Chapter 48 Auction

Chapter 48 Auction

They had discussed this topic before, so Xierlan’s firm stance came as no surprise.

"In a little over two weeks, both you and Liposi will be leaving. I’ll be the only one staying behind for a while; it’s going to be so boring all alone."

Haibi sighed gloomily but quickly perked up. "But I’ll chat with you both often!"

Xierlan chuckled and agreed warmly. They had known each other for two or three months now and were on good terms. In the days that followed, they carried on as usual, occasionally calling Miao Qie, who was lounging at home, to see how he was doing.

Time flew by quickly. On the day Xierlan’s sentence ended, Miao Qie made a point to bring Ximodo along to see him off.

Miao Qie and Ximodo came pushing a stroller. They happened to be free that day and had even prepared some small gifts.

From a distance, Miao Qie pushed the stroller over. Bugs passing by curiously glanced their way, but Miao Qie acted as if he didn’t notice, amusing the little grub before racing over with the stroller, making Mino laugh so hard his mouth was wide open.

Lately, he had gotten the hang of caring for Ximodo. As he pushed the stroller, he noticed Mino dribbling again while laughing and wiped it away with slight disdain. "Glad we made it in time. Ximodo and I have been going out a lot lately, but today we cleared our schedule just for you."

Miao Qie was thrilled. He lowered his head and said, "Uncle Xierlan is the first to be released. Let’s congratulate him."

He took Mino’s hand and waved it gently. "Say congratulations to Uncle Xierlan—"

Mino opened his mouth, making gurgling sounds twice as if trying very hard to bid farewell to Xierlan. But the little grub’s vocal cords couldn’t form words yet; aside from crying, he could hardly make a sound, only drool dribbling down.

Xierlan didn’t usually care for young bugs, but Mino was exceptionally adorable. He couldn’t resist playing with him for a while.

"I won’t hold you up any longer. Sexia is waiting for me. We’re off to another star system. We’ll catch up another time when there’s an opportunity."

Haibi nodded eagerly. "Have fun with your main partner!"

Liposi, being quieter, bid a simple farewell to Xierlan before joining Haibi and the others to watch them leave.

As Xierlan stepped out of the detention center, he felt a wave of relief, finally experiencing a true sense of freedom.

After saying goodbye to each of them, he returned to Sexia’s side.

Sexia couldn’t be seen publicly, so he had been waiting outside the detention center for the male to return. Once Xierlan entered, he placed the gifts they had given him on the shelf and then went over to Sexia.

Xierlan gently slipped his arms around Sexia’s neck from behind the chair. "This is our first time traveling somewhere so far together. I’m really looking forward to it."

Pino was often hailed as the City of Dazzling Lights, but it was equally notorious for the decay and darkness lurking beneath its surface. 99 had told him about the environment there—even though it was dangerous, countless bugs still flocked there, eager to establish a foothold.

Compared to the strict regulations in other star systems, the level of control here was virtually absent.

The original text didn’t describe it much, only briefly mentioning the horrors of this place.

Everyone who came here was without identities—there were only predators and prey. Here, those who disappeared met one of two fates: either they were used as nourishment and disposable tools, or they were exploited for every last bit of value, their biological elements extracted after death for pharmaceuticals and treatments for the elite.

Even in unimaginable ways, survival here generally meant accepting that life and death were no longer the scariest outcomes.

Sexia entered the coordinates and rose from the chair, slowly embracing Xierlan.

Xierlan seemed surprised that Sexia had stood to embrace him. For a moment, he was stunned, but soon his eyes curved into a smile. He fondly nuzzled Sexia’s fingertips and whispered while holding him, "I’m still happiest when I’m with you."

After all, there’s a big difference between a spouse and friends, isn’t there?

Sexia was used to him being clingy. He turned around and pulled Xierlan into his arms. Unconsciously, he had also grown to enjoy resting his chin lazily on Xierlan’s shoulder, just like Xierlan often did.

"There are disguise tools in the case." Sexia reached out, his fingertips lightly tracing the back of Xierlan’s neck. His tone was soft. "We need to complete the disguises before we arrive. Do you need my help?"

Xierlan had already learned how to apply a disguise, but hearing Sexia say this, of course he wanted Sexia to do it for him.

Xierlan was delighted. "Then help me, baby."

Sexia said okay and then had Xierlan sit in the chair.

Xierlan sat obediently, not moving a muscle, allowing Sexia’s fingers to work on his face. Nearby, the little cleaner Biscuit was buzzing as it tidied up. When it saw this scene, it turned away based on its database records and went to recharge itself.

Sexia didn’t notice the little helper and didn’t pay it any mind. He looked into Xierlan’s eyes—they were clear, dark pools, just as they had been the first time they met.

Sexia paused while applying the adhesive. Xierlan noticed the hesitation and smiled, his eyes curving.

