Outside the banquet hall, Fan Li and He Ge ran into Mrs. Pu, a meeting that felt exceptionally warm and familiar.
"Mrs. Pu, I still remember that three-day tour you took us on last month. Thank you so much," Fan Li said with a smile.
"Oh, it was nothing! After chatting with you, I felt like I was the one who learned a lot."
This time, Mrs. Pu didn't just have Little Pu attached to her abdomen; there was another adorable little boy hanging there as well. This boy was even smaller than Little Pu, with rounder eyes and pinker cheeks. He Ge was once again charmed by the cuteness of the male anglerfish and couldn't resist reaching out to pat his head. "Mrs. Pu, is this your second son?"
"Yes, he only became the 'second' yesterday."
Little Pu shot a glare at the "second," huffing and turning his head the other way, wanting nothing to do with him.
"Yesterday?!" He Ge exclaimed. "He’s grown this much in just one day?"
Hearing this, Fan Li guessed that He Ge had misunderstood something and quickly nudged her with her elbow. "He Ge, it’s not—"
"You and your husband are incredible! The anglerfish race is so fertile!" He Ge ignored Fan Li, looking the "second" up and down. "Who does this child take after?"
"He probably takes after his father," Mrs. Pu said, patting the "second" on the head.
"His father is this cute? Is he here today?"
"No," Mrs. Pu shook her head. "I haven't had time to visit my father-in-law and mother-in-law yet. I saw how cute 'Number Two' was and just took him by force. But Little Pu is unhappy; he’s been jealous all day."
"Who wants to share a wife with someone else!" Little Pu looked up, his adorable large eyes glaring fiercely at Mrs. Pu. "Is he as cute as me? Is he?! Don't say it—you think he is! We’ve been married for how many years? What right do you have to find a 'second' without consulting me? Huh?"
Mrs. Pu looked at him with doting affection. Before she could comfort him, "Number Two" spoke up piteously, "Brother, don't blame our dear Pu-Pu. If I hadn't bitten onto her abdomen yesterday and refused to let go, she wouldn't have been forced to submit..."
"Don't speak for her! It would have been easy for her to shake you off, you little weakling! You two just caught each other's eyes like a pair of adulterers and hooked up!"
"Number Two" wasn't shaken at all. Instead, he said sweetly, "Brother, I will coexist peacefully with you. I won't fight for her favor. You've been with our wife for so many years; I'll definitely listen to everything you say..."
"Hmph! Sweet talk won't work!" Little Pu crossed his arms and turned his head away sharply. "The Imperial government is truly unreliable. Even though they abolished the polyandry laws for our race, they haven't effectively stopped wealthy women from living lives of debauchery. It makes me so angry! Rotten government, rotten government! I hate this feminist society that enslaves and objectifies men!"
"Oh, husband, your tolerance is a contribution to the Empire. Why are you starting to sound like an angry youth?"
Mrs. Pu tried to pat his head, but he swatted her hand away forcefully. "Don't touch me! Don't use high-sounding excuses for your fickleness! We men have no human rights once we're married. we're just marriage mules. It's so damn unfair, waaaah..."
He Ge stood there like a wooden chicken, looking from Mrs. Pu to Little Pu, then to "Number Two," then back to Mrs. Pu, her mouth hanging wide open. Fan Li bid Mrs. Pu goodbye, grabbed He Ge’s wrist, and slipped away.
After Fan Li explained, He Ge finally realized that the ones who had accompanied them on the three-day tour were the "Pu couple," not "Mrs. Pu and her son."
Male anglerfish lack the bioluminescent lure that females have, so they cannot hunt for food. From birth, they swim around looking for a future partner, aiming to be a qualified and pleasing "kept man." Thus, over hundreds of millions of years of evolution, they developed large eyes to find the female's glow, a cute appearance to trigger maternal instincts, olfactory organs to track the chemicals released by females, and the ability to swim faster than the sluggish females. Once they bite onto a female's abdomen, they use sweet words to beg for her mercy. If the female agrees to marry them, they gradually fuse with her, replacing their own circulatory system with hers. They become an "appendage" of the wife, providing sperm when she needs to reproduce. Other than that, the only function they retain is breathing.
