Chapter 240
When Rong Heng returned to the pool after changing his clothes, he saw the little merman lying at the pool’s edge, crying uncontrollably while calling his name.
“…”
Seriously? Did this guy think he disappeared for good again?
Nearby, Mrs. Creek had also arrived, standing beside her husband not far from Ika. They looked worriedly at their son, clearly at a loss for what to do.
They had tried to approach him earlier, but the little merman had snapped at them, forcing them to retreat, unsure of how to proceed.
“Xiang Yang, you’re back.”
It was Lu Li who first noticed Rong Heng’s return.
During Rong Heng’s absence, Lu Li had already apologized to Little Li Hua, and the mischievous little monkey Liu Liu, who had almost caused a disaster, had been locked back inside his mental sea.
As Liu Liu increasingly began to manifest a physical form, capable of switching between physical and spiritual states, Lu Li became more aware that Su Su’s warnings were absolutely correct.
If he couldn’t control Liu Liu and allowed it to act on its own, it would only lead to danger for both of them.
Just earlier, a moment of carelessness allowed Liu Liu to snatch Little Li Hua’s paintbrush, nearly causing a serious accident. When the danger arrived, Liu Liu fled instantly, leaving the risk for Little Li Hua to face.
The realization of how close they came to catastrophe had left Lu Li drenched in cold sweat.
Fortunately, Rong Heng had intervened in time to resolve the situation, and Little Li Hua was unharmed.
Lu Li resolved then and there to practice the soul-strengthening technique as diligently as possible to ensure that Liu Liu remained under his control at all times.
Facing the lion siblings, Lu Li had sincerely apologized for what had happened.
Little Li Hua graciously forgave him, on the condition that Liu Liu had to model for her drawings in the future. Lu Li readily agreed without hesitation.
As for Rong Heng, Lu Li couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.
He knew how much Little Li Hua meant to Rong Heng. Before Su Su arrived at the nursery, almost every fight Rong Heng had with others had been because of her.
But Lu Li’s worries proved unnecessary. Rong Heng’s thoughts were entirely occupied by the tearful, sorrowful merman. After listening to Lu Li’s explanation and apology, he merely nodded.
“Alright, I’ll leave it up to my sister.”
Then he turned and walked toward the little merman.
Lu Li watched Rong Heng’s retreating figure and then glanced at the merman crying out “Yang Yang.” Tilting his head in thought, he wondered—did Xiang Yang really know this fish-tailed boy?
“Big brother!”
Little Li Hua spotted Rong Heng and immediately ran to him, grabbing his hand and pointing at the little merman. “I told him you’d come back soon, but he didn’t believe me.”
“It’s fine,” Rong Heng replied softly.
Rong Heng patted his sister on the head and walked toward Ika.
The young merman, immersed in his sadness, suddenly froze. He lifted his tear-streaked face, his beautiful eyes blurred with tears, and his nose red from crying. Sniffling, he looked up at Rong Heng with a mixture of confusion and hope.
“Yang… Yang Yang?”
He gazed at Rong Heng in bewilderment. This time, Rong Heng had been gone for what felt like ages, making Ika feel uncertain and unreal.
Why did he keep appearing and then vanishing so suddenly? Would he disappear again soon?
“Yes, it’s me.” Rong Heng looked at the young merman’s anxious expression with a sigh, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe the tears from his eyes. He explained, “I just went to change my clothes. I didn’t disappear.”
He gestured to his now-dry clothes as he spoke.
Only then did Ika notice Rong Heng’s changed outfit, finally understanding what he meant.
Even so, the events from earlier continued to unsettle Ika. The recurring, fragmented images in his mind, along with an overwhelming sense of loneliness, left him feeling deeply uneasy.
Tentatively, he reached out and lightly hugged Rong Heng, this time carefully avoiding the force he had used before. He didn’t dare drag him into the water again, afraid that Rong Heng would vanish to change his clothes and disappear from his sight once more.
When he realized Rong Heng didn’t push him away, Ika grew bolder, snuggling closer and resting his head against Rong Heng’s chest.
“Yang Yang, don’t leave…”
The little merman, who previously could only call his name, now managed to add two more words. His voice was hoarse and awkward, having gone so long without speaking.
Rong Heng felt a pang of emotion as he placed his hand gently on Ika’s head. Recalling his father’s words from earlier, he asked, “Your name is Ika, right?”
Ika looked up from Rong Heng’s embrace, his clear blue eyes filled with confusion.
He didn’t understand what Rong Heng was saying and… he couldn’t even remember his own name.
Yet, even in his nearly fully beast-like state, he had remembered Rong Heng’s name and recognized him immediately upon their reunion.
