Barren Star – Chapter 81
by Little PandaFeng Ermao.
A fully-armed figure trudged across the boundless sandy ground. Billowing dust rose, and through the protective goggles, a rolling sand dune was faintly visible. Feng Ermao held her breath, taking cover behind the dune, constantly adjusting her field of vision. Unfortunately, the enemy spotted her first. Missiles filled the sky, leaving elegant arcs as they hurtled down and exploded around Feng Ermao, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
Feng Ermaoโs ears rang. Her armor felt like it had detached from her body. Gripping her gun, she didn’t even have time to react before hearing two more bangs. Stray bullets changed trajectory mid-air, abruptly reversing course and emitting a blinding flash. The person who had ultimately fired at Feng Ermao collapsed, and the results screen popped up. Feng Ermao clumsily turned, looking at the gold-glowing teammate standing not far away. Overjoyed, she exclaimed, “Many thanks, da lao [ๅคงไฝฌ | dร lวo | big boss; term of respect for a skilled person]!”
“Want to continue?” the da lao gently asked.
Feng Ermao was completely charmed by her voice and valiant figure. She immediately nodded. “Yes, yes, yes!” This da lao was different from the people she’d met before. Those people couldn’t carry her and even cursed her for being a noob [่ | cร i | unskilled; newbie in gaming]. If someone was truly skilled, they should be like Jin Feifei, able to take on multiple opponents at once. It was a pity that Jin Feifei, that reliable support, was recently busy researching a new perfume, searching everywhere for inspiration, and not logging in at all.
Within Aurora City.
Jin Feifei was in the process of creating a delicious fruity-floral perfume. When she was finished, she planned to invite Feng Ermao for a game to relax. Who knew Feng Ermao was already in-game? Jin Feifei didn’t think much of it. After playing a few rounds herself, she discovered Feng Ermao was still playing and suddenly furrowed her brow.
Something wasn’t right.
That Feng Er, a noob with a serious gaming addiction, would normally have been flamed by now and come crying to her. Jin Feifei, frowning, checked Feng Ermaoโs game record and found that her recent win rate was as high as eighty percent. It was impossible for Feng Er to have improved on her own; the only possibility was that she’d found a da lao to carry her.
Jin Feifei sent a message to Xiong Xun: “Did you carry Feng Er in-game?”
Xiong Xun: “Busy as hell, what’s a game?”
Jin Feifei sent Feng Ermao’s battle record to Xiong Xun.
Xiong Xun: “?”
Xiong Xun: “She found a da lao to carry her? And didn’t even say anything? Don’t tell me she’s in another online relationship like last time? Feng Er is a little rich woman now; if she gets scammed, the losses will be disastrous.”
Xiong Xun: “Should we ask her?”
Jin Feifei: “Ask what? We’ll just wait for her to get scammed.”
Xiong Xun: “…”
One month later.
Bai Ze, Nine-Tailed Fox, Xie Zhi, and the newly arrived Bi Fang [mythical one-legged bird] prepared to board the Sky Blue spaceship heading for Beast Star.
Many beast clan members with vacation time were also preparing to depart, and Feng Ermao happened to be among them. Jin Feifei had long since received the news from Beidou. After some thought, she put aside the matters at hand and also boarded the spaceship returning to Beast Star.
Feng Ermao saw Jin Feifei on the spaceship.
Her eyes lit up, and she pulled Jin Feifei’s hand, saying, “Weren’t you not going back? Why are you on the spaceship?”
“Changed my mind.” Jin Feifei gave Feng Ermao a look that was both a smile and not a smile, then casually asked, “What about you?”
Feng Ermao didn’t hide anything from Jin Feifei, happily saying, “I’m going to meet someone.”
Jin Feifei feigned curiosity: “Who?”
“Banban!” When Feng Ermao mentioned these two words, her mood became excited. Seeing Jin Feifei raise an eyebrow in surprise, she suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced this person to her good friend. Immediately, she said, “She’s a god in this game ‘Infinite Dunes’! She can carry me and boost my rank! Facing sieges by multiple people, sheโs calm and collected, a true hero!”
