Master of Masters 30p1

Chapter 30 Part 1

Snow was falling outside the window, and the temperature had dropped below zero today.

Was this the first snow since he came to this world?

He Yue thought as he walked into the kitchen, casually tying the apron strings around his waist.

Cooking dinner was usually Koeyle’s task when he returned, but he had sent a message in the afternoon saying he would be late, and there was still no sign of him at eight o’clock in the evening.

He Yue had initially intended to just have nutrient solution, but seeing the first snow outside, he felt like cooking.

Eating mutton during the first snowfall was a custom from his hometown, a tradition he had followed for twenty or thirty years, and it had become a habit. He skillfully took out mutton rolls from the refrigerator and turned on the stove.

The changing of seasons in the insect world wasn’t as regular as on Earth. Even though he didn’t know how long this cold spell brought by the nuclear hole would last, He Yue decided to consider it his first winter in the insect world.

The rich soup bubbled merrily, filling the room with a delicious aroma. The room temperature even rose a few degrees from the steaming pot, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

He Yue added the final seasonings to the boiling soup, scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and slowly took a sip.

The saltiness was just right, perfect for blanching mutton.

He stirred the soup with the spoon before turning off the heat.

The sound of the door opening came at the right moment. Koeyle entered, wearing a thick military coat, some snow on his shoulders. Before he could take off his coat, he was drawn to the aroma from the kitchen and walked over.

In the semi-open kitchen, He Yue, his long hair loose, was carefully chopping green onions and adding them to the fragrant pot. The apron was loosely tied behind his waist, covering some of his hair.

Koeyle’s gaze followed the knot at He Yue’s back as he moved around.

Finally, as if possessed, Koeyle walked over, untied the casually tied knot, pulled the apron strings tighter, and retied them into a neat bow.

The apron strings were now snug against He Yue’s waist, leaving no gap, even creasing the fabric of his clothes at his sides, accentuating the curve of his waist. His broad shoulders and narrow waist were on full display, and Koeyle pulled the strands of hair that had been caught under the apron strings, letting them fall loose.

He Yue, still holding a spoon, turned to face Koeyle.

The fur collar of Koeyle’s coat was damp, his face flushed from the cold, and his eyes were bloodshot, showing his exhaustion.

“What are you doing?” He Yue asked.

Koeyle finally tore his gaze away from He Yue, a hint of guilt in his voice. “Master’s apron strings were loose, so I tied them for you.”

He Yue remained silent, his eyes scanning Koeyle up and down, his smile vanishing, his face turning cold.

Koeyle froze, knowing that his Master was displeased. He opened his coat, knelt down, and lowered his head, whispering, “I’m sorry.”

The colonel, always adept at reading people, used this clever skill in strange ways.

He Yue’s expression softened. He hadn’t been angry, just teasing the colonel. He was quite satisfied with Koeyle’s immediate reaction. He scooped a spoonful of soup from the pot, which had already been turned off, and held it to Koeyle’s lips.

“Try it?”

He Yue didn’t tell him to get up, and Koeyle didn’t move, taking the spoon and drinking the thick soup in one gulp.

The soup was slightly hot, but still within a bearable range. The delicious flavor that burst on his taste buds surprised Koeyle. He rarely saw He Yue cook, but this was unexpectedly delicious.

“It tastes very good. Master’s cooking skills are excellent.”

He Yue nodded in satisfaction, gesturing for him to bring the pot and induction cooker to the dining table.

Koeyle obeyed, setting the table, taking off his bulky coat, and standing beside He Yue. His Master hadn’t specified how he should eat, so he should kneel at his feet.

Initially, he felt uncomfortable, but later, he became completely accustomed to it, even anticipating it, doing it without needing to be reminded.

Habit truly was a terrifying thing.

Koeyle thought, about to kneel on one knee, when he heard He Yue’s voice: “Sit. Let’s blanch the mutton together.”

He froze, a faint smile appearing on his lips at this unexpected permission. “Yes, thank you, Master.” Sharing a meal at the same table was a reward he only received when he performed well.

He Yue tilted his head and looked at the man who couldn’t hide his happiness, a puzzled look on his face.

He was just too lazy to blanch the mutton himself. What was this insect thinking?

But he didn’t ask, instead focusing on putting the mutton rolls into the boiling soup, waiting for them to change color from bright pink to light brown.

“Was work busy at the base today?” He Yue asked casually, taking a bite of meat.

Koeyle’s hand paused as he picked up some meat, his mind flashing with various thoughts. The bad news from the base meeting, the mistakes during personal training, the poor test results of the base’s military females… Countless worries and pressures weighed him down.

He looked at He Yue’s relaxed and cheerful expression.

“It was alright.” Koeyle chewed a piece of meat, his speech slightly muffled, trying to hide his anxiety.

The lesson from last time was still fresh in his mind. Even something as trivial as jealousy wasn’t something he had the right to hide from his Master. He had experienced He Yue’s absolute desire for control, especially when they were in the studio. Every single physical sensation had to be under He Yue’s control, and even outside the studio, this desire for control seeped into his life through the straps and locks.