Sexia found Xierlan incredibly cute. He naturally leaned down and kissed his eyelids.

Xierlan couldn’t quite describe the feeling. Seeing that Sexia was about to pull away, he pretended to be upset. "Baby, only one kiss?"

He was going to throw a fit!

Sexia kissed his eyelids again. "How about one more? Is that okay?"

He seemed to be teasing Xierlan on purpose.

Even though he asked if it was okay, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he stayed in place, watching Xierlan with an amused smile.

Xierlan’s ears began to flush red. His disguise wasn’t fully set yet, making him look unavoidably comical.

He wrapped his arms around Sexia and kissed him several times. "I shouldn’t have to ask for more kisses. I had to take the initiative. Sexia, you’ve become so mean!"

Sexia was left feeling teased by Xierlan. They kissed until they were both breathless and getting carried away before finally pulling apart.

Xierlan held Sexia in his arms, nuzzling him with his nose. Sexia’s lips were still swollen and glistening from their kisses, and so were Xierlan’s, but he felt incredibly happy.

"If we had more time, I’d want to go all the way."

A quick round wouldn’t be satisfying; leaving them both hanging like this was just maddening.

Sexia simply smiled as he applied the remaining prosthetic. "It’s alright."

He checked to make sure it was securely attached and adjusted its position. Then, looking at Xierlan, he asked in a low voice, "After we arrive, would you like to go home first or visit the auction? There’s a famous Philiston Auction House here, and there happens to be an auction today. They sell many unexpected things, but it can be dangerous. Would you like to go see?"

Xierlan was very curious. He had always read about auction scenes in fantasy genres, where the protagonist either encounters danger or stumbles upon a rare opportunity.

Xierlan was genuinely intrigued but hesitated. "If we run into danger, would I cause trouble for you?"

Sexia couldn’t help but laugh softly. He raised his hand to stroke Xierlan’s cheek and whispered, "I’ll protect you."

Given the harsh living conditions on Pino, taking him to see more might be a good thing.

Xierlan’s eyes lit up immediately. "Then I’ll leave it to you, Sexia. I want to go have fun."

Sexia hummed in agreement, then kissed Xierlan’s cheek before setting the course for the auction house.

Xierlan finally turned his attention to the view outside the window. Pino was not far away, and he could faintly make out other ships heading toward the same destination nearby.

The planet, symbolizing both danger and adventure, glowed in mesmerizing shades of blue and purple. As they drew closer, he could see magnificent, sprawling structures exuding a strong sense of technological advancement, reminiscent of Blue Star’s cyberpunk culture.

The spaceship arrived at its destination after an hour's journey. As soon as Xierlan stepped off, he was scanned head to toe by arbitration robots. Only after his identity was confirmed were they permitted to enter.

Another ten minutes of flying would get them there. By the time the auction house came into view, the surrounding area was already crowded with various aircraft. Sexia took out a purple-gold card, and after successful identification, both Xierlan and Sexia were granted entry.

The interior was unlike a typical auction house—each seat was a highly private, secure booth.

Xierlan walked in and sat down, his eyes filled with curiosity and a desire to explore.

The booth was roughly a thirty-square-meter room. The floor had a slight sloping curve, covered with an elegant and intricate carpet. Facing the auction hall were sofas and chairs, while the walls were adorned with precious collections of wine and cabinets—everything felt exceptionally high-end.

Noticing the exquisite food on the table, Xierlan felt tempted to try it, but after a few glances, he withdrew his gaze. Although the likelihood of being poisoned seemed low, it was better to be cautious in such matters.

Sexia noticed Xierlan's hesitation and couldn't help but smile. He pressed a golden button nearby and softly gave some instructions. Soon, a neatly dressed insect pushed a food cart into the room.

Xierlan had been examining a vintage gramophone placed on the cabinet—he hadn't expected insects to have such things. Before long, he noticed an insect entering with the food cart.

The server remained silent but began preparing food on the spot using fresh ingredients, while the originally displayed food was removed by other working insects.

Xierlan widened his eyes and murmured, "Baby."

Sexia was sitting on the sofa, reviewing the auction list. He had, of course, noticed the commotion when these insects entered, but it was only when Xierlan called out to him that Sexia slowly looked up. He smiled faintly and said softly, "Hungry? You can order; he'll prepare it fresh."

It was obvious Sexia had arranged this. Xierlan sat down beside Sexia as if no other insects were present, leaning against him, his eyes sparkling. "Thank you, darling."

The chef's eyes widened in shock at the sight—a same-sex relationship between two males?!

He paused briefly but quickly suppressed his surprise and focused on preparing the food.

Xierlan kissed Sexia's chin several times and, as he leaned closer, happened to see the schedule on the auction list. He was somewhat surprised.

"So many items—are all these going to be auctioned?"

