Chapter 36
As a result, Yael sat in the middle of the sofa in the lounge, with military maidens standing on his left, right, front, and back like iron towers, almost filling up the small space.
It didn't seem like a friendly meeting with Enchong, but rather like the boss in the prison, who had the full support of everyone, had captured the new young man in prison and wanted to give him a warning.
And because the military wives were basically looking at him secretly, that subtle feeling became even stronger.
“…”
Yael turned his gaze from the agitated backs of the military women to the face of Alvin in front of him. He was silent for a moment and then subtly told him this strong sense of déjà vu.
Noah sneered mercilessly, glanced at Alvin who was touching his nose awkwardly, and waved his hand to let those silly and noisy guys disperse.
"Go, go, go, go out, don't follow this coroner anymore."
After all the irrelevant female soldiers in the room left, only three female soldiers, including Yael and Alvin, were left.
"It's our first meeting... No, it should be the third time we've met."
Yael raised his eyes and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar female soldier in front of him.
They had indeed met three times, and no matter each time, those ocean-blue eyes were always calm, as if nothing could change their color.
"My first purpose this time is to formally express my gratitude to you."
Alvin stood up with some difficulty, and together with Noah beside him, he saluted Yael solemnly with a serious tone.
"Most of the people staying in this hospital are my soldiers. On their behalf and on my own behalf, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you."
"If you hadn't helped, thousands of female soldiers in the hospital would have died due to extreme lack of pheromones."
Yael also stood up and greeted him, his tone still calm, without much arrogance.
"It's a piece of cake, and the deal is ultimately a win-win for both parties. Colonel, you don't have to do this."
Alvin smiled and didn't respond.
Although it is a transaction, the male insects are willing to trade pheromones at the legal price, which means they are getting a great bargain.
The pheromones on the market are priced many times over the market price and have reached a pathological level, which hospitals cannot afford.
From Elaine's description of the transaction, it is clear that the male insect knew the market price was high, but despite this, he chose to generously make concessions and give out pheromones to save more female soldiers.
So no matter what, he had to come and thank the male insect in person.
"This time I came here not only to express my gratitude, but most importantly I have a thank-you gift for you."
Alvin waved to Noah behind him, and the military girl took out a box from her military jacket and placed it in the middle of the table.
The box with a luxurious and delicate pattern was carefully opened, letting out a warm and clear light——
On the black sponge inner pad is a piece of rare mineral, only as big as a thumb, but it seems to have gathered a vast and magnificent silver-blue star field, gleaming and beautiful.
sicilian mineral.
Yael had seen this rare material in textbooks. The mines were scarce, valuable, and grew on planets with extremely harsh conditions.
Apart from professional collection teams, only military women would risk their lives to search for them during their spare time.
A small piece of Sicilian ore can ensure the quality of life of female soldiers for dozens or even hundreds of years after they retire from the army.
"...I hope you like it."
Alvin smiled, pushed the box in front of the male insect, and made a gesture of invitation.
Recalling something, he added in a low voice, "You know, the situation was very urgent at the time. Noah may have offended you in some way. I have already taught him a lesson for this. Please don't be angry with him."
Yael stared at the ore for a long time, but did not reach out to take it. He just looked back at Alvin and said, "Sorry, I won't take it."
The deal with Elaine was his bottom line, and accepting such a valuable thank-you gift would completely change the nature of the matter.
Moreover, after the hospital waived his medical expenses and received subsidies from the college, he no longer had to worry about these things. This hospital and these servicewomen obviously needed financial support more than he did.
"Pheromones are not valuable things, and I donated them voluntarily. There is no reason for me to use my own efforts to exchange for other insects' valuable things."
The first time I heard this statement was from a male insect, and the magnitude of the explosion was comparable to that of a planet exploding.
But from the previous action, it was clear that the male insect in front of him was special. Alvin's expression remained unchanged, but his tone was much more serious when he spoke again.
"Sir, although it was just a piece of cake for you, it is a fact that it saved my life and the lives of countless soldiers."
"The grace of saving my life should not be measured by expensive gifts, but this is the greatest sincerity I can offer."
He pushed the box towards the male insect again. "Although my words are a bit crude, repaying a grievance with a grievance and a favor with a favor is my principle."
"That's your principle."
Yael leaned back in his chair and emphasized the two words in the middle.
What I mean is, you give gifts according to your principles, and I refuse to accept them according to my principles, and no one can force anyone.
But he didn't say anything final. After thinking for a while, he said, "I have already signed a contract with the hospital and confirmed a long-term pheromone transaction. You can just pay the star coins according to the price."
He is really insensitive.
