I Woke Up To Find Myself Being Kept By A Mermaid – CH52

Chapter 52

The living room was illuminated only by the faint dots of light from the table, the dim environment only serving to intensify the ambiguity.

Lux suddenly stopped all his movements, staring at Ruan Chen without blinking.

Once those few seconds of hot-headed impulsiveness passed, Ruan Chen, targeted by this completely unconcealed gaze, belatedly felt a bit chicken-hearted.

But since the words were already out, he still summoned his courage to meet the merman’s eyes. “W-what are you staring at me for?”

He had originally intended to sound authoritative, but the sentence came out stumbling, instantly deflating his fiery momentum.

A smile spread across Lux’s face.

Seeing him happy, the corner of Ruan Chen’s mouth curved up along with it.

He immediately tensed up to suppress it. “What are you laughing at? You don’t agree? Forget it if you don’t agree, it’s not like I didn’t just say it on a whim anyway…”

The remaining words failed to come out.

Lux had already cradled the back of his head with one hand.

A very gentle kiss fell.

Along with it came Lux’s slightly hoarse yet ecstatic voice: “I agree, how could I possibly not agree?”

The merman’s lips were a bit cool.

For a moment, Ruan Chen forgot to close his eyes.

Lux’s long eyelashes brushed against his, tickling slightly.

It was completely different from the possessive way he had kissed him over those past few days. As if terrified of startling him, Lux pecked at his upper lip in an off-and-on manner.

It was just like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.

Ruan Chen heard his own heartbeat sounding louder than thunder; he even felt its rhythmic thumping was faster than the flickering lights nearby.

His face was very hot.

This time, there was no sense of drowning brought on by a mental blend; he was experiencing the merman’s intimacy while completely lucid.

He still lost his footing.

That set of self-deceiving arguments could no longer hold water.

He hadn’t lost control because he was under Lux’s influence.

He was simply, involuntarily, smitten by Lux’s approach.

It was he himself who wanted to draw close to Lux.

Clutching the merman’s long hair, Ruan Chen’s entire body was trembling.

Out of spite, a flash of cunning gleamed in the depths of Ruan Chen’s eyes.

He actively opened his mouth, his hands climbing onto the merman’s shoulders, exerting a bit of force in an attempt to deepen the kiss.

The result…

With a sharp hiss, Ruan Chen abruptly shoved Lux away.

“Ruan Ruan?” Lux still hadn’t quite processed what had happened.

Clutching his mouth, Ruan Chen’s tears were actually coming out, and he scolded him indistinctly: “Why are your teeth so sharp!”

Fuck!

He had wanted to be dominant for once, but he hadn’t expected that before anything could even start, he would lick right against Lux’s sharp fangs.

His tongue had been pricked, forming a small cut right on the spot.

Lux lost his laugh. “I’m sorry.”

Furious and embarrassed, Ruan Chen turned his head away. “What use is an apology…”

“Open your mouth and let me see.” Lux caught his arm, not letting him leave.

Speaking made his tongue hurt even more, so Ruan Chen simply shut his mouth, using hand gestures to outline a posture of resistance, signaling him to stay away from me.

Lux lowered his head, still smiling. “Then what about the cake? Are you still eating it?”

“…” It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned it, but the moment he did, Ruan Chen’s stomach, which was already rumbling with hunger, protested even louder.

Ruan Chen glared at him, declaring out of spite: “I’m not eating it.”

Lux toned it down, coaxing him: “Be good, just one more kiss and it’ll be fine.”

Ruan Chen: “?”

He understood what the other party meant by those words.

The merman wanted to do what he did before—using the guise of healing to take the opportunity to do something more.

But the impulse from earlier had already subsided, and since such a massive blunder had occurred, Ruan Chen immediately shrank back into his shell once more.

“You wish. You bit me, and you still want to kiss more?” He pressed his tongue against his palate a few times, feeling that it didn’t hurt that much anymore. “Bring the cake over, I want to eat.”

Under Lux’s personal service, Ruan Chen ate a portion of the cake in small bites. The jelly spheres and seaweed fish balls could only end up inside the merman’s stomach.

In the end, he was still coaxed by Lux into another kiss, which healed that tiny wound on the tip of his tongue.

Unfortunately, it could only heal external injuries.

Otherwise, his waist and back wouldn’t have been sore and aching for so long.

After finishing the food, Ruan Chen lay inside the conch bed with a red face, and it took a long while before drowsiness finally hit.

“Goodnight, Ruan Ruan,” Lux’s voice carried in from outside the conch bed.

“…” Ruan Chen kept his eyes closed, originally intending to pretend to be asleep, but after holding back for a few seconds, he still broke character. “Goodnight.”

