Chapter 64: Should You Respond When I Call You a Dog Thing? Part 1

As more and more star thieves surrounded him, Xie Jianxun found himself trapped in the center of the crowd, helpless like a rain-soaked chick.

Soon, the First Mate strode into the hall and came to his rescue. “Not enough food to go around? What are you all crowding here for?”

The star thieves burst into laughter and scattered from Xie Jianxun’s side.

Of course, some lingered reluctantly, wanting to chat with him a bit more.

Especially Ke Xi, the star thief who squeezed in beside him and kept piping up. “Are you hungry? Want a drink? We have tomato juice cocktails from the Main Ship’s special stock. Want to try some?”

If not for the unusually bright gleam in his eyes, Xie Jianxun might have taken him for some shady character with ulterior motives.

He waved his hand warily and backed away slowly, grabbing a buffet plate to hold in front of his chest.

“No, no need. I can get my own, thank you, sir.”

Ke Xi looked a little disappointed but understanding. “Did I scare you? I guess I do look a bit fierce.”

He was probably referring to the long scar along the side of his left cheek.

But he didn’t seem to mind it at all. In fact, he was rather proud. “This is a badge of honor. I got it on a mission once.”

Seeing Xie Jianxun’s empty plate, Ke Xi turned around, picked up two lamb chops from the nearby long buffet table, and plunked them down onto Xie Jianxun’s plate with a clatter.

Xie Jianxun’s wrist jerked, and he nearly dropped the whole thing.

“Eat up, eat up. The boss never skimps on our meals.”

Cumin lamb chops, roasted lamb legs, grilled chicken drumsticks, pork ribs in mixed sauce.

Garlic breadsticks, potato pancakes, pasta with meat sauce, thick toast slices with jam.

Boiled potatoes, buttered peas, a stew of multicolored vegetables, blueberry pudding.

Weaving through the crowd, Xie Jianxun could hardly take it all in.

The hall felt as vast as a basketball court, with buffet tables arranged like a maze around the edges. The food piled up like little mountains, and even the baskets holding the bread were half as tall as he was.

By the time he’d passed just two tables, his plate was already overflowing.

A star thief underling trailed persistently behind him.

Yes, from Ke Xi’s nonstop one-sided chatter earlier, Xie Jianxun had already pieced together his status—a leader of one of the smaller crews.

Under Huo Jing, but deeply trusted and favored by the boss.

That scar on his face wasn’t as casual a story as he’d made it sound.

In fact, from the others’ additions, Xie Jianxun learned it came from a mission where the target fought back fiercely.

To protect his brothers, he’d charged forward and taken the hit with his face.

Luckily, he’d dodged most of it, leaving just a long gash. He’d gotten stitches afterward but skipped any repairs, leaving it right there on his face without a care.

Actually, he’s a pretty decent guy with a warm heart, Xie Jianxun thought, slowing to a stop.

In those two seconds of daze, Ke Xi had already caught up, not even out of breath.

Plate in hand, he said enthusiastically, “Little darling, do you like sweet or savory? Want a scoop of pickled beans? The head chef’s putting out some rare planetary specialties later…”

Hearing that dreadful nickname, Xie Jianxun nearly blacked out.

Facing the ambiguous, amused gazes from those around him—who seemed ready to join in the fun at his expense—Xie Jianxun took a deep breath.

He spun around abruptly, his voice soft and polite. “Mr. Ke Xi.”

“This!”

Ke Xi bent his knees slightly, eyes lighting up.

Xie Jianxun said, “I’d like to try that tomato juice you mentioned. Could you grab me a glass?”

Ke Xi beamed. “Of course, little sweetheart. You’re as cute as the doll in my room—he’s got pretty gray hair just like yours.”

No wonder he’s so enthusiastic—he’s a big doll collector!

The little star thief leader Ke Xi happily rolled off to mix the tomato juice. Xie Jianxun quietly backed away, shrinking himself into the crowd.

By the time Ke Xi returned, searching around, he couldn’t spot that pretty doll amid the throng.

He raised a brow, flashing a knowing smile, as if he’d anticipated Xie Jianxun’s intentions all along.

What could he do about it?

He just had no resistance to pretty faces, Ke Xi thought, tossing back the tomato juice in his hand in one gulp.

Xie Jianxun hadn’t gone far. He’d just found an unused support pillar, with two buffet tables arranged beside it and no one on the back side.

He cheerfully tucked himself into the pillar’s shadow, out of everyone’s sight.

Phew, much quieter now.