Recently, Fan Li had read many books and news reports, finding many aspects of the Abyssal Empire's culture quite interesting.
The Empire primarily promoted monogamy, except for a few races with unique survival modes. The anglerfish were once among them. Years ago, the *Abyssal Empire Marriage Law* stipulated that if a female anglerfish was healthy enough to ensure her blood could meet the nutritional needs of two males, she could marry up to two husbands to ensure a reliable sperm source and support the policy of steady population growth.
However, as the Empire's civilization advanced rapidly, many male anglerfish began to vigorously promote masculinism within their race. They published articles and speeches in various media, stating: In the primitive era, men could only survive by relying on women, but times have changed. This is an era where basic needs are met and brainpower matters. Men should stand tall and rely on their own efforts to win a voice for their group in society. They resolutely resisted the trend of men focusing excessively on a cute appearance while abandoning careers, and they fought against the oppressive atmosphere where public opinion forced them to marry women.
"For male anglerfish, men's rights are equal rights! Only when we are independent will we gain the respect of the entire Empire!"
In the year 215 of the Red Moon Era, the founder of the anglerfish men's rights movement made this revolutionary declaration in Dragon City. During his speech, he shared his own story: He was once a beautiful and cute young boy, but he met the wrong person in marriage. He was domestic-abused and cheated on by a scumbag wife, and finally kicked out of the house with his child, living the most miserable life a man could lead. From then on, he learned from his pain. While working hard to earn money to raise his child, he went to the Imperial Capital for further studies. Finally, relying on no one, he became a PhD from Baman Boya University, living as a proud man. Thus, he decided to stand up and speak for all men.
That was a heroic moment in the history of male anglerfish, a significant stroke that changed the backward feminist thinking of the entire race. His speech moved all the discriminated male compatriots in the Dark Sea to tears.
Since that declaration of male independence, more and more male anglerfish adopted the slogan "No marriage until polyandry is abolished," enduring gender discrimination in the workplace and working themselves to the bone in their fragile bodies just to strive for equality with women.
Finally, in the year 303 of the Red Moon Era, anglerfish polyandry was abolished. But like the slave trade in the Light Sea, while a system can be abolished, deep-rooted thoughts are hard to erase. In the upper echelons of anglerfish society, the practice of "keeping a second husband" was still widespread.
Furthermore, no matter how vigorously masculinism rose, there were still influential male anglerfish authors who promoted "Ideal Marriage Style" theories on their platforms. These theories used the belittling of men and the fawning over women as a means to gain female investment. They were denounced by the men's rights movement as "women's lapdogs" and "cultists." The masculinists were outraged; some extremists published articles cursing women and these "green tea men," and there were even instances of severe misogyny and support for divorce. The two sides tore into each other relentlessly.
In reality, the representatives of both sides knew each other. they were simply collaborating to create hype, selling anxiety among men and attempting to incite gender conflict while peddling their low-quality products to make a fortune.
***
The clock struck 6:45. More and more distinguished guests arrived at the Temple of Memories. Heads of state or the richest men of certain cities no longer surprised anyone.
However, the arrival of one particular tycoon was a heavyweight event: the richest man of the Light Sea, the Chairman of the More Group.
Hearing that More Heqiao had arrived with a valuable birthday gift, Su Shiye spent a long time debating between "going to welcome him" and "completely ignoring him." He chose a middle ground—sending Qiu Sha to receive him and bring him to the banquet hall.
When Su Shiye served as the Dictator of the Light Sea, More Heqiao wasn't the richest man yet; they had only met twice.
This time, it was Heqiao’s first time observing him closely for an extended period. At the first sight of Su Shiye, he recalled a conversation he had with his ex-wife a year ago when they crossed paths at a work event:
"Sui, tell me honestly, are you and Feng Jin really gay?"
"What? Of course not!"
"Then why do you always look like you have no interest in men? At first, I thought there was a man in your heart you couldn't forget, which is why you weren't interested in me. But over time, I realized you truly have no interest in men... Now that we're divorced, can you satisfy my curiosity?"
"I'm not gay, really!"
"Then what kind of man do you like? Can you describe him?"
"Handsome and smart."
"Those two criteria seem like things I could satisfy."
"Everyone is handsome in a different way. I might like the kind who looks quite cold, with the aura of a Predator race, but when he smiles, he looks like a Sea God race."