That night, he dreamed of Lux again.

But this time was different from all the previous ones.

It wasn’t Lux’s memories of fighting the Zerg or the Siren race, nor was it the tragic sight of his mental riots acting up.

What appeared at the beginning of the dream was Lux, looking slightly more mature than he did now, though he definitely couldn’t be called old. He still had a head of long golden hair, which actually carried quite a bit of charm.

Following that, he spotted a thin, tiny old man.

The old man was sitting in a wheelchair, and Lux was swimming toward him holding a portion of food.

Ruan Chen was just wondering in his heart who on earth this person was when he saw the wheelchair spin around.

The old man’s face had already suffered the ravages of time, but Ruan Chen could recognize those facial features at a single glance even if they were turned to ash. What the hell, this is himself.

Ruan Chen was shocked.

Subsequently, the elderly version of Ruan Chen tremblingly wiped away tears and said to Lux: “Go find a new human. I can’t keep you company for much longer.”

Ruan Chen’s eyes widened into copper bells. Just as he was about to counter with you fucking dare look for someone else and see if I don’t drag us down to hell together, he instantly snapped his eyes wide open with a gasp, waking up.

Upon waking, Ruan Chen stared at the white ceiling, that scene from his dream lingering in his mind for a long time, unable to dissipate.

“Ruan Ruan?” Lux had already changed his clothes. Seeing this expression that looked more dead than alive, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

He reached out to smooth a hand through Ruan Chen’s bangs. “Had a nightmare?”

It would have been better if he hadn’t brought it up, but the moment he did, Ruan Chen felt as if his tail had been stepped on. “No!”

He abruptly sat up from the bed. Seeing the neatly dressed merman before him, he narrowed his eyes. “You’re going out?”

Lux originally hadn’t intended to wake him.

He let out an “Mm.” “A minor problem occurred at the Eastern Sea Human Breeding Center.”

Hearing about the human breeding center, and considering the dream from just now, Ruan Chen grew alert. “What problem? Has a new human been awakened?”

Lux was still completely oblivious to this trap, smiling as he said, “Yes, Ruan Ruan is so smart.”

Ruan Chen was expressionless.

Lux continued to leap into the fire pit: “It’s a purebred Huaxia human, just like you.”

Ruan Chen directly pursed his lips.

Finally detecting that the atmosphere was off, Lux paused. “Is something wrong?”

“Were you… frightened in your dream just now?” he tested the waters.

The human before him offered absolutely no reaction. Lux knitted his brows. “Ruan Ruan?”

The merman squeezed his nape with a comfortable amount of pressure.

Ruan Chen snapped out of his daze, his mouth moving faster than his thoughts: “Can I come along with you?”

Lux was taken aback.

“…” Ruan Chen looked away. “Someone from the same country as me, I want to go take a look. If it’s inconvenient, then forget it.”

It wasn’t that it was inconvenient.

Rather… Ruan Chen couldn’t hide his worries, writing “I’m unhappy, I don’t want you to go” clearly across his face.

Lux thought about it for a moment, realizing the problem likely stemmed from the words he had spoken just now.

“We can go together,” he said. “But Ruan Ruan must stay inside the flying shuttle.”

Ruan Chen: “?”

Ruan Chen: “Why?”

Lux guessed the situation down to a tee, saying helplessly, “I’m taking a small military squad along to maintain order. The news of this human being awakened was just released, and entirely too many mermen are rushing over. I’m afraid it will cause a mad scramble.”

“It will be a bit unsafe when the time comes,” Lux added.

Ruan Chen didn’t reply.

Lux let out a sigh, leaning his body down. “What random things are you thinking about? Hmm?”

“…” What was he supposed to say? That dream from just now had a bit too much lethality on me, so I don’t want you going to interact with another human?

Before he could finish his thought, he heard Lux say, “I originally planned to take you there in a few days once the situation stabilizes.”

Ruan Chen raised his head.

Lux: “A human from the same country as Ruan Ruan will definitely share a lot of common language with you.”

The merman smiled faintly. “It’s not that I want to meet him; it’s to let you meet him. Doesn’t Ruan Ruan want to try making a friend with him?”

Ruan Chen froze for a few seconds.

Once he realized the situation, the tips of his ears flushed hot. “I didn’t say it was you who wanted to meet him…”

After speaking, he added to cover things up: “And whether you want to meet him or not is your freedom, why should I care about that?”

Lux let out an “Oh,” saying in a low voice, “But I want to be cared for by you.”

Ruan Chen’s ears turned even redder.

Lux continued pressed on: “You already agreed to be my partner yesterday. Being cared for by a partner is only right.”

