NOVEL NEXT 45
Chapter 45
“Lu Xi?”
A cold wind seemed to rise from nowhere, and the black-haired, red-eyed male zerg had his hands in his pockets. The hem of his windbreaker rustled as he stood expressionlessly, staring at the street patrol. His exquisite features, under the winter sun, exuded a kind of cold porcelain-like light.
He looked like a cold statue, yet also like a bow ready to be released, with its arrow aimed at the street patrol officers.
Tension hung in the air.
Under his gaze, the street patrol stared blankly, a blush gradually spreading across his cheeks. “Lu, Lu Xi.”
The street patrol subconsciously wiped his palms on his coat and straightened his collar—this was terrible. He ran too fast, causing even his collar to become crooked.
Lu Xi watched his movements, furrowing his brows slightly.
… This was different from what he had anticipated.
Although his brain was boiling with anger, he hadn’t lost his reason because of it. On the contrary, in a certain aspect, he felt a sense of calm and restraint.
Before he removed his mask, he had already anticipated the possible outcomes.
The street patrol might react angrily to being publicly humiliated by him. Many people often couldn’t accept others’ refutations due to their inflated pride. They would rather have illogical and contradictory arguments than admit they were wrong. Perhaps he would disregard everything and still try to convict himself.
Or perhaps the street patrol would fear him, yet still refuse to let go of the dying female zerg… If he couldn’t save that female zerg, then everything he did would be meaningless.
…
—Lu Xi had thought about many possibilities, but he hadn’t expected this reaction from the street patrol.
Lu Xi remained silent for three seconds, then looked at the female zerg on the ground. “He—”
For the female zerg, Eric, his life was supposed to come to an end today.
A few days ago, when he was captured on a tourist star, he hadn’t felt fear at that moment, just some surprise. He had thought it was a relatively safe planet. He had been to planets with stricter inspections and higher risks. The strict training in his family had prepared him for situations like this.
In addition to surprise, there was also a sense of “it’s finally come.”
He had never thought he could truly escape.
A female zerg, an ordinary female zerg, his life had been seen through from the moment he was born.
When he was very young, his second brother got married.
His second brother was a well-known beautiful female zerg in the city. It was a wonder how his ordinary-looking parents had given birth to such a female zerg. By the time he had just reached adulthood, many male zergs in the family had sent invitations, wanting to marry his second brother.
On the day of the wedding, Eric lay on his second brother’s lap and said with a smile, “Second brother, you’re so lucky.”
His second brother hugged him, tilting his head and smiling, “What do you know at such a young age?”
Eric cupped his face, “Of course I do! They all told me that other female zergs, even when they’re much older, can’t find male zergs to marry them!” He shrank his neck and added, “Many of them lost their hands or feet, or even damaged their wings in battle just to accumulate points, but still couldn’t find male zergs.”
“Second brother doesn’t have to do anything, yet so many male zergs are vying to marry you. Isn’t that lucky?”
Maybe because he looked so funny pretending to be an adult, his second brother laughed heartily.
He had a delicate and beautiful appearance, as charming as a young female zerg, but when he laughed, there was a kind of carefree and charming aura. These two qualities blended perfectly in him, making Eric unable to take his eyes off him.
After laughing enough, his second brother wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, smiling lightly. “You’re right, even I never thought I would be this lucky…”
Eric looked at him blankly and reached out to touch his second brother’s cheek.
It was slightly cold to the touch, filled with tears.
Since then, he had never seen his second brother again.
He heard that his male lord cherished and loved him dearly, not allowing him to take a step outside, fearing he would suffer or be bullied by other male zergs. His female father always spoke highly of his second brother, saying he was his lifelong pride.
But Eric always remembered the tears in his second brother’s eyes that day, those mesmerizing tears lingering in his mind, unable to be erased.
Apart from this incident, his life continued in an orderly manner.
According to the family’s expectations, Eric attended military school and then went to the battlefield after graduation. He was much more agile than other female zergs, always able to control his injuries within a certain range. Without the burden of injuries, he could complete more tasks and earn more points.
