Irrespective of whether love is present, Long Mieshi did hold some genuine affection for Qiao Xi. Hearing her express her intention to leave, he felt a pang of reluctance.
Qiao Xi also knew she couldn't go back, but she simply couldn't accept her man being with other women.
Even more impossible was sharing her husband with others.
Her expression turned cold: "Today, it's either me or them. If it's them, then it's not me! Either send me back, or kill me!"
Long Mieshi: ...
*
The little scout informed Qiao Ci about the commotion on the insectoid side. "Hee hee, Host, it's too fun. Qiao Xi is messing with Long Mieshi with a few female insects. It's a crematorium situation, so exciting."
Qiao Xi, who was currently modifying her mecha to create a decent one for Mo Ye, smiled slightly upon hearing this.
In the original plot, Qiao Xi was unaware that Long Mieshi had insectoid companions, seven of them in fact, all of them being the most beautiful among the various colors, equivalent to top beauties in the human world.
Before Long Mieshi met Qiao Xi, he often favored them. As their relationship grew closer and more intimate, Long Mieshi wanted to take Qiao Xi back to the insectoid realm.
At that time, Qiao Xi felt confident and said she wouldn't return to the insectoid realm with him. If they wanted to be together, it would be openly.
After going through separation and reconciliation, Long Mieshi's love for Qiao Xi deepened, and he cherished her even more. Before she could discover it, he took care of the other women himself.
Currently, their relationship had not reached that level of intimacy. How could Long Mieshi give up the bliss of having multiple partners?
After all, while he appreciated human beauty, he was more reliant on insectoids. For him now, insectoid appearances were more aligned with his aesthetic.
This time, it remained to be seen how Qiao Xi and one insect would find love amidst the competition of multiple female insects.
*
The insectoid forces on the front lines launched a large-scale attack on humanity.
Qiao Ci presented the modified mecha to Mo Ye and then accompanied him to the front lines.
They saw dense swarms of insectoids crawling out of the dark, inky wormhole.
Standing at the forefront of the insectoids were Qiao Xi and Long Mieshi.
Long Mieshi was in his human form, but he was no longer as handsome as before. His face was mottled with black and purple scars from burns, making him look extremely ferocious and ugly.
Qiao Xi also appeared much more gaunt. She stood stubbornly, her back straight, unwilling to let Qiao Ci see her unhappiness.
After Long Mieshi became ugly, she realized she didn't love him at all. It was merely his looks and status she had been attracted to. If either of these was lacking, she couldn't continue to love him.
However, she couldn't let Qiao Ci know; this was her last vestige of pride!
"Our Insect Emperor has said that as long as you hand over Qiao Ci, we will not invade Blue Star for ten years." Qiao Xi, now a public enemy of humanity, didn't want Qiao Ci to have an easy time either.
If Qiao Ci didn't sacrifice herself voluntarily, and later humanity was harmed by the insectoids, it would all be her fault!
If Qiao Ci was willing to sacrifice herself, after killing Qiao Ci, she would make Long Mieshi feign compliance with the promise and then launch a surprise attack on Blue Star!
At that time, Long Mieshi would rule the insectoids, and she would rule humanity. At worst, they would divide some living space for the insectoids.
Then, she and Long Mieshi could go their separate ways, or each pursue their own pleasures. What kind of handsome men were unavailable?
She could play however she pleased!
If the conditions allowed, she would also imprison Mo Ye.
Heh heh, everything belonging to Qiao Ci, she would snatch!
As for that unfeeling and unjust pair of parents, they had favored Qiao Ci immensely in the previous life, and their preference remained the same in this one. They had indeed distanced themselves from her when she was most helpless.
They all deserved to die!!!
All these thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Qiao Xi looked at Qiao Ci: "Your cheap life in exchange for ten years of peace for Blue Star, my good sister, don't you think that's a bargain?"
Qiao Ci completely ignored her provocation and humiliation, cutting straight to her predicament: "Competing for favor with the female insects, how does that feel?"
Qiao Xi's anger flared instantly: "You're still so arrogant even at this point! If you don't kill yourself before me today, I will have the insectoids launch a large-scale attack on human territories. Then, the death of any life will be your fault!"
Qiao Ci's voice was soft: "I'm very curious, I want to ask you a question."
"What?" Qiao Xi asked subconsciously.
"Long Mieshi... oh no, the word 'Long' is too sacred. That beast doesn't deserve to use it! Insect Mieshi has become so ugly, do you still love him?" Qiao Ci scanned the two of them like watching a play, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
Qiao Xi wanted to say she loved him, but she found herself unable to.
Now, not only did she not love Long Mieshi, she even hated him immensely.
Although she needed his power to achieve her goals now, when it came to love... the more she looked at Long Mieshi, the more strained her expression became.
Long Mieshi knew full well that Qiao Ci was trying to sow discord. He put his arm around Qiao Xi's waist: "My woman naturally loves me. I'll only ask one thing: Qiao Ci today... no, within ten minutes, if you don't kill yourself before me, my insect soldiers and generals will directly flatten the entire Blue Star!"
He also grit his teeth with hatred for Qiao Ci.
Not only did he transform from a golden insect to a black one, but even the energy supporting him was gradually disappearing. He had to vent this anger today!
"Why all the nonsense? If you want to fight, fight!" Qiao Ci exchanged a look with Mo Ye, and they both entered their respective battle suits.
At the same time, the humans behind them retreated a considerable distance in unison.
The two of them charged directly into the insectoid ranks, and a continuous barrage of laser fire and explosions erupted.
Insectoids died in large numbers...
Qiao Xi, without any defense, died instantly. On the brink of death, a single thought flashed through her mind: what was the meaning of her rebirth? She still couldn't compare to her sister.
The insectoids died almost immediately upon being hit by gunfire. Long Mieshi's face turned green with regret. When did humans become so strong?
Today, to demonstrate their might, he had brought eighty percent of the insectoid forces. If it continued like this, they would be annihilated!
He quickly called out for the insectoids to flee into the wormhole, and he himself dragged his battered body into the wormhole via teleportation.
Qiao Ci was not in a hurry, driving them towards the wormhole like a flock of sheep.
When only a small portion of the insectoids remained on the battlefield, Long Mieshi attempted to close the wormhole.
At this moment, Qiao Ci rapidly approached and rushed into the wormhole in the last second before it disappeared!
"Qiao Ci!!!"
Those watching from behind had their scalps go numb. Why did she chase into the wormhole? Don't pursue a cornered enemy!
Soon after, Mo Ye eliminated the remaining insectoids on the battlefield.
He quietly looked towards where the wormhole had vanished, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.
Just before Qiao Ci entered the wormhole, she had said the words he heard during their first meeting: "Stay put, I'll be back."
Ah Ci, I will wait obediently here. May you return safely.