Nine Star Burden

Chapter 216: If This Is Not Love

The Awakened students still had it easier than the ordinary ones, in terms of academics.

On the 24th of the last month of the lunar year, it was seven days away from the Lunar New Year’s Eve. Winter break had officially started and would last nearly half a month.

On the other hand, the ordinary Year Three high school students would only get to go on their break on the 29th of the lunar month and would have to return to school on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

It was commonly known as “Seven happy days of Chinese New Year”.

Yeah, not a single day more or less.

Okay, let’s not talk about those unhappy things. It’s the 24th of December today, the first day of winter break.

What do Year Three students do on their first day of winter break?

Han Jiangxue did not expect her younger brother to be so hardworking as to train in the snowfield!

They had just experienced the Beijiang Provincial High School League and had painstakingly clinched the championship.

In the past, that honorary feat would make Jiang Xiao feel extremely conceited! Even if they were not given a break by the school, he would definitely give himself a year off.

Look at him now, it was only the first day of winter break and he already wanted to go train in the snowfield?

He even said that he would return home for New Year’s Eve…

Han Jiangxue was a little dumbfounded.

Due to the hectic period of time that they had lately during the competition, Han Jiangxue had been feeling tensed up, which caused her to be physically and mentally exhausted. After returning home, she experienced another two weeks of intense and nervous preparation for the exam. Now, she was considered having successfully completed the first semester of Year Three.

Han Jiangxue was just thinking about how she should relax, but what happened in the end?

Seeing how hardworking her brother was…

Han Jiangxue thought to herself, Han Jiangxue! You mustn’t relax or get too ahead of yourself! You must learn from Xiaopi, look at how sensible he is!

Hence, Han Jiangxue expressed her intention to enter the snowfield to train together with him.

Anyway, their parents were not around, so the siblings were left alone and depended on each other for life.

To Han Jiangxue, home was wherever Jiang Xiao was.

Even if they didn’t return to Earth on New Year’s Eve, so what?

The concept of “home” had never been a house nor a city, but the person or group of people one cared about.

Home would be wherever that person or those people were.

To Han Jiangxue’s surprise, Jiang Xiao actually headed to a bathhouse with her in a cab…

Uh, actually, they went to the barbecued meat restaurant in the alley beside the bathhouse.

Han Jiangxue got to know the enthusiastic and friendly Auntie Yu. She initially thought that it was a restaurant that Jiang Xiao frequented with his friends until she heard Jiang Xiao mentioning the name “Luan Hongying”.

Han Jiangxue finally realized that the humble-looking restaurant was inextricably linked to Second Last.

As expected, Jiang Xiao didn’t get any news about Second Last from Auntie Yu. In order not to make her worried, Jiang Xiao stopped probing after asking some indirect questions. Instead, he asked for some grilled fish and liquor for takeaway.

There were four grilled cod and half a catty (250g) of their home-brewed wine.

The strange meal made Han Jiangxue know that it definitely wasn’t their lunch and should be for someone else.

Looking at the fragrant grilled fish packed in the box, Jiang Xiao grabbed the food and wine, paid for them, and scurried out together with Han Jiangxue.

After they ran for more than ten meters, he looked back, only to see Auntie Yu opening the door of the shop and standing by the entrance with the money in hand. She was trying to get him to go back and take the money back.

Her peculiar gaze reminded Jiang Xiao of a similar-looking person. He felt as if he had seen her yesterday, making him feel uneasy.

But then again, I was there for a trial. Maybe Big Cat really doesn’t want me anymore. If she finds out that I cheated you out of your food, wouldn’t she rip me apart?

In the cab, Han Jiangxue pressed her elbow against the car window while supporting her face in her hand and looking out at the passing snowy scenery. “You’re not going to train in the snowfield, you’re going to bring her food.”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

Han Jiangxue suddenly felt a little heartache.

She was the famous and glorious Goddess Xue, the prodigy with 30 star slots and the MVP of the Beijiang Provincial High School League. Yet, she had to end up delivering food with her younger brother.

