Pute Star was a planet still in development. Although it was not as bustling as Hallye Star, the villa Lotte had purchased, which was conveniently located near the mining area but not far from the city center, suited Ivan perfectly.
The villa was clean and fully equipped. Ivan and Tuoweisi did not need to clean anything and moved right in. However, their luggage still needed organizing, so Tuoweisi stayed behind to settle in while Ivan set off for the mining area.
The operations at the mining site were largely left to Hubaiguo. As they had previously agreed, Ivan did not interfere. However, when it came to naming the site, Ivan noticed Hubaiguo using the character “Le” from Kele’s name. When asked for his input, Ivan added the character “Tuo.”
Although he had missed the grand opening, Ivan felt a sense of satisfaction standing outside the Le-Tuo mining area. He had come to transport the raw stones unearthed over the past few days to his jewelry shop for cutting and polishing.
When Ivan arrived, the raw stones were already neatly packed into crates, ready for loading. Usually, he could have just waited at the shop, but since this was his first shipment, he wanted to oversee it personally.
He followed the transport truck to a shop in the bustling center of the planet. The shop was well-decorated but empty inside. Ivan instructed the Zergs from the mining area to move the raw stones to the warehouse in the back.
The two accompanying Zergs had never seen such a beautiful and polite Male Zerg lord before. They were nervous and awestruck the entire trip, and they worked with great enthusiasm. Before long, the truckload of stones was neatly stacked.
The weather was gradually turning cooler, but even so, the two Zergs were drenched in sweat. Ivan felt bad for them and bought two drinks to give them. “Thank you for your hard work.”
The Zergs were thrilled, their faces flushing red as they accepted the drinks and thanked him. Ivan nodded with a smile.
When Tuoweisi arrived at the jewelry shop, this was the scene he encountered—one he found deeply unpleasant. He narrowed his eyes, walked up, and stood between them.
“Tuoweisi, why are you here?” Ivan asked, slightly surprised.
Tuoweisi calmly moved closer to Ivan, lowering his eyes as he said, “The house is settled, so I came to see if there is anything I can help with.”
The smile on Ivan’s face grew more genuine. Just as he was touched by Tuoweisi’s thoughtfulness, he heard the Zerg across from him say, “My Lord, we are also willing to serve.”
Tuoweisi’s expression stiffened, and he glared at the two Zergs with ill intent.
Although the two Zergs sensed that Tuoweisi had a complicated relationship with the handsome, gentle Male Zerg before them, males were known to be affectionate. Even if they could only secure the status of a secondary spouse, they would be willing. They ignored Tuoweisi’s threatening gaze and continued to grovel before Ivan.
Ivan did not understand the underlying tension; he simply thought the two Zergs were being overly enthusiastic. However, since they were strangers, he declined their offer to stay and help. After thanking them again, he wished them a safe return to the mining area.
With no reason to stay, the two Zergs left with great reluctance.
Tuoweisi stared at their retreating backs and hummed in a tone that was difficult to interpret. He then walked into the shop and asked casually, “Will they be the ones delivering the goods from now on?”
“Well, I am not sure how Hubaiguo has arranged it.”
“How about I handle the transport from now on? I have nothing else to do anyway,” Tuoweisi volunteered. “You are a male; running back and forth is inconvenient.”
Ivan paused for a moment. Thinking about the social norms between Males and Zergs, he did not refuse Tuoweisi’s offer.
As they spoke, the cabinets Ivan had ordered arrived. After signing for them, Tuoweisi helped the delivery Zerg move them in.
To work more easily, Tuoweisi took off his jacket, leaving him in a black tank top. His broad shoulders and narrow waist were prominent. When he crouched down to arrange the cabinets, his tight black trousers highlighted his firm, well-rounded backside.
Ivan’s gaze lingered for a long time. Realizing he was acting in a rather perverted manner, his ears turned red. He averted his eyes and, stumbling slightly, walked toward the warehouse.
Sensing Ivan’s departure, Tuoweisi closed the cabinet door and stood up, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, subtle smile.
By the time Ivan collected his composure and emerged from the warehouse, the empty shop had been transformed.
Various transparent, exquisite cabinets were neatly arranged, awaiting the jewelry Ivan would craft to fill them. After everything was organized, Ivan and Tuoweisi did not go home, but instead found a beautifully decorated and highly rated restaurant.
Fortunately, they snagged the very last table.
A Zerg waiter led them to their seats. On the wooden table sat a rose. The entire restaurant seemed to exude a romantic atmosphere. Ivan opened the menu and, seeing that even the menu was printed with pink bubbles, realized this was likely a couple’s restaurant.
Ivan kept his expression neutral, ordered two dishes, and passed the menu to Tuoweisi.
Tuoweisi had been wondering why Ivan brought him to such a place, but upon seeing a flash of surprise in Ivan’s eyes, he realized that Ivan probably had not noticed it was a romantic themed restaurant when they entered. He had overthought it.
Suppressing the slight bitterness in his heart, Tuoweisi lowered his eyes to order.
The service was swift, the food was beautifully presented, and the environment was quiet and pleasant. Ivan was hungry and did not pay much attention to the exterior details, eating quickly.
Tuoweisi also set aside his unnecessary emotions and buried himself in his meal.
