He tightened his grip on the cotton swab, as if he were completely exposing himself and laying bare his lack of privacy before Tong Sui. He was terrified of having his inner thoughts seen through.
Soon, with a sharp crack, the stick broke in his hand under the pressure.
“…I didn’t mean to.”
Bai Xingluo hid the broken cotton swab in his palm, trying to conceal it and destroy the evidence. This was the second time he had acted violently in front of his magnificent lord. He was certain that Tong Sui would think of him as a rude and uncouth soldier, perhaps even harbouring some disdain for having saved him.
What if he thought he was just like those netizens on StarNet, deeming him a dangerous individual…?
“Oh, really?”
Tong Sui did not show any of the disdain he might have felt, but instead lowered his head and rummaged through the medical box, finally finding a bag of medical cotton. “Why not try this? It won’t hurt no matter how hard you press.”
Soft and white, the cotton quietly lay in Tong Sui’s palm.
Bai Xingluo’s heart skipped a few beats. When he was ready to brace himself for the coldest storm, Tong Sui had instead offered him a gentle spring rain, with the scent of fresh grass in the air.
Ample nourishment would breed unwanted emotions, making him greedy.
Bai Xingluo unconsciously shifted his gaze, fixating tightly on Tong Sui’s fingers, which appeared even softer than the cotton.
He really wanted to touch them…
Suppressing the surge of excitement, Bai Xingluo quickly reached out as if afraid Tong Sui would change his mind.
As his fingertips made contact with the cotton, they gently brushed against the warmth of Tong Sui’s palm.
It was so light, taking away just a hint of warmth.
His eyes lowered, veiling the bright emotions and rising joy within him.
He had touched it.
He had touched the palm of his magnificent lord.
So soft, softer than the cotton in his hands.
His lord was truly adorable.
This time it was his palm; perhaps next time he’d have a chance to reach out to his fingertips.
And after many instances, could he…
Bai Xingluo’s gaze quickly swept over Tong Sui’s lips, and his heart raced a few beats faster.
Even if they were just pretending to be spouses, he would certainly work hard to make Tong Sui fall in love with him.
He wanted to stay by Tong Sui’s side forever.
Bai Xingluo’s heart felt warm. In the past, while independently managing the gruesome wounds on the battlefield, he could still maintain his composure and act with utmost efficiency.
But with the minor wounds he had now…
It took him over ten minutes to awkwardly finish treating them.
Those sparkling eyes looked at him. “Excellency Tong Sui, I’ve finished bandaging.”
“Okay.”
Tong Sui boldly surveyed him from head to toe.
Indeed, she was the strongest combat force in the Empire. Even injured, one could still feel the energy hidden beneath her muscles, giving him a certain beauty amidst the scars inflicted in battle.
When his gaze moved to Bai Xingluo’s cheek, Tong Sui noticed a small scrape.
“You missed this part.”
He dipped his fingertip in some medication, leaned down, and lightly brushed his fingertip across Bai Xingluo’s cheek.
“That’s enough for today.”
Tong Sui packed up the medical box and turned to wash his hands.
Bai Xingluo sat stiffly on the couch.
The lingering sensation on his cheek felt like a feather falling on water, light yet creating ripples that shimmered on the surface.
Her cheeks were completely flushed.
In disbelief, he raised his hand to touch the hot skin of his face but hesitated, fearing he would erase the trace left by his lord.
His lord had applied the medicine for him.
Applied medicine…
With his hand…
Bai Xingluo felt the skin around his shoulders warm up as well.
Displaying his strength was an instinct ingrained in their genes; only by being strong enough could he attract the mate he desired.
But would his lord like it?
That kind of hard, blood-stained power, a murder weapon feared by countless star robbers and beasts.
Would it be too abrupt, scaring his lord?
He couldn’t do that.
Revealing his wings without permission would be an offense against her mate, even if that mate was his own magnificent lord. It was too unconventional.
Tong Sui was unaware of Bai Xingluo’s thoughts. He was too busy contemplating the sleeping arrangements for that night.
Under the supervision of the Judging Court, in order to avoid raising any suspicions, he and Bai Xingluo would have to live together temporarily.
And that was where the problem lay.
Originally, the one-bedroom apartment with a single bed was just right for him.
But with Bai Xingluo around, where would he fit?
The soldier’s build was already more robust than his, plus Bai Xingluo was injured. The cramped couch in the living room couldn’t accommodate them both.
Finding a new place to live was an urgent matter.
However, on the Imperial Star, even dilapidated accommodations were costly, and with just a meagre allowance from Bai Xingluo’s account, it was quite tight financially.
This situation couldn’t continue; he needed to think of ways to earn money.
But Tong Sui had just graduated from high school before his transmigration, and the only skill he had was… solving problems.
In his previous world, solving problems could have earned him a tutoring job or something similar, but in this entirely different insect world, knowledge had been upended.
This solitary skill was of no use anymore.
He opened his light brain and posted a thread on StarNet, introducing his background and hoping to find a job.
The post quickly received replies exceeding his expectations.
[Is the poster here to fish?]
[Really, why does a male insect need a job? What about your queen and female attendants? Do insects get green tickets every day?]
[So even male insects can run out of money? I’ve learned something new.]