TCPUAAV Chapter 104

 

The Mechanic Association’s rank certification exam could be taken online via the holographic network. After Ruan Shiqing submitted his application, all he had to do was wait for the association to review his information and notify him of the exam schedule.

 

After visiting Professor Clay, Ruan Shiqing had nothing else to do in Sikkim. He treated Luther to a meal to thank him for all his help, bought some souvenirs, and booked spaceship tickets before taking the little ones back to B3024 Star.

 

Sikkim’s port had a high passenger flow, and the vast tarmac was filled with spaceships of various sizes. People bustled about, making it far livelier and noisier compared to when they boarded from B3024 Star.

 

There were still thirty minutes before boarding, so Ruan Shiqing waited with the little ones in the lounge.

 

Since this ship had a large number of passengers, Ruan Shiqing specifically booked first-class tickets. B3024 Star was the final stop of this passenger spaceship.

 

Each of the little ones carried a small backpack filled with snacks, sitting obediently in their seats as they waited to board.

 

However, the little dragon cub and little fox were never ones to sit still for long. After staying put for a short while, they began feeling bored. The little dragon cub turned its small head, scanning the surroundings, and soon noticed a children’s play area in the corner of the lounge, equipped with several arcade machines and other entertainment facilities.

 

“We want to play over there.” The little dragon cub hopped off the seat and hugged Ruan Shiqing’s leg.

 

Following the direction of the tiny paw, Ruan Shiqing hesitated for a moment before agreeing. He reminded them, “Don’t be too loud.”

 

The area they were in was the first-class VIP lounge, and besides their group, there were only a few other passengers. The children’s play area wasn’t far from where they sat, so it was fine for the little ones to play for a while.

 

With their dad’s permission, the little dragon cub and little fox held hands and rushed toward the play area. Seeing this, Ruan Jiao tilted his head in thought before trotting after them on his short legs, calling out, “Wait, wait!”

 

Hearing his voice, the two cubs paused, each taking one of his hands before dashing toward the play area together.

 

Meanwhile, the crown prince, who had been comfortably nestled in his beloved’s embrace, was feeling quite pleased with himself—until he noticed the little mermaid and small robot sitting on either side of Ruan Shiqing. The sight instantly soured his mood. He found them extremely annoying and in the way.

 

So, putting on his big brother demeanor, he began typing: [Why aren’t Yuebai and 09 playing?]

 

The little mermaid glanced at him before shaking the book in his hand: [I want to read.]

 

Lately, he had become completely immersed in the ocean of knowledge and had lost interest in playing. After all, he was already a mature mermaid.

 

Rong Heng cast him a long look before shifting his gaze to the small robot.

 

09 blinked his electronic eyes innocently at him. The red dot on his display screen flickered as he replied, “I don’t like arcade games.”

 

As a robot with refined taste, he loved poetry, dance, music, gardening, and even cooking—but not arcade games.

 

Those were for little kids.

 

Straightening his back with a sense of dignity, 09 wasn’t tall, but he was certainly not a little kid.

 

Failing to get rid of a single one of them, the crown prince felt sulky. Annoyed, he rolled around in his beloved’s arms.

 

The fluffy white cub rolled back and forth on Ruan Shiqing’s lap, his soft belly swaying under the man’s gaze. Narrowing his eyes slightly, Ruan Shiqing reached out and placed a hand on the cub’s irresistibly soft belly.

 

The rolling cub froze instantly, all four little paws stiffly stretched out. His brown eyes widened as he stared at Ruan Shiqing, looking somewhat shy.

 

They had lived together for quite some time, and this certainly wasn’t the first time he had rubbed the little cub’s belly. But he was quite sure the cub had never reacted this way before.

 

The corners of Ruan Shiqing’s lips curled into a smile as he gently moved his fingers, lightly scratching the soft belly.

 

Realizing what was happening, the little cub quickly wrapped all four paws around his hand, nuzzling it affectionately. A wet sensation brushed against the back of his hand, as if he had been licked.

 

Surprised, Ruan Shiqing lowered his gaze and met a pair of slightly guilty eyes.

 

He chuckled, choosing not to expose the cub’s reaction. Instead, he pressed a little harder, squeezing the fluffy belly in return.

 

Fair and square.

 

Yep.

 

*

 

On the other side, in the play area, the three little ones were having a great time.

 

The play area wasn’t large, but it was packed with various high-quality equipment. Besides arcade machines, there were also small amusement rides.

 

The little fox was sitting on a miniature hovering wooden horse, which had risen to about three meters in height, giving her a clear view of the entire waiting hall.

