NOVEL NEXT 25
Chapter 25: Your second molting is coming soon, right?…
Qi Yao’s movements paused slightly as he didn’t know how to respond to Yi Er’s words.
No one expected the application to be approved so quickly.
Yi Er shut down the terminal, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and clearly felt a different feeling in his body than before.
Restlessness, suffocation, agitation… slowly eroding his emotions, he felt a faint longing for something in his heart.
“You’re like this, how will you leave tomorrow?” Qi Yao’s voice came from behind, approaching step by step.
He walked closer to Yi Er, standing in front of him.
Yi Er lowered his head slightly, his silver hair cascading down. Qi Yao reached out to tuck it behind his ear.
After doing so, his hand didn’t withdraw but remained on the back of Yi Er’s head, pressing his soft silver hair. He slowly leaned in, his eyes, as dark as obsidian, firmly locking onto Yi Er’s slightly fluctuating eyes due to his efforts to suppress his emotions, and said without refusal, “Yi Er, I’ll help you.”
As soon as the words fell, the S-class mental power centered on Qi Yao surged through the room.
This unexpected emergence of estrus was detected early enough by the two zergs, so Yi Er didn’t feel too uncomfortable for now.
He just couldn’t control his pheromones, leading to more restless emotional reactions.
But when the forceful mental power rushed over to envelop him, that restless feeling suddenly dissipated, his rationality holding firm while his body accepted Qi Yao’s comfort first.
Being comforted by this comforting mental power, his tense nerves gradually relaxed, slowly grasping the hand Qi Yao had placed behind his head, enjoying it affectionately, and softly said, “Lord, at this moment, you should take some measures.”
Qi Yao was startled, “Measures?”
Qi Yao had no experience in comforting female zergs. Isn’t comforting the female zerg what he should do during estrus? Did he need to do something else?
Yi Er’s question made him open up? Did he allow him to do something else?
If Yi Er wanted him to do something else, then… indeed, he hadn’t considered it carefully.
They currently had no plans for breeding, and they were both S-class with easily fertile physiques, so measures should be taken.
But how does the zerg society prepare for breeding? Is it the same as human society?
Qi Yao was full of question marks, not knowing how to ask Yi Er, and afraid that if he did, Yi Er would laugh at him.
He furrowed his brow in confusion.
Yi Er had no idea what Qi Yao was thinking, thinking that Qi Yao’s expression was worried about him, so he carefully said, “If I can’t control myself well, I’m very likely to lose control, so does the male lord need to have Xiao En prepare a suppression ring for me to wear?”
“A… suppression ring?” Qi Yao was puzzled again, his racing thoughts pulled back by these three words, his expression stiffened, “No, it’s not necessary, right?”
“Aren’t you afraid that I might accidentally hurt you if I lose control?”
If the female zerg doesn’t receive enough comfort or if the comforting intensity is insufficient, it’s very easy to lose control, to have emotional outbursts, to grab onto the male zerg forcefully…
The suppression ring has a good restraining, inhibiting, and punitive effect on the female zerg. Especially for a military female with strong overall physical functions, wearing a suppression ring, once she acts aggressively towards the male zerg, the suppression ring will automatically activate the punitive mode to restrain the female zerg.
This is a tool to protect the male zerg.
Yi Er suggested this as a preventive measure, fearing that in his state of loss of control, the formidable strength of the military female would harm the fragile male zerg.
For the proud Yi Er, to avoid hurting his male lord, did he voluntarily agree to wear such a punitive thing?
“I’m not afraid.” Qi Yao’s thoughts returned. How could Yi Er wear such a punitive thing? He didn’t need it. He could comfort Yi Er well, “As an S-class male zerg, Yi Er, please believe in your male lord.”
Yi Er’s lips curled up. He knew that his male lord was confident and strong enough.
The villa’s enclosed space was filled with mental power and pheromones.
The low-key and melodious violin music drifted slowly from the corner. It was Xiao En standing in the corner, searching through the music library for dozens of violin pieces, using soothing melodies to relieve his host’s emotions.
Qi Yao asked, “Yi Er, do you want to go back to the room?”
With the violin music in his ears, Yi Er agreed, “Xiao En does seem unnecessary here.”
Saying that, he picked up Qi Yao and steadily climbed the stairs, leaving behind the melodious violin music prepared by Xiao En in the living room.
