The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 22

“Male Sovereign, Asher must have done it on purpose!”

Xi Ya’s expression was agitated. Looking at Asher, who was kneeling there submissively, his confidence suddenly surged. He pointed an accusing finger. “It must be because you splashed porridge on him last time. He felt resentful and intentionally splashed it on you this time!”

Cen Li looked down, following Xi Ya’s gaze. Sure enough, he saw a few scattered flecks of porridge on the lower hem of his clothes. If Xi Ya had not mentioned it, Cen Li would not even have noticed. It was impressive that Xi Ya had such sharp eyes.

Asher looked up and saw it too. His pupils trembled for a moment before returning to a calm state, as if he were quietly awaiting Cen Li’s sentence.

Cen Li curled his index finger and tapped the tabletop. “Asher, I want to hear from you.”

Asher met the emotionless eyes of the male above him and hesitated for a moment. His hands slowly clenched into fists, and he said stiffly, “Please punish me, Male Sovereign.”

A flash of disappointment, which neither of the two insects noticed, crossed Cen Li’s eyes. Then, he let out a cold laugh. “Fine, then I shall grant your wish.”

Xi Ya’s eyes shone with blatant joy, looking like a triumphant rooster. His gaze toward Asher shifted instinctively to one of contempt.

“Go and kneel in my room. I will take some time later to think about how to punish you.”

Upon hearing this, Xi Ya’s expression did not change much. The Male Sovereign’s room was cleaned daily by robot insects, and he was rarely allowed inside. The only time he had entered, he was kicked out after being discovered by the male. He did not think much of Cen Li’s words, assuming the Male Sovereign simply had not decided on a punishment yet. Given the male’s past temperament, Asher was likely in for a hard time.

Xi Ya did not understand the hidden nuances, but Asher knew perfectly well that the Male Sovereign’s room had a thick layer of carpet. Kneeling on it would feel like almost nothing at all. As Asher left, he could not help but turn back to stare at the back of Cen Li’s head, unable to figure it out. Had the Male Sovereign forgotten about that detail?

“Male Sovereign, are you all right? Did Asher burn you?”

After Asher left, Xi Ya leaned in toward Cen Li with a concerned expression. He pulled several tissues from the table, intending to wipe away the stain for Cen Li.

“How could Asher treat you like this? He has completely failed to recognize his position, actually doing something so disrespectful to his own Male Sovereign! I have never seen such a bold and vicious female attendant!”

Xi Ya continued to feed Cen Li malicious suggestions. Coldness seeped from the corners of Cen Li’s eyes as he caught Xi Ya’s wrist mid-air. He took a tissue himself and wiped the clothes clean.

Seeing the male’s cold attitude, Xi Ya felt somewhat embarrassed. Just as he was preparing to make amends, Cen Li looked over and gave a cold warning.

“Stop gossiping. Have I not warned you already, or are you trying to teach me how to do things? If there is a next time, you will take the punishment in Asher’s place!”

Xi Ya became terrified, and his rosy lips instantly turned pale from being bitten. “Male Sovereign, of course I did not mean that. No insect can interfere with your thoughts.”

Xi Ya ate the rest of his meal in a hurry, terrified that Cen Li might actually make him take Asher’s place. He could not bear to imagine how much it would hurt if that whip landed on him. He only wanted to finish eating and get as far away from the Male Sovereign as possible.

Cen Li went upstairs and opened the door, finding the female insect kneeling there quietly. Asher’s hearing was sharp, and he had become alert the moment he heard the footsteps coming up the stairs.

The moment the door opened, his entire body tensed. He could not stop himself from wondering how the Male Sovereign would punish him. Would it be whipping, forced kneeling, or humiliation?

After waiting for a while, there was still no movement. Asher looked over discreetly. He saw Cen Li bypass him as if he were not even there, driving the wheelchair toward the bed.

Cen Li propped his hands on the wheelchair, seemingly wanting to stand up. Asher hesitated before speaking. “Male Sovereign, do you need my help?”

“I do not.” The answer was crisp and direct.

In the next day or two, Cen Li’s legs should be fully recovered. It might happen suddenly, just like today. Since Cen Li arrived in this strange Zerg world, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to walk swiftly on two legs. To walk like a normal person was incredibly tempting to the current Cen Li.

Cen Li felt a wave of emotion. Previously, he had relied on robot insects to help him with tasks like bathing and dressing. Soon, he would not need help from any insect. Currently, his legs only felt a slight, tingling numbness when he stood upright.

Cen Li propped his hands on the edge of the bed, his forearms tensing. With a single turn, he sat steadily on the bed. In his movements, there was no sign at all that his legs were disabled.

“Wake me in one hour.”

Asher waited and waited, finally hearing Cen Li’s instruction. He gave an affirmative response and then watched as Cen Li pulled up the quilt and covered himself. It seemed he intended to sleep.

A flash of confusion crossed Asher’s eyes.

Cen Li fell asleep very quickly. Before long, the sound of light breathing filled the quiet space. He started by sleeping on his back, but when Asher looked over again, the dark bedding framed Cen Li’s delicate face, which was turned exactly toward him. The male’s eyes were closed, his lips were red, his teeth were white, and his features were handsome and clear.

In this moment, Asher could not see the coldness that usually lingered in those eyes. He unexpectedly felt that the sleeping Cen Li looked somewhat obedient. The moment this thought surfaced, Asher startled himself. How could he have such a thought? Such a ridiculous idea. How could a Male Sovereign have anything to do with the word “obedient”?

Cen Li fell asleep without any burden after hearing the notification that the Humiliation Value had risen. The system did not stop him. How could this not count as doing the mission? Before falling asleep, Cen Li was still thinking about how dedicated he was to his work.

One hour later.

Asher looked at the soundly sleeping male and hesitated for a moment before calling out tentatively. After calling twice, the Male Sovereign remained in a deep sleep, only his eyebrows furrowing slightly as if he were being disturbed.

Seeing this, Asher stood up and walked hesitantly to the bedside, looking at Cen Li’s quiet, sleeping face. A thought flashed through his mind. Asher seemed to understand the Male Sovereign’s intention, which was to have Asher wake him up, and then use the disturbance as an excuse to punish him.

Asher let his mind wander, thinking this was the answer closest to the truth. He wondered why the Male Sovereign needed to take such a long way around just to punish him. He leaned down, lowered his head toward Cen Li’s ear, and called out two more times.

If he woke the Male Sovereign a few minutes late, he would still be punished with some other excuse. He might as well follow the Male Sovereign’s original intent. Better to get it over with quickly than to overthink it.

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