Transmigrated Into a Scummy Alpha Who Stole the Male Lead's Mermaid Fiancée - Chapter 43

“It’s quite embarrassing to bring up such matters during our first meeting,” Zhang Jun paced around the room, appearing pained and anxious, a stark contrast to his demeanor just half an hour earlier.

“You don’t have to say anything, but that won’t stop us from thinking you’re a pervert,” Yu Ke said with a laugh.

“I’m actually… not what you imagine,” Zhang Jun licked his lips and changed the subject. “About that restaurant I mentioned earlier, are you still interested?”

Yu Ke glanced at Lan Xing, understanding her with just one look, and turned back to Zhang Jun. “Why not? A pervert shouldn’t affect our appetite.”

Zhang Jun rubbed his nose and smiled. “I’ll have someone reserve a table.”

Lan Xing, in high spirits, said to Zhang Jun, “We’re really troubling you. If you’re just interested in studying mermaids, I can show you…”

“Xing’er,” Yu Ke interrupted her, leaning close to whisper in her ear, “Do you want to go play in the ocean tonight? I know how to dive, I can go into the water with you.”

Distracted, Lan Xing became so excited she seemed flustered. She whispered back, “Should I change clothes? This would be our first… private date, right?”

“No need to change,” Yu Ke looked at her tenderly. “You look beautiful in what you’re wearing.”

The two whispered intimately as if no one else was present. Zhang Jun watched them for a long while, his eyes tinged with loneliness.

After a moment, Lan Xing remembered and asked, “Should we invite the Third Princess…?”

Yu Ke frowned slightly, and Lan Xing also realized… it wasn’t a good idea. She had only mentioned it out of courtesy.

At that moment, Zhang Jun spoke up. “Lan Zhen… she probably isn’t in the country anymore.”

Yu Ke: “?”

Lan Xing: “Where did she go?”

Zhang Jun said awkwardly, “I don’t know… I tried to contact Lan Zhen, but she must have… left immediately.”

The three exchanged glances. Yu Ke stood up. “I’ll go check on her.”

Meanwhile, Lan Xing checked her phone messages and shook her head. “The Third Princess sent me a message an hour ago. She really… has already left.”

“Then I’ll go check on Li Jian’an. I can’t leave him alone here to take care of those children,” Yu Ke said.

Zhang Jun stood up as well. “I’ll accompany you. If you’re concerned, I can leave some police officers behind to ensure their safety.”

Yu Ke hesitated for a moment, glancing at him, then chose to trust him for the time being.

Once everything was arranged, Yu Ke and Lan Xing got into Zhang Jun’s car.

It was a jet-powered flying car parked directly on the rooftop of the Gana Hotel. Yu Ke picked up Lan Xing, settled her into the back seat, carefully arranged her dress, and covered her with a blanket.

Her tail was large, and if not properly arranged, it could easily get caught in the car door. Lan Xing looked apologetic about it.

After finishing, as Yu Ke was about to sit beside Lan Xing, Lan Xing said softly, “Sister, why don’t you sit in the front? Otherwise, it might seem a bit rude…”

From an etiquette standpoint, with Zhang Jun driving, leaving the passenger seat empty would indeed make him seem like nothing more than a chauffeur.

Hearing this, Zhang Jun smiled. “It’s fine. Please don’t worry about my feelings.”

But Lan Xing insisted, her clear gaze fixed on Yu Ke, gentle yet firm.

“Alright, I’ll sit in the front,” Yu Ke kissed Lan Xing’s forehead. “You rest in the back for a while.”

Lan Xing nodded, her smile gentle and appropriate.

She always knew how to consider others. Sometimes Yu Ke felt certain things were unnecessary, yet Lan Xing would insist on doing them.

Not just in this interstellar era, but even back in the era Yu Ke came from, qualities like Lan Xing’s were rare.

Most people lived in their own worlds, on one hand, excessively self-aware, and on the other, too fragile to withstand the impact of external ideas, easily drifting with the tide and blindly following trends.

The best way to cherish someone, Yu Ke thought, should be to respect them, let them remain independent, strong, and brave, not becoming fragile or sensitive just because of a romantic relationship, while also indulging their small requests and vanities.

Lost in these thoughts, Yu Ke gazed at the scenery from the passenger seat, and before long, they arrived at their destination.

The drive took less than five minutes, leaving Yu Ke little time to say much.

The car stopped atop a building on the sea’s surface. Compared to the towering skyscrapers piercing the clouds in the city of Gana, this building seemed pitifully short. But according to Zhang Jun, it had been designed by the country’s most renowned architect. While it appeared unremarkable from the outside, its strength lay in the interior design.

