Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Before the New Year, the day of the scheduled surgery at the hospital finally arrived.

The preparations had been ample, and the male partner was swiftly wheeled into the operation theater. After an excruciating eight-hour wait, the surgery was finally declared complete.

Xi Ze barely managed to open his eyes, greeted by a blurry and familiar whiteness. The smell of disinfectant lingered around his nose, mixed with the scent of fresh blood.

His pupils constricted in a moment of daze, and every muscle in his body tensed up, convulsing violently.

His fingertips dug desperately into the cold metal bed frame, his veins bulging from the exertion until the hard iron slightly deformed under his grip.

But just as he was on the brink of transforming into a half-form insectoid—

"Doctor, how did the surgery go… Xi Ze?"

A warm and gentle voice echoed in his ear, laced with urgency and concern. It was like oxygen injected into a vacuum, piercing through the disorienting hallucination before him and bringing an unprecedented sense of reassurance.

He released his grip on the bed frame, using his grogginess as an excuse to hook his finger around the little finger of the hand hanging by his side.

"What's wrong?"

Yale paused his conversation with the doctor as he was pulled by the hand, turning his head to look at the still anesthesia-addled female insectoid.

However, all he saw were half-lidded golden eyes, their corners curving in a comforting manner toward him.

The surgery had been a success, but it wasn't until this very moment that Yale truly relaxed. He turned his hand around, gently squeezing the female's, "Go back to sleep."

...

When he woke up again, it was already the afternoon of the following day.

One side of the curtains was drawn, casting a faint shadow over the bed. Blinding golden sunlight streamed in through the other window, dividing the room into two distinct halves.

Soft breathing sounds came from beside him – Yale had fallen asleep, leaning against the bedside.

Dancing motes of light played upon his long eyelashes. The sleeping male insectoid was so beautiful, it was almost as if he were radiating light. A stray lock of hair dangled on the tip of his nose, fluttering slightly with each breath, endearing in its disarray.

Xi Ze gazed at his sleeping face, feeling a pang in his chest. Unconsciously, his fingertips lifted, hovering a few inches away before gently tapping and then falling back down.

"How do you feel?"

Prompted by the machine's notification, the doctor hurried over and entered the room with a robust voice. However, he was met with a glare, realizing that he might have disturbed the male insect lying beside the patient. He instantly froze.

Why on earth would a male insect be here? !

He inwardly roared but maintained his composure, silently moving to stand by the bedside.

"Xi Ze... You're awake?"

Yale rubbed his temples to alleviate the exhaustion from staying by the bedside. As he stretched his arms, a sudden ache in his stiff neck and shoulders made him frown.

A hand appeared most conveniently, its strong, bony structure applying just the right pressure to massage a few acupoints. The instant relief was noticeable, soothing the ache away.

Feeling like a cat being scratched behind the ear, Yale held onto the hand massaging the back of his neck and glared at the female insect in the bed. "Don't move. Aren't your hands still hooked up to an IV?"

"Cough..."

The inconspicuous doctor cleared his throat and stepped forward, entering the male insect's field of vision.

Thanks to the male's extraordinary straightforwardness, there was no need for unnecessary pleasantries.

The doctor began examining the female's post-operative condition. When he finally finished, the tension on his face had visibly eased.

"From what I can see, things are looking good. The recovery is even better than anticipated. He should be able to walk normally very soon."

"Until he's fully healed, he'll need a corrective brace to aid in his recovery."

Reaching into his shirt pocket, the doctor retrieved an object. "You can try it on later to see how it feels. If there isn't much pain..."

The corrective brace took the form of a silver metal sheet, adorned with intricate, serpentine patterns formed by countless delicate components. Tiny protrusions were discernible upon touch.

Handing the sheet to Xi Ze, the doctor didn't get a chance to explain its usage. Xi Ze's finger pressed onto the center of the metal, attaching it to the side of his knee. A soft beep sounded, and the silver patterns illuminated in sequence—

A slender yet incredibly sturdy support emerged from the thin sheet, extending along the length of the leg to form a complete leg brace.

The doctor nodded appreciatively. "That's right, that's how you use it."

Yale studied the high-tech orthosis for a moment, then looked at Xi Ze with anticipation. "Can I stand up now?"

Although he had seen the sight of a male insectoid standing in the surveillance footage, the pain had prevented them from standing straight, making it an arduous endeavor. He hadn't paid much attention to their aesthetics.

Now, the situation seemed perfect, stirring a subtle sense of anticipation within him.

"I'll give it a try."

Xi Ze threw back the covers and got out of bed, feeling the pressure points of the brace. With a push from his legs, he smoothly stepped onto the ground and straightened his back, finally standing firmly on his feet.

"…Ah."

So, so tall.

Staring blankly at the male insectoid who towered over him by a full head, Yale subconsciously took a step back.

