He, The Scumbag, Has Turned Over A New Leaf. - Chapter 13

The information Lotte brought back was timely. Through this investigation, Ivan learned that the format of this year’s competition had changed.

Many of the projects were skewed to favor the other two noble families. While it would be easy for the Pushiu family to withdraw, the challenge lay in helping the Kingsby family secure the mining rights this year. Fortunately, there was still over a month until the competition date, giving Ivan plenty of time to prepare.

In the meantime, Ivan made a surprising discovery: while polishing the jade, he accidentally found that a male Zerg’s mental power and pheromones could actually be stored within the stone.

This discovery occurred the day Lotte returned. Hoping to surprise him, Ivan worked overtime to polish a jade thumb ring as a gift for Lotte. Because the ring had a prismatic outer edge, it was incredibly tedious to polish. Without realizing it, Ivan channeled his recently awakened mental power into the process. To his astonishment, the moment his mental energy touched the surface of the jade, it flowed into the stone. The energy was firmly locked inside, causing the jade to become significantly brighter, more transparent, and more lustrous.

Stunned, Ivan paused for a moment before continuing his work, taking another hour to finish the polishing. He held the mesmerizing ring, admired it for a while, and then went to find Lotte.

Lotte was surprised by Ivan’s visit. Since childhood, Ivan had disliked the servant’s quarters behind the villa. As Ivan knocked, Lotte quickly put on some clothes and opened the door.

“Uncle Lotte!”

Ivan stepped inside after being invited. “I used some jade I got at the auction to make some small trinkets for everyone in the house. This one is for you.”

Lotte’s room was cozy and warm, with a breeze stirring the fresh purple bellflowers on the wooden table. On the desk sat an album featuring a picture of a handsome male Zerg. Lotte was dressed in comfortable cotton loungewear, a far cry from the stern, serious image of a butler that Ivan was used to. Ivan found this softer, gentler side of Lotte quite refreshing.

Ivan held up the dark green jade thumb ring. Lotte’s face lit up with surprise and a smile. Though Ivan could not see Lotte’s eyes clearly, he could sense his genuine happiness. Lotte accepted the gift respectfully. “Thank you, Young Master.”

“You are welcome. Uncle Lotte, please, just call me by my name.” Ivan left as soon as he had delivered the gift. “Uncle, tell Xiao Yi whatever you want to eat for lunch, and have him make it.”

“Very well.” Lotte bowed slightly, watching Ivan leave.

With the gift-giving over, Ivan felt he had crossed a major item off his to-do list. He stored the remaining half of the jade in a safe sturdy enough to withstand a laser cannon. That evening, dinner was lively. Xiao Yi had prepared a grand feast to welcome Lotte home. Usually, it was just Ivan and Tovis, so they kept meals modest, but this time, Ivan ate to his heart’s content. Tovis also seemed more relaxed around Lotte, feeling deep gratitude for how Lotte had cared for Arui in his absence.

A few days later, with one week left until the competition, Ivan was busy polishing a jade bangle with the remaining stone when Lotte brought him surprising news.

“The Doer-ye family made a move against the spouse of the Huba family’s current head?”

Ivan stopped the machine, placed the half-formed bangle into a water bath to soak, and looked up at Lotte, who had just returned.

Lotte had been away investigating the mining competition, and the moment he returned, he came to report to Ivan.

“Yes,” Lotte confirmed. “The current Huba family head, Huba Luo, came to power with an iron fist just last year. He dotes on his male spouse, whom he matched through the Male Zerg Protection Association. His spouse was severely injured by the Doer-ye family’s schemes. This time, the conflict between the two families is bound to escalate.”

Ivan stood up, his eyes flashing with surprise. “Why would the Doer-ye family attack a male Zerg? In past years, their struggles never reached this level of life-or-death vengeance.”

Male Zergs were rare and precious treasures. Throughout the galaxy, the moment a male child was born, they were sent to the Protection Association to be strictly guarded. It was almost unheard of for a female to attack a male. If this incident were exposed, the public outcry alone would disqualify the Doer-ye family from the competition without any effort from the other houses. Ivan simply could not fathom their motive.

Lotte seemed equally perplexed. “Huba Luo has launched a counterattack against the Doer-ye family, but it seems he has no intention of making this public. Perhaps they have some other goal.”

Listening to Lotte’s speculation, Ivan became thoughtful. “If that is the case, perhaps we should contact the Huba family. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We might be able to probe their intentions, and it could be our chance to help the Kingsby family.”

“Understood.”

Lotte left immediately to seek out the Huba family. Unfortunately, because Huba Luo’s companion was in critical condition, Huba had taken his spouse to the Capital Star’s Protection Association, which housed the best medical equipment in the galaxy. Lotte returned having missed them.

In the villa living room, Ivan fingered the polished jade bangle as he listened to Lotte’s report. “If we cannot meet them, then let us ignore it for now.”

As Lotte went to leave, Ivan noticed his pale complexion. “Are you not resting well? Thank you for your hard work; go and get some rest.”

Lotte smiled. “I am fine. I will take my leave.”

As Lotte walked away, his steps faltered slightly as he entered his room. He frowned, removed his coat, and stripped off his shirt to reveal a bandage across his back soaked in blood. The wound had become inflamed and festered. He cleaned and re-bandaged it with skilled hands, biting his lip to endure the pain without a sound. Once finished, he slumped against the bed, gasping for air.

Ivan, completely unaware of Lotte’s injury, remained in the living room. He had carefully stored the jade bangle in its wooden box and was now on his light-brain, registering an interstellar seller account. He wanted to return to his old profession; if he could not find a job, he would become his own boss. He had been collecting jewelry to prepare for opening a shop.

Ding-dong!

As Tovis, Ivan’s spouse, he received a system notification the moment Ivan posted an item for sale. Seeing the post about the jade jewelry and remembering Ivan’s recent obsession with collecting gems, Tovis thought for a moment before retrieving a handkerchief hidden under the clothes in the box he had brought back from Capital Star.

Inside the neatly folded, lake-blue handkerchief lay something wrapped tightly. Tovis clutched it in his hand and walked toward the living room.

Ivan was heading to the kitchen for a snack when he saw Tovis striding toward him. Tovis’s target was so clear that Ivan stopped, feeling curious. “What is the matter?”

Usually, Tovis would avoid him whenever possible. He had never been this assertive.

Tovis stopped in front of him, his gaze intense. He reached out and revealed the lake-blue handkerchief, his voice trembling slightly. “This is for you.”