You Are Deep in The Stars

Even as he was detained in the police car, Bai Xi found himself trapped in the harsh reality, unable to extricate himself. He was reluctant to admit that, in front of everyone, he had acted bravely for a good cause, risking his life to save an unknown thief.

The situation was complicated. Bai Xi didn’t know Han Zhuo, nor had he seen a photo of him. He had only received instructions from the old man to pick him up at the train station. The only other clue was what he had heard from his mother: Han Zhuo was known for getting into fights back in his hometown and visited the police station more often than the canteen.

Bai Xi twitched the corner of his mouth and muttered, “Is this considered an advantage?”

“You don’t understand,” Mrs. Bai interjected, eating rock sugar bird’s nest. “People who bravely uphold justice have their own merits. Your father wants him to join the company. I think having him as your bodyguard wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

When Bai Xi witnessed someone apprehending a thief, he instinctively assumed it was Han Zhuo. He didn’t want this person to be charged with killing a thief on his first day in town; the old man would likely be furious. So, he rushed forward to help, only to realize he had mistaken the person.

Thinking of this, he turned to his “accomplice” resentfully.

The thief, handcuffed, clenched his fist. “We met by chance. Thank you for saving my life.”

Bai Xi felt like cursing.

The young policeman tapped the iron fence with his baton. “Both of you, stay put!”

.

Two hours later, the interrogating policemen looked at each other in disbelief, bewilderment, astonishment, and a hint of awe. They respectfully escorted Bai Xi, the young master of the Huanchen Group, out of the station.

Weak and hungry, Bai Xi felt this might be the unluckiest day of his life. Even more unfortunate was thief, still squatting in the train station, helplessly slurping instant noodles.

Sighing, Bai Xi reached for his cellphone, only to find it dead.

Indeed, it seemed to be World Shutdown Day.

As the cool breeze rustled the fallen leaves, Bai Xi sat on the bench, feeling like a paroled ex-convict with no phone and no brother.

Suddenly, someone squatted down in front of him. “Hello.”

Bai Xi was startled: “Huh?”

“Hello,” the other person greeted with a pleasant demeanor, extending his hand. “Han Zhuo.”

Bai Xi: “…”

The man before him appeared refined, with a handsome face, thin lips curved in a slight smile, rimless glasses adorning his face. His white shirt cuffs were neatly rolled up, and an old-fashioned watch adorned his wrist. His dry, slender fingers resembled…a high school teacher, a lawyer fresh out of the law school, an accountant, or a doctor—anything but the image Bai Xi’s mother had described of a simple, hardworking country boy who fought daily and idolized Lei Feng.

Observing Bai Xi’s lack of response, Han Zhuo withdrew his hand and maintained his smile. “I apologize; my phone’s battery died today.”

Bai Xi extended his hand. “ID.”

Han Zhuo raised an eyebrow but retrieved his ID from his pocket without hesitation.

Name, gender, date of birth, place of residence—everything matched.

Finally convinced, Bai Xi accepted that this was indeed Han Zhuo.

“I heard about the incident at the train station, so I borrowed money and took a taxi here,” Han Zhuo explained before Bai Xi could inquire. “A group of elderly women was sympathizing, wondering how a well-behaved college student could turn into a thief. When they described the appearance, I suspected it might be you.”

Bai Xi’s head was spinning. He was tired of hearing about the train station. All he wanted was to go home, eat, and sleep, preferably waking up the next morning with no memory of today’s events. Forcing a smile, he said, “Let’s forget it and head back. My father will return in two weeks.”

“This police station is quite hard to locate,” Han Zhuo remarked, looking around. “The five yuan I borrowed may not even cover the subway fare.”

This time, Bai Xi finally caught onto the emphasized point and asked in surprise, “Don’t you carry money when you go out?”

Han Zhuo calmly replied, “My wallet was stolen on the train. I lost everything.”

Bai Xi: “…”

“I’m not asking to borrow money,” Han Zhuo clarified, “I’ve simply gone without food for a day and night, and I’m hungry.”

“…Fine, I’ll treat you to supper. Let’s go,” Bai Xi said, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“Just keep it simple,” Han Zhuo adjusted Bai Xi’s disheveled shirt collar. “I want braised noodles without chili from No. 36 Mojin Alley, Yangliu Street, East Second District, No. 8, knife-cut.”

Bai Xi’s mood became more complex. “You call that simple?”

Han Zhuo nodded earnestly.

Bai Xi: “…”

Bai Xi instructed, “Let’s take a taxi.”

.

The taxi sped along, and an hour later, the driver pulled over: “We’ve arrived.”

Yawning, Bai Xi had dozed off during the journey and felt a bit disoriented when he stepped out of the car. Standing on the roadside, he took a moment to shake off the grogginess.

“Where’s the noodle shop?” Bai Xi inquired.

“Just through this alley,” Han Zhuo replied.

“Okay,” Bai Xi stretched his muscles and followed him in. The alley was long, deep, and shrouded in darkness. The streetlights were merely decorative, their dim glow barely illuminating the path.

“Collecting used mobile phones!” A dilapidated three-wheeler stood ahead. “Recycling household appliances!”

Han Zhuo suddenly grabbed Bai Xi’s wrist.

Bai Xi asked, “What’s wrong?”

Han Zhuo smiled, “Nothing, I thought it was a pit.” Bai Xi frowned, sensing something amiss. But before he could inquire further, Han Zhuo had already pulled him along, subtly raising his right hand and discreetly tossing a small disc into the tricycle on the roadside—the listening device he had just removed from Bai Xi’s watch.

The scrap collector remained oblivious, humming a tune as he pedaled away, the clanging of metal fading into the distance.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, a group of people carefully deciphered the sounds emanating from their headphones. Amidst the noise and chaos, they discerned voices haggling.

After half an hour, they finally decoded the mysterious sound wave’s specific content.

“All unwanted mobile phones can be exchanged for stainless steel washbasins.”

Note: hello, hello. I’m picking this up^^. I’ve watched the donghua before covid, it was so-so but the art still good, I also love the story it’s very new to me, fantasy n alien haha. I read this novel a long long time ago. I was surprised no one translated it yet, so here I am.

If anyone interested, the donghua called Stars Fall. I’ve watched it on YouTube but you can find them on bilibili too. There’s also manhua but I haven’t read it or have knowledge of the site to read.