Chapter 89: The First Step to Getting Things Done 2

As the spacecraft entered the Blackfish Galaxy's warning range, a burst of electrical noise came through the communication channel, followed by a gruff male voice with an unyielding firmness:

"Stop for inspection and report your origin and purpose."

Lin Yao subconsciously looked at Lao Kui beside him, who made a calming gesture.

He spoke into the communicator in a steady voice:

"Just passing by, come and enjoy the excitement of the Star Pirates Festival."

"Star Pirates' Festival?" The other party sneered. Those who came to Black Fish Star to join in the fun at this critical moment were either fat sheep or those who wanted to cause trouble.

"Report the spacecraft registration number and the passenger identification information. Stop playing tricks."

The little lamb nervously clutched the corner of his clothes and asked Lin Yao in a low voice:

"Brother Lin, will they..."

Before Lin Yao could respond, Lao Kui had already retrieved the forged identity information and shipping records from the console and said without turning around:

"Blackfish Star is One-Eye's territory, and the rules are strict, but as long as you don't reveal your true identity, it's just a routine inspection."

He had a missing little finger on his left hand, which was said to have been cut off when he was fighting for territory in a pirate's nest in his early years. At this moment, he was resting his hand firmly on the control stick, showing the calmness of someone who had experienced many storms.

Lao Kui had already stopped the spaceship, and soon two small patrol ships floated over from the porthole. A wolf head logo with its eyeballs missing was sprayed on the hull, which was the mark of the One-Eyed Star Pirates.

A man in black uniform walked in through the docking passage with two of his men, the energy gun on his waist flashing coldly.

"Identity information." The man stretched out his hand and scanned the three people with his eyes like a scanner. When he saw Lao Kui's hand with the missing little finger,

His eyes paused, obviously recognizing the mark of someone who had been in the underworld.

Lao Kui handed over the terminal, which showed that Lin Yao was an interstellar businessman who ran small orders, he was his bodyguard, and Xiao Yangzai was his apprentice.

The man looked over it several times and asked his men to check the cargo hold of the spacecraft. There were only some worthless mineral samples in it, which was a cover specially prepared by Lao Kui.

"The goods are clean." The man threw the terminal back, his tone still unfriendly.

“Remember, on Blackfish Star, the rules are determined by the words of the One-Eyed Boss.

Don't wander around places you shouldn't go, don't touch people you shouldn't touch, or you'll end up dead without knowing how."

"Understood."

Lao Kui agreed with a smile and calmly stuffed a bulging bag over.

"Just a little something, buy some drinks, brothers."

The man weighed the bag, his expression softened, and he waved his hand and left with his men.

"This won't happen again. We're docked at Port D, go check in."

After the patrol ship sailed away, the little lamb heaved a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead:

"I was scared to death. Their eyes were so scary."

"To get involved in a place like this, you need a bit of murderous aura to control the situation."

Lao Kui restarted the spaceship,

"One-Eye has been keeping Blackfish Star under strict control these past few years. The order on the surface is better than before, but the water underneath is even deeper."

Lin Yao looked at the space station that was gradually becoming clearer outside the window, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the corner of his clothes.

The spaceship slowly sailed towards the port of Area D. People could be seen gathering in the distant space station, and the colorful lights of the Star Pirates Festival flickered on the buildings.

The spacecraft docked at the D-area port of Space Station No. 3. The airlock door opened with a hiss, and a wind mixed with various scents blew in the face.

The burnt aroma of roasted star beast meat, the slight intoxication of sweet berry wine, and the chill of metal and engine oil, interwoven amidst the noisy voices, create the unique flavor of the Blackfish Galaxy.

The holographic screen on the roadside was playing the slogan of the Star Pirates Festival in a loop, and the large words "Three days of celebration, no restrictions" flashed dazzlingly.

"Let's find a place to stay first." Lao Kui turned his head to Lin Yao and Xiao Yangzai and said, "There will be a lot of people at the Star Pirate Festival. If we're late, I'm afraid we won't even be able to grab a compartment."

The little lamb sniffed and looked at the sugar painting over there:

"What kind of place are we looking for? A hotel?"

"There's no need for that here." Lao Kui sneered.

Pointing to a building not far away with a sign that read "Temporary Warehouse,"

"As long as it's safe and sheltered, that's all. This B&B is an abandoned observatory on the edge of Area D. It has a great view and is cheap. The price didn't go up much during the Pirates' Festival."

