Chapter 57
Xi Ze turned the report page with a sullen face, only to see a chip stuck to the upper right corner of the next page, which was the video recording of the interrogation that year.
He played the video several times from beginning to end to confirm that the protagonist in it was indeed Yael.
The male insect was still very young at that time, with the familiar gentle and firm expression. He stood alone under the light, as brave as a single-handed warrior.
He ended this deliberate conspiracy with just three sentences:
"I am not willing to say that he is pardoned."
"Because he is innocent."
"That's what I'm asking for."
Cutting nails and cutting iron, no doubt about it.
All the voices that wanted to confuse right and wrong, the gloomy curses of failed plans, were suppressed.
That inexplicable power of fear is transmitted to every viewer through this long-standing video record, bringing with it a thrilling feeling that makes their hearts tremble.
Cizek stared deeply at Yael in the image.
It was as if I had penetrated time and space and saw the completely unfamiliar world I had just arrived in. Although I was terrified and panicked, I still tried my best to stand out and use the language I had learned with great difficulty to try to protect——
That firm and shining soul.
No wonder.
No wonder Gallagher chose to surrender so early. He must have heard that Yael was on his side and hoped to repay the favor.
…
"Wait, wait!"
Bai Lang couldn't help but interrupted Gallagher's narration and looked at Yael, who was holding his chin with his hand, in disbelief.
"I also heard about that incident on Bianyuan Star. Could it be that the person involved is His Majesty?!"
"Yes."
Gallagher took over his words, his expression a little stiff, and he lowered his eyes and dared not look at the male insect.
"If Your Majesty finds this troubling, let's end this meeting here."
"No, I was quite... grateful to you at that time."
The taste of pure chocolate still lingers on the back of my tongue, with a hint of bitterness.
Thinking that he would be able to see Xi Ze soon, he was in a good mood today and didn't mind talking about the messy past.
Gallagher was stunned for a moment. "Thank you...?"
Yael lowered his eyes and recalled the situation at that time.
"Yeah, if it weren't for you, I might not have gotten out of that island-like terror so quickly."
It was like being lost in an endless ocean. There were no stars or moon around, and everything was distorted and strange. All that was left was myself, who would not get the response I wanted no matter how loudly I shouted.
The fear of alienation is deepening every minute among the sea dwellers with various appearances, personalities and purposes.
But if a wounded whale floats by at this moment——
He would temporarily forget his current situation, cheer himself up a little, try hard to find tools and medicine, and save the whale first.
"It was because I had something to do that I shifted my focus to learning a new language and how to get you out, so I felt better afterwards... hehe."
The male insect in front of me has a pair of very beautiful eyes, thick and long eyelashes, and the curve of the tail of the eye is soft and smooth.
When not smiling, you may seem cold, but the moment you smile, it is like a flower suddenly blooming in the snow. Therefore, many insects will ignore the scene deep in the eyes.
It was a darkness so dense that not even much light could penetrate it. It was like an empty dry well. Staring at it for a long time would even make you feel creepy.
Gallagher was not fooled by the male insect's smile, but looked directly into the depths of his pupils, his expression inexplicably becoming focused and gloomy.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Have you truly eliminated that fear and started to live peacefully in this world?
But Yael did not answer him. He put away his smile and pretended to be thoughtful.
"Why did the Major General come here? Is it just to reminisce?"
The male insect tapped the tabletop with his fingers intermittently, as if he had sensed that the topic was something he didn't want to talk about, and he was showing signs of being a little irritated.
Gallagher, who had clearly wanted to escape at the slightest sign of trouble just now, now seemed to be chasing after him relentlessly, with a somewhat stiff tone.
"No, I came here to ask Your Majesty, at that time..."
"I mean, didn't nothing happen for two years after the first split?"
"Um?"
Yael widened his eyes slightly and looked at him.
