Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Zhou Xiang's uncle?

Baisha suddenly felt a twinge in her teeth and instinctively went on alert, gripping her wrench and saying, "Let's get one thing straight, I did not kidnap Zhou Xiang."

Strictly speaking, Zhou Xiang was her half-savior, and she, his.

Indeed, it was Zhou Xiang who fought the ghost bugs, wounded all over, in the underground cave, while Baisha only assisted. But if it weren't for Zhou Xiang insisting they delve deeper, she wouldn’t have encountered an S-class star bug and would have fled long ago!

She did bring Zhou Xiang back to Lanslo Star from Hanbo Star, partly to avoid revealing her whereabouts, but she didn’t abandon him; instead, she brought him back for treatment.

After all these exchanges, Baisha felt they were even, owing nothing to each other, and thus had no reason to feel guilty.

"I am aware," Ning Hongxue replied with a gentle smile, "My nephew is, after all, a double S-class mech soldier. The environment here couldn’t possibly contain him."

"Perhaps we should talk inside," Ning Hongxue suggested, glancing at the window on the second floor of the shop. "It’s not very convenient to chat here."

Baisha thought, 'Yeah, right. You're using your psychic shield, making me look like a lunatic talking to myself. How could this be convenient?'

With no other option, she left her half-repaired flyer and followed Ning Hongxue into the shop.

Once the door closed, Baisha saw a translucent, eggshell-like, pale blue barrier suddenly appear around Ning Hongxue. Then, accompanied by faint ripples, the pale blue shield gradually dissolved.

Noticing Baisha's gaze, Ning Hongxue slightly turned his head and asked, "Are you and Axiang friends?"

Baisha: "...Sort of, yes."

"I suppose that's true; otherwise, I can't think of any reason why Axiang would stay here. He trusts you a lot," Ning Hongxue remarked with a sigh, his Adam's apple moving slightly. The skin of his neck, hidden deep within his military collar, had a cold, pale tone, exuding an indescribable elegance.

Baisha took a deep breath, realizing that Zhou Xiang's beauty undoubtedly came from his maternal genes. In terms of 'long faces', their family really was unmatched.

She led Ning Hongxue to Zhou Xiang's door, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I won't go in. Let Zhou Xiang explain the specifics to you." She decided to go back under her dilapidated flyer to calm down.

Ning Hongxue nodded slightly, and Baisha turned to leave.

Once Baisha's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, the smile on Ning Hongxue's face faded.

He took off his coat, revealing the star insignia on his shoulder, shining coldly and flickering with a frosty light.

Pushing open the door, Zhou Xiang was sitting on the bed, reading a book. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw who entered, and he couldn't maintain his indifferent expression anymore: "Uncle?!"

"Long time no see, Axiang," Ning Hongxue responded calmly.

Zhou Xiang quickly recovered from his initial shock: "What are you doing on Lanslo Star? Aren't you supposed to be in the 16th Military District…"

Ning Hongxue replied, "The situation in the 16th Military District has been mostly stabilized. I submitted a report to the central command and have been officially transferred back to the Central Military District."

The border star regions are vast, divided into several military districts. The 13th Military District, where Lanslo Star is located, may be remote, but constant battles with star bugs and harvesting materials from them brought substantial subsidies. Additionally, with strict military discipline and effective command, the 13th Military District managed to nurture the flourishing "Desert Pearl" – Lodeng Star, and even established its own military academy, the Renis Military Academy.

However, the situation in the 16th Military District is entirely different.

The 16th Military District comprises many uninhabitable, abandoned planets. From a star map perspective, most of the stars in this district are dim and lightless, indicating uninhabited areas. For years, due to harsh conditions, there have been few living creatures on these abandoned planets. A lack of population means no economy, but that's not all – the 16th Military District also borders the neighboring empire, separated only by an asteroid belt. Its remoteness and lack of oversight made it a breeding ground for interstellar pirates, smugglers, and alien stowaways. The district was once chaotic and lawless, where any powerful force could establish a 'nation within a nation' in the 16th Military District. There have even been several small-scale rebellions, with criminals in the 16th Military District attempting to declare independence and create a 'paradise' of their own.