Pushing open the bedroom door, Yi Er gently placed Qi Yao on the bed.
Qi Yao found it amusing, “We’re like this, why does it feel so much like…”
Like what, Qi Yao didn’t continue.
Yi Er lay down beside Qi Yao, “Last time, didn’t you say that with you here, I’m not allowed to use suppressants?”
He looked at Qi Yao with implied meaning, “Actually, if I had used suppressants, I would have stabilized by now.”
Qi Yao propped his head with one hand, holding Yi Er’s hand with the other, “You’re not stable now?”
Stable.
In fact, it was discovered early, before the emotions had a chance to erupt, Qi Yao had already stabilized Yi Er.
The release of Qi Yao’s mental power subtly soothed Yi Er’s restrained emotions without anyone noticing.
He always kept Yi Er within the range of his mental power.
Qi Yao scratched Yi Er’s palm, “Hmm? Why aren’t you speaking? Haven’t you stabilized yet?”
The two zergs faced each other closely, intertwined with mental power and pheromones, indistinguishable between you and me.
Perhaps because of Yi Er’s instinctual craving for this extremely relaxing and comfortable mental power, he involuntarily leaned closer to Qi Yao again.
Qi Yao’s thoughts raced once more.
He looked into Yi Er’s eyes, the deep blue iris contrasting sharply with the whites, like… like the early morning snow on the deep blue coastline he had seen during his trip to Northern Europe, pure and mysterious.
He was sinking into those eyes.
His heartbeat involuntarily sped up. Could he kiss Yi Er?
Just once, he wouldn’t ask for more.
Could he?
If not…
If not, then what? Yi Er was his consort; he wanted to kiss him, and only he could kiss him.
It was his right as an male lord.
As if driven by some unknown force, Qi Yao leaned closer to Yi Er.
His breath trembled slightly, his voice almost inaudible, “Yi Er, could you close your eyes?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Just close them for a moment; I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.”
Yi Er closed his eyes.
Qi Yao held his breath, slowly leaned in, and hesitated for a moment at the corner of Yi Er’s lips before slowly moving to his eyes, planting a kiss on Yi Er’s thin eyelids.
Gently, like willow catkins brushing past the corner of the eye.
Yi Er opened his eyes.
His long eyelashes brushed against Qi Yao’s lower lip, causing Qi Yao’s body to stiffen. He covered his eyes and quickly turned away.
He lacked the courage after all.
He was nervous.
“Is what you wanted to tell me that you wanted to kiss me?” Yi Er turned his face towards him, forcing him to face him.
Qi Yao didn’t dare to admit it, “I said it’s your pheromones that seduced me, do you believe it?”
Yi Er closed his eyes again. After a while, he opened them again and said gently, “I believe.”
Qi Yao’s righteous confidence was deflated by hearing this one word, and he felt embarrassed. He didn’t dare to look into Yi Er’s eyes, burying his head down, feeling the temperature of his ears uncontrollably rising.
“Male lord,” Yi Er called him.
“Yeah,” Qi Yao’s voice was muffled.
At this moment, Yi Er leaned over, using one hand to gently pinch Qi Yao’s chin without applying any force, forcing him to raise his face. He leaned down and lightly touched Qi Yao’s lips.
A fleeting kiss, a brief touch of skin.
Qi Yao widened his eyes slightly.
“I said your mental power made me unable to control myself, do you believe it?” Yi Er said.
Qi Yao’s gaze was sharp. This… was a response to him?
Then… naturally, he should respond to Yi Er as well.
His body acted before his mind.
At the moment Yi Er pulled away, Qi Yao’s free hand swiftly grabbed Yi Er’s collar, firmly pulling him down, while he himself tilted his head up.
Lips met, teeth touched, but it was only a momentary thing.
He cautiously pressed his lips against Yi Er’s, holding his breath and turning anxiously. Yi Er didn’t push him away, giving him enough courage.
He quietly parted his lips, daring to stick out his tongue to explore the tightly closed teeth of the other, easily slipping in. The warm and moist lips and tongues intertwined, his breath uncontrollably becoming heavy.
Both overwhelmed by emotions and driven by desire, he savored the taste of this stolen moment of delight.
