Chapter 198: Side Story — Meeting the Parents

Passing through the skybridge from the greenhouse led directly to the floating indoor parking garage.

Li Xiao glanced at their group. Every single one of them was wearing a bathrobe and pair of slippers.

Song Yang dangled a lollipop from his mouth, Song Yu’s long hair was still wet, and Song Jin was eating an orange while stashing an apple in his pocket.

Coming out to meet foreign guests in this state—the Song family’s effortless chill was truly unmatchable.

Soon, three black hovercars flew in from outside the protective shield. Passing sequentially through the double gates, they touched down slowly, bringing a gust of wind and frost along with them.

For a king traveling abroad, such a configuration was overly modest.

Song Jin had originally thought he misremembered the dates for Li Ji and his spouse’s official visit to Shengya. Seeing this scene, it suddenly clicked.

Li Ji’s personal arrival at the Snow Planet outside of official visit hours was likely for the sake of Li Su and his spouse.

Li Su and his partner were still lying in stasis pods. Free from the concerns regarding the Meng family, Li Ji had spent the past two years searching for a reliable medical team, putting a great deal of effort into finding a way to cure them.

Li Xiao didn’t say it out loud, but wherever he went, he subconsciously kept an eye out for medical resources.

However, Li Su and his spouse were too severely injured, and the surgical risks were high. To play it safe, a treatment plan that satisfied them had yet to be finalized.

Song Jin asked Li Xiao beside him, “Is your brother here to see my dad?”

Li Xiao: “Mm.”

Song Jin watched a few guards in Danse military uniforms step out of the vehicles and casually bantered, “I thought he was coming to propose a marriage.”

Li Xiao: “Are you disappointed?”

Song Jin deliberately went along with it: “A little bit, yeah.”

Li Xiao: “You haven’t agreed to marry me yet. How could I propose? I’m not a bandit.”

Song Jin hummed faintly: “It’d be nice if you could be this polite in other areas too.”

Li Xiao looked at him: “Other areas?”

Song Jin: “Don’t play dumb with me.”

Li Xiao: “…”

The Danse guards opened the door to the middle vehicle, and Li Ji and Yan Qing stepped out.

Because it was a private itinerary, both dressed very low-key, keeping only the essential accessories on them.

It was rare for Song Jin to see such a “plain” Li Ji, though compared to their bathrobe-clad group, he was still over-dressed.

What surprised him somewhat was the change in Yan Qing. Transitioning from a rigorous, self-restrained military academy teacher to a dignified, refined Queen, he showed no discomfort handling the heavy etiquette and rules of the royal palace. Instead, it was as if he had returned to his comfort zone, moving with even greater ease.

Noticing Song Jin’s gaze, Yan Qing smiled back and walked over alongside Li Ji.

Song Jin: “…”

He looks so good when he smiles; no wonder he wrapped Li Ji completely around his finger.

He even looks younger than before.

Song Jin leaned in slightly toward Li Xiao and lowered his voice to ask, “Is there some kind of secret elixir in the Danse palace that restores your youth and looks?”

Li Xiao: “…? Never heard of one.”

Song Jin: “Find a time to ask your brother.”

Li Xiao was puzzled: “Do you want to take it? Isn’t it a bit early to have looks anxiety when you’re only twenty?”

Song Jin: “Do I look like someone who needs medicine? I’m talking about getting some for the old man over there.”

Li Xiao followed the direction he was pointing, only to meet the warning glance tossed over by Song Yu: “…”

The little lion’s brimming survival instinct from his childhood has been completely depleted.

Even though it was a private trip, those present were royalty from two nations, and it was the first time the in-laws were meeting face-to-face. Li Ji had to treat it with caution.

When stepping off the car, he had reminded himself that tonight’s meeting must be treated as important work—at the very least, he couldn’t embarrass Xiao-Xiao.

After stepping down, Li Ji raised his eyes, his gaze locking in place: “…”

The group of “in-laws” opposite them were wearing bathrobes?!

What kind of gathering was tonight supposed to be?

Li Ji looked imperceptibly toward Li Xiao, his eyes asking: 【What’s the situation?】

Li Xiao: 【Since we’re already here, just adapt on the fly.】

Li Ji: “…”

With Song Zheng and his spouse present, even Song Yu, as the king, took a backseat as a junior, silently following behind his parents to greet them.