Sexia hummed in agreement. The human's head rested lightly against him, not heavy at all, his breathing calm and gentle as they both looked over the items to be auctioned.

The auction would proceed in three rounds, with hundreds of categories. However, after reviewing everything, it was clear that most insects were targeting three specific items:

A Blocking Potion, a genetically anomalous male, and the latest warship developed by Pofale.

The Blocking Potion was reportedly developed from abandoned samples stolen by a defector from the research institute. After being sold to a local research facility, a new generation of the potion was created. Despite consuming vast amounts of raw materials, only four doses were produced. It could restore female insects suffering from mental turmoil and shield them from male pheromones.

The genetically anomalous male was discovered on a junk planet, though the specifics of the mutation remained unclear. As for the last item, it was a state-of-the-art warship highly favored by smugglers. Whoever possessed it would undoubtedly have substantial backing and resources, not to mention the significant role this weapon of war would play.

The auction officially began as the dimly lit auction hall gradually brightened. It was only then that Xierlan got a full view of the auction hall.

The booths were elevated—they were on the third floor with an excellent view. The nearby booths clustered together like honeycombs, growing smaller toward the edges. Each booth’s interior was invisible from the outside, with only the exterior visible—completely different from a typical auction.

The first item up for auction was a gemstone necklace salvaged from the ocean floor. It was stunning, sparkling so brightly it could nearly blind one's eyes.

The starting bid was four million star coins.

Since the starting prices weren’t listed on the form, Xierlan was shocked to hear the first item already reaching millions.

System 99, curious about this world's culture, emerged to watch alongside Xierlan.

Due to the auction's strong privacy measures, they couldn't see others' reactions or bids, only learning that the final selling price was seven million.

"I kind of want to know who bought this," Xierlan whispered to 99. "I remember in novels, the protagonists often use high bids to flaunt their wealth and emotions. In the insect world, it’s probably not male insects buying for females—I think it’s the other way around."

99 surreptitiously checked their records, then whispered excitedly, "Host, you’re right! It really was a female purchasing it for a male, though we don’t know them, and this character isn’t in the original story."

So they eagerly dove into the gossip.

"They actually started fighting! 01023 and 01024 are rivals. Since they came in, they’ve been cursing each other over winning the male insect..." Before finishing, the system screamed, "Wow, they’re kissing! Ahhh, they’re really going for it! I’ve been blocked."

Hearing such juicy gossip, Xierlan widened his eyes in surprise. It was the first time he realized how much he loved gossip, and he was eager to hear more. "Keep listening, keep listening!"

Xierlan had been eating peacefully, but his sudden pause caught Sexia's attention. "What’s wrong?"

Coming back to himself, Xierlan poked at his food a couple of times, then glanced at the chef nearby and blinked.

Understanding, Sexia slightly lifted his chin, gesturing for the chef to exit.

Once the door closed, Xierlan excitedly said, "01023 and 01024 are two female insects, and they’re kissing right now. Hold on, I’m waiting for more gossip."

Sexia thought he must have misheard. Soon, 99 emerged, beaming.

"I’m back, let me continue."

Amidst the mosaics and incessant beeping sounds, it gradually deciphered their relationship and said dazedly, "Turns out they got it wrong. The names they mentioned belonged to another female insect. 23 is an exceptionally beautiful female, while 24 is more stern and rigid. 23 likes 24, but he thought another female insect was 24’s plaything. He cursed 24, calling him a slut for engaging in a same-sex relationship, while also saying he was disgusting. 24 got furious, kissed him directly, and said, 'Now you’re also a slut into same-sex relationships.' They kissed for a while and are now confessing."

99, having stumbled upon true love, was thrilled with excitement. "Simply put, that female insect is the child of 24’s comrade. They’re always together because that female insect lives with him."

Although Xierlan felt that calling someone a slut was wrong, he was still intrigued. He didn’t forget to share this with Sexia, picking up his device to send him a message.

99 perched on his shoulder, watching him type, and eagerly added, "Their kissing was intense—it felt like a love-hate saga. But in this world, a same-sex relationship between females would likely end in double suicide."

Xierlan finished typing and sent the message to Sexia. After reading it, Sexia widened his eyes in shock, scrolling through it several times to ensure he hadn’t misread. Slowly, he said, "Same-sex relationships between females aren’t very rare here, but those who choose such relationships often meet quicker ends. They’re very brave."

The higher the level of a female insect, the more prone they are to mental turmoil. Without the comfort of a male insect, when their mating cycles arrive without relief, their mental states grow fragile, and their bodily organs gradually fail.

Sexia hesitated for a moment, his ice-blue eyes trembling slightly. "How did you know, Primary Male?"

Xierlan and 99 both froze. 99 urgently tugged at Xierlan, nearly screaming, "Oh no, what should we do? Will he accept my existence?"

