MPWATMBC Chapter 79

When Auston received Ryan’s message, he had already arrived home. He was holding the little “left-behind child,” Tuan Tuan, and strolling through the small garden at home. Under the gardener’s arrangement, the yard was not only lush with green grass and trees but also adorned with a variety of fresh flowers. The moonlight roses they brought were especially well-utilized, forming beautiful clusters. As expected, these were easy-to-cultivate, hardy plants. Their blooms, red as flames, complemented the setting sun, creating a striking, radiant scene.

Tuantuan had a fondness for vibrant colors. His round, bright eyes couldn’t yet discern too many details, but he was increasingly captivated by colors. Bright red like fire, blue like the ocean, orange like the playful sunlight—these were little Tuantuan’s favorites.

When held by his dad, Tuantuan loved it when they stood near the moonlight roses. He would quietly stare at them, his little face radiating the innocence and curiosity unique to children.

Upon receiving Ryan’s message, Auston didn’t think twice. He carried Tuantuan onto the small starship. This was Tuantuan’s first outing since his birth. The little one was calm and composed, gazing indifferently at the scenery rushing past the window with an air of quiet dignity, showing a remarkable poise for his age.

Out they went, all the way to the Imperial Mecha Research Center. A little bun as young as Tuantuan stepping foot into such a prestigious place was definitely a first. Tuantuan was now a well-traveled baby.

However, he wasn’t one to give his dad too much face. He naturally pulled his tiny hand out of his dad’s gentle grasp, turned his head into his dad’s arms, and let out a little yawn. He was ready for a short nap. When it was time to eat, he’d be sure to call for both “Daddy” and “Papa.”

Ryan rubbed his nose, feeling like his son had turned away from him. In a playful act of retaliation, he pinched the little chubby face of Tuantuan. “You’re such a little rascal. Just wait and see how I’ll train you in the future.”

Tuantuan furrowed his brow slightly, but he remained fast asleep, breathing steadily. Perhaps in his simple childhood dreams, he was already imagining himself in the future, diligently training under his dad’s plans.

The small starship had a temporary docking permit, but the time it could stay at the Mecha Research Center was limited to thirty minutes for safety reasons. This was a strict rule that couldn’t be bypassed, even though Ryan was the acting executive director of the research center. He couldn’t pull any strings to get Auston a long-term docking permit. The family boarded the small starship, and under the control of Code Zero, the ship launched. In the blink of an eye, they had already left the research center’s perimeter.

Inside the starship, Tuantuan was placed in his crib. His tiny hands were laid out on either side of his head in what seemed like a surrendering gesture. With his excellent sleep quality, he didn’t stir at all from the movement. Ryan looked down at him for a moment, feeling his heart soften.

“I often hear the elders say that a child’s eyes are the purest,” Ryan said with a helpless shake of his head. He carried too much bloodshed, and it was no wonder that both Tuantuan and Da Fu didn’t want to be close to him.

Auston wouldn’t let Ryan speak so negatively about himself. “What you’ve done is for the country and the people. If Tuantuan doesn’t want to be close to you, I’ll spank him.”

“Haha, no, don’t. Tuantuan hasn’t done anything wrong yet. We’ll spank him when he makes a mistake.”

“Mm, I’ll listen to you,” Auston smiled gently, looking at the innocent little face in the cradle. “When Tuantuan learns about his father’s true identity, he’ll be so proud.”

“This is a little secret, just between us,” Ryan said as he wrapped his arm around Auston’s shoulder, grinning. “Even our son won’t know.”

This was their secret, something just for the two of them. Ryan didn’t plan on sharing the fact that his young body housed a seasoned soul with their children. Back when Ryan was still Qin Feng Anderson, the two centuries he spent in the military and politics weren’t just filled with battles against the Zerg. He had also quelled rebellions, bloodied the seas with pirate raids… No matter the time, humanity had never truly been united. The lives Ryan had taken were countless, his hands stained with blood many times over. But Qin Feng Anderson was resolute, with a clear purpose. Even as his consciousness drifted in the black hole, he could stay sharp and unshaken. No matter the challenges, neither Qin Feng nor Ryan had ever feared.

That had been the case in the past, it was the same now, and it would remain unchanged in the future.

