Those who could come to Black Pool Star to do business were not kind souls, but after the deterrence from LAN and Evan just now, combined with the fact that An Ming and No. 9 were wrapped up tightly, truly no one dared to provoke them again.
As for the “secret peeping” LAN mentioned since it was secret, the little mermaid didn’t notice it anyway.
The subsequent shopping became relaxed and pleasant.
No. 9 was primarily responsible for this part. He had to consider how to store the vegetables and fruits after purchase, how to balance nutritional value, and how to cater to the tastes of the Phoenix crew as much as possible; only No. 9 could handle these details well.
Therefore, No. 9 acted like a big boss, picking and choosing, analyzing the vendors’ micro-expressions to haggle more or less. LAN was only responsible for making the final decision, Evan was in charge of paying the deposits, and the four subordinates were responsible for coordinating the subsequent delivery.
As for the little mermaid, he was a person of leisure, responsible only for eating and drinking.
No. 9 picked a paper bag of small purple fruits and handed them to the little mermaid.
It wasn’t very convenient to hold hands while eating, so An Ming found an excuse to let go. He picked up a purple fruit and found it looked like a cherry tomato but smelled like grapes, with a hint of wine aroma mixed in.
“Black Pool Fruit, a local specialty,” LAN transformed into a living encyclopedia. “Sour upon entry, with a sweet aftertaste.”
An Ming curiously popped one into his mouth. The soft, juicy fruit exploded in his oral cavity, and a rich fragrance filled his nose and mouth.
“Wow, this is too delicious! Everyone, try some!” Holding the bag, An Ming made a round. Evan and the four subordinates each took two; after tasting them, they were all full of praise.
When it was No. 9’s turn, the black-haired male insect glared at the little mermaid: “An Xiaoming, are you doing this on purpose?”
“Huh?” An Ming acted dumb. “Don’t just work, eat some too.”
No. 9 said huffily, “How am I supposed to eat?”
“…Oh.” The little mermaid slapped his own head. “Mainly because you look too much like a human.”
No. 9 found these words very pleasing and hummed, “I forgive you then.”
An Ming then held the paper bag up to a certain dragon: “Come on.”
The dragon looked at the little mermaid without moving, raised an eyebrow, and slightly parted his thin lips: “Come for what.”
An Ming: “Huh? Everyone else ate!”
“Then you feed me.” LAN lowered his head slightly, a strand of pale gold hair sliding down from beside his ear.
An Ming: “…” Announcing sovereignty again?
However, this would indeed make him safer, and besides, the Black Pool Fruit was truly delicious; An Ming couldn’t wait for LAN to taste it.
Anyway, they were already partners sharing a bed, why bother about such things. An Ming generously picked out the largest fruit, pinched it lightly with his thumb and index finger, and carefully delivered it into the hybrid dragon’s mouth.
The dragon chewed and raised an eyebrow again: “Sweeter than the ones I had last time.”
“Heehee.” The little mermaid was truly happy.
Adding his two lifetimes together, it had been over two years since he had stayed in the cold outdoors for so long and eaten raw fruit.
“As a gesture of thanks, I’ll return the favor.” LAN extended a dignified finger and fed one back to him.
“Mmph!” An Ming’s mouth was stuffed, his little lips pouting.
Ivan and the four subordinates walking beside them: “…”
Who is this? Don’t know him. In any case, it’s not their own leader.
No. 9 was full of gratification. An Xiaoming was an angel sent by the God of the Universe to save LAN!
Black Pool Star was one of the few planets in the galaxy with abundant produce. Setting aside the bandit-like atmosphere, the fruits and vegetables were truly fresh and all-natural.
Ultimately, No. 9 ordered leafy greens, melons, nightshades, legumes, and various root vegetables all at once, each in significant quantities.
The merchants had already learned the location of the cargo ship. The one who pays is the boss; they bowed and scraped, promising that the goods would definitely be delivered on time the next day.
Leaving the trade zone, An Ming asked, “After they deliver tomorrow, do we move the goods onto the ship directly?”
“Correct,” LAN replied.
“Aren’t you afraid of short weights? Or that they’ll mix unfresh or rotten produce at the bottom of the crates?” Back when An Ming was first hospitalized, his brother had started learning to cook patient meals from scratch and had been cheated countless times in the farmers’ market near the hospital.
“Black Pool Star never cheats in this regard. This is also why we must come to Black Pool Star to procure raw materials for suppressants,” LAN replied. “They only cheat you out of money, or out of your life.”
“I see,” An Ming understood.
Black Pool Star had a long diurnal cycle. It was afternoon when they arrived, and now that the shopping was mostly done, the sky was just beginning to darken.
LAN did not suggest returning. Instead, he asked the little mermaid, “Want to go to the night market?”
Black Pool Star had a night market too?
An Ming nodded frantically: “Can we?”
LAN curled his lips: “We can. I’ll accompany you.”
He turned to the others and said, “Today’s mission is complete. Dismissed on the spot. Whether you want to keep browsing or go back to the inn is up to you.”
Since they had to stay on Black Pool Star for three days, they certainly couldn’t sleep on the cargo ship; the inn had been booked in advance.
“It’s too cold, we’re going back to rest.” After some discussion, the four subordinates performed a simple military salute and bid farewell.
Mainly, they didn’t want to be fed any more “fish-dragon” public displays of affection by the boss.
Evan looked at his watch and reminded them, “We still have to go to another town to buy seeds tomorrow. We need to wake up early. We should probably return to the inn in three hours.”
