Wanderer of the Zerg

Chapter 42: Town Gathering Part 2

Ellis had read many posts in the gossip section of the emotional forum, detailing the myriad tricks and schemes females used to keep a male’s heart. The devious methods described in those posts often left Ellis astonished. If he were in such a situation, he felt he would be manipulated without even realizing it.

It wasn’t until he was dragged into this small club, composed of newly married females, that Ellis realized he had overthought things. Not all interactions among females were about scheming; many involved normal, friendly conversations.

The club members were quite young. The one with the longest marriage was the club’s founder, Binger Hull, who had been married for ten years. He said the club was meant for females to exchange experiences. Sitting next to Binger was Bill, who lit a cigarette with a look of impatience and scoffed, “It’s just because the old club wouldn’t let newcomers join that you started this new one in retaliation.”

Bill’s words made Binger’s face flush red, then pale, but he quickly regained his composure and changed the subject. Through the ensuing conversation, Ellis finally understood the real reason he had been brought here.

The town frequently saw new travelers from planets of varying statuses. The resident colonists clearly showed more enthusiasm towards visitors from higher-status planets. It was common for natives of Zerg Star to wear terminals on their wrists. Seeing Ellis’s male companion alone with him, they invited him over to seek advice on married life.

But what could Ellis say? Should he mention that his husband had cooked lunch that day and refused to let him work? Or that his husband initiated more intimate embraces than he did?

In this world, there are many people who know how to handle married life, but Ellis was certain he was not one of them. Even if his husband were here, he would surely speak better on the topic. Ellis had no special tips or secrets to share.

Surrounded by females, Ellis shook his head, unable to say anything. The females accused him of holding back, with Binger jokingly asking, “Are you looking down on us females from a second-tier planet?” Bill, sitting outside the circle with his legs crossed, smoking a thin mint cigarette and holding a glass of champagne, sneered, “He doesn’t want to talk, he’s unwilling to talk, he has nothing to say. Can’t you see that?” He then drained his glass.

Instantly, the previously joyful atmosphere became awkward. Someone attempted to smooth things over, saying, “Bill is just drunk.”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s talking nonsense. His husband is about to take a servant, so he’s in a bad mood.”

“You should cut him some slack…”

Somehow, the topic shifted to males taking concubines, and to Ellis’s surprise, everyone discussed it naturally, without any awkwardness. Among the club members, four were servants themselves, yet they chatted and laughed with the other females as if it were nothing.

On the Zerg Star forum, when females discussed males taking servantd, they often got furious, ready to take action against the servants.

Ellis’s doubts were evident as he saw another male approaching, holding an sub-female’s hand. He greeted Binger with a smile. Binger introduced them, “This is my husband, Heran. These are new residents, Ellis and his husband, tenants of Rutherford, from the capital of Zerg Star.” Binger emphasized the location.

Heran’s initial look of slight arrogance turned to one of acknowledgment as he nodded to Ellis before turning to leave.

Binger’s smile remained as he called after Heran, “Have fun~” to which Heran waved back.

Others chimed in, “You two really have a great relationship.”

“Yeah, as expected of a female lord, so graceful!”

“I still can’t control my emotions when I see my husband with someone else.”

Binger nodded with a smile, exuding charm and grace.

Ellis was full of questions. Seeing a female smile and wave as the husband left with someone else was something he couldn’t comprehend.

Soon, the conversation shifted to household chores, cooking, and childcare. On the topic of housekeeping, Ellis occasionally chimed in, his experience surpassing that of the others, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Spring evenings arrived later than those in winter, and though the air grew chilly without the sun’s warmth, it didn’t dampen the neighbors’ enthusiasm for the gathering.

The courtyard in front of the host’s house was lit by ground lanterns, casting warm yellow light. The house was brightly illuminated inside and out, and the females bustled about energetically.

Before sunset, the children, who had been playing wildly, were already hungry. Korawa handed out homemade bread and muffins brought by guests, reminding them to save room for the barbecue later.

Korawa’s house had only one grill, so the females borrowed two more from other houses. Someone had thought ahead and brought enough charcoal, skewers, and stainless steel grill sticks. Sub-females gathered around the grills, preparing sauces, chopping vegetables, and threading skewers in an orderly manner.

Xi Tian took the opportunity to catch his breath in a less crowded area while the young male children were off begging the sub-females for fruit.

He enjoyed socializing and having fun with everyone, but maintaining long conversations left him feeling drained.

The night air was a bit chilly, and though he had chosen to wear a thinner but stylish jacket for appearance’s sake, he felt cold now that everyone was outside. He rubbed his goosebumps in an attempt to warm himself, regretting his choice.

