Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Raising a male insect didn't bring about significant changes in life.

Aside from a slight anticipation for returning home, it was still the mundane routine of daily chores, work, and meals.

But recently, the living room and bathroom seemed exceptionally clean.

015 took care of the cleaning, but its efforts were limited to sweeping away trash and organizing items – not nearly reaching the level of spotlessness. The bathroom consistently remained dry and tidy, with no sign of water puddles or stray hairs.

The little robot butler also seemed to experience fewer malfunctions lately. Electrical sparks that used to occur frequently were now almost nonexistent, and it even learned how to cut carrots into flower shapes.

In response to these changes, 015 naively suggested that the new chip might be responsible.

It wasn't until dinner one day when the absence of the usual faint burnt smell in the food made it seem strangely normal.

Yale sternly placed his hand on the round head.

"Be honest, did you secretly update your system? That repairman mentioned your memory is quite limited, and an update could cause a complete crash."

Chapter 15 blinked its electronic eyes slightly slower than usual and replied, "Nope."

Suspicious, Yale lifted the robot's head to inspect its insides, only barely believing that nothing was damaged or melted. "But why isn't tonight's dinner burnt?"

While they conversed, Xi Ze sat on a chair beside them, slowly stirring his nutrient meal in the bowl before quietly and swiftly consuming it.

"You've fixed it?" Yale suddenly turned to ask.

Caught off guard, Xi Ze paused in his actions. After a few seconds of hesitation, he admitted, "Yes."

"Is its vision better now?" The only possibility Yale could think of was this.

Hughes had mentioned that the female insectoid's right eye was almost blind, while the left eye had been infected due to the connection. There was a chance for recovery if medicine was applied consistently.

This time, Xi Ze neither nodded nor shook his head; he merely gripped the spoon tightly in his hand.

Seeing that he didn't wish to talk about it, Yale changed the subject. "Did you also clean the living room and bathroom?"

"What cleaning? I didn't see anything!"

015: Astonishment flared as the creature sprang from Yale's palm. "You're still recovering! You shouldn't engage in strenuous activities!"

This time, the male insect hesitated even longer but eventually nodded. Yale had previously "ordered" that he must not deliberately lie or conceal anything. Moreover, asking was almost equivalent to acknowledging the truth.

Even without the circumstances for it, he would create them to be as such, it seemed.

Yale was almost amused by his anger.

But seeing Xi Ze's lips pressed together in silence, he knew the male wouldn't obey obediently.

"I want to find something to do. I can't just...

The male insect, unusually proactive, spoke with a strained and hesitant voice, attempting to make Yale understand his perspective. "Laze around all day, like some shameless parasite."

His pride as a military male forbade him from lying around, relying on the male for everything, healing in his quarters without contributing anything.

Swords could be worn down or broken, but losing their edge in the comforts of a nurturing environment was a disgrace. This principle and pride were ingrained in his bones.

Yale was taken aback. He hadn't considered this aspect before.

Perhaps the drone was too idle and needed something to do, but blindness was indeed a significant obstacle.

After a moment of contemplation, he got up and went to the balcony.

A while later, Yale returned from outside, still carrying the chill from his sweater as he sat back down. He meticulously unwrapped the items in his hands.

Unaware of the drone's slightly panicked expression, Yale clenched his fists on the table.

"I'm sorry, I won't do that again..."

"What?" Yale said innocently, pushing the item into the drone's hand. "This is for you."

The drone abruptly fell silent, his expression dazed. He cautiously touched the object in his hand as if it were some hazardous item.

"This was a freebie from shopping a few days ago. The supermarket owner said it's easy to care for and can survive the winter. But I've almost killed it in just a few days."

Yale looked at the small plant with a hint of guilt. Its once beautiful green leaves and red vines were now mostly withered and drooping, clearly on the brink of death.

"Could you maybe loosen the soil and water it for me every day? There might still be a chance for it to survive."

Xi Ze paused slightly, lifting his gaze to look at Yale. His vision was hazy, barely able to make out a faint silhouette.

The male insect's fingertip, resting on the back of his hand, remained still. It felt cold and soft, as distinct as the small vase held in his palm.

