Let's Strike While the Iron's Hot Too

The twilight in a family courtyard always carries a gentle warmth, as if blessed by time.

The babbling of the data energy stream seemed to have its own calming rhythm, and the exotic flowers and plants that Luo Li had personally "defined" swayed gently in the evening breeze, exuding a sweet fragrance that blended real floral scents with pure energy factors.

As dusk settles over the distant capital, the Morning Star begin to twinkle, creating a dazzling spectacle that undists the Tranquility of the place.

Luo Li sat on his usual swing chair, not reading, but simply relaxing and leaning back, his gaze fixed on his wife not far away.

The Castorice was perched next to a clump of plants called "Starry Night Lily of the Valley".

This plant was a gift from Ruan Mei during one of her visits. Its flowers are shaped like inverted bells, with petals displaying a deep blue-purple hue and veins flowing with a fluorescence resembling a miniature galaxy.

At this moment, Castorice was carefully guiding a wisp of extremely subtle, cool energy, belonging to her own River of Souls power, with her fingertips, gently brushing it over a slightly wilted flower bud.

Her movements were focused and gentle, her purple eyes lowered, and her profile was outlined with soft lines in the dimming light.

That wisp of River of Souls aura should have symbolized Finality and silence, but under her control, it transformed into the gentlest nourishment, activating the almost stagnant life force deep within the flower bud.

The wilted flower bud visibly plumped up, its blue-purple color deepening, and the starlight in its veins rekindled, making it even more vibrant than the flowers beside it. It trembled gently, as if thanking the Castorice.

Watching his wife's profile as she focused on tending the flowers and plants, and seeing the delicate and gentle power wielded by her fingertips, a corner of Luo Li's heart was gently touched.

He recalled how, long ago, in that small rented room, Castorice clumsily learned to use modern home appliances;

I remembered the tiny flicker of joy in her eyes when she successfully made her first decent breakfast;

I remembered the way she walked resolutely towards me in her white veil at our wedding;

She also recalled the radiant maternal glow on her face when she held the newborn Shiyu and Shiyi in her arms, a glow that was a mixture of exhaustion and pain, yet also an incomparably brilliant maternal glow.

Time flies, and she has transformed from a distant and aloof Battlefield Saintess traveled from another era into his wife, a mother of two, and now she is able to use her power so skillfully to create life and beauty.

His gaze softened, carrying a deep affection and appreciation.

Castorice seemed to sense his gaze. After finishing with the lily of the valley, she looked up and met his eyes.

She smiled slightly, patted the non-existent dirt off her hands, got up and walked over, naturally sitting down in the empty swing seat next to him.

"What are you looking at?" she asked softly, leaning slightly towards him, bringing a familiar warmth with the scent of flowers and grass.

"Look at you," Luo Li answered honestly, putting her arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable. "Look at how you take care of the flowers and plants."

Castorice followed his gaze to the cluster of newly revitalized Starry Night Lily of the Valley, her smile deepening, "Flowers given by Ms. Ruan Mei are always a bit delicate."

This plant seems a little unaccustomed to the 'data sunshine' cycle of the Morning Star, and needs a little... well, 'comfort' from its homeland."

She spoke of it casually, but Luo Li knew what exquisite control it would take to ensure that the power of the River of Souls would not harm the fragile plant, but instead become a tonic.

You always manage to do these things very well.

Luo Li whispered, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of her silver-purple hair.

"I took care of Shiyu Shiyi this way before, and I take care of these flowers and plants this way now."

Castorice leaned on his shoulder, feeling the lingering warmth of the twilight and the reassuring scent emanating from him, and said softly, "Because I like it."

Seeing your life improve in your own hands is a very happy thing.

She paused, her voice softening slightly, "It's like watching Shiyu and Shiyi grow from such tiny little things to who they are now... Although they always cause a little trouble, every time I see them seriously studying what they love, with the light in their eyes, I feel... it's all worth it."

Luo Li listened quietly, the ripples in her heart gradually expanding.

He recalled the information screen he had glimpsed in Morning Star Square during the day, the envious comments from the Federation members, the silent yet dazzling fireworks at Kong Yan'er and Cerydra's wedding, and even more so, the despair he felt long ago when he was alone in the cold, deep sea, thinking he had lost everything.

Now, he embraces genuine warmth and possesses everything he desires.

His arms tightened slightly, holding Castorice even closer.

"Castorice." He suddenly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the deepening twilight.

"Hmm?" Castorice responded, waiting for what was to come.

Luo Li remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly choosing his words. He rarely hesitated like this.

"I'm thinking..." he said slowly, his gaze falling on some traces left after playing in the courtyard—the fluorescent swing model that Shiyi had built with data streams and which had not yet completely dissipated, and the small cluster of exceptionally lush luminous flowers that Shiyu had used to practice time acceleration.