"Your Majesty has a generous male insect welfare guarantee, good living conditions and security, learned the language here and entered school. I heard that because of his excellent grades, he was able to enter the research institute for internship in advance..."
As if knowing what the female soldier wanted to find out, a trace of panic flashed in the male insect's eyes.
But before he could stop her, Gallagher looked up at him and said softly:
"Why did you choose to hurt yourself later?"
Swish.
Another page was turned, but the hand suddenly stopped the next second, frozen in disbelief for a long time before it trembled and touched the photos.
Those bloody, horribly damaged, and unbearable images were like sharp needles that instantly pierced the trembling and contracted pupils, reflecting an extremely tragic scene.
"...Hero Lord?"
His whisper was soft, trembling and disbelief, and disappeared silently in the cold air.
The hand was shaking so much that it could hardly hold the thin paper. It took several attempts to pull out the stuck photo, but it was so stiff that the photo fell onto the table.
The blood that spread on the snow-white sheets had already dried up, presenting the decayed appearance of dead plants exposed to the sun.
There is not even a trace of vitality and energy in the picture, only miserable pain and sorrow.
The male insect still looks calm and peaceful, with his eyebrows and eyes even relaxed, as if he had simply fallen asleep. When the morning sun sets, he will open his beautiful black eyes.
But his lips moist turned pale from blood loss, making him seem like he was frozen in a black and white painting, like...
The last photo ever left in the world.
After a moment, Xize pursed his lips tightly, poured out a large pile of photos, and reached out to piece together the enlarged parts one by one.
After searching through countless chaotic snapshots, I finally found the source of the male insect's bleeding amidst the blood-stained mess.
He finally knew how the male insect got the cut on its left wrist.
The marks were messy, obviously from a novice using a sharp weapon, but each one was deep enough to show the bone, almost severing the tendons and bones, clearly revealing the firm determination.
Smart homes and power supplies were forced to shut down, doors and windows were tightly closed, and there was leave approved in advance...
Yael made all preparations to delay being discovered as long as possible.
He left himself no way out.
Xi Ze stared at the photos in a daze, his drooping eyes turned red, his breathing became rapid and heavy, and his Adam's apple rolled violently.
Amidst the sharp buzzing, he heard the sound of his frozen heart being struck suddenly, and then pieces of it bursting and shattering. The flying ice chips penetrated his flesh and blood, bringing him excruciating pain that was almost like tearing out his bones.
When the mind-shaking pain subsided a little, what came over me was a huge fear and panic.
The male insect woke up yesterday, and Bai Lang told him that the male insect already knew his identity... He didn't seem to be in a very good mood.
When the male insect woke up, he was not there, even though they had gone through the secondary differentiation together... Would the male insect feel lonely and lost?
Do you still have thoughts of self-harm?
Chaotic thoughts flooded into his mind. Xi Ze forced himself to control his trembling fingers and pressed the communicator on the desk.
"Go at full speed and try to reach your destination in the shortest possible time."
His order was urgent and firm, and the driver immediately responded with a "yes", filled up the power source, and forced through the long distance of time and space with a loud roar, leaping towards the destination.
What to do now...except to go back as soon as possible...Oh, right.
Xi Ze leaned on the table and thought for a while. He didn't have time to put the scattered photos back. He woke up the computer in a panic and opened the chat page with the male insect.
…
“Beep beep.”
The computer made a slight vibration, waking Yael from his trance. He apologized and turned on the computer.
【Xize 2.0: How are you now? 】
[Xize 2.0: Lord, do you feel uncomfortable somewhere? Or... not very happy? ]
【Xize 2.0: I'm sorry that I've been too busy recently and not with you, but I've arranged Bai Lang and the guards to be by your side. They are all trustworthy. If you want to eat or play anything, you can tell Bai Lang. Don't hold it back. He will do his best to satisfy you. But it's too dangerous outside now, so you can't go out yet. I'll take you out to play later, anywhere is fine. Also, I've contacted a special chef to make your favorite food and desserts, but I'm too busy these days and the team hasn't arrived yet. It should be ready after you leave the hospital...]