The 16th Military District once was a thorn in the side of the Central Military Department, irremovable yet impossible to ignore. Addressing its issues promised little gain for the effort required, making it an unappealing task that few wanted to undertake.

Eight years ago, Ning Hongxue was dispatched by the Central Military Department to the 16th Military District to assist the chief governor in restoring order, essentially exiling him from the center of power.

Eight years later, Ning Hongxue, once a relatively unknown major, reported to the central command that the 16th Military District had been pacified, with peace prevailing and military supplies ample. Only then did the higher-ups realize that he had effectively usurped the governor's power long ago and had been ruling the 16th Military District single-handedly. Now, he had been promoted beyond his rank to a brigadier general as the military district's representative.

The three solemn silver stars on Ning Hongxue's shoulder stood as the best testament to his achievements.

Zhou Xiang's eyes grew moist, "Uncle, you're finally back."

Ning Hongxue smiled, gently touching Zhou Xiang's cheek, "I've already seen Ayin at the Imperial Capital Star. You've all grown up. Ayin was so worried about you that she wanted to take a leave of absence from Saint Cyril Military Academy to look for you. I tracked you here from Hanbo Star to ensure your safety."

Zhou Xiang's face turned a shade paler.

"I've personally seen the remains of the ghost bug you killed. And your mech - anyone with a bit of investigative sense would know you're alive," Ning Hongxue said soothingly, "I can guess why you've stayed on Lanslo Star. Is it because of your psychic powers malfunctioning?"

Zhou Xiang: "..."

Zhou Xiang, a bit awkwardly, extended his nearly normal-looking hands for Ning Hongxue to see, "Actually, it's almost healed."

Ning Hongxue: "..."

Upon closer inspection, he indeed noticed the fading psychic contamination on Zhou Xiang. Given Zhou Xiang's psychic power level, he could gradually expel the residual toxins.

After a moment's thought, Ning Hongxue asked, "Then why didn't you send any message to Ayin?" Remembering Baisha fixing the flyer outside, a subtle emotion flickered in his eyes, "It couldn't be because of that new friend you just made, could it?"

"It's not because of Baisha," Zhou Xiang explained, "Although she saved me, she also strongly urged me to go home."

Zhou Xiang's eyes were filled with melancholy, his voice as light as snow falling to the ground.

"I just thought... disappearing like this wouldn't be so bad."

The uncle and nephew remained silent, facing each other without words for a long while.

After some time, Ning Hongxue sighed, massaging his forehead and closing his eyes, "Your hypersensitivity still needs to be suppressed. Without a team on Lanslo Star capable of providing such technological support, you will suffer."

"An implanted psychic suppressor will do," Zhou Xiang said softly. "Uncle, I've grown accustomed to it."

Another suffocating three seconds of silence followed.

Ning Hongxue opened his eyes, not trying to persuade Zhou Xiang further, but instead asked, "Have you thought about how to explain this to Zhou Ying?"

"Just tell Ayin that I'm in a safe place, recovering, and can't come home for now," Zhou Xiang said. "Don't tell him where I am. Without me as his brother, he can live a better life in the Zhou family."

Ning Hongxue had said that anyone determined could find out he was on Lanslo Star. But Ning Hongxue's arrival before the Zhou family showed their attitude.

They knew what ghost bugs were and the consequences of Zhou Xiang's prolonged "hypersensitivity." If Zhou Xiang had returned to the Zhou family himself, that would be one thing. But now, with his fate uncertain, the Zhou family wasn't eager to search for him in the border star regions, lest they alarm the military and draw unwanted attention.

After all, Zhou Xiang still had a twin brother.

Despite their similarities, Zhou Ying's future was brighter than Zhou Xiang's.

Zhou Ying didn't have the troublesome hypersensitivity; he had the qualities of a mech soldier and the talent to be a mech engineer.

Zhou Ying was the once-in-a-generation "family genius."

Ning Hongxue gazed intently at Zhou Xiang for a moment, making sure he was speaking his heart, before saying, "Then I won't force you."

"…Good child, I won't force you."

