Chapter 44: Wanna Make a Wish?
Yun Chang City.
Night has fallen.
Night Lan returned home from the Night Watcher Base, ready for a bath and bed.
Just a few days apart, and Night Lan already felt terribly uneasy. Without Night Star by her side, she felt a gnawing discomfort. Bathing alone and sleeping solo? No fun at all. They could always touch each other whenever they wanted before, but now, with distances between them, things were off sync—not to mention they couldn’t see each other anytime they wished. What a pain.
Soaking in a spacious bathtub, staring at the misty ceiling, Night Lan pondered. “Wanna make a wish?”
Everyone knows that the Wish Machine can grant any wish. So far, it had fulfilled every wish except the one about transforming itself into a loli version of itself. If Night Lan wished to be beside Night Star again, who’s to say it wouldn’t work?
But this was just a day or two; isn’t that a bit too quick?
While pondering, a head suddenly popped out of the water.
“RUA!”
“UWA!”
The sudden noise nearly scared Night Lan out of her skin, almost leading her to leap out of the tub with lightning speed. She soon realized it was Eypar’s prank, causing her cheeks to puff up.
“EYPAR! If you prance around like this, I’ll throw you out!”
Seeing her mad, Eypar snuggled up to Night Lan, pouting a little.
“Seeing night-time’s spirit lacking lately, I thought I’d liven you up my way. Is that okay?”
“Uh… thanks, I feel much more lively…”
Knowing the intention behind the mischief, Night Lan simmered down. Shaking off her silly thoughts, she got up from the tub, drying herself, and preparing for bed.
“Eypar.”
“Right here! What do you need, Night Lan?”
“Since Star can’t be by my side, I guess I’ll have to use you as a pillow.”
Hearing this, Eypar’s hair on top quivered excitedly.
“Oh wow! I’m honored! I’ll be an awesome pillow!”
“Yeah, you’re acting like a hyperactive husky right now.”
It was uncanny how true that seemed.
Given how much Eypar loved pranks, she definitely fit the husky image.
After drying her hair and getting into her pajamas, Night Lan took Eypar by the hand and led her to bed.
“Now rest, don’t move around.”
“Sure thing!”
Lights out.
Darkness settled in.
As Night Lan drifted off, her consciousness shifted to where Night Star was.
Meanwhile,
In the Free Country it was daytime.
That would be the second day Night Star was there.
She just awakened in the Rising Sun Theater.
Physically she was resting, but mentally she was with Night Lan. Now Night Lan was asleep, so Night Star’s awareness floated back.
Wasn’t that like being awake without actually waking up? Strange times, indeed.
Today, Lotus and Book Yao continued their research on the culture of the Free Country, showing no interest in going out.
Night Star didn’t push them.
Even though they usually went with her if she pouted a little, now she needed to go to the Night Hunt. The fewer people, the better.
They said Night Hunt was heading to where Qing Liao was today.
Night Star had to rush over accordingly.
Mo Rabbit appeared in the theater, watching Night Star and Kong Yu Bai as they prepared to leave, deep in thought.
“Should I follow and check it out?”
Bored, Mo Rabbit toyed with going along.
Sure, the [River Map and Writing Book] gave lots of hints, but she preferred to watch from the sidelines.
Past experiences showed that hanging around Night Lan often brought amusing results. And now, it seemed, Night Star was too busy to bother with her.
Decided, Mo Rabbit tailed after them silently.
A scene change.
Night Star and Kong Yu Bai left the Rising Sun Theater and ventured into the Chinese district.
Reducing their presence slightly, they walked straight towards the store from yesterday.
A moment later, they stepped inside, triggering a robotic “Welcome!” greeting.
The place still felt deserted like when first visited.
Noya and Li Xia threw curious glances, realizing the temporary co-workers arrived.
Li Xia looked perplexed, mumbling to herself.
“Sheesh… So it wasn’t just my imagination. Why am I only aware they’re there when they enter the shop? Is my power going rusty?”
Night Star heard Li Xia’s grumblings and chimed in, “Actually, we’ve got special hidden abilities. It’s tough to spot us since we’re quite unique.”
“Ah, got it! But if all Star Holders had these powers, what would be the point of my Star?”
Lying face-down on the table, Li Xia felt useless.
If only she could think more clearly, she would realize it’s unrealistic for everyone to have such abilities.
Night Star didn’t explain further.
She and the others had extraordinary Star-level concealment skills, making them hard targets.
One would need equivalent powers—say, a combination of Extraordinary Star and Supernova Star Eclipses—to detect them.
“Boss, two breakfast sets, please!”
Though she ordered through the menu, calling out added flair.
No response came.
Claire likely cooked in the kitchen, while icy-faced Mo Xiao polished glasses.
Noya maintained a cold exterior, not engaging in conversation.
Unsurprisingly, the only one welcoming was Li Xia, being naive enough to chat.
But she wasn’t the boss; just an employee.
Failing to get attention, Night Star simply sat on Kong Yu Bai’s lap, resting her head, relaxing.
Kong Yu Bai accepted her behavior, stroking her head.
“Looks like we’ll meet Qing Liao today. Ready to greet her?”
“Yeah, I’ve been ready.”
Night Star was only anxious Qing Liao might not remember her. After so long, she could’ve forgotten her.
Night Star traveled time, their last meeting feeling recent. But for Qing Liao, perhaps it had already been years. As a time-singing songstress, she might easily forget events.
If Night Star approached Qing Liao to surprise her and she looked puzzled, awkwardness sure would ensue.
“What if she forgets me now?” she fretted.
Kong Yu Bai comforted her softly, “Don’t worry, you’re charming. Anyone who meets you won’t forget, especially since you’re friends.”
“Sheesh, good to know,” sighed Night Star.
At that, Claire served breakfast.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Night Star walked back to her seat, starting her breakfast alongside Kong Yu Bai’s.
“The boss, when are we leaving?”
“In an hour.”
“Wow, that quick.”
Seemed like she’d meet Qing Liao soon after.
Exciting!
But then Claire added, “Our organization can’t meet Qing Liao; we only operate around her hotel. If you want to visit, you’re on your own.”
“Mm,” Night Star pondered.
She had Qing Liao’s contact, but sending a message would spoil the surprise planned.
“So, I’ll have to sneak in.”
Though sneaking in meant facing security—Order of Sequence members, maybe, including a Holy Knight akin to the Sunlight Night Watchers.
Night Star didn’t want to fight them.
Her confidence aside, hotel combat could be risky.
“I guess I’ll use Existence Interference…” she muttered.
