Afterward, the three of them ate happily in the kitchen, looking very much like a cozy family of three.
After the meal, Fan Li lay on the sofa, using a cleaning agent to wash the plates. She hummed a little tune, her tail swaying rhythmically. Xinghai swam over and sat down beside her. "Lili, actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you..."
"Hmm?" Fan Li blinked.
"I’m not actually working at 'Sea Race Vessels.'" Having said it, Xinghai’s shoulders slumped. He looked discouraged, yet also relieved.
"That’s fine. If you don’t like it, we’ll just find another job."
"It’s not that. The shipbuilding industry in St. Yegana is fiercely competitive. There are too many people with incredible resumes; many are doing full-time work for part-time pay. It didn't matter that I came from the Luo Ya branch. They were very clear—the positions I wanted, whether part-time or full-time, are only open to the Sea God Race, pure-blooded Sharks, or Orcas."
"More racial discrimination!" Fan Li was so angry she nearly dropped a plate. "They don't understand that you’re ten thousand times better than any pure-blood or Sea God!"
"I’m not that great," Xinghai said with a bitter smile. "I only realize now that the strength that got me by in Luo Ya is barely enough to take a single step in St. Yegana."
"No, no, no, you really are excellent. In my heart, all other men combined aren't worth your little finger. Let them all go to hell! This makes me so mad!"
Fan Li was about to explode, but Xinghai’s voice remained calm and gentle, as if he were releasing all the softness in his heart. "As long as you think I’m good, that’s enough."
"Of course I think you’re good! If they won't take you, it’s because they have no vision! Besides, just because they won't take you now doesn't mean they won't later. And even if they never do, we don't have to work in St. Yegana. We can just go back to the Red Moon Sea, can't we? You could work directly at the Sea Race Vessels headquarters and show those snobs in the capital what’s what, hmph!" To emphasize her point, Fan Li slammed a plate down onto the sofa.
"Lili, I won't make you live a wandering, unstable life with me. I’ll work hard."
"I don't care. 'Wherever you are is my destination.' You’re the one who said that, remember? It’s the same for me. Home is where you are; the geography doesn't matter. Even if we have to sleep on a wild coral reef, wouldn't we still see the most beautiful moon over the sea at night?"
Xinghai laughed, but his smile carried a touch of tearful emotion. "If life really came to that, I might find myself wishing a more capable man had married you instead."
"What nonsense..." Fan Li sat up abruptly and cupped his face with both hands. "Don't you dare say that. The person I love is you, not some cold, material life provided by a man I don't love. I don't want that kind of life at all. Besides, I’ve lived in the slums—do you really think I can't handle hardship? My friend, I’m a woman who can hold up half the sky. Didn't you know I used to work at a cleaning station?"
"I actually didn't... When?"
"Back in Luo Ya. I was afraid you’d laugh at me, so I didn't tell you. Every day when you dropped me off for work, I was inside tending to those cleaner fish. Honestly, I can still tell in a second which fish or shrimp is best for cleaning which kind of grime..."
Xinghai burst out laughing. "Alright. Even though I didn't get the job at Sea Race Vessels, I’ve found some other decent work. The supervisors heard I was from St. Yegana University, and the pay they offered is great."
"See? Having too much pride isn't always good. So, stop worrying. We’ll both keep getting better. Keep it up!"
Fan Li’s boundless energy encouraged Xinghai, but she herself had taken quite a blow.
The next day, while Xinghai wasn't paying attention, she secretly hailed a taxi-vessel and followed him to his workplace. As it turned out, his destination was a construction site. He was hauling materials alongside a group of burly, rough-looking men.
"You there, hybrid! Get over here!" a Flag-race foreman shouted irritably at Xinghai. "You’re a hybrid, not a mutt or a cripple! How can you drop things while carrying them?"
Fan Li saw it clearly—the items on the ground had been dropped by the previous worker, not Xinghai. But Xinghai didn't say a word. With a steel plate twenty meters long and ten meters wide balanced on his shoulders, he bent down to pick up the materials the other man had dropped and continued moving forward.
Xinghai’s strength was speed, not raw power. Fan Li could tell he was exhausted.
