Chapter 51

Chapter 51

After Lu Wei found his mentor, he discovered that his Danjiao was nowhere to be seen.

He didn't see him at the daycare, nor on his way there.

Attempting a three-dimensional communication, he realized they were out of network coverage.

This series of events alarmed Lu Wei, who promptly headed to the service station in the commercial building, preparing to make an announcement to find Danjiao.

As he hurried to the front desk, a familiar silhouette caught his eye.

A small figure stood not too far away.

That plump back belonged to none other than—

"Danjiao!"

Lu Wei ran over and embraced the child warmly.

Relieved, he said, "You almost scared your father to death."

Pang Qiu trembled slightly, apparently unaccustomed to being held.

After wriggling free and standing up straight, his brows remained deeply furrowed.

But when he saw who had been holding him, the sharp words on the tip of his tongue softened and were swallowed back down.

- Even he himself didn't understand the reason.

Lu Wei let out another sigh of relief. "Come on, let's go home."

Then, he took the child's small hand in his own and began to lead the way forward.

The young prince blinked and asked calmly, "What about the adjutant? Did he send you to pick me up?"

The child was not panicked but was trying to make sense of the situation.

He had been separated from the adjutant for a short while, then the man disappeared. After waiting for some time, he found himself suddenly scooped up by an unknown adult, ready to be taken home.

Lu Wei loosened his collar from the heat, assuming that the child was looking for their leader. "Your teacher has an interesting name."

Is it Fu Guan?

Sounds like someone destined for wealth.

Huo Nian shook his head. "No."

Lu Wei reached out to scoop up Pang Qiu. "Come on, we'll be late if we don't start preparing for tonight's supplies."

The Young Prince: "Wait a moment."

Lu Wei cut him off before he could speak further. "No eating dirt, no picking up trash, and no mentioning catching insects in the ecological park. Your eagle will be there next time, but your father won't be able to smuggle you back to Wu Star."

His tone was stern, and usually, the Young Prince wouldn't be afraid. It should have been that way...

But for some reason, Prince Pang Qiu obediently waited as instructed.

Despite not knowing this stranger who had suddenly picked him up at all.

There was a sense of bloodline dominance.

Lu Wei picked up the plump cub and weighed him in his arms. "Your training uniforms look pretty cool. As expected of my cub, your face suits anything."

The little cub's face was grave. "You might have mistaken me for someone else."

Lu Wei was unconcerned. "Oh, that person wasn't your teacher just now, then."

Little Prince: ...

It was a confusing feeling, like talking to someone who didn't understand at all.

The cub began to ponder if this person had any ulterior motives for getting close to him, with the ultimate goal being the royal family.

Lu Wei noticed his distant expression. "Oh, right."

They hadn't done their usual family activity yet.

The Earth-produced chili pepper gently put down the cub and kissed the young one's cheek.

A fleeting peck.

A kiss.

The Little Prince, not once in his entire two and a half years of existence, had been kissed by anyone.

Little Prince: !

Pang Qiu covered himself, "Y-YOU! You're not allowed to kiss me!"

Lu Wei: ?

Trying to act all coy, huh?

Interesting.

Lu Wei pinched his cheeks, "Dude, the 'tsundere' act is so last season. The general public isn't into that anymore."

He wasn't surprised at all. After all, Danjiao was a quirky one, often engaging in cosplay to spice up their father-son bonding moments.

Accustomed to it, as one would say.

Young Master: "..." He couldn't understand a single word.

However, the other's practiced movements and tone didn't seem like those of someone merely deceiving a child; if it were true, then he was a masterful actor indeed.

Had he mistaken someone for him?

Lu Wei gently placed a backpack on him, "Your little yellow duck purse was left behind at the mall. When I made an announcement, someone kindly returned it. Next time, you must be more careful not to lose things."

Pang Qiu, a male character, unexpectedly found himself holding a small backpack adorned with a yellow duck.

The young prince lowered his eyelids, just about to lift his head and clarify the situation in detail to the noble before him, when he suddenly noticed the pendant on the backpack.

Hanging there was a framed photograph, enclosed within a shimmering transparent case.

Entirely attached to the bag.

It was this young man and a child.

Both revealed their teeth in wide, radiant smiles.

