Chapter Six: Stealing My Woman—Beating You Up (Part Two)

This push ratio leaves me speechless. Since I started writing, this week’s recommendation ratio has been the most abnormal. Frustrated, everyone, throw your votes! I’m dizzy.

Anna led Kuangchi as they walked down the street, but throughout the journey, she ignored him entirely. No matter what he said or asked, Anna kept a stern face and refused to respond, leaving Kuangchi feeling bored and out of sorts.

They walked through the bustling crowds, nearly traversing the entire street. At last, Kuangchi could no longer stand the way others looked at them, or the awkward atmosphere between them. He hurried ahead, blocking Anna’s path and whispered, “Miss Anna, what exactly do you want? I don’t think I’ve offended you. Why won’t you speak to me?”

Anna gave a cute little snort, scrunching her nose in a way that created adorable creases, then replied angrily, “You and Grandpa both bully me. Why should I bring you out? And why didn’t you refuse?”

At this, Kuangchi laughed. He remembered that when Old Tuo suggested Anna take him out, she hadn’t objected. Now, somehow, it was all his fault.

He knew better than to argue; if he did, Anna, in a fit of anger and embarrassment, might turn on her heel and leave him stranded on the street.

Quickly, Kuangchi put on a cheerful smile. “How could I refuse the invitation of the beautiful Miss Anna? It’s my honor to accompany you out shopping.”

Hearing this, Anna’s heart soared with delight, her cheeks flushed, but she pretended to be angry, muttering, “Scoundrel, I won’t pay you any mind.”

With that, she darted around Kuangchi and continued walking.

Seeing Anna’s expression, Kuangchi understood perfectly, chuckled a few times, and hastened to follow.

Along the way, Kuangchi asked about anything he didn’t understand—sometimes pretending not to know just to keep the conversation going.

But happy times are always short, and the presence of those who spoil the mood is never lacking.

As Kuangchi and Anna laughed and chatted while wandering from shop to shop, they were finally cornered in a weapons store.

A man, built like a square, clad in standard black armor, and clearly a mutant, burst into the shop with several others. He glared at Kuangchi before turning to Anna. “Anna, it’s been days since I saw you. I heard you beat up Kaji. Did your father scold you?”

Anna responded with an impatient grunt. “What business is it of yours whether my father scolded me? Mind your own affairs.”

The square-shaped mutant paid no mind to Anna’s words and turned to Kuangchi. “You seem unfamiliar. I don’t recall ever seeing you. May I ask where you’re from? Do you have any matters to attend to in Nostalgia City? If you need any help, just say the word.”

Anna, hearing this, grew annoyed and interjected, “Dumenka, he’s my grandfather’s guest. He doesn’t need your help. We’re shopping, so don’t bother me.”

With that, she grabbed Kuangchi’s arm and headed for the door.

But Dumenka, seeing Anna and Kuangchi so close—hand in hand—shot Kuangchi a fierce look. Clearly, he was no fool.

He stepped sideways, blocking Kuangchi’s path. “May I ask where you’re from? Recently, we’ve received news that spies from Source City have infiltrated Nostalgia City. I’ve been investigating this matter. To avoid misunderstandings, please state your identity.”

Kuangchi was amused. Dumenka was not a simple character; he knew how to frame the conversation, giving Kuangchi the label of a spy right away. If Kuangchi failed to clarify his origins, Dumenka would have every excuse to act against him, and he’d be powerless to defend himself.

Before Kuangchi could reply, Anna shouted angrily, “Dumenka, what are you trying to do? He’s my grandfather’s guest. If you have doubts, ask my grandfather yourself. Don’t be an eyesore here.”

Dumenka replied, “Anna, I’m just doing my duty. Please don’t interfere with official business.”

Anna, furious, wanted to say more, but Kuangchi gently pulled her behind him. He sized up the mutant named Dumenka and smiled. “You’re a soldier of Nostalgia City, aren’t you?”

The other nodded coldly.

Kuangchi smiled again. “I entered Nostalgia City with Anna’s grandfather. Surely you’re aware of this?”

At these words, Dumenka’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Kuangchi remained unfazed, laughing heartily as he glanced at the crowd, which now packed the doorway. “If you suspect I’m a spy, does that mean you also suspect Anna’s grandfather of colluding with the enemy?”

Anna, incensed, rushed forward and growled, “Dumenka, how dare you suspect my grandfather of treason?”

Dumenka, flustered, hastened to explain, “Anna, I’d never suspect your grandfather. I just find him a bit suspicious—I’ve never seen him in Nostalgia City before. For outsiders, registration is required, right?”

Anna snorted dismissively. “His name is Kuangchi. He’s an exile.”

Kuangchi didn’t even have time to stop her, but upon reflection, he realized that a dozen people had seen him on the surface. News of his exile status must already be spreading on this Forgotten Star. Thinking this, he relaxed and smiled, addressing the astonished Dumenka, “I’m from the Carlo Empire. Have you heard of it?”

A chorus of exclamations erupted around them. Someone outside called out, “Mr. Kuang, my ancestors also came from the Carlo Empire. May I ask which planet you’re from?”

Kuangchi did not answer, only smiled.

Meanwhile, on the third life-bearing planet of the Forgotten Star system—the very one Kuangchi had originally intended as his destination—a palace-like complex atop a mountain housed a dozen worried individuals, deep in discussion.

At the head sat a man nearly three meters tall, his brows furrowed as he roared, “Didn’t I tell you to search with all your strength? Why, after so long, have you not found him? The elders of the Mad Martial Hall are extremely dissatisfied with us now.”

The room fell silent. Finally, someone spoke, “Fortress Lord, we’ve deployed all available hands. We’ve turned the entire Lost Star upside down, but there’s no sign of the young master.”

The giant at the head snorted in rage. “Are you telling me the Mad Martial Hall gave us false information? Their message months ago indicated the young master should have arrived on Lost Star. If we can’t find him and something happens to him, what then?”

Someone suddenly said, “Fortress Lord, perhaps the young master went to another planet and never came to Lost Star.”

Another chimed in, “I agree. The information we’ve gathered these past days shows no exile landed on Lost Star. Perhaps the young master chose another planet or something unusual happened and he landed elsewhere.”

The leader nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the assembled group. “That’s quite possible; otherwise, we wouldn’t be searching in vain. But what now? The Mad Martial Hall will soon demand answers. What do we tell the elders—admit we haven’t found the young master?”

A man sighed. “We can only tell the truth and hope our relatives on other planets discover him soon. If anything happens to the young master, it’ll be a disaster.”

The leader pondered for a moment, then asked, “How’s the spaceship coming along? It’s been nearly a hundred years—why isn’t it finished yet?”