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

Paper Tiger Zerg

Since the military’s movements are unpredictable and there’s a large time difference between locations, the daily check-in video call is scheduled right after the male zerg finishes lunch unless delayed for special reasons.

While it’s just afternoon for He Yi, it’s already midnight for General Zhao. After leading a victorious battle against a notorious pirate group, the cleanup was complete, and the soldiers were celebrating joyously in the mess hall.

Meanwhile, General Zhao slipped into the restroom, nervously locking the door behind him. He dimmed the lights, setting the room to a “Do Not Disturb” mode. The video call remained connected, with the male zerg waiting patiently on the other end.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao slowly unbuttoned his shirt, his fingers trembling slightly. Soon, his uniform falls away, leaving his pale, unblemished skin exposed under the faint lighting.

“Master,” Zhao softly called, revealing himself to the male across the screen. Despite his flawless appearance, Zhao always ensured that any injuries are treated in the military’s healing chamber before the male can notice. Though wounds might earn sympathy, Zhao prefered not to see worry in the male’s eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” the male zerg’s clear laughter echoes through the call.

“That’s how it should be. Injuries wouldn’t suit you.”

“Put on your clothes so you don’t catch a cold later.”

A wave of joy surged in the female Zerg’s heart. His handsome male master smiled sweetly, and that smile warmed him deeply. As he obediently donned a soft robe, choosing the most elegant one, he thought to himself how worthwhile it was to skip the post-battle celebration for this moment.

With nimble fingers, he tied a neat bow at his waist.

He Yi stood up from the sofa and approached the screen. “Ah Zhao, come closer.”

The Zerg hesitated slightly but stepped forward.

“Closer still. I want to hold you,” He Yi urged, his lips curving upward.

Following the instruction, the Zerg stepped even closer, leaning into the virtual screen. In that moment, the male master seemed to vanish from his view.

“Finally, I’m holding you,” He Yi sighed with contentment. “Can you feel it?”

“Yes,” the Zerg whispered, lowering his gaze. Although he couldn’t directly see He Yi now, he could imagine the embrace—a hand around his neck, another at his waist, as if being truly held. His chin rested on He Yi’s shoulder.

He gently moved his chin, as if nuzzling the warmth of his master’s neck. “I feel it… Your embrace is warm.”

Even though separated by virtual space, galaxies, and stars, the distance between them seemed to vanish, leaving only the closeness of their hearts.

In that moment, the world faded away, leaving only the quiet intimacy of their connection. Neither spoke, allowing time to flow freely as they silently savored the sweetness of the moment.

After a long moment, the male Zerg finally relaxed his stiff arms.

“Ah Zhao, I miss you so much.” After three days, he finally voiced his longing, embracing the emotions that overwhelmed him.

“I miss you too, Master.” The female Zerg’s icy-blue eyes shimmered with affection.

“When will you come back?” He Yi asked the same daily question.

“I’ll return as soon as possible.”

He Yi chuckled, amused by how the answer never changed, though it was never preceded by hesitation.

The female Zerg lowered his head, feeling down. “If you’re bored… you could go to the male club. There are many… excellent female Zergs there. You…” His voice faltered, and his downcast eyes were full of sadness.

“Where did you say I should go?!” He Yi thought he misheard.

“…The club,” the Zerg stammered.

He Yi stormed back to the sofa, throwing himself down in frustration. “You want me to go to a club? What are you thinking?”

The female Zerg was confused: I was being considerate…

Because of his sense of duty, the Zerg thought it reasonable to suggest his master seek comfort elsewhere, especially since the male seemed troubled. If he were by He Yi’s side, he could have provided reassurance, but distance made it impossible to even touch his hand.

“If someone else can comfort him… isn’t that fine?” he reasoned inwardly.

“You fool!” He Yi turned and shouted. “How could you push me toward someone else?”

Despite his anger, He Yi realized the female Zerg’s thinking aligned with societal norms. In truth, He Yi was the one out of place, defying convention.

Still, he was furious.

Forget it! To hell with those norms!

For a brief moment, He Yi considered rejecting the deeply ingrained societal rules. But he quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that societal structures that had endured for thousands of years couldn’t be changed by him alone.

I just want a simple, peaceful life.

After calming down, He Yi said gently, “Ah Zhao, my heart is small—there’s only room for you.”

“But…” Worry filled the Zerg’s eyes as he tried to argue.

“No buts!” He Yi interrupted sharply.

He Yi thought to himself: My Zerg must feel insecure if he’s offering to pair me with someone else. He realized he’d need to provide more reassurance in the future. Then he remembered the business he’d almost forgotten amidst their emotional exchange.

He sat back down on the sofa and asked, “By the way, Ah Zhao, do you have any grudge against the Zerg Emperor?”

Zhao froze for a moment, confused about why He Yi brought up Emperor Josephine. Sitting at the edge of the bed, Zhao fidgeted and avoided He Yi’s gaze on the screen. After some thought, he cautiously asked, “Did something happen?”

