Master of Masters 70

Chapter 70: Hug

After the varnish on the oil painting dried, the brilliant colors revealed their original appearance. He Yue sat on a high stool, personally assembling the wooden frame and nailing the canvas to it.

He hadn’t bought a glass cover, planning to display the original painting directly at the exhibition.

Without the unnecessary layer of protection, visitors could get a closer look at the brushstrokes and the direction of his strokes. In the eyes of a connoisseur, some paintings weren’t just static colors, but dynamic emotional changes.

However, He Yue didn’t know how many insects in this civilization, with its advanced natural technology but impoverished spiritual culture, could appreciate this.

A knock came at the studio door, and He Yue answered, seeing Wien enter with a painting.

“The application has been submitted to the department head.” Wien held the painting, but spoke of other matters. “The dinner table has also been reserved…”

He Yue nodded and pointed to the painting in his hand. “What’s this?”

“Major General Koeyle brought it to me after you left the base.”

He Yue heard the familiar name for the first time in a long while.

This was the painting of the scene in the basement where the bone whip was broken, still stained with the blood Wien had shed to protect He Yue from the shattered window. The dried blood was dark red, and in the bottom left corner were the two names, He Yue and Wien.

“The major general said you didn’t want to take anything, but since my name is on this painting, it should be given to me.”

He Yue took the painting and turned to get a new frame.

“Then let’s display it together.”

A fateful connection, Koeyle, who had been excluded by the system from the main mission, was now participating in this art exhibition in a special way.

He Yue, while assembling the frame, teased him, “Your name is on this painting, should I add a special guest artist section and put your name on it?”

Wien’s eyes widened in surprise, and he shook his head repeatedly, his tone urgent. “No, you can’t. It was just a few drops of blood, it’s already a great honor that Master allowed me to write my name, how can I be considered an artist?”

Even when He Yue was joking, Wien always took it very seriously, so every time He Yue teased his dog, he would get the expected reaction.

He Yue was truly amused by his flustered and helpless appearance, the hammer in his hand shaking.

Wien, being teased, wasn’t annoyed, and seeing his Master’s unrestrained smile, his heart softened. He leaned closer and took the hammer from He Yue’s hand, standing behind him.

The healed wound on his chest was now pierced with an iron needle, a prominent bump under his single layer of clothing. Wien bent down, keeping a certain distance from He Yue, ensuring it wouldn’t accidentally touch his back.

“Does Master need help?”

He Yue placed the hammer in his hand and pointed to the frame.

“Nail the wood together, fold the canvas and nail it…” He Yue gestured vaguely, then met Wien’s confused gaze. He finally sighed helplessly and reached for the hammer. “I’ll do it.”

Wien didn’t let go, and pulled up a text and image guide on his optical device. “If I make a mistake, Master can tell me right away.”

His attitude was sincere, his tone responsible. He Yue didn’t ruin the mood and agreed. He was happy to be lazy and leaned back against Wien.

He heard Wien let out a soft moan, his grip on the hammer tightening.

His erection, pierced by the needle, was even more sensitive, otherwise it wouldn’t be used as a fun toy. He Yue, of course, wouldn’t let him off the hook. He leaned back on the high stool, completely pressing against him, feeling the hard needle against his back.

Wien dodged backwards, bending at an awkward angle, his shoulder against He Yue’s back, his chest suspended in the air.

He Yue, feigning innocence, turned his head, his slightly furrowed brow drooping, his bright eyes filled with a wronged look.

“You’re not hugging me…” His drawn-out words were full of accusation, and he looked away, as if greatly wronged.

Even though he knew He Yue was doing this on purpose, the honest big golden retriever couldn’t bear to see this scene. He felt he had made a big mistake and immediately pressed against him, hugging him tightly from behind.

“I was wrong, I should have hugged you.” Wien’s body was tense from the pressure of the needle, his breathing erratic, and he immediately heard a cheerful chuckle. His Master was having fun, his triumphant look like that of a proud little cat.

He, the slave, could only endure the little cat rubbing against him, while hammering the frame, and enjoying it.

Wien’s movements as he hammered the frame were meticulous, not very skilled but very serious, his occasional distraction only because of He Yue’s interference.

The frame gradually took shape, and the painting with both He Yue and Wien’s names was nailed to it.

He Yue lay lazily in Wien’s arms, staring blankly at the two names in the bottom left corner of the canvas.

He remembered that the first time his words were displayed to the public, it was thanks to a painter named Mo Lfei.

The thread of memory slowly drifted away, to another time and space.

That genius painter had become famous at a young age, and when his family hired him to be He Yue’s art tutor, he was only in his early twenties. He Yue, who was just starting to learn painting, was more than ten years younger than him, but they were still considered peers.

