Chapter 62

Chapter 62

"Xi Ze: I'm back from my business trip early. Can I come and pick you up?"

Yale tapped repeatedly on the screen, exiting and re-entering the chat, before poking the cute little cat emoji below.

He sat on a bench not far from the side entrance, with the ginkgo tree grove behind him.

The sky was already turning dim, with soft and romantic hues spreading across the distant horizon, gradually fading away with time.

There were still half an hour until Xi Ze's arrival.

The female worm had initially told him to play for a while longer and that she would send him a message when it was time. Yale had agreed on the surface but had actually been waiting at the agreed-upon side entrance much earlier.

The situation just now had been rather terrifying… Fortunately, a school teacher had suddenly appeared and dispersed the students quickly with the threat of deducting their overall scores, rescuing him from the predicament.

Adelaide had wanted to pull him straight to the principal's office to immediately enroll him in the school. However, upon learning that the principal was occupied, he could only give up regretfully.

Northding was even more persistent, insisting on adding Yale on the Star Network and promising not to delete him before finally letting go to be taken away by the teacher. He even kept looking back at Yale as he left.

It was almost late afternoon by the time all the chaos subsided, and Yale could already envision the disastrous aftermath of this spectacle unfolding on forums.

The students who were reluctantly dispersed tried to suppress their expressions, but in reality, they had already activated their light brains and were frantically typing away. Within just a few seconds, Yale's reputation had been swiftly "ruined."

No longer daring to show his face in public, Yale took an early position at the school entrance.

"?"

A chill brushed across his face, and Yale lifted his eyes in confusion. He saw countless tiny snowflakes swaying gently, twirling down from the sky.

Delicate white fluff alighted on his nose, eyelashes, and cheeks, melting into moist vapor against the warmth of his skin like tender kisses from the heavens.

"It's snowing..."

He exhaled a puff of mist, belatedly sensing the chill in the air.

"Beep-beep!"

The hovercar's horn sounded from outside the door, jerking Yale back to reality.

The bright headlights sliced through the ground in front of the school gate before the vehicle smoothly parked beside it.

He immediately stood up and jogged towards the entrance.

"?!?"

Just as he closed the car door, a figure suddenly crashed into his arms, like being engulfed by a snowfall, soft and cold, carrying a familiar scent and weight.

Xi Ze took a step back with the force of the impact, his back leaning against the car door.

He reached out to embrace the male's waist and smiled down, "Has the Male Sovereign been waiting long?"

Yale buried his face in the omega's embrace and took a deep breath, regaining some composure. Without hesitation, he nodded when he heard the question.

"Yes, for a day and a night."

After waiting since last night without the omega returning home, it had indeed been too long.

Xi Ze was momentarily stunned, his gaze softening. It felt as if a part of his chest had caved in, leaving him with a sour and tender sensation.

Hiding his face in the soft fur of Yale's down jacket hood, he gently brushed the tip of his nose against the cold ear of the male insect, whispering softly.

"It was my fault for keeping the Male Sovereign waiting so long."

His warm breath fanned against Yale's ear, causing a tickling sensation. Yale embraced the female's waist and leaned back slightly, creating some space between them.

As their eyes met, his expression softened, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm hungry."

He had only eaten one meal today. Originally, he planned to go to the cafeteria at noon, but watching a competition had caused him to miss that opportunity. Now, his stomach was audibly complaining with rumbling sounds.

"Alright, let's go have our meal now."

The snowfall seemed to intensify, already dusting Yale's head with a thin layer. Noticing this, Xi Ze opened the car door and helped the male companion inside before inputting their destination and activating the autonomous driving mode.

The car was warmed by its heater, and the seats were padded with a soft, fluffy blanket, completely shielding them from the biting cold outside.

Upon entering the car, Yale seemed to melt into a state of relaxation.

Observing that the destination wasn't their home but an unfamiliar location, Yale queried, perplexed, "We're not eating at home today?"

"In the East Sector 12, there's a private dining establishment with great taste and privacy. Moreover, they're hosting a firework festival tonight. I'd like to take you along for some fun."

Xi Ze turned to look at the male insect, suddenly realizing something, and softly apologized with a hint of frustration.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask if you had any other plans for tonight. Would Lord Male have some time later?"

In his position for far too long, besides extremely urgent and unalterable events, he would issue direct orders, expecting all collaborators to drop everything and fully cooperate.

