Chapter 101: The Locker Room

Chapter 101: The Locker Room

It's said that ducks are the noisiest creatures, but it turns out that several dozen bugs can be quite unbearable when they start buzzing. Ludwig had stirred up trouble and then left without a care, leaving Amber to sit in his seat and endure the prying questions of his colleagues.

"Lady Amber, Lady Amber, why would General Ludwig suddenly send you a tie? Could it be that he wants to reconcile with you?!"

"Have you two gotten back together?"

"Is General Ludwig pursuing you?!"

Amber neatly folded the tie and placed it into his pocket, not fond of sharing his personal affairs with irrelevant bugs. But if he didn't speak up, who knew how rumors would twist and turn. For once, he responded, "No, he isn't pursuing me."

Upon hearing this, the female bugs who admired him let out a sigh of relief, only for Amber to add, "I am currently dating General Ludwig, and we will re-engage soon."

He ignored the stunned expressions around him, excused himself to get some air, and left the office to avoid further nonsensical questions.

Amber walked to the corridor, leaned against the railing, and caught some wind. Suddenly remembering something, he pulled out the dark blue tie from his pocket. He studied it for a moment, finding it strangely familiar. Then he recalled that it was the tie he had glanced at twice in a luxury store while shopping, but since he already had a similar one at home, he hadn't bought it.

Coincidentally, that very tie was now around his neck.

Amber entered the adjacent restroom, undid the tie in front of the mirror, replaced it with the new one, and tied a neat and meticulous knot, finally looking somewhat satisfied.

He stared at the tie in the mirror, lost in thought, his gaze softening momentarily before he tossed the old tie into the trash bin and turned to leave.

Fog just happened to come out looking for Amber. He stared at the new tie on the male bug, his gaze subtly appraising as he asked, "Are you really going to re-engage with Ludwig?"

Amber raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Relieved by Amber's response, Fog felt that Amber was quite to his liking. If things had gone sour between Amber and Ludwig, it would have been awkward for him. He hadn't expected these two bugs to directly engage. He lightly punched Amber's shoulder and said generously, "Alright, from now on, we're family. If you need any help, just say so. You won't hear a 'no' from me."

If Fog hadn't spoken, Amber wouldn't have remembered, but now he did recall needing a favor. "Could you do me a small favor then?"

"Huh?"

Fog's eyes widened in surprise, thinking that he had merely been making polite conversation. How could Amber take it seriously? But words were like water once spilled; he couldn't take them back. He steeled himself and asked, "What do you need help with?"

Amber gestured for Fog to lean closer and whispered a few words in his ear. Fog's expression changed dramatically, revealing a complex mix of emotions. "Why are you probing him for no reason?"

Amber smiled faintly. "Oh, nothing. I was followed by an unknown bug on my way home last night. Although I couldn't see his face clearly, I left a scar on his arm. As you know, I had a conflict with Fang Yun yesterday. I want to see if it was him."

Fog still hesitated. "If I'm discovered, I'll be scolded as a pervert, right?"

Amber reassured him. "Don't worry, no bug will find out."

...

Every afternoon, the office provided snacks and drinks to its employees, a nice perk. Sitting at his desk, Fang Yun felt strangely distracted, unable to stop thinking about what the Third Prince had said to Amber today. His eyes darkened.

Why could Amber become the Deputy Chief of Staff right away, while he was just a regular soldier? They were both male bugs, so where did he fall short compared to the other?

The Third Prince was like this, and so was General Ludwig. Fang Yun simply couldn't understand.

He had once grieved over his accidental transmigration from Earth to the insectoid race, but after getting acquainted with this world, he began to feel that he was chosen by fate. Bugs around him told him every day how unique he was. Over time, he started to believe it himself.

But Amber's appearance seemed to shatter all of that...

Fang Yun was restless and agitated. He got up to find a quiet place, but unexpectedly collided with a bug. The drink in the other bug's hand tipped over, splashing all over him.

"Ahh..."

Amber took a couple of steps back, emitting a slightly surprised sound. He helplessly shrugged his hands and said, "Sorry, Lord Fang Yun. It wasn't intentional."

Fang Yun, of course, believed it was deliberate. He angrily grabbed Amber's collar. "Amber! You've gone too far!"

Amber showed no sign of panic. "Lord Fang Yun, I must remind you that if we fight again, it will certainly result in a major demerit. The Black Eagle Corps is very strict with background checks. How about this: I'll buy you a new coat?"

Fang Yun glared at Amber with hostility, asking in a low voice, "Do you think you're so great?!"

