Reborn as the Paranoid Female’s Rejected Sweetheart [Zerg Tribe]

Chapter 33 88,We’re almost done with this one, just those last 12…

After the second molting, considering the recovery ability of the male zerg, Qi Yao and Yi Er stayed on this water-bearing asteroid for a day and a night to rest.

After resting well, they returned to Stardust.

Stardust flew slowly, and Qi Yao, looking out through the porthole, blinked his eyes as he watched the gradually receding asteroid, reminiscing about everything that had happened in the past few days.

Yi Er glanced at him, noticing that his gaze didn’t leave the asteroid, thinking he was still nostalgic. “Don’t you want to leave?”

Qi Yao snapped out of his thoughts, finding it hard to believe that he had helped Yi Er through the second molting like this.

These days, their marital relationship with Yi Er had been continuously substantiated, and he couldn’t help but feel that Yi Er’s intimacy towards him had increased many times over.

Qi Yao withdrew his gaze from the asteroid on the small planet. “I was just thinking, are you really recovered?”

Yi Er smiled. “Really. If you don’t believe me, we can try again.”

“Haha, let’s leave it for now. When we get back, we’ve wasted seven or eight days of effort, and His Majesty the Queen hasn’t even looked for you… Oh, I suddenly remembered, I still have some work to finish.”

Yi Er located the coordinates of the mother ship, set Stardust to autopilot, and then opened the terminal that had been closed for the past few days.

After waiting for a while, the terminal remained silent, without any new prompts.

“His Majesty the Queen hasn’t looked for me.” There was no hint of disappointment.

“Huh?” Qi Yao was a little surprised. Wasn’t the second molting such a big deal that even the Queen didn’t ask about it?

Yi Er said, “Maybe His Majesty didn’t want to disturb me.”

Ah… His Majesty the Queen is really considerate.

Putting down the terminal, Yi Er took out a bottle of nutrient solution from behind and handed it to Qi Yao after opening it. “I heard that the large-scale renovation task in the starship area is almost completed. Do you have any unfinished work?”

Yi Er probably still had more to say.

I wonder if his main responsibility is the refitting of Stardust.

“There are still some testing tasks unfinished,” Qi Yao said, lowering his head tactfully.

“It’s been several days. Yalman should have finished them for you. When we get back to the mother ship, I’ll talk to him and give you some time off to rest for a few days.” Yi Er glanced at him sideways, teasing and gentle. “These days, Lord Qi Yao has endured a lot for me.”

“…I’m afraid not.”

Qi Yao looked around. He remembered leaving the test data logbook nearby before going to pick up Yi Er. When they returned, he had to hand it over to Yalman for inspection.

Originally, he wanted to surprise Yi Er, but now there might not be any surprises left. Yi Er probably already noticed that Stardust had been refitted.

“What are you looking for?” Yi Er watched him busily, wanting to help him search.

“The logbook for test data. Ah, found it.”

It was placed in the toolbox next to the seat.

Qi Yao took it out, flipped through it, and then put it back.

“You should have noticed by now that when the starship area was repairing Stardust, it was also refitted,” Qi Yao said, paying attention to Yi Er’s reaction and deliberately not mentioning that the refitting was his idea. “The testing tasks for Stardust are in my hands, and it hasn’t been fully tested yet, so when we return, I may still need to continue testing.”

Yi Er asked, “You were in charge of the refitting?”

“… ”

Was it so easy to figure out?

Qi Yao neither admitted nor denied it.

Yi Er glanced at him thoughtfully. “Wait a minute… How long have you been studying starship technology? Refitting a starship requires a lot of technical expertise. Can you handle it?”

This was clearly underestimating him. Qi Yao stiffened his neck. “Although that’s true, don’t underestimate your Lord Qi Yao.”

“So, was it really your decision?” Yi Er asked.

“…No, it was Teacher Nors.”

Qi Yao almost slipped up.

Yi Er’s expression was somewhat amused. For some reason, it seemed like he didn’t want to admit it, so Yi Er didn’t pursue the matter any further, pretending to be curious as he blinked his eyes at Qi Yao.

After watching him for a while, Yi Er asked, “What testing tasks do you have left?”

Feeling guilty under that gaze, Qi Yao mumbled, “A lot. Currently, only the navigation system has been tested…”

He was halfway through the testing when Dai Na suddenly called him away.

