Chapter 854: Barbecue Party

Chapter 854: Barbecue Party

"For survival!"

Thick Earth raised his non-alcoholic pineapple beer in one hand and a lamb skewer in the other. "Cheers, bro!" he shouted.

He had initially planned on draft beer, but with the great fight looming, War Tiger had forbidden everyone from drinking alcohol—himself excluded. Alcohol affected him as much as water; his tolerance was on another level.

"Old Earth!" War Tiger plopped down next to him, a can of beer in hand and a toothpick in his mouth. He looked satiated from the food and drink he'd had. "You're bold, man. You dared to use the Qilin Guild's rally here?"

"Haha, my damn mouth." Thick Earth slapped his own face. "I was just in the mood to shout something! Couldn't think of anything else, only the phrase we chanted back in the Crimson Tide."

War Tiger glanced at Dead Pig, who was patiently peeling lobsters for Lovely Lamb. "Old Pig, what's the Twelve Zodiac Signs' chant?"

"Hoho, since when do we have one?" With disposable gloves on, Dead Pig shallowly dipped the soft, white shrimp in sauce before feeding it to Lovely Lamb.

Lovely Lamb opened her mouth wide and took it in one bite, her eyes twinkling like stars. "Oh! It's yummy!"

"We don't have one?" War Tiger shook the beer can in his hand, discontent. He raised his head and hollered, “Grandma[1]! Where are you, Grandma?”

A gust of wind swept past the top of their heads with a swoosh. A purple-haired girl in a sailor uniform, a black and white blanket around her shoulders, glided from the mansion's balcony to the front yard's entrance.

She stood on tiptoes atop the lamp post, affecting a haughty look as if gazing down at all life. "Mortal, you call for this Empress?"

"Grandma, what's the Nine Scions' chant again?" War Tiger asked.

"Hmph!" Nainai stood arms akimbo. "This Empress will only say it once. Listen well! We must walk the path we must walk..."

"Too long, won't listen!" War Tiger cut her off impatiently. "What's the last line? Something about the darkness?"

"Born in the dark, we chase the dawn," Ke Yo answered casually as she stood behind War Tiger. She had put her hair up and donned an apron and gloves. She was now working the grills.

Such a boisterous occasion had never been her thing. She always felt out of place. Thus, she'd rather find something to do and keep busy. That eased and comforted her.

Wang Weiyan stood beside Ke Yo, holding a bottle of coconut juice. "Sister Ke Yo, I want roasted fish."

"Of course." Ke Yo smiled at Wang Weiyan. "Just a minute. It'll be done soon."

Gao Yang chuckled, taking the chicken leg from his sister and having a bite. "Hm, it's good."

"Of course. I'm the chef." Gao Xinxin sat down next to Gao Yang. She was going to joke more, but she wasn't in the mood.

After hesitating, she said, "Brother, I..."

"No," Gao Yang insisted.

"I promise I won't drag you down..."

"No," Gao Yang repeated. "Take Lovely Lamb and Wang Weiyan back to the secret base in the sewers later."

"Gao Yang!" Gao Xinxin lost her calm. "What should I do if none of you return? Have you considered my feelings?!"

"Sacrifice is unavoidable, but it's unlikely for us all to die." Gao Yang sighed and held Gao Xinxin's gaze solemnly. "And even if we all die, you must live. You have two children to take care of. Vermilion Bird too."

"Brother!" Gao Xinxin's eyes reddened. "That's selfish of you! I'm only a high school freshman. What can I possibly do? I don't know how. I'm scared..."

"Don't be scared, Xinxin. Even if the worst-case scenario does become reality, you'll know what to do when the time comes."

Gao Yang patted her head with his clean hand. "Brother was just like you. I was afraid of this and that and everything, but somehow, I stumbled my way to where I am today. You can do the same. People are more resilient than we thought."

Gao Xinxin lowered her head and fell silent, clutching the hem of her shirt with both hands.

After a long while, she took a deep breath and let go of her shirt. She opened her arms and gently hugged Gao Yang. "I'll do as you said, Brother, but promise me that you'll be okay."

"I'll do my best." Gao Yang patted her back.

"Alright!" Gao Xinxin let go of Gao Yang and wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. She cheered herself up. "I'm gonna give Gregor a few more pointers. I won't be there this time, and I'm worried."

"Go." Gao Yang smiled.

Gao Xinxin went downstairs. Listening to the staccato of her footsteps, Gao Yang was momentarily lost in his thoughts.

Then suddenly, Gao Yang's brows furrowed. He had picked up on something.

1. War Tiger may be calling Nainai Grandma because of her hair color. There’s a popular choice of color in China for hair color that’s known as Grandma Gray, and it’s gray with a purple tint. ☜