Model Male Zerg of the Zerg Clan

**Chapter 26**

The atmosphere at the social gathering grew increasingly lively, with pairs of male and female zergs embracing each other. This scene might seem extremely unrestrained three thousand years later, but for now, it was comforting.

As times change, so do moral judgments.

Lu Xi understood this. After all, as long as it’s consensual, the best he could do was to remind them to be safe.

But now he was completely out of it, his eyes vacant and his expression blank, looking like a total idiot.

Thankfully, with the fervent atmosphere at the social event, no one had the time to notice his lapse.

Luo Qiuxing was flushed from dancing. His stamina wasn’t enough to keep him spinning in the dance floor for long. Panting, he asked, “Cheng Yan, aren’t you tired?”

Cheng Yan looked at him and shrugged.

Silence spoke volumes.

Luo Qiuxing surrendered with a downcast face, “Alright, alright, I know what you’re going to say. Please don’t say it.”

Cheng Yan raised an eyebrow, “Oh? You know what I’m going to say?”

Luo Qiuxing clenched his fist by his side, cleared his throat vigorously, and then put on a stern poker face, raised his chin, and looked down his nose disdainfully, saying, “With stamina like that, how dare you claim to be impressive in bed?”

Cheng Yan: “Pfft.”

Luo Qiuxing wiped his face, his shoulders slumping, “Could you not be so righteous about it?”

Cheng Yan leisurely replied, “That’s just my personality.”

“…”

Luo Qiuxing waved his hand weakly, “I have nothing to say to you.”

He slipped out of the dance floor, his eyes falling again on Lu Xi in the corner. By now, Luo Qiuxing had no romantic thoughts left; he never forced female zergs.

But this didn’t affect his admiration for Lu Xi. Luo Qiuxing had never seen such a—such a—

Such a dazzling female zerg.

He thought he should at least get Lu Xi’s contact information. Even just being in the same contacts list would make him happy.

He pulled out his communicator and ran over cheerfully.

“Lu Xi, add me as a friend.”

“What’s your number?”

“I added you, please accept it.”

“…”

On the surface, Lu Xi seemed normal, at most a bit slow to react, with a faint blush on his otherwise expressionless face. It was easy to mistake it for having had a bit to drink.

But in reality, Lu Xi had entered a state similar to “being on a call.”

In this state, he was almost completely nonchalant. Even if someone handed him a lit firecracker, he would casually pocket it without a second thought.

If Luo Qiuxing had asked Lu Xi for the paper flower at this moment, Lu Xi might have given it to him.

But thank goodness, Luo Qiuxing didn’t.

“Alright.” Luo Qiuxing looked at his friend list with satisfaction. The name “Lu Xi” was prominently displayed.

He happily closed his communicator, beaming with joy.

Around him, some drunk female zergs put two fingers in their mouths and blew loud whistles at him.

“Young Master Luo, what’s the fun in just sitting there? Come drink with us!”

“Exactly, come on.”

“Don’t just focus on one person.”

Luo Qiuxing picked up a glass of wine, jumped down from his seat, and smiled, “Here I come!”

…

“Rather than Luo Qiuxing, you should choose Cheng Yan.”

“…”

Lu Xi slowly turned his head, staring blankly at Xia Baiyuan, “Huh?”

“It’s a pretty obvious choice, isn’t it?” Xia Baiyuan stretched out a leg and hooked a high stool over. The stool had a footrest bar, but Xia Baiyuan didn’t use it, instead sitting directly on the stool.

He tapped his toe on the ground, and the stool slowly spun in a circle, making his sideburns arc gracefully. “Luo Qiuxing is destined not to spend most of his time and energy on one female zerg. Marrying him is a losing proposition. Compared to that…” Xia Baiyuan nodded toward Cheng Yan not far away. “Cheng Yan is the opposite. This male zerg rarely goes out unless necessary and has no close female zergs.”

It took Lu Xi a while to understand Xia Baiyuan’s point.

He hesitated for a moment, then looked away, “You’re overthinking things.”

What is this even about?

He averted his gaze, missing Xia Baiyuan’s unusual expression.

Xia Baiyuan had his head slightly lowered. His hair had grown quite a bit longer than before, the fine strands casting shadows under the light, hiding the upper half of his face.

On the visible lower half of his face, his thin lips seemed to form a faint smile, but there was no hint of joy.

It looked more like he was pressing his lips together, trying to make a subtle smile but stopping halfway due to his poor mood, resulting in a stiff curve.

Lu Xi’s shadow stretched out under the light, extending to the edge of Xia Baiyuan’s sleeve.

