Chapter 50

Chapter 50

A starship was soaring through the vast universe.

Interstellar travel was highly advanced, but it still took nearly two days to reach the K Galaxy from Emperor Star.

The K Galaxy was an extremely remote region; they might never have ventured there if not for this trip.

On the starship, the aide approached the young prince with a friendly tone, "Your Highness enjoys that chef's cooking so much?"

The young prince whispered his secret, "Actually, I just want to go out."

It wasn't a big deal before, but after chatting with the "World's Best" youngster, he began longing for outings.

After their previous conversation, the two had quickly become close, feeling as if they were old friends.

"World's Best" seemed to have traveled extensively and would share various landscapes with him, stirring a bit of wanderlust in the young prince.

The aide understood now, "I've heard that the Z Galaxy is a tourist hotspot, perfect for traveling. Frankly, I wanted to mention that at your age, most children usually visit amusement or wildlife parks often. Your Highness should have more experiences beyond studying."

The adjutant patted the youngling's head with satisfaction.

The youngling nodded. "Mm."

There was nothing wrong with the young prince, except that he was too mature for his age. Which two-and-a-half-year-old child behaved like this?

The adjutant sighed.

Then, his terminal beeped. He glanced at it and exclaimed in surprise, "His Majesty is actually traveling too."

Peering out, the youngling asked, "Is it Father?"

Curious, the adjutant opened the details. The other party had indeed confirmed their itinerary, and a green dot indicated their location.

"The route suggests that His Majesty might be heading to the Z galaxy as well, doesn't it?"

The adjutant began studying the flight path. Indeed, this route was typically used for long-distance travel, and it seemed to lead to the Z galaxy.

Scratching his chin in wonder, the adjutant said, "It looks like His Majesty isn't going to K star. If that were the case, wouldn't it have been easy for them to just give us a heads up?"

The young one propped his cheek on his hand. "Does Father have some business here?"

The aide replied, "Presumably."

The starship sailed toward the distant planet...

Upon reaching their destination, the two of them disembarked.

Z Galaxy.

A galaxy considered backward and primitive among all galaxies, with a level of technological advancement lower than the interstellar average. Rumor had it that many planets within it still lacked Star Network communication – to such an extreme extent.

Located in an isolated area, the only thing it could boast was its tourism industry.

The moment they stepped out, they were astounded by the primitive landscape.

It was a stark contrast to the towering skyscrapers of Emperor Star.

The aide exclaimed, "It's no wonder this planet can produce exceptional chefs. After all, nutrient solutions aren't the mainstream food source yet. Sometimes, isolation breeds miracles."

The young prince instructed him to contact Enli to inquire about the chef's exact location.

Logically speaking, with their sincere direct visit to Planet K and generous offer, there was no reason for the other party to decline, right?

Enli promptly replied with an affirmative.

While awaiting his communication results, the two leisurely explored the renowned scenic spots of Planet K.

The young prince led the way, with the adjutant following closely behind.

Observing the youngster's straight-backed figure, the adjutant wore a wistful expression.

Adjutant: "Since we're merely here for sightseeing, there's no need to specially inform the local lord."

The young prince nodded in agreement.

After strolling for only a short while, a child suddenly rushed in front of them, wailing, "Daddy, it's this person! He hit me!"

Their pace came to an abrupt halt due to the child's outburst.

Yet, they had no idea who this young one was.

The little prince had no intention of acknowledging him and was about to walk away.

The charging youngster immediately blocked his path.

"Why, are you trying to run away?"

Behind the young one was an adult of unknown identity, dressed elegantly, likely a noble from this place.

The little prince's expression was cold and distant.

Thinking they might have mistaken the child, the adjutant attempted to lead him away.

Unexpectedly, the adult intercepted them in a challenging manner.

As a high-ranking official of Emperor Star, the adjutant, unflinching, asked, "Looking for trouble?"

