Chapter 36

Chapter 36

As a result, Yale sat right in the middle of the lounge's sofa, surrounded by towering military females who filled the small space almost entirely.

It didn't seem like a friendly meeting with the Enzus, but rather like a scene in a prison where the influential boss would summon a fresh, inexperienced inmate to give them a taste of their power.

Moreover, since most of the military females were secretly observing him, that subtle feeling intensified.

"..."

Yale shifted his gaze from the restless backs of the military females to Alvin's face in front of him. After a moment of silence, he tactfully conveyed this overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

Noah couldn't help but scoff mercilessly, casting a side glance at the embarrassed Alvin, who was rubbing his nose. He waved his hand, dispersing the curious and somewhat clueless group.

"Off with you, all of you. Leave this place."

Once the unrelated military females had exited the room, only Yale, Alvin, and another military female remained.

"Well, we meet again... No, I suppose it's our third encounter."

Yale lifted his gaze to the familiar yet estranged military omega before him.

Indeed, they had met three times, and in every encounter, those sea-blue eyes remained serene, as if nothing could rouse any significant emotion in him.

"I've come primarily to formally express my gratitude to you, sir."

Alvin struggled to stand, joining Noah beside him, and together they rendered a solemn military salute to Yale with utmost seriousness in their tone.

"The majority of patients in this hospital are my soldiers. On their behalf, as well as my own, I sincerely thank you."

"Without your timely assistance, countless military omegas within these walls might have perished due to severe lack of pheromones."

Yale rose to return the gesture, his voice still calm, devoid of arrogance or self-importance.

"It was a simple act, and the deal we struck benefited both parties. Colonel, there's no need for such formality."

Alvin smiled, choosing not to engage further in that topic.

Although it was called a transaction, the fact that the alpha was willing to trade pheromones at the legal price was a tremendous favor for them.

The pheromones on the market were priced at an absurdly high rate, reaching a level that even hospitals couldn't afford.

From Elaine's account of the transaction, it was clear that the male insectoid was well aware of the market price. Yet, despite this, he had still chosen to generously offer his pheromones to save more military females.

Therefore, Noah had to personally express his gratitude to this male insectoid.

"I'm not just here to thank you. More importantly, I have a gift for you."

Alvin waved at Noah, who was standing behind him. The military female then took out a box from his military uniform jacket and placed it in the center of the table.

A delicate, low-key patterned box was carefully opened, revealing a soft and translucent glow within.

On a black sponge cushion sat a small piece of rare mineral, no bigger than a thumb, yet it seemed to encapsulate an entire galaxy of shimmering silver-blue stars. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

It was a Sicilian mineral.

Yale had seen this rare material in textbooks before. Its veins were scarce, its value immense, and it grew on planets with extremely harsh conditions.

Aside from professional mining teams, only military females would venture into danger to search for it during their missions.

A mere fragment of Sicilian mineral could guarantee a retired soldier's quality of life for decades, if not centuries.

"...I hope you'll appreciate it."

Alvin smiled and slid the box toward the male, gesturing politely for him to take it.

Recalling something, he added softly, "You understand that the situation was dire back then. Noah might have unintentionally offended you. I've already reprimanded him for it, so please don't hold a grudge against him."

Yale gazed at the mineral for a long while but didn't reach out to accept it. Instead, he lifted his gaze to meet Alvin's. "Apologies, but I don't accept gifts like this."

His deal with Elaine was his bottom line, and accepting such an extravagant token of gratitude would alter the nature of their transaction entirely.

Moreover, after the hospital waived his medical fees and he received assistance from the academy, he no longer needed to worry about finances. The hospital and these soldiers clearly had more pressing financial needs than he did.

"Scent isn't some precious commodity, and I offered my donation willingly. It wouldn't be right for me to receive valuable items from others in exchange for a simple act of mine."

Hearing such a perspective for the first time, and from a male insectoid no less, was as shocking as a planetary explosion.

However, Alvin's uniqueness was already evident from his previous action. His expression remained unchanged, but his tone grew more solemn when he spoke again.

"Sir, though it was but a small effort for you, the fact remains that you saved my life and the lives of countless soldiers."

"A debt of gratitude should not be measured by extravagant gifts, but this is the most sincere gesture I can offer."

He nudged the box closer to the male omega again. "Though my words may be blunt, I believe in repaying debts, both positive and negative."

"That is your principle," Yale leaned back in his chair, emphasizing the middle two words.

The unspoken message was clear: you can follow your principle and give the gift, while I'll stick to mine and decline – neither of us will force the other.

Yet, he didn't entirely shut down the conversation. After a moment's thought, he said, "I've already signed a contract with the hospital for a long-term pheromone exchange. You can simply pay the designated amount in starcoins."

Yale was truly immovable.