Those who tried to trip him up would ultimately find that all their actions were only paving the way for Ryan’s success.

With his immense confidence and strength, Ryan glanced at the information on his personal terminal and set the matter aside. It was just a request from the higher-ups to produce a batch of high-quality mecha suits for police forces across various star systems—nothing difficult. Mecha development had come a long way, and the mechanical mechas were now the most advanced. Most of their parts were mass-producible. The real challenge lay in the creation of the neural core, which could only be produced by the research center. This was the most time-consuming and energy-intensive part of the process. Back when the mecha center was under the control of the Bromfield family, they had used the production of the neural core as a bottleneck.

This time, the interim government was determined to expand the number of mechas. They weren’t holding back—five hundred units right from the start. And they had appointed a responsible party—Sierra Bromfield. The official appointment had just reached Ryan’s hands.

Ryan lowered his eyes, a slight, indifferent smile on his face. He had no idea how much effort Sierra had put into securing this opportunity, but someone who volunteered for such a heavy task was exactly what he wanted. It wasn’t about the work; it was about using this chance to compete with him and show off their capabilities. Ryan was eager to see what Sierra would bring to the table.

Five hundred mecha suits… Ryan curled his lips in a smirk. He hoped Sierra wouldn’t regret it. The workload was no small feat.

“Ryan.”

Ryan looked up. “Hmm?”

“I’m saying we’re not going home tonight.”

Ryan glanced at little Tuantuan. Not going home was fine, but was it really okay to bring their little one along?

Auston pressed his lips together before saying, “I asked Bunier. He said it’s fine for a baby this age to go out, as long as we ensure his safety. We won’t go anywhere crowded. The small starship has everything we need, so spending a night outside is doable. I’ve booked a room at the Starlight Hotel. Today’s the day of the Giant Constellation Meteor Shower. When the meteors streak across the sky, they leave rainbow trails. Let’s go watch it.”

Meteors weren’t rare sights in the interstellar era. On transit hub planets, “meteor showers” occurred day and night, as various sizes of starships and spacecraft entered the atmosphere, leaving brilliant trails caused by friction. Such common occurrences had long lost their novelty. However, the Giant Constellation Meteor Shower happened only once every five years. It was famous for its grand scale, numerous meteors, and vibrant colors.

Having grown up on the capital planet, Auston had never seen it before. This would be his first time, and he’d be watching it with Ryan. He tilted his head slightly, a faint blush coloring the tips of his ears. Since their marriage, this was the first time he had initiated a date. Though, admittedly, they were bringing along a tiny third wheel.

Auston didn’t get a response from Ryan right away. He felt a bit lost and even a little wronged. Could it be that the first date he had ever planned lacked sincerity? He began reflecting on himself. A meteor shower, such an ordinary sight in the interstellar era, might indeed seem unimpressive—nothing novel or exciting. And bringing along a baby meant it wasn’t truly a two-person date.

With a sigh in his heart, Auston forced a casual smile, pretending it didn’t matter. “You’ve been working so hard, especially now that you’ve just taken on the role of acting director. You must have a lot on your plate. Let’s just go home and rest. I’ll message Bowers to prepare dinner for us. What do you feel like eating…?”

Auston was met with Ryan’s enthusiastic embrace. Ryan’s voice carried a note of excitement as he exclaimed, “I’m not tired at all! I love it—let’s go see the meteor shower!”

“Okay,” Auston responded, stunned for a moment before nodding happily.

The fact that Auston had arranged the date himself had Ryan over the moon. It didn’t matter if it was for something as romantic as a meteor shower or as mundane as planting trees in a desert or farming in a field—he’d be thrilled either way. Even bringing along a trail of tiny third wheels wouldn’t dampen his excitement.

The small starship moved steadily toward their destination. On the eastern hemisphere of the capital planet, near the equator, there was a vast grassland. From the sky, the grassland appeared dotted with tiny bubbles. Upon closer inspection, those “bubbles” were actually transparent rooms, resembling delicate, upturned crystal bowls resting on the ground. The gentle glow emanating from within the rooms gave them an ethereal, dreamy beauty.

This was the Starlight Hotel.

Among the grasses, small points of light flickered with a rainbow glow, flowing softly like tiny fireflies. But as soon as one tried to get a closer look, these little lights would slip away, vanishing into the base of the grass, leaving only their memory behind.

