Chapter 60: 060 Moving Day part 1
Smoothing back the hair that had been dampened by his face-washing, Zhu Ran pushed down the new ripples in his heart.
A faint smile remained on his face, but compared to his usual calm, it now held the heart-stirring tremor of a blooming spring.
After packing his bags, Zhu Ran headed to the Aispu spaceport alone.
Because Z was busy with family matters lately, he couldn’t send anyone to protect Zhu Ran for fear that his subordinates might be recognized and cause the youth harm.
Zhu Ran had told him it was fine; he could protect himself.
The spaceport on the D-grade planet Aispu was clean and orderly. The silver-white and fluorescent blue design gave it a high-tech feel—a type of architecture Zhu Ran had never seen before.
The spaceport wasn’t crowded, appearing somewhat cavernous. It took Zhu Ran less than three minutes to finish his boarding procedures.
Mu Qingzhou had asked if Zhu Ran needed help moving, offering to end his mission two days early to return to Ghalan Star, but Zhu Ran had declined.
He had used the Xinggou app’s spatial shipping for his heavy luggage and only had a light backpack on him. There was really nothing to help with.
“Shuttle D1551 to Ghalan Star is preparing for takeoff. Passengers, please fasten your seatbelts.”
Following the electronic announcement, the shuttle departed the spaceport shortly after.
Through the glass, Zhu Ran could see sparks of light bursting outside the defense shield as the shuttle broke through the atmosphere.
With a slight nudge of thrust, the shuttle left the pull of the planet’s gravity and entered the vast, limitless depths of outer space.
This was Zhu Ran’s first time in space, and he couldn’t help but be curious, his eyes constantly fixed on the window.
However, as he continued to watch, it began to feel a bit dull.
The galaxy wasn’t as beautiful as he’d imagined. Most of the time, his view was pitch-black, only occasionally broken by a few distant, twinkling planets or a passing shuttle.
There wasn’t much of a view to speak of.
There weren’t many passengers on the shuttle, and the few there were kept to themselves. The atmosphere was very quiet.
Zhu Ran couldn’t sleep in an unfamiliar environment, so he pulled up his optical computer to begin planning the shop’s future.
“The seeds are almost gone. Once I’m settled on Ghalan Star, I’ll need to buy more. I need to make Eucalyptus oil, test the new mutated oils…”
He listed out his to-do items one by one. A quick glance showed enough work to keep him busy for over half a year.
Having his days planned out like this brought him a sense of fulfillment.
During the trip, the shuttle performed four small spatial folds. Zhu Ran noticed a momentary distortion in the space outside the window before the shuttle reappeared several light-years away.
This was a technology used to shorten interstellar travel time by folding space. The shuttles were equipped with specialized defense systems, ensuring that folds within five light-years had no effect on the passengers or the hull.
At 1:55 PM, Zhu Ran arrived on schedule at the S-grade planet, Ghalan Star.
Ghalan Star truly lived up to its status as an S-grade primary world. The spaceport alone was the size of the entire central district of Aispu. Its semi-transparent architectural shell, combined with the constant flicker of information on holographic screens, gave it an intensely futuristic look.
Not only that, the moment he stepped off the shuttle, Zhu Ran was met with massive, bustling crowds queuing to clear customs. Even the holographic streets of the Xinggou app couldn’t compare to this level of activity.
“Why is customs so slow? Is there some major interstellar summit on Ghalan Star lately?”
“Not sure… but I heard the Emperor’s direct armed forces moved into several locations over the last few days. No one can get in or out. I wonder what’s going on.”
“Wasn’t the Emperor rumored to be in a coma from a spiritual sea riot? Has he been cured?”
“No idea.”
…
“Ye Zhao’s new album is out soon. His look for this one is stunning! I’m going to work overtime to earn enough to go to his signing!”
“And then you’ll have no money for food and expect me to treat you?”
“Oh, come on… it’s only for a few days~ I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my allowance next month.”
…
“Did you know? A shop called Zhuying Anxiang showed up on Xinggou selling natural plants. They say the new Eucalyptus branches are only 4,000 Star Coins!”
