Han Yan always harbored too many thoughts in his heart, and these thoughts were often unrelated to human warmth. In most cases, they were intricately tied to personal interests. For instance, what he was contemplating at the moment wasn’t how to return to Earth or the sudden appearance of a “father” and “brother” outside, but rather the benefits that would come from weighing the pros and cons of marrying the Eighth Prince.
Han Yan paced slowly by the window, his leather shoes landing silently as he calmly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages.
In Salaranfa, the rare male zergs mandate a compulsory pairing for every male zerg once they reach maturity—a strict requirement imposed by the Empire. In other words, even if Han Yan chooses not to marry the Eighth Prince, he will still be forcibly matched with a stranger female zerg as his monarch, following the imperial decree.
Refusing the arranged marriage would incur the wrath of the royal family, leading to endless troubles.
Accepting the union, on the other hand, would make him a member of the imperial family, exempting him from a substantial debt and granting him permanent settlement on a first-class star. Furthermore, it would provide him with countless resources and privileges.
Since he has to marry anyway, why not choose the side with greater advantages?
Han Yan’s choice is unquestionable. He never forces a change in the rules; he only exploits them.
The only uncertainty lies in the nature and appearance of the Eighth Prince. Information about him on the StarNet is scarce, and Han Yan has only heard that he sustained injuries in his early years on the battlefield, resulting in a limp in his right leg. Because of this, he has faced repeated rejection in noble marriages.
Limp in his right leg…
A cripple…
Han Yan came to a slow halt by the window, gazing at the endless surge of night outside. He repeatedly chewed on these few words, unsure of the meaning they conveyed, ultimately smiling.
Han Yan discovered an interesting point: whether on Earth or in Salaranfa, those with physical impairments could never escape the peculiar looks and treatment from the outside world.
Humans and zergs alike…
The evening breeze dispersed the dark clouds, and a light mist gradually obscured the moon. Through the gaps in the clouds, a few strands of cool light leaked out. Han Yan lightly brushed his fingertips along the window sill, thinking that there could be countless different countries and races in the world, and the sun and moon should be truly unique.
But this question seemed too profound for him at the moment. He could delve into it slowly later. It was getting late, and he needed to rest.
In the following days, Han Yan worked hard to adapt to this unfamiliar world. In contrast, Admon and Johnny seemed to struggle with the presence of Han Yan, whose intelligence was evidently beyond their comprehension.
“Praise the Zerg God, I’ve never heard that crashing a spacecraft can fix someone’s brain. Can we crash Ashya back to how he was?”
Johnny sat next to the dining table, staring blankly at the dark and mushy can of meat on his plate. His stomach, unable to contain itself, began to churn. After consuming fast-food cans for two weeks straight, the sight of something like this triggered an involuntary physical aversion.
Admon, his face also turning green, found the distasteful flavor torturous for a male zerg used to a life of luxury. “What nonsense are you talking about? Ashya has finally become intelligent; we should be happy about it!”
Johnny smirked, “Only a fool can be happy about this.”
At that moment, Han Yan had just returned from his morning exercises outside. Upon entering, he overheard Johnny and Admon murmuring to each other. Nonchalantly shutting the door behind him, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
Startled, Johnny and Admon hastily waved their hands, shaking their heads, “Nothing, nothing.”
Han Yan glanced at them, said nothing, and it remained unclear whether he believed them or not. He had initially intended to go upstairs to change clothes, but something crossed his mind. He took a couple of steps, then turned back to the table, saying, “Oh, by the way—”
Johnny and Admon instinctively sat up straight, “What?!”
They were extremely tense, thinking that Han Yan was about to issue some new “Cruelty-Free Zerg Rules” or give them some commanding orders.
However, Han Yan simply tossed a star card onto the table, breaking the tradition by delivering some good news, “Inside is this month’s imperial subsidy. Starting today, you don’t have to eat fast food anymore. From now on, take turns buying groceries and cooking.”
Johnny’s eyelid twitched, and an ominous premonition crept over him, “Buying groceries and cooking?”
Han Yan nodded, “I’ve calculated it. After deducting utilities and rent, the subsidy inside is only enough for about ten days of takeout. However, if you buy groceries and cook, it can sustain a normal diet for thirty days.”
Admon, surprised, remarked, “But we don’t know how to cook!”
Han Yan replied, “Learn.”
