Chapter 9: “What kind of dog does sir prefer?” …
Wien’s clothes were soaked with red wine, his body dripping wet. The male insect organizer took a towel and threw it over his head.
He Yue roughly rubbed Wien’s head with the towel, treating him like a stress-relieving toy with a pleasant texture.
“Sir, I’m Kano, the organizer of this event,” the male insect who called himself Kano stepped past Wien and walked up to He Yue. “We’ll prepare new clothes for your female insect. In the meantime, would you be willing to critique our exhibits?” He Yue nodded and pulled Wien up.
Wien’s legs were numb from kneeling for so long, and his gait was a bit awkward.
The male insects in the audience were buzzing with discussion, the topic still revolving around the previous performance.
“Sir, do you have any other performances you can show us?” A male insect had somehow separated from the discussing crowd, his hands resting on the edge of the stage as he looked up at He Yue. His eyes reflected the stage lights, adding a certain brightness to his admiring gaze.
However, He Yue had seen this kind of admiring and reverent gaze countless times, from countless people, from art exhibitions to “Castle,” from artists to the chief animal trainer; it wasn’t novel to him.
“If fate allows, maybe next time.” He casually said the polite words, without actually putting a next time on his agenda.
Following Kano behind the stage, the various exhibits locked in glass cases were truly eye-opening. This area was completely different from the outside. Compared to the strange trinkets collected from wormholes and interstellar wars, these were the things that made He Yue pause.
A gleaming, several-meter-long black whip, iron balls of various sizes, clamps adorned with bows and bells…
(Is this auction serious?)
[Host, these are very common in the insect world. There are no rules here to protect female insects; male insects can do as they please…] Having run “Castle,” He Yue understood human nature better than anyone.
The essence of human nature was nothing more than animalistic instinct.
Without restrictions or laws, only pursuing instant gratification and pleasure would only fuel ever-growing greed.
“Where did these things come from, and who made them?” He Yue asked.
Kano pointed to the first few items: “These are carefully selected high-quality items from clubs, and the ones behind are handmade items submitted anonymously to the exhibition for auction.” “Clubs?”
Kano seemed slightly surprised: “Haven’t you been to one before?” Seeing He Yue remain silent, he quickly added: “Those are clubs that provide services exclusively for male insects, but… judging by your appearance, you probably wouldn’t like that kind of place.” He Yue chuckled: “Why do you say that?”
“It doesn’t quite fit your temperament. It’s a very messy and chaotic place. Even if they clean it thoroughly during the day, it becomes an unbearable mess after just one night.” He looked He Yue up and down again, his eyes filled with both admiration and envy: “Although I’ve only met you once, I feel that even stepping into that place would dirty your shoes.” Anyone could guess what kind of pleasure-seeking activities took place there.
“Why did you create such an exhibition?” He Yue asked.
Kano paused: “I also once hoped to create the perfect tools, but the greed of insects is a bottomless pit, impossible to fill.” “That’s natural,” He Yue responded, his eyes holding a meaningful smile. “Therefore, the dogs you raise should always be kept hungry, always wagging their tails and begging, craving scraps.” Something that had been vaguely unclear was suddenly brought to light, and Kano’s eyes lit up with joy and admiration: “That’s exactly it! May I ask what you usually do that gives you such insight?” He Yue hummed playfully: “Isn’t it obvious?”
Kano carefully recalled He Yue’s every word and still shook his head earnestly.
“Training dogs.”
His tone was light and cheerful, as if he were joking, but also as if he were answering seriously.
Kano, as the listener, couldn’t tell.
“Pet dogs?” Kano felt like he had found a way to please him and quickly asked, “What kind of dog does sir prefer?” “Interesting ones.”
“…Huh?”
Kano was prepared to hear breed names, like Golden Retriever, Samoyed, Border Collie, etc., but unexpectedly received an adjective instead. He froze, unable to understand He Yue’s meaning.
The more eager he was, the more amused He Yue became.
(He didn’t understand, did he?)
[Host, how can you treat everyone like a dog… He’s a male insect.] (It’s just interesting.)
After a while, Kano scratched his head in confusion, still agreeing: “Interesting… that’s fine too.” For a moment, he didn’t quite understand what he had just agreed to.
He Yue stopped dwelling on the topic and walked around the exhibits.
The items displayed in the front were indeed less exquisite than those at the back. Some of the handmade items even had a concept, either realistic or abstract.
The Butterfly Dream of Zhuangzi, Birds in a Cage, Reflections in a Mirror…
These were the things that finally made He Yue pause.
“If you like them, sir, I can give you some.” Kano immediately offered, seeing him stop in front of a glass case.
“No need,” He Yue looked away from the objects. “I still find the toys I make myself more interesting.” Seeing this, Kano took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to He Yue with both hands.
“In that case, if you’re willing to auction or exhibit your own works, you can contact me.” He Yue accepted the business card and put it in his pocket.
“I’ll contact you if there’s a chance.”
He always left room for such matters, neither agreeing nor refusing, leaving the other party anticipating.
At the entrance, He Yue immediately spotted Wien in the crowd, his height making him stand out.
He had changed his clothes and quickly washed off the red wine, standing there quietly. Countless male and female insects passed by, their gazes lingering on him.
The shirt was clearly ill-fitting, too small, stretched tight to the point that the buttons on his chest were strained.
Even more noticeable were the two unbuttoned buttons at his neck, revealing the patterned, blood-stained wound that drew everyone’s attention.
“What’s this…” He Yue lightly touched his hot neck.
“Their work uniforms only come in this size.”
“We need to buy you some decent clothes first.”
“It’s alright, Master, it doesn’t matter.”
Although the ill-fitting shirt was conspicuous, it had to be said that thanks to Wien’s robust physique, it created a unique visual impact.
“Your collar can’t even button up,” He Yue led him away from the auction area. “Everyone is staring at you.” Wien followed behind He Yue and asked, “If the clothes fit, can I leave my collar open here?” “What?” He Yue stopped and turned around in confusion.
Wien’s hand rested on his burning neck.
“This is the mark Master bestowed upon me. I want to show it off to everyone.”
Even if it was a shocking, even suggestive, scar.
