The powerful leader was tough on the outside but soft on the inside; the aloof major general fell fo

"Oh... okay."

Ashel should be stunned.

The male ruler lightly rubbed his lips with his fingertips, and Ashel instinctively sensed danger. This time, he was smart enough to choose to let the matter drop for the time being.

"Knock knock—"

The knocking broke the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Cen Li put down his hand and walked towards the door. "The terminal I ordered has arrived."

The powerful ruler slowly walked away until he could no longer see the tall figure, and the faint sound of conversation could be heard.

Ashleigh then began to gather her thoughts and piece together the series of clues she had just encountered.

A bold idea popped into his mind.

Could it be that the male never intended to marry another insect in the first place?

Did she only lie to him because she got angry after hearing his "advice"?

If that's the case, Ashleigh doesn't even want to imagine how badly he performed; he must have been incredibly stupid!

Cen Li put on the new terminal and returned to the living room, only to see Ashel covering his head with a regretful expression, still standing in the same spot, without even moving an inch.

Cen Li asked suspiciously, "What's wrong?"

Ashel awkwardly lowered his hand, calming his turbulent emotions. "It's nothing, my lord."

Perhaps feeling guilty, Ashleigh always wants to find something to do, so she blurted out, "Are you hungry? Do you need me to prepare dinner?"

Cen Li's expression grew increasingly strange. "I'm not hungry."

"We'll eat later."

Ashel followed the lord's gaze to the window and saw that the sun had not yet set, and it wasn't even dusk yet.

He felt a chill run down his spine and wanted to take back what he had said.

What should I do?

It seems to make me look even sillier.

The villa's furnishings were exactly the same as when Cen Li left, and even the two quilts on his bed were still neatly arranged.

Cen Li suddenly remembered that Asher used to knock on his door every night and ask him if he needed any service.

His face showed a mixture of unease and anticipation.

Cen Li's lips curled into a small smile, and for reasons unknown, he put the blanket from the guest room back.

While eating, the rice grains would occasionally scrape against the wound on the tip of his tongue, and Ash noticed the 'injury' he had suffered that afternoon.

He didn't feel any pain.

Compared to the wounds sustained on the battlefield, this minor sting wouldn't even make Ashel frown.

Ashel's fleeting gaze quietly fell on the male ruler's thin lips. After a moment of random thoughts, she lowered her head again and quietly ate her meal.

During this time, the doctor arranged by General Derek arrived.

He used instruments to give Cen Lizai a thorough examination.

"Sir, there's nothing seriously wrong with your health."

Ashel stood to the side, listening even more attentively than Cen Li. After the doctor finished speaking, his expression visibly relaxed.

However, doctors always like to say things that take unexpected turns.

"but,"

"You've been overexerting yourself mentally lately and haven't been sleeping well. You need to rest and recuperate."

The doctor prescribed some medicine for Cen Li, gave him a few more instructions, and then left.

Cen Li bent down, rummaged through a stack of various medicines left by the doctor, pulled out two vials, and handed them to Ash. "Here you go."

Ashel took it blankly, his eyes clear yet confused.

"It promotes sleep."

Cen Li glanced at the bloodshot eyes of the other person and explained calmly.

The Zerg have one redeeming quality: their technology is far ahead of the competition, and even the most basic potions have no side effects.

"Okay...okay."

Ashel gripped the medicine bottle, his fingers tightening silently.

Night fell, and the air was still.

Ashel had just finished showering.

Warm steam billowed in the bathroom, dampening his cool, aloof features.

Ash looked at himself in the mirror so intently for the first time, even getting quite close.

There's a small cut on the tip of my tongue.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but his lips still looked red.

His long, fine eyelashes trembled slightly, drooping downwards and concealing the turbulent emotions surging in his eyes.

Finally, Ash's face flushed, and he slowly wrapped himself in a layer of clothing before leaving the bathroom.

His room had a separate bathroom; previously, he would always shower before going to the master's room.

"Click—"

Ash's hand landed on the door, opened it a crack, and then suddenly closed it again.

Ash's heart remained unsettled and in turmoil due to the sudden intimacy from the male ruler.

Just like the thoughts he's constantly struggling with now.

Ashleigh eventually turned back and pulled the blanket over his head.

He didn't know how to face the powerful ruler.

Even after the passionate kiss ended, the dominant man acted no differently than usual.

It was as if that blush-inducing, heart-pounding entanglement had never happened.

The expected knocking on the door never came.

System: "Host, it's time for your usual bedtime now."

Upon hearing the sound, Cen Li turned off the terminal screen.

He rubbed his brow with his slender fingertips, a hint of weariness creeping into his eyes.

The system suddenly spoke up: "Host, are you waiting for Major General Ashel?"

Cen Li paused, glancing at the door that was ajar. "No."

The system asked curiously, "Really? But you, host..."

"Smack!"

The lights went out, and the room was pitch black.

Cen Li said calmly, "Quiet."

"I slept."

system:"……"

The fact that all the dozen or so male insects that had been kidnapped were rescued naturally made it the most popular topic.

The official Imperial website pinned a photo of the rescue operation, taken from a warship, to confirm the authenticity of the news.

"You gentlemen are finally back?! That's great, I take back my previous criticism of the military."

"The male insects are all so pale; they've clearly suffered inhumane torture. Give me back my lively, energetic sir!"

"This is probably the greatest suffering these male insects have ever endured in their lives."

"I strongly urge the Empire to strengthen security measures to prevent such incidents from happening again!"

"I agree with the comment above. My future male ruler might be among them. I don't want to become a widow one day."

To appease the public and to show concern for the kidnapped male insects, the empire decided to hold a banquet in three days.

The male insects, who have always loved to play, were naturally very happy to participate.

Cen Li casually tossed the gold-embossed invitation aside, showing little interest.

Ashel, noticing the lord's actions, asked, "My lord, is that an invitation from the Empire?"

"Yes." Cen Li nodded.

Are you going?

Cen Li shook his head listlessly, "Too lazy to go."

But not long after, Cen Li changed his mind again.

Chloe somehow got his contact number.

Cen Li glanced at the "Request to add you as a friend" request, paused slightly, and then clicked "accept".