Johnny angrily slammed the table, “Cooking is a female zerg’s job. Where in Salaranfa would you find a male zerg buying groceries and cooking?! I’d rather starve than cook!”
Han Yan calmly stated, “Then starve.”
Han Yan’s responses were always straightforward. He had already arranged the collective food expenses and the plan. Whether they followed through or not was not his concern; after all, it wouldn’t be himself starving.
After delivering his statement, Han Yan checked the time, then turned and headed upstairs. As he left, he dropped a casual remark, “I’ll be attending a banquet at the palace this afternoon. I won’t be home for dinner. Figure out between the two of you who’s cooking, draw lots or something.”
“Bang!”
Johnny and Admon literally fell off their chairs in surprise.
After returning to his room, Han Yan instinctively logged into the StarNet to check if the items he had listed for sale had found buyers. To his satisfaction, a wealthy individual had successfully bid on Johnny’s limited edition deluxe gaming card set, and Admon’s luxury leather bag and watch had also been sold. Essentially, everything had been sold.
These items were already out of circulation in the market, with a dedicated group of collectors. Additionally, Han Yan’s product images were well-crafted, and he had included official records from the store to certify their authenticity. For those who purchased the entire series, he even included a small gift. Among similar products, his sales figures were nearly the highest.
Currently, Han Yan’s account had accumulated a liquid capital of 18 million star coins.
Perhaps Han Yan should use this money to pay off his debts, but he was always adept at maximizing his gains. If he repaid the debts, the money would vanish, but if he invested it in a business, he could potentially reap manifold returns.
As for what business to pursue…
Han Yan hadn’t decided yet. He needed to carefully evaluate his options.
In the afternoon, Han Yan packed and boxed the last batch of luxury items sold, stuffing a bunch of toys as gifts. After finishing up his tasks, and seeing that time was ticking away, he returned to his room to shower, change into fresh clothes, and get ready to attend the banquet.
Salaranfa was a monarchy, meaning one’s life was not entirely in their own hands but rather in the hands of the Zerg Emperor.
Although the status of male zergs was exceptionally esteemed, Han Yan wouldn’t gamble with his own life. After finishing his shower, he emerged from the bathroom and carefully selected a white formal suit from the wardrobe. He then examined himself in the mirror—
It fit well enough.
After a period of training, Han Yan’s originally slender figure had undergone some noticeable changes. He wasn’t excessively muscular nor overly thin; everything was just right. He used a towel to dry the water marks from his hair, then changed into the formal suit. He adorned a silver-gray tie, mirroring his whole demeanor—precise with a touch of aloofness.
The man in the mirror had a refined appearance, concealing all ambitious intentions behind the glass. Onlookers could only see a faint smile at the corners of his lips, and a slight lapse in attention might lead one into a trap.
And now, Han Yan was about to engage in a significant business deal…
The banquet was held at Windsor Palace, the most prestigious venue in the entire imperial capital, symbolizing supreme royal authority. It was said to be the annual celebration hosted by the military, with generals and commanders from stationed planets rushing in to attend, making the occasion truly grand.
Lord Yechi served as the internal affairs official by the Zerg Emperor’s side, required to stay close to the monarch at all times. As the guests began to enter the hall one by one, he instinctively glanced at the dance floor. Then, with a slight bow, he inquired, “Your Majesty, will I need to go down to greet the eldest son of the Admon family, who is attending the banquet today?”
At that moment, the Zerg Emperor stood on the second-floor balcony, overlooking the grand banquet hall below. Despite being over a hundred years old, he was still in his prime, given the extended lifespan of the Zerg Race. He tapped the ornate railing with his fingertips, showing no discernible emotion as he asked, “Is Admon’s eldest son attending the banquet alone?”
Lord Yechi nodded, “Yes.”
The Zerg Emperor remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, as if he sighed inwardly. “I heard he’s naturally foolish. Go down and greet him. If all goes as expected, Gaien’s prospective spouse is that male zerg from the Admon family. His mating period cannot be delayed any longer.”
Lord Yechi seemed aware of this outcome and showed no surprise. “Shall I bring him upstairs, Your Majesty?”
The Zerg Emperor shook his head slightly, not giving an immediate answer. “Let’s see first.”
After saying that, he seemed to recall something else and asked, “And Gaien?”
Lord Yechi hesitated for a moment, “The Eighth Prince should be in his room. He has never liked such occasions and rarely makes appearances.”
