The hotel is right on the second floor of the shopping mall where they just had dinner, and there happened to be the last couple’s suite available. Han Yan directly booked it. He settled the payment at the front desk and led Gaien towards the room. Throughout the process, his expression remained unchanged, and he remained calm, not seeming like someone who was here for the first time.
Gaien glanced at him subtly, “Have you been to a place like this before?”
Han Yan seemed to smile, “What do you think?”
Whether in his past life or in this life, Han Yan never had a penchant for places like this. However, he didn’t like to explain too much. Seeing that they had already reached the door of the room, he directly used the key card to open it. The moment he entered, he was immediately struck by the pink-themed decor inside.
The flamboyant aesthetics of the Zerg Race had never disappointed Han Yan. This couple’s suite was no exception; everything inside was in shades of pink, from the ceiling to the furniture, and even the smallest details like pillows and tea cups were not spared.
Han Yan, observing the scene, hesitated for a moment before walking in a few seconds later. Gaien, evidently surprised by the interior decor, hesitated as well and said, “My lord, how about we change to another room?”
Han Yan took off his coat and casually threw it on the sofa, loosening his tie with a lift of his hand. “This is the last available room.”
Implicit in his words was the fact that they either stayed here or had to go back home.
Gaien didn’t necessarily need to do anything with Han Yan; he simply wanted to spend some time alone with the male lord today, given the special occasion. Upon hearing Han Yan’s words, Gaien limped forward and neatly arranged the suit jacket that Han Yan had taken off. He whispered, “I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult spot.”
Han Yan, adaptable by nature, showed resilience, as evidenced by his ability to eat Johnny’s dog-like dark cuisine without changing his expression. Although the room’s decor was a bit garish, it was still within his acceptable range, and he remarked, “It’s alright, we’re only staying for one night anyway.”
After a day of work, Han Yan was a bit dusty. Without further ado, he went straight into the bathroom for a shower. Gaien, out of habit, first checked the security of the room, discarded the miscellaneous decorations, and finally walked to the window to pull down the curtains.
At that moment, his terminal brain suddenly “beeped” twice, indicating unread messages.
Gaien clicked to open and saw several anatomical diagrams of variant species sent by a colleague. Since the military cleared the origin stones, the intelligence department and the research institute had been closely monitoring changes within the forest. Surprisingly, they discovered that the contaminated variant species inside were gradually returning to normal.
They captured a few of the lowest-level variant species for dissection and experimentation. The test results had just been released, showing that the pollution levels within these variant species had decreased by more than half compared to before the removal of the source stones.
Leaning against the window, Gaien lowered his head and carefully went through the entire test report. Finally, he replied to his colleague with a message: [Self-purification.]
After the disappearance of the origin stones, these variant species were undergoing self-evolution. Perhaps in no time, the dense forest would return to normal.
The colleague quickly responded: [You guessed it right, but there’s an even more important discovery.]
Gaien inquired: [?]
Colleague: [It’s hard to explain briefly. You’ll find out when you come to the research institute.]
Han Yan emerged from the shower and noticed Gaien standing by the window, engaged in a conversation on his terminal. He lightly tapped the glass door with his fingers and asked casually, “Who are you chatting with?”
Gaien, brought back to attention by the question, instinctively closed the terminal. “My lord, it’s a colleague from the military.”
Han Yan didn’t press further. His semi-wet hair was slightly tousled, still dripping water. The ash-blue hue of his eyes seemed a bit lighter under the light, resembling a warm blue jade.
Seeing Han Yan in this state, Gaien’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat. He placed the terminal on the table, took off his military jacket, and turned to enter the bathroom for a shower. When he came out, he found Han Yan sitting casually on the edge of the bed, nonchalantly examining the pile of adult items that the hotel had provided.
They were also in shades of pink.
There were vibrating eggs, adult toys, and everything in between.
Gaien stood in place, his figure momentarily stiff. He wasn’t sure whether he should approach or stay put. However, Han Yan didn’t let him off the hook. In a low, melodic voice reminiscent of a cello playing, pleasing yet putting Gaien in a difficult spot, he asked, “Which one do you like?”
Gaien remained silent, “…”
Han Yan finally looked up at him, patting his own thigh, “Come here.”