Ning Hongxue and Zhou Xiang talked about some things, but Baisha was completely unaware of their conversation.

After fixing the flyer's thruster, Baisha sat on the cot, lost in thought: Even though she and Zhou Xiang were even in terms of personal favors, shouldn't the costs of his half-month stay on Lanslo Star and the treatment she provided him be considered separately?

Zhou Xiang, born into a prestigious family, could easily afford what she needed. A little something from him would be more than enough for someone like her, who came from a modest background. And she wasn't planning on extorting him… Asking for a hundred thousand star coins to cover Jingyi and Yanning's first-year tuition at the military academy wouldn't be too much, right?

While calculating the star coins in her mind, Baisha wiped away the drool that hadn't yet escaped her mouth.

Minutes later, Ning Hongxue opened the door. Baisha noticed he had taken off his coat, folding it over his arm, wearing only his military uniform, looking even more energetic.

"We've finished our talk. Please come in," Ning Hongxue said.

Baisha put away her tools, entered the shop, closed the door, and found that Zhou Xiang had also come downstairs and was standing in the living room.

Were they planning to leave? What about the lodging and treatment fees…

Before Baisha could speak, Ning Hongxue said:

"Regarding my nephew, we have some matters that require Miss Baisha's assistance."

This was the first time since her transmigration that someone addressed her as Miss Baisha.

But the words of Ning Hongxue left Baisha unsure whether to feel touched or sad.

"Axiang has made only a few friends since childhood, and you share a bond forged through adversity. There are still some matters unresolved at home, so I’d like Axiang to stay a bit longer on Lanslo Star, as a period of convalescence," Ning Hongxue looked up and continued, "Of course, as friends, we won't always be the ones causing trouble. All expenses for Axiang’s food, lodging, and living here will be covered by me, his uncle, ensuring no losses for you or the shop owner. What do you think?"

Baisha: "…No problem."

With things said to this extent, did she really have any room to refuse?

"That's good to hear," Ning Hongxue smiled again, his striking beauty almost overwhelming, "I hope you and Axiang can take care of each other on Lanslo Star."

As he spoke, Ning Hongxue opened his light computer. Baisha instinctively opened her own light computer screen and saw Ning Hongxue transfer a sum of star coins to her without hesitation.

There were so many zeros after the star coins amount that Baisha was slightly taken aback when she counted them.

Three hundred thousand star coins!

"This is just a token," Ning Hongxue said warmly, "I'll come to check on him again in six months."

Baisha closed her light computer, her eyes shining as she looked at Zhou Xiang, seeing him as a veritable money tree.

"You can keep this money for yourself. My uncle has already provided me with living expenses," Zhou Xiang said, "But I might need a new light computer. I don't plan to go out soon, so I'd like you to buy one for me."

He then transferred another two hundred thousand star coins.

Baisha gasped in astonishment.

When Baisha bought her light computer, she had spent just over ten thousand, which was already top-of-the-line on Lanslo Star and hadn't become outdated even after five years of use. Zhou Xiang had just casually sent two hundred thousand, leaving her clueless about where to find a light computer worth that much.

When she mentioned this, Zhou Xiang sitting opposite her fell silent, seemingly unaware that Lanslo Star was so behind in this regard.

It was Ning Hongxue who provided Baisha with a website for a high-end light computer. He even thoughtfully added, "I heard you're studying in a military prep class? Then I can order two light computers loaded with military tech chips, which include many suitable textbooks and learning features."

Baisha's eyes lit up, and she hastily transferred the two hundred thousand star coins back, excitedly saying, "That would be great, thank you."

Ning Hongxue placed the order on the spot: "The light computers will be delivered to you soon."

Baisha was thinking how wonderful this was, not only solving the tuition fee problem but also getting a new light computer to share with Yanning and Jingyi — Yanning had always been longing for the command course in the simulation pod, and a light computer worth two hundred thousand from Ning Hongxue would surely outshine any holographic simulation pod!

In fact, buying a simulation pod for themselves didn't seem like an impossible dream anymore.

Is this what it feels like to suddenly become wealthy?

Making friends with Zhou Xiang turned out to be incredibly worthwhile! Baisha felt fortunate for having brought him back that day.

