Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Insect Mother (Part 2)

Qi Yuan sat up. He was alone in the room.

Hmm?

Where’s You Qinghe?

Not seeing You Qinghe, he decided to leave.

But to his surprise, the door wouldn’t open.

So, he’s locked me in here?

You can’t be serious.

Qi Yuan never expected such a beginning. He hadn’t even done anything! Why was he being locked in a room?

He found this utterly unacceptable. He pounded on the door, but eventually restrained himself.

“Damn it,” he muttered, flopping back onto the bed.

Qi Yuan was determined to see what You Qinghe was up to. If he didn’t receive a satisfactory explanation, he absolutely, positively would never forgive him.

Who locks someone in a room after meeting them for the first time?

His face darkened. More than anger, he felt utterly speechless and helpless.

Qi Yuan splashed water on his face in the bathroom. Glancing at the high-tech television in the room, he figured he might as well watch some shows. After all, he needed to maintain his “fallen young master” persona. If he couldn’t even turn on the TV, it would definitely shatter his character. He had no intention of having to start over.

After patiently fiddling with the device for quite some time, Qi Yuan finally managed to turn on the television. Old Ah, you old fool, why do you make things so complicated? 094635130

Compared to a television, Qi Yuan thought this device more closely resembled a projector, albeit a High Tier one. He could simply point in the air and tap the channel he wanted to watch, a rather novel experience.

Unaware of any differences between the Dreamscape’s channels, he randomly selected one labeled “Region One.”

The image immediately switched to the Main Planet News.

The anchorwoman, a young woman with a flawless smile and striking features, began:

“To foster cooperation between humanity and our esteemed Friendly Races, His Majesty the Emperor has graciously invited representatives from these races to attend his birthday banquet.”

“Recognizing the diverse customs of these races, His Majesty has appointed Diplomat Qi Wenda to oversee all hospitality arrangements for the banquet.”

“According to Chenjian News, a State Councilor has stated that a successful conclusion to His Majesty’s birthday banquet would signify a bright future for the Empire.”

“The Empire never undertakes any endeavor without thorough preparation. Citizens of the Main Planet, rest assured: all is progressing toward a favorable outcome.”

Qi Yuan understood immediately. Based on the news and the current situation, he easily deduced why so many friendly alien races were arriving at the Garbage Star. It was likely being used as a transit point—a place to rest for a day before heading directly to the Main Planet to attend the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

He hadn’t been watching for long when the soft click of the unlocked door caught his attention.

Just as he turned his gaze, You Qinghe entered, carrying a plate of fragrant food.

Qi Yuan hadn’t eaten for a day, and the aroma made his stomach rumble loudly.

You Qinghe placed the plate on the table.

“Eat.”

Qi Yuan, never one to neglect himself due to emotions, silently sat down, glanced at You Qinghe, and began eating.

After taking just one bite, he frowned.

It smells so good, how can it taste so strange?

Pah!

Qi Yuan couldn’t help but spit it out.

He set down his chopsticks and looked up at You Qinghe.

“I can’t eat this. It tastes awful.”

You Qinghe wasn’t familiar with human tastes, only knowing that humans needed to eat. When he had woken up, he sensed Qi Yuan’s energy depletion and had simply gone out and asked someone for human food.

“It’s alright. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it.”

His current mental state was vastly improved compared to before, a change attributable to his unguarded sleep, confirming that he had received mental soothing.

According to Zerg texts on mental cultivation, only the Insect Mother could perform mental cultivation for High-Tier Zerg.

This deepened his suspicions.

Perhaps his initial assumptions were wrong. The human before him was the Insect Mother, but for some unknown reason, his Insect Mother traits had been sealed. This would explain why the Zerg had searched the cosmos extensively yet found no trace of the Insect Mother.

The humans hadn’t captured the Insect Mother at all; in fact, they were completely unaware she was right under their noses. He had simply misunderstood the situation.

Qi Yuan pulled out a tissue and wiped his mouth.

“Mr. You,” he said coldly, lifting his gaze to meet You Qinghe’s stiff, upright stance. “Why have you locked me in this room?”

You Qinghe immediately apologized. “I’m sorry.”

You Qinghe’s swift admission stunned Qi Yuan.

He continued, offering an explanation—though a vague one. “For reasons I can’t disclose yet, I need to keep you under strict surveillance, including restricting your freedom.”

