ABFMV Chapter 29 Part 2

She couldn’t help but press a kiss to its tiny nose.

The kitten froze in place like a porcelain doll, letting her do as she pleased.

So close, she could hear the kitten’s barely restrained, trembling purr.

Her back was damp with cold sweat from the pain, but now she felt warmth pouring into her from the little creature.

It dulled the ache.

Her nose prickled again. The heat of its paw pads pressed earnestly, insistently, into her hand, sharing every bit of warmth with her.

And Xu Linlang finally cried, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t even know what she was crying for.

Her emotions crashed over her like a wave, impossible to contain.

She tapped the kitten’s forehead. “Silly thing.”

Holding it tight, she thought—that’s what raising a cat is for. She’d watch it grow up, and it would carry her through the darkest times.

It wasn’t one-sided. It was mutual.

The kitten stayed stiff in her arms, not daring to move, utterly lost at the sound of her sobbing.

In truth, Qi Ye had never in his life faced a girl crying. He had no idea how to comfort her.

And right now, he was only a cat.

He had heard every word of her talk with Rong Ru-yue.

He had never imagined that behind her sunny smile she bore so much of humanity’s darkness. No wonder, in the cave, she had demanded his promise to protect the Xu family.

So she had always known what her family was up against. She only acted frivolously and spoiled to lower the emperor’s suspicion.

She bore the world’s scorn, yet never turned bitter—remaining warm and bright as ever.

She had hidden away all that shadow, never once letting even her family glimpse it.

Qi Ye’s chest tightened. To think she had lived in such malice all along, yet still played the fool.

He swore that one day, he would drag that false emperor down from his throne with his own hands.

And crown the girl himself.

After she drifted into an exhausted sleep, the kitten stayed curled by her pillow until past midnight, before slipping reluctantly out the window.

Back in his own dorm room, Qi Ye didn’t sleep. He went straight onto the Starnet.

What he needed most right now was money. At the very least, he had to buy an A-class mech if he wanted to improve himself in school training.

He climbed into his personal holo-pod and entered the virtual net, scanning for money-making opportunities.

Soon, the registration board for virtual mech battles appeared before him.

The rules were much like beast fights—except mechs were the weapons.

The format dredged up painful memories of his beast days, but he didn’t hesitate. He hit the signup button.

He needed money now. However, he had to get it, he would.

Only by growing stronger could he protect the girl.

In his world now, lacking power was itself a crime.

——————————

The next morning, when Xu Linlang woke and saw no kitten, her heart sank a little.

So it really left?

She hadn’t even washed her face yet when Rong Ru-yue arrived slowly. “Sweetheart, someone wants to see you.”

“Who?”

“Admiral Peter,” Rong Ru-yue said smoothly.

Xu Linlang blinked. “Why would he want to see me?”

“He’s the one who didn’t want you joining the maintenance division. But cleverness backfired on him—and ended up helping us.” A flash of irony passed through Rong Ru-yue’s eyes.

“So should I see him?”

Rong Ru-yue smiled faintly. “Up to you.”

Xu Linlang thought for a moment. “Then let’s see him.”

Could be fun.

Admiral Peter had a strong enough constitution. He sat comfortably on the living room sofa downstairs, still curious enough to ask the servant what tea was being served.

He had even turned on the television, picking the newest film to watch—settling in as if ready to wait all day.

Rong Ru-yue descended the stairs, Xu Linlang following at her side.

Admiral Peter rose quickly. “Good day, Madam Marshal.”

Rong Ru-yue gave him a cool glance. “I’m doing quite well. But Admiral, those dark circles… looks like you didn’t sleep well last night.”

Peter coughed. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Passing through Lilan Star, I heard you were here, Madam, so I wanted to pay my respects—and to congratulate your daughter on becoming Elder Jiang’s disciple.”

Rong Ru-yue’s tone was indifferent. “Pay respects to me? That’s a rare thing. Why, you’ve skipped my birthday banquets for what—seven or eight years now? And suddenly you’re so concerned?”

Peter flushed with embarrassment. “Not seven or eight years… just three or four. Government business kept me occupied. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Rong Ru-yue played dumb. “Only three or four? It’s been so long since I saw you, Admiral, I’d forgotten your face. I truly thought it must have been seven or eight years.”