You Que finally reacted after hearing the words: “What am I hiding?”
Sanya stared at him and softly reminded, “Your identity is fake.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the air fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that one could hear the sound of breathing. You Que gazed at Sanya, a trace of surprise briefly flashing in the depths of his eyes, but there was no panic on his face. He gripped the female zerg’s hand and slowly pulled it away from his face. “How did you know?”
Sanya didn’t want You Que to know that he had secretly investigated him. He turned his head and averted his gaze, saying, “Robert told me. What happened with the corpse of that male zerg? Why do you have his identity card?”
If any other zerg had asked these questions today, You Que would never have told the truth, but Sanya was always a little different. He trusted that Sanya wouldn’t harm him, even though their species were different.
“…”
You Que lowered his gaze, lost in thought, remaining silent as he brought Sanya’s hand to his lips. He seemed as though he wanted to bite something to release his frustration, but in the end, he simply placed a slightly cold kiss on the palm of the female zerg’s hand, then silently tightened his fingers.
Sanya gripped his hand back with force and said, word by word:
“You Que, don’t lie to me.”
“Tell me, I’ll help you.”
Sanya was always inclined to think the worst of every situation—such as whether that male zerg was killed by You Que, whether You Que’s identity was likely that of a criminal, and so on…
He was somewhat reluctant to think any further.
You Que opened his eyes again, only to see many complicated emotions flashing across Sanya’s face. He deliberately bit down lightly on the female zerg’s fingertip, using the pain to get his attention. “Stop overthinking. It’s not that complicated.”
You Que finally decided to reveal the truth about himself: “I don’t know that male zerg. I just happened to run into some interstellar pirates chasing him in the suburbs and accidentally grabbed his backpack. I don’t have an identity card. When I rented a place, I just borrowed his documents. I didn’t expect that he had a grandfather in Saint Lieux.”
As he spoke, You Que pointed to the closed door: “That day, Eugene’s grandfather went to the police station to report him missing, trying to find his grandson. The officers there let me bring him back. He discovered my identity last night, and he’s still angry about it.”
Hearing this, Sanya’s heart suddenly tightened. “How did that male zerg die?”
You Que explained, “He was beaten to death by the interstellar pirates. Later, I went out to the suburbs when I had a chance and took care of his body. I didn’t expect the stationed troops to dig it up.”
Sanya finally understood the sequence of events. “You buried the body so close to the surface, and the military’s detectors easily found it. How could it not be discovered? No wonder there were so many bodies in the suburbs, but only his was properly handled.”
You Que had come to terms with it. “It’s fine that they dug it up. We can let his grandfather bury him again properly, and even set up a tombstone. That’s better than being left alone in the suburbs.”
Sanya fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, before finally asking the most important question: “Then how are you an undocumented citizen?”
You Que didn’t know how to explain time travel to Sanya, so he could only say, “My hometown isn’t in Salaranfa. It’s in a very faraway place. But now, I can’t return, and I can’t find that path anymore…”
When he said the last sentence, his voice suddenly softened, as if his thoughts had drifted far, far away—to that distant village. For a moment, he found it difficult to snap back to reality.
Seeing that You Que didn’t want to say more, Sanya didn’t press the matter further. “I asked Robert. The fatal injury on that male zerg was indeed caused by the interstellar pirates, and it has nothing to do with you. As for borrowing the documents, just let him help cover it up. But your identity, I’m afraid it could cause trouble if the government starts investigating…”
Sanya unconsciously furrowed his brows. “What if we find a way to get a new one for you?”
You Que replied, “I don’t have any family documents.”
Sanya said, “You can use mine.”
What You Que actually cared about wasn’t the family documents, but his blood. His blood was different from that of the Zerg species. Hearing this, he shook his head in refusal. “Don’t worry about me. You should be thinking about what to do with the old zerg in there.”
Mackey was probably quite angry.
Sanya looked toward the door. “What can we do? You’re not really relatives. Just let him go to the police station to identify the body, and then each of you can go your separate ways.”