At the moment, only a few bugs remained in the office; the rest had gone next door for afternoon tea. Facing the bug he hated most, Fang Yun finally dropped his pretense.

Amber spoke calmly. "Lord Fang Yun, I only know that we are all flesh and blood, no different from each other."

If he became arrogant just because of his status as a male bug in this world, the last bit of human traits within him would eventually fade away, leaving him indistinguishable from the masses.

Unfortunately, Fang Yun failed to grasp the underlying meaning of Amber's words, only feeling that Amber was being sarcastic. "No, I'm not like you."

He was human, while everything in front of him was bugs.

After saying this, Fang Yun released Amber in anger, suppressing his rage as he headed to the locker room to change clothes. Although he received welfare subsidies every month, the capital was expensive, and everything cost money. Yesterday's date with Siflai had been a significant expense. Unlike Amber, who could wear a different outfit every day without repeating.

After rummaging through his locker for a long time, he finally found a coat that was barely clean enough. Fang Yun took off his dirty clothes and was about to put on the coat when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure hiding around the corner out of the corner of his eye. He was startled. "Who's there?!"

The figure didn't move but instead retreated further.

Fang Yun narrowed his eyes and approached step by step. "Amber?! Is that you?!"

He saw a corner of clothing peeking out from behind the lockers, becoming more certain that Amber was hiding there. With a fierce look, he kicked out, only for the person to cry out in pain, clutching their chest and stumbling to the ground. "Ouch! Fang Yun, you dare hit me?!"

Fang Yun's expression changed. "Fog?! Why are you here?!"

Fog got up from the ground, holding his chest, his teeth clenched in anger. "Amber sent me to bring you clothes. I didn't expect you to hit me. What, is this locker room your exclusive territory, where no other bugs can enter?"

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and threw a punch fiercely at Fang Yun. "You damn bug!"

Caught off guard, Fang Yun took a hit, unwilling to accept being beaten without retaliation. He immediately tangled with Fog. During the fight, a tearing sound rang out. Fang Yun's shirt collar was suddenly ripped open, revealing the bandage wrapped around his right arm, with specks of blood seeping through.

Fang Yun instantly backed away, creating distance, looking warily at Fog. "What are you doing?!"

Seeing this, Fog's eyes flickered, his tone filled with contempt. "What could I possibly do? Rest assured, I have no interest in male bugs like you."

Having said his piece, he didn't linger any longer, brushing off the dust on his clothes and walking out directly.

In the office, Amber was working in front of the computer. Not long after, a figure took a seat beside him, and Vog lowered his voice, saying, "He had bandages wrapped around his arm; there were indeed wounds."

Amber paused upon hearing this. "Are you sure?"

Vog spoke confidently. "Of course I'm sure. I tore off his clothes with my own hands! With my own hands!"

With this, the possibility that Fang Yun was an assassin greatly increased. But Amber couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The other party's personality was rash and impulsive. Would they really come up with such a meticulous plan to poison someone through wine?

In the brief span of a few breaths, Amber's eyes dimmed slightly, and she had already made a decision.

"What? You want to join the Black Eagle Corps?"

After nightfall, Ludwig still climbed through the window to find Amber. As soon as he landed on the floor, he saw the male sitting at the desk, flipping through documents while slowly asking, "What do you think about me joining the Black Eagle Corps?"

Ludwig raised his hand to remove his military cap, realizing that he was increasingly unable to understand Amber. He walked over to the desk, cleared away some clutter, and sat down directly on it. His black military boots dangled in the air, lightly brushing against Amber's trouser legs under the table, the gesture carrying an unclear meaning:

"I've warned you before that the military is no place for males, and the battlefield even less so. They only told you that three males have been selected into the corps in imperial history, but they definitely didn't tell you that no fewer than six males have died on the battlefield."

"Save it, I don't want to be a widow…"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he was unexpectedly pulled into the male's embrace, his cheek pressed tightly against the shirt covering the other's chest. In the air-conditioned room, the touch was slightly cool, yet the body beneath was warm. His ears burned red.

Amber looked down at the blushing female in her arms. Her long, thick eyelashes cast a shadow, making her eyes appear particularly deep. "Have I ever told you that I have a very strong life force?"

Ludwig pursed her lips. "But the battlefield is very dangerous."

Amber was straightforward. "I want to kill a bug. It's impossible to do so in the capital, it has to be on the battlefield."

Ludwig was startled upon hearing this and suddenly sat up straight. "Who do you want to kill?"

