A Warning in Advance: Don't Zap Me

In the original story, once Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline erupted, his strength would soar. In time, he would rise to extraordinary heights.

But at the same time, that man named Tang San would gradually step in, steering Tang Wulin toward the path he had planned for him.

At the thought, Chen Xing clenched his fists.

Now that he had crossed into this world and become Tang Wulin's older brother, he couldn't just stand by and watch it happen.

His strength was still limited, and there wasn't much he could do to help.

But at the very least,

he could show Tang Wulin that the path laid out for him wasn't his only choice.

He could become one of the Nameless, for instance...

Chen Xing looked down at Na'er in his arms again.

The evening breeze stirred her silver hair. Orange-red light glimmered in her clear violet eyes, and she looked so peaceful, so lovely.

According to the original story, the Silver Dragon King personality within Na'er would grow increasingly active.

That personality had no intention of remaining an ordinary human girl. She had her own mission and goals.

Once she fully awakened, Na'er's memories would awaken too.

The two of them would then split apart. Gu Yue would gradually become the dominant personality, and Na'er would eventually disappear.

Chen Xing pressed his lips together.

He didn't want Na'er to disappear.

After three years together, Na'er was no longer just a cold name from the original story to him.

She pouted and cried and laughed. She clung to him.

She was a real, living person.

"Grrrr..."

A rumbling stomach broke Chen Xing's train of thought.

He looked down toward the sound.

Tang Wulin covered his stomach, his face turning red.

"Uh, bro, I'm hungry."

Chen Xing couldn't help laughing.

"Your appetite hasn't shrunk a bit in three years."

Tang Wulin scratched his head sheepishly.

"I don't know why, either. I just get hungry really easily."

Chen Xing shook his head.

"Come on. Let's go home first."

By the time they got home, the aroma of dinner had filled the house.

Lang Yue and Tang Ziran were overjoyed to see Chen Xing back, and the family shared a lively meal.

It was late at night before Chen Xing finally returned to his room.

After closing the door, he took something out of a drawer.

It was a drawing he had made three years ago.

The Starfarer.

Click.

The doorknob turned softly.

Chen Xing went on alert almost by instinct. With a flick of his wrist, he hid the drawing in the cabinet, then slipped behind the curtains.

The door opened a crack, and a small figure tiptoed in.

It was Na'er.

She wore white pajamas, and her hair was a little tousled. She had clearly just taken a bath.

Seeing her, Chen Xing stepped out from behind the curtains and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Na'er, what are you doing here?"

She clearly hadn't expected him to appear so suddenly. Startled, she took half a step back, then patted her chest when she recognized him.

"Brother, you scared me to death! I thought you were asleep."

Chen Xing looked at her.

"What's wrong? Did you need something?"

Na'er lowered her head and tugged at the hem of her pajamas with both hands. For a long while, she said nothing.

Chen Xing waited a moment before asking again.

"Na'er?"

"Brother... are you going to bed?"

At last, she spoke, her voice tiny.

Chen Xing paused.

"Yeah. I was about to."

Na'er looked up. Her violet eyes shone in the dim room, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

"Then Na'er wants to sleep with you tonight."

Chen Xing froze.

Wait, what?

He looked down at the little girl with silver hair and violet eyes, his mind racing.

At their age, there was nothing wrong with Na'er sleeping beside him.

But inside Chen Xing lived a soul from Blue Star.

Were they really going to sleep together?

No, no, no.

Chen Xing shook his head furiously in his mind.

I'm an upstanding young man of Dragon Country...

How could I...

"Brother?"

Na'er took a step forward and looked up at him pitifully.

"Can't I?"

A few seconds later, the sight of her nearly shattered his resolve.

No. I have to hold firm, or the readers will zap me.

"Well, Na'er..."

"I can't sleep by myself..." she said softly.

"While you were gone these three months, I couldn't sleep well at night. I kept dreaming that you weren't coming back."

Chen Xing's heart clenched.

"I'm so happy you came back today." As she spoke, she edged another half step forward, nearly pressing against him.

"So just tonight, okay?"

Chen Xing opened his mouth to refuse, but when he looked into those violet eyes, he couldn't get a single word out.

Three seconds. He had lasted only three seconds.

His resolve crumbled.

"All right... but just tonight."

Na'er's eyes lit up.

"Yay!"

She cheered, lunged forward, and wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her little head against his chest.

Chen Xing tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling in utter defeat.

Go ahead, dear readers. Zap me. I'm tired. I'm really tired.

"Brother, your bed's so small."

Na'er let go of him, climbed into bed, lay down, and patted the space beside her.

Watching her move with more ease than he did, Chen Xing suddenly felt as though he'd walked into a trap.

"Have you been in my room before?"

"Of course," Na'er said, as if it were obvious.

"While you were gone, I... came here a lot."

"What for?"

"To sleep."

Chen Xing pressed a hand to his forehead.

So she slept in my bed every day while I was gone?

Na'er seemed to read his mind and added quietly,

"Mom said it was okay."

Resigned, Chen Xing walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Na'er immediately scooted aside to make room for him.

Chen Xing lay down and stared at the ceiling.

Na'er rolled onto her side to face him, resting one hand on his arm.

"Brother."

"Hmm?"

Chen Xing turned onto his side and looked at Na'er beside him.

Na'er parted her lips. Something seemed to flicker in her eyes, but she quickly hid it.

She pressed her lips together and swallowed whatever she had been about to say.

"...It's nothing. Good night, Brother."

Chen Xing watched her for a few moments, but didn't press her.

He knew what Na'er wanted to say.

But...

Na'er, I'll never let that happen.

Because I'm still waiting for you to see those countless stars with me...

He rose quietly and walked toward the easel.