Chapter 23: “Master…” [Koeyle, 20%]/[Wien, 54%]…
Wien’s expression stiffened, his hands clenched tightly behind his back. “It’s just that the food has gotten cold. May I reheat it for Master?”
“Yes, in a moment.”
He Yue took a clean tissue from the box on the table and wiped Wien’s nose.
The soft tissue brushed against the tip of his nose, then across his lips and chin. Wien looked at He Yue, who was close to him, momentarily mesmerized by his serious expression.
“Go ahead now.”
Wien stood up, ignoring the slight pain in his knees, rolled up his sleeves, and took the dishes from the table to the semi-open kitchen.
The kitchen hadn’t been cleaned up yet; bits of chopped vegetables were still on the cutting board, and the leftover oil in the wok had pooled in the center. Wien put the dishes in the microwave to reheat, staring blankly at the mess in the kitchen as he waited.
Master didn’t like drinking nutrient solution to satiate his hunger. He preferred hot dishes and hot soup…
Wien couldn’t name most of the fresh ingredients piled in the corner of the kitchen, but he silently memorized their shapes and colors.
When the food was brought back to the table, the ceramic bowls and plates were slightly hot.
Wien knelt back down at He Yue’s feet, waiting to eat whatever He Yue put in his bowl. The prostrate position was humiliating, but he didn’t have the slightest such thought.
Looking down, he saw his bowl placed next to He Yue’s shoes. Instead of the shame he should have felt, he only felt a sense of belonging and attachment.
Even though he wasn’t hungry at all, even feeling slightly bloated, his knees stinging, and his back aching from the kneeling position, he didn’t utter a single word of complaint.
Seeing him finish the food on his plate, He Yue picked up some food with his chopsticks, lifted Wien’s chin with one hand, and brought the chopsticks to his lips.
“Good doggy, open your mouth.”
Wien, surprised, still obeyed and opened his mouth.
The chopsticks, laden with food, were inserted into his mouth, and He Yue released his chin.
“Are you full?”
Wien chewed, noticing that the rice in He Yue’s bowl was also gone, as if he had finished eating. He nodded. “Thank you for the meal, Master. I’m full.”
“Good, clear the table. I’ll go take a look at the things you brought.”
“Yes.”
Wien was still somewhat dazed, likely still immersed in the gentle feeling of being fed by Master. He stood up abruptly, the stinging pain in his knees causing him to stumble forward.
“Master, I’m sorry.” Wien steadied himself, realizing his gaffe.
He Yue raised an eyebrow, a dangerous yet alluring aura emanating from him. “If you don’t like standing, then just stay kneeling from now on.”
Wien felt his knees weaken and lowered his head, replying “Yes,” before carefully clearing the table.
He Yue pulled a chair over to the pile of bags and began rummaging through them one by one. He took out a fleece-lined coat and couldn’t help but stroke the soft fabric.
He loved fluffy things, especially this kind of soft fur.
He put on the coat, which was several sizes too big. The hem, which should have reached his knees, dragged down to his calves. It was comfortable, but it felt like he was wearing a thicker quilt.
Ill-fitting, but very comfortable to the touch.
He Yue sat down and continued rummaging through the bags.
The air conditioning in the room was set to the perfect temperature, and soon, he started to feel warm.
He was about to take off the coat when a gust of cold wind blew in as the door opened. He stopped and looked up, seeing Koeyle entering, holding an umbrella in one hand and a bag in the other.
They looked at each other, locking eyes for a few seconds. It wasn’t until He Yue shivered from the cold wind that Koeyle walked in and closed the door.
“Did Master go out?”
Koeyle hung the umbrella by the door, changed his shoes, and walked in. He was wearing his full uniform, the black military cape draped over his shoulders, some rainwater on the thick fur collar.
Perhaps it was the effect of the uniform, but he looked solemn and stern.
He had been momentarily stunned when he first saw the white bundle, but his tense expression relaxed considerably, and his voice softened. “I brought back some clothes that fit Master’s size.”
He placed the bag in front of He Yue.
“It’s fine if Master likes wrapping himself in a quilt. These can be worn when going out.” He saw the hot water bottle, cotton socks, and gloves in the bag in front of He Yue. “Are these being sold outside now?”
“No, Wien brought them.”
Just as he spoke, Wien, hearing the commotion, walked out of the kitchen and came face to face with Koeyle. He was wearing his civilian major’s uniform, but with an apron tied around his waist.
They silently confronted each other for a few seconds.
Wien took off his apron first, walked up to Koeyle, and gave a standard imperial military salute.
He was now facing the head of Area A, his direct superior. He bowed his head, his voice steady and strong, neither servile nor arrogant. “Good day, sir.”
Koeyle nodded, his tone polite yet cold: “Major Wien, long time no see. How are you adapting to your work at the research institute?” He carried the aloofness and superiority of a superior officer, his sharp gaze sweeping over Wien.
“Thanks to Master and sir, everything is well.” Perhaps because Wien was taller than Koeyle, his aura wasn’t suppressed at all. The sharpness he had sheathed before his Master was now fully displayed.
Koeyle paused and said, “If I’m not mistaken, Major Wien, leaving the research institute without permission is a punishable offense.”
Wien, however, smiled, the smile not reaching his eyes, his gaze cold. “The safety of the accompanying male insect is the highest priority for an accompanying female insect, even within the base. With the sudden drop in temperature due to the nuclear hole crisis, I brought clothes for my accompanying male insect to keep him warm. Is this also a punishable offense?”
He watched Koeyle’s face darken, his smile deepening. “However, there’s no need for sir’s reminder. I’ve already applied for leave from the research institute. The reason for the leave is that I need to take care of my, accompanying male insect.”
There was no doubt that he emphasized the last two words.
He Yue, watching the show from his seat, saw the number above Koeyle’s head flicker a few times, his hand, half-hidden by the military cape, clenched tightly into a fist.
The silent confrontation between these two was quite amusing.
“It’s getting late, Major Wien. Master won’t go hungry or cold here,” Koeyle’s gaze fell on He Yue, who was still wearing the ill-fitting coat. “He doesn’t need to wear ill-fitting clothes when going out, there’s no need to worry.”
As a colonel, Koeyle could get supplies in Area A as quickly as possible, while Wien could only use his own.
Wien looked away, showing no intention of leaving.
He Yue finally chuckled, stood up, and walked over to him. “Wien, it’s very late, go back.”
“Master…” The cold facade crumbled, his feigned pitiful look resembling a small dog about to be abandoned by its owner.
He Yue was amused and pinched his cheek. “Be obedient.”
Wien’s disappointed look was unconcealed, and he mumbled a soft “Yes,” but he didn’t move, remaining rooted to the spot.
He Yue took off the ill-fitting coat and draped it over Wien, meeting his surprised and delighted gaze. He adjusted the collar, wrapping it more securely around Wien.
“It’s cold at night, don’t catch a cold.”
Just as he finished speaking, the system’s prompt overlapped.
[Koeyle, 20%.]
[Wien, 54%.]