In the human world, he was considered tall, lean but definitely not lanky. However, in the insectoid tribe, he fell short.

Male warriors, in particular, were naturally tall and robust, appearing like a towering, sturdy wall when standing before him.

The subordinate's presence was less apparent when he sat in the wheelchair, but standing tall and straight, his demeanor exuded composure and strength. His slender, profound eyes drooped indifferently, radiating an aura of serene dominance.

Yale snapped his fingers to draw the subordinate back to reality. "Come here and give it a try?"

He took a few steps back, slightly opening his arms in a welcoming gesture, a warm smile playing on his handsome features.

Xi Ze blinked slowly, seemingly tempted. His still-trembling legs tensed up, and he moved with some clumsiness, a dull ache spreading through them.

Step by step, he walked towards the male, his movements initially stiff and awkward, his body swaying slightly. But after just a couple of steps, he quickly regained his composure.

By the time he reached the male, Xi Ze had full control over his legs, standing upright like a healthy insect, his military demeanor reemerging.

Yale blinked, gazing at the subordinate before him. His dark eyes lit up gradually, like stars suddenly bursting into life in the night sky, captivating the insect's gaze.

Xi Ze truly stood before him now—

He had indeed nurtured the subordinate back to health.

The snow leopard, once maimed and blinded, forced into the mud, no longer emaciated and on the brink of death, no longer at the mercy of flies and leeches, had risen from his lowest point.

From the exposed skeletons, new sinews and flesh emerged, growing wildly, standing up with immense difficulty and resilience. Soon, it would run through forests and open fields once more.

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment and joy swelled in his heart, pulsating so fiercely that it seemed ready to burst forth from his chest. The flames of delight sparked and crackled along every nerve fiber.

Yale exerted great effort to suppress his emotions, but eventually, he couldn't help but laugh.

"You can really stand up now, and you'll be walking soon. Congratulations!"

The male insect's eyes shimmered like stars, radiating an extraordinary brightness, filled to the brim with pure joy and excitement.

The sight of it tugged at the insect's heart, urging it to continue presenting all the wonders before him just to preserve that smile for another second.

"Yes... Thanks to you, Supreme Ruler."

Xi Ze gazed at Yale with a trance-like expression, his voice soft as if he were afraid of disrupting the scene before him. "Thank you."

If not for Yale, he wouldn't have survived this long, let alone stand up again, or even... dare to entertain the impossible wish of reaching out to touch the moon in the sky.

After a moment of eye contact with the Supreme Ruler, Xi Ze suddenly turned his head and coughed softly, looking slightly embarrassed. "Um... Can I hug you?"

As a small celebration.

Yale pretended to deliberate for a moment, and only when the female insect's expression turned slightly anxious did he laugh and nod affirmatively, "Hug, hug, hug!"

But as he approached, he paused. Normally, he stood while Xi Ze sat, making the embrace effortless. Now, it felt... somewhat odd.

Before he could dwell on it too much, Xi Ze bent down, lowering his body to a height that Yale found comfortable, gently pulling the male into his arms. He lightly pressed on Yale's shoulders with restrained hands.

The familiar light warmth and scent enveloped him, and Xi Ze closed his eyes, suppressing the surging emotions within him.

Seconds later, Yale released him, taking a deep breath to steady his exhilarated mood.

Pushing against the female's shoulders, he guided him back onto the bed. Then, he looked at the doctor, "How long do I have to wear this brace before it can be completely removed?"

The doctor, who had been a mere background figure until now, stepped forward and explained responsibly.

"It depends on the patient's recovery. If their recuperative abilities are strong, it can be taken off in a week. If the recovery is slower, it would take roughly a month."

The doctor then mentioned some precautions, such as avoiding strenuous activities and being cautious of the knee. After that, he tactfully left the ward.

"It seems to be almost noon. Is the Ruler hungry?"

Xi Ze estimated the time and glanced at Yale, who was perusing medical records. The male's face still bore a rosy hue from sleep, clearly indicating he hadn't had breakfast after just waking up from his bedside vigil.

"I doubt the hospital food would suit your taste. We can arrange for discharge now, and I'll cook for you when we get back."

Without looking up, Yale dismissed the idea, "No, you shouldn't stand for too long yet. What are you thinking? You've just had surgery. Even slave owners don't exploit their livestock like that... "

His voice trailed off, then he added, "What do you want to eat? I can fetch some food from the cafeteria or ask 015 to prepare it and send it over?"

Before Xi Ze could reply, the door to the ward was suddenly knocked on.

Yale turned around, a bit puzzled. If it were a doctor, they wouldn't need to knock.

He got up to open the door, revealing an unfamiliar military female outside. Upon seeing him, her expression froze, seemingly very nervous, "Hello?"