Zhang Jun got out of the car, loosened his tie, and opened the door for Lan Xing, allowing Yu Ke to help her out. Throughout the journey, he had acted like a perfect gentleman.

The sightseeing elevator descended from the rooftop, diving into the depths of the sea. Through the glass, they could see corals, tropical fish, and other marine life up close.

Lan Xing’s eyes sparkled, and she couldn’t stop praising the novel sights, which pleased Zhang Jun immensely and made him proud.

The restaurant, named “Deep Sea Rendezvous,” was located on levels one to five beneath the sea. Dining here felt like strolling through the ocean. The entire structure was made of glass, resembling a giant bubble submerged in the sea, immersing visitors in the vibrant underwater world.

When Zhang Jun had earlier mentioned “reserving a spot,” Yu Ke assumed he meant a private room. But to her surprise, Zhang Jun had reserved the entire floor.

Across all five underwater levels, only a few attendants were present, everything else was prepared exclusively for them.

Lan Xing didn’t have to worry about drawing attention and could freely admire the surrounding scenery.

Choosing to dine here was like dancing to Lan Xing’s heartstrings, it resonated with her perfectly.

“Isn’t this… a bit too extravagant?” Lan Xing said with concern. “We… might not have the budget for something like this.”

“Don’t worry about that at all,” Zhang Jun replied. “I invested in this restaurant. It’s my honor to treat two princesses. And if Princess Lan Xing would allow me to see her tail, I’d consider myself even more fortunate.”

Lan Xing fell silent, while Yu Ke shot him a cold glare. Zhang Jun immediately raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry, sorry. It’s fine if I don’t see the tail.”

Yu Ke was both annoyed and amused. “If you mention the tail again, I’ll punch you.”

Zhang Jun smiled innocently.

But Lan Xing seemed conflicted. “Actually… if it’s just showing my tail, it might not be a big deal…”

In truth, she suspected Zhang Jun kept bringing up the tail to verify her identity.

If she couldn’t ease his doubts, he would likely bring it up again.

Seeing Lan Xing’s slight concession, Zhang Jun grew excited. “That would be such an honor! May I take a photo?”

“Absolutely not,” Yu Ke’s voice turned icy. “You can take one look, but don’t push your luck.”

The three of them took their seats and began their meal. Lan Xing shifted the blanket covering her body, revealing her swaying tail. As it moved, the delicate gauze on her tail fin trailed on the floor, shimmering with a mottled light as deep blue as the night sky.

Zhang Jun’s breath caught, his gaze fixed on that beautiful tail fin. After a long moment, he murmured, “Truly astonishing…”

He reached out to touch it, but Yu Ke stopped him. The aggressive aura emanating from the Alpha made Zhang Jun shudder, forcing him to withdraw his hand and apologize.

Yu Ke draped the blanket over Lan Xing again, his expression clearly displeased.

Lan Xing sat up straight, unfazed, and said with a smile, “Alright, alright, I can’t wait to have the ice cream cake!”

Zhang Jun immediately brightened up, calling over the server and enthusiastically recommending delicious dishes to Lan Xing. Meanwhile, he multitasked, jotting down notes in his notebook.

Aside from desserts, the cuisine here was exceptional. Even a seemingly ordinary tempura sushi was made with exquisite ingredients, delivering a surprisingly delightful taste.

Though Yu Ke wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about food, he could sense Zhang Jun’s sincerity and thoughtfulness. Gradually, he grew quieter, listening to the conversation between Zhang Jun and Lan Xing.

Zhang Jun asked many questions about Planet Panda and Lan Xing’s life underwater. From his words, it seemed he was preparing to travel to Planet Panda himself.

This surprised Yu Ke, prompting him to scrutinize the man before him more carefully.

The son of a prime minister, wanting to go to Planet Panda to become a mermaid?

It was utterly absurd.

The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. Yet, instead of disliking Zhang Jun, Yu Ke began to feel a hint of respect for him.

Zhang Jun, ever graceful, noticed Yu Ke’s silence and initiated a conversation with him, tactfully inquiring about his future plans. “Do you intend to go to Planet Panda as the royal princess, or do you plan to travel incognito?”

“We plan to explore various places first before settling down somewhere suitable,” Yu Ke replied. “The current situation in Ferrari isn’t favorable either. Our idea is to gradually fade from the public eye as soon as possible, to avoid causing chaos across the stars.”

Zhang Jun nodded in approval. “A very smart and rational plan, though I’m afraid it might be difficult to achieve.”

“Indeed,” Yu Ke said nonchalantly. “Our group is small and vulnerable. Along the way, we could face kidnapping, assassination, and other dangers. Aside from a few neutral nations, there aren’t many places we can go. Moreover, I’m unwilling to take Lan Xing to those ungoverned, remote regions.”

