Chapter 45

Chapter 45

"Nevi, Nevi?"

"Ah, sorry Barlow, I didn't hear you. Could you say that again?" At Barlow's repeated calls, the distracted Nevi seemed to snap out of it, jerking his head toward Barlow and apologizing sheepishly.

"Nevi, you okay? Why have you been spacing out so much lately? You look so down. What's been going on?" Barlow looked at Nevi with concern.

Nevi's expression stiffened for a split second before returning to normal. He smiled to reassure Barlow, "I'm really fine, Barlow. Don't worry. I've just been a little worn out from streaming lately. I'll be fine after some rest."

Lately, Nevi had gotten super ambitious about his career. Apart from the time spent caring for the cubs, he poured almost all his spare time into streaming. Every day he was either studying new fancy snack recipes under Little Blue's guidance, or he was live—chatting with viewers while whipping up all kinds of snacks.

In just two weeks, Nevi's average stream time had more than doubled. He'd even held two fan giveaway events for a hundred bug portions each.

To get those snacks ready for his fans, Nevi had pulled several all-nighters, even with Little Blue helping out.

And all that hard work paid off. His income had increased substantially while his follower count had blown up.

He'd just squeaked past the million mark and hit a whopping 1.5 million followers!

Pretty damn impressive, right? On Nevi's streaming platform, only the biggest mecha battle streamers had over a hundred million followers. Streamers in other categories, even the top names, only had maybe ten million followers max.

Nevi was now a minor celebrity—no longer a nobody bug. He'd also unlocked his own super topic page, a feature only available to bloggers with over a million followers.

Fans could post videos, posts, and pics about Nevi in his super topic space.

It was extremely active. Every day, bugs would upload funny and cute clips from Nevi and the cubs' streams for fans to rewatch and talk about. Some fan artists even drew cute illustrations—since Nevi had that chubby orange sticker on his head, they turned him and the cubs into one big and two little adorable chubby orange cats, with sweet, heartwarming interactions. It had fans squealing over the cuteness. Thanks to fans sharing it everywhere, it even blew up outside the platform.

On top of that, fans would "turn in their homework" every day—recreating the snacks Nevi taught on stream.

Ever since his super topic page opened, Nevi made it a point to check it after every stream. He'd like and comment on fun posts, thank fans, and patiently go through their homework, leaving words of encouragement and tips. One of his favorites was the ongoing comic series about the orange cat family. Every time he saw it, he was genuinely touched by how much love and sincerity the fans put into it.

Even though Nevi was exhausted, he felt a huge sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Barlow had obviously noticed how hard Nevi was working. He nodded, understanding completely, without a hint of doubt.

Barlow looked at Nevi with worry and tried to talk some sense into him. "Nevi, your streaming career matters, but your health comes first. Now that your streaming is taking off and there's a lead on Aesop, why push yourself so hard? Don't try to pull one over on me—Little Blue already told me you've been staying up late making snacks for your fans. Nevi, streaming is already taking a toll on you. You need to take a proper break and let yourself unwind. Don't burn yourself out. Don't forget you've still got two cubs to look after!"

Seeing how sincerely Barlow was trying to talk him into it, Nevi felt a warm feeling in his chest. He slowly nodded, actually taking the advice to heart.

Seeing Nevi actually agree, Barlow smiled in relief and brought up what he'd been talking about earlier.

"Nevi, I've got good news for you! I found out Makaji's already been shipped off by the President and Primo to some backwater planet in the C galaxy. Hahaha, I thought it'd take a while longer, but damn, they got rid of him fast. Guess the President and Primo really gave up on him. But man, is it satisfying! Hehe, that jerk totally deserves it. Serves him right!" Barlow said gleefully, his tone dripping with satisfaction and pure schadenfreude toward Makaji.

Nevi was a little caught off guard, then just nodded.

Ever since the full moon banquet thing, he honestly hadn't thought about Makaji at all. Hearing that name now, it felt like a whole lifetime had gone by.

Right now, Nevi felt neither the sting of bad memories nor any satisfaction at Makaji's downfall.

Nevi's face stayed calm, and his heart didn't even ripple.

Nevi chatted with Barlow for a bit before Barlow headed out, reminding him again to get some rest.