With this positive financial exchange as a foundation, Baisha was immersed in a pleasant mood. As Ning Hongxue rose to leave, she accompanied him to the door, feeling like she was escorting the God of Wealth himself.

Ning Hongxue activated his psychic shield again.

It was hard to believe that the psychic shield could evade not only human eyes but also cameras and other surveillance devices.

"Your ability to kill a ghost bug and instantly see through my psychic shield shows your psychic power is more than just remarkable," Ning Hongxue observed, speaking softly to Baisha. "Just report your psychic level, and all the resources you desire will be within easy reach." There was no need to be so excited over a few hundred thousand star coins.

"I've discussed this topic with Zhou Xiang," Baisha responded. "My view is that what's destined will eventually come. These honors and benefits can't escape me, but right now, I have important family members who need my company."

"The world is full of uncertainties. Time changes, and the family and friends you value may turn away from you," Ning Hongxue said pointedly. "Just like Axiang today, far from home and away from relatives, it's not what he truly desires but a choice made out of necessity."

Baisha glanced at him: "Nothing is more important than the people I cherish."

The curve of Ning Hongxue's lips appeared to carry a thin trace of mockery.

"I hope you continue to think that way."

Baisha felt that there was an underlying message in Ning Hongxue's words.

But even as his figure disappeared from view, she couldn't fully grasp his meaning.

That evening, Baisha returned to the orphanage with the substantial sum of three hundred thousand star coins, coincidentally on a day when Yanning and Jingyi also seemed to have been out. All three appeared to have had a good day, each wearing a faint smile of contentment.

Baisha announced, "I have a surprise for you."

Yanning and Jingyi exchanged glances, with Yanning speaking first: "So do we."

In the next moment, they all spoke simultaneously.

Baisha: "I've saved enough for our tuition!"

Yanning: "Jingyi and I found a way to make quick money!"

Baisha: "???"

Yanning: "???"

"No way, how did you manage that so quickly?" Jingyi said incredulously. "How much did you save?"

"Just got a deposit of three hundred thousand star coins today," Baisha couldn't hide her pride, showing them her account balance. Both stared at Baisha's light computer screen, dumbfounded.

Three hundred thousand star coins were enough to cover two full years of tuition at the Central Military Academy. By their junior year, as students of the academy, they should receive subsidies or find other ways to earn tuition.

Jingyi and Yanning looked at each other.

Baisha: "So, what quick money-making scheme did you two come up with? It's great, though, even if tuition is covered, we're still poor."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Yanning seemed a bit embarrassed about their idea: "Jingyi and I thought of making money by participating in underground boxing matches in the back streets, earning through fighting."

"..." Baisha fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Isn't that illegal?"

"The organizers of the underground boxing matches are backed by security officers. They make regular offerings to them every year, so it's quite safe," Yanning waved his hand dismissively. "They even provide insurance for the fighters! That's pretty official, right?"

Baisha seriously responded: "That shouldn't be called 'insurance.' It's more like 'compensation.'"

Participating in illegal boxing matches was risky, and fatalities weren't uncommon. As an underground activity, it was hard to hold anyone accountable for accidents, and those who died were just considered unlucky.

"It's too late for regrets. We already fought three matches today, all wins," Jingyi crossed her arms, "We didn't earn much, but once we move up in rank, the prize money will increase."

According to Jingyi, the underground boxing matches in the back streets had four levels: G1, G2, G3, G4. Newcomers started at G4, the lowest level, and had to work their way up. The prize for a G3 match was a thousand star coins. G2 matches started at five thousand star coins. And G1, needless to say, was for star fighters of the underground arena, earning significant amounts of star coins just by lying around — because the organizers not only sold tickets to the matches but also ran betting pools on the fighters' wins and losses. Becoming a G1 fighter meant being one of the pillars of the boxing ring, with the boss sharing profits.

"Different levels of matches have different ticket prices, ranging from two hundred to two thousand. Front row seats can even be scalped for higher prices, but that's a business between the organizers and scalpers," Jingyi counted on her fingers, "Plus, they run betting pools... imagine how much money that makes?"