That child was none other than himself.

Young Master: !

Initially, he suspected that this man was deceiving him, having ulterior motives.

But now, he realized that what the man said seemed to be true.

Beneath the photograph was a stylish line of writing: Danjiao and Lu Wei, taken when Xiao Bao was one year old.

If not for Pang Qiu being absolutely certain that he had never been photographed before, he would have believed it was him in the picture.

"Danjiao" was the name this person had just called him.

Did that mean he looked exactly like "Danjiao"?

Young Master blinked, suppressing his thoughts, and gazed at Lu Wei without uttering a word.

Attempting to contact his adjutant, he found himself unable to log into the Star Network, with a message reading "Both parties are out of service area."

He had never encountered such a situation before.

Sure enough, the Z-star system was a terrifying place, even disrupting the Star Network connectivity.

Lu Wei informed him, "Do you know who was in that building just now? It's said that the military arrived. Dad was extremely worried about you."

Hearing this, Huo Nian guessed that Lu Wei was referring to the adjutant and their group.

Just as he was about to respond, the nobleman spoke again:

"Fortunately, that group has already left."

Young Prince: ?

Young Prince: "Left?"

Lu Wei nodded. "Yes, a bunch of people came out of nowhere and then left on a starship just as mysteriously. I have no idea what that was about."

Pang Qiu asked, "They just left?"

Lu Wei replied, "They've been gone for a while now. The starship is probably already in the air."

As they strolled along holding hands, Lu Wei continued answering.

"Is there anything else you left behind that we need to retrieve?"

Pang Qiu paused. "I...，

"What's up?"

"No, let's go."

He inexplicably agreed.

There wasn't a clear reason, but he had an odd premonition.

There was also the curiosity to unravel the mystery.

Huo Nian quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Putting aside the fact that the adjutant had already left, the crucial point was that the adjutant could be contacted at any time.

But if he missed this chance, he would never have the opportunity to learn more about the "Danjiao" who looked almost identical to him in the photograph.

...

Little Pang Qiu now knew that the adult's home was on Wu Star, a place even more backward than planet K.

Upon arriving, the Star Network was completely inaccessible, not even displaying the usual message "Both parties are out of service area."

He began to doubt if his actions had been too hasty.

As the big and small pair returned home, they were greeted by people along the way.

The young man seemed to be on familiar terms with everyone, effortlessly engaging in small talk.

He hummed a tune as he climbed the old stairs, each floor inhabited by residents.

Upon arrival, he fished out a key, an item that had been outdated for centuries, to unlock the door.

One could say that from the surroundings to the living conditions, it was all entirely unfamiliar territory for the young prince.

Back at home.

It was a dilapidated little attic.

As Pang Qiu stepped inside, he nearly tripped on a patch on the floor.

"..."

The floor... was patched up!

Not only that, there were markings drawn on the supporting pillars with a pen.

It was evident that the markings had been there for quite some time.

He stepped forward for a closer look.

"One year" "One and a half years" "Two years" "Two and a half years."

Each growth spurt had been marked on the pillar.

The young prince touched the column with a wistful expression on his face.

Seeing him standing there, Lu Wei approached with a smile. "Ah, looks like you've grown quite a bit."

Logically, the young prince should have clarified that he wasn't 'Danjiao,' but looking at the delighted smile on Lu Wei's face, he remained silent.

"Uh-huh."

Lu Wei turned around to fetch a pen, then crouched down next to Pang Qiu.

"Buddy, stand still."

The young prince gazed at Lu Wei, struggling with his conscience – but ultimately said nothing.

He watched as Lu Wei meticulously marked the pillar according to his height.

Young Prince: "Actually, I..."

Lu Wei indicated the difference in height with his hand: "This much taller, thanks to your dad's amazing cooking skills – damn, I forgot about the meat in the pot."

Lu Wei hastily dropped the pen and hurried into the small kitchen.

A savory aroma wafted out from the pot, accompanied by Lu Wei's relieved voice.

"Tonight, I made your favorite meat and egg buns to celebrate my brother's triumphant first battle!"

Young Prince: "Meat and egg buns?"

Lu Wei pointed to the dining table with a loving gaze. "Go ahead, little Pang Qiu."

