### Chapter 25: Hobbies and Passions
“Snacks are here~”
Night Star came back to Lotus with a bundle of snacks, and then gave Eypar a symbolic glare as if warning her with her eyes.
Eypar, being sassy, stuck out her tongue and floated to the side.
Lotus rubbed her ears in confusion, but finding nothing unusual, ignored it.
“Thanks.”
Lotus took the snacks from Night Star and started eating together.
“Do you have any hobbies, Night Star?”
As Night Star’s friend, Lotus felt it was important to know what she liked to do, to further develop their friendship.
Like how Lotus enjoyed performing puppet shows herself.
“Hobbies huh…”
Night Star nodded thoughtfully, pondering over what she could actually say she enjoyed.
In school, when asked about hobbies, she always felt embarrassed admitting she liked watching anime. She ended up faking it by talking about more respectable interests.
But now… should be fine, right?
“I like loafing around instead of working, wanting to stay home all day sleeping, watching anime series, and eating stuff.”
“Mmm…”
“Indeed, pretty weird, huh?”
“Not at all. That kind of hobby must make you happy and content, right? If that’s the case, there’s no reason for it to be odd.”
“Mmm~ I totally agree.” Night Star gave a cute smile.
Lotus is truly one wonderful soul~ It’s amazing how understanding she is!
At this moment, a semi-transparent figure floated past the two, muttering, “I love pranks and getting into the heat of things, y’know~”
Night Star kept smiling, not letting it show at all.
This ghost really is annoying, but she can manage.
Thus, the chat among the group of three (err, so-called) began there.
Meanwhile.
At Lotus’s house.
The mature woman used her communicator to reach out to the dealers.
“You ready? Now, it seems Lotus is at a friend’s place, and we already have her location. She should be back when dinner is served. Wait until she leaves, then take action. During that time, I’ll remotely disable all her alarms. You just need to finish the job.”
The communication cut off. Lotus’s stepmother hung up and smirked devilishly.
“My ‘dear daughter’, farewell forever.”
…
Guardian Night Base.
Mo Tu returned to the base after a long absence, feeling like a prodigal son come home.
Right as he got back, he randomly bumped into four Star Light Guardians walking together.
“Well, what a coincidence! Are you guys headed for dinner?” Mo Tu greeted them cheerfully.
Yao Can glanced at him coldly.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back. You were just having fun, right?”
“Not at all, I’ve been doing my part too.”
Turning to his colleague from Cloudy Chang – Wang Chao, Mo Tu added, “Wang Chao, have you settled well in Shanghe City?”
Wang Chao’s lips curled as he muttered, “Wow, you’re more mysterious than ever. Always popping in and out like a dragon’s head and tail. I’m beginning to think you’re on paid leave.”
Hearing this, Mo Tu actually pondered for a moment with a smile.
“On paid leave, huh? Perhaps I should try that sometime. The bosses probably wouldn’t mind.”
“Dude, you’re something else.” Wang Chao sighed.
Mo Tu has to be the strangest person he’s ever met. Almost as odd as himself.
Yao Can glanced at Mo Tu again.
“So, did you find anything while away?”
“Sort of,” Mo Tu smiled lightly.
Yao Can and his group froze in surprise.
Before they could ask more, Mo Tu was already starting to leave.
“But I haven’t confirmed yet. I’ll let you know once I have. Shouldn’t take too long.”
With that said, he waved and walked away.
The group stood silent for a moment.
Chi Hao exclaimed, “What’s going on with that guy?”
Wang Chao shrugged. “No idea. Hardly ever talk to him, very mysterious.”
Yan Que nodded thoughtfully, “Do you think he really found a lead?”
Yao Can murmured, “He will contact us eventually. After all, he’s still a Star Light Guardian level.”
…
Mo Tu walked down the deserted path, opening his virtual screen to connect to the base data network and search for something.
“Name… Lotus, female, Shanghe City, age range twelve to eighteen… Found her.”
It didn’t take much time for Lotus’s detailed information to appear before Mo Tu.
“She’s fourteen, quite young. Her father is a top-level workaholic who works over half the day, while her mother passed away early. Her father remarried, and her stepmother is currently unemployed.”
Mo Tu didn’t find this particularly special.
Though when seeing her mother’s profession…
“Puppeteer? Could this be related to [Doll City]? Or perhaps [Wish Machine] mentioned earlier.”
However, since her mother is deceased, she should be the one carrying that relationship.
And how did Night Star come into contact with Lotus? That was another mystery.
Mo Tu remembered [Night] or [Star] once said something about being connected with [Wish Machine].
But the specific reason was unclear.
Could it be possible that Night or Star wished for something concerning [Doll City], thus landing them here?
Mo Tu needs to verify this.
“I recall that there was a Guardian responsible for watching over that little loli, Lan Feng Suyu, right?”
…
Elsewhere.
In a sweet shop.
Smiling Lan Feng Suyu, who was watching Night Lan eat pudding, suddenly received a communication message.
“Hmm?”
She checked it and noticed it was from another Star Light Guardian, at the same rank as Big Boss Yao Can.
He wanted to meet her and sent the location too. It was apparently close, near some coffee shop or such.
Lan Feng Suyu pondered deeply.
“Hmm…”
Should she go?
Her current task was to guard Night Lan closely; leaving would be a breach of duty.
As usual, asking the boss would be best.
She quickly contacted Yao Can.
“Boss, a Star Light Guardian wants to meet me. Should I go?”
“Hmm?”
Taking a glance at the others, Yao Can immediately knew who it was.
“Go ahead, cooperate as much as possible.”
“Okay.”
Ending the call, Lan Feng Suyu was quick to act.
“Night Lan, I’ll step out for a bit, I’ll return shortly. If you don’t want to wait, go back to your room.”
“Huh?” Night Lan tilted her head curiously, then nodded.
“Okay.”
Over at Night Star’s place, she was still having a nice chat with Lotus, not at all bored. She simply needed sustenance for now.
“Stay put, okay?”
Lan Feng Suyu smiled, patting Night Lan’s head gently before rising and leaving.
