"Why is there my power inside her?"
"Forget it—time to switch."
"First, you have a younger brother you raised from childhood who listens to you very well."
"Second, your parents are deceased, your property was seized, and you are about to be sold into slavery."
"Third, you have forgotten all your abilities and will live on as an ordinary pure-blooded human."
"Fourth, you cannot perceive that all of this is a temporal illusion."
"Remember these?"
"If you remember, wake up."
Memory implantation successful.
A weakness emanated from the depths of her brain, accompanied by faint, almost lover-like murmurs filled with tenderness.
Lu Mingming's consciousness floated in the sea of her mind. After an unknown amount of time, the voice changed to a completely unfamiliar sharp male voice.
The other party shouted, "You good-for-nothings, sleeping and slacking off here! This room isn't for you, get out!"
After a few seconds of no response, the man said again.
"You two little pigs, you really think you're something."
Her consciousness slowly returned, and Lu Mingming forced her eyes open.
Everything was unfamiliar. An unknown man stood pointing at her.
Before Lu Mingming could figure things out, amidst the blurry silhouette, the man picked up the basin of water on the table and splashed it towards her.
Not good!
Her movements preceded her thoughts. Lu Mingming tightly shut her eyes and instinctively turned, extending her arms to protect the cub beside her.
Although she hadn't seen who was next to her, this resolute command was deeply etched in her mind.
The cold water soaked Lu Mingming to the bone, her clothes clinging to her body, inch by inch against her skin. Fortunately, the water was clean, offering her a sliver of comfort.
Lu Mingming tucked the stray hairs from both sides of her cheeks behind her ears. Countless memories surged back—
Her name was Lu Mingming, a disliked pure-blooded human.
Her brother was an adopted beastkin.
Just a few days ago, her parents, owing massive gambling debts, committed suicide, leaving Lu Mingming and her brother to fend for themselves.
Her brother's name was Lu Hongyu.
"Is Hongyu alright?"
Lu Mingming lowered her head worriedly, checking on the cub.
She carefully reached out, her hand brushing against her brother's cheek.
Lu Mingming knew her brother was a bit withdrawn, rarely speaking, and keeping all his emotions bottled up inside, which made her, as an elder sister, feel distressed.
She tenderly wiped the water stains from Hongyu's neck.
Lu Hongyu was as drenched as she was. If they stayed like this, he would surely catch a cold.
Lu Mingming's gaze sharpened. With a surge of courage from an unknown source, she glared at the slave trader, "Don't push it too far! All our family's assets were mortgaged to you. The servant contract was for one year. Aren't you afraid I'll find trouble with you after I've made my name?"
The slave trader seemed to hear a joke of the century and immediately let out a light laugh.
As he was about to retort sarcastically, a steady voice suddenly appeared beside him, "This is quite interesting. this little girl is a pure-blooded human, isn't she? I'll take her."
Only then did Lu Mingming notice a tall, bald man standing next to the slave trader.
The bald man had a long scar on his cheek, fierce like a centipede crawling across his face, giving her a vague sense of familiarity.
Confusion welled up in Lu Mingming's eyes.
Who was this person? She didn't remember knowing him.
The slave trader, hearing the bald man's words, fawningly raised a smile and said, "Sir, are you sure you want these two? They haven't been trained, they won't be good for anything..."
He spoke as if afraid of offending a wealthy patron.
"Don't worry."
The bald man chuckled heartily.
"A pure blank canvas is the easiest to draw on with a black pen. Starfall Constellation will take good care of them."
"You are truly kind-hearted."
The slave trader chuckled obsequiously, casting a jealous and envious glance at Lu Mingming.
"It's so good to go to Starfall Constellation, the biggest pirate syndicate today. They eat well, drink well..."
As the slave trader spoke, Lu Mingming warily looked at the bald man.
She knew pirates were not good people. Now, she had dragged her brother into suffering.
Lu Mingming tightly clutched Lu Hongyu's hand, shielding him behind her.
"Don't be afraid, sister will protect you."
"Loyalty, very good."
The bald man admired her even more.
"I'll take these two. Send them over immediately."
