“Then... Lord Su Shiye, if I fail to swap back with Su Yi on my own, do you have a way to switch us back?”
“I haven’t found a solution yet. If it were anyone else, it might be possible, but Su Yi is difficult. Her mastery of potions far exceeds that of most occultists, and she is exceptionally bold in her experimentation. She was even mad enough to research how to summon the souls of the dead. Therefore, even if I mobilized every master apothecary to concoct a solution, they might not have the skill to pull her back. That is why I am curious to see how you intend to find a way.”
What method could she possibly have? A daughter could only beg her mother. Fan Li assumed her mother wouldn't want to live as her own daughter and interact with her father in that capacity—that would be far too strange.
Fan Li felt a wave of disappointment at Su Shiye’s answer. If even the Dictator of Guanghai said there was no way, the likelihood of her succeeding with a reverse-exchange occult art was slim. However, things might not be so passive once she reached the shore. Her miraculously talented mother could no longer use that superhuman brain in the human world. No matter how strong her adaptability, she couldn't possibly master all the rules of human society overnight or achieve the same heights she had in the sea. She would likely give up on her anti-Su Shiye plan soon enough. After all, without that brain, she only had her memories and experiences from the past two hundred years. She wouldn't forcefully occupy her daughter's body... right?
Probably.
Hopefully.
The more Fan Li thought about it, the more she felt like a lonely leaf swept up in a cold wind, utterly desolate.
“But I do know,” Su Shiye said suddenly, leaning back in his lounge chair, “that she can only run for 2,271 years at most.”
“...‘Only’?”
What was the deal with this 2,271-year figure? Did Su Yi have a way to make Fan Li’s human body live that long? She desperately wanted to ask, but she was terrified of revealing more flaws in her cover as Su Yi’s daughter, so she remained silent. At the same time, an ominous suspicion flickered in her mind, but the thought vanished as quickly as it appeared. She didn't want to jinx herself. Things definitely, definitely weren't what she feared.
“Two thousand-odd years...” Su Shiye gazed out the window thoughtfully, letting out a soft sigh. “It is a bit long.”
“Actually, I’ve always been curious. Since you caught her so many times before and she clearly intended to betray the Holy City, why didn't you...” Fan Li didn't know which word to use—punish, kill, or torture?
“She is my sister,” Su Shiye sighed. “She was an orphan from a young age, adopted by my parents. She’s had a hard life. She supported me in conquering the world, used her academic brilliance to help me, aided me in overthrowing the old guard of the Holy City’s Sea God Race, and helped establish the new regime. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today. Because of that, my heart softened time and again. I gave her too many chances, but she only intensified her betrayals.”
“Since she supported your revolution so much, why did she turn against you now?”
“We have a major divergence in our ideologies.”
Although Su Shiye didn't elaborate, Fan Li could guess. Any organization in its flourishing stage likely faces many bloody realities and falling-outs between friends or even family. Su Yi’s angry poem also hinted that she was a resilient, kind, but incredibly stubborn woman. While Su Shiye was a man of refined grace in word and deed, it didn't hinder his forceful decision-making and execution. It seemed only natural that two such people would clash violently while building an empire together.
“I’m sorry for bringing up such a painful subject...” Fan Li said helplessly.
“It was Su Yi’s excessive selfishness to choose you out of so many people, and it is your misfortune. You have a right to know these things.” Su Shiye waved his hand, transforming her back to her previous appearance. “Until a solution is found, continue living like this. Or, wait until I complete the unification of Guanghai and capture Su Yi, then you can change back.”
“Will I even live that long...”
Seeing her look of utter despair, Su Shiye couldn't help but chuckle. “Let’s hope so.”
“By the way, Lord Dictator...”
“Yes?”
“Did Su Yi ever get married?” She desperately wanted to know if her mother had been faithful to her father.
Su Shiye paused. “No.”
“Oh, okay.”
That was great! It seemed her mother really had been forced into this. To escape the pursuit of the Guanghai government, she swapped souls with her daughter and returned to the husband she longed for—it made sense. The only thing she couldn't understand was why her mother would make her the scapegoat. Didn't she worry about her daughter's safety? Or did she believe Su Shiye wouldn't harm a child?
