CH 116.3

Everyone settled in the dining area in the center. After a long, unrestful night, it seemed a relaxed meal would be a good start for the families’ first meeting.

As hot food was served, everyone visibly relaxed, beginning to engage in initial communication.

Chu Huai soon discovered that Qiao Yi’s proficiency in the lingua franca was very limited, and Mi Lai didn’t understand it at all. The only potential translator, Qiao Zhiya, couldn’t speak human language in his transformed state. Although Chu Rong could understand Qiao Zhiya’s sounds, Qiao Yi and Mi Lai’s attitude towards Chu Rong was far from friendly, not allowing him near Qiao Zhiya.

The situation became somewhat awkward. Qiao Zhiya opened his mouth to volunteer as a translator with Chu Rong, but Mi Lai fed him a spoonful of meat porridge, blocking his attempt.

“Mm.” Qiao Zhiya wagged his tail and squinted his eyes in contentment — it was his favorite meat porridge, delicious!

Chu Rong, always attentive to him, saw his happiness and slightly curved his lips.

Well, it seemed discussing serious matters during the first meeting wasn’t going to happen.

Chu Huai adjusted the atmosphere subtly, starting to introduce the Chu family’s situation with simple words, hoping to reassure the in-laws.

Qiao Yi felt somewhat reassured now. Chu Huai’s attitude was impeccable, and the Chu family’s affection and importance for Qiao Zhiya were unmistakable, easing his worries a bit.

After a relatively warm meal, Chu Huai immediately arranged rooms for Qiao Yi and Mi Lai to rest. However, the atmosphere grew tense again — normally, Qiao Zhiya would sleep with Chu Rong, but with his parents here, it seemed inappropriate.

Yet Chu Rong and Qiao Zhiya apparently hadn’t realized this. Reunited after a brief separation, as soon as Chu Rong stood up, the now-satiated Qiao Zhiya flapped his wings and flew towards him, an instinctive, well-practiced motion.

Mi Lai couldn’t stop him in time, her face darkening. Qiao Yi’s previously gentle demeanor started to waver. Chu Yan, always observant, felt alarm bells ringing and immediately intercepted the little golden dragon mid-flight, diligently returning him to Mi Lai. He flashed a bright smile and said, “Please rest assured, it’s safe here.”

Mi Lai’s expression softened, Qiao Zhiya was stunned, and when he realized what he had done, his face flushed red as he buried himself in his mother’s arms. Chu Rong’s face darkened as he glared menacingly at Chu Yan.

“…” Chu Yan felt bitter.

Chu Huai quickly stepped forward, blocking Chu Rong’s dark expression, and cheerfully guided Qiao Yi and Mi Lai to their rooms, praying they hadn’t noticed Chu Rong’s impression-damaging behavior.

Qiao Yi, holding his wife and child, cooperated by turning away, pretending not to see Chu Rong’s previous behavior, and followed Chu Huai to their resting quarters.

After a brief stop at the edge of the asteroid belt, the flagship continued its journey towards the Federation Capital Planet.

In a comfortable room in the central area, Qiao Zhiya peeked out of his little nest. Seeing his mother sleeping soundly against his father, he carefully began to crawl out.

“Make sure you’re back before your mother wakes up.”

His father’s voice suddenly sounded, startling him. He looked back with wide eyes, meeting his father’s alert gaze, feeling guilty as he softly explained, “Xiao Yan said Chu Rong hasn’t rested well for a long time. I’m a bit worried…”

“I understand.” Qiao Yi enveloped his wife in magic to prevent their conversation from waking her. He sat up slightly and looked at his son’s innocent, clear eyes, speaking gently, “Your mother just needs some time. You know, she loves you very much.”

Qiao Zhiya glanced at his sleeping mother, then back at his father, feeling touched. He flew over to give his father a light hug before turning to fly towards the door.

Qiao Yi watched him leave, sensing his wife stirring. He leaned down to comfort her, kissing her forehead and softly soothing, “Qiaoqiao has grown up… it’s okay. I’ll find a way to let you vent.”

