### Chapter 39: Early Knock-Off
After finishing lunch, Night Lan and White Fish were getting ready to head out.
According to their plan, they were off to visit the headquarters.
The main goal, of course, was to meet up with Star Sheng and the gang.
Three years had passed, and they had definitely grown up a bit.
Night Lan was determined to check this out properly while she had the chance.
Meanwhile, Night Star had just woken up from Loti Shana’s bed.
Loti Shana was already up and had stuffed a pillow into Night Star’s arms as a decoy while she mysteriously vanished.
Guess she was off somewhere, broadcasting her royal majesty among the other Star Eclipses again.
How many times can a girl get excited about her own shenanigans?
Night Star couldn’t even be bothered to argue with her about a throne she didn’t want.
She didn’t crave that adoration and respect from the Star Eclipses either.
Honestly, Loti Shana herself was far more captivating to Night Star than the throne or any praise.
Stretching like a lazy cat, Night Star let out a humongous yawn.
Who knew sleeping till noon could leave one so drained?
Waking up groggy meant she had to do something to shake off the sleepiness.
She didn’t want to spend the whole day snoozing away.
Even if Night Lan was busy, if Night Star just laid around, sleepiness would creep up on her again.
“Ugh~ Loti Shana is so naughty; she slipped away before I even got out of bed and left a pillow as a stand-in… How rude! A real Little Loli can’t be replaced by a pillow!”
In short, the moment Night Star opened her eyes and didn’t see a Little Loli, she was in a mood.
Loti Shana had some nerve!
But she’d let it slide for now.
Night Star wasn’t so petty.
She had a pretty forgiving heart when it came to the girls around her.
After all, Loti Shana wasn’t her puppet; a little teasing was fine, but full control? Not cool!
Keeping their individuality was key, after all.
Once a toy was broken beyond repair, all you could do was find a corner to cry in.
So, what was on Night Star’s agenda today?
Of course, it was off to the Star Network Headquarters to find Luo Xi.
She had promised just yesterday.
Night Star couldn’t let her down.
She was basically the promise superhero!
Soon enough, Night Star hopped out of bed, freshened up, and got dressed to hunt down Loti Shana, who was likely mingling with the Star Eclipses.
Before leaving, Night Star tackled a certain purple-haired Loli in a deserted corner, tousled her hair, and after making sure she looked utterly disheveled, she left feeling quite satisfied.
Now, that was a serious wake-up call!
The thought of Loti Shana fixing her outfit and pouting with that gloomy expression brought a mischievous smile to Night Star’s face.
“Hmm~ I suppose I should pop back to the Fish Playing House for a bit.”
With that, Night Star left the Star Eclipse Nation, returning to her beloved Fish Playing House.
Since she hadn’t eaten anything after waking up, it was snack time!
Luckily, there was still some breakfast left by Eypar in the fridge. Otherwise, Night Star would have been left to scavenge at a street vendor.
The Ghost Girl’s cooking was leagues above street food, after all; it came from the culinary genius, Neko Shinna!
Sadly, there were two portions of breakfast, and Night Lan had already feasted at the Night Watcher Base.
Hence, Night Star would have to channel her anti-waste mentality and polish off both meals.
Not like she’d gain weight; it’d be like having breakfast and lunch at once!
Time had made its way past noon.
Luo Xi’s work hours had started.
Night Star couldn’t keep her waiting too long.
If this meet-up were to be compared to a date, the latecomer would definitely be on the receiving end of some dissatisfaction.
Even without a set time to meet, Night Star knew she couldn’t let Luo Xi hang around too long.
Especially because she was officially recognized as Night Star’s girlfriend!
If she inadvertently ruffled her feathers, what would future Night Star do?
No way she was setting herself up for that; better be careful!
Moments later.
Feeling way too lazy to walk, Night Star used her teleportation ability to zap right to the Star Network Organization headquarters, nearly exhausting herself with just that single jump.
Being low on energy made tapping into the powers of the First Generation Star Eclipses especially tiring.
“Ugh!”
But showing up here the quickest way possible was worth it.
Honestly, she made it here faster than through the Theater Door!
Eh, what’s a ten-second difference anyway?
Whatever!
“Phew~”
Taking a deep breath, she felt a bit like she was gearing up for a date, nerves and all!
By the way, was it rude to use the HR office of the Star Network Organization as a date spot?
If Yun Bo found out, he might just snap and lose it on the spot!
When that day comes, she’d just have to play it cute and charm her way out of it!
Clearing out all those chaotic thoughts, Night Star reached the HR office area.
Just as she expected, the door was wide open.
Peeking inside, she didn’t spot any other employees—just Luo Xi, sitting at her desk, glued to her phone.
It felt delightfully bizarre.
Yesterday it was the same, and today too.
Did all the HR staff decide to go on vacation and leave their poor boss, Luo Xi, working alone?
What a bummer!
Good thing this bored Little Loli was here to keep Luo Xi company.
Otherwise, she’d probably be as bored as a rock.
While Night Star was lost in her musings, Luo Xi chimed in, “Come in! No one’s around.”
“Okay!”
Taking lighthearted steps, Night Star strutted in, shedding her mask to reveal her true face to Luo Xi.
After all, Luo Xi had said she couldn’t wear a mask when coming to see her.
Night Star was always keen to heed her “girlfriend’s” advice!
Soon, the HR office door shut tightly behind them, creating a cozy little sanctuary for just the two of them.
Even if Yun Bo stormed into the HR office, he likely wouldn’t think to knock.
And he definitely wouldn’t show up anyway.
No one would intrude on their time.
“Good afternoon, Luo Xi~”
“Mm.”
“Are we hanging out here until four again today?”
“Probably.”
“Yikes, that must be boring as all get out sitting here all alone, huh?”
Night Star flopped onto the desk, her face squished adorably.
It was like a face-off with elastic madness!
Luo Xi turned, scrutinizing Night Star as if she were some rare creature on display.
Yeah, this was a one-of-a-kind specimen!
“Well, you’re here now, so that’s enough,” Luo Xi replied, unimpressed.
“Ahh, I’m glad to hear that, but it’s a bit embarrassing, hee hee~”
Night Star covered her blushing cheeks, clearly not adept at handling such direct compliments.
Especially when they were coming from a Little Loli!
“But sitting here forever sounds boring. What do you say we go out once you clock out? It’s only four when you finish, and plenty of time left before dark. I can make your sister dinner later!”
“Let’s just go now,” Luo Xi said flatly.
Night Star almost didn’t catch that.
“Eh? Aren’t we waiting until after work?”
“It’s the same whether it’s work or free time.”
“Hmm…”
Night Star contemplated for a moment, thinking she might have a point.
Yesterday, she spent four whole hours with Luo Xi, and no one had interrupted them.
The atmosphere was colder than Antarctica!
With the Star Network HQ being such a buzzing place, famous in the industry, the entire building was full of people.
But the HR office area felt like a ghost town.
Only Eypar’s ghostly figure floated around sporadically.
Now, that was weird!
So, getting off early didn’t seem to matter that much after all.
“Hmm… but won’t they get mad if they find out you skipped out?”
“They won’t notice.”
Clearly, Luo Xi was super confident that nobody would catch her sneaking off.
“Got it! Then let’s hit the road!”
