After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: This is Too Much

Not long after the nutrient solution production method was released, public opinion underwent a complete reversal.

Many people began to openly stand on Fang Ziyue’s side, joining her in resisting the coercion of the Imperial family and the Merchant Alliance. Furthermore, even more people abandoned the mission to find the mermaid; after all, their spiritual riots could now be perfectly controlled, and the raw materials were sourced from Fang Ziyue. They couldn’t bring themselves to perform such an ungrateful act. Besides, the profit from capturing a mermaid was no longer high enough to be worth the risk.

The Merchant Alliance and the Imperial family were not unprepared. Ever since they learned that the Military-Political faction had obtained a high-grade nutrient solution formula—one with simple ratios and cheap, abundant materials—they knew this was Fang Ziyue’s trump card.

Now that the military and the commoners stood behind Fang Ziyue, the Imperial family and the Merchants naturally set aside their past grievances, collaborating for the first time in history.

It started with the Merchant Alliance withdrawing the majority of its forces, which put the Military on high alert. Data suggested that many mermaids might be slumbering within Planet Ruize, and they didn’t believe those mercenary traders would give up such a lucrative prize.

Their suspicions were correct. The Merchants deployed nearly two-thirds of their forces to cut off Fang Ziyue’s retreat. Although the military had sent a Star-Hunter ship to assist them, upon learning that Ruize had been discovered, Fang Ziyue first contacted the military, requesting they dispatch the Star-Hunter to protect the planet. At the very least, they had to pin down the other two factions and prevent them from entering Ruize’s interior!

Unlike the Merchant Alliance and the Imperial family, the Military-Political faction did not have unlimited troops to deploy at will. Of their three main combat forces, the Star-Hunter protected Ruize, the Wind-Hunter Regiment guarded the borders, and the Cloud-Breaker Team destroyed star beast nests. By mobilizing the Star-Hunter, the military had already dipped into its entire “family fortune” to help them.

“Pack your things quickly. When we pass the K-71 desolate planet in a moment, I’ll drop you off there,” Fang Ziyue said to the mercenary group, pointing at the navigation chart. “The stealth systems you’re carrying can help you evade the Merchant fleet’s detection. Once the timing is right, return to the Military sector immediately. That is the safest place.”

“What about you and Ling Qiu?” someone asked disapprovingly. These were men who had come off the battlefield; they couldn’t bring themselves to act like deserters.

Fang Ziyue frowned. “Now is not the time to argue about this.”

The stealth system provided by her own system could hide small targets, but not a target as large as a starship. Worse still, according to Ling Qiu, the planetary consciousness of Ruize was in a deep slumber. Consequently, the environment on Ruize had become extremely harsh; without the protection of the starship, they wouldn’t even be able to enter.

“Don’t think of it that way,” Ling Qiu suddenly interjected, having been watching from the side. “You’ve helped us a lot over the years and risked your lives many times. We are friends. Everyone needs to stay alive. Once the storm passes, we’ll gather again to drink.”

Compared to Fang Ziyue, who spent her days lounging lazily, Ling Qiu—who frequently sparred with the mercenaries—clearly got along better with them. This was a request they couldn’t refuse. Moreover, the mercenaries knew that this trip to Ruize might be a one-way journey. In such a dangerous situation, would they, barely able to save themselves, really have the strength to protect Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu?

“We’re going then. You must come back safely,” said Ingrid, the first person Fang Ziyue had rescued and the first to agree to leave. She gave a casual wave, leaving only one sentence: “We won’t be a burden to you. If you make it back alive, I’m buying the drinks.”

“Hey!” someone shouted unwillingly at her back, but he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Ingrid is right,” the former General smiled. “Thank you for taking care of us these past few years. We’ll see you again.” He believed Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu would return alive; there was no doubt about it.

With Ingrid and the former General leading the way, the mercenaries left one after another. Each left a blessing before departing: “It’s frustrating, but… you must come back alive.”

Fang Ziyue raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Of course.” She hadn’t brought Ling Qiu back to her homeland yet, nor had she married her. With so many important things left undone, how could she bear to die?

“Alright, they’re gone. You can put away that smile now,” Ling Qiu pouted, poking Fang Ziyue’s cheek dissatisfiedly with her finger.

Fang Ziyue caught the slender white finger and teased, “Oh? Whose little jar of vinegar has tipped over? Why is there such a strong smell of jealousy?”

Ling Qiu huffed and turned her head away. She wasn’t jealous; she was a magnanimous mermaid.

“Fine, fine. I’ll give you a kiss, okay?” Fang Ziyue smiled, pulling Ling Qiu in to kiss her on the lips. She had been so busy tidying up the loose ends lately that she’d had no time for her wife. Before, it was Ling Qiu sparring with the mercenaries that left her in an empty bed; now, it was her own day-and-night planning that left her no time even to ask if Ling Qiu was eating well or sleeping on time.

“I’m sleepy.” Ling Qiu, soothed by the kiss, tilted her head up to kiss her back. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, leaning into Fang Ziyue’s arms dazedlily. “Stay with me while I sleep for a bit.”

Fang Ziyue, who had heavy dark circles under her eyes, couldn’t help but let a wide smile spread across her lips. The mermaid, who hadn’t fully integrated into human society yet, hadn’t learned how to act; her bright, energetic look showed no signs of sleepiness at all.

