Chapter 313: Male Zerg Celebrity × Arms Dealer (3): But Ravens Regretted It. Over These Ten Years, He Had Felt Fortunate More Than Once, and Regretted It Just as O

【Since Shamir had stayed the night, he naturally had the opportunity to eat breakfast at the villa, filling his stomach before leaving.

And Mr. Ravens was there this morning, too. They could have breakfast together.

Shamir didn't dislike spending time with Ravens. At first, when he was still unfamiliar with the situation, he'd been somewhat at a loss and worried about offending him. But once he grew accustomed to things, he discovered that Ravens was actually a very easygoing Female Zerg.

He had a good temper. At least, he appeared to have a good temper. There were very few things that could genuinely offend him.

In Shamir's memory, the only time he'd ever been refused was when he'd taken it upon himself to clean Mr. Ravens's body. At almost every other time, Ravens had never objected to anything he did.

Of course, that might also have something to do with Shamir's own tact and understanding of his position.

But judging by the fact that Mr. Ravens hadn't even gotten angry when Shamir accidentally left pheromones inside his body, it was safe to conclude that Ravens was definitely not the sort of Zerg who would fuss over the small mistakes of those around him. He could even be described as remarkably tolerant.

He wasn't excessively fanatical like Shamir's fans, either, nor did he have the sticky, lingering gaze of other investors.

Setting aside their contractual obligations and the services involved, spending time with him was a very comfortable experience. Even with those things included, it wasn't much worse.

Shamir suddenly came to a realization. When someone didn't love you, didn't harbor any particularly strong desire for you, and was simply getting what they needed from the arrangement, spending time with them could be very comfortable.

Oh, what a despairing realization.

Fortunately, Shamir had always understood the nature of their relationship perfectly well. He also had a strong sense of professional ethics and had never entertained any expectations he shouldn't have.

Without expectations, there was no reason to feel sad or hurt.

After finishing breakfast, Shamir prepared to see whether Ravens needed anything else. If not, he could leave.

Usually, there was nothing else. He'd provided Mr. Ravens with Psychic Soothing the previous night, as well as physical and pheromonal satisfaction. The Female Zerg was now in optimal condition and generally no longer needed him.

However, before Shamir could speak, Ravens brought up his endorsement contracts.

"You've turned down several new endorsements this month, and you aren't renewing your previous contracts either. Is it because none of them appeal to you?"

Ravens's tone was gentle, as though this were nothing more than an ordinary conversation between family members or friends.

Shamir could tell that Ravens wasn't trying to pressure him. On the contrary, there was an implication in his words that if Shamir hadn't found anything satisfactory, he would find him something better.

Mr. Ravens had always been an extremely wealthy and generous financial backer.

It was just that Shamir had already made preparations to retire from the entertainment industry. He was grateful for everything Mr. Ravens had given him, but he no longer needed it.

Shamir carefully considered his words, wondering how he should explain himself.

It didn't seem particularly appropriate to announce his intention to leave before their contract had expired.

But perhaps he ought to tell Ravens in advance, giving him enough time to find a replacement...

Then again, considering Mr. Ravens's wealth and influence, finding another Male Zerg to replace him wouldn't take any effort at all. It would be a matter of minutes.

Shamir admitted that there was a little selfishness involved.

He didn't want to hear anything about his replacement during this final month, during the last stretch of time he would spend with Mr. Ravens.

He didn't want to know anything related to it.

And so he chose not to mention that their contract was about to expire, avoiding the subject entirely.

He would simply close his eyes and ears and deceive himself.

Shamir smiled faintly and said, "I'm not planning to take on any more endorsements for the time being. I've earned enough money over the years, and I've been busy enough, too. It's a good opportunity to give myself a holiday and get some rest."

At his words, Ravens's hand, which was holding a classical-style teacup, paused slightly. He suddenly raised his eyes to look at Shamir.

The room fell silent for a moment, and Shamir almost thought he'd said something wrong.