【Xize 2.0: Sorry, I was too anxious just now and the messages were very messy. Please don't read them for now and take a good rest. 】
[Xize 2.0: I will be back in about half an hour. Can you wait for me? ]
Yael pondered for a moment, flipped through the ridiculously long message in the middle, and for a moment he wondered who had abducted Xize.
The female insect, who has always been taciturn, suddenly became so abnormal. Did she know something?
Before he could continue thinking, his computer vibrated again.
【Xize 2.0: [Kiss][Love][Love Shoot][Love at First Sight]】
【Cise 2.0: Big cat kisses little mouse.jpg】
I even specifically looked for the little mouse in the emoticon package he posted yesterday. It really makes it difficult for him.
Yael laughed out loud, and the unpleasantness of the wound disappeared instantly, just like the bitter taste of mellow chocolate at the root of his tongue, and finally began to spread a hint of sweetness.
This is the unique taste of female insects. There is honey hidden in the bitter hard shell. Every time he tastes it, he has a new feeling. He can't help but chew it again and again. He is almost addicted to it.
【wwn: I am fine now. 】
【wwn: Don’t rush. It’s easy to get into trouble. 】
【wwn: I have reserved a whole day to wait for you. Have a safe journey.】
【wwn: [Kiss][Love][Love radiates]】
Yael apologized again, put down his laptop, and thought about how to give a reasonable explanation.
He didn't notice that the smile on the corners of his lips had not yet fallen, and even the curve of the corners of his eyes softened a little. His pupils, like dry wells, glowed slightly, and suddenly seemed to be given some vitality.
"I've investigated."
Gallagher said suddenly, his expression becoming somewhat annoyed as he met the male insect's puzzled gaze.
"For more than a year since then, I have been investigating whether someone has gotten past the guards and done something bad to you or caused you any distress."
"But it should be because my authority and ability are too low. I have not been able to find out anything until Admiral Monte returned. Then I used his means to settle accounts with the despicable female insect who dared to disturb your first differentiation..."
"My network of connections has always been very narrow, and I can't use those shady tactics."
"I came here to ask you directly if you have any confirmed enemy insects so that I can find an opportunity to kill them."
The female insect in front of him said terrible words expressionlessly, but Yael's pupils suddenly shrank.
He was stunned for a long time, and after a long silence, he covered his face and chuckled.
"Gallah, you are really..."
The last trace of depression disappeared, and Yael put down his hand in a good mood, looking up at the female insect with an unnatural expression.
He suddenly felt that it was okay to talk about it.
In fact, it was not something that needed to be kept secret, but his mind was not stable at that time, so he did some extreme things. Later, his mentality changed a lot and he was too lazy to bring up the past.
“I really didn’t experience anything at that time.”
Yael showed a look of reminiscence, but his expression was not one of disgust or fear. His drooping eyelashes trembled slightly, hiding the warmth floating in his eyes.
"The sequelae of the first differentiation were quickly cured, and because of the generous social welfare, we no longer had to worry about food and clothing."
"Then I entered university for further studies. In my first year, my supervisor selected me to do research. Because my supervisor was very powerful, no one dared to do anything behind my back..."
"Everything is going in the direction planned."
He discovered that his mentor was very famous in the field. Although he was eccentric, he was actually a good person.
He followed his mentor and fellow students to do research, which was actually no different from his life on Earth.
Even because of his status as a male insect, he no longer faced the same difficulties and hardships as in his previous life. Although he encountered some harassment... it was resolved quickly.
A regular life, something to do, and maybe a pet later.
This was the best life he had ever imagined and hoped to live.
…
"It's been several months! Finally, the finishing stage is completed!"
"Ahhh, I've been working so hard these past few months, and I can finally have a good rest - are we going to have a holiday, teacher? I feel like the dark circles under my eyes are going to drop to my chin!!"