“Let me see…” Yi Er scanned the surroundings. He and Qi Yao had spent a full seven days in Stardust, and he had noticed the completely new cockpit as soon as they came in. It was clearly unfamiliar, but it exuded a familiar feeling everywhere.

However, at that time, he was tormented by discomfort during the second molting period and didn’t pay attention to any changes.

Now, upon closer inspection, indeed, everything was different. The entire Stardust had undergone a transformation.

Yi Er couldn’t help but recall how Qi Yao, as the Lord, had tried every means to take away his authority over Stardust. It was obvious whose idea it was.

But the zerg who did it didn’t want to admit it.

“Was the refitting process difficult?” Yi Er asked unexpectedly.

“?” Qi Yao almost fell into the trap again but quickly realized and continued to play his little trick, casually attributing the credit to Yalman. “Teacher Yalman said it was quite difficult.”

Yi Er saw through it but didn’t expose him. “Hmm, then I must thank Yalman and Nos.”

“… ” Qi Yao felt indignant. “What about me? I at least contributed.”

“What contributions did you make?”

Trying to trap him again, Qi Yao quickly shut his mouth and silently took out the data he had recorded, placing it openly on his lap to show Yi Er.

“Oh, I see. You were responsible for inspecting Yalman’s work.”

“That’s also a contribution.”

Yi Er smiled without saying a word and “accepted” the answer Qi Yao showed him. Then he reached over and turned off the autopilot program, switching to manual mode. “So, Lord Qi Yao, please buckle up and hold onto your logbook.”

“Huh?” Qi Yao was puzzled, but he still fastened his seatbelt and held onto the logbook. “What are we going to do?”

Yi Er looked ahead, then suddenly pulled the control lever beside him. The thrusters hummed low, and the energy core burned fiercely in that instant.

At the same time, an invisible giant protective shield was raised in front of the starship, and the photon cannon aimed at an oncoming asteroid the size of a small planet. Without any reaction time, only a bright light could be seen. The asteroid exploded like a dazzling firework, bursting into countless streams of light beyond the range of the naked eye.

Qi Yao: “…”

The bright light lingered in his vision. Fortunately, Yi Er had warned him in advance, or he would have thought that a sun had exploded here.

Yi Er: “Scared?”

Qi Yao rubbed his ears. Despite not hearing any sound, the intense visual shock made him doubt if his eardrums were about to burst.

“The power is quite intimidating. I almost didn’t react,” he said. “Yalman didn’t prepare too many photon cannons for Stardust. You just wasted one. He’ll hold you accountable when we get back.”

Yi Er was completely unconcerned. “So what? Why are you just standing there? Record the data.”

“…Are you conducting an experiment?” Qi Yao couldn’t believe that Yi Er had the time and willingness to help him with the testing.

Calculating the cooldown time for the launch tube, Yi Er replied, “Why not? After all, it’s my Stardust. Since you… I mean, you all put in so much effort to refit it, how could I not take a look? When it comes to testing, it’s better for me to do it personally than for you guys.”

Qi Yao’s heart warmed, and his eyes unconsciously sparkled. He excitedly opened the data recording notebook. “Just wait, I’ll record the data right away.”

After Qi Yao finished recording, Yi Er asked, “Do you need more? There’s another rapidly moving asteroid to the left.”

Following Yi Er’s gaze, Qi Yao glanced at the coordinates on the panel, bent down to write, and earnestly said, “You could try the directional energy weapons, like the photon cannon…”

Before he could finish speaking, the view brightened again, and another asteroid exploded.

“Do you need more?”

“…Um, we have other laser weapons.”

Another asteroid exploded.

One after another, the asteroids burst, and Yi Er followed Qi Yao’s orders, targeting each one.

When Qi Yao meticulously recorded all the data, he stole a glance at Yi Er, unexpectedly meeting his focused gaze.

“What’s wrong?” Qi Yao asked.

Yi Er withdrew his gaze, smiling faintly. “I didn’t know that my Lord Qi Yao looks like this when he’s working seriously.”

Qi Yao confirmed it wasn’t his imagination. Yi Er after the second molt was indeed a bit different from before.

He asked, “What am I like when I’m working seriously?”

