[Since when did Claire become this smooth?]
The Claire readers remembered was still the frigid female Zerg who kicked his Male Lord in bed, pushed him away when bitten, and tensed up whenever touched.
Seeing Claire suddenly acting like a normal bug made everyone uncomfortable.
[Did reaching full mental value also increase his IQ and EQ?]
[Lord Xi'an actually held his face and kissed him!]
[A male Zerg lord this gentle and affectionate—just imagining myself in Claire's place already has me soaring. I can't imagine how amazing it must feel to actually experience it.]
[Another day of wanting to possess Claire.]
[Lord Xi'an in a bathrobe really is the most seductive!]
[A high-ranking male Zerg lord grilling meat in home clothes... this is literally dream material. As for who's high, I won't say.]
[What? Isn't military uniform Xi'an seductive too? That cap, those boots—he's practically Supreme Lord-level!]
[Hissss... both versions are irresistible. Even Lord Xi'an quietly cooking in his dorm is pitiful and adorable. As long as it's Lord Xi'an, everything is attractive.]
The self-inserters and male Zerg fans were ecstatic for different reasons.
Meanwhile, the female Zerg treating the novel as educational material focused on something else.
[Serious discussion: Everyone knows how precious a male Zerg's "I like it" is. Claire merely offered to cook. How exactly did he move Lord Xi'an so deeply?]
[Could Lord Xi'an like cooking-type female Zerg?]
[But Claire's cooking is terrible. Even military cafeteria food has to be better than his barely-passing skills.]
Everyone knew that in military academies, cooking classes only required food to be non-poisonous to pass.
And Zerg were highly poison-resistant.
Ordinary toxins didn't even affect them much, making the standards very flexible.
[If it's not because of cooking, then there can only be one answer—the officer's villa!]
[Enlightenment!]
[I can give a male Zerg lord a villa too! (shows property certificate)]
[I told you female Zerg fail to pursue male Zerg for a reason. Too shallow! Wait... a Capital Star villa?! Sorry, I spoke too loudly. Big brother, don't let gender limit you so much. Can sub-females apply? (blows kiss)]
[Female Zerg would never consider sub-females. Without male pheromones and psychic soothing, the relationship means nothing. Might as well buy a tube of pheromones and get high alone.]
The topic had completely derailed.
Some male Zerg finally appeared.
[It's not about material things. Attitude and sincerity are what matter. What Claire really meant was only one thing—I like you. Of course Lord Xi'an would be moved.]
[Not entirely. I'm a male Zerg too, and I genuinely like this. (points at property certificate) Interested bugs can private-message me.]
On one side was the mysterious concept of sincerity and attitude.
On the other was obvious financial power.
After some straightforward female Zerg thinking, spending money seemed much simpler.
Unfortunately, money couldn't buy high-ranking male Zerg.
No high-ranking male Zerg lacked money.
Countless female Zerg were willing to spoil them.
To stand out, they had no choice but to study this mysterious "attitude and sincerity."
And Claire, who married a high-ranking male Zerg without relying on money, was the perfect example.
Worth studying repeatedly like teaching materials.
Let's see what the textbook says...
...
[Claire was kissed stupid.
The passionate kisses landed on his cheeks, jaw, and the corners of his mouth...
But avoided his lips.
Claire could hear his own rapid and chaotic heartbeat.
Like a pot of water on the verge of boiling.
It hissed and burned, making his entire body itch, yet somehow always remained just short of that final degree.
Unable to stop himself, Claire searched for Xi'an's lips.
The moment they brushed together, Claire heard the whistle of boiling water.
Steam rose in waves, carrying a slightly bitter burnt fragrance.
Xi'an's movements also slowed.
Their noses touched, gazes tangled at impossibly close range.
He saw Claire's slightly parted lips.
It was an invitation.
One more step and he could taste them.
But the pheromones in his mouth might trigger a violent reaction and plunge Claire into pain.
As he hesitated, he felt Claire lightly press against his lips.
Pushing.
Moving closer.
Testing.
The cool scent of ice cream mixed with bitter scorched sweetness.
Whoosh—
The flames suddenly shot upward.
The blackened steak, sizzling and dripping oil, finally burst into flames with a tragic cry.
The two bugs instantly separated.
