Chapter 98.2
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Chu Rong froze mid-motion, his foot hovering above the ground, as he observed Qiao Zhiya’s obvious startle. His gaze shifted to the vine pattern revealed on Qiao Zhiya’s wrist after rolling up his sleeves. The sourness that had been accumulating in his heart for a long time dissipated in an instant. Softening his expression, he bent down to pick up the ball of yarn and walked over to Qiao Zhiya. Bending down, he soothingly rubbed his head and whispered, “Sorry for startling you. I’ll be gentler with the door next time.”
“No, it doesn’t matter.”
Qiao Zhiya snapped out of his daze, looking at Chu Rong’s weary expression with a pang in his heart. Quickly setting aside the half-finished blanket in his hands, he stood up and hugged him, nestling against his chest and rubbing gently. Concern filled his voice as he asked, “Why are you back so early today? Are you done with work? Are you tired? Have you eaten yet? Do you have a meeting with Dage in the study later?”
“I’m busy, I’ve eaten. Today, Dage is going to accompany Dasao. He doesn’t have to go to the study.”
Chu Rong responded with a contented smile, returning the embrace and gently rubbing Qiao Zhiya’s hair. Without a word, he lifted the youth up and settled onto the single couch by the bed, holding him close and facing each other. They sat in silence, Chu Rong cradling Qiao Zhiya in his arms, softly tracing his spine, cherishing this rare moment of quiet embrace.
Qiao Zhiya’s body also softened, leaning in his arms obediently, nuzzling him as a silent company.
The two of them returned to their usual way of being together that night. After taking turns to freshen up, they leaned against the headboard and shared intimate conversations for a while. They even comforted each other physically, and eventually, Qiao Zhiya fell asleep in Chu Rong’s soothing kisses, after a night of slightly too much excitement.
Chu Rong had thought that they had reached an understanding and that Qiao Zhiya wouldn’t “ignore” him like before. However, the next day, reality dealt him a cruel blow—Qiao Zhiya secretly got up early again, and the situation showed no improvement. His good mood plummeted back to rock bottom in an instant.
Not only was their time together as a couple being squeezed, but also work-related matters were extremely challenging. Ning Tianxing, who just got escorted back to the Capital Planet, seized an opportunity to damage his vocal cords, expressing his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation through his actions.
Ning Tianya also refused to cooperate with the investigation. No matter how they questioned him, they couldn’t get him to talk. If it weren’t for the preemptive use of a spiritual suppression device on him, he might have caused some trouble like Ning Tianxing did.
Public trials were different from regular trials. If these criminals weren’t dealt with properly, it’s bound to cause trouble during the live broadcast of the trial. But both members of the Ning family were tough nuts to crack. Chu Rong still wanted to extract more truths about the fake Zerg and the war from them, so he had to slowly grind them down.
On the other hand, while Long Ruifeng and the Patriarch You had shown signs of recovery, their conditions suddenly deteriorated. Their spiritual powers went berserk. At the same time, the soldiers and members of the You family who had been controlled by the Ning family’s medicines also experienced varying degrees of spiritual instability.
The investigation into the traitors stalled, and the Empire delayed giving any response to the condemnation from the Federation. The situation remained at a standstill.
“Sir, there is still no news about the Imperial Royal flagship.” Fan Xiangnan reported with clear signs of fatigue on his face.
Chu Rong snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at his expression, furrowed his brow, and said, “Take two days off to rest properly. I’ll find someone else to keep an eye on the situation with the Empire.”
Fan Xiangnan hurriedly asked, “Will you need to go through the vacation formalities too, Sir?”
In fact, given Chu Rong’s position and the busyness of recent times, he could easily take two days off directly. His question was just a subtle suggestion for Chu Rong to take a break as well.
Chu Rong initially wanted to wave it off and say it wasn’t necessary, but considering the situation at home, he held back the words. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “I’ll take a day and a half off. I’ll start this afternoon. If you need anything, you can reach me by communication. You can go now.”
Although it was only a day and a half, it was still a rest. Feeling relieved, Fan Xiangnan nodded, then turned to leave.
Hastily finishing up what he was working on, he then asked Yuan Lie and He Hongjun to keep an eye on Ning Tianya and the others for two days. Chu Rong didn’t even have time to eat lunch; he hurriedly rushed back home.