"That's too abstract. What about personality?"
"The personality is the same. When he's silent, he feels like a Predator; as soon as he speaks, you feel he's a Sea God; but deep down, he's still a Predator."
"The kind of person you're describing is very suited for politics. They have several masks, and you have to peel them off one by one. It gives you a great desire for a challenge, doesn't it?"
"Yes! And he needs to be a bit of a flirt. His voice should be deep but with a youthful tone. He has to make me admire him. As for age... just a little bit older than me is fine..."
"My Lord of the Infinite Ocean, what kind of woman did I marry!" Heqiao had laughed loudly. "Around your age, and he has to make you admire him? Sui, I finally know why you can't love anyone. The man you're describing doesn't exist. Even if he were four thousand years older than you, I wouldn't dare say I could make you admire me. Someone your age would just be a wet-behind-the-ears brat. And a flirt? Any man who sees you would be flirted into oblivion by you; you want him to flirt back? That's too hard."
But now, Heqiao knew. She wasn't describing a "type" she liked; she was describing Su Shiye.
Yet it was also obvious that his poor ex-wife was suffering from unrequited love. Because when Su Shiye saw him, there was absolutely no reaction.
If a man loved a woman even a little bit, he wouldn't be so unruffled when facing her ex-husband.
Su Shiye not only appeared unruffled but was even quite friendly. "Welcome to the Abyssal Empire, Mr. More, to attend my daughter's birthday banquet."
In truth, no one knew that his heart was in a state of turmoil.
In the past, let alone a four-thousand-year-old Sea God, even a twenty-thousand-year-old Suzerain wouldn't have made him fear for even a second. He had absolute strength; no matter how calculating those people were, what could they do to him?
But tonight, he felt a bit weak.
Just thinking about how Fan Li had spent over three hundred years, day and night, with this man—living in sweet harmony—Su Shiye would repeatedly question himself: What exactly is so good about More Heqiao? He understood Fan Li; even in a political marriage, it would be hard for her to get along with someone she disliked.
What did this man have?
Su Shiye was always extremely skilled at hiding his emotions. He acted with perfect composure, even chatting with Heqiao about the trade and economy between the Abyss and the Light Sea.
In fact, Su Shiye knew that Heqiao had come to support Fan Li. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have risked his life to personally come to the deep sea ten thousand meters down just to deliver a birthday gift to a foreign princess.
Heqiao knew that the only reason Su Shiye was saying so much to him was also for Fan Li's sake. Otherwise, this Abyssal Emperor—outwardly gentle but inwardly arrogant—would likely have sent the Minister of Finance to receive him.
But both were extremely clever diplomatic masters. They chatted for a long while, appearing harmonious and pleasant, neither taking the initiative to mention that woman's name.
"The exchange rate legislation for the Holy City Coin and the Imperial Red Coin has been finalized recently. In the future, our enterprises will have many opportunities to cooperate with the More Group," Su Shiye said, nodding and smiling at the guests who frequently bowed to him as they entered.
"I have been closely following the news of your country recently. I truly admire the speed of development in your technology, energy, education, and so on."
"For the Abyssal race, food shortage is a universal phenomenon. In the first thirty years of our Empire's establishment, every citizen could only receive two fish or one jellyfish per day. Outside the Empire, there were millions more Abyssal people suffering from hunger," Su Shiye smiled. "One can only say that technology is often forced out by necessity."
"Now I'm not just admiring, I'm surprised." Heqiao lightly clapped his hands. "Knowing Sui for so many years, she never told me her brother was such a humble and low-profile person. I must put in a good word with the Dictator when I return, to have him actively promote trade cooperation between our two countries, especially in terms of food support."
Clearly, whatever Su Shiye's public persona was in the news, that was how he was acting now. Both of them knew that whether he was truly humble couldn't be observed in such a short time.
Su Shiye understood instantly. Heqiao’s words had three layers of meaning: First, praising him. Second, letting him know who had been living with Sui day and night—if he offended Heqiao, even as the Red Moon Emperor, Heqiao wouldn't be afraid. Third, if he continued to treat Fan Li with such courtesy, Heqiao would use all his resources to ensure Fan Li's safe return to the Light Sea.
