After returning to their living quarters, Karl saw Diwen cooking.
"How did it go? They didn't cause any trouble, right?"
Without turning her head, Diwen continued cooking.
Karl watched her figure—curved in all the right places, wearing an apron, naturally giving off the aura of a gentle, caring wife.
For some reason, Karl suddenly stepped forward, hugged her from behind, and rested his chin on top of her head. "They were just being cautious. I tied them up and hung them."
Diwen was about a head shorter than Karl. Barefoot, she was around 1.7 meters tall, but compared to Karl's 1.96 meters, she seemed quite small.
She kept working, seemingly unconcerned about Karl clinging to her. As she placed vegetables into the pot, she asked, "Aren't you worried they'll hold a grudge?"
Karl replied softly, "No. A bunch of straightforward guys—kind at heart, but very defensive."
Neither of them was truly worried. This group wasn't strong enough to threaten them. At worst, they might damage the ship—and with Karl around, even that was unlikely.
"I'll invite them over for dinner later. We'll have a group of aliens as guests."
The vegetables didn't need long to cook. Diwen plated the dish and handed it to Karl.
Karl released her waist, placed the plate on the table behind him, then returned and hugged her again.
Pinned in place, Diwen couldn't turn around. She glanced back at him. "Hey, I still have to cook. I can't move like this!"
Karl refused to let go. "I suddenly realized how virtuous you are… I'm afraid this version of you might suddenly disappear."
Diwen smacked his hand on her waist. "Can't you say something nicer? I cook all the time—you're never this clingy. Relax, it's hot!"
"I never paid much attention before," Karl said, tightening his arms and pulling her closer. "But today, after coming back and seeing you cooking… it feels warm. Like when we used to run that flower shop in Los Angeles."
Diwen struggled even more, nudging him with her elbow. "Are you trying to squeeze me to death? Let go already! Isn't hugging me every night enough? I'm busy—stop getting in the way!"
"Kiss me, and I'll leave."
Karl lowered his head toward her face. For a moment, as he looked at her busy figure, his heart stirred. He thought of the Diwu who had once silently sacrificed everything for him and died.
They were the same person, yet completely different. That Diwu had taught him many things, only to lose to him in the end. This Diwen hadn't taught him anything, yet they often clashed.
Today, he suddenly realized—Diwen had always been Diwen. Only her experiences were different. She wasn't some stranger. But he was no longer the Karl who needed her to care for him every day.
Diwen turned around in his arms, looking at him with concern. "You're not hurt by them… right?"
Karl's expression darkened. "Can't you think of something else? Just a kiss. What, do you think I'm broken or something?"
Diwen relaxed, then frowned. "Then what's with you today? I've never seen you act like this!"
Karl let go, lightly pushing her shoulder. "Is it that strange to ask for a kiss? What's wrong with you? I'm embarrassed for what I just did—I shouldn't have acted like that. You owe me one!"
Diwen's face fell instantly. "Excuse me? Are you always like this? Who can adapt to this kind of sudden change? I was even thinking of kissing you just now—but forget it. Leave. You're annoying!"
She turned away and continued preparing ingredients, her movements noticeably rough—clearly venting her frustration.
Karl hugged her from behind again. She struggled hard, complaining, "Let go! Don't touch me—move aside… mm—"
Her voice suddenly cut off.
Still struggling in his arms, her lips were sealed by Karl's. She could only resist weakly.
Her face flushed red. After a while, she went limp, her strength fading. Only then did Karl let go.
"Next time, just kiss me and I'll let you go. Otherwise, I'll make it five minutes longer."
He held her as she rested weakly in his arms.
Diwen glared at him. "Are you sick? I'm cooking and you're doing this? Why so intense? My tongue is swollen—how am I supposed to eat later?"
She pushed him away, cheeks still flushed, clearly annoyed.
Karl smiled. "You didn't realize—if I cook, things would be different. Go rest. I'll take over."
"Can I even cook now? You have to do it."
Diwen glanced at him blankly, then left the kitchen, muttering, "Such a weird problem… you're not even this energetic at night…"
Karl chuckled.
Back in her room, Diwen took out a mirror and checked her lips—they were slightly swollen.
"What's wrong with him today? Why so clingy? What if guests arrive?"
She muttered to herself, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Karl had always been somewhat clingy, but never like this—never so proactive. Today's sudden change made her uncomfortable… yet she couldn't deny she liked it.
Still, her lips were swollen, her tongue slightly numb—it would probably affect her speech.
After fixing her makeup, Diwen left the room to check on the others. Passing by the kitchen, she saw Karl still busy, smiled slightly, then stepped through the portal into the residential area.
"Quill, you idiot—you're worse than your damn father!"
"You're a complete jerk! Everyone already hates you—do you want me to hate you too?"
"You've got some nerve asking that! Do I need you to be nice to me? You're the most annoying one here!"
"I am Groot!"
"Can't you all be quiet for a moment? Especially you, Quill! You could've stopped Rocket—why didn't you?"
"Gamora, you should've watched him! I didn't have time—his brain is full of crazy schemes!"
"My nipples…"
"Drax, can you stop making those noises? It's disgusting! You're a man—you shouldn't care about that!"
"Don't move me! The rope is too tight—it hurts!"
"Mantis! Come save us! Kraglin! Where the hell are you?!"
As soon as Diwen arrived, she heard them arguing and shouting endlessly, completely oblivious to their situation.
She stepped out from around the corner, hesitating whether to invite them to dinner. It was louder than a marketplace here.
"Hey! Miss Diwen! Are you here to tease us? We promise we won't plant bombs on your ship again!" Quill shouted when he saw her.
"Next time we'll plant something else," Rocket whispered to him.
Quill stared at him in disbelief. "Do you want to get thrown into space?! This isn't the time to be stingy—it's someone else's ship!"
Diwen hesitated for a moment. "Actually… I came to invite you to dinner. The food is ready. But if you don't want to, I won't force you."
"No, no, no! We need your help!" Quill quickly said. "My hands are numb—if you don't let me down, I might need amputation!"
"Better amputate from head to toe," Rocket muttered.
"Rocket, not now! Aren't your hands numb too?"
Rocket turned his head away.
Drax spoke up, "My chest hurts. I need to get down. I hope this not-so-beautiful lady will help me."
Quill immediately said, "She is beautiful! What's wrong with your eyes?" Then, seeing Gamora, he quickly added, "I just don't like Drax lying—you know I like you!"
Gamora replied flatly, "I don't care what you say."
Seeing them spiral into another argument after she had barely spoken, Diwen quickly interrupted, "You're not disappointing me—just bring a few more people along."
Before anyone could react, the ropes suddenly vanished, and several of them fell to the ground.
Rubbing his arms, Rocket said, "Seeing you feels like a summer breeze… but after you let me down, you're more like the summer sun—beautiful, but dangerously intense!"
Diwen's lips twitched slightly—and suddenly, Rocket couldn't speak anymore.
"Mm—!"
The others noticed he had nothing covering his mouth, yet couldn't speak, and instinctively glanced at Diwen.
Gamora frowned. "What did you do to him? He's part of our team—you can't treat him like that."
Diwen smiled. "Just letting him be quiet for a while. He'll be able to talk again in half an hour. Don't worry—I won't hurt him."
Nebula asked cautiously, "People who act like this usually have a plan. What exactly do you want?"
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