He said this and turned to leave, leaving the slave trader's expression instantly changing to a string of sarcastic remarks.
"I don't know what he sees in you, but don't forget me when you make it big."
A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs.
Even if Lu Mingming hadn't been a tiger in the first half of her life, she still felt an inexplicable sense of grievance, feeling that something was not quite right.
She would take things one step at a time.
Lu Mingming hugged Lu Hongyu, wringing out the cub's clothes bit by bit, her mind slowly pondering:
Following the bald man voluntarily would mean less beatings, especially since Hongyu's body temperature was so cold...
Her brother was like this. She couldn't tell if he was sick or if this was his normal state.
Lu Mingming now only wanted to take Lu Hongyu to see a doctor.
"What kind of organization is Starfall Constellation?"
Lu Mingming asked tentatively.
Perhaps because Lu Mingming had been clearly accepted into Starfall Constellation, the slave trader's tone and attitude changed, answering almost every question:
"You little girl are quite lucky. Whether you're taken in as a wife or a crew member for any of the big figures, you're fortunate.
There's a war going on within the Interstellar Alliance. One faction, led by the Alliance heir Orlan Nal, is in conflict with the United Empire and the rebellious faction led by Goodfin.
Furthermore, Orlan Nal disappeared this year, naturally making Starfall Constellation a major third-party power. Perhaps one day they will replace the Alliance."
The slave trader's tone was full of admiration.
Orlan Nal.
Such a familiar name.
Lu Mingming was taken aback. Was history unfolding like this? Why did she have no memory of the United Empire of Goodfin at all...
While she was lost in thought, she didn't notice Hongyu, who was in her arms, slowly raise his head. His rose-colored eyes, like beautiful rubies, stared at her without blinking, as if observing prey within its territory.
A flash of insight, followed by an infinite blockage of thought.
How could that be? What was she thinking?
Lu Mingming gave a self-deprecating laugh and quickly forgot her strange thought, continuing to follow the slave trader.
According to this, being recruited into Starfall Constellation was a good choice.
Lu Mingming felt slightly relieved.
She would see if she could escape later.
The slave trader quickly transmitted Lu Mingming's information to the reception point of Starfall Constellation.
The beastkin people in this area had various appearances, and pure-blooded humans were very rare.
Most were tall or possessed strong, solid muscles. Each one seemed capable of fighting five people, completely forming a formidable army.
Lu Mingming, holding Hongyu, blended in. Her innocent, little white flower image attracted many gazes and whispers.
"Is this the wife and child of some lord?"
"Could it be Lu... that one?"
"How is that possible? That one clearly avoids women. Perhaps she's a maid to be offered? Didn't they say Boss Lu was about to conduct two rounds of negotiations with the Alliance officials?"
"Now that the three forces are in a stalemate, whoever can secure Boss Lu's help will ultimately win."
More and more eyes focused on Lu Mingming, causing her to grip Hongyu tighter.
The various whispers brought a flush of embarrassment to her cheeks.
What were these people talking about?!
She was unmarried and had no boyfriend, so where did they get the idea of a husband and cub?!
Lu Hongyu sensed Lu Mingming's emotions. His soft, fleshy hand clutched her neck, as if offering silent comfort.
The cub's naturally curly hair was more comfortable than a warm plush blanket, but his little face against Lu Mingming's was still a bit cold.
Fortunately, they didn't wait long. The bald man stood on the deck, assigning doctors to examine them one by one for contagious diseases. Lu Mingming then confirmed her brother was fine.
She also received two sets of one-size-fits-all clothes from a crew member of Starfall Constellation.
Lu Mingming, having received help, expressed her gratitude but remained vigilant.
Being humane was one thing; using it to win people's hearts was another.
At night, Lu Mingming and Lu Hongyu were assigned, along with other slaves, to a cramped basement.
Each person was given a soft mat and a thin blanket, providing them with a temporary place to rest.
She hoped to gain the right to survive in Starfall Constellation for herself and Hongyu...
Lu Mingming thought unconsciously before falling asleep, Hongyu snuggled tightly in her arms, drawing warmth.
The two young beasts licked each other's wounds, waiting for tomorrow in the quiet night.