Survival or death, that was the question.
In a flash of lightning, the black-haired Council Head recalled once again that “Lop-Eared Rabbit Rearing Guide” written by a senior rabbit expert:
【First, you need to build trust with your lop-eared rabbit.】
【After placing the rabbit in a way that allows it to explore freely and familiarize itself with the environment, you can try to pet it! Note that the trust between the rabbit and you is still fragile at this stage. Keep your voice light when speaking. Lop-eared rabbits are particularly sensitive creatures; they may not understand what you are saying, but they can certainly perceive your emotions.】
【For caretakers who go out frequently, you can bring back small treats the rabbit likes every time you leave. Hand-feed them upon returning to build an image of yourself as a capable provider who always brings back delicious food. It is possible the rabbit will start to view you as a very impressive guardian.】
The Council Head fell into deep thought.
His form of “scheming” should also fall under the category of being very impressive, right?
Thus, he answered calmly and enigmatically: “That is correct. There should be no one making things difficult for you now, right?”
This was not to say that any insect would be arrogant enough to truly bully a Saint. Adult insects, especially the privileged High-Level class, valued decorum above all else. They would either break ties completely and resort to high-level political maneuvering to eliminate their opponent, or they would hide their burning hatred behind a thin veil of smiles.
They would not substantively make life difficult for a Saint, but they could not help but make insinuation-filled comments, obstruct progress in minor details, or crack little jokes.
No sound-minded adult insect would make a big scene or flip the table over such trivial matters.
The Saint would not do it, and the Velloria family would not do it either.
But the current Council Head most certainly would.
Precisely because of this, almost all the insects who had heard about the vicious couple’s internal conflict and were originally eager to make a move opted to put their crooked intentions away after witnessing the Council Head’s “fear of his male master” firsthand. Consequently, they developed a bit more apprehension toward the newly awakened Saint.
Noah certainly felt this shift.
However, he tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and cast a scrutinizing gaze upon the black-haired female.
Due to their height difference, he had to tilt his head back slightly to keep his line of sight level with the other. This slightly inferior position made the Saint press his lips together. He retreated two steps without a trace to reduce the angle of his upward gaze. The Council Head seemed to notice nothing and looked at him obediently.
He looked like a predator intentionally lying down.
Even with a deliberate attempt at restraint, he still exuded an unavoidable, sharp danger, lazy and casual. It seemed that to the Saint, no matter how big a problem was, it became a trivial matter once it fell into his hands.
Noah: “.”
Suddenly, he did not feel like talking to the other.
He lowered his eyes, walked forward in silence, and stood still beside the black-haired female.
Igris’s expression tightened slightly.
Was it an illusion? Why did he suddenly feel that the other looked very unhappy now?
As if to prove his guess, the young Saint reached out to press against his shoulder, pushing him slightly away. His expression was calm, and his tone was equally calm, yet the content of his words was incredibly cold: “Excuse me, I have some matters to attend to at the company. You should go back first.”
After finishing, he nodded politely: “See you later.”
One minute later, the starship cabin door opened silently, ejecting the black-haired female without a word of explanation before immediately changing direction and ascending, stirring up a cloud of dust as it sped away.
Only the Council Head was left standing there alone for a long time.
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【Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear: I think your guide has problems.】
Lassie Evans received this reply that evening.
A few days ago, he had indeed posted a guide on the pet section of the Saint’s forum regarding how beginners could raise a lop-eared rabbit. While the post was well-received, many male insects who also kept lop-eared rabbits asked him for tips. However, this was the first time someone had so bluntly stated that his advice did not work.
As a rabbit-rearing expert who had been keeping them since the age of ten, sixteen years of professional experience, Lassie felt his professional reputation had been questioned.
He quickly replied: 【Did you not follow my guide’s process? I have been raising lop-eared rabbits for over a decade. How could there be a problem!】
【Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear: I followed the guide exactly. Proper placement, letting him familiarize himself with the environment, feeding on time, and showing off my strength so he would think I am impressive. Every step was followed, the sequence was correct, but he completely ignores me now.】
Lassie fell into deep thought.
He replied: 【Could it be that your rabbit is a bit timid and thinks you are trying to intimidate him? Why don’t you let him bite you a few times so he feels like he is the boss? That way, he might not be afraid of you anymore.】
【Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear: I let him bite me. He is very fierce.】
【Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear: It is likely not a matter of being timid.】
Lassie found it a bit tricky.
If it was not a fear-based stress response, then what could it be? Surely, the rabbit could not be asking for affection in this way?
He suggested: 【Why don’t you pet him?】
The other party replied quickly.
【Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear: What if he scolds me?】
Lassie: ?
He was baffled: 【So what if he scolds you? What is the harm in him scolding you once? The way lop-eared rabbits curse and grumble is super cute! Many pet owners try every possible way to get their rabbits to make little whining noises! I advise you not to be ungrateful.】
Is that so?
On the other side of the chat box, the Council Head, with the ID “Stealing a Tweak of a Rabbit Ear,” was convinced.