Li Ji spoke with a touch of apology, “Arriving so suddenly, I hope we haven’t disrupted your family gathering.”

Song Zheng: “No need to be so distant. Xiao Li is my future son-in-law, so we’re all family. Even if you hadn’t come over this time, Sinian and I were planning to find time for a trip to Danse anyway.”

Li Ji: “…”

Son-in-law?

Song Jin’s group: “…”

Phrasing it so nicely, but he’s clearly just craving the desserts from Danse’s royal palace.

Yan Qing smiled and nodded: “You are welcome anytime.”

The temperature in the parking garage was quite low, so after exchanging greetings, both parties returned to the greenhouse.

Along the way, Li Ji, Song Zheng, and the others chatted about state-level matters. Finding it boring, Song Jin signaled Yan Qing to walk near the back.

Song Jin: “How many days can you stay this time?”

Yan Qing: “Three days. In three days, it will be time for our official visit to Shengya.”

Song Jin: “There are plenty of fun places around here. I’ll take you two around.”

Yan Qing accepted the offer, looking out past the transparent protective shield beyond the walkway.

Warm lights of varying brightness glowed throughout the village. The crisscrossing light and shadow brought warmth to this snow-covered valley, forming a stark contrast with the towering, imposing snow mountains around it. Framed by the aurora, the visual impact was at its absolute peak.

Yan Qing: “It’s a lovely, peaceful place.”

Rong Mian walked up beside Yan Qing and asked in a low voice, “Are you pregnant?”

Yan Qing was somewhat surprised: “Can you tell when it’s only been a little over a month?”

He thought there was something wrong with his posture, but he saw Rong Mian shake his head.

“I smelled it. Information pheromones change during pregnancy,” Rong Mian explained in a lowered voice.

Seeing Yan Qing’s expression grow even more surprised, Rong Mian thought he was worried, so he thoughtfully added, “Rest assured, your pheromones are very calm without any chaotic scents. The fetus’s condition should be very stable.”

“I wasn’t worried about the child.”

Realizing he had misunderstood, Yan Qing smiled and explained, “I can smell it myself; I just didn’t expect that you could as well.”

Rong Mian: “I’m a modified human.”

Yan Qing looked over Rong Mian in astonishment, turning to glance at Song Jin. Seeing that the latter didn’t deny it, he looked back at Rong Mian: “Then you…”

“He’s different from the modified humans of Danse; he doesn’t rely on blood serums to maintain his condition,” Song Jin chimed in. “Strictly speaking, Brother Mian isn’t a modified human himself—he’s the descendant of one.”

Yan Qing breathed a faint sigh of relief: “No wonder. You don’t carry the decayed scent typical of modified humans. It feels very comfortable around you. Your body’s condition remains at a very high level, making you appear younger than your actual age.”

Now it was Rong Mian’s turn to be surprised: “You can even tell that by smell?”

Yan Qing nodded: “Since you can sense the state of my fetus, you should be able to do it too.”

Rong Mian: “I can indeed sense differences, but I haven’t studied it in depth, so I only have a vague understanding of the specific meanings.”

Yan Qing: “If you’re interested, I can teach you.”

Rong Mian nodded happily: “Sounds great.”

On the way back, the two chatted about everything from pheromone differences across genders to variations across age groups and physical conditions. To the onlookers, it sounded like gibberish, but the two grew happier the more they talked, hitting it off instantly.

Li Xiao silently took the hand of Song Jin, who had been left out to the side, pulling the apple from his pocket and handing it over: “Eat it. It won’t taste good once it gets warm.”

Song Jin: “…”

He hadn’t expected Teacher Yan and Brother Mian to get along so well.

Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, Li Ji glanced back at Yan Qing behind him. Seeing him chatting and laughing with Rong Mian, accompanied by Song Jin and Li Xiao, he felt much more at ease.

Shen Sinian had already instructed the staff to prepare dinner in advance. While waiting for the meal to be served, the group sat in the greenhouse, drinking tea and chatting.

Li Ji gestured to his special assistant, Old Liu, who took a gift box from a guard’s hands and respectfully presented it to Li Ji.

“These are local specialties from Danse.”