Jin Feifei blinked. Waiting until the chuunibyou-stricken [ไธญไบ็ | chลซnibyล | “eighth-grader syndrome”; a Japanese slang term used to describe early teens who have delusions of grandeur, often believing themselves to have special powers or knowledge] Feng Ermao finished her impassioned introduction of “Banban,” she gave a slight smile and slowly said, “Can’t I carry you and boost your rank?”
Feng Ermao stiffened at these words, then gave a dry laugh. “Well, aren’t you too busy?”
“I was busy before, and it didn’t stop you from bothering me.” Jin Feifei snorted lightly. “Don’t tell me you’re in love?”
“Romance would only affect my firing speed!” Feng Ermao declared righteously. “Banban and I are water and milk blending together [ๆฐดไนณไบค่ | shuวrวjiฤorรณng | idiom; meaning a very close, harmonious relationship] comrade-in-arms friendship.”
Jin Feifei clicked her tongue, then asked, “How many gifts did you send?”
“Not much.” Feng Ermao shrank her neck, feeling Jin Feifei’s gaze turn icy. She held up two fingers.
“Two hundred?”
Feng Ermao shook her head.
“Two thousand?”
Feng Ermao shook her head again.
Jin Feifei sneered. “Heh, Feng Er, you’ve become quite something! After getting rich, you’ve become a โthrow a thousand piecesโ of gold tycoon [ไธๆฒๅ้ | yฤซzhรฌqiฤnjฤซn | idiom; meaning extravagant, spending lavishly].”
Feng Ermao stammered, “But, but she’s a, a cute meimei who knows how to act spoiled.”
Jin Feifei glanced at Feng Ermao and said nothing more.
Feng Ermao felt uneasy. The excitement and joy of returning to Beast Star for a face-to-face meeting [้ขๅบ | miร njฤซ | internet slang; meeting offline after initially knowing each other online] were mostly dispersed.
However, having already agreed on the time and place for the meeting, Feng Ermao naturally wouldn’t stand someone up. After returning to the Fengjiu Clan and recuperating for a few days, Feng Ermao went to the esports gaming center as agreed.
Long, wavy hair, pink dressโฆ Feng Ermao searched for her target under the dazzling, multicolored lights, finally finding her sitting on a sofaโshe hadn’t been stood up. Feng Ermao breathed a slight sigh of relief. She cleared her throat and called out “Banban.” But the person who turned around startled her! Thick eyebrows, big eyes, a scruffy beardโฆ and a prominent Adam’s apple! That was a male, wasn’t it?! Immediately following, a cloyingly sweet “Feng Er-jiejie” completely shocked Feng Ermao. In her panic, she fled!
Her god! Her da lao! How could her cute meimei Banban be a male Spotted Dove?
Fleeing in disarray, Feng Ermao was in no mood to think. Dejectedly returning home, she saw Jin Feifei sitting gracefully on the sofa.
“What? Didn’t go well? Got scammed again?” Jin Feifei glanced at Feng Ermao.
Feng Ermao pressed her lips together, fuming. History was repeating itself; she, Feng Er, was truly someone who never learned her lesson. Meeting Jin Feifei’s gaze, even the thick-skinned Feng Ermao felt embarrassed. With a dejected expression, she casually lied, “I was stood up.” If Jin Feifei knew the truth, she’d die of laughter!
Jin Feifei saw right through Feng Ermao’s lie. She lowered her eyes and chuckled, not pressing the issue.
However, this matter couldn’t be hidden. After logging into โInfinite Duneโ, Feng Ermao discovered that Banban had put a bounty on her head! Banban claimed Feng Ermao had heartlessly abandoned him and demanded she pay a hefty fee for playing with him. Fury ignited within Feng Ermao. She didn’t plan on letting Jin Feifei know, but unfortunately, despite her long hours playing, she was still a flashy noob. Anyone could easily crush her; she couldn’t even leave the safe zone and could only sit on the city wall, spacing out.
When the sound of gunfire rang out, Feng Ermao didn’t turn to look.
She didn’t know if it was directed at her. In any case, if she died, she’d patiently wait for the respawn timer; it wasn’t like she’d lose any flesh. At most, it would hurt a little, and she’d be a tiny bit frustrated.
No! She didn’t want a life of frustration! She, Feng Er, couldn’t swallow this! Just as she gave up struggling and was about to call for help, a familiar figure jumped onto the city wall.
