Chapter 333: The Crying Little Pufferfish

Chapter 333: The Crying Little Pufferfish

The night parade of the Evil Spear Emperor's clan lasted just over an hour.

Despite its brevity, Rain Alley City suffered immense damage.

Not only were the city's buildings shattered, but the people's hearts were pierced, leaving them in a state of anguish.

Fortunately, the renowned youth of Rain Alley City once again stepped forward.

He summoned a radiant dawn, dyeing the sky with auspicious clouds.

Thankfully, this long night finally came to an end.

As the sun rose in the east, shining upon the suffering world, the people of Rain Alley City could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Lu Ran brought Xiao Yuansi home.

Wang Ling didn't know how to keep them, and Guan Yiren was at a loss for words.

Only Niu Zhengzheng repeatedly thanked Lu Ran for taking care of them throughout the night.

It wasn't until Lu Ran returned home and thought about what to make for Xiao Yuansi's breakfast that he remembered his promise to Aunt Liu to have breakfast together.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and sent a text message to Director Liu.

He expressed his apologies and also mentioned that he was physically and mentally exhausted after fighting all night.

Aunt Liu didn't blame him but instead reminded Lu Ran to rest well and call her if he needed anything.

"Snap."

Lu Ran casually placed his phone on the computer desk and turned to face the shrine.

"Lord Sheep."

With his hands clasped together, he stood before the shrine, murmuring to himself.

"The Evil Spear Emperor's clan is excellent—highly intelligent, powerful evil spells, and exceptional spear skills."

"They are the perfect leaders for my servant squad."

"Also, Lord Sheep, this Evil Spear Emperor..."

Lu Ran frowned slightly, thinking about the River Realm's Evil Spear Emperor. He was slightly moved by their demeanor:

"This clan seems different from other demons?"

Lu Ran had never seen such a dignified demon! Even the graceful Crimson Paper Figure, when she turned into a wraith and approached Lu Ran, couldn't suppress her extreme desire.

Not to mention the other hideous and twisted demons.

Only the Evil Spear Emperor! He smiled and nodded slightly.

So carefree and proud.

Even in death, his charisma remained!

"Is this clan truly demonic?"

"Why can't I see their thirst for blood and fresh meat in the eyes of the Evil Spear Emperor?"

"Hmm, or maybe his eyes are too dark? Hidden?"

Lu Ran continued to talk to himself.

The deity remained uncharacteristically silent, offering no response.

Lu Ran stood deep in thought before the shrine for a long time. Outside, Qiao Yuansi's voice reached him: "Brother?"

"Hmm?"

"I've finished washing up. You should take a shower now."

"Oh." Lu Ran looked at the jade sheep carving in the shrine, but it remained silent, showing no signs of responding.

Helpless, Lu Ran bowed to the shrine and then stepped out of the bedroom.

Outside, Qiao Yuansi held a white towel, drying her wet hair. Her little face was flushed, and she urged, "Hurry up and go. I'll blow-dry your hair after you're done."

Lu Ran immediately replied, "I'll blow-dry your hair now."

Qiao Yuansi pouted and took a step back, looking disgusted with Lu Ran as if he were dirty.

Lu Ran: "..."

You're disgusted with me now?

"Blow-dry it yourself." Lu Ran snorted and walked into the bathroom.

Qiao Yuansi stuck her tongue out at Lu Ran's retreating back.

When Lu Ran emerged from the bathroom, refreshed and wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, he found Xiao Yuansi sitting on the sofa.

She clutched a towel, her gaze scattered as she stared at the floor.

Her dazed expression made her look like an injured kitten or puppy, evoking a sense of pity.

The night that had just passed was indeed like a nightmare.

No matter how cheerful and outgoing Qiao Yuansi was, her mood couldn't be good.

Especially when the siblings returned home.

Everywhere they went, they saw devastation.

That pitiful sight would take anyone a long time to process.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, then went back to the bathroom to get the hairdryer.

He approached the sofa and called out softly, "Yuansi?"

"Hmm?" Qiao Yuansi snapped out of her daze, her eyes a bit dazed.

When she saw Lu Ran approaching with the hairdryer, she immediately raised her little face.

She looked adorably smug.

Didn't you say I should blow-dry my hair myself?

Hmph, men!

Men who say one thing and mean another! Lu Ran plugged in the hairdryer and sat next to Qiao Yuansi, changing the subject with a smile, "Your sister Ruyi never let me blow-dry her hair."

Qiao Yuansi pouted, "Then you're really not doing your job, are you?"

Lu Ran was speechless!

He ruffled the girl's hair, and amidst the whirring sound of the hairdryer, he said loudly, "Your hair quality isn't good either! Your sister Ruyi's hair feels so silky, like silk."

"Hey? You!"

Qiao Yuansi turned to look at Lu Ran, her big eyes filled with dissatisfaction.

Lu Ran laughed and continued to tease her, "And your sister Ruyi's hair doesn't have split ends."

"Ya!" Qiao Yuansi was exasperated.

Her face puffed up again,

Transforming into a cute little pufferfish.

"Haha!" Lu Ran couldn't hold back his laughter.

"My hair is perfectly fine, you bother! Get away!" Qiao Yuansi snatched the hairdryer.

"Alright, I'll go make breakfast for you."

Lu Ran stood up and left, feeling much better after the commotion.

In this extremely dangerous world, relationships between people were more harmonious than in the ordinary world.

Perhaps because people cherished each other more.

Especially when it came to siblings.

Lu Ran returned to the bedroom to get his phone, then headed straight for the kitchen.

He made hot milk, toasted bread, and fried eggs.

While cooking, Lu Ran sent messages to many people to let them know he was safe.