The three of them followed the crowd deeper into the area, and the atmosphere of the Star Pirate Festival became increasingly intense along the way.

Peddlers walking through the streets and alleys carry baskets full of fluorescent stones, shouting "Special amulets for the Star Pirates Festival";

The flamboyantly dressed pirates hugged their companions and played rock-paper-scissors in front of a roadside wine stall. The table was decorated with the iconic skull-shaped wine glasses of the Pirate Festival.

There are also interstellar travelers with backpacks on their backs, arguing in front of the holographic map about which Pirate Festival venue would be more interesting.

The little lamb's eyes were not enough, and he pointed at the glowing mechanical insects on the roadside stall and exclaimed,

Then I was attracted by a colorful spaceship decorated with a skull flag flying through the sky.

Then it seems normal to step on empty air.

As we reached the edge of Area D, the noise gradually died down.

The B&B that Lao Kui mentioned was hidden behind a cluster of scattered pipe buildings. The sign was a rusty metal plate with "Stargazing House" written in red paint on it.

A crooked telescope was also painted next to it, and a small skull was added in the corner with white paint to match the atmosphere of the Star Pirates Festival.

The person who opened the door was a white-haired old lady with wrinkles on her face but clear eyes.

"Stay in a hotel?" She looked the three of them up and down, her eyes pausing on the tool bag on Lao Kui's waist and the outline of Lin Yao's backpack.

"There are only two lofts left, one with a picture window and one at the stairwell. During the Pirates' Festival, the one with a window is more expensive. Which one do you want?"

"I want both." Lin Yao didn't hesitate. "How much?"

"During the Star Pirate Festival, one credit point will be added."

The old lady held up three fingers. "Three credits a day for rooms with windows, two for the stairs, and if you stay five days, one night free."

Lao Kui was about to bargain when Lin Yao stopped him with a look: "Okay!"

Lin Yao paid the deposit and took the magnetic card key from the old lady.

"Excuse me, is there a supply station nearby? Also, are there any good places to eat nearby? We need a good meal during the Pirates' Day."

"Go three blocks ahead and turn right."

The old lady pointed in the direction and added,

"Don't wander around at night. The D-zone is a volatile place. During the Pirates' Festival, there are all kinds of people. There are always some unfamiliar faces hanging around lately."

When I carried my luggage up to the attic, the stairs creaked and groaned, as if they would fall apart at any time.

The room with a picture window did not disappoint. A huge floor-to-ceiling window faced the main star track of the Blackfish Galaxy.

The meteorite belt in the distance is like a string of scattered pearls, shimmering in the starlight.

The little lamb jumped three feet high and flew to the window and refused to move:

"Wow! It must be awesome to watch the stars here at night and see the Star Pirates Festival fireworks in the distance!"

Lin Yao leaned against the window, took out his terminal and sent a message to Ye Heng:

[I've arrived at my residence. I'll send you the location.]

After sending it, he looked up and out the window.

Lao Kui went to check whether the doors and windows of the two rooms were secure. He first carefully checked the door locks.

He then took out the detector he carried with him and scanned the corners and ceiling to confirm that there were no hidden cameras or monitoring devices.

He even checked under the bed and in the closet. After making sure every corner was safe, he clapped his hands and walked out.

"I've checked it out, nothing's wrong."

Lao Kui walked to Lin Yao and pointed downstairs.

"Just now I heard from the old lady that there is a good 'Anchor Tavern' nearby.

The Star Pirates Festival's specialties should be quite authentic. Let's go down and have something to eat. We're starving after a busy day."

When the little lamb heard there was food, he immediately jumped down from the window, grabbed Lin Yao's arm and dragged him downstairs:

"Brother Lin, hurry up and leave! I've been craving the Star Pirates Festival specialties for a long time!"

Lin Yao smiled as he was pulled downstairs. Lao Kui followed behind and closed the door.

The three of them walked along the path pointed by the old lady and soon saw the sign of the Anchor Tavern.

There is a string of colorful lights hanging above, and there is a robot in pirate costume at the door soliciting customers.

When I walked into the pub, it was bustling with people. Every table was full and the air was filled with the aroma of food and laughter.