You Que said, “He has no other relatives besides this grandson. He has no money to live in a welfare home; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to find me in the first place.”
Sanya straightened up from the ground, crossing his arms and eyeing You Que. Just by looking at his expression, he could tell that You Que hadn’t made up his mind. “You go downstairs to buy some food, I’ll go in and talk to him.”
You Que also stood up. “Talk about what?”
Sanya flicked his ponytail over his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure it’s taken care of properly.”
It was true that You Que wasn’t good with words, otherwise, he wouldn’t have sat there with Mackey for the entire night without coming up with a solution. Hearing Sanya’s suggestion, he could only go downstairs to buy food. He knew Sanya had something to discuss, so he waited outside for over half an hour before returning upstairs, carrying three takeout boxes.
Mackey, the old zerg, had a strange temper, so You Que was genuinely worried that Sanya would be turned away. However, when he returned upstairs, he found the door slightly ajar, and there was a loud, chaotic noise coming from inside. He couldn’t help but frown.
Could these two zergs be fighting?
However, when You Que pushed open the door and entered, he was met with a completely different scene.
“What are you two doing?”
Sanya and Mackey were tidying up. There were two or three disheveled packages scattered on the living room floor, but they had already cleaned up most of it. When Sanya saw You Que return, he waved at him. “Come over and give me a hand.”
You Que placed the takeout boxes on the table and noticed that the clothes on the sofa all belonged to Mackey. He had a faint suspicion of what was going on. “Where are you two going with all this stuff?”
Sanya replied, “Taking the old zerg back to the welfare home. I’ve already called a car.”
Welfare home?
Hearing this, You Que’s mind filled with doubts. He was about to ask something, but swallowed his words when he caught the hint in Sanya’s eyes. He could only help tidy up, organizing the various bundles of clothes.
Mackey hadn’t said a word the entire time, remaining strangely silent. When the car they had arranged arrived downstairs, he didn’t wait for You Que. Using his cane, he left on his own.
Seeing Mackey enter the elevator, You Que finally spoke and asked Sanya, “What did you say to him just now?”
Sanya closed the door and stuffed the key into You Que’s pocket, his right hand holding a package. “What could I say? I just showed him the autopsy report Robert sent, proving that his grandson really did die at the hands of the interstellar pirates, just like the other victims. He couldn’t sit still after that and wanted to go to the police station to identify the body. I told him to stay at the welfare home for now and go to the police tomorrow to identify the body. He agreed.”
You Que hadn’t expected Mackey to be so easy to persuade. He carried the package and walked with Sanya to the elevator, frowning. “Isn’t the welfare home a paid service? He doesn’t have any money.”
Sanya pressed the elevator button and casually replied, “Spending money to avoid trouble. It won’t cost much to stay at the welfare home. I’ll take care of the paperwork, you don’t need to worry about it.”
You Que: “…”
Almost forgot, Sanya was a zerg with a house and savings, unlike him.
You Que said, “How much did you spend? I’ll pay you back later.”
Sanya paused, then turned his head to look at him, the corners of his eyes lifted in a mysterious smile. “Alright, debt is repaid with the body. Are you going to pay up?”
You Que knew that Sanya wouldn’t say anything serious. He spoke in a low voice, “Be serious.”
Just as the elevator door opened, You Que entered, carrying the package. He glanced up and saw Sanya standing at the door, so angry that he wouldn’t come in. You Que gestured to the space next to him. “If you don’t come in, I’ll close the door.”
Sanya finally walked in reluctantly.
He wasn’t serious? Was You Que serious then?
Serious enough to strip him in the alley?
When they went downstairs, the car was already waiting at the corner. Sanya placed the luggage in the trunk and saw that Mackey was already sitting in the front passenger seat before getting into the car with You Que.
You Que looked ahead, likely wanting to say something to Mackey, but in the end, he said nothing, and the car was filled with silence.
Although they hadn’t spent much time together, it didn’t stop You Que from feeling sympathy for the elderly male. After learning the truth, Mackey could have gone to the police and reported him, but instead, he hadn’t said a word.
