Chapter 52

Chapter 52

He was hugged forcefully!

Startled, Little Fatty wriggled out of Lu Wei's embrace.

Facing the direction of the shower, Pang Qiu felt his heart pounding fiercely.

Yawning, Lu Wei said, "You want to take a bath, huh? The water's ready just in time."

The young prince immediately replied, "I'll go take a bath."

With his back straightened, Lu Wei found it odd.

How did his child learn those manners from the young nobles during his trip?

Oh dear, parents always find fault with their children.

When Pang Qiu reached the shower, he noticed Lu Wei following him in.

Pang Qiu: !

Lu Wei: "Do you not want me to accompany you?"

Pang Qiu: "No need!"

Lu Wei, puzzled: "Last time when I let you bathe alone, you almost drowned in the bathtub. Didn't we agree that I would accompany you until you turn three?"

Pang Qiu: "I won't drown."

Pang Qiu, with a stern expression, politely but firmly showed him out.

Lu Wei leaned against the entrance of the shower room, puzzled.

What was wrong with Pang Qiu tonight? First, he pushed him away, then decided to shower alone. How did he transform into such a cool character?

Inside the shower, the young prince rubbed his flushed earlobes with an unreadable expression on his face.

At two and a half years old in the Starry Realm, younglings were already capable of bathing themselves and could learn essential life skills. At this age, many families would send their offspring into the wilderness for hunting and genetic training.

That child must be incredibly cunning.

He was only pretending to need his father's help so he could spend time with him.

Unlike himself, who at that age had been entirely self-sufficient.

The little prince suddenly realized that it was because he didn't have a father like that.

His heart felt pierced.

"Coming in," Lu Wei knocked on the door.

The little prince jolted, instantly blushing from head to toe. Hiding in the bathtub, he bubbled away, "No!"

Outside the door, Lu Wei teased, "Looks like Danjiao has grown up."

The little prince whimpered.

Lu Wei called from outside, "You left your rubber ducky behind, let me pass it to you."

The young prince rubbed his flushed cheeks and replied, "No, thanks."

Lu Wei persisted, "Are you sure? You always bring your little yellow duck with you when you take a bath."

The young prince: "…No, really not!"

Satisfied and teasing, Lu Wei drawled, "Oh~"

Young Prince: "…"

The young prince retreated under the water, creating bubbles.

Damn it, how could there be a two-and-a-half-year-old who still needed his father to bathe with him?

So infuriating!

After the bath, Little Ku's eyes appeared even darker, resembling those of a black-eyed octopus.

Lu Wei gazed at him, gradually narrowing his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

The young prince rubbed his flushed head—of course, maintaining an air of cold indifference on his face.

He couldn't understand why this person was looking at him like this. Could it be because of the rubber duck or the meal, which made him realize that he wasn't a Danjiao?

Lu Wei continued to stare.

Stare—

The Earthling friend wasn't pleased: "You're not wearing the little black vest that Dad bought for you!"

Young Prince: ...

"Do I want to wear... this one?"

The black vest clung to his waist, outlining a smooth curve. The sleeveless design exposed his lean arms, revealing an even and attractive skin tone.

But—

It was the first time he had seen such attire.

Lu Wei picked up Fatty and forcibly took him to the wardrobe, dressing him in a matching black tank top for a father-son outfit.

The little prince didn't seem too keen on the idea: "Do we really have to wear them?"

Lu Wei put his hands over his heart: "What? Were you lying to Dad when you said you liked the black tank top with cartoon prints last time?"

His exaggerated reaction was clearly theatrical, with obvious signs of acting.

But seeing those beautiful eyes reveal a hint of sadness...

Even the little prince fell silent.

Damn it, he didn't want to wear it.

Lu Wei sighed: "I bought that cute-patterned tank top especially for you because you said you liked it last time."

Little Prince: "..."

"…I like it, wearing it."

