NOVEL NEXT 23
Chapter 23
With a quick calculation, Lu Xi realized he had slept for sixteen hours, deeply enough to be oblivious to the world and in a daze.
Before he slept, the view outside the window was dark, and upon waking, it was still pitch black. He sat on the bed for a while, with his black bangs slightly sweaty on his forehead. Slowly, he extended his hand, deeply ran his fingers through his hair, and pushed it back, revealing a smooth forehead.
Maintaining this posture, he slightly tilted his head, his bright red eyes unfocused, gazing at a certain spot.
Since crossing over, he had never slept so comfortably, deeply and peacefully.
A faint fragrance lingered around him throughout his sleep, making him feel as if he were nestled in an eggshell.
But that’s not entirely accurate—when he was still in the eggshell, unlike other zerg eggs, he had neither the mental comfort of a male father nor the embrace of a female father.
Yet, that’s how Lu Xi felt.
His whole body felt warm, as if soaked in hot water, his bones thoroughly relaxed, like a steamed bun lying in a steamer.
Soft, relaxed, moist, warm.
He slowly lowered his hand and took a deep breath.
It was a cold and dry winter night, but at this moment, he felt as if he were in the crisp morning mist of late autumn, the air sharp and refreshing, clearing his mind.
That fragrance… it felt very familiar.
It seemed to have been subtly accompanying him all along, but no matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn’t remember it.
Lu Xi lifted the quilt, walked barefoot to the window, and reached out to pull open the curtains.
He did not expect to see the scene before him, like a bird caught off guard, crashing into a pile of colorful soap bubbles, leaving him completely bewildered.
The Nansheng Military Academy at night was usually dark and silent, like a hibernating beast, no different from what Lu Xi had seen and heard in his era.
This era had a… strange atmosphere.
The birth rate of the zerg race was always a sword hanging overhead, as the foundation of a race’s survival depended on its population size.
In primitive times, a few thousand people were enough to maintain the operation of a tribe, keeping them absolutely superior to surrounding tribes. By the feudal era, a population of millions was necessary to ensure a country’s operation.
Once entering the industrial era, the entire society’s industries exploded, but an industry could only exist because there were enough people to need it and enough hands to keep it running, requiring a geometrically growing population.
Only a civilization with a population exceeding one billion could rise in the industrial era.
By the information age, a billion-strong population was no longer sufficient; the rise was destined for a civilization with an even larger population.
And now, in the interstellar era, the ratio of female to male zergs had reached an astonishing 100 to 1.
Under this threat, the entire zerg race operated like a machine, with all means aimed at increasing the number of male zergs—
This concerned the life of every female zerg and the future of the entire zerg race.
In another galaxy, another zerg race was eyeing them covetously.
They would devour each other, warring for hundreds of years. This chaotic era was known in history as the “Twin Suns Period.”
Then, Xia Baiyuan would emerge, a dazzling comet streaking across the sky of this era. His legendary battles would be recorded in history—
But just before the zerg race was about to be unified, he suddenly died of illness.
He could have brought more territories and solidified the zerg race’s position, eliminating nearly a thousand years of hidden dangers.
It was only after him that the zerg race established their basic territories.
But before that, cold, cruel, and methodical were the marks of this era.
In such an era, the scene before him was particularly special.
Lu Xi stood by the window, countless lights more numerous than the stars in the sky. They hung densely on the treetops, connected every lamppost, spiraled up the tall school buildings—every nook and cranny that could be decorated was adorned with colorful lights.
They wove into a Milky Way, stretching endlessly, winding all the way to the horizon.
Lu Xi stood in front of the window, staring blankly at it all.
This bustle made him momentarily recall the zerg race world three thousand years in the future, as if he could see his family just by lowering his head.
Every year, his male father would bring the family back to his hometown. He said the festival was called Spring Festival, a time when the whole family must be together.
When night fell, his male father would stand at the door with a string of firecrackers, listening to the crackling sounds with a look of disdain, saying, “Do these firecrackers count as celebrating the new year? I wanted to show you fireworks, but they’re not allowed.”
His female father, watching the fireworks blooming on the TV screen, would suddenly understand: “I get it.”