A hint of helplessness flashed across Alvin's face, yet the warmth in his eyes remained gentle.

This stalemate wasn't productive. He let out a sigh. "Let me be straightforward with you, this mineral has a chance of promoting the regeneration of bone wings."

Yale lifted his gaze to him swiftly, a hint of astonishment in his expression.

"I can't guarantee it will work, but it's likely a reliable option."

He had served in the military for over two decades and had excavated this mineral on several occasions after battles, albeit with minimal success. However, there was one particularly remarkable incident.

Back then, a military omega had severely damaged their bone wings, forcing them to remove one. After coming into contact with this vein of ore, the missing wing case on their back began to regenerate, sprouting new wing buds.

Unfortunately, the omega soon perished due to the harsh conditions of the planet. While the exact cause of the bone wing's regeneration couldn't be confirmed, it was undoubtedly linked to this mineral.

"Thus, Your Excellency, it's worth a try. If it doesn't work, the ore itself holds great medicinal value, being the finest raw material for healing injuries. In any case, I hope it can assist you."

"It can potentially stimulate the regrowth of bone wings...?"

Yale gazed at the Sicilian ore intently, finally showing interest.

His obsidian-like eyes gradually lit up, and he suppressed a smile, his lips pressing tightly together.

He lifted his gaze, smiling. "Thank you."

That placid expression suddenly came alive, like a vibrant peach blossom blooming abruptly amidst a vast expanse of snow and ice, dazzling to the point that one couldn't tear their eyes away.

It was only when his thigh was fiercely pinched that Alvin snapped back to reality.

Noah's voice, laced with frustration, rang in his ear. "Damn, what's gotten into you?!"

Shaking off his hand, Alvin's expression revealed a rare hint of embarrassment as he reprimanded softly.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!"

After adjusting the trade regulations until both parties were content, they finally concluded the meeting.

Elaine had already left first. Yale was about to exit the lounge to retrieve his male companion when Alvin called out, "Your Excellency, please wait."

"There has been some unrest on Aital Star recently. It's best to minimize your outings. If there's an absolute need to go out, take your male companion along with you."

The military male behind him spoke with a gentle demeanor, as if it were merely a casual reminder.

Yale looked puzzled but didn't pursue the matter. He merely nodded and left.

"Why specifically mention this to the male insect?"

Noah glanced at Alvin, his tone tinged with confusion.

"In recent years, the Star Pirates have been wandering around incessantly. Not long ago, I received a message that the Fashan Star Pirate Group was chased by the military and is heading towards this galaxy. I wonder which planet they'll target next."

Alvin walked to the window, watching the military females coming and going outside. A hint of worry creased his brow.

"In recent years, there have been more and more of these pirate groups. The peace the Empire desires... It still has a very long way to go."

Noah frowned. "I remember it was after that general sacrificed himself five years ago that the various Star Pirate groups started flourishing. And in those few years, they've repeatedly evaded the military's capture. It's a bit too coincidental."

"Better not voice some things out loud, just in case ears are pricking up nearby."

Alvin raised his hand to stop Noah's words. After a moment of reverie, he lowered his gaze, his voice soft as he said, "How I miss the Empire from five years ago. If only that general hadn't died..."

"The Empire always preaches that miracles occur in the direst of situations. Occasionally, I pray too..."

Praying that all suffering would eventually come to an end.

Praying for a glimmer of hope to shine upon the darkest corners.

*

"Is it over?"

Seated in a chair directly facing Xie Zhao's office, Yale looked up as he heard the door open.

The female insect showed no unusual expression, but Xie Zhao, who followed after, appeared more haggard than ever, his resentment practically tangible.

Yale was momentarily perplexed.

The Soul Transference Technique... Could it be real?

Perhaps the heating in the treatment room was a bit high, so Xi Ze took off the black scarf around his neck and casually wrapped it around his wrist. Upon seeing the male, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Has the Male Sovereign been waiting long?"

"No, just arrived."

Yale followed his routine, gently smoothing down a strand of disheveled hair on the female insect's forehead as he asked, "How was today's treatment?"

"It's alright," Xi Ze whispered, leaning slightly downward in sync with the male insect's action. He allowed that hand to play with his hair, holding his breath as he savored the faint sensations of fingertips occasionally brushing against his ear.

This scene made Xie Zhao's teeth ache, and he couldn't help but marvel at the impeccable performance of the military female insect. She was truly worthy of riding on the head of the most prominent family head of the Xie family, even though she concealed her identity, it was clear that she held an absolute high position. Her schemes and conspiracies were numerous, and her acting skills were flawless.

Even if her nature was as hard as stone, she could still put on such an act to please the male insect.

After a moment of restraint, Yale couldn't resist turning his head to ask the pale-faced female insect, "Doctor Xie, are you alright?"

