Zerg: I ​​was picked up by the cold and beautiful Major General at the start of the game.

Deep within that deathly still, scorched-on-the-ground insect pattern, there was a faint, almost imperceptible flicker.

Parks' heart skipped a beat, and he almost wondered if it was a hallucination caused by his excessive tension.

But then, another one!

Although the flicker was still faint, it carried a tenacious vitality, like the first star struggling to light up in the dark night sky.

At the same time, the terrifyingly flat lines on the life monitoring device next to it also began to fluctuate!

The deathly pallor on Ailand's face was visibly fading away.

Although his face was still pale and his lips were bloodless, anyone could tell that he was no longer in the state of a dying insect, but rather weak from serious injuries.

Dr. Parks finally exhaled the breath he had been holding for so long.

He swayed as if he had collapsed, and had to reach out to hold onto the platform to steady himself. A huge sense of relief, as if he had survived a disaster, washed over him.

"That's great...that's great..."

His voice trembled uncontrollably, "It worked...it really worked! Thank goodness, thank goodness for Lord Lin Luo's blood...and a miracle has occurred!"

He raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, glanced at the empty blood collection tube with lingering fear, and felt another chill run down his spine.

It was worth risking being sent to a military tribunal to secretly collect and preserve this blood...

-------

Capital Star

Inside the brand-new factory workshop, the machines emitted regular low hums.

On the assembly line, fabric printed with panda patterns is being skillfully cut, sewn, and stuffed.

Beside the assembly line, the female insects working there, though mostly disabled—some with prosthetic limbs, some with scars on their faces—have exceptionally focused eyes and move with remarkable speed.

For them, this job is not just about Starcoins, but also about a rare sense of dignity and security.

"Eamon, take a look at this batch of fabric, is the color right?" A female insect missing a hand nudged her companion with her shoulder.

The female insect known as Emon is Mir's maternal father.

Although his movements while installing the simple robotic arm were somewhat clumsy, he was extremely thorough in his inspection.

He picked up the fabric and examined it carefully, then nodded and said, "Yes, this is the batch, that's right. Cut it carefully, don't waste any."

Although he still looked tired, his expression was much more relaxed than when he was struggling to survive.

At least now he can leave work on time to pick up Xiao Mir, make sure the little one is well-fed and clothed, and occasionally buy him a small toy.

All of this stems from that gentleman.

The workshop was filled with a busy atmosphere, and occasionally a few hushed conversations could be heard.

Hope quietly sprouts here.

In the office on the second floor of the factory, Lin Luo was looking down at the production reports and sales data on the screen.

Everything seemed to be going well and progressing smoothly.

The numbers on the report climbed steadily, and the "Rolling" brand quickly opened up the market with its unique design, even sparking a small trend.

However, Lin Luo's brows were tightly furrowed, and his fingertips unconsciously tapped the table.

His gaze would occasionally drift toward the silent personal terminal resting on the corner of the table.

It's been too long.

Aland's departure lasted far longer than initially expected.

A strong sense of unease gripped Lin Luo's heart like vines, tightening ever more.

He tried to numb himself with busy work, but the worries were ever-present.

How is he? Did the mission go smoothly? Was he injured? Why haven't we heard anything from him? Did... something happen to him?

The last thought made his heart skip a beat, and he stood up agitatedly, pacing back and forth in his office.

There was a knock on the office door, and Theodore leaned lazily against the doorframe:

"You've managed the factory so well, why do you still look so unhappy?"

Lin Luo raised her head, her eyes filled with undisguised anxiety:

"Theodore, you're saying... why is there absolutely no news from the front lines? Is that normal?"

Theodore walked in, his languid expression softening somewhat:

"Military operations often involve secrecy and communication disruptions."

"Especially for tasks like exterminating space pirates, they might have already tracked them into some signal-blocked area."

"But this is taking too long!" Lin Luo has been unusually anxious lately, with a bad feeling about it.

Theodore looked at his pale face and the shadows under his eyes, and sighed:

"Don't scare yourself. Eland is an Imperial Major General, experienced, not a greenhorn. You have to look on the bright side."

Lin Luo took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.

He looked again at the silent quantum computer, murmuring softly, as if asking Theodore, or perhaps asking himself:

"He'll definitely come back safely, right?"

-------

The house was empty and silent after Aland left.

Although he is often silent at home, his presence itself is like a calm undertone, making the whole space feel full.

Now, only desolation remained. For the first time, Lin Luo felt the loneliness so clearly, how it coldly enveloped him.

He curled up on the sofa, hugging a soft, rolling plush toy, but felt no comfort whatsoever.

He had to admit that in this unfamiliar Zerg world, the person he was most connected to and most bound to was the female soldier who was always taciturn but would protect him with her actions.

He is his only anchor here.

"Ding-dong—"

The crisp sound of the doorbell suddenly broke the silence.

Lin Luo's heart skipped a beat, and he almost instantly jumped up from the sofa!

Is it Eland who's back?!

He rushed to the door and, filled with great anticipation, yanked it open.

However, the woman standing outside the door was not the tall, strong female soldier he had been longing for.

It was Dr. Parks, and his adjutant Hawke, whose face was solemn and whose eyes were filled with sorrow.

The smile that had just appeared on Lin Luo's face froze instantly. His heart tightened, and he plummeted downwards.

Dr. Parks' voice was somber: "Your Excellency Lin Luo, I apologize for disturbing you at this time."

"Major General Ailand... is seriously injured and is still unconscious. We have brought the Major General... back."

After saying that, he stepped aside.

Inside the medical pod, Ailand lay quietly, his face so pale it was almost transparent, and his breathing was weak.

Some gruesome scars that had not fully healed could still be seen on the exposed skin, and the insect patterns on the neck were dim.

Lin Luo gripped the doorframe tightly with both hands. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, his voice unusually hoarse from the effort to suppress his emotions:

"...Come in and take him to the bedroom."

Hawke and two other accompanying soldiers silently and quickly pushed the medical pod into the bedroom, then opened the pod door and moved the major general onto the bed. Their movements were slow and gentle, their eyes filled with worry and grief.

After settling in, they quietly withdrew and gently closed the door.

With red-rimmed eyes, Lieutenant Hawke looked at Lin Luo, his voice choked with sobs and pleading:

"Your Excellency, the Major General... was betrayed by space pirates while trying to rescue the captured Male Insect Lord, and his mental state has been severely damaged. If you can, please help the Major General!"

Lin Luo's gaze never left Ailand's pale face; his voice was soft but unusually firm:

"Of course I will. I want him to wake up more than any insect."

Having received the promise he wanted, Hawke bowed deeply to Lin Luo and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Your Excellency!" Then he quietly left the bedroom and closed the door.

At this moment, Dr. Parks stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with utmost seriousness:

"Your Excellency, the Major General's condition is far more serious than it appears; his spiritual energy is on the verge of depletion..."

"What?!"