TMWTGD CH91.2

The Chief of Staff of the Morning Star group prided himself on his intellect. He figured that although they couldn’t beat this grandmother-grandson duo in a fight, the two of them wouldn’t be able to pilot such a massive starship without their help. He intended to use his brains to seize back the initiative.

Unfortunately, before he could even open his mouth, the six-or-seven-year-old brat took the captain’s seat without hesitation and gave a hard yank, tearing out the optical computer connector.

The Chief of Staff hurriedly said, “You can’t do that, you can’t, piloting a starship isn’t child’s play.”

Without even looking at him, the toddler glanced at Li Chenxing and demanded, “Password.”

The Chief of Staff looked at Li Chenxing. Finally snapping out of his husky-like despair, Li Chenxing reacted and said repeatedly, “Telling you the password is useless. You think a starship is that easy to fly? It’s impossible without over a decade of study.”

Grandma Lu and her grandson shared a telepathic connection. With a single reach, her fingers clamped around Li Chenxing’s neck. Li Chenxing’s face turned beet red as he gasped for air.

Grandma Lu said, “Can’t you understand what my grandson is saying?”

Li Chenxing choked out, “I, I’m doing this for your, your own good!”

Grandma Lu said, “Save your breath. Either spit out the password, or I’ll smash this starship with one punch.”

Li Chenxing was speechless.

This was truly striking the snake right at its weak point. Kill Li Chenxing and he wouldn’t flinch, but the thought of his “Beauty” turning into a pile of scrap metal instantly made his heart ache so much he couldn’t breathe.

The Chief of Staff urgently interjected, “If you hand over the main controls to a little, to a child, we’ll all die!”

Grandma Lu had always been domineering, “Cut the crap. Either hand over the password, or the ship is destroyed and everyone dies.”

Afraid of death, the Chief of Staff shut his mouth.

Li Chenxing wept tearfully. The crux was that handing over the password would likely also result in the ship’s destruction and everyone’s death.

But he had better hand it over anyway.

Li Chenxing reasoned that the brat was probably just throwing a tantrum. Once he realized that flying a starship wasn’t fun and was actually very dangerous, he would probably hand back the main controls, and then Li Chenxing could logically take over.

It was a beautiful thought, but unfortunately, they soon experienced what it meant to hover on the edge of life and death at top speed.

Mother of god, this brat didn’t just know how to fly a starship, he was a damn veteran driver. And an incredibly bold one at that. To take a shortcut, he charged straight into an asteroid field. Li Chenxing screamed, “My Beauty, ahhhh!” She was definitely going to be disfigured now.

To everyone’s shock, his Beauty didn’t suffer a single scratch. She flew out of the asteroid field exactly as she had flown in.

The Chief of Staff instantly went from hater to fanboy. He looked at the toddler, scratch that, the little ancestor, with a gaze full of reverence and awe. A genius, this level of piloting could rank among the top few in the Federation.

Fortunately, Lu Li couldn’t hear his inner thoughts, or he would have rolled his eyes at him.

What did he mean, top few? Could this broken ship even showcase his skills? It didn’t even display a tenth of it.

In the interstellar era, ground battles were becoming rarer while space pursuits grew increasingly common. How could anyone be a general or a marshal without top-tier piloting skills? You would either be chased down by the enemy and blasted to death with a single cannon shot, or you would let a dying enemy escape.

Either outcome was a defeat.

Lu Li missed his wife terribly. He wished he could arrive at the Xie residence in a single second and pull him into his arms for a good kiss.

But he had to hold back. This couldn’t be rushed. The Xie family was incredibly powerful, so he definitely couldn’t go knocking on their door to formally propose. If he wanted to marry his wife, he would have to use force.

Furthermore, his father-in-law and mother-in-law were both bad news. If he didn’t wipe them out in one fell swoop, there would be endless trouble later.

To stand against the Federation’s number one noble family, relying solely on Li Chenxing’s small pirate group was far from enough. He needed more power.

First, integrate these pirates.

Having done it once before, doing it again wasn’t difficult. Lu Li understood the nature of these wolves very well. He knew their lairs and their weaknesses. A few sneak attacks would conquer them easily.

Although he didn’t have Xie Jianwei this time, he had Grandma Lu.

With one swing of Grandma Lu’s fist, they were all left looking like idiots.

Pirates worshipped martial prowess. Combating violence with violence was actually the fastest method.

Li Chenxing’s worldview was continuously shattered by this grandmother-grandson duo. By the time they spent half a year beating all of his mortal enemies until they were searching for their teeth on the floor, he yielded. He yielded completely.

Age was just a number, personal charisma was the deadliest weapon.