Such a forceful approach might be called efficient in work matters, but it was taboo when dealing with male insects. Even though this particular male insect had an unusually amiable temperament, Xi Ze didn't want Yale to feel troubled.

The female insect looked slightly flustered. Yale was taken aback for a moment before instantly understanding, "Sure, let's go. I don't have anything else planned tonight anyway."

"Next time, feel free to tell me your plans in advance. We can discuss and sort it out."

Reaching out, he touched the female insect's hand, holding it as if to comfort him after sensing unease.

"By the way... is the restaurant already booked?"

Yale's gaze wandered for a moment before he coughed softly, looking a little embarrassed. "I suddenly have a craving for ice cream."

During the snowfall earlier, he had an odd thought that eating ice cream with snowflakes falling on his head in the depths of winter must have a unique charm... He wondered which would be more exhilarating, that or consuming an orange while bathing.

"The ice creams are pre-ordered, with all kinds available. You can choose freely from the menu."

With the crisis averted, Xi Ze's brows relaxed, and he leaned in to plant a kiss on the male insect's lips.

District 12 East wasn't far from the school. By the time they finished talking, the hovercar had already stopped in front of a private dining establishment.

To be cautious, Yale didn't remove his disguise. Instead, he put on the hat and scarf the female insect had brought, fully equipping himself before getting out of the car.

"So cold..."

The piercing cold wind attacked him the moment he stepped out, causing Yale's eyebrows to furrow slightly. He buried the lower half of his face into the scarf, his desire for strawberry ice cream plummeting.

The private dining restaurant before them was brightly lit, seemingly low-key from the outside but grand and enchanting once inside. The vintage architectural structures were intricately designed without feeling cramped. A stroll down a corridor revealed a breathtaking snowy landscape, like a luxurious resort built in the midst of a bustling city.

One of Yale's hands was held by the female insect and placed in her coat pocket as he walked forward, observing the scenery around him.

The private room they were in was situated on the outskirts of the villa, with a corridor offering a view of a picturesque landscape of rolling, light green hills.

Patches of pine forests stood resiliently in the snow, their branches adorned with twinkling fairy lights that imbued the night with a serene and tender glow.

Squeak...

Yale caught a faint rustling sound. As he turned his head, he witnessed a squirrel darting into the pine woods, leaving behind a trail of tiny paw prints in the snow.

He tugged on the hand of the female insectoid, about to point it out to him, when the creak of a door opening echoed nearby.

A servant respectfully bowed and stepped aside to wait.

"What's going on?"

Xi Ze, however, didn't rush inside. Instead, he gently squeezed the hand of the male insectoid in his pocket, whispering an inquiry about the unusual noise they had just heard.

"It was a squirrel," Yale indicated the paw prints, though his attention was soon drawn by the enticing aroma wafting from the room, causing his stomach to audibly rumble in anticipation.

With a slight curve at the corners of his eyes, Xi Ze led the male insect into the private room, asking, "Do you like squirrels? I can ask a servant to catch one for you."

"No need, just seeing them is enough. There's no rule that says liking something means I have to hold it," Yale replied casually, not noticing the subtle change in the expression of the female insect behind him. He walked straight towards the steaming dinner nearby.

The floor of the private room felt clean and smooth, exuding a comforting warmth, allowing one to walk on it without needing to change into slippers.

In the center of the low square table stood their dinner, accompanied by a small brazier with a pot of mellow wine gently warming on top, emitting a light intoxicating aroma.

The door to the private chamber swung shut behind him, the attendant departing silently.

"Hmm..."

Yale sank into the plush cushions, savoring a spoonful of flavorful rice topped with succulent sauce, feeling every muscle in his body unwind.

"I was expecting high technology everywhere, yet I never imagined finding such a tranquil and retro place, one that even resembles... something quite familiar."

With a wistful expression, he let out a vague sigh, then lowered his head to take a few bites of his meal.

Unaware of the other male's momentary pause and hidden question, Yale continued to eat silently but swiftly. Recalling the male's previous words, he lifted his head again, his eyes shimmering with curiosity.

"When does the fireworks display begin?"

Xi Ze glanced at the time and pressed the call button to have the servants clear away their things.

"There's half an hour left. This private box offers the best view. You can simply step outside to see them."

The male got up and pulled open a small side door. Yale then noticed a wooden platform built just outside, not very large, but spacious enough for two insects to sit and enjoy the fireworks.

He bent down and crawled out, expecting it to be freezing cold. However, due to its unique location, there was no biting cold wind here. Instead, there was only a slightly pleasant chill.