“I understand your concerns,” Zhang Jun sighed. “Before I came, my father asked me to inquire if you had any intention of reclaiming power. But I told him that if Princess Yu Ke had such ambitions, she wouldn’t have chosen to come to us. We can’t offer her much support.”

Yu Ke felt both helpless and amused, letting out a soft sigh. “You’re remarkably candid so much so that it’s admirable.”

Zhang Jun shrugged. “What can I do? My father is 113 years old, and I’m his 14th son. I don’t want to be involved in these matters either. If it weren’t for his insistence, I’d probably have left my country long ago, traveling across the stars just like you.”

Yu Ke and Lan Xing exchanged a smile, while Zhang Jun rubbed his neck, his expression gentle.

Yu Ke asked him, “What does your father think? From what I know, the Prime Minister is in excellent health.”

“He’s already had three kidney replacements, and his health is far from what it used to be,” Zhang Jun pursed his lips. “It might not be appropriate to say this, but I don’t think he has much time left.”

Yu Ke’s expression shifted slightly. “Is the Prime Minister unwell?”

“Yes,” Zhang Jun replied. “But before he passes, Hongxi will continue to uphold its current policies and maintain its status as a neutral nation. My father despises war deeply and doesn’t wish to see it break out before his departure.”

“I see,” Yu Ke sighed softly. “You’ve given us very important information. It seems we can’t stay here for long.”

But Zhang Jun disagreed. He insisted, “You’re not interstellar fugitives. On Hongxi’s territory, you are free interstellar citizens. I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety.”

At just 23 years old, Zhang Jun was optimistic and confident, with a touch of precious innocence.

“We trust you,” Yu Ke smiled faintly. “But given the turbulent situation, we can’t let our guard down, can we?”

“Of course, staying vigilant is wise,” Zhang Jun lowered his head with a chuckle. “It seems I might have said something wrong…”

Lan Xing laughed lightly, gracefully remarking, “Mr. Zhang, I quite like you.”

Zhang Jun nearly blurted out, “I like you too, Princess Lan Xing,” but swallowed the words. He glanced at Yu Ke and raised his hands in surrender. “Your Highness, I swear, even though I’m 1.8 meters tall, I’m truly an Omega. I have no intention of wooing Princess Lan Xing.”

“Right, you mentioned you have someone you like,” Yu Ke said.

“Who is she?” Lan Xing asked eagerly, her eyes fixed on him.

A blush spread across Zhang Jun’s face as he whispered, “To me, she’s a goddess…”

“Is she from our mermaid clan?”

Zhang Jun avoided her gaze, looking down at the cutlery in his hands. He cleared his throat and said, “When the time is right… you’ll find out.”

Lan Xing was delighted. Learning Zhang Jun’s secret excited her like a child, and she promised to keep it for him.

That night, back at the hotel, Yu Ke prepared a warm bath for Lan Xing. After Lan Xing finished bathing, Yu Ke went to Li Jian’an’s room.

Li Jian’an’s room resembled a daycare center. It was nearly midnight, and the children were still full of energy, clamoring for Li Jian’an to play with them. When Yu Ke knocked and entered, they immediately quieted down, watching her intently.

Yu Ke brought snacks and candies for them, urging them to play elsewhere.

A few children hesitated to leave, but after Angel scolded them, they obediently took the candies and ran off.

“Is it exhausting taking care of children?” Yu Ke was about to sit on the sofa but frowned upon noticing paint stains on it.

“Haha, how could it not be?” Li Jian’an, sitting on the floor, stretched lazily. “But it’s quite fun. Children aren’t malicious, they’re just energetic and need patient companionship. The more time you spend with them, the deeper their affection for you grows.”

Yu Ke’s elegant brows furrowed near the bridge of her nose, but she offered no comment.

Li Jian’an added, “I heard Xiao Nan and Lan Zhen ran off. Do you know where they went?”

“She didn’t say. Lan Zhen has her own ship, she can go wherever she wants,” Yu Ke said. “From the very beginning, she made it clear that she didn’t plan to travel with us for long.”

But no one expected she would take Xiao Nan away with her.

Li Jian’an shrugged and let out a soft sigh.

“Should we not have helped her back then?” Li Jian’an mused after a moment of silence. “She… I mean Xiao Nan, she still seems the same, a little… how should I put it? Easily swayed by appearances, forgetting her duties. She probably forgot that she was a maid you paid for. How could she just leave with Lan Zhen like that?”