Gaien slowly walked over and sat in his lap. After some hesitation, he asked, “Is it okay if I don’t choose?”
Han Yan, nonchalant, inquired, “Why?”
Gaien whispered, “I don’t like these things.”
Han Yan, still patient, asked, “Why not?”
For some reason, Gaien, for the first time, maintained an unprecedented silence.
Han Yan waited quietly for what felt like an eternity, not hearing Gaien’s response. The ash-blue eyes gazed at Gaien, and from this usually melancholic and handsome face, Han Yan saw a subtle hint of an imperceptible stubbornness. With a sweep of his fingertips, he directly threw all those miscellaneous items onto the floor.
Han Yan spoke calmly, “Then we won’t use these.”
He hadn’t really intended to use those items; earlier, he had just wanted to tease Gaien a bit. After speaking, he casually turned off the main light, leaving only a dim bedside lamp to observe Gaien’s reaction.
Knowing the habits of the male lord, Gaien, though feeling embarrassed, didn’t resist. He glanced at the chaotic pile on the floor and reluctantly reminded Han Yan in a muted voice, “My lord, you threw away the lubricant too.”
Han Yan, indifferent, lowered his gaze and kissed him, “It doesn’t matter. You won’t need it.”
They had never used such things before; the soaked bedsheets at home were the best proof.
Gaien’s entire body blushed deeply.
Han Yan was genuinely curious about one thing. Taking advantage of Gaien’s confusion, he slowly brushed aside the disheveled strands of hair in front of his eyes and asked in a deliberate manner, “Why don’t you like using those things?”
Gaien’s abdomen swelled uncomfortably, and he spoke with difficulty, “I don’t like… it.”
His red eyes, dampened by sweat, looked as if he had been crying, shattered yet poignant. “I’ve said… that place belongs only to you…”
And…
He took Han Yan’s hand and placed it on his lower abdomen, allowing him to feel it intimately. His eyes were tinged with red, and he trembled as he whispered, “There’s no room for anyone else…”
Han Yan remained silent, but judging from his actions as he kissed Gaien, it was evident that his possessiveness had been well satisfied.
Gaien’s military jacket was draped at the end of the bed. Unsure of what came over him, the female zerg, shivering, crawled a little distance towards it, struggling to reach and grasp the jacket. Han Yan, holding Gaien’s slender ankle, pulled him back, his voice low as he whispered in Gaien’s ear, “What do you want to do?”
This was the first time he encountered a situation where the female zerg seemed to want to “escape”.
Gaien, clutching the jacket, earnestly searched the pockets, finally pulling out a gift box about the size of his palm. Despite being somewhat miserable, he still managed to summon a smile for Han Yan and stuttered, “L-Lord… My lord… A Valentine’s Day gift for you…”
Han Yan paused in his actions, “A gift?”
Gaien held onto the gift box tightly, somewhat worried that Han Yan might not like it. His speech became smoother, though his throat remained raspy, “If you don’t like it, it’s okay to throw it away…”
Han Yan took the gift box, untied the ribbon, and opened it. Inside lay a string of simple sandalwood beads, similar to the one he had given Gaien before. He raised an eyebrow faintly, “A bracelet?”
Gaien nodded gently, “I’m sorry; I didn’t know what you’d like. This string of beads looked similar to the one you gave me, so I bought it…”
Perhaps, centuries ago, they originated from the same ancient tree.
Han Yan remained silent, slowly running his fingers over the cool string of beads in his hand, lost in thought. After a moment, he flipped the beads with his fingertips and wore the sandalwood bracelet on his wrist, saying, “I accept it.”
He didn’t say whether he liked it or not, but putting it on seemed to be the best confirmation.
Han Yan noticed there was another bulging object in Gaien’s military uniform pocket. He took it out and found it to be the blind box toy given by the restaurant today. He asked emotionlessly, “Do you like it?”
Gaien hesitated and nodded.
Han Yan remarked, “I have a whole set in my office.”
Gaien paused at his words, and he saw the male zerg’s gray-blue eyes quietly gazing at him. Han Yan repeated, with an ambiguous meaning, “I have a whole set in my office.”
It seemed like he was implying something, yet also hinting at something, but he refused to say it outright.
