei Shijin followed Teacher Zheng over and also took Dorothy’s pulse.

Dorothy’s debilitated state and pulse resembled the Lu Yixue that Pei Shijin had seen four years ago, but Dorothy’s condition was far more severe.

Thus, Pei Shijin couldn’t determine if they suffered from the same illness. After discussing with her teacher, Teacher Zheng suggested she consult Lu Yixue.

Pei Shijin felt extremely awkward and embarrassed—the harsher her words had been the day before yesterday, the more this boomerang stung now.

But with a life at stake, compared to her minor emotions, Pei Shijin prioritized helping the patient.

As soon as the door opened, seeing Pei Shijin made Lu Yixue think she was hallucinating from the fever. She touched her forehead; it didn’t feel hot. “Why are you here?”

“Uh…” Lacking confidence to meet her eyes, Pei Shijin lowered her head and said softly, “There’s a patient whose symptoms resemble yours a bit. I wanted to ask you to come diagnose.”

Lu Yixue’s mind turned quickly. “Dorothy?”

“Ah, yes. Do you know her?” Pei Shijin felt a bit uneasy. If they knew each other, Mrs. Belika should have already called in the Lu Family’s medical team, right?

“No, I’ve just heard she has a serious illness.” Lu Yixue shook her head. “Shall we go now?”

“If it’s convenient for you.” Pei Shijin nodded.

“Wait while I grab a jacket.” Even lounging in her room, Lu Yixue wore a wrinkle-free suit, ready to attend a business event with just a jacket—always prepared for battle.

“Let’s go.” Lu Yixue emerged quickly. Pei Shijin caught a faint scent of Barrier Agent on her.

Pei Shijin couldn’t help reminding her, “There are quite a few Alphas and Omegas over there.”

Lu Yixue tilted her head and smiled faintly. “I’m trying to adapt myself to this world.”

She had always sprayed on so much Barrier Agent that, in effect, it was no different from a moderate concentration—except the heavier dose gave Lu Yixue a greater sense of security.

Pei Shijin gave a dry “Oh,” feeling quite at a loss. Why the sudden change?

She couldn’t think of the reason—or rather, she didn’t dare to.

The two walked in silence. Pei Shijin occasionally glanced sideways at Lu Yixue, who would sneak peeks every so often. But they perfectly missed each other’s gazes.

They arrived at their destination, originally a meeting hall but now resembling a hospital room.

Dorothy’s sickbed was in the center of the room, surrounded by several people.

With so many people that morning, there hadn’t been much time per doctor, so they were now conducting a more detailed diagnosis.

Mrs. Belika sat not far from the bed, propping her chin with her hand, eyes closed, seemingly resting.

“We’re here. That’s Dorothy,” Pei Shijin said softly.

Lu Yixue nodded. “Mm. Let’s greet Mrs. Belika first.”

“Good afternoon.” Lu Yixue could see the exhaustion on Mrs. Belika’s face was deeper than yesterday; even foundation couldn’t cover her weariness. Her aura felt like a abyss of despair.

“Thank you for coming.” Mrs. Belika opened her eyes and forced a smile sadder than tears. Zheng Aimei had said Lu Yixue might help, so she let her take a look.

Deep down, though, she held no hope.

What could a young girl do for a problem that stumped all these renowned doctors?

“No trouble. If I can help Dorothy, it would be my honor.” With that, Lu Yixue went to examine Dorothy.

The Lu Family’s genetic disease only manifested dominantly in Omegas. Early symptoms were mere fatigue and occasional uncontrolled pheromone leaks. In the mid-stage, massive genetic collapse occurred: the gland would atrophy, black spots would appear around it, and internal organs would gradually fail.

It typically emerged in early adulthood.

After differentiating as an Omega, Lu Yixue had undergone intervention treatments, so her fatigue symptoms only appeared at twenty-one.

At her worst, she had only reached early-mid stage, with black spots around her gland.

Lu Yixue gently lifted Dorothy’s head to check the back of her neck. It was covered in dense black spots; the gland’s protrusion was no longer visible.

“From surface observation, it might be the same disease,” Lu Yixue said to Mrs. Belika. “For certainty, we need genetic testing.”

“Mrs. Belika, haven’t you tested Dorothy’s gene sequence?”

Mrs. Belika shot to her feet at the sound of Lu Yixue’s voice, only to feel disappointed again. She gripped the chair, her voice pained. “We checked in the early stage—no mutations.”

“In the early stage, only partial sequences are active. If possible, please screen now, focusing on those thirty-two genes in the G-clan rf group that govern differentiation and glands,” Lu Yixue instructed.

Even if hope seemed slim, Mrs. Belika had it done.

Not far from the cruise ship was Mrs. Belika’s own vessel—a mobile hospital equipped with the world’s top medical devices.

Because Dorothy wished to travel the world, Mrs. Belika had built this medical ship for journeys intertwined with seeking treatment.

The tests would take time, so Lu Yixue returned to her room to await results.

She was already certain Dorothy had the same illness as her, but without evidence, it lacked persuasiveness. Only proof would convince Mrs. Belika.

Pei Shijin escorted Lu Yixue back. At the door, Lu Yixue asked, “Want to come in and sit?”

“No, Alphas and Omegas should keep distance—it’s not appropriate.” Pei Shijin refused stiffly. She could have used “I have things to do,” but she deliberately didn’t.

She didn’t want to give Lu Yixue even a hint of possibility that she might agree to reconcile.

“Heh.” Lu Yixue chuckled lightly. Far from upset by the rejection, she poked Pei Shijin’s waist with a finger. “But your body says we’re very familiar.”

Even if her mind rejected it, her body craved it intensely.