He even extrapolated, thinking of much more.
Since he was going to be scolded by his male master anyway, if he did not take advantage of the chaos to bite him back or steal a tweak of his rabbit ear, would he not be at a massive disadvantage?
The Council Head had reached enlightenment.
He decided to find an opportunity to let the young Saint know how terrifying a female insect could become once he abandoned his bottom line.
However, “hiss.”
Accidentally bumping into his female consort’s chest again, Noah frowned, looked up, stared at the female’s profile, and stated heartlessly: “Speak clearly if you have something to say. Can you stop swaying around me? Are you a crab?”
“Oh.”
The Saint had a cold expression: “Then why don’t you move aside?”
The target was right in front of him.
The Council Head, who had abandoned his bottom line, paused, glancing at the faint dark circles under the male’s eyes and the sullen expression caused by lack of sleep.
He felt a bit reluctant.
Forget it.
He had promised not to bully the rabbit, and he could not go back on his word.
He wanted to share some of the workload but worried the other would think he had ulterior motives.
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A lop-eared rabbit really is hard to raise.
The next day.
Dawn broke.
When the floating intelligent mechanical alarm clock hopped to the bedside again, the young male finally sat up from the bed, hugging his quilt with reluctance. He stared at the opposite wall like a toy on pause.
I do not want to work.
I do not want to get up.
Why must he crawl out of bed before dawn in this freezing winter to go to work?
As if sensing the male’s emotions, a beautiful, slender insect tail quietly poked out from under the quilt, moved along the spine of the host, swung gracefully up to the back of the neck, and poked the male’s messy, disheveled hair with infinite patience, as if to soothe him.
Cuddle.jpg
Little Noah stopped making a fuss.
Noah sighed gloomily at his own tendency to be too easily coaxed.
He got up and washed.
He rubbed his face and prepared to go downstairs. When passing the master bedroom next door, his footsteps paused instinctively. They had been living together for so many days. Putting aside their somewhat complicated and awkward marital relationship, they could be considered roommates living under the same roof. Roommates helping each other out with small favors was quite reasonable, right?
For example, providing a wake-up service to ensure the other gets to work on time?
Noah nodded and pushed the door open with a clear conscience. He leaned over at the side of the bed near the door and tugged at the quilt, letting in large gusts of cold air, and called out without ceremony: “Igris, get up.”
No movement.
The Saint frowned slightly. He leaned down, bent one knee, and knelt on the edge of the bed to get closer.
Just as he was considering whether he should simply pinch the other’s nose to try a more ruthless wake-up method, a hand with light calluses suddenly reached out from the quilt. It unexpectedly gripped his shoulder, with knuckles grinding heavily across his arm, pulling the male into his embrace with one swift motion. He flipped over and pinned him down.
Noah: “!”
Igris did not open his eyes.
He was like a predator that was asleep but still retained some hunting instinct. While pressing his prey into his arms, he lowered his head slightly and buried himself against the Saint’s neck through a layer of soft skin, following the rhythm of the throbbing artery, and sniffed nonchalantly.
The male’s body stiffened.
Fortunately, the female had no intention of continuing the action.
He simply moved closer, lazily confirming the scent of the object that belonged to him, then effortlessly tucked his trophy into his arms and continued to sleep.
The young Saint was stunned for a few seconds, a rare hint of helplessness crossing his eyes.
Intuition told him that if he continued to struggle, something very terrifying might happen.
What should he do?
He stared at the female’s sleeping face for a while, feeling a mix of envy and jealousy. They were both about the same age, so how could the Council Head sleep so soundly?
I am so sleepy.
I want to sleep a little longer.
As he thought this, his eyelids began to fight. He blinked slowly and, unable to resist the exhaustion from days of continuous hard work, rubbed against his consort’s shoulder and fell into a hazy sleep.
When he woke up again, three hours had passed.
The Saint, feeling refreshed after a good sleep, was in a great mood. He subconsciously buried his face in the pillow and rubbed against it slightly.
Sleeping in feels great.
Soft pillows, I like them.
He tilted his head, intending to rub again, but his consciousness returned at that moment.
Noah’s body stiffened slightly. He raised his head, looking for the Council Head, who now appeared even more lethargic than him. A rare, uncharacteristic softness appeared on his face, showing extreme guilt: “I am sorry.”
Noah: “!”
Oh, right.
It was Igris who insisted on holding him and forced him to stay in bed.
He did not want to skip work.
It was all Igris’s fault!
With the logic chain completed, the Saint, who had not resisted from start to finish while nestled in the other’s arms, nodded guiltily and muttered vaguely: “Yes, it is all your fault… do not do this again.” After speaking, he rubbed his slightly burning ears and left quickly.
That was enough to get a pass?
The Council Head, who had been expecting a scolding after being glared at for several days, raised an eyebrow in surprise. His gaze followed the male’s seemingly calm retreating back, a subtle expression on his face.
Something is wrong.
Something is fishy.
His heart stirred, and he mentally compared the subtle changes in his little male master, a ridiculous guess gradually emerging in his mind.