Even as a shallow superficialist, he actually found the old woman incredibly badass.

In fact, the pirates all wanted to call Grandma Lu “Mama.”

It was an ancestral tradition. The male leader was called Daddy, and the female leader was called Mama. They all wanted to crown Grandma Lu as the pirate boss.

Grandma Lu laughed uproariously. “Who wants you losers as sons? Can’t you see how outstanding my grandson is? Do you even deserve to be his daddies?”

The crowd of notorious, fearsome “loser” pirates remained speechless.

Little A-Li cast a sideways glance at them and said in a milky, childish voice, “I wouldn’t mind taking you in as godsons.”

The pirates looked at the knee-high toddler, then looked at Grandma Lu with faces on the verge of tears.

Grandma Lu spoiled her grandson without bottom lines. She slammed her right fist into her left palm and said like she had hit the jackpot, “Then it’s settled. From now on, you are all my great-grandsons.”

Settled my ass. Great-grandsons are toxic. The youngest among them was already seventy years old, and they were supposed to call a tiny tot, uh, kid, are you even six yet, Daddy?

No, they couldn’t accept this. They would rather die.

Lu Li wished these bastards would go die. In reality, a large chunk of them had survived to become “old men”, shamelessly clinging to Xie Jianwei for protection. Even after becoming generals guarding their own territories, they would still frequently message the Military Advisor to cry and seek emotional comfort.

Lu Li had found them an eyesore for a long time. Now that he could deal with them while Xie Jianwei wasn’t around, it would save him a lot of worry and effort in the future.

But these bastards were exceptionally sharp. Sensing that the toddler had genuine killing intent, they all became as obedient as quails, huddling around their Great-grandmother for comfort.

Grandma Lu had a hearty, straightforward personality. Seeing that they weren’t causing trouble, she was happy to put in a good word for them.

Lu Li felt stifled. These bootlickers really know how to read the room. Before, they knew to hug Xie Jianwei’s thighs, and now they have started hugging Grandma’s thighs.

What could he do? He could only let this bunch of bootlickers continue being generals.

A thought flickered in Lu Li’s mind, and he came up with a new idea. He deliberately made things difficult for them a few times. Grandma Lu, feeling it was harmless, stepped in to mediate. The bootlickers clung to Grandma Lu even tighter, calling her Great-grandmother in their hearts with utmost sincerity.

After a round of this, Grandma Lu’s prestige was successfully established. Lu Li felt relieved. Having them revolve around Grandma was far better than having them revolve around Xie Jianwei in the future.

Besides, Grandma loved walking dogs the most. Back on the barren planet, she loved taking wild beasts out for a stroll.

Lu Li’s half-year was incredibly colorful, and outsiders gave him a nickname, “Angel-Demon Heart,” or “Little Demon” for short.

The meaning was simple. He looked fair and tender, like a little angel, but his heart was black and his hands were ruthless. He handled matters more fiercely than an adult, hence the Demon Heart.

Add to that his unusually small stature, and he became the Little Demon.

The grandmother and grandson dominated the scene, collecting batch after batch of underlings.

Grandma Lu was in high spirits and had a great appetite. Lu Li deliberately found medics to give her regular checkups. Though the equipment wasn’t mature enough yet, Grandma Lu certainly wouldn’t pass away in a few years.

Compared to Little A-Li’s unstoppable conquest, things on Xie Jianwei’s end seemed far too mundane.

Three months ago, his mother had returned once. It was late autumn then, and the maple leaves in the courtyard were entirely red. Swaths of red swayed in the wind, dyeing the entire manor in festive colors.

It just so happened that Mother Xie arrived on that day, making Xie Jianwei feel that the red was very fitting for the occasion.

Only, today Mother Xie was in a hurry. She looked unwell and hadn’t prepared any pear soup, saying directly, “A-Wei, you must help Mom.”

Xie Jianwei asked, “What’s wrong, Mother? Has something happened?”

Mother Xie hesitated for a moment, but still transmitted the files to him. “You must help me solve this problem, you absolutely must.”

Xie Jianwei furrowed his brows slightly and looked down at the data. Then, his pupils contracted sharply. “What is Mother using this for?”

Mother Xie paused and said somewhat forcefully, “A while ago, your father wiped out an underground organization and discovered they were conducting this kind of experiment. Your father’s intention is to save those people, so…”

Xie Jianwei’s eyes were calm as he stared at her without blinking.

