I Woke Up To Find Myself Being Kept By A Mermaid – CH45

Chapter 45

Ruan Chen raised his head, meeting Lux’s golden eyes.

The merman’s eyelashes were lowered, and they were so close that the soft, tender smile in the depths of his eyes was perfectly clear.

The merman pup from earlier had also called him a little kid who had sneaked out, which had made Ruan Chen very angry.

But hearing those words come out of Lux’s mouth in that low, deep voice somehow made him feel a bit red-faced and embarrassed.

Ruan Chen—the “little kid”—quickly averted his face and said stiffly, “I am not a little kid. I don’t need a reward.”

“Hmm…” Lux thought for a moment, then smiled. “I am a little kid, then. Could Ruan Ruan please accompany me to buy a jelly sphere?”

“…” Ruan Chen scrutinized the merman up and down, whose tail was practically longer than Ruan Chen’s entire body.

For some reason, the image of that little merman from earlier suddenly popped into his head. A miniature version of Lux instantly had a template, floating right before his eyes.

Pairing that with the merman’s usual serious demeanor while commanding battles, the corners of Ruan Chen’s mouth twitched, and he barely kept himself from bursting out into a loud laugh.

Under Lux’s bewildered gaze, he forced a straight face. “Sure, little kid Lux. Where are the jelly spheres? I’ll go buy one for you.”

When they arrived at the shop selling the legendary jelly spheres, Ruan Chen suddenly felt something was amiss again when he saw that the entire queue consisted of tiny merman pups accompanied by their parents.

“I want another one…”

“No, you can only have one.”

Lux, however, looked completely unfazed. Holding Ruan Chen’s tiny hand, the human and the merman stopped at the very end of the line.

The little merman ahead, who was being held in an adult merman’s arms, was originally throwing a tantrum when he casually looked down and caught sight of Ruan Chen.

“Huh?” he whispered quietly into his parent’s ear. “Daddy, look at him. Why doesn’t he have a tail?”

The adult merman glanced over, understood what was going on instantly, and quickly turned back to pat the little merman’s head.

“He’s different from you. He’s a human.”

The little merman frowned. “How is he different? He’s only a tiny bit taller than me. He was also brought out by his daddy to buy a jelly sphere.”

Ruan Chen: “…”

Stiffly, he looked up and met Lux’s gaze.

Evidently, Lux had also overheard the conversation between the merman father and son.

He raised the arch of his eyebrow very slightly, attempting to change the subject. “Is Ruan Ruan tired? Do you want a hug?”

Ruan Chen wasn’t fooled by him. “No.”

He carefully observed the few pairs of mermen with their young ahead of them, and suddenly it clicked.

He was being led by the hand by Lux. With such a massive size difference, didn’t they look exactly like these merman parents leading their pups?

Ruan Chen went blank.

Once he realized this, he couldn’t stay here for another second.

Ruan Chen twisted his arm, trying to pull his hand out of Lux’s palm. “I’m not eating jelly spheres anymore. Buy it yourself.”

There were many mermen passing by, and Lux didn’t let go, afraid Ruan Chen would be bumped into.

He leaned down to coax him, “You aren’t small. You’ll still grow.”

Ruan Chen pursed his lips. “I was going to grow anyway… I can grow to at least 180 centimeters.”

Suppressing a laugh, Lux let out an “Mm.” “You are already much taller than you were before going to Base X.”

“Really?” Ruan Chen’s eyes widened.

“Really.” Lux measured against his own body. “Before you reached here, and now you already reach here.”

Going by his measurement, he had grown at least a few centimeters.

Ruan Chen believed him, and his mood improved considerably. “In the future, I’ll reach here.”

He pointed to the merman’s shoulder.

“I can let you reach here right now,” Lux said. He bent down, scooped him up, and held him in his arms. “Look, this way you’re even taller than me.”

It really was like coaxing a child.

“…” Ruan Chen subconsciously glanced at the little merman pup sitting on his parent’s shoulders nearby.

