LIGHTNOVELONLINE 40
Chapter 40: I still owe my Lord.
An impromptu family gathering ended in this manner.
Qi Yao grabbed his clothes and caught up with Yi Er. Neither of them spoke a word as they walked in tacit agreement towards where the spacecraft was parked.
The meteor shower had already come to an end, leaving only the scenery of the rose garden on the quiet asteroid.
The night breeze cooled the rose petals, sending the crisp floral fragrance into their nostrils, refreshing and fragrant.
“Ah-choo!” Qi Yao couldn’t help but sneeze.
Startled by the sound, Yi Er withdrew from his troubled emotions and turned around to see Qi Yao behind him, holding his thermal suit and his coat draped over his arm, rubbing his nose.
He frowned, took the thermal suit from Qi Yao’s arm, and skillfully draped it over Qi Yao’s body, while Qi Yao returned his coat to him.
Closing his eyes, Yi Er asked, “Was what I said just now too harsh?”
Qi Yao lowered his head and replied seriously.
“Somewhat,”
“You never know how you exist in my heart.” He repeated what Yi Er had said.
When he raised his head again, his eyes flickered, “Perhaps when you left with that sentence, your father would start to think about what kind of existence he is in your heart.”
Yi Er pursed his lips into a thin line: “He won’t know.”
Qi Yao reassured him, “Yes, he doesn’t know that you once regarded him as a role model, or that you missed him with roses.”
Qi Yao continued, “But he has you in his heart. Look, he even made fruit-flavored cookies for you.”
“I haven’t eaten fruit for a long time. I stopped eating it when he was still around.”
“But you’re eating cookies.”
“…” Yi Er was speechless.
Tonight they were destined to sleep in the spacecraft again, with both of them meaning to relax and walking side by side.
Back in the spacecraft, Yi Er took out the food prepared for them by Xiao En, found some simple compressed food and energy supplements, and put them in front of Qi Yao: “Tonight, you will have to make do with this, my Lord.”
Without the warm and affectionate dinner full of paternal love, nor the warm and soft bed in the estate, there was only the cold resting cabin and the simple reserve food, which was their final comfort for tonight.
Qi Yao didn’t mind sleeping anywhere or eating anything to fill his stomach. He glanced thoughtfully at Yi Er’s abdomen, then took some of the food Yi Er usually ate less of and left the nutritious liquid and tasty food for him.
Yi Er: “?”
Qi Yao said, “I noticed that you only took a sip of wine at the dinner table, so you should eat a little more.”
As he spoke, Qi Yao’s heart suddenly jumped.
Wine!!!
He felt that something was wrong. So, it was because of the wine!
His terrible slow reaction!
Could Yi Er drink wine now???
What if he was really pregnant? Wouldn’t that have a big impact?!
How much did he drink?
If he remembered correctly, it seemed like he only took a sip?
Oh, God!
How careless he was as a Male Lord! He actually allowed the Lady to drink wine when he might be pregnant!
Qi Yao suddenly felt uneasy and quickly put down the food in his hand, rushed into the spacecraft, and took out the terminal to search the Star Network: [What are the effects of pregnant females drinking alcohol?]
Fortunately, there was a signal here, although the page was loading very slowly, there was still hope for it to come out.
Qi Yao anxiously waited, praying silently that it wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.
Meteor, meteor, are you still there… I wonder if it’s too late to make another wish now?
Come on, come on…
Qi Yao curled up into a ball, murmuring to himself not to let anything happen to the eggs, waiting anxiously for the page to load.
Finally, it loaded. Qi Yao widened his eyes and saw it, indeed!
Can’t drink alcohol, malformation, threatened abortion…
Every entry was accompanied by these terrifying words, they rushed into Qi Yao’s eyes recklessly, and Qi Yao’s mind buzzed, his eyes went dark, and his body collapsed, thinking: It’s over. What use am I as a Lord?
He was heartbroken and blamed himself very much, blaming himself for being careless.
Yi Er was already in a bad mood, adding another blow like this, could he bear it?
