Chapter 25: Humiliation and Counterattack

The starship bearing the insignia of the Third Star System docked at the largest spaceport on the Noble homeworld, where the head of the Shida Chunlu family and his wife, along with their two sons, were already waiting.

The status of the Third Star System was evident from this display.

As the ship’s hatch opened, S-77 was the first to step out. The head of the Shida Chunlu family hurried forward to greet him.

“Lord S-77, welcome to the Noble Star System. We’ve arranged the finest accommodations for you, so you can rest comfortably.”

S-77’s gaze lingered on Wo Shida Chunlu for a moment before he addressed the family head, “Lead the way.”

The family head’s face was all smiles. “This way, please.”

S-77 walked a few steps, then stopped, waiting until Feng Jingyu and the others had all disembarked before continuing forward.

The family head had prepared several hovercars, standing by the most luxurious one, waiting for S-77 to board.

S-77 opened the door and said to Feng Jingyu, “You’re the chief representative. Your seat is here.”

Feng Jingyu said nothing, simply got in, and S-77 followed her inside.

·

On the way to their lodgings, the family head seemed to want to say something, but seeing S-77’s cold expression, he swallowed his words.

Feng Jingyu had no desire to talk to them either, spending the whole ride observing the scenery outside. The family matron, sensing that the only possible conversation partner was unwilling, wisely kept silent as well.

In this awkward silence, the hovercar finally stopped before a lavish building.

·

“Lord S-77, this residence is reserved for honored guests. Everything has been arranged to the highest standard. Please let us know if it meets your satisfaction,” the family head said, leading S-77 and Feng Jingyu inside, his tone warm and enthusiastic.

“Have the butler show them to their rooms to rest,” S-77 said with a nod.

“Of course, of course.” The family head, finally receiving a positive response, hurriedly instructed the staff to settle everyone in.

After a few more polite exchanges with S-77, the family head reluctantly took his leave.

·

Feng Jingyu glanced around her room, then checked her terminal for messages from Cen Lan. She had the smart butler show her the other rooms, and finally stopped in front of S-77’s door.

“77, do you have a moment?”

S-77 let Feng Jingyu in.

“Got a plan?” he asked.

“Yes. I need your cooperation with something.” Feng Jingyu laid out her idea.

S-77 frowned slightly. “Isn’t that a bit risky?”

“There’s a saying on Earth: ‘If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch a tiger cub?’ You’re here to protect me, but your presence actually makes them hesitant to act. We need them to think it’s safe before our plan can proceed.” Feng Jingyu explained.

“As long as you’re confident, that’s enough.”

·

One day later.

“S-77 and his private ship have left?” Wo Shida Chunlu had almost given up on his original plan, but now received this excellent news.

“Yes, we saw it with our own eyes,” the subordinate said. “The ship has already left the spaceport.”

Wo Shida Chunlu smiled in satisfaction. “I thought S-77 cared so much about that short-lived species, but it seems he’s not so invested after all. Proceed as planned, immediately.”

“Yes, sir.” The subordinate hurried off.

·

After S-77’s departure, everything at the residence remained as before, leaving nothing to complain about.

Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief. In such unfamiliar surroundings, thoughtful hospitality was at least somewhat reassuring.

This maneuver made Feng Jingyu raise her estimation of Wo Shida Chunlu slightly; clearly, he had bigger plans, and wouldn’t get bogged down in petty details.

She remained calm, keeping all work arrangements on schedule, waiting for Wo Shida Chunlu to make his move.

Beneath the surface calm, the Interstellar Girls’ first official performance in the Noble Star System began.

·

When the girls stepped onto the stage and saw rows of empty seats, they froze in surprise.

Why was there no audience? Only a single spotlight illuminated the stage—it didn’t look like a venue prepared for a real performance at all.

Yet the music began to play. Sela, flustered, looked to Cheng Wangshu, the teammate she relied on most. Cheng had already started dancing to the music, her face radiant with a dazzling smile, even with no audience.

The others quickly steadied themselves, found the rhythm, and moved into position.

So what if there was no audience? We’ll still give our best performance!

·

Feng Jingyu led the staff to the audience section, cheering loudly for the girls on stage.

The Interstellar Girls performed with utmost dedication, giving their all to this audience-less show.

When the last song ended, the six bowed together and left the stage. Backstage, their pent-up frustration finally burst forth as tears.

The staff comforted the girls, while Feng Jingyu, furious, confronted the local manager. “I want an explanation for this!”

·

“An explanation? Miss Feng, it’s you who owe us an explanation. Why are you using our theater for an illegal performance?” the manager said with contempt.

“Illegal performance? We came here to tour after signing a contract! On what grounds do you call this illegal?!” Feng Jingyu was livid.