And that's solely to avoid being exposed, nothing else!

Then he saw Danjiao's father extend his 'magical' hand towards him.

Lu Wei clapped his hands, satisfied, "Looks much better."

His Highness, donning a black tank top for the first time in his life, was speechless.

Pang Qiu revealed his arms, resembling lotus stems.

Cool and refreshing.

Lu Wei nuzzled against Pang Qiu, "Danjiao, you truly live up to being your father's eldest son, you're as handsome as him."

Little Ku's ears started to burn again.

The young prince maintained his composure, "It's alright."

Lu Wei crossed his arms. "What do you mean 'alright'? Everyone says you resemble your father. Look at that little nose and those tiny eyes – they're a carbon copy of your dad."

The young prince, who had been hearing this comparison since birth: ...

He did indeed recall resembling his father in appearance.

Grandpa Delphi also mentioned that he looked exactly like his father when he was young.

Little Ku studied Lu Wei's expression seriously. "Your eyes are somewhat similar."

The young prince was always practical – their eyes were indeed alike.

Ultimately, the issue lay with the child who looked exactly like him.

There must be a connection to either his father or the queen. That was precisely why he couldn't return home right now.

He needed to find a way to figure this out here.

With the affectionate bias of a parent, Lu Wei commented, "Your eyes are as beautiful as your dad's; you'll surely marry a wife just like your mom."

Little Ku seized the essence of the matter: "Mom?"

It had begun; Danjiao was about to start pestering him with questions about his origins again.

Lu Wei rubbed his nose. "You know, Dad doesn't have any idea where she is."

Little Ku blinked and probed further, "Have you ever been to the Emperor Star?"

Earth Bro yawned. "What star? Brother Star?"

Somewhat familiar.

But only slightly.

Oh, wasn't that the unlucky fellow who didn't sell him potatoes from the Emperor Star?

The chubby youngster pressed his lips together. "It's okay."

Lu Wei laid his hand behind his head. "Student Danjiao, you're acting quite peculiar today."

Chubby Child: "…Really?"

Lu Wei nodded seriously, adopting the expression of a detective who had uncovered the truth, causing the young prince to feel a bit guilty under his gaze.

Then he asked, "Why didn't you go see your pile of trinkets tonight?"

Young Prince: Huh?

When the young prince was carried to the corner by Lu Wei and saw the heap of colorful metal scraps, he was speechless.

"...Those are the kid's various junk items."

They were almost piled up into a small mountain of trash.

The young prince was gently placed on the ground.

A note was made in the little notebook.

That child was also fond of inventing things from trash.

Unlike Lu Wei, he could discern the other party's intentions at a glance, including the method of creation and its intended purpose. Pang Qiu was surprised himself that he could divine the creator's thoughts from an incomplete work. It was as if they shared a telepathic connection.

The young prince turned his head to see Lu Wei looking at him with a tender expression, as if saying, "Go ahead and synthesize your trash, dear; Father won't laugh at you."

Naturally, the young prince had no intention of touching anyone else's belongings. However, one item caught his attention.

This...!

Based on his progress, he could indeed bring this item to fruition.

Little Ku assessed calmly:

The other party was incredibly intelligent.

He didn't resemble a youngster from a backward planet at all. It was fascinating how such creations could emerge under such primitive conditions.

To avoid revealing his true identity, Little Ku started playing Synthesize Junk in front of Lu Wei.

As he played on, he found that his thought process aligned with the youngster's. Eventually, he became genuinely addicted to the game.

In the evening, Lu Wei was enjoying some melon slices.

Initially, Lu Wei, who had sensed something odd about his child tonight, felt relieved the moment he saw his child engrossed in playing with trinkets.

It's still Danjiao.

Lu Wei waved at him gently, "Danjiao, come over and have some melon."

Pang Qiu, a plump male character, lifted his head from amidst the conglomerate of trash.

They fetched a rocking chair outside and placed the melon slices on a small coffee table.

