Chapter 26 Gift-Giving

Chapter 26 Giving Gifts

Xierlan felt like his brain was short-circuiting; he facepalmed, unable to look.

Who even talks like that!!!!

Remembering what Haibi said to his primary consort, Xierlan’s cheeks flushed, and he let out a long sigh.

The two other male bugs nearby also leaned in. Seeing Haibi send messages like that, they found it completely normal, though they muttered under their breath, "Your primary consort is way too cold."

The mindset here was quite open—these adult bug topics were perfectly normal to them, but for a high school guy, it was different.

The reply came quickly.

Grump: ……

Grump: So?

Haibi’s face turned bright red, and he nearly had a stroke.

He didn’t even bother asking Xierlan how to continue the conversation and just typed back directly.

Haibi: I’m done talking to you!!!!!

The other side seemed used to his behavior and calmly replied with an "okay."

After sending his reply, Suo Lunluo lifted his head from the cold instruments. His appearance and demeanor were coolly handsome as he calmly scanned their chat history, somewhat unable to figure out what this male bug Haibi was thinking.

One moment he wanted to meet, the next he asked if he wanted to lay eggs, worried about overfeeding him.

Such a kid.

He calmly pinched the bridge of his nose and refocused on his research.

Haibi knew his primary consort was busy, but seeing the chat box go silent again, he saw red once more.

So infuriating—how could this female bug not pick up on his caring signals at all?!!!

Xierlan squeezed in some studying in between, and seeing them quiet down, he raised an eyebrow. "There’s still a lot more content to go through. This is just the beginning."

Miao Qie was a bit too embarrassed to keep reading, but since Haibi and Liposi continued, he decided to keep going as well.

After hatching, bug larvae can generally be fed with nutrient solution or nursing. However, if development during pregnancy wasn’t optimal, nutrient solution is actually the best choice.

Every bug larva has a different personality, and the effort required to care for them varies. This includes what to feed at certain months, what supplemental foods to use, when to start sleeping through the night, how many times a day to feed nutrient solution, and how much each feeding should be.

Just as they reached the section on nursing, Miao Qie’s face instantly turned red.

Wh-what!!!!

Female bugs produce that much milk?!!

And the larvae only need to be fed for about two months, but female bugs lactate for four months.

Holy crap! Holy crap!

Miao Qie thought about his primary consort’s chest.

So big… they must produce a lot…

Miao Qie guiltily glanced around. It seemed like everyone was reading at the same pace, and more or less, they were all blushing.

Except Xierlan—this guy was really calm. Then again, it wasn’t surprising, since this male bug was a complete weirdo.

"Speaking of which…" Liposi spoke up, "Do you plan to have your primary consort lay eggs?"

It was pretty much common knowledge how obsessed the bug race was with reproduction. Not laying eggs would probably cause a lot of trouble.

Of course, Liposi was terrified his primary consort might die.

Xierlan had learned about reproduction more thoroughly than them and said calmly, "There’s no rush for this kind of thing. Just listen to your primary consort. If they want to lay eggs, then let them. If their body isn’t suitable, then don’t."

Liposi fell into thought, while Miao Qie was flushed red, his eyes shifting around nervously.

Haibi was still fuming, but even he couldn’t help looking away during the nursing section.

When their eyes met, they instantly understood what the other was thinking.

"I already have a larva," Miao Qie said sheepishly, coughing twice before sneakily sending a message to his primary consort.

Miao Qie: Do you still have milk now?

There was silence for a while on the other end before a response finally came.

Ximodo: Yes, but the larva can’t drink it.

Ximodo: [Image]

Miao Qie hadn’t expected his primary consort to actually send a photo. The moment he opened the enlarged image, even though he’d seen his consort’s body countless times, Miao Qie instantly turned bright red.

It wasn’t an explicit photo. Perhaps due to years spent outdoors, Ximodo’s skin had a healthy, sun-tanned tone. His long, bony fingers pressed against his chest, creating a soft, full curve.

As if to prove his point, some pale-colored milk escaped between the female bug’s fingers.

Ximodo: It’s not healthy.

Miao Qie immediately shut off his light-brain interface. His whole body felt as if it had been drenched in hot water, so overheated he needed a basin of ice water to cool down and keep his cool.

Enough already—did this grumpy female bug have any idea what he was doing?!!!

Damn it!!! This is really too much!!!!