“I know.” Mi Lai replied dully, eyes still closed but clutching his clothes tightly.

They both understood and knew that Chu Rong must have put a lot of effort into protecting and caring for Qiao Zhiya, allowing him to maintain such a pure and kind demeanor even after being away from his parents for over two years.

But still, they couldn’t help but feel reluctant. Their beloved, precious son, whom they had raised with so much care — how could they easily hand him over to someone else?

As Qiao Zhiya flew out the door, he was immediately scooped up by a pair of large hands and found himself in a familiar embrace.

He was startled and looked up, meeting Chu Rong’s quiet gaze. After a moment of daze, he frowned and asked, “Have you been waiting at the door? Didn’t you go rest?”

Chu Rong gently patted his head without answering, instead holding him and walking down the corridor, his pace quickening until he reached his own room. He slowed down, opened the door, and after entering, closed it and leaned against the door, hugging Qiao Zhiya tightly. He kissed the top of his head, finally allowing his suppressed emotions to release, whispering, “I’m sorry.”

Noticing the instability in Chu Rong’s aura, Qiao Zhiya looked up in worry and called, “Chu Rong.”

“I’m sorry for not protecting you… and for many other things.” Chu Rong stroked his back, holding him as he walked to the bed and sat down, placing him on his lap. He examined Qiao Zhiya’s current form, suddenly smiling softly as he held one of his little claws, murmuring, “You’ve become so small… I can keep you by my side all the time now.” This way, they would never have to be apart again.

Despite the smile, it didn’t seem happy. Qiao Zhiya shifted on his lap, wrapping his tail around Chu Rong’s wrist. He looked up and said, “What’s wrong? I’m really worried about you.”

He had never seen Chu Rong in such a state before. Though he seemed normal, there was something different, making Qiao Zhiya feel uneasy.

For a human, the greatest failure might be being unable to provide their loved ones with peace of mind, whether emotionally or in life.

Chu Rong raised his hand to touch Qiao Zhiya’s worried eyes, gently rubbing his little horns and ears. Finally feeling a sense of reunion, he lifted Qiao Zhiya to face him, his gaze turning tender as he said contentedly, “Qiao, you didn’t leave me. I’m so happy.”

His greatest fear these days had been that Qiao Zhiya would leave with his family, returning to a place Chu Rong could never find, never to see him again. But thankfully, Qiao Zhiya stayed. He was still here.

Sensing Chu Rong’s sudden calm and warmth, Qiao Zhiya’s worry eased a bit. He leaned in to touch his forehead, spreading his magic to soothe him, and reassured, “I won’t. I won’t break my promise. Chu Rong, we’re engaged now. You can trust me more.”

These words were meant to comfort, emphasizing that he always kept his word and that they were engaged. He wouldn’t leave without a word.

But to Chu Rong, it reminded him of his past stubbornness and arrogant assumptions. The guilt and self-blame resurfaced, and looking at Qiao Zhiya’s trusting and caring eyes, he felt his current self was pathetic and ridiculous. Even his arms seemed to lose strength in holding him.

His lover was so wonderful, but how could someone as inadequate as him repay this love?

“Chu Rong?” Qiao Zhiya noticed Chu Rong’s silent, expressionless gaze filled with overwhelming sadness. He anxiously fluttered his wings, feeling frustrated that he couldn’t hug and comfort him in this form. He clasped his paws together, worried and at a loss.

“I’m fine.” Chu Rong lifted him down, gently squeezing his paws. Suddenly, he turned, pulled back the covers, and lay down on the bed, carefully encircling Qiao Zhiya in his arms. He patted his little wings and leaned in close, saying, “Qiao… stay with me for a while. I’m a bit tired.”

Qiao Zhiya was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded. He snuggled closer to Chu Rong, releasing his magic.

Chu Rong extended his spiritual power in response, a slight smile appearing on his lips as he held Qiao Zhiya’s small body tightly and closed his eyes, feeling content.

