MASG chapter 46

 

After shopping with Mi Dou, Xia Yu picked out a few small hair clips.

Unlike the siren sisters, Mo An has always liked things from the sea. Since he hasn’t seen many of the underwater treasures the sirens are used to, he chose pearls for Mo An this time.

Although they are just a few small pearls, they are very meaningful. One small hair clip cost 800 points. After paying, Xia Yu pulled Mi Dou aside to buy gifts for Silver Fang and Yan Xia. At sixteen, he had long since learned the ways of the world and knew he couldn’t just take things for free.

After choosing their gifts, they gathered in the lobby, their hands full of purchases. Just then, Mo An finished shopping and ran up to them, panting and with a flushed face for some reason.

Xia Yu asked worriedly, “Why are you so hot?”

Mi Dou stared intently at the pocket in his hand. “What did you buy for Lao Gui? Let me guess… A gun!”

“You’re right. It really is a gun.” Mo An opened the bag. “It’s a strange little gun. Not an air blaster. It’s equipped with an electronic knife and a high-heat device. It can easily cut steel.”

“Wow! This must be expensive.” Mi Dou was extremely envious. Owning such a weapon would be incredibly cool.

Mo An wiped the sweat from his brow; his hair was now disheveled. “Eight thousand points! It started at eight-five-hundred. I can bargain.”

“It’s so expensive! I’ll buy it for Mom when I have more money.” Mi Dou quickly grabbed the gun and put it away. Eight thousand points was a significant sum for adults and children alike. Xia Yu also felt the pinch of losing points, but the crabs in Talos were definitely worth more than the gun.

The three of them went upstairs to eat, but Mo An didn’t have an appetite. His mind was preoccupied with something in his inner pocket. Inside was a spherical aquamarine with a diameter of 16 centimeters. Buying it had practically wiped out all the points he had accumulated over the years. Though cold and round, it seemed to radiate heat. Mo An was thrilled just thinking about it and couldn’t wait to put it on Xia Yu.

The little jellyfish deserved something nice.

After dinner, they went to find Lao Gui. With Xia Yu supervising, Mo An apologized sincerely to Lao Gui and compensated him with a mutated gun. Lao Gui wasn’t happy, but it was too late. Even if he beat Mo An, it wouldn’t change anything. He could only grumpily accept the compensation.

Next, Xia Yu went to find Silver Fang: “Captain Silver Fang, are you there?”

“Come in.” Silver Fang was in his office, and his newly replaced mechanical shoulder was much shinier than his old one.

“I thought you were in your office.” Xia Yu led Mo An and Mi Dou in. Mi Dou was drawn to the various medicines on his desk while Mo An walked to the projection screen and examined the global map.

“It’s rare for you to rest. What are you doing here?” Silver Fang raised his arm, quickly adjusting to his new body. “There haven’t been any missions lately. I’ll let you know if there are.”

Xia Yu quickly pushed the small gift box toward him. “I saw some things that would suit you perfectly, so I dropped them off. It’s nothing much.”

Silver Fang calmly turned around. “You’ve grown much faster than I expected. You’ve fully integrated into human society.”

“Living here means learning everything about humans.” Xia Yu opened the box filled with pink berries. “These are very sweet.”

“I’ll never believe you when you say ‘very sweet’ again. Last time, I almost lost my teeth from how sour they were.” Silver Fang doubted that Xia Yu’s perception of sweetness differed greatly from his own.

Mo An, engrossed in the map, suddenly spoke up. “Hey, what’s going on over there?”

“First of all, I’m not called ‘Hey.’ My code name is Silver Fang. Second, you haven’t handed in your homework yet, you illiterate little—” Silver Fang walked straight to Mo An’s side and casually moved his finger. The map began to zoom in. Mi Dou and Xia Yu were drawn over, and a global map unfolded before them, forming circular blocks.

Qingyao City, where they were, belonged to the eastern block. Zooming in further on the eastern part, an area not far from Qingyao City was highlighted in bright red; the entire city was a frightening shade of red.

“Yukun City,” Silver Fang said gravely. “The entire city has undergone a large-scale mutation.”

