FT DR Chapter 86: Turn in the homework!

Chapter 86: Turn in the homework!

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

Wu Chenghe lay in bed for a while after Luther cleaned him up. He was informed that he had obtained two personal treasures, entering an invincible mode where he wouldn’t lose mana or health for six months, making him untouchable by gods and demons. Then he was sent to a spacious and comfortable room downstairs.

The ward was very spacious and comfortable, with walls painted in pleasant light green, beds adorned in warm beige, and wooden furniture. One wall facing the street simulated a natural scene with lush greenery, and the bright sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating the room without being harsh.

It was perfect for nurturing his babies.

After experiencing intense psychological changes like suffering and despair, followed by a rebounce of excitement upon learning about his pregnancy, Wu Chenghe’s emotions were a bit erratic. Despite not having any concept of children, as he had never interacted with kids before, when he saw the two tiny dots on the holographic projection, he felt a strange tenderness in his heart. Not only because they were his and Jin Xuan’s sons, but also because they brought him hope and good luck.

So he decided to name the two embryos Wu Chenggong and Jin Shengli respectively. ¹Otherwise, how could they reflect the achievement of “saving dad, mom, and the whole family” from birth? Then he felt like he was truly a “Holy Mother” now!

After vomiting and feeling too queasy to eat or drink, Wu Chenghe leaned against the bed and dozed off. He dreamed of Mu. In the dream, Mu was still lying lifeless on the competition ground, a pool of blood beneath him. Wu Chenghe was terrified, wanting to rush over and save him. But suddenly, it changed to Mu lying on the operating table, with him holding a surgical knife beside, not knowing who said what, and he nodded. Then he made the cut…

Wu Chenghe jolted awake, drenched in sweat, and gasping for air. In a daze, he heard a few knocks on the door. After waiting for a while, there were a few more knocks.

“Come in,” Wu Chenghe managed to calm himself down and sat up with effort. The door opened, and a familiar tall man walked in. Surprisingly, it was Jin Zhe.

“Mr… Mr. President!” Wu Chenghe could hardly believe his eyes. He had been worrying about how to contact the President, and now he was here? Was he still dreaming?

“Don’t move, lie down. You need to rest,” Jin Zhe briskly approached and helped him, preventing him from getting up. Then he gestured for the Special Agents to close the door and wait outside.

Wu Chenghe hadn’t fully recovered from the shock of seeing the President and looked at Jin Zhe with amazement. 

Jin Zhe comfortingly smiled at him, pulled a chair over to sit by his bed, and asked, “How are you feeling? They said you’ve been vomiting for a long time.”

Wu Chenghe shook his head dumbly. Jin Zhe looked at his pale face with a hint of pity, covering his hand with his big hand, and said, “Don’t think too much. Rest assured and take care of yourself. This place is very safe, and the doctors are very professional. With your current condition, you won’t be able to continue your studies. Let’s wait until the children are born before deciding anything.”

After Wu Chenghe finally calmed down a bit, he replayed Jin Zhe’s words in his mind and seemed to hear several layers of meaning—rest assured, take care of the babies, suspend studies, and decide after childbirth… decide what? Could he still go out? After a long while, he stammered, “You… you know?”

Jin Zhe nodded, giving him a look that said “I know everything.” After a moment of thought, Wu Chenghe nodded as well, saying, “I will stay here and rest assured.”

Seeing that he understood, Jin Zhe breathed a sigh of relief and gave him an encouraging smile. After a pause, Wu Chenghe couldn’t help but ask, “After the babies are born, can I continue my studies?”

Jin Zhe squeezed his hand and said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Your question represents the thoughts of many guides. I will relay it to your principal. The Federation is progressing, and we will always find a way to meet the needs of more people.”

What did he mean? Why did it feel like there was more to his words? Wu Chenghe vaguely felt that Jin Zhe had a hidden agenda, nodded in confusion. 