“I didn’t say…” Ruan Chen bristled. “What I said was agreeing to date you. It’s dating, dating! Not agreeing to be your partner!”

Lux feigned confusion. “Isn’t it the same thing?”

Furious and embarrassed, he snapped, “Of course it’s different! We humans only get married if we’re mutually satisfied with each other during dating.”

“Married?”

“It means… becoming partners!”

Lux blinked his eyes. “Then what does dating mean?”

“…” Ruan Chen’s face was completely red as he tried to use a loud voice to cover up his guilt. “It means, we first try to get along under the premise of a partnership. During this process, if either party is dissatisfied, they can return the goods at any time, understand?”

“Understood.” Lux smiled faintly. “Then I will definitely do my absolute best to make Ruan Ruan satisfied.”

Ruan Chen’s lips moved slightly, wanting to say something more, but his lip corner was pressed gently by the merman’s thumb.

The merman pressed close to his ear: “Be good, your throat just recovered, don’t shout too loudly, otherwise you’ll cough again in a bit.”

“…” I see you haven’t understood a single thing.

Ruan Chen held back on the spot for a long while. Just as he was gathering strength to unleash a major blow, Lux pulled out a new set of clothes. “Come try this on to see if it fits. It’s getting late, the third squad is still waiting for us.”

Upon seeing the exquisitely crafted miniature military uniform in his hands, Ruan Chen’s anger vanished in a flash.

The style was similar to the one Lux wore, without as many medals on the chest, but replaced with an official serial number.

“Do you like it?” Lux handed it to him.

Which boy hadn’t dreamed of wearing a military uniform?

Ruan Chen took it, the embarrassment and annoyance from just now instantly tossed to the back of his mind. “When was this made?”

“It was tailored long ago, part of a set with your protective suit. I just haven’t had the chance to give it to you before.” Lux stood up his fish tail to look at him.

Ruan Chen touched the beautiful military emblem on the front flap of the uniform, swallowing hard.

He raised his hands to unbutton it, suddenly remembering something. “You go out first.”

Lux raised an eyebrow. “You…”

The moment his lips moved, Ruan Chen knew no proper words would come out of his mouth, and interrupted urgently: “You go out!”

Lux was pitifully locked outside his own bedroom door.

Ruan Chen changed into the small military uniform, his entire posture standing straighter than usual.

Lux piloted his flying shuttle, with the squad dispatched by the military headquarters following closely behind them.

Although the matter regarding the human being awakened had been smoothed over by Lux, the lump of his failed transformation—which doomed his lifespan to be disproportionate to a merman’s—still remained stuck in Ruan Chen’s heart.

Taking advantage of the fact that Lux was piloting the shuttle, he quietly brought up his optical computer.

[Ruan Ruan: Joshua, are you there?]

The other party replied very quickly.

[Joshua: I’m here!]

[Joshua: What’s wrong? [Poke]]

Ruan Chen deliberated on how to bring this matter up without drawing attention.

[Ruan Ruan: Can I see your ear fins?]

[Joshua: Eh?]

[Joshua: [Blushing], sure!]

A few seconds later, he sent over a few pictures.

Whether it was his imagination or not, Ruan Chen felt that they looked larger and more pronounced than what he had seen a few days ago, their appearance drawing closer and closer to a merman’s ear fins.

[Joshua: Ruan, have you also grown ear fins?]

[Joshua: Let me see quickly, don’t be shy!]

These words instantly pricked Ruan Chen’s painful spot.

[Ruan Ruan: No.]

[Ruan Ruan: I want to ask a question.]

[Joshua: Go ahead.]

[Ruan Ruan: Is it true that only after a complete transformation will one’s lifespan be the same as a merman’s?]

[Joshua: Ah…]

[Joshua: It should be. I just heard a very sad story not long ago about a merman who fell in love with a human, but the human was unwilling to be transformed.]

[Joshua: In the end, the human grew old and infirm and passed away, and it’s said that merman also died from excessive grief.]

[Joshua: Mermen really are very constant and infatuated creatures. When Hugh first told me they only recognize one partner in their lifetime, I didn’t quite believe it.]

[Joshua: But I can faintly feel his thoughts now, I don’t know if it’s because I’m in the transformation period.]

Ruan Chen stared at his reply, not moving for a long time.

He was so deeply invested in his thoughts that even when Lux gently swam up behind him, Ruan Chen didn’t notice.

“Ruan Ruan.”

Hearing the voice beside his ear, Ruan Chen gave a sudden jolt, nearly jumping right off his chair.

In a flurry, he turned off his optical computer. “W-what are you doing?”

But it was clearly too late; Lux had taken in the contents on the screen in their entirety.