It was a type of plant with red flesh and a yellow skin.

The taste was sweet upon biting into it.

Both of them sat on the rocking chair, each holding a slice of melon to eat.

They gazed at the galaxy.

The sky in the countryside was vastly different from that of Emperor Star, pristine and beautiful, unspoiled by the glow of technological lights.

Lu Wei watched as Little Fatty Pang picked up a slice of melon and took a bite.

"Is it good? Dad recently started a small garden in the backyard and grew these."

Little Fatty Pang munching on the melon, "It's delicious."

It was sweet and cool.

Lu Wei was munching on a melon, preparing the vegetables for the next day's meal.

"It's really hot in summer. After your competition is over, Dad will take you on a space trip to a cooler planet for a respite from the heat."

Little Ku, with his head lowered, continued eating his melon, his heart stirred by these words.

Could he also be included?

Then he realized.

Actually, this "Dad" wasn't talking to him.

Pang Qiu asked, coughing slightly, "How much longer until the competition ends?"

Lu Wei patted Pang Qiu's back, helping him expel the piece of melon that had lodged in his throat. "Looks like we're about halfway through."

After a moment's thought, Lu Wei added, "There's a replay of the competition tonight."

The warmth of the other's hand made Little Prince feel a sudden sting in his nose.

Pang Qiu unlocked his bracelet and connected to the StarVision Network.

He searched for the Young Creators Invention Competition.

Then, he selected the Z Galaxy's contest.

On the list, he spotted "Danjiao."

The photo was already quite a resemblance, but the dynamic display was even more astonishing.

Huo Nian almost believed it was himself.

If not for the fact that he was certain he hadn't participated in such a competition.

Danjiao seemed to have a great passion for innovation, which was evident from his performance in the contest.

His genetic level was exceptionally high.

Little Pang Qiu began to ponder.

I've heard before about identical or nearly identical individuals existing in different star systems.

That usually implies the use of some mysterious disguise artifact or advanced technology.

— Is Danjiao one of those cases?

Did Danjiao use some kind of device to resemble me?

Or were they inherently identical, which would make the situation even more peculiar.

Little Ku asked, "Dad, have you really never been to Emperor Star?"

The young one's face held a hint of anticipation.

Lu Wei fried the meat pies he needed for tomorrow, casually responding, "Of course not. Your dad has always been on Wu Star."

And Earth, too.

But it was impossible to tell a child that he was a transmigrator.

Thus, Lu Wei stopped there.

Pang Qiu blinked his eyes, persistently inquiring, "Then have you ever met Emperor Star's majesty?"

Lu Wei: "Huh?"

Is it that rumored madman who refuses to do potato business with him?

Lu Wei said sourly, "Are we mere commoners even worthy of seeing him?"

"..." Little Pang Qiu fell silent, quietly nibbling on his melon.

Well then.

After setting the meat jelly aside, Lu Wei stretched and returned to his rocking chair.

Lu Wei pinched his child's cheeks, "Why are you so concerned about that unlucky fellow with the Ho surname who clashes with us today?"

Pang Qiu: !

Does the surname Huo clash with you guys?

Pang Qiu looked a little pitiful. "Dad doesn't like people with the surname Huo?"

Lu Wei sneered. "Hmph, didn't Dad tell you last time? It's that person who threw away my colorful resume."

Lu Wei assumed that children had short memories.

After all, he had only mentioned it in passing.

Pang Qiu: "Oh."

Lu Wei realized that his little one seemed to always lack affection, constantly fearing that he wouldn't love him.

"You don't have the surname Huo, so why would you be afraid of Dad disliking you?"

Pang Qiu: "...."

The two of them lay down on the bed, one large and one small.

The young prince was quite certain that today was his designated episode day, yet surprisingly, he didn't exhibit any signs of it occurring.

Lu Wei gently patted his head, "Go to sleep, go to sleep."

