This investigation uncovered a major problem: many humans on Abyss Star were found to be infected by the Zerg.
Humans and the Zerg were eternal enemies. The moment their identities were exposed, the Empire took these infected humans away, interrogated them one by one, and then dealt with them thoroughly. No one would have raised any objections.
Unfortunately, after a long search, the whereabouts of the Zerg Queen were never discovered.
"Third Brother, Weiwei... I mean, about those past life matters, could Alice have been manipulated by the Zerg Queen?" Before sleeping that night, Lu Wanqing couldn't help but bring it up with Lu Yang.
Lu Yang nodded. "Yes, it's possible."
Lu Wanqing fell silent. She had thought about it for a long time before finally asking, "Then what do we do from now on? Do we still continue to stay by Alice's side?"
For the past half year, Lu Wanqing had been trying every means to get close to Alice. In fact, she had done very well. She was now on Abyss Star and had become quite good friends with Alice. If anything were to happen around Alice, she would be able to find out easily.
However, the crisis Weiwei had mentioned was still eight or nine years away. She couldn't just keep watching over Alice all the time.
"If you don't want to stay here all the time, let Firefly keep an eye on her. You can come back to visit when you have time," Lu Yang said dotingly.
"Okay." Lu Wanqing agreed with a smile.
Firefly was connected to the Empire's main computer and could monitor Alice's actions anywhere with a network. If Alice truly had a problem, they would definitely discover it.
Even if Firefly couldn't discover anything, by maintaining contact with Alice and returning occasionally, they could also monitor Alice's situation.
After the Empire's investigation into Zerg infections, Lu Wanqing and Lu Yang used the excuse of business outside and temporarily left Abyss Star.
Back in the Empire, it was winter break again. Both the children from the Federation and the children from the Empire were on holiday.
In the past few years, they had spent most of their time in the Empire and hadn't visited the Federation. Lu Wanqing and the others discussed it and decided to spend the New Year in the Federation this year.
Yes, to celebrate the New Year there.
Lu Wanqing had her own house in the capital of the Federation, Emperor Star. She hadn't brought everyone to live in that little home yet.
Including Harvey and Cui Cui, they had agreed that the two children would come to the Federation for a period of study as exchange students, allowing the children to spend time together. These matters hadn't been arranged yet, and no one had lived in the Federation together before.
Lu Wanqing discussed it with everyone, and after getting their unanimous agreement, she contacted Lan Lan, Xiao Yi, and Shu Shu to share the good news!
Lan Lan and the others were overjoyed to hear that their mother would be spending the New Year in the Federation this year, so excited that they wished they could come to the Empire immediately to pick her up.
Lu Wanqing was also very happy. She packed her things simply and, the next day, she and Lu Yang brought everyone back to the Federation!
Wei Xingzhou was waiting early at the Federation's spaceship port. He had missed his precious Cui Cui so much after not seeing her for so long!
Mu Sijie and Lan Lan, Zhongli Feiyu and Zhongli Yi, then Yu Nong and little Shu Shu. Notably, Shu Shu's grandmother had also come along. Everyone had bright smiles on their faces and welcomed Lu Wanqing back to the Federation with great joy.
"Brother Lan Lan!" Weiwei saw Lan Lan and immediately let go of Lu Wanqing's hand, walking excitedly towards her brother Lan Lan.
Lan Lan was now taller than Lu Wanqing. He bent down and scooped Weiwei into his arms, looking happy.
"Brother Lan Lan, I missed you so much!" Weiwei hugged her brother and said loudly.
Lan Lan's ears immediately turned red. He was at an age where he felt shy about expressing his closeness to his sister in front of everyone.
Xiao Yi was also looking at Weiwei, then at Lu Wanqing.
Shu Shu was also looking at Lu Wanqing, His Majesty Father, and her uncles.
After exchanging greetings with everyone one by one, they were all very excited.
Lu Wanqing walked over, looking at Shu Shu, who seemed to have grown taller than her. Her eyes were gentle. "Shu Shu, have you grown taller again this year? You're already taller than me."
Yu Nong felt a little proud at this. He looked at Shu Shu and felt that his daughter was also wonderful.
"I've grown a little," Shu Shu said. Her tone was like her name, somewhat ladylike and a little shy.
Lu Wanqing smiled and reached out to pat Shu Shu's head.
Shu Shu had grown taller, and Lan Lan and Xiao Yi were even taller. Lu Wanqing looked at these two boys, who were taller than herself, and inexplicably felt how fast time passed. In the blink of an eye, those little pipsqueaks had grown into big children.
"Alright, it's cold outside. Let's go back together," Lu Wanqing said with a smile.
Hovercars were already waiting outside. They all got out and boarded several hovercars, heading home.
The home here referred to Lu Wanqing's house in the Empire, the one where she had lived with the Yu family before.
Although Lu Wanqing hadn't lived here for a long time, the house was always cleaned and tidied by housekeeping robots. Especially since Shu Shu would sometimes come here to stay for a few days, the place was kept very clean and the living environment was familiar, not strange after a long absence.
Weiwei loved the wish tree in the courtyard. Upon seeing the swing hanging from the tree, she ran towards it as soon as she entered the house.
Shu Shu saw her sister run over and immediately followed. Her sister was still young, and she worried that her sister might fall if she played on the swing carelessly.
"Sister Shu Shu, hug~" Weiwei's childlike voice could be heard.
Shu Shu suddenly smiled. She had been so worried that she forgot that her sister Weiwei was young and might not even be able to get on the swing without adult help.
Shu Shu bent down, lifted Weiwei, and placed her on the swing.
Shu Shu then began to play with Weiwei.
In the courtyard, Lan Lan no longer had to look after his sister. He turned his gaze to his mother and His Majesty Father, feeling very happy. Although he didn't know what to say now, he was simply very happy and glad that his mother was back.
"Lan Lan, how is your mecha research going recently?" Lu Wanqing asked Lan Lan with a smile.
Lan Lan immediately became shy upon hearing this. He felt a little embarrassed, but Lan Lan was an honest child, especially in front of his mommy. He also wanted to impress her. He had been studying hard for these past few years, hoping to show his mother how excellent he was.
"Mommy, I'm already an S-class mecha master. I've designed an S-class mecha!" Lan Lan said.
"Wow~ Amazing!" Lu Wanqing was delighted and immediately applauded Lan Lan.
Lan Lan was only twelve years old and still a middle school student, yet he was already an S-class mecha master. This was likely the youngest S-class mecha master in the entire Federation's history.
"What about Xiao Yi? Have you been practicing killing Zergs all these years? What level have you reached in that simulated battlefield training?" Lu Wanqing asked.
Xiao Yi was also happy upon hearing this, but also a little nervous. He said, "I've reached level three thousand."