After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Pure

To the little mermaid, three years of life on the Desolate Planet felt far too long. Over that time, she had heard all sorts of voices. What began as initial kindness turned into suspicion, confusion, and eventually, insults. She became the “lazy, mute lunatic” in other people’s mouths.

She used her mental energy to treat Liang Xiuyue’s rioting mental sea. According to the agreement between her and the elder Liang, the Liang family was supposed to provide her with the most comfortable living conditions. But his son had not fulfilled that promise.

A few days ago, after Ling Qiu finished her final soothing session for Liang Xiuyue and curled up exhausted in a pond at the Liang house, she overheard Liang Xiuyue and Gu Qiaorou’s plan.

“If we go to the Imperial Planet, I’m not sure I can take good care of her.” In front of Liang Xiuyue, Gu Qiaorou was always understanding. She considered every angle for him, worrying on his behalf. “Besides, the Imperial Planet is crowded. What if we don’t watch her closely and Sister Liang gets lost?”

Liang Xiuyue frowned. He didn’t want to bring a burden to the Imperial Planet at all. In truth, given the technology of the Imperial Planet, unless some powerful figure wanted a commoner to vanish quietly, they could easily find Ling Qiu even if she went missing. He simply didn’t want to take her, so he tacitly accepted Gu Qiaorou’s words.

Having witnessed various kinds of humans over the past three years, Ling Qiu held zero expectations for Liang Xiuyue. She actually regretted being so muddled when she first woke up, allowing the elder Liang to take advantage of the situation to set a contract.

Merfolk are the overlords of the sea. The sea monster that attacked Ling Qiu back then couldn’t actually threaten her; rather, it was the elder Liang who intervened and cost himself his own life. Ling Qiu, who had not yet fully inherited her mermaid memories, could only understand simple words at the time. Thus, she was misled by the elder Liang into signing a contract for a lifetime of unpaid labor.

Later, although Ling Qiu deeply regretted her ignorance, she could not break the agreement. Merfolk value contracts; they do as they say.

The sleeping little mermaid pursed her lips in dissatisfaction, her brow furrowed. So annoying.

She had finally fallen asleep amidst the fragrance and rich natural energy, only to dream of that loathsome human. Ling Qiu had never revealed pearls in front of other humans because she couldn’t feel pure kindness from them the kind of emotion that made her feel warm, wanting to hug someone and rely on them forever.

These were all feelings that the stranger named Fang Ziyue had given her.

The little mermaid, encountering the word “like” for the first time, was ignorant of what it meant. But if she had to say… if she weren’t burdened by a contract, she would definitely choose to stay at Fang Ziyue’s house. Being with this person was very comfortable.

So now, facing Fang Ziyue’s invitation, the little mermaid bit her lip and shook her head. The words “unwilling to leave” were practically written on her face. Fang Ziyue could feel it.

So it is because of a contract.

Fang Ziyue didn’t know what limitations a mermaid’s contract imposed, but she would never let Ling Qiu leave. Thus, she asked: “Ling Qiu, can you speak?”

Inability to communicate was the biggest obstacle. Often, Fang Ziyue couldn’t understand her wife’s meaning, which would make the little mermaid angry.

Hearing this, Ling Qiu instinctively nodded. After nodding, she suddenly remembered she had forgotten to open her mouth. Having not spoken for too long, Ling Qiu’s voice was slurred and indistinct.

“He-llo… Fang… Zi-yue…” Ling Qiu struggled to twist her tongue, forcing it to be obedient as she recited Fang Ziyue’s name syllable by syllable. That earnest look made Fang Ziyue’s heart melt. She reached out to stroke Ling Qiu’s long hair and smiled: “Hello, Ling Qiu.”

The mermaid, being treated like a child with a head-rub, tilted her head with some helplessness. Now that she had recovered a bit of energy, she had emerged slightly from her infantile state.

Meeting those dark blue eyes, Fang Ziyue suddenly realized her wife seemed to have matured? Interesting.

A certain person with no bottom line suddenly felt a bit excited. In that case, could she experience “raising” her wife? Raising her from a muddled, childish state to maturity—perhaps steady in the end, or perhaps lively.

“!” Fang Ziyue suddenly covered her nose and turned her head away, her eyes practically shooting fire. The “raising” trope this is too great!

The mermaid, not understanding why this human was suddenly excited, tilted her head. She was much clearer now and no longer thought this human was stupid. This person simply didn’t care about her mermaid identity. To others, this might be a business opportunity, but to this woman, it didn’t seem as important as having this mermaid stay to accompany her.

“Do you… still want… pear-ls?” The mermaid’s voice was crisp and melodious, sounding like the ethereal echoes of the deep sea, completely masking her stuttering flaws.

“Mhm…” Fang Ziyue propped her cheek on her hand, tilting her head to look at her. Truthfully, if the pearls were a gift from her wife, she would accept them with great joy. But if it were a trade, then forget it. “Can I ask why you want to give me pearls?”

This was an unavoidable question. Why?

A trace of confusion flashed in Ling Qiu’s dark blue eyes. Was this question important? Why was the woman’s expression so serious? Fang Ziyue waited quietly for a response.

After staring at the human for a long time, the mermaid finally confirmed that this human seriously wanted an answer. But… would her answer make this human unhappy? The little mermaid’s fingers fidgeted under the water. Humans are truly fragile; if they get hurt, it takes a long time to heal.

