185: Chapter 185 A Warm Family, Weary from Their Journey

Little Five threw herself into Mermaid Clan Queen's arms, overjoyed.

She actually saw Grandmother.

Mermaid Clan Queen picked her up, the wrinkles at the corners of her happy eyes deepening noticeably as she kissed the little one a few times and pinched her cheek.

Chi Yu wasn't home at the moment; he had gone to catch sea beasts.

Seeing Sang Yu with one sock on and one sock off, Fu Ning picked her up. "Sa Yu, how did you put socks on Little Yu?"

He didn't even want to comment. Couldn't he be a bit more careful?

Sa Yu walked downstairs holding a cute little bear-patterned sock, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Who told her to run so fast?"

He was still looking for the sock when the little one had already disappeared.

Fu Ning shot him a glance, snatched the sock, and put it on the cub.

Sang Yu hugged Fu Ning's neck and affectionately nuzzled against him. Anyone who didn't know better would think Fu Ning was her biological Father.

"You little ingrate." Sa Yu ruffled her head and turned to look after the other Cubs.

He only saw mates working together to care for their Cubs in Qing Qing and her friend; other beastmen only took care of their own Cubs.

After the Cubs woke up, the house became lively and noisy.

Xuan Xiao quickly closed the Kitchen door, afraid they might wander in and knock over something dangerous.

Xing Jiu and Aniel played with them, the sounds of laughter and play echoing through the villa. Even Mermaid Clan Queen was infected, smiling warmly.

When she saw Fu Ning meticulously wiping the Cubs' hands and gently teaching them, she felt deeply moved.

This lad has become much steadier.

Perhaps his choice back then wasn't wrong.

The Fu Ning of today seems much more vibrant than before.

May the beast god above grant him a lifetime of happiness.

The night was as tranquil as water, peaceful and gentle.

The sound of boiling water echoed in the bathroom, the transparent glass reflecting a tall figure.

Grabbing a towel to wrap around his lean waist, Aniel shook the water from his head and stepped in front of the mirror.

He haphazardly dried his hair, his messy yet casual golden curls framing his face as he grinned, a bright and sunny smile.

After tugging the towel down a bit, he opened the door and went out.

Sang Qing was in the rocking chair, reading the proposal Chris had given her, her eyes fixed on the pages.

Carrying the fresh scent of shower gel, Aniel came before her and snatched the proposal from her hands.

"Give it back!" Sang Qing looked up, quickly scanning him before speaking unhappily.

Aniel clutched the proposal, pouting slightly, and plopped himself into Sang Qing's lap.

Sang Qing nearly had the wind knocked out of her, feeling as if her ribs were about to break.

"...Do you have any idea how heavy you are?"

Catching her breath, Sang Qing smirked and reached up to pinch his cheek.

Aniel rubbed the spot for her, acting obediently. "Sorry, sis. Let me rub it for you, okay?"

"Don't cause trouble, or I'll skin you."

Sang Qing chuckled, glanced at him, took the proposal back, and began reading carefully.

Aniel pouted discontentedly, lying in her lap, clinging to her like a sticky, pampered husband.

A long while later, she finally finished reading the proposal about Port development.

Yawning, Sang Qing tossed the proposal aside and rubbed her eyes.

Aniel, fast asleep, didn't move a muscle. His thick eyelashes looked fine and soft, his still slightly chubby cheek pressed against her, his moist lips free of any chapping. His smooth face under the light appeared innocent and pure, as if dreaming of something wonderful, the corners of his lips slightly upturned.

The sleeping lion was harmless, his innocent yet handsome face enough in her previous life to outshine countless pretty boys.

Sang Qing raised her hand, ruffling his hair, savoring the peaceful moment.

But the peace didn't last long. Late at night, the doorbell at the front gate rang abruptly.

Sang Qing wondered who could be visiting so late.

Thinking it might be Zhou Wanwan from next door, she had just pushed Aniel awake to go answer the door when she heard footsteps beat her to it, going downstairs.

Xing Jiu walked downstairs and turned on the living room light. Before he could reach the door, he saw a dark figure standing on the high wall, as if trying to climb over.

"Who's there?"

"What are you doing?"

Xing Jiu shouted, his expression immediately turning serious as he looked around for a weapon.

At the same time, Xuan Xiao and Fu Ning, who were still putting the Cubs to sleep, were startled. Xuan Xiao handed the cub to Fu Ning and immediately leapt downstairs.

Sa Yu and Herman almost simultaneously burst out of their rooms, rushing downstairs.

They all thought it was an intruder, but when they saw the male standing before Xing Jiu, his face gloomy, they couldn't help but frown.

It was an intruder, alright, just a rather unexpected one.

Xing Jiu put down the weapon in his hand, looking rather speechless.

Xuan Xiao, however, stood seriously, blocking the entrance. "What are you doing here so late at night?"

Couldn't he use the door instead of climbing the wall? Xing Jiu should have given him a couple of hits.

"Where's Sang Qing? I need to see her." Feng Yuan said coldly, clenching his fists, his eyes bloodshot as he tried to push his way inside.

Of course, Sa Yu and Xing Jiu wouldn't allow it, directly blocking his path and pushing him back.

Feng Yuan grew furious. The thought of not having seen Sang Qing for two or three days made him unbearably irritable. Disregarding all manners, he started fighting them.

Herman and Fu Ning exchanged a glance and charged forward.

They'd long been annoyed with him. Causing trouble this late at night was just handing them an excuse.

Don't say they were ganging up on him. If he had any sense, he wouldn't have acted like a thief in the middle of the night.

Sang Qing came downstairs at this moment.

Looking at the chaotic scene in the yard where Feng Yuan was being surrounded and beaten by several males, she frowned deeply.

"Feng Yuan?"

What was he doing here?

"All of you, stop!" Sang Qing quickly called out in a low voice, trying to calm these restless males in the middle of the night.

Feng Yuan's fierce gaze softened upon seeing Sang Qing, his eyes lighting up as he pushed the males aside and ran towards her.

Sang Qing stepped back, and Xuan Xiao grabbed him.

"Enough! What do you want?" Xuan Xiao looked at him with confusion, his dark serpentine pupils reflecting his displeasure, his voice icy.

Unable to break free, Feng Yuan could only look at Sang Qing from several meters away. "Why did you leave Beast King City?

Why didn't you take me with you?"

Why did she keep abandoning him?

"Nonsense. You're not Qing Qing's mate, why should she take you?" Herman's words were, as always, cutting.

He stood in front of Sang Qing, glanced at the travel-weary male, and curled his lips in disdain. "If you climbed the wall in the middle of the night just to say this, I suggest you leave now.

If it weren't for avoiding you, we wouldn't have gone out so late at night. Don't you have any self-awareness?"

"Herman." Sang Qing pressed her lips slightly, calling his name softly, signaling him to stop.

Feng Yuan's eyes instantly dimmed a few degrees.

So that was it.

No wonder they had all vanished overnight.

Dropping his head, Feng Yuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and straightened up. "You should have told me. I don't want to be left behind by you, not like before."

Sang Qing felt a pang in her heart hearing this.

How long was he going to keep this up?

Between them... "All of you, go inside. Let me talk to him for a moment." Sang Qing looked at him, feeling his aura of dejection and loneliness even from a distance.

"Qing Qing..." Xuan Xiao looked at her worriedly.

He wasn't comfortable with Qing Qing being alone with Feng Yuan.

"It's fine." Sang Qing waved her hand, a faint smile on her lips. "I'll just say a few words to him."

Fu Ning and Herman shot Feng Yuan a glare and swaggered back into the house.

Xuan Xiao glanced back worriedly and sat down in the living room to wait.

He'd just keep an eye on them, that should be fine.

If Feng Yuan dared try anything, he would definitely beat him to death.

The night wind was chilly. Sang Qing, wearing only pajamas, felt goosebumps rise on the back of her hands as the wind blew.

"Feng Yuan," she said.

"I'm really not worth this. Give up."

Continuing this entanglement was pointless.

Feng Yuan stepped forward, his eyes full of resistance, his voice desolate. "But without you, I would die.

Sang Qing.

I only beg you not to abandon me again."

He could refrain from clinging to her, but how could she just leave him behind?

This time, he thought she was going on another long journey. The panic and helplessness he felt then, he would never forget.

It was too hard.

Life without her was like suffocation, painful and hopeless.

"It's not like that, Feng Yuan.

What was between us ended long ago. Can't you focus your mind on something else?

Seeing you like this all the time, I feel helpless.

Then let me tell you the truth. The Sang Sang who made a contract with you died long ago.

I am not her, so from the very beginning, there was never any relationship between us.

Do you understand?"

Sang Qing's face was calm as she took a deep breath and explained in a low voice.

"...What?" Feng Yuan was momentarily confused by her words.

Wasn't Sang Sang just Sang Qing?

She had only changed her name.

How could she be dead?

Sang Qing closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her lips together, speaking with finality. "In short, there is absolutely no possibility between us."

Feng Yuan felt as if a giant hand had seized his heart, the pain making it hard to breathe.

No!

Please, no!

He wouldn't accept it, he refused!

His vision swam, Feng Yuan's body slumped slightly, his breathing becoming rapid.

Suddenly, everything went black before his eyes, and he collapsed into Sang Qing's arms.

"Feng Yuan? Feng Yuan?" Sang Qing supported him in alarm.

Had the shock been too much?

Sigh, what a hassle.

Inside the house.

After finishing the treatment, Chi Yu glanced at Feng Yuan's somewhat pale face and turned to his mate. "He just fainted from exhaustion. A night's rest and he'll be fine."

Sang Qing sat in a chair nearby, letting out a sigh of relief.

That was good.

"He probably ran here day and night from Beast King City." Chi Yu's expression was complex as he scanned Feng Yuan's face, feeling a touch of admiration.

A stubborn fellow.

Sang Qing rubbed her temples, her small face showing weariness as she said helplessly, "I don't know where he got the news from."

Chi Yu sat down beside her, pulling her into his embrace. "Go to sleep."

"Don't stay here watching over him. Feng Yuan won't wake up anytime soon."

Sang Qing stood up, kissed Chi Yu's cheek, and said, "It's fine for him to rest alone. You don't need to watch over him either."

She pulled Chi Yu to leave, but her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Feng Yuan's worn-out soles.

Her eyes lowered in shame as a sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.

Did Feng Yuan truly not care about anything?

What should she do with him?

Late at night.

A figure quietly slipped into Feng Yuan's room.

The pitch-black room was utterly silent, save for the sound of even breathing.

Walking to the bedside, Sang Qing looked down at the pill in her palm.

Although she had promised Sa Yu and the others not to use this pill on any beastman... but beastmen could see at night. Looking at the approximate male figure on the bed, Sang Qing gritted her teeth and decided to feed him the Amnesia Pill once more.

"I'm sorry, Feng Yuan."

"Being even is our best ending."

"Don't let this entanglement continue."

Sang Qing pinched Feng Yuan's cheek, forcing his mouth open. Just as she was about to feed him the pill, she saw a trail of tears silently fall from the corner of his eye.

He was awake.

Feng Yuan didn't move, lying there quietly without resistance, only weeping silently.

Sang Qing's hand froze, stopping.

Was this moment too cruel for him?

Sang Qing couldn't know.

But looking at his torrential tears and ragged breathing, she found herself unable to go through with it.

They remained frozen like this for a long time, so long that Sang Qing's waist grew sore before she finally came to her senses.

"Now you know what kind of beast I am. Don't hold onto any lingering attachment for me."

Sang Qing chose to give up. After saying just this to him, she put away the pill in her hand.

Perhaps she would never have another chance to get this close to him again.

She turned to leave but was suddenly grabbed from behind by Feng Yuan.

His cold tears quickly soaked through the clothes on her back. His slightly trembling body seemed fragile, unlike a Ninth-tier Warrior.

"I'll eat it. I'll eat it."

"Let me hold you a little longer, Sang Qing."

His hoarse voice was thick with reluctance. Feng Yuan held her, his arms tightening continuously.

If she wanted to abandon him so badly, what else could he do?

He would eat it.

At least at the moment he swallowed it, she should be happy.

Sang Qing didn't push him away, quietly feeling the warmth of his body until he opened her hand... She was stunned for a moment, watching him tremble as he picked up the pill.

Feng Yuan released her. His moist eyes reflected her bright face. As if wanting to imprint her image more clearly, he didn't even blink, a faint smile curling his lips.

The pill in his hand was small, but he couldn't understand how such a tiny pill could possess such a miraculous ability—to make him forget the beast he loved most.

Picking up the pill, Feng Yuan slowly brought it to his lips and pleaded humbly to Sang Qing, "If... I fall in love with you again, please don't reject me, okay?"

If, by chance, they met again and he fell for her just as recklessly, she must give him a chance.

Feng Yuan smiled bleakly and swallowed the pill in his hand.

Sang Qing raised her hand, touched her face, and felt warm liquid roll down her cheek.

Was she crying too?

No!

Seeing Feng Yuan's lips about to close, Sang Qing quickly stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Cupping his face with both hands, Sang Qing's tongue probed into his mouth.

Feng Yuan stiffened all over, frozen in place.

He didn't even know where to put his hands.

Sang Qing pried open his teeth, found the pill he hadn't yet had time to swallow, and deftly hooked it away.

The pill tumbled and rolled onto the floor. Sang Qing wiped the corner of her mouth. She didn't know why she had acted so crazily.

But what was done was done; it was too late for regrets.

Feng Yuan's gaze softened, filled with disbelief.

She... Sang Qing looked up at the dumbfounded beastman and pushed him away.

So annoying.

She turned to leave, but Feng Yuan wouldn't allow it.

He hugged Sang Qing, the corners of his lips curving wildly upward. An indescribable joy spread through his entire body.

From heaven to hell took only a second, and from hell to heaven was the same.

Feng Yuan held her tightly, feeling the surge of emotion as her soft body pressed against his chest, sensing her displeasure mixed with awkwardness, her contradictory words and tender, tangled feelings.

He thought, spring had indeed arrived.

Sang Qing was held so tightly she could barely breathe.

She patted his chest, signaling him to let go.

But this guy acted as if he didn't notice, maintaining the same stiff posture.

"...Mmm..." Feng Yuan grunted as a pain shot through his chest.

Sang Qing had bitten him hard, finally eliciting a different reaction.

Feng Yuan didn't want to let go. Even if she bit off a piece of his flesh, he only wanted to hold her a little longer.

Sang Qing's teeth ached before she slowly released him.

Seeing him stare at her as if nothing had happened, she pursed her lips.

So thick-skinned.

Feng Yuan lowered his head, loosening his hold slightly. "Sang Qing, don't bite there. Bite here!"

He brought his thin lips to her mouth, slowly leaning closer, his voice enticing.

His warm lips lightly touched the corner of her mouth, from a slight touch to slowly covering hers. Feng Yuan proceeded with extreme care.

Did she think he wouldn't dare?

Sang Qing glared at him, opened her mouth, and bit his lip.

Feng Yuan's scalp tingled from the pain, but his heart felt utterly exhilarated.

Sang Qing realized Feng Yuan had poor bed manners.

Or perhaps it was just an older man's impatience.

After all, he was about the same age as Xuan Xiao, several years older than Sang Qing.

It was a shame. Regardless of whether he was good or not, Sang Qing couldn't let anything happen with him tonight.

At the last moment, Sang Qing gave him a cruel smile and pulled away.

"Ahhh!" Feng Yuan pounded the bed in frustration.

bad female!

Only after Sang Qing left did he realize he hadn't secured a promise, nor had he gained any status. Yet, she had touched him all over and seen everything.

This made Feng Yuan even angrier.

He didn't sleep all night.

When Sang Qing opened the door in the morning, she was met with a pair of deep, dark circles under his eyes, full of resentment and pitifulness.

"..."

Shame, shame.

Sang Qing smiled stiffly, suddenly feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Well, now they had enough for two tables of mahjong.

There was no helping it. Since she had kissed him and touched him, she had to take responsibility.

Thus, Feng Yuan joined the family, becoming Sang Qing's final mate.

"Devious!" Herman.

"Shameless!" Fu Ning.

"No shame!" Sa Yu.

The sourness in the air lingered for several days without dissipating.

After resolving Feng Yuan's matter, Sang Qing busied herself at the Port, planning follow-up matters daily with Chris.

With the help of the Mermaid Clan Queen's name, Merfolk gradually moved in, injecting fresh energy into this brand-new Port city.

The factories at the Port were mainly responsible for sea creature fishing and processing.

Fresh sea creatures caught from the ocean were sent to the factories. Part was made into Dried Sea Creature, part into Meat Paste, then respectively sent to the Market and Beast King City.

Sang Qing also regularly listed sea creature products in the Mall to earn points.

Her sea creature meat seemed quite popular, with some buyers placing bulk orders.

Sang Qing would never complain about too many points; she wished more people would buy.

By the time the Port could operate stably, it was already the second month of spring.

Originally planning to stay only a dozen or so days at the Port, they had now stayed almost two months in the blink of an eye.

By the seaside, the Cubs carried small buckets, picking up shells and small sea creatures on the beach. The five little ones walked and stopped, having a great time.

In spring, the sunlight was gentle.

The Cubs wore only shorts and T-shirts, barefoot, hopping and skipping around.

As for why there were five, because one had gone swimming in the sea with Fu Ning.

Little Five, holding a sea creature in his mouth, was carried ashore by Fu Ning.

The adorable, Cute Cub looked cute and lovely. His round, exquisite little tail hadn't yet changed back and swished in the air.

Sang Qing, wearing a tank top with her long hair loose, held Little Seven and strolled leisurely along the beach.

Seeing this scene, a faint smile curved her lips.

"Mother, look, the sea creature I caught." After turning human, Little Five raised the young sea creature in his hand, ran dashingly to Sang Qing, and beamed a bright smile.

Herman took Little Seven. Sang Qing crouched down, ruffled Little Five's head, and praised, "Our Miao Miao is truly amazing."

"This is for you, Mother." Little Five handed the small sea creature to Sang Qing, then turned to join his older siblings in their shell-collecting mission.

Sang Qing looked at the tiny sea creature, smaller than her palm, and her corners of the mouth twitched.

Oh well, it was the child's heartfelt gift. She had to accept it.

Fu Ning shook the water droplets from his hair, took Sang Qing's hand, and placed something in her palm.

Sang Qing guessed first from the tactile... "It's a pearl!"

Sang Qing opened her hand. A pink pearl the size of an eyeball lay quietly in her palm, emitting a soft, lustrous glow all over.

Fu Ning grinned. "Do you like it, Qing Qing?"

His long blue hair blended with the azure sea before them. Sang Qing held the pearl, kissed him, and said, "I love it!"

At this moment, Aniel only wished he weren't a fish; otherwise, he could also dive into the sea to find pearls for his mate.

He folded his arms and huffed twice, earning a disdainful glance from Fu Ning.