Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Hold it, Siluan!"

Declining the porcelain cup offered by the attendant, Du Dafei, fresh from the banquet, sat upright on the sofa in the hall. His usually gentle face was unusually stern.

Pausing mid-step on the staircase, the black-haired Male Insect glanced indifferently at his sire. His hair, meticulously styled by the hairdresser before leaving, was now disheveled. He casually adjusted the torn collar on his sleeve, torn by some Male Insect earlier.

True, he had humiliated the Qi Mengtu family today and even offended the Tulas Family, home to one of the top Legion Commanders. But what of it?

Frowning, as if reading his son’s defiance, Du Dafei spoke softly, "Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to the Tulas Family to apologize to Philo."

Go to the Tulas Family?

To grovel before that Philo?

"I’m not going," Siluan snapped, his face darkening.

At his defiance, Du Dafei’s voice turned icy. "If it weren’t for you today, none of this would have happened. If you refuse to apologize, or do you want this to blow up?"

"And what if it escalates?" Siluan didn’t move, his expression unchanging. He sneered at Du Dafei, spitting back, "Father, you’re just worried I’ll ruin my brother’s chances of finding a mate. Drop the act."

Then, turning to Shang Ling, whose face was perpetually masked with a plastic smile, Siluan added mockingly, "Asking me to apologize for some Female Insect? Not a chance."

"You—"

"Du Dafei, don’t push him. If Siluan doesn’t want to, let it be." The old Speaker, still composed and smiling, patted the male insect’s hand gently, mediating between the two.

Then, Norman turned to Siluan, seemingly unbothered by the day’s events, and proposed a compromise. "Siluan, if you dislike the new Highness, just steer clear of him in the future. But since today’s incident was our family’s fault, why not have the attendant who accompanied you apologize to the Tulas Family? What do you think?"

Attendant?

Oh, Song Emperor.

That made sense. Any insect with eyes could see that Song Emperor had deliberately handed the wine glass to Philo, even while blindfolded.

In truth, Siluan had orchestrated this game precisely because he knew Song Emperor’s hearing was exceptional. But regardless, it was Song Emperor who had played the drum, and as Siluan’s attendant, it was only right for him to apologize to the Tulas Family.

Giving a curt nod, the male insect offered no further objections.

But he didn’t linger either. Seeing that Du Dafei seemed seething too much to speak to him, Siluan shrugged and turned to head upstairs to his bedroom.

However—

"By the way, let’s drop the Thunder Drum game for now. The drumming is too loud, and prolonged exposure isn’t good for your ears. I’ll send you some new instruments another day."

Norman Qi Mengtu’s tone remained calm, but his words carried an air of finality—less a suggestion, more a non-negotiable order.

Siluan froze briefly but said nothing. He neither agreed nor objected.

His footsteps retreated as the male insect’s door on the second floor opened and closed.

As if signaled by the sound, the young Female insect standing below bowed quietly to his parents.

"My apologies, Father, Mother. I failed to manage Siluan’s emotions in advance. Tomorrow, I will sincerely beg forgiveness from Yi Jia Fa and His Highness Philo."

Earnest-faced, his voice sincere. Seeing this, Du Dafei’s frown softened, and his tone warmed.

"Today’s incident wasn’t your fault, Shang Ling. Don’t beat yourself up. However—"

Patting the young Female insect’s shoulder, the elder male insect advised solemnly, "You should indeed find an opportunity to apologize properly to the Tulas Family. Philo is a good insect, Shang Ling. Don’t squander this opportunity."

He had always liked Philo, and tonight’s banquet had only cemented his favor.

AClass Male Insects had low fertility rates, and Du Dafei had only two children in his lifetime. Siluan, being a Male Insect, often caused trouble, but Du Dafei couldn’t bring himself to worry. Shang Ling, however—finding him a compatible mate had led Du Dafei to vet countless candidates through the Male Insect Management Committee over the years.

After much deliberation, the most suitable candidate turned out to be this newly recovered Male Insect from a barren planet.

Thinking this, Du Dafei’s heavy expression lightened slightly. Given his recent observations of the new Male Insect’s temperament, even after today’s incident, he doubted Philo would hold Shang Ling accountable.

As for Yi Jia Fa…

"The Qi Mengtu family will surrender half of our interests in all Tulas Family-related industries north of the Saint Dafei galaxy." As if reading Du Dafei’s thoughts, Norman, as always, proposed a perfect remedy.

Reassuringly patting Du Dafei’s arm, the elder turned his keen old eyes to the child who shared his features. His voice lowered as he abruptly shifted topics.

"Shang Ling."

"Siluan is a Male Insect, and he is your younger brother. You must show him more patience."

There was no hint of disapproval that Shang Ling had to apologize for Siluan’s misbehavior. Their mirroring black eyes met, revealing every hidden thought beneath the surface.

But… show him more patience?

"Don’t worry. Shang Ling has always looked after Siluan. This truly isn’t his fault—Siluan’s antics again. Still, conceding interests is a fair compromise. That should satisfy Yi Jia Fa." Lifting his porcelain cup, Du Dafei smiled gently.