You Que had received so little kindness in his life, it was few and far between, so it was hard not to care. Whether it was Gu Yigu and John, who had saved him, the grumpy Mackey, or Sanya…
You Que had always cherished their kindness.
Sanya had been sitting quietly to the side when he suddenly felt a warmth on the back of his head, as if someone had gently stroked his braid. But when he turned around, the zerg had already withdrawn their hand as if nothing had happened.
Sanya believed in the principle of reciprocity. He quietly touched You Que’s leg, but was immediately smacked down by the male zerg without mercy.
Sanya silently gritted his teeth: You Que, that damned tsundere.
The welfare home wasn’t far, about a half-hour drive. After getting out of the car, Sanya helped Mackey to the front desk to complete the check-in process, signing a ten-year contract without batting an eye. He left his contact details with the staff. “If there are ever any issues with funds or something urgent, contact me using this number.”
The staff member, seeing this, immediately grinned from ear to ear, their smile stretching all the way to their ears. “Sir, don’t worry, we will take good care of Lord Mackey.”
Mackey, flustered, repeatedly tapped the ground with his cane. “I don’t need your money! I have money! I have it!”
As he spoke, he fumbled to open his coat and pulled out a crumpled stack of star notes from his pocket, but You Que stopped him and gently shoved it back into his hand. “Keep the money for yourself to buy food. Don’t let those caregivers fool you. Just stay here and live peacefully from now on.”
You Que finished speaking, then adjusted Mackey’s coat before borrowing paper and a pen from the front desk. He wrote down his number and handed it to him. “If anything urgent comes up, give me a call. I’ll come tomorrow afternoon to take you to the police station to identify the body.”
Mackey didn’t want to take it, but in the end, You Que pressed it into his hand. He leaned on his cane, sighing repeatedly, both helpless and embarrassed. “You’re not my grandson. Why are you spending so much money on me?”
You Que replied, “It’s not my money, it’s Sanya’s. If you want to thank someone, thank him.”
After speaking, You Que carried the package and helped Mackey to his room in the welfare home. Since Sanya had booked a high-end VIP room, the environment looked quite good. The room was bright and clean, and the garden outside was filled with numerous artificial plants. It was no worse than a hotel.
You Que placed the luggage on the floor, dusted off his hands, and said, “The room here is not bad, better than my rental apartment.”
He might have been thinking about whether he’d end up staying here when he got old.
Mackey sat on the sofa and, hearing this, frowned. “Even if it’s a palace, without someone to keep you company, you’ll get bored after decades.”
You Que’s rental apartment, though shabby, at least had some warmth.
Mackey clearly wasn’t the type to dwell on melancholy. After speaking, he waved his hand at You Que and Sanya, urging, “Alright, alright, you two go on. You’ve already troubled yourselves enough today.”
You Que replied, “We’ll leave now. I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon to go to the police station.”
Just as he was about to leave with Sanya, he suddenly heard Mackey’s voice behind him, saying, “This female zerg is not bad. Marry him soon, you won’t lose out.”
You Que: “…”
Sanya gave a half-smile. “Did you hear that? You won’t lose out.”
The farce of the day finally came to an end with Sanya’s intervention. Even many years later, You Que could still recall the scene of leaving the welfare home with Sanya. The sky outside was dyed orange by the setting sun, and the line of the horizon, bathed in blood-red hues, looked desolate. Yet, from Sanya, he felt a rare sense of peace, something he had never experienced before.
He would marry this female zerg, You Que thought.
The sun was setting, melting into gold, and a new day began.
In the afternoon, as agreed, You Que and Sanya took Mackey to the police station to identify the body. The separation of life and death was always a cruel affair, whether on Earth or in the Zerg race.
When Mackey saw the decaying body in the morgue, he didn’t react with the loud cries of grief You Que had imagined. He simply sighed deeply, and for a moment, seemed to age considerably. Then, he refused the officer’s offer of assistance, mustering up the strength to proceed with the formalities.