The seawater here smelled foul, a mixture of various chemical odors and the sweat of construction workers. It made Fan Li choke several times, forcing her to clamp her gills shut. But when the boxed meals were distributed, Xinghai simply sat on a rock and ate hungrily, his cheeks bulging with food, seemingly unbothered by the stench. When a nearby brute shared a piece of fish with him, he nodded repeatedly, expressing humble gratitude as if he had been given a gold nugget rather than a scrap of food.
Fan Li covered her mouth, struggling for a long time to keep her tears from falling.
After he finished that job, Fan Li followed him to several other work sites.
Most of these places were unworthy of a student from St. Yegana University. But she knew that even if Xinghai graduated, a hybrid without powerful Arcana support would never have the same career prospects as others.
She had hinted to Xinghai several times that she had made a lot of money from her license rentals and that their life wasn't difficult now, but it didn't make him work any less. Every time, he would say, "Your money is your money. As a man, I should shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family." She couldn't bring herself to expose his lies; doing so would only make him feel even more useless. She knew Xinghai too well—he had a streak of traditional masculinity and could never bear being supported by his girlfriend.
Men were such fragile yet resilient creatures.
She began searching everywhere for part-time opportunities for Xinghai, racking her brain for ways to let him "accidentally" discover these jobs.
However, before one problem was solved, another came knocking at the door.
At 7:30 on Tuesday morning, there weren't many students in the lecture hall yet. Xinghai had gone out to buy breakfast for Fan Li, only to be stopped in the hallway by a Shark-race girl. The girl wasn't particularly pretty and cowered before him like a little lamb, not even daring to look up. "Um, excuse me... after school today, would I have a chance to..."
The girl extended her two index fingers, forming a cross, then hooked them downward—the sign for mating.
"I’m sorry, I have a girlfriend." Fearing she might not understand, he added before leaving, "We are in a monogamous relationship."
The girl looked disappointed, but knowing that monogamy was practically unheard of among the Shark race, she prepared herself to be a backup and followed him again. "Can I ask your name?"
"Xinghai."
"Xinghai?" The girl froze. "Fan Li’s boyfriend?"
"Yes."
"Oh. Okay." The girl gave up completely. If it was Fan Li’s boyfriend, there was really nothing to be done. Although she had always looked down on the Ocean Race, for this year's students, Fan Li’s significance had already transcended the boundaries of her race.
Their conversation was overheard by a Shark-race male. His sharp teeth bit his lip, and his eyes narrowed into two sharp, vertical slits.
This male was a repeating student who had mated with that very girl just yesterday. He didn't find her particularly attractive, but she had criticized his performance from start to finish. He had been trying to play nice and ask for another round, but she had expelled all his sperm right in front of him, not even bothering to pretend, making him go limp in a second. Seeing her treat Xinghai with such submissive gentleness felt like a profound insult.
St. Yegana was his turf. Who did this hybrid kid from Luo Ya think he was, sleeping with Fan Li and attracting his bed partners?
So, after Xinghai entered the classroom, the Shark followed and patted him on the shoulder. "Yo, Xinghai. Morning."
Xinghai had never spoken to him, only noting that he was one of Kunti’s loyal sycophants and had recently been close to Lina and Kaimo. He didn't even feel the urge to ask for the guy's name. "Morning."
"Actually, I’ve always been curious about something. Aren't you Fan Li’s boyfriend?" The Shark male covered his mouth and laughed for a while. He tried to continue, but he was laughing so hard his words were barely intelligible. He activated a sound-proofing spell and said, "When you two mate, does she scream really loud?"
"...What did you say?" Xinghai narrowed his eyes, thinking he had misheard.
"I mean, she’s a pure-blooded Ocean Race, so her orifice must be tiny, right? I’ve only ever done it with the toughest Predator types; I’ve never had a Bait girl. I’m curious, so I’m asking—"
Before he could finish, Xinghai struck him so hard that rainbows seemed to bloom before his eyes. Two bloody teeth flew out, and the scent of blood filled the water. He hadn't expected Xinghai to have such guts. Stunned for a moment, he eventually bared his teeth, wiped his mouth, and charged, trying to headbutt Xinghai. Xinghai dodged easily, but his anger wasn't sated; he landed another punch on the male.
The scent of blood was quickly picked up by the Predators in the class. The scattered students all turned to look in their direction.