"Hello, hello! May I ask if this is Sir... Sir Yale?"

The military female stammered slightly due to her nerves. Upon receiving a positive response, she hurriedly continued, "I'm here at Elaine's request to bring lunch for you, sir. There are two portions. Would you like to accept them...?"

"Thank you, then."

Yale expressed his gratitude, took the two thermal containers from the male's hands, and placed them on a nearby table. He then retrieved his light brain and asked, "How much do I owe you? I'll pay you right away."

"No, no, no, no need!"

The military male immediately waved his hands in refusal, as if he was afraid that Yale would insist on paying. He hastily took a step back before quickly leaving the corridor.

However, he bumped into a colleague who had been waiting around the corner. Both of them let out a simultaneous groan of pain. "Damn... Why are you running? Is Lord Male that terrifying?"

But when he held onto the military male, he noticed that his face was as red as a monkey's bottom, with what seemed like steam rising from his ears. "What's wrong with you? Why are you so flushed?"

"....Go see for yourself!"

The military male panted heavily for a moment before finally managing to say this much, stubbornly refusing to divulge more details amidst the chorus of urging from his peers.

"What's with the secrecy? Alright, so Lord Male is good-looking, has a great personality, empathy, generosity, and is willing to provide hospital support at a low price. He's also nice to his own female... Damn, now I kind of get it."

While the military male was dealing with his persistent colleagues, Yale, oblivious to the situation, closed the door to the patient room and carried the thermal containers inside.

The thermos looked plain on the outside, but upon opening it, one would discover the abundance of dishes inside. It was certainly not purchased from the cafeteria; it must have been specially packed from a restaurant.

Yale transferred Elaine some money, receiving a puzzled message in return.

"Elaine: Sir, what's the matter?"

"WWN: This is for the meal. Thank you for your trouble."

"Elaine: What meal? I was just about to ask if you needed me to send food over. Did someone else already bring it? A male soldier, perhaps?"

"Elaine: If it's a military male, then there's no issue. They're likely one of Alvin's subordinates, preparing this as a token of gratitude for you."

Yale gazed thoughtfully at the table, filled with steaming dishes that seemed freshly cooked.

Moreover, the sender seemed concerned about his appetite, packing the rice and dishes tightly, with seafood and meats taking up most of the space – an enormous portion that he couldn't possibly finish.

He smiled silently, handing the chopsticks to Xi Ze. "Eat."

*

Thanks to the better-than-expected recovery after the surgery, Yale could bring the male drone home the following day.

A few hours later, several pieces of exercise equipment recommended by the doctor were placed in the entrance hall.

015 eagerly carried the large packages into the living room and began to enthusiastically unpack them, exclaiming, "Wow! What's this?... And what's this?"

Yale watched with interest as the unpacking unfolded, picking up one of the devices from the box and weighing it in his hands before passing it to Xi Ze beside him. "Rehabilitation training, you should know more about this than I do."

Xi Ze took it, running the pad of his finger over the rough surface of the device, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips.

"Yes, this is where my expertise lies. How to maximize the recovery and potential of the body, to become a qualified..."

War machine.

He thought silently, not voicing the words for the male drone to hear.

The rehabilitation equipment was set up in a corner of the living room, conveniently placed next to 015's charging station, which also became the drone's exclusive training area.

Xi Ze had his own well-structured training regimen and was highly disciplined. Every day, when Yale passed through the living room, he would see Xi Ze engaging in his rehabilitation exercises during specific times.

The drone's injuries had significantly improved, with all visible wounds having fully healed and scabbed over. This allowed for a wider range of clothing options.

He preferred garments that were practical and allowed for freedom of movement over smooth silk pajamas or fluffy sweaters.

Like a fitted black tank top and durable, camouflage military pants.

The vest clung to his well-defined muscles, showcasing broad shoulders and strong, muscular arms. His pectorals were so full that they barely held any creases.

Even the shoulder straps appeared stretched and wobbled precariously on his shoulders, seemingly on the verge of snapping.

Compared to his ample chest, his waist was slender, with just the right grip for someone's palm to fit perfectly into his love handles. His abdominal muscles were distinct, each pack storing immense power.

The dark camouflage pants had rough fabric that would rub against his knee wounds, but with a layer of bandage, it was manageable.

The pants had a slightly loose fit, tucked into the high waist of the vest, creating a neat and tidy appearance that accentuated Xi Ze's long and powerful legs.

Usually, Yale wouldn't allow him to wander around in just a tank top and military pants, as the idea of dressing warmly in winter was deeply ingrained.

So, the omega would often drape a loose, white shirt over himself, concealing his body that smelled like a sweet little cake.

However, during exercise sessions, such considerations fell by the wayside.