Lux followed his gaze. “Want to go even higher?”

He was about to lift him further when Ruan Chen pressed his hands down on him.

Ruan Chen was a bit annoyed. “Are you really coaxing me like a child?”

Lux froze. “How could I?”

He lowered Ruan Chen down a bit. “That little merman is young and doesn’t know any better. I was afraid his words would make you unhappy.”

Lux softened his tone. “I just want you to be happy, Ruan Ruan.”

The merman’s gaze was incredibly sincere, and the anger Ruan Chen had just built up deflated entirely.

He shifted his posture, turning his back to Lux, and let out an “Oh.”

This merman always played outside the rules.

Ruan Chen felt as if he was being completely wrapped around the merman’s finger, yet he couldn’t find anything wrong with it.

It took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence: “We’re almost at the front. What flavor do you want?”

Quickly scanning the jelly spheres in the hands of the little merman pups ahead, Ruan Chen urged him, “Pick one quickly. Anything except milk flavor.”

A few minutes later, it was their turn. Ruan Chen picked two sweet-flavored ones under the slightly surprised gaze of the shop assistant.

“Would you like them wrapped up for you?” the merman assistant asked Ruan Chen with a smile.

“Meow woo.” Ruan Chen shook his head, extending his small hands to take the two small bowls.

“Please come again!”

“Here.” He handed Lux his portion, only to suddenly realize that since the merman was holding him, Lux couldn’t take it.

Ruan Chen kicked his legs. “Put me down.”

Lux didn’t move.

Ruan Chen was startled at first, then understood what he meant.

“…Even those little kids aren’t demanding to be fed.” He held the small spoon and knitted his brows. “Eat it yourself.”

After saying that, he took a bite himself, the sweet, refreshing fruit flavor melting in his mouth.

Ruan Chen’s eyes lit up, and he scooped up another large spoonful.

Lux asked with a smile, “You like it?”

Ruan Chen’s movement paused.

He tilted the spoon, leaving only a small portion, and elegantly popped it into his mouth. “It’s alright.”

But after the second bite, far from satisfying his craving, he wished he could just slurp down the whole round sphere in one go.

“You don’t like it?” Lux leaned in, pretending to take a bite from his spoon. “Then give me half.”

Ruan Chen glared at him, swiftly stuffing the spoon into his own mouth, his words muffled: “You have your own bowl, eat yours!”

“I have to hold Ruan Ruan, I can’t eat,” Lux said, looking at him.

Look at you, acting all aggrieved now.

Seeing that some merman pups nearby were starting to stare at the two of them, Ruan Chen couldn’t afford to lose face like this.

He quickly scooped up a piece and held it up. “Here.”

Lux blinked.

Ruan Chen: “Are you eating or not? Forget it if you aren’t.”

“I’m eating.” Lux extended his tongue and gave it a lick.

The jelly piece wobbled precariously, nearly falling off the spoon.

Ruan Chen’s gaze was completely fixed on the tip of his tongue.

The merman’s tongue deftly curled the small piece into his mouth. It was a bit redder and more flushed than Ruan Chen had imagined, and the tip was somewhat slender.

His throat swallowed hard.

Lux raised his eyes to meet his gaze, the clear affection in his pale gold eyes completely unconcealed.

Ruan Chen’s hand gripping the spoon handle tightened.

After just a few seconds, he quickly averted his eyes, the tips of his ears flushing red. “How… how can you eat a piece of jelly so…”

“So what?” Lux asked innocently.

Ruan Chen: “…”

Ruan Chen: “Nothing.”

“Ah! Ruan, Admiral Lux, so you guys were here!” Just then, Joshua’s voice carried over, interrupting them. “I’ve been looking for ages, I was just about to video call you.”

Joshua drew closer and let out a “Huh?” “Ruan, your ears are so red.”

