Chapter 35: I Am Yours [Koeyle, 62%]
The female colonel’s recovery speed far exceeded He Yue’s expectations. The insect who had been covered in blood and on the verge of infection last night was now completely fine. The red marks He Yue had left on his wrist had faded to a light bruise overnight, and the blisters on the colonel’s cheek from the 100+ degree Celsius wax, and the burn on his chin from the 1000+ degree Celsius flame, were only faint shadows.
Just how did this incredible race evolve?
He Yue couldn’t help but marvel as he watched the busy figure in the open kitchen.
Truly an iron body, an indestructible toy. Those terrifying projects at Castle, when applied to Koeyle, were all easily handled.
The female colonel was stir-frying in the kitchen, his little scheme obvious.
His upper body was bare, only white bandages wrapped around him, covering the still-healing, gruesome-looking scars. The areas not touched by the rattan whip had already healed, the skin unblemished, exposed to the air.
The muscles on his arms and chest were faintly visible under the crisscrossing bandages, the apron tied around his waist covering his front, but showcasing his well-defined back muscles. He wasn’t particularly bulky, more lean and strong, his broad back exuding a sense of security.
He tightened his grip on the spatula, the muscles in his arm flexing.
He Yue chuckled softly, seeing through this little trick.
He found it amusing that this usually stern and serious colonel’s first order of business after waking up was to check his wounds, not out of concern for the injuries themselves, but to figure out how to wrap the bandages to attract his Master’s attention.
Only He Yue could make this superior military female act like this. The beautiful necklace around Koeyle’s neck proclaimed the colonel’s ownership, both aesthetically pleasing and a strong symbol of submission.
Delicious dishes were arranged on the table, steaming hot. Koeyle removed his apron, hung it on the rack, and without waiting for He Yue’s command, obediently knelt at his feet.
He ate whatever He Yue gave him, the submissive posture no longer carrying a sense of rebellious shame, but rather contentment.
The exquisite collar around his neck restrained not just his neck, but also his once rebellious heart. This willing subservience was something He Yue had carefully cultivated from 0%.
“By the way, Colonel Koeyle,” He Yue put down his chopsticks after finishing his meal, resting his chin on his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. “I really like the way you look wearing only an apron.”
Koeyle, kneeling beside the dining table, visibly stiffened, his breathing becoming erratic. He was both flustered by his clumsy little scheme being exposed and pleasantly surprised by He Yue’s straightforward expression of appreciation.
“I… thank you, Master.” He thanked him, even more flustered, noticing He Yue’s deepening smile.
Koeyle stood up at He Yue’s command and, under his gaze, awkwardly tied the apron around his waist, only to hear a burst of laughter behind him. He turned around and saw He Yue sitting in the chair, laughing uncontrollably, his beautiful eyes narrowed to slits. He shook his head helplessly, yet seemed to be infected by the laughter, his mood lifting.
He meticulously cleaned up all the tableware in the kitchen. Covered in bandages, he no longer exuded the oppressive aura of a colonel, but more like a dedicated homemaker.
This rare warmth and tranquility was also something he had gained from He Yue.
“Master, headquarters has notified me of an emergency meeting at the base.” Koeyle removed his apron, placed it on the rack, and after receiving He Yue’s nod of approval, went upstairs to change.
The fitted formal shirt clung to his body, the bandages faintly visible beneath the fabric. Koeyle buttoned his shirt to the top, the collar completely concealing the necklace He Yue had given him.
He felt a strange sense of excitement, a secret thrill from hiding the collar beneath his uniform.
He put on his polished black military boots and his uniform jacket at the door, his stern, forbidding aura returning. The silver epaulettes symbolizing status and honor, and the metal collar symbolizing ownership, created a stark contrast on him.
He Yue walked up to Koeyle, his eyes scanning the female colonel who had admitted to being his dog last night. Only when he was fully dressed did he truly feel the difference, the more interesting aspect of this dog compared to those at Castle.
A special race, a special background, a special status.
“How long until the meeting?”
“Less than an hour.”
Koeyle replied, his regret evident. He also saw the interest in He Yue’s eyes, different from the kind he had seen in the studio yesterday.
If there was enough time, he could play more games with his Master while wearing this uniform.
He Yue nodded, his finger hooking the top button of Koeyle’s shirt.