Until his lips felt numb, he gently bit Yi Er’s lower lip as if declaring his territory before reluctantly pulling away.
The mental power spread quietly as he watched Yi Er’s reddened lips, savoring the sensation from before, feeling secretly delighted, “Overwhelmed by emotions.”
“Overwhelmed by emotions,” Yi Er agreed.
After the estrus completely subsided, Yi Er released Qi Yao’s hand.
He remembered there were still important matters tonight, so he called for Xiao En to bring up the disassembled model of Qi Yao from the sofa downstairs.
Qi Yao sighed at Yi Er’s recovery ability. It had only been a short while, yet he was lively and energetic again as if nothing had happened.
As Yi Er returned to the room with the box, Qi Yao couldn’t help but ask, “Did your estrus end this quickly last time?”
When a female zerg goes into heat, depending on their level, it could last for one day and night, three days and nights, or even seven days and nights. So why did Yi Er’s only last for three or four hours? Based on his own physiological level, conservatively estimating, a complete estrus should last at least three days and nights, right?
Then why did it end so quickly? Was he sick but didn’t know it himself?
Yi Er pondered for a moment, shaking his head, “I don’t know. Every time the estrus starts, I take suppressants, so I’ve never relied solely on my own body. So I’m not sure how long the estrus lasts on me.”
“Oh.” Qi Yao nodded thoughtfully.
Tomorrow, Yi Er would set off for the border star system. Once the estrus was disturbed, he didn’t know when the next visit would be or how long Yi Er would be gone. He was very worried that Yi Er might have some trouble.
“Then you should bring all the suppressants from home.” After much consideration, Qi Yao said.
“No need. We have suppressants at the stationed medical center.”
“Oh.”
Yi Er knew Qi Yao was worried about him and comforted him, “You don’t need to worry about my situation. The stationed medical staff are experienced and can handle various emergencies. But you, tomorrow, Nos will inspect your work. If you keep hovering around me tonight and don’t focus on assembling the starship, and he personally inspects you tomorrow, can you still assemble it?”
“…”
Why ruin the atmosphere for just worrying about you?
Qi Yao was forced to gather his various worrying or irrelevant thoughts and picked up the model parts. Under Yi Er’s careful guidance, he earnestly began assembling the starship.
The next morning, Qi Yao went to the military district and handed the reassembled starship model to Nos.
Nos walked around the half-meter-long starship model, checking it thoroughly without taking his eyes off it, and casually asked Qi Yao, “Did you assemble it yourself, or did Yi Er help you?”
Qi Yao honestly replied, “He helped me.”
“I can tell. Just relying on yourself, I don’t believe you could assemble it in one night.”
Last night, he helped Yi Er navigate the estrus in the first half of the night, and in the second half of the night, Yi Er helped him assemble the model. He hadn’t slept much at all, and now he had to be checked by Nos, which was nerve-wracking.
“How much of the structure do you remember?”
“Maybe… half?” Qi Yao wasn’t very sure.
“Half?” Nos paused briefly. “That’s more than I imagined.”
Was this a good result or a bad one? Qi Yao couldn’t figure it out.
Nos continued, “I’ll give you another model today. You have to disassemble it.”
“Oh.” Qi Yao responded blankly.
Nos scolded him, “Don’t be absent-minded all the time. If you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with Yi Er, you need to bring the same level of commitment.”
Today, Yi Er was officially departing for the border star system, but he was ordered by Nos to stay in the office to disassemble models. He didn’t know when Yi Er would leave, and he really wanted to see Yi Er off.
Yi Er was right; Nos was a strict teacher.
Nos was also right; if he wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Yi Er, he had to show the same commitment.
Qi Yao adjusted his mindset, obeyed Nos’s arrangement, and brought a new starship model from the adjacent display case.
The size of this model was similar to the one he had just assembled, with sleek lines and sharp edges, covered in the dark blue metallic sheen of dawn, exuding a wild and understated beauty.
Qi Yao couldn’t help but think as he held it, if the enlarged version of this model existed, it must have been tailor-made for Yi Er.
Back in the office, Nos threw a set of design drawings to Qi Yao, still without much enthusiasm, and said, “These are the design drawings for this model. Refer to them, and you should be able to disassemble and reassemble it quickly.”
