Ch 105: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Seeing her children waiting nearby, Mu Rongrong happily waved to them. Then she began directing the workers to move things inside, while others had already taken out tools to start repairing the house.

Mu Xing watched as his mother excitedly pulled out a high-end smart butler robot set, elegant crystal lamps, exquisite flooring, a brand-new piano for him, a complete set of painting supplies for Mu Yue, along with pretty dresses and handbags…

Efficiency in the interstellar era was truly remarkable. In just half a day, the once dilapidated and deserted villa had been transformed into something entirely different: the whole place was scrubbed clean inside and out, spotless. All the furniture was new and matching. With Mu Rongrong and Lan Xi’s good taste, the house looked warm and bright. The carved fence in the yard was replaced with new ones, draped with green vines. Expensive sod was laid across the ground, and a delicate pavilion and two swings were added.

After sending the workers off, Mu Rongrong happily lay on a recliner in the pavilion, looking utterly satisfied: “Now this finally looks like a place for people to live.”

The smart butler robot brought over four cups of black tea. Lan Xi took a sip, smiling lightly: “Personally arranging one’s own home is quite enjoyable.”

Mu Yue had already set up her painting supplies, eager to sketch the new house and their family.

She had always had great talent in painting, and when she was younger Mu Rongrong had even hired a famous teacher for her. Unfortunately, Mu Yue couldn’t endure hardship and disliked tedious study. Mu Rongrong, being a carefree and indulgent wastrel, gave in to her daughter’s complaints, thinking that with their family’s wealth, it wasn’t necessary to force her into becoming a renowned artist. Since Yueyue didn’t like it, so be it.

—Thus, the great teacher left in anger.

From then on, Mu Yue only painted by interest, three days fishing, two days drying nets. Still, she truly had talent, and her self-study produced works that weren’t bad at all.

Among the family of four, three wore obvious smiles of joy. The only one not so happy was Mu Xing, who stood out as an anomaly.

Lan Xi looked at his younger son with worry: “Xingxing, what’s wrong? Do you not like this house?”

Mu Xing shook his head: “The new house is very beautiful, it’s just…”

He looked at his parents questioningly: “It must have cost a lot of money, right?”

Lan Xi had no concept of such things and turned to his wife.

Mu Rongrong waved it off: “Money is just an external thing—it’s meant to be spent. Living well is what matters.”

Mu Xing had expected she would say that.

His mother had never lacked money since childhood. No matter how foolish she was, her father always spoiled her.

Even now, clearly exiled to this border star—equivalent to banishment—Mu Xing could still recognize the brands all over the house’s furnishings and decorations.

Mu Rongrong never knew how to save, nor would she ever treat herself poorly.

Mu Xing asked the killer question: “Mom, do we still have any money?”

Mu Rongrong froze. She instinctively checked her star-net account, blinked at the pitiful five digits inside, and said: “Just a bit over twenty thousand left.”

Mu Xing: “…”

He said slowly: “If I remember right, at the beginning of the month, Grandpa transferred more than ten million into your account for our living expenses.”

Lan Xi frowned: “We spent some before, and today’s purchases used up the rest.”

He looked at Mu Xing with disapproval: “Xingxing, your health isn’t good to begin with. Don’t trouble yourself with such vulgar matters.”

Mu Rongrong nodded in agreement: “Leave these things for Mom and Dad to worry about. Xingxing, why don’t you look at the scenery? Do you want to play on the swing, or maybe try the piano?”

Mu Yue also waved at him: “Xingxing, why bother with all that? Come, sit on the swing, I’ll draw a picture of you!”

Mu Xing: “…”

At last, he understood why Mu Yue and Mu Xing couldn’t withstand even the slightest setback. They were spoiled by these two unreliable parents.

He thought for a moment but said nothing. Bringing it up now would do no good. Once they suffered a little hardship later, they would understand.

That evening, the family ate a meal prepared by the butler robot and even spent some time in the yard admiring Red Moon Star’s crimson moon.

Lying in his room, Mu Xing discovered that this planet not only had a poor environment but was nearly devoid of spiritual energy.

He couldn’t cultivate, but he could practice some basic breathing techniques. It wouldn’t lead to cultivation, but it could strengthen the body and make up for its frailties.

The next three days passed easily and pleasantly for the Mu family.

Every day the dining table had different dishes, with fresh ingredients ordered by the robot and delivered instantly from the star-net.

One meal could cost several thousand credits.

Three days later, Mu Rongrong ran out of money.

The butler robot was the one to tell her, as the account balance was insufficient for its automated orders.

Having been a pampered parasite all her life, Mu Rongrong immediately slapped her forehead and thought to ask her father for money.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t contact the old patriarch at all.

And even if she could, at this point he was already deeply disappointed in her. Hearing she wanted money again, he would surely ignore her.

The only one she managed to reach was Mu Lin’s wife, Xiao Jinwei.

Hearing Mu Rongrong’s words, Xiao Jinwei smiled with false sweetness: “Sister, you made a mistake. Going to Red Moon Star is for reflection, not enjoyment. For all these years, Father has given your family a monthly allowance—if you had saved even a little, it would be enough for an ordinary family to live off for generations.”

