MPWATMBC Chapter 66

E69 is in the early morning.

After connecting, Dad, Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle’s family, Uncle Potter’s family, and even the uncle’s family far away in Newnes, who had just opened a shop, all appeared in front of them, each looking at them with joy.

Grandma stood in the absolute center, her smile kind and her voice gentle, looking at Ryan and Auston with happiness and relief. “Congratulations, children. From the moment you have your own children, it proves that you’ve truly grown up and taken on the full responsibility of family. Grandma blesses you both.”

The family on the distant E69 planting Star celebrated the arrival of the new family member in this way, showing their love for the little one through their actions. After turning off the holographic video, Auston’s heart was filled with a deep sense of warmth; it turns out that being loved by family is truly a joy.

After receiving everyone’s blessings, Auston and Ryan continued their walk. Da Fu busily followed them around, occasionally darting into the bushes or flying onto tree trunks, happily occupied. It even wanted to chase after the the huddled-up “Meh-Meh Beasts.” The poor creatures, having suffered before, caught Da Fu’s scent early on and, before it could pounce, bleated and fled, abandoning their usual lazy behavior.

Leaving behind a heartbroken Da Fu, “…”

But Da Fu’s sadness disappeared as quickly as it came. In no time, it was gleefully running toward Ryan and Auston, picking up speed as it spotted them, ready to pounce. Its mouth hung open with excitement, revealing its small, pink tongue moving inside, just as lively as its wagging tail.

Then…

Da Fu unhappily let go of Ryan’s leg. It didn’t want Ryan! Adjusting its direction, it tried to bypass Ryan to cuddle with its beloved master. But Ryan kept getting in the way, making Da Fu let out a frustrated howl. Knowing it was no match for Ryan, Da Fu could only tilt its head, blink its big, watery eyes, and look pitifully at Auston, letting out soft whines: ‘Woo woo~’

Auston, feeling soft-hearted, was about to pet Da Fu, but Ryan stopped him. In a formal tone, Ryan solemnly addressed Da Fu: “Da Fu, our family is getting a new member.” Pointing to Auston’s belly, he said, “There’s a baby in here, so for the next two months, Da Fu can’t pounce on Auston, understand?”

Da Fu blinked, unsure if it understood.

Ryan added, “Auston won’t be able to hold you either. Da Fu has to be good and take care of the little baby.”

Da Fu glanced down at its paws, feeling a bit down. It sensed its master’s presence above, as a gentle hand stroked its head. Da Fu nuzzled its head against Auston’s palm, but it’s spirits remained low.

Over an hour later, Ryan and Auston finished their walk and returned to the bedroom. Feeling a slight sense of urgency, Da Fu stuck close to the wall, and the moment Ryan opened the door, it darted inside with a swoosh. Spreading its wings to gain speed, it dashed toward the bed. Determined not to be kicked out, clever Da Fu remembered the trick of hiding under the bed—something that worked well on the E69 planting star. But here in their home in Eve City, it wasn’t possible, because the space under the bed was only as wide as a fist. With Da Fu’s size, it could only fit one paw in!

Hearing footsteps behind it, Da Fu buried its head, its butt sticking up, pretending it didn’t exist. Then it realized—Ryan hadn’t kicked it out! Emboldened by this, Da Fu grew more daring.

Da Fu was a very well-behaved child. It didn’t pester to be held by Auston; it was content just to stay close to him, sitting by his feet or following him closely. When Auston went to the bathroom, Da Fu would wait at the door. If the door wasn’t closed, a small beast would appear at Auston’s feet. During bath time, Da Fu would stay by the glass, only feeling reassured when it saw Auston’s shadow. Having had past experiences of abandonment, Da Fu was particularly afraid of losing its place. This concern couldn’t be resolved in a day or with a few words; over time, Da Fu would come to understand that it was a part of this family and no one could discard it.

At present, after Auston and Ryan went to bed, Da Fu jumped onto the bedside table and lay down, occasionally looking up to check if Auston was still there. Seeing that Auston was still present, Da Fu felt secure and closed its eyes, resting its head on Auston’s leg.

