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.

真不愧是能騎在謝家最大的家主頭上，雖然隐瞞着身份但明顯身處絕對高位的雌蟲，算計密謀一樣不少，演技也天衣無縫。

就算本質冷硬得跟石頭似的，也能裝出這樣的姿态讨雄蟲的歡心。

忍了一下，耶爾還是忍不住側過頭，詢問那一臉菜色的雌蟲，“謝醫生，你還好嗎？”

謝昭幹巴巴地假笑一聲，十分上道地開始胡謅幫雌蟲粉飾和平。

“閣下，治愈創後應激是一個漫長的過程，完全不能着急的，我在盡力治療了，患者也有在努、力、配、合，不過這涉及到……”

耳朵鑽進一套又一套高深晦澀的專業詞彙，耶爾顯然陷入了沉思。

壓在頭發上的手不動了，雌蟲半阖着眼低下頭，鼻尖輕蹭過雄蟲的手，幅度很小，像是什麽動物幼崽無意識展露的依賴親昵。

啧。謝昭再次感嘆一聲。

真牛啊，裝得跟真的似的，他這個心理學博士都看不出來絲毫表演痕跡。

“總而言之呢，患上創後應激障礙的話，其實醫生和藥物都還是其次，最關鍵還是最親近的蟲的關愛和陪伴，不讓病情繼續加重。”

秉持着醫生的職業道德，謝昭繼續建議道。

“如果可以的話，您可以采取多撫摸多鼓勵的方法，合理運用信息素和精神力，盡量減少患者的失眠和焦躁情況……”

他的本意是希望耶爾對這個軍雌好一點，免得将來被報複，也希望西澤能少受折磨，過得舒服一點，未來決裂時不至于那麽慘烈。

耶爾若有所思地點頭，長長地唔了一聲後道，“原來如此……我知道了。”

……

送他們返程的懸浮車路過一處地方，耶爾眸光微動，直接喊停司機。

“前面有個地方可以停，在那裏放我們下來吧。”

懸浮車停泊的地方是一片有些熱鬧的集市，隐約能聽見喧嚣的聲音。

西澤下意識往陰影處退了一步，看向一旁興致勃勃的耶爾，“雄主？”

“這裏是無監管區的邊緣，居民自發組成了一片野生市場，離家也很近，我們在這裏買點吃的，然後再走幾分鐘路回去吧。”

耶爾從羽絨服的口袋裏掏出一個口罩遞給西澤，“喏，戴上。”

“……好。”西澤眼睫一顫，接過那個黑色口罩。

可能是因為臨近新年，集市上采購的蟲格外多，單是行走都會摩擦到旁邊蟲的肩膀，道路被擠得滿滿當當。

“進去裏面跟緊我。”

西澤手指按了按口罩，有些僵硬地跟着耶爾走進去，就被這非凡的熱鬧撲了個滿頭滿臉。

他已經五年沒有像這樣在大街上正大光明地行走，說不上有多畏懼，就是很陌生，是一種不知道路在何方，也不知道該往哪邊走的無措。

西澤漸漸停下腳步，面前雄蟲的背影很快就消失在洶湧蟲潮。

他抿了抿唇，又往前走了幾步，卻徹底找不到方向了。

“……雄主？”

西澤張了張嘴，卻沒注意嗓子喑啞到根本沒能發出聲音。

他有些茫然地原地站了一會，後知後覺想起來可以撥打通訊，正猶豫間，面前挨挨擠擠的蟲潮被強力分開一道縫隙——

雄蟲從裏面探出半身來，頭發被擠得淩亂翹起，瞪了他一眼。

“不是叫你跟緊我嗎？”

沒等西澤解釋什麽，耶爾直接拉起他的手腕，防止他又走丢，繼續擠進了面前洶湧的蟲潮中。

雄蟲的手攥得很緊，關節因為寒冷泛起淺粉色，握着黑色毛呢大衣的袖子時，更襯得那手像是精雕細琢的羊脂玉，卻遠比玉石強韌有力。

西澤眼睫一顫，視線凝聚在雄蟲的背影上，幾乎舍不得移開分秒。

“好像是這家店。”

耶爾費勁巴拉地把雌蟲拽到一處空地上，擡頭望着面前的招牌，“聽說這裏的煎餅果子很好吃。”

西澤已經緩過神來了，聞言轉頭看他，“那雄主先去找地方坐，我去排隊買，好嗎？”

耶爾思索了一下，最優方案本來應該是雌蟲買吃的他買喝的，最後再一合計，非常省時間，但……現在他們也并不趕時間，所以慢慢排隊也沒關系。

原先是忙于工作，後來又加上了一個雌蟲，他很久都沒有走在圖書館、家和醫院三點一線之外的道路上了。

突然來這麽一下還挺開心的。

他們在長長的隊伍中等待，偶爾說幾句話，讨論一下旁邊有什麽好吃的，等到了就挑選要放什麽食材，最終拿到了兩份熱騰騰的煎餅果子，而且同一個店家就有賣果蔬汁的，幹脆就一起買了，不用再排隊一次。