He now wished he could turn back time to the dinner table and stop Yi Er from raising his glass, so as to avoid the tragedy in his belly…
“What are the effects of pregnant females drinking alcohol…?”
Suddenly, a greeting came from behind, scaring Qi Yao into a flurry as he hurriedly turned off the terminal.
Yi Er watched his movements calmly and said indifferently, “Pregnant females indeed cannot drink alcohol.”
Still startled by the scare, Qi Yao’s heart pounded as he now knew he would always remember not to smoke in the future!
Yi Er calmly finished his words, “Why are you checking on this?”
“……?”
Once again, Qi Yao’s eyes unconsciously glanced at Yi Er’s abdomen, which was flat. Because he wasn’t wearing a coat, his loose shirt hung down when he leaned over, revealing the contours of his abdominal muscles through the slightly open collar.
Yi Er was too calm.
Since he knew that pregnant females couldn’t drink alcohol, why did Yi Er still drink?
Just as he was about to ask, Yi Er beat him to it: “Who’s expecting eggs? My female father?”
So far, Qi Yao had only seen Darren as a female zerg, so Yi Er naturally thought of Darren.
Qi Yao, still shaken by his scare, hurriedly explained, “No, how could it be your female father?”
“Who is it?”
Qi Yao’s heart was in a mess. It was already this time, and Yi Er still didn’t say anything. He might as well take the initiative to speak up to avoid misunderstandings. He also didn’t want Yi Er to keep thinking of surprising him until now. He couldn’t handle surprises turning into scares when he wasn’t paying attention. He would feel guilty and wouldn’t be able to sleep well day and night.
Without hesitation, Qi Yao looked up at Yi Er with a reproachful expression. “Yi Er, are you still pretending with me? How long are you going to hide things from me? We are legally married, and I am not that kind of irresponsible creature…”
“What?”
“What what? I’m worried about you. Just now, at your female father’s place, you drank wine, didn’t you? It’s my fault for not paying attention. Knowing you were like this, I still didn’t stop you. I’m not a responsible Lord.”
With a hint of self-blame in his eyes, he continued, “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gone on vacation. Let’s go back and check to see if there are any problems.”
It dawned on Yi Er at this point that the pregnant female Qi Yao was referring to was himself.
What a big misunderstanding!
He grabbed Qi Yao’s hand and placed it on his smooth abdomen, saying softly, “Feel it.”
Through the soft shirt, Qi Yao’s palm touched the slightly undulating muscles. Qi Yao’s heart raced wildly, knowing that the eggs had just implanted and hadn’t formed yet, so he couldn’t feel anything.
Yi Er asked, “Can you feel it?”
Qi Yao replied, “Yes.”
Unable to contain himself, Yi Er let out a soft laugh, “You’re lying.”
“?”
Yi Er said, “Try again.”
Qi Yao lifted his shirt and placed both hands on Yi Er’s abdomen, feeling carefully.
Yi Er asked him again, “Can you feel it?”
Qi Yao thought to himself that Yi Er was too anxious. It had only been a few days, so it would be strange if there were any physical changes already. But in order not to disappoint Yi Er, he still earnestly said, “Yes, I can feel it.”
“Do you want to put your ear to listen, my Lord?”
“Okay!” Qi Yao obediently pressed his ear against Yi Er’s abdomen.
The strong heartbeat of Yi Er came through his belly, resonating through his chest cavity, and muffled words entered Qi Yao’s ears, pressed closely against Yi Er’s abdomen: “Can you hear it?”
“I can hear it.”
“What is it?”
“Your heartbeat, and the rumbling sound from your stomach.”
“Is there anything that shouldn’t be there?”
“?”
What shouldn’t be there?
Qi Yao withdrew from Yi Er’s abdomen, his eyes blinking with curiosity.
Yi Er sat down beside him and said, “I drank alcohol, but it’s okay.”
Qi Yao muttered, “I think one sip should be okay, but just to be safe, let’s go back and check.”
“It’s not because of that.”
“Hmm?”
Yi Er could tell that Qi Yao was very concerned about his belly. After all, since leaving home, Qi Yao had been watching his abdomen from time to time. At first, Yi Er didn’t understand, but after what just happened, he understood Qi Yao’s meaning very well.
