Nine Star Burden

ht, Uh… seems like she and Hai Tianqing have spoken about this before and they both think the same.

Second Last glanced at Jiang Xiao coldly and said without sounding frustrated, “You only have six star slots left, and your Star Techniques are superb enough for you to grow prematurely.
Once you’re in the Galaxy Stage, you can choose from a range of Gold Quality Star Techniques.”

“You’re being a little too demanding and tyrannical,” Jiang Xiao said helplessly.

Second Last picked up the glass of wine and glanced at Jiang Xiao while taking a sip out of it.

“Spicy ribs, mutton skewers, and your favorite grilled cod,” Auntie Yu said as she walked towards them with a tray.
She then placed a teapot on Jiang Xiao’s table.

Although she did not get a response from Second Last, Auntie Yu remained silent and watched as she sipped on the wine.
She then glanced at Jiang Xiao who was picking at the peanuts.
She then left quietly.

White mist began to waft up from the boiling shabu-shabu pot.

Through the mist, Jiang Xiao looked at Second Last’s pair of narrow eyes and decided to muster up the courage to break the news to her.
“I don’t want to join the army, I want to go to school.”

Second Last stared at Jiang Xiao with a menacing gaze and remained silent.

Jiang Xiao pulled down the collar of his hoodie because he was feeling warm, but his heart was cold.

In this warm shop, the humane Second Last gave Jiang Xiao some courage.

Jiang Xiao tried to calm himself down and said, “I want to be with my sister.
When we were in the snowfield previously, I witnessed real danger and I found out what kind of battles she would participate in in the future since she’s an excellent Awakened.
I want to do my best to protect her.”

Second Last’s eyes turned gloomy and she picked up the wine glass that she had just put down, after which she slowly moved it to her lips.

The shop was empty since it was already closed.
Although the white lights were still on, Jiang Xiao’s table was the only one that was occupied.

There were no bustling noises and only the ticking of the wall clock.

There was no noise or commotion, only the boiling sounds from the shabu-shabu pot.

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Finally, Second Last broke the silence and said in a hoarse voice, “In that case… let’s eat.”

“Nah.” Jiang Xiao quickly stood up and said, “I still have class tomorrow and she’s waiting for me too.
She’ll be worried if I get home too late.”

Second Last nodded silently.
Then, she took out a rolled-up map from the pocket of her windbreaker that was hanging on the wall and handed it to Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao asked curiously, “What’s this?”

With stiff movements, Second Last said in a hoarse voice, “Take it.”

Jiang Xiao looked at the map before glancing at Second Last, only to realize that she was looking down and no longer looked as aggressive as before.

Jiang Xiao was not confused by her gaze, but he could tell that she was moving stiffly.
After giving it some thought, Jiang Xiao grabbed the map and said softly, “Go home early.”

Jiang Xiao turned around and walked out of the warm and brightly lit shop.
He then pushed open the glass door that had turned misty, only to be greeted with a gust of cold wind.
He lifted his collar, turned around, and looked back at the shop.

Second Last was seated alone behind the table in a lonely manner while the mist of the pot seemed to have concealed her face.

He could only see her picking up the glass again and taking another sip.

When she put the glass down again, it was already half empty.

Jiang Xiao shook his head and closed the door before walking in the dark and quiet alley.

He looked in the distance and noticed that plenty of houses were lit up with warm lights.

He remembered Hai Tianqing’s instructions.
Perhaps, she’s not as radical as Hai Tianqing made her out to be, he thought.

Or maybe, the special environment had increased Jiang Xiao’s survival rate.

Jiang Xiao walked out of the dark alley and saw the black car that was parked at the alley.

He placed a hand on his forehead helplessly, with his other hand in his pocket.
Indeed, the car key was still with him.

Regardless of what Second Last’s personality was like, Jiang Xiao didn’t think it would be right for him to go back and return the car key to her.

At a complete loss for what to do, Jiang Xiao sat on the steps and wondered, Should I place the key on the tire? Or go back to the shop and place it by the door? Or should I knock on the door? Under normal circumstances, the lady should come out, right?

Sitting on the stone steps, Jiang Xiao sunk deep into thought.
He was holding the map in his left hand and the car key in his right hand.
Feeling rather upset and frustrated, he opened the map and glanced at it under the dim light from the streetlamp.

This is…

Topographic map of the Arsenal?

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Hand-drawn?

The map included various symbols, annotations of restricted areas, the distribution of monsters, locations of supply points, guards, and Guardians Of The Night…

It was dense and extremely detailed.

The words annotated at the top were in sharp fonts that seemed menacing like knives.

They were like knives and sharp hooks.

Just like her, her handwriting was unkind, shrewd, bad at conversation, unfeeling, and stiff.

The supposedly heartwarming move that was full of care and love had become overbearing and even clumsy.

Jiang Xiao looked at the detailed hand-drawn map in his hand and Second Last’s cold and aloof look popped up in his mind.
Her appearance seemed to have become sullen and stubborn too.

After thinking about how melancholic she looked, Jiang Xiao stood up, unable to contain his emotions.

“Hey…” Jiang Xiao took a deep breath and turned around to leave.

Ring-ring-ring.

The doorbell began to ring.

The middle-aged woman said from inside, “We’re closed…”

Jiang Xiao entered and arrived in front of the table.

He saw the untouched crockery in front of her and the empty glass.

“You’re back.”

There was finally some emotion in her hoarse voice.

Through the layer of mist from the boiling soup, Jiang Xiao seemed to have noticed a look of surprise on her cold and austere face.

Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him.