TCPUAAV Chapter 132

 

 

 

When Garland was checking Ruan Shiqing’s physical condition, the others also received the news and rushed over to visit.

 

However, as soon as they reached the second floor and before even seeing the person they came for, they were all blocked outside the bedroom by Rong Heng.

 

Acting with the air of the head of the household, he narrowed his eyes slightly as he swept his gaze over Hector, Dares, and the others, lifting his chin slightly and instructing 09 to serve tea: “He just woke up. Crowding into the bedroom isn’t good for the air. Since you’ve come and your gifts have arrived, that’s enough. If there’s nothing urgent, you can leave.”

 

After speaking, he straightened his slightly disheveled collar, turned around, and closed the bedroom door without any courtesy.

 

Left outside, Hector cursed under his breath and said incredulously to Dares, “Don’t you think he’s becoming more and more of a jerk?”

 

It was unbelievable that someone could become even more obnoxious!

 

Dares nodded in deep agreement.

 

Since they couldn’t see Ruan Shiqing, they could only leave their gifts behind and leave, albeit reluctantly. In any case, since he was awake now, they would eventually have a chance to meet.

 

Inside the bedroom, however, Rong Heng’s earlier spirited demeanor immediately disappeared. Looking rather anxious, he hovered near Garland and asked, “How is it? There’s nothing wrong, right?”

 

Even though 09 had meticulously taken care of Ruan Shiqing during the months he was unconscious, Rong Heng was still worried that the prolonged coma might have caused lingering issues.

 

Fortunately, Garland shook his head. “Everything is normal. In fact, the current data looks even healthier than before.” He flipped through the data displayed on the equipment and said, “After a few days of rest, come to my lab for a strength test.”

 

After giving a few more instructions for Ruan Shiqing to rest well, Garland hurriedly left with two tubes of extracted blood samples, heading straight back to the laboratory.

 

Ruan Shiqing pulled down the sleeve he had rolled up and prepared to take a shower.

 

Although he felt clean and fresh, there was still an odd sense of discomfort. He grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom. As he turned to close the door, he saw two figures, one big and one small, pitifully following him.

 

Amused, he reached out and ruffled little Ruan Jiao’s head to comfort him. “Daddy’s just going to take a shower.” Then he looked at the bigger one, raising an eyebrow teasingly: “You planning to help me?”

 

——!!!!!!

 

Although Rong Heng had personally helped him with bodily cleaning while he was unconscious, being awake was an entirely different matter!

 

The Crown Prince’s ears instantly turned red. Hugging the little one tightly, he fled in embarrassment.

 

Only then did Ruan Shiqing close the bathroom door and enjoy a relaxing soak.

 

When he came out, he heard a bit of commotion from the living room. Looking up, he saw Rong Heng communicating with the little ones who were still out on missions.

 

The little ones had clearly been waiting for a long time. Even before he approached, they spotted him and excitedly shouted, “Daddy!”

 

Especially Heli—he pressed his whole face against the smart brain’s camera, making his face look huge and nearly blocking Nota and Ruan Yuebai behind him.

 

Nota shoved him aside in disgust: “You’re blocking me!”

 

Taking advantage of their tussling, Ruan Yuebai squeezed to the front. His blue eyes sparkled brightly as he silently mouthed “Daddy.”

 

It had been more than half a year, and the little ones had all changed quite a bit.

 

While Ruan Shiqing felt gratified, there was an inevitable tinge of regret. He patiently listened as the three little ones recounted various amusing incidents from their rescue missions. Though they spoke lightly of the events, Ruan Shiqing, having personally experienced the Zerg invasion of B3024 Star, knew well that repelling the Zerg and supporting other planets wasn’t nearly as simple as they made it sound.

 

Still, he didn’t expose the truth, choosing instead to play along, smiling and laughing at their various tales.

 

The call continued late into the night. It wasn’t until the faint sound of artillery fire came from the little ones’ side that they reluctantly ended the communication. Though they were eager to return, the rescue mission was not yet complete. They had to finish the mission as quickly as possible before they could reunite with their father.

 

The solemn expressions the little ones wore before cutting off the call lingered in Ruan Shiqing’s mind. In his absence, they had all grown significantly. Their every gesture faintly carried traces of Rong Heng’s influence.

 

As role models went, Rong Heng was doing a decent job—he had truly taken on the role of a father.

 

Ruan Shiqing smiled as he gave Rong Heng a once-over. Then he scooped up the drowsy Ruan Jiao leaning against Rong Heng’s arm and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s get some rest.”

 

Rong Heng, feeling a shiver run down his spine under Ruan Shiqing’s gaze, instinctively shrank back. But then he remembered—after everything they had already been through, he couldn’t keep hesitating. If he kept being so timid, when would the little ones ever officially call him “Daddy”?

 

Steeling his nerves, he reached out and took the little one from Ruan Shiqing’s arms, saying, “Garland said you need proper rest. I’ll carry him.”

 

After that, he strode into the bedroom carrying the child, clearly intending to stay for the night.

 

Ruan Shiqing saw through him but said nothing, calmly lying down on one side and even helping to tuck the little one in under the covers.

 

Seeing that Ruan Shiqing showed no reaction to sharing the same bed with him, Rong Heng grew even more restless. He was eager to confirm his place in Ruan Shiqing’s heart, but with a little one sleeping between them, it wasn’t exactly the right time for adult conversations. He could only suppress his emotions and, filled with frustration, tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall asleep even in the latter half of the night.

 

Ruan Shiqing wasn’t asleep either. After months of slumber, he felt completely refreshed, with not even a hint of drowsiness.

 

In the quiet of the dark, every movement became especially clear.