His slender fingers unbuttoned two buttons, revealing the metal collar beneath. It rested quietly against Koeyle’s neck, complementing his uniform.
He Yue’s index finger hooked the slightly loose collar, and he tilted his head, smiling faintly.
“Colonel, what is this?”
Koeyle flinched, the skin beneath the collar burning. “This is, a collar.” He swallowed nervously, the secret thrill of this contrast exciting him.
He Yue’s smile deepened, his alluring eyes watching Koeyle’s every move.
“Why is the colonel wearing this kind of thing?”
As if role-playing, He Yue’s tone made Koeyle feel like the person questioning him wasn’t his Master, but an uninformed bystander. This bystander had accidentally discovered the secret beneath his uniform and was now exposing it.
His throat was dry, a deep itch in his core, his arousal straining against his clothes.
“It’s… it’s a gift from my Master…”
“Really? Why would your Master give you something like this?” He Yue pressed, as if he wouldn’t stop until he received the answer he wanted.
Koeyle lowered his eyes, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He Yue’s gaze was harmless, even innocent, as he blinked, perfectly playing the role of an inquisitive bystander.
His deepest secret was being exposed, the colonel’s uniform acting as the perfect catalyst.
“Because, I am, Master’s dog.”
As soon as he spoke, Koeyle’s face flushed crimson, his ears burning. Wearing his uniform, these shameful words were even more arousing than any physical touch.
“If you’re a dog, why are you dressed like this? A vicious dog wearing a collar should be chained at the door, shouldn’t it?”
Koeyle’s mind was reeling from He Yue’s words, and he had to use his remaining rationality to think of an answer that would satisfy He Yue. He paused, then said, “Because, I am Master’s dog, and also, Colonel Koeyle of Area A base.”
He Yue nodded in satisfaction, truly pleased by these words.
He shifted his stance slightly, trying to hide the secret beneath his clothes.
But He Yue saw through it, his fingers pinching Koeyle without hesitation. Koeyle’s knees buckled, and he stumbled forward, restrained by the collar.
“How can you attend a meeting with your clothes soiled, Colonel?”
These seemingly innocuous words were more effective than He Yue’s usual teasing insults.
“They won’t get soiled.”
“Really?” He Yue pressed his thumb against Koeyle’s arousal, a mischievous glint in his eyes, pleased by the resulting moan. “Aren’t they soiled now?”
“Master…”
Koeyle found his Master childishly cute when he was being mischievous, even though he was the one suffering and enjoying it at the same time.
He Yue, having successfully teased his dog, stroked his neck, his voice light and gentle. “I just wanted to see if the colonel has forgotten his place after putting on this uniform. You can’t just forget whose dog you are after leaving this door.”
“I’m yours,” Koeyle suppressed his surging emotions, repeating each word slowly, earnestly, and firmly. “Yours.”
He Yue smiled and pinched his cheek as a reward. “Good boy.”
The snow outside was falling more heavily now. Even though it had been cleared yesterday, a thick layer had already accumulated in the courtyard. Koeyle’s boots left deep footprints in the snow, sinking almost to his ankles with each step.
He quickly disappeared into the snowstorm, wearing his colonel’s uniform and the collar He Yue had given him.
He Yue lay contentedly on the sofa, routinely checking the news.
The blizzard had reached a point where it was disrupting daily life. Shops were closed, and all recreational activities were suspended. Without any special arrangements, there were few insects on the streets besides homeless, masterless females.
Everything was on pause, all eyes and hopes focused on the reconnaissance team that had entered the secondary nuclear hole in Area A. Their communication devices had been blocked upon entry, cutting off all contact with the outside world. Only a tracking device they carried sent signals to the large screen in the base’s command center.
If the tracker was destroyed, the reconnaissance team would be presumed lost, and the base would send in a new team.
The public screen, viewable on the optical network at any time, still showed a few red dots, representing the remaining military females who were everyone’s hope.
He Yue remembered that in just a few days, the number of red dots had dwindled significantly.
As the authorities had said, this was the most severe nuclear hole crisis in the history of the insect race.
A new message appeared on his optical device, from the craftsman Kano had introduced him to. He politely inquired about He Yue’s opinion of his work.
They chatted for a long time, from the design and usage of the five metal objects, to He Yue’s design ideas and the craftsman’s experience, talking about almost everything.