Jin Zhe sighed and said, “I understand. It’s very difficult for you to suddenly leave your familiar environment and stay in a strange place without family or friends. But you also need to understand the school’s approach. The aftermath of the massacre led to a sharp decline in the number of guides over the past hundred years, pushing them to the brink of extinction. If the Federation doesn’t take compulsory measures, it may lead to the complete extinction of guides.”

Wu Chenghe felt somewhat perplexed. Why did Jin Zhe feel the need to lecture him with these grand principles? Shouldn’t their primary concern at this moment be protecting Jin Xuan and ensuring his safe return? But as Jin Zhe squeezed his hand, Wu Chenghe sensed that there was a definite purpose behind his words. It couldn’t just be for the sake of empty ideological education.

Indeed, Jin Zhe continued, “The past mistakes cannot be undone. We can only do our best to rectify them. This is also the original intention behind the establishment of the guide school. We gather the guides, provide unified education, unified protection, with the primary goal being to ensure everyone’s safety. After all, guides are too few in number, and sentinels are too many. If you’re scattered outside and happen to be discovered, it could lead to disastrous consequences.”

What Jin Zhe said was true. Guides were too few and too weak. Even after reaching adulthood, most guides might not be proficient in controlling their own psychic powers for self-defense. They were mostly physically frail, unable to resist even an ordinary person, let alone a sentinel.

In the past, guides were regarded as mutants, as harbingers of disaster. At most, they were verbally abused and beaten. Now it’s been proven that they can extend the lifespan of sentinels. Their situation has become even more precarious—after all, who wouldn’t want to live a few more years? And they are naturally bound by compatibility.

Innocent as they are, they carry the burden of guilt. Possessing powerful healing abilities, yet unable to protect themselves. Without the guide school, they would inevitably become tools of the powerful. At least in the current situation, with the ratio of two hundred thousand to one, it’s like that.

Wu Chenghe knew Jin Zhe was right. If he were just an ordinary person, he would agree with the Federation’s approach. But he was a guide. He couldn’t bear to live a life of captivity, couldn’t stand being paired off like livestock, becoming someone else’s appendage.

“If it’s just about protection, that’s understandable. But why confine everyone? Why can’t they live with their families, or freely pursue romantic relationships? Aren’t we supposed to be a democratic federation?” Wu Chenghe countered.

Jin Zhe fell silent for a moment before saying, “Some words may be harsh, but I must speak them. In ancient times on Earth, before space technology, women had no freedom. They couldn’t live as independent individuals in society, had no right to education, were ruled by their fathers until adulthood, and by their husbands afterward. But you know, in that era, there were no pregnant men. Every man needed a woman to reproduce. In theory, they should have been precious, should have been respected. But why weren’t they?”

Wu Chenghe understood the unwritten rules of a patriarchal society very well. He had transmigrated from a thousand years ago, by which time, according to Jin Zhe’s description, it had been over a hundred years since the ancient era. Women were still invisibly bound by societal norms, even if they were as capable as men, they were still occasionally labeled as “strong women,” “tomboys,” or “leftover women,” and pushed into unfulfilling marriages.

“The economic base determines the superstructure,” Wu Chenghe pondered on this issue for the first time, hesitating as he said, “The structure of productive forces affects social structure. Women create value, but lack the ability to have society recognize their value. Even if recognized, it’s merely the benevolence of the patriarchal system, merely superficial.”

“The same principle applies,” Jin Zhe said. “Rights aren’t given, nor can they be relied upon by someone else’s benevolence. If guides want freedom, they must first have the ability to protect their own freedom. Otherwise, even if the school releases everyone, what good would it do? Shall the government assign bodyguards to you? Or enact more detailed protection laws? If the Federation were to do so, would you truly have freedom? Is that kind of freedom still considered freedom?”

Jin Zhe’s expression was sincere, completely different from his usual pretense of warmth and care. Wu Chenghe looked into his eyes and, for the first time, felt like Jin Zhe saw him as an equal, not as a junior in need of protection.

