### Chapter 43: Trading in Small Animal Friends
Night Lan bought the tickets for the sea train rather effortlessly.
Although she could have taken the train without buying a ticket, she was a model citizen who always wanted to maintain appearances.
Next, Night Lan and Star Sheng got on the train and sat down in their seats.
Even though Star Sheng had just visited an aquarium, she still felt quite nervous.
Not having a “friend” around for such a long time definitely wasn’t ideal; even in the basement, she had the small fish tank as some sort of company.
Very soon, the train started slowly rolling towards the vast sea, bound for the mainland in Pinghai City.
Night Lan knew Star Sheng was very tense by simply holding her hand — she could clearly feel the tension.
This was more intense than being socially anxious!
It was obvious that she didn’t trust herself or anything.
Night Lan felt ashamed and had to try to distract her.
“Look, Star Sheng, the sea!”
Star Sheng peered out the window and indeed saw the azure expanse of the ocean. It captivated her at once.
“Wow…”
She rested her forehead on the window, her eyes filled with longing.
“I can feel a lot of friends out there.”
Seeing her yearning face, Night Lan gently stroked her head.
“Star Sheng, have you considered that returning to the sea might hurt your friends?”
“What?”
Night Lan was firm in her gaze, determined to make her point clear.
“You see, your powers would make your friends overly aggressive, threatening humans, thus leading them to get rid of both them and you.”
“I don’t understand…”
Night Lan elaborated further from the info she got from the Night Watcher website.
“Besides, your friends are also harming each other. This area is losing its natural marine life. Sooner or later, nearby marine creatures will be extinct.”
That’s highly plausible.
The alienated creatures created by Star Sheng have virtually no predators.
Even if fish from other areas swim here, the alienated ones would likely prey on them.
Unless the Twilight Jellyfish from the Night Watcher base could eliminate all the alienated creatures hiding in the sea.
And they must ensure the end of “Ecological Distortion.”
That’s the only way to resolve this issue fundamentally.
The sea’s vitality regenerates fast, but getting trashed by alienated critters is still pretty bad.
Luckily, “Ecological Distortion” is just an average star eclipse; it has its limits, unable to contaminate the entire ocean.
“Ugh…”
Envisioning what Night Lan described triggered a wave of sadness in Star Sheng’s heart.
She didn’t just adore small animals; she wanted to protect them.
“What should I do?”
“Just watch from afar or find a substitute ‘friend.'”
Suggesting something like that was quite awkward.
Night Lan wasn’t one to casually discuss such important matters openly.
At the same time, she questioned the rightness of her advice. She was also worried Star Sheng wouldn’t accept it.
Whatever the case, it’s complicated.
Meanwhile, Star Sheng seemed lost in thought—like someone whose mind had wandered off, showing signs of mental breakdown.
“I only have these little animal friends to rely on; they’re the only ones willing to listen…”
Night Lan didn’t continue.
Pushing too much could cause emotional instability.
Extremely unpredictable events were best left undisturbed.
Looking out the window, Night Lan watched the azure sea breeze past outside along with seagulls flying overhead, seemingly scanning for any sign of prey.
Right then, an abnormal aura drew Night Lan’s attention.
It probably belonged to alienated creatures sensing Star Sheng’s presence, instinctively heading toward her.
The Twilight Jellyfish from the Night Watcher base quickly responded.
The staff had anticipated this scenario.
Wherever there is an anomaly like “Ecological Distortion,” it’s a perfect lure to catch hidden threats.
Opportunities like these are golden times for dealing with those lurking dangers.
So, their leader ordered nearby jellyfish to gather near the train track of the sea train.
Naturally, it drew some unwanted attention.
Detecting this, Night Lan stayed silent and refrained from acting.
There were no massive beasts in sight.
Like before with that giant octopus, which seemed to be rare.
Star Sheng, oblivious of the situation, continued to sink into her thoughts.
Her obsession conflicted seriously with Night Lan’s advice.
What should she do?
After some time,
The sea train made it to the station safely; no dangerous beast impeded their path.
Night Lan led Star Sheng off the train and flagged down a taxi to take them to the local zoo.
No one interfered with their smooth journey.
Despite patrolling Night Watchers observing them from a distance, they did so calmly.
Moments later,
Night Lan brought Star Sheng up to the zoo entrance.
That’s their destination.
In the shadows a short distance away,
Unseen figures were spying.
Namely, Night Star and company.
Lianhua and others were intrigued by little Star Sheng, hence they followed.
“Is this the girl whose help you wished for? She’s adorable!” Empty Rain White naturally approved of the loli’s cuteness.
No wonder Lan wanted to help her.
Though calling that ‘superficial’ it greatly influenced Lan’s decision.
“Hmm, a pitiful girl.”
Night Star nodded slightly, intuitively guessing Star Sheng’s past through her personality and obsession.
Unfriendly towards humans, preferring only small animals around, withdrawn and possibly isolated due to harsh childhood, or the tragic nature of being a star eclipse.
Empty Rain White playfully patted Night Star’s head.
“Then become her friend, help her, and let her experience happiness!”
“Mmm, I’ll try my best.” Night Star displayed some hesitation.
This time, they couldn’t rely on the wishes machine.
“I believe absolutely in you.”
“Yep~”
Lianhua, Empty Rain White, and Book Yao had high hopes in Night Lan.
Three living examples stood proof.
Back to Night Lan,
Holding Star Sheng’s hand, they stepped into the zoo together.
“Check it out! There are lots of animals you’ve never seen before.”
“Okay.”
Snapped back to reality, Star Sheng put aside her troubled thoughts.
She spotted many unfamiliar animals here, feeling incredibly fresh.
“What kind of creature is that?”
“Tiger cub.”
“Those?”
“Lion cubs with their mom.”
“So cute~”
Stars of admiration twinkled in her eyes, indicating a newfound love for terrestrial creatures as well.
Maybe contacting them and making friends is on her mind now.
Very understandable.
Excitedly, Night Lan toured the zoo with a spirited Star Sheng, exploring every animal region.
By twilight, Night Lan finally left the zoo with her grip on Star Sheng.
“Still wanting more?”
“No.”
“Shall I accompany you again tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“…