You Que and Sanya sat in the corridor outside, both of them silent, perhaps affected by the somber atmosphere. Sanya noticed the dark circles under You Que’s eyes and immediately guessed that he had likely not slept the night before. He got up, went to the nearby water dispenser, and filled a cup with hot water for him.
“Eugene had insurance. If it’s an accidental death, his grandfather will receive the payout. That money will go straight into his grandfather’s account. If he’s careful, he should be able to live the rest of his life without issue.”
“That’s fine.”
You Que took the cup of water, but then seemed to remember something and asked, “I didn’t go to work today again. Do you think I’ll be fired when I go back?”
His attendance that month had been terrible—either taking time off or skipping work without notice. If it were on Earth, he would most likely be fired.
Sanya gave him a sidelong glance, thinking to himself, Why does this male zerg always think about work? He had been the same during their blind date, and in the afternoon, he even tried to drag Sanya back to the bar to work.
“If they fire you, then they fire you. It’ll just make it easier for you to find another job.”
It was undeniable that since You Que started working at the bar, business had indeed been booming. The competitors on this street were envious, many of them secretly planning to poach You Que.
You Que knew Sanya was teasing him. Just as he was about to speak, a figure in white military uniform suddenly came down from the second floor—it was Robert. He was holding a stack of paper documents and waved at Sanya, clearly wanting to say something.
“Sanya, come over here for a moment.”
Sanya stood up and walked over when he heard his name. He didn’t know exactly what Robert had said, but Sanya’s expression visibly changed, showing signs of hesitation.
Robert said, “I’ll be leading the team back next week. If you want to return to the South with us, let me know soon. It’s easier to travel with the troops, avoiding checkpoints and inspections.”
Sanya furrowed his brows, “Why are you leaving so suddenly?”
Robert shrugged slightly, “There’s nothing left in Saint Lieux. Those interstellar pirates have disappeared without a trace. It’s pointless to stay, it’s better to return and report in. I haven’t been back to the South for four or five years, and both my male and female fathers have been urging me to come back.”
Sanya paused for a moment, “Got it, I’ll let you know when the time comes.”
Robert patted his shoulder and lowered his voice, “Hey, is it that you don’t want to leave? If it’s really that hard, just take that male zerg with you. Your male and female fathers will definitely be happy to see him.”
In the South, choosing a partner starts with looks. If the face is acceptable, everything else is negotiable.
You Que sat in the distance, not knowing what they talked about. He only knew that when Sanya returned, he brought a piece of news that was quite unexpected for him, perhaps even shocking.
“You Que, next week, I’m going back to the South with Robert.”
Sanya didn’t speak further after saying those words. He stood in front of You Que with his hands in his pockets, not sitting down. When he lowered his head, his brows were shadowed, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
You Que was stunned for a moment after hearing this, unable to process it at first: “The South?”
Sanya replied with a soft hum: “I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to come back in the future.”
“…”
In that moment, You Que couldn’t describe what he felt. It was as though there was a sudden, overwhelming sense of loss, followed by an indescribable emptiness. Frowning, he took a cigarette from his jacket pocket and put it between his lips. Then, he suddenly remembered this place didn’t allow smoking, so he slowly took it out again: “Why suddenly go back?”
Sanya also felt a bit troubled inside. He was thinking about how to persuade You Que to come with him to the South. If he refused, what would he do? After much consideration, he still couldn’t bring himself to speak: “Go back… to visit my father. My father’s sick.”
Sanya hadn’t returned to the southern region in a long time. If he went back this time, he feared that his family wouldn’t allow him to leave again.
You Que suddenly spoke up: “What about me?”
Sanya was taken aback. “What?”
You Que raised an eyebrow casually. “What about me? Are you planning to leave me here?”
He and Sanya were on the verge of breaking through the last layer of unspoken understanding. To exaggerate a bit, they were almost at the point of discussing marriage and commitment. It couldn’t possibly be that Sanya suddenly wanted to return to the south to break up with him, could it?
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