Chapter 19: Snap
As the sky neared dusk and the sun began to set, Eypar, who had been gallivanting around since the afternoon, returned to the dwelling of Night Star. She floated around, first peeking into the trash bin and then under the bed, before finally zooming into the bathroom, but still did not encounter that adorable silver-haired figure.
“Where has everybody gone?!”
A bewildered Eypar looked puzzledly like she was trying a haunted house game on her console.
Eypar mumbled, “She said she would come back later, how late does she have to be? According to my calculations, it’s dinner time now…”
Her expectation cooled with each passing moment, yet all she could do was hang around waiting slowly.
Elsewhere,
Night Star was already at Lianhua’s place, tucking into a warm dinner with her father. He looked like a rugged old dude who probably got plenty of attention back in the day from the ladies. There’s also Lianhua’s stepmother, who, despite looking surprisingly young, had a rather off-putting chemistry with her dad. Like a geriatric grazing on daisies.
The stepmother appeared very submissive and gentle by comparison when they sat down for their meal, presenting a scene so heartwarming that at least Night Star seemed to enjoy the company.
Lianhua’s father warmly offered Night Star dishes, saying, “Eat more! Take whatever you like, no need to be shy,” as if he’d been serving food in a high-end restaurant.
Inwardly embarrassed, Night Star nodded meekly.
It wasn’t long before they cleared their plates.
“Lots of good food,” Night Star slumped onto the table, having fully satisfied her appetite.
Lianhua’s home cooking suited her taste perfectly, so she polished off two bowls full. The sight of such a little girl eating so much, Night Star couldn’t help but blush.
At that moment, Lianhua might have looked at her in some form of mild surprise?
Oh… oh well, she was merely a little eating machine in Lianhua’s eyes, after all.
At this point, Lianhua approached her and whispered, “So, Night Star, are you staying over tonight? There are lots of empty rooms here. If you don’t want to be alone, we could share one.”
“Mmm…” Night Star seemed uncertain.
“I sleep like an angel; no snoring, no tossing and turning, and definitely no talking in my sleep.”
“Mmm-mmm…” Night Star continued pondering silently.
“Why don’t I put on a puppet show for you instead?” Seeing Night Star thinking too much through, Lianhua spilled out all the cards and dealt them face up.
She was ready to play all her trump cards.
If Night Star were any ordinary girl, she might have succumbed to such persuasion.
Unfortunately, Night Star was far from mundane.
Sure, Night Star had lost a bit of dignity, making it easier for her to casually cuddle with cute girls these days.
But co-sleeping was not something she was okay with quite yet, despite its potential to deepen their bond.
She needed to maintain boundaries, even if becoming a loli herself.
In short, it was about being a little bashful.
Mmm-hmm.
“Pity, perhaps another time would be better,” Night Star smiled politely. “I’m glad to visit tonight, but it’s getting late. I should head back.”
“Mmm… alright.”
Lianhua showed a slight disappointment but wasn’t pushy. A quick smile returned to make it clear she understood.
“Before we go, can I still do that puppet show for you?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
After a brief prelude, Lianhua got started on performing a puppet show in her room for Night Star, who watched closely with no hint of disinterest.
Night Star could tell Lianhua’s skills were improving significantly. As her sole audience member, she witnessed the evolution firsthand.
Having tried puppetry herself, she understood the complexity involved. To see such swift and impressive progress, Lianhua must surely possess exceptional talent.
Given more hands, who knows what kind of different worlds she could depict?
A round of applause echoed in harmony.
Smiling gently, Night Star applauded, offering her highest respect to Lianhua’s artistry.
As a theater group audience performer, watching and cheering was part of her routine.
The group leader once said the puppet master could deliver incredible shows, and Night Star believed him wholeheartedly.
Looking ahead, she didn’t see anything specific.
Yet for the moment, she felt joy in witnessing the birth of a masterful puppeteer—a tiny star on the rise.
Once the wish was fulfilled, Night Star would return to her reality.
Hopefully, by then, Lianhua’s life would be back to normal, and even more wonderful.
Night Star stood, smoothing out her skirt.
“I’ll go first then. I’ll visit again next time.”
“Alright, I’ll see you off.” Lianhua quickly rose up.
Her father was busy with work, making him the epitome of a top-tier office worker.
The stepmother remained in the living room, flicking through TV channels. When she saw them leave the room, she asked, “Are you going back?”
Night Star nodded, “Yes.”
“You can stay overnight if you like, I’ve seen her liking you quite a bit, you know.”
Instantly flustered, Night Star didn’t know what to say.
“Erm… no thanks.”
“No worries, come again whenever. You’re always welcome.”
“Okay.”
The stepmother appeared quite normal, not particularly putting Night Star off.
Yet Lianhua said her stepmother didn’t like her.
Night Star wondered why exactly she was disliked.
Clearly, Lianhua was incredibly cute.
Following up, the stepmother remarked, “Lianhua, take her out.”
“Uh-huh.”
With or without instruction, Lianhua would do it anyways.
Then Night Star and Lianhua stepped out together.
Watching them depart, the stepmother lingered in the living room for sometime after.
She stood, walked toward Lianhua’s room, and opened the door.
“Aha.”
She finally grabbed the chance.
Normally, Lianhua locked her room and carried around gadgets everywhere she went.
Tonight, however, just a quick walk outside and she’d return shortly, leaving all necessary devices behind.
This was too good an opportunity to pass.
With modern tech, breaking into digital security was a breeze.
Injecting undetectable viruses was even simpler.
Now step one was completed.
Waiting for the opportune time.
In moments, she finished setting everything up.
Stepping into the lounge, settling on the sofa, Lianhua came in.
Maintaining a seemingly normal appearance, no trace of irregularity surfaced.
Lianhua simply walked right past her and into her room.
“Haha.”
The stepmother smirked sinisterly.
“We’ll see.”
Back in the room, Lianhua lay on her bed with a doll named Xiao Lian.
“When we next get the chance… I’ll visit her house.”
Lianhua held the wooden figure before her and stared directly into its eyes.
“What do you think, Xiao Lian?”
Snap!
…