Xierlan almost laughed aloud but said seriously, "Don’t use that tone."

Only then did 99 realize its words sounded like Xierlan was having an affair. The system malfunctioned.

After speaking, Xierlan also fell silent. He had considered explaining clearly before, but doing so would only make Sexia anxious and fearful about the coming departure.

He was still afraid of Sexia finding out that he would eventually leave. Initially, there had been a good opportunity for honesty, but he hadn’t taken it.

Xierlan poked at his food. He knew that being honest could bring many unpredictable outcomes, but he still said earnestly, "It was the system that transported me here. I came to complete a task."

Sexia fell silent. With just that simple sentence, he understood the implied meaning behind the human’s words.

His fingertips gripping his utensils tightened slightly. He didn’t ask what task needed to be done but simply said softly, "Have you finished it?"

Xierlan sighed. Having decided to be honest, he began organizing his thoughts, set down his cutlery, and spoke seriously, "Not yet. I need to ensure the main couple ends up well together."

Sexia remained very calm. "Who are the protagonists?"

Xierlan fell silent. He knew that speaking might lead to unforeseen consequences, but he was also selfish. Just as he was about to speak, 99, now experienced in matchmaking, murmured mysteriously in Xierlan’s ear, "If the task is completed well, I’ll have enough energy to take Sexia to your world."

99 nodded solemnly. "Being truthful with your partner is crucial. You should tell him."

Just don't let this true love story turn into a resentful couple with barriers between them.

Crying hard.

Xierlan almost failed to control his expression. He cleared his throat softly twice, "It's Lou Wen and Felix."

Sexia instantly thought of many things. If the protagonists needed help to be together properly, then it meant there were obstacles between them.

Who was this obstacle?

So, was it him?

Xierlan put down his knife and fork, walked over to Sexia, pulled him into a hug, gently nestled his chin on the top of his head, and kissed him softly.

"I will leave this place after the protagonists are united happily." Xierlan sighed, "My home isn't here, but I won't abandon you."

When Sexia heard the first part, a flood of thoughts raced through his mind, but after hearing the latter part, he quieted down and silently waited for the Human to continue.

Xierlan spoke earnestly, "If the mission is completed perfectly, the system can send you home with me."

Xierlan blinked, "Do you want to meet my folks? They would probably like you a lot."

99 saw it very clearly—Sexia, who almost had "kill the main couple" written all over his face, instantly softened like a kitten.

With reddened ear tips, he looked up, his aqua-blue eyes calm as they gazed at Xierlan, "I do."

Xierlan blinked, his eyes crinkled with a smile, and he kissed Sexia's forehead several times.

Sexia was just absolutely adorable!

After revealing the existence of the system, they passed the time listening to gossip while watching the auction.

Sexia, having been at the center of power, knew many scandalous secrets about various bugs. He picked a few harmless ones to share, avoiding any risk of exposure.

99 enjoyed the gossip feast. Soon, the first round of the auction reached its finale. The last item for the day was the genetically mutated male bug.

When he was carried up in a cage, Xierlan even heard gasps of surprise from the nearby booths.

The male bug was stark naked, with ordinary long golden hair. He was slightly taller than the average male bug, with a delicate build, and his tail hook was a beautiful, translucent silver-white.

Xierlan was a bit puzzled, "Is he from my hometown?"

99 replied very firmly, "No!"

The auctioneer built up suspense for a while before finally revealing the details of this genetically mutated male bug under the eager gazes of the crowd.

"This male bug possesses rare female bug characteristics! He has female bug wings!"

After saying this, a bug stepped forward with an electric prod. The curled-up male bug didn't realize the danger until the electric prod stimulated the tender and fragile wing roots on his back.

The male bug instantly broke into a sweat, and where there should have been bare skin, silver-blue wings suddenly spread open.

The pain seemed too intense—the wings drooped listlessly, shedding scales, and those close enough could even see the cold light refracted from them. It was extremely, incredibly beautiful.

As soon as this was announced, the entire hall was shocked. 99 had read the original text inside out but couldn't find this character. Xierlan was deeply shocked and momentarily worried about this male bug's fate.

Such a male bug would definitely be wanted by many, many, many bugs.

Indeed, even a starting bid of 30 billion star coins couldn't stop these bugs from going crazy. The auction staff, seeing the price soar to 80 billion, were grinning from ear to ear.

And just at that moment, someone unexpectedly bid 120 billion all at once, instantly silencing the previously buzzing auction hall.

The auctioneer repeated the 120 billion price three times. Finally, this male bug was bought by the bug in A3047—the booth right next to theirs.

The system immediately went to check and came back in a daze, "Next door is the owner of the Pinocchio Star Underground City, Xie Dun."

A particularly sharp, vibrant, and splendidly beautiful female bug.

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Author's note: