Chapter 257 Do you think it has that kind of intelligence?

One minute later—

With a splash, a bright yellow lifebuoy broke through the surface of the sea, water spraying in all directions!

The two of them surfaced!

Song Xingmian was pressed tightly against Chen Yu, her arms still wrapped around his neck. One of her two white straps had slipped off her shoulder; she was as stunning as a beauty emerging from a bath!

Han Cheng's face was gloomy. "Lu Heng... you're damn good at taking advantage... getting so close to Mianmian..."

Ding Shouchang stood behind Han Cheng and shook his head.

This was nothing. If Captain Han had seen what happened underwater, wouldn't he be fuming with rage?

But of course, he didn't dare say those words aloud.

Then...

With many hands helping, the two were pulled onto the deck.

Song Xingmian knelt on the deck, her camisole clinging tightly to her body, outlining her shoulders and collarbones.

She gasped for air, looking at Lu Heng not far away. He lay motionless on the deck, the wound on his left shoulder bleeding again from the irritation of the salt...

Han Cheng was the first to rush forward, half-kneeling beside Song Xingmian and draping a coat over her shoulders.

"Mianmian! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Several other Awakened also gathered around, some handing over water, some bringing blankets, all chattering away.

"Miss Song, was that old geezer eaten by the sea monster?"

"Did you see anything underwater?"

"Put on a blanket, Miss Song, don't catch a cold..."

Song Xingmian shook her head, subconsciously wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

Han Cheng frowned. "Mianmian, why are your lips so red?"

Song Xingmian paused for a moment before finally saying, "Maybe it's because I held my breath for too long. There's no oxygen underwater, so blood circulation concentrates in the head. Congested lips are normal."

She stood up from the deck, ignoring the concerned inquiries around her.

"Move aside."

She walked through the crowd straight to Lu Heng, knelt beside him, and pulled out bandages and styptic cotton from her backpack. With practiced movements, she wrapped them around his injured left shoulder layer by layer.

Chen Yu coughed, appearing to suddenly regain consciousness, his voice raspy. "Tha... thank you..."

Song Xingmian didn't look up, only continuing to wrap the bandages. "It's me who should thank you."

Chen Yu leaned against the gunwale, his face still wearing that weak expression.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but curse secretly.

Why hasn't the Red Phoenix Tribulation Seat reacted yet?

I took a knife for her, the wound is real, I fell into the water, and we even did mouth-to-mouth underwater!

How has the "Red Luan Identified" prompt still not popped up?

Do I have to risk my life to win her over?

Just how thick is this woman's psychological defense?

Chen Yu sighed in his heart...

If she were an ordinary girl, this combo of moves would have definitely secured a red luan slot!

No...

I can't keep boiling the frog in lukewarm water; I need to use some strong medicine!

He turned his head slightly and spoke softly, "Mianmian..."

Song Xingmian was a bit surprised to hear this form of address, but she didn't say anything yet.

The others couldn't sit still!

"Is 'Mianmian' something you're allowed to call her?!"

Han Cheng stood a few steps away and spoke viciously, "Lu Heng! Who do you think you are? Is her name something you can call? What do you think your status is?!"

Others on the ship also joined in the condemnation, especially Han Cheng's lackeys:

"Lu Heng! What is Miss Song's status? How dare you call her so intimately!"

"Of everyone here, only Captain Han is qualified to call her Mianmian!"

"Don't think that just because you luckily took a knife for her, you can push your luck! This is called being a hooligan!"

Indignant condemnations filled the ship.

"Enough!"

Song Xingmian took a deep breath. "He can call me whatever he wants! What does it have to do with you?!"

Han Cheng was a bit angry. "But..."

"There are no 'buts'!"

Song Xingmian turned. "Lu Heng, what were you going to say?"

Chen Yu coughed lightly twice, straining the wound on his left shoulder. "Mianmian, sorry, just now underwater..."

"Stop!"

Song Xingmian quickly interrupted, her face turning slightly red. "Alright, don't talk about that, it's not important... You should rest first, your wound is still bleeding..."

Chen Yu shook his head. "No, it might not be important to you, but to me, when you held me underwater, I thought I was dreaming. Do you remember that girl I mentioned?"

"I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never have the courage to say it again..."

Song Xingmian shook her head. "There will be chances in the future. We won't end here in this mission."

How could she not understand Lu Heng's feelings?

From the moment he took that knife for her, she understood everything.

But in the end, he was just an ordinary person.

Even if he was chosen by Officer Zhou,

even if he had other abilities,

her identity and Talent destined her to have no involvement with any man in the future.

"Enough!!!"

Han Cheng took two steps forward and looked down at Lu Heng, his tone filled with anger.

"Lu Heng, you certainly know how to pick the right time to play the hero. Usually, you don't help with rowing and don't step up in a fight, acting like a frail scholar. Yet, the moment Mianmian is in danger, you move so fast?"

Chen Yu coughed. "Cough, cough... I... cough, I'm not sure either. At that time, I saw Mianmian was in danger, and I just went for it instinctively..."

Song Xingmian pursed her lips and said nothing.

Han Cheng sneered and questioned, "Heh... your act is quite realistic. Tell me! Did you plan this whole thing out long ago?"

Song Xingmian's face suddenly darkened. "Han Cheng! What do you mean by that?"

Han Cheng lifted his head. "Exactly what I said. I think this guy is faking it!"

Song Xingmian was a bit angry. "You think he intentionally took a knife, intentionally fell into the sea, and intentionally almost died from oxygen deprivation underwater? Just to perform a Self-injury ruse for you?"

Han Cheng said in a low voice, "Mianmian, it's for you! Calm down and think about it. If he were really in danger underwater, would his pet stay so quietly at the stern of the boat?"

He tilted his chin, gesturing toward the stern. "See for yourself!"

Song Xingmian turned her head to look at the stern.

Water Bubble was lying on the edge of the gunwale, its small black dot-like eyes staring blankly this way. It tilted its head and blew a string of tiny bubbles, looking dazed and ignorant, like an idiot.

Song Xingmian became even angrier. "Look at it! Does it look like it has that level of intelligence?!"