Chapter 20

In the laboratory, those researchers, aiming to disrupt his rut to the maximum extent, forcibly injected him with inducers every hour.

Eventually, his body became so sensitive that even the slightest air movement would leave him gasping for breath, plunging him into a state of inverted and chaotic senses, leaving only the instinct to struggle for survival intact.

Countless pairs of eyes watched him convulse in agony, his form distorted from the torment, their expressions mocking and contemptuous, as if observing an aberrant lab rat.

They said he was truly despicable.

At that time, Xi Ze didn't feel that way about himself.

These researchers who conducted illegal experiments on insectoid bodies were later killed by him, mostly all but a few who survived due to his weakened state beforehand, unable to withstand the strong electric shock that sent him into a coma.

Afterward, he was passed around between various parties, predominantly suffering all sorts of torture. Yet, he managed to cling on for five years, never showing weakness or accepting his fate.

It wasn't until he was on the brink of death when a male insectoid reached out to him.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment and then brought back to a warm residence. In just a matter of days or perhaps weeks, the defenses he had held onto for five years crumbled effortlessly.

How could there possibly be such a male in this world?

So gentle and pure, one who should be surrounded by roses, treasures, praise, and affection, never casting their gaze upon a stray dog struggling to survive on the streets, let alone worrying about such filthy and tedious matters.

Each time Yale cleaned his wounds, meticulously applied medicine, and tidied up the mess he'd made, Xi Ze almost couldn't suppress his fear and shame.

Yet, he couldn't even utter a single flattering word, ultimately only managing to stammer a soft 'thank you.'

"How about here? Does it hurt?"

A pleasing and infinitely patient voice rang in his ear. He could sense the male's focused gaze on him as slender fingers gently massaged the injured area.

Despite being a genuine act of concern and a serious attempt at healing, he found himself utterly unable to suppress the sounds that escaped his throat. The moisture from his tears tainted the male's fingertips, while the waterproof cloth beneath him was in disarray.

Suddenly, he understood the meaning of 'despicable.'

Xi Ze trembled, barely able to speak. He bit down harder on his knuckles, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed back a small sob.

"What's wrong?"

The male insect seemed taken aback, assuming he had hurt him, and hastily withdrew his hand. "Did I press on your wound?"

"Please don't..."

In his drowsy state, he sensed the male's presence withdraw, instantly provoking immense panic within him. He instinctively called out, "Don't leave...!"

"What's going on?"

This situation wasn't mentioned in the file. Yale felt at a loss, using his ungloved hand to pull away Xi Ze's hand that was covering his face, attempting to assess his condition.

Xi Ze seemed to shrink back slightly but still didn't resist his action, obediently exposing himself to the scrutinizing gaze.

Yale froze for a moment.

He cautiously touched the female's face with his fingertips, feeling a cold dampness.

"Are you alright?"

He asked softly, unsure whether he should continue or not.

Today might not be an ideal time for treatment. If Xi Ze was genuinely unwell, they'd have to postpone it until next time.

Yet, his palm was rubbed against, and soft wisps of hair nestled between his fingers, causing a prickling sensation.

The female insect lowered its head to reach for his hand, gently nudging the palm with its nose.

A shuddering murmur escaped its throat, barely stifling a gasp and a sob. "Continue... Alpha, please continue."

It was best to complete the treatment in one go. Yale paused but still decided to proceed with the next step.

"Alright, now hold on tight yourself. I'll be administering medicine into your reproductive cavity, which might hurt a little. Bear with it, and if it's too much, just let me know, alright?"

"....Mm."

Despite its obvious distress, the female insect didn't resist or exhibit any signs of partial transformation. It was abnormally compliant, doing as he said without question, behaving exceptionally well.

Yale picked up a syringe from the tray beside him, puncturing a small bottle to draw half of its contents – a bright red liquid – and then mixed it with another medicinal solution.

...It still felt too odd to be in bed with a bug with whom he had no emotional foundation.

He specifically inquired with Huiys to confirm that blood could indeed substitute for bodily fluids in the treatment, and it was even more effective, requiring only 100 cubic centimeters to complete the entire process.

Yale let out a soft cough and detached the needle from the syringe, leaving only the blunt injection tip. He then meticulously disinfected it once again.

"..."

The treatment was an exhausting endeavor. At least when he finally pulled out the empty syringe, Yale felt his wrist completely numb, followed by a piercing pain when he relaxed.

Xi Ze's pajama top on his upper body was drenched in sweat, fluttering with his rapid breaths. Even the muscles in his thighs were beginning to spasm from being tense for so long.

But as long as Yale didn't give the signal, Xi Ze persisted in his original position, forcefully suppressing his tremors and spasms, submitting himself willingly into the male insectoid's hands, obedient as can be.

"It's enough now."

Yale whispered soothingly, releasing the female's hand and massaging the stiffened muscles until they regained their suppleness and warmth, like molten syrup overflowing between his fingers.

"Rest for a moment. I'll also help you with some relaxation techniques."

...

This was Yale's second time entering Xi Ze's mental landscape.

Cold and damp snowflakes brushed against his nose, revealing an endless expanse of snow-covered wilderness before him, with distant mountains standing desolately in the void.

A biting wind wrapped around him, swirling with icy snow, but he felt no chill.

All that resistance and rejection had vanished, transformed into a gentle touch between his fingers.

"..."

