After Teasing the Crazy Mermaid, He Actually Deceived Me into Marriage - Chapter 65

Ling Xubai looked up and met Fan Yi’s gaze as he approached from behind Si Tang. Like a beast marking its territory, Fan Yi’s eyes were filled with intense vigilance.

After Fan Yi reached Si Tang’s side, he suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Si Tang’s expression faltered slightly, but in public, they couldn’t afford to reveal even the slightest hint of impropriety.

Fan Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, discreetly sizing up the sickly man before him, whose days were clearly numbered.

8856, standing behind him, dutifully informed him of Ling Xubai’s fate.

“The only son of the Ling family, a genius in medicine and science, born with heart failure. Currently, he likely has no more than two years left to live.”

Just a few words.

Fan Yi thought to himself, He’s nothing but a minor character. Yet, as he observed Ling Xubai’s uniquely gentle and refined demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort. Perhaps this was the type Si Tang liked. If not for his frail health, he would undoubtedly be exceptionally striking.

At least he’s a sickly man on the verge of death. (Fan Yi: Yes, I hope he dies soon.)

Moreover, he was Si Tang’s “lifesaver” from back then.

In truth, Si Tang’s escape from the Atlantic had been entirely orchestrated by the Chief God, Fan You. If it hadn’t been Ling Xubai and the others nearby, it would have been someone else.

“My wife mentioned that you were the one who rescued her on that small island in the Atlantic?” Fan Yi smiled politely, though his gaze was undeniably cold and unsettling.

Ling Xubai couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. The legendary Fan Yi didn’t seem as gentle and harmless as the rumors suggested. The hostility in his eyes was unmistakable when directed at him.

Not only was there no trace of gratitude in his gaze, but it seemed as though if Ling Xubai took even one step closer to the woman beside him, Fan Yi would devour him whole.

“Hello, Mr. Fan Yi. I’ve long heard of your esteemed name,” Ling Xubai extended his hand politely, a sincere smile gracing his handsome face. “I wouldn’t call myself a lifesaver. I merely happened to discover traces of human activity on that island and organized a search, which led us to Miss Si.”

Upon hearing this, Si Tang’s eyes filled with even deeper gratitude, and her smile softened.

Watching from the side, Fan Yi grew increasingly irritated. Who asked you to save her?

If Si Tang hadn’t left back then, he would have forced the mating bond immediately! There would have been no need for all this pretense.

Fan Yi was deeply conflicted. On one hand, he resented how, after enduring divine punishment, he had been ready to form the bond only for her to run away. On the other hand, he felt that Si Tang’s amnesia, which made her forget him and his darker side, was an opportunity not to be missed.

He turned slightly away from Si Tang, his face darkening as he stared for a moment at the man’s overly thin and pale hand, unwilling to shake it.

Feeling Si Tang’s curious gaze on him, he pursed his lips, his teeth itching with frustration.

At the critical moment, Xiao Liu suddenly stepped out from behind Fan Yi and firmly shook Ling Xubai’s hand.

“Mr. Fan Yi isn’t feeling well today he has a rash on his palm,” 8856 offered a bizarre excuse. “I’m his younger brother. I can shake your hand on his behalf.”

“A rash on his palm?” Si Tang immediately turned to Fan Yi with surprise and concern.

Fan Yi: “…”

He instinctively clenched his fist.

“Mm,” he mumbled vaguely.

“Should we go to the hospital? Let me see,” Si Tang reached for his hand.

“It’s nothing,” he replied with a gentle, resigned smile, subtly pulling his clenched hand away from her probing grasp.

“A rash on the palm isn’t exactly a minor or major issue. If Mr. Fan Yi doesn’t mind, may I take a look? I’ve studied all kinds of medical conditions,” Ling Xubai offered kindly.

Fan Yi’s eyes darkened like a stormy sea. For the first time, the Sea God found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

Si Tang was still watching him, looking genuinely concerned. Suppressing his urge to unleash chaos, Fan Yi discreetly channeled his divine power behind his back, forcibly enduring the self-inflicted injury.

Witnessing it all, System 8856 broke into a cold sweat: Maya, he’s insane.

Then, with composure, Fan Yi extended his hand under their gazes.

His palm was a mess of mangled flesh, the wounds deep enough to reach the muscle beneath. Si Tang gasped sharply, her eyes wide with shock.

Wait, it wasn’t like this yesterday. When did this happen? How did it get so severe?

“How did this happen?” Si Tang anxiously grabbed his wrist, her brow furrowed tightly as she stared at his injured palm. After a moment of hesitation, she asked uncertainly, “Did someone hit you?”

Si Tang refused to believe a simple rash could worsen to this extent in just one day.

It didn’t look like a rash more like it had been gouged by something.

Ling Xubai also got a clear look at the wound and spoke with grave concern, “Indeed, it’s not a rash. It’s an external injury.”

Si Tang felt a surge of fury. Who dared lay a hand on someone under my protection?

Sensing the tension, Ling Xubai tactfully interjected, “Well, I have some matters to attend to. My students are waiting for me over there, so I’ll take my leave now. As for your offer to treat me to a meal, Miss Si Tang, I’m available anytime.”

He handed his business card to Si Tang and, under Fan Yi’s noticeably chilling gaze, added, “Mr. Fan Yi is welcome to join as well.”

Only after Ling Xubai finally turned and left did Fan Yi’s mood settle slightly. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught Si Tang carefully tucking away the business card, and his irritation surged back to his head.

Si Tang turned to him again, her expression stern and angry as she grabbed his wrist once more. “Did someone hit you?” she demanded.

Feeling the warmth of Si Tang’s hand on his wrist, a dark glint flashed in Fan Yi’s eyes. An idea sparked in his mind, and he decided to go along with it. “Yes, I was beaten. They stomped on my hand.”

“Who did it?” Si Tang demanded, furious.

“He Moheng,” Fan Yi replied without hesitation.

Standing nearby, System 8856 inwardly cheered, Well played! It nearly broke into applause.

Sure enough, at the mention of that name, Si Tang’s anger flared instantly. “Find people,” she ordered.

“What?”

“We’re beating him back.”

That very night, after the museum exhibition ended, a new piece of gossip began circulating among the elite.

He Moheng, whose facial injuries had only just healed, had just finished a business negotiation and stepped out of a club when he was dragged into an alley and brutally beaten. This time, they didn’t just target his face, they stomped on his hands. His face swelled up like a pig’s head again, and his fingers puffed up like radishes, making it difficult for him to even sign contracts.

He Moheng felt utterly unlucky. Could it be that someone is jealous of my thriving career and handsome face?

This group of assailants was different from the last, but their lines were the same:

“How dare you mess with someone you shouldn’t!”

“We’ll beat you to death!”

“Serves you right for provoking others!”

“You think you deserve that face?”

He Moheng had no idea who he had offended. Fuming with rage, not even his company hitting another historic peak in marketing performance could quell his fury.

It’s best not to get caught by him. In truth, he was quite suspicious of Si Tang. But based on his understanding of Si Tang, someone who could stand toe-to-toe with him in the business world wouldn’t resort to such lowly tactics.