Nine Star Burden

Chapter 218: Uninvited Guest

Jiang Xiao carefully walked over with the box of grilled cod like a zookeeper trying to feed tigers and leopards in a zoo. His attitude and actions were all on point.

After the expressionless Second Last grabbed the box, Jiang Xiao felt a huge sense of relief.

In the distance, Han Jiangxue looked curiously at their strange behavior, only to see Second Last sitting on the snowy ground and wolfing down the food. She also saw how Jiang Xiao hesitated because he didn’t dare to touch her head even though he wanted to.

The clean fishbones were thrown onto the ground and Jiang Xiao finally touched Second Last’s head. Her ponytail was rather low and her hair was a little poofy.

She seemed a little sluggish, but her dark coat ruined the vibe a little, making her look heroic and suave.

Second Last looked a little stunned as she pinched the cod with her fingers. Ignoring the heavy snow and wind, she tilted her head and took a bite of it. She muttered, “You’re tired of living.”

Jiang Xiao remained silent.

He thought, I just wanted to try and get a taste of how it feels. It’s surprising that you’re seated obediently on the ground.

Jiang Xiao frantically retracted his hand and asked, “What happened?”

Second Last ate the cod quietly and shook her head without responding.

Jiang Xiao asked helplessly, “Do you plan to keep things status quo if I didn’t come to find you? There is no news from you at all. Have you just decided to abandon me?”

Second Last glanced at Jiang Xiao lightly and repeated, “You’re tired of living.”

“Uh...” Jiang Xiao scratched his head and thought, It’s the Lunar New Year and you said that I’m tired of living, can’t you say something nice?

Second Last finished the second cod and seemed to be in a good mood. She explained, “It’s just a normal transfer.”

“Psht.” Jiang Xiao humphed in disdain and remarked, “Enough, who are you lying to? You took me to train, gave me Star Beads, and even said that you want to be involved in every stage of my future. You weren’t just making a casual remark. You’ve put in so much effort, why did you give up all of a sudden? You were doing well in the Light-chasing team. Why did you suddenly become a Guardian Of the Night again?”

Second Last answered coldly, “Because I want to.”

Jiang Xiao said, “Hai Tianqing told me that the Guardians Of The Night have no freedom and can’t have an apprentice.”

Second Last humphed and said in a hoarse voice, “I won’t have any apprentices, then.”

Jiang Xiao said coaxingly, “Okay, okay, we won’t take any apprentice, then.”

Second Last was dumbfounded.

Jiang Xiao thought about it and asked, “Is that the end of our affinity, then?”

Second Last expressed assent.

Jiang Xiao asked indignantly, “I’ll go to my school from now on, you’ll continue your life as military personnel. We’ll go separate ways from now on. Is that so?”

Second Last glanced at Jiang Xiao lightly and said in a hoarse voice, “Didn’t you want me to stop pestering you?”

Jiang Xiao shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s just a little puzzling, you’re not the kind of person who gives up easily.”

Second Last paused in her actions and tossed the third fishbone onto the ground without responding.

“Okay, then. I won’t force you,” Jiang Xiao said as he took out two small stainless steel wine flasks from his pocket.

Due to the fact that Second Last was seated on the ground, Jiang Xiao stepped forward, knelt down halfway, and reached for her dark coat.

Her black velvet coat looked just like a piece of garment from a historical drama. Although it was beautiful, it didn’t even have a pocket.

Feeling helpless, Jiang Xiao lifted her coat and shoved the two flasks into her military uniform.

While doing so, he muttered, “I know you guys are disciplined, but we’re about to celebrate the Lunar New Year. When you feel homesick, find a place where there is no one and secretly take a sip. I got these from Auntie Yu. You’ll know after you take a sip.”

Second Last looked down at Jiang Xiao and watched his movements while listening to his murmurs. Unable to control herself, she suddenly pressed her hand against his head.

Jiang Xiao hurriedly cocked his head towards the side and retorted, “Don’t you know that your hands are greasy now?”

Second Last was speechless.

All o a sudden, she felt an urge to kill him. She was just feeling touched by him, but those emotions were now gone.

“We went through thick and thin together, but now we’re just strangers. Even love birds part ways when disaster strikes.” Jiang Xiao stood up and retreated with his fists clenched. He continued, “The mountains don’t change and the green waters always remain. You and I will meet again.”

Jiang Xiao was extremely suave when he left.

To his surprise, he heard Han Jiangxue chiding him when he returned to her side. “Go back and do a few sets of practice papers about ancient poetry.”

“Remember our agreement,” Second Last said from behind all of a sudden.

Jiang Xiao raised his brows and turned around. “What agreement?”

Second Last said, “You’ve forgotten.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

Second Last said, “I’m interested in a Star Pet. Accompany me after you graduate.”

Jiang Xiao blinked and thought, Didn’t we agree to part ways? Why have you changed your mind?

Hah, women.

You’re so fickle.

Jiang Xiao hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your current profession...”

Second Last waved her hands casually and said, “That’s what I’m considering.”

Second Last then turned around, extended her long legs, and strode away, disappearing in the heavy snow and leaving behind a ground full of fishbones.

“Let’s go,” Han Jiangxue said after a long time, only to discover that Jiang Xiao had a sullen expression and was no longer as relaxed and cheery as before.

Han Jiangxue asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Xiao shook his head and said, “She obviously didn’t want to leave the Light-chasing team and become one of the Guardians Of The Night again. She’s a very stubborn person. I hope that she won’t have too much of a conflict with this disciplinary team.”

Han Jiangxue nodded, seemingly deep in thought. She then held onto Jiang Xiao’s arm and turned around to leave.

Everyone in this world had their own story.

For example, the pair of siblings visited Second Last who had disappeared for no reason and once again verified that she did not abandon Jiang Xiao.

Their mission was considered completed. If they were to kill some White Ghoul Witches on the way back, wouldn’t it be perfect?

No, heaven disposed.

At around 12 AM Earth time, the siblings killed two White Ghouls that were busy mating and took over their habitat. When they were boiling water and getting ready to cook, two uninvited guests showed up at the door.

A woman wearing a winter camouflage uniform strode into the cave.

The pair of siblings kept their guards up and did not speak immediately. After all, it was the snowfield where humans were scarce and they ought to be wary of others.

The stranger female Star Warrior had a great figure and she was curvy in all the right places. Even the camouflage uniform couldn’t hide her hot and voluptuous figure.

However, when she removed her goggles, Jiang Xiao suddenly froze on the spot.

She looked a little familiar.

Isn’t this... the woman who slapped Gao Junwei?

Is she Gao Junwei’s mother?

All of a sudden, Jiang Xiao felt as if cold water had been poured on his head.

The woman stood in front of the natural cave and looked at Jiang Xiao and Han Jiangxue boiling water with an unrestrained smirk.

As if she had returned to her home, she took off her goggles, cotton hat, and even her coat. She then walked in, stood in front of the bonfire, and shook the snow off her clothes.

Jiang Xiao sensed that something was amiss, but he dared not act rashly.

They were in the deserted snowfield where humans were scarce. Although there were guardians there, they couldn’t take care of everyone most of the time.

Jiang Xiao and Han Jiangxue shot each other a glance before standing up, only to hear the woman say, “Did I say you guys could move?”

Oh no!

“There’s a signal flare in your backpack, isn’t there? Hand it over.” The woman ordered as she stretched out her hand and roasted the fire. Some flames seemed to flicker in her eyes.

Han Jiangxue’s brows furrowed into a frown. While she was feeling confused, another person entered the cave.

Gao Junwei!?!