Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Yale's recuperation came to an end, and it was time for him to be discharged from the hospital.

The hospital was reluctant to part with their S-Rank Sovereign, but under the pressure of the Admiral, they obediently completed the treatment and sent the male insect to the entrance.

"Please come back anytime, Your Excellency! The hospital will cover all expenses unconditionally!"

"We're really going to miss you... wuwuwu..."

A military hovercar waited at the hospital entrance. Due to its high modification, Yale was lifted by Xi Ze to get inside. Upon hearing the farewell, he turned his head and smiled. "Goodbye."

That smile momentarily silenced the swarm gathered at the hospital entrance. Then, an even louder chorus of "wuwuwu" erupted, though they dared not cry out too loudly, considering the stern expression of the military female standing beside them.

Xi Ze exerted strength, placing the male insect on the seat. Then, he deftly stepped onto the edge and seated himself inside.

The door slammed shut, cutting off the noise from outside.

This vehicle was autonomous and more advanced and intricate than ordinary hovercars. Its exterior was modestly painted in camouflage green, while the interior resembled a miniature mecha control room.

Yale sat upright in his seat, unusually self-conscious for once.

Their earlier reunion had been so emotionally charged that he had subconsciously overlooked the shift in their statuses. It wasn't until now that he acutely realized the little, vulnerable female insectoid from home had transformed into an Imperial Admiral with immense power and authority.

"Retreat, maintain vigilance."

A cool command came from beside him, delivered in a deep and calm tone that exuded an authoritative presence. Without even looking, Yale knew that the expression on that face would be icy and stern, with a furrowed brow.

Normally, the female spoke to him in a different tone, with a slightly elevated pitch and a gentler demeanor. He had assumed this was just how the female naturally conversed.

It felt... strange.

Yale found himself staring at his hands resting on his knees in a daze.

But soon, the steady breaths, the scent, and the warmth of the female permeated the air and fabric barriers, reaching him clearly. That familiar and comforting aura gradually filled most of the vehicle's space, infiltrating every inhale and exhale, causing him to relax without even realizing it.

Gently, Yale glanced to his left, only to meet a pair of gilded eyes looking back at him. He promptly snapped his gaze away.

Caught in the act.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Xi Ze turned off the communicator and set it aside, slightly leaning forward to study the expression on the Male Lead's face, but he couldn't read anything from it.

A deep and soothing voice whispered against his ear, making half of his body tingle.

Yale suppressed the urge to rub his ears and coughed softly. "Nothing."

The Male Lead seemed uncomfortable. Was it because of him?

Or, more precisely, was it because he was giving orders in his military uniform?

Some lower-ranking males, due to certain inferiority complexes, would feel obvious displeasure and resentment when the female displayed great capabilities, dominance, or ambition.

Xi Ze knew that this particular Male Lead would never have such feelings, but he was still afraid that Yale might not like seeing him like this. After all, he appeared much harsher and fiercer than before, which could easily induce pressure and discomfort.

His previous concerns... were indeed not unfounded.

Contemplating this, he slid down from his seat into a semi-kneeling position, only to have his forehead suddenly pressed by a hand.

"What are you doing?"

Yale looked at him in confusion, wondering what new scenario the male had conjured up in such a short time.

Despite their long period of coexistence and many shared confidences, Yale still found it challenging to understand the male's thought processes at times.

But different societal backgrounds cultivated distinct ways of thinking, and that was simply a fact they had to accept.

Yale exerted more force on the male's shoulders, pulling him closer until the small gap between them vanished, leaving them sitting side by side, almost touching.

"Where are we heading next? You should have a place to stay on the main planet, right?"

Expertly steering the conversation away from the awkward topic, he glanced out the window at the rapidly receding landscape and suddenly grew concerned.

Xi Ze, too, put the incident behind him and began explaining with a serious tone.

"Yes, my previous residence wasn't seized by the royal family after my 'sacrifice.' It was just sealed off, perhaps with plans to convert it into a tourist attraction later. But I didn't expect to return after only five years."

Yale's brows lifted slightly, almost causing him to laugh out loud at the notion.

Was it something like the Xun Museum or Xie's Ancestral Home? Perhaps if the male had returned two years later, he would have needed to purchase admission tickets just to enter his own home.

Adult tickets cost 120 star coins, student tickets 100 star coins, and larvae tickets 80 star coins.

Yet, Yale found himself strangely understanding the immense influence and credibility this male held. He faced Xi Ze seriously and said,

"Fortunately, the insectoids don't have much belief in supernatural powers, otherwise, I might see your image on storefronts and residential doors all over the city."

