TCPUAAV Chapter 62

 

Since his paw was injured, not only did Rong Heng regain his right to sleep in the bedroom, but the next morning, he didn’t have to go to school either.

 

As the cubs were leaving for school, each of them waved at him, reminding him to rest and recover.

 

Except for Ruan Jiao.

 

The little green-haired cub simply glared at him, his antennae standing stiffly upright.

 

Bad guy!

 

However, since his expression remained the same whether he was angry or not, no one else noticed.

 

Free from school obligations, Rong Heng was more than happy to enjoy a day of leisure at home.

 

Ruan Shiqing was busy in the workshop, working on the landing pad design, while Rong Heng lay sprawled on the workbench, resting his head on his paws and watching him. The pretty little bow on his right paw bobbed gently as he moved.

 

Without the cubs needing his attention, Ruan Shiqing ended up staying in the workshop the entire day. By the time he completed the first draft of the landing pad design, it was nearly five in the afternoon—almost time for the cubs to get out of school.

 

Stretching his stiff limbs, he glanced over at the workbench, where Snowball had already fallen asleep, his soft white belly rising and falling gently.

 

Ruan Shiqing chuckled and gave the little one’s ear a light squeeze before stepping outside to get some fresh air.

 

The moment he stepped out, he nearly bumped into Xiong Yuanyuan, who was heading inside.

 

“There’s a guest looking for you,” Xiong Yuanyuan said, motioning for him to follow.

 

Ruan Shiqing walked with him to the courtyard and saw two men standing there.

 

One was younger, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a tall, striking figure and sharp, handsome features. His most eye-catching traits were his blue eyes and the long blue hair tied neatly behind his head.

 

Seeing his hair and eye color, Ruan Shiqing couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

 

If the little mermaid grows up, he’d probably look something like this…

 

Standing beside him was a middle-aged man, slightly shorter and less imposing than the younger man. However, compared to ordinary people, his stature and appearance were still quite impressive.

 

They were clearly not natives of B3024—their mannerisms and attire indicated high social status and wealth.

 

Quickly assessing their identities, Ruan Shiqing stepped forward and greeted them politely. “How can I assist you both?”

 

The middle-aged man was the first to speak. “We’re here on business and heard that the weapons you produce are quite good, so we came to take a look. Where are they?”

 

His gaze swept over the courtyard before he snorted disdainfully.

 

“This just looks like a regular repair shop.”

 

His tone and demeanor carried an obvious sense of superiority.

 

“Wright, how many times do I have to tell you? You need to learn the meaning of the word politeness,” the blue-haired young man remarked, casting him a sidelong glance. His voice was gentle yet firm.

 

Clearly, Wright’s status was lower than his, as Ruan Shiqing noticed how he begrudgingly shut his mouth, despite his displeased expression.

 

The whole exchange amused him.

 

“Apologies,” the blue-haired man said with a polite smile. “He’s always had this unpleasant attitude,I hope you don’t take offense.”

 

Ruan Shiqing shook his head. “Not at all. What kind of weapons are you looking for?”

 

Leading them towards the storage room, he continued, “I do have some weapons in stock, but they’re just small projects I worked on in my spare time. They might not be to your liking.”

 

Inside the storage room, the shelves held prototype weapons—early models of blasters and energy-based firearms. These were different from the mass-produced weapons in the factory; they had higher production costs and some potential flaws.

 

The young man took a brief look around before picking up a blaster rifle and inspecting it carefully.

 

“No wonder people here say your weapons are exceptional,” he mused.

 

Behind him, Wright was still muttering under his breath, “Never seen these kinds of weapons before, who knows if they’re even effective…”

 

Ruan Shiqing simply pretended not to hear, responding with a polite smile. “You’re too kind. These are just things I couldn’t sell off.”

 

The young man shot Wright a cold glance, and the latter immediately shut his mouth, though he still looked displeased.

 

After handing the blaster rifle to Wright, the young man picked out two more compact firearms before turning back to Ruan Shiqing.

 

“I’ll take these three,” he said, then added, “Actually, I’m more interested in that big guy in your courtyard. Would you be willing to give us an explanation?”

