Chapter 197: Breeding Ice Grass

Tch, a problem.

Lin Zhi Jing has no time to worry about why these soldiers are acting this way; he's still in a hurry to go home.

Even though he's been researching day and night for almost half a month, his bodily functions have already reached the limit, but Lin Zhi Jing still wants to find Ye Xi'an before night falls.

Dong— dong— dong—.

The people inside, who were having dinner, stopped mid‑bite and all turned to look outside the door.

Even Gu Feng across the street heard the commotion.

It should be said that he was constantly monitoring the opposite door, so Gu Feng was the first to open it.

When the door opened, they saw Lin Zhi Jing holding a black lacquered bag, dressed in a pure white suit, standing upright at Ye Xi'an's doorstep.

You're back?

He slipped next to Lin Zhi Jing as if he were just a bored neighbor stopping by to chat.

Lin Zhi Jing scanned him with a strange look and asked, "Why did you come over?"

"I came to check on the neighbor."

As soon as the words finished, the door in front of them swung open.

"Doctor Lin! I knew it was you."

Yi Yang's eyes lit up; if it weren't for the wrinkles on his face and skin and his emaciated frame, no one would have guessed that he had just endured an inhuman ordeal not long ago.

Lin Zhi Jing frowned, "Why is it you?" which was a far cry from the scene he imagined Ye Xi'an opening the door: "Let Ye Xi'an open the door for me."

After saying that, with Yi Yang's bewildered stare, Lin Zhi Jing slammed the door shut again.

Outside, Gu Feng looked at the now disgruntled male with a face full of shock and admiration; the place where he couldn't even get through the door, Lin Zhi Jing could already fling it open at will. He shook his head, sighed, and thought enviously: "Those who are favored truly have no fear."

Inside, Ye Xi'an heard the door close but saw no one enter and asked, "Yi Yang? Is nobody there?"

Yi Yang scratched his head, looked puzzled, and walked into the living room: "Someone's here—Doctor Lin—but he refuses to come in unless his wife opens the door first."

Bao Jing slammed his chopsticks onto the table: "You bitch, you're being pretentious!"

Ye Xi'an was both exasperated and amused, not expecting the aloof Lin Zhi Jing to have such a childish side: "Fine, I'll open the door."

The door opened again, and this time the one who opened it was Ye Xi'an.

Lin Zhi Jing's aloof expression instantly shifted to another face; his eyes flashed with delight, smiling like a spring breeze, like a blossoming jade flower, as if this truly were the moment his family opened the door for his return.

"Xi'an, I'm back!"

Ye Xi'an's eyes widened at his smile; Lin Zhi Jing's grin was almost unfair. Once she recovered, she quickly spread her arms and hugged him: "Welcome home."

Lin Zhi Jing pressed his whole body onto Ye Xi'an, his chest against her shoulder, his neck naturally drooping into the side of her neck.

"Did you miss me?" Lin Zhi Jing asked clingily.

Ye Xi'an's expression was awkward; this Lin Zhi Jing made her a bit uneasy. He wouldn't have been soul‑possessed like her, would he? Otherwise, why such a radiant smile?

"Of course I missed you, but Zhi Jing, what's up? You're smiling… so happily."

Ye Xi'an finished asking but heard no reply from Lin Zhi Jing; when she looked, he was actually asleep.

"Zhi Jing?"

Sleeping that soundly—was he just too tired?

Ye Xi'an placed both hands on Lin Zhi Jing's shoulders, lifted him off herself, then bent over and, with a swift motion, princess‑carried the one‑meter‑eight‑something man.

"Huh, am I really this awesome?"

She actually managed to lift Lin Zhi Jing, and even with ease.

Yi Yang jumped, stepped forward, and tried to take Lin Zhi Jing: "Let me, wife."

Ye Xi'an stepped aside: "No need, no need, I'm fine."

After that, Ye Xi'an carried Lin Zhi Jing straight back inside, Yi Yang followed behind, and Gu Feng naturally tried to follow in, but Yi Yang mercilessly slammed the door shut, leaving him outside.

Luckily they hid quickly; otherwise the newly replaced door at Ye Xi'an's house would have his face printed on it again.

Lin Zhi Jing jolted awake—it was already noon of the next day. He reached for the spot beside him; it was empty and icy cold, clearly no one had slept there. He let out a disappointed sigh, having thought Ye Xi'an would stay to keep him company.

He got up and went to the hall, where Ye Xi'an was intensely gaming with Bao Jing and the others.

Ye Xi'an glanced at Lin Zhi Jing unintentionally and asked, "You're awake?"

"How do you feel? Still tired?"

Lin Zhi Jing walked over to sit beside Ye Xi'an, but the spots on her left and right were already taken by Bao Jing and Ji Jiangci, and Yi Yang was sitting on the floor.

He didn't mind; he naturally settled beside Ye Xi'an's other leg, still a bit weary, resting his head on her thigh.

"Much better, just a bit dizzy in the head."

"But it's fine; I've already figured out Ice Grass."

Ye Xi'an's eyes lit up: "What were the results?"

He slightly curled the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, enough to surprise those who knew him.

"This kind of Ice Grass…"

Lin Zhi Jing paused, as if gathering his words and calming the turmoil within.

"Its energy composition is extremely pure, with virtually no harmful residues."

"More importantly, it can act directly on the energy nodes of beast‑human genetic chains, stimulating potential, promoting ability evolution, and simultaneously repairing minor genetic damage."

"Ji Jiangci will become younger, and that's related; it truly has anti‑aging effects, even partially reversing physiological age."

Bao Jing interrupted: "Put it more simply."

Lin Zhi Jing looked annoyed at Bao Jing, curled his lip and said, "In short, this Ice Grass can boost abilities and heal bodily injuries without side effects. Its cells divide extremely slowly, so a single plant needs at least three years to mature."

Ye Xi'an asked a crucial question: "Then how is Ice Grass cultivated?"

"Xi'an, do you know how orchids reproduce?"

Ye Xi'an blinked; she had never grown plants, let alone orchids, and shook her head in confusion, then seemed to recall something—she remembered having seen a short educational video about orchids before.

"Orchid? You mean the kind that can be divided into clumps, or that sprouts small side buds?"

"Smart."

Lin Zhi Jing gave her an approving glance, the corner of their lips slightly up.

"Look at the rhizome of this Ice Grass; although it's covered in frost, you can faintly see some nodes."

He pointed to a slight bulge near the base of the Ice Grass.

"If my judgment is correct, these nodes could sprout new plants in suitable low‑temperature conditions, just like orchids."

"Or we could try dividing some of the thicker rhizomes; as long as each piece retains a healthy bud, in theory it could survive on its own."

Ji Jiangci shuffled over to take a look, his eyebrows slightly raised.

"It sounds simple; if we can cultivate from side buds, the longer growth time doesn't matter—we can raise a batch and use a batch."

Yi Yang had long been unable to contain himself, his eyes shining.

"Then what are we waiting for! Let's go propagate the Ice Grass!"