He worked diligently to marry a male zerg as expected by his family, outstanding and humble, a model female zerg.
—If he hadn’t walked into that room, he might have married a male zerg and lived like all the other female zergs.
After accumulating enough points, he retired from the battlefield. With the hard work of his elder brother, he finally found a decent male zerg and even secured the position of female consort.
Although Eric had a calm personality, he couldn’t help but secretly cheer for this.
His female father looked at him lovingly. “You are a good child… You and your second brother have not disappointed me.”
Eric nodded. “It’s all thanks to my elder brother.”
His female father was very pleased with his grateful attitude and changed the subject. “Your second brother is about to lay his sixth egg. When you come back this time, you should visit him and let him teach you some methods—although you’re a female consort, you shouldn’t forget your duties.”
Eric nodded earnestly. “Okay.”
That night, he couldn’t sleep with excitement, and the memories of the past few decades flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
Unable to contain his excitement, Eric got out of bed and walked around the house.
As time passed, those glamorous and bright images gradually settled, and what appeared in his mind in the end was still the silent crying face of his second brother that day.
Eric stopped in his tracks and found himself standing in front of his second brother’s room.
Even though he had left, their father still kept this room.
Eric smiled and opened the door.
The room was still arranged as it was decades ago, with simple furniture covered in white cloth, covered in dust.
Eric felt a bit uncomfortable; the tables and chairs, which he had always thought were out of reach, were not actually that high.
He removed the cloth coverings one by one and then sat down on the chair.
There was a broken toy on the table, which Eric had broken when he was a child. But for a juvenile, this damaged toy was also precious, so he gave it to his second brother.
Unable to take it when his second brother got married, it was placed here neatly.
Eric fiddled with the toy, and it cracked with a click.
Eric: “…”
He dared not move again, his gaze wandered around the room and finally settled on a thick book.
This book looked hand-bound, with yellowed pages that were already quite fragile.
It was a handwritten collection of poems, never published.
Perhaps it should have been published, because its title page read “Dedicated to my younger brother Eric, who always dispels my melancholy.”
Eric carefully flipped open the first page.
At that moment, fate underwent a miraculous change. It passed by a small stone, but because of this, it changed direction directly, roaring towards a direction that no one had expected.
Eric had never felt this way before. Rusty iron swords had pierced his flesh, bullets with gunpowder smoke had pierced his abdomen, blue rays had pinned through his small arms, but none of that compared to these words.
They seemed to turn into countless particles, passing through the gaps of his particles, piercing his entire body and brain.
He trembled all over, almost unable to control his muscles, warm tears streaming down his face.
Wonder, happiness, longing, these feelings surged up together, filling his soul, the overwhelming joy had nowhere to go, almost driving him hysterical.
After turning the last page, Eric’s hand touched emptiness, and everything came to a sudden stop. Confused, Eric looked up.
There was a mirror on the table, reflecting Eric’s face. He saw a female zerg covered in sweat, his eyes blazing like a burning torch.
He finally understood why his second brother, with such a delicate appearance, had such a wild temperament.
Eric turned to look out the window, realizing for the first time how bright and vast the sky was.
—
When he went to visit his second brother, he deliberately brought the poetry collection with him.
His second brother’s male lord was a high-ranking male zerg—they were always busy attending various banquets. Eric was led by his female attendant to his second brother’s room.
Eric: “Thank you.”
The female zerg nodded, then left without a word.
Eric knocked on the door, and a muffled voice came from inside.
“Please come in.”
Eric opened the door, and the scene inside the room came into view.
A delicate and unfamiliar female zerg sat in the chair, looking towards him upon hearing his voice.
Eric was stunned for a moment, subconsciously stepping back—he didn’t recognize this female zerg.
After stepping back half a step, Eric realized, looking at the other person, and tentatively called out, “Second brother?”