“I have to say, the food is actually quite good.” Ivan felt a slight sting to his wallet when paying the bill, joking about it as they walked out of the restaurant. Tuoweisi did not comment.
On the way back to the villa, Ivan suddenly had the idea to buy a car. After paying the taxi fare, he asked Tuoweisi, “Do you know how to drive?”
Tuoweisi did not understand the hidden meaning but nodded.
It made sense; someone who volunteered to transport goods must know how to drive. Ivan nodded, the thought of buying a car taking root. While resting at the restaurant, he had already begun browsing various types of vehicles on the Interstellar Network.
At the same time, he posted a job recruitment ad on the network. With a new store opening, he would need more hands.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the ad went up, he received numerous applications. Ivan reviewed them briefly and scheduled interviews for nine o’clock the next morning at the jewelry shop.
The next morning, Ivan went to the shop early to select raw stones for processing. With the grand opening imminent, he needed to prepare more inventory. Tuoweisi had gone to the mining area to transport the day’s ore and had not yet returned.
At nine o’clock sharp, the locked store door was knocked upon.
“Please, come in.” Ivan opened the door to find a young Zerg standing outside for the interview.
The moment the Zerg saw Ivan, he forgot every official, rehearsed answer he had prepared. No one had told him the shop owner was a Male Zerg! For a young Zerg who had grown up rarely seeing any males and had little worldly experience, the impact was overwhelming.
When Ivan sat down behind the interview desk to begin, the Zerg just stood there foolishly, unable to control his surging excitement.
This situation repeated itself to some degree with subsequent applicants. Naturally, an entire morning passed, and Ivan had not found a suitable candidate. After politely sending off the last interviewee, Ivan sighed.
Just as he was about to lock the door to rest, a familiar truck pulled up in front of him.
It was Tuoweisi returning with a delivery. What Ivan did not expect was that Kele was also in the truck.
“Ivan!” Kele leaned out of the truck window and waved at him.
“Kele!” Seeing Kele jump out of the truck and stand straight before him, Ivan was very surprised. “Your leg is healed?”
“Yes!” Kele walked up, grinning, and leaned against Ivan. “It is all better! So, hearing from Tuoweisi that you were hiring, and since I am idle at home anyway, I came along. What do you think?”
Kele spun around, letting Ivan inspect him.
“Hubaiguo agreed to let you work here?” Ivan was shocked. Hubaiguo guarded Kele like the apple of his eye; would he really be willing to let him become a wage slave?
Kele responded, “Of course he agreed; I already talked to him.”
Since it had come to this, Ivan did not press further. When Tuoweisi finished unloading the goods, Kele became the first employee of Yi-Si Jewelry.
Kele stared happily at the fresh contract in his hand when the doorbell rang again.
Ivan held a small raw stone, preparing to teach Kele, when he heard the bell. He walked toward the door, asking, “Who is it?”
He opened the door to find a tall, chestnut-haired Zerg with a sunny smile. The Zerg flashed a row of healthy white teeth and said, “Hello, my name is Aofei. I am here for the interview.”
Upon hearing this, the raw stone in Ivan’s hand fell. His brows furrowed as he stared at Aofei. When he saw confusion rising in the Zerg’s eyes, he lowered his head sharply.
“What is wrong?” Tuoweisi picked up the stone that had fallen at his feet and looked at Ivan with concern.
Ivan shook his head, managing a forced smile. “Nothing.” He invited Aofei inside. As Aofei curiously looked around the jewelry shop, Ivan stared at his back, his eyes dark.
Aofei, the Male Zerg lead’s official Zerg spouse from the original book.
Ivan’s mind raced. He picked up one of the drinks he had bought extra yesterday, stepped forward, and said apologetically, “Aofei, I am truly sorry, but I just signed a new employee a moment ago, so now…”
Ivan gestured toward Kele, looking apologetic.
Kele gave Aofei a sheepish look and waved the contract in his hand.
Tuoweisi remained composed, standing to the side in silence.
Upon hearing this, Aofei looked crestfallen. “You have already hired someone? But your shop is so large; one Zerg surely cannot handle it all. I am very cheap; just sign me on.”
“I am truly sorry.” Ivan remained firm.
Aofei added, “Ivan, I came here because I really love the jewelry you create.” As he spoke, Aofei rolled up his sleeve, exposing his wrist. “Look, I am the one who bought the bracelet.”
Ivan’s gaze turned to the dark green jade bracelet on the Zerg’s wrist, and he felt a surge of surprise.
His bracelet had been bought by Aofei.
Aofei was tall and sturdy, but at that moment, he looked thoroughly dejected, like a pitiful large dog. Ivan felt a slight pang of sympathy, but remembering the book, where Aofei played an indispensable role during Tuoweisi’s mental power riot, Ivan remained cold and refused.
“Sorry, we are not hiring anymore.” His life now was comfortable and peaceful; he would not allow any accidents to happen.
Ivan’s firmness caught Tuoweisi by surprise. He felt suspicious and tilted his head to look at Ivan. Kele stood to the side, at a loss, as it was because of him that this awkward situation had arisen.
With that, Aofei left the jewelry shop dejected, reluctant to part, and looking back three times with every step.