LSDWTWHA chapter 68

Chapter 68

Lanshan Club is located in the western suburbs of the Imperial Capital, on one side of Lanshan Valley, where there’s a hot spring. Even in winter, the surrounding area is lush with flowers and trees, contrasting beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains. To the north of the club is the most famous Lanshan Ski Resort, while to the south lies the Mermaid Training Center.

As a venue for hosting mermaid partner gatherings, it’s simply perfect.

Winter women’s clothing is easier to wear than summer wear, as adequate coverage makes it hard to discern any issues with the body. Su Su wore thick white tights paired with black low-heeled shoes, a knitted top, and over it all a long khaki skirt, adorned with pearls and a bow at the chest. His long hair was styled into a fishtail braid that flowed down his back. Compared to his previous outfits, this one had less elegance and dignity, and more playful cuteness.

However, the only purpose for Qi Hanyi selecting this outfit for him was that it wouldn’t hinder movement. In case of any situation, this outfit would allow for easier escape than a form-fitting gown.

Su Su had no particular feelings about wearing men’s or women’s clothing; he just felt this outfit wasn’t as comfortable as his daily wear but was indeed pretty. He twirled in front of the mirror, adjusting the wide skirt, before donning the scarf, gloves, and hat that Qi Hanyi passed him. Once ready, the two linked arms and stepped out.

Inside the banquet hall of Lanshan Club, it was already bustling with activity. Nobles gathered with their mermaid partners; men huddled together, building connections and sharing jokes. Mermaids, often confined to their homes, took this opportunity to meet up and socialize excitedly.

Some were sisters who had known each other from the Mermaid Kingdom, while many were familiar to each other online, calling each other’s usernames and excitedly embracing, as if they were at some large offline meeting of friends.

Although the Mo brothers had not married mermaids, they mingled as hosts of the banquet. Particularly, Mo Shan, due to his prominent family background and outstanding abilities, was approached by many eager to befriend him.

“Mr. Mo Shan, I heard the General is also bringing his mermaid here today. Is that true?”

“He accepted the invitation, so he should be coming,” Mo Shan replied ambiguously. “However, General Qi is a busy man, so if any urgent matters comes up, we must understand.”

“Mo Shan, when will the currency exchange policy for ‘Star Wars’ be settled? I’ve been preparing for a long time.”

“Ah, Mr. Meng, I wish it could start tomorrow, but this needs to be discussed with the military, doesn’t it? Those studios and players you gathered will surely come in handy. Please hold on for a few more days, and once there’s good news, I’ll inform you first.”

“Mo Shan, at your age, you should consider finding a marriage partner. Since you have no one in the military, there’s no need to marry a mermaid to enhance genes. It’s better to find someone who can aid your career and save you from all this running around.”

“Speaking of which, I have a cousin whose daughter would be a great match for you. She’s graduated from the Imperial Academy’s business management department; after marriage, she could surely assist you.”

“Is that so? What a wonderful girl, I’d appreciate it if you could introduce her to me.”

Mo Shan comfortably mingled in various social circles. He had to attend various banquets regularly, and his ability to navigate such social intricacies seemed to be ingrained in his very genes.

However, since this was a gathering for mermaid partners, most discussions revolved around mermaids. Although Mo Shan had not married a mermaid, his family managed the entire Empire’s Mermaid Training Center.

Before long, someone could no longer contain their impatience and sought his help.

“Mr. Mo Shan, you must help me. My mermaid has become spoiled; she’s very temperamental. It’s not that she doesn’t care when attending to me; even if things don’t go her way, she’ll throw a fit. Just the other day, she smashed the emerald bracelet I gifted her, claiming I only cared about giving her jewelry and didn’t pay attention to what she actually liked.”

The person grew more aggrieved: “Mr. Mo Shan, I’m very busy every day. How can I find the time to concern myself with what a mermaid thinks while I labor to support her? I work hard to provide her with a much better life than civilians. Yet not only does she show no gratitude, but she also finds fault with me over trifles.”

