346: Chapter 126 The Mermaid, The Incident

Three days later, Zhu Danchen and the local authorities had searched for Duan Yu to no avail.

Meng Li stayed no longer and set off on the road back to Suzhou with Wang Yuyan, Mu Wanqing, and the others.

Zhu Danchen's side split into two groups: Zhu Danchen continued to find ways to search for Duan Yu's tracks, while Fu Sigui, Gan Baobao, and Zhong Ling returned to Dali with Duan Zhengchun's remains and Gu Ducheng's ashes...

Several days later, Meng Li and his group arrived in Suzhou and took a boat back to Canhe Village.

While passing by Manda Mountain Villa, Meng Li accompanied Wang Yuyan to visit Li Qingluo and incidentally informed her of Duan Zhengchun's death.

After hearing the account of what happened, Li Qingluo only dazed slightly, her emotions not showing much change.

The shadow of Duan Zhengchun in her heart had long been obliterated by Meng Li.

Afterward, she sneered, "That Qin Hongmian really was right."

"Mother, what do you mean by that?" Wang Yuyan was puzzled.

Meng Li also didn't quite understand.

Li Qingluo explained, "Didn't you injure Duan Zhengchun on the day you learned about your parentage? After you left, Qin Hongmian and the others came and asked who had injured him. Duan Zhengchun was too embarrassed to say, so he was vague about it."

"Qin Hongmian knew his nature, so she said through gritted teeth that he would sooner or later die because of his romantic debts."

"And based on the situation you just described, the main responsibility for Duan Zhengchun's death can be attributed to his romantic debts."

"Therefore, it is not an exaggeration at all to say he died because of his romantic debts."

"In this way, Qin Hongmian's words back then can be said to have come true."

Wang Yuyan and Meng Li finally understood, and upon thinking about it, they felt it made sense.

Then, the two chatted with Li Qingluo for a few more moments before returning to Canhe Village.

Upon returning to Canhe Village, A Zhu, A Bi, and the others had already made arrangements, so Meng Li and Wang Yuyan went directly to bathe.

"Shall we take a mandarin duck bath together, wife?" Meng Li invited with a smile.

Wang Yuyan's jade-like Face turned red, and she chose to refuse without hesitation.

It was still daytime; she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Meng Li didn't force it and turned to go to his own bath.

Just as he undressed and sat in the bath, he noticed a figure swimming over underwater.

After making contact, Meng Li was slightly surprised; it wasn't A Zi, but a more plump and gentle Big Mermaid.

Not long after, the Big Mermaid broke through the water, skillfully found a suitable position to sit in Meng Li's lap, and then began to stir up trouble...

Afterward, Meng Li squeezed two handfuls of rich Mermaid flesh, looked at the Big Mermaid who was slumped in his arms pretending to sleep to recover her breath, and asked softly, "Did A Zi tell you?"

The Big Mermaid's eyelashes trembled slightly as she opened her starry eyes, which still held a lingering blur, and said with a bit of trepidation, "I also know I shouldn't have, but..."

"Please don't loathe me, okay? I'll listen to you in everything from now on."

Having said that, her eyes, bright as the stars, stared intently at Meng Li.

Meng Li brushed the fine hair on her Face and said warmly, "It's only human nature; why would I loathe you?"

Confirming that he wasn't lying, a flash of determination crossed the Big Mermaid's eyes. She then turned around and sat down again, though the movement was much more difficult than before.

Meng Li noticed something was off and frowned, "You've got it wrong."

"No," the Big Mermaid replied, slowly adjusting.

Meng Li: "?!"

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Big Mermaid successfully sat in his lap.

She let out a long sigh of relief, turned to look at him, and said with a flirtatious smile, "This is a technique I've learned from books these past few days; today is the first time I've put it into practice."

"Do you like it, Master~?"

Meng Li didn't speak, answering directly with action.

...

When the Big Mermaid had completely quieted down, A Zi walked in carrying clothes to finish the latter half of the session.

Afterward, the two of them finished up and went out, just happening to run into A Zhu and Wang Yuyan who were coming this way.

Seeing Meng Li and A Zi come out together, Wang Yuyan immediately understood something. She glared at Meng Li, then pinched A Zi's Face and said, "You little hussy, doing this in broad daylight, you're becoming more and more shameless."

