Unknowingly, late winter had arrived.
Water has a high specific heat capacity; it absorbs and releases heat more slowly than land. Consequently, the seasons in the ocean are not particularly distinct, and even the diurnal temperature variation on coastal islands is minimal.
Luoya, situated in a tropical region, rarely experienced heavy winds or massive waves. This stability had allowed it to attract a large number of undersea inhabitants throughout its hundred-million-year history, fostering an enduring commercial prosperity. Recently, however, a massive cold current had caused surface temperatures to plummet. The thermocline dissolved, and the temperature difference above and below the two-hundred-meter boundary narrowed. The waters near the surface became exceptionally cold, as if the chill could freeze the very scales off one’s skin. Furthermore, frequent storms lashed the surface, churning the waters up to a hundred meters deep. As a result, residents near the surface became as reclusive as mushrooms, while the wealthier ones migrated to residences in the deeper zones.
During this season, the staff at the Maritime Registration Bureau were so idle they dozed off in their offices, oblivious even when jellyfish crawled across their faces. Meanwhile, real estate agents in the deep-water districts were frantic, so hungry they could devour a dozen raw jellyfish.
Less than three months remained until the advancement exams in June. At Luoya University’s First-Tier Arcane Academy, the busyness of the freshmen was highly polarized. Those who believed they could pass were frantic to the point of neurosis, their dark circles hanging like heavy sacks. Those who felt utterly incapable of passing simply gave up on the exam; watching the high achievers struggle brought them a sort of festive joy.
Fanli was neither. She had looked at past exam papers and figured that with two or three months of solid revision, she should be able to pass. However, the exam format had undergone a complete overhaul this year, rendering past papers of little reference value. She had to master her current curriculum as thoroughly as possible while pouring all her spare time into researching the Space-Time Soul Potion. She also had to balance her work at the black market to ensure she could still afford to eat. Consequently, she was likely the busiest person in the entire department, often so exhausted she didn't even want to speak.
Fortunately, her job as a salesperson for the "Heart of Styx" was highly cost-effective. Just sitting in the Black Crocodile Union during her breaks and spacing out earned her an hourly wage of two Fu. Two days ago, she’d had a stroke of luck. While the other salespeople were busy with clients, she was sitting alone, clutching *Space-Time Potion Theory* and calculating ingredients on paper, when a particularly furious customer walked in. He demanded to drink the potion immediately; he wanted to tear apart the "trash" who had stolen his wife.
Just like that, 150 Fu fell from the sky.
The man was incredibly impulsive. He went back that very day and told the "trash" about it, even sharing his desire to tear him apart.
As a result, the "trash" showed up the next day, declaring he wasn't afraid of a challenge from a cuckold and that he, too, wanted to drink the "Heart of Styx." Luckily, the other salespeople had been called away by the manager for a meeting. Fanli had just sat down when she picked up the job.
She barely said a word throughout the process, and another 150 Fu fell from the sky.
Including her hourly wage, she had earned 312 Fu in two days. Fanli felt as though she had suddenly become the richest person in Luoya. The sound of coins jingling in her pocket was like hearing the songs of heaven. She opened her pouch and pulled out the largest coin—it was twice the size of a 1-De coin. The front featured the deep blue White Temple, and the back was stamped with the Holy Light Sea Feather—the symbol of the "High Emissary," the supreme power of the Holy Light. Below it was written: "50 Fu Lumen."
With money in hand, it was only natural to improve her living conditions—to get away from her loathsome roommates, the landlord, and the sewage-drenched slums.
That night, accompanied by the "thump-thump" of the Black-lined Cusk-eel man, Fanli knocked on Dangdang’s door. She found Dangdang covering her sponge-stuffed ears with both hands, practicing vocalizations toward the window.
"I'm going crazy!" Dangdang shouted, using a silencing spell. "What on earth is that fat Cusk-eel doing?! Is there not a single day he isn't in heat?! I want to know why basic soundproofing spells can't block out that noise! I'm losing it..."
"Have you thought about moving?" Fanli smiled.
"Of course I have, but I definitely don't have the money." Dangdang stood with her hands on her hips, wearing an expression of "I'm poor, so what?"
"In your imagination, where would be the best place to live?"
Fanli thought Dangdang would suggest renting a middle-class house in the city center or a place near the school to save on the exhaustion of commuting.