Gaien seemed to understand, hesitated for a moment, and slowly reached out to encircle Han Yan’s neck. He closed his eyes, burying his face in the male’s shoulder, and whispered, “Next time, can I come to your office upstairs?”
“Next time, I’ll definitely come up to find you…”
Han Yan responded to Gaien with a deep kiss, each one more intense than the last. Han Yan thought that this female zerg was as intelligent and understanding as ever, always able to grasp his intentions.
This night was somewhat different for them, yet it was hard to pinpoint where the difference lay. Perhaps it was because they both received the gifts they wanted, or perhaps it was the subtle changes in their hearts.
As the sun rose and set, it marked the beginning of a new day.
Gaien’s messages had never been wrong. When he mentioned yesterday that the Third Army had been ordered to withdraw to the main star, the two fathers were likely returning from the battlefield. Han Yan had thought it wouldn’t happen so soon. However, the next day, when he and Johnny returned home from work, just as they opened the door, they saw two unfamiliar female zergs in military uniforms sitting in the living room. Both halted their steps simultaneously.
“Ashya? Johnny?”
The two military zergs, upon seeing Han Yan and Johnny, instinctively stood up from the sofa, their expressions unable to hide their joy. One of the military female had blue hair and blue eyes, bearing a resemblance to Han Yan – likely Seris, Admon’s female monarch. The other military female had brown hair and golden eyes, with a robust figure – presumably Antar, the consort.
In just a few short seconds, Han Yan had already guessed the identity of the visitors. He walked forward, speaking softly to the two military females, “Dad, Uncle Antar, welcome home.”
Johnny, seeing his female father returning from the battlefield, couldn’t contain his joy. He instinctively wanted to rush forward and act spoiled, but upon seeing how calm and composed Han Yan was, he restrained himself, “Dad, Uncle Seris, when did you come back from the battlefield? Why didn’t you tell us in advance?”
While Seris had already learned everything about Han Yan through a phone call with Admon, seeing him in person was still somewhat surprising. The refined and sophisticated male zerg in a suit before him was vastly different from the image of the silly young zerg he remembered. Upon hearing Johnny’s words, he came back to his senses and said, “We just arrived home not long ago. We thought both you and Ashya were at home. Unexpectedly, my lord said you’ve been busy with business and have been staying at the company.”
Hearing this, Johnny subconsciously looked around, but he couldn’t spot Admon, “Where’s Father? Why didn’t I see him?”
Just as Seris was about to answer, Admon suddenly popped his head out from the kitchen, “I’m here. Go wash up; dinner will be ready soon.”
Admon, eager to show off his cooking skills to whoever came home, took the rare opportunity of both female zergs returning from the battlefield to personally cook and celebrate. Gaien, concerned that a single zerg might have trouble handling it, joined in to help. Soon, they brought out a table full of dishes.
Han Yan sat in the main seat on the right. Seeing Gaien coming out of the kitchen with utensils, he pulled out the chair beside him, gesturing for Gaien to sit, “Come, have a meal.”
Royal family relationships were often distant, and Gaien wasn’t sure how to interact with the female zergs at home. It was a bit awkward sitting on the sofa just now, so he found an excuse to hide in the kitchen and help. Now, seeing Han Yan finally returning, he opened a chair beside him and sat down as if he had found his backbone, “When did you come back?”
Han Yan replied, “Three minutes ago.”
Gaien didn’t ask further.
In his previous life, Han Yan was an orphan and similarly didn’t know how to interact with family. Admon and Johnny were usually extravagant, and he didn’t hesitate to clean up after them. Seris and Antar, however, were the more serious elders, and he refrained from being disrespectful.
During the meal, Han Yan maintained a polite and faint smile, responding to their occasional questions with varying degrees of engagement. In truth, he didn’t feel much during the entire meal.
Seris was initially worried that Han Yan might develop disgust for Gaien due to his disability. However, upon closer observation, he saw that they got along well, and he relaxed a bit. After all, this marriage was a royal decree from the Zerg Emperor, and Gaien was a prince. They should not show any neglect or disrespect in any way.
Seris picked up a piece of food and offered it to Han Yan, his eyes filled with concern, “It seems that Gaien is taking good care of you. I can rest assured now. Ashya, you must respect and cherish your monarch.”
Han Yan paused briefly at his words, then made a neutral acknowledgment sound.