The adult chuckled. "It's not us causing trouble, but you've provoked my son."

Adjutant: "Your son is not worthy of my attention."

This remark was quite impolite, causing both the adult and the child's faces to turn pale with anger.

The adult challenged, "Yesterday, your son's eagle attacked and injured my son. Don't tell me you're denying it?"

The adjutant had already realized that this pair was here to provoke trouble.

Putting aside whether or not the young prince would even raise an eagle that would peck at people, they had just arrived, so how could they have encountered each other yesterday?

The young prince spoke coldly, "Who are you?"

The child posed arrogantly, "It's you! I recognize your face clearly!"

The adjutant sneered, "Even if our prince did send his eagle to peck at you, what then?"

Let alone them, even the lord of this land would be no exception.

If their young prince desired it, he could do as he pleased.

After all, he does bear the surname Huo.

The adults and children on the opposite side were exasperated, never expecting that they would be so audacious as to directly provoke them.

The child appeared quite pampered and immediately cried out, "Do you know who my father is? My father is a general!"

Adjutant: "Oh."

The nobleman grew agitated. "You truly don't hold me in any regard, do you? Very well, let me show you the power of privilege right now!"

Adjutant: "I'm so scared."

The adjutant seldom ventured to distant planets, typically sticking to assignments in neighboring and moderately far-off star systems.

Well, except for that one time when His Majesty had punished him by sending him to grow potatoes on Asmo Planet.

Given that everyone there knew him and treated him with respect, it had been a long while since he'd encountered such an audacious fool who was essentially begging for trouble.

The youngster pointed at the man's nose and said, "You still have time to apologize and kneel now."

The young prince's pupils darkened, and with a firm grip, he threw the hand away. "Scram."

This cub's fierce expression frightened the troublemaker into tears.

It was, it was completely different from yesterday.

He also didn't know why this brat named Danjiao had such a change in temperament from yesterday to today. Anyway, with his father's support, he would make them pay no matter what.

The adult began to order his minions behind him. "Someone, take them back first."

For the adjutant, resisting these few punks was no problem at all.

But the young prince shook his head, allowing the two of them to make their move.

The adjutant immediately understood his intention.

After all, the young prince was quite ruthless too.

Didn't he say, "Let them see the privilege"? Well, let them see then.

As a powerful general on Planet K, he never expected that after apprehending two penniless individuals, he would receive a scathing reprimand from the lord.

The general had never seen the lord so livid since he began serving him.

The lord asked, "Do you have any idea who those two individuals were that you captured?"

With utter frustration, the lord spat out a few words.

Upon learning the identities of the visitors, their faces turned ashen, bordering on disbelief.

They even doubted if they had heard correctly.

How, how could it be them?

The crown prince of Emperor Star actually came??

Is it the fabled Emperor Star they've heard about?

At the mere thought of the situation over there, the general almost fainted. His Majesty was renowned for his might; anyone daring to criticize would be punished severely, let alone attempting to capture his only offspring.

The two were leisurely sipping their tea.

There was an air of nonchalance characteristic of the elite.

Putting aside the elder, even the young one, despite his tender age, already exhibited the demeanor of a leader.

It was his fault for not noticing it earlier.

The general, now devoid of his intimidating presence, bowed before the duo with the mischievous child in tow, behaving meekly.

Hiding one's tail between the legs, as the saying goes.

The child cried out, "Daddy, what are you doing? Hurry and arrest them for punishment!"

The general swiftly slapped the child's backside. "Don't you know who you've provoked?!"

The child wailed, "Well, he did let his eagle peck at me! I wanted him to give me the eagle, but he wouldn't..."

"You must be causing trouble and trying to snatch something from someone else. How could I not know you!"

The young prince looked at him with a cold gaze.

The adjutant harrumphed.

See, wasn't he still quite reasonable after all?

---

Lu Lan had no idea that someone over there had stood up for him.

After being comforted by Lu Wei that night, Little Pang Qiu had already put things behind him.