The Shark male already knew Xinghai was agile—he had seen Kaimo’s people bully him before—but he hadn't expected to be completely outmatched in a one-on-one fight. Every strike he threw missed, and he was being systematically dismantled. The more he was hit, the more humiliated he felt, and the more desperately he counterattacked, only to fail again. He was so furious he wanted to explode and take Xinghai with him.
Fan Li rushed down, shouting anxiously from the side, "Xinghai, stop fighting!"
Driven to madness by his shame and unable to hit Xinghai, the Shark male could only resort to verbal abuse:
"Fan Li is just a manipulative bitch!"
"If she’s really so pure, why didn't she find a Bait male from her own race? Why is she with you?"
"Back at Luo Ya, she was weak, so she had to mate with you. It’s different now! How many Sea God men would love to get into her bed?"
"And you’re still so serious about a woman like that? You cuckold!"
...
Because these words were sound-proofed, Fan Li couldn't hear them. She only knew he was deliberately provoking Xinghai. Xinghai beat him until his face was bruised and swollen. The other students, not knowing the context, could only watch in silence.
Just as Fan Li was about to use Arcana to stop the brawl, someone suddenly shouted, "Stop fighting!"
Then, two currents of water shot out, forcibly separating them and "binding" them with waves. The caster was Oda Ellen. He barked, "What are you doing?! This is St. Yegana University, not a gladiator pit!"
"He started it! Everyone in the classroom saw it!" the Shark male said, clutching his battered face.
Ellen ignored the two fighting males and swam toward Fan Li. With an air of elegance and a gentle voice, he said, "Student Fan Li, are you alright? Are you hurt? I didn't expect to see this the moment I entered the room. If I hadn't used defensive Arcana, they might have hurt you even more. But don't worry, as long as I’m here..."
Fan Li treated him as if he were invisible. She swam straight to Xinghai, heart aching as she treated a two-centimeter scratch on his face. "Xinghai, does it hurt? How did you get hurt again..." Her emotions were turbulent, and her Arcana flickered unsteadily.
"Holy crap, what an overreaction! If that’s 'hurt,' then what am I? Near death?" the Shark male snarled.
"Keep talking, and you really will be," Xinghai said, looking at him coldly.
Ellen stood frozen, a giant question mark on his face.
Not just him—the other students were equally baffled.
It was common knowledge that there were two scions of the Oda clan in the class: Oda Aize and Oda Ellen. The older brother, Aize, was a capable lieutenant of Su Shiye and a famous master of repeating grades—he had been studying Level 2 Arcana for twenty-seven years. The younger brother, Ellen, had just enrolled this year with Kunti. Whether it was his looks, family status, or academic performance, any one of those traits was enough to make girls swoon. Combined, they made him a universal heartthrob.
But in Fan Li’s eyes, he was a nobody.
This was a massive blow to his self-esteem, and it stung his fiancée’s pride as well. Kunti shot him a resentful look, which he failed to see because he was too preoccupied with his own embarrassment.
Aize wasn't there. If he had been, he surely would have sighed, "Little brother, you’ve embarrassed yourself."
Fan Li felt a chill down her spine, a vague sense that something was wrong. She turned around to see a tall, gaunt, middle-aged Sea God woman with pale curly hair standing at the classroom door.
"Have you fought enough?" the woman asked. Her face was expressionless, her voice devoid of any inflection or emotion.
The Shark male recognized the voice instantly. He stopped his struggle with Xinghai and stood up straight. "Pro... Professor Wennan. Yes, we’ve fought enough..."
Professor Wennan swam in slowly, circling Xinghai and the Shark male. Her weary eyes scanned them from head to tail and back again, making the Shark male tremble. Finally, she swam behind the podium and placed a red Arcana phantom-pen on the desk without making a sound. Then, she clasped her withered, branch-like hands together and stood perfectly still, like a thousand-year-old corpse.
From that moment until the official start of class, the atmosphere was as heavy as a storm-tossed night sea.
Like a small animal fleeing for its life, Fan Li tugged Xinghai back to their seats.
Professor Wennan came from Sutravana, the capital of the Bodhi Sea. She was of the Word-Spirit race within the Sea God Race. Her tail-light was purple. While her Arcana limit wasn't exceptionally high, her knowledge system was incredibly advanced. She was the author of *Macro-Arcanology*, published by the St. Yegana University Press—a textbook recognized by over fifty academies in the capital.
