Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Kaisisen hurried forward and scooped up the chubby little cub in one motion, while Nevi took advantage of the brief moment to hastily straighten his disheveled clothes, as if that would hide what had just happened.

Compared to the mom he had only met a day ago, the chubby cub Mei Mei, who had just woken up, still felt closer to his dad. Before Kaisisen could even get close, Mei Mei's two plump, pudgy little arms reached out eagerly toward Nevi.

Seeing the little chubby cub leaning halfway out of his arms, Nevi was startled and quickly took the chunky cub into his arms.

Settling into the familiar soft embrace of his dad, Mei Mei contentedly pressed his cheek against Nevi's chest, nuzzling affectionately.

Then the little chubby cub puffed up his face and looked up, staring seriously at his dad's face. He noticed that his dad's cheeks were red, and his lips were red too. His slightly aggrieved, babyish voice rang out with dissatisfaction, "Dad, your mouth is all red. You kissed Mom, but you didn't kiss Mei Mei. Mei Mei wants kisses too! I want kisses!"

With that, Mei Mei grabbed onto Nevi and planted a big "mwah" right on Nevi's chin. Then, like a little woodpecker, he gave several more kisses on Nevi's chin and cheek, leaving a trail of wet marks.

Finally, the little chubby cub clutched Nevi's collar, tilting his face up high, waiting for his dad's kisses.

Once he got over the initial embarrassment of being caught being affectionate by the chubby cub, Mei Mei's actions melted Nevi's heart completely.

His eyes soft and tender, he smiled gently and affectionately planted several kisses on Mei Mei's bouncy, smooth cheeks, eliciting a string of bright giggles from the little chubby cub.

After getting his fill of cuddles from his dad, the little chubby cub seemed to finally remember his mom. He turned, eyes sparkling, to look at Kaisisen, and said without hesitation, "Mom, Mom, Mei Mei wants kisses too!"

Kaisisen beside him froze for a moment, as if not having processed what was said, standing stock-still. Only after Mei Mei's repeated urgings did he walk over somewhat flustered, take the chubby cub from Nevi's arms, and, copying Nevi, clumsily and carefully plant a few kisses on Mei Mei's face.

The delighted Mei Mei happily left a bunch of sloppy kisses on Kaisisen's face as well, then contentedly nestled into his mom's broad embrace and settled down.

Nevi relaxed his arms, gently squeezed the chubby cub's cheeks, and took out a handkerchief to wipe Mei Mei's chubby, cold little feet, reminding him, "Mei Mei, remember to put on your shoes next time you get up. Don't walk around barefoot anymore, okay?"

Mei Mei was a busy, careless little cub who didn't like wearing shoes. Nevi had reminded him many times, but Mei Mei always forgot.

The floor of the rented house here was made of some unknown material that always felt cold. If Mei Mei walked around barefoot for even a short while, his chubby feet would get ice-cold.

Although the little female cub was tough, Mei Mei was only a few months old after all. Nevi worried that Mei Mei might get sick, so he could only keep reminding him.

Mei Mei buried his head in his mom's embrace, pretending not to hear, until Nevi pinched Mei Mei's bottom. Mei Mei wiggled his bottom and only then reluctantly said, "I know, Dad."

Nevi sighed helplessly, then said gently, "If Mei Mei wears his shoes obediently every day, Dad will reward Mei Mei with an extra berry lollipop, okay?"

Berry lollipops were Mei Mei's favorite. Nevi only allowed the little cub to have them twice a week. Even if Mei Mei craved them and begged Nevi by pouting and rolling on the ground, Nevi never budged.

Now seeing his dad promise so easily, Mei Mei's eyes lit up. He struggled to get out of his mom's embrace, "Dad, Mei Mei is going to put on shoes right now!"

But if Mei Mei touched the ground, his freshly wiped chubby feet would get dirty again.

Fortunately, Kaisisen didn't let go. Instead, he carried the chubby cub straight into the room.

But the moment he entered the room, Kaisisen froze, about to quietly get Mei Mei's shoes. There on the bed, Bai Bai was rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep, clearly having just woken up.

Seeing Bai Bai awake, Mei Mei shouted happily, "Bai Bai!"