 

The only large object parked in the courtyard was the lightweight armored walker.

 

Ruan Shiqing’s expression remained neutral as he replied, “I’m afraid not. It’s still a half-finished prototype.”

 

“That’s a shame,” the young man sighed, though he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he commented with genuine interest, “I’ll take these three for now. If the performance is good, I’ll be back for more.”

 

After completing the transaction, Ruan Shiqing escorted them to the door. The young man’s gaze lingered briefly on the armored walker in the corner of the courtyard before he remarked,

 

“I hope that next time I visit, I’ll get to see that machine fully completed.”

 

Ruan Shiqing smiled lightly, neither confirming nor denying.

 

“That might take quite a while.”

 

*

 

Since Ruan Shiqing was busy entertaining guests, 09 was the one to pick up the cubs from school today.

 

The land speeder pulled up in front of the house. The little dragon cub and Nota were the first to hop out, followed closely by Ruan Jiao. The little mermaid, as usual, was the last to get off, moving at his own slow pace. Before stepping down, he turned back to retrieve his book from the seat.

 

At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.

 

“I hope that next time I visit, I’ll get to see that machine fully completed.”

 

The little mermaid’s hands froze mid-motion, his entire body going stiff.

 

He turned around instinctively.

 

The first thing he saw was neatly tied blue hair, followed by a side profile that he knew all too well.

 

A face from his darkest memories.

 

The little mermaid’s eyes widened in shock, his entire body going rigid.

 

He almost stood there frozen.

 

It wasn’t until the man started to turn toward him that panic overtook him, and he hurriedly ducked back inside the land speeder, hiding from view.

 

By the time the blue-haired youth fully turned around, all he saw was a single strand of blue hair fluttering briefly before disappearing behind the door of the speeder.

 

His gaze lingered on the vehicle’s entrance for a moment before quickly shifting away.

 

Then, with a faint, unreadable smile, he said to Wright, “Let’s go.”

 

Even after the visitors had long since departed, the little mermaid remained curled up in a corner, only hesitantly peeking out once he was sure they were gone.

 

From the driver’s seat, 09 glanced at him curiously.

 

“Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?”

 

The little mermaid shook his head, forcing a small, faint smile.

 

He was the last to enter the house.

 

The other cubs had already gathered around their dad, as they usually did. Normally, he would join them,not to play, but to sit nearby and read. Simply being close to his dad made him happy.

 

But today, he just couldn’t focus.

 

His mind was a chaotic mess, completely consumed by the face from earlier.

 

Was it really him? No—it had to be.

 

They had spent every day together in the laboratory.

 

No one knew that man better than he did.

 

The very moment he saw him, he had recognized him instantly.

 

But why was he here?

 

Why would he come all the way from Sijialan to B3024?

 

And why had he shown up at the repair shop?

 

Was it just a coincidence… or was he here for him?

 

The little mermaid’s fingers tightened around the hem of his clothes as a deep sense of unease settled in his chest.

 

He thought about it over and over, but he couldn’t figure out the answer.

 

He had never been smarter than him.

 

After a long internal struggle, the little mermaid pressed his lips together, then gently tugged at his dad’s sleeve.

 

Ruan Shiqing turned around immediately, adjusting the little mermaid’s slightly crooked hairpiece. “What is it, Yuebai?”

 

The little mermaid reached for the virtual keyboard on his small cart and typed out a question:

 

[That man from earlier, what was he here for?]

 

Ever since learning how to type, Ruan Shiqing had installed a communicator on his cart, making it easier for him to communicate.

 

“You mean the guest with the same hair color as you?” Ruan Shiqing assumed he was simply curious, smiling as he replied, “He came to the shop to buy some things.”

 

But as he spoke, he paused, taking a closer look at the little mermaid.

 

Now that he thought about it, their eye and hair color really were identical. Even their facial features had some similarities.

 

Of course, the young man’s bone structure was sharper, whereas the little mermaid, being still a child, had softer, more delicate features.

 

Before Ruan Shiqing could dwell on it further, the little mermaid quickly lowered his gaze, shaking his head in denial.

