Chapter 679: Chapter 680: Missed
The Emperor, suddenly looking cheerful at something he thought of, carefully tapped the Empress’s shoulder with a finger.
"Where did this stone come from?"
The Empress, suppressing her smile, looked at the anxious Emperor and asked after a slight hesitation, "Could your father have left you a brother or something?"
"?"
At first, the Emperor was puzzled, but then he understood the Empress’s question and carefully recalled, saying, "I suppose not."
"Suppose?"
Eventually, under the Empress’s questioning gaze, the Emperor affirmed, "No."
The Empress seemed satisfied and nodded her head. So Dou Dou really was her grandson, or perhaps, her son?
Thinking of this possibility, the Empress disdainfully glanced at the Emperor.
"Why are you looking at me like that? You haven’t answered me yet. Who gave you this stone? Could it be Eldest?"
The Empress shook her head and told the Emperor about the stone given by Dou Dou and the matter concerning the Crown Prince’s virginity.
After speaking, both felt somewhat uneasy in their hearts.
Regardless of whose child Dou Dou was, it revealed one thing: someone had covertly obtained the Royal Family’s sperm.
"It’s unlikely to be me. Who could steal my... THAT from your side?" the Emperor’s words made the Empress nod in agreement.
"It seems more likely to be the Crown Prince. We still need a test."
The Empress didn’t want to dwell on it anymore and directly called Xia Tian.
However, when the call connected, gunfire and explosions mingled with Xia Tian’s shouting.
"I’m battling the Insect Killing Beast! What is it?"
"Never mind!"
What could the Empress say? Could she ask the Insect Beast on the other end to wait?
The Empress terminated the call and said to the likewise anxious Emperor, "Why is this child at the Insect Clan Battlefield again?"
"I don’t know."
What they didn’t know was that soon after the two of them had left, Xia Tian had left Blue Star.
It wasn’t a permanent departure nor was he alone; he took Xiao Ba, Qicai, and Stripe Tiger from the zodiac to the Insect Clan Battlefield.
The reason was simple. After a long period of sparring, Xia Tian’s cultivation had reached a critical point where taking any more hits daily was useless.
Eventually, Sister Nian simply arranged for him, Qicai, and Stripe Tiger to visit the Insect Clan Battlefield to break through the barrier and then return.
About half an hour later, the Empress’s Light Computer rang. It was Xia Tian calling her back.
"Mother, what is it?"
At the time, Xia Tian was covered in dirt and blood, with his hair matted and tangled in the video call.
"Are you still alive?"
"Hehe, don’t worry, I didn’t come here alone. Sister Nian also sent bodyguards with me."
Xia Tian chuckled, showing his little white teeth in the video, and turned his Light Computer to show the Stripe Tiger and Qicai lying behind him.
"Look, two great generals are escorting me, letting me level up. Isn’t Sister Nian great?" Xia Tian bragged, making the Empress feel relieved at first.
Sister Nian was indeed exceptional.
However, since Xia Tian was on the Insect Clan Battlefield, the Empress didn’t mention anything about Dou Dou, chatting briefly before hanging up.
After hanging up, the Empress simply said to the Emperor, "How about we visit Blue Star again? Discuss with Sister Nian and let us have a test?"
"Alright, I’ll follow your lead."
"This matter should be brought up openly, and also mention it to Sister Nian, there might be someone scheming behind the scenes, and Dou Dou’s existence must be monitored."
Both felt it was better to talk to Sister Nian in person, so they immediately left their current location for Blue Star.
But the subjects of their concern, Sister Nian and Dou Dou, were on their way to Third District on a Super Starship.
They perfectly missed each other.
About several hours later, the Super Starship docked in Third District, and Sister Nian and a few others disembarked.
Once they disembarked, three sets of eyes among the four of them fell on Lian Qing.
Lian Qing instantly felt like the only adult responsible for taking care of three children.
Though he only thought about it, he dared not say anything.
"Boss, I’ve checked—the competition site is on South Tenth Street. I don’t have a residence there temporarily, so I booked a hotel."
Sister Nian, looking at Lian Qing who said "temporarily have no residence," nodded deeply and commented, "The hotel is good too."
The four of them drove Shadowless to the hotel Lian Qing had booked.
When they entered, they nearly thought they had gone to the wrong place because it was so crowded.
"Is the hotel business really that good?" Sister Nian was slightly tempted; should she also invest in one?
Lian Qing shook his head, "It should be because of the competition. It’s the closest one."
That made sense.
Lian Qing walked ahead, and Sister Nian and the others followed him to the front desk to check in.
Sister Nian, who had expected to queue, watched dumbfounded as Lian Qing approached a separate VIP pathway and was promptly served one-on-one.
Simple, convenient, swift.
The allure of money was indeed boundless.
Lian Qing’s actions also attracted a lot of attention in the lobby.
Some people even inquired at the reception desk.
"Why is that person so fast? I can also pay more; money is not an issue."
It seems Lian Qing was not the only one with deep pockets.
However, the reception staff, with an extremely pleasant smile, explained to the inquiring person, "I’m sorry, sir, that gentleman is a shareholder of our hotel and has a room reserved for him."
The implied message: having money isn’t always useful.
Sister Nian, who happened to overhear this, looked at Lian Qing leading the way beside her— truly a man who didn’t show his true capabilities.
She had thought him managing the Super Starship was impressive enough, but he was even a hotel shareholder.
"Lian Qing, your dad, Master Huo, sure knows how to do business."
Lian Qing, remaining calm, softly replied while leading the way, "It’s not my dad’s, just a little side investment I made."
A little? Or a lot?
Sister Nian felt it was probably the latter; Lian Qing’s intelligence, maturity beyond his years, and of course his background and strengths were all indispensable factors of his success.
"Boss, this way, please."
Lian Qing led everyone to a room door, then a bit sheepishly said, "It was short notice, and I only managed to get this reserved suite, it has three rooms. Let’s make do."
Lian Qing opened the door first; the interior was spacious and luxurious, definitely fitting of a presidential suite.
"It’s more than good enough; this isn’t making do at all." Sister Nian was the first to step inside, followed by Ji Sisi holding Dou Dou, with Lian Qing bringing up the rear.
Just as the door was closing, the elevator at the end of the hallway opened and a woman glanced their way, frowning slightly.
Could it be, Ji Sisi?