After finishing the Mutants' business, Alex finally managed to free himself and return to the familiar 3k era.
Standing still, he stretched, loosened his joints, and felt an even greater sigh in his heart: Ever since he received that box from the Emperor, his life had completely veered off track.
Just imagine, he was originally just an ordinary 3k era corporate drone, how could he possibly transform into a Star District Governor in the 40k era, able to decide the life and death of trillions of beings with a single word?
However, he had been doing this job for over a decade, forced into it, and now he was gradually becoming more adept at it.
Although he had adjusted the time flow between the two worlds, ten years in 40k era translated to more than half a year in the 3k era.
The experiences of the past half-year made Alex feel that he had undergone a world-shattering transformation.
From an ordinary person, he had ascended to a powerful figure who controlled the fate of trillions of beings. No matter how vast the differences between the two worlds, the aura of a superior, accustomed to giving commands and having them obeyed, had quietly settled upon him.
Coupled with the Psyker's power he had exchanged for in the 3k era, the two combined meant that Alex's eyes now truly held a chillingly stern aura—a mark of iron and blood forged in the mountains of corpses and seas of blood during the decade-long Rostov Expedition.
In the peaceful 3k era, apart from those old heroes who had fought bravely on the battlefield, how many people had truly experienced such a baptism of blood and fire?
The difference was self-evident.
Of course, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Alex always tried his best to rein in this aura in the 3k era.
He took a deep breath, just as he would steady his mind when confronting a Warp Storm in the Warhammer World, slowly settling and compressing that invisible pressure and iron-blooded aura, hiding it deep beneath a gentle and calm exterior.
He even maintained a faint Psyker spell, like sheathing an overly sharp blade and then covering it with a thin veil, blurring others' overly strong first impressions of him.
Therefore, although he still appeared tall, confident, and extraordinary in demeanor, he would at least not cause ordinary people to feel an instinctive dread or discomfort.
Especially thinking about picking up Sam from the hospital tomorrow, he certainly couldn't show up radiating killing intent; that would be too abrupt for a lady.
Although their relationship wasn't explicitly defined, their strolls in the Hainan rainforest, conversations by the waterfall, the diving accident, and his vigil in her hospital room had already planted a vague fondness in each other's hearts.
Alex didn't want to leave her with any impression that was threatening or cold.
He wanted her to see the Alex who would quietly listen to her sing by the sea, clumsily follow her in the rainforest, and become flustered over her safety.
The next day, at the sanatorium.
Alex, holding a bouquet of elegant lilies, arrived promptly at the door of Sam's hospital room.
The door was open, and she had already changed out of her hospital gown, wearing a comfortable off-white cotton and linen long dress and a light-colored cardigan. She was bending over, tidying her personal belongings on the bedside table.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft halo around her. Her complexion was much better than before, though her movements still carried a slight caution, typical after recovering from a serious illness.
"Jingyi." Alex lightly tapped the doorframe, a gentle smile on his face. His deliberately reined-in aura made him appear like a thoughtful older brother next door.
Sam looked up at the sound, and upon seeing him, a bright smile immediately bloomed on her face, as if dispelling the last trace of gloom in the hospital room.
"You're here!" Her voice carried a light vitality, "I've almost finished packing; I was just waiting for you."
"How are you feeling? What did the doctor say?" Alex walked into the room and handed her the bouquet.
"Much better!" Sam took the flowers, lowered her head to sniff them lightly, her eyes curving into crescents. "The doctor said my recovery is better than expected, and the signs of nerve damage are basically stable. The next step is consistent rehabilitation and care. Thanks to the rejuvenating therapy here, the effect is truly miraculous."
As she spoke, she gave Alex a grateful look.
"That's good." Alex breathed a sigh of relief, genuinely happy for her recovery. "I'll help you with your luggage."
"Okay, thank you." Sam didn't refuse, pointing to a small suitcase and a canvas bag full of books and miscellaneous items by the bed.
Alex easily picked up the suitcase, then naturally bent down to grab the canvas bag at the foot of the bed.
Just as he leaned in and bent down, Sam, who was tidying the wrapping paper of the flowers in her hands, paused almost imperceptibly.
She felt as if the air around her had solidified for a moment, an indescribable, heavy presence brushing against her skin, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand slightly on end, as if something massive had silently approached and then instantly retracted its claws.
The sensation was extremely brief, so quick that she wondered if it was her imagination.
She instinctively looked up at Alex; he was focused on picking up the canvas bag, his profile gentle, his expression showing no abnormality.
That fleeting sense of strangeness had vanished without a trace. Sam frowned slightly, a hint of doubt crossing her mind.
As a psychologist, she was extremely sensitive to people's auras and body language.
That feeling just now… was completely different from the gentle impression he usually gave. It was closer to that non-human oppressive feeling he had inadvertently revealed when he pulled her out of the water in the distant seas of Hainan?
She remembered the "rare celestial phenomenon" captured by satellites, and she also recalled the calm and sharpness, like someone who had experienced countless battlefields, that occasionally flickered in the depths of his eyes when he was relaxed.
But she said nothing, merely quickly lowered her gaze, her fingers unconsciously tightening on the edge of the wrapping paper, suppressing that trace of doubt. A smile reappeared on her face: "Alright, shall we go?"
In the car.
Alex drove steadily away from the sanatorium area, merging into the city traffic.
"What are your plans next?" Alex asked. "Are you going back to Hainan? Or…"
Sam turned her head to look at him, a mischievous "you guessed it" smile on her face: "Neither. Actually, I have some good news to tell you."
"Oh?" Alex raised an eyebrow, indicating his curiosity.
"Because this unexpected recovery requires a period of observation and subsequent rehabilitation, plus my accumulated annual leave," Sam's voice carried a hint of anticipation and ease, "I applied for a work transfer with the hospital, and they agreed!
For a while, I'll be affiliated with a cooperative psychological clinic here, and I'll also take on some online consultations. Which means…"
She paused, her smile deepening: "I'll be settling down in this city!"
This news surprised Alex, and then an indescribable joy welled up in his heart.
"Really? That's great!" His tone was genuinely delighted. "Welcome to my territory. If you need any help, like finding a place to live, just say the word."
"Hmm, thanks in advance! But I already have a lead on finding a place. A university classmate happens to have a small apartment for short-term rent, not far from that cooperative clinic, and the environment is good. I'm going to see it tomorrow afternoon." Sam seemed very independent.
"Then… to celebrate your discharge from the hospital, and to celebrate you becoming a new citizen," Alex took advantage of a red light to turn and look at her, his eyes gentle and inviting, "would you do me the honor of having lunch together? I know a very good private restaurant, quiet and with very healthy dishes, which should be suitable for your current condition."
Sam readily agreed: "Okay! It's perfect for celebrating my newfound freedom, and to thank you, my 'savior,' for all your care." She winked playfully.
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