The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 1484: Chapter 1484: A Simple Gift

Shi Ya stood beside the flowerbed, where a clump of roses were in full bloom. Under the drifting petals, her fair, delicate face looked even more ethereal and lovely.

Her expression was blank, radiating a ”strangers keep out” vibe. That cool indifference made the people around hurry past without stopping.

Ji You didn’t care about any of that. She was happy, genuinely happy—happy that Senior Shi Ya had come to find her in person. Ji You dashed forward in one stride, ignoring whether Shi Ya’s cold attitude was directed at her or not. As she got close, she grinned, showing a dazzling smile: ”Senior, you’re waiting for me. Did you come because you needed something from me?”

Shi Ya said blandly, ”Mm.”

Visible disappointment flashed in Ji You’s eyes. ”Huh? I thought it was because you missed me, heard I was coming back today, and came to pick me up specially.”

At that, Shi Ya pressed her lips together and stayed silent.

Ji You didn’t actually feel let down. Her dark-and-bright eyes stared at Senior Shi Ya’s face, refusing to miss even the tiniest twitch, then discovered that her senior really didn’t have any expression at all—her face was basically paralyzed.

But!

Ji You noticed that Senior Shi Ya had a thin cord around her neck. The color and weave of that cord were oddly familiar—red string braided together with a strand of gold. If Ji You hadn’t made it herself, then who had?

If her guess was right, beneath that red string hung a ring.

A ring that Ji You possessed as well.

Only, Senior Shi Ya had always worn it on her finger before. Why had she suddenly switched to hanging it around her neck, tucked inside her collar?

The doubt flashed by and vanished. Then, under Shi Ya’s gaze, Ji You narrowed her eyes, the corners of her mouth curving up: ”Senior, I missed you so much.”

Shi Ya’s face stayed calm.

The next second, Ji You pressed her lips together and chuckled. ”Miss your braised pork even more.”

Shi Ya: ”...”

This time, Ji You sharply caught the slight twitch at Senior Shi Ya’s mouth. She immediately broke into a wide grin and burst out laughing.

Looking at Ji You, Shi Ya’s otherwise impassive eyes rarely showed a hint of helpless amusement.

Right after, Ji You’s expression returned to normal. ”Senior, what did you need me for?”

Shi Ya said, ”Come with me.”

With that.

Shi Ya lifted her foot and walked off.

Ji You followed at once.

One in front, one behind, they walked a few steps, passed through the rose bed, circled around a row of serrated flowers, then kept going, all the way to a fake-rock hill. They went up a small flight of steps and into an antique-style pavilion. Only when they were alone did Shi Ya stop.

Ji You had followed the whole way, feeling it was very strange. Senior Shi Ya hadn’t said a word. Was she taking her into the campus garden for a date?

Cough, cough...

Scratch that.

Ji You schooled her face, trailing quietly behind.

Then.

She saw Senior Shi Ya sit down on the long bench in the pavilion, point at the bench opposite, and say to Ji You, ”Sit.”

Her expression was still cool, her voice the same flat, boring tone as ever. But Ji You could feel, from the lively spiritual fluctuations around Senior Shi Ya, that she was relaxed and pleased.

—Senior Shi Ya was also very happy, very glad, very at ease to see her.

Ji You smiled, then promptly plopped down right next to Shi Ya. In that instant, Shi Ya’s body visibly tensed.

Shi Ya kept her face cold and said, ”I asked you here to give you something.”

”A present?” As soon as Ji You heard that, her eyes almost squinted shut from smiling. ”Didn’t you just give me a gift not long ago? How come you’re suddenly giving me another one?”

As she spoke, Ji You craned her neck, waiting curiously.

Shi Ya didn’t seem inclined to drag it out. She directly took out a black Box from her Space Button and handed it to Ji You. ”Here.”

Ji You froze. ”???”

Last time, her senior’s gift had been a small cake. This time, Ji You had thought it would be candy or snacks again, but apparently not.

What could it be?

With rising anticipation, Ji You reached out and took it. It felt very hard; the pitch-black Box’s material seemed to be an alloy of several metals. With her curiosity piqued, she gently flipped the switch on the Box. Inside was a thin sheet about the size of a baby’s fingernail. Ji You’s mouth fell open in surprise. ”Senior? Is this a chip?”

Shi Ya nodded. ”Mm.”

Ji You tilted her head, looking at Shi Ya.

Meeting Ji You’s puzzled gaze, Shi Ya looked very calm as she said, ”Recently I’ve been working on a new research project about Mechas. I already have some leads. The new chip I’m giving you contains everyday maintenance knowledge for that type of Mecha.”

Ji You blinked. ”Huh?”

She didn’t get it.

Honestly.

The way it was phrased was vague; she couldn’t tell what it specifically meant. It sounded like a gift for her, yet also kind of not.

Shi Ya didn’t explain much more, only said, ”I’m going out on a mission tomorrow. It’ll take about two months before I come back. Please help me keep this chip safe while I’m gone.”

Keep it safe?

So it wasn’t a present?

Ji You gaped. ”You just want me to hold on to it? You’re not giving it to me?”

Shi Ya: ”Mm.”

Ji You: ”...”

So it really wasn’t a gift.

Ay!

Seeing the obvious disappointment on Ji You’s face, Shi Ya pressed her lips together and said, ”Taking this chip with me could affect my mission. It might lower my score. I don’t have many friends here, and I don’t feel comfortable asking just anyone to keep it. You’re unwilling?”

This was the longest sentence Senior Shi Ya had ever spoken to Ji You. Ji You couldn’t help feeling a little moved and hurried to say, ”Of course I’m willing.”

Shi Ya’s tightly pressed lips relaxed, and she made an effort, tugging at them to pull out a smile. ”Thank you.”

Ji You waved her hand. ”What are you thanking me for? We’re practically family; no need for thanks.”

Shi Ya looked at Ji You’s face, her brows faintly knitting. That face was uneven with scabs, new skin growing underneath. Nothing else aside from that; just looking at it made one ache.

Shi Ya knew that face had been literally flayed by the icy wind.

Line after line...

She’d just let the wind scrape her face into that state, and kept at it for a long time.

Shi Ya had watched Ji You’s entire match from start to finish, and it had only made her heart ache more.

But!

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

All those words of concern, of warmth... Shi Ya wanted to speak them, but once they reached her lips, they just wouldn’t come out, as if they were zipped shut.

Shi Ya was a little angry, angry at herself for brooding.

So her expression looked even more indifferent, and the aura around her turned abruptly icy. Ji You found it strange—why had her senior’s spiritual wave suddenly become so agitated? She’d already agreed to take the chip and keep it for her. Had something else come up that was hard to decide?

Right then——

With her face still cold, under Ji You’s craned-neck stare, Shi Ya pulled out a dish from her own Space Button!

A dish of braised spare ribs, glossy red-brown and fragrant with rich, meaty aroma.

Ji You: ”!!!”

Shi Ya said, ”Gift.”

Ji You’s eyes went round. ”!!!”