When he arrived home, there was no one in the courtyard, so he assumed they were all having their meal. He remembered how Qiao Zhiya had fallen asleep in his arms the previous night, and he almost couldn’t wait to head towards the main dining room.
“Is this soup too spicy?”
“No, it’s just right. It’s delicious.”
Qiao Zhiya and Gu Yan’an were sitting at the table for lunch. The old butler was nowhere to be seen.
As soon as Chu Rong appeared, Gu Yan’an noticed him. She was briefly taken aback, then subtly gestured for him not to speak. She shifted her gaze back to Qiao Zhiya, who was unaware of Chu Rong’s return as he was facing away from the dining room door. Gu Yan’an set down her spoon and asked, “Qiao Zhiya, why haven’t you been sticking to Xiao Rong recently? Are you mad at him because he’s been too busy to accompany you?”
Chu Rong heard her words and immediately looked back at Qiao Zhiya, who wasn’t facing him.
Qiao Zhiya was initially taken aback by Gu Yan’an’s sudden change of topic, then he quickly shook his head and replied, “No, no, that’s not it. How could I be mad at Chu Rong? He’s already tired from work. I just want him to relax more at home, I’m not mad at him. Dasao, please don’t misunderstand. He hasn’t been neglecting me.”
As Chu Rong listened, he softly took another step forward.
Seeing this, Gu Yan’an quickly spoke up, saying, “So, you wake up early every day to make breakfast and spend your evenings in the lab making toys for the baby, all to take care of Chu Rong and not disturb him? I’ve noticed. You make Chu Rong’s breakfast especially nutritious.”
Chu Rong’s foot that had stepped out was withdrawn again.
Now it was Qiao Zhiya’s turn to feel shy rather than anxious. His ears twitched with embarrassment, and his face turned slightly red as he replied, “N-No, everyone has the same breakfast, and I also enjoy making toys for the baby…” Although there was a slight thought of trying not to trouble Chu Rong too much.
Gu Yan’an looked at him with a clear look and sighed deliberately.
Caught in her little scheme, Qiao Zhiya became even more embarrassed. He lowered his head, avoiding further discussion, and awkwardly changed the subject, urging her to eat quickly before the soup and dishes got cold.
“Second Young Master, what are you doing here?”
The voice of the butler suddenly came from behind, causing Chu Rong, who was just about to step in, to pause. Qiao Zhiya, at the dining table, was startled for a moment, then the spoon in his hand clattered into the bowl, and he turned around with wide eyes to look.
Gu Yan’an couldn’t help but laugh, leaving the butler, who was entering with a rabbit, completely puzzled.
Chu Rong no longer restrained himself. He nodded at the butler and Gu Yan’an before striding forward to lift the rigid Qiao Zhiya from his chair and into his arms. Placing a hand on the back of Qiao Zhiya’s head, he walked quickly towards the room.
“What’s wrong? Why did the Second Young Master suddenly come back?” The old butler was very confused.
Gu Yan’an waved her hand with a smile, and said, “Don’t worry about them. Come and eat, or the food will be cold for a while.”
Qiao Zhiya felt a bit flustered, although he wasn’t sure why. As he was being carried, his mind was a bit scattered, desperately trying to recall if he had said anything particularly embarrassing just now. Yet, his arms instinctively tightened around Chu Rong’s neck.
Chu Rong’s long strides quickly brought them back to their room. Then, turning around, he pressed Qiao Zhiya against the door, towering over him and looking down at him.
Qiao Zhiya looked up to meet Chu Rong’s gaze, feeling a hint of danger in his eyes. His heart raced wildly for a moment, and his mind got jumbled. Suddenly, he blurted out, “I-I’m not mad at you, really. I’m not mad at you. Are you mad at me?”
After asking, he looked at him with some trepidation. Seeing that he remained silent, his anxiety grew. He continued to explain hastily, “I’ve been obedient, haven’t been working on the mecha, nor have I used magic recklessly. I haven’t even contacted Grandpa Ren much. And, um, there hasn’t been any issue with the vine tattoo. The toys for the baby are all handmade, so no magic is needed. I’ve been taking good naps while you’re at work, and also—”
Chu Rong listened to his ramble, watched his anxious explanations, felt a softness in his heart, leaned down to touch foreheads with him, and cleared his throat, asking, “When did I come back yesterday?”