The small fire pit had also been moved outside and placed in the middle of the platform. The pure aroma of the wine soon spread, instantly bringing a warm sensation to their surroundings.

Yale took his ice cream from the male's hand and took a bite of the strawberry topping. His face immediately scrunched up from the cold.

"So cold... I can't taste anything..."

Regaining some composure, he attempted to savor the sensation he had just desired. But his tongue was numb, unable to detect even the tart sweetness of the strawberry.

"Alpha."

The voice of the omega came from behind him. Yale turned his head in confusion, only to have his chin gently pinched by a finger.

In the next instant, his frozen lower lip was met with a warm touch.

His eyes widened slightly as he gazed into the slightly lowered gaze of the omega against the backdrop of a starry night sky.

A gentle ripple emerged in the depths of their entwined kiss, like ripples on a lake shimmering with stars.

The faint crackling of the fireplace, the icy breeze brushing past them, and the rustling of snow falling through the pine forest – all these sounds faded away. In their ears, only the rapid breathing of each other and the subtle slurping sounds of their lips and tongues mingling could be heard.

Gradually, his frozen taste buds regained sensation, allowing him to taste the creamy sweetness of the ice cream and the tangy freshness of the strawberry. As he continued to suckle, the sweetness began to dissipate.

Xi Ze lowered his gaze, wiping away the ice cream residue from the corner of Yale's lips. He then bent down to peck the flushed tip of the alpha's ear, chuckling in a husky voice.

"Like this, you can taste it..."

"Hmm..."

Yale blinked slowly, turning his gaze to the ice cream in his hand. He realized that it had already started melting, unsure how long they had been kissing.

Dazed, he turned his head and scooped up some snow, using his icy fingers to cool his flushed cheeks.

"Even two more of these would've melted into water... Strawberry ice cream wasn't part of our playtime!"

However, the slightly melted ice cream now resembled a slushy milkshake, tasting much better than before. Yale quickly forgave the drone's surprise attack and began savoring the unique experience of eating ice cream in the snow.

The small brazier was moved aside as Xi Ze sat down beside Yale, draping the military coat over both their shoulders like a cloak, creating a cozy nook.

A steady warmth radiated from where they were pressed together, causing Yale to lean unconsciously closer to the drone.

Lost in thought, he bit gently on the small spoon holding the ice cream, gazing mesmerized at the vast expanse of stars in the sky.

"Male Lord."

Hearing the drone's voice above him, he responded with a lazy hum, not rushing for the continuation of the conversation.

"I..."

Xi Ze didn't gaze at the starry sky above but fixed his eyes on the snow below the platform, where soiled earth and leaves marred the pristine white, causing him to frown slightly.

"I used to..."

He started a few times but hesitated, eventually falling silent under the questioning gaze of the male.

Yale set down his ice cream and stood up, looking at the female. "What happened in the past?"

Their previous mental bond hadn't fully faded, allowing him to sense a faint trace of melancholy coming from the other end. It was like standing alone in the snow for a long time, one's entire being chilled by the desolation.

Xi Ze held Yale's hand, their fingers interlacing without a sound, as he let out a sigh.

Perhaps those matters were as secretive as the male's own past, not yet ripe for revelation. It was best to let nature take its course.

"In the past, I thought it was beautiful watching other younglings play with fireworks, but I was too busy with studies to have the time for it. Later, when I entered the military and went to the battlefield, there was even less time."

The female suddenly rose and returned to the cabin, reappearing with a bulging bag in hand.

Yale tore open the bag, revealing an array of fireworks. There was no distinctive gunpowder smell, yet they carried a touch of familiarity amidst their vibrant display.

With a crisp snap, a flaming spark pierced through the gentle night, followed by a warm cascade of sparkling stars that surged forth powerfully, blossoming into a magnificent, fleeting tree of light.

"Back then? You mentioned spending a long time on a fringes planet similar to Altar. Was it during that period?"

Hugging the military coat of the female insectoid, Yale leaned back and gazed intently at the fireworks before him.

"No, I grew up on the main planet. Before my falling out with the family, I was the only omega son of the current Duke."

After a moment's thought, Xi Ze continued.

"At present, the Empire's power is divided among the royal family, the military, and the nobility, with the nobles being led by Duke Lance."

"Besides me, Duke Lance has another hyper-A class alpha named Kanuo. He's the leading alpha among the noble insects on the main planet."

