Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The sound of water in the bathroom ceased.

Yale, lost in thought on the sofa, responded to the noise by addressing the diligent cleaner, 015, "Carry him out."

Losing both legs was a terrible ordeal. Without 015's assistance, the male couldn't attend to his hygiene or use the restroom independently. He might be confined to the sofa for an extended period.

Involuntarily, he frowned but acknowledged that, considering the prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, it was fortunate that his limbs hadn't succumbed to necrosis and amputation. For now, there was no better option than gradual healing.

"Click."

The sound of the bathroom door opening.

The diminutive robot butler, standing only half a meter tall, emerged cradling a much larger female insect in its arms. Its two elongated mechanical limbs wound gently around her shoulders, back, and thighs, executing a perfectly executed princess carry—a scene that encapsulated an unconventional interstellar BL charm.

The female clearly wasn't accustomed to being held this way, his body stiffening in near-helpless rigidity.

Like a dwarf embracing Snow White, in a scene filled with the enchantment of a fairy tale.

Yale chuckled softly, noticing the increasing discomfort of the male. He coughed discreetly to hide his amusement.

"Place him here," he said, patting the newly laid blanket on the ground and standing up to make room.

The male lay flat on the clean blanket, no longer bleeding or injured, seemingly in a much better state.

With his eyes closed, he seemed to be waiting for something, no longer struggling fiercely or resisting. He appeared to have decided to be as stoic as an eroded piece of granite.

But that was clearly not the case.

The male's breaths were short and rapid, his tightly shut eyelids fluttering slightly, revealing a hint of unease.

The soft, plump curves of his body undulated gently, the light casting a smooth sheen over his light honey-colored skin, reminiscent of the candy coating on a sugar-coated hawthorn stick, yet undoubtedly more resilient and succulent.

Yale felt an itch at the roots of his teeth, involuntarily grinding them. Upon realizing what he was thinking, he jolted back to his senses.

Checking the time, he confirmed that it was already past eight in the evening.

He didn't consider himself a rogue, but he had just, for the first time, entertained an intriguing fantasy about the male's body. The fact that it involved two food references made him conclude that he must be ravenously hungry.

The male insect seemed disinclined to communicate, so Yale didn't force conversation, content with ensuring the male was comfortably settled.

The new clothes were purchased in the afternoon and would only arrive the following day.

Yale unfolded a blanket he had dug out from the bottom of the wardrobe, covering the male insect from head to toe. "Rest well; more sleep will aid in wound recovery."

A lump beneath the covers stirred before abruptly rising as Xi Ze half-raised his body, his jaw tensing, his expression both wary and perplexed.

He lifted his gaze towards Yale, those deep eyes now veiled with a shadow but still sharp and piercing, capable of seeing through all falsehoods and deceits.

"What do you want?" He asked slowly, his injured throat making speech difficult.

Yale, who had been lost in thoughts of dinner since earlier, blurted out without thinking, "I want scrambled eggs with tomatoes."

"..."

The male insect's confusion was immense and silent. Yale finally snapped back to reality, coughing awkwardly.

Yet, it had already been caught by 015, who promptly responded, "Understood, I'll do it right away!"

Distracted by this, the male insect seemed to relax slightly. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Who are you?"

What was his identity? Who sent him? What was his purpose?

Was he serving the nobles or under the command of the military? Or perhaps... In just a few breaths, he had run through all the possible scenarios in his mind but felt utterly powerless. So what if he knew?

Stunned by the barrage of questions, Yale paused for a moment before carefully explaining, "In fact... I'm just passing through."

He recounted the small advertisement stuck on the door, the livestream of the male slave exchange, and then how he happened to pass by that alley, followed by the hospital, and finally, his home.

His narration lacked direction or emphasis; it was simply a recollection of events. As he spoke, a quote from Blacksea came to mind, which he found eerily fitting and surreal:

[For all paths led me to you.]

"I guess that's just how it is. I'm merely a passerby," Yale explained, reflecting on his initial motivation. "Perhaps I brought you home on a whim."

He felt that Xi Ze wouldn't believe him, after all, he appeared as vigilant and cautious as a wolf.

Surprisingly, the female insect didn't pursue the matter further. The fingers resting on the blanket tightened then relaxed.

