I Flirted with the General in the Zerg Empire [Interstellar]

The Melancholy Male Zerg

The sub-female was quite pleased with his obedience, gently patting his cheek, with words full of condescension and pity:
“[Don’t worry, once I’m tired of him, he’ll be yours to deal with.]”

A trace of venom flashed across Hila’s gentle brows.

Locke had no time to guess what his pet dog might be thinking; as long as he knew his place, that was enough.

He leaned in and brushed the dry lips in front of him—a reward for the obedient dog.

In his hasty departure, He Yi had no interest in the love and hatred between Hila and the sub-female star, nor did he realize he had unwittingly caught the eye of a venomous beauty.

At this moment, his face was gloomy. “So soon?!”

He bit down hard on the silver chopsticks, the food tasteless in his mouth. “How long has it been?”

They had only mentioned the pirate extermination mission a couple of days ago, and now the departure date was already set. Isn’t the Zerg army a bit too efficient?

He hadn’t felt much reluctance before because he thought there was still time, but life hit him hard just when he was happy.

Zhao put down the freshly opened nutritional supplement, his long eyelashes drooping slightly. He didn’t dare meet the lord’s gaze, and after softly calling “Master,” he had no more words.

The carefully prepared words were stuck in his throat, causing a dull ache.

“Can’t you not go?” He Yi realized how pointless that question was and corrected himself: “Then I’ll go with you.”

After all, he had no family or friends on Planet Pasor, no job either, and could leave at any time.

Since they met, they had never been apart. Even though Zhao worked during the day, he would always return home at night, so they had been together every day.

Now, being told out of the blue that Zhao would leave for a mission—one as risky as eliminating space pirates—gave He Yi a severe sense of emotional loss and made him anxious.

Zhao looked up at the male’s eager and hopeful expression, feeling a bitter ache in his heart. “No, Master, it’s too dangerous.”

Though he really didn’t want to leave He Yi’s side, and the idea that He Yi wanted to come along warmed his cold heart, still—

“The Male Protection Association and the military won’t allow it.”

He didn’t want the male lord to be in danger either.

Determination rose in his ice-blue eyes.

If it were about anything else, he would have followed the lord’s wishes. But since this involved his safety, he wouldn’t back down at all.

After a long stare-off, He Yi finally gave in and set down the silver chopsticks that he had almost bitten through. “So, how long will you be gone? When will you return?”

“We leave in three days. Depending on the situation, it could be a month or three.” Zhao lowered his head, picking out a piece of sweet-and-sour fish, the lord’s favorite, and placed it in his bowl. “Eat a little more, my lord.”

He Yi’s eyes widened. If a single day felt like forever, how many eternities would a month be?

Feeling a bit lost and sad, he picked up his chopsticks again and half-heartedly ate, his mind elsewhere.

Zhao reached out to touch He Yi’s elbow resting on the table, capturing the male zerg’s weary emotions in his gaze. “I can make it up to you now, the way you suggested last time.”

He Yi’s hand, propping up his chin, froze briefly. His sorrow lifted, replaced by a grin. Stroking Zhao’s wrist, neither rough nor delicate, he smiled slyly, “Really? Last time wasn’t enough. How about three days and three nights?”

Zhao remained composed, but a blush quietly crept across his cheeks, and his ears began to redden.

He Yi stood, pulling the stiffly seated Zhao into his embrace. Playfully ruffling Zhao’s soft golden hair, he smiled with satisfaction, “Then I’ll start claiming my compensation right now.”

Zhao gently withdrew, shaking his head. “Finish your meal first. You haven’t eaten even half of what you usually do tonight.”

He Yi leaned in, noticing the subtle hesitation in Zhao’s gaze. With mischief in his eyes, He Yi pinned him down, unwilling to let him escape, grinning devilishly.

“You look even more irresistible now,” he teased.

“Just enough to satisfy my appetite.”

As he finished speaking, he discreetly extended a few strands of mental energy and, as expected, caught the other’s cheerful inner thoughts. However, the expression on the other’s face still appeared disapproving, showing no signs of softening.

He Yi thought: Keep acting. I’m enjoying the show.

He intensified his teasing, “I’m feeling a bit hungry now, but I don’t feel like eating food. What should I do?” He pretended to be deeply troubled, as if it were a monumental problem.

Hearing this, the other’s expression wavered slightly. Yet, He Yi’s mental energy told him that beneath the facade, the other’s heart was buzzing with joy—even his normally steady core was vibrating.

He Yi thought: Done with your act, drama king? Now it’s my turn.

With a theatrical sigh, He Yi added, “I just wonder if you, Ah Zhao, would be willing to let me enjoy this luxurious feast?”

He concealed his amusement while pretending to struggle with the situation. His tone was pitiful, as if missing out on this “feast” would be a tragic loss.

As a proper companion, the other had to soothe him. Though he wasn’t seeking favor, agreeing seemed like the only way to appease the male lord. With that thought, Zhao buried his head in He Yi’s embrace, blushing slightly, and whispered, “Yes, I’m willing.”

He was merely pretending to be reserved—inside, he was overjoyed. Thankfully, the male lord didn’t know.