Mo Lfei taught him how to paint and became a playmate for this wealthy young master. He didn’t understand the rules of the wealthy, and he and He Yue caused trouble together, breaking every rule in the house.

The first time his painting appeared in public was at Mo Lfei’s art exhibition. As the famous painter’s only student, He Yue’s painting, which combined both skill and talent, received widespread acclaim.

In the field of painting, thanks to his mentor, He Yue had always lived in admiration and applause. He was also very competitive, and his constantly improving paintings always attracted attention and became hot topics.

From then on, He Yue became obsessed with art exhibitions.

His exhibitions grew larger and larger, with fixed venues and regular touring exhibitions, his presence everywhere.

He Yue had also been lost, caring about the criticisms of strangers towards such a flamboyant painter. The voices grew louder and more numerous, until they caused him anxiety and insomnia, making him resent painting itself.

“Does Brother Lfei also think I should stay in the studio and paint quietly?”

At that time, Mo Lfei, who was more than ten years older than him, was already in his early thirties, his personality had softened, and he had become a tolerant and mature older brother, guiding him not just in painting, but also in life.

“Do you like art exhibitions?” Mo Lfei asked him.

“I like them, I like the passionate gazes and praise.” He Yue looked at his painting. “I also like painting, whether it’s a quiet, beautiful scene, or a grotesque, absurd painting, I like them all.”

He Yue repeated, “I like both painting and art exhibitions.”

“As long as you like it, it’s right, Xiao Yue.” Mo Lfei’s voice was calm, like a stabilizing force, dispelling all of He Yue’s anxiety. “Do what you like.”

So many years had passed, and it was even an event from a completely different time and space, but He Yue could still remember that complex, unreadable gaze and that gentle voice.

“Our Xiao Yue should live so passionately and flamboyantly.”

His gaze returned to the present, and Wien had already finished nailing the painting, holding the dazed He Yue for a while.

He Yue sat on the high stool and turned around, falling into Wien’s arms.

Wien was startled, the sudden impact against his chest sending a tingling pain through him. He gently wrapped his arms around He Yue’s waist and patted his head.

“I hope this art exhibition goes smoothly.” He Yue hugged him back and murmured.

“It will.” Wien didn’t know the reason for He Yue’s sudden sadness and held him tightly.

Whether it was because of his deep desire and memories of art exhibitions, or the expectation built from the time and effort he had already invested, He Yue hoped that his first art exhibition in the insect world would be a success.

Not only that, but in the future, he would have many, many more art exhibitions.

Wien and He Yue were waiting in a private room at the reserved restaurant.

The application had already been submitted to the department head, and he had also agreed to bring his female insect to the dinner.

The art exhibition was just around the corner, and with sufficient preparation and publicity, it had generated a lot of buzz.

He Yue was even more excited than the insects who were interested in the exhibition. As the organizer and the artist, showcasing his creative achievements and gaining a sense of accomplishment to inspire more creative passion was an important part.

There were very few exhibitions in the insect world, and all eyes were on this new genius painter.

The preparations were already well underway, only this final, crucial step remained.

He Yue hadn’t asked about this before, and now he casually inquired, “How did you get this person in charge? The fox said he was very difficult to deal with.”

“That insect’s favorite female insect is my colleague. I did him a favor, gave him an article.” Wien replied sincerely, his tone light. “It seems that word of mouth is really effective.”

The final approval for a for-profit exhibition was entirely at the discretion of that insect. Whether he agreed or not depended on whether the gifts were to his liking and whether the attitude of the requester was sincere.

The dishes on the table were expensive, far more than four insects could finish. The purpose of the extravagant meal was to show respect and give face to the male insect who had graced them with his presence.

This insect world was really corrupt…

He Yue thought to himself.

A knock came at the door, and Wien went to open it, He Yue also standing up.

“Please come in.” Wien welcomed him.

Their eyes met, and the private room fell silent for a second.

He Yue recognized him at a glance, the one who had been attracted by the fox’s white ears at the Castle club, who had tried to snatch the fox by throwing his weight around, who had humiliated him in front of all the insects at the club…

Speaker Oried.

The approval for the club had also come from him, an insect Kano didn’t dare to offend, and now He Yue had run into him.

Oried found the male insect before him familiar, but he couldn’t remember who he was for a long time.

He Yue wasn’t wearing a mask now, and his cold gaze and delicate features were unfamiliar to Oried. But his waist-length hair and slender, tall figure were too iconic to forget.

He reached out and covered the upper half of He Yue’s face.

His full, red lips, his slender, pale neck, the strands of hair falling across his forehead. Such beauty was unforgettable, and the figure before him overlapped with the one in the dim light of the club, and Oried recalled the events of that day.

“It’s you.” Oried smiled, his chin raised arrogantly, not taking another step inside.

His female insect led him in, and he shot him a glare.