However, Dangdang’s answer was: "Antioch Street!"
"Antioch Street...? The one right next to us?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"No sewage or trash!"
"That's... that's it?" Fanli held her head. "Can you have a little more ambition..."
Fanli finally realized there was no point in discussing this with Dangdang. She directly looked for several two-bedroom apartments near the school and negotiated prices simultaneously. After filtering out the less cost-effective ones, she narrowed it down to two. One was 55 Fu per month, and the other was 12 Fu per week, which came to 48 Fu a month. She kept the second one as a backup and made a proposal to the first: if she paid six months' rent upfront, could they waive the deposit and lower the total to 300 Fu?
In winter, middle-to-upper-class citizens tended to move to the deep-water zones, so business in this area was sluggish. The first landlord agreed without hesitation. Then she asked the second one if they could lower the price to 280 Fu if she paid 26 weeks upfront. After some hesitation, the second landlord also agreed. Finally, she told the first landlord, "I'm sorry, I found another place with a similar environment (though this one was actually much better), but they dropped to 280 Fu and were very sincere, so I won't be renting from you." The first landlord immediately replied, "I'll give it to you for 270. Don't talk to them anymore."
"Deal."
Fanli happily signed the contract and paid the rent, saving herself 60 Fu. Combined with her previous savings from work, she could also afford a communication device. She asked Xinghai where the best place to buy one was, and he said he would take her.
Later, Fanli took the contract home to show Dangdang. Dangdang screamed and tackled her. "Lord of the Deep Blue! A house near the school! I don't want Bern anymore! Li-zi, marry me!! Waaaah!!"
"Wait, I have something else to tell you." Fanli pushed her off and pointed at the amount on the contract. "Look closely. I signed a one-year lease. After six months, the rent is 55 Fu a month. By then, I might already be in Saint Yegana. With your current savings, living here might be a bit difficult. So, starting tomorrow, remember to look for a roommate at school for the second half of the year who can pay about 20 to 30 Fu a month."
"Wow, Li-zi, you're going to Saint Yegana!" Dangdang didn't hear a word she said, only wailing as she clung to Fanli's neck. "I don't want you to go! I don't want you to gooo!!"
Fanli massaged her temples. "Fine, I'll help you find one..."
Before she could finish, she heard the dense "thump-thump-thump-thump" sound approaching. She covered Dangdang’s mouth and made a "shh" gesture. Ever since she learned what that "thumping" meant, the thought of living under the same roof as the Cusk-eel man made her feel afraid and disgusted. Dangdang felt the same.
Finally, two "thumps" sounded as a knock on the door. Fanli looked at the door warily, light gathering in her palm as an ice sphere quickly condensed above the doorframe.
"What is it?"
"Excuse me, are you two moving out?" the Cusk-eel man’s voice sounded from outside. Even though his speaking voice was steady, his mating sounds didn't stop.
Dangdang stared at Fanli with wide eyes, her expression screaming: *He wouldn't try to do 'that' to us before we move, would he?*
"Yes," Fanli said, shaking her head at Dangdang.
"You didn't sign a contract with the landlord; you just pay rent monthly, right?"
"Right."
"It's like this: this place is quite cheap, and I want to bring my younger brother and son to live here. But if the tenants change, the landlord might demand a rent increase. So, I wanted to ask if you could refrain from telling the landlord for now? I'll tell him I'm paying the rent on your behalf."
Fanli relaxed slightly, and the ice sphere above the door gradually melted. She thought about it seriously for a moment and decided there was no risk. "That's fine. We'll be moving this weekend."
"Great, thank you, young ladies. I'll go contact them now." The Cusk-eel man sounded happy. Not long after, the "thump-thump-thump-thump" followed him back to the first floor.
At noon on Mise Day, Kemo and Lina spotted Xinghai near the library.
Xinghai was leaning against a wall, looking down at an adventure novel set in the Mechanical Age. The waves were like a summer night's breeze, swaying the nearby seaweed and anemones. He, too, seemed like the wind, glowing brilliantly amidst the dappled water patterns.
The humiliation Fanli had dealt them in the library last time still rankled Kemo and Lina. Seeing Xinghai, Kemo’s anger flared. He clenched his fists, intending to go over and teach him a lesson. But before he had swum more than a few meters, he saw a young girl swim up to Xinghai’s side.