Unbeknownst to Zhao, the male Zerg smiled mischievously, pulling him along toward the bedroom.

Later that night, the performance went on for several rounds, the quiet of night filled with their back-and-forth.

—

The next morning, He Yi naturally slept in.

As expected, the boast of “three days and three nights” wasn’t fulfilled, as preparations for the upcoming mission were intricate and demanding. Before dawn, Zhao, his general, had already rushed off to the military base.

Leaning against the headboard, He Yi recalled how cooperative his partner had been last night, granting his every request. He decided to temporarily overlook the fact that he’d been left alone right after their wedding.

After lunch, he received a series of frantic calls from Cape. Once connected, Cape awkwardly asked about He Yi’s honeymoon plans. Confused, He Yi pressed for his real purpose. Eventually, Cape admitted that he wanted to join their honeymoon trip.

He Yi rubbed his temple in frustration. “Did you even ask Lieutenant General Lan about this?”

Cape grimaced. “Come on, brother, can’t you ask General Zhao to invite Lan?” His plan was to use Zhao’s influence since Lan would likely agree if Zhao asked.

He Yi sighed, exasperated. “Have you ever heard of a four-person honeymoon?”

Cape perked up again. “I don’t mind! I’ll cover all the expenses!”

He Yi found Cape’s idea absurd but couldn’t help being amused. “You don’t mind, but I do! Why would I bring two giant lightbulbs to ruin my honeymoon?”

Desperate, Cape pleaded shamelessly. “Please, brother! I’ll call you big bro!”

Unmoved, He Yi resisted, even as Cape resorted to whining and begging. “Come on, big bro, help me out!”

He Yi shuddered at Cape’s over-the-top behavior but didn’t give in. If it were Zhao acting cute, he’d find it adorable, but with Cape… it was unbearable.

Finally, Cape made a dramatic offer. “I’ll give you my limited-edition flying machine! All of them!”

Grinding his teeth, he added, “And some planets from the Bonsai system! They’re full of resources!”

Seeing Cape’s determination, He Yi sighed deeply. “Fine, I’ll mention it to Zhao, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

He was willing to help, mostly out of sympathy for Cape’s devotion—though there was a hint of brotherly affection too.

He Yi reflected that, in his previous life, his strength had made it difficult for anyone to joke with him. Smiles had terrified people to the point of begging for mercy. For decades in the apocalypse, he’d had no true friends—only loyal subordinates.

Now, as a carefree soul enjoying life, he not only had a partner but also silly friends like Cape. Life had truly changed.

Thrilled by He Yi’s agreement, Cape jumped with joy. “Really?! I love you, brother!”

He Yi’s temples throbbed. “Save your love for Lieutenant General Lan, please.”

Once Cape’s excitement faded, he asked seriously, “Brother, do you know what General Zhao likes?”

He Yi immediately grew wary. “What are you planning? Trying to steal my partner? That’s too much!”

Cape laughed. “I just want to give a gift! You know, if I give the right one, things will work out, right?”

He Yi’s gaze turned cold. “My partner only accepts my gifts. Try it, and we’re done.”

Cape reluctantly gave up.

Later, He Yi asked, “Got any lemon seeds? Collect some for me.”

Cape, puzzled, agreed, assuming He Yi had another strange idea.

On departure day, He Yi dragged out high-defense armor he bought online. “Zhao, wear this.”

Zhao, confused, noted, “This is for male Zergs. It’s not suitable for today.” He worried it could harm He Yi’s reputation.

Disappointed, He Yi rummaged through the delivery box. “Ah! This vest works—light, high defense!”

He picked up a soft black armor with golden threads and shoved it into the female Zerg’s hands.

“Quick, put it on?!”

Looking into the excited, sparkling black eyes of his male lord, Zhao felt warm inside, and the lingering sadness transformed into a suppressed smile, “Okay.”

During this moment of changing clothes, the male Zerg repeatedly stressed a few phrases.

“Three messages a day, one video call. No slacking off!”

“You need to send a message even when you’re busy.”

“The most important thing is not getting hurt!”

“Did you hear me?!”

The female Zerg patiently responded.

No matter how one tries to hold on, sometimes parting is unavoidable. But some separations are for a better reunion.

He Yi watched Zhao step out the door and then collapsed onto the sofa, filled with mixed feelings.

His partner had lightly floated away, taking his worries with him. He swiped open the smart security screen and checked the surveillance outside the villa.

It was raining outside.

The fine rain fell carelessly.

The continuous drizzle gradually enveloped the scene in a light mist, as if to cover his momentarily sad black eyes, and a faint, elusive melancholy arose in his heart, hazy and indistinct.

Before long, the aircraft piloted by the female Zerg came into view, turning into a fleeting light. It quickly glided past this solitary, cool landscape, becoming more distant. “Sigh, He’s gone. He’s gone. He’s gone…”

The melancholic male Zerg sighed deeply like a lonely woman in a boudoir.

Ah, he was going to be alone in the empty house.

Author’s Note:

He Yi: Alone in an empty house, how to ease the sorrow?

Xiao Yi: Xiao Yi will drink with you!