Qiao Zhiya didn’t understand why he suddenly asked this, but he sensed some turbulence in his mood. He quickly hugged him to reassure, and honestly replied, “A little past 8:30… I’m sorry, you didn’t startle me yesterday, really, the closing sound was already very soft, it’s my own problem.”
He’s gotten stupid.
Chu Rong’s heart softened even more, he gently rubbed his forehead, and continued, “What about the day before yesterday, when did I come home?”
“9:40.”
“The day before that?”
“Around 9, but after you came back, you spent a long time in the study with Dage… Chu Rong, what’s wrong with you? Did I do something wrong?” Qiao Zhiya asked nervously, his face full of anxiety.
“No.” Chu Rong hugged him, kissed his side, kissed his side in a soothing manner, shook his head and replied, “No, you’re fine. I’m the wrong one.”
Qiao Zhiya remembered his return time for each day so clearly, indicating that he had been waiting for him all along. It wasn’t Qiao Zhiya who had been neglecting him during this time; it was quite the opposite, he had been neglecting Qiao Zhiya.
After getting off the flagship, he and Chu Huai became very busy. Even if they returned late, most of the time they would have to work in the study even if they returned home.
During this time, Qiao Zhiya woke up early every day to make breakfast for the whole family, then spent the day accompanying Gu Yan’an. In the evenings, he tried his best to be understanding and not clingy, allowing him to focus on work and rest properly. He had already been very obedient and considerate; it was he who had misunderstood the situation.
And those toys… Qiao Zhiya, who was worried about the vine tattoo pattern and was not allowed to use magic, what can he do besides making toys that do not need to use magic?
Qiao Zhiya had even gotten so bored that he brought out all the small toys that could have been stored away and filled the lab with them, transforming it into a baby playroom.
If it were not for Gu Yanan’s intentional reminder today, he would probably be sulking for a long time because of this.
“I’m sorry.” He tightened his arms around the youth in his embrace, lowered his head to kiss the ears that had drooped at some point, and said, “You’ve taken care of Dasao and the house so well. You’ve worked hard. I haven’t been able to spend time with you properly during this time. I’m sorry.”
Qiao Zhiya shook his head quickly, feeling the anxiety in his heart slowly dissipating. He leaned into Chu Rong’s embrace, nuzzling against him affectionately, showing with actions that it was okay.
Chu Rong bowed his head and kissed him again. He then picked him up, and walked towards the single sofa by the window.
The two lingered in the room for a while, exhausting each other. After that, Qiao Zhiya, with a flushed face and a happy expression, dashed out and excitedly entered the kitchen to prepare lunch for Chu Rong. Chu Rong followed closely behind, his expression gentle and his gaze tender as he entered the kitchen to assist Qiao Zhiya and occasionally pinched his ear affectionately.
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Chu Rong froze mid-motion, his foot hovering above the ground, as he observed Qiao Zhiya’s obvious startle. His gaze shifted to the vine pattern revealed on Qiao Zhiya’s wrist after rolling up his sleeves. The sourness that had been accumulating in his heart for a long time dissipated in an instant. Softening his expression, he bent down to pick up the ball of yarn and walked over to Qiao Zhiya. Bending down, he soothingly rubbed his head and whispered, “Sorry for startling you. I’ll be gentler with the door next time.”
“No, it doesn’t matter.”
Qiao Zhiya snapped out of his daze, looking at Chu Rong’s weary expression with a pang in his heart. Quickly setting aside the half-finished blanket in his hands, he stood up and hugged him, nestling against his chest and rubbing gently. Concern filled his voice as he asked, “Why are you back so early today? Are you done with work? Are you tired? Have you eaten yet? Do you have a meeting with Dage in the study later?”
“I’m busy, I’ve eaten. Today, Dage is going to accompany Dasao. He doesn’t have to go to the study.”
Chu Rong responded with a contented smile, returning the embrace and gently rubbing Qiao Zhiya’s hair. Without a word, he lifted the youth up and settled onto the single couch by the bed, holding him close and facing each other. They sat in silence, Chu Rong cradling Qiao Zhiya in his arms, softly tracing his spine, cherishing this rare moment of quiet embrace.