She had come empty-handed, without even a textbook. Aside from writing her surname in the water with the phantom-pen, she gave no self-introduction and went straight to the point:
"In my class, you may choose not to participate in any category: attendance, quizzes, papers, speeches, demonstrations, or Q&A. However, even if you achieve one hundred percent in all of those, if you fail the final exam, you fail the entire course. There are no second chances. If you fail Macro-Arcana, you cannot advance to Level 3, even if you have perfect scores in every other subject. You all know this; I will not repeat myself. Therefore, I hope you study seriously and pass the exam."
Hearing this, Fan Li lowered her voice and whispered to Mise and Hege in the front row, "When she said 'not participate in any category,' she was being sarcastic, right?"
"No, it’s true. She never takes attendance," Mise whispered back. "But even with 100% attendance, you might not pass the exam... My cousin was her student and told me she’s absolutely terrifying..."
"Even a Mise Clan Head is afraid of her?"
"Well, back then my cousin wasn't the Clan Head yet, but she was already the Student Union President."
Professor Wennan swam slowly through the classroom. When she spoke, her eyelids drooped, never revealing more than half of her pupils. The angle between her chin and neck was always at least 110 degrees. "The greatest difference between Level 1 and Level 2 Arcana lies in the macro and the micro. In the advanced Arcana of university, the first concept we must introduce is Micro-particle Arcana. Page 14 of the *Macro-Arcana* textbook."
The sound of pages turning echoed sluggishly through the room. Professor Wennan’s voice remained flat:
"...In order for the conclusion that the total energy Mn is composed of N nucleons to hold true, we must first assume that Mn is the sum of identical energy units, and that in the process of Arcana release and absorption, it is not continuous but divided into individual parts. This identical energy unit was called an 'Arcana Micro-particle' by the Great Arcanist Oda Dote, who later published a paper shortening the name to 'Micro-particle.' Page 27."
Though Professor Wennan didn't waste words and stuck to the core material, her teaching style was far less likable than the witty Professor Buke or the passionate Potion Professor. The students followed her instructions as if they hadn't fully woken up.
"Now, I shall pose a question to test your level of understanding in Macro and Micro Arcana. The Great Arcanist Thomas once used a hundred-page thesis to explain the operational rules of Arcana Matrices. You should all have a basic concept of the first inequality. For students who achieved a Double-S, it should be even easier. That student there, please write this inequality for everyone to see."
She pointed to a corner of the room. Just behind Kunti, the Shark male who had fought Xinghai was illuminated by a silver light. Three hundred heads turned in his direction simultaneously.
Kunti knew his grades were poor. She quickly pulled out a pen and wrote a large line in her notebook:
ΦxΞ ≠ ΞxΦ
She drew an arrow under "Φ" and wrote "Energy Release," and an arrow under "Ξ" for "Coordinates."
The male had studied this before. Without looking at the formula, he said confidently, "This inequality means 'Energy Release multiplied by Coordinates does not equal Coordinates multiplied by Energy Release.'"
"I said, please write it for everyone to see—if it isn't too much trouble." The last part was clearly just a polite formality from Wennan.
The male took out a sea-pen and wrote it on paper, but he held it in his hand, unsure how to display it. Professor Wennan raised her right eyebrow, spread her hands to the room, and shrugged. "You likely believe everyone in this classroom has the vision of a mantis shrimp. It would be best if you wrote it using polarized light so they can all see."
The class erupted in laughter.
The male finally realized what she meant and said apologetically, "Professor, I don't know how to use Arcana Writing."
"Applying for the Arcana Department without knowing how to use Arcana Writing—perfect logic."
Another wave of laughter broke out, and the male laughed along foolishly. But Professor Wennan’s next sentence silenced the laughter instantly.
"You’ve already repeated a grade once, yet you still cannot use Arcana Writing. Therefore, you have no talent. Starting next week, you do not need to come to my class."
The male stood there agape, as if he had just been sentenced to death. Then, Professor Wennan forgot him.
Professor Wennan wrote the inequality in the water with blue light. With a wave of her hand, she wrote two sets of 9x9 tables below it, each cell containing a different combination of numbers and letters. She said, "Now, will that student tell me what this is, and explain it in detail."
The student she pointed to was Xinghai.
Fan Li understood. Their fight before class had displeased Professor Wennan.
Xinghai stood up. Looking at the tables, he was stunned. Since coming to St. Yegana, he had spent most of his time working to earn money and hadn't previewed the material.
