Chapter 33: Holy Moly!
“Why say that?”
Mo Tu’s eyes lit up with something odd, starting to become intrigued.
Yexing lowered his head dejectedly, with memories from the past replaying in his mind.
“This is so strange… No matter how I feel in the future or now, you must have some motive coming close to me, right?”
“Maybe you’re just overthinking things. Could it not be just coincidence?”
“It’s definitely not a coincidence, you carry stars too, don’t you?”
In the past, Yexing never knew how the Night Watchers could tell who the Star Holders are.
They would say there was a peculiar feeling, possibly a sort of instinct and bodily reaction.
At least, Yexing had never experienced such a thing firsthand.
But he could tell it was different when interacting with regular people compared to the Night Watchers.
The change seemed very subtle, almost impossible to notice if one wasn’t paying attention.
Yexing didn’t know who Mo Tu was, other than knowing the sensation he gave was almost identical to that of a Night Watcher.
Combining the hints Lan Feng Su Yu provided and the “coincidental” meetings of the future and present…
It became clear as day.
If he still couldn’t catch on, Yexing must be missing an IQ point or two.
His tone gradually became firm.
“Mo Tu, your kindness towards me seems too deliberate. You’re helping me so naturally despite barely knowing each other, and that isn’t normal.”
“Interesting.” Mo Tu paused for a moment.
This kid is indeed incredibly sensitive to human emotions, easily identifying anything out of the ordinary as long as he isn’t slacking off.
Or rather, unless it’s important, he has little courage to break things, even thinking about it feels like too much effort, displaying a lackadaisical attitude.
But now…
The d*ath of his friend has hit him hard.
Yexing stared straight at Mo Tu, asking in a ghostlike voice, “Mo Tu, do you know something special about me?”
“Um… Yes, somewhat.”
“So that’s it… Are you a Night Watcher?”
Mo Tu leaned against the wall, no longer planning on hiding it.
“Yes, but also no. I’m just a passing-by Star Holder. Think of it that way.”
“What about Lianhua?”
“Lianhua is also a Star Holder, but her d*ath is a fact we can’t change.”
“Wah…”
Hearing this, Yexing was struck again, looking like he was about to cry.
“But… but if Lianhua died, what will happen to the future version of her…?”
Mo Tu sighed helplessly.
“Think about it, Yexing. Could the Lianhua in the future not be a living person, but a Star Eclipse?”
“Huh?” Yexing widened his eyes, pupils dilating slightly, stunned.
“Since you can already distinguish between Star Holders and ordinary people, contrast the feelings you had with the future Lianhua. Take a moment and think—could there be even a hint of abnormality?”
Yexing looked down, reflecting.
“Um… Yes, there is.”
Prompted by Mo Tu, Yexing finally noticed the difference between Future Lianhua and Present Lianhua.
Future Lianhua felt a little… off, like a cold wind brushing against your skin in winter.
Yet, this reality—that Lianhua was dead—Yexing still couldn’t believe it.
That lively little girl gone in an instant was too much to handle for anyone.
Star Holders might transform into Star Eclipses, and Yexing knew this.
Like her ghostly companion, Ai Par, as an illustration.
Not every Star Eclipse trigger can preserve their humanity like Ai Par though.
Yexing could tell that the future Lianhua’s mental state was off, completely different from this period.
“What should I do?”
Seeing Yexing’s helpless expression, Mo Tu let out a sigh.
“Let’s talk about it. Lianhua isn’t just a normal Star Holder. Like you, she might possess an extraordinary power. The Supernova Star Eclipses at Doll City were caused by her. Understand?”
“Supernova… Star Eclipse?”
Yexing didn’t expect such a terrifying disaster to be this close, especially involving a friend.
Mo Tu continued, “Do you know why her puppet was destroyed? Because it might hold the key to the breaking point. Once Night Watchers spot it, they will act without hesitation.”
On hearing that, Yexing glanced down at the wooden doll box in his arms.
He wished to keep Lianhua’s puppet intact.
But if the destroyers were the Night Watchers, did he stand a chance?
Just one half-baked, star-less individual…
“You wouldn’t plan on destroying it, huh?” Yexing asked cautiously.
Mo Tu shook his head.
“Since my future self allows it, I won’t either now. It would be pointless. Let me be clear, only you can change the current situation. I can be your strength.”
“Can I actually do that?”
“Dare you try again? You’ve had experience before.”
“But…”
“Yexing, be a bit more confident. Your courage shouldn’t end at spotting my identity. Think. What does Lianhua mean to you? Tell me after you’ve thought it through.”
With that said, Mo Tu turned and left.
Leaving Yexing to ponder alone.
“Mm…”
Yexing went back into the house, silently holding onto the doll box containing Lianhua.
Ai Par floated quietly by his side, not daring to utter a word.
He could tell Yexing was down.
Blindly talking could just make everything worse.
Now, Yexing was contemplating life itself.
The world of stars and eclipses was just too fantastical.
Sometimes, Yexing felt this alternate world was disconnected from him.
Life went on as usual.
Danger was always unrelated.
But the dangerous Star Eclipses had appeared, triggered by a friend.
How should Yexing choose? This was a crucial decision.
Carefully opening Lianhua’s doll box, Yexing stared at the simple wooden puppet inside.
“Lianhua… What should I do?” Yexing mumbled with worry.
Ai Par came closer, gripping her tiny pink fist and cheering Yexing up.
“Yexing! Don’t give up! No matter what you do, Ai Par will always support you!”
Hearing those words, Yexing stood up abruptly, a determined look on his face.
“Dammit! Supernova Star Eclipses? I’m a supernova too! Who’s afraid of who? Full steam ahead!”
Ai Par joined in with high energy.
“Charge!”
“Gah…” Yexing exhaled.
Having declared his decision, courage surged like a spring.
Since he couldn’t change Lianhua’s fate, he would turn her into a normal entity like Ai Par instead.
Yexing didn’t want Lianhua to become a horrific disaster.
For now, he had to protect the doll version of Lianhua.
“But… doesn’t this put us at odds with the Night Watchers…?”
Yexing’s courage, once lifted, deflated fast.
Mo Tu said he would help.
But could he truly stand against so many Night Watchers?
Sounded a bit unlikely…
Yexing quickly brushed off his wild thoughts, regaining confidence, eyes set firmly.
“Lianhua, wait. I’ll come save you.”