Strangely, Koeyle was becoming increasingly drawn to this bordering-on-obsessive control, finding it incredibly reassuring.

But he shouldn’t ruin He Yue’s mood by talking about the troublesome matters at the base, right?

Koeyle tightened his grip on his chopsticks and said, “I should have been the one making dinner. I apologize for troubling Master to do it himself.”

“Cooking occasionally, as a hobby, is quite enjoyable.”

They fell silent again, focusing on the meal before them. The only sounds in the room were the bubbling of the soup and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

He Yue didn’t need to think to know that the sudden drop in temperature was definitely related to the nuclear hole, but he had been busy cooking after the snowfall and hadn’t had time to check the news on his optical device.

“Go wash the dishes and put away the tableware.” He Yue said, wiping his mouth.

“Yes.”

“Wait,” He Yue tossed him the key as usual. “Unlock the lock before you start working.”

The sound of Koeyle doing chores soon came from the semi-open kitchen. He Yue sat on the sofa and opened his optical device, browsing the news.

As expected, the headline was: Area C reconnaissance team lost contact.

How many teams was this now? He Yue couldn’t quite remember.

The reconnaissance teams entering the nuclear hole hadn’t brought back any useful information. The nuclear hole was truly like a giant beast, devouring these insects, a nightmare with no return.

The base still knew nothing about this nuclear hole, and it was still moving downwards at a certain speed every day, swallowing everything in its path, gradually shrinking the Empire’s territory, causing widespread panic.

Judging by Koeyle’s state, the base must have put a lot of pressure on him.

The head of Area A, Colonel Koeyle, the only female colonel…

He Yue had more ideas for the remaining 60%.

After Koeyle finished cleaning up the kitchen, he came out and saw He Yue bundled up in a white coat, wearing a scarf and hat.

The thick coat made him look puffy, the fluffy cotton completely concealing his slender, tall figure. The fluffy scarf and hat covered everything but his beautiful eyes, making his amber pupils even clearer and more prominent.

Koeyle suppressed the urge to rush over and hug this cotton ball, asking, “Where is Master going so late?”

“The courtyard. There’s already a layer of snow.”

Koeyle glanced at the snowflakes falling outside and thoughtfully put on his coat. In his mind, this was the first snow in He Yue’s life, so the novelty was inevitable.

His gaze towards He Yue softened.

The falling snowflakes created a unique atmosphere, especially under the courtyard lights. The freshly fallen snow was incredibly soft, relaxing to step on or hold in one’s hand.

He Yue squatted down and scooped up a handful of loose snow, packing it into a snowball.

The snow here seemed no different from that on Earth.

He thought, noticing a shadow approaching beside him.

“Master, do you want to wear gloves? Be careful not to catch a cold… Hey!”

Before Koeyle could react, He Yue threw the snowball at him. He hadn’t paid attention to the force or direction, and the snowball hit Koeyle squarely in the face.

Snow clung to Koeyle’s nose, quickly melting into water.

The temperature was a few degrees below zero, but the water on Koeyle’s face didn’t freeze, instead trickling down his neck as icy water.

“Master…” Koeyle said helplessly, his voice gentle, without a hint of annoyance.

Seeing his embarrassment, He Yue laughed happily and threw a few more snowballs at his military coat.

Koeyle didn’t mind, letting him have his fun. He packed a snowball and was about to throw it at He Yue. Looking at the person in the light-colored coat, almost blending into the snow, his aim and force were off, and the snowball landed at He Yue’s feet.

He Yue immediately retaliated, throwing a snowball at him without hesitation.

“Colonel Koeyle, do you also miss your target when throwing grenades?”

“That was just a slip of the hand.” Koeyle explained with a smile, but he never managed to hit He Yue with a snowball. His own body was covered in snow, while He Yue’s clothes only bore faint traces from the falling snowflakes.

Even the largest snowballs didn’t hurt when they hit him, and Koeyle put on a convincing performance, making He Yue very happy.

The layer of snow in the courtyard was now covered in messy footprints and some signs of rolling around.

It was very late, and He Yue, slightly tired from playing, sat under the eaves of the entrance, staring blankly at the falling snow.

A cup filled with hot water appeared in his vision, white steam rising from it.

“Master, have some ginger tea. Be careful not to catch a cold.” Koeyle handed him the ceramic cup.

He Yue took it with a smile. “I’m not that fragile.”

“Male insects don’t have strong physiques, you still need to be careful.” Koeyle said, staring at the snowy courtyard, seemingly talking to himself as well.

He Yue took a sip of the ginger tea, the spicy taste unpleasant on his tongue. He took two sips and then put the cup aside.

“The hand that wields a whip isn’t that weak.”

Koeyle froze, the healed and still-faint scars on his body itching at the thought. He, of course, remembered He Yue’s arms, the thin layer of muscle taut, outlining beautiful lines… captivating.

“How long will this snow last?” He Yue asked.

Koeyle came back to his senses. “A long time. The low temperature won’t disappear until the nuclear hole is completely resolved.” He seemed to remember something, his expression turning serious, his tone grave. “The snow will get heavier and might even cause disasters. Master needs to be even more careful.”