Miao Qie stayed red for ages before realizing he’d been blushing the whole time, then panicked, shocked.

He wasn’t blushing!

Just as free time ended, the upcoming flower arrangement class was about to begin. Xierlan stood up to head to the classroom, and the other bugs, seeing him leave, followed suit, going to class together.

The supervisor had been tailing them from a middle distance. Seeing them obediently attending class on time, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Still, it seemed these male bugs were getting along pretty well.

They couldn’t be bothered to care what others thought. Perhaps because they’d discussed too much that morning, aside from Xierlan who was cramming frantically, the other three male bugs weren’t paying attention in class at all—they were all secretly chatting with their primary consorts.

The instructor was used to it. Even though only these four male bugs weren’t listening, he steadily carried on with the flower arrangement lesson.

Facing exams, Xierlan couldn’t afford to focus on these self-cultivation activities, but he politely followed the teacher’s instructions for practice. After an hour or two, the morning classes were finished for the day.

He felt he had done quite well, so he took a few photos of his work and sent them to Sexia as promised, along with an update on what he had done that morning.

The floral arrangements in the photos were subtle and natural, with a refreshing style—clearly the work of someone who had put a lot of heart into it. After taking the pictures, Xierlan pondered for a moment, then removed one flower from the arrangement and placed it in a preservation vial to keep it fresh.

"This should preserve it for now."

Xierlan: [Image]

Xierlan: [Image]

Xierlan: I only paid partial attention in the flower arrangement class—I was secretly studying and sneaking in some cuddles with my wife.

Xierlan: By the way, baby, have you gone back yet, or are you still out?

After sending the messages, Xierlan stretched his stiff body a bit. Since Sexia hadn’t replied, he took a moment to check his afternoon classes.

The afternoon classes were theory and health—nothing he needed to pay close attention to. He could use the saved time to jot down the rest of the material; otherwise, he might fall behind.

Xierlan got up to head to the cafeteria, and the other male insects followed along.

Miao Qie was particularly eager, trailing closely beside Xierlan like an eager follower. "Where are you going?"

Xierlan blinked. "To eat, of course."

Miao Qie mumbled "oh" and fell silent. The three male insects arrived at the cafeteria. Originally, Miao Qie and Haibi had planned to take their food to go, but seeing Xierlan settling in to eat there, they decided to join him.

"Don’t you have a lounge here? Why eat in the cafeteria with all the coming and going? We could be gaming in the lounge."

Speaking of games, Haibi got excited. "The hottest game on the market right now is 'Sena World,' right? I heard a new map is releasing in a few months—it’ll auto-update. Miao Qie and I are going to play; you should join us too."

Full-immersion holographics are the most common technology in insect society, used in every aspect of life. Xierlan quickly recalled the gaming pod Sexia had bought him—though he hadn’t had a chance to use it before being sent off for reform school.

Hearing about the new map, he looked it up on the star network and found that the upcoming expansion was very similar to a wildly popular game from Blue Star. Thanks to advanced technology here, it had been enhanced with many innovations.

Xierlan could tell at a glance it was the work of the protagonist—after all, some elements were uniquely characteristic of their homeland, instantly recognizable.

Seeing how quickly his fellow transmigrator had moved, Xierlan propped his chin on his hand enviously. As expected of a protagonist—incredibly efficient. Xierlan rarely played games, but even he felt tempted to support this one.

While Xierlan was lost in thought, Liposi beside him showed little reaction. His background didn't include gaming—born in the slums, his identity as a male insect was more a risk than a privilege. Hearing the conversation, he lowered his eyes slightly, lost in his own thoughts.

Miao Qie, blunt as ever, turned to Liposi. "I remember your situation isn’t great. Can’t you ask your betrothed for stuff? Besides, what’s wrong with a male insect asking his female for things? I’m always asking my primary consort for the latest gear."

Liposi was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond. "I don’t really think that way."

Miao Qie rolled his eyes, highly disapproving. "Well, you’re missing out on a lot of fun then."

He then glanced at Xierlan—no need to ask Haibi, since they often play together.

"Want to play at noon? The two of us can guide you."

Xierlan had no time for games—if he played, he’d only want to play with Sexia. He shook his head. "I’ll be at the library at noon. I usually don’t go back to the lounge to rest."