He Yi sent him a recording. The Emperor had encrypted the video heavily, only allowing one view, but He Yi had cleverly recorded it. If the Emperor found out, he’d be furious.

Zhao opened the video. His first reaction wasn’t anger but fear and dread, feeling chilled to the bone. His worst side had been exposed, and he wondered how He Yi would perceive him now. Even though he could explain, he doubted He Yi would forgive the cruelty shown towards other male Zergs.

Zhao admitted bitterly, “The video is real.” He was filled with regret, fearing the hatred he might now see in He Yi’s eyes.

Surprisingly, He Yi only responded with a calm “Oh.” He wasn’t too shocked, reasoning that if the Emperor had intended to deceive him, the video would have been longer or more incriminating.

After some thought, He Yi warned, “Be cautious in the coming days. Watch out for traps from others.”

Although the current royal family of the Zerg society has declined, and power lies in the military and noble families, the royal lineage retains hidden cards they rarely reveal. Even though commanders in the field may act independently, seemingly safe places can often hide great dangers, requiring constant vigilance.

“Check those around you for any unusual behavior. Be cautious—the fact that the Zerg Emperor sent me this video indicates he’s likely planning to act against you soon.”

He Yi avoids mentioning the “deal” the emperor referenced, not wanting Zhao to be distracted on the battlefield. He plans to respond accordingly or probe further when the time is right.

At first, Zhao expected scolding but instead found concern. The sincerity in He Yi’s eyes overwhelmed him.

“Why don’t you blame me, Master?” Zhao asked.

He Yi chuckled softly. “Why should I? You didn’t steal or rob. You just used some tricks to fend off a bad Zerg.”

“That villain is still alive and even came to complain about you.”

“Are you foolish?”

Zhao, a little guilty, muttered inwardly that he wasn’t. It was just that the Master was too special—so much so that Zhao wished to hide him on a distant, barren star, away from all others, keeping him for himself alone.

“Do you really trust me that much?” Zhao asked, eager to hear the answer that would bring him joy.

With a helpless sigh, He Yi replied, “If I don’t trust you, who should I trust? That scheming old man?”

Hearing this, Zhao’s tension finally eased. Since He Yi trusted him even without knowing the full story, Zhao believed his explanation would be heard.

With that thought, Zhao organized his thoughts and laid out his unpleasant past, the truths he’d uncovered over the years, and his speculations.

As Zhao spoke, He Yi’s frown deepened.

After a long explanation, Zhao, thirsty, went to a hidden compartment in the wall to get a glass of water. But before he could continue, He Yi, now furious, couldn’t hold back.

“Damn it! That old scoundrel!” He Yi stood abruptly, pacing angrily, and looking for something to smash, but found nothing. Frustrated, he sat back down heavily.

“He deserves it!”

If He Yi had a knife in hand and the Zerg Emperor appeared, he would have skinned him alive. The treasure He Yi cherished most had been coveted by a despicable, shameless Zerg.

His anger surged quickly.

Zhao burst into laughter.

He Yi shot him a sharp glance—Your husband is angry, and you’re laughing? What kind of wife are you?!

Grinding his teeth, He Yi gave a silent, exaggerated glare that seemed to say: I want a refund!

But with He Yi’s unconditional trust, Zhao wasn’t scared of the stern expression. In fact, knowing the master well, he realized it was just an act—He Yi was nothing more than a paper tiger.

Seeing Zhao’s grin widen, He Yi froze for a moment, then, despite himself, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Fine. As long as my little troublemaker didn’t get hurt.

The old Zerg Emperor’s schemes had backfired miserably, but He Yi decided to save that grudge for later. Right now, he had a playful Zerg to “discipline.”

“Zhao, come here,” He Yi called smoothly.

Still grinning, Zhao obediently stepped into the tiger’s den, unaware of the impending “danger.”

“Stand still. Don’t move.”

Lifting Zhao’s chin with one hand, He Yi commanded, “Raise your head.”

Zhao complied, tilting his head slightly.

He Yi closed his eyes, tracing Zhao’s delicate face with a finger as if it were a pen dipped in the inky shadows of the night. He moved from the smooth forehead, across sharp brows and a defined nose, finally pausing at the thin lips pressed in faint restraint.

The male Zerg opened his eyes.

The female’s slightly parted red lips seemed to offer a subtle, unspoken invitation.

The male’s gaze darkened as his thumb gently caressed the soft, moist lips, recalling the sweetness once tasted. Though it was just a hologram on the screen, he could almost feel their warmth.

The female’s thoughts drifted to tender midnight moments, his body heating with anticipation. Sweat formed on his forehead as if he could smell his pheromones, his face flushing like a steamed bun.

As the male leaned closer, just when their noses were about to touch, he abruptly turned away with a playful smile.

“Mocking your master deserves punishment. If you misbehave again, you’ll be allowed to see but not taste,” he teased from the couch.

The female pouted silently, watching him with frustration.

The male snorted coldly, “Pouting won’t work!”

(Author’s note: He Yi (pretending): Pouting won’t work!
He Yi (internally) exclaimed: “Ah, he’s so cute, like sunshine!”)