Mermaids have a special constitution. Even upon reaching adulthood, they do not differentiate automatically.

For a Mermaid to differentiate, there are only two scenarios—

One, the Purification Holy Medicine can induce differentiation. After drinking the medicine, the Mermaid’s body will experience excruciating pain, as if being torn apart. This agony lasts for seven days and seven nights, at the end of which they will have differentiated a pair of human legs.

Two, the Mermaid differentiates voluntarily, even actively seeking it out. In this case, their fishtail will feel a tingling, electric sensation, unlike the tormenting pain of a forced differentiation.

However, very, very few Mermaids are willing to differentiate voluntarily.

Even with the blood of the Enchanting Sharks flowing through their veins, they are unwilling to become slaves to their desires.

This time, the Mermaid, Yusen, was differentiating voluntarily.

The little female lying on his chest clung to him, rubbing against his body. A blush rose on the young man’s pale face. Although his fishtail was still covered in blue scales, it was faintly taking the shape of human legs.

Voluntary differentiation takes about half an hour.

During this time, he had to continuously soothe the little female rabbit in his arms with his hands.

The corners of Yu Zhizhi’s eyes were red, and she was crying softly.

Yusen lowered his head and nuzzled her rabbit ear with the tip of his nose, his hoarse voice holding a hint of a smile.

"You brought this on yourself, silly rabbit."

’You should’ve just chosen Louis.’

’Then you wouldn’t have had to wait so long.’

Half an hour later, he finally finished differentiating.

The clinking of chains sounded as the young man wrapped his arms around the little female rabbit and placed her in a suitable position...

「The next morning.」

The bathroom door opened.

Louis walked in silently and bent down to pick up the sleeping little female rabbit. Her long dress was in disarray, and red marks were faintly visible on her shoulder. His face grim, the young man carried her out of the room.

After they left, the Mermaid picked up the Purification Holy Medicine that had been left beside the tub. His pale face held the afterglow of pleasure, making his features seem even more refined and beautiful. The mole on the tip of his nose was utterly bewitching.

He pulled out the stopper and poured the Holy Medicine along the edge of the tub, letting it spill onto the floor outside.

’So the differentiation medicine wasn’t even used.’

The young man’s thin lips pursed. ’It’s probably because I’m just too "kind-hearted." I just couldn’t bear to see that little female rabbit suffer.’

’In any case, it’s definitely not for any other...’

’...ridiculous reasons.’

When Yu Zhizhi woke up, it was evening.

A bedside lamp was lit in the room.

The bed curtains were drawn shut. She lay on her side, and when she tried to speak, her throat felt raw.

’Yesterday...’

Yu Zhizhi vaguely remembered a few things. Her heart was beating a little fast. She must have successfully mated with the Mermaid.

’More than once.’

’But I’ll have to wait a week to know if I’ve conceived.’

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but rub her belly, praying in her heart that nothing would go wrong this time.

She slowly sat up.

Hearing the movement, Louis came to the door and knocked softly.

"Miss, are you awake?"

"...I’m awake."

Yu Zhizhi’s voice was a little hoarse, and her mouth felt dry.

Louis gently pushed the door open and entered with a tray. He walked to the bedside and set down the food.

Louis poured fresh water into a glass and held it to her lips.

Yu Zhizhi lowered her head and began to drink slowly.

Having just woken up, she looked a bit dazy, her rabbit ears drooping slightly. Noticing that Louis hadn’t said a word, she couldn’t help but look up at him, her eyes blinking.

"What is it?" Louis’s voice was gentle.

"Nothing..."

Yu Zhizhi wanted to ask about last night but was a little too embarrassed.

After a moment’s thought, she had to find a new topic.

"How is Yusen?"

"Who?"

"The Mermaid..."

’So, they exchanged names.’

Louis set down the glass. He picked up the bowl of tofu fish soup he had prepared, scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it gently.

"As you wished, Miss, I did not disturb him."

The young man held out the spoon, and Yu Zhizhi took a small sip of the soup.

’It’s so delicious~’

Her eyes lit up.

Seeing how much the little female rabbit loved the soup he’d made, especially the fish soup, a smile tugged at the corners of Louis’s lips.

He decided he would stew [fish soup] for the little rabbit every day for the next week.

’Although the little female rabbit doesn’t eat meat, she still enjoys drinking the broth.’

After finishing the soup, Yu Zhizhi felt much of her strength return. She was worried about the Mermaid and wanted to go downstairs to check on him.

Louis left with the tray.

Yu Zhizhi got out of bed, slipped on a pair of soft, fluffy slippers, and headed downstairs.

She was wearing a long, white nightgown that reached nearly to her ankles.

Louis was busy in the kitchen. Hearing footsteps, his gaze shifted, and he glimpsed her small figure slipping into the bathroom.

The hand with which he was washing a glass paused for a moment.

Yu Zhizhi entered the bathroom and saw the Mermaid quietly "sleeping," looking no different than before.

Especially—

He still had his light blue fishtail, which soaked in the clear, azure water. His scales seemed to glow, creating a dreamy and beautiful sight.

Hearing her footsteps, the fingers of Yusen’s right hand, which were propping up his forehead, twitched slightly. His voice was flat. "What is it?"

"Um, about last night, thank you..." Yu Zhizhi thanked him sincerely.

Yu Zhizhi had been delirious at the time, and the images that appeared in her mind were fragmented. She couldn’t be sure if they were real or just her imagination.

Back then, the Mermaid’s cool fingers had gradually grown scorching hot.

Her whole body had trembled.

She had shivered again and again. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Yu Zhizhi could still remember his low, joyous laughter, which made him seem like a completely different person from the Mermaid before her now.

The young man gave a nonchalant "mhm."

"Thank you for being willing to differentiate." Yu Zhizhi clutched the hem of her dress. ’I should find Yusen’s eyes for him sooner,’ she thought. ’He must want them back, right?’

At the mention of this, the Mermaid’s expression shifted slightly. He said stiffly, "It was the Holy Medicine you brought back. It took effect."

He would never admit that he had differentiated voluntarily.

"But... the Beastman at the Lost Tower said that after bringing the Holy Medicine back, it requires a very complicated procedure to work..."

"There are always exceptions."

"Oh..."

Yu Zhizhi glanced at the empty bottle sitting outside the tub. Her memory was incomplete; maybe the Mermaid really had drunk the Holy Medicine to differentiate.

But regardless, he had helped her.

Besides that, there was a good chance she would become pregnant with the Mermaid’s child...

At this thought, an irrepressible smile spread across Yu Zhizhi’s face.

"Anyway, thank you for being willing to help me."

Yu Zhizhi thanked him sincerely once again.

Her attitude, however, sparked a trace of confusion in the young man’s heart.

Vaguely, he also felt a little stifled.

Compared to this polite, formal little female of the Rabbit Clan who kept thanking him, he much preferred the silly rabbit from last night who had clung to him, repeatedly saying, "I like you," and "I want more."

Yu Zhizhi placed the food beside the tub. She didn’t tell the Mermaid beforehand that she planned to help him find his eyes.

She wanted to give Yusen a surprise.

After leaving the bathroom, Yu Zhizhi called the Guard Team and was transferred to Luther.

"Luther, there’s something I need your help with."

"Ms. Zhi Zhi, please go ahead."

"I want to find the Mermaid’s eyes. Can you help me find out who bought them? The sooner the better."

Yu Zhizhi wanted to find Yusen’s eyes for him as a thank-you gift.

And complete the side quest at the same time.

About ten minutes later, Luther called back.

"I found it, but..." He hesitated. "The noble who bought the Mermaid’s Eye... he’s a bit of a problem."