Auston and Ryan were discussing the plans for tomorrow.

“The appointment is at nine. It’ll only take a little over half an hour to get there, so you can sleep in a bit longer. I’ll wake you up when it’s time,” Ryan wrote in the schedule, marking the hospital check-up in red. It was a crucial appointment that could not be missed. Even if it were to rain knives tomorrow, Ryan would still ensure Auston went out.

Auston, who was reading, said with a hint of exasperation, “My health is fine. I’m not that fragile.”

“This isn’t about being fragile or not. It’s a special time, and you should naturally enjoy the care you’re receiving. Let me see…’ Ryan swiped through the holographic screen projected by his personal terminal, crossing out the memo and bringing up a courier tracking app. With a ding, he received a new message, “Mom and Dad have already sent the package. They used interstellar express, so it should arrive in about twenty days.”

“Sorry for causing trouble for Mom and Dad.”

“Haha, don’t say that! If Mom and Dad heard it, they’d be heartbroken.”

Auston pressed his lips together and nodded, “You’re right. I’ll be mindful.”

“There’s a lot of stuff coming, mostly food. If we were at home, Mom, Grandma, and Auntie would team up to fatten you up,’ Ryan said with a chuckle. The Daltons hadn’t welcomed a new life for a long time, so many things had to be arranged from scratch. Ryan noticed that while Bowers was discussing renovation plans with the home improvement company, they had overlooked the nursery. This gentleman was quite troubled and self-reproachful about it for a long time.”

“No, they wouldn’t. Grandma told me that eating whatever you want during pregnancy isn’t good for your body—you have to respect science.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Ryan replied. Over the years, Ryan had rarely experienced the arrival of a new life firsthand. The children he encountered were usually older and well-behaved, without the fuss and cries of a newborn. He suddenly felt a bit at a loss—how to care for such a soft, tiny being? Even the usually confident Ryan felt unsure. He leaned in and gave Auston a kiss on the cheek, took the e-reader from his hand, and said, “It’s time to sleep.”

He resolved to talk to the doctor tomorrow. Caring for both the expectant father and the baby was a significant responsibility, and he needed a professional to give him some lessons.

With his hands now empty, Auston moved his hands in the air a couple of times, feeling resigned once again. “I’m really fine. I don’t feel anything.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right. But you still need to sleep,” Ryan said as he helped Auston get settled, tucking the blanket around him. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Auston closed his eyes, resting his palm on his abdomen. Soon, he felt the person next to him lie down as well. Amid the rustling of the blanket, a hand rested on his. In the darkness, Auston’s lips curled into a smile as he drifted into a sweet dream.

Ryan’s excitement wasn’t very intense, but it lasted long enough. He found himself unable to sleep half an hour earlier than usual. After getting up quietly, he gently picked up Da Fu by the scruff of its neck and placed the little beast outside the bedroom door. Da Fu, who was too annoyed to speak up, could only glare at Ryan with wide eyes in discontent. Ryan squatted down and said softly, “You snore when you sleep.”

Da Fu: “…”

Clearly, it hadn’t done anything wrong, yet Ryan had accused it!

Ryan walked out of the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He went straight to the bathroom at the end of the hallway to freshen up and change clothes. After a refreshing start, he did an hour of exercise. Da Fu, yawning at the door, watched Ryan leave and then lifted a paw, contemplating scratching at the door. But after a moment’s thought, it decided against it and lay down quietly to sleep.

After finishing his hour of exercise, Ryan tidied himself up and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The chef was already there, ready to start cooking. Following the nutrition plan Laura had provided, Ryan decided to make breakfast for Auston himself.

“I’ll do it.”

The chef reluctantly stepped aside, watching Ryan with a sense of growing unease. If Ryan cooked every day, he might end up out of a job.

Quickly shaking off his concerns, the chef asked, “What does the general like to eat?” In the past, when the general was at home, he ate whatever was prepared. The general didn’t seem to have any particular dietary preferences.”

