Chapter 310: Male Zerg Celebrity × Arms Dealer (1): [I believe the Marshal is an upright Zerg and would never commit the vile act of seducing his Male Lord away]

A week after the wedding, An Ruo finally had time to write again.

Sitting at the desk in the little dark room that had been specially set up for writing, he felt as though he had been away for ages.

Thinking about it carefully, only a little over two months had actually passed, but for some inexplicable reason, he still felt guilty.

It wasn't as though An Ruo hadn't written anything at all during this period, but what he had written had been in the dream world.

The downside of the dream world was that he couldn't directly bring the manuscript out and publish it with a single click.

With his Psychic Power, as long as he seriously tried to recall it, he could remember every plot point and every word, so reproducing it wouldn't be difficult. But An Ruo didn't want to do that. The joy of writing lay in creation, not in writing something down from memory. That would rob the process of many surprises and make it extremely dull and tedious.

After thinking it over, An Ruo ultimately decided to write something new, starting from scratch.

That had always been his choice. Ever since coming to this world, he had never written anything repetitive or old. He even tried his best not to involve Zergs he personally knew in his creations.

He didn't like interfering too much with other Zergs' fates.

Actually, after seeing in the dream world that Axel and Enzo still met and ended up together even without his novel, An Ruo's thinking had changed somewhat.

He was both a creator and yet not a creator. This world had its own course of development.

As for his new book, An Ruo already had an idea in mind.

Only this time, unlike before, he intended to ask the Zergs involved what they thought about °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° it.

This was also the solution he had come up with for the problem between his novels and reality.

He didn't want his stories to cause too much trouble for other Zergs, but if the Zergs involved agreed, then there shouldn't be a problem, right?

Of course, the rumors about his novels being "custom-made" would now be impossible to wash away.

You gained some and lost some. An Ruo sighed inwardly and decided to proceed according to his own idea.

......

That day, countless Zergs who were either walking down the street or busy at work simultaneously froze, stopped whatever they were doing, and instead opened their terminal screens to check the special-follow notification they had just received.

————The author they followed had published a new book.

After two and a half months, An-shen had finally started a new novel.

Countless StarNet readers nearly wept with joy.

Too much had happened over the past few months. First came the news that An-shen had moved into the Marshal's residence, then the Marshal's residence held a private banquet, followed by the engagement and wedding preparations, and then An-shen and the Marshal's wedding... One event after another had come in rapid succession. They had thought it would be a very long time before they could read another one of An-shen's novels, with only the beautiful photos and livestream footage from An-shen's wedding to console them.

During this period, some Zergs had even speculated that An-shen might stop writing altogether after getting married.

Just like many Zergs who disappeared from their original circles after marriage.

As a Male Zerg, An-shen naturally wouldn't encounter a situation where his own "Male Lord" restricted him from continuing his previous hobbies or career.

But the Marshal's identity was special, involving military and political considerations, so nothing could be said for certain.

Some Zergs also thought that An-shen might be so happy and content with married life, pampered and cherished by the Marshal, free to spend and squander an enormous fortune however he pleased, with such a comfortable life and so many new things to experience, that he might simply lose the motivation to keep writing. There were precedents for that too.

In short, everyone had actually been quite worried lately that An-shen might stop writing.

It was only because news about An-shen had continued to come out, much of it involving his wedding with the Marshal, that everyone could understand how busy he was.

On top of that, they had An-shen's devastatingly beautiful photos and recordings of the wedding livestream to look at. Distracted by those gorgeous pictures, they could clutch them and lick the screen eight hundred times a day... Only then had they managed to suppress their unease and keep that anxiety from spreading.

Now, the news that An-shen had released a new book was like a reassurance pill for every Zerg. Everyone became happy and excited along with it, and StarNet erupted into activity once again.

[Wuwuwu, this is wonderful! An-shen didn't forget us (moved) (crying).]

[Wait, hasn't it only been three days since the wedding? An-shen is already here writing a new novel? The Marshal couldn't keep An-shen with him? Marshal, you're no good (pointing accusingly).]

[Audacious! Do you have a death wish saying something like that?]

[Military law awaits you!]

[Don't cause trouble, don't cause trouble! An-shen finally started a new novel, don't make the book disappear (protecting the book) (protecting my rations) (vigilant).]

[It wouldn't go that far, right? An-shen's book—who would dare ban it?]

[I don't mean banning it. I mean that, you know, if the Marshal uses a few little tricks and lures An-shen out of his study, then we'll have nothing to read (wailing).]