Xi Ze looked at him blankly, clearly not grasping what the male was implying. Nevertheless, he smiled and said,

"Well, let's head home now."

*

Although Yale knew that the male's status was high and his residence couldn't be bad, he was still momentarily stunned when they arrived.

"Is that one it?"

Pointing to the most prominent, technology-filled villa in the distance, Yale ventured a bold guess.

"The entire stretch over there, including those adjacent... All of it belongs to us. However, the central building is where we usually reside."

His finger was held by the male insect, tracing a wide circle from the most impressive structure on the left to the right, encompassing the seemingly endless area beside it.

Yale's eyes widened slightly. Countless words hovered on the tip of his tongue but were ultimately swallowed back.

"You must have suffered living in that small house on Ithar with me before."

But a warm touch landed on his earlobe, accompanied by a low, pleasant voice whispering into his ear, like a subtle and restrained plea for attention.

"It wasn't suffering at all. Being with you, the Male Sovereign, was more than enough."

Though not something significant, Xi Ze actually wanted Yale to see his former residence... It was just a subtle sense of joy.

"Shall we go in and take a look?"

Only when they drew closer did they realize that the complex was even grander and taller than expected. A translucent protective shield faintly enveloped the area, and security patrols could be seen moving about as the hovercar entered.

The car pulled up in front of the central villa. Xi Ze alighted first, walked around to the other side, and opened the door, extending his hand to Yale. "Be careful."

"Thank you."

Yale offered a succinct gratitude and, taking the female insect's hand, leaped out of the hovering vehicle.

"I've already registered your iris and fingerprints in the smart system. Your authority is ranked first, allowing you free access to any area and the opening of every room... It's all up to your pleasure."

Xi Ze led him toward the automatically sliding door while explaining.

"In fact, this property isn't the best, but the Male Lord mentioned that he disliked being in places with many insects. This location is much quieter compared to others."

"Normally, it's only the Male Lord and me here. The security patrol team won't approach this area. The professional teams responsible for tasks like medical care and cooking reside further away. You can call them when needed."

Coincidentally, a plump housekeeping robot rolled over and produced a pair of yellow duck slippers from its belly. Yale hastily averted his gaze and lowered his head to change his shoes.

Taking advantage of Yale's unsteady single leg, Xi Ze seized the opportunity to hold Yale's hand.

After the Male Lord stumbled into the adorable yellow ducks prepared for him, Xi Ze smiled and said, "Let me show the Male Lord around first."

Suddenly remembering something, Xi Ze changed direction, leading the male insect forward for a distance. They veered around the tall green plants and entered an open hall.

Yale's gaze was immediately drawn to the activity by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A familiar, plump silhouette stood there, holding a mop in a daze. Several small, winged disks hovered around it, bumping repeatedly against its silver belly with a pat-pat sound.

"Don't disturb 015 while it's mopping! What are you doing?"

The little robotic butler put its hands on its waist, its pristine screen displaying an angry expression.

But clearly, that didn't work. The disks seemed to be teasing it, pushing away only to draw near again, until the exasperated 015 finally stuffed them all into its belly, piling them high.

"015!"

Hearing a familiar voice, it froze for a moment before snapping its head around so abruptly that its freshly replaced wires nearly snapped. "?!??!!"

It dropped the mop and flew into Yale's arms like a fledgling returning to its nest, extending its long mechanical limbs to embrace the male insectoid, emitting a series of whimpers.

"My Lord Insect! 015 hasn't seen you in so long, I've missed you so much, wuwuwuwuwuwu…"

Xi Ze made space for them to embrace, tapping 015's new head gently as he explained.

"I've given 015 a new body. Its original programming was too outdated. It was quite troublesome to update it completely while preserving its personality and memories, but in the end, it was a success."

Upon hearing this, Yale breathed a sigh of relief and put down the cuddly little robot butler. "As long as it's alright."

015 happily showed off its new features to the male insectoid. "This is the latest energy tank! A single fill can last at least fifty years, so no need to keep recharging!"

"It also has extendable mechanical arms and jet boosters..."

015, who hadn't seen anything decent since it was produced, exaggeratedly concluded, "Super, super cool!"

Yale's eyes held a faint smile as he patted its head lightly. "It really is impressive. Go clean the floor. Xi Ze and I will explore around here."

Only then did 015 remember the unfinished mopping task, spinning around and gliding away again. "Okay!"

The previously hovering disc swiftly flew over from the balcony and stopped by Yale's feet. "? What's this?"

