LSDWTWHA chapter 18

Chapter 18

This “young lady” was none other than Su Su, dressed in women’s clothing.

They ran into Mo Shan at the entrance of the villa. Or rather, Mo Shan was waiting specifically at the door to welcome Qi Hanyi inside.

Unlike his brother, who was dressed like an artist, Mo Shan had neat short hair, styled meticulously with gel to stand upright, dressed in a suit and shoes, looking like an elite. His demeanor seemed much more mature and stable.

His gaze quickly scanned back and forth between Su Su and Qi Hanyi, seemingly surprised, but he quickly restrained his expression. With a forced smile, he said, “This must be your fiancée, Miss Yi Qing. My father is chatting with Elder Qi in the tea room, and I’d like to welcome you both on his behalf. Please, come in.”

Curiously, Su Su glanced at Mo Shan, feeling he wasn’t as cute as Qi Hanyi, and quickly lost interest.

Qi Hanyi nodded, showing no opposition to the term fiancée, but there was no sign of joy on his face. He calmly responded and followed Mo Shan inside.

This demeanor made Mo Shan, who was trying to test the relationship between the two, somewhat uncertain.

Qi Hanyi didn’t seem to dislike Su Su as much as other mermaids did; he even seemed gentle. But this could also be a facade put on to comply with his grandfather’s arrangements.

Mo Shan did not believe that a general capable of orchestrating traps against a million insectoids was a simple-minded brute. Qi Hanyi generally appeared cold and direct, but that was just because he didn’t need to put in effort with those people.

Many other clans were happy to see Qi Hanyi dislike mermaids; after all, his strength was well recognized. If he had a genetically superior heir with a mermaid, it would not bode well for the other clans.

If… Mo Shan shot a dark glance at Su Su’s back. If this mermaid truly received special treatment from Qi Hanyi, it would be time to find a way to make him disappear from the human world.

As they entered through the front door, perhaps noticing the host’s presence, a brief silence fell in the room, and everyone turned their gazes toward the entrance.

The room was silent for a moment.

Su Su felt the stares of many people fixated on him, mixed with subtle looks of astonishment, curiosity, or desire.

Su Su didn’t understand the ambiguous meanings in those gazes; his vocabulary had no terms like “stage fright,” “shyness,” or “embarrassment.”

He boldly met the gazes, looking back at each of them with a sense of righteousness. In the end, it was those people who, after locking eyes with him, seemed to be stung by sunlight and turned away.

During this process, Su Su noticed a few familiar faces, including that of Mo Lin, who he had met on the cruise. The person who had first offered to take him home was also present. Su Su smiled at him.

The person Su Su recognized was indeed Mo Lin. Mo Lin was now also sizing up the mermaid who was marrying the general.

Without a doubt, he was beautiful, more so than any mermaid Mo Lin had ever seen. That kind of beauty was filled with an aggressive quality, easily captivating those around him.

When Su Su smiled at him, Mo Lin felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place, his soul trembling.

As a student of the arts, Mo Lin had an exceptional sensitivity and enthusiasm for beautiful things. At this moment, when he saw Su Su’s smile, while others merely found it stunning, he felt as if he had received a fateful calling.

In Mo Lin’s eyes, Su Su was the most perfect creation of the divine. This mermaid seemed like a succubus, every smile full of endless allure, leaving people parched and their minds in a whirl. Yet, strangely, his eyes were so pure and untainted, untouched by the world, like a blank space on a vibrant canvas, inviting infinite imagination. It felt as though the vivid colors around were just an illusion, revealing a pristine white sheet beneath, tempting one to smear it with reckless abandon.

Impulsively, he fell in love at first sight.

Su Su was completely unaware of this, recognizing Mo Lin merely as a minor episode. He had already found a human who was willing to nurture him, someone more attractive than Mo Lin and with a pleasant scent—someone he liked very much.

Speaking of scent, an enticing fragrance wafted into Su Su’s nostrils. He sniffed and, with keen sensitivity, identified a creamy sweetness among the many aromas. It smelled good, arousing his appetite.

