Ch 109: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Then he heard his introduction, saying he was a soldier.

That was true—Lu Mingyu should have just graduated from the Federal Military Academy not long ago.

Unfortunately, the original body had died young and weak, and everything about Mu Yue’s storyline came from that orb, so he didn’t know much.

So, Mu Yue and Lu Mingyu… did they really meet this early?

Mu Xing thought a lot about it, but one thing was certain: although his whole family wasn’t very capable, their hearts toward him were good.

Since they were good to him, he couldn’t let anyone casually bully his family.

Lu Mingyu saw the young boy in front of him sizing him up critically. He gave a short laugh: “This is Red Moon Star.”

Red Moon Star?

So they were already this far from the main star?

Looking again at the boy—Mu Xing’s change in attitude was so obvious—he tentatively asked: “May I ask, did I offend you somehow?”

Mu Xing gave him a glance: “Not really.”

Lu Mingyu was puzzled: “Then why…”

Mu Xing: “I don’t like your name. It just sounds unpleasant.”

Lu Mingyu: “…”

Could that even count as a reason?

Mu Xing only saw the stranger frown slightly, as though thinking about something. He actually looked rather decent, with no trace of being the selfish, ruthless scumbag from the story.

Mu Xing still had some rationality left. He knew nothing had happened yet, and he couldn’t condemn someone just based on a few words from a story. But giving Lu Mingyu a good face was out of the question. After exchanging a few casual words, he left.

Leaving Lu Mingyu alone in the room, deep in thought.

He was not actually Lu Mingyu, but Lu Mingyu’s cousin, Han Jing.

This time he had been carrying out a secret mission, only to be betrayed by an undercover agent. He barely escaped with his life and was saved by this family of unknown identity.

Reporting Lu Mingyu’s name was partly to stay cautious, partly to protect this family’s safety.

Since they hadn’t found his corpse, those people surely wouldn’t give up searching anytime soon.

He had not missed the way that young boy’s expression changed upon hearing the name. Translated on Hololo novels. Could it be, this family had some connection to his cousin?

But clearly, the boy hadn’t realized he wasn’t really Lu Mingyu.

Han Jing frowned, his severely injured body making his head throb with dizziness.

He closed his eyes and rested for a long time.

When he opened them again, he saw through the window that the boy was in the yard, holding a kettle to water a lush cluster of plants. He was muttering to himself as he watered, his earnest posture carrying a touch of innocence. A round, waddling robot butler followed closely behind.

Han Jing thought this place was very strange.

What kind of place was Red Moon Star?

The edge planet of the Ice-Blue System, abandoned by all, notorious everywhere.

It was poor, broken, with harsh climate.

And yet here stood such a refined villa, with a pampered little young master living inside.

That boy called Mu Xing had tender skin and innocent brows, clearly raised with care and affection.

And the villa—with its robot butler, its lawn, its furnishings—everything spoke of money.

With that kind of wealth, they could have survived even on the main star. Why hole up in this ruined Red Moon Star?

When the other three members of the Mu family returned, Han Jing finally understood.

He didn’t know Mu Xing, who had been weak and sickly since childhood and stayed indoors most of the time.

But he did know Mu Rongrong and Lan Xi.

The famously useless daughter of the Mu family, and her good-looking but talentless husband.

Han Jing had heard of Mu Rongrong’s situation before. Not long ago, he had even overheard gossip: the Mu family patriarch had fallen ill, and the family was gradually being taken over by the son, Mu Lin. Mu Rongrong’s days likely weren’t going well.

He hadn’t paid much attention, but now—so they had been sent here after all?

If it was Mu Rongrong’s family, exiled to Red Moon Star, then considering their way of doing things, it wasn’t surprising they had built such an ornate villa here.

When word came that the man had woken up, the three came to see him.

Knowing the Mu family’s identity, Han Jing lowered his guard quite a bit.

He continued to use Lu Mingyu’s name, saying he had been on a patrol mission and accidentally ran into an interstellar storm, which was why he ended up here.

Mu Rongrong had been somewhat wary at first—she knew of the Lu family. After asking Han Jing a few questions, and with his answers consistent, she relaxed most of her suspicion.

Looking at him, she seemed a little embarrassed: “The Mu family and the Lu family count as old acquaintances. By relation, you should call me Aunt. Strictly speaking, since my dear nephew ran into trouble, as your elder I ought to give you my full support.”

Han Jing looked up at her. He had heard this sort of talk many times before; it usually ended in empty words and polite excuses.

Still, the Mu family had saved him—that was a fact. Han Jing thought lazily: once he recovered and left, he’d find a way to repay this debt and cut ties.

But then the beautiful, well-kept woman in front of him spread her hands and said frankly: “Unfortunately, our whole family has been cast out. All we had was spent making this house look presentable, and we haven’t even earned next month’s living expenses yet. We really don’t have the means.”

