Wanderer of the Zerg

Chapter 26: Reunion

Ellis didn’t even know how he managed to relay the news to the soldiers. The surviving warriors, unaware of the true reason, were thrilled to finally go home. Ellis could only manage a bitter smile as he looked at their faces, darkened by dust and sun.

Before leaving, Ellis went to the military doctor to get stomach medicine. His stress-induced stomach condition still required these antacid tablets.

The stomach issues started in his teenage years when he faced frequent bullying at school. Some tall, burly seniors, with nothing better to do, would bully younger students. Those with parents could report it, but an orphan like Ellis, who boarded at school and had mediocre grades, was ignored. Ellis had to endure it silently.

The school was public, and most teachers were submissive females who preferred to avoid trouble, often turning a blind eye. The bullying finally came to light only when the bullies unknowingly picked on a young noble, but by then, Ellis had already graduated from middle school.

Since then, Ellis’s stomach would cramp in anger. He always thought everyone experienced the same and didn’t pay much attention. When he vomited blood, the military doctor diagnosed it as acute stomach bleeding and advised rest, avoiding smoking and alcohol, eating small frequent meals, and staying in a good mood.

However, Ellis broke every rule. The young, kind-hearted military doctor would always lecture him extensively after giving him medicine, making Ellis dizzy and reluctant to admit his lapses.

To avoid the doctor’s nagging, Ellis offered to leave some of his personal military supplies as thanks. The young doctor, unaccustomed to receiving kindness, was both excited and nervous, asking repeatedly if there was more he could do. Ellis mentioned his persistent insomnia, and the doctor gave him a bottle of sleeping medicines cautioning it was a sleep aid. After thinking for a moment, he also handed over earplugs and an eye mask from his personal belongings, making Ellis laugh and cry at the same time. Ellis was good at giving but uncomfortable receiving kindness.

Preparing to return, Ellis realized his military supplies would be unused, yet he gained sincere kindness. Feeling indebted, he asked for the doctor’s contact number, promising to keep in touch once they returned to Zerg Star.

On the return journey, Ellis had no appetite for the meals provided on the airship. He resorted to using the chocolate he had saved during the battle, melting it in hot water. The hard chocolate softened quickly in the water, looking like boiling mud. It was unappetizing but better than waking up hungry. Ellis took his medication, put on his eye mask and earplugs, and fell asleep on a bed much softer than those in the camp.

Meanwhile, Xi Tian had been at home alone for over a month. Initially, he struggled with Ellis’s absence but soon adapted. The adjustment was not particularly painful. In the first few days, Xi Tian habitually checked his terminal for messages from Ellis. Eventually, he became more relaxed about it. Xi Tian thought leisurely that he hadn’t changed much from before.

During this period, perhaps due to the side effects of late metamorphosis, his senses became more acute, causing some inconveniences. For example, he could now discern the freshness of ingredients in takeout food, narrowing his options considerably. He also needed his water to be at a precise temperature, prompting him to buy a thermometer. Whereas before, he could drink coffee before bed without issue, now it kept him awake all night.

However, this heightened sensitivity had its advantages, notably an improved short-term memory. Still, for the homebound Xi Tian, this was of limited use.

One morning, Xi Tian received a call from the military hospital. Initially puzzled, he heard on the other end, “Do you know Ellis?”

“…Yes.” The official tone made Xi Tian hesitate, but he confirmed he knew Ellis.

“Captain Ellis is currently at the Siming Military District Hospital. Your contact information is listed as his emergency contact. Soldiers who have just returned home most desire to see the faces of their loved ones.”

“…How is he?”

“Captain Ellis is fine, please don’t worry. This call is part of the special care provided to returning soldiers. The government believes soldiers most long for the care of friends and family.”

“Okay, give me the address.”

Xi Tian felt puzzled but didn’t think much of it. He quickly packed and headed to the military district in his aircraft stored in the basement.

During the journey, Xi Tian pondered the strange situation. It was unusual for him to be summoned just to fulfill someone else’s wish. As a pampered male, he was rarely ordered around. This must be the downside of being engaged; even appearing in the emergency contact list, people didn’t know he was a male and treated him with a lack of respect.

