Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Fingers Intertwined
Geoffrey was the center of attention the moment he appeared.
He was notorious in the Divine City for his strange and foul temper, and he deferred to no one.
Moreover, his business spanned the stars, making him wealthy enough to rival a kingdom. He possessed many rare trinkets that couldn’t be found anywhere else, but whether he sold them, and for how much, depended entirely on his mood.
He had never been seen showing anyone a pleasant expression, yet now, he was eagerly scurrying over to the Rabbit Clan Lady.
Geoffrey removed his hat and bowed. "Good evening, Ms. Zhi Zhi. It is a pleasure to see you here."
"Good evening." Yu Zhizhi lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands and curtsied lightly in return.
The moment Geoffrey looked up, he saw the ice blue "necklace" hanging on her chest. His gaze froze, and he quickly realized what it was.
A look of shock spread across the jewel merchant’s face—
To him, there was nothing in the world that money couldn’t buy. If there was such a thing, it would be a Mermaid’s Heart Scale.
Legend had it that the Heart Scale was hidden deep within, bound to flesh and blood. It couldn’t be found even if you cut open a dead Mermaid’s chest.
Only when a Mermaid willed it would the scale gradually surface over their heart.
Geoffrey stood there, stunned, momentarily forgetting the reason he had come over.
"Mr. Jeffrey?" Yu Zhizhi called out softly.
The Peacock finally snapped out of it. He hurriedly straightened up, a broad smile plastered on his face. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, to celebrate our meeting once more, I have a gift for you."
"For me?" Yu Zhizhi hadn’t expected Geoffrey to give her a gift.
Geoffrey produced a small, square crystal box from his coat. He opened it to reveal a diamond bracelet engraved with lotuses lying inside.
"You simply must not refuse me. I was far too presumptuous when we first met, and I have been looking for an opportunity to apologize."
He lifted the bracelet with his index finger, his expression on the verge of tears.
"If you do not accept this gift, I will be unable to eat or sleep."
"...Alright, then."
Yu Zhizhi was worried he might burst into tears on the spot if she refused.
A look of delight appeared on the Peacock’s face. "Please, Ms. Zhi Zhi, extend your hand and allow me to put it on for you."
Geoffrey fastened the exquisite diamond bracelet onto the young female’s fair wrist. The glittering lights made the bracelet seem all the more intricate and brilliant.
It was truly a captivating bracelet, and it looked priceless.
The custom Luo Yu White Diamonds were carved into lotuses so lifelike they seemed real.
Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but admire it for a moment.
Within the lotus flowers, there was a pool of clear water, and a thin, dark shadow could be seen faintly rippling within it, almost like a tiny tadpole.
A smile touched Geoffrey’s lips.
"I wonder, would I have the honor of asking Ms. Zhi Zhi for a dance at the ball tonight?"
"I..." Yu Zhizhi demurred. "I don’t know how to dance."
She couldn’t dance.
She had come to the Divine City for two reasons: one was curiosity about the Moonrise Festival, and the other was to prepare for what was to come.
The ship was ready, and her due date was only a few days away. She had decided to stay at the mansion for a while, until after her Mermaid Baby was born.
Geoffrey looked regretful. "That is a true pity."
His gaze shifted to the side and fell upon the Mermaid standing beside the young woman. His expression faltered, and he immediately took several steps back.
’I paid for his eyes before. If he’s looking for revenge, this could be bad!’
Geoffrey didn’t dare to linger.
He bid a hasty farewell to Yu Zhizhi and scurried away.
The jewel merchant Geoffrey’s every move had been under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Everyone had seen him give her a custom bracelet. The chain was stunningly beautiful, a perfect, dazzling fit on the young Rabbit Clan female’s wrist.
Many of the noble ladies wore expressions of envy—
It was obviously custom-made just for her. They feared that even if they showed up at Geoffrey’s door with untold amounts of gold and silver and jewels, he wouldn’t be able to produce a second one.
The ball was about to begin.
A path across the water, built with Ice Magic, stretched all the way to the core area. The vast expanse of the sea was illuminated by lanterns, even at night.
Only those with tickets were qualified to enter the centermost area.
The other Beastmen could only watch from the shore.
The Guard Team remained close by Yu Zhizhi’s side, never leaving her.
Yu Zhizhi chose not to go to the core area, instead taking a stroll along the beach with Yusen.
Most people remained on the shore as fireworks bloomed, illuminating the night sky. The giant, distant stage made of ice reflected the brilliant, rippling lights.
A member of the Guard Team held Yu Zhizhi’s shoes.
Holding up her skirt with both hands, she walked slowly along the shore, her feet sinking into the wet, soft sand. The gentle waves lapping at her snow-white feet made her laugh with delight.
Yusen followed quietly behind her, his attention constantly fixed on her.
Many of the Beastmen saw this.
Even though the young Rabbit Clan female hadn’t gone to the most dazzling platform, she was still the most conspicuous person in the crowd, impossible to ignore.
Especially the Mermaid with her. Even though he was right by the ocean, he showed no sign of wanting to enter the water.
He didn’t even reveal his tail.
Everyone knew that in the water, a Mermaid’s combat power increased more than tenfold. If he were to truly go berserk, this small Guard Team would have a difficult time stopping him.
In fact—
The Mermaid was so close to his keeper. Killing her would be effortless.
Many Beastmen were watching.
They couldn’t look away.
Then they saw the Mermaid take two quick steps to come to the Rabbit Clan Lady’s side, walking shoulder to shoulder with her.
A look of tension crossed one Beastman’s face. "He’s not about to attack her, is he?"
They were so close to the sea. After killing her, he could just dive into the undersea depths.
He might actually escape!
The noble females who had already reached the ice stage on the sea also noticed the two figures strolling along the shore.
The young lady of the Fox Clan clutched her skirt. She really didn’t want to see the little rabbit get hurt.
Yusen slowly reached out his hand.
Everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats.
But they saw him subtly, gently take the Rabbit Clan Lady’s hand.
Yu Zhizhi turned to look at him with a smile, lacing her fingers through his.
The sight left many of the Beastmen stunned.
And the Guard Team following them seemed completely unfazed, not even batting an eye.
Yusen held her hand, just as he had the many times they had walked together in the snow.
Paradise was always covered in snow.
It would snow, then stop, then snow again. New snow would cover the old, and it seemed it would never melt.
The coastline stretched on and on.
And yet, for some reason, even while holding the little rabbit’s hand, an inexplicable panic stirred in his heart.
...He was scared.
What was he afraid of?
Yusen himself didn’t have the answer.
...
Much later, after the ball had ended, the young Fox Clan woman approached Yu Zhizhi with a smile. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, do you remember our promise?"
Her brother had returned tonight.
Yu Zhizhi hummed softly in agreement. "I remember."
"Then, is now a good time?"
Her gaze swept over to the Mermaid at Yu Zhizhi’s side. Although she had mentally prepared herself, she couldn’t help but stare at him.
"It is." Yu Zhizhi slowly released the Mermaid’s hand. "Miss Li Yin, please lead the way."
The moment Yu Zhizhi let go, Yusen instinctively wanted to grab her hand again.
His fingers froze in mid-air.
Then, he slowly lowered them.
His heart felt empty.