Once the small starship was parked securely, Ryan and his group followed the staff member to their pre-booked room. Ryan pushed the stroller, while Auston carried the now-awake Tuantuan, freshly changed into a dry diaper. Still groggy, Tuantuan was swaddled in a soft blue blanket, occasionally letting out tiny yawns. His dark, shiny eyes were open but unfocused, and he remained quiet and well-behaved, looking like an exquisitely crafted doll.

Walking along the stone-paved path hidden amidst the grass, tender blades occasionally brushed against their ankles, bringing a ticklish sensation. Da Fu darted around them, excitedly flapping its wings and occasionally taking flight. Its youthful roars, though still immature, carried the faint promise of future majesty. As it trained its hunting instincts, Da Fu was shedding its earlier clumsiness, with the wildness in its blood driving its desire to dominate both sky and land.

However, after flying for a bit and seeming as though it might wander off, Da Fu would always circle back, flapping its wings to return to Ryan and Auston’s side. It then trotted alongside their slow pace, a testament to its deep attachment to its family. It would never stray too far from home.

The guide leading them looked a bit uneasy, keeping a cautious distance from Da Fu, which was clearly on its way to becoming a formidable beast. He couldn’t quite fathom why wealthy people would raise such creatures. Didn’t they fear that one day it might turn on them and devour them? His eyes darted quickly to the baby Auston was holding. Especially when there was such a tiny, adorable child involved—it only made the situation seem more precarious to him.

When Ryan and Auston went out, they always disguised their faces. The capital star was unlike other places; it had a high population density, and the public’s enthusiasm for current affairs made anonymity a challenge. Being recognized would ruin their fun and spoil the experience.

“How much farther?”

The staff member snapped out of his anxious thoughts and returned to a professional demeanor. “Sir, it’s about three kilometers.”

Ryan frowned slightly and turned to Auston. “Should we stop here and head to the room early?”

Auston nodded, a bit regretful. “I didn’t think it through. The distance is a little much.”

“Next time, when we’re out alone without the little light bulb,” Ryan teased, “we’ll take our time walking.”

The so-called “little light bulb,” Tuantuan, let out two soft “ah ah” sounds as if voicing his dissatisfaction. The tone carried a hint of tiny indignation, as if protesting his new title.

The two parents exchanged a glance, realizing that perhaps certain playful remarks should not be made in front of their child. It seemed even a tiny baby had a way of perceiving the world, translating external cues into their own understanding.

Since walking was not an option, the hotel provided flying vehicles, with both open-top and enclosed options available. Ryan and Auston opted for the enclosed one. While they would have loved to enjoy the gentle night breeze carrying the scent of grass, their responsibility to Tuantuan meant they couldn’t indulge themselves. With the vehicle, the three-kilometer journey took less than five minutes. Their destination was another dome-shaped room, modest in appearance and occupying roughly twenty square meters from the outside.

Ryan hadn’t looked up details about the Starlight Hotel beforehand, but as he observed the intricate, elegant design of the room, he assumed there must be more to it than met the eye.

The staff member opened the room for them, and after the guests had entered, he quickly excused himself. Though he had served many high-ranking officials and elites, this family left a unique impression. They didn’t use their status to exert pressure or make him feel stifled. Yet, standing near them, he couldn’t help but feel an intangible sense of inferiority, as if they were clouds in the sky and he was mere dirt on the ground. This inexplicable self-awareness left him with a faint feeling of self-pity.

Without any external disturbances, Ryan began to observe the exquisite and charming little room. Despite its compact exterior, the interior was delightfully delicate and cozy, with no hidden secret chambers. The room was decorated in a clean white color scheme, simple yet inviting. The most striking feature was the large, soft bed in the center, surrounded by small, finely designed functional areas. Lying on the bed, one could look up through the transparent dome ceiling, a one-way glass that provided privacy while allowing an uninterrupted view of the sky.

After eating the hotel’s decently palatable meal, the family of three lay on the bed, quietly gazing at the sky. At eight o’clock, the dazzling meteor shower began. The specially treated dome made the meteors appear as if they were streaking right above them, trailing vibrant, colorful tails across the sky—a scene straight out of a dream.