The few pieces of grilled cod and half a catty of brewed wine were in her Gold Quality Sky Smasher…

Most importantly, she insisted on going to the snowfield with Jiang Xiao despite having found out about his intentions, because she was afraid that he would meet with danger.

Han Jiangxue took a deep breath, only to hear Jiang Xiao hum softly. “If this is not love…”

Han Jiangxue was speechless.

…

In Jiannan Village outside Jiangbin City.

After some rectification, this once-invaded snowfield was reopened to the outside world within the shortest possible time.

After verifying their identities, Jiang Xiao and Han Jiangxue were once again eligible for free admission.

Both of them were quick to act, and five minutes later, the two of them entered the snowfield again, clad in camouflage uniform meant for wintertime.

Logically speaking, Jiang Xiao’s “Blessing” and “Decoy” were Star Techniques that were more difficult to upgrade.

White Ghoul Witch Star Beads cost 200,000 yuan each and were extremely difficult to purchase.

Besides, White Ghoul Witches were rare and few in number, thus resulting in Jiang Xiao’s “Blessing” and “Decoy” stagnating at Silver Quality Level 2 (6/10).

White Ghoul Witch Star Beads were of Brass Quality and it would be difficult to upgrade them to Gold Quality.

Perhaps, the only way to quickly upgrade his Star Techniques would be to enter the Holy Ground under Second Last’s lead.

“Where is she?” Han Jiangxue asked.

“I don’t know,” Jiang Xiao answered honestly.

Han Jiangxue humphed and said gently, “You’re really affectionate and devoted, eh?”

Jiang Xiao was speechless.

Little Jiangxue looks so adorable when she’s jealous~

No one discovered that there was such a side to her.

Han Jiangxue was also a human with fluctuating emotions. When there was no one else around, she wouldn’t pull a long and sullen face like she usually did.

She clearly knew that Second Last was Jiang Xiao’s master. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have accompanied him there after discovering his intentions.

To Han Jiangxue, being able to become an apprentice of a Guardian Of The Night would be an extremely fortunate thing. If Second Last was sentimental and righteous, their teacher-apprentice relationship would be strong enough.

If Second Last was a good backer for Jiang Xiao and would be able to protect him in the future, it would be a good choice for him to join the Guardians Of The Night.

While Han Jiangxue was thinking about it, Jiang Xiao said, “Let’s head in the direction of the Holy Ground. That’s where her squad is stationed.”

Han Jiangxue froze for a moment, then she said, “We will get arrested.”

Jiang Xiao nodded and said, “It’s not easy to find a place that offers free food and lodging during the festive period. Let’s just be content.”

Han Jiangxue was speechless.

They then walked towards the path of death amidst the heavy snow and under the bright sunlight.

At the same time, in Jiangbin City, a young man was pacing nervously in his small room. He had already made countless rounds and he looked a little flustered and anxious while sweat broke out on his forehead.

A few minutes later, the young man sat on the chair, pulled out his mobile phone, and looked at the text message on his screen while his palms grew sweaty.

Clearly, he was hesitating and stuck in a dilemma.

He had painstakingly gotten the news he wanted to know, but he didn’t wish to make that call.

It was because he knew what making that call would mean.

He didn’t care about Han Jiangxue and Jiang Xiao’s wellbeing. He wished that the two of them could be banished to the eighteenth level of hell!

However, he really didn’t want to face that girl.

It had been more than half a month, but he could still remember that feeling of suffocation and agony. He still remembered the deep sense of powerlessness he felt while struggling in vain.

He hoped that she could die immediately so that he wouldn’t get to see her again.

However, he had to make that call. Ever since they were children, he had never dared to defy his mother’s orders.

He was powerful, dominant, and menacing on the surface, and regardless of how indignant he felt deep down, he would never dare to deceive or hide anything from his mother.

Gao Junwei decided to make the call in the end.

Beep… Beep…

After the tone, a middle-aged woman asked, “Yes?”

Gao Junwei answered in a shaky voice, “They’ve gone to the snowfield in Jiannan Village.”

On the other end of the line, she ordered. “Now, wait for me downstairs.”