The little bird always wore a smile, easily infecting those around it, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.
Ye Mu leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, feeling as though all the sunlight in the world had fallen upon the person before him. He felt he could look at them forever and never tire.
Sometimes, dark thoughts would surface, wanting to take Luo Qi away. This young man was so fragile and tender, and everything around him was cared for by Luo Qi.
If he could just take him away, to a place no one could find. The star system was vast, with countless small planets; there were bound to be places unknown to outsiders.
Even if the Insect Race had eyes everywhere,
If he took Luo Qi there, Luo Qi would have to rely on him for everything, from the clothes on his back to what he ate and did each day. Everything would be decided by him.
And only he would be able to see Luo Qi, and Luo Qi would only be able to see him.
If such a day ever came, Ye Mu felt he would savor every single moment of that time.
But these were just thoughts. He wouldn't let those dark impulses consume him. It wasn't out of fear of the Insect Race, nor of anything else, but simply because he couldn't bear it.
He couldn't bear for this young boy, who deserved to be doted on by countless people, to have only one person by his side. It was like a deity or Buddha, born to be enshrined and worshipped by all, not just a Bodhisattva for him alone.
The little insect cub charmed the chef uncle, then pulled Ye Mu towards the outside of the palace. Calculating the time, his friends' flying ships should be arriving soon.
Ye Mu followed Luo Qi, step by step, back into the sunlight.
The flying ship, having passed the inspections of the Insect Star and the Royal Palace's insect generals, docked directly at the main gate of the palace. As the ship door opened, Mo Xuan was the first to descend.
Following him were He Ning, He Yuan, Lei Wa, Amin, and A Liang, all young men like rising suns. Tall and long-legged, they stood at the palace gate, each at least half a head taller than Luo Qi, a pleasing sight just to behold.
Luo Qi always felt that if his friends had been born in his era, he might have had several superstar friends.
He ran out of the palace gate with a smile, waving to greet his friends.
Mo Xuan curved his lips, his eyes filled with laughter. He was busier than the others and hadn't seen Luo Qi in months.
Rubbing his fingers together, Mo Xuan walked towards Luo Qi, picking up his pace the closer he got. Finally, he strode to the bottom of the steps and reached out to embrace Luo Qi.
He was more than half a head taller than Luo Qi, his muscles firm. As he held Luo Qi, it made the younger boy seem to nestle entirely within his embrace.
Luo Qi's face instantly flushed. At nineteen years old, to be held like a child by a friend so much taller than him was incredibly embarrassing.
Sensing the struggle in his arms, Mo Xuan graciously released him, pinching Luo Qi's red cheek and asking with a smile,
"Haven't seen me in so long? Missed me?"
Luo Qi immediately pretended to think carefully, and just as Mo Xuan was about to get angry, he replied with a smile, "Yes, I missed you. I've also prepared some delicious food for you."
Mo Xuan placed his arm on Luo Qi's shoulder, his dangling hand resting slightly below his shoulder, not quite reaching his chest.
Luo Qi felt this posture was a little indescribably intimate, but they were friends, and it was normal for guys to put their arms around each other's shoulders. So, he cast that tiny bit of sensitivity aside.
Mo Xuan chuckled inwardly. Over the years, he had inherited the Mo clan, led it to continuous development, and acquired more subordinate planets.
At the same time, he hadn't forgotten the help from the Insect Race and had maintained a very good relationship with them. As a leader, he could certainly be described as young and promising.
His years of holding a high position had also brought him more depth and stability; he was no longer the bewildered child he once was.
Mo Xuan, with Luo Qi in his arm, cast a slightly provocative glance at Ye Mu, successfully witnessing a second of darkened expression on the latter's face.
Seeing Ye Mu unhappy made him even happier. He pulled Luo Qi along and walked into the building.
Ye Mu clenched his fists, the sound of his knuckles cracking echoing. He felt his earlier thoughts were a bit off. He shouldn't have locked Luo Qi up; he should have locked up this flamboyant peacock who was acting so freely.
He should have tossed him into the farthest corner of the galaxy, to a place no one could find, so he could never come out and show off again!
However, he dared not act in front of Luo Qi, so he could only watch helplessly as Mo Xuan, relying on his height and physique, touched Luo Qi here and there, pinching his cheek, patting his shoulder.
Luo Qi's cheeks were soft and plump, pinched into a little pout. He mumbled, "Are you hungry? I've prepared small cakes."
Lei Wa, following behind, had his hands clasped behind his head, a lazy smile on his face. It was a wonder how this kid, who was so chubby in his childhood, was now tall with long legs, possessing chest, abs, and biceps without exception, his physique enviable.
However, he still loved eating small cakes, just like before.
He walked to Luo Qi's other side, nudging Ye Mu aside, and said with a smile,
"Luo Luo's cakes are still the best. No matter how my family's chef tries, he can't replicate this taste."
Luo Qi nodded, "Then eat more later."
Amin and A Liang also followed beside Lei Wa, chatting and laughing as they walked inside.
He Ning and He Yuan were at the back. He Yuan smiled and nudged Ye Mu's shoulder,
"Hey, look at your sour face. You're such a big person, and you still get jealous so easily of your good friends (emphasis)?"
Ye Mu's face darkened. He didn't seem to detect any other meaning in He Yuan's words. He pulled at the corner of his lips,
"What am I jealous of? Am I jealous that he's unclear in the head, or jealous that he's shamelessly brazen?
Luo Luo and I grew up together, so naturally, I have to help Luo Luo take good care of our guests."
He Yuan raised an eyebrow, smiled, and asked no more, pulling He Ning along as they followed inside. Only Ye Mu remained standing there.
After graduating from junior school, He Ning and He Yuan continued to senior school. After graduating from senior school, they returned to the garbage planet.
The garbage planet was a place where all sorts of people mixed, with countless individuals possessing ability and cunning. They hid in dark corners, waiting for an opportunity, always ready to fight their way out and carve a path for themselves.
To survive in such a place, for two recently graduated youths to establish a leading force on the garbage planet with their bare hands was enough for Ye Mu to respect them.
Forget it. He would grudgingly lend Luo Qi to them for a day, letting those who never had soft little insect cubs in their childhood have a happy day.
At this moment, Ye Mu hadn't yet fully understood why he subconsciously felt that Luo Qi was his.