Hearing Jingliu's words, Jing Yuan was stunned for a moment before immediately smiling apologetically: "Yes yes yes. Master, you are the most important right now. If you say you won't die, then you won't die, okay?"
It seemed he was convinced that Jingliu was just putting on a brave front.
This was understandable. Anyone seeing a thousand-year-old Xianzhou woman who could go mad at any moment would subconsciously assume she didn't have long to live.
Of course, Jing Yuan also secretly hoped for this, so for various reasons, he didn't suspect anything strange about Jingliu suddenly regaining her sanity.
On the other side, Ruan Mei looked at the family bucket scattered across the floor and sighed with a melancholic expression. She put her glasses back on and said slowly: "…Anyway, let Jingliu rest properly during this time."
"After all, you are the only old acquaintances she has left. Consider it fulfilling your final bit of sentiment and take good care of her."
Although she knew Jingliu's condition had already improved, she couldn't be bothered to explain it to Jing Yuan and let him think whatever he wanted.
Jing Yuan was stunned: "What do you mean by 'you'…?"
He looked back at Blade and Dan Heng embedded in the wall and thought to himself: Don't tell me I have to rely on these two guys? Don't joke around!
Sure enough, Ruan Mei looked at the two stuck in the wall and said, "Did you two hear that?"
Crack—
Blade moved slightly, then pried himself out of the dent and frowned: "What? Make us take care of Jingliu? Why? Am I her dad or her mom? Even though I already act as both dad and mom for the Stellaron Hunters, what does Jingliu have to do with it? Back when I escaped the Xianzhou, I happened to run into her on the ship. And what happened? The moment her Mara-Struck State acted up, she treated me like Jing Yuan! And now you want me to take care of her? Ptooey! How can you be so selfish?! (The following ten thousand words of complaints are omitted)"
Dan Heng also forcefully pried himself out of the wall and said indifferently: "Sorry, I am not him. I have no relation to Jingliu and no obligation in this regard. Let Jing Yuan handle it himself."
Jing Yuan timely added: "That's right, Miss Ruan Mei. Although we had some sentiment in the past, things have changed after several hundred years. Suddenly saying Jingliu is back and asking us to look after her is a bit difficult to handle, isn't it?"
"Although Jingliu is my master, I have already retired. I really don't have extra credits to support Master. If she follows me without credits, I'm afraid she'll inevitably have to live a life of frugality…"
Ruan Mei's voice was cold, with a trace of confusion in her eyes: "But isn't she your master? You know she doesn't have much time left, yet you're unwilling to spare even a little credit?"
Ruan Mei believed she had seen the diversity of creatures in the galaxy, but the relationship between these four people was something she found somewhat difficult to understand, even as a genius.
From their tones, expressions, and the stories of their past, it was clear they had known each other for many years.
Yet the things these four did were very hard to comprehend.
Jingliu kept calling him her good disciple while stabbing him in fights.
Jing Yuan kept calling her his good master while constantly scheming against her.
Blade and Dan Heng seemed like mortal enemies at first glance, but listening to their dialogue made it sound like love turning into hate.
It was a complete mess.
"Sorry, I have no intention of meddling in your relationships." Ruan Mei frowned slightly. "But this kind of thing shouldn't be joked about, right?"
Jing Yuan crossed his arms and said unhurriedly: "Don't rush, listen to my explanation."
"The master-disciple bond between Jingliu and me is beyond doubt. That's precisely why, when I sent her away from the Luofu back then, I prepaid five hundred years of my salary in advance, hoping she could spend her final days peacefully."
"That was five hundred years of salary! Although I eventually sold her to Penacony, to be fair, that is the galaxy-famous Land of Dreams!"
"And honestly, I really don't have money now. I'm currently living with others. If you don't believe me, download the Luofu Note app and search for the account 'Little Guizi'."
Hearing this, Jingliu's eyes flickered. She hesitated for a moment before asking: "'Living with others'… you got married?"
Jing Yuan sighed deeply: "I wish I could, but the problem is I'm so broke I don't even have money for betrothal gifts, let alone get married…"
"As for Blade and Dan Heng, they have even less responsibility or obligation. They've already changed their names and completely bid farewell to the past. They now have new identities and new companions. Although the past is precious… it can only be cherished in memory now."
"…Sigh."
The surroundings were quiet for a long time. Finally, Jingliu slowly let out a sigh: "Is making money on the Xianzhou really that difficult nowadays?"
"Haha!"
Jing Yuan laughed. "Perfect timing, Master. You must be curious about how Baiheng's reincarnation is doing now, right? Why don't I introduce you to a job so you can spend time with her?"
"Job…" Jingliu thought for a moment. "There's no need for you to arrange a job. Master has her own plans. For the next period of time, you can just continue being a servant… or nanny like before. I won't ask for anything more."
Jing Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but considering that Jingliu supposedly "didn't have much time left," he swallowed his words. "Fine, fine."
Seeing the two had reached an agreement, Ruan Mei nodded as well: "That works. Coincidentally, I'll be staying on the Xianzhou for a while too. Once my matters are settled, you can choose whether to stay on the Xianzhou or continue traveling the stars with me, Jingliu."
·····
On the other side.
Stelle had a dream—a very strange dream.
In the dream, she was an ordinary Stellaron essence. One day with nothing to do, she went to a mall to buy snacks. But with empty pockets, she could only drool while looking at the dazzling array of goods in the supermarket.
Then, she happened to meet a warm-hearted big sister named "March 7th." Seeing that she had no money for snacks, the big sister generously waved her hand: "Take whatever you like. It's my treat!"
The innocent Stelle was initially a bit incredulous. After repeatedly confirming it wasn't a scam or prank show, she finally mustered the courage and filled an entire shopping cart with snacks and drinks.
Sure enough, March 7th covered the entire bill, paying several hundred credits in one go.
Stelle was deeply moved and felt grateful to March 7th. She even felt guilty for freeloading so many snacks.
It was at this moment that March 7th invited Stelle to her house to play, saying "My house is quite big. If you get tired, you can just sleep over."
How could Stelle, who had just taken such a huge advantage, have the nerve to refuse? So she followed March 7th on the way home.
However, she never expected that the destination of this trip would be hell!