Nevi nodded obediently, but once Barlow left the room—

Alone at the dining table, Nevi pulled out his light brain and, like always, opened his chat with Kaisisen.

But all he saw was his own long walls of explanations and apologies—still no new replies.

Nevi stared blankly at the screen, head drooping, the gloom and loneliness around his brows almost tangible.

Ever since Kaisisen cut him off, he hadn't gotten a single message from him.

Whether he sent long text apologies or carefully handwritten formal letters, he never got a single reply.

And Kaisisen's gold-framed avatar never showed up in the stream chat again.

Many familiar old fans would always ask where the Top Supporter big shot had gone. Every time Nevi saw such comments, he could hardly suppress his surging emotions.

He could only completely ignore them.

These past days, Nevi had poured all his energy into streaming—partly to numb himself, to keep himself busy enough to avoid thinking.

But the satisfaction brought by his streaming achievements was fleeting after all.

Every time in the quiet depths of the night after being busy, exhausted Nevi would sink into low spirits, as if shrouded in a deep sense of loneliness and emptiness that made it hard for him to fall asleep for a long time.

Kaisisen, do you truly despise me now?

At this moment, Nevi's heart was filled with bitterness and pain.

He pressed his lips together, red-eyed as he stared at the chat window on the screen, gradually losing focus.

He had never known before that online relationships could be so solid yet so fragile.

Solid enough that when Kaisisen chatted with him every day without interruption, it felt like he was truly by his side.

And fragile enough that once Kaisisen unilaterally cut off contact, Nevi had absolutely no way to reach him.

*

The next morning, before work hours, Barlow accompanied Nevi and the cubs for a walk in the park.

"Papa, Papa, Mei Mei walk by myself!" As soon as they arrived at the park, Mei Mei eagerly called out.

That young, crisp little voice was full of eager anticipation.

In just over two weeks, Mei Mei—who had grown even rounder—could not only walk steadily on his little chubby legs, but his originally slurred speech had also become much clearer.

At this moment, Mei Mei and Bai Bai sat together in the stroller, which made Bai Bai look even more petite—more like Mei Mei's younger brother than his older brother.

After watching the fish for over a month, Mei Mei had finally temporarily lost interest in the pretty fish. But the energetic little female cub, ever since learning to walk, simply couldn't sit still anymore. Right now, she was sitting in the stroller, repeatedly straining to extend her two chubby arms—clearly signaling that she wanted her papa to carry her out.

Nevi had no choice but to quickly pick up the increasingly heavy chubby cub and set her on the ground. After Mei Mei steadied herself, Nevi reminded her to walk slowly and not run.

Mei Mei's little chubby legs weren't quite steady yet, and she would often fall whenever she ran.

"Know it, Papa!" The cheerful Little Chubby was like a kite with its string loosened, toddling left and right, curiously observing everything around her.

The view from sitting in the stroller was indeed different from the view when walking on one's own.

"Bai Bai, do you want to come down and walk?" Barlow looked at Bai Bai, who sat quietly in the stroller looking increasingly delicate and adorable. He reached out to stroke Bai Bai's soft hair, teasing him with an itching heart.

"No, Bai Bai doesn't want to get down." Bai Bai's little chubby paws tightly gripped the stroller's railing, puffing out his fair, chubby face and shaking his head seriously.

As the cubs grew older, their personalities became more distinct—Bai Bai preferred quiet, while Mei Mei was full of energy.

"Really not? Uncle will hold your hand and walk with you..."

"No!"

......

Nevi watched the interaction between the big and small figures beside him with a smile, while also keeping an eye on Mei Mei, who was crouching by the lawn picking wildflowers not far away. His mood was rarely this relaxed.

The little ones were truly little angels that healed hearts.

Mei Mei, who was stretching out his chubby little paws to pick flowers to give to his daddy-uncle and Bai Bai, suddenly felt himself being lifted, and his view rose.

"Eek!"

Mei Mei's eyes widened as he suddenly met a face that was both unfamiliar and familiar.

Mei Mei looked at the adult female insect smiling before him, then looked up at his red hair. His eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted, "Fishy, uncle!"

Clearly, Mei Mei recognized him as the uncle who often held him to watch the fish.

Joelson's smile grew even brighter. He bounced the chubby little one in his arms, quickly walked up to Nevi, and said openly, "Nevi, Barlow, hello! Long time no see!"