 

[Not similar at all.]

 

“How is it not similar?” Ruan Shiqing chuckled, ruffling his soft blue hair. “Once Yuebai grows up, you’ll definitely be just as handsome.”

 

Usually, whenever his dad praised him, the little mermaid’s sapphire-blue eyes would brighten with joy, and he’d beam his pure, radiant smile.

 

But not this time.

 

This time, he felt no happiness at all.

 

He didn’t want to be anything like him. He was himself, not someone else.

 

*

 

After leaving the repair shop, Wright finally lost his temper.

 

“Lansing, don’t forget—we came here to investigate the Zergs, not to sightsee.”

 

His gaze swept across the desolate surroundings with unconcealed disdain. “A place like this… I don’t see what’s so interesting. If the Elders hadn’t ordered us to investigate, I wouldn’t have set foot in this filthy place for anything in the world.”

 

Click.

 

Lansing, who had been idly toying with the blaster rifle, suddenly pressed the muzzle against Wright’s forehead.

 

His expression remained as gentle as ever, and his tone was calm.

 

But his ice-blue eyes held no trace of amusement.

 

“Wright,” he said softly, “I’d like you to remember that on this mission, you’re accompanying me as my assistant. Your only job is to follow my orders. I don’t need your advice. I don’t need your opinions. Understood?”

 

The cold, black barrel pressed against his forehead, making Wright’s face go pale.

 

But after suppressing his frustrations for so long, he couldn’t hold back a sarcastic retort.

 

“If you actually dare to kill me, then forget about being the ‘Holy Son.’ My father will never let you off!”

 

“Oh?”

 

Lansing’s lips curved into a smiling arc, and he casually withdrew the blaster, tilting his head slightly. “I’ll make sure to find an opportunity to test that theory.”

 

He said it so lightly, so casually, that it sounded as if he really would try to kill him someday.

 

Wright swallowed hard.

 

But unwilling to back down completely, he stiffened his neck and sneered, “You’re smart enough to understand the consequences. You may be the ‘Holy Son,’ but without the Elders’ support, you’re nothing.”

 

Having said his piece, he strode ahead, deliberately widening the distance between them.

 

Lansing’s gaze lingered on his tense back for a moment before his expression gradually turned indifferent.

 

Without another glance, he turned and walked in the opposite direction, leaving behind only one sentence.

 

“I have some matters to attend to. You can go back on your own.”

 

Wright froze mid-step. “Where are you going?”

 

But Lansing didn’t answer.

 

Without another word, he vanished down a different path.

 

He returned to the repair shop.

 

The outer perimeter was equipped with a defense system, so Lansing didn’t approach carelessly. Instead, he hid his presence, circling the perimeter while keeping himself out of sight.

 

As he neared the backyard, he heard laughter and playful splashing coming from inside.

 

Peering through a gap in the iron fence, he could see the lush Falling Star Vines draped over the courtyard, shading the small pond where several cubs were playing in the water.

 

But one cub wasn’t playing.

 

Instead, he lay curled up in the corner of the pond, a book held gently in his hands, reading in silence.

 

His long blue hair was braided with exquisite precision, adorned with ornate accessories that shimmered softly in the light. The tips of his hair trailed into the water, moving slightly with the gentle swaying of his blue fishtail.

 

Lansing’s instincts had been right.

 

That fleeting glimpse from earlier, it really was him.

 

His gaze remained fixed on the delicate figure in the water.

 

Slowly, his lips curled into a smile.

 

A silent, knowing smile.

 

047.

 

So it really is you.

 

Years had passed.

 

Everything had changed.

 

The world had shifted.

 

People had come and gone.

 

And yet, you’re still exactly the same.

 

So unbearably, disgustingly… clean.

 

Lansing’s ice-blue eyes narrowed.

 

 

---

 

WHAT IS GOING ON DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH A SINGLE HAIR OF YUEBAI!!!! I WILL FIGHT!!!

 

I’m guessing Yuebai is a clone of Lansing or something…? Though Lansing himself doesn’t seem to be in a good position…?

 

Thanks for reading!

For every three ko-fis, I will upload a bonus chapter~