111: Possessiveness

Yan Qinghe's arrival didn't actually affect Yan Zhuohua's daily training; the only difference was perhaps having Yan Qinghe by his side during meals and sleep.

As April arrived, the breath of spring was visible everywhere. As Yan Zhuohua gradually gained complete control over the mecha that embodied the life's work of many for over twenty years, and as Yan Qinghe came and went, then came back again, the day of the final test flight was finally close at hand.

April 11th was the day for their final preparations. Many Engineers and Researchers were busy making final corrections and adjustments to the two mechas.

Although they had checked the safety facilities many times, conducted countless simulations in the Simulation Pods, and Yan Zhuohua and Fu Yifeng had tested various functions of the mecha in previous practices, this test was, after all, a combat simulation truly controlled by the two of them. Therefore, they were still worried about unpredictable dangers.

Given a day off, Yan Zhuohua leaned on the railing, watching people bustle in and out of the mechas. Yan Qinghe and Yan Zhuoyang also set aside their work to accompany him.

As the reliable eldest son of the family, Yan Zhuoyang had always maintained an image of composure and calm, and today was no different.

"Did you know? In many experimental projects with a certain degree of danger, the experimenters have to write suicide notes."

"Huh? Do I have to write one too?" Yan Zhuohua looked at his eldest brother blankly. "No one notified me!"

"...I was telling you stories about personnel in other projects."

"Oh, I see!" Yan Zhuohua laughed sheepishly.

Yan Qinghe, however, became dissatisfied. "Eldest Brother! He's doing the test flight tomorrow, and you're still telling him stories like this!"

"What?" Yan Zhuoyang gave a mocking smile. "Do you not trust Zhuohua's strength, or do you not trust the technology of Zhuoyan and Mom? Why are you starting to believe in this stuff?"

"When it comes to him, I'd even go pray to the gods and Buddha every day."

As Yan Qinghe's voice fell, the three of them fell silent.

A few busy people passed by nearby. Yan Zhuohua quietly stepped over and took Yan Qinghe's hand.

"I'll come back safe and sound. You have to believe in me!"

"Yes, I definitely believe in you."

The tenderness lingering between the two of them seemed to isolate everyone else. Yan Zhuoyang, one of the 'others,' covered his eyes, unable to watch.

It was getting late. At Yan Zhuoyang's urging, the two continued to hold hands and turned to walk toward the dormitory.

The April night breeze, carrying a faint scent of flowers, passed by them. The brightly lit Research Institute Main Building gradually faded into the woods behind them.

They tacitly walked very slowly on this ten-minute path.

"Still worried?" Yan Zhuohua broke the silence.

"How can I not be worried?" Yan Qinghe was somewhat anxious. "I know you and Eldest Brother have experienced many such important moments since childhood, so you're used to it, but I..."

"Are you jealous that you weren't involved in my past life?"

"We're talking business. If you joke again, I'll teach you a lesson!" Yan Qinghe reached out to pinch Yan Zhuohua's cheek, then leaned down to give him a kiss.

"Alright, alright, let's talk business." Yan Zhuohua cooperatively pretended to be afraid of being punished. "In the past, I indeed experienced many moments more dangerous than tomorrow. To put it simply, during various survival trainings as a child, I was often randomly dropped in an unknown place with nothing, relying entirely on myself to survive and find my way back."

"That was much more dangerous than tomorrow's event. Nature is full of life, but also full of crises." Yan Zhuohua recalled those past survival times filled with danger and felt a rare sense of nostalgia. "So don't worry about me. I've come out of such uncontrollable places several times. Why would I be afraid of a machine that Second Brother and the others have tested and verified thousands of times?"

"I know, but even so, I can't help but worry."

From love comes worry, from love comes fear.

Yan Zhuohua knew this emotion was indeed unavoidable, so he came up with another idea.

"How about this? I'll ask my cousin for some potent sleeping pills and give them to you tonight so you can sleep until my test flight is over tomorrow. How about that?" Yan Zhuohua said excitedly. "Then you won't have to worry!"

Yan Zhuoyi was the leader of the Emergency Medical Team for tomorrow, so he was also there.

Yan Qinghe was almost driven to laughter by Yan Zhuohua's absurd idea. "Are you trying to make me miss another important moment in your life?"

Seeing that Yan Qinghe really seemed a bit angry and his gaze was becoming increasingly dangerous, Yan Zhuohua quickly gave him a pleasing kiss on the lips.

"My mistake, my mistake. I shouldn't have made such a joke."

This timely comfort successfully stopped Yan Qinghe from bristling. He gave a snort, which counted as letting him off.

The two continued forward for a few more steps, holding hands, when Yan Qinghe suddenly spoke again.

"If possible, I'd still prefer you to die before me."

Yan Zhuohua almost didn't react to these words, taking a long time to understand what he was saying.

"Now you can face life and death directly?" Yan Zhuohua teased him.

"It's all because of you." Yan Zhuohua's joke just now had indeed dissipated much of the anxiety and worry in his heart.

"Yes, it's me," Yan Zhuohua admitted frankly. "Then why do you want me to die first?"

Yan Qinghe gave him a deep look but didn't speak.

This didn't need to be explained too clearly. They were doing well now because they were both in their prime and had close family. But no one could say for sure what would happen in the future; regardless, one must look at future variables and management. If, by any chance, something went wrong, he could never leave Yan Zhuohua alone in this world to face it by himself.

So he had to try to live as long as possible. To be able to take good care of Yan Zhuohua until the very last moment was his wish for the rest of his life.

Not getting an answer from Yan Qinghe for a long time, Yan Zhuohua didn't mind. He could understand Yan Qinghe's worries and plans. Unlike himself, Yan Qinghe had grown up amidst malice, so he would always take the worst side of human nature into account.

The atmosphere became a bit stagnant again, so Yan Zhuohua continued to chat about everything under the sun.

"Since you've said that, you must live longer than me." Yan Zhuohua put away his joking expression and became insightful. "But speaking of the suicide note Eldest Brother mentioned today, I actually have some things to leave for you."

Yan Zhuohua stopped Yan Qinghe, who wanted to tell him to shut up.

"Don't stop me, let me finish." Yan Zhuohua held Yan Qinghe's hand to his face, successfully soothing him again. "I won't talk about property and such; it'll definitely all be left to you. But I still have to settle things regarding feelings and the future."

Yan Qinghe signaled him to continue.

"As for me, I'm a bit stubborn. I don't like that 'if I die one day, you should forget me and find someone new' stuff. So, if something really happens to me one day, you're not allowed to forget me, and you're definitely not allowed to find someone new! What isn't mine, I won't want, but what is mine is mine. No matter what happens, no one can take it away."

Yan Qinghe finally broke into a smile. "Doesn't our Yan Family have a Genealogy and an agreement? A person can only have one lover."

"How can that be the same? Rules are fixed, but if someone really wants to manipulate things or find a loophole, wouldn't it be easy? It's not like it hasn't happened before. Especially since you're the Family Head, wouldn't it be even more effortless for you?"

"Weren't those who made small moves kicked out of the family and no longer supported by family resources?" Yan Qinghe smiled broadly. "Don't worry, I promise you. If such a day ever comes, there will be no tricks or loopholes. My person and my heart will always be yours alone. Even if I die, we will surely be buried in the same Urn, never to be separated."