Chapter 27: A Burden

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The sound of footsteps hastened. Obviously, she was their target.
Lan Jiao knew that the leisurely day had made her lower her guard.
The smoke rising from the soup had exposed her tracks.
She wondered if there was still time left for her to escape, if she extinguished the fire right now.
The thought had just flashed across her head when two people appeared within Lan Jiao’s sight.
Dressed in a formal white tuxedo, a tall and handsome man with blonde long hair and green eyes walked up to her.
Behind him, there was a short boy with black, fluffy curls and a pair of large eyes.
The two of them were moving across the forest, rapidly like two cats. They reached Lan Jiao quickly.
Lan Jiao only managed to put down the remaining half box of star jelly mushroom soup, and get up from the large stone before she saw them.
Confronted with these two people who had shown up suddenly, Lan Jiao’s eyes opened wide. They were a lot faster than she was!
As the damp, cool wind of night blew by, the artificial moon in the sky was large and bright. It’s light was like a huge spotlight that illuminated the entire forest.
As the three faced each other, the atmosphere was cold and awkward.
But, Lan Jiao broke the discomforting situation quickly.
“Good evening, guys.”
Lan Jiao waved at them and said, “Eaten anything yet? Want some more?”
Lan Jiao bent down and lifted the iron box that held the mushroom soup, only to remember that the soup was her leftover.
She was just about to retract the soup, when the boy with black curls replied. “Sure.”
Before she could realise what was happening, he shuffled up to Lan Jiao and took the iron box. In one go, he finished the entire content.
Then, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand with a lingering desire visible in his eyes. He looked at Lan Jiao and smiled. “Thanks for the treat.”
Lan Jiao was surprised and embarrassed. The blonde haired man was standing behind the boy and had a disdainful look on him.
“So you are the girl from Planet Trash mentioned by the Dean?”
The man spoke in a crisp voice. He used a very standard mandarin, just like a host.
The voice was pleasing, but it seemed as if he was purposefully talking in this way. It was not in sync with his real personality.
Lan Jiao was startled, not only because of what the blonde haired man said, but also because of his special voice.
“I am from Planet Trash.” Lan Jiao replied briefly.
Her outfit revealed her origins. The man was asking unnecessary questions.
“Here you are…” As soon as he confirmed it, the blonde haired man suddenly emitted a completely different aura.
A moment ago, he had been a cold-looking pretty man, but now he looked dangerous.
Lan Jiao realized with a start that he was about to fight her!
“Hang on.” She knew that she did not stand a chance against him. Moreover, she would not be able to escape this guy. But Lan Jiao had no intention of giving in.
Lan Jiao took a step backwards and hid behind the boy with black curls in a commanding view.
At least this boy looked a lot gentler than the blonde haired man.
“It has been four days since the examination started and I have no nutritive solutions left with me.” Lan Jiao pressed down the nervous feelings inside her. Her eyes were fixed upon him, while she spoke in a deliberate relaxed manner.
“It is useless to indulge in a fight without any benefits. We are here for the entry examination, and don’t need to get violent. You would not gain anything if I am eliminated.”
She was trying to make a sensible appeal to these two people so she could save herself in some way.
“But I would not gain anything even if you stay.” The man said in a very strange tone.
“Why not?” Lan Jiao asked him anxiously. “We can join forces and work together to pass the entry examination!”
“Sister, are you trying to persuade us to burden ourselves?” The black hair boy was not polite at all.
Sister?
She was only 17 years old!
At this moment, the boy with black curls was no longer friendly to her.
“Burdening you guys?” Lan Jiao was startled.
Was she a burden in their eyes?
She frowned and thought carefully – maybe that was the case, truly a burden.
She did not have any other qualities or abilities apart from cooking skills.
Oh yes!
“I can make you good food. You have nutritive solutions, but they are far less attractive than the food I make.” Lan Jiao suggested actively.
“We are all here for the examination. We do not need to fight against each other. We are going to be classmates! How nice it would be to be harmonious! Isn’t it better to treat your stomach well?” Lan Jiao continued to persuade them.
Hearing what Lan Jiao, the boy with black curls was suddenly reminded of the tasty mushroom soup she had offered them.
He could not help but lick his lips, relishing the lingering taste of mushroom in his mouth.
He started pondering over her proposal.
But before he was able to speak, the blonde haired man snapped. “No thanks.”
His cool look in the eyes was belittling and he seemed to treat Lan Jiao with discrimination. That made Lan Jiao unhappy.
She got so displeased that she became furious!
Damn!
Okay, you can ignore me now, but soon, you won’t be allowed to speak with me again!
“No more talking, give me the signal button and you can leave the planet.”
The blonde haired man was determined to remove Lan Jiao from this examination.
Lan Jiao did not know that she had become a big competitor for most of the participants.
What Dean Ferrero said on the screen in the desert zone was not only an instruction but also an instigation. His words had created many enemies for this girl.
She became the No.1 competitor for every participant.
If Lan Jiao knew about these, she would have tried to give an explanation.
She was just a newbie, not worth all the praise and special mention.
But it was indeed a great feeling to be remembered by the whole gang!
The boy with black curls shook his head with determination and sighed regretfully.
He turned to Lan Jiao and said, “I am sorry, I would like to take you along, but Kong Ximeng doesn’t approve.”