The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 52

Life aboard the starship felt like an eternity.

Qin Xiao had assumed they would reach their destination in the blink of an eye. However, during the second attempt at jump travel, the ship’s energy system faltered. They nearly leapt straight into a black hole.

“A portion of the energy source has been depleted. I don’t know if we’ll make it to our destination safely.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ironhead grabbed Liu Jiang by the collar. “Explain yourself. What do you mean ‘might not make it’? You were in charge of inspecting most of the energy systems on board. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice anything wrong before. Did you do it on purpose?”

Yan Ningjin stood calmly to the side, watching Liu Jiang with cool detachment. She seemed to be waiting for an explanation.

Su Shu slapped Ironhead’s hand away. “Enough. You all have had issues with me and Liu Jiang since the beginning. You’ve been whispering behind our backs the whole trip. If you don’t trust us, then why did you even conscript us?”

Ironhead let out a sneer. “Tough talk now. Who was it again that chickened out back in the Tarpo Forest?”

Qin Xiao’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled with amusement. She was clearly enjoying the drama.

Su Shu seemed to have been struck where it hurt. “You—”

Liu Jiang pulled her back gently, his expression full of regret. “I’m sorry. Everyone was injured at the time. We had to board in a rush, and I didn’t check the system thoroughly. This really was my oversight, but now isn’t the time for arguing. We should be brainstorming how to fix this.”

Yan Ningjin glanced at her little guide, who was clearly reveling in the chaos. “Do you have any ideas?”

Liu Jiang fell into thought. “We should skip the third jump. The energy drain is too great and there’s too much risk. It’s safer to proceed at a slower pace.”

Ironhead snorted dismissively. “That’s as good as saying nothing. I thought you’d come up with something clever.”

Brother Mi, however, agreed with Liu Jiang’s suggestion. “Boss, what do you think?”

Yan Ningjin was crouched beside the damaged energy boxes, checking their integrity. The ship’s energy systems were fixed in place. It was possible someone had tampered with them during their stop on the Wood-type planet, or it might have been sabotage from within.

Qin Xiao squatted beside her, casually picked up one of the boxes and examined it. Without anyone noticing, she quietly absorbed the last traces of energy crystal essence from it. “Hmm, the damage clearly looks man-made.”

Yan Ningjin chuckled softly. “Let’s proceed slowly for now.”

Amy had been with Mu Yan in the room and only later learned of Yan Ningjin’s decision.

Meanwhile, Yan Ningjin tugged Qin Xiao back into their quarters. The two exchanged glances and broke into knowing smiles.

After some thought, Yan Ningjin pulled Qin Xiao to sit beside her on the bed. “Xiao Xiao, you’re still young. Too innocent. You haven’t met people who like to fixate on what’s different. They poke and prod, always digging deeper. In the future, don’t act like that in front of others. If you like energy boxes, then when we’re back on Capital Star, I’ll build you a room just to store energy crystals—”

Qin Xiao finally understood what she meant. “Oh.”

Yan Ningjin: …

Qin Xiao shrugged. “I’ll work on breaking the habit. At least, I’ll try not to absorb energy crystals in front of people.”

Yan Ningjin exhaled deeply in relief. “And stop telling others about your weird abilities.”

Qin Xiao nodded. “I noticed there are still some energy boxes stored in Aiwei’er’s mech. Maybe we can install those on the ship so we can get back faster.”

Yan Ningjin shook her head but didn’t say anything.

Qin Xiao narrowed her eyes at her nonchalant expression. “Yan Yan, do you know who sabotaged the energy boxes?”

Yan Ningjin kept smiling and simply shook her head.

Qin Xiao was getting impatient. “Tell me, or I’ll tickle you.”

She pounced, knocking Yan Ningjin onto the bed. She pulled off her shoes and yanked away her socks in one fluid motion. Then she went straight for the soles of her feet.

Yan Ningjin wasn’t ticklish anywhere else, but the soles of her feet were her one weakness. She managed to hold it in at first, but Qin Xiao, like a seasoned tormentor, had pulled out a fluffy and slightly prickly object from who-knows-where. That was the last straw.

“Hahaha! I’ll talk! Stop tickling me!”

