Reborn as the Paranoid Female’s Rejected Sweetheart [Zerg Tribe] - 43

Chapter 43: Lord, Hold Me for a While.

After a night’s rest, Yi Er’s mood improved slightly. Early in the morning, he went to work with Qi Yao.

Qi Yao wasn’t late. When he arrived at Nos’s office, he found Yalman and Russell there as well.

The Dark Blade, captured as spoils of war, had been obtained by Nos through various means. These days, he and Yalman and Russell were dissecting it to study Glassian starship technology.

As soon as Qi Yao arrived, he buried himself in their work.

He also received a series of warm greetings from his teachers.

Yalman: “Did you enjoy your honeymoon?”

Russell: “Haven’t seen you in days. You look like a mature male now. Seems like Yi Er has been treating you well.”

Nos: “Ah, my assistant is back.”

Qi Yao decided to only answer Nos’s question: “Do you need me to do anything, teacher?”

Yalman nudged Russell with his elbow and whispered, “Hey, you made him shy.”

Russell smirked, “I’m just stating the facts. He can take a joke.”

Nos rolled his eyes at them without hesitation. “Shut up already. Can’t you see my disciple doesn’t want to deal with you guys?”

However, the warning was ineffective.

During boring work hours, chatting was the best seasoning. The three teachers were immersed in studying the Dark Blade, and as they delved deeper into it, conversation naturally flowed.

The core of their discussion was naturally why the Empire didn’t accept the negotiation terms of Glassy System.

Among the four of them, only Qi Yao already knew the core reason. But he couldn’t interrupt the teachers’ conversation, so he kept his mouth shut and listened silently on the side.

Russell: “The conflict between the Empire and the Glassy system has existed for many years. If peace could be achieved through one or two negotiations, then our Empire would be too easy to deal with. So, we need to consider the long term.”

Yalman: “It’s hard to say whether Glassy System wants to bring back their prince or just seek temporary peace.”

Russell suddenly leaned in closer to Yalman. “I heard that when Gatt was captured, he was so arrogant that he didn’t even regard the Queen Zerg. Is that true?”

Yalman glanced at Qi Yao and whispered to Russell, “Yes, Gatt only saw Yi Er and only spoke to him a few words.”

Russell scratched his chin. “Is Yi Er really that charming? Even attracting females?”

Yalman nudged Russell with his elbow again. “What are you thinking? Gatt was just there to talk. It’s not as sordid as you imagine.”

“What did they talk about?”

“They were like you and me right now, so I don’t know what they said.”

Suddenly, Nos exclaimed, “Hey, Yalman, take a look here. This structure is very novel. It can greatly reduce the energy consumption of nuclear fusion. Why didn’t I think of this before…”

Yalman: “…”

Russell: “…”

Qi Yao eagerly approached, listening to Nos’s analysis and explanation, earnestly trying to understand this structure.

The first day back to work after the holiday was spent in such a work atmosphere.

Fortunately, Si Niya didn’t spread the news about Darren, which was a good thing for Qi Yao and Yi Er.

Busy as they were, time flew by quickly, and soon the day’s work came to an end. Yi Er came to pick up Qi Yao after work.

Yalman and Russell had already left. Qi Yao organized today’s work and handed it over to Nos. Turning to Yi Er, he asked, “Why are you here?”

“Just idle, came to pick you up.” After Yi Er answered, he greeted Nos, “Nos.”

Nos took the data handed over by Qi Yao, raised his eyelids halfway with little interest, and glanced at Yi Er, “It’s been a few days since I saw you, and you seem to have a melancholic air about you…”

Yi Er smiled and replied, “Maybe seeing my lord so tired, I couldn’t bear it.”

Nos clicked his tongue, “I didn’t expect such a sour comment to come out of your mouth. Alright, I get it. Starting tomorrow, I’ll arrange some lighter tasks for Qi Yao to spare you from worrying.”

Qi Yao, who loved his work, quickly interjected, “Teacher, Yi Er is just talking nonsense. Please don’t treat me differently because of him.”

Nos waved his hand impatiently, “Look at how nervous you are. You’ve just finished your honeymoon, enjoying your sweet time, and I don’t want to be the heartless teacher who interferes with your lovey-dovey moments. Get off work quickly. If you don’t leave, Yi Er will be cursing me in his heart.”

Yi Er chimed in, “Nos, you’ve got it wrong this time. I cursed you in my heart a long time ago.”

Qi Yao hurriedly covered Yi Er’s mouth and led him away from Nos.

Once the two insects left, Qi Yao asked Yi Er, “Are you not busy today?”

Yi Er replied casually, “Not busy.”

Perhaps he had truly annoyed Si Niya yesterday. Throughout the day, Yi Er had been busy handling his own affairs in the Second Military Region and hadn’t received a summons from Si Niya.

Qi Yao suggested, “If you’re not busy, let’s take this opportunity to rest.”

Yi Er tilted his head, “Rest? Didn’t we rest enough on the asteroid?”

Qi Yao thought for a moment, then also tilted his head and blinked, “Can I invite my consort to visit my small apartment in the lower city area?”

“There?” Yi Er recalled, that crowded and chaotic place, yet filled with the breath of life, where commoners gathered.

Qi Yao explained, “Yes, it’s a small corner far from the bustling upper city area, where we can focus on our own little world without considering the Empire’s affairs.”

A smile played on Yi Er’s lips, “Then let’s go.”

The lower city area, where commoners gathered.

Every day was spent busy with necessities or gossiping about daily life. With their own lives too overwhelming to manage, who had time to keep track of the progress of negotiations in the Empire?

Qi Yao and Yi Er walked side by side on the dimly lit alley they had walked before, their steps unusually slow.

Voices from various households could be heard along the alley.