The female zerg slightly curved his lips at the sound of his voice. “Eric, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Upon closer inspection, this was indeed his second brother, just a bit thinner, with a pale complexion, and colorless lips. There weren’t many changes, but Eric couldn’t ignore the sense of unfamiliarity.
Second brother… seemed a bit different now.
The second brother warmly invited him to sit down, and the two chatted for a while.
About male zergs, about future plans, and some miscellaneous topics.
Eric felt like ants crawling all over him, feeling uncomfortable no matter what.
Second brother: “Have you memorized the rules of being a female consort?”
Eric: “I’ve memorized them all.”
Second brother: “But be sure not to make mistakes. I made a mistake back then and was beaten severely by the male lord.”
Eric: “I’ll remember.”
Second brother: “Also, do you know your male lord—”
“Second brother.” Eric finally couldn’t help but interrupt.
“Hmm?” Second brother blinked, “What?”
“I… I found this book.”
Eric took out the handwritten book from his bag, his gaze not leaving his second brother’s face.
When the second brother saw the book, a hint of confusion appeared on his face. But soon he recognized what it was, his eyes widening slightly, “This is—”
A long-lost radiance appeared on his face, this radiance was like the glaze on ceramics, like the iridescent tail feathers of a bird in sunlight, making his entire face radiant.
It was the radiance Eric remembered.
“It’s your book.” Eric continued, “I read it… you write really well.”
His vocabulary was pitifully poor, although he felt deeply moved, he couldn’t express it properly. He could only stutter, “You write really well, I was sweating all over while reading it, I don’t know how to say it, but it’s really good.”
The second brother looked at him and suddenly burst into laughter. “Thank you.”
“I wanted to submit it for publication at the time.” He lowered his head, gently stroking the cover, his hand thin, “But time was too tight, the publishing process takes time, and I couldn’t wait that long, I’m getting married soon.”
Once a female zerg gets married, all actions must be approved by the male lord.
Obviously, the second brother’s male lord did not agree to this matter… it would have been strange if the male lord had agreed.
“It’s great that someone likes it,” the second brother said contentedly, “And it’s Eric, there’s nothing better than that.”
Eric was deeply moved and reached out to cover his second brother’s hand.
“It’s okay, Second Brother. I’ll read all the books you write. Please send them to me in the future.”
“But…” Second brother fell silent.
Eric felt a bit strange, suspecting he had said something abrupt and impolite. Just as he was about to apologize, a warm drop of water fell on his hand.
Eric panicked, hurriedly apologizing, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I said the wrong thing, it’s my fault.”
“No, it’s not.”
Second brother shook his head, his voice choked, “It’s not because of that.”
Eric felt at a loss, “What?”
“Eric, I can’t write anymore.”
Second brother raised his head, slightly smiling, tears streaming down his face, “Eric, I can’t write like that anymore.”
“I haven’t touched a pen for a very long time, so long that I’ve forgotten how to write.”
“Do you understand?”
Eric stared blankly at his second brother, memories flooding back of his second brother wearing exquisite attire, crying in front of him decades ago.
Back then, the second brother still had a dazzling radiance, not realizing it was just the afterglow of the setting sun.
Eric almost fled.
In the following days, he wandered aimlessly, his thoughts bizarre and erratic. Sometimes he didn’t even know what he was thinking.
His female father thought he was nervous and scolded him a few times.
Eric responded briefly but remained absent-minded.
The wedding he had anticipated became dull. As the time approached, Eric even felt an emotion that should never have existed.
Fear.
He experienced something unprecedented. Compared to that night’s joy, the preceding decades of his life seemed pale, fleeting, and short-lived. That night was infinitely magnified, etched deeply into his soul, as if that night was the only true evidence of his existence.
If he couldn’t live like that, could he still consider himself alive in the decades, centuries, or even millennia to come?
But no one cared.
Everyone focused on the actions of the male zergs. Their casual brushstrokes would become timeless masterpieces. But no one paid attention to the tumultuous inner world of an ordinary female zerg.
