Chapter 6

Chapter 6

After some thought, Yale opened the list and found a name.

"WWN: Hi there?"

It seemed like he caught the person at the right time, as a reply came almost instantly.

"Amyria: Hello, sir! How can I assist you today? [Heart][Heart][Heart]"

This was the owner of a clothing store he had come across when he first arrived to purchase clothes. The shop owner was an alpha female who had started from scratch. Back then, her store was small, and business was tough with meager sales.

However, due to the decent designs and quality materials, Yale had bought a few casual outfits. Later on, similar to a supermarket mascot, his purchases had been exploited under the guise of a male insect's choice, leading to a huge boost in sales. Now, the store had become a renowned establishment.

"Amyria: We've just released a new line of clothing in the store. I've already packed them and sent them over; they should arrive tomorrow! W!"

Right, after that incident, Amyria would send him new clothes almost every season. Despite Yale's repeated refusals, the number of items had successfully been reduced from over a hundred to around thirty or forty.

"WWN: Do you have any softer, more akin to male sleepwear, options for female insect pajamas?"

"Amiloya: We can send you the measurements and create a custom set for you!

"Amiloya: Here are some elegant designs to choose from! [Image][Image][Image]..."

The images were blurry before he tapped on them, but something still seemed off. Yale's brow furrowed as he hesitantly opened the top picture.

It was a picture of a wolf-ear headband and wolf-tail accessory, paired with a leather collar, and a revealing sleepwear that exposed both the chest and back.

His hand trembled, accidentally swiping to the next image... The elaborate cursive text on it pierced his vision: Large Size Seductive Bow Black Lace Nightgown (Super Tear-Resistant Version).

Yale closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"wwn: I'm not looking to buy this kind of sleepwear."

"Amiloya: [Blushing] My apologies, sir, I misunderstood. Here are some more conventional options for pajamas: [Image][Image][Image]..."

This time, the selections were indeed much more ordinary. Yale flipped through them, intending to choose the simplest, fleecy pajamas in gray or black.

However, after glancing for a while, he inexplicably circled a pajama set covered in white fur and adorned with many playful, tongue-out puppies. "Hmm... This one."

He casually marked a few more options and sent the measurements 015 had taken earlier.

Yale instinctively tapped on the transfer button but then remembered that Amiloya had unilaterally blocked his account. He halted his action.

"WWN: Thank you so much for your help."

"Amiloya: You're too kind! I'll expedite these clothes for you. They should arrive around noon tomorrow. Please make sure to sign for them! [Heart emoji]"

Switching back to the shopping interface, he purchased some miscellaneous daily necessities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and slippers, so they would be readily available.

The hospital had packed all the medications in a bag. Yale meticulously sorted them out to ensure easy access when needed during emergencies.

When he finished attending to these mundane tasks, the male still remained deeply asleep. Compared to the yelping, puddle-making stray puppy he once took in, causing chaos in the living room, this male was indeed much less troublesome.

Yale gently patted the male through the covers. After some thought, he opened his optical computer and canceled his afternoon leave.

Raising a male was quite expensive. His savings were dwindling, and he needed to work hard. He couldn't let a severely injured patient suffer in poverty.

"015, come here."

Closing his optical brain, he waved at the charging robot in the corner, "I recall that your companion module is still functional."

015 was an outdated model, with many of its components no longer usable, but some basic functions were still operational, such as cleaning and childcare.

"When I'm at work, keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't kick off his covers or roll off the sofa. If there's an emergency, contact me immediately, understood?"

015, feeling the weight of responsibility, nodded and gave a somewhat awkward salute, "Task will be completed!"

Yale's eyes crinkled, and he tapped the robot's metallic skull lightly, "Good boy."

*

In the evening.

Estimating the time, 015 sent Yale a message asking what they should have for dinner. Upon receiving a reply, it began preparing the meal.

It wasn't skilled in handling delicate ingredients, but washing vegetables, cooking rice, and making soup were within its capabilities.

The sound of running water from washing dishes and the clinking of pots and pans filled the kitchen, while on the other side of the wall, the living room was dimly lit.

"..."