With his dad supporting him, he didn't care about that so-called general!

Hmph.

Moreover, upon learning of his situation, Dad immediately said he would ride the starship to this planet to teach that person a lesson.

Not only was he not angry anymore, but his heart bloomed with joy.

With his father by his side, he fears nothing.

The next day, Little Fat Ball trudged towards the training building with his small yellow duck backpack slung over his shoulders.

Arriving with a multitude of anticipations, he envisaged scenarios where the young punk might show up with his General father to stir trouble, or perhaps the training base personnel would seek him out for a conversation.

Yet, none of these speculations came to pass.

Danjiao found it peculiar.

Only upon glancing in that direction did I realize that the young one hadn't shown up today.

Egg Jiao scratched his head. "It can't be that serious, just getting pecked by an eye, right?"

Considering the domineering tone of that young fellow yesterday, it seems even if he's unwell, he would still send someone else over to stir up trouble.

Yet, nothing out of the ordinary happened the entire day today.

Until the training session concluded.

Danjiao emerged from the building, carrying his beloved yellow duck backpack on his back.

There, he encountered that very youngster.

Danjiao: !! It's him! He's finally here!

Danjiao gripped his backpack straps tightly, his face darkening in anticipation of the worst.

He had prepared himself for the most unfavorable scenario.

However, this young lad appeared vastly different from the day before. If anything, he resembled a majestic tiger transformed into a docile kitten.

Just as Danjiao expected him to speak,

he looked somewhat haggard, opening his mouth slightly.

Too timid even to lift his head.

After a while, he spoke softly, "I... I'm here to apologize to you."

That night, his father had told him that he had been relieved of his military position and was restless at home. He insisted that he must find the person today and apologize.

If his father's rank couldn't be restored, they would be commoners for the rest of their lives.

At this thought, his face turned ashen.

Danjiao: !!

He had initially perceived the other party as someone who wouldn't admit fault, yet he unexpectedly reflected on his actions overnight and realized his mistake. He came to apologize for his behavior towards Danjiao.

Despite his harsh words yesterday, no actual harm was inflicted.

To humble oneself to apologize the next day, despite the previous events.

With folded arms, Danjiao said, "Even though you're quite wicked, Father taught Danjiao that a statesman's belly can hold a boatload of insults. I won't hold it against you."

Yet, you're incredibly annoying.

The child's face was still pale: "Thank you, I'm sorry, I didn't know who you were. I won't dare do it again in the future!"

After saying that, he immediately turned around and ran, as if he was afraid that his feet would still remember him, tripping over the corner of the table in his haste, leaving in a rather awkward manner.

Yesterday, this person had provoked him for no reason, flaunted his family background for no reason, and today, apologized for no reason.

It confused Danjiao thoroughly.

His father's communication call came through at this moment.

Seeing the flashing notification, Danjiao's eyes lit up, instantly casting aside all his mixed emotions.

The plump youngster promptly answered the call, his voice crisp: "Dad!"

"That brat didn't come to cause trouble today, right? The starship was delayed today, damn it."

The voice clearly conveyed great dissatisfaction.

Without waiting for a response, Dad continued in his brisk manner: "Your old man is already on the way, should be there by the evening banquet, to give that little punk a lesson. Just wait, your old man is bringing a specialized weapon. Damn, daring to bully my brother, doesn't he know who his dad is?"

Pang Qiu spoke cheerfully, "He came today."

"I knew he would come to find—"

"But he came to apologize to Danjiao!"

Lu Wei: ?

Was this guy the type to apologize?

Danjiao happily recounted the encounter to him.

"He said he didn't know Danjiao's identity and that he won't dare do it again in the future."

Lu Wei: "Oh, what identity?"

Danjiao's voice was sweet, "Maybe he found out about Danjiao's KFC membership, vinyl privileges, and McDonald's membership. Dad, you were right! Danjiao's noble status really is useful!"