When Fan Li first saw this Matrix, she had also been baffled. It was somewhat like a mathematical matrix, but those only contained numbers. Multiplying two tables like physical variables was already a headache, but Arcana Matrices were filled with tables of letter symbols, and multiplying them required a truly eccentric mindset.
Fan Li sat next to Xinghai. If she wrote a note to prompt him, the professor would easily notice. So, she nudged Feisi in the front row.
Feisi understood instantly and quickly wrote on paper: "Arcana Matrix, a variable in advanced Arcana..."
But then they heard Professor Wennan say, "The Ocean Race girl in front—if you wish to help him answer, then please multiply these two Matrices and calculate the difference of the inequality and the overflow attributes. You may calculate on paper and then explain the operation process orally."
Matrix operations were part of Level 5 Arcana. It was impossible for anyone at this stage to solve them. Feisi immediately lost her nerve and hung her head.
Professor Wennan waited for a moment. As if she had long expected Xinghai to be unable to answer, she stopped looking at him and turned to the entire class. "Arcana is one of the disciplines upon which the Light Sea Race depends for survival. The Sea God Race, possessing powerful spiritual energy, are the leaders in Arcana. Thus, in St. Yegana, over 45% of the students are Sea God Race, and the higher the level, the higher that proportion becomes. At the pinnacle of Arcana, even Predators become rare animals. So, if you are a Sea God, put away your arrogance, for your uniqueness since middle school is but fleeting. And if you are not a Sea God..." She smiled and didn't continue, merely swimming down from the podium.
Only then did the students see a forty-to-fifty-centimeter scar on her tail, a sunken, fleshy white line.
"Every race has its own talents. If you were born without the genes for Arcana—for example, if you are already in university and still cannot use Arcana Writing—you can ultimately choose to stay at the school or research theoretical knowledge. However, your opportunities will be far fewer than those of talented students. In such circumstances, if you still do not work hard or preview your lessons, what does this school need you for?"
The two fighting males turned pale. Professor Wennan didn't even lift her head, merely twitching her eyelids slightly. "Every year, the Luo Ya University Arcana Academy sends its most outstanding students to St. Yegana. If you come to St. Yegana only to bring shame to Luo Ya, you would be better off transferring departments—go study beast taming, or go to the Arcana Arts Department to learn fluorescent murals. Oh, my apologies, a slip of the tongue—fluorescent murals also require you to know Arcana Writing. Have I made myself clear, or is there someone who doesn't understand?"
Naturally, no one answered her.
The entire classroom was as silent as a midnight graveyard. The happy atmosphere of the previous week’s classes had vanished without a trace. Even the students from the Oda, Buke, Sephi, and Mise clans only dared to keep their gills tightly shut, their eyes unmoving.
Professor Wennan turned her gaze back to Xinghai. "Student, the fact that you could test into St. Yegana is very inspiring. As a hybrid, you must be more diligent than the average Predator. Therefore, you may continue answering my question."
Xinghai frowned and closed his eyes, waiting for the death sentence.
"You don't know? If you don't, then I’m afraid you’ll have to be like the one just now..."
Finally, Fan Li raised her hand and said tremulously, "The... the Matrix..."
"Ocean Race girl, I said before, if you want to help him, then calculate it." Professor Wennan’s gaze shifted down, noting her empty desk. "You didn't even bring a textbook. You certainly are a confident girl."
Fan Li’s fingers moved back and forth in the water.
Simultaneously, the 9x9 data of the Arcana transformation began to rearrange and merge, like a high-speed machine.
The entire classroom erupted in a series of gasps, "Whoa," "Holy crap," and "Oh my god." Professor Wennan’s expression, however, grew increasingly grim.
When the last letter fell into place, the Matrix unified and turned golden. Fan Li wrote down the difference of the inequality and the overflow attributes, then transcribed the tables Professor Wennan had written earlier from memory. Just as she was about to start explaining, Professor Wennan interrupted her. "Fan Li, isn't it?"
"Yes..."
"You’ve already learned this so well, and your calculation speed is faster than mine. Why are you even attending my class?" Professor Wennan gave a thin smile. "Starting next week, you don't need to come to my class either."