Xi Ze gave Yale a brief explanation. Lately, he had been preoccupied with stabilizing the situation, focusing solely on shielding the alphas within a protective cocoon amidst the chaos.

But Yale was an S-class alpha, even more esteemed than the current ruler. It was only a matter of time before the truth was revealed, and he would eventually stand before the public.

"I have a general idea, but are there more details... Can you delve deeper into these matters?"

It was the first time Yale had heard a male insectoid speak of such things, and he felt a sense of novelty, as if he were truly stepping into a bizarre world that had once been open to him but then closed off.

Xi Ze lifted his gaze, gazing at the silhouette of the male insectoid through the flickering flames, his expression indistinct.

"There's nothing I can't tell you, even though I didn't want you to know."

Yale was taken aback.

The current empire was as filthy as a garbage dump filled with overflowing sewage, with its long-entrenched nobles resembling stubborn stains that had set in for decades. The stench was almost unspeakable.

He didn't want the moon in his embrace to be tainted, nor did he want the clean little male insectoid before him to come into contact with the slightest bit of dirt. Even hearing about those matters would sully his ears.

However, protecting a rose wasn't about sheltering it in a bell jar, feeding it expensive fertilizers or pure water. Instead, it required exposing it to the rain and breeze outside, allowing it to strive for vitality and bloom.

Closing his eyes briefly to hide a trace of exhaustion, Xi Ze opened them again, his expression quietly resolute.

"What would the Male Sovereign like to know?"

But...

At least while he was alive, every breath of wind that passed through his fingers was something Rose could endure. He could unfurl his petals at his own pace, gradually blossoming.

It was too painful to be utterly crushed and then struggle to be reborn. He couldn't bear for Yale to go through such suffering.

Snap, crackle... Sizzle...

The beautiful fireworks were fleeting, replaced by the heavy darkness of the night once more, now quieter and colder than before.

"It's too dangerous, isn't it?"

Yale suddenly said, lifting his gaze to meet the eyes of the female insect in front of him.

"Even if I'm an S-Class male insect, there's still a high chance I'll get bogged down in the quagmire, facing countless insults, malice, and both overt and covert attacks."

He saw the pain in the female insect's eyes – worry and affection that felt like a soft blade slicing through his heart, tormenting every nerve day and night, preventing the female from finding peaceful sleep.

Xi Ze pursed his lips but didn't speak.

"I don't wish to remain ignorant, to blindly indulge in a life devoid of purpose."

Nor did he want to hide beneath the wings of a female, cowardly averting his gaze from the fierce tempests and blizzards, while allowing her to be battered and bloodied, exhausted.

This wasn't the future he envisioned, nor was it how he intended to love.

Looking at the ashes left behind after the flames had subsided, Yale reached out to gather a small handful, extending it before Xi Ze with sincerity.

"It's alright. Even if one day I'm reduced to dust, at least I burned fiercely and brightly. There would be no regrets."

"I don't live for an eternity; I live for countless breathtaking moments, just like you—"

Opening his palm, the lightweight ashes were whisked away by the biting wind, gradually vanishing into thin air, leaving only the harsh remnants of their former selves.

Yet, one couldn't deny that the fleeting existence of fireworks held its own significance.

"Xi Ze, I'm not afraid of pain. What terrifies me is gaining a new lease on life only to squander it in hesitation and fear."

The corner of the female's eyes reddened slightly as he brushed off the soot from Yale's hands. Attempting to speak, he found himself unable to form the words, ultimately choosing to silently clasp Yale's hand in a firm grip.

"I am like this, so I know you are the same."

Yale withdrew his hand and lit a new firework from his bag.

"So, stop worrying all the time. After five long years, we're finally back. Let loose and have fun. Don't always think about protecting me."

"I'm an S-class, after all. An S-class who can disable a starship with just mental power. It's absurd to think of me as a burden."

He jumped into the snow, took a few steps back with the firework in hand, and gestured to the crouching female insect, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Never mind that for now. The mood is great, let's play for a while."

Xi Ze snapped out of his trance, staring at the male insect, and covered his face hastily to hide his awkwardness.

After several deep breaths, he composed himself and croaked, "…Here we go."

The snow on the ground was fresh, thick and fluffy. Each step left a clear footprint, and falling backward would create a large cross-shaped indentation.

"Help… Mmm!"

Yale inadvertently found himself buried under the snow, with only a stubborn firework stick protruding outward.

Just as he was about to struggle to his feet, he felt a firm grip on his hand.

In the next instant, his waist tightened, and a powerful force pulled him out of the snow.

