Chapter 13: Shocking Revelation
Ouyang Xiaoli was unaware of the slaves’ suspicions. If he knew, he would scoff. Me, a merman? I’m a merman who can give birth?
He was tall and muscular, with a strong physique, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and powerful legs—more like a sleek, dangerous cheetah than a soft merman.
Shui Yao, after hearing Xiao Ya’s claim, was dumbfounded. “Xiao Ya, you’re overthinking. That’s impossible.”
Xiao Ya glanced at him, “Unsophisticated.” Years ago, he’d also believed mermen were weak, until he saw a person with beautiful features and a cold aura—a golden tail. He hadn’t told anyone.
Meanwhile, a young man in the Silver Sea Empire sneezed. His handsome companion, Song Chengbing (a general), immediately showed concern.
“It’s nothing,” the young man, Xia Ni, replied. Someone must be talking about him—likely his younger brother, Xia Yi, whom he was close to.
“Ah Bing, I need a favor,” Xia Ni hesitated.
Song Chengbing smiled gently, “Go ahead.” (He was unaware of his role as the main attack character in a certain book, and Xia Ni as the main receiver.)
Xia Ni said, “I have a younger brother who lives in the ocean. I’m worried about him…”
He hadn’t been home in six months. His timid brother might be hiding in some dark corner, crying. Xia Ni’s heart ached. He couldn’t return; he’d been seriously injured in a recent battle with the Zerg and needed to recover. Song Chengbing wouldn’t let him return to the battlefield and insisted on his rest.
Song Chengbing, after hearing Xia Ni’s concern, instructed a guard to check the coast. If Xia Yi was found, the guard was to inform him.
The guard knew the relationship between the General and Xia Ni. Very few knew the General had a lover, and that lover was a rare merman. Xia Ni was their vice-commander, intelligent, courageous, and the one who had fought alongside the General the most. They dared not call him “Madam,” so he was addressed as Vice-Commander.
“I’ll deliver the message to the Vice-Commander’s brother. Please rest assured, General.” The guard bowed and left.
Xia Ni felt reassured. He trusted the guard. He hoped his brother was safe.
“Brother…” Ouyang Xiaoli was about to leave when Xia Yi grabbed his wrist. Ouyang Xiaoli looked down, seeing Xia Yi’s small hand. He remained still. Xia Yi was clearly sleep-talking.
“Little thing,” Ouyang Xiaoli muttered, sitting beside him, observing Xia Yi. He knew Xia Yi had a brother. Xia Yi had explained at the Starstone Market entrance.
Ouyang Xiaoli’s eyes narrowed. Even if the brothers looked alike, it was unlikely Xiu Di would mistake them. What did Xiu Di want? Xia Yi didn’t lie; his emotions were transparent. Xiu Di must have ulterior motives.
If Xiu Di knew Xia Yi’s brother, he likely knew Xia Yi was a merman. But what was Xiu Di’s relationship with Xia Yi’s brother? He might not know Xia Yi’s brother was a merman. Tang Si and Xiao Mo also knew Xia Yi’s identity. Had they told anyone? This secret couldn’t be kept.
Unexpectedly, days later, a rumor spread: the East Zone boss was a rare merman.
Ouyang Xiaoli: “…”
Tang Si and Xiao Mo, discussing the starship’s energy problem, stifled laughter, anticipating the reaction. Ouyang Xiaoli was speechless. This rumor suggested they hadn’t gossiped.
“Let it be. Tang Si, Xiao Mo, don’t mention Xia Yi’s situation to anyone. It will cause trouble.”
Tang Si assured him, “Don’t worry, Boss. You know me. If I wanted to tell, I would have already.”
Xiao Mo added, “I’m not that gossipy.” They knew Ouyang cared for Xia Yi. No one would be so foolish as to spread the information.
Ouyang Xiaoli felt relieved. The rumor spread, but the involved parties didn’t deny it. Some people started to believe it. Could it be true? The East Zone boss was a natural merman? Such a masculine merman! Could he really give birth? The image was too absurd.
Ouyang Xiaoli was the boss, so they only dared to discuss it privately.
Days later, Ouyang Xiaoli returned to the Starstone Market, buying more stones. With Xia Yi’s help, he obtained many jades, even obsidian, causing murmurs of envy.
Xia Yi was delighted. Koda grinned. “If I had that skill, I’d be rich! I’d eat potatoes, grapes…”
“Grapes?” Xia Yi’s eyes lit up with desire. Koda glanced at Ouyang and then at Xia Yi.
“Uh, grapes…” Koda hesitated, fearing Xia Yi would want grapes. The Underground City lacked fruits; they were a luxury. The Silver Sea Empire had fruit, but allegedly tasteless compared to ancient Earth.
Koda swallowed.
“You want grapes?” Ouyang Xiaoli, who had been sorting jade, approached.
Xia Yi hesitated. “…No.” He wasn’t stupid; he understood the city’s conditions from Koda’s hesitation and glance towards Ouyang. Ouyang had already spent a lot on bread and clothes.
Ouyang Xiaoli chuckled. “You helped me get so many jades. I was going to reward you, but if you don’t want…”
Xia Yi pouted, feeling wronged. He knew jades could be exchanged for spirit stones. Ouyang was a bad guy!
Koda laughed. “Boss, don’t tease Xia Yi. He’s about to cry. He’s so cute and pitiful.”
Xia Yi glared at Koda. You’re bad too!
News of Ouyang’s jade haul spread quickly. The other bosses heard the rumors. They began to believe the rumor. The East Zone boss was indeed a merman!
Xiu Di, at the market’s edge, looked in their direction, his gaze somber. He recalled a time when Xia Ni had accompanied him to choose starstones. Seeing him choose several empty ones, Xia Ni had jokingly pointed to a large stone, “Xiu Di, choose the biggest. The bigger the stone, the more beautiful the jade might be.”
Xiu Di, thinking Xia Ni was inexperienced, laughed. He followed Xia Ni’s suggestion, hoping to please him. He had obtained obsidian.
Xiu Di recalled that time, feeling bitter and hurt. Xia Ni had left because Xiu Di, drunk, had kissed him. Xia Ni had slapped him.
“Xiu Di, I know you weren’t drunk,” Xia Ni had said coldly, wiping his lips, “I thought we were friends.”
After that, Xia Ni left the Underground City.
Xiu Di saw the soft youth beside Ouyang Xiaoli—only similar faces. It wasn’t Xia Ni.
Ouyang Xiaoli didn’t stay long. He left with Tang Si and Xiao Mo, having obtained rare jades. Only Koda and Xiu Di knew Xia Yi was responsible. Tang Si and Xiao Mo knew Xia Yi was a rare natural merman but not about his exceptional abilities. They only knew natural mermen possessed superior psychic and healing powers than artificial ones. Psychic powers were for attack, while healing powers healed wounds.
“B-boss, you’re amazing!” Koda stuttered, not daring to praise Xia Yi.
Ouyang Xiaoli was relieved.
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