“Yes, you came here for a tour, but our theater never scheduled your performance.” The manager was unmoved by Feng Jingyu’s anger. “Not only did you perform illegally, you occupied my theater and caused us financial loss. The Earth government should compensate us.”

Feng Jingyu stared at the manager for a moment, her tone no longer agitated. “Our performance was personally invited by Mr. Wo Shida Chunlu. I have the right to demand he explain this in person.”

“You? Demand an explanation from Mr. Wo? Don’t flatter yourself,” the manager sneered.

Feng Jingyu laughed coldly. “Is it that I’m unworthy, or is he afraid to face me? After all, it’s only natural to feel guilty after such a shameful act.”

“Who says I’m afraid!” Wo Shida Chunlu, who had been watching from next door, now appeared before Feng Jingyu.

At his appearance, a barely perceptible smile flickered at the corner of Feng Jingyu’s lips.

The big fish had taken the bait.

·

“So, Mr. Wo Shida Chunlu, you’ve been here all along. Since you watched the whole thing from start to finish, that means you’re not only aware of everything, but also the mastermind. Can I assume you invited us here just to humiliate us?” The previously furious, out-of-control Earth representative was gone, replaced by a Feng Jingyu who seized the key point at once.

“Didn’t expect a short-lived species to have some brains.” Apparently, the scene just now had greatly satisfied Wo Shida Chunlu’s vanity, and his words became even more brazen. “But in the end, you’re still an inferior race. The nobility of us long-lived ones is something your lowly kind could never compare to.”

“So you brought us here just to insult us for being short-lived?”

“That’s right. I want you to know your inferiority is written in your genes, and nothing will ever change that! Just like your civilization—nothing but worthless trash.” Wo Shida Chunlu laughed triumphantly.

Feng Jingyu sighed, then turned and spoke in another direction, “To all our interstellar friends watching the livestream, you see now. This is how the Noble Star System treats the Federation’s only short-lived species.”

Wo Shida Chunlu’s smile vanished. “Who are you talking to?”

Feng Jingyu ignored him and continued, “We’ve never asked for special privileges because we’re rare, but we never expected such public humiliation. It’s truly chilling.”

“I asked who you’re talking to!” Wo Shida Chunlu lunged forward, trying to grab Feng Jingyu. But the moment his hand touched her shoulder, she collapsed to the ground with a piercing scream.

“Ah—! Why are you hitting people?!”

Wo Shida Chunlu was furious, while the theater manager, finally snapping out of his daze, rushed to restrain him, preventing any further action.

Feng Jingyu signaled, and the Earth staff cut the livestream.

·

Once the livestream was confirmed to be off, Feng Jingyu stood up, dusted (nonexistent) off her clothes, and smiled sweetly. “What a wonderful show, don’t you think, Mr. Wo Shida Chunlu? Thank you for your outstanding performance—I enjoyed every minute.”

Wo Shida Chunlu was breathing hard, but once the manager held him back, his mind cleared a little.

“I suppose you didn’t read the contract carefully? It clearly states that after the performance, we’ll livestream backstage footage as a bonus for the fans.” Feng Jingyu’s smile grew even sweeter. “After all, our company is the best at giving fans special treats.”

Wo Shida Chunlu glared at Feng Jingyu as if he wanted to tear her to pieces.

“Look down on us? Think we’re not worthy of the stage?” Feng Jingyu tilted her head. “Sorry, but the short-lived species you despise just gave you a heavy blow. I thought you’d come up with something earth-shattering, but this is it? Even in five thousand years, you’ll never beat me.”

“I’ll kill you!!!!” Wo Shida Chunlu finally lost control. Breaking free, his berserk mental power materialized into a twisted spear, which he hurled straight at Feng Jingyu.

Feng Jingyu didn’t dodge, standing motionless as Wo Shida Chunlu charged at her.

But the instant the spear reached her, a tall figure seemed to tear through space itself, intervening with a speed the eye could not follow.

It was S-77. He had never left—he’d been by Feng Jingyu’s side all along.

·

Facing Wo Shida Chunlu’s furious attack, S-77 lashed out with his right leg, a whip-like strike that shattered the spear. Using the recoil, his second blow gave Wo Shida Chunlu no chance to react—a direct, unadorned strike to the chest.

“Ugh—!”

This time the scream was real. Wo Shida Chunlu was lifted off his feet, sent flying into a distant wall, then slid to the floor, curled up and unable to make a sound.

·

Only now did S-77 slowly lower his leg. He stood tall, silver hair falling smoothly over his shoulders, not even his breathing disturbed. He shielded Feng Jingyu behind him, his golden eyes utterly cold and devoid of warmth.

“Forgot to mention,” Feng Jingyu poked her head out from behind S-77, “our 77 never left. He just disguised himself as an Earthling.”

Whether the theater manager heard her or not was unclear, but his legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees.

“Lord S-77…”