When Xi Ze opened his eyes, he was greeted by a hazy darkness, as if he were submerged in a thick layer of water. Flickering and fragmented spots of light danced within his field of vision.

He blinked slowly, but his sight didn't improve. Instead, it roused other sensations in his body. Amidst an overwhelming bone-searing pain, he heard a peculiar humming nearby.

"Do-la-do-la... I love cooking, cooking loves me..."

What... voice?

As his limbs gradually regained sensation, Xi Ze realized that he wasn't lying in the freezing snow.

He was clothed and swaddled in a thick, soft cotton blanket, warmth seeping into him like honey-laced poison, gently numbing the pain in his body.

Most importantly, he sensed no danger.

The air conditioner continuously pumped out warm air, turning the house into a cozy haven amidst the raging blizzard, protecting everything within.

Safe, warm, comfortable.

Yet, the raw, gruesome flesh was exposed beneath the airtight blanket, causing an unbearable itch amidst the sharp pain, as if steel nails were piercing through the numb warmth, straight into his skull.

The flesh around his shoulder blades was a mess, the wound from having his bone wings ripped out still barely healed. Any slight movement would tear it open again, revealing the stark white bones beneath.

"Ahh... Cough, cough, cough!"

The male insectoid suddenly convulsed, blood surging violently upward, spilling from his nose and mouth in hoarse, choking sobs.

In his daze, he could hear the rhythmic clomp of military boots and the clanking of chains dragging along the ground.

"... You're awake? What's wrong..."

A chaotic voice was interrupted by a foreign mechanical tone, but it was swiftly drowned out by the piercing ringing in his ears, becoming just another jumbled noise.

Buzz—

Xi Ze instantly snapped open his eyes, his golden irises now fully bloodshot. Amidst his apathy, a touch of madness and ferocity lurked.

*

"I've heard that Lord Male Drone has brought home a female slave?"

"Really? Really? How did I miss this news?! Has Lord finally decided to take in a female slave or concubine? Would it be possible for me to offer myself now, oh no...?"

Whispers echoed from the break room, and nearly every working drone in the library was distracted. However, no one criticized this behavior, as they were all equally captivated by the news of a male drone acquiring a female slave.

Despite their curiosity, none dared to directly question Yale, allowing him to spend a quietly turbulent yet peaceful afternoon.

"Snap."

A hardcover book was closed.

Having completed his final year's courses at Imperial University, Yale pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning back in his chair with a hint of exhaustion, closing his eyes to rest.

Three months spent learning the Common Language of the insectoid species, and over two years devoted to studying the entire curriculum from insectoid preschool to university level.

He had absorbed knowledge like a sponge, not mastering anything in particular, but at least ensuring his survival in an entirely unfamiliar world.

"Trill, trill, trill!"

The optical brain emitted a series of urgent beeps, and Yale's eyes snapped open instantly.

It was a message from 015 that glaringly appeared on the screen – "That male seems to have woken up!"

In the blink of an eye, a new message flashed – "Help! I'm being mmmph..."

It was precisely the end of the workday. The restless drones, who had been eager to approach Yale and gauge his intentions all afternoon, were now ready to make their move.

However, their target suddenly shot out of the door, vanishing without a trace.

...

"Bang!"

The sudden thud of something heavy hitting the ground echoed through the door and down the corridor, causing a subtle change in Yale's expression. He quickened his pace and arrived at the door.

Yet, within just a few breaths, the situation inside seemed to escalate.

A barrage of crashing sounds drowned out the howling cold wind outside for a moment. If one listened closely, they could discern 015's garbled cries amidst the cacophony.

"Ziiiiiii... Help..."

"Please... Don't damage 015..."

The little robotic butler hung in mid-air with its throat choked, frantically screeching as sparks flew from its mostly damaged body.

"It's short-circuiting... Stop squeezing me..."

Its round eyes flickered wildly, and in the reflection of its screen, a pair of terrifying golden eyes could be seen. They belonged to a furious beast that had lost all reason, ready to devastate anything that dared to approach.

"Crackkk—"

The sound of footsteps and a door opening was like a needle piercing a balloon, detonating the tense atmosphere within the room. The struggling male insect's composure snapped instantly.