Yi Er didn’t answer but instead commented on the refurbished Stardust. “Stardust feels good. It seems to be more powerful than the batch from the Glassy Galaxy. I’ve tested it, found no problems, so you can report to Yalman when we get back.”

Qi Yao’s contributions were deliberately ignored. “Hmm, I’ll thank him on your behalf.”

“No need, I’ll thank him myself.”

After testing all the functions of Stardust, Qi Yao and Yi Er returned to the mothership.

They didn’t immediately go to see Dai Na but instead parked Stardust in the starship area and went to find Yalman.

Upon seeing Yi Er, Yalman congratulated him first. “Oh, you’re back safely? You’ve been away for so many days, had me worried for a long time. But now seeing you in good spirits, it seems Qi Yao has taken good care of you.”

Yi Er smiled, not mentioning the molting incident, and said, “I’ve tested Stardust already. Thank you, Yalman, I’m very satisfied.”

Yalman was taken aback. “Me? No, you should thank…”

Qi Yao immediately intercepted Yalman’s words and handed him the data booklet they had prepared. “Yi Er and I have completed the testing tasks. Why don’t you take a look? Yi Er said there are no major problems.”

Yi Er added, “No minor problems either.”

Yalman took the booklet and looked through it, his eyes twitching as he glanced at the two zergs in front of him. “Yi Er finished my work too?”

And he couldn’t believe it, “You guys actually had time for experiments these days?”

Qi Yao remained silent, awkwardly chuckling and looking at Yi Er.

Yalman couldn’t help but admire Qi Yao. “You really are the most unique male zerg I’ve ever seen. In you, I see an unwavering determination.”

Yi Er graciously accepted Yalman’s compliment towards Qi Yao. “Right, my Lord Qi Yao has a strong determination.”

Whether it was a reproach or praise, Qi Yao thought, Didn’t you initiate the experiments? You even blew up so many asteroids.

After chatting with Yalman, Qi Yao and Yi Er returned to the rest cabin.

Yi Er still intended for Qi Yao to rest for a few more days.

On one hand, it was because Qi Yao had only experienced one molt, and helping him through the second molt had consumed too much energy. On the other hand, during the month of refitting Stardust, Qi Yao basically spent every day in the starship area. Now that the work was finished, Yi Er wanted him to rest more.

Ultimately, Yi Er was starting to feel sorry for Qi Yao.

Qi Yao disagreed, “But what about Yalman’s side…”

Yi Er pressed him down on the bed. “This is Yalman’s suggestion. He told me himself.”

“…?”

Recalling Yalman’s words about not treating him differently because he was a male zerg and Yi Er’s Lord, Yi Er’s words sounded too fake.

Moreover, on Stardust, Yi Er had mentioned wanting to help him take a break.

Afraid that Qi Yao wouldn’t believe him, Yi Er placed the terminal in front of Qi Yao, showing him the message Yalman had just sent: “The workload in the starship area these days isn’t large. I’m giving Qi Yao two days off for him to rest properly.”

Qi Yao looked closely and confirmed that it was indeed from Yalman. But, “Why didn’t he tell me personally?”

Yi Er certainly wouldn’t say that he had asked Yalman for Qi Yao’s vacation himself and also received an unhappy comment from Yalman: “I take back what I said about Qi Yao’s strong determination.”

He cleverly sold a clue, “He probably thought you’d listen if I told you.”

“All right, then I’ll rest without any worries.”

After saying that, he lay down on the bed and handed the terminal back to Yi Er.

Just then, Yi Er’s terminal lit up again.

Yi Er glanced at it, furrowing his brows slightly as he answered. The scene of laser energy bombardment suddenly appeared in the air.

Dai Na’s voice was steady, but a hint of urgency could be faintly heard: “Yi Er, I heard from Yalman that you’re back. I know you should be resting now, but…”

The real-time virtual scene suddenly burst into a dazzling array of lasers, then shook and switched to the edge of flames.

Dai Na’s voice suddenly elevated, “I finally understand the uselessness of Ais. Even when given the best starships, he still manages to mess things up. Yi Er, if you’re not busy, quickly come to the front line. We now have starships with even greater strength than Glassy. We must capture Gatt and gain the initiative in negotiations with Glassy!”

Without wasting any words, Yi Er responded to the military order, “Understood, Your Highness. I’ll depart immediately.”

