As a male insect, I am cooking food live

The sun shines brightly today, unlike the lower stars shrouded in mist. The capital star remains under a clear blue sky.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Under the tree, the young insects frolicked and played in the shade; all of them were female and each had distinct insect-like features.

A cub seemed to hear a commotion nearby. He twitched his pointed ears and said to his companion beside him:

"I heard a different voice."

This cub had the most acute hearing among the group, so the other cubs stopped playing and looked at each other, looking somewhat nervous.

"It's just a formality, the same as before."

The cubs looked up. A red-haired cub leaned against a tree trunk, its face marred by scales. It was resting in the shade with its eyes closed.

“Inigo,” the slightly older cub under the tree called to him, “come down, don’t make things difficult for the headmaster.”

The red-haired offspring, known as Inigo, opened its eyes, lazily yawned, and then turned its back to the other insects.

“It’s all just for show,” Inigo said, glancing at the shadows in the distance. “Hash, think about when those big insects came here.”

Inigo had excellent eyesight; he accurately spotted Shen Hui surrounded by insects, noticing the appropriate smile on his face and the fawning expressions of the surrounding insects.

He also noticed that the male insect seemed to have noticed, glancing over here while talking to the other insects.

It was a very high-ranking male insect, Inigo quickly judged and looked away.

Inigo quickly realized that this was another show, a waste of time, and that it left them without a room to rest.

Hashi frowned but did not refute.

“See, you admit it too, right? This is just a show put on by the big insects,” Inigo said, swinging his legs. “They’re just going through the motions here; the real destination is the male insect larvae.”

Inigo blinked his light red eyes, a hint of weariness in his clear gaze, and stretched.

Hashi looked at Inigo's lazy appearance and hesitated to speak.

He was the oldest among the insect offspring. Hashi had seen many large insects; even a token donation could make a significant difference to the Orphanage. Even a symbolic donation would improve their lives considerably, and Inigo, being too young, always harbored resentment towards the differential treatment.

But as Inigo said, the Great Insects never came to see them in person. They were usually surrounded by the staff of the Orphanage, who spoke to them. It was as if this was just a temporary stop, and they would be heading to their next destination—Dolan—without stopping.

Inigo was much younger than him, but he understood a lot. Hashi jumped to the treetop, picked Inigo up, and ruffled his hair vigorously.

“Inigo,” Hashi said sternly.

This made Inigo stop resisting. He looked up at Hashi, who was a teenager and a head taller than the cubs.

“You can’t be so blunt anymore,” Hashi said slowly. “I’m all grown up now, and I’ll be leaving here soon. From now on, it’ll be up to you to protect them.”

Counting the days, Hashi has reached the age where he needs to be. Soon he will have to live on his own, take odd jobs to support himself, and save enough money to go to military school.

With the foundation's subsidies, he is able to support himself well and even bring snacks to visit them during holidays.

Inigo grabbed Hashi's arm with his other hand.

“Hash, I want to leave with you.” Inigo’s eyes sparkled.

Hashi immediately slapped Inigo's hand away, slightly annoyed: "Are you kidding me? Inigo, you can't leave with me."

“Not just me, why don’t we leave together?” Inigo shouted. “We’ll be kicked out sooner or later anyway, Hashi, I’d rather go with you.”

“I learned about it on the StarNet. There’s a foundation that’s been funding the cubs. We meet the requirements and can leave here.”

"Inigo, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hashi tried to grab Inigo's ear, but he nimbly dodged it.

"No, no, I want to leave here with you! I don't want to stay here!!"

The two insect cubs, one big and one small, started fooling around, while the other cubs each grabbed one of them, saying:

"Brother Hashi, I want to be with you too."

“Inigo, stop talking nonsense and making Hashi angry. Hashi is right. We are so young, going out will only cause trouble for Hashi.”

The noise under the shade of the trees grew even louder, attracting the attention of insects not far away.

Shen Hui withdrew his gaze from the shade of the tree and looked up at the plaque, which was mottled with age. This was the largest orphanage in the capital planet.

Shen Hui was tightly surrounded by guardian insects. He had just arrived at the Orphanage when the guardian insects immediately protected him in the middle.

Shen Hui looked up at the name of the Lonely Insect Academy and understood.

There had been a precedent of insect cubs attacking visiting insects in this orphanage, no wonder the guarding insects were so nervous. Shen Hui told the guarding insects to disperse before standing side by side with the director of the orphanage, who then gave the tour.