 

Propping her chin on her paw, she casually scanned her surroundings—until her gaze suddenly froze on a particular spot.

 

At the entrance of the waiting hall, a young girl dressed in an exquisite princess dress walked in gracefully. Behind her, several men with the demeanor of bodyguards followed closely, making her the center of attention.

 

The girl adjusted the hem of her dress and sat elegantly in a corner of the waiting hall. Her expression was haughty and indifferent, completely out of place in the bustling lounge.

 

Moments later, a handsome young man entered as well and sat down beside her. The two leaned toward each other, speaking in hushed tones. The girl’s cold expression gradually softened, turning shy and delicate.

 

The little fox stared intently at that face. Even after all these years, even though the other had grown up a lot, she still remembered her vividly. The moment she saw her, she recognized her instantly.

 

Perhaps her gaze was too direct, because the young girl seemed to sense something. She lifted her head and looked toward the little fox’s direction.

 

The little fox instinctively wanted to hide behind the wooden horse, but then she remembered—she was no longer that helpless stray cub without parents, the one anyone could bully. So instead, she straightened her back, widened her eyes, and met the girl’s gaze head-on.

 

The young girl noticed the striking red fox tails behind her, furrowed her brows in displeasure, and withdrew her gaze impatiently.

 

Sitting beside her, Merwin noticed her reaction. “Liv[mfn]Her name has the meaning of beautiful lotus, which is quite ironic if you ask my opinion seeing how nasty she is[/mfn], what’s wrong?”

 

Liv’s face twisted with disdain. “There’s a filthy half-blood over there staring at us.”

 

Merwin glanced in the direction she indicated but saw nothing unusual. He chuckled. “Why bother with those inferior mixed breeds?”

 

Liv responded with a soft “Mhm,” but in her heart, she felt that the little half-blood looked oddly familiar.

 

That same eye-catching red fox tails—so garishly bright, just like her wretched mother.

 

However, she quickly dismissed her suspicion. That lowly half-blood was about the same age as her, but the one she remembered should be older. Besides, given the conditions she had been in, there was no way she could have survived to grow up. She was probably already dead.

 

After realizing that the girl had noticed her, the little fox quietly got off the hovering wooden horse.

 

She wasn’t afraid of her anymore, but she also didn’t want to cause trouble for her dad.

 

The memories from before had soured her mood for playing, so after greeting the little dragon cub and Ruan Jiao, she pattered off to find her father.

 

She threw herself onto Ruan Shiqing’s lap, snuggling up against him, her slightly longer red hair cascading over her shoulders. Tilting her head up, she called out in a soft, sweet voice, “Daddy.”

 

“Hm?” Ruan Shiqing looked up from his smart device and gazed at her with a gentle voice. “What’s wrong?”

 

Nota crouched down, resting her chin on his knee, her eyes curving into a smile. “Having a dad is so nice.”

 

Even if Liv called her a worthless little stray again, she wouldn’t feel sad anymore. Because she knew—her dad would never abandon her.

 

Ruan Shiqing chuckled, ruffling her fluffy little head before lifting her onto his lap to sit properly.

 

*

 

The thirty-minute wait passed quickly, and soon, the boarding announcement played over the speakers.

 

Ruan Shiqing had 09 call back the little ones from the play area before leading them toward the boarding gate.

 

There weren’t many passengers using the first-class passage, so their group was able to board the spaceship smoothly without having to queue. After stowing away their luggage, they settled into their seats. Shortly after, more passengers entered one after another.

 

The quiet cabin was filled only with the subtle sounds of passengers moving around and placing their luggage. However, a sharp and delicate female voice suddenly rang out, making the atmosphere abruptly tense.

 

“The environment here is awful. The moment I stepped in, I started feeling itchy all over.”

 

Merwin soothed her. “Our private spaceship is under repair, and it’ll take time to fix. Besides, traveling with a passenger ship is safer for now.”

 

The voice complained a few more times before finally quieting down reluctantly.

 

Then came the rhythmic tapping of high heels against the floor. A figure dressed in white gracefully took a seat across from Ruan Shiqing.

 

Ruan Shiqing glanced sideways and saw that it was the young girl in an exquisite dress from earlier. Guessing that she was likely an aristocratic lady unused to public transport, he didn’t pay her much mind and turned his attention away.

 

However, the moment the girl noticed the little fox sitting beside Ruan Shiqing, she abruptly shot to her feet, her voice sharp with anger.

 

“Who allowed this filthy half-blood to board?!”

 

Her glare was full of hostility and disgust as she fixed her eyes on the little fox.

 

 

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Okay I am firmly against violence but I’m about to beat up this little “lady”

 

Thanks for reading!

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