Translator: dapotaturs
Release Date: 12/14/2024
Edited Date: –/–/—-
……………………………………..
This round of examinations still revealed no issues. The attending physician personally wheeled the male zerg back to the ward, chattering nonstop about precautions along the way.
“Sir, please be extra cautious. Avoid exposing your forehead to wind or cold. Pay attention to your diet—no spicy or stimulating foods. The suitable menu has already been sent to your female zerg.”
Male zergs were as delicate as glass, entirely unlike Chu Ci in his previous life. Back then, after breaking his leg in a car accident during college, he was eating hotpot with his classmates the next day, hobbling on crutches. He brushed off the doctor’s instructions with noncommittal hums, not taking the advice to heart in the slightest.
Noticing Chu Ci’s absent-mindedness, the physician sighed and handed over a business card. “If you need anything, please feel free to contact me.”
Chu Ci looked down at it. Zerg business cards were physical electronic cards, very thin and about the same thickness as a regular card. The card could be swiped left or right, and the one the physician handed him was less a business card and more of a resume. It detailed the physician’s education, age, a neat and clear ID photo, and his marital status.
Unmarried.
Chu Ci raised his head and glanced at him.
For an unmarried female zerg to hand over a resume to a male zerg and say they were always available was practically an open declaration of their willingness to marry him.
From the physician’s perspective, Chu Ci had an excellent temperament—gentle, polite, and cooperative. The complex brain scans took three to four hours to complete, during which male zergs typically ran out of patience halfway through. Some would throw tantrums, others would smash equipment, and some even resorted to physically attacking the medical staff. Chu Ci, on the other hand, remained calm throughout the entire process, doing whatever was asked of him.
This was precisely why the attending physician was particularly concerned about his health and unwilling to overlook even the slightest potential risk.
In the Empire, medical zergs were highly sought after. They were often more delicate than military zergs, equipped with specialized knowledge, and adept at catering to the needs of male zergs. Much like how humans often say, “You must have a doctor friend,” it was also essential for male zergs to have a doctor among their female zerg attendants. It made it easier to deal with any sudden ailments or emergencies.
However, Chu Ci pushed the card back. “Apologies. I have a good relationship with my female zerg and have no plans to take on a zerg attendant for now.”
The zerg race had no concept of exclusivity. No matter how strong the bond was with one’s female zerg, it didn’t preclude taking on additional attendants. The doctor merely assumed Chu Ci wasn’t interested in him. He smiled and said, “That’s fine. Please keep the card anyway. If you ever experience another emergency, having your former attending physician’s contact information might come in handy.”
Chu Ci didn’t refuse further. “Much appreciated.”
He slipped the card into the pocket of his jacket.
Inside the ward, the female zerg had already packed everything. Nuo Wei had carefully sorted Chu Ci’s belongings into two bundles, both in his hands. When Chu Ci pushed open the door and surveyed the room to confirm nothing was left behind, he nodded toward Nuo Wei. “Let’s go.”
As he spoke, he instinctively reached for one of Nuo Wei’s bags.
In his previous life as a human, Chu Ci was used to everyone carrying their belongings. Whether it was classmates or friends, if someone had multiple items, he would naturally help carry one.
But the moment his fingers brushed against Nuo Wei’s hand, the female zerg’s arm muscles twitched slightly.
Chu Ci immediately realized his mistake. This was a zerg society where male zergs were esteemed for their beauty and leisure, while female zergs took care of labor and combat. It was unthinkable for a distinguished male zerg to carry anything, and Nuo Wei wouldn’t let him do so either. Retracting his hand now would seem overly deliberate, so after a brief pause, Chu Ci instead turned his movement into a gentle grasp on Nuo Wei’s wrist.
Nuo Wei froze in place.
Chu Ci paid no attention to how strange his actions might seem. Gripping the female zerg’s wrist, he led him forward. “Let’s go. Admiral Erwen is already waiting for us.”