At this time, it was the time for cooking and chatting about family matters.

One female insect was probably complaining to her male about how difficult the theoretical knowledge test at school was today, and how she might not get full marks, thus losing face for her male.

The family next to them was saying that their female offspring had a talent for military matters and might become a shining military female for the Empire in the future.

Up ahead, two insects were sitting together, discussing how someone from the neighboring house sneaked into someone else’s house late at night and got caught, resulting in a good beating. They wouldn’t dare to show their faces outside for the next few days.

Listening to this, Yi Er couldn’t help but laugh, “I rarely hear these kinds of voices.”

Qi Yao boasted, “I’ve heard plenty. When you want to listen, I’ll tell you.”

Yi Er glanced at him, “Do you eavesdrop on other families’ conversations?”

“Do you want to hear them?”

“I’ll listen if you tell.”

“Well…” Qi Yao began to rack his brains to make up a story, “Once upon a time, there was a little insect who loved to work. Because of his outstanding performance, he got a chance to travel to a distant place. He went to a place called the Northlands, where he saw the most beautiful scenery at dawn. Amidst the fluttering snow, on the coastline with vivid colors, a blue butterfly danced gracefully. But why would there be butterflies in such a cold place? He was curious and went to chase after it. As a result, he didn’t see the path under his feet clearly, and with a snap, he fell into the icy sea. At that time, there were no insects on the coastline, and he was left alone in the sea, but luckily, he didn’t die and woke up in a completely new place… Oh, I can’t continue…”

Yi Er was amused by him again, “Aren’t we supposed to be eavesdropping on family conversations? Why are you telling a story?”

Qi Yao, realizing his deviation, hurriedly covered his face and insisted, “You’re not allowed to digress!”

Yi Er was eagerly anticipating the ending of the story. He took Qi Yao’s hand down, urging him to stay on track: “What happened next? Did the little insect catch the butterfly?”

“He didn’t catch the butterfly,” Qi Yao quickened his pace, boldly stating, “But he caught a beautiful female insect to be his wife.”

Yi Er’s curiosity was piqued, and he caught up with Qi Yao, “The plot twist in your story is too sudden. When did the female insect appear? You didn’t even explain.”

Qi Yao evaded, “She just suddenly appeared, no need for an explanation. Even the little insect himself didn’t expect it.”

“Really?” Yi Er kept asking, “I think you must be hiding some juicy plot twists.”

“…No.”

“Definitely yes, I saw you feeling guilty just now.”

“…No.”

“Yes.”

“…”

While they spoke, the two insects arrived at Qi Yao’s small apartment.

After being away from the small apartment for some time, when they returned, the fifty-square-meter room was not as clean and tidy as before.

Qi Yao opened all the doors and windows to let fresh air in. He tidied up here and there without stopping for a moment.

Seeing him busy, Yi Er volunteered to help, “Shall I call Dean and Xiao En to help you clean up?”

Qi Yao chuckled, “I’ve been wanting to say this. Dean is like a senior butler, acting like a nanny at your place every day. It’s a waste of his talents.”

Yi Er disagreed, “When I invited him, he himself said he could handle everything at my place alone, without me needing to find other attendants.”

“You actually believed him.”

“Of course, he meant what he said,” Yi Er embraced Qi Yao from behind, “So, do you want me to call them over?”

Qi Yao turned around and embraced Yi Er, gently stroking his abdomen, then lightly touching his lips without any desire, saying, “No need, we’re not staying here overnight.”

In this position, Yi Er seized Qi Yao’s lips that had not yet moved away, closing his eyes and indulging in repeated and delicate kisses.

After a tender and lengthy kiss, Qi Yao tilted his face up. As his gaze swept over, his deep blue eyes seemed soaked, covered with a mist.

“Nos was right. You now have a melancholic air about you.” He tucked Yi Er’s hair, which had slid over due to his lowered head, behind his ear and gently traced his deep brows and eyes with his fingertips. “Are you still unhappy?”

Yi Er buried his head and his muffled voice came from behind Qi Yao’s shoulder, “I’m trying to be happy.”

Qi Yao sighed, “I can tell. Yi Er, your acting skills are excellent, but you slipped up during the kiss just now.”

Yi Er didn’t deny it, “My lord, hold me for a little longer.”

As the sky gradually darkened, the two insects embraced in the room for a long time, until from afar outside came the continuous buzzing of wings.

In the alleys of the lower city area, the young insects, after dinner, were attracted by the sound, and they all looked up at the sky.

The voice of an adult female insect urgently shouted, “Little ones, come back quickly! Haven’t you seen that there are villains catching insects to feed the star beasts in the sky?”

As the sound approached, Qi Yao leaned against the window.

In the night sky, three neatly arranged rows of starships flew in three parallel lines towards the direction of the Imperial Palace.

The red beast-shaped patterns adorned the surface of the starships, emitting a dazzling and unextinguished crimson light.

“Is that the royal emblem of the Glassy Galaxy?”

If he remembered correctly, the Dark Blade had such a pattern on it.

Yi Er walked up beside him, gazing at the starships gradually moving away in the sky, and said in a low voice, “Those are the jump-type starships of the Glassy Galaxy.”

“Why are they here again?” Qi Yao asked.

Yi Er frowned and shook his head.

Just then, his terminal lit up.

Si Niya’s serious face appeared: “Yi Er, the Glassy Galaxy has sent a new envoy for peace negotiations. They specifically asked to see you and Qi Yao.”

“Your Highness…” Yi Er hesitated, not understanding why the envoy was coming and why he was being informed about it.

Si Niya snorted, “It’s their Marshal Yao Li. Yi Er, you better come and explain to me in person why you and Qi Yao had dinner with Yao Li and ended up not getting along.”