When Tong Sui finally met Bai Xingluo, he realized that perhaps he had just found his true faith.
A belief uniquely his, and the only one.
Meanwhile, the audience on StarNet who were watching the live broadcast commented:
[I came to see a show, why am I being fed a mouthful of dog food? I’m about to choke!]
[Does such a gentle male insect really exist? Wuwuwu, I’m so jealous! Lord Tong Sui, I shout ‘male lord’ super loud, could you think about me?]
[Lord Lu Ting, I’m sorry, but I declare that I have a new crush! Lord Tong Sui, I want to lay insect eggs for you!!]
[In one minute, I want all the information on this male insect!]
[Haven’t you ever seen a male insect? Each one is so eager. This guy looks like a weakling; his mental power probably isn’t that high.]
[The ones in front must be going sour; it’s not that they haven’t seen male insects, but they haven’t seen such a polite and beautiful one. If you’re not convinced, why don’t you post your picture for everyone to admire?]
Chief Judge Bront drafted a new release document and handed it to Tong Sui.
“Lord Tong Sui, although according to interstellar laws, we cannot judge your personal property, for the sake of fairness, we will periodically assess the marriage status of the two of you in various forms.”
Tong Sui was a bit confused. “Assess?”
He thought that after smoothly registering their marriage and rescuing him, that would be it.
What more could there be?
Chief Judge Bront said, “Of course, we will conduct these assessments without affecting your life. Or do you have other plans?”
Tong Sui, struck by the question, thought, “……”
After all, building an intimate relationship with a stranger in such a short time was unrealistic.
He had indeed considered that afterwards, they might maintain a nominal spousal relationship while continuing their separate lives.
Now it seemed that his thoughts had fallen through.
Tong Sui took the release document and pulled Bai Xingluo’s fingers with his other hand.
Under the surprised and bewildered gaze of the other party, he intertwined their fingers and smiled brightly and sweetly, saying, “Rest assured, Chief Judge, we will live happily.”
The other insects present watched them leave, astonished and frozen in place.
“Who exactly is Lord Tong Sui? He is so bold, actually daring to hold General Bai Xingluo’s hand.”
“Does his mental power really only rank as D?”
“Lord Bront, should we send a rescue starship to follow them, just in case?”
****
The author has something to say:
The insects: Shocked and panicked, why am I feeling a bit jealous? Also, does Sui Sui really not like pretty bags?
Tong Sui: “……”
I mean, who can refuse a sweet and charming male lord?
****
After leaving the tribunal, Tong Sui confirmed with the system that no one was observing them before he let go of the hand he had been holding all along.
“I’m sorry, General Bai Xingluo. I took your hand without your consent just now; I wanted to appear more genuine in front of the other insects.”
Tong Sui took a step back, distancing themselves, and his tone became more polite and detached.
Bai Xingluo’s eyes darkened as if he had fallen from a high cloud, shattering all his unrealistic beautiful dreams and leaving him in a dishevelled state, with no time to pull away.
Bai Xingluo took a deep breath, trying not to reveal his true feelings, and calmly asked, “Who sent you to rescue me?”
The number of male insects was already scarce, and the timing of Tong Sui’s appearance felt too coincidental.
If he truly admired him, why wait until now to appear? This was clearly a means used to rescue him under duress.
Bai Xingluo could figure this out; he just did not want to believe it.
From the moment he agreed to let Tong Sui become his male lord, it was equivalent to giving himself entirely away.
Legally, he had lost his independent citizenship rights and became Tong Sui’s personal property.
The empire had no right to judge a male insect’s personal property; correspondingly, a male insect could even decide the life and death of female lords and female attendants without facing punishment.
Bai Xingluo did not fear death; he could only hope that the person behind his rescue would not ask him to do anything against the interests of the empire.
This was his only bottom line.
When Bai Xingluo interrogated Tong Sui, the latter momentarily panicked.
In his mind, he confirmed with the system again.
The system was a higher-dimensional existence, and Bai Xingluo in this world could not perceive the system attached to him, which reassured Tong Sui.
“Rest assured, no one sent me; I truly came to save you.”
Tong Sui said sincerely, “You have contributed so much to the empire, and I admire you. I just feel that you shouldn’t be punished so harshly.”
“If, if you really mind…”
Tong Sui said, furrowing his brow, considering how to navigate the assessment of the tribunal while making both of them comfortable.
“I don’t mind,” Bai Xingluo replied. “You don’t have to consider my feelings. I am very fortunate to be saved by you in this way; it is the greatest luck bestowed upon me by heaven.”
He did not even consider whether there was any deception in Tong Sui’s words; as long as it came from the other party’s mouth, he was willing to accept everything.
Hearing Bai Xingluo’s frank and warm expression made Tong Sui blush even more; his ears, hidden beneath his bangs, felt hot.
“It’s not safe outside; let’s talk about it when we get back.”
“Okay.”
Tong Sui did not have a private means of transportation, so they took a public starship.
His current rental home was located in the suburbs, far from the centre of the imperial planet.