Lao Kui found an empty seat in the corner. As soon as the three of them sat down, the waiter came over with the menu.

The menu is full of Star Pirate Festival specialties, including roasted star beasts, stuffed berries, fried star worms, etc.

"I want to roast all-star beasts!" The little lamb looked at the menu and shouted excitedly.

"Order some berry stuffing and a vegetable salad," Lin Yao added.

The waiter wrote down the menu and brought the dishes quickly.

The roasted all-star beast is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, exuding an enticing aroma;

The berry stuffing is sweet and sour with a hint of wine aroma; the vegetable salad is colorful and refreshing.

The three of them ate and talked, the little lamb had his mouth full of oil, while Lao Kui and Lin Yao talked about the various activities of the Star Pirates Festival.

Outside the window, the fireworks of the Star Pirates Festival continued to bloom, lighting up half the sky.

-

As we were enjoying our meal, the intermittent sounds of discussion from the next table drifted over, carrying a hint of mystery and excitement.

"Have you heard? This Star Pirate Festival is going to be quite exciting. I heard from inside sources that the leader of the Black Fish Star Pirates has received a challenge!"

A bearded man lowered his voice and slammed the wine glass in his hand heavily on the table.

"Is this true? The one-eyed boss has been sitting here for almost twenty years. Who dares to touch him?"

The tall and thin man next to him looked unconvinced and stopped picking up the food.

"You don't know this!"

The bearded man took a sip of wine, glanced around, and his tone was full of mystery.

"According to the old rules of Blackfish Star, the leader of the pirates was replaced every ten years, taking turns to be the boss.

This is the principle passed down by the older generation. The previous one worked for ten years.

Let the newly elected leader take charge, and everyone can run for election based on their own abilities, without interfering with each other's business."

The tall and thin man blinked as he heard this:

"There's such a rule? I've been here for five years, and I've never heard of it before."

"Can that old one-eyed guy let you know?" The bearded man sneered, tapping the table with his fingertips.

"Ten years ago, it was the year of rotation, and it was the Old Scar family who should have taken over.

At that time, Lao Ba had many people under his command and was smart, so he was definitely the new leader.

What happened? One-Eye refused to move from his position, and even three days before the change of position, he brought his men to raid Old Scar's lair.

"Chao, Chaowo?" The tall and thin man dropped his chopsticks on the table with a clang. "Lao Ba's family..."

"No one is alive." The bearded man tightened his grip on the wine glass, causing some of the wine to splash onto the tablecloth.

"At that time, I was working as a handyman for One-Eye's men. I saw with my own eyes that the flames in his house shot up to the sky, and his cries and screams could be heard from two blocks away.

One-Eye is so cruel that he even spared Old Scar's little son who had just learned to crawl."

The tall and thin man swallowed his saliva, his Adam's apple moving violently: "Then, the challenge letter..."

"That's the key point!"

The bearded man leaned forward, his eyes shining frighteningly.

“Everyone thought that the Lao Ba family had no descendants, but as luck would have it, Lao Ba’s second son returned home to give gifts and escaped the disaster.

The one-eyed man searched for ten years but couldn't find it, so the matter was eventually dropped.

Now, tell me who sent this letter of challenge?"

“Could it be…” The tall and thin man widened his eyes and his voice trembled.

"Who else could it be except Old Scar's surviving second son?" The bearded man spat on the ground.

"I heard that the boy has been doing pretty well out there these past few years, and has gathered a lot of desperate criminals under his command.

This time he came back, ostensibly to challenge, but actually to seek revenge!

On the day of the Star Pirates' Festival, the outcome will be decided in front of all the people from the Black Fish Star. Isn't this to make One-Eye admit his blood debt in the face of the old rules? "

Just as he finished speaking, a string of fireworks suddenly exploded outside the tavern.

The bright light made the window paper look white, and also made the wrinkles on the bearded man's face look deep and dark.

The tall and thin man didn't say anything for a long time, just staring at the empty plate on the table in a daze.

After a long pause, he stammered, "No wonder I keep seeing new faces lately... I'm afraid this Pirates' Festival is going to be bloody."

The little lamb hadn't even swallowed the meat in his mouth when he came up to Lin Yao curiously:

"Brother Lin, is what they said true?"

Lin Yao handed a tissue to the little lamb, but his eyes met Lao Kui's.