Another person angrily chimed in: “You’re taking it too lightly. Mermaids are spoiled and cooped up at home all day; being a bit feisty is only natural. Mine is dreadful, like a jealous woman, tracking my movements daily, searching through my clothes, and even asking servants if I’ve had contact with other women. After all, I have to socialize and sometimes end up spending the night with female companions; that’s just normal.”

“She needs to assess her own position; being a partner is simply a way to keep her happy. Just a mere mermaid—how could she consider herself of high status? To put it bluntly, I married her for her looks and to bear me better offspring. As for who I like, it’s none of her business.”

As the second person finished speaking, yet another sighed deeply. This one was a military officer whose mother was a countess. Though not as aristocratic as the Qi or Mo families, he held a respectable position among the nobility: “Isn’t it because she cares about you that she’s acting this way? My mermaid has been acting out recently too, always wanting to escape. If I don’t take her out, she’ll sneak away. A few days ago, the butler had to pull her down from a tree in the back courtyard; thankfully, she didn’t manage to get away.”

“Recently, she heard about that new policy from General Qi, insisting on undertaking mental force tests, piloting starships, and operating mechs to make a name for herself in the game. She’s been so distracted, insisting on doing these things. Honestly, it’s not something mermaids could manage. Mermaids should focus on raising children at home. Tsk, thinking only of useless matters every day…”

Before the third person could finish, his companion suddenly tugged on his sleeve vigorously. At the same time, he glanced toward the entrance: “Keep it down, General Qi has arrived.”

The officer who had been speaking stopped abruptly, shrinking his neck as he looked toward Qi Hanyi at the door. He asked his companion in a hushed tone, “He didn’t hear that, did he?”

His companion shot him a look of resignation: “With your voice just now, are you kidding? Even SSS-level hearing could pick that up.”

Qi Hanyi did indeed hear what the previous speaker had said, but compared to the resistance encountered while implementing policies, such trivial gossip wasn’t worth his concern.

Not interested in engaging with these people, he and Su Su arrived just as the banquet was starting. The moment they entered, Mo Shan announced that everyone had gathered and prepared to begin the feast.

As the banquet commenced, the mermaids returned to their respective partners, and Su Su curiously observed them.

Most of the mermaids were quite young; the older ones appeared to be in their early thirties at most, while the younger ones were around Su Su’s age, having just reached adulthood.

Due to their bloodline, every mermaid was beautiful, and their partners also carried good looks, likely due to having mermaid ancestry. Observing the scene, it was a dazzling array of handsome men and beautiful women dressed in luxurious attire.

At the same time, those present were also sizing up Su Su.

Recently, Su Su’s fame had soared, especially after Qi Hanyi publicly clarified his identity on the internet. Many had speculated what kind of fierce mermaid could perform astonishing feats in the game or how this mermaid managed to gain Qi Hanyi’s attention, known for his disdain of mermaids, to the extent of risking penalization of Imperial law just to indulge him.

Now they understood: everyone knew that mermaids were beautiful, but having a captivating appearance like Su Su was rare even among mermaids. If it weren’t for Qi Hanyi’s formidable aura and fierce gaze, the glances directed at Su Su would likely have been even more blatant.

Some were also inwardly jealous, thinking that mermaid princesses were different from ordinary mermaids, with noble blood and much more beauty. If only they could marry such a stunning mermaid and shower her with affection and indulgence, it wouldn’t be impossible.

The mermaids were also assessing Su Su; however, unlike the male humans, most of them were pondering Su Su’s identity. Why did he seem so familiar? The Mermaid Kingdom was small, and mermaids waiting for arranged marriages attended classes in the same places, yet they had never seen such a beautiful mermaid.