“With spinach juice in hand, Ryan offered his advice without reservation, “The dishes should not have too many mixed flavors. Use minimal seasoning to enhance the taste, and make sure the food is clean and fresh. Prepare more seafood and poultry. River fish have too many bones, which Auston doesn’t like too much, but you can make fish balls and he’ll eat several bowls with vegetable soup. Sometimes you can add chili to the dishes for extra flavor, but don’t make it too spicy. Although he likes it, it can be too much if it’s too hot. During our trip to Rui de Star, Auston couldn’t stop eating spicy dishes even though it made his face turn red. But eating too much irritated his stomach, and while he doesn’t say anything, I can clearly see it.”

“Make some cute little desserts often, but not too sweet. The sweetness needs to be just right.” Ryan knew Auston’s preferred level of sweetness well enough to estimate the right amount of sugar by eye, but it was something more intuitive than explicable. “Next time I make a dessert, I’ll measure the sugar content specifically, and you should note it down. Also, Auston loves strawberries. My parents will be sending a package soon, which will include a few strawberry plants. It’s best to have a greenhouse at home so that Auston can enjoy fresh strawberries all year round. We should always have strawberries on hand for strawberry daifuku, strawberry mousse, strawberry drinks, and so on.”

“At some point, the kitchen was no longer occupied by just Ryan and the chef. The housekeeper Bowers, Laura, and the gardener had also arrived. Everyone listened quietly, occasionally nodding and taking notes as if they were attentive students in a classroom. After listening for a while, they realized with astonishment that they didn’t really understand the child they had watched grow up. To them, Auston was merely a younger version of the old general; they thought it would be sufficient to prepare things according to the old general’s preferences. However, after hearing Ryan’s explanation, they discovered it was far from the case.

While the general resembled the old general in appearance and demeanor, inside he was as soft and sensitive as his wife. They, who had cared for him for so long, had made many mistakes!

In the midst of the group’s silence, the sound of sizzling was heard as Ryan expertly cracked eggs with one hand and began frying them. The fried eggs, cooked on both sides, were not the end of the dish but merely a transitional step. Afterward, Ryan added aromatic vinegar, sugar, and a bit of water, and sprinkled chopped green onions on top. He was making sweet and sour fried eggs. The egg yolks didn’t run, but the combination of the tangy and sweet sauce made it incredibly delicious, so much so that even the green onions were savored.

The dough that the chef had kneaded and let rise was ready. Ryan sprinkled a bit of flour on the marble countertop, placed the dough on it, and patted it down as if urging it to perform well. He then picked up a rolling pin and began to roll out the dough. A sheet of dough quickly appeared. After folding it several times, he started cutting it into noodles. The green spinach dough was very pliable under his hands, and he skillfully kneaded and flattened it. Ryan’s series of movements were as smooth as flowing water, showcasing his expertise from ten years in the kitchen. The spectators couldn’t help but marvel at his skill—truly impressive for someone who had worked in the kitchen for so long.

“Auston prefers handmade noodles that are flat. He doesn’t like the round alkaline noodles very much, finding them too tough. But you can use those for cold noodles. Be sure to include shredded chicken and bean sprouts in the cold noodles, as he likes that,” Ryan said.

As he tossed the noodles into the boiling water, Ryan wiped his hands and turned to the others with a smile, “I’ve made a large quantity, so everyone should try my cooking.”

The chef, smelling the aroma of chicken soup, quietly turned off the memo on his personal terminal. In his mind, he was in tears. How could a chef who had spent most of his life cooking Western cuisine quickly adjust to making traditional Chinese dishes? He only knew how to prepare various shapes of pasta, and chicken breast would be lightly pan-fried before serving. Seasoning was done with various spice jars, and vegetables and fruits were mostly used for salads—different kinds of salads.

It seemed he needed to enroll in a cooking class.

