After leaving the research lab, Yan Yincheng was fuming with anger.
"I told you there was something off about He Xuan! I was the one asking the questions, but he sought your opinion instead. What on earth does he mean by that!"
"Moreover, Wei Shu said he got so close to you! He even tried to touch your hair! Zixi, I don't like him. Can you kick him out of the team?"
Jealous Uncle Yan was extremely clingy. To placate him, Xu Zixi specially changed into an ultra - revealing outfit at night, allowing Uncle Yan to have his way with her.
Fully satisfied, Yan Yincheng hugged his beloved wife and snorted, "Don't think you can brush me off like this. This guy definitely can't stay."
But deep down, he thought to himself, "It turns out being jealous has its perks. It can make my wife so proactive. I've decided to be more jealous of that guy in the future. Hehe!"
Xu Zixi hooked her arms around his neck and said softly, "I'll find an opportunity to make things clear to him. There will never be a third person between you and me. But he can't leave the research lab for now. Our experiment has just made a breakthrough, and we need all the manpower we can get. For the sake of your eyes, we'll have to keep him around for a while longer."
...
The camping trip was scheduled for the weekend three days later. The location was a newly - developed scenic area on the outskirts of Fengcheng. There was a large platform there where one could view the starry sky, making it perfect for camping.
On that day, Xu Zixi, together with six - year - old Xuanxuan and Xuxu, and two - year - old little Anning who had already learned to talk, set off for the camping site with Yan Yincheng.
Since the entire research lab staff was invited, Alex, the consultant, was also invited to this event.
When they arrived at the camping site, a small number of people were already there. As Xu Zixi had suggested, everyone had brought their partners and children along.
The presence of children made the place extra lively. Kids of different ages were playing on the grass, and their innocent smiles infected all the adults present.
The door of the Maybach opened. Xuanxuan and Xuxu, who had grown a lot taller, got out of the car, followed by a wobbly little figure.
"Brother ~ carry Qiqi ~" little Anning whined.
Xuanxuan immediately turned around, opened his arms, and picked up little Anning.
The three siblings were incredibly good - looking. The kids on - site immediately stopped their games and rushed towards Xuanxuan and Xuxu, greeting them enthusiastically.
Xuxu had become much more composed than before. Having often accompanied his father to the company, he had learned how to handle unexpected social interactions.
"My name is Yan Jingxu. This is my older brother, Xu Yixuan, and my younger sister, Yan Anning."
Xuxu introduced himself and his family, and walked towards the large open space in front with the other kids.
Then, Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng got out of the car.
The appearance of the main characters caused a brief climax in the atmosphere. The others in the research lab, along with their families, stepped forward to greet them.
Xu Zixi looked around and found that everyone had arrived except Alex and Bai Xuanhe.
But they didn't have to wait long. Soon, Bai Xuanhe and Alex showed up together, and they even came in the same car.
Alex didn't look too good. When he noticed Xu Zixi looking at him with a hint of doubt in her eyes, he forced a smile and said, "I saw Professor He walking down the mountain, so I gave him a ride."
Perhaps to assert his sovereignty over Bai Xuanhe, Yan Yincheng put his arm around Xu Zixi, kissed her on the cheek, and said pitifully,
"Darling, I'm hungry. I want to eat the skewers you grilled."
Xu Zixi smiled indulgently. "Okay, I'll prepare them for you right away."
Bai Xuanhe saw and heard the interaction between the couple, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded at Xu Zixi and then turned around to find a suitable place to set up his tent.
Xuanxuan was delighted to see Alex arrive. He happily took Xuxu and little Anning to play with him. Soon, Teacher Fei Fei once again became the most popular person among the kids. Surrounded by the children, he started performing magic tricks.
Alone, Bai Xuanhe could only sit on a folding chair, quietly watching this bustling world that seemed to have nothing to do with him.
His gaze shifted from Alex's beaming face to Xuanxuan, who was gradually growing up.
It had been a year since they last saw each other after that incident in the research lab.
The child who had once looked up at him and insistently offered him the candy seemed to have grown a lot. He was starting to look more and more like her.
He seemed much more pleasing to the eye than a year ago.
...
The camping activity was actually very simple. Everyone set up their tents, laid out mats on the grass, shared the delicious food they had brought from home, chatted with each other, and played musical instruments. Time passed quickly.
After nightfall, the temperature on the mountain dropped a bit, and the wind became cool, completely dispelling the heat of the day.
A small bonfire was lit on the grass. Everyone gathered around the fire, chatting about all sorts of things while enjoying the starry sky and the moon.
Anning was young. After playing with so many older brothers and sisters during the day, she was already exhausted. She clung to Xu Zixi like a koala, and her little head kept drooping.
"Anning is sleepy. I'll take her to rest. You guys keep chatting."
When Xu Zixi left, Yan Yincheng also followed her back to their RV. The gathering only paused for a moment before resuming in full swing.
Bai Xuanhe didn't want to stay with the others for long. After Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng left, he quietly slipped away.
But since his position was relatively secluded and he rarely spoke, no one noticed his departure.
He followed the mountain path, stepping on the decaying leaves, and came to a protruding rock, where he sat down.
After thinking for a while, he took out a piece of candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth. The sickly - sweet taste filled his mouth, slightly alleviating his inner restlessness.
Ever since he found out that the experimental subject had been cured by the drug they developed, his mood had been uncontrollably restless.
The thought that he had deeply suppressed in his heart for over a year resurfaced uncontrollably once again.
The successful development of the drug meant that the guy surnamed Yan was not far from regaining his eyesight.
This was a result he didn't want to see. He had lived in so much pain. Why should the guy surnamed Yan get everything?
He should be like himself, living in darkness and pain for the rest of his life.
But this experiment was her painstaking effort. He knew how obsessed she was with academics, and he also knew that she was doing this research not just for the guy surnamed Yan.
Should he really destroy the hopes of more people just because of his own pain?
In the past, he would never have hesitated on this issue. As long as he was in pain, others had to be in pain too.
This was the survival rule he had learned in the organization over the years.
But a person who had fallen into the abyss was most afraid of touching the sunlight. The longing for light was like an addictive drug. Once you caught a glimpse of it, you didn't want to let go.
"Uncle He, what are you doing here?" A childish voice suddenly came from behind.
Bai Xuanhe turned around. Under the moonlight, a pair of clear and innocent eyes were looking at him with concern. It was the child he had seen in the lab a year ago.
It was this kind of look, this pure look that only saw him, that made him uncontrollably want to possess.
But he frowned and said sternly, "What are you doing here? Go back."
Xuanxuan didn't expect him to be so fierce. He was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head as if he had done something wrong and said,
"I saw Uncle He come here alone. I was worried that something might happen to you, so I followed you."
Bai Xuanhe said indifferently, "Your Teacher Fei Fei must have told you not to get close to me. Are you going to disobey his words?"
Xuanxuan said, "I won't tell Teacher Fei Fei."
Bai Xuanhe clenched his fists tightly and closed his eyes firmly.
When he opened them again, he said, "I'm fine. I'm just here enjoying the breeze. This isn't a place for you. Go back."
But Xuanxuan took a step forward and tried to climb onto the rock with his hands and feet.
Helpless, Bai Xuanhe had to pick him up and place him beside him.
Xuanxuan looked up at him and let out a little laugh.
"Uncle He, you still haven't answered my question from before. Why do you have so many wounds on your hands?"