Fang Ziyue patted Ling Qiu’s back, thinking that while her wife’s head was on her shoulder, those eyes were probably staring blankly at something. Sure enough, as Fang Ziyue turned to pass a mirror, she saw Ling Qiu’s dark blue eyes wide open, darting from the floor to the wall, looking incredibly alert.

Fang Ziyue laughed and patted Ling Qiu’s neck without exposing her. The mermaid, unaware she’d been caught, quickly nuzzled Fang Ziyue’s neck as if to say: Don’t pat me, I’m so sleepy… Fang Ziyue’s heart softened at the spoiled gesture.

Upon returning to their room, Fang Ziyue suddenly realized she hadn’t stepped into the bedroom for a proper rest in half a month. To the mermaid’s senses, Fang Ziyue’s scent had faded until it was almost gone, which was unbearable for Ling Qiu. Thus, a large “nest” had been built on the bed—again, made from Fang Ziyue’s clothes.

Trousers, skirts, short-sleeved tops… Fang Ziyue began folding them one by one to put them in the wardrobe. The “exhausted” little mermaid suddenly lunged onto the bed like a predatory fish, her fair hands clutching a corner of the clothing, unwilling to let Fang Ziyue take it.

Fang Ziyue shook the garment and said firmly, “We can’t sleep unless we tidy the bed. Let go, Ling Qiu-qiu, be good.”

Knowing Fang Ziyue was right, Ling Qiu’s face flushed as she reluctantly let go. But when Fang Ziyue reached for the next item, she couldn’t help but reach out to grab it again. Fang Ziyue wanted to laugh; it felt like she was using a cat teaser to play with a kitten. Her wife’s little face was simply too cute.

From light spring shirts to long winter coats, Ling Qiu had brought out almost all of her clothes to build the nest. Even…

“Not this one!” Before Fang Ziyue could palm her forehead and put away her underwear, Ling Qiu suddenly pounced and grabbed it. Her face flushed bright red, the little mermaid bit her lip and gripped a corner of the black lace bra, refusing to let go.

Initially, Fang Ziyue just felt helpless, but seeing her wife clutching it like that, she suddenly covered her mouth as an intense wave of shame rushed from her feet to her head. Fang Ziyue tugged at her own underwear, refusing to give it up, her usually fluent speech becoming stilted: “This… no… this is too much, Ling Qiu-qiu!”

Anything else was fine, but how could she use this to build a nest?!!

However, Ling Qiu was dug in; she wouldn’t give it up, and her large dark blue eyes were becoming misted with tears. She didn’t speak; she just gripped the fabric with both hands, holding her breath and waiting it out. She was going to wait until Fang Ziyue’s heart softened. After all, she didn’t believe this human would really have the heart to let her cry.

What else could Fang Ziyue do? Every time Ling Qiu cried, it hurt her more than anyone. Underwear it is, then; they’re clean anyway. Besides, we’ll have to be completely honest with each other eventually, so consider this a rehearsal.

Her neck red with embarrassment, Fang Ziyue kept building her own psychological defenses while cursing her past self: ‘You idiot, why didn’t you teach Ling Qiu-qiu not to take underwear when she was building her nest before she knew better? Now I’m the one paying the price!’

Fang Ziyue wished she could travel back in time and slap her past self for spoiling Ling Qiu so much. Look how lawless her wife had become!

The woman sat dejectedly on the edge of the bed with her back turned, refusing to look at what “inhumane” things Ling Qiu was doing with her underwear. As long as she didn’t look, the underwear wasn’t in her wife’s hands! Fang Ziyue’s talent for self-deception was quite impressive.

After carefully tucking the underwear under the pillow and feeling the familiar scent surround her, the mermaid finally relaxed. During these two weeks when Fang Ziyue was busy, the fading scent in the room had put Ling Qiu in a state of high tension and anxiety. Fang Ziyue, in her constant busyness, might not have noticed, but Ling Qiu had checked on her every hour. To avoid disturbing her work, Ling Qiu would only stand outside the door to sense that her breathing was stable before leaving.

But in the last two days, the interval had decreased to every thirty minutes. Her anxiety forced her to constantly confirm the other’s safety. Her nature had also driven her to recklessly find anything with Fang Ziyue’s scent to pile on the bed, surrounding herself to gain a bit of security.

The relaxed little mermaid looked up and found that Fang Ziyue, who had been too shy to turn around earlier, had suddenly leaned over to hug her. Feeling guilty for her neglect and having realized the reason, Fang Ziyue tenderly kissed Ling Qiu’s forehead and whispered, “Sleep with me for a bit.”

Ling Qiu blinked, then nodded, curling up obediently in Fang Ziyue’s arms. Held by Fang Ziyue, the familiar scent around her was stronger than ever. As she drifted off to sleep, Ling Qiu thought: It would be wonderful if this human could stay with me forever.

Once the person in her arms was asleep, Fang Ziyue finally closed her eyes reluctantly. She tightened her embrace, feeling the warmth, and vowed never to leave Ling Qiu alone for that long again. She would be like a dragon, guarding her treasure, never leaving its side.

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