"Have you been waiting long?"
The girl held the straps of her schoolbag, her eyes containing the brightest stars in the night sky. Her figure was slender, and her lively short hair and tail fin swayed with the current. If one didn't know her name, no one would guess she was the Fanli who had erupted with such terrifying energy.
Xinghai looked up. His eyes lit up for a moment before turning incredibly tender. "Not long."
"Today’s Land Cuisine class was all about barbecue. Everyone’s food was so delicious. I took a bite here and a bite there, and I almost got full." Fanli rubbed her stomach. "Luckily, I held back and saved some room so we can go eat something good in the city."
"Okay," Xinghai smiled.
The two of them were in high spirits, but Kemo’s mood was foul.
"Actually, I've wanted to say something for a while." Seeing Kemo’s fury, Lina arched an eyebrow. "Kemo, haven't you noticed the change in Xinghai?"
"I have. He's getting more and more arrogant."
"No, it's not about arrogance. Do you remember what Xinghai was like when we first met him?"
Kemo remembered, of course.
It was the Luoya University Open Day. He had been eager for university life, so he took a group of people to the school early to familiarize themselves with the environment. Unluckily, he encountered a group of Orca-tribe boys with the same goal. Naturally, one mountain cannot hold two tigers, and one school cannot hold two bullies. It was only logical that the two groups would clash. After the underlings pushed and shoved for a while, the hot-tempered leader of the other side got angry and challenged Kemo to a duel.
Kemo had been competitive since childhood and didn't want to resort to saying "my dad is the Vice-Consul" at a time like this. But given the opponent's massive size, he had already guessed he would lose miserably before the fight even began. After bracing himself to accept the challenge, the situation turned out even worse than he’d imagined.
The opponent then grew addicted to bullying him. When Kemo’s group went to eat at the school gate, feeling dejected, the big guy’s underlings snatched their seats first, claiming they were for their boss.
Seeing the big guy approach with a smug look, Kemo’s heart filled with regret. He regretted running away every time his father tried to give him special training; he also resented his mother for indulging his escapades.
The surrounding underlings were watching. He was once again caught between a rock and a hard place.
That was when Xinghai appeared.
"There was no reservation for this table. It's first-come, first-served. Occupying seats in advance violates the rules of civilized dining. Please stand up, brother, and give the seat to the guests who arrived first."
Kemo remembered it clearly. Looking at Xinghai alone, he was tall, with lean muscles—very healthy. But standing before that big guy, he looked like a little weakling. So, even though his attitude was gentle, even polite, the opposing leader looked at him with utter contempt. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
At the time, even Kemo wanted to pull this random mixed-blood idiot away and tell him not to start trouble. But Kemo also noticed that even under the big guy’s pressure, Xinghai didn't even blink. His heartbeat was as steady as a machine.
"I don't know who you are, but I know you must be someone important, otherwise you wouldn't have so many followers."
"Haha, so you know I'm not to be messed with?"
"Of course. I'm not a purebred predator, but I have the ability to sense the strong." Xinghai said composedly, "However, as a leader, one only gains willing obedience by not bullying those they've already defeated. That Great White Shark brother already lost to you at school. If you show the heart and grace of a male leader now and return his seat to him, you might even gain a new group of brothers, right?"
The big guy was persuaded, even developing a bit of admiration for Xinghai’s neither-haughty-nor-humble attitude. But just as he stood up, his underlings felt a sense of crisis. Deciding this newcomer was trying to usurp their favor, they began to stir up trouble, saying Xinghai and Kemo were in league to make the boss lose face. Just as the big guy started to feel slighted, the underling who talked the most was floored by a single punch from Xinghai.
That punch stunned both the big guy and Kemo.
This mixed-blood kid... he had some nerve!
"A rabble like you will only hinder your boss from making friends." Xinghai gestured toward Kemo. "They could become great friends. Do you plan to keep instigating like this?"
The big guy and Kemo were stunned again.
"I hit your underling because I had no choice," Xinghai said to the big guy. "You can hit me back for it. I won't complain."
The big guy raised his fist high, and Xinghai didn't even blink. After a few seconds, the big guy burst into laughter, turning to laugh with his other underlings. He patted Xinghai on the shoulder and said, "I like you. Seriously, you're an interesting kid. What's your name?"
A tense, pre-war atmosphere was easily defused by Xinghai just like that.
