Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

The two female soldiers immediately began discussing their work upon meeting.

After all, Calander hadn't been back to the military for several months and would soon be resuming his post, so many things still needed to be told by Locke himself.

They were engrossed in their conversation, seemingly without end. Shen Yan couldn't understand what they were talking about, so he quietly gave Miller a wink, signaling him to come out with him.

The young master was sitting obediently next to Locke, pretending to be very close to him, and immediately understood.

It followed obediently out like a little tail.

They came to a quiet corner of the corridor. Shen Yan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a mischievous smile on his face, and asked in a low voice:

"How's it going? Locke seems less averse to you today?"

Miller took a moment to process what he was asking about, realizing he was asking about the progress of his pursuit of Locke, and his already flushed face grew even hotter.

He lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, and stammered:

"I...I feel like there's a glimmer of hope? At least he's not telling me to get out right now..."

In the end, he couldn't help but chuckle foolishly, a bittersweet feeling mixed with a humble sense of satisfaction.

Actually, I'm already very satisfied to have come this far.

His mind was uncontrollably replaying that heartbreaking and infuriating night two months ago.

At that time, because of Miller's high-profile pursuit, almost the entire upper-class circle knew that Lieutenant General Locke had been eyed by the warden's young master.

That's why, when the female soldier appeared alone in a bar, clearly trying to drown her sorrows, a kind-hearted insect immediately informed you privately.

The boy was overjoyed to receive the news, as it gave him another chance to meet and get closer to his friend.

He excitedly tidied himself up nicely.

Wearing the most exquisite clothes and the most luxurious accessories, like a little peacock spreading its tail, I eagerly boarded the hovercar and headed to the bar.

However, when they found Locke's booth, they did not see the elegant figure drinking alone as they had expected.

Instead, it was a scene that almost made his blood run cold.

A male insect with graying temples, feigning composure, blocked Locke's path, spewing vulgarities.

The female insect, on the other hand, frowned, looking impatient, and moved slightly sluggishly, seemingly a little drunk.

"...After that night at Lanjing Palace, I did find myself somewhat reminiscing about your body..."

Miller recognized the other person quickly.

Derek, a B-grade male insect, is a notorious womanizer in the circle. He just came to their house to deliver gifts a few days ago.

The male insect grinned lewdly, its gaze lingering on Locke with a sticky, roguish look.

"That brat Miller, who hasn't even grown his first hair yet, how could he possibly make you feel comfortable?"

"Does he even know how to handle female insects? Why don't you come with me? I'm skilled, I guarantee I'll make you..."

The female soldier's face was icy cold, the smile that usually graced her lips had vanished, and the air around her was frighteningly low.

He couldn't use force against the male insect, so he tried to ignore his words and walk around him to leave, but Derek's followers firmly blocked his way, leaving him no choice but to stand there with his arms crossed.

Seeing this, Derek became even more smug, and his tone became threatening:

"Tsk, don't push your luck."

"I won't mind your dirty body that's been played with by so many insects, after all... I was the first one to use you."

"I like you now and am willing to be patient with you, but don't push me too far, or else..."

Before he could finish his threatening words, he felt a tremendous force coming from his side and behind.

"You son of a bitch!!!"

Accompanied by a furious shout, tinged with tears and filled with extreme rage.

Miller charged forward like a cannonball, delivering a powerful running kick filled with fury, slamming it into Derek's side!

Caught off guard, the male insect was kicked and staggered two or three meters away, crashing into a table and shattering glassware all over the floor.

"You fucking dare touch him?! Who do you think you are! You think you're worthy to touch him?! I'll beat you to death, you old pervert!!!"

The young master's eyes were bloodshot. He didn't give the other party a chance to react and rushed up to kick Derek, who was lying on the ground, several more times.

Each kick was delivered with full force, as if venting some pent-up rage and heartache that even he himself didn't fully understand.

Derek screamed in pain as he was kicked, and he angrily tried to fight back, attempting to use his mental power to suppress the attack.

However, an even stronger, purer, and more violent S-class mental pressure was suddenly released from Miller's body like Mount Tai pressing down!

That power, filled with the fury of invaded territory, crushed Derek's pitiful B-grade mental strength to dust.

The old male insect, like a chicken being choked, instantly turned purple and gasped for breath, only able to make terrified hoarse sounds.

I just said bad things about the other person, and now the person involved has caught me in the act.

Given Miller's powerful family background, he didn't dare utter any more threats and, supported by his entourage, scrambled away from the bar.

After venting his anger, the young master suddenly realized what he had just done.

He was panting heavily when he turned around and looked at Locke, who had been standing silently in place.

Only then did I belatedly feel a surge of panic and embarrassment.

I was so rude and out of control just now, fighting and cursing like a street thug, and the insect I like saw it all...

Her pink crystal-like eyes timidly lifted, darting around nervously, unable to meet Locke's gaze. Her cheeks burned, and she murmured softly:

"Was I too impulsive...?"

However, Locke did not comment on his actions.

Those golden eyes, deep as an ancient well, gazed at him calmly, yet with an almost cruel directness, and asked:

"You heard what he said just now about Lanjing Palace... right?"

Startled, the male insect didn't expect the female to ask this directly. He nodded honestly, his voice even softer:

"I heard it..."

Locke's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile, but his expression turned cold again, as if it had been frozen.

"Since you heard it, why did you come closer?"

Miller was even more confused now. He blinked blankly and subconsciously asked:

"What...what's the connection?"

In his simple logic, liking him and protecting Locke from being bullied by bad bugs are the same thing.

Seeing the other's completely bewildered expression, which didn't seem feigned, the female insect remained silent for a moment before continuing to ask in a voice devoid of emotion:

"Didn't you investigate my background?"

He thought that given Miller's background and apparent interest, his background should have been thoroughly investigated long ago.

He shook his head hurriedly, like a rattle-drum, his tone tinged with grievance and urgency:

"I originally wanted to do some research to see what you like and dislike, so I could cater to your preferences..."

"But, I was afraid you would be angry if you found out, that you would feel I didn't respect you... so, so I never dared to do it."

His affection was clumsy yet sincere, like a young boy wanting to get closer but also afraid of offending the one he loved.

Upon hearing this answer, a complex emotion flashed in Locke's eyes, as if he were surprised.

With a sense of relief tinged with endless bitterness, he gave a soft laugh.

The laughter was soft, yet it tickled Miller's heart like a feather, causing him a strange pang of sorrow.

She didn't look at him again, but turned around and sat back down in the booth, poured herself another glass of strong liquor, and took a small sip.

Alcohol seemed to give him a bit of courage, or rather, a resolute "what's the use" attitude.

He stared at the swirling liquid in his glass, his voice eerily calm, as if he were telling a distant and sordid story unrelated to himself:

"I was once... abandoned by my family and sent to the male insects' banquet to be the amusement of everyone."

That place is called Lanjing Palace.

"That night... so many insects vented on me that I can't even remember how many there were."

He paused, turned his head, and for the first time, his gaze, with a kind of cruel scrutiny, fell on Miller's face, which froze instantly.

"I remember... you attended that banquet too."

"However, someone as high and mighty as you would never notice me sitting on this dirty carpet."

"I wouldn't stoop to... sharing someone like me... who's been used to death..." with other insects.

The self-loathing in his tone was as real as the substance.

"Thinking back now, if... you had touched me back then, would you still be bothering me now?"

"It's not too late to know now."