Mother Xie was momentarily taken aback by his gaze, but she quickly regained her composure. That kind, motherly smile hung on her face again as she said, “Actually, it was me who couldn’t bear to see it. They are too pitiful. Six- or seven-year-old children tortured until they are neither human nor ghost, sigh…”

She sighed. Xie Jianwei was still looking at her. Mother Xie looked up, her eyes full of softness and pity. “Mother is incompetent and has no way to cure them, but you can, right?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Can I go see them?”

Mother Xie’s pupils shrank rapidly, but her face remained steady. “No, absolutely not.”

Xie Jianwei asked, “Why?”

Mother Xie held his hand and said, “You wouldn’t be able to handle it, A-Wei. Mom couldn’t even bear to look at it, you absolutely couldn’t. Furthermore, Mom doesn’t have the heart for it. They are too cruel, simply inhuman, to actually do such things…”

As she spoke, Mother Xie’s eyes grew red, and tears trailed down her exquisite makeup, looking especially startling.

Xie Jianwei said, “Mother, let me go to the scene, I can definitely save them.”

Mother Xie shook her head and said, “That is absolutely out of the question, A-Wei. You are Mom’s precious treasure, Mom can absolutely not let you see such things. It’s bad for your growth. Mom only hopes you can grow up healthy and happy.”

Ultimately, Xie Jianwei couldn’t withstand these words that were as soft as honey.

His mother, his biological mother, must certainly love him.

Xie Jianwei’s heart warmed. Though a trace of coldness and suspicion remained, he couldn’t hold out against Mother Xie’s sorrowful, tearful pleas.

Xie Jianwei finally nodded and agreed, “I will do my best.”

Mother Xie breathed a sigh of relief, hugged him, and said, “Thank you for your hard work.”

Xie Jianwei hugged her back, “It’s nothing.”

The two spoke softly for a while longer before Mother Xie said again, “I’m very sorry, A-Wei. Mom has some urgent matters and can’t stay for dinner.”

Xie Jianwei’s body went rigid.

Mother Xie said with deep guilt, “I’m truly sorry. Mom is very neglectful, always leaving you home alone.”

Xie Jianwei forced himself to say, “Father and Mother have the galaxy’s people in their hearts and work tirelessly. Your son understands.”

Mother Xie looked at him and said gently, “You are truly a sensible, good child.”

Xie Jianwei smiled faintly. “Please take care of your health, Mother.”

Mother Xie said, “You too.”

Mother Xie left. She had come in a rush and left in a rush, and before leaving, she always said the same phrase. “Mom awaits your good news.”

How Xie Jianwei wished she would say, “Mom will be right back.”

This research was somewhat troublesome, and it took Xie Jianwei some time, but a month later, he gave the results to Mother Xie.

Mother Xie happily replied, “A-Wei is amazing!”

Xie Jianwei smiled and was about to ask when she would have time to come back.

But Mother Xie had already disconnected.

The hollow notification tone from the communicator made Xie Jianwei freeze for a moment, but he quickly lowered his eyes and turned off the device.

Two months, three months, the next time… it should be winter, right.

Xie Jianwei suddenly felt a bit cold. The autumn wind seemed to carry ice blades, scraping against his face and making his nerves tremble with pain.

When winter arrived on the Capital Planet, Lu Li finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He disguised himself, slipped into the port, and snuck in using a fake identity.

He had to see his wife, an eleven- or twelve-year-old tender youth. Just thinking about it made him feel it would be explosively cute.

He didn’t go to the Xie residence, instead, he waited directly outside the Central Academy to intercept him.

To leave a good first impression on Xie Jianwei, he specifically bought the newest model hovercar. The color was low-key, but the style was outrageously flashy, the kind of thing famously bought only by people with more money than sense.

After all, a top-tier hovercar cost about ten thousand credits, but this limited-edition, custom-made one cost a million.

A hundredfold difference. Unless you had an explosive amount of money, why would you buy it?

Lu Li indeed had a lot of money, a massive amount, so much that he couldn’t spend it all no matter how he tried.

For the first meeting with his wife, he had to get the best no matter what.

Lu Li was full of confidence. When the hovercar parked on the landing pad, the watching students’ eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.

Which wealthy young master is here to pick up a girl?

Everyone knew that driving a contraption like this meant you were definitely here to pick up girls.

Xie Jianwei had just walked out of the school gates, planning to take a public hovercar home, when he was called out to, “Xie Jianwei!”

Xie Jianwei turned around. Before seeing the person, he saw the blindingly flashy hovercar. He frowned, wondering where this nouveau riche came from.

Lu Li was ecstatic. Upon seeing his wife, he was so happy he couldn’t close his mouth.

The young Xie Jianwei was truly adorable. He still had that very serious demeanor, but with red lips and white teeth, his slender body hadn’t fully developed yet. He was far from his unparalleled future elegance, but the early signs were there. Like tender bamboo bathed in spring light and dew, straight and slender, making people absolutely adore him.

