The girls returned home and their first act was to greet their parents, presenting the gifts they'd bought that day. Two professional chefs were employed full-time for culinary duties, though Mother often preferred preparing meals herself despite the household's size making it impossible without assistance.

Since we'd informed Mother of our dinner plans in advance, dishes were already on the table when she inspected our presents. She pointed at a few unadorned platters and said, "These are my home-cooked specialties - you should all try them, especially Qiqi who needs to eat for two now."

"Thank you Mom," Li Qi replied with genuine appreciation. Her preference for simple home cooking over gourmet dining stemmed from lifelong exposure; it simply no longer appealed to her refined palate.

No one questioned the special attention Mother gave Li Qi - what was a pregnant woman's appetite if not nature's demand? After dinner, the girls exchanged goodnights and ascended to their rooms while I lingered. Mother detained me with an urgent expression.

"Zhao Qian, I know you've grown beyond our expectations," she began hesitantly as both parents settled nearby, clearly preoccupied by this conversation.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. "Mom, what's troubling you? What about me is different now? You've always been my parents and can speak plainly."

Father interjected gravely, "You're still our son at home but represent the Earth Federation abroad. We didn't want to burden you with this - your extended family learned of your status somehow and have camped at our doorstep demanding government positions for their benefit."

Mother added anxiously, "We dare not offend them outright or risk village gossip about our Zhao family's ingratitude. Could you find some way to pacify them before they become daily nuisances?"

"Such trivial matters shouldn't trouble my parents," I said decisively. "Tomorrow have them compile personal records and submit them to Qianqian for review."

The old couple exchanged skeptical glances, "Do you think many of these people can read well enough to provide such materials?"

I groaned inwardly at the absurdity but tempered my words carefully, "Let me know who they are tomorrow. I'll assess their skills and assign them accordingly."

Mother nodded reluctantly, "Very well, I'll question them when they arrive."

Father cautioned, "These villagers are all greedy opportunists. Place them in inconsequential roles to avoid creating future problems."

Since my status had become public knowledge, both parents treated me with new maturity, consulting rather than commanding as they once did. As I ascended to my room I reassured them, "Don't worry - the Federation's oversight system is rigorous enough that no one will dare disrupt things."

The third-floor common area was empty, likely because all the others were either bathing or gathered in a private room. I quietly crept up to the fourth floor where I discovered Liu Xue alone on the couch staring at the dark television screen.

I approached from behind and draped my arm over her shoulders. "What's troubling our superstar? Did someone anger you today?"

Liu Xue didn't turn but rested her cheek against my hand, her touch feather-light yet intimate. "It's not that I'm unhappy... it's just worrying about whether you might be."

I sat beside her. She had recently bathed and was still damp from the shower, her skin perfumed with a delicate blend of soap and natural musk that sent shivers down my spine. Without thinking, I pulled her waist closer - her silk robe barely contained her curves.

Leaning close to whisper in her ear, "Don't you know how easy it is for me to lose control around you?" I asked as Mengan and Tingting had informed me of her acting hiatus and music career sabbatical.

Liu Xue melted into my embrace, unselfconsciously trusting after countless intimate moments between us. "Am I selfish wanting to retire from the spotlight? Endless media attention exhausts me."

I shook my head. "I would never begrudge any choice you make."

This only seemed to anger her more as she shifted our discussion toward relationship dynamics. "Why must we always choose for ourselves? Don't you ever want to be decisive about what's right?"

"Nothing could ever take you from me," I responded sincerely, "but I don't want any of you feeling pressured or conflicted. Your happiness is my only priority."

Embracing me tightly she whispered, "Then give me a chance tonight to make the choice for us both, darling husband."

Looking around at the empty house I suddenly lifted her in my arms, "What kind of choice did you have in mind?"

Liu Xue's lips brushed my ear as we ascended to her bedroom. "Carry me there and I'll show you."

Though Huang Andy was clearly unworthy of Liu Xue's affections, I readily agreed. As the door closed behind us three figures emerged from a concealed alcove.

Fang Yanmeng hissed excitedly, "They're in now! Quick, let's descend for our vantage point!"

Zhao Fang checked her wrist-mounted recorder, "Are all the cameras properly positioned? Don't want to interrupt and have to adjust mid-action."

Suxue fretted, "Exactly. We mustn't ruin the shot sequence."

Fang Yanmeng waved them off impatiently, "Don't worry - I've done this before! Hurry now or we'll miss the opening scene!"

Zhao Fang dashed downstairs to fetch her sister while Suxue organized the others. On our way back up they chortled about how Liu Xue would soon become their willing captive if she resisted future demands.

Back in Fang Yanmeng's room, a massive screen displayed multiple angles of Liu Xue's private quarters where two figures lay engaged in whispered conversation. Fang boosted volume controls until the murmurs became crystal clear.

Zhao Fen commanded respect regardless of her condition - even expectant mother Li Qi deferred to her as matriarch. When she noticed her younger sister and Fang Yanmeng plotting mischief, she chided them gently, "Leave our husband be - this is Liu Xue's first time together. Don't embarrass her."

Zhao Fang waved off the concern, "Sister, don't worry! Brother-in-law won't reprimand us for capturing such precious moments. Remember how we were too timid in our youth? Now look at all those extraordinary things we've done - he never scolded us and even praised us!"

Xiao Ru and Qingqing both blushed violently while Zhao Fang continued unabashed.

Xiaoru's face burned crimson as she struggled to maintain composure, but Qingqing managed a weak smile. "Fangfang, please stop teasing me about that breast enlargement episode - it was therapeutic for Xiao Ru not reckless experimentation!"

