Transforming into his insectoid form seemed to be a physically taxing endeavor for Luo Qi.
After being forced into his true form by the Mother Tree and undergoing some unknown process, the little cub, who had only just recovered after sleeping for a full day, was once again exhausted from a brief transformation lasting only a few minutes.
Ye Mu reached out to touch Luo Qi’s arm, and Luo Qi, following Ye Mu’s movement, swung his arm limply like a noodle.
Cesi, shaking the soft noodle in his arms, deliberately sighed heavily, "Let's go. What five-year-old still needs their father to carry them to eat?"
Luo Qi lay on his back, feeling completely drained of energy. Hearing Cesi’s words, he shamelessly nuzzled into his embrace:
"I'm still very young at five, and Daddy is the best."
Ye Mu clearly saw that although Cesi’s expression remained one of disdain, the smile on his lips was uncontrollable.
Tsk, there was no cub in this world more adept at acting spoiled than Luo Qi!
Ye Mu mused, and suddenly heard Luo Qi’s voice. Luo Qi poked his head out from Cesi’s arms, his eyes sparkling:
"Ye Mu, come and have some snacks!"
The little cub emerged from over Cesi’s shoulder, his cheeks bulging slightly, his large eyes like grapes. "Are you hungry? Let's eat together."
Ye Mu immediately forgot what he had been thinking. Yes, his future wife was too cute!
Cesi placed Luo Qi on a chair, bringing him closer to the dining table. The chef brought the prepared porridge and thin pancakes to Luo Qi, looking at him with affection as he slurped down the porridge.
Luo Qi was truly starving. He drank two large bowls of porridge before he could catch his breath, then slumped in the chair, rubbing his soft belly.
Ye Mu also put down his spoon and asked thoughtfully, "Do you want to go see that child?"
Luo Qi's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
He looked at Cesi, who was idly flipping through two documents nearby. "Can we, Daddy?"
Cesi put down the documents in his hand, glanced at Ye Mu, and nodded. "Of course. Your Aunt Liya should still be there."
Luo Qi jumped off the chair, his legs buckling and almost making him kneel. Ye Mu caught him with a helpless expression. "Do you still need me to carry you?"
Luo Qi shook his head vigorously, giving his legs a strong shake. "No! Let's go!"
Cesi chuckled softly, watching the two little cubs, or rather, the backs of a little cub and another little radish hopping away. He lowered his gaze and continued to look at the documents in his hand.
The nursery was located in another part of the royal palace, closer to the Mother Tree’s space, separated from the Mother Tree by only a wall.
The nursery had been built long ago. For a very long time, the insectoid race had felt that being close to the Mother Tree would provide better protection.
However, even so, many cubs had died shortly after birth or not long after.
But clearly, the newly born cub was the second exception after Luo Qi’s birth.
When Luo Qi and Ye Mu arrived, Liya was sitting beside the incubation pod containing the little cub, looking gently at the new life within the pod.
Luo Qi, holding Ye Mu’s hand, smiled and greeted Liya, "Aunt Liya, we've come to see our little sister. Is she doing well?"
Liya smiled and invited Luo Qi and Ye Mu to sit beside her, where they could clearly see the child in the incubation pod.
She ruffled Luo Qi’s hair and smiled, "Nina will be even happier to see you."
Luo Qi looked up curiously. "Nina?"
Liya reached into the incubation pod and picked up Nina, showing her to Luo Qi as she said, "Nina means butterfly, Luo Luo.
Aunt Liya and Uncle Bosiya are very grateful to you."
Liya’s expression was serious. If it weren’t for the little highness in front of her, her Nina might have ended up like those children who died prematurely.
Luo Qi scratched his head a little sheepishly. "Aunt Liya, you're too kind. I didn't do anything."
Liya looked at him gently. Their little highness was always so soft-hearted and kind, yet the greatest treasure bestowed upon the insectoid race by heaven.
Nina was wearing a pink onesie and a matching pink hat. Ever since she was taken out of the incubation pod, she had been staring at Luo Qi without blinking.
When she saw Luo Qi looking at her, she excitedly reached out her little hands towards him.
Liya brought Nina closer to Luo Qi. "She likes you very much too."
Luo Qi tentatively reached out his hand to Nina, and Nina immediately grabbed his outstretched little finger.
He looked at the cute little cub who had just arrived in this world with amazement. It was an experience he had never had before.
The cub’s skin was more delicate and tender than an egg, and her fingers were softer than fabric.
The touch made him afraid to use any force, lest this little cub be harmed.
Nina, however, was quite bold. She slowly grasped his palm along his fingers and even seemed to want to climb onto him.
Luo Qi dared not forcefully remove Nina’s hand, nor did he want Nina to actually climb onto him. For a moment, he appeared flustered and clumsy.
Liya was amused and gently tapped Nina’s little cheek. "You little rascal."
She then placed the entire cub into Luo Qi’s arms, carefully supporting her from the side.
"Little Highness, please hold this little troublemaker."
Luo Qi was caught off guard by the little cub’s embrace. His stiff hands didn't know where to put themselves; he could only stare blankly at the cub in his arms.
The little insect cub in his arms opened her mouth and giggled. Suddenly, she bit down on Luo Qi’s cheek.
Luo Qi’s eyes widened in shock. "She! She's biting me!"
Newborn cubs had not yet grown teeth. Even when biting, they could only gnaw with their gums, ultimately smearing Luo Qi’s face with saliva.
But Luo Qi was still quite frightened. He held Nina with both hands, his lips pursed, not daring to move.
Liya burst out laughing and quickly took Nina from Luo Qi’s arms.
Nina still looked like she hadn't had enough biting. As soon as she was taken away, her mouth turned down, as if she were about to cry.
Luo Qi swallowed, looking dazed as if he had been gnawed.
Ye Mu, with a thoughtful expression, took a handkerchief from his pocket and vigorously wiped Luo Qi’s little cheek, distorting its shape.
His gaze towards Nina seemed to hold a hint of… anger?
Liya raised an eyebrow and returned Nina to the incubation pod. Only then did Ye Mu look away and say in a low voice,
"Shouldn't we be going back?"
Luo Qi finally reacted. "Ah? Oh, okay, let's go."
He rubbed his cheek and politely said to Liya, "We're leaving now, Aunt Liya. We'll come to see our little sister again."
Liya smiled and nodded. "Alright, little Highness."
Ye Mu pulled Luo Qi up and walked out. He only stopped his steps after leaving the nursery, saying awkwardly,
"How could that little cub kiss you?"