He looked down at his plate and realized that for all Ke Xi’s rough handling, shoving stuff onto it willy-nilly, the mix was well-balanced between salty and sweet. There was even a cup of pudding slipped in there sometime, catering to a young person’s lighter tastes.

Fine, Mr. Ke Xi. He’d go say hello after the meal dispersed.

Clumsily, he poked at the peas with his fork, jabbing several times without getting one to his mouth. Annoyed, he stabbed hard.

The pea flew off the plate—along with the fork slipping from his hand.

Xie Jianxun: “…”

What kind of peas were these? So tough!

The fork clattered to the floor and rolled under the tablecloth. The crisp sound was completely drowned out by the din of voices.

Xie Jianxun didn’t hear it. He glanced around the empty space, even checked under his shoes, puzzled about where it’d gone.

Following the direction it’d fallen, he lifted the dangling tablecloth and saw the fork on the far side, out of reach even with his arm fully extended.

Xie Jianxun: “…”

He peeked warily around. Seeing no one paying attention to him crawling under the table, he darted in, snatched the fork, and planned to head to the entrance to swap it for a new one.

Before emerging, he heard footsteps circling past his table.

Xie Jianxun paused. Should he pop out all casual-like, grin at the newcomer with a “hey,” or hide a bit longer until they grabbed their food and left? He chose the latter.

He pulled in his legs and crouched obediently.

But the person grabbed food and didn’t leave. They seemed to fancy this unoccupied spot behind the pillar too.

They even leaned casually against the pillar, tapping the toe of a leather shoe, as if waiting for someone.

Moments later, the person they were waiting for arrived and clinked glasses with them.

Clink.

The glass cups rang out crisply.

“How’d you find this spot? It’s so crowded over there.”

The newcomer chuckled. “Not worried about being seen?”

The first one replied indifferently, “It’s noisy everywhere. No one’s paying attention to us. Once they all head to the dance floor later, it’ll be even easier.”

“Fine, your call. Aren’t you trying to get close to Huo Jing? How’s it going?”

Xie Jianxun’s ears twitched.

He gripped the fork in shock, realizing he’d overheard something major.

But on second thought, it made sense.

With so many people on the ship, there were bound to be a few angling for the boss’s favor. Competing for merit, currying favor—it was understandable.

“Don’t even ask. He’s a tough nut to crack. Can’t even see him normally.”

The guy griped nonstop. “I hear he often leaves the Siphon Whale alone to go elsewhere, but no one knows where.”

The other one tsked in annoyance, his voice like a quacking duck. “If we knew his schedule, we could catch him alone and take him out. Then we’d be set.”

Xie Jianxun: “………………”

Huh?

Subordinate rebellion? Huo Jing’s seat was in jeopardy?!

Suddenly, the tapping toe dropped flat and circled the pillar base. “Shut up. Don’t spell it out like that. If someone’s around, we’re done for.”

“No way. I’ve been standing here forever—no one’s come by.”

Xie Jianxun thought, You’ve only been here a few seconds and you’re claiming that?

Suddenly, the toe pointed straight at him, as if to lift the tablecloth. “What if someone’s hiding under the table…”

Xie Jianxun’s heart skipped. He held his breath.

The other one said, “Come on, who’d be that bored?”

There was! Him—the guy who was so bored he couldn’t even eat a pea in peace, ended up under the table, and overheard the conspiracy… What a unlucky egg!

The man lifted the tablecloth and bent down to look.

The space underneath was empty.

He dropped the cloth, chuckling self-deprecatingly. “Guess I’m just paranoid.”

Seizing the moment, Xie Jianxun had slipped under another table. He felt utterly tragic.

He was like a pinball, batted around by an invisible hand.

A bit farther now, he only caught fragments of the rest.

“…With so many people on the ship, he won’t notice us…”

“…Lihou Port. We’ll set it up there and leave him behind…”

Maybe five minutes passed, maybe ten.

Time blurred. After crouching so long that his legs went numb, he despaired and sat right on the floor.

Now, Xie Jianxun had just one thought: Find Huo Jing and tell him to deal with these two suspicious traitors pronto.

Problem was, he didn’t know what they looked like.

If he peeked out now, he’d get caught red-handed.

Luckily, unlike before, upbeat, energetic music suddenly blared from the center of the hall, drawing everyone’s attention.

Dance floor time.

Jumping in now, winning applause, then boozing wildly—that’s what nearly every star thief dreamed of.

It was the big weekly event on Wednesdays, and everyone in attendance would check it out.