Mentioning this, Miao Qie grew envious. "Oh right, you can still go home. I begged my female parent for ages, and he never relented—just wants me to stay here and behave."

Xierlan found Miao Qie amusing in a weird way and nodded thoughtfully, fully in agreement. "You should just behave."

Miao Qie: "…"

He instantly lost all desire to speak to Xierlan. After the meal, the group split—Xierlan alone went to the library, while the other three male insects headed to the lounge.

Xierlan studied non-stop until class started, then from class until school ended. When Sexia came to pick him up, he arrived in a small spacecraft—the kind typically used for long-distance travel. His primary consort was dressed as usual, but a black full-body cloak hung in the pilot’s seat, suggesting he’d returned from a trip just to fetch him.

Sexia had indeed finished his business outside before coming to get Xierlan. He was busy, and he hadn't had time to reply to Xierlan’s afternoon messages.

Once the cabin door closed, Sexia lowered his eyes and took a small box from a nearby cabinet, handing it to Xierlan.

Xierlan was curiously looking around like it was his first time in the city. Noticing Sexia’s movement, his attention immediately snapped to the box, his face lighting up with surprise. "What’s this, baby? Is it for me?"

Wow, this was so thoughtful. Though he couldn’t quite imagine what Sexia might give him—maybe something related to status?

But the box was pretty small—hard to tell.

Xierlan was deeply moved just thinking about it.

Sexia was eagerly anticipating his reaction. He hadn’t expected the human to already be so delighted just from seeing the box. The tips of his ears slowly tinged pink, and his fingers tightened slightly around the box.

He placed it in Xierlan’s hand and said softly, "Mhm, go ahead and open it."

Instead of opening it immediately, Xierlan blinked, leaving Sexia slightly puzzled, then leaned in and kissed the female insect on the cheek.

Xierlan’s eyes sparkled. Seeing the shocked look on Sexia’s face, his heart melted. He kissed Sexia’s eyelids too. "Thank you, baby. I’ll open it now."

Sexia was flushed red from the kisses, speechless. He watched as Xierlan, smiling with curved eyes, opened the box with utmost care—his gaze serious, as though handling something precious, every movement gentle and deliberate.

Sexia felt a little embarrassed but also irrepressibly happy and excited. These emotions left him feeling suspended, yet filled with an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

Anyone would be happy to have their gift received with such sincerity, Sexia thought, as Xierlan fully opened the box.

Xierlan was curious. He wasn’t nearsighted, so were these glasses special in some way?

He carefully picked them up, blinking questioningly. "Baby?"

Sexia’s ear tips were red as he explained softly, "These are scenic glasses. From now on, you can just wear these—they’ll let you browse study pages normally without needing a light brain or any disguise. They also have special transmission functions. If you watch videos, only you will hear the sound."

Well, in that case, Xierlan wished he could cling to Sexia forever. Since he’d already married him, offering himself was off the table.

Well, actually, it wasn’t.

Xierlan was overjoyed. He loved this gift, especially because it showed Sexia had noticed his difficulties and kept him in mind.

"What should I do," Xierlan said, pretending to be serious, "I like it way too much."

Sexia breathed a sigh of relief, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "I’m glad you like it."

As his lips curved upward, Xierlan leaned in and kissed his cheek again. Those clear black eyes were full of laughter as Xierlan tilted his head. "Actually, I got you a gift too. Can you close your eyes?"

Sexia hadn’t expected to receive a gift himself. He froze for a moment, then slowly closed his eyes and hummed in acknowledgment, showing his anticipation.

Xierlan was utterly charmed. He didn’t have anything particularly impressive to give at the moment, so he took the still vibrant flower from the nutrient bottle. Originally, he’d planned to tuck it behind Sexia’s ear and tell him he was a very beautiful insect, but now it seemed the flower belonged on his own ear.

Xierlan fixed the flower in place, then slowly moved closer to Sexia, his own ear tips slightly reddening. "You can open your eyes now."

As soon as Sexia opened his eyes, he saw Xierlan with a flower tucked behind his left ear—standing out, exceptional. The youthful gentleness he usually exuded seemed to fade in that moment, replaced by a poised, ethereal beauty, touched with an ineffable delicacy and radiance.

The human reached out, pinching Sexia’s chin, but didn’t kiss him. Instead, he looked down with a smile, his voice warm.

"Sexia, I’m giving myself to you."

"Would you like to kiss me?"