Seeing Chen Ning remain silent, Ying Xue felt a little wronged. However, she believed in being understanding and didn't press him.
Besides, in the human world, it was considered less demeaning for a man to propose to a woman.
After marriage, the woman would also be more respected.
Thus, she too stayed quiet, her beautiful eyes gazing at Chen Ning, as if he were her entire world.
After about the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep, Chen Ning took Ying Xue's hand. "Xiao Xue, will you marry me? I'll treat you well for the rest of my life."
Ying Xue knew they would get married, but when the moment Chen Ning proposed arrived, she found herself not feeling as happy or touched as she expected.
A strange thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly suppressed it!
Looking at the man she admired from heart to body, she beamed a bright smile. "Yes, I've wanted to marry you for a long time and become your legal wife."
"Mm, you set a date, and I'll have people make preparations." Chen Ning affectionately ruffled her soft hair, but the love in his eyes wasn't as pure as it seemed, though Ying Xue failed to notice.
*
Just as Qiao Ci finished her telepathic conversation with Ying Xue, Lan Ye knocked and entered.
"I just sensed some merfolk fluctuations. Did something happen?"
As the future king of the merfolk, Lan Ye was highly sensitive to any information concerning his race.
He had waited in his room for a while without Qiao Ci explaining, feeling a bit dejected. He believed that since they were relying on each other, she should tell him about anything that occurred.
If it were other handsome mermen contacting her…
A deep glint flashed in young Lan Ye's eyes.
"What's wrong?" Qiao Ci asked, sensing his mood wasn't right.
"Nothing." Lan Ye felt a pang of sadness, thinking Qiao Ci didn't want to confide in him.
"Ying Xue just contacted me. She's that mermaid who came to the human world with a human man. She wants me to attend her wedding." Qiao Ci found it strange that Lan Ye harbored something but claimed to be fine. However, she wasn't one to pry, so she told him what he wanted to know.
Lan Ye's somber aura instantly dissipated, and he became incredibly lively. With a gentle smile, he said, "So that's what it was. Does elder sister want to attend her wedding?"
Young Lan Ye didn't quite grasp the meaning of marriage yet, but seeing that Qiao Ci had been in contact with a mermaid significantly improved his mood.
"I don't want to go," Qiao Ci replied indifferently. She didn't believe they would actually get married, suspecting it was merely Chen Ning's ploy to gain an advantage.
"Why?" Lan Ye asked, curious.
"Ying Xue and that human man won't have a good outcome, and I feel like that man has ill intentions towards me." Qiao Ci patiently explained to Lan Ye.
When it came to her own child, she spoke her mind, regardless of whether he could understand her words at the moment. As long as he asked, she would patiently reply.
"Ill intentions towards you?" Lan Ye's ink-black pupils instantly turned golden-yellow, and his soft voice carried a chilling killing intent. "Then I'll go kill him."
!!!
Qiao Ci cast a speechless glance at Lan Ye. Had she corrupted the child?
What was with all this talk of fighting and killing at the drop of a hat?
She looked at Lan Ye with a serious expression and admonished him, "You're currently equivalent to a six or seven-year-old human child. You're a little one. Don't go around talking about fighting and killing. You should be soft, cute, adorable, and carefree, understand?"
Lan Ye realized his thoughts were too dark and quickly plastered a smile on his face. "Elder sister, I was just kidding. I'll always be cute and adorable."
He then made a funny face at Qiao Ci before returning to his room to sleep.
Watching the door gently close, Qiao Ci felt a sense of unease. Why did Lan Ye seem a bit strange?
She lacked parenting experience, so she summoned Little Spoon to chat.
"Little Spoon, do you think Lan Ye is a bit strange?"
To her surprise, the host was willing to discuss the child with it, so Little Spoon became enthusiastic. After some serious thought, it replied, "He does seem a bit off. When the child was at school, you asked me to keep an eye on him. I noticed he's like two different people when he's with you and when he's not!"
"When he's with you, he's always calling you 'elder sister' and seems very soft and cute. But around others, he acts aloof and condescending, as if everyone else is an idiot."
"Ahem, host, there's something, I'm not sure if I should say it or not?"
Qiao Ci glanced at it.
Little Spoon dared not stall and immediately said mysteriously, "I think the child might have a split personality."
!!!
Qiao Ci waved it away speechlessly. "You may withdraw."
Little Spoon looked a bit bewildered. Had it said something wrong again?
Its analysis was so reasonable. Did the host just discard the spoon after using it, without even a word of praise? Wuwuwu…
Qiao Ci felt that Lan Ye was simply too dependent on her. He divided the world into two categories: herself and everyone else.
She wondered if this was good or bad, and if it would affect his healthy psychological development.
If this continued after another period of observation, Qiao Ci felt it would be necessary to have a serious talk with him.
At the end of the first semester, Qiao Ci was invited to Lan Ye's parent-teacher conference.
Many fathers were present that day.
The moment they saw Qiao Ci, their eyes seemed to fix on her, unable to look away.
It was no wonder, Qiao Ci was exceptionally beautiful, with seaweed-like blue hair, black and light brown pupils, a delicate nose, and full red lips. She exuded an aura of youth, fashion, and confidence.
Seeing everyone staring at Qiao Ci, Lan Ye felt a tightness in his chest. He hated other men looking at Qiao Ci; elder sister was his alone.
After the parent-teacher conference concluded, all these men who had stared at Qiao Ci would subsequently encounter various misfortunes back home…
Qiao Ci was aware of everything Lan Ye did. Seeing this, she had no choice but to call him to the living room and have them sit opposite each other.
The atmosphere felt somewhat serious.
"What is it, elder sister~" Lan Ye's voice was sweet and clear.
"I think we need to have a good talk," Qiao Ci said, trying to appear as serious as possible.
Lan Ye seemed a little nervous, asking cautiously, "Did Xiao Ye do something wrong?"
Qiao Ci shook her head. "No."
Lan Ye's expression softened slightly. It was good as long as he hadn't done anything wrong.
Then, Qiao Ci continued, "It's just that your attitude towards others has a tiny little problem."
Lan Ye pursed his small lips, his immature face filled with confusion.
"Do you dislike interacting with humans?" Qiao Ci asked, seeing him fidgeting, and reassured him, "Don't be nervous. Just say whatever you want to say. You know, I always prioritize you."