Yet, amidst this magical atmosphere, little Tuantuan stole the show with his antics. Babbling happily, he entertained himself, lifting and lowering his chubby little feet as if he had just discovered these fascinating new “accessories.” His small feet moved enthusiastically, and if he were just a little older with better coordination, he would undoubtedly grab his toes with his hands and attempt to taste them.

In the middle of his child’s innocent playfulness, Ryan lay face down on the bed, pitifully gazing at Auston. Internally, he lamented why their little bundle of joy was still so full of energy and refusing to sleep. He had hoped to make the most of the romantic evening under the starry sky for a little intimate interaction. But with Tuantuan’s lively chatter filling the room, any flicker of romantic mood was thoroughly extinguished.

Auston apologized, “Next time, we’ll leave Tuantuan at home.”

“Ah ah!” Little Tuantuan voiced his presence, seemingly extra excited in the new sleeping environment, resolutely refusing to fall asleep.

Ryan looked aggrieved. “I just want to sleep with you.”

Auston’s face flushed slightly; he knew all too well Ryan wasn’t just talking about sleep. “Wait… wait until Tuantuan falls asleep.”

Tuantuan called out loudly twice, “Ah ah ah!” He seemed determined to summon his dad to play with him.

Ryan looked so aggrieved he could cry. “He doesn’t want to sleep.”

“Ah ah~” As if responding to his dad, Tuantuan cheered happily, kicking his little legs against the bed with boundless energy, completely devoid of sleepiness.

Caught between the voices of the big and little ones, Auston found himself both exasperated and amused. Stumbling slightly over his words, he whispered something only the adults could understand, “When we get home, we’ll do it.”

Ryan ground his teeth in frustration. Feigning anger, he gave Tuantuan’s little bottom a light pat. “You’re such a little troublemaker.”

“Yiya?” Tuantuan turned to look at his dad, flashing a toothless, angelic smile—a smile capable of melting any heart.

Ryan’s resolve softened immediately, and he sighed in surrender. “Fine, have your fun. Let’s watch the stars together.”

In a place where their child couldn’t see, the two fathers, Tuantuan’s dads, held hands. They gazed at the seemingly endless meteor shower in the sky, enjoying the rare moment of peace amidst the sounds of their child’s coos and giggles. They even talked about their work during the day. Auston’s training of the capital garrison had finally entered full swing. He no longer needed to supervise the training closely, as it had become routine and would continue without interruption. In a week or two, someone else would take over, and he could finally take a proper break. Leading the training of the capital garrison had already been a challenge, done under the watchful eyes of many. There was no need to upset the fragile balance for the sake of power. Auston was after more than just the capital garrison, which could never offer him enough. Injustice and wrongful cases couldn’t simply be ignored, and soon he’d be able to fight for justice.

Ryan also talked about his own work. Overseeing the construction of three beast-type mechas was his biggest task and challenge since becoming the acting CEO. Despite this, he managed to slip in some personal gains. He had added two black-and-white mechas into the plan, and their allocation would be under his control. As for their future pilots, it was clear—he and Auston would be the ones piloting the mechas, as they had the key to synchronizing the neural hubs.

“I don’t want to stay in the mecha research center forever. Being a scientist for my whole life isn’t my dream.”

“Mm, I know.”

Ryan’s plan was clear: the research center was just a stepping stone for him to gild his resume. There were more qualified people to lead it, but that person certainly wasn’t him. “I’m really looking forward to the day we retire. We can go home and farm, or become adventurers. Ha, two old adventurers!”

The thought of himself and Ryan becoming old men with gray hair, piloting two mechas and being unstoppable, made Auston laugh a little and feel a sense of excitement.

“When that day comes…”

In Ryan’s vivid description, Auston imagined the future, feeling like it might truly be a great life.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and the hurried sound of footsteps approached. As Ryan was fantasizing about their future, he looked up and saw Yuan Chu entering. The room was small, and with his mischievous plans, Ryan couldn’t keep all the “little light bulbs” around. He quickly sent Yuan Chu, Code Zero, and Da Fu out of the room, giving them money to get their own room or to play in the grassfield. If Tuantuan were older, Ryan might have even been tempted to “throw” the child out as well.