Guiltily, Ruan Chen licked his lips, talking around the subject. “I ran into a lost little merman just now and took her to find her parents. We were just about to head back to look for you guys.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lux reached out and brushed against the tip of his ear again.

Ruan Chen turned his head and slapped his hand away with a claw. Lux let out a soft hiss.

Joshua nodded understandingly. “So that’s what happened.”

He glanced around the surroundings again, feeling a bit puzzled. “But isn’t this place…” a place to buy snacks for little pups?

“Lux was clamoring to eat this, so I accompanied him here,” Ruan Chen cut Joshua off hurriedly.

Joshua was shocked. “Ah…”

Lux very cooperatively took a sip of the jelly sphere from Ruan Chen’s spoon. “Yes, I asked him to buy it for me.”

???

Is this another new public-display-of-affection technique between you two?!

It took Joshua a long time to snap out of his daze.

By the time they played until near evening, Ruan Chen was a bit tired. Saying goodbye to Joshua and the other merman, he got into Lux’s flying shuttle to head home.

It was the peak return hour in the evening, and the flying shuttle moved very slowly.

Ruan Chen leaned against the seat, crossing his legs as he messaged Joshua.

[Joshua: I think Admiral Lux definitely remembers the holiday. He must be preparing a surprise for you.]

[Joshua: If you don’t believe me, we can bet again.]

[Ruan Ruan: .]

[Ruan Ruan: No betting.]

[Joshua: [Smirk], don’t be scared, what if you win this time?]

Ruan Chen thought to himself that this was still a losing business.

Winning meant Lux hadn’t considered the Mate Festival, a loss; losing went without saying, still a loss.

[Ruan Ruan: A small bet is amusing, a big bet is harmful.]

[Ruan Ruan: Adults need to learn self-control.]

[Joshua: …]

[Joshua: Whatever you say.]

[Joshua: Oh right, in a few days Houston and I are preparing to set off for his parents’ house. Their family seems to have this tradition of gathering once before the Mate Festival, so I won’t be able to come out and play with you then.]

Ruan Chen stared at the line of text, his fingers pausing slightly.

[Ruan Ruan: It’s fine, hope meeting the parents goes smoothly.]

[Ruan Ruan: [Flower]]

After chatting about some random things, Ruan Chen turned off the optical computer when they finished, leaning against the window beside him and letting out a sigh.

The scenery outside the window moved backward slowly. The merman world remained brightly lit and very lively even at night.

From his angle, he could see quite a few families traveling together on the street, passing by hand-in-hand along the sidewalk.

With Lux making a fuss like that earlier, the thoughts that had churned up in the depths of his heart had been tossed to the back of his mind.

Now that things were quiet, his mood inevitably turned a bit low again.

When Lux looked back, Ruan Chen was drooping his eyelashes forlornly, tracing his finger against the window pane as if drawing something.

The streetlights outside reflected on his fair skin, casting a faint ring of cool, pale blue light around his entire person.

His gaze lingered on his fingertips for a few seconds. The merman swam over to Ruan Chen’s side and gently pressed his shoulder.

Ruan Chen didn’t pay him any attention, meticulously adding the final stroke to the faint drawing on the glass.

Only then did he turn his head, his voice a few pitches lower than usual, carrying a hint of hoarseness. “What?”

Lux sat down in the seat next to Ruan Chen. “What did you draw?”

“Nothing.” Ruan Chen rubbed his fingers together a few times and turned his head to ensure that the things on the glass were completely illegible. With his head lowered, he said, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know.”

The flying shuttle fell silent for a few seconds.

Ruan Chen was still staring blankly at a spot on the floor when Lux’s voice rang beside his ear again. “Does Ruan Ruan miss his family?”

“…” His thoughts exposed, Ruan Chen gripped his trousers tightly. “No.”

Lux raised his head.

The merman’s vision was far superior to a human’s; he could easily distinguish the traces left on the glass.

It was three little figures—two large ones on either side, holding the hand of a tiny one in the middle.

Ruan Chen heard the movement of Lux getting up.