The male zerg’s movements were unusually conspicuous. He held tightly onto the female zerg’s wrist, walking a step ahead and pulling him through the bustling crowd in the hospital. The onlookers couldn’t help but stare. Such an act of pulling along was typically seen only between a father and his young zergling.
“Goodness, is that a male zerg?”
“That female zerg must be incredibly favored.”
The murmurs of the passing zergs weren’t exactly quiet. With the heightened senses of military zergs, Nuo Wei couldn’t help but hear every word. His ears gradually turned red from the embarrassment.
…Just days ago, he had been released from the correctional facility and was still within the seven-day observation period. If he angered the male master again, he would plunge straight back into hell. Being “favored” had nothing to do with his current situation.
The two soon arrived at their spacecraft, a vehicle Chu Ci had previously selected, purchased using Nuo Wei’s salary. Supposedly, it was the most popular model among male zergs at the moment.
Male zerg aesthetics, much like their thought processes, were notoriously poor. The spacecraft was an assault on the senses: garish, high-saturation colors clashed unapologetically. Mustard yellow paired with mint green, accented by a splash of crimson red—gaudy and utterly eye-searing. Chu Ci’s face turned as green as the mint paint as he refused to acknowledge this catastrophic mess of a design as something he had once considered tasteful.
Noticing the male zerg’s expression, Nuo Wei hesitated before cautiously suggesting, “Male master, there’s a new model of spacecraft recently released in the galaxy, featuring an entirely fresh color palette. Would you like to make a purchase?”
Nuo Wei wasn’t adept at the fawning tactics of other female zergs. His personality was stiff and dull, and the sole reason the male zerg had married him was likely because of his considerable financial assets. If swiping his card could please the male master, he was willing to do so again— even if it meant going into debt.
The compensation for military zergs was substantial. Every war brought with it massive contribution points, and as long as Nuo Wei kept going to the battlefield, he could always earn it back.
Chu Ci refused bluntly, “I don’t want it.”
What a joke. He didn’t need to think twice to know how atrociously garish the so-called “new color palette” would be. Though Nuo Wei earned a lot, Chu Ci didn’t like spending money on random nonsense. He frowned and said, “I’m not interested.”
Nuo Wei froze for a moment.
There was no way the male zerg wasn’t interested. The underground garage at home was packed with over a dozen various spacecraft, and whenever the male zerg went out with friends, he always picked the flashiest one to show off.
The only plausible explanation was that the male zerg had seen through his clumsy attempt to please him and was now expressing disdain.
“…Understood.”
Nuo Wei lowered his eyes.
A female zerg should never attempt to guess a male zerg’s thoughts. Yet despite hitting a wall so many times, he still hadn’t learned his lesson.
At the hospital, there was only one spacecraft parked for them. Chu Ci had no choice but to board it. However, after bracing himself and stepping inside, he glanced at the interior decor—and his expression turned green again.
The interior was as gaudy as a cheap love motel near a university that charged forty credits a night. There were even suppression rings installed, and a magenta water ball was placed prominently in the lounge area. It was an aesthetic disaster that perfectly aligned with the Empire’s male zergs’ notorious tendency for being perpetually consumed by lust.
He decided that as soon as he got home, he would sell the entire collection of spacecraft cluttering the garage.
Nuo Wei noticed that the male zerg’s gaze had fallen on the suppression rings. Calmly, he said, “The spacecraft has an automatic flight mode.”
Chu Ci was confused. “And you’re using flight mode?”
Automatic flight was likely an advanced version of autopilot—freeing up one’s hands. A good thing, right?
Nuo Wei, taking his cue, operated the controls on the keyboard and activated the automatic flight mode. Then, bending his knees, he knelt at the male zerg’s feet, silently unbuttoning his shirt. With his face tilted upward, he said, “There are tools in the cabin. Do you need them?”
Chu Ci, startled, instinctively asked, “What tools?”
Nuo Wei hesitated.