They had agreed not to be disturbed—so why had they come?

Yuan Chu’s voice, devoid of any inflection, still carried an unmistakable sharpness. His eyes flickered wildly, showing signs of discontent within the system. “Sir, General, we’ve found something.”

“What is it?” Ryan slowly sat up. For Yuan Chu’s usual composure to be disrupted, it could only mean something significant. Auston also sat up, gently pulling Tuantuan, who had been playing on his own, into his arms.

“Parasites.”

Ryan’s heart skipped a beat. His gentle expression quickly shifted to one of seriousness. “What kind of parasites?”

“Small crawler parasites and their eggs.”

Both Ryan and Auston had faced off against the Zergs before, so they were highly sensitive to this term. The fact that Yuan Chu had raised it with such gravity meant it wasn’t a minor issue. These parasites were most likely not just any ordinary bugs—they were probably the Zerg creatures, the mortal enemies of humanity. As for the “small crawler parasites”… Auston and Ryan were particularly familiar with these, as they resembled the cute, round, and well-armored insects, but they were a crucial part of the Zerg hierarchy. These small creatures made up the bulk of the Zerg forces, often acting as fodder during battles or serving as emergency food in times of scarcity. Within the Zerg society, where ranks were strictly defined, these small parasites were akin to plankton in the human world, abundant but expendable.

These parasites were of no significant value and even interfered with the offensive plans during battles.

But!

Crawlers were part of the Zerg species, the enemies of humanity!

How could they appear at the Starlight Hotel? How could they appear on Capital Star?!

Ryan and Auston exchanged a quick glance, reacting immediately. They rolled out of bed. “Yuan Chu, take us to see it.”

“We’ve found a few. I brought one or two over.” Yuan Chu replied. “Code Zero and Da Fu are inspecting the grassland; they should find more.”

Ryan nodded and opened the door. Outside, among the grass, he saw two small crawler parasites, their carapaces glowing with a seven-colored fluorescence. Each was about the size of a teddy bear, looking like enlarged ladybugs, with round faces, rounded bodies, short limbs, and their bellies cradling what appeared to be gemstone-like eggs.

Ryan closed his eyes briefly, trying to suppress his rising anger and the roar threatening to escape his lips. He spoke in a low, controlled voice, “How many did you find?”

“About twenty or so. They’re probably in their breeding season. The males and females have gathered together. Da Fu was the first to spot them and startled them. They scattered, but we captured two and killed six on the spot.”

As old rivals, Ryan was very familiar with the Zerg species’ breeding habits and knew just how vile these creatures were. The most numerous of the crawlers, after being born, would soon find a female to carry the eggs in her abdomen. During the breeding season, the males and females would come together. There was no need for anything deep; just the release of sperm to make contact with the eggs. Within thirty days, the eggs would mature and hatch, producing more little bugs. The breeding season for crawlers occurred multiple times a year, and a single pair could generate an entire massive colony. The Zerg species had a rapid rate of development and mutation, and given another decade or so, they might evolve into formidable killing machines.

Auston had already activated his personal terminal and called for room service, demanding to see the manager of the Stalight Hotel. The hotel, prioritizing the needs of its guests, quickly sent three people: the hotel manager, the service staff member who had been attending them, and a security personnel.

The manager was a short, stocky man with a pale face and no beard, wearing a wide smile. He spoke before he even said anything, a friendly expression already on his face, “Is there anything you require, gentlemen? The Starlight Hotel is at your service.”

Ryan’s jaw tightened. He nodded toward the two motionless crawlers in the grass and asked, “What is going on here?”

“Is there a problem with the starry insects?” the manager replied cautiously.

“Starry insects?” Ryan repeated.

“Yes, a type of ornamental insect. They don’t bother people,” the manager explained, his smile wavering as he noticed the increasingly displeased expressions on the guests’ faces. “Some alien guests brought them in earlier and left them behind in the grass. Initially, the hotel exterminated them, but guests later complained that they were quite visually appealing, so we decided to keep them. However, the starry insects’ breeding capabilities are too strong, and the hotel has had to dedicate a lot of resources every year to culling them.”

Ryan sneered, “They’re not harmless little insects as you put it. They are part of the Zerg species, the same Zerg species that dominates the universe!”