“The new painter who’s been making waves these days, the male insect whose few paintings sold for a high price at auction, it was you.” Oried took a few steps forward and deliberately pulled up the internal system on his optical device, finding Wien’s art exhibition application. He scanned the project details with a contemptuous gaze, scrolled to the bottom, and projected it in front of He Yue.

The translucent screen of the optical device projected a semi-transparent image, the text floating in the air, capturing He Yue’s attention.

“All for-profit public exhibitions must be approved by me.”

Oried was very confident in his comfort zone, his smile arrogant and domineering, his grinning lips a grotesque mockery. His rude gaze swept up and down He Yue’s body as he held the optical device in front of him.

“This is the taste of power, Mr. He Yue.” He watched with satisfaction as He Yue’s face turned cold, his jaw clenching, his mood improving. “It must have taken a lot of effort to get this far, right? Promotion and marketing cost a lot of money.”

The weight of power tried to crush He Yue.

He Yue finally understood why there were so few art exhibitions in the insect world. No one was willing to take on this troublesome task, and to hold his own exhibition, He Yue had to apply for approval himself.

This was the crux of the problem.

He Yue sighed inwardly.

Oried glanced at Wien. “The female insect you brought to the club last time wasn’t this one.”

His aggressive words were directed at He Yue.

“Apologize with your fox, and I might consider your application.”

As soon as he finished speaking, He Yue’s angry, cold gaze, like a sharp blade, swept over Oried, making him shiver. He Yue’s aura was not inferior, he showed no signs of embarrassment, nor was he intimidated by the so-called taste of power. His calm, steady gaze made Oried’s heart pound, and the mocking words caught in his throat.

“Are you so interested in my fox?” He Yue retorted, not at all as flustered as Oried had imagined. “Has the Speaker forgotten the feeling of being splattered with fox blood? Have you collected the fox ears I gave you last time?”

The bloody scene from that day seemed to replay before his eyes, and Oried, who had had nightmares for days because of it, paled, his gaze avoiding He Yue’s cold, sharp stare.

“I’ll bring the fox to you, do you dare to take him?”

Oried was only trying to get revenge, to vent his frustration at being rejected by He Yue, completely forgetting that the fox was not a gentle, docile creature, but a carnivore, his sharp canines capable of taking a life.

“If I hadn’t stopped him last time, his lightsaber would have been at your throat.”

“He dares! I’m the Speaker, the highest administrative official in the entire insect race! As his Master, killing a male insect is a capital offense, don’t you want to live?”

He Yue chuckled, his slightly curved eyes not innocent, but filled with a discerning gaze. His index finger tapped the glass of the rotating dining table, the dull sound echoing like a knock on one’s heart.

“Speaker Oried, if we’re talking about the law, isn’t this enough for a death sentence?”

The extravagant dinner was just the tip of the iceberg. The money Oried had received, the conveniences he had gained from his position of power, were immeasurable. It was only the special nature of the insect race, the unique social structure, the advanced natural technology, and the lack of spiritual and cultural development that protected this fragile balance.

No one was willing to confront the Speaker, and the insects tacitly maintained this flawed balance.

But, was it really impossible?

Not impossible, just that the time and effort were too costly, and the risk was also very high, so no one was willing to do it.

He Yue had no intention of doing so, unless he was provoked.

Oried had been in his position for a long time, acting tyrannically for years, taking everything for granted, completely forgetting the inherent risks. He was awakened by He Yue’s words, his expression dazed.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

That fox was a lunatic, and the Master who could tame him couldn’t possibly be a weak little flower.

The female insect beside him, seeing that something was wrong, came to his aid. “Master, the law of this world is also decided by power. Do you really want to shake the foundation of the entire insect race?” His words were suggestive, not explicit, but He Yue understood completely.

He Yue shook his head, his tone light. “I don’t want to, nor am I interested. It’s just that the Speaker is talking to me about the law, about the death penalty, and I find it, very, interesting.”

He emphasized the last few words, a look of amusement on his face.

“I think, Speaker, you’re not qualified to talk about this, are you?” He tapped the table a few more times.

This time, it was a clear mockery of a victor.

“Besides, if we’re talking about brute force, is the Speaker’s neck invulnerable?”

Oried stumbled back a step and was caught by his female insect.

This was a blatant threat, and Oried’s face was completely drained of color. He heard the threat of death in He Yue’s voice, and it wasn’t just a joke.

He Yue walked around the table and stood before Oried, his bright smile sending a chill down his spine. “Speaker Oried, if I give the fox to you, aren’t you afraid he’ll bite off your neck? You haven’t forgotten that he’s immune to male insect pheromones, have you?”

“Does the Speaker want to try and see how likely he is to survive after having his neck bitten off by a fox?”

Oried froze, not moving, even as He Yue approached and lightly traced his neck with his index finger.