"They didn't want to let Jingyi fight at first," Yanning recalled the earlier scene, barely suppressing a laugh, "They said she could register only if she could move the punching bag hanging in the ring. Jingyi punched it so hard that she sent both the bag and the boss supporting it flying."

Baisha: "..."

Jingyi frowned: "Those people are cunning. Today was my first day, and as a newcomer, my results shouldn't have been used for betting since I hadn't fought ten matches yet. But they did it anyway and made a fortune."

Because of the stark contrast between Jingyi's appearance and strength, the organizers didn't want to miss the opportunity to make easy money.

"But we're still students," Baisha massaged her forehead, "There's always a risk of facing an unpredictable and dangerous opponent."

How many in underground boxing follow a clean path? It's already principled enough not to resort to dirty tricks.

"Who recommended you get into underground boxing?" Baisha inquired.

Yanning: "It was Teacher Holman."

Baisha: "..."

"Teacher Holman said that at our age, he was already piloting mechs in competitions, unlike us, stuck on Lanslo Star, only able to box," Yanning said with a hint of grievance. "He also said that a real man should carve out his future with his own fists."

Baisha: He should try not fainting so quickly the next time he sees someone from the military department.

"Actually, it's because the fighting styles at school are not varied enough. Teacher Holman just wanted us to experience and learn from the real rough and tough world out there," Jingyi said casually, showing no dissatisfaction with Teacher Holman. "I think boxing is fun. It's way more interesting than beating up those weaklings in the prep class."

Baisha couldn't understand how boxing could be that enjoyable.

Have they been practicing combat since childhood, getting beaten up or fighting not enough?

"I have another match in a week," Jingyi said with a smile. "Come with us then, and you'll see."

Seven days later, another day off.

Baisha drove Yanning and Jingyi to the back streets in her flyer.

Jingyi, sitting behind the driver's seat, raised an eyebrow as Baisha skillfully looked for a place to park the flyer, "How many times have you been here alone to be this familiar?"

Baisha recalled, "Just about... one, two, three, four, five, six, seven times?"

Jingyi hummed, "No wonder you've been missing lately. You've been keeping company with that Zhou Xiang, right?"

What could Baisha do? She could only indicate that today she was entirely at Jingyi's disposal.

The boxing match was held at night. Perhaps the neon lights shining in the dark stimulated people's nerves more.

Two brawny men with buzz-cut hairstyles stood at the entrance of the underground boxing, checking tickets.

"Ah, Miss Jingyi is here," the doorman, who seemed to recognize Jingyi, opened the door for her, "Please come in, we've been waiting. You have a match today, we hope you win as splendidly as before."

Jingyi nodded, surprisingly at ease in communicating with these burly men.

Yanning followed behind Jingyi and was also allowed in.

When it was Baisha's turn, she was cheerfully stopped by one of the brawny men, "This lady... you haven't paid for the ticket yet."

Jingyi was a fighter scheduled to compete, and Yanning was her assistant. It turned out that only Baisha needed to pay for entry. A ticket for a G4-level boxing match cost two hundred star coins.

Baisha, somewhat speechless, transferred the money and was given a fluorescent sticker on the back of her hand before being allowed in.

The underground boxing venue was dimly lit, except for the bar selling drinks and snacks, which glowed with red light. The rest of the illumination came from fluorescent stickers on people's hands and various parts of their bodies, shining in the dark like deep-sea fish cruising around.

Baisha felt a tap on her shoulder—it was Jingyi.

Jingyi handed her a coconut juice and pointed in a certain direction, "Look over there."

The brightest lights in the venue were focused on the elevated stage.

Around the stage, four large screens and two small drones were capturing every moment of the action.

"Thud, thud!"

Fists collided and bodies clashed, producing sounds akin to clanging armor.

On the stage, two fighters in metallic armor and exoskeletons moved back and forth, their steps accompanied by the faint sounds of mechanical joints. Sparks flew as their fists met, moving so fast their movements were nearly a blur.

Baisha realized—this was the interstellar era, and even underground boxing wasn't just bare-knuckle fighting, but a clash of mechanical prowess!