Chapter 239: Interstellar Deserted Star Farm Woman 46

By the time Dai Lixing returned to the Marshal Mansion, it was already late.

The soft, warm light inside the mansion dispelled the chill in his heart.

He strode into the living room and saw Ji Xiaosong sitting on the sofa, holding Ji Sui’an and softly humming a song to lull the child to sleep.

Ji Sui’an’s little face was pressed against his mother’s chest, sleeping soundly as if all the turmoil of the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Dai Lixing lightened his steps, walked over to Ji Xiaosong, and asked in a low voice, “Is Sui An asleep?”

Ji Xiaosong looked up, gave him a small smile, and nodded. “He just fell asleep. How did things go on your end today?”

Dai Lixing sat down beside her, reached out to gently stroke Sui An’s little face, and said with a hint of exhaustion, “Dai Weiyuan and his accomplices have been sent to the military tribunal, and the rest of the Dai Family have been settled. I’ve established the ‘Dai Family Revival Fund’ in the hope that they can contribute to the Federation once again.”

“You handled it well. With the Dai Family’s issues resolved, the Federation’s future will be more stable.”

Dai Lixing sighed, took Ji Xiaosong’s hand, and said in a low voice, “Song Song, today’s events must have frightened you. It was my negligence; I almost let you two fall into danger.”

“Don’t worry, Sui An and I are fine. Besides, I’m not some weak woman who needs your protection every second. If it had really come to a fight, those people wouldn’t have been my match.”

Hearing this, Dai Lixing couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, yes, my Song Song is skilled in both scholarly and martial arts. Even I might not be able to beat you.”

Ji Xiaosong raised an eyebrow and said with feigned pride, “Of course. But I did discover something interesting at the hospital today.”

“Oh?”

Dai Lixing looked at her curiously. “What is it?”

Ji Xiaosong lowered her voice, her expression turning serious. “At the hospital, I heard doctors discussing a virus called ‘Dawn.’ They said this virus can break the Genetic Lock, giving ordinary people a chance to optimize their genes. The problem is, of those who use ‘Dawn,’ only a few evolve smoothly. Most suffer from genetic collapse or even die.”

“‘Dawn’? I’ve heard of that virus. The Federation once cracked down hard on its circulation because the risks far outweigh the benefits. Why are you interested in it?”

“I think this virus has great potential. If its side effects could be resolved, it could benefit many more people. You know that the genetic limits of ordinary people restrict their development. If we could break those limits, the Federation’s overall strength would increase significantly.”

“You have a point. But the Federation already started allowing ordinary people to optimize their genes a year ago. They don’t necessarily have to use ‘Dawn.’ Researching this virus now might not be very meaningful.”

‘How could this virus not be meaningful?’

‘It’s incredibly meaningful!’

When Ji Xiaosong learned about the virus today, her first thought was that it was similar to the Elixir Pills from the Cultivation World used to forcibly break through one’s cultivation.

‘If I could research it thoroughly, I might be able to solve a lot of problems in the future.’

‘Even if it just helps treat a genetic disease in this modern world, that would be a good thing.’

“I’m still very interested in this virus. The genetic optimization method the Federation currently provides for ordinary people is gene editing, which takes a long time. But if I can upgrade ‘Dawn,’ everyone’s genetic optimization could be done faster and better in the future.”

Ji Xiaosong was full of confidence. Seeing Dai Lixing’s expression soften slightly, she continued:

“I’ve done some research in medicine, and with my interest in genetics, I might be able to find a breakthrough. Besides, I’ve already obtained some data on ‘Dawn’ and I’m ready to start my research.”

“Song Song, you always manage to surprise me. Since you have this idea, I’ll support you completely. But you must be careful not to put yourself in danger.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. However, researching ‘Dawn’ might require some resources and support, which you’ll have to help me secure.”

“No problem. All the resources of the Marshal Mansion are at your disposal. Just tell me what you need.”

Ji Xiaosong nodded in satisfaction, then gently placed Sui An in his crib and tucked him in.

She turned to Dai Lixing, a playful glint in her eyes. “Alright, business is over. Shouldn’t you comfort me now? I was almost scared to death today, you know.”

Dai Lixing paused for a moment, then chuckled. “Alright, alright, my Song Song is the most important. How do you want me to comfort you?”

Ji Xiaosong blinked, feigning thoughtfulness. “Hmm… how about you make me a bowl of noodles? I seem to recall teaching you how to make them before.”

