Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The mall the male bugs took Neiwei and Barlow to wasn't the same department store they'd visited before.

Instead, it was a members-only mall with top-notch service and strict privacy. Any male bug who registered automatically became a member of the mall. Female bugs could only become members if invited by a male bug.

Since each male bug only had five invitation slots, and any female bug who became a member had to pay a hefty annual fee,

there weren't many customers in this mall—but almost everyone passing through was a male bug, a rare sight elsewhere.

Neiwei, who was basically viral online and wasn't wearing a mask, didn't cause much of a stir this time either. He was only occasionally at a loss when dealing with the service bugs in the clothing stores, who tried desperately to stay composed but always ended up being overly eager to please.

The clothes Neiwei and the cubs had picked out would be delivered to Neiwei's place later that evening.

But the cheerful, enthusiastic male bugs had given them so many gifts that Barlow, who had the day off, didn't head off on his own right away. Instead, he kept his deadpan expression and continued serving as the designated bag-carrier, accompanying Neiwei back to the Male Bug Association.

Just as the two bugs and two cubs entered the gates of the Male Bug Association, the guard bug on duty at the registration window poked his head out and called out to Neiwei.

"Neiwei, wait a moment—someone's here to see you."

Neiwei turned around, looking confused. Before he could ask, two work bugs in pale white uniforms stepped out of a side room, carrying briefcases.

The lead one, a black-haired female bug with a fair, clean face and an extremely friendly smile, quickly approached Neiwei and introduced himself: "Hello, Mr. Neiwei, my name is Vitkay. I'm the vice president of the Juvenile Protection Association. This is my colleague."

With that, Vitkay pulled his credentials out of his briefcase and handed them to Neiwei.

At that moment, the work bug from the window also hurried over to Neiwei's side and quietly explained: "Neiwei, we've already verified their identities—they really are work bugs from the Juvenile Protection Association. They said they needed to speak with you and have been waiting in the reception room for quite a while."

Neiwei nodded blankly. He stared at the stamped credentials in his hand, unable to make much sense of them, but he trusted the association's work bugs completely.

"So... what did you come to see me about?" Neiwei said as he tried to hand the credentials back to Vitkay, only for Barlow to suddenly snatch them away.

Barlow dumped all the gifts he was carrying onto the association colleague bug beside him, stepped in front of Neiwei, and eyed the smiling Vitkay warily. He examined the credentials in his hand without any pretense of courtesy, then immediately demanded, "Vitkay? Vice president of the Juvenile Protection Association? How come I've never heard of you? Where's Owen?"

Barlow was, after all, a work bug of the association. With his baby face now stern and his full presence unleashed, he actually looked pretty intimidating.

On the capital star, compared to the well-known Male Bug Protection Association, the Juvenile Protection Association was just as official an institution, yet it was virtually unknown—so much so that, without exaggeration, many bugs had no idea such an organization even existed.

The Juvenile Protection Association's duty was to rescue and protect underage cubs in difficult situations and help them live better lives.

But the capital star, as the empire's political and economic center, was the most technologically advanced, entertainment-rich, and well-developed planet. Bugs who could settle and live on the capital star were generally well-off and had no worries. Unless cubs were deliberately abused, they would almost never end up in dire straits.

And abuse was even more laughable—in a bug race with such low birth rates, bugs either carefully cherished their hard-won cubs or placed great hopes on them. No one would abuse their own kids.

Therefore, as one of the branch associations, the Juvenile Protection Association wasn't given much attention on the capital star.

Aside from occasionally registering newborn cubs and providing the corresponding subsidies and benefits, the entire branch was almost always quiet and empty.

The Juvenile Protection Association located in the B galaxy was the real main headquarters.

As the life committee member of the Male Bug Association, Barlow mostly dealt with male bugs temporarily staying in the association's housing for various reasons. Over that time, he'd had a few dealings with the Juvenile Protection Association and was familiar with the bugs in charge of the capital star branch.

But this bug before him—he was a complete stranger. Barlow had never seen him before.

Upon hearing Barlow's challenge, Vitkay's smile didn't waver, and he showed no trace of panic. Instead, he patiently explained with great composure: "I was just recently transferred over from the main association in the B galaxy. Because my spouse's job was relocated, our whole family moved to the capital star, and I transferred here as well. The main association in the B galaxy was short-staffed, so Owen went over there."

"Oh, then what business do you have with Neiwei? When Neiwei's cubs were first born, they were already registered with your association, and the welfare subsidies have always been processed through our account." Barlow responded flatly, continuing his questioning.

In truth, there was nothing particularly wrong with the Vitkay standing before him, no matter how you looked at it.

Barlow's usual personality was absolutely nothing like this—he wasn't the type to be a prickly firecracker causing trouble for others.

But for some reason, no matter how friendly and gentle this bug's attitude was, Barlow had a terrible first impression of him.