He Yue could confirm through Kano that the other party was a female insect, but she always politely addressed him as “sir.” Throughout their conversation, she hadn’t asked for He Yue’s name, nor had she revealed her own.
Like online friends in human society, they shared similar views and chatted freely.
He Yue had a strange feeling.
If they were both trainers at Castle, they would definitely be rivals. But now, they were both in the insect world, one a female insect, the other a male.
What a difference in status.
His occupational habit of analyzing people led him to this conclusion.
In the evening, He Yue took a moment to check the public signal screen for the Area A nuclear hole reconnaissance team. Only a few red dots remained. The public discussion on the optical network was heated, worry and panic inevitably spreading across the planet.
The snow outside was falling more heavily now, the wind howling against the windows.
The moment Koeyle entered, He Yue smelled a strong scent of blood and medicine, so pungent that he frowned in discomfort.
Koeyle’s uniform jacket was covered in a thick layer of snow, which he shook off before hanging it on the coat rack by the door. There were a few new cuts on his face, and he looked dejected and exhausted.
He Yue looked at him, puzzled.
Did they fight during emergency meetings in the insect world?
Koeyle silently changed his shoes, took a bottle of medicine from his jacket pocket, and walked over to He Yue. His gaze softened considerably upon meeting He Yue’s, his usually calm eyes flickering with emotion.
“Master, I see the bruise on your wrist hasn’t healed yet.”
He Yue paused, silently extending his hand.
Koeyle applied the light red medicinal oil to his palm, rubbed it warm, and then placed it on He Yue’s wrist, gently massaging the bruised area. He Yue’s delicate skin was much colder than his palm, and Koeyle treated it with care, as if it were a precious treasure. His gaze fixed on He Yue’s wrist, he said softly, “Tell me if it hurts.”
He Yue shook his head without saying a word.
They tacitly avoided mentioning the Area A nuclear hole reconnaissance, and He Yue didn’t ask about the bloodstains on his face and the gruesome stains on his white shirt.
He knew what Koeyle needed at this moment. This pitiful little dog probably just wanted to be with him for a while, even if they didn’t speak.
As the medicine gradually took effect, He Yue felt a warmth spreading from his skin inwards, a comfortable sensation on his wrist.
Koeyle withdrew his hand, closed the medicine bottle, and placed it on the table, kneeling there without moving. There was still some medicinal oil on his hand, and he could almost still feel the smooth texture of He Yue’s delicate skin.
He found a foothold in the bottomless pit of despair, his lost gaze seeming to regain focus.
“Take off your clothes and wait for me.”
Koeyle unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the bandages completely soaked in blood.
When He Yue returned, he was carrying not just clean bandages, but also a thin metal chain. It was an important part of the custom-made set, a leash that could be attached to the other five items.
“Did you fight with other female insects at the meeting?” He Yue used the scissors on the table to cut off the blood-soaked bandages. “Aren’t you the boss of this Area A base?”
The cold scissors against his burning skin made Koeyle shiver. He explained, “I didn’t fight at the meeting, I went to training afterwards.”
The fresh wounds beneath the bandages were mostly muscle strains, the kind that would reopen if stretched to their limit.
The end of the leash was attached to the collar, and He Yue tugged it lightly, making Koeyle look up at him. He knew what Koeyle needed, and he knew what he should give.
He raised his hand high and slapped Koeyle across the face.
He Yue used considerable force, making Koeyle’s head ring.
“Open your eyes and look at this.” He Yue pulled the chain, dragging him closer. “Think carefully before you answer me.”
His tone was cold, his downcast eyes hiding his emotions. But the oppressive force was overwhelming, his authority and dominance like that of a Master who controlled everything about the female colonel.
“It’s a leash. I’m Master’s dog.” One side of Koeyle’s face was swelling, his voice slightly muffled.
This oppressive feeling made him panic and struggle to breathe, yet it also seemed to hold his entire being in its grasp, bringing him back from his wavering thoughts, focusing him on the present.
One end of the leash was attached to his neck, but it wasn’t just his neck, it felt like his entire being was bound.
“Who gave you these injuries?”
“You…” Koeyle’s voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. When he had been venting his emotions recklessly at the training ground, he had completely forgotten this.
He was He Yue’s possession; he didn’t have the right to damage his own body.
Everything became clear, the fog that had long clouded his mind finally dissipating.
