A Ji walked out of the Insect Race royal palace. Compared to the strict checks when he entered, leaving was remarkably easy.
Soon, he was in a hovercar heading for the insect starport. The subordinate in the car glanced at A Ji's expression and was surprised to see a strange, faint smile on his face.
Even in front of his confidants, A Ji had always been serious and diligent. This kind of inexplicable smiling expression was unprecedented.
He tentatively opened his mouth and asked, "Sir, you seem to be in a very good mood?"
A Ji glanced at him sideways, and as expected, he didn't get angry. "Yes, I met a very interesting little fellow today."
The confidant knew that A Ji had gone to celebrate the Insect Race's little prince's birthday today. He frowned, "Are you referring to... the Insect Race's little prince?"
A Ji did not deny it and suddenly changed the subject, "If anyone asks about my parents recently, reveal all the information we know. Don't make it too obvious."
The confidant's eyes widened, "You mean..."
The smile on A Ji's lips widened further. "Someone can help us find the information I want, isn't that more effort-saving? I hope our great Insect King can help me find what I desire..."
The subordinate pursed his lips, tapped a few times on his terminal, and then looked up, "Sir, shall we go back?"
A Ji looked out the window. The hovercar was moving fast, and the district where the royal palace was located was no longer visible.
"Let's go. Insect Star is a good place. I hope I have the chance to come back again."
***
The birthday banquet at the Insect Race royal palace was still ongoing. Most of the guests had arrived, and it was time to cut the cake.
This cake had been meticulously prepared by Uncle Chef for several days, starting in the kitchen that morning. It was finally brought out just before dinner.
It was a five-tiered cake, with a Q-version figurine of Luo Qi made of fondant on top. The Luo Qi on the cake was round and fair, with eyes like black grapes, looking as if it could leap down at any moment.
Luo Qi was overjoyed. He ran behind the cake cart, hugged Uncle Chef's legs, and thanked him enthusiastically.
Uncle Chef felt that his career had reached its peak. Was there anything more fulfilling than today? No! He was the happiest chef in the Insect Race, bar none!
Luo Qi was very happy in all aspects. His family and friends were by his side, he was eating his favorite food, and he was receiving gifts and blessings from everyone. Today was the happiest day, bar none!
Cesi walked over, picked up Luo Qi, and nuzzled the little chubby cub's warm, round cheek. "Luo Luo, make a wish and blow out the candles."
This was the first birthday for the entire Insect Race, including Luo Qi. The tradition of making wishes and blowing out candles was told to Cesi by Ye Yun. Ye Yun said that with each birthday, the cub would grow a year older, and wishes made on birthdays would surely come true.
Cesi felt that no matter what wish Luo Qi had, he could help him achieve it without needing to pray to any gods. However, he still hoped that Luo Qi would receive all the blessings in the world.
In the dim candlelight, Luo Qi slowly closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and made a wish. By his side were his family, friends, and everyone in the world who cared about him and was cared for by him. As for what the little chubby cub wished for with a smile on his face, no one asked. They only knew that it would likely be realized in the future.
When the little chubby cub opened his eyes, a flash of ice-blue light seemed to flicker in his dark eyes, just like Cesi's eye color. But in the bright lights, no one noticed.
Luo Qi opened his eyes and blew out the candles with a rush. Cheers erupted around him, and Luo Qi's cheeks were flushed. "Let's all eat cake!"
Cesi, holding Luo Qi, cut the first slice of cake with the cake knife. Luo Qi carefully placed his fondant figurine on top of the cake and handed it to Cesi. "For Dad to eat!"
Cesi smiled and, disregarding the presence of others, gave Luo Qi a big kiss on his cheek. "Good Luo Luo, so well-behaved!"
Luo Qi's cheeks turned red, and his small voice quivered like a wavy line. "Dad! There are so many people!"
The people around them tacitly pretended not to see this scene and cheerfully gathered around the little birthday star to eat cake.
Luo Qi snorted and glanced at his father. His dad was really something, making him so embarrassed with public displays of affection! He struggled out of Cesi's arms and began cutting cakes for everyone.
The cake made by the royal chef was delicious. Even though Luo Qi had eaten it many times, he still loved it. He sat on the sofa and ate it little by little, getting cake cream on his cheeks and mouth.
Suddenly, his cheek felt cool. He looked up blankly and saw Chi Huo standing in front of him with a smile, a dab of cream on his finger. Luo Qi touched his face and indeed found a small patch of cream. He frowned at Chi Huo and said sternly, "Chi Huo, it's wrong to waste food like this."
The smile on Chi Huo's lips slowly faded. "Sorry... ah."
Luo Qi grinned mischievously, his little hands covered in cream, looking at Chi Huo slyly. "You bad thing, now you know who's boss, right?"
Chi Huo wiped the cream from his face, chuckled, and lunged towards Luo Qi. Luo Qi jumped to dodge him and shouted, "Ye Mu, Mo Xuan! Come help me!"
Chi Huo also called out, "Xiao Xingxing! Come be my ally!"
Xiao Xingxing looked up from his plate, his little ears, which had inexplicably popped out again because the cake was too delicious, twitching. He looked at Luo Qi hiding behind Ye Mu, with a menacing Mo Xuan beside him, and silently glanced at Chi Huo, who had nothing but enthusiasm and a face full of cake. *Can I still defect now?*
It was too late to defect. Chi Huo grabbed Xiao Xingxing and started a cream fight with the remaining little cubs.
Uncle Chef looked confident. "Children, take the bottom layer! The bottom layer is artificial cream."
The remaining guests looked at the chef standing by the cake cart in surprise, marveling, "Good heavens, the Insect Race is truly 'well-prepared' for the little crown prince's birthday!"
Now, the little cubs became even more boisterous. The bottom layer of the cake was very large. How large? Large enough for the remaining friends to work together to throw Luo Qi into it.
Luo Qi, covered in cream, lay on the cake tray and sighed as if he was tired from playing.
Having a birthday is so much fun! I love birthdays!