The plump child blinked, gazing at Lu Wei.

Lu Wei: ?

It could've been his illusion, but the child's behavior seemed off today.

Normally, the little chubby one would rest his head on him and only wake up when they reached their destination.

Lu Wei reached out to touch his forehead, "You don't have a fever."

The plump child shook his head.

Lu Wei asked again, "Is it a headache?"

Huo Nian nodded.

Does this person's child also suffer from headaches like him?

Lu Wei replied, "A little pat will make it better."

Pang Qiu responded, "That's impossible."

Following their usual routine, Lu Wei gently rubbed the boy's head and patted his back.

The young prince knew that his headaches were due to his genetic condition, so he understood that this person was merely comforting him.

But after those soothing hands massaged his head—

It really, truly didn't hurt that much anymore.

In bed, Little Pang Qiu turned away, confirming that his Star Network had been without signal all day.

Lu Wei, propping his head on his arm, yawned.

He asked, "Is your head still hurting?"

Actually, the pain wasn't that severe anymore.

But this was the first time he'd been so intimately close to "Dad."

He didn't even dislike this sensation in the slightest.

The young prince nestled against Lu Wei, his ears tinged with a faint blush.

"Just a little bit," he admitted.

Only after speaking did the young prince realize that he wasn't all that different from "Danjiao." They were both pitiful creatures seeking comfort in a hug.

Lu Wei patted the young one's head. "Rub it, and the pain will fly away."

It wasn't a deceptive incantation but a genuine spell of comfort.

Wherever his warm hand touched, the pain vanished, and the scent of him made one drowsy.

The young prince pinched his own cheeks.

Normally, this would be the time when he finished his studies.

Yet, he was currently indulging in someone else's father's embrace. How despicable.

As Lu Wei fanned him, he said, "A child doesn't need to think too much, understand? A two-and-a-half-year-old can sleep when they want and be pampered when they please. Hiding things from adults isn't what a good kid does."

Pang Qiu felt exposed by these words.

The child rubbed his face. "Did you notice all of that?"

The little prince wasn't usually so impetuous. He had revealed so many tells purely because Lu Wei was very special.

Being with him was enjoyable, and his scent was soothing, making the young one unable to resist leaning on him.

They had only known each other for a day, yet it felt as if they had been together for a long time.

Lu Wei folded his arms. "Your father will know what you're thinking just by looking at you. You have this expression when you're hiding something."

The little prince pursed his lips. "I'm sorry."

Lu Wei stroked his chin. "Look, you've been like this all evening, completely different from your usual self. I thought your father wouldn't notice, but I've taken care of you, this little rascal, for over two years, raising you from a baby who was still drinking milk."

The young prince stared at the adult. "I didn't mean to—"

Sherlockian·Sharp Deduction: "Were you thinking about that eagle of yours, wanting to bring it here to raise?"

The young prince: ...

The young prince: "Uh-huh."

Lu Wei confirmed his suspicion. "When children are unusually quiet, they're up to something. It's obvious from your distracted state that you're thinking about that one-eyed eagle again."

Lu Wei chuckled. "First, it was breeding grasshoppers in the attic as a child, then bringing home a calf when you were just over a year old. Now, it's a one-eyed eagle. Your father is truly full of surprises."

So Danjiao was raising an eagle.

The young prince asked, "Can I really keep it?"

Lu Wei reluctantly agreed. "Considering Danjiao is the president of the Global Lu Wei Fan Club."

The young prince probed further, "Is it really okay? Even if I keep insects, cows, or hawks at home?"

Lu Wei found it amusing. "Your Trash Pile Daddy did leave that for you, but let's make it clear: You'll have to take care of your own minions; I won't be feeding them."

The young prince's lovely eyes sparkled.

It was fine for Danjiao to turn the house into a large junkyard, raise insects or hawks – his father would still hug and praise him.

His father smelled nice and would pat his back gently.