Chapter 36 — The Hint
A beastman around one meter seventy-eight tall came downstairs, dressed in bright clothing. Behind him followed seven other beastmen of various heights. Every one of them had taken on human form—
none of them looked anything like the gray, rat-like creatures they appeared as earlier.
A-Ning hadn’t expected his ninth brother to suddenly bring home such a beautiful female. All of them were stunned, so shocked they forgot they were still in their beast forms earlier.
Judging from her dazed expression at the time, she must have been frightened out of her mind.
Thinking of this, A-Ning felt more and more regretful. His friendly smile stiffened on his face.
“We were talking about the Great Collapse in Zone Seven,” Jiu-Ning answered obediently.
“What’s there to talk about?!”
“Fifth brother!” A-Ning reprimanded sternly.
Hua Mian watched as the beastman who had spoken quickly lowered his head and, after glancing at her once, rushed upstairs with heavy steps.
“Sorry. Fifth-Ning’s father died in that collapse,” said the mouse-beastman who looked to be in his thirties.
Hearing that, Hua Mian shook her head understandingly.
“It’s okay.”
“I’m A-Ning, their older brother.”
Hua Mian smiled politely. “Hello, I’m A-Mian.”
“Wow! Your names sound so similar!” Jiu-Ning chirped beside them.
“No, no—just a coincidence.”
Before Hua Mian could reply, A-Ning hurried to deny it, waving his hands.
Hua Mian looked around. The beastmen all had different faces, which puzzled her.
Seeing her confusion, A-Ning explained, “You noticed, right? Although we’re all mouse-beastmen, none of us look alike.”
Hua Mian nodded awkwardly.
“We aren’t related by blood.”
Hua Mian blinked—now that was unusual.
“Except for Jiu-Ning, none of us have fathers. A-Ning-ge picked all of us up!” said a beastman taller than Jiu-Ning, his head bobbing silly as he talked.
A-Ning didn’t continue, but Hua Mian could already guess. The angry beastman who stomped upstairs earlier was probably from Zone Seven as well.
“They’re still young and ignorant. Please don’t mind them,” A-Ning said, bowing slightly as he rubbed Ba-Ning’s head.
“It’s fine. They’re all really well-behaved and adorable. You raised them wonderfully.”
Hua Mian meant every word.
She had been willing to follow Jiu-Ning here because the child’s eyes were so clear—filled only with pure concern for her. His eyes were so pure they reminded her of crystal-clear spring water.
A-Ning never expected such genuine praise from the young female. Studying her expression carefully, he realized she wasn’t just being polite—she truly meant it.
A slow smile spread across his face. The faint crow’s-feet at the corners of his eyes all squeezed together, making him look even warmer.
“Thank you.”
Hua Mian shook her head.
“Sis, you said that handsome big brother—where is he? I’ll help you look for him!” Jiu-Ning asked, blinking his bright little eyes.
Hua Mian hesitated. “I… don’t know either. He’s probably outside looking for me too.”
“Should I go ask Orange-Ears?”
The moment Jiu-Ning said that name, A-Ning jerked his head up sharply to look at Hua Mian.
The movement was so abrupt that the beastman beside him tilted his head and asked, “What’s wrong?”
A-Ning shook his head stiffly and stared at Hua Mian.
Hua Mian explained, “He only guided us for the first day. After that, we split up. He definitely doesn’t know. Asking him won’t help.”
Hearing that, Jiu-Ning furrowed his little brows, unsure what to do, and instinctively looked toward A-Ning.
A-Ning swallowed. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You, A-Mian… uh, sister—you have a piece of waterweed in your hair. I’ll take you to clean it.”
Jiu-Ning nodded obediently. “Okay.”
“And don’t go looking for Orange-Ears. He’s… the type to deceive others.”
A-Ning shot Hua Mian a pointed look.
“Okay, big brother,” Jiu-Ning said, completely unaware of the underlying meaning.
The rest of the brothers exchanged mischievous grins before sensibly leading the younger ones upstairs to play.
They already liked this female—kind, gentle, and without prejudice toward mouse-beastmen.
If she could be with their eldest brother, she would surely treat him well.
But at this moment, the atmosphere between Hua Mian and A-Ning was tense.
Realizing A-Ning’s warning, Hua Mian quietly followed him.
“Jiu-Ning’s a bit slow. I didn’t want Orange-Ears to influence him, so I avoid letting them play together,” A-Ning explained after a moment of thought.
“Ohhh… no wonder on my first day on Ilika Star, Jiu-Ning insisted on being our guide and argued with Orange-Ears about it! So Orange-Ears is the bad influence.”
A-Ning stopped mid-step. “…Yes. So stay away from him. Or you might get tricked.”
That confirmed it for Hua Mian—A-Ning was warning her.
“I see… But my beastman and I followed him. We even stayed at Tengyue Hotel.” Hua Mian added deliberately.
A-Ning’s back stiffened.
“The front desk even invited us to attend the gem auction.”
A-Ning spun around. “He went?”
“Who?” Hua Mian asked calmly.
“Your beastman.”
Hua Mian tilted her head. “Why? Is there something wrong with the gem auction? Why are you reacting like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
A-Ning turned again, walking so quickly he almost missed the restroom door they passed every day.
“Here. Fix your hair inside.” He pointed absently near her right ear.
Hua Mian entered the restroom. Facing the mirror, she removed the piece of waterweed. Then her gaze shifted to A-Ning reflected behind her.
“Actually… we all went to the gem auction.”
A-Ning couldn’t hide the terror on his face. His eyes met Hua Mian’s in the mirror, and he instinctively stumbled back a step.
Hua Mian turned and walked toward him.
“You know, don’t you?”
“Know… what?” A-Ning avoided her eyes.
Tears streamed down Hua Mian’s pale cheeks, falling in large drops.
“You know, don’t you?”
A-Ning was speechless.
He fumbled for a handkerchief and tried to hand it to her, but froze when he saw her pleading eyes. He clenched the handkerchief tightly instead.
“Stop asking. And stop looking for your beastman. Just consider him dead. With your looks and temperament, you can easily find another one. Besides… anyone who goes in… never comes out alive.”
Though he muttered the last part, Hua Mian heard every word clearly.
Her trembling fingers grabbed A-Ning’s wrist.
“Who is it that can’t come out alive?”
A-Ning knew his words were cruel, but the only thing he could do was stop her from continuing the search—for a beastman who might already be dead.
“Don’t ask. I’ll buy you a starship ticket. Leave this place. Never come back. And never mention the gem auction again… or their matters. Pretend you know nothing.” His eyes grew firm.
“I won’t give up on him.”
Hua Mian’s voice was steady and resolute, making A-Ning flinch.
“I won’t give up. I’m going to save him. He’s still alive—I know he’s waiting for me.”
