Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

The hovercar slowly landed in the public parking area on the outskirts of the airport. Shen Yan felt as if all his bones had been removed; he got out of the car, completely disoriented, and even forgot to close the door.

He staggered a few steps before barely managing to stand, and after a few more steps, he collapsed weakly onto the cold metal steps outside the airport gate, burying his face in his knees.

They're gone...they've left.

Although he understood that he deserved it all and that he had brought it upon himself, the overwhelming regret and the urgent desire to make amends almost tore him apart.

What should I do? What can I do? Is this how it ends?

Just as he was immersed in boundless self-reproach and chaotic thoughts, a voice so familiar it made his heart stop, yet tinged with obvious estrangement, rang out not far from him:

"Lord Shen Yan."

He looked up abruptly, almost thinking he was hallucinating.

The female insect, who should have been flying into space with the starship, was standing a few steps away, wearing not an interstellar combat suit, but a crisp military uniform.

His posture remained as upright as a pine tree, but his face was even paler than it had been in the bar the night before. The warmth that had once melted for him in his icy blue eyes had vanished, leaving only an indifference that kept insects at arm's length, as if he were looking at a... a stranger whose name he only knew.

"Kalandall?!" Shen Yan suddenly stood up. Because he moved too fast and was still hungover, his vision went black for a moment and he almost fell over.

Staring incredulously at the female insect's return, his voice was filled with ecstatic joy and disbelief: "You...you didn't leave?"

Calander calmly observed the male's disheveled appearance.

His hair was disheveled, his eyes were bloodshot, his face was covered with wet tear stains, and he looked slovenly, wearing only a haphazardly thrown-on coat and not even properly dressed. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He really didn't expect to meet Shen Yan here.

According to the original plan, he should already be on the starship heading to the "Rift". But at the last minute before departure, the military high command changed the appointment.

There are several reasons:

First, the final assessment report submitted by the medical department clearly pointed out that the damage he suffered during his exile, especially the shock to his mental sea, had not been fully recovered, and that forcibly engaging in high-intensity spatial jumps and fierce battles would be too risky.

Secondly, there is the issue of General Arthur White's promotion.

To fill the vacancy for the position of general, the military promoted the highly capable Arthur White.

In reality, the military preferred Locke, who had a powerful background, outstanding military achievements, and a large family influence. However, Calander's old subordinates knew that their general and Locke had long held differing ideologies and had frequent disagreements, and they collectively protested strongly.

Ultimately, the spot went to Arthur Whitehead, a member of the Lan faction and an outstanding individual.

Now that Calander has returned, his rank as general cannot be arbitrarily stripped. In order to balance the various forces and also to give Arthur White a chance to solidify his position, the advance mission of "Rift" has fallen on Arthur White's shoulders.

This is also a test.

Therefore, Karandal was temporarily left on the capital planet to await further arrangements. He had just completed the handover procedures and was preparing to leave the spaceport when he unexpectedly bumped into the insect he least wanted to see at the entrance.

"The military has temporarily adjusted the selection of the mission's insects."

She explained concisely, her tone as flat as if she were reporting on work.

"General Arthur White will be in charge of this 'Rift' operation."

Seeing Shen Yan's disheveled appearance, he felt little emotion, thinking that this was probably just another trick played by the male insect on a whim.

He nodded slightly, his attitude respectful yet distant: "If you have nothing else to say, I shall take my leave."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait! Don't go!"

Seeing that he was about to leave, Shen Yan's pent-up panic, regret, drunken confusion, and joy at regaining what she had lost all turned into an impulsive act.

He lunged forward and grabbed the female insect's arm with such force that he almost dug his fingernails into the fabric of her military uniform.

"Kalandal, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! It was all my fault!"

He began to apologize incoherently, his voice trembling with sobs and a heavy nasal tone:

"I made a mistake! I didn't know... I didn't know you were dealing with an alien race... I didn't mean to treat you like that! I didn't really want to use the silent treatment, I didn't really want to drive you away..."

He spoke incoherently, trying to clarify all the misunderstandings in one go.

Alcohol clouded his thinking and made him incoherent, leaving him only with the most primal emotional outbursts.

Karandal was gripped tightly by him, his body stiffening for a moment. He looked down at the male insect, who was practically hanging on his arm and had lost all his dignity, and listened to his words of repentance. A fleeting, complex emotion flashed in his beautiful eyes, but it was quickly covered by a deeper weariness and doubt.

Misunderstand?

Now you're saying it was a misunderstanding?

Only after he was disheartened, had completely given up hope, and was ready to exile himself to an unknown corner of fate, did he come to tell him that it was all a misunderstanding.

With a slow, deliberate effort, Karandal pulled his arm free from Shen Yan's grasp. His movements were not violent, but they carried an undeniable resolve.

"Your Excellency." His voice remained calm, yet it was more biting than the cold wind outside the airport.

"You're drunk."

Seeing the boy's face turn deathly pale, he continued in that calm yet cruel tone:

"If you need, I can help you contact the male insect protection association and send you back to rest. Or, I can contact... a female insect that you 'prefer' to take care of you."

"No! I don't want them! I only want you!" Shen Yan was hurt by the implication in his words, and shook her head even more frantically, tears streaming down her face again.

"Kalandal, believe me! I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me? Let's go home, let's go home..."

He tried to get closer again, his steps unsteady, almost instinctively wanting to hug the other person, seeking comfort and warmth.

But the other person took a step back, just in time to avoid the contact.

Those once icy blue eyes, brimming with loyalty and love, now held only scrutiny and a faint weariness. He looked at Shen Yan as if watching a somewhat clumsy performance that had nothing to do with him.

He bowed slightly: "I have military duties to attend to, so please excuse me."

"goodbye."

That last sentence, though seemingly light, fell heavily like the gavel of a final verdict.

Shen Yan's tearful cry, "I only want you!" rang out clearly in the empty parking area, shattering the sense of order in the early morning airport.

A disheveled male insect, clearly still hungover, tugged at a female insect dressed in a crisp officer's uniform, pleading tearfully...

The scene was so shocking that it completely overturned common sense.

Almost instantly, all the female insects, sub-females, and even a passing male insect involuntarily stopped in their tracks. Astonished and incredulous gazes focused on Shen Yan and Kalandall like spotlights.

"That... is that esteemed male insect?!"

"What...what is he doing? He's begging that female insect? Good heavens, I've never seen anyone so...so concerned about a female insect..."

"Are you crying to a female insect?"

"It looks like Admiral Callandall..."

Whispers surged in from all directions like a tide, quickly converging.

His eyes were filled with extreme shock and disbelief, but soon, a complex emotion, a mixture of intense envy and subtle jealousy, began to spread.

Many females and sub-females looked at Kalandel with incredibly complex expressions.

In Zerg society, females have a low status, and it is considered a great fortune to be favored by a male. When have we ever seen you lower yourself so much, expressing your needs and requests in such a humble manner? This is like a fairy tale come to life.

"How lucky..." a sub-female murmured, her tone filled with undisguised bitterness and longing.

"To think that His Excellency favors me so much."

"Yes, Your Excellency actually said 'I only want you'... If any other sir could treat me like that, I would be willing to die for him immediately."

Karandal could clearly feel those gazes—shock, envy, jealousy—like countless fine needles piercing him from all directions.

"Your Excellency." Karandel's voice was like ice, carrying an obvious sense of detachment.

"You're drunk, please have some self-respect."