The female insect was always warm, and out of consideration for Yale, he would only remove his vest, leaving his sweat-soaked skin glistening with moisture that trickled down his jawline and streamed along the contours of his well-defined muscles.

Perhaps due to hormonal imbalances or his body not yet fully recovered, he would involuntarily emit pheromones during exercise, exuding a subtle bitter scent all over.

As a result, every time Yale approached, he would become somewhat stiff, only relaxing and approaching the male insect confidently after taking a shower to dissipate the lingering pheromones.

Occasionally, when Yale had free time, he would observe the female insect's training sessions as a way to relax his eyes and mind.

"Tell me, how do I use this? Teach me?"

After Xi Ze finally completed his training for the day and emerged from the bathroom, Yale picked up a metallic sphere on the ground with interest and asked the female insect.

Many things in the insectoid world were vastly different from the human world, with unparalleled high-tech elements and minimalist designs that initially made life challenging for the outsider, Yale.

"First, press here to activate it, then grip the center like this..."

Since there was only one metal ball, Xi Ze demonstrated by pointing at the object in Yale's hand and making a few swift gestures.

"Like this?"

Yale watched with a sense of confusion, still unable to locate the switch despite his efforts.

Xi Ze came to stand behind him, gently placing his hand over the male's palm that held the orb, guiding him with his fingers one by one.

Focusing on teaching Yale hands-on, Xi Ze slightly bent his waist, his other hand resting on the side of Yale's waist for support. Unaware, he was almost embracing the male insectoid.

They were very close, so much so that Xi Ze's nose tip nearly brushed against the strands of hair at Yale's temple.

His still-rapid breaths left a faint flush on that patch of skin, as if a secretive undercurrent was quietly surging beneath the flesh.

"What comes next? How do I proceed?"

Yale frowned, even though he had been taught the basics, he still found it somewhat awkward to operate. Turning his head instinctively to ask Xi Ze for help, he failed to notice their proximity, which was no longer suitable for sudden movements.

Upon catching a glimpse of the female's lowered eyelashes in his peripheral vision, he sensed something amiss, but it was already too late to retract his action.

His lips accidentally brushed against another softness, continuing the contact due to momentum before barely stopping just before their noses collided.

In Yale's eyes, the female insect's expression of surprise was reflected. His body almost seamlessly collided into the female's embrace, intimate to the point of... almost being in a neck-to-neck embrace.

He blinked slowly, his long eyelashes almost brushing against the female's face.

No breaths mingled, as both he and the female held their breaths, making the air so still it was almost frozen.

"..."

Xi Ze's pupils constricted, and his actions froze in mid-air.

The male seemed to be in a daze, his eyes slightly widened. Those dark, moist eyes were like humid caves at the bottom of a deep pond, unknowingly luring travelers into their depths.

His plump lips still lingered on the male's cheek, while his hot breath was held back in his throat. It was like a farce that had suddenly paused at its climax, silent yet earth-shattering.

They had done even more intimate things before, their pheromones and even their mental energies intertwining. Yet, none of those moments had shaken Xi Ze as much as this unformed kiss.

It was a more secretive, profound, and unspeakable feeling, hidden from the light of day.

After a few seconds, Yale turned his head as if nothing had happened, continuing to play with the sphere up and down. "Like this... I think I get it, yeah, I should understand now."

In fact, he was just messing around, not even knowing what he was saying. He only wanted to make some sound to alleviate the awkwardness and quickly turn the page.

Xi Ze remained silent, still holding the male's hand to help stabilize the heavy object in his grasp.

The device might look small, but due to its design, one could easily sprain their wrist if they weren't careful.

Perhaps because the atmosphere was too tense, 015, passing by, poked his head out, "What are you guys doing? You've been standing there for a while."

Yale finally snapped back to reality, realizing what he had been doing. He set the item aside and coughed softly, "Nothing."

"You continue your practice. I'll go back to my room."

He had completely forgotten that the omega had already finished practicing and even taken a shower. Throughout their conversation, his gaze wandered, too embarrassed to meet Xi Ze's face. Without waiting for a response, he hurriedly walked towards his room.

"…Okay."

Xi Ze's voice was hoarse, his eyes reflecting the slightly flustered profile of the male.

The fluttering eyelashes made his throat tingle, and he knew deep down that this peculiar feeling couldn't be dispelled with a simple cough.

With the door to the room shutting, silence descended upon the living room once more.

Only the gentle swishing of 015's wheels remained, along with the soft rustling of snowflakes as they delicately fell through the air, masking and beautifying everything in their wake.

Yet, they could not quell the insatiable longing and desire that grew wildly in the shadows, silently gathering into a swirling undercurrent.

Like a thousand streams converging into a vast ocean, unstoppable and roaring, breaking through the barriers of a thousand miles, that moment when it surges forth with a fierce, thunderous rebirth.