For two days straight, Ziye had been psyching herself up, finally managing to push down the shadows in her heart, steeling herself to go to Fia over the weekend. However, before the weekend even arrived, the termination notice from the Interstellar Federation landed first.

"Interstellar Federation Chief Design Director Tang Wen is gravely derelict in his duties, violating Federation regulations by piloting a shuttle with an expired pilot's license during work hours, resulting in detention. Given the severity of the situation, the Interstellar Federation has carefully decided to sever his employment contract. From this point forward, Tang Wen's actions shall have no relation to the Interstellar Federation."

The Interstellar Federation broadcast this news during prime time, attaching the 'Resignation Agreement' signed by Tang Wen. Everyone across the stars was stunned!

Within minutes, the news had spread like wildfire across the galaxy.

Some joked that this was the harshest punishment for unlicensed driving in the history of the Space Age.

Others commented that this was the biggest stain on Tang Wen's life and the biggest joke at the expense of the Interstellar Federation.

Even more people pointed at Tang Wen's annual salary and exclaimed: "A colossal breach of contract penalty! This is the largest penalty amount in space history, shattering the previous record and set to be etched into the annals!"

Media outlets and magazines scrambled for coverage, churning out all sorts of bizarre commentary.

What was even more chaotic than the commentary were the recruiters and offers pouring into Niya’s space station, all flying towards Fia. Besides the Interstellar Federation and Fia, almost every major power had extended an invitation to Tang Wen.

The Moko Clan, the Huaxia Legion, the Seji Clan, the Angelic Domain, and so on. The most absurd was the invitation thrown by the Tama Pirate Group, entrenched in the Tem Star System.

The Tama Pirate Group’s invitation was exceedingly sincere, stating: Pirates are the inevitable trend of this Great Interstellar Age; only by joining us can one truly achieve life's goals. Our team is a gathering of elites; with your addition, we will surely be like a tiger growing wings. In short: Join us. Let us create a beautiful future together!

As soon as the news broke, the entire galaxy descended into bewildered laughter.

The entire incident spiraled into something of a farce.

Whenever the topic arose, people would pull out the Interstellar Federation’s termination letter and the Pirate Group’s invitation to read aloud, turning it into the quintessential piece of after-dinner gossip.

Ziye’s heart hammered against her ribs as she watched one piece of news after another.

The thing she feared most had happened!

The Interstellar Federation had fired Tang Wen, leaving Fia without a restraint. They would undoubtedly resort to any means necessary to recruit him. If Tang Wen refused, there would be only one consequence.

Fia would never allow something they couldn't have to fall into anyone else's hands.

They would destroy Tang Wen!

Ziye trembled as she dialed Tang Wen’s Chrono-Comm.

Unreachable.

She felt her very core shaking.

She dialed Bran’s Chrono-Comm.

Still unreachable.

With a sudden hardening of her resolve, she closed her eyes and dialed Stas’s Chrono-Comm.

Even Stas was unreachable!

Ziye’s heart turned to stone. She looked at Little Sprout and commanded, "Good Bean, help me track the current location of Tang Wen’s Chrono-Comm."

Little Sprout looked down on her with disdain. "No way! Where are my clothes? My new clothes aren't ready yet; how can I have the energy to help you?" Ziye lowered her gaze to the tattered remnants of the clothes she had grabbed on him, and with a placating smile, she said, "Right away. I'll ask April to make you a new set."

No sooner had the words left her lips than her Chrono-Comm chimed.

Ziye thought it was a message from Tang Wen and happily opened it—it was April.

April chirped sweetly, "Little Ye, a few days ago you asked me to help make clothes for your little doll. I haven't had time until now. They're finally done. When can you come pick them up?"

Ziye nearly jumped out of her skin. She said emotionally, "April, you are the kindest person! I love you so much!"

April acted proud. "Save the pleasantries. You have to do me a favor first."

Ziye thumped her chest in agreement, "Deal, as long as I can manage it, anything goes."

April gave a sly grin. "Little Ye, you're more familiar with Senior Brother Li Chunyu. Do you know what he likes to eat? I noticed he’s been working so hard lately and want to cook something for him."

Ziye’s eyes widened in surprise. "You? Senior Brother Li Chunyu?"

April blushed shyly. "You won't help me?"

Ziye quickly nodded, "I will, I absolutely will. It's just... I'm a little conflicted. You all have people you like, so why doesn't anyone like me?"

April gave an expression of smugness mixed with consolation. "Little sister, you are still young; your road ahead is long..."

Without another word, Ziye rushed over to April's place, dumped every single one of Li Chunyu's preferences on her, and collected Little Sprout’s clothes. April was indeed someone who got things done; she had already prepared three sets of clothes for Little Sprout, all seamless.

Ziye was astonished. "You're too fast! I only mentioned it this morning, and you finished them this afternoon?" April countered, "Didn't you send me a message a few days ago asking me to make them? I was afraid you’d need them urgently, so I got started right away." Ziye opened her Chrono-Comm, scrolled through the records until she found the message that didn't belong to her, and couldn't help but twitch the corner of her eye. But as soon as she got the items, she was happy. After a brief chat with April, she hurried back to the apartment.