Qiao Zhiya’s body also softened, leaning in his arms obediently, nuzzling him as a silent company.
The two of them returned to their usual way of being together that night. After taking turns to freshen up, they leaned against the headboard and shared intimate conversations for a while. They even comforted each other physically, and eventually, Qiao Zhiya fell asleep in Chu Rong’s soothing kisses, after a night of slightly too much excitement.
Chu Rong had thought that they had reached an understanding and that Qiao Zhiya wouldn’t “ignore” him like before. However, the next day, reality dealt him a cruel blow—Qiao Zhiya secretly got up early again, and the situation showed no improvement. His good mood plummeted back to rock bottom in an instant.
Not only was their time together as a couple being squeezed, but also work-related matters were extremely challenging. Ning Tianxing, who just got escorted back to the Capital Planet, seized an opportunity to damage his vocal cords, expressing his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation through his actions.
Ning Tianya also refused to cooperate with the investigation. No matter how they questioned him, they couldn’t get him to talk. If it weren’t for the preemptive use of a spiritual suppression device on him, he might have caused some trouble like Ning Tianxing did.
Public trials were different from regular trials. If these criminals weren’t dealt with properly, it’s bound to cause trouble during the live broadcast of the trial. But both members of the Ning family were tough nuts to crack. Chu Rong still wanted to extract more truths about the fake Zerg and the war from them, so he had to slowly grind them down.
On the other hand, while Long Ruifeng and the Patriarch You had shown signs of recovery, their conditions suddenly deteriorated. Their spiritual powers went berserk. At the same time, the soldiers and members of the You family who had been controlled by the Ning family’s medicines also experienced varying degrees of spiritual instability.
The investigation into the traitors stalled, and the Empire delayed giving any response to the condemnation from the Federation. The situation remained at a standstill.
“Sir, there is still no news about the Imperial Royal flagship.” Fan Xiangnan reported with clear signs of fatigue on his face.
Chu Rong snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at his expression, furrowed his brow, and said, “Take two days off to rest properly. I’ll find someone else to keep an eye on the situation with the Empire.”
Fan Xiangnan hurriedly asked, “Will you need to go through the vacation formalities too, Sir?”
In fact, given Chu Rong’s position and the busyness of recent times, he could easily take two days off directly. His question was just a subtle suggestion for Chu Rong to take a break as well.
Chu Rong initially wanted to wave it off and say it wasn’t necessary, but considering the situation at home, he held back the words. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “I’ll take a day and a half off. I’ll start this afternoon. If you need anything, you can reach me by communication. You can go now.”
Although it was only a day and a half, it was still a rest. Feeling relieved, Fan Xiangnan nodded, then turned to leave.
Hastily finishing up what he was working on, he then asked Yuan Lie and He Hongjun to keep an eye on Ning Tianya and the others for two days. Chu Rong didn’t even have time to eat lunch; he hurriedly rushed back home.
When he arrived home, there was no one in the courtyard, so he assumed they were all having their meal. He remembered how Qiao Zhiya had fallen asleep in his arms the previous night, and he almost couldn’t wait to head towards the main dining room.
“Is this soup too spicy?”
“No, it’s just right. It’s delicious.”
Qiao Zhiya and Gu Yan’an were sitting at the table for lunch. The old butler was nowhere to be seen.
As soon as Chu Rong appeared, Gu Yan’an noticed him. She was briefly taken aback, then subtly gestured for him not to speak. She shifted her gaze back to Qiao Zhiya, who was unaware of Chu Rong’s return as he was facing away from the dining room door. Gu Yan’an set down her spoon and asked, “Qiao Zhiya, why haven’t you been sticking to Xiao Rong recently? Are you mad at him because he’s been too busy to accompany you?”
Chu Rong heard her words and immediately looked back at Qiao Zhiya, who wasn’t facing him.
Qiao Zhiya was initially taken aback by Gu Yan’an’s sudden change of topic, then he quickly shook his head and replied, “No, no, that’s not it. How could I be mad at Chu Rong? He’s already tired from work. I just want him to relax more at home, I’m not mad at him. Dasao, please don’t misunderstand. He hasn’t been neglecting me.”
