Chapter 19: The Everyday Rhythm of Living Together

Hearing this, Feng Jingxuan subconsciously assumed that her beast form was a difficult topic to discuss, so he did not continue to press the matter. Zang Zexin was of the same mind, and the two of them thoughtfully refrained from further questioning. In the Interstellar Era, the beast form of a wood-type esper was not particularly important.

"As long as you understand," Xiao Ningxue said with an awkward smile, meeting their sympathetic gazes. Forget it, let them think what they want; as long as they didn’t suspect her true identity, that was all that mattered.

That matter was now considered settled. Although Xiao Ningxue had sorted out some vegetables for them, she had also kept enough rations for herself to last a few days. After tidying up her dormitory, Xiao Ningxue lay on the soft bed and continued browsing the light-brain to learn more about this world.

Around three in the afternoon, there was a sudden knock on Xiao Ningxue’s door. It was Feng Jingxuan. Xiao Ningxue opened the door and looked at the somewhat fidgety roommate. She scanned him up and down. "Is something the matter?"

Feng Jingxuan said sheepishly, "Uh... Xiao Qingyu, do you... have any more of those bamboo shoots?"

Xiao Ningxue replied apologetically, "I’m sorry, I gave all the bamboo shoots I had to you guys. If you want more, you'll have to wait until school starts..."

Feng Jingxuan’s face fell. "Ah... I’m sorry to bother you..."

Although Feng Jingxuan didn't say exactly what had happened, Xiao Ningxue could guess the gist of it. Feng Jingxuan’s family had tasted the bamboo shoots and bombarded him with messages on his light-brain, hoping to buy a... "billion" more.

It was exactly as Xiao Ningxue had imagined. Feng Jingxuan’s light-brain was practically overwhelmed by his family. In truth, he could have just ignored them, but his most esteemed Mother had personally deigned to send him a message, telling him that no matter what, he must get her more bamboo shoots. In his memory, his mother had never sent him a message directly; usually, it was his fathers who relayed her words. This often led to his fathers slipping in their own agendas... Wait, looking at it this way, did his mothers know that his fathers were slipping in their own agendas?

Feng Jingxuan’s dejected expression piqued Xiao Ningxue’s curiosity, but she held back from asking. Because asking always came with a price.

"Give it two days. I really can't conjure any more right now; I already gave you everything I had."

Feng Jingxuan looked even more miserable. "Actually, it’s my mother who wants them. My beast form was inherited from her..."

Because it was something requested by a noble female, his family was able to bombard him so relentlessly. Of course, it didn't exclude the possibility that they wanted to eat them, too. Unfortunately, in the face of a noble female, Xiao Ningxue maintained the rationality of a "superman" and refused Feng Jingxuan.

"I’m sorry! I really don't have any more. As soon as I can grow more, I will be sure to let you know immediately."

Seeing that even bringing up his mother didn't work, Feng Jingxuan realized that Xiao Ningxue truly had none left. After all, in his mindset, any male would unconditionally spoil a female. If a male couldn't do something in front of a female, then it truly meant it couldn't be done. It never occurred to Feng Jingxuan that the "male" standing before him was an exception. Or rather, she didn't even meet the prerequisite of being a male in the first place.

Feng Jingxuan was not ready to give up. He pressed on, "Then do you have any other edible plants? It doesn't have to be bamboo shoots; I can pay double the market price!"

Xiao Ningxue frowned, knowing that if she refused again, she might end up being "hunted" by all the males in the galaxy. "I do have a little bit of something else here; I can spare some for you... but I cannot sell you any more until I have grown the next batch."

Feng Jingxuan was overjoyed. "Don't worry! I’ll tell my mother to ration them!" Being able to get at least a little bit meant he had completed his mission; otherwise, there would be no peace for him when he went home for the holidays.

Feng Jingxuan left, satisfied after paying. Xiao Ningxue shook her head helplessly. The family atmosphere Feng Jingxuan described made her miss her own home a little.

The room’s soundproofing was excellent, so Zang Zexin didn't come out to join the fray. In reality, Xiao Ningxue didn't know that Zang Zexin’s light-brain was also being blown up, but he had managed to brush them off without coming to disturb her.

At 6:12 PM, Xiao Ningxue’s stomach began to growl, and she finally decided to leave her room and head to the living room. As if they had been waiting for a long time, the two boys in the living room looked over the moment she appeared.

Xiao Ningxue: "..."

"My supply of vegetables... um, edible plants, is running low. We’ll have to be frugal with our meals for the next couple of days." Xiao Ningxue delivered these chilly words with a straight face.

Zang Zexin’s expression didn't change, but if one looked closely, his pupils had dilated. *Shock.jpg*

Feng Jingxuan looked away, feeling guilty. As the culprit, he naturally understood why the food supply was dwindling. Xiao Ningxue could actually grow more at any time, but the physiology of wood-type espers in this galaxy was different. Since she already had many secrets, she couldn't afford to attract too much attention.

"It’s alright. We can also get our hands on some edible plants. If you don't mind, we can continue to eat together," Feng Jingxuan offered, trying to make amends out of guilt.

Zang Zexin turned his head blankly, seemingly realizing something. He sighed. As a roommate, he knew a bit about Feng Jingxuan’s family, and he knew Feng Jingxuan’s guilt was likely due to his mother. "Yeah, I'm the same," Zang Zexin said, also feeling a bit guilty himself, as he had been benefiting from his roommate.

Vegetables were not precious items to Xiao Ningxue, so she didn't mind this arrangement. After all, as long as she contributed a few vegetables, she got to enjoy a full meal without having to cook or wash the dishes—a setup very friendly to someone with a terminal case of laziness.

"I certainly don't mind," Xiao Ningxue said generously. "I have enough edible plants here to last the three of us another two and a half days. After that... we'll have to leave it to fate."

She didn't know when the Botanical Academy would issue plots of land, nor did she know when the wood-type espers of this world would be able to grow what they called "edible plants." Laying the cards on the table now would hopefully put an end to their desire to keep buying from her. She couldn't possibly be an inexhaustible source. If she were, it wouldn't be narcissism to say that everyone in the galaxy would go crazy.

The two boys became excited. Feng Jingxuan cheered, "Xiao Qingyu! I hereby declare that from this moment on, you are my best brother!"

Zang Zexin nodded. "If anyone bullies you, let me know."

Xiao Ningxue smiled without a word. Who was bullying whom remained to be seen. However, she accepted her roommates' good intentions. The three of them continued to divide the labor and finished dinner.

Just as Xiao Ningxue was planning to return to her room to browse the light-brain, Feng Jingxuan called out to her. "Do you want to go try out a newly released game?"

Xiao Ningxue tilted her head. "What game?" She wasn't particularly interested in games, but she was truly bored.

"It’s called *Battlefield of the Gods*. It’s said to be inspired by relics from Ancient Blue Star. A lot of people like it, so it wouldn't hurt for us to give it a try."

Ancient Blue Star? Xiao Ningxue’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Okay."

As expected, this group of interstellar beastmen were the descendants of Blue Star!