But… without being pregnant, how could he explain it to him without disappointing him?
After much deliberation, it was better to be straightforward.
“My Lord, I’m not pregnant,” Yi Er said clearly, without any hesitation.
Qi Yao’s breath hitched. What did he hear?
Did Yi Er say it wrong? Was he lying? How could it be possible that he wasn’t? Xiao En had nodded! And they had clearly had so many times together, at least once it should have happened, right?
He struggled to speak, “But… I felt it…”
There was nothing there. How could he feel it?
Yi Er wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t show it on his face. He could only comfort Qi Yao, “It will happen in the future, and you will be able to feel it.”
“In the future…?” Qi Yao hadn’t reacted yet, “What about now?”
Yi Er could only say, “Not now.”
Qi Yao didn’t believe it, “Not now? Then why did Xiao En nod that night at home?”
Qi Yao asked very seriously, looking like a male who had just lost his offspring. He realized that the male might really believe it. Yi Er hesitated for a moment and then honestly admitted, “Xiao En was just giving me a reassuring signal.”
“Reassuring? Reassuring of what?”
“…”
“Not pregnant, and you’re reassured?”
“…”
Qi Yao kept asking, “Where did the eggs go?”
Qi Yao probably didn’t know that Yi Er always cleaned those things out in time. Yi Er panicked. How could he explain it to make Qi Yao calm down?
Qi Yao couldn’t possibly stay calm. “Yi Er, do you not… want to have my eggs?”
“My Lord, I…”
“We’ve been on the Stardust for so many days, and we’ve had several times later. Both of us are susceptible to pregnancy. How could we not have eggs?”
Yi Er was rendered speechless by the retort.
Qi Yao’s heart shattered. “I understand now. We’re just in a marriage of convenience. No wonder it’s so hard to raise your favorability level. It’s all one-sided on my part! After so many attempts, none of them worked. Even after reaching level 88, I still couldn’t get a single egg from you!”
“…”
Qi Yao was babbling something incoherent, and Yi Er couldn’t understand a word of it.
But he got some parts wrong. It wasn’t like that at all. Yi Er said, “No, you’re not one-sided, and we’re not entirely in a marriage of convenience.”
“No one-sidedness, no marriage of convenience, then why no eggs?” Qi Yao stubbornly pressed on.
Oh no, it circled back again.
Yi Er had to lower his head and explain, “Because I wasn’t prepared yet.”
“What preparation?”
Without getting an answer, Qi Yao wouldn’t give up.
A sense of guilt crawled up Yi Er’s spine. He had kept this matter from Qi Yao on his own initiative. He hadn’t expected Qi Yao to mind his contraceptive behavior so much. They had already met his female father. Maybe it was time to explain everything clearly now. Qi Yao could then understand what kind of creature he was.
If he was willing to accept this side of him, they could continue their marriage. If not, if he wanted a divorce… then so be it.
After organizing his thoughts, Yi Er whispered, “I don’t think I’m worthy of someone as good as you. I have a bad personality, and even zergs dislike me. At first, I married you just because I found you pleasing to the eye and wanted you to help me get through my second molting… And… as you saw today, my father is not only not a hero, but he also married a Glassian zerg… someone like me, despicable, selfish, a deserter’s son. The egg born in the future will all be like me…”
His voice grew lower as he spoke, until he had to concentrate to hear it clearly.
But Qi Yao’s heart trembled with each word. Just as Yi Er hadn’t realized he cared about the zerg way, Qi Yao hadn’t expected Yi Er to be so lacking in confidence.
“Yi Er, it’s not like that,” he said, looking at Yi Er. “There’s no one who’s unworthy of anyone, and no one is a deserter’s son. Not all zergs dislike you. At least, I like you.”
Yi Er’s eyes widened slightly.
“I wasn’t confident enough to think you fell in love with me at first sight,” Qi Yao continued. “Since you told me today that you married me for ulterior motives, then let me tell you too, I married you for a purpose, but it’s definitely not to climb the ranks of nobility.”