Torn by the extremes of self, Eric finally fled.
He couldn’t betray his own heart.
He felt an unprecedented relief, even the wind rejoiced for him, passing through fluttering flags, emitting gentle greetings.
—
Everything comes at a cost.
When he was caught, his eldest brother asked him angrily why he had done such a thing.
Eric couldn’t answer. He felt guilty and remorseful, but if given the chance, he would still choose to leave.
Out of guilt and self-blame, he didn’t even tense his muscles to resist his eldest brother’s punishment.
That would have caused irreversible harm to him, but he deserved it. How could he still have the face to escape?
In the end, his eldest brother made him jump into the river.
Today was supposed to be the day of his death, or so Eric thought.
He never expected something like this to happen in the end…
Eric reluctantly lifted his eyes, meeting the crimson eyes of the male zerg.
Lu Xi：“He—”
“His name is Eric.” The patrol officer interjected hastily. “He’s a troublemaker who ran away before getting married! The male zerg gave his promise to the female, I really don’t understand what more he wants.”
“He’s my family’s female zerg!” The male zerg shouted. “He’s committed wrongdoing!”
His eyes were red, his face full of suppressed anger. “He’s brought shame upon our family and made the male zergs hate us to the extreme… How can we let him go? There’s no reason for that!”
Lu Xi reached for the emergency communicator.
Already in a critical situation, the patrol officer continued his incessant chatter in Lu Xi’s ear, while the male zerg waved his fists and shouted loudly.
On the other end of the communicator: “Sorry… sir? I can’t hear very clearly.”
Lu Xi: “…”
Ah, so annoying =-=
He took a deep breath, grabbed the male zerg’s collar—he was more than a head taller than the male zerg, it was like catching a little chick.
“I’ll tell you something first, there’s no distinction between personal and public matters to me. Intentional harm is intentional harm,” Lu Xi gritted his teeth, making a creaking sound, “Now, immediately, right now, shut up.”
“Dare to make a sound, and I’ll throw you into the river right away.”
He knew he had a fierce expression, even scarier when angry. Sure enough, the male zerg fell silent instantly, and the surroundings quieted down a lot as well.
Finally, communication was completed, and the ambulance arrived soon after. Lu Xi felt relieved.
He looked down at the severely injured female zerg and said softly, “Just hold on a little longer.”
Lu Xi wasn’t very knowledgeable in medicine, having only studied some principles of mental clearing. He had to rely on his vague impressions to use his mental power to stop Eric’s major bleeding, being cautious not to move too much.
Eric felt a bit better, barely keeping his eyelids open. “Thank you… sir.”
Then, he struggled to reach into his chest. Lu Xi was surprised: “You’d better not move.”
Even if you’re a female zerg, there’s still a limit to what you can endure.
Slowly, Eric pulled out something from his chest, stained with blood. Lu Xi reached out to take it: “Are you giving this to me?”
It was a very old handmade bound book, the paper quality wasn’t great, and now it was very fragile, especially after being soaked in blood, it looked quite tattered.
Lu Xi carefully flipped through a few pages, fortunately, although it was stained with blood, the handwriting could still be vaguely discerned.
“Uh-huh.”
With his eyes closed, Eric said slowly, “Please take it.”
This was his whole life.
Lu Xi took off his windbreaker and wrapped the blood-stained book in soft fabric, forming it into a small package so that the fragile book wouldn’t be damaged by bumps.
Eric stared at him, his face pale to the point of translucency.
Lu Xi quietly sat on a chair by the street, while the male zerg continued to grumble, and the patrol officer looked hesitant.
Most of the people around were holding communicators and snapping pictures of him, whispering excitedly.
The blonde female zerg held his offspring, looking pensive as he watched him.
Lu Xi just tilted his head back, looking at the dry branches above.
A gentle breeze blew, swaying the branches lightly. There was a persistent leaf on it that refused to fall.
“Eric.”
Lu Xi murmured as if to himself, “You’re free now.”