He lowered his eyes, his expression somewhat grave. “Why did you ask him a question like that?”

“…” Ruan Chen licked his lips and turned his head away. “Nothing, just chatting idly.”

Lux sat down beside him. “Ruan Ruan has something on his mind.”

Ruan Chen refused to turn back. “No.”

Silence ensued behind him for a brief moment.

Lux flicked his earlobe. “Aren’t partners supposed to solve problems together when they run into them?”

“…” Ruan Chen didn’t speak.

The problem lay in the fact that it seemed impossible to solve.

Lux tried asking, “Are you still worried about the transformation period?”

Ruan Chen’s ear twitched slightly.

Lux redoubled his efforts, guessing, “Did Ruan Ruan have some nightmare related to the transformation period and frighten himself?”

“…” How is this merman acting like he has mind-reading skills?

Ruan Chen kept his face taut. “No, stop asking.”

“Really won’t tell me?” Lux’s tone suddenly shifted.

Ruan Chen didn’t notice, saying rapidly, “Mm, stop asking.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he was unbuckled from his seat belt and picked up by the merman.

Ruan Chen was startled. “What are you doing?!”

“Ruan Ruan isn’t being honest.” Lux caught both of his wrists. “I have to think of a way to make you speak the truth.”

Ruan Chen was shocked to find himself pinned onto the long seat in the back row.

When the merman’s finger pads tickled his ticklish areas, Ruan Chen was startled and infuriated. “Lux!”

Again?!

He still hadn’t avenged the grudge from back on the battleship last time!

But Lux didn’t hold back at all.

Ruan Chen could still kick him with his legs at first, but after a few seconds, he was trembling all over from laughter, tears actually coming out, his voice carrying a hint of a sob: “Don’t… stop tickling… hahahaha… ugh…”

Seeing that he was truly about to cry from anxiety, Lux shifted his hand away from the hem of Ruan Chen’s top, looking at him and asking, “Do you still want to keep it from me?”

Ruan Chen cursed him a hundred thousand times over in his heart.

But terrified that he would do it again, he still softened with red eyes. “…I won’t keep it from you.”

“Mm.” Lux curved the corners of his mouth in satisfaction, picking him up. “Good boy.”

Damn it.

The merman had been entirely too gentle during this recent period, causing him to forget that the creature was fundamentally a dog in his bones.

Ruan Chen hated himself for being careless and underestimating the enemy. After panting a few times to steady his breathing, he gave a rough account of the dream he had last night.

Of course, he didn’t mention that final sentence.

After Lux finished listening, silence blanketed the flying shuttle.

Ruan Chen let out a huff. “I knew it, it’s useless even if I tell you, this matter simply can’t be solved.”
“Why can’t it be solved?” Lux drew him back into his embrace. “I’ve already had all four breeding centers step up their research on the transformation period. The Western Sea Breeding Center sent me a message yesterday, saying they can produce a rough treatment plan within the next few days.”

Ruan Chen went blank. “Ah?”

Lux flicked his nose. “I originally wanted to tell you last night, but… you suddenly said you agreed to be my… suddenly agreed to date me. I got so excited that I forgot.”

Ruan Chen: “…”

Oh.

So it’s still my fault?

Guessing his inner complaints, Lux let out a low chuckle against the crook of his neck. “It’s not your fault, it’s my fault. I got so completely lost just from a single sentence from Ruan Ruan, I deserve to be punished.”

He hadn’t expected the development of the matter to take this trajectory, but at any rate, it had resolved the thing he was worried about.

Ruan Chen pouted. “Exactly, if you had said so earlier, I wouldn’t have had this dream, and I wouldn’t have been troubled for so long.”

“Mm.” Lux kissed his cheek. “I am at fault, but Ruan Ruan is too.”

Ruan Chen widened his eyes. “Where am I wrong?”

“Keeping things on your mind without telling me, secretly bottling it up and being unhappy on your own.” Lux looked straight into his eyes.

His gaze was exceptionally focused, completely devoid of any intent to joke.

Ruan Chen felt a bit guilty under his gaze.

The merman turned his face straight. “Will you still keep things from me in the future?”

This tone, which resembled a homeroom teacher, caused Ruan Chen’s rebellious streak to flare straight up.

Lux softened his tone again. “When you’re unhappy, I will also worry very much, Ruan Ruan.”

“…” Ruan Chen disarmed instantly, muttering, “I won’t keep things from you anymore, alright?”

Lux: “I didn’t hear you, say it louder.”

Ruan Chen paused for three seconds.

The military flying shuttle following closely behind heard an exceptionally loud roar carry out from the front: “Meow oooow—! (I won’t keep things from you in the future!)”

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