Of course, the turning point that eventually made the Orca big guy become Kemo’s underling was Kemo’s family background. But in his eighty-two years of life, that was the first time Kemo had made a new friend without using his father’s status.
Afterward, they sat together for a big meal. Xinghai didn't say much, but whenever he spoke, he hit the nail on the head. Moreover, no matter how much background noise there was, everyone would involuntarily stop to listen to him.
When a group of males first interacts, they quickly establish a hierarchy within their small circle. The leader is usually clear-headed, broad-minded, strong, and decisive, holding absolute authority thereafter. This is the unspoken rule for all males in the food chain.
At the time, Kemo even forgot Xinghai was a mixed-blood. He had an illusion: Xinghai was the real boss; he just didn't want to be. Because the sophistication, worldliness, calmness, poise, and the blend of elegance and wildness he displayed—along with his insight into human nature—were simply not things an eighty-year-old youth should possess.
Later, Kemo realized he wasn't the only one who thought so. They had invited Lina that evening, and like the others, she was instantly captivated by Xinghai. Other shark underlings even whispered, "I don't know why, but even though Brother Xinghai is a mixed-blood, he's just so charismatic."
Another added, "No matter what he says, I just want to say 'yes, yes, yes' and do things for him. What kind of devilish aura is that?"
In the past, if Kemo had heard his underlings talk like that, he would have beaten them senseless. But that time, Kemo wasn't very angry. Because he felt the same way. Furthermore, what Xinghai said to the big guy even reminded him of someone.
It was the man whose news his father would read word-for-word every time he opened the newspaper. Even if that man hadn't said a single word in the news.
Years ago, when that man first returned to the Starry Sea, every one of the Consul’s subordinates had publicly insulted him with the most derogatory terms. But after he eliminated all the Consuls, over seventy percent of those people ended up working for him, and they were still risking their lives for him today. When asked how he achieved such absolute leadership, his golden eyes held only a smile as warm as a spring breeze: "For those I have defeated, I do not bully; I only respect."
Thus, the theme of the Red Moon Sea’s report on him that day was: "The strong show weakness; the weak show strength."
Xinghai looked nothing like him, but when he smiled, they were practically the same person.
But that was only the initial Xinghai.
Recalling this, Kemo couldn't help but click his tongue. "When I first met Xinghai, his presence was practically comparable to the Dictator’s. But later I realized it was just an illusion."
"You also thought he was like the Dictator?" Lina marveled, then shook her head. "Sigh, but I think he might just be a little fanboy, so he mimics the Dictator’s way of speaking and acting. After knowing him for a long time, he couldn't keep up the act anymore. Now he's just a lonely little boy who doesn't know how to do anything except follow Fanli around all day."
"I think the same as you."
"How should I put it? When someone looks like a weakling, acts like a weakling, and talks like a weakling—don't doubt it, he *is* a weakling."
"You're right. I was overthinking it," Kemo nodded. "He's relying on Fanli for protection now. If Fanli ever becomes weak, I'll definitely beat him to death first. That dog who chooses romance over friends."
Fanli and Xinghai took a public transport vessel to the city center and found the largest communication device mall.
All the sales staff in the mall wore snow-white uniforms; looking around, it felt like a wedding or a sacrificial ceremony. Seeing Fanli and Xinghai enter, a salesperson rushed over enthusiastically, holding up a device. "Miss, would you like to learn about our company's latest 'Pathfinder' or 'Crimson Guard'? Look at this 'Pathfinder'—the style is very cool, and it emits fire-like light and shadows when a call is connected. The 'Crimson Guard' offers better privacy protection; even Lord Su Shiye’s ethereal body wouldn't be able to overhear what's being said on the other end..."
Fanli had been living in poverty and hadn't browsed a mall in a long time, so she was quite excited. "Are there other styles? I want to see them all."
"Of course, please follow me."
The salesperson then introduced various models: some where the light would stand upright, some that required speaking with one's head bowed, others with Bluetooth headsets, and specific models produced for different races. Among them, the Shark-specific model could answer calls via electrical sensing; the Hammerhead Shark model offered a half-price discount if the navigation function was waived; and the Dolphin model’s voice function integrated perfectly with their whistle-sonar system...
In the end, Fanli chose a pink, general-purpose model for sea-dwellers. It was 128 Fu, within her budget. She picked up her pouch filled with a mess of coins, preparing to pay, when Xinghai suddenly pressed his hand over hers.