As Chu Rong listened, he softly took another step forward.
Seeing this, Gu Yan’an quickly spoke up, saying, “So, you wake up early every day to make breakfast and spend your evenings in the lab making toys for the baby, all to take care of Chu Rong and not disturb him? I’ve noticed. You make Chu Rong’s breakfast especially nutritious.”
Chu Rong’s foot that had stepped out was withdrawn again.
Now it was Qiao Zhiya’s turn to feel shy rather than anxious. His ears twitched with embarrassment, and his face turned slightly red as he replied, “N-No, everyone has the same breakfast, and I also enjoy making toys for the baby…” Although there was a slight thought of trying not to trouble Chu Rong too much.
Gu Yan’an looked at him with a clear look and sighed deliberately.
Caught in her little scheme, Qiao Zhiya became even more embarrassed. He lowered his head, avoiding further discussion, and awkwardly changed the subject, urging her to eat quickly before the soup and dishes got cold.
“Second Young Master, what are you doing here?”
The voice of the butler suddenly came from behind, causing Chu Rong, who was just about to step in, to pause. Qiao Zhiya, at the dining table, was startled for a moment, then the spoon in his hand clattered into the bowl, and he turned around with wide eyes to look.
Gu Yan’an couldn’t help but laugh, leaving the butler, who was entering with a rabbit, completely puzzled.
Chu Rong no longer restrained himself. He nodded at the butler and Gu Yan’an before striding forward to lift the rigid Qiao Zhiya from his chair and into his arms. Placing a hand on the back of Qiao Zhiya’s head, he walked quickly towards the room.
“What’s wrong? Why did the Second Young Master suddenly come back?” The old butler was very confused.
Gu Yan’an waved her hand with a smile, and said, “Don’t worry about them. Come and eat, or the food will be cold for a while.”
Qiao Zhiya felt a bit flustered, although he wasn’t sure why. As he was being carried, his mind was a bit scattered, desperately trying to recall if he had said anything particularly embarrassing just now. Yet, his arms instinctively tightened around Chu Rong’s neck.
Chu Rong’s long strides quickly brought them back to their room. Then, turning around, he pressed Qiao Zhiya against the door, towering over him and looking down at him.
Qiao Zhiya looked up to meet Chu Rong’s gaze, feeling a hint of danger in his eyes. His heart raced wildly for a moment, and his mind got jumbled. Suddenly, he blurted out, “I-I’m not mad at you, really. I’m not mad at you. Are you mad at me?”
After asking, he looked at him with some trepidation. Seeing that he remained silent, his anxiety grew. He continued to explain hastily, “I’ve been obedient, haven’t been working on the mecha, nor have I used magic recklessly. I haven’t even contacted Grandpa Ren much. And, um, there hasn’t been any issue with the vine tattoo. The toys for the baby are all handmade, so no magic is needed. I’ve been taking good naps while you’re at work, and also—”
Chu Rong listened to his ramble, watched his anxious explanations, felt a softness in his heart, leaned down to touch foreheads with him, and cleared his throat, asking, “When did I come back yesterday?”
Qiao Zhiya didn’t understand why he suddenly asked this, but he sensed some turbulence in his mood. He quickly hugged him to reassure, and honestly replied, “A little past 8:30… I’m sorry, you didn’t startle me yesterday, really, the closing sound was already very soft, it’s my own problem.”
He’s gotten stupid.
Chu Rong’s heart softened even more, he gently rubbed his forehead, and continued, “What about the day before yesterday, when did I come home?”
“9:40.”
“The day before that?”
“Around 9, but after you came back, you spent a long time in the study with Dage… Chu Rong, what’s wrong with you? Did I do something wrong?” Qiao Zhiya asked nervously, his face full of anxiety.
“No.” Chu Rong hugged him, kissed his side, kissed his side in a soothing manner, shook his head and replied, “No, you’re fine. I’m the wrong one.”
Qiao Zhiya remembered his return time for each day so clearly, indicating that he had been waiting for him all along. It wasn’t Qiao Zhiya who had been neglecting him during this time; it was quite the opposite, he had been neglecting Qiao Zhiya.