Lao Kui frowned calmly, pointed at the next table with his chopsticks, and shook his head, signaling them not to talk too much.

"Eat your own food. There are so many rumors like this." Lin Yao patted the lamb's back.

His eyes fell on the gorgeous fireworks outside the window, but his mind was thinking.

The water on Blackfish Star seemed deeper than they had imagined.

Could the news that the pirate leader received the challenge be related to Ye Heng’s plan?

The discussion at the next table was still going on, and words like "hatred" and "blood debt" could be vaguely heard.

Lao Kui suddenly put down his chopsticks and winked at Lin Yao:

"Almost done. Go back and rest early. We have to go watch the spaceship competition at the Pirate Festival tomorrow."

Lin Yao understood, nodded, and stood up to pay the bill.

When the three of them left the pub, the sounds from the next table were still buzzing behind them like a swarm of restless bees.

The night wind blew, bringing with it the unique noise of the Star Pirates Festival, but Lin Yao felt that a bigger storm was quietly brewing beneath the bustle.

-

The stargazing hut was exceptionally quiet at night. The fireworks from the Star Thieves Festival outside the window gradually faded, leaving only the sporadic noise from the distant wine stalls drifting in with the wind and crashing against the window glass.

Lin Yao was lying on the bed. The wooden bed in the attic was not very soft.

He turned over and groped for the terminal under the pillow with his fingertips. When the screen lit up, his eyelashes trembled slightly.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he typed a line in the dialog box: [Where are you? Is everything going well?]

After the message was sent, the "delivered" icon on the interface was lit, but the "read" icon was not shown for a long time.

Lin Yao stared at the line of words for a while, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the edge of the screen.

There are many jump points along the way, and Ye Heng has to avoid being searched, so he will most likely have to take a long and dangerous route.

It is common for the signal to be interfered with during this process, and it is not uncommon for the connection to be disconnected for several hours.

As he thought about it, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was explaining to himself, or as if he was easing the unspoken concern.

His fingertips paused on the screen, and he typed: [Be safe, good night.]

When the send key is pressed, the terminal screen is turned off.

Lin Yao stuffed the terminal back under his pillow, turned sideways and looked out the window. Moonlight poured in through the viewfinder, drawing a faint bright spot on the floor.

"Hurry up." He whispered to the sky outside the window.

The sound was as light as a sigh, and then he curled up and pulled the quilt up.

Perhaps he was tired during the day, or perhaps he knew Ye Heng would come eventually, so he didn't think about it anymore and soon fell asleep with his head against the pillow.

As my breathing became more even, the stars outside the window were still blinking, as if they were fulfilling a silent promise for someone.

It was dawn.

Lin Yao was awakened by a feeling of suffocation, as if a piece of wet cotton was pressing on his chest.

Every breath was difficult, as if the air in my lungs was being sucked out bit by bit.

He suddenly straightened up and stretched out his hand to push something away, but his wrist was firmly grasped. The force was not strong, but he could not break free.

The chaotic sleepiness disappeared in an instant. Was he suffering from sleep paralysis?

Lin Yao's eyelashes were trembling violently, and he was struggling to open his eyelids.

As soon as my sight focused, I met a pair of dark green eyes.

The color is very dark, like the aurora with ink added, but it also has some tiny lights.

It was hanging low before his eyes, very close,

I can clearly see my own reflection in my pupils, with cheeks flushed from lack of oxygen.

Lin Yao's eyes, which were originally tinged with sleepiness, suddenly lit up.

The visitor saw that he opened his eyes and stopped moving his mouth.

Seeing that he seemed to be too shocked to breathe, he leaned forward slightly and kissed the corner of Lin Yao's mouth:

"Take a breath."

This was like a switch, making Lin Yao move again.

"Ye Heng?" He spoke in a hoarse voice.

I subconsciously pulled my wrist back, and this time the other party relaxed his grip.

Ye Heng loosened his hand, and his fingertips brushed against his wrist, leaving a thin callus and a cool feeling.

He was half leaning over the bed, still covered in the smell of dust, obviously having just come in from outside.

"Yes, it's me." Ye Heng's voice was also low, and the two faces were very close, with the tips of their noses touching lightly.

His fingertips gently traced Lin Yao's cheek, "I miss you so much."

As soon as he finished speaking, his lips quickly sealed Lin Yao's lips.

A new day has begun.