The Males Were Reborn After The Female Ruler Was Scumbed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 12
Lu Qing rushed to the Weird and Wonderful Gourmet Research Institute in a frantic hurry, only to be stopped by a rather delicate time—eleven forty-one.
He was just one minute late.
Lu Qing braved the death glare of Manager Gli, who looked ready to kill, and steeling himself, he went to the back kitchen to wash dishes.
Perhaps because it was the weekend, there were an especially large number of Zerg dining in the store today, and correspondingly, the pile of dishes in the back kitchen was also quite high.
Time flies when one is busy, and it wasn’t until Manager Gli called him for a meal that Lu Qing realized it was already past two o’clock.
“Where were you this morning?” Manager Gli handed him the chopsticks and asked flatly, his face devoid of expression, making it impossible to tell if he was angry or not.
Lu Qing gave a forced chuckle. “Nothing much. I was just too tired last night and overslept…”
“Oh, is that so.” The middle-aged male Zerg eyed him meaningfully, giving Lu Qing an inexplicable feeling of being scrutinised by a dean.
Afraid of further questions, Lu Qing quickly stopped Gli from unwrapping his meal box. “Manager Gli, can I take this back to eat today…?”
“Something came up at home…”
Gli raised an eyebrow, his expression seeming to say, You don’t have a spouse, friends, or a job, and you’re dirt poor. What could possibly ‘come up’?
Lu Qing: “…”
“Cough, it hasn’t been very peaceful outside recently, so don’t wander around.” Lu Qing’s employment with the store was only effective at night; what he did during the day was none of Gli’s business, but out of kindness, the manager offered a reminder.
Lu Qing paused at his words, a faint crease forming in his brow. “Did you hear something?”
Gli shook his head. “I heard that a Lord from District A was attacked last night while visiting District D. I don’t know the specifics, but the military is rounding up the dangerous elements that escaped.”
Lu Qing: “.”
The Lord who was attacked wouldn’t happen to be Lancy, who crashed at his place last night, would it?
No wonder he saw so many military females and males rushing around the streets when he arrived today. It all had to do with that sub-male at his home.
But… it seemed the news of Lancy’s disappearance was being kept secret.
Was it to prevent interference during the search…? Lu Qing felt something was off. He had a feeling this wasn’t the result Lancy wanted to see.
“In short,” Gli lowered his voice and warned, “be careful when you’re out and about these next few days. If you’re detained as a suspect, I won’t be able to bail you out.”
The middle-aged male Zerg’s tone wasn’t pleasant, but his concern was undeniable, and a warmth spread through Lu Qing’s heart. “Thank you, I will be careful.”
Gli packed Lu Qing’s portion and handed it to him. “Go back. And don’t be late again tonight.”
Lu Qing waved goodbye to Manager Gli. “See you tonight.”
Lu Qing rode his bike, but did not head home. He planned to buy some food for Lancy.
Gli had ordered food based on the headcount, and Lu Qing was not brazen enough to ask the manager to order two portions for him.
Furthermore, the food preferences of male Zergs and sub-males were different. In this world, female Zergs were ruthless beings who could survive on nutrient solutions, male Zergs’ tastes were closer to those of humans, and sub-males were similar, only more refined.
Not all sub-males lived exclusively in District A; there were also civilian sub-males residing in Districts B and C, where the things sub-males liked naturally flourished.
Lu Qing casually searched and found a highly-rated store, then rode over to buy food.
A small cake was barely enough to fill the stomach, but it was hardly a proper meal.
Lancy was always very busy and would often forget to eat when preoccupied. His stomach had always been a bit delicate. After they married in his last life, Lu Qing was very attentive and finally helped him recover, but alas…
He ran away for five years, and everything reverted to square one overnight.
“So…” The System crouched on his shoulder, looking at its host’s panting and laborious efforts. “Are you feeling guilty, Host?”
Its Host, with his selfish nature, was unexpectedly thoughtful and considerate when dealing with that sub-male, always putting his needs first, which indicated he definitely harbored different feelings for the sub-male.
Combining the Host’s actions in the previous life, the System figured he must have realized he acted poorly and was indebted to him, thus wanting to make amends, especially since nothing had happened between them in this life yet.
“Guilty?” Lu Qing scoffed. “System, have you forgotten my persona? I’m a scumbag. How could I have such an emotion?”
“Your self-awareness is commendable.” The System snorted. “Stop being stubborn, Host. I know you. Would you do this much for an unimportant person?”