"This is a compact flying vehicle for transportation. It has great weight-bearing capacity. You can use this for daily commuting. The villa is too big, and you'd get tired just walking around,"

It was so large that one needed a flying vehicle to move around...?

Yale's gaze trembled for a moment. He glanced at the calm expression of the female insect and suppressed his astonishment with a light cough.

Chapter 015 was a small bumpkin, while he was a big one. They were equally inexperienced.

"Is it as simple as stepping on it? Won't it be unstable?"

Hesitantly, he stepped on the disc-like flying vehicle. Instantly, it activated, with two blue lights illuminating along its edges. Soon, it transformed into a rectangle, firmly supporting him.

Xi Ze held his hand and walked forward a few steps. The flying vehicle flapped its invisible wings, moving smoothly beneath their feet.

"This is powered by mental energy. Dominant, you can try connecting your mental energy to its wings. Then, you'll be able to freely change its shape and control its speed."

However, after Yale followed the instructions, the tiny creature suddenly stiffened and cracked in half, plummeting down from the low altitude.

"?! ?"

Xi Ze was startled as well. He swiftly reached out and pulled the male insect into his embrace. After staring at each other for a moment, they looked at the remains of the flying vehicle and the yellow duck slipper that had fallen along with it.

Yale looked a bit guilty. "Ah, sorry about that..."

Summoning another hoverpod, Xi Ze placed the male insectoid on it and bent down to help Yale put on his slipper.

"It's alright, but it only needs a small amount of mental energy. Otherwise, it might be too much for it to handle."

This minor incident didn't disrupt their tour plan, but it made Yale relax, allowing him to navigate the hoverpod with ease.

Discovering that the pod could extend clasps to secure his feet even when inverted, Yale gasped in amazement. After spinning around the spacious hall 360 degrees, he exclaimed, "Look over here!"

"Truly impressive."

Xi Ze gently pushed back the fallen fabric from Yale's face, revealing his eyes and expression. His voice held a indulgent and gentle amusement.

"In the past half-month, a specialized insectoid general has updated this place. Since it's directly connected to the Empire's latest technology research facility, some things might be a bit tricky to use. You can ask the AI for assistance."

As if triggered by a keyword, a golden glow resembling a star appeared on the pristine white wall. Immediately, a voice sounded out promptly—

"Yes, at your service anytime, Your Excellency Yale."

It turns out that there was another highly intelligent life form present.

Yale straightened his body and coughed discreetly. "We've seen enough here. Let's keep moving."

Next to the hall was an elevator that could directly access all floors, providing great convenience.

Yale noticed the male insect's finger brushed past the lower levels and lit up the button for the fifth floor. "Is there anything on the fifth floor?"

Before the male insect could answer, the elevator arrived, and the doors glided open, revealing the scene outside.

Xi Ze suddenly coughed softly, seemingly a bit embarrassed. Lowering his eyes, he said, "… This is the master bedroom."

Yale froze for a moment before jumping down from the hovercraft and tentatively took a few steps inside.

This entire level was the master suite, with an immense area. Yet, the interior decoration was surprisingly simple.

Black and white were the dominant colors, consistent with the male insect's cold and efficient style. There was almost no sense of warmth typically found in a bedroom.

However, upon closer inspection, signs of life could still be discerned. A military uniform jacket hung on a wardrobe, a glass on a table, and a square fridge magnet on the refrigerator... These small details were like hidden Easter eggs, waiting to be discovered by another pair of eyes.

Progressing further inward led to the heart of the master bedroom, where a large and plush bed held the sole splash of brightness in the room.

"Why did you bring this back?"

Yale looked surprised as he picked up the familiar long dog-shaped pillow.

The bloodstains that might have accidentally adhered to it had been thoroughly cleaned. The puppy pillow now exuded the fragrance of sunlight and scented oils, smelling particularly fresh and pleasant.

"Because you gave it to me," Xi Ze spoke softly, his gaze fixed intently on the male insect playing with the pillow for a while.

"How about this room? Would Lord Male like to sleep here tonight?"

After much hesitation, he still didn't directly invite the male insect to share the same bed but couldn't resist dropping a subtle hint.

"I can stay in one of the guest rooms on the fourth floor... However, the adjacent rooms haven't been cleaned yet, so they might not be very tidy."

In reality, the entire place had undergone a thorough renovation and cleaning, but the cleaning robots were not programmed to defend their work, thus he silently took the blame for the perceived oversight.

The thoughts of the submissive were transparent, perhaps not wanting to show his true feelings in front of him. But it was precisely this kind of reluctance and subtle hints that made teasing all the more enjoyable.