The courtyard lights cast a warmer glow than the pale moonlight. Among the busy crowd, Xi Tian easily spotted Ellis. It was a familiar sensation; no matter how many people were around, he could always locate Ellis quickly, as if by instinct.

Ellis was wearing only a shirt, his jacket left somewhere else. He was deftly cutting a large piece of meat into smaller chunks, which another sub-female then skewered. His lips moved as if conversing with someone nearby. Half of his face was illuminated by the soft yellow light, highlighting his sharp jawline and creating a pleasing interplay of light and shadow.

Xi Tian excelled at reasoning and self-analysis, but he still couldn’t understand why he had fallen for Ellis at first sight. He had pondered it many nights without finding an answer.

It felt as though Ellis was the missing part of him, making him feel complete upon their meeting.

Some things don’t require deep analysis. It was just the right moment, the right person, at the right time.

Xi Tian made his way toward Ellis, avoiding the lights and sticking to the shadows.

Passing by a tree, he heard low voices and occasional laughter.

It turned out some people were taking advantage of the night to hide in the shadows and share flirtatious whispers.

Recalling the blushing faces of the youngsters discussing their crushes, Xi Tian smiled silently. Looking at Ellis, that smile turned into a gentle breeze, rippling through the spring night.

Xi Tian quietly approached Ellis from behind. While Ellis was focused on his task, someone sitting opposite him by the grill was brushing sauce onto skewers, exchanging playful glances with the person next to them, their smile speaking volumes.

Xi Tian wrapped his arms around Ellis from behind, making the slightly sweaty Ellis shiver and stop what he was doing.

“You’re really busy, aren’t you? You’ve even forgotten about me.”

The onlookers gave them friendly glances. Ellis, drawn entirely by his mate’s cool touch, stood up from his seat, tightly pressing his lips together. He wrapped his hands around Xi Tian’s cold fingers and, without a word, led him inside.

The idle sub-female nearby immediately stepped in to take over his task.

The people in the courtyard marveled at the affection between the newlywed couple.

Ellis’ hands were warm and dry, and the heat steadily transferred to Xi Tian’s hands.

“Hey, what are you doing? I feel like a prisoner,” Xi Tian said with a slight tremble in his body that even he didn’t notice, though he still wore a smile.

Ellis found a camel-colored trench coat hanging on the coat rack in the living room and put it on Xi Tian.

Earlier that afternoon, Ellis had been too distracted to notice how thinly his mate was dressed. Now, feeling remorseful, he carefully buttoned each button on Xi Tian’s coat.

Ellis’ sleeves were longer than Xi Tian’s, covering part of his hands. On Ellis, the coat looked robust, but on Xi Tian, it appeared a bit too large.

“Your brows have been furrowed all afternoon,” Xi Tian said, reaching out to smooth the crease between Ellis’ eyebrows.

The cool touch moved gently over Ellis’ brow.

Ellis could no longer hold back his emotions and tightly embraced his mate. All his needless worries seemed insignificant at that moment.

Just like during previous times of unease, he repeatedly called out his mate’s name, and his mate responded to him each time.

His mate had never changed; what had changed was Ellis’ perception of him.

He thought his mate was simple, so he enjoyed being by his side.

He thought his mate was gentle, so he enjoyed his gentleness.

But when he thought his mate was knowledgeable, why did he fear it would create a distance between them?

His mate had never changed; only his thoughts about him had.

Then, as Ellis was lost in his thoughts, Xi Tian kissed him.

When they went back outside, the host and his sub-female husband were distributing trays of freshly grilled food—delicious meats, foil-wrapped fruits and vegetables, and even grilled marshmallows, which they had never tasted before.

The host’s child, little Louis, also carried a cartoon-decorated tray, serving food to his friends.

Korawa opened the wine Xi Tian had brought and poured it into wine glasses.

The boys, who had been sneaking fruit meant for grilling from the sub-female, now felt a bit shy and eagerly offered trays and glasses to the adults.

Shan Lai handed a tray to Ellis, “Here, this is for you.”

He winked at Xi Tian as he said this, leaving Ellis confused while Xi Tian laughed heartily.

“I told them earlier that my partner doesn’t like sweets. They didn’t believe me and insisted everyone likes sweets. Looks like there are a lot of sweet things on this tray.”

“It can’t all be sweet, right?”

Xi Tian picked up a small piece of grilled marshmallow from the corner of the tray. The overly sweet taste needed to be paired with bread to be more palatable.

Ellis grabbed a piece of grilled meat first, but quickly spat it out.

“Is it sweet?”

“No, it’s hot.”

Ellis hastily drank the wine in his glass to soothe his mouth, making Xi Tian laugh. Xi Tian then handed Ellis his own glass.

At that moment, the mate’s face was strikingly beautiful.

Ellis couldn’t help but smile.