[I believe the Marshal is an upright Zerg and would never commit the vile act of seducing his Male Lord away and preventing his Male Lord from writing novels.]

[I believe the Marshal is an upright Zerg and would never commit the vile act of seducing his Male Lord away and preventing his Male Lord from writing novels.] (+1)

[I believe the Marshal is upright...] (+2)

[Wow, so you parrots are putting the Marshal on the spot now, huh?]

[(Shh), hurry up and copy it.]

[Fine. I believe the Marshal is upright...] (+n)

While the parrots were busy copying and pasting, the real readers had already rushed straight to the new book's synopsis.

[Move, move, let me have a taste!]

[Male Zerg celebrity and arms dealer? Shocking! There's definitely a story here!]

【A top celebrity and an arms dealer. A single contract bought ten years of his life and also sent him soaring to the clouds. His financial backer was extremely generous, and he dutifully fulfilled his responsibilities, coming whenever summoned. Both sides were very satisfied. Now the contract is about to expire, and this dreamlike journey through stardom is reaching its end. He has decided to finish working this final month, then retire from the entertainment industry and go home.】

[There's too much information here. Give me a second...]

[Male Zerg celebrity and arms dealer... financial backer???]

[That's normal. What celebrity doesn't have financial backers behind them? There's no need to make such a fuss. The more outstanding a celebrity is, the more Zergs think highly of him, the more Zergs are willing to invest in him, and the more financial backers he has.]

[This "ten-year contract" and "coming whenever summoned" obviously isn't a normal financial-backer relationship!]

[That's true, but honestly, it's pretty common too. Even small-time influencers will meet the number one or number two spender on their tipping rankings offline for a meal. As for anything else... as long as both sides are willing, nobody's personal wishes are violated, and it doesn't violate the Male Zerg Protection Act, no Zerg is going to interfere. Each side gets what they need.]

[You haven't seen enough, have you? A Male Zerg celebrity having more than a dozen financial backers would still count as few.]

[I'm shattered! So dark! It's a scandal! And none of you even react to this?!]

[Uh... Male Zergs can marry more than a dozen Zergs, never mind something like this. If I could get near the top of the tipping rankings, I'd want to meet my "Male Lord" too. I wonder if my "Male Lord" would be willing to meet me... Even if we couldn't marry, just meeting him once offline would be enough (hopeful).]

[They're not all like that. My baby is single! And he's always kept himself pure. He normally doesn't even interact with other Female Zergs.]

[Just a manufactured persona.]

[Seriously, who even likes this sexually frigid persona where they don't interact with Female Zergs? If he's that frigid, how is he supposed to fuck and lay eggs? How is the birth rate supposed to rise? A persona where he can fuck Female Zergs until they break is obviously way more attractive! Maximum sexual tension, overflowing with lust, the kind where one look makes you blush and your pheromones explode!]

[You don't understand. What they like is a Male Zerg who's cold toward other Female Zergs but exploding with the desire to fuck them personally.]

[That's quite the imagination.]

[We're getting off topic. Actually, there's no need to worry too much. The Male Zerg Protection Association keeps an extremely close eye on things. Generally speaking, there won't be incidents where someone abuses their power to bully a Male Zerg.]

["Abusing their power to bully a Male Zerg." What an incredibly niche phrase.]

[Top celebrity... There aren't many celebrities in the Federation who could actually be called top celebrities, right?]

[That's putting it conservatively. You can practically name every currently active top Male Zerg celebrity outright.]

[No way, right? A novel is just a novel. It's not the same as reality. Fine, I know most of An-shen's books closely resemble reality, but not every single one does. The one about little wolf Zerg Ul was different... Anyway, my Male Lord would absolutely never retire from the entertainment industry!]

[Exactly! Novels have nothing to do with reality. It definitely isn't the celebrity I stan. My Male Lord could never retire and go home! Everyone knows my Male Lord is a workaholic!]

[So that's why you're all this worked up. You all think the top celebrity An-shen is writing about is the one you stan, huh?]

[Let's exchange a code word: School Heartthrob?]

[Wuwuwu, my Lord Shamir.]

[If we're talking about someone who can be called "top-tier," it can only be him.]

Over the past six months, An-shen's novels had gradually been adapted into movies.

Not every protagonist was willing to personally play their role like Xi'an and Claire had been, and their participation had also carried the military's propaganda mission.

Hill from <School Heartthrob>, for example, had an unsociable personality. General Cyril of the Third Military Region understood his male son's temperament very well and hadn't issued Iso any related orders either.