Dai Lixing shook his head with a helpless smile and stood up. “Fine, I’ll go make you some noodles. But don’t get your hopes up. My skills are nowhere near as good as yours.”

Ji Xiaosong smiled and gave him a gentle push. “Hurry, hurry, I’m waiting.”

*

In the kitchen, Dai Lixing clumsily fumbled with the pots and pans, occasionally glancing back at Ji Xiaosong in the living room.

She was sitting on the sofa, flipping through the data on ‘Dawn,’ her expression focused and earnest.

A wave of warmth washed over Dai Lixing’s heart.

“The noodles are ready,”

Dai Lixing walked over to Ji Xiaosong with a steaming bowl of noodles, a hint of pride in his voice. “Have a taste. See if I’ve improved?”

Ji Xiaosong took the bowl, sniffed the aroma, and nodded with a smile. “Mmm, it smells good.”

She picked up a mouthful of noodles with her chopsticks, blew on it gently, and put it in her mouth.

After chewing for a few moments, she looked up at Dai Lixing, her eyes full of amusement. “Not bad. It seems your skills really have improved.”

Dai Lixing breathed a sigh of relief and sat down beside her. “That’s good. I was afraid you’d hate it.”

*

「One year later, at the Main Star Medical College.」

Ji Xiaosong stood before the transparent isolation window of the lab, her gaze fixed on the petri dish inside.

In the petri dish, a pale blue liquid glowed faintly. It was a sample of the ‘Dawn’ virus, refined after countless modifications.

After a year of hard work, she and her team had finally minimized the side effects of ‘Dawn’ while preserving its powerful ability to break the Genetic Lock.

“We have the data!”

A researcher ran over excitedly, holding a freshly printed report. “Miss Ji, the genetic stability of the latest batch of test subjects has reached 98.7%, far exceeding our expectations!”

Ji Xiaosong took the report, scanned it quickly, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “Excellent. It seems we were on the right track.”

She turned to the team behind her, her voice tinged with excitement. “Everyone, this past year of hard work was not in vain. The upgrade to ‘Dawn’ is nearly complete. All that’s left is the final clinical testing, and then it can be officially put into use.”

Cheers erupted throughout the lab.

For the past year, they had worked day and night, enduring countless failures and setbacks, but now they could finally see the light of success.

“Miss Ji, you’re truly incredible!”

A young researcher exclaimed in heartfelt admiration, “Without your guidance, we never could have achieved such results in such a short time.”

Ji Xiaosong smiled faintly, her tone modest. “This is the result of everyone’s hard work. I only provided a direction; the real credit belongs to each and every one of you.”

She glanced at the time and said to the team, “That’s all for today. Everyone, go home and get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll start preparing the application materials for clinical testing.”

The researchers nodded, packed up their lab equipment, and left one after another.

Ji Xiaosong, however, remained in the lab, meticulously checking all the equipment and data to ensure nothing was amiss.

By the time she walked out of the lab, the sky had already darkened.

Dai Lixing’s hovercar was parked at the entrance of the medical college. He was leaning against it, holding a bouquet of flowers, and watching her with a gentle gaze.

“You’ve worked hard, Song Song.”

Dai Lixing walked up and handed her the flowers. “Congratulations on finally completing the upgrade to ‘Dawn.'”

Ji Xiaosong accepted the flowers, a brilliant smile on her face. “How did you know I finished today?”

Dai Lixing laughed and put an arm around her shoulder. “I’m your husband; I’m very well-informed. Besides, I’ve seen all your hard work this past year. On such an important day, of course I had to come pick you up myself.”

Ji Xiaosong leaned against his shoulder and said softly, “Thank you, Li Xing. Without your support this past year, I wouldn’t have had the medical college backing me.”

Dai Lixing shook his head, his tone firm. “It’s your dream. How could I not support it? What’s more, the success of ‘Dawn’ is of great significance to the Federation. You haven’t just achieved your own goal; you’ve made a huge contribution to the Federation’s future.”

Ji Xiaosong looked up, a cunning glint in her eye. “In that case… shouldn’t you reward me?”

Dai Lixing raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What kind of reward do you want?”

Ji Xiaosong blinked, pretending to think. “Hmm… how about you take me to that new Starry Sky Restaurant? I hear their food is excellent.”

Dai Lixing chuckled. “Is that all? I thought you’d ask for a bigger reward.”

Ji Xiaosong gave him a light push. “Hurry, hurry, I’m hungry.”

Dai Lixing chuckled, opened the car door, and made a gentlemanly “after you” gesture. “As you command, my lady.”