“Too late now.”

“Xiao Xiao, please! Hahaha! I’ll tell you!”

Watching her twist and squirm on the bed like a giant fuzzy worm was a complete departure from her usual commanding demeanor. Qin Xiao grinned. “Yan Yan, if your subordinates saw you like this, you’d lose all authority.”

Yan Ningjin struggled to keep a straight face, but her feet were too sensitive. After a bout of helpless laughter, she clutched her belly and rolled across the bed. “Xiao Xiao, stop. My wound hurts.”

Qin Xiao froze. “Where? Let me see.”

Yan Ningjin was still catching her breath, hands over her belly. She murmured, “Then don’t mess with me.”

Qin Xiao nodded quickly. “I wouldn’t dare.”

Yan Ningjin took a moment to calm herself. Seeing how genuinely concerned the girl looked, she reached out and pulled her down onto the bed. They lay side by side. “Don’t look. It’ll heal soon and won’t look as ugly.”

A patch of soft white skin had turned a tender red. Even though it was freshly healed, it clashed starkly against the rest of her skin and was jarring to the eye.

Besides, with all this touching, it was she who ended up suffering.

Qin Xiao slid a hand under the covers, gently rubbing the sore area. “Don’t flinch. I’m not going to do anything weird. Just rubbing like this will help ease the pain.”

Back then, when Ah Qin had bad stomach cramps, she would bite her lip and tough it out, never making a sound, even when she turned pale. In the end, Qin Xiao had always been the one to ease her pain.

At first, Yan Ningjin’s entire body was stiff, her stomach trembling uncontrollably. But as Qin Xiao’s warm hand moved in slow circles, a gentle heat spread through her belly, relaxing her completely.

Qin Xiao saw her relax and turned her head, teasing. “Feels nice, doesn’t it?”

Yan Ningjin had to admit that being rubbed by her little guide melted away even the soreness from all that laughing. In its place was a slow, comforting warmth that flowed gently through her.

After a pause, she commented, “You’re surprisingly good at this.”

Qin Xiao’s hand paused for a second, then resumed its motion in the opposite direction. She replied offhandedly, “Yeah. I’ve done it a lot, so it comes naturally.”

The two lay in silence. Neither said another word.

One of them was frantically wondering who else this little guide had rubbed like this…

The other was lost in memories of wandering the world. Ah Qin had been so stubborn, so aloof, and so proud. Yet now, Ah Qin was truly gone.

Qin Xiao faced this truth for the first time. Her little cauldron, her little slave was truly gone, her soul scattered, her body cold.

Beside her, the breathing gradually slowed.

Yan Ningjin’s eyes suddenly opened. She turned her head and saw Qin Xiao’s eyes shut tight, a single clear tear slipping from the corner. It shimmered like crystal. Yan Ningjin reached out and gently wiped it away.

It was hot. So hot it burned straight into her heart, sending waves of heat through her chest. She placed both hands over the one resting on her belly, holding it there quietly, protectively.

Qin Xiao’s daily schedule now included a new responsibility. She had to rub Yan Ningjin’s stomach whenever the pain returned. Every time she heard a complaint about the pain, she would offer up her hand, or even both.

The rest of the time, she wandered the ship freely.

That day, she wandered into Mu Yan’s room. Mu Yan was usually quiet and sharp-tongued. When he did speak, his words always hit home. While not necessarily wrong, it made him easy to offend people. He wasn’t as well-liked as Brother Mi or Ironhead, but he had saved Amy several times.

During their escape, he had even carried her on his back. Since then, Amy often stayed by his side, treating his wounds and applying medicine. The two had spent a lot of time together.

Qin Xiao had originally come to ask Amy whether there was any news from the black market about the Golden Cicada Spring. They were still missing one final ingredient. If the black market had nothing, she would have to find another way. Instead, she stumbled upon a scene where Brother Yan was gripping Amy’s hand.

Three people. Three sets of eyes. They stared at each other.

Qin Xiao blinked several times. In the end, it was Amy who broke the awkward silence, pulling her hand back in a fluster. Her voice trembled. “Aya, did you need something from me?”