"Is that so?"

Yale's eyes flickered, deliberately elongating his "mm-hmm" with a contemplative expression.

"But I think the cleaning robots here are quite advanced. They should be able to tidy up a room within a day."

"You have a point... Then let's have the housekeeping robot clean that room tonight."

The submissive before him paused, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face. After a brief silence, he suggested, "But the guest room is quite far away. I can sleep on the sofa outside for tonight."

Was it too far from the master bedroom, or too far from himself?

Yale's eyebrows lifted slightly, acknowledging that he had been subtly charmed by the submissive's unconscious endurance and reliance. After grinding his teeth, he pushed the long dog-shaped pillow into the submissive's arms.

"I was just joking with you."

He leaned down and kissed the tip of the submissive's nose. "Why are you so easy to fool?"

Having received permission to share the bed and a comforting kiss, Xi Ze closed his eyes contentedly, placing his hand on the male's side while indulging in the insect's affectionate rubbing against his face.

"I'm only yours to deceive."

He laughed in fragmented breaths, his voice slightly hoarse. He leaned back onto the bed under Yale's pressure, allowing the male to straddle his waist.

Warm golden light illuminated from behind Yale, casting a clean and ethereal silhouette in the dimness. Only the glitter in his dark eyes was visible, filled with intimacy and tenderness.

Xi Ze couldn't help but shiver, feeling the silent yet intense pounding of his heart.

In the intervals between closing his eyes to meet the kisses, he whispered almost inaudibly, "I'm only yours to deceive."

...

After some time in the master bedroom, Yale was led to the sixth floor of the villa. Unlike the enormous bedroom that one would encounter immediately upon entering, this level seemed professional and enigmatic.

Behind the elevator was a long corridor, and at its end stood a large silver door without handles or locks. Instead, two deeper silver lines outlined what appeared to be "eyes."

"This is the study. You can try using your iris to unlock the door."

Xi Ze shifted sideways to make room.

Yale aligned his eyes with the "eye" in the center. Immediately, a square aperture split open, and after scanning his iris, it beeped and slowly opened to both sides.

"…?!"

In the next second, Yale's pupils trembled in astonishment at the scene inside.

Was this a study?!

This was more like a national-level library, wasn't it?!

The enormous silver bookshelf walls were lined with densely packed numbers, dividing the area into sections with a clear pattern. A translucent flood of data shimmered with a subtle glow, resembling a galaxy pouring down.

In the Interstellar Era, books and information were mostly stored on chip cards, though paper books still existed, they were no longer the norm.

Microchips significantly reduced the storage space needed, and combined with this vast library before him, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the entire empire's collection of books and data could be found here.

Moreover, it seemed to utilize some sort of space-expansion technology. The space within was much larger than a simple single-story villa. Without a flying vehicle, one might get lost for an entire afternoon in there.

"This area houses the library, over there is a designated workspace, and then there's..."

A holographic display materialized around them, courtesy of the female insectoid's gestures, revealing the layout in intricate detail.

Yale studied it attentively several times before finally identifying which section's entrance he was standing in front of.

"May I get closer for a look?"

Yale's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at Xi Ze, barely containing his excitement.

"Certainly."

Xi Ze's eyes crinkled in a smile as he watched the male insectoid skillfully maneuver the hovercraft closer to the bookshelf wall.

"The Z sector on the far right holds some very rare and valuable single copies. You might find them intriguing."

"Beep beep."

Suddenly, his wrist-mounted optical computer emitted a sound. He tore his gaze away, his brows furrowing upon seeing the name that had appeared in his communication feed.

"It actually exists! I couldn't find it anywhere before..."

Yale was swiping through the holographic screen, navigating the hovercraft to survey the various zones from above. It was only when the female insect called his name that he snapped back to reality.

He turned his head, watching as the insect ran towards him. He then maneuvered the hovercraft to land on the ground. "What's the matter?"

Xi Ze looked somewhat hesitant, unsure of how to express himself. "Lord, um..."

Yale caught sight of the lit-up neural computer and understood at once. "Do you have something to attend to?"

"Yes," Xi Ze replied softly. "It's sudden, and I'm truly sorry. I should have spent the day with you properly."

"No worries, go ahead. I'll explore on my own for a while, and if I have any questions, I'll just ask the AI."

Yale fully understood that this position would be busy; he had been there himself. Back then, as a mere school student, he still had to work 996 and 007 in research institutes, nearly pushing himself to another near-death experience.