He and LAN were brothers who had gone through life and death together; they were accustomed to doing everything together.
Therefore, at this moment, he also took it for granted that he would follow along.
Hearing about the free time, No. 9 also got excited.
“An Xiaoming, let’s go!” he said excitedly. “Let this Noble Son take you to eat and have fun. This Noble Son will rely on personalized algorithms to accurately recommend gourmet food to you…”
An Ming was dragged forward. He turned his head to glance at LAN.
Ivan had already followed.
LAN: “…”
He paused for a moment before stepping forward.
The group arrived at the southernmost street of the town.
As the lights came on, the daytime stalls were all removed, replaced by the standard food truck configurations of a snack street. The lights dyed the air above the small town a deep red, and curls of blue smoke constantly rose and drifted away, like a misty, ethereal dream.
The night was a bustle completely different from the day.
An Ming was pulled along to watch, browse, and taste, stopping and starting. Various unheard-of specialty snacks and complex, overlapping aromas filled the entire street and his mouth.
Every time he ate a delicacy recommended by No. 9, before he even had time to swallow the first bite, he would be impatiently asked, “How is it, how is it?” and “Is it like they say on the StarNet? Does the fragrance linger between your teeth and lips?”
An Ming knew No. 9’s envy and longing, so he described his physical sensations in as much detail as possible.
“The top skin is crispy, the bottom is soft and springy. The first layer of filling has a waxy fragrance, and the second layer is like a mixture of chocolate chips and milk biscuit crumbles. The texture is very rich, with an endless aftertaste…”
“Oh, An Xiaoming, you’re too good at describing this. I’m having salivation hallucinations.”
There were even more people at night than during the day, shoulder to shoulder. Unknowingly, the hybrid dragon took the little mermaid’s hand again, walking behind.
The beautiful male insect followed the handsome, dark-skinned military female, clearing the way in front.
An Ming’s mood was so good he felt as if he were floating on night clouds.
“You won’t be mad at No. 9, will you?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“Because you said you would accompany me.”
“Oh? Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing now?”
“Thank you, LAN.”
“…Mm.”
As they spoke, they came to an open space at a crossroads where several people were distributing items. Three large wicker baskets were placed on the ground in front of them.
No. 9 had already gone over to join the fun. An Ming was also very interested and said to LAN, “Shall we take a look together?”
Upon reaching them, they found the baskets contained various small torches. Most were carved from raw wood with rough craftsmanship but possessed a natural beauty; a few were inlaid with metal.
“Respected Noble Son, lovely Mermaid Gentleman, the Black Pool Star mascot the Sacred Wood Torch, do you want one?” one of them shouted.
“How many Star Coins?” No. 9 nudged Ivan with his elbow, signaling the “money bag” to prepare for payment.
“No charge,” the person replied. “This is a sacred mascot for the Fire God Festival; it cannot be measured by price.”
“Fire God Festival?” An Ming was curious.
No. 9 leaned into the little mermaid’s ear: “One of Black Pool Star’s traditional festivals. The Sacred Wood Torch is a mandatory item for everyone in the parade. No one on the StarNet mentioned they were free; it’s not my system malfunctioning, right?”
“It’s your brain malfunctioning,” the insect interjected. He and LAN stood side by side behind No. 9 and the little mermaid in a protective bodyguard stance.
The man chuckled: “This Mr. O, I can tell you’re visiting Black Pool Star for the first time and don’t understand, right? This is the largest sacrificial festival on our Black Pool Star…”
The man began to talk volubly, explaining the details.
More and more people gathered around. Most were unfamiliar with the Fire God Festival, so the man happened to serve as an announcer.
“…The evil black dragon was stabbed in one eye by a torch and roared loudly: ‘Who exactly are you!’ The little mermaid blacksmith replied calmly…”
The narrator was expressive, becoming more excited as he spoke, specifically addressing An Ming and LAN’s side.
Everyone listened intently, startled now and then by his sudden movements.
An Ming also listened with great interest. LAN kept his hand on the little mermaid’s shoulder, silently accompanying him.
Suddenly, someone squeezed through and bumped into An Ming.
The hybrid dragon was quick-eyed and nimble-handed, pulling the little mermaid into his embrace; the little mermaid wasn’t actually hit.
“Watch out,” the hybrid dragon said in a low voice, vaguely displeased.
“Sorry, sorry…” The person was wearing local traditional long robes. Because the weather was very cold, a wide hood covered their head, and they were wrapped up so tightly that neither their race nor gender could be discerned.
LAN narrowed his eyes as the hooded person walked away.
“They were just passing by and were careless,” An Ming said with a smile.
“Mm.” LAN withdrew his gaze.
The narrator finally finished: “And that is the origin of the Fire God Festival… At exactly midnight, the Fire God Festival will grandly begin. We will carry torches from the southernmost part of the town all the way to the hilltop, singing and dancing, with special performances!”
“Midnight! Everyone, skip a night of sleep and be sure to come!”
The people started distributing the torches. Regardless of whether they would come later or not, everyone laughed and accepted one for the sake of the excitement.
LAN asked, “Do you want to see it?”
An Ming was very interested and nodded like a woodpecker: “Yes, yes!”
Ivan tapped his watch nearby, expressionless.
“Then we’ll see it. The seed procurement can be postponed until tomorrow afternoon or the day after,” LAN decided.
Evan: “…Suit yourselves.”