Han Jing: “…”

Mu Rongrong added: “But don’t worry, we can still afford to feed you. Just focus on recovering here. You should have contacted your family by now, right? Better have them come pick you up soon. Red Moon Star is simply no place for people to live.”

Han Jing: “…”

Mu Rongrong’s words had so many flaws that he didn’t even know how to respond for a moment.

The rumors said Mu Rongrong was a brainless fool, and today, seeing her in person, it turned out…the rumors weren’t false.

But being simple also had its advantages. At least it was much more comfortable than dealing with hypocrites.

Han Jing gave a serious thanks: “Auntie, your family saved my life. I’m very grateful. My injuries look bad, but with a few days of rest, I’ll be much better.”

Mu Rongrong smiled warmly: “I really like polite, good-looking young people like you. This is my daughter and son, Mu Yue and Mu Xing. We usually go out to work during the day. If you get bored, you can talk to Xingxing. He’s the most well-behaved. You’ll definitely like him.”

Han Jing looked up, and Mu Xing gave him a smile.

Then he looked at Mu Yue. The pretty blonde girl smiled at him with curved brows and eyes, looking a bit more like her parents.

The most well-behaved?

Han Jing found it amusing. Among the whole family, that little one was the most like a fox—cunning and good at pretending.

*

The next day, Han Jing saw Mu Xing watering flowers again from the window.

He had the robot assistant place him in a wheelchair and push him outside. Seeing Mu Xing muttering to the lush roses, he asked curiously: “Are you talking to it?”

Mu Xing didn’t even turn his head: “Yeah, I talk to it every day, waiting for it to bloom.”

Bloom?

Han Jing thought, still just a child—so naive.

He said: “It won’t bloom.”

In all the star systems, plants that bloomed only did so under the best conditions, carefully tended by specialists. Only a handful of people could grow flowering plants.

How could it be as simple as pouring water casually?

Mu Xing couldn’t stand that kind of talk. He glared at him: “I believe it will bloom. If you don’t know how to speak properly, then shut up.”

Han Jing was silent for a moment.

Then he asked: “Why do you want it to bloom so much?”

Mu Xing didn’t answer right away. He kept muttering to the rose for a while, finishing his little “conversation” with it before setting down the watering can and wiping his hands.

“Because it’s valuable.” Mu Xing sat on the swing. “I checked. Real flowers sell for a lot, and a whole plant is worth even more.”

Mu Xing said this, then looked at Han Jing: “I always feel like you’re not an ordinary person.”

Han Jing’s heart tightened.

But before he could say anything, Mu Xing waved his hand: “Whatever you are has nothing to do with us. I’m not curious.”

His clear black-and-white eyes calmly watched Han Jing: “My parents and sister are simple, easy-to-read people. As for me, I’m just a weak, sickly child who only wants my family to live happily together.”

“You understand what I mean, right?”

Being looked at by such a half-grown child, Han Jing actually felt, for an instant, as if he’d been seen through.

What was he thinking? He chuckled at himself.

But he also found the kid interesting.

He was being warned.

What did this child take him for?

Han Jing suddenly reached out and roughly rubbed Mu Xing’s head.

It was so sudden that Mu Xing didn’t even react, just stared blankly at him.

The Mu family might not have much in the way of brains, but their looks were unquestionably outstanding.

Han Jing saw the soft curls of the delicate little boy’s hair mussed up, those round eyes glaring at him like a cub whose tail had been stepped on.

He said slowly: “What do you take me for? The Mu family saved my life. I’ll remember that. I won’t let anyone harm you.”

Mu Xing looked at him suspiciously, but he could tell the man meant it sincerely.

He said solemnly: “Good. Just remember what you said today.”

Then he thought of the Lu family, which seemed quite wealthy. After a pause, he said: “If you want to repay us, it’s actually simple. Nothing else is needed—just give my mom more money.”

Han Jing: “…”

He had never seen anyone so blunt. After a brief daze, he chuckled: “Alright, I’ll remember.”

A debt that could be repaid with money was the easiest kind.

Mu Xing nodded with satisfaction, thinking this man wasn’t bad at all. As long as he kept an eye out and didn’t let him have too much contact with his sister, everything would be fine.

His attitude toward Han Jing visibly improved.

When the other three members of the Mu family came back that evening, the atmosphere between the two was clearly much better.

Mu Rongrong was pleasantly surprised. She had worried that Xingxing would be lonely at home, but now with someone to talk to, it was quite nice.

But Mu Yue seemed a little down, her eyes faintly red.

When Mu Rongrong asked, she said it was from the wind and sand.

Mu Xing didn’t believe it. That night he asked Mu Yue, and she only said she had been tired from drawing. But the next day, she didn’t go out to work.

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