Starry Sky Railway, starting with a single draw of the Underworld

Page 55

Qiong was immediately no longer disappointed. She raised her right hand, interlaced her thumb and forefinger, and held it up in front of the silver wolf. From her angle, the fingertips did indeed form a small heart shape.

"Go away, that's disgusting."

Silver Wolf said irritably, but she was still amused by Qiong. No one in the Star Core Hunters organization would make her happy like that.

“I have another question, Firefly. Have we met before? Mama Kafka said that I was actually adopted by her before I took in the Star Core.”

Qiong felt he should ask about the childhood betrothal. He didn't know how old Liuying was, and he didn't dare to ask directly, so he could only try to find out indirectly.

“I have never met you, but I have heard Kafka mention you. After all, my health is not good, and I spend most of my time in the life support pod.”

Liu Ying shook her head slightly. She and Qiong were in the same boat. One needed a life support pod, and the other was an autistic patient. They really couldn't see eye to eye. Who would have thought that they would end up like this?

"I see. But I'm curious, how did you join the Star Core Hunters?" Qiong asked curiously.

"Kafka was the one who picked me up."

Liu Ying smiled faintly and revealed the astonishing truth. Qiong had thought that Liu Ying had joined the Star Core Hunters because she had become indifferent to war. Before, she was a soldier and had no direct connection with the Star Core. He never expected that the reason would be so simple and direct.

"You really are a child bride... No wonder Mom said you're perfect for me."

Qiong's expression gradually turned into a silly grin. He had already imagined that when his mother, Kaffa, was raising him, she was already thinking about the future, so she wandered around and eventually found such a beautiful wife for him.

"Hehe, you're not wrong. Kaffa is my savior, so I will definitely listen to her."

Liu Ying did not deny that she had become Qiong's child bride. Anyway, they didn't know each other before, but now they wanted to stick together every day.

"But you also have to be someone who is right for me. Ah Qiong, you are really good. It's a pity I came too late. If only I could have been with you since you were born."

As she spoke, Ying hugged Qiong's body, resting her head on his chest, and said that the emotions he gave her were something that no other partner could give her. As a soldier, Ying had never thought that she would one day experience the taste of love.

"It's not too late now. Although I have many wives, you are the most special one. I will definitely cherish you and find a way to cure you."

Qiong put his arm around Liuying's slender waist and said that although he was sometimes frivolous, Liuying believed every word he said. Qiong proved with his actions that he was a man of his word.

The atmosphere was just right. Qiong waited for Liuying to lift her face slightly before lowering his head to kiss her. The girl's lips were soft and tender, undergoing subtle changes with the rubbing motion. When he kissed her, Qiong felt as if he had been elevated. This was Liuying's first kiss, and the first girlfriend he had met at Pinocchio.

Liu Ying's expression gradually relaxed, her clenched fists loosened, and her brightly colored eyes slowly closed. Qiong didn't do anything out of line; their lips simply touched, exchanging warmth. That was enough for them.

Silver Wolf scratched the bow on his head, took out his phone, took a picture, and sent it to Kafka.

Kafka quickly sent a chibi version of Silver Wolf's emoticon, showing Silver Wolf giving a confident thumbs-up while wearing sunglasses, making him look quite adorable.

"Don't you have your own set of emojis?"

Silver Wolf curled her lip and muttered a complaint. Seeing the young couple acting as if no one else was around, she wisely left. Watching the silly couple was nothing compared to playing games.

PS, seeking recommendations and monthly votes for my collection of six-finned pigs.

Chapter 142 Freebies Make People Happy

After Qiong and Liuying stopped kissing, they found that Yinlang was gone, but they didn't care. Yinlang was always elusive and would only appear when needed.

"Come on, my wife, Firefly, I'll show you around."

Qiong held Liuying's hand and said, the two smiled at each other and continued to stroll around the Huichangshi. They left their footprints in almost every public place. It was indeed a good place for a date.

Not long after, the two were drinking beverages at a bar when they overheard people next to them talking about something amazing.

"Have you heard? There's a pawn shop called Ciyu Pawnshop on the ship. The owner there can grant any wish, as long as there's the corresponding collateral."

A successful person said to an omnipotent person next to him, the two of them seemingly friends, exchanging information during their casual conversation.

"How could you believe in such a far-fetched thing?" the android asked curiously.

"Because I saw company executives here before, doesn't the name Ciyu remind you of anyone?"

"Hiss... Is that the famous Lady Ciyu? Let's go find her quickly."

The machine used its vocal organs to simulate the sound of gasping for air, and the conversation between the two people was heard by Qiong and Liuying.

"Firefly, why don't we go and see that Ms. Ciyu?"

Qiong said to Liuying that they had explored the ship enough, and they could find some new and interesting things to do, such as this Ciyu Pawnshop.

"Well, that's fine too."

Liu Ying nodded. She didn't need to ask who Ms. Ci Yu was. As a wanted criminal with a bounty of over 8 billion yuan on her head, she certainly knew her enemy.

