Fishing by the lake, he reeled in a mermaid princess.
Seeing the fair hand Iilya extended, Chen Yu reached out and grasped her slender fingers.
A half-palm grasp.
This was proper etiquette for a lady.
"Chen Yu."
Chen Yu, his eyes brimming with a smile, spoke his name. Though the mermaid princess's small hand was smooth and soft, he didn't hold on, thinking of taking advantage. After a slight nod, he released her hand.
"Hee, you're the first human I've ever met."
Iilya's smile was very cute, her eyes full of innocent playfulness.
Clear and pure eyes.
A pure smile.
It was as if one would melt just by looking.
"You're also the first mermaid I've ever met." Chen Yu was also full of smiles, then his gaze fell on the two chests before her as he murmured, "Iilya."
"Hmm?"
Iilya tilted her head cutely.
"When you go out alone in the future, it's best not to take out these chests so easily," Chen Yu advised kindly. "You have no idea how tempting these two chests are to others."
"Mmm!"
Hearing this, Iilya blinked.
"My sister also said so."
"Listen to your sister; it won't do you any harm." Chen Yu murmured. Iilya, however, giggled and said, "But you didn't have any greedy thoughts, which further shows you're a good person. I have to go back now to share the grilled meat with my sisters. I'll remember you."
Chen Yu was still thinking of stepping forward to help her return.
Then he saw Iilya's fish tail transform into two long, straight, fair legs. Coral bracelets were tied around her ankles, and her bare feet stepped to the edge of the lake.
"I'll remember you, goodbye~~"
Iilya's eyes curved into crescent moons. She leaped, drawing a perfect arc in the air, and with a 'dong,' dove into the lake without a splash.
Only ripples spread outwards, shimmering in the light.
"Boss, this mermaid... her tail can turn into legs!!!" Black Bean looked full of regret. Chen Yu's eyes were also fixed on the direction Iilya had left.
Regret!
If he had known her fish tail could turn into human legs, he would have held her down no matter what.
Snatched her chests, stripped her shells.
"Hehehehe..."
Chen Yu and Black Bean gazed at the lake, their foolish grins identical.
The fact that they signed a spiritual pact was no coincidence.
"Next time we see her, we'll hold her down." Black Bean stared blankly at the lake. Chen Yu turned his head and murmured, "Do you think we should try fishing again."
Gurgle gurgle gurgle.
Bubbles suddenly rose from the calm lake.
Chen Yu and Black Bean stared at the lake with wide eyes. With a splash, a blue-haired mermaid emerged from the water.
"B-b-b..."
Black Bean's mouth hung open, drooling as he looked at the mermaid.
"Hmph? Damn black cat!"
The mermaid, her tail resting on the lake's surface, her eyes instantly darkened. She pointed a finger at Black Bean, and the lake water transformed into a water column that sprayed onto Black Bean's head.
The cold lake water instantly sobered Black Bean. He shook himself, flinging water outwards.
"Are you Chen Yu?"
The mermaid before him had much colder eyes than Iilya. Her figure was also more voluptuous and mature, and her two clam shells were twice as large as Iilya's.
The scales on her fish tail also shone brilliantly blue.
A flat, fair abdomen, with a blue and white gem at her navel. A gemstone belt made of orange gems was tied around her waist.
Her long hair flowed past her hips.
Chen Yu glanced at Black Bean, ensuring he wasn't injured, and nodded slightly.
"It is I."
Whoosh!
A stone flew from the lake water. Chen Yu, with quick reflexes, caught it.
A reef token.
[Mermaid Friend: Possessing this trade token allows for item exchange with the mermaid tribe. It is a symbol of trust and can also be of reference for transactions with other races.]
"Iilya wanted to give this to you."
The mermaid on the lake glanced at Chen Yu indifferently, her expression proud as she looked at him.
"Was the grilled meat made by you?"
Looking down at the stone token in his hand, Chen Yu nodded.
"Yes!"
"Your grilled meat is good. Bring me some more," the proud mermaid murmured. Chen Yu said seriously, "We can trade, of course. What do you offer in exchange?"
"Exchange?"
The mermaid on the lake immediately frowned.
"Iilya gave you her bracelet, and she also gave you two blueprint components. She's young and asked for three pieces of grilled meat. The value of the blueprints far exceeds the value of your grilled meat, not to mention her bracelet. Her bracelet is more than enough to buy ten thousand portions of your grilled meat."
"Hey, Ms. Mermaid, are you alright?"
Chen Yu's face was filled with surprise, his eyes fixed on her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" the blue-haired mermaid frowned. Chen Yu spread his hands, "I'm thinking that your eyes radiate wisdom, indicating you are full of intelligence."
"Of course." The mermaid said arrogantly.
"Then how could such words come from your mouth? Transactions are based on mutual willingness. Gains and losses can be settled later, right?"
Chen Yu spread his hands in bewilderment.
"If you put it that way, it is indeed correct." The mermaid on the lake nodded. "Your cooking skill is good. How about coming to my Mermaid Palace as a chef? The treatment is generous."
"No!"
"You haven't even asked about the treatment?"
"Why should I work for someone?" Chen Yu was speechless. "If you want to trade, you're welcome. But work? That's impossible in this lifetime."
She actually wanted him to work.
He intended to be a slave owner cracking a whip on a gold mountain. How could he possibly work?
Even if he believed his skills could capture a few princesses.
No!
He would absolutely not be a son-in-law who married into the family.
Marrying in meant no human rights.
"You don't know what's good for you."
Splash.
The mermaid on the lake snorted and dove into the water.
Her cold whisper lingered in Chen Yu's ears. Chen Yu spread his hands helplessly.
Why get angry?
"Hey, she's a bit feisty. Black Master likes it!" Black Bean proudly lifted his little head. "She dares to hiss at Black Master? Wait until Black Master catches them all and makes them concubines."
"Stop pretending." Chen Yu was speechless.
He had been so scared by that hiss earlier that he dared not utter a word. Now he was acting tough.
"Pretend? Do I need to pretend?" Black Bean scoffed. Chen Yu said disdainfully, "Then why were you holding your breath just now?"
"A great man doesn't dwell on trifles. A true man can bend and stretch!" Black Bean said with arrogance.
"Stop boasting." Chen Yu patted his head. "Where is the treasure you kept at the bottom of your chest? Did you bring it? Let me see."
"It's all in the chests."
Black Bean ran to the chests. Chen Yu thought for a moment, tied the token around his waist, and then went to the chests.
Another treasure chest.
He hadn't expected Black Bean to be so affluent.
"What's inside? Don't try to fool me with junk." Chen Yu frowned. Black Bean immediately pouted and said, "Big brother, you're insulting your second brother. Would I bring junk?"
"Then I'll open it. If I'm disappointed..."
"The scale weights are ready." Black Bean spread his legs. This confident posture made Chen Yu pause, and he became even more expectant of this treasure chest.
[Dungeon Reminder: Gold Treasure Chest +1]
[Dungeon Reminder: Efficient Learning (Volume 1) +1]
[Dungeon Reminder: Rapid Crafting (Volume 1) +1]
[Dungeon Reminder: Lapis Lazuli +3]
[Dungeon Reminder: Blueprint for Perfect Adventurer's Wristguard +1]