Following the aroma, he noticed a long dessert table in the corner piled high with various sweet treats, fruits, and drinks. Some he had seen in pictures before, while others he couldn’t name at all.

His hunger awakened with a frenzy in his mind, momentarily drowning out his rationality. Used to surviving on instinct, Su Su couldn’t help but step forward to grab some food.

Just as he lifted his foot, a strong hand firmly wrapped around his waist.

Su Su struggled a bit; he had considerable strength, but that arm felt like it was made of steel, unable to budge at all.

Fueled by hunger, Su Su glared back at Qi Hanyi, showing his teeth—an uncommon display of aggression.

“Where are you going?” Qi Hanyi’s tone was as usual.

Su Su met Qi Hanyi’s cool gaze, his food-induced haze briefly clearing.

He had promised to listen to Qi Hanyi at the banquet and remembered Hanyi had promised him that if he behaved well, they could play with the shuttle tomorrow. Qi Hanyi was treating him well; he couldn’t bite back because he was hungry…

Su Su licked his itchy gums, obediently stopping his movement. Reluctantly looking towards the food, he leaned closer to Qi Hanyi’s ear and answered softly, “I’m hungry.”

“Go ahead, but remember to be graceful while eating. Just wait at the dessert table for me, and don’t wander off.” Qi Hanyi whispered a few reminders before releasing Su Su, allowing him to run eagerly toward the dessert table.

The group following Mo Lin, who had originally planned to watch the fun, stared wide-eyed. Wasn’t this supposed to be a forced marriage? They even fought with the family head over breaking the engagement?

Who didn’t know that Qi Hanyi respected the family head above all else? If it had reached this level, it must mean he had a deep-seated hatred for mermaids. Even if he was forced to bring one here, surely he would treat them like air and ignore them.

And yet, what did they see? A sweet little couple hugging in public? Whispering sweet nothings to one another?

That was Qi Hanyi! Typically maintaining a distance of at least three meters from females, he went out of his way to avoid mermaids, not casting even a glance their way!

Faced with the people’s probing gazes, Qi Hanyi had no intention of explaining. He turned his attention back to Mo Shan and said, “Weren’t we discussing the confidentiality of ‘Star Wars’?”

“Ah, right.” Mo Shan quickly concealed any suspicion or scrutiny in his eyes, revealing a business elite attitude, “Regarding some technical parameters related to the mechas, I think if we could be a bit more specific, then we could optimize the corresponding modules in the game, restoring a more realistic…”

Meanwhile, at a relatively remote table, a young man slowly lifted his head, locking his gaze firmly on Su Su.

Opposite him, a middle-aged man was still chattering away, “Young Master Yan, about the transportation partnership I just mentioned…”

“Shh—” The young man, referred to as Young Master Yan, raised his forefinger to his lips. He was also quite handsome and, upon closer look, resembled Su Su to a degree; however, compared to Su Su’s innocent and tempting looks, his appearance projected a bright, flamboyant, and somewhat dangerous aura.

Normally, people would feel annoyed when shushed, but the middle-aged man obediently fell silent, as if he viewed this rude behavior as entirely reasonable.

This Young Master Yan looked young but was indeed the rightful heir of the Yan Shipping Company. He had every reason to be spoiled.

Although not aristocrats, the Yan family had been veterans of the mercantile association, managing maritime trade for over a hundred years, their foundation rivaling that of noble families.

The Yan family, not being greedy, had never ventured into other industries, focusing solely on maritime trade. They had never made a mistake in any dealings that passed through their hands.

Mo Shan’s ascension to the association president was greatly supported by Family Head Yan San.

Additionally, the Yan family had a close relationship with the Ground Defense Bureau, overseen by the Crown Prince, even aiding in transporting important items and confidential documents. They also contributed significantly to efforts against poaching mermaids.

The young man was named Yan Bai, adopted son of the Yan family head, Yan San, who had no biological heirs and considered Yan Bai as his real son. Given such status, coupled with his looks, he had become somewhat arrogant from a young age.

At this time, those following Yan Bai also began to look curiously at Su Su, whispering among themselves that this mermaid seemed a bit like Young Master Yan.