"I feel like my liver has shrunk to the size of a grain of rice. It can't move anymore!"
After several months of enduring the nights, there are no insects in the laboratory that are not pale.
Finally, the experiment was successfully concluded. The pent-up energy was released and everyone immediately became relaxed.
After checking the experimental results, the instructor smiled and approved three days of leave with a wave of his hand.
"Take some time to rest, little noobs. We will conduct a new round of experiments in three days."
Some of the more anxious brothers rushed out to change their clothes, while the rest shook their heads and smiled as they packed up their things, but they all looked relaxed and satisfied, and the whole laboratory was filled with a lazy atmosphere.
"By the way, what is Yael going to do in the next three days?"
When Yael was suddenly called, he was slowly packing his things and was stunned for a moment, then he laughed.
"I haven't decided yet... I might just take a deep sleep. When I open my eyes, I might find it's already the fourth day."
"That's true! You've been exploiting us for months, and now you only give us three days off! Even an iron worm can't stand this—"
A familiar wail sounded in his ears, and Yael followed it with a few laughs, threw his schoolbag on his back, and said, "Let's go."
Anticipating that he wouldn't have to stay up late today, he ordered a cake shop sign in advance, which should be ready for him now. After eating, he would take a hot bath and sleep until he was full.
Yael walked out of the laboratory building and was blown by the cool evening breeze.
The laboratory building here is a bit far away, so it is very quiet all year round, but looking into the distance you can see the brightly lit central campus, and you can faintly smell the aroma of food and hear noisy sounds.
It was exactly seven or eight o'clock in the evening, the most comfortable time of the day with the warm smell of fireworks.
Yael walked slowly on the road, reviewing today's experiment in a casual manner.
There is a beautiful crescent moon hanging in the night sky above my head, hanging quietly, just like the moon in my hometown.
"Here you go, thank you for your patronage!"
Yael got the cake smoothly. Through the transparent corner of the box, he could see the pink cream and nut chocolate chips inside, and the sweet aroma continued to emanate.
“Senior! Please, please accept it!”
Not long after he walked out, a blushing junior gave him a bouquet of flowers. Unable to refuse, he could only walk home with his arms full of fragrance.
He walked through the bustling center, gradually leaving the lights behind, and headed towards the gate of his own community.
The light from the street lamps outside was blocked by the shadows of the trees, and the light cast gradually dimmed, like a transitional dividing line, from a warm yellow light into a hazy darkness.
Yael looked back at the lamp, but found that even the moon was blocked by the shadows of the trees, and only a few faint moonlight could be seen through the mottled gaps.
So quiet.
He thought.
But this is not the kind of silence that would cause fear. Instead, it is a silence mixed with the breeze blowing through the treetops and the chirping of cicadas, which seems to soothe all fatigue and pain.
The life before me is so stable and peaceful, and the scenery around me is so warm and beautiful.
The crescent moon and stars that are exactly the same as those in my hometown, the fragrant bouquets and sweet and delicious cakes... and so many other things to be nostalgic and praise.
I should feel satisfied and secure.
Yael felt everything around him in a trance.
But what is this place? Earth? Zerg? Or is it just a dream?
He suddenly felt confused and slowly turned around, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery around him, not knowing what to think or what to say.
There is always a strange feeling lingering in my heart, like a tiny poisonous needle hanging above the numb flesh, waiting for the opportunity to cut open that confused heart.
"Anyone there?"
Yael suddenly raised his voice and shouted, then froze in the next second.
He originally wanted to ask "Are there any bugs?" in the insect language, but the moment he opened his mouth he naturally used his native tongue.
It was as if what had been forgotten had never disappeared, but was just forced to hide deep in the soul, waiting for the day when it would finally pop its head out from the chaos and scream at the top of its lungs, almost sounding deafening—
Don't forget who you are and where you come from!