Thus, although <School Heartthrob> was still jointly filmed with the military, neither of the two protagonists was played by the actual Zerg involved. The Female Zerg protagonist was played by a military Female Zerg transferred from the Third Military Region, while the Male Zerg role was given to the currently red-hot top celebrity Shamir.

The transferred military Female Zerg had once served in Major General Iso's unit and had observed and learned from Major General Iso at close range, so his imitation actually captured quite a bit of Iso's manner.

Shamir was also serious and hardworking, without any of the airs associated with a Male Zerg celebrity. He studied a great deal of footage of Hill and the paintings displayed in his museum, and even personally sought Hill out for advice. In the end, his portrayal turned out extremely well.

As soon as the <School Heartthrob> movie premiered, it became a massive hit. Shamir's already enormous popularity rose another level, his fame increased even further, and he completely secured his position as the industry's top celebrity, leaving a huge gap in popularity between himself and every other star.

Even most of An-shen's book fans had a fairly good impression of him, and he was highly recognizable among the readers. Thus, as soon as this "Male Zerg celebrity" novel appeared, he was the first Zerg everyone thought of.

As for Shamir...

Shamir paid no attention whatsoever to the uproar online. He was the bizarre sort of Zerg who completely disconnected from the internet whenever he wasn't working.

......

【The Male Zerg had just finished filming. He left the set, boarded his aircraft, and reclined in a sofa chair to rest.

His agent brought him several endorsement offers and asked for his opinion. He rejected all of them.

As early as a year ago, he had stopped accepting any medium- or long-term endorsements. In the past few months, he had even stopped accepting short-term endorsements and no longer renewed existing contracts.

He had already dealt with nearly all of his contracts. Only the final two truly important ones remained.

One was his contract with his company, which would expire at the end of next month. The other was his contract with his financial backer, which would likewise expire at the end of next month.

The two contracts had been signed at the same time, each for a term of ten years, and they would also end at the same time.

His agent had been assigned to him by the financial backer behind the scenes. As long as there was no conflict with the big boss behind the scenes, everything revolved around him. When he said he wouldn't sign or renew any contracts, his agent simply complied and left, reminding him to get some proper rest before departing.

He lay back in the sofa chair, relaxing his body and mind in the silence as he closed his eyes to rest. All the overtime filming lately had indeed left him tired.

His soft, mint-green short hair rested against the back of the chair, reflecting a faint sheen in the dim light.

He possessed an exceptionally rare head of mint-green hair and a face so beautiful and exquisite it seemed almost flawless.

That fresh, vivid color, combined with his outstanding appearance, made him extraordinarily eye-catching and impossible to overlook, whether he stood before a camera or onstage.

He had been born to be a celebrity.

But all of it was about to end.

It would be a lie to say he felt no reluctance at all. He actually quite liked filming and acting. He liked the feeling of devoting himself seriously to doing one thing well.

But it wasn't something he couldn't accept either. He had been preparing for this for a very long time. Even if someone told him to leave immediately, he wouldn't hesitate.

The terminal around his wrist suddenly lit up and gave a faint vibration.

Shamir opened his eyes.

Only one Zerg's messages could bypass everything and appear on his terminal during his resting hours.

The immensely powerful financial backer behind the scenes whom he was required to serve diligently and answer whenever summoned.

Shamir opened his terminal screen and checked the message.

The other party politely and succinctly asked whether he had time tonight, attaching an address he knew well.

Of course Shamir had time.

Even if he didn't, he would have to make time. After all, the contract said he had to come whenever summoned. He was a Zerg who kept his promises.

Ten years ago, the powerful figure behind the scenes, who had urgently needed Psychic Soothing, approached him with a contract.

The other party would resolve the trouble he was facing, settle his contractual dispute with his former company, sign him under a new contract, and provide him with the best resources and treatment. In return, Shamir had to provide the other party with Psychic Soothing and certain necessary services, coming whenever summoned.

The other party had fulfilled everything that had been promised, so naturally Shamir had to do his part as well as possible.

During the first two years, Shamir had often been called away in the middle of filming because of a single message from the other party, giving rise to quite a few rumors and leaving him in awkward situations.

Only in the following years did the number of times he was summoned away in the middle of work gradually decrease. At some point, without Shamir even knowing exactly when, the other party had begun contacting him only during his rest periods, and every single time, the timing was impossibly precise.

Shamir raised his hand and replied, saying that he would arrive within half a star-hour.

The contract wasn't over yet. There was still one and a half months remaining.

He still needed to work hard.

......】