The chicken soup spinach noodles were topped with steamed green vegetables and shredded tender chicken thighs. Next to the noodles were the sweet and sour fried eggs, along with fruits and nuts. When Auston got up and came down, this was the scene he saw: a simple, homey, rich, and delicious breakfast. By the table was Ryan, who was looking at a guide on caring for expectant fathers on his personal terminal. When Auston arrived, Ryan greeted him with a smile, “I timed it perfectly. Come and try the spinach chicken soup noodles and sweet and sour eggs.”

Auston sat down and, as he picked up his chopsticks, said, “I sent you something. Take a look.”

‘What?’ Ryan asked, curious. He opened his personal terminal and found an unread notification. When he opened it, a pass appeared on the screen, with ‘Imperial Mecha Research Center Access Pass No. A 20106’ written on the front. He looked at Auston in surprise, “An access pass to the Imperial Research Institute!” Although he had received one from Master McAryan, it was entirely different in significance from the one Auston had provided.

Auston turned his head away slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable after giving the gift. “I couldn’t get a higher-level access pass for now, only a military access one. I’m keeping an eye out and should be able to get a higher-level pass in the future.”

The letter following the number indicates the classification of the pass. A signifies military access, which only allows for visiting the research center. Auston had always wanted to get Ryan a higher-level pass, one that would allow him to interact with researchers, use experimental equipment, and test mechas—classified as S and only issued to top academics in the field. He was working hard and actively negotiating to obtain an S-class pass soon. In the meantime, he gave Ryan a more readily available A-class pass to see what the cutting edge of imperial mecha research looked like nowadays.

“The A-class access pass is easier to obtain than the S-class, but relatively speaking, it’s still quite competitive. The research center issues a limited number of access passes each year, and every military organization is eager to get their hands on them. It took Auston quite a bit of effort to secure this one.

Ryan was deeply touched; nothing is more wonderful than knowing someone is thinking of you. “I will treasure it.”

“Hmm?”

“I never mentioned it before, but I have been in contact with Master McAryan. He gave me an access pass and invited me to the research institute tomorrow.”

Auston wasn’t bothered by the fact that Ryan hadn’t mentioned it earlier; on the contrary, he was very pleased. The access pass Ryan showed him had no letters or numbers, indicating it had very high-level permissions and allowed unrestricted access to any part of the mecha research center. Looking at the numbers, Ryan’s pass was the third of its kind, personally issued by Master McAryan.

“That’s wonderful!” Auston said, “Ryan, keep it up. Maybe you’ll win Master McAryan’s favor and become a formal member there… Look at me, babbling nonsense. You’re the one who pioneered and established the field of mechas. No one is more qualified than you to understand the cutting edge of mecha development today.”

“And then use the new knowledge to build you an even better mecha,” Auston said.

In a corner of the living room, Yuan Chu, who was engrossed in exploring online, glanced at the small robot beside him. The robot’s eyes were flashing rapidly, indicating that its internal system was likely encountering large segments of garbled code.

In the dining area, Auston continued, “I’m really looking forward to it. It will still be called Code Zero, as the AI remains unchanged.”

The small robot’s rapidly flashing eyes returned to normal, and Code Zero nodded in satisfaction, happy with its general!

“Use what you’re familiar with rather than what you’re unfamiliar with. There’s nothing to worry about. Just look at me,” Yuan Chu said nonchalantly.

Code Zero: “…”

Though it was reluctant to discourage Yuan Chu, Code Zero still wanted to say, “Little Strawberry, maybe I’ll soon have a new, much larger body.”

Yuan Chu: ‘…(#‵′).'”

He was still stuck in his tiny body made from second- or third-hand parts, with an unknown number of hands. Yuan Chu’s eyes flickered, dimming and brightening, and he said in a flat, monotone voice, ‘I’ll get Sir to build me a bigger body, haha. Otherwise, I might expose his past embarrassing moments in front of the General!” For example, when he was working diligently but suddenly felt melancholic about being alone, while others were enjoying family reunions during holidays, he would get emotional and cry to the moon. Or feeling lonely and wanting to date, he went on a few blind dates and criticized everyone, complaining about their eating habits or mental dullness. One daring person even tried to have a one-night stand with the President, but he said the person was frivolous and a scandalous character, scaring him away immediately…

As a long-time keychain, Yuan Chu knew many little secrets.

