Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1684 537: Bell Chimes_6

"I don't know."

"Oh no, she must be lost."

With a wry smile, Su Ming spoke to Irelia.

Irelia looked over at the little girl and remarked,

"Let's wait here. Her mother will probably come looking for her soon."

"Alright."

Su Ming nodded his head.

They each grasped one of the little girl's hands while standing beside the road.

Right then, a nearby octopus ball stall caught the little girl's attention, drool slipping from her mouth without her noticing.

Noticing this, Su Ming approached the stall, purchased two skewers of octopus balls, and passed one to the little girl while giving the other to Irelia.

The little girl devoured hers with delight.

Irelia nibbled on hers before offering the skewer to Su Ming.

Smiling, Su Ming took a bite.

By the roadside, the trio lingered, yet even after polishing off the food, no sign of the little girl's mother emerged.

Around that time, the balloon shooting stall's owner nearby kept calling out,

"Ten Federation Coins for twenty bullets, lots of exquisite dolls and prizes await you!"

The shout immediately captivated the little girl, her sparkling eyes locked onto a Barbie doll displayed there.

Observing her interest and having time to kill, Su Ming grinned and proposed,

"Why don't we go shoot some balloons?"

"Okay."

Irelia agreed with a nod.

Holding the little girl's hands, the pair headed to the stall, where the owner greeted them warmly,

"Sir, would you like a round?"

"Yes, one round!"

Su Ming pulled out ten Federation Coins, passed them to the owner, grabbed the toy gun from the counter, and started shooting at the balloons!

Bang!

Balloons popped one by one as they were struck.

Every single one of the twenty shots landed perfectly.

The stall owner stood stunned,

"Sir, please give me that doll."

With a smile, Su Ming requested.

The owner promptly handed over the doll to Su Ming, who then presented it straight to the little girl, saying,

"For you!"

"Wow, thank you, Daddy!"

Clutching the doll, the little girl joyfully wrapped her arms around Su Ming's leg.

Awkwardness washed over Su Ming briefly.

Right at that instant, an anxious woman in a silk dress, possessing pale skin and refined features, hurried toward them.

Spotting the woman, the little girl cried out in excitement,

"Mommy!"

Upon seeing her child, the woman's face lit up with joy; she dashed forward, enveloping the girl in a tight embrace while anxiously inquiring,

"Nina, where did you run off to?"

"Mommy, I found Daddy. He gave me this doll."

The little girl eagerly shared with her mother.

Catching the little girl's words, Irelia shot Su Ming a teasing grin.

Su Ming's lips twitched faintly as he hastily clarified,

"Little sister, you've mistaken me."

Stunned by her daughter's statement, the woman glanced up at Su Ming and hurriedly offered her apologies,

"I'm sorry, my daughter mistook you for someone else. Please don't take it to heart."

"It's okay, but what's going on here?"

"Well, my husband sacrificed himself a few years ago. He used to wear a baseball cap often."

"I see."

"I'm really sorry, and thank you so much for watching over my daughter. Just now, when we passed an ice cream truck, she wanted ice cream, and I didn't buy it for her. In the blink of an eye, she was lost. By the time I went back to find her, she was nowhere to be found."

"Alright, be careful next time."

Su Ming nodded.

"Okay, darling, say goodbye to the big brother and sister."

The woman instructed the little girl.

"Bye-bye."

Obediently waving her hand, the little girl bid farewell.

"Bye-bye, don't run off again next time."

Smiling, Su Ming advised.

"Hmm!"

The little girl nodded vigorously before departing with her mother.

As Su Ming and Irelia saw them off, they resumed wandering down the street.

Suddenly, every passerby on the street halted, their eyes shifting to a huge virtual projection ad.

Dressed in a flowing white gown, Miss Xilis charmingly spoke to the crowd,

"Everyone, the New Year's bell is about to ring. Let's count down together and welcome a wonderful new year!"

"Alright!"

Myriad fans shouted back with fervor.

"10!"

"9!"

.....

"2!"

"1!"

"0!"

Cheers erupted from the masses,

Dong~

A tranquil bell tolled, resounding across Starlight City.

"Happy New Year!"

Miss Xilis offered her blessings to all.

Whoosh whoosh!

Fireworks soared skyward from all parts of Starlight City.

Boom boom~

Splendid fireworks burst into bloom everywhere.

Gentle winds whispered past.

Standing roadside, Su Ming and Irelia tilted their heads skyward, mesmerized by the nonstop fireworks display.

Silently, they enjoyed the fireworks spectacle right up to its conclusion.

All of a sudden, Irelia's wristband buzzed faintly. She checked the incoming message, her eyebrows knitting together.

"What's wrong?"

Sensing trouble, Su Ming promptly inquired.

"It's nothing, it's getting late, I should head back."

Irelia said apologetically to Su Ming.

"Okay, I'll walk you to the public station."

Gently smiling at Irelia, Su Ming offered.

"Hmm!"

Irelia nodded.

Moments later.

By the public station marker, Su Ming observed the public railcar depart, concern etching his features—evidently, an issue had arisen, though its nature remained mysterious.

Buzz buzz~

Su Ming's wristband began to vibrate abruptly.

He glanced down to see Rhein's incoming call.

Su Ming picked up without delay.

"Rhein, what's up?"

"Boss, something's happened."

Urgency filled Rhein's voice.

"What happened?"

Su Ming's eyebrows creased as he questioned.

"The Dark Star Empire and the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country are amassing troops on a large scale. This time is different from before; the number they're gathering is exceptionally large. Moreover, their forces are slowly pressing towards the Danube Star Sea and Tidal Star Sea."

"How do you know this?"

"Isn't the Star Cluster Forum fully open now? People from the Dark Star Empire and the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country are openly boasting online. They've even uploaded videos. Now both sides in the Tidal Star Sea and Danube Star Sea are in chaos."

Rhein detailed for Su Ming.

"This is problematic; the Crimson Country hasn't withdrawn to the Federation's territory."

Su Ming muttered, head aching.

"Boss, what do we do now? Will the Federation send troops?"

Rhein asked.

"The probability is low. The Federation's current policy is to shrink back. Defensive warfare is always more advantageous than confronting head-on."

In a grave voice, Su Ming clarified for Rhein.

"So what do we do now?"

"I'm aware of the situation, wait for the Federation's decision first."

"Alright, these bastards really don't let people have a peaceful New Year!"

Rhein vented in frustration.

"Cursing won't help, we've anticipated this day would come, just didn't expect it so soon."

"You're right, boss!"

"Rhein, first, detach a team to take over the Star Destroyer·Thunder Extreme!"

Sternly, Su Ming commanded Rhein.

"Alright, I'll do it right away."

Rhein replied before ending the call.

Now, Su Ming lifted his wristband and accessed the Star Cluster Forum.

Chaos reigned across the Star Cluster Forum, with posts exploding everywhere like wild mushrooms.

The bulk of these posts came from folks in the Dark Star Empire, Heavenly Revelation Divine Country, and Neutral Country.

Su Ming tapped on the top trending post.

Inside was a video depicting hordes of armed Imperial Soldiers clambering aboard vessels, weapons in hand—a spine-chilling spectacle. The view then shifted to a colossal interstellar port brimming with battleships, an awe-inspiring panorama.

Underneath, comments from Dark Star Empire citizens flooded the screen nonstop.

"Tremble, you Federation dogs!"

"Our army is gathering!"

"Your doom is near!"

...

"Screw you!"

"A bunch of savages!"

"Not even letting people have a peaceful New Year, if you dare to come over, we'll break your legs."

...

As the two factions traded barbs, Su Ming's frown deepened further.