The little robot wanted to wheel the dining cart up to Gu Lin’s bedside, but he refused. He didn’t have the habit of eating in bed.
He directed the robot to move everything to the table nearby instead. The small machine swiftly laid out the cutlery and began serving the dishes.
The food prepared by the system was indeed excellent, light, balanced, and suitable for someone recovering from illness. Even though Gu Lin wasn’t feeling well, he didn’t find it difficult to eat.
“Come in,” he said, his tone carrying a rare firmness. “I don’t want to say it a fourth time.”
Kaxiu still couldn’t figure out what was bothering him, but Gu Lin understood well enough. If he didn’t show his true self, they would probably never have a proper conversation.
But if the proud, noble A-grade male Gu Lin couldn’t make Kaxiu lower his guard, what about another “female” whose ideals about mecha were similar to his own?
After planning his next move, Gu Lin also decided what attitude he would take toward Kaxiu.
Kaxiu hesitated for a moment, but finally stepped inside.
“Tell me about the trouble you ran into today,” Gu Lin said lazily. “Make me laugh a little.”
Though the system’s reports were nearly unreadable, Gu Lin had still gathered a lot of information from them. He was genuinely curious to know how Kaxiu would see all that had happened.
Leaning against the table with his chin propped on one hand, Gu Lin exuded an effortless air of languid grace.
Kaxiu didn’t know how to answer. He knew how to instruct his subordinates, how to report victories to his superiors, and how to take responsibility for failure.
But how was he supposed to cheer up a male? That was something completely beyond him. For the first time, the war-hardened soldier found himself flustered and at a loss for words, like a schoolboy facing an exam question he hadn’t prepared for.
He thought hard, racking his brain, and finally came up with an answer after an embarrassingly long silence.
“As Your Highness said, I did run into some trouble,” he said stiffly. “Starting today, all my leave has been canceled. I’ll be working overtime every day.”
Gu Lin had nearly finished his meal by the time Kaxiu managed to squeeze out this utterly unamusing response.
While Kaxiu was thinking, Gu Lin had quietly extended his mental power, watching the other’s reactions in secret.
Females weren’t sensitive to spiritual force; unless a male actively helped them regulate it, their mental seas were closed off and unresponsive and Gu Lin’s control was impeccable, Kaxiu couldn’t possibly detect what he was doing.
The system, however, was watching the scene in broad daylight, laughing so hard it almost couldn’t breathe. Not only did it observe from the internal space, it even used the robot’s camera to watch from another angle.
Ever since Kaxiu had entered the room, the system’s laughter hadn’t stopped once.
Though Kaxiu’s expression barely changed, his tiny movements and subtle tics were all perfectly clear to Gu Lin.
Gu Lin felt both helpless and amused. He wanted to hit the man on the head and ask what on earth was going on in that little brain of his.
Still, the scene convinced him that using his identity as a male to talk with Kaxiu wouldn’t work.
He would have to take his time, gradually revealing that he was not the same person as the original Gu Lin, and only then, after setting everything up, speak to him as himself. There was no need to rush.
“Do you like the surprise I gave you?” Gu Lin asked at last, changing the subject as if Kaxiu’s story hadn’t interested him at all.
Kaxiu did not hesitate this time. He bowed deeply and said, “I like it very much.”
The Highness’s gift was something no one could easily refuse. He truly needed mental stabilizers, especially high-grade ones. Before meeting Gu Lin, his condition had already been dangerously unstable.
The potions suitable for A-grade females were prohibitively expensive, and he had been close to being unable to afford them anymore.
For years he had been juggling his military duties with participation in every mecha tournament he could enter, hoping to win prize money to buy medicine.
But the finals were almost always held in person, and his work prevented him from traveling. He could only collect the small entry bonuses, then withdraw from the competition.
Those meager rewards could never compare to the sky high prices of high grade potions sold on the black market.
Eventually, he ran through all his savings and could no longer keep up.
He was deeply grateful to Gu Lin, not only because the man had helped him return to the military but also for those two vials of potion.
They were the highest-tier mental stabilizers of the entire Zergoid race, a formula that had only become publicly distributed a year or two ago.
The short time since its release didn’t mean it was new, it had actually existed for years, but the effect was so remarkable that for a long time it had been monopolized by S-grade elites and never made available to outsiders.
Only recently had it started appearing on the market, perhaps because production had finally increased. But even then, the price was outrageous, completely out of reach for someone like Kaxiu.
The potion’s potency was extraordinary. After one dose, a user could go nearly a year without worrying about another episode of mental instability.
Such medicine was beyond the reach of ordinary Zergs; only nobles like Gu Lin could even hope to obtain it.
Receiving such a gift was indeed cause for joy, but did he truly deserve it?