“Alright, alright. Then we’ll conquer the entire universe together and wipe out the Zergs.”

“Yes, compared to me, your achievements aren’t that impressive.”

Code Zero was not convinced. “You and Ryan defeated the Zerg Emperor, and the remaining Zerg Dukes fled with their troops, unable to develop a new Emperor. Otherwise, the General and I would have certainly been able to take down the Emperor ourselves!’

In the realm of the Zergs, there could only be one Emperor, but there were several Zerg Dukes in the reserves, each with the potential to become an Emperor by defeating the others. Since Qin Feng Anderson defeated the new Zerg Emperor during the Dawn Battle, the Emperor’s offspring were still very young at that time. Each Duke fled into the depths of the universe with their troops. Thus, the path to becoming an Emperor was very difficult, but this did not mean that the fighting strength of the Zergs had diminished. Their tenacious life force and formidable reproductive abilities made them humanity’s number one enemy.

Yuan Chu was somewhat silent. Even as an AI, recalling self-destructive events still resulted in redundant information in his system.

Yuan Chu: “For humanity, this is a good thing.”

Code Zero understood, “You’re right. I’d rather never see the Zerg Emperor as a trophy in my lifetime.”

When Ryan and Auston were getting ready to leave, Da Fu insisted on going too. Currently in a period of anxiety, it couldn’t bear to be away from Auston. As bodyguards, Yuan Chu and Code Zero naturally had to accompany them. Thus, the entire entourage set off.

Their destination was the Angela Maternity Center, located on the 166th to the 208th floors of the tallest building in the bustling district of Eve City. It could be said to be the best maternity center in the entire capital star and even in the Eden Star field. As for scale, there were certainly larger maternity centers than Angela. With the Empire’s low birthrate, the government heavily supports related industries, creating an atmosphere that encourages people to have more children without worrying about not being able to afford them. Before the age of eighteen, the state covers everything. Parents with many children don’t even have to work; by applying for the honorary parents program, they can receive a lifetime stipend, with the standard being six or more children.

Some people in the Empire live off this system, continuously having children. They contribute to the Empire’s population while having a source of income without working—each benefiting according to their needs.

The journey from the Eastern District to the city center took twenty minutes, but the poor traffic conditions, constant congestion, and red lights dragged the speed down. Fortunately, they hadn’t timed their departure tightly, and they arrived at the 166th-floor parking port with plenty of time to spare before the 9 o’clock appointment. About 80% of the parking spaces were occupied, indicating the popularity of the Angela Maternity Center. Having received information about Ryan and Auston’s visit from their mentor, Bunier had been waiting at the parking port exit. Whether he was there or not, there would have been a welcoming nurse waiting. After the center’s records were established, they would be accompanied throughout their visit by dedicated nurses, maternity care specialists, doctors, and others. All examinations and records were kept confidential, with documents archived securely and no information disclosed by staff.

Bunier greeted them and led them to the elevator, explaining, “To ensure privacy, the elevator will not stop at other floors while in use. It will only move to the next round of service once the passengers have left. Each floor accommodates no more than ten guests at a time, with separate corridors to ensure no encounters. Recently, the well-known 26-year-old singer Sweetie pie, who was married and had a child, received maternity services here.”

Ryan said, “By mentioning it, you’re contradicting the confidentiality rules, aren’t you?”

Bunier, who was dressed in a white lab coat, resembled Blair in some ways but differed significantly in others. After all, Blair frequently dealt with various corpses, and the cold, pale demeanor had become second nature to him. Bunier replied, “Our confidentiality measures are very effective and flawless. The information about Sweetie pie being married and having a child didn’t come from us. We were vindicated by the court, but Sweetie pie kept pressing us, venting her frustration over her single, pure image being damaged. Because of this, her file was declassified during the lawsuit, making confidentiality unnecessary.”

Thanks to her, the Angela Maternity Center now had a case to reference during their introductions.