Nevi and Barlow were stunned. Barlow looked from Nevi to Joelson, his brows furrowed deeply. Without beating around the bush, he asked bluntly, "Joelson, why are you here?"

Barlow's tone wasn't exactly friendly, clearly assuming Joelson was trying to bother Nevi again.

Joelson set Mei Mei down, scratched his nose, and quickly explained, "I'm here on serious business this time. I wanted to ask Nevi for a favor."

Nevi looked puzzled. "Joelson, what can I help you with?"

Joelson glanced at Nevi's still beautiful and flawless face, his heart skipping a beat. He quickly looked away and said, "Nevi, it's like this. The project I'm working on is in charge of planning and hosting the annual Blessing Festival. But the male insect playing the Moon God bailed at the last minute. Sorry, I might be a bit presumptuous, Nevi, but... would you consider playing the Moon God?"

The more Joelson spoke, the more embarrassed he became, and his voice trailed off as his confidence waned.

The Blessing Festival was an ancient celebration ritual passed down from the insect race's earliest days.

As time went on, fewer and fewer knew about it, and it was nearly lost to the tide of modernity.

The most important roles in the Blessing Festival were the Sun God, played by a female insect, and the Moon God, played by a male insect.

In recent years, the two role players' perfunctory and lackluster performances had made the event a laughingstock, and it was now increasingly neglected.

But to turn things around, the insect in charge of the festival—their boss—had gritted his teeth and shelled out a large sum to hire two actors of considerable rank and refined bearing. He had poured great effort into it, hoping to breathe new life into the event.

Unexpectedly, the male insect actor suddenly caused trouble, changing his mind at the last minute and demanding double the payment, or he'd refuse to perform.

But funds were limited—the cost of hiring the actors had already come out of their boss's own pocket. How could they scrape together more?

They were furious but helpless, thinking of pooling money to negotiate with the male insect. But the male insect refused to budge, and in the end, he just took off.

But the festival was only two days away! Where could they find another male insect with such refined bearing and good looks?

Just as everyone was losing hope, Joelson immediately thought of Nevi. When it came to looks and charm, who could compare to Nevi? Even that male insect actor couldn't hold a candle to him.

His heart racing, Joelson rushed over to the Male Insect Association on a whim. But upon seeing Nevi, as he gradually calmed down, he felt he was being presumptuous and putting Nevi on the spot.

Sure enough, Nevi, who didn't know much about the event, looked troubled and was already thinking of a polite way to refuse.

But Barlow, standing beside him, suddenly said excitedly, "The Blessing Festival! It's actually the Blessing Festival! Nevi, you should agree! You're the perfect Moon God, no question!"

"Huh?" Nevi looked totally confused.

Joelson's eyes lit up. Seeing a glimmer of hope, he quickly added, "Nevi, don't worry, it's really not hard. You just have to smile, wave, and say a few words. Please!"

Barlow also urged, "Nevi, just treat it as a break. You've been so tired lately—participating in the festival will lift your spirits! We can bring the little ones along and dress them up as two adorable flower children!"

At that moment, Mei Mei, who didn't understand what was going on, hugged Nevi's leg and chimed in with a babbled "Go, go."

Nevi patted Mei Mei's head, looking hesitant, still inclined to decline.

He'd never even participated in such a festival before, nor did he understand it...

Just then, Joelson seemed to think of something, scratched his head, and added sheepishly, "Nevi, our funds aren't very sufficient. We can only offer a fee of three hundred thousand..."

"How much?" Nevi's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

But Nevi's reaction was misunderstood by Joelson, who lowered his head in shame. "Three hundred thousand is indeed too little. We can pool some money and add more..."

Compared to the Sun God, the Moon God was the most important role and pillar of the festival. So Joelson shamelessly continued to push.

But before he could finish, Nevi interrupted him.

"No need."

Just as Joelson's face fell with disappointment, Nevi's gentle, pleasant voice sounded again.

"No need to add more. I'll do it!"

Joelson looked up sharply, only to see Nevi looking at him seriously, those clear, beautiful amber eyes sparkling as if they carried light.

Author's note: Nevi and Kaisisen will meet at the event—major plot progress! If the next chapter updates with six thousand words, maybe I'll get to it.

*

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Thank you all so much for your support! I'll keep working hard!