The Zerg Emperor spoke with finality, “He will come out. In any case, Gaien should see what his future partner looks like.”
At the far end of the second-floor corridor, there was a lounge. Despite being just a wall away, it effectively separated the sounds of music and laughter from the outside. It felt like a magnificent tomb, filled only with silence and desolation in the air.
When Lord Yechi entered, he found the Eighth Prince Gaien sitting alone. Most of his figure was submerged in the shadows of the couch, with darkness creeping up from the floor to his legs, rendering him like a cold and lifeless statue.
Observing the scene, Lord Yechi instinctively lightened his steps, as if afraid to disturb something. He lowered his voice and asked, “Your Highness, the banquet has begun. Won’t you go out and take a look?”
The female zerg seated on the couch seemed to sense something, turning his head towards the direction of Yechi. His gaze was calm, resembling stagnant water, and the light above highlighted his delicate features. His face was beautiful but carried a sickly pallor. Emotionless, he countered, “Look at what?”
“Or do you wish for me to go down and dance?”
Gaien added after a brief pause, lightly patting his limp leg. His fingertips were similarly pale and slender, revealing the faint blue veins on the back of his hand. Lazily lowering his gaze, he said, “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. I don’t think I can dance.”
His eyelashes were incredibly thick, casting a shadow on his eyes when he looked down. They also concealed a small red mole beneath the outer corner of his eye.
Lord Yechi couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward at his words, accustomed to the Eighth Prince’s reclusive and unpredictable nature. “The other princes are all outside. It might not be good if you’re absent.”
Gaien remained unmoved. His face still carried a youthful appearance, but his eyes seemed eternally shrouded in an impenetrable inkiness, like an endless stretch of overcast and damp days that made one uncomfortable. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been absent,” he replied, his voice faint, gradually fading into the air.
However, Lord Yechi continued, “It’s different this time, Your Highness. The eldest son of the Admon family will be here. If things go as expected… he will be engaged to you.”
Rumors about Ashya’s foolishness had long circulated throughout the imperial capital. Especially after Lord Yechi and his attendants visited, Han Yan’s face smeared with thick ointment, inexplicably news spread about his disfigurement.
A foolish, ugly idiot—that was how the outside world perceived Han Yan.
Gaien, being in the imperial capital, couldn’t have remained unaware. Upon hearing this, he slowly moved his somewhat numb right leg, pondering something. After a moment, he lowered his gaze and chuckled softly, “Quite fitting. I heard he’s a fool, a good match for a cripple like me…”
He neither showed surprise nor anger, merely calmly accepting the fate that belonged to him.
Lord Yechi hesitated to speak but was halted by Gaien’s raised hand. The Eighth Prince spoke emotionlessly, “Understood. I’ll come down in a while.”
Observing this, Lord Yechi quietly exited the room and closed the door behind him. He glanced at the terminal on his wrist and received a sudden message from the welcoming attendant at the palace entrance, stating that the eldest son of the Admon family had arrived on a spacecraft. He hurriedly descended the stairs to greet the newcomer.
On the other side, Han Yan had already arrived at the entrance of the palace. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, presenting a refined and restrained appearance that starkly contrasted with his previous image. His white suit was immaculate, standing out prominently among the flamboyantly dressed guests.
Many female zergs couldn’t help but blush and stare at him, yet not a single one could recognize him.
Lord Yechi stood at the palace entrance, staring blankly for a while. Finally, he relied on those gray-blue eyes to recognize Han Yan. He quickly approached and asked, “Is it Your Excellency Ashya?”
Han Yan recognized the female zerg in front of him, who had visited him in the hospital before. He nodded slightly and, with courtesy, accurately called out the name, “Lord Yechi, long time no see.”
Upon hearing this, Lord Yechi was once again stunned, wondering how the Admon family’s son suddenly became sensible. Did the impact of the spacecraft somehow fix his brain?
Lord Yechi was full of doubts, but he knew it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask directly. He discreetly observed the elegant man in front of him, a momentary admiration flashing in his eyes. Quickly regaining composure, he smiled and ushered him into the hall, saying, “It seems that your recovery is complete. Congratulations. Why didn’t His Excellency Admon accompany you?”
Han Yan smiled faintly, “I apologize; he has some business and couldn’t make it.”
Author’s note:
Admon: Having a meal, do not disturb!
![He Lived Like You [End of the World]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HLLY.jpg "He Lived Like You [End of the World]")