After he said this, he suddenly remembered that the Black Eagle Corps had recruited a male today, seemingly Fang Yun. His expression changed several times. "You want to kill Fang Yun?"

Indeed, he was sharp.

Amber reached out to touch Ludwig's face and asked softly, "Are you scared?"

Killing a male was a serious crime. If it was exposed, Ludwig might be implicated. All of their military achievements and reputation would be lost.

"…"

Ludwig fell silent, then frowned after a moment and asked, "Can you tell me why you want to kill him?"

Amber actually didn't intend to kill Fang Yun. After all, without personally testing it, she wouldn't completely believe that the other was an assassin. But one thing was certain: "The thief who broke into my house last night might have been him."

Upon hearing this, Ludwig's expression turned extremely grim. "He wanted to kill you?"

Amber replied, "Perhaps. I only know that he must hate me very much. You're one of the selection instructors for the Black Eagle Corps. So, can I get admitted?"

This sentence clearly carried a teasing tone, but Ludwig didn't respond for a long time. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "If it's just to kill him, you don't need to go to the battlefield yourself."

Amber raised her eyebrows indifferently. "What do you mean?"

Ludwig replied, "I'll help you kill him."

It seemed like he had made a decision. Looking up at Amber, his gaze was once harsh, then he repeated softly, "I'll help you kill him."

"…"

Now it was Amber's turn to pause. She looked at Ludwig with an inexplicable expression, subconsciously hugging the female tighter in her arms, as if afraid that she would slip away. Her tone was puzzled. "Why?"

In this severely imbalanced world, females had no reason to take such a risk that could ruin their reputation. After all, Amber couldn't offer them anything.

Ludwig furrowed her brows. "No reason. If you're only going to the battlefield for this, there's no need. I can kill that male for you."

Amber slowly smoothed out the crease between Ludwig's brows. Ludwig's features were actually very delicate, but because of her unruly personality, what people usually noticed first was her sharp aura. Amber's tone was low. "What if we're discovered?"

Ludwig scoffed. "So what if we're discovered? I'm the one who killed him, what does it have to do with you?"

Amber simply let her sit facing her in her lap. Her palms clung tightly to the slender waist of the female, covered by the military uniform, transmitting warmth inch by inch. "Ludwig, you know what I'm asking. Is it worth it… or do you treat every fiancé this well?"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Ludwig's expression changed. Feeling insulted, she nearly roared in anger, like a small beast baring its fangs and claws: "I did not!"

She had only met her two previous fiancés a few times. They were said to be glamorous on the surface, but in private, they liked to torture and play with female slaves. She and her comrades occasionally encountered them several times when they appeared in those gray areas of the auction houses. How could she treat them with such sincerity? Amber was simply failing to appreciate her good intentions!

Ludwig grew angrier the more she thought about it, struggling to get off Amber. However, she was pulled back by the other, who gripped her wrist. A low laugh brushed past her ear, causing her chest to vibrate:

"So why are you so good to me?"

Ludwig was at a loss for words. Under Amber's gaze, her strength seemed to be drained away. Her waist softened, and her amber eyes misted over, more splendid than gems under the light. Her eyelashes trembled, flashing a rare struggle:

"You're very capable, Sir…"

More capable than any male Ludwig had ever seen in her life. No one knew that when she saw Amber's fierce and cold figure in the Saint Teran arena, her blood had almost boiled with excitement.

Her eyes reddened, and her breathing quickened, especially clear in the quiet bedroom:

"But you're so cold…"

Ludwig could sense that Amber's eyes were cold, and her heart must be cold too. To form a partnership with this male, she would have to be more patient.

"If one wants to win at the gambling table, one must have enough chips and luck, but my luck has never been too good. If I want to win your heart, should I pay more?"

There's no such thing as a free lunch. If she wanted to win the male's heart, she had to take the initiative herself. Otherwise, how could she move such a cold and detached soul?

Ludwig caught a glimpse of the tie around Amber's collar out of the corner of his eye. Leaning in, he slowly undid the smooth fabric of the tie, his lips brushing against the male creature's ear as he whispered, "When Fang Yun dies on the battlefield, shall we come back and get married?"

"It's not a deal, nor a threat. I want you to marry me willingly."

Amber remained silent but instead gently pulled the tie from Ludwig's hands, blindfolding him with it. The sapphire tie was made of fine satin, shimmering with opulent hues under the light, yet it paled in comparison to the female creature's skin, finer than the coldest jade.

Ludwig's vision plunged into darkness, his heart pounding like a drum. He felt the male creature holding him tightly around the waist, a scorching warmth touching his ear as the other whispered:

"Yes..."