"That won't be necessary," Su Shiye brushed it off nonchalantly. "Your wife's value far exceeds anything the Dictator could give me. I'm already very moved that she came to help me. As for her daily life, rest assured. Although we haven't met for centuries and Sui has done some mischievous things, the bond between siblings remains. I will arrange her living quarters well."
Heqiao also understood Su Shiye's subtext. However, that "your wife" was very intriguing—had Sui not told Su Shiye that they were already divorced?
It seemed that between the two of them, it really was Sui’s unrequited love for Su Shiye.
That was perfect. As long as Su Shiye didn't like Sui, then as long as he acted as if their marital relationship was good, it would benefit her.
"That's good then. To be honest, I've always been worried about her health. Over the years, she's been overworked. It's always been my regret that we have no children; I'm still looking forward to her coming back and giving me a cute baby. Now that I've handed her over to her brother, I'm truly at ease." At this point, More Heqiao looked at his pocket watch. "Well then, I shall return to the Light Sea. The group has a very important meeting early in the morning four days from now. I must rush back through the night. Forgive me for not being able to stay for the entire banquet."
"Fine."
Su Shiye's expression management remained perfect, but something exploded in his chest.
*Wants to have a child with Fan Li? How? Viviparous? This ex-ex-husband thinks he's worthy?*
"That More Heqiao." Su Shiye watched Heqiao’s departing back, then looked at Su Li, who was being ushered into the banquet hall like a star surrounded by moons. His voice dropped several degrees in anger. "Qiu Sha, go after him right now and kill him! Hack him into eight pieces and bring the body back to me!"
"Understood, I'm going now." Qiu Sha had just reached the door when Aize blocked him.
"No, no, no, don't! Don't be impulsive!" Aize dragged Qiu Sha back, whispering urgently to Su Shiye, "Your Majesty, why do you want to kill More Heqiao? Isn't he the Great Oracle's husband? The legal kind!"
Precisely because he was her former legal husband, Su Shiye could tolerate it even less.
Qiu Sha had married her, Xitian had married her, Heqiao had married her, even Shao An could marry her.
What was he?
They had grown up together; by all rights, their bond should be deeper than anyone's, yet she was most heartless toward him. In the end, even after being separated for so many years, he didn't even know what he was to her. No status, no title. He wasn't even considered an ex-boyfriend.
A nameless fire turned Su Shiye's face pale with rage.
"If you kill him, won't the Great Oracle hate you for the rest of her life?" Aize said weakly.
Su Shiye froze for a moment, remembering Fan Li's reaction after the Crucible Project. He closed his eyes, took several deep breaths to adjust his emotions, and finally opened them. "Fine. Don't kill him."
Aize was left bewildered.
*What is wrong with His Majesty lately... ever since the Great Oracle came to the Abyss, he's been irritable and prone to anger every day. Like a powder keg, he explodes at the slightest spark. His former calm and elegance are all an act now. It's terrifying.*
At seven o'clock sharp, the Red Moon Princess stepped onto the high platform of the banquet hall. Under the brilliant stained glass, the water shimmered, making her form-fitting grass-green long dress look like green waves on the sea's surface. The golden threads on her hem were like the silent, beautiful golden floating rainforests of the Starry Sea.
Su Li lowered her head and spoke into the microphone, "Distinguished guests, hello. I am the Princess of the Red Moon Empire, Su Li. Thank you for coming to my birthday banquet."
Though she was usually arrogant, in large settings she always inherited Su Shiye's legacy, acting elegant, composed, and gracious. Coupled with her top-tier features, she was truly the "First Princess of the Ocean."
The hall erupted in thunderous applause. Everyone was intoxicated by the Princess's charm, except for Fan Li, who hid alone in the most remote corner, watching Su Shiye's only daughter radiate dazzling glory. Below the stage, Su Shiye sat with Gexi. Su Shiye looked at Su Li, and Gexi looked at Su Shiye.
Now, he had a daughter, a girlfriend, an empire, a new life...
And just half an hour ago, she had been immersed in memories filled with him, unable to pull herself out.
How pathetic.
Fan Li brushed the hair from her forehead, then weakly covered her eyes, silently listening to the countless festivities of the banquet. Feeling her mind in a mess, she quietly walked out of the Temple of Memories.