Gaien politely set down his utensils and nodded towards Seris, “Thank you for your care. My lord is always good to me.”
Johnny chimed in, “Dad, Big Brother is usually very good to Gaien; you just can’t see it.”
Consort Antar, usually treating Johnny as a child, chuckled at his remark, “Ashya is not much older than you. He’s already married, why are you still idle?”
Johnny, unusually silent this time, bowed his head and ate quietly, not uttering a word.
Admon, not one to take hints, pressed on, “That’s right. You’re of the age to take a monarch. Have you met any female zerg that you like?”
“No,” Johnny replied, making an effort to focus on his meal, evidently uninterested in the topic. “Let’s talk about it after we’re done with the company matters.”
Han Yan, sensing something amiss, gave Johnny a subtle glance but chose not to say anything. He was accustomed to eating quickly and didn’t enjoy lingering at the table for idle chatter. Once he finished his meal, he left the table, citing business matters as an excuse to retire upstairs.
With a relatively crowded house today, it was not a comfortable environment for Han Yan, who preferred quietness. Upon returning to his room, he closed the door behind him, sat in front of the holocomputer to attend to official duties, but found himself somewhat distracted, lost in thought for a while.
As Gaien quietly pushed open the door, he found Han Yan sitting alone in a chair, smoking. Most of his figure was shrouded in the darkening room, only revealing a vague black silhouette. The sharp contours of the man’s profile were visible, and the sparse white smoke made him look elusive, like clouds in the sky, as if he might disappear at any moment.
Gaien, seemingly afraid of disturbing something, hobbled towards him. However, Han Yan suddenly extinguished the cigarette, not looking back, and asked, “Why not sit downstairs and chat with them? What are you doing up here?”
Han Yan felt that the room was cold and quiet, one should be preferring the warmth and noise downstairs. However, that warmth had nothing to do with him, so he didn’t want to get involved.
Upon hearing this, Gaien paused for a moment, then resumed his normal pace. He didn’t turn on the lights and, in the darkness, slowly approached Han Yan. Silently, he squeezed into the man’s arms and said, “I like being with you.”
Gaien finished speaking and reached out to embrace Han Yan. The male still carried a faint tobacco scent, which, surprisingly, wasn’t unpleasant. However, a subtle hint of loneliness lingered in the air. “I like being alone with you.”
Han Yan allowed him to sit in his lap without resisting. His fingertips gently caressed Gaien’s delicate cheek in the darkness. He casually asked, “Isn’t the lively atmosphere good?”
Gaien whispered, “Lively is good…”
But if Han Yan was absent, the liveliness wouldn’t be as enjoyable.
Han Yan seemed to grasp the unspoken words, offering a subtle quirk of his lips. However, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he slowly tightened his arms, allowing the presence of Gaien to fill the somewhat empty embrace. They stayed in silence for a while.
Han Yan casually continued the conversation with Gaien, “The residence granted by His Majesty is almost finished with the renovations. We can move in next week.”
Gaien nodded, “That’s good. It’s close to here, so it’ll be convenient to visit the Duke and the others regularly.”
Han Yan asked, “How’s Prince Pei recently?”
Gaien considered for a moment, “He’s the same as usual, just not venturing out much lately.”
Han Yan inquired further, “Does he not have a partner?”
Gaien shook his head, “No.”
Han Yan didn’t say anything more. After a moment, he lightly patted Gaien on the back, “Let’s go check if they finished dinner, and also, bring Johnny to my study. I have something to ask him.”
Although Gaien was somewhat puzzled by the request, he agreed and got up to leave the study. He went downstairs to find Johnny. At that moment, Johnny was standing on the balcony of the first floor, talking on the phone, seemingly dealing with some business. The teenager, who used to be known for playing games, seemed to have grown up. His reddish-brown hair was a bit tousled, but it added to his handsome and carefree appearance, making him quite a charming young man that could captivate anyone’s attention.
Gaien stood nearby, waiting silently until Johnny finished his call. He then approached calmly and informed, “The Lord summons you to his study.”
Johnny was slightly taken aback, “Ashya? Did he mention what it’s about?”
Gaien remained consistently silent, saying, “You’ll know once you go.”
Johnny responded with a contemplative silence.
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