Qiong didn't need to find Ciyu's pawn location. He simply sent a message to Topa, asking which room Ciyu was staying in. Topa quickly replied and warned Qiong to be careful and not to pawn anything casually.

Feeling Toppa's concern for her, Sora smiled happily. Although Little Yelena always denied it, she really cared about Sora. She was ruthless in business, but surprisingly innocent when it came to romantic relationships, and that was what Sora liked about her.

Following the location information provided by Toppa, Qiong quickly found the room where Emerald lived. The door was unlocked, and Qiong knocked on the door before opening it and going inside.

The room was small, and you could see from one end to the other at a glance. Emerald was standing at the window looking out at the night sky when she heard someone come in, and then she turned around to look at the guest.

"Welcome to Ciyu Pawnshop, Huichangshi Branch".

Emerald's smile was very kind, without any airs of a company executive. You should know that she entered the industry earlier than Topa and was Topa's senior. Logically speaking, her wealth should be unbelievable, and she shouldn't be able to squeeze anything she's interested in from ordinary people. Yet, she still became an ordinary boss lady. This is what Qiong can't understand.

"What should I call this lady?"

Emerald knew Qiong, so she didn't ask Qiong, but instead looked at Firefly and asked.

“Samuel,” Firefly replied.

"Samuel, a very nice name. So, Miss Samuel, what do you want? And what are you willing to give up for it?"

Jade nodded, and then, just like with any other guest, stated the same request she made every time a guest came.

"I want to live, and I'm willing to risk everything for that wish."

Liu Ying said earnestly that what she had always wanted to do was to cure entropy disorder and prevent her existence from disappearing at any time. Since it was any wish, she believed that this could also be achieved.

“Miss Samuel, please leave. I think you don’t understand the definition of pawning well enough.”

Emerald shook her head, turned her back to Firefly, and said this as a way of declining guests, indicating that she did not approve of guests like Firefly.

"What do you mean?"

Liu Ying frowned and asked. She had expected some bargaining, but she didn't expect the other party to refuse directly. Thinking about it from another angle, Jade probably knew her identity and couldn't solve the entropy disorder, so of course she could only close the door to guests.

"It means exactly what it says. I can feel your strong will to survive, it burns like a raging fire. But in contrast, you have nothing to offer as collateral."

Jade raised her hand and gently shook it as she spoke. Firefly still frowned, not quite understanding what Jade meant.

"As expected, the whole 'wish fulfillment' thing is just a gimmick."

Liu Ying said bluntly that she only had a good temper when facing Qiong. Let alone Emerald, she would even argue with Silver Wolf and Blade when she got anxious. How could a battle-hardened veteran like Grammer have a gentle and lovely temper? That was just her way of making some people think she had a good temper.

When Qiong heard Liu Ying say this, he knew he was in trouble. He had learned a little about Fei Cui's personality from Sha Jin. She found it hard to tolerate people pointing fingers at her little hobby, which was this pawnshop.

“That’s a very serious accusation. Didn’t the man next to you tell you what kind of person I am?”

Emerald turned around and looked at Firefly with a frown. The two women were at each other's throats, and it seemed like they were about to fight at any moment. Qiong quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“It’s normal for sellers and buyers to have different opinions. Just explain it to them. Since the firefly’s wish doesn’t work, let’s try mine.”

"Is there anything you need, Mr. Qiong?"

Emerald looked at Qiong with great interest and asked, "I have served many people, but I have never served the Star Core. The Star Core can fulfill other people's wishes. In that sense, she and Qiong are colleagues."

"I want you to marry me and be my wife. The pawned item represents my lifelong love and devotion."

Qiong said very seriously, practically writing the words "freebie" on the lace trim of her jade breasts. Even with her strong personality, she couldn't help but feel helpless.

"...This is truly the first time I've heard such a request."

Emerald's expression was a little strange. If Qiong had said this with the intention of teasing her, Emerald might have been angry. But he didn't seem to be joking. If Emerald agreed, he would really treat her like a wife. That was what made it interesting.

"You two are really of the same ilk, both of you lack a proper understanding of the definition of pawnbroking."

Emerald shook her head and said that she was an extremely dangerous woman who had a desire for everything in this world, but love was truly a blind spot for her. With her clever mind, she could see the essence of marriage at a glance, so of course she didn't need it.

"It doesn't matter if we say they're birds of a feather."

Qiong said with a smile, as if she had been praised by Emerald, and a charming smile appeared on her face.

Chapter 143 It turns out they came here to fish.

"In that case, let me tell you about two cases that occurred before you came here."

Jade decided not to argue with Qiong anymore. He was a lecherous man, and those two words were written all over his face. If she continued arguing, she might fall into his trap, so she changed the subject.

"The first gentleman was a Pipisi man, a wealthy man, who wished for a gift that could move his sweetheart and make her his lover."

"This wish seems to be similar to mine."

Qiong nodded in agreement, and Emerald did not deny his words. The difference was that Pipixi knew how to give gifts, while Qiong was just a freeloader.