He gently clenched his fingers, whispering softly, "…Alright."

As if afraid of disturbing a butterfly resting on his eyelashes.

*

That small plant was called the Red Jade Vine. When it matured, its vine would turn a lustrous red, akin to jade, and required careful attention to watering frequency and quantity. Novices often found it challenging to keep it alive.

Xi Ze seemed to have some experience with nurturing flowers. Despite his blindness, he managed to stumble through the process.

A few times when Yale passed by the living room, he saw Xi Ze tending to the Red Jade Vine with a serious expression, his furrowed brows suggesting he was not merely gardening but rather analyzing a strategic board or reviewing confidential documents.

After a few days, Yale leaned in for a closer inspection and then hummed in response, "Seems like there's no significant change."

In reality, the little one's condition had already improved. It had perked up from its wilted state.

Xi Ze lowered his eyes to avoid his gaze, eventually whispering after a moment, "There is still some change. The stem has grown half an inch taller, and there's an additional leaf. The vine feels smoother to the touch…"

The silent resistance seemed to have been entirely forgotten by its essence. The male insect explained its transformation as if meticulously detailing the performance and mechanics of a mecha, with a concentrated and earnest expression etched on its brow.

Yale, with his chin supported by one hand, smiled silently upon hearing this.

He reached out to stroke the tender new leaf that had sprouted, humming a soft laugh. "I hope you have the sense to appreciate kindness and grow up quickly."

When Xi Ze spoke those words, he was startled and abruptly fell silent. It wasn't until he heard the latter part that he realized the Alpha was addressing the Red Jade Vine.

The tone was clearly reprimanding, yet it carried a gentle and intimate smile, the end of the sentence lifting slightly, like a kitten's paw gently scratching at the tip of one's heart, inducing a slight, tingling itch.

Having "threatened" the Red Jade Vine, he narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered, "You need to recover quickly as well."

Xi Ze's hand on the coffee table trembled abruptly, then his fingers clenched.

Unaware of his own flushed ears, his cold and aloof expression was replaced with a hint of unease. He opened his mouth, hesitating for a moment before replying, "...Uh...Okay...I will..."

"Never mind. Achieving this isn't about just wanting it. I'll be more diligent in changing your dressings. I hope you'll be better before New Year's, otherwise, you'll still have to eat those tasteless nutrient meals."

Yale yawned lazily, then, as usual, mussed up Xi Ze's hair before strolling away nonchalantly.

...

Lately, the weather on Etar had been pleasant, with days of clear skies breaking through the gloomy clouds, casting a radiant glow upon the vast expanse of snow.

The small red ivy, basking in the sun for a few days, gradually unfurled its branches and leaves.

Xi Ze's injuries also showed signs of healing, most notably the extensive lacerations on his back.

The female insectoid's bone wings were interconnected with countless blood vessels and nerves. When they were torn out, it was akin to uprooting a tree from the ground, causing excruciating pain that defied description.

After about a week of care, the wound transformed from a mangled mess to an inflamed and swollen state, from oozing with dark blood to seeping bodily fluids.

Regardless of the stage, after applying medicine, the bandages would soon adhere to the wound, only to be forcibly ripped off during the next change, a torment akin to torture.

During each dressing change, Yale would break into a sweat, while the injured insectoid lying on the waterproof sheet tensed up completely.

That light honey-colored area was dotted with tiny droplets, resembling a pot of melting maple syrup, but far less hot and viscous. The edges of the exposed flesh were tinged white, trembling delicately as if in extreme cold.

Leaving the aftermath to 015, Yale stood up to stretch his aching muscles. After a moment's respite, Xi Ze managed to sit up, pulling a nearby coat over himself.

"Thank you."

A slightly hoarse voice echoed, drawing Yale's attention. "I feel like the wound is healing. It might scab over soon."

Xi Ze hummed in response but seemed lost, unsure of what to say next.

The injury was mending slowly, yet their relationship remained unclear.

Ultimately, neither of them were naive enough to overlook obstacles and be candid with each other. They were merely coexisting in a relatively peaceful manner.

