### Chapter 6: Let’s Slip Away
It’s a rare sight to see Night Star and Night Lan together in the theater.
Since Night Lan can’t be missing for too long, and because it would be a dead giveaway that Night Star and Night Lan are the same person, they generally avoid showing up together in public.
But hey, the theater is super safe; it’s all friends here, and there’s no need to worry about such things.
Besides, since the cat is already out of the bag, they’d be grilled about it no matter when they went back, so they might as well chill out.
Instead of panicking internally, why not just cuddle up with Night Star in the theater?
Not to mention, even among the theater crew, it’s quite the event to have two audience performers in the same place!
That’s only happened before when Lianhua used to drop by all the time.
One audience performer was already enough to make their day; add another one, and it’s double the love!
After Night Lan arrived at the theater, the group leader and crew didn’t slink back into the shadows; they surrounded Night Lan instead.
“Oh, it’s so nostalgic! The first time we met an audience performer, you looked just like this. And then I found out they actually have two forms—what a rare treat!”
The group leader gently pats Night Lan’s head, as if he’s reminiscing about that first encounter.
To this, Night Lan can’t help but roll her eyes internally.
“Um, Group Leader, actually, this body isn’t an audience performer; I’m a… hmm, Night Watcher! So please don’t mix me up with a real audience performer.”
“I don’t get it. An audience performer is an audience performer! Even if the body is different, the soul is the same! Your genuine soul is what we crave—how can I put you in a different category?”
Night Lan starts to ponder.
What she just said gave off a vibe like she wanted to sever ties with the Rising Sun Theater Group—if someone didn’t know better, they might think she wanted to ditch the group entirely.
“No, no! It’s just a role play! If the Group Leader and the others happen to bump into me outside, please don’t call me an audience performer, okay? I’m acting as someone else, and I can’t just expose that. Please cooperate with me, Group Leader, pretty please~!”
“Ah, I see! You’re testing your acting skills, huh? In that case, we’ll help you achieve your goal.”
“Uh-huh~ uh-huh~ exactly!”
Night Lan beams with happiness.
After their chat, the group leader and crew left, freeing the stage for the ladies.
Lianhua, Kong Yu Bai, and Book Yao stood together, staring at Night Star and Night Lan who were huddled together.
“Was Night Lan just in the capital?”
Kong Yu Bai asked, already aware of her trip thanks to Night Star spilling the beans.
Night Lan nodded with certainty.
“Uh-huh! That’s right! But as soon as I arrived over the city, I got ambushed by some weird Star Eclipses—totally unfair!”
“Ambushed by Star Eclipses? That sounds dangerous!”
“It was! I nearly met my end, but thank goodness the Group Leader arrived just in time to take that vicious Star Eclipse down!”
Night Lan still felt a bit shaken up.
Although she has become braver, deep down she’s still the same timid person. When faced with danger, she just turtles up.
Just like a turtle.
Sure, she has her own tricks for saving herself, but honestly, getting rescued just feels so much safer.
Her self-rescue methods seem to amount to just making wishes.
Lianhua’s Star Eclipse powers might work, but that’s Star Eclipse power—using it would expose her big time.
Mama White Fish’s Life Blessing wouldn’t really help either; if she fell, she’d probably go splat instead of having time to heal!
As for Kong Yu Bai’s Existence Interference…
Night Lan couldn’t think of a way to use it in a crisis—the third of her power seemed to be unable to turn things around, and at the last resort, she’d just have to ‘寄’ (Ji).
Looks like wishing was the only viable option.
Of course, if she could use that “Summon People” ability as a way to save herself, that would be a game changer.
The Group Leader coming to her rescue was the perfect example.
After all, wherever Night Lan and Night Star were at the theater entrance, if one of them ran into trouble, the crew would spring into action like hidden guardians in the shadows.
Is this what it feels like to be the theater pet?
Love that!
But the problem is, Night Star can casually use her “Summon People” ability, while Night Lan seems unable to do that.
After all, Night Lan is a Night Watcher too; if she could summon a ton of top-notch Star Eclipses, that would be a bit too much, right?
Other Night Watchers must be super curious about why the Group Leader showed up.
If they notice Night Lan’s absence, there’s a high chance they’d connect the dots, and that could lead to a big exposure crisis.
Kong Yu Bai seemed to have thought of this too.
“What if Night Lan doesn’t get back quickly? Could that raise suspicion among the Night Watchers? That might lead to exposing something! When they ask you, Night Lan, what will you say?”
“Um… can I just pull off the ‘cute act’?” Night Lan flashed a totally clueless and innocent look, as if she wanted to use that sketchy method.
Book Yao shook her head gently.
“That might work on us, but the Night Watchers won’t fall for it. They’re law enforcement, super serious—a crude lie won’t fool them. You’re not in the theater getting spoiled anymore.” Book Yao made it clear.
Night Lan suddenly realized she’d just be walking into headquarters after leaving here, not the Night Watcher base in Yun Chang City.
At least in Yun Chang City, Xiao Jin and the others knew some secrets, and they’d treat her differently, like a little kid—with a little less severity.
But not at headquarters.
The people there wouldn’t know she’s an Extraordinary Star Holder; they’d probably just see her as a little brat that needs serious reprimanding.
That means once she steps out without backup, there’s a good chance she’s getting grilled.
If she can’t come up with a believable excuse, they might even resort to terrifying methods!
Just thinking about it made her shudder!
With that thought, Night Lan shrank her head back and mumbled, “Then I just won’t go out! Let’s head back to Yun Chang City now. Sorry, Leader, but I think this dreadful headquarters can take a hike…”
If the Leader heard that, they’d probably blow a gasket.
And who can blame them?
Night Star never liked dealing with strangers.
If a particularly scary Night Watcher came along to interrogate her, she’d definitely run for the hills.
Maybe she wouldn’t survive in a normal society, but as long as the theater accepted her, that’s all that mattered.
Lianhua, on the other hand, seemed completely unconcerned about this and was totally supportive.
“Then Night Lan should stay here and watch my puppet show! Although I know the audience performer and Night Lan are the same person, having them both watch just makes me happier. This way, the audience performer’s attention won’t get split, and that’s the best scenario!”
Kong Yu Bai shook her head helplessly—she couldn’t be as reckless as Lianhua.
“Is there a chance the leader of the Night Watchers might protect you and help you keep this secret? Don’t forget, this is their territory; they probably wouldn’t let their own subordinates give you a hard time.”
“Hmm, you’ve got a point there.”
Night Lan’s eyes lit up as she suddenly connected the dots.