This was enough. As long as they were together, he could work on improving all the shortcomings bit by bit.

Their energies slowly intertwined and merged in the air, mutually influencing each other. Although Qiao Zhiya hadn’t been tired before, sleepiness gradually overcame him. His eyelids drooped, and his tail curled around his body as he closed his eyes.

Chu Rong opened his eyes and watched Qiao Zhiya sleep soundly. He gently stroked his back.

After lunch, Chu Rong returned the still-sleeping Qiao Zhiya to Qiao Yi and Mi Lai’s room.

Qiao Yi was surprised, while Mi Lai quickly grabbed their son, looking at Chu Rong suspiciously, as if not believing he could be so considerate.

“Uncle, Aunt, I’m very sorry I couldn’t protect Qiao properly.”

After a few hours of rest, Chu Rong’s aura had softened considerably. He had restrained all his sharp edges, trying to appear more friendly. He spoke slowly, “Regarding the questions Uncle raised earlier about Qiao’s life in the Chu family these past two years, I have something to show you.”

Qiao Yi and Mi Lai exchanged glances, not commenting on his words since they didn’t quite understand them.

Chu Rong also realized the issue and directly took out a photon computer, quickly pulling up Qiao Zhiya’s study records from the past few years. He opened a folder full of video files and started the first one.

These were videos he had collected and compiled after getting engaged to Qiao Zhiya, initially intending to edit them into a wedding gift.

Now that Qiao’s parents were here and concerned about Qiao’s life over the past two years, he decided to follow Chu Yan’s suggestion and show them these videos to quickly bridge the gap.

The screen lit up, showing a desolate mining star with distant blurry black mines. Then the perspective quickly dropped to the ground, revealing Qiao Zhiya’s figure. He was disheveled, with his hair sticking out, looking skinny and pitiful, like a true refugee.

Qiao Yi and Mi Lai immediately turned to look. Qiao Yi frowned, while Mi Lai’s eyes widened. Her eyes reddened, and she covered her mouth with one hand to prevent herself from making noise and waking her sleeping son.

The scene was like a knife to their hearts. They quickly forgot their hostility towards Chu Rong, letting him in. They first settled their sleeping son, surrounding him with layers of wood and earth magic to keep him from being disturbed, then turned their attention back to the screen.

Chu Rong slyly positioned himself slightly behind them, close to the nest where Qiao Zhiya was sleeping, his belly rising and falling. He secretly touched the tip of his tail.

The video, recorded by a mecha, was unstable and not continuous. They only heard a cold “capture him,” and suddenly a net appeared, covering the frightened and pitiful Qiao Zhiya like an animal.

“Oh my god,” Mi Lai’s tears flowed instantly. When had her carefully held child ever been treated like this?

Qiao Yi’s gaze turned icy as he reached out to hold his wife’s hand.

The scene changed to a small room, with Chu Rong and a black-haired man sitting in chairs while a disheveled Qiao Zhiya curled up on the floor, arms around his knees, looking weak, helpless, and pitiful.

Qiao Yi and Mi Lai paused, then turned to look at Chu Rong behind them, their eyes filled with murderous intent. They had initially thought someone else had captured their son, only to realize it was Chu Rong!

Just as Chu Rong was reaching out to try and hold Qiao Zhiya, he froze, silently withdrawing his hand, and looked at them with forced calmness, asking, “Uncle, Aunt, what’s wrong?”

Unforgivable!

Mi Lai stood up, eyebrows raised, pulling out a huge hammer.

“Bang!”

The door slammed shut as Chu Rong was swept out, his clothes and hair slightly disheveled.

Chu Yan, who had been sneaking around to check the situation, saw this and his heart skipped a beat. He cautiously approached and asked, “Erge, what happened? Did my suggestion work?”

Chu Rong turned his head, grabbed Chu Yan by the collar, and coldly said, “You’re just in time. I have a score to settle with you.”

Chu Yan: “????”