Claire hurriedly rescued the meat in a panic, nearly sweating.
Watching him flustered, Xi'an laughed and hugged his narrow waist from behind, pressing his body against Claire's back and resting his face on his shoulder.
Feeling the warm body behind him, Claire stiffened.
His already clumsy movements became completely chaotic.
The male Zerg's pleasant laughter made his ears—and half his body—go numb.
Dazed, he thought perhaps Xi'an didn't hate him that much.
At least, Xi'an was serious about this marriage.
After half a star hour of chaos, the meat was finally finished.
The mechanical housekeeper had done most of the work.
The two Zerg had mainly contributed trouble.
Xi'an wasn't hungry.
Most of the steak ended up inside Claire's stomach.
Xi'an sat nearby, drinking juice and supporting his chin with one hand while watching Claire eat.
They rarely enjoyed moments this peaceful.
Xi'an remembered when he had first arrived in the Ninth Military Region.
Unable to get used to cafeteria food, he'd become listless after training.
Claire had gone to a military exchange meeting and returned with all sorts of exquisite fruit and pastries.
He distributed them to the entire squad.
Including Xi'an.
Some teammates fought over them while joking that the colonel always brought back treats loved by male Zerg and hatchlings.
Holding the bright red fruit, Xi'an looked up.
Claire never turned around.
Xi'an bit into the juicy fruit and found it sweet.
His appetite, which had been poor for days, instantly returned.
...
"Instructor, make me another training program."
After eating, Xi'an suddenly spoke.
After Claire left on the expedition, he had been assigned to other officers.
Those officers all feared hurting a male Zerg and constantly reduced his training.
Treating him like a hatchling.
Xi'an had been trained personally by Claire.
The moment he called him "Instructor," Claire entered that role almost immediately.
He only paused slightly before nodding.
"Alright."
Claire's actions were swift.
Draining his juice in one gulp, he stood.
"I need to assess your current level. Come to the training room and attack me with everything you have."
"Gladly."
Xi'an had long wanted to fight Claire.
Before, he worried about his condition.
But now that Claire's mental value had reached 100, he could let loose.
"I'll change first."
Xi'an headed upstairs.
Watching the thin bathrobe on his body, Claire's gaze lingered for a second before he awkwardly looked away.
Combining subordinate and Male Lord together made it difficult for him to balance both identities.
The only thing he could do was respect Xi'an and protect him during training.
...
For the hundred and twentieth time, Claire knocked Xi'an onto the floor.
Then calmly commented:
"Not bad. Your endurance is excellent."
His strength and speed had improved as well.
Already reaching A-rank female Zerg standards.
For a male Zerg, this was extraordinary.
Xi'an rolled onto his back.
He was too exhausted to move even a finger.
Claire controlled his strength perfectly.
Enough to knock Xi'an down.
Never enough to truly hurt him.
Xi'an's talent involved healing and recovery.
His body constantly repaired itself.
He looked worse than he really was.
Mentally exhausted more than anything.
He just couldn't win!
Claire had become noticeably stronger after returning from the expedition.
Before, Xi'an could at least exchange several moves.
Now...
Claire looked far too relaxed.
He was obviously holding back.
He had planned to beat Claire up.
Instead, he was the one being crushed.
Depressed, Xi'an sprawled on the floor.
"I'm done! You abuse your spouse!"
Spouse... abuse?
Claire blanked for a second and immediately approached.
As he crouched to examine Xi'an, Xi'an suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled.
Combined with a sweeping kick, Claire lost his balance.
A push on his shoulder sent him crashing onto the metal floor.
Everything happened instantly.
Claire found himself pinned beneath him.
Xi'an sat astride his waist, holding down his shoulders, smiling mischievously.
"Instructor, this time I win. You were way too careless!"
Looking up at the dazzlingly beautiful male Zerg above him, Claire replied in a low voice.
"...Mm."
Xi'an didn't think using tricks was dishonorable.
This was Claire.
Defeating him by any means was incredible.
Xi'an smiled brightly.
A drop of sweat slid down his jaw and landed on Claire's neck.
Instantly, both bugs stopped breathing.
Xi'an stared at the tiny wet mark on Claire's neck.
Zerg sweat glands were weak.
He hadn't even realized he was sweating.