A Zi hurriedly apologized and begged for mercy piteously, "Shiniang Sister, I was wrong, please spare me."

Wang Yuyan gave a light snort, let go, looked at A Zhu, and said crossly, "Instead of helping them stall me, you might as well have been keeping watch here."

A Zhu smiled and said, "I'll listen to the Young Mistress; next time I'll keep watch here."

Wang Yuyan was so angry she made a gesture as if to hit her.

A Zhu quickly dodged and hid behind Meng Li.

Meng Li coughed twice and took the responsibility upon himself, "Don't blame them, it's because I was craving it and insisted on it."

"You wanted it, and they just gave it?"

"Mm," Meng Li responded softly.

"Then have you had enough?" Wang Yuyan asked with a stern Face.

Meng Li first nodded, then shook his head, and then said, "I thought it was enough, but as soon as I see you, my lady, you look so delicious that I want another meal."

Wang Yuyan glanced at A Zhu and A Zi, the corners of her lips curling slightly, but she said, "In your dreams. You're not allowed in my room tonight."

Meng Li's expression immediately turned bitter.

At this time, A Bi came over and reported, "Young Master, Young Mistress, the Madam Aunt sent word that she has set a banquet for tonight and wants you to go over for drinks, and incidentally talk about the situation at Canhe Village these past few days."

"Additionally, Third Brother Bao and Fourth Brother Feng have arrived and want to report the situation of Jin Feng Village and Xuan Shuang Village to the Young Master."

Meng Li nodded, indicating he understood, then gave Wang Yuyan a quick explanation and went to see Bao Butong and Feng Boe.

Wang Yuyan didn't stay long either, going off with A Bi to handle other matters.

Only A Zhu and A Zi remained at the scene.

The two looked at each other and quietly sneaked into the bath, only to see the Big Mermaid inside already dressed and walking out, though her walking posture was a bit strange.

A Zhu went over to support her, thinking to herself that the Young Master must have used too much force.

Just as this thought surfaced, A Zi whispered something in her ear.

A Zhu listened, dumbfounded.

It can be done like that?

...

In the evening, Meng Li and Wang Yuyan went to Manda Mountain Villa for the banquet.

After the food had been tasted and the wine had gone around three times, Li Qingluo began to recount what had happened at Canhe Village and Manda Mountain Villa during the time the two were away.

Overall, there were no major issues because the businesses of both families had been operating for many years and had already formed a system.

Li Qingluo and Meng Li had each been in charge of Manda Mountain Villa and Canhe Village for more than just a day or two; they were clear about the inner workings and handled things with ease, making everything clear as soon as they spoke. Even Wang Yuyan, through what she had seen and heard, was no novice.

So, as soon as it got dark, Li Qingluo finished explaining the situation and turned to ask about the two's experiences attending the Heroes Assembly.

This questioning didn't stop until the moon rose above the willow trees.

Afterward, Meng Li and Wang Yuyan stayed overnight at Manda Mountain Villa as expected.

When it came time to enter the room, Meng Li was shut out.

"Wife, open the door."

"I won't. I said earlier that you're not allowed in my room tonight."

Meng Li was speechless, then said, "Really not opening?"

Wang Yuyan: "Really not opening."

Meng Li: "Then I'm going to sleep in the guest room."

Wang Yuyan: "Mm."

Meng Li: "I'm really going?"

Wang Yuyan: "..."

Meng Li gave a sigh and turned to leave.

Hearing the footsteps fading away, Wang Yuyan opened the door and saw that Meng Li had really left. She felt a bit of reluctance, but then thought it was just for one night and was no big deal, so she thought no more of it, closed the door, and went to rest.

However, in the middle of the night, she found herself a bit unable to sleep.

Should she take back what she said earlier? No! That would be losing too much Face.

Then should she go find him?

That would work; it wouldn't count as going back on her word, and he would definitely be pleasantly surprised.

Having decided, Wang Yuyan got up, dressed, went out, and used her Lightness Skill to head toward the guest room.

As she passed by, she unexpectedly heard a somewhat familiar sound coming from Li Qingluo's room...