Becoming the Keeper of an Alluring Merfolk - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Fiancée

◎Smooth Arrival and Successful Check-in◎

Song Xiu’s polite refusal was flawless. Since she was getting married, the reason was so compelling that Jian Xu couldn’t insist on being difficult.

But she didn’t expect Jian Xu to pause and then ask, “Can I attend your wedding?”

Song Xiu was stunned for a moment after hearing the question, then burst out laughing, “Why does that request sound so pitiful? Of course you can attend, but does your body permit it? You just had surgery; won’t flying affect the wound?”

“I don’t plan to fly. I’ll take the high-speed train. I’ll treat it as a change of scenery.”

“Alright. I’ll send you the electronic invitation now. Remember not to bring a red envelope. I want my wedding to be a bit more pure.”

“I actually wasn’t planning on contributing anything.”

“That’s even better, hahahaha.”

“Fine, I’m kidding. I won’t short you on either gifts or red envelopes. I’ll definitely bring them. Whether you accept them or not is your business.”

“What do you mean, ‘my business’? The wedding is a joint matter between me and Shui Se.” Song Xiu just couldn’t stand this one thing about Jian Xu: she always put humans in the dominant position and subconsciously placed the Jiao-people in a lower one.

“…” There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. Perhaps it reminded Jian Xu of something, but her mood immediately sank to rock bottom.

Song Xiu didn’t have time to worry about that much. The view in the Northwest was vast, and perhaps seeing the scenery would make Jian Xu feel better.

On the day of their departure, Shui Se was incredibly excited. This was her first time on a real commercial airplane, other than a helicopter. Not only was there plenty of delicious food, but the flight attendants were also very gentle, completely different from the usual roughness at the institute.

The flight attendants would always be the first to compliment Shui Se’s beauty. Then, she would shyly cling to Song Xiu’s arm and bury her face.

The two slept side-by-side for the entire flight. Their luggage was safe, and Xiao Mi was safe too.

However, as soon as they exited the airport, the noticeably dry air made Shui Se visibly uncomfortable.

Song Xiu was prepared. She quickly gave Shui Se water, and all the items she had ordered had arrived early. As soon as they got to the inn, she filled a bathtub with water for Shui Se. She barely suffered at all.

Shui Se transformed her fish tail and sat on the edge of the tub, her hand clutching the windowsill. She looked out at the endless Gobi Desert with fascination. She felt that seeing such unique scenery made the discomfort tolerable, especially since it was quickly resolved, wasn’t it?

However, Song Xiu was clearly regretful. The climate here was simply not suitable for Shui Se. Even she felt the dryness and strong winds, let alone a Jiao-person.

The most excited was Xiao Mi. The air at the institute was too humid, making his bedding and food stash easily damp. Now, everything was super dry and refreshing. He was so comfortable that he rolled around holding his sunflower seeds.

“Song Xiu, don’t be unhappy. I really like it here~” Shui Se, sensing Song Xiu’s low spirits, spoke up to comfort her, not wanting her to be sad because of her.

Song Xiu shook her head, slowly walked over, stepped into the tub, sat down, and buried her head in Shui Se’s embrace, asking if she was truly happy.

Shui Se stroked her hair: “Of course. I’m not lying. I really do love it.”

“My wife smells so good.”

“Do you want a kiss?”

“No.”

Shui Se tilted her head in confusion: “What’s wrong? Why do you suddenly not even want a kiss?”

“I won’t tell you.” Song Xiu buried her head deeper and deeper, almost completely into Shui Se’s chest.

Shui Se didn’t understand but didn’t say anything, as Song Xiu often did this, until Song Xiu suddenly lifted her head, gripped the back of Shui Se’s neck, and kissed her deeply.

Outside the window, the rough wind carrying sand and dust made a faint sound as it swept across the glass, further highlighting the silence of the bathroom. The only sounds were their intertwined breaths and the gentle lapping of the water in the tub.

After a long while, Song Xiu finally pulled back slightly, forehead against forehead, nose against nose, her breathing still a little ragged.

Shui Se’s eyes were full of tenderness as she quietly asked, “What exactly is wrong?”

“I’m afraid you’re uncomfortable, afraid you’re forcing yourself, afraid you think this place is terrible and you’re only staying to humor me.”

Song Xiu’s voice was muffled. In this relationship, though she seemed to be the one in charge, the slightest discomfort on Shui Se’s part could easily affect all her emotions.

Shui Se cupped Song Xiu’s face, looking at her earnestly: “As long as the two of us are together, no matter where it is, it’s the most beautiful place for me.”

“Wife, how are you so good?”

“Do you want a kiss now?” Shui Se giggled.