There was a hint of helplessness on Alvin's face, but the smile in his eyes was very gentle.
There was no way to stay deadlocked like this. He sighed and said, "Let me be frank with you. This ore has a certain chance of promoting the regeneration of bone wings."
Yael suddenly raised his eyes and looked at him, looking a little surprised.
"It's not guaranteed to work, but it should be reliable."
He served in the army for more than 20 years and had dug for this thing many times after the war. Although he did not gain much, he had a very special experience.
At that time, the bone wings of a female soldier in the army were also seriously damaged, and she had to remove one of her bone wings.
But soon after coming into contact with this mineral vein, the missing wing elytra on his back actually began to recover gradually, and new wing buds grew out of them.
However, soon, the female soldier died because she could not bear the harsh environment of the planet. Although the specific reason for the regeneration of bone wings cannot be determined, it should be related to this mineral.
"So you might as well give it a try. It might work. If it doesn't, that's fine. The medicinal value of the ore itself is very high. It is the top-grade raw material for treating injuries. Anyway, I hope I can help you."
"Can it promote the regeneration of bone wings...?"
Yael stared at the Sicilian ore for a long time, and finally something came to his mind.
Those obsidian eyes gradually lit up, and the corners of his lips tightened in a restrained smile.
He raised his eyes and smiled, "Thank you."
That plain expression suddenly became lively, like a gorgeous peach or plum blossom suddenly blooming in the sky full of ice and snow, so eye-catching that the insect cannot take its eyes away.
It wasn't until his thigh was pinched hard that Alvin came to his senses.
Noah's gnashing teeth rang in his ears, "Fuck, you're crazy!"
Opening his hand, Alvin looked embarrassed and scolded in a low voice.
"…What nonsense!"
Later, the transaction terms were adjusted until both parties were satisfied and the meeting was concluded.
Elaine had already left. Just as Yael was about to leave the lounge to pick up the female insect, Alvin stopped him and said, "Please wait a moment, sir."
"The planet Etal has been a bit unstable recently. It's best to go out as little as possible. If you must go out, take your female insect with you."
The female soldier behind him had a gentle expression, as if this was just a casual instruction.
Yael was a little confused, but he didn't ask any further questions. He just nodded and left.
"Why do we need to remind the male insects of this specifically?"
Noah glanced at Alvin, his tone somewhat confused.
"In recent years, pirate gangs have been roaming around. Not long ago, I received news that the Feishan Pirate Gang was driven to this star system by the military. I wonder which planet they will attack next."
Alvin walked to the window and watched the female soldiers coming and going outside, with a hint of worry between his brows.
"In recent years, there have been more and more pirate groups like this. The peace that the Empire wants... still has a long way to go."
Noah frowned. "I remember that it was after the admiral's death five years ago that pirate gangs of all sizes began to prosper. They have also evaded capture by the military many times over the years. It's a strange coincidence."
"Some things are better left unsaid, just in case someone has ears."
Alvin raised his hand to stop him from speaking, was lost in thought for a while, then lowered his eyes and spoke in a very soft voice.
"I really miss the empire of five years ago. If only that admiral hadn't died..."
"The Empire always preaches that miracles will happen in desperate situations, and I sometimes pray for it..."
Pray that all suffering will eventually end.
Pray that hope of survival can come to places where there is no sunshine.
*
"It's over?"
Yael was sitting in a chair facing Xie Zhao's office. When he heard the door open, he looked over.
There was no change in expression on the female insect's face, but Xie Zhao, who followed behind her, looked increasingly haggard, with resentment emanating from him that was almost turning into substance.
Yael was confused for a moment.
Soul-transferring technique...can't it be true?
Maybe the heater in the treatment room was turned up a bit too high, so Xi Ze took off the black scarf from his neck and casually wrapped it around his wrist. The moment he saw the male insect, the corners of his lips slightly raised, "Have you been waiting for a long time, Lord?"
"No, I just got here."
Yael asked as usual, raising his hand to smooth down the female insect's messy hair, "How was the treatment today?"
"It's not bad."
Caesar whispered, lowering his head slightly to follow the male insect's movements, letting the hand play with his hair, holding his breath to feel the slight touch of the fingertips occasionally brushing against his ears.
Xie Zhao felt a little annoyed when he saw this scene, and was almost amazed at the military girl's flawless performance.
As expected of the head of the Xie family, she is a female insect who is in an absolutely high position even though her identity is concealed. She has many schemes and plots, and her acting skills are flawless.
Even if one's nature is as cold and hard as a rock, one can still put on this kind of attitude to please the male insect.
After enduring for a while, Yael couldn't help but turn his head and ask the pale-faced female insect, "Doctor Xie, are you okay?"
