CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: LIAR

The webbed fingers caressed the soft, warm cheek as he lifted Ruan Li’s chin.

"Ruan Li, do you still like me now?"

Ruan Li was slightly stunned, not just because of the question he asked, but more because she was acutely aware of the mermaid’s beauty at this moment.

Even though his eyes coldly bore no emotional fluctuation, his blue eyes seemed like the tranquil deep sea, with ears like elves, and the gills on his cheeks seemed to accentuate his beauty.

A cold, smooth sensation came from her leg; the fish tail was entwining her, hooking her leg.

Ruan Li heard herself say inarticulately, "L-like."

The mermaid’s calm eyes displayed evident delight.

Xi Han clumsily cupped Ruan Li’s chin, his movements light and gentle, pecking her lips twice before raising his head to quietly look at her.

His gaze seemed to ask: Do you like this too?

Ruan Li was so entranced by his icy eyes that she nodded, completely unaware of a man’s darkened complexion approaching from behind.

Zhe Ye observed the small female clearly bewitched by the mermaid species, his stern face shrouded in a layer of gloom.

Cold blue shot straight into his eyes.

Those deep-sea lifeless eyes resembled an abyss.

The summer rain was fine and oppressive, the heavy air stifling.

The slightly cool pool very well alleviated this sensation.

Hot and cold intertwined, ice clashed with fire.

Slick, cold scales sliding over burning skin caused a shiver.

Ruan Li herself couldn’t distinguish whether she was intoxicated by the mermaid’s enchanting build or genuinely fond of it all.

Xi Han’s lips slightly curved, and with one arm, he embraced Ruan Li’s waist, lifting her onto his body.

"Female Head, would you like to try diving?"

The man’s deep, magnetic voice sounded like heavenly music; Ruan Li was completely unaware of another searing gaze landing on her. Both her hands were wrapped around Xi Han’s neck, her snow-white face flushed with red like a spreading stain, her glistening eyes reflecting only the mermaid’s figure.

His other hand slithered like a watersnake from her wrist upwards, the slick, sticky sensation gradually spreading over her delicate skin.

The webbed fingers clasped her right hand, their fingers interlocking.

Plop——

The splashing water gradually disappeared from the surface, except for the shrinking ripples and the shimmering blue tail flipping through the air, the spraying water even reached Zhe Ye’s face.

A single finger harshly pressed across where the water hit, and the cold, ashen eyes held an irrepressible ferocity.

The stench of fish! The mermaid species truly deserved to die.

Male beastmen on the battlefield sought fair duels, but within the home, male beastmen competing for the favor of the female head could resort to any means.

Cold rain splashed circles of ripples on the pool surface.

Below the water, Ruan Li closed her eyes, fearful of opening them, having just choked several times upon entering the water.

Sharp webbed fingers squeezed across the corner of her lips, seductively drawing out her lips and tongue.

A mysterious, ancient language resonated in the water, Xi Han didn’t open his mouth to speak; it was the unique sound wave of the mermaid species that could transmit sound underwater.

"Relax, don’t worry, I won’t let you be in danger."

The mermaid clung to the female, the aromatic molecules in the water spread slowly and did not easily dissipate, the water current carrying the fragrance from the cheek’s gills surged in like a greedy glutton, insatiably consuming it all.

His brows and eyes revealed a beast-like aggression, yet because he faced away from the light, he effectively concealed the sinister greed on his face.

Xi Han’s cold cheek pressed against Ruan Li’s, kisses successively landing from her earlobe down to her lips, and then he refused to let go.

Breaths exchanged, shared.

The small drowning female clung to the final straw, greedily inhaling the fresh air, though it was slightly hot and humid.

The lingering kiss, the clasped hands that wouldn’t let go, the only dependence in the deep water... all of it greatly satisfied the mermaid’s possessiveness and dark psychology.

He held Ruan Li dancing under the water, unaware of rest.

After surfacing, Ruan Li instantly regained her senses.

She clearly realized everything that had happened just under the surface of the water, the dark psychology hidden behind the exchange of breath.

She frantically paddled towards the shore, dragging her drenched clothes up onto the bank.

Turning back, she could see the innocent yet profound eyes of the mermaid.

As if questioning her: Didn’t you say you like me? Why flee in terror?

Ruan Li breathed several gulps of fresh air, her gaze landing on Zhe Ye standing not far away in the rain on the shore.

She hurried over.

Zhe Ye pressed his lips, restraining the chill in his eyes, seeing the small female nearly slip on the slick ground, he stepped forward, catching her with a strong arm before she fell.

"What’s wrong?"

The man’s deep voice accompanied by the warmth of his chest gave Ruan Li a sense of regained security.

She clutched Zhe Ye’s collar tightly, her voice slightly trembling: "A bit cold."

Her mismatched gaze swept over the water’s surface, inadvertently meeting the mermaid’s eyes again.

Cold indifference, jealousy surged.

Ruan Li shrunk back, then quickly turned to bury her head in the broad chest, "I want to go back to the room and take a hot bath."

The mermaid’s gaze followed the small female’s form closely until she disappeared completely from sight.

"Liar."

Sharp teeth bared in a smile stretched wide across his mouth.

A flash of confusion passed in his eyes, seemingly not understanding why the female head, just moments ago full of admiration for him, turned away in fright to hide in another beastman’s embrace.

The icy blue tail thrashed irritably at the bottom of the water.

Ruan Li submerged her entire body in the hot water, the fright from choking moments ago slowly eased away.

Almost recalling the cold underwater, she thought of that extreme demand and confining kiss.

The hot water dispelled the coldness, Ruan Li lingered in the bath for a bit before getting out.

Inside the room, Zhe Ye had already left; she cuddled under the covers, closing her eyes, but visions of the man’s ice-blue eyes, jealousy, possession, obsession—almost all sinister emotions—mixed together, and just a glance would be entrancing.

Knock knock knock——

The knocking sound suddenly startled Ruan Li out of her thoughts.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Xi Han.

Female Head, may I come in?"

Ruan Li tugged at the quilt, wrapping herself tighter, "Do you have something to say?"

"...I wish to apologize for what happened earlier, may I have a chance?"

Ruan Li hesitated for a moment but agreed.

She put on her pajamas, opening the door just a crack.

She peered out with half her head, seeing Xi Han’s eyes full of apology.

"Ruan Li, I apologize for my behavior earlier, I just wanted you to be close to me..."

"Hmm... I understand," Ruan Li was still a bit angry in her heart.

Xi Han sincerely said, "Female Head, I can warm your bed tonight."

Ruan Li suddenly staggered as she leaned against the door, almost slipping.

She promptly refused, "No, no, I think sleeping alone is quite fine."

Mainly because he was too good-looking, she worried that if she fell asleep in a daze, she might be inadvertently tempted.