“And she left without even telling me, it’s practically running away,” Yu Ke chuckled lightly. “Maybe she saw me as an easy mark.”

Li Jian’an sighed and rubbed his forehead. “She still hasn’t even asked about my injury.”

A bandage was stuck to his forehead, a remnant of the time he threw himself into danger to save Xiao Nan on Planet 356, where he was beaten by rioters. In the end, all he got was a comment calling him “reckless,” and nothing more.

Yu Ke sighed softly and comforted him, “I’m sorry for her behavior. I’m also sorry for persuading you to wait for her to come back. I shouldn’t have held such high expectations for her.”

Li Jian’an shook his head. “When you persuaded me, you were just voicing my own thoughts. At the time, I thought the same, I believed Xiao Nan would come back. Ah, well.”

“Let it be.”

“Yeah,” Li Jian’an pursed his lips, lifted his head to look at Yu Ke, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke. “Actually, I also wanted to say… I hope you don’t feel too disappointed. You still have us. You can always place your hopes in me.”

“I know. You’ve never let me down,” Yu Ke replied.

Li Jian’an grinned sheepishly and scratched his head. “There’s one more thing I want to talk to you about.”

Yu Ke: “?”

Li Jian’an stood up and said seriously, “I want to talk to you about Hepburn.”

“Who?”

Li Jian’an took out his phone and showed Yu Ke a photo.

In the picture was a mature, intellectual-looking noblewoman, seemingly around thirty years old, with a beautiful appearance.

“She looks familiar,” Yu Ke said, his gaze sweeping over the group of children in the photo before settling on a girl of about seven or eight. “It’s her, right?”

Li Jian’an nodded. “Do you know who she is?”

Yu Ke: “I don’t recognize her.”

“The daughter of a cabinet minister in Hongxi,” Li Jian’an said uneasily. “I’ve received news that this cabinet minister’s daughter seems to be suffering from a terminal illness now. She needs a liver transplant, and I’m worried they might set their sights on Hepburn.”

Yu Ke looked incredulous. “Couldn’t they find a suitable donor? Are they planning to harvest organs from a living person?”

“Because she’s a clone, her organs are the most compatible with the original host,” Li Jian’an explained. “I’m just worried they might go that far. I hope they wouldn’t be that insane.”

“I’ll keep an eye on this matter,” Yu Ke said, then took one last look at Hepburn, who was quietly playing, before turning to leave.

Back in the room, Lan Xing was already asleep in bed.

A small puddle of water remained by the bedside, having seeped over from the bathroom.

Thinking of Lan Xing crawling out of the bathroom, struggling to climb into bed alone, and even tidying up the scattered clothes on the bed, Yu Ke felt a pang of heartache.

She leaned over, her hair falling onto Lan Xing’s pillow, and gently kissed her lips.

Lan Xing’s lips appeared full and plump, with corners that naturally curved upward when closed, and when she smiled, it was so sweet it could make one’s heart flutter. When her lips parted slightly, they looked full and sexy, yet when kissed and held between one’s own lips, they didn’t feel as heavy as they appeared, just the perfect size. Yu Ke held the back of her neck with one hand, lowering her head to taste them over and over again.

Lan Xing slowly woke, her weary eyes still closed, offering a kiss first, actively responding to Yu Ke. Her restless hands wandered downward from Yu Ke’s waist, her tail swaying gently yet firmly.

After leaving Planet 356, Lan Xing had dyed her tail again to maintain the identity of Princess Panda, ensuring they wouldn’t be troubled by local authorities upon arriving at Datianxi.

If possible, Yu Ke didn’t want Lan Xing to follow her through such a turbulent life.

She had thought about returning to seize power.

But she currently lacked the strength. After breaking with Queen Jiao, her influence in the capital had dwindled to almost nothing, what could she use to compete with Yu Jie?

Moreover, Yu Jie had the king’s support, while she had nothing.

If Xing’er’s identity were exposed, neither of them would have a place to stand.

To Panda, Xing’er would become a disposable pawn, her only value being an obstacle.

Another one might appear at any time, and when that happened, Xing’er’s situation would become even more awkward.

Yu Ke kissed her gently, turning her over and pressing down from behind. Mermaids had stronger bodies, which made Yu Ke even more cautious not to hurt her, moving with extra care and gentleness. She couldn’t mark Lan Xing, and sometimes she felt she wasn’t a proper Alpha, their relationship seemed more like a purely same-sex intimacy.

But even so, Yu Ke was deeply intoxicated.

In the middle of the night, Yu Ke heard a faint, unusual sound and woke with a start.

The noise came from the balcony. She grabbed her gun and rose, moving like a cat to the window, peering through the glass at the shadowy figure in the darkness.