Chapter 17: Meeting the Family
In the park.
A girl dressed in a glamorous outfit is putting on a puppet show.
Sure, the movements are simple, but they’re utterly delightful.
Night Star watches intently, her eyes glued to Lianhua’s arms and fingers as they dance gracefully with a humble puppet on stage. With a mixture of appreciation and joy, she displays the expected audience etiquette.
Is it just her imagination?
It feels like Lianhua’s puppet show today is much more cheerful, even cuter than the first time she watched it!
It’s as if the puppets carry the emotions of the Puppet Master themselves.
Is this what they call the union of humans and puppets?
So impressive!
Admiration begins to spark in Night Star’s crimson eyes.
Although the intricacies of puppet shows are a complete mystery to her, it doesn’t stop her from empathizing with what’s unfolding before her.
Night Star has an easy time falling for things that touch her heart, no matter how outdated they may be, like ancient performances long gone.
“Mm hee~”
Lianhua senses the awe radiating from Night Star’s gaze and feels immensely happy, causing her hands to move even more spryly.
【Awesome~】
Night Star is completely smitten with Lianhua’s puppet show, almost in a trance at this point.
For a Puppet Master, this is undoubtedly the highest praise and validation she could hope for.
In fact, Lianhua wishes she could take Night Star home, so she could enjoy her puppet shows every day. That would be a blast!
Moments later.
A stunning puppet show comes to a perfect close, and the stage finally closes its curtains.
“Yay~” Night Star claps her hands joyfully, sporting an adorable smile.
Clap clap clap—
“That was amazing! Lianhua, your puppet show seems to have improved! It feels way smoother than before.”
“Thank you.”
Lianhua shyly scratches her head, realizing once more just how cute Night Star truly is.
She’s her very first audience, gaining joy from the performance, even calling her a confidant!
A friend who shares her interests—now that’s just perfect!
“Uh… Night Star, would you like to come over to my place tonight?” Lianhua gathers her courage and throws out the invitation.
“Huh?” Night Star’s expression freezes for a moment, almost missing the implication.
Is Lianhua inviting her?
How should she respond?
What a mind-meld!
She had been mulling over how to deepen their relationship.
After all, to realize her wish of “keeping the puppets safe,” she would need to get closer to Lianhua.
Little did she know, Lianhua would make the first move.
This is just too thrilling for Night Star!
“Uh-huh~” Coming back to her senses, she beams at Lianhua, who looks a bit nervous, and replies, “Sure~”
“Phew~” Lianhua exhales, feeling an enormous weight lifted from her heart as a joyful smile spreads across her face and her soft pink eyes twinkle with excitement.
I can’t believe she didn’t refuse!
“Can you come home with me now?”
“Huh? Now?”
Night Star glances at the time quizzically; it hasn’t even been half an hour since they started hanging out.
“Uh… okay then.”
But time was no obstacle for her, so Night Star cheerfully agrees.
Although, she can’t shake off the butterflies in her stomach.
After all, this is her first time visiting a friend’s house; it’s definitely not the same as going to Zero Meow’s Night Watcher dorm.
Going to Lianhua’s home means she might meet her family.
How should she interact with them? This poses a huge test for someone with social anxiety.
It’s like meeting the parents!
Just thinking about it makes her nervous.
Then, Lianhua tidies up her puppet box and straightforwardly takes Night Star’s hand as they head home.
“Let’s go!”
Night Star allows herself to be led, feeling quite happy.
So smooth sailing! Maybe she’ll fulfill her wish soon!
She needs to get back before the Supernova Star Eclipses event to avoid any potential hassle.
“Hmm…”
Before long, Night Star, under Lianhua’s guidance, arrives at an impressive villa that looks quite luxurious.
Is this Lianhua’s home?
“Whoa…”
Night Star is utterly blown away.
Who knew Lianhua was one rich little loli?
“Your house is huge!”
“Mhm, so do you want to spend the night tonight? I’ve got plenty of spare rooms, or you could even sleep with me.”
“Uh…”
Night Star recalls how she was already used as a pillow by some Lan Feng Su Yu at the Night Watcher Base.
If Night Star becomes a pillow too, that would be… quite something.
But if it happens, at least Lianhua is a super cute loli, which doesn’t sound like a total loss.
Who knows, she might even end up using Lianhua as a pillow!
So, the real question is, should she agree?
“Uh… let’s see…”
“Well, think about it.”
Lianhua doesn’t push her; she simply pulls Night Star inside.
Right now, her father is still at work, and only her stepmother is home, which isn’t a big deal.
As Night Star takes off her shoes at the entrance, her silky legs peek out, and her chubby little toes wiggle playfully beneath the sheer fabric—the ultimate eye candy!
She puts on the guest slippers and curiously asks, “Lianhua, is anyone home?”
“Um… I think there’s some auntie around…”
“Hmm?” Night Star tilts her head slightly, blinking in confusion.
“It’s my father’s partner.”
“Oh, I see. So, that’s your mom?”
“More or less…”
Lianhua doesn’t elaborate, her expression a little complex and her tone lacking its usual cheer.
Once they reach the living room.
Night Star soon meets Lianhua’s “mother,” who looks quite mature, maybe in her twenties at most.
But from a mother’s perspective, she’s exceptionally young.
If she’s really in her twenties and has a 14-year-old daughter, it feels like the father might still be serving time somewhere.
At this moment, the woman glances over with a slightly puzzled look.
“Lianhua, who is this?”
“She’s my friend.” Lianhua replies flatly.
Night Star quickly greets her.
“Hello, Auntie.”
Lianhua’s tone feels distant.
That’s not normal for a mother-daughter duo.
“Hmm?” Night Star feels a bit puzzled.
Could it be that Lianhua’s family dynamics are a bit frosty?
Yet the woman seems unbothered, accustomed to this cold vibe, and merely nods.
“Is that so? I hope you both have fun.”
Then Night Star gets pulled back into Lianhua’s room.
“Hmm…”
Sitting cross-legged on a cushion, Night Star observes Lianhua, who’s placing the puppet box beside the bed. She looks like she wants to say something but holds back.
“So, um… Lianhua, is there some tension between you and your mother?”
Although it’s not polite to pry into family affairs, it might relate to her “wish,” so she decides to ask.
Lianhua says, “Actually, that’s not my real mother. My biological mother passed away a long time ago. That’s my father’s partner he found later.”
“So, she’s a stepmother…?”
No wonder she looked so young.
Now, Night Star starts to understand.
Lianhua must not have fully accepted this newcomer, which explains the coldness.
To confirm her theory, Night Star carefully questions, “Do you dislike her?”
“Well, it’s not hate, just indifference. I feel like she doesn’t like me either, so we mostly just ignore each other. I’ve kind of gotten used to it by now.”
Lianhua doesn’t hide her feelings from Night Star, perhaps trusting her enough.
Night Star’s expression shifts to one of understanding.
“Oh, I see…”