Yael's pupils shrank, and in the dead silence, he could hear his own heartbeat like a drum.
He lowered his head and found a huge empty hole in his chest. Every gust of wind could pass through it and then carry away ash-like residue.
He reached out his hand and touched it, but it went right through, because there were no nerves and blood vessels as strong as tree roots, no boiling red blood, and no flesh to make up a body.
He wanted to try to fill it with something, but he found that even the palms of his hands were pale and he could not hold anything and could not keep anything.
It's useless.
Yael suddenly thought.
No matter how hard he tried to learn and pretend to fit in, he was still hopelessly lonely and unable to be saved. He could not see where the road ahead was, nor could he imagine what the future would look like.
Today's life should be the most beautiful scene he can get and feel, right?
But it's not enough.
It's totally not enough, the void has not been filled at all.
...Maybe it's time.
It's time, he thought.
The poisonous needle that had always been hidden in his nerves suddenly pierced through his soul and awakened him from the numbness of self-deception and confusion.
He felt the extreme pain again, but the awakening and pain did not bring him anger or disappointment, but a kind of enlightenment-like calmness, even ecstasy.
He gradually increased his pace, from a short walk to a long walk and then to a trot.
He ran along the long path along the community flower beds, almost rushed into the corridor, and quickly crossed several floors. He didn't care that the cake in his hand was smashed beyond recognition.
But standing in front of the door, Yael suddenly calmed down again.
"Don't be too careless, otherwise you will definitely be discovered."
Having come up with a perfect plan in a minute, he opened the door of the house and ordered the smart home to open the highest level key to ensure that no one could break in.
Sudden death, time travel.
Death, go back.
My life used to be a patchwork mess, dull and even boring, but it was not without lovely things and people, and I would occasionally encounter shining moments of luck.
Moreover, he had things he had to do, responsibilities he had to shoulder, and most importantly -
It is the dumpling at the grave of my mother and grandmother that no one has ever visited, a dumpling that could be adopted or end up on the street.
That was something he had been thinking about and worrying about the whole time, so much so that he was extremely determined in his choice at this moment and even felt impatient.
Get out of here and go home.
As the boiling blood gushed out, gradually soaking the bed beneath him, and as black spots gradually spread across his vision, these were the only two thoughts in his mind.
In the dead silence, he closed his eyes with a smile and hope.
…
"Later, I don't know who noticed something was wrong and called the police. I was then rescued and put on the Red Alert Protection List."
Yael leaned back on the sofa, swung his hands helplessly, and spoke in a light-hearted tone.
"You know that thing. Once you are marked, you are like a marked prisoner. Wherever you go, there will be beeps. It is very annoying. Later, I decided to leave the main planet and hide away."
Gallagher's brows were furrowed and his expression was solemn and serious throughout his narration. He did not relax for a moment until he heard that he was rescued.
"Your Majesty."
He suddenly asked, "Now, do you still want to..."
The sound of the female insect was mixed with the sound of hurried footsteps, which seemed to come from the corridor outside. It was getting closer and closer, and it felt somewhat familiar.
"Do you still have thoughts of self-harm?"
Yael's eyes moved slightly, and he raised his eyes at the sound of the door opening overlapping with the questioning. He met a pair of eyes as bright as molten gold in the sun, and saw that they were almost full of love, worry and anxiety.
With a throbbing heart, he heard his own answer.
“No.”
The author has something to say:
For example, it feels like you have accidentally entered a ghost village in the middle of nowhere, where you are the only living person and are likely to be trapped there for the rest of your life.
You try hard to learn to blend in, but at some point you suddenly realize the emptiness of the world and your own ridiculousness. The nerve that has never relaxed suddenly breaks, and you fall into a kind of quiet madness and despair.
In fact, I just drove myself crazy.
The couple who were forced to separate finally meet each other. The next chapter is a very emotional drama! Turn to the bottom right for a surprise~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