"Let me buy it for you."
Fanli blinked and tilted her head at him. "I'm a bit poor, but I can still afford this... Are you sure you want to buy it for me?"
"You don't want me to buy it for you, do you?" Xinghai paused. "I remember at the start of the school year last year, a boy in our department wanted to buy you a communication device, and you rejected him too."
Fanli thought for a long time before remembering. That boy was from the Orca tribe; he’d offered to buy her a device, and she’d scared him off with talk of marriage. She’d almost forgotten about it herself. She scratched her head, feeling embarrassed. "You were there too?"
"Yes, I was nearby and heard it."
"I didn't even know that boy. If he wanted to buy me something, of course I wouldn't take it."
"And if I buy it?"
"I want it!" Fanli smiled.
"Hmm?" Xinghai was a bit surprised. "You don't think it's 'objectifying women'?"
It was strange. If he bought it, she didn't feel that way. Fanli smiled and shook her head.
"Li-li, if I buy it for you, aren't you afraid I have ulterior motives? You said boys don't give you things for no reason."
"I did say that."
Xinghai froze, opening his mouth to say something, but ultimately he just turned his head away, not daring to look into her eyes. "I suspect you really don't know what you're saying."
"I like it when you buy things for me." Fanli’s smile grew even brighter. "So, I'll accept this gift. Thank you."
"Are you stupid, or just frank..."
Xinghai was meant to be scolding her, but before he could finish, his ears turned red. He pulled a coin pouch from his pocket, but the coins inside were all very large.
"Wow, you're so rich!" Fanli stared at the pile of coins, marveling. "Is interning at 'Sea-Race Vessels' that lucrative? You have no idea—before I started at the Black Crocodile Union, I could barely afford to eat."
"Impossible," Xinghai said calmly. "As long as I have a meal, you'll have one too."
Xinghai went to the counter to pay. Fanli happily fiddled with the device and exchanged contact information with him. She held up the device and said, "You're my first contact."
"Mm."
They left the mall together, wandering through the bustling streets of Luoya. Deep green seaweed lined both sides of the wide boulevard, stretching to the horizon. The scent of street snacks wafted into their noses, making their mouths water. Fanli sniffed the air and suddenly said, "Xinghai, did what you just said count? If I don't have a job in the future, will you really take care of my meals?"
"Of course."
"Then it's a deal." Her eyes sparkled. "If I can successfully survive two months from now, you'd better be prepared to support me for a long time."
Xinghai froze. This time, he truly understood that Fanli knew exactly what she was saying. Looking at the girl smiling bravely before him, he desperately wanted to pull her into a tight embrace, but he restrained the impulse.
However, slender fingers tentatively brushed against his hand, then slid through his fingers, locking them together. *Thump-thump, thump-thump.* He heard the sound of a rapid heartbeat.
It was the first time Fanli had ever initiated holding a boy's hand, and she was already so nervous she felt dizzy. She lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and cleared her throat. "I can't help it. Since I took your gift, I have to be a bit soft. I'll let you 'objectify' me a bit; you can hold my hand."
She clearly wanted to be close to him, yet she’d come up with such a terrible excuse. She felt like punching herself. However, Xinghai didn't mind at all; instead, he laughed. "Fine. I'll work hard to make money and objectify you until you marry me, and objectify you until we have babies."
"Aaah! What kind of terrible lines are those?! I'm not letting you hold it anymore!" Fanli yanked her hand away, covered her face, and dashed toward the transport station.
Xinghai watched her from behind and let out a laugh.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 50浮卢门 | 50 Fu Lumen | A high-denomination currency unit. |
| 大神使 | High Emissary | A religious/political figure of the Holy Light, depicted on coins. |
| 安条克街 | Antioch Street | A street in Luoya, cleaner than the slums. |
| 蹈火者 | Pathfinder | A model of communication device (phone). |
| 深红护卫 | Crimson Guard | A model of communication device (phone). |
| 米瑟日 | Mise Day | A day of the week in this world. |
| 机械时代 | Mechanical Age | A historical period in the novel's lore. |
| 独.裁官 | Dictator | A title referring to Su Shiye's position of power. |
| 海族舰艇 | Sea-Race Vessels | The place where Xinghai works/interns. |
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