The more Lu Li looked, the happier he felt. He steadied his emotions, walked over very calmly, and said with a gentlemanly air, “May I have the honor of giving you a ride?”

Xie Jianwei was stunned for a long moment. He looked down, and saw this shorty.

Lu Li was quite dissatisfied with this height difference, but looking up at his wife was truly a beautiful sight. The eyelashes were like butterfly wings, thick and dense, framing a pair of large eyes beautifully.

Xie Jianwei paused. “You are…”

Lu Li’s lips curled up in a very wicked and charming smile, “I am your future…” He barely stopped himself from saying the word husband.

After all, they were in public, his wife was only eleven, and flirting with a minor would get him censored.

Xie Jianwei asked him, “Future what?”

Lu Li blinked. “A very important person!”

Xie Jianwei’s heart skipped a beat, completely struck by this little expression.

So cute. This tiny tot is too cute.

Big eyes, a straight nose, and that little mouth that looked like it was smirking but wasn’t. This pretense of being an adult was as moe as could be.

Xie Jianwei was overwhelmed by the cuteness and couldn’t help asking, “Are you by yourself?”

Lu Li said, “Of course.” Bringing subordinates along while chasing his wife was not his style.

Xie Jianwei suddenly felt a pang of heartache. “Where is your home?”

Lu Li thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have a home.” This was also the honest truth, the barren planet didn’t count as a home, and currently, he and Grandma Lu were campaigning across all fronts with no fixed abode. Besides, how could he start a family without marrying his wife?

How could Xie Jianwei possibly know about all the convoluted thoughts in this little head? He simply assumed this little guy was a pitiful orphan.

Thinking about how he himself had a home but it felt like he didn’t, he couldn’t help but feel even more heartache for this tiny tot.

Xie Jianwei asked gently, “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

Is this a date already? The Lord Marshal was very excited. Even if he had eaten, he had to say, “I haven’t eaten!”

Xie Jianwei smiled. “I’ll take you to eat.” As he spoke, he even reached out a hand to him.

Lu Li was mesmerized by his smile, and seeing this pale, tender little hand, he grasped it without any hesitation.

Xie Jianwei held his hand with a smiling face.

Lu Li couldn’t help but say, “Your hand is so soft.”

Xie Jianwei looked with amusement at this little guy who was soft from head to toe, his eyes curving into crescents. “Don’t let go.”

Of course I won’t let go. Lu Li was overjoyed, he was going to hold on for a lifetime.

Seeing how well-behaved he was, Xie Jianwei felt very fond of him and led him onto a public hovercar.

It wasn’t until the hovercar sped away that Lu Li vaguely realized he seemed to have forgotten something. Whatever. His head was entirely filled with his wife right now, all worldly possessions were irrelevant.

That expensive, rare, limited-edition, flashy hovercar was left crying on the landing pad, didn’t we agree I was going to be used to pick up your wife?!

Lu Li, having been picked up by his wife instead, was very excited. Even after getting on the hovercar, he refused to release their tightly clasped hands.

Xie Jianwei originally wanted to pull his hand back, but seeing him grip it so tightly, his heart softened and he stopped moving.

Let him hold it. This little guy was probably afraid he would abandon him.

On the way, Xie Jianwei asked him, “What do you want to eat for dinner?”

Lu Li thought to himself, you.

But outwardly he said, “Anything except apples.”

Xie Jianwei asked in surprise, “You don’t like apples?”

Lu Li said, “Mm.”

Xie Jianwei asked curiously, “Why?”

Lu Li spoke nothing but the truth, “I didn’t have anything to eat before, and could only eat apples all day long, so I’m sick of them.”

Nothing to eat. How pitiful.

Xie Jianwei instantly felt an overwhelming ache in his heart, viewing Great Lu Li more and more as a pitiful little thing with no one to love or care for him.

Lu Li felt that his wife’s gaze towards him was a bit passionate, but that was normal.

He was handsome and dashing, it was only natural for A-Wei to fall in love with him at first sight, completely forgetting that he was only six and a half years old.

Xie Jianwei brought Lu Li home, settled him down, and said, “I’ll go prepare dinner.”

Lu Li said obediently, “Okay.”

Xie Jianwei went to the kitchen, adjusted the AI program, removed everything related to apples, and specifically filtered for the most nutritious food for a six- or seven-year-old child. He had to properly nourish the little guy. Seeing how thin and small he was truly made one’s heart ache.

Lu Li looked around for a while, feeling both happy and sad in his heart.