“Are you setting off? To cleanse the city? What’s the mutation?” Mo An asked, puzzled. Following the previous pattern, such a severe disaster should have wiped out everyone. But this time, he was wrong. Silver Fang merely shook his head.

“The situation in Yukun City is very complicated. Nuwa hasn’t given the order to cleanse it, so we dare not act rashly. To this day, no one knows the source of this anomaly…” Silver Fang hesitated for a long time but finally couldn’t resist. He picked the darkest-looking berry from the small box and put it in his mouth. “But I think this is a… Oh my god! Are you trying to kill me with sourness?!”

Xia Yu shrank back in fright, amused and exasperated. “You can’t stand sour things. Can’t you even tolerate a little bit?”

“What kind of person eats such sour fruit? Why don’t you buy me a bag of sugar too?” Silver Fang forced down his food, his face contorted by the sourness. Seizing the opportunity, Mo An asked, “We have so many drones. Why can’t we figure out the source of the mutation? Can you show me?”

Silver Fang’s lips twitched from the sourness. “Forget it. That’s hell. I don’t want to show that to minors. There haven’t been any major missions in Qingyao City lately. I’ll let you know if there’s work.”

“You absolutely must let us know! Don’t give the finishing touches to anyone else.” This was Xia Yu’s ultimate goal. Too many people in middle management were looking for work, so he wanted them to handle all the finishing touches. Surviving required money and points, and Xia Yu didn’t want to be short on cash.

Fortunately, they had saved quite a bit over the years — enough to get by without working for a while. After leaving Silver Fang’s office, they went to find Yan Xia. Having risen successfully to middle management, she now wore a new uniform and was no longer the easily angered young woman she once was.

The office door was ajar, and the three of them peeked inside furtively.

Behind the large desk sat Yan Xia. She had grown her hair long and wore it in a neat, high bun. Her white shirt and black uniform jacket always reminded Xia Yu of the high-ranking officials at the research institute.

“Qingyao City hasn’t seen any cases of this disease yet, but we need to strengthen our defenses and conduct strict screenings. Especially those moving from the Yu Kun direction—stop them all outside. Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot,” Yan Xia declared firmly. Execute on the spot? That’s severe. It shows that a serious problem has indeed occurred in Yu Kun City.

“Those things are very good at hiding. I trust my judgment. No one in Yukun City can leave.” Yan Xia’s tone was more serious than ever. “If one city has fallen, then all I can do is protect another clean city. Qingyao City absolutely cannot be contaminated!”

It seems this phone call won’t end anytime soon. Xia Yu shook his head at Mo An and Mi Dou. “Let’s not disturb her. Let her work in peace.” Mi Dou placed the long, rectangular gift box by the door, and the three of them quietly left.

After 10 p.m., Xi Ban still hadn’t returned.

Xia Yu knocked on his door and returned disappointed. “His mission took so long this time.

“Don’t worry. Silver Fang said their mission is complete, and they’re on their way back.” Mo An’s heart pounded like an uncontrollable tide. The gift he had held back for so long would finally be given that evening. “Xla, come here for a second.”

Xia Yu, who was about to take a shower, came over with a towel. “What?”

“I…I…I…” Mo An stammered, unsure how to begin. It was the first time he had bought Xia Yu a gift, and he was worried that he had chosen the wrong thing. Besides, he had no experience giving expensive gifts. Should he just put it on his finger or say something first?

Seeing him like this, Xia Yu was even more confused. He stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

“I… I bought you a gift. It’s… a very precious gift.” Never mind, he’d just say it. Mo An pulled the aquamarine from his inner pocket and slowly opened his palm.

A round crystal sat in his palm, its brilliance making Xia Yu’s eyes light up. The crystal inside resembled ice shards, as if one could see the ocean and stardust within directly. It rested quietly in Mo An’s hand, held by a transparent fiber thread.

“This is for me?” Xia Yu’s breathing quickened. “For me?”

“Yes, it’s for you. You’re about to turn 18, you should wear nice things. I think this is aquamarine. It suits you very well.” Mo An hadn’t expected Xia Yu to like it so much and quickly picked up the transparent thread, preparing to put it on his finger. Xia Yu watched the aquamarine stone draw ever closer. Suddenly, he snapped out of his daze and took a step back.