Over the years, if disciplining Siluan had drained him, Shang Ling had never once troubled him.

Wherever he went, Shang Ling was praised. Even BClass Male Insects had once courted him for marriage proposals. With such a female child and an AClass male child, Du Dafei was content.

Bowing slightly, the Female insect averted his gaze from the elders and said quietly, "Understood, Mother."

The conversation wound down with the proposed resolution.

But as for the Female insect mentioned in that resolution—Song Emperor had only just returned the Thunder Drum to its place in the instrument room.

Standing in the spacious room, the Female insect, who usually suffered crippling migraines and pallor after handling the drum, seemed different today.

The usual agony had vanished without a trace. His skin had regained its color, and his pupils had returned to normal.

His gaze swept over the metallic sheen of the drum stand, devoid of its usual timidity and hesitation.

Calm as the abyss beneath a dead sea, his cold, hollow stare traced the metal frame, skimmed the massive drumhead, and finally settled on the drumsticks made from star beast bone beside it.

Drumsticks crafted from BClass star beast bone—jade in texture, thunder in tone.

Song Emperor was a BClass Female insect, and until now, only insects with BClass mental strength had wielded these drumsticks.

But today, there had been an exception.

A male...

His fingers unconsciously pressed against his brow, as if trying to suppress the power that had briefly lingered there. The female lowered his lashes, momentarily obscuring his expression.

Even though he had become a concubine, he was more like a private musician. With no military or political standing, he naturally had no qualification to receive Psychic Soothing from the Male Insect Management Committee.

But such vast and warm power—no wonder female insects regarded chasing male insects as an instinct of life. A pathetic instinct.

"Why are you still here?"

Frowning, Siluan, now dressed in loungewear with his hair still damp, suddenly appeared at the door of the music room.

Entering the room, he had expected the female insect to have already been informed of his visit to the Tulas Family tomorrow. His cold gaze swept over Song Emperor before he spoke impatiently.

"Get your work done and get out."

He had no intention of explaining further. After saying this, the male insect’s face showed only irritation, as if he didn’t find it regrettable at all that this insect, who had followed him for years, was being sent to the Tulas Family—possibly never to return.

Lowering his head, the female insect showed no surprise.

Of course, this was normal, wasn't it?

Soon, the room held only one figure again.

His lips pressed thin, the young male insect’s sharp gaze fell on the massive drum that had just been placed back on the stand. His eyes burned with resentment, suppressed anger, shame, and... hesitation.

His gaze drifted to the drumsticks leaning against the drum. Though they had been carefully wiped clean before being returned, the color of the sticks—so similar to that person’s fingers—made the young male’s ears grow warm.

The drunk male seemed to have forgotten who the insect before him was. His slender fingers had not only tugged at the other’s hair but also caressed his face and gripped his shoulders.

Jaw clenched, Siluan subconsciously wiped his cheek, which he had already scrubbed hard. Rising on his toes, he took down those offending drumsticks.

Who cares if the Thunder Drum's gone? The drumsticks weren’t a big deal. He’d keep them... as a reminder of today’s humiliation.

Next time... he’d make that bastard pay!

Turning around, the male insect left with the drumsticks in hand. But today, the music room wouldn't know peace.

"Siluan, still up?"

Shang Ling smiled at his younger brother, his tone gentle. Unfortunately, today, the male insect still wouldn't spare his elder brother any courtesy.

"Out of my way."

"The Thunder Drum was used as a party game instrument. After today, playing with it again would earn you ridicule. Siluan, give me the drumsticks. I’ll handle them for you." Undeterred, Shang Ling’s warm gaze made refusal unthinkable.

But—

"Then keep your laughter. You don’t like me, and guess what? I hate your phony act too."

He didn’t let go. He didn’t smile.

Staring at Shang Ling, Siluan twisted his lips into a cruel smirk.

"Shang Ling Qi Mengtu, if it weren’t for Father, you’d be first under my lash."

"Who do you think you are acting proud in front of me?"

Do you despise male insects? Or just me?

Well, I despise you too.

What are female insects, anyway? Just parasites clinging to male insects, sucking their blood. Just a whiff of pheromones turns them into mindless beasts. Stupid, disgusting, and impossible to be rid of.

Only fools like Father would waste their psychic energy fulfilling some damned male obligation every single time.

If it weren’t for female insects, male insects’ psychic energy wouldn’t deplete so quickly.

The exhaustion of psychic energy signals an insect’s dying days. And for these creatures? Why?

Shouldering past him, Siluan clenched the drumsticks tightly and soon vanished.

Shang Ling’s smile didn’t waver. Tilting his chin slightly, he calmly watched the male insect stride away, fingers slipping into his pocket to roll a clear diamond between his fingers.

How rare.

So impatient. It seems our Siluan quite likes that little lord, doesn’t he?

Curving his lips, the female insect turned away, his interest in tomorrow’s visit growing.

But in truth, today, the insects interested in Philo weren’t limited to just the Qi Mengtu Family.

Author’s Note:

The Great Drumstick Standoff.