Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: The Insect Mother

Qi Yuan nodded. “I see.”

Tang Qianfan clearly wasn’t finished. When he got going on gossip, he was an unstoppable torrent, especially when he saw Qi Yuan’s attentive reaction. He rattled off a string of details without pausing for breath.

“The Zerg who worship the Insect Mother wouldn’t even glance at humans like us. We’re just here to guide these Zerg, who’ve been drifting through the cosmos for who knows how long, to their rooms for rest.”

“To deal with these Zerg, all we need to do is watch what we say and do. Don’t look where you shouldn’t, don’t say what you shouldn’t, and definitely don’t do anything you shouldn’t. Then we can coast through these few days in comfort and collect our high wages.”

After Tang Qianfan had explained so much, Qi Yuan felt he had a basic understanding of the Dreamscape, at least enough to avoid being exposed.

The weight that had been pressing on his chest eased slightly.

However, learning his identity within the Dreamscape couldn’t help but darken his expression. This was the first time he had faced such a situation.

In the Dreamscape, he was the Young Master of a wealthy Main Planet family who had just arrived on the Garbage Star. Stripped of his wealth and abandoned here, he had chosen to work at an underground bar with a decent reputation in order to survive.

Originally just a low-level server, his handsome looks quickly earned him a promotion to handling wealthy patrons and influential figures.

He also learned from Tang Qianfan why his Dreamscape self had been thrown onto the Garbage Star to fend for himself.

It turned out to be a classic case of the true heir versus the impostor. His Dreamscape self was the impostor. Whatever transgression he had committed, he had not only been expelled from the family but also thrown onto the Garbage Star—they wanted him dead.

Perhaps no one on the Main Planet had imagined that the discarded impostor would actually survive.

According to Tang Qianfan, before Boss Zhao took over, Garbage Star was a chaotic hellhole where people died every day, living in constant fear. If Qi Yuan had been thrown there back then, he wouldn’t have stood a chance.

But fate smiled on Qi Yuan. He arrived just as Boss Zhao rose to power. As long as he found a job in the district, he’d be assigned a safe room. No one dared cause trouble in Boss Zhao’s territory. That’s why Qi Yuan had managed to survive in the Dreamscape.

Qi Yuan didn’t know how to feel about it. He felt like he’d started in hell all over again, with his situation hardly any better than in the previous Dreamscape.

He sighed inwardly.

They didn’t have to wait long before Boss Zhao’s men arrived to pick them up.

It was a middle-aged man with a scar across his face. He sized up Qi Yuan and Tang Qianfan for several minutes, focusing mainly on Qi Yuan. He’d seen Tang Qianfan before, but never Qi Yuan.

Moreover, this newcomer’s appearance and demeanor didn’t fit someone from Garbage Star. His skin was smooth and fair, with a healthy flush. His temperament was gentle, making him look like he’d been raised in a wealthy family.

He had already formed his assessment: most likely a young master from a fallen noble family who had ended up on Garbage Star after his family’s decline. The only question was what kind of temper he had.

After a few moments of hesitation, he decided to accept the newcomer and told the Fat Boss, “Alright, let them board the hovercar.”

Qi Yuan followed him into the hovercar, watching with growing curiosity as the vehicle gradually lifted off the ground. But mindful of his current identity, he forced himself to maintain an air of nonchalance.

Their destination, the White Tower, was a colossal, pristine white structure shaped like a tower, its design leaning heavily toward a futuristic aesthetic. He had only ever seen buildings like this in special effects films and anime, and this was his first time witnessing such a spectacle in a seemingly real Dreamscape. He couldn’t help but gasp in awe, his eyes widening despite his best efforts to suppress his amazement.

Upon reaching the White Tower’s ground floor, the hovercar came to a stop.

Qi Yuan stepped out of the hovercar and stood before the White Tower, surrounded by a bustling crowd.

Hovercars arrived one after another, dropping off their passengers before speeding away.

Nearly everyone was strikingly attractive, and the crowd numbered around a hundred people.

Just as he was surveying the scene, Tang Qianfan, his face grim, suddenly pulled him into a secluded corner.

“It’s likely there are more than just high-ranking Zerg officials here,” Tang Qianfan whispered.

“We need to be extra careful,” Tang Qianfan whispered.

Though Qi Yuan didn’t understand why, he nodded. “Okay, Big Brother Qianfan.”

They remained on edge, cautiously observing their surroundings until the White Tower gates opened.

As Qi Yuan watched the crowd swell around them, he finally understood Tang Qianfan’s earlier warning.

There were far too many people—nearly two hundred, just from a quick count. If they were merely serving Zerg dignitaries, such a large number of personnel seemed excessive.

Could other races be present as well?

Tang Qianfan, his mind racing as his eyes darted about, gritted his teeth. Might as well gamble, he thought. There’s no way to escape now anyway.

Having made up his mind, he pulled Qi Yuan to the front of the crowd. They moved stealthily, inching forward gradually to avoid attracting attention.

Fortunately, they reached the vanguard without anyone noticing.

When the White Tower gates opened, they were among the first to enter, granting them the opportunity to choose which lord they would serve.

They exchanged glances and simultaneously selected the Zerg.

Tang Qianfan was assigned to serve Lord Xia Jiqing of the Zerg, receiving his uniform and a handbook of instructions.

Hearing that familiar name, Qi Yuan paused in surprise before approaching the White Tower staff.

He was assigned to serve Lord You Qinghe of the Zerg, absentmindedly accepting his uniform and the handbook.