Regardless of why you ran away from your wedding, from now on, you can freely choose your own path.
Eric’s lips curled slightly, warm tears streaming down from the corners of his eyes.
His expression was so much like his second brother’s, yet somehow… completely different.
————
Xia Baiyuan finally sorted out the moving arrangements.
Actually, they didn’t have much stuff, and he had slightly less than Lu Xi.
Lu Xi mainly had a lot of clothes. He had some strange obsessions—like always wanting to dress neatly when going out, from coordinating colors to making sure all accessories were in place, he even had to confirm with Xia Baiyuan several times before taking out the trash.
“Are these cufflinks okay?”
“Is my hair messy?”
“Oh, I can’t find the other sock.”
Xia Baiyuan found the forgotten other sock in the laundry basket. “Obviously, it’s not dry yet.”
Lu Xi sighed while wearing one sock. “There’s always something missing.”
But Lu Xi wouldn’t use makeup like other male zergs to cover up flaws on his face.
He didn’t have a perfect face; upon closer inspection, one could see several faint moles scattered on his left cheek.
There was a shallow scar on his eye socket, which was intolerable for male zergs because it meant they hadn’t received enough attention, resulting in inadequate protection leading to injury, and the injury wasn’t even completely healed, leaving a scar.
Only lower-ranking male zergs would have scars.
He wouldn’t cover them up.
He had many similar quirks.
For example, when he first started practicing cooking, he did it very poorly and would often get angry while eating. Obviously, the terrible food made him feel very bad.
But when he was invited to a classmate’s dinner party and almost got food poisoning, he didn’t say it was bad.
-Then he came back and had diarrhea, almost needing emergency medical attention from Xia Baiyuan.
…
He started daydreaming again.
Xia Baiyuan glanced at the time and realized he had been leaning against the door lost in thought for a good half an hour, something that had been happening frequently lately.
Considering the time, Lu Xi should be back soon.
Supposedly, it was just a routine outing with Luo Zhao to consult male zergs—
But in reality, he had never understood anything about this aspect despite claiming to be a male zerg.
He stood by the window for a while, and soon enough, he saw Lu Xi walking back from a distance.
He was wearing a hat and a mask, and surprisingly, he had taken off his windbreaker—a breach of his strict etiquette.
And what was that he was carrying in his hand? Wasn’t it the small package he made with his windbreaker?
At that moment, Lu Xi suddenly looked up and glanced in this direction.
Then he jumped a little.
Xia Baiyuan: “…”
That little jump, although not very noticeable, could definitely be called a jump.
What, because his face was covered, he felt uninhibited now?
Xia Baiyuan let the corners of his mouth curve, then leaned down and waved to Lu Xi.
Lu Xi visibly quickened his pace.
…
The moment Lu Xi saw Xia Baiyuan, he suddenly realized that he had been thinking about Xia Baiyuan all along.
He used to think Xia Baiyuan was good.
Now he felt that Xia Baiyuan was good to the point of being somewhat incomprehensible.
These past few days, he had asked Xia Baiyuan about his views on male zergs.
“Views?” Xia Baiyuan looked up from his book with a hint of confusion in his eyes. “What views?”
“Just…” Lu Xi gestured, “I’m a bit confused now. About female zergs’ views on male zergs.”
He was scared off by the fervent female zergs.
“What views could there be?” Xia Baiyuan sighed helplessly. “You suddenly ask me this, and I’m not sure either.”
Lu Xi insisted, “Think carefully—this is important.”
“…Fine.”
Lu Xi nervously watched Xia Baiyuan.
After half a minute, Xia Baiyuan closed the book. “Got it.”
Lu Xi: “And?”
“Regarding male zergs, it’s probably like this…” Xia Baiyuan leaned back, crossing his arms in front of his abdomen. He tilted his chin up, giving Lu Xi a cold smirk.
“Brat, look me in the eye.”
Lu Xi: “…”
Lu Xi: =口=
Xia Baiyuan picked up the book again and resumed reading.
