Chapter 11 Returning Home Atia was silent for a while, and rarely spoke...

Atiyah was silent for a while, then spoke a long sentence, "I can't have a quantum computer; it wouldn't be good for you if someone saw it."

This is advice given by the Male Insect Protection Association on managing female slaves. Generally, male insects who value their status will abide by it, and describe it as self-cultivation.

Murphy's first thought was, "This is the second time my wife has shown concern for me today. Does she still care about me? Is she in love with me?"

The second reaction was, "What's wrong with that? If they want it, they can just ask their partners to buy it for them."

While criticizing him, Murphy also made assurances.

“Although I can only afford the basic model now,” Murphy scratched his face, “I’ll definitely get you the biggest and shiniest one in the future!”

Although saying this made him feel like a scumbag who makes empty promises in some small world.

Atia looked up and "looked" at him with her misty, pale purple eyes, tilting her head slightly in a puzzled gesture, perhaps not understanding why the quantum computer had to be the largest and brightest.

The aloof and beautiful insect tilting its head is cheating.

Murphy was charmed by him, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his face. His hands were itching to touch it. "It seems like your hat isn't on properly. Let me adjust it."

He secretly touched his wife's head while adjusting his hat; her silvery-white hair felt much better to the touch after this period of rest.

For some reason, when his hand touched it, he always felt that there were two strands of hair that were very soft and supple. Atia's body also trembled slightly at the same time, but only for a moment. Was it his imagination?

Also, thank goodness for my height. If I were short like other males, I'd have to stand on tiptoe to be with my mate, which would be terrifying.

Atia's antennae trembled and retracted into her hair.

The female insect's antennae are very sensitive, so they are usually kept close to her hair and only stand up when needed.

Male insects should know this basic knowledge. Was he doing it on purpose?

Murphy was unaware that he had unknowingly flirted with his wife; he was simply diligently carrying out his "lukewarm approach" to winning her over.

Atia ultimately failed to return the quantum computer, because whenever the topic came up, Murphy acted as if to say, "You don't want my gift, I'm so heartbroken I could faint."

He couldn't see it normally, but the sadness in his eyes was so obvious that it couldn't be ignored.

Let's go home!

The family only has one old, basic hovercar. Murphy recently modified it to make it fly without wobbling, and also added some power to the heating system to ensure the interior is always warm.

Murphy carried Atia into the warm, old car, and they flew steadily home through the twinkling lights.

##

Half an hour later.

Murphy parked the beat-up car, opened the door and let Atia out. Looking at Atia sitting quietly inside, he felt that the beat-up car had the feel of a pumpkin carriage. He had actually brought home an absolutely stunning beauty.

As I opened the door, the warmth from the radiant heating system dispelled the chill of late autumn, and the aroma of food wafted out.

"Welcome home, my two esteemed masters. 001 has prepared a delicious meal."

A round, chubby robotic insect wearing a chef's hat and uniform stood at the door, welcoming everyone with a lively voice, instantly enlivening the whole house.

Murphy secretly gave 001 a thumbs up. Yes, that's it. He needed to subtly make his wife acknowledge that she was part of the family. That way, when things got serious, she might not abandon them, the orphan and the widow.

Murphy echoed, "Welcome home!" His voice was slightly deep and magnetic, filled with tenderness.

After saying that, Murphy secretly made a face of embarrassment, as if he had been a little too harsh. Would his wife think he wasn't being sincere enough?

The beautiful, silver-haired female insect stood quietly in place, her eyebrows and eyes twitching slightly. She "looked" at Murphy for a long while with her hazy, beautiful eyes, without saying a word.

Murphy concluded that he was probably embarrassed by his corny pronunciation but too shy to admit it. He couldn't very well say that about himself, but perhaps he was moved by his incredibly gentle voice.

Murphy tactically changed the subject, "Let's eat first. We've added a lot of new things to the house, and I'll show you around later. Cough cough, tonight's menu is one I specially chose."

The round, chubby robotic insect said, "The dishes were all made by 001!"

Murphy manually shut it up and pushed it aside. What a joke, how could he let 001 steal the credit at a time like this?

"But I got up at 7 a.m. to buy all the vegetables at the morning market. I carefully selected each one and kept them fresh after I got them. I originally planned to cook them and send them over to eat... but of course it's better to eat them at home."

Murphy was about to lead Attia inside.

But it was stopped by a cold, mechanical hand.

"Wait, the Atia chief can go in, but the Mephiel chief cannot."

Murphy looked at 001 in disbelief. "Why?"

001 said ruthlessly in a crisp and cute mechanical voice, "Dangerous items have been detected on the main insect of the Morpheus. Please hand them over immediately so that 001 can dispose of them."

What dangerous items could he possibly have on him? 001 This is slander. Did he overdo it when he modified it?

Murphy had previously made a small upgrade to 001, which included the detection of dangerous objects. Unexpectedly, he got to experience this feature first.

Murphy looked bewildered and rummaged in his pocket, pulling out a black, rod-shaped object.

Alarm bells rang in Murphy's mind.

Just as he was about to hide it back, the name of the thing was pronounced out clearly by 001.

"Beep beep beep!!!" 001 sounded an alarm.

"A stun gun has been detected. It is a Class III hazardous material and is not permitted to be carried."