Lu Wei: No, definitely not.

Remarkably, this child could recall every detail of what he had casually mentioned.

However, despite the long wait, they failed to reach any conclusion.

It was unclear what sort of "identity" the young child referred to in his words.

Realizing that the incident was over and there was no reason for his father to come, Pang Qiu's head drooped down.

Danjiao's eyes dimmed. "So, is Dad going back now?"

Lu Wei sensed the distress in his child's voice: "How could that be? Dad can pick you up on the way."

Danjiao perked up: "Great! I'll wait obediently at the base for Dad to come!"

Though there was a slight delay, it didn't affect Lu Wei's search for Danjiao.

In the meantime, he received a message from the interviewer, Enli.

Enli asked him to share his location for a quick check.

Lu Wei: "..." Did this person come here to catch him?

Lu Wei: "What are you doing?"

Enli: "Actually, someone from the client's side is on their way to pick you up."

Lu Wei: ? ? Who's going? He has a family to take care of, you know?

Enli: "Mr. Lu, could you please provide your address? If not, we can still locate you through the Star Network."

Laughable.

They dared to threaten him.

The tactics interviewers used might work elsewhere, but they didn't hold any water with them.

- Because the Star Network infrastructure here was utterly unreliable.

Lu Wei: "Go ahead and try if you have the ability."

Lu Wei scoffed, severing the connection to the Star Network.

There was one upside to being in a less developed place.

Without access to the Star Network, they were essentially invisible.

After dealing with that pesky interviewer, Lu Wei made his way to the dormitories of the Youngsters Training Base.

The moment Little Fatty Ball saw him, his eyes lit up instantly.

Then, like a small cannonball, the rapidly moving figure sped towards him.

"Daddy, I've missed you so much!!"

Lu Wei stretched out his hand to catch this tiny projectile, the impact quite considerable.

"I should check if there's anything wrong with my brother."

He gave the boy a thorough once-over.

Well, seems in good condition.

Then, with his sharp eyes, he immediately spotted the eagle on the bed.

A blind eagle.

Lu Wei held onto Little Pang Qiu's hand, "Speaking of which, buddy, is this eagle you brought back for real?"

Danjiao hid his hands behind his back, "Daddy, I found it on the way."

Lu Wei chuckled.

"You'd better hope so."

Danjiao whispered, "It said it wanted to come home with me."

Unfortunately, Danjiao's wish didn't come true. After consulting Wu Star, Lu Wei learned that the Gyrfalcon was a fiercely prohibited creature.

Wu Star did not allow such creatures within its borders.

Chubby Baby: Sobs.

Lu Wei was helpless. "Send it to the nearby pet daycare. Next time when we visit Planet K, you can play with it again."

Danjiao: "Daddy, can't you do something about it…?"

The little chubby ball gazed at its new companion with reluctance.

A one-eyed creature.

So cool.

Curious, Lu Wei asked, "Where did you get an animal from the forbidden list?"

Danjiao stammered, "I-I found it."

Under Lu Wei's suspicious gaze, Danjiao waddled off with its short legs. "Daddy, I'm going to the daycare!"

With that, Danjiao fled with One-Eye.

Afraid of being asked further questions.

Pang Qiu didn't want his father to worry any more than necessary.

Lu Wei wanted to follow, but the little fellow insisted, "Dad, I can go by myself!"

Lu Wei: "..."

When children are quiet, they're usually up to no good.

Adhering to the principle of respecting his child, Lu Wei said, "Alright, then I'll speak with your team leader to learn more about that unpleasant youngster."

As a seasoned translator specializing in both Chinese and English novels, particularly those within the realm of danmei, I approach the task of translating with a deep understanding of the nuances and subtleties inherent to this genre. Danmei, known for its emphasis on romantic relationships between male characters, often requires a delicate touch to convey not only the words but also the emotions and cultural context accurately. Below, I offer an elegant and considerate translation, mindful of preserving the original sentiment while rendering it accessible to an English-speaking audience.