Xie Zhao forced a dry smile, promptly starting to concoct a cover-up for the female insect's sake.

"My lord, the recovery from trauma is a long process, one cannot be impatient. I am doing my best to treat the patient, who is also making a great, ahem, effort, to cooperate. However, this involves..."

As a barrage of complex and abstruse professional terms entered his ears, Yale was clearly deep in thought.

The hand on his hair stilled, and the omega lowered his head with half-lidded eyes. His nose brushed lightly against the alpha's hand, a tiny gesture that resembled an innocent display of affection and reliance from a young creature.

Tsk. Xie Zhao sighed again.

Truly impressive, pretending as if it were real. Even as a doctoral graduate in psychology, he couldn't detect any signs of acting.

"In summary, when dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, while doctors and medication are important, the most crucial factor is the care and companionship from the closest bondmate, to prevent the condition from worsening."

Upholding his professional ethics as a doctor, Xie Zhao continued to offer advice.

"If possible, you can use more physical touch and encouragement, utilizing pheromones and mental energy wisely, to help alleviate the patient's insomnia and anxiety..."

His intention was to encourage Yale to treat this military omega kindly, so as to avoid future retaliation, and also to lessen Ze Xi's suffering, allowing him to live more comfortably. He hoped that when the inevitable separation came, it wouldn't be as devastating.

Yale nodded thoughtfully, humming softly before responding, "I see... I understand now."

...

As the hovercar transported them back, they passed by a particular area, causing a flicker in Yale's eyes. He promptly called for the driver to stop.

"There's a spot up ahead where we can stop. Let's get out there."

The hovercar pulled up at a bustling marketplace, with the sounds of commotion faintly audible.

Xi Ze instinctively took a step back into the shadows, looking at the enthusiastic Yale. "Lord Conqueror?"

"This is the edge of the Unregulated Zone, where residents have spontaneously formed an informal bazaar. It's also close to home. Let's buy some food here and then walk back in a few minutes."

Yale took out a mask from the pocket of his down jacket and handed it to Xi Ze. "Here, put this on."

"…Alright." Xi Ze's eyelashes fluttered as he accepted the black mask.

Perhaps because New Year's was approaching, the market was packed with bugs doing their shopping. Simply walking would result in brushing against the shoulders of those beside them, leaving the pathways crowded.

"Stay close to me once we're inside."

Xi Ze pressed the mask against his face, following Yale stiffly into the throngs. The extraordinary liveliness hit him full force.

It had been five years since he had walked openly on the streets like this. He wasn't exactly fearful, but it felt incredibly unfamiliar – a sense of disorientation, not knowing where the path led or which direction to take.

Xi Ze gradually slowed his pace, and the figure of the male insectoid before him swiftly vanished into the surging tide of insects.

He pressed his lips together and took a few more steps forward but soon found himself utterly disoriented.

"…Male Sovereign?"

Xi Ze opened his mouth, but he didn't realize that his voice was so hoarse that it didn't even make a sound.

Standing there in a daze for a moment, he suddenly remembered that he could use the communicator. Just as he hesitated, a gap forcibly opened in the tightly packed swarm of insects in front of him—

The male insectoid poked half of his body out from within, his hair mussed up by the pressure, as he glared at Xi Ze.

"Haven't I told you to keep up with me?"

Without waiting for Xi Ze to explain, Yale directly grabbed his wrist, preventing him from getting lost again, and pushed his way back into the surging sea of insects.

The male insectoid's grip was tight, his knuckles tinged a light pink due to the cold. As he held onto the sleeve of Xi Ze's black cashmere coat, his hand appeared like a delicately carved piece of jade, yet far stronger and more resilient than any gemstone.

Xi Ze's eyelashes quivered, his gaze fixated on the male insectoid's back, barely able to tear away for even a second.

"It seems to be this shop."

With effort, Yale dragged the male companion to an empty spot and looked up at the sign in front of them. "I've heard that their Jianbing is delicious here."

Xi Ze had already recovered and turned to look at him when he heard this. "Then, Alpha, you find us a place to sit while I queue up to buy, okay?"

Yale pondered for a moment. The most efficient plan would be for the male companion to buy the food while he bought the drinks, ultimately saving a lot of time. But... they weren't in a rush now, so there was no harm in waiting in line slowly.

Due to his busy work schedule and then the addition of the male companion, he hadn't walked on any path outside of the library, home, and hospital triangle for a long time.

He was quite delighted by this sudden change of pace.

They waited in the long queue, occasionally chatting about what other tasty foods were nearby, discussing their choices of fillings once it was their turn. Eventually, they got two steaming hot Jianbings, and the same vendor sold fruit and vegetable juices, so they simply bought those together, eliminating the need to queue again.

Behind the market was a tranquil and cozy park. Many insects who had purchased food would find a bench to sit on and eat directly.