Qin Xiao looked at Amy, then at Mu Yan’s darkened expression. His skin was already dark, but she could sense his displeasure radiating off him.

She coughed twice. “Ah, Auntie Amy, yes. I do need your help.”

Amy gave a small nod and handed the medical supply box to Mu Yan. She gave him a series of reminders, explaining when he needed to change the dressings and which medicine to use at what time. But before she could finish, Mu Yan interrupted her bluntly. “Aren’t you going to help me later?”

Amy froze, her face flushed red.

Mu Yan glanced down at the box. “Some of the wounds are on my back. I can’t reach them. If you’re not coming, then I just won’t change them.”

Amy: …

Qin Xiao: …

Qin Xiao blinked repeatedly, her eyes fixed on Amy. Amy’s face flushed crimson under her gaze. The older woman shifted uncomfortably.

“Aya, what exactly did you come to see me about?”

Qin Xiao kept staring at her. In the little Aya’s memories, Amy had always seemed to be single. In many organizations, wild guides were especially precious and often directly assigned by the leadership. Yet Lady Luo’s expedition group appeared more lenient than most. They respected the guides’ freedom to choose. Even Eva, a married guide with a child, was never pressured. Amy too, had always been allowed to follow her own will.

“Auntie Amy, you were just holding hands with Mu Yan.”

“…”

“You two—”

Before she could finish, Amy covered her mouth. Her face was so red it seemed she might start bleeding. For a moment, Qin Xiao was stunned. This reaction reminded her of someone else. After a bit of thought, she realized with horror that Amy’s embarrassed look mirrored Yan Ningjin’s from before.

Amy gave a hushed signal. “Aya, Mu Yan saved me before.”

Qin Xiao nodded. Yan Ningjin had saved her life, too.

Amy’s expression softened, turning faintly girlish despite her age. “If not for his repeated care, I might not even be here… In any case, it is true that he saved me.”

Qin Xiao nodded again. It was also true that Yan Ningjin had saved her.

Seeing that Qin Xiao had quieted down, Amy released her hand. “Mu Yan has been very kind to me. If he hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have even known how much he had done. I don’t think anyone else in this world could have treated me the way he did.”

Qin Xiao felt the same. What Yan Ningjin had done for her was likely something no one else could.

Amy finally remembered something. “Right, Aya. What did you come here for?”

Qin Xiao nearly forgot her actual reason. “It’s about the Golden Cicada Spring. Is there any news yet?”

Amy shook her head. “Nothing for now. News from the black market takes time to uncover. It usually takes several days before something reliable surfaces. Just give it a bit more time, Aya. I believe Lady Luo will find a way.”

Qin Xiao also thought that with how much Lady Luo cared about Eva, there was no way she would allow even a single missing ingredient. “I understand. I’ll ask Yan Yan to try another way. Auntie Amy, go ahead and help Mu Yan with his treatment. I won’t bother you anymore.”

Amy: …

The starship continued its slow journey. Though they encountered no major danger along the way, the delay meant it took nearly twice the expected time. Finally, on the sixth day, they arrived at Lion Star.

Once they returned to familiar territory, everyone’s face lit up with genuine smiles.

After disembarking, Yan Ningjin sent Liu Jiang and Su Shu away. She handed them their promised rewards. Then she took a private video call from Bai Xuan. It was encrypted through her AI core, so Qin Xiao could not hear the conversation. She could only see that Yan Ningjin’s expression looked grim afterward.

Qin Xiao lagged behind with her. “What’s wrong?”

Yan Ningjin only gave a slight shake of her head.

Once the team arrived at the lodging arranged by Lady Luo, they quickly dispersed.

Lady Luo asked just three people to remain at the lodging. Those three were Yan Ningjin, Qin Xiao, and Amy. The others, like Mu Yan, Brother Mi, and Ironhead, were sent elsewhere. Lady Luo smiled at the trio. “How was the journey?”

Qin Xiao handed over the gu vine and the Hongmeng Flower. “Where’s my mom?”

Lady Luo pointed toward the mixing lab. “Eva has been in there constantly, working on suppressants for the Sentinels. It’s said that the newest batch from Capital Star has issues. We obtained some samples. Eva’s analysis has revealed quite a few troubling things. I wonder, General, if you were aware?”