The dean showed Shen Hui around many facilities, most of which were quite old. Looking at this outdated equipment, Shen Hui allocated another sum of money.

The director led Shen Hui on a tour of many places, including the activity room, canteen, classrooms, and playground, but they only managed to spot a few cubs here and there. These cubs were all exceptionally well-behaved, and they answered all of Shen Hui's questions when he knelt down to talk to them.

Shen Hui possessed Allen's memories and the inheritance of the Night-Shining Pearl, so he knew at least one common fact—female insect larvae would never be so obedient.

Shen Hui bid farewell to the cubs and went outside.

He looked at the director's smiling face and asked, "Where are the other cubs?"

The dean's smiling face froze as he stared at the male insect before him.

Sure enough, although it was a luminous pearl, it was just a male insect. It didn't even know how to put on a show.

He deliberately sent away the unruly young ones to create a cozy scene, but the male insect in front of him didn't take it seriously.

"The other young insects are being trained, and I'm afraid they might hurt His Majesty," the director said tactfully. Those young insects are quite fierce, and it's only a rare opportunity to have funds allocated to renovate the Orphanage.

The dean didn't want this opportunity to slip away, especially with the luminous pearl...

Before another luminous pearl offspring is born, the male insect in front of him is the only luminous pearl.

The luminous pearl and the shimmering butterfly—thinking of this, even the dean was momentarily lost in thought.

The dean was a female insect who was wounded on the battlefield and lost her fertility. She would have returned to her hometown with a generous pension.

The young insects in the Orphanage are mostly orphans.

Why did he become the director of the Insect Institute?

Previously, the dean's duties were rotated among the female insects of the four major families. But he couldn't let go of these young insects, the young insects of his former comrades.

So he chose to stay, initially just an ordinary employee at the Orphanage.

Until that day——

You should be the director of this orphanage.

Me?

That's right, it's you.

【why? 】

You care about these cubs more than they do.

“Well-behaved cubs need care, and so do other cubs,” Shen Hui said calmly. “Dean, I used to be in the Orphanage as well.”

The dean's expression was complicated, and it wasn't hard to see his inner turmoil.

But soon the dean shook his head and sighed.

“Your Majesty, I must be responsible for your safety. The female larvae are no less powerful than adult males. You are the only luminous pearl.”

The dean refused, albeit politely but firmly.

Shen Hui turned to the guard insect beside him and said, "Go ask those cubs if they want to come over."

He's not here to put on a show; he should prove it with his actions.

After giving his instructions, Shen Hui was about to continue the conversation when the personal terminal on his right wrist started beeping.

Shen Hui's previously calm eyebrows twitched, and the curve of his lips became much more genuine as he turned on his personal terminal.

[XCG: Shen, I'm back. I came to find you.]

After being separated for so long, they can finally meet.

------

Under the shade of the tree, Inigo's expression turned cold upon seeing the approaching insect. The other cubs hid behind Hashi and Inigo, occasionally making faces at the approaching insect.

Hashi watched the giant insect approach him, glancing at the badge on its left breast—the insignia of the Silver Guard.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is asking if you would like to go and have a chat with him?" the guard asked, softening his tone.

Hashi and Inigo looked at each other, and then Hashi spoke.

"No, we're worried we'd disturb Your Majesty."

Inigo secretly rolled his eyes behind her back and whispered, "Still not arrogant enough?"

Hashi immediately patted Inigo on the head, signaling him to be quiet. Inigo's eyes darted around, and he looked again at Shen Hui, who was surrounded by insects in the swarm.

The young insects in the Orphanage didn't have quantum computers, so they didn't have a deep impression of the new Insect Emperor. They were more familiar with the streamer El than the new Insect Emperor.

The caregivers at the Orphanage would occasionally steal a moment from their busy schedules to watch the streamer El's live stream, which is how Inigo came to know El.

Inigo's mind raced, glancing occasionally at the guard bug before looking at Shen Hui.

“Isn’t he afraid of us?” Inigo stepped out from behind Hashi. “We’re the problem kids.”

Inigo scrutinized the guard's expression, as if he knew the other didn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and emphasized, "We attacked the bug."

“His Majesty says that all the young need care,” the guard insect said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the other cubs around Hashi poked their heads out, their eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion.

"Really?" one of the cubs asked.

Hashi and Inigo stepped forward simultaneously and said in unison, "I'll go."