After bowing again, Kaxiu slowly straightened and took the box from his spatial button. He presented it respectfully to Gu Lin.
“Your Highness’s gift is far too precious,” he said softly. “I cannot accept it.”
He hadn’t used the potion when he received it; instead, he had stored it carefully, intending to return it once he got back to the estate. But when he arrived home, Gu Lin had fallen ill, and the matter slipped his mind, until now.
Without hesitation, Kaxiu offered it back. Though he needed it badly, he already had his military-issued supply. He hadn’t done anything for this male to justify accepting something so valuable.
“So, you don’t like it?” Gu Lin set down his fork and frowned slightly, feigning displeasure. “And I told you, it’s payment, not a free gift. You didn’t really think you could take it for nothing, did you?”
Kaxiu shook his head quickly. “Your Highness already did so much by helping me return to the military. I can’t take anything more from you.”
He wasn’t even sure which part of what he said was wrong, but Gu Lin’s tone made him nervous.
“The potion is excellent,” he added anxiously, “but I just can’t accept it.”
“You think those are rare?” Gu Lin chuckled, a hint of disdain in his voice. “Every high level male has a set quota of potions each year. It’s just that you females don’t know it.”
He waved a hand, signaling the robot to clear the table.
Looking at Kaxiu, his expression held something between mockery and cold amusement. Yet Kaxiu had a feeling the contempt wasn’t truly aimed at him.
The first time he had seen Gu Lin, he had already sensed that the male was completely different from the arrogant tyrant the rumors described. That feeling was even stronger now.
“Take it,” Gu Lin said calmly. “It’s not that valuable and it’s not free, you’ll earn it. Every year, I’ll give you one vial. In return, you’ll do some things for me.”
“For example,” he added, his amber eyes gleaming with something unreadable, “right now I need you to play the role of a favored companion. Understand?”
Kaxiu hesitated but nodded.
“If you think you don’t deserve the two vials, then do something that makes you worthy of them,” Gu Lin said, pointing toward the box. “For instance, come with me to some interesting places.”
His smile turned suggestive.
Kaxiu felt as if he had burst into flames. His entire face flushed crimson, and he lowered his head, not daring to meet Gu Lin’s eyes.
He knew about the kinds of places Gu Lin had frequented before, those glittering, extravagant venues built for the pleasure of males, filled with bright lights and nightly revelry.
He never imagined Gu Lin would want to bring him along.
What should he do? Should he refuse?
“What are you thinking?” The question came in a voice so gentle it was almost terrifying.
Kaxiu’s thoughts scattered. The male sitting across the table had leaned forward slightly, chin still resting on his hand, eyes glimmering with quiet amusement.
Under the soft light, his pale hair shimmered like moonlit silk, and his amber eyes glowed with unsettling interest.
“You’re not imagining anything strange, are you?” Gu Lin’s smile was tender, but the warmth never reached his eyes.
“I meant,” he murmured slowly, his tone low and intimate, “you’ll be my bodyguard.”
Kaxiu’s heart nearly stopped. Not because he was seduced, but because the abrupt shift in tone made his pulse jump and his breath hitch.
Even so, he couldn’t deny that Gu Lin was a strikingly attractive male. Now he finally understood why so many had fallen for him, why they would rather become slaves than give him up.
Just as he was about to sigh in relief, Gu Lin’s expression turned cold.
“But I told you before,” he said quietly, “I will never fall in love with you.”
His voice was calm, yet the weight behind it was undeniable. “If you ever do something you shouldn’t, you know what happens to those who cross that line.”
He was referring to the original Gu Lin’s history, those who had tried to get too close, who had dared to touch him or confess to him. Without exception, all had met with “accidents.”
The incidents had even made the news several times, and though Kaxiu was a soldier, he had heard of them.
He already had someone he liked, so he answered firmly, “Please rest assured, Your Highness. I’ll do my duty and won’t do anything to displease you.”
“Then take it,” Gu Lin said with a careless wave.
“Yes,” Kaxiu replied, bowing his head. Inwardly, he made a silent vow: he would return the value of those potions to Gu Lin someday, twice over if he could. Even if Gu Lin didn’t care, he could not let himself forget.
Still… Why had the male given him two vials, when even one was meant to last a year?
He couldn’t figure it out.
How could he have known that Gu Lin had already guessed his secret, that Kaxiu’s affection leaned toward other females, and that the second vial had been prepared for his future “partner”?