"Shiyu and Shiyi... have grown up."

Castorice gave a soft "hmm" to indicate that she was listening, but she was a little puzzled, wondering why her husband had suddenly remarked on this.

"They have their own strength, their own interests, and their own paths to follow. Although they are still with us, one day they will fly to farther places."

Luo Li's voice was steady, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible emotion.

Castorice understood. She turned her head, nuzzled his shoulder, and comforted him, "That's a good thing. As parents, isn't it all we want to see them fly independently? And no matter how far they fly, this will always be their home."

"I know." Luo Li lowered her head, her forehead touching Luo Li's, their breaths mingling at such close proximity. "I just feel... this house, it seems... suddenly a little too quiet?"

Castorice paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Quiet? Do you mean Shiyi didn't trigger the system alarm three times within ten minutes, or that Shiyu didn't make the flow of time in a certain area like a drunkard's walk?"

"I mean," Luo Li laughed, but there was something else in her smile, "The kind of lively fun that belongs to 'little ones'."

He stepped back slightly, looking into Castorice's eyes, those purple eyes like the purest gems in the twilight.

"I mean, the kind of 'lively' experience where you have to get up in the middle of the night to feed them, frantically change their diapers, worry about them getting hurt, listen to their babbling and learning to talk, and watch them wobbling and learning to walk..."

Castorice was completely stunned, her purple eyes widening slightly, unable to react for a moment.

Luo Li held her hand, her fingertips gently caressing the ring on her ring finger, a ring formed from data yet containing an eternal vow.

"I mean," his voice was low and gentle, filled with unprecedented seriousness and a hint of barely perceptible anticipation, "Should we... also 'seize the opportunity'?"

Castorice's heart skipped a beat for a moment.

She looked into her husband's eyes, which were so close to hers, and saw her reflection clearly, along with undisguised, deep longing and love.

"While it's hot...?" she repeated the word, her voice trembling slightly, a blush creeping onto her face. She understood.

"Mm." Luo Li nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

"Look, Kong Yan'er and Cerydra have already tied the knot, causing chaos in Okhema every day. Our two 'main accounts' are almost ready to be completed... Should we consider creating a 'secondary account'?"

He spoke in a lighthearted, teasing tone, but the seriousness in his eyes was unmistakable.

"I..." Castorice opened her mouth, her cheeks burning hot, and her heart pounding like crazy.

The suggestion came suddenly, yet... it didn't seem unexpected.

She recalled her husband's joking remark about wanting to "use a secondary account" when he was overwhelmed by their daughters. So... it wasn't entirely a joke after all?

"Didn't you say before... that raising children is too tiring, and that one Shiyu and one Shiyi is enough?"

She asked softly, her fingertips unconsciously gripping his hand.

"It's quite tiring," Luo Li admitted, but her smile deepened, "But... it's very worthwhile—and things are different now than before."

He looked around the peaceful and beautiful courtyard, and gazed at the brightly lit and Order federal capital in the distance.

"We have a home now, a real home. We have enough resources, a safe environment, each other, and Lu Jingheng to help keep an eye on things... We won't be like before, living in fear in a rented room, worrying about our identities being exposed, worrying about the uncertain future."

He looked at Castorice again, his eyes so tender they could melt starlight.

"Most importantly, we've gained experience. We know how to deal with 'walking bugs' and ' Spacetime turbulence,' right?" he added humorously.

Castorice finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, though her eyes felt a little hot.

Yes, things are different now.

Those turbulent and uncertain days are over.

Now they are strong, stable, and have each other. If raising Shiyu Shiyi was filled with too much environmental pressure and unknown fear, now they can simply enjoy the joy and anticipation of welcoming new life.

She lowered her head, looking at their clasped hands, and then gently touched her lower abdomen—though it was still flat as before.

A strange, warm feeling spread from the depths of my heart.

"Are you really sure?"

She raised her head, her purple eyes shimmering with tears, yet carrying a clear smile and a hint of shy confirmation.

"I've thought it through."

Luo Li answered without hesitation, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I really want to."

Castorice closed her eyes, feeling the warmth on her lips and the surging warmth and joy in her heart.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, which were filled with tenderness and determination.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered something in a low voice, her voice filled with laughter and endless sweetness. "... Then, let's do it while it's still hot."

As dusk settled completely, the stars quietly appeared.

In the courtyard, the swing chair sways gently, and the silhouettes of two people embracing are warm and perfect under the starlight.

New expectations, like the Starry Night Lily of the Valley flower bud saved by the Castorice, quietly sprout and await their bloom.