Lu Xi turned to dust on the spot.
He picked himself up, moved a chair closer to Xia Baiyuan, and cautiously said, “Um, do you still prefer female zergs more…”
Xia Baiyuan raised his eyes slightly, the azure blue orbs reflecting Lu Xi’s somewhat stiff face.
Then he gently turned his head and brushed past Lu Xi’s lips.
“You’re good.”
Lu Xi: …
After a moment, Lu Xi added softly.
Lu Xi: “But Luo Zhao is also quite good.”
Xia Baiyuan: “…”
Lu Xi: “And also that… Luo Qiuxing, and his roommate Cheng Yan.”
Xia Baiyuan: “…Ah.”
Xia Baiyuan: “I don’t remember, who is this?”
It doesn’t matter—none of it matters—
In the past, Lu Xi had never realized Xia Baiyuan’s character, which was truly unique in this era.
He was born in a primitive age, grew up amidst chaos, and eventually burned in the pitch-black night.
Compared to lotus, he was more like a desert rose.
When placed in an unsuitable environment, he would curl up and drift with the wind in the world.
But once he found a water source, he would stretch out again and bloom as before.
Lonely yet resilient, he was destined to live a solitary life.
Lu Xi couldn’t restrain his longing for Xia Baiyuan; he wanted to be by Xia Baiyuan’s side as soon as possible.
—To embrace him.
…
“You smell of blood.” Xia Baiyuan opened the door and was greeted by a strong smell of blood.
Lu Xi raised what he was holding. “Someone else’s.”
A gift from someone else, with someone else’s blood.
Lu Xi proudly said, “Today, I saved someone.”
“Oh—” Xia Baiyuan opened the door, “I don’t mind hearing the details. Perhaps you can tell me over coffee.”
Lu Xi gladly accepted Xia Baiyuan’s subtle praise.
“I will tell you everything.”
The steaming coffee filled the air with its rich aroma. Lu Xi took off his windbreaker and spread out the blood-stained book page by page; he was afraid it would be ruined if left untreated.
Xia Baiyuan held a pen in his hand and sat beside Lu Xi, copying down what Lu Xi flipped through.
“Your handwriting is really good,” Lu Xi exclaimed. “My female father hates writing the most.”
Xia Baiyuan: “I can mimic handwriting.” He paused and added, “This handwriting I learned from a disabled female zerg in a sewer.”
Then Lu Xi continued with his story.
Xia Baiyuan listened while writing, nodding occasionally.
But his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
The coffee quietly cooled on the side, untouched by anyone.
“Done.”
“So soon for this page?” Lu Xi was astonished. “Isn’t it too fast?”
Xia Baiyuan put down his pen and gazed at him. “Done, stop talking.”
Lu Xi was taken aback. “Are you tired of listening?”
Xia Baiyuan looked into his eyes as if peering into his soul and said, “Is there something bothering you?”
“Is this not what you want to say? What do you want to say?”
Lu Xi hesitated for a moment, then smirked. “No, don’t you think I’m amazing?”
Xia Baiyuan looked at him quietly.
Lu Xi nudged his palm. “Isn’t this great? Everyone’s happy.”
Xia Baiyuan stood up and walked to the kitchen, tossing over his shoulder, “Wait here, don’t wander.”
Lu Xi blinked, listening to the clattering sounds coming from the kitchen.
A minute later, Xia Baiyuan returned.
Lu Xi looked up, and Xia Baiyuan’s slightly cold fingers hooked his chin, leaning down to kiss him.
Lu Xi’s eyes widened in surprise.
The warm liquid flowed into his mouth. Lu Xi wanted to refuse, but Xia Baiyuan’s knuckles tapped his throat, and he involuntarily swallowed.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
Xia Baiyuan sat back in his chair, composed. “Can you talk now?”
“…”
Lu Xi looked at him solemnly, burping with a hint of alcohol.
I never expected you to be like this, Xia Baiyuan.
I was careless!!