Xie Zhao gave a fake smile and began to tell lies to help the female insect pretend to be peaceful.
"Sir, healing post-traumatic stress is a long process and there is no rush. I am doing my best to treat it and the patient is also trying hard to cooperate, but this involves..."
As his ears were filled with profound and obscure professional terms, Yael was obviously lost in thought.
The hand pressing on the hair stopped moving. The female insect half-closed her eyes and lowered her head. The tip of her nose rubbed the male insect's hand lightly. The movement was very small, like the unconscious display of dependence and intimacy by some animal cub.
Tsk. Xie Zhao sighed again.
It's really amazing. He pretended so well that even a PhD in psychology like him couldn't tell any trace of acting.
"In short, if you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, doctors and medicine are secondary. The most important thing is the love and companionship of the closest insects to you, so as to prevent the disease from getting worse."
Adhering to the professional ethics of a doctor, Xie Zhao continued to advise.
"If possible, you can use more caressing and encouragement, and use pheromones and mental power to reduce the patient's insomnia and anxiety as much as possible..."
His original intention was to hope that Yael would be nicer to the female soldier to avoid being retaliated against in the future, and he also hoped that Cize would suffer less and live more comfortably so that the future breakup would not be so tragic.
Yael nodded thoughtfully, and after a long sigh, he said, "So that's how it is... I understand."
…
The floating car that was taking them back passed a place. Yer's eyes moved slightly and he directly stopped the driver.
"There's a place to park ahead. Let us down there."
The place where the suspended car was parked was a rather busy market, and the sound of hustle and bustle could be faintly heard.
Xi Ze subconsciously took a step back to the shadows and looked at the interested Yael beside him, "Master?"
"This is the edge of the unregulated zone. The residents have spontaneously formed a wild market. It's also very close to home. Let's buy some food here and then walk a few minutes back."
Yael took out a mask from the pocket of his down jacket and handed it to Caesar, "Here, put it on."
“…Okay.” Xi Ze’s eyelashes trembled, and he took the black mask.
Maybe it was because it was close to the New Year, and there were so many insects buying things at the market that even walking would cause one to rub against the shoulders of the insects next to them, and the roads were packed.
"Go inside and follow me closely."
Caesar pressed his mask with his fingers, followed Yael inside somewhat stiffly, and was overwhelmed by the extraordinary liveliness.
He hadn't walked openly on the street like this for five years. He couldn't say he was afraid, but it felt very unfamiliar. He felt helpless, not knowing where the road was or which way to go.
Xi Ze gradually stopped walking, and the male insect in front of him quickly disappeared in the surging tide of insects.
He pursed his lips and took a few steps forward, but he couldn't find the direction at all.
"...Hero Lord?"
Xi Ze opened his mouth, but didn't notice that his throat was so hoarse that no sound came out.
He stood there in a daze for a while, then belatedly realized that he could make a call. As he was hesitating, the crowded insect swarm in front of him was forcefully separated into a gap -
The male insect poked half of its body out, its hair messy and tangled, and glared at him.
"Didn't I tell you to stay close to me?"
Without waiting for Xi Ze to explain anything, Yael directly grabbed his wrist to prevent him from getting lost again, and continued to squeeze into the surging tide of insects in front of him.
The male insect's hands were clenched tightly, and the joints were pale pink due to the cold. When he grasped the sleeves of his black woolen coat, his hands looked like finely carved mutton-fat jade, but much stronger and tougher than jade.
Xi Ze's eyelashes trembled, and his eyes were fixed on the back of the male insect, and he was almost reluctant to move away for a moment.
“It seems to be this store.”
Yelfi vigorously dragged the female insect to an open space and looked up at the sign in front of him. "I heard that the pancakes here are delicious."
Xize had recovered from his shock and turned to look at him. "Then Lord Xiong, please go find a place to sit first. I'll go and queue up to buy, okay?"
Yael thought about it and the best plan would have been for the female insect to buy food and he to buy drinks, and then add up the costs at the end, which would save a lot of time. But... they were not in a hurry now, so it was okay to queue up slowly.
He was originally busy with work, and later a female worm was added. For a long time, he had not walked on the road other than the three points of the library, home and hospital.
I'm quite happy to come here suddenly.
They waited in a long line, occasionally talking to each other and discussing what delicious food was nearby. When the food arrived, they chose what ingredients to put in it. In the end, they got two servings of hot pancakes. Moreover, the same store sold fruit and vegetable juice, so they bought both together without having to queue up again.
There is a park behind the market. The environment is quiet and comfortable. Many insects that have bought something will find a chair and sit on it to eat.