Night descended. Around her were only villages that looked like toy blocks compared to the temple. The seabed was covered in bacterial mats like blankets. There were also two giant undersea mountains sandwiching the temple, towering high in the deep sea, forming a great canyon that cradled the villages. On the cliffs of the undersea mountains were patches of pure white sea anemones, like exquisite wallpaper. In the distance were flattened sandcastles, home to the world's largest single-celled organisms—xenophyophores, ten centimeters long with thread-like pseudopodia, no cell walls, only nuclei.
Though it was lonely outside, it brought Fan Li more peace than the interior. She slowly circled to the outer wall of the temple, leaning under a tall stained-glass window. Seeing the fragmented square colored lights it cast on the stone pillars, she sighed and looked up.
But this was the hadal zone, 11,000 meters below the sea. There was no light, no schools of fish, no hope. Even the new species of snailfish could not survive here.
Outside the Temple of Memories, there was only the water pressure that would take her life if she lost the protection of her air bladder.
"There is no moonlight for you to admire here. Go back."
Hearing this voice, Fan Li quickly looked up, her spine stiffening. "Why did you come out?"
The man standing not far away was Su Shiye. Since founding the Empire, Su Shiye usually dressed very simply. Tonight, he wore the Red Moon King's circlet, red diamond earrings, and layered gemstone necklaces. His figure was slender, his cape trailing on the ground. He hadn't dressed so grandly in a long time, which showed how important his daughter was to him.
But seeing Fan Li, he didn't show a hint of the affection a father should have. Instead, he walked elegantly toward her, his eyes smiling with a flirtatious charm. "Wanting to go back to the Light Sea, are you?"
"I wasn't thinking that much. I just came out for some air."
"Really not at all?"
Fan Li shook her head honestly. "I have work to do here. I'm not that sentimental."
"As expected of the Great Oracle Sui I know. As long as it's to achieve a goal, you can remain absolutely cold, not even sparing yourself." Su Shiye lightly clapped twice, applauding her. "We all know the reasons you married Gas Xitian and More Heqiao. I'm just curious about one thing: Why did you marry Shao An?"
The amount of information was too much; Fan Li was speechless with shock.
"The fact that you and Shao An had a flash marriage and a flash divorce is still a secret, isn't it?" Seeing her expression, Su Shiye remained unaffected, still speaking gently. "For the sake of my dear sister, I will of course keep the secret."
"My divorce from Shao An... it really was your doing!!" Fan Li was somewhat enraged. "You threatened him, didn't you?"
"People in the military always have a sense of awe toward weapons. I just showed him the Empire's warships and weapons, and he became as soft as a sea slug. Before negotiations even began, he agreed to all my demands. Including abandoning you."
"Why did you do that... were you afraid he would ally with the Glazed Army?"
"Ten of Shao An's warlord cliques couldn't beat one of my divisions. I was so 'afraid' of him."
A month ago, if people in the Red Moon Sea had heard this, they might have laughed their heads off. But having truly come to the Abyssal Empire, Fan Li knew Su Shiye was telling the truth. She told herself not to be impulsive, not to provoke this man. Softening her tone, she said, "Forget it, it's fine. It's all in the past. Let it go."
"What, are you scared?" Su Shiye looked up, gazing at her with an innocent look. He was damnably good-looking, and his unfathomable personality was damnably terrifying.
"I believe in your character. You promised me you wouldn't touch the Light Sea. You won't go back on your word." Even as she said it, Fan Li felt uncertain.
"Alright, I won't go back on my word."
Seeing Su Shiye's smile, Fan Li understood immediately: A politician, especially one like Su Shiye, made promises that were always ambiguous. Even if a treaty was signed, he would find another reason to overturn his commitment. She said urgently, "Su Shiye!!"
"Hmm?"
"What exactly do you want the Light Sea to do, or what do you want to do to the Light Sea? Whatever your purpose is, just say it. Everything is negotiable. Don't talk like this."
"I don't want the 'Light Sea' to do anything. I want the 'Great Oracle of the Light Sea' to do something."
Fan Li froze. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just serve me well." Su Shiye pointed to the ground, smiling slightly. "Lift your top, and then kneel."
***