 

He turned his head and met a pair of bright, shining eyes.

 

In the darkness, he curved his lips into a smile and mouthed:

 

[Can’t sleep. Want to go have a drink?]

 

[I’ll go downstairs and get the wine.]

 

Rong Heng eagerly agreed and quietly got out of bed, hurrying downstairs ahead of him.

 

There wasn’t much alcohol at home apart from what they kept for celebrations. In the kitchen, only two unopened bottles remained: a bottle of strong liquor, likely brought by Hector and the others, and a low-alcohol sparkling wine prepared for the little ones.

 

After a brief hesitation, Rong Heng grabbed the strong liquor. He opened the bottle and fetched two tall glasses.

 

The rich scent of alcohol filled the air. Thinking of the person waiting for him upstairs, Rong Heng paused slightly, then poured himself a glass and downed it for courage.

 

Normally feared by everyone, His Highness the Crown Prince was acting like a cowardly puppy in front of the one he loved.

 

The strong liquor burned all the way down, making him feel steadier. Only then did he grab the bottle and head back upstairs.

 

Ruan Shiqing was waiting on the balcony, dressed in light blue plaid pajamas. Two buttons at his collar were undone, revealing fair skin that practically glowed under the night sky, though he seemed completely unaware of how tempting he looked, smiling with his eyes curved.

 

Rong Heng swallowed hard and walked toward him as if treading on clouds.

 

“You sneaked a drink first?” Ruan Shiqing noticed his flushed cheeks and the faint scent of alcohol on him.

 

Rong Heng gave a low hum in response. Having gulped the liquor down too fast, the alcohol was now rushing to his head, making him feel lightheaded and a little dizzy. Not drunk, exactly, but unsteady enough to embolden him.

 

He stared fixedly at Ruan Shiqing and leaned in close. “Do you want a drink?”

 

Ruan Shiqing nodded cooperatively.

 

“Then you have to answer a question first,” Rong Heng said, hiding the bottle behind his back and leaning even closer, practically pressing into him.

 

The heady scent of liquor mixed with the faint aroma of Ruan Shiqing’s body wash—it was intoxicating.

 

“I like you.”

 

Before Rong Heng could even ask his question, Ruan Shiqing answered it straightaway. He showed no hesitation, even leaning forward to take a deep breath of Rong Heng’s scent, his eyes brighter than the moonlight.

 

Completely caught off guard, Rong Heng froze, staring at him blankly.

 

Ruan Shiqing chuckled lightly and repeated, “I like you.”

 

They were so close that as he spoke, the warm breath ghosted across Rong Heng’s cheek, making his breathing turn ragged.

 

Grabbing Ruan Shiqing by the shoulders, Rong Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed several times before he finally managed to rasp out, “I like you too.”

 

He had liked him for a long, long time. Very much.

 

“I know,” Ruan Shiqing said with a smile. He lifted his hand and hooked it around Rong Heng’s neck, pulling him down to whisper in his ear, “I knew ever since that time at the hotel entrance, when I fell asleep and you stole a kiss.”

 

His voice was light and fluttering, like a dandelion caught in the breeze, scattering straight into Rong Heng’s heart.

 

Rong Heng’s eyes widened slightly, surprised that he had known all along. Then, remembering all the “coincidences” that had followed, his ears turned red, half from embarrassment, half from frustration.

 

With a mix of anger and longing, he captured Ruan Shiqing’s lips, refusing to let him speak any more teasing words.

 

The wine bottle slipped from his hand, landing on the balcony with a dull thud, and the rich scent of alcohol instantly enveloped them.

 

The air between them grew sticky and hot.

 

“Such a waste… it was a good bottle of wine,” Ruan Shiqing mumbled between kisses. “I didn’t even get a sip.”

 

“I drank it,” Rong Heng replied.

 

The alcohol had stirred his nerves, making him feverish. Pressing Ruan Shiqing against the balcony railing, he kissed him fiercely, as if wanting to devour him whole. “Taste it from me…”

 

As he spoke, he pried open Ruan Shiqing’s lips and plunged deeper.

 

Armed with previous experience, His Highness the Crown Prince quickly put his knowledge to use, capturing the city and seizing the land with remarkable ease.

 

Just as things were about to spiral out of control, Ruan Shiqing, gasping for breath, had to call a halt: “Jiao Jiao’s still in the bedroom.”

 

There was nothing more sobering than the sudden realization that their child was still sleeping just a few rooms away while the young couple was about to achieve “life’s great harmony.”

 

The cold bucket of water worked; Rong Heng managed to calm himself a little. He bent down, rubbing noses with Ruan Shiqing, and shamelessly negotiated: “Tomorrow, let’s have him sleep in his own room.”

 

The little one was big enough now—he needed to learn to sleep independently.

 

Ruan Shiqing gave a soft “Mhm” in agreement.

 

Rong Heng then added pitifully, “I’m feeling a little uncomfortable.”

 

After being abruptly doused twice in one day, even a young, healthy Ymir like him could barely endure it.

 

In truth, Ruan Shiqing was feeling it too. For young couples, sparking fire was the most natural thing in the world. After a moment of hesitation, he leaned close and whispered in Rong Heng’s ear: “Let’s go to the bathroom…”

 

Rong Heng’s eyes lit up immediately. Without a second’s delay, he scooped Ruan Shiqing up and strode straight toward the bathroom.

 

The sound of water splashing echoed through the night.

 

Meanwhile, the little one sleeping alone in the bedroom dreamt that it rained all night long on B3024 Star.

 

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OMG i got embarrassed translating this lol >/////<

 

(poor Jiao Jiao!!! that’s the price to pay when you’re the baby of the family lmao)

 

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