Zhao Fang wrapped herself around Qingqing comfortingly, "What's family if not honest with one another? Remember those videos we all watched together?" she hinted suggestively before Fang Yanmeng interrupted.

"Enough chit-chat! Let's watch. Our brother is undoing Liu Xue's clothing now!"

Cai Jingjing had become the quietest among us since her delayed arrival and traumatic brain injury, though recent recovery allowed participation in some social gatherings. Embarrassed by the exposed cleavage on screen she admitted, "Our bra sizes are identical but Liu Xue maintains her figure better - I've been eating too much lately."

As anticipation mounted Xiaochu suddenly proposed a wager, "Who can predict what happens next? The winner gets a prize!"

Ning Shixuan guessed first, "They'll kiss."

Yun Yao followed with, "He'll stimulate her breasts first - he always focuses on cleavage."

Zhang Xiaoya raised her hand and made a flute-playing gesture.

The screen confirmed her prediction exactly as Liu Xue knelt before me. Her lips traced from my neck downward until the camera captured that unmistakable intimate moment.

All present gasped in unison, "Xiaoya! You were spot on!"

Blushing she explained, "Liu Xue asked me about his preferences during our snow cave stay. When I told her about this familial tradition we all practice..."

Sudden accusations followed aimed at Zhao Ting, "How could you three in the cave not know anything?"

Zhao Ting, still new to our household's openness, blushed furiously before blurting out, "We only played with names - he wanted me to call him 'Father' during..." before fleeing in embarrassment.

Li Qi felt uneasy watching another woman service her husband. Subtle tingling sensations reminded her of the child growing within as she rose awkwardly. "I'll retire now," she announced firmly, unwilling to expose the unborn child to such influences.

Cheng Suxu followed with mock concern, "Yes! Let's not raise little devils who attract more wife material!"

Ccheng Suxu often accompanied Li Qi given her reduced workload at Yijin Construction - now focused solely on real estate development after transferring engineering work to Fang Yanmeng's Geothermal Division. Their shared interest in childrearing brought them closer.

As they left, Liu Xue's intimate service reached its climax and E Xiao Ru suggested leaving the younger women to their antics.

Afterward, when the screen showed Liu Xue arching beneath me with my hips surging into hers - her breasts bouncing wildly as muffled moans filled the room - Fang Yanmeng predicted the next move with certainty.

Xu Jing observed how Liu Xue's vocalizations matched her professional singing voice while Su Xue teased about competition. Ou Yang Qing explained technical differences between vocal techniques, sparking more giggles before most dispersed.

Suddenly Fang Yanmeng exclaimed triumphantly as Liu Xue raised her bottom exactly as predicted. Zhao Fang suggested inventing new positions to challenge our husband, leading to the television's abrupt shutdown and a hasty retreat to experiment with Suxue and Ou Yang Qian.

Panting from exertion, Liu Xue whispered, "Shall I fetch Tingting? You're far more vigorous tonight than in the cave where one girl sufficed."

"That was different," I explained between breaths. "Cave survival consumed much energy but now I can focus entirely on you."

Still she begged, "I'm exhausted! My throat feels burnt out. Please summon another woman - if not for me then at least spare my first experience from further harm."

I let her rest against my arm before slipping away quietly when she fell asleep as she had in the cave.

Descending to check on the remaining spouses I found E Xiao Ru, Long Nü, Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang gathered around Xiaoyu's room. Xiaohui had returned to basecamp where she still preferred working while I never attempted to restrict her mobility between locations.

Opening the door I joked, "What business occupies these four in Xiaoyu's quarters tonight? Beware of jealous spouses if Liu Xue discovers."

Slipping into bed with Xiaoyu I asked teasingly, "Don't you trust your sisters not to gossip about their observations?"

E Xiao Ru protested, "Your hands roam too freely when we're together. It's safer sitting."

Zhao Fang pushed the four closer to me, "Since Brother-in-law inquires let's discuss openly! Cover up if embarrassed!"

I pulled Zhao Fang close on my left and asked, "What urgent matters brought you here?"

As they sat along the bedrail Long Nü explained, "We've reached preliminary conclusions about Mars' magnetic field activation. Our expanding space operations require coordinated fleets with standardized weaponry beyond our current Hope-class carrier capabilities."

Nodding in agreement I acknowledged their prescience. Zhao Fen's earnest expression reminded me of my own importance to her.

E Xiao Ru added, "While our solar system presence seems secure for now, extraterrestrial threats remain unpredictable. Earth's stabilization only strengthens the need for immediate space militarization efforts."

Long Nü detailed our outer system defense systems while I considered their suggestions carefully before proposing alternative priorities.

Xiaoyu asked directly, "Then what are our most urgent tasks?"

I outlined my vision: "We must first establish orbital bases and spaceports to support fleet operations rather than relying solely on terrestrial facilities. This will provide critical redundancy for future expansion."

They nodded in agreement as I continued discussing ship classifications according to the Long Nü system, from light fighters through heavy carriers with specialized weaponry.

When Xiaoyu expressed concern about production capabilities, I reassured them our technological ambitions would drive progress without unnecessary waste while we maintained research and resource reserves.

As they reluctantly agreed to my military strategy, I teased about sharing their company before they fled in giggles. Xiao Ru and Xiaoyu remained as E Xiao Ru prepared for intimate experimentation on their behalf.

"Spring Festival plans?" I asked as our bodies aligned naturally between them.

She whispered secrets of interstellar navigation while E Xiao Ru guided us into position to continue this nightly ritual of discovery among my loving, devoted wives.