Insectoids: The Job of the Males - Chapter 13

You Dog

Translated by boilpoil

Edited by boilpoil

It’s really a given Wei Zhuo must have been informed that Jin Yue has escaped before Cheng Zhaoci knew. No matter how arrogant Jin Yue is, someone as cautious as he is would never have had the time to take a selfie and send a message to Cheng Zhaoci before he’s absolutely sure he’s safe.

Wei Zhuo could not have pursued him, though, since distances in space are really too vast. Even if they left the little male where he was and beelined for the closest Warp Point, Jin Yue and his gang could have already warped into any desolate corner of the galaxy already.

When Cheng Zhaoci relays to Wei Zhuo that he received the message from Jin Yue, Wei Zhuo helped set Cheng Zhaoci’s holodeck up to block any incoming transmission from strangers. Unless Cheng Zhaoci added the sender beforehand, no other message can get in.

It’s important to keep dangerous elements like Jin Yue away from the young male insectoid!

“Jin Yue hails from a rather large family. He had two male younger brothers. It is said that in the Academy, one of his younger brothers wanted Jin Yue’s friend for himself, but that friend is already smitten with someone else. Jin Yue had an argument with his younger brother, who is said to have told this to their father,” Wei Zhuo pauses here before continuing, “Jin Yue was tortured beyond anyone’s worst imagination before he escaped from it all. The people who knew him all assumed he died to the elements or succumbed to his injuries. All until he came back, leading his group of space buccaneers – pirates – the Golden Lions.”

Cheng Zhaoci remembers how odd Jin Yue looked as soon as the topic of males was brought up, like being a cat whose tail was stepped on, and asks, “did he kill his father and his younger brothers?”

“Almost. His father called the police on time, and wasn’t somewhere distant. The military sortied quickly enough to prevent him from dying in his hands. Though he was still crippled; not that you can see that with the wonders of prosthetic technology.”

Wei Zhuo puts the holodeck back on Cheng Zhaoci’s wrist, “I’m actually surprised he sent a message to you. Since then, that guy has become famously male-phobic. He’d even avoid male passenger crafts when waylaying and robbing others.”

Then Wei Zhuo stops, watching Cheng Zhaoci for a moment, and says, “maybe he doesn’t feel the ‘masculinity’ from you, so his phobia isn’t triggered. Even so, I must caution you against maintaining contact with him. He’s a pirate, after all.”

Cheng Zhaoci nods, and thanks Wei Zhuo before leaving for his quarters; Wei Zhuo stops him, though.

“We’ll be back at the Capital planet in a few days. Um, you should prepare yourself.”

“Huh? Oh, ok,” Cheng Zhaoci feels that Wei Zhuo is a pretty good insectoid. He’s meticulous and patient. That said, what ‘preparation’ should he make going to the Capital planet? He’s got food, drinks, clothes, and everything else he needs. The rest his dad said they can buy when they arrive; Cheng Jin’s reinstatement into the military has been approved, and with that, part of his confiscated wealth has been returned.

Though Cheng Jin is now away from Cheng Zhaoci, because he was ordered away. Apparently, he needs to undergo psychological evaluation and other bureaucratic procedures first.

He left a message for his son, telling him not to worry. It’s all formalities.

So Cheng Zhaoci could only pass by the time by finishing his second chapter. It’s quite shorter and simpler compared to the first chapter, since he’s already done the cover and character design.

Just one day before arriving at the Capital planet, his second chapter is up. He then notices that he seems to have received revenue, and clicks to check, then falls silent… Cash out time. It sure is nice for there to be billions of insectoids around. How much money has he made? Over ten thousand dollars, he suspects.

About four months salary hauling around stuff on the landfill planet.

Then he sees he has more contract offers from editors on the site. Oh, an A grade contract already? It’s pretty unheard of to give such a contract to a newcomer, since it means the revenue divided for the comic would be in 3:7. The editor 3, Cheng Zhaoci 7.

Cheng Zhaoci doesn’t want the focus to be on this short comic, though. It’s lighthearted and funny to draw, but he also has things he wants to express. The comic is testing the acceptance of such style of comics in insectoid society, and whether he can accept adapting to a more insectoid-friendly storyboarding. Both seem to be alright so far.

Cheng Zhaoci has replied to the editor this time, to arrange for a face-to-face meeting for signing a contract. Since Cheng Zhaoci is still registered as being on Zhousuo, the editor has offered to come see Cheng Zhaoci if he has difficulties making it to the Capital.

Since he’s going to the Capital anyway, Cheng Zhaoci replies he’ll meet them there.

“Eh?” In the offices of the comic site, a demi is quite surprised, “I thought he really was from Zhousuo.”

“Hm?” A colleague of his replies, “you’re talking about BombIn?”

“Yeah, he said he’ll meet with me at the Capital in a few days,” the demi has glass frames on. It’s for fashion only, since nearsightedness has been all but eradicated by technology now. It’s a pretty good fashion statement, though.

“Ah, must be another one of those adventuring shemale types,” the colleague laughs, “well, much better this way, too. You’ll have a much easier time chasing them to get their work done on time.”

“I like the comics, honestly, but the fetishisation of males is a bit much,” another colleague turns his head over to chime in.

“It is, but it’s heartwarming to read.”

“Agreed, hehe. He’s got the second chapter out just now, I think.”

Cheng Zhaoci went for a walk after finishing the conversation with his editor-to-be. Then he watches the big lump of muscles named Meng Yuele running for him while yelling, “aaaaargh!”

“Jesus!” Cheng Zhaoci is clearly taken aback, and starts running in the same direction, “what’s wrong?!”

“Uwuwu! Why was the little zombie king chopped up?! How could the strongest shemale be so cruel?!” Meng Yuele, a tall, fully grown ‘man,’ is raining tears everywhere, “uwuwuwu! Oh, my dear male insectoid, don’t you have any pity?! I need an explanation.”

Hearing it’s to do with his comic, Cheng Zhaoci slams on the brakes immediately, and then puts his hand to the wall, panting, “I’ve never said he’s male in the comic. And. He’s a zombie. Zombies. Cannot reproduce.”

“I know. I get all that,” Meng Yuele is right in front of Cheng Zhaoci now, completely unfazed by that short run, apparently, but he looks like he’d shrink into nothing the next second, with his head hanging low. Seemingly picking up something from Cheng Zhaoci’s cold, unflinching eyes, and understanding the chapter is final, the 1.8 something metres, big shemale’s eyes go red, “sob.”

That big, loud fake cry just makes Cheng Zhaoci’s goosebumps flare all over.

Finally, Meng Yuele leaves with his head bobbing low like a zombie, and so he doesn’t notice Cheng Zhaoci’s lips slowly turning into a smile. Ha. That’s what he was looking for. There is a reason he’s addressed affectionately as ‘you dog’ by his readers in the past life. His story needs arcs and development, regardless of readers’ feelings. Rather, he’s happy seeing his readers get depressed as is his story design.