Chapter 30: It’s a Story Like This
“White Fish has arrived!”
Night Lan hit the brakes and stopped beside Night Star, setting the precious cargo, White Fish, down with care.
“Ugh…”
White Fish, who had been blissfully snoozing, slowly opened her eyes to find she was no longer in the hospital.
Her gaze darted around, landing on a bunch of strangers standing around like statues. They looked more awkward than intimidating.
“What is this place?”
Then she spotted a familiar face: her dad! The man who occasionally dropped by to check on her.
“Dad?”
Bai Yuan looked just as stunned.
He couldn’t believe it. Just like Night Star had said, White Fish had really been brought here.
“Little Fish…”
“It really is Dad…”
The moment she caught sight of Bai Yuan, her heart did a little happy dance.
After all, it was her dad.
Even though he rarely stopped by, she loved his hugs. They felt like a warm blanket wrapped around her.
Then it hit her: Night Lan had brought her here to see her mom.
But where’s Mom?
Realizing this, White Fish finally noticed someone else in Bai Yuan’s arms—a stunning woman radiating warmth and familiarity.
White Fish recognized her instantly from the photos she had seen.
“Mom…”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She instinctively wanted to run over, but hesitated, stepping back as if this might be a dream destined to shatter.
She wanted to leap into her mom’s embrace, to whine like a spoiled child, to cry her heart out.
But she was scared.
Scared this was a mirage, that she’d blink and be back in that lonely hospital room.
And Ye Qingya was looking at her, the softest smile on her face, even if it looked a tad forced.
“Little Fish, Mom kept her promise to come see you. Are you happy?”
“Wah…”
Tears cascaded down White Fish’s cheeks as she tried desperately to wipe them away, but they just wouldn’t stop, as if they wanted to flood the whole scene.
“Little Fish, don’t cry, come here…” Ye Qingya reached out her hand.
White Fish cautiously approached, her hand trembling as it touched her mom’s. In that instant, she almost withdrew, fearing that this touch might shatter the illusion. But Ye Qingya held on tight.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t you want to see your mom?”
“It’s not that… I’m so happy, but I can’t stop crying. I’ve missed you so much, but I don’t know what to do! I used to fantasize about jumping into your arms, but… but…”
In that moment, White Fish’s tears and confusion were the least childlike thing about her.
Night Star and Night Lan were on the verge of tears themselves.
“Something must be in my eye…”
What a contagious kind of misery!
Meanwhile, the group of Night Watchers remained frozen, as if someone pressed the pause button on them. It was unclear if it was the Star Eclipses causing the stillness or if the boss hadn’t given the next command.
Then, White Fish noticed something wasn’t right with her mom.
Laying in Bai Yuan’s arms, Ye Qingya looked pale, strange dark energy swirling around her.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing… I’m sorry, Little Fish. It seems like Mom’s the reason your body became like this, but I’ve found a way to help you recover…”
Even at the last moment, there was still clarity in Ye Qingya’s eyes, brimming with hope and joy, as if ready to fulfill her lifelong wish.
The Night Watchers sensed the intensity of Ye Qingya’s Star Eclipse aura increasing, hinting at an expanding influence, which made them all tense.
Bai Yuan instinctively gripped Ye Qingya tighter, as if he anticipated something and closed his eyes to hide his sorrow.
With Bai Yuan’s support, Ye Qingya stood up, gathering strength.
The dark energy surrounding her thickened; anyone who came into contact with it would be cursed.
The Star’s Life Curse could swiftly drain any creature’s vitality. It was also White Fish’s burden.
Except, White Fish couldn’t control it, and the resonance with Ye Qingya’s star had turned against her, weakening her and placing her under the same curse.
Now Ye Qingya had transformed into a Star Eclipse, her unwavering obsession keeping her mind intact while altering the nature of the stars.
Her ultimate obsession? Her love for White Fish.
It was time to wrap things up.
Ye Qingya lovingly stroked White Fish’s head, smiling gently, “Receive Mom’s final blessing.”
“Eh?”
A strange dark mist began to seep out from White Fish’s body, as if being extracted.
She felt something odd happening inside her—something was changing, filling her with warmth.
“What’s going on…?”
Stars could be influenced by others.
Star Eclipses could too.
Ye Qingya was now a catalyst for the Star Eclipse, maintaining her sanity. She was using her life and power to change the essence of the stars, transforming the curse of life into a blessing.
White Fish’s frailty was gradually being mended, like sunlight pushing away darkness.
At that moment, the dark mist enveloping Ye Qingya shifted from black to gold.
Once the hidden dangers within White Fish were resolved, Ye Qingya smiled, her gaze becoming even more loving, mixed with a sense of deep reluctance.
She squatted down and hugged White Fish tightly, whispering, “I’m sorry I can only stay with you until now. Please listen to your dad and sister after I’m gone. Mom loves you…”
White Fish’s expression went blank as realization dawned on her.
When she saw her mom’s figure start fading into a shimmering illusion, she clutched her tightly.
“Don’t leave me!”
White Fish grasped the concept of d*ath long ago.
Panic surged within her as she clung to her mother, terrified to let go.
But Ye Qingya’s form faded further, her life force dimming.
Transforming the same-source star came at a price.
Not everyone could bear that price, but Ye Qingya had the bravery and reason to shoulder it.
And that reason was White Fish.
“Goodbye…”
As the golden aura vanished, so did Ye Qingya’s life.
It was an unchangeable conclusion.
Night Lan and Night Star watched in sorrowful silence, feeling utterly helpless.
In the end, it seemed like they could only change a tiny fraction.
“Wah————!”
White Fish let out a heart-wrenching wail, releasing her emotions as tears streamed down.
Bai Yuan rushed to embrace her, gently patting her back, all while mentally reassuring himself.
White Fish was here, and he absolutely couldn’t lose control. No matter how shaky and painful it got inside, he had to hold it together.
If he lost it, the only thing left would be White Tu.
The Night Watchers all bowed their heads in silent respect for a fallen comrade, paying their highest tribute.
In that moment, time and space seemed to freeze.
Night Star and Night Lan appeared in a dark void, facing a small white light floating before them.
Is this the story?
Night Lan paused for a moment.
“Yes.”