“Yes.” Song Xiu lifted her head, and this time the kiss was even more lingering.

The two cuddled and talked in the bathtub for a while. While Song Xiu unpacked the packages, Shui Se lay on the edge of the tub, watching Song Xiu busy herself for her, behaving impeccably.

Song Xiu released Xiao Mi to keep her company so Shui Se wouldn’t be bored.

Shui Se had placed Xiao Mi nicely on the windowsill, but the little rascal, when Shui Se wasn’t looking, slipped and fell into the bathtub with a plop.

Even though Shui Se scooped him out quickly, he was drenched. Shui Se was heartbroken and meticulously dried him with a clean towel.

Song Xiu, standing nearby, was nearly crying with laughter at Xiao Mi’s foolishness: “What kind of creature voluntarily jumps into the water?”

“Don’t talk about him. He’s very afraid of water. It’s all my fault for not watching him.”

“Okay, okay, my wife’s little hamster is the smartest. Can I just shut up?”

Xiao Mi was quick to get wet and quick to dry. When Song Xiu sorted through the package from the wedding dress shop, she found that the store had actually made a tiny flower girl dress for Xiao Mi.

Since he was so small and time was short, Song Xiu had told them it was optional during their communication, but they still managed to make it.

Xiao Mi, looking utterly bewildered, was dressed in a pink and purple flower girl dress by his two owners. Shui Se used Song Xiu’s phone to take many photos of Xiao Mi on the windowsill.

Xiao Mi was very cooperative, but a sudden video call startled both of them. Shui Se’s finger accidentally hit the answer button.

“Jian… Xu… Jian Xu?”

“Shui Se? Where is Song Xiu?”

“She went out to throw away the cardboard boxes. What’s wrong?”

“Since she’s not there, Shui Se, can you tell me the truth? How does Xiao Hen really feel about me now? Does she miss me?”

“Xiao Hen… doesn’t miss you. As for how she feels about you, I’m not her, so I certainly don’t know.”

“How would you know she doesn’t miss me?”

This question truly stumped Shui Se. She was most afraid of Jian Xu’s questioning tone and gaze, so she simply switched the camera to focus on Xiao Mi.

“Shui Se, why are you nervous?” Jian Xu continued to press.

“She doesn’t miss you, and she doesn’t love you anymore. Is that answer good enough? Why are you trying to put me in a difficult position? You know I really dislike you.”

“I wasn’t trying to put you in a difficult position. I was calling Song Xiu, and you happened to answer… I’m sorry, my manner of speaking was wrong. When Song Xiu returns, please ask her to call me back. I’m hanging up now.”

Shui Se was shocked that Jian Xu would actually apologize. Although Jian Xu had indeed changed quite a bit, what was the use? Everything was too late.

No matter how much she changed herself, it was already too late.

When Song Xiu returned, she brought back two bottles of sea buckthorn juice, a local specialty. Although it was a bit sour, the nutritional content was very high.

Shui Se, seeing the color, thought it would taste like orange juice, but after taking a big gulp, she was completely confused. Why was it so sour? However, it was still within her acceptable range. She sipped it slowly, watching Song Xiu call Jian Xu back.

“I’ll tell you when you get here,” Song Xiu drove Jian Xu crazy with suspense, intending to trick her into coming first. After all, there was no better solution now; she would delay for as long as possible.

Jian Xu, who was initially planning to take her time getting there, cursed Song Xiu for being manipulative after hearing this and immediately hung up, setting off right away.

Shui Se was very curious if Song Xiu could truly handle the situation. It would be troublesome if Jian Xu went crazy at the wedding.

“It’s a wedding. People getting drunk and acting up is normal. They’re just excited.”

“That’s true.”

“Wife, do you want to try on the wedding dress now? I want to see it.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll carry you.”

Shui Se transformed her legs in the tub. Song Xiu slipped her arm under Shui Se’s knees and wrapped her arm around her slender waist, lifting her fiancée up. Xiao Mi, still wearing the tiny wedding dress on the windowsill, turned his head, propping himself up on the glass with one paw, his beady eyes full of loneliness. He wondered when he would finally have a little hamster to keep him company.

After resting for a day and a night, Shui Se had mostly adapted to the environment here. The next evening, Song Xiu took Shui Se to the most luxurious restaurant in town to meet her former colleagues from the scientific research team. It was impossible not to miss them after being apart for so long.

Song Xiu had already informed Shui Se beforehand that she would definitely be drinking more that night. If she got too drunk and said the wrong things, or became clingy and rough in her actions, she hoped Shui Se would forgive her.

Shui Se expressed complete understanding. Although she was a little afraid of a drunken Song Xiu, she didn’t hesitate to immediately agree to Song Xiu’s request to drink.