Qi Yao really wanted to ask if there were no design drawings for the model he disassembled and assembled yesterday? It made him work so hard.
And then Nos indeed asked him like that, “Are you wondering where the design drawings for the model from yesterday went?”
“…”
Qi Yao once again suspected that Nos could read minds.
Nos said, “I have too many design drawings here. I really don’t remember where I put the design drawings for that model from yesterday. But I do remember the design drawings for this model now, so I’ll find them for you.”
What could Qi Yao say? He could only smile amiably, “Thank you, Teacher Nos.”
Throughout the day, Qi Yao could only stay in Nos’s office disassembling and assembling starship models.
With the assistance of the design drawings and the guidance Yi Er provided him last night, Qi Yao quickly disassembled and assembled the model for today.
By nightfall, he handed the reassembled model over to Nos for inspection.
He could now remember some of the parts’ functions and names, and he could accurately guess their usage scenarios based on their structure, location, and interactions with other tools.
Nos was surprised by Qi Yao’s learning ability. He thought Qi Yao would only mechanically disassemble and assemble, but he didn’t expect Qi Yao to think seriously. This young male was even more serious than he imagined.
“Your learning achievement today is good. You can go home now.” Nos was quite satisfied with Qi Yao’s work today.
But Qi Yao didn’t leave.
Nos was puzzled, “What’s wrong? Do you have any questions?”
Qi Yao hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask, “Is the physical starship of the model I disassembled today actually real?”
Afraid that Nos would misunderstand, he paused and added, “Teacher Nos, I don’t mean anything else, I just think it looks good. I’m just asking casually.”
Nos gave Qi Yao a meaningful look, and Qi Yao once again felt like he was about to be seen through.
Nos said, “You have good taste. The physical starship of this model does indeed exist.”
Qi Yao’s tense body relaxed at this statement, while a faint sense of anticipation arose within him.
Nos continued, “When your technical level reaches a certain point, you might even be able to personally board this starship, just like you touched the structure of this model today, feeling every inch of its skin.”
“Yeah, thank you, Teacher Nos.” Encouraged, Qi Yao thanked him excitedly.
At the same time, he thought, if he had the chance to board this starship in the future, he would definitely bring Yi Er along to see it.
It was already completely dark when Qi Yao left the Second Military District, walking home alone under the streetlights.
Yi Er wasn’t around, and he didn’t have any transportation.
He was grateful that it was nighttime now, with fewer zergs on the road, and no one would notice his lonely figure under the streetlights, nor would anyone gossip about Yi Er.
He wondered if Yi Er had arrived at the border star system yet.
He wondered if Yi Er’s estrus had recurred.
Qi Yao absentmindedly thought about Yi Er. Yes, on this day, he missed Yi Er very much.
“Mr. Qi.” There was a voice from the other side of the road.
Qi Yao, slow to react, looked over and saw Dean.
Dean nodded to him from afar and walked over from the other side of the road under the streetlight.
Qi Yao was surprised, “Dean? Do you live nearby? Why do I meet you here?”
Dean’s face still bore the flawless smile, “I don’t live nearby. I am here to follow General Yi Er’s request to escort you home safely. My work today has just officially ended.”
“Yi Er…”
“Generql Yi Er has safely arrived at his destination. He instructed me that during his absence, I am responsible for picking you up to and from work.”
Dean’s words were unsettling, but once he said them, Qi Yao missed Yi Er even more.
Even though Yi Er was on a business trip, he still thought about taking care of his life.
Being picked up by Dean and flown back, Qi Yao remained silent throughout the journey. Dean, being a diligent butler only acting when ordered, escorted him back in silence. After Dean left, Qi Yao was left alone to face the empty house without Yi Er.
His lonely mood even infected the system, which intruded, saying, “Host, if you miss him, just contact him directly.”
Qi Yao replied irritably, “Mind your own business.”
He did want to contact Yi Er, but he was afraid of disturbing him. Yi Er must have many urgent matters to attend to as soon as he arrived.
The system sighed, “Do you want me to say something nice to cheer you up?”
Qi Yao lounged on the sofa, connecting to the star network terminal absentmindedly, “What nice thing could you possibly say?”
The system got excited, “You kissed Yi Er yesterday, didn’t you?”
Qi Yao paused, remembering last night, his heart suddenly pounding again.