Koeyle, ignoring the leash around his neck, endured the almost suffocating pain as he lowered his head towards the floor. His forehead finally touched He Yue’s toes, a light, fleeting contact.
“I’m sorry, Master,” Koeyle said, his eyes downcast. “I belong to you, I shouldn’t have deliberately harmed my own body…” He straightened up, his gaze filled with devotion as he looked up. “I was wrong, please punish me.”
“Have you figured it out?” He Yue slightly loosened the chain in his hand.
Koeyle nodded. “I’ve figured it out. I am your dog.” For the first time, he didn’t find this a humiliating insult, nor did he feel it trampled on his dignity.
He needed to belong.
When he had pushed himself to the limit during training, trying to dispel the anxiety of the Area A nuclear hole, the pain from his reopened wounds hadn’t brought him clarity or satisfaction, only pointless suffering.
Because it wasn’t pain given by He Yue.
The times he had felt relief from pain under He Yue’s hand were only because it came from He Yue, from his Master.
He also felt, for the first time, that these words weren’t just flirtation, but a true vow.
[Koeyle, 62%.]
He Yue wrapped the thin chain around his hand twice, shortening the distance between them. Koeyle was forced to move closer, his knees almost touching He Yue’s toes.
“Good that you understand. Let’s go, little dog.”
The custom-made leash and collar served their purpose. He Yue led Koeyle around the room by the leash, from the living room to the kitchen, from downstairs to upstairs. The distance between them was short, and if Koeyle accidentally bumped into He Yue’s leg, He Yue would make another round around the room.
Koeyle, following He Yue, truly resembled a small dog, led by its master on a leash, like a walk.
Koeyle bumped into He Yue again as he stopped suddenly, and he flinched, quickly apologizing.
His knees were aching, each step like walking on needles.
“It’s alright, I can make a few more rounds, it just depends on whether your knees can handle it.” He Yue patted his head. “Focus, good doggy, if you get distracted, you’ll either fall behind or bump into me. Don’t get distracted, give me all your attention, okay?”
He Yue’s gentle voice was coaxing and seductive, making Koeyle’s heart itch.
Koeyle nodded, his gaze fixed on He Yue’s steps, almost holding his breath. The stinging pain in his knees didn’t distract him, nor did the path ahead.
He didn’t need to see the path; he only needed to watch He Yue’s feet, following each step.
Just follow.
Finally, He Yue stopped at the door of his studio, opened it, and led Koeyle inside. This time, Koeyle didn’t make a single mistake.
“You learn quickly. I thought I would have to make your knees bleed before you got it.”
Koeyle, who had been worried about making too many mistakes, breathed a sigh of relief. “It was Master’s guidance that showed me what to do.”
“Two hours,” He Yue looked at his watch and chuckled. “Now you’re finally acting like a dog.”
He sat on the sofa opposite Koeyle and patted his leg. “Come closer. You’re allowed to sit on the floor.”
Koeyle shifted his position, resting his head against He Yue’s leg.
The feeling of relaxation and dependence was incredibly comfortable, and he reached out and wrapped his arms around He Yue’s calf. He Yue, surprisingly, didn’t stop him.
“Do you remember what it feels like to focus now?”
Koeyle froze, his voice filled with disbelief. “Wha, what…”
“Can you find your lost focus now?” He Yue asked gently.
Koeyle sat up straight in surprise, looking up at He Yue lying on the sofa. “Master…”
“If you can’t focus, you probably can’t shoot accurately, right?” He Yue leaned back against the sofa. “Your attention has been scattered for a long time now, I can sense it, whether it’s because of anxiety, pressure, or something else. Forcing yourself to practice, immersing yourself in special training to vent your stress, is the most foolish method.”
Koeyle clenched his fists tightly. He didn’t know why, but his eyes welled up, and his nose stung.
His anxiety, all his positive and negative emotions, nothing could escape He Yue’s eyes. When he needed help the most, when he was lost and anxious, tormented by pain, it was He Yue who had pulled him back from the brink of collapse, not with words of comfort, but with actions.
“I’m sorry…” his voice trembled. “I thought Master was just playing with me, I didn’t expect it to be…”
Seeing his reddened eyes, He Yue teased, “Of course I am.” His tone wasn’t serious, making it difficult to tell if he was being sincere or just joking.
“The way the colonel acts around me is truly like a cute little dog.”
