While Ogsha was conversing with Zhou Tianming, Ray took Lacus on a tour around the ship.
When they encountered a group of White Rabbit plushies running past, Lacus couldn't resist picking one up and cuddling it.
The White Rabbit instantly activated its operational mode, nuzzling cutely against Lacus, making her smile as she gently stroked its soft head.
After all, the Black Tortoise was a spaceship with limited areas to explore, so the two soon arrived at the bridge.
Upon seeing the full panoramic bridge, Lacus's eyes lit up as she looked around at the surrounding starscape.
"It's like being directly in cosmic space - so beautiful," Lacus praised.
Ray smiled slightly.
"Was this also designed by Tianming gege?"
Hearing her familiar address, Ray frowned, feeling a pang of sourness, but still answered: "The Black Tortoise originally had this design, but gege further optimized it during modifications to achieve this transparent effect."
"Truly impressive."
Ray puffed out his chest proudly: "Of course! Gege is the best!"
With a smile, Lacus lifted the White Rabbit to her face, tilting her head cutely: "Ray, could you tell me more about Tianming gege? I haven't heard much in PLANT, but Daddy often praises him."
"Of course!" Ray said earnestly. "Gege he..."
Once Zhou Tianming was mentioned, Ray seemed to have endless things to say.
He recounted Tianming's exploits one by one.
Lacus listened quietly, occasionally covering her mouth with surprised gasps or exclamations at key moments.
Ray's chest puffed out even more, his face full of pride and glory.
Holding the White Rabbit, its large white head covering half of Lacus's face, her gray eyes sparkled between its ears.
Just as Ray was about to run out of things to say and start digging into Tianming's embarrassing past, with Lacus waiting expectantly—
The bridge doors opened, and Zhou Tianming walked in chatting and laughing with Ogsha.
"Gege when he was little..."
Those few words made Tianming's heart skip a beat.
"He—"
Oh no!
Ray was about to sell me out!
In three quick strides, Tianming rushed behind Ray, covering his mouth with one hand while forcing a stiff smile at Lacus: "I need to talk with him." His other arm wrapped around Ray's waist as he lifted him up, turning away with a dark expression: "Ray, it's time to do your winter vacation homework!"
"???"
Without another glance at Ogsha and Lacus, he quickly left.
"Gege," Ray struggled free from the hand covering his mouth, "I was just telling Lacus about your experiences. Can't I do the homework later?" "Shut up!"
Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Ogsha glanced questioningly at Lacus, who responded with a bright smile.
For the rest of the day, a confused and oblivious Ray was forced by Tianming to sit at a desk doing homework.
Tianming even "cruelly" added several extra assignments.
Watching Ray pout while scribbling furiously, Tianming smiled in satisfaction.
Lacus was truly Lacus—so young yet already skilled at this. He'd nearly had all his secrets exposed.
Glaring at Ray with frustration, Tianming thought:
This kid really hasn't experienced life's hardships yet, getting tricked into spilling everything without realizing it.
Meanwhile, Ogsha and Lacus returned to their room for afternoon tea and conversation.
Ogsha mentioned her misunderstanding with Zhou Tianming, laughing uncontrollably as she spoke.
Lacus listened with shining eyes, her face showing thoughtful expression.
Several hours later, the Black Tortoise arrived at Mendel Satellite.
Zhou Hanxiang immediately took Ogsha away.
Zhou Tianming was dumbfounded: "Hey, what about Lacus? Just leaving her with me like this?"
Behind him, Lacus—now changed into a pink dress—curtsied gracefully: "Tianming gege, I'll be in your care for the coming days."
"Sigh..." Tianming scratched his head. "Anything you want to do or places you'd like to visit? With me around, safety won't be an issue."
A serious voice replied: "There is something I'd like to ask of you."
"Hmm?"
"I want you to go to PLANT to protect Daddy."
Pausing, Tianming shook his head: "Unnecessary. With Patrick Zala there, nothing will happen."
"But—"
"Lacus," Tianming said, "I know you're worried about Siegel uncle, but protection isn't about having more people. My going might disrupt Patrick's arrangements, giving enemies opportunities."
"But you're stronger!"
"Siegel uncle's situation is different from yours. He needs to make public appearances for work—that requires professional security teams to arrange and screen for dangers, not something individual capability can solve."
"Then if I—"
Seeing Lacus's expression, Tianming sternly cut her off: "Don't even think about it! Just stay put quietly." "Understood..." Lacus replied dejectedly, curtsying before turning to walk back into the Black Tortoise.
"Remarkable for someone so young."
Just then, Ray came running over with a bright smile: "Gege! I finished my homework!"
Sighing.
The difference between people could be so vast...
Tianming ruffled Ray's hair vigorously.
"Gege! What are you doing?!"
Ray struggled futilely.
Tianming didn't dwell on the matter, going about his business until dinner when something felt off.
Lacus remained stone-faced throughout the meal, putting down her bowl silently before leaving for her room.
This...
Tianming looked puzzled.
Was she throwing a tantrum?
Only then did he remember Lacus was just thirteen, and unlike the original timeline, had grown up with Ogsha's constant companionship—her temperament couldn't be as mature as in canon.
"Gege made Lacus angry."
Even Ray, shoveling rice into his mouth, noticed the tension.
"Women~"
Tianming shook his head in lament.
As the saying goes: "Of all that's hard to raise, women and small men are worst."
Being both young and female, Lacus wasn't easily appeased.
Though she didn't make scenes—always smiling, behaving gracefully with perfect manners—Tianming often felt resentful stares drilling into the back of his head.
It gave him the constant sensation of impending brick-to-head violence.
While seeing Lacus act petulant was amusing, letting it continue wasn't an option.
Fortunately, Zhou Hanxiang and Ogsha were "sequestered" reviewing documents, sparing him their nagging.
Regarding Siegel's protection, Tianming held firm—don't interfere.
So he had to find other ways to cheer her up.
After much thought, only one solution remained—music.
Coincidentally, two of the series' three musicians were present—a heaven-sent opportunity.
After docking at East Asia's spaceport, they took a shuttle to Earth's famous music capitals for tourism.
Vienna, Hamburg, Naples, Paris...
Ray was first to fall under music's spell, becoming inseparable from pianos. Tianming dotingly set up a dedicated music room aboard the Black Tortoise for him.
Naturally, Lacus too succumbed to music's allure, frequently discussing it with Ray, her mood visibly brightening. Though she remained cool toward Tianming, he didn't mind.
Rather, he found it entertaining—this might be the only chance to see Lacus act spoiled.
Their enjoyable musical journey lasted a month before ending.
Ray reluctantly bid Lacus farewell to return to school.
Tianming asked curiously: "Don't you need to attend school?"
"My family situation is special—I have private tutors."
"Damn privileged rich kids!"
Lacus smiled sweetly, enunciating each word: "Would the King of the Wastes, Lord of Mendel, lack money?"
Thunderstruck!
Tianming clutched his chest: "Don't use those titles—my heart can't take it."
"Hmph!" she snorted.
Suddenly, music rang out as Tianming pulled out his phone: "Hello?"
A mature woman's voice answered: "Zhou Tianming, I'd like to commission your help."
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