Chapter 64: The Sirens’ Reputation Takes a Hit
At dinnertime, Mrs. Fu and Fu Jiao came as usual to line up for food. However, Fu Jiao’s meal was no longer the standard set but a magic meal.
Including Si Xu, two of the ten magic meal clients had already been served.
Magic meals weren’t free. Fu Jiao had to pay for them. While eating the magic meal, he could also drink some green plum wine. The Fu family had no shortage of money, so Fu Jiao followed Lin Jiu’s arrangements completely.
The magic meals were pre-prepared by Lin Jiu and kept in the refrigerator. Whenever needed, they could be served immediately. Lin Jiu kept three portions in the kitchen: one for Fu Jiao, one for himself, and one for Si Xu.
Si Xu came by every night, regardless of the time.
That evening, while eating dinner with Si Xu, Lin Jiu asked if the seventh team had filled its roster.
Si Xu: “Not yet, why?”
Lin Jiu: “I have someone I’d like to recommend to you. He has a special bloodline, just like you.”
Lin Jiu had already discussed this with Mrs. Fu and Fu Jiao. The Fu family was willing to contribute if they could be useful. Since ‘don’t let fertile water flow to outsiders’ was the mindset, Lin Jiu decided to recommend the person to Si Xu.
The Fu family had been in seclusion for years, simply to ensure the continuation of their bloodline, avoiding involvement in major events. But things had changed now. The world was different, and the bloodline of the Ruta clan was awakening. It was time for them to get involved. Even if they didn’t want to, the situation would force them to. So, they might as well take the initiative.
Si Xu paused, his hand frozen mid-meal, and looked up at Lin Jiu. “What kind of bloodline?”
Si Xu didn’t seem surprised at all, which was definitely not a normal reaction for someone hearing about a special bloodline.
Lin Jiu was puzzled. “You’re not surprised?”
Si Xu: “I was surprised at first. But after learning more, it stopped being surprising.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “You know about special bloodlines?”
Si Xu nodded. “Once my bloodline was reported, I gained access to classified records. They detail that most people with special bloodlines are from the West, organized by family, with complicated relationships and deeply rooted power structures. It’s said they have family legacies and wield terrifying power, enough to make even the authorities wary.”
Lin Jiu fell silent. Mrs. Fu’s ancestors also seemed to come from the West. Why was it always the West?
No, not entirely. After all, neither he nor Si Xu was from the West.
Lin Jiu: “Do you know what kind of bloodline you have?”
Si Xu shook his head. “I looked through the classified records, but none of the bloodlines listed matched mine.”
Lin Jiu’s curiosity was piqued. He really wanted to know what bloodlines were recorded in those classified documents. Could they all be from the demonic sea clans? But since it was a classified record, outsiders obviously couldn’t know. Lin Jiu was left itching with curiosity.
Seeing Lin Jiu’s conflicted expression, Si Xu couldn’t help but laugh. “You really want to know?”
Lin Jiu nodded eagerly. “Can I know?”
Si Xu smiled. “Of course. It’s classified to others, but not to you. After all, I was only able to awaken my bloodline because of you.”
Lin Jiu was the most special existence.
Lin Jiu: “…”
Does he really know this much?
Si Xu: “What do you want to know?”
Lin Jiu quietly asked, “What bloodlines are recorded in those files?”
Si Xu whispered back, “There are four kinds. One is a race with black horns on their heads, black bat-like wings on their backs, and a long tail. The files refer to them as ‘Dark Elves.’”
[Dark Elves, my foot! That’s the Enchanter race! This race is absolutely shameless, with no limits! Both men and women dedicate themselves to seducing others! They indulge in and enjoy desires! They are utterly shameless and without morals!]”
Lin Jiu: “…”
The system reacted as if it had swallowed a bomb, and Lin Jiu could fully feel its disdain for this particular race.
“The second type can freely switch between human and beast forms, like the werewolves from Western legends. The records call them ‘Beastmen.'”
[Not everyone who has two forms is called ‘Ruta.’]
Zang Ye was a perfect example—he could turn into a bear, but he wasn’t part of the Ruta tribe. It was just that his genes had a recessive trait that resembled a bear.
“The third type is a creature that lives in the ocean, strong and fierce, half-human, half-fish, with human intelligence and a powerful aggression in the water. The records refer to them as ‘Sirens.'”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu’s heart almost stopped. Could this half-human, half-fish creature be referring to them—siren sea creatures?
[Let’s be clear: sirens are mostly known for their singing and beauty. Male and female sirens are slender and elegant, not strong. Don’t overthink it.]
Lin Jiu: “…”
So, it’s not sirens, but another race altogether.
Lin Jiu silently whispered the name to himself—”Hekka.”
“The fourth type is more common and often appears in movies and TV shows: human upper body, fish tail, able to use their beauty and singing to lure passing ships. Once the ships stop, they board and eat the crew. These are the sirens people commonly refer to.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “…”
He wasn’t one of them, absolutely not. Who says sirens have to eat people? He had never eaten anyone!
Sirens are unfairly maligned!
[Hahaha…]
The system mocked Lin Jiu relentlessly.
Lin Jiu: “…”
He was so upset that he lost his appetite.
Si Xu, always perceptive, noticed that Lin Jiu seemed off. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Jiu stared at him intently and squeezed two words through his teeth: “Noth-ing.”
Si Xu: “…”
It clearly didn’t look like “nothing.”