Ryan, who didn’t follow entertainment news, was unaware of this incident. “My cousin really likes Sweetie pie’s songs, but his admiration for her music has nothing to do with her personal life.” He didn’t feel qualified to comment on idols.

The reception room was soon reached. Inside were Dawson Albert, one of the founders of Angela, Bunier’s mentor, a professor of biology and fertility at the Imperial University, and the nation’s leading obstetrician. Professor Albert was a short man with a slight bald spot (despite the advanced technology, he had undergone three hair transplants and one gene therapy, but hair loss remained a persistent issue—proving that growing hair is quite a mysterious endeavor). He had a smiling face and exuded a gentle demeanor, not one to intimidate. However, despite his unassuming appearance, this seemingly ordinary professor was a leading figure in the field of fertility research and someone many infertile couples desperately sought to consult.

“General Dalton.” Professor Albert showed respect to everyone, greeting them as soon as the door opened. He also nodded warmly at Ryan, not dismissing him simply because he was a lesser-known figure compared to the general.

“Professor Albert.” After greeting him, Auston introduced Ryan. “This is my husband, Ryan Smith.”

Ryan, with his gentle and refined appearance, held his own in the presence of the general and the professor. Smiling, he said, “Hello, Professor Albert.”

“Hello, Mr. Smith.” A flash of surprise crossed Albert’s eyes. Although this young man’s face was unfamiliar and he didn’t seem to be a well-known figure, his presence was striking and matched well with the youngest general of the Empire. So, he was the husband… Albert understood why General Dalton had emphasized the relationship during the introduction: to clarify who the pregnant person was and to highlight Ryan’s importance.

The first step for guests arriving at the maternity center was to create a profile and sign a confidentiality agreement. The profile required various health metrics to ensure the center could provide the best prenatal care. There was no need to visit multiple departments for checks; the VIP reception room was equipped with all necessary instruments.

Similar to the basic tests done by Blair the previous day, Auston had a slight case of anemia—not severe, but his levels were a bit lower than normal. Even a small decrease in these values required attention, as anemia during pregnancy could lead to serious complications such as miscarriage or fetal abnormalities. The body’s primary immune response is to protect itself.

“This value doesn’t require medication; dietary adjustments are the best approach and will not strain the body,” Albert said with a smile as he placed the instrument on Auston’s abdomen. “The general’s health indicators are all very good, just mild anemia. There’s no need for any psychological burden. After the examination, just purchase a few nutritional guides, follow them at home, and by the next check-up, there should be no issues. The nutritional guides are compiled by authoritative nutrition experts at the center and will be updated periodically, with updates sent directly to your personal terminal.”

Sitting on the other side of Auston, Ryan held Auston’s hand tightly, attentively noting everything the doctor said. His eyes were fixed on the screen, and he soon saw a small dot on the ultrasound image. The one-month-old fetus was no bigger than a small bean; it was so tiny, so fragile, and so cute, needing the careful attention of its parents… Ryan instantly felt his eyes well up, not with tears, but with a surge of emotional waves from his heart.

Then, Dr. Albert pointed to a small dot on the screen, saying, “The baby is still very small, only about the size of a green bean. Despite its tiny size, it is healthy and has a strong vitality.”

Ryan: “…” The surge of excitement was quickly subdued; the dot Dr. Albert pointed to was not the one he had been focusing on.

Quickly shifting his gaze, Ryan and Auston’s eyes fell simultaneously on the dot Dr. Albert was indicating. Ryan said, “So cute.”

Auston nodded, “Yes.”

Silly Dad can see even more.

The ultrasound, like in ancient Earth times, is still in black and white. However, compared to the past, modern technology has vastly improved the imaging quality. There are now devices that provide even clearer and more direct views of the baby, but countless facts have proven that such views can make parents feel anxious (who wants to see their baby as just a flesh-colored tadpole?). Therefore, the hospital provides traditional ultrasound examinations.

Handing the printed photo to the new parents, Dr. Albert said, “This is the baby’s first photo. Keep it safe, and the hospital will also include it in the records.”