The two deluxe versions of the pancakes were filled with so much stuff that they almost overflowed, and they were piping hot and fragrant.
When you take a bite, the caramelized crust will make a crisp sound, and then the tip of your tongue will come into contact with the rich and sweet food, forming an incomparable wonderful taste that strongly invades your taste buds.
Yael ate his lunch with great concentration, one bite after another. When he was done, he tied the bag and threw it into the trash can next to him.
Then he poked the juice with a "pop" and sipped it slowly through the straw.
Yael suddenly remembered something, took something out of his pocket and handed it to Xi Ze, "Here, I give it to you."
"What is it?"
Xi Ze had finished lunch long ago and was leaning back in his chair waiting for the male insect to finish drinking the juice. Upon hearing this, he reached out to take the box.
He opened the box in his hand a little, and his pupils shrank slightly when he caught a glimpse of the silver-blue light, and he closed the lid with a snap.
sicilian mineral.
Rare and precious, of great value, it can... promote the regeneration of bone wings.
The male insect gave him the Sisili ore so easily, just as casually as when he handed him the mask and the pancakes, as if these things were no different at all.
Xi Ze's voice was slightly hoarse, and his fingers holding the box kept tightening, "This is..."
Yael caught a glimpse of his reaction and swallowed the juice in his mouth.
"Sisiri ore. Alvin said it can promote the regeneration of bone wings, but he doesn't know the specific usage and effect. You can take it back and try it out. We can try it out."
His guess was confirmed, Xi Ze's Adam's apple rolled and he was almost speechless.
He wanted to ask why he was given it, since it was such a precious thing.
But the male insect in front of him seemed to have always been like this, not asking where it came from, not asking for reasons, not asking for anything in return, doing whatever he wanted, and having his own strange principles.
If he asked at this time, the male insect would definitely say something about the "life first" theory, so it would be a very normal thing to give him the Sisili ore.
A familiar yet strange whisper suddenly sounded. Although the tone was gentle, there was cold calculation between the lines. He had believed in it for so many years, but it turned out that it was not a cruel truth.
【Everything has a price tag. If you want something, you must exchange it with something of equal or higher value.】
[Love and care also have transaction conditions. If you want the female father to love you, you must show your value and cannot be outdone by other female insect cubs. Do you understand? ]
Xize's breathing became heavier, and he subconsciously clenched the thing in his hand. His palm was hurt by the hard sharp corners, but he was reluctant to let go.
He had seen unconditional hatred too much, but this was the first time he felt unconditional love so vividly.
Suddenly, the rope that was tightly tied around his neck seemed to loosen, and the sweet air he had never breathed before rushed in, almost making him addicted.
"Are you so moved?"
Yael looked at the female insect's red eyes with interest, but then he remembered his secret and suddenly became timid. He pinched the female insect's chin with his fingertips and made her turn her head to face him.
"Truth or dare? If you don't say anything, it's the truth. I ask you questions and you answer them. Don't lie. If you can't say something, just say you can't say it. Do you understand?"
He didn't wait for the female insect to speak before he made up his mind. However, he got stuck on the first question. After thinking for a long time, he said, "You...shouldn't be a wanted criminal or a pirate leader, right?"
Yer suddenly thought of this problem. He didn't care about the status, but at least the butt couldn't be too crooked.
Although given the legitimacy of Nishizawa's behavior, this speculation is unlikely.
Xi Ze closed his eyes, put all the emotions on his face in order, and chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm not a criminal, and my credibility is very high in my civil record."
Not just high.
Yael remembered that the female insect in front of him seemed to have provoked many unknown enemies, and he began to worry slowly.
"Are there many enemies like you mentioned before? Will I be targeted and assassinated by those bugs? I heard that interstellar killers are all crazy and don't care about identity and gender. Once they catch their target, they will just shoot him in the head."
"No, don't worry."
Caesar lowered his eyes and looked at him. His voice was calm and steady, which calmed the slight sense of crisis that emerged in Yael's heart.
"As long as I am alive, no harm will come to you."
He said these words lightly, which should have seemed frivolous. They were not words of love or solemn promises, but so plain that they seemed to be natural facts.
"That's quite a tone."
Yael raised his eyebrows slightly, released his fingers, and began to scratch the female insect's hair randomly, which disrupted his serious expression and gave it a bit of vivid embarrassment.
The male insect finally let out his anger, but he still seemed a little unhappy. He complained in a half-truthful way, "But you've hidden too many things from me."
Caesar's eyelashes trembled, "I'm sorry, I..."
"I'll forgive you for now."
Yael interrupted him softly, looked at the scenery ahead, paused for a moment, and said slowly, "Remember to tell me everything when the time comes."
"good."
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