As his vision cleared from the darkness, Yale shook off the snow from his head and realized that he was being securely held aloft in mid-air, with someone even replacing his spent firework with a new one.

Being carried like a child was somewhat embarrassing.

He released his legs, which had instinctively clung to the male's waist, and kicked a few times in mid-air, coughing softly. "Put me down."

Whoosh—Bang!!

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp tearing sound pierced the air, followed by a tremendous boom that shook the snowy ground.

The sky above him suddenly illuminated, bursting into an incredibly magnificent display of a thousand-star fireworks.

Indeed, this spot was the best. The fireworks seemed to explode directly overhead, with no obstructions whatsoever.

Yale's eyes widened slightly as he gazed mesmerized at the breathtaking spectacle before him.

Whizz—Bang! Crackling!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!...

A barrage of fireworks soared into the sky, bursting open at their peak like a profusion of colorful, radiant meteors, their brilliance illuminating the moment of explosion.

Yale held his breath, absorbed in this all-encompassing pyrotechnic extravaganza, momentarily forgetting their position with the female insect. Now and then, he patted the female insect's shoulder, urging them to look up.

"It's beautiful."

Xi Ze fixated on the male insect's profile, admiring the spectacle through the reflection in his eyes. In the flickering light, he traced the pristine contours of the face, finally whispering after a long while.

"Truly, it's very beautiful."

...

When they both tumbled onto the platform, their outer garments were somewhat damp from the melting ice fragments that had seeped through, causing their shirts to cling uncomfortably to their skin.

Yale released the male's shoulder, rolled onto his back, and belatedly noticed the long-forgotten sake.

"I almost forgot about this. It's been warming for a while, does it matter?"

He took a deep swig and nearly choked, "Cough... It's sweet."

Yet, the aftertaste of the alcohol soon kicked in, a spicy warmth surging from his stomach and swirling around his chest, quickly dispelling the chill in his body.

Xi Ze pulled over a blanket, wrapping the drenched male within, "Go inside first, don't catch a cold."

He placed the male on the prepared cushion and turned to close the cabin door. As he did, he grabbed a spare towel to rub his hair. In just that brief moment, Yale had already downed half a flask of sake.

When Xi Ze turned back to attend to Yale, he found the male, wrapped up like a spring roll with only his head exposed, flushed red, as if his entire head was about to boil.

"This place is quite thoughtful, remembering to prepare sake for warmth... Xi Ze, you should have some too, but not too much, or you'll get dizzy..."

The wriggling male on the bed mumbled softly, clearly already quite drunk.

Xi Ze glanced at the flask beside him suspiciously, took a couple of gulps... It tasted like plain water, with almost no trace of alcohol.

The male's tolerance for alcohol was unexpectedly low.

He found the situation both amusing and frustrating. Extending his hand to embrace the squirming Yale on the bed, he was met with a fierce glare.

"What's wrong, my lord?"

After the initial dizziness passed, Yale felt incredibly lucid. He didn't need to be carried around at all; it would be a disgrace for a top-tier S-Class Pet Pokémon!

"What Pokémon...?"

Hearing the confusion in the male's voice, Yale sat up, still half-asleep, and vaguely explained the basic premise of the only cartoon he had watched as a child by peeping through his neighbor's door.

Noticing that the male was empty-handed, Yale's anger flared. "You think you can catch me without a Pokéball? Dream on! I want something sparkly...!"

After thrashing about for a while, Yale's attention shifted, and he began to complain about the heat and his thirst, insisting on an ice cream tower consisting of five scoops.

"This time, I'm going to eat it myself! No more sharing from your mouth!"

The male harbored some inexplicable resentment over this, but he soon started rambling about other things, talking far more than he did before he got drunk.

"Okay, okay, okay..."

Xi Ze made an effort to find gaps in his busy schedule to wipe Yale's hair, laughing and sighing at the same time, unable to comprehend how there could be such an adorable insect in this world.

After a long while of fussing, Yale, exhausted, fell into a deep sleep wrapped in his blanket.

Taking advantage of the situation, Xi Ze changed him into clean clothes and carefully extracted the male from under the covers.

Contacting Bai Lang to come pick them up, he wrapped the male tightly in a military coat, leaving only a small opening for breathing. Then, he pulled open the compartment door and strode out swiftly.

The sky outside had already turned bright.

Author's Note:

Yeye (the next morning): ...Stop laughing, that's just how it is when you're a lightweight drinker (deadpan expression).