Mu Rongrong frowned: “So Father is just going to ignore me now?”

Xiao Jinwei smiled: “Who can guess what Father is thinking?”

She pretended to glance at the time and said apologetically: “I have a meeting right now, so I can’t chat with you. After all, I’m busy every day, unlike you, Sister, who has so much free time.”

Mu Rongrong had heard such thinly veiled mockery many times before. Usually, she would snap back right away. Unfortunately, this time Xiao Jinwei didn’t give her the chance and directly hung up the call.

Furious, Mu Rongrong was about to smash her star-net wristband, but the butler robot stopped her.

The butler calmly reminded her: “Master, there is no money left in your account. If you break it, you won’t be able to afford a new one.”

Mu Rongrong: “…”

She stomped her feet in anger.

At dinner, the family ate nutrient solution.

Mu Rongrong wore a troubled expression: “Our family is out of money. We still have some nutrient solution left, enough for a few days.”

Mu Yue counted the days and felt relieved: “It’ll be the start of next month soon.”

Mu Rongrong grew even more worried: “Next month won’t help. I can’t reach Father. There’ll be no allowance.”

Mu Yue dropped her teacup, and Lan Xi almost choked on the water in his mouth.

Two pairs of blue eyes stared pitifully at Mu Rongrong.

Mu Rongrong spread her hands: “It’s true. I’ll try asking around to see if I can borrow some money.”

Mu Xing quietly ate his nutrient paste while watching his mother contact her old friends one by one.

The news on the main star was always fast. Every one of Mu Rongrong’s friends already knew that the Mu family’s current power lay with Mu Lin. Mu Rongrong had been expelled from the house by her own younger brother.

Who would lend her money?

Half an hour later, Mu Rongrong angrily cursed: “A bunch of heartless people! Not a single one can be relied on at a critical moment!”

She looked worried: “What should we do now?”

Lan Xi furrowed his fine brows and said: “I still have a few thousand credits in my account.”

Mu Yue lowered her head and rummaged: “I have nine hundred.”

Clearly, neither of them were used to saving.

Mu Xing glanced at his own account: sure enough, he didn’t have money either.

The whole family stared at each other.

At that moment, the butler robot stepped forward and handed Mu Yue a bill:

Water and electricity for the villa, plus maintenance for the lawn and plants—20,000 credits per month.

Smart butler team for cleaning and house maintenance—2,000 credits per month.

In other words, not even counting living expenses, just keeping the villa running would cost more than 20,000 credits every month.

Mu Rongrong’s eyes widened: “How can it be so expensive?”

Mu Xing gave his mother a look. Even as a newcomer here, he knew that on Red Moon Star—where half the planet was desert—water was especially costly, and plants were outrageously expensive.

Not to mention, those two large lawns in the yard—when his mother spent over a million to install them, she hadn’t even blinked.

Of course, back then Mu Rongrong had still been a spoiled second-generation heiress with money to burn. She probably hadn’t even glanced at the numbers.

He sighed, then said to his three worried family members: “We could sell the lawns and try to get some money back…”

“No way!” The first to object was Mu Rongrong.

She pulled a long face, glancing at the grayish-yellow desert outside, shaking her head rapidly: “The environment here is already so bad. If our home doesn’t even have a bit of greenery, how can we live?”

Lan Xi agreed: “Comfort in living is very important.”

Mu Yue imagined a barren ground and sighed: “Then I’d have no inspiration for painting.”

Mu Xing looked at the three of them expressionlessly.

The youngest son of the family, frail since childhood, was usually gentle and mild, rarely ever showing such an expression.

Mu Rongrong felt uneasy: “Xing… Xingxing, why are you looking at Mom like that?”

Mu Xing said: “I’m just thinking… if we can’t pay next month, none of the villa’s functions will work. Without the butler to cook and clean, sandstorms will blow in and cover the house in dust within three days. The lawns will wither as soon as they lack water…”

With each sentence, the Mu family’s faces turned paler, as though they could already see that miserable future.

Mu Xing asked slowly: “So, Mom, what should we do?”

Mu Rongrong looked embarrassed: “I’ll try asking a few more friends?”

Mu Xing sighed inwardly, then suddenly pressed a hand to his chest, his brows knitting.

At once, the other three stood up: “Xingxing!”

Mu Xing showed a weak smile: “I don’t even have money for medicine. In this harsh environment… I may not last much longer.”

Now Mu Rongrong truly panicked. Her mind was in chaos, and she blurted: “Mom, Mom can go out and earn money!”

Lan Xi immediately added: “Dad will earn money too. I can dance, I can be a dance teacher.”

Mu Yue, seeing her younger brother’s pale face, grew so anxious she was about to cry. But she couldn’t think of anything she could do. After much thought, she finally stomped her foot: “I’ll sell my clothes, handbags, and art supplies on the star-net. That’ll fetch some money. And then… then I can be someone’s assistant. My teacher always said I had real talent in painting…”

Mu Xing pressed his hand over his chest and let out a small sigh of relief: fortunately, this family wasn’t completely hopeless.

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