The screen cut off, and Qi Yao urged Yi Er, “Go quickly.”

Yi Er headed towards the starship area, but as soon as he stepped out, he paused and turned back.

Seeing him not leaving, Qi Yao couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”

The next moment, Yi Er turned back, cupped Qi Yao’s face, and without a word, pressed his lips against Qi Yao’s deeply, then rested his forehead against Qi Yao’s, softly saying, “Thank you.”

Qi Yao smiled awkwardly, thinking he was referring to helping him through the second molt, “Why are you thanking me? Hurry, His Highness needs you.”

“My Lord, after this battle, let’s take a honeymoon. I’ll take you to see my little asteroid.”

The words sounded familiar, and Qi Yao remembered, “Yi Er, last time you promised me this to teach me starship technology.”

“It won’t be delayed.”

Feeling warm in his heart, Qi Yao urged him again, “Well, go quickly, don’t keep His Highness waiting.”

Yi Er left.

A few minutes later, Qi Yao lay by the window in the rest cabin, watching a blue light streak across space. It was the Stardust, familiar to the point of being unforgettable, traveling at warp speed to the border star system battlefield.

He had enough confidence in Stardust.

As the blue light dwindled to a point, Qi Yao withdrew his gaze, opened his terminal, connected to the star network, and input: [Normal behavior of female zergs after the second molt]

Soon, a bunch of related descriptions appeared.

Having gained experience this time, Qi Yao ignored the popular posts about monsters and demons and clicked on an official science article towards the end.

[The reactions exhibited by female zergs after the second molt primarily depend on the level of care provided by the male zergs during the molting process.

Female zergs are highly sensitive. If during the soothing process, male zergs show care and affection, then after the process, female zergs will reciprocate with equal affection, often displaying dependent and affectionate behavior towards the male zergs.

Dependency on male zergs is natural for female zergs. If a female zerg already has feelings for a male zerg, the second molt can catalyze these feelings of love.

Conversely, if during the soothing process, male zergs display impatience, then after the process, female zergs will exhibit behavior of fear and avoidance towards the male zergs. This isn’t because they no longer rely on the male zergs, but rather because the male zergs have scared them, causing them to fear approaching the male zergs.]

Qi Yao didn’t bother reading the rest, as he had already obtained the key information — the second molt can catalyze feelings of love.

Love…

So, what’s the current affinity level?

Like being on standby, the system popped up proudly, clearing its throat and said, “Host, it’s 88! We’re about to break 100! I told you the grand slam works! Why not arrange a few more quickly!”

Qi Yao felt like rolling his eyes. How could it watch something like that? Doesn’t it know what should be avoided? Moreover, is it the time to arrange that now?

So, he sternly educated the system, “Have you cleared the cache this time? Is the data okay?”

The system patted its chest to assure, “I clear it every day. The data is absolutely fine!”

Qi Yao lectured seriously, “You’re a green system. Since you have no cache, go find some healthy books to stuff into it.”

The system turned a deaf ear, “Don’t you want to hurry?”

Qi Yao sighed, “We’re already at 88, do we really need those 12 more?”

“But it’ll be faster that way.”

Qi Yao wanted to smash the system’s head and knock out the fast lane in its brain, sternly saying, “Even taking shortcuts can lead to accidents. You’re a mature system, don’t you understand this principle?”

“…”

The system was unjustly lectured for no reason, so it shut up and quietly retreated to where it belonged.

Border star system battlefield.

“Your Highness, have all the starships activate their shields to maximum.”

With these words, Stardust, like a magnificent arrow shot from the depths of the stars, with the momentum of thunder, plunged into the opposing fleet of starships, instantly bursting open with devastating energy bombardments.

The energy radiation from the burst of light cannons spread out like exploding asteroids, sweeping away two-thirds of the Glassy starships at the center of the fleet.

Like a drop of water falling into a hot oil pan, the Glassy fleet instantly fell into disarray, laser beams shooting out from all directions, seeking the culprit behind this panic.

Yi Er was fearless. This was the latest starship, modified under the direction of Qi Yao, combining the two great starship masters of the empire. He was already familiar with all the armed systems of the revamped Stardust. What awaited him was the dawn of victory, with the odds overwhelmingly in his favor.