He couldn’t stand this oppressive atmosphere and was just about to tell him not to ask further when he looked up and found the merman swimming back.

Before him held a bunch of delicate flowers.

Ruan Chen’s eyes widened slightly.

It wasn’t flowers.

It was the flower-like algae he had seen before at Base X, with a ring of purple at the center of the pistil and pale blue petals.

Ruan Chen liked it very much, so he remembered it very clearly.

“You…” His throat swallowed hard. “Where did you get this?”

The corners of Lux’s mouth curved up. “You like it?”

Ruan Chen took the bouquet, holding it carefully.

“I like it.”

Lux said softly, “On the way back after accepting the video call, I passed by a shop, happened to see it, and bought it.”

“I also ordered a crate of saplings,” he added. “I originally wanted to… give it to you during the Mate Festival.”

The Mate Festival.

Ruan Chen was dazed.

He hadn’t forgotten.

“It’s a festival specifically for mermen and their partners to celebrate,” Lux explained patiently, assuming he didn’t know. “Although… Ruan Ruan hasn’t agreed to be my partner yet, I still wanted to give it to you.”

Ruan Chen pursed his lips, looking down at the blooming blue-purple flowers.

Lux continued, “I also want to spend the festival with you.”

Ruan Chen placed the flowers on his lap. “Then why give it to me now?”

“Because you look very unhappy.” Lux curled his tail, positioning himself at the same height as Ruan Chen to look him in the eye. “I want to make you happy.”

Lux tentatively reached out to grasp Ruan Chen’s hand, and the latter rarely offered any resistance.

He gazed into Ruan Chen’s pure black eyes, his own eyes carrying a shred of anticipation. “Is Ruan Ruan’s mood feeling a tiny bit better?”

Ruan Chen’s lips moved slightly, trying hard to make the speed of his heartbeat settle down.

He turned his body away, his words rapid: “…A little bit, I guess.”

After speaking, he pulled his hand out and patted the seat beside him. “Why are you staying on the floor when there’s a seat to sit on?”

Confirming that the gloom from earlier had left Ruan Chen’s eyes, Lux flicked his tail fin and sat back down in the seat.

“I do miss them a little,” Ruan Chen said suddenly.

Lux knew about the great disaster the humans had suffered; it was impossible for Ruan Chen’s parents to still be alive.
He didn’t speak.

Yet Ruan Chen slowly added, “You and I are actually quite similar.”

Lux: “Hmm?”

Looking at the brilliantly colored pistils, Ruan Chen’s mood had already brightened considerably, and his voice wasn’t as low and hoarse as before when he spoke.

“My parents also left when I was still in school.”

Only then did Lux understand that he meant they were similar in this regard.

“Ruan Ruan…” His brows knitted together as he drew Ruan Chen into his arms. “I shouldn’t have brought this up. I’m sorry.”

The human lifespan was different from a merman’s; it was impossible for Ruan Chen’s parents to have died of old age.

Lux recalled that from the moment they met until now, he had indeed never heard Ruan Chen mention his parents, speaking at most about his grandparents.

Ruan Chen leaned a bit closer against his arm. “It happened a long time ago. It’s fine.”

“You still have me,” Lux said suddenly.

Ruan Chen blinked, looking up. “What?”

Lux held him even tighter.

Clearly, the one who should be sad was Ruan Chen, yet it felt as if the merman was more anxious and distressed than he was.

Pursing his lips, the pale gold eyes reflected the light from outside the window. His slightly lowered eyelashes made his features look deeper, as if he were deliberating how to phrase his words perfectly.

After a long gaze, he spoke solemnly.

“You still have me.”

“I will always stay with you.”

Ruan Chen remained dazed for a long while.

A wave of heat welled up in his eyes, and he hurriedly turned his body around, facing away from Lux.

Only after a long time did he squeeze out a line with a trembling voice: “Who wants your company? You’re disgusting.”

Click here to download the full novel (PDF & EPUB)