A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 114: Poor Targon
Chapter 114: Poor Targon

In the bustling streets of Imperial Nexus, Targon and Arix were browsing a store filled with raw materials.

They wandered through the aisles, listening to the salesman’s enthusiastic introduction to the medical ingredients on display.

Targon, though not interested in the slightest, showed no sign of impatience. He followed Arix, moving from one display case to another, gently accompanying her.

Arix carefully examined the medical ingredients and seemed quite pleased. She nodded with satisfaction and turned to the helpful salesman. ”I’d like to buy these medical ingredients. Can you get them ready for me?”

”Of course, esteemed customer. What do you need?” the salesman replied with a polite smile.

Arix began listing her items, ”One kilogram of Uncaria, five kilograms of Gynostemma, one kilogram of Eclipta, three kilograms of Polygonum, and two kilograms of Borax...”

The salesman diligently noted each item on his opticomputer and quickly calculated the total. He then informed Arix respectfully, ”My lady, your total is 350,000 credits. Will you be paying via cash or card?”

Arix didn’t bat an eye at the price. She turned to Targon and asked, ”Cousin Targon, will you pay by transfer or card?”

Targon looked stunned. ”Aren’t you the one buying these?” he asked, bewildered.

”Yes, but I don’t have any credits,” Arix replied, her tone innocent yet firm.

Targon was at a loss for words. This little cub was more like a little devil.

Half an hour later, they left the store, Targon looking like a wilted flower as he patted his now-empty wallet. He had just spent a small fortune, wiping out several months’ worth of budget to please his cousin.

Arix, feeling accomplished, patted her Space Button and then gave Targon’s arm a comforting pat. ”Don’t feel bad. I’ll give you a surprise when we get back, and you’ll think it was worth it.”

”Hum?” Targon muttered, too exhausted to argue. Trusting a kid’s promise seemed crazy.

But as he looked at his cousin, he thought maybe it was worth it. Money could be earned back, but time with Arix was rare.

Curiosity got the better of him. ”Arix, why did you buy so many medical ingredients?” he asked, glancing at her.

”To make potions, of course,” Arix answered matter-of-factly.

”Really? You can make potions?” Targon asked, surprised.

”Yes, it’s not hard at all,” Arix said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. For her, making potions was as easy as eating and drinking.

Targon remained skeptical, thinking his little cousin might just be a bit too confident.

Not wanting to crush her enthusiasm, Targon switched the subject. ”So, where do you want to go next?”

”Let’s wander a bit more before heading back,” Arix said. It was a rare chance to visit the Empire, and she didn’t want to waste it.

”Alright, but just so you know, we’re only looking. I’m out of money,” Targon warned, giving her a heads-up.

”I already bought everything I needed, but huh... you’re poorer than I expected,” Arix remarked, her tone almost sympathetic.

Even the least wealthy person in her household, Drexel, probably had millions of astrocredits from their interstellarnet store dividends.

Targon felt a surge of frustration. Spending his money and then calling him poor—this little rascal was something else!

He ruffled Arix’s hair vigorously, feeling slightly better afterward.

Arix didn’t resist, sensing her cousin’s need to vent. Letting him have this small victory, she allowed her hair to get mussed.

As evening approached, they began heading back home. Just as they reached the front door, Targon suddenly stopped in his tracks. ”Prince Cassian, what are you doing here?” he asked, surprised.

Hearing the name Cassian, Arix finally looked up at the entrance. There stood a striking young man with snow-white hair and golden eyes, looking like the sun god Apollo himself.

’Wow, so handsome!’ Arix’s eyes sparkled, but she quickly shook her head to snap out of it. No, she was still mad at him.

She turned her head away, deliberately ignoring Cassian.

Cassian hadn’t anticipated his well-thought-out charm offensive to fail so quickly. He had spent considerable time preparing to see Arix.

Thinking back on why Arix might be upset, Cassian concluded it was probably because he hadn’t been taking care of his health. That had to be why she was so mad.

With softened eyes, Cassian walked up to Targon and asked gently, ”May I hold Arix?”

”Uh... okay,” Targon hesitated for a moment but then handed Arix over without much fuss.

Cassian was the strongest of their generation in the Empire, and Targon idolized him. Everyone admired Cassian, so Targon assumed his cousin would be happy too.

Arix, now feeling trapped, remained silent. ’Seriously? He just handed me over like this? Doesn’t he see I’m still mad?’

Arix grumbled inwardly but maintained a cold expression to preserve her dignity.

”Arix,” Cassian said softly, holding her gently.

Arix, resting her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes with a haughty air. When Cassian called her name, she just twitched her ears and turned her head away, still ignoring him.

”I’ve missed you so much,” Cassian said, his voice filled with restrained longing.

Those simple words made Arix’s cheeks flush bright red. She lifted her paw and protested by tapping his arm.

”If you really missed me, why did you stay hidden in the psychic world and not come out? Do you know how worried I was?” Arix, perched on Cassian’s arm, complained non-stop.

”I was wrong. I won’t do that again,” Cassian admitted immediately. No matter what happened, in his eyes, Arix was always right.

”Hmph,” Arix snorted, clearly pleased.

Seeing Arix’s anger melt away, Cassian seemed to relax completely. He held her close, his voice filled with deep relief. ”Arix, I’m so glad you’re safe. I could’ve been lost in that world forever.”

Feeling Cassian’s genuine concern, Arix’s lips curved into a soft smile. She gently reassured him, ”Are you silly? I’d always try everything to get you out.”

”Yeah, I know you will,” Cassian agreed, not arguing. He felt like a wandering soul who had finally found its home.