The Heroic Master Is Tough-Talking but Soft-Hearted: The Aloof Major General Has Fallen - Chapter 36

Admiral Derek patted his forehead, finally remembering the business at hand. He had originally come to find Cen Li so that the young man could accompany him to meet a guest.

The name Voss family sounded somewhat familiar. Cen Li felt he had heard it recently, but he could not recall where for the moment. What kind of distinguished guest was this? Why did Admiral Derek feel the need to bring him along?

The Reception Hall

When Cen Li saw the person sitting inside, he frowned slightly. Opposite Duke Yolai sat a female bug with medium-length gray hair half-tied back. His spine was straight, and his posture was both elegant and relaxed. Hearing footsteps, the female bug turned his head, his gentle eyes locking accurately onto Cen Li.

Wasn’t this the female bug who had publicly confessed his love to him in the banquet hall yesterday? What was his name again? Quinn?

As Cen Li thought about it for a second, Admiral Derek had already begun the introduction. “Xiao Li, this is Quinn, a female bug from the Voss family.”

Quinn stood up and performed an elegant noble salute toward Cen Li. “Lord Cen Li, we just met yesterday. Perhaps you still remember me?” He watched Cen Li, a shallow smile dancing in his eyes.

In contrast, the expression on Cen Li’s face was extremely cold. “What are you doing here?”

Cen Li looked at the smile on the bug’s face and spoke in a tone that was far from friendly. He had a premonition that something he did not want to see was about to happen. The fact that Admiral Derek had specifically asked for his company was already a sign.

Admiral Derek, hearing Quinn’s words, realized the two had already met privately yesterday. His eyes lit up, but his excitement was immediately dampened by Cen Li’s unwelcome remark. Feeling as though he had been doused with cold water, he tugged at Cen Li’s arm.

Admiral Derek turned to Quinn with a smile and explained, “Xiao Li has a bit of a morning temper and did not sleep well last night. He might be in a bad mood right now. Quinn, please do not take it to heart.”

Quinn maintained a proper smile and shook his head. “Of course not. I know Lord Cen Li is a very gentlemanly and polite male bug.”

Cen Li’s mouth twitched as he listened to Quinn lie through his teeth. Quinn, however, looked at Cen Li and asked with concern, “Is Your Lordship suffering from insomnia? Or is it perhaps due to the recent hot and dry weather?”

“If Your Lordship has been sleeping poorly lately, a friend of mine at the research institute developed a specialized potion for insomnia just a month ago. The effect is excellent, and it comes in different flavors. It is very popular among male lords.”

“If you need it, I can arrange for a crate to be brought to you.”

Even when treated coldly, Quinn did not show a hint of dissatisfaction. Instead, he showed great concern for Cen Li’s health. He was calm and composed, fully displaying his noble upbringing. Admiral Derek immediately took a liking to Quinn’s way of handling himself.

“No need,” Cen Li replied, remaining distant and indifferent.

Did Cen Li not like Quinn? Such a well-mannered female bug. Admiral Derek’s gaze swept over Quinn several times as if searching for validation. Good looks, outstanding family background, gentle and considerate. From any perspective, Quinn was an excellent female bug. Surely this was much better than Theia and Asher at Cen Li’s home?

Quinn attributed Cen Li’s cold attitude to himself. “Perhaps some things that happened yesterday caused Lord Cen Li to have a misunderstanding about me.”

The curve of his smile was perfect, and he spoke at a steady, unhurried pace that naturally led others to listen to his voice. “I will work hard to change Lord Cen Li’s opinion of me.”

What a wonderful bug, Derek thought. Looking at Quinn’s flawless performance, he became even more fond of the idea. In just a few sentences, Quinn had made both Derek and Duke Yolai incredibly satisfied. Cen Li, listening to Quinn’s ambiguous words, only felt that this bug was annoyingly persistent.

Quinn spoke with humor and wit, making Admiral Derek very happy. When encountering a topic he did not know well, he humbly asked the Admiral for guidance. Before long, the two were chatting quite happily. Eventually, the conversation turned back to Cen Li.

“Xiao Li is just missing a first male wife who is as generous, gentle, and thoughtful as you.”

Quinn glanced at Cen Li and then quickly looked away, his face showing a timely hint of bashfulness. Two sets of eyes turned toward Cen Li, causing his brow to furrow. Even Duke Yolai, who had been silent, chimed in with approval. “I think Quinn would make a perfect first male wife for Xiao Li.”

Although Quinn was from the Voss family, a single female bug was usually not enough to merit a personal reception from Duke Yolai. The fact that he met with Quinn today was proof enough that the Duke also intended for Quinn to become Cen Li’s first male wife.

“It would be my honor, provided Lord Cen Li does not object,” Quinn said, his eyes full of unspoken emotion.

He had emerald eyes, clear and translucent like rare gemstones at an auction. Looking at Cen Li now, his eyes shimmered with a hopeful light. Anyone seeing a normally noble and self-possessed female bug showing such favor would likely find it impossible to refuse.

But Cen Li was clearly not an ordinary bug. He spoke heartlessly, extinguishing the other’s fantasies. “I do not agree.”

The smile on Quinn’s face stiffened. He clearly had not expected Cen Li to reject him over and over again, especially in front of Duke Yolai and Admiral Derek.

Cen Li’s relentless refusal made Duke Yolai, who was attempting to finalize the marriage on the spot, frown. He asked, “Quinn could be said to be the most perfect choice for a first male wife. What part of him are you dissatisfied with?”

Cen Li did not want to be forced into an unwanted marriage on top of being forced to complete tasks for the system. If he accepted Quinn now, Duke Yolai and the others would likely push even more bugs onto him in the future. He felt he simply could not handle such a blessing.

His tone was firm. “Even if he is perfect in every way, I am still not satisfied.” To shut them up, Cen Li paused and then added, “I will only marry the bug I personally like.”

Upon hearing this, Quinn’s face darkened significantly. It was now difficult to maintain his facade of elegance. He had never been looked down upon like this before. Under Cen Li’s indifferent gaze, Quinn felt as though he were not even worthy of remaining in the other’s sight.

Duke Yolai and Cen Li were both male bugs; upon hearing this, the Duke felt there was nothing wrong with Cen Li’s logic. They, as male bugs, had always followed their own hearts. However, if Cen Li could marry the most pampered female bug of the Voss family, it would undoubtedly be a powerful advantage. It would bring a hundred benefits to Cen Li and not a single harm.

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