Xia Baiyuan turned his wrist, watching Lu Xi’s shadow fall into his palm—then clenched his hand, but the shadow naturally slipped through his fingers.

When Luo Qiuxing approached Lu Xi, Xia Baiyuan had been watching the whole time.

He clearly realized that an unusual emotion was surging within him. This emotion clamored, almost compelling him to push Luo Qiuxing away.

【How dare you—】

He thought he was angry.

That seemed natural, right? Xia Baiyuan quietly watched the two conversing, feeling that Lu Xi was far superior to Luo Qiuxing in every way. How could Luo Qiuxing possibly be worthy of him? As Lu Xi’s friend, he naturally couldn’t tolerate such a thing happening.

At the very least, it should be Cheng Yan.

This was for Lu Xi’s own good.

However, after sorting out his thoughts and saying those words, other emotions welled up inside him.

Disappointment, resentment, regret, and a hint of fear.

If Lu Xi really took his advice, if Lu Xi really got together with Cheng Yan, then…

What would he do then?

“Don’t say things like that again.” Lu Xi sighed deeply, muttering in frustration, “It’s not going to happen anyway.”

“…Oh.”

Lu Xi lowered his head, his eyes scanning a pile of berries. He finally selected the largest, ripest, and most vibrant one. He snapped off the delicate stem and tossed the berry, with a bit of leaf still attached, into a glass of sparkling water, making it look like a cocktail. Lu Xi looked pleased.

Xia Baiyuan finally raised his head, his bangs sliding to one side, revealing his left eye. The blue-green eye reflected the golden light, resembling flowing liquor.

The hands at his sides finally relaxed, the gloves showing remnants of creases.

————

The clock on the wall ticked away, the minute hand circling twice, and the hour hand moving two notches.

Some people were stuffed, some were drunk, and some were both stuffed and drunk. Some didn’t make it to the restroom in time and ended up vomiting into the arms of their companions.

The person being held had an utterly resigned look on their face.

This time, Lu Xi had been cautious not to get drunk, focusing on eating instead. The table was piled high with his leftover fruit peels and bones.

Seeing that everyone was starting to leave, Lu Xi also stood up. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a buzzing sound came from somewhere on the table.

A faint light shone from beneath the pile of trash.

Lu Xi: “Huh?”

He moved the trash aside to find a very high-end communicator.

Pinching the communicator between two fingers, Lu Xi held it up in front of him in confusion, “Whose is this?”

Xia Baiyuan remembered, “It’s probably Luo Qiuxing’s. He must have forgotten it here.”

Embarrassed, Lu Xi grabbed a napkin to wipe it down, but the sticky juice and grease wouldn’t come off. Xia Baiyuan took several napkins and wrapped it up completely: “I’ll take it back. They shouldn’t have gone too far yet. You go back to the dorm first.”

“Okay.”

Luo Qiuxing and Cheng Yan were among the last to leave. At these parties, Luo Qiuxing was always very enthusiastic, insisting on greeting every female zerg present, building relationships, and setting up future appointments (the kind everyone knows about), before being satisfied.

But male zergs have limited stamina, and Luo Qiuxing, a typical male who seldom exercised, would often end up exhausted and sleepy. This time, under the dim yellow light, he had directly fallen asleep on a chair.

Perhaps out of consideration for their friendship, Cheng Yan stayed with Luo Qiuxing until the end and carried him away from the banquet on his back.

Xia Baiyuan asked for their direction and hurried after them.

On the way to the male dormitory, they had to pass through a dense little forest. A winding path meandered through it, flanked by elegant lantern-shaped lights that glowed like fireflies in the night.

Xia Baiyuan’s boots made a “clack-clack” sound on the path.

Suddenly, the “clack-clack” stopped.

Not far ahead, under the light of one of the lanterns, two figures were leaning intimately against a tree trunk.

The light clearly illuminated that small area.

The black-haired male had an unremarkable face, and his previously neatly buttoned collar was now loosened. He leaned against the tree, looking down at the person in his arms.

The light cast a sharp line down his nose and lips, dividing his face into two halves: one hidden in the night, the other bright as the moon.

It was Cheng Yan.

In his arms, the baby-faced young man was sleeping soundly, even with a slight smile on his lips.

His facial features were soft and gentle, and the angle of his head revealed his entire face in the light. This male, usually seen flirting around, now appeared completely pure and innocent.

Cheng Yan slowly lowered his head, their distance shrinking…

Xia Baiyuan watched them intently.

He was waiting, waiting for the moment Cheng Yan would kiss Luo Qiuxing.