“Feifei?” Feng Ermao was first stunned, then tears welled up in her eyes.
“Didn’t you want to leave the city? Come with me.” Jin Feifei chuckled, speaking languidly.
“But outsideโ” Feng Ermao hesitated.
Jin Feifei snorted. “You mean those people after the bounty? I’ve taken care of them. They won’t be back for a while.” She paused, then added, “Don’t you want revenge?”
“Yes!” Feng Ermao’s voice suddenly rose. She wanted nothing more than to slaughter that Spotted Dove.
Banban was playing ranked matches in the Dunes Arena.
His in-game character was female, and beside him was another, even younger-looking girl.
“Does the look of adoration in that meimei’s eyes look familiar?” Jin Feifei teased.
“Blind as a bat!” Feng Ermao gritted her teeth. “Banban’s a cross-dressing dude! Shameless! A liar!”
“Pfft. Hahahaha!” Jin Feifei showed no mercy, laughing until she saw Feng Ermao’s eyes redden with anger and the verge of tears. Lifting a hand, she patted Feng Ermao’s head. “I’ll avenge you.” So saying, she took Feng Ermao to queue up for a match. Usually, when Jin Feifei played ranked, she adhered to the principle of “leave no one alive, take everything.” But this time, her primary goal was revenge, not sweeping the competition.
The first time Banban was killed, he didn’t even see his attacker.
The second time Banban was killed, the meimei next to him made an excuse and left.
The third time Banban was killed, he saw an armored vehicle and Feng Ermao sitting on top.
“You, youโ” By this point, Banban knew he was being targeted. He stopped playing ranked and went directly to find Jin Feifei and Feng Ermao.
“Don’t you say a word.” Feng Ermao glared at Banban with disgust, not wanting to hear him speak at all. This was far too much of a shock.
Jin Feifei crossed her arms and sneered. “So unskilled yet you dare to carry meimeis?” She casually raised a hand and suddenly shot Banban. Before he died, she taunted, “Don’t let me see you online again. Every time I see you, I’ll kill you.” Attacking in the safe zone would turn her name red, attracting guards, but Jin Feifei had done this countless times. She easily bypassed the guardsโ encirclement and left with Feng Ermao.
These days, Jin Feifei wasn’t as addicted to gaming as Feng Ermao. After logging off, she sent Feng Ermao a video call request.
Feng Ermao immediately accepted, looking at Jin Feifei with utter adoration. “Feifei, you’re my goddess!”
“Oh, please.” Jin Feifei stopped Feng Ermao’s bootlicking. “Now, can you tell me what happened?”
Feng Ermao blushed, recalling the previous events and wishing she could dig a hole and bury herself.
How could someone make the same mistake twice?
She stammered through the utterly mortifying experience, waiting for Jin Feifei’s ridicule.
But this time, Jin Feifei didn’t sneer.
“Youโ” Feng Ermao met Jin Feifei’s gaze, a little dazed.
Jin Feifei brushed her hair aside and chuckled. “Am I not good enough to carry you anymore? From now on, play less with random, messy people.”
Feng Ermao nodded vigorously, like a pecking chicken.
Jin Feifei was the eternal goddess!
LP: This novel is now done! Unexpectedly…
The ending is… meh, I was expected more sugar from Ning Buyi and Hua Zhuoyu but oh well~
I’ve done a lot of errors with this one! I’ll make sure to re-translate the whole novel in the future.
I’ll rate this one 3/5. It was great, I just want more sugar :)
This is it? It’s finished??? Ngl it seems quite rushed… Like the story just got cut off. I was honestly expecting a bit more, like maybe we’d get to see how the world heals, or how different planets and stars start getting plants and stuff. Maybe let us see how NB and HZ’s relationship grows, y’know just something…
I’m kinda sad that it ended this way… Especially since this had a really interesting setting. it just feels like a waste of good world building to end the story abruptly..
Anyways thanks for your hard work and for translating TL-san! o7
I like the setting, to the point where I feel like it had potential for a more drawn out story. Romance wasn’t really a focus though. I wish there were some more extras.
Awww, still the same I really thought MTL just forgot to add the extra chapter, but it really is true that’s the last chapter. Thank you again for translating this looking forward for more as always.
It was a fun read and an interesting setting, thanks for the translation