“Let’s talk about women,” Jin Zhe continued, “In our federation, the status of women is nearly equal to that of men. But for this ‘nearly,’ countless women have exerted efforts multiple times greater than men, such as your stepmother Lilith, General Popova of the Third Army, and Mrs. Balon. Compared to those who endlessly debate with men, shout slogans, and organize demonstrations, they are the true feminists. They make men have to respect them, obey them, acknowledge them. So you understand, Wu Chenghe, guides have a long way to go. Most of the ruling elites at the highest levels of this federation are sentinels. As lowly creatures like ants, you have no right to demand them to defend the freedom of guides.”

Wu Chenghe fell silent. He had spent a considerable amount of time in the Free Guide Organization and had considered this issue before. Once guides left the guide school, how would they survive? Of course, they could hide away in remote corners like most invisible guides, regularly taking inhibitors, living quietly and humbly. But was that the best fate for them? They weren’t rats; they were human beings with ideals and dreams, wanting to realize their own value.

Moreover, Mu had said that guides might be the highest level of human evolution. If guides continued to live humbly like this, what was the meaning of evolution?

“Guides have always been seen as auxiliaries to sentinels,” Wu Chenghe said. “Whether during the genocide era or the protection law era, our life and death depended on whether we were harmful or useful to sentinels. So we’ve never had independent personalities, whether as hidden guides outside or registered guides in school, we’ve always survived under the shadow of sentinels. The former spent their lives evading, the latter spent their lives assisting. But actually…” He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “It’s easy for guides to kill sentinels.”

A gleam flashed in Jin Zhe’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, seemingly pleased that Wu Chenghe had thought of this. He murmured, “Yes, the Cocktail Case has proven this. For so many years, the Federation has forcibly sent guides to school, partly for protection, partly for education. A guide who hasn’t received safety education can’t be combined with high officials because it’s too dangerous.”

He lowered his head slightly, revealing the hair on his right side, “I have a scar here because I was attacked by a powerful guide, almost smashing myself to death against the wall. I’ve never seen such a powerful guide again in my life. Compared to him, everyone here…” He gestured vaguely outside the window, “is like a neutered cat, suitable as a pet, but has lost its meaning in the food chain.”

Wu Chenghe was astonished. He had always thought Jin Zhe didn’t marry because he was too focused on his career, but it turned out it was because he had encountered a guide with extreme tastes, which made him nauseous and unable to enjoy the freshness here…

“Guides are a double-edged sword,” Jin Zhe sighed. “Since taking office, I’ve been wanting to rewrite the Protection Law, but ultimately, the obstacles encountered are these two points: one, guides must be strong enough to protect themselves. Two, guides must be safe enough not to threaten the lives of sentinels. But these two points are paradoxical, do you understand?”

Wu Chenghe nodded silently. After a while, he said, “Originally, this wasn’t a problem. If not for the genocide, with a normal ratio of guides to sentinels, they could freely unite and protect each other, there wouldn’t have been this paradox, just like men and women, natural competition could resolve it.”

“But things have happened,” Jin Zhe sighed bitterly. “Our ancestors left us with such a mess, and all we can do is to take it on and gradually balance and transform it.”

Jin Zhe thought too much, too broadly. After pondering for a while, Wu Chenghe had to admit that the direction he was thinking might be the only way to solve the problem. In contrast, both the guide school and the Free Guide Organization were moving further and further toward extremes.

The Free Guide Organization taught guides how to attack and defend themselves in order to defend their freedom. The school, on the other hand, suppressed their aggression and increased their healing abilities to protect the interests of sentinels.

It was a paradox, but also a balance.

Wu Chenghe suddenly woke up and looked at Jin Zhe with a hint of confusion—why was he discussing these high-level issues with him? Shouldn’t their only intersection be Jin Xuan? Why did Jin Zhe seem like a teacher, or even a superior, discussing these sophisticated issues with him?

The only explanation was that Jin Zhe felt he had a crucial role in solving these problems. His value in liberating guides even surpassed that of being “Jin Xuan’s boyfriend”! 

Wu Chenghe suddenly felt a chill down his spine. What did Jin Zhe know exactly? Was what he told him related to the Free Guide Organization?

