novelraw Chapter 254: It’s an Ambush
Chapter 254: It’s an Ambush
After changing into her new pajamas, Jiang Qiuqiu was instantly smitten.
The pajamas, woven from a polar fleece unique to the interstellar era, were light and soft. Touching them anywhere felt like touching a cloud. Then there was the design—seeing the way the little ears on the hood stood up, Jiang Qiuqiu immediately thought of Mo Si.
After taking a photo with her terminal, Jiang Qiuqiu was about to send it to Mo Si, but then she hesitated.
’A surprise usually only works once.’
’Besides, a photo wouldn’t do it justice.’
"I’ll take them all, please wrap them up."
"And will you be buying the men’s version?"
"Not right now." Jiang Qiuqiu smiled as she paid with her terminal. "I’ll be back for it next time." ’When I come back,’ she thought, ’maybe I won’t be alone.’
As she left the clothing section, since she had bought several items, the store arranged for a robot to carry her purchases.
In the blink of an eye, it was past noon. She didn’t have much of an appetite for a Nutrient Liquid, so Jiang Qiuqiu decided to head home for lunch instead.
She hailed a Hovercar, as usual. About half an hour later, she was nearing her community.
She watched the scenery, her gaze sweeping casually past the window, when something seemed to flash by. Just as she leaned closer to the glass for a better look, the entire Hovercar shuddered violently.
Both Jiang Qiuqiu and the robot stumbled, losing their balance.
The Hovercar slowly descended to the ground. The driver up front quickly turned around. "Apologies, ma’am. It looks like the Hovercar’s left wing hit something. I need to run a diagnostic... Your community is just up ahead. Would you mind walking the rest of the way? I can give you a fifty-percent discount on the fare."
He looked anxious. Hovercars were expensive. Even if insurance covered the damage, his premium for next year and his own commission would be shot.
"It’s not far. I’ll walk." After transferring the full fare to the driver, Jiang Qiuqiu set off toward Starry Sky Wander on foot, the robot trailing behind her.
Federation Star was vast and sparsely populated. Its most bustling commercial areas were concentrated in the main city and the various university districts. Unlike 21st-century urban planning, the expensive real estate of the interstellar era was typically located in the suburbs, a fair distance from the city center.
The suburbs were expansive, allowing for larger villas with sprawling gardens and private lakes. If you had enough money, you could turn your home into a personal paradise.
Therefore, the walk from where Jiang Qiuqiu had been dropped off to the entrance of Starry Sky Wander was actually over a thousand meters.
The path was deserted, and her footsteps rustled on the dry leaves.
As she walked, Jiang Qiuqiu suddenly stopped and glanced over her shoulder.
’Is that it again... the feeling of being watched?’
She quickened her pace.
Hidden in the shadows, Falcon saw her reaction. A smile touched his otherwise unremarkable face. ’Looks like this one’s sensitive,’ he thought.
...
Jiang Qiuqiu mentally replayed the day’s events.
Everything had been normal, except for the Hovercar’s sudden stop after that flash of movement. Just as she was pondering this, a sharp WHOOSH cut through the air behind her.
Although her mind instantly knew something was wrong, her body reacted instinctively to the sound. Jiang Qiuqiu whipped her head around, and a palm-sized drone camera appeared in her line of sight. An instant later, a powerful force yanked her from the side!
She was dragged in an instant into a copse of trees planted beside Starry Sky Wander.
The area was planted with evergreens, so the trees were still covered in green leaves despite the winter. The shrubs below grew thick and close together.
Jiang Qiuqiu was slammed to the ground, a sharp pain radiating from her back. Before she could even cry out, a rough, calloused hand clamped down on her throat.