Then Ravens lowered his gaze slightly, as though considering something. His fingers rubbed the handle of his cup as he slowly said, "That's good, too. Your work schedule really has been far too packed these past few years. Since you're feeling tired, you should take a proper break."

He didn't mention when Shamir should return to work, and Shamir didn't say anything about it either.

Perhaps they both understood perfectly well that their parting was approaching.

After this brief conversation, Shamir could clearly sense that Mr. Ravens had become considerably more restless. His brows carried a heavy, troubled look, tinged with anxiety and worry.

Shamir didn't know whether he should suggest leaving now.

Logically speaking, he'd already done everything he was supposed to do and eaten breakfast. He had no reason to stay any longer. But looking at Mr. Ravens's furrowed brows, his feet seemed nailed to the floor, and he couldn't bring himself to say goodbye.

Shamir sighed softly in his heart, though he couldn't quite explain what he was sighing about.

He took the initiative to stand and walk over to Ravens. His fingertips settled on Ravens's shoulders, and he positioned himself behind the chair, adopting the posture of someone about to give a massage.

"Let me give you a massage. I picked up a few techniques on my last film set. I'm not a professional, but I should be able to relieve a little of your fatigue."

Ravens froze.

He was astonished by this act of service, which was not at all something a "Male Zerg" would do. At the same time, he was puzzled by Shamir's claim that he'd picked up a few massage techniques on a film set.

There was no possibility that anyone would dare make Shamir do something like that.

Ravens had personally arranged for that film crew to be assembled, and Shamir was its sole centerpiece. Even when it came to films jointly produced with the military, the director Ravens had appointed would bring his own team onto the set. Everyone around Shamir was one of their own. There was absolutely no possibility of an outsider bullying him.

Could it have been part of a film's plot?

But Ravens had watched every single one of Shamir's films, and none of them featured a Male Zerg massaging a Female Zerg.

He seriously doubted whether Zerg screenwriters were even capable of writing such an outlandish scene.

Ravens fell silent.

Then he suddenly remembered that Shamir was currently doing precisely that sort of "outlandish" thing to him.

The hands resting on his shoulders moved rhythmically, progressing from tentative kneading to deliberately applying greater pressure. It was a technique that allowed a Female Zerg to distinctly feel the massage, and Shamir's movements were surprisingly convincing.

Ravens stiffened slightly, his mind racing as he considered whether this was appropriate.

Of course it wasn't.

Under normal circumstances between a Female Zerg and a Male Zerg, this would be a serious incident that would bring the Male Zerg Protection Association straight to their door.

But Shamir had always treated him this way.

Whether in their everyday interactions or in bed, Shamir was usually the one serving him, paying considerable attention to his feelings.

The more Ravens thought about it, the more he remembered all the things Shamir had done that were inconsistent with his status as a "Male Zerg." His body grew increasingly rigid, and his complexion turned rather poor, even somewhat pale.

"Mr. Ravens," Shamir said, his voice clear and soothing, "please relax a little. Your muscles and nerves are far too tense."

He sighed softly, sounding somewhat concerned.

"You really have been working too hard. You need a proper massage to relax your body and mind."

No. That wasn't the reason.

It was difficult for any amount of work-related fatigue to leave a Female Zerg's muscles tense, much less when Shamir had given him such thoroughly satisfying pheromonal and Psychic Soothing the previous night.

That was the best possible way for a Female Zerg to relax.

Ravens knew perfectly well why he was so tense.

He didn't think a Male Zerg should be the one providing him with this sort of service, lowering himself to do something like this.

He wanted Shamir to interact with him as an equal.

But he also understood why Shamir treated him this way.

That contractual agreement had severed any possibility of equality between them from the very beginning.

Ravens pressed his lips together slightly. Eventually, he raised his hand and took hold of the hand Shamir had placed on his shoulder, stopping his movements.

Shamir, who had barely had time to massage him, looked at him in confusion, a questioning expression in his eyes.

"You don't need to do these things."

Ravens held Shamir's hand firmly, making his intention to stop him unmistakably clear.

Shamir hesitantly asked, "You... don't like it?"

Didn't like it?

Was that it?

Of course not.

