I told you they were a bickering couple

The affairs of Primordial Data Federation are initially on track. Although the daughters' daily "surprises" are troublesome, they have gradually figured out some ways to deal with them: such as installing physical locks on important equipment and setting time to stabilize the field in areas where Shiyu often stays.

Luo Li was finally able to catch her breath occasionally and think about some "diplomatic" matters.

For example, revisiting allies and showing concern for old friends.

When he once again set foot in the holy city of Okhema through the data channel, the familiar scene was playing out in the familiar Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace Square—it could even be said to have become a "regular event" for every visit he made.

"Your Majesty, the dome design of this council chamber is far too rigid, so square and lacking any artistic flair! Watch me adorn it with ' Starry Sky Phantasmal Color Magic,' and I guarantee it will spark inspiration in those old-fashioned councilors during meetings!"

Kong Yan'er's voice remained light and frivolous.

Today he was dressed in a black and white tailcoat with gold trim, wearing a top hat, and brandishing a magic wand inlaid with star-shaped gems, attempting to "cast a spell" on the solemn dome of the council chamber.

Cerydra was dressed in a white and gold royal robe, her long blue and white hair was perfectly styled, and her posture was as upright as a pine tree.

She didn't even look up at the colorful streams of light emanating from Kong Yan'er's fingertips, attempting to transform the dome murals into a dynamic star map. Instead, she calmly and precisely instructed the attendant beside her, "Record: The seventh attempt today to carry out unauthorized 'artistic alteration' on a Class-I imperial building has failed. The related energy fluctuations have been absorbed by the pre-set barrier."

Her tone was calm and even, as if she were stating "the weather is nice today," but deep in her blue eyes, there seemed to be a very faint, almost imperceptible hint of... familiarity, and even a touch of "it's happening again."

"Hey! Tyrant! Take a look! This is our carefully designed ' Light of Enlightenment ' illusion!" Kong Yan'er complained, seeing that her magic was blocked by the invisible barrier again.

Just then, a voice with a lazy smile, yet inexplicably reassuring, broke in:

"Little Sea Urchin, your ' Light of Enlightenment ' looks more like a palette spilled on Caesar's majestic dome!"

Hysilens appeared at some point slightly behind Cerydra's side.

Today she wore a gradient long dress that resembled ocean waves and foam, her long, dark blue hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she was even holding a crystal-clear glass of honey wine in her hand, as if she were just passing by to watch a play.

She looked at Kong Yan'er with a smile, her words affectionate yet teasing. "And this is the seventh time, you know? I remember last time a certain Little Sea Urchin boasted that he would definitely leave Caesar speechless with amazement within three tries~"

"Little Sea Urchin?!" Kong Yan'er stared at Hysilens with her heterochromatic eyes as if she had been stepped on.

"You drunken siren! Who's the Little Sea Urchin?! I'm just trying to break the Order and inject some Elation energy!"

"Yes, yes, vitality."

Hysilens took a sip of honey wine, her smile unchanged, but she took a small half-step forward, subtly blocking the aftershocks of Cerydra and Kong Yan'er's magic.

"However, rather than energy, I think Caesar needs some 'quiet' right now to deal with the mountain of memorials, doesn't he, Caesar?"

She tilted her head slightly to look at Cerydra, her eyes filled with questioning and a hint of barely perceptible protectiveness.

Cerydra almost imperceptibly, her gaze sweeping over Kong Yan'er, her tone still calm. "If you're really bored, you can help Aglaea take care of the nymphs in the ' Golden Thread Cocoonery,' or perform your magic tricks at the Marble Fair; they might need your 'vitality' more there."

These words sounded like a dismissal, but those who knew her well could tell that this was almost the "gentle" dismissal Her Majesty could give—she even offered two "officially permitted" locations for causing trouble.

Kong Yan'er naturally understood as well. Far from being discouraged, he seemed to have received some kind of permission, his eyes lit up, and he twirled his magic wand between his fingertips.