The system continued, “And didn’t Yi Er kiss you back?”
“And based on my observation, after last night’s intimate contact, Yi Er’s affection for you, which had been stagnant for a while, suddenly surged! It’s now at 6.3!”
If the system had legs, they would surely be crossed right now.
Qi Yao listened silently.
He admitted he had become greedy. What good was 6.3? It wasn’t 63. 6.3 only proved that Yi Er didn’t dislike him, but 63, that was a passing grade. It not only meant Yi Er didn’t dislike him but also that Yi Er liked him, genuinely developing feelings of affection.
He wanted 63, but Yi Er only gave him 6.3.
Where did he go wrong? Was his male charm not enough? Or did Yi Er not like this aspect of him?
Qi Yao couldn’t figure it out.
Just then, the terminal rang, and Qi Yao, dazed, answered it, finding Yi Er’s face unexpectedly appearing before him.
Qi Yao’s chaotic thoughts instantly vanished.
He focused on Yi Er, who was still wearing his usual admiral’s uniform. The wrinkles at the collar he had tousled last night were now neatly ironed out. Yi Er’s tightly pursed lips softened into a smile upon seeing him, no different from when they parted this morning.
It seemed like Yi Er was inside a starship, as there was some noise in the background, with beeping instruments and whispered exchanges being transmitted through the holographic image.
“Yi Er, did you have a smooth journey?” Qi Yao couldn’t wait to speak.
Yi Er entered a cabin of unknown purpose, closed the heavy door behind him, shutting out the noise outside, before answering Qi Yao, “Very smooth. How about you? What did Nos teach you today?”
“I’m still disassembling and assembling models.”
“Still working on yesterday’s?”
“No, I switched to a different one today.”
Qi Yao wanted to tell Yi Er that the model he disassembled today would suit him, but after some thought, he decided against it. He would keep it as a surprise for Yi Er later.
After a pause, Qi Yao asked, “Did you… today?”
Yi Er seemed to know what he was worried about and quickly replied, “No, that was just a coincidence. You see, it came and went in a hurry, clearly not a formal visit.”
Afraid Qi Yao didn’t understand, Yi Er added by way of explanation, “For example, it’s like… like when you regularly go somewhere for an appointment, but one day you get the time wrong, realize it soon after leaving, and then quickly turn back.”
This metaphor was simple and easy to understand. Qi Yao could tell Yi Er wanted to reassure him.
He didn’t ask any more questions about Yi Er’s estrus.
“Is the situation on your end tricky?” he changed the subject.
“A bit, but we’re more concerned about the zergs in the Glassy system.”
Qi Yao relaxed and smiled. If Yi Er said so, he must be confident.
The two chatted about other things for a while before Yi Er was called away by someone on his end, and they hastily ended the call.
Just by talking to Yi Er, Qi Yao’s mood brightened.
Since their marriage, Qi Yao had been sleeping in Yi Er’s room. Now accustomed to it, after ending the call, he almost didn’t need to think. He went straight to Yi Er’s room.
Although Yi Er had comforted him that last night’s estrus was an accident, Qi Yao couldn’t let it go. After washing up, he turned on Yi Er’s brainlight and searched the star network for information on the reasons for a female zerg’s estrus disorder.
Because Qi Yao had recently been studying star network mecha courses, Yi Er had granted him permission to use his brainlight.
Qi Yao entered the keywords, and soon the search results appeared.
The screen was filled with relevant information, including Q&A, forums, and related news. Qi Yao read through them one by one, selecting a forum response that was closest to Yi Er’s situation.
1st floor: [I don’t understand what’s bothering the OP. Isn’t it good that the female zerg is frequently in estrus for you? This shows that he can’t live without you and yearns for your affection day and night.]
3rd floor: [Agree with the 1st floor, he just wants to drain you dry.]
6th floor: [I suggest the OP first ask the female zerg if he’s using special drugs to force the estrus in order to win the male owner’s love. If so, I suggest giving him a beating. If not, I suggest giving him two beatings.]
13th floor: [Yes, in this situation, we generally advise giving a beating.]
14th floor: [Your female zerg is about to die, come and see me, the sexy female zerg is looking for marriage online, contact information: xxxxxx]
…
As Qi Yao glanced over, all he saw were worthless replies from demons and monsters. Just as he was about to close it and click on another link, a long response caught his attention.