“What? Did you say natural plants for 4,000? I must be dreaming.”
“It’s true, look. I’ll share the shop link with you.”
…
Zhu Ran listened to the conversations around him. Hearing the name of his own shop, he felt both surprised and genuinely happy.
His shop had achieved a decent level of fame in the galaxy.
At customs, the human inspector looked at Zhu Ran with a serious expression. “What is your purpose for coming to Ghalan Star?”
Zhu Ran replied, “I’ve just purchased a house and plan to settle here.”
The inspector’s eyebrows shot up. “You must have a good income. What is your profession?”
Zhu Ran: “I’m a shop owner. I run a store on Xinggou, and the revenue is quite good.”
Zhu Ran’s property deed was proof enough of his capability. The inspector nodded and quickly stamped his entry permit ‘Approved.’
“Welcome to Ghalan Star.”
Just as Zhu Ran successfully entered Ghalan Star, the original host’s cousin, Zhu Xiao, arrived on Aispu Star.
“I have to come to this godforsaken place all because of that damn brat.”
Zhu Xiao took one look at the rudimentary facilities of the Aispu spaceport and scoffed in disgust. “Once I get that signature and the inheritance, you’ll be useless, Zhu Ran. Rent on a D-grade planet is what, a few hundred Star Coins? That’s too expensive for you. I should just send you to an F-grade planet; you don’t have to pay rent there.”
“I’m really doing you a favor, cutting your expenses…”
With that, Zhu Xiao strode out of the spaceport with ill intent.
After clearing customs, Zhu Ran took a hovercar directly to the Greenwater White Crane Community. After registering his resident ID at the gate, he successfully entered his newly purchased home.
Villa No. 7 was exactly as he’d seen it in the virtual world. The exterior featured a flowing, curved design, with white walls paired with clear, pale blue glass for a very lightweight aesthetic.
The interior featured white walls and a few slightly twisted pillars connecting the greyish-white marble floors. The staircase used the same transparent glass as the windows, creating a minimalist look that radiated the cool precision of future technology.
Zhu Ran first pulled his large purchases out of his spatial storage—the sofa, refrigerator, table, bed…
These items were heavy and bulky; there was no way Zhu Ran could move them on his own.
With a focus of his spiritual power, the vine bracelet on his wrist instantly stretched and grew.
Black-and-red vines and black thorns extended their tips toward Zhu Ran, swaying back and forth like small animals wagging their tails in greeting.
The Midnight Lamp grew directly to its full two-meter height, occupying a corner of the living room. It emitted a faint glow, looking no different from a real lamp from a distance.
“Please move these items to the specified rooms and arrange them according to this diagram.”
Zhu Ran showed his 3D interior design model to the vines and thorns.
The two types of plants brushed against each other’s slender bodies, quickly reaching a consensus after a brief communication.
The vines took charge of the second and third floors, while the Black Thorns handled the living room and basement.
Zhu Ran opened all the windows to make it easier for the mutated plants to move in and out.
From the outside, it was a bizarre sight: black appendages, looking like the tentacles of some indefinable eldritch horror, clung to the pristine white walls, twisting and writhing.
The tentacles would wrap around beds, cabinets, and boxes, hauling them in and out. It was a scene that was both eerie and weirdly harmonious.
As Zhu Ran sat on the sofa pulling more items out of storage, he soon received a call from the community management.
“Mr. Zhu, our AI security detected abnormal activity at your property. Do you require assistance?”
“No, I’m just setting up my furniture. Is the commotion bothering everyone? It should be finished in about ten minutes.”
“Oh, not at all. We were just worried you might be in danger. It’s good to hear you’re alright. Please contact us if you need anything in the future.”
After hanging up, Zhu Ran patted the vines. “Be a bit quieter.”
The vines nodded as if they understood, shifting from rapid transport to moving the furniture in slow motion.
The sight from outside—a slow-motion playback of eldritch movement—looked even creepier than before.
Zhu Ran was helpless. “Just go back to how you were before!”
