Luo Qi was stunned for a moment. Would he and Ye Mu have any regrets?
"...Thank you."
The person seemed to have a cheerful disposition, "See? I knew I was right. You two definitely like each other."
Luo Qi smiled, "We haven't confirmed it yet. I don't even know my own situation right now."
[Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me] said, "Do you sometimes fantasize about spending your life with him, yet also have inexplicable worries and anxieties, unsure if being with a man is the right choice?
Perhaps you've known each other for too long, and your relationship has persisted for a very long time. Such a sudden change might have caught you off guard.
But don't worry, you will find happiness."
Luo Qi's heart softened. He thanked them again, "Doctor, everything you've said is spot on. I will seriously consider this matter."
[Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me]: "Hahaha, don't call me that. It sounds rather strange."
Luo Qi also smiled. He had learned a lot from talking to this netizen today and was truly grateful. "You know so much, you're amazing."
There was a long silence from the other side. Luo Qi tapped the edge of his terminal, wondering if [Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me] had something to attend to.
After a long while, a reply came, "If I had the chance, I wouldn't want to understand so much. It's just that I've had regrets, so I hope you won't be like me."
The smile on Luo Qi's lips faded. He replied, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad."
[Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me]: "It's okay. Many years have passed. My situation back then was similar to yours, but I wasn't as fortunate. I was very slow-witted and ultimately didn't end up with him."
Luo Qi sighed. He wasn't very good at comforting others, especially when it came to matters of the heart. He could only awkwardly send a message:
"Don't be sad. Um, there will be someone better."
[Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me] sent a long string of laughter, teasing, "I finally understand why your good friend hasn't confessed to you after all this time."
Luo Qi blushed. He knew his comfort had been clumsy and pointless.
Before Luo Qi could reply, [Don't Mind Me, Kiss Me] added, "Alright, brother, think it over carefully. Just don't leave yourself with any regrets."
Luo Qi nodded. He suddenly remembered that the person on the other end of the terminal couldn't see him. He moved his fingers and sent two messages:
"I will. Thank you."
"I also wish you happiness soon."
Luo Qi clicked send and leaned back in his chair, holding the terminal. There were no more messages from the other side. The terminal screen went dark after a long period of inactivity and entered sleep mode.
He looked up and realized they had already entered the insect starport. The starship was automatically lowering its altitude. To enter the insect star, they would need to transfer to a smaller flying ship to return to the palace.
His starship and flying ship bore the unique markings of the insect race, so they proceeded unimpeded to the palace gates.
At the palace entrance, Luo Qi took a couple of deep breaths before stepping off the flying ship. The thought of him sneaking away to live on Earth for several days, and then accidentally opening a door to a new world on his return journey, made him feel a little guilty.
Luo Qi tugged at the corners of his mouth with two fingers, forcing a soft, fawning smile he had used countless times before. He pushed open the large doors and walked in, shouting loudly:
"Dad! I'm back!"
The palace was quiet. Luo Qi tiptoed inside and called out again, "Dad? Are you home?"
Luo Qi felt a little relieved. Perhaps his father and the others weren't home today, and he could face punishment a little later.
His heart felt lighter, and he thought that maybe after so many days, his father wouldn't be angry anymore.
From the palace gates to the main entrance of his room, he had successfully convinced himself along the way. When he opened the door, his steps were so light he almost hummed a tune.
Smiling, he opened the large door, and his smile froze on his face.
On the sofa, Cecil's terminal screen was open. Hearing the sound of the door opening, he cast a casual glance over, "Yo, little rascal's back."
Luo Qi: "..."
Grandpa Reid stood behind Cecil, smiling kindly at Luo Qi. Alge sat on the other side of the sofa, almost unable to suppress a chuckle.
111, with a cat's face, looked visibly stern, nestled on the back of the sofa. Its tail swished against it, radiating an aura of resentment.
Luo Qi: Oh dear, this is a bit awkward.
He stood still, pretending not to hear Cecil, and asked Reid, "Grandpa Reid, what's for dinner? I'm a bit hungry."
Reid smiled slightly, his demeanor gentle, but his words were chilling, "His Majesty said that children who sneak out without a word don't get dinner."
The smile vanished from Luo Qi's face: "..."
Luo Qi was not giving up. He looked at Alge, "Uncle Alge, I..."
Alge raised his hand, took out his terminal, and checked the time, "Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
Cecil nodded, "Go ahead."
Alge walked out the door without looking back.
Luo Qi: "..."
He finally turned his gaze to 111. 111 didn't even glance at him. This foolish host was incompetent enough on his own, and he hadn't even brought 111 along when he went out. It was infuriating.
Luo Qi slumped his shoulders and shuffled over to 111. He reached out and stroked the cat's head, whispering, "Okay, okay, why are you joining in the fun? Why are you angry too?"
111 didn't like this statement, "What do you mean, even I'm angry? What about me? Do cats not have... cat rights?"
Seeing that 111 was about to puff up, Luo Qi quickly petted the cat, "I misspoke. I mean, our Brother 1 is kind and generous, how could he be angry with me? Right?"
111 snorted, acting very passive-aggressively, "Yes, yes, yes. I'm just a little cat with no strength to even tie a chicken, how would I dare be angry with you?
What can I do? I can only feel sorry for myself."
Luo Qi's mouth twitched. This ugly cat had learned some "green tea" phrases from somewhere, and it didn't seem to have learned them correctly.
As soon as the ugly cat started speaking, it couldn't stop, unleashing a torrent of meows at Luo Qi. Luo Qi hissed and pinched the ugly cat's mouth shut.
The room fell silent, but the atmosphere became even more tense. Luo Qi blinked and sat on the sofa, quietly inching closer to Cecil, with a fawning smile, "Dad, I know I was wrong."
Cecil's expression was blank, and his tone was indifferent, "Oh? Wrong about what?"
Luo Qi carefully examined Cecil's face but couldn't discern anything. So, he had no choice but to honestly admit his mistake:
"I'm sorry, Dad. I shouldn't have sneaked out without telling anyone and stayed on Earth for several days."