Meeting his gaze, Jin Zhe’s eyes were incredibly candid, almost like a bachelor’s, as if he were saying to him: think whatever you want.

Having spent several years in the military and over a year dealing with Hannibal after transmigrating, Wu Chenghe thought he had encountered quite a few scheming people, but faced with Jin Zhe, he still felt he couldn’t see through him at all.

“Just take it slow,” Jin Zhe suddenly smiled gently, “You’ve lived outside for eighteen years, your mindset and values are already mostly formed. Now that you’re entering guide school, you’ll be exposed to a whole new set of ideological theories. I hope you can discover some comparisons and give me some surprises.” He opened his personal terminal and gave him authorization to a secret mailbox in front of him. “This is my private encrypted mailbox, it’s quite secure. Consider it an assignment from me. Write me an email every week about your recent activities, and then discuss the issues we just talked about, share your thoughts. Don’t be lazy, I know you’re intelligent, don’t copy and paste, I don’t want to see repetitive stuff, I want new ideas every week.”

Wu Chenghe’s mind was in a whirl—Jin Zhe, was everyone in the Jin family so eccentric? What was he trying to do? Assignments? The president assigning homework to his brother’s boyfriend?

Bro, are you okay?

“Don’t look like that, I’m also a double Ph.D., not inferior to Dean Mu.” Seeing him looking puzzled, Jin Zhe said seriously, “Don’t think only Mu can teach you. I won’t let you suffer. Work on your thesis well. After I step down and return to Aston as a professor, I’ll give you a Ph.D. degree.”

Wu Chenghe didn’t know what he, a medical student, would do with a Ph.D. issued by the president? Would the Federation recognize it? Could it be used online? Looking at Jin Zhe’s serious face, Wu Chenghe couldn’t help but think of those certification ads on telephone poles from his previous life. The president is too scary!

“Six months, that should give you plenty of time to think about many things,” Jin Zhe said, patting his hand meaningfully. “Don’t worry about other matters, including your father and Dean Mu. I’ll take care of everything. Oh, and your friends too.” As he said the last two words, he narrowed his eyes slightly. “I guarantee that you’ll see all of them after six months.”

Wu Chenghe knew he was guaranteeing Jin Xuan’s safety and the issue of “severance.” He nodded solemnly, “I understand.”

Jin Zhe smiled warmly, “Alright, rest now. I’ll leave. Don’t forget to do your homework.”

“Okay.” After brainstorming with him, even though there was an information overload, Wu Chenghe felt a sense of clarity in his mind, his eyes brightened, and his complexion improved.

Jin Zhe walked to the door, as if suddenly remembering something, he patted his forehead, “I almost forgot the most important thing.” Returning to the bedside, he opened his personal terminal and pulled up a holographic three-dimensional video. “Hobart visited Dean Mu on my behalf, and this is the video he recorded on-site.”

The video showed a small oval-shaped container filled with artificial amniotic fluid, a chubby little fetus floating in the clear liquid, her body curled up, her umbilical cord still attached.

“This is…” Wu Chenghe’s heart pounded like a drum, his lips trembled, unable to speak.

“Dean Mu’s daughter.” My daughter.

“Ah, she’s okay? That’s great!” Wu Chenghe was pleasantly surprised, his eyes reddening. The little girl looked very lively, nearing six months in gestation, she was already turning around. Her delicate arms and legs kicked in the water, then she suddenly sucked her thumb into her mouth, her eyeballs rolling under her thin eyelids as she quietly nibbled on her finger.

“She’s very strong and robust,” Jin Zhe stood by Wu Chenghe’s side, wearing a proud expression that Wu Chenghe couldn’t see. “When she was born, she was thirty-four centimeters tall and weighed seven hundred and sixty grams, stronger than most boys. Oh, by the way, your Dean gave her a nickname, and it’s ‘Zhuang Zhuang.'”

The name Zhuang Zhuang was quite shocking. Jin Zhe often felt a bit vexed when he thought of it. He couldn’t understand why his refined child’s father would give his daughter such an unconventional nickname meaning strong. However, as a lousy dad, he had no say in the matter. Jin Zhe had some self-awareness in this regard, so even though he felt internally conflicted, he happily accepted the reality that “My daughter is a big strong girl.”

Looking at the pink little thing in the video, even in this era, fetuses at five months were rarely as robust. It was evident that she would be exceptionally strong in the future… Thinking of the hardships Dean had endured for this child, Wu Chenghe couldn’t help but feel his eyes moisten, his lips curling up, unsure if he wanted to cry or laugh, murmuring for a while, “She’s really a tough girl…”

Jin Zhe was taken aback, but after flipping his eyes for a moment, he felt that it should be a commendatory term, so he nodded, “Yes, she’s a tough girl.”

Little Zhuang Zhuang had not yet been born, but her life had already set a tone for recklessness under her father’s guidance.

“Oh, she’s a sentinel,” Jin Zhe turned into a chatterbox when talking about his daughter, trying hard to control his excitement but still exuding the demeanor of a parvenu, “But what a quantum beast is, we still don’t know. Hahaha, what if it’s a cute little lion?”

“Ah, a sentinel, a sentinel, that’s great.” Wu Chenghe was dumbfounded. Every aspect of the little girl looked perfect to him. It took him a while to tear his gaze away from the video and ask Jin Zhe nervously, “How’s the Dean? How’s he doing?”

“Your Dean is fine, just on maternity leave, resting at St. Martin’s Hospital. Don’t worry, Sienna has been taking care of him.” Jin Zhe said, hesitating for a moment, then decided to tell him the bad news as well, “It’s just that due to an accident, he underwent sterilization surgery and won’t be able to have children in the future.”

“Oh, as long as he’s okay, that’s great, both of them…” Wu Chenghe was already quite relieved with this outcome. Having worked in obstetrics, he knew that men giving birth was already very difficult, and at Mu’s age, even if the first birth went smoothly, it would be impossible for him to have a second child. Sterilization would prevent the possibility of other organ pathologies.

“You don’t have to feel sorry for him. Aston Medical School and St. Martin Research Center have sent a joint legal letter to the guide school, helping him with the lawsuit.” Jin Zhe said, “Mrs. Balon has also expressed her apologies and compensation. I know money can’t make up for this kind of thing, but it’s better than nothing, and it’ll make his work easier in the future.”

Wu Chenghe nodded. Jin Zhe was always practical and smooth. While it might be emotionally difficult to accept, calmly thinking about it, his methods were often the most advantageous.

“All right, you can let go of your worries now, and try to keep in touch with Dean when you have time.” Jin Zhe accurately sensed his mixed emotions and said, “Your Dean is not only a genius in medicine but also outstanding in social welfare. You have a lot to learn from him.”

Wu Chenghe began to feel that there was something more to Jin Zhe’s words, but he wasn’t quite sure. He could only say, “I will.”

“Alright, I’m heading back to the capital now. I also need to communicate with your father about your situation,” Jin Zhe packed up his terminal, tousled Wu Chenghe’s hair like he did with Jin Xuan, and said, “Everything is under control, no need to worry.”

Wu Chenghe nodded solemnly, “I’ll submit my homework to you.”

“Good,” Jin Zhe smiled and waved two fingers in front of his forehead, “Goodbye!”

Author’s Note: Meow, the names of the three little cuties so far are particularly domineering hahaha… Fortunately, they are all nicknames.

The loli Zhuang Zhuang is a lion sentinel. As for her two followers, whether they are cousins or nephews, hehe, you can guess…

Here’s an explanation about the President. The President is a person with a very complex personality. As of now, his ranking in his heart is: the Federation > Jin Xuan > Mu > Zhuang Zhuang > himself. Some girls might not be able to accept the situation where their boyfriend loves their career more than them, but in reality, for the vast majority of men, the pain of breaking up or divorcing is far less than bankruptcy and closure. Wives and girlfriends often have to come after parents, siblings, and even themselves. But I think it’s good like this. Girls should learn from them. When dating, remember to prioritize parents, family, and especially yourself, over men.

 

 

 

 

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