The deluxe Jianbings were so generously filled that the contents almost spilled out. They were scorching hot and exuded a mouth-watering aroma.

With one bite, the crispy, toasted wrapper would crackle, followed by the rich and sweet flavors invading the taste buds in a delectable explosion.

Yale ate his lunch with intense focus, bite by bite. After finishing, he tied the bag and tossed it into the trash bin beside him.

Then, he punctured the juice pack with a snap and sipped through the straw slowly.

Something suddenly occurred to Yale, and he took an item out of his pocket, handing it to Xi Ze. "Here, this is for you."

"What is it?"

Xi Ze had long finished his meal and was leaning back in his chair, waiting for the male to finish his drink. Hearing this, he reached out and took the box.

He cracked open the lid of the box slightly, and his pupils constricted at the sight of the glimmering silver-blue light. With a snap, he closed it shut.

Sicilian mineral.

Rare, precious, and highly valuable, it could... stimulate the regrowth of bone wings.

The male had given him the Sicilian mineral just like that, as casually as offering him a mask or a Jianbing, as if these items were no different from one another.

Xi Ze's voice was slightly hoarse, and his fingers holding the box tightened. "This is..."

Yale caught a glimpse of his reaction in the corner of his eye and swallowed the juice in his mouth.

"Sicilian minerals, Alvin mentioned that they can stimulate the regeneration of bone wings. However, he's unsure about the exact usage and effects. We can take them back to experiment, hoping for a miracle."

With his assumption confirmed, Xi Ze's Adam's apple bobbed, rendering him almost speechless.

He wanted to ask why he was being given such a precious item, but clearly, this male insect before him had always been like this – not inquiring about origins, reasons, or seeking reciprocity. He acted on impulse yet adhered to a peculiar set of principles.

If he asked now, the male insect would undoubtedly mention his "primacy of life" theory, making it entirely reasonable to give away the Sicily minerals.

A familiar yet alien murmur suddenly echoed, its tone gentle yet laced with cold calculation – a harsh truth he had believed in for years, turned out to be false:

"Everything comes with a price tag. If you desire something, you must offer an equivalent or even greater value in return."

"Love and affection are no exception; they come with conditions. To earn your Father's love, you must demonstrate your worth, outshining other young male insects. Do you understand?"

Xi Ze's breathing grew heavier as he unconsciously clenched the object in his hand. The sharp edges pierced his palm, causing pain, but he refused to let go.

Unconditional hatred he had seen too much of, but unconditional love was a sensation he was experiencing for the first time with such intensity.

As if a knot in the noose around his neck had suddenly loosened, a rush of sweet, addictive air flooded his lungs, a taste he had never before savored.

"So moved, are you?"

Yale observed the flushed rims of the male's eyes with amusement. However, memories of the male's deception stirred a wicked impulse within him. He pinched the male's chin gently, forcing him to turn and face him directly—

"Truth or dare? Silence means truth. You answer my questions, no lies allowed. If you can't answer, just say so, understand?"

Without waiting for a response, Yale continued, though he stumbled on his first question. After a long moment of contemplation, he ventured, "You... shouldn't be a wanted criminal or the leader of a band of space pirates, right?"

It suddenly occurred to Yale that while he didn't care much about the male's social standing, at least he hoped the male wasn't morally corrupt.

Given Xi Ze's upright behavior, such a suspicion seemed highly unlikely.

Xi Ze closed his eyes briefly, composing his emotions. Hearing this, he let out a soft laugh. "Please don't worry, I'm not a criminal. My citizen record boasts a high credibility score."

It was more than just high.

Yale couldn't help but recall how the female insect before him seemed to have provoked numerous unknown enemies. His concern grew sluggish yet palpable.

"You mentioned many enemies before. Will I become a target for those insects seeking revenge? I've heard that interstellar assassins are quite insane, not considering things like status or gender. They'd just execute their targets with a single shot to the head."

"Don't worry, you won't be in danger," Xi Ze assured him, his gaze lowered as his voice remained calm and resolute, soothing the faint sense of crisis that had arisen within Yale.

"As long as I'm alive, I won't let any harm come to you."

Words that might have sounded arrogant were spoken by him so casually, not as a grand declaration of love, but as an unassuming fact, as if it were his natural duty.

"Such bold words."

Yale's eyebrows lifted slightly. He released his grip on the male's hand and instead carelessly ruffled the female's hair, disrupting his composed expression and infusing it with a touch of vivid embarrassment.

Feeling somewhat vindicated, but still dissatisfied, the male insect half-jokingly grumbled, "But you've been hiding too much from me, haven't you?"

Xi Ze's eyelashes quivered. "I'm sorry, I..."

"For now, I'll forgive you."

Yale softly interrupted him, gazing at the scene before them. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Remember to tell me everything when the time comes."

"Okay."