Among the few, some mermaids’ eyes sparkled with excitement and adoration, looking at Su Su as one would at an idol. They had better connections and knew how Su Su, as a mermaid, excelled in the human starship competition, proving that they mermaids held value beyond mere decoration and childbearing. They too could wield mental power and go to battle, proving themselves just as capable as their husbands.

As the banquet began, Mo Shan deliberately built suspense, waiting for everyone’s mutual glances to settle before he started introducing the attendees’ identities.

Qi Hanyi had the highest status and only joined this year, so Mo Shan introduced him first: “Everyone, you should all know General Qi. He is the commander of our Empire’s Expeditionary Force, guarding planets and defending against the insect race. As for the mermaid lady beside him, she is quite remarkable as well. Just recently, he secured the only automatic spot in the finals of the starship piloting competition in ‘Star Wars’; our General Qi stated that he sees him as the successor of the future Bai Ze.”

“Oh, his bloodline is also extraordinarily noble; he is said to be the favored princess of the Mermaid Kingdom, named… Yi Qing.”

At this point, Mo Shan paused for a moment, showing a hint of annoyance on his face: “Look at my mind; since he is a princess of the Mermaid Kingdom, I bet all you young ladies from there should recognize him.”

A small murmur of discussion arose among the crowd as the mermaids exchanged puzzled glances. Many of them had seen Yi Qing before and knew she didn’t look like this; her eye and hair color were off, and her facial features also differed.

The mermaids looked at each other, seemingly hesitating on whether to speak up, but most chose to remain silent. Impersonating a mermaid princess is a serious crime, and where had the real Yi Qing gone? If the truth came to light, the imposter would undoubtedly be doomed, and the Mermaid Kingdom would suffer repercussions. Many of their families were still present; who would dare take such a risk?

As if not understanding the situation, Mo Shan surveyed the area, a smirk on his face: “Why do I feel like everyone seems a bit uncertain about our Princess Yi Qing’s identity?”

As he said this, his gaze fell upon a member of the young noble council in a corner of the hall. This noble’s partner looked about Su Su’s age and had been married here the previous year. After receiving his gaze, the mermaid stood up immediately, pointing at Su Su and exclaiming, “He isn’t Princess Yi Qing! I’ve seen Princess Yi Qing; she has black hair, is very petite, and has a sweet and delicate appearance. She looks completely different from him!”

Mo Shan appeared genuinely surprised, trying to persuade: “Ah, you can’t say things like that without basis; impersonating someone is a serious crime against the Empire. This mermaid lady should take another good look; is he really not Princess Yi Qing?”

“He… is not,” the mermaid said, her face pale, her lips trembling.

“Um, she’s right. I am not Yi Qing.” Su Su said nonchalantly, even popping a shrimp ball into his mouth.

In contrast, the one who made the accusation now appeared utterly alarmed, as though their positions had been reversed.

The mermaid’s body seemed to be under immense pressure, and she averted her gaze in guilt, unable to look into Su Su’s eyes. She knew that this word could spell the other’s doom, but she was left with no choice; failing to comply with what the other said would mean being sent back to the Mermaid Training Center by her husband from the Mo family— that hell she never wanted to step back into again.

Having Su Su already acknowledge this, those mermaids who had previously felt fondly toward him and even wanted to protect him could only remain silent.

And that was exactly Su Su’s aim. His identity was fake; any investigation would be incredibly easy, and he had no need to embroil others in his troubles.

Before Su Su and Qi Hanyi arrived, they had anticipated that such a situation might arise. Should the person behind Yan Bai disclose his online identity to the Mo family, they would certainly not let go of the trump card regarding his real-life identity.

It was perfectly reasonable for a mermaid to recognize him at the banquet; even if he hadn’t attended, the other party would have other means to reveal it.

Hiding and keeping secrets would only allow the opponent to gain leverage; it was better to admit it openly.

Su Su flashed a row of pearly white teeth, his beautiful eyes curving into crescent shapes: “Hello everyone, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Su Su.”