He could hear his own heartbeat intensifying, as if something monumental was about to happen—like a meteor striking the planet, a volcanic eruption after millennia, or a massive hurricane making landfall.

He even stopped breathing.

Closer, even closer.

Cheng Yan closed his eyes.

Under Xia Baiyuan’s gaze, their soft lips met.

Xia Baiyuan suddenly stepped back, his back hitting a tree, the rough texture felt through his clothes.

For some reason, the lamp above his head flickered twice and then went out completely, plunging Xia Baiyuan into darkness, his expression hidden.

After a full three minutes, Cheng Yan lifted his head. Luo Qiuxing, still groggy, shook his head in his arms. Cheng Yan carefully placed him on a nearby seat and looked into the darkness: “Have you seen enough?”

A white figure emerged from the shadows. Xia Baiyuan looked coldly at Cheng Yan and said, “I didn’t realize males also indulged in these little tricks of the females.”

“Little tricks?”

Cheng Yan repeated the words, a mysterious smile spreading across his face, bringing it to life. “Xia Baiyuan, what do you think this is?”

“You have a good relationship with Luo Qiuxing,” Xia Baiyuan tilted his head slightly, “but I don’t remember you being such a dull male.”

Cheng Yan stared at Xia Baiyuan, and upon seeing the genuine confusion in Xia Baiyuan’s eyes, his expression gradually turned to one of disbelief. He murmured, “You… aren’t, are you?”

Xia Baiyuan frowned, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Cheng Yan grinned, “I’ve never considered Luo Qiuxing a friend. I thought others might not see it, but at least you should be able to.”

Xia Baiyuan: “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Cheng Yan chuckled, his voice hoarse, “Friends? Do you think friends do this kind of thing? Do friends kiss each other?”

He reached out, tracing Luo Qiuxing’s face with his long middle finger in the air.

Then he squatted down, kissed Luo Qiuxing’s eyelid, and the baby-faced male gently shook his head.

“Of course they do,” Xia Baiyuan nodded naturally. “Isn’t that what friends do?”

Sharing the same cookie, drinking from the same cup, sleeping in the same bed, kissing, hugging, even comforting each other if needed.

“……”

Cheng Yan squatted on the ground, staring at Xia Baiyuan in disbelief.

After several seconds, he finally managed to speak, “Is this how females think?”

Xia Baiyuan: “……”

Cheng Yan: “……”

Cheng Yan buried his face in his hands and sighed deeply, muttering, “What a bunch of idiots.”

“What about Lu Xi?” he asked without much hope, “Does Lu Xi think the same way?”

Xia Baiyuan silently nodded.

Cheng Yan: “……”

There might be something wrong with the education in their society.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and said to Xia Baiyuan, “Alright, maybe friends do kiss and hug, but there’s one thing they absolutely don’t do.”

Xia Baiyuan, intrigued by the look in his eyes, took a step forward, “What is it?”

Cheng Yan showed a faint, enigmatic smile.

——————

Lu Xi was sitting in the living room, hugging a soft pillow and watching TV.

He had eaten so much that lying down made his stomach uncomfortable, so he had to wait for the food to digest before going to bed.

It took a full half-hour before his stomach felt better.

Outside, he heard light footsteps, a sound he was very familiar with—it was Xia Baiyuan’s footsteps.

After opening the door, Xia Baiyuan bent down to untie his shoelaces. Lu Xi asked casually, “Did you return the phone?”

“Yes.”

Lu Xi: “The male dormitory is hard to get into, must have taken a while.”

“I didn’t go in.”

“Huh?”

Xia Baiyuan put on his house slippers and tucked his shoes back into the shoe cabinet, “I just chatted with Cheng Yan for a bit.”

“Oh.” Lu Xi replied dryly, “You two really had a lot to talk about.”

No, I can’t imagine it. It would be less surprising if it were Luo Qiuxing instead.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m going to my room.”

Before Lu Xi could react, Xia Baiyuan had closed the door, put away his shoes, and rushed down the hallway back to his room in a whirlwind, leaving Lu Xi stunned.

Xia Baiyuan, why is he in such a hurry today?

He sat up straight on the sofa, staring at the door of Xia Baiyuan’s room.

*Click*, the door locked.

Lu Xi: ( ´Д｀)

What…what just happened?!!

Xia Baiyuan never locks his door when he sleeps!!

He couldn’t help but worry, so he put down the pillow and tiptoed to the door, knocking softly, “Xia Baiyuan?”

“Yeah?”

Lu Xi: “Today… nothing happened, right?”

“Nothing.”

“If anything happens, be sure to call me. I’m right next door.”

“Okay.”