62nd floor: [Don’t listen to the nonsense above. Let me tell you, this situation has three reasons. Either your female zerg has relied too much on suppressants in the past, leading to a disorder in the estrus; or your female zerg is sick, in which case I suggest going to the hospital for a full-body checkup; or your female zerg’s second molting period is about to come. Oh, OP, has your female zerg finished its second molting period?]
Second molting?
Qi Yao keenly caught onto this term.
During the evaluation at the Imperial Palace before their marriage, Yi Er indeed had not yet undergone the second molting. Could that be the reason?
Qi Yao returned to the homepage and entered the keyword again: female zerg second molting.
This time, even more entries related to demons and monsters appeared.
[Heavy Reward for a Male: A weak and pitiful female zerg is about to undergo its second molting…]
[How should a female zerg spend its second molting period without a male companion…]
[Recalling a solitary second molting]
[Recalling a second molting comforted by the male owner]
[Am I about to undergo a second molting?]
Without hesitation, Qi Yao clicked on the last one.
It was another Q&A thread.
[23-year-old female zerg, unmarried, estrus period stable at once every two months. Recently, the estrus suddenly became erratic, with pheromones popping up from time to time. Suppressants can suppress it, but it soon pops up again, two or three times now. I dare not ask my friends around me. Asking the vast netizens, is it about to undergo a second molting?]
1st floor: [I suggest going to the hospital for a checkup first to see if the frequent use of suppressants has caused a disorder in the estrus.]
2nd floor: [There are always signs when the second molting is approaching. If the OP has recently been restless, uncontrollably longing for a male, and frequently in estrus, I suggest finding a male as soon as possible, life is paramount.]
3rd floor: [Don’t hesitate at this time. If you don’t want to go berserk and die, find a male to be with first. Whether it’s the second molting or not, what if you and the male become a pair?]
4th floor: [Agree with the 3rd floor. A while ago, a friend of a friend of mine had the chance to spend the second molting with a male, but because he was too proud and looked down on the male’s spiritual level, which was only D, when the second molting suddenly came, he had to endure it alone at home. Later, if it wasn’t for a higher-level male smelling his raging pheromones and temporarily helping him, he would have almost died from going berserk.]
…
Qi Yao closed the brainlight, trembling with fear.
He felt uneasy in his heart; Yi Er’s situation fit perfectly.
If Yi Er’s erratic estrus was due to the impending second molting, how would he safely pass through the border system?
Were there any males there? Did the stationed medical staff have a solution?
It seemed that currently, there were no medical demons who could solve the problem of female zerg berserk during the second molting…
The more Qi Yao thought about it, the more afraid he became. He sent Yi Er a message: “Is your second molting coming soon?”
Until he fell asleep, Yi Er never replied to his message.
…
Since Qi Yao started studying under Nos, his days had become busy.
With Yi Er absent, his life was filled only with study and work.
He was never late, but every time he arrived at Nos’s office, Nos was already there.
Qi Yao didn’t want to leave a lazy impression on Nos. Every time, he would proactively ask Dean to send him to work half an hour early. When it was time to leave, it was often already nightfall.
After persisting for a few days, Nos noticed that Qi Yao was indeed serious, not just playing around for three minutes of heat. Nos also took an interest in Qi Yao, no longer letting him disassemble models but instead taking him on starships whenever possible, teaching him hands-on.
Qi Yao seized every opportunity to board starships. When Nos let him practice hands-on, he never slacked off, sometimes even completing simple maintenance and modification work alone under Nos’s supervision.
Nos was sparing with his praise for Qi Yao, but Qi Yao could tell from Nos’s expression and comments about him that his achievements were recognized by Nos.
This busy life continued for more than a month.
During this time, Yi Er only contacted him a few times. Their suitable times never seemed to align; either Qi Yao was busy or Yi Er was unavailable. Most of the time, Yi Er would take the initiative to contact him when Qi Yao was at home at night.
One evening, Qi Yao had just finished bathing and was lying on his bed watching his courses when Yi Er contacted him again. This time, Yi Er was in a very quiet environment, surrounded by white, and it was hard to tell where he was.
Qi Yao looked at him for a while and said, “You look exhausted.”
Yi Er replied, “I’ll rest soon.”
It had been three days since their last contact, probably a precious and rare rest time for Yi Er. So Qi Yao urged him, “Then you should rest early.”
Yi Er smiled, “Don’t you want to talk to me?”
Qi Yao said, “No, I’m just afraid you’ll miss this opportunity to rest. Who knows when you’ll have time again.”
Military females are robust, and a short rest can restore their energy. Yi Er didn’t mind whether he could rest or not, he just cared and asked, “Dean told me you’re also very busy.”
Qi Yao sighed, “I have to be busy. Teacher Nos is a workaholic.”
Then he muttered to himself, “You’ve arranged me to him, and I don’t even have time to think about you.”
Yi Er didn’t hear clearly, “What did you say? I didn’t hear.”
Qi Yao said loudly, “I said you should rest well.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a third voice suddenly interrupted from Yi Er’s side, “General Yi Er, you should indeed take a good rest. Frequent injections of suppressants are not friendly to your current physical condition. We all advise you to rest more.”
This sounded like it was deliberately said for Qi Yao to hear. Qi Yao caught every word accurately and suddenly became stern, “Yi Er, what suppressants? Are you taking suppressants again? Are you…”
Yi Er replied without hesitation, “No, I’m just consulting some suppressant-related matters with the stationed medical staff here.”
“Really?”
“I’m not lying to you.”
Qi Yao remained skeptical.
Yi Er said, “I’ll go rest now.”
Without giving Qi Yao more chance to inquire, Yi Er ended the call himself.
The stationed medical staff stood nearby, and Yi Er’s tone didn’t sound like he was concealing anything.
Friendly: “You just promised me not to interrupt.”
The stationed medical officer didn’t feel that he had done anything wrong: “In your current condition, only a male can help you solve it. Suppressants can only provide temporary relief and cannot fundamentally solve the problem.”
Yi Er tightly pursed his lips and remained silent. He was well aware of his own physical condition, but the current situation didn’t allow him to take time to solve his private zerg problem.
The Glassy system was always watching his movements. As soon as he left, Ais would inevitably be unable to withstand the battle personally supervised by Glassy’s females at the border. They couldn’t do without him.
He could only hope that the battle would end soon so that he could return home earlier. He didn’t want to worry his male lord. But there was no way.
“I know, I’ll try to find a way to drive away those guys from the Glassy system as soon as possible.”
With that, Yi Er left the medical starship.
At the same time, in Yi Er’s villa, Qi Yao was restless. He could clearly feel Yi Er avoiding him. Last time when Yi Er didn’t reply to his message, he could understand it as Yi Er forgetting, but this time, Yi Er hurriedly ended the call, which was enough to indicate a problem.
But why was he avoiding it? Didn’t he know this was a serious issue? One wrong move could result in death! Just the thought that Yi Er’s disorderly estrus was due to the impending second molting, and Yi Er wasn’t planning to seek his help, made him feel like a failed male lord.
When Dean came to work in the morning, Qi Yao had already gotten up early. To be precise, he hadn’t really slept. When he heard Dean preparing breakfast downstairs, he couldn’t bear it and went downstairs.
Dean was surprised to see Qi Yao up so early today and noticed Qi Yao’s exhausted look, so he asked with concern, “Mr. Qi, did you not sleep well last night?”
Qi Yao, preoccupied with Yi Er hiding his second molting from him, felt uneasy and blurted out to Dean, “Dean, you’ve been with Yi Er for so long, have you paid attention to his estrus period?”
Estrus period, a relatively private matter, and Qi Yao actually asked Dean. Dean was somewhat surprised, “No, Admiral Yi Er handles his estrus very promptly. The few times I’ve encountered it, he has used suppressants.”
Suppressants, suppressants, it’s always suppressants. Every time Qi Yao heard these three words now, he wished he could turn into a giant suppressant on the spot.
He frowned and hesitated, “Dean, his estrus is disordered, but he doesn’t tell me.”
“…” Dean didn’t know what Qi Yao was trying to express.
Qi Yao plucked up his courage and said, “Do you have a way to take me to Yi Er? He might be about to undergo a second molting.”
He didn’t know how to make it clear, trembling voice, hastily explaining, “I think he needs me now, but I don’t know how to go about it, Dean, do you have a way?”