Knowing that pressing for details would be futile, Qi Yuan fell silent and sat down in front of the television, pointedly ignoring You Qinghe.

“Are you angry?” You Qinghe’s heart clenched, his body stiffening.

Qi Yuan didn’t look at You Qinghe.

“Why wouldn’t I be angry?”

“I’m being locked up and deprived of my freedom for doing absolutely nothing. Anyone would be furious, right?”

His demeanor had calmed significantly compared to his initial outburst.

Perhaps he had finally realized his powerlessness and inability to change anything.

Qi Yuan let out a mocking laugh.

He refused to completely accept a fate where he was merely a pawn of destiny.

His eyes darted around, and an idea began to form in his mind.

He couldn’t understand why the Zerg, whom Tang Qianfan had described as cold and ruthless, treated him so differently. This level of concern, in Qi Yuan’s view, completely contradicted their supposed indifference.

I can use this to my advantage, he thought.

Qi Yuan turned his head, the icy detachment on his face melting into a smile as he winked at You Qinghe.

“Lord You,” he asked, “are you afraid I’ll get angry?”

His sudden shift in attitude caught You Qinghe completely off guard, leaving him stunned.

“I apologize,” You Qinghe said immediately.

“I don’t wish to force you, but if I don’t do this, sooner or later another Zerg will. And they might not treat you as well as I have.”

This time, he offered a more detailed explanation.

Qi Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. If I can’t figure out the reason after this, then I’m hopelessly stupid.

Qi Yuan suspected his Dreamscape self was connected to the Insect Mother, which explained why You Qinghe had locked him in the room.

He knew You Qinghe harbored special feelings for him, so he was certain You Qinghe wouldn’t harm him, and might even offer some assistance.

Qi Yuan pursed his lips, resigned to his fate.

If his Dreamscape self truly was the Insect Mother, facing the entire Zerg race—who all coveted the Insect Mother—he’d rather be locked up by You Qinghe than confront the entire Zerg race.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly: What a goddamn dreamscape! It’s getting more absurd by the minute.

In the days that followed, Qi Yuan grew increasingly lazy, spending his time either eating or watching television. Just as he felt he was about to become completely useless, You Qinghe brought him aboard a Zerg warship.

As a High-Tier Zerg, You Qinghe had his own private quarters on the ship. This was why he dared to bring Qi Yuan aboard—barring any unforeseen circumstances, Qi Yuan’s presence would remain undetected.

Once the Human Emperor’s birthday banquet concluded, You Qinghe planned to take Qi Yuan to his own territory. He was certain Qi Yuan would love his domain.

Through days of experimentation, You Qinghe had discovered that as long as he maintained a reasonable distance from Qi Yuan, he wouldn’t detect the Insect Mother’s pheromones.

Without intimate contact like embraces or skin-to-skin touch, the pheromones wouldn’t trigger any reactions.

As long as these conditions were met, no Zerg would realize Qi Yuan’s true identity as the Insect Mother.

These factors were precisely why You Qinghe felt confident bringing Qi Yuan aboard the warship.

The warship soon activated.

Qi Yuan crouched by the room’s small window, gazing out at the passing landscape.

He hadn’t seen the sky in days. No thanks to the White Tower’s windowless rooms, so stifling it felt like dying. I’m so pathetic, he thought.

He couldn’t help humming the old folk song, “Little Cabbage, Yellow in the Field,” about someone unloved and uncared for.

He sighed, feeling unusually melancholic.

The White Tower’s food was utterly unpalatable to Qi Yuan. Concerned for his health, You Qinghe had personally studied cooking tutorials and started preparing his meals.

From inedible beginnings, her cooking had improved to barely passable. Still, it was a marked improvement over the White Tower’s fare. The contrast made even You Qinghe’s meager efforts seem delicious to Qi Yuan.

You Qinghe brought three dishes and a soup to the table—the usual arrangement for every meal except breakfast.

“Time to eat.”

Hearing her, Qi Yuan turned and settled into his chair, already accustomed to the routine.

High-Tier Zerg didn’t need human food, so You Qinghe merely watched Qi Yuan eat.

Recalling the earlier scene—Qi Yuan gazing glumly out the window—You Qinghe paused, then said, “During the Human Emperor’s birthday banquet, when fewer Zerg will be guarding the fleet, I’ll take you sightseeing on the Main Planet.”