He held Yi Er’s hand. “Every zerg is responsible for the life they choose. You, me, your female father, we’re all the same. Your female father couldn’t have foreseen that when he bravely sacrificed himself, a wormhole would appear to save him. He survived in unexpected ways, and what he did afterward, we can’t intervene in.”
Qi Yao: “I know you’re upset that he didn’t come to you. Perhaps it’s because of Yao Li, whose identity seems complicated. He might have some secrets… But regardless of whether he has secrets or not, let’s see how he chooses in the future.”
“But Yi Er, being a deserter’s son or anything like that, that’s not for you to decide, and please don’t mention it again. What you can decide is only yourself. Everything you have now, you’ve earned it with your own hands and merits, without relying on your father at all. So just be the great hero you are, be the strong and steadfast peacekeeper of the empire.”
“As for things like being despicable or selfish, in my eyes, you have none of that. The you I know is confident, independent, and unique. Since the day you legally became my consort, we’ve been bound together. The preparations you mentioned aren’t just your responsibility; they’re ours together.”
As he spoke, Qi Yao felt something was off. Wasn’t he supposed to be angry? How did it turn into him comforting Yi Er instead?
Suddenly, Qi Yao stopped talking, and Yi Er looked over.
“?”
“?”
Qi Yao let go of Yi Er’s hand and summarized his words, “We did start with a marriage of convenience. After all this time together, I thought you would have some feelings for me at least.”
Yi Er paused for a long time before hesitantly saying, “I know, I can feel your sincerity.”
“Then why…?”
Yi Er asked, “Your purpose?”
“?”
“You just said you proposed to me for a purpose. What purpose? Why didn’t I see it?”
Qi Yao gritted his teeth and slapped his own mouth. His habit of speaking without filter, whether drunk or sober, always surfaced. “I was just saying whatever to appease you.”
“Still pretending?” Yi Er narrowed his eyes at him.
“You can tell sincerity from insincerity, can’t you? If you could tell I was acting, why ask?” Qi Yao avoided Yi Er’s probing gaze and continued to complain, “I haven’t even been mad at you for using contraception, and you’re bringing up old grudges. Do other lords allow their consorts to conceal contraception from them?”
Yi Er knew he was in the wrong and didn’t say a word, bowing his head.
Qi Yao muttered, “Forget it. I’m not that petty. Let’s call it even. I’ll forgive you for your bad mood today.”
Yi Er couldn’t help but laugh. He had thought Qi Yao would mind, leading to a marriage crisis, but apparently not. Qi Yao was still his legally certified lord, firm and unwavering.
Feeling reassured, he involuntarily leaned over and grabbed Qi Yao’s hand, placing it on his abdomen again.
Qi Yao, puzzled, tried to pull his hand away. “But there are no eggs, right?”
Yi Er didn’t let go. “There will be.”
“Oh.” Qi Yao made a nonchalant sound and tried again to retract his hand.
Yi Er not only didn’t let go but also pressed tighter. “Lord, I’m feeling bad.”
Qi Yao, annoyed, said, “I’ve already comforted you.”
Ignoring him completely, Yi Er unbuttoned his shirt and said, “Does the Lord know how other zerg couples spend their honeymoon?”
“I don’t know, and I’m not interested.”
Yi Er continued, “They find a secluded place and do only one thing.”
“…Mating?”
A tantalizing smile played at Yi Er’s lips. “Lord, shall we follow the crowd for once?”
“…No.”
“I still owe Lord an egg.”
Qi Yao lay down, turned over, indicating he was still angry. “Then let’s leave it for now. Your lord is tired today, or rather, your lord can’t do it.”
“It’s okay, Lord. I can handle it myself.”
Qi Yao ignored him. “I’m going to sleep.”
Yi Er took off his shirt and tossed it aside, releasing his pheromones. “But, Lord, it’s my estrus, and the Lord doesn’t allow me to use suppressants…”
“You’re being unreasonable. It’s not time yet…”
The rest of his words were sealed by the lips that descended upon him, and then Qi Yao felt a warm current, once again feeling like a fish on a chopping board, completely unable to resist.