Qin Xiao widened her eyes.

Yan Ningjin’s face was taut. Her lips were pressed in a hard line. “Lady Luo, your sources are impressive. I just received this news, and you’ve already secured samples.”

Lady Luo seemed not to notice the sharp edge in her tone. “The suppressants on Capital Star have always come from the Qin family. They are exclusively supplied to military Sentinels. If something goes wrong, the whole star could be thrown into panic.”

Qin Xiao finally understood why Yan Ningjin’s expression had looked so awful. “So the Qin family monopolizes the production of suppressants, not just for Capital Star, but for the entire Empire?”

Both Sentinels and Guides relied heavily on suppressants. If there were problems…

Lady Luo looked at her with mild amusement. “More or less. The major families on Capital Star have always been domineering.”

From their expressions, Qin Xiao realized this was a deeply serious matter. “Lady Luo, I’ve already secured the gu vine and Hongmeng Flower. I’ll find a way to get the Golden Cicada Spring, too. But if Capital Star is in that much trouble, I have to return with Yan Yan.”

Lady Luo sat at the head of the room, stroking her chin. “You’ll have to ask Eva. If she agrees, you may go.”

Qin Xiao secretly reached for her Dreambringer flute, nearly tossing it like a dart. If Yan Ningjin had not grabbed her hand, she might have done just that.

“Xiao Xiao, you stay here. I’ll go back.”

Qin Xiao turned and glared at her. Unfortunately, the effect was not very intimidating. If anything, it made her look adorable. “You are coming with me to find Mom.”

They waited outside the mixing room. Inside, Eva was fully suited and immersed in her work.

Qin Xiao paced a little. “Was Lady Luo talking about the same Qin family I’m thinking of?”

To escape the Guide Academy’s custody, she had pulled one over on its headmistress. Later, that woman’s brother and a bunch of students tried to stir up trouble again. From Yu Jing’s gossip, she had learned that the Lu and Qin families were relatives.

Yan Ningjin nodded. “Most of the military’s suppressants came from the Qin family. Bai Xuan mentioned a new variant that they have developed. It was expensive but reportedly very effective.”

Qin Xiao raised a brow. “Very effective?”

Yan Ningjin seemed to catch on to her skepticism. “They held a demonstration. The new suppressant had fewer side effects for Sentinels compared to older versions.”

Qin Xiao finally understood. Everything had seemed promising, yet now something had gone wrong with the Qin family’s product. “They should have known how disastrous it would be if an suppressant failed. That means—”

“Aya.”

“Mom.”

Before she could finish her thought, Eva hugged her tightly and kissed her again and again. The sudden wave of affection even melted Qin Xiao’s usually unbothered heart.

“Mom, stop kissing me. I’m fine. Yan Yan’s with me. Really, stop it.”

Eva frowned slightly and glanced at Yan Ningjin.

Yan Ningjin stood off to the side and lowered her head respectfully. “Mama Eva.”

Eva’s smile froze for a moment. Then she turned back to Qin Xiao. “You’re home. That’s all that matters. Did anything happen on the way?”

Qin Xiao glanced at Yan Ningjin, then led Eva aside to explain. She kept it brief.

“Mom, Yan Yan saved my life. Capital Star is in trouble, and since she’s part of the Xiao Corps—”

Eva gripped her hand. “She saved your life? Aya, what exactly happened?”

Qin Xiao gave a rough recount of the crisis and emphasized, “Mom, she really saved me. That’s why I want to go back with her.”

Eva’s expression softened toward Yan Ningjin, though she still seemed reluctant to fully accept the woman who had whisked her daughter away. She looked mournfully at Qin Xiao. “Aya, you just got back. We’ve barely spent any time together. Don’t you miss your mom?”

Qin Xiao did not know how to answer that.

She looked at Eva, troubled, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. “Of course I do. But there are more important things waiting for us. You’re in here making suppressants, and that’s the same mission we’re on out there.”

Eva had no words left.

Qin Xiao solemnly promised to send three messages each day. These would include two texts and one video call once they returned to Capital Star. She also vowed to visit again once everything was resolved. Only then did she receive permission to leave.