### Chapter 37: Not Wanting to Be Alone Anymore
The theater was dead silent.
“Can you fix my puppet?”
“Guess we’ll never know unless you try.”
“Well… Please fix it for me.”
Loli Puppetteer hesitated for a moment but still slowly handed over the broken-in-two puppet to Nocturnal Star.
Nocturnal Star carefully took it and gave it a quick glance. The puppet looked pretty plain and shoddily made, way too primitive compared to the current era’s standards — it should have been tossed into the dump.
But even so, it could still gain the affection of a Puppetteer. As long as someone adores it, its existence holds value.
Nocturnal Star didn’t mind at all and held it with extra care.
“Hmm…”
From the looks of it, the damage seemed easy enough to fix. This puppet clearly looked like it had been sliced cleanly in half by an unwavering hand. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a smooth cut.
“What bad guy messed this up? Ugh, ruining something you love must be terrible,” murmured Nocturnal Star.
Meanwhile, she considered if just gluing it together might suffice and count as a repair attempt.
Okay, thinking about that idea was rather absurd.
Puppetteer Loli continued staring intently at Nocturnal Star, brimming with hope.
“If… if you can’t fix it, how about becoming my new puppet?”
“Eh… What do you mean?”
Nocturnal Star really wanted to ask why this Loli always kept eyeing her body, treating everyone like they were just puppets.
“Hmm… Give me some time, can I take it home?” She said reluctantly.
“Sure, if you have the confidence.”
“So, make a wish.”
“Wish?”
“Uh-hm, just a try.”
Puppetteer obediently wished aloud.
“My wish is to please help restore this puppet to its original shape.”
Nocturnal Star felt some strange sensation deep inside when these words came out, uncertain if it’s from Star or something else.
She breathed out and responded, “Alright, I’ll bring good news. I’ll definitely get your puppet fixed.”
If things turned sour, she’d have to rely on some pros to make an identical copy.
“Bye then, I’ll deliver the fixed one the next time we meet.”
Holding the broken puppet, Nocturnal Star turned around to leave.
“Uh-huh.”
Puppetteer Loli watched quietly until Nocturnal Star vanished from sight…
—
Night Watcher Base
All the Night Watchers filed back to the rest area, clearly exhausted.
Bai, Cai Xun, and Bu Jie were among them.
“This day’s been pure hell, the Tragic Shadow Theater is such a pain. Couldn’t the guys just let us handle it? It’s driving me nuts,” complained Cai Xun.
Tonight, the Tragic Shadow Theater struck again.
Cai Xun faced Fraudster yet again, getting played around like a chump.
Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one embarrassed, the other Night Watchers also found themselves dizzy.
A single Fraudster could control over ten elite Night Watchers, making things tough once his Star Eclipses effect was discovered.
Good news was, with two Sunlight grade Night Watchers stationed, they directly confronted the mysterious Group Leader.
Despite a brief standoff, the Tragic Shadow Theater slipped away under Gentleman’s cover, leaving no major damage behind.
Bu Jie heaved a sigh, utterly drained.
“We haven’t considered having another Sunlight here? If we had, maybe we could have cornered them.”
Cai shrugged nonchalantly.
“Who knows? Heard the big shot was on vacation and has a weird way of doing things.”
Bai marched ahead, choosing silence over engaging with Cai Xun and Bu Jie.
They quit the conversation too and caught up with Bai.
“Bai, you seem much happier nowadays, less gloomy.”
“Is it that obvious?” Bai replied calmly.
Bu Jie rubbed his chin, agreeing, “Absolutely, you’re more approachable now, even though your expression remains as stoic as ever. Your eyes seem softer though.”
Cai nodded, smiling lightly.
“It must be because of White Fish. Her recovery truly softened you. You’re not so scary anymore.”
Bai tilted her head thoughtfully.
“I’m not really scary, am I?”
“Afterwards, you exude a terrifying aura, making people feel cold even in your presence. One look could scare off anyone trying to chat with you.”
Recalling that period, Cai sighed, “By the way, how did White Fish recover?”
Cai and Bu Jie weren’t involved, clueless.
Bai pursed her lips, recalling the heart-melting figure before her.
“Miracle brought forth by someone.”
With that, Bai hurried off, eager to see her sister soon.
Cai Xun and Bu Jie were dumbfounded.
“Sucks, Bai’s fanclub will grow like crazy. We might become the targets,” Cai gasped.
Bu Jie nodded grimly.
“Could be, Bai is lovely and her warmer state and friendlier demeanor will draw unwanted attention.”
“What do we do?”
“Simple, we neutralize every threat.”
Cai had an epiphany.
“Total neutralization, huh?”
“Precisely.”
“Stop kidding!”
Bu Jie chuckled.
“Since I view her as a sister, any creep trying to hit on her gets one heck of an Iron Fist.”
“That’s too extreme. If it’s an inside man, inform Big Boss Xie or Uncle Bai.”
Bu Jie gulped audibly, fear evident.
“You’re out of your mind.”
“Who likes pigs messing with their cabbages?” Cai smirked, proving even scarier than Bu Jie.
Evidently, Cai views Bai like a sister too.
Currently, Bai’s seventeen while Cai and Bu Jie are twenty-two and twenty-four respectively, a perfect age gap for siblings.
—
Throughout today,
Night Lan, White Fish, and Zero Meow hardly left each other’s side.
Zero Meow kept eyeing Night Lan, yearning for a chance to pounce and catch her in adorable embarrassment.
But White Fish thwarted every attempt, keeping close and watchful, protecting like a guardian.
Zero Meow inwardly fumed, vowing someday she’d conquer her fears and push through, White Fish included.
Zero Meow is strongest!
For now, focus on finding White Fish’s weakness.
—
Night Lan prepped to head home to rest.
Now was a fine time to snuggle and bathe alongside Nocturnal Star, a daily delight without a tiring day.
White Fish looked reluctant, one hand pulling Night Lan’s dress.
“Why not stay at the Night Watcher base?”
Night Lan pondered and smiled, “Probably coz feeling at home suits me. Mostly, I don’t want to be alone.”
She valued being awaited at home, preferring company over solitude.
