Chapter 7 Regaining Consciousness

Chapter 7: Coming To

Samuel woke up in the afternoon. Amber sunlight dappled through the leaves, scattering like flecks of gold on the white wall, resembling gold veins embedded in marble, dazzling and brilliant.

A cool breeze squeezed through the window crack and wandered to the bedside, carrying a chill that lifted the slightly curled black hair of the male Zerg before brushing against the neck so pale it was almost transparent.

Samuel's eyelashes fluttered as he turned toward the source of the cool breeze. Outside the window, the setting sun blanketed the rooftops with a vast expanse of fiery clouds, like icebergs filled with lava—beautiful, dreamlike.

In a daze, he was transported back to that evening from his childhood when his older brother carried him home.

That day, the weather was fine. A similar sea of fiery clouds stained the horizon, the warm, flower-scented wind intoxicating. The cobblestone path home was uneven, but "Brother" walked steadily while talking the whole way.

"Brother" said, if anyone bullies Mingxi, tell your brother, and I'll beat them up for you.

"Brother" said, Mingxi, don't be afraid, your brother is here.

"Brother" also said, Mingxi, it's okay if you don't want to talk.

I am your hands, your voice, your support.

I will always love you and stay with you.

I am your "Brother."

Did he know what "Brother" meant?

It meant family and protection.

Good boy, Mingxi, try calling me "Brother," okay? If you do, "Brother" will protect you forever.

"Brother's" voice, carried on the intoxicatingly warm breeze, reached his ears. As a child, he turned the words over in his mind before burying his face against "Brother's" neck. Amidst the alluring fragrance, he pressed close to the fair skin near "Brother's" ear, feeling the vibrations of his brother's voice through his skin.

A steady thrum.

His heart kept pace with those vibrations, beating wildly.

Amidst his brother's endless coaxing, he tried to open his mouth, but his long-unused throat constricted, dry and rough like a rusty saw unable to cut through solid wood.

His mouth opened and closed, letting out raspy, wordless noises for a long while. He strained with all his might, injuring his throat, yet still failed to utter that word, "Brother."

He couldn't offer payment, couldn't buy that promise.

For many years after, he chased after that figure, striving to break free from the shackles of being an idiot.

—Striving to become "Brother."

He succeeded, and he failed.

He possessed only the appearance; this was fate's punishment.

Now, fate was toying with him once again.

"Your Excellency, you're finally awake!" Bulan, who had been standing vigil all day, hurried to the bedside as the male Zerg slowly opened his eyes.

Samuel stared blankly at the red clouds, silent as a stone statue.

Receiving no response, Bulan wasn't annoyed. He casually picked up the nutrient solution from the table, opened it, inserted a straw, and held it to the male Zerg's lips. "You've slept most of the day, Your Excellency. Would you like something to eat?"

The male Zerg, like a rusted machine receiving no signal, showed no reaction. Bulan sighed softly, a tightness in his chest.

The male Zerg's mental state seemed worse than before. It was best to humor him as much as possible and pray nothing else went wrong.

Setting the nutrient solution back down, Bulan tentatively asked, "The nurses said you asked about Major General Idris today. Do you wish to see him?"

At the mention of Idris, the male Zerg, like a machine receiving the correct code, finally showed a flicker of movement in his dark eyes. He slowly turned his head and gestured a sentence with his hands.

「Where is Brother?」

"The Major General is currently on a mission. He just called saying he'll come see you after finishing his tasks later."

Judging by Bulan's tone, Brother should be fine. But the phantom he saw before losing consciousness felt too real, filling him with dread and anxiety.

「I want to see him.」

「Now!」

Seeing the male Zerg's resolute attitude, red-rimmed eyes, and remembering this was a young larva who hadn't undergone secondary differentiation yet, Bulan couldn't help but waver.

Insect God above, I can't handle this! I really can't! If this were my own child, I'd give him the stars and the moon!

"Alright, alright, we're leaving now," Bulan quickly agreed. "But we're not sure when the Major General will return to headquarters. Let me check first, Your Excellency, please wait a moment."

Still have to wait?

「Go now!」

「Don't wait!」

「Go. Right. Now!」

Samuel's tears fell even harder. He didn't throw a tantrum, just curled into a ball, sobbing until his body trembled, gasping for breath in ragged bursts.