Why didn’t they just get married initially?

Xi Tian felt a twinge of resentment toward his past self.

However, he understood that he couldn’t possibly get married immediately. Only by living together could they see if their future life would be harmonious, including their sexual life. That’s why he would sleep with the female in advance. He didn’t consider the implications of ‘trial marriage,’ like what if it didn’t work out or if the female got pregnant. He didn’t care.

His gender allowed him that privilege

Xi Tian entered the hospital room and saw Ellis lying in bed with an IV drip.

Ellis used to be robust before leaving, but now he looked lean. His skin had darkened considerably, with faint dark circles under his eyes, giving him a weary appearance.

As Xi Tian walked in, Ellis was operating a screen with his free hand, communicating with someone.

Seeing Xi Tian, Ellis quickly closed the screen, pulled up the blanket, and closed his eyes.

“Ellis?” Xi Tian inquired, walking to the bedside and sitting down.

Ellis was initially lying on his back but upon hearing Xi Tian’s voice, he turned to his side, facing away from Xi Tian.

“Ellis,” Xi Tian raised his voice slightly. Ellis’s exposed hand trembled where the IV was attached, then he pulled the blanket over his head.

“Ellis,” Xi Tian sighed, a hint of amusement in his smile.

Ellis now resembled a stubborn infant refusing to acknowledge his parents. Xi Tian didn’t feel offended; instead, he felt quite pleased.

Half a bottle of IV fluid had already been administered to Ellis’s cold fingers. Xi Tian’s warm hand covered them, soothing and tingling.

“Ellis~” Xi Tian leaned closer to Ellis’s covered ear, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I only found out when the hospital contacted me.”

“Meddlesome!” Ellis grumbled sullenly.

“You’re calling the hospital meddlesome, but who put my contact number in the emergency contacts?”

Xi Tian’s restless hand rose, gently avoiding the IV needle, caressing the limited skin.

“I filled it out wrong; I should’ve put my friend’s contact number,” Ellis’s right hand couldn’t resist wanting to clench into a fist but was firmly pressed down by Xi Tian.

“Whether you filled it out wrong or for some other reason, Ellis, from the moment I walked in until now, I’ve been completely baffled. You have to tell me why you’re ignoring me and snapping at me.”

Ellis suddenly threw off the blanket, frustrated. “You males are just so troublesome!”

“Why say ‘you males’? I’ve never heard you speak disrespectfully like this before.”

Ellis said stubbornly, “No reason!” his voice lowered considerably.

But he couldn’t see that behind him, Xi Tian wasn’t a bit angry but rather enjoying this moment.

Upon entering the room and seeing Ellis’s reaction, Xi Tian knew the female harbored anger. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and clearly, this anger wasn’t directed at him; he was just the target of displaced anger.

However, Ellis’s display of anger and frustration was oddly vivid, strangely attractive. It was like many unruly elders who enjoyed teasing little ones in various ways, making them cry loudly and then laughing heartily.

It was an inexplicable and obscure psychological state.

“Ellis!” Xi Tian raised his voice three notches, “I came all the way from home alone to be here, not to hear you say hurtful things like this.”

Ellis’s body trembled slightly. He knew he was venting his anger towards male soldiers in the army on the innocent Xi Tian. Already feeling insecure, upon hearing Xi Tian’s words, Ellis’s usual cautiousness towards males surfaced.

Ellis tried his best to curl up, even his right hand with the IV couldn’t help but move under the blanket.

The nasty little flame in Xi Tian’s heart extinguished with a plop. He made a helpless expression and continued, “I’m not blaming you for disrespecting me, nor am I angry with you. I came here because I miss you, because I like you.

I want to know what you’ve been through during our time apart.

I understand that you wouldn’t change like this without a reason.

You were fine before you left. Now, you’re lying in a hospital bed receiving glucose.”

Xi Tian lightly kissed Ellis’s cheek.

“Tell me whenever you’re ready to talk. I won’t judge.”

Xi Tian chuckled softly, “I really missed you.”

**Author’s note:**

Wanted to write a cold-hearted character, but it turned out a failure.