Pei Shijin’s face flushed crimson. The poked spot tingled with electric current, leaving her too numb to pull away immediately.

Lu Yixue raised her hand to touch that apple-red cheek, but Pei Shijin snapped back to herself and retreated two steps. “Please behave.”

With that, she fled swiftly, vanishing from Lu Yixue’s sight in seconds.

Lu Yixue stared at her raised hand, feeling empty—just like her heart now.

This was only the beginning. Lu Yixue was prepared for countless failures.

She would be disappointed, but she wouldn’t lose hope.

For someone in research, failure was as inevitable as drinking water.

Lu Yixue returned to her room and contacted Lu Lingjiang. Perhaps one of Dorothy’s elders was from the Lu Family—after all, this genetic disease was hereditary.

Or maybe Dorothy had a gene mutation. What rotten luck.

Many in the Lu Family called this genetic disease heaven’s cruel joke: dominant only in Omegas, and its cure tied to childbirth.

Generation after generation, the curse followed them until the bloodline ended.

Compared to the kind-hearted Lu Yixue, Lu Lingjiang valued interests more. If Mrs. Belika’s daughter truly had the same or similar illness, she wouldn’t exploit the situation, but Mrs. Belika would have to offer satisfactory compensation.

The next day, it was Mrs. Belika who came calling again.

She tried to stay composed, but her gaze toward Lu Yixue inevitably carried a plea. “Dorothy’s genes—the ones you mentioned—they’re mutating and proliferating wildly. Is there any way to save my Dorothy?”

“We can discuss collaboration, or anything else.”

“The cure might be very simple, or it might be very difficult.” Lu Yixue didn’t tease but explained directly. “Bond with a perfectly matched Alpha at 100% Matching Degree, bear offspring, and nourish with the Alpha’s pheromones.”

“As long as we find an Alpha with perfect Matching Degree, even if Dorothy’s body can’t support pregnancy now, she can recover gradually.”

Mrs. Belika swayed and slumped against the doorframe, smiling bitterly as she clutched it. “Dorothy had a lover, 100% match. But in a car accident, her lover protected her and died in the process.”

Lu Yixue fell silent for a moment before saying, “Let’s find someone first. Our family has developed some suppression methods for this disease that can slow its progression and make Dorothy more comfortable.”

They worked out the details, and everyone transferred to Mrs. Belika’s ship, setting course back to Yancheng.

Once in Yancheng, the Lu Family’s medical team would take over Dorothy’s treatment. As for what Mrs. Belika would provide in return, she could negotiate that with Lu Lingjiang.

“Axue! Why are you suddenly heading back?” Lu Yixue, packing her luggage, jumped as Guan Yueying burst in.

Before she could speak, Guan Yueying rattled on. “Is it because Pei Shijin is too cold and you can’t take it?”

“Don’t! All things are hardest at the start. As long as we persist, even if Pei Shijin is an iceberg, we’ll melt her! Er, if she’s a boulder, high heat works too.”

“No.” Lu Yixue explained the situation with Dorothy.

“Oh. So will Pei Shijin continue the treatment afterward? If she does, she’ll have to stay in Yancheng—that’d make it easy for you two to meet daily.” Guan Yueying’s focus wasn’t on the genetic disease—Lu Yixue’s was already cured anyway. She cared more about her best friend’s happiness.

Lu Yixue rubbed her forehead but couldn’t help following Guan Yueying’s train of thought. In her original plan, she intended to take Mingzhu, on summer break, to Haicheng, but she couldn’t abandon work, so she’d commute.

If Pei Shijin stayed in Yancheng, it would indeed be much more convenient.

“She’s currently assisting her teacher, right?” Lu Yixue thought. Leaving the teacher meant leaving her too.

“Yes, yes!” Guan Yueying nodded vigorously. “They say the one nearest the water gets the moon first. This is a chance—seize it and create good conditions!”

“Alright, merit noted.” Lu Yixue decided to ask Dr. Feng for help.

“Heehee. Oh, I’m going back with you. With everyone leaving, there’s nothing for me here.” Guan Yueying said.

“Sure.”

Pei Shijin was also thinking about this matter because, when they changed ships, she discovered that not all the doctors were returning together.

Only her teacher and two other prominent experts were coming along, and their common trait was that they were all exceptionally skilled in post-operative recovery and conditioning.

Moreover, her teacher seemed to be good friends with Mrs. Belika, so she would probably continue to oversee the treatment, which meant Pei Shijin should stay in Yancheng with her teacher as well.

Pei Shijin instinctively wanted to back out. She did not want to see Lu Yixue again—she could not control her own heart. But in the end, things would turn out that way regardless.

Yet the thought of seeing Little Mingzhu every day made her happy.

The two conflicting ideas battled in her mind, giving Pei Shijin a splitting headache. No matter how fiercely they fought, though, it was pointless. She had to follow her teacher’s arrangements.

She would deal with it when the time came. Even if she really had to stay in Yancheng for a while, she should be able to avoid Lu Yixue for most of it.

She felt somewhat relieved that Lu Yixue was such a workaholic.

The name of this ship was the Flora. Its exterior was covered in flowers and greenery, giving it an appearance brimming with vitality and energy.

It was half the size of Lin Shu’s family’s cruise ship, with much of the space dedicated to storing equipment and instruments.

In other words, there were not many places for guests like Pei Shijin to stay.

Since Lu Yixue had been brought by Pei Shijin to treat Dorothy, and Guan Yueying had come along with her, they asked Lu Yixue’s opinion before assigning the three of them to a single suite.

The moment they walked in, they saw Lu Yixue sitting in the living room. Pei Shijin desperately wanted to turn around and leave.

Perhaps her teacher needed her to stay on guard—sleeping on the sofa would not be impossible.