The center creates a growth file for each baby, starting from the first examination.

Receiving the photo, Auston gazed intently at the tiny being on it, still so small, with limbs not yet developed. For a moment, both Ryan and Auston, leaning together, were silent. They quietly looked at the baby’s first photo, their hearts overwhelmed with emotions. No amount of words could fully express their true feelings.

Dr. Albert and Bunier did not interrupt. After more than ten minutes, when Ryan and Auston had regained their composure, they continued with the next steps—deciding where to raise the baby, whether at home or at the nurturing center, and if at home, whether to purchase a new nurturing pod¹T/N: Similar to Incubator or rent one.

Ryan and Auston had already discussed this; of course, it would be at home, and they wanted a brand-new nurturing pod for their baby.

Dr. Albert had anticipated this, so he was not surprised at all. “Next, every week, Bunier will come to the house to perform a simple check-up for the general. In the following month, you will need to come to the hospital again, and during the third month, you will need to visit twice. Bunier will come every other day. The third month is a critical period for the baby’s development in the womb. Once the time is right, the baby will need to be transferred to the nurturing pod. This cannot be taken lightly, so please cooperate, General. Your own routine and lifestyle are also very important.”

“Timing is a subtle matter, so it needs to be monitored closely. A fluctuation of two or three days around this time is not critical, but if it extends beyond that, it becomes dangerous for the baby. As mentioned before, the human womb, due to cosmic radiation, dietary changes, and other factors, has undergone significant alterations and can no longer handle prolonged pregnancies. If the time window is exceeded too much, the fetus will cease to develop in the amniotic sac, and the consequences are not something parents want to bear.”

Ryan said, “Professor Albert, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Auston and cooperate with the hospital’s checks.”

Auston nodded. He would never joke about the safety of the baby. The little one arrived at a very timely moment. He would be on leave for the three-month period of maternal nurturing, and even if he were not on leave, he would not allow trivial matters to interfere with the nurturing process.

Albert replied, “With your cooperation, our work will be much easier. In the near future, we will welcome a lovely new life.”

They spent some more time at the Angela Maternity Center. Ryan persistently asked questions about how to care for a pregnant partner and a baby, and Professor Albert answered with unwavering patience. The center’s prestigious reputation in the star region was largely due to such attentive service.

By the time they left the maternity center, it was already 11:50, mealtime. There was a good restaurant downstairs, personally recommended by Albert. Ryan and Auston had their meal there and then wandered through the infant supplies store downstairs. Although the baby’s gender was still unknown and there was no need to buy clothes or shoes just yet, Ryan and Auston, now expectant parents, couldn’t help but pause and admire the small, finely crafted garments.

Auston wore a military-grade simulation mask, making his face appear completely unfamiliar.

“Ryan,” Auston called softly. When Ryan, who had been looking at something a meter away, approached, Auston whispered, “Look over there. Isn’t that Fan Lanting?”

“Where?” Ryan looked up, searching beyond the shelves.

“Two o’clock direction, fifteen meters away, the one wearing a mask,” Auston provided precise data.

Ryan had already spotted the target.

In the direction Auston indicated, there was a man in a black mask, standing inconspicuously and staring blankly at a pink onesie in his hand. He looked like he had been standing there for quite a while.

“What is he doing over there?” Ryan wondered aloud. Most people browsing here were either expecting parents or already parents. What was Fan Lanting, a single man, doing here staring at a baby outfit? A clichéd thought flashed through his mind. “No, it couldn’t be.”

Auston, less familiar with dramatic scenarios, didn’t follow Ryan’s train of thought. “What?”

Many novels and TV shows portray such scenarios, especially those dramatic, love-and-betrayal stories… Ryan admitted that he had lived long enough and seen too much. He whispered his outlandish speculation into Auston’s ear, only to quickly dismiss it, saying, “Connor is a reserved person and handles alcohol well, so he wouldn’t get drunk and do something out of line, nor would he start something and abandon it.” Moreover, his cousin Connor has a φ3 element deficiency, which means he’s infertile. To date, there have been no natural pregnancies, only artificial interventions, and even those have short fetal survival times. The interstellar environment doesn’t allow for successful IVF…

“…You’re overthinking it,” Auston said, a bit impressed by Ryan’s imagination. He couldn’t help but acknowledge the connection between him and Connor.