集市背後就是一片公園，環境安靜舒适，不少買了東西的蟲會找到一張椅子，直接坐在上面吃。

兩份豪華版的煎餅果子裏面的料多到幾乎溢出來，滾燙又香氣撲鼻。

一口咬下去，焦香的餅皮會發出咔嚓的脆響，接着舌尖接觸到濃郁香甜的食物，組合成無比美妙的滋味強勢侵占味蕾。

耶爾專注無比地吃午飯，一口接一口，吃完後将袋子系好，扔進了旁邊的垃圾桶。

然後“啪”一聲戳開果汁，抿着吸管慢慢地吸。

耶爾突然想起來什麽，從口袋裏掏出一個東西遞給西澤，“喏，送給你。”

“是什麽？”

西澤早就吃完了午飯，正靠在椅背上等雄蟲喝完果汁，聞言伸手接過盒子。

他将手裏的盒子打開一條縫，在瞥見那一抹銀藍色亮光的瞬間瞳孔微縮，啪的一下合上蓋子。

西西裏礦石。

珍貴稀少，價值高昂，能……促使骨翼再生。

雄蟲就這麽輕易将西西裏礦石給他了，和把口罩、把煎餅果子遞給他時一樣輕描淡寫，仿佛這幾樣東西根本沒什麽不同。

西澤的聲音微啞，拿着盒子的手指不斷收緊，“這是……”

耶爾餘光瞥見他的反應，将嘴裏含着的果汁咽下去。

“西西裏礦石，阿爾文說這個可以促使骨翼再生，不過具體用法和效果他也不知道，可以拿回去試驗一下，死馬當活馬醫吧。”

猜想被驗證，西澤喉結滾動，幾乎說不出話來。

他想問為什麽要給他，明明是這麽珍貴的東西。

但眼前的雄蟲似乎一向都是這樣的，不問來處，不問緣由，不求回報，行事随心所欲，又自有一套奇奇怪怪的原則。

如果他這個時候問，雄蟲肯定又會說什麽“生命至上”理論，所以将西西裏礦石送給他也是一件非常正常的事。

熟悉又陌生的低語倏地響起，明明語調溫柔，字裏行間卻都是冰冷的算計，他堅信了那麽多年，卻原來并不是殘酷的真理——

【任何東西都是明标價碼的，你想得到什麽，就必須以等價甚至更高價的東西來交換。】

【愛和關心也是标注好交易條件的，你想要雌父愛你，就必須展現出自己的價值來，不能被別的雌蟲幼崽比下去，知道了嗎？】

西澤呼吸重了幾分，下意識攥緊手裏的東西，手心被堅硬的尖角硌得生疼，卻始終舍不得松開。

無條件的恨他見得太多，無條件的愛卻是頭一回這樣真切地感受到。

恍然間緊勒住頸脖的繩索好像松開了一個結，湧進來的是從未汲取過的甘甜空氣，幾乎讓他上瘾。

“這麽感動啊？”

耶爾興味地看着雌蟲泛紅的眼圈，但又想起他的隐瞞，一時惡向膽邊生，指尖捏住雌蟲的下巴，讓他轉過頭來面對自己——

“真心話還是大冒險？不說話就是真心話了，我問你答，不準說謊，不能說就直接說不能說，知道了嗎？”

他沒等雌蟲說話就自顧自說定了，但在第一個問題上就卡住了，深思許久後道，“你……應該不是通緝犯也不是星盜頭子吧？”

耶爾突然想起來這個問題，身份高低他倒是不在意，至少屁股不能太歪吧。

雖然按照西澤行為的根正苗紅程度，這個猜測的可能性很小。

西澤閉了閉眼，将臉上的情緒都收拾妥當，聞言輕笑一聲，“您別擔心，我不是罪犯，公民記錄上的信譽點很高的。”

不只是高而已。

耶爾又想起面前雌蟲似乎招惹了衆多不知名仇敵，遲鈍地擔憂起來了。

“之前你說的仇敵多嗎？我會被那些蟲盯上暗殺嗎？聽說星際殺手都很瘋，不會顧忌身份和性別什麽的，抓到目标就是一槍爆頭。”

“不會的，您放心。”

西澤垂下眼睛看他，聲音平靜又篤定，撫平了耶爾心底冒頭的一絲危機感。

“只要我還活着一刻，就不會讓您受到傷害。”

本該顯得輕狂的話被他輕描淡寫地說出，卻并非什麽海誓山盟的情話，平淡到仿佛天生如此的事實。

“口氣不小。”

耶爾眉梢微揚，放開了手指，轉而在雌蟲的頭發上胡亂抓了一頓，把他一本正經的神情攪亂，染上些許生動至極的窘迫。

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."