With a swift movement, the Danjiao reluctantly cast one of its eyes to the trust office, filled with longing.

As a legitimate organization for fostering living organisms, they assured him that his companion would be well taken care of, and that he was welcome to visit anytime he wished to see them again.

Only then did Little Pang Qiu leave with reluctance, looking back every few steps.

The custody office was located very close to their base's dormitories. After passing by the landmark commercial skyscraper, Little Pang Qiu thought of using his pocket money to buy some local specialties for Lu Wei.

The young one had just finished shopping and was on his way back.

The adjutant had also just parted ways with the young prince.

Spotting him, the adjutant was surprised, "Young Prince, why is your clothing so dirty?"

From a child's perspective, Danjiao looked up to see an unfamiliar uncle standing before him.

The man was dressed in a very formal military uniform, with a small emblem on his shoulder – but Danjiao had no idea what it signified.

Danjiao turned around to look.

Where was the Young Prince?

Curiously, the adjutant scooped up the ball-shaped child, "Still wearing that black tank top? Did you just buy this?"

Danjiao protested, "This is a matching outfit for us!"

Father says this type of attire is the coolest!

Aide: ?

With whom.

His Majesty?

When has His Majesty ever worn such a street vendor's black tank top?

In his entire career, he had only come across one person who did, but that person's name was now taboo.

Aide: "Alright then."

Aides typically didn't delve into the logic of children's words and simply lifted Pang Qiu up to head towards the starship.

Danjiao was tiny, unable to wriggle free from the adult's embrace.

Danjiao: "Tall uncle, where are you taking me?"

Aide: ?

Aide: "Back to the Royal City."

Danjiao struggled. "This isn't where Danjiao lives!"

Aide: ...

Carrying Danjiao was like holding a tiny ticking time bomb, scorching hot to the touch.

If not for the aide's tremendous strength, he would have been shaken off by the young prince already.

Danjiao bit him. "Let me down! You're a kidnapper!"

Aide: "Young Prince, let's return to the Royal City first, alright?"

Danjiao had been educated by Lu Wei about such scams, where imposters pretend to be acquaintances of children to deceive passersby and abduct them.

Once taken to some remote mountain valley, they'd never see their fathers again.

Sobbing wails echoed.

Pang Qiu frantically pounded on him, pleading for help, "The human trafficker wants to snatch Danjiao away and separate him from his dad!"

The child's tears and snot flowed uncontrollably, a pitiful sight.

He even subtly hinted that this person was an ill-intentioned villain!

Ordinarily, someone would have stepped forward to report such injustice. But—

The aide-de-camp's shoulder badge indicated his rank, surrounded by a group of bodyguards-like individuals. Upon closer inspection, they were soldiers.

Who dared to provoke the lord's army? No ordinary citizen would dare.

This deterred the onlookers from approaching.

The aide-de-camp, now the center of attention: ...

In the aide-de-camp's estimation, the young prince was likely throwing a tantrum out of anger, thus refusing to return to the Royal City.

Normally, the Young Master was quite mature, but this time, he seemed genuinely upset.

—After all, that chef had utterly ignored the polite request and instead invited punishment.

Perhaps this incident made the Young Master realize that politeness was futile in this case and that force was a more effective means to achieve his goal.

The adjutant let out a faint sigh.

It was all the chef's fault for disrupting the normalcy of their dear Young Master.

He held Pang Qiu tightly without any intention of letting go.

Danjiao, unaware of the adjutant's thoughts, frantically tried to hit him.

But the baby-sized Pang Qiu was no match for an adult, and he was promptly placed on the starship.

Even as the door closed, he was still calling out, "Daddy."

Crying with every fiber of their being.

Of course, the adjutant wished to weep even more.

All right, all right, now not only was His Majesty losing his mind, but the young prince had finally joined in as well.