Alice's wounds healed quickly, an experience she'd never had before. While medical technology in the interstellar era was highly advanced, using a medical pod still cost money, and she had none.
This time, Alice had been dragged into it by Lu Wanqing, and she couldn't refuse. However, she didn't regret it afterward. She had earned a lot of money from this competition, with one person directly tipping her ten thousand star coins. She received five thousand, which was more than she earned through months of hard work. Spending some money to experience the interstellar era's treatment pod was no big deal, and besides…
Alice found herself liking Aunt Lu. Aunt Lu was very kind to her, and it seemed like ever since Aunt Lu appeared, her luck had improved significantly, and earning money had become easier.
"Aunt Lu, why are you here?" Alice quickly remembered and looked up at Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing paused for a moment before explaining, "Just came to have a look."
"A look?" Alice was confused.
"Discussing some matters with a friend," Lu Yang explained.
Alice suddenly understood. On Abyss Star, the underground arena was a common place for business dealings. Risky yet profitable ventures were often finalized here.
"Okay," Alice nodded.
"Um… it's getting late, I need to go home. Are you two going back?" Alice asked.
Lu Wanqing considered for a moment and nodded, "Our matters are almost settled. We can head back. Let's go together."
Having agreed to go together, Lu Wanqing and Lu Yang conveniently gave Alice a ride home in their hovercar.
Alice currently lived alone in a small, somewhat dilapidated house. She had rented it with her own hard-earned money. Living alone, without her mother from the red-light district and her unreliable pirate father, she found life much more comfortable.
Lu Wanqing didn't pry too much into Alice's personal life. After dropping her off at the door, she instructed the hovercar to drive home.
Back home, Lu Wanqing looked at the still-unrepaired domestic robot and, after a moment's thought, walked over to the robot repair books placed nearby and started reading.
They had been interacting with Alice for some time, and their relationship had been growing stronger. Yet, despite their closeness, they hadn't noticed anything unusual about Alice, nor did anyone around her seem problematic.
"Perhaps it's something that will happen in the future," Lu Yang said softly, approaching her.
"Mm," Lu Wanqing nodded.
"It's getting late. You should shower and rest early," Lu Yang said to Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing checked the time on her personal terminal. It was indeed very late. Just then, a pop-up notification appeared on her terminal; it was Cui Cui calling her via video.
Lu Wanqing was momentarily surprised, then quickly accepted the call.
Lu Wanqing had granted Lu Yang access to her personal terminal, so as the projection appeared, Lu Yang also saw Cui Cui, Harvey, and the tiny Weiwei beside them.
"Mama, Papa!" Weiwei was the first to speak excitedly upon seeing them, her voice full of joy.
Lu Wanqing looked at the children and smiled, "Weiwei, Cui Cui, Harvey."
Hearing their mother's voice, the three children beamed with happiness.
"Mama, you and Papa have been gone for a long time. We miss you so much!" Weiwei said.
Lu Wanqing's heart ached. Weiwei was so young. She wished she could be by her children's side.
"It's getting late. Mama will tell you a bedtime story, and then you'll go to sleep obediently, okay?" Lu Wanqing said gently to the children.
"Okay," Weiwei agreed.
Lu Wanqing smiled, then took out a storybook, flipped it open, found a story, and began reading to the children.
Lu Wanqing had many stories in her mind, but most of them had been told to the children over the course of their daily lives. Not wanting to repeat stories too often, Lu Wanqing searched the star network for stories from their era to tell them occasionally.
After one story finished, it was indeed very late. Lu Wanqing urged the children to go to sleep.
"Mama, you and Emperor Papa, be careful over there," Cui Cui reminded them.
Lu Wanqing blinked, and even Lu Yang looked over. In just a fleeting moment, the couple's demeanor softened slightly.
"I will protect her," Lu Yang stated concisely.
Cui Cui looked at Emperor Papa, a hint of confusion in her eyes. When she realized what he meant, she became a little happy and nodded, "Yes, I trust Emperor Papa. Emperor Papa is very capable!"
Cui Cui had been very worried about whether her mother and Emperor Papa would encounter danger on Abyss Star. That was the reason she had initiated the call tonight. However, all her worries vanished when she heard Emperor Papa's brief but resolute words. She remembered Emperor Papa's abilities; he was so powerful, and he and their mother would surely be safe.
Harvey, on the other hand, had no worries. He had always known that Emperor Papa was incredibly powerful. Xavier couldn't even last one move against him. How could such a powerful Emperor Papa be bullied by anyone?
Rather than worry, Harvey was currently more focused on improving his own abilities.
Weiwei's rebirth had made him much more aware. He was determined to work hard, study diligently, and practice martial arts extensively. He wanted to become smart and powerful so that he wouldn't be manipulated by others and cause harm to everyone, as he had in his previous life!
However, Harvey didn't intend to voice these thoughts. He was already a big kid now, no longer the little brat who used to tell his parents about every little thing.
Lu Wanqing paid more attention to Harvey. During this call, Cui Cui and Weiwei had spoken a lot, but Harvey had remained very quiet.
"Harvey, do you have anything you want to say?" Lu Wanqing couldn't help but ask, her mind wondering.
Harvey: "..."
"No," Harvey thought for a moment before honestly shaking his head.
"Mama, Emperor Papa, you should go to bed early. Papa says early to bed and early to rise makes for good health. You must also take care of yourselves and live long and healthy lives," Harvey said earnestly after some thought.
Lu Wanqing suddenly smiled and nodded, "Okay."
"Then I'll hang up now. You should go wash up quickly and go to bed early, as you have school tomorrow," Lu Wanqing told the children.
"Okay, Mama, goodnight!" Weiwei nodded earnestly, her childish voice conveying seriousness.
"Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Emperor Papa," Cui Cui also looked at them and said earnestly.
Harvey was a bit awkward. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Goodnight, you two. Sleep early."
"Harvey, Cui Cui, Weiwei, goodnight. Mama wishes you sweet dreams tonight," Lu Wanqing said with a smile.
After ending the call, Lu Wanqing suddenly felt a pang of longing for Lan Lan, Xiao Yi, and Shu Shu. She wanted to call them, but considering the late hour, she realized that calling them now might disturb their rest. She ultimately restrained herself.