After getting off the flagship, he and Chu Huai became very busy. Even if they returned late, most of the time they would have to work in the study even if they returned home.
During this time, Qiao Zhiya woke up early every day to make breakfast for the whole family, then spent the day accompanying Gu Yan’an. In the evenings, he tried his best to be understanding and not clingy, allowing him to focus on work and rest properly. He had already been very obedient and considerate; it was he who had misunderstood the situation.
And those toys… Qiao Zhiya, who was worried about the vine tattoo pattern and was not allowed to use magic, what can he do besides making toys that do not need to use magic?
Qiao Zhiya had even gotten so bored that he brought out all the small toys that could have been stored away and filled the lab with them, transforming it into a baby playroom.
If it were not for Gu Yanan’s intentional reminder today, he would probably be sulking for a long time because of this.
“I’m sorry.” He tightened his arms around the youth in his embrace, lowered his head to kiss the ears that had drooped at some point, and said, “You’ve taken care of Dasao and the house so well. You’ve worked hard. I haven’t been able to spend time with you properly during this time. I’m sorry.”
Qiao Zhiya shook his head quickly, feeling the anxiety in his heart slowly dissipating. He leaned into Chu Rong’s embrace, nuzzling against him affectionately, showing with actions that it was okay.
Chu Rong bowed his head and kissed him again. He then picked him up, and walked towards the single sofa by the window.
The two lingered in the room for a while, exhausting each other. After that, Qiao Zhiya, with a flushed face and a happy expression, dashed out and excitedly entered the kitchen to prepare lunch for Chu Rong. Chu Rong followed closely behind, his expression gentle and his gaze tender as he entered the kitchen to assist Qiao Zhiya and occasionally pinched his ear affectionately.
Chu Rong froze mid-motion, his foot hovering above the ground, as he observed Qiao Zhiya's obvious startle. His gaze shifted to the vine pattern revealed on Qiao Zhiya's wrist after rolling up his sleeves. The sourness that had been accumulating in his heart for a long time dissipated in an instant. Softening his expression, he bent down to pick up the ball of yarn and walked over to Qiao Zhiya. Bending down, he soothingly rubbed his head and whispered, Sorry for startling you. I'll be gentler with the door next time.No, it doesn't matter.Qiao Zhiya snapped out of his daze, looking at Chu Rong's weary expression with a pang in his heart. Quickly setting aside the half-finished blanket in his hands, he stood up and hugged him, nestling against his chest and rubbing gently. Concern filled his voice as he asked, Why are you back so early today? Are you done with work? Are you tired? Have you eaten yet? Do you have a meeting with Dage in the study later?I'm busy, I've eaten. Today, Dage is going to accompany Dasao. He doesn't have to go to the study.Chu Rong responded with a contented smile, returning the embrace and gently rubbing Qiao Zhiya's hair. Without a word, he lifted the youth up and settled onto the single couch by the bed, holding him close and facing each other. They sat in silence, Chu Rong cradling Qiao Zhiya in his arms, softly tracing his spine, cherishing this rare moment of quiet embrace.Qiao Zhiya's body also softened, leaning in his arms obediently, nuzzling him as a silent company.The two of them returned to their usual way of being together that night. After taking turns to freshen up, they leaned against the headboard and shared intimate conversations for a while. They even comforted each other physically, and eventually, Qiao Zhiya fell asleep in Chu Rong's soothing kisses, after a night of slightly too much excitement.Chu Rong had thought that they had reached an understanding and that Qiao Zhiya wouldn't ignore him like before. However, the next day, reality dealt him a cruel blowQiao Zhiya secretly got up early again, and the situation showed no improvement. His good mood plummeted back to rock bottom in an instant.Not only was their time together as a couple being squeezed, but also work-related matters were extremely challenging. Ning Tianxing, who just got escorted back to the Capital Planet, seized an opportunity to damage his vocal cords, expressing his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation through his actions.Ning Tianya also refused to cooperate with the investigation. No matter how they questioned him, they couldn't get him to talk. If it weren't for the preemptive use of a spiritual suppression device on him, he might have caused some trouble like Ning Tianxing did.Public trials were different