He threw 015 towards the source of the noise, growling fiercely from his throat,

"Stay back! Get out of here!"

"Aaaaahhhhhh!"

Yale barely managed to catch the incoming 015, stumbling backward a few steps. The little metal egg, realizing the danger had passed, whimpered in relief, "You're finally back... sob sob sob..."

The living room was shrouded in darkness, yet the mess was still visible.

The male insectoid was crouched, panting heavily with dilated vertical golden irises that were filled with bloodshot veins. His consciousness and rationality were fading rapidly.

Worse still, he was in the midst of transforming into his insect form.

Intricate and resplendent insect patterns sprawled across his body, occupying half of the male's physique, stretching from his neck all the way up to his brow bone.

Dark crimson blood flowed along the veins, staining the striped hospital gown with a range of deep and shallow red hues.

If not for the fact that the male insect's bone wings had been torn off, they would have unfurled from their sheath on his back at this moment, sweeping everything in the living room to the ground.

Yale's pupils constricted, and he instinctively took a step back.

As if provoked by his movement, the kneeling male insect trembled, forcing itself up from the ground and the sofa with remarkable strength. It positioned its sharp claws and arms in front of its body, adopting an aggressive stance.

"Get away...!"

A hoarse growl escaped the throat of the male insectoid, akin to a beast's warning roar, but he was too weak to maintain his facade. Anyone could see that he was merely a sick creature bluffing.

The power of an insectoid male was never to be underestimated, even when they were near death.

Yale's expression grew more serious as he gently placed 015 on the ground and nudged him away with his foot. "Stay back."

Preoccupied with defense, he didn't notice that the male insectoid seemed to freeze momentarily when he spoke.

The anesthetic and muscle relaxants were stored in the medicine box beneath the coffee table, which had been overturned by the insectoid. The box now lay between them on the floor.

Yale glanced at the box, only to find the male insectoid staring unblinkingly at him.

In that instant, he was drenched in cold sweat, his heart pounding painfully against his chest.

"You... come to your senses," Yale said softly, his voice smooth like the gentle clinking of jade. The male insectoid's ears twitched slightly.

"Stay still, your wounds haven't healed yet... Your leg can't support you standing for long, don't push yourself, okay? Relax..."

He tried to divert the male's attention, and those golden eyes indeed followed him intently, shifting with every move he made, like a sunflower tracking the sun.

Yale felt a subtle thrill of stealing something from under the nose of a predator. He was already very close to the medicine chest; almost within arm's reach if he just bent down slightly.

But the thought of having to unlock the box, search for the correct medication, and then find a way to inject it into the male's body made him realize that the task was far from over. There was no room for relaxation.

"Alright, good boy, don't move now..."

Whispering soothingly, he slowly bent down to reach for the medicine chest.

Not daring to fully squat, his stiff fingertips finally touched the handle, allowing him to lift the box into his arms.

"Uh...!"

Perhaps due to the intense running earlier and then abruptly standing up, Yale's vision blurred, and he stumbled, eventually collapsing to the ground.

As he knelt on one knee, he keenly sensed the rush of wind above his head and instinctively raised his hand to defend himself—

Only to be unexpectedly enveloped in a warm and soft embrace. The vibrant, moist, and uniquely male scent rushed towards him.

Yale paused, and his renewed vision was flooded with a honey-like amber hue – the collar of the male's patient gown had been pulled open, revealing the graceful neck and collarbone beneath.

...Too close.

With no time for unnecessary reactions, the moment his gaze met those fierce, bloodshot golden eyes, he unleashed the mental energy he had been storing.

Zzzzzt—

His mental power surged like a fierce electric current, mercilessly piercing through every crevice in his neural network, like a scorching blade slicing through butter, effortlessly dismantling every layer of defense in his body.

The male's body froze like a statue, his muscles tensing into distinct contours. The intense pain drained the color from his face, leaving it deathly pale, while his eyes burned bright red, resembling a predator baring its fangs before an attack.

Yale instinctively tried to retreat but felt a hand grasp his forearm, which was raised to block, the palm burning hot and trembling as it tightened its grip—

Pulling him up from the ground.

"Be... careful..."

Author's Note:

Yeye's Heartbeat Moment ×