Chapter 178: Finding a Replacement

Wu Xingyu, looking thoroughly displeased, wedged himself between the two of them. He turned his beautiful face toward Yun Qimu, glaring at her with his dark eyes, and said in a low voice, “We should go harvest the vegetables in the fields.”

Yun Qimu was startled by his sudden appearance. She took a step back, holding Yun Xiaoyu, and then, with a deadpan face, stretched out a slender, fair finger and pressed it against his forehead, pushing his dangerously attractive face away. “Don’t get so close,” she said, exasperated.

“Why not?”

Wu Xingyu moved his face back, following the pressure of her finger. When she finally withdrew her hand, his dark brows furrowed again, and his gaze grew even deeper as he looked at her.

Yun Qimu stared at his face for a few seconds, then sighed. “You’re just too good-looking. Even kids would drool over you.”

Both Wu Xingyu and Yun Xiaoyu, one big and one small, instantly blushed bright red.

They both turned away awkwardly with a huff.

Yun Xiaoyu said coolly, “I’m not drooling over his face! Only girls like you, Qimu, who are starting to have a crush, would be into his looks.”

Wu Xingyu also grunted in protest at Yun Qimu’s teasing.

Yun Qimu gave a sheepish laugh, her jet-black hair brushing against her slightly flushed cheek as she glanced away.

She had to admit, she really did have a weakness for his stunning looks.

“Ahem.” Yun Qimu quickly straightened up and changed the subject. “I’m not going to the fields right now. I need to buy some more flatbreads from Madam Song to take with us to Senmuze. They’re convenient to eat on the go.”

Wu Xingyu turned his face back, gave a little hum, and reluctantly agreed, “I had some flatbread this morning too. It’s definitely good for travel. I’ll go buy a few more as well.”

“Let’s go together, then. Who knows how many she’s made today. If she runs out, we can pre-order some to pick up before we leave.”

“Mm.” Wu Xingyu nodded seriously, following at her side, his lips pressed together, showing no objection.

“Oh, right, remember to let Yuan An and the others know. If they want flatbread, they should come buy some now. If they ask me later, I’ll be charging double.”

“No need. I’ll buy them and charge them triple.”

Ming Mu watched the two of them walk off and, for some reason, felt like they shared a similar vibe.

“They seem really in sync,” Ming Mu finally commented.

Pei Yu curled his lip. “That’s not called being in sync. That’s called two schemers cut from the same cloth—birds of a feather flock together.”

Ming Mu: …

Crude as it was, it did seem pretty accurate.

Ming Mu shook his head to clear his thoughts and remembered what he wanted to ask. “I’m officially an employee at the pharmacy workshop now. Does that mean I can start work today?”

Pei Yu eyed him suspiciously. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping Longteng with the competition? Why are you thinking about work?”

“I…” Ming Mu’s eyes darted away. He couldn’t wait to get into the alchemy lab and start refining medicine. Hunting held no appeal for him at all.

Just then, Yun Qimu, who had already walked some distance away, suddenly remembered something and called back to him, “Ming Mu, I’ve already given you access to the alchemy lab. You can go whenever you want. As for raw materials, you can gather them yourself or post a request at the mission hall—it’s up to you.”

“Got it!” Ming Mu instantly perked up.

He pulled out three pieces of parchment, glanced at the recipes, and turned to Pei Yu. “Where’s the mission hall? I want to go post a request right now.”

“It’s right across from the pharmacy workshop. Didn’t you see it yesterday?”

Ming Mu laughed awkwardly. “I was too focused on the pharmacy workshop and didn’t notice anything else. Okay, I know where it is now. My brother can go with me—you go ahead.”

Pei Yu was not pleased, glaring at him with his peach blossom eyes. “So you’re just ditching me now that you’ve used me?”

Ming Mu was unmoved, squinting his eyes and putting on a look of concern. “I’m just trying not to waste your time.”

“Hmph, I’m not that pressed for time. It’s not like I’d be able to hunt much anyway. Fine, I’ll go with you.”

With that, Pei Yu swaggered off ahead to lead the way.

Ming Xiao smiled at his retreating back. “He’s really lively and fun.”

Ming Mu curled his lip. “He’s the City Lord Mo’s cousin. With the city lord backing him up and Deputy Lin quietly spoiling him, how could he not be lively?”

“Oh, right, bro, how’s your health now? Do you need to go back and rest?”

“No need.” Ming Xiao smiled and shook his head. “Ever since we arrived at Earth Village, my body has been healing itself. I feel much better now. Once all the dark matter is purged, my powers should advance even further.”

Ming Mu was delighted. “Of course! You’re so smart and talented. If those old bastards at home hadn’t taken advantage of you when you were young and infected you with dark matter, then dumped you here, you’d probably already be an SS-rank light ability user by now.”

Ming Xiao looked at his brother’s indignant, ready-to-fight expression, a smile on his lips but a shadow flickering in his eyes.

“It’s fine. Things have turned around now. With Earth Village, my future will be even brighter. I should thank those people for sending me here—otherwise, I’d probably just be a puppet fool.”

“But you’ve suffered so much all these years…”

“It’s all right. I’ll get my chance to pay them back.” Ming Xiao reassured him.

He’d been through a lot. Surviving in the cannibalistic, chaotic city was no easy feat, especially with a frail body that could collapse at any moment. Yet he’d managed to climb to the position of Longteng’s second-in-command, one of the three major powers. Clearly, he was deeply calculating. Now that his health was improving, he was even more composed.

Ming Mu frowned. “But we’re stuck on this exile star. Getting revenge won’t be easy.”

Ming Xiao just smiled. “Who says? If a miracle like Earth Village can appear on this exile star, maybe another miracle will happen too.”

Ming Mu shut his mouth, glanced at his brother, and couldn’t bring himself to dampen his spirits.

Meanwhile, a strange light flickered in Ming Xiao’s eyes, his lips curled in a faint smile. He said nothing more.

But he had a feeling—they would definitely leave this exile star and return to the interstellar world.

“What are you two dawdling for? Hurry up!” Up ahead, Pei Yu, who’d been walking slowly for ages without seeing the brothers catch up, turned and shouted at them.

“Coming!” The two brothers exchanged a glance and hurried to catch up.

It wasn’t long before the three of them entered the mission hall.

Looking at the screens listing all sorts of requests—help wanted, medicine needed, ingredients sought—Ming Mu’s eyes suddenly lit up. “We promised to help Longteng, so we can’t back out, but we could find someone to take our place! Bro, what do you think?”

Ming Xiao raised an eyebrow, a smile spreading across his lips. “Good idea. That could work—as long as we find someone S-rank or above.”"