As an Imperial Admiral, Xi Ze likely had a hundred times more on his plate, leaving little time to accompany him. The leisurely life they had on Aital Star might never be replicated again.

"By the way, are there any areas or documents here that are off-limits? Like encrypted files, for instance?"

Yale asked suddenly.

Xi Ze was taken aback for a moment before understanding his meaning. Gentle warmth suffused his eyes.

"All confidential information is stored in the base. His Majesty can go through anything in the study without worry."

"I understand. You go ahead then, have a safe trip."

"Alright, I'll be back as soon as possible."

Yale waved, watching Xi Ze stride out of the door.

...

A military hovercar was parked at the entrance.

Xi Ze opened the door and got in. Bai Lang, who was in the driver's seat, started the vehicle while updating him on the situation.

"It's the final deadline today. If you still don't meet His Majesty, those worms in the Senate will find an excuse to impeach you."

"I see. Schedule it for 7 p.m., and try to wrap it up early."

Xi Ze activated his light computer to handle a batch of emails while attentively listening to Bai Lang's report, occasionally issuing new orders.

The hovercar smoothly entered the base without any obstacles.

*

After the female left, Yale spent some more time in the study, unable to resist exploring the unvisited areas.

The villa was spacious but not overly extravagant, considering its purpose was to serve as a comfortable living space, not to host golf games in the living room.

Although it required air vehicles for transportation, the luxurious bedroom with understated elegance, the library-sized study, several mecha simulation and training rooms, a vast planet observation chamber... and even an endless private garden for worms – it all seemed quite... adequate.

Yale attempted to convince himself, but after a moment of solemn contemplation, he couldn't help but cover his face and murmur softly.

"Help... Why do I feel like a kept man?"

Recalling the male insect at the press conference, dressed in crisp military attire, his handsome and aloof face hidden beneath the brim of his hat, had silenced all prying mouths and thoughts with just one glance.

This was merely the surface that the male insect had shown. The fact that he had seized power to the utmost limit within such a short time, leaving no room for any other insects to react or retaliate... This simple yet irrefutable outcome was a glimpse into the depths of his cunning and strategizing, instilling fear in those who knew better.

Yale understood this, but he felt little fear. Instead, his heart skipped a beat at the rare display of the male insect's authoritative side.

Realizing that he was falling deeper and deeper, he didn't resist. He let his heart throb against his chest, a warmth spreading to the tips of his flushed ears.

"This 'dependent life' seems rather appealing."

In the end, Yale circled back. En route, he couldn't help but covet the grand observatory, but glancing at the time, he returned to the study.

Although there were valid reasons, he still felt a twinge of guilt for having kept Adelaide waiting for so long. He imagined the scientific fanatic insect might explode... It was a bit terrifying.

...

Admiral's Office.

The surveillance within the villa was linked to the optical brain, with the cameras seamlessly switching to follow the movements of the alpha insectoid.

On the screen, Yale resized the hovercraft, adding a soft cushion on top. He crossed his legs and sat on it as he leisurely cruised around the villa in the miniature vehicle.

Whether it was his gaze lifted to admire the interior of the villa or the adorable expressions that flickered across his face when he spotted something he liked or found peculiar, Xi Ze found it almost impossible to tear his eyes away.

Perhaps due to sitting cross-legged for too long, Yale propped one foot on the edge while his other calf dangled, swinging leisurely. He supported his cheek with one hand, gazing into the distance with a vacant stare.

With the grace of a lounging feline, Yale extended a tail, swishing it leisurely, inadvertently teasing those helpless keepers who were forced to be away, making them yearn to rush back and rub his belly.

Unable to resist, Xi Ze chuckled silently and clicked to save the video for posterity. He didn't close his optical computer and continued perusing the documents on his desk.

The cameras automatically captured Yale's presence from various angles, recording every adorable expression of the male insectoid.

The corners of his eyes were filled with the delightful antics of the male, making even these tedious and boring tasks seem much more pleasant.

However, thoughts of the watchful Parliament and Military officials caused his gaze to gradually harden.

An S-class male is like a tender, bleeding morsel of flesh that would undoubtedly attract countless salivating, greedy leopards and incessant, filthy mosquitoes.

It doesn't matter...

Xi Ze tapped Yale's profile on the screen with his fingertip. The male insect seemed to sense it, puffing one cheek as he frowned slightly, his gaze deeply concentrated on the calculations in his optical brain.

He would protect Yale at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

Author's Note:

Back to the nest, my feline love! (Patrolling the territory...)

Poverty restrains the author's imagination, quq