If this thing were in the security room, it would be perfectly normal, but since it's on Murphy, things are a bit complicated.

You know, he had just brought his wife, who had been brutally abused, home from the hospital, and they had barely arrived at the door. It was as if his wicked thoughts "couldn't be hidden any longer."

Feeling Attia turn her head to look at her, Murphy felt more wronged than Dou E.

"No, honey, let me explain." He really isn't a domestic abuser.

Oh no, I accidentally slurred it out.

What does "媳妇儿" mean?

Atia tilted his head slightly, as if he were thinking.

Murphy promptly distanced himself, saying, "Uh, this isn't mine, it belongs to my roommate."

Why does it feel like I'm having an affair with my roommate and trying to cover it up? Oh no!

Murphy panicked a little, feeling like he was making things worse by trying to explain. "Ah, wait, I absolutely didn't do anything to betray you outside. This is just for self-defense, believe me..."

Atia sensed his panic and hesitated, "Actually, there's no need to explain..."

That's even worse. There's no need for explanation; doesn't it just show that his wife doesn't care about him at all?

Murphy held onto his watch faithfully, looking aggrieved. "No, what if you misunderstand? I'm so innocent and kind; I don't want to become a villain in your eyes."

Pure and kind-hearted...

Is this a word used to describe male insects?

However, it cannot be denied that the male insect in front of us truly deserves this title.

Murphy keenly sensed that Atia, who had been silent, aloof, and even somewhat resistant since leaving the hospital, now seemed less tense. Her beautiful eyebrows and eyes relaxed, making the beauty mark at the corner of her eye even more vivid.

Murphy was somewhat grateful for this little incident; he didn't want Attiya to be afraid to go home, and he didn't want home to become a shadow over him.

Murphy threw the stun gun away.

Moffer happily led Atia to sit down at the table, and attentively selected a bowl of dishes, piling it high in front of Atia. He used a temperature-controlled spoon, that's how thoughtful and gentle he was.

"I oversee the cooking every day, so I don't know if you'll like it. If there's anything you'd like to eat, just tell me and I'll make it for you."

Despite cooking for so many days, Murphy still couldn't quite figure out Attiya's preferences; he really did manage to eat a few bites of each dish while holding a glass of water.

“...These are fine.” Attiya was not a picky eater, nor did his military career allow him to be picky.

Moreover, he was already at a loss as to how to deal with the fact that Murphy was cooking.

That was his personality; he was quiet and uninteresting, but he knew that these behaviors of Murphy were extremely rare among male insects.

"So, do you like it?"

Murphy rested his chin on his hand and watched Attia eat; it was a pleasure to watch a beautiful insect eat.

"……Um."

Murphy was very easy to please. "If you like it, I'll buy it for you every morning from now on."

Atiyah paused, as if to say that it wasn't necessary.

"So, is there a reward?" Murphy asked, trying to secure his own benefit.

As he expected, those misty violet eyes turned to meet his, revealing the small beauty mark at the corner of her eye.

Atia said, "I... have nothing to give you."

Before that incident, he might have had some assets, but now he's penniless.

Murphy made a request that contained his own hidden agenda.

"Can you say goodnight to me every night?"

Atiyah waited for him to make other demands, but found that Mephiel had no further words.

He hesitated before answering, "...Okay."

What's the point of saying goodnight every day? Is it just a command?

He agreed!

Murphy thought his move was very clever. Goodnight wanan meant I love you, and they confessed their love to each other every night. Everyone who saw them would say they were an incredibly sweet couple!

Murphy was overjoyed to have secured the benefits, and even when showing Attia around the house, his steps were light and cheerful.

"This is the living room...this is the study..."

"This is your room, and the one next door is mine. If anything happens, you can press this bell anytime, and I'll come right away. Or you can call 001, and I'll put 001 in your room. Just let him do whatever you want."

Everything that came into contact with on the road was covered with soft cloth, and all the corners that were easy to kick were rounded off. This was something that Murphy had been working on in a hurry these past few days.

"If there's anything else you'd like to add, just tell 001."

001 chimed in from the side, “Yes, Atia, the chief insect, everything is subject to your orders.”

Finally, Murphy led Attia back to his room.

"Goodnight!" Murphy said, though he couldn't ask for a goodnight kiss yet.

“Good night…” Atiya replied.

Murphy helped Attia to the bedside, watched him sit down, and then left, turning back every few steps.

"Click"—the door closed.

Atia remained seated on the bed, her violet eyes veiled in a thin mist, reflecting nothing.

for a long time.

He seemed a little tired.

He lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

The lights were then turned off, and the darkness in the room deepened...

...

Blood, lots of blood...

Palmer, Rupert, and many other insects he knew, Carter who loved to study gadgets, Cotton who loved to sneak out to play, and old Hansen who loved to hold a ladle and grumble...

They lay there silently, lifeless, and bloodless...

Attiyah... Attiyah...

Atiyah suddenly clutched his head, feeling that his auditory hallucinations had worsened; he kept feeling that another version of himself was talking to him from the depths of his mind.

What he didn't see was that the faint red color around the outer edge of the pale purple pupil of one of his eyes was gradually deepening.

A note from the author:

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Thank you for the nutrient solution from Louwaitingfengbao! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers] So happy!