"A marketplace? Great idea! We've just discovered a new magic trick—'turning honey into a fountain'—that will surely broaden the horizons of your people!"

He was in high spirits, but his gaze drifted to the cup in Hysilens's hand.

Hysilens immediately pulled the cup closer to her chest, warily saying, "Don't even think about it! This is deep-sea honey that's been stored for three hundred years!"

"Mean!"

Kong Yan'er pursed his lips, but his smile remained unchanged. He seemed to only suddenly notice Luo Li not far away, and waved with a grin. "Yo! Data God! Visiting again? Don't you think your 'parenting war' is much more interesting than this?"

Luo Li then smiled and stepped forward, nodding to Cerydra and Hysilens.

"Every time I come here, I see such a vibrant scene," Luo Li joked, her gaze shifting between Kong Yan'er and Cerydra.

"It seems that Okhema's daily life hasn't been affected at all by the end of the Black Tide; it remains... vibrant and colorful."

Cerydra nodded slightly. "A little noise, nothing to worry about—but you, Luo Li, I heard it's quite 'lively' on your end."

She had obviously learned about Shiyu Shiyi's heroic deeds through some channels (possibly Lu Jingheng's data sharing, or perhaps Kong Yan'er's big mouth).

Luo Li smiled wryly, "It's definitely a bit too 'lively'."

He looked at Kong Yan'er, who was trying to use magic to take away Hysilens Wine, but was blocked by Hysilens with a gentle curtain of water, and at Cerydra, who, although expressionless, seemed to be following the elusive figure with her gaze. The troubles he had with his daughters were somewhat relieved by the interesting scene before him.

He leaned close to Castorice's ear and, in a voice just loud enough for everyone present to hear, said with a smile:

"See, Castorice, I told you they were a bickering couple."

One was desperately trying to scatter confetti on the meticulously crafted chessboard, while the other, seemingly disgusted, had even perfectly set up a barrier that only absorbed energy without reflecting damage, and pointed out two places where they could legally run wild...

Castorice covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her purple eyes full of understanding.

Kong Yan'er's ears seemed to twitch, but he pretended not to hear and continued his "battle of wits" with Hysilens, who was protecting the honey.

Cerydra seemed not to have heard, and simply said to Luo Li, "Since we're here, why don't we go and take a look at the newly planned commercial area of Marble Fair?"

Your 'Federation' might offer some lessons in interstellar trade.

She took the initiative to extend the invitation, which was partly a change of topic, but it also had official considerations.

"With pleasure." Luo Li readily agreed.

The group headed towards the market.

Along the way, Kong Yan'er kept talking non-stop, commenting on the architecture one moment and performing little magic tricks to amuse the children on the roadside the next, eliciting gasps and laughter.

Cerydra listened silently to Luo Li's ideas about the trade network most of the time, occasionally giving brief responses, but whenever Kong Yan'er's magic might affect passersby or important stalls, there would always be an extremely precise, invisible force that gently brushed it away or eliminated it.

Hysilens followed leisurely half a step behind Cerydra, sipping her honey wine while watching the two mischievous duo ahead. A lazy, warm smile, as if she had seen through everything, graced her face. Occasionally, when Kong Yan'er got too carried Kong Yan'er, she would gently call out, "Little Sea Urchin, watch where you're going," or flick a small splash of water to interrupt his overly whimsical pranks.

Watching this incredibly natural and harmonious interaction, Luo Li Li's smile deepened.

This is hardly a "tyrant" or a "funny person"; he's clearly someone who's used to having others make a ruckus or even cause trouble, and then silently cleans up the mess for them.

The other, seemingly unrestrained, actually shrewdly treads the line between tolerance and protection, tirelessly acting as the most active "destabilizing factor" and... unique feature of this ancient holy city.

A perfect example of a bickering couple.

And judging from this trend, it seems that "achieving a happy ending" is not far off, Luo Li thought to herself, feeling that this visit was truly worth the price of admission.