Lu Mo: ?
Ling would calmly—no one knew from where—pull out a gun and, under everyone’s gaze, fire a shot into the sky.
That night, the ultra-strong, ultra-long-lasting, ultra-giant illumination shell specially made by the adjutant of the Third zerg Legion, Jian Su Guang, lit up the entire city’s night sky.
Lu Mo would dryly open his mouth: “…Wow.”
And Lu Xi would crouch to the side with his three brothers, quietly waiting for the police officers to come.
…
When Xia Baiyuan entered, this was the scene he saw.
The black-haired zerg leaned slightly against the window, the night breeze lifting his slightly curled hair, the loose and soft fabric billowing gently. His bright red eyes reflected a colorful world, momentarily showing what seemed like a gentle, nostalgic expression.
Perhaps it wasn’t an illusion, as Lu Xi’s mouth slightly curved, revealing a side of him he had never shown before.
Xia Baiyuan’s steps paused slightly.
Lu Xi withdrew his gaze and looked at Xia Baiyuan: “What’s this for?”
Coming to the window, Xia Baiyuan propped himself up and lightly sat on the windowsill, facing inside. He looked down at Lu Xi: “I haven’t had the chance to tell you, your classmates asked me to let you know that tomorrow there will be a gathering with the male zergs at the school.”
Lu Xi nodded, half understanding: “Oh.”
Xia Baiyuan stared blankly at the shadows on the ground.
The windowsill was very narrow, and their silhouettes fell on the floor, appearing as if they were leaning against each other.
Lu Xi spoke again: “Thank you for yesterday.”
“…”
Xia Baiyuan’s heart skipped a beat.
His hand rested on his knee, thumb rubbing the thick fabric. Last night, Lu Xi had kept complaining about the cold, and Xia Baiyuan, finding no other solution, had ended up holding Lu Xi through the night.
This method worked well. When he and his female father wandered from place to place, they often ended up under bridges, in underground sewers, or out in the wilderness, where they had to huddle together for warmth. Instinctively, he chose the same approach this time.
But holding Lu Xi felt a bit different from holding his female father.
Xia Baiyuan couldn’t quite pinpoint why, so he just lowered his head and said, “It’s nothing, you are my boss after all.”
The light on his ears felt burning—this lamp’s wattage is too high, Xia Baiyuan thought.
“No… you don’t understand…” Lu Xi murmured, gazing at Xia Baiyuan’s profile.
Xia Baiyuan would never know just how desperate he had felt at that moment.
His mind was hazy, emotions at rock bottom, the world turning dark and narrow, pressing down on him, making him feel very sleepy.
Both exhausted and weary, he felt like a small boat drifting with the current, on the verge of capsizing.
When his consciousness was drifting, Xia Baiyuan’s voice suddenly entered his world.
He grabbed Lu Xi’s hand.
In that moment, Lu Xi suddenly felt he had found support.
Just as his male father had said:
“If it’s Xia Baiyuan, he will definitely protect you.”
His world slowly brightened, the darkness pressing down on him gradually dissipating. He felt himself being pulled out from the depths of despair.
Lu Xi looked steadily at Xia Baiyuan, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Xia Baiyuan was his only anchor in this world.
—
As if remembering something, Xia Baiyuan said, “Oh, right, this is for you.”
Lu Xi collected his thoughts and asked curiously, “What is it?”
Xia Baiyuan opened his hand to reveal a small red paper flower, folded into the shape of a rose, with a light-colored ribbon tied at the base.
He explained, “This is something you’ll need at the gathering. If you like a male zerg, you can give him this flower. If he accepts it, it means he accepts you.”
“Of course,” he added, “if a male zerg likes you, he will come to ask for the flower from you.”
Lu Xi looked at the flower. “Did you fold this?”
Xia Baiyuan nodded. “I figured you wouldn’t know how to fold one.”
Lu Xi readily accepted the flower, showing a toothy smile. “Thank you.”
Like hell he’d give this to a male zerg! This was a gift from Xia Baiyuan; even if he ended up in his grave, he would pin it on his chest pocket and lie there forever! No one else would ever covet this flower!!