It was a terrible thing to do to one’s own daughter, but if it saved her mother from death, it felt... acceptable. She decided not to dwell on it.
With that, Fan Li’s mood relaxed significantly. She wasn't as afraid of facing the new "Fan Li" after going ashore. By now, her father and mother should already be home together.
“What is it?” Su Shiye rested one hand on the back of the chair, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her with interest. “Already can’t wait to start dating at school?”
“I am not!” Even as she said it, Xing Hai’s bay-like eyes flashed through her mind, and her tone suddenly weakened. “No... no, I was just asking casually...”
“Whether among humans or the sea race, you are at the age where the heart first awakens. It’s normal to want to fall in love. Well? Guanghai’s culture is so different from yours, but the male sea folk are still quite handsome, aren't they? What kind of boys do you like?”
Fan Li was mortified by his question. Unwilling to back down, she tried to act more like an adult. “They’re all handsome, but none are as handsome as you, Lord Dictator.”
Su Shiye propped up his chin and let out a long, drawn-out “Hmm.” “So, Miss Fan Li likes my type.”
A critical hit to the heart.
Fan Li’s ears turned red from his teasing. “Everyone has an eye for beauty. I merely admire you from a respectful distance, without... without triflings.”
“But you’ve already trifled with me. What should we do about that?”
A double critical hit.
If her head were a volcano, it would have erupted by now. Her face turned beet red, and she stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
The household slaves couldn't help but steal a few glances at the two of them, marveling silently. The Dictator could make that girl blush like that just by sitting there; he truly was the Dictator...
“Alright, you really are just a little girl. You’re so innocent I feel bad teasing you.” Su Shiye stood up and smoothed his clothes. “Once you go back, remember that you must not let anyone discover your true identity. Su Yi has significant influence throughout Guanghai; once people find out who you are, even I won't be able to protect you.”
Seeing her nod solemnly, Su Shiye ordered someone to pour her another drink. “Is there anything you need my help with? For example, tuition or living expenses?”
If this had been a day ago, Fan Li would have been moved to tears, nodding in agreement and asking to move out of the slums. But considering she was about to leave Guanghai, her remaining money was enough for her final preparations. Having more things wouldn't be of much use, so she declined Su Shiye’s offer.
“In that case, I wish you a pleasant time studying in the sea. I look forward to meeting you again in St. Yegana.”
Su Shiye placed his hand over his chest and bowed to her. She noticed he placed his left hand on the right side of his chest—the way a subordinate salutes a superior. She thought he had simply gotten it backward, so she played dumb and quickly returned the same salute.
Afterward, he sent a slave to escort her home in a private vessel. Once inside the vessel, the slave turned back and whispered, “I’ve followed the Dictator for thirteen years, and this is the first time I’ve seen him give someone a left-hand salute. Usually, he rarely even gives a right-hand salute.”
So he had done it on purpose. Fan Li felt flattered once again, then realized he was likely expressing an apology to her on behalf of his sister...
After returning, she wandered the vegetable market outside her door for over an hour, spending almost all her money on a large bag of instant seaweed and compressed dried fish. She went home and prepared two weeks' worth of food and a change of clothes, living and attending classes as usual while waiting for the 15th.
However, over these few days, Red Lady’s spirits grew worse, and she seemed even more preoccupied than before. During dinner on Oda Day, only she, Fan Li, and the child were home. As they ate, Fan Li couldn't help but ask, “What’s wrong lately... is something on your mind?”
“Actually, my husband is having an affair.” Red Lady’s shoulders slumped as she finally confessed the long-hidden truth with a sense of relief.
“...Are you sure?” This was an answer Fan Li hadn't expected at all. She had always thought the three of them were very happy.
“I’m sure. I have proof.”
“No way, I find that hard to believe. He already has two beautiful wives; is he still not satisfied?”
“Men are naturally lustful. It’s just that good men restrain themselves. Those with poor self-control, like my husband, simply can’t resist temptation.”
“Is the mistress very beautiful?”
“She’s alright. He’s cheated many times before, with many, many women. But every time it’s just for the novelty; looks aren't actually that important. After playing around for a while, he always comes home obediently. I didn't care much before because neither I nor my sister-wife knew the women. But this time, it’s someone we all know, and that makes it hard to bear.”
