“I don’t dislike interacting with them,” Lan Ye felt he couldn’t say he disliked humans, otherwise Qiao Ci, who wanted to live in the human world, might send him back to the deep sea. He didn’t want to be separated from Qiao Ci.
After thinking for a moment, he looked into Qiao Ci’s eyes and said, “It’s not that I dislike interacting with them, it’s just that I’m new here and a bit unaccustomed. Give me some more time, and I’m sure I’ll be able to get along with them very well.”
Qiao Ci reached out and patted his little head, then asked, “Then why did you use your magic to cause minor accidents for your classmates’ parents?”
At the mention of this, Lan Ye’s eyes dimmed. “I didn’t like the way they looked at you, so naked, filled with filth and desire. They all have children and wives, yet they looked at someone else’s sister so openly. Little Ye hates them.”
“It was wrong of them, but you shouldn’t have been the one to punish them. You’re still a child, don’t overthink things. I know you were trying to protect me, but I’m an adult and capable of protecting myself. You just need to grow up happily. Your carefree growth is the greatest wish your mother and I have for you.”
Qiao Ci, recalling what she had read in books recently, selectively shared it with Lan Ye. “Sister, I understand.” Lan Ye looked genuinely eager to learn, without a hint of rebellion. Qiao Ci was quite satisfied with this.
Knowing one’s mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue.
After instilling some more human ideas and etiquette into Lan Ye, Qiao Ci sent him to bed.
The next day, when Qiao Ci went to pick Lan Ye up from school, she saw him laughing and chatting with the children around him, appearing to be getting along very harmoniously.
She couldn’t help but show a smile like an old mother.
Lan Ye, being such a cute child, would quickly make a lot of good friends as long as he was willing to play with other children. “Sister~” Lan Ye spotted Qiao Ci immediately. After saying goodbye to his classmates, he ran to Qiao Ci’s side and took her hand proactively. “Let’s go home.”
“How was your day?” Qiao Ci asked caringly. “It was great! Sister is right, getting along with classmates is also a very happy thing. I’ve decided to get along with them well from now on.” Lan Ye seemed very excited, as if he genuinely enjoyed integrating into the human world.
“Mhm, that’s good.” Qiao Ci looked at him with a pleased expression, like a parent seeing their child learn. Recalling what she had learned from books, she added, “If you become particularly good friends with any of them, you can invite them over to play.”
Lan Ye’s expression immediately became troubled, his delicate eyebrows furrowed together.
“What’s wrong?” Qiao Ci asked with concern upon noticing the change in the little one.
She suddenly felt a bit tired. Were children’s emotions so changeable? So difficult!
“I don’t like them coming to our house. This is our territory, the only place that belongs to just the two of us in the human world. I don’t want anyone else to set foot here.” Lan Ye felt that some things could be compromised, but others could not.
If he invited those children over now, would he have to invite their parents next?
Hmph, not a chance!
“Such a young age, yet you have such a strong sense of territory. Alright, then we won’t invite them. As long as you’re happy.” Qiao Ci respected all of her cub’s decisions.
Seeing that Qiao Ci wasn’t unhappy, Lan Ye’s lips curved upward unconsciously, and he smiled.
She listened to his opinions, and she looked so beautiful.
He had seen Qiao Ci before, and he hadn’t thought she was particularly beautiful or stunning, although she was indeed more attractive than ordinary mermaids.
However, from the moment his mother entrusted him to Qiao Ci, he found himself liking her more and more.
He liked being close to her, liked playing with her, liked everything about her.
Many times, he was incredibly grateful to his mother for entrusting him to Qiao Ci. She was truly wonderful.
***
With the wedding approaching, Ying Xue was incredibly nervous.
During the wedding preparations, Chen Ning had repeatedly confirmed with her when Qiao Ci would arrive, so he could arrange Qiao Ci’s accommodation and ensure Qiao Ci felt his sincerity and enthusiasm.
However, after their last encounter, Ying Xue hadn’t contacted Qiao Ci again, and she knew Qiao Ci wouldn’t come.
Fearing the disappointment in Chen Ning’s eyes, Ying Xue decided to invite Qiao Ci to her wedding again.
Ying Xue: Cousin, are you busy lately?
Qiao Ci: What’s up?
Ying Xue: In three days, Chen Ning and I will be getting married. Can you come to my wedding? Everyone says that marital bliss is blessed by family, but I don’t have any of my mermaid kin here. It would be wonderful if you could come.
Qiao Ci: I’ve already said, I don’t have time.
Ying Xue: Are you still my cousin? You won’t even attend your cousin’s most important event, are you intending to sever all family ties with me? *sobs* I only have you as family, and I truly respect and love you. I know it was too hasty of me to come to the human world with Chen Ning without listening to your advice. But, as it turns out, my gamble paid off, Chen Ning is truly good to me. I just want the blessing of my family. Cousin, can’t you fulfill this small wish for me?
Qiao Ci: The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and find the shore.
Ying Xue: What does that mean?
Qiao Ci: Do you think Chen Ning genuinely wants to marry you?
Ying Xue: Otherwise? Why would he go to such lengths to plan a wedding? kuAiδugg
Qiao Ci: You’re getting married the day after tomorrow. Have you gotten your marriage certificate? I noticed humans usually get the certificate before the wedding.
Ying Xue fell silent.
She had also brought up the matter of the marriage certificate with Chen Ning, but Chen Ning had refused with various excuses.
First, he cited work being busy, then wedding preparations being hectic. Finally, under her persistent questioning, he stammered that her identity was problematic, making it impossible to register their marriage. He promised to get the certificate immediately once he found a way to legitimize her status.
Thus, she lied to Qiao Ci for a second time: “We’ve already gotten our certificate, we are legally married. Chen Ning is a trustworthy person and will always be good to me. Cousin, can you come to our wedding?”
However, Qiao Ci did not reply again.
Ying Xue felt a pain in her chest from anger. How had her cousin become like this? She used to be so good to her, giving her whatever she wanted, and attending her wedding should have been a given.
She had said from the start that she and Chen Ning wouldn’t have a good outcome. Now that she was having a good outcome, her cousin was acting this way; she must be jealous of her having a good partner!
After some thought, Ying Xue directly sent Qiao Ci a message of severance: “Since Cousin, you can’t stand to see me do well, then let’s cut off all contact from now on.”
After waiting for a long time without a response from Qiao Ci, Ying Xue had to make up an excuse for Chen Ning: “Ah Ning, my cousin suddenly has something to attend to and can’t make it to our wedding.”