On the table were dishes unseen on Emperor Star.

Not some standardized nutrient solution in a modified version, but a steaming plate of food.

He didn't recognize any of the dishes on it.

The chubby child showed a hint of curiosity.

It smelled so good.

Lu Wei picked up a meat and egg bun for him. "Eat slowly, don't choke. Your father can't afford to take you to the hospital."

The little prince's face was serious. "Mm-hmm."

One could tell from the family environment that this child, who looked exactly like him, came from a very poor family.

The little prince gazed at the meat and egg bun with his big, grape-like eyes.

According to royal etiquette and rules, one should not eat anything given by strangers.

Lu Wei tilted his head. "Don't like sauerkraut in your bun?"

This person had been staring at him the whole time.

Moreover, his eyes were beautiful, as if he would be pained if he didn't eat it.

Young Master: ...

Young Master took a bite.

The flavor burst onto his taste buds – it was delicious!

There wasn't anything this tasty anywhere on the Emperor Star.

It could be said that this was the best food he had tasted since birth, completely different from nutrient solutions. Not only did it satisfy his hunger, but it also held immense emotional value.

It was somewhat similar to the nutrient solutions his aunt would send him, cooked by a chef.

But it was even more delicious than those nutrient solutions!

Lu Wei saw the little kid's attempt at maturity and read nothing from it.

From the way Pang Qiu took another bite, it was evident that he found the food delicious.

Lu Wei was an adult; he ate quickly.

Normally, Danjiao could keep up with him in terms of speed.

But today seemed different.

The little fatty was still eating at his leisurely pace.

Supporting his chin, Lu Wei asked, "Danjiao, are you not feeling well today? You're eating much slower than usual."

Pang Qiu adhered to the principle of saying less to minimize mistakes. "Mm."

Then, under the intense gaze of concern, his actions became awkward.

Lu Wei sighed. "If you don't eat a few more bowls, Dad will worry."

Pang Qiu: "..."

The young prince takes notes.

Just like this little one here.

Naively cheerful, has a big appetite, and is rather poor.

The young prince shakes his head. "Just a bit dizzy."

Lu Wei understands. "Eat slowly, I'll go take a shower first."

Lu Wei trusts his clever little one greatly, feeling at ease leaving him to eat alone.

After the shower, the young one finally finishes his meal.

The bowl is spotless, not a single grain of rice left behind, and his mouth is tidily free of leftovers.

Lu Wei raises an eyebrow. "How refined my brother ate tonight."

The young prince: "..."

Not the slightest bit crude or unrefined.

Father looks at Father with disdain.

The young prince takes notes.

Simple-minded joy, huge appetite, impoverished, and a ravenous eater.

Under Lu Wei's gaze, he had no choice but to eat with a bit less gusto, only then did he see the other person's furrowed brows ease up, revealing an expression that said, "That's more like it, Father won't worry about you anymore."

Lu Wei assigns Little Fatty Pang to do the dishes after dinner.

It was also the young prince's first time doing such a task.

But for some reason, he was more than willing.

He didn't feel the least bit weary.

-Well, not just that, but to avoid revealing his true identity.

The young prince coldly carried his bowl to the sink.

After washing the dishes, he found the youth sitting there nonchalantly.

Watching a program that Emperor Star inhabitants rarely, if ever, tuned into.

The lifeforms on Wu Star were at least three hundred years behind those of Emperor Star.

The youth leaned back lazily on the sofa.

He wore a deep gray tank top, exposing his neck and arms, with smooth and attractive muscle lines.

Prince Xiao had received a full education in Emperor Star's customs; ordinary citizens would never dare to dress so improperly.

Lu Wei hugged the little Pang Qiu, and they cuddled closely.

Prince Pang Qiu, who had never been this close to anyone before: !!!

Pang Qiu pinched his ears, "How can you wear such clothes!"

The Earthling shrugged. "Isn't this color pleasing to the eye?"

Little Prince: No, it isn't!

Back in the royal family, his father rarely had any intimate interactions with him, and the adjutants never took the initiative to approach him.

The only people he had contact with were family tutors and the like.

He had never been hugged like this before.

And for someone to hold him this way, dressed like this – it was completely unprecedented!