Perhaps this was part of the male drone's game – a tender yet ruthless playacting. The Red Jade Vine and the dressing changes were mere props and daily rituals within this game.

It was like nurturing a tree with water and fertilizer, waiting for it to ripen, only to pluck the juiciest fruit at its prime.

Xi Ze was uncertain whether, when that moment arrived, he would experience rebirth or a complete collapse.

Though the heating in the living room was adequate, nudity still left him chilled. Lost in thought on the sofa, Xi Ze didn't notice his hair dampened by cold sweat, nor the unnaturally pale shade of his lips.

Then, a towel was placed over his head, accompanied by Yale's voice.

"Wipe your sweat so you don't catch a cold. Later, ask 015 to give you some warm milk to drink. Try to get an early night's rest tonight."

Xi Ze's eyelashes quivered slightly as he suddenly decided not to dwell on it any longer.

...

The itch that came with the regrowth of flesh was more unbearable than intense pain. It felt like tender sprouts were piercing through his bones and threading through his veins, making even breathing excruciating during an episode.

To avoid tearing open the fresh scabs in his sleep, Xi Ze kept his eyes shut all night, enduring the torment silently. His repressed breaths passed through the door crack and echoed in the quiet living room.

In the dimly lit room, Yale lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. He eventually fell asleep to the gradually softening sounds of Xi Ze's breathing.

One day, after work, Yale brought home a long, dog-shaped cushion.

Amidst 015's excited cries, he held up the fluffy tail to the female insect, "Want to touch it?"

"What is...?"

Xi Ze seemed hesitant. The moment his fingertips touched the soft fur, he froze. Tilting his head, he whispered, "Is it alive?"

Yale chuckled softly and pressed the stuffed dog into Xi Ze's arms. "Hold onto it. It's not good for your legs to curl up like that. This will be more comfortable."

Due to his back injury, Xi Ze found it difficult to lie flat, but sleeping on his side would cause him to involuntarily curl up, which was detrimental to both his legs and his front injuries, resulting in an awkward and visibly uncomfortable position.

One morning, Yale had woken up abruptly and discovered this when he went to the living room for a drink of water.

Xi Ze subconsciously ran his hand over the doll. Compared to his calloused fingertips, the fabric and fur felt unusually delicate, and the cotton filling inside was as soft as a cloud.

"…Thank you."

He seemed a bit at a loss, gazing down at the item in his embrace and the gentle male insectoid standing before him.

He had once been certain that he could not be deceived by lies and false faces. No matter how skillfully someone disguised themselves, their true nature would eventually be revealed through a fleeting glance or aura.

It was already challenging to put on a facade for a short while, let alone for a long time in close proximity.

Malevolence could not be concealed, nor could genuine kindness.

Countless arrows coated in honey were striking down his defenses, indifferent yet gentle, like a stone immersed in a jar of honey, slowly wearing away even the toughest exterior.

"Let's see when it would be convenient to take you for a follow-up at the hospital, and..."

Yale didn't notice his complicated emotions and began considering when he could schedule the next medical checkup.

"I'll be on annual leave soon, with about half a month of free time. Speaking of which, I should start preparing for the new year celebrations."

"There doesn't seem to be much rice or flour left at home, and we could buy some more flour too..."

Unit 015, as usual, responded enthusiastically, "We could try making some pastries! I've downloaded some new recipes recently!"

Yale tapped Unit 015's metallic head with his finger, barely holding back his laughter. "Hmm... just make sure you don't blow up the kitchen."

Such everyday conversations happened all the time.

Like any other ordinary and warm household, they chatted with their beloved housebug about trivial matters, planned what to eat and buy, and playfully teased each other with smiles.

This kind of life was almost entirely new to Xi Ze. Despite its mundanity, it felt like a rich, golden liquor –

a sweet aroma filling the nostrils, permeating the air and seeping into every pore, making every cell indulge and every nerve relax its vigilance.

Xi Ze's fingertip gently touched the curled tip of the Red Jade Vine.

Similar to how succulents overgrow and propagate, it was a testament to robust vitality, despite having been on the brink of extinction not long ago.

Though life could be bitter, it was incredibly resilient.

For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope.