Chapter 162.2 – Key (5)

◎ After I die, I won’t care about the raging flood ◎

Song Ke, who had unintentionally caused trouble, immersed herself in drinking tea to disguise her embarrassment.

Lucia covered Ming Gang’s hand, feeling it a bit cool, and tugged at the blanket, “Let’s work on the paper tomorrow. Did you take your medicine?”

The irritable Ming Gang, in front of Lucia, seemed as docile as a lamb, “…Took half.”

Lucia disapproved as she looked at him.

Ming Gang forced a smile and grasped her hand back without letting go, “It’s not a big deal; why bother taking medicine all the time?”

The warm atmosphere between the two was indescribable, leaving no room for a third person to intervene.

Song Ke stared blankly at them, and the question Zhuang Qingyan had asked her during their time in Haimen inexplicably popped into her head: “Do you know what ‘liking’ means?”

The couple, Ming Gang and Lucia, turned towards her simultaneously. Song Ke belatedly realized that she had inadvertently spoken aloud.

Lucia pondered slightly, “Liking is the prelude to love. It’s a superficial expression of love, encompassing attachment, altruism, and intimacy.”

Holding the tea cup, Song Ke’s eyes reflected a clear but confused expression, “?”

“Professor Lucia, forgive me if I can’t agree with that,” Ming Gang coughed lightly and said solemnly, “I believe liking and love are two completely different emotions.”

“Oh? What is Professor Ming’s insight?” Lucia turned to him with a smile. When it came to professional matters, the two renowned cognitive psychologists engaged in a calm and amicable discussion.

Ming Gang, never one for humor, stated firmly, “Liking is an unrestrained infatuation, while love is an exclusive loyalty.”

“Liking a flower, you might pick it, but loving a flower, you’ll only nurture it.”

Song Ke’s head followed the two as they conversed, nodding and shaking her head in apparent understanding, “Oh~”

Lucia gently touched the coiled hair at her temple, her eyes reflecting a wise and bright light, “Who says love must be exclusive? Commonly recognized love can be divided into passionate love and companionate love. Passionate love is emotional, intense, stimulated by dopamine and adrenaline, longing to be with the other person. At this stage, perhaps there is what you call ‘exclusivity’ and the narrow swinging ‘suspension bridge effect,’ making one unconsciously yearn.”

Lucia subtly needled, even changing her address to “您” (a polite form of ‘you’).

Song Ke blinked in confusion: Dopamine? Suspension bridge? Once again, she couldn’t comprehend.

Ming Gang opened his mouth to retort, but Lucia forcefully interrupted, “However, the peak period cannot be sustained indefinitely. When the passion subsides, life becomes increasingly ordinary, ultimately returning to companionate love, the three elements I mentioned earlier – deeper attachment and longer-lasting intimacy, mutual respect, mutual support.”

“So, I believe that liking and love are connected,” Lucia smiled, “Professor Ming, do you agree with my perspective?”

“…You’re right.” Ming Gang cleverly stepped back, avoiding the discussion of liking and love, emphasizing the importance of family harmony.

Lucia handed a glass of water to him, “So, respect each other and take your medicine.”

Ming Gang choked up, silently taking the glass and swallowing.

Song Ke followed suit, lowering her head to sip her tea.

Lucia looked at her with maternal affection, like a patient teacher explaining patiently, “Did you understand?”

Song Ke mumbled in response, “I understood the earlier part.” She grasped the idea up to the point of picking flowers, but the rest became hazy.

Ming Gang and Lucia exchanged a glance, facing the first student who was so challenging to teach.

Lucia rephrased it, “Liking is when you see someone for the first time and know it’s him.”

Ming Gang held Lucia’s hand, and the two reached a silent consensus at that moment, “Love is when one day, you look back at her and tell yourself, ‘Thank goodness it’s her.'”

…

After leaving Ming Gang’s home, Zhuang Qingyan remained silent throughout the journey.

Song Ke approached him, tilting her head, “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing, just feeling fortunate.”

“?”

Zhuang Qingyan held her hand, forcefully entwining his fingers with hers, lowering his head slightly, “Fortunate that I found you so early.”

Zhuang Qingyan’s face, though exceptionally handsome, seemed to carry an air of heavy color, forming a unique charm, especially when he spoke in a low voice. It felt like an irresistible vortex.

Song Ke corrected his statement, “It’s not you who found me; it’s I who saved you.”

Zhuang Qingyan smiled slowly, gazing down at Song Ke, “Yes, you saved me.”

—”Liking is when you see someone for the first time and know it’s him.”

Suddenly, Song Ke plunged into his gaze, momentarily stunned. It was strange looking back now; she wasn’t someone who meddled in others’ affairs. Why, when they first met in Hua City, did she impulsively rescue him from the pool of blood?

“Ah-choo!” Without warning, Song Ke sneezed.

She rubbed her nose and, when she looked up, noticed that Zhuang Qingyan had closed his eyes, lenses speckled with suspicious droplets.

“Ah! I’m sorry!” Song Ke hurriedly wiped them with her sleeve.

“It’s okay.” Zhuang Qingyan held her hand, kneading it in his palm, “Does something feel uncomfortable?”

Did she smell something strange again, or was there an issue with her recessive gene?

Song Ke honestly replied, “Feels like my eyes are a bit dry.”

Zhuang Qingyan examined her carefully but found no abnormalities.

He looked up at the sky; the Northern Base also had a weather simulation system, labeled T005.

The terminal displayed normal temperature and radiation.

“Maybe it’s some allergies. Let’s go indoors.”

Song Ke nodded, and at that moment, the terminal beeped. Lin Youyou had sent a distress message.

…

Three hours later, at the Awakener Department.

The investigating officer in charge sat upright, looking serious and hesitant, “Um, would you… would you like some water?”

Song Ke frowned slightly, having consumed tea throughout the day already.

Thinking she might be dissatisfied, the officer suddenly stood up, “What would you like to drink? I’ll have someone prepare it!”

Obediently, he promptly left the room. He had been unlucky enough to visit Dr. Ning’s research institute and witnessed the formidable S7 subdue Zhigler and Xi Ze. In case he angered her, he didn’t want to risk losing his head.

Ye Zimei knocked on the door and entered. The investigating officer, as if granted a reprieve, said, “Xiao Ye, I’ll leave it to you. I have some other work to attend to.”

Without waiting for a response, he hastily left the room, looking as if he were being chased by a ghost.

With only two people left in the room, Ye Zimei deliberately drew out her words, “Captain Song…”

Song Ke raised her voice, “I didn’t steal anything! Nor did I break anything!”

Unable to contain her amusement, Ye Zimei chuckled, “Don’t be nervous. This time, considering your act of bravery, you actually have some credit.”

Song Ke’s eyes lit up, “So, Su Cha won’t have to go to jail?”

Ye Zimei adopted a serious tone, “In the Northern Base, unless an awakener results in a fatal outcome during wartime, the consequences are severe. Luckily, he killed someone from the Tokushima faction, and they signed a life-or-death agreement before the duel. Otherwise, this would have been quite troublesome. Go and get him, and remember, there won’t be a next time.”

Song Ke went to the detention room to retrieve Su Cha. On the way, they encountered the rich cursing boy who had been beaten by his parents. Seeing her approach, the boy, with a bruised and swollen face, rushed over excitedly and rubbed his hands together, “Sister Song, can you give me an autograph? Sign it on my shirt!”

He quickly took off his T-shirt, revealing his bare upper body, then suddenly realized, “Oh! And the commission reward, I’ll send it to you!”

After confirming completion on the terminal, another 800,000 points were credited to V587’s account, and their overall ranking moved up one place.

Song Ke casually signed her name, patting the young man’s shoulder as she did. With such potential, he had a promising future, and she enjoyed helping out newcomers.

The young man touched his shoulder, looking happy and somewhat dreamy, then walked away.

…

V587 left, chatting and laughing. On the first floor, they unexpectedly bumped into He Qiuhong. The second-in-command of the Northern Base had a serious expression, and behind her were six top-tier awakeners, forming an imposing lineup that had never been seen before. This group included the Ling siblings, the recently injured but now recovering Zhigler, Zhao Yuqing, and three new S-level combatants.

As the two groups met in a narrow passage, both sides stopped, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

After a moment, He Qiuhong, with a cold expression, walked past Song Ke without a sideways glance. Zhao Yuqing discreetly turned around and nodded to her.

He Qiuhong had always valued awakeners. With so many unknown individuals infiltrating her jurisdiction, it could have led to significant security incidents. It was not surprising that she took action, mobilizing all S-level members. Excluding Song Ke was also not surprising, considering their conflict stemming from the kidnapping incident. Since then, the authority over V587 was no longer in her hands.

Song Ke nonchalantly turned her head, “Let’s go, to catch the smugglers that Xiao Xing found.”

“Ah-choo!”

Just as they walked out of the Awakener Department building, Song Ke couldn’t control another sneeze.

“What’s wrong, Captain? Catching a cold?” Lin Youyou asked with concern.

Song Ke waved her hand to indicate it was nothing.

Her eyes were dry, her throat was dry, and although there were no obvious discomforts, it seemed like her allergic symptoms had worsened.

Song Ke looked into the distance, where the scorching sun hung high, starships shuttled back and forth, and the transparent barrier seemed to appear and disappear. The Northern Base remained calm as usual.

Her jet-black hair gently fluttered in the wind.

The wind was picking up.