Fan Li had practically memorized *Macro-Arcana*, so she didn't particularly care about attending Professor Wennan’s lectures. But she hadn't considered that the professor was already in a foul mood. In a momentary lapse of judgment, she asked a question that added fuel to the fire: "Then... if I don't attend class, as long as I pass the final exam, is that okay?"
"What?" Professor Wennan could hardly believe her ears.
"Didn't you just say? In your class, we have the right not to participate in any category: attendance, quizzes, papers, speeches, demonstrations, or Q&A..."
"That is correct. My students do not need an attendance record." Professor Wennan paused, her face darkening. "However, you are no longer my student. Since you’ve learned so well, what use do you have for something as ethereal as credits? I wish you a bright future on your path of self-study."
Fan Li lost her nerve and quickly pleaded, "No, no, Professor, I was wrong. I want the credits."
Professor Wennan glanced at Fan Li with a world-weary gaze. She had intended to simply kick her out, but the name "Jante Yujin" suddenly flashed through her mind. Then, she revealed another smile. "You want to stay? Fine. I have a condition."
"Please, say it..."
"I’ve already heard about your 270 points at Luo Ya University. If you want to play like that in my class, you really are insignificant. My condition is this: for the final exam, in my class and for your total grade, you must take first place in the entire year. If you cannot do it, then please withdraw from the school. St. Yegana University does not welcome Ocean Race students who cause trouble and have poor grades."
Even Kunti and Ellen felt that last sentence was too harsh. If you aren't first, you have "poor grades"? That standard was too...
Fan Li felt that fate was playing a cruel joke on her. Last year, she had the confidence to take first place but was forced to give it up. Now, with an Arcana monster like Yujin in the class, she wasn't so confident, yet she was being forced to take first.
"Fine." she blew a string of bubbles. "I accept."
"I look forward to your performance in future classes, genius." Professor Wennan narrowed her eyes, her voice airy. "Let these three hundred classmates admire the style of Luo Ya University’s top student."
These words were like a slap to the face of Lina, who had taken first place.
"Yes, Professor."
In reality, Fan Li’s hair was standing on end.
"Now, let us continue with the introductory concepts of Micro-particles." Professor Wennan’s voice dropped several degrees. "Page 13."
Clearly, every student could feel the low pressure she was emitting. The sound of pages turning became crisp and orderly, as if they had undergone military training.
After class, she heard others whispering about how Professor Wennan had tried to make things difficult for Fan Li only to be humiliated, but Fan Li was worried.
She had originally thought that if she were lucky enough to be in a seminar group with Hege, Shasha, and Yujin, they would have a great chance of getting the highest group score in the department. But unfortunately, as expected, none of them were in her seminar—only Feisi.
Meeting Fan Li in class, Feisi said indignantly, "That Professor Wennan is deliberately making things hard for you! It’s infuriating!"
"It’s okay. I’ll just have to work hard."
"What’s the use of working hard? Micro-Arcana is already a lost cause," Feisi said, clutching her head. "In Micro-Arcana, I’m in a seminar with Jante Yujin and Sephi Kunti. I saw them in a group together last week."
"Huh? Yujin and Kunti?" Fan Li felt a bit nervous. "Is Kunti a good student?"
"Very good. Not as good as you or Yujin, of course, but very good."
"..."
And in her own Micro-Arcana class, she didn't know any of her classmates. If she got stuck with "pig teammates," she was doomed.
It was a paradox—if she didn't agree to Professor Wennan’s demand, she’d fail Macro-Arcana, and next year Wennan could tell her to get lost, forcing her to change majors. If she agreed, she had to risk expulsion. Her life was too hard.
Xinghai felt incredibly guilty about the whole thing and spent the entire evening apologizing to Fan Li. Fan Li had been a bit angry with him for fighting and causing trouble, but knowing he had done it for her, she couldn't stay mad.
That night, she also received a call from Su Shiye.
"Miss Fan Li, are you adjusting to your new study environment?"
"Not very well. I’m being targeted by a professor." Thinking of Professor Wennan gave Fan Li a headache; her mind was currently wandering.
"For an Ocean Race student in such an environment, the pressure is naturally immense. Otherwise, our little rich girl wouldn't need to win people over by giving away jewelry."
Although she had guessed Su Shiye would find out about her regifting the presents, she hadn't expected it to be so soon. She paused, then smiled. "Thank you for the gifts, Lord Su Shiye."
"Have you considered that doing so might hurt me?"