The index finger wouldn’t cut his flesh, but it was as frightening as a blade, making Oried recoil. His female insect, with his high “professionalism,” stood in front of him.

“So your neck is also made of flesh and blood. Seeing how much you like foxes, I thought your neck was made of steel.”

Oried was both scared and angry, and in his rage, he played his last card. He pushed his female insect aside and showed He Yue his optical device.

The application’s interface was displayed before He Yue, a mocking sight. The two buttons at the bottom, “Approve” and “Reject,” were particularly glaring.

The Speaker’s authority was his last resort.

“He Yue, I don’t accept your fox, but I still have the final say on the art exhibition, right?”

He Yue’s hands clenched into fists. His good upbringing and strong mental fortitude made him even calmer the angrier he became.

He didn’t want to give up this opportunity, but he also didn’t want to be controlled by Oried.

The art exhibition, he really wanted to hold it.

He Yue placed his finger on the “Reject” button.

His composure fooled Oried, making him anxious. “The article your female insect worked so hard on, the projects he ran, the results he earned with his hard work, are all being wasted by you.”

He Yue paused.

A hand appeared before He Yue and pressed the “Reject” button.

“If it’s for this reason, Master doesn’t have to hesitate.”

He Yue turned to look at Wien, who had intervened, a flicker of emotion in his clear pupils.

“Speaker, please leave.” Wien stood behind He Yue, moving slightly closer. He wrapped one arm around He Yue’s side, his fingertips resting on the edge of the dining table, gently encircling him.

Oried hadn’t gained any advantage from He Yue, and his threatening leverage had been mercilessly thrown back at him by Wien, making him lose face.

“It was my negligence not to investigate the grudge between Master and the Speaker. If you don’t want to fight me, please leave.”

“You dare to fight me?”

Oried couldn’t believe this female insect dared to use violence against him.

Male insects were a rare and precious species, and even if they were physically weak, they could suppress all female insects with their genetic imprint and pheromones. Whether it was his position as one of the few highest-ranking male insects, or his rare, high-grade male insect pheromones, he had absolute control over female insects.

Oried, who had long enjoyed the flattery of both male and female insects, who stood at the pinnacle of the insect race, who acted tyrannically in every field, had almost forgotten what it felt like to be defied.

The last time this had happened was during a business war with a rival company, against a ruthless female insect.

He Yue, as a male insect, daring to argue with him had already enraged him, and now He Yue’s female slave was also challenging him.

“Speaker, you’ve angered my Master.”

Wien’s eyes showed no signs of backing down, and he was even more resolute than when he had come to him for his signature. He still had a bit of hope and reminded him, “Have you forgotten how you got this opportunity?”

“I remember, but my Master is angry, and that’s more important than anything. Please leave, Speaker Oried.”

Wien, as a female insect, hadn’t used any honorifics for Oried, which was the last shred of politeness under his suppressed anger. Oried angrily retracted his optical device and, to save face, said,

“As long as I’m here, you won’t be able to hold a single exhibition.”

He stormed off, slamming the private room door behind him, the sound echoing.

He Yue sat in his seat, dazed, his expression blank.

“Master…” Wien, seeing his Master’s dejection, his heart ached.

He Yue picked up his chopsticks, pointed to the table full of food, forced a smile, and said, “What a waste of good food. Let’s pack it up and take it home, don’t waste it.”

He was a bit lost, not wanting to let it go, but also not wanting to provoke this tumor.

But he really wanted to hold the art exhibition.

The quieter he was, the more anxious Wien became.

“No, Master, I was wrong… I heard some things from the fox, it was my fault for not investigating the name carefully.”

It was just a coincidence, and no one could have predicted it. But Wien just wanted to take all the blame, even if it meant being a punching bag, just to make He Yue feel a little better.

“It’s alright, it’s not your fault.”

The final approval was in Oried’s hands, and without his consent, no exhibition could be held.

“If we can’t hold it, then we won’t. We won’t beg him.” He Yue said lightly, his hard exterior hiding his disappointment, his calm eyes showing no emotion, as if he didn’t care.

Wien knew he was sulking, and his heart ached. He knelt before him. He was afraid of his Master’s coldness, whether it was from anger or sadness. This shell could push him far, far away from He Yue, making him feel suffocated.

“Master… if we can’t hold a for-profit exhibition, we’ll hold a free one. I have money, I can afford the venue, and it’s more convenient if it’s not for profit, right? Don’t be sad, don’t be like this…”

He gently shook He Yue’s knee. “It’s all my fault, I didn’t investigate properly, please punish me.” Wien looked at He Yue anxiously, who remained unmoved, and urgently pulled his hand. “Master, you can punish me however you want, just don’t be like this… say something, doggy, please…”

He Yue’s eyes flickered, a ripple disturbing his forced calm.

“Doggy, hug me.”