The sharpness that had gathered between his brows gradually dissipated, replaced once more by a silent endurance of pain.

It was as if he wasn't seeking the truth relentlessly but rather needed a reasonable explanation to accept this sudden, unknown change in circumstances. Then, he could blindly continue living his life.

"…I'm very grateful for your help back then. I will repay you double the medical expenses when the time comes. I'll do my best to fulfill any request you have," Xi Ze said in a hoarse voice. His expression was as solemn and serious as a military female's, with a hint of awkwardness in his eyes. "I'm really very grateful to you."

"No problem, focus on recovering first. We can talk when you're better," Yale replied with a smile, casually reassuring him.

He wasn't surprised by Xi Ze's reaction. This was precisely why his humiliation was evident during the live stream. If it weren't for these characteristics, he might not have had such a miserable life.

A moment of silence followed.

"..."

Yale could sense the concealed unease and hesitation within Xi Ze.

Perhaps the omega didn't intend to stop questioning so soon, but perhaps it was because he was oblivious to the situation at hand, making it easy for him to fabricate lies.

Or maybe there was no malice or anything sharp in this house that could provoke his defenses, causing his vigilance and resistance to dissipate into the serene atmosphere.

In any case, it was a good start.

It would take time.

Yale reminded himself once more.

Then, he decided to check on the kitchen, just in case 015 suddenly lost power again and burnt the bottom of the pot.

*

Promptly at nine, Yale finally sat down to his late dinner.

Somewhere along the way, 015's cooking module might have had another temporary malfunction, resulting in an enormous bowl of tomato and egg stir-fry.

In fact, the tomato was indeed a tomato, but the egg was from an unknown star beast, as large as an ostrich egg. When cooked, it had a tender color and a delightful fragrance.

Yale often expressed gratitude that rice and wheat still grew here, not having been replaced by the sticky nutrient solution for taste. Otherwise, his homesickness would have worsened significantly.

When the aroma wafted out, he clearly heard a rumbling sound. Turning his head, he found Xi Ze looking in his direction, lips tightly pressed together in silence.

The male insect must have gone quite some time without eating. He had received nutrient injections in the hospital, but since then, two full days had passed without him consuming a single grain of rice.

Yale divided half of the scrambled eggs with tomatoes, mixing them with the rice to form a slightly thick yet richly sauced bowl of rice. He then handed it over to 015.

"Please feed him."

Vision impairment was as troublesome as having a broken leg. It first showed when eating, as the individual might accidentally stab their nose with chopsticks, requiring assistance or specialized training.

Caring for the male insect was akin to repairing a long-neglected machine. Switching it on with difficulty was just the beginning; the subsequent repairs and maintenance were the real challenge.

Yale sighed, carrying the bowl and sitting on a sofa untouched by bloodstains.

"..."

The warm food slid down his esophagus, soothing his emptiness after days, perhaps even weeks of hunger. The instant gratification was almost overwhelming.

He had almost forgotten how long it had been since he last ate proper food.

Xi Ze's expression was a mix of repression and longing. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his body involuntarily leaned forward, almost hovering over 015.

015 was forced to speed up, sparks nearly flying from its mechanical arm again.

"Slow down," Yale gently used his chopsticks to steady the flustered spoon. "Be careful not to choke."

The male insect pursed its lips and looked at him. Its eyes were dull and unfocused, yet there was a hint of accusation in them.

It was as if Yale were a cruel fellow who had abruptly withdrawn a half-fed sausage from a begging puppy, enjoying the sight of the little dog whining and tugging at his pant leg.

But the male insect was no puppy. Denied its food, it could only lower its gaze silently, barely suppressing the urge to swallow saliva.

"Go charge yourself," the crisp voice instructed. The little robotic butler rolled away, leaving Xi Ze still famished, disappointment almost unbearable.

But the next moment, a warm spoon reached out from the side and touched his lower lip.

"Have a bite, chew it before swallowing. Otherwise, your stomach might ache."

"…Thank you."

Yale scooped up another spoonful of food and gazed at the insectoid wrapped snugly in the fluffy blanket before him.

His soft, curly white hair cascaded down, and his facial contours seemed gentler in repose. After swallowing the food, he would lift his gaze, his eyes vibrant and lively.