Lu Xi withdrew his hand, his brows furrowing with worry. But Xia Baiyuan clearly didn’t want to communicate, making it difficult.

In the end, all he could do was sigh softly and return to his room.

Meanwhile, Xia Baiyuan…

After hearing Lu Xi’s footsteps gradually fade away, he finally emerged from under the covers.

The room was lit, and his face was clearly reflected in the mirror. His fair complexion had a hint of pink, while the edges of his ears, hidden beneath his silver hair, were a bright red color.

Xia Baiyuan pressed his face against his hand, trying to cool down.

It would be disastrous if Lu Xi saw this.

But as he stared at the snow-white wall, his gaze drifted, remembering the scene from earlier.

The black-haired male with his hands in his pockets, looking at him with playful eyes, clearly said, “If you’re friends, you wouldn’t want any intimate contact beyond that.”

What was he like back then?

He didn’t remember, only that a surge of heat rushed up, deepening Cheng Yan’s smile.

“If you do, then your feelings for him are definitely not just friendship.”

“W-what does that mean?”

“Ah, who knows?” Cheng Yan looked down, chuckling, “Could it be admiration? What do you think?”

Xia Baiyuan fled in panic.

Now, he sat on the bed, gripping the sheets tightly in his hands.

He had those feelings.

He wanted to be close to Lu Xi, to get closer to him. The scent of Lu Xi made him feel very comfortable—although they both used the same laundry detergent lately, he inexplicably found Lu Xi’s scent much more appealing.

He didn’t want Lu Xi to get close to other members of the species, thinking it was just possessiveness between friends.

But, he wanted to have further contact with Lu Xi.

…Just as Cheng Yan said, his feelings for Lu Xi were definitely not that simple.

Xia Baiyuan closed his eyes and pounded the bed forcefully.

“Boom——”

The loud noise made Lu Xi jump up from the bed, “Is there an earthquake?!”

He rushed out of the room and went to knock on Xia Baiyuan’s door, “Xia Baiyuan!! Earthquake! Run!!”

“Xia Baiyuan!!”

“Xia Baiyuan!!”

The door opened, and Lu Xi was met with an exquisite face, but he was too preoccupied to admire it, grabbing Xia Baiyuan and attempting to run out.

—But he couldn’t budge him.

Lu Xi turned around in confusion, only to hear Xia Baiyuan’s calm voice, “It’s not an earthquake. My bed just collapsed.”

“…”

“…”

“Oh.” Lu Xi let go of Xia Baiyuan’s hand awkwardly, saying, “My bad, I misheard. It’s good it’s not an earthquake.”

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and returned to his room, about to close the door, but he saw Xia Baiyuan standing at his door.

Lu Xi blinked in confusion, “Is there something else?”

Xia Baiyuan also had some water marks on his face, but it didn’t look like sweat, probably from washing his face before opening the door. He calmly looked at Lu Xi, “My bed broke.”

“…”

—

So, after a chaotic mess, the two finally slept on the same bed.

Above Lu Xi’s bottom line, they each had their own blankets.

As the lights went out, the room fell into pitch-black silence, quiet enough to hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Of course, they could also hear another breathing in the room besides their own.

Lu Xi closed his eyes, forcing himself not to mind the overpowering presence on his left.

Although he had no morals, he was a male with principles.

—At least he wouldn’t do something as despicable as sleeping with a member of the zerg Clan!!

If he did, he could never again call himself the child of Lu Mo and Ling.

Lu Xi, you can do it!!

With a proud and brave demeanor, the id, ego, and super-ego in Lu Xi’s heart fought fiercely, until finally, amidst the chaos, he fell asleep in a mess.

Before falling asleep, he murmured drowsily, “Goodnight, Xia Baiyuan.”

“Goodnight.”

An hour passed with the ticking of the clock until Lu Xi’s breathing became deep and steady. Xia Baiyuan opened his eyes silently.

He turned silently, his excellent vision allowing him to see Lu Xi’s superior profile even in the darkness, a contour that even the most skilled craftsmen couldn’t carve.

Xia Baiyuan reached out, tracing Lu Xi’s face in the air, slowly and meticulously.

He harbored…

Indeed, malicious intentions towards Lu Xi.

Xia Baiyuan lifted the blanket and slipped in.

Feeling the familiar warmth, the slight unease and restlessness that had always lingered in his heart finally faded away.

But in its place was a deeper sense of guilt. The more satisfied he felt, the guiltier he became, yet he couldn’t resist this unprecedented satisfaction.

Xia Baiyuan let out a shallow sigh and closed his eyes.

Struggling was one thing, indulgence was another. Until the final outcome arrived, he would always secretly seize moments of time.