Startled, Bai Bai flinched, his whole body trembling. He turned his head and made eye contact with Kaisisen and the squirming Mei Mei in his arms.

Seeing his brother, Mei Mei no longer wanted to put on shoes. Instead, he whined to get on the bed.

The moment he was placed on the bed by Kaisisen, Mei Mei excitedly crawled over to Bai Bai's side, gently hugging his brother and nuzzling affectionately.

Mei Mei always remembered that his dad had said his brother Bai Bai was a male bug and not as strong. He hadn't understood before, until the day Bai Bai accidentally fell and scraped his elbows and knees until they bled, scaring Mei Mei into wailing loudly.

The tough Mei Mei couldn't understand why he could bump into things all the time and be perfectly fine, but his brother Bai Bai would bleed from just one fall.

When his dad was treating his brother's wounds, patiently comforting and explaining, Mei Mei still didn't understand what male and female bugs were, but he vaguely understood that he and his brother were different.

Since then, the ever-reckless Mei Mei learned to control his strength when cuddling and playing with his brother.

Now, pressing against Bai Bai, who was a size smaller than him, Mei Mei contentedly waggled his head.

Besides his dad, Mei Mei's favorite person was his brother Bai Bai.

Bai Bai didn't talk much, didn't like playing with him, and always said he was dirty, but he would always patiently listen to Mei Mei talk, secretly share his favorite snacks, and help cover for him when he played in the mud—unlike silly Little Black and naughty Little Blue, who always loved to tattle on him!

His dad always said they were born together, the closest of siblings! Mei Mei loved Bai Bai, whom he'd grown up with!

"Mei Mei, where did this owie come from?" Bai Bai puffed up his cheeks, pushing at Mei Mei who was leaning on him, frowning as he pointed at the bruise at the corner of Mei Mei's eye.

Bai Bai said this while sneakily glancing at the tall female bug standing not far away, his eyes full of wariness.

This morning Mei Mei didn't have this owie, but how... after going out with this bug, it appeared.

Bai Bai's quick glances were naturally noticed by the sharp-eyed Kaisisen. Kaisisen clenched his fists nervously. When Bai Bai glanced at him again, he met Bai Bai's gaze and tried to smile gently, trying to seem friendlier.

But the effect didn't seem to work. Bai Bai flinched the moment he met Kaisisen's gaze, then turned around, turning his back to Kaisisen, refusing to look at him again, leaving Kaisisen staring at his small, rounded back.

Kaisisen stood frozen in place, head lowered, eyes downcast, looking somewhat dejected.

Meanwhile, Mei Mei, hearing Bai Bai mention his injury, perked up. He grabbed Bai Bai's chubby little hand and said happily, "Bai Bai, today I went with Mom to beat up bad cubs! Bad cubs, taller and bigger than me, bullying little cubs, stealing cakes and fruit. Mei Mei wasn't scared, charged right in..."

As he spoke, Mei Mei stood up, waving his arms and pouncing on the pillow beside him. Sitting on the pillow, he made a fierce face, punching left and right at the pillow, showing Bai Bai exactly what happened.

Just then, a soft laugh came from the doorway. Nevi stood there leaning against the doorframe, eyes crinkling in a smile, his expression full of fondness. He said approvingly, "Mei Mei protected the little cubs, huh? So brave, just like Maka, a real Little Hero!"

Nevi praised without reservation, giving his chubby cub all the encouragement he needed, while Kaisisen followed his husband's lead, adding his own praise for Mei Mei.

Doubly affirmed by both his parents, Mei Mei was so excited his cheeks were flushed. He rolled over on the bed, scrambled to his feet, and declared loudly, "Mei Mei is awesome, Mei Mei is a little hero, Mom is even more awesome! I beat away the bad bugs and bad cubs, they couldn't get up, they were lying on the ground. Mei Mei will be like Mom in the future! Be a big hero! Protect Dad, protect Bai Bai!"

With that, Mei Mei looked at his mom expectantly, his clear, bright eyes practically sparkling.

Kaisisen's expression softened. He said seriously, "You will, Mei Mei. You're already so great, and you'll become even greater than Mom in the future. You'll definitely become a big hero!"