“If it’s not out of guilt…” The System’s bean-shaped eyes flickered with gossip. “Then are you… still in love with him?!”
Lu Qing: “… Can you stop watching so many brainless TV dramas?”
The System huffed. “If you don’t like him, why are you so good to him? Just be honest.”
It had viewed Lu Qing’s memories. If it weren’t for the final events, it would be hard to believe the Host was a scumbag.
Because in life, he could be described as gentle and considerate towards his partner, truly a model of a model.
Lu Qing looked at it as if it were an idiot. “Come on. Who is Lancy? He’s my sugar daddy, my sugar father, my food and clothing provider! How could I not be good to him?”
System: “…………”
The System, whose sincerity was misplaced, was so angry that it pricked him with its tiny sharp needles. It thought that although their relationship started with deception and ultimately succumbed to the Host’s nature, at least they had genuine feelings during their time together.
It was truly foolish, really, almost forgetting that the Host’s Scum Value was as high as 61%.
A value higher than sixty percent—that extra 1% was enough to illustrate Lu Qing’s distinctiveness.
Lu Qing had always been clear-headed. He never dared to hope for abstract things like love and genuine feelings, neither for himself nor Lancy.
He defined this relationship as Party A and Party B, or perhaps Sugar Daddy and Lover. He fulfilled his responsibilities and gave emotional effort in exchange for money and power.
Lu Qing knew clearly that a relationship built on lies and deception was fragile. If Lancy were to notice one day, he would lose everything.
So Lu Qing maintained calm and restraint, always cautious, weaving a net called love with gentleness and tolerance, firmly trapping Lancy and making him fall deeply.
Lancy was the prey, and Lu Qing was the hunter.
Guilt?
Lu Qing rode his bike, the wind lifting his short hair, and a shifting shadow fell on the side of his face, making him look gloomy and heartless.
No regrets. Lu Qing never experienced such an emotion. He was just… a little sorry for him.
Sorry for him, for being so easily deceived by the illusion of tenderness he created, and for bringing such misery upon himself for the sake of a selfish person.
…
“Pearl Rice ￥2888; Crystal Egg Custard ￥28888, Bamboo Shoot Stewed in Cooing Chicken ￥888888…”
Lu Qing’s mouth twitched as he looked at the menu. “The spending power of sub-males is truly terrifying.”
The System circled its host’s head, gloating. “Oh my goodness, Host, you only have enough for one bowl of rice!!”
“… Shut up.”
Weird and Wonderful Gourmet Research Institute—
After a busy afternoon, Gli hung up the ‘Temporarily Closed’ sign and was about to take a nap when the door suddenly opened. For some reason, the male Zerg who said he was going home to eat had returned with a lunch box.
“Manager Gli, can I borrow the kitchen for a moment?”
Gli: “…?”
It was half an hour later when Lu Qing finished cooking. When he came out, Manager Gli was already asleep. The whole store was quiet, and the central air conditioning system had dimmed the light significantly. Only the light screen in the lobby was still playing a video, glowing with colorful faint light.
Lu Qing felt that if he disturbed Manager Gli’s sleep now, he might be beaten to death, so he decided to thank him later that night.
Lu Qing was about to leave with the lunch boxes, but as he turned, the corner of his eye inadvertently caught the light screen, and he saw a very familiar face.
The grey-haired, grey-eyed S-class military female, Alnis—Lancy’s most trusted second-in-command.
In his previous life, Alnis almost killed Lu Qing when he filed for divorce, causing Lu Qing to still be terrified whenever he saw that face.
Lu Qing: “…” Darn it, why is this guy on TV?
The military female Zerg stood with a poker face and spoke coldly: 【… Last night, the most esteemed sub-male Lord of the Edley family, Lancy Edley, was attacked by criminals hired by his own younger brother during his visit to District D. He was severely injured. Due to the vile actions of the assailants delaying rescue, Lord Lancy was separated and is still missing…】
Lu Qing: “…”
So the mastermind is the idiot Seth?
If it was him, then Lu Qing could understand why the news of Lancy’s disappearance was only disclosed now.
Lu Qing had heard Lancy mention that Seth was a male Zerg born to Lu Qing’s male father’s subsequent female spouse—Lancy’s female father having passed away. Seth was dual S-class in rank and physique and had many supporters within the family.
However, Lu Qing had met him a few times. That guy, despite his rank, seemed like an imbecile compared to Lancy. His ambition and schemes were written all over his face. Lu Qing did not think he could outsmart a true schemer.