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · KaxiuChapter 3 · Social DeathChapter 4 · Female Servant/WifeChapter 5 · ConfusedChapter 6 · MysteryChapter 7 · CamouflageChapter 8 · AcquaintanceChapter 9 · Man in a ShellChapter 10 · FoodChapter 11 · RemunerationChapter 12 · GossipChapter 13 · TaskChapter 14 · CoverdaleChapter 15 · Mission AccomplishedChapter 16 · ExchangeChapter 17 · DreamChapter 18 · DelicateChapter 19 · ReasonChapter 20 · SpecialChapter 21 · 2 Dose of VialChapter 22 · Night WatchChapter 23 · One NightChapter 24 · GratefulChapter 25 · ContestChapter 26 · FortChapter 27 · RecordChapter 28 · SealChapter 29 · MissedChapter 30 · Treasure TroveChapter 31 · Battle SpiritChapter 32 · IllusionChapter 33 · PhotosChapter 34 · DifferentChapter 35 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 36 · TeasingChapter 37 · InterestChapter 38 · TrappedChapter 39 · Borrowing a knifeChapter 40 · SecretChapter 42 · ConditionChapter 43 · QuestionChapter 44 · AnswerChapter 45 · CoreChapter 46 · MeetChapter 47 · WeirdChapter 48 · DifferentChapter 49 · Spiritual SeaChapter 50 · ConceptsChapter 51 · RoefellerChapter 51 · Hicks Return!Chapter 53 · 10 thousand points!Chapter 54 · RedemptionChapter 55 · ChangeChapter 56 · ReceiveChapter 57 · Side QuestChapter 59 · It seems like a old FriendChapter 60 · TrainingChapter 61 · MoodChapter 62 · ConfusedChapter 63 · Children’s PlaygroundChapter 64 · GiftChapter 65 · ApproachingChapter 66 · ThreatChapter 67 Part 1 · Do you have any objections?Chapter 67 Part 2 · Do you have any objections?Chapter 68 · MaintenanceChapter 69 · Thank youChapter 70 · UndercoverChapter 71 · VisitChapter 72 · FrenzyChapter 73 · TransactionChapter 74 · ReminderChapter 75 · ArenaChapter 76 · InterestingChapter 77 · CuteChapter 78 · SecretChapter 79 · CompareChapter 80 · StrategyChapter 81 · CrisisChapter 82 · ProtectChapter 83 · Blind SpotChapter 84 · SafetyChapter 85 · Mission ObjectiveChapter 86 · DeterminationChapter 87 · Grave DangerChapter 88 · GuessingChapter 89 · Chess PieceChapter 90 · EmotionsChapter 91 · Guardian’s HeartChapter 92 · A Dangerous FigureChapter 93 · FrustratedChapter 94 · BullyChapter 95 · NegotiationChapter 96 · ChallengeChapter 97 · RejectionChapter 98 · PlantingChapter 99 · Thank youChapter 100 · LeveragingChapter 101 · ChaosChapter 102 · SubmitChapter 103 · ThoughtsChapter 104 · Good news and bad newsChapter 105 · MadmanChapter 106 · CooperationChapter 107 · Just drawingChapter 108 · It was a pleasure working with youChapter 109 · StargazingChapter 110 · GuideChapter 111 · Plant FlowerChapter 112 · White WolfChapter 113 · SterilisationChapter 114 · CollarChapter 115 · RunChapter 116 · GenerousChapter 117 · ImageChapter 118 · FriendlyChapter 119 · LostChapter 120 · TasteChapter 121 · System upgradeChapter 122 · Transfered FromChapter 123 · Keep dragging it outChapter 124 · CategoryChapter 125 · DemolitionChapter 126 · I want to cry but can’tChapter 127 · Upgrade completeChapter 128 · Tears streaming down my face in the windChapter 129 · Strange luckChapter 130 · UnknownChapter 131 · Dog plant flowersChapter 132 · Contest of Wits and Silent UnderstandingChapter 133 · ColinChapter 134 · AmbushChapter 135 · DullChapter 136 · BattleChapter 137 · Post-WarChapter 138 · Return ToChapter 139 · Strength EnhancementChapter 140 · Is this a staged accident scam?Chapter 141 · ToolChapter 142 · ProcessingChapter 143 · CluesChapter 144 · MemoryChapter 145 · UnderstoodChapter 146 · I want to hug youChapter 147 · Differential treatmentChapter 148 · So DifficultChapter 149 · Going to farChapter 150 · Real or FakeChapter 151 · ResponseChapter 152 · The truthChapter 153 · Let’s chat Causally?Chapter 154 · A Way to RelaxChapter 155 · ConversationChapter 156 · Daily MissionChapter 157 · A QuarrelChapter 158 · NamelessChapter 159 · ProbingChapter 160 · A Good HelperChapter 161 · ConfirmationChapter 162 · DiscussChapter 163 · ForgottenChapter 164 · TraceChapter 164 · TraceChapter 165 · Contact