Yan Bai slightly raised his eyebrows, casually glancing at the middle-aged man across from him before getting up to leave, “I’m not interested in the partnership you mentioned.”

“Hey, Young Master Yan, I know the profits we offered this time are a bit low, but it’s set by higher authorities, and I can’t make that decision. Also, we mentioned this was just the beginning; once the sales channel opens, we can renegotiate the terms…” The man seemed desperate, tugging at Yan Bai’s sleeve.

“If you can’t make the decision, then let the one who can come to find me.” Yan Bai shrugged off the other’s hand as if it were dirty and tossed aside his outer jacket, “What a waste of time.”

Su Su held a piece of cake, nibbling at it, chewing rapidly like a hamster. Although he wanted to open his mouth wide and gobble the cake down in one go, he remembered Qi Hanyi’s advice and the etiquette instructor’s guidance, taking care to not open his mouth too wide, chewing each bite twenty times before swallowing.

This was Su Su’s first time tasting food other than fish.

Hmm, delicious! How can humans make their food taste so good?

Su Su was so engrossed in eating that he accidentally bit down on the plate.

Unlike his frail body, Su Su’s teeth were still sharp and strong, hidden behind a soft mouth, concealing a terrifying biting power. With teeth that had once crushed a turtle shell, now biting down on a smooth porcelain plate, the plate shattered.

“Oh, you can’t eat that.”

Suddenly, someone called out from behind him. Su Su was startled, spitting out the broken pieces of porcelain, staring with wide eyes as he turned around.

“I’m Mo Lin. That’s a serving plate, you can’t eat it.” The other offered him a glass of wine, smiling gently. Mo Lin was dressed in a white tailcoat today, embroidered with silver cloud patterns, looking graceful and luxurious. Such attire was hard for most to pull off, yet Mo Lin wore it well. With his handsome face, golden hair, and blue eyes, he looked like a prince from a fairy tale.

“Hmm, hello, I’m Su Su.” Unfortunately, Su Su’s attention was entirely elsewhere, curiously accepting the wine glass Mo Lin offered.

What kind of drink is this? Its golden color and somewhat pungent scent intrigued him.

Thinking so, Su Su took a sip, “Hmm, spicy, not good.”

Disappointed, Su Su set the wine glass down, ignoring Mo Lin, and turned his attention back to searching for more food at the dessert table.

Feeling the snub, Mo Lin was not angry but showed signs of astonishment.

The marriage of Qi Hanyi with a mermaid princess was big news! The mermaid princess was named Yi Qing, right? How could she have the surname Su?

“Are you not Princess Yi Qing?”

Su Su had just taken a bite of chestnut cake and coughed upon hearing the question, awkwardly choking.

Oh no, I accidentally let it slip!

“I… cough cough cough, yes, I’m Yi Qing… cough cough, Su Su, that’s my online name, I mixed it up.” Su Su explained between coughs. Indeed, the name he used on the mermaid website was Su Su.

But who introduces themselves with their online name upon meeting?

Mo Lin found this a bit strange, yet he quickly became captivated by Su Su’s flushed eyes and hoarse voice.

Ordinary beauties, once reddened, merely evoke sympathy. Yet Su Su’s appearance stirred something else in Mo Lin—a desire to bully him, to harass him; he wanted to see him cry even more pitifully.

Suppressing the wicked thoughts that bubbled up, Mo Lin maintained his surface composure, thinking of ways to draw closer to this beautiful mermaid.

Mo Lin genuinely felt that even if Qi Hanyi had been acting somewhat strange moments ago, it was surely just a facade for outsiders. He despised mermaids too much to treat Su Su kindly. It was such a shame for this beautiful mermaid to be with Qi Hanyi.

After all, they were still engaged. Why not seize this opportunity to help the mermaid see Qi Hanyi’s true nature, encouraging him to leave Qi Hanyi? That way, the runaway mermaid would have no rights to claim; she could only come begging him for protection and shelter.

With these thoughts in mind, Mo Lin smiled even more kindly, just considering saying something to bridge the gap when he heard Zhang Lu, who had followed him, impatiently and maliciously say, “Miss Yi Qing looks quite hungry. Wasn’t the meal with the general not satisfying?”