Looking at it this way, Lancy must have done this on purpose.
Lu Qing pondered for a moment, recalling that Seth had already been exiled to a desolate planet before he and Lancy got together in the previous life. Lu Qing was not clear about the specific process, but he was certain there was no disappearance involved.
In his last life, he didn’t work as a delivery driver, didn’t go to District D, didn’t meet Lancy there, and Lancy didn’t come home with him…
Lu Qing rubbed his chin. This little butterfly of mine… the ending is unknown, but the process has certainly become different.
Lu Qing looked at the light screen. The military female Zerg with a stern face continued to speak rigidly: 【We must admit our incompetence, and we place our hope in the strength of the general Zerg population…】
Lu Qing nodded. Incompetent indeed.
【Any Zerg who can provide effective clues will be greatly appreciated by the Edley family…】
Lu Qing was dismissive. These big families were skilled at making empty promises, offering nothing practical.
【We will award five million in prize money to every Zerg in the name of the family. To anyone who finds Lord Lancy and safely returns him, we promise to fulfill one wish for you within the limits of Imperial law…】
Lu Qing: “…”
【May the Sub-male Lord return home safely under the protection of the Zerg God…】
Lu Qing couldn’t hear what was being said after that. He looked at the System, his eyes shining. “System!! Five Million!!!”
System: “…………”
It had no doubt that its Host would pack up his former female spouse and send him away the next second.
Lu Qing’s Home—
“I’m back.”
Lu Qing opened the door. The sub-male was still sitting on the bed in the same posture, watching the light screen, seemingly not having moved at all.
Hearing his voice, he turned his head to look at him, his emerald green eyes captivating. “Good afternoon, Lord.”
Lu Qing had asked the System on the way, and the Edley family’s prize money was deemed a legal and compliant income. Lu Qing taking Lancy home could also be considered a coincidence. Therefore, even if he accepted it, he would not be pricked!!!
Lu Qing now looked at Lancy as if he were his five million… no, half his life, and cherished him immensely. “You must be starving. Hurry and come eat.”
System: “Yue—.”
Host, you are truly disgusting.
Lancy also noticed the male Zerg’s radiant mood. He pushed up his glasses. “Did something happy happen, Lord?”
Lu Qing opened the lunch boxes and smiled, beckoning. “I’ll tell you later.”
The male Zerg’s lively and cheerful expression reminded Lancy of his Finkel white lion at home, rolling on its back and laughing foolishly. His fingers unconsciously rubbed together, feeling an inexplicable urge to pet him.
While he was stunned, the male Zerg had already set out the food.
In front of the male Zerg was a simple meal box containing a large chicken leg and some stir-fried green vegetables.
The dishes in front of Lancy were clearly much better. Each dish was packed in a separate container and did not appear to be from the same chef.
“Tomato Cooing Chicken, Blanched Crab, Steamed Crystal Egg Custard with Minced Meat, and a soup…” Lu Qing handed him the chopsticks. “Try it.”
Lancy: “…………”
The presentation was excellent, and it looked very expensive. He wondered how much of his meager salary this poor male Zerg had spent to buy it for him.
Something deep inside Lancy felt poked, a soft sensation.
“Lord, you…”
Lu Qing was already gnawing on his chicken leg. He raised an eye in the middle of his busy eating. “Hm?”
Lancy: “… Nothing.”
“Thank you.”
Lancy slowly picked up the chopsticks, his every movement graceful. Nobles had many rules, even at the dinner table, and no matter how hungry he was, he ate slowly and deliberately.
Lancy ate very slowly, while the male Zerg’s portion was small, and he finished quickly, the box already empty.
Lancy: “…”
His action of picking up food paused. He subconsciously looked at the bag holding the lunch boxes, but didn’t find a third pair of chopsticks. There was obvious hesitation and struggle in his eyes.
Lu Qing suddenly looked up and saw him frozen there. He wondered, “What’s wrong? Is it not tasty?”
Lancy shook his head. “It’s delicious.”
It was a flavor he had never tasted anywhere else.
“Then why are you…?”
Before Lu Qing could finish, he saw the sub-male, as if he had made a momentous decision, pick up two mouthfuls of food and place them in the male Zerg’s box, then push the food closer to the male Zerg. “You, you eat too…**”
Lu Qing: “…”
He blinked slowly, seeing the faint redness visible on the tips of the sub-male’s ears amidst his moon-like silver hair.