“Wait a minute. How much does this cost?” he asked.

Mo An’s hand froze mid-air. “N-nothing much.”

“Nothing much?” Xia Yu sensed that something was off.

“Nothing much means nothing.” Mo An was clearly dodging the question.

“Even if you don’t tell me, I can find out. I can have Ling Shi check your shopping records.” Xia Yu raised his head slightly and looked at his taller brother. Although he had grown taller, his childish face couldn’t hide his secrets, nor could he conceal the evasiveness in his eyes.

“Is it very expensive?” Xia Yu had a premonition.

Mo An pondered for a moment, then said, “Three thousand points.”

“I don’t believe it. I don’t have anything particularly valuable, but I know its worth. It couldn’t have been bought for just a few thousand points.” Xia Yu turned around, clearly preparing to call Ling Shi. Mo An grabbed his wrist and pulled him close with excessive force.

“It wasn’t that expensive. Don’t be angry. I’ll tell you,” he said. He was afraid that Xia Yu wouldn’t listen to him. “I bargained.”

Xia Yu had already started taking deep breaths, preparing to hear an unacceptable number. “Don’t tell me you spent 10,000 points.”

“That’s it. I’m doomed. I’m doomed this time.” Mo An lowered his head, adopting an apologetic posture. Two strands of silver hair fell from his temples and cast shadows over his deep-set eyes. His long eyelashes fluttered. “The shopkeeper wanted 80,000 points, but I bargained it down to… Seventy-five thousand points, and they threw in a free transparent fiber cord. It’s not expensive, is it?”

After speaking, he took a small step forward and gently hooked his wrist around Xia Yu’s. “Really not expensive, is it?”

Xia Yu remained silent, and only his breathing could be heard.

75,000, 75,000, 75,000!

His mind was temporarily blank. Only this number kept rising, jumping from his ear canal to his brow bone and thumping against his eyeballs. He couldn’t believe it was real. It must be a joke. He must have misheard.

The beautiful gemstone had lost its sparkle in his eyes. It had become a number—75,000!

“Are you crazy?” By the time Xia Yu had fully reacted, his throat was hoarse and he was on the verge of vomiting blood. He gripped Mo An’s hand tightly and shook it several times. He had already prepared his next words, but his lips instantly went dry.

75,000—what an astronomical figure! This was all of Mo An’s savings from the past few years!

“Are you crazy? Are you crazy?” He could only repeat this sentence over and over again, his beautiful eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

“I’m not crazy. Let me explain.” Mo An was scared and anxious. This was the first time Xia Yu had ever been so angry with him. Xia Yu had always doted on him, but this time was clearly different.

“This is crystal from the deep sea. That’s my homeland. It’s very likely that this is from my hatching ground. I saw it at first sight.” Mo An’s lips were dry, and his anxiety burned. “Points can be earned slowly. I just want to give you a gift.”

Huff, huff, Xia Yu exhaled. “What’s the rush for a gift? You’re crazy! Take it back! I don’t want it!”

“Take it back?” These were the most heartless words Mo An had ever heard. Not only did he not want it, but he was also being told to take it back.

“I don’t want any gifts. When did you develop such a wasteful habit?” Xia Yu suspected that he had spoiled Mo An. 75,000 coins—enough for someone to live on for years if they were frugal. “We’re able to earn money and credits partly because Silver Fang and Yan Xia find us work and partly because we’re lucky. Every time we go out, we take risks. We’ve finally saved up for so many years, and you buy this? Do you think it’s worth it?”

Worth it. Mo An didn’t say anything; he just lowered his head. His thick eyebrows, however, didn’t droop; they remained raised defiantly.

“I know you’re not convinced. If you’re not convinced, then you have to go back.” However, Xia Yu understood his expression; he knew his younger brother perfectly, having raised him himself. “Do you think making money is easy? Have you forgotten the days when we struggled?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten, but I don’t want to go back.” This wasn’t just the first conflict between them, but also the first time Mo An had strongly resisted Xia Yu’s wishes. They had both grown up, and their relationship was no longer one of complete dependence and obedience. Rather, Mo An was gradually developing his own consciousness. Realizing this, Mo An was shocked as well. Was he no longer so obedient?

