SZAR Chapter 84

“I advanced to S. Aren’t you happy?”

Yi Xi froze for a moment, raising a hand to his forehead, forcing a faint, hollow smile. “Of course I am.”

He smiled: “I forgot to congratulate you, Cointreau. Congratulations! You are one of the Empire’s only two S-rank noble males. From now on, your path will surely be bright, your future full of light and promise…”

Chu Xiu didn’t say anything further. He stared at Yi Xi, lips pressed together, the little tuft of hair on his head drooping completely.

Yi Xi’s next words caught in his throat.

Of course, such obvious social pleasantries, how could Chu Xiu not see through them?

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, trying to make his smile more genuine. But all his practiced gestures from the business world completely failed here.

After trying for a while, he finally let out a quiet sigh, placing his hand on Chu Xiu’s head to smooth his hair and said softly, “It is certainly a good thing, Cointreau… I should be happy for you.”

Should be happy for you?

That meant she wasn’t really happy.

Chu Xiu looked at him, puzzled. Advancing to S was clearly good, he would gain many new privileges, and Yi Xi’s company would rise along with him. The Empire’s stock market had surged the same afternoon the news broke. So why wasn’t Yi Xi pleased?

Seeing his stunned expression, Yi Xi let out another sigh and pressed down on his little tuft of hair. “You’re still young.”

Chu Xiu opened his mouth. He enjoyed Yi Xi’s care like a senior looking after a junior, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be treated like a child in something this important. He was about to speak when the doorbell rang abruptly. Si Si slid into the room: ⟦ Master, there are visitors. ⟧

The screen showed the doorway. Two unfamiliar insects stood there: one with silver hair, vigorous and alert despite age; the other younger, with delicate features, carrying several packages that looked like gifts. Chu Xiu stared at their faces for a moment, confirming he didn’t know them.

It was already around seven or eight in the evening. Two unknown female insects visiting at night struck Chu Xiu as slightly odd. He stood up to open the door, but Yi Xi suddenly grasped his wrist and asked, “Cointreau, can you go back into the room?”

Chu Xiu: “Huh?”

Yi Xi stood, stepping past Chu Xiu to the door. He straightened the open buttons of his suit and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, looking every bit the business elite about to enter negotiations. “These two are my friends,” he said. “Let me host them. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest for a bit…”

Chu Xiu obediently said “Okay.”

Though he didn’t understand why Yi Xi was avoiding him, since he had spoken, he went to the bedroom.

He drew back the curtains. In the doorway, Yi Xi greeted the visitors politely with handshakes. The older female insect smiled warmly, while the younger one was shy and reserved. They handed over their gifts, which Yi Xi declined with a wave. Then, they stepped into the living room, out of view from the window.

Chu Xiu withdrew his gaze and began scanning the light-brain.

His backend was flooded with private messages, dinging and pinging nonstop. Finally, he had to enable one-click filtering, clearing the entire screen at light speed, leaving only two messages.

The first came from the Male Zerg Protection Association: With Chu Dian exiled and Chu Jin deceased, all of the Chu family’s assets were now Chu Xiu’s. Additionally, he inherited over a dozen female servants from the family, ranging in age. Chu Xiu politely declined, forwarding the message to Carey, asking that the younger ones be sent to school, while the older ones could work or stay at home.

The second message was stranger. Its borders were decorated with thorned rose vines, and a deep-red wax seal stamped at the bottom. Despite being an email, it followed the formal style of a handwritten letter.

Chu Xiu saw the signature: [Royal Family.]

The Empire did have a royal family, and their power was considerable. Though the Chu family was noble, they had long since declined, and compared with these apex insects, they were worlds apart. Chu Xiu had been here six months and had never had any contact with the royal family.

He continued reading.

It was an invitation. Three days from now, the royal family would host a gathering and sincerely invited Chu Xiu to attend, noting that it would be their honor…

The email was earnest and politely worded, as if Chu Xiu were some tremendously important figure. He was completely baffled. Marking the letter in red and putting it aside, he planned to go ask Yi Xi about it, when a heavy thud sounded from the door.

He drew back the curtains. The two visiting female insects stormed out in anger. The older one muttered under his breath; from his lip movements, Chu Xiu could vaguely make out words like “ungrateful” and “I’ll wait”. Yi Xi stood alone at the doorway to see them off, observing proper etiquette. From Chu Xiu’s vantage point, he could just see Yi Xi’s back. For some reason, the cold white moonlight cast a faint desolate quality over him.

Chu Xiu hurried down the stairs, peeking around: “Yi Xi? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Yi Xi turned back and offered a faint smile. “Just some unpleasant business matters.”

Chu Xiu wanted to speak but hesitated.

Yi Xi rarely brought business troubles home. No matter how tiring the business day, he was gentle and calm at home. He also never brought business partners into the house. But this time, that rule was broken.

Usually, when Chu Xiu wore a troubled expression like this, Yi Xi would explain. Yi Xi was like a kind and tolerant head of the household, he might feel some things were too trivial for a child to know in detail, but when the child was puzzled, he would patiently explain.

This time, however, Yi Xi said nothing. His fatigue was visible; he slowly sank back into the sofa, supporting his forehead with his hand.

Chu Xiu sat beside him and told him about the message he had just received.

“The position of head of the Chu family is mine now. I’ve dismissed all the servants.”

“Mm, that’s good.”

“I plan to send the younger female insects to school.”