Li Ji handed them out to everyone in person. “They were originally intended as souvenir gifts Xiao-Xiao prepared for all of you, but the production cycle took too long, so they didn’t make it in time.”

Hearing that they were specialties from Danse, the whole family grew intrigued.

With boxes this beautiful, they must be high-end desserts.

Noticing that each box was a different size, Song Yang casually asked as he accepted his, “Customized according to everyone’s tastes?”

“You could say that,” Li Xiao kept them in suspense.

While they spoke, Shen Sinian had already opened his box.

Inside was not a dessert, but an exquisitely crafted eyeglass chain studded with rare gems. It carried a distinct Danse aesthetic at first glance, but remarkably, it was refined without being ostentatious, fitting his taste perfectly.

Chewing on his apple, Song Jin stood behind Shen Sinian, bending over to take a closer look: “These are collection-grade jewels. No wonder the production took so long.”

Rong Mian: “This design is so unique.”

Song Yang: “It really is nice.”

In a great mood, Shen Sinian looked at the brothers, Li Ji and Li Xiao: “Thank you, I like it very much. You’ve gone through a lot of trouble.”

Li Ji: “These were all designed by Xiao-Xiao himself.”

The group looked at Li Xiao in surprise; even Song Jin was quite shocked.

“You designed them? When did this happen, how come I didn’t know?” Song Jin asked.

Li Xiao answered vaguely: “While you were asleep.”

Song Jin: “…”

His curiosity piqued, Song Yang called out to the others to open their boxes: “Quick, quick, let me see what you guys got.”

Song Zheng received a pair of cufflinks, while the brothers Rong Shi and Rong Mian both received collar pins.

Song Yu originally thought his would be a pair of cufflinks, but to his surprise, it wasn’t.

Crisp, bold lines paired with a massive, rare blue gemstone—the complex craftsmanship made it look exquisite and magnificent, like a piece of art.

Song Yu was very satisfied and looked at Li Xiao: “Is this a brooch?”

Li Xiao said offhandedly: “A hairpin.”

Song Yu: “…”

Better just throw it away.

Song Yang burst into a shameless laugh: “This is great! It fits Brother Yu’s vibe way too well! Old Li, brilliant work!”

Song Jin clapped along in agreement: “Big brother finally doesn’t have to be a disheveled wild man anymore. Truly something to celebrate.”

Shen Sinian: “How can you speak about your brother like that? Even if he were a wild man, he’d be a beauty among wild men.”

Song Yu: “…”

Dad, you’re joining in too?

With a cold face, Song Yu snapped the box shut: “I don’t have the habit of wearing hair accessories—”

As he spoke, he was about to return the gift.

Li Xiao: “It’s also a brooch. Wear it however you like.”

Song Yu narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Xiao.

This kid is definitely trying to mess with him on purpose.

Rong Shi glanced at it and remarked expressionlessly, “It really does suit you.”

Song Yu: “…”

Song Yu looked at Rong Shi: “Whose side are you on?”

Rong Shi: “Just telling the truth.”

Song Yu pinned the hairpin onto Rong Shi’s hair: “I think it suits you better than me.”

Rong Shi: “…”

A stern, cold face paired with a glamorous hair accessory created an inexplicably comical effect.

The air froze for a split second before erupting into a fit of laughter.

The brothers Song Yang and Song Jin nearly doubled over laughing, and even Rong Mian couldn’t stop.

Rong Mian asked through his laughter, “Brother, you’ve never looked this pretty before. Can I take a picture and send it to Dad?”

Rong Shi: “…”

As first-time houseguests, Li Ji and Yan Qing tried their best to hold back their laughter to maintain their image.

Yan Qing was only a little over a month pregnant, which was an extremely unstable period. Li Ji had done a lot of research on this and recalled seeing negative case studies where someone suffered a miscarriage from laughing too hard. Leaning close to Yan Qing’s ear, he whispered a reminder: “Don’t laugh anymore. Quick, think of something sad.”

Yan Qing had almost managed to hold it in, but hearing him say that made him want to laugh even more.

Rong Shi took off the hairpin, put it back in the box, and looked at Song Yang, who was laughing the loudest: “Where’s yours?”

“Mine definitely won’t be a hairpin.”

Song Yang laughed recklessly, “Right, Old Li?”

Li Xiao: “Mm, it’s not.”