Only then did Yale feel a semblance of reality – that this insectoid had truly been taken in by him, not just an elusive dream tinged with regret.

For the first time, this isolated house echoed with a voice other than 015's, breathing warmly, filling the other half of the house with a tangible presence.

It felt rather pleasant.

Yale's eyes crinkled, and the corners of his lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of contentment.

…

The sofa was no longer an option, so they resorted to bedding down on the floor. Fortunately, the central heating system maintained a constant warmth, leaving little chance of catching a cold.

Yale carefully placed a double dose of sleep aids into the small pot where he was heating milk. The pills dissolved amidst the bubbling foam, and after a moment's consideration, he added a spoonful of sugar.

A single dim lamp illuminated the living room. Xi Ze was curled up under the covers, seemingly awake despite his bundled state. His eyes opened as Yale approached.

The glass cup was gently set on the coffee table, releasing a sweet, warm vapor that seemed to dispel the chill seeping through the room, blending with the rich, frothy milk.

Yale reached through the blankets to pat the male insect gently.

The collapse of mental landscapes can lead to severe headaches; I will perform another session of mental force guidance for you before you sleep...

Mental Energy Channeling.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the body in his palm stiffened abruptly. Xi Ze shot his head up, fixing his gaze intently on Yale's direction.

"M... Male Drone..."

He murmured, barely able to believe it, "You are... a male drone?"

"Yes, you..." Didn't you know?

Yale was slightly puzzled before realizing he had never explicitly stated his gender. But why emphasize it?

However, as he looked at the male, he belatedly realized that this might not be something to overlook.

Beneath the male's cold, detached facade, suppressed anger and fear seeped out like vines wrapping around his light golden irises.

He appeared as if he had been brutally stabbed, his face drained of all color.

Yale recognized that look and expression – it had once graced advertisements and filled his screen during live streams –

It was the gaze of someone staring at their perpetrator.

An inexplicable pang pierced Yale, reminding him of the slave collar's "only recognizes male insects" feature.

Recalling how Xi Ze, unconscious, had been branded with his exclusive mark, forever becoming his possession.

Thinking of Huais's initial apologetic yet dismissive smile – the superficial regret was for him, while the mockery and indifference were directed at the severely injured male on the hospital bed.

Indeed, Xi Ze's expression suddenly changed, and he reached for the black collar around his neck.

He soon found his answer. His jaw tightened, and he clenched his teeth in frustration. "…I've become your submissive mate?"

"I'm sorry, it was an accident," Yale whispered. "At that time, I…."

He looked utterly helpless, sensing that the situation was about to spiral out of control.

Before him stood a volcano on the verge of eruption. He wasn't sure if he could withstand the scorching lava that would flow forth.

"An accident?"

Xi Ze scoffed, his expression severe, like a strict officer reprimanding a recruit who had made a grave mistake. His anger was barely contained. "Do you know…."

He swallowed the rest of his words.

After a moment of heavy breathing, he retreated into himself, suppressing all those raw emotions as if they were silently burning away, leaving only ashes behind.

He'd thought himself broken beyond repair, having lost everything long ago.

In reality, he still had some remaining value, and perhaps that was why the male insect had picked him up.

A lump seemed to be stuck in his throat, making the collar around his neck tighten to an unbearable degree. Xi Ze felt a piercing sensation of suffocation.

The once-sweet meal now tasted like poison, churning in his constricted stomach, threatening to make him vomit.

Yet, he was still alive, and... he wanted to keep living.

He laughed abruptly, but it sounded more like crying.

"Milord, are you intending to intimate me?"

A night of tranquil, hopeful reverie, so swiftly shattered like a bubble.

Author's Note:

Well, oh dear.

The general exudes such a captivating aura, akin to a snow leopard, torn and bloodied amidst a battle for the throne, baring his fangs at the tribal child cautiously approaching to tend to his wounds, emitting a threatening growl. Yet, on the brink of death, he reluctantly lowers his proud head in submission. Later on, he'll meekly lie down, exposing his belly, allowing for unfettered nuzzling and caressing... Hehe (lets out a chuckle, tinged with a hint of eccentricity).