Ryan shrugged helplessly, “You know, it’s hard not to think too much in that kind of environment. I’d have gone mad long ago.”

Auston felt a pang of sympathy.

Ryan regretted bringing it up, squeezing Auston’s hand and saying, “It’s all in the past. I just mentioned it casually. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried, just feeling heartache. Those years must have been really tough. Even though you speak of it lightly, I can imagine what it’s like to drift in the vast emptiness,” Auston said softly.

“It’s all in the past,” Ryan replied, indifferent.

“Yeah, it’s all in the past. From now on, you’ll have me and our child… or children,” Auston added softly, hinting that he hoped for more than just one child.

Ryan smiled, looking forward to the day when their family would grow.

As they were talking, Fan Lanting, who had been observing from a distance, put down his items and left. That was Fan Lanting’s personal matter, and Ryan and Auston chose not to intrude. Fan Lanting took the elevator down ten floors and arrived at a bookstore. There, a large poster advertised that the popular online author Connor Smith would be holding a book signing tour in the capital city of Eve in ten days. The bookstore was filled with Connor’s books in various displays, drawing customers’ attention.

Fan Lanting had just arrived in Eve City today, almost immediately after Ryan and the general left Beland. He had been dealing with one matchmaking date after another, and despite discussions with his parents, there was no resolution. His parents had seen too many tragic family situations resulting from mismatched marriages, and they insisted that their child marry someone compatible before settling down.

But Fan Lanting already had someone in his heart and couldn’t imagine entering marriage with someone he had only met a few times; that would be too terrifying. As an excellent reconnaissance officer on the Xingtian ship, he adhered to the military’s style of action. When his parents’ persuasion failed, he decisively left home to follow Connor’s footsteps to the capital city. Now, Connor was on his way to the capital city.

Fan Lanting wandered around for a while but ended up not buying any books and left.

Ryan and Auston, who had been shopping upstairs, also left the Tian Shu building and returned home. On the starship, the three who had been behaving as if they were invisible finally relaxed. Da Fu walked around freely; being free was the lifestyle a griffin beast deserved. In the future, Da Fu wouldn’t accompany the master and Ryan on outings; it would depend on the situation… Da Fu left himself some flexibility.

As for the bodyguard duties, Yuan Chu instructed Code Zero to pilot the small starship while he had some information to report to the Sir and the General.

“Were you followed all the way through the mall?” Ryan had felt several vague glances but couldn’t find anything suspicious, so he hadn’t mentioned it. “Did you notice who it was?”

Ryan wasn’t wearing a mask, but he knew very few people on Capital Star, making the likelihood of someone trailing him almost zero—unless someone recognized him as the person who attacked “musician” Evan at the Beland capital bus station. Auston, wearing a realistic mask and changing his clothing style, would be hard to recognize even by those familiar with him, unless they had specifically studied him—his gait, silhouette, arm swing, and so on.

Auston frowned, deep in thought.

In the small starship’s lounge, Yuan Chu activated the projection and displayed the images of the suspicious individuals he had captured. On the screen, there were seven or eight photos, featuring both men and women, old and young. At first glance, they all seemed like ordinary people, but with a closer look, each one appeared suspicious in some way.

“Yuan Chu, investigate the identities of all these individuals.”

Yuan Chu’s eyes flickered; his master clearly knew what they were doing on the star net, even if he didn’t explicitly say so. Investigating the identities of these people required hacking into the Empire’s public security system’s data repository, which wasn’t something easily accomplished with a simple command. It certainly required preparation. Fortunately, Yuan Chu was an AI well-prepared for such tasks and had accessed numerous systems, discovering many intriguing details about the current government.

“No need,” Auston said with a troubled expression, pointing to one of the photos. “This is my uncle.”