“So, you know who the mistress is...”
“Yes, it’s an acquaintance this time. But I can’t say. If I speak it aloud, no one will be able to face each other again.”
At this point, Fan Li stopped asking. She already knew who it was.
Although she hadn't known Red Lady for long and they weren't close, Red Lady had always taken care of her, looking after her meals and daily life. She felt she owed Red Lady a great debt. So, before leaving this world, she decided to help Red Lady out, while also trying to guide Dang Dang so she wouldn't continue down the wrong path.
On the morning of October 15th, after finishing her Sea Race Language class, Fan Li prepared to go home, pack her bags, and set off.
But she didn't expect to run into Xing Hai at the school gate. Seeing him swim toward her, she said in surprise, “Oh, what a coincidence!”
“It’s not a coincidence. I’ve been waiting here for an hour.” Xing Hai turned around and gestured with his chin toward the bus station. “Let’s go, I’ll walk you back.”
“No, Xing Hai, didn't I tell you yesterday? I can go back by myself today...”
“Yes, you did. But I thought about it today and still felt uneasy, so I came.”
“I have things to do when I get back today...” The real reason was that she didn't want to say goodbye to him.
“Is it inconvenient?”
“Yes.”
“Did you get a boyfriend?”
Fan Li waved her hands vigorously. “No, no!”
“Then let’s go. Safety is the most important thing.”
Then, regardless of whether she agreed, he took the lead and boarded the vessel heading toward her home. Fan Li hurried to follow.
During the entire ride home, he was as quiet as ever, reading a book with one hand. He was frequently stared at and whispered about by the girls nearby. After they left, Fan Li said softly, “Have you noticed? Girls really seem to like you.”
Xing Hai thought for a moment and shook his head with a smile. “I’m not exactly the type that’s popular with girls.”
But as soon as he said that, he was proven wrong.
A beautiful shark-race woman swam over, intentionally squeezing between him and Fan Li. She struck up a conversation, asking what book he was reading. He turned the book over to show her the cover, gave her a brief smile, and then lowered his head to continue reading, treating her as if she were invisible. The beauty placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to share the book intimately, but he moved away.
“Honey,” Xing Hai looked at Fan Li’s empty marriage ring finger, “how did you forget to wear your gem again?”
Fan Li froze for a second, then immediately played along. “Oh, oh! I took it off yesterday and forgot to put it back on...”
The shark beauty looked at Fan Li, then at Xing Hai, and recoiled as if avoiding a virus. She gave Xing Hai a look of pure disgust. “I couldn't even tell he was a hybrid. You should have said so earlier; I don't want any bait-children.” She wiped her hand where she had touched Xing Hai and swam to the back of the cabin.
“Thanks.” Xing Hai continued reading.
“And you say you’re not popular with girls.”
“There are plenty of girls like that looking for fun. They treat men like toys; being noticed by them isn't something to brag about.” Xing Hai closed his book and looked up. “By the way, Little Sunflower turned out to be a baby lobster. She’s been growing quite fast these past two days.”
“Really? Last time I saw her, she was only the size of a fist.”
“She’ll molt her shell later, and her colors will be even more beautiful.”
“Wow...”
“Should I bring her to school tomorrow to show you?”
“Sure.”
After answering, Fan Li’s heart sank.
Tomorrow, she wouldn't be at school...
Just then, the vessel stopped at a station. A middle-aged shark man swam over and whispered to Xing Hai, “Young man, I think you have great taste. That crazy woman just now was just a sour lemon. Your fiancée is very cute; you two look great together. Reminds me of my first love.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Xing Hai smiled.
“Seeing you two makes me feel like marriage might not be so scary after all. When I was your age, if I had met a girl this cute, and if she looked at me the way this girl looks at you—with stars in her eyes—I might have been locked down for life too. Sadly, I was surrounded by crazy women. These days, life is too hard for us predatory race men, way too hard... Keep it up, you two. I wish you love until you’re old.” The man gave them two thumbs up and swam off the vessel.
“What do you mean ‘stars in her eyes’? I don't!” Fan Li was intensely embarrassed. “My eyes are just big!”