Lin Jiu calmed himself down and decided to keep his identity hidden. No way could he let anyone know he was a siren!
Si Xu: “The person you’re recommending, do they have one of these four bloodlines?”
Lin Jiu: “Yes.”
Si Xu: “Which one?”
Lin Jiu: “The beast… beastman?”
Lin Jiu had no idea that in this world, the names of the races from the Demonic Sea had already been changed.
Only the true descendants of the Demonic Sea races would know what their species really were. Just like how Mrs. Fu had carefully guarded and passed down the real name of her race. The outside world had no clue and gave them new names.
Si Xu: “Did they agree to have their identity reported?”
“Yes.” If they hadn’t, Lin Jiu wouldn’t have brought it up to Si Xu.
Si Xu: “You’ve made a significant contribution. I’ll apply for a reward for you.”
Lin Jiu shook his head. “If there’s a reward, it should go to the Fu family. I don’t need it.”
After dinner, as Si Xu was about to leave, Lin Jiu handed him a thermal container, pretending to be calm. “I prepared extra dinner tonight. There are five portions left. Take them for a late-night snack and share with others.”
Si Xu: “…”
Lin Jiu had been running his restaurant for a long time and always managed portions perfectly. There was no way he’d accidentally prepare so much extra unless he meant to. Si Xu understood Lin Jiu’s intentions completely. His heart softened, and at that moment, he just wanted to kiss him. But with other customers in the dining hall, Si Xu took a step forward, blocking view with his body, and quickly kissed Lin Jiu on the lips. They were both wearing masks, so there was no real contact.
Lin Han, who happened to be walking by, saw the scene and was so shocked that he almost dropped the stack of plates he was holding!
Weng Cheng, who was following behind, nudged him with his shoulder. “Why are you just standing there?”
Lin Han stammered, “L-look! Isn’t the captain standing a bit too close to the boss?”
Lin Han doubted his own eyes. Did he just see the captain sneak a kiss from the boss?
Weng Cheng glanced over. “The captain and the boss have always been close, haven’t they?”
Lin Han: “…”
That’s not just close! Can two grown men be ‘that’ close, to the point of kissing?!
Si Xu, carrying the thermal container, said goodbye to Lin Jiu and glanced at the dumbfounded Lin Han as he walked out of the kitchen.
Lin Han: “…”
The captain definitely knew that he saw it!
It’s over. Was he going to be silenced now?!
*
Si Xu carried the thermal container as he delivered the late-night snacks.
First, he gave some to his grandfather, who was delighted by the unexpected gift. Grandpa even transferred money on the spot, telling Si Xu to give it to Lin Jiu. In Grandpa Song’s eyes, Lin Jiu earned his money through hard work, so they couldn’t let him take a loss. Since there was a limit to how much they could give in red envelopes, he opted for a direct transfer.
Grandpa’s health was improving rapidly, and he was as energetic as a young man. He had returned to the company as the head of “Mo Hong,” which gave Si Xu the time to serve as the captain.
Next were his grandparents on his father’s side. They were also very happy. Ever since they had tried the food at the Demon Fish restaurant, they hadn’t stopped thinking about it. Every time they wanted to go again, the crowd outside the door would discourage them, so they hadn’t had a second chance to eat there.
Now that the food had been delivered, they didn’t hold back and gave Si Xu a hefty red envelope for Lin Jiu, making sure the kid wouldn’t take a loss.
Finally, his parents got the last portions, splitting all five meals perfectly.
By the time Si Xu finished making the rounds, it really had become a late-night snack.
When Si Xu got home, his mother had already gone to bed, but his father was still in the study.
Si Xu handed the seafood to the housekeeper, asking them to store it so his mom could enjoy it the next day.
He took a portion upstairs and knocked on the study door. After getting permission, he opened the door and walked in.
Si Qinian was sitting behind his desk, reading documents. “Why are you back at this hour?”
Si Xu walked over and placed the packed meal on the office desk.
“Demon Fish Restaurant set, give it a try.”
Si Qinian paused while flipping through some documents. He glanced at the familiar strange fish on the packaging box.
He looked at the meal, then at Si Xu, and asked, “Isn’t it supposed to be no takeout without a reservation?”
Si Xu smiled pleasantly. “Depends on the person.”
Si Qinian: “…”
He felt like he had just been shown something.
Pushing the documents aside, Si Qinian opened the box, preparing to finally try this legendary meal from the Demon Fish Restaurant.
Halfway through opening it, Si Qinian paused again. “How many portions did you bring back?”
“Two,” Si Xu replied. “I had the other one set aside by the housekeeper.”
Only then did Si Qinian continue unboxing.
Upon opening it, Si Qinian saw that this was no simple first-floor meal set. It came with a golden, roasted Liuxi fish and a piece of pan-seared lobster meat, making it a very lavish spread.
The first thing Si Qinian ate was the pan-seared lobster meat. After just one bite, he finally understood why the Demon Fish’s food was so sought after—it was indescribably delicious.
Standing in the study, Si Xu watched his father devour the generously portioned meal with incredible speed, leaving not a single grain of rice behind.
After finishing, Si Qinian pushed the empty meal box aside. “Did you pay for this?”
Si Xu: “…”
“I’ll take care of it.”
It was Lin Jiu’s gesture of goodwill, yet here they were talking about money. Somehow, it felt like they were dishonoring Lin Jiu’s intention.
Si Xu thought, “I have to find a way to compensate Lin Jiu, and I can’t drag him down when he’s pushing for sales.”
