I'm a little panicked when I cross the collapse

"So... I spent the night outside?" Lu Qiong asked suspiciously, secretly pondering his experience from the previous night.

“The child who answers correctly deserves a reward, but… as punishment for your staying out all night, Qiong’er…” Aponia’s voice was deep and gentle, yet carried a hint of something unfathomable.

"Come to my room tonight." Aponia's words were like a command, leaving no room for discussion.

As she spoke, Aponia's jade-like hand gently caressed Lu Qiong's cheek. Her fingertips seemed to carry an electric current, causing Lu Qiong's body to tremble involuntarily.

"Sister Aponia, this really was an accident!" Lu Qiong hurriedly explained, "I actually went to help Dr. Möbius with his experiment. I was so focused that I forgot the time. By the time the experiment was over, it was already dawn. I really didn't mean to stay out all night."

However, Aponia simply smiled slightly, a smile that seemed to conceal some deeper meaning.

"Hehe~" she chuckled softly, her delicate, soft fingertips slowly tracing the skin of Lu Qiong's cheek, finally stopping at his chin.

"What a flimsy excuse, it smells like a lie."

Lu Qiong's face instantly turned somewhat awkward. He opened his mouth, wanting to continue arguing, but Aponia interrupted him.

"Alright, no need for further words. Tonight... Qiong'er, you can come on time." Although Aponia's tone was still gentle, the decisiveness in it was irresistible.

Aponia did not expose Lu Qiong's lie, but simply reminded him again.

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Lu Qiong said helplessly, "Alright, I'll go."

"Hmm~"

Aponia squinted in satisfaction and patted Lu Qiong's head.

It seems the child is quite obedient.

........................

"Aponia, we're back."

Just a second ago, Lu Qiong was escaping the romantic atmosphere when the door was suddenly pushed open.

"Hey? Xiaoqiong, you're here too."

Upon her return, Pado excitedly ran up to Lu Qiong.

"Ok?"

Lu Qiong couldn't help but wonder, "Sister Pado, where did you go to play?"

"Hehe, of course I'm going out to buy more goods. I'm always staying in one place, and Xiao Qiong, you're not here, so of course I have to go out for a walk."

"Oh, that's right."

Lu Qiong suddenly realized that this was indeed the case, as Pado's personality was just like that.

*Smack!* Pado suddenly slapped her forehead, saying with obvious annoyance:

"Oh right, Xiao Qiong, I was so busy talking to you that I forgot to introduce the new friends I made outside."

"Come in quickly, Sister Aili. He is my family here—Lu Qiong."

Following Pado's gaze, there was a pretty pink-haired girl dressed in casual clothes.

"Oh my, this is the little brother you were talking about, Little Paddy. He's so cute."

Lu Qiong was shocked: "Aili?! Why did Sister Pado bring her back?"

Since being transferred to the headquarters of the Fire Moth, after learning that Alicia had become the captain of the Fire Moth squad long before him, Lu Qiong decided to temporarily avoid contact with Alicia in order to avoid trouble, and would avoid her as much as possible on weekdays.

But now...

"Hehe, of course, Xiao Qiong was raised by us, and she's always been adorable."

Hearing Ellie's praise, Pado chuckled foolishly.