"Oh, please. You aren't the type to be hurt."
"Is that so? Why do you say that?"
"A man who champions polygamy—what is there to be hurt about? If I reject you, there are thousands of beauties in the White Eagle Palace waiting for your favor. So, I don't feel I’ve hurt you. I only want to thank you for the gifts, because they truly pleased my friends."
Su Shiye was silent for a long time. In truth, he had been single for quite a while. Initially, he thought it was because he had been too busy with work this year, or perhaps because he had seen so many different women that his curiosity had waned. But recently, when he tried to recall the last time he had a date, he was surprised to find it was last October. That day, he had arranged to meet a supermodel from the Luo Ya Fashion Week, but when they met, her diamond-encrusted, flirtatious eyes seemed dull to him. He hadn't even held her hand, returning home to rest like a celibate priest.
The day before that date, Xinghai and Fan Li had their first argument. To coax her, Xinghai had taken her to the surface to see the real sea of stars. The image of Fan Li looking at Xinghai with eyes wide, bright, blue, and clear had caused him to lose sleep until two in the morning. Then he had woken up again at four and six.
Since then, Su Shiye had become even more detached; he didn't want to see any woman. Previously, he usually dated five or six women at once. Some of them even knew each other, maintaining a tacit understanding. Though there were many, to Su Shiye, they all seemed more or less the same. Occasionally, he would meet one who was particularly challenging, who knew how to dangle a man along, and he would have a bit more interest. But after the conquest, his interest faded even faster. No amount of women could satisfy him, so he had never thought of giving up his polyamorous lifestyle.
Hearing Fan Li say this, he suddenly realized that he wasn't polyamorous right now—he was "zero-amorous." But he didn't want Fan Li to know he was a "lonely dog," so he only chuckled. "Making your friends happy is making you happy. Then my goal has been achieved."
"...I’m going to have them return the gifts right now. Just give me two days."
"Alright, alright, I was wrong. Don't return them. In short, you just don't want to receive any benefits from me."
Su Shiye’s voice was usually cold and sharp, but using such a doting tone made one’s heart involuntarily feel warm and soft. Fan Li slapped her cheeks twice to make herself cold again. "I have a boyfriend. I truly do not want to receive benefits from other men. Lord Dictator, I originally admired you, but your current frivolous behavior leaves me speechless. Stealing a girlfriend from an ordinary boy might be a common occurrence for you, but it is behavior I do not accept. So please, have some self-respect and do not contact me again."
"I have never stolen a woman from another man," Su Shiye said with a hint of annoyance. "Women have never been a scarce resource for me. There is no need for Miss Fan Li to speak of me as if I were a shameless thief."
Fan Li’s temper was even greater than his. Thinking of Professor Wennan’s behavior earlier that day made her even angrier, and she subconsciously mimicked some of the professor’s speaking style. "You don't lack women, so why are you looking for me?"
"Because I like you."
Her heart skipped a beat again, but Fan Li gritted her teeth and said, "Just because you like me doesn't mean I have to belong to you. I said from the beginning that what I want is one-on-one love. Looking at your recent actions, I suspect you might think that as long as you have more money, more romance, and more tolerance, you can use them as bargaining chips to make me give up the 'exclusivity' option. But 'monogamy' is a necessary but not sufficient condition for my relationships, not a sufficient but not necessary one. Furthermore, I have a boyfriend now. For you to keep saying you like me is absurd. I’ve made myself clear—is there anything you still don't understand?"
Su Shiye was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
"You have no more questions? Then that’s all."
The call was disconnected. Su Shiye stared at the suddenly vanishing purple light. His mind went blank for two seconds, then he let out a scoff and leaned back in his chair. He propped his knuckles under the tip of his nose, half-covering his lips. After a while, he let out another emotionless laugh.
***4.3 Theater***
Hege: "Lately, there have been some wild comments under the chapters, like 'Requesting the lengths of the male leads in their terrestrial forms.' Oh, I love this topic."
Fan Li: "I’d guess Lord Su Shiye is between 186-189cm? Xinghai should be around 178-181cm? The Professor is 183cm? Xitian is over 190cm? Little Yu... haha, is he even a meter tall?"
Yujin: "Waaaah, I’m not that short!"
Hege: "...You guys are so innocent, this topic is impossible to discuss."
*To be continued...*
***