Xing Hai had only been smiling, but at that last sentence, he let out a sudden burst of laughter. He didn't know how to comfort people, but he was very sensitive to her emotions, so he changed the subject and continued talking about Little Sunflower.
Fan Li sat side-by-side with him by the window, occasionally gazing out from the cabin.
Luoya, this ancient and prosperous city, was such a beautiful place. There was no sky above, only shimmering blue seawater like flowing green agate. There were no fluorescent lights or birds, only the dancing light from the heavens above and massive schools of colorful fish swimming overhead. In the distance, humpback whales sang with their seven-octave musical talent, soothing the nerves of busy sea folk. There were no metallic cities of skyscrapers, only a vast undersea metropolis crafted from coral, stone, and shells...
She had never realized before how beautiful Luoya was.
She had also never realized that occultism was actually quite an interesting subject, or how brilliant and awe-inspiring the civilization of the sea race was. And the boy beside her, with shark blood in his veins... she found herself so reluctant to leave him. Tomorrow, she would leave this place forever. She would face the hardships left by the original owner and strive to become the human girl Fan Li again. She didn't know if she would ever have the chance to come back to the sea and see Xing Hai again...
“Xing Hai,” she said softly, “do you like going out to sea?”
“Unless it’s necessary, I don't much like migrating. Why?”
“What about just going out for a breath of air occasionally?”
“I don't like that either. But if you want to go, I can go with you.”
Hearing that answer, Fan Li only felt a pang of sadness. She looked out the window, then back into his eyes. “If one day I move somewhere very far away, will I have a chance to see you on the shore?”
“Yes. Where are you moving to?”
“I’m just thinking out loud. Don't you know girls love to fantasize? For example—I’m just saying for example—if I were a human girl and had to return to the human world, but there was no way to communicate between land and sea, and we could only agree to meet at a certain place, would you come to keep the appointment regularly?”
“I would,” Xing Hai said without hesitation. “I’ll wait for you on the beach. When I’m not busy, I’ll even go ashore to find you.”
“Really? Aren't you afraid of being discovered as a member of the sea race?”
“Human senses are as weak as scallops. They won't find out.”
Fan Li was amused by him. “Okay! Then starting today, I’ll assume I’m a human. I’ll wait to meet you on the beach at the beginning of every month.”
“Mhm.”
“When the time comes, even if I’ve turned into a human, you aren't allowed to pretend you don't know me.”
“I’ve never cared what you look like.”
“Then let’s agree on a secret code. Let’s call it...” Fan Li thought for a moment and clapped her hands. “Let’s call it ‘Little Sunflower looking for Mama.’”
“Alright. You’re making me almost believe it.” Xing Hai laughed too.
She only hoped he could understand her hint.
The bus vessel soon passed seven stops and reached Fan Li’s station. Fan Li swam off the vessel, turned around at the platform, and looked once more at Xing Hai, who sat quietly amidst the crowd. He was looking back at her with the same gentle gaze.
Then, the seawater flowed in the silence, and with a mechanical sound, the cabin doors slowly closed. Through the transparent glass window, he waved to her.
*Xing Hai, you’ll keep the promise, right?*
She desperately wanted to confirm it with him one more time.
But she knew in her heart that no matter how hard they tried to keep the promise, even if they really met on the beach in the future, once she became Fan Li again, they could no longer sit side-by-side like this. At most, they could meet on the sand, exchange a greeting like “How has Luoya been lately?” and then watch as he turned and swam back into the ocean...
As the propellers turned, the bus vessel slowly started moving. Behind the cabin door, Xing Hai was still smiling at her.
Fan Li also gave a big, brilliant smile, raising her arm high to wave at him while swaying her tail. “Xing Hai, goodbye!”
They hadn't known each other long. But during this brief and dangerous journey, Xing Hai had ignored the rumors and braved the risks to stand in front of her and protect her. He was the only light in this cold, boundless sea. A boy like him was someone you might only meet once in a lifetime.
Sharks would always belong to the sea, and humans would always belong to the land. The laws of nature could not be changed.
Yet, she cherished the fate between them immensely.
“Goodbye”—this was her true thought. She hoped they could find each other. She hoped that in the future, even if only for a moment, they could see each other one more time.
***