It was very difficult for Ravens to say the words "I don't like it" about anything involving Shamir.

All he could say was, "You're a Male Zerg. You don't need to do these things."

Nor should you have to.

Only after saying this did Ravens remember what Shamir had meant when he mentioned learning massage techniques on a film set.

In the film Shamir had just finished shooting, there was a scene in which the Female Zerg lead massaged his shoulders.

Filming had only just wrapped. The movie hadn't been released yet, and there wasn't even a finished edited version.

But copies of every scene involving Shamir were sent to Ravens.

Ravens had even seen the raw footage before the editing team.

To this day, Ravens remembered how he'd felt when he saw that Female Zerg's hands settle on Shamir's shoulders in the footage.

He hadn't been particularly happy.

He'd wanted to replace those hands with his own. He'd wanted to replace the Female Zerg who was using the excuse of a massage to flirt with Shamir with himself.

He'd even felt something almost like jealousy, a sinful emotion taking root deep in his heart.

Such feelings occurred frequently, and over the years, they had only become more common.

But Ravens could only digest them on his own.

There was nothing he could do.

Nothing he should do.

The director who worked with Shamir had been appointed by Ravens himself. He was a niche director who specialized in impressionistic filmmaking, a rare talent even across the entire Zerg civilization.

That was precisely why Shamir's films contained no actual kissing scenes or physically intimate scenes. Everything was accomplished through camera techniques and editing.

But a massage through clothing didn't fall into either of those categories.

It was merely ordinary physical contact.

He couldn't make unreasonable demands simply because of his own emotions.

He could only deal with them himself.

As Ravens struggled to digest the emotions that had resurfaced with his memories, he heard Shamir say stubbornly, "This has nothing to do with being a Male Zerg or a Female Zerg. I just want to do it. I want Mr. Ravens to feel a little more relaxed and comfortable."

As he spoke, he observed what little he could see of Ravens's expression from the side and continued, "If you don't dislike my technique, please allow me to continue massaging you."

Conversely, if Ravens didn't like it, he would stop immediately.

Ravens had to admit that Shamir was an excellent provider of services.

As a contractual lover, he was beyond reproach.

But Ravens regretted it.

Over these ten years, he had felt fortunate more than once, and regretted it just as often.

In the end, he merely guided Shamir by the hand and pulled him down to sit beside him. He moved the fruit and pastries on the table in front of Shamir, then turned on the holographic screen and began playing the film Shamir had released last month.

In this clumsy way, he brushed past a subject he couldn't bring himself to answer.

Shamir understood.

Mr. Ravens didn't like his massage.

As he ate the fruit Mr. Ravens had peeled for him, he thought that Mr. Ravens was a gentle Zerg. Even when refusing someone, he would do so in a considerate way, allowing them to retain a little dignity.

They sat side by side.

They appeared close, yet an insurmountable distance separated them.

Shamir's newly released film was playing on the holographic screen.

A Female Zerg and a Male Zerg fell in love at first sight, experiencing the flutter of attraction for the first time. Yet because of practical circumstances and all manner of misgivings, neither could take that first step and begin pursuing the other.

Nevertheless, they continued to be drawn to each other through their repeated encounters and interactions, their attraction deepening with every meeting.

Finally, a gust of wind sent the petals of an entire tree fluttering down and stirred the gauzy curtains.

The Male Zerg and Female Zerg, who had unexpectedly sought shelter behind the curtains, bumped into each other.

As the Male Zerg raised his head, the tips of their noses brushed together.

As though drawn together by the opposite poles of a magnet, they moved closer, their heartbeats resonating in unison.

Outside the window, flower petals rained down in a dazzling display, and the gentle breeze stirred the young Zergs' hearts.

In silhouette against the sheer white curtains, the Male Zerg and Female Zerg kissed.

The atmosphere presented by the film was as beautiful as a dream, two hearts drawing close and intertwining, sweet as honey.

"Crack€€€€"

The classical-style teacup in Ravens's hand suddenly shattered, sending tea and broken fragments scattering across the floor.

......】