The Trailblazer hurried back to the Star Rail without stopping.
She let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the sofa in the observation car, trying to steady her ragged breathing.
She was usually easygoing.
But that did not mean the Trailblazer had no temper.
The first time, she had let her guard down and been drugged by Ruan Mei, so she had let it slide.
But how could there be a second time?
Absolutely unacceptable!
The Trailblazer did not care about anything else. If she could forget Ruan Mei, she would; if she could not, there was nothing to be done.
Everything would be left to fate.
In any case, she would never again eat pastries that Ruan Mei had drugged.
Thinking that, the Trailblazer rejoiced at having escaped disaster, and some color returned to her face.
Welt and Himeko, the regular occupants of the observation car, noticed the Trailblazer panting as she ran back and immediately came over in concern.
"What happened, Stelle? Wasn't today the day you were testing the Simulated Universe? Did something happen? Have some coffee to settle yourself."
"Are you too tired, Stelle? Don't push yourself. There's still time before the warp—rest on the train while you can."
Sob, sob.
The adults at home were worried about her.
Stelle looked at Himeko and Welt sitting on either side of her, nodded, then went limp and laid her head on Himeko's lap.
"I'm fine. It's just... I was hungry, so I rushed back to eat."
If anyone else had used that excuse, the lie would have been exposed in a second.
But when the Trailblazer used that excuse, no one doubted her.
Why?
Because she really was capable of doing something like that.
Himeko lowered her head to look at the Trailblazer lying on her lap, then gently reached out and stroked her hair.
"All right. One of today's dishes happens to be something you especially like. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, so bear with it a little longer."
"Mm-hm, okay!"
The Trailblazer nodded obediently on Himeko's lap like a well-behaved child.
Welt pressed his lips together and quietly smiled at the sight.
The atmosphere among the Express Crew was simply wonderful.
Anyone who saw this scene would feel their heart stir.
Just then, Pom-Pom waddled out of the kitchen on short legs, wearing a chef's hat. "Dinner's ready, Pom!"
The Trailblazer lay lazily on Himeko's lap.
It was not that she wanted to act spoiled—she genuinely could not get up.
After all, sprinting all the way from the space station back to the Star Rail had really taken it out of her.
Stelle had originally been glad she had not fought any monsters today and could conserve her energy.
Instead, she had ended up doing an eight-hundred-meter sprint, which was even more exhausting than fighting monsters.
Himeko pulled Stelle up with some force.
But inwardly, she thought, This child must be starving. She's so hungry that she doesn't even have the strength to get up and eat.
March 7th and Dan Heng followed Pom-Pom out one after the other like two servers, carrying dishes and setting them on the table.
Oh, those two had gone to help Pom-Pom in the kitchen again.
Hehe, the Trailblazer had faith in the cooking skills of the conductor and her two little companions.
Anyway, it was fortunate that Himeko had not cooked.
The Trailblazer secretly glanced at Himeko.
Himeko was talking to Welt and did not notice the Trailblazer's plainly readable expression.
March 7th and Dan Heng saw it, though, and both immediately understood what the Trailblazer was thinking.
The three youngsters sat together during dinner.
"Eat more, Stelle."
March 7th smiled as she placed some food in Stelle's bowl. "I specifically asked Pom-Pom to make this. I know you love it."
If you enjoy this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.
"Wow, Little March, you're the best!"
The Trailblazer held her bowl, her eyes shining with tears as she devoted herself to eating.
Dan Heng smiled faintly and casually pulled out two napkins, placing them beside the Trailblazer's plate.
Sunday sat beside the adults, a little far from the Trailblazer.
As soon as the Trailblazer finished speaking, Sunday's ear feathers somehow turned a faint shade of pink.
Welt asked with concern, "What is it? Are today's dishes too spicy?"
"Cough, cough..."
Unexpectedly addressed, Sunday choked. His ear feathers twitched uncontrollably, as though they could not conceal the awkward feelings in his heart.
"Mr. Welt, the Star Rail's food suits my tastes very well. Thank you for your concern."
"That's good." Welt smiled.
This kind of life was ordinary, yet rare.
That was precisely why it was so precious.
The Trailblazer was practically drowning in this current of happiness.
Though she knew full well that the meals of the next few days could be called their "last supper."
That did not stop the Trailblazer from enjoying these last happy days.
Her gaze settled on every member of the Express Crew.
Aha had mentioned before that, due to various reasons, during this warp, the Trailblazer and Dan Heng would be the vanguard, leading the way.
Thinking about how she and Dan Heng would soon have to rely on each other in unfamiliar lands,
the Trailblazer could not help glancing at the young man beside her and saying in a voice only the two of them could hear,
"Dan Heng, eat more."
Dan Heng: ???
Though he had no idea why the Trailblazer was telling him this, he obediently added another half bowl of rice.
Mm-hm, that was more like it!
The Trailblazer then turned her gaze to March 7th beside her.
Poor little thing.
Thinking of the future Aha had spoiled for her, March 7th would be frozen in ice on a bed for a long time.
Eat more, Little March. If you do not eat now, you will not get to eat for a while.
With that thought, the Trailblazer placed a chicken drumstick in Little March's bowl.
"Eat up!"
"Hm?" March 7th's cheeks were stuffed like a little hamster's as she stared blankly at the extra chicken drumstick in her bowl. "I-I can't eat anymore."
"No, you have to eat it. It's only one drumstick, it's not much."
"All right, all right. Since you put it there for me."
March 7th raised the big chicken drumstick from her bowl and happily began gnawing on it.
The two adults of the Express Crew exchanged a smile.
Perhaps that was what trailblazing meant.
On countless journeys to new worlds, they made new companions, changed the fate of local worlds, punished evil and promoted good, and carried out Akivili's will.
Seeing everyone getting along so happily, this atmosphere was truly wonderful.
There were still three days until they warped to Amphoreus.
During those three days, the Trailblazer planned to go nowhere.
She had wandered around outside long enough over the previous days. For the final three days, she would properly enjoy the warmth of the Express Crew.
A new day began.
The Trailblazer got up early, found Sunday in the party car, and dragged him into talking with "shut up" for the entire morning.
Then she rushed into March 7th's room, declaring that she would eat all the snacks Little March had hoarded.
"Hmph!" The pink-haired girl wiped her nose and boldly declared, "Beat me at a game first, then we'll talk!"
"Bring it on! When it comes to gaming, I, the Galactic Trailblazer, am invincible! If I say I'm second in the world, nobody would dare claim first!"
"How arrogant! With me, Zhao Camera, here, it's not your place to spout such nonsense. Take this—taste my sword!"
As Dan Heng passed March 7th's room, he heard the sounds of intense clattering combat from within and knew those two had gotten addicted to gaming again.
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