Sweat counted as bodily fluid.
It contained pheromones too.
Panicked, Xi'an nervously watched Claire, afraid of triggering him.
But under his gaze, Claire only slowly turned red.
Huh?
"You're okay?"
Xi'an rubbed the damp spot and asked.
"Mm. I'm fine."
Claire answered heavily.
His breathing had become rough.
His muscles tightened and relaxed irregularly.
Actually, there was a problem.
He really wanted the male Zerg to do him right here.
Claire emptied his mind.
Lowering his head, Xi'an sniffed his neck.
The cool scent of ice cream mixed with strawberry sweetness.
"Instructor, have you..."
Have you adapted better to my pheromones?
Xi'an asked.
"Perhaps the desensitization training worked."
Claire secretly glanced at him.
"That's wonderful."
Xi'an smiled, fingers brushing his Adam's apple.
"Then after sleeping naked, we can go one step further."
One step further.
Further how?
Further where?
Claire swallowed.
Outwardly calm, inwardly his pheromones flowed wildly.
Xi'an was nearly drowned in the cold fragrance.
Deliberately sniffing him, Xi'an said:
"You're covered in sweat. Let's bathe together!"
Actually, it wasn't sweat.
It was other fluids carrying pheromones.
But Claire naturally couldn't reject him.
The training room shower had originally been designed for only one bug.
Trying to fit two adults inside resulted in Claire being pushed against the wall.
"Instructor? Dear spouse? Do you remember how many times you abused me just now?"
Xi'an lightly slapped his chest and trapped him in the corner.
Warm water poured down.
Claire's face pressed against the cold metal wall while his breath fogged its surface.
After a long while, he answered softly.
"I remember."
Xi'an smiled faintly, dangerous light shining in his eyes.
"Then do you remember how many days you left me alone while you went on that expedition?"
"...I remember."
Claire lowered his eyelashes.
He knew he couldn't escape today.
And he didn't want to.
He'd rather Xi'an beat him to pieces.
Only after Xi'an vented all his resentment could they discuss the future.
Besides...
His body was genuinely trembling with anticipation.
"So scared?"
Watching the two dimples twitch, Xi'an said:
"You can beg for mercy. Call me Male Lord. Explain yourself. I'll let you off."
Claire gritted his teeth.
Determined not to say a single word.
...]
[It's here! Finally!]
Readers of traditional angst romance almost cried with joy.
[Do you know how long I've waited for Lord Xi'an's revenge? An entire book!]
[Come on! Revenge for training abuse! Revenge for being abandoned during the expedition! And the resentment of being forgotten! Settle all old and new scores together!]
[I've always heard high-ranking male Zerg lords have many methods. Truly terrifying. (blocks pheromones)]
[Why are you leaking pheromones from fear? (confused bug face)]
[I really am scared, but when I think it's Lord Xi'an, my body gets excited for some reason.]
[Let's bet whether Claire can endure it.]
[Claire's a high-ranking female Zerg. Physically he'll definitely survive. Better bet how long he won't be able to get out of bed.]
[Three days. Respect the power of military male Zerg and high-ranking male Zerg lords.]
[I bet one day. Claire's condition seems strange. He might break through.]
[Although his rank wasn't explicitly stated, he's probably already Super A. Breaking through again is impossible. S-rank isn't something ordinary bugs reach.]
[Then... I bet one second.]
[???]
[Seriously? Aren't you underestimating high-ranking male Zerg too much?]
[Look how soft-hearted Xi'an is toward Claire. What punishment can he possibly give? I believe him sleeping with Claire is more likely.]
[Good point. If they really do it... then one week. Super A male Zerg are powerful. Claire might not get up.]
[Huh???]
[Wasn't this supposed to be revenge? Why are we drifting further and further away?]
[This is punishment! Not reward!]
[(Quantum Cannon ×10)] Punish Claire!
[(Quantum Cannon ×10)] Punish Claire!
...
[(Quantum Cannon ×100)] Reward! Everything from Male Lord is a reward!
[(Nutrient Solution ×20)] Ah? Honestly, I'm fine with anything. Author, just update faster.
[(Universe Spaceship ×10)] Only hatchlings make choices. Adults want everything! Punish Claire while rewarding him, sleep with Claire while giving bonus chapters!]