“Mm, they should be taught skills to support themselves. If your foundation doesn’t cover it, you can use Stellar Group’s account.”

“That should be enough,” Chu Xiu said. He paused for two seconds, then added, “I received an email from the Royal Family.”

The bartender’s intuition warned Chu Xiu this might not be good news. Perhaps he shouldn’t mention it now, but he was curious and a bit puzzled. He pulled up the email, placing the burgundy wax seal before them: “See, it’s this one.”

Yi Xi first frowned, then looked at the email. His face went blank, expressionless. He closed his eyes heavily; the reflection hid all emotion. Slowly, he reopened them, and the familiar smile returned to his lips.

“It’s an invitation from the royal family,” Yi Xi said. “This is a good thing. Many business and government leaders will attend. You can use it as an opportunity to expand your network and socialize. You might meet many valuable friends.”

Chu Xiu stared at him steadily.

Although Yi Xi’s expression shifted quickly, Chu Xiu still caught that fleeting look.

It was a kind of sadness — heavy, almost suffocating.

Chu Xiu had never seen this expression on Yi Xi’s face before, not in the hospital when his pheromones went out of control, not when he was forced to marry Chu Xiu, but now, he wore this sorrowful look.

Unable to help himself, Chu Xiu reached out, wanting to touch the corner of his lips that were curved in a smile. “What’s wrong?”

Yi Xi abruptly waved his hand away.

It was entirely instinctive, an unthinking reflex. Chu Xiu was momentarily shocked, while Yi Xi silently watched Chu Xiu’s hand fall and slowly closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Yi Xi said softly. “I lost my composure.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Chu Xiu held his arm. Yi Xi’s motion wasn’t harsh; it didn’t hurt. He was just a little confused, a little uncertain. “What happened exactly?”

He stood up from the sofa. “Did those two female insects who just left bully you? Who are they? Tell me their names, I’ll go make them pay. Now that I’m S-rank, I can bully anyone I want.”

Yi Xi smiled.

Just like every time he heard Chu Xiu say something strange before, he smiled with both tolerance and helplessness, but never like now, where a faint smile couldn’t hide the inescapable sadness in his eyes.

Yi Xi reached out and took Chu Xiu’s hand. “Come on, I’ll take your measurements.”

Chu Xiu was pulled upstairs. “Why take measurements?”

“For the royal banquet,” Yi Xi said. “You need a suit that fits properly.”

He brought out a measuring tape. Head of the Stellar Group, who could wield a pen and seal with authority, held the tape just as naturally. He had Chu Xiu spread his arms, meticulously measuring every part of his body. Though the scene was intimate, Yi Xi treated it with utmost seriousness. Chu Xiu tried several times to nuzzle him, but Yi Xi stopped him each time.

“Stand still,” Yi Xi said, his tone tinged with exasperation. “This suit is important.”

Chu Xiu obediently responded with a soft “Oh.”

The Stellar Group, flush with wealth, sent ten complete suits within three days.

These ten outfits came from ten different studios in the group responsible for fashion, each with its own design philosophy. Every designer was a name in the fashion world of the Capital Star system, and each suit was paired with matching jewelry and cufflinks, a perfect ensemble.

Yi Xi’s eyes were discerning; he could spot flaws in the tiniest details. After multiple revisions, he finally chose a silver-gray, textured suit.

On the day of the banquet, he personally helped Chu Xiu dress, carefully selecting every accessory, and subtly styled his hair. In the mirror, Chu Xiu looked handsome and gentle, his peach-blossom eyes full of warmth, just like the flirtatious Cointreau from his past life as a master bartender.

Yi Xi piloted the aircraft to the palace gates and urged him to get out. Chu Xiu stepped down first, only to see Yi Xi sitting still in the vehicle.

Only then did Chu Xiu realize: “Yi Xi, you’re not coming with me?”

Yi Xi shook his head. “The invitation is only for you.”

He smiled faintly. “Then go. I’ll wait for you at home.”

Just at that moment, a servant stepped forward, bowed, surveyed Chu Xiu’s attire, and smiled. “Are you Chu Xiu? Please follow me.”

He led the way, and Chu Xiu followed. When they reached the palace gates, he had a sudden impulse to glance back—and Yi Xi was looking over in the same direction.

His expression was distant and vacant, quietly watching Chu Xiu as if trying to imprint his silhouette into memory, a keepsake, and perhaps a farewell at the same time.

Chu Xiu froze.

He suddenly turned around, leapt onto the aircraft, pinned Yi Xi into the driver’s seat, and kissed his cheek. “You better wait for me at home!” he warned.

Yi Xi looked at him, emotions unspoken and hard to describe flashing in his eyes, then he smiled softly. “Alright.”

Only then did Chu Xiu follow the servant into the palace.

………………

The palace was a walled Western-style garden. The banquet was set in the central courtyard. Servants in white gloves carried silver trays back and forth. When Chu Xiu arrived, he realized there was only one table.

Royal banquets usually hosted hundreds of guests, requiring at least ten tables. But here, only a single table stood alone under the glass greenhouse roof. Apart from the passing servants, the hall was empty. No royal members were visible, and there was no sign of a main seat.

After taking his seat, Chu Xiu fiddled with his light-brain for a moment. Soon, the servant who had guided him in returned with another guest.

The newcomer wore a tailcoat, tall and slender, with refined features, exuding elegance and presence. Chu Xiu froze for a moment, then recognized him.

He stood, bowed slightly, and smiled. “Hello, Your Excellency Chu Ci.”