A flash of pride and joy passed through Kaisisen's eyes. He had only one thought at that moment.

That's his cub, with such big dreams at such a young age.

At that moment, Nevi stepped forward and hugged the rosy-cheeked chubby cub, unable to resist giving him a kiss. Speaking slowly and gently, he coaxed, "Dad is waiting for Mei Mei to become a big hero in the future. But for now, can this little hero promise Dad that if something like this happens again, he'll tell Mom or Dad first, and not go fight on his own? If Little Hero Mei Mei gets hurt, Mom and Dad will be very sad. Wait until Mei Mei becomes a big hero before getting involved, okay?"

Nevi didn't dare touch the bruise at the corner of Mei Mei's eye, only gently stroking his cheek, his expression full of worry.

He knew that little female cubs always got bumps and bruises growing up. He could stop himself from interfering, but he couldn't help the ache in his heart. If he could, he wished his Mei Mei didn't have to be a little hero or a big hero—just healthy and safe would be enough. That would be the best thing in his eyes.

Mei Mei seemed to sense his dad's emotions, or perhaps understood his words. He blinked, then muttered, looking confused and nervous, "Then... if Mei Mei doesn't fight, is Mei Mei still a little hero?"

Nevi was taken aback, then smiled and laughed out loud. He hugged Mei Mei and gave him a big kiss, saying without missing a beat, "Of course you are, Mei Mei. You'll always be the best little hero in Dad's heart!"

With his worries gone, Mei Mei was full of energy again. He nuzzled comfortably in Nevi's arms, then struggled out of his embrace, got off the bed, and wearing his shoes, pattered out of the room.

All that remained in the room was his cheerful little voice, "Dad, Mom, Mei Mei is going to get cakes and candies for Bai Bai!"

As Mei Mei's voice faded, Kaisisen also hurried out of the room, following Mei Mei's footsteps to fetch the gifts prepared for Bai Bai.

Nevi shook his head with a smile. He scooped up Bai Bai, who was leaning against him, and said warmly, "Bai Bai, Mom and Mei Mei have prepared your favorite pastries and gifts. Are you excited?"

But Bai Bai, who was usually so obedient and clingy to his father, now quietly nestled in Nevi's arms, burying his head in silence without giving any response.

It was only then that Nevi, slow to catch on, finally sensed something amiss with Bai Bai. Recalling Bai Bai's earlier reaction, he gradually let his smile fade, a flicker of worry passing across his eyes.

"Bai Bai, are you feeling unwell somewhere? You can tell your father..."

But before Nevi could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

Accompanied by hurried footsteps, an excited, childish voice came through, "Bai Bai, Bai Bai, Bai Bai, these are the cakes and fruits you like to eat, all bought by my father. I told him you like these... Bai Bai, Bai Bai, look at me, please notice me!"

Right after that, Kaisisen, who had followed closely behind, offered two dolls that looked a lot like the blonde dolls Mei Mei loved most, and spoke softly with a hint of nervousness, "Bai, Bai Bai, this doll is a gift from your father. Do you see if you like it..."

These two dolls were also limited edition royal family dolls released by the royal family many years ago. These dolls, which looked like the blonde ones, were modeled after the current Insect Emperor, Delter MacArthur, and the Grand Prince, Ed MacArthur.

To collect these two dolls, Kaisisen had gone to great lengths and owed countless favors, going out of his way to get his hands on them.

Yet he did so willingly, simply because his cub Bai Bai might like these dolls.

No matter how cold and tough this female insect appeared to the outside world, holding the two dolls at this moment, he was just a clumsy, novice father trying to win over his own cub's heart.

But somehow, something Kaisisen said struck a chord with Bai Bai. The cub, who had been stubbornly refusing to turn around in his father's arms, suddenly, with red-rimmed eyes, fiercely swatted away the pastries, berries, and the two dolls that were offered.

With the clatter of items falling and the stunned silence of everyone around,

Bai Bai, finally unable to hold back, burst into tears and shouted, "I don't want them, I don't want any of them! He doesn't want his cub, he doesn't want his dad, he's a bad insect! I don't want him! He's not my father!"

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Author's note: Here I come, here I come!

Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!