Song Yang proudly opened the box, the smile on his lips freezing instantly.

“What is it?” Seeing his ghostly expression, Song Jin took a few steps over to check.

After getting a clear look at what was inside the box, Song Jin laughed out loud, patting Song Yang on the shoulder: “It really is tailor-made for you, Brother Yang.”

Everyone’s curiosity was piqued.

Sitting across from them, Song Zheng couldn’t see it and asked, “What is it?”

Song Jin: “Guess?”

Song Zheng thought for a moment: “A nose ring?”

Song Jin: “Why?”

Song Zheng: “Xiao Yang is a piglet—”

“I’m a wolf,” Song Yang defended bitterly, taking the item out of the box and looking at Li Xiao. “Old Li, you targeting me or what? Everyone else gets gorgeous jewelry, but I get a wrench.”

“Where did all that energy you used to mock me go?”

Song Yu mocked without mercy, “This wrench belongs to no one but you. Except for you, no one else would want it.”

Song Yang: “…”

Li Xiao: “You stay in the workshop all day and don’t like wearing accessories. A wrench is more practical.”

“Well, thank you so much.”

Song Yang felt unsatisfied the more he thought about it, “I have occasions where I need to wear accessories too.”

Seeing that the wrench was crystal-clear and translucent, Rong Mian took it to flip it over and inspect: “This isn’t an ordinary material. Is it jade?”

Li Xiao nodded: “It’s a rare gem that was just discovered recently. It performed very well in hardness and toughness tests, making it more wear-resistant and durable than standard metal tools.”

To actually use a rare raw gemstone to craft a wrench, Rong Mian asked a bit more: “Is this kind of gem very valuable?”

“It’s alright.”

Li Xiao said nonchalantly, “This one is only around ten figures.”

Rong Mian: “…?!!!”

Ten figures?!

As expected of a Danse specialty.

Shen Sinian teased, “Xiao Yang, take it along next time you attend a formal event. Nobody else’s flashy outfit will be as expensive as your single wrench.”

Song Yang: “…”

To flex wealth?

Did he even need to flex the fact that he was wealthy?

On the way to the dining room, Song Jin and Li Xiao walked forward alongside the main group.

“They all have gifts, but I don’t?” Song Jin’s tone sounded sour.

He didn’t care for the other items, but his dad and brothers had received jewelry personally designed by Li Xiao. How could he not be envious?

Everyone else got one, but as his partner, he didn’t have a single piece—how could that make sense?

The more Song Jin thought about it, the more he wanted to snatch back all the items that had been given out.

Li Xiao: “Yours isn’t finished yet.”

Song Jin’s eyes lit up: “There’s really one for me?”

Amused by his overjoyed expression, Li Xiao laughed: “How could I leave yours out?”

Song Jin couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from turning up: “What is mine?”

Li Xiao: “Guess?”

Song Jin: “First, rule out hairpins and wrenches.”

Li Xiao nodded solemnly: “Smart.”

Song Jin: “An ear stud? A necklace? A lip ring? It couldn’t be a nose ring, could it? Let me declare first, I won’t pierce my nose for you.”

Li Xiao burst out laughing: “Once it’s done, you’ll know.”

Song Jin: “…”

Stupid kid, dangling it in front of me.

Unwilling to give up, Song Jin asked: “Give me a hint?”

Li Xiao: “There are many. You can take your time guessing.”

Song Jin: “…”

Upon entering the dining room, Li Xiao saw Song Yang approach and casually said, “Remember to send me the test results.”

Song Yang: “Ordering me around?”

Li Xiao: “If this raw stone can be used for military purposes, we can collaborate.”

Song Yang: “Collaborate how?”

Li Xiao: “The usual rules.”

Song Yang: “You’re my brother-in-law now. How are you still this stingy?”

Li Xiao: “Feelings are feelings, business is business. We don’t talk feelings in the business world.”

Song Yang: “…”

Not letting anyone take even the slightest advantage.

Song Yang turned to Song Jin to file a complaint: “Why did you find yourself such a stingy spouse? Holding onto a bunch of good stuff—what’s wrong with sharing a bit with me?”

Song Jin: “It’s good for a spouse to be stingy; it manages the household well.”

Song Yang: “…”

Always bending his elbows outward.