This feeling was equally unfamiliar to Xia Yu. The obedient younger brother he remembered seemed to have suddenly become a boy half a head taller than him.

Mo An had truly grown up. Xia Yu had often overlooked this fact and had only now realized how tall Mo An had grown. He was stubborn and unwilling to bow his head and was increasingly resembling a strong-willed siren.

“I don’t want to back down. I don’t think I did anything wrong.” Mo An raised his eyes, his half-mature gaze meeting Xia Yu’s. So, xla could really argue with him. Xia Yu felt a pang of sadness. He felt unaccepted, misunderstood, and unappreciated.

The happy ending he’d imagined never happened. Giving a gift brought no praise or laughter, only a bucket of cold water. Still, Mo An refused to back down. He had grown up and was capable of making his own decisions.

“You really…” Xia Yu struggled to compose himself before finally saying, “You’ve really grown up.”

“It has nothing to do with growing up. I just wanted to give you a gift.” Mo An sniffled and looked aggrieved, but he didn’t let Xia Yu see his sadness.

“What if I said I’d stay angry if you didn’t return it?” Xia Yu just wanted him to return it quickly. Anyone else definitely wouldn’t be able to return it, but with the help of Lao Gui, Silver Fang, Yan Xia, and Ling Shi, they could return at least 60,000 points. These points were Mo An’s lifeline.

“I don’t want to return it.” But Mo An insisted. He didn’t want xla to be angry, but he also didn’t want to back down.

The two of them remained frozen in place. Through the French windows, the child’s silhouette stretched out over time. Just as they reached an impasse, the door to the next cabin opened. Mo An spoke first: “I’m sleeping with Xi Bin tonight. I don’t want to argue with you anymore.”

He turned to leave, but before he did, Xia Yu called him back. “After you wake up, go find Silver Fang tomorrow and get rid of it.”

Mo An stopped at the door. He rested one hand against the wall. His nose bridge was sharp, and his tone was just as unyielding. “And what if I refuse?”

If you don’t return it, don’t come looking for me again,” Xia Yu said harshly. He thought Mo An would say more, but Mo An didn’t say anything and walked straight out.

After Mo An left and the cabin door closed, Xia Yu sat on the bed, exhausted, rubbing his hair with both hands. He regretted arguing with his younger brother. It made him feel painfully guilty, but he couldn’t bear to lose those points.

Ling Shi: [Don’t worry. He’s just going through puberty.]

“What should I do? I don’t know why we argued…” Xia Yu, who had been so stubborn just moments before, now looked helpless. “He’s too reckless. He’s still so extravagant. What if he loses his sense of propriety later?”

Ling Shi: [Perhaps you could try communicating with him properly?]

“I…” Xia Yu was at a loss. “Did I yell at him?”

Ling Shi: [As far as I can remember, no. But you two were definitely about to start arguing.”

“He must be very disappointed in me, right? I’m such a terrible older brother.” Xia Yu was sweating profusely. “He definitely never wants to see me again…”

Ling Shi: [Don’t say that. People become less rational when they argue, but not forever. But it’s very late now. You should go to sleep.

“I can’t sleep. Thinking about how such a tiny thing cost that many credits makes me furious.” Xia Yu paced around. “No, I know Mo An’s temper. He’ll stay angry, never speak to me again, and definitely won’t return it. He just bought Lao Gui a gift, too, so his card must be empty. I need to earn some more credits to make up for it.”

Ling Shi: [See, you still care about him. Why don’t you tell him these things? Humans, you don’t open your hearts to those close to you.]

“He didn’t even talk to me properly, and it’s not my fault.” Xia Yu’s heart clenched. “Ling Shi, is there any work I can do lately? Please help me.”

Ling Shi: [Hmm, there is. If you’re willing to go, we’ll leave at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow. The task is to evacuate a crowd. Should I notify Mo An and Mi Dou?]

“No need. I’ll go by myself. I should be back soon.” Xia Yu covered his eyes with both hands, feeling a bit worried and scared. Their argument had escalated to this point. A Ni must hate him now. Maybe he’d take the deep-sea crystal and return to the ocean, never to come back.

---

 If you’re enjoying my translations, feel free to leave a comment or support me on Ko-fi ☕