The little mermaid scrunched her nose, peeking cautiously at the person beside her. Unexpectedly, her gaze collided with deep, inclusive eyes as gentle as seawater wrapping around her, giving her the most comfortable feeling and the safest environment.

The little mermaid couldn’t help but prop herself up on the edge of the pond. Her fair, small nose tip brushed against Fang Ziyue’s straight nose, and she whispered: “Sorry…”

Those pearls were meant for exchange; her answer likely wouldn’t be the one this human wanted. But it didn’t matter. “I will… give you… more and… better ones.” She would cry larger, rounder pearls as gifts for her.

“Haha, what are you talking about.” Fang Ziyue couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She cupped her wife’s neck and pressed her forehead against hers amidst her confused gaze. “I like you very much, so I don’t want you to cry.”

From stifling a laugh to being full of deep affection, Ling Qiu again felt this human was amazing, capable of switching emotions seamlessly. But… she didn’t hate it. She seemed to be cherished.

She had seen the interactions between Liang Xiuyue and Gu Qiaorou; they called that “liking” and “love.” But Ling Qiu felt the emotional entanglement between them wasn’t nearly as good as what this woman gave her.

The sprite from the deep sea loved emotions that were as pure and clear as sea-crystals. She liked this human and wanted to be close to her. But she couldn’t stay here.

“I li-ke… you too~” The mermaid’s eyes curved, and the dark blue scales beneath her eyes brushed against Fang Ziyue’s cheek with a cold touch. The clean, pure mermaid showed her affection without hesitation, but also stated bluntly: “But… I cannot… live here.”

Because the contract she was tricked into signing was dragging her back. Recalling the scene at the time, Ling Qiu was still a bit angry.

She had been fighting a giant sea monster. A massive water halberd from the mermaid had pierced half of the monster’s body, pinning it to a giant sea cliff. Cyan blood polluted the seawater, and the monster’s wails could be heard from far away.

Ling Qiu remembered the elder Liang watching from a distance for a long time. Only after she had pinned the monster and had plenty of time to escape did he suddenly drive his aircraft over and use a weapon to deliver the final blow. But the monster’s blood splashed onto the aircraft, corroding the shell and knocking the elder Liang into the sea.

Although the surging seawater diluted and washed away much of the blood, he was still corroded down to a layer of flesh and blood.

The dying elder Liang was brought to shore by Ling Qiu. Having reached a state of obsession over his son, he said to Ling Qiu: “I saved you, you must repay me!” Ling Qiu, having just woken from her slumber and not quite clear-headed, was led in circles by him. He even injected drugs to suspend his life just to finish telling her the ancient tale of The Little Mermaid.

The little mermaid saved the prince and ultimately gave up her tail out of love to go ashore, eventually turning into foam to fulfill the prince and his lover’s happiness. This story left the already muddled little mermaid dizzy; she only understood that the elder Liang meant she should repay him by discarding her tail to go ashore and care for the prince. That “prince” was, naturally, his precious son Liang Xiuyue.

Ling Qiu had signed the contract in such a muddled state.

Fang Ziyue held her forehead, her head aching. Ugh… but that is indeed something my wife would do when she’s confused. Thinking back to how her wife insisted on stuffing pearls into her hand earlier, terrified that she wouldn’t know she was a mermaid it was clear how large the side effects of the forced slumber were.

Fang Ziyue nervously snatched a handful of cherry tomatoes, had the AI housekeeper wash them, and stuffed them into her wife’s hands. “Eat more.”

Eat more, quickly replenish energy, and refuse to sleep! Refuse! Refuse!!! Good lord, what if her wife woke up from her next sleep and sold herself? She’d have nowhere to go to cry.

Ling Qiu held the tomatoes and curved her lips happily. “Tha-nk… you.” This human is really so good.

“Eat up.” Fang Ziyue smiled and ruffled Ling Qiu’s hair. Such a cute, obedient little mermaid.

Ling Qiu’s sharp teeth bit through the tomato skin. As the sweet and sour juice flowed into her mouth, the little mermaid squinted comfortably, and even her beautiful tail couldn’t help but sway in the water. Delicious.

The little mermaid ate joyfully and silently moved Fang Ziyue from the “stupid human” category to “normal human,” and finally to “smart human.” This human was very smart; the fruit she grew was not only high in energy but also delicious.

Eating good food makes one relax, so Fang Ziyue took the opportunity to ask: “Then can you tell me exactly what a mermaid’s contract is?” What kind of contract could bind Ling Qiu to Liang Xiuyue’s side so firmly that she almost died?

“It is a cons-traint of… spirit and bloodline.”

Just like a mermaid’s inheritance, ancient contracts were hidden within their bloodline and mental ocean. These contracts constrained them to be as good as their word fair, pure, resolute, aloof, and honest. This was why Ling Qiu could so bluntly confess that she liked being with Fang Ziyue.

With liking and love, a mermaid will always play “straight ball.”

But at this moment, Ling Qiu’s understanding of “liking” seemed a bit biased. It was like liking a piece of candy or a certain environment. Although this kind of liking made her happy, it wasn’t a necessary emotion. Just as the current Fang Ziyue was not yet a “necessary” person for Ling Qiu.

The little mermaid had seen too many humans; Fang Ziyue was simply the purest among them.

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