Dean’s bright eye flickered a few times. He could see that this male’s concern for Yi Er was genuine. He knew the purpose of Yi Er’s marriage to this male. As the butler hired by Yi Er before his second molting, he had a responsibility to protect this male’s safety.
But this male now wanted to go to the front line to find Yi Er, saying that Yi Er’s second molting was imminent. Dean wouldn’t send him to such a dangerous place without reason, so he had to confirm first.
“Mr. Qi, please don’t be anxious. Are you sure General Yi Er is about to undergo a molting? Or, could you tell me about his situation first?”
Qi Yao slowly exhaled and forced himself to calm down, slowly saying, “The first time we met, he had one. He said it was caused by Ais. A month and a half ago, Xiao En reminded him once, and he said it was normal and used suppressants. The night before he left for the border system, he had one again, and I helped him through it. Last night when we contacted, I found out he was using suppressants again… These are the four times I know of. Maybe there were more when I didn’t know, but Yi Er didn’t tell me.”
Dean’s expression became serious as he listened. Judging from the description, Yi Er’s estrus frequency was indeed unusually high. Dean had experienced the second molting himself, so he knew very well that this was a sign of the impending second molting.
Qi Yao was right; Yi Er needed him now.
“Mr. Qi, let me pack up for you and take you to meet His Majesty in the back hall of the Imperial Palace. Perhaps His Majesty has a way to send you to the border system.”
—
Imperial Palace.
After listening to Qi Yao’s description, Dai Na couldn’t help but frown.
Yi Er is too bold. With this situation, he still applied to go to the border system. He’s practically disregarding his own life!
But now, we can’t recall Yi Er.
Dai Na is also in a dilemma.
“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go discuss with His Majesty,” Daina said after careful consideration. He left Qi Yao aside and went to discuss countermeasures with Si Niya.
After explaining Yi Er’s situation, Si Niya also sternly reprimanded Yi Er upon hearing it: “These past few days when he reported to me, I felt something was off. So, it’s because his second molting is approaching. Why didn’t he tell me?”
Dai Na sighed, “Don’t you know his temperament? If it weren’t for you and me forcing him to marry, he wouldn’t have gone on those blind dates.”
Recalling the scene where Yi Er agreed outwardly but forgot about the matchmaking list behind his back, Si Niya couldn’t help but complain, “He can’t just be a quiet and obedient female. I don’t know whose temperament he’s following!”
Si Niya often said such things to Dai Na, who had become immune to it and automatically ignored it. Worried, Dai Na said, “Your Majesty, if I want to recall him now…”
Feeling too selfish halfway through, he changed his proposal, “Your Majesty, why don’t you order me to go to the border system to replace Yi Er in battle?”
“You?” Si Niya was surprised and promptly refused, “No!”
Dai Na said, “I’ve heard about the situation in the border system. Glassy sent their female eldest from the royal family, Gatt, over, and Ais’s abilities are not enough. Yi Er’s situation is special. If you send me over, I believe it will greatly boost our army’s morale.”
Si Niya disagreed, “Since we got married, you’re no longer a military female.”
“But I still remember how to fight.”
With bright eyes, Dai Na insisted, “Your Majesty, if Yi Er has an emergency, Gatt will surely take action. As the former commander of the Second Military District, for the peace of the border system, I implore Your Majesty to let me go into battle.”
Dai Na’s eyes, three parts firm and seven parts pleading, made Si Niya vaguely remember how long it had been since he had seen this side of Dai Na.
Like most military females in the Empire, shortly after their marriage, Dai Na returned home from the military district.
Dai Na, who became his queen, was gentle, courteous, humble, and kind, obedient to him in everything, never defying him, except when it came to Yi Er.
Under such a gaze, Si Niya found it difficult not to agree with Dai Na.
His tone softened, “Just this once.”
With permission granted, Dai Na thanked Si Niya devoutly, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Qi Yao waited for a long time, but Dai Na didn’t come out. He kept worrying, considering if Dai Na couldn’t find a way to send him to Yi Er, he would go to seek help from Nos or Russell. As a last resort, he would take Yi Er’s aircraft and drive himself to the border.
He wouldn’t leave Yi Er unattended.
An hour later, Dai Na came out.
Dai Na announced happily, “His Highness has agreed. I will personally take you to the border system.”