from regular trials. If these criminals weren't dealt with properly, it's bound to cause trouble during the live broadcast of the trial. But both members of the Ning family were tough nuts to crack. Chu Rong still wanted to extract more truths about the fake Zerg and the war from them, so he had to slowly grind them down.On the other hand, while Long Ruifeng and the Patriarch You had shown signs of recovery, their conditions suddenly deteriorated. Their spiritual powers went berserk. At the same time, the soldiers and members of the You family who had been controlled by the Ning family's medicines also experienced varying degrees of spiritual instability.The investigation into the traitors stalled, and the Empire delayed giving any response to the condemnation from the Federation. The situation remained at a standstill.Sir, there is still no news about the Imperial Royal flagship. Fan Xiangnan reported with clear signs of fatigue on his face.Chu Rong snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at his expression, furrowed his brow, and said, Take two days off to rest properly. I'll find someone else to keep an eye on the situation with the Empire.Fan Xiangnan hurriedly asked, Will you need to go through the vacation formalities too, Sir?In fact, given Chu Rong's position and the busyness of recent times, he could easily take two days off directly. His question was just a subtle suggestion for Chu Rong to take a break as well.Chu Rong initially wanted to wave it off and say it wasn't necessary, but considering the situation at home, he held back the words. After a moment of contemplation, he said, I'll take a day and a half off. I'll start this afternoon. If you need anything, you can reach me by communication. You can go now.Although it was only a day and a half, it was still a rest. Feeling relieved, Fan Xiangnan nodded, then turned to leave.Hastily finishing up what he was working on, he then asked Yuan Lie and He Hongjun to keep an eye on Ning Tianya and the others for two days. Chu Rong didn't even have time to eat lunch; he hurriedly rushed back home.When he arrived home, there was no one in the courtyard, so he assumed they were all having their meal. He remembered how Qiao Zhiya had fallen asleep in his arms the previous night, and he almost couldn't wait to head towards the main dining room.Is this soup too spicy?No, it's just right. It's delicious.Qiao Zhiya and Gu Yan'an were sitting at the table for lunch. The old butler was nowhere to be seen.As soon as Chu Rong appeared, Gu Yan'an noticed him. She was briefly taken aback, then subtly gestured for him not to speak. She shifted her gaze back to Qiao Zhiya, who was unaware of Chu Rong's return as he was facing away from the dining room door. Gu Yan'an set down her spoon and asked, Qiao Zhiya, why haven't you been sticking to Xiao Rong recently? Are you mad at him because he's been too busy to accompany you?Chu Rong heard her words and immediately looked back at Qiao Zhiya, who wasn't facing him.Qiao Zhiya was initially taken aback by Gu Yan'an's sudden change of topic, then he quickly shook his head and replied, No, no, that's not it. How could I be mad at Chu Rong? He's already tired from work. I just want him to relax more at home, I'm not mad at him. Dasao, please don't misunderstand. He hasn't been neglecting me.As Chu Rong listened, he softly took another step forward.Seeing this, Gu Yan'an quickly spoke up, saying, So, you wake up early every day to make breakfast and spend your evenings in the lab making toys for the baby, all to take care of Chu Rong and not disturb him? I've noticed. You make Chu Rong's breakfast especially nutritious.Chu Rong's foot that had stepped out was withdrawn again.Now it was Qiao Zhiya's turn to feel shy rather than anxious. His ears twitched with embarrassment, and his face turned slightly red as he replied, N-No, everyone has the same breakfast, and I also enjoy making toys for the baby Although there was a slight thought of trying not to trouble Chu Rong too much.Gu Yan'an looked at him with a clear look and sighed deliberately.Caught in her little scheme, Qiao Zhiya became even more embarrassed. He lowered his head, avoiding further discussion, and awkwardly changed the subject, urging her to eat quickly before the soup and dishes got cold.Second Young Master, what are you doing here?The voice of the butler suddenly came from behind, causing Chu Rong, who was just about to step in, to pause. Qiao Zhiya, at the dining table, was startled for a moment, then the spoon in his hand clattered into the bowl, and he turned around with wide eyes to look.Gu Yan'an couldn't help but laugh, leaving the butler, who was entering with a rabbit, completely puzzled.Chu Rong no longer restrained himself. He