It’s definitely someone I know, he thought. Could all the Zerg be familiar faces?

He speculated, already sensing the answer in his heart. He silently made his way to the dormitory—a double room he would share with Tang Qianfan.

After changing, they only needed to wait for further instructions, at which point they would stand guard outside their assigned lords’ quarters.

High pay came at a price: they were expected to fulfill any reasonable request from their lords.

They had been incredibly lucky—like two blind men bumping into each other and hitting the jackpot by being assigned to the most undemanding Zerg.

The seriousness vanished from Tang Qianfan’s face. He even hummed a tune while changing, his whole demeanor visibly relaxing.

But when he spoke, a lingering apprehension remained: “Qi Yuan, did you see any other races besides the Zerg listed in the options?”

“Yes,” Qi Yuan replied.

“There were Snake People, Cat People, and stuff like that.”

His gaze immediately landed on the Snake People, and he remembered He Zhou from their previous Dreamscape, whose original form was a Black Python. I wonder if the Black Python version of He Zhou would be classified as a Snake Person in this Dreamscape? Tang Qianfan clicked his tongue.

“Snake People are the most disgusting. Their tails are slimy and ice-cold. I hate snakes the most.”

“And I heard from a senior that they have a crazy sex drive—and two of them! He almost died in bed, suffered so much.”

Huh?

Qi Yuan blinked. Is that something you can just say?

He slowly turned to look at Tang Qianfan, his lips moving as if he wanted to speak, but no words came.

In the end, he simply agreed, “Yeah, pretty gross.”

Tang Qianfan, now changed into his uniform, grinned at Qi Yuan’s conflicted expression.

He stepped closer, tilted Qi Yuan’s chin with a finger, and asked, “Getting shy?”

“With a face that thin-skinned, you won’t last a day on Garbage Star.”

Qi Yuan took a step back, just as the intercom crackled to life.

“Qianfan-ge, I’m heading out now.”

As if fleeing a plague, he bolted out of the room.

He didn’t stop until he reached the arranged meeting point with You Qinghe at the entrance. Leaning against the wall, panting heavily, a thin layer of sweat coated his back. He rested for a moment until the sweat dried.

Qi Yuan felt his physique in this Dreamscape was even weaker than in reality.

Once his breathing steadied, he leaned against the wall, his head lowered, staring at the ground.

He waited, feigning utter docility.

But inwardly, his thoughts drifted far away.

If You Qinghe is a Zerg and only cares about the Insect Mother, will I be overlooked in this Dreamscape?

He hadn’t even considered claiming the Insect Mother’s identity. After all, he was absolutely certain his body was human, completely unrelated to insects.

Lost in these musings,

footsteps echoed in the distance, growing steadily closer and clearer.

Even when the person stopped at the door where Qi Yuan was waiting, he still hadn’t raised his head. He maintained his air of absolute obedience.

You Qinghe, clad entirely in black, had a dazzling head of crimson hair.

He seemed accustomed to having humans waiting by his door, his gaze not even glancing at Qi Yuan, nor did he seem inclined to speak to him.

Intending to enter directly, he reached for the door handle.

Then he detected an extremely faint pheromone signature belonging to the Insect Mother.

Only then did he turn his gaze to the head-bowed Qi Yuan and command, “Look up.”

Hearing those familiar words, Qi Yuan’s vision went dark for a moment. Not again!

Though reluctant, he obediently raised his head.

“Yes, Lord You.”

He feigned fear, his eyes timid and voice soft, yet clear enough for You Qinghe’s heightened senses to discern.

You Qinghe studied the ordinary human before her, baffled by the faint yet unmistakable pheromones of the Insect Mother emanating from him. Had she not been a High-Tier Zerg, she would never have detected such a trace. She was certain—this was the Insect Mother’s pheromones.

Abnormal, she thought.

A theory took root in her mind: Could the humans have captured the Insect Mother and created something capable of emitting her pheromones?

Her heart barely stirred.

The Zerg had long been without their Insect Mother, causing most Zerg who relied on her pheromones to regulate their emotions to lose those emotions entirely.

You Qinghe had grown accustomed to this emotional void. She underestimated the visceral impact of the Insect Mother’s pheromones on her body. Even such a minute trace—it was still the Insect Mother.

Reason told her to hand this human over, but the sudden surge of emotion disrupted her logic.

Her heart pounded faster and faster.

Her gaze clouded over.

Her body urged her—More!

No wonder the Zerg’s ancient texts warned against touching the Insect Mother’s pheromones. They were utterly intoxicating and overwhelmingly captivating.

Qi Yuan was pulled into the room.

No lights were on; only darkness enveloped them.

Before Qi Yuan could react, he was thrown onto the bed.

“Wait!”

The words barely escaped his lips before You Qinghe pulled him into a tight embrace. Qi Yuan felt You Qinghe’s chin press against his shoulder, his breath coming in quick, ragged gasps, as if he were sniffing something. An absurd feeling welled up inside Qi Yuan.

He wasn’t afraid, though, because he knew You Qinghe would never hurt him.

Having already given up, Qi Yuan figured the bed was comfortable enough—better than standing, anyway. He might as well slack off a bit.

Maintaining a good attitude, he soon noticed You Qinghe’s breathing had steadied.

Huh?

Asleep? Just like that?

Speechless, Qi Yuan tried to push You Qinghe away, but when he found he couldn’t budge him, he gave up.

Gradually, boredom gave way to drowsiness, and Qi Yuan drifted off to sleep as well.

He didn’t know how long he’d slept, but when he woke, the room was already lit up.