He couldn't explain why—it was just an instinctive aversion.

"Well, you've just come back from outside, so you must be pretty tired. It's not very convenient to talk here, and it might disturb the cubs. How about we go into the reception room to talk?" Vitkay didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at the cubs sound asleep in the stroller in front of Neiwei and said considerately.

"Ha, save your fake kindness. Don't worry, the stroller has soundproofing—the cubs won't be disturbed. You've been rambling on so much here—since you know we're tired, why don't you hurry up and wrap this up so we can leave!" Staring at Vitkay's smile, which never once changed its curve, Barlow found it more and more hypocritical the longer he looked. He didn't hold back at all and immediately snapped back.

The colleague beside him, frantically clutching a pile of gifts, flinched. He looked at Barlow in disbelief, feeling Barlow was going too far. He couldn't help speaking up: "Barlow, what's gotten into you today? Why are you being so harsh? Mr. Vitkay and his team have been waiting in the reception room for a long time. I originally said I'd call your communicator, but Mr. Vitkay stopped me, saying you might be busy and told me not to disturb you—they'd wait a bit longer..."

Barlow turned his head and shot a glare at his ill-timed colleague, whose voice immediately faded to almost nothing.

A bug who was usually cheerful and easygoing could be genuinely scary once angry.

Neiwei, who had been silent for a long time, noticed the bug behind Vitkay showing obvious indignation toward Barlow, as well as the other work bugs poking their heads out of the window, drawn by the commotion. He pressed his lips together, ultimately tugging at Barlow, and looked at Vitkay as he spoke: "I apologize, please don't take offense. We really are quite tired after today, and your sudden visit caught us off guard. Why don't we go into the reception room and talk instead."

At that, Vitkay's smile clearly grew even wider. He quickly said, "Apologies—it was presumptuous of us to visit and disturb you. Thank you for your understanding. Mr. Neiwei, Mr. Barlow, this way, please."

With that, Vitkay and his colleague took the lead and entered the reception room.

Barlow, lagging a step behind, muttered quietly: "Neiwei, why did you agree to that? I've worked at this association for so long and never once seen the Juvenile Protection Association bugs come knocking on their own. The rare contacts were all through communicators. These bugs are clearly up to no good..."

Neiwei's brow furrowed slightly. He neither agreed with nor refuted Barlow's words. In fact, for some reason, he too had felt an instinctive resistance the moment he first laid eyes on Vitkay.

"It's fine, Barlow. They came with intent—we might dodge them this time, but not the next. Let's see what they really want."

*

"Mr. Neiwei, it's like this—after I took office, I was going through the archives and discovered that you actually have a pair of fraternal twin cubs, and incredibly rare ones at that—one male and one female! The first recorded case in the Juvenile Protection Association's hundred-year history! How fortunate and special! You're truly blessed—the bug god has shown you great favor!"

Vitkay showered praise with utmost flattery, a hint of envy flashing across his face. Then he shifted gears and finally got to the point: "Your cubs are, after all, extremely rare twin eggs. We'd like to understand their detailed physical development. Oh, right—the cubs are two months old now, aren't they? Have you taken them for gene level testing yet?"

Neiwei's faint polite smile gradually faded. He frowned and remained silent, instead shifting his gaze to the several female bugs in identical uniforms behind Vitkay.

The moment he and Barlow had walked in, he'd noticed there were actually three or four more Juvenile Protection Association bugs in the reception room.

Two of the uniformed female bugs were even carrying boxes that looked quite heavy.

Neiwei's wariness had been climbing steadily since then.

What could possibly warrant bringing this many bugs, along with those boxes that looked so strangely out of place?

Now hearing Vitkay bring up the cubs' levels, Neiwei pressed his lips together and said flatly, "Not yet. My cubs just turned two months old—there's no rush to do it. Whatever their levels are, it doesn't matter to me."

But no sooner had Neiwei finished speaking than Vitkay immediately wore an expression of disapproval and raised objections: "Mr. Neiwei, how can you say it's not urgent? A cub's level is the key factor that determines their entire life. Testing their levels early allows you to raise them better according to their different conditions."

At the same time, as Vitkay spoke, the bug behind him carrying the boxes finally opened the sealed cases, carefully took out the instruments inside, and set them on the table.

"Mr. Neiwei, we happen to have brought a gene level testing instrument with us. How about we test the cubs right now?"

Vitkay's tone carried a note of urgency. His smile was still on his face, but this time, that smile looked like the dagger finally revealed from the map.

*

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Author's note: I had some unexpected business during the day, so the nutrition liquid bonus chapter still isn't done. Keeping putting it off is really my fault. I'll try to make it up tomorrow during the day (collapses).

Oh right, I commissioned an artist for beautiful illustrations of Nai Nai, the adorable cubs, and the jealous Kaisisen.

The illustration event will be released in a little while. I absolutely love the family-of-four illustrations! Hehe.

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