“Inigo, I want to go with you too.” After one of the cubs spoke up, all the cubs gathered around and formed a circle, all shouting that they wanted to go together.

The cubs chirped and chattered, gradually becoming more active.

The sounds emanating from beneath the green shade could not escape the notice of insects in the distance.

“Dean,” one of the accompanying insects said, “these young are too undisciplined.”

"No, it's that they have absolutely no manners." The voice was somewhat deep, and it came from an older female insect. "Insulting male insects, are you condoning them?"

The dean's face turned pale as he looked at Shen Hui.

Inigo's complaints had already been heard by the female insects present, and they all subconsciously looked at Shen Hui.

Shen Hui remained calm, seemingly unaware of what was happening. But this was a luminous pearl, and it was not to be insulted by other insects.

"Not only that, but also inappropriate language, forming cliques, and even insulting male insects. This is simply not something a larva should do. Dean, I told you long ago that female insect larvae are different from obedient male insect larvae. What you are doing is simply harming him."

Before Shen Hui could even speak, they were already trying to define the nature of the matter.

Insulting a male insect is a serious crime, but since they were just a bunch of young insects, the females present quickly shifted the blame to the director. The director understood their underlying meaning and did not refute them.

“It’s just a whisper among the cubs,” Shen Hui concluded. “The cubs always have wonderful ideas, so don’t be too harsh on them.”

Shen Hui looked at the cubs hopping and skipping towards him and said with a smile:

"I think they are very cute and lively."

Shen Hui waved to the cubs not far away, and the cubs that had been hesitant ran up to him.

"Let's just visit and learn about the cubs' living conditions, and let's refocus on the cubs."

The female insects around him relaxed a little, but still kept Shen Hui in the center.

"You're looking for us?" The first insect to speak was Inigo, which was very much in line with his bold personality.

Shen Hui nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, the Insect God above, it is my honor to meet you." Hashi bowed, leaving no room for the insects to find fault. "May the glory of the Night Pearl endure forever."

The cubs behind Hashi repeated Hashi's words in their childish voices.

"The director has taught you all very well," Shen Hui said. He noticed that some of the cubs looked tired. "I'm a little tired. Shall we go inside and sit down to talk?"

"Good!" came the cheers.

A group of adult insects brought their young to the classroom, and the young insects sat in their seats with their eyes never leaving Shen Hui.

Inigo stared at Shen Hui, who was sitting on the platform, and said quietly, "You're better at it than they are..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hashi covered his mouth. Hashi was somewhat frightened, not understanding why the usually cautious Inigo was acting so impulsively today.

But... looking at Shen Hui, Hashi felt a warm feeling in his heart.

"Your Majesty, why are we in the classroom?" a child asked, raising their hand.

Shen Hui stroked the personal terminal on his wrist, then smiled and said, "Because I'm tired. I've been standing for a very, very long time."

"So, everyone, come with me to the classroom so I can rest for a bit, okay?"

"Of course, no problem! After all, I'm a female insect. The headmaster said that female insects are supposed to be considerate of male insects," a young insect chirped.

But Hashi and Inigo remained silent. Unlike the other cubs, these two were much more mature.

The cubs' questions were always whimsical, but Shen Hui always answered them patiently, as if he had endless patience for them.

Enigo stared helplessly at the shadow, which had shifted considerably compared to before. Finally, looking at Shen Hui surrounded by the cubs, he spoke:

Aren't you leaving yet?

Shen Hui gently stroked the cub's head. "Yes, they still have a lot to tell me."

"...You're strange, so concerned about the female insect larvae."

“Every insect cares about its young.”

“Wrong, it’s male larvae,” Inigo corrected, his eyes gleaming. “You’re lying.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, Inigo is a bit agitated today.” Hashi stepped between the two insects, stopping Inigo from continuing his rambling.

Shen Hui simply shook his head gently and said softly, "I didn't lie."

"To me, you are all just cubs."

Taber, who had just stepped into the house, stopped upon hearing this. Shen Hui, as if sensing something, looked in Taber's direction.

Shen Hui stood up, smiled at Taber, and the cubs around him were stunned.

"Tabi, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tabor stepped forward, pressed Shen Hui down, and forced him to lower his head.

The warmth was from each other's body temperature.

"Shen, I miss you so much."

A strong wind howled, the curtains rustled and fluttered in the air, and Shen Hui stared at Tabor's deep blue eyes, which were like the rising sun.