He Yue asked casually, “Will the temperature drop without warning?”

“No, the center of the nuclear hole is still far from us, at least one or two months away.”

He Yue patted his shoulder, his voice gentle yet firm. “So, don’t be so tense, Colonel. The world isn’t going to end tomorrow, and you don’t need to come up with a solution today. If you’re tired, rest.”

Koeyle’s heart throbbed.

He had thought He Yue had canceled their usual studio game because he was amused by the first snow, but now he realized that his own exhaustion and anxiety had been clearly seen by He Yue from the moment he entered.

His Master was more composed and reliable than he had imagined.

As for his clumsy attempt to hide it, it was probably seen through the moment he spoke. Koeyle considered himself to have excellent mental fortitude, but when he lied or concealed things in front of He Yue, he would nervously clench his legs, memories of their interactions flooding his senses.

Like how his mouth would water at the mention of sweets.

He desperately wanted to hug the cotton ball in front of him, but he felt that if he asked, He Yue might not agree. He looked at He Yue’s reddened hands from playing with the snow and took them in his own.

“They’re so cold…”

Koeyle took the opportunity to move closer, sitting right beside him, placing He Yue’s cold hands against his neck. He shivered from the cold, but pressed He Yue’s hands even closer.

“Now, can you tell me what you’re hiding from me?” He Yue asked.

Those clear eyes had the ability to see through people, clearly discerning the turmoil in his heart.

Koeyle blinked and whispered, “I’m sorry.” This had almost become his mantra. Whether in the studio or outside, as long as he was with He Yue, he was constantly making mistakes and apologizing.

A sense of frustration inevitably arose.

“Same as before, is it a base secret that I can’t know?” The familiar question, however, lacked the previous oppressive tone, now gentle and guiding, luring him in. “If so, I won’t ask.”

“No,” Koeyle immediately replied. “It’s not a secret that Master can’t know, it’s my own problem.”

He seemed awkward, the high walls he had built around himself from years of facing difficulties and anxieties alone, gradually opening for He Yue. He spoke seemingly irrelevant nonsense, like a slow, self-hypnotizing spell. “It’s my own matter. I’ve already sold myself to you, my everything. I have no secrets from you.”

He Yue’s fingers pinched his earlobe, nodding encouragingly. “Continue.”

“This nuclear hole is more complex than we imagined. Reconnaissance teams are disappearing one after another, and we still know nothing about it. Perhaps it’s the pressure, I don’t know, but I keep encountering problems during simulation training. The most troublesome thing is, I can’t concentrate, my focus and mental strength test results are getting worse and worse…”

Koeyle realized he was just pointlessly venting and immediately stopped pouring out his negative emotions. “I don’t want to ruin your good mood. It’s the first snow today, and you seem, quite happy. I’m fine, nuclear holes are always difficult to deal with at first, it will get better after a while…”

The exhaustion he had tried to hide was now fully revealed as he finally spoke, his whole demeanor dejected.

“I’m sorry, Master, I shouldn’t have said these things.” Koeyle immediately backtracked, seeing the change in He Yue’s expression. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have upset you. I should make you happy…”

He was sincerely apologizing.

From beginning to end, he considered it his duty to take care of He Yue and make him happy and comfortable.

He Yue pondered for a moment, seeming to understand why Koeyle’s value hadn’t changed at all these past few days.

“No wonder you’ve been so distracted even when we’re in the studio these past two days.”

Koeyle froze, his face visibly redder than before. He was highly focused most of the time in the studio, even more so than during the nuclear hole simulation training. The reason for his occasional distraction…

Was because he was staring at He Yue.

He was too embarrassed to say this, only nodding in acknowledgment.

“You need to rest, Colonel Koeyle.” He Yue feigned seriousness.

He, of course, knew that the various pressures were weighing down on the colonel, making his defenses weaker than usual…

Thus, it was the perfect opportunity for conquest and taming.

“The day after tomorrow, a friend of mine who runs an exhibition said he has some new gadgets, and I want to take a look.” He Yue leaned closer, the hand that had been resting on Koeyle’s neck now more like an embrace. “What are your plans for the day after tomorrow?”

“Just, the routine personal nuclear hole simulation training. Any matters that need to be dealt with can be completed tomorrow.”

He Yue tilted his head closer, his eyes reflecting the orange glow of the courtyard lights. “According to base regulations, can the colonel take a day off?”

“Yes.”

Since it was objectively feasible, then subjectively…

He Yue smiled cunningly, feigning regret as he withdrew his hand, furrowing his brows slightly. “I don’t want to go alone. If the colonel isn’t willing to take a day off, I can only ask Wien…”

“I’ll accompany you!”

Koeyle, as if triggered by the word “Wien,” blurted out.

“Alright.” He Yue agreed, a triumphant smile on his face. He knew Koeyle was wary of Wien, treating him like a rival.

Koeyle paused under his gaze, immediately realizing He Yue’s little trick, and took the opportunity to hug him. “Master is doing this on purpose.”

“I’m not. I can send a message to Wien right now.”