He also called the Jiang family, intending to comfort his uncle and aunt, but they ended up giving him a long lecture before the call ended.

In the morning, when visiting the top floor of the Wuli Tower, Lu Ran had specifically informed the command center.

If there's any situation at the Yishui Yifang community, be sure to inform him immediately."

Director Liu naturally understood what Lu Ran cared about and gently reassured him.

In fact, all along, the patrol and guard teams at the Yishui Yifang community have been quite numerous."

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi had made such contributions to Rain Alley City, so naturally, their family members needed extra protection.

"Hmm."

Lu Ran took a deep breath, scooped up the fried egg, and placed it on the plate.

He turned his head to look,

Only to see Little Puffer still pouting, sitting at the dining table waiting for dinner.

Lu Ran walked over to the table and placed the plate in front of her, "Eat."

"Brother~"

"What do you want?" Lu Ran's mind sounded an alarm.

Clearly upset, suddenly using such a coquettish tone, it definitely wasn't a good sign!

Qiao Yuansi used her chopsticks to separate the fried egg, and suddenly her eyes lit up:

"Wow! It's runny!"

She immediately leaned down and directly "slurped" at the flowing egg yolk.

"Mmm, mmm, hot,"

Qiao Yuansi suddenly lifted her head, her mouth open, her words unclear.

Lu Ran couldn't help but laugh, "What, do you think I didn't fry it enough, so you're cooking it again in your mouth?"

Qiao Yuansi: ???

Are you even human?

Lu Ran held back his laughter and sat down.

Qiao Yuansi directly summoned a Firefly Cage.

The Eight-faced Lantern hovered in mid-air, bursting with emerald green light.

Qiao Yuansi ate one after another, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Hmm, it's like eating fireflies.

The Firefly Cage could heal people's injuries.

Although Xiao Yuansi wasn't injured, nourishing her lips, teeth, and tongue was still very comfortable.

Support-type believers generally had a natural advantage: they could take good care of their bodies.

"Brother~" Qiao Yuansi called out again.

Lu Ran didn't even lift his head, casually picking up a piece of toast and stuffing it into her little mouth.

"In the future, I'll be doing missions in Rain Alley. Is that okay?"

"You're still in school."

"I mean, every full moon, I'll come to Rain Alley City to protect the city with you!" Qiao Yuansi looked at Lu Ran with anticipation.

Lu Ran seemed deep in thought.

On the night of the full moon, missions could be carried out anywhere.

Qiao Yuansi's teammates all came from influential families, so it shouldn't be difficult to negotiate with the school.

"Brother?" Qiao Yuansi held the toast with her small hand, looking at Lu Ran cautiously.

She knew that Rain Alley was considered a cursed place by many, and she was afraid Lu Ran wouldn't agree.

The night before,

She had felt her brother's thoughtful care and a sense of security.

Just once,

was enough to make her completely indulge.

It was like being by her mother's side.

It wasn't that there were no worries, but there was a sense of peace that came from deep within.

In this cold and cruel world, this feeling was something that most people couldn't experience in their entire lives.

Moreover,

Qiao Yuansi kneaded the toast, thinking a lot.

Now, she was already in university and no longer had to stay in the capital like she did in high school.

As long as she discussed it with Capital University, it shouldn't be a problem.

Her team was already very strong, at least stronger than the average Moon Gazing Team in Rain Alley City.

She wouldn't be too much of a burden on her brother.

Instead, she could help him with many things!

A win-win situation, so satisfying~

"Sure," Lu Ran nodded slightly.

"Yay!!" Qiao Yuansi was overjoyed.

However, Lu Ran's next sentence caused her little face to fall.

Lu Ran spoke softly, "I can be away for about two months.

After I spend your birthday with you, I might have to leave for a while."

"Leave? For a while?" Qiao Yuansi was confused.

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment, but decided to tell her now, as he would have to say it sooner or later:

"The Xianyang Sect is going to open a Divine Ruins in the middle to late January next year, and I..."

Qiao Yuansi's face gradually paled.

As a top student at Capital University, she naturally understood what the Divine Ruins meant.

This wasn't just a matter of being away for a while.

It was a question of whether they would ever meet again in this lifetime!

Qiao Yuansi silently lowered her head, her eyes red, her voice small and light:

"Mom doesn't want me, and she never comes home. You're leaving too, and I don't know if you'll ever come back."

Lu Ran was heartbroken, "Yuansi... Yuansi? Yuansi!"

"Waa~" Qiao Yuansi wiped her eyes with her arm and ran out.

"Bang!"

From a distance, the sound of the master bedroom door closing could be heard.

Lu Ran put down the toast and silently lowered his head.

Although the siblings didn't see each other often, they truly had a good relationship.

Not seeing each other,

And not knowing if they would ever meet again,

were two entirely different matters!

No matter how often her mother was absent, Qiao Yuansi knew where her mother was and that her mother was still alive.

As long as Qiao Yuansi was willing to be stubborn and act on her whims, she could ask for a chance to meet her mother.

But Lu Ran had to face the Divine Ruins,

where life and death were uncertain, and his return date was unknown.

Qiao Yuansi had just been coquettish, and now she received a response.

Lu Ran's message shattered Qiao Yuansi's beautiful fantasy.

In the future, countless full moon nights would pass without his company.

Thinking about it now,

Jiang Ruyi was undoubtedly gentle.

Strong and gentle.

She must have suppressed her surging emotions and managed to put on a smile, looking at Lu Ran.

She said she supported his decision.

She wanted him to put aside his worries and pursue what he desired.

"Buzz."

The phone on the kitchen counter buzzed.

Lu Ran sat silently in his chair, head down, ignoring it.

"Buzz."

"Buzz."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end