Little Sprout was ecstatic to get his new clothes. He changed into them; one set was a little floral dress.

Wearing the dress, he happily spun in circles in front of Ziye, the little floral skirt lifting up in a beautiful arc. His two eyes gazed at Ziye with anticipation: "Mommy Ziye, do I look good like this?"

Douzai looked up at Little Sprout, then at Ziye. It dropped the metal chew toy, chewed diligently, and vigorously worked its bubble-blowing tool. Red bubbles rose behind Little Sprout, instantly creating a scene of stunning beauty...

Ziye looked up: (⊙ o ⊙)

Suddenly, she didn't know what to say.

Little Sprout saw her stunned expression and felt deeply hurt. "Mommy Ziye, do you not love me anymore?" Ziye snapped back to reality, gave a dry cough, and said against her better judgment, "Gorgeous! Little Sprout, you are certainly the most beautiful girl!"

Little Sprout instantly exploded in anger: "This Lord is a man! A man!!!"

Ziye reached out and flicked the hem of his little floral skirt. "Does a man wear pretty little dresses?" Little Sprout’s body stiffened, and with a soft thud, he dropped to the floor and played dead.

Ziye pinched the hem of his little floral skirt and lifted him up. "Stop playing dead. I gave you the clothes; hurry up and find out where Tang Wen is right now."

Little Sprout, having failed at playing dead, shrank his body by one-third with a wronged look and took off the dress. Ziye didn't hesitate; she picked up a fluffy garment and forced it onto him. "There, there, this one looks good, really, super manly!"

As she spoke, she turned on the light screen and snapped a photo of him from the front, back, left, and right. With a sweet smile, she said, "If you don't find out where he is, I’ll delete these pictures, okay?"

Little Sprout immediately leaped up: "Actioning now!"

Although the guy was often troublesome, he was absolutely reliable when serious.

Ziye had just finished drinking a cup of tea when he had everything figured out.

"Mommy Ziye..."

Ziye finally had the mood for pleasantries and shot him a sidelong glance. "Don't call me Mommy!"

If it weren't for the program he’d deliberately installed, the robots wouldn't all be calling her Mommy Ziye. Every time a robot addressed her that way, she wanted to crush it between her two fingers.

Little Sprout quickly adapted. "Ms. Ziye, Tang Wen is currently in the Niya Star System. The exact location is uncertain. Fia is too detestable; they've shielded Tang Wen's Chrono-Comm signal!"

Ziye felt a sharp clench in her heart. Damn it, Fia, you've gone too far!

She clenched her fist and asked, "Is there any way to break through it? If not, we’ll just have to go to Fia."

Little Sprout giggled. "With this Lord here, why worry? Wait for me to hack into their surveillance system covering Tang Wen's recent location, and I'll give you the live feed."

Ziye’s expression instantly cleared from gloomy to bright. She hugged him tightly and planted a big kiss on him. "Good child." Little Sprout was fast. Just as Ziye finished her class, he successfully hacked into one of Fia’s space stations. The light screen expanded, allowing Ziye to see Tang Wen’s figure.

What met her eyes was an extremely luxurious building.

Crystalline floors reflected the bright lights, making people feel as if they were walking on diamonds. Everything inside the structure seemed centered around crystal, making it exceptionally magnificent.

Crystal itself is a delicate material, but in the building before her eyes, it unexpectedly conveyed a sense of grandeur and stability.

"This, this is..." Ziye pointed a finger at the screen, speechless.

Little Sprout flapped his wings and confirmed her suspicion. "That’s right. This is the legendary seat of Fia’s government, the Fining Crystal Palace."

—Fia is a place where the feminine dominates the masculine; even if men appear to be in charge on the surface, women actually hold the reins most of the time. The women of Fia adore crystal and spent immense wealth to construct the Crystal Palace that commands the admiration of the world.

Wasn't Tang Wen supposed to be in a detention center? Why was he in the Crystal Palace?

Ziye's fingertips twitched. Had Fia already started trying to woo Tang Wen into their ranks?

What incredible speed!

Ziye looked down and saw Douzai slowly inching across the carpet, resembling a clump of ball-shaped light-green vegetable worms. Her heart softened slightly. She scooped it up and placed it on her lap, letting its soft warmth comfort her.

Tang Wen was seated in a lavish interior, his legs crossed, looking calm and leisurely. His complexion was also good; he showed none of the haggard look or the unshaven face one might expect after detention (Ziye admitted she had overthought things).

Zongzi, he looked nothing like a detainee; instead, he seemed like a supremely honored guest. On the light screen, his perfect profile was visible, his nose aquiline. Looking closer, one could detect a faint trace of impatience.

Bran stood behind him, expressionless.

Not far ahead of him, robotic attendants stood silently. At the door stood four bodyguards—it was unclear if they were protecting him or preventing his escape.

Ziye breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter what, at least he was safe for now.

As long as he didn't serve Fia, everything was negotiable.

If he agreed to become a designer for Fia, then she would sever all ties with him, absolutely, no joke!

The corner of her eye twitched violently, her hand clenched into a tight ball. Biting down hard, she whispered, "Teacher, you must not join Fia, or I will never forgive you. Do you hear me?"