nodded at the butler and Gu Yan'an before striding forward to lift the rigid Qiao Zhiya from his chair and into his arms. Placing a hand on the back of Qiao Zhiya's head, he walked quickly towards the room.What's wrong? Why did the Second Young Master suddenly come back? The old butler was very confused.Gu Yan'an waved her hand with a smile, and said, Don't worry about them. Come and eat, or the food will be cold for a while.Qiao Zhiya felt a bit flustered, although he wasn't sure why. As he was being carried, his mind was a bit scattered, desperately trying to recall if he had said anything particularly embarrassing just now. Yet, his arms instinctively tightened around Chu Rong's neck.Chu Rong's long strides quickly brought them back to their room. Then, turning around, he pressed Qiao Zhiya against the door, towering over him and looking down at him.Qiao Zhiya looked up to meet Chu Rong's gaze, feeling a hint of danger in his eyes. His heart raced wildly for a moment, and his mind got jumbled. Suddenly, he blurted out, I-I'm not mad at you, really. I'm not mad at you. Are you mad at me?After asking, he looked at him with some trepidation. Seeing that he remained silent, his anxiety grew. He continued to explain hastily, I've been obedient, haven't been working on the mecha, nor have I used magic recklessly. I haven't even contacted Grandpa Ren much. And, um, there hasn't been any issue with the vine tattoo. The toys for the baby are all handmade, so no magic is needed. I've been taking good naps while you're at work, and alsoChu Rong listened to his ramble, watched his anxious explanations, felt a softness in his heart, leaned down to touch foreheads with him, and cleared his throat, asking, When did I come back yesterday?Qiao Zhiya didn't understand why he suddenly asked this, but he sensed some turbulence in his mood. He quickly hugged him to reassure, and honestly replied, A little past 8:30 I'm sorry, you didn't startle me yesterday, really, the closing sound was already very soft, it's my own problem.He's gotten stupid.Chu Rong's heart softened even more, he gently rubbed his forehead, and continued, What about the day before yesterday, when did I come home?9:40.The day before that?Around 9, but after you came back, you spent a long time in the study with Dage Chu Rong, what's wrong with you? Did I do something wrong? Qiao Zhiya asked nervously, his face full of anxiety.No. Chu Rong hugged him, kissed his side, kissed his side in a soothing manner, shook his head and replied, No, you're fine. I'm the wrong one.Qiao Zhiya remembered his return time for each day so clearly, indicating that he had been waiting for him all along. It wasn't Qiao Zhiya who had been neglecting him during this time; it was quite the opposite, he had been neglecting Qiao Zhiya.After getting off the flagship, he and Chu Huai became very busy. Even if they returned late, most of the time they would have to work in the study even if they returned home.During this time, Qiao Zhiya woke up early every day to make breakfast for the whole family, then spent the day accompanying Gu Yan'an. In the evenings, he tried his best to be understanding and not clingy, allowing him to focus on work and rest properly. He had already been very obedient and considerate; it was he who had misunderstood the situation.And those toys Qiao Zhiya, who was worried about the vine tattoo pattern and was not allowed to use magic, what can he do besides making toys that do not need to use magic?Qiao Zhiya had even gotten so bored that he brought out all the small toys that could have been stored away and filled the lab with them, transforming it into a baby playroom.If it were not for Gu Yanan's intentional reminder today, he would probably be sulking for a long time because of this.I'm sorry. He tightened his arms around the youth in his embrace, lowered his head to kiss the ears that had drooped at some point, and said, You've taken care of Dasao and the house so well. You've worked hard. I haven't been able to spend time with you properly during this time. I'm sorry.Qiao Zhiya shook his head quickly, feeling the anxiety in his heart slowly dissipating. He leaned into Chu Rong's embrace, nuzzling against him affectionately, showing with actions that it was okay.Chu Rong bowed his head and kissed him again. He then picked him up, and walked towards the single sofa by the window.The two lingered in the room for a while, exhausting each other. After that, Qiao Zhiya, with a flushed face and a happy expression, dashed out and excitedly entered the kitchen to prepare lunch for Chu Rong. Chu Rong followed closely behind, his expression gentle and his gaze tender as he entered the kitchen to assist Qiao Zhiya and occasionally pinched his ear affectionately.