The realization made Rong Heng’s hand pause briefly in hesitation, unsure of how to respond to such pure, fervent attachment.
In the end, he relaxed, his gaze drifting over the young merman’s back.
Beyond his arms and shoulders, Rong Heng noticed bruises scattered across Ika’s back. Up close, he also saw patches on his tail where scales had broken and fallen off.
Surveying these injuries, even someone as composed as Rong Heng couldn’t help but lift his head and cast a sharp, reproachful look at the Creek couple, who lingered nearby, hesitant to approach.
Rong Heng had taken a bit longer to return because his father had shared a brief account of Ika’s circumstances in their room.
Ika’s current condition was largely due to his parents’ failings. When Ika needed them most, they weren’t there. By the time they wanted to make amends, Ika had already deteriorated to an almost irreparable state and refused to accept them.
Had they spent more time with him, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.
The Creek couple, feeling the weight of Rong Heng’s pointed gaze, averted their eyes in guilt and embarrassment, unable to bear the unspoken accusation from Ika’s childhood friend.
After all, little Ika had once been such a sweet, obedient child. It was their fault he had become like this…
Seeing their reaction, Rong Heng lowered his gaze back to the boy clinging to him. Though Ika looked older, he was actually a few months younger than Rong Heng.
Softly, he said, “I won’t leave. Don’t worry.”
Even if Ika couldn’t understand his words, Rong Heng continued speaking patiently. “You can stay here at the nursery and live peacefully. Just like when we were kids.”
While Ika didn’t comprehend the complex words, he sensed the gentleness in Rong Heng’s tone. Slowly, a bright smile broke across his face again.
Moments ago, he had been crying so bitterly, yet now he smiled so sweetly, radiantly carefree as if no troubles ever existed.
Rong Heng ruffled his hair and said, “Let me put some medicine on your wounds.”
He had repeated this offer several times now, and Ika seemed to have learned the meaning of the word “medicine.” This time, instead of shying away, he obediently extended his arm toward Rong Heng.
Rong Heng breathed a sigh of relief, taking out a medical spray from his storage pouch. He carefully and evenly applied it to Ika’s arm.
Most of these injuries were self-inflicted during his collisions with the water tank. They weren’t particularly severe but hadn’t healed because new wounds kept piling on top of old ones.
“With the medicine, you’ll heal quickly.”
The spray, a product of the mutated plants unique to the prison star, was highly effective. Though the smell wasn’t pleasant, it started working immediately upon application.
At first, Ika had only accepted the treatment because Rong Heng insisted, fearing he might leave if upset. But now, he could feel the medicine taking effect. He stared curiously at his arm where the spray had been applied, marveling at the sensation. Seeing his astonished expression, Rong Heng couldn’t help but smile.
“Does it hurt less now?”
Ika tilted his head, seemingly trying to understand the question. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly.
“That’s good.”
Rong Heng continued treating the other injuries. This time, Ika was entirely cooperative, his eyes full of trust and a hint of joy as he looked at Rong Heng.
The cracked and missing scales on his tail were harder to handle. Rong Heng could only spray some medicine to relieve the pain and hope they would grow back in time.
Once he finished tending to Ika’s injuries, Rong Heng was just about to rest when a loud growl broke the silence.
“Grumble, grumble—”
The sound of a rumbling stomach was unmistakable. Since Rong Heng still felt full from lunch, there was only one possible culprit— Ika.
The young merman, looking slightly sheepish, slumped down with his arms wrapped tightly around Rong Heng, unwilling to let go.
“You’re hungry, right? I’ll go get you something to eat,” Rong Heng offered.
As he shifted to stand, Ika immediately tensed up, his unease returning. Shaking his head vigorously, he looked at Rong Heng with pleading eyes, making it impossible for him to leave.
Fortunately, Rong Heng wasn’t alone.
Though initially intimidated by Ika’s earlier fierceness, Lang Ze had been watching from a safe distance. Twitching his ears slightly, he finally couldn’t resist running over.
“Xiang Yang, I’ll go! I’ll get food for him!”
The little wolf cub announced this proudly before dashing off excitedly, calling back as he ran, “You just stay here and keep him company. I’ll be right back!”
Following closely behind him was Lu Li. However, after running a short distance, Lu Li hesitated, turned back, and approached the Creek couple to ask about Ika’s dietary preferences. Once he got the information, he took off again.
Rong Heng watched them run off, then turned his attention back to Ika. “All right, they’re bringing you food. But you can’t scare them when they come back, okay?”
It was unclear if Ika understood, but he beamed happily and affectionately nuzzled Rong Heng’s hand.
As long as Yang Yang was here, everything was perfect!