Insect God above, I have sinned, I truly have sinned! Why am I arguing with a Zerg in distress?!

Silently slapping himself twice, Bulan moved closer to soothe the male Zerg. "I'll order a hovercar to headquarters right now, Your Excellency. Please don't cry anymore, or your wounds might reopen."

「Really?」

"Really."

Samuel calmed down after a while, exhaling and inhaling several times, finally suppressing the instinct to sob. Afraid Bulan might change his mind, he quickly climbed out from under the covers, got off the bed, and tugged at the sleeve of the person beside him.

「Let's go.」

Thank you, that was adorable.

But Your Excellency, is it really okay for you to go out dressed like that in a hospital gown?

Bulan forced a dry laugh and wiped his face. "Your Excellency, you should change clothes before we go out."

Samuel: Huh? o.0?

Clothes? They fit well, they're fine.

The male Zerg was confused. The male Zerg refused.

The male Zerg didn't want to change clothes, just wanted to go out and see someone, and made a dash for it.

Bulan took a swift step, deftly scooped the Zerg back up, pressed him onto the bed, and called to have clothes delivered.

The male pouted, lowered his head to pick at his fingers, looking as aggrieved as if he had been tricked into licking an incredibly sour lemon.

Bulan turned his head, choosing to ignore it, his expression as deadpan as a fishmonger's. No one could bear to see such an exquisitely beautiful face dragged down by the atrocious hospital gown.

The insect delivery service was quite efficient and fast, with the clothes arriving in about 20 minutes. 30 minutes later, a group entered the military headquarters amidst a crowd.

"Wow! Is that a male? Am I seeing things?"

"By the Insect God! This male is so handsome!"

"Which family's male is this? How come I've never seen him on the Imperial Star before?!"

"Your Excellency looks so small, so adorable! I want to take him home!"

"In your dreams! You can't afford it!"

The corridor was swarming with insect figures, their murmuring voices like the chirping of cicadas in September—chaotic and noisy.

Samuel lowered his head, his fingers fidgeting with his sleeves. This was the first time since waking up that he had such direct contact with this world—a strange world that seemed to have no "women."

At least, not the women he recognized.

After a few days of observation, Samuel judged that female insects corresponded to women. But strangely, they had male physical characteristics.

And now, judging by the physical features of the people around him, it seemed he was being surrounded by a group of "women."

The intense, probing gazes and the noisy environment made Samuel somewhat anxious.

At home, he spent his days painting in the small courtyard, hardly ever appearing in public. Only in this way could he avoid the odd stares from the outside world and enjoy a moment of peace.

Now, being scrutinized by so many unfamiliar eyes, his breathing involuntarily quickened.

"Your Excellency, are you alright?" Noticing the male's unusual state, Bulan unobtrusively took half a step forward, using his tall frame to block some of the view for him.

After the "high wall" blocked the gazes, Samuel relaxed slightly, pursing his lips and obediently shaking his head at Bulan, then quickened his pace into the lounge, leaving the onlookers in the corridor flustered.

"Did His Excellency just smile?"

"Ahhhh! So well-behaved!!"

"How can there be a male who is both obedient and sweet, so much that you could bite him and he'd ooze juice?!"

"I want to keep him!"

One of the watching military females shook another military female, quietly freaking out in a state of bliss. The shaken military female calmly pushed up her glasses, grabbed the collar of the insect beside her, and left briskly.

The other insects remarked a few words, murmuring as they dispersed to continue their work.

In the lounge, Samuel sat with his hands on his knees, waiting obediently. But even as the crescent moon hung on the branches, there was still no movement at the military headquarters. After glancing at the door several times, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"When will brother be back?"

"He should be back soon." Bulan sneaked a glance at the Stellar Ring; Idris still hadn't replied to the message.

This little bugger, he wouldn't be that vindictive, would he? He just said it; he didn't actually invite the insect over.

Such a petty guy, deserves to be single.

"Your Excellency, have something to eat. Later, I'll accompany you for a walk." Bulan took out the pre-prepared nutrient pack and handed it over.

Samuel didn't take it, staring intently at the bag for a while before shaking his head.

Bulan wanted to say there was nothing in it, but he bit back the words. A little caution was a good thing, better than being deceived again.

Samuel was afraid of missing the time when Idris returned and also afraid of noise, so he didn't want to go out initially. But Bulan kept nagging in his ear, like a cicada, giving him a headache so much that even covering his ears didn't help, so he had no choice but to compromise.

The military headquarters at night was much quieter, the corridors emptier. Occasionally, one or two insects passed by, all in a hurry, much more pleasant than during the day.

Walking along the path, Samuel looked up and surveyed the brightly lit buildings around him, in continual amazement. When he came in the afternoon, he was only focused on seeing someone and didn't pay attention; the buildings here were so tall!

So amazing!

If his hometown had this technology, no one would suffer from the cold.

The male widened his eyes, looking left and right, unusually animated.

Bulan noticed this, his lowered hand itching to pinch the male's cheek, but he restrained himself: "Your Excellency, watch your step."

Samuel nodded absentmindedly, his gaze still tightly locked on the surrounding buildings, wishing he could tear off a piece to study.

After walking forward for about three or four more minutes, the vegetation gradually thinned, and the view became more open.

From afar, the two saw two figures standing side by side by the artificial lake ahead, seemingly discussing something, though the one facing them appeared quite arrogant.

Samuel looked up, tilting his head and examining them repeatedly, thinking one of the figures looked familiar. Subconsciously, he took a few steps forward. Sheltered by the bushes, the situation by the lake became even clearer, including the brooch on one person's chest.

Wisteria...

Samuel immediately breathed a sigh of relief; thank goodness he was wrong.

Samuel didn't know how to describe the feelings in his heart—surprise? Relief? Joy? He couldn't distinguish these emotions, just as he could never understand why someone would get angry because of something he said.

However, one thing was undeniable. It was really great that brother was okay!

Coming back to his senses, Samuel joyfully rushed toward the lake. Just as he raised his hand to wave, the person with his back to him turned around. Amidst exclamations, he was caught steadily.

The person who caught him had a firm and warm embrace, like a wall of intertwined vines, carrying the scent of sunlight and wind. After holding back and failing, Samuel silently rubbed against it twice.

Watching the tall and short insects hugging "inseparably," the yellow-haired insect on the side couldn't help but sneer: "Oh, no wonder you rejected me. After not seeing you for a few days, the Major General has another insect throwing himself into your arms. But, Major General, you're really trendy—female-female love?"

Samuel, who had been burying his face and rubbing against the chest, stopped his movements: ??

Fe-Fe-Female love?

Me? Female? No, who are you insulting!

"You're the female! Your whole..."

Wait, is this person a female insect or a male insect? Judging by height, about the same as the hospital nurses.

Then, is it a sub-female insect?

Never mind, anyway, "brother" said, don't let grievances last overnight. Since the words were so insulting, better not say them at all.

Successfully convincing himself, Samuel silently looked up, planning to use his newly discovered skill to tease the yellow-haired insect a little. But he didn't control his strength well, and the next second, the insect standing steadily by the pool fell into the water with a splash.

"Your Excellency Li'an!" Idris released the insect in his arms, turned around, and reached out, but caught nothing.

"Your Excellency Li'an! Are you alright!" Seeing the yellow-haired male had an accident, Bulan hurriedly rushed to the poolside, reaching out to pull the insect in the water up.

"What... do... you... think?!" Li'an emerged from the water, glaring at Bulan through gritted teeth. Ignoring Samuel's outstretched hand, he turned to Idris, digging in his heels as if to say, 'If *you* don't pull me out, I'm not coming up.'

Samuel stood alone to the side, watching their clasped hands. He lowered his eyes, bowed his head, and pressed his lips into a tight line.

Once back on solid ground, Li'an didn't bother tidying himself up. Instead, he turned to Idris with eyes welling up and said, "Major General Idris, I know you don't like me, but even so, you shouldn't push me into the pond to humiliate me!"

Idris: ?

Samuel: o.0?

I did it—why are you blaming *my* brother?

Are you out of your mind?

Author's Note:

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Mingxi is Su Jibai's courtesy name. 'Brother' often calls him that in private.

Also: Xixi will soon be living with brother!!! Ahhh! Running three laps in excitement! [blushing]

*

Stellar Calendar 4056, July x, Thursday

Disaster struck out of nowhere. [chin in hand]