Xi Ze vaguely sensed that his spiritual energy source had also been drawn out, buried together beneath the snow.

The dazed little creature, with its fur puffed up by the wind, shivered as it clung to the male insectoid's calf, whimpering softly.

Yale looked down, only seeing a vague, translucent orb, but he knew what it was.

The materialization of the spiritual energy source.

This topic still resided in the gray area of insectoid exploration, for there were only a few top-ranking insects, and not all of them could manifest their sources.

Yale pondered for a moment before extending his finger to gently scratch the little creature's chin.

In response, he gained a doubly soft ball of fluff that sprawled limply in his palm, exposing its vulnerable belly in a coquettish plea for affection.

The connection through mental energy was a direct link to the entity itself.

Xi Ze could clearly sense that the little creature was ecstatic after being scratched, shamelessly cuddling up to the male insect's calf, rubbing up and down in a daze, oblivious to any embarrassment it might cause.

Truly... shameless.

But it couldn't be denied that this bundle of mental energy was a direct reflection of his deepest emotions.

At least...

Xi Ze's Adam's apple moved stiffly as he struggled to suppress the urge to be swayed along with it.

Yale, however, was oblivious to Xi Ze's embarrassment, continuing to play with the creature in his hand with great interest. Only when he had his fill did he lift it up and cradle it in his arms.

He stood up, gazing at the vast expanse of snowy wilderness before him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

It was an extraordinary sensation – his mental energy connected with Xi Ze's mental landscape. With his eyes open, he could see the female insects in the real world, and when he closed them, he could immerse himself within the landscape.

After some thought, he walked in the direction of his memory.

The outline of a small cottage began to materialize at the end of his vision, revealing itself as he drew closer.

"Clack, clack…"

The wooden lantern still hung by the window, swaying gently in the wind, casting a warm glow at the entrance.

Yale pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was empty, but once the door was shut, it completely blocked out the wind and snow. Filled with his swirling mental energy, it exuded a comforting warmth.

The small creature, which had been limp in the male insect's embrace, sensed the warmth and poked its head out. It was then lifted by the nape of its neck and placed on the ground.

"I didn't expect it to be so well-preserved."

Looking around, Yale felt a bit surprised. After some contemplation, he decided to renovate the interior. "It seems a bit small."

The mental landscape resembled a 'spontaneous manifestation' of a fantastical space, powered by mental energy. Perhaps due to the previous mental guidance, he could sense that a portion of the landscape's control had been granted to him.

Tilting his head in contemplation, Yale snapped his fingers.

Upon opening his eyes again, he found himself no longer in a tiny room made of wooden planks but rather in a spacious log cabin.

Thick knitted carpets covered the floor, inviting plush armchairs that one could sink into completely, a small table adorned with steaming tea and pastries, and, of course, an essential crackling fireplace.

This medieval-style decor was utterly incompatible with the interstellar setting, and a female insectoid might find it peculiar.

But for someone from the southern regions who had never seen heavy snow, coupled with Yale's own romanticized notions of being deep in a snowy mountain... well, a super cozy fireplace was indispensable!

Crackling embers emitted a soothing warmth, and the tiny creature approached curiously, its fur fluffed up by the heat. The howling wind outside seemed to quieten in response.

Yale had intended to explore further, but mindful of the late hour, he closed his eyes, releasing his mental energy to traverse the landscape, commencing a deep healing process.

The cold gusts carried the warm current of his mental energy, sweeping across barren mountains and vast snowfields, melting layers of ice and soothing the cracked, parched earth beneath.

The extent of damage in this miniature world surpassed his imagination.

A subtle frown creased Yale's brow.

It was like reviving a barren land to make it suitable for vegetation again – the process was painstakingly slow and intricate.

The situation was far from optimistic, but fortunately, this nascent spring seemed unwavering in its determination to melt away the harsh winter. It persisted until the howling snowstorm outside finally subsided.

...

When Yale returned after washing his hands, he found the male still lying on his side, his body slightly curled up.

Half-lidded, he breathed heavily in exhausted silence. His soft contours undulated with each breath, radiating warmth from every pore.

After a few glances, Yale couldn't resist reaching out to touch his spine. The cold water caused the male's body to shiver, eliciting a slight snuffle.

"Male Sovereign..."

Xi Ze stirred, appearing slightly more lucid. He turned around, enfolding Yale's hand in his embrace, yet only managed a single call before falling silent.

Yale should have prompted the male to freshen up and rest.

But despite this thought, Yale made no move.

"You've shattered the dull armor that shields pain, revealing the tender heart beneath the hard shell.

—Treat it gently, with a kiss instead of a thorn."

He couldn't recall where he'd read those words, but they resonated perfectly in his mind at this moment.

Yale pondered for a moment before suddenly leaning down and planting a soothing kiss on the male's forehead.

The male's body trembled violently, his eyes instantly snapping open to gaze at Yale, his breaths becoming rapid.

"Why...?"

His voice was barely audible, hoarse with emotion. He reached out to touch Yale's shoulder, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer.

But Yale had no intention of explaining the kiss. He pressed the pad of his finger against the corner of the male's eye, wiping away the fresh tears that had started to flow.

"Let 015 help you freshen up. You should get some rest early."

His tone was gentle and reassuring, unwavering.

"Goodnight."

Author's Note:

There's a feeling of... tender yet ruthless affection, completely captivating the general XD