A female zerg wasn’t supposed to feel shame in front of a male zerg, but reciting the names of those items? He couldn’t bring himself to say it. His cold, pale skin gradually flushed with a hint of red as he murmured, “A whip.”
Of course, it wasn’t just a whip.
Chu Ci thought for a moment, finally managing to sift through the male zerg’s memory junkpile to recall what the cabin stored. He pressed a hand to his forehead and gently pushed Nuo Wei’s shoulder. “On second thought, how about you fly it manually? I’m terrified of the autopilot.”
Nuo Wei stood up. “Yes.”
This spacecraft truly lived up to being the luxury model favored by male zergs. Though its aesthetics were questionable, its comfort was unmatched. The backrest was soft and plush, allowing the male zerg to sink into it bonelessly. Chu Ci curled up in the seat, pulling out his lightbrain to play Space Wars.
Nuo Wei’s hands were used to piloting interstellar warships, so controlling a civilian spacecraft was an effortless task for him. Chu Ci barely felt any turbulence as they reached their destination. With a burst of blue light from the forward thrusters, the spacecraft hovered in the air before landing smoothly.
Chu Ci happened to die in the game again at that moment.
Score: 4684
He was becoming more skilled and was steadily improving his score. However, the game seemed endless, with no clear maximum score. Chu Ci decided he would stop playing once he surpassed 10,000 points.
Admiral Erwen lived in the most bustling part of the central city, in a villa with a backyard garden. The Admiral’s male zerg had passed away years ago, and his other female zergs had either left to form new matches or died in battle. Now, Admiral Erwen lived alone in this massive house.
The enormous villa lacked the warmth of people and felt somewhat eerie. Fortunately, this time, in addition to Admiral Erwen, there were also Nuo Wei’s two deputies present.
The last meeting at the hospital had been brief and somber, giving the two deputies little opportunity to observe their general. As they led the way inside, they subtly studied Nuo Wei’s expression.
Thanks to the nearly superhuman regenerative abilities of female zergs, Nuo Wei appeared completely normal. His posture was upright and dignified, with silver hair cascading down his back like a silken ribbon bathed in moonlight.
Admiral Erwen greeted Chu Ci in the main hall. Although the Admiral was over fifty, the long lifespan of the zerg meant he looked no older than thirty by human standards. His silver-gray hair bore some resemblance to Nuo Wei’s, though its tone was darker. A row of golden medals adorned his left shoulder, showcasing his illustrious military achievements.
Admiral Erwen’s achievements placed him among the rare female zergs who didn’t have to overly concern themselves with the whims of male zergs.
The group took their seats around the long dining table. Erwen’s gaze briefly swept over Nuo Wei. Not spotting any visible injuries on his exposed skin nor any signs of frailty, he exhaled slightly in relief.
Turning to Chu Ci, the Admiral offered a polite smile. “Your Excellency, it’s an honor to have you as a guest in my home.”
Chu Ci nodded, summoning a line from his previous life’s social protocols. He responded with reserved grace, “Thank you. It’s equally an honor for me to visit such a beautiful home.”
The moment he finished speaking, Chu Ci bit his tongue lightly, feeling a twinge of regret.
A brainless male zerg wasn’t supposed to say something so composed and appropriate.
They were expected to tilt their chins arrogantly and declare with smug satisfaction, “Of course, you should feel privileged that someone like me has graced such a lowly place with my presence.”
…No, even that was too sophisticated. They wouldn’t even know how to use a phrase like “graced with my presence.”
Male zergs not only couldn’t handle basic arithmetic; they hadn’t even graduated elementary language studies.
Sure enough, Admiral Erwen’s eyes flickered toward him.
The Admiral merely smiled, choosing to ignore the unexpected eloquence of the male zerg’s remark. “The main reason I invited Your Excellency here today is to discuss matters regarding Nuo Wei.”
Admiral Erwen spoke deliberately, “I understand that Nuo Wei has caused Your Excellency significant trouble. However, he has always been a child who knows his boundaries. After receiving your discipline, I am confident he will not repeat his mistakes. I hope you will grant him a chance to improve.”
The zerg system was inherently hypocritical. Even though it was male zergs who acted like oversized infants, inconveniencing female zergs, the narrative was twisted to blame Nuo Wei for causing “significant trouble.” And even though the punishment was baseless and unjust, it was framed as “an opportunity for education and improvement.”
Chu Ci felt a deep disgust at this logic but maintained a neutral expression. “You flatter me,” he replied evenly.
Erwen continued, “My late mate was the Empire’s most renowned gemstone collector. To express my apology, I am willing to grant you access to his treasure vault.”
He stood and offered Chu Ci a slight bow. “Your Excellency Chu Ci, if you are willing to accept my apology, please feel free to select one or two items from the collection.”
With the conversation at this point, declining would have been inappropriate. Male zergs generally loved shiny gemstones, but Chu Ci had little interest in them. Still, he nodded and said, “Alright.”
It was evident that Erwen wanted a private word with Nuo Wei. He called for Yi Ta and Yi Si to accompany Chu Ci to select the treasures. Once the heavy doors of the main hall shut behind them, Erwen approached Nuo Wei, meeting his gaze.
“The male zerg signed the pardon order?”
“Yes.”
“Did he explain why?” Erwen pressed.
Nuo Wei shook his head. “No.”
He paused and added, “The male’s personal physician spoke highly of me before I signed the pardon order. He also reviewed the images from my time in the discipline room.”
“Reviewed images from the discipline room?” Admiral Erwen furrowed his brows. “Did he have an interest in interrogation and punishment?”
If the male’s physician was moved by the images and desired to bring a female into his care to discipline personally, the female’s future would not be pleasant.
“No,” Nuo Wei responded blankly. “When he saw the images, he vomited.”
Admiral Erwen’s brows tightened; he struggled to find a plausible reason for the male’s magnanimity. He hesitated before asking again, “Was your wings injured?”
Nuo Wei shook his head. “No.”
Erwen pressed, “Let me see them.”
Wings were the female’s sharpest weapon and the reason Nuo Wei had ascended to the rank of Major General; there could be no fault with them.
“Yes,” Nuo Wei complied, shrugging off his outer coat and spreading his wings. They were the same silver-white color as his hair, covered in tiny scales that refracted vibrant light in the sunlight.
Erwen’s gaze moved over the wings, nodding slightly; they appeared untouched and intact. However, when his eyes fell on the markings on the female’s nape, his expression grew grave.
He reached out, pushing aside Nuo Wei’s hair to reveal the insect pattern on the back of his neck and asked, “Did the male ever touch you?”
Nuo Wei stiffened. “No.”
They had shared a bed, and the male had lingered noticeably when he saw the flying vehicle’s suppression rings, but nothing had happened.
Admiral Erwen’s brow furrowed into a small ‘川’ shape. “Nuo Wei, I must remind you, you’re approaching your frenzy period. You chose a mate in haste because of this. If you don’t receive affection and spiritual comfort from the male, your fate won’t be much better than dying in the detention room.”
Nuo Wei bit his lip. “I know.”
He had tried, but the male just didn’t seem to like the dull and uninteresting females.
Erwen pressed his hand on Nuo Wei’s shoulder. “And you have a seven-day retrace period. If your markings are still dim like this by then, you’ll be at a disadvantage.”
He lowered his voice. “You must gain favor within these seven days.”
Erwen was used to giving orders; even asking a female to receive favor sounded like a military command.
Nuo Wei nodded. “…Yes.”
His pale blue eyes brimmed with confusion.
If it were truly a military command, Nuo Wei could carry out even the most dangerous missions without flinching. But receiving affection from a male?
The male’s thoughts were as elusive as the clouds in the sky and the moon in the sea, fleeting and unpredictable. Which female could dare to say they would certainly receive favor?
Besides, the male master had rejected him twice today.