“That’s right, and he pawned all his wealth. He did win the heart of his sweetheart, but he will soon be kicked out of Pinocchio because he can’t afford the rent.”

"So if he just takes that gift back and returns it to you, will all his wealth be returned?"

Qiong asked curiously, "Jade here isn't being exchanged, it's being pawned. If that Pipixi man could give up his love, he could probably get it back."

"..."

Emerald remained silent, only smiling. Qiong felt as if she had spoken out of turn. Poor Pipi Xiren, being manipulated at will.

"The second lady wanted to become a gambling king who could win every time she gambled. I fulfilled her wish, but I took away all her close relationships. In the future, her reputation will resound in all casinos, but the money she earns will never be used for those who truly care about her."

Jade continued.

"This concept is a bit abstract. What are you after?"

Qiong was starting to lose track of it. If the first case was about jade valuing the wealthy man's assets, the second case had nothing to do with money at all. What use are a gambler's interpersonal relationships? A normal person couldn't understand it.

"Isn't it interesting? When I fulfill the desires of some people, the message is spread. Seeing the desires of others being fulfilled, I will also have the same desires. I can then fish out what I want from this endless vortex."

Jade smiled and looked at Firefly. Qiong listened, seemingly understanding but not quite. Jade was fulfilling the wishes of those guests, as if she were fishing. No wonder she didn't care about the other people's pawned items and only asked for what she wanted based on her own mood. Her real purpose was to use these small fish to catch big fish.

"Now do you understand, Miss Samuel, or should I call you... the remnant of the Grammer Iron Riders, AR-26710?"

Emerald revealed Liu Ying's true identity, even knowing her previous code name. Qiong was stunned for a moment, then gripped Liu Ying's hand tightly.

"Her name is Liuying, she's my wife, not some code name that starts with AR."

Qiong corrected her, because he was afraid that if Liu Ying heard this code name, she would remember those bad things. Now she was no longer a humanoid weapon, but a living person.

“Since you wish, then I’ll call her that,” Jade said, spreading her hands.

"So you helped those people fulfill their wishes just to lure me in?"

Liu Ying also held Qiong's hand and said, without any surprise that her identity had been exposed. Even if Qiong was not there, she would not be afraid of a company executive. The bounty of nearly 10 billion on her body was not just for show.

"That's what happens when you're in Pinocchio, little girl."

Jade highlighted the words "little girl" because she knew about Firefly's appearance and identity, but the company's wanted poster featured Sam's image, which said a lot.

"The loss of heir...is truly an undeserved disaster, isn't it?"

Jade not only understood Firefly, but also her illness; only by knowing these things could she continue her explanation.

"In order to prevent the Republic's most powerful weapons from falling into the hands of others, the Grammer people set up such a safeguard in the genetic compilation of their warriors, and the cost... because these iron cavalry were never regarded as independent individuals, there was naturally no cost to pay."

Jade explained the difficulties that Firefly was suffering from. Her illness was indeed congenital, but it could also be said to be man-made. Since it was man-made, the difficulties might be solved if the creator could be found.

"But the Sky Front of yesteryear has been destroyed, and those who know this secret and can cure it no longer exist."

"Are you saying the company can do that?"

Firefly certainly knew what Emerald was talking about, but who could guarantee that no data from Grammer's research department had survived? If it did, it would most likely have been acquired by the company.

“It’s not hopeless,” Jade said ambiguously.

"So, based on the cases you mentioned before, you want me to put shackles on the Star Core Hunters' partners?"

After thinking for a while, Firefly asked a question. She realized that what Emerald had demanded from the first two cases was accompanied by pain. For Firefly now, the only thing that could cause her pain was the disappearance of her companion.

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. What I want is for all you Star Core Hunters to come and sit down at my Ciyu Dianbao when you have time."

Emerald shook her head, almost saying she wanted to see Elio, but since the company and the Star Core Hunters were mortal enemies, she couldn't be so obvious.

"If fate truly turns this page, we will naturally meet. But I personally will not invite them over."

Liu Ying frowned and said that she wasn't really a stupid girl. How could she bring her own people over for an empty promise of jade? Heaven knows how many thugs the company would have lying in wait. Liu Ying knew that she wasn't good at thinking and couldn't outsmart the company's people, so refusing was the best option.

Similarly, if Elio had foreseen that this would benefit the Star Core Hunters, they would naturally have come to talk to Emerald, only without Firefly as the middleman.

“It’s alright, waiting is what I’m best at,” Emerald said with a smile.

"Sister Jade, thank you so much for your information. Although you didn't treat Liuying, you still provided a lot of valuable clues. At least it lets me know that this is not an incurable disease. Having hope for a cure is better than anything else. I will try to find a way to treat her."

Qiong sincerely thanked Emerald for the information. The problem with Firefly was a genetic issue. What a coincidence! He knew a genius in the field of genetics who was unparalleled in the universe. He had already found the right medicine for the problem. All that was left was to win her over.

"And also, are you really not going to consider my wishes? I really am a good man, Yelena said he was great after using him."