Madame Red Spider mused, her gaze drifting back to the woman on stage. She observed with a new perspective, noticing the woman named Wan Wan's earnest efforts, her determination to grow stronger despite her frailty.
"She must love you very much," Madame Red Spider concluded after a while.
Xavier looked towards Madame Red Spider.
Madame Red Spider smiled and turned to Xavier, asking, "Does Lord Scarlet Bird intend to bring her into our circle?"
Xavier frowned slightly and replied, "No."
Lu Wanqing did not belong to their circle, nor should she remain in it. It was just that Harvey was too young and missed his mother terribly. He would keep her by their side for a year. After that year, regardless of the circumstances, she had to return to where she belonged. Harvey and she… their mother-son bond could likely only last this long.
"She wants to come herself," Xavier added.
Madame Red Spider was even more surprised upon hearing this. "She knows who we are?"
But as soon as the question left her lips, Madame Red Spider realized she had asked a foolish thing. Since Scarlet Bird had brought her here, the other party was surely aware.
At this point, she was even more certain that this woman on stage must be deeply in love with Lord Scarlet Bird. Otherwise, why would an ordinary woman abandon her happy life to enter their dangerous world, living in constant fear? It was only when one truly loved someone, and loved them incredibly deeply, that they would be willing to give everything to stay by that person's side.
Pity…
So weak, she could easily be crushed. For example, Madame Red Spider herself could find an opportunity at any moment, crush her effortlessly, and then pursue Lord Scarlet Bird. Perhaps then, she herself would be the one to stay by Lord Scarlet Bird's side.
While they were talking, on stage, Lu Wanqing had just finished another fight. This bout, too, ended in her defeat. Her body ached all over, but when she looked up, she saw Xavier in the audience.
Lu Wanqing endured the pain and walked towards Xavier.
Xavier also stood up and walked towards Lu Wanqing.
"Log off. It's lunchtime. Time to go home and eat," Xavier said.
Lu Wanqing nodded in agreement. "Okay."
And so, Madame Red Spider watched them log off together.
Madame Red Spider quickly followed suit and logged off.
They emerged from their star net pods almost simultaneously.
However, after exiting their pods, Xavier, with Lu Wanqing, left directly, not sparing another glance at Madame Red Spider.
Madame Red Spider did not follow, only watching them leave from behind.
As they exited the underground arena, Lu Wanqing thought of little Harvey and couldn't help but ask, "Should we pick up Little Wei from school?"
Having been here for a few days, Lu Wanqing had gradually grown accustomed to the new name. She couldn't keep using her old one, as it would easily expose her identity.
"Mhm," Xavier nodded.
The hovercar soon arrived at the school gate.
Lu Wanqing was worried. It wasn't until little Harvey emerged from the school with a few classmates, a bright smile on his face, that she saw how much he was enjoying himself with his friends.
Seeing his parents, his eyes lit up, and he ran towards Lu Wanqing and Xavier, "Dad, Mommy!!!"
Lu Wanqing's heart finally settled. Harvey was indeed doing well at school, just as Xavier had said that morning… perhaps he was so happy he forgot to leave?
A father knows his son best.
Indeed, it was Xavier, who had raised the child himself, who understood him the most.
"Let's go. Lunch at home," Xavier said.
"Mhm, mhm!" Little Harvey nodded eagerly.
They got into the hovercar together. Once seated, little Harvey excitedly shared his school day with Lu Wanqing.
He had made many friends at school. The classes were different from watching videos online, and he found the teacher's lessons very simple, learning quickly. The teacher had even praised him.
"Mommy, I asked the teacher. She said I'm very smart, and if I study hard in the future, I'll definitely win awards!" Little Harvey declared, looking at Lu Wanqing, his voice loud.
It wasn't just the children in the capital who were excellent; it wasn't only them who could win awards. He could too; he was super smart!
Lu Wanqing found it amusing. The little fellow still remembered that.
"Okay," Lu Wanqing said with a smile.
"Then Mommy, if Harvey studies hard, gets praised by the teacher, and receives an award, Mommy will give Little Wei another gift, okay?"
Little Harvey's eyes widened at the prospect. "There's a gift too?"
This child needed rewards. Rewards were like bait, dangling before him, driving him forward with full motivation.
"Mhm," Lu Wanqing replied.
"Then what reward will Mommy prepare for me?" Little Harvey couldn't wait, desperate to know immediately.
Lu Wanqing looked at the little fellow, her mind also starting to seriously consider what reward to give him.
A mech suddenly flashed in her mind.
Mechs were her greatest expertise. Although she had built two super-S class mechs for little Harvey over the past two days, they were both small, child-sized ones…
What if little Harvey grew up and never had the chance to meet her again? Although she had promised that once Water-Land Star was ready, she would create a channel for him to enter anytime, her identity was too special. She feared unforeseen circumstances. What if, for some unavoidable reason, she could no longer meet little Harvey? What would happen to him when he grew up?
Without a super-S class mech, what would become of him in the interstellar era?
She still had one super-S class mech, which she had made for herself previously. If they were to be separated in the end, perhaps she could give this mech to little Harvey.
As for her own… she could simply build another one for herself once she returned to the capital.
"Has Mommy not thought of it yet?" Little Harvey asked.
Lu Wanqing snapped back to reality and reached out to pat little Harvey's head.
Xavier also looked at Lu Wanqing with a probing gaze. Lu Wanqing's expression just now seemed to suggest she had thought of something… but he couldn't guess what else this woman intended to give Harvey.
"I've thought of it, but Mommy doesn't want to say it yet. Harvey, you need to work hard. When you finally get that award, Mommy will give you the gift, okay?" Lu Wanqing said with a smile.
"Why don't you want to say it yet?" Little Harvey looked bewildered.
Lu Wanqing smiled. "If I say it, there won't be any surprise. Mommy wants to give you a big surprise when you become smart, okay?"
"Okay!" Little Harvey was successfully swayed, his eyes shining, and he replied with great joy.
Xavier, on the side, couldn't help but avert his gaze. This brat… was too foolish. Why didn't he press the issue further? He was actually tricked by Lu Wanqing. He really needed to study harder!