Barren Star – Chapter 23
by Little PandaShe is not worthy.
Little Feng Jiu who had just fallen to the Barren Star couldn’t speak. She always followed beside Ning Buyi, and only remembered Ning Buyi’s frequent mention of “dog-shit flavored nutrient supplements.” She didn’t look at the three people’s expressions, and after showing off proudly, she tidied her beautiful tail feathers and flew back to the base.
“What does this mean?” He Chao asked with a cold face, his eyes full of anger. Being scolded by a young creature, he couldn’t exactly scold back.
“Do you smell that meat fragrance?” Zhao Qiuyu sniffed her nose tip, her eyes gleaming as she looked toward the base. She was certain the smell was coming from inside the base.
Ning Mo pondered for a moment, understanding in her heart. She fixed her hair that little Feng Jiu had messed up and shook her head saying, “No, let’s go back.”
“There definitely is!” Zhao Qiuyu grabbed Ning Mo’s arm, not letting her leave.
The three people stood stupidly under the spaceship. Within two minutes, little Feng Jiu brought out another piece of roasted meat to show off, while using extremely crude language to criticize the nutrient supplements. Zhao Qiuyu felt distressed listening to this, watching enviously as little Feng Jiu enjoyed its delicacies [ๅ้ฆๅ่พฃ: idiom meaning to eat and drink well]. Back on Imperial Star, they occasionally enjoyed good food, but out here, they only had various flavored nutrient supplements. Though not as bad as little Feng Jiu described, they couldn’t compare to such delicious aromas.
“I’m going to ask the boss.” Zhao Qiuyu couldn’t hold back any longer.
Hua Zhuoyu’s reply came quickly: “Ten thousand star credits per piece.”
Zhao Qiuyu: “…Are you robbing me?”
Hua Zhuoyu: “Used honey, not synthetic.”
This short sentence contained quite a lot of information, and Zhao Qiuyu was struck by this flood of information, taking a while to react. Natural honey? Didn’t that mean there were other plants in the base? Right, the lavender she had seen on little Feng Jiu earlier! Had they planted a flower field? If she could go in and see it… Zhao Qiuyu grew more and more excited, unable to contain her joy, jumping three feet high with happiness. She didn’t care about her two companions’ strange looks, and hurriedly replied to Hua Zhuoyu: “Ten pieces, no, twenty pieces.”
Inside the base.
Hua Zhuoyu put down the light brain, curved her lips in a smile at Ning Buyi and said: “They took the bait.” [ไธ้: literally “hooked”]
Ning Buyi glanced at Hua Zhuoyu. Although some of her behaviors were hard to describe, no matter what, the result was good for herself. She met Hua Zhuoyu’s eyes and squeezed out a sincere, sweet smile: “Then please trouble you to deliver the goods.”
Hua Zhuoyu was flattered and surprised by favor shown [pleasantly surprised].
She picked up twenty thin slices of meat, grabbed the plate and walked toward the base exit. However, when reaching the turn, she looked back at the absent-minded Ning Buyi and sighed: “Your smile looks scary.”
Ning Buyi: “???” With the enhancement of her golden finger, her hearing was very good! She was just focusing her attention on the plants in Mountain Sea Atlas, how could Hua Zhuoyu think she was spacing out and wouldn’t hear her quiet criticism? Even facing that face as beautiful as flowers and jade, she would harden her heart – this fellow Hua Zhuoyu didn’t deserve to be treated with kind words!
Hua Zhuoyu didn’t know Ning Buyi’s determination.
She diligently played the role of “delivery person,” taking large strides toward the outside. She held one hand above the plate to prevent the bad bird’s “sneak attacks.”
Zhao Qiuyu had been crouching outside the base, and when she saw Hua Zhuoyu come out, her eyes are brimming with hot tears [she was moved to tears]. She ran forward in a few steps and took the plate from Hua Zhuoyu’s hands. But then a shadow fell, and little Feng Jiu snatched a piece of meat with lightning speed. Zhao Qiuyu: “…” After a while, she said, “Boss, aren’t you going to do something about this?”
Hua Zhuoyu lifted her eyelids slightly: “You should say that to Feng Yi.” The items had been delivered, and whether they made it to Zhao Qiuyu’s stomach had nothing to do with her. Speaking of which, this was all their own doing – if they had behaved properly and not caused trouble, would they have been blocked outside the base perimeter?
After getting the items, Zhao Qiuyu didn’t rush to taste them. She looked over Hua Zhuoyu and said in surprise: “So it really is a Feng Jiu tribe youngster. Earlier that princess even came to Imperial Star, asking Xia Tu to help search, but nothing came of it. But Boss, why are you keeping this little Feng Jiu chick? Did the Feng Jiu tribe offend you somewhere? Could they have been involved in the previous attack?”
Hua Zhuoyu shook her head and said: “Found it on Barren Star, the little one was kidnapped by space pirates. When the time comes, you all should return it to the Feng Jiu tribe on Beast Star, but don’t reveal anything about Barren Star.”
Zhao Qiuyu hadn’t figured out the mystery of the base’s plants yet and didn’t want to leave Barren Star. She blinked and said: “Let He Chao go. I heard the Feng Jiu tribe is much more polite to beautiful people, He Chao is most suitable.”
When Hua Zhuoyu appeared, He Chao’s gaze had already fallen on her. He was still angry about the earlier incident and hadn’t said a word. Now hearing Zhao Qiuyu mention his name, he immediately frowned and said irritably: “Why not just let the Feng Jiu tribe princess come pick them up? Is it necessary to make the trip?”
Zhao Qiuyu glanced at He Chao, her brows furrowed, not knowing what he was making a fuss about.
The smile on Hua Zhuoyu’s face disappeared, her gaze as calm as an ancient well, without a ripple. “There are plants in the Barren Star base. What, want to spread the news through the Feng Jiu tribe and let the He family get involved too?” Hua Zhuoyu said sarcastically without mercy.
Seeing her unusual demeanor, He Chao’s heart suddenly sank, and he hurriedly explained: “That’s not what I meant.”
Hua Zhuoyu didn’t look at He Chao, just said slowly: “You’re not the only one who can go to Beast Star.”
He Chao bit his teeth, glared at Zhao Qiuyu, and responded: “I’ll go.”
Little Feng Jiu landed on Hua Zhuoyu’s shoulder, tilting its head and rotating its little black-bean eyes, looking at this one and that one. It vaguely understood and stepped on Hua Zhuoyu saying: “Chirp, won’t go! Won’t go!” Life in the base was much more comfortable than with the Feng Jiu tribe – no need to eat dog shit, and could sleep in flower fields – the whole bird had been “elevated.”
Hua Zhuoyu caught little Feng Jiu and raised her eyebrows saying: “Then what about your sister?”
Little Feng Jiu blinked innocently.
“You little ungrateful one.” The amusement in Hua Zhuoyu’s eyes grew deeper. Although the little one was cute, it would have to be sent away eventually. Keeping it at the base indefinitely wouldn’t do – if the Feng Jiu tribe misunderstood, it wouldn’t be good if it sparked a war between Da Xia and Beast Star.
Seeing that Hua Zhuoyu had her own plans regarding little Feng Jiu, Zhao Qiuyu didn’t continue asking. She looked pitifully at Hua Zhuoyu: “Boss, can I enter the base for a tour?”
Hua Zhuoyu cruelly refused: “No.”
Zhao Qiuyu’s eyes rolled [indicating she had an idea] and said: “I can pay!” Earlier He Chao had been ruthlessly slaughtered [heavily charged], and based on the Ning family’s situation, she guessed the base’s owner was actually quite short on money.
This time Hua Zhuoyu didn’t refuse.
She gave a light laugh and stared at Zhao Qiuyu without speaking.
Under those moist, gentle eyes, Zhao Qiuyu’s hair stood on end, her face turned bright red, her heart thumping chaotically. She stepped back, took a moment to calm down, then said: “Boss, don’t look at me like that. I promise to pay, a large sum of money!” Zhao